unladen, which she found contained a store of rich and good wares. It
being now past three, the lady’s maid went into Gianetto’s room, and
made him rise, and told him he might depart, for that he had lost the
ship, and all it contained; upon this he felt quite ashamed, and he
thought he had certainly acted wrong. The lady ordered a horse and money
to be given to him, and dismissed him, and he departed overwhelmed with
sorrow. He arrived at Venice, but being ashamed, he would not go
home, but in the evening went to a friend, who wondering, said, “alas,
Gianetto, what means this?”--“My ship,” said he, “dashed in the night
against a rock, and went to pieces; all was lost; some saved themselves
as well as they could; I caught fast hold of a plank that brought me
on shore, and have come home by land, and here I am.” Gianetto remained
several days with his friend, who sometime after paid a visit to Messer
Ansaldo, whom he found quite disconsolate. Ansaldo said, “I am in great
apprehension that this son of mine is dead, or ill from the voyage;
the love I bear him is such, that I have no peace or comfort from this
fear.” The young man answered, “I can bring you news of him. He has been
shipwrecked, and lost every thing except his life.”
“Well,” said Messer Ansaldo, “heaven be praised, provided he live, I
care not for any thing that is lost; where is he?”--“He is at my house,”
replied the young man; and Ansaldo immediately would go to him; and as
soon as he saw him, he ran to embrace him, saying, “my son, don’t
be ashamed before me, for it is often the case that ships founder,
therefore do not fret, for since thou hast not suffered any personal
injury, I am at ease,” so saying, he took him home, consoling him as much
as he could on the way.
The news of Gianetto’s misfortune soon got wind, and grieved all that
knew him. It happened that a little while after this, his companions
returned from Alexandria, both very rich, and on their arrival
enquired for their friend Gianetto. They were no sooner told the whole
circumstance, than they ran to him, and embracing him, said, “how
earnest thou to leave us, and where didst thou go? for we never could
hear any thing of thee. We sailed back, to and fro, but never could see,
or hear where thou wast gone. Indeed we have been most melancholy on our
return, for we thought thou wast dead.” Gianetto answered, “a heavy gale
arose that drove my ship into a creek, right on a rock near land, and I
scarcely could save myself--all was lost!” This was the excuse Gianetto
gave in order to conceal his silly conduct. They both were thankful that
he had escaped, and said, “next spring, with heaven’s blessing, we will
gain as much more as thou hast lost, therefore let us be merry as usual,
and give sorrow to the wind.” Yet Gianetto could not help thinking how
he could return to the lady, saying, “I must have her for my wife, or
die for it.” With such thoughts he could not give way to mirth. Ansaldo,
therefore, often said to him, “do not fret, we have still wherewithal to
live at ease.”
“Sir,” said Gianetto, “I never can be happy if I do not make another
voyage.” Ansaldo hearing this, and that such was his anxious wish,
when the time came, he provided him with a ship laden with still more
property than before, insomuch that he put on board almost the whole of
his possessions.
His companions, when their ships were stored, set sail in company with
Gianetto: as they were sailing, Gianetto looked out with anxiety for the
harbour of his lady, which was called the port of the Lady Belmonte, and
arriving one evening at the mouth of the creek, Gianetto soon recognized
it, and ordered the ship to be steered into the harbour, so that his
friends did not perceive it.
The lady, on rising in the morning, looking to the harbour, saw the
ship, and the colours playing in the wind, which recognising, she called
her woman, and said, “dost thou know those colours?”--“Madam,” said the
waiting woman, “it seems the same ship that brought that young man about
a year ago, who had such riches on board.”
“True,” said the lady, “I believe thou art right, and certainly this
youth must be downright in love with me, for I have never seen any one
return here again.”
“I,” said the maid, “never saw a more graceful or courteous fellow than
he is.” The lady sent several equerries and damsels to him, who paid him
homage, and led him joyfully to the castle, and into the presence of
the lady. When she saw him, she embraced him affectionately, and he most
respectfully saluted her. All the nobles were invited to partake of the
day’s pleasure in honour of Gianetto. They all admired how well he led
a dance, and the ladies were quite charmed at the elegance of his person
and manners, and thought he must be the son of some great lord.
But the same thing happened again. He lost his ship and all his
property, and arrived at Venice without a ducat.
