But Portia has no mind to sit at home and do nothing while her
husband's friend is in danger of his life. As soon as Bassanio
has gone, she gives her house into the keeping of Lorenzo and
sets out for Venice. From her cousin, the great lawyer Bellario,
she borrows lawyer's robes for herself, and those of a lawyer's
clerk for Nerissa. And thus disguised, they reach Venice safely.
This part of the story has brought us to the fourth act of the
play, and when the curtain rises on this act we see the Court of
Justice in Venice. The Duke and all his courtiers are present,
the prisoner Antonio, with Bassanio, and many others of his
friends. Shylock is called in. The Duke tries to soften the
Jew's heart and make him turn to mercy, in vain. Bassanio also
tries in vain, and still Bellario, to whom the Duke has sent for
aid, comes not.
At this moment Nerissa, dressed as a lawyer's clerk, enters,
bearing a letter. The letter is from Bellario recommending a
young lawyer named Balthazar to plead Antonio's cause.
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