daughter, go
with them, and sent her away, telling her to go and feed her pig
somewhere else. So Parmetella drove her little animal into a wood,
where the Shades were holding out against the assaults of the Sun; and
coming to a pasture--in the middle of which flowed a fountain, that,
like the hostess of an inn where cold water is sold, was inviting the
passers-by with its silver tongue--she found a certain tree with golden
leaves. Then plucking one of them, she took it to her father, who with
great joy sold it for more than twenty ducats, which served to stop up
a hole in his affairs. And when he asked Parmetella where she had found
it, she said, "Take it, sir, and ask no questions, unless you would
spoil your good fortune." The next day she returned and did the same;
and she went on plucking the leaves from the tree until it was entirely
stript, as if it had been plundered by the winds of Autumn. Then she
perceived that the tree had a large golden root, which she could not
pull up with her hands; so she went home, and fetching an axe set to
work to lay bare the root around the foot of the tree; and raising the
trunk as well as she could, she found under it a beautiful porphyry
staircase.

Parmetella, who was curious beyond measure, went down the stairs, and
walking through a large and deep cavern, she came to a beautiful plain,
on which was a splendid palace, where only gold and silver were trodden
underfoot, and pearls and precious stones everywhere met the eye. And
as Parmetella stood wondering at all these splendid things, not seeing
any person moving among so many beautiful fixtures, she went into a
chamber, in which were a number of pictures; and on them were seen
painted various beautiful things--especially the ignorance of man
esteemed wise, the injustice of him who held the scales, the injuries
avenged by Heaven--things truly to amaze one. And in the same chamber
also was a splendid table, set out with things to eat and to drink.

Seeing no one, Parmetella, who was very hungry, sat down at a table to
eat like a fine count; but whilst she was in the midst of the feast,
behold a handsome Slave entered, who said, "Stay! do not go away, for I
will have you for my wife, and will make you the happiest woman in the
world." In spite of her fear, Parmetella took heart at this good offer,
and consenting to what the Slave proposed, a coach of diamonds was
instantly given her, drawn by four golden steeds, with wings of