Ifourreaders，temptedbytheItalianproverbaboutseeingNaplesandthendying，weretoaskuswhatisthemostfavourablemomentforvisitingtheenchantedcity，weshouldadvisethemtolandatthemole，oratMergellina，onafinesummerdayandatthehourwhensomesolemnprocessionismovingoutofthecathedral。Nothingcangiveanideaoftheprofoundandsimple-heartedemotionofthispopulace，whichhasenoughpoetryinitssoultobelieveinitsownhappiness。Thewholetownadornsherselfandattiresherselflikeabrideforherwedding；thedarkfacadesofmarbleandgranitedisappearbeneathhangingsofsilkandfestoonsofflowers；thewealthydisplaytheirdazzlingluxury，thepoordrapethemselvesproudlyintheirrags。Everythingislight，harmony，andperfume；
thesoundislikethehumofanimmensehive，interruptedbyathousandfoldoutcryofjoyimpossibletodescribe。Thebellsrepeattheirsonoroussequencesineverykey；thearcadesechoafarwiththetriumphalmarchesofmilitarybands；thesellersofsherbetandwater-melonssingouttheirdeafeningflourishfromthroatsofcopper。Peopleformintogroups；theymeet，question，gesticulate；
therearegleaminglooks，eloquentgestures，picturesqueattitudes；
thereisageneralanimation，anunknowncharm，anindefinableintoxication。Earthisveryneartoheaven，anditiseasytounderstandthat，ifGodweretobanishdeathfromthisdelightfulspot，theNeapolitanswoulddesirenootherparadise。
Thestorythatweareabouttotellopenswithoneofthesemagicalpictures。ItwastheDayoftheAssumptionintheyear1825；thesunhadbeenupsomefourorfivehours，andthelongViadaForcella，lightedfromendtoendbyitsslantingrays，cutthetownintwo，likearibbonofwateredsilk。Thelavapavement，carefullycleaned，shonelikeanymosaic，andtheroyaltroops，withtheirproudlywavingplumes，madeadoublelivinghedgeoneachsideofthestreet。
Thebalconies，windows，andterraces，thestandswiththeirunsubstantialbalustrades，andthewoodengalleriessetupduringthenight，wereloadedwithspectators，andlookednotunliketheboxesofatheatre。Animmensecrowd，formingamedleyofthebrightestcolours，invadedthereservedspaceandbrokethroughthemilitarybarriers，hereandthere，likeanoverflowingtorrent。Theseintrepidsightseers，nailedtotheirplaces，wouldhavewaitedhalftheirliveswithoutgivingtheleastsignofimpatience。
Atlast，aboutnoon，acannon-shotwasheard，andacryofgeneralsatisfactionfollowedit。Itwasthesignalthattheprocessionhadcrossedthethresholdofthechurch。Inthesamemomentachargeofcarabineerssweptoffthepeoplewhowereobstructingthemiddleofthestreet，theregimentsofthelineopenedfloodgatesfortheoverflowingcrowd，andsoonnothingremainedonthecausewaybutsomescareddog，shoutedatbythepeople，huntedoffbythesoldiers，andfleeingatfullspeed。TheprocessioncameoutthroughtheViadiVescovato。Firstcametheguildsofmerchantsandcraftsmen，thehatters，weavers，bakers，butchers，cutlers，andgoldsmiths。Theyworetheprescribeddress：blackcoats，kneebreeches，lowshoesandsilverbuckles。Asthecountenancesofthesegentlemenofferednothingveryinterestingtothemultitude，whisperingsarose，littlebylittle，amongthespectators，thensomeboldspiritsventuredajestortwouponthefattestorthebaldestofthetownsmen，andatlasttheboldestofthelazzaronislippedbetweenthesoldiers’legstocollectthewaxthatwasrunningdownfromthelightedtapers。
Afterthecraftsmen，thereligiousordersmarchedpast，fromtheDominicanstotheCarthusians，fromtheCarmelitestotheCapuchins。
Theyadvancedslowly，theireyescastdown，theirstepaustere，theirhandsontheirhearts；somefaceswererubicundandshining，withlargecheek-honesandroundedchins，herculeanheadsuponbullnecks；
some，thinandlivid，withcheekshollowedbysufferingandpenitence，andwiththelookoflivingghosts；inshort，herewerethetwosidesofmonasticlife。
Atthismoment，NunziataandGelsomina，twocharmingdamsels，takingadvantageofanoldcorporal’spoliteness，pushedforwardtheirprettyheadsintothefirstrank。Thebreakinthelinewasconspicuous；buttheslywarriorseemedjustalittlelaxinthematterofdiscipline。
"Oh，thereisFatherBruno！"saidGelsominasuddenly。"Good-day，FatherBruno。"
"Hush，cousin！Peopledonottalktotheprocession。"
"Howabsurd！Heismyconfessor。MayInotsaygood-morningtomyconfessor？"
"Silence，chatterboxes！"
"Whowasthatspoke？"
"Oh，mydear，itwasBrotherCucuzza，thebeggingfriar。"
"Whereishe？Whereishe？"
"Thereheis，alongthere，laughingintohisbeard。Howboldheis！"
"Ah，Godinheaven！Ifweweretodreamofhim——-"
WhilethetwocousinswerepouringoutendlesscommentsupontheCapuchinsandtheirbeards，thecapesofthecanonsandthesurplicesoftheseminarists，the’feroci’camerunningacrossfromtheothersidetore-establishorderwiththehelpoftheirgun-stocks。
