lasted many days.



IV

VARDIELLO

If Nature had given to animals the necessity of clothing
themselves, and of buying their food, the race of quadrupeds
would inevitably be destroyed. Therefore it is that they find their
food without trouble,--without gardener to gather it, purchaser to
buy it, cook to prepare it, or carver to cut it up; whilst their skin
defends them from the rain and snow, without the merchant giving
them cloth, the tailor making the dress, or the errand-boy begging
for a drink-penny. To man however, who has intelligence, Nature
did not care to grant these indulgences, since he is able to procure
for himself what he wants. This is the reason that we commonly
see clever men poor, and blockheads rich; as you may gather from
the story which I am going to tell you.

Grannonia of Aprano was a woman of a great sense and judgment,
but she had a son named Vardiello, who was the greatest booby
and simpleton in the whole country round about. Nevertheless, as a
mother's eyes are bewitched and see what does not exist, she doted
upon him so much, that she was for ever caressing and fondling
him as if he were the handsomest creature in the world.

Now Grannonia kept a brood-hen, that was sitting upon a nest of
eggs, in which she placed all her hope, expecting to have a fine