Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

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Ner.

It is your music, madam, of the house.

Por.

Nothing is good, I see, without respect;

Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

Ner.

Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

Por.

The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark

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.

[Music ceases.]

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