into gold,
his mouth, which was a sacked village, became peopled with teeth; his
beard, which was as thick as a wood, became like a nursery garden--in
short, he was changed to a most beautiful youth. Then he said again, "I
wish for a splendid palace, and to marry the King's daughter." And lo!
there instantly appeared a palace of incredible magnificence, in which
were apartments that would amaze you, columns to astound you, pictures
to fill you with wonder; silver glittered around, and gold was trodden
underfoot; the jewels dazzled your eyes; the servants swarmed like
ants, the horses and carriages were not to be counted--in short, there
was such a display of riches that the King stared at the sight, and
willingly gave him his daughter Natalizia.

Meanwhile the magicians, having discovered Minecco Aniello's great
wealth, laid a plan to rob him of his good fortune, so they made a
pretty little doll which played and danced by means of clockwork; and,
dressing themselves like merchants, they went to Pentella, the daughter
of Minecco Aniello, under pretext of selling it to her. When Pentella
saw the beautiful little thing she asked them what price they put upon
it, and they replied that it was not to be bought with money, but that
she might have it and welcome if she would only do them a favour, which
was to let them see the make of the ring which her father possessed, in
order to take the model and make another like it, then they would give
her the doll without any payment at all.

Pentella, who had never heard the proverb, "Think well before you buy
anything cheap," instantly accepted this offer, and, bidding them
return the next morning, she promised to ask her father to lend her the
ring. So the magicians went away, and when her father returned home
Pentella coaxed and caressed him, until at last she persuaded him to
give her the ring, making the excuse that she was sad at heart, and
wished to divert her mind a little.

When the next day came, as soon as the scavenger of the Sun sweeps the
last traces of the Shades from the streets and squares of Heaven, the
magicians returned, and no sooner had they the ring in their hands than
they instantly vanished, and not a trace of them was to be seen, so
that poor Pentella had like to have died with terror.

But when the magicians came to a wood, where the branches of some of
the trees were dancing the sword-dance, and the boughs of the others
were playing together at hot-coc