Page:Crane Italian Popular Tales.djvu/409

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1. The verse in this story is given somewhat differently by Bolza, ''Canzoni pop. Comasche'', Vienna, 1866, Note 9:—

The story of Mr. Attentive, which lasts a long time, which is never explained, do you wish me to tell it?

There are in Bernoni, Punt. II. pp. 53, 54, two or three other rhymes of this class that may be given here.

Once upon a time—that I remember—into a blind-man's eye—a fly went—and I thought—that it was a quail—wretched blind-man—go away from here!

Fiaba, aba—Questa xe una—Muro e malta—Questa xe un' altra.

Story, ory—This is one—Wall and mud—This is another.

2. Pitrè, No. 141. In the notes to this story are given some more of this class.

"Once upon a time there was a page who drew three carts: one of wine, one of bread, and one of relishes. And once upon a time there was a page."

Some poetical versions are given in the same place from various parts of Italy.