[110]See theElegia alle Donne Pratesi, vol. iv. p. 41.
[110]See theElegia alle Donne Pratesi, vol. iv. p. 41.
[111]Vol. i. p. 16. Compare the extraordinary paragraph about female beauty being an earnest of the beauties of Paradise (pp. 31, 32).
[111]Vol. i. p. 16. Compare the extraordinary paragraph about female beauty being an earnest of the beauties of Paradise (pp. 31, 32).
[112]Ibid.p. 21.
[112]Ibid.p. 21.
[113]Ibid.pp. 51-62.
[113]Ibid.pp. 51-62.
[114]Vol. i. pp. 75-80.
[114]Vol. i. pp. 75-80.
[115]Vol. iii. TheGolden Assbegins with an autobiography (vol. i. p. 103).
[115]Vol. iii. TheGolden Assbegins with an autobiography (vol. i. p. 103).
[116]Vol. iv. pp. 19, 76.
[116]Vol. iv. pp. 19, 76.
[117]My principal authority is Doni's Life by S. Bongi prefixed to an edition of theNovelle, 1851, and reprinted in Fanfani's edition ofI Marmi, Florence, 1863.
[117]My principal authority is Doni's Life by S. Bongi prefixed to an edition of theNovelle, 1851, and reprinted in Fanfani's edition ofI Marmi, Florence, 1863.
[118]See Zilioli, quoted by Bongi,I Marmi, vol. i. p. xiv.
[118]See Zilioli, quoted by Bongi,I Marmi, vol. i. p. xiv.
[119]How Doni hated his orders may be gathered from these extracts: "La bestial cosa che sia sopportare quattro corna in capo senza belare unquanco. Io ho un capriccio di farmi scomunicare per non cantare piùDomine labia, e spretarmi per non essere a noia a tutte le persone." "L'esser colla chierica puzza a tutti." His chief grievance was that he had made no money out of the Church.
[119]How Doni hated his orders may be gathered from these extracts: "La bestial cosa che sia sopportare quattro corna in capo senza belare unquanco. Io ho un capriccio di farmi scomunicare per non cantare piùDomine labia, e spretarmi per non essere a noia a tutte le persone." "L'esser colla chierica puzza a tutti." His chief grievance was that he had made no money out of the Church.
[120]The greater part of what we know about the Pellegrini occurs in Doni'sI Marmi. See also a memoir by Giaxich, and the notices in Mutinelli'sDiari Urbani.
[120]The greater part of what we know about the Pellegrini occurs in Doni'sI Marmi. See also a memoir by Giaxich, and the notices in Mutinelli'sDiari Urbani.
[121]Those I am acquainted with areI Marmi,I Mondi,Lo Stufaiuolo, theNovelle, and two little burlesque caprices in prose,La MulaandLa Chiave.
[121]Those I am acquainted with areI Marmi,I Mondi,Lo Stufaiuolo, theNovelle, and two little burlesque caprices in prose,La MulaandLa Chiave.
[122]I Marmi, per Fanfani e Bongi, Firenze, Barbèra, 1863, 2 vols.
[122]I Marmi, per Fanfani e Bongi, Firenze, Barbèra, 1863, 2 vols.
[123]Parte ii. "Della Stampa."
[123]Parte ii. "Della Stampa."
[124]Novelle di Autori Senesi, edited by Gaetano Poggiali, Londra (Livorno), 1796. This collection, reprinted in theRaccolta di Novellieri Italiani, Milano, 1815, vols. xiv. and xv., contains Bernardo Illicini, Giustiniano Nelli, Scipione Bargagli, Gentile Sermini, Pietro Fortini, and others. Of Sermini'sNovellea complete edition appeared in 1874 at Livorno, from the press of Francesco Vigo; and to this the student should now go. Romagnoli of Bologna in 1877 published three hitherto inedited novels of Fortini, together with the rubrics of all those which have not yet been printed. Their titles enable us to comprehend the scruples which prevented Poggiali from issuing the whole series.
[124]Novelle di Autori Senesi, edited by Gaetano Poggiali, Londra (Livorno), 1796. This collection, reprinted in theRaccolta di Novellieri Italiani, Milano, 1815, vols. xiv. and xv., contains Bernardo Illicini, Giustiniano Nelli, Scipione Bargagli, Gentile Sermini, Pietro Fortini, and others. Of Sermini'sNovellea complete edition appeared in 1874 at Livorno, from the press of Francesco Vigo; and to this the student should now go. Romagnoli of Bologna in 1877 published three hitherto inedited novels of Fortini, together with the rubrics of all those which have not yet been printed. Their titles enable us to comprehend the scruples which prevented Poggiali from issuing the whole series.
[125]Imbasciata di Venere, Sermini, ed. cit. p. 117.
[125]Imbasciata di Venere, Sermini, ed. cit. p. 117.
[126]Il Giuoco della pugna, Sermini, ed. cit. p. 105.
[126]Il Giuoco della pugna, Sermini, ed. cit. p. 105.
[127]SeeLe Cene, pt. ii.Nov.10, and Firenzuola's seventhNovella.
[127]SeeLe Cene, pt. ii.Nov.10, and Firenzuola's seventhNovella.
[128]None of them are included in the MilaneseNovellieri Italiani. The editions I shall use areProverbii di Messer Antonio Cornazano in Facetie, Bologna, Romagnoli, 1865;Le Piacevoli Notti, in Vinegia per Comin da Trino di Monferrato, MDLI.;Gli Hecatommithi di M. Giovanbattista Giraldi Cinthio, Nobile Ferrarese, in Vinegia, MDLXVI., Girolamo Scotto, 2 vols.
