Page 211 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

you think you could repay them within fifteen days. You are in bewailed his simplicity. His masters wrote to him, bidding him
luck, for I sold my woolens yesterday, which I wouldn't have been change the money and remit it to them. Fearing detection if
able to lend you otherwise.' 'Alas,' replied the lady, 'then you he stayed, he resolved to leave. He took a ship, not to Pisa as
have been in need of money? Why didn't you apply to me? Though he should have, but to Naples, where Pietro dello Canigiano,
I don't have a thousand, I could have given you a hundred, even treasurer of the Empress of Constantinople, resided. Pietro, a
two hundred florins. By what you said, you made me hesitate man of great sagacity and a very great friend of Salabaetto and
to accept your help.' These words delivered Salabaetto into the his family, listened to Salabaetto's distress and the sorry plight
lady's hands, and he said, 'Madam, I wouldn't have you decline he was in, and offered his aid and counsel. Impatient to hear of
my help for such a scruple; if my need had been as great as yours, such folly, Pietro said, 'It was ill done of you. You misbehaved,
I would have applied to you.' The lady then said, 'Ah! Salabaetto wronged your masters, and squandered a large sum in lewdness.
mine, I know that the love you bear me is true and perfect, seeing
that you so handsomely come to my aid with such a large sum of However, it's done, and we must consider the remedy.' Being
money without waiting to be asked. Though I was yours without a shrewd man, Pietro had already thought of the best course
this token of your love, it has made me yours even more. I will of action and shared it with Salabaetto. Approving the plan,
never forget that I owe my brother's life to you. But God knows Salabaetto resolved to make the adventure. With a little money
I take your money reluctantly, seeing that you are a merchant, left and a loan from Pietro, he provided himself with several
and it's by means of money that merchants conduct their affairs. well-corded bales and bought twenty oil-casks, which he filled.
But as necessity constrains me, and I hope to repay you soon, I He put everything on a ship and returned to Palermo. There, he
will take it, and if I find no other way, I will pawn all that I have gave the invoice of the bales and oil-casks to the customs house
here.' She burst into tears and pressed her cheek against his. officers, had them entered to his credit, and stored them, saying
he would leave them there until the arrival of other merchandise
Salabaetto tried to comfort her, and after spending the night with he expected.
her, he brought her five hundred fine florins of gold the next
day without waiting for a reminder. She, laughing at heart while When Jancofiore learned that the merchandise Salabaetto had
tears streamed from her eyes, took the money, and Salabaetto brought was worth fully two thousand florins of gold, or even
trusted her mere promise of repayment. Now that the lady had more, and that he expected goods valued at more than three
the money, things began to change. Salabaetto, who had been thousand florins of gold, she thought she hadn't aimed high
able to see her whenever he wanted, was now denied admittance enough. She decided it would be wise to refund him the five
six times out of seven for various reasons. She no longer greeted hundred florins if she could make the greater part of the five
him with the same smile, showered him with the same caresses, thousand florins her own. So she sent for him, and Salabaetto,
or treated him as she had before. A month, then two months, having learned his lesson in cunning, went to see her. Pretending
passed beyond the time when he was to be repaid. When he to know nothing about the cargo he had brought, she received
demanded the money, he was put off with words. Realizing he him warmly and began, 'Lo, now, if you were angry with me
had been cheated and had no writing or witness against her, because I did not repay you your money in due time.' But
he was entirely at her mercy regarding his claim. Ashamed to Salabaetto interrupted her, laughing, 'Madam, it's true I was
complain to anyone, as he had been warned about her character a little vexed, seeing that I would have plucked out my heart
and feared ridicule for his folly, he was chagrined and inwardly to please you. But listen, and you shall learn the quality of my

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