The nights of Straparola, volume 1 [of 2]Straparola, Giovanni Francesco
History
The nights of Straparola, volume 1 [of 2]
Straparola, Giovanni Francesco
Fairy tales -- Italy; Tales -- Italy
When they heard from Vicenza this modest solution of her riddle, all the
listeners, men as well as women, gave her hearty praise, deeming the
while that she had been wrongfully reproved by the Signora. And now,
because the hour was late, and the rosy tints of morning already visible
in the sky, the Signora, without excusing herself in any way for the
scolding she had given Vicenza, dismissed the company, bidding them all
under pain of her displeasure to assemble in good time the following
evening.
=The End of the Second Night.=
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
=Night the Third.=
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
=The Fables and Enigmas of Messer Giovanni Francesco Straparola da
Caravaggio.=
=Night the Third.=
Already the sister of the sun had begun her reign in the sky over the
forests and the gloomy gorges of the hills, and showed her golden circle
over the half of heaven; already the car of Phœbus had sunk beneath the
western wave, the moving stars had lighted their lamps, and the pretty
birds, ceasing their pleasant songs and bickerings, sought repose in
their nests set amongst the green boughs, when the ladies and the
gallant youths as well met on the third evening in the accustomed spot
to renew their story-telling. And as soon as they were all seated
according to their rank, the Signora Lucretia commanded that the vase
should be brought forth as before, and in it she caused to be placed the
names of five damsels, who, according to the order determined by lot,
should that evening tell in turn their stories. The first name which was
drawn from the vase was that of Cateruzza, the second that of Arianna,
the third that of Lauretta, the fourth that of Alteria, and the fifth
that of Eritrea. Then the Signora gave the word for the Trevisan to take
his lute, and Molino his viol, and for all the rest to tread a measure
to Bembo’s leading. And when the dance had come to an end, and the sweet
lyre and the divine strings of the hollow lute were silent, the Signora
directed Lauretta to begin her song, and she, anxious to obey the
Signora in everything, took hands with her companions, and having made
respectful salutation, sang in clear and mellow tone the following song:
SONG.
Lady, while thy face I scan,
Where love smiling holds his court,
Lo! from out your beauteous eyes
Light so radiant doth arise,
That it shows us Paradise.
All my sighs and all my tears,
Which I foolish shed in vain;
All the anguish of my heart,
All my hidden woe and smart,
With my faint desire have part.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account