a poetic rendition of
THE CROW
Day 4, Tale 9
A Brother's Love
Milluccio was a king who was not often at the court.
More likely he’d be in the woods, for hunting was his sport.
One day in hot pursuit of prey he burst into a glade
and there in perfect isolation, standing in the shade,
he saw a piece of marble, white, with carmine intermixed,
and on its top a crow. Milluccio stared as if transfixed.
Never have I seen a sight more lovely in my life!
Oh, what I would not give to find such features in a wife:
skin as white as marble and two lips of carmine hue,
hair and eyebrows just as black as that crow’s feathers, too.
In fact the stone possessed him. He became a haunted soul.
The weight if his obsession soon began to take its toll.
His brother, Jennariello, saw him pale and deathly thin.
Milluccio, he asked, what sort of quandary are you in?
Thanks for your concern, replied the king, but I alone
must seek a wife whose colors have the semblance of a stone.
He related what had happened.There’s no hope, Milluccio sighed.
Jennariello said, I love you, brother. I will find your bride.
Jennariello fitted out a ship with silks and jewels and lace.
If she is to be found, he thought, then Cairo is the place.
Once there he met a man who held a falcon by the jess.
I’ll buy that bird, he said, to ease my brother’s gloominess.
Another man proffered a horse, a splendid handsome steed.
He bought that for his brother, too. He’ll ride it well, indeed.
And then he set about to find Milluccio’s heart’s desire.
As he was turning to and fro he heard a voice inquire,
Good sir, what seems to trouble you? And there before him stood
a beggar in disgraceful clothes. I may do you some good.
What? Talk to you? A beggar? Not so hasty. Look beneath.
The slightest twig though slender might be used to pick the teeth.
That’s true, said Jenariello. Since you seem to speak with sense
I will tell you what I seek and what occasion brings me hence.
He told him of Milluccio’s quest. Do you know such a one?
I may be only rubbish, but perhaps your search is done.
That house is a magician’s. There’s a daughter you must see.
I’ll knock, and when she opens look her over carefully.
She’s the image of the woman that your brother specifies.
So spoke the beggar (really the magician, in disguise.)
He rapped upon the door which Liviella opened wide.
As soon as Jenariello saw her standing there inside
he knew that he had found her. He must take her back, but how?
He put some goods in baskets and he cried out, See them now.
I have rouges. I have net caps. I have silken cloths to sell.
Liviella came outside to see. She liked his wares quite well.
But my lady, Jenariello said, these things are but the least.
Aboard my ship are jewels upon which your eyes must feast.
She was curious, so she went. And so enthralled with them was she,
by the time she raised her head the ship was many miles at sea.
Liviella screamed and struggled. She demanded they return.
Jenariello tried to soothe her. Madam, quiet your concern.
I will take you to my brother. He’s a handsome king and brave,
and he loves you with a love so deep he’d gladly be your slave.
Liviella was persuaded, and perhaps too quickly so,
for she soon forgot her father and the life she used to know.
When the ship was but a few days out the wind blew up a squall.
The captain cried, Here comes a storm, and heaven help us all!
The sailors bailed and hauled in sails. Jennariello climbed the mast
to seek some nearby shelter where the anchor could be cast.
And while he scanned the waters there alighted right nearby
a pair of doves. Astoundingly, the male began to cry.
.He cried, Oh, rucche, rucche! and Alas! His head was bent.
What troubles you? inquired his mate. And why do you lament?
This prince has bought a falcon for his brother. When it flies,
the falcon will attack the king and peck out both his eyes.
But if the prince won’t give the gift, or if he makes it known,
his brother will be saved, but he himself will turn to stone.
Oh, rucche, rucche! and Alas! the dove cried out again
His mate said, Husband, still you cry. Is there more trouble, then?
This prince has bought a stallion for his brother. Though he’s skilled,
as soon as he has mounted, he’ll be thrown. And he’ll be killed.
But if the prince won’t give the gift, or if he makes it known,
his brother will be saved, but he himself will turn to stone.
And once again Jennariello heard the dove cry out, Ah me!
His mate said, You have more bad news to tell. What can it be?
This prince has brought a bride to wed his brother. While in bed
a frightful dragon breathing fire will come to kill them dead.
But if he does not bring the bride, or if he makes it known
his brother will be saved, but he himself will turn to stone.
