An ancient seaport of Genoa, whence the marble quarried in the neighbourhood is called “marmo lunense.” (Orlando Furioso.)
Conte di Luna. Garzia, brother of Count Luna, had two sons. One day a gipsy was found in their chamber, and being seized, was condemned to be burnt alive. The daughter of the gipsy, out of revenge, vowed vengeance, and stole Manrico, the infant son of Garzia. It so fell out that the count and Manrico both fell in love with the Princess Leonora, who loved Manrico only. Luna and Manrico both fall into the hands of the count, and are condemned to death, when Leonora promises to “give herself” to Luna, provided he liberates Manrico both fall into the hands of the count, and are condemned to death, when Leonora promises to “give herself” to Luna, provided he liberates Manrico. The count accepts the terms, and goes to the prison to fulfil his promise, when Leonora dies from poison which she has sucked from a ring. Soon as Manrico sees that Leonora is dead, he also dies. (Verdi: Il Trovatore, an opera. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
