ABSTRACT
Theoldman,whoinsoothwasfarmoreofamiserthanofa sage,begantobusyhisbrainsincanvassingandconsideringwhat possibleprofitmightcometohimifheshouldconsenttodothe cavaliertheservicethatwasdemanded,and,withoutdetecting aughtthereinofthenatureoffraudordebatingtheaffairfurther withhimself,madeanswerinthesewords:'Seehere,MesserGiuf~ fredi,thelovewhichIbeartowardsyouissogreat,thatIassuredly couldneverbringmyselftoanswernotoanyrequestyoumight makeofme,supposingthatthethingdemandedlaywithinmypower toperform,andforthisreasonIamstronglydisposedtoaccommodateyouwithwhateversumofmoneyyoumaywantforyourpurposes.Andbesidesthis,Iwillkeeptheslaveonyourbehalf,inorder thatyoumaynotsufferillthroughhavingtosellher.Then,when youshallhavecomebackheresafeandsound-supposingalways thattheslaveshouldhavedonewhatwasneededofher---Iwill settlemyaccountwithyouinsuchfashionthatyouwillfindyou couldnothavebeenbettertreatedevenifyouhadbeenmyown son.'
