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HERE IT IS TOLD OF A FINE JUDGMENT GIVEN BY THE SLAVE OF BARI IN A
DISPUTE BETWEEN A TOWNSMAN AND A PILGRIM
A townsman of Bari went on a pilgrimage, and left three hundred
byzantines [18] to a friend on these conditions: I shall make my
journey as God wills, and should I not return you will give this money
for the salvation of my soul, but if I return within a certain time,
you shall return me the money, keeping back what you will. The pilgrim
went on his pilgrimage, came back at the established time and demanded
his byzantines back.
His friend said: tell me over the pact again. The wanderer told it over
again. You say well, quoth the friend: ten byzantines I give back to
you, and two hundred and ninety I keep for myself.
The pilgrim began to get angry. What kind of faith is this? You take
away from me wrongfully what is mine.
The friend replied calmly: I do you no wrong, but if you think I do,
let us go before the governors of the city. A law-suit ensued.
The Slave of Bari was the judge, [19] and heard both sides. He
formulated the argument, and to him who held the money he said: give
back the two hundred and ninety byzantines to the pilgrim, and the
pilgrim must give you back the ten you handed him. For the pact was so;
what you want you will give to me. Therefore the two hundred and ninety
which you want, give them to him, and the ten you do not want, take
them.