"Bythebloodofmypatronsaint，"criedastentorianvoice，"ifI
catchyoubetweenmyfingerandthumb，Iwillstraightenyourbackfortherestofyourdays。"
"Whoareyoufallingoutwith，Gennaro？"
"Withthisaccursedhunchback，whohasbeenworryingmybackforthelasthour，asthoughhecouldseethroughit。"
"Itisashame，"returnedthehunchbackinatoneoflamentation；
"Ihavebeenheresincelastnight，Isleptoutofdoorstokeepmyplace，andhereisthisabominablegiantcomestostickhimselfinfrontofmelikeanobelisk。"
ThehunchbackwaslyinglikeaJew，butthecrowdroseunanimouslyagainsttheobelisk。Hewas，inoneway，theirsuperior，andmajoritiesarealwaysmadeupofpigmies。
"Hi！Comedownfromyourstand！"
"Hi！getoffyourpedestal！"
"Offwithyourhat！"
"Downwithyourhead！"
"Sitdown！"
"Liedown！"
Thisrevivalofcuriosityexpressingitselfininvectivesevidentlybetokenedthecrisisoftheshow。Andindeedthechaptersofcanons，theclergyandbishops，thepagesandchamberlains，therepresentativesofthecity，andthegentlemenoftheking’schambernowappeared，andfinallythekinghimself，who，bare-headedandcarryingataper，followedthemagnificentstatueoftheVirgin。Thecontrastwasstriking：afterthegrey-headedmonksandpalenovicescamebrilliantyoungcaptains，affrontingheavenwiththepointsoftheirmoustaches，riddlingthelatticedwindowswithkillingglances，followingtheprocessioninanabsent-mindedway，andinterruptingtheholyhymnswithscrapsofmostunorthodoxconversation。
"Didyounotice，mydearDoria，howlikeamonkeytheoldMarchesad’Acquaspartatakesherraspberryice？"
"Hernosetakesthecolouroftheice。Whatfinebirdisshowingofftoher？"
"ItistheCyrenian。"
"Ibegyourpardon！IhavenotseenthatnameintheGoldenBook。"
"Hehelpsthepoormarquistobearhiscross。"
Theofficer’sprofaneallusionwaslostintheprolongedmurmurofadmirationthatsuddenlyrosefromthecrowd，andeverygazewasturnedupononeoftheyounggirlswhowasstrewingflowersbeforetheholyMadonna。Shewasanexquisitecreature。Herheadglowinginthesunshine，herfeethiddenamidrosesandbroom-blossom，sherose，tallandfair，fromapalecloudofincense，likesomeseraphicapparition。Herhair，ofvelvetblackness，fellincurlshalf-waydownhershoulders；herbrow，whiteasalabasterandpolishedasamirror，reflectedtheraysofthesun；herbeautifulandfinelyarchedblackeye-browsmeltedintotheopalofhertemples；hereyelidswerefastdown，andthecurledblackfringeoflashesveiledaglowingandliquidglanceofdivineemotion；thenose，straight，slender，andcutbytwoeasynostrils，gavetoherprofilethatcharacterofantiquebeautywhichisvanishingdaybydayfromtheearth。Acalmandserenesmile，oneofthosesmilesthathavealreadyleftthesoulandnotyetreachedthelips，liftedthecornersofhermouthwithapureexpressionofinfinitebeatitudeandgentleness。Nothingcouldbemoreperfectthanthechinthatcompletedthefaultlessovalofthisradiantcountenance；herneckofadeadwhite，joinedherbosominadeliciouscurve，andsupportedherheadgracefullylikethestalkofaflowermovedbyagentlebreeze。Abodiceofcrimsonvelvetspottedwithgoldoutlinedherdelicateandfinelycurvedfigure，andheldinbymeansofahandsomegoldlacethecountlessfoldsofafullandflowingskirt，thatfelltoherfeetlikethosesevererobesinwhichtheByzantinepainterspreferredtodrapetheirangels。Shewasindeedamarvel，andsorareandmodestofbeautyhadnotbeenseenwithinthememoryofman。
AmongthosewhohadgazedmostpersistentlyatherwasobservedtheyoungPrinceofBrancaleone，oneoftheforemostnoblesofthekingdom。Handsome，rich，andbrave，hehad，atfive-and-twenty，outdonethelistsofallknownDonJuans。Fashionableyoungwomenspokeveryillofhimandadoredhiminsecret；themostvirtuousmadeittheirruletoflyfromhim，soimpossibledidresistanceappear。Alltheyoungmadcapshadchosenhimfortheirmodel；forhistriumphsrobbedmanyaMiltiadesofsleep，andwithbettercause。
Inshort，togetanideaofthisluckyindividual，itwillbeenoughtoknowthatasaseducerhewasthemostperfectthingthatthedevilhadsucceededininventinginthisprogressivecentury。Theprincewasdressedoutfortheoccasioninasufficientlygrotesquecostume，whichheworewithironicgravityandcavalierease。A
blacksatindoublet，kneebreeches，embroideredstockings，andshoeswithgoldbuckles，formedthemainportionsofhisdress，overwhichtrailedalongbrocadedopen-sleevedrobelinedwithermine，andamagnificentdiamond-hiltedsword。Onaccountofhisrankheenjoyedtheraredistinctionofcarryingoneofthesixgildedstavesthatsupportedtheplumedandembroideredcanopy。
