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315

Pitré, Fiabe, Novelle e Racconti popolari Siciliani. (Bibl. Delle trad. pop. Sic., vol. iv.) Palermo, 1875. Pp. 83-88. No. X. (Narrated by Elisabetta Sanfratello, servant to Sig. Giuseppe Gugino of Vallelunga.)

"L'ACQUA E LU SALI."

ABSTRACT

King Lear judgment--Loving like salt and water--Outcast heroine--Executioners, directed by elder sisters, spare heroine's life, leave her in a cave, and delude king with dog's tongue and rent garment--Magician finds heroine; takes her to his borne opposite royal palace -- King's son would marry heroine. Magician bids her kill him day before wedding; put a quarter of him in each of four rooms, and sprinkle his blood in all rooms and on stairs. Flesh and blood become gold and jewels--Happy marriage--Value of salt and water.

TABULATION

(1) King has three daughters. One day, when at table, king asks how much they love him. Eldest says, "As much as my eyes." Second says, "As much as my heart." Youngest says, "As much as water and salt"; and king calls for executioners to have her killed immediately.-- (2) But elder sisters tell them to kill the little dog they give them, tear one of heroine's garments, and leave her in a cave. Executioners obey, and bring back to king the dog's tongue and the rent garment, and receive reward.-- (3) Heroine is discovered in forest by magician, and taken to his house opposite royal palace. King's son sees her, falls in love with her, and arranges match.-- (4) Magician says, "Kill me the day before the wedding; invite three kings, your father the first; order Servant to pass water and salt to all the guests except your father." Meanwhile, king has been pining with grief for daughter, is disinclined to accept invitation, but, fearing to offend other king, who may declare war against him, he goes to wedding. The day before wedding they kill magician, quarter him, and put a quarter in each of four rooms, and sprinkle his blood in all the rooms and on the stairs. The blood and flesh become gold and precious stones.-- (5) When the three kings arrive they hesitate to step on gold stairs. That evening king's son and heroine are married. -- (6) The next day they have a banquet. Heroine sits next to father; asks why he does not eat. He says he is not well. Presently they begin telling stories, and king tells them all about his daughter. Heroine asks whether he would still recognise her, and goes and dons dress she wore when sent to be killed. King embraces her, and begs her pardon.

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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