Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/138

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114
THE PENTAMERONE.

as the constable, one clothed in long black stockings, a coat in the shape of a bell, with buttons as big as a football, and a flat cap drawn over his ears; the other, with a trencher-cap, a doublet, and tight yellow flannel pantaloons. Then entering a bower of myrtle, which served as a scene, these two began a pleasant pastoral dialogue, accompanied with such gestures and grimaces that it threw all who heard it into fits of laughter[1]. But as the grasshoppers were now beginning to call the folks home from the fields, the Prince dismissed the women, requesting them to return the following morning and continue the amusement; then, accompanied by the Slave, he retired to his chamber.

  1. Che potive cacciare li diente da quante le 'ntesero. Literally, 'that you might draw the teeth of all who heard them,'—to express their grinning.