on of
the chap-book, that of 1719. The most valuable references to the legend
in general will be found (besides the above work, and Grimm's notes to
Nos. 81, 82) in the _Jahrb._ V. pp. 4, 23; VII. 128, 268; and in Pitre's
notes, vol. III. p. 63, and IV. pp. 398, 439. All the Italian versions
are mentioned in the text or following notes. To the stories from the
various parts of Europe mentioned in the articles above cited, may be
added Webster, _Basque Legends_, pp. 195, 199. Since this note was
written another Tuscan version has been published by Pitre in his _Nov.
tosc._ No. 28, who cites in his notes: Ortoli, p. 1, Sec. 1, No. XXII.
(Corsica); and two literary versions in Cintio de' Fabritii, Venice,
1726, _Origine de' volgari proverbi_, and Domenico Batacchi in his
_Novelle galanti: La Vita e la Morte di Prete Ulivo_.

[20] See Pitre, No. 125.

[21] See Busk, p. 178.

[22] See Busk, p. 183.

[23] _Novelline di Sto. Stefano_, No. XXXII. A version from Monferrato
is found in Comparetti, No. 34, entitled, "_La Morte Burlata_" ("Death
Mocked"), in which a schoolmaster, who is a magician, tells one of his
scholars that he will grant him every day any favor he may ask. The
first day the scholar asks that any one who climbs his pear-tree must
remain there; the second day he asks that whoever approaches his
fireplace to warm himself must stay there; and finally he asks to win
always with a pack of cards that he has. When the possessor of these
favors has lived a hundred years Death comes for him, but is made to
climb the tree, and is forced to grant the owner another hundred years
of life. The fireplace procures another respite, and then the man dies
and goes to paradise; but the Lord will not admit him, for he had not
asked for mercy. Hell will not receive him, for he had been a good man;
so he goes to the gate of purgatory and begins playing cards, with souls
for stakes, and wins enough to form a regiment. Then he goes to
paradise, and the Lord tells him he can enter alone. But he persists in
going in with all those who are attached to him; so all the souls enter
too.

[24] _Novelline di Sto. Stefano_, No. 33. A similar story, told in
greater detail, is in Schneller, No. 17, "_Der Stoepselwirth_" ("The
Tapster"). A generous host ruins himself by his hospitality, and borrows
money of the Devil for seven years; if he cannot repay it his soul is to
belong to the lender. The host continues his liberality, and at the end