莎士比亚故事中英文朗读（威尼斯商人8）

trial庭审
defense辩护
relative亲戚
counselor律师
outline简述
proceed进行
robe律师袍
senator议员
plead辩护
learned博学
grant批准

But the day of the payment had passed,and the cruel Jew refused to accept the money which Bassanio offered him.
Instead,he insisted on having a pound of
Antonio's flesh.A day was appointed for a trial before the Duke of Venice,and Bassanio waited in dreadful suspense for the trial.
When Portia parted with her husband,she had asked him to bring his dear friend along with him when he returned.But she was still worried for Antonio,and when she was left alone she began wondering whether she could be of more help.
After much thinking,she decided to go to Venice herself to speak in Antonio's defense.
Portia had a relative who was a counselor in the law.She at once wrote to this gentleman,whose name was Bellario,and asked for his advice.The messenger returned and he brought letters of advice from Bellario.They outline how she was to proceed, and also everything she needed to successfully save her husband’s friend.
That night,Portia dressed herself sad her maid Nerissa in men's clothing.Then putting on the robes of a counselor she took Nerissa along with her as her clerk.They set out immediately and arrived in Venice on the very day of the trial.
The trial was just about to begin before the Duke and Senators of Venice in the Senate House when Portia entered the High Court of Justice.
There she presented a letter from Bellario to the Duke,in which he said that he would have come himself to plead for Antonio but that he was prevented by sickness.He also requested that the learned young Doctor Balthasar-who was in fact Portia-be permitted to plead for Antonio.The Duke granted this,wondering at the youthful appearance of the stranger.