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422

FIESCHI'S POPULARITY.

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of his armament. And Gian Luigi was a mighty hunter* and of a goodly mien; and the greater part of the men of the city lifted up their eyes unto him, and loved him passing the love of woment, for hunting was in his mouth; his lips dropped as an honey-comb§; and Giannettino put on revenge, and the thing was known to Gian Luigi; and it was evil in his sight. And from this time forth, he devised mischief in his heart against Giannettino and against his master¶, but continued to speak every day peaceably to them, for Andrea Doria had been as a father unto him and unto his brethren, from the day when their father died.

1175. And at that time, in the tenth month, they made marriages** together; and Giannettino gave his sister to wife to the brother of Gian Luigi's wife. And they ate and drank together; but their hearts were not with themtt. So are the ways of all who are greedy of gain‡‡.

* Gen. x. 9.

+ 2 Sam. i. 26.

17. i, e. He hunted for popularity; the rabbies generally translate, Deceit was in his mouth. See Jarchi on Gen. xxv. 28.

Pro. v. 3. Cant. iv. 11.

¶ i. e. Against Andrea Doria.

|| Comp. Is. lix. 17.

** Gen. xxxiv. 9.

tti. e. Their hearts were not united, although they outwardly

joined in conviviality.

Pro. i. 19.

1

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GIANNETTINO'S COVETOUSNESS.

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1176. A Jew-man, whose name was Solomon, the son of Samuel, and his son Moses, were carried bound in those days in the ships which were under the hand* of Giannettino; and on the fourth day of the week, on the twenty-ninth day of the tenth month, I went down to deliver them out of his hand. And they gave me up the old man, at the word of his master, according as it was commanded, when I gave another (viz. a Turk) in his stead, life for lifet. And at that time Giannettino said unto me, "I will not give up the young man, unless thou give me three Turks in his stead, or their value in money." And I said, "Not so, my lord, my power is gone;" and he said, Speak no more unto me of this matter|| :" And I said, "Thou speakest truly; but behold, my lord, and see, that the end of Sehubim (goldpieces) is Sebubim (flies¶) and they are a vain thing for safety**." And he thought scorn††, on account of the greatness of his covetousness, and laughed and said, "Thou dost not know that treasures were made to rovett. And as for the + Exod. iii. 8.

66

* Command.

Exod. xxi. 23.

| Deut. iii. 26.

§ Deut. xxxii. 36.

i. e. Riches certainly make .כִּי סוֹף דָבַר הַזְהוּבִים זְבוּבִים ]

themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs xxiii. 5.

tt Esth. iii. 6.

** Ps. xxxiii. 17.

‡‡ i. e. Money must circulate.

424

FIESCHI'S CRAFTINESS.

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And they

young man, I will not let him go*." And he set not his heart to my words†. brought out the old man from the iron furnace‡, and the young man remained there weeping, and lifted up his eyes towards heaven; and the Lord beheld this matter, and it was evil in his sight§. And HE poured out his wrath upon Giannettino, and his destruction came as a whirlwind.

1177. In those days the Count Gian Luigi brought one of his galleys to Genoa, and two hundred men to put therein; and he revealed not his secret to any man. And Andrea Doria and Giannettino said, "What meaneth then this voice of the people in mine ears** ?" And the count answered with subtlety, "To send them into the east to take spoil in the countries of our enemies have I brought them hither;" and they believed his words, and remained secure. And Giannettino knew not that his day was come, and that the count had devised evil against him. And Gian Luigi went again into the house of Andrea Doria as often times beforett, and said unto him, " Now I have found favor in thy sight, let, I pray thee, my lord and Giannettino, come to the banquet that I shall

*Exod. v. 2.

Deut. iv. 20.

|| Prov. i. 27.

** 1 Sam. xv. 14.

Exod. vii. 23.
Prov. xxiv. 18.

Amos. iii. 7.

++ Jud. xvi. 20.

קכט

FIESCHI'S CRAFTINESS.

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425

"I

prepare for them to-morrow*;" and he said, will come, my son. But Andrea Doria fell sick, and they went not thither. And some men wrote unto Andrea Doria, saying, "Beware of the family of the Fieschi." And his heart fainted, for he believed them notf. And he said, "Who of the family of the Fieschi can do less or more‡ except the count, and he is my son?" This is nothing but the wicked heart of those who walk with slanders§, and may the Lord cut off all flattering lips||." And while they were yet speaking, behold, Gian Luigi was in the court, for he feared lest his secret should be discovered, and came within to espy, and stole their hearts, and spake peaceably unto them and kissed the children of Giannettino, and went out from them in peace.

**

;

1178. Now the count thought in his heart¶¶, "It is time for to make me power and a name I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them††. And he went into the houses of his friends and of his companions, and said unto them, "Ye shall eat with me to-night‡‡." And they assembled themselves with him in his house,

*Esth. v. 8.

Num. xxii. 18.

Ps. xii. 3.

** Ps. cix. 126. Is. lxiii. 12. 14.

Gen. xl. iii. 16.

+ Gen. xlv. 26.

§ Jer. vi. 28.

¶ Esth. vi. 6.

†† Exod. xv. 9.

Deut. xx. 19.

426

FIESCHI'S ORATION.

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and there was set before them to eat; and they rejoiced together at that time. And at the entrance of his house, he placed watchmen, saying, "Let none come forth abroad* ;" and none of them knew what he had devised to dof. And it came to pass, that when they were merry, the count Gian Luigi said unto them, Ye, my companions, know Giannettino and his communication§. And how he exalts himself, saying, I will reign;' come now, therefore, and let us slay him. And those also who watch at the entering of the gates of the city let us smite with the edge of the sword, and swallow them up alive as the grave; and we will take the city to us**, and by your word shall it be ruled, only in the throne will I be greater than yout†. I will be your

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would it might be according to thy word§§." And they left two who would not go with them in the house, and set a watch over them. And his mother and his wife entreated him much to put bim away from his mischief; and they lifted up

2 Kings x. 25.

+ Esth. i. 10.

|| Gen. xxxvii. 20.

** Gen. xxxiv. 16.

‡‡ 2 Sam. v. 2; vii. 8. §§ Gen. xxx. 34.

+ Comp. Gen. xi. 6.
§ 2 Kings ix. 11.

¶ Pro. i. 12.
†† Gen. xli. 40.

1 Kings i. 35.

Esth. viii. 3.

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