Busk, R. H., Folk-lore of Rome. London, 1874. Pp. 26-29. No. IV.
"LA CENORIENTOLA."
ABSTRACT
Ill-treated heroine (by elder sisters)--Menial heroine (called "Cenorientola")--Gifts chosen by three daughters from father. Bird, promised to heroine, forgotten by father whose boat will not move till he gets it-- animal (bird)--Magic dresses-- Meeting-place (ball)--Three-fold flight--Lost shoe (golden)-- Shoe marriage test--Happy marriage.
TABULATION
(1) Merchant goes to foreign countries to buy, promises rich gifts to his daughters. First chooses jewels; second, shawls; third, always kept out of sight in kitchen by others and made to do dirty work of the house, asks for little bird. Sisters jeer at her; she tells her father his boat will stand still if he does not fulfil his promise.-- (2) Merchant goes, does all his business forgets bird; boat won't stir by any means; remembers what his daughter said to him, tells captain, captain shows him garden full of birds; he goes, catches bird, captain gives cage, merchant goes safely home.-- (3) That night two elder sisters go to ball; bird is a fairy, third daughter goes to it, saying, "Give me splendid raiment, and I will give you my rags." Bird gives her beautiful clothes, jewels, and golden slippers, splendid carriage and horses. She goes to ball, king falls in love, will dance with no one else; Sisters furious.-- (4) Next night same happens, tells king her name is Cenorientola, king charges servants with pursuit, they fail, as horses go so fast.-- (5) Third night, same; servants pursue more closely, she drops golden slipper, which they take to the king.-- (6) King sends servant to try golden slipper on every maiden in city, last of all comes to merchant's house, tries it on two elder sisters, does not fit, servant insists on trying slipper on heroine, and it fits.-- (7) King comes to fetch her, bird gives her more beautiful dress than any before; king marries her; she forgives sisters, and gives them fine estates.
