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31 crosses] In Catholic countries crosses are common where roads intersect, and travellers may often be seen kneeling at them.

35 nor... not] double nega

tive.

37 ceremoniously] duly; with becoming attention.

39 sola] a cry to attract notice, in imitation of a post-horn. 46 a post] one riding post; a courier.

47 horn] used to announce approach.

49 expect] await.

57 become the touches] accord with, or add a charm to music. 58 floor of heaven] the skyheaven being supposed to be above the sky.

59 patines] small plates, usually of silver or gold, such as used in the Communion service. 61 in his motion] while it moves. His was formerly the possessive inflexion of it as well as of he. It is a common 'conceit' of the poets that the planets are

'For ever singing as they shine.' 62 still quiring] continually singing in harmony.

cherubins] cherubs; angels. The proper form of the Hebrew plural of cherub is cherubim. Cherubin occurs in the Te Deum as used in the Church of England. The English plural is cherubs. Cherubins adds the English plural inflection to the

Hebrew plural.

63 such harmony] harmony of like kind.

66 wake Diana] Diana and

Luna [Selene] the goddess of the Moon are often spoken of as identical, though very different in character, Diana

being unmoved by love, while Selene was in love with Endymion, line 109.

71 wanton] playful; frolicsome. 72 unhandled] untrained; not broken in.

73 fetching] making; taking. [The herd bellowing, the colts neighing.]

74 which is] which indicates. 77 mutual] common; acting under a common impulse. 78 modest] subdued; the opposite of savage.

79 the poet] Ovid's Metam. x. xi. 80 Orpheus] an early poet and musician of Greece, whose song was fabled to have magic power over both animate and inanimate objects.

81 stockish] stupid; his. 1. 61. 85 stratagems] plots; acts of treachery.

spoils] plunder; robbery. 87 Erebus] Tartarus ; the gloomiest part of hell.

88 enter Portia] She is not noticed by Lorenzo till line 109.

94 substitute] lieutenant; vice

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ical and proverbial language
of Elis, people said
"Selene [the Moon] kisses
Endymion to sleep," instead
of it is night. "-Max
Müller, Chips, vol. ii. The
moon being hid by a cloud,
Portia playfully suggests she
is sleeping and would not be
disturbed.

112 cuckoo . . . bad voice] my

voice bad in quality of tone, the Cuckoo's bad as an omen. A reference to its habit of laying eggs in other birds' nests. Of course Portia is joking about her voice. 114 husbands' welfare, which

speed] the plural verb indicates that husbands is the antecedent of which, otherwise the construction would suggest welfare; speed indicates 'speedy return.' 121 tucket] a trumpet signal. 127 hold day] we should have

day when the sun is shining on the opposite side of the world, if you, Portia, would walk abroad here.

129 not be light] in conduct. 132 sort all] ordain or dispose of all.

136 in all sense] in all reason. 141 I scant] I cut short mere compliments of words.

146 posy] poesy; motto.

148 leave me not] do not part with me.

149 what talk you] why talk you?

153 though not for me] If you

did not care enough for me to make you value the ring. 154 respective] regardful of your oaths.

156 on's] on his.

160 scrubbed] short; stunted. 165 slightly] carelessly.

167 with faith] with vow of love or faithfulness.

170 be sworn] put on my oath. 172 masters] v. possesses; owns. 175 I were best] it were best for

me.

179 boy] 180 he]. The subject boy being a long way from the predicate begg'd, a redundant he is introduced for clearness and emphasis.

187 so void] As your finger is void of the ring, even so, &c. 195 the virtue] the power; the right over me which belongs to its possessor, III. ii. 170-2. 197 to contain] to keep; to retain. Your honour pledged to keep it safe. 200 had pleased to have defended] double perfect; usual form, had pleased to defend.' 201 terms of zeal] earnestness; warmth.

was

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1. Why, and under what conditions, did Antonio borrow money of Shylock?

2. 'So is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.' How was this?

3. Many Jasons come in quest of her.' Explain this.

B. (ACT II.)

1. Tell in your own words Launcelot's debate about running away from Shylock.

2. Explain 'Let us make incision for your love.'

3. On what conditions did Bassanio allow Gratiano to accompany him to Belmont ?

C. (ACT II.)

1. Relate Shylock's interview with Launcelot.

2. Write what you remember of Morocco's choice of the gold casket.

3. Explain the expression 'slubber not business.'

D. (ACT III.)

1. Describe Tubal's interview with Shylock.

2. State briefly Bassanio's reasons for choosing the leaden casket.

3. What did Antonio say in his letter?

E. (ACT III.)

1. What did Portia and Bassanio decide to do when they had read Antonio's letter?

2. Give Portia's description of a braggart.

3. Give Jessica's character of Portia.

F. (ACT IV.)

1. Give a brief summary of the trial scene.

2. Why did Portia reason so long with Shylock before giving her decision?

3. Relate how Portia and Nerissa got their husbands' rings.

G. (ACT V.)

1. Relate the circumstances of Portia's return to Belmont. 2. Tell briefly the story of the rings.

3. Explain the words-usance, perjury, mask (or masque), notary, forfeiture, prodigal, Rialto.

SECOND SERIES.

H.

1. Relate what you know of the condition of the Jews in Christian countries in former times.

2. What do you think of the character of Antonio?

3. Give the meaning and connection of the following :— (a) So is Alcides beaten by his page.

(b) See my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand.

(c) Fish not with this melancholy bait.
(d) Fast bind, fast find.

I.

1. Write a short description of Venice.

2. What do you think of the character of Shylock?

3. Give the meaning and connection of the following :— (a) The pageants of the sea.

(b) Who shall go about to cozen fortune?

(c) The magnificoes of greatest port have all persuaded

with him.

(d) Pluck commiseration of his state from brassy bosoms.

K.

1. What do you learn from this play of the character and learning of an ordinary English lord of the sixteenth century?

2. Describe the character of Portia.

3. Give the meaning and connection of the following :—
(a) You drop manna in the way of starved people.
To be afeard of my deserving

(b)

Were but a weak disabling of myself.

(c) How like a fawning publican he looks.

(d) Forgive me this enforced wrong

L.

1. Mention any circumstances that seem to indicate that Shylock was not altogether void of kindly feelings.

2. Write what you know of the character of Bassanio.
3. Give the meaning and connection of the following:-
(a) Cupid himself would blush to see me thus trans-
formed.

(b) The poet did feign that Orpheus drew trees, &c.
(c) I would out-night you.

(d) Mercy is above this sceptred sway.

M.

1. Why ought we to pity Shylock in spite of his cruelty? 2. Mention any allusions to the fashions of the time. 3. Give the meaning and connection of the following :(a) Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee. (b) With affection wondrous sensible.

(c) Use all the observance of civility.

(d) Hate counsels not in such a quality.

N.

1. Mention any allusions to tortures formerly practised in England and other countries, and quote any passage that shows they were no helps to justice.

2. Give Arragon's reason for selecting the silver casket. 3. Give the meaning and connection of the following :— (a) My honour would not let ingratitude

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Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold.
(c) I'll pay it presently with all my heart.
(d) How little is the cost I have bestow'd

In purchasing the semblance of my soul.

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