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breake the obligation of her vertuous promise； and that others （as
well as her selfe） might laugh at the folly of this shallow…witted
woman。 The next day following； it was her hap to be at a wedding；
among a great number of other women； whom quickly she acquainted
with this so strange a wonder； as they did the like to their husbands：
and passing so from hand to hand； in lesse space then two dayes； all
Venice was fully possessed with it。 Among the rest； the brethren to
this foolish woman； heard this admirable newes concerning their
Sister； and they discreetly concealing it to themselves； closely
concluded to watch the walks of this pretended God： and if he soared
not too lofty a flight； they would clip his wings； to come the
better acquainted with him。 It fortuned； that the Friar hearing his
Cupidicall visitations over…publikely discovered； purposed to check
and reprove Lisetta for her indiscretion。 And being habited
according to his former manner； his Friarly Cowle covering all his
former bravery； he left his companion where he used to stay； and
closely walked along unto the house。 No sooner was he entred； but
the Brethren being ambushed neere to the doore； went in after him； and
ascending the staires； by such time as he had uncased himselfe； and
appeared like God Cupid； with his spangled wings displayed： they
rushed into the Chamber； and he having no other refuge； opened a large
Casement； standing directly over the great gulfe or River； and
presently leapt into the water； which being deepe； and he skilfull
in swimming； he had no other harme by his fall； albeit the sodaine
affright did much perplex him。
Recovering the further side of the River； he espied a light； and the
doore of an house open； wherein dwelt a poore man； whom he earnestly
intreated； to save both his life and reputation； telling him many lies
and tales by what meanes he was thus disguised； and throwne by
night…walking Villaines into the water。 The poore man； being moved
to compassionate his distressed estate； laid him in his owne bed；
ministring such other comforts to him； as the time and his poverty did
permit； and day drawing on； he went about his businesse； advising
him to take his rest； and it should not be long till he returned。
So； locking the doore； and leaving the counterfet God in bed； away
goes the poore man to his daily labor。 The Brethren to Lisetta；
perceiving God Cupid to be fied and gone； and she in melancholly
sadnesse sitting by them： they tooke up the Reliques he had left
behind him； I meane the Friars hood and Cowle； which shewing to
their sister； and sharpely reproving her unwomanly behaviour： they
left her in no meane discomfort； returning home to their owne
houses； with their conquered spolle of the forlorne Friar。
During the times of these occurrences； broad day speeding on； and
the poore man returning homeward by the Rialto； to visit his guest
so left in bed： he beheld divers crouds of people； and a generall
rumor noysed among them； that God Cupid had bene that night with Madam
Lisetta； where being over…closely pursued by her Brethren； for feare
of being surprized； he leapt out of her window into the gulfe； and
no one could tell what was become of him。 Heereupon； the poore man
began to imagine； that the guest entertained by him in the night time；
must needs be the same suppose God Cupid； as by his wings and other
embellishments appeared： wherefore being come home； and sitting
downe on the beds side by him； after some few speeches passing
betweene them； he knew him to be Friar Albert； who promised to give
him fifty ducates； if he would not betray him to Lisettaes Brethren。
Upon the acceptation of this offer； the money being sent for； and
paied downe； there wanted nothing now； but some apt and convenient
meanes； whereby Albert might safely be conveyed into the Monastery；
which being wholly referred to the poore mans care and trust； thus
he spake。 Sir； I see no likely…hood of your cleare escaping home；
except in this manner as I advise you。 We observe this day as a
merry Festivall； and it is lawfull for any one； to disguise a man in
the skin of a Beare； or in the shape of a savage man； or any other
forme of better advice。 Which being so done； he is brought upon S。
Markes market place； where being hunted a while with dogs； upon the
huntings conclusion； the Feast is ended； and then each man leades
his monster whether him pleaseth。 If you can accept any of these
shapes； before you be seene heere in my poore abiding； then can I
safely （afterward） bring you where you would be。 Otherwise； I see no
