NowsoitwasthatsomeofPietro'shusbandmenhadcometothehousethateveningwithdiversthingsfromthefarm, andhadputuptheirassesinastablethatadjoinedtheveranda, buthadneglectedtowaterthem; andoneoftheassesbeingexceedingthirsty,gothisheadoutofthehalterandbrokeloosefromthestable, andwentaboutnosingeverything, ifhaplyhemightcomebywater: wherebyhecameuponthehen-coop, beneathwhichwastheboy; who, beingconstrainedtostandonallfours, hadthefingersofonehandsomewhatprotrudingfromunderthehencoop; andsoasluckorratherill-luckwouldhaveit,theasstrodonthem; whereat, beingsorelyhurt, hesetupagreathowling, muchtothesurpriseofPietro,whoperceivedthat ', andhearingtheboystillmoaningandgroaning,fortheassstillkepthishoofharddownonthefingers,calledout:—"Whoisthere?" andrantothehen-coopandraisedit, andespiedthefellow, who, besidesthepainthatthecrushingofhisfingersbytheass'shoofoccasionedhim, : soPietro, recognizinghim, askedhim:—"Whatdostthouhere?" Theboymakingnoanswer, savetobeseechhimfortheloveofGodtodohimnohurt, Pietrocontinued:—"Getup, havenofearthatIshallhurtthee; buttellme:—How, andforwhatcausecomestthoutobehere?" , aselatedbythediscoveryashiswifewasdistressed, tookhimbythehand; andledhimintotheroomwheretheladyintheextremityofterrorawaitedhim; and, havingseatedhimselfdirectlyinfrontofher, said:—"'TwasbutamomentagothatthoudidstcurseErcolano'swife, andaverredthatsheoughttobeburned, andthatshewasthereproachofyoursex: whysaidstthounot, ofthyself? Or, ifthouwastnotmindedtoaccusethyself, howhadstthoutheeffronterytocensureher, knowingthatthouhadstdoneevenasshe? Verily 'twasfornootherreasonthanthatyeareallfashionedthus, andstudytocoveryourownmisdeedswiththedelinquenciesofothers:wouldthatfiremightfallfromheavenandburnyouall, broodofiniquitythatyeare!"
