[60] In the MS.: “‘Many are deluded, or get a thumb at the nose,’ says the proverb.” “Maxima sero delusi, ho sia con un palma di’ naso cosi, dice il proverbio.” This expressive sign of the thumb is represented in an Irish Gospel of St. Mark of the sixth century.
[61] This superlative is rendered in the original manuscript by the very original expression: “They were so near being killed, that they were almost at the point of death.”
[62a] “Lo spirito del vaso che era quel santo Virgilio.” Here Virgil is for once fairly sainted or canonized.
[62b] “Bevve un barile pieno di vino, e divenne ubbriaco come un tegolo o quattro suonatori di violini.” This recalls “tight as a brick” (Manuscript).
[63] “Virgiglio e la Donna di Diaccio” (Title in MS.).
[64] In allusion, probably, to the “Madonna del Fuoco,” whose festival is annually celebrated at Forli, in the Toscana Romagna. The writer of this story was from the neighbourhood of Forli. “The Madonna del Fuoco is probably Vesta” (vide “Etrusco-Roman Legends,” by C. G. Leland).
[67] Four antique marble statues of women. Any ancient female statue is commonly called a Venus by the people at large in Italy.
[68] Here there is a hiatus, or blank in the manuscript. By crown is here meant a fillet or tiara, as will be shown anon.
[72] “Tutto era artificiale,” meaning very artistic or æsthetic.
[77] “Alla sua religione.”