The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano

or the year _before_ that assigned to the return home. The travellers may have stopped some time at Constantinople on their way, or even may have visited the northern shores of the Black Sea; otherwise, indeed, how did Marco acquire his knowledge of that Sea (ii. 486–488) and of events in Kipchak (ii. 496 _seqq._)? If 1296 was the date of return, moreover, the six-and-twenty years assigned in the preamble as the period of Marco’s absence (p. 2) would be nearer accuracy. For he left Venice in the spring or summer of 1271. [23] Marco Barbaro, in his account of the Polo family, tells what seems to be the same tradition in a different and more mythical version:— “From ear to ear the story has past till it reached mine, that when the three Kinsmen arrived at their home they were dressed in the most shabby and sordid manner, insomuch that the wife of one of them gave away to a beggar that came to the door one of those garments of his, all torn, patched, and dirty as it was. The next day he asked his wife for that mantle of his, in order to put away the jewels that were sewn up in it; but she told him she had given it away to a poor man, whom she did not know. Now, the stratagem he employed to recover it was this. He went to the Bridge of Rialto, and stood there turning a wheel, to no apparent purpose, but as if he were a madman, and to all those who crowded round to see what prank was this, and asked him why he did it, he answered: ‘He’ll come if God pleases.’ So after two or three days he recognised his old coat on the back of one of those who came to stare at his mad proceedings, and got it back again. Then, indeed, he was judged to be quite the reverse of a madman! And from those jewels he built in the contrada of S. Giovanni Grisostomo a very fine palace for those days; and the family got among the vulgar the name of the _Ca’ Million_, because the report was that they had jewels to the value of a million of ducats; and the palace has kept that name to the present day—_viz._, 1566.” (_Genealogies_, MS. copy in _Museo Civico_; quoted also by _Baldelli Boni, Vita_, p. xxxi.) [24] The Will of the Elder Marco, to which we have several times referred, is dated at Rialto 5th August, 1280. The testator describes himself as formerly of Constantinople, but now dwelling in the confine of S. Severo. His brothers _Nicolo_ and _Maffeo_, if at Venice, are to be his sole trustees and executors, but in case of their continued absence he nominates _Jordano Trevisano_, and his sister-in-law _Fiordelisa_ of the confine of S. Severo. The proper tithe to be paid. All his clothes and furniture to be sold, and from the proceeds his funeral to be defrayed, and the balance to purchase masses for his soul at the discretion of his trustees. Particulars of money due to him from his partnership with Donato Grasso, now of Justinople (Capo d’Istria), 1200 _lire_ in all. (Fifty-two lire due by said partnership to Angelo di Tumba of S. Severo.) The above money bequeathed to his son _Nicolo_, living at _Soldachia_, or failing him, to his beloved brothers _Nicolo_ and _Maffeo_. Failing them, to the sons of his said brothers (_sic_) _Marco_ and _Maffeo_. Failing them, to be spent for the good of his soul at the discretion of his trustees. To his son Nicolo he bequeaths a silver-wrought girdle of vermilion silk, two silver spoons, a silver cup without cover (or saucer? _sine cembalo_), his desk, two pairs of sheets, a velvet quilt, a counterpane, a feather-bed—all on the same conditions as above, and to remain with the trustees till his son returns to Venice. Meanwhile the trustees are to invest the money at his son’s risk and benefit, but only here in Venice (_investiant seu investire, faciant_). From the proceeds to come in from his partnership with his brothers Nicolo and Maffeo, he bequeaths 200 lire to his daughter Maroca. From same source 100 lire to his natural son Antony. Has in his desk (_capsella_) two hyperperae (Byzantine gold coins), and three golden florins, which he bequeaths to the sister-in-law _Fiordelisa_. Gives freedom to all his slaves and handmaidens. Leaves his house in Soldachia to the Minor Friars of that place, reserving life-occupancy to his son Nicolo and daughter Maroca. The rest of his goods to his son Nicolo. [25] The terms in which the younger Maffeo mentions these half-brothers in his Will (1300) seem to indicate that they were still young. IV. DIGRESSION CONCERNING THE MANSION OF THE POLO FAMILY AT VENICE. [Sidenote: Probable period of their establishment at S. Giovanni Grisostomo.]