ate, who borrows
of all who will lend, but always forgets to repay or return the loans.
When spoken to about it, he interrupts the speaker before he comes to
the point, and diverts the conversation to some other subject. He is one
of the new school, always emotionless, looks on money as the _summum
bonum_, and all as fair that puts money in his purse. The Hon. Tom
Shuffleton marries Lady Caroline Braymore, who has [pounds]4000 a year.
(See DIMANCHE.)--G. Colman, Jr., _John Bull_.

=Shylock=, the Jew, who lends Antonio (a Venetian merchant) 3000 ducats
for three months, on these conditions: If repaid within the time, only
the principal would be required; if not, the Jew should be at liberty to
cut from Antonio's body a pound of flesh. The ships of Antonio being
delayed by contrary winds, the merchant was unable to meet his bill, and
the Jew claimed the forfeiture. Portia, in the dress of a law doctor,
conducted the trial, and when the Jew was about to take his bond,
reminded him that he must shed no drop of blood, nor must he cut either
more or less than an exact pound. If these conditions were infringed his
life would be forfeit. The Jew, feeling it to be impossible to exact the
bond under such conditions, gave up the claim, but was heavily fined for
seeking the life of a Venetian citizen.--Shakespeare, _The Merchant of
Venice_ (1598).

Among modern actors, _Henry Irving_, as Shylock, stands unsurpassed.

According to the kindred authority of Shylock, no man hates the
thing he would not kill.--Sir W. Scott.

[Asterism] Paul Secchi tells us a similar tale: A merchant of Venice,
having been informed by private letter that Drake had taken and
plundered St. Domingo, sent word to Sampson Ceneda, a Jewish usurer.
Ceneda would not believe it, and bet a pound of flesh it was not true.
When the report was confirmed the pope told Secchi he might lawfully
claim his bet if he chose, only he must draw no blood, nor take either
more or less than an exact pound, on the penalty of being
hanged.--Gregorio Leti, _Life of Sextus V._ (1666).

=Sibbald=, an attendant on the earl of Menteith.--Sir W. Scott, _Legend of
Montrose_ (time, Charles I.).

=Sibylla=, the sibyl. (See SIBYLS.)

And thou, Alecto, feede me wyth thy foode ...
And thou, Sibilla, when thou seest me faynte,
Addres thyselfe the gyde of my complaynte.

Sackville, _Mirrour for Magistraytes_ ("Complaynte," etc.,
(1557).[TN-177]