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。