burden of my family. I love Renzolla dearly, I love my own life dearly. If I do not give the lizard this portion of my heart, she will take the whole compass of this unfortunate body. So now, Ceccuzza dear, advise me, or I am ruined."
When his wife heard this, she said, "Who knows, husband, but this may be a lizard with two tails[1] that will make our fortune? who knows but this lizard may put an end to all our miseries? See how most times we ourselves put the axe to our foot, and when we should have an eagle's sight to discern the good luck that is running to meet us, we have a cloth before our eyes, and the cramp in our hand when we should lay hold of it. So go, take her away, for my heart tells me that some good fortune awaits the poor little thing."
These words pleased Masanicllo; and the next morning, as soon as the Sun with the brush of his rays whitewashed the Sky, which the shades of Night had blackened, he took the little girl by the hand and led her to the cave. As soon as the lizard, who was on the watch for the countryman's coming, saw him, she came out of her hiding-place, and taking the child, gave the father a bagful of crown-pieces, saying, "Go now, marry your other daughters with this money, and live
- ↑ The Neapolitans have a belief, that he who finds a lizard with two tails has made his fortune: it has become proverbial.
