_"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 of a maiden's eyes; Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing."_ Launcelot, the foolish serving man for Shylock, says to old Gobbo, his blind father: _"Do you not know me, father?"_ Gobbo replies: _"Alack, sir. I am sand-blind. I know you not."_ Launcelot makes this wise statement: _"Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, You might fail of the knowing of me: It is a wise father that knows his own child!"_ Shylock discharges Launcelot, and Jessica, the beautiful daughter of the money lender, parts with him regretfully--she gives him a secret letter to deliver to her Christian lover, Lorenzo, and then says: