And poor old Shylock gasps:

_"I am content."_

Thus ends one of the most barefaced swindles of the ages; and my friend
William is responsible for the nefarious and systematic machinery of
roguery and persecution injected into the play to satisfy Christian hate
against the wandering Jew.

In looking around the world even to-day, we might truthfully exclaim:

"O, Christianity! Christianity! how many crimes are committed in thy name!"

The fifth act of the "Merchant of Venice" winds up with harmonious love and
prosperity for all concerned.

At the beautiful home of "Belmont," Bassanio, Portia, Lorenzo and Jessica,
as well as Gratiano and Nerissa are married and living in blissful
association.

In the moonlit, lovelit conversation between Lorenzo and his Jewish wife,
Jessica, Shakspere wings in some of his finest classical allusions, a word
banquet for all passion struck lovers.

Lorenzo seated amid waving trees, trailing vines and perfumed flowers
illuminated by the mystic rays of Luna, says to Jessica:

_"The moon shines bright; in such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,
And they did make no noise; in such a night,
Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls,
And sighed his soul towards the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night."_

Jessica replies:

_"In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew;
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,
And ran dismayed away."_

Then Lorenzo talks:

_"In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waved her love
To come again to Carthage."_

And Jessica:

_"In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Aeson."_

Lorenzo then triumphant speaks:

_"In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew;
And with an unthrifty love did run from Venice,
As far as Belmont."_

Jessica satirically replies:

_"In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well;
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne'er a true one."_

Lorenzo fires back this answer:

_"And in such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew
Slander her love, and he forgave it her."_

Jessica gets in the last word, and says:

_"I would outnight you, did nobody come;
But hark, I hear the footing of a man."_

Lorenzo declines to enter the house for