Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/101

The Merchant of Venice, V. i

Clo. Tell him there's a post come from my

master, with his horn full of good news: my

master will be here ere morning.

[Exit.]

Lor. Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming.

And yet no matter; why should we go in?

My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,

Within the house, your mistress is at hand;

And bring your music forth into the air.

[Exit Stephano.]

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music

Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night

Become the touches of sweet harmony.

Sit, Jessica: look, how the floor of heaven

Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold:

There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st

But in his motion like an angel sings,

Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;

Such harmony is in immortal souls;

But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay

Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.

Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn:

With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,

And draw her home with music.

Jes. I am never merry when I hear sweet music.

Play music.

Lor. The reason is, your spirits are attentive:

For do but note a wild and wanton herd,

Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,

 49 expect: await

51 signify: make it known

58, 59 the floor of heaven, etc.; cf. n.

59 patines: thin plates, used in celebration of the Eucharist

62 quiring: singing in harmony

70 attentive: absorbed, concentrated 