To Rusticiano we shall presently recur. But let us first bring to
a conclusion what may be gathered as to the duration of Polo’s
imprisonment.
It does not appear whether Pope Boniface made any new effort for
accommodation between the Republics; but other Italian princes did
interpose, and Matteo Visconti, Captain-General of Milan, styling
himself Vicar-General of the Holy Roman Empire in Lombardy, was
accepted as Mediator, along with the community of Milan. Ambassadors
from both States presented themselves at that city, and on the 25th
May, 1299, they signed the terms of a Peace.
These terms were perfectly honourable to Venice, being absolutely
equal and reciprocal; from which one is apt to conclude that the
damage to the City of the Sea was rather to her pride than to her
power; the success of Genoa, in fact, having been followed up by no
systematic attack upon Venetian commerce.[27] Among the terms was the
mutual release of prisoners on a day to be fixed by Visconti after the
completion of all formalities. This day is not recorded, but as the
Treaty was ratified by the Doge of Venice on the 1st July, and the
latest extant document connected with the formalities appears to be
dated 18th July, we may believe that before the end of August Marco
Polo was restored to the family mansion in S. Giovanni Grisostomo.
[Sidenote: Grounds on which the story of Marco Polo’s capture at
Curzola rests.]