In the evening he went to his friend, who was thunderstruck at sight of
him. “Alas! what does this mean?” said he. “My cursed ill-luck,” said
Gianetto, “that I should ever have come into this country.”
“Well mayst thou curse thy ill stars,” said his friend, “for thou
hast ruined poor Messer Ansaldo, who was one of the richest Christian
merchants, and worst of all is the discredit.”
Gianetto remained concealed several days at his friend’s house, without
knowing what to say or what to do, and was inclined to return to
Florence, without letting Messer Ansaldo know it; but after a little
reflection he bethought him he would go to him, and did so.
When Messer Ansaldo saw him, he arose, and ran to embrace him, and said,
“welcome, my son.” Gianetto, weeping, embraced him; but when Ansaldo had
heard the account, he said, “do not repine; as I have got thee again, I
am not downhearted; there remains still enough for us to hold up, and
be comfortable; the ocean will sometimes take from the one and give to
another.” The news, however, soon spread itself in Venice, every one
spoke of it, and grieved at the losses he had had, but Messer Ansaldo
was compelled to sell many possessions he had, to pay the creditors who
had furnished him with the goods. It happened that those companions of
Gianetto returned from Alexandria very rich, and on their arrival at
Venice, were informed of Gianetto’s situation, and how he had lost every
thing, which they very much wondered at, saying, “this is the strangest
thing that ever was heard of.” However, they went to Messer Ansaldo and
Gianetto, and comforting him, said, “Signor, do not be disheartened, we
intend to go next year, and trade for you, for we are partly the cause
of these your losses, since it was we who induced Gianetto to go with us
in the first instance; therefore be under no apprehension, and whilst we
have property, command it as your own.” Messer Ansaldo thanked them, and
said that he had still wherewith to live well. Gianetto, meanwhile,
dwelling night and day on the dismal prospect and losses he had
sustained, could not possibly conceal his chagrin, the which Ansaldo
perceiving, he asked him what was the matter with him?--“I shall never
be happy, if I do not recover that which I have lost.”
“My son,” replied Ansaldo, “I will not have thee go again, because it is
better that we rest quietly with what little remains to us, than to run
any more risks.”
“I am fully resolved,” said Gianetto, “to do my utmost, and should be
quite ashamed, and think myself dishonourable if I did not, and remained
in this situation.”
Ansaldo, perceiving it was his fixed determination, prepared to sell out
whatever he had remaining, and freight the youth another fine ship. As
he was short of ten thousand ducats, he went to a Jew and borrowed the
sum on the following conditions (having no other security to give): that
if he did not return the money within that midsummer-day twelvemonth,
the Jew might cut off one pound of flesh from any part of his body;
which the Jew accepting, Ansaldo was relieved: the Jew took care to
have this agreement drawn up, and authenticated in all due form before
witnesses, with all the precaution that men of business usually take
in such masters; then counted over the ten thousand ducats in gold
to Messer Ansaldo, who supplied the ship with every thing that was
requisite, and though the two last were beautiful, yet this was much
richer than either. The two friends loaded theirs with full intention
that the produce should be for Gianetto.
When the moment for their departure came, Messer Ansaldo said to
Gianetto, “my son, thou art going, and thou knowest under what penalty
I labour; I do pray thee, that though any misfortune should again happen
to thee, that thou comest to me, and let me behold thee ere I die; then
shall I rest content.”
“Messer Ansaldo,” said the youth, “I shall do every thing that will
make you happy.” Ansaldo gave him his blessing, they took leave of each
other, and he embarked.
The two friends narrowly watched Gianetto’s ship, and he was carefully
looking out for the port of Belmonte, and at last succeeded in
persuading the captain to strike into the said harbour during the night.
When the dawn appeared, the two friends looked about for Gianetto’s
ship, and, not seeing it, said, “really this poor fellow is truly
unfortunate.” Not knowing how to find him out, they agreed it were safer
to follow their voyage, seeing there were no hopes of meeting with him.
