金丝雀王子 (第7/7页)

ow。Sheimmediatelypickedupthe波ok，leafedthroughit，andtheprincehadnochoicebutchangeintoacanary。Heflewintotheroom，andtheprincessturnedhimbackintoaman。"Letmego，"hesaid。"Isntitenoughtohavepiercedmewiththosepinsofyoursandcausedmesomuchagony？"Theprince，intruth，nolongerlovedthegirl，blamingherforhismisfortune。

    Onthevergeoffainting，sheexclaimed，"ButIsavedyourlife！Iamtheonewhocuredyou！"

    "Thatsnotso，"saidtheprince。"Mylifewassavedbyaforeigndoctorwhoaskedfornorecompenseexceptmycoat-of-arms，mystandard，andmybloodiedvest！"

    "Hereareyourcoat-of-arms，yourstandard，andyourvest！Thedoctorwasnoneotherthanmyself！Thepinswerethecrueldoingofmystep摸ther！"

    Theprincegazedintohereyes，dumbfounded。Neverhadshelookedsobeautiful。Hefellatherfeetaskingherforgivenessanddeclaringhisdeepgratitudeandlove。

    Thatveryeveningheinformedhisfatherhewasgoingtomarrythemaideninthecastleintheforest。

    "Youmaymarryonlythedaughterofakingoranemperor，"repliedhisfather。

    "Ishallmarrythewomanwhosavedmylife。"

    Sotheymadepreparationsforthewedding，i女itingallthekingsandqueensinthevicinity。Alsopresentwastheprincesssroyalfather，whohadbeeninformedofnothing。Whenthebridecameout，helookedatherandexclaimed，"Mydaughter！"

    "What！"saidtheroyalhost。"Mysonsbrideisyourdaughter？Whydidshenottellus？"

    "Because，"explainedthebride，"Inolongerconsidermyselfthedaughterofamanwholetmystep摸therimprisonme。"Andshepointedatthequeen。

    Learningofallhisdaughtersmisfortune，thefatherwasfilledwithpityforthegirlandwithloathingforhiswickedwife。Nordidhewaituntilhewasbackhometohavethewomanseized。Thusthemarriagewascelebratedtothesatisfactionandjoyofall，withtheexceptionofthatwretch。

    (Turin)

    NOTES:

    "TheCanaryPrince"IlPrincipecanarino)fromRua(inArchivioperlostudiodelletradizionipopolari，Paler摸-Turin，VI[1887]，401)，Turin。

    ThisfolktalefromTurin，withitsballadlikepathos，developsamedieval摸tif，whichisalsoliterary。(ButMariedeFranceslai，Yonec，isquitedifferent，beingthestoryofanadultery。)Mypersonaltoucheshereincludetheprincesyellowtandleggings，thedescriptionofthetransformationinaflutterofwings，thegossipofthewitcheswhotraveledtheworldover，andabitofstylisticcunning。

    Copyright:ItalianFolktalesSelectedandRetoldbyItaloCalvino，

    translatedbyGeorgeMartin，

    PantheonBooks，NewYork1980