Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/111

Rh these bewitching charms, she possessed a magic power, by which, whenever she wished it, she spellbound and chained men with her hair, as she now did Cienzo, who had no sooner set foot in the house than he was instantly held fast like a colt with a clog to its foot.

Meanwhile Meo, the younger brother, hearing no tidings of Cienzo, took it into his head to go in search of him: so he asked leave of his father, who gave him another horse and another enchanted dog. Then Meo set out, and travelled on and on, till in the evening he came to the very tower where Cienzo had been; and the master of it, thinking it was Cienzo, received him with the greatest affection in the world, and offered him money, but Meo would not accept it. When Meo saw all the kindness and attention shown him, it occurred to him that his brother must have been there, and this gave him hope of finding him. So as soon as the Moon, the enemy of poets, turned her back upon the Sun, Meo set out again, and travelled on until he came to the palace of the fairy, who, thinking it was Cienzo, received him with the utmost kindness, saying again and again, "Welcome, dear youth, who saved my life!" Meo thanked her for her kindness, but said, Excuse my not staying longer now, as I am in haste. Adieu, till we meet again on my return!" Away went Meo, rejoicing in his heart at finding traces of his brother wherever he