THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. 93

Meanwhile Bassanio had -
reached Belmont, and had
visited the fair Portia. He
found, as he had told An-
tonio, that the rumour of /
her wealth and beauty had
drawn to her suitors from /
far and near. But to all of
them Portia had but
one reply. She would
only accept that suitor
who would pledge
himself to abide by
the terms of her
father’s will. These
were conditions that
frightened away many
an ardent wooer. For
he who would win
Portia’s heart and
hand, had to guess
which of three oe
held her portrait. If he guessed aright, then Portia would be his bide!
if wrong, then he was bound by oan never to reveal which casket he
chose, never to marry, and to go away at Once.

The caskets were of gold, silver, and lead. The gold one bore this
inscription :—‘‘ Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire”
the silver one had this :—‘‘ Who chooseth me shall get as much as he
deserves” ; while on the lead one were these words :—‘‘ Who chooseth
me must give and hazard all he hath.” The Prince of Morocco, as brave
as he was black, was among the first to submit to this test. He chose’
the gold casket, for he said neither base lead nor silver could contain
her picture. So he chose the gold casket, and found inside the likeness
of what many men desire—death.

After him came the haughty Prince of Arragon, and saying, ‘“‘ Let
me have what I deserve—surely I deserve the lady,’ he phose the