Assoonastheprocessionmovedonagain，EligiofBrancaleonegaveasideglancetoalittlemanasredasalobster，whowaswalkingalmostathisside，andcarryinginhisrighthand，withallthesolemnitythathecouldmuster，hisexcellency’shat。Hewasafootmaningold-lacedlivery，andwebegleavetogiveabriefsketchofhishistory。Trespolowasthechildofpoorbutthievingparents，andonthataccountwasearlyleftanorphan。Beingatleisure，hestudiedlifefromaneminentlysocialaspect。Ifwearetobelieveacertainancientsage，weareallintheworldtosolveaproblem：astoTrespolo，hedesiredtolivewithoutdoinganything；thatwashisproblem。Hewas，inturn，asacristan，ajuggler，anapothecary’sassistant，andacicerone，andhegottiredofallthesecallings。
Beggingwas，tohismind，toohardwork，anditwasmoretroubletobeathiefthantobeanhonestman。Finallyhedecidedinfavourofcontemplativephilosophy。Hehadapassionatepreferenceforthehorizontalposition，andfoundthegreatestpleasureintheworldinwatchingtheshootingofstars。Unfortunately，inthecourseofhismeditationsthisdeservingmancameneartodyingofhunger；whichwouldhavebeenagreatpity，forhewasbeginningtoaccustomhimselfnottoeatanything。Butashewaspredestinedbynaturetoplayasmallpartinourstory，Godshowedhimgraceforthattime，andsenttohisassistance——notoneofHisangels，theroguewasnotworthyofthat，but——oneofBrancaleone’shuntingdogs。Thenobleanimalsniffedroundthephilosopher，andutteredalittlecharitablegrowlthatwouldhavedonecredittooneofthebrethrenofMountSt。
Bernard。Theprince，whowasreturningintriumphfromhunting，andwho，bygoodluck，hadthatdaykilledabearandruinedacountess，hadanoddinclinationtodoagooddeed。Heapproachedtheplebeianwhowasabouttopassintotheconditionofacorpse，stirredthethingwithhisfoot，andseeingthattherewasstillalittlehope，badehispeoplebringhimalong。
>Fromthatdayonward，Trespolosawthedreamofhislifenearlyrealised。Somethingratheraboveafootmanandratherbelowahousesteward，hebecametheconfidantofhismaster，whofoundhistalentsmostuseful；forthisTrespolowasassharpasademonandalmostasartfulasawoman。Theprince，who，likeanintelligentmanashewas，haddivinedthatgeniusisnaturallyindolent，askednothingofhimbutadvice；whentiresomepeoplewantedthrashing，hesawtothatmatterhimself，and，indeed，hewastheequalofanytwoatsuchwork。Asnothinginthislowerworld，however，iscomplete，Trespolohadstrangemomentsamidthislifeofdelights；fromtimetotimehishappinesswasdisturbedbypanicsthatgreatlydivertedhismaster；
hewouldmutterincoherentwords，stifleviolentsighs，andlosehisappetite。Therootofthematterwasthatthepoorfellowwasafraidofgoingtohell。Thematterwasverysimple：hewasafraidofeverything；and，besides，ithadoftenbeenpreachedtohimthattheDevilneverallowedamoment’sresttothosewhowereill-advisedenoughtofallintohisclutches。Trespolowasinoneofhisgoodmoodsofrepentance，whentheprince，aftergazingontheyounggirlwiththefierceeagernessofavultureabouttoswoopuponitsprey，turnedtospeaktohisintimateadviser。Thepoorservantunderstoodhismaster’sabominabledesign，andnotwishingtosharetheguiltofasacrilegiousconversation，openedhiseyesverywideandturnedthemuptoheaveninecstaticcontemplation。Theprincecoughed，stampedhisfoot，movedhisswordsoastohitTrespolo’slegs，butcouldnotgetfromhimanysignofattention，soabsorbeddidheappearincelestialthoughts。Brancaleonewouldhavelikedtowringhisneck，butbothhishandswereoccupiedbythestaffofthecanopy；andbesides，thekingwaspresent。
AtlasttheyweredrawingnearertothechurchofSt。Clara，wheretheNeapolitankingswereburied，andwhereseveralprincessesoftheblood，exchangingthecrownfortheveil，havegonetoburythemselvesalive。Thenuns，novices，andabbess，hiddenbehindshutters，werethrowingflowersupontheprocession。AbunchfellatthefeetofthePrinceofBrancaleone。
"Trespolo，pickupthatnosegay，"saidtheprince，soaudiblythathisservanthadnofurtherexcuse。"ItisfromSisterTheresa，"headded，inalowvoice；"constancyisonlytobefound，nowadays，inaconvent。"
Trespolopickedupthenosegayandcametowardshismaster，lookinglikeamanwhowasbeingstrangled。
"Whoisthatgirl？"thelatteraskedhimshortly。
"Whichone？"stammeredtheservant。
"Forsooth！Theonewalkinginfrontofus。"
"Idon’tknowher，mylord。"
"Youmustfindoutsomethingaboutherbeforethisevening。"
"Ishallhavetogoratherfarafield。"
"Thenyoudoknowher，youintolerablerascal！Ihavehalfamindtohaveyouhangedlikeadog。"
"Forpity’ssake，mylord，thinkofthesalvationofyoursoul，ofyoureternallife。"
