Portia’s father, very wisely, had not stipulated that her suitors should be wealthy, yet Bassanio’s pride forbade he should appear before her like a beggar. How should he get the money to furnish him for Belmont? His credit was exhausted in Venice. He was indeed much in debt there. To no one could he apply but to his dear Antonio, that friend who had already periled his fortunes for him. Bassanio went to him straightway. He told him of the latent love he had borne Portia ever since he had first looked on her; of her accomplishments, beauty, and her great riches. He assured Antonio that if fortune should be favorable and give her to him, his first use of wealth should be to build up his friend’s fortunes, till he was once more the most prosperous merchant in Venice.
Antonio heard him through, and without a word of hesitation commenced to devise means to raise the money, never questioning the success of Bassanio’s plans, or hinting at the many suitors who had already failed at Belmont. His ships were all at sea, engaged in different ventures, and he had no ready money to advance to his friend. At length he bethought himself of a Jew in Venice, very rich, who loaned money out for a considerable usury,—a practice thought dishonorable by the Christian merchants, who were accustomed to lend their money freely and without interest.