[128]None of them are included in the MilaneseNovellieri Italiani. The editions I shall use areProverbii di Messer Antonio Cornazano in Facetie, Bologna, Romagnoli, 1865;Le Piacevoli Notti, in Vinegia per Comin da Trino di Monferrato, MDLI.;Gli Hecatommithi di M. Giovanbattista Giraldi Cinthio, Nobile Ferrarese, in Vinegia, MDLXVI., Girolamo Scotto, 2 vols.
[129]Fiabe, Novelle, Racconti, Palermo, Lauriel, 1875, 4 vols. I may here take occasion to notice that oneNovellaby the Conte Lorenzo Magalotti (Nov. It.vol. xiii. p. 362), is the story of Whittington and his Cat, told of a certain Florentine, Ansaldo degli Ormanni, and the King of the Canary Islands.
[129]Fiabe, Novelle, Racconti, Palermo, Lauriel, 1875, 4 vols. I may here take occasion to notice that oneNovellaby the Conte Lorenzo Magalotti (Nov. It.vol. xiii. p. 362), is the story of Whittington and his Cat, told of a certain Florentine, Ansaldo degli Ormanni, and the King of the Canary Islands.
[130]John Wilson's play ofBelphegor, Dekker'sIf it be not good the Divel is in it, and Ben Jonson'sThe Devil is an Ass, were more or less founded on Machiavelli's and Straparola's novels.
[130]John Wilson's play ofBelphegor, Dekker'sIf it be not good the Divel is in it, and Ben Jonson'sThe Devil is an Ass, were more or less founded on Machiavelli's and Straparola's novels.
[131]Dunlop in hisHistory of Fiction, vol. ii. p. 411, speaks of a Latin MS. preserved in the library of S. Martin at Tours which contained the tale, but he also says that it was lost at "the period of the civil wars in France."
[131]Dunlop in hisHistory of Fiction, vol. ii. p. 411, speaks of a Latin MS. preserved in the library of S. Martin at Tours which contained the tale, but he also says that it was lost at "the period of the civil wars in France."
[132]The title leads us to expect one hundred tales; but counting the ten of the Introduction, there are one hundred and ten. When the book first circulated, it contained but seventy. The first edition is that of Monte Regale in Sicily, 1565. My copy of the Venetian edition of 1566 is complete.
[132]The title leads us to expect one hundred tales; but counting the ten of the Introduction, there are one hundred and ten. When the book first circulated, it contained but seventy. The first edition is that of Monte Regale in Sicily, 1565. My copy of the Venetian edition of 1566 is complete.
[133]The ten novels of the Introduction deal exclusively with the manners of Italian prostitutes. Placed as a frontispiece to the whole repertory, they seem intended to attract the vulgar reader.
[133]The ten novels of the Introduction deal exclusively with the manners of Italian prostitutes. Placed as a frontispiece to the whole repertory, they seem intended to attract the vulgar reader.
[134]"Comedia de Timone per el Magnifico Conte Matheo Maria Boyardo Conte de Scandiano traducta de uno Dialogo de Luciano. Stampata in Venetia per Georgio di Rusconi Milanese, del MDXVIII. adì iii di Decembre." From the play itself we learn that it must have been represented on a double stage, a lower one standing for earth and a higher one for heaven. The first three acts consist chiefly of soliloquies by Timon and conversations with celestial personages—Jove, Mercury, Wealth, Poverty. In the fourth act we are introduced to characters of Athenians—Gnatonide, Phylade, Demea, Trasycle, who serve to bring Timone's misanthropy into relief; and the fifth act brings two slaves, Syro and Parmeno, upon the scene, with a kind of underplot which is not solved at the close of the play. The whole piece must be regarded rather as a Morality than a Comedy, and the characters are allegories or types more than living persons.
[134]"Comedia de Timone per el Magnifico Conte Matheo Maria Boyardo Conte de Scandiano traducta de uno Dialogo de Luciano. Stampata in Venetia per Georgio di Rusconi Milanese, del MDXVIII. adì iii di Decembre." From the play itself we learn that it must have been represented on a double stage, a lower one standing for earth and a higher one for heaven. The first three acts consist chiefly of soliloquies by Timon and conversations with celestial personages—Jove, Mercury, Wealth, Poverty. In the fourth act we are introduced to characters of Athenians—Gnatonide, Phylade, Demea, Trasycle, who serve to bring Timone's misanthropy into relief; and the fifth act brings two slaves, Syro and Parmeno, upon the scene, with a kind of underplot which is not solved at the close of the play. The whole piece must be regarded rather as a Morality than a Comedy, and the characters are allegories or types more than living persons.
[135]To determine the question of priority in such matters is neither easy nor important. Students who desire to follow the gradual steps in the development of Italian play-writing before the date of Ariosto and Machiavelli may be referred to D'Ancona's work on theOrigini del Teatro.
[135]To determine the question of priority in such matters is neither easy nor important. Students who desire to follow the gradual steps in the development of Italian play-writing before the date of Ariosto and Machiavelli may be referred to D'Ancona's work on theOrigini del Teatro.
[136]I have enlarged on these points in my Essay on Euripides (Greek Poets, Series i.). I may take occasion here to say that until Sept. 1879, after this chapter was written, I had not met with Professor Hillebrand'sÉtudes Italiennes(Paris, Franck, 1868).
[136]I have enlarged on these points in my Essay on Euripides (Greek Poets, Series i.). I may take occasion here to say that until Sept. 1879, after this chapter was written, I had not met with Professor Hillebrand'sÉtudes Italiennes(Paris, Franck, 1868).
