#episode 2

Long ago, there lived in Venice, a town in Italy, a man called Antonio. He was a merchant, owning many ships which traded with distant countries; and he was a good man as well as a rich one.

Antonio's greatest friend was a young soldier, Bassanio, who loved a beautiful lady called Portia. But Bassanio was not a wealthy man, and he did not like to ask Portia to marry him. Because she was as rich as she was beautiful. At last, however, he asked Antonio to lend him some money, so that he could

visit Portia at Belmont, where she lived, and at least find out

if she loved him. It happened that at this time all Antonio's ships were at sea,

and until they returned he had no money to lend Bassanio,

"But go to a moneylender, he said to his friend. 'Borrow the money you need from him, and tell him that when my ships come in, I will pay him back all that he has lent you'

Now, there lived in Venice an old Jew named Shylock. The Jews in those days were the moneylenders of Venice. They lent money, but they forced people to pay so heavily for the loan that they became very rich. Shylock was one of the greediest Jews in Venice. Antonio hated him for his wicked ways, and he had often insulted him and spoken rudely to him. For this reason, Shylock hated Antonio, too, and was anxious to revenge the insults.

Bassanio, knowing that Shylock was very rich, went to him to borrow the money he needed. Shylock was delighted when he heard that Antonio had promised to pay back the loan. He thought that his enemy had been given into his hands and he made a wicked plan. He pretended to be generous and said he would lend Bassanio the money and would not charge him anything for the loan.

"But Antonio must pay me back in three months, Shylock said. 'And, just for a joke, he must sign a bond promising that I may cut off a pound of flesh from his body if the money is not paid.

Bassanio had no faith in Shylock, and did not like Antonio to make such a terrible promise; but Antonio thought that

Shylock was really joking, and he said: 'I am indeed content to sign such a bond. Do not be afraid, Bassanio. My ships will return a month before the money is due, and then I shall have three times as much as Shylock has lent to you. And Antonio signed the bond.

I do not like this promise, said Bassanio uneasily, but Antonio said again: "You need have no fear. My ships will come home a month before the day!

So Bassanio unwillingly took the money, said goodbye to Antonio, and sailed away to Belmont. He took one of his friends with him, a young man called Gratiano.

The beautiful Portia lived in a big house in Belmont with her servant-companion, Nerissa. Her father had died recently and had left her a great deal of money. He had been a wise, old man, and, to protect his daughter from greedy men who might try to marry her because she was so rich, he left Portia three boxes. One of the boxes contained her picture, and whoever chose this box was to be Portia's husband.

Just before Bassanio arrived from Venice, a king's son came

from Africa to visit Portia. This Prince of Morocco was

powerful and wealthy, and he wished to marry her; but Portia did not love him and she hoped that he would choose the wrong box. "Is it not hard, Nerissa?' she confided to her servant. 'I cannot choose the man I wish to marry, or refuse those I dislike!

"You have plenty of admirers to choose from, Nerissa said. "But do you remember a young man from Venice who once visited your father?"

'Yes, yes! Tia answered. 'It was Bassanio-I think that was his name?'

"True, madam, said Nerissa. 'And I think he deserved your love more than any of the others.

'I remember him well, and I remember he was worthy of your praise! said Tia sadly. 'But I cannot marry him unless he comes and chooses the right box.

'Perhaps he will, Nerissa comforted her. 'Your father was a wise and virtuous man. I am sure he will have arranged the boxes so that the right man will choose the right box.

Nerissa's sensible remark made Tia feel more cheerful as she showed the three boxes to the dark-skinned African from Morocco. He examined them carefully, and read the words written on the outside of each one. On the gold box was written:

Whoever chooses me shall gain what

many men desire.

On the silver box was written: Whoever chooses me shall get as much

as he deserves.

And on the plain box, made of lead, was written:

Whoever chooses me must give and risk

all that he has.

'What many men desire, the Prince of Morocco said, looking at the golden box. 'That must be the fair Portia, and her picture will certainly be inside a box of gold."

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