Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:41:27 +0100
From: A.K. <andrej@andrejkoymasky.com>
Subject: The Merchant of Venice 15/29 (historical)

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THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Or The Twenty-Four Nights of Lorenzo and Poletto
by Andrej Koymasky (C) 2006
written the 17th of June, 1991
translated by the author
English text kindly revised
by John

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USUAL DISCLAIMER

"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE" is a gay story, with some parts containing
graphic scenes of sex between males. So, if in your land, religion,
family, opinion and so on this is not good for you, it will be better
not to read this story. But if you really want, or because YOU don't
care, or because you think you really want to read it, please be my
welcomed guest.

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CHAPTER 15
SECOND INTERLUDE
Zane the Tempter

The next day they went for a walk again. Arrived in front of the
Carmelites church, there saw a tavern and it was open.

Zane said, "Come and sit inside. I'll offer you some light wine."

"I never drink wine, it goes straight to my head."

"Just a little bit to keep me company. Please..."

"All right."

They sat and Zane asked for a jug of white of Friuli and two glasses. He
filled both of them.

"To your good health, Polo, and to your happiness."

"Thank you, and also to yours."

"And stop being so thoughtful! Life is beautiful, let's enjoy it. You
are a handsome boy and when you smile you are even more handsome.
Moreover, in these days as I have not to live in that dead city called
Bergamo, I want to enjoy  leading a life of pleasure. Will you help me
to amuse myself?"

"I... I would not even know what to propose you... What would you like
to do?"

"Anything that gives me pleasure."

"Pleasure? What kind?"

"Any kind. As my signor father is not here to watch over me and keep me
on the leash, I would like having some adventures... some encounters."

"Would you like find a girl? I don't even know where to take you, I
don't know... that kind of girl."

"Are you able to keep a secret?"

"Sure, but... what secret?"

"Also from signor Lorenzo?"

"If it is something not concerning him, yes, also from him."

"I am not at all interested in girls. I like boys, do you understand? Do
you think I can find some?" Poletto looked at him astounded. Then Zane
added, "Are you amazed? Didn't you guess it? The fortune-teller said it
and she was right - I will not marry nor have children, but several
loves. By the way... she said the same thing also about you. Are you
also, by chance, like me? Are you too... a lover of men?"

Poletto, confused, instead of answering drained his glass of wine. Zane
smiled and immediately filled it again.

"You are not bound to tell me... After all that's none of my business."

"But you told me..."

"Yes, because I trust you, and I like you, and you promised to keep the
secret."

"For sure I will keep it. I too... as you are... I feel attracted by
men."

"So, then, we are partners, you and I! We will go to look for boys
together, are you game?"

"It is true, I feel attracted by... but... I am not interested in
encounters... And also, I don't know where to take you to find somebody,
I really do not know how to do so."

"You can find them everywhere, there is no special place for encounters.
And when you see one who is the same as you, you understand it."

"But how? I understood absolutely nothing about you."

"Neither I about you. But often you can understand, especially if the
other is also attracted to you. From how he looks at you, observes you,
studies you... and possibly follows you."

"Why? How does one look at you?"

"For instance, he can look between your legs to check if your breeches
flap is well filled or not... But, tell me, did you ever go with a man
or a boy? To make love, I mean."

"Just with two..."

"And how did you find each other?"

"Both times it was the other to find me."

"So, then, it's time for you to find another, isn't it?"

"No... I am not interested, I told you."

"Such a handsome and desirable boy as you are? Come on! You would find
dozens, if you just tried. Especially here in Venice. Here is not like
Bergamo, here there are people from all the world. And yet, I found some
even in my boring town. But here must be a lot easier. For instance,
don't you know that sailors, almost all of them, make love amongst
themselves and like a male better than a female? We can hang around the
port and for sure we will find somebody. But tell me, about the two with
whom you did it, are they younger than you?"

"No, they are two adult men, mature men."

"So, then, you have to try it with youths. It is really good, believe
me; I did it with both men and boys."

"Did you do it with many?"

"Yes, I must confess."

"But... don't you have a steady lover, in Bergamo?"

"No way! When one is young as we are, one hasn't to bind himself, one
has to amuse oneself. To tie up in a real relationship, we have time.
Don't you remember what the fortune-teller told you? She said that you
will have a real relationship when you are thirty, didn't she?"

"But you... your first time... when did it happen?"

"My first time? I almost don't remember it any more... It was about
seven years ago..."

"You were fourteen? With a friend?"

"Not yet fourteen. And no, not with a friend. He was a Slavonian
soldier. With a pretext he took me on top of the parish church tower
bell. And there, amongst the bells, he lowered my breeches and pushed
all his tool inside my hole, deflowering my little ass, without much
ceremony."

"He must have hurt you..."

"No, no, not at all. You see, he had a long but slim tool... and he was
really skilled. He made me enjoy it immediately. Even if the bells were
silent, I heard them in full peal... but the clapper was his tool and
the bell was my ass. I enjoyed it so much that I asked him if we could
do it again the day after... And you? Your first time?"

"At the beginning of this year."

"With a boy?"

"No, with a man, as I told you. Where he was working. We were alone. He
told me - come here, I will show you something. He opened his breeches
and pulled it out, hard. I looked at it... I had never before seen an
adult man's tool... And he told me - touch it, and placed my hand there.
I liked handling it, feeling it so firm and palpitating. He then did the
same for two or three days until one day he asked me to kiss it... And
he put it all inside my mouth and I enjoyed that even more than just
touching it."

"And you did something more?"

"No, not with him."

"And with the other man?"

"Oh, with the other man we did... everything. He is so skilled! With him
it is really making love, not just sex."

"And you said that it was also this second man who found you? And how?"

"I was already looking at him for a while, but would never have dared
to... even though I liked him a lot and felt strongly attracted by him."

"And he, how did he understand about you?"

"He... caught us, the other man with me... So he asked me if I wanted to
do it with him. Of course I said yes to him at once."

They went back home. When they were in Zane's room, he asked the boy to
take out of his luggage all his clothes and put them tidily into the
closet, while he started to undress. When he was bare chested and had
only the under-breeches on him, he asked, "Come to untie the back of my
breeches, as it is awkward doing that by myself, then you can pull them
off."

He noticed that Poletto was caressing with his eyes his bare chest. The
boy went to his back and untied the tight breeches, then went again in
front of him and slipped them away. Zane already had an half-erection
and the boy admired it for a moment, then looked away.

"Do you like what you see?" Zane asked him.

Poletto nodded in silence.

"You can touch it, if you like. Go on..."

"No, thank you."

"I would like it very much, because I already feel you are a friend. I
would be pleased if you touch me between my legs. Do you see how he also
says 'yes' to you?" Zane said making it palpitate a couple of times.

Poletto smiled, amused, but didn't stretch out his hand. He finished
pulling the breeches off him and carefully folded them. "Which clothes
do you want to wear, now?"

"You don't like seeing me naked? Does it embarrass you?"

"No no. You are really handome, well built. Also there, between your
legs."

"So, then, why you don't want to touch it?"

"Because... because... I just don't feel the need."

"Polo, I for sure don't want to force you, but I am sorry. I hoped that
you... Between boys, between friends, these things happen, and it is
good doing them."

"I am sorry, Zane; don't feel offended. I like looking at you, you are
handsome. But I would rather not touch you... and not be touched."

"But your man... the second one... you touch him and let him touch you,
don't you?"

"Sure, but only with him."

"Come on! You are not married, are you? And then, as soon as he will get
tired of you, he will jilt you, as always men do with us boys. But...
tell me... your man, is he  not by chance signor Lorenzo?"

He had not yet finished saying that name when Poletto almost shouted,
"No, he is one of the warehouse workers. He is a married man, has two
children and... and..."

Zane smiled in himself for what he knew to be a lie, but pretended to
believe him and didn't insist. He chose his clothes and asked him to
help to wear them. Then they went downstairs for supper. In the evening,
when Zane said he wanted to go out, Poletto asked him to be allowed to
stay at home. Zane went out alone and took profit of that to go to meet
the other four boys to set all the details for the meetings on the
following days. He also explained to them the issue of the four tarots
and they decided how to make them become real. He also took advantage of
the occasion to have sex with Toffolo, then went back to Zorzi Mansion
and went to bed, without calling Poletto. But the boy heard him come
back and went to knock at his door.

"Come in!"

"Why didn't you call me to help you?"

"I didn't want to disturb you, it is late... And then, I felt that it
annoyed you seeing me naked, and I always sleep in the nude..."

"No, I am sorry. I am your page in these days. And it doesn't annoy me
at all seeing your nakedness, believe me. I am sorry if I gave you this
impression."

"It doesn't matter. Tomorrow morning don't wake me too early. Wait until
the sun is already high on the sky. I like sleeping, when I am in
vacation like in these days."

"Would you like having your breakfast here in your room?"

"Yes, thank you, but only if you eat here with me."

"All right. Do you need anything else?"

"No, thank you, you can go to sleep, Poletto."

The following morning, Poletto brought him breakfast and stopped to eat
with him. Zane got out the bed naked, careless about his showy morning
hard-on that, he noticed with pleasure, Poletto continued to look
furtively. Then he asked him to help him to dress. When he was ready,
they went out for a short walk. They were back for dinner time then Zane
wanted to go out again and hang out for a while. They talked a lot, but
never touching matters of sex. They went to the port and sat at a
tavern. There were many sailors around and Zane profited from that to
show to Poletto those who, according him, were looking for a mate to
have sex with.

"So many?" at one point Poletto asked, amazed.

"Oh, possibly even more than that. I'm pointing you only those about
whom I'm rather sure. With one or two of them I would even like to try
it, I should confess. Of course I could not take them at Lorenzo's
mansion. But for sure, the sailors would know where to go; several inns
let their rooms for short encounters, for this kind of encounter, I
mean. Even though laws are really strict with those like us... Look at
that one - what a nice boy! And how he does look at us! Do you like him?
Is he your type?"

"No, he seems me too uncouth... and too cheeky."

"But he has a beautiful body. And look him between his legs, what a nice
swelling full of promises."

"Yes, but I don't think I would like doing it with him. Look at that
one, rather... that dark-skinned boy with a shy expression, that one
sitting all alone near the pillar..."

"Yes, I like him too. Do you want us to go and talk with him?"

"No. If you are interested in him, you go. I'll wait for you here."

"Come on, just to chat, you can also come, can't you? And then, if he is
game... I will try to have sex with him and, if you want, you come with
us or else we meet again at home. Come with me, come on!"

They drew near the sailor. Zane addressed him with a confident smile,
"May we sit at your table, sailor?"

"Yes, sure."

"My name is Zane and he is Polo. And you?"

"Tore."

"How come that you are all alone?"

"My mates went to look for whores."

"And you? Are you pennyless?"

"No, I have all my salary. But I just don't feel like."

"You mean that you are not interested in women?"

"Just so. Absolutely not."

"You are not annoyed if we stay a while with you, are you?"

"No, on the contrary, I am pleased to exchange a few words. Are you
brothers?"

"No, friends. May I offer you a drink?"

"No, my glass is stil full, thank you. Are you Venitians?"

"He is, I am just passing. And you, were are you from?"

"From Taranto, but working on the ship of a Greek."

"But... your mates... are they interested only in women?"

"At the ports, yes, but on the ship..."

"On the ship?"

"Eh, they all hang round me."

"Well, so at last you can have your choice..." Zane cunningly suggested.

"Oh no, that would be the last straw!"

"I see, you don't like doing it with men..."

