Westminster but in the quiet church of the little country town in
which he was born.







Chapter LXVII SHAKESPEARE--"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"

IN this chapter I am going to tell you in a few words the story
of one of Shakespeare's plays called The Merchant of Venice. It
is founded on an Italian story, one of a collection made by Ser
Giovanni Fiorentino.

The merchant of Venice was a rich young man called Antonio. When
the story opens he had ventured all his money in trading
expeditions to the East and other lands. In two months' time he
expects the return of his ships and hopes then to make a great
deal of money. But meantime he has none to spare, and when his
great friend Bassanio comes to borrow of him he cannot give him
any.

Bassanio's need is urgent, for he loves the beautiful lady Portia
and desires to marry her. This lady was so lovely and so rich
that her fame had spread over all the world till "the four winds
blow in from every coast renowned suitors." Bassanio would be
among these suitors, but alas he has no money, not even enough to
pay for the journey to Belmont where the lovely lady lived. Yet