him that way, he determined to carry on the farce, and have a little
sport; having met Santi, he asked him what he would sell the two capons
for? Santi, who no longer considered them as kids, bargained with
Girolino for three livres, and they being two fine ones, he bought them,
rather to prevent some one else from having the bargain, paid Santi for
them, and led him to the house of a cousin of his in the market-place,
took him up stairs, saying to him, “what is the matter with you? are you
not well? are you in any pain? how pale you look; will you have a glass
of wine? why, thou art not the same man, how changed!” at these words,
and in thinking of the capons, Santi became wild, and thought that,
like the kids who had turned capons, he also had turned to something
frightful. The young men, who had noticed that Girolino had bought the
kids, were determined to inquire how the matter ended, and followed
Girolino to the house, where they found Santi drinking. “Well, how is
it?” said the one; but before he could well answer, Girolino said, “I
have made him take a glass, for he feels very ill.”
“Poor fellow!” said one of the men, “where do you feel pain? how deadly
thou dost look, thou art surely dying.”
“He ought to be put to bed,” said the other. Hearing this, and much more
to the same purpose, Santi, almost maddening, thought he began to feel
very ill, and conceiving he was dying, cried out, “my head aches! my
body! my back! my legs! oh dear! oh dear! I am going.”
“Art thou cold?” said Girolino. “He must be so,” said the one, “though
it be intensely hot.”
“Indeed, I do begin to feel cold,” quoth Santi. Girolino, still
determined to go on with it, ordered a maid servant to warm a bed for
him; when put to bed, they said, “Santi, how long is it since thou hast
confessed? hast thou been to confess this year?”
“Yes,” said he. “Well, but,” said one of them, “if thou diest, where
wilt thou be buried?” Santi, thinking he was either dead or dying, said,
“let me be buried at St. Giulia, where my dad lies; and let the money
I got for the capons go to my mother, for I won’t let brother have a
farthing.” Girolino perceiving that Santi thought he was actually dying,
ordered a large old sheet, and he and the other two cut out and sewed up
a winding-sheet, and took it unto Santi, saying, “look ye, Santi, I
will have ye die like a gentleman; put this on quick, or it will be too
late.” Santi, who had no notion that dying was a serious thing, put it
on, and in so doing, said, “why its too long! I never shall get it on.”
Having thus equipped him, they said, “now, Santi, that thou art dead,
lay still, shut your eyes, and don’t speak, and we will get thee carried
to the ground where your dad lies.” While they were laying him on a sort
of hearse, and four men were sent for to carry him, they alternately
cried out, “Poor Santi is dead; poor fellow, he is really dead!” The
porters, who thought they were carrying a corpse, went through the gates
quietly without being stopped, intending to take him to Strove, his own
village: as they went on, there happened to pass by a carrier belonging
to the cavalier Cappacci, who knew Santi well, but not recognising him
in that state, asked the man who it was that died. They not knowing,
answered they could not tell; however, the carrier getting near to the
hearse, knew Santi instantly, and cried out, “Why it’s that booby Santi
del Grande; how came the mad fellow to die so soon, a stupid dog.”
Santi hearing himself thus abused, could not abstain from answering,
yet without moving, he opened his eyes, and cried out, “if I was alive,
instead of being dead as I now am, I’d let you know who Santi del Grande
is.” On hearing the dead man holla thus, the porters dropped their load,
and ran off as if the very devil was after them. Santi, meanwhile, lay
on the ground weeping and groaning, and as many came round him to see
this living dead, and asked him what was the matter, the only thing he
could say was, “take and bury me where my daddy lies.” A cousin of
his, who had returned from market, where he had been to sell some wood,
finding him in that state, bound him safe on the hearse and had him
taken home. His mother and brother seeing him in that condition, asked
him what was the matter, and how he came to be in such a state; to
which he only answered, “Oh! I am dead, bury me--bury me, where my daddy
lies.” His brother, suspecting some one had played him a trick, and made
him believe that he was really dead, adopted the only means he thought
could bring him to his senses, and, taking a horsewhip, began to lay it
thick and thin on Santi’s back; upon which Santi, roused by the blows,
cried out, “villain that thou art, thou hast caused my death by giving
me two capons instead of the kids I asked thee for;” and upon this he
run after his brother, and both fell to it.
