trouble to bring it to an end, without letting this good man die, you will win the love and gratitude of the most worthy young man that ever was born, and besides this the goodwill of every citizen of our state.”
After hearing these words of the host, the doctor let publish a notice through all the state of Venice, setting forth how all those with any question of law to settle should repair to him. The report having come to the ears of Messer Giannetto that there was come from Bologna a doctor of laws who was ready to settle the rights and wrongs of every dispute, he went to the Jew and suggested that they should go before the doctor aforesaid.
And the Jew agreed, saying at the same time that, come what might, he would demand the right to do all that his bond allowedhim.
When they came before the doctor of laws, and gave him due salutation, he recognized Messer Giannetto, who meantime knew not the doctor to be his wife, because her face was stained with a certain herb.
Messer Giannetto and the Jew spaketheir several pleas, and set the question fully in order before the doctor, who took up the bond and read it, and then said to the Jew, “I desire that you now take these hundred thousand ducats, and let go free this good man, who will ever be bound to you bygratitude.”
The Jew replied, “I will do naught of this.”