Excerpt from Early Italian Love Stories But notwithstanding all that is lost in the re-telling, in a different language and at a different day, something remains, independent of both the old life and the old language, which the past has and can bestow even upon the unlettered readers of an alien country and an alien time, and that is the stories themselves, apart from their treatment and expression. Even retold their charm cannot, we are fain to hope, wholly evaporate. It is at all events possible to convey in some measure, by a simple recital of their contents, some idea of the positive genius for the picturesque in incident, episode, and surroundings, characteristic of the school to which they belong; of the blind intensity with which a single passion is painted, dominating and determining the living and dying of men and women of bygone generations; of the simple and undeviating directness of aim, good or evil, upon which the plots are constructed with such excellence of art that they seem a mere accident of instinct. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Stories From Old Italian Romance Before very long a rumour reached the King's ears of evil report which cast doubt on his right to the throne. It was suggested that he was not really the son Of the late sovereign, and he was keenly desirous to ascertain the truth. Once again he had the learned Greek prisoner brought into his presence, and announced to him, Master, I hold you in high esteem as a man of great penetration. Your answers to my questions have given me much satis faction, and I have to-day a more important one still to ask. Whose son am I? The Greek, greatly astonished, replied, Sire, how strange a question! You are well aware you are the son of your honoured predecessor on the throne. But the King, doubtful and displeased, said, Do not dare to evade my question. Unless you tell me the truth, readily and completely, you shall be put to death as a traitor. Then, sire, replied the prisoner, I must reveal to you that you are the son Of a baker. The King, in fear and anger, sent for the Queen-mother, and questioned her closely under threats of severe punish ment if anything were concealed; and she at length con fessed that he was not the son of the late King. The royal infant having died just after birth, another baby, the son Of a baker, was put in his place to allay anxiety and maintain the succession. Once again he sent for the Greek, and addressed him thus: Master, you have given me many striking proofs of your wisdom, and now I ask you to tell me how you obtained the knowledge each time. Then the Greek replied, Sire, I will inform you willingly. With respect to the horse, I knew he had been nourished on asses' milk because he hung his ears, which is not natural to a horse. As to the precious stone, I felt that it was warm and as for a stone to be warm is con trary to nature, I knew that some living animal must be within. The King sat pondering, and then said, But how did you discover that I was the son of a baker? That, said the Greek, I suspected from the first. For when I told you the strange circumstance about the horse you re warded me with half a loaf a day; then, when I discovered the worm, you ordered me a whole loaf. This convinced me; for if you had really been a king's son you would have given me a city, as my wisdom deserved. But in your gifts your origin betrayed itself, and you were con tent to give me a loaf a day, as your father would have done. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Graziella a Story of Italian Love House hallowed by so many sacred associations. He seized the deed from the table, tore it in fragments, and wrote to the Paris publisher: I accept. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Italy is a country synonymous with style and beauty in all aspects of life: the rich history of Rome, Renaissance art of Florence, graceful canals of Venice, high fashion of Milan, signature pasta alla bolognese of Bologna, colorful architecture of Portofino and winking blue waters of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, among many others. Italians themselves live effortlessly amid all this splendor, knowing instinctively just the type of outfit to throw on, design element to balance, or delectable ingredient to add.