ER V.

NURSERY TALES.

[1] The verse in this story is given somewhat differently by Bolza,
_Canzoni pop. Comasche_, Vienna, 1866, Note 9:--

"La storia de Sior Intento,
Che dura molto tempo,
Che mai no se destriga;
Vole che ve la diga?"

The story of Mr. Attentive, which lasts a long time, which is never
explained, do you wish me to tell it?

There are in Bernoni, _Punt._ II. pp. 53, 54, two or three other rhymes
of this class that may be given here.

ONCE UPON A TIME.

Once upon a time--that I remember--into a blind-man's eye--a fly
went--and I thought--that it was a quail--wretched blind-man--go away
from here!

ONE AND ANOTHER.

Fiaba, aba--Questa xe una--Muro e malta--Questa xe un' altra, Story,
ory--This is one--Wall and mud--This is another.

"A long one and a short one,
Do you wish me to tell you a long one?
This is the finger and this is the nail.
Do you wish me to tell you a short one?
This is the finger and this the end of it."

[2] Pitre, No. 141. In the notes to this story are given some more of
this class.

"Once upon a time there was a page who drew three carts: one of wine,
one of bread, and one of relishes.... And once upon a time there was a
page."

Some poetical versions are given in the same place from various parts of
Italy.

"Once upon a time,
An old man and an old woman
Were on top of a mountain...
Be quiet, for I am going to tell you it."

--Naples.

"Once upon a time there was a man
Behind the church
With a basket on his back...
But be still if I am to tell you it!"

--Milan, _Nov. fior._ p. 570.

Some more rhymes of this class may be found in Papanti, _Nov. pop.
livor_, p. 17: "Once upon a time there was a man, whose name was
Boccabella, who skinned his wife to make a skirt; and skinned his
children to make some towels."

"Once upon a time there was a man,
A woman, and a little bottle...
Listen to this!"

"Once upon a time there was a king
Who ate more than you;
He ate bread and cheese,
Pull, pull this nose."

Here the speaker pulls the child's nose.

"Once upon a time there was a rich poor man
Who had seven daughters to marry:
On one hand there came a felon,
And on the other seven blisters."

[3] _Rivista di Letteratura popolare_, vol. I. p. 161 (1878). "_Una
Variante toscana della Novella del Petit Poucet_." Versions from the