he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains, and my well worn thrift,
Which he calls interest; cursed be my tribe
If I forgive him!"_

Antonio finally asks for the three thousand ducats, and says:

_"Well, Shylock, shall we be beholden to you?"_

Then in a speech of brave defiance, Shylock humiliates the Gentile merchant
in this manner:

_"Signior Antonio, many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my monies, and my usury;
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug;
For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe;
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat, dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
And all for use of that which is mine own.
Well, then, it now appears you need my help;
Go to, then; you come to me and you say:
Shylock, we would have monies; you say so;
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur--
Over your threshold; monies is your suit.
What should I say to you? Should I not say;
Hath a dog money? Is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats? Or
Shall I bend low, and in a bondsman's key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness say this--
Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;
You spurned me such a day; another time
You called me--dog, and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much monies!"_

Antonio, not any way abashed at the scolding of the money lender, says:

_"I am as like to call thee dog again,
And spit on thee again, to spurn thee, too!"_

Shylock then agrees to lend the three thousand ducats if Antonio will give
bond and penalty to pay the money back with interest in three months.

Shylock says:

_"Let the forfeit of the bond
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off, and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me!"_

The second act opens with Portia in her grand home at "Belmont," awaiting
suitors for her wealth, beauty and brains.

Her father dying, left three locked chests, gold, silver, and lead, one of
them containing the picture of Portia; and the fortunate suitor who picked
out that rich casket, was to be the husband of the brilliant Portia.

The Prince of Morocco and Prince of Arragon, with Bassanio, were the
suitors.

Portia says to Morocco:

_"In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction