.

When the courtiers came to the King, who was thus transported with joy,
they said to him, "As Corvetto has done so much to serve you, it would
be no great matter for him, in order to give you a signal pleasure, to
get the ogre's palace, which is fit for an emperor to live in; for it
has so many rooms and chambers, inside and out, that it can hold an
army. And you would never believe all the courtyards, porticoes,
colonnades, balconies, and spiral chimneys which there are--built with
such marvellous architecture that Art prides herself upon them, Nature
is abashed, and Stupor is in delight."

The King, who had a fruitful brain which conceived quickly, called
Corvetto again, and telling him the great longing that had seized him
for the ogre's palace, begged him to add this service to all the others
he had done him, promising to score it up with the chalk of gratitude
at the tavern of memory. So Corvetto instantly set out heels over head;
and arriving at the ogre's palace, he found that the ogress, whilst her
husband was gone to invite the kinsfolk, was busying herself with
preparing the feast. Then Corvetto entering, with a look of compassion,
said, "Good-day, my good woman! Truly, you are a brave housewife! But
why do you torment the very life out of you in this way? Only yesterday
you were ill in bed, and now you are slaving thus, and have no pity on
your own flesh."

"What would you have me do?" replied the ogress. "I have no one to help
me."

"I am here," answered Corvetto, "ready to help you tooth and nail."

"Welcome, then!" said the ogress; "and as you proffer me so much
kindness, just help me to split four logs of wood."

"With all my heart," answered Corvetto, "but if four logs are not enow,
let me split five." And taking up a newly-ground axe, instead of
striking the wood, he struck the ogress on the neck, and made her fall
to the ground like a pear. Then running quickly to the gate, he dug a
deep hole before the entrance, and covering it over with bushes and
earth, he hid himself behind the gate.

As soon as Corvetto saw the ogre coming with his kinsfolk, he set up a
loud cry in the courtyard, "Stop, stop! I've caught him!" and "Long
live the King of Wide-River." When the ogre heard this challenge, he
ran like mad at Corvetto, to make a hash of him. But rushing furiously
towards the gate, down he tumbled with all his companions, head over
heels to the bottom of the pit, where Corvetto speedily stoned