lian city of Venice there dwelt in former times a
Jew, by name Shylock, who had grown rich by lending money at high
interest to Christian merchants. No one liked Shylock, he was so hard
and so cruel in his dealings; but perhaps none felt such an abhorrence
of his character as a young man of Venice named Antonio.

This hatred was amply returned by the Jew; for Antonio was so kind to
people in distress that he would lend them money without taking
interest. Besides, he used to reproach Shylock for his hard dealings,
when they chanced to meet. Apparently the Jew bore such reproaches
with wonderful patience; but could you have looked into his heart, you
would have seen it filled with longing for revenge.

It is not strange to find that Antonio was greatly loved by his
fellow-countrymen; but dearest of all his friends was Bassanio, a young
man of high rank, though possessed of but small fortune.

One day Bassanio came to tell Antonio that he was about to marry a
wealthy lady, but to meet the expense of wedding such an heiress, he
needed the loan of three thousand ducats.

Just at that time Antonio had not the money to lend his friend, but he
was expecting home some ships laden with merchandise; and he offered to
borrow the required sum of Shylock upon the security of these vessels.

Together they repaired to the Jewish money-lender; and Antonio asked
for three thousand ducats, to be repaid from the merchandise contained
in his ships. Shylock remembered now all that Antonio had done to
offend him. For a few moments he remained silent; then he said:

"Signor, you have called me a dog, and an unbeliever. Is it for these
courtesies I am to lend you money?"

"Lend it not as a friend," said Antonio; "rather lend it to me as an
enemy, so that you may the better exact the penalty if I fail."

Then Shylock thought he would pretend to feel more kindly.

"I would be friends with you," he said. "I will forget your treatment
of me, and supply your wants without taking interest for my money."

Antonio was, of course, very much surprised at such words. But Shylock
repeated them; only requiring that they should go to some lawyer,
before whom--as a jest--Antonio should swear, that if by a certain day
he did not repay the money, he would forfeit a pound of flesh, cut from
any part of his body which the Jew might choose.

"I will sign to this bond," said Antonio; "and will say there is much
kindness in a Jew."

But Bassanio