o have me caged in this dungeon! Alas, alas,
to find myself in this plight without knowing how. Tell me, tell me, O
cruel man, what incantation was it you made, and what spell did you
employ, to bring me within the circle of this cask?" Peruonto, who had
been for some time paying little attention to her, at last said, "If
you want me to tell you, you must give me some figs and raisins." So
Vastolla, to draw the secret out of him, gave him a handful of both;
and as soon as he had eaten them he told her truly all that had
befallen him, with the three youths, and with the faggot, and with
herself at the window: which, when the poor lady heard, she took heart
and said to Peruonto, "My friend, shall we then let our lives run out
in a cask? Why don't you cause this tub to be changed into a fine ship
and run into some good harbour to escape this danger?" And Peruonto
replied--

"If you would have me say the spell,
With figs and raisins feed me well!"

So Vastolla, to make him open his mouth, filled it with fruit; and so
she fished the words out of him. And lo! as soon as Peruonto had said
what she desired, the cask was turned into a beautiful ship; with sails
and sailors and everything that could be wished for; and guns and
trumpets and a splendid cabin in which Vastolla sat filled with delight.

It being now the hour when the Moon begins to play at see-saw with the
Sun, Vastolla said to Peruonto, "My fine lad, now make this ship to be
changed into a palace, for then we shall be more secure; you know the
saying, "Praise the Sea, but keep to the Land." And Peruonto replied--

"If you would have me say the spell,
With figs and raisins feed me well!"

So Vastolla, at once, fed him again, and Peruonto, swallowing down the
raisins and figs, did her pleasure; and immediately the ship came to
land and was changed into a beautiful palace, fitted up in a most
sumptuous manner, and so full of furniture and curtains and hangings
that there was nothing more to ask for. So that Vastolla, who a little
before would not have set the price of a farthing on her life, did not
now wish to change places with the greatest lady in the world, seeing
herself served and treated like a queen. Then to put the seal on all
her good fortune, she besought Peruonto to obtain grace to become
handsome and polished in his manner, that they might live happy
together; for though the proverb says, "Better to have a pig for a
husband, than