The ship being arrived in the port, all came forth to see it, on hearing
that Gianetto had returned, and wondering very much at it, said, “this
must be the son of some great lord, if we reflect that he comes every
year with such rich cargoes, and such fine ships--would to heaven he
were our lord.” Thus was he courted by all the barons and knights of
that land; the lady was soon informed that Gianetto had returned; she
advanced to the window, and beheld the beautiful ship, and recognised
the colours; crossing herself, she said, “surely this is the great man
who has so enriched this country,” and she sent for him, and he went to
her; they embraced and saluted each other, and the whole day was spent
in joy; and to honour Gianetto, a grand tilt was ordered; and Gianetto
would also be one among them, and did wonders by the elegance and
activity of his person. So far did he excel, that all the barons
were most anxious that he should prove their lord. The usual time
approaching, the lady said, “I think it is fit we go to rest,” and took
his hand to lead him into the room, when one of the lady’s women, who
was much grieved at Gianetto’s mischances, whispered at the threshold
of the door, as he was following the lady, and said, “pretend as if you
were drinking, but do not drink to-night.” Gianetto heard the whisper,
and went in with the lady. “I know,” said she, “you are thirsty,
therefore, I will have you drink before you go to rest.” Two beautiful
creatures immediately entered, bringing wine and sweetmeats, and
presented, as usual, the wine and cakes, and he said, “how could any one
abstain from drinking this wine, handed as it is by two such beautiful
maidens,” which saying made the lady laugh; and Gianetto took the goblet,
and, pretending to drink, he let the wine drop down into his bosom.
The lady, thinking he had drank it off, said within herself, thou must
return with another cargo, for this is lost to thee; but Gianetto went
to bed, and felt himself quite wakeful, and it seemed an age before
the lady came to bed; and he kept saying to himself, by the mass I have
caught you now, fair lady, you have reckoned this time without your
host: and as the lady delayed some time coming to bed, he began to snore
as if asleep; therefore, the lady said to herself, this is all as it
should be, and immediately undressed, and laid herself down by Gianetto,
who, the moment she was under cover, shewed he was awake, and thus he
remained the whole night. The lady rose before morning, and sent for all
the barons, knights, and citizens, to the council chamber, and said to
them, “Gianetto is your lord, therefore, rejoice and make merry.” This
being spread abroad, nothing was heard but the general cry of, “long
live our lord,” and the ringing of bells, and sounds of various
instruments. Several barons who were absent from the castle were sent
for to pay homage to their lord, and a great rejoicing took place; and
Gianetto, when he came from his room, was knighted, placed in the seat
of honour with the baton in his hand, and hailed as sovereign lord; and
when all the nobility were arrived at court, he was married to the lady
amidst such festivity as can scarcely be credited, for all the barons,
knights, and gentry, were invited to the tilts, the sham-fights, dances,
music, singing, and every thing that is usual on such extraordinary
occasions. Gianetto, being a noble-spirited youth, began to bestow
presents of rich silks, and other things which he had brought, and took
upon himself a manly conduct; made himself obeyed, and enforced the
laws towards all his subjects, and was enjoying all the pleasures and
comforts, without once thinking of poor Ansaldo, who had pledged himself
for ten thousand ducats to the Jew. However, being one day looking out
of the window with his lady, he saw a number of persons carrying small
torches who were going with offerings in great pomp. Gianetto said to
his bride, “pray, lady, what means this?” the lady replied, “that is a
procession of mechanics who are going to carry their offerings to
the church of St. John, this day being his festival:” this called to
Gianetto’s mind the case of Ansaldo. He withdrew from the window, and
heaved a deep sigh, and grew quite pale, walking to and fro in the room,
thinking of the circumstance. On the lady’s asking him what was the
matter with him, Gianetto answered, “nothing.” The lady then began to
consider him attentively:--“Certainly,” said she, “something ails you,
and you will not own it;” and she coaxed him so much, that at last
Gianetto related to her how Messer Ansaldo had pledged himself to the
amount of ten thousand ducats; and this very day, said he, is the day
fixed, and I am distracted at the thought my poor father should die on
my account, for if to-day the sum is not paid, he loses one pound of
flesh cut off from his body. The lady replied, “take horse directly,
and go by land, which will be the quickest, and take with you such
attendants as you like, with a hundred thousand ducats, and rest not
till you arrive at Venice, and, if he be not dead, do you endeavour
to bring him here.” The horn was quickly blown; he mounted his steed,
accompanied by twenty attendants, and, having taken money enough,
journeyed with speed to Venice. The Jew had caused Messer Ansaldo to
be arrested, and wanted to have the pound of flesh; upon which Ansaldo
entreated him to delay his death for a few days, that, in case Gianetto
should come, he might see him. The Jew said, “I am willing to grant what
you ask as to the delay, but were he to come a hundred times over, I
will have the pound of flesh from your body, as agreed on in the note.”
