Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/104

80 was told what had passed, he fetched a ladder, and going down discovered a great treasure. Then he wished to give a part of it to Cienzo, but Cienzo would not have any; and taking the dog, and mounting his horse, he set out again upon his travels.

After a while he arrived at a wild and dreary forest, so dark that it made you shudder. There, upon the bank of a river, which, to please the shades of which it was enamoured, was winding about in the meadows like a snake, and leaping over the stones, he found a fairy, surrounded by a band of robbers. Cienzo, perceiving the wicked intention of these rogues, seized his sword and soon made a slaughter of them. Then the fairy, who saw that this deed was done for her sake, showered on him thanks, and invited him to a palace not far distant, that she might make a return for the service he had done her. But Cienzo replied, "It is a mere nothing at all—thank you kindly—another time I will accept the favour, but now I am in haste, on business of importance."

So saying he took his leave; and travelling on a long way, he came at last to the palace of a king, which was all hung with mourning, so that it made one's heart grow black to look at it. Then Cienzo inquired the cause of the mourning, and the folks answered, "A dragon with seven heads has made his appearance