StoriesfromPentamerone

by

GiambattistaBasile

NOTE
The collection of folktales known as Il Pentamerone was first published at Naples and in the
Neopolitan dialect,by Giambattista Basile,ContediTorrone,who isbelievedtohavecollectedthem
chieflyinCreteandVenice,andtohavediedabouttheyear1637.

CONTENTS
1.

HowtheTalescametobetold

2.

TheMyrtle

3.

Peruonto

4.

Vardiello

5.

TheFlea

6.

Cenerentola

7.

TheMerchant

8.

GoatFace

9.

TheEnchantedDoe

10.

Parsley

11.

TheThreeSisters

12.

Violet

13.

Pippo

14.

TheSerpent

15.

TheSheBear

16.

TheDove

17.

Cannetella

18.

Corvetto

19.

TheBooby

20.

TheStoneintheCock'sHead

21.

TheThreeEnchantedPrinces

22.

TheDragon

23.

TheTwoCakes

24.

TheSevenDoves

25.

TheRaven

26.

TheMonths

27.

Pintosmalto

28.

TheGoldenRoot

29.

Sun,Moon,andTalia

30.

NennilloandNennella

31.

TheThreeCitrons

32.

Conclusion

I
HOWTHETALESCAMETOBETOLD
Itisanold saying, that hewho seekswhat heshouldnot,findswhathewouldnot.Everyonehas
heard oftheapewho,in trying topull on his boots,was caughtby the foot. Andithappenedinlike
mannertoawretchedslave,who,although sheneverhadshoestoherfeet,wantedtowearacrownon
herhead.But the straightroadisthebestand,soonerorlater,adaycomeswhichsettlesall accounts.
Atlast,havingby evil meansusurpedwhat belongedtoanother,shefelltothegroundandthehigher
shehadmounted,thegreaterwasherfallasyoushallsee.

Onceupon atimetheKingof Woody ValleyhadadaughternamedZoza,whowasneverseento

laugh. The unhappy father, who had no other comfort in life but this only daughter, left nothing
untried to drive away her melancholy. So he sent for folks who walk on stilts, fellows who jump
through hoops, for boxers, for conjurers, for jugglerswhoperform sleightofhandtricks,forstrong
men,fordancing dogs,forleapingclowns, for the donkey that drinksoutofa tumblerinshort,he
triedfirst onethingandthen anothertomakeherlaugh.Butallwastimelost,fornothingcouldbring
asmiletoherlips.
So atlengththepoor father, atwit'send,andtomakealasttrial,orderedalargefountainofoilto
be set in front of the palace gates, thinking to himself that when the oilran downthestreet, along
whichthepeoplepassedlikea troop of ants,theywouldbe obliged,inordernotto soiltheirclothes,
to skip like grasshoppers, leap like goats, and run like hares while one would go picking and
choosing his way, and another go creeping alongthewall.Inshort,hehoped that somethingmight
cometopasstomakehisdaughterlaugh.
So the fountain wasmadeandas Zoza was one daystanding atthewindow,grave anddemure,
and lookingas sour asvinegar, there came bychanceanold woman, who,soakingup the oilwitha
sponge, began tofilla littlepitcherwhichshehadbroughtwithher.And asshewaslabouringhardat
this ingenious device,ayoung pageofthecourt passingbythrew astone soexactlytoahairthathe
hit the pitcher and broke it to pieces. Whereupon the old woman, who had no hair on her tongue,
turned to the page, full of wrath, and exclaimed, "Ah, you impertinent young dog, you mule, you
gallowsrope, you spindlelegs! Ill luck to you! May you be pierced by a Catalan lance! May a
thousandillsbefallyouandsomethingmoretoboot,youthief,youknave!"
The lad, who had little beard and less discretion, hearing this string of abuse, repaid the old
woman in her own coin, saying, "Have you done, you grandmother of witches, you old hag, you
childstrangler!"
Whentheoldwomanheard these compliments sheflewinto such arage that,losingholdofthe
bridle and escapingfrom thestable of patience,she actedasif shewere mad,cuttingcapers intheair
and grinning like an ape. At this strange spectacle Zoza burst into such a fit of laughter that she
wellnigh fainted away. But when the old woman saw herself played this trick, she flew into a
passion,andturning afiercelookonZozashe exclaimed:"Mayyouneverhavetheleastlittlebitofa
husband,unlessyoutakethePrinceofRoundField."
Uponhearing this, Zozaordered the oldwomantobecalledanddesiredtoknowwhether,inher
words, she had laid on her a curse, or had only meantto insulther. And the oldwoman answered,
"Know then, that the Prince of whom I spoke is a most handsome creature, and isnamedTaddeo,
who,bythe wickedspell ofa fairy, having giventhelast touchtothepictureoflife,hasbeenplaced
in atomboutside the walls of the city and thereisan inscription upon astone, sayingthatwhatever

woman shallinthree daysfillwith tearsapitcherthathangsthereuponahookwillbringthePrinceto

life andshall takehimfora husband.Butasit isimpossible fortwohumaneyes toweepsomuchas
to fill apitcherthatwould hold half abarrel, I havewishedyou thiswish inreturnforyourscoffing
and jeeringat me.And I pray that it may come topass,toavenge the wrongyouhavedoneme." So
saying,shescuttleddownthestairs,forfearofabeating.
Zoza ponderedoverthewordsoftheoldwoman,andafterturningoverahundredthoughtsinher
mind,untilher headwaslikea millfull of doubts, shewasat last struckbyadartofthepassionthat
blindsthejudgmentand putsa spellon the reasoning ofman. She tookahandfulofdollarsfromher
father's coffers and left the palace, walking on and on, until she arrived at the castle of afairy,to
whomsheunburdenedherheart.Thefairy,outofpityforsuchafairyounggirl,whohadtwospursto
makeherfalllittle helpandmuchloveforanunknownobjectgavehera letterofrecommendation
to a sister of hers, who was also a fairy. And this second fairy received her likewise with great
kindness and on the following morning, when Night commandsthebirds toproclaimthatwhoever
has seenaflockofblackshadowsgoneastrayshallbewellrewarded,shegaveherabeautiful walnut,
saying, "Take this, my dear daughter, and keep it carefully but never open it, but in time of the
greatestneed."Andthenshegaveheralsoaletter,commendinghertoanothersister.
After journeying a long way, Zoza arrivedat thisfairy'scastle,andwasreceived with the same
affection.Andthenext morningthisfairylikewise gave hera letter toanothersister,togetherwitha
chestnut, cautioning herin thesame manner.ThenZoza travelledontothenextcastle,whereshewas
receivedwithathousandcaressesandgivenafilbert,whichshewasnever toopen,unlessthegreatest
necessityobligedher.So sheset outupon her journey, andpassedsomanyforestsandrivers,thatat
the end of sevenyears, just atthetimeof day whentheSun, awakenedbythecoming ofthecocks,
hassaddledhissteedtorunhisaccustomedstages,shearrivedalmostlameatRoundField.
There, at the entrance to the city, she saw a marble tomb, at thefoot of afountain, which was
weepingtears of crystalat seeingitselfshut upin aporphyryprison.And,liftingup the pitcher,she
placed it inher lapandbegantoweepintoit,imitatingthefountaintomaketwolittlefountainsofher
eyes. And thus shecontinuedwithout everraisingher headfrom the mouthofthepitcheruntil,at
the end of two days, it was full within two inches of the top. But, being wearied with so much
weeping, she was unawares overtaken by sleep, and was obliged to restforanhour orsounderthe
canopyofhereyes.
Meanwhilea certainSlave, withthelegsofagrasshopper,came,asshewaswont,tothefountain,
to fill her watercask. Now she knew themeaning ofthefountain which wastalkedofeverywhere
and whenshe saw Zoza weepingsoincessantly,andmakingtwolittlestreamsfromhereyes,shewas
alwayswatching andspyinguntil the pitcher should befull enoughforher toaddthelastdropstoit
and thus to leave Zoza cheated of her hopes. Now, therefore, seeing Zoza asleep, she seized her
opportunity anddexterouslyremovingthepitcherfromunderZoza,andplacingherowneyesoverit,
she filled it in four seconds. But hardly was it full, when the Prince arose from the white marble
shrine, as if awakened from a deep sleep, and embraced that mass of dark flesh, and carried her
straightways to his palace feasts and marvellous illuminations were made, and he took herforhis
wife.
WhenZoza awoke andsaw the pitchergone,andherhopeswithit,andtheshrineopen,herheart
grew so heavy that she was on the point of unpackingthe balesofher soulat the customhouseof
Death.But, atlast,seeing that therewasnohelpforhermisfortune,andthatshecouldonlyblame her
own eyes, which had served her so ill,she wenther way,step bystep, intothecity. Andwhen she
heard ofthefeastswhichthePrince had made,andthedainty creaturehe hadmarried,she instantly
knewhowallthismischiefhadcometopassandsaidtoherself,sighing,"Alas,twodarkthingshave

broughtme totheground,sleepanda black slave!" Thenshetookafinehousefacingthepalaceof

thePrince fromwhence, thoughshecould notseethe idol of her heart, shecould atleastlookupon
thewallswhereinwhatshesighedforwasenclosed.
But Taddeo, who was constantly flying like a bat roundthatblack night ofa Slave, chanced to
perceive Zoza and was entranced with her beauty. When the Slavesawthisshe wasbeside herself
withrage,andvowed that ifTaddeodidnot leave the window, shewould killherbaby whenitwas
born.
Taddeo,whowasanxiouslydesiringanheir, wasafraidto offendhiswifeandtorehimselfaway
from the sightof Zoza whoseeing this little balmforthesicknessof herhopestakenawayfromher,
knewnot, atfirst,what todo. But,recollecting the fairies' gifts,sheopenedthewalnut, andoutof it
hopped alittle dwarflikea doll,the mostgracefultoythatwas everseenintheworld.Then,seating
himself upon the window, the dwarf began to sing with such a trillandgurgling,thatheseemeda
veritablekingofthebirds.
TheSlave,whenshe sawand heardthis,was soenrapturedthat,callingTaddeo,shesaid,"Bring
methelittlefellow who is singing yonder,orIwill killthechildwhenitisborn."SothePrince,who
allowed thisuglywomanto putthesaddle onhisback,sentinstantlytoZoza,toaskifshewouldnot
sell the dwarf. Zoza answered she was not a merchant, but that he was welcometo it as agift.So
Taddeoacceptedtheoffer,forhewasanxioustokeephiswifeingoodhumour.
Fourdays after this, Zoza openedthechestnut, whenoutcamea hen with twelve littlechickens,
allofpuregold,and, beingplaced onthewindow,theSlavesawthemandtookavastfancyto them
and callingTaddeo,she showedhimthebeautifulsight,andagainorderedhimtoprocure thehenand
chickens for her.So Taddeo,wholethimselfbe caughtintheweb,and becomethesportoftheugly
creature,sent again toZoza, offeringheranypriceshemightaskforthebeautifulhen.ButZozagave
the same answer as before, that he might have it as a gift. Taddeo, therefore, who could not do
otherwise,madenecessitykickatdiscretion,andacceptedthebeautifulpresent.
But afterfour days more,Zoza openedthehazelnut,andforthcameadollwhichspungoldan
amazingsight.Assoonasit wasplaced atthesamewindow,theSlavesawitand,callingtoTaddeo,
said, "Imusthavethatdoll,orIwillkillthechild."Taddeo,wholet hisproudwifetosshimaboutlike
a shuttle, had nevertheless not the heart to send to Zoza for the doll, but resolved to go himself,
recollecting the sayings: "Nomessengerisbetterthan yourself,"and"Lethim whowould eat afish
take it by the tail." So he went and besought Zoza to pardon his impertinence, on account of the
caprices of his wife and Zoza, who was in ecstasies at beholding the cause of her sorrow, put a
constrainton herself andsolet himentreatherthe longertokeepinsighttheobjectofherlove,who
was stolen from her by an ugly slave. At length she gave him the doll, as she had done the other
things, but beforeplacingitin his hands, sheprayedthelittle doll toputadesireintotheheartofthe
Slave to hear stories told by her. And when Taddeo saw the dollin his hand, without his paying a
singlecoin,hewas sofilled with amazementatsuchcourtesythatheofferedhiskingdomandhislife
in exchange forthegift.Then, returning tohispalace,heplaceditin hiswife'shands and instantly
such a longing seized her to hear stories told, that she called her husband and said, "Bid some
storytellerscomeandtellmestories,orIpromiseyou,Iwillkillthechild."
Taddeo, to get rid of this madness, ordered a proclamation instantly to be made, that all the
women of the land shouldcome ontheappointedday. Andon that day, atthehour when the starof
Venus appears,who awakes the Dawn,to strewtheroadalong which the Sunhas topass,theladies
were all assembled at the palace. But Taddeo, not wishing to detain such a rabble for the mere
amusementofhiswife,chose tenonlyof the bestofthecitywho appearedto himmostcapableand
eloquent. These were Bushyhaired Zeza, Bandylegged Cecca, Wennecked Meneca, Longnosed

Tolla, Humphbacked Popa, Bearded Antonella, Dumpy Ciulla, Bleareyed Paola, Baldheaded
Civonmetella, and Squareshouldered Jacova. Their names he wrote down ona sheet ofpaper and
then, dismissing the others,hearosewiththeSlave fromunder thecanopy,and they wentgently to
thegardenofthepalace,wheretheleafybrancheswere socloselyinterlaced, that the Sun couldnot
separatethem with alltheindustryof his rays. Andseating themselvesunderapavilion,formedbya
trellis ofvines, inthe middle of which rana greatfountaintheschoolmasterofthecourtiers, whom
hetaughteverydaytomurmurTaddeothusbegan:
"There is nothing in the world more glorious, my gentle dames, than to listen to the deeds of
others nor was it without reason that the great philosopher placedthehighest happinessof man in
listening toprettystories.In hearing pleasingthingstold, griefsvanish,troublesomethoughts areput
to flight and life is lengthened.And, forthisreason,yousee the artisansleavetheirworkshops,the
merchants theircountryhouses, the lawyerstheircases, the shopkeeperstheirbusiness,andallrepair
withopen mouthstothebarbers'shopsandtothegroups ofchatterers,tolisten tostories,fictions,and
news in the openair.Icannot,therefore, butpardonmy wife,who hastakenthisstrangefancyinto
herhead ofhearing the tellingoftales.So,ifyouwill be pleased tosatisfythewhimofthePrincess
and comply with mywishes, you will,during thenext fourorfivedays, eachofyourelatedailyone
of those tales which old women are wont to tellfor theamusementofthelittleones. And you will
comeregularlytothis spotwhere, aftera goodrepast, youshallbegintotellstories,soastopasslife
pleasantlyandsorrowtohimthatdies!"
Atthesewords, allbowedassenttothecommandsofTaddeoandthetablesbeingmeanwhileset
outandfeast spread, theysatdown toeat.Andwhentheyhaddoneeating,thePrincetookthepaper
andcallingoneachinturn,byname,thestoriesthatfollowweretold,indueorder.

II
THEMYRTLE
There lived inthevillageofMiano amanandhis wife,whohad nochildrenwhatever,andthey
longed with the greatest eagerness to have an heir. The woman, above all,was for eversaying,"O
heavens! if Imight buthave alittlebabyIshouldnotcare,were it evenasprigofamyrtle." And
she repeated this song so often, and so wearied Heaven with these words,thatat lasther wish was
granted and at the endofnine months,insteadofa little boy or girl, sheplaced inthe handsofthe
nurse a fine sprig of myrtle. This she planted with great delight in a pot,ornamentedwitheverso
manybeautifulfigures,and set itinthewindow,tendingitmorningandeveningwithmorediligence
thanthegardenerdoesabedofcabbagesfromwhichhereckonstopaytherentofhisgarden.
Now the King'sson happeningtopassby,ashewasgoingtohunt,tookaprodigiousfancytothis
beautifulplant,and sentto askthemistressofthehouseifshe would sell it, for he wouldgiveeven
one of his eyes for it. The woman at last, after a thousand difficulties and refusals, allured by his
offers,dazzledby his promises,frightened byhisthreats,overcome byhisprayers,gavehimthepot,
beseeching him to hold it dear, for sheloveditmorethanadaughter, andvalueditasmuchasifit
were her own offspring.ThenthePrincehadtheflowerpotcarriedwiththegreatestcareintheworld
intohisownchamber,andplaceditinabalcony,andtendedandwatereditwithhisownhand.
Ithappenedoneevening,whenthePrincehadgonetobed,andputoutthecandles,andallwereat
rest and in their first sleep, that he heard the sound of some one stealing through the house, and

coming cautiously towards his bed whereat he thought it must be some chamberboy coming to
lighten hispurse forhim, or some mischievous imp topull the bedclothesoffhim. Butashewas a
boldfellow, whomnone couldfrighten,heactedthedead cat,waitingto seetheupshotoftheaffair.
Whenheperceivedtheobject approachnearer,andstretchingouthishandfeltsomethingsmooth,and
instead oflaying hold,asheexpected,on thepricklesofa hedgehog,hetouchedalittlecreaturemore
soft and fine than Barbary wool, more pliant and tender than a marten's tail, more delicate than
thistledown,heflewfrom one thoughttoanother,andtakinghertobea fairy(asindeedshewas),he
conceived atoncea great affection forher.Thenextmorning, beforetheSun,likeachiefphysician,
went out to visit the flowers that are sick and languid, theunknown faironerose and disappeared,
leavingthePrincefilledwithcuriosityandwonder.
But whenthishad goneon for sevendays, he wasburningandmelting withdesiretoknowwhat
good fortune this was that the stars had showered down on him, and what ship freighted with the
graces of Love it was that had come to its moorings in his chamber. So one night, when the fair
maiden wasfastasleep, he tied one ofhertressestohisarm,thatshemightnotescapethenhecalled
a chamberlain,andbidding him light the candles,hesawtheflower ofbeauty,themiracleof women,
the lookingglass and painted egg of Venus, the fair bait of Lovehe saw a littledoll, abeautiful
dove, a Fata Morgana, a bannerhe saw a golden trinket, a hunter, a falcon's eye, a moon in her
fifteenthday,apigeon'sbill,amorselforaking,ajewelhesaw,inshort,asighttoamazeone.
In astonishment he cried, "O sleep, sweet sleep! heap poppies ontheeyesof this lovelyjewel
interrupt not mydelightinviewingaslong asIdesirethistriumphofbeauty.Olovelytressthatbinds
me!O lovelyeyesthatinflameme!O lovelylipsthatrefreshme! Olovelybosomthatconsolesme!
Ohwhere, atwhat shop of the wondersof Nature,was thislivingstatuemade? WhatIndiagavethe
goldfor these hairs? WhatEthiopiatheivorytoformthesebrows?Whatseashorethecarbunclesthat
composethese eyes?WhatTyrethepurple todyethisface?WhatEastthepearlstostringtheseteeth?
And fromwhat mountains wasthesnowtakentosprinkleoverthis bosomsnowcontrarytonature,
thatnurturestheflowersandburnshearts?"
So saying he made a vine of his arms, and clasping her neck, she awoke from her sleep and
replied, with agentlesmile, to the sighoftheenamouredPrincewho, seeingheropenhereyes,said,
"Omy treasure, if viewing without candles this temple of loveIwas intransports,whatwillbecome
of my life now that you have lighted twolamps? O beauteouseyes, that with atrumpcardof light
makethestars bankrupt, you alonehavepiercedthisheart,youalonecanmakea poultice for itlike
fresh eggs! O my lovely physician, take pity, take pity on one who is sick of love who, having
changed the air from the darkness of night tothe light ofthisbeauty, is seizedby afever lay your
hand on this heart, feel my pulse, give me a prescription. But, my soul, why do I ask for a
prescription? I desire noother comfort thana touchofthatlittlehand for I am certain that with the
cordialofthatfair grace,andwiththehealingroot ofthattongue ofthine,Ishall be sound andwell
again."
At these words the lovely fairy grew as red as fire, and replied, "Not somuch praise,mylord
Prince! I am yourservant,and woulddo anythingin theworldtoserve that kinglyfaceandIesteem
it great good fortune that from a bunch of myrtle, set in a potof earth,Ihavebecome abranchof
laurelhungovertheinndoorofaheartinwhichthereissomuchgreatnessandvirtue."
ThePrince,meltingat these words like atallowcandle,beganagainto embraceherandsealing
thelatterwithakiss,hegave herhishand, saying,"Takemyfaith,youshallbemywife,youshallbe
mistressof mysceptre, you shallhave the key ofthisheart,asyouhold thehelm of thislife."After
theseandahundredotherceremoniesanddiscoursestheyarose.Andsoitwentonforseveraldays.

But as spoilsport,marriageparting Fateisalwaysahindrancetothe stepsofLove,itfelloutthat

thePrince wassummonedtohuntagreatwildboarwhichwasravagingthecountry.So hewasforced
to leave his wife. But as he lovedhermorethanhislife, and saw that shewas beautifulbeyondall
beautifulthings,fromthis love andbeautytheresprangupthefeelingof jealousy,whichisatempest
in the seaof love, apiece ofsoot that falls into thepottage of the blissofloverswhichis aserpent
that bites, a worm that gnaws, a gall thatpoisons,a frost that kills, making lifealways restless, the
mind unstable,the hearteversuspicious.So,callingthefairy,hesaidtoher,"Iamobliged,myheart,
to be away fromhome for two or threedaysHeaven knowswithhowmuchgriefItearmyselffrom
you, who are my soul and Heaven knows too whether,ereIsetout, mylife maynot endbut asI
cannot help going, to please my father,Imust leave you.I, therefore,prayyou,by allthelove you
bear me,to goback intotheflowerpot,andnottocomeoutofittillIreturn,whichwillbeassoonas
possible."
"Iwilldo so,"saidthe fairy,"forIcannotandwillnot refusewhatpleasesyou.Go,therefore,and
may the motherofgoodluckgowithyou,forIwill serveyoutothebestofmypower.Butdomeone
favourleaveathreadofsilkwithabelltiedtothetopof themyrtle,andwhenyoucomebackpullthe
threadandring,andimmediatelyIwillcomeoutandsay,HereIam.'"
The Prince didso,andthencallinga chamberlain, said to him,"Comehither,comehither, you!
Openyourears and mind whatIsay.Make thisbedevery evening, asif I weremyselftosleepinit.
Waterthisflowerpotregularly, andmind, I havecounted the leaves, andifI findonemissingIwill
take from you the means of earning your bread." Sosaying hemounted his horse,andwent, like a
sheepthatisledtotheslaughter,tofollowaboar.Inthemeanwhilesevenwickedwomen, withwhom
thePrince had been acquainted, began togrowjealous andbeing curious topry intothesecret,they
sentfora mason, and for agood sumofmoneygot him tomake an underground passagefromtheir
house into the Prince's chamber. Then these cunning jades went through the passage in order to
explore. But finding nothing, they opened the window and when they saw the beautiful myrtle
standingthere,each ofthemplucked aleaffrom it but the youngesttookofftheentire top,towhich
thelittlebellwas hungandthemomentit wastouched the bell tinkledandthefairy,thinkingitwas
thePrince,immediatelycameout.
As soonas thewicked womensaw this lovely creature theyfastened their talons onher, crying,
"You are she who turns to your own mill the stream of our hopes! You it is who have stolen the
favour of the Prince!Butyouarecometoanendofyourtricks,myfinelady!Youarenimbleenough
inrunningoff,butyouarecaughtinyourtricksthistime,andifyouescape,youwereneverborn."
So saying,theyflewuponher,and instantlytoreher inpieces,andeachofthemtookherpart.But
theyoungestwouldnotjoininthiscruelactandwhenshewasinvitedbyhersisterstodoastheydid,
she would take nothing but a lock ofthosegoldenhairs.So when they haddone they wentquickly
awaybythepassagethroughwhichtheyhadcome.
Meanwhile the chamberlain came to make the bed and water the flowerpot, according to his
master's orders,andseeing this prettypieceofwork,he hadlike tohavediedofterror. Then,biting
hisnailswithvexation,hesetto work, gatheredup the remainsoftheflesh andbonesthatwereleft,
and scrapingthebloodfromthefloor,hepiledthemallupinaheapinthepotandhavingwatered it,
hemadethe bed, locked the door,put the keyunderthedoor,andtakingtohisheelsran awayoutof
thetown.
WhenthePrince came backfrom thechase, hepulledthesilkenstringandrungthelittlebellbut
ringashewould it was alllosttimehemightsoundthetocsin,andringtillhewastired,forthefairy
gaveno heed.So hewentstraighttothechamber,andnothavingpatiencetocallthechamberlainand
ask forthe key, he gavethelocka kick,burstopenthedoor,wentin,opened thewindow,andseeing

the myrtle stript of its leaves, he fell to making a most doleful lamentation, crying, shouting, and
bawling,"O wretched me!unhappy me! Omiserableme! Whohasplayedme thistrick?andwhohas
thus trumped mycard?Oruined,banished,andundoneprince!Omyleaflessmyrtle!mylostfairy!O
my wretched life! myjoysvanishedintosmoke!mypleasures turnedto vinegar!Whatwill you do,
unhappy man!Leapquicklyoverthisditch! You have fallen fromallhappiness,andwillyounotcut
your throat? You arerobbed ofevery treasure! Youare expelled fromlife,anddoyounot gomad?
Whereareyou? where are you,my myrtle? And whatsoul more hardthanmarble hasdestroyedthis
beautiful flowerpot? O cursed chase, that haschasedmefrom allhappiness!Alas! I am donefor, I
am overthrown, I am ruined, I have ended my days it is not possible for me to get through life
withoutmy lifeImuststretchmylegs,sincewithoutmylovesleep willbelamentation,food, poison,
pleasureinsipid,andlifesour."
Theseand manyotherexclamations that wouldmove the very stonesin the streets, wereuttered
bythePrinceand afterrepeatingthemagainandagain, and wailingbitterly,fullofsorrowandwoe,
never shuttinganeyeto sleep, noropeninghismouth toeat,he gavesuchwaytogrief,thathisface,
which was before of orientalvermilion,became ofgoldpaint,andthehamof his lips became rusty
bacon.
Thefairy, who had sproutedupagainfromtheremainsthatwereputinthepot,seeingthemisery
and tribulation of her poorlover,andhow hewasturned inasecondtothecolourofasickSpaniard,
of a venomous lizard, of the sap of a leaf, of a jaundiced person, ofa dried pear, wasmovedwith
compassion and springingout ofthepot,likethelightofa candleshootingoutofadarklantern,she
stood before Cola Marchione, and embracing him in herarms shesaid, "Take heart, takeheart,my
Prince! have done now with this lamenting, wipe your eyes, quiet your anger, smooth your face.
Behold me aliveandhandsome,in spiteofthosewicked women,whosplitmy headandsoilltreated
me."
The Prince, seeing this when heleastexpectedit,aroseagain fromdeathto life, and the colour
returnedto his cheeks,warmthtohis blood, breathto hisbreast.Aftergivingherathousandcaresses
and embraces, he desired to know the whole affair from head to foot and when he foundthatthe
chamberlain was notto blame,heordered him tobe called,and givinga great banquet,he,with the
full consent of his father, marriedthefairy.And he invitedall the greatpeopleofthekingdom,but,
aboveallothers, hewouldhave presentthose sevenserpentswhohadcommittedtheslaughterofthat
sweetsucklingcalf.
And as soon as theyhaddone eating,thePrinceasked alltheguests, one after another,what he
deservedwho had injuredthatbeautifulmaidenpointingto thefairy,wholookedso lovelythatshe
shotheartslikeaspriteanddrewsoulslikeawindlass.
Then allwhosatattable,beginningwiththeKing,said,onethathedeservedthegallows,another
that he merited the wheel, a third the pincers, a fourth to be thrown froma precipicein shortone
proposedthispunishment and another that.Atlastit came to the turnof theseven wickedwomento
speak,who,although they did notmuch relishthis conversation,yet,as thetruthcomesoutwhenthe
wine goes about,answered,thatwhoeverhad theheart baselyto touchonlythisquintessenceof the
charmsoflovedeservedtobeburiedaliveinadungeon.
"Asyouhavepronouncedthissentencewithyourownlips,"saidthePrince,"youhaveyourselves
judgedthecause,youhaveyourselves signedthe decree. It remainsformeto causeyourordertobe
executed, since it is youwhowiththeheart of anegro,withthecrueltyofMedea, made afritterof
this beautiful head,andchopped upthese lovelylimbs like sausagemeat.So quick,makehaste,lose
not a moment! throw them this very instant into a large dungeon, where they shall end their days
miserably."

So thisorderwas instantlycarried into execution.ThePrincemarriedtheyoungestsister ofthese

wicked creatures tothe chamberlain,andgave her agoodportion.And givingalso tothefatherand
mother ofthemyrtlewherewithaltolivecomfortably,hehimselfspenthisdayshappilywiththefairy
whilethe wickedwomenendedtheirlives inbitteranguish,and thusverifiedtheproverbofthewise
menofold
"Thelamegoatwillhop
Ifhemeetswithnostop."

III
PERUONTO
A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy reaps benefit and he who gathers kindness
gathers love. Pleasure bestowed on a grateful mind was never barren, but always brings a good
recompenseandthatisthemoralofthestoryIamgoingtotellyou.
Once upon a time a woman wholivedin avillage, andwas called Ceccarella,hada sonnamed
Peruonto, who was one of the most stupid lads that ever was born. This made his mother very
unhappy, and allday long shewould grievebecause of thisgreatmisfortune. For whethershe asked
him kindly, or stormed at him till her throat was dry, the foolish fellow would not stir to do the
slightesthand'sturn forher.Atlast,afterathousanddinningsathisbrain,andathousandsplittingsof
his head, andsaying"Itell you" and"I told you" day after day,shegot himto go tothe woodfor a
faggot,saying,"Comenow,itistimeforustogetamorseltoeat,sorunoff forsome sticks,anddon't
forget yourself on the way, but come back as quick as you can, and we will boil ourselves some
cabbage,tokeepthelifeinus."
AwaywentthestupidPeruonto,hangingdownhisheadasif hewasgoing togaol.Awayhewent,
walking asifhewereajackdaw,ortreadingoneggs,countinghissteps,atthepaceofa snail's gallop,
and making allsortsofzigzagsandexcursionsonhiswaytothewood,tocomethereafterthefashion
of a raven. And when he reached the middle of a plain, through which ran a river growling and
murmuringat the badmanners of the stonesthatwerestoppingitsway,hesawthreeyouthswhohad
madethemselvesa bed ofgrassanda pillowofagreatflintstone,andwerelyingsoundasleepunder
theblazeoftheSun, whowasshootinghisraysdownonthempointblank.WhenPeruontosawthese
poor creatures, looking as if they were in the midst of a fountain offire,he feltpityforthem,and
cutting some branches of oak, he made ahandsome arbour overthem. Meanwhile, theyouths,who
were the sons ofa fairy, awoke, and, seeingthekindnessandcourtesyofPeruonto, theygave him a
charm,thateverythingheaskedforshouldbedone.
Peruonto,having performed thisgoodaction,wenthiswaystowardsthewood,where hemadeup
suchanenormous faggotthatitwouldhaveneededanenginetodrawitand, seeingthathecouldnot
in anywaygetin onhisback,hesethimselfastride ofitandcried,"Oh, whata luckyfellow Ishould
beifthisfaggotwouldcarrymeridingahorseback!"Andthewordwashardlyoutofhismouthwhen
thefaggot began totrotand galloplikeagreathorse,andwhenitcameinfrontoftheKing'spalaceit
pranced and caperedand curvettedin away thatwouldamaze you.Theladieswhowerestandingat
one of the windows,on seeingsucha wonderfulsight,ran tocallVastolla, thedaughteroftheKing,
who, going to the window and observing the caracoles of a faggot and the bounds of a bundle of
wood, burst out alaughinga thing which,owing toanaturalmelancholy,she neverrememberedto

have done before. Peruonto raised his head, and, seeing thatitwasat him that they werelaughing,
exclaimed,"Oh, Vastolla,Iwish that I couldbeyourhusbandandI wouldsooncureyouoflaughing
atme!" Andsosaying, he struck his heels into the faggot, and ina dashinggallop he wasquicklyat
home, with such atrain oflittleboysathisheelsthatifhismotherhadnot beenquicktoshutthedoor
theywouldsoonhavekilledhimwiththestonesandstickswithwhichtheypeltedhim.
Now came the question of marrying Vastollato somegreat prince,andher fatherinvited allhe
knewto comeandvisithimandpaytheirrespectstothePrincess.Butsherefusedto haveanythingto
say to either of them, and only answered, "I will marry none but the young man who rode on the
faggot."Sothat the Kinggot moreandmoreangrywitheveryrefusal,andatlasthewasquiteunable
to contain himself anylonger,andcalledhisCouncil together andsaid,"Youknowbythis timehow
myhonour hasbeen shamed,andthatmydaughterhasacted insuchamannerthatallthechronicles
willtell the storyagainst me,sonowspeak andadviseme.I saythatsheis unworthy tolive,seeing
that she has broughtme into such discredit, and I wishto put heraltogether out of the world before
she does more mischief." The Councillors, whohadin their time learned muchwisdom,said, "Ofa
truthshe deservestobeseverelypunished. But, afterall, it is this audaciousscoundrelwho hasgive
youtheannoyance, andit isnotrightthathe shouldescapethroughthemeshesof thenet.Let us wait,
then, till he comes tolight, andwediscover the rootofthis disgrace,andthenwe willthinkit over
and resolve whatwerebesttobedone."ThiscounselpleasedtheKing,forhesawthattheyspokelike
sensible,prudentmen,soheheldhishandandsaid,"Letuswaitandseetheendofthisbusiness."
So thentheKingmadea great banquet, andinvitedeveryoneofhisnoblesandallthegentlemen
in his kingdomtocometo it,and set Vastolla atthehightableatthetopofthehall,for,hesaid,"No
common man can have done this, and whenshe recognises thefellow weshall seehereyesturn to
him, and we will instantlylayholdonhim andput himoutoftheway."But whenthefeasting was
done, and alltheguests passedout ina line,Vastollatookno more notice of themthanAlexander's
bulldogdid ofthe rabbitsandthe Kinggrewmoreangrythanever,andvowedthathewouldkillher
without more delay. Again, however, the Councillors pacified him and said, "Softly, softly, your
Majesty! quiet your wrath. Letusmakeanother banquettomorrow, notfor people of conditionbut
forthelower sort.Some women always attach themselves totheworst,andwe shallfindamongthe
cutlers, and beadmakers, and combsellers, the root of your anger, which we have not discovered
amongthecavaliers."
This reasoning took the fancy of the King, and he ordered asecondbanquetto be prepared, to
which, on proclamation beingmade, came alltheriffraffandragtagandbobtailofthecity,suchas
rogues,scavengers,tinkers, pedlars, sweeps, beggars, andsuchlikerabble,whowereallin highglee
and,takingtheirseatslikenoblemenatagreatlongtable,theybegantofeastandgobbleaway.
Now, whenCeccarellaheard this proclamation, shebeganto urge Peruonto togo theretoo,until
atlastshe got himto setout for the feast.Andscarcelyhad hearrived therewhen Vastollacriedout
without thinking, "That is my Knight of the Faggot." When the King heard this he tore his beard,
seeing that the beanof thecake,the prizein the lottery,had fallentoanuglylout, the very sightof
whomhe couldnotendure, with ashaggy head,owl'seyes,a parrot'snose, adeer's mouth, and legs
bare and bandy.Then,heavinga deep sigh, he said, "What can that jadeofadaughterofmine have
seen to make her take a fancy tothisogre,orstrike upadancewiththishairyfoot?Ah,vile, false
creature,whohascast so base aspellon her? Butwhydowewait?Lethersufferthepunishmentshe
deserves let herundergothepenaltythatshallbedecreedbyyou,andtakeherfrommypresence,for
Icannotbeartolooklongeruponher."
Then the Councillors consulted together and they resolved that she, as well as the evildoer,
shouldbeshut upin acaskandthrownintotheseasothatwithoutstainingtheKing'shandswiththe

blood of one of his family, they should carry out the sentence. No sooner was the judgment
pronounced,thanthecaskwasbroughtandbothwereputintoitbutbeforetheycoopereditup,some
of Vastolla's ladies, crying and sobbing as if their hearts wouldbreak, putintoita basketofraisins
and dried figs that she mighthavewherewithalto live on for alittlewhile.Andwhenthecaskwas
closedup,itwasflungintothesea,onwhichitwentfloatingasthewinddroveit.
Meanwhile Vastolla, weeping till her eyes ran like two rivers, said to Peruonto, "What a sad
misfortune is this of ours!Oh, if I butknewwhohas played me thistrick, to have mecaged inthis
dungeon! Alas,alas,tofindmyselfinthisplightwithoutknowinghow.Tellme,tellme,Ocruelman,
what incantationwas it you made,andwhatspelldidyouemploy,tobringmewithinthecircleofthis
cask?" Peruonto, who had been for some time paying littleattention toher,atlastsaid, "Ifyouwant
me to tellyou,youmust give me some figs and raisins." SoVastolla, todrawthesecretoutofhim,
gave him a handfulofbothand as soon as he had eaten themhe told hertrulyall that had befallen
him, with the threeyouths,andwiththefaggot,andwithherselfatthewindow:which,whenthepoor
lady heard, she took heart and saidto Peruonto,"My friend,shallwethenletour livesrun out ina
cask? Whydon'tyoucause this tub tobe changed intoa fine shipandrunintosomegood harbourto
escapethisdanger?"AndPeruontoreplied
"Ifyouwouldhavemesaythespell,
Withfigsandraisinsfeedmewell!"
So Vastolla,to make himopen his mouth,filleditwithfruitand so shefishedthe words outof
him. Andlo!as soonasPeruontohadsaidwhatshedesired,thecaskwas turnedintoabeautifulship
withsails and sailors andeverything that couldbewished for andguns and trumpetsandasplendid
cabininwhichVastollasatfilledwithdelight.
It being now the hour when the Moon begins to play atseesawwith theSun, Vastolla saidto
Peruonto, "My fine lad, now make this ship to bechangedintoa palace, for thenweshall be more
secureyouknowthesaying,"PraisetheSea,butkeeptotheLand."AndPeruontoreplied
"Ifyouwouldhavemesaythespell,
Withfigsandraisinsfeedmewell!"
So Vastolla,atonce,fedhim again,andPeruonto, swallowing downtheraisinsandfigs,didher
pleasureandimmediatelytheshipcametolandandwaschangedintoabeautifulpalace,fittedupina
most sumptuous manner, and so full of furniture and curtains and hangings that therewas nothing
more to askfor.So that Vastolla,whoa little beforewould nothavesetthepriceof afarthingonher
life, didnotnowwishtochange placeswith thegreatestladyin the world,seeingherselfservedand
treated like a queen. Then to put the seal on all her good fortune, shebesoughtPeruontotoobtain
grace to become handsome and polished in his manner, that they might live happy together for
thoughtheproverb says,"Betterto havea pig for ahusband, than asmilefrom an emperor,"still,if
his appearance were changed, she should think herself the happiest woman in the universe. And
Peruontorepliedasbefore
"Ifyouwouldhavemesaythespell,
Withfigsandraisinsfeedmewell!"
Then Vastolla quickly opened his lips, and scarcely had he spoken the words when he was
changed, asitwere fromanowltoa nightingale,fromanogre toabeautifulyouth, froma scarecrow
to a fine gentleman. Vastolla,seeing such atransformationclaspedhimin herarms and was almost
besideherselfwithjoy.Thentheyweremarriedandlivedhappilyforyears.
Meanwhile the King grew old and very sad,sothat, one day, the courtiers persuadedhimtogo
ahunting to cheer him up. Night overtook him, and, seeinga lightin apalace,hesent aservant to
knowif hecouldbeentertainedthereandhewasansweredthateverythingwasathisdisposal.Sothe

King went to the palace andpassinginto agreat guestchamber he saw nolivingsoul,buttwolittle

boys, who skipped around him crying, "Welcome, welcome!" The King, surprised and astonished,
stoodlikeonethatwasenchanted,andsitting downto resthimselfatatable,tohisamazementhesaw
invisibly spreadon it aFlanders tablecloth,withdishes fullofroast meatsandall sorts ofviandsso
that,intruth, he feastedlikea King, waited onbythose beautifulchildren,andallthewhile hesatat
table aconcert of lutesandtambourinesneverceasedsuchdeliciousmusicthatitwenttothetipsof
hisfingersandtoes. When hehad doneeating, abedsuddenlyappearedallmadeofgold,andhaving
his boots taken off, he went to rest and all his courtiers did thesame,afterhavingfed heartilyata
hundredtables,whichwerelaidoutintheotherrooms.
When morning came, the King wished to thank the two littlechildren, butwith them appeared
Vastolla and her husbandandcasting herself athisfeetshe askedhispardon andrelatedthe whole
story.TheKing,seeing that hehad found two grandsonswhowere twojewelsandasoninlawwho
was a fairy, embraced first one and then the other and taking up the children inhisarms,they all
returnedtothecitywheretherewasagreatfestivalthatlastedmanydays.

IV
VARDIELLO
IfNaturehadgiven toanimals the necessityofclothingthemselves,andofbuyingtheirfood,the
race of quadrupeds would inevitably be destroyed. Therefore it is that they find their food without
trouble,withoutgardenerto gatherit,purchasertobuyit,cook toprepareit, orcarver tocutitup
whilst their skin defends them from the rain and snow,withoutthemerchant givingthemcloth,the
tailor making the dress, or the errandboy begging for a drinkpenny. To man however, who has
intelligence, Nature did not care to grant these indulgences, since he is able toprocure for himself
what he wants. Thisisthereasonthatwecommonlyseeclevermenpoor,andblockheadsrichasyou
maygatherfromthestorywhichIamgoingtotellyou.
Grannonia of Aprano was a woman of a great sense and judgment, but she had a son named
Vardiello,who wasthegreatest boobyandsimpletonin thewholecountryroundabout.Nevertheless,
as amother'seyesare bewitchedandseewhatdoesnotexist,shedoted upon him so much, that she
wasforevercaressingandfondlinghimasifhewerethehandsomestcreatureintheworld.
Now Grannonia keptabroodhen,thatwassittinguponanestofeggs,inwhichsheplacedallher
hope, expecting to have afine broodofchickens,andtomakeagoodprofit ofthem.Andhavingone
day to go out on some business, she called her son, and said to him, "My pretty son ofyourown
mother, listento whatIsay: keepyoureyeuponthehen,andifsheshouldgetup toscratchandpick,
look sharp and drive her back to the nest for otherwise the eggs willgrow cold,and then weshall
haveneithereggsnorchickens."
"Leaveittome,"repliedVardiello,"youarenotspeakingtodeafears."
"One thing more," said the mother "lookye, my blessed son, in yon cupboard is a potfullof
certain poisonous things take care that ugly Sin does not temptyoutotouch them, fortheywould
makeyoustretchyourlegsinatrice."
"Heavenforbid!" replied Vardiello, "poison indeed willnottempt me butyouhave donewisely
togivemethewarningforifIhadgotatit,Ishouldcertainlyhaveeatenitallup."

Thereupon the mother went out, but Vardiello stayed behind and, in order to lose notime,he
went into the gardento dig holes,whichhe coveredwithboughs and earth, tocatchthelittlethieves
who cometo steal the fruit.And as hewasin themidstofhiswork,hesawthehencome runningout
of the room,whereuponhebegantocry, "Hish,hish!this way, that way!"Butthehendidnot stira
foot and Vardiello, seeing that she had something of the donkey in her, after crying "Hish,hish,"
beganto stamp with hisfeetandafterstampingwithhis feettothrowhiscapather,andafterthecap
acudgelwhichhitherjustuponthepate,andmadeherquicklystretchherlegs.
WhenVardiellosawthissadaccident,hebethoughthimselfhowtoremedytheevilandmakinga
virtue of necessity,in orderto prevent the eggs growingcold,hesethimselfdownuponthenest but
in doing so, he gave the eggs an unlucky blow, andquicklymadean omelet ofthem. Indespairat
what he had done,he was onthepointof knockinghishead againstthewall atlast,however,asall
grief turns to hunger, feeling his stomach begin to grumble, he resolved to eat up the hen. So he
plucked her,andsticking heruponaspit,he madeagreatfire,andset toworktoroasther.Andwhen
she was cooked, Vardiello, todo everythingin dueorder, spreadacleanclothuponanoldchestand
then,taking aflagon, hewent downintothecellartodrawsomewine.Butjustashewasinthemidst
of drawing the wine, he hearda noise,a disturbance, an uproarinthehouse,whichseemed like the
clattering of horses' hoofs. Whereat starting up in alarmandturning his eyes, hesawa bigtomcat,
whichhadrun offwiththehen,spitandallandanothercatchasingafterhim,mewing,andcryingout
forapart.
Vardiello,in order tosetthis mishap torights,darteduponthecatlikeanunchainedlion,andin
hishaste heleftthe tap ofthe barrelrunning.Andafterchasingthecatthrougheveryholeandcorner
of the house, he recovered the hen but the cask had meanwhile all run out and when Vardiello
returned, andsawthewinerunningabout,heletthecaskofhissoulemptyitselfthroughthetapholes
of his eyes.But atlast judgment came tohisaidandhehit uponaplan toremedythemischief,and
preventhismother'sfindingoutwhathadhappenedso, takingasackofflour,filledfulltothemouth,
hesprinkleditoverthewineonthefloor.
But whenhemeanwhilereckonedup onhis fingersall thedisastershehadmetwith,andthought
to himself that, from the number of fooleries he had committed,hemust havelost thegamein the
good graces of Grannonia, he resolved in his heart not to let his mother see him again alive. So
thrusting his hand into the jar of pickled walnuts which his mother had said contained poison, he
never stopped eating until he came tothebottom andwhen he had rightwell filled his stomach he
wentandhidhimselfintheoven.
In the meanwhile his motherreturned, andstood knockingforalongtimeatthedoorbutatlast,
seeing that noone came,she gaveit akickand going in,she called herson atthetop ofher voice.
But as nobody answered, sheimagined that some mischiefmust havehappened,andwithincreased
lamentation shewent oncrying louderandlouder,"Vardiello! Vardiello! areyoudeaf,thatyoudon't
hear? Have you the cramp, thatyoudon't run? Have you the pip,thatyoudon't answer? Where are
you,yourogue?Whereareyouhidden,younaughtyfellow?"
Vardiello,onhearingall this hubbubandabuse,criedoutatlast withapiteousvoice,"HereIam!
hereIamintheovenbutyouwillneverseemeagain,mother!"
"Whyso?"saidthepoormother.
"BecauseIampoisoned,"repliedtheson.
"Alas! alas!" cried Grannonia, "how came you todo that?Whatcause haveyouhadto commit
this homicide? And who has given you poison?" Then Vardiello toldher,one afteranother,all the
pretty things he had done on which account he wished to die and not to remain any longer a
laughingstockintheworld.

Thepoorwoman, on hearingallthis, was miserable and wretched,andshe hadenoughtodoand

to say to drive thismelancholywhimseyoutofVardiello's head.And beinginfatuated and dotingly
fondofhim, shegavehim some nicesweetmeats, and so puttheaffairofthepickledwalnuts outof
hishead, andconvincedhimthattheywere notpoison,but goodandcomfortingto thestomach.And
having thus pacified him with cheering words, and showeredon himathousand caresses, shedrew
himout oftheoven.Thengivinghimafinepieceofcloth, shebadehimgoandsellit, butcautioning
himnottodobusinesswithfolksoftoomanywords.
"Tut, tut!" saidVardiello,"letme alone I knowwhat I'm about, neverfear." Sosaying,hetook
thecloth,andwent hiswaythroughthe city ofNaples,crying,"Cloth!cloth!"Butwheneveranyone
asked him,"What clothhave you there?" he replied, "Youareno customerformeyouareamanof
too many words." And when another said to him, "How do you sell your cloth?" he called him a
chatterbox, who deafened him with his noise. At length he chanced to espy, in the courtyard of a
house which was deserted on account of the Monaciello, a plaster statue and being tired out, and
wearied with goingabout and about,hesathimselfdown onabench. Butnotseeinganyoneastirin
thehouse,whichlooked like asackedvillage, he waslost inamazement,andsaidtothestatue:"Tell
me, comrade, does no one live in this house?" Vardiello waited awhile but as the statue gave no
answer, hethoughtthissurelywasaman of few words.So he said,"Friend, will you buymycloth?
I'llsellit you cheap."And seeingthatthe statuestillremaineddumb,heexclaimed,"Faith,then,I've
found my man at last! There, take the cloth, examineit, andgivemewhat you will tomorrowI'll
returnforthemoney."
So sayingVardielloleftthe clothon thespotwherehehadbeensitting,andthefirstmother'sson
whopassedthatwayfoundtheprizeandcarrieditoff.
WhenVardiello returned homewithout the cloth, and told his motherallthathadhappened,she
wellnigh swooned away,and saidto him,"Whenwill you put thatheadpieceofyours inorder? See
now what tricks you have played meonly think! But I am myself to blame, for being too
tenderhearted, instead of havinggiven you agood beating atfirstandnowIperceivethat apitiful
doctor only makesthewoundincurable.But you'llgo on with your pranks untilatlastwecometoa
seriousfallingout,andthentherewillbealongreckoning,mylad!"
"Softly, mother,"replied Vardiello, "matters are notso bad as theyseemdoyou wantmorethan
crownpieces brand new from the mint? Do you think me a fool, and that I don't knowwhat Iam
about?Tomorrowis not yethere.Wait awhile, and youshallseewhetherIknowhowtofitahandle
toashovel."
Thenextmorning, assoon as the shades ofNight,pursuedbytheconstablesoftheSun,hadfled
the country, Vardiellorepairedtothecourtyard wherethestatuestood, andsaid,"Goodday, friend!
Canyougivemethosefewpenceyouoweme?Come,quick, paymeforthecloth!"Butwhenhe saw
thatthestatueremainedspeechless,hetookupastoneandhurleditatitsbreastwithsuchforcethatit
burst avein,which proved,indeed,the cureto his own maladyforsomepieces ofthe statuefalling
off,hediscoveredapotfullofgoldencrownpieces. Thentakingitinbothhishands,offheranhome,
headoverheels, asfaras hecouldscamper,crying out,"Mother,mother!seehere!what alotofred
lupinsI'vegot.Howmany!howmany!"
His mother, seeingthecrownpieces,andknowing very wellthatVardiellowouldsoonmakethe
matter public,told him tostandat the dooruntilthemanwithmilkandnewmadecheesecamepast,
as shewantedto buy apennyworthof milk.So Vardiello, who wasagreatglutton,wentquicklyand
seatedhimselfat thedoorand his mothershowereddown fromthewindow above raisins and dried
figs for more than half an hour. Whereupon Vardiello, picking them up as fast as he could, cried
aloud, "Mother,mother! bring outsomebaskets give me some bowls! Here,quickwiththetubsand

buckets! for if it goes on to rain thus we shall be rich in a trice." And when he had eaten his fill
Vardiellowentuptosleep.
It happened one day that two countrymenthe food and lifebloodofthelawcourtsfellout,
and wenttolawaboutagoldcrownpiecewhichtheyhadfoundontheground.AndVardiellopassing
bysaid,"Whatjackasses you aretoquarrelabout aredlupinlikethis!FormypartIdon'tvalueitata
pin'shead,forI'vefoundawholepotfulofthem."
When the judge heard this he opened wide his eyes and ears, and examined Vardielloclosely,
asking himhow,when,and wherehehadfound thecrowns.AndVardielloreplied,"Ifoundthemina
palace, inside a dumb man, when it rained raisins and dried figs." At this the judge stared with
amazement but instantlyseeing howthematterstood, he decreedthatVardiello should besenttoa
madhouse,asthemostcompetenttribunalforhim.Thusthestupidityofthe sonmadethe motherrich,
andthemother'switfoundaremedyforthefoolishnessoftheson:wherebyitisclearlyseenthat
"Ashipwhensteeredbyaskilfulhand
Willseldomstrikeuponrockorsand."

V
THEFLEA
Resolutions taken without thought bring disasters without remedy. He who behaves likea fool
repents like a wise man as happened to the King of HighHill, who through unexampled folly
committedanactofmadnessputtinginjeopardybothhisdaughterandhishonour.
Onceupon atimetheKingof HighHill beingbitten bya fleacaughthimbyawonderful featof
dexterity and seeinghowhandsome andstatelyhewas he had not theconsciencetosentencehimto
death. Soheput him intoa bottle,andfeedinghim everydayhimselfthelittleanimalgrewatsucha
rate that at the end of seven months it was necessary toshifthisquarters,forhewas grownbigger
than asheep.TheKingthenhad himflayedandhisskin dressed.Thenheissuedaproclamationthat
whoevercouldtellwhatthisskinwasshouldmarrythePrincess.
As soon as this decree was made known the people flocked in crowdsfrom alltheendsofthe
world to try theirluck.Onesaidthatitbelonged toanape,anothertoalynx, athird toa crocodile,
and inshortsomegave ittoone animaland some toanotherbut they wereallahundredmilesfrom
thetruth, andnotonehitthenailonthehead. Atlast therecametothistrialanogrewhowasthemost
uglybeingintheworld,theverysight ofwhomwouldmaketheboldestmantrembleandquakewith
fear. Butno sooner had he comeand turnedtheskinround and smelt itthanheinstantlyguessedthe
truth,saying,"Thisskinbelongstothekingoffleas."
Now the King saw that the ogre had hit the mark and not to break his word he ordered his
daughter Porziella to be called. Porziella had a face like milk and roses, and was sucha miracle of
beautythatyouwouldnever betiredof lookingat her.AndtheKing saidto her,"Mydaughter,you
knowwhoIam. I cannot goback frommypromisewhether akingora beggar.Mywordisgiven,I
must keep itthoughmyheartshouldbreak.Whowouldeverhaveimaginedthatthisprizewouldhave
fallen toanogre! Butitneverdoestojudgehastily.Havepatiencethenanddonotopposeyourfather
formyheart tells me that you will behappy, forrichtreasuresareoftenfoundinsidearoughearthen
jar."

When Porziella heard this sad saying her eyes grew dim, herface turnedpale,her lipsfell,her
knees shook andat last, bursting intotears,shesaid toherfather,"WhatcrimehaveIcommittedthat
I should be punished thus!How have Iever behaved badlytoward you that I should be givenup to
this monster.Isthis, OFather, theaffection you bear toyourownchild?Isthistheloveyoushow to
herwhom you used tocallthejoy ofyoursoul?Doyoudrivefromyoursightherwhoistheappleof
your eye? O Father, O cruel Father! Better had itbeen if mycradlehadbeenmy deathbed since I
havelivedtoseethisevilday."
Porziellawasgoing onto saymorewhentheKinginafuriousrageexclaimed,"Stay youranger!
Fairandsoftly,forappearances deceive.Is itforagirltoteachherfather,forsooth?Havedone,Isay,
forifIlaythesehandsuponyouI'llnotleaveawholebone inyourskin.Prithee,howlonghasachild
hardly out of the nursery daredto opposemy will?Quickthen, I say, takehishand andsetoffwith
himhomethisveryinstant,forIwillnothavethatsaucyfaceaminutelongerinmysight."
PoorPorziella,seeingherselfthuscaughtinthenet,withthefaceofapersoncondemnedtodeath,
with the heart of onewhoseheadis lyingbetween the axeandtheblock,tookthehand oftheogre,
who dragged her off without any attendants to the wood where the trees made a palace for the
meadowtopreventitsbeingdiscoveredby thesun,andthe brooksmurmured,havingknockedagainst
thestones inthedark, while thewildbeastswanderedwheretheylikedwithoutpayingtoll,andwent
safelythroughthethicketwhithernomanevercameunlesshehadlosthisway.Uponthisspot,which
wasasblackasanunsweptchimney,stood the ogre'shouseornamented allroundwiththebones of
themenwhomhehaddevoured.Thinkbutforamomentofthehorrorofittothepoorgirl.
But this was nothingat all incomparisonwithwhatwastocome.Beforedinnershehadpeasand
afterdinner parchedbeans.Thentheogrewentouttohuntandreturnedhomeladenwiththequarters
of the men whomhehadkilled,saying,"Now,wife,youcannotcomplainthatIdon'ttakegoodcare
of you here is a fine storeof eatables, take andmake merry andlovemewell,fortheskywillfall
beforeIwillletyouwantforfood."
Poor Porziella could notendurethis horrible sightand turnedher faceaway. But when the ogre
saw this he cried, "Ha! this is throwing sweetmeats before swine never mind, however, only have
patiencetilltomorrowmorning,forIhavebeeninvitedto awildboarhuntandwillbringyouhomea
coupleof boars,andwe'llmakeagrandfeastwithourkinsfolkandcelebratethewedding."Sosaying
hewentintotheforest.
Now as Porziella stood weeping at the window it chanced that an old woman passed by who,
being famished with hunger, begged some food. "Ah, my good woman," said Porziella, "Heaven
knows I aminthepoweroftheogrewhobringsmehomenothingbutpiecesofthemenhehaskilled.
Ipass themost miserable lifepossible,andyetIamthedaughterofaking andhavebeenbroughtup
in luxury." And sosayingshe began tocry like alittlegirl whoseesherbreadandbuttertakenaway
fromher.
Theold woman'sheart wassoftenedat this sightand shesaidtoPorziella,"Beofgoodheart,my
pretty girl, donotspoilyourbeautywithcrying, for you havemetwithluck I can helpyoutoboth
saddle and trappings. Listen, now. I have seven sons who, yousee, are seven giants, Mase,Nardo,
Cola, Micco, Petrullo, Ascaddeo, and Ceccone, who have more virtues that rosemary, especially
Mase,foreverytimehelays hisear tothegroundhehearsallthatis passingwithinthirtymilesround.
Nardo, everytimehewasheshis hands,makes agreatseaofsoapsuds.EverytimethatColathrowsa
bit ofiron onthegroundhemakesafieldofsharprazors.WheneverMiccoflingsdowna littlesticka
tangled woodspringsup. If Petrullo letsfalladropofwater itmakesaterribleriver.WhenAscaddeo
wishesa strongtower tospring up hehas only tothrow astoneandCecconeshootssostraightwith
the crossbow that he can hit a hen's eye a mile off. Now with the help of my sons, who are all

courteousandfriendly,andwhowillalltakecompassiononyourcondition,Iwillcontrivetofreeyou
fromtheclawsoftheogre."
"Notimebetter than now," replied Porziella,"forthatevilshadowofahusbandofminehasgone
outandwillnotreturnthisevening,andweshallhavetimetoslipoffandrunaway."
"Itcannotbethisevening,"repliedtheold woman, "for I live alongwayoff butIpromiseyou
thattomorrowmorningIandmysonswillallcometogetherandhelpyououtofyourtrouble."
So saying, the oldwoman departed, andPorziellawenttorestwithalightheartandsleptsoundly
allnight. Butassoon asthebirdsbeganto cry,"Longlivethe Sun,"loand behold,therewastheold
womanwithhersevenchildrenand placingPorziellainthemidstofthemtheyproceededtowardsthe
city.Buttheyhad notgone above half amilewhen Mase puthiseartothegroundandcried:"Hallo,
havea carehere's the fox. Theogre iscomehome.Hehas missed his wife and heishasteningafter
uswithhiscapunderhisarm."
NosoonerdidNardo hearthisthanhewashedhishandsand madeaseaofsoapsudsandwhen
theogrecameandsawall the suds he ranhome andfetchinga sack of bran he streweditaboutand
worked away treading itdownwithhisfeetuntilat last he gotover this obstacle,thoughwithgreat
difficulty.
But Mase put his ear once more to the ground and exclaimed, "Look sharp, comrade, here he
comes!" ThereuponCola flung apieceofirononthegroundandinstantlyafieldofrazorssprangup.
Whentheogresawthepathstoppedheranhomeagainandcladhimselfinironfromheadtofootand
thenreturnedandgotoverthisperil.
Then Mase, again puttinghisearto theground, cried, "Up!up! toarms! toarms!Forseehereis
theogrecomingatsucharatethatheisactuallyflying."ButMiccowasreadywithhislittlestick,and
in an instant he caused a terriblewood toriseup, so thickthatitwas quiteimpenetrable.Whenthe
ogrecameto this difficultpasshelaidholdofaCarraraknifewhichheworeathisside, andbeganto
cutdownthepoplars andoaks andpinetreesandchestnuttrees,rightandleftsothatwithfourorfive
strokes he had thewholeforestonthegroundandgotclearofit.Presently,Masewhokepthisearson
thealertlikeahare,againraisedhisvoiceandcried,"Nowwemustbeoff,fortheogreiscominglike
the wind and here he is at our heels." As soon as Petrullo heard this he took water from a little
fountain, sprinkled it ontheground,andin an twinkling ofaneyea largeriver roseup onthespot.
Whentheogresawthisnew obstacle,andthathecould notmakeholessofastastheyfoundbungsto
stop them, he stripped himself stark naked and swam across to the other side of the riverwithhis
clothesuponhishead.
Mase, whoput his ear toevery chink, heardtheogrecomingandexclaimed,"Alas!mattersgoill
withusnow.Ialreadyhear the clatteroftheogre'sheels.Wemustbeonourguardandreadytomeet
the storm or else we are done for." "Never fear," said Ascaddeo, "I will soon settle this ugly
ragamuffin."So saying, heflunga pebble on thegroundandinstantly uprose atower inwhichthey
alltookrefuge withoutdelay, and barredthedoor. But when the ogrecameupandsawthattheyhad
gotinto sosafe aplacehe ranhome,gotavinedresser's ladder,andcarrieditbackonhisshoulderto
thetower.
Now Mase, who kept his ears hanging down, heard at a distance the approachoftheogreand
cried,"We are now atthebuttendoftheCandleofHope.Ceccone isourlastresource, forthe ogre is
coming back in a terriblefury.Alas!howmyheartbeats,forIforeseeanevilday.""Youcoward,"
answeredCeccone,"trusttomeandIwillhithimwithaball."
As Cecconewas speakingthe ogrecame, planted his ladderandbegantoclimbupbutCeccone,
taking aim at him, shot out one of his eyes and laid him at full length on the ground, like a pear
dropped from a tree. Then he went out of thetower and cut off the ogre'shead with abigknifehe

carried about with him, just as if it had beennewmadecheese.Thereupon they tookthe head with
great joy to the King, who rejoiced at the recovery of his daughter, for hehadrepented ahundred
times at having givenher toanogre. Andnot manydaysafterPorziellawasmarried to ahandsome
prince, and the seven sons and their mother who had delivered herfrom such awretched lifewere
rewardedwithgreatriches.

VI
CENERENTOLA
In the sea of malice envy frequently gets out of her depth and, while she is expecting to see
another drowned, she is either drowned herself, or is dashed against a rock, as happened to some
enviousgirls,aboutwhomIwilltellyouastory.
There oncelived aPrince,whowasa widower. He had an only daughter, so deartohimthathe
saw with no other eyes than hers and he kept a governessforher, who taughtherchainwork and
knitting, andtomakepointlace,andshowedhersuchaffectionasnowordscantell.Butshe wasvery
lonely, and manya timeshe saidto thegoverness,"Oh,thatyouhadbeenmymother, you whoshow
me such kindness and love," and shesaid thissooftenthat, atlast,thegoverness, havinga beeput
into her bonnet, said to her one day, "If you will doas this foolishheadofmine advises I shallbe
mothertoyou,andyouwillbeasdeartomeastheappleofmyeye."
Shewasgoing tosaymore,whenZezolla,forthatwasthenameofthePrincess,said,"Pardonme
ifIstop the word uponyour tongue.Iknow you wish mewell,therefore,hushenough.Onlyshow
me the way. Do you write and I will subscribe.""Well,then,"answeredthegoverness, "openyour
earsandlisten, and youwillgetbreadaswhiteas theflowers.Youknowwellenoughthatyourfather
wouldeven coin false moneyto please you,sodo you entreathimwhenheiscaressingyoutomarry
meandmakemePrincess.Then,blessyourstars!youshallbethemistressofmylife."
WhenZezollaheardthis,everyhourseemedtoherathousandyearsuntilshe haddoneallthather
governesshadadvisedand, assoon as the mourning for her mother'sdeathwasended,shebeganto
feel her father's pulse, and beg himto marry the governess. At firstthePrincetook it as ajoke,but
Zezolla went on shooting so long past the mark that at length she hit it, and he gave way to her
entreaties.Sohemarriedthegoverness,andgaveagreatfeastatthewedding.
Now,whiletheyoungfolksweredancing,andZezollawasstandingatthewindowofherhouse,a
dove came flying and perched upon awall,andsaid toher, "Whenever you needanything send the
request to the Dove of the Fairies in the Island of Sardinia, and you will instantly have what you
wish."
For five or six days the new stepmother overwhelmed Zezolla with caresses, seatingher atthe
bestplace attable, givingher the choicest morselsto eat,and clothing herintherichestapparel.But
ere long, forgetting entirely the good serviceshe hadreceived (woe tohimwhohas abad master!),
she began tobringforward six daughters of her own, for shehadnever beforetoldanyonethatshe
was a widow with a bunch of girls and shepraisedthem so much, andtalked her husbandoverin
sucha fashion, that atlastthestepdaughtershadallhisfavour,andthethoughtofhisownchildwent
entirelyfrom hisheart.In short,itfaredsoillwiththepoorgirl,badtodayandworsetomorrow,that
she was atlast broughtdown fromtheroyalchamber tothekitchen, fromthecanopy of state tothe
hearth, fromsplendidapparelofsilksandgoldtodishclouts,fromthesceptretothespit.Andnotonly

was her condition changed, but even her name, for, instead of Zezolla, she was now called
Cenerentola.
IthappenedthatthePrincehadoccasiontogotoSardiniauponaffairsofstate,and,callingthesix
stepdaughters, heasked them,onebyone,whattheywouldlikehimtobring themon hisreturn.Then
one wishedforsplendid dresses, another tohave headornaments,anotherrougefortheface,another
toys andtrinkets:onewishedforthisandoneforthat.Atlastthe Princesaidtohisowndaughter,asif
in mockery, "And what would you have, child?" "Nothing, father," she replied, "but that you
commendmetotheDoveoftheFairies,andbidhersendmesomethingandifyouforgetmyrequest,
may you be unable to stir backwardsor forwards so rememberwhat Itellyou, for itwill fare with
youaccordingly."
Then thePrince wenthiswayanddidhisbusinessin Sardinia,andprocuredallthethingsthathis
stepdaughters had asked for but poor Zezolla was quite outofhisthoughts.And goingon boarda
ship he set sailto return,buttheshipcouldnotgetoutoftheharbourthereitstuckfastjustasifheld
bya sealamprey. The captain oftheship,whowasalmostindespairandfairlytiredout,laidhimself
down to sleep, and in his dream he saw a fairy, who said to him, "Know youthereason why you
cannot work the ship out of port? It is becausethePrincewho isonboardwith you hasbroken his
promisetohisdaughter,rememberingeveryoneexcepthisownchild."
Then the captain awoke and told his dream to the Prince, who, in shame and confusion atthe
breachof his promise,wenttotheGrottoof theFairies,and,commendinghisdaughtertothem,asked
them tosendher something.And behold,theresteppedforthfromthegrottoabeautifulmaiden,who
toldhimthatshe thanked hisdaughterforherkindremembrances,andbadehimtellhertobemerry
and of goodheartoutofloveto her.Andthereuponshegavehimadatetree,ahoe, andalittlebucket
allofgold,andasilkennapkin,addingthattheonewastohoewithandtheothertowatertheplant.
The Prince, marvelling at this present, took leaveof the fairy, andreturned tohisown country.
And when he had given his stepdaughters all the things they had desired, he at last gave his own
daughter the gift which the fairy had sent her. Then Zezolla, out of her wits with joy, took the
datetree and planted itinaprettyflowerpot,hoedtheearthroundit,wateredit,andwipeditsleaves
morningandeveningwiththesilkennapkin.Inafewdaysithadgrownastallasawoman, andoutof
it came a fairy, who said to Zezolla, "What do you wishfor?" AndZezollareplied that shewished
sometimes to leave the house without her sisters' knowledge. The fairy answered, "Whenever you
desirethis,cometotheflowerpotandsay:
MylittleDatetree,mygoldentree,
WithagoldenhoeIhavehoedthee,
WithagoldencanIhavewateredthee,
WithasilkenclothIhavewipedtheedry,
Nowstriptheeanddressmespeedily.
Andwhenyouwishtoundress,changethelastwordsandsay,'Stripmeanddressthee.'"
When the time for the feast was come,andthestepmother's daughters appeared,dressedout so
fine, all ribbons and flowers, and slippers and shoes, sweet smells and bells, and rosesandposies,
Zezollaranquicklytotheflowerpot, andno sooner had sherepeatedthewords,asthefairyhadtold
her, than she saw herself arrayed like a queen,seated upona palfrey, andattended bytwelvesmart
pages, all in their best clothes. Then she went to the ball, and made the sisters envious of this
unknownbeauty.
Even the young King himself was there, andassoonashesawher he stoodmagicbound with
amazement, and ordered a trusty servant to find out who was that beautiful maiden, and where she
lived. So the servant followed in her footstepsbutwhen Zezolla noticed the trick shethrewonthe

ground a handful of crownpieces whichshe hadmade the datetree giveher forthispurpose.Then

the servant lighted his lantern, and was so busy picking up all the crownpieces that he forgot to
follow the palfreyandZezollacamehomequitesafely,andhadchangedherclothes,as thefairytold
her, before the wicked sisters arrived,and,tovex herandmakeher envious,toldher of all thefine
things they had seen. But the King was very angry with the servant, and warned him not to miss
findingoutnexttimewhothisbeautifulmaidenwas,andwhereshedwelt.
Soon there was another feast, andagain the sistersallwenttoit,leavingpoorZezollaathomeon
the kitchen hearth. Then she ran quickly to thedatetree,andrepeatedthespell,andinstantlythere
appeareda number of damsels, one with alookingglass,anotherwithabottle ofrosewater,another
withthecurlingirons, another with combs, another with pins, another withdresses,and anotherwith
capes andcollars. Andtheydeckedheroutasgloriousasthesun,andputherinacoachdrawn bysix
white horses, and attended by footmen and pages in livery. And no sooner did she appear in the
ballroomthantheheartsof thesisterswere filledwithamazement, andtheKingwasovercomewith
love.
WhenZezollawent hometheservantfollowedheragain,butsothatsheshouldnot becaughtshe
threw down a handful of pearls andjewels,andthegoodfellow, seeingthattheywere notthingsto
lose,stayedtopickthemup.Soshehadtimetoslipawayandtakeoffherfinedressasbefore.
Meanwhiletheservant had returned slowly tothe King, whocriedoutwhen hesawhim,"Bythe
souls of myancestors, if you donotfind outwho sheisyoushallhavesuchathrashingaswasnever
beforeheardof,andasmanykicksasyouhavehairsinyourbeard!"
When the next feast was held, and the sisters weresafelyout ofthe house, Zezolla wentto the
datetree, and once again repeated the spell. In an instant she found herselfsplendidly arrayedand
seatedina coachofgold,witheversomanyservants aroundher,sothatshelookedjustlikeaqueen.
Again the sisters were beside themselves with envy but thistime,when sheleft the ballroom,the
King's servant kept close to the coach. Zezolla, seeing that the man was ever running byherside,
cried, "Coachman, drive on quickly,"andin atricethecoachset off atsucha rattling pace that she
lost one of her slippers, the prettiestthingthateverwasseen. The servantbeing unable tocatch the
coach, which flew like a bird, picked up the slipper, and carrying it to the King told him all that
happened. Whereupon theKing,takingitin his hand, said,"If the basement, indeed, issobeautiful,
what mustthebuildingbe. Youwhountilnowweretheprisonofawhitefootarenowthefetterofan
unhappyheart!"
Then he made a proclamation that all the women in the country should cometo abanquet,for
which the most splendid provision was made of piesandpastries, and stewsandragouts,macaroni
and sweetmeatsenough tofeed awhole army. And whenallthewomenwereassembled,nobleand
ignoble,rich andpoor,beautiful and ugly,theKing tried theslipperoneach oneofthegueststosee
whom it should fit to a hair, and thus be able to discover by the help of theslipperthemaidenof
whomhe was insearch,but not one footcould hefindtofitit.Sohe examined themcloselywhether
indeedeveryonewasthereandthePrinceconfessedthathehadleftonedaughterbehind,"but,"said
he, "sheisalwaysonthehearth,andissuchagracelesssimpletonthatsheisunworthytositandeatat
yourtable."ButtheKingsaid,"Letherbetheveryfirstonthelist,forsoIwill."
So all theguestsdepartedtheverynextday they assembled again,andwiththewicked sisters
came Zezolla. When the King saw her he had his suspicions, but said nothing. And afterthefeast
camethetrialofthe slipper,which,assoonaseveritapproachedZezolla'sfoot,itdartedontoitofits
own accord like ironflies to themagnet.Seeingthis,theKingrantoherandtookherinhisarms,and
seating her under the royal canopy, he set the crown upon her head, whereupon all made their
obeisanceandhomagetoherastheirqueen.

When the wicked sisterssawthistheywere fullofvenomand rage,and,nothaving patience to

look upon the object of their hatred, they slipped quietly away on tiptoe and went home to their
mother,confessing,inspiteofthemselves,that
"HeisamadmanwhoresiststheStars."

VII
THEMERCHANT
Troubles are usually the brooms and shovels that smooth the road to a man's good fortune, of
which he little dreams. Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,andknows notthatit
bringsabundance todriveawayhunger asis seen inthepersonof ayoung man ofwhom I willtell
you.
It is said that there was once a very rich merchant named Antoniello, who had a son called
Cienzo. It happened that Cienzo was one day throwing stones on theseashore with the sonofthe
King of Naples,andbychance brokehiscompanion's head.Whenhetoldhisfather,Antonielloflew
into a rage with fear of the consequences and abused his son but Cienzo answered, "Sir, I have
always heard say that better isthelawcourtthan the doctorinone'shouse. Would it not havebeen
worseifhehadbrokenmy head? It was he who began and provokedme.Wearebutboys,andthere
aretwosides tothe quarrel.Afteralltisafirstfault,andtheKingisamanofreasonbutlet theworst
cometo theworst, whatgreatharm can he dome? Thewideworldisone'shomeandlethimwhois
afraidturnconstable."
But Antoniellowould not listento reason. He made sure the KingwouldkillCienzofor hisfault
and said, "Don't stand here at risk of your lifebut march off this very instant, so that nobody may
hear aword, newor old, ofwhat you havedone.Abird inthe bush isbetter thanabirdinthecage.
Here is money.Takeone of the two enchantedhorses Ihavein thestable,andthedogwhichisalso
enchanted, and tarry no longer here. It is better to scamper off and use your own heels than tobe
touched by another's betterto throw your legsoveryourback thantocarry yourheadbetween two
legs.Ifyoudon'ttakeyourknapsackandbeoff,noneoftheSaintscanhelpyou!"
Then begging his father's blessing, Cienzo mounted his horse, and tucking the enchanted dog
under his arm, hewent his wayout ofthecity. Makinga winteroftearswitha summer ofsighshe
went his way until the evening, when he came to a woodthatkepttheMuleoftheSunoutside its
limits,whileitwas amusing itself withSilenceandtheShades.Anoldhousestoodthere, atthefoot
of atower.Cienzo knockedat the door of the towerbut the master, beingin fearof robbers,would
notopen tohim,so thepooryouthwasobligedtoremainin theruinedoldhouse.He turnedhishorse
out to grazein ameadow,and threwhimselfon some strawhefound,withthedog by his side.But
scarcelyhad heclosed his eyeswhenhewasawakened bythebarkingofthedog,andheardfootsteps
stirring inthehouse.Cienzo,whowasboldandventuresome,seizedhisswordandbegantolayabout
him in the dark but perceiving that he was only striking the wind andhitnoone,he turnedround
again to sleep. After a few minutes he felt himself pulledgently bythefoot. He turnedtolayhold
again of his cutlass, and jumping up, exclaimed,"Hollo there! you are gettingtootroublesome but
leaveoffthissportandlet'shaveaboutofitifyouhaveanypluck,foryouhavefoundthelasttoyour
shoe!"

At these words he heard a shout of laughter andthena hollowvoicesaying,"Comedown here

and I will tell you who I am." Then Cienzo, without losing courage, answered, "Wait awhile, I'll
come." Sohegroped aboutuntilat lasthefounda ladderwhichledtoa cellar and,going down,he
saw a lighted lamp, and three ghostlooking figures who were making a piteous clamour, crying,
"Alas,mybeauteoustreasure,Imustlosethee!"
WhenCienzo saw this he began himself tocry and lament,for company's sake and afterhehad
wept for some time, the Moon having now, with theaxe of her raysbroken the barof theSky, the
three figures who were making the outcrysaidtoCienzo, "Take thistreasure,which is destined for
thee alone, but mind and take care of it." Then they vanished. And Cienzo, espying the sunlight
throughahole inthewall, wishedto climbup again,butcould notfind theladder,whereathesetup
sucha crythatthemasterof the tower heardhimandfetched aladder,whentheydiscoveredagreat
treasure. He wished to give part of it to Cienzo, but the latter refused and taking his dog and
mountingoncemoreonhishorsesetoutagainonhistravels.
Aftera whilehearrivedatawildanddrearyforest,sodarkthatitmadeyoushudder.There,upon
the bank of a river, he found a fairy surrounded by a band of robbers. Cienzo, seeing the wicked
intention of the robbers, seized his sword and soon made a slaughter of them. The fairyshowered
thanks upon him for thisbrave deeddone for her sake,andinvitedhim toherpalacethatshemight
rewardhim. But Cienzoreplied, "It isnothingat allthank you kindly.AnothertimeIwillacceptthe
favourbutnowIaminhaste,onbusinessofimportance!"
So sayinghetookhisleaveandtravellingona long wayhe cameatlasttothepalaceofaKing,
which was all hung with mourning, so that it made one's heart black to look at it. When Cienzo
inquired the cause of the mourning the folks answered, "A dragon with seven heads has made his
appearancein this country,themost terriblemonsterthateverwasseen, withthe crestofacock,the
headofa cat, eyes of fire, the mouthofa bulldog,thewingsofa bat,theclawsofabear,andthetail
ofaserpent.Nowthisdragonswallowsamaideneveryday,andnowthelothasfallenonMenechella,
the daughter of the King. Sothereisgreat weepingandwailingin the royal palace, since the fairest
creatureinallthelandisdoomedtobedevouredbythishorridbeast."
When Cienzo heard this he steppedasideand sawMenechella pass by with the mourning train,
accompaniedbytheladiesofthecourtandallthewomenoftheland,wringingtheirhandsandtearing
outtheirhair byhandfuls,andbewailingthesadfate ofthepoor girl. Thenthe dragoncameoutofthe
cave. But Cienzo laid hold of his sword and struck off a head in a trice but the dragon went and
rubbedhisneckonacertainplantwhichgrewnotfaroff,andsuddenlytheheadjoineditselfonagain,
likealizardjoiningitselftoitstail.Cienzo,seeingthis,exclaimed,"Hewhodaresnot,winsnot"and,
setting his teeth, he struck such a furiousblow that hecutoffallsevenheads,whichflewfrom the
necks like peas fromthepan.Whereuponhetookoutthe tongues,andputtingtheminhispocket,he
flung the heads a mile apart from the body, so that theymightnever come together again.Thenhe
sentMenechellahometoherfather,andwenthimselftoreposeinatavern.
When the King saw his daughter his delight is not to be told and having heard the manner in
whichshe had been freed,heordered aproclamation tobeinstantlymade,thatwhosoeverhadkilled
the dragon should come and marry the Princess. Now a rascal of a country fellow, hearing this
proclamation,tooktheheads of the dragon,andsaid,"Menechellahasbeensavedbymethesehands
have freed the landfrom destructionbehold the dragon's heads, which are theproofs ofmy valour
thereforerecollect,every promiseis adebt."As soonastheKingheardthis,he liftedthecrownfrom
hisownheadandsetituponthecountryman'spoll,wholookedlikeathiefonthegallows.
The news of this proclamation flewthrough the wholecountry, tillat lastitcametotheearsof
Cienzo, who saidto himself,"Verily, Iama greatblockhead!Ihadholdof Fortuneby theforelock,

and Ilether escape out ofmyhand.Here'samanofferstogiveme thehalfofatreasurehefinds,and

Icarenomoreforitthan aGermanforcold waterthefairywishestoentertainmeinherpalace,andI
care as little foritasanassformusicandnow that Iamcalledto the crown,hereIstandandlet a
rascally thief cheat me out of my trumpcard!" So saying he took an inkstand, seized a pen, and
spreadingoutasheetofpaper,begantowrite:
"Tothemostbeautifuljewel ofwomen, MenechellaHaving,by
the favour of Sol in Leo, saved thy life, I hear that another
plumes himself with mylabours,thatanotherclaimsthereward
of the service which I rendered. Thou, therefore, who wast
present at the dragon's death, canst assuretheKing of the truth,
and prevent his allowing anothertogainthisrewardwhile Ihave
had all the toil. For it will be the right effect of thy fair royal
grace and the merited recompense of this strong hero's fist. In
conclusion,Ikissthydelicatelittlehands.

"FromtheInnoftheFlowerpot,Sunday."

Having written thisletter,andsealed it withawafer, heplaced it inthemouthof the enchanted

dog,saying,"Runoffasfastasyoucanandtake thistotheKing'sdaughter.Giveittonooneelse,but
placeitinthehandofthatsilverfacedmaidenherself."
Away ran the dog to thepalace as if he wereflying, andgoingupthestairs he found the King,
who wasstillpayingcomplimentstothecountryclown. When themansawthedogwiththeletterin
hismouth, heordereditto betakenfromhimbutthedogwould notgive ittoanyone,andbounding
uptoMenechella he placeditinherhand.ThenMenechellarosefromherseat,and,makingacurtsey
to the King, she gave him the letter toreadand whentheKing had read ithe ordered that the dog
shouldbefollowedto seewherehewent,andthathismastershouldbebroughtbeforehim.Sotwoof
thecourtiers immediately followed the dog,untilthey came to the tavern,where theyfoundCienzo
and,delivering the messagefrom the King, theyconductedhimtothepalace,intothe presenceofthe
King. Then the King demanded how it was that he boasted of having killed the dragon, since the
heads were brought by the man who was sitting crowned at his side. AndCienzoanswered,"That
fellow deservesa pasteboardmitreratherthan acrown,since hehas hadtheimpudencetotellyoua
bouncing lie.Butto proveto you that Ihavedone the deedandnotthisrascal,orderthe headstobe
produced. Noneof them canspeaktotheproofwithouta tongue,andtheseIhavebroughtwith meas
witnessestoconvinceyouofthetruth."
So sayinghepulled the tonguesout ofhispocket,whilethecountrymanwasstruckallofaheap,
notknowingwhat would betheendof it andthe moresowhenMenechellaadded,"Thisistheman!
Ah,youdog ofa countryman,a prettytrick youhaveplayedme!"WhentheKingheardthis,hetook
thecrown fromtheheadofthatfalse loon andplaceditonthatofCienzoandhewasonthepointof
sending the imposter to the galleys, but Cienzo begged the King to have mercy on him and to
confound his wickednesswithcourtesy. Then he marriedMenechella,andthetableswerespreadand
a royal banquet was set forth and in the morning they sent for Antoniello with all his family and
Antoniello soon got into great favour with the King, and saw in the person of his son the saying
verified
"Astraightporttoacrookedship."

VIII
GOATFACE
All the illdeeds that a man commits have some colour of excuseeither contempt which
provokes,needwhichcompels,lovewhichblinds,orangerwhich breakstheneck.Butingratitudeisa
thing that has no excuse, true or false, upon which it canfix and it is thereforetheworstofvices,
since it driesup the fountain of compassion, extinguishes the fireoflove,closestheroadtobenefits,
and causes vexationandrepentance tospring upinthe hearts oftheungrateful. Asyouwillseeinthe
storywhichIamabouttorelate.
Apeasant hadtwelvedaughters, not one of whom wasa headtaller thanthenextforeveryyear
theirmother presented himwithalittlegirlsothatthepoorman,tosupporthisfamilydecently,went
early every morning as a day labourer and dug hard the whole day long. With what his labour
producedhejustkepthislittleonesfromdyingofhunger.
He happened, one day, to be diggingat the footof amountain,thespyof other mountains,that
thrust its head abovethecloudsto see whattheywere doingup inthesky,andcloseto acavernso
deepanddarkthatthesun wasafraidtoenterit.Outofthiscaverntherecameagreenlizardasbigas
a crocodileand the poorman wassoterrifiedthathehadnotthepower torunaway,expectingevery
moment the end of his days from a gulp of that uglyanimal. But the lizard, approachinghim, said,
"Benotafraid,mygoodman,forIamnotcomeheretodoyouanyharm,buttodoyougood."
WhenMasaniello (forthatwasthename ofthelabourer)heardthis,he fellonhiskneesandsaid,
"MistressWhat'syourname,Iamwholly inyour power.Actthen worthilyandhavecompassionon
thispoortrunkthathastwelvebranchestosupport."
"It is on this very account," said the lizard, "that I am disposed to serve you so bring me,
tomorrowmorning the youngest of your daughtersforIwillrearher uplikemyownchild,andlove
herasmylife."
Atthisthepoorfatherwasmoreconfoundedthanathief when the stolengoodsarefoundonhis
back. For, hearing the lizardask himforone of his daughters, and that too,the tenderestofthem,he
concluded that the cloakwasnot without wool on it,andthatshewantedthechild as atitbit tostay
her appetite.Thenhesaid tohimself, "IfIgive hermydaughter,I giveher my soul. IfIrefuseher,
she will takethisbody of mine. If Iyieldher,Iam robbedofmyheart ifIdenyhershewillsuckout
my blood. If I consent, she takes away part of myself if I refuse,she takes the whole.What shall I
resolve on? What course shall Itake?WhatexpedientshallIadopt?Oh,whatanillday'sworkhaveI
madeofit!Whatamisfortunehasraineddownfromheavenuponme!"
Whilehewas speaking thus,the lizardsaid, "Resolve quickly and do whatI tellyouor youwill
leaveonlyyourrags here. For so I will haveit,andsoitwillbe."Masaniello,hearingthisdecreeand
havingno oneto whomhecould appeal,returnedhome quitemelancholy,asyellowinthefaceasif
hehadjaundiceandhiswife,seeing himhanging his headlikeasickbirdandhisshoulderslikeone
thatiswounded, saidto him,"What hashappenedto you,husband?Haveyouhad aquarrel withany
one?Isthereawarrantoutagainstyou?Oristheassdead?"
"Nothingof that sort,"said Masaniello, "buta horned lizard hasputmeinto afright, forshehas
threatenedthatifIdo not bring herouryoungestdaughter,shewillmakemesufferfor it.Myheadis
turning like a reel. I know not what fish to take. On one side love constrains meon the otherthe
burdenofmyfamily. I loveRenzolladearly,Ilovemyownlifedearly.IfIdonotgivethelizardthis

portion of my heart, she will take the whole compass of my unfortunate body. So now,dear wife,
adviseme,orIamruined!"
Whenhiswife heardthis, shesaid,"Whoknows,husband,butthismaybealizardwithtwotails,
thatwillmake ourfortune?Whoknowsbutthis lizardmayputanendtoallourmiseries?Howoften,
whenweshouldhavean eagle'ssight todiscernthegood luck that is runningto meetus, we havea
cloth before our eyes and the cramp in our hands, when we should lay hold on it. Sogo,take her
away,formyhearttellsmethatsomegoodfortuneawaitsthepoorlittlething!"
These words comforted Masaniello and the next morning,assoonastheSunwiththebrush of
hisrays whitewashedtheSky, which the shades of night hadblackened,hetookthelittle girlbythe
hand, and led herto the cave.Thenthelizardcameout,andtakingthechildgavethefatherabagfull
ofcrowns,saying,"Gonow,behappy,forRenzollahasfoundbothfatherandmother."
Masaniello, overjoyed, thanked the lizardandwent hometo his wife. There wasmoneyenough
for portions to all the other daughters when they married, and even then the old folks had sauce
remainingforthemselvestoenablethemtoswallowwithrelishthetoilsoflife.
Then thelizard made amost beautiful palaceforRenzolla, andbrought herupinsuchstateand
magnificenceas wouldhave dazzled theeyes of any queen.Shewantedfornothing.Herfoodwasfit
for a count,her clothingfora princess.Shehada hundred maidens towaitupon her,andwithsuch
goodtreatmentshegrewassturdyasanoaktree.
Ithappened,astheKing wasouthunting inthoseparts,thatnightovertookhim,andashestood
lookinground,not knowingwhere tolayhishead, hesawa candleshiningin thepalace. Sohesent
one of his servants, to ask the owner to give himshelter.Whentheservantcameto the palace, the
lizard appeared beforehim intheshape of abeautifullady who, afterhearinghismessage,saidthat
his master should be a thousand times welcome, and that neither bread nor knife should there be
wanting. The King, on hearing this reply, went to the palace and was received like a cavalier. A
hundredpages wentouttomeet him,sothatit lookedlikethefuneralofarichman.Ahundredother
pages broughtthedishes tothetable.A hundredothersmadeabravenoisewithmusicalinstruments.
But, above all, Renzolla served the Kingandhanded himdrinkwithsuchgracethat he drankmore
lovethanwine.
When he had thus been so royally entertained, he felt he could not live without Renzolla so,
calling the fairy, he asked her for his wife. Whereupon the fairy, who wished for nothing but
Renzolla'sgood,notonlyfreelyconsented,butgaveheradowryofsevenmillionsofgold.
TheKing,overjoyed atthispieceofgoodfortune, departedwithRenzolla,who,illmanneredand
ungrateful for all the fairy had done for her, went off with herhusbandwithoututtering one single
word of thanks. Then the fairy, beholding such ingratitude, cursed her, and wished that her face
shouldbecomelikethatofa shegoatand hardlyhadshe utteredthewords, when Renzolla'smouth
stretched out, with a beard a span long on it, her jaws shrunk, her skinhardened,hercheeks grew
hairy,andherplaitedtressesturnedtopointedhorns.
WhenthepoorKingsawthishewasthunderstruck,notknowingwhathadhappenedthatsogreat
a beautyshouldbethustransformedand,withsighsandtearsheexclaimed,"Wherearethelocksthat
boundme?Wherearetheeyesthattransfixed me?MustIthenbethehusbandofashegoat?No,no,
myheartshallnot breakforsucha goatface!"So saying, as soon as theyreached his palace, heput
Renzolla into a kitchen, alongwitha chambermaid and gaveto each of themtenbundles of flax to
spin,commandingthemtohavethethreadreadyattheendofaweek.
The maid, in obedience to the King, set about carding the flax, preparing and puttingitonthe
distaff,twirling her spindle, reelingitandworkingawaywithoutceasingsothatonSaturdayevening
her thread was all done. But Renzolla, thinking she was still the same as in the fairy's house, not

havinglookedat herself inthe glass, threwtheflaxoutof thewindow,saying,"Aprettythingindeed

of the King to set me such work to do! If he wants shirts let him buythem,andnotfancy that he
pickedmeupout ofthegutter.ButlethimrememberthatIbroughthimhomeseven millionsofgold,
and that Iamhiswifeand nothisservant.Methinks,too,thatheissomewhatofadonkeytotreatme
thisway!"
Nevertheless, when Saturday morning came, seeing that the maid had spunallher share of the
flax, Renzolla was greatlyafraid so away shewent tothe palaceofthefairyandtoldhermisfortune.
Then thefairyembracedher with greataffection, andgaveherabagfullofspunthread,topresentto
theKing and show himwhatanotableandindustrioushousewifeshewas.Renzollatookthebag,and
withoutsayingone word of thanks, wentto the royal palacesoagainthe fairy wasquite angeredat
theconductofthegracelessgirl.
WhentheKing had takenthethread,hegavetwolittledogs,onetoRenzollaandonetothemaid,
telling themto feed and rear them. Themaid rearedhers onbreadcrumbsandtreateditlikeachild
but Renzolla grumbled, saying, "A pretty thing truly!As mygrandfatherused tosay,Arewe living
under the Turks? Am I indeed to comb and wait upon dogs?" and she flung the dog out of the
window!
Some months afterwards, the King asked for the dogs whereat Renzolla, losing heart, ran off
againto thefairy, and at thegate stoodtheoldmanwhowastheporter."Whoareyou,"saidhe,"and
whom do you want?" Renzolla, hearing herself addressed in this offhandway,replied,"Don'tyou
knowme,youoldgoatbeard?"
"Why do youmiscallme?"saidtheporter."Thisisthethiefaccusingtheconstable.Iagoatbeard
indeed! You are a goatbeard and a half, and you merit it and worse for your presumption. Wait
awhile,youimpudentwoman I'llenlighten you andyouwill see to whatyourairsandimpertinence
havebroughtyou!"
So saying, he ranintohisroom,andtakingalookingglass,setitbeforeRenzollawho,whenshe
sawher ugly, hairy visage, was like tohave died withterror.Herdismayatseeingherfacesoaltered
that she did not know herself cannot be told. Whereupon the old man said to her, "You ought to
recollect, Renzolla,thatyouareadaughterofapeasantandthatitwasthefairythatraisedyoutobea
queen. But you, rude, unmannerly, and thankless as you are, having little gratitude for such high
favours, have kept her waiting outside your heart, without showing the slightest markofaffection.
You have brought the quarrel on yourself see whata faceyouhave got byit!Seeto whatyouare
brought by your ingratitude for through the fairy's spell you have not only changed face, but
condition.But if you willdoasthiswhitebeardadvises,go andlookforthefairythrowyourselfat
her feet, tear your beard, beatyourbreast, and askpardonfortheilltreatment you haveshownher.
Sheistenderheartedandshewillbemovedtopitybyyourmisfortune."
Renzolla,whowastouched tothequick,andfeltthathehadhitthenailonthehead,followedthe
oldman's advice. Then thefairyembracedandkissedherandrestoringhertoher formerappearance,
she clad her in a robe that was quite heavy with gold and placing her in a magnificent coach,
accompanied with a crowd of servants, she brought her tothe King. When the Kingbeheldher, so
beautifulandsplendidlyattired,helovedher ashisownlifeblaminghimselfforallthemiseryhehad
madeher endure,butexcusinghimselfon accountof that odious goatfacewhichhadbeenthecause
of it. Thus Renzolla lived happy, loving her husband, honouring the fairy, and showing herself
gratefultotheoldman,havinglearnedtohercostthat
"Itisalwaysgoodtobemannerly."

IX
THEENCHANTEDDOE
Great is the poweroffriendship, whichmakes us willingly beartoilsandperilstoserveafriend.
We valueourwealthasa trifleandlifeasa straw,when we cangivethemforafriend'ssake.Fables
teach us this and history is full of instances of it and I will give you an example which my
grandmotherusedto relatetome.So openyour earsand shutyour mouthsandhearwhatIshalltell
you.
There was once a certain King of LongTrellis named Giannone, who, desiring greatly to have
children,continuallymade prayers tothegods that theywouldgranthis wishand,in ordertoincline
them the more tohispetition, hewassocharitabletobeggarsandpilgrimsthathe sharedwiththem
allhepossessed.Butseeing,atlast,thatthesethingsavailedhimnothingandthattherewasnoendto
putting his hand into hispocket,hebolted fast his door,and shotwitha crossbow atallwhocame
near.
Now ithappenedoneday,thatalongbeardedpilgrimwas passingthatway, andnotknowingthat
theKing had turnedoveranewleaf,orperhapsknowingitandwishingtomakehimchangehismind
again, he went to Giannone and beggedforshelterin his house.But,witha fiercelookandterrible
growl,theKingsaidtohim, "Ifyouhavenoothercandlethanthis,youmaygotobedinthedark.The
kittenshavetheireyesopen,andIamno longera child." And when theoldmanasked whatwasthe
cause ofthischange,theKing replied,"Tofurthermy desire forchildren,Ihavespentandlenttoall
who came and allwho went, and havesquanderedallmytreasure.Atlast,seeingthebeardwasgone,
Istoppedshavingandlaidasidetherazor."
"Ifthatbe all,"replied the pilgrim, "you may setyourmindat rest, for I promise that your wish
shallforthwithbefulfilled,onpainoflosingmyears."
"Be it so,"saidtheKing,"I pledge my word that I willgive you one half of my kingdom."And
theman answered,"Listennowtomeifyouwishtohitthemark,youhaveonlytogettheheartofa
seadragon,and haveitcooked and eaten bytheQueen,andyouwillseethatwhatIsaywillspeedily
cometopass."
"Thathardlyseemspossible,"saidtheKing,"butattheworstIlose nothingbythetrial soImust,
thisverymoment,getthedragon'sheart."
So he sent a hundred fishermen out and they got ready all kinds of fishingtackle, dragnets,
castingnets, seinenets, bownets, and fishinglines and they tacked and turned and cruised in all
directions until at last they caught a dragon then theytookout its heartandbrought it totheKing,
who gaveittotheQueentocookandeat.Andwhenshehadeatenit,therewasgreatrejoicing,forthe
King'sdesirewas fulfilledandhebecame the fatheroftwosons,soliketheotherthatnobodybutthe
Queen couldtell which was which.Andtheboys grewup together insuchloveforone anotherthat
they could not be parted for a moment. Their attachment was so great that the Queen began tobe
jealous, atseeing that theson whomshedestinedtobeheirtohisfather,andwhosenamewasFonzo,
testified more affection for hisbrotherCannelorothan hedidforherself. Andshe knewnotinwhat
waytoremovethisthornfromhereyes.
Now one day Fonzo wished to go ahunting with his brother so he had a fire lighted in his
chamber and began to melt lead to make bullets and being in want of I know not what, he went
himself to look for it. Meanwhile the Queen came in, and finding no onetherebutCanneloro, she
thought to put him out of the world. So stooping down, she flungthehotbulletmould athis face,

which hit him over thebrow and madeanuglywound. She was just goingto repeattheblow when
Fonzo came in so, pretending that she was only come in to see how he was, she gave him some
caressesandwentaway.
Canneloro, pulling his hat downon hisforehead, said nothingof his wound to Fonzo,but stood
quite quiet though he wasburning withthe pain. Butassoon astheyhaddonemaking the balls,he
toldhisbrother that hemust leavehim.Fonzo,allinamazementatthisnewresolution,askedhimthe
reason: buthereplied, "Enquireno more,mydearFonzo, letitsufficethatIamobligedtogoaway
and part with you, who are my heart and my soul and the breath of my body. Since it cannot be
otherwise, farewell, and keep mein remembrance."Thenafterembracingoneanotherandshedding
many tears, Canneloro went to his own room. He put on a suit of armour and a swordand armed
himselffrom top totoe and, having takena horse outof thestable,hewasjustputting his footinto
thestirrupwhenFonzocameweepingandsaid, "Sinceyouareresolvedtoabandonme,youshould,at
least, leave me some token of your love, to diminish my anguish for your absence." Thereupon
Cannelorostruckhisdaggerintothe ground,andinstantlyafinefountain roseup.Thensaidhetohis
twinbrother, "This is the best memorial I can leave you. By the flowing of this fountain youwill
follow the course ofmy life. Ifyouseeitrunclear,knowthatmylifeislikewiseclearandtranquil.If
it isturbid,thinkthatIampassingthroughtroublesandifitisdry,dependon itthattheoilofmylife
isallconsumedandthatIhavepaidthetollwhichbelongstoNature!"
Then hedrove his sword intotheground, and immediatelyamyrtletree grew up,when he said,
"As long as thismyrtleisgreen,know that Itooamgreenasaleek.Ifyouseeitwither,thinkthatmy
fortunes are not the best in this world but if it becomes quite dried up, you may mourn for your
Canneloro."
So saying, after embracingone another again,Cannelorosetoutonhistravelsjourneyingonand
on, with manyadventureswhichitwouldbetoolongtorecountheatlengtharrivedattheKingdom
of ClearWater, just atthetimewhentheywere holding amost splendidtournament,thehandofthe
King's daughter being promised to the victor. Here Canneloro presented himself and bore him so
bravely that he overthrew all the knights who were come from divers parts to gain a name for
themselves.WhereuponhemarriedthePrincessFenicia,andagreatfeastwasmade.
WhenCannelorohad beentheresomemonthsinpeaceandquiet,anunhappyfancycameintohis
headforgoingto thechase.Hetold ittotheKing,whosaidtohim,"Takecare,mysoninlaw donot
bedeluded.Be wiseand keepopen your eyes,forinthese woodsisamostwickedogrewhochanges
hisformevery day,one time appearinglikeawolf,at anotherlikealion,nowlikeastag,nowlikean
ass, like one thing and now like another. By a thousand stratagems he decoys those who are so
unfortunate as to meet him into acave, wherehedevours them. So, my son, donot put your safety
intoperil,oryouwillleaveyourragsthere."
Canneloro,whodidnot knowwhat fear was,paidnoheed totheadviceofhis fatherinlaw. As
soonastheSunwiththebroomofhis rayshadclearedawaythesoot of the Nighthesetoutforthe
chase and, onhis way, he cameto awood where,beneath the awningoftheleaves,theShades has
assembled to maintain their sway, and to make a conspiracy against theSun. The ogre,seeing him
coming,turnedhimselfintoa handsomedoewhich,assoonasCanneloroperceivedhebegantogive
chase toher. Then thedoe doubledandturned,andledhimabouthitherandthitheratsucharate,that
at last she brought him into the very heart of the wood, where she raised such a tremendous
snowstorm that itlookedasiftheskywasgoingtofall.Canneloro,findinghimselfinfrontof acave,
went into it toseekforshelterand beingbenumbedwiththecold,hegatheredsomestickswhichhe
found withinit, andpulling his steel fromhispocket, he kindled alargefire.As he wasstandingby

thefire todry his clothes, the doe came tothemouthofthecave,andsaid,"SirKnight,praygiveme

leavetowarmmyselfalittlewhile,forIamshiveringwiththecold."
Canneloro,whowasofakindlydisposition,saidtoher,"Drawnear,andwelcome."
"Iwouldgladly,"repliedthedoe,"butIamafraidyouwouldkillme."
"Fearnothing,"answeredCanneloro,"trusttomyword."
"Ifyouwish me toenter,"rejoinedthedoe, "tieupthosedogs,thattheymaynothurtme,andtie
upyourhorsethathemaynotkickme."
So Canneloro tied up his dogsand hobbled his horse,andthedoesaid, "I am now half assured,
but unless you bind fast your sword, I dare not come in." ThenCanneloro, whowished to become
friendswiththedoe, bound his swordas acountrymandoes, whenhecarriesitinthecityforfearof
the constables.Assoonastheogresaw Cannelorodefenceless,heretookhisown form, andlaying
holdonhim, flung himintoa pitat the bottomofthecave, and covereditupwitha stoneto keep
himtoeat.
But Fonzo, who, morning and evening visited the myrtleandthefountain, tolearn news of the
fate of Canneloro,finding the one witheredandtheothertroubled, instantlythought that hisbrother
wasundergoing misfortunes. So, tohelp him,hemountedhishorsewithoutaskingleaveofhisfather
or mother and arming himself well and taking two enchanted dogs, he went rambling throughthe
world. He roamed and rambled here, there, and everywhere until, at last, he came to ClearWater,
whichhefoundallinmourningforthesupposeddeathofCanneloro.Andscarcelywashecometothe
court,when everyone,thinking, fromthelikenessheborehim,thatitwasCanneloro,hastenedtotell
Fenicia the good news, who ranleaping downthestairs, and embracing Fonzocried,"My husband!
myheart!wherehaveyoubeenallthistime?"
FonzoimmediatelyperceivedthatCannelorohadcometothiscountryandhadleftitagainsohe
resolvedtoexaminethematteradroitly,tolearnfromthePrincess'sdiscoursewherehisbrothermight
be found. And, hearing her say that he had put himself in great danger by that accursed hunting,
especiallyifthecruelogreshouldmeethim,heatonceconcludedthatCanneloromustbethere.
The next morning, as soon as the Sun had gone forth to give the gilded frills to the Sky, he
jumpedoutofbed,andneitherthe prayersofFenicia,nor thecommandsoftheKingcould keephim
back, but hewould go tothe chase.So,mountinghis horse, he wentwiththeenchanted dogsto the
wood, wherethesamethingbefell himthathadbefallenCanneloroand,enteringthe cave,hesawhis
brother'sarms and dogsand horsefastbound, bywhichhebecameassuredofthe natureofthesnare.
Then thedoe toldhimin like mannerto tie his arms, dogs,andhorse, butheinstantlysetthemupon
herandthey torehertopieces. And ashewas looking aboutforsometracesofhisbrother,heheard
hisvoicedown inthepitso,liftingupthestone,hedrewoutCanneloro, withalltheotherswhomthe
ogre had buried alive to fatten. Then embracing each other with great joy, the twinbrothers went
home, whereFenicia,seeingthemsomuchalike,didnotknowwhichtochooseforherhusband,until
Cannelorotook off his capandshe saw themarkoftheoldwoundandrecognised him.Fonzostayed
there amonth,taking hispleasure,andthen wishedtoreturntohisowncountry,andCannelorowrote
by him to his mother, bidding her lay aside her enmity and come and visit him and partake ofhis
greatness, which she did. But from that time forward, he never would hear of dogs or of hunting,
recollectingthesaying
"Unhappyishewhocorrectshimselfathisowncost."

X
PARSLEY
This is one of the stories which that good soul,my uncle's grandmother (whomHeaven taketo
glory), used to tell and, unless I have put on my spectacles upside down, I fancy it willgive you
pleasure.
There was,once upona time,a woman named Pascadozzia,andoneday,whenshewasstanding
ather window, whichlookedintothegarden ofan ogress,shesawsuchafinebedofparsleythatshe
almostfaintedawaywithdesireforsome. Sowhentheogresswent outshecouldnotrestrainherself
any longer, but plucked a handful of it. The ogress came home andwas goingto cookher pottage
when she found that some one hadbeen stealingtheparsley,andsaid, "Ill luck tome, but I'llcatch
this longfingeredrogue andmakehimrepentitI'll teachhimtohiscostthateveryoneshouldeatoff
hisownplatterandnotmeddlewithotherfolks'cups."
The poor woman went again and againdown into the garden,untilonemorning the ogressmet
her, and ina furiousrage exclaimed,"HaveIcaughtyouatlast, youthief,yourogueprithee,doyou
pay therentofthegardenthatyoucome inthis impudent wayandstealmyplants? By myfaith, I'll
makeyoudopenancewithoutsendingyoutoRome."
Poor Pascadozzia, in a terrible fright, began tomake excuses,sayingthatneitherfrom gluttony
nor thecravingofhungerhadshebeentemptedby thedeviltocommitthisfault,butfromher fearlest
herchildshouldbebornwithacropofparsleyonitsface.
"Words are but wind," answered the ogress, "Iamnot tobecaughtwithsuchprattle you have
closed thebalancesheetoflife,unlessyoupromisetogivemethechild,girlorboy,whicheveritmay
be."
The poor woman, in order to escape the perilin which shefoundherself, swore, with one hand
upontheother,tokeepthepromise,andsotheogresslethergofree.Butwhenthebabycameitwasa
little girl, so beautiful thatshe was ajoy tolookupon,who wasnamedParsley.Thelittle girlgrew
fromdaytodayuntil,whenshewassevenyearsold, hermothersenthertoschool,and everytimeshe
went along thestreetandmettheogress theoldwomansaidtoher, "Tellyourmother toremember
herpromise."Andshewenton repeatingthismessagesooftenthatthepoormother,havingnolonger
patienceto listento the refrain,saidonedaytoParsley,"Ifyoumeettheoldwomanasusual,andshe
remindsyouofthehatefulpromise,answerher,Takeit.'"
WhenParsley,whodreamtofnoill, met the ogressagain, and heardherrepeat the samewords,
she answered innocently as her mother had told her, whereuponthe ogress,seizing herby her hair,
carried her off to a wood which thehorses of the Sunneverentered, not havingpaid the tolltothe
pasturesof those Shades. Then sheputthepoor girlintoatower whichshecausedtoarisebyherart,
havingneithergatenor ladder,but onlyalittlewindowthroughwhichsheascendedanddescendedby
meansofParsley'shair,whichwasverylong,justassailorsclimbupanddownthemastofaship.
Now ithappenedoneday,when the ogresshadleftthetower, thatParsleyputherheadoutofthe
little window and let loose her tressesinthesun,and theson ofaPrince passing by sawthosetwo
golden banners which invited all souls to enlist under the standard of Beauty, and, beholdingwith
amazement, inthemidst of those gleamingwaves,afacethatenchanted allhearts,hefelldesperately
in lovewithsuchwonderfulbeautyand,sendingheramemorialofsighs,shedecreedtoreceive him
intofavour.Shetoldhimhertroubles,andimploredhimtorescueher.Butagossipoftheogress,who
was for ever prying into things that did not concern her, and poking her nose into every corner,
overheard the secret, and told the wicked woman to be on the lookout, for Parsleyhad beenseen

talking with a certain youth, and she had her suspicions. The ogress thanked the gossip for the
information, and said that she would take good care to stop up the road. As to Parsley, it was,
moreover,impossible for her to escape, as shehad laid aspell uponher,sothatunlessshehadinher
hand the threegallnutswhichwere ina rafterin the kitchen it wouldbelabourlosttoattempttoget
away.
Whilstthey werethus talkingtogether,Parsley, whostoodwithherearswideopenandhadsome
suspicion of the gossip, overheard all that had passed. And when Night had spread out her black
garmentsto keepthemfromthe moth, and thePrincehadcomeastheyhadappointed,sheletfallher
hairheseized it with bothhands, andcried, "Drawup." When he wasdrawnup shemadehim first
climb onto the raftersandfind the gallnuts, knowingwellwhat effecttheywouldhave,as shehad
been enchantedbytheogress.Then, having made aropeladder,theyboth descended tothe ground,
tookto their heels,and ranofftowards the city.But thegossip, happening tosee themcomeout,set
upa loud "Halloo,"andbeganto shoutand makesuchanoisethattheogressawoke, and,seeingthat
Parsley had runaway, shedescendedbythesameladder,whichwasstillfastenedtothewindow,and
set off after the couple, who, when they saw her coming attheirheelsfaster than ahorselet loose,
gavethemselvesup for lost. But Parsley, recollecting the gallnuts, quickly threwoneoftheground,
and lo, instantlya Corsican bulldogstarted upO,mother,sucha terriblebeast!which,withopen
jawsandbarkingloud, flewat theogress asiftoswallowheratamouthful.Buttheoldwoman,who
was more cunning and spiteful than ever, put her hand into her pocket, and pulling out a piece of
breadgaveittothedog,whichmadehimhanghistailandallayhisfury.
Then she turned to run after the fugitives again, but Parsley, seeing her approach, threw the
second gallnut on the ground, and lo, a fierce lion arose, who, lashing the earth withhistail, and
shaking hismane andopeningwide his jaws ayardapart,wasjustpreparingto makea slaughter of
the ogress, when, turning quickly back, she stripped the skin off an ass which was grazing in the
middle of a meadow and ran at the lion, who, fancying it a real jackass,was so frightenedthathe
boundedawayasfastashecould.
The ogress having leaped over this second ditch turned again to pursue the poor lovers, who,
hearing theclatter ofher heels, and seeingcloudsof dustthatroseupto thesky,knewthatshe was
coming again. But the old woman,who waseverymomentindread lestthelionshouldpursueher,
had nottakenofftheass'sskin,andwhenParsleynowthrewdownthethirdgallnuttheresprangupa
wolf, who, without givingtheogresstimetoplayanynewtrick,gobbledherupjustasshewasin the
shape of a jackass. So Parsley and thePrince,now freed fromdanger, wenttheirwayleisurely and
quietly tothePrince'skingdom,where,withhis father'sfree consent,they weremarried.Thus,after
allthesestormsoffate,theyexperiencedthetruththat
"Onehourinport,thesailor,freedfromfears,
Forgetsthetempestsofahundredyears."

XI
THETHREESISTERS
It is a great truth that from the same wood are formed the statues of idols and the rafters of
gallows, kings' thrones and cobblers' stalls andanotherstrangethingisthatfrom the same ragsare
madethepaper onwhichthewisdomofsagesisrecorded,andthecrownwhichisplacedonthehead

of a fool. The same, too, may be said of children: one daughter is good andanother badoneidle,
anothera goodhousewifeone fair, another ugly onespiteful,anotherkindoneunfortunate, another
bornto goodluck, andwhobeing allofonefamilyoughtto beof onenature.Butleavingthissubject
tothosewhoknowmoreaboutit,I willmerelygiveyouanexampleinthestoryof thethreedaughters
of the same mother, wherein you will see the difference of manners which brought the wicked
daughtersintotheditchandthegooddaughtertothetopoftheWheelofFortune.
There was at one time a woman who had three daughters, two of whom were so unlucky that
nothingeversucceeded with them, alltheirprojects wentwrong,alltheirhopeswereturnedtochaff.
But theyoungest,whowasnamedNella, wasbornto good luck, andIverilybelievethatat herbirth
allthings conspired tobestow onherthebest and choicest gifts intheirpower.TheSkygaveherthe
perfection ofits light Venus, matchless beauty ofform Love,thefirstdartofhis powerNature,the
flower of manners. She never set about any work that it did not go off to anicety shenevertook
anything in hand that it did not succeed to a hair she never stoodup todance,thatshe didnotsit
downwithapplause.On which accountshe was envied byherjealous sistersandyetnotsomuchas
she was loved and wished well to by all others as greatly as her sisters desired to put her
underground,somuchmoredidotherfolkscarryheronthepalmsoftheirhands.
Now there was in that country an enchanted Prince whowas so attractedbyher beauty that he
secretlymarried her. Andin orderthatthey might enjoyone another's company withoutexcitingthe
suspicion ofthe mother,whowasawicked woman,thePrincemadeacrystalpassagewhichledfrom
theroyalpalacedirectlyintoNella'sapartment,althoughitwaseightmilesdistant.Thenhegavehera
certainpowdersaying,"Everytimeyouwish toseeme throwalittleofthispowderintothefire,and
instantly I will come through thispassage as quickas abird,runningalong thecrystal road togaze
uponthisfaceofsilver."
Having arranged it thus,not anightpassedthatthePrince did notgo inandout, backwards and
forwards, along the crystal passage, until at last the sisters, who were spying the actions of Nella,
found outthesecretand laid aplanto puta stopto the sport. And inorderto cutthethreadatonce,
they wentandbroke the passagehereandthereso that,whentheunhappygirlthrewthepowderinto
the fire, to give the signal to her husband, the Prince,who used alwaysto comerunninginfurious
haste,hurt himself insucha manneragainstthe brokencrystalthatitwastrulyapitiablesighttosee.
And being unable to pass further onheturned backallcut andslashedlikea Dutchman'sbreeches.
Then hesent forall thedoctorsinthetownbutasthecrystalwasenchantedthewoundsweremortal,
and nohumanremedyavailed.Whenthe Kingsawthis,despairing ofhisson's condition,hesentout
a proclamationthatwhoever wouldcure thewoundsofthePrinceifawomansheshouldhavehim
forahusbandifamanheshouldhavehalfhiskingdom.
Now when Nella,whowaspining awayfrom the loss of thePrince,heardthisshedyedherface,
disguised herself,andunknowntohersisters sheleft hometo goto see himbefore his death.Butas
by thistimetheSun'sgildedball withwhich he plays inthe Fields of Heaven,wasrunning towards
thewest, nightovertookher ina woodcloseto the house ofan ogre,where,inordertogetoutofthe
way ofdanger, sheclimbedupinto atree. Meanwhile the ogreand hiswifeweresittingattablewith
thewindowsopeninordertoenjoythe freshairwhiletheyateassoonastheyhademptiedtheircups
and putoutthe lamps theybeganto chatofonethingand another,sothatNella, whowasasnearto
themasthemouthtothenose,heardeverywordtheyspoke.
Among other things the ogress said to herhusband, "MyprettyHairyHide, tell mewhat news
what do they sayabroadin theworld?"Andheanswered,"Trustme,thereisnohand'sbreadthclean
everything'sgoing topsyturvyand awry.""But whatis it?" repliedhiswife."WhyIcouldtellpretty
stories of all theconfusionthatisgoingon,"repliedtheogre,"foronehearsthingsthat areenoughto

drive one mad, such as buffoons rewarded with gifts, rogues esteemed,cowardshonoured,robbers
protected, and honest menlittlethought of. But, as these things only vexone, I willmerelytell you
what has befallen the King's son. He had made a crystal path along which heusedtogoto visit a
pretty lass butbysomemeansor other,Iknow not how,alltheroadhasbeenbrokenandashewas
goingalongthepassageasusual,hehaswoundedhimselfinsuchamannerthatbeforehecanstopthe
leak the whole conduitof his lifewillrun out.The Kinghas indeedissueda proclamationwithgreat
promises to whoever cures his son but it isall labourlost,andthebest he cando isquicklyto get
readymourningandpreparethefuneral."
When Nella heard the cause of the Prince's illness she sobbed and wept bitterly and said to
herself, "Whoisthewickedsoulwhohasbrokenthepassageandcausedsomuchsorrow?"Butasthe
ogressnowwentonspeakingNellawasassilentasamouseandlistened.
"And isit possible,"said theogress,"thattheworld islosttothispoorPrince,andthatnoremedy
canbefoundforhismalady?"
"Harkye, Granny," replied the ogre, "the doctorsare not called upon tofind remedies that may
pass the bounds ofnature.Thisisnot afever that willyieldtomedicineand diet,muchlessarethese
ordinarywounds whichrequirelint and oilforthecharm that was onthebroken glassproducesthe
same effect asonionjuice does ontheironheadsofarrows,which makesthewoundincurable.There
is one thing only that could save his life, but don't ask me to tell it to you, for it is a thing of
importance."
"Dotellme,dearoldLongtusk,"criedtheogress"tellme,ifyouwouldnotseemedie."
"Well then," saidtheogre,"Iwilltellyouprovidedyoupromisemenottoconfideittoanyliving
soul,foritwouldbetheruinofourhouseandthedestructionofourlives."
"Fear nothing, my dear, sweet little husband,"replied the ogress"foryoushallsoonersee pigs
withhorns,apeswithtails,moleswith eyes,thanasinglewordshallpassmylips."Andsosaying,she
putonehandupontheotherandsworetoit.
"You must know then," saidtheogre, "that thereis nothing underthe skynor above the ground
thatcan save the Princefrom thesnaresofdeath, butourfat.Ifhiswoundsareanointed withthishis
soulwillbearrestedwhichisjustatthepointofleavingthedwellingofhisbody."
Nella, who overheard all that passed, gave time to Timetoletthemfinish their chatandthen,
getting down from the tree and taking heart, she knocked at the ogre's door crying, "Ah! mygood
masters, I prayyouforcharity,alms,somesignofcompassion.Havealittlepityonapoor,miserable,
wretched creature who isbanishedbyfatefarfrom herown countryand deprived ofall human aid,
who hasbeen overtaken bynightin thiswoodandisdyingofcoldandhunger."Andcryingthus,she
wentonknockingandknockingatthedoor.
Upon hearing this deafening noise, the ogress was going to throw her half a loafand sendher
away.Buttheogre, whowas more greedy offleshthan the squirrelisofnuts,thebearofhoney,the
catof fish,thesheep of salt, orthe ass ofbran, saidtohiswife,"Letthepoorcreaturecomein,forif
she sleeps in the fields, who knows but she may be eatenup bysomewolf." Inshort,he talked so
muchthat hiswifeatlengthopenedthedoorforNellawhilstwithallhis pretendedcharityhewasall
the time reckoning on making four mouthfuls of her. But the glutton counts one way and the host
anotherfor theogreand his wife dranktilltheywerefairlytipsy.WhentheylaydowntosleepNella
tookaknifefrom acupboard and madeahash oftheminatrice.Thensheputallthe fatintoaphial,
went straight tothecourt, where,presentingherselfbeforetheKing,sheofferedtocurethePrince.At
this the King was overjoyed and ledhertothechamber of hisson,andno sooner hadshe anointed
himwellwiththefat thanthewound closedin amomentjustas if shehadthrownwateronthe fire,
andhebecamesoundasafish.

WhentheKing sawthis,hesaid tohisson,"Thisgood woman deservestherewardpromisedby

theproclamation and that you should marry her."ButthePrincereplied,"Itishopeless, forIhaveno
storeroom full of hearts in mybody toshareamong so many myheart isalreadydisposed of, and
anotherwomanisalreadythemistressofit."Nella,hearingthis,replied,"Youshouldnolongerthink
of herwho hasbeenthecauseofallyour misfortune.""Mymisfortune hasbeenbroughtonmeby her
sisters," repliedthePrince,"and they shallrepentit." "Thendo you reallyloveher?"saidNella.And
thePrince replied,"Morethanmyownlife.""Embracemethen,"saidNella,"forIam thefireofyour
heart."But thePrince seeingthedarkhueofherfaceanswered,"Iwouldsoonertakeyouforthecoal
than the fire, so keepoffdon't blackenme." WhereuponNella,perceivingthathedidnotknowher,
calledforabasin ofcleanwater and washed herface.As soonas the cloudofsootwasremovedthe
sun shone forthandthePrince,recognisingher,pressedhertohisheart andacknowledgedherforhis
wife.Thenhehadhersistersthrownintoanoven,thusprovingthetruthoftheoldsaying
"Noevileverwentwithoutpunishment."

XII
VIOLET
Envyisa wind whichblowswithsuchviolence,thatitthrowsdownthepropsofthereputationof
good men, and levels with the ground the crops of good fortune. But, very often,asapunishment
from Heaven,whenthisenviousblastseemsasifitwouldcastapersonflatontheground, itaidshim
instead of attain the happinessheisexpectingsoonereven than he expected: asyouwill hearin the
storywhichIshallnowtellyou.
There was once upon a time agood sort of mannamedCola Aniello, who had threedaughters,
Rose, Pink, and Violet, the last of whom was so beautiful that her very look was a syrupoflove,
whichcured the hearts of beholders ofall unhappiness. The King'ssonwasburningwithloveofher,
and everytimehepassedby the littlecottagewherethesethreesisterssat atwork,hetookoffhiscap
and said, "Goodday, goodday, Violet," and shereplied,"Goodday, King'sson! Iknowmorethan
you." At these words her sisters grumbledandmurmured,saying, "Youarean illbredcreatureand
willmake thePrinceinafinerage."ButasVioletpaidnoheedtowhattheysaid,theymadeaspiteful
complaint ofher toherfather, tellinghimthatshe wastooboldandforward andthatshe answered
the Prince without any respect, as if she were just as good as he and that, some day or other, she
would get into trouble and suffer the just punishment of her offence. So Cola Aniello, who was a
prudentman,inordertopreventanymischief,sentViolettostaywithanaunt,tobesettowork.
Now the Prince, when he passed bythehouseas usual,no longerseeing the objectof his love,
wasforsomedayslikeanightingalethathaslosther youngonesfrom hernest,andgoes frombranch
to branch wailing and lamenting her loss but he put his ear so often to the chink that at last he
discovered where Violetlived.Thenhewent totheaunt, andsaid toher,"Madam, you knowwho I
am, and what power I have so, between ourselves, do me a favour and thenask for whateveryou
wish.""IfIcandoanythingtoserveyou,"repliedtheold woman,"Iamentirelyatyourcommand.""I
ask nothing of you," saidthePrince,"buttolet megiveVioletakiss.""Ifthat'sall,"answeredtheold
woman,"go andhideyourselfin the room downstairsinthegarden, andI willfindsomepretenceor
anotherforsendingViolettoyou."

As soonas thePrince heardthis,hestole into the roomwithoutlossoftimeandtheoldwoman,

pretendingthatshe wanted tocuta piece of cloth, saidtoherniece,"Violet,ifyouloveme,godown
and fetch me the yardmeasure."SoVioletwent,asherauntbadeher,butwhenshecametotheroom
she perceived the ambush,and, taking theyardmeasure, sheslipped outof the roomas nimblyasa
cat,leavingthePrincewithhisnosemadelongoutofpureshameandburstingwithvexation.
When the old woman saw Violet come running so fast, she suspected that the trick had not
succeeded so presently after, she said to the girl, "Go downstairs, niece, and fetch me the ball of
threadthatis onthetopshelfin thecupboard."SoVioletran,andtakingthethreadslippedlikeaneel
outofthehandsof the Prince. But after alittlewhile the oldwomansaidagain,"Violet, mydear,if
you do not go downstairs andfetchmethescissors,Icannotgetonat all." Then Violet wentdown
again, but shesprangasvigorouslyasa dog outof the trap,andwhen shecameupstairsshetookthe
scissors and cut off one of her aunt's ears, saying, "Take that, madam, as a reward for your
painsevery deeddeserves its need. If Idon'tcutoffyournose,itisonlythatyoumaysmellthebad
odour of your reputation." Sosaying,she wenther wayhomewith ahop,skip,andjump,leavingher
aunteasedofoneearandthePrincefullofLetmealone.
Notlongafterwards, the PrinceagainpassedbythehouseofViolet'sfatherand,seeingheratthe
window where she used tostand, he began his oldtune,"Goodday, goodday, Violet!"Whereupon
she answeredasquicklyas agoodparishclerk,"Goodday,King'sson!Iknow morethanyou."But
Violet's sisters could no longer bear this behaviour,andthey plottedtogetherhow togetridofher.
Now, one of the windows looked intothegardenofanogre,sotheyproposedtodrivethepoorgirl
away through this and letting fall from it a skein of thread with which they were working a
doorcurtain for the queen, they cried, "Alas! alas!weareruinedand shallnotbe ableto finishthe
work in time, if Violet, whois the smallest andlightestofus,does notletherselfdownbya cord and
pickupthethreadthathasfallen."
Violetcould notenduretoseehersistersgrievingthus,andinstantlyofferedtogodownso, tying
a cord toher, theyloweredher into the garden.Butno soonerdid shereachthe groundthanthey let
go the rope. It happened that just at that time the ogre came out to look athisgarden, andhaving
caught cold fromthedampness oftheground,hegave such atremendoussneeze,withsucha noise
and explosion, that Violet screamed out with terror, "Oh, mother, help me!" Thereupon the ogre
lookedroundand seeingthebeautifulmaidenbehindhim, hereceivedher with thegreatestcareand
affection and treating her as hisown daughter, he gaveher inchargeof three fairies,bidding them
takecareofher,andrearheruponcherries.
ThePrince nolonger seeingViolet,and hearing nonewsof her, goodorbad,fellintosuchgrief
thathiseyes becameswollen, his facebecamepaleasashes,his lipslividandheneitherateamorsel
to get fleshon his body, norsleptawinktogetanyresttohismind.Buttryingallpossiblemeansand
offering large rewards, he went about spying and inquiring everywhere until, atlast,hediscovered
whereViolet was.Thenhesentfor theogreandtoldhimthat,findinghimselfill(ashemight seewas
the case) he begged of him permission to spend asingledayandnightin his garden,addingthata
small chamber would suffice for him to repose in. Now, as the ogre was a subject of the Prince's
father he could not refusehimthistriflingpleasuresohe offeredhimall the roomsin his houseif
one wasnotenough,andhisverylifeitself.ThePrince thankedhim,and chosearoomwhichbygood
luck was near to Violet's and, as soon as Nightcameouttoplay gameswiththeStars,thePrince,
finding that Violethad lefther door open, asitwas summertimeandtheplacewassafe,stole softly
intoher room, and takingViolet'sarmhe gavehertwopinches.Thensheawokeandexclaimed,"Oh,
father,father,what aquantityoffleas!" Soshewenttoanotherbedandthe Princedidthesameagain
and she criedoutasbefore.Then shechanged firstthemattressandthen the sheet and so the sport

went on the whole night long, until the Dawn, havingbroughtthe newsthatthe Sun was alive, the
mourningthatwashungroundtheskywasallremoved.
As soonas it was day,thePrince,passingbythathouse, andseeingthemaidenatthe door,said,
as he was wont to do, "Goodday, goodday, Violet!" and when Violet replied, "Goodday, King's
son!Iknowmorethanyou!"thePrinceanswered,"Oh,father,father,whataquantityoffleas!"
The instant Violet felt this shot she guessed at once that the Prince had been the cause of her
annoyanceinthepastnightsooffshe ran and told it tothefairies."Ifitbehe,"saidthefairies,"we
willsoon givehim titfortat andasgoodinreturn.Ifthisdoghasbittenyou,wewillmanagetogeta
hairfrom him.Hehas giveyouone, we willgive himbackoneandahalf.Onlygettheogretomake
youapairofslipperscoveredwithlittlebells,andleavetheresttous.Wewillpayhimingoodcoin."
Violet, who was eager to be revenged, instantly got the ogre to maketheslippers for her and,
waitingtill the Sky,likea Genoesewoman, had wrappedtheblacktaffetyroundherface,theywent,
all four together, to the house of the Prince, where the fairies and Violet hid themselves in the
chamber. And assoon aseverthePrincehadclosedhiseyesthefairiesmadea greatnoiseandracket,
and Violetbeganto stamp with herfeetat such aratethat, whatwiththeclatter ofherheelsandthe
jingling of her bells,thePrince awoke ingreat terrorandcried out, "Oh, mother, mother, helpme!"
Andafterrepeatingthistwoorthreetimes,theyslippedawayhome.
The next morning the Prince went totake awalk inthegarden, for hecouldnot live amoment
without the sight of Violet, who was a pink of pinks.And seeingher standingatthe door,hesaid,
"Goodday, goodday,Violet!"AndVioletanswered,"Goodday,King'sson!Iknowmorethanyou!"
Then the Prince said,"Oh, father, father,what aquantityof fleas!"ButViolet replied,"Oh, mother,
mother,helpme!"
WhenthePrince heardthis,hesaid toViolet,"Youhavewonyour witsarebetterthanmine.I
yieldyou have conquered. And now that I see you really know more thanI do,Iwill marry you
withoutmoreado."So hecalledtheogreand asked her of him for his wife but the ogre saiditwas
nothisaffair, for he had learned that very morning thatVioletwas the daughterofColaAniello. So
the Prince ordered her father to be called and told himof thegood fortunethatwas instore for his
daughter whereupon the marriage feast wascelebratedwithgreatjoy,andthetruthofthesayingwas
seenthat
"Afairmaidensoongetswed."

XIII
PIPPO
Ingratitude is a nail, which, driven into the tree of courtesy, causes it to wither. It is a broken
channelby whichthefoundations ofaffectionareunderminedandalumpofsoot, which,fallinginto
the dish of friendship, destroys its scent and savouras is seen in daily instances, and, amongst
others,inthestorywhichIwillnowtellyou.
There wasone time inmy dear city ofNaples an oldman who was aspooras poorcouldbe.He
wassowretched, so bare, so light,andwithnota farthing inhispocket,thathewentnakedasaflea.
And beingabout toshake outthebagsoflife,hecalledtohimhissons,OratielloandPippo,andsaid
to them, "I am now called uponby the tenor ofmybilltopaythedebt IowetoNature.Believe me,I
shouldfeelgreat pleasure inquitting this abode of misery,this den ofwoes,butthatIleaveyouhere

behindmeapairofmiserablefellows,asbigasachurch,withoutastitchuponyourbacks,asclean
as abarber's basin,as nimbleas aserjeant,asdryasaplumstone,withoutsomuchasaflycancarry
upon its foot so that, were you to run a hundred miles, not a farthing would drop from you. My
illfortune hasindeedbroughtme tosuchbeggarythatIlead the lifeofadog,forIhaveallalong,as
well you know, gaped with hunger and gone to bed without a candle.Nevertheless,now that Iam
adying, I wishto leave you sometokenofmylove.Sodoyou,Oratiello,whoaremyfirstborn,take
the sieve that hangs yonderagainst the wall, with whichyoucan earnyour breadand doyou,little
fellow,take the cat andrememberyourdaddy!"Sosaying,hebeganto whimperandpresentlyafter
said,"Godbewithyouforitisnight!"
Oratiello had his father buriedbycharity and thentookthesieveandwent riddlinghere,there,
and everywhere togain alivelihood and the more he riddled, the more he earned.ButPippo,taking
thecat,said,"Only seenow whataprettylegacymyfatherhasleftme!I,whoamnotabletosupport
myself, mustnow providefor two.Whoever beheldsomiserablean inheritance?"Then thecat,who
overheard this lamentation, said to him, "You are grieving without need, and have more luck than
sense. Youlittle knowthegood fortuneinstore foryouandthatIamableto make you richifIset
aboutit."WhenPippo hadheardthis,hethankedHerPussyship,strokedherthreeorfourtimesonthe
back, and commended himselfwarmlyto her.So thecattook compassion onpoorPippoand,every
morning, whentheSun, with the bait oflight on his golden hook,fishes for the shakesofNight,she
betookherselfto theshore,andcatchingagoodly grey mulletorafinedory,shecarriedittotheKing
and said, "MyLord Pippo, yourMajesty'smosthumbleslave,sends you this fish withallreverence,
and says,Asmall presentto agreatlord.'"ThentheKing,withajoyfulface,asoneusuallyshowsto
those who bring a gift, answered the cat, "Tell this lord, whom I do not know, that I thank him
heartily."
Again, the cat would runtothemarshesor thefields, and when the fowlershad broughtdowna
blackbird,a snipe, or alark, shecaughtitupandpresenteditto theKingwiththesamemessage.She
repeatedthistrickagain andagain,untilonemorningtheKingsaidtoher,"Ifeelinfinitelyobligedto
this Lord Pippo, andamdesirous ofknowinghim, that I may make areturnforthekindnesshehas
shown me." And thecatreplied, "The desire of my LordPippoistogive his lifeforyourMajesty's
crownandtomorrowmorning,withoutfail,as soonastheSunhassetfiretothestubbleofthefields
ofair,hewillcomeandpayhisrespectstoyou."
So when themorningcame,thecatwenttotheKing,andsaidtohim:"Sire,myLordPipposends
to excuse himself for notcoming,aslast night someof hisservantsrobbedhimandranoff,andhave
not left him a single shirt to his back." When the King heard this, he instantly commanded his
retainers totake outof his own wardrobeaquantityofclothesandlinen,andsentthemtoPippoand,
before two hours had passed, Pippo went to the palace, conducted by the cat, where he receiveda
thousandcomplimentsfrom theKing,who madehimsitbesidehimself,andgave himabanquetthat
wouldamazeyou.
Whiletheywere eating,Pippofromtimetotimeturnedtothecatandsaidtoher,"Myprettypuss,
pray take care that those rags don't slip through our fingers." Then the catanswered,"Bequiet,be
quiet don'tbetalkingofthesebeggarly things."The King, wishingto knowthesubjectoftheirtalk,
thecatmadeanswerthatPippohadtakenafancytoasmalllemonwhereupontheKinginstantly sent
outto thegardenfora basketful.ButPippo returnedto the same tuneabout the oldcoatsandshirts,
and the cat againtoldhim toholdhistongue.ThentheKingoncemoreaskedwhatwas the matter,
andthecathadanotherexcusetomakeamendsforPippo'srudeness.
Atlast,whentheyhadeatenandconversedforsometimeaboutonethingandanother,Pippotook
his leave and the cat stayed with the King,describingtheworth, the wisdom, andthe judgmentof

Pippo and, above all, the great wealth he had in the plains of Rome and Lombardy, which well
entitledhimto marry evenintothe familyofacrownedKing.ThentheKingaskedwhatmightbehis
fortune and the cat replied that no one could ever count the moveables, the fixtures, and the
household furniture ofthisrichman,whodidnotevenknow whathepossessed.IftheKingwishedto
beinformedofit,he hadonlytosendmessengerswith thecat,andshewouldprovetohimthatthere
wasnowealthintheworldequaltohis.
Then theKing called some trustypersons,and commandedthem toinform themselvesminutely
of the truthsothey followed inthe footsteps ofthecat, who, as soon astheyhadpassedthefrontier
of the kingdom,from timetotimeranonbefore,underthepretextof providing refreshmentsforthem
ontheroad. Whenever shemeta flockofsheep,aherdofcows,atroopofhorses,oradroveofpigs,
she would sayto theherdsmenand keepers,"Ho! havea care!A troop of robbersiscomingtocarry
offeverythingin thecountry. Soifyouwishtoescapetheirfury,and tohave yourthingsrespected,
saythattheyallbelongtotheLordPippo,andnotahairwillbetouched."
Shesaidthe sameat allthefarmhouses,sothatwherever the King'speople cametheyfoundthe
pipe tuned for everything they met with, they were told, belonged to the Lord Pippo. Atlast they
were tired of asking, andreturned totheKing,tellingseasandmountainsoftherichesofLordPippo.
TheKing,hearingthisreport, promisedthecatagooddrinkifshe should managetobringaboutthe
matchandthecat,playingtheshuttlebetween them, atlast concludedthe marriage.SoPippocame,
andtheKinggavehimhisdaughterandalargeportion.
At the end of a month of festivities, Pippo wished to take his bride to his estates,sotheKing
accompanied themasfaras the frontiersandhewentontoLombardy,where,bythecat'sadvice, he
purchasedalargeestateandbecameabaron.
Pippo, seeing himself now so rich,thanked the cat more thanwords canexpress, sayingthathe
owedhislife and hisgreatness toher goodoffices andthattheingenuityof acathaddonemore for
himthatthewit ofhisfather.Therefore,saidhe,shemightdisposeofhislifeandhispropertyasshe
pleased and he gave her his wordthatwhen shedied,whichhe prayed might not befor ahundred
years,he wouldhaveher embalmed andput into agoldencoffin,andsetinhisownchamber, that he
mightkeephermemoryalwaysbeforehiseyes.
Thecatlistened totheselavishprofessionsandbefore threedaysshepretendedto be dead, and
stretchedherselfat fulllength inthegarden.WhenPippo'swifesawher,shecriedout,"Oh,husband,
what a sad misfortune! The cat is dead!" "Devil die with her!" said Pippo. "Better her than we!"
"Whatshall we do withher?"repliedthewife."Takeherbytheleg,"saidhe,"andflingheroutofthe
window!"
Then the cat, who heard this fine reward when she least expected it, began to say,"Is thisthe
returnyoumakeformy takingyoufrombeggary?ArethesethethanksIgetforfreeingyoufromrags
thatyoumight havehung distaffs with?Is thismy rewardfor havingputgoodclothes on yourback
when you were a poor, starved, miserable, tattershod ragamuffin? But such isthefateofhimwho
washes an ass's head!Go!A curse uponall I havedoneforyou!Afinegoldcoffinyouhadprepared
forme!A fine funeralyouwere goingtogive me!Go,now!serve,labour,toil,sweattogetthisfine
reward!Unhappy ishewhodoesa gooddeedinhopeofareturn.Wellwasitsaidbythephilosopher,
He who liesdown anass,an ass he finds himself.'Butlethim whodoes most,expectleastsmooth
wordsandilldeedsdeceivealikebothfoolsandwise!"
So saying, she drew her cloak about her and went her way. All that Pippo, with the utmost
humility, coulddo tosootheherwasofnoavail.Shewouldnotreturnbutranonandonwithoutever
turningherheadabout,saying
"Heavenkeepmefromtherichgrownpoor,

Andfromthebeggarwhoofwealthgainsstore."

XIV
THESERPENT
Italwayshappensthathewhois overcuriousinpryingintotheaffairsofotherpeople,strikeshis
own footwiththeaxe and the KingofLongFurrowis aproofofthis,who,bypokinghisnoseinto
secrets, brought his daughter into troubleandruined his unhappysoninlawwho, inattempting to
makeathrustwithhisheadwasleftwithitbroken.
There wasonceon atimea gardener'swife,wholongedtohaveasonmorethanamaninafever
forcoldwater,ortheinnkeeperforthearrivalofthemailcoach.
It chanced one day that the poor man went to themountain togeta faggot, and when hecame
homeandopenedithefoundaprettylittleserpentamongthetwigs.Atthesightofthis,Sapatella(for
thatwasthename ofthe gardener's wife)heavedadeepsigh,andsaid,"Alas!eventheserpentshave
their little serpentsbut I broughtillluck with me into this world." Atthesewords, the little serpent
spoke,andsaid, "Well, then, sinceyoucannothavechildren,takemeforachild,andyouwillmakea
good bargain, for I shall love you better than my mother." Sapatella, hearing a serpent speakthus,
nearlyfainted but,pluckingupcourage,shesaid,"Ifitwerefornothingelsethantheaffectionwhich
youoffer, Iamcontentto takeyou, andtreatyouasifyouwerereallymyownchild."Sosaying,she
assigned him aholein acorner of the housefora cradle,andgave him for food ashareofwhatshe
hadwiththegreatestgoodwillintheworld.
Theserpent increased insizefrom day todayandwhenhehadgrownprettybig,hesaidtoCola
Matteo, thegardener,whomhe looked onas his father, "Daddy,Iwanttogetmarried.""Withallmy
heart," said Cola Matteo. "Wemust look outforanotherserpent like yourself,and try tomakeup a
match betweenyou." "Whatserpent are you talkingof?"said thelittleserpent."Isuppose,forsooth,
weareallthe samewithvipers andadders!Itis easytoseeyouarenothing butacountrybumpkin,
and make a nosegay of every plant. I want the King's daughter so go this very instant andask the
King for her, and tell him it is a serpent who demands her." Cola Matteo, who was a plain,
straightforward kind ofman, andknewnothingaboutmattersofthissort,wentinnocentlytotheKing
anddeliveredhismessage,saying
"Themessengershouldnotbebeatenmore
Thanarethesandsupontheshore!"
"Knowthenthata serpentwantsyourdaughter for hiswife,andIamcometotryifwecanmake
a matchbetweenaserpentandadove!"TheKing,whosawataglancethathewasablockhead,to get
ridofhim,said,"GoandtelltheserpentthatIwillgivehimmydaughterifheturnsallthefruitofthis
orchardintogold."Andsosaying,heburstoutalaughing,anddismissedhim.
When Cola Matteo went home and deliveredtheanswer totheserpent,he said,"Gotomorrow
morningandgather upallthefruitstones you canfind inthecity, and sowthem intheorchard,and
youwillsee pearls strungonrushes!"ColaMateo,whowasnoconjurer,neitherknew howtocomply
nor refuse so nextmorning,as soonas theSunwithhisgoldenbroomhadsweptawaythedirtofthe
Night fromthefields wateredby thedawn,he tookabasket onhisarmandwentfromstreettostreet,
picking up all the stonesofpeaches,plums,nectarines,apricots,andcherries that hecouldfind.He
then went to theorchardofthepalace and sowedthem,as theserpent had desired. Inan instantthe

trees shot up, and stems and branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit were all of glittering goldat the
sightofwhichtheKingwasinanecstasyofamazement,andcriedaloudwithjoy.
But when Cola Matteo was sent by the serpent to the King, to demand the performance ofhis
promise,theKingsaid,"Fairandeasy,Imustfirsthavesomethingelseifhewouldhavemydaughter
anditisthathemakeallthewallsandthegroundoftheorchardtobeofpreciousstones."
Whenthegardener toldthis to the serpent, he madeanswer, "Gotomorrowmorning andgather
upall the bits ofbrokencrockerywareyoucanfind, andthrowthemonthewalksandonthewallsof
theorchardforwewillnotletthissmalldifficultystandinourway."Assoon,therefore,astheNight,
havingaidedthe robbers, isbanishedfrom the sky, andgoes aboutcollectingthefaggotsoftwilight,
ColaMatteo took abasket underhisarm, and wentabout collecting bits of tiles,lidsandbottomsof
pipkins, pieces ofplate and dishes,handles ofjugs,spouts of pitchers. He pickedup allthespoiled,
broken, cracked lamps and all the fragments of potteryhecould findin his way.Andwhen he had
done all that the serpent had told him,youcould seethewholeorchard mantledwithemeraldsand
chalcedonies, and coated with rubies andcarbuncles, so that thelustredazzled your eyes.TheKing
wasstruckall of aheapby the sight, and knew notwhathadbefallenhim.Butwhentheserpentsent
againto lethimknow thathewasexpectingtheperformanceofhispromise,theKinganswered,"Oh,
allthathasbeendoneisnothing,ifhedoesnotturnthispalaceintogold."
WhenColaMatteo toldtheserpent this newfancy ofthe King's,theserpentsaid, "Go and get a
bundle ofherbsandrub the bottomof thepalace walls with them. Weshall see if we cannot satisfy
this whim!" Away wentColathatverymoment,andmadeagreatbroomofcabbages,radishes, leeks,
parsley,turnips,and carrotsandwhenhehadrubbedthelowerpartofthepalacewithit, instantlyyou
might see it shining like a golden ball on a weathervane. And when the gardener came again to
demand the handofthePrincess, the King, seeingall his retreatcutoff,calledhisdaughter,andsaid
toher,"MydearGrannonia,Ihavetriedtogetridofasuitorwhoaskedtomarryyou,bymakingsuch
conditionsas seemed tome impossible.ButasIambeaten,andobligedtoconsent,Iprayyou,as you
area dutiful daughter, toenablemetokeepmyword, andtobecontentwithwhatFatewillsand Iam
obligedtodo."
"Do as you please, father," said Grannonia "I shall not oppose a single jot of yourwill!" The
King,hearingthis,badeColaMatteotelltheserpenttocome.
The serpent then set out for the palace, mountedon acarall ofgoldanddrawn by four golden
elephants. But wherever he came the people fled away in terror, seeing such a large and frightful
serpent making his progress through the city and when he arrived at the palace, the courtiers all
trembledlikerushes andran away and even the very scullions didnotdareto stayintheplace.The
King and Queen, also, shivering with fear,creptintoa chamber. OnlyGrannoniastood herground
forthoughher fatherandhermothercriedcontinually,"Fly,fly,Grannonia,saveyourself,"shewould
notstirfromthespot,saying,"WhyshouldIflyfromthehusbandyouhavegivenme?"Andwhenthe
serpent came intotheroom, hetookGrannoniabythewaist,inhistail,and gavehersuchashowerof
kissesthattheKing writhedlikea worm,andwentaspaleasDeath.Thentheserpentcarriedherinto
anotherroomandfastenedthedoorandshakingoffhisskinonthefloor,hebecameamostbeautiful
youth,withaheadallcoveredwithringletsofgold,andwitheyesthatwouldenchantyou!
WhentheKing sawtheserpentgointotheroom withhisdaughterandshutthedoorafterhim,he
saidtohis wife,"Heavenhave mercyon that goodsoul,mydaughter!forshe is deadto acertainty,
and that accursed serpenthas doubtlessswallowed herdownliketheyolk ofanegg."Thenheputhis
eye to the keyhole to see what had become of her but when he saw the exceeding beauty ofthe
youth,and the skin oftheserpentthathehadleftlyingontheground,hegavethedoorakick,thenin
theyrushed,and,takingtheskin,flungitintothefireandburnedit.

Whentheyouth sawthis,hecried,"Ah, fools, whathave youdone!"andinstantlyhewasturned

into a dove and flew at the window, where,ashestruckhishead throughthepanes,hecuthimself
sorely.
Grannonia, whothus sawherselfat the same moment happy and unhappy,joyfulandmiserable,
richandpoor,toreherhairandbewailedher fate,reproachingherfatherandmotherbut theyexcused
themselves,declaring that they hadnot meant todoharm.Butshewentonweepingandwailinguntil
Night came forthto drapethecanopyof thesky for thefuneraloftheSunandwhentheywere allin
bed, she took her jewels, which were in a writingdesk, and went out by the backdoor, to search
everywhereforthetreasureshehadlost.
She went out of the city, guided by the light of the moonandonher wayshe met afox,who
asked her if she wished for company. "Of all things, my friend," replied Grannonia. "I should be
delighted for I am not over well acquainted withthecountry." Sotheytravelled alongtogethertill
they came to awood,wherethetrees,atplaylikechildren,weremakingbabyhouses fortheshadows
to lie in. And as they were now tired and wished to rest, they sheltered under the leaves where a
fountain was playing tricks with the grass,throwingwater onit bythedishful. There they stretched
themselves ona mattress of tendersoftgrass,andpaid thedutyofrepose whichtheyowedtoNature
forthemerchandiseoflife.
They didnotawaketill the Sun,withhisusualfire,gavethesignaltosailorsandtravellerstoset
out on their road and, afterthey awoke, they still stayedforsometimelistening tothesongsof the
birds,in which Grannoniatook great delight.Thefox,seeing this,saidtoher,"Youwouldfeeltwice
as muchpleasureif, like me,youunderstoodwhat theyare saying." Atthese wordsGrannoniafor
women arebynatureas curiousastheyaretalkativebeggedthefoxtotellherwhathehadheardthe
birds saying. So, after having lether entreat him for alongtime, toraisehercuriosityaboutwhathe
wasgoing torelate,hetoldherthatthebirdsweretalking toeachotheraboutwhathadlatelybefallen
theKing'sson,whowasasbeautifulas ajay. Becausehehadoffendedawickedogress,shehadlaid
himunderaspelltopasssevenyearsintheformofaserpentandwhenhehadnearlyendedtheseven
years, he fell in lovewiththe daughterofa King, andbeing one dayina room with the maiden, he
had casthisskin on theground, whenherfatherandmother rushedinandburnedit.Then,whenthe
Prince was flying away inthe shapeofadove,he brokeapaneinthewindowtoescape,andhurt his
headsoseverelythathewasgivenoverbythedoctors.
Grannonia, whothus heardher ownonionsspoken of, asked if therewasanycureforthisinjury.
Thefox repliedthatthere wasnoneotherthanbyanointinghiswoundswiththebloodofthosevery
birds that had been telling the story. When Grannonia heardthis,she felldown onherkneesto the
fox, entreatinghimtocatchthosebirdsforher,thatshemightgettheirbloodaddingthat,likehonest
comrades,theywouldsharethe gain. "Fairand softly," saidthefox "letuswait till night,andwhen
thebirdsaregonetobed,trustmetoclimbthetreeandcapturethem,oneaftertheother."
So theywaitedtillDaywasgone,andEarthhadspreadouthergreatblackboardtocatchthewax
thatmight dropfrom the tapers ofNight.Thenthefox,as soonashesawall thebirds fastasleepon
the branches, stole up quite softly, and one after another, throttled all the linnets, larks, tomtits,
blackbirds,woodpeckers,thrushes,jays,flycatchers,littleowls, goldfinches,bullfinches,chaffinches,
and redbreasts that were onthetrees.And whenhehadkilled themall they put theblood ina little
bottle,whichthefoxcarriedwithhim,torefreshhimselfontheroad.
Grannonia was so overjoyed that she hardly touchedthe ground butthefox saidto her,"What
finejoy ina dreamisthis,my daughter! Youhave donenothing, unlessyoumixmy bloodalso with
thatof thebirds" andsosayinghesetoffto runaway.Grannonia,whosawallherhopeslikelyto be
destroyed, had recourse to woman's artflattery and she said to him,"Gossipfox,there wouldbe

some reason for your saving your hide if I werenot undersomany obligationstoyou,andifthere
were no other foxesin the world. But you knowhowmuchIoweyou,andthatthereisnoscarcityof
thelikesofyouon these plains. Relyonmygoodfaith.Don'tactlikethecowthatkicksoverthepail
which she has just filled with milk. You have done the chief part,andnowyoufail at thelast.Do
stop! Believeme,andcome withme tothecityofthisKing,whereyoumaysell mefor aslaveifyou
will!"
The fox never dreamed that he couldbe outforcedby awomansoheagreedto travelon with
her. But theyhadhardlygonefiftypaces,whenshelifted upthestickshecarriedandgavehimsucha
neatrapthatheforthwithstretchedhislegs.Thensheputhisbloodintothelittlebottleandsettingoff
againshe stayednot tillshe came toBigValley, where shewentstraightwaytotheroyalpalace,and
sentwordthatshewascometocurethePrince.
Then the King ordered her to be brought before him, and he was astonished at seeing a girl
undertakea thing whichthebestdoctorsinhiskingdom hadfailedtodo.However,atrialcoulddono
harm and so he said he wished greatly to seetheexperimentmade. But Grannonia answered, "IfI
succeed,youmust promiseto give him tome forahusband."TheKing,wholookedonhissontobe
even as already dead, answered her, "If you give himto me safeandsound, I will give him toyou
soundandsafeforitisnogreatmattertogiveahusbandtoherthatgivesmeason."
So theywent tothe chamberofthePrince,andhardlyhadsheanointedhimwiththeblood,when
hefoundhimselfjust as if nothing had ever ailedhim.Grannonia,whenshesawthePrincestoutand
hearty, badetheKing keephisword whereupon he,turningto hisson,said,"Myson,amomentago
you were all but dead, and now I see you alive, and can hardly believe it. Therefore, as I have
promised this maiden that if she cured you she should have you for a husband, now enable meto
performmypromise,byalltheloveyoubearme,sincegratitudeobligesmetopaythisdebt."
WhenthePrinceheardthesewords,hesaid,"Sir,IwouldthatIwas freetoprovetoyoutheloveI
bear you. But as I have already pledged my faith to another woman, you would not consent that I
shouldbreakmy word, norwouldthis maidenwishthatIshoulddosuchawrongtoherwhom Ilove
norcanI,indeed,altermymind!"
Grannonia, hearing this, felt a secret pleasure notto be described atfinding herself still alivein
thememoryofthePrince.Herwholeface becamecrimsonasshesaid,"IfIcouldinducethismaiden
to resign herclaims,would you thenconsent tomywish?""Never,"repliedthePrince,"willIbanish
from thisbreastthefairimageofherwhomIlove.Ishalleverremain ofthesamemindandwilland
Iwouldsoonerseemyselfindangeroflosingmyplaceatthetableoflifethanplaysomeanatrick!"
Grannonia could no longer disguise herself, and discovered to thePrince whoshe was for,the
chamber having beendarkenedon accountof thewoundin his head,hehadnot known her.Butthe
Prince,now that he recognisedher,embracedherwitha joythatwouldamazeyou,tellinghisfather
what he had done and suffered for her.Thentheysenttoinvite herparents,theKing and Queenof
LongField and they celebratedtheweddingwithwonderfulfestivity,makinggreatsportofthegreat
ninnyofafox,andconcludingatthelastofthelastthat
"Paindothindeedaseasoningprove
Untothejoysofconstantlove."

XV

THESHEBEAR
Trulythe wise mansaid well that acommandofgallcannotbeobeyedlikeoneofsugar.Aman
mustrequirejustandreasonablethingsifhewouldseethescalesofobedienceproperlytrimmed.
Fromorders which areimpropersprings resistancewhichis not easily overcome,ashappenedto
theKing of RoughRock,who,byaskingwhat he ought not of hisdaughter, caused herto runaway
fromhim,attheriskoflosingbothhonourandlife.
There lived, it issaid, onceupon atimea KingofRoughRock, whohadawifetheverymother
of beauty,butinthefullcareerofheryearsshefellfrom thehorseofhealthandbrokeherlife.Before
thecandle of lifewent outattheauctionofheryearsshecalledherhusbandandsaidtohim,"Iknow
you have always loved me tenderly show me, therefore,at the closeofmy days the completion of
yourlovebypromisingmenevertomarryagain,unlessyoufindawomanas beautifulasIhavebeen,
otherwiseIleaveyoumycurse,andshallbearyouhatredevenintheotherworld."
TheKing,wholovedhiswifebeyondmeasure,hearingthisherlast wish,burstintotears,andfor
sometimecould notanswerasingleword.Atlast,when hehaddoneweeping,hesaidtoher, "Sooner
than takeanotherwifemaythegoutlayholdofmemayIhavemyheadcutofflikeamackerel!My
dearest love, drive such athoughtfrom yourmind donotbelievein dreams,or thatIcouldloveany
other woman you werethefirst newcoat ofmylove,andyoushallcarryawaywithyouthelastrags
ofmyaffection."
As he saidthesewordsthepoor youngQueen,who wasatthe pointofdeath,turneduphereyes
and stretchedouther feet. When theKing saw herlife thusrunningoutheunstoppedthechannelsof
hiseyes,andmadesuchahowling and beating andoutcrythatalltheCourtcamerunningup,calling
on the name of the dearsoul,andupbraiding Fortunefortakingher fromhim, and pluckingout his
beard, hecursed the starsthathad senthimsuch amisfortune.Butbearinginmindthemaxim,"Pain
in one's elbow and pain for one's wife are alike hard tobear, but aresoonover," ere the Nighthad
gone forthintotheplaceofarmsin the skyto musterthebats hebegantocountuponhisfingersand
to reflectthus tohimself, "Hereis my wife dead,andIamleftawretched widower,withnohopeof
seeing any one but this poor daughter whom shehas leftme.I mustthereforetry todiscover some
means orotherofhavinga sonandheir.But whereshallIlook?WhereshallIfindawomanequalin
beauty to my wife? Every one appears a witch in comparison with her where, then, shall I find
another with a bit of stick, or seek another with the bell, if Nature made Nardella (may she be in
glory), andthenbroke the mould? Alas,inwhat alabyrinthhas sheputme, inwhataperplexityhas
thepromise Imadeherleftme!ButwhatdoIsay?IamrunningawaybeforeIhaveseenthewolflet
meopenmyeyesandearsandlookaboutmaytherenotbesomeotherasbeautiful?Isitpossiblethat
theworldshouldbelosttome?Istheresuchadearthofwomen,oristheraceextinct?"
So sayingheforthwith issueda proclamationandcommand that all thehandsome womeninthe
world should come to the touchstone of beauty, for he would take the most beautiful to wifeand
endow her witha kingdom. Now, whenthis news was spread abroad,there wasnota woman inthe
universewhodidnotcometotryherlucknotawitch,howeverugly,whostayedbehindforwhenit
is a question of beauty, no scullionwench will acknowledge herself surpassed every one piques
herself on being thehandsomest and if the lookingglass tellsher the truthshe blamestheglass for
beinguntrue,andthequicksilverforbeingputonbadly.
When the town was thus filled with women the King had them all drawn up in a line,andhe
walked up and down from topto bottom, andasheexaminedandmeasuredeachfrom headto foot
one appeared to him wrybrowed, another longnosed, another broadmouthed, another thicklipped,
another tall as a maypole, another short and dumpy, another too stout, another too slender the

Spaniard did not please him on account of her dark colour, the Neopolitan wasnotto his fancyon
account of her gait, the German appeared cold and icy, the Frenchwoman frivolous andgiddy,the
Venetianwithherlight hair looked like adistaff of flax.Attheend oftheend,oneforthiscauseand
anotherforthat,he sent them allaway,withonehandbeforeandtheotherbehindand,seeingthatso
manyfairfaceswere all showandnowool,heturnedhisthoughtstohisowndaughter,saying,"Why
doI go seekingtheimpossible when mydaughter Preziosaisformedinthesamemouldofbeautyas
her mother? I have this fair face here in my house, and yet go looking for it at thefagend ofthe
world.SheshallmarrywhomIwill,andsoIshallhaveanheir."
WhenPreziosaheard this sheretiredto herchamber,and bewailingherillfortuneasifshewould
notleavea hairupon herheadand, whilst shewaslamenting thus, an oldwomancameto her,who
washer confidant. Assoon asshe sawPreziosa, whoseemed tobelongmoretotheotherworld than
to this, and heardthecause ofher grief,theold woman saidto her,"Cheerup, mydaughter,do not
despair thereis aremedyforevery evil savedeath.Nowlistenifyourfatherspeakstoyouthusonce
againput thisbit of woodintoyourmouth,andinstantlyyouwillbechangedintoashebearthenoff
withyou!forin his frighthewilllet you depart,andgo straighttothewood,whereHeaven haskept
goodfortune in store for you since the day you were born, and whenever you wish to appear a
woman,asyouareandwillremain,onlytakethepieceofwoodoutofyourmouth andyouwillreturn
to your trueform." Then Preziosaembracedtheold woman,and,givingheragoodapronfulofmeal,
andhamandbacon,sentheraway.
As soon as the Sun beganto changehisquarters,theKingorderedthemusicians tocome,and,
invitingall his lordsandvassals,heheldagreatfeast.Andafterdancingforfiveorsixhours,theyall
sat downto table, andateanddrank beyond measure.ThentheKing asked hiscourtierstowhomhe
shouldmarryPreziosa, asshewasthepicture ofhisdead wife.ButtheinstantPreziosaheardthis,she
slipped the bitofwood into hermouth,andtookthefigureofaterribleshebear,atthesightofwhich
allpresentwerefrightenedoutoftheirwits,andranoffasfastastheycouldscamper.
Meanwhile Preziosa went out, and took her way to a wood, where the Shades were holding a
consultationhowthey might dosomemischieftotheSunatthecloseofday.Andthereshestayed,in
thepleasantcompanionship oftheotheranimals,untilthesonoftheKing ofRunningWatercameto
hunt in that part of the country,who,at the sightofthebear,hadliketo havediedonthespot.But
whenhesaw the beast come gentlyup tohim, wagginghertaillikealittle dog andrubbinghersides
against him, he took courage, and patted her, and said, "Good bear, good bear! there, there! poor
beast, poorbeast!"Thenheled her homeandorderedthatshe should betakengreat care ofandhe
had herputinto agardencloseto the royal palace, that he might see herfromthewindowwhenever
hewished.
Oneday,whenallthe peopleofthehouseweregoneout,andthePrincewasleftalone, hewentto
thewindow to lookoutatthebearandthere hebeheldPreziosa,whohadtakenthepieceofwoodout
of hermouth,combing hergoldentresses.Atthesightofthisbeauty,whichwasbeyondthe beyonds,
hehadliketo havelost his senseswithamazement, and tumbling downthestairshe ranoutintothe
garden. But Preziosa, who was on the watch and observed him, popped the piece of woodintoher
mouth,andwasinstantlychangedintoabearagain.
WhenthePrince came downandlookedabout invainfor Preziosa, whom hehad seen fromthe
window above,hewas so amazedatthetrickthatadeepmelancholycameoverhim,andinfour days
hefell sick,cryingcontinually,"Mybear,mybear!"Hismother,hearinghimwailingthus,imagined
that the bear had done him some hurt, and gave orders that she should bekilled.Buttheservants,
enamoured of the tamenessofthebear,whomadeherselfbelovedbytheverystonesintheroad,took

pityon her,and,instead of killingher,they led herto the wood, andtoldthequeenthattheyhadput

anendtoher.
Whenthis cameto the earsof thePrince, heactedin away topassbelief.Illor well hejumped
out of bed, and was going at once to make mincemeat oftheservants.Butwhen theytold him the
truthoftheaffair,hejumpedonhorseback,halfdeadashewas, andwentramblingaboutandseeking
everywhere, until at length he found the bear. Then hetookherhome again,andputting herintoa
chamber, saidto her, "OlovelymorselforaKing,whoartshutupinthis skin!Ocandleoflove,who
art enclosed within this hairy lanthorn! Whereforeall thistrifling?Doyouwish toseeme pineand
pant,anddiebyinches?I amwastingawaywithouthope,andtormentedbythybeauty.Andyousee
clearlytheproof, for I amshrunktwothirds insize,likewine boiled down, and amnothingbutskin
and bone, for the fever is doublestitched tomyveins. Soliftup thecurtainofthishairyhide,andlet
me gazeuponthespectacleofthybeauty! Raise,O raisetheleaves offthisbasket,andletmeget a
sight of the fine fruit beneath! Lift up that curtain, and let my eyes pass in tobeholdthe pompof
wonders! Whohasshutupsosmoothacreature inaprisonwovenofhair?Whohaslockedupsorich
a treasurein aleathernchest?Let mebeholdthisdisplay ofgraces,andtakeinpaymentallmylove
fornothingelsecancurethetroublesIendure."
But whenhehadsaid, againandagain, thisandagreatdealmore,andstillsawthatallhiswords
were thrown away, he took to his bed, and had such a desperatefitthatthedoctorsprognosticated
badlyofhiscase.Thenhismother, who hadno other joyin the world, sat downbyhisbedside,and
saidtohim,"Myson,whencecomesallthisgrief?Whatmelancholyhumourhasseizedyou?Youare
young, you are loved, youaregreat,youarerichwhatthenisityouwant,myson?Speakabashful
beggarcarriesanemptybag.Ifyouwantawife,onlychoose,andIwillbringthematchaboutdoyou
take,and I'llpay.Doyounot seethatyourillness is anillness tome? Yourpulsebeatswithfeverin
yourveins, andmyheartbeatswithillnessinmybrain,forIhavenoothersupport ofmyoldagethan
you. So be cheerful now, and cheer up my heart, and do not see the whole kingdom thrown into
mourning,thishouseintolamentation,andyourmotherforlornandheartbroken."
When the Prince heardthesewords, he said,"Nothingcanconsolemebut the sightofthebear.
Therefore, if you wishto see mewell again,let herbebrought into this chamberIwillhavenoone
elseto attendme,andmake my bed,and cookforme, butsheherself andyoumaybesurethatthis
pleasurewillmakemewellinatrice."
Thereupon hismother,althoughshethought it ridiculous enough for the bear toactas cookand
chambermaid, andfeared that herson wasnotin his rightmind,yet, inordertogratifyhim,hadthe
bear fetched.And whenthebear cameuptothePrince'sbed,sheraisedherpawandfeltthepatient's
pulse, which made the Queen laugh outright, for she thought every moment that the bear would
scratch hisnose.ThenthePrincesaid,"Mydearbear,willyounotcookforme,andgivememyfood,
and wait upon me?" and the bear nodded her head, to show that she accepted the office. Then his
mother hadsomefowls brought,andafirelightedonthehearthinthesamechamber,andsomewater
settoboil whereuponthebear,layingholdonafowl,scaldedandpluckedithandily,anddrewit,and
then stuck one portionofitonthespit,andwiththe otherpartshemadesuchadelicioushashthatthe
Prince,who couldnotrelish evensugar, lickedhis fingersatthetaste.Andwhenhehaddoneeating,
the bear handed him drink with such grace that the Queen was ready to kiss her on the forehead.
Thereupon the Prince arose, and the bear quickly set about making the bed and running into the
garden, shegathered aclothfulofrosesandcitronflowersandstrewedthemoverit,sothatthequeen
saidthebearwasworthherweightingold,andthathersonhadgoodreasontobefondofher.
But when the Prince saw these pretty offices they only added fuel to the fireand if beforehe
wastedby ounces,he nowmeltedawaybypounds,andhesaidtotheQueen,"Myladymother,ifIdo

notgivethis bear akiss, the breathwillleavemy body." Whereuponthe Queen, seeinghimfainting

away,said,"Kisshim,kisshim,mybeautifulbeast!Letmenotseemypoorsondieoflonging!"Then
thebear wentup tothePrince,andtakinghimbythecheeks,kissedhimagainandagain.Meanwhile
(Iknow nothow it was) thepieceof woodslippedoutofPreziosa'smouth,and sheremained inthe
arms ofthePrince,themost beautiful creature intheworldand pressinghertohis heart, hesaid,"I
have caught you, my little rogue! You shall not escape from me again without a goodreason."At
these wordsPreziosa, addingthecolourofmodestytothepictureofhernaturalbeauty,saidtohim,"I
amindeedinyourhandsonlyguardmesafely,andmarrymewhenyouwill."
Then theQueen inquired who the beautiful maiden was,andwhathadbroughthertothissavage
life and Preziosa related the whole story of her misfortunes, atwhich the Queen, praising her as a
good and virtuous girl, told her son that shewascontentthatPreziosa shouldbe his wife. Then the
Prince, who desirednothing else inlife,forthwith pledgedher hisfaith andthemothergivingthem
her blessing, this happy marriage was celebrated with greatfeasting and illuminations, andPreziosa
experiencedthetruthofthesayingthat
"Onewhoactswellmayalwaysexpectgood."

XVI
THEDOVE
Hewho isborna princeshould notactlikea beggarboy.Themanwhoishighinrank oughtnot
to setabadexampletothosebelowhimforthelittledonkeylearnsfrom thebigonetoeatstraw.Itis
nowonder, therefore,thatHeavensends himtroubles bybushelsashappenedto aprince whowas
broughtinto greatdifficulties forilltreatingandtormentingapoorwoman,sothathewasnearlosing
hislifemiserably.
Abouteightmilesfrom Naplesthere wasonceadeepwoodoffigtreesandpoplars.Inthiswood
stood a halfruined cottage, wherein dwelt an old woman, who was as light of teeth as she was
burdened withyears. She hadahundredwrinklesinherface, andagreatmanymorein herpurse,and
allher silvercoveredherhead,sothatshewentfromonethatchedcottagetoanother,beggingalmsto
keep life inher.But as folksnowadays muchrathergive apursefulofcrowns toa crafty spythana
farthing toa poor needy man,shehadto toila wholeday toget adishofkidneybeans,andthatata
timewhentheywere very plentiful.Nowone daythepooroldwoman,afterhavingwashedthebeans,
putthemin apot, placeditoutsidethewindow,andwent onherwaytothewoodtogathersticksfor
thefire.Butwhileshe wasaway,Nardo Aniello,theKing's son, passed by thecottageonhisway to
thechase and, seeingthepot atthewindow,hetookagreatfancytohaveaflingatitandhemadea
betwithhisattendants toseewhoshouldflingthe straightestandhitinthemiddlewithastone.Then
theybegantothrowattheinnocentpotandinthreeorfourcasts theprincehit ittoahairand wonthe
bet.
Theold womanreturned justafter theyhadgone away,and seeingthe saddisaster,shebeganto
actasifshewerebesideherself,crying,"Ay,let himstretchouthisarmandgoaboutboastinghowhe
has broken this pot! The villainous rascal who has sown my beans out of season. If he had no
compassion for mymisery,he should have had some regardforhisown interest for I pray Heaven,
onmy barekneesand fromthe bottomof mysoul,thathemayfallinlovewiththedaughter ofsome
ogress, who may plague and torment him in every way. May his motherinlaw layonhim such a

curse that he may see himself living and yet bewail himself as dead and being spellbound by the
beautyof the daughter, and the arts ofthe mother,mayhenever beable toescape,butbeobligedto
remain. May sheorderhim aboutwithacudgelinherhand,andgivehimbreadwithalittlefork,that
hemayhavegoodcausetolamentovermybeanswhichhehasspiltontheground."Theoldwoman's
cursestookwingandflewuptoHeaveninatricesothat,notwithstandingwhataproverbsays,"fora
woman's curse you are nevertheworse, andthe coatofahorse that hasbeen cursedalwaysshines,"
sheratedthePrincesosoundlythathewellnighjumpedoutofhisskin.
Scarcely had twohours passed whenthePrince,losinghimselfin thewoodandparted fromhis
attendants,metabeautifulmaiden,whowasgoingalongpickingupsnailsandsayingwithalaugh
"Snail,snail,putoutyourhorn,
Yourmotherislaughingyoutoscorn,
Forshehasalittlesonjustborn."
When the Prince saw this beautiful apparition he knew not what had befallen him and,asthe
beams fromtheeyesofthatcrystal face felluponthetinderofhisheart,hewasallinaflame,sothat
hebecamealimekilnwhereinthestonesofdesignswereburnttobuildthehousesofhopes.
Now Filadoro (for so the maiden was named) was no wiser than other people andthePrince,
being a smart young fellow with handsome moustachios, pierced herheart throughandthrough, so
that they stood looking at one another for compassion with their eyes, which proclaimedaloudthe
secret of their souls.Afterthey had both remainedthus for alongtime,unabletoutterasingleword,
thePrince atlast,finding his voice,addressedFiladoro thus, "Fromwhatmeadow hasthisflowerof
beautysprung? From whatminehasthistreasure of beauteousthingscometolight?Ohappywoods,
O fortunate groves, which this nobility inhabits, which this illumination of the festivals of love
irradiates."
"Kiss this hand, my lord," answeredFiladoro,"notsomuch modestyfor allthepraisethatyou
havebestowedonmebelongs toyour virtues,notto mymerits. Such asI am,handsome orugly,fat
or thin, a witch or a fairy, I am wholly at your command for your manly formhas captivated my
heart, your princely mien has pierced me through from side to side, and from this moment I give
myselfuptoyouforeverasachainedslave."
At these words the Prince seized at once her hand, kissing the ivory hook that had caught his
heart. At this ceremony of the prince, Filadoro's face grew as red as scarlet. But the more Nardo
Aniellowished tocontinue speaking, themore his tongue seemedtied for inthiswretchedlifethere
is no wine of enjoyment without dregs of vexation. And just at this moment Filadoro's mother
suddenlyappeared,whowas suchanuglyogressthatNatureseemed tohaveformedherasamodelof
horrors.Herhairwas like abesomofhollyherforeheadlikearoughstonehereyeswerecometsthat
predicted all sortsofevilsher mouthhadtuskslikeaboar'sinshort,fromheadtofootshewasugly
beyond imagination. Now she seized Nardo Aniello by the nape of his neck, saying, "Hollo! what
now,youthief!yourogue!"
"Yourself the rogue," repliedthePrince,"back withyou,oldhag!"Andhewasjustgoingtodraw
hissword,when allatonce hestoodfixedlikea sheepthathasseenthewolfandcanneitherstirnor
uttera sound,sothattheogress led him likeanassby the halterto herhouse.Andwhentheycame
there shesaid tohim, "Mind,now,andworklikea dog,unlessyouwish todielikea dog.For your
firsttasktodayyoumusthavethisacreoflanddugandsownlevelasthisroomandrecollectthatifI
returnintheeveninganddo notfindtheworkfinished,Ishalleatyouup."Then,biddingherdaughter
takecareofthehouse,shewenttoameetingoftheotherogressesinthewood.
Nardo Aniello, seeing himself in this dilemma, began tobathe his breast with tears,cursinghis
fate which brought him tothispass.ButFiladoro comfortedhim, biddinghimbeofgood heart,for

she would ever risk herlifetoassisthim. Shesaidthatsheoughtnottolamenthisfatewhichhadled

him to the house where shelived,wholoved him so dearly, andthathe showed little return for her
love by being so despairing at what had happened. The Princereplied:"I am notgrievedathaving
exchangedtheroyalpalaceforthishovelsplendidbanquetsforacrustofbreadasceptreforaspade
not at seeing myself, who have terrified armies, now frightened by this hideous scarecrow for I
shoulddeemall my disastersgoodfortune tobe withyouandto gazeupon youwiththeseeyes.But
what pains me to the heart is that I have to dig tillmy handsare coveredwithhardskinIwhose
fingersaresodelicate and soft as Barbarywool and,what is still worse,Ihavetodomorethantwo
oxencouldgetthrough inaday.IfIdonotfinishthetaskthiseveningyourmotherwilleatmeupyet
Ishouldnotgrievesomuchtoquitthiswretchedbodyastobepartedfromsobeautifulacreature."
So sayingheheavedsighs bybushels, andshed manytears.ButFiladoro,dryinghiseyes,saidto
him,"Fearnotthatmymotherwilltouchahairofyourhead.Trusttomeanddo notbeafraidforyou
must knowthatIpossessmagical powers, and am ableto makecreamsetonwaterandtodarkenthe
sun. Be of good heart, for by the evening the piece of land willbedugandsownwithoutanyone
stirringahand."
WhenNardoAnielloheard this,heanswered,"If you havemagicpower,as yousay,Obeautyof
theworld,whydowenot flyfrom thiscountry?Foryoushalllivelikeaqueeninmyfather'shouse."
And Filadororeplied, "Acertainconjunctionofthestarsprevents this, butthetrouble willsoonpass
andweshallbehappy."
With these and a thousand other pleasant discourses theday passed,and whentheogress came
backshecalledtoherdaughterfromtheroadandsaid,"Filadoro,letdownyourhair,"forasthehouse
hadnostaircaseshealways ascendedbyherdaughter'stresses.AssoonasFiladoroheardhermother's
voice she unbound her hair and let fall her tresses, making a golden ladder to an iron heart.
Whereupontheoldwomanmountedupquickly,andranintothegardenbutwhenshefounditalldug
and sown,she wasbeside herself with amazement for it seemed toherimpossiblethatadelicatelad
shouldhaveaccomplishedsuchhardlabour.
But thenext morning,hardlyhadtheSungoneouttowarmhimselfonaccountofthecoldhehad
caughtin the riverof India,than the ogresswentdownagain,biddingNardoAniellotakecarethatin
the evening she should find ready split six stacks of woodwhichwere inthecellar,withevery log
cleftintofourpieces,orotherwiseshewouldcuthimuplikebaconandmakeafryofhimforsupper.
Onhearingthisdecree the poorPrince hadlikedto havedied of terror,andFiladoro,seeinghim
halfdead andpaleas ashes,said,"Why!Whata cowardyouare tobefrightenedatsuchatrifle.""Do
youthink it atrifle,"repliedNardo Aniello,"tosplitsixstacksofwood,witheverylogcleftintofour
pieces, between this time and the evening? Alas, I shall sooner be cleft inhalves myselfto fillthe
mouth of this horrid old woman." "Fear not," answered Filadoro, "for without giving yourself any
trouble the woodshallall be split ingood time.Butmeanwhile cheerup, if you love me,anddonot
splitmyheartwithsuchlamentations."
Now when theSunhadshut uptheshopofhisrays,inorder nottoselllighttotheShades,theold
woman returnedand,biddingFiladoroletdown theusualladder,sheascended,andfindingthewood
already split shebeganto suspect itwas herown daughterwhohadgivenherthischeck.Atthethird
day, in order to make a third trial, she told the Prince to clean out for her a cistern which held a
thousandcasksofwater,for shewishedtofillitanew,addingthatifthetaskwerenotfinishedbythe
evening she would make mincemeatofhim. When the oldwomanwent away NardoAniellobegan
againto weepand wail andFiladoro,seeing that the labours increased, andthatthe old woman had
somethingof the brute inher toburden thepoorfellowwithsuchtasksandtroubles,saidtohim,"Be
quiet,and as soonas the moment haspassedthatinterruptsmyart,before the SunsaysIamoff,'we

willsay goodbyetothishouse sureenough,thiseveningmymothershallfindthelandcleared,andI

will go off with you, aliveordead." ThePrince, onhearingthisnews,embracedFiladoro and said,
"Thouartthepolestarofthisstormtossedbark,mysoul!Thouartthepropofmyhopes."
Now, when the evening drew nigh, Filadoro having dug a hole in the garden into a large
undergroundpassage, they wentoutandtooktheway to Naples.Butwhentheyarrived atthegrotto
of Pozzuolo, NardoAniellosaidtoFiladoro,"Itwillneverdoformetotakeyoutothepalaceonfoot
and dressed in this manner. Therefore wait at thisinnandIwillsoon return with horses, carriages,
servants, and clothes." So Filadoro stayed behind and the Prince went on his way to the city.
Meantime the ogressreturnedhome,andas Filadorodidnot answertoherusualsummons,shegrew
suspicious,ranintothewood,and cuttingagreat,longpole,placeditagainstthewindowandclimbed
uplikea cat.Thenshe wentintothehouseandhuntedeverywhere inside and out,highandlow,but
foundnoone.Atlastsheperceivedthehole,andseeingthatitledintotheopenair,inherrageshedid
notleavea hairupon herhead, cursing her daughter andthe Prince,andpraying that atthefirstkiss
Filadoro'slovershouldreceivehemightforgether.
But letusleavetheold woman tosayherwicked cursesandreturntothePrince,whoonarriving
atthepalace,wherehewasthoughttobedead,putthewholehouseinanuproar,everyonerunningto
meet him and crying, "Welcome!welcome! Hereheis,safeandsound, howhappywearetoseehim
backinthis country,"witha thousand other wordsof affection.But as he wasgoingupthestairshis
mother met him halfway and embraced andkissed him,saying,"Myson,myjewel,theappleofmy
eye, where have you been and why have you stayedaway solongtomakeusall die with anxiety?"
ThePrince knewnotwhat toanswer,forhedid not wishto tellherofhismisfortunesbutnosooner
had his motherkissed him than, owingto thecurse,all that had passed wentfromhismemory.Then
theQueen toldhersonthatto put anend to hisgoinghuntingandwastinghistimeinthewoods,she
wished him togetmarried."Well and good," replied thePrince,"Iamreadyandpreparedtodowhat
you desire."Soit wassettled that withinfour daysthey should leadhome tohim the bride whohad
justarrivedfromthecountryofFlandersandthereuponagreatfeastingandbanquetswereheld.
But meanwhile Filadoro, seeing that her husband stayed away so long and hearing (I knownot
how) of the feast,waitedintheevening tillthe servantladoftheinnhadgoneto bed,and takinghis
clothes from the head of the bed, she lefther own intheirplace, and disguisingherselflikea man,
went tothecourtof theking,where the cooks, beingin wantofhelp,tookheraskitchenboy.When
thetablesweresetoutandtheguests alltooktheirseats,andthedishesweresetdownandthecarver
wascutting up alargeEnglishpiewhich Filadoro had madewithherownhands,lo,outflewsucha
beautifuldovethatthe guestsin their astonishment, forgetting toeat, fellto admiringtheprettybird,
which said to the Prince in a piteous voice, "Have you so soon forgotten thelove of Filadoro,and
haveall the services you receivedfrom her,ungrateful man,gone fromyourmemory? Isitthusyou
repay thebenefitsshehasdoneyou:shewhotookyououtoftheclawsoftheogressandgaveyoulife
and herself too? Woe to the woman who trusts too much to the words of man, who ever requites
kindness with ingratitude, andpays debts with forgetfulness.Butgo,forgetyourpromises,falseman.
And may the cursesfollow you whichtheunhappy maidensends you fromthe bottomof herheart.
But ifthegodshavenotlockeduptheirearsthey willwitnessthewrongyouhavedoneher,andwhen
you least expect it the lightning and thunder, fever and illness, will come to you. Enough,eatand
drink,takeyoursports, forunhappy Filadoro, deceived andforsaken,willleave you thefieldopento
makemerrywithyournewwife."So saying, thedoveflewaway quicklyandvanishedlikethewind.
The Prince, hearing the murmuring of the dove, stood for a whilestupefied. Atlength, heinquired
whencethepiecame,andwhenthecarvertoldhimthatascullionboywhohadbeentakentoassistin
thekitchenhad madeit,heordered him to be broughtintotheroom.ThenFiladoro,throwingherself

at the feet of Nardo Aniello, shedding a torrent of tears, said merely, "What have I donetoyou?"
Whereupon the Princeat oncerecalled tomindtheengagementhe hadmade withherand,instantly
raising her up,seated her byhisside, and when herelatedto his motherthegreat obligation he was
under to this beautiful maiden and all thatshe haddone for him,andhow it wasnecessarythatthe
promise hehad givenshouldbefulfilled,hismother,whohadnootherjoyinlifethanherson,saidto
him, "Do as you please, so that you offend not this lady whomIhave givenyouto wife.""Be not
troubled," saidthelady,"for,totellthetruth,Iamverylothtoremaininthiscountrywithyourkind
permission I wish to return tomy dearFlanders."Thereupon the Princewithgreatjoyofferedhera
vessel and attendants and, ordering Filadoro to be dressed like a Princess, when the tables were
removed,themusicianscameandtheybegantheballwhichlasteduntilevening.
Sothefeastbeingnowended, theyallbetookthemselvestorest,andthePrinceandFiladorolived
happilyeverafter,provingthetruthoftheproverbthat
"Hewhostumblesanddoesnotfall,
Ishelpedonhiswaylikearollingball."

XVII
CANNETELLA
It is an evil thing to seek for better thanwheatenbread,fora mancomesatlastto desire what
othersthrowaway,andmust content himself with honesty.Hewholosesallandwalksonthetopsof
thetreeshas as muchmadness inhishead asdangerunderhisfeet,aswasthecasewiththedaughter
ofaKingwhosestoryIhavenowtotellyou.
There wasonceon atimea KingofHighHillwholongedforchildrenmore than theportersdo
forafuneralthatthey may gather wax. And atlast his wife presentedhim withalittlegirl,towhom
hegavethenameCannetella.
Thechildgrew byhands,andwhenshe was as tallas apoletheKingsaidtoher,"Mydaughter,
youarenow grownasbig asan oak, and itis fulltimeto provideyouwithahusbandworthyofthat
pretty face. Since, therefore,Ilove you as myown lifeanddesiretopleaseyou,tellme,Ipray, what
sort of a husband you would like, what kind ofaman wouldsuit yourfancy?Willyouhavehim a
scholar or a dunce? a boy, or man in years?brown orfairor ruddy?tallasa maypoleorshort as a
peg?smallinthewaistorroundasanox?Doyouchoose,andIamsatisfied."
Cannetellathankedherfatherforthesegenerousoffers,buttoldhimthatshewouldonnoaccount
encumberherselfwitha husband.However, beingurgedbytheKingagainandagain,shesaid,"Not
to show myself ungrateful for somuch love I am willingtocomplywith yourwish, provided Ihave
suchahusbandthathehasnolikeintheworld."
Herfather,delightedbeyondmeasureathearingthis,tookhisstationat thewindowfrommorning
till evening, looking out and surveying, measuring and examining every one that passed along the
street. And one day, seeing a goodlooking man go by, the King said to his daughter, "Run,
Cannetella! see if yon man comes up to the measure of your wishes." Then she desired himto be
broughtup,andthey madea mostsplendidbanquet for him,at whichthere was everythinghecould
desire.Andastheywerefeastinganalmondfell outoftheyouth'smouth,whereupon,stoopingdown,
hepickeditupdexterouslyfromthegroundandputitunderthecloth,andwhentheyhaddoneeating
he went away. Then the King said to Cannetella, "Well,my life,howdoesthisyouth pleaseyou?"

"Take the fellow away," said she "a man so tall andsobigasheshouldnever have letanalmond
dropoutofhismouth."
When the King heard this he returnedtohisplaceatthe window, and presently,seeing another
wellshaped youth pass by, he called his daughter to hear whether this one pleased her. Then
Cannetelladesiredhimto beshown upsohewascalled,andanotherentertainmentmade.Andwhen
they had done eating, and the man had gone away, the King asked his daughter whether he had
pleasedher, whereupon shereplied, "Whatintheworld shouldI dowithsuchamiserablefellowwho
wantsatleastacoupleofservantswithhimtotakeoffhiscloak?"
"Ifthatbe thecase,"saidtheKing,"itisplainthatthesearemerelyexcuses,andthatyouareonly
looking for pretexts torefuse me this pleasure.So resolvequickly, forI am determined tohave you
married." To theseangrywordsCannetella replied,"Totellyouthetruthplainly,dearfather,Ireally
feelthatyouarediggingintheseaandmakingawrongreckoningonyourfingers.Iwillneversubject
myselfto any manwhohas not agoldenhead and teeth." The poor King, seeinghisdaughter'shead
thus turned, issuedaproclamation,biddinganyoneinhiskingdomwhoshouldanswertoCannetella's
wishestoappear,andhewouldgivehimhisdaughterandthekingdom.
Now thisKinghad amortalenemynamedFioravante,whomhecouldnotbeartoseeso muchas
painted ona wall. He,whenhe heardof this proclamation, beinga cunningmagician,calledaparcel
of that evil brood tohim, and commandedthemforthwithtomakehisheadandteethofgold.Sothey
didashedesired,andwhenhe saw himself with ahead andteeth of pure gold hewalkedpastunder
thewindow of the King, who, whenhesaw the very manhe waslookingfor,calledhisdaughter.As
soon as Cannetella set eyes upon him she cried out, "Ay,thatis he! hecouldnot be betterif I had
kneadedhimwithmyownhands."
WhenFioravantewas getting upto goawaytheKingsaidtohim, "Waita little,brotherwhyin
sucha hurry!One wouldthink you had quicksilver inyourbody!Fair andsoftly,Iwillgiveyoumy
daughterandbaggageandservantstoaccompanyyou,forIwishhertobeyourwife."
"Ithank you,"saidFioravante,"butthereisnonecessityasinglehorseisenoughifthebeastwill
carrydouble,forat homeIhave servants andgoodsasmanyasthe sandsontheseashore."So,after
arguingawhile,Fioravanteatlastprevailed,and,placingCannetellabehindhimonahorse,hesetout.
In the evening, whenthered horsesaretakenaway fromthecornmilloftheskyandwhiteoxen
are yoked in their place, they came to a stable where some horses were feeding. Fioravante led
Cannetella into it and said,"Listen! I haveto make ajourney tomyownhouse,anditwilltake me
seven years to get there. Mind, therefore, and wait for me in this stableanddo not stirout, norlet
yourself be seen by any living person, or else I will make you remember it as long as you live."
Cannetellareplied,"You are mylordandmaster,and Iwillcarryoutyourcommandsexactly,buttell
mewhatyouwillleavemetoliveuponinthemeantime."AndFioravanteanswered,"Whatthehorses
leaveoftheirowncornwillbeenoughforyou."
Only conceive how poor Cannetella now felt,andguess whether shedidnot curse the hour and
momentshewas born! Coldandfrozen,she made upintearswhatshewantedinfood,bewailingher
fatewhichhadbrought her downfrom aroyalpalace toa stable,frommattressesofBarbarywoolto
straw, fromnice,delicate morsels to theleavingsofhorses.Andsheledthismiserablelifeforseveral
months, during which time corn was given to the horses by an unseen hand, and what they left
supportedher.
But attheendofthis time,as shewas standing one day looking througha hole, shesawamost
beautiful garden, in which there were so many espaliers of lemons, and grottoes of citron, bedsof
flowersand fruittreesandtrellisesofvines, that itwas ajoytobehold. At this sightagreatlonging
seized her for agreat bunchof grapes that caught her eye, and shesaidtoherself, "Come whatwill

and if thesky fall,I will gooutsilentlyandsoftly and pluckit.Whatwill it mattera hundred years
hence?Who isthere totell myhusband? Andshouldheby chancehear ofit,whatwillhedotome?
Moreover, these grapes are none of the common sort." So saying, she went out and refreshed her
spirits,whichwereweakenedbyhunger.
Alittle whileafter, andbefore theappointedtime, her husbandcameback,andoneofhishorses
accused Cannetellaof having takenthegrapes.Whereat,Fioravanteinarage,drawinghisknife,was
abouttokill her,but, falling on herknees,she besought himtostayhishand,sincehungerdrivesthe
wolf from the wood. And she begged so hard that Fioravante replied,"I forgiveyouthistime,and
grant youyourlife out of charity,but ifeveragainyouaretempted todisobey me,andIfindthatyou
havelet the sunsee you,Iwillmake mincemeatofyou. Now,mindmeIamgoingawayonce more,
and shall be gone seven years. So take care and plough straight, for you will not escape so easily
again,butIshallpayyouoffthenewandtheoldscorestogether."
So saying, he departed, and Cannetella shedariver oftears,and,wringing herhands,beatingher
breast,andtearing her hair,she cried, "Oh,thateverIwasborn into the world tobedestined tothis
wretchedfate! Oh, father,why haveyouruinedme?ButwhydoIcomplainofmyfatherwhenIhave
brought this ill upon myself? I alone am the cause ofmymisfortunes. I wishedfora head of gold,
only to come to grief and die by iron! This is the punishmentofFate,forIoughtto have donemy
father's will,and nothave hadsuchwhimsandfancies.Hewhomindsnotwhathisfatherandmother
say goes a road he does not know." And so she lamented every day, until her eyes became two
fountains,andherfacewassothinandsallow,thatherownfatherwouldnothaveknownher.
At the end of a year the King's locksmith, whom Cannetella knew, happening to pass by the
stable,she called tohimandwent out.The smithheard hisname,butdidnotrecognisethepoorgirl,
who was so muchalteredbut whenheknewwhoshe was,andhow shehadbecome thuschanged,
partly outof pityandpartly togaintheKing's favour, he putherintoanemptycaskhehadwithhim
ona packhorse, and,trottingofftowardsHighHill,hearrivedatmidnightattheKing'spalace.Then
he knocked at the door, and at first the servants would not let him in, but roundlyabusedhim for
coming at such an hour to disturb the sleep of the whole house. The King, however, hearing the
uproar, and being told by a chamberlain what was the matter, ordered the smith to be instantly
admitted,forheknewthatsomethingunusualmusthavemadehimcomeatthathour.Thenthesmith,
unloadinghisbeast, knocked outthehead ofthecask, and forthcameCannetella, who neededmore
than wordsto make herfatherrecogniseher,andhaditnotbeenforamoleonherarm shemightwell
have been dismissed. But as soon as he was assured of the truth he embraced and kissed her a
thousand times. Then he instantly commanded a warm bath tobegot readywhenshe was washed
from head to foot, and had dressed herself, he ordered food to be brought, for she was faint with
hunger. Then her father saidtoher,"Whowouldeverhavetold me,mychild,thatIshouldseeyouin
this plight?Who hasbrought you tothissadcondition?" Andsheanswered,"Alas,mydearsire, that
BarbaryTurkhasmademeleadthelifeofadog,sothatIwasnearlyatdeath'sdooragainandagain.I
cannot tell you what I havesuffered, but,now thatIamhere,never more will Istirfrom your feet.
RatherwillIbeaservant inyourhousethanaqueeninanother.Ratherwill I wearsackclothwhere
you are than a golden mantle away from you. Rather will I turn a spit inyourkitchenthan hold a
sceptreunderthecanopyofanother."
MeanwhileFioravante, returninghome, wastoldby the horsesthatthelocksmith hadcarriedoff
Cannetella in the cask, on hearing which, burning with shame, andall onfire with rage, off he ran
towards HighHill,and,meetinganoldwomanwholivedoppositetothepalace,hesaidtoher,"What
willyoucharge, goodmother,to letmeseetheKing's daughter?"Thensheaskeda hundred ducats,
and Fioravante, putting his hand in his purse, instantly counted them out, one atop of the other.

Thereupon the old woman took him up on the roof, where he saw Cannetella dryingher hair ona
balcony. Butjust as if her heart had whispered to herthe maiden turned that way and saw the
knave. She rushed downstairs and ran to her father, crying out, "My lord, if you do not this very
instantmakemeachamberwithsevenirondoorsIamlostandundone!"
"Iwillnot loseyouforsucha trifle,"said herfather "Iwouldpluck outaneyeto gratifysucha
deardaughter!"So,nosoonersaidthandone,thedoorswereinstantlymade.
WhenFioravanteheard of thishewentagaintotheoldwomanandsaidtoher,"WhatshallIgive
you now? Go to theKing'shouse, underpretext ofsellingpots of rouge, andmake your waytothe
chamber oftheKing's daughter. When you arethere contrivetoslipthislittlepieceofpaperbetween
thebedclothes,saying,inanundertone,asyouplaceitthere
Leteveryonenowsoundlysleep,
ButCannetellaawakeshallkeep."
Sotheoldwomanagreedforanotherhundredducats,andsheservedhimfaithfully.
Now, as soon as shehaddone thistrick, sucha sound sleepfell onthepeopleofthehouse that
they seemed as if theyallweredead.Cannetellaaloneremainedawake,andwhensheheardthedoors
burstingopen shebeganto cry aloudasifshewereburnt, butnooneheardher,andtherewasnoone
to run to her aid. So Fioravante threw down all the sevendoors,and,enteringher room,seizedup
Cannetella, bedclothesandall, tocarryheroff. But, as luckwould haveit,thepapertheoldwoman
had put there fell on the ground, andthe spell wasbroken. Allthepeopleof the house awoke, and,
hearing Cannetella's cries, they rancats, dogs, and alland, laying hold on the ogre,quicklycut
him in pieces like a pickled tunny. Thus he was caught inthetraphe hadlaidforpoor Cannetella,
learningtohiscostthat
"Noonesufferethgreaterpain
Thanhewhobyhisownswordisslain."

XVIII
CORVETTO
Ionce heardsaythatJunowenttoCandiatofindFalsehood.Butifanyonewere toaskmewhere
fraud and hypocrisy might truly be found, I should knowof nootherplaceto namethan the Court,
wheredetraction alwayswears the mask of amusement where,at thesame time,peoplecutandsew
up, wound and heal, breakandgluetogetherofwhichIwillgiveyouoneinstanceinthestorythatI
amgoingtotellyou.
There wasonceupona time intheservice of the KingofWideRiver anexcellentyouth named
Corvetto,who,forhisgood conduct, was belovedby his master andforthisverycause wasdisliked
and hated by all the courtiers. These courtiers were filled with spite and malice, and bursting with
envy atthekindness whichtheKing showedto Corvettosothatall daylong, inevery cornerofthe
palace, they did nothing buttattleandwhisper,murmur and grumble atthepoorlad, saying, "What
sorcery hasthisfellow practisedontheKingthathetakessuchafancytohim?Howcomes hebythis
luck that nota daypassesthathereceivessomenew favours,whilstweareforevergoingbackward
likea ropemaker,andgettingfrombad toworse, thoughweslavelikedogs, toillikefieldlabourers,
and runabout like deer tohit the King'spleasuretoahair?Trulyonemustbeborntogood fortunein
this world,and hewho hasnot luckmightaswellbethrownintothesea.Whatistobedone?Wecan

onlylook onandenvy."Theseand other words fellfrom theirmouthslikepoisonedarrowsaimedat

theruin ofCorvettoasatatarget.AlasforhimwhoiscondemnedtothatdentheCourt,whereflattery
issold bythekilderkin, malignity andillofficesare measuredoutinbushels,deceitandtreacheryare
weighedby the ton!Butwho cancount alltheattempts thesecourtiersmadetobringhimtogrief,or
thefalsetales that theytold totheKingto destroyhisreputation!But Corvetto, whowasenchanted,
and perceived thetraps, and discoveredthetricks,wasawareofalltheintriguesandtheambuscades,
the plots and conspiracies of his enemies.Hekept his earsalwayson the alert and hiseyesopen in
ordernottotake afalsestep,well knowing that thefortuneofcourtiersisasglass.Butthehigherthe
ladcontinuedtorise the lower the others felltill atlast,being puzzledto knowhowtotakehimoff
his feet, as their slander was not believed, they thought of leading him to disaster by the path of
flattery,whichtheyattemptedinthefollowingmanner.
Ten miles distant from Scotland,wheretheseatofthisKing was,theredweltan ogre,themost
inhuman and savage that had everbeeninOgreland,who,beingpersecutedbytheKing,hadfortified
himselfin alonesomewoodon the topofamountain,where nobirdeverflew,andwassothickand
tangled that one couldnever seethesun there. This ogre hadamostbeautifulhorse,whichlookedas
ifitwereformedwithapencilandamongstotherwonderful things,itcouldspeaklikeanyman.Now
thecourtiers,whoknewhowwicked the ogre was,howthick the wood, howhighthemountain,and
how difficult itwas togetat the horse,wentto the King, and tellinghimminutelytheperfectionsof
theanimal, which wasathingworthyofaKing,addedthatheoughttoendeavour byallmeanstoget
it outoftheogre's claws, andthat Corvettowasjusttheladtodothis, ashe wasexpertandcleverat
escaping outof the fire. TheKing,who knewnotthatundertheflowersofthesewordsaserpentwas
concealed, instantlycalledCorvetto,andsaidtohim,"Ifyouloveme,see that insomewayoranother
youobtainformethe horse of my enemytheogre,andyoushallhavenocausetoregrethavingdone
methisservice."
Corvetto knew well that this drum was sounded by those who wished him ill nevertheless, to
obey the King, he set out and took the road to themountain.Thengoing very quietlyto the ogre's
stable,hesaddled andmountedthehorse, and fixing his feet firmlyinthestirrup,tookhiswayback.
But as soon as the horse saw himself spurred out ofthe palace,he criedaloud,"Hollo! beonyour
guard! Corvetto is riding off with me."Atthisalarm the ogre instantlysetout, with alltheanimals
thatserved him,tocutCorvetto inpieces.Fromthisside jumped an ape, fromthatwasseena large
bear here sprangforthalion,there camerunningawolf.Buttheyouth,bytheaidofbridleandspur,
distanced the mountain, and galloping without stop to the city, arrived at the Court, where he
presentedthehorsetotheKing.
Then the King embraced him more than a son, and pulling out his purse,filledhishands with
crownpieces.At thisthe rageofthecourtiers knewno boundsandwhereasatfirstthey werepuffed
up with a little pipe, they were now bursting with the blasts of a smith's bellows, seeing that the
crowbars with which theythoughttolayCorvetto's goodfortune inruinsonlyserved tosmooththe
road to his prosperity. Knowing, however, that walls are not levelled by the first attack of the
batteringram, theyresolved totrytheirluckasecondtime,andsaidtotheKing,"Wewishyoujoyof
thebeautifulhorse!Itwill indeedbeanornamenttotheroyalstable.Butwhatapityyouhavenotthe
ogre's tapestry, which isa thingmorebeautifulthan wordscan tell,andwould spreadyourfamefar
and wide! Thereis no one,however,able toprocurethistreasure butCorvetto,who isjusttheladto
dosuchakindofservice."
Then the King, who danced to every tune, and ateonlythepeel of thisbitter but sugaredfruit,
calledCorvetto,andbegged him toprocure forhimtheogre'stapestry.OffwentCorvettoandinfour
seconds was onthetopofthemountainwheretheogrelivedthenpassingunseenintothechamberin

whichheslept,hehidhimself underthebed,andwaitedasstillas amouse,untilNight,tomakethe

Stars laugh, putsa carnivalmask on theface oftheSky.And as soon as the ogre and hiswifewere
gone to bed, Corvetto stripped the walls of the chamber very quietly, and wishing to steal the
counterpaneofthebedlikewise, he began topull itgently.Thereupontheogre,suddenlystartingup,
toldhiswifenottopullso,forshewasdraggingalltheclothesoffhim,andwould givehim hisdeath
ofcold.
"Whyyouareuncoveringme!"answeredtheogress.
"Whereisthecounterpane?"replied the ogre andstretching out his handtothefloorhetouched
Corvetto's face whereupon he set up a loud cry,"The imp! the imp! Hollo, here, lights! Run
quickly!"till the whole house was turnedtopsyturvy with the noise.But Corvetto, afterthrowing
theclothes out of the window, lethimselfdropdown upon them. Thenmaking upagoodbundle,he
set outontheroadtothecity,wherethereceptionhemetwithfromtheKing,andthevexationofthe
courtiers,who wereburstingwithspite,arenotto betold. Nevertheless they laid aplanto fallupon
Corvetto with the rearguard of their roguery, and went again to the King, who was almost beside
himself with delight at the tapestrywhich was not only of silk embroidered with gold, but had
besides more than athousanddevicesandthoughts workedonit.Andamongsttherest,if Iremember
right, there was a cock in the act of crowing at daybreak, and outof its mouthwas seen coming a
motto in Tuscan: IF I ONLY SEE YOU. And in another part a droopingheliotrope with aTuscan
motto: AT SUNSETwith so many other pretty things that it would require a better memoryand
moretimethanIhavetorelatethem.
When the courtiers came to the King, whowas thustransportedwithjoy, they saidto him,"As
Corvetto hasdone so muchto serve you,itwouldbe no great matterforhim, inorderto give you a
signalpleasure, togettheogre'spalace,whichisfitforanemperor toliveinforithassomanyrooms
and chambers, inside and out, that it can hold an army. And you would never believe all the
courtyards, porticoes, colonnades, balconies, and spiral chimneys which there arebuilt with such
marvellousarchitecturethatArtpridesherselfuponthem,Natureisabashed,andStuporisindelight."
The King, who had a fruitful brain which conceived quickly, called Corvetto again,andtelling
himthegreatlongingthathadseized him for the ogre'spalace,begged himto add thisservice toall
the others he had done him, promising to score it up with the chalk of gratitude at the tavern of
memory. SoCorvetto instantlysetoutheelsoverheadandarrivingattheogre'spalace,hefoundthat
theogress,whilstherhusband was gonetoinvitethekinsfolk,wasbusyingherselfwithpreparingthe
feast. Then Corvettoentering, with alookof compassion, said, "Goodday,my goodwoman!Truly,
you are a brave housewife! But why do you torment the very life out of you in this way? Only
yesterdayyouwereillinbed,andnowyouareslavingthus,andhavenopityonyourownflesh."
"Whatwouldyouhavemedo?"repliedtheogress."Ihavenoonetohelpme."
"Iamhere,"answeredCorvetto,"readytohelpyoutoothandnail."
"Welcome,then!"said the ogress"andas you proffermesomuchkindness,justhelpmetosplit
fourlogsofwood."
"With all my heart," answered Corvetto, "but if four logs are notenow, letmesplit five."And
taking up a newlyground axe, instead of striking the wood, he struck the ogress on the neck,and
madeher fallto the groundlikea pear. Then runningquicklyto the gate, heduga deep hole before
theentrance,andcoveringitoverwithbushesandearth,hehidhimselfbehindthegate.
As soonas Corvetto saw the ogre coming with his kinsfolk,hesetupaloudcryinthecourtyard,
"Stop, stop! I've caught him!" and "Long live the King of WideRiver." When the ogre heard this
challenge,heran like madatCorvetto,to makeahashofhim.Butrushingfuriouslytowardsthegate,
down he tumbled with all his companions,head over heelstothebottom ofthe pit,where Corvetto

speedilystoned them todeath. Then he shutthe door,and took the keystotheKing,who,seeingthe

valour and cleverness of thelad, inspite ofillfortuneand theenvyandannoyance ofthe courtiers,
gavehim hisdaughtertowifesothatthecrossesofenvyhadprovedrollerstolaunchCorvetto'sbark
of life on the seaof greatnesswhilsthisenemiesremained confounded andburstingwithrage,and
wenttobedwithoutacandlefor
"Thepunishmentofilldeedspast,
Thoughlongdelay'd,yetcomesatlast."

XIX
THEBOOBY
An ignorant man who associates with clever people has always been more praisedthan awise
man who keepsthecompany offoolsfor as muchprofit andfameasonemay gainfromtheformer,
somuchwealthandhonour one maylose bythefaultofthelatterandastheproofofthepuddingis
in the eating,youwillknow fromthe storywhichI am goingto tellyouwhether mypropositionbe
true.
There wasoncea man whowasasrichasthe sea,butastherecanneverbeanyperfecthappiness
in thisworld,hehadasonsoidleandgoodfornothingthathecouldnot tellabeanfromacucumber.
So beingunable any longerto putup with hisfolly,hegave him agoodhandfulofcrowns,andsent
him to trade in the Levant for he well knew that seeing various countries and mixing with divers
peopleawakenthegeniusandsharpenthejudgment,andmakemenexpert.
Moscione (for that was the name of the son) got on horseback, and began his journeytowards
Venice, thearsenalofthewondersof theworld,toembarkonboardsomevesselboundforCairoand
whenhehadtravelleda goodday's journey,hemetwitha person whowasstandingfixedatthe foot
of apoplar,to whomhesaid,"Whatisyourname,mylad?Whenceareyou,andwhatisyourtrade?"
And the lad replied, "Myname is Lightning Iamfrom Arrowland,andIcanrun like the wind." "I
should like to see aproof ofit," saidMoscioneandLightninganswered,"Wait amoment, andyou
willseewhetheritisdustorflour."
When they had stood waiting alittle while,a doe came boundingovertheplain,andLightning,
letting her pass onsomeway,to giveher the more law, dartedafterher so rapidlyand lightof foot,
thathewould have goneovera placecovered with flourwithoutleavingthemarkofhisshoe,andin
four boundshecame up with her.Moscione,amazedat thisexploit,askedifhewouldcomeandlive
withhim,andpromisedtopayhimroyally.
So Lightning consented, and theywent ontheirway together but they hadnot journeyedmany
miles when they met another youth, to whom Moscione said,"What is your name,comrade? What
countryareyoufrom?Andwhat isyourtrade?""Myname," repliedthelad,"isQuickearIamfrom
ValeCuriousand whenIput myearthegroundIhearallthatispassingintheworldwithoutstirring
from the spot. I perceivethemonopolies and agreements of tradespeopletoraise thepricesofthings,
the illoffices of courtiers, the appointments of lovers, the plotsof robbers,thereports ofspies,the
complaints of servants, the gossiping of old women,and the oathsof sailorssothatnoonehasever
beenabletodiscoversomuchasmyearscan."
"Ifthatbetrue,"saidMoscione,"tellmewhattheyarenowsayingatmyhome."

So the lad puthis earto the ground, andreplied,"Anoldmanistalking tohiswife,andsaying,

'Praised be Sol in Leo! I have got rid from my sight of that fellow Moscione, that face of
oldfashionedcrockery, thatnailinmyheart. Bytravellingthroughtheworld hewillatleastbecomea
man,andnolongerbesuchastupidass,suchasimpleton,suchalosethedayfellow,sucha'"
"Stop, stop!" cried Moscione, "you tell the truthandIbelieve you.So comealongwithme, for
youhavefoundtheroadtogoodluck."
"Well and good!" said the youth. So they all went on together and travelled ten miles farther,
whentheymetanotherman,to whomMoscionesaid,"Whatis your name,my bravefellow?Where
were you born? And what can you do in the world?" And the man answered, "My name is
Shootstraight Iamfrom CastleAimwell and I canshoot withacrossbow sopointblankastohita
crabappleinthemiddle."
"I should like to see theproof," saidMoscione. Sotheladchargedhis crossbow, took aim,and
madea pealeapfrom the top of astonewhereuponMoscionetookhimalso like theothersintohis
company. And they travelled on another day's journey, till they came to some people who were
buildinga largepier inthescorchingheat of the sun, and whomightwellsay,"Boy,putwatertothe
wine, for myheart isburning." SoMoscionehadcompassiononthem, andsaid,"Mymasters,howis
it you have the head to stand in this furnace, which is fit to roast a buffalo?" And one of them
answered, "Oh, we are as cool as a rose for we have a young man herewhoblowsupon us from
behind in such a manner that it seems just as if the west wind were blowing." "Let me see him,I
pray,"criedMoscione. Sothemasoncalledthelad,andMoscione saidto him,"Tellme,bythelifeof
yourfather,whatisyourname?whatcountryareyoufrom?andwhatisyourprofession!"Andthelad
replied, "My name is Blowblast I am from Windyland and I can make all the winds with my
mouth. Ifyouwish fora zephyr,Iwill breathe onethatwill send you intransports if youwishfora
squall,Iwillthrowdownhouses."
"Seeingisbelieving,"saidMoscione.WhereuponBlowblastbreathedatfirstquite gently,sothat
it seemedtobethewind that blows atPosilippotowardseveningthenturningsuddenlytosometrees,
hesentforthsuchafuriousblastthatituprootedarowofoaks.
When Moscione saw this he took him for a companion and travelling on as faragain,hemet
another lad, to whom he said, "What is yourname, if I may make so bold?Whenceareyou, if one
may ask? And what is your trade, if it is a fair question?" And the lad answered, "My name is
Strongback I am fromValentinoandIhavesuch strengththatI cantake amountain onmy back,
anditseemstomeonlyafeather."
"If that be the case," said Moscione, "you deserve to be the king of the customhouse, andyou
shouldbechosenforstandardbeareron the firstof May.ButIshouldliketoseeaproofofwhatyou
say."
Then Strongbackbeganto load himself with massesof rock,trunks oftrees,and so manyother
weights thatathousandlarge waggons couldnothave carriedthem which,whenMoscione saw,he
agreedwiththeladtojoinhim.
So they travelled on tillthey cameto FairFlower, theKing ofwhich place had adaughter who
ran like the wind, and could pass over the waving corn without bending an ear and the Kinghad
issued a proclamation that whoever could overtake her in running should have her to wife, but
whoeverwasleftbehindshouldlosehishead.
WhenMoscionearrived inthiscountryandheard the proclamation, hewentstraight totheKing,
and offered to run with his daughter, making the wise agreement eithertowintherace or leave his
noddlethere.Butin the morninghesent toinformtheKingthathewas takenill,andbeingunableto

run himself he would send anotheryoung maninhis place."Comewhowill!"said Ciannetella(for

thatwastheKing'sdaughter),"Icarenotafigitisallonetome."
So when the great square was filled with people, come to see the race,insomuchthatthemen
swarmedlikeants, and the windowsandroofswereallasfullasanegg,Lightningcameoutandtook
hisstation atthetop ofthe square,waitingforthesignal.Andlo!forthcameCiannetella,dressedina
littlegown,tucked halfway upherlegs,andaneatandprettylittleshoewithasinglesole.Thenthey
placed themselves shoulderto shoulder, and assoon asthe tarantaraandtootoo of thetrumpetswas
heard, off they darted,running atsucha ratethattheirheelstouchedtheir shoulders,and intruththey
seemedjust likehareswiththegreyhounds afterthem,horses broken loose fromthe stable, ordogs
with kettles tied to their tails. But Lightning (as he was both bynameandnature) lefttheprincess
more than a hand'sbreadth behind him,andcamefirst tothegoal.Thenyoushouldhaveheard the
huzzaingandshouting, the criesandtheuproar,thewhistlingandclappingofhandsofallthepeople,
bawling out, "Hurra! Long life to the stranger!" Whereat Ciannetella's face turned as red as a
schoolboy'swhoisgoingto be whipped, and shestoodlostin shameandconfusionatseeingherself
vanquished. Butasthereweretobetwoheatstotherace,shefelltoplanninghowtoberevengedfor
this affront and goinghome,she putacharmintoaringofsuchpowerthatifanyonehadituponhis
fingerhislegswould totter so that he wouldnot be ableto walk, muchlessrun thenshesentitasa
presenttoLightning,begginghimtowearitonhisfingerforloveofher.
Quickear, who heardthis trickplottedbetweenthe fatheranddaughter,saidnothing,andwaited
to see the upshot of the affair. And when, at the trumpeting of the birds, the Sun whipped on the
Night, who sat mounted on the jackass of theShades,they returnedto the field,whereat the usual
signal they fell to plying their heels. But if Ciannetella was like another Atalanta, Lightning had
become no less like an old donkey and a foundered horse, for he could not stir a step. But
Shootstraight,whosawhiscomrade'sdanger,andheardfromQuickearhowmattersstood,laidhold
of his crossbowandshotaboltsoexactlythatithit Lightning'sfinger,andoutflewthestonefromthe
ring, inwhich the virtueofthecharm lay whereupon his legs,thathadbeentied, weresetfree,and
withfourgoatleapshepassedCiannetellaandwontherace.
TheKingseeing thisvictoryofablockhead,thepalmthuscarriedoffbyasimpleton,thetriumph
of a fool, bethought himself seriously whether or no he should give him his daughter and taking
counselwiththewiseacresofhiscourt,theyrepliedthatCiannetellawasnotamouthfulforthetooth
of suchamiserable dog andlosethedaybird,andthat,withoutbreakinghisword,hemightcommute
the promise of his daughterfora giftofcrowns,whichwould be more tothetaste ofa poorbeggar
likeMoscionethanallthewomenintheworld.
Thisadvice pleased the King, and he askedMoscionehow muchmoneyhewouldtakeinsteadof
thewifewho had beenpromisedhim.Then Moscione,after consulting withthe others,answered,"I
willtake as muchgoldand silverasone ofmycomradescancarryonhisback."The kingconsented
whereupon they broughtStrongback, onwhom theybeganto load bales ofducats,sacksofpatacas,
large pursesfullofcrowns,barrelsofcoppermoney,chestsfullofchainsandringsbutthemorethey
loadedhimthefirmer he stood,justlikea tower, so that the treasury, thebanks,theusurers,andthe
moneydealers of the city did not suffice, and he sent to all the great people in every direction to
borrow their silvercandlesticks,basins, jugs, plates, trays, andbasketsandyetall wasnotenoughto
makeupthefullload.Atlengththeywentaway,notladenbuttiredandsatisfied.
Whenthecouncillorssawwhat heapsandstoresthese sixmiserabledogswerecarryingoff,they
saidtotheKingthatitwasagreatpieceofasserytoloadthemwithallthesinewsofhiskingdom,and
thatitwouldbewelltosendpeopleafterthemtolessen theloadofthatAtlaswhowascarryingonhis
shoulders aheaven of treasure. The King gave eartothisadvice,andimmediatelydespatchedaparty

of armed men, foot and horse,to overtakeMoscioneandhisfriends. But Quickear,whohadheard

this counsel, informed his comradesandwhile the dustwas risingto the skyfromthetramplingof
those who were comingtounloadtherichcargo,Blowblast,seeing that thingswere come toa bad
pass, began to blow at sucharate that he notonly madetheenemiesfall flaton the ground,but he
sent them flying more than a mile distant, as the north wind does the folks who pass throughthat
country. So without meeting any more hindrance, Moscione arrived at his father's house,wherehe
shared the booty withhiscompanions, since,as thesaying goes,a gooddeed deservesagoodmeed.
So he sentthem away contentandhappybuthestayedwithhis father,richbeyondmeasure,andsaw
himselfasimpletonladenwithgold,notgivingthelietothesaying
"Heavensendsbiscuitstohimwhohasnoteeth."

XX
THESTONEINTHECOCK'SHEAD
The robber's wife does not always laugh he who weaves fraud works his ownruin thereis no
deceit which isnot atlast discovered, notreachery that does not cometo light walls haveears,and
arespiestoroguestheearthgapesanddiscoverstheft,asIwillprovetoyouifyoupayattention.
There was once in the city of DarkGrotto a certain man named Minecco Aniello, who was so
persecutedby fortunethatall hisfixturesandmoveablesconsisted onlyofashortlegged cock,which
he had reared upon breadcrumbs. But one morning,being pinchedwithappetite (for hungerdrives
thewolffrom the thicket),he tookitintohis headtosellthecock,and,takingittothemarket,hemet
twothievish magicians, with whom hemadea bargain,andsolditforhalfacrown.So theytold him
to takeittotheirhouse,andtheywouldcounthimoutthemoney.Thenthemagicianswenttheirway,
and, Minecco Aniello following them, overheard them talkinggibberish together and saying, "Who
would have told us that we should meet withsucha piece of goodluck, Jennarone? This cock will
makeourfortunetoa certaintybythestonewhich,youknow,hehasinhispate.Wewillquicklyhave
itsetinaring,andthenweshallhaveeverythingwecanaskfor."
"Be quiet,Jacovuccio,"answeredJennarone"Iseemyselfrichandcanhardlybelieveit,andIam
longingto twistthecock'sneckandgiveakickinthefaceofbeggary,forinthisworldvirtuewithout
moneygoesfornothing,andamanisjudgedofbyhiscoat."
WhenMinecco Aniello,whohadtravelledaboutin theworldandeatenbreadfrommorethanone
oven, heardthisgibberishheturnedonhisheelandscamperedoff.And,runninghome,hetwistedthe
cock'sneck, and openingitshead found the stone,whichhehadinstantlyset inabrass ring.Then,to
makeatrialofitsvirtue,hesaid,"Iwishtobecomeayoutheighteenyearsold."
Hardlyhadheuttered the words whenhisblood began toflowmorequickly, his nervesbecame
stronger,hislimbs firmer,hisflesh fresher,hiseyesmorefiery,hissilverhairswereturnedintogold,
hismouth, whichwasa sacked village,became peopledwithteeth hisbeard,whichwasasthickasa
wood, became like a nursery gardenin short, he was changed to amost beautiful youth. Then he
said again, "I wish for a splendidpalace,andto marry the King'sdaughter."And lo! thereinstantly
appeared a palace of incredible magnificence, in which were apartments that would amaze you,
columns to astound you, pictures to fill you with wonder silver glittered around, and gold was
trodden underfoot the jewels dazzled your eyes the servants swarmed like ants, the horses and

carriageswere notto be countedinshort,therewassucha display ofrichesthattheKingstaredat

thesight,andwillinglygavehimhisdaughterNatalizia.
Meanwhile the magicians, having discovered Minecco Aniello'sgreat wealth,laida plantorob
him of his good fortune, so they made a pretty little doll which played and danced by means of
clockwork and, dressingthemselveslikemerchants,theywent toPentella,the daughterofMinecco
Aniello,underpretextofsellingit to her.WhenPentellasawthebeautifullittlethingsheaskedthem
what price they put upon it, and they replied that it wasnottobebought withmoney, butthatshe
might haveitandwelcomeifshewouldonlydothemafavour,whichwastoletthemseethemakeof
the ring which her father possessed, in order to take the model and make another like it,then they
wouldgiveherthedollwithoutanypaymentatall.
Pentella,who had neverheardtheproverb, "Think wellbeforeyoubuyanythingcheap,"instantly
accepted this offer,and, bidding them return the nextmorning,shepromisedtoaskherfathertolend
her the ring. So the magicians went away, and when her fatherreturned homePentella coaxedand
caressedhim,untilat lastshe persuadedhimtogive herthering,makingtheexcusethatshewassad
atheart,andwishedtodiverthermindalittle.
Whenthenext day came,assoonasthescavengeroftheSunsweepsthelasttracesoftheShades
from the streets and squares of Heaven, the magicians returned, andno sooner had theythering in
theirhandsthan they instantlyvanished,andnota traceofthemwastobeseen,sothatpoorPentella
hadliketohavediedwithterror.
But whenthemagicians came toawood, wherethebranchesof some of the treeswere dancing
thesworddance, andthe boughsoftheotherswere playing together athotcockles,they desiredthe
ring to destroy the spell by which the old man had become young again. And instantly Minecco
Aniello,whowasjustat that moment inthepresenceof theKing,wassuddenlyseentogrowhoary,
hishairstowhiten, hisforeheadto wrinkle,hiseyebrowsto grow bristly,hiseyestosinkin,hisface
to be furrowed,hismouth tobecome toothless,hisbeardtogrowbushy,hisback tobehumped,his
legstotremble,and,aboveall,hisglitteringgarmentstoturntoragsandtatters.
The King, seeing the miserable beggar seated beside him at table, ordered him to be instantly
driven away with blowsandhardwords,whereuponAniello,thussuddenlyfallenfromhisgoodluck,
went weeping to hisdaughter,andasked for the ringin ordertosetmatterstorightsagain.Butwhen
he heard the fatal trick played by the false merchants he was ready to throw himself out of the
window,cursinga thousand times the ignoranceof his daughter, who,for thesakeofasillydollhad
turned him intoa miserable scarecrow,andforapaltry thingofragshadbroughthimtoragshimself,
adding that hewas resolved to go wanderingaboutthe worldlikea bad shilling,untilheshouldget
tidingsof thosemerchants.So sayinghe threwa cloak abouthisneck andawalletonhisback,drew
hissandals onhisfeet,tooka staff inhishand,and,leavinghisdaughterallchilledandfrozen,heset
out walking desperately on and on until he arrived at the kingdom of DeepHole, inhabitedby the
mice, where, being taken for a big spy ofthecats, hewasinstantly led beforeRosecone, the King.
Then theKing askedhim whohewas,whencehecame, and whathewas aboutin thatcountryand
Minecco Aniello,afterfirst givingtheKinga cheeseparing,insign oftribute, related tohimall his
misfortunes one byone,andconcluded bysaying that hewasresolvedtocontinuehistoilandtravel,
untilheshouldgettidingsofthosethievishvillainswho hadrobbedhimofsopreciousajewel,taking
fromhimatoncetheflowerofhisyouth,thesourceofhiswealth,andthepropofhishonour.
AtthesewordsRoseconefeltpitynibblingat his heart,and,wishingtocomfortthepoorman,he
summoned the eldest mice to a council, and asked their opinions on the misfortunes of Minecco
Aniello, commanding them to use all diligence and endeavourto obtainsometidingsofthese false
merchants. Now, among the rest, it happened that Rudolo and Saltariello were presentmice who

were wellusedtothewaysoftheworld,andhadlivedforsixyearsatatavernofgreatresorthardby
and they saidto Aniello,"Be of goodheart,comrade!matters willturnout betterthanyouimagine.
You must know that one day, whenwe wereina room inthehostelryof theHorn,' where the most
famous men intheworldlodge andmake merry,twopersonsfrom HookCastle came in, who, after
they had eaten their fill and had seen the bottom of their flagon, fell to talkingofatrick theyhad
playedacertain old man ofDarkGrotto,andhow theyhad cheatedhimoutofa stoneofgreatvalue,
whichoneof them, named Jennarone, saidhewouldnevertakefromhisfinger,thathemightnotrun
theriskoflosingitastheoldman'sdaughterhaddone."
When Minecco Aniello heard this, he told the two mice that if they would trust themselvesto
accompanyhim tothecountrywhere these rogueslivedandrecoverthering forhim,hewould give
them a good lotofcheeseandsalt meat, which theymighteatandenjoywithhismajesty the King.
Then the two mice, after bargaining for a reward,offeredto gooverseaandmountain,and,taking
leaveofhismousymajesty,theysetout.
Afterjourneying alongway theyarrivedatHookCastle,wherethemicetoldMineccoAnielloto
remain undersometreeson the brink of ariver, whichlikea leech drewthemoisturefrom the land
and dischargeditintothe sea.Thenthey wenttoseekthehouseofthemagicians,and,observingthat
Jennarone never took the ring from his finger, they sought to gain the victory by stratagem. So,
waiting till Night had dyed with purplegrapejuicethesunburntface of Heaven,andthemagicians
had gone to bed and were fast asleep, Rudolo began to nibble the finger on which the ring was,
whereupon Jennarone, feelingthesmart,tooktheringoffandlaiditonatableattheheadofthebed.
But as soonas Saltariello saw this, hepopped theringinto his mouth,andinfourskipshewasoffto
find Minecco Aniello, who, with even greater joy than a man at the gallows feels when a pardon
arrives, instantlyturnedthemagiciansintotwojackassesand,turninghismantleoverone ofthem,he
bestrode him like anoble count,thenheloadedtheotherwithcheeseand bacon,andset off toward
DeepHole,where, having givenpresentsto the King andhiscouncillors,hethankedthemforallthe
good fortune he hadreceived bytheirassistance,prayingHeaventhat no mousetrap might ever lay
holdofthem,thatnocatmighteverharmthem,andthatnoarsenicmighteverpoisonthem.
Then, leaving that country, MineccoAnielloreturned toDarkGrotto evenmorehandsome than
before,and wasreceivedby the King andhisdaughterwith thegreatestaffectionintheworld.And,
havingorderedthe two assestobecastdown fromarock,helivedhappilywithhiswife,nevermore
takingtheringfromhisfingerthathemightnotagaincommitsuchafolly,for
"The cat who has been burnt with fire ever after fears thecold
hearthstone."

XXI
THETHREEENCHANTEDPRINCES
Once upon a time the King of GreenBank had three daughters, who wereperfect jewels, with
whomthreesonsoftheKingofFairMeadowweredesperatelyinlove.ButthesePrinceshavingbeen
changed into animals by the spell of a fairy, the King of GreenBank disdained to give them his
daughtersto wife.Whereupon the first,whowasa beautiful Falcon,calledtogetherall the birdstoa
council and therecamethechaffinches,tomtits,woodpeckers,flycatchers,jays,blackbirds,cuckoos,
thrushes, andevery other kind ofbird.Andwhentheywereallassembledathissummons,heordered

them to destroy all the blossoms on the trees of GreenBank, so that not a flower or leaf should
remain. The secondPrince,who wasa Stag, summoning allthegoats,rabbits,hares,hedgehogs,and
other animalsofthatcountry,laidwasteallthecornfieldssothattherewasnot asinglebladeofgrass
or corn left. The thirdPrince,who wasaDolphin,consultingtogetherwithahundredmonstersofthe
sea,madesuchatempestariseuponthecoastthatnotaboatescaped.
Now the Kingsaw that mattersweregoing frombad to worse, and that he couldnotremedythe
mischief which these three wild lovers were causing so he resolved to get out of his trouble, and
madeup his mindtogive themhisdaughterstowifeandthereupon,withoutwantingeitherfeastsor
songs,theycarriedtheirbridesoffandoutofthekingdom.
Onpartingfromherdaughters,GranzollatheQueengaveeachofthemaring,oneexactlylikethe
other,telling them that if theyhappenedtobeseparated,andafterawhileto meetagain,ortoseeany
of theirkinsfolk,theywouldrecogniseoneanotherbymeansoftheserings.Sotakingtheirleavethey
departed. And the Falcon carriedFabiella,whowastheeldestofthesisters,tothe topofamountain,
which was so high that, passing the confines of the clouds, it reached with a dry head toa region
whereitneverrainsandthere,leadinghertoamostbeautifulpalace,shelivedlikeaQueen.
TheStagcarried Vasta, the second sister,intoawood, which wassothickthattheShades,when
summonedbytheNight,couldnotfindtheirwayouttoescorther.Thereheplacedher,asbefittedher
rank,inawonderfullysplendidhousewithagarden.
TheDolphinswamwithRita,thethirdsister,onhisbackintothemiddleofthesea,where,upona
largerock,heshowedheramansioninwhichthreecrownedKingsmightlive.
MeanwhileGranzollagave birthto afinelittleboy,whomtheynamedTittone.Andwhenhewas
fifteen years old, hearing his mother lamenting continually that she never heard any tidings of her
three daughters, who were married to three animals he took it into his head to travel through the
world until he should obtain some news of them. So after begging and entreating his father and
mother fora long time,they grantedhimpermission,biddinghimtakeforhisjourneyattendantsand
everythingneedfulandbefitting aPrince andthe Queenalso gavehimanotherring similar to those
shehadgiventoherdaughters.
Tittone went his way, and left no corner of Italy, not a nook of France, nor any part of Spain
unsearched. Then he passed through England, and traversed Slavonia, and visited Poland, and, in
short,travelled both eastand west.Atlength,leavingall hisservants,someatthetavernsandsomeat
thehospitals,he setout without afarthing inhispocket, andcame tothetop ofthemountainwhere
dweltthe Falcon and Fabiella. Andashestood there, besidehimselfwithamazement,contemplating
the beauty of the palacethe cornerstones of which were of porphyry, the walls of alabaster, the
windowsof gold,andthetiles ofsilverhissisterobservedhim, and orderinghimto becalled,she
demanded who he was, whence he came, and what chance had broughthimto that country.When
Tittone told herhiscountry,hisfatherandmother,andhisname,Fabiellaknewhimtobeherbrother,
and themore whenshe compared the ringuponhis finger with that whichhermotherhadgivenher
and embracinghimwithgreat joy, sheconcealedhim,fearingthatherhusbandwouldbeangrywhen
hereturnedhome.
As soonas theFalconcamehome, Fabiella began totell him that agreatlonginghadcomeover
hertoseeher parents. AndtheFalconanswered,"Letthewishpass,wifeforthatcannotbeunlessthe
humourtakesme."
"Letusatleast,"saidFabiella,"sendtofetchoneofmykinsfolktokeepmycompany."
"And,pray,whowillcomesofartoseeyou?"repliedtheFalcon.
"Nay,butifanyoneshouldcome,"addedFabiella,"wouldyoubedispleased?"

"Why should I be displeased?" said the Falcon, "it would be enough that he were oneof your
kinsfolktomakemetakehimtomyheart."
WhenFabiella heardthisshetook courage,andcallingtoherbrothertocomeforth,shepresented
him to the Falcon, who exclaimed,"Fiveandfivearetenlovepasses throughtheglove,and water
through the boot. A hearty welcome toyou!youare master inthishouse command,anddojustas
you like." Then he gave orders that Tittone should be served and treated with the same honouras
himself.
Now when Tittonehadstayed afortnightonthe mountain,itcameinto his head togo forthand
seekhis other sisters.SotakingleaveofFabiellaand his brotherinlaw,the Falcon gavehimoneof
hisfeathers, saying,"Take this andprizeit,my dearTittone for you may onedaybeintrouble,and
you will then esteem it a treasure. Enoughtake good care of it and if ever you meet with any
mishap,throw it ontheground,andsay,Comehither,comehither!'andyoushallhavecausetothank
me."
Tittone wrappedthefeather upin asheetof paper, and, puttingitin his pocket, aftera thousand
ceremoniesdeparted.Andtravelling onandona very long way, he arrivedatlastatthewoodwhere
theStaglived with Vastaandgoing,halfdead with hunger,into the garden topluck some fruit,his
sister saw him, and recognised him in the same manner as Fabiella had done. Then she presented
Tittone to her husband, who received him with the greatest friendship, and treated himtrulylikea
Prince.
Attheendofa fortnight, when Tittone wishedto depart,andgo insearch of hisothersister,the
Staggavehim oneofhishairs, repeatingthesamewords astheFalcon hadspokenaboutthefeather.
And setting out on his way, with a bagfulofcrownpieces whichtheFalconhadgivenhim,and as
many more which the Stag gave him, he walked on and on, until he came to theendof theearth,
where, being stopped by the sea and unable to walk any further, he took ship, intending to seek
throughall the islandsfortidingsofhissister.Sosettingsail,hewentaboutandabout,untilatlength
hewascarried toan island, wherelivedtheDolphinwithRita.Andnosoonerhad helanded,thanhis
sistersawandrecognised him inthe samemanner astheothershaddone,andhewasreceivedbyher
husbandwithallpossibleaffection.
Now after awhile Tittonewished tosetoutagain togoandvisithisfatherandmother,whomhe
had notseenforsolongatime.SotheDolphingavehimoneofhisscales,tellinghimthe sameasthe
othershadand Tittone, mounting ahorse, setout onhistravels.Buthehadhardly proceededhalfa
milefrom the seashore,when entering awoodtheabodeof Fear andtheShades,whereacontinual
fair of darknessandterror was keptuphefoundagreattowerinthemiddleofalake,whosewaters
were kissing the feet of the trees, and entreating them not to let theSunwitnesstheirpranks. Ata
window inthe towerTittone sawa mostbeautiful maidensittingatthefeetofahideousdragon,who
wasasleep.Whenthedamsel saw Tittone, shesaid ina low and piteousvoice, "Onoble youth, sent
perchance byheaven tocomfortmeinmymiseriesinthisplace,wherethefaceofaChristianisnever
seen,release me fromthepowerof thistyrannicalserpent,who hascarriedmeofffrommyfather,the
KingofBrightValley,andshutmeupinthisfrightfultower,whereImustdieamiserabledeath."
"Alas, my beauteouslady!"repliedTittone,"whatcanIdotoservethee?Whocanpassthislake?
Who canclimb this tower? Whocanapproachyonhorriddragon,thatcarriesterror inhislook,sows
fear, and causes dismay tospring up? Butsoftly,waita minute,andwe'llfind away with another's
help to drive this serpent away. Step by stepthe more haste, the worse speed: we shallsoon see
whether tis egg or wind." And so saying he threw the feather, the hair, and the scale, which his
brothersinlaw had given him, on theground, exclaiming,"Comehither,comehither!"Andfalling
ontheearthlikedrops ofsummerrain, whichmakes thefrogsspringup, suddenlythereappearedthe

Falcon, the Stag, and the Dolphin, who cried out all together, "Behold us here! what are your
commands?"
WhenTittone saw this,hesaid with greatjoy, "Iwishfornothingbuttoreleasethis poordamsel
from the clawsofyondragon, totake herawayfromthistower,tolayitallinruins,andto carrythis
beautifulladyhomewithmeasmywife."
"Hush!"answered theFalcon,"forthebeanspringsupwhereyouleastexpectit.We'llsoonmake
himdanceuponasixpence,andtakegoodcarethatheshallhavelittlegroundenough."
"Letuslosenotime,"saidtheStag,"troublesandmacaroniareswallowedhot."
So the Falcon summonedalargeflock ofgriffins, who,flyingtothewindowofthetower,carried
offthedamsel, bearingheroverthelaketowhereTittonewas standingwithhisthreebrothersinlaw
and if fromafar sheappeareda moon, believeme, whennear shelookedtruly likeasun,shewasso
beautiful.
Whilst Tittone was embracing her and telling her how he loved her, the dragon awoke and,
rushing out of the window, he came swimming across the lake to devour Tittone. But the Stag
instantly called up a squadron of lions, tigers, panthers, bears, andwildcats, who, fallinguponthe
dragon, tore him in pieces with their claws. Then Tittone wishing to depart, the Dolphin said, "I
likewise desire to do something to serve you." And in order that no trace should remain of the
frightfulandaccursed place,hemade the searise sohighthat,overflowingitsbounds,itattackedthe
towerfuriously,andoverthrewittoitsfoundations.
When Tittone saw these things, he thanked theanimals inthebest manner he could, tellingthe
damsel atthesame time that sheoughtto do sotoo, asitwasbytheiraidshehadescapedfromperil.
But theanimalsanswered,"Nay,weought rather tothankthis beauteouslady,sincesheisthemeans
of restoring us toour proper shapesfora spellwaslaiduponusatourbirth, causedbyourmother's
havingoffendedafairy,andwewere compelledtoremainintheformofanimalsuntilweshouldhave
freedthedaughter of aKing fromsomegreattrouble. And nowbeholdthe time is arrivedwhichwe
have longed for the fruit is ripe, and we already feel new spirit in our breasts, new blood in our
veins." So saying, they were changed into three handsome youths, and one after another they
embracedtheirbrotherinlaw,andshookhandswiththelady,whowasinanecstasyofjoy.
WhenTittone saw this,hewasonthepointoffaintingawayandheavingadeepsigh,hesaid,"O
Heavens! why have notmymother and father asharein this happiness?Theywouldbe out of their
witswithjoyweretheytoseesuchgracefulandhandsomesonsinlawbeforetheireyes."
"Nay," answered the Princes, "'tis not yet night the shame at seeing ourselves so transformed
obliged us to flee from the sight of men but now that, thank Heaven! wecanappearin the world
again, we will all go and live with our wives under one roof, and spend our lives merrily. Letus,
therefore, setoutinstantly,andbeforetheSuntomorrowmorningunpacksthebalesofhisraysatthe
customhouseoftheEast,ourwivesshallbewithyou."
So saying, in order that they might not have to go on footfor there was only an old
brokendown mare which Tittonehadbroughtthebrotherscausedamostbeautifulcoachtoappear,
drawnby six lions, inwhichtheyallfiveseatedthemselvesandhavingtravelledthewholeday,they
camein the eveningtoa tavern,where, whilstthesupperwasbeingprepared,theypassedthetimein
reading all the proofs of men's ignorance which werescribbled uponthewalls. Atlength, whenall
had eaten their fill and retired to rest, the threeyouths,feigning togo tobed,went outand walked
aboutthe whole night long, till inthemorning,whentheStars,likebashfulmaidens, retire fromthe
gazeoftheSun, theyfoundthemselvesinthesameinnwiththeirwives,whereupontherewasagreat
embracing, and a joybeyondthebeyonds. Thentheyall eightseated themselves inthesamecoach,
and aftera longjourneyarrivedatGreenBank,where theywerereceivedwithincredibleaffectionby

the King and Queen, who had not only regained the capital of four children, whom they had
considered lost, butlikewisetheinterestof three sonsinlawanda daughterinlaw,whowereverily
four columns of the Temple of Beauty. Andwhen the news ofthe adventuresof theirchildrenwas
brought to the Kings of FairMeadow and BrightValley, they both came to the feasts whichwere
made, adding the rich ingredient of joy to the porridge of their satisfaction, and receiving a full
recompenseforalltheirpastmisfortunesfor
"Onehourofjoydispelsthecares
Andsufferingsofathousandyears."