[137]Exception must be made in favor of some ancient quasi-tragedies, which seem to prove that before the influences of Boccaccio and the Renaissance had penetrated the nation, they were not deficient in the impulse to dramatize history. TheEccerinisof Albertino Mussato (c.1300), half dialogue and half narration, upon the fate of Ezzellino da Romano, composed in the style of Seneca; the dialogue upon the destruction of Cesena (1377) falsely attributed to Petrarch; Giovanni Mangini della Motta's poem on the downfall of Antonio della Scala (1387), Lodovico da Vezzano's tragedy of Jacopo Piccinino; though far from popular in their character, and but partially dramatic, were such as under happier auspices might have fostered the beginnings of the tragic theater. Later on we hear of theFall of Granadabeing represented before Cardinal Riario at Rome, as well as theFerrandus Servatusof Carlo Verradi (1492).
[137]Exception must be made in favor of some ancient quasi-tragedies, which seem to prove that before the influences of Boccaccio and the Renaissance had penetrated the nation, they were not deficient in the impulse to dramatize history. TheEccerinisof Albertino Mussato (c.1300), half dialogue and half narration, upon the fate of Ezzellino da Romano, composed in the style of Seneca; the dialogue upon the destruction of Cesena (1377) falsely attributed to Petrarch; Giovanni Mangini della Motta's poem on the downfall of Antonio della Scala (1387), Lodovico da Vezzano's tragedy of Jacopo Piccinino; though far from popular in their character, and but partially dramatic, were such as under happier auspices might have fostered the beginnings of the tragic theater. Later on we hear of theFall of Granadabeing represented before Cardinal Riario at Rome, as well as theFerrandus Servatusof Carlo Verradi (1492).
[138]See the first cast of Jonson'sEvery Man in his Humor.
[138]See the first cast of Jonson'sEvery Man in his Humor.
[139]See above,Part I, p. 276, where one ballad of the Border type is discussed.
[139]See above,Part I, p. 276, where one ballad of the Border type is discussed.
[140]It is certainly significant that the Spanish share with the English the chief honors both of the ballad and the drama. The Scandinavian nations, rich in ballads, have been, through Danish poets, successful in dramatic composition. The Niebelungen Lied and the Song of Roland would, in the case of Germany and France, have to be set against the English ballads of action. But these Epics are different in character from the minstrelsy which turned passing events into poetry and bequeathed them in the form of spirit-stirring narratives to posterity. Long after the epical impulse had ceased and the British epic of Arthur had passed into the sphere of literature, the ballad minstrels continued to work with dramatic energy upon the substance of contemporary incidents.
[140]It is certainly significant that the Spanish share with the English the chief honors both of the ballad and the drama. The Scandinavian nations, rich in ballads, have been, through Danish poets, successful in dramatic composition. The Niebelungen Lied and the Song of Roland would, in the case of Germany and France, have to be set against the English ballads of action. But these Epics are different in character from the minstrelsy which turned passing events into poetry and bequeathed them in the form of spirit-stirring narratives to posterity. Long after the epical impulse had ceased and the British epic of Arthur had passed into the sphere of literature, the ballad minstrels continued to work with dramatic energy upon the substance of contemporary incidents.
[141]See above,p. 54, for the distinction between the ItalianNovellaand the modern novel.
[141]See above,p. 54, for the distinction between the ItalianNovellaand the modern novel.
[142]In the same way Alfieri's biography is a tragic and Goldoni's a comic novel. The Memoirs of Casanova, which I incline to accept as genuine, might rather be cited as a string of brilliantly writtenNovelle.
[142]In the same way Alfieri's biography is a tragic and Goldoni's a comic novel. The Memoirs of Casanova, which I incline to accept as genuine, might rather be cited as a string of brilliantly writtenNovelle.
[143]Cantù quotes the prologue of a MS. play which goes so far as to apologize for the scene not being laid at Athens (Lett. It.p. 471):Benchè l'usanza siaChe ogni commediaSi soglia fare a Atene,Non so donde si vieneChe questa non grecizza,Anzi fiorentinizza.
[143]Cantù quotes the prologue of a MS. play which goes so far as to apologize for the scene not being laid at Athens (Lett. It.p. 471):
[144]Commedie di Antonfrancesco Grazzini(Firenze, Lemonnier, 1859), p. 5.
[144]Commedie di Antonfrancesco Grazzini(Firenze, Lemonnier, 1859), p. 5.
[145]Op. cit.p. 109.
[145]Op. cit.p. 109.
[146]Ibid.p. 173.
[146]Ibid.p. 173.
[147]I have put into anAppendixsome further notes upon the opinions recorded by the playwrights concerning the progress of the dramatic art.
[147]I have put into anAppendixsome further notes upon the opinions recorded by the playwrights concerning the progress of the dramatic art.
[148]My references to Italian tragedies will be made to theTeatro Italiano Antico, 10 vols., Milano, 1809.
[148]My references to Italian tragedies will be made to theTeatro Italiano Antico, 10 vols., Milano, 1809.
[149]This is shown by his device of a Golden Fleece, referring to the voyage of the Argonauts. To sail the ocean of antiquity as an explorer, and to bring back the spoils of their artistic method was his ambition.
[149]This is shown by his device of a Golden Fleece, referring to the voyage of the Argonauts. To sail the ocean of antiquity as an explorer, and to bring back the spoils of their artistic method was his ambition.
[150]Compare what Giraldi says in the dedication of hisOrbeccheto Duke Ercole II.: "Ancora che Aristotele ci dia il modo di comporle." In the same passage he dwells on the difficulties of producing tragedies in the absence of dramatic instinct, with an ingenuousness that moves our pity: "Quando altri si dà a scrivere in quella maniera de' Poemi, che sono stati per tanti secoli tralasciati, che appena di loro vi resta una lieve ombra." It never occurred to him that great poetry comes neither by observation nor by imitation of predecessors. The same dedication contains the monstrous critical assertion that the Latin poets,i.e.Seneca, improved upon Greek tragedy—assai più grave la fecero.
