Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/384



Generic name of story.—(Not to be filled up.)

Specific name.—The Glass Coffin.

Dramatis Personæ—(1) A stepmother; (2) her step-daughter; (3) an assassin; (4) seven brothers; (5) old beggar-woman; (6) prince; (7) his mother, the queen.

Thread of story.—Woman hates her step-daughter—pays assassin to take the girl to wood and kill her$1$—he touched by her entreaties, spares her$2$—girl wanders in forest—finds palace, open, empty, and in confusion—finds everything provided for seven—so she cleans the rooms—makes seven beds—cooks dinner and lays table for seven—she takes a little wine, cheese and bread, and goes to a little hut in the wood. Palace belongs to seven brothers, robbers—astonished at state of house—search, find no one—go out next morning—girl comes, does as before and retires. The seven again astonished—this goes on for several days—one stays—she does not come till night, when all are asleep—next night one stays up, but goes to sleep—this happens for six nights—on seventh, the youngest brother lies across the doorway—is awoke by her entry—they catch her. She refuses to live with them—but continues to serve them in the day-time. She gets an old woman to chat with and dress her hair Stepmother hears of her$3$—gives old woman magic ointment—who uses it on girls hair—girl drops down dead. The seven keep her in a glass coffin in the doorway. One day, prince passes, sees her—takes coffin home—queen mother protests—he insists—carries coffin to his room—applies extract of flowers—girl revives—he marries her—stepmother burnt in the square. [Narrator ignorant of fate of seven.]

Incidental circumstances.
 * 1) He is to bring back her heart and tongue as proof of his having killed her.
 * 2) Brings the tongue and heart of a stag to the step-mother.
 * 3) From the old beggar-woman to whom she had been accustomed to give alms.

Where published.—Tuscan Fairy Tales, London (1880), No. 9 pp. 93-101.

Nature of collection, whether:—


 * 1) Original or translation.—Translation of original taken down from the mouth of native narrator.
 * 2) If by record of mouth state narrator's name.—Not given.
 * 3) Other Particulars.—Story comes from Barga, in the Garfagana.

Special points noted by the Editor of the above.—Nil.

(signed), Wimbledon.