Chapter 2

BOCACCIO.

BOCACCIO.

Origin of his Family115His Birth1313.116He enters on the Study of the Canonical Law1329.117His Dislike for this Study1333.117He goes to Naples117He visits the Tomb of Virgil1338.118A Description of it118Boccaccio—his Admiration of it119Another Circumstance occurs which confirms his Predilectionfor Literature1341.120Commencement of his Attachment for Lady Mary121Some Account of her121Her Person122His first Book, "Filocopo"123The Story of it123His Style124His Recal to Florence on the Death of his Father1342.125His "Ameto"126He returns to Naples1344.126Death of King Robert126Queen Jane and her Court126"Filostrato," of Boccaccio126His "Amorosa Fiammetta" and "Amorosa Visione"127He writes "The Decameron"1348.127The Preface127Description of the Plague in Florence128Critique on the "Decameron"130Burning of the "Decameron"1497.130The "Ventisettana" and "Delphin" edition of the"Decameron" published1527.130Return of Boccaccio to Florence1350.131His various Embassies131He visits Petrarch at Padua1351.132He is sent to Bohemia to Louis of Bavaria133Again sent on a Mission to Avignon1354.133His violent Party Feelings133His Letter to Petrarch133Petrarch's Answer134Boccaccio—his enthusiastic Love for the Study of the Ancients135His celebrated Copy of Dante136He visits Petrarch at Milan137Moral Change in him137A singular Circumstance occurs which achieves this moral Work1361.139He communicates this Circumstance to Petrarch140Petrarch's Letter in Answer140Power and Influence of Acciajuolo, Seneschal of Naples1363.142He invites Boccaccio to his Palace142His unworthy Treatment of Boccaccio143He removes from his Palace in consequence143He returns to Florence143His Residence at Certaldo144His Work, "De Casibus Virorum et Færainarum Illustrium"145His Embassy to Pope Urban V.1355.145He projects a Visit to Venice145His Letter to Petrarch, whom he missed seeing145His Visit to Niccolo di Montefalcone, Abbot of the CarthusianMonastery of San Stefano, in Calabria1370.147He visits Naples1372.147He returns to his Retreat at Certaldo1373.147His Work on "The Genealogy of the Gods"147The Professorship for the Public Explanation of the "DivinaCommedie" conferred on him148Petrarch's Death1374.149Grief of Boccaccio149(December 21st.) Death of Boccaccio1375.149

Origin of his Family

115

His Birth

1313.

116

He enters on the Study of the Canonical Law

1329.

117

His Dislike for this Study

1333.

117

He goes to Naples

117

He visits the Tomb of Virgil

1338.

118

A Description of it

118

Boccaccio—his Admiration of it

119

Another Circumstance occurs which confirms his Predilectionfor Literature

1341.

120

Commencement of his Attachment for Lady Mary

121

Some Account of her

121

Her Person

122

His first Book, "Filocopo"

123

The Story of it

123

His Style

124

His Recal to Florence on the Death of his Father

1342.

125

His "Ameto"

126

He returns to Naples

1344.

126

Death of King Robert

126

Queen Jane and her Court

126

"Filostrato," of Boccaccio

126

His "Amorosa Fiammetta" and "Amorosa Visione"

127

He writes "The Decameron"

1348.

127

The Preface

127

Description of the Plague in Florence

128

Critique on the "Decameron"

130

Burning of the "Decameron"

1497.

130

The "Ventisettana" and "Delphin" edition of the"Decameron" published

1527.

130

Return of Boccaccio to Florence

1350.

131

His various Embassies

131

He visits Petrarch at Padua

1351.

132

He is sent to Bohemia to Louis of Bavaria

133

Again sent on a Mission to Avignon

1354.

133

His violent Party Feelings

133

His Letter to Petrarch

133

Petrarch's Answer

134

Boccaccio—his enthusiastic Love for the Study of the Ancients

135

His celebrated Copy of Dante

136

He visits Petrarch at Milan

137

Moral Change in him

137

A singular Circumstance occurs which achieves this moral Work

1361.

