The Prince of Morocco and Prince of Arragon, with Bassanio, were the suitors.

Portia says to Morocco:

"In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing."

Launcelot, the foolish serving man for Shylock, says to old Gobbo, his blind father:

"Do you not know me, father?"

Gobbo replies:

"Alack, sir. I am sand-blind. I know you not."

Launcelot makes this wise statement:

"Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes,
You might fail of the knowing of me:
It is a wise father that knows his own child!"

Shylock discharges Launcelot, and Jessica, the beautiful daughter of the money lender, parts with him regretfully—she gives him a secret letter to deliver to her Christian lover, Lorenzo, and then says: