served with more attention than had been paid to himself. He then delivered him the keys of his ready money; and told him, Son spend this money, keep a table, and make yourself known: remember, that the more you gain the good will of every body, the more you will be dear to me. Giannetto now began to give entertainments. He was more obedient and courteous to Anfaldo, than if he had been an hundred times his father. Every body in Venice was fond of him. Anfaldo could think of nothing but him; fo much was he pleased with his good manners and behaviour.

It happened, that two of his most intimate acquaintance defigned to go with two ships to Alexandria, and told Giannetto, he would do well to take a voyage and fee the world. I would go willingly, faid he, if my father Anfaldo will give leave. His companions go to Ansaldo, and beg his permiffion for Giannetto to go in the spring with them to Alexandria; and defire him to provide him a ship. Anfaldo immediately procured a very fine ship, loaded it with merchandize, adorned it with streamers, and furnished it with arms; and, as foon as it was ready, he gave orders to the captain and failors to do every thing that Giannetto commanded. It happened one morning early, that Giannetto faw a gulph, with a fine port, and asked the captain how the port was called? He replied, That place belongs to a widow lady, who has ruined many gentlemen. In what manner? says Giannetto. He an

swered, This lady is a fine and beautiful woman, and has made a law, that whoever arrives here is obliged to go to bed with her, and if he can have the enjoyment of her, he must take her for his wife, and be lord of all the country, but if he cannot enjoy her, he lofes every thing he has brought with him. Giannetto, after a little reflection, tells the captain to get into the port. He was obeyed; and in an instant they slide into the port fo easily, that the other ships perceived nothing.

The lady was foon informed of it, and fent for Giannetto, who waited on her immediately. She, taking him by the hand, asked him who he was? whence he came? and if he knew the custom of the country? He answered, That the knowledge of that custom was his only reason for coming. The lady paid him great honours, and sent for barons, counts, and knights in great number, who were her fubjects, to keep Giannetto company. 1 hese nobles were highly delighted with the good breeding and manners of Giannetto; and all would have rejoiced to have him for their lord.

The night being come, the lady said, it seems to be time to go to bed. Giannetto told the lady, he was entirely devoted to her service; and immediately two damfels enter with wine and fweet meats. The lady entreats him to taste the wine; he takes the sweet meats, and drinks fome of the wine, which was prepared with ingredients to cause slеер. He then goes into the bed, where he inftantly falls afleep, and

f

and never wakes till late in the morning; but the lady rofe with the fun, and gave orders to unload the vessel, which the found full of rich merchandize. After nine o'clock, the women fervants go to the bedfide, order Giannetto to rife and be gone, for he had lost the ship. The lady gave him a horfe and money, and he leaves the place very melancholy, and goes to Venice. When he arrives, he dares not return home for shame; but at night goes to the house of a friend, who is surprised to see him, and inquires of him the cause of his return? He answers, his ship had struck on a rock in the night, and was broke in pieces.

This friend, going one day to make a visit to Anfaldo, found him very disconsolate. I fear, says Anfaldo, so much, that this son of mine is dead, that I have no rest. His friend told him, that he had been ship-wreckt, and had lost his all. but that he himself was safe. Anfaldo inflants ly gets up and runs to find him, My dear fon, says he, you need not fear my displeasure; it is a common accident; trouble your felf no further. He takes him home, all the way telling him to be chearful and easy.

The news was foon known all over Venice, and every one was concerned for Giannetto. Some time after, his companions arriving from Alexandria very rich, demanded what was become of their friend, and having heard the story, ran to fee him, and rejoiced with him for his fafety, telling him, that next spring he might gain as much as he had lost the last. But Giannetto had VOL. 1.

no other thoughts than of his return to the lady; and was refolved to marry her, or die. Anfaldo told him frequently, not to be caft down. Giannetto said, he should never be happy, till he was at liberty to make another voyage. Anfaldo provided another hip of more value than the first. He again entered the port of Belmonte, and the lady looking on the port from her bedchamber, and feeing the ship, asked her maid, if she knew the streamers? the maid, faid it was the ship of the young man who arrived the last year. You are in the right, answered the lady; he must furely have a great regard for me, for never any one came a second time: the maid faid, she had never feen a more agreeable man. He went to the castle, and presented himself to the lady: who, as foon as the faw him, embraced him, and the day was passed in joy and revels. Bed-time being come, the lady entreated him to go to reft: when they were feated in the chamber, the two damsels enter with wine and sweet meats; and having eat and drank of them, they go to bed, and immediately Giannetto falls asleep, the lady undreffed, and lay down by his fide; but he waked not the whole night. In the morning, the lady rifes, and gives orders to strip the thip. He has a horfe and money given to him, and away he goes, and never stops till he gets to Venice, and at night goes to the fame friend, who with aflonishment asked him what was the matter? I am undone, fays Giannetto. His friend answered, You are the cause of Li the the ruin of Anfaldo, and your shame ought to be greater than the oss you have fuffered. Giannetto lived privately many days. At last he took a resolution of feeing Ansaldo, who rose from his chair, and running to embrace him, told him he was welcome: Giannetto with tears returned his embraces. Anfaldo heard his tale: Do not grieve, my dear son, says he, we have still enough; the fea enriches some men, others it ruins.

Poor Giannetto's head was day and night full of the thoughts of his bad fuccefs. When Anfaldo enquired what was the matter, he confefsed he could never be contented till he should be in a condition to regain all that he loft. When Anfaldo fourd him refolved, he began to fell every thing he had, to furnish this other fine fhip with merchandize: but, as he wanted till ten thousand ducats, he applied himself to a Jew at Meitri, ad borrowed them on condition, that if they were not paid on the feast of Sr. John in the next month of June, that the Jew might take a pound of flesh from any part of his body he pleased, Anfaldo agreed, and the Jew had an obligation drawn, and witnessed, with all the form and ceremony neceffary: and then counted him the ten thousand ducats of go'd; with which Anfaldo bought what was still wanting for the vefiel. This last ship was finer and better freighted than the other two. and his com. pations made ready for the voyage, with a design that whatever they gained should be for their friend. When it was time to de.

part, Anfaldo told Giannette, that since he well knew of the obligation to the Jew, he entreated, that if any misfortune happened, he would return to Venice, that he might fee him before he died, and then he could leave the world with fatisfaction: Giannetto promised to do every thing that he conceived might give him pleasure. An. saldo gave him his blessing, they took their leave, and the ships fet out.

Giannetto had nothing in his head but to steal into Belmonte, and he prevailed with one of the failors in the night to fail the veflel into the port. It was told the lady, that Giannetto was arrived in port. She saw from the window the vessel, and immediately fent for him.

Giannetto goes to the cafile, the day is spent in joy and fealting; and to honour him, a tournament is ordered, and many barons and knights tilted that day. Giannetto did wonders, so we'l did he understand the lance, and was fo graceful a figure on horseback: he pleased so much, that all were desirous to have him for their lord.

The lady, when it was the usual time, catching him by the hand, begged him to take his rest. When he passed the door of the chamber, one of the damfels in a whisper said to him, Make a pretence to drink the liquor, but touch not one drop. The lady said, I know you mult be thirsty, I must have you drink before you go to bed: immediately two damsels entered the room, and presented the wine. Who can refuse wine from such beau