settled without their intervention, on account of the duties
demanded by the Republic. The Fondaco was the name of the great
exchange established by the Republic itself for the German trade.]

The musician, who had as a student dwelt in Venice, hit on the fancy that
he would give his daughter-in-law a home in Nuremberg like her father's
house, which stood on one of the canals in Venice; so he found a house
with windows looking to the river, and which he therefore deemed fit to
ease her homesickness. And verily the Venetian lady was pleased with the
placing of her house, and yet more with the old man's loving care for
her; although the house was over tall, and so narrow that there were but
two windows on each floor. Thus there was no manner of going to and fro
in the Spiesz's house, but only up and down. Notwithstanding, the
Venetian lady loved it, and I have heard her say that there was no spot
so sweet in all Nuremberg as the window seat on the second story of her
house. There stood her spinning-wheel and sewing-box; and a bright Venice
mirror, which, in jest, she would call "Dame Inquisitive," showed her all
that passed on the river and the Fleisch-brucke, for her house was not
far from those which stood facing the Franciscan Friars. There she ruled
in peace and good order, in love and all sweetness, and her children
throve even as the flowers did under her hand: roses, auriculas, pinks
and pansies; and whosoever went past the house in a boat could hear mirth
within and the voice of song. For the Spiesz children had a fine ear for
music, both from their grandsire and their mother, and sweet, clear,
bell-like voices. My Ann was the queen of them all, and her nightingale's
throat drew even Herdegen to her with great power.

Only one of the scribe's children, little Mario, was shut out from the
world of sound, for he was a deaf-mute born; and when Ann tarried under
our roof, rarely indeed and for but a short while, her stay was brief for
his sake; for she tended him with such care and love as though she had
been his own mother. Albeit she thereby was put to much pains, these were
as nothing to the heartfelt joys which the love and good speed of this
child brought her; for notwithstanding he was thus born to sorrow, by his
sister's faithful care he grew a happy and thankful creature. Ofttimes my
Cousin Maud was witness to her teaching of her little brother, and all
Ann did for the child seemed to her so pious and