Bassanio went with Antonio to see Shylock. Antonio asked to borrow 3,000 ducats a very large amount of money. I shall be able to pay it back,' he said to Shylock, "when my ships return to Venice. They ar at sea and will soon arrive home with many valuable cargoes. As you know, I never lend money for profit myself, or borrow it either, but because Bassanio is my great friend, I will do this for him