[Illustration: 161]
The mother hearing the bustle came in with some neighbours, and parted
them at last. Santi much bruised with the rope that had fastened him
on, and the shock of the hearse when it fell, in addition to the
horse-whipping, was put to bed black and blue. After two or three days
he recovered, went to his usual work, but swore he would never go and
sell any thing at market again.
THE FALSE CHAMPION
There was in Provence, not many years ago, a certain Signor Carsivallo,
a nobleman who possessed several manors; a man of great merit and
judgment, much beloved and respected by the barons and nobles of the
place, the more so on account of the antiquity of his family, who were
descendants of the Balzos. This gentleman had a daughter, named Lisetta,
who was one of the greatest beauties in Provence. Many barons and lords,
who were young, and of elegant appearance, had solicited her hand. But
the said Carsivallo refused them all, nor would he marry her to any of
them.
There was at that time a Count Aldobrandini, who was lord of all Venisi,
containing many cities and castles, and who was above seventy years old,
and had neither wife or children. He was possessed of so much riches
that they exceeded all belief. This Count Aldobrandini hearing of this
beautiful daughter of Carsivallo, fell in love with her, and would
willingly have married her, but was ashamed to solicit her hand on
account of his age, knowing that so many young and noble knights had
sought to obtain her, and had been refused. However, he felt his love
increasing, and could find no way to obtain her. It happened that giving
a grand treat, Carsivallo, as his friend and humble servant, called to
see him; the count received him with open arms, and honoured him much,
gave him hunters, hawks, hounds, and various other presents; after which
the count bethought himself he would in a friendly manner ask him for
his daughter.
Being one day by themselves the count began, half in jest and half
in earnest, “my good friend, Carsivallo, I will open my mind to thee
without any further preface, as I know I may venture to speak freely
to thee, although, perhaps, I may be a little ashamed on account of one
thing, and that alone--that I am not quite so stout as I was; but be
that as it may, I would willingly, if it met thy pleasure, marry thy
daughter.” Carsivallo answered, “my good lord, I would most willingly
give her unto you, but that I should feel very awkward in so doing,
considering that those who have solicited her hand are all young men,
from eighteen to twenty, who would become my enemies; besides, her
mother, brothers, and relations, would not be pleased, nor do I know the
girl would be at all gratified, when others so young and blooming might
have had her.” The count replied, “thou sayest right, but thou mightest
tell her, she shall be mistress of all I possess in the world; meanwhile
we will contrive to find some way of succeeding, therefore, let us think
upon this to-night.”
“Yes,” said Carsivallo, “I am most willing, and to-morrow morning we
will communicate the result to each other.” The count could not close
his eyes all night, but planned an excellent scheme, and the next
morning he called Carsivallo, and said, “I have found an excellent plan
that will afford you a good excuse, and do you great honour.”
“How is that, my lord?” said Carsivallo. “Do thou,” said the count,
“order a tournament to be publicly cried, and let it be known that he
who wishes to marry your daughter must come on such a day, and whoever
shall be the conqueror, shall have the lady, and leave the rest to me. I
will find means to become the victor, and by this contrivance thou wilt
be excused by all.” Carsivallo said, “well, I am agreeable to it.” He
left the count, thus saying, and went home; and, when he thought it was
time, he called his wife, and other relations and friends, and said to
them, “methinks it is high time to marry Lisetta; what mean you to do,
considering how many there are who offer themselves; if we bestow her on
one, the others will be affronted, and become enemies, saying, ‘am I not
as good as he and so will they all, and we shall only create foes where
we try to gain friends; what think you of proclaiming a tournament in
the spring, and of bestowing her on him who shall win her?” The mother,
and the rest of the friends, said they were of the same opinion,
and approved of the plan. Carsivallo ordered the tournament to be
proclaimed, stating, that whoever wished to marry his daughter, should
come on the first of May, in the city of Marseilles, to the tournament,
and that he who should prove the victor, should have the lady. In
consequence of which, Aldobrandini sent to France, praying the king
that he might be pleased to send one of his best squires, who was most
valiant and expert at the tournaments. The king, considering the count
had always been a faithful servant to the crown, and, over and above,
a relation, sent him one of his knights, whom he had himself brought up
from his infancy; his name was Ricardo, a descendant of the ancient and
famous family of Mont Albano, and ordered him to obey the count in every
thing he should desire. This youth came to the count, who received him
with great kindness, then told him the reason why he had sent for him.
