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of then needs。 But yet this matter is of such maine moment； that if
you will protest as you are truly vertuous； never to reveale it to any
living body； I will disclose to you almost a miracle。 The vertuous
oath being past； with many other solemne protestations beside； Lisetta
then pro。 ceeded in this maner。
I know Gossip； that it is a matter of common and ordinary custome；
for Ladies and Gentlewomen to be graced with favourites； men of fraile
and mortall conditions； whose natures are as subject to inconstancy；
as their very best endevours dedicated to folly； as I could name no
mean number of our Ladies heere in Venice。 But when Soveraigne deities
shall feele the impression of our humane desires； and behold
subjects of such prevailing efficacy； as to subdue their greatest
power； yea； and make them enamored of mortall creatures： you may
well imagine Gossip； such a beauty is superiour to any other。 And such
is the happy fortune of your friend Lisetta； of whose perfections；
great Cupid the awefull commanding God of Love himselfe； conceived
such an extraordinary liking： as he hath abandoned his seate of
supreme Majesty； and appeared to in the shape of a mortall man； with
lively expression of his amourous passions； and what extremities of
anguish he hath endured； onely for my love。 May this be possible？
replied the Gossip。 Can the Gods be toucht with the apprehension of
our fraile passions？ True it is Gossip； answered and so certainly
true； that his sacred kisses； sweete embraces； and most pleasing
speeches with proffer of his continuall devotion towards me； hath
given me good cause to confirme what I say； and to thinke my
felicity farre beyond all other womens； being honoured with his
often nightly visitations。
The Gossip inwardly smiling at her idle speeches； which
（nevertheles） she avouched with very vehement asseverations： fell
instantly sicke of womens naturall disease； thinking every minute a
tedious month； till she were in company with some other Gossips； to
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； whic