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GERNUTUS THE JEW OF VENICE.
You may doe me as good a turne, Before my dying day.
" But we will have a merry jeast,
For to be talked long: You shall make me a bond," quoth he,
" That shall be large and strong.
" And this shall be the forfeyture,—
Of your owne fleshe a pound: If you agree, make you the bond,
And here is a hundred crownes."
" With right good will," the marchant he says,
And so the bond was made. When twelve month and a day drew on,
That backe it should be payd,
The marchants ships were all at sea,
And money came not in ; Which way to take, or what to doe,
To thinke he doth begin.
And to Gernutus strait he comes,
With cap and bended knee; And sayde to him, " Of curtesie,
I pray you beare with mee.
" My day is come, and I have not The money for to pay;
VOL. VIII. 4 |
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