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NTONIO was a rich and prosperous merchant of Venice. His

ships were on nearly every sea, and he traded with Portugal,

with Mexico, with England, and with India. Although proud of his

riches, he was very generous with them, and delighted to use them in

relieving the wants of his friends, among whom his relation, Bassanio,
held the first place.

Now Bassanio, like many another gay and gallant gentleman, was
reckless and extravagant, and finding that he had not only come to
the end of his fortune, but was also unable to pay his creditors, he went
to Antonio for further help.

“To you, Antonio,” he said, “I owe the most in money and in
love: and I have thought of a plan to pay everything I owe if you
will but help me.”

“Say what I can do, and it shall be done,” answered his friend.

Then said Bassanio, “In Belmont is a lady richly left, and from »
all quarters of the globe renowned suitors come to woo her, not only
because she is rich, but because she is beautiful and good as well. She
looked on me with such favour when last; we met, that I feel sure |
should win her away from all rivals for her love had I but the means
to go to Belmont, where she lives.”

“All my fortunes,” said Antonio, “are at sea, and so I have no
ready money: but luckily my credit is good in Venice, and I will
borrow for you what you need.”

There was living in Venice at this time a rich Jew and money-
lender, named Shylock. Antonio despised and disliked this man very
much, and treated him with the greatest harshness and scorn. He
would thrust him, like a cur, over his threshold, and would even spit on