Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/112

88 went; and he journeyed on and on, until in the morning he arrived at the king's palace, just at the moment when Cienzo was bewitched by the fairy's hair. Then Meo went into the palace, and was received by the servants with great honour; and the young maiden embraced him affectionately and said, "Welcome back, my husband! the morning passes, the evening comes, when every bird returns to seek its nest. Where hast thou been all this while, my Cienzo? how couldst thou remain away from Menechella? thou hast taken me out of the dragon's jaws, and now thrustest me into the throat of jealousy, since thou dost not keep me ever before the mirror of thine eyes."

Meo, who was a clever fellow, instantly thought to himself that this must be his brother's wife; and turning to Menechella, he excused his absence, wishing not to undeceive her, and embracing her they went to dinner. But when the Moon, like a brood-hen, calls together the Stars to pick up the dewdrops, they all retired to rest; and Meo, pretending to be unwell, begged to sleep in a room alone.

The next morning, when the Night being pursued by the Sun, the Twilight gives her time to collect her bundles and be off, Meo, who was standing at the window, beheld the same maiden who had entrapped Cienzo; and being much pleased with her, he said to Menechella,