“Second Night, First Fable.” The Nights of Straparola, Straparola, Giovanni Francesco, translated by Waters, W.G. (William George), London: Lawrence and Bullen, 1894, pp. 55-65.
Tale Summary
Gaelotto, noble King of Anglia, and his wife Ersilia are unable to conceive. The queen falls asleep in her garden and is visited by three faeries, who cast spells on her, making it so that she will conceive, that her son will be virtuous, but that he will have the skin of a pig until he has married three times. The prince is born a pig, and as he grows older asks his mother for a wife. The queen sends for a certain poor woman with three beautiful daughters and arranges a marriage with the eldest. The girl is disgusted by the prince and after the wedding resolves to herself to kill him in his sleep; the pig overhears this and kills her instead. Still wanting a wife, he begs his mother for another of the daughters, and she meets the same fate. The youngest daughter, Meldina, humbly consents to marriage when the prince begs again for a wife, and treats him courteously despite his filth. The pig loves her, and soon after their marriage reveals a secret: how he can take off his pig skin to become a handsome man. Meldina gives birth to a human boy, and tells her secret to the queen, inviting her and the king to witness their son that night. Upon seeing his human form, his parents are overjoyed, and the king gives up his throne to him.
Fairy Tale Title
Second Night, First Fable
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
Edward Robert Hughes
All Nights of Straparola Illustrations
Common Tale Type
Tale Classification
Page Range of Tale
pp. 55-65
Full Citation of Tale
“Second Night, First Fable.” The Nights of Straparola, Straparola, Giovanni Francesco, translated by Waters, W.G. (William George), London: Lawrence and Bullen, 1894, pp. 55-65.
Original Source of the Tale
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Tale Notes
Isabella tells this tale, and her enigma is:
"I prithee, sir, to give to me,
What never did belong to thee,
Or ever will, what though thy span
Of life exceed the wont of man.
Dream not this treasure to attain;
Thy longing will be all in vain;
But if you deem me such a prize,
And pine for me with loving eyes,
Give me this boon, my wish fulfil,
For you can grant it if you will."
The solution is that a man never possesses a husband, but can easily give one to a lady.
Fiordiana calls on Signor Molino to tell a tale.
Research and Curation
Kaeli Waggener, 2022
Book Title
The Nights of Straparola
Book Author/Editor(s)
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Illustrator(s)
Edward Robert Hughes
Publisher
Lawrence and Bullen
Date Published
1894
Decade Published
1890-1899
Publisher City
London
Publisher Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Available at the Internet Archive
Book Notes
This book is a collection of stories that are structured under a ‘frame tale,’ or overarching narrative. After the departure of Milan’s ruler amongst unrest, a party is held on the Island of Murano, with his daughter and her 10 court ladies taking turns to tell stories over the course of 13 nights. Each night 5 ladies will sing before narrating a tale on an agreed-upon theme, offering a pastime and a way to stimulate the wit.
Notes on narrators
Lodovica; admired for her beautiful eyes
Vicenza; possessing beauty and good manners
Lionora; kindly and courteous despite her haughty appearance
Alteria; devoted in service
Lauretta; disdainful and seductive
Eritrea; petite and beautiful
Cateruzza (surnamed Brunetta); graceful, loving, alluring
Arianna; young but grave, virtuous, and well-spoken
Isabella; highly gifted and witty
Fiordiana; Intelligent and willing