Master Francis, son of Master Accorso of the city of Bologna, [98] when
he returned from England, where he had long sojourned, put this problem
to the municipality of Bologna, and said: the father of a family left
his town in poverty and abandoned his sons, and went into remote parts.
After a certain time, he saw some men of his own country. Prompted by
love of his children, he questioned them, and they replied: Messer,
your children have had great gains, and are grown rich. When he heard
this, he decided to depart and returned home. He found his sons rich.
He asked them to reinstate him in his possessions as their father and
lord. The sons refused, saying: father, we have earned this: it has
naught to do with you. So that there came about a law-suit.
Now, in accordance with the law, the father became master of all the
sons had earned. And so I ask of the commune of Bologna that the
possessions of my sons come under my keeping, that is the possessions
of my scholars. For they have become great masters, and have earned
much since I left them.
May it please the commune of Bologna, now that I have returned, to make
me once more master and father, in obedience to the law which treats of
the father of a family.