gs upside down, even the
bed she was resting on." "Oh, my dear Sirocco!" said Lionbruno; "my good
Sirocco, you must aid me! Since you have given me news of her, you must
also do me the favor to show me the way to my bride's palace. I, dear
Sirocco, am the betrothed of the fairy Colina, and it is not true that I
have betrayed her; on the contrary, if I do not find her, I shall die of
grief." "My son," said Sirocco, "listen; for my part I would take you
there with all my heart. But I should have to carry you about my neck.
And the trouble is I cannot do so, for I am wind, I am air, and you
would slip off. Were you like me the matter would go very well." "Don't
worry about that," said Lionbruno, "show me the way, and I will not lag
behind." "He is crazy," said Sirocco to himself; then he said to
Lionbruno: "Very well, since you feel so strong, to-morrow we will make
the trial. Meanwhile let us go to bed, for it is late, and to-morrow,
God willing, we will rise early!" And all went to sleep. In the morning
early Sirocco arose and cried: "Lionbruno! Lionbruno! get up quickly!"
And Lionbruno put on his boots in a hurry, seized his purse, fixed his
cloak carefully, and left the house with Sirocco. "There," said Sirocco,
"is the way we must take. Be careful! Don't let me out of your sight,
and leave the rest to me. If a few hours after sunset to-night I don't
make you find your beauty, you may call me an ass." They started. They
ran like the wind. Every little while Sirocco called out: "Lionbruno!"
and he, who was ahead, answered at once: "Oh! don't think I am going to
lag behind!" and with these questions and answers they finally reached
the palace of the fairy Colina about two hours after sunset. "Here we
are," said Sirocco. "Here is your fair one's balcony! See how I am going
to blow open the window for you. Attention, now! As soon as it is opened
you give a jump and spring in." And so he did. Before the servants could
run and shut the balcony window, Lionbruno was already under the fairy
Colina's bed. Afterwards one of the maids said to the fairy: "My
mistress, how do you feel now? Do you not feel a little better?"
"Better? I am half dead. That cursed wind has nearly killed me." "But,
mistress, will you not take something this evening? A little coffee, or
chocolate, or broth?" "I wish nothing at all." "Take something, if you
don't, you will not rest to-night, you have eaten nothing for three or
four days. Really, you must tak