Page 426 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach. [20]

SHYLOCK
So do I his.

LAUNCELOT
And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but
if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black
Monday last at six o’clock i’th’morning, falling [25] out that year on Ash

Wednesday was four year in th’afternoon.

SHYLOCK
What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica:
Lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum
And the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, [30]

Clamber not you up to the casements then,
Nor thrust your head into the public street
To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces;
But stop my house’s ears, I mean my casements;
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter [35]

My sober house. By Jacob’s staff I swear
I have no mind of feasting forth tonight,
But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah.

Say I will come.

LAUNCELOT

I will go before, sir.
Mistress, look out at window for all this: [40]
There will come a Christian by
Will be worth a Jewess’ eye.

Exit.

SHYLOCK
What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring, ha?

JESSICA
His words were ‘Farewell, mistress’, nothing else.