o become the
obedient wife of Bassanio; and Gratiano, wishing Bassanio and the
generous lady joy, desired permission to be married at the same time.

"With all my heart, Gratiano," said Bassanio, "if you can get a wife."

Gratiano then said that he loved the Lady Portia's fair waiting
gentlewoman Nerissa, and that she had promised to be his wife, if her
lady married Bassanio. Portia asked Nerissa if this was true. Nerissa
replied, "Madam, it is so, if you approve of it." Portia willingly
consenting, Bassanio pleasantly said, "Then our wedding-feast shall be
much honoured by your marriage, Gratiano."

The happiness of these lovers was sadly crossed at this moment by the
entrance of a messenger, who brought a letter from Antonio containing
fearful tidings. When Bassanio read Antonio's letter, Portia feared it
was to tell him of the death of some dear friend, he looked so pale; and
inquiring what was the news which had so distressed him, he said, "O
sweet Portia, here are a few of the unpleasantest words that ever
blotted paper; gentle lady, when I first imparted my love to you, I
freely told you all the wealth I had ran in my veins; but I should have
told you that I had less than nothing, being in debt." Bassanio then
told Portia what has been here related, of his borrowing the money of
Antonio, and of Antonio's procuring it of Shylock the Jew, and of the
bond by which Antonio had engaged to forfeit a pound of flesh, if it was
not repaid by a certain day: and then Bassanio read Antonio's letter;
the words of which were, "_Sweet Bassanio, my ships are all lost, my
bond to the Jew is forfeited, and since in paying it is impossible I
should live, I could wish to see you at my death; notwithstanding, use
your pleasure; if your love for me do not persuade you to come, let not
my letter._" "O, my dear love," said Portia, "despatch all business, and
begone; you shall have gold to pay the money twenty times over, before
this kind friend shall lose a hair by my Bassanio's fault; and as you
are so dearly bought, I will dearly love you." Portia then said she
would be married to Bassanio before he set out, to give him a legal
right to her money; and that same day they were married, and Gratiano
was also married to Nerissa; and Bassanio and Gratiano, the instant they
were married, set out in great haste for Venice, where Bassanio found
Antonio in prison.

The day of payment being past, the cruel Jew would not accept of the
money w