94 THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

silver one, and found inside a fool’s head. ‘Did I deserve no more
than a fool’s head?” he cried.

Then at last came Bassanio, and Portia would have delayed him
from making his choice from very fear of his choosing wrong. For she
loved him dearly, even as he loved her. ‘“ But,” said Bassanio, “‘let me
choose at once, for, as I am, I live upon the rack.”

Then Portia bade her servants to bring music and play while her
gallant lover made his choice. And Bassanio took the oath and walked
up to the caskets—the musicians playing softly the while. ‘Mere
outward show,” he said, “is to be despised. The world is still deceived
with ornament, and so no gaudy gold or shining silver for me. I choose
the lead casket ; joy be the consequence!” And opening it, he found
fair Portia’s portrait inside, and he turned to her and asked if it were
true that she was his.

“Yes,” said Portia, “I am yours, and this house is yours, and

with them I give you this ring, from which you
must never part.”
And Bassanio, saying that he could
hardly speak for joy, found words to
swear that he would never part with the
ring while he lived.

Then suddenly all his happiness was
dashed with sorrow, for messengers came
from Venice to tell him that Antonio
was ruined, and that Shylock demanded
from the Duke the fulfilment of the
bond, under which he was entitled to a
pound of the merchant’s flesh. Portia
HM was as grieved as Bassanio to hear of the
% danger which threatened his friend.
iB “ Hirst,” she said, “take me to church

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  

 

to Venice at once to help your
friend. You shall take with you
money enough to pay his debt
twenty times over.”