possible meanes； how you may escape hence unknown； for it is without
all question to the contrary； that the Gentlewomans brethren；
knowing your concealment in some one place or other； wil set such
spies and watches for you throughout the City； as you must needs be
taken by them。
Now； although it seemed a most severe imposition； for Albert to
passe in any of these disguises： yet his exceeding feare of
Lisettaes brethren and friends； made him gladly yeelde； and to undergo
what shape the poore man pleased； which thus he ordered。 Annointing
his naked body with Hony； he then covered it over with downy small
Feathers； and fastening a chaine about his necke； and a strange ugly
vizard on his face； he gave him a great staffe in the one hand； and
two huge Mastive dogs chained together in the other； which he had
borrowed in the Butchery。 Afterward； he sent a man to the Rialto；
who there proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet： That all such as desired
to see God Cupid； which the last nights had descended downe from the
skies； and fell （by ill hap） into the Venetian gulfe； let them repaire
to the publike Market place of S。 Marke； and there he would appeare in
his owne likenesse。
This being done； soone after he left his house； and leading him thus
disguised along by the chaine； he was followed by great crowds of
people； every one questioning of whence； and what he was。 In which
manner； he brought him； to the Market place； where an infinite
number of people were gathered together； as well of the followers；
as of them that before heard the proclamation。 There he made choice of
a pillar； which stood in a place somewhat highly exalted； wherto he
chained his savage man； making shew； as if be meant to awaite there；
till the hunting should begin： in which time； the Flies； Waspes； and
Hornets； did so terribly sting his naked body； being annointed with
Hony； that he endured therby unspeakable anguish。 When the poore man
saw； that there needed no more concourse of people； pretending； as
if he purposed to let loose his Salvage man； he tooke the maske or
vizard from Alberts face； and then he spake aloud in this manner。
Gentlemen and others； seeing the wilde Boare commeth not to our
hunting； because I imagine that he cannot easily be found： I meane （to
the end you may not lose your labour in comming hither） to shew you
the great God of Love called Cupid； who Poets feigned long since to be
a little boy； but now growne to manly stature。 You see in what maner
he hath left his high dwelling onely for the comfort of our Venetian
beauties： but belike； the night…fogs overflagging his wings； he fell
into our gulfe； and comes now to present his service to you。 No sooner
had he taken off his vizard； but every one knew him to be Fryar
Albert； and sodainely arose such shoutes outcries； with most bitter
words breathed forth against him； hurling also stones； durt and
filth in his face； that his best acquaintance then could take no
knowledge of him； and not any one pittying his abusing。 So long
continued the offended people in their fury； that the newes therof was
carried to the Convent； and six of his Religious Brethren came； who
casting an habite about him； and releasing him from his chaine； they
led him to the Monastery； not without much mollestation and trouble of
the people； where imprisoning him in their house； severity of some
inflicted punishment； or rather conceite for his open shame；
shortned his dayes； and so he dyed。 Thus you see （fayre Ladies） when
licentious life must be clouded with a cloake of sanctifie； and
evill actions daylie committed； yet escaping uncredited： there will
come a time at length； for just discovering of all； that the good
may shine in their true luster of glory； and the bad sinke in their
owne deserved shame。
THE FOURTH DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
HEEREIN IS DECLARED； HOW DANGEROUS THE OCCASION IS； ENSUING BY
ANGER AND DESPIGHT； IN SUCH AS ENTIRELY LOVE； ESPECIALLY
BEING INJURIED AND OFFENDED BY THEM THAT THEY LOVE
Three yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters； fledde with them
into Candie。 The eldest of them （through jealousie） becommeth the
death of her Lover； The second； by consenting to the Duke of Candies
request； is the meanes of saving her life。 Afterward； her owne
Friend killeth her； and thence flyeth away with the elder Sister。
The third couple； are charged with her death； and being committed
prisoners； they confesse the fact； and fearing death； by corruption of
money they prevaile with their Keepers； escaping from thence to
Rhodes； where they dyed in great poverty。
Wh