open embrasures and platforms
that flank the ditch in the modern manner, after the invention of his
kinsman. He then caused the ditches to be made much wider than they
were before, and had a hill levelled, which, being near the fortress,
appeared to command it. But, besides the many other works that he did
there with great consideration, what gave most satisfaction was that
in one corner of the fortress he made a place of great size and
strength, in which in time of siege the people of that island can stay
in safety without any danger of being captured by the enemy.

On account of these works Gian Girolamo came into such credit with the
above-named Signori, that they ordained him a salary equal to that of
his kinsman, judging him to be not inferior to Michele, and even
superior in that work of fortification: which gave the greatest
contentment to San Michele, who saw his own art advancing in the
person of his relative in proportion as old age was taking away from
himself the power to go further. Gian Girolamo, besides his great
judgment in recognizing the nature of different sites, showed much
industry in having them represented by designs and models in relief,
insomuch that he enabled his patrons to see even the most minute
details of his fortifications in very beautiful models of wood that he
would cause to be made; which diligence pleased them vastly, for
without leaving Venice they saw every day how matters were proceeding
in the most distant parts of their State. In order that they might be
the more readily seen by everyone, these models were kept in the
Palazzo del Principe, in a place where the Signori could examine them
at their convenience; and to the end that Gian Girolamo might continue
to pursue that course, they not only reimbursed him the expenses that
he incurred in making the above-mentioned models, but also showed him
many other courtesies.

Gian Girolamo could have gone to serve many lords, with large
salaries, but he would never leave his Venetian Signori; nay, at the
advice of his father and his kinsman Michele, he took a wife in
Verona, a noble young woman of the Fracastoro family, with the
intention of always living in those parts. But he had been not more
than a few days with his beloved bride, who was called Madonna
Ortensia, when he was summoned by his patrons to Venice, and thence
sent in great haste to Cyprus to inspect every place in that island,
orders having been given to all the officia