palace. But Taddeo, not wishing to detain such a rabble for the
mere amusement of his wife, chose ten only of the best of the city
who appeared to him most capable and eloquent. These were
Bushy-haired Zeza, Bandy-legged Cecca, Wen-necked Meneca,
Long-nosed Tolla, Humph-backed Popa, Bearded Antonella,
Dumpy Ciulla, Blear-eyed Paola, Bald-headed Civonmetella, and
Square-shouldered Jacova. Their names he wrote down on a sheet
of paper; and then, dismissing the others, he arose with the Slave
from under the canopy, and they went gently to the garden of the
palace, where the leafy branches were so closely interlaced, that
the Sun could not separate them with all the industry of his rays.
And seating themselves under a pavilion, formed by a trellis of
vines, in the middle of which ran a great fountain--the
schoolmaster of the courtiers, whom he taught everyday to
murmur--Taddeo thus began:

"There is nothing in the world more glorious, my gentle dames,
than to listen to the deeds of others; nor was it without reason that
the great philosopher placed the highest happiness of man in
listening to pretty stories. In hearing pleasing things told, griefs
vanish, troublesome thoughts are put to flight and life is
lengthened. And, for this reason, you see the artisans leave their
workshops, the merchants their country-houses, the lawyers their
cases, the shopkeepers their business, and all repair with open
mouths to the barbers' shops and to the groups of chatterers, to
listen to stories, fictions, and news in the open air. I cannot,
therefore, but pardon my wife, who has taken this strange fancy
into her head of hearing the telling of tales. So, if you will be
pleased to satisfy the whim of the Princess and comply with my
wishes, you will, during the next four or five days, .each of you