how of awaiting
the hunt, whilst the flies and gads gave the monk exceeding annoy, for
that he was besmeared with honey. But, when he saw the place well
filled, making as he would unchain his wild man, he pulled off Fra
Alberto's mask and said, 'Gentlemen, since the bear cometh not and
there is no hunt toward, I purpose, so you may not be come in vain,
that you shall see the angel Gabriel, who cometh down from heaven to
earth anights, to comfort the Venetian ladies.'

[Footnote 230: _Che xe quel?_ Venetian for _che c'e quella cosa_, What
is this thing?]

No sooner was the mask off than Fra Alberto was incontinent recognized
of all, who raised a general outcry against him, giving him the
scurviest words and the soundest rating was ever given a canting
knave; moreover, they cast in his face, one this kind of filth and
another that, and so they baited him a great while, till the news came
by chance to his brethren, whereupon half a dozen of them sallied
forth and coming thither, unchained him and threw a gown over him;
then, with a general hue and cry behind them, they carried him off to
the convent, where it is believed he died in prison, after a wretched
life. Thus then did this fellow, held good and doing ill, without it
being believed, dare to feign himself the angel Gabriel, and after
being turned into a wild man of the woods and put to shame, as he
deserved, bewailed, when too late, the sins he had committed. God
grant it happen thus to all other knaves of his fashion!"

THE THIRD STORY

[Day the Fourth]

THREE YOUNG MEN LOVE THREE SISTERS AND FLEE WITH THEM INTO
CRETE, WHERE THE ELDEST SISTER FOR JEALOUSY SLAYETH HER
LOVER. THE SECOND, YIELDING HERSELF TO THE DUKE OF CRETE,
SAVETH HER SISTER FROM DEATH, WHEREUPON HER OWN LOVER
SLAYETH HER AND FLEETH WITH THE ELDEST SISTER. MEANWHILE THE
THIRD LOVER AND THE YOUNGEST SISTER ARE ACCUSED OF THE NEW
MURDER AND BEING TAKEN, CONFESS IT; THEN, FOR FEAR OF DEATH,
THEY CORRUPT THEIR KEEPERS WITH MONEY AND FLEE TO RHODES,
WHERE THEY DIE IN POVERTY

Filostrato, having heard the end of Pampinea's story, bethought
himself awhile and presently, turning to her, said, "There was some
little that was good and that pleased me in the ending of your story;
but there was overmuch before that which gave occasion for laughter
and which I would not have had there." Then, turning to Lauretta,
"Lady," said he, "ensue you with a bet