Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/75

Rh issued a proclamation, that whoever could tell to what animal this skin had belonged should have his daughter to wife.

As soon as this decree was made known, the people all flocked in crowds, and they came from the ends of the world to be present at the scrutiny, and to try their luck. One said that it belonged to an ape, another to a lynx, a third to a crocodile, and in short some gave it to one animal, and some to another; but they were all a hundred miles from the truth, and not one hit the nail on the head. At last there came to this anatomical trial an ogre, who was the most frightfully ugly being in the world, the very sight of whom would make the boldest man tremble and quake with fear. But no sooner had he come, and turned the skin round and smelt it, than he instantly guessed the truth, saying, "This skin belongs to the arch-rascal of the fleas!"

Now the king saw that the ogre had hit the apple; but, not to break his word, he ordered his daughter Porziella to be called. Porziella had a face like milk and blood, and was such a miracle of beauty that you could devour her with your eyes, she was so lovely. And the king said to her, My daughter, thou knowest the proclamation I have issued, and thou knowest who I am; in short, I cannot go back from my promise,—