XXII
THEDRAGON
Hewho seekstheinjuryofanotherfindshisownhurtandhewhospreadsthesnaresoftreachery
and deceit often falls into themhimselfasyoushall hearin thestory of aqueen,whowithherown
handsconstructedthetrapinwhichshewascaughtbythefoot.
There wasone time aKingof HighShore, whopractisedsuchtyrannyandcrueltythat, whilsthe
wasonce goneona visit ofpleasure toa castleatadistancefromthecity,hisroyalseatwasusurped
by a certain sorceress. Whereupon, having consulted a wooden statue which used to give oracular
responses,itanswered that hewouldrecover hisdominions when thesorceressshouldlosehersight.
But seeingthatthe sorceress,besidesbeingwellguarded,knew ata glancethepeoplewhomhesent
to annoy her,anddid dog'sjusticeupon them, he becamequite desperate, and out of spiteto her he
killedallthewomenofthatplacewhomhecouldgetintohishands.
Now after hundreds and hundreds had been ledthitherbytheir illluck, only tolose their lives,
there chanced, among others, to come a maiden named Porziella, the most beautiful creature that
couldbe seen onthewholeearth,andtheKingcouldnothelpfallinginlovewithherandmakingher
hiswife.Buthewassocruelandspitefultowomenthat,afterawhile,hewasgoingtokillherlikethe
rest butjust as he wasraisingthedaggerabirdletfallacertainrootuponhisarm,andhewasseized
with such a trembling that the weapon fell from his hand. This bird was a fairy, who, a few days
before, having gone to sleep in a wood, where beneath the tent ofthe ShadesFearkept watch and
defiedthe Sun'sheat,a certain satyrwas aboutto robherwhen shewasawakened byPorziella,and
forthiskindnessshecontinuallyfollowedherstepsinordertomakeherareturn.
When the King saw this, hethought that the beauty ofPorziella'sface hadarrestedhisarmand
bewitched the daggertopreventitspiercingherasithaddonesomany others.Heresolved,therefore,
not to make the attempta secondtime,but that sheshoulddiebuiltup ina garret ofhispalace.No
soonersaidthandone: the unhappycreaturewasenclosedwithinfourwalls,withouthavinganything
toeatordrink,andlefttowasteawayanddielittlebylittle.
Thebird,seeing her inthiswretched state,consoled herwithkindwords,biddingherbeofgood
cheer, and promising,inreturnforthegreatkindnessshehaddoneforher,toaidherifnecessarywith
herverylife.In spite, however,ofalltheentreaties ofPorziella, thebirdwouldnevertellherwhoshe
was, but only saidthatshewasunder obligationstoher,andwouldleavenothingundonetoserveher.
And seeing that the poor girl was famished with hunger, she flew outand speedilyreturnedwitha
pointedknifewhichshe hadtaken fromtheking'spantry,andtoldhertomakea holeinthecorner of
thefloorjustoverthe kitchen,throughwhichshewouldregularlybringherfoodtosustainherlife.So

Porziellabored away until shehadmadea passageforthebird,who,watchingtillthecookwasgone

outto fetch apitcherofwater fromthewell,went downthroughthehole,andtakingafinefowlthat
wascookingatthe fire,broughtittoPorziellathentorelieveherthirst,not knowinghowtocarryher
any drink,sheflewtothepantry,wheretherewasaquantityofgrapeshanging, andbroughtherafine
bunchandthisshedidregularlyformanydays.
MeanwhilePorziellagavebirthtoafinelittleboy,whomshesuckled andrearedwiththeconstant
aidof thebird. And whenhewasgrownbig,thefairyadvisedhismothertomaketheholelarger,and
to raise so many boards of the floor as would allow Miuccio (for so the child was called) to pass
throughandthen,afterlettinghimdown with some cords whichthebird brought,to puttheboards
back into their place, that it might not be seen where he came from. So Porziella did as the bird
directed her and as soonas the cookwas goneout, shelet downherson,desiringhimnever totell
whencehecamenorwhosesonhewas.
When the cook returned and saw such a fine little boy, he asked him who he was, whence he
came,andwhat hewantedwhereupon,thechild,rememberinghismother'sadvice,saidthathe wasa
poor forlorn boy whowaslooking aboutfora master. As theywere talking,the butlercamein,and
seeing the spritelylittlefellow,hethoughthewouldmakeaprettypagefortheKing.Soheledhimto
the royal apartments and when the King saw him look so handsomeandlovely that he appeared a
veryjewel, he wasvastlypleasedwithhim, andtookhimintohisserviceasapageand tohisheartas
a son, and had him taught all the exercises befitting a cavalier, so that Miuccio grew up the most
accomplishedonein thecourt,andtheKing lovedhimmuch betterthanhisstepson.NowtheKing's
stepmother,whowasreally thequeen,on thisaccountbeganto takeadislike tohim,andtoholdhim
in aversion and her envy and malice gained ground just in proportion asthefavoursandkindness
whichtheKingbestowed onMiucciocleared theway forthemsoshe resolvedtosoaptheladderof
hisfortuneinorderthatheshouldtumbledownfromtoptobottom.
Accordingly one evening, when the King andhisstepmotherhadtuned theirinstrumentstogether
and were making music of their discourse, the Queen told the King that Miuccio had boasted he
would build three castles in the air. So the next morning, at the time when the Moon, the
schoolmistress of the Shades, gives a holiday to her scholars for thefestival of the Sun,theKing,
either from surprise or togratifytheoldQueen, ordered Miuccioto be called,and commandedhim
forthwith tobuildthethree castles intheairas he had promised, orelse hewouldmakehim dancea
jigintheair.
WhenMiuccioheard thishe wentto his chamberandbegantolamentbitterly,seeingwhatglass
the favour of princes is, and how short a time it lasts. And whilehewasweeping thus, lo!thebird
came,andsaid tohim, "Take heart, Miuccio,and fearnotwhile you havemeby your side, forIam
able todraw yououtofthefire."Thenshedirectedhimtotake pasteboardandglue and makethree
large castles andcalling up three largegriffins, shetieda castleto each,andawaytheyflewupinto
theair.Thereupon Miuccio called the King, who came runningwithallhiscourttoseethesightand
when he saw the ingenuity of Miuccio he hada still greateraffectionforhim, andlavished on him
caresses of the other world,whichaddedsnowto the envyoftheQueenand fire toherrage, seeing
thatallher plans failedinsomuchthat, both sleeping and waking, shewas foreverthinkingofsome
way to remove this thorn from hereyes.So atlast,aftersomedays, shesaid totheKing,"Son,the
time is now come for us to return to our former greatness and the pleasures of past times, since
Miucciohas offeredtoblind the sorceress, andby the disbursement ofher eyes tomakeyourecover
yourlostkingdom."
TheKing,whofelt himselftouchedinthesoreplace,calledforMiucciothatveryinstant,andsaid
to him,"Iamgreatly surprisedthat,notwithstandingallmy loveforyou,andthatyouhavethepower

to restore me tothe seat fromwhichI have fallen, you remainthuscareless,insteadofendeavouring

to relieve me from the misery I am inreduced thus from a kingdom to a wood, from a city toa
paltry castle, and from commanding so great a people to be hardly waited on by a parcel of
halfstarvedmenials. If,therefore, you donotwish me ill,runnowat onceand blind the eyesof the
fairywhohaspossessionofmyproperty,forbyputtingoutherlanterns youwilllightthelampsofmy
honourthatarenowdarkanddismal."
WhenMiuccioheard thisproposalhewasabout toreplythattheKingwasillinformed andhad
mistakenhim, ashe wasneitheraraventopickouteyesnoranaugertoboreholesbuttheKingsaid,
"Nomorewordsso I will haveit,solet it bedone!Remembernow,thatinthemintofthisbrainof
mine I have the balance ready in one scale the reward, if you do what I tell youin the other the
punishment,ifyouneglectdoingwhatIcommand."
Miuccio, whocould notbuttagainst arock,andhadto dowitha manwhowasnottobemoved,
went into acorner tobemoanhimselfandthebirdcametohimandsaid,"Isitpossible,Miuccio,that
you will always be drowning yourself in a tumbler of water? If I were dead indeed you couldnot
makemorefuss. Doyounotknow that I havemoreregard for your lifethanformyown?Therefore
don't lose courage come with me, and you shall see what I can do." So saying off she flew, and
alighted inthe wood,where assoonasshebegantochirp,therecamealargeflockofbirdsabouther,
to whom she told the story, assuring them that whoever would venture to deprive the sorceress of
sight should have from her a safeguard against the talons of the hawks and kites, and a letter of
protectionagainsttheguns,crossbows,longbows,andbirdlimeofthefowlers.
There wasamongthem aswallow whohadmadehernestagainstabeamoftheroyalpalace,and
who hated the sorceress, because, when making her accursed conjurations, she had several times
driven her out of the chamber with her fumigations for which reason, partly out of a desire of
revenge, and partly to gain the reward that the bird promised, she offered herself to perform the
service. Soawaysheflew like lightningtothecity,andenteringthepalace,foundthefairylyingona
couch, with two damsels fanning her. Then theswallowcame, andalightingdirectly overthe fairy,
pecked out hereyes.Whereuponthefairy, thusseeing night atmidday, knew that bythisclosing of
thecustomhouse the merchandise of the kingdom was alllost andutteringyells,as ofacondemned
soul,sheabandoned thesceptre andwent off tohideherselfinacertain cave,wheresheknockedher
headcontinuallyagainstthewall,untilatlengthsheendedherdays.
Whenthesorceresswas gone,the councillorssentambassadorstotheKing,prayinghimtocome
backtohis castle, since theblindingofthesorceresshadcausedhimtoseethishappyday.Andatthe
same time they arrived came also Miuccio, who, by the bird's direction, said to the King, "I have
served you to the best of my power thesorceress is blinded,thekingdomisyours.Wherefore, ifI
deserverecompenseforthisservice,Iwishfornootherthantobelefttomyillfortune,withoutbeing
againexposedtothesedangers."
But theKing,embracinghimwithgreataffection,badehimputonhiscapandsitbeside himand
how the Queen was enragedat this,Heavenknows,forby the bowofmanycoloursthatappearedin
herfacemightbeknownthewindofthestormthatwasbrewinginherheartagainstpoorMiuccio.
Not far from this castle lived a most ferocious dragon, who was born the same hour with the
Queen and the astrologers being called by her father to astrologise on this event, said that his
daughter would be safe as long as thedragon was safe, andthatwhen one died, the other wouldof
necessity die also. One thing alone could bring back the Queen to life, and that was to anoint her
temples,chest,nostrils,andpulsewiththebloodofthesamedragon.
Now the Queen, knowingthe strengthandfury of thisanimal, resolvedto send Miucciointohis
claws, well assured that the beast would make but a mouthful of him, and that he wouldbelikea

strawberry inthethroat of abear.So turningtotheKing,she said,"Upon myword,thisMiucciois

thetreasure of your house, and you wouldbeungratefulindeed ifyoudidnot lovehim,especiallyas
he had expressed his desire to kill the dragon, who, though he is my brother, is nevertheless your
enemyandIcaremoreforahairofyourheadthanforahundredbrothers."
The King, who hated the dragon mortally, and knew not how to remove him out of his sight,
instantly called Miuccio,and saidto him,"I knowthatyoucan putyourhand towhatever you will
therefore, asyouhave donesomuch, grant me yetanotherpleasure, andthenturn mewhithersoever
you will. Go this very instant and kill the dragon for you willdome asingular service, and I will
rewardyouwellforit."
Miuccioat these words was nearlosinghissenses,andassoonashe wasabletospeak,hesaidto
the King, "Alas, what a headache have you given me by your continualteasing! Ismylife ablack
goatskin rugthatyouareforever wearing itaway thus? This is nota paredpear readyto dropinto
one's mouth,but adragon, that tearswithhisclaws,breaks topieces with his head,crusheswithhis
tail, crunches with histeeth,poisonswithhiseyes, andkillswithhisbreath. Whereforedoyouwant
to send me to death? Is thisthe sinecure you give me for having givenyoua kingdom?Whois the
wicked soulthathas set thisdieon the table? Whatson of perdition hastaughtyouthesecapersand
putthesewordsintoyourmouth?"ThentheKing,who,althoughhelethimselfbetossedtoandfroas
lightasaball, wasfirmerthana rock inkeepingtowhathehadoncesaid,stampedwithhisfeet,and
exclaimed,"Afterall you havedone, doyoufail atthelast?Butnomorewordsgo,ridmykingdom
ofthisplague,unlessyouwouldhavemeridyouoflife."
PoorMiuccio, who thusreceived oneminute afavour,at another athreat,nowapatontheface,
and now akick,nowa kindword,nowacruelone,reflected howmutablecourtfortuneis,andwould
fainhave beenwithouttheacquaintanceof theKing.Butknowingthattoreplytogreatmenisafolly,
and like plucking a lion by the beard, he withdrew, cursing hisfate, whichhad led himto the court
only to curtail the days of his life. And as he was sitting on one of the doorsteps, with his head
between his knees, washing his shoes with histears and warmingthe groundwithhis sighs,behold
thebird came flying with aplant inherbeak,andthrowingittohim,said,"Getup,Miuccio,andtake
courage! for you are notgoing toplayat unload theass'withyourdays,butatbackgammonwiththe
life ofthedragon.Take this plant, andwhen you cometo the cave of that horrid animal,throwitin,
and instantlysuch adrowsiness willcomeoverhim that he will fallfastasleep whereupon, nicking
and stickinghim with agood knife,youmay soonmakean endofhim. Then comeaway,forthings
willturnoutbetterthanyouthink."
"Enough!" cried Miuccio, "I knowwhat Icarry under my belt we havemore time than money,
and hewhohastimehaslife." Sosaying,hegot up,andstickingapruningknifeinhisbeltandtaking
theplant,hewent his wayto thedragon'scave,which was under amountainofsuchgoodlygrowth,
thatthethreemountainsthatwerestepstotheGiantswouldnothavereacheduptoitswaist.Whenhe
came there,hethrewtheplant intothecave, andinstantly adeep sleep laid hold on thedragon, and
Miucciobegantocuthiminpieces.
Now justat the time that hewasbusiedthus,theQueenfeltacuttingpainatherheartandseeing
herselfbrought toabad pass,sheperceivedhererrorin havingpurchaseddeathwithreadymoney.So
she called herstepsonandtoldhimwhattheastrologershadpredictedhowherlifedependedonthat
of the dragon, andhowshe fearedthatMiucciohadkilled him,forshe feltherselfgradually sliding
away.ThentheKingreplied,"Ifyouknewthatthelifeofthedragonwastheprop ofyourlifeandthe
rootofyourdays,whydidyoumakemesendMiuccio?Who isinfault?Youmusthavedoneyourself
themischief,and you mustsufferforit you havebroken the glass, andyou maypaythecost."And
the Queen answered, "I never thought that such a stripling could have the skill and strength to

overthrow ananimalwhichmade nothing of an army, and Iexpectedthathewouldhavelefthisrags

there.But since I reckonedwithoutmy host, andthe bark ofmyprojectsisgoneoutofitscourse,do
me one kindness if you love me.WhenIamdead, takea spongedipped intheblood of thisdragon
andanointwithitalltheextremitiesofmybodybeforeyouburyme."
"That is but a small thing for the love I bear you," replied the King "and if the blood of the
dragonisnotenough,Iwilladdmyowntogiveyousatisfaction."TheQueenwasabouttothankhim,
butthebreathleftherwiththespeechforjustthenMiucciohadmadeanendofscoringthedragon.
NosoonerhadMiucciocomeinto theKing'spresencewiththenewsofwhathehaddonethanthe
King ordered him to go back for the dragon's blood but being curious to see the deed done by
Miuccio's hand, he followed him.Andas Miucciowasgoingoutofthepalacegate, thebirdmethim,
and said, "Whither are you going?" and Miuccio answered, "Iamgoing whither theKing sendsme
hemakesmeflybackwardsandforwardslikeashuttle,andneverletsmerestanhour.""Whattodo?"
said the bird."Tofetch the bloodofthedragon,"saidMiuccio. And the birdreplied, "Ah,wretched
youth! this dragon's bloodwillbe bull'sbloodtoyou,andmakeyouburstforthisbloodwillcauseto
springup againtheevilseedof allyourmisfortunes. The Queenis continually exposing you tonew
dangersthat you mayloseyourlifeandtheKing,wholetsthisodiouscreatureputthepacksaddle on
him, orders you, like a castaway, to endanger your person, which ishisown fleshandblood and a
shootofhisstem. Butthe wretchedmandoesnotknowyou,thoughtheinbornaffectionhebearsyou
shouldhavebetrayed yourkindred. Moreover,theservicesyouhaverenderedtheKing,andthegain
to himself ofsohandsomea sonandheir, oughttoobtainfavourforunhappyPorziella,yourmother,
who hasnowforfourteenyearsbeen buriedaliveinagarret,whereisseenatempleofbeautybuiltup
withinalittlechamber."
Whilethefairy was thusspeaking, theKing,whohadheardeveryword, steppedforwardtolearn
the truth of the matter better and finding that Miuccio was his own and Porziella's son, and that
Porziellawasstillalive inthegarret, he instantlygave ordersthatsheshouldbe setfreeandbrought
before him.And whenhesaw her lookingmorebeautifulthanever,owingtothecaretakenofherby
thebird,heembracedherwiththegreatestaffection,andwasneversatisfiedwithpressingtohisheart
firstthe motherand then the son, praying forgivenessofPorziellaforhis illtreatmentofher, and of
his son for all the dangers to which he had exposed him. Then he orderedherto beclothed inthe
richest robes, and had her crowned Queen before all the people.And whentheKing heardthather
preservation,and the escape of his sonfrom so manydangers wereentirelyowingtothebird,which
had given food to theoneand counselto the other,heoffered herhiskingdom and his life.Butthe
birdsaid shedesirednootherreward forher services thanto haveMiuccioforahusbandandasshe
utteredthewordsshewaschangedintoabeautifulmaiden,and,tothegreatjoyandsatisfactionofthe
King and Porziella, she was given to Miuccio to wife. Thenthe newlymarriedcouple, togive still
greater festivals, went their way to their own kingdom, wherethey wereanxiouslyexpected, every
one ascribingthisgood fortunetothefairy,forthekindnessthatPorziellahaddoneherforattheend
oftheend
"Agooddeedisneverlost."

XXIII
THETWOCAKES

Ihave always heardsay,thathewhogivespleasurefinds it: the bellofManfredoniasays,"Give

me,I givethee": hewho doesnotbaitthehookof the affectionswithcourtesynevercatchesthefish
of kindness and if you wish to hear the proof of this, listen tomystory, andthensay whetherthe
covetousmandoesnotalwayslosemorethantheliberalone.
There wereonce two sisters,namedLuceta andTroccola, whohadtwodaughters,Marziellaand
Puccia.Marziellawasasfair tolookuponasshewas goodatheartwhilst,onthecontrary,Pucciaby
the same rule had a faceofugliness and aheartof pestilence, but the girl resembledher parent,for
Troccolawasaharpywithinandaveryscarecrowwithout.
Now ithappenedthatLucetahadoccasionto boil some parsnips,in ordertofry themwithgreen
sauce so she said to her daughter, "Marziella, my dear, go to the well and fetch me a pitcher of
water."
"With allmyheart,mother,"replied the girl,"butifyoulovemegivemeacake,forIshouldlike
toeatitwithadraughtofthefreshwater."
"Byallmeans,"saidthemothersoshetook froma basketthathunguponahookabeautifulcake
(forshe hadbakedabatchthedaybefore),andgaveittoMarziella,whosetthepitcheronapadupon
her head, and went tothefountain, which like acharlatan upona marblebench,tothemusicof the
falling water, was selling secrets to drive away thirst. And as she was stooping down to fill her
pitcher, upcamea humpbacked oldwoman,andseeing the beautifulcake,whichMarziellawasjust
going to bite, she said to her, "My prettygirl,give mea little piece of your cake,andmay Heaven
sendyougoodfortune!"
Marziella,whowasasgenerousas aqueen, replied,"Takeitall,mygoodwoman,andIamonly
sorrythatitisnotmadeofsugarandalmonds,forIwouldequallygiveityouwithallmyheart."
Theold woman,seeingMarziella'skindness,saidtoher,"Go,andmayHeavenrewardyouforthe
goodness you have shown me! and I pray allthestarsthatyoumayever becontent and happy that
when you breathe roses and jessamines may fall fromyourmouth that whenyoucomb your locks
pearls and garnets may fall from them, and whenyousetyourfoot ontheground liliesandviolets
mayspringup."
Marziellathanked theoldwoman,andwentherwayhome,whereher mother,havingcookedabit
of supper,they paid thenaturaldebttothe body, andthusendedtheday.Andthenextmorning, when
the Sun displayed in the marketplace of the celestial fields the merchandise of light which hehad
broughtfromtheEast,asMarziella wascombingherhair,shesawashowerofpearlsandgarnetsfall
from itinto her lap whereupon calling hermother withgreatjoy,theyputthemallintoabasket,and
Luceta went to sell a great part ofthem toa usurer, whowas afriendof hers. Meanwhile Troccola
cameto seehersister, and findingMarziellaingreatdelightand busiedwiththepearls,sheaskedher
how,when, and where shehadgottenthem.Butthemaiden, whodid notunderstandthewaysofthe
world,andhad perhapsnever heardtheproverb,"Donotall youareable,eatnotallyouwish,spend
notall you have,andtellnot allyouknow," relatedthewholeaffairtoheraunt,whonolongercared
to await her sister's return,forevery hour seemed toher athousandyearsuntilshe gothome again.
Then giving a cake to her daughter, she sent her for water tothefountain, wherePuccia found the
same oldwoman.Andwhenthe old woman askedher foralittlepieceofcakesheansweredgruffly,
"HaveInothingtodo, forsooth,but togive youcake?Doyoutakemetobesofoolishastogive you
what belongsto me?Lookye, charitybeginsathome."Andsosayingsheswallowedthecakeinfour
pieces, making the old woman's mouth water, who whenshesaw the lastmorsel disappearandher
hopes buriedwiththecake,exclaimed ina rage, "Begone!andwheneveryoubreathemayyoufoam
at the mouthlikea doctor's mule, may toads drop fromyourlips, andevery time you set footto the
groundmaytherespringupfernsandthistles!"

Pucciatook thepitcherofwater andreturned home,where hermotherwas allimpatiencetohear

what hadbefallenherat thefountain. Butno sooner did Puccia openherlips,than ashoweroftoads
fell fromthem,atthe sightof whichhermother added the fire ofrageto the snow of envy, sending
forthflameandsmokethroughnoseandmouth.
Now ithappenedsometimeafterwardsthatCiommo,thebrotherofMarziella,wasatthecourtof
the King of Chiunzo and the conversation turning on the beauty of various women, he stepped
forward,unasked,andsaid that all thehandsome womenmighthidetheirheadswhenhissistermade
herappearance, who besidethebeautyofherform,whichmadeharmonyonthesongofanoblesoul,
possessed also a wonderful virtue in her hair, mouth, and feet, which was given to her by a fairy.
WhentheKing heardthesepraiseshe told Ciommo tobringhissisterto the court addingthat,ifhe
foundhersuchashehadrepresented,hewouldtakehertowife.
Now Ciommothoughtthisa chancenottobelostsoheforthwithsentamessenger posthasteto
his mother, telling her what had happened, andbegging herto come instantlywithher daughter, in
order not to let slip the good luck. But Luceta,whowasveryunwell, commendingthelambto the
wolf, beggedhersister tohavethe kindnessto accompanyMarziellatothecourtofChiunzoforsuch
and such a thing. Whereupon Troccola, whosaw that matterswereplayingintoher hand,promised
her sister to take Marziella safe and sound to her brother, and then embarked with her niece and
Pucciain aboat.Butwhentheywere some wayoutat sea, whilst the sailors wereasleep, shethrew
Marziella into the water and just as the poor girl was onthe pointofbeing drownedtherecamea
mostbeautifulsyren,whotookherinherarmsandcarriedheroff.
When Troccola arrived at Chiunzo, Ciommo, who had not seen his sister for so long a time,
mistook Puccia, and receivedher asifshe wereMarziella, andled her instantlyto theKing.But no
soonerdidshe openher lipsthantoadsdroppedonthegroundandwhentheKinglookedathermore
closely he saw, that as she breathed hard from the fatigue of the journey, she madea latherat her
mouth, which looked just like a washtub then looking down on the ground, he saw a meadow of
stinking plants, the sight of which made him quite ill. Upon this he drove Puccia and her mother
away,andsentCiommoindisgracetokeepthegeeseofthecourt.
Then Ciommo, in despair and notknowingwhat hadhappenedto him,drovethegeese into the
fields,andlettingthemgotheirwayalongthe seashore,heusedtoretireintoalittlestrawshed,where
hebewailedhislot until evening, whenitwastimetoreturnhome.Butwhilstthe geesewere running
abouton the shore, Marziellawould comeoutofthewater,andfeedthemwithsweetmeats,andgive
them rosewater to drinksothatthe geesegrew as big as sheep, andwere so fatthattheycouldnot
seeoutoftheir eyes.AndintheeveningwhentheycameintoalittlegardenundertheKing'swindow,
theybegantosing
"Pire,pirepire!
Thesunandthemoonarebrightandclear,
Butshewhofeedsusisstillmorefair."
Now the King, hearing this goosemusicevery evening, orderedCiommo tobecalled,andasked
himwhere, and how, and uponwhat he fedhisgeese. And Ciommoreplied,"Igive themnothingto
eatbutthefreshgrass ofthefield."ButtheKing,whowasnotsatisfiedwiththisanswer,sentatrusty
servant after Ciommo towatchandobservewhere he drovethe geese.Thenthemanfollowedinhis
footsteps,andsaw him gointothelittlestraw shed,leavingthegeese tothemselvesand goingtheir
way theyhadno sooner come totheshore thanMarziellarose upout oftheseaandIdonotbelieve
thateventhe motherof that blind boy who, as the poetsays, "desires nootheralmsthantears,"ever
rose fromthewaves so fair. When the servantoftheKing sawthis,heranbacktohismaster,beside
himselfwithamazement,andtoldhimtheprettyspectaclehehadseenupontheseashore.

Thecuriosityof the King wasincreasedbywhatthemantoldhim,andhehadagreatdesireto go

himselfand seethebeautifulsight.So the nextmorning,whentheCock, theringleader ofthebirds,
excited them all to arm mankind against the Night, and Ciommo went with the geese to the
accustomed spot, the King followedhim closelyand whenthegeese came totheseashore,without
Ciommo,who remainedasusualin the littleshed,the KingsawMarziellariseoutofthewater.And
after giving the geese a trayful of sweetmeats to eatanda cupfulofrosewaterto drink,she seated
herselfon arockand began tocomb herlocks, fromwhichfell handfulsofpearlsandgarnetsatthe
same time acloud of flowersdroppedfromhermouth,andunderherfeetwasaSyrian carpetof lilies
andviolets.
WhentheKing sawthis sight, he orderedCiommotobecalled,and,pointingtoMarziella,asked
himwhetherheknewthatbeautifulmaiden.ThenCiommo, recognisinghissister,rantoembraceher,
and inthe presenceoftheKing heardfrom herall the treacherousconduct ofTroccola, and howthe
envyofthatwickedcreaturehadbroughtthatfairfireoflovetodwellinthewatersofthesea.
Thejoy oftheKingisnottobetoldattheacquisitionofso fairajewelandturningtothebrother
hesaid that he had goodreasonto praiseMarziella so much,andindeedthathefoundherthreetimes
more beautiful thanhehaddescribedherhedeemedher,therefore,morethanworthytobehiswifeif
shewouldbecontenttoreceivethesceptreofhiskingdom.
"Alas, would to Heaven it could beso!"answeredMarziella,"andthatIcould serve you asthe
slave ofyourcrown!Butseeyounotthisgoldenchainuponmyfoot,bywhichthesorceress holdsme
prisoner? When I take too much fresh air, and tarry too long on the shore, she draws me into the
waves,andthuskeepsmeheldinrichslaverybyagoldenchain."
"Whatwayisthere,"saidtheKing,"tofreeyoufromtheclawsofthissyren?"
"Theway,"replied Marziella,"wouldbetocutthischainwithasmoothfile,andtoloosemefrom
it."
"Wait tilltomorrow morning,"answeredtheKing "I willthencomewithallthatisneedful,and
take you homewithme,where you shallbethepupilof myeye,thecoreofmyheart,andthelifeof
mysoul."Andthenexchangingashakeofthehandsastheearnestmoneyoftheirlove,shewentback
intothewater and heintothefireandintosuchafireindeedthathehadnotanhour'srestthewhole
day long.And whentheblack oldhagofthe NightcameforthtohaveacountrydancewiththeStars,
henever closedaneye,but lay ruminatinginhis memoryoverthebeautiesofMarziella,discoursing
in thought of the marvels of her hair, the miracles of her mouth, and the wonders ofher feet and
applying the gold of her gracestothetouchstone ofjudgment,he foundthatitwasfourandtwenty
carats fine.Butheupbraided the Night fornotleavingoffherembroideryoftheStars,andchidedthe
Sun for not arriving with the chariot oflightto enrichhishousewith thetreasure he longed fora
mineofgoldwhichproducedpearls,apearlshellfromwhichsprangflowers.
But whilsthewasthusatsea,thinkingofherwhowasallthewhileinthesea,behold thepioneers
of the Sunappeared, whosmooththeroadalongwhichhehastopasswiththearmyofhisrays.Then
theKing dressed himself,andwent with Ciommoto the seashore, wherehefoundMarziellaandthe
King with his ownhand cut thechainfromthefootofthebelovedobjectwiththefilewhichtheyhad
brought, but all the while he forged a still stronger one for his heart andsettingher onthesaddle
behind him, she who was already fixed on the saddle of his heart, he set out for the royal palace,
wherebyhiscommandallthehandsomeladies ofthelandwereassembled,whoreceivedMarziellaas
their mistress with all due honour. Then the King marriedher, and therewere great festivities and
amongall the casks whichwere burnt for theilluminations,theKingorderedthatTroccolashould be
shut up in atub, and made tosufferforthetreachery shehadshown toMarziella. Thensending for
Luceta, he gave her and Ciommo enough toliveuponlikeprinces whilst Puccia,driven out of the

kingdom,wanderedabout as abeggarand,astherewardofher not having sownalittlebitofcake,

shehadnowtosufferaconstantwantofbreadforitisthewillofHeaventhat
"Hewhoshowsnopityfindsnone."

XXIV
THESEVENDOVES
Hewho gives pleasuremeets with it: kindnessisthe bondoffriendship andthe hookoflove:he
who sowsnot reaps notof whichtruthCiulla hasgivenyouthe foretasteofexample, andI willgive
you the dessert, if you will bear inmindwhat Catosays,"Speaklittle attable." Thereforehavethe
kindness tolendmeyourears awhile andmayHeavencause them tostretchcontinually, tolistento
pleasantandamusingthings.
There wasonceinthecountyofArzano agoodwoman who everyyeargavebirthtoason,until
atlength there wereseven of them, wholookedlikethe pipes ofthegodPan, with sevenreeds, one
larger than another.And whenthey had changed theirfirstteeth,theysaidtoJannetellatheir mother,
"Hark ye, mother, if, after so many sons, you do not this time havea daughter, we are resolvedto
leavehome,andgowanderingthroughtheworldlikethesonsoftheblackbirds."
Whentheirmother heardthissadannouncement,she prayedHeaventoremovesuchanintention
from her sons,andpreventherlosingsevensuchjewelsastheywere.Andwhenthehourofthebirth
wasat hand, the sons saidto Jannetella,"Wewillretireto thetopofyonderhill or rock opposite if
yougive birthtoason,put aninkstandandapenup atthewindowbutifyouhavealittlegirl,putup
a spoon andadistaff.Forifweseethesignalof adaughter,weshallreturnhomeandspendtherestof
our lives underyourwings butifweseethesignalofason,thenforgetus,foryoumayknowthatwe
havetakenourselvesoff."
Soon afterthesonshaddeparteditpleasedHeaventhatJannetellashouldbringforthaprettylittle
daughter thenshe toldthenursetomakethesignaltothebrothers,butthewomanwassostupidand
confusedthatshe put uptheinkstand and the pen.Assoonasthesevenbrotherssaw thissignal,they
set off, and walked on and on, until attheend of threeyearstheycameto awood,wherethetrees
were performing the sworddance tothe sound ofa riverwhichmade music uponthestones.In this
wood was the house of an ogre whoseeyeshavingbeenblinded whilst asleepbya woman,hewas
suchanenemytothesexthathedevouredallwhomhecouldcatch.
When the youths arrived attheogre's house, tiredoutwithwalkingand exhaustedwithhunger,
theybeggedhimforpity'ssaketogivethemamorselofbread.Andthe ogrerepliedthatiftheywould
serve him he would give themfood, and theywould havenothingelse todobut towatchoverhim
like a dog, each in turnforaday. The youths,upon hearing this,thoughttheyhad found fatherand
mothersotheyconsented,andremainedintheserviceoftheogre,who,havinggottentheirnamesby
heart,calledonceforGiangrazio, atanothertimeforCecchitiello,nowforPascale, nowNuccio,now
Pone,now Pezzillo,and now Carcavecchia,for so thebrothers werenamedandgivingthemaroom
inthelowerpartofthehouse,heallowedthemenoughtoliveupon.
Meanwhiletheirsisterhadgrown upand hearing that herseven brothers,owingtothestupidity
of the nurse, had set out to walk through the world, and that no tidings of them had ever been
received, shetookitintoher head togo insearchofthem.And shebeggedand prayedhermotherso
long,thatat last, overcomebyher entreaties, shegaveherleavetogo,anddressedherlikeapilgrim.

Then the maiden walked and walked, asking at every place she came towhetherany one had seen
seven brothers. And thus she journeyed on, until at length she got news of them at an inn, where
havingenquired theway tothewood,onemorning, atthehourwhenthe Sunwiththepenknifeofhis
rays scratches out the inkspots made by Night upon the sheet of Heaven, she arrived at the ogre's
house,whereshe wasrecognised by herbrotherswithgreatjoy,whocursedtheinkstandandthepen
for writing falsely such misfortune for them. Then giving her a thousand caresses, they told herto
remain quiet in their chamber, that the ogre might not seeherbidding her atthesametimegivea
portionof whatevershehadtoeattoacatwhichwasintheroom,orotherwiseshewoulddohersome
harm. Cianna (for so the sister wasnamed)wrote downthisadvice inthe pocketbookofherheart,
andsharedeverythingwiththecat,likeagoodcompanion,alwayscuttingjustly,andsaying,"Thisfor
methisforthee,thisforthedaughteroftheking,"givingthecatasharetothelastmorsel.
Now ithappenedonedaythatthebrothers,goingtohunt forthe ogre,leftCiannaalittlebasketof
chickpeastocookandasshe waspickingthem,byillluckshefoundamongthemahazelnut,which
was the stoneofdisturbance toher quietforhavingswallowed itwithout givinghalfto thecat,the
latter outofspitejumpedon the tableandblew out thecandle.Cianna seeingthis,andnotknowing
what todo, lefttheroom, contrarytothecommandofherbrothers,andgoingintotheogre'schamber
begged him for alittlelight. Then the ogre,hearinga woman'svoice, said, "Welcome, madam!wait
awhile,you havefound whatyouareseeking."Andsosaying hetookaGenoastone,anddaubingit
withoil he fellto whettinghistusks.ButCianna,whosawthecartonawrongtrack,seizingalighted
stick ran to her chamber and bolting the door inside, she placed against it bars, stools, bedsteads,
tables,stones,andeverythingtherewasintheroom.
As soonastheogrehadputanedge onhisteethherantothechamberofthebrothers,andfinding
the door fastened, he fell to kicking it to break it open. At this noise and disturbance the seven
brothersatoncecamehome,andhearing themselvesaccusedbytheogreoftreacheryformakingtheir
chamber arefuge for oneofhiswomenenemies,Giangrazio, whowastheeldestandhadmoresense
than the others,andsawmattersgoingbadly, saidtotheogre,"Weknownothingofthisaffair,and it
may bethatthis wicked womanhasperchancecomeintotheroomwhilstwewereatthechasebutas
she has fortifiedherselfinside,come with me and I will takeyoutoa place where we canseizeher
withoutherbeingabletodefendherself."
Then they took the ogre bythehand,and led himto adeep, deeppit,where, givinghimapush,
they sent him headlong to the bottom and taking a shovel, which they found on the ground, they
covered him with earth. Then they bade theirsisterunfastenthedoor,and they ratedhersoundlyfor
the fault she had committed, andthedangerin whichshe hadplacedherselftelling herto be more
careful in future, and to beware ofpluckinggrass upon the spotwheretheogrewas buried, orthey
wouldbeturnedintosevendoves.
"Heaven keep me from bringing such a misfortune upon you!" replied Cianna. So taking
possession of all the ogre's goods andchattels, andmakingthemselvesmasters ofthewhole house,
they lived there merrily enough, waiting until winter should pass away, and the Sun, on taking
possession of the house of the Bull, give a present to the Earth of agreen gownembroideredwith
flowers,whentheymightsetoutontheirjourneyhome.
Now it happened one day, when the brothers were gone to the mountains to get firewood to
defendthemselvesagainst the cold, which increased fromday to day,thatapoorpilgrimcametothe
ogre's wood, and made facesat anape that was perched up inapinetree whereupon the apethrew
down one ofthefirapplesfrom the tree upontheman's pate, whichmadesucha terrible bumpthat
thepoorfellow set up aloudcry.Ciannahearing the noise wentout, and takingpityon hisdisaster,
she quickly pluckeda sprigofrosemary fromatuftwhichgrewupontheogre's gravethenshemade

him a plaster of it withboiled breadand salt, and after givingthe mansomebreakfast shesent him
away.
Whilst Cianna was laying the cloth, and expecting her brothers, lo!she sawseven dovescome
flying,whosaid toher, "Ah!better that your handhadbeencut off, you causeofallourmisfortune,
ereitplucked that accursedrosemaryandbroughtsuchacalamityuponus!Haveyoueatenthebrains
of acat, Osister,thatyouhave drivenour advice fromyourmind?Beholdus, turnedtobirds,aprey
to the talons of kites, hawks, and falcons! Behold us made companions of waterhens, snipes,
goldfinches, woodpeckers, jays, owls, magpies, jackdaws, rooks, starlings, woodcocks, cocks,hens
and chickens,turkeycocks, blackbirds, thrushes,chaffinches,tomtits,jennywrens,lapwings,linnets,
greenfinches, crossbills, flycatchers, larks, plovers, kingfishers, wagtails, redbreasts, redfinches,
sparrows,ducks, fieldfares, woodpigeonsandbullfinches!A rare thing you havedone! And nowwe
may return toour countryto findnets laid andtwigs limedforus!Toheal theheadofapilgrim,you
havebroken the headsofseven brothers noristhereanyhelpforourmisfortune,unlessyoufindthe
MotherofTime,whowilltellyouthewaytogetusoutoftrouble."
Cianna, looking like a plucked quail at the fault she had committed, begged pardon of her
brothers,andoffered togoroundtheworld untilsheshouldfindthe dwellingoftheoldwoman.Then
prayingthemnotto stirfrom the house until shereturned,lestanyillshouldbetidethem,shesetout,
and journeyed on and on without ever tiring and though she went on foot, her desire to aid her
brothersserved heras asumptermule,withwhichshe madethree milesanhour.Atlastshecameto
the seashore, where with the blows of the waves the sea was banging the rocks which would not
repeattheLatinitgave themto do. Hereshe saw ahuge whale,whosaidtoher, "Myprettymaiden,
what go you seeking?" And she replied, "I am seekingthedwelling of the Mother ofTime." "Hear
then what you must do," replied the whale "gostraightalong this shore,andoncomingtothefirst
river, followitup toitssource,andyouwill meetwithsomeonewhowillshowyoutheway: butdo
meonekindness,when you findthegood oldwoman,begof herthefavourtotellmesomemeans
bywhich I mayswimaboutsafely,withoutsooftenknockingupontherocksandbeingthrownonthe
sands."
"Trustto me,"said Cianna,thenthanking thewhalefor pointingouttheway,shesetoffwalking
alongthe shore and after alongjourneyshe cameto the river,which like aclerkof thetreasurywas
disbursingsilvermoney into thebankofthesea.Thentakingthewayuptoitssource,shearrivedata
beautifulopencountry,wherethemeadow viedwiththeheaven,displayingher greenmantlestarred
overwithflowers and thereshe metamousewhosaidtoher,"Whitherareyougoingthusalone,my
prettygirl?"AndCiannareplied,"IamseekingtheMotherofTime."
"You havea long waytogo,"saidthemouse"butdonot loseheart,everythinghasanend.Walk
on, therefore, toward yon mountains, which, like the free lords of these fields, assume the title of
Highness, and you will soonhave morenewsofwhatyouareseeking.Butdomeonefavour,when
youarrive atthehouseyouwish tofind,getthegoodoldwomantotellyouwhatyoucandotoridus
ofthetyrannyofthecatsthencommandme,andIamyourslave."
Cianna, after promising to do the mouse this kindness, set off towards the mountains, which,
although they appeared tobecloseat hand, seemed neverto be reached. Buthaving cometothemat
length, shesat downtired out uponastoneand there shesawanarmyofants,carryingalargestore
of grain, one of whom turning to Cianna said, "Who art thou, and whither art thou going?" And
Cianna, who was courteous to every one, said toher, "I am anunhappy girl, who, for amatter that
concernsme,amseekingthedwellingoftheMotherofTime."
"Goon farther," saidtheant, "and where these mountains openintoa large plainyouwillobtain
more news. But do me a great favour,getthesecretfrom the old woman,what we antscan doto

livea little longerforitseemsto me afolly inworldly affairsto beheapingupsuchalargestoreof

foodforsoshortalife,which,likeanauctioneer'scandle,goesoutjustatthebestbiddingofyears."
"Beatease,"saidCianna,"Iwillreturnthekindnessyouhaveshownme."
Then shepassedthemountainsandarrivedatawideplainandproceedingalittlewayoverit,she
cameto alarge oaktree,amemorialof antiquity,whose fruit(amouthfulwhichTimegivestothis
bitter age of its lost sweetness) tasted like sweetmeats to the maiden, whowassatisfiedwithlittle.
Then theoak,makinglipsof itsbarkand atongueofitspith,saidtoCianna,"Whitherareyougoing
so sad, mylittledaughter?Comeandrestunder myshade."Ciannathankedhimmuch,butexcused
herself, sayingthatshewasgoinginhastetofindtheMotherofTime.Andwhentheoakheardthishe
replied, "Youare not far fromherdwellingfor before you havegoneanotherday'sjourney,youwill
see upon a mountain a house, in which you will findherwhom you seek.Butifyouhaveasmuch
kindness as beauty, I pritheelearnfor mewhatIcandotoregainmylosthonourforinsteadofbeing
foodforgreatmen,Iamnowonlymadethefoodofhogs."
"Leave thatto me,"replied Cianna,"I will takecareto serve you."So saying, shedeparted,and
walking on and on without ever resting, she cameat lengthto the footofanimpertinent mountain,
whichwaspoking its headintothe faceoftheclouds.Thereshefoundanoldman,who,weariedand
wayworn, had lain downuponsomehayand assoonashesawCianna,heknewheratonce,andthat
itwasshewhohadcuredhisbump.
Whentheoldmanheard whatshe was seeking,he told herthathewascarryingtoTimetherent
forthepieceof earth which hehad cultivated,andthatTimewas atyrantwhousurpedeverything in
theworld,claimingtribute fromall,and especiallyfrom people ofhisageandheaddedthat,having
received kindness from Cianna, he would now return it a hundredfold by giving her some good
information about her arrival at the mountain and that he was sorry he could not accompany her
thither,sincehis oldage,whichwas condemnedrather togo downthanup,obligedhimto remainat
thefoot ofthosemountains, tocastup accounts withthe clerks ofTimewhicharethelabours,the
sufferings, and the infirmities of lifeand to pay the debt of Nature. So the old man said to her,
"Now, my pretty, innocent child, listento me.You mustknow that onthetop ofthismountain you
will find a ruined house, which was built long ago, time out of mind. The walls are cracked, the
foundations crumbling away, the doors wormeaten, the furniture all worn outand, in short,
everything is gone to wrack and ruin. On one side are seen shattered columns, on another broken
statuesandnothingisleftinagoodstateexcept acoatofarmsoverthedoor,quarteredonwhichyou
will see aserpent biting its tail,a stag, araven, and aphoenix.Whenyouenter,youwill see onthe
ground, files, saws, scythes, sickles, pruninghooks, and hundreds and hundreds of vessels full of
ashes, with the nameswritten onthem,likegallipots inanapothecary's shopand there maybe read
Corinth, Saguntum, Carthage, Troy,andathousandothercities,theashesofwhichTimepreservedas
trophiesofhisconquests.
"When you comenearthehouse,hideyourselfuntilTimegoesout andassoon ashe hasgone
forth, enter, and you willfindan old,oldwoman, with abeard that touches the groundanda hump
reaching tothesky.Herhair, like thetailofa dapplegrey horse,coversherheelsherfacelookslike
a plaited collar, with the foldsstiffenedbythe starch ofyears.Theoldwomanisseateduponaclock,
whichisfastened toa wallandher eyebrowsaresolargethattheyovershadowhereyes,sothatshe
willnot be ableto seeyou. Assoon asyouenter,quicklytaketheweights offthe clock,thencallto
the old woman, and beg her to answer your questionswhereuponshe will instantlycallher sonto
come and eat you up. But the clockupon which the oldwomansitshaving lostits weights,her son
cannot move, and shewillthereforebe obliged totellyouwhatyouwish. Butdo nottrustany oath
shemaymake,unlesssheswearsbythewingsofherson,andyouwillbecontent."

So saying, the poor old man fell down and crumbled away, like a dead body brought from a
catacomb to the light of day. Then Ciannatooktheashes, and mixingthem with apintoftears, she
made a grave and buried them, praying Heaven to grant themquietand repose.And ascendingthe
mountain tillshe wasquite outofbreath, shewaiteduntilTimecameout,whowasanoldmanwitha
long,longbeard,and who worea very oldcloakcoveredwith slipsof paper,onwhichwereworked
thenamesofvariouspeople.Hehadlargewings,andransofastthathewasoutofsightinaninstant.
WhenCianna enteredthe houseofhismother, shestartedwithaffrightat the sightofthatblack
oldchipand instantlyseizing theweightsoftheclock, shetold whatshewantedto the oldwoman,
who,settingupa loud cry,calledtoherson.ButCiannasaidtoher,"Youmaybuttyourheadagainst
thewallaslongasyoulike,foryouwillnotseeyoursonwhilstIholdtheseclockweights."
Thereupon the old woman,seeing herself foiled,beganto coax Cianna, saying, "Letgo ofthem,
mydear,anddo not stopmy son'scourse for noman living hasever donethat. Letgoofthem,and
may Heaven preserve you! for I promise you, by the acid of my son, with which he corrodes
everything,thatIwilldoyounoharm."
"That's time lost," answered Cianna,"you mustsaysomethingbetterifyouwouldhave me quit
myhold."
"Isweartoyoubythoseteeth,whichgnawallmortalthings,thatIwilltellyouallyoudesire."
"Thatisallnothing,"answeredCianna,"forIknowyouaredeceivingme."
"Well, then," said the old woman, "I swearto you by thosewingswhichfly over allthatIwill
giveyoumorepleasurethanyouimagine."
Thereupon Cianna,letting gotheweights,kissedtheoldwoman'shand,whichhadamouldyfeel
and anastysmell.And the oldwoman,seeing thecourtesyofthedamsel,saidtoher,"Hideyourself
behindthisdoor,andwhen Time comeshome I will makehimtell me allyouwishtoknow.Andas
soon as he goes out againfor he never stays quiet in one placeyou can depart. But do not let
yourself beheard orseen, for he issucha gluttonthathedoesnot spare evenhisown children and
whenallfails,hedevourshimselfandthenspringsupanew."
Cianna did astheoldwomantoldherand,lo!soonafterTimecameflyingquick, quick,highand
light, andhavinggnawedwhatevercametohand,downtotheverymouldinessuponthewalls,hewas
abouttodepart, whenhismothertoldhimallshehadheardfromCianna,beseechinghimbythemilk
she hadgivenhimtoanswerexactlyallherquestions.Afterathousandentreaties,her sonreplied,"To
thetreemaybeanswered,thatitcanneverbeprizedbymensolongasitkeepstreasuresburiedunder
itsroots tothe mice,thattheywillnever besafefrom thecat unlesstheytiea bell to her leg totell
them when she is coming to the ants, that they willlivea hundred years if theycandispense with
flyingfor when the ant is going to die she puts on wings tothewhale, that itshouldbe ofgood
cheer, and make friendswiththeseamouse, whowill serve him as aguide, so that hewillnevergo
wrong and to the doves, that when they alight on the column of wealth, they will return to their
formerstate."
So saying, Time setout torun his accustomedpostand Cianna, takingleaveof theoldwoman,
descended to the footof themountain,just attheverytimethatthesevendoves,who had followed
theirsister's footsteps,arrived there. Weariedwithflyingsofar,theystoppedtorestupon thehornof
a dead ox and no sooner had they alighted than they were changed into handsome youths asthey
were atfirst. But whilethey weremarvelling atthis,theyheard thereplywhichTimehadgiven,and
saw at once that the horn, as the symbol of plenty, was the column of wealth of which Time had
spoken. Then embracing theirsisterwithgreat joy,theyallsetoutonthesameroadbywhichCianna
had come.Andwhen theycametotheoaktree,andtolditwhatCiannahadheardfromTime,thetree
begged them to take away the treasurefrom itsroots,sinceit wasthecause whyits acornshadlost

theirreputation.Thereupon the sevenbrothers, takinga spadewhichtheyfoundin agarden,dugand

dug, until they came to a great heap ofgoldmoney, which they divided into eight partsand shared
among themselvesand theirsister,sothattheymightcarry it away conveniently.Butbeing wearied
withthejourneyandtheload,theylaidthemselvesdowntosleep underahedge.Presentlyabandof
robberscomingby, and seeingthepoorfellowsasleep,withtheirheadsuponthe clothfulsofmoney,
boundthemhand andfoot tosome trees and took awaytheirmoney,leavingthemtobewailnotonly
their wealthwhich had slipped through their fingers as soon as foundbut their life for being
without hope of succour,theywere inperilofeither soondying of hunger or allayingthehunger of
somewildbeast.
Asthey werelamentingtheirunhappylot,upcamethe mouse,who,assoonassheheardthereply
whichTimehadgiven, in return forthe goodservice,nibbledthecordswithwhichtheywerebound
and set themfree. And having gonea little wayfarther, they met on theroadtheant,who, whenshe
heard theadviceofTime,askedCiannawhatwasthematterthatshe wassopalefacedand castdown.
And whenCianna told hertheirmisfortune,and thetrickwhichtherobbershadplayedthem,theant
replied, "Be quiet, I can nowrequitethekindnessyouhavedoneme.Youmust know,thatwhilst I
was carrying a load of grain underground, I saw a place where these dogs of assassins hide their
plunder. They have madesomeholesunder anoldbuilding, inwhich theyshutupallthethingsthey
havestolen. They are just nowgone outforsomenew robbery,andIwill gowithyouandshowyou
theplace,sothatyoumayrecoveryourmoney."
So saying, shetooktheway towardssometumbleddown houses,andshowedthe sevenbrothers
themouth ofthe pitwhereupon Giangrazio,who wasbolderthanthe rest,enteringit,foundthereall
themoneyofwhichtheyhadbeenrobbed.Thentakingitwiththem,theysetout,andwalked towards
the seashore, where they found the whale, and told him the good advice which Timewho is the
father of counselhad given them. And whilst they stood talking of their journey and allthathad
befallen them, they saw the robbers suddenlyappear,armed totheteeth,whohad followed intheir
footsteps.At this sighttheyexclaimed,"Alas, alas!wearenowwhollylost,forherecometherobbers
armed,andtheywillnotleavetheskinonourbodies."
"Fearnot," repliedthewhale,"forIcansaveyououtofthefire,andwillthusrequitetheloveyou
haveshownmesogetuponmyback,andIwillquicklycarryyoutoaplaceofsafety."
Cianna and her brothers, seeing the foe at theirheelsandthewater upto their throats,climbed
upon the whale,who,keepingfaroff fromtherocks,carriedthemtowithinsightofNaples.Butbeing
afraid tolandthem onaccount of theshoalsandshallows,hesaid,"Wherewouldyoulikemetoland
you? On the shoreof Amalfi?" And Giangrazioanswered,"Seewhetherthatcannotbeavoided,my
dear fish. I do not wish to land at any place hereabouts for at Massatheysay barely goodday, at
Sorrento thievesareplenty, atVico theysayyoumaygoyourway,atCastelamarenoonesayshow
areye."
Then thewhale,topleasethem,turned aboutandwent towardtheSaltrock, whereheleftthem
and they got puton shore bythefirst fishingboat that passed.Thereupon theyreturned totheirown
country, safe and sound and rich, to the great joy and consolation oftheirmother andfather. And,
thankstothegoodnessofCianna,theyenjoyedahappylife,verifyingtheoldsaying
"Dogoodwheneveryoucan,andforgetit."

