the misery I am in,—reduced thus from a kingdom to a wood, from a city to a paltry castle, and from commanding so great a people, to be hardly waited on by a parcel of half-starved menials[1]. If therefore you do not wish me ill, run now at once and blind the eyes of the fairy who has possession of my property; for by shutting up her shops you will open the warehouse of my greatness,—by putting out her lanterns, you will light the lamps of my honour, that are now dark and dismal."
When Miuccio heard this proposal, he was about to reply that the king was ill-informed, and had mistaken him, as he was neither a raven to pick out eyes nor an auger to bore holes; but the king said, "No more words;—so I will have it, so let it be done! Remember now, that in the mint of this brain of mine I have the balance ready: in one scale the reward, if you do what I tell you; in the other the punishment, if you neglect doing what I command."
Miuccio, who could not butt against a rock, and had to do with a man who was not to be moved, went into a corner to bemoan himself; and the bird
- ↑ Servuto da quatto pane a parte—or Settepanelle—a poor ill-paid servant. Until the discovery of America introduced such quantities of the precious metals, the old Roman custom prevailed in Italy of paying the servants small wages in money and the rest in food. The bread was baked once a week, and a certain number of loaves (at least seven) given to each servant for the week. See also Horace, Sat. i. 5, 68.
