Act II

Here comes Lorenzo: more of this hereafter.

Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;

Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:

When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,

I’ll watch as long for you then. Approach;

Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who’s within?

Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,

Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.

Lorenzo, and thy love.

Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,

For who love I so much? And now who knows

But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.

I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me,

For I am much ashamed of my exchange:

But love is blind and lovers cannot see

The pretty follies that themselves commit;

For if they could, Cupid himself would blush

To see me thus transformed to a boy.