[150]Compare what Giraldi says in the dedication of hisOrbeccheto Duke Ercole II.: "Ancora che Aristotele ci dia il modo di comporle." In the same passage he dwells on the difficulties of producing tragedies in the absence of dramatic instinct, with an ingenuousness that moves our pity: "Quando altri si dà a scrivere in quella maniera de' Poemi, che sono stati per tanti secoli tralasciati, che appena di loro vi resta una lieve ombra." It never occurred to him that great poetry comes neither by observation nor by imitation of predecessors. The same dedication contains the monstrous critical assertion that the Latin poets,i.e.Seneca, improved upon Greek tragedy—assai più grave la fecero.
[151]This tragedy was acted at Ferrara in Giraldi's house before Ercole II., Duke of Ferrara, and a brilliant company of noble persons, in 1541. The music was composed by M. Alfonso dalla Viuola, the scenery by M. Girolamo Carpi.
[151]This tragedy was acted at Ferrara in Giraldi's house before Ercole II., Duke of Ferrara, and a brilliant company of noble persons, in 1541. The music was composed by M. Alfonso dalla Viuola, the scenery by M. Girolamo Carpi.
[152]Giraldi, a prolific writer of plays, dramatized three other of his novels in theArrenopia, theAltileand theAntivalomeni. He also composed aDidoneand aCleopatra.
[152]Giraldi, a prolific writer of plays, dramatized three other of his novels in theArrenopia, theAltileand theAntivalomeni. He also composed aDidoneand aCleopatra.
[153]It may here be remarked that though the scholarly playwrights of the Renaissance paid great attention to Aristotle'sPoetics, and made a conscientious study of some Greek plays, especially theAntigone, theŒdipus Tyrannus, thePhœnissæ, and theIphigenia in Tauris, they held the uncritical opinion, openly expressed by Giraldi, that Seneca had improved the form of the Greek drama. Their worst faults of construction, interminable monologues, dialogues between heroines and confidantes, dry choric dissertations, and rhetorical declamations are due to the preference for Seneca. The more we study Italian literature in the sixteenth century, the more we are compelled to acknowledge that humanism and all its consequences were a revival of Latin culture, only slightly tinctured with the simpler and purer influences of the Greeks. Latin poetry had the fatal attraction of facility. It was, moreover, itself composite and derivatory, like the literature of the new age. We may profitably illustrate the attitude of the Italian critics by Sidney's eulogy ofGorboduc: "full of stately speeches and well-sounding phrases, climbing to the height of Seneca his style, and as full of notable morality which it doth most delightfully teach and so obtain the very end of Poesy."
[153]It may here be remarked that though the scholarly playwrights of the Renaissance paid great attention to Aristotle'sPoetics, and made a conscientious study of some Greek plays, especially theAntigone, theŒdipus Tyrannus, thePhœnissæ, and theIphigenia in Tauris, they held the uncritical opinion, openly expressed by Giraldi, that Seneca had improved the form of the Greek drama. Their worst faults of construction, interminable monologues, dialogues between heroines and confidantes, dry choric dissertations, and rhetorical declamations are due to the preference for Seneca. The more we study Italian literature in the sixteenth century, the more we are compelled to acknowledge that humanism and all its consequences were a revival of Latin culture, only slightly tinctured with the simpler and purer influences of the Greeks. Latin poetry had the fatal attraction of facility. It was, moreover, itself composite and derivatory, like the literature of the new age. We may profitably illustrate the attitude of the Italian critics by Sidney's eulogy ofGorboduc: "full of stately speeches and well-sounding phrases, climbing to the height of Seneca his style, and as full of notable morality which it doth most delightfully teach and so obtain the very end of Poesy."
[154]D'Ancona (Origini del Teatro, vol. ii. sec. xxxix.) may be consulted upon the attempts to secularize theSacre Rappresentazioniwhich preceded the revival of classical comedy.
[154]D'Ancona (Origini del Teatro, vol. ii. sec. xxxix.) may be consulted upon the attempts to secularize theSacre Rappresentazioniwhich preceded the revival of classical comedy.
[155]Leo X., with a Medici's true sympathy for plebeian literature added to his own coarse sense of fun, patronized the farces of the Sienese Company called Rozzi. Had his influence lasted, had there been any one to continue the traditions of his Court at Rome, it is not impossible that a more natural comedy, as distinguished from theCommedia erudita, might have been produced by this fashionable patronage of popular dramatic art.
[155]Leo X., with a Medici's true sympathy for plebeian literature added to his own coarse sense of fun, patronized the farces of the Sienese Company called Rozzi. Had his influence lasted, had there been any one to continue the traditions of his Court at Rome, it is not impossible that a more natural comedy, as distinguished from theCommedia erudita, might have been produced by this fashionable patronage of popular dramatic art.
[156]See D'Ancona,Or. del Teatro, vol. ii. p. 201.
[156]See D'Ancona,Or. del Teatro, vol. ii. p. 201.
[157]Sabellico, quoted by Tiraboschi, says of him: "primorum antistitum atriis suo theatro usus, in quibus Plauti, Terentii, recentiorum etiam quædam agerentur fabulæ, quas ipse honestos adolescentes et docuit et agentibus præfuit."
[157]Sabellico, quoted by Tiraboschi, says of him: "primorum antistitum atriis suo theatro usus, in quibus Plauti, Terentii, recentiorum etiam quædam agerentur fabulæ, quas ipse honestos adolescentes et docuit et agentibus præfuit."