139

He communicates this Circumstance to Petrarch

140

Petrarch's Letter in Answer

140

Power and Influence of Acciajuolo, Seneschal of Naples

1363.

142

He invites Boccaccio to his Palace

142

His unworthy Treatment of Boccaccio

143

He removes from his Palace in consequence

143

He returns to Florence

143

His Residence at Certaldo

144

His Work, "De Casibus Virorum et Færainarum Illustrium"

145

His Embassy to Pope Urban V.

1355.

145

He projects a Visit to Venice

145

His Letter to Petrarch, whom he missed seeing

145

His Visit to Niccolo di Montefalcone, Abbot of the CarthusianMonastery of San Stefano, in Calabria

1370.

147

He visits Naples

1372.

147

He returns to his Retreat at Certaldo

1373.

147

His Work on "The Genealogy of the Gods"

147

The Professorship for the Public Explanation of the "DivinaCommedie" conferred on him

148

Petrarch's Death

1374.

149

Grief of Boccaccio

149

(December 21st.) Death of Boccaccio

1375.

149

LORENZO DE' MEDICI.

LORENZO DE' MEDICI.

Ficino, Pico Della Mirandola, Politian, the Pulci, &c.151Platonic Doctrines in Italy1438.151Gemisthus Pletho151The Medicean Library founded by Cosmo152His Death1464.152Lorenzo de' Medici succeeds to his Father's Wealth and Influence152The Pazzi Conspiracy1478.152Pope Sixtus VI. leagues all Italy against Florence1479.152Lorenzo de' Medici—his Firmness and Talents1480.152He induces the King of Naples to conclude a Treaty withFlorence153A Yearly Anniversary of Plato's Death instituted153Lorenzo de' Medici—his Commentary on his first Sonnet155Extract of a Translation of one of his Sonnets156His "Nencia da Barbarino"157And another, "Canzoni Carnaleschi"157His descriptive Poems158His Death1492.159

Ficino, Pico Della Mirandola, Politian, the Pulci, &c.

151

Platonic Doctrines in Italy

1438.

151

Gemisthus Pletho

151

The Medicean Library founded by Cosmo

152

His Death

1464.

152

Lorenzo de' Medici succeeds to his Father's Wealth and Influence

152

The Pazzi Conspiracy

1478.

152

Pope Sixtus VI. leagues all Italy against Florence

1479.

152

Lorenzo de' Medici—his Firmness and Talents

1480.

152

He induces the King of Naples to conclude a Treaty withFlorence

153

A Yearly Anniversary of Plato's Death instituted

153

Lorenzo de' Medici—his Commentary on his first Sonnet

155

Extract of a Translation of one of his Sonnets

156

His "Nencia da Barbarino"

157

And another, "Canzoni Carnaleschi"

157

His descriptive Poems

158

His Death

1492.

159

MARSIGLIO FICINO.

MARSIGLIO FICINO.

His Birth1433.159He is adopted by Lorenzo de' Medici160His "Platonic Institutions"160His "Treatise on the Origin of the World"160He assumes the Clerical Profession1468.160He obtains the Cure of two Churches and Cathedral of Florence1475.160(October 1st.) His Death1499.161

His Birth

1433.

159

He is adopted by Lorenzo de' Medici

160

His "Platonic Institutions"

160

His "Treatise on the Origin of the World"

160

He assumes the Clerical Profession

1468.

160

He obtains the Cure of two Churches and Cathedral of Florence

1475.

160

(October 1st.) His Death

1499.

161

GIOVANNI PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA.

GIOVANNI PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA.

His Birth1463.161His Parentage161He visits Rome161His 900 Propositions published162His Persecution and Death1494.162

His Birth

1463.

161

His Parentage

161

He visits Rome

161

His 900 Propositions published

162

His Persecution and Death

1494.

162

ANGELO POLIZIANO.

ANGELO POLIZIANO.