XXV

THERAVEN
Itistruly agreatproverb"Ratheracrookedsightthanacrookedjudgment"butitissodifficult
to adoptitthatthejudgmentoffew menhitsthenailonthehead.Onthe contrary,intheseaofhuman
affairs, thegreaterpart are fishers insmoothwaters,who catchcrabsand hewho thinks to takethe
most exact measure of the object atwhichhe aimsoftenshootswidestofthemark.Theconsequence
of this is that all are running pellmell, all toiling in the dark, all thinking crookedly, all acting
child'splay, alljudgingat random,andwithahaphazardblow of afoolish resolution bringingupon
themselves abitterrepentanceaswasthecasewiththeKingofShadyGroveandyoushallhearhow
it fared with himifyousummon me withinthecircle of modesty with the bell of courtesy,andgive
mealittleattention.
Itissaid that therewas onceakingofShadyGrovenamedMilluccio,whowassodevotedtothe
chase, that heneglected theneedfulaffairs ofhisstateandhouseholdto followthetrackofahareor
theflightofa thrush.Andhepursued this road so farthatchanceonedayled himtoathicket,which
had formed asolid squareofearth and treesto prevent the horsesoftheSunfrombreakingthrough.
There,uponamostbeautifulmarblestone,hefoundaraven,whichhadjustbeenkilled.
TheKing,seeing the bright redbloodsprinkleduponthewhite,whitemarble,heavedadeepsigh
and exclaimed,"Oheavens!andcannotIhaveawifeaswhiteandredasthisstone,andwithhairand
eyebrows as black as the feathersofthisraven?"And hestoodfora whilesoburied inthisthought
that he became a counterpart to thestone,andlookedlikea marbleimagemakingloveto the other
marble. And this unhappy fancy fixing itself in his head,as hesearched for it everywherewiththe
lanthornofdesire,itgrew in fourseconds froma picktoothto apole, froma crabappletoanIndian
pumpkin, from barber's embers to a glass furnace, and from a dwarf to a giant insomuch that he
thoughtofnothingelsethantheimage ofthatobject encrustedinhisheartasstonetostone.Wherever
heturnedhiseyesthatformwasalwayspresented tohimwhich hecarriedinhisbreastandforgetting
allbesides, he had nothing butthatmarbleinhisheadinshort,hebecameinamannersowornaway
upon the stone that hewasat lastasthinastheedge ofa penknife andthismarblewas amillstone
whichcrushed his life,aslabofporphyryuponwhichthecoloursofhisdaysweregroundandmixed,
a tinderbox which set fire to the brimstonematchofhissoul, aloadstonewhichattractedhim, and
lastly,arollingstonewhichcouldneverrest.
AtlengthhisbrotherJennariello,seeinghimsopaleand halfdead, saidto him,"Mybrother,what
has happened to you, that you carry grief lodged in your eyes, and despair sitting under the pale
banner of your face? What has befallen you? Speakopenyourheartto your brother:the smell of
charcoal shut up in a chamber poisonspeoplepowder pentup ina mountainblowsitintotheair
open your lips, therefore,andtellme whatisthematterwithyouatalleventsbeassuredthatIwould
laydownathousandlivesifIcouldtohelpyou."
Then Milluccio,minglingwords andsighs, thankedhimforhislove,sayingthathehadnodoubt
of his affection, but thattherewasno remedy for hisill, sinceitsprangfrom astone, where hehad
sowndesireswithout hopeof fruita stone fromwhichhedidnotexpectamushroomofcontenta
stoneof Sisyphus,whichhe bore tothemountain of designs,and whenitreachedthetoprolledover
and over tothe bottom.At length,however,aftera thousandentreaties,Millucciotoldhisbrotherall
abouthislovewhereuponJennariello comfortedhim asmuch as he could, andbade himbeofgood
cheer, and not give wayto anunhappypassionforthathewasresolved,inordertosatisfyhim,to go
alltheworldoveruntilhefoundawomanthecounterpartofthestone.
Then instantly fitting out a large ship, filled with merchandise, and dressing himself like a
merchant, hesailed for Venice, the wonder of Italy,thereceptacle of virtuousmen,thegreatbookof

themarvels of artand natureandhavingprocuredthere asafeconducttopass totheLevant,heset

sail for Cairo. When he arrived there and entered the city, he sawa man whowas carrying amost
beautiful falcon, and Jennariello at once purchased it to take to his brother, who wasa sportsman.
Soon afterwardshemetanothermanwitha splendidhorse,whichhealsoboughtwhereuponhewent
toaninntorefreshhimselfafterthefatigueshehadsufferedatsea.
The following morning, whenthearmyoftheStar, atthecommand ofthegeneraloftheLight,
strikes the tentsin the campofthesky and abandonsthepost,Jennariello set out towanderthrough
the city, having his eyes about him like a lynx, looking at this woman andthat,toseewhetherby
chancehe couldfindthelikenessto astoneupona faceofflesh. And ashe was wandering aboutat
random, turningcontinuallyto this sideandthat,likeathiefinfearoftheconstables,hemetabeggar
carrying anhospitalof plastersand amountainof ragsuponhis back, whosaid tohim, "My gallant
sir,whatmakesyousofrightened?"
"HaveI, forsooth,to tellyoumyaffairs?"answeredJennariello."FaithIshoulddowelltotellmy
reasontotheconstable."
"Softly, my fair youth!"replied the beggar,"fortheflesh ofmanisnot soldbyweight.IfDarius
had not told his troubles to a groom he would not have become king of Persia. It will benogreat
matter,therefore,foryouto tellyouraffairs to apoorbeggar, for thereisnotatwigsoslenderbutit
mayserveforatoothpick."
WhenJennariello heardthepoormantalking sensiblyandwithreason,hetoldhimthecausethat
had broughthimtothatcountrywhereuponthebeggarreplied,"Seenow,myson,hownecessaryitis
to make accountofevery oneforthough Iamonlyaheap ofrubbish,yetIshallbeabletoenrichthe
gardenofyourhopes.Now listenunderthepretextofbeggingalms, I willknockat thedoorof the
youngandbeautifuldaughter of amagicianthenopen your eyes wide, look ather,contemplateher,
regard her, measure her from head to foot, for you will find the image of her whom your brother
desires." Sosaying,heknocked atthedoorofa house closeby,andLiviellaopeningitthrew him a
pieceofbread.
As soon as Jennariello saw her, she seemed to him built after the model which Milluccio had
givenhim thenhe gaveagoodalmstothebeggarandsenthimaway,andgoing totheinnhedressed
himselflikea pedlar,carryingintwocaskets allthewealthoftheworld.Andthus hewalkedupand
downbeforeLiviella'shouse cryinghiswares, until atlengthshe called him,andtooka viewofthe
beautifulnetcaps,hoods,ribands,gauze,edgings,lace,handkerchiefs,collars,needles,cupsofrouge,
and headgearfitfora queen, whichhecarried. And when shehadexaminedall thethingsagainand
again, shetoldhim toshowhersomethingelse andJennarielloanswered,"Mylady,inthesecasketsI
haveonlycheapandpaltry wares but if youwilldeign tocometomyship,Iwillshow youthingsof
theotherworld,forIhavethereahostofbeautifulgoodsworthyofanygreatlord."
Liviella, who was fullofcuriosity,not tobeliethenatureofhersex,replied,"Ifmyfatherindeed
werenotouthewouldhavegivenmesomemoney."
"Nay,youcancomeallthebetterifheisout,"repliedJennariello,"forperhapshemightnotallow
you the pleasure and I'll promise to show you such splendid things as will make you ravesuch
necklaces and earrings, such bracelets and sashes, such workmanship in paperin short I will
perfectlyastoundyou."
When Liviella heard allthisdisplay of finery shecalleda gossipof herstoaccompanyher, and
went totheship.Butnosoonerhadsheembarkedthan Jennariello,whilstkeepingherenchantedwith
thesight ofall the beautiful thingshehadbrought, craftilyordered the anchortobeweighedandthe
sailsto beset,sothatbeforeLiviellaraisedhereyesfromthewaresandsaw that shehadlefttheland,
they had already gonemanymiles.Whenatlength sheperceivedthetrick,shebegantoactOlympia

thereverse wayforwhereasOlympiabewailedbeingleftupon arock,Liviellalamentedleavingthe

rocks. Butwhen Jennariellotold her who he was,whither he wascarryingher, and the goodfortune
thatawaited her,andpictured to her,moreover,Milluccio'sbeauty,hisvalour,hisvirtues,andlastly
the love with which he would receive her, he succeeded in pacifying her, and sheevenprayedthe
windtobearherquicklytoseethecolouringofthedesignwhichJennariellohaddrawn.
Asthey weresailingmerrilyalongtheyheardthewavesgrumblingbeneaththeshipandalthough
they spoke inanundertone,thecaptain of the ship, whounderstoodinaninstantwhat itmeant,cried
out, "Allhands aboard!for here comesastorm,and Heavensaveus!"Nosoonerhadhespokenthese
wordsthanthere came the testimonyofawhistlingofthewindandbeholdtheskywasovercastwith
clouds,andtheseawas coveredwithwhitecrestedwaves.Andwhilstthewavesoneithersideofthe
ship,curious toknow whattheothers wereabout,leapeduninvitedtothenuptialsuponthedeck,one
man baledthem with abowl intoa tub,anotherdrove them offwitha pumpandwhilsteverysailor
was hard at workas it concerned his own safetyone minding the rudder, another hauling the
foresail,anotherthe mainsheet, Jennarielloranup tothe topmast,toseewitha telescopeifhecould
discoveranylandwheretheymight castanchor.Andlo!whilsthewasmeasuringahundredmilesof
distance with two feet of telescope, he sawa doveand itsmate come flying upandalight uponthe
sailyard. Then the male bird said, "Rucche, rucche!" And his mate answered, "What's the matter,
husband, that you are lamenting so?" "This poor Prince," replied the other, "has bought a falcon,
whichassoonasitshallbeinhisbrother'shandswillpickouthiseyesbutifhe does nottakeitto
him, orifhe warns him of the danger,hewill turn tomarble."And thereuponhebeganagaintocry,
"Rucche, rucche!" And his mate said to him, "What, still lamenting! Is there anythingnew?""Ay,
indeed,"answeredthemale dove,"he hasalsoboughtahorse,andthefirsttimehisbrotherrideshim
the horse will breakhisneckbutif he does nottake it tohim, orif he warns him of the danger,he
will turn to marble." "Rucche, rucche!" he criedagain. "Alas,withall these RUCCHE,RUCCHE,"
said the female dove, "what's the matter now?" And her mate said, "This man is takinga beautiful
wife to his brother but the first night, as soonasthey goto sleep, they will both bedevouredby a
frightfuldragonyet if he does nottake herto him,orifhewarnshimofthedanger, he willturnto
marble."
As he spoke,thetempest ceased, and the rage oftheseaandthefuryofthewindsubsided.Buta
far greatertempest arose inJennariello's breast, fromwhat hehadheard,and morethantwentytimes
hewasonthepointof throwingallthethingsintothe sea,inordernottocarrytohisbrotherthecause
of his ruin.Butontheotherhandhethought ofhimself,and reflectedthatcharitybeginsathomeand
fearing that, if he did not carry these things to his brother, or if he warned him of the danger, he
shouldturntomarble, he resolvedto look rathertothefactthantothepossibility,sincetheshirtwas
closertohimthanthejacket.
When he arrived atShadyGrove,he foundhisbrother ontheshore, awaitingwithgreatjoythe
returnof the ship, whichhehadseenatadistance.Andwhenhesawthatitboreherwhomhecarried
in his heart, andconfrontingone facewiththe otherperceivedthattherewasnot the differenceofa
hair, his joy was so great that he was almost weigheddown undertheexcessiveburden ofdelight.
Then embracing his brother fervently,hesaid tohim, "Whatfalconis that you are carryingonyour
fist?" And Jennarielloanswered,"Ihave boughtit onpurpose togiveto you.""Iseeclearlythatyou
love me," replied Milluccio, "since you go about seeking to give me pleasure. Truly, if you had
broughtme acostlytreasure,it couldnot have givenmegreaterdelightthanthisfalcon."Andjustas
hewasgoingto takeitin his hand,Jennarielloquicklydrewalargeknifewhichhecarriedathisside
and cut off its head. At this deed the King stoodaghast,andthoughthisbrother mad tohavedone
sucha stupid act butnotto interruptthejoy athisarrival,heremainedsilent.Presently,however,he

sawthehorse, and onasking his brotherwhoseit was,heard thatitwashisown.Thenhefeltagreat

desire to ride him, and just as he was ordering the stirruptobeheld,Jennarielloquicklycutoffthe
horse'slegswithhisknife.Thereat the Kingwaxedwrath,forhisbrother seemed tohave doneiton
purpose to vex him, and his choler began torise. However,hedid not think it arighttimeto show
resentment, lest he should poison the pleasureof the bride atfirst sight,whom he couldnever gaze
uponenough.
When they arrived at the royal palace, he invited all the lords andladies of the city toa grand
feast, atwhichthehallseemedjustlikea ridingschool fullofhorses,curvetingand prancing,with a
number of foals in theform of women. But when the ballwasended, anda great banquethadbeen
despatched,theyallretiredtorest.
Jennariello,who thoughtof nothingelsethantosavehis brother'slife,hidhimselfbehindthebed
ofthebridalpairandas hestoodwatchingtoseethedragoncome,beholdatmidnightafiercedragon
entered thechamber, who sentforth flames fromhis eyes and smokefromhismouth,andwho,from
theterror he carriedin his look, wouldhave been agoodagentto sell all theantidotesto fear in the
apothecaries'shops.As soonas Jennariello saw the monster,hebeganto layabouthimrightandleft
withaDamascusblade which hehadhiddenunderhiscloak andhe struckoneblowsofuriouslythat
itcutinhalvesapostoftheKing'sbed,atwhichnoisetheKingawoke,andthedragondisappeared.
WhenMillucciosawthesword inhisbrother'shand,andthebedpostcutintwo,heset upaloud
cry, "Help here! hola! help! This traitor of a brother is come to kill me!" Whereupon, hearing the
noise, a number of servants who slept in the antechamber came running up, and the King ordered
Jennariellotobebound,andsenthimthesamehourtoprison.
The next morning, as soon as the Sun opened his bank to deliver the deposit of light to the
Creditor of the Day, the King summoned the council and when he told them what had passed,
confirming thewicked intentionshowninkillingthefalconandthehorseonpurposetovexhim,they
judgedthatJennariello deserved todie. Theprayers of Liviellawereallunavailingtosoftentheheart
of the King,who said,"Youdo not love me,wife,foryouhave moreregardforyourbrotherinlaw
than for mylife. You have seen with your own eyes thisdogofanassassincomewitha swordthat
wouldcut ahairin the airtokill me andifthe bedpost(thecolumnofmylife)hadnotprotectedme,
youwouldat this moment havebeena widow."So saying, hegaveordersthatjusticeshouldtakeits
course.
When Jennariello heard thissentence, and sawhimselfsoillrewardedfordoing good, heknew
notwhat tothinkorto do.If hesaidnothing,badif hespoke,worseandwhateverheshoulddowas
a fallfrom the tree into thewolf's mouth. If heremained silent,heshouldlosehisheadunderanaxe
if he spoke, he should end his days in a stone. Atlength, aftervarious resolutions, hemadeup his
mind to disclosethematterto hisbrotherand since hemustdie atallevents,hethought itbetterto
tellhisbrotherthetruth,andtoendhisdayswiththetitleofaninnocentman,thantokeep thetruthto
himselfand besentoutof theworldasatraitor.SosendingwordtotheKingthathehadsomethingto
say ofimportancetohisstate,he wasledintohispresence,wherehefirstmadea longpreambleofthe
love hehad alwaysborne him then hewentontotell ofthedeceptionhehadpracticedonLiviella in
orderto givehim pleasure and thenwhat hehad heardfrom thedovesaboutthefalcon,andhow,to
avoidbeing turnedtomarble, he had broughtithim, andwithout revealingthesecrethadkilleditin
ordernottoseehimwithouteyes.
As hespoke,hefelthislegsstiffenandturntomarble.Andwhenhewentontorelatetheaffair of
thehorseinthesamemanner,he became visibly stoneupto thewaist,stiffeningmiserablyathing
whichat another time he wouldhave paidin readymoney, butwhichnowhis heart weptat.Atlast,
whenhecame totheaffair ofthedragon,hestoodlikeastatue inthemiddle of the hall,stonefrom

head to foot. When the King saw this, reproaching himself for the errorhe hadcommitted,and the
rashsentencehehadpasseduponsogoodandlovingabrother,he mournedhimmore thanayear,and
everytimehethoughtofhimheshedariveroftears.
Meanwhile Liviella gave birth to two sons,who weretwoofthemost beautiful creatures inthe
world.Andafterafewmonths,whentheQueenwasgoneintothecountryforpleasure,andthe father
and his two littleboyschancedtobestandinginthemiddleofthehall,gazing withtearfuleyeson the
statuethememorialof his folly,whichhad takenfromhimtheflowerofmenbeholdastatelyand
venerable old man entered, whose long hair fell upon his shoulders and whose beard covered his
breast.Andmakinga reverence totheKing,theoldmansaidtohim,"WhatwouldyourMajestygive
to have this noble brother return to his former state?" And the King answered, "I would give my
kingdom.""Nay,"replied the old man,"this isnota thing that requires paymentinwealth butbeing
anaffairoflife,itmustbepaidforwithasmuchagainoflife."
Then the King, partly out of the love he bore Jennariello, and partly from hearing himself
reproached with the injury he haddone him,answered,"Believeme, mygood sir,Iwould give my
ownlifeforhislifeandprovidedthathecame outofthestone,Ishouldbecontenttobeenclosedina
stone."
Hearing this the oldman said, "Without puttingyourlifetotherisksince ittakessolongtorear
a manthe bloodofthese,your two littleboys,smeareduponthemarble,wouldsufficetomakehim
instantly come tolife."ThentheKing replied, "ChildrenImayhave again,butI have abrother,and
another I can never more hop to see." So saying,hemade apitiablesacrificeoftwolittleinnocent
kids before an idol of stone, and besmearing the statue with their blood, it instantly became alive
whereupon the King embraced his brother, and their joy isnottobetold. Then theyhadthesepoor
little creatures put into a coffin, in order to give them burial with all due honour. But just at that
instant the Queen returned home, and the King, bidding his brother hide himself, said to his wife,
"What would you give, my heart, to have my brother restored to life?" "I would give this whole
kingdom," replied Liviella. And the King answered, "Would you give the blood ofyourchildren?"
"Nay, not that, indeed," replied the Queen "for I could not be so cruel astotearoutwithmy own
hands theappleofmyeyes." "Alas!" saidtheKing,"inorderto seeabrotheralive,Ihavekilledmy
ownchildren!forthiswasthepriceofJennariello'slife!"
So saying, he showedtheQueenthelittleboysinthecoffinandwhenshesawthissadspectacle,
she cried aloud like one mad, saying, "O my children! you props of my life, joys of my heart,
fountains of my blood! Who has painted red the windows of the sun? Who has without adoctor's
licence bledthechiefvein of mylife? Alas,my children,mychildren!myhopenowtakenfromme,
mylightnowdarkened, myjoynowpoisoned, my supportnowlost!Youarestabbedbythesword,I
ampiercedbygrief you are drownedinblood,Iin tears.Alas that,to givelifetoan uncle,youhave
slain your mother! For I am no longer able to weave the thread of my days without you, the fair
counterpoises of the loom of my unhappy life. The organ of my voice must besilent,now that its
bellows are taken away.O children,children!why doyenot giveanswer toyour mother,whoonce
gaveyouthebloodin your veins,andnow weepsitforyoufrom her eyes?Butsincefateshowsme
thefountainofmyhappiness driedup,Iwillno longerlivethesportoffortuneintheworld,butwill
goatoncetofindyouagain!"
So saying, sherantoawindowto throw herself outbutjustat that instanther fatherenteredby
the same window in a cloud, and called to her, "Stop, Liviella! I have now accomplished what I
intended, and killedthreebirds with one stone.Ihaverevenged myself onJennariello,whocameto
myhouseto robmeofmydaughter,by making himstandallthesemonthslikea marblestatue ina
block of stone. I have punished you for your illconduct in going away in a ship without my

permission, by showing you your two children, your two jewels, killed by their own father.AndI
have punished the King for the caprice he took into his head, bymakinghimfirst the judgeofhis
brother,and afterwardstheexecutioner of hischildren. But asI have wishedonlytoshearandnotto
flayyou, I desire now that all thepoison may turnintosweetmeatsforyou.Therefore, go,takeagain
yourchildrenandmygrandchildren,whoaremorebeautiful than ever.And you,Milluccio,embrace
me.I receiveyouasmysoninlaw and asmyson.AndIpardonJennariellohisoffence,havingdone
allthathedidoutoflovetosoexcellentabrother."
And as he spoke, thelittlechildrencame, andthegrandfatherwasneversatisfiedwithembracing
and kissingthemandinthe midstoftherejoicingsJennarielloentered,asathird sharerinthem,who,
aftersufferingsomany stormsoffate,wasnowswimminginmacaronibroth.Butnotwithstandingall
the after pleasures that he enjoyed in life, his past dangers never went from his mind and he was
alwaysthinkingon the errorhisbrotherhadcommitted, andhowcarefulamanoughttobenottofall
intotheditch,since
"Allhumanjudgmentisfalseandperverse."

XXVI
THEMONTHS
It is a saying worthy to be written in letters as big as thoseona monument,that silence never
harmedany one: and let it notbeimagined that those slandererswhonever speakwellofothers,but
arealwayscutting and stinging, and pinchingandbiting,evergainanythingbytheirmaliceforwhen
thebagscome tobeshaken out,ithas always beenseen,andis so still,thatwhilsta goodwordgains
love and profit,slanderbringsenmityandruinandwhenyoushallhaveheardhowthishappens,you
willsayIspeakwithreason.
Onceupon atimethereweretwo brothersCianne,whowasasrichasalord,andLise,whohad
barely enough to live upon: but poor as one was infortune,sopitiful was the other inmind, forhe
wouldnot havegivenhisbrothera farthingwereit tosavehislifesothatpoorLiseindespair lefthis
country, and set out to wander over the world. And he wandered on and on, till one wetandcold
evening he came to an inn,wherehe foundtwelveyouthsseated aroundafire,who, when they saw
poor Lise benumbed with cold, partly from the severe season and partly from his ragged clothes,
invitedhimtositdownbythefire.
Lise accepted the invitation, for he neededitgreatly, and began towarmhimself.Andashewas
warminghimself,oneoftheyoungmenwhosefacewas suchapictureofmorosenessastomake you
dieoffright,saidtohim,"Whatthinkyou,countryman,ofthisweather?"
"Whatdo I think ofit?" repliedLise "Ithink that allthemonthsof theyear perform their duty
butwe, whoknow notwhat wewould have,wishtogivelawstoHeavenandwantingtohavethings
our own way,wedonot fish deeply enough tothebottom,to findoutwhetherwhat comesintoour
fancy be goodorevil, useful orhurtful. In winter, when it rains, wewantthesun inLeo, and inthe
month of August the clouds to discharge themselves not reflecting, that were this the case, the
seasonswould be turnedtopsyturvy,theseedsownwould be lost,thecropswouldbedestroyed,the
bodies of menwould faintaway,andNaturewouldgoheadoverheels.ThereforeletusleaveHeaven
to its own courseforithasmadethetreetomitigatewithits woodtheseverityofwinter,andwithits
leavestheheatofsummer."

"You speak like Samson!"replied the youth"butyoucannotdeny that this monthofMarch,in

whichwenow are,is very impertinentto send allthis frostand rain,snowandhail,windandstorm,
thesefogsandtempestsandothertroubles,thatmakeone'slifeaburden."
"You tellonlytheill of this poor month," replied Lisa,"butdo not speak ofthebenefitsityields
usfor,by bringing forwardthe Spring,itcommences theproductionofthings,andisalonethecause
thattheSunprovesthehappinessofthepresenttime,byleadinghimintothehouseoftheRam."
The youth was greatlypleasedat whatLisesaid, for hewasin truthnootherthanthemonth of
March itself, who hadarrived atthatinnwithhiselevenbrothersandtorewardLise'sgoodness,who
had notevenfoundanythingill tosay of amonth so sadthattheshepherdsdonotliketomentionit,
hegave him abeautifullittlecasket,saying,"Take this,andifyouwantanything,onlyaskforit,and
whenyouopen this boxyouwillseeitbeforeyou."Lisethankedtheyouth,withmanyexpressionsof
respect,andlayingthelittleboxunderhisheadbywayofapillow,hewenttosleep.
As soon, however, as the Sun, with the pencil of his rays, had retouched the dark shadows of
Night,Lise took leave of the youths andsetouton his way. Buthe hadhardlyproceeded fifty steps
from the inn,when, opening the casket,he said,"Ah, myfriend,I wishIhadalitterlinedwithcloth,
and with alittlefireinside,thatI mighttravelwarm and comfortable throughthesnow!"Nosooner
had heutteredthewords thanthereappeareda litter,withbearers,who,liftinghimup, placedhimin
itwhereuponhetoldthemtocarryhimhome.
Whenthehourwascome tosetthejawsto work Lise openedthelittleboxandsaid,"Iwishfor
somethingto eat." And instantlythereappearedaprofusionofthechoicestfood,andtherewassuch a
banquetthattencrownedkingsmighthavefeastedonit.
One evening, having cometo awoodwhich did notgiveadmittance totheSunbecausehecame
from suspected places, Lise opened the little casket, and said,"Ishouldliketo rest tonighton this
beautiful spot, wheretheriveris making harmony uponthestones as accompaniment tothe song of
the cool breezes." And instantly there appeared, underan oilcloth tent,a couch offine scarlet, with
downmattresses, coveredwitha Spanishcounterpane and sheets as light as afeather.Thenheasked
forsomething toeat, and ina trice therewas setoutasideboardcoveredwithsilverandgoldfitfora
prince, and underanothertenta tablewas spreadwithviands,thesavourysmellofwhichextendeda
hundredmiles.
Whenhehadeatenenough,he laid himselfdowntosleepandassoonastheCock,whoisthespy
of the Sun,announcedto hismasterthatthe ShadesofNightwerewornandwearied,anditwas now
timefor him,likeaskilful general, tofall upontheir rear and makeaslaughterof them, Liseopened
his little box and said, "I wish to have a handsome dress, for today I shall see my brother, and I
shouldliketo make his mouthwater."Nosoonersaid thandone: immediatelyaprincelydressofthe
richestblackvelvetappeared, with edgingsofredcamletandaliningofyellowclothembroideredall
over, which looked like a field of flowers. So dressing himself, Lise got into the litter and soon
reachedhisbrother'shouse.
WhenCianne saw his brotherarrive,withall this splendour and luxury, hewishedtoknowwhat
good fortunehadbefallenhim. ThenLisetoldhim ofthe youthswhom hehadmetinthe inn,andof
thepresenttheyhadmadehimbuthekepttohimselfhisconversationwiththeyouths.
Cianne was now all impatience togetawayfromhisbrother,andtoldhimtogoandresthimself,
as he was no doubt tired then he startedposthaste,and soonarrived attheinn, where,findingthe
same youths,hefell intochat with them. Andwhen the youthasked himthesamequestion,whathe
thoughtofthatmonth ofMarch, Cianne,makinga bigmouth,said,"Confoundthemiserablemonth!
theenemyof shepherds, whichstirsupalltheillhumoursandbringssicknesstoourbodies.Amonth
of which,wheneverwewould announce ruin to aman,wesay,Go,Marchhasshavedyou!'Amonth

of which,when you wantto call amanpresumptuous,yousay,WhatcaresMarch?' Amonthinshort

sohateful,thatit wouldbethebestfortunefortheworld,thegreatestblessingtotheearth,thegreatest
gaintomen,wereitexcludedfromthebandofbrothers."
March,who heardhimselfthusslandered,suppressedhisangertillthemorning,intendingthento
rewardCianneforhiscalumnyandwhenCiannewishedtodepart, hegavehimafinewhip,sayingto
him, "Wheneveryouwish for anything, only say,Whip,givemea hundred!'andyoushallseepearls
strunguponarush."
Cianne, thanking the youth, went his way in great haste, not wishingto make trialofthewhip
untilhereached home. Buthardlyhad heset footin the house, whenhewent intoa secretchamber,
intending tohidethemoneywhichhe expected toreceive fromthewhip.Thenhe said,"Whip,give
mea hundred!" and thereuponthewhipgavehimmorethanhelookedfor,making ascoreonhislegs
and facelike amusicalcomposer, so that Lise, hearing his cries, camerunningtothespotandwhen
hesawthatthe whip, like arunaway horse,could notstopitself, heopenedthelittleboxandbrought
it to astandstill.ThenheaskedCiannewhathadhappenedtohim,anduponhearinghisstory,hetold
himhehadnoonetoblamebut himselfforlikeablockheadhealonehadcausedhisownmisfortune,
actinglikethecamel, that wantedtohavehorns and lostits ears buthebadehimmindanothertime
and keep a bridle on his tongue, which was the key that had opened to him the storehouse of
misfortune for if he had spoken well of the youths, he would perhaps have had the same good
fortune,especiallyasto speakwellofany oneisamerchandisethatcostsnothing,andusuallybrings
profitthat is notexpected.Inconclusion Lisecomfortedhim, biddinghimnotseekmorewealththan
Heavenhadgive him,forhislittlecasket wouldsufficetofillthehousesofthirtymisers,andCianne
should be master of all he possessed, since to the generous manHeaven is treasurerandheadded
that, although another brother might have borne Cianne illwill for the cruelty with which he had
treated him in his poverty, yet he reflected that his avarice had been a favourablewind whichhad
broughthimtothisport,andthereforewishedtoshowhimselfgratefulforthebenefit.
When Cianne heard these things, he begged his brother's pardon for his past unkindness, and
enteringintopartnershiptheyenjoyed together theirgoodfortune, andfromthattimeforwardCianne
spokewellofeverything,howeverbaditmightbefor
"The dog that was scalded with hot water, for ever dreads that
whichiscold."

XXVII
PINTOSMALTO
It has always beenmoredifficult for amanto keepthan togetforin theone case fortuneaids,
which often assists injustice, but in the other casesenseisrequired.Thereforewefrequently finda
person deficient in cleverness rise to wealth, and then, from want of sense, roll over heels to the
bottom as you will see clearly from the story I am going to tell you, if you are quick of
understanding.
Amerchant oncehadanonlydaughter,whomhewishedgreatlytoseemarriedbutasoftenashe
struck this note, he found her a hundred milesofffrom the desiredpitch,forthefoolish girlwould
never consenttomarry,and thefatherwasinconsequencethemostunhappyandmiserablemaninthe
world.Now ithappenedonedaythathewasgoingtoafairsoheasked hisdaughter,whowasnamed

Betta,whatshewould like himto bring heronhisreturn. Andshe said,"Papa,ifyouloveme,bring

me half a hundredweight of Palermo sugar, and as much again of sweet almonds, with fourtosix
bottlesof scented water, anda littlemuskandamber, alsoforty pearls,twosapphires,a few garnets
and rubies, with some gold thread, and above all a trough and a little silver trowel." Her father
wonderedatthis extravagantdemand,neverthelesshewouldnotrefusehis daughtersohewenttothe
fair,andonhisreturnbroughtherallthatshehadrequested.
As soon as Betta received these things, she shut herself up in achamber,andbeganto make a
great quantity of pasteofalmonds andsugar,mixedwithrosewaterandperfumes,andset toworkto
form amost beautifulyouth,makinghishair ofgoldthread,hiseyesofsapphires,his teethofpearls,
hislips of rubies and shegavehim such grace that speechalonewas wantingtohim.Whenshehad
done all this,havingheard saythatat the prayers ofacertainKingofCyprusastatuehadonce come
to life, she prayed to the goddess ofLovesolongthatat lastthestatuebeganto openitseyesand
increasing her prayers, it began to breathe and after breathing, words came out and at last,
disengagingallitslimbs,itbegantowalk.
With ajoy fargreaterthanifshehadgainedakingdom,Bettaembracedandkissedtheyouth,and
takinghim bythehand, sheledhim beforeher fatherandsaid,"Mylordandfather,youhavealways
toldmethatyouwished tosee me married, andinorderto pleaseyouIhave nowchosenahusband
after my own heart." When her father saw the handsome youth come out of his daughter's room,
whomhe hadnot seen enterit, he stoodamazed, andat the sightofsuchbeauty, which folkswould
havepaida halfpennya head togaze at,he consentedthatthemarriageshouldtakeplace.Soagreat
feast was made, at which, among the other ladies present, there appeared a greatunknown Queen,
who,seeing the beauty of Pintosmalto(for that wasthenameBettagave him),felldesperatelyin love
withhim. NowPintosmalto,whohadonlyopenedhiseyesonthewickednessoftheworldthreehours
before, and was as innocent as a babe, accompanied the strangers who had come to celebrate his
nuptials tothestairs, as hisbridehadtoldhimandwhen he didthesamewith this Queen, shetook
himby the handandledhimquietly toher coach, drawnbysixhorses,whichstoodinthecourtyard
thentakinghimintoit,sheorderedthecoachmantodriveoffandawaytohercountry.
After Betta had waited a while in vain expecting Pintosmalto to return, she sentdowninto the
courtyard tosee whether he werespeakingwithanyonetherethenshesentuptotherooftoseeifhe
hadgonetotakefreshairbutfindinghimnowhere,shedirectlyimaginedthat,onaccountofhisgreat
beauty,hehadbeenstolenfromher.Sosheorderedtheusualproclamationstobemadebutatlast,as
no tidingsofhimwerebrought, sheformed theresolutiontogoall the world over insearch ofhim,
and dressingherselfasapoor girl, sheset outonher way. After somemonthsshecametothehouse
of a good old woman, who received her with great kindness and when she had heard Betta's
misfortune, she took compassion on her, and taught her three sayings. The first was, "Tricche
varlacche, the house rains!" the second, "Anola tranola, the fountain plays!" the third, "Scatola
matola, the sun shines!"telling her to repeat these words whenever she was in trouble, and they
wouldbeofgoodservicetoher.
Betta wondered greatly at this present ofchaff, neverthelessshe saidto herself,"Hewho blows
into your mouth does not wish to see you dead, and the plant that strikes root does not wither
everythinghas itsusewhoknows whatgoodfortune may be contained inthesewords?" Sosaying,
she thanked the old woman, and set out upon her way. And after a long journey she came to a
beautiful city called Round Mount, where she went straight totheroyal palace, and beggedforthe
love of Heaven alittleshelterinthestable.Sotheladiesofthecourtorderedasmallroom tobegiven
heron the stairs and whilepoorBettawassittingthere shesawPintosmaltopassby,whereather joy
was so great thatshewas onthepoint of slipping down fromthe tree oflife.Butseeing the trouble

she was in, Betta wishedto makeproofofthefirst sayingwhich theoldwomanhadtoldherandno

soonerhad sherepeated thewords,"Tricche varlacche,thehouserains!"thaninstantlythereappeared
before her a beautiful little coach of gold set all over with jewels, whichranabout the chamberof
itselfandwasawondertobehold.
Whentheladiesofthecourtsawthissighttheywent andtoldtheQueen,who withoutlossoftime
ranto Betta's chamberandwhenshe saw thebeautifullittlecoach,sheaskedwhethershewouldsell
it,andoffered togivewhatevershe might demand. ButBetta repliedthat,althoughshewaspoorshe
would not sell it forallthe goldintheworld,but if the Queenwishedfor thelittlecoach,she must
allowhertopassonenightatthedoorofPintosmalto'schamber.
The Queen was amazed at the folly of the poor girl, who although she was all in rags would
nevertheless give up such riches for amerewhim however,she resolvedto takethe goodmouthful
offered her,and, by givingPintosmaltoa sleepingdraught, tosatisfythepoorgirl butpayherinbad
coin.
As soonastheNightwascome,whenthestarsintheskyandtheglowwormsontheearthwereto
pass in review, the Queen gave a sleepingdraught to Pintosmalto,who dideverythinghewas told,
and senthimtobed.Andnosoonerhadhethrownhimselfonthemattressthanhefellassoundasleep
as adormouse. PoorBetta, whothought that nighttorelate all herpast troubles, seeingnowthatshe
had noaudience,fellto lamentingbeyond measure,blamingherselfforall that shehaddone forhis
sake and the unhappy girl never closed her mouth, nor did thesleepingPintosmaltoeveropenhis
eyesuntiltheSunappeared withtheaquaregiaofhisraystoseparatetheshades fromthelight,when
theQueencamedown,andtakingPintosmaltobythehand,saidtoBetta,"Nowbecontent."
"Mayyouhave such content all thedaysof yourlife!" repliedBettain an undertone"forIhave
passedsobadanightthatIshallnotsoonforgetit."
The poor girl, however, could not resist her longing, and resolved to make trial of the second
saying so sherepeated the words,"Anolatranola,thefountainplays!"andinstantlythereappeareda
golden cage, with a beautiful bird made ofprecious stonesandgold,whichsang like anightingale.
When the ladies saw this they went and told it to the Queen, who wishedto seethebirdthenshe
asked the same question as about the little coach, and Betta made the same reply as before.
Whereupon the Queen, who perceived, as she thought, whata silly creatureBettawas,promisedto
grant herrequest,andtookthecagewiththebird.And as soonasnightcameshegavePintosmaltoa
sleepingdraught asbefore,andsenthim tobed.WhenBetta sawthathesleptlikeadeadperson,she
beganagainto wail and lament,saying thingsthatwouldhavemovedaflintstonetocompassionand
thus shepassedanothernight,fulloftrouble, weepingandwailingandtearingherhair.Butassoonas
it wasdaytheQueen came tofetchhercaptive, andleftpoorBettaingriefandsorrow,andbitingher
handswithvexationatthetrickthathadbeenplayedher.
In themorningwhen Pintosmaltowenttoagardenoutsidethecitygatetoplucksomefigs,hemet
a cobbler, who livedinaroom closetowhereBettalayandhadnotlosta word ofall shehadsaid.
Then he told Pintosmalto of the weeping, lamentation, and crying of the unhappy beggargirl and
when Pintosmalto, who already beganto get alittle moresense,heard this, he guessedhowmatters
stood, andresolved that,ifthesamethinghappened again, he wouldnotdrinkwhat theQueengave
him.
Bettanow wishedtomakethethird trial,soshe saidthewords,"Scatolamatola,thesunshines!"
and instantly there appeared a quantity of stuffs of silk and gold, and embroidered scarfs, with a
goldencup in short, the Queenherself couldnothavebroughttogethersomanybeautifulornaments.
Whentheladiessawthesethingstheytoldtheirmistress,whoendeavoured toobtainthemasshehad
done the others but Betta repliedasbefore,thatiftheQueenwished tohavethemshe mustlether

spend the night at the door of the chamber. Then the Queen said to herself, "What can I lose by
satisfying this silly girl, in order to get from her these beautiful things?"So takingall the treasures
whichBettaofferedher, assoon as Nightappeared, theinstrumentforthedebtcontractedwithSleep
and Repose being liquidated, she gave the sleepingdraughtto Pintosmalto butthis time hedidnot
swallowit,andmakinganexcusetoleavetheroom,hespatitoutagain,andthenwenttobed.
Betta now began the same tune again,sayinghow shehadkneadedhimwithher ownhandsof
sugarandalmonds, how shehadmadehishairofgold,andhiseyesandmouthofpearlsandprecious
stones, and how he was indebted to herforhis life, which thegodshadgrantedto herprayers,and
lastlyhowhehadbeenstolenfromher, andshehadgoneseekinghimwith suchtoilandtrouble.Then
she wentontotellhimhowshehad watchedtwonightsatthedoor ofhisroom,andforleavetodoso
had givenup two treasures, andyethadnotbeenableto hearasinglewordfromhim,sothatthis was
thelastnightofherhopesandtheconclusionofherlife.
When Pintosmalto, whohadremainedawake,heard these words,andcalledto mind asa dream
allthathadpassed, heroseandembracedherandasNighthadjustcome forthwithherblack maskto
direct the dance ofthe Stars, he wentveryquietlyinto the chamberoftheQueen,whowasinadeep
sleep, and took from her all the thingsthatshehad takenfrom Betta,and allthejewels and money
which were in a desk,to repayhimselfforhispast troubles. Then returning tohiswife, theysetoff
thatveryhour, andtravelledonandon until theyarrivedather father'shouse,where theyfoundhim
alive and well and fromthe joy of seeinghisdaughter againhebecamelikeaboyof fifteen years.
But whentheQueenfound neitherPintosmalto,nor beggargirl,nor jewels,shetoreherhairandrent
herclothes,andcalledtomindthesaying
"Hewhocheatsmustnotcomplainifhebecheated."

XXVIII
THEGOLDENROOT
Apersonwhoisovercurious,andwantstoknowmorethanheought,alwayscarriesthematchin
his hand to set fire to thepowderroomofhisown fortunes and he whopriesintoothers' affairsis
frequently aloser inhisownforgenerallyhewhodigsholestosearchfortreasures,comestoaditch
intowhichhehimselffallsashappenedtothedaughterofagardenerinthefollowingmanner.
Therewasonceagardenerwhowassovery very poorthat,however hardheworked,hecouldnot
managetogetbread for hisfamily. Sohegave threelittlepigsto histhreedaughters, that theymight
rear them, and thus get something for alittledowry.ThenPascuzzaandCice, whoweretheeldest,
drove their littlepigs tofeed in abeautiful meadowbuttheywould not letParmetella, who wasthe
youngest daughter, go with them, and sent her away, telling herto goandfeed herpigsomewhere
else. SoParmetelladroveherlittle animalintoawood,wheretheShadeswereholdingoutagainstthe
assaultsoftheSunandcomingto apastureinthemiddleofwhichflowedafountain,that,likethe
hostess of an inn where cold water is sold, was inviting the passersby with itssilver tongueshe
found acertaintree withgoldenleaves.Thenpluckingoneof them, shetookittoherfather,whowith
great joysold itformorethantwentyducats,whichservedtostopupaholeinhisaffairs.Andwhen
heasked Parmetellawhereshe had foundit, shesaid, "Take it, sir,andask noquestions,unlessyou
would spoil your good fortune." The next day she returned and did the same and she went on
plucking theleavesfromthetreeuntilitwasentirelystript, asifithadbeenplunderedbythewindsof

Autumn. Then she perceived that the tree had alarge goldenroot, whichshecould notpullup with
herhandssoshe wenthome, and fetching an axesetto work tolaybaretheroot around thefootof
thetreeandraisingthetrunkaswellasshecould,shefoundunderitabeautifulporphyrystaircase.
Parmetella, whowas curious beyondmeasure, wentdown the stairs,andwalkingthroughalarge
and deepcavern, shecameto abeautifulplain,onwhich wasasplendidpalace,whereonlygoldand
silver were trodden underfoot, and pearls and precious stones everywhere met the eye. And as
Parmetella stood wondering at all these splendid things, not seeing any person moving among so
many beautiful fixtures, shewent intoa chamber, inwhichwere anumber ofpictures and onthem
were seen painted various beautiful thingsespecially the ignorance of man esteemed wise, the
injusticeofhimwhoheldthescales,theinjuriesavengedbyHeaventhingstrulytoamazeone.And
inthesamechamberalsowasasplendidtable,setoutwiththingstoeatandtodrink.
Seeingno one, Parmetella,whowasveryhungry,sat downat atable toeatlikeafinecountbut
whilstshe was inthe midstof the feast,beholdahandsomeSlaveentered,whosaid,"Stay!donotgo
away,forIwill haveyouformywife, andwill make you thehappiestwomanin theworld."Inspite
of her fear, Parmetella took heart at this good offer, and consenting to what the Slaveproposed,a
coach of diamonds was instantlygiven her,drawn byfourgoldensteeds,withwingsofemeraldsand
rubies, whocarried her flying throughtheairto takeanairingandanumberofapes,cladinclothof
gold, were given to attendonher person,who forthwitharrayedher fromheadtofoot, and adorned
hersothatshelookedjustlikeaQueen.
When night was come, and the Sundesiring to sleep on the banks of the river of India
untroubled by gnatshadputout the light,theSlave saidto Parmetella,"Mydear,nowgotorestin
this bed but remember first to put outthecandle,andmind whatI say,orillwillbetideyou."Then
Parmetelladid ashe told herbutnosoonerhadsheclosedhereyesthanthe blackamoor,changingto
a handsome youth, lay down to sleep. Butthenextmorning, ere theDawnwentforthto seek fresh
eggsin the fieldsofthesky the youth arose andtookhisotherformagain,leavingParmetella fullof
wonderandcuriosity.
And again the following night, when Parmetella wenttorest,she putoutthecandleas shehad
done the night before,andtheyouthcameas usual and lay downtosleep.Butnosoonerhadheshut
hiseyes than Parmetellaarose,tooka steelwhichshe hadprovided, and lightingthetinderapplieda
match then takingthecandle,sheraisedthecoverlet,andbeheldtheebonyturned toivory, and the
coal to chalk. And whilst she stood gazing with open mouth, and contemplating the mostbeautiful
pencilling that Nature had ever given upon the canvas of Wonder, the youth awoke, and began to
reproach Parmetella,saying, "Ah,woe is me!for yourprying curiosityIhaveto sufferanotherseven
years this accursed punishment. Butbegone!Run,scamperoff!Takeyourselfoutofmysight!You
knownotwhatgoodfortuneyoulose."Sosaying,hevanishedlikequicksilver.
Thepoorgirlleft the palace, coldandstiff withaffright, and withherheadbowedtotheground.
And whenshe hadcome out of the cavern shemeta fairy,whosaid toher,"Mychild,howmyheart
grieves atyourmisfortune! Unhappygirl,youaregoing to the slaughterhouse,whereyouwill pass
over the bridge no wider than a hair. Therefore, to provide against your peril, take these seven
spindleswiththese sevenfigs, and alittlejar of honey,andthesesevenpairsofironshoes,andwalk
onandon without stopping, until they are worn out thenyou willseesevenwomenstandingupon a
balcony of a house, and spinning from above down totheground, with the threadwounduponthe
bone ofa deadperson.Remain quite still andhidden, and when thethreadcomesdown,takeoutthe
bone andput initsplace aspindle besmearedwithhoney,witha fig intheplaceofthelittlebutton.
Thenassoonasthewomendrawupthespindlesandtastethehoney,theywillsay
'Hewhohasmademyspindlesweet,

Shallinreturnwithgoodfortunemeet!'
And after repeating these words, they will say, one after another, 'O you who broughtus these
sweet things appear!'Thenyoumust answer, Nay,foryouwill eatme.'Andtheywillsay,Weswear
byour spoon that we willnoteatyou!' Butdo notstirandthey willcontinue,We swearbyourspit
thatwewillnoteatyou!' But stand firm, as if rootedto thespotandtheywillsay,Weswear byour
broom that we will noteatyou!' Stilldo not believethemand whentheysay, Weswearbyourpail
that we will not eat you!' shutyour mouth,andsay nota word, or itwill costyouyourlife. Atlast
they willsay, Weswearby ThunderandLightningthatwewillnot eat you!'Thentake courageand
mountup,fortheywilldoyounoharm."
When Parmetella heard this, she setoffand walked over hilland dale, until attheendofseven
yearstheiron shoeswere wornout andcoming toa largehouse,witha projectingbalcony,shesaw
the seven women spinning. So she did as the fairyhad advisedherandaftera thousand wiles and
allurements, they swore byThunderandLightning,whereuponsheshowed herself and mountedup.
Then they all seven said to her, "Traitress, youare the causethatour brotherhas livedtwice seven
long years in the cavern, far away fromus, intheform of ablackamoor!But nevermindalthough
youhavebeencleverenoughtostopourthroatwiththeoath,youshallonthefirst opportunitypayoff
both the old and the new reckoning. But now hear what you must do. Hide yourself behind this
trough, and when our mother comes, who would swallow you down at once, rise upand seize her
behindherback hold herfast,anddonotlethergo untilsheswearsbyThunderandLightningnotto
harmyou."
Parmetella did as she was bid, and after the ogress had sworn by the fireshovel, by the
spinningwheel, by the reel, by the sideboard, and by the peg, at last she swore by
ThunderandLightning whereuponParmetella letgo herhold,andshowedherselftotheogress,who
said, "You have caught me this time but takecare,Traitress!for, at thefirstshower,I'llsendyouto
theLava."
One daytheogress,whowasonthelookoutforanopportunitytodevourParmetella,tooktwelve
sacks of various seedspeas, chickpeas, lentils, vetches, kidneybeans, beans, and lupinsand
mixed them all together then she said to her, "Traitress, take these seedsand sort them all,sothat
each kindmay beseparated fromtherestandifthey are notall sorted bythis evening, I'llswallow
youlikeapennytart."
PoorParmetella satdown besidethe sacks,weeping, and said,"O mother, mother,howwillthis
goldenroot provea rootof woes tome! Nowismy misery completed byseeingablackfaceturned
white, allhas becomeblackbefore myeyes.Alas! I am ruinedandundonethereisnohelpforit.I
already seem as if I wereinthethroatofthathorridogressthereisnoonetohelpme,thereisnoone
toadviseme,thereisnoonetocomfortme!"
As shewaslamenting thus, lo!ThunderandLightningappearedlikea flash, forthe banishment
laidupon himbythespellhadjustended.Althoughhe wasangrywithParmetella,yethisbloodcould
not turn towater,and seeing her grieving thus he saidto her,"Traitress,what makesyouweep so?"
Then shetold him of hismother'silltreatmentofher,andherwishtomakeanendofher,andeather
up. But ThunderandLightningreplied, "Calmyourselfandtakeheart, foritshallnotbeasshesaid."
And instantlyscatteringalltheseedsonthe groundhemadeadelugeofantsspringup,whoforthwith
set toworktoheapup alltheseedsseparately,eachkindbyitself,andParmetellafilledthesackswith
them.
Whentheogress came homeandfound thetaskdone,shewasalmostindespair,andcried,"That
dog ThunderandLightning has played me this trick but you shall not escape thus! So take these

pieces of bedtick, which are enough for twelve mattresses, and mind that by this eveningtheyare
filledwithfeathers,orelseIwillmakemincemeatofyou."
The poor girl took the bedticks, and sitting down upon the ground began to weepandlament
bitterly,makingtwofountainsofhereyes.ButpresentlyThunderandLightningappeared,andsaidto
her, "Do not weep, Traitress,leave it to me, and I will bring you to port so let down your hair,
spread the bedticksupon theground, and falltoweepingandwailing,andcryingoutthatthekingof
thebirdsisdead,thenyou'llseewhatwillhappen."
Parmetelladid asshe wastold, andbehold acloud ofbirdssuddenlyappearedthatdarkened the
air andflapping their wings theylet falltheirfeathersbybasketfuls,sothatin less than an hourthe
mattresses were all filled. When the ogress camehomeandsaw the taskdone, sheswelled up with
rage till shealmost burst,saying,"ThunderandLightning is determinedto plagueme, butmayIbe
dragged at anape's tailifIlet her escape!" Then shesaid toParmetella, "Run quickly tomysister's
house, and tell her to send me the musical instruments for I have resolved that
ThunderandLightningshallmarry,andwewillmake afeastfitforaking."Atthesametimeshesent
to bid hersister, whenthepoorgirlcametoaskfortheinstruments,instantlytokillandcookher,and
shewouldcomeandpartakeofthefeast.
Parmetella, hearing herself ordered to perform an easier task,wasingreat joy,thinking that the
weather had begun to grow milder. Alas, how crooked is human judgment! On the way she met
ThunderandLightning,who,seeing her walkingataquickpace,saidtoher,"Whitherareyougoing,
wretched girl? See you not that you are ontheway totheslaughter that you are forging your own
fetters, and sharpeningtheknifeandmixingthepoisonfor yourselfthatyouaresentto theogressfor
her to swallow you? But listen to me andfearnot.Take this little loaf,thisbundleofhay,andthis
stoneand whenyoucometothehouse of myaunt,youwillfindabulldog,whichwillflybarkingat
youto bite you but give him thislittleloaf,anditwillstophisthroat.Andwhenyouhavepassedthe
dog,youwill meeta horse runningloose, whichwillrun uptokickandtrampleonyoubutgivehim
thehay,andyouwillcloghisfeet.Atlastyouwillcometoadoor,bangingtoandfrocontinuallyput
this stone before it, and you will stop itsfury.Thenmount upstairsandyoufindthe ogress,witha
littlechild inher arms, andthe ovenready heatedto bakeyou. Whereuponshewillsaytoyou,Hold
this little creature, and wait here till I go and fetchtheinstruments.' But mindshewillonlygo to
whet her tusks, in order totearyouinpieces. Then throwthelittle childinto the ovenwithoutpity,
take the instrumentswhich standbehindthedoor,andhieoffbeforetheogressreturns,orelseyouare
lost.Theinstrumentsareinabox,butbewareofopeningit,oryouwillrepent."
Parmetelladid allthatThunderandLightning told herbutonherway backwiththeinstruments
she opened the box, and lo and behold! they allflewoutandabouthere aflute, there aflageolet,
here a pipe, there a bagpipe, making athousanddifferent soundsin the air, whilst Parmetellastood
lookingonandtearingherhairindespair.
Meanwhiletheogress came downstairs, and not findingParmetella,shewenttothewindow,and
calledouttothedoor,"Crushthattraitress!"Butthedooranswered:
"Iwillnotusethepoorgirlill,
Forshehasmademeatlaststandstill."
Thentheogresscriedouttothehorse,"Trampleonthethief!"Butthehorsereplied:
"Letthepoorgirlgoherway,
Forshehasgivenmethehay."
Andlastly,theogresscalledtothedog,saying,"Bitetherogue!"Butthedoganswered:
"I'llnothurtahairofherhead,
Forsheitwaswhogavemethebread."

