“Do not concern yourself about that, but do as I desire you,” said Gianetto. Of course the thing was done, and on they sailed, without their companions noticing the course they had taken.
On the morning the news was spread that this fine ship had reached the harbour, so that all the people came to see it: the lady was soon informed of it, and sent for Gianetto, who immediately presented himself respectfully to her. The lady took him by the hand, asked him who he was, whence he came, and whether he knew the usage of the place? Gianetto answered he did, and only came there in consequence of this knowledge. A thousand times welcome, said the virtuous lady, and honoured and entertained him nobly, sending for the barons, counts, and knights, to welcome and amuse him. Gianetto’s manners delighted all around him, and the day was spent in dancing, singing, and festivity, by the court, in honour of Gianetto, and one and all would have been pleased to have him for their lord. Evening coming on, the lady took him by the hand, and led him into an apartment, saying, “methinks it seems time to withdraw.”
“Madam,” said Gianetto, “I am at your commands.” Two young damsels came, the one bringing wine in her hand, and the other some sweetmeats. “I know,” said the lady, “you must be thirsty, therefore drink.” Gianetto took some of the sweetmeats, and drank some of the wine, which had been prepared as a sleeping draught, but he knew it not. He drank half a goblet, for it seemed very pleasant to him; and then he soon undressed himself and went to bed; no sooner had he laid down, than he fell asleep; the lady laid herself down by the side of the youth, who never woke till the next morning about three o’clock.
The lady got up as soon as it was daylight, and ordered the ship to be unladen, which she found contained a store of rich and good wares. It being now past three, the lady’s maid went into Gianetto’s room, and made him rise, and told him he might depart, for that he had lost the ship, and all it contained; upon this he felt quite ashamed, and he thought he had certainly acted wrong. The lady ordered a horse and money to be given to him, and dismissed him, and he departed overwhelmed with sorrow. He arrived at Venice, but being ashamed, he would not go home, but in the evening went to a friend, who wondering, said, “alas, Gianetto, what means this?”—“My ship,” said he, “dashed in the night against a rock, and went to pieces; all was lost; some saved themselves as well as they could; I caught fast hold of a plank that brought me on shore, and have come home by land, and here I am.” Gianetto remained several days with his friend, who sometime after paid a visit to Messer Ansaldo, whom he found quite disconsolate. Ansaldo said, “I am in great apprehension that this son of mine is dead, or ill from the voyage; the love I bear him is such, that I have no peace or comfort from this fear.” The young man answered, “I can bring you news of him. He has been shipwrecked, and lost every thing except his life.”
“Well,” said Messer Ansaldo, “heaven be praised, provided he live, I care not for any thing that is lost; where is he?”—“He is at my house,” replied the young man; and Ansaldo immediately would go to him; and as soon as he saw him, he ran to embrace him, saying, “my son, don’t be ashamed before me, for it is often the case that ships founder, therefore do not fret, for since thou hast not suffered any personal injury, I am at ease,” so saying, he took him home, consoling him as much as he could on the way.
The news of Gianetto’s misfortune soon got wind, and grieved all that knew him. It happened that a little while after this, his companions returned from Alexandria, both very rich, and on their arrival enquired for their friend Gianetto. They were no sooner told the whole circumstance, than they ran to him, and embracing him, said, “how earnest thou to leave us, and where didst thou go? for we never could hear any thing of thee. We sailed back, to and fro, but never could see, or hear where thou wast gone. Indeed we have been most melancholy on our return, for we thought thou wast dead.” Gianetto answered, “a heavy gale arose that drove my ship into a creek, right on a rock near land, and I scarcely could save myself—all was lost!” This was the excuse Gianetto gave in order to conceal his silly conduct. They both were thankful that he had escaped, and said, “next spring, with heaven’s blessing, we will gain as much more as thou hast lost, therefore let us be merry as usual, and give sorrow to the wind.” Yet Gianetto could not help thinking how he could return to the lady, saying, “I must have her for my wife, or die for it.” With such thoughts he could not give way to mirth. Ansaldo, therefore, often said to him, “do not fret, we have still wherewithal to live at ease.”
“Sir,” said Gianetto, “I never can be happy if I do not make another voyage.” Ansaldo hearing this, and that such was his anxious wish, when the time came, he provided him with a ship laden with still more property than before, insomuch that he put on board almost the whole of his possessions.
His companions, when their ships were stored, set sail in company with Gianetto: as they were sailing, Gianetto looked out with anxiety for the harbour of his lady, which was called the port of the Lady Belmonte, and arriving one evening at the mouth of the creek, Gianetto soon recognized it, and ordered the ship to be steered into the harbour, so that his friends did not perceive it.
The lady, on rising in the morning, looking to the harbour, saw the ship, and the colours playing in the wind, which recognising, she called her woman, and said, “dost thou know those colours?”—“Madam,” said the waiting woman, “it seems the same ship that brought that young man about a year ago, who had such riches on board.”
“True,” said the lady, “I believe thou art right, and certainly this youth must be downright in love with me, for I have never seen any one return here again.”