“Milord,” said Ricardo, “I am commanded by his majesty strictly to obey
you, therefore, command me, and I will boldly undertake it.”
“We have ordered a tournament at Marseilles, where I mean you to be the
conqueror; then will I come in the field of battle to fight with thee;
thou must manage so that I be the victor in the contest.” Ricardo
answered, he would do so. The count concealed him within the palace
till it was time, then said, “take such arms as thou listest, and go to
Marseilles, and give thyself out for a traveller; provide thyself with
money, horses, &c., and take care to be true.”
“Let me alone, Milord,” said Ricardo, and away he went to the stable;
there he saw a fine horse that had not been rode for some months; he had
it saddled, mounted it, and, taking such retinue as he thought proper,
set off for Marseilles, where great preparations had been made for the
intended tournament. Many gentlemen had already arrived on the occasion,
all mounted as superbly as they could possibly be, with numbers of
trumpets, fifes, &c. that stunned the hearers. A great spot of ground
was palisadoed for the tournament, adorned with numbers of elegant
booths for the ladies and gentlemen spectators. On the first of May,
the noble lady, Lisetta, made her appearance, and, like another sun,
eclipsed all the other ladies, as much by her noble manners as her
superior beauty. All those that were anxious to obtain her, came
forth with different devices, and began to thump at one another most
gloriously. Ricardo advanced in the ring, mounted on the above-mentioned
horse, forcing his way through all the combatants. The tournament lasted
the best part of the day, and Ricardo was always victor, being more
expert, and used to the sport; he boldly attacked, defended himself, and
wheeled round with the agility of one well trained to the game. Every
one inquiring who he was, they were told he was a foreign nobleman, just
arrived. He, however, remained victor, and all the others were defeated;
one went one way, the other another, but all much dispirited; and,
shortly after, Count Aldobrandini entered the list, covered with
his armour, and ran up to Ricardo and challenged him, and Ricardo
counter-challenged; and, after a seeming hard contest, as had been first
agreed, the said Ricardo suffered himself to be dismounted, but never
had he done any thing with more regret, for he had fallen in love
himself with the lady; but he was bound to obey the king, and,
of course, the commands of Aldobrandini. The count, remaining the
conqueror, rode round the ring, sword in hand, his suit and barons
coming into the ring to attend him, and greeting him. When he pulled off
his vizor, every one was struck with amazement, and more particularly
the lady. Thus did the count gain the lovely Lisetta, and took her home,
where great rejoicings were continued for some time. Ricardo, returning
to the king, was asked what had occurred; “Please your majesty,”
said Ricardo, “I am just come from a tournament, in which the count
mischievously introduced me.”
“How!” said the king, “I have been pimp to the count;” and Ricardo
related the story, which very much surprised the king. “Be not
astonished, my liege, at what has happened, but rather be surprised that
I should have done such a thing, for I never in my life did any thing
I regret so much, and felt so much grief for, so extremely beautiful is
she whom the count has so slily gained.” The king thought awhile, then
said, “Ricardo, do not be down-hearted, this will prove a fortunate
event to thee.”
It happened a little while after, that the said Count Aldobrandini died
without heir; the lady Lisetta, being left a widow, was taken home to
her father, but he scarcely ever spoke or looked at her; the lady began
to wonder very much at this, and being unable to bear it any longer, she
said to her father---“Father, _I_ wonder much at your behaviour to me,
recollecting that I was your darling child, that you loved me better
than all your other children, and leaped with joy whenever you beheld
me--that is, while I was a maiden; now, I know not what can be the
cause, you scarcely seem able to look at me.” Her father answered, “thou
canst not wonder so much at me as I wonder at thee, for I thought thee
more wise, considering why, and by what contrivances, I married thee to
the count merely that thou mightest have children, and remain possessed
of his riches.”
It so happened that all Aldobrandini’s possessions fell to the king
of France, who, remembering the generous conduct of Ricardo, sent to
Provence to signify unto Carsivallo, that he wished to give his daughter
to a squire of his, who, by right, ought to be her husband. Carsivallo,
who understood the matter, answered the king, that he was master to do
as his majesty pleased. The king mounted his horse, and with a large
retinue went to Provence, and conducted Ricardo with him, and formed
this match, that is, that Lisetta should be his wife, after which he
created him count, and bestowed on him the county which Aldobrandini had
been lord of. This match gave great satisfaction to all, but especially
to the lady, and so they lived together in happiness and comfort.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
There was at Florence, of the family of the Seali, a merchant whose name
was Biondo, who had been several times to Alexandria and other parts of
Egypt, and all those long voyages which merchants generally take with
their cargoes. This Biondo was very rich, and had three sons, and being
on his death bed, called his eldest and his second son, and made his
will in their presence, leaving those two heirs to all he possessed, but
left nothing to the youngest. The will being made, the younger, whose
name was Gianetto, went to his father, who lay in his bed, and said,
“my dear father, I wonder much at what you have done, and at your not
remembering me in your will.” His father answered, “my dear boy, there
is no one of you I love more than yourself, for this reason I do not
wish you to remain here; on the contrary, I intend you, when I am dead,
to go to Venice, to a godfather of yours, whose name is Messer Ansaldo,
who has not any children, and has often written to me to desire me to
send you to him; and I can tell you, he is one of the richest merchants
among the Christians there. I therefore desire, as soon as I am laid
low, that you will go to him, and present him with this letter, and be
sure, if you conduct yourself with propriety, you will become a rich
man.” The son answered, “father, I am ready to obey you,” upon which
his father gave him his blessing, and after a few days died. His sons
lamented much his death, and paid due honors to his memory. After a
few days, the two eldest brothers called Gianetto, and thus addressed
him:--“brother, it is true our father made his will, left us his heirs,
and made no mention whatever of thee, yet thou art, nevertheless, our
brother, and what belongs to us is equally thine.”
“Brothers,” answered Gianetto, “I thank you for your offer; but for my
part I have made up my mind to try my fortune elsewhere, and have so
fixed; therefore do you keep the property, and heaven prosper you with
it.” The brothers seeing him bent on his purpose, gave him a horse and
cash to bear all his expenses. Gianetto took leave of them, and went
to Venice, found Messer Ansaldo’s counting-house, and delivered him the
letter his father had given him. On reading the letter, Ansaldo found
that the bearer was the son of his worthy and beloved Biondo, and
embraced him most affectionately, saying, “welcome, my god-child, whom
I have so long wished to see,” then he asked him about his father; upon
which Gianetto answered, he was dead. Ansaldo shed tears; embraced him
again, and said, “much am I grieved at the death of Biondo, for greatly
did he contribute to the gains I have made in trade; but such is the joy
I feel in having thee, my boy, with me, that it greatly alleviates my
sorrow,” He ordered him to be taken to his house, and commanded all
his household to obey, and wait on Gianetto, as they would even upon
himself. He gave him the key of the bureau, and said, “my son! do thou
dispose of the money as thou shalt think meet; clothe thyself as thou
thinkest most becoming; keep open house for all such gentlemen as thou
shalt think proper, and make thyself known. I leave such things entirely
to thy care, and the more thou wilt make thyself known and beloved, the
more happy shall I feel.” Gianetto, therefore, began to be acquainted
with the noble youths in Venice, and to give sumptuous dinners; assisted
and clothed several families; bought fine horses; entered the ring, and
revelled as one used and well practised in the style of a gentleman. He
was never remiss in paying due honour where it was required, and more
particularly to Messer Ansaldo, whom he treated as his real father; and
so well did he conduct himself towards persons of every rank, that
he became endeared even to the lower classes in Venice. Seeing how
gracious, courtly, and affable he was, both ladies and gentlemen were
delighted with him, his manners were so pleasing. Messer Ansaldo thought
but of him; nor were there any parties, sports, or festivals in Venice,
but Gianetto was sure to be invited, so much was he beloved. Two friends
of his, at that time, wished to go to Alexandria with their cargoes in
two ships, as they were wont to do every year, and told Gianetto of
it saying, “you ought to take this voyage with us, and see the world;
particularly, you should see Damascus, and various countries beyond.”