Ansaldo answered that he was satisfied. The news of this having spread
itself through Venice, several merchants agreed to pay the money, but
the Jew would not consent, being determined on his death, that he might
say he had been the death of the first and greatest Christian merchant.
However, it happened that when Gianetto started in great haste to come
to Venice, his lady followed close after him, dressed as a judge,
with two servants with her. Gianetto, when he arrived at Venice, went
directly to the Jew, and embraced Messer Ansaldo; then said to the Jew,
that he wished to give him the money, and so much beside as he might
require; the Jew replied that he would not receive the money, since it
was not paid at the proper time; that he would have the pound of flesh:
and here was the great question; every one was against the Jew, but
still, as Venice was considered the seat of justice, and the Jew had it
plainly on his side, and in proper form, none dared to oppose him, but
by entreaties; so that all the merchants went to the Jew to beg and pray
him to desist, but as he was the more obstinate, Gianetto offered him
twenty thousand, yet he would not consent; thirty thousand were then
offered--forty thousand--fifty thousand--till at last he was offered one
hundred thousand. “Look ye, sirs,” said the Jew, “if you were to offer
me as many more ducats as are to be found in Venice, I would not take
them; on the contrary, I will abide by what the agreement states.” While
they were thus arguing the point, the lady arrived at Venice, dressed in
the habit of a judge, and alighted at an inn; the landlord asked one
of the attendants who the gentleman was. The servant, who had been
previously instructed in what he had to say, replied, “this is a
gentleman, a judge returning from Bologna, where he has studied, the
law, and is now going home.” The landlord hearing this, paid him every
attention; and, when at table, he said to the landlord, “what is the
government of your city, landlord?” The landlord answered, “there is too
much law, sir.”
“How?” said the judge. “I will tell you,” replied the landlord; “there
was a youth that came here from Florence, whose name was Gianetto; he
went to his godfather, whose name is Ansaldo; this youth was so genteel
and well bred, that he became the darling of all that knew him, but
never did a more unfortunate man walk this city; three times did his
godfather freight ships to a great amount, and every time he lost his
all; so that at the last, wanting money, Ansaldo borrowed ten thousand
ducats of a Jew, under a promise that if he did not return them on St.
John’s day, in June to come, the said Jew should have a right to take
from his body one pound of flesh, wherever he might choose; now, this
blessed youth is returned, and has offered one hundred thousand ducats,
instead of the ten thousand, and the scoundrel of a Jew will not
take them; all the best men in Venice have gone to entreat, but to no
purpose.” The judge said, “but this question is easy to determine.”
The host said, “if you will take the task on yourself, and end this
business, so as to save the good man’s life, you will acquire the
friendship and love of the most noble and virtuous youth that ever was
bom, beside the blessing of all the people in this city.” The feigned
judge ordered it to be posted up through Venice, that if any critical
and extraordinary law-case should occur, that they might come to him
and he would make out a clear case. The news of this being carried
to Gianetto, that there had arrived a judge from Bologna, who would
determine any law question, Gianetto called on the Jew, and said to him,
“let us go to this said judge.” “Well,” said the Jew, “let us go;
but whatever he or any one may say or do, I will abide by the written
agreement.” When they came to the judge, Gianetto did not recognise
him, but she knew him well. Gianetto and the Jew both related their
own story; the judge, after reading the agreement, said to the Jew, “I
advise you to take the offered hundred thousand ducats, and let this
good man free, who will ever feel indebted to you:” to which the Jew
answered, “no, not I, I will do no such a thing.” “That is the best
thing you can do.” “No! no!” replied the Jew, “I’ll do no such thing.”
