SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny

SHYLOCK The Merchant of Venice By Alfred de Vigny
JESSICA: (pointing her finger at him)
I am going to make you spend the night right here
To avenge myself on you, if you loved me and if—
But someone's coming.
(Servant enters.)
SERVANT: I'm running ahead by myself and rushing
To announce that my mistress is going to come momentarily
She's coming slowly and is stopping I think
To pray at the foot of this cross.
LORENZO: Go tell the castle that musicians must
Greet her coming in the avenue
With what pleases her, in full tune.
(exit servant)
Let's await them here. See this pale and clear day
Slumber softly on the benches of the lawn
Seat yourself. With instruments mercy and flexibility
Enter into our hearts through the intoxication of the senses.
Silence and night agree with the accents
Of voices and harmonies, doubly pure and harmonic!
In the infinite dome see the endless crowd
Of heavenly diamonds incrusted in the air
With its globes following their smooth paths.
There isn't a single one on whom the invisible wheel
Doesn't produce a concert which mixes and rejoices
Amongst the divine songs of blue eyed angels
But this enchantment with its miraculous sounds
Can only reveal itself to souls delivered
From the body, and forever surrounded by happiness.
(to the musicians who enter and assemble at the rear)
Come, musicians with a joyful concert
Lead Portia back to her deserted palace.
(the musicians perform a soft air)
JESSICA: (holding Lorenzo's hands)
How is it that music by pleasing me saddens me
And that my emotional heart resists the gayest songs?
SCENE III 66