Page 96 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron her vanity. Insulted, she called him a fool and dismissed his criticism, A few days later, Friar Albert visited Madame Lisetta's home with one
of his trusted brethren. Requesting a private conversation, he knelt
but he let her go with disdainful looks.
before her and begged for forgiveness for his harsh words during her
confession, claiming he had been chastised that night by a celestial
A few days later, Friar Albert visited Madame Lisetta's home with one
being, a young boy with a golden bow and arrows, who turned out to
of his trusted brethren. Requesting a private conversation, he knelt
before her and begged for forgiveness for his harsh words during her
be Cupid.
confession, claiming he had been chastised that night by a celestial
being, a young boy with a golden bow and arrows, who turned out to
be Cupid. He explained that Cupid had beaten him for insulting Lisetta's beauty,
which Cupid adored next to his mother, Venus. Friar Albert recounted
that Cupid demanded he obtain Lisetta's forgiveness or face more
He explained that Cupid had beaten him for insulting Lisetta's beauty, severe punishments. Lisetta, swelling with pride, believed his story and
which Cupid adored next to his mother, Venus. Friar Albert recounted readily forgave him.
that Cupid demanded he obtain Lisetta's forgiveness or face more
severe punishments. Lisetta, swelling with pride, believed his story and Friar Albert then confided that Cupid was deeply in love with her and
readily forgave him. had visited her many times while she slept. He claimed Cupid now
wished to visit her in human form and required her to decide when and
Friar Albert then confided that Cupid was deeply in love with her and in whose likeness he should appear, firmly stating she was the luckiest
had visited her many times while she slept. He claimed Cupid now woman in the world.
wished to visit her in human form and required her to decide when and
in whose likeness he should appear, firmly stating she was the luckiest Feeling flattered, Lisetta agreed to welcome Cupid, requesting he
woman in the world. abandon all other lovers and choose a non-frightening form. Friar Albert
suggested that Cupid appear in his own form to avoid suspicion and
Feeling flattered, Lisetta agreed to welcome Cupid, requesting he to grant him the ultimate joy of experiencing the pleasures of Lovers'
abandon all other lovers and choose a non-frightening form. Friar Albert Paradise while Cupid used his body on earth. Delighted by the plan's
suggested that Cupid appear in his own form to avoid suspicion and cunning and the prospect of divine love, Lisetta agreed to the scheme.
to grant him the ultimate joy of experiencing the pleasures of Lovers'
Paradise while Cupid used his body on earth. Delighted by the plan's The next evening, Friar Albert, disguised as Cupid with a white taffeta
cunning and the prospect of divine love, Lisetta agreed to the scheme. suit adorned with stars and gold spangles, wings, and carrying a bow
and quiver, arrived at Lisetta's house. He removed his monk's habit,
Friar Albert observed that the young Venetian woman, Madame Lisetta, revealing his "divine" form, and Lisetta, overwhelmed by his appearance,
boasted excessively about her beauty, demonstrating her shallow mind. knelt in reverence and believed she was truly in the presence of Cupid.
He realized she would be easy to deceive and became infatuated with
her. Pretending to be a holy and religious man, he reprimanded her for Albert played his part convincingly, sharing tales of his divine power
her vanity. Insulted, she called him a fool and dismissed his criticism, and professing his love for her. They spent time together, with
but he let her go with disdainful looks. Lisetta believing she was in the company of a god. At the end of their
meeting, Friar Albert donned his monk's habit again and returned to
his companion.

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The Decameron