“Ech! Ho alo trovè e sac d’ oro! Com le grand!”—Behold, I have found the bag of gold! How large it is!
Bandelone was indeed surprised at this; but, believing that Matteo had by chance really found a treasure, he cried:
“Yes, that is mine! Give it to me!”
“Zentiment! Fair and softly, friend,” replied Matteo. “Give me half, or I will keep it all.”
Bandelone would by no means consent to this. At last Matteo said:
“Well, as I do not know what is in the bag, I will take a risk. Give me your horse and sword and cloak for the bag. That is my last word, and if you utter another I will ride away with the bag and keep all.”
So Bandelone gave him his horse and cloak and a fine sword. And Matteo, when mounted, pitched him the bag, and rode away singing merrily:
“If a devil should injure thee,
Doubly a devil thou must be;
And if a wolf thy lamb should win,
’Tis time for thee to take his skin.”
VIRGILIO AND THE FATHER OF TWELVE CHILDREN.
A Legend from Colle di Val d’Elsa, Tuscany.
“In the earliest form of the legend, Virgil appears not only as doing no harm, but also as a great benefactor.”—Comparetti: Virgil in the Middle Ages.