(July 24th.) His Birth1454.162In Florence, he attracts the Attention of Lorenzo de' Medici163He engages him as Tutor to his Children164He obtains the Professorship of Greek and Latin in theUniversity of Florence165His Letter to Jacopo Antiquario1492.165Disasters which befell the Medici166Politian's Monody on Lorenzo166(September 24th.) Politian.—His Death1494.167

(July 24th.) His Birth

1454.

162

In Florence, he attracts the Attention of Lorenzo de' Medici

163

He engages him as Tutor to his Children

164

He obtains the Professorship of Greek and Latin in theUniversity of Florence

165

His Letter to Jacopo Antiquario

1492.

165

Disasters which befell the Medici

166

Politian's Monody on Lorenzo

166

(September 24th.) Politian.—His Death

1494.

167

BERNARDO PULCI.

BERNARDO PULCI.

His Origin167His Works167

His Origin

167

His Works

167

LUCA FULCI.

LUCA FULCI.

His Works167

His Works

167

LUIGI PULCI.

LUIGI PULCI.

Author of the "Morgante Maggiore"168Critique on "Morgante Maggiore"168The Family of the Heroes of Romance169Extract from the "Morgante Maggiore"171The Subject of the Poem172

Author of the "Morgante Maggiore"

168

Critique on "Morgante Maggiore"

168

The Family of the Heroes of Romance

169

Extract from the "Morgante Maggiore"

171

The Subject of the Poem

172

CIECO DA FERRARA.

CIECO DA FERRARA.

Author of "Mambriano"1509.179

Author of "Mambriano"

1509.

179

BURCHIELLO.

BURCHIELLO.

His Death1448.180

His Death

1448.

180

BOJARDO.

BOJARDO.

Matteo Maria Bojardo; his Ancestors181His Birth1434.181His Parents181His Education181He is sent out as one of the Noblemen to welcome Frederic III.to Ferrara1469.181Borso, Marquess of Ferrara, created Duke1471.181Bojardo accompanies him to Rome on his Investiture181Marriage of Bojardo to Taddea1472.182Bojardo selected by the Duke of Ercole to escort his Wife toFerrara1473.182He is made Governor of Reggio1478.182His Death1494.182His Lyrical Poetry182His Classical Works182An Extract from his "Orlando Innamorato"183

Matteo Maria Bojardo; his Ancestors

181

His Birth

1434.

181

His Parents

181

His Education

181

He is sent out as one of the Noblemen to welcome Frederic III.to Ferrara

1469.

181

Borso, Marquess of Ferrara, created Duke

1471.

181

Bojardo accompanies him to Rome on his Investiture

181

Marriage of Bojardo to Taddea

1472.

182

Bojardo selected by the Duke of Ercole to escort his Wife toFerrara

1473.

182

He is made Governor of Reggio

1478.

182

His Death

1494.

182

His Lyrical Poetry

182

His Classical Works

182

An Extract from his "Orlando Innamorato"

183

BERNI.

BERNI.

Francesco Berni188His Birth188His early Life188The Vignaiuoli established at Rome by Oberto Strozzi188Rome plundered by the Colonna1526.188(July 26th.) Death of Berni1536.189Publication of his "Rifacimento"189Alterations made by Berni in "Orlando Innamorato"192His introductory Stanzas which he appended to each Canto193His Person and Disposition193An Extract as a Specimen of his Humour194Bernese Poetry195

Francesco Berni

188

His Birth

188

His early Life

188

The Vignaiuoli established at Rome by Oberto Strozzi

188

Rome plundered by the Colonna

1526.

188

(July 26th.) Death of Berni

1536.

189

Publication of his "Rifacimento"

189

Alterations made by Berni in "Orlando Innamorato"

192

His introductory Stanzas which he appended to each Canto

193

His Person and Disposition

193

An Extract as a Specimen of his Humour

194

Bernese Poetry

195

ARIOSTO.

ARIOSTO.

