The Merchant of Venice: Act 2, Scene 3


           Enter JESSICA and the clown [LAUNCELOT].

      JESSICA
  1   I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so:
  2   Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,
  3   Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
  4   But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee:
  5   And, Launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see
  6   Lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest:
  7   Give him this letter; do it secretly;
  8   And so farewell: I would not have my father
  9   See me in talk with thee.

      LAUNCELOT
10. exhibit: blunder for inhibit; i.e., restrain.
 10   Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful
 11   pagan, most sweet Jew! if a Christian did not play
12. get: beget.
 12   the knave and get thee, I am much deceived. But,
 13   adieu: these foolish drops do something drown my
 14   manly spirit: adieu.

      JESSICA
 15   Farewell, good Launcelot.

           [Exit Launcelot.]

 16   Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
 17   To be ashamed to be my father's child!
 18   But though I am a daughter to his blood,
19. manners: character.
 19   I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,
 20   If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,
 21   Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

           Exit.