to the
ground,--sleep and a black slave!" Then she took a fine house facing
the palace of the Prince; from whence, though she could not see the
idol of her heart, she could at least look upon the walls wherein what
she sighed for was enclosed.

But Taddeo, who was constantly flying like a bat round that black night
of a Slave, chanced to perceive Zoza and was entranced with her beauty.
When the Slave saw this she was beside herself with rage, and vowed
that if Taddeo did not leave the window, she would kill her baby when
it was born.

Taddeo, who was anxiously desiring an heir, was afraid to offend his
wife and tore himself away from the sight of Zoza; who seeing this
little balm for the sickness of her hopes taken away from her, knew
not, at first, what to do. But, recollecting the fairies' gifts, she
opened the walnut, and out of it hopped a little dwarf like a doll, the
most graceful toy that was ever seen in the world. Then, seating
himself upon the window, the dwarf began to sing with such a trill and
gurgling, that he seemed a veritable king of the birds.

The Slave, when she saw and heard this, was so enraptured that, calling
Taddeo, she said, "Bring me the little fellow who is singing yonder, or
I will kill the child when it is born." So the Prince, who allowed this
ugly woman to put the saddle on his back, sent instantly to Zoza, to
ask if she would not sell the dwarf. Zoza answered she was not a
merchant, but that he was welcome to it as a gift. So Taddeo accepted
the offer, for he was anxious to keep his wife in good humour.

Four days after this, Zoza opened the chestnut, when out came a hen
with twelve little chickens, all of pure gold, and, being placed on the
window, the Slave saw them and took a vast fancy to them; and calling
Taddeo, she showed him the beautiful sight, and again ordered him to
procure the hen and chickens for her. So Taddeo, who let himself be
caught in the web, and become the sport of the ugly creature, sent
again to Zoza, offering her any price she might ask for the beautiful
hen. But Zoza gave the same answer as before, that he might have it as
a gift. Taddeo, therefore, who could not do otherwise, made necessity
kick at discretion, and accepted the beautiful present.

But after four days more, Zoza opened the hazel-nut, and forth came a
doll which spun gold--an amazing sight. As soon as it was placed at the
same window, the Slave saw it and, calling to Taddeo, said, "I must
ha