(September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth1474.196His Lineage196His early Studies197Latin the universal Language of Writers198The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languagesinto modern Tongues199Death of Ariosto's Father199His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence199His filial and paternal Affection200His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso200His Sisters200A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother201His Bagatelles202He composes his "Orlando Furioso"203His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it inLatin204The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of theVatican204Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion205Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians205The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna205The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on theRiver Po205Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion205His second Embassy to Rome206His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff206Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacableJulius207And the perfidious Treatment he receives207The singular Manner in which he retaliates207The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso"1515.207Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it208The last Edition1532.208Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishopric208Their consequent Estrangement209A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whomthey both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnaturalConduct of the Cardinal209Independence of Ariosto210Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of aPoet210Letter of Ariosto to his Brother Alessandro212Ariosto enters the Service of Duke Alfonso217Discomforts and Mortifications of his precarious Circumstances218His Reasons for not taking Orders219Pope Leo X. issues a Bull in favour of the "Orlando Furioso"219What Claims had Ariosto on the Bounty of Leo X.?220Extracts from his Satires221The Dignity and Ease he enjoys at the Court of Alfonso226His Government of Graffagnana226His Rencontre with some of his uncouth Neighbours227Baretti, his Version of this Anecdote228Extract from his Satires229He is invited to accept a third Embassy to Rome230His Answer to Bonaventura Pistolfo230His Release from his Government232He perfects his "Orlando;" his Dramatic Works232A curious Anecdote of him when a Child232Remarks on his Writings234Ariosto, his last Illness1532.234Apocryphal Traditions of him235His Person235His Character236His Sons237His Elegies, Sonnets, and Madrigals237A Translation of one of his Sonnets238Difficulty of translating his Works239English Versions of his "Orlando Furioso"239His Recitation240Anecdote of him240His whimsical Peculiarities; his Habits241His Reveries242His last Hours243His Monument244Sketch of the Outline of the "Orlando Furioso"245Critical Remarks on it247A Sequel and Imitation of it250

(September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth

1474.

196

His Lineage

196

His early Studies

197

Latin the universal Language of Writers

198

The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languagesinto modern Tongues

199

Death of Ariosto's Father

199

His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence

199

His filial and paternal Affection

200

His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso

200

His Sisters

200

A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother

201

His Bagatelles

202

He composes his "Orlando Furioso"

203

His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it inLatin

204

The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of theVatican

204

Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion

205

Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians

205

The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna

205

The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on theRiver Po

205

Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion

205

His second Embassy to Rome

206

His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff

206

Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacableJulius

207

And the perfidious Treatment he receives

207

The singular Manner in which he retaliates

207

The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso"

1515.

207

Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it

208

The last Edition

1532.

208

Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishopric

208

Their consequent Estrangement

209

A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whomthey both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnaturalConduct of the Cardinal

209

Independence of Ariosto

210

Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of aPoet

210

Letter of Ariosto to his Brother Alessandro

212

Ariosto enters the Service of Duke Alfonso

217

Discomforts and Mortifications of his precarious Circumstances

218

His Reasons for not taking Orders

219

Pope Leo X. issues a Bull in favour of the "Orlando Furioso"

219

What Claims had Ariosto on the Bounty of Leo X.?

220

Extracts from his Satires

221

The Dignity and Ease he enjoys at the Court of Alfonso

226

His Government of Graffagnana

226

His Rencontre with some of his uncouth Neighbours

227

Baretti, his Version of this Anecdote

228

Extract from his Satires

229

He is invited to accept a third Embassy to Rome

230

His Answer to Bonaventura Pistolfo

230

His Release from his Government

232

He perfects his "Orlando;" his Dramatic Works

232

A curious Anecdote of him when a Child

232

Remarks on his Writings

234

Ariosto, his last Illness

1532.

234

Apocryphal Traditions of him

235

His Person

235

His Character

236

His Sons

237

His Elegies, Sonnets, and Madrigals

237

A Translation of one of his Sonnets

238

Difficulty of translating his Works

239

English Versions of his "Orlando Furioso"

239

His Recitation

240

Anecdote of him

240

His whimsical Peculiarities; his Habits

241

His Reveries

242

His last Hours

243

His Monument

244

Sketch of the Outline of the "Orlando Furioso"

245

Critical Remarks on it

247

A Sequel and Imitation of it

250


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