Page 22 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

truest; that of the Jew, the other of the Saracen, or that of the to them separately, he studied how to satisfy them all three.
The Decameron that Saladin sought to entrap him in his answer, and so to he caused two other rings to be made, so closely resembling
Christian? The Jew, being a very wise man, plainly perceived,
Wherefore, secretly having consulted with a skillful goldsmith,
raise some quarrel against him. For, if he commended any one
the first, that he himself (when he had them in his hand) could
of those laws above the other, he knew that Saladin had what
not distinguish which was the right one.
he aimed at. Wherefore, considering how to shape such an
answer, as might no way trouble or entangle him: summoning
all his senses together, and considering, that toying with
at their best opportunities, he gave to each of them a ring.
the Sultan might lead to his great danger, thus he replied. Lying upon his deathbed, and his sons then attending to him
And they (after his death) presuming separately upon their
right to the inheritance and honor, grew to great contradiction
My Lord, the question you ask is fair and worthy, and to and dispute: each man producing then his ring, which were so
answer my opinion truly, does necessarily require some time of truly all alike in resemblance, that no one could know the right
consideration, if it might stand with your liking to allow it: but ring from the other. And therefore, suit in law, to distinguish
if not, let me first make my reply with a pretty tale, well worth the true heir to his father, continued a long time, and so
hearing. I have often heard it reported, that (long ago) there it does yet to this very day. In like manner, my good lord,
was a very wealthy man, who (among other precious jewels concerning those three laws given by God the Father, to three
of his own) had a goodly ring of great value; the beauty and such people as you have mentioned: each of them imagines
esteem of which, made him earnestly desirous to leave it as that they have the heritage of God, and His true law, and also
a perpetual memory and honor to his successors. Whereupon, duly perform His commandments; but which of them do so
he willed and ordained, that he among his male children, with indeed, the question (as of the three rings) is yet remaining.
whom this ring (being left by the father) should be found in
custody after his death; he and no other, was to be considered Saladin, well perceiving that the Jew was too cunning to be
his heir, and to be honored and respected by all the rest, as caught in his snare, and had answered so well, that to do him
being the prime and worthiest person. The son to whom this ring further violence would result in his perpetual dishonor; resolved
was left by him, kept the same course to his posterity, dealing to reveal his need and extremity, and try if he would therein
(in all respects) as his predecessor had done; so that (in short friendly aid him. Having disclosed the matter, and how he
time) the ring (from hand to hand) had many owners by legacy. purposed to have dealt with him, if he had not returned such
a wise answer; the Jew lent him the great sum of money that
At length, it came into the possession of a man who had three he demanded, and Saladin repaid it to him justly, giving him
sons, all of them goodly and virtuous persons, and very obedient other great gifts beside: respecting him as his special friend,
to their father: in which regard, he loved them all equally, and maintaining him in very honorable condition, near to his
without any difference or partial respect. The custom of this own person.
ring being known to them, each one of them (coveting to be
esteemed above the other) desired (as he could best make his
means) his father to leave that ring to him, whereby he should
be acknowledged as his heir. The good man, who loved none
of them more than the others, knew not how to choose, nor to
which of them he should leave the ring: yet having promised it
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The Decameron