One day, Bassanio came to visit Antonio. This was not unusual because they were good friends. But the visit was more important than usual for Bassanio. He already owed Antonio a lot of money, but now he wanted to borrow some more.
"I have been spending more money than I earn," began Bassanio. "I already owe you a lot of money. I will tell you how I am going to get enough money to pay back all the money I owe."
"Yes, tell me," said Antonio. "If I can help you, I will."
"When I was a boy at school," began Bassanio, "I sometimes lost a ball when I was playing. When that happened, I would throw another ball in exactly the same way and watch it carefully. I would often find the two balls together. You might think of your money that way. The money you gave me is the first ball. It is lost, and I Know it's my fault. But if you gave me some more money, it could be like that second ball and help you get all the money back. I will give back the money you give me now as well as the money that I have already lost."
Antonio invited him to continue.
Bassanio told him about a rich young lady in Belmont. Her name was Portia. Her father died and left her a lot of money. She was beautiful as well as rich, and she was not married. Many men came from all over the world to court her, but nobody had succeeded. Bassanio had met Portia before, and he knew that she liked him. He told Antonio that if he had enough money he would soon make her his wife.
"She is rich and young and beautiful. Her hair is like gold, and her face is always sunny and happy. She is always smiling. Antonio! She is beautiful. She likes me. I am certain she would marry me, marry me!" he explained.
Antonio laughed. "You are my friend, Bassanio," he comforted. "and I will help you. You know that all my ships are at sea just now, so I do not have much money to give you. However, you can go into town and try to borrow the money. Tell the moneylenders that Antonio will guarantee the money is paid back to them. Don't worry!"
