THE NOBLEMAN AND THE NECKLACE

A man lived in Cordova, Jacob by name, the broker; he was a man of tried

honesty. Once a jewelled necklet was entrusted to him for sale by the

judge, the owner demanding five hundred pieces of gold as its price.

Jacob had the chain in his hand when he met a nobleman, one of the king's

intimate friends. The nobleman offered four hundred pieces for the

necklet, which Jacob refused. "Come with me to my house, and I will

consider the price," said the would-be purchaser. The Jew accompanied him

home, and the nobleman went within. Jacob waited outside the gate till

the evening, but no one came out. He passed a sleepless night with his

wife and children, and next morning returned to the nobleman. "Buy the

necklace," said he, "or return it." The nobleman denied all knowledge of

the jewels, so Jacob went to the judge. He sent for the nobles, to

address them as was his wont, and as soon as they had arrived, he said to

the thief's servant, "Take your master's shoe and go to his wife. Show

the shoe and say, Your lord bids me ask you for the necklace he bought

yesterday, as he wishes to exhibit its beauty to his friends." The wife

gave the servant the ornament, the theft was made manifest, and it was

restored to its rightful owner.

And Enan goes on:

The Book of Delight, and other papers · 第 34 / 87 题