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The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

Merchant of Venice: Act 2, Scene 3

Additional Information
  • Year Published: 1597
  • Language: English
  • Country of Origin: England
  • Source: Shakespeare, W. (1597). The Merchant of Venice.New York: Sully and Kleinteich.
  • Readability:
    • Flesch–Kincaid Level: 11.0
  • Word Count: 185
  • Genre: Tragedy
  • Keywords: 16th century literature, british literature, comedy, drama, merchant of venice, william shakespeare
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SCENE. The same. A room in SHYLOCK's house.

(Enter JESSICA and LAUNCELOT.)

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

LAUNCELOT.
Adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. Most beautiful pagan,
most sweet Jew! If a Christian do not play the knave and get
thee, I am much deceived. But, adieu! these foolish drops do
something drown my manly spirit; adieu!

JESSICA.
Farewell, good Launcelot.

(Exit LAUNCELOT)

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

(Exit)