. Nevertheless, in the
matter of lodging, having but one sorry little bed, in which he slept
with his handsome wife, he could not entertain him as he would, but,
Dom Gianni's mare being lodged with Pietro's ass in a little stable he
had, needs must the priest himself lie by her side on a truss of
straw.

The goodwife, knowing the hospitality which the latter did her husband
at Barletta, would more than once, whenas the priest came thither,
have gone to lie with a neighbor of hers, by name Zita Caraprese,
[daughter] of Giudice Leo, so he might sleep in the bed with her
husband, and had many a time proposed it to Dom Gianni, but he would
never hear of it; and once, amongst other times, he said to her,
'Gossip Gemmata, fret not thyself for me; I fare very well, for that,
whenas it pleaseth me, I cause this mare of mine become a handsome
wench and couch with her, and after, when I will, I change her into a
mare again; wherefore I care not to part from her.'

The young woman marvelled, but believed his tale and told her husband,
saying, 'If he is so much thy friend as thou sayest, why dost thou not
make him teach thee his charm, so thou mayst avail to make of me a
mare and do thine affairs with the ass and the mare? So should we gain
two for one; and when we were back at home, thou couldst make me a
woman again, as I am.' Pietro, who was somewhat dull of wit, believed
what she said and falling in with her counsel, began, as best he knew,
to importune Dom Gianni to teach him the trick. The latter did his
best to cure him of that folly, but availing not thereto, he said,
'Harkye, since you will e'en have it so, we will arise to-morrow
morning before day, as of our wont, and I will show you how it is
done. To tell thee the truth, the uneathest part of the matter is the
putting on of the tail, as thou shalt see.'

Accordingly, whenas it drew near unto day, Goodman Pietro and Gossip
Gemmata, who had scarce slept that night, with such impatience did
they await the accomplishment of the matter, arose and called Dom
Gianni, who, arising in his shirt, betook himself to Pietro's little
chamber and said to him, 'I know none in the world, except you, for
whom I would do this; wherefore since it pleaseth you, I will e'en do
it; but needs must you do as I shall bid you, an you would have the
thing succeed.' They answered that they would do that which he should
say; whereupon, taking the light, he put it into Pietro's hand and
said to