The doves flew off. The winds grew calm. The ship went safely home,
But in Jennariello’s heart the waves were fierce and topped with foam.
Milluccio waited on the shore. What is that bird I see?
A falcon for you, brother. You may take it now from me.
Then swiftly Jennariello drew a hidden knife he had
and stabbed the falcon dead. Milluccio thought, He must be mad!
Not wanting to disrupt the joy of greeting his new bride,
Milluccio kept his silence and he put his thoughts aside.
Then next he noticed on the deck a most impressive horse.
And whose fine beast is that? he asked. When told, It’s yours, of course,
The king prepared to mount, but Jennariello drew the knife,
and thrusting quickly with much force he took the stallion’s life.
Now this is surely strange. The sea has tangled up his brains.
I must, Milluccio thought, not compromise what joy remains.
Although his actions anger me, I’ll manage to keep still.
There stands the very woman who can save me if she will.
He bowed to Liviella, and what more is there to say?
Milluccio and Liviella pledged their troth without delay.
Next evening they were married. As they made their way to bed
Jennariello hid within the room. No thought was in his head
but to save them from the dragon which, at twelve o’clock, appeared.
He swung his sword and missed! The king awoke. The air had cleared.
No dragon could be seen, but Jennariello sword in play.
This fool has tried to kill me! cried the king.Take him away!
Jennariello was imprisoned as a traitor, doomed to die.
It’s best to tell, he thought, than have the king believe a lie.
I may be turned to stone but they will hang me anyway.
At least let me explain myself on this, my final day.
He told Milluccio of the storm and of the talking dove,
and said he killed the falcon not from malice but for love.
I did not want your eyes pecked out. Dear soul, forgive me, please.
And as he spoke he felt his legs turn cold up to the knees.
He told Milluccio of the horse which he had killed in haste
to save Milluccio’s life. Now he was marble to his waist.
And when he told about the dragon, to Milluccio’s woe,
Jennariello stood a statue, solid stone from head to toe.
The years went by.The king still mourned his brother every day.
The statue stood inside the hall. His tears had turned it gray.
And meanwhile life went on and Liviella bore twin sons.
One day she asked the king to mind their precious little ones
while she was on an errand. He was taken by surprise
when a bearded, stooped old man appeared before his very eyes.
It was Liviella’s father, the magician, come to call.
The king had never seen him, so he knew him not at all.
What would you give, the old man asked, to bring this stone alive?
My kingdom! Nay, but life from wealth can never be derived.
Then life for life. I’d willingly buy his life with my own.
A noble thought. But ... sacrifice a man who’s fully grown?
It seems a waste, while here I see two little boys at hand.
Their blood upon the statue would suffice, you understand.
Milluccio was in turmoil. Children I may have again,
but brother I had only one, a treasure among men.
He loved me and I doubted him because I was afraid.
He reached a cruel decision, and the sacrifice was made.
The brothers met with joy untold. And after they embraced
they built a little coffin into which the boys were placed.
The magician now had vanished. He was nowhere to be seen.
On hearing footsteps, Jennariello hid behind a screen.
In came the queen. Liviella, dear, my heart, my love, my wife,
what would you give if you could have my brother brought to life?
I would surely give this kingdom and whatever else I owned.
And would you give your children’s blood? Milluccio softly groaned.
My children? Heaven help us! No! I’d not give that indeed!
Alas! It’s done. The children dead and Jennariello freed.
Liviella whirled around. She saw the coffin and the boys.
Oh cruel world, she cried. There lie my hopes, my jewels, my joys.
I gave you life and would that I could give you back your breath,
but I’ll not go on without you. I will join you now in death.
She hurried to a window where she meant to jump below.
But through that window came her father. Liviella, no!
This scene is of my making and your boys alive and well.
I have taken my revenge and now I dissipate the spell.
Jennariello, you have stood in stone. It was by my decree
for daring to abduct my girl without consulting me.
And Liviella, you’ve known grief with which your mind was fraught,
the same I felt when you left me without a backward thought.
Milluccio you’ve been punished for pre-judging with your eyes
your brother’s deeds. Compassion should have taught you otherwise.
The children came and smiled at him. He gave them each a kiss
and the whole room filled with sweetness. From that day they lived in bliss.
