10
THE BATTALION.
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, cupid himself, would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.
Here is shown a most beautiful trait in Jessica’s charac
ter. Modesty! That which every refined girl should display
to a considerable degree, and which too many of our modern
girls seem to be entirely without. The fact that she was re
ceived into Portia’s home is proof enough that Jessica’s
character was that of a refined, gentle and elegant lady.
Act V in the Merchant of Venice, opens with the playful
words of love between Lorenzo and Jessica, and rises, soon„
to a sublime eloquence, when Lorenzo sa3 7 s:
“Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold;
There’s not the smallest orb that thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubims;
Such harmony is in immortal souls;
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close us in, we cannot hear it.”
From the lips of Lorenzo and Jessica as they sit in the
“paler day” of an Italian moon, are breathed the lighter
strains of the most playful poetry, mingled with the highest
flights of the most elevated. Music and the odors of sweet
flowers are around them. Happiness is in their hearts.
Their thoughts are lifted by the beauties of the earth above
the earth.” To say that the} 7 are content doesn’t begin to
express their situation, for supreme happiness is theirs.
The following from Collier best expresses m3 7 idea of
Jessica:
“She is a child of nature, lost in an oriental love enthu
siasm.”