[158]See the letter of Sulpizio da Veroli to Raffaello Riario, quoted by Tiraboschi; "eamdemque, postquam in Hadriani mole Divo Innocentio spectante est acta, rursus inter tuos penates, tamquam in media Circi cavea, toto consessu umbraculis tecto, admisso populo, et pluribus tui ordinis spectatoribus honorifice excepisti. Tu etiam primus picturatæ scenæ faciem, quum Pomponiam comœdiam agerent, nostro sæculo ostendisti."
[158]See the letter of Sulpizio da Veroli to Raffaello Riario, quoted by Tiraboschi; "eamdemque, postquam in Hadriani mole Divo Innocentio spectante est acta, rursus inter tuos penates, tamquam in media Circi cavea, toto consessu umbraculis tecto, admisso populo, et pluribus tui ordinis spectatoribus honorifice excepisti. Tu etiam primus picturatæ scenæ faciem, quum Pomponiam comœdiam agerent, nostro sæculo ostendisti."
[159]SeeLucrezia Borgia, by Gregorovius (Stuttgart, 1874), vol. i. p. 201.
[159]SeeLucrezia Borgia, by Gregorovius (Stuttgart, 1874), vol. i. p. 201.
[160]Nicolò was a descendant of the princely house of Correggio. He married Cassandra, daughter of Bartolommeo Colleoni. HisCefalowas a mixed composition resembling theSacre Rappresentazioniin structure. In the Prologue he says:Requiret autem nullus hic ComœdiæLeges ut observentur, aut Tragœdiæ;Agenda nempe est historia, non fabula.See D'Ancona,op. cit.vol. 2, pp. 143-146, 155.
[160]Nicolò was a descendant of the princely house of Correggio. He married Cassandra, daughter of Bartolommeo Colleoni. HisCefalowas a mixed composition resembling theSacre Rappresentazioniin structure. In the Prologue he says:
See D'Ancona,op. cit.vol. 2, pp. 143-146, 155.
[161]Ep. Fam.i. 18, quoted by Tiraboschi.
[161]Ep. Fam.i. 18, quoted by Tiraboschi.
[162]Gregorovius in his book onLucrezia Borgia(pp. 228-239) has condensed the authorities. See, too, Dennistoun,Dukes of Urbino, vol. i. pp. 441-448.
[162]Gregorovius in his book onLucrezia Borgia(pp. 228-239) has condensed the authorities. See, too, Dennistoun,Dukes of Urbino, vol. i. pp. 441-448.
[163]The minute descriptions furnished by Sanudo of these festivals read like the prose letterpress accompanying the Masks of our Ben Jonson.
[163]The minute descriptions furnished by Sanudo of these festivals read like the prose letterpress accompanying the Masks of our Ben Jonson.
[164]Il Lasca in his prologue to theStrega(ed. cit.p. 171) says: "Questa non è fatta da principi, nè da signori, nè in palazzi ducali e signorili; e però non avrà quella pompa d'apparato, di prospettiva, e d'intermedj che ad alcune altre nei tempi nostri s'è veduto."
[164]Il Lasca in his prologue to theStrega(ed. cit.p. 171) says: "Questa non è fatta da principi, nè da signori, nè in palazzi ducali e signorili; e però non avrà quella pompa d'apparato, di prospettiva, e d'intermedj che ad alcune altre nei tempi nostri s'è veduto."
[165]A fine example of the Italian Mask is furnished byEl Sacrificio, played with great pomp by the Intronati of Siena in 1531 and printed in 1537.El Sacrificio de gli Intronati Celebrato ne i giuochi del Carnovale in Siena l'Anno MDXXXI.Full particulars regarding the music,mise en scène, and ballets on such ceremonial occasions, will be found in two curious pamphlets,Descrizione dell'Apparato fatto nel Tempio di S. Giov. di Fiorenza, etc. (Giunti, 1568), andDescrizione dell'Entrata della Serenissima Reina Giovanna d'Austria, etc. (Giunti, 1566). They refer to a later period, but they abound in the most curious details.
[165]A fine example of the Italian Mask is furnished byEl Sacrificio, played with great pomp by the Intronati of Siena in 1531 and printed in 1537.El Sacrificio de gli Intronati Celebrato ne i giuochi del Carnovale in Siena l'Anno MDXXXI.Full particulars regarding the music,mise en scène, and ballets on such ceremonial occasions, will be found in two curious pamphlets,Descrizione dell'Apparato fatto nel Tempio di S. Giov. di Fiorenza, etc. (Giunti, 1568), andDescrizione dell'Entrata della Serenissima Reina Giovanna d'Austria, etc. (Giunti, 1566). They refer to a later period, but they abound in the most curious details.
[166]See the details brought together by Campori,Notizie per la vita di Lodovico Ariosto, p. 74, Castiglione's letter on theCalandraat Urbino, the private representation of theRosmundain the Rucellai gardens, of theOrbecchein Giraldi's house, of theSofonisbaat Vicenza, of Gelli'sErroreby the Fantastichi, etc.
[166]See the details brought together by Campori,Notizie per la vita di Lodovico Ariosto, p. 74, Castiglione's letter on theCalandraat Urbino, the private representation of theRosmundain the Rucellai gardens, of theOrbecchein Giraldi's house, of theSofonisbaat Vicenza, of Gelli'sErroreby the Fantastichi, etc.
[167]Stadt Rom, viii. 350.
[167]Stadt Rom, viii. 350.
[168]See the article "Fornovo" in mySketches and Studies in Italy.
[168]See the article "Fornovo" in mySketches and Studies in Italy.
