Page 24 - Cornice_Grade 7

Venice, Italy
26/06/1595

Dear Father,
By the time you receive this letter, I will be far away from you,your black fortune and your
money. I have decided to marry Master Lorenzo a Christian, and I have taken some of
your possessions along.
I am sorry father, but you are greedy and a miserable person. You are full of vengeance.
Nobody in the entire Venice likes you and I don’t want to live under your shadow and
your self-absorbed,narcissistic and joyless life. I am a motherless child and you never
gave me the love and respect I deserved whereas Lorenzo loves me for who I am and not
because I am a rich man’s daughter. Our house is hell and though I am your daughter by
blood, I am not by manners. You lock me up in the house when you are out to take care of
your stupid possessions. I am ashamed to be your daughter.
My beloved Lorenzo has told me all about your loathful dealings with the poor Merchant
Antonio, who is such a respectful man in Venice. How could you do that father, to such an
honorable man? Do you not fear god father? On top, you go on calling yourself a faithful
jew? What you demanded of Master Antonio was cruel. I am ashamed of being associated
with you,let alone call you my father.
You are a sick man who asked for flesh from someone out of revenge. You leave me no
choice but to run away. I would like you to know that I have no prejudice against Chris-
tians unlike you, so your daughter will be converting to a Christian soon.
If you are still reading this instead of counting your filthy money, you must have realized
I have taken some. Let me tell you,that you have earned this money only by the means of
dirty trading deals. You have taxed the poor people unnecessarily and for that I despise
you. The ducats and jewels I have taken with me are merely to insure my own survival and
to start a new life which will make me happier.
Father,I understand your best efforts to raise me as best you could after mother sadly de-
parted from this world…but the truth is you could never take her place. I believe that my
mother has blessed me for this life ahead and, if you wish me good fortune and a happy
marriage in your prayers, then you shall be with me too.I have left, because I had no other
choice. This is the final goodbye.Please do not come looking for me or your money.
Farwell, and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father,you a daughter,lost.
Yours truly,
Jessica
-Aaravi basnet