en from a man, is not so
estimable, nor profitable neither, as the flesh of mutton or beef. I
say, to buy his favour I offer this friendship: if he will take it, so;
if not, adieu."

At last, against the advice of Bassanio, who, notwithstanding all the
Jew had said of his kind intentions, did not like his friend should run
the hazard of this shocking penalty for his sake, Antonio signed the
bond, thinking it really was (as the Jew said) merely in sport.

The rich heiress that Bassanio wished to marry lived near Venice, at a
place called Belmont: her name was Portia, and in the graces of her
person and her mind she was nothing inferior to that Portia, of whom we
read, who was Cato's daughter, and the wife of Brutus.

Bassanio being so kindly supplied with money by his friend Antonio, at
the hazard of his life, set out for Belmont with a splendid train, and
attended by a gentleman of the name of Gratiano.

Bassanio proving successful in his suit, Portia in a short time
consented to accept of him for a husband.

Bassanio confessed to Portia that he had no fortune, and that his high
birth and noble ancestry was all that he could boast of; she, who loved
him for his worthy qualities, and had riches enough not to regard wealth
in a husband, answered with a graceful modesty, that she would wish
herself a thousand times more fair, and ten thousand times more rich, to
be more worthy of him; and then the accomplished Portia prettily
dispraised herself, and said she was an unlessoned girl, unschooled,
unpractised, yet not so old but that she could learn, and that she
would commit her gentle spirit to be directed and governed by him in all
things; and she said, "Myself and what is mine, to you and yours is now
converted. But yesterday, Bassanio, I was the lady of this fair mansion,
queen of myself, and mistress over these servants; and now this house,
these servants, and myself, are yours, my lord; I give them with this
ring;" presenting a ring to Bassanio.

Bassanio was so overpowered with gratitude and wonder at the gracious
manner in which the rich and noble Portia accepted of a man of his
humble fortunes, that he could not express his joy and reverence to the
dear lady who so honoured him, by anything but broken words of love and
thankfulness; and taking the ring, he vowed never to part with it.

Gratiano and Nerissa, Portia's waiting-maid, were in attendance upon
their lord and lady, when Portia so gracefully promised t