- THE FOURTH DAY -

— Endeth here the third day of the Decameron,beginneth the fourth, in which, under the rule of Filostrato, discourse is had of those whose loves had a disastrous close. —

The sun had chased every star from the sky, and lifted the dank murk of night from the earth, when, Filostrato being risen, and having roused all his company, they hied them to the fair garden, and there fell to disporting themselves: the time for breakfast being come, they took it where they had supped on the preceding evening, and after they had slept they rose,when the sun was in his zenith, and seated themselves in their wonted manner by the beautiful fountain;where Fiammetta, being bidden by Filostrato to lead off the story-telling, awaited no second command, but debonairly thus began.