477) is 1294, 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.
[Illustration: Corte del Milione, Venice.]
[Illustration: Malibran Theatre Venice]
[Sidenote: Probable period of their establishment at S. Giovanni
Grisostomo.]
23. We have seen that Ramusio places the scene of the story recently
alluded to at the mansion in the parish of S. Giovanni Grisostomo, the
court of which was known in his time as the Corte del Millioni; and indeed
he speaks of the Travellers as at once on their arrival resorting to that
mansion as their family residence. Ramusio's details have so often proved
erroneous that I should not be surprised if this also should be a mistake.
At least we find (so far as I can learn) no previous intimation that the
family were connected with that locality. The grandfather Andrea is styled
of San Felice. The will of Maffeo Polo the younger, made in 1300, which
we shall give hereafter in abstract, appears to be the first document that
connects the family with S. Giovanni Grisostomo.
