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147

Basile, Giambattista, Archivio di Litteratura popolare. Napoli, 1883, 1884. (June 1883). Anno I. No. VI. Pp. 42-43. (From Pomigliano d'Arco, Province of Naples. Contributed by Vittorio Imbriani.)

"O CUNTO D' 'A BELLA-PILOSA"
(The Story of the Hairy Belle).

ABSTRACT

Heroine, like deceased mother, has hair and teeth of gold-- Unnatural father--Dead mother help at grave --Countertasks--Magic dresses provided by devil--Father deluded by splashing of doves--Heroine flight--Heroine disguise (wolf's skin)-- Menial heroine (gooseherd)--Meeting-place (ball) --Twofold flight--Lovesick prince--Recognition food, contains ring and bracelet given at balls--Happy marriage.

TABULATION

(1) A man has wife and daughter, each with hair and teeth of gold. Wife dies, and widower, wishing a second wife like deceased, is counselled by devil to wed own daughter. -- (2) Heroine persists in refusal, at last asks leave to consult confessor. She goes to mother's grave and weeps. Mother bids her demand first a dress of golden bells; next, a dress with sun in front and moon at back. Father obtains both with aid of the devil.-- (3) Then, counselled by mother, heroine asks for two doves, shuts herself in her room to wash her feet before wedding, and escapes, leaving doves splashing in the water.-- (4) She dons a wolf's skin and takes service as goose-herd at king's palace; is called Hairy-Belle. King's son would like to spend some hours with Hairy-Belle, but she objects, fearing to be discharged, and therefore pretends she is ugly and dirty.-- (5) One day he invites her to ball to which he is going. She refuses, but when he has started she washes her gold hair and teeth (which had been stained), dons the dress of gold bells, and goes to ball. King's son dances with her, and puts a ring on her finger. She rushes away before ball is over, and undresses.-- (6) Next day king's son tells her all about meeting at ball, and begs her to go that night with him. She persistently refuses, pleading her wretchedness, but presently goes in sun- and moon-dress, dances with hint, and accepts his bracelet. She escapes home and undresses. -- (7) Next day king's son tells all to his mother, and adds that the beauty was just like Hairy-Belle, and that he would willingly marry her. Queen reproves him. Prince is angry and falls ill, and makes his doctor recommend a cake made by whomsoever patient wishes. Doctor says cake must be pre pared according to prince's fancy. Queen is displeased when prince wishes Hairy-Belle to make cake, but gives her flour.-- (8) Heroine puts ring in cake. Prince is convinced that Hairy-Belle is the ball beauty, and feels better. He wants her to make another cake. Queen objects, but yields. Prince finds bracelet in cake, and means to marry Hairy-Belle.-- (9) Queen objects ; but at last he goes himself to ask for heroine, who makes known that she is a princess, dulls old-woman skin (sic), and marries prince.

Cox, Marian Roalfe. Cinderella: Three Hundred and Forty-five Variants of Cinderella, Catskin, and Cap O' Rushes, abstracted and tabulated. London: David Nutt for the Folklore Society, 1893.

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