e something." And the servant said so
much that to get rid of her importunity the fairy said: "Well, bring
something; if I want it, I will take it." The servant brought a little
coffee, and left it by the side of the bed. Lionbruno, in his cloak so
that no one could see him, came from under the bed and drank the coffee
himself. The servant, believing her mistress had drunk it, brought the
chocolate too, and Lionbruno drank that as before. Then the servant
brought the fairy some broth and a pigeon. "Mistress," said she, "since,
thank God, you have taken the coffee and the chocolate, take this broth
and a bit of pigeon, and so you will gain strength and be better
to-morrow." The mistress on hearing all this believed that the servants
were making fun of her. "Oh, stupid blockheads! What are you saying? Are
not the cups still here with the coffee and the chocolate? I have
touched nothing." The servants thought that their mistress was out of
her mind. Then Lionbruno took off his cloak, came out from under the
bed, and said: "My bride, do you know me?" "Lionbruno mine, is it you?"
and she rose from the bed and embraced him. "Then it is not true, my
Lionbruno, that you have forgotten me?" "If I had forgotten you I should
not have suffered so much to find you. But do you still love me?" "My
Lionbruno, if I had not always loved you, you would not have found me at
the point of death. And now you see I am cured only because I have seen
you."

Then they ate and drank together, and summoned the servants and made a
great festival. The next day they arranged everything for the wedding
and were married with great splendor and joy. In the evening they gave a
grand ball and a fine banquet, which you should have seen![14]

* * * * *

The above story is extremely popular, and has long circulated among the
people as an independent work in the shape of a chap-book. We have,
however, given the form which is handed down by oral tradition,
purposely avoiding the use of any literary materials. Many similar tales
might be added to this chapter, but the most important and best known
have been given. To give those tales which cannot be described as fairy
tales and which are usually found in the shape of chap-books in prose
and poetry would fall without the scope of the present volume, and would
belong more appropriately to a work on Italian popular literature.[15]

CHAPTER III.

STORIES OF ORIENTAL ORIGIN.