[169]At this point, in illustration of what has been already stated, I take the opportunity of transcribing a passage which fairly represents the conditions of play-going in thecinque cento. Doni, in theMarmi, gives this description of two comedies performed in the Sala del Papa of the Palazzo Vecchio at Florence.[A]"By my faith, in Florence never was there anything so fine: two stages, one at each end of the Hall: two wonderful scenes, the one by Francesco Salviati, the other by Bronzino: two most amusing comedies, and of the newest coinage; theMandragolaand theAssiuola: when the first act of the one was over, there followed the first act of the other, and so forth, each play taking up the other, without interludes, in such wise that the one comedy served as interlude for the other. The music began at the opening, and ended with the close."
[169]At this point, in illustration of what has been already stated, I take the opportunity of transcribing a passage which fairly represents the conditions of play-going in thecinque cento. Doni, in theMarmi, gives this description of two comedies performed in the Sala del Papa of the Palazzo Vecchio at Florence.[A]"By my faith, in Florence never was there anything so fine: two stages, one at each end of the Hall: two wonderful scenes, the one by Francesco Salviati, the other by Bronzino: two most amusing comedies, and of the newest coinage; theMandragolaand theAssiuola: when the first act of the one was over, there followed the first act of the other, and so forth, each play taking up the other, without interludes, in such wise that the one comedy served as interlude for the other. The music began at the opening, and ended with the close."
[A]Barbèra's edition, 1863, vol. i. p. 67.
[A]Barbèra's edition, 1863, vol. i. p. 67.
[A]Barbèra's edition, 1863, vol. i. p. 67.
[170]One of the chief merits of theCalandrain the eyes of contemporaries was the successful adaptation of Boccaccio's style to the stage. Though Italians alone have the right to pronounce judgment on such matters, I confess to preferring the limpid ease of Ariosto and the plebeian freshness of Gelli. The former has the merit of facile lucidity, the latter of native raciness. Bibbiena's somewhat pompous phraseology sits ill upon his farcical obscenities.
[170]One of the chief merits of theCalandrain the eyes of contemporaries was the successful adaptation of Boccaccio's style to the stage. Though Italians alone have the right to pronounce judgment on such matters, I confess to preferring the limpid ease of Ariosto and the plebeian freshness of Gelli. The former has the merit of facile lucidity, the latter of native raciness. Bibbiena's somewhat pompous phraseology sits ill upon his farcical obscenities.
[171]See the translation in Dennistoun, vol. ii. p. 141.
[171]See the translation in Dennistoun, vol. ii. p. 141.
[172]See Vasari, viii. 227.
[172]See Vasari, viii. 227.
[173]See D'Ancona,op. cit.vol. ii. p. 250, for the special nature of theFarsa. See alsoib.p. 211, the description by Paolucci of Leo's buffooneries in the Vatican.
[173]See D'Ancona,op. cit.vol. ii. p. 250, for the special nature of theFarsa. See alsoib.p. 211, the description by Paolucci of Leo's buffooneries in the Vatican.
[174]See Campori,Notizie Inedite di Raffaello di Urbino, Modena, 1863, quoted by D'Ancona,op. cit.p. 212. The entertainment cost Leo 1,000 ducats.
[174]See Campori,Notizie Inedite di Raffaello di Urbino, Modena, 1863, quoted by D'Ancona,op. cit.p. 212. The entertainment cost Leo 1,000 ducats.
[175]No doubt Paolucci refers to the obscene play upon the wordSuppositi, and to the ironical epithet ofSantaapplied toRomain a passage which does no honor to Ariosto.
[175]No doubt Paolucci refers to the obscene play upon the wordSuppositi, and to the ironical epithet ofSantaapplied toRomain a passage which does no honor to Ariosto.
[176]For the dates of Ariosto's dramatic compositions, see above,Part I, p. 499. The edition I shall refer to, is that of Giovanni Tortoli (Firenze, Barbèra, 1856), which gives both the prose and verse redactions of theCassariaandSuppositi. It may here be incidentally remarked that there are few thoroughly good editions of Italian plays. Descriptions of thedramatis personæ, stage directions, and illustrative notes are almost uniformly wanting. The reader is left to puzzle out an intricate action without help. All the slang, the local customs, and the passing allusions which give life to comedy and present so many difficulties to the student, are for the most part unexplained.
[176]For the dates of Ariosto's dramatic compositions, see above,Part I, p. 499. The edition I shall refer to, is that of Giovanni Tortoli (Firenze, Barbèra, 1856), which gives both the prose and verse redactions of theCassariaandSuppositi. It may here be incidentally remarked that there are few thoroughly good editions of Italian plays. Descriptions of thedramatis personæ, stage directions, and illustrative notes are almost uniformly wanting. The reader is left to puzzle out an intricate action without help. All the slang, the local customs, and the passing allusions which give life to comedy and present so many difficulties to the student, are for the most part unexplained.
[177]Gabrielle added the last two scenes of the fifth act. See his prologue. But whether he introduced any modifications into the body of the play, or filled up any gaps, does not appear.
[177]Gabrielle added the last two scenes of the fifth act. See his prologue. But whether he introduced any modifications into the body of the play, or filled up any gaps, does not appear.
[178]Poichè a Pavia levato era il salarioAlli dottor, nè più si facea studioPer le guerre che più ogni dì augumentano.
[178]
[179]Their opposite humors are admirably developed in the dialogues of act ii. sc. 5, act iii. sc. 5.
[179]Their opposite humors are admirably developed in the dialogues of act ii. sc. 5, act iii. sc. 5.
[180]Compare Bartolo's soliloquy in act iv. sc. 6, with Lazzaro's confidences to Bonfazio, whom he mistakes for Bartolo, in act v. sc. 3.
[180]Compare Bartolo's soliloquy in act iv. sc. 6, with Lazzaro's confidences to Bonfazio, whom he mistakes for Bartolo, in act v. sc. 3.
