Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/220

198 pound of flesh, cut from whatever part of his body Shylock chose.

Bassanio, with the jealous eye of friendship, half detected the Jew’s treachery under the mask of generosity he wore, and endeavored to dissuade his friend; but Antonio caught at the offer, assured Bassanio he was sure to be able to raise the money long before three months, by the prosperous return of some of his ships, and they went all together to a notary, where this merry bond of Shylock’s was drawn up and signed.

Immediately Bassanio made his preparations to depart. He took with him for company one of his friends named Gratiano, a gentleman of Venice, a fellow full of wit and sprightliness, handsome and brave, but a most prodigious talker. With this friend, a fine ship, rich attire, and a train of attendants, Bassanio set sail for Belmont.

Just as they reached Portia’s dominions, two suitors of importance had made their choice and been dismissed. The first of these was a prince of Morocco, a Moor, whose dark complexion formed a strong contrast to the dazzling fairness of Portia. He had been admitted to the room where the caskets lay, and after reading the inscriptions, had chosen the golden casket, declaring that no less costly metal was worthy to