Parallels.—Anc.: II. Sam. c. xi. Med.: Sindibad, and plls.
Painter.—I. ii. 112; II. ii. 91; III. ii. 180; IV. ii. 338.]
XVII. Ansaldo and Dianora.
Mistresse Dianora demaunded of maister Ansaldo a garden so faire in Ianuary, as in the moneth of May. Mayster Ansaldo (by meanes of an obligation which he made to a Nicromancer) caused the same to bee done. The husband agreed with the gentlewoman that she should do the pleasure which maister Ansaldo required, who hearinge the liberality of hir husband, acquited hir of hir promise, and the Necromancer discharged maister Ansaldo.
[Source.—Boccaccio, Decamerone, giorn. x., nov. 5.
Origin.—Cukasaptati, cf. Forty Viziers, c. 14.
Parallels.—Med.: Chaucer, Cant. Tales. Mod.: Andræ, Chymische Hochzeit; cf. Campbell, West Highland Tales, No. 19, and R. Kohler’s variants in Orient und Occedent, ii.
Painter.—I. ii. 114; II. ii. 93; III. ii. 184; IV. ii. 342.
Derivates.—Beaumont and Fletcher, Triumph of Honour (but perhaps from Chaucer); Two Merry Milkmaids.]