SCENE III. The same. A room in SHYLOCK'S house. The Merchant of Venice  Shakespeare homepage  |  Merchant of Venice  | Act 2, Scene 3 

 Previous scene  |  Next scene  SCENE III. 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 did 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 ashamed 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. 



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