In his grief, Bassanio cried out that, dearly as he loved his wife, even she could not be more precious to him than Antonio’s life; and that he would lose her and all he had, could it avail to satisfy the Jew.

“Your wife would give you little thanks for that, if she were by to hear you make that offer,” said Portia; not at all angry, however, with her husband for loving such a noble friend well enough to say this.

Then Bassanio’s servant exclaimed that he had a wife whom he loved, but he wished she were in heaven, if, by being there, she could soften the heart of Shylock.

At this, Nerissa—­who, in her clerk’s dress, was by Portia’s side—­said, “It is well you wish this behind her back.”

But Shylock was impatient to be revenged on his victim, and cried out that time was being lost.  So Portia asked if the scales were in readiness; and if some surgeon were near, lest Antonio should bleed to death.

“It is not so named in the bond,” said Shylock.

“It were good you did so much for charity,” returned Portia.

But charity and mercy were nothing to the Jew, who sharpened his knife, and called upon Antonio to prepare.  But Portia bade him tarry; there was something more to hear.  Though the law, indeed, gave him a pound of flesh, it did not give him one single drop of blood; and if, in cutting off the flesh, he shed one drop of Antonio’s blood, his possessions were confiscated by the law to the State of Venice!

A murmur of applause ran through the court at the wise thought of the young counsellor; for it was clearly impossible for the flesh to be cut without the shedding of blood, and therefore Antonio was safe.

Shylock then said he would take the money Bassanio had offered; and Bassanio cried out gladly, “Here it is!” at which Portia stopped him, saying that the Jew should have nothing but the penalty named in the bond.

“Give me my money and I will go!” cried Shylock once more; and once more Bassanio would have given it, had not Portia again interfered.  “Tarry, Jew,” she said; “the law hath yet another hold on you.”  Then she stated that, for conspiring against the life of a citizen of Venice, the law compelled him to forfeit all his wealth, and his own life was at the mercy of the duke.

The duke said he would grant him his life before he asked it; one-half of his riches only should go to the State, the other half should be Antonio’s.

More merciful of heart than his enemy could expect, Antonio declared that he did not desire the Jew’s property, if he would make it over at his death to his own daughter, whom he had discarded for marrying a Christian, to which Shylock reluctantly agreed.

THE AFFLICTED PRINCE.

A tale of the ancient Britons.

I.