steps, and saw him
go into the little straw shed, leaving the geese to themselves; and
going their way they had no sooner come to the shore than Marziella
rose up out of the sea; and I do not believe that even the mother of
that blind boy who, as the poet says, "desires no other alms than
tears," ever rose from the waves so fair. When the servant of the King
saw this, he ran back to his master, beside himself with amazement, and
told him the pretty spectacle he had seen upon the seashore.

The curiosity of the King was increased by what the man told him, and
he had a great desire to go himself and see the beautiful sight. So the
next morning, when the Cock, the ringleader of the birds, excited them
all to arm mankind against the Night, and Ciommo went with the geese to
the accustomed spot, the King followed him closely; and when the geese
came to the seashore, without Ciommo, who remained as usual in the
little shed, the King saw Marziella rise out of the water. And after
giving the geese a trayful of sweetmeats to eat and a cupful of
rose-water to drink, she seated herself on a rock and began to comb her
locks, from which fell handfuls of pearls and garnets; at the same time
a cloud of flowers dropped from her mouth, and under her feet was a
Syrian carpet of lilies and violets.

When the King saw this sight, he ordered Ciommo to be called, and,
pointing to Marziella, asked him whether he knew that beautiful maiden.
Then Ciommo, recognising his sister, ran to embrace her, and in the
presence of the King heard from her all the treacherous conduct of
Troccola, and how the envy of that wicked creature had brought that
fair fire of love to dwell in the waters of the sea.

The joy of the King is not to be told at the acquisition of so fair a
jewel; and turning to the brother he said that he had good reason to
praise Marziella so much, and indeed that he found her three times more
beautiful than he had described her; he deemed her, therefore, more
than worthy to be his wife if she would be content to receive the
sceptre of his kingdom.

"Alas, would to Heaven it could be so!" answered Marziella, "and that I
could serve you as the slave of your crown! But see you not this golden
chain upon my foot, by which the sorceress holds me prisoner? When I
take too much fresh air, and tarry too long on the shore, she draws me
into the waves, and thus keeps me held in rich slavery by a golden
chain."

"What way is there," said the