Now asParmetella rancrying aftertheinstruments,shemetThunderandLightning,whoscolded

herwell,saying, "Traitress, will younotlearnatyourcostthatbyyourfatalcuriosityyouarebrought
to thisplight?" Then he calledbacktheinstrumentswithawhistle,andshutthemupagaininthebox,
telling Parmetella to takethem tohismother.Butwhentheogress sawher,shecriedaloud,"Ocruel
fate!evenmysisterisagainstme,andrefusestogivemethispleasure."
Meanwhilethenewbridearrivedahideouspest,acompoundofugliness,aharpy,anevil shade,
a horror,amonster,alargetub,whowithahundredflowersandboughsaboutherlookedlikeanewly
opened inn.Thentheogress madea greatbanquet for herand beingfullof gallandmalice,shehad
thetable placedcloseto awell, where sheseated her sevendaughters,eachwithatorchinonehand
butshegavetwotorchestoParmetella,andmadehersitattheedgeofthewell,onpurposethat,when
shefellasleep,shemighttumbletothebottom.
Now whilst the dishes were passing to and fro, and their blood began to get warm,
ThunderandLightning, who turned quite sick at the sight of the new bride, said to Parmetella,
"Traitress,doyouloveme?" "Ay,to thetopoftheroof,"she replied.Andheanswered,"Ifyoulove
me, give me a kiss.""Nay,"said Parmetella,"YOU indeed, who havesucha prettycreatureat your
side! Heaven preserve her toyoua hundred years inhealthandwithplenty ofsons!"Thenthenew
bride answered, "It is very clear that you are a simpleton, and would remainsowere you tolive a
hundred years, acting the prude as you do, and refusing tokisssohandsomeayouth,whilst I leta
herdsmankissmeforacoupleofchestnuts."
Atthesewordsthe bridegroomswelledwithragelikeatoad,sothathisfoodremainedstickingin
his throat however, he puta goodface onthematter and swallowedthepill, intendingtomakethe
reckoningandsettlethebalanceafterwards.Butwhenthetableswereremoved,andtheogressandhis
sisters had gone away, ThunderandLightning said to the newbride, "Wife, didyouseethisproud
creature refuse me a kiss?" "She was a simpleton," replied the bride, "to refuse a kiss to such a
handsomeyoungman,whilstIletaherdsmankissmeforacoupleofchestnuts."
ThunderandLightning could contain himself no longer the mustard got up into his nose, and
withtheflash ofscorn andthe thunder of action,heseizedaknifeandstabbedthebride,anddigging
a holein thecellarhe buriedher. Then embracing Parmetellahesaid toher,"You are myjewel,the
flower of women, the mirror of honour! Then turn those eyesupon me,givemethathand,putout
thoselips,drawneartome,myheart!forIwillbeyoursaslongastheworldlasts."
Thenextmorning,whentheSunarousedhisfierysteedsfromtheirwaterystable,anddrovethem
to pasture on the fields sown by the Dawn, the ogress came with fresheggs forthe newly married
couple, that the young wife might be able to say, "Happy is she who marries and gets a
motherinlaw!"Butfinding Parmetellain the armsofherson,andhearingwhat had passed,sheran
to her sister,to concert somemeansofremovingthisthornfromhereyeswithoutherson'sbeingable
to prevent it. But whenshefoundthathersister,outofgriefatthelossofherdaughter,hadcreptinto
theoven herself and was burnt,her despairwassogreat,thatfrom anogress shebecamearam,and
butted her headagainst the wallundershebrokeherpate.ThenThunderandLightning madepeace
between Parmetella and her sistersinlaw, and they all lived happy and content, finding the saying
cometrue,that
"Patienceconquersall."

XXIX

SUN,MOON,ANDTALIA
It is a wellknown fact that the cruel man is generally his own hangman and he who throws
stonesat Heavenfrequently comesoffwithabrokenhead.Butthereverseofthemedalshowsusthat
innocence is ashieldoffigtreewood, uponwhich the sword of malice isbroken, orbluntsitspoint
sothat,when apoormanfancies himselfalreadydeadandburied, herevivesagaininboneandflesh,
as you shallhearin the storywhich I am goingtodraw fromthecaskofmemorywiththetapofmy
tongue.
There wasoncea great Lord,who, having adaughter bornto him named Talia,commandedthe
seers and wise menofhiskingdomto come and tellhimher fortuneandaftervariouscounsellings
they came to the conclusion, that a great peril awaited her from a piece of stalk in some flax.
Thereupon he issueda command,prohibitingany flaxor hemp, orsuchlikething,tobebroughtinto
hishouse,hopingthustoavoidthedanger.
WhenTaliawasgrown up,andwasstanding one dayatthewindow,she sawanoldwomanpass
by who was spinning. She had never seen a distaff or a spindle, and beingvastlypleasedwiththe
twisting and twirling of the thread, her curiosity was so great that she made the old woman come
upstairs. Then,takingthedistaffinherhand,Taliabegantodrawoutthethread,when,bymischance,
a piece ofstalk intheflax getting under her fingernail,shefelldeaduponthegroundatwhichsight
theoldwomanhobbleddownstairsasquicklyasshecould.
When the unhappy father heardof the disasterthathad befallen Talia,afterweepingbitterly,he
placed herin that palacein thecountry, upona velvet seatunder acanopy of brocadeandfastening
thedoors, hequittedforevertheplacewhichhadbeen the causeof suchmisfortunetohim,inorder
todriveallremembranceofitfromhismind.
Now, acertain Kinghappenedto goonedaytothechase,andafalconescapingfromhimflewin
atthe windowofthatpalace.WhentheKing found that the birddidnotreturnathiscall,heordered
his attendants to knock at the door, thinking that the palace was inhabited and after knocking for
sometime,theKingorderedthemto fetcha vinedresser'sladder,wishinghimselftoscalethehouse
and seewhat was inside.Thenhemountedtheladder, and goingthrough the whole palace,hestood
aghast atnotfindingthere any livingperson. Atlasthecametothe roomwhereTaliawaslying,asif
enchanted andwhen the Kingsaw her,hecalledtoher, thinkingthatshewas asleep,but invain,for
she still slept on, however loud he called. So, after admiring her beauty awhile, the King returned
hometohiskingdom,whereforalongtimeheforgotallthathadhappened.
Meanwhile, two little twins, one a boy and the other a girl, who looked like two little jewels,
wandered,fromIknownotwhere,intothepalaceandfoundTaliainatrance.Atfirsttheywereafraid
because theytried invainto awaken herbut,becomingbolder,thegirlgentlytookTalia'sfingerinto
hermouth,to bite it and wake her upby thismeans andsoithappenedthatthe splinterofflaxcame
out. Thereuponshe seemed toawakeasfromadeepsleepandwhenshesawthoselittlejewelsather
side, shetookthemtoherheart,andlovedthemmorethanherlifebutshewonderedgreatlyatseeing
herself quite alonein the palacewithtwochildren, and food andrefreshment brought herby unseen
hands.
Aftera time the King, calling Talia tomind, tookoccasiononedaywhenhewenttothechaseto
goandsee her and when hefound herawakened, and with two beautiful little creaturesbyherside,
he was struck dumb with rapture. Then the King told Talia who he was, and they formed a great
league and friendship, andhe remainedthere for severaldays, promising, ashetookleave, toreturn
andfetchher.

WhentheKing wentback tohisown kingdom hewasforever repeatingthenamesofTaliaand

thelittleones, insomuch that,whenhe was eating hehad Talia inhismouth,andSunandMoon(for
sohenamedthechildren)nay,even whenhewent toresthedid not leave off calling onthem,first
oneandthentheother.
Now the King'sstepmother had grownsuspiciousat his longabsenceatthe chase,andwhenshe
heard him calling thus on Talia,Sun,andMoon, shewaxed wroth,and saidto the King'ssecretary,
"Hark ye,friend, you stand ingreatdanger,between the axeandtheblock tellmewhoitisthatmy
stepsonisenamouredof,andIwillmakeyourichbutifyouconcealthetruthfromme,I'llmakeyou
rueit."
Theman,movedon the one sidebyfear,andontheotherprickedbyinterest,whichisabandage
to the eyes of honour,theblindofjustice,andanoldhorseshoeto tripup goodfaith,toldtheQueen
thewholetruth.Whereupon shesentthe secretary intheKing's nametoTalia,saying thathewished
to see the children.ThenTaliasent themwithgreat joy,but the Queen commandedthecook tokill
them,andservethemupinvariouswaysforherwretchedstepsontoeat.
Now the cook, who had a tender heart, seeing the two pretty little golden pippins, took
compassion onthem,andgavethemto his wife, biddingherkeepthemconcealedthen hekilledand
dressedtwolittlekids ina hundred differentways. When the Kingcame, theQueenquicklyordered
the dishes served up and the King fell toeatingwithgreatdelight, exclaiming, "Howgoodthis is!
Oh,howexcellent, bythesoul ofmy grandfather!"AndtheoldQueenallthewhilekeptsaying,"Eat
away, for you know what you eat." At firsttheKingpaid noattentionto whatshe said butat last,
hearingthemusiccontinue,hereplied,"Ay,IknowwellenoughwhatIeat,forYOU broughtnothing
to the house." And at last, getting up in a rage, hewent off toa villa atalittle distance tocoolhis
anger.
Meanwhile theQueen,not satisfied with whatshe haddone,calledthesecretary again,andsent
himto fetch Talia, pretendingthattheKing wishedtoseeher. AtthissummonsTaliawentthatvery
instant, longing to see the light of her eyes, and notknowing that only the smoke awaitedher. But
whenshe came beforethe Queen,thelattersaidtoher,withthefaceofaNero,andfullofpoisonasa
viper, "Welcome, Madam Slycheat! Are you indeed the pretty mischiefmaker? Are you theweed
thathascaughtmyson'seyeandgivenmeallthistrouble."
WhenTaliaheardthisshe began toexcuseherselfbuttheQueenwouldnotlistentoawordand
having a large fire lighted in the courtyard, she commanded that Talia should be thrown into the
flames. Poor Talia, seeing matters come to a bad pass, fell on her knees before the Queen, and
besought her at leastto granther time totake theclothesfromoff herback. Whereuponthe Queen,
notsomuch outofpityfortheunhappy girl, astogetpossessionofherdress,whichwasembroidered
all over with gold and pearls, said to her, "Undress yourselfI allow you." Then Talia began to
undress, and as she took off each garment she uttered an exclamation of grief and when she had
stripped off her cloak, her gown, and her jacket, and wasproceedingto takeoffherpetticoat,they
seizedherandweredraggingheraway.AtthatmomenttheKingcameup,andseeingthespectaclehe
demanded to know the whole truth and when he asked also for the children, and heard that his
stepmotherhadorderedthemtobekilled,theunhappyKinggavehimselfuptodespair.
He then ordered her to be thrown into the same fire which had been lighted for Talia,andthe
secretarywithher,whowasthehandleof thiscruelgameandtheweaverofthiswickedweb.Thenhe
wasgoing todo the same with the cook, thinking that hehad killedthe childrenbut the cookthrew
himselfat the King'sfeetand said, "Truly,sir King, Iwoulddesireno othersinecureinreturnforthe
service I have done you than to be thrown into a furnace full of live coals I would ask no other
gratuitythanthethrustofaspikeIwouldwishfornootheramusementthantoberoastedinthefireI

woulddesireno other privilegethantohavetheashesofthecookmingledwiththoseofaQueen.But

Ilookfornosuch greatreward forhaving savedthechildren,andbroughtthem backtoyouinspiteof
thatwickedcreaturewhowishedtokillthem."
WhentheKing heardthesewordshe was quitebesidehimselfheappearedto dream, andcould
not believe what his ears had heard. Then he said tothe cook,"If it is truethatyouhavesavedthe
children, be assured I will take you from turning the spit, and reward you so that you shall call
yourselfthehappiestmanintheworld."
As the King was speakingthese words,thewifeofthecook,seeingthedilemmaherhusbandwas
in,broughtSun andMoonbeforetheKing,who,playingatthegameofthree withTaliaandtheother
children, went round and round kissing first one and then another. Then giving the cook a large
reward, he made him his chamberlain and he took Talia towife,whoenjoyed alonglife with her
husbandandthechildren,acknowledgingthat
"Hewhohasluckmaygotobed,
Andblisswillrainuponhishead."

XXX
NENNILLOANDNENNELLA
Woetohimwho thinkstofindagovernessforhischildrenbygivingthemastepmother!Heonly
bringsinto his housethecause of their ruin. Therenever yet wasastepmotherwholookedkindlyon
the children of another or if by chance such a one were ever found, she would be regarded as a
miracle,andbecalledawhitecrow.Butbesideallthoseofwhomyoumayhave heard,Iwillnowtell
you of another, to be added to the list of heartless stepmothers, whom you will consider well
deservingthepunishmentshepurchasedforherselfwithreadymoney.
There was once a good man named Jannuccio, who had two children, Nennillo and Nennella,
whomhe lovedas muchashis own life. ButDeathhaving,withthesmoothfileofTime,severedthe
prisonbars of his wife's soul, he took to himself a cruelwoman,whohadnosoonersetfootinhis
house than shebeganto ride thehighhorse, saying,"AmIcomehereindeedtolookafterotherfolk's
children? A pretty jobIhaveundertaken,tohaveallthistroubleandbeforeverteasedbyacoupleof
squalling brats! Would that I had broken my neck ere I ever came to thisplace, tohave bad food,
worse drink,andgetno sleep atnight!Here'sa lifeto lead!ForsoothIcame asa wife,andnotasa
servant but Imust find somemeans ofgetting ridofthesecreatures,oritwillcostmemylife:better
to blush once than to grow palea hundred times so I'vedone with them, for I am resolvedto send
themaway,ortoleavethehousemyselfforever."
The poor husband, who had some affection forthiswoman,said toher,"Softly, wife! Don't be
angry,for sugarisdearandtomorrowmorning,before thecockcrows,Iwillremovethisannoyance
in order toplease you."So the nextmorning,eretheDawnhadhung outthered counterpane atthe
window of the Easttoairit,Jannucciotookthechildren,onebyeachhand,andwith agoodbasketful
of thingsto eat uponhisarm, he led them toa wood,whereanarmyof poplarsandbeechtreeswere
holdingtheshadesbesieged.ThenJannuccio said,"Mylittlechildren,stayhereinthiswood,andeat
and drinkmerrily butifyouwant anything, followthislineofasheswhichI have beenstrewing as
wecamealongthiswillbeacluetoleadyououtofthelabyrinthandbringyoustraighthome."Then
givingthembothakiss,hereturnedweepingtohishouse.

But atthehour whenallcreatures,summonedbytheconstablesofNight,paytoNaturethetaxof

needful repose, the twochildrenbeganto feel afraid atremaining inthatlonesomeplace, where the
waters of a river, which wasthrashing the impertinentstonesforobstructingits course, wouldhave
frightened evena hero.Sotheywent slowly alongthepathof ashes,anditwasalreadymidnightere
they reached their home. When Pascozza, their stepmother, saw the children, she acted not like a
woman, but aperfectfury cryingaloud,wringingher hands, stamping with herfeet, snorting like a
frightened horse, and exclaiming, "What fine piece of work is this? Is there no wayofridding the
house of these creatures?Is itpossible, husband,thatyouaredeterminedtokeepthemheretoplague
myverylifeout? Go,take themout ofmysight!I'll notwait forthecrowing ofcocksandthecackling
of hens or else be assured that tomorrow morning I'll goofftomyparents'house,foryoudo not
deserveme.Ihavenotbroughtyousomanyfinethings,onlyto bemadetheslaveofchildrenwhoare
notmyown."
PoorJannuccio,who sawthatmattersweregrowing rathertoo warm, immediatelytookthelittle
onesandreturnedto the woodwheregivingthechildrenanotherbasketfuloffood, he saidtothem,
"You see,my dears,how this wife ofminewhoiscome tomy housetobeyourruin and anailin
my hearthates youthereforeremain inthiswood, wherethetrees, more compassionate, will give
youshelterfrom thesunwheretheriver,morecharitable,willgive youdrinkwithoutpoisonand the
earth,morekind,willgiveyouapillowofgrasswithoutdanger.Andwhenyouwantfood,followthis
littlepathof bran which Ihavemade for you ina straight line,and youcan comeandseekwhatyou
require." So saying, he turned away his face, not to let himselfbe seen toweepanddishearten the
poorlittlecreatures.
WhenNennillo and Nennella had eatenallthatwasinthebasket,theywantedtoreturnhomebut
alas! a jackassthe son of illluckhad eaten up all thebranthatwasstrewnuponthegroundso
they lost their way, and wandered aboutforlornin thewoodforseveral days,feedingon acornsand
chestnuts which they found fallen on the ground. But as Heaven always extends its arm over the
innocent, there came bychancea Princetohuntin that wood.ThenNennillo,hearingthebaying of
the hounds, was so frightened that he crept into a hollow tree and Nennella set off running atfull
speed, and ran until she came outof thewood, and foundherself on theseashore. Nowithappened
thatsomepirates,whohadlandedtheretogetfuel,sawNennellaandcarriedheroffandtheircaptain
tookherhomewithhimwhereheandhiswife,havingjustlostalittlegirl,tookherastheirdaughter.
Meantime Nennillo, whohadhiddenhimselfinthetree,wassurroundedbythedogs,whichmade
such a furious barking that the Princesenttofindout the causeandwhenhediscoveredthepretty
littleboy, whowas soyoung that hecouldnottellwhowerehisfatherandmother,heorderedoneof
thehuntsmentosethimuponhissaddleandtakehimtotheroyalpalace.Thenhehadhimbroughtup
withgreatcare,andinstructedinvariousarts,andamongothers,hehadhimtaughtthatofacarverso
that,beforethree orfouryearshadpassed,Nennillobecamesoexpert inhisartthathecouldcarvea
jointtoahair.
Now aboutthis time it was discoveredthatthecaptainof theship whohadtakenNennellatohis
house wasasearobber,andthepeoplewishedtotakehimprisonerbutgettingtimelynoticefrom the
clerks in the lawcourts, who were his friends, and whom he kept in his pay, he fled with all his
family.Itwasdecreed,however,perhapsby the judgment ofHeaven,thathewhohadcommittedhis
crimes upon the sea, upon the sea should suffer the punishment of themforhavingembarked ina
smallboat,no sooner was heupon the opensea thantherecamesucha stormofwindandtumultof
the waves, that the boat was upset and all were drownedallexcept Nennella,whohavinghadno
share in the corsair's robberies, like his wife and children, escapedthedangerforjust then alarge
enchantedfish,whichwasswimmingabouttheboat,openeditshugethroatandswallowedherdown.

Thelittlegirlnowthoughttoherselfthatherdaysweresurelyatanend,whensuddenlyshefound
a thingtoamaze her inside thefish,beautiful fieldsand finegardens,andasplendidmansion,with
allthatheartcould desire, in whichshelivedlikeaPrincess.Thenshewascarriedquicklybythefish
to arock,where itchancedthat the Princehadcometo escape the burningheat of asummer,andto
enjoythe coolseabreezes.And whilsta greatbanquet waspreparing,Nennillohadsteppedoutupon
a balcony of the palace on the rock to sharpen some knives, priding himself greatly on acquiring
honourfromhisoffice.WhenNennellasawhimthroughthefish'sthroat,shecriedaloud,
"Brother,brother,yourtaskisdone,
Thetablesarelaidouteveryone
ButhereinthefishImustsitandsigh,
Obrother,withoutyouIsoonshalldie."
Nennillo at first paid no attention to the voice, but the Prince, who was standing on another
balcony andhadalso heardit,turned in the direction whence the sound came,andsawthefish.And
whenheagain heardthesamewords, he wasbeside himself with amazement,andorderedanumber
of servants to try whether by any means they could ensnare the fish and draw it to land. At last,
hearing the words "Brother, brother!" continually repeated, he asked all his servants, one by one,
whether any of them had lost asister. AndNennilloreplied, that herecollected,as adream,having
had asisterwhen the Princefoundhiminthewood, butthathehadnever sinceheardanytidingsof
her. Then the Princetoldhim togo nearerto the fish,and seewhat was the matter, for perhapsthis
adventuremightconcern him.As soonasNennillo approachedthefish,it raised upitsheaduponthe
rock, and opening its throat six palms wide, Nennella steppedout, so beautifulthat shelookedjust
like a nymph in some interlude, come forth from thatanimalat the incantation ofa magician. And
whenthePrinceaskedherhowithadallhappened,shetold himapartofher sadstory,andthehatred
of their stepmother but not being able to recollect the name of their father nor of their home, the
Prince caused a proclamation to be issued,commanding that whoeverhadlosttwochildren,named
Nennillo and Nennella,in awood, shouldcometotheroyalpalace,andhewouldtherereceivejoyful
newsofthem.
Jannuccio, who hadall thistime passedasadanddisconsolatelife,believingthathischildrenhad
beendevoured bywolves,now hastenedwiththe greatestjoytoseekthePrince,andtoldhimthathe
had lost the children.And whenhehadrelatedthestory,howhehadbeencompelledtotakethemto
thewood, thePrince gave hima goodscolding,callinghimablockhead forallowingawoman toput
herheel upon his neck till he was broughtto sendawaytwosuchjewelsashis children.Butafterhe
had brokenJannuccio'sheadwith thesewords,heappliedto itthe plasterofconsolation,showinghim
thechildren,whom the father embraced and kissedfor halfanhourwithoutbeingsatisfied.Thenthe
Prince made himpulloffhisjacket,andhadhimdressedlikealordandsendingforJannuccio'swife,
he showed her those two golden pippins, asked herwhat that personwould deservewho should do
them any harm, and evenendangertheirlives.And shereplied, "For my part,I would putherintoa
closedcask,andsendherrollingdownamountain."
"Soitshallbedone!"saidthePrince."Thegoathasbuttedatherself.Quicknow!youhavepassed
thesentence,and you mustsufferit,forhavingbornethesebeautifulstepchildrensuchmalice."Sohe
gaveorders that the sentenceshouldbe instantlyexecuted.Thenchoosingaveryrichlordamonghis
vassals, he gave him Nennella to wife, andthedaughterofanothergreat lordto Nennilloallowing
them enough to live upon, with their father, so that they wanted for nothing in the world. But the
stepmother,shut intothecaskand shutout fromlife,kept oncrying throughthebungholeaslongas
shehadbreath
"Tohimwhomischiefseeks,shallmischieffall

Therecomesanhourthatrecompensesall."

XXXI
THETHREECITRONS
Well was it intruth said bythewise man, "Do notsayallyouknow,nordoallyouareable"for
bothone and the other bringunknowndangerandunforeseenruinasyoushallhearofacertainslave
(beitspoken with allreverenceformyladythePrincess),who,afterdoing alltheinjuryinherpower
to apoorgirl,cameoffsobadly inthecourt, that shewasthejudgeofherowncrime,andsentenced
herselftothepunishmentshedeserved.
TheKingofLongTowerhad onceason,whowastheappleofhiseye,andon whomhehadbuilt
allhishopesand helongedimpatientlyforthetimewhen he should findsomegoodmatchforhim.
But the Prince was so averse to marriage and so obstinate that, whenever a wife was talked of,he
shook his head and wished himself a hundred miles off so that the poor King, finding his son
stubborn and perverse, and foreseeing that his race would come to an end, was more vexed and
melancholy,castdown and outofspirits,thanamerchantwhosecorrespondenthasbecomebankrupt,
or a peasant whose ass has died. Neither could the tears of his father move the Prince, nor the
entreaties of the courtiers soften him,northecounselofwisemenmakehimchangehismindinvain
they set before his eyes the wishes of his father, the wants of the people, and his own interest,
representing to him that he was the fullstop in the line of the royal raceforwiththeobstinacyof
Carella and the stubbornness of an old mule with a skin four fingersthick,hehadplanted his foot
resolutely, stoppedhis ears, andclosedhis heart againstallassaults.Butasfrequentlymorecomesto
pass in an hour thanina hundred years,and noonecan say,Stop hereorgothere, ithappenedthat
one day, when all were at table, and the Prince was cutting a piece of newmade cheese, whilst
listening to the chitchat that was going on, he accidentally cut his finger and two dropsof blood,
falling upon the cheese, made such a beautiful mixture of colours thateither it was apunishment
inflictedbyLove,orthewillofHeavento consolethepoorfatherthewhimseizedthePrincetofind
a woman exactly as whiteandredasthatcheesetinged with blood.Thenhe said to hisfather, "Sir,
unlessI have awifeaswhite andredasthischeese,itisalloverwithmesonowresolve,ifyouwish
to see mealive andwell,togivemeallIrequireto gothroughtheworldinsearchofabeautyexactly
likethischeese,orelseIshallendmylifeanddiebyinches."
When the King heard this mad resolution, he thought the house was falling abouthisears his
colour came and went,butassoonas herecoveredhimselfandcouldspeak,hesaid,"Myson,thelife
of mysoul,thecore of myheart,thepropofmyoldage,whatmadbrainedfancyhasmadeyoutake
leave of yoursenses?Haveyoulostyourwits?Youwanteitherallornothing:first you wishnotto
marry,on purposeto deprivemeof anheir, andnowyouareimpatientto driveme outoftheworld.
Whither, O whither would you go wandering about, wasting yourlife?And why leave your house,
yourhearth, yourhome?You knownotwhat toils and peril he bringson himselfwhogoesrambling
and roving. Let this whim pass, my son be sensible, and donot wish tosee mylifewornout,this
housefalltotheground,myhouseholdgotoruin."
But these and otherwords wentin atoneearandoutat theother,andwereallcastuponthesea
and thepoorKing,seeing that his sonwasasimmovableasarookuponabelfry,gavehimahandful
of dollarsand two or threeservantsandbiddinghimfarewell,hefeltasifhissoulwastornoutofhis

body. Then weeping bitterly, he wentto abalcony,and followed his sonwithhiseyesuntilhewas

losttosight.
The Prince departed, leaving his unhappy father to his grief, and hastened on his waythrough
fieldsandwoods,overmountainandvalley,hillandplain,visitingvariouscountries,andmixingwith
various peoples,andalways with hiseyeswide awaketoseewhetherhecould findtheobjectofhis
desire.At the end ofseveralmonths hearrivedatthecoastofFrance,where,leaving hisservantsata
hospital with sore feet, he embarked alone in a Genoese boat, and set out towards the Straits of
Gibraltar.Therehetooka larger vessel and sailed forthe Indies,seekingeverywhere,fromkingdom
to kingdom, fromprovinceto province, fromcountry tocountry, fromstreettostreet, fromhouseto
house, in every hole and corner, whether he couldfind the originallikeness of that beautiful image
which he hadpicturedto his heart. And he wandered aboutandaboutuntil atlengthhe came tothe
IslandoftheOgresses, where hecastanchorandlanded.Therehefoundanold,oldwoman,withered
and shrivelledup, and with ahideousface,towhomhe relatedthereason that hadbroughthimtothe
country.Theoldwomanwasbesideherselfwithamazementwhensheheardthestrangewhimandthe
fancy of the Prince, and thetoilsand perilshehadgone throughto satisfy himselfthenshe saidto
him, "Hasten away,my son!forifmy threedaughtersmeet you Iwouldnot giveafarthingforyour
life halfalive and halfroasted, a fryingpan would be your bier and a bellyyourgrave.But away
withyouasfastasahare,andyouwillnotgofarbeforeyoufindwhatyouareseeking!"
WhenthePrince heardthis,frightened,terrified, andaghast,hesetoffrunning atfullspeed, and
rantillhecameto anothercountry, where he againmetanoldwoman,moreuglyeventhanthefirst,
towhomhetoldallhisstory.Then theoldwomansaidtohimin likemanner,"Awaywithyou!unless
you wishtoserveas abreakfast tothelittleogresses mydaughtersbutgo straight on,andyouwill
soonfindwhatyouwant."
ThePrince,hearingthis,setoffrunningasfastasadogwithakettleatitstailandhewent onand
on, until hemetanotheroldwoman,whowas sittinguponawheel,withabasketfulloflittlepiesand
sweetmeatson herarm, and feeding anumberofjackasses, whichthereuponbeganleapingabouton
thebank ofa riverandkickingatsomepoorswans.WhenthePrincecameuptotheoldwoman, after
makinga hundred salaams, he related toher the storyofhiswanderings whereuponthe oldwoman,
comforting him with kind words, gave him such a goodbreakfast that he lickedhis fingersafterit.
And whenhehaddoneeatingshegavehimthreecitrons,whichseemedtobejustfreshgatheredfrom
thetreeandshegave himalsoabeautifulknife,saying,"Youarenowfreeto return toItaly,for your
labour is ended,andyouhavewhatyouwereseeking.Goyourway,therefore,andwhenyouarenear
yourownkingdom stopatthefirstfountainyoucometoandcutacitron.Thenafairywillcomeforth
from it, and will sayto you,'Givemeto drink.' Mind and be readywiththewateror shewillvanish
like quicksilver. Butifyouarenot quickenough with the secondfairy, haveyoureyesopen and be
watchful that the third does not escape you, giving her quickly todrink, and you shallhavea wife
afteryourownheart."
ThePrince,overjoyed,kissedtheoldwoman'shairyhand ahundredtimes,whichseemedjustlike
a hedgehog'sback.Thentakinghisleaveheleftthatcountry,andcomingtotheseashoresailedforthe
Pillars of Hercules, and arrivedatour Sea,and aftera thousand storms andperils,heenteredport a
day's distance from his own kingdom. There he came to a most beautiful grove,where the Shades
formed a palace for the Meadows, to prevent their being seen by the sun and dismounting at a
fountain, which,witha crystaltongue, wasinvitingthe people torefreshtheirlips,heseatedhimself
on a Syrian carpet formed by the plants and flowers. Then he drew his knife from the sheath and
beganto cut the firstcitron,whenlo!thereappearedlikeaflashoflightningamostbeautifulmaiden,
white as milk and red as a strawberry, who said, "Give me to drink!" The Prince was so amazed,

bewildered, and captivated with the beauty of the fairy that he did not give her the water quick
enough, so she appeared and vanished at one and the same moment. Whetherthiswasarapon the
Prince'shead,letanyonejudgewho, afterlongingforathing,getsitintohishandsandinstantlyloses
itagain.
Then thePrince cut the secondcitron,andthesamething happened againandthiswasasecond
blow he goton hispate so making twolittlefountains ofhiseyes, hewept, facetoface,tearfortear,
drop for drop, with the fountain, and sighing he exclaimed, "Good heavens, how is itthat I am so
unfortunate?TwiceIhave letherescape, as if my hands weretiedandhere I sitlikea rock,whenI
ought torun like agreyhound. Faith indeed I havemadea finehandofit!Butcourage,man!thereis
stillanother,andthreeisthelucky number either thisknifeshall givemethe fay,oritshalltakemy
life away."Sosayinghecutthe third citron,and forthcamethe third fairy, whosaid liketheothers,
"Give metodrink."ThenthePrinceinstantlyhandedherthewaterandbeholdtherestoodbeforehim
a delicatemaiden,white asa junketwithred streaks,athing neverbefore seeninthe world,witha
beautybeyond compare, afairnessbeyondthebeyonds,agracemorethan themost.On that hairJove
had showered downgold,ofwhichLovemadehisshaftstopierceallheartsthatfacethegodofLove
had tingedwithred,thatsomeinnocentsoulshouldbehungonthegallowsofdesireatthoseeyesthe
sun had lighted two fireworks,to setfireto the rocketsofsighsin the breast of the beholderto the
roses on those lips Venus had given theircolour,to wound athousandenamouredheartswiththeir
thorns. In a word, she was so beautiful fromhead tofoot,thatamoreexquisitecreaturewasnever
seen.The Princeknewnot whathadhappened tohim,andstoodlostinamazement,gazingonsuch a
beautifuloffspringofa citronandhesaid tohimself, "Are you asleepor awake,Ciommetiello?Are
youreyesbewitched,orareyoublind? Whatfairwhitecreatureisthiscomeforth froma yellowrind?
Whatsweetfruit,fromthesourjuiceofacitron?Whatlovelymaidensprungfromacitronpip?"
At length, seeing that it was alltrueandnodream,heembracedthe fairy,giving hera hundred
and ahundredkissesandafterathousandtenderwordshadpassedbetweenthemwords which,asa
setting,hadanaccompaniment ofsugared kissesthePrincesaid,"Mysoul,Icannottakeyoutomy
father's kingdom without handsome raiment worthy of so beautiful a person, and an attendance
befittinga Queen therefore climbup into this oaktree,whereNatureseems purposelytohavemade
for us ahidingplacein the formofa little room,andhere awaitmyreturnforIwill come backon
wings, before a tear can be dry, with dresses and servants, and carry you off to my kingdom." So
saying,aftertheusualceremonies,hedeparted.
Now ablackslave, whowas sent byher mistresswitha pitcherto fetch water,cametothewell,
and seeingby chancethereflectionofthefairyinthewater,shethoughtitwas herself,andexclaimed
in amazement,"Poor Lucia, whatdoI see?Me so pretty andfair,andmistresssendmehere. No,me
willno longerbear."So saying shebrokethepitcherandreturnedhomeandwhen hermistressasked
her, "Whyhave you donethis mischief?" shereplied,"Me go tothe wellalone,pitcherbreakupona
stone."Her mistressswallowedthisidlestory,andthenextdayshegaveheraprettylittlecask,telling
her to go and fill it with water. Sotheslavereturnedto thefountain,andseeing againthebeautiful
image reflectedin the water,she saidwitha deepsigh,"Meno ugly slave,menobroadfoot goose,
but pretty and fine as mistress mine, and me not go to the fountain!" So saying, smashagain! she
broke the cask into seventypieces,andreturnedgrumblinghome,andsaidtohermistress,"Asscome
past, tubfell downatthewell,andallwasbrokeninpieces."Thepoormistress,onhearingthis,could
contain herself no longer, and seizing abroomstickshe beattheslavesosoundly that shefelt it for
many days then giving hera leather bag,shesaid,"Run,break your neck,youwretched slave, you
grasshopperlegs,youblackbeetle!Runandfetchmethis bagfullofwater,orelseI'llhangyoulikea
dog,andgiveyouagoodthrashing."

Awayrantheslaveheelsoverhead,forshehadseentheflashanddreadedthethunderandwhile
she was filling theleatherbag,she turnedto look againat the beautiful image,and said,"Mefool to
fetch water!betterlivebyone'switssuchaprettygirlindeedtoservea badmistress!"Sosaying,she
tookalargepinwhich shewore inher hair,andbeganto pickholes intheleatherbag, whichlooked
likeanopenplaceinagardenwiththeroseofawateringpotmakingahundredlittlefountains. When
thefairysaw this shelaughed outrightand theslave hearingher, turnedandespied herhidingplace
upinthetreewhereat shesaid toherself,"Oho!you makemebebeaten?but nevermind!"Thenshe
said to her, "What you doing up there, pretty lass?" And the fairy, who was the very mother of
courtesy, told herall sheknew,andallthathadpassedwith thePrince, whomshewasexpectingfrom
hourto hour and frommomentto moment,withfinedressesandservants,totakeherwith himtohis
father'skingdomwheretheywouldlivehappytogether.
When the slave, who was fullof spite,heard this,she thought toherselfthatshe wouldgetthis
prize into her own hands so sheanswered the fairy, "Youexpectyourhusband,mecomeup and
combyour locks,and makeyoumoresmart." And the fairysaid, "Ay,welcomeasthefirst ofMay!"
So the slave climbed up the tree, and the fairy heldouther whitehand toher, whichlookedin the
blackpawsoftheslavelikeacrystalmirrorinaframeofebony.Butnosoonerdidtheslavebeginto
combthe fairy's locks,than shesuddenlystucka hairpininto herhead.Thenthefairy,feelingherself
pricked, cried out, "Dove, dove!" and instantly she became a dove and flew away whereupon the
slave stripped herself,andmakinga bundle ofall the ragsthat shehad worn,shethrewthem amile
awayandthereshesat,upinthetree,lookinglikeastatueofjetinahouseofemerald.
In ashorttimethePrince returned with agreatcavalcade, andfindinga caskofcaviarwherehe
had lefta pan ofmilk,hestoodforawhilebeside himself with amazement.At lengthhesaid,"Who
has made this greatblot ofink on thefinepaper uponwhich I thought towritethebrightestdaysof
my life? Who has hung with mourning this newly whitewashed house, where Ithoughtto spend a
happylife?HowcomesitthatIfindthistouchstone,where Ileftamineofsilver,thatwastomakeme
rich and happy?" But the crafty slave, observingthePrince'samazement, said, "Do notwonder,my
Princeformeturnedbyawickedspellfromawhitelilytoablackcoal."
ThepoorPrince,seeing that there was nohelp for the mischief,droopedhisheadandswallowed
this pill and bidding the slavecome downfromthe tree,heorderedher tobeclothedfrom headto
footinnew dresses. Then sadand sorrowful,castdown and woebegone,he took hiswaybackwith
the slaveto his owncountry, wheretheKing and Queen, who hadgone outsixmilesto meetthem,
received them with the same pleasure as a prisoner feels at the announcement of a sentence of
hanging,seeing thefinechoicetheirfoolishsonhadmade,whoaftertravellingaboutsolongtofinda
whitedovehad broughthome atlast ablack crow. However,asthey coulddo no less,theygaveup
thecrowntotheirchildren,andplacedthegoldentripoduponthatfaceofcoal.
Now whilst theywerepreparing splendidfeasts and banquets, and the cookswerebusyplucking
geese, killing little pigs, flaying kids, basting the roast meat, skimming pots, mincing meat for
dumplings, lardingcapons, andpreparinga thousandotherdelicacies,abeautifuldovecameflyingto
thekitchenwindow,andsaid,
"Ocookofthekitchen,tellme,Ipray,
WhattheKingandtheslavearedoingtoday."
Thecook atfirst paidlittleheedtothe dovebutwhenshereturnedasecondandathirdtime,and
repeatedthe samewords, herantothedininghall totell the marvellous thing. Butnosoonerdidthe
lady hear thismusicthanshe gaveordersforthedovetobeinstantlycaughtandmadeintoahash.So
the cook went, and he managed to catch the dove, and did all that the slave had commanded.And
havingscaldedthebirdinordertopluckit,hethrewthe waterwiththefeathersoutfromabalconyon

to agardenbed,onwhich,beforethreedayshadpassed,theresprangupabeautifulcitrontree,which
quicklygrewtoitsfullsize.
Now it happened thattheKing,goingbychance toa window that looked uponthegarden, saw
thetree, which he had neverobservedbefore and callingthecook,heaskedhimwhenandbywhom
it had beenplanted.NosoonerhadheheardalltheparticularsfromMasterPotladle,thanhe began to
suspect how matters stood.Sohegaveorders,underpainofdeath,thatthetreeshouldnotbetouched,
butthatitshouldbetendedwiththegreatestcare.
Attheendofa few days threemostbeautiful citronsappeared,similar tothosewhichtheogress
had givenCiommetiello.Andwhentheyweregrownlarger,hepluckedthemandshuttinghimselfup
in achamber,withalargebasinofwaterandtheknife,whichhealwayscarriedathisside,hebegan
to cut the citrons. Then it all fell out with the first and second fairyjust as it haddone beforebut
whenat lasthe cut the thirdcitron,andgavethefairy who came forthfrom it todrink, behold,there
stood before him the selfsame maiden whom he had left up in the tree, and who told him allthe
mischiefthattheslavehaddone.
Who nowcantelltheleast part of the delight theKing feltatthisgoodturnoffortune?Whocan
describe the shouting and leaping for joy that there was? For the King was swimming in a sea of
delight, and waswaftedtoHeavenona tideofrapture.Thenheembracedthefairy,andorderedherto
behandsomelydressedfromheadtofootandtakingherbythehandheledherintothemiddleofthe
hall,where allthecourtiers and greatfolksof the city weremettocelebratethefeast.ThentheKing
called on them one by one, and said, "Tell me, what punishment would that person deserve who
should do any harm to this beautiful lady!" And one replied that such a person would deserve a
hempen collaranother, abreakfastofstonesathird, agood beatingafourth,adraughtofpoisona
fifth,a millstonefora broochin short, one saidthis thing and another that.Atlasthecalledonthe
blackQueen,andputting the same question,she replied,"Suchapersonwoulddeservetobeburned,
andthatherashesshouldbethrownfromtheroofofthecastle."
WhentheKing heardthis,he saidto her,"Youhavestruck yourownfootwiththeaxe,youhave
madeyourownfetters, you havesharpened theknife and mixedthepoisonfornoonehas donethis
lady so much harm as yourself, you goodfornothing creature! Know you thatthisisthe beautiful
maiden whom you wounded with the hairpin? Know you that this is the pretty dove which you
orderedto bekilled and cookedin astewpan? Whatsayyou now? It isallyour owndoing andone
who doesill mayexpectillinreturn."So saying,heorderedtheslavetobeseizedandcastaliveonto
a largeburning pile ofwood and herasheswere thrownfromthetopofthecastletoallthewindsof
Heaven,verifyingthetruthofthesayingthat
"Hewhosowsthornsshouldnotgobarefoot."

XXXII
CONCLUSION
All sat listening to Ciommetella's last story. Some praised the skill with which she hadtold it,
whileothers murmured atherindiscretion,sayingthat, inthepresenceof the Princess,sheoughtnot
to have exposed to blame the illdeeds ofanotherslave,andrun the risk of stoppingthegame. But
Lucia herself sat upon thorns, and kept turningandtwisting herself aboutall the time the story was
being told insomuch that the restlessness of her body betrayed the storm that was in her heart, at

seeinginthetaleofanotherslavetheexactimageofherowndeceit.Gladly wouldshehavedismissed
the whole company, but that, owing to the desire which the doll had given her tohearstories,she
couldnot restrain herpassionforthem.And,partlyalsonot togiveTaddeocause forsuspicion,she
swallowedthisbitterpill,intendingtotakeagoodrevengeinpropertimeandplace.ButTaddeo,who
had grownquitefondoftheamusement,madea signtoZozatorelateherstoryand, aftermakingher
curtsey,shebegan
"Truth, myLordPrince, hasalwaysbeenthemotherofhatred,and Iwouldnotwish,therefore,by
obeying yourcommands, tooffendanyone of those aboutme. ButasIamnotaccustomedtoweave
fictions or to invent stories, I am constrained, both by nature and habit, to speak the truth and,
although the proverbsays,Tell truthand fearnothing, yet knowing wellthattruth is notwelcomein
thepresenceofprinces,ItremblelestIsayanythingthatmayoffendyou."
"Say all you wish," replied Taddeo, "for nothing but what issweet cancome fromthosepretty
lips."
These words were stabs to the heart of the Slave, as all wouldhaveseenplainly if black faces
were, as whiteones,thebookofthesoul.Andshewouldhavegiven afingerofherhandtohavebeen
rid of thesestories, forall beforeher eyes hadgrownblacker eventhanherface.Shefeared thatthe
last story was only the forerunner of mischiefto followandfrom acloudymorning sheforetold a
bad day. But Zoza, meanwhile, began to enchant all around her with the sweetness of her words,
relatingher sorrowsfromfirsttolast,andbeginningwithhernaturalmelancholy,theunhappyaugury
of allshe hadtosuffer.Thenshewentontotelloftheoldwoman'scurse,herpainfulwanderings,her
arrival atthefountain, herbitterweeping, and the treacheroussleepwhichhadbeenthecauseofher
ruin.
TheSlave,hearingZozatellthestoryinallitsbreadthandlength,andseeingtheboatgooutofits
course, exclaimed, "Be quiet and holdyour tongue! or I will notanswer for the consequences."But
Taddeo,whohaddiscovered howmattersstood,couldno longercontainhimselfso,strippingoffthe
maskandthrowingthesaddleontheground,heexclaimed,"Lethertellherstorytotheend,andhave
done with thisnonsense. Ihavebeen madeafool of for long enough,and,ifwhatIsuspectistrue,it
were betterthatyouhadnever beenborn."ThenhecommandedZoza tocontinueherstoryinspite of
hiswife and Zoza, whoonlywaitedforthesign,went ontotellhowtheSlavehadfoundthepitcher
and had treacherously robbedherofhergoodfortune.And,thereupon,shefell to weeping insucha
manner,thateverypersonpresentwasaffectedatthesight.
Taddeo, who, from Zoza's tears and the Slave's silence, discerned the truth ofthe matter,gave
Lucia a rare scolding, and made her confess her treachery with her ownlips.Thenhegave instant
orders that she should beburied aliveuptoherneck,thatshemightdiea more painfuldeath. And,
embracingZoza,hecaused hertobetreatedwithallhonourashisPrincessandwife,sendingtoinvite
theKingofWoodValleytocometothefeast.
WiththesefreshnuptialsterminatedthegreatnessoftheSlaveandtheamusementofthesestories.
And much good may they do you, and promote your health! And may you lay them down as
unwillingly as I do, taking my leave with regret at my heels and a good spoonful of honey inmy
mouth.


EndofProjectGutenberg'sStoriesfromPentamerone,byGiambattistaBasile