"Iadviseyoutothinkofyourtemporallife。Whatishername？"
"SheiscalledNisida，andistheprettiestgirlintheislandthatsheisnamedafter。Sheisinnocenceitself。Herfatherisonlyapoorfisherman，butIcanassureyourexcellencythatinhisislandheisrespectedlikeaking。"
"Indeed！"repliedtheprince，withanironicalsmile。"Imustown，tomygreatshame，thatIhavenevervisitedthelittleislandofNisida。Youwillhaveaboatreadyformeto-morrow，andthenwewillsee。"
Heinterruptedhimselfsuddenly，forthekingwaslookingathim；andcallingupthemostsonorousbassnotesthathecouldfindinthedepthsofhisthroat，hecontinuedwithaninspiredair，"Genitorigenitoquelausetjubilatio。"
"Amen，"repliedtheserving-maninaringingvoice。
Nisida，thebeloveddaughterofSolomon，thefisherman，was，aswehavesaid，theloveliestfloweroftheislandfromwhichshederivedhername。Thatislandisthemostcharmingspot，themostdeliciousnookwithwhichweareacquainted；itisabasketofgreenerysetdelicatelyamidthepureandtransparentwatersofthegulf，ahillwoodedwithorangetreesandoleanders，andcrownedatthesummitbyamarblecastle。Allaroundextendsthefairy-likeprospectofthatimmenseamphitheatre，oneofthemightiestwondersofcreation。
ThereliesNaples，thevoluptuoussyren，recliningcarelesslyontheseashore；there，Portici，Castellamare，andSorrento，theverynamesofwhichawakenintheimaginationathousandthoughtsofpoetryandlove；therearePausilippo，Baiae，Puozzoli，andthosevastplains，wheretheancientsfanciedtheirElysium，sacredsolitudeswhichonemightsupposepeopledbythemenofformerdays，wheretheearthechoesunderfootlikeanemptygrave，andtheairhasunknownsoundsandstrangemelodies。
Solomon’shutstoodinthatpartoftheislandwhich，turningitsbacktothecapital，beholdsafarthebluecrestsofCapri。Nothingcouldbesimplerorbrighter。Thebrickwallswerehungwithivygreenerthanemeralds，andenamelledwithwhitebell-flowers；onthegroundfloorwasafairlyspaciousapartment，inwhichthemensleptandthefamilytooktheirmeals；onthefloorabovewasNisida’slittlemaidenlyroom，fullofcoolness，shadows，andmystery，andlightedbyasinglecasementthatlookedoverthegulf；abovethisroomwasaterraceoftheItaliankind，thefourpillarsofwhichwerewreathedwithvinebranches，whileitsvine-cladarbourandwideparapetwereovergrownwithmossandwildflowers。Alittlehedgeofhawthorn，whichhadbeenrespectedforages，madeakindoframpartaroundthefisherman’spremises，anddefendedhishousebetterthandeepmoatsandcastellatedwallscouldhavedone。TheboldestroisterersoftheplacewouldhavepreferredtofightbeforetheparsonageandintheprecinctsofthechurchratherthaninfrontofSolomon’slittleenclosure。Otherwise，thiswasthemeetingplaceofthewholeisland。Everyevening，preciselyatthesamehour，thegoodwomenoftheneighbourhoodcametoknittheirwoollencapsandtellthenews。Groupsoflittlechildren，naked，brown，andasmischievousaslittleimps，sportedabout，rollingonthegrassandthrowinghandfulsofsandintotheother’seyes，heedlessoftheriskofblinding，whiletheirmotherswereengrossedinthatgravegossipwhichmarksthedwellersinvillages。Thesegatheringsoccurreddailybeforethefisherman’shouse；theyformedatacitandalmostinvoluntaryhomage，consecratedbycustom，andofwhichnoonehadevertakenspecialaccount；theenvythatrulesinsmallcommunitieswouldsoonhavesuppressedthem。TheinfluencewhicholdSolomonhadoverhisequalshadgrownsosimplyandnaturally，thatnoonefoundanyfaultwithit，andithadonlyattractednoticewheneveryonewasbenefitingbyit，likethosefinetreeswhosegrowthisonlyobservedwhenweprofitbytheirshade。Ifanydisputearoseintheisland，thetwoopponentspreferredtoabidebythejudgmentofthefishermaninsteadofgoingbeforethecourt；hewasfortunateenoughorcleverenoughtosendawaybothpartiessatisfied。Heknewwhatremediestoprescribebetterthananyphysician，foritseldomhappenedthatheorhishadnotfeltthesameailments，andhisknowledge，foundedonpersonalexperience，producedthemostexcellentresults。Moreover，hehadnointerest，asordinarydoctorshave，inprolongingillnesses。Formanyyearspasttheonlyformalityrecognisedasaguaranteefortheinviolabilityofacontracthadbeentheinterventionofthefisherman。EachpartyshookhandswithSolomon，andthethingwasdone。TheywouldratherhavethrownthemselvesintoVesuviusatthemomentofitsmostviolenteruptionthanhavebrokensosolemnanagreement。Attheperiodwhenourstoryopens，itwasimpossibletofindanypersonintheislandwhohadnotfelttheeffectsofthefisherman’sgenerosity，andthatwithoutneedingtoconfesstohimanynecessities。AsitwasthecustomforthelittlepopulaceofNisidatospenditsleisurehoursbeforeSolomon’scottage，theoldman，whilehewalkedslowlyamongthedifferentgroups，humminghisfavouritesong，discoveredmoralandphysicalweaknessesashepassed；andthesameeveningheorhisdaughterwouldcertainlybeseencomingmysteriouslytobestowabenefituponeverysufferer，tolayabalmuponeverywound。Inshort，heunitedinhispersonallthoseoccupationswhosebusinessistohelpmankind。Lawyers，doctors，andthenotary，allthevulturesofcivilisation，hadbeatenaretreatbeforethepatriarchalbenevolenceofthefisherman。Eventhepriesthadcapitulated。
OnthemorrowoftheFeastoftheAssumption，Solomonwassitting，ashishabitwas，onastonebenchinfrontofhishouse，hislegscrossedandhisarmscarelesslystretchedout。Atthefirstglanceyouwouldhavetakenhimforsixtyattheoutside，thoughhewasreallyovereighty。Hehadallhisteeth，whichwereaswhiteaspearls，andshowedthemproudly。Hisbrow，calmandrestfulbeneathitscrownofabundantwhitehair，wasasfirmandpolishedasmarble；
notawrinkleruffledthecornerofhiseye，andthegem-likelustreofhisblueorbsrevealedafreshnessofsoulandaneternalyouthsuchasfablegrantstothesea-gods。Hedisplayedhisbarearmsandmuscularneckwithanoldman’svanity。Neverhadagloomyidea，anevilprepossession，orakeenremorse，arisentodisturbhislongandpeacefullife。Hehadneverseenatearflownearhimwithouthurryingtowipeit；poorthoughhewas，hehadsucceededinpouringoutbenefitsthatallthekingsoftheearthcouldnothaveboughtwiththeirgold；ignorantthoughhewas，hehadspokentohisfellowstheonlylanguagethattheycouldunderstand，thelanguageoftheheart。Onesingledropofbitternesshadmingledwithhisinexhaustiblestreamofhappiness；onegriefonlyhadcloudedhissunnylife——thedeathofhiswife——andmoreoverhehadforgottenthat。
AlltheaffectionsofhissoulwereturneduponNisida，whosebirthhadcausedhermother’sdeath；helovedherwiththatimmoderatelovethatoldpeoplehavefortheyoungestoftheirchildren。Atthepresentmomenthewasgazinguponherwithanairofprofoundrapture，andwatchinghercomeandgo，asshenowjoinedthegroupsofchildrenandscoldedthemforgamestoodangerousortoonoisy；
nowseatedherselfonthegrassbesidetheirmothersandtookpartwithgraveandthoughtfulinterestintheirtalk。Nisidawasmorebeautifulthusthanshehadbeenthedaybefore；withthevaporouscloudofperfumethathadfoldedherroundfromheadtofoothaddisappearedallthatmysticpoetrywhichputasortofconstraintuponheradmirersandobligedthemtolowertheirglances。ShehadbecomeadaughterofEveagainwithoutlosinganythingofhercharm。
Simplydressed，assheusuallywasonwork-days，shewasdistinguishableamonghercompanionsonlybyheramazingbeautyandbythedazzlingwhitenessofherskin。Herbeautifulblackhairwastwistedinplaitsaroundthelittledaggerofchasedsilver，thathaslatelybeenimportedintoParisbythatrightofconquestwhichtheprettywomenofParishaveoverthefashionsofallcountries，liketheEnglishoverthesea。
Nisidawasadoredbyheryoungfriends，allthemothershadadoptedherwithpride；shewasthegloryoftheisland。Theopinionofhersuperioritywassharedbyeveryonetosuchadegree，thatifsomeboldyoungman，forgettingthedistancewhichdividedhimfromthemaiden，daredspeakalittletooloudlyofhispretensions，hebecamethelaughing-stockofhiscompanions。EventhepastmastersoftarentelladancingwereoutofcountenancebeforethedaughterofSolomon，anddidnotdaretoseekherasapartner。OnlyafewsingersfromAmalfiorSorrento，attractedbytherarebeautyofthisangeliccreature，venturedtosighouttheirpassion，carefullyveiledbeneaththemostdelicateallusions。Buttheyseldomreachedthelastverseoftheirsong；ateverysoundtheystoppedshort，threwdowntheirtrianglesandtheirmandolines，andtookflightlikescarednightingales。
Oneonlyhadcourageenoughorpassionenoughtobravethemockery；
thiswasBastiano，themostformidablediverofthatcoast。Healsosang，butwithadeepandhollowvoice；hischantwasmournfulandhismelodiesfullofsadness。Heneveraccompaniedhimselfuponanyinstrument，andneverretiredwithoutconcludinghissong。Thatdayhewasgloomierthanusual；hewasstandingupright，asthoughbyenchantment，uponabareandslipperyrock，andhecastscornfulglancesuponthewomenwhowerelookingathimandlaughing。Thesun，whichwasplungingintothesealikeaglobeoffire，sheditslightfulluponhissternfeatures，andtheeveningbreeze，asitlightlyrippledthebillows，settheflutteringreedswavingathisfeet。Absorbedbydarkthoughts，hesang，inthemusicallanguageofhiscountry，thesesadwords：——
"Owindow，thatwertusedtoshineinthenightlikeanopeneye，howdarkthouart！Alas，alas！mypoorsisterisill。