Upon this they all went to the court, where such matters were brought
to issue. The feigned judge taking upon himself the defence of Ansaldo,
said, “order Ansaldo to come into court,” which being done, the judge
said, “do thou take now one pound of flesh from him, where thou wilt,
and go thy ways;” upon which the Jew ordered him to be stripped; took a
razor in his hand, which he had brought for the purpose, when Messer
Gianetto turned to the judge and said, “this, sir, was not what I
entreated you would do for me.” “Make yourself easy,” said the judge,
“he has not yet cutoff the pound of flesh.” In the meanwhile the Jew was
eying Ansaldo all over to see where he should cut. “Mind what you are
about,” said the judge, “for, should you take more or less than one
pound, I’ll have you hanged. I tell thee, Jew, if thou spillest one
single drop of blood thou shalt die, for thy agreement does not mention
thou art to shed one drop of blood; moreover, it states thou art to take
one pound of flesh, neither more nor less; therefore, if thou art wise,
beware what thou dost,” and he immediately sent for the executioner,
ordered the handcuffs and fetters to be brought to him, saying, “if I
see one single drop of blood fall, thy head shall be severed from thy
body.” The Jew then began to quake, and Gianetto to leap with joy; but,
after some contention, the Jew said, “your worship has outwitted
me, therefore let me have the hundred thousand ducats, and I will be
satisfied.”
“No,” said the judge,
“I will have thee take the pound of flesh, as the paper states, for I
will not give thee a stiver; thou shouldst have taken them when they
were offered to thee.”
[Illustration: 197]
The Jew then said, “ninety thousand;” then, “eighty thousand;” but still
the judge was inflexible. “Let us give him what he asks,” said Gianetto,
“provided he let him free.”
“Let me alone,” said the judge. The Jew then said, “give me fifty
thousand.”
“I would not give thee a brass farthing,” said the judge. “Well then,”
said the Jew, “give me my ten thousand ducats, and a curse be with you
all.”
“Hast thou not heard me,” said the judge, “I will not give thee a doit;
take thou the pound of flesh if thou wilt, if thou wilt not, I’ll make
thee cancel the writing.” All present were overjoyed, and laughed at the
Jew, in seeing the biter so completely bit.
The Jew, finding he could not compass his malicious intent, took the
papers, and, being desperately enraged, tore them to bits, and threw
them on the ground. Thus was Messer Ansaldo liberated and conducted home
by Gianetto; who immediately taking the one hundred thousand ducats,
went to the judge, and found him in his room ready to go home again;
upon which Messer Gianetto said to him, “sir, you have rendered me
the greatest service, and done me the greatest kindness; therefore, I
request you to take this money along with you, for you have well earned
it.”
“I thank you kindly, Messer Gianetto,” said the judge, “but I am not the
least in want of it; take it back with you, that your wife may not say
you have made a hard bargain.”
“Upon my faith,” said Gianetto, “if I were to spend four times as much,
she is so noble-minded, kind, and generous, she would not in the least
be displeased, for she wished me to offer more, if needful.”
“How do you feel towards her?” said the judge. “There is not a woman on
earth I could love so much, she is so chaste, and as beautiful as nature
could possibly make her, and if you will oblige us so far, you will come
and see her. You will be charmed with her, and the great politeness she
will shew you, and you will then judge whether what I say is true or
not.”
“As to coming with you I cannot, for I have other things to attend to,
but since you say she is so benevolent, when you see her present my best
respects to her.”
“I will,” said Gianetto, “but I wish you to take some of this money;”
and while he was speaking the judge perceived a ring on his finger, and
said, “I wish to have that ring, nor will I have any thing else from
you.” Gianetto answered, “I am agreeable to it, yet I give it you
somewhat unwillingly, because it is the gift of my wife, and she desired
I would always wear it for her sake, and should she notice I have it
not, she will think I gave it to some woman I am in love with, and I
love her more than myself.”
“I think,” replied the judge, “that if she loves you so truly, she will
readily believe you, when you tell her you gave it to me; but, perhaps,
you yourself wish to give it away to some favourite lady in Venice.”
“The love I bear her,” said Gianetto, “is such, that there is not the
woman created that I would prefer to her, so good, so beautiful is she,”
and so saying, he took the ring from his finger and presented it to
the judge, embracing him. “I entreat you,” said the latter, “to do me a
favor.”
“Mention it, I pray you,” said Gianetto. “Do not stay here, but return
soon to your lady.”