Lor. Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour. Gra. We have not made good preparation. 005 Salar. We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers. Salan. ’Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order’d, And better in my mind not undertook. 008 Lor. ’Tis now but four o’clock: we have two hours 009 To furnish us. Enter Launcelot, with a letter. Friend Launcelot, what’s the news? 010 Laun. An it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. Lor. I know the hand: in faith, ’tis a fair hand; 013 And whiter than the paper it writ on 014 Is the fair hand that writ. Gra. Love-news, in faith. 015 Laun. By your leave, sir. Lor. Whither goest thou? Laun. Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. Lor. Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica 020 I will not fail her; speak it privately. 021 Go, gentlemen, [Exit Launcelot. 022 Will you prepare you for this masque to-night? I am provided of a torch-bearer. Salar. Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight. Salan. And so will I. Lor. 025 Meet me and Gratiano At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence. Salar. ’Tis good we do so. [Exeunt Salar. and Salan. Gra. Was not that letter from fair Jessica? Lor. I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed 030 How I shall take her from her father’s house; What gold and jewels she is furnish’d with; What page’s suit she hath in readiness. If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven, It will be for his gentle daughter’s sake: 035 And never dare misfortune cross her foot, Unless she do it under this excuse, That she is issue to a faithless Jew. Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [Exeunt.