The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [1372]
her for his wife, and be lord of the port, and all the country; but if he cannot enjoy her, he loses every thing he has brought with him. Giannetto, after a little reflection, tells the captain to do every thing in his power to get into the port. The captain bids him consider what he had commanded; that many persons had gone in who had been stripped of every thing. Giannetto tells him not to trouble himself on that score; do what I order. He was obeyed; and in an instant they turn the ship, and slide into the port so easily that the other ships per ceived nothing.
In the morning the news was spread of a fine ship being arrived in the port, so that every body ran to see it. The lady was informed soon of it, and sent fox Giannetto, who waited on her immediately, and salutes her with a low bow. She, taking him by the hand, asks him who he is? from whence be came? and if he knew the custom of the country? He answers in the affirmative; and that the knowledge of that custom was his only reason for coming. The lady replies, You la quale trovo piena di molta ricca e buona mercatanzia. Ora essendo passata la terza, le cameriere della donna anda- rono al letto a Giannetto, e fecerlo levare e dissergli cbe s'an- dasse con Dio; pero ch' egli aveva perduto la nave, e cid che v' era; di che' e' si vergogno, e parvegli avere raal fatto. La donna gli fece dare un cavallo e danari per le spese, et egli se n' andd tristo e doloroso, e vennesene verso Vinegia; dove, come fu giunto, non voile andare a casa per vergogna, ma di notte se n' ando a casa d' un suo compagno, il qual si maraviglid molto e gli disse: Oime! Giannetto, ch' e questo! Et egli rispose: La nave mia percosse una notte in uno scog- lio, e ruppesi e fracassossi ogni cosa, e chi ando qua, e chi la; io m' attenni a un pezzo di legno, che mi gittd a proda, e cosi me ne sono venuto per terra, e son qui. Giannetto stette piu giomi in casa di questo suo compagno, il quale andd un di a visitare messere Ansaldo, e trovollo molto maninconoso. Disse messere Ansaldo: Io ho si grande la paura, che questo mio figliuolo non sia morto, o che '1 mare non gli faccia male, ch' io non trovo luogo, e non bo bene; tanto e l'amore ch' io gli porto. Disse questo giovane : Io ve ne so dire novelle, ch' egli ha rotto in mare e perduto ogni cosa, salvo ch' egli are a hundred times welcome; and that day paid him great honours, and sent for her barons, counts, and knights in great number, who were her subjects, to keep Giannetto company. These nobles were highly delighted with the good breeding and manners of Giannetto; every one was in raptures with him, and the whole day was spent in musick and dancing, and feasting at the court, in honour of him; and all would have been rejoiced to have him for their lord.
The night being come, the lady taking him by the hand, and leading him to her chamber, said, It seems to be time to go to bed. Giannetto tells the lady he is entirely devoted to her service; and immediately two damsels enter with wine and sweet meats. The lady says, she is sure he must be thirsty; and entreats him to taste the wine: he takes the sweet meats and drinks some of the wine, which was prepared with ingredients to cause sleep; this he was ignorant of, and drank half the cup, as he found it to his taste. He then undresses himself, and goes into the bed, where he instantly falls asleep; the lady lays in the bed e campatOi Disse messere Ansaldo: Lodato sia Dio! pur ch' egli sia campato, io son contento; dell' avere ch' e per- duto, non mi euro. Ov' e 1 Questo giovane rispose: Egli e in casa mia; e di subito messere Ansaldo