Episode 7

In Belmont, Bassanio and Portia got married, and so did Gratiano and Nerissa. One day, Bassanio received a letter from Antonio. Portia watched him as he read it and saw.his face turn white.

“There must be very bad news in that letter,” she said to Nerissa,

“Oh Portia, this is from my friend Antonio,” Bassanio said in a worried voice. “He is in very serious trouble.

“Then we must help him all we can,” Portia said, putting her hand on Bassanio’s arm. “Anything I can do to help, I will.”

“Thank you, my love, but now I must explain,” said Bassanio.

Bassanio told Portia how he and Antonio had borrowed money from Shylock. He explained about the pound of flesh.

“Antonio says his ships are lost at sea,” Bassanio said. “He can’t pay Shylock’s money back, and now Shylock wants his pound of flesh.”

“My dear, you must go to him at once,” said Portia. “I'll give you the money to pay Shylock. Do not let him hurt Antonio because of you.”

“Thank you, my dear, but I'm still very worried,” said Bassani. “I will go at once and take Gratiano with me.

Bassanio and Gratiano got ready as quickly as they could, and set sail for Venice.

‘As soon as they had left, Portia sat down and wrote a letter to her cousin, Doctor Bellario, who was a doctor of law. She told him about Antonio and Shylock’s agreement, and asked him for advice. She then called one of her servants and asked him to deliver the letter as quickly as possible.

“Doctor Bellario will give you books, papers and clothes,” Portia told her servant. “You must bring all these to me in Venice.”

“| will do exactly as you tell me,” the servant said, and hurried away.

“Come, Nerissa. We have work to do,” Portia said to her maid. “We will see our husbands very soon.”

“Really, my lady? And will they see us?” Nerissa asked.

“They will see us, but they will not know us,” Portia said with a smile. “Because we will be disguised as young men.”

“Young men, my lady? I do not understand,” Nerissa said.

“We will leave for Venice very soon,” Portia said. “There, we'll put on my cousin Bellario’s clothes. We'll be disguised as young lawyers. I must try to save Bassanio’s friend.”