now. I have seven sons who, you see, are seven
giants, Mase, Nardo, Cola, Micco, Petrullo, Ascaddeo, and Ceccone, who
have more virtues that rosemary, especially Mase, for every time he
lays his ear to the ground he hears all that is passing within thirty
miles round. Nardo, every time he washes his hands, makes a great sea
of soapsuds. Every time that Cola throws a bit of iron on the ground he
makes a field of sharp razors. Whenever Micco flings down a little
stick a tangled wood springs up. If Petrullo lets fall a drop of water
it makes a terrible river. When Ascaddeo wishes a strong tower to
spring up he has only to throw a stone; and Ceccone shoots so straight
with the cross-bow that he can hit a hen's eye a mile off. Now with the
help of my sons, who are all courteous and friendly, and who will all
take compassion on your condition, I will contrive to free you from the
claws of the ogre."

"No time better than now," replied Porziella, "for that evil shadow of
a husband of mine has gone out and will not return this evening, and we
shall have time to slip off and run away."

"It cannot be this evening," replied the old woman, "for I live a long
way off; but I promise you that to-morrow morning I and my sons will
all come together and help you out of your trouble."

So saying, the old woman departed, and Porziella went to rest with a
light heart and slept soundly all night. But as soon as the birds began
to cry, "Long live the Sun," lo and behold, there was the old woman
with her seven children; and placing Porziella in the midst of them
they proceeded towards the city. But they had not gone above half a
mile when Mase put his ear to the ground and cried: "Hallo, have a
care; here's the fox. The ogre is come home. He has missed his wife and
he is hastening after us with his cap under his arm."

No sooner did Nardo hear this than he washed his hands and made a sea
of soap-suds; and when the ogre came and saw all the suds he ran home
and fetching a sack of bran he strewed it about and worked away
treading it down with his feet until at last he got over this obstacle,
though with great difficulty.

But Mase put his ear once more to the ground and exclaimed, "Look
sharp, comrade, here he comes!" Thereupon Cola flung a piece of iron on
the ground and instantly a field of razors sprang up. When the ogre saw
the path stopped he ran home again and clad himself in iron from head
to foot and then returned and got over this