“Indeed, I should delight in it,” replied Gianetto, “if my godfather
Ansaldo would permit me.”
“We will contrive,” said one of them, “that he shall,” and they both went
to him, saying, “Messer Ansaldo, we are about to entreat you to allow
Gianetto to go with us next spring on our voyage to Alexandria, to
freight him a ship, and suffer him to see a little of the world.”
“Well,” said Ansaldo, “I am willing, if he wishes it.”
“Sir,” said they, “he is most anxious to do so.” Messer Ansaldo, in
pursuance of this scheme, ordered a beautiful vessel to be got ready,
loaded with the finest goods, and decorated in the best possible style.
When all was provided, Ansaldo desired the captain and the crew to obey
Gianetto in every thing; “he should command, because I do not send him
for the purpose of gain, but solely that he may see the world, and enjoy
himself.” When Gianetto was ready to embark, all Venice came in throngs
to the shore, for it was many years since a ship was seen so well and
so finely fitted out for sea. His departure grieved all that knew him;
however, he took leave of Messer Ansaldo and his friends, and cheerfully
sailed towards Alexandria.
These three friends were each in his ship, and sailing along one morning
before day-light, when Gianetto espied a gulf, with a beautiful harbour,
and asked the captain the name of it, to which he made answer, and said,
“that place belongs to a noble widow who has been the cause of the ruin
of many gentlemen.”
“How?” said Gianetto; “Sir,” said the captain, “this is a most
beautiful, and enchanting lady, who has established as a law in her
domains, that whoever lands there must lay with her, and if he can pass
the night without sleep, he is at liberty to marry her, and then becomes
master of the harbour, and all the estate; whereas, if he do not, he
loses his cargo and every thing he has brought with him.” Gianetto
paused awhile, then said, “you must manage how you can, but sail into
that harbour.”
“Sir,” said the captain, “think well on what you are saying, for many a
gentleman has gone there who has been driven away pennyless.”
“Do not concern yourself about that, but do as I desire you,” said
Gianetto. Of course the thing was done, and on they sailed, without
their companions noticing the course they had taken.
On the morning the news was spread that this fine ship had reached
the harbour, so that all the people came to see it: the lady was soon
informed of it, and sent for Gianetto, who immediately presented himself
respectfully to her. The lady took him by the hand, asked him who
he was, whence he came, and whether he knew the usage of the place?
Gianetto answered he did, and only came there in consequence of this
knowledge. A thousand times welcome, said the virtuous lady, and
honoured and entertained him nobly, sending for the barons, counts,
and knights, to welcome and amuse him. Gianetto’s manners delighted all
around him, and the day was spent in dancing, singing, and festivity,
by the court, in honour of Gianetto, and one and all would have been
pleased to have him for their lord. Evening coming on, the lady took him
by the hand, and led him into an apartment, saying, “methinks it seems
time to withdraw.”
“Madam,” said Gianetto, “I am at your commands.” Two young damsels came,
the one bringing wine in her hand, and the other some sweetmeats. “I
know,” said the lady, “you must be thirsty, therefore drink.” Gianetto
took some of the sweetmeats, and drank some of the wine, which had been
prepared as a sleeping draught, but he knew it not. He drank half a
goblet, for it seemed very pleasant to him; and then he soon undressed
himself and went to bed; no sooner had he laid down, than he fell
asleep; the lady laid herself down by the side of the youth, who never
woke till the next morning about three o’clock.