The nights of Straparola, volume 1 [of 2]Straparola, Giovanni Francesco
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The nights of Straparola, volume 1 [of 2]
Straparola, Giovanni Francesco
Fairy tales -- Italy; Tales -- Italy
When Costanzo was conduced into the presence of the king and of the
queen and her ladies, he presented to the king the satyr, who thereupon
laughed again, and so loud and long was his laughter that all those that
were there present were not a little astonished. After this the king,
seeing with what diligence Costanzo had fulfilled his dearest wish, held
him in as high affection and esteem as ever lord extended to servant,
but this humour of his only added fresh griefs to the load which already
lay upon the queen’s heart; for that, having schemed to ruin Costanzo,
she had done nothing but exalt him to yet greater honour. Wherefore the
wicked queen, not being able to endure the sight of such great
prosperity as had come to Costanzo, devised yet another snare for him,
which was this. She knew that the king was wont to go every morning to
the cell where the satyr was kept in hold, and for his diversion would
essay to make the creature talk, but as yet he had in no wise succeeded
in his efforts. Wherefore, having sought out the king, she said to him:
‘Sire, you have betaken yourself over and over again to the satyr’s
cell, and you have wearied yourself in your endeavours to induce him to
talk with you in order that you might take diversion therefrom, but the
creature still shows no sign of speaking a word. Why, therefore, should
you further worry your brains over this affair, for you may take it for
certain that, if Costanzo were only willing, he could easily make the
satyr converse and answer questions.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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