Then all exclaimed in chorus: “Speak, and we will listen to thee!”
And then the infant, in this fashion, spoke:
“Know that this night I have spoken with a spirit, the bel Folettino col beretta rossa—the beautiful fairy with the red cap—and it told me that for this our land we have no name or coat of arms. But the time has come to have that which shall represent the country, and therefore we should choose a chief who will open commerce for us, and found a school so that our young people shall escape from ignorance.”
“Truly, thou hast spoken well!” cried all present. “Evviva il capo—hurrah for a chief!—and that chief shall be thy father, dear child!”
“Moreover,” added the good girl, “I will, to show my gratitude, give you the design for the armorial bearings, and in due time tell you all that is needful to be done. All of that will I find out, and also a name for the country.”
“Do so, and deserve our gratitude.”
“I thank you again,” said the girl, “and I will pay attention to the subject, since you show such sympathy.”
The next day she went to herd a flock of sheep, as was her custom; and then, lying down on the ground as wild boars are wont to do, [204c] said:
“Spirito, capo di tutti i spiriti!
Re dei ré dei Maghi!
Portami qui presenti un hoggetto
Che possa servirmi per rappresentare
Un arme.”
“Una voce le rispose: