Page:Merchant of Venice (1923) Yale.djvu/103

The Merchant of Venice, V. i

When neither is attended, and I think

The nightingale, if she should sing by day,

When every goose is cackling, would be thought

No better a musician than the wren.

How many things by season season'd are

To their right praise and true perfection!

Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion,

And would not be awak'd!

Lor.That is the voice,

Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.

Por. He knows me, as the blind man knows the cuckoo,

By the bad voice.

Lor.Dear lady, welcome home.

Por. We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,

Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.

Are they return'd?

Lor.Madam, they are not yet;

But there is come a messenger before,

To signify their coming.

Por.Go in, Nerissa:

Give order to my servants that they take

No note at all of our being absent hence;

Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.

A tucket sounds.

Lor. Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet:

We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not.

Por. This night methinks is but the daylight sick;

It looks a little paler: 'tis a day,

Such as the day is when the sun is hid.

 103 attended: given attention

107 by season'd: by proper time matured

109 Endymion: Selene, the Moon, saw him asleep and loved him

121 S. d. tucket: toccata, a flourish on trumpets 