The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 4

Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, Disguise us at my lodging, and return All in an hour.

No, we'll slip away during supper, put on our disguises at my lodging, and be back again all within an hour.

We have not made good preparation.

We haven't got things properly ready.

We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers.

We haven't even arranged for torch-bearers yet.

’Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order’d, And better in my mind not undertook.

It's a poor business unless it can be elegantly arranged, and in my opinion it would be better not attempted at all.

’Tis now but four o’clock, we have two hours To furnish us.

It's only four o'clock now; we have two hours to get ourselves equipped.

Friend Launcelet, what’s the news?

Friend Launcelet, what's the news?

And it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify.

If it should please you to open this, it will seem to explain itself.

I know the hand, in faith ’tis a fair hand, And whiter than the paper it writ on Is the fair hand that writ.

I know the handwriting; truly, it's a lovely hand, and whiter than the paper it was written on is the lovely hand that wrote it.

Love news, in faith.

News of love, truly.

By your leave, sir.

With your permission, sir.

Whither goest thou?

Where are you going?

Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the Christian.

Why, sir, to invite my old master the Jew to have supper tonight with my new master the Christian.

Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica I will not fail her, speak it privately. Go, gentlemen,

Wait, here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica I won't fail her — say it to her in private. Go on, gentlemen.

Will you prepare you for this masque tonight? I am provided of a torch-bearer.

Will you go and get ready for this masque tonight? I've got myself a torch-bearer.

Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.

Yes, indeed, I'll go and see to it right away.

And so will I.

And so will I.

Meet me and Gratiano At Gratiano’s lodging some hour hence.

Meet me and Gratiano at Gratiano's lodging in about an hour.

’Tis good we do so.

It's good that we do that.

Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

Wasn't that letter from lovely Jessica?

I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed 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; 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.

I have to tell you everything. She has given instructions for how I'm to take her from her father's house, what gold and jewels she has supplied herself with, what page's outfit she has ready. If the Jew her father ever gets to heaven, it will be for his gentle daughter's sake; and let misfortune never dare to cross her path, unless it does so under this excuse: that she is the child of a faithless Jew. Come, go with me, and read this through as you go. Lovely Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.