"I just don't like doing it with my mates. If you say yes to one, and if
you are young, you risk to be forced to do it with all of them."

"But... would you say yes to me?" Zane then asked.

A smile appeared behind the sailor's eyes, "I hoped you would ask me. I
would say yes to both of you. What about a nice threesome?"

"No, I have to go back home. You two go. You will be able to come back
home alone, won't you, Zane?"

"Well, yes..."

"So then... have a nice evening..." Poletto said and almost ran away.

But the day after he asked Zane to tell him how it went with the sailor.
Zane described him everithing in great detail and soon was aware that
Poletto was aroused, just as he hoped.

"I see that my speech has aroused you... Why not to undress and make
love? I've got a hard-on too, you know?"

"No, I would rather not. But this evening we are going out again, don't
we?"

"Sure, willingly. But I'm sorry that you then ran away..."

"I don't feel like doing it with other peolple. I have my man."

"But these days you didn't meet him. Is it my fault?"

"No no. He is not at the warehose, in these days. He had to go... to go
back to his village, because... because his wife is ill."

"I see. But, poor Polo! How long will you have to do without him?"

"I don't know. I will wait for him."

"But do you think he will be faithful to you?"

"I think so."

"But he has a wife, and with her..."

"She doesn't matter."

Zane would have liked to contradict Poletto, but he didn't know how to
as he had decided to pretend not to know that in reality the boy's man
was Lorenzo.

He got a new idea. He told Poletto, "I feel like having a bath. Do you
think the servants can bring a tub with warm water to my room?"

"Sure. Do you want me to go and order it?"

"Yes. And then you will help me, won't you?"

"Of course."

When Zane was soaking, Poletto started to carefully wash his body with a
small cloth. Soon both were aroused.

Zane said, "You are skilled. Do you also help signor Lorenzo to bathe?"

"Yes, at times."

"And he too gets hard-ons like me now?"

"At times."

"Do you like signor Lorenzo?"

"He has a fine body."

"And he... does he touch you?"

"No, never."

"But don't you profit for touching him, possibly right there?"

"No, that would be the limit!"

"I would try, in your place. And I think he would be game, you know?
After all he didn't marry... possibly he too doesn't like women."

Poletto didn't answer and continued to brush Zane's body.

Zane took his hand, "Undress, and come in the tub you too, so I can wash
you."

"No, thank you."

"Come on! You see me naked, don't you? I would like looking at your body
too... and to touch you... I feel you have a nice body."

"No, please. I understand that you would like making love with me, but I
belong to my man, I told you."

"If you come in the tub with me, I swear we don't make love. I will
content myself to wash you, I swear..."

"If we were there, both naked and so close by, and washing each other, I
don't know if I would remain faithful to my man or you to keep your
oath. I'm made of flesh too and you're really handsome. So I prefer not
to risk it."

"But even if we made love, I wouldn't take you away from you man, would
I? In any case, I have to leave Venice in a month. Your swollen breeches
make me understand that you too desire it and... and I confess that the
thought of it tempts me."

"Please, Zane, if you really want to be my friend, let me alone."

"All right, as you like. But I can't understand you. You have to be
really madly in love with your man!"

"I really think so."

"But he... does he at least know it? Have you already told him?"

"No, he... he has a family. I don't want to give him problems."

Zane was amazed by Poletto's strength of will and by his firmness, and
thought that Lorenzo was lucky having such a lover. But he was still
confident to be able, sooner or later, to overcome his resistance. As
the boy had acknowledged, flesh is flesh!

On the following evening Zane arranged for Poletto to have the first of
his four encounters. They were walking through a dark 'calle' going back
home, when Simone approached them.

"Sorry, 'lustrious, if I may be so bold, but I see you have a lantern.
Could you help me to look for three coins that slipped away from my
pocket? If I go back home without them, my father will whack me."

"Willingly, right Polo?" They started to search on the pavement but they
found nothing. Zane meanwhile whispered to Poletto, "The three coins -
couldn't he be the tarots three of coins?"