[181]His action in the comedy is admirably illustrated by the self-revelation of the following soliloquy (act iv. sc. 1):Io vuò a ogni modo aiutar questo giovane,E dir dieci bugie, perchè ad incorrereNon abbia con suo padre in rissa e in scandalo:E così ancor quest'altro mio, che all'ultimaDisperazione è condotto da un credereFalso e da gelosia che a torto il stimola.Nè mi vergognerò d'ordire, o tessereFallacie e giunti,e far ciò ch'eran solitiGli antichi servi già nelle commedie:Chè veramente l'aiutare un poveroInnamorato, non mi pare uffizioServil, ma di gentil qualsivoglia animo.
[181]His action in the comedy is admirably illustrated by the self-revelation of the following soliloquy (act iv. sc. 1):
[182]The process is well indicated in the lines I have italicized in Bonifazio's soliloquy. He is no longer a copy of the Latin slaves, but a free agent who emulates their qualities.
[182]The process is well indicated in the lines I have italicized in Bonifazio's soliloquy. He is no longer a copy of the Latin slaves, but a free agent who emulates their qualities.
[183]With all admiration for theLena, how can we appreciate the cynicism of the situation revealed in the first scene—the crudely exposed appetites of Flavio, the infamous conduct of Fazio, who places his daughter under the tutelage of his old mistress?
[183]With all admiration for theLena, how can we appreciate the cynicism of the situation revealed in the first scene—the crudely exposed appetites of Flavio, the infamous conduct of Fazio, who places his daughter under the tutelage of his old mistress?
[184]Act iii. sc. 6.
[184]Act iii. sc. 6.
[185]Act iv. sc. 4. In the last line but one, ought we not to readmostreratelaor elsemostrerollavi?
[185]Act iv. sc. 4. In the last line but one, ought we not to readmostreratelaor elsemostrerollavi?
[186]Room must be found for a few of the sarcasms, uttered chiefly by Accursio, which enliven theScolastica. Here are the humanists:questi umanisti, che cercanoMedaglie, e di rovesci si dilettano.Here is Rome:Roma, dove intendonoChe 'l sangue degli Apostoli e de' MartiriÈ molto dolce, e a lor spese è un bel vivere.Here is Ferrara:Ferrara, ove pur vedesiChe fino alli barbieri paion nobili.Here are the Signori of Naples:da Napoli.Ho ben inteso che ve n'è più copiaChe a Ferrara di Conti; e credo ch'abbiano,Come questi contado, quei dominio.
[186]Room must be found for a few of the sarcasms, uttered chiefly by Accursio, which enliven theScolastica. Here are the humanists:
Here is Rome:
Here is Ferrara:
Here are the Signori of Naples:
[187]Cecchi noticed the lucid order, easy exposition and smooth conduct of Ariosto's plots, ranking him for these qualities above the Latin poets. See the passage fromLe Pellegrinequoted below.
[187]Cecchi noticed the lucid order, easy exposition and smooth conduct of Ariosto's plots, ranking him for these qualities above the Latin poets. See the passage fromLe Pellegrinequoted below.
[188]In an essay on the Italian language, included among Machiavelli's works, but ascribed to him on no very certain ground.
[188]In an essay on the Italian language, included among Machiavelli's works, but ascribed to him on no very certain ground.
[189]Notice the long monologue of theCassariain which Lucramo describes the fashionable follies of Ferrara. Ariosto gradually outgrew this habit of tirade. TheScolasticais freer than any of his pieces from the fault.
[189]Notice the long monologue of theCassariain which Lucramo describes the fashionable follies of Ferrara. Ariosto gradually outgrew this habit of tirade. TheScolasticais freer than any of his pieces from the fault.
[190]Le Commedie di N. Machiavelli, con prefazione di F. Perfetti, Firenze, Barbèra, 1863.
[190]Le Commedie di N. Machiavelli, con prefazione di F. Perfetti, Firenze, Barbèra, 1863.
[191]Take this picture of Virginia (act i. sc. 2):Ap.Dilettasi ella dar prova a filare,O tessere, o cucire, com'è usanza?Mis.No, chè far lassa tal cosa a sua madre.Ap.Di che piglia piacer?Mis.Delle finestre,Dove la sta dal mattino alla sera.E vaga è di novelle, suoni e canti,E studia in lisci, e dorme, e cuce in guanti.Or the picture of the lovers in church described by the servant, Doria (act iii. sc. 2), or Virginia's portrait of her jealous husband (act iii. sc. 5).
[191]Take this picture of Virginia (act i. sc. 2):
Or the picture of the lovers in church described by the servant, Doria (act iii. sc. 2), or Virginia's portrait of her jealous husband (act iii. sc. 5).
[192]The scene between Caterina and Amerigo, when the latter is caught in flagrant adultery (act iii. 5), anticipates the catastrophe of theClizia. The final scene between Caterina, Amerigo, and Fra Alberigo bears a close resemblance to the climax of theMandragola. On the hypothesis that this comedy is not Machiavelli's but an imitator's, the playwright must have had both theCliziaand theMandragolain his mind, and have designed a pithy combination of their most striking elements.
[192]The scene between Caterina and Amerigo, when the latter is caught in flagrant adultery (act iii. 5), anticipates the catastrophe of theClizia. The final scene between Caterina, Amerigo, and Fra Alberigo bears a close resemblance to the climax of theMandragola. On the hypothesis that this comedy is not Machiavelli's but an imitator's, the playwright must have had both theCliziaand theMandragolain his mind, and have designed a pithy combination of their most striking elements.
