Volume 99 — RIGHT-DOING ON THE RIALTO;

Shylock. Five Millions sterling for three months? And this You say, they will advance, if you can show Sufficient guarantee? Baringo. Indeed 'tis so. Shy. Well, well! But how comes it about that you Whose honoured name has so long held the sway Of all safe dealing, that men only asked, "If a BARINGO backed it," to take up Unquestioning the newest stock,—should thus With sudden flash flare up and set in blaze The whole commercial world? Bar. Oh! press me not, Nor question me too closely! "Argentines!" That fatal word sums up the evil spell That in these latter luckless days has fallen Upon our swaying House. Shy. I see your case! A cry for gold finds you all unprepared, Your capital locked up beyond the seas. You cannot realise. Bar. Alas! too true! That is the situation! Shy. Badly done! Ah! it has been a sorry piece of work, Your "management." Bar. I bow my head to that! But you will lend your aid? You'll pull us through? Shy. Listen, BARINGO. Many a time and oft In this English land men have rated me About my moneys and my usuries. But that is long ago; the times have changed, And feeling in more righteous channel set, Now turns itself in flood to sweep away The wrongs of vanished years. Nay, more than this. But yesterday one of my ancient race, Filled, with his Christian colleagues' heartiest will, The civic throne; and at this very hour A protest from all classes in the land From low and high, from peasant and from peer, Goes forth to plead with the despotic power That 'neath brute persecution's iron heel Would trample out my brethren's life. So, there, Which way I look I meet a greeting hand. So, not repeating here the vengeful plot Of the old Shylock of the play; without My pound of flesh or pound of anything,— But solely for the bond of brotherhood That should link loyal workers in one field, Count on my help in this your stress—for I Will be your guarantee! Bar. You will! Oh, thanks For such blest help! Shy. Such help is only right,— So say no more! Bar. (aside.) Thank Heaven! That Ends our plight!