near the shore, and caused her to sink. I barely escaped with my life, and everything I had was lost.” This was the excuse made by Giannetto to conceal hisfailure.
And all his friends made merry with him, thanking God that his life had been spared, and saying, “Next spring, with God's help, we will earn as much as you have lost this voyage; so let us now enjoy ourselves without giving way to sadness.” And they took their pleasure according to their wont.
But Giannetto could not banish the thought of how he might return to that lady, pondering with himself and saying, “Certes, I must make her my wife or die.”
And he could not shake off his sadness. Wherefore Messer Ansaldo besought him often that he should not grieve; for that, with the great wealth he possessed, they could live very well. But Giannetto answered that he could know no rest until he should have once more made that voyageoverseas.
When Messer Ansaldo saw what his longing was, he let furnish for him in due time another ship, laden with yet richer cargo than the first, spending in this venture the main portion of his possessions; and the crew, as soon as they had stored the vessel with all that was needful, put out to sea with Giannetto on board, and set sail on thevoyage.
Giannetto kept constant watch to espy the port where the lady dwelt, which was known as the port of the lady of Belmonte. And, having sailed one night up to the entrance thereof, which was in an arm of the sea, he suddenly recognized it and bade them turn thesails