"Hermother，allintears，stoopstowardsmeandsays，’Thypoorsisterisdeadandburied。’
"Jesus！Jesus！Havepityonme！Youstabmetotheheart。
"Tellme，goodneighbours，howithappened；repeattomeherlastwords。
"Shehadaburningthirst，andrefusedtodrinkbecausethouwastnottheretogiveherwaterfromthyhand。
"Oh，mysister！Oh，mysister！
"Sherefusedhermother’skiss，becausethouwastnottheretoembraceher。
"Oh，mysister！Oh，mysister！
"Sheweptuntilherlastbreath，becausethouwastnottheretodryhertears。
"Oh，mysister！Oh，mysister！
"Weplacedonherbrowherwreathoforangeflowers，wecoveredherwithaveilaswhiteassnow；welaidhergentlyinhercoffin。
"Thanks，goodneighbours。Iwillgoandbewithher。
"Twoangelscamedownfromheavenandboreherawayontheirwings。
MaryMagdalenecametomeetheratthegateofheaven。
"Thanks，goodneighbours。Iwillgoandbewithher。
"There，shewasseatedinaplaceofglory，achapletofrubieswasgiventoher，andsheissingingherrosarywiththeVirgin。
"Thanks，goodneighbours。Iwillgoandbewithher。
Ashefinishedthelastwordsofhismelancholyrefrain，heflunghimselffromthetopofhisrockintothesea，asthoughhereallydesiredtoengulfhimself。Nisidaandtheotherwomengaveacryofterror，forduringsomeminutesthediverfailedtoreappearuponthesurface。
"Areyououtofyoursenses？"criedayoungmanwhohadsuddenlyappeared，unobservedamongthewomen。"Why，whatareyouafraidof？
YouknowverywellthatBastianoisalwaysdoingthingsofthissort。
Butdonotbealarmed：allthefishesintheMediterraneanwillbedrownedbeforeanyharmcomestohim。Waterishisnaturalelement。
Good-day，sister；good-day，father。"
TheyoungfishermankissedNisidaontheforehead，drewneartohisfather，and，bowinghishandsomeheadbeforehim，tookoffhisredcapandrespectfullykissedtheoldman’shand。Hecamethustoaskhisblessingeveryeveningbeforeputtingouttosea，whereheoftenspentthenightfishingfromhisboat。
"MayGodblessthee，myGabriel！"saidtheoldmaninatoneofemotion，asheslowlypassedhishandoverhisson’sblackcurls，andatearcameintohiseye。Then，risingsolemnlyandaddressingthegroupsaroundhim，headdedinavoicefullofdignityandofgentleness。"Come，mychildren，itistimetoseparate。Theyoungtowork，theoldtorest。Thereistheangelusringing。"
Everybodyknelt，andafterashortprayereachwentonhisway。
Nisida，afterhavinggivenherfatherthelastdailyattentions，wentuptoherroom，replenishedtheoilinthelampthatburneddayandnightbeforetheVirgin，and，leaningherelbowonthewindowledge，dividedthebranchesofjasminewhichhunglikeperfumedcurtains，begantogazeoutatthesea，andseemedlostinadeep，sweetreverie。
Atthisverytime，alittleboat，rowedsilentlybytwooarsmen，touchedshoreontheothersideoftheisland。Ithadbecomequitedark。Alittlemanfirstlandedcautiously，andrespectfullyofferedhishandtoanotherindividual，who，scorningthatfeeblesupport，leapteasilyashore。
"Well，knave，"hecried，"aremylookstoyourtaste？"
"Yourlordshipisperfect。"
"IflattermyselfIam。Itistruethat，inordertomakethetransformationcomplete，IchosetheveryoldestcoatthatdisplayeditsragsinaJew’sshop。"
"Yourlordshiplookslikeaheathengodengagedinaloveaffair。
JupiterhassheathedhisthunderboltsandApollohaspocketedhisrays。"
"Atrucetoyourmythology。And，tobeginwith，Iforbidyoutocallme’yourlordship。’"
"Yes，yourlordship。"
"IfmyinformationthatIhaveprocuredduringthedayiscorrect，thehousemustbeontheothersideoftheisland，inamostremoteandlonelyspot。Walkatacertaindistance，anddonottroubleyourselfaboutme，forIknowmypartbyheart。’
TheyoungPrinceofBrancaleone，whom，inspiteofthedarknessofthenight，ourreaderswillalreadyhaverecognised，advancedtowardsthefisherman’shouse，withaslittlenoiseaspossible，walkedupanddownseveraltimesupontheshore，and，afterhavingbrieflyreconnoitredtheplacethathewishedtoattack，waitedquietlyforthemoontoriseandlightupthescenethathehadprepared。Hewasnotobligedtoexercisehispatienceverylong，forthedarknessgraduallydisappeared，andSolomon’slittlehousewasbathedinsilverylight。Thenheapproachedwithtimidsteps，liftedtowardsthecasementalookofentreaty，andbegantosighwithallthepowerofhislungs。Theyounggirl，calledsuddenlyfromhermeditationsbytheappearanceofthisstrangeperson，raisedherselfsharplyandpreparedtoclosetheshutters。
"Stay，charmingNisida！"criedtheprince，inthemannerofamanovercomebyirresistiblepassion。
"Whatdoyouwantwithme，signor？"answeredthemaiden，amazedtohearherselfcalledbyname。
"ToadoreyouasaMadonnaisadored，andtomakeyouawareofmysighs。"
