He who has examples of
equity incessantly before his eyes, will come at last to love the
quality. The Genoese, I trust, will depart satisfied?"
"Doubt it not, Signore; he has all that can content a sufferer; his own
with usury, and revenge of him who did the wrong."
"Such is the decree--ample restoration and the chastening hand of
punishment. Few states would thus render a judgment against themselves,
Jacopo!"
"Is the state answerable for the deed of the merchant, Signore?"
"Through its citizen. He who inflicts punishment on his own members, is
a sufferer, surely. No one can part with his own flesh without pain; is
not this true, fellow?"
"There are nerves that are delicate to the touch, Signore, and an eye or
a tooth is precious; but the paring of a nail, or the fall of the beard,
is little heeded."
"One who did not know thee, Jacopo, would imagine thee in the interest
of the emperor! The sparrow does not fall in Venice, without the loss
touching the parental feelings of the senate. Well, is there further
rumor among the Jews, of a decrease of gold? Sequins are not so abundant
as of wont, and the chicanery of that race lends itself to the scarcity,
in the hope of larger profits."
"I have seen faces on the Rialto, of late, Signore, that look empty
purses. The Christian seems anxious, and in want, while the unbelievers
wear their gaberdines with a looser air than is usual.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105