"I was no longer thinking about the fortune-teller... It could be..."

Zane then asked the boy, "What's your name?"

"Simone, 'lustrious."

"I am Zane and he is my friend Polo. What kind of coin were they? Had
they much value?"

"Two of one baiocco and one of two baioccos, 'lustrious. Four baioccos
in all."

"Well, not so much. And your father would whack you for such a small
sum?"

"Oh yes. You don't know my father. What can I do, now? I daren't go home
without them"

Poletto searched in his money-bag, "I have a coin of five and one of
two. Do you by chance have two coins of one baiocco, Zane?"

"Let me see... Yes, here they are."

"Take them, Simone and go back home safely." Poletto said giving the
three coins to the boy.

"I thank you very much, 'lustrious! How can I repay your kindness?"

"It doesn't matter, it is a little thing. Zane and I are happy we could
help you."

"No no, I have to pay you back for your kindness, in one way or another.
Tell me where you live and if I'm able to earn some coins, I'll bring
them back to you."

"It doesn't matter..." Poletto said again.

But at the same time Zane answered, "We live at Zorzi mansion. Do you
know where is it?"

"Oh yes, 'lustrious sirs. So then, thanks for now. I wish you a good
night." Simone said and disappeared in the dark.

Then Zane said to Poletto, "What a handsome boy, that Simone, lean as a
rush but well built. Did you notice what a nice ass he had?"

"Yes, I noticed."

"Do you like better taking it or putting it?"

Poletto, surprised by the question, blushed but answered in a quiet
voice, "Both ways."

"The same for me, the same for me. Well, if he really is the three of
coins, and I really believe he is, you have not to let him escape. The
fortune-teller said so, do you remember? If he really shows at the
mansion, you have to take him to your room and do something with him;
follow my advice."

Poletto didn't answer. They continued along the street to the mansion.
After he helped Zane go to bed, Poletto withdrew to his room and in his
turn hit the bed.

During the night, something woke him up. Near his little bed was Zane,
totally naked, a lighted two-banched candlestick in his hand, looking at
him.

"I'm sorry I woke you. But I strongly desired being able to look at your
naked body, therefore I came... I hoped not to wake you. You are so
beautiful!"

Poletto became aware he didn't have a blanket on him any more, so that
his nakedness was exposed to the other. Disconcerted, he tried to cover
himself but Zane stopped his hand.

"No, wait. Let me look at you a little more. Lucky is your man who found
such a beautiful boy... and so faithful. You have a body that... rises
the desire to kiss it, to touch all over it. And also there, between
your legs, one feels the desire to put on his lips, to lick it all, to
suck it... It is raising... No, I will not touch you, don't worry. As
you don't want to allow my body to enjoy yours, at least let my eyes
enjoy you. How I would like biting your nice dark tits... to kiss your
sensual lips. How I would like to keep you tight to me, to fondle all of
your body, to caress you... No, don't worry, I will not touch you...
Even though, not touching you, one has to be a hero or a saint. I feel
that tonight I will earn my place in heaven. Oh, Polo, I feel so envious
of your man! Why don't I have such luck? Look my rod how became hard
from nothing but looking at you! And yours also, how beautiful is it,
firm and erect like the mainmast of a ship. If only my lips could become
its sail..."

"Zane?"

"Tell me, wonderful!"

"Now... let me sleep, please."

"As you like. Even though I feel that tonight I will not be able to
close an eye. You are the forbidden fruit in the Earthly Paradise. I
would willingly accept to be chased away by the angel, if I only could
taste you! Sleep, my angel. I'm going back to my room... and will get my
satisfaction alone... dreaming about your beautiful body."

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CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 16

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In my home page I've put some more of my stories. If someone wants to
read them, the URL is

http://andrejkoymasky.com

If you want to send me feed-back, or desire to help revising my English
translations, so that I can put on-line more of my  stories in English
please e-mail at

andrej@andrejkoymasky.com

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