Nisidalookedathimsteadily，and，afteramomentortwoofreflection，askedsuddenly，asthoughinresponsetosomesecretthought，"Doyoubelongtothiscountry，orareyouaforeigner？"
"Iarrivedinthisisland，"repliedtheprincewithouthesitation，"atthemomentwhenthesunwaswritinghisfarewelltotheearthanddippingtheraysthatservesashispenintotheshadowthatservesashisinkstand。"
"Andwhoareyou？"returnedtheyounggirl，notatallunderstandingthesestrangewords。
"Alas！Iambutapoorstudent，butImaybecomeagreatpoetlikeTasso，whoseversesyouoftenhearsungbyadepartingfishermanwhosendshisthrillingmusicasalastfarewellthatreturnstodieonthebeach。"
"IdonotknowwhetherIamdoingwrongtospeaktoyou，butatleastIwillbefrankwithyou，"saidNisida，blushing；"Ihavethemisfortunetobetherichestgirlontheisland。"
"Yourfatherwillnotbeinexorable，"returnedtheprinceardently；
"onewordfromyou，lightofmyeyes，goddessofmyheart，andIwillworknightandday，neverpausingnorslackening，andwillrender。
myselfworthytopossessthetreasurethatGodhasrevealedtomydazzledeyes，and，frombeingpoorandobscureasyouseeme，Iwillbecomerichandpowerful。"
"Ihavestayedtoolonglisteningtotalkthatamaidenshouldnothear；permitme，signor，towithdraw。"
"Havepityonme，mycruelenemy！WhathaveIdonetoyouthatyoushouldthusleavemewithdeathinmysoul？Youdonotknowthat，formonthspast，Ihavebeenfollowingyoueverywherelikeashadow，thatIprowlroundyourhomeatnight，stiflingmysighslesttheyshoulddisturbyourpeacefulslumber。Youareafraid，perhaps，toletyourselfbetouched，atafirstmeeting，byapoorwretchwhoadoresyou。Alas！Julietwasyoungandbeautifullikeyou，andshedidnotneedmanyentreatiestotakepityonRomeo。"
Nisidasufferedasadandthoughtfullooktofalluponthishandsomeyoungmanwhospoketoherinsogentleavoice，andwithdrewwithoutfurtherreply，thatshemightnothumiliatehispoverty。
Theprincemadegreateffortstosuppressastronginclinationtowardslaughter，and，verywellsatisfiedwiththisopening，turnedhisstepstowardsthespotwherehehadlefthisservant。Trespolo，afterhavingemptiedabottleoflacrymawithwhichhehadprovidedhimselfforanyemergency，hadlookedlongaroundhimtochooseaspotwherethegrasswasespeciallyhighandthick，andhadlaidhimselfdowntoasoundsleep，murmuringashedidso，thissublimeobservation，"Olaziness，butforthesinofAdamyouwouldbeavirtue！"
Theyounggirlcouldnotclosehereyesduringthewholenightaftertheconversationthatshehadheldwiththestranger。Hissuddenappearance，hisstrangedressandoddspeech，hadawakenedinheranuncertainfeelingthathadbeenlyingasleepinthebottomofherheart。Shewasatthistimeinallthevigourofheryouthandofherresplendentbeauty。Nisidawasnotoneoftheweakandtimidnaturesthatarebrokenbysufferingordomineeredoverbytyranny。
Farotherwise：everythingaroundherhadcontributedtowardsshapingforheracalmandserenedestiny；hersimple，tendersoulhadunfoldedinanatmosphereofpeaceandhappiness。Ifshehadnothithertoloved，itwasthefault，notofhercoldnessbutoftheextremetimidityshownbytheinhabitantsofherisland。Theblinddepthofrespectthatsurroundedtheoldfishermanhaddrawnaroundhisdaughterabarrierofesteemandsubmissionthatnoonedaredtocross。BymeansofthriftandlabourSolomonhadsucceededincreatingforhimselfaprosperitythatputthepovertyoftheotherfishermentotheblush。NoonehadaskedforNisidabecausenoonethoughthedeservedher。TheonlyadmirerwhohaddaredtoshowhispassionopenlywasBastiano，themostdevotedanddearestfriendofGabriel；butBastianodidnotpleaseher。So，trustinginherbeauty，upheldbythemysterioushopethatneverdesertsyouth，shehadresignedherselftowait，likesomeprincesswhoknowsthatherbetrothedwillcomefromafarcountry。
OnthedayoftheAssumptionshehadleftherislandforthefirsttimeinherlife，chancehavingchosenheramongthemaidensofthekingdomvowedbytheirmotherstothespecialprotectionoftheVirgin。But，overwhelmedbytheweightofapositionsonewtoher，blushingandconfusedundertheeyesofanimmensecrowd，shehadscarcelydaredtoraiseherwonderinglooks，andthesplendoursofthetownhadpassedbeforeherlikeadream，leavingbutavagueremembrance。
Whensheperceivedthepresenceofthishandsomeyoungman，soslenderlyandelegantlybuilt，whosenobleandcalmdemeanourcontrastedwiththetimidityandawkwardnessofherotheradmirers，shefeltherselfinwardlydisturbed，andnodoubtshewouldhavebelievedthatherprincehadcome，ifshehadbeenunpleasantlystruckbythepovertyofhisdress。Shehad，nevertheless，allowedherselftolistentohimlongerthansheoughttohavedone，andshedrewbackwithherbosomheavy，hercheekonfire，andherheartrentbyanachethatwasbothdullandsharp。
