Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/278

248 such a tempest arise upon that coast, that not a boat escaped.

Now when the king saw that matters were going from bad to worse, and that he could not remedy the mischief which these three wild lovers were causing, he resolved to get out of his trouble, and made up his mind to give them his daughters to wife; and thereupon, without wanting either feasts or songs, they carried their brides off and out of the kingdom.

On parting from her daughters, Granzolla the queen gave each of them a ring, one exactly like the other, telling them that if they happened to be separated, and after awhile to meet again, or to see any of their kinsfolk, they would recognize one another by means of these rings. So taking their leave they departed; and the Falcon carried Fabiella, who was the eldest of the sisters, to the top of a mountain, which was so high that, passing the confines of the clouds, it reached with a dry head to a region where it never rains; and there, leading her to a most beautiful palace, she lived like a queen.

The Stag carried Vasta, the second sister, into a wood, which was so thick, that the Shades, when summoned by the Night, could not find their way out to escort her. There he placed her, as befitted her rank, in a wonderfully splendid house with a garden.

The Dolphin swam with Rita, the third sister, on his