Home > No Fear Shakespeare > The Merchant of Venice > Act 2, Scene 4

No Fear Shakespheare

The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

Get this No Fear to go!

Act 2, Scene 4

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SOLANIO
GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SOLANIO enter.



LORENZO
Nay, we will slink away in supper time,
Disguise us at my lodging, and return,
All in an hour.
 LORENZO
No, we’ll sneak away at supper time, disguise ourselves with masks at my house, and come back in an hour.

GRATIANO
We have not made good preparation.
 GRATIANO
But we haven’t made any preparations.

5		 SALARINO
We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers.
 SALARINO
We haven’t even talked about who’ll be our torchbearers.


SOLANIO
'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly ordered,
And better in my mind not undertook.
 SOLANIO
The masquerade party might turn out terribly if we don’t manage things carefully. I think it’s better to call it off.


LORENZO
'Tis now but four o'clock. We have two hours
To furnish us.
 LORENZO
It’s only four o'clock now. We have two hours to get ready.
Enter LAUNCELOT with a letter
LAUNCELOT enters with a letter.
10
Friend Launcelot, what’s the news?
Launcelot, what’s going on?


LAUNCELOT
(giving LORENZO the letter)
An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.
 LAUNCELOT
(he gives LORENZO the letter) If you don’t mind opening this letter, you can find out for yourself.



15		 LORENZO
I know the hand. In faith, ’tis a fair hand,
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ.
 LORENZO
I recognize the handwriting. It’s beautiful handwriting. And the beautiful hand that wrote this letter is whiter than the paper it’s written on.

GRATIANO
    Love news, in faith?
 GRATIANO
I bet it’s a love letter!

LAUNCELOT
(to LORENZO) By your leave, sir.
 LAUNCELOT
(to LORENZO) May I be excused, sir?
email
Become a fan on Facebook        Follow us on Twitter

Help | Feedback