"Ifmyfatherdoesnotwishmetomarryhim，"shesaidtoherself，tormentedbythefirstremorsefulfeelingofherlife。"Ishallhavedonewrongtospeaktohim。Andyetheissohandsome！"
ThenshekneltbeforetheVirgin，whowasheronlyconfidante，thepoorchildhavingneverknownhermother，andtriedtotellherthetormentsofhersoul；butshecouldnotachieveherprayer。Thethoughtsbecameentangledwithinherbrain，andshesurprisedherselfutteringstrangewords。But，assuredly，theHolyVirginmusthavetakenpityuponherlovelydevotee，forsherosewiththeimpressionofaconsolingthought，resolvedtoconfideeverythingtoherfather。
"Icannothaveamoment’sdoubt，"shesaidtoherself，assheunlacedherbodice，"ofmyfather’saffection。Well，then，ifheforbidsmetospeaktohim，itwillbeformygood。Andindeed，Ihaveseenhimbutthisonce，"sheadded，asshethrewherselfuponthebed，"andnowIthinkofit，Iconsiderhimveryboldtodaretospeaktome。
Iamalmostinclinedtolaughathim。Howconfidentlyhebroughtouthisnonsense，howabsurdlyherolledhiseyes！Theyarereallyveryfine，thoseeyesofhis，andsoishismouth，andhisforeheadandhishair。HedoesnotsuspectthatInoticedhishands，whicharereallyverywhite，whenheraisedthemtoheaven，likeamadman，ashewalkedupanddownbythesea。Come，come，ishegoingtopreventmysleeping？Iwillnotseehimagain！"shecried，drawingthesheetoverherheadlikeanangrychild。Thenshebegantolaughtoherselfoverherlover’sdress，andmeditatedlonguponwhathercompanionswouldsaytoit。Suddenlyherbrowcontractedpainfully，afrightfulthoughthadstolenintohermind，sheshudderedfromheadtofoot。"Supposeheweretothinksomeoneelseprettierthanme？
Menaresofoolish！Certainly，itistoohot，andIshallnotsleepto-night。"
Thenshesatupinherbed，andcontinuedhermonologue——whichwewillsparethereader——tillthemorning。Scarcelyhadthefirstraysoflightfilteredthroughtheinterlacingbranchesofjasmineandwaveredintotheroom，whenNisidadressedherselfhurriedly，andwentasusualtopresentherforeheadtoherfather’skiss。Theoldmanatonceobservedthedepressionandwearinessleftbyasleeplessnightuponhisdaughter’sface，andpartingwithaneagerandanxioushandthebeautifulblackhairthatfelloverhercheeks，heaskedher，"Whatisthematter，mychild？Thouhastnotsleptwell？"
"Ihavenotsleptatall，"answeredNisida，smiling，toreassureherfather；"Iamperfectlywell，butIhavesomethingtoconfesstoyou。"
"Speakquickly，child；Iamdyingwithimpatience。"
"PerhapsIhavedonewrong；butIwantyoutopromisebeforehandnottoscoldme。"
"YouknowverywellthatIspoilyou，"saidtheoldman，withacaress；"Isha11notbegintobesternto-day。"
"Ayoungmanwhodoesnotbelongtothisisland，andwhosenameIdonotknow，spoketomeyesterdayeveningwhenIwastakingtheairatmywindow。"
"Andwhatwashesoeagertosaytoyou，mydearNisida？"
"Hebeggedmetospeaktoyouinhisfavour。"
"Iamlistening。WhatcanIdoforhim？"
"Ordermetomarryhim。"
"Andshouldyouobeywillingly？"
"Ithinkso，father，"thegirlcandidlyreplied。"Astootherthings，youyourselfmustjudgeinyourwisdom；forIwantedtospeaktoyoubeforecomingtoknowhim，soasnottogoonwithaconversationthatyoumightnotapprove。Butthereisahindrance。"
"YouknowthatIdonotrecogniseanywhenitisaquestionofmakingmydaughterhappy。"
"Heispoor，father。"
"Well，allthemorereasonformetolikehim。Thereisworkhereforeverybody，andmytablecanspareaplaceforanotherson。Heisyoung，hehasarms；nodoubthehassomecalling。"
"Heisapoet。"
"Nomatter；tellhimtocomeandspeaktome，andifheisanhonestlad，Ipromiseyou，mychild，thatIwilldoanythingintheworldtopromoteyourhappiness。"
Nisidaembracedherfathereffusively，andwasbesideherselfwithjoyallday，waitingimpatientlyfortheeveninginordertogivetheyoungmansuchsplendidnews。EligiBrancaleonewasbutmoderatelyflattered，asyouwilleasilybelieve，bythefisherman’smagnanimousintentionstowardshim；butlikethefinishedseducerthathewas，heappearedenchantedatthem。Recollectinghischaracterasafantasticalstudentandanout-at-elbowspoet，hefelluponhiskneesandshoutedathanksgivingtotheplanetVenus；then，addressingtheyounggirl，headded，inacalmervoice，thathewasgoingtowriteimmediatelytohisownfather，whoinaweek’stimewouldcometomakehisformalproposal；untilthen，hebegged，asafavour，thathemightnotpresenthimselftoSolomonnortoanypersonatallintheisland，andassignedasapretextacertaindegreeofshamewhichhefeltonaccountofhisoldclothes，assuringhisbelovedthathisfatherwouldbringhimacompleteoutfitforthewedding-day。
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