Page 37 - The Green Beaubird

brothers?' the gossip asked. 'Send them to
fetch it; they will easily find it, for it is to be
had not far from these parts.' And with these
words she departed. After a little Acquirino
and Fluvio came back, and at once Serena
began to beseech them that they would do
their best, for the love they bore her, to get for
her some of the wonderful dancing water; but

they laughed at her request as a silly fancy, and
refused to go on a fool's errand, seeing that no
one could say where it was to be found.
However, persuaded at last by the petition of
their sister, whom they loved very dearly, they
departed together to do her bidding, taking
with them a phial to hold the precious water.

When they had gone several miles they came
to a fountain out of which a snow-white dove
was drinking, and they were amazed when the
bird spoke to them these words: 'What seek
ye, young men?' To this Fluvio answered, 'We
seek the precious dancing water.' 'Wretched
youths,' said the dove, 'who sends you on
such a quest as this?' 'We want it for our

sister,' said Fluvio. 'Then you will surely
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