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as he had told Antonio, 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 caskets held her portrait. If

he guessed right then Portia would be his bride; if wrong, then he was bound by oath
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 Prince of Morocco chose the gold casket,
for he said neither base lead nor silver could contain her picture. He found inside the

picture of death.
After him came the haughty Prince of Arragon. He chose the 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. He took the oath and walked up to the caskets. ‘‘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.’’ And opening

it, 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
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 was as grieved as Bassanio to hear of the danger which threatened his

friend.
“First”, She said take me to church and make me your wife, and then go to Venice at

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

But, when her newly-made husband had gone. Portia went after him, and arrived in
Venice disguised as a lawyer, and with an introduction from a celebrated lawyer Bellario,

whom the Duke of Venice had called in to decide the legal questions raised by Shylock’s
claim to a pound of Antonio’s flesh. When the Court met, Bassanio offered Shylock

twice the money borrowed, if he would withdraw his claim. But the moneylender’s

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