[193]See especially the scenes between Caterina and Margherita (act i. 3; act ii. 1) where the advantages of taking a lover and of choosing a friar for this purpose are discussed. They abound ingros mots, as thus:Cat.Odi, in quanto a cotesta parte tu di' la verità; ma quello odore ch'egli hanno poi di salvaggiume, non ch'altro mi stomaca a pensarlo.Marg.Eh! eh! poveretta voi! i frati, eh? Non si trova generazione più abile ai servigi delle donne. Voi dovete forse avere a pigliarvi piacere col naso? etc.
[193]See especially the scenes between Caterina and Margherita (act i. 3; act ii. 1) where the advantages of taking a lover and of choosing a friar for this purpose are discussed. They abound ingros mots, as thus:
Cat.Odi, in quanto a cotesta parte tu di' la verità; ma quello odore ch'egli hanno poi di salvaggiume, non ch'altro mi stomaca a pensarlo.Marg.Eh! eh! poveretta voi! i frati, eh? Non si trova generazione più abile ai servigi delle donne. Voi dovete forse avere a pigliarvi piacere col naso? etc.
Cat.Odi, in quanto a cotesta parte tu di' la verità; ma quello odore ch'egli hanno poi di salvaggiume, non ch'altro mi stomaca a pensarlo.
Marg.Eh! eh! poveretta voi! i frati, eh? Non si trova generazione più abile ai servigi delle donne. Voi dovete forse avere a pigliarvi piacere col naso? etc.
[194]Compare his speech to Caterina (act ii. 5) with his dialogue with Margherita (act iii. 4) and his final discourse on charity and repentance (act iii. 6). The irony of these words, "Certamente, Amerigo, che voi potete vantarvi d'aver la più saggia e casta giovane, non vo' dir di Fiorenza ma di tutto 'l mondo," pronounced before Caterina a couple of hours after her seduction, fixes the measure of Machiavelli's cynicism.
[194]Compare his speech to Caterina (act ii. 5) with his dialogue with Margherita (act iii. 4) and his final discourse on charity and repentance (act iii. 6). The irony of these words, "Certamente, Amerigo, che voi potete vantarvi d'aver la più saggia e casta giovane, non vo' dir di Fiorenza ma di tutto 'l mondo," pronounced before Caterina a couple of hours after her seduction, fixes the measure of Machiavelli's cynicism.
[195]The quite unquotable but characteristic monologue which opens the third act is an epitome of Margherita's character.
[195]The quite unquotable but characteristic monologue which opens the third act is an epitome of Margherita's character.
[196]Act iii. 5.
[196]Act iii. 5.
[197]From an allusion in act ii. sc. 3, it is clear that theCliziawas composed after theMandragola. If we assign the latter comedy to a date later than 1512, the year of Machiavelli's disgrace, which seems implied in its prologue, theCliziamust be reckoned among the ripest products of his leisure. The author hints that both of these comedies were suggested to him by facts that had come under his notice in Florentine society.
[197]From an allusion in act ii. sc. 3, it is clear that theCliziawas composed after theMandragola. If we assign the latter comedy to a date later than 1512, the year of Machiavelli's disgrace, which seems implied in its prologue, theCliziamust be reckoned among the ripest products of his leisure. The author hints that both of these comedies were suggested to him by facts that had come under his notice in Florentine society.
[198]TheCliziafurnished Dolce with the motive of hisRagazzo("Il Ragazzo, comedia di M. Lodovico Dolce. Per Curtio de Navò e fratelli al Leone, MDXLI."). An old man and his son love the same girl. A parasite promises to get the girl for the old man, but substitutes a page dressed up like a woman, while the son sleeps with the real girl. Readers of Ben Jonson will be reminded ofEpicœne. But in Dolce'sRagazzothe situation is made to suggest impurity and lacks rare Ben's gigantic humor.
[198]TheCliziafurnished Dolce with the motive of hisRagazzo("Il Ragazzo, comedia di M. Lodovico Dolce. Per Curtio de Navò e fratelli al Leone, MDXLI."). An old man and his son love the same girl. A parasite promises to get the girl for the old man, but substitutes a page dressed up like a woman, while the son sleeps with the real girl. Readers of Ben Jonson will be reminded ofEpicœne. But in Dolce'sRagazzothe situation is made to suggest impurity and lacks rare Ben's gigantic humor.
[199]See Sofronia's soliloquy, act. ii. sc. 4.
[199]See Sofronia's soliloquy, act. ii. sc. 4.
[200]Cleandro understands the faint shadow of scruple that suggested this scheme: "perchè tentare d'averla prima che maritata, gli debbe parere cosa impia e brutta" (act i. sc. 1). This sentence is extremely characteristic of Italian feeling.
[200]Cleandro understands the faint shadow of scruple that suggested this scheme: "perchè tentare d'averla prima che maritata, gli debbe parere cosa impia e brutta" (act i. sc. 1). This sentence is extremely characteristic of Italian feeling.
[201]His observations on his father, are, however, marked by more than ordinary coarseness. "Come non ti vergogni tu ad avere ordinato, che si delicato viso sia da sì fetida bocca scombavato, sì delicate carni da sì tremanti mani, da sì grinze e puzzolenti membra tocche?" Then he mingles fears about Nicomaco's property with a lover's lamentations. "Tu non mi potevi far la maggiore ingiuria, avendomi con questo colpo tolto ad un tratto e l'amata e la roba; perchè Nicomaco, se questo amor dura, è per lasciare delle sue sustanze più a Pirro che a me" (act iv. sc. 1).
[201]His observations on his father, are, however, marked by more than ordinary coarseness. "Come non ti vergogni tu ad avere ordinato, che si delicato viso sia da sì fetida bocca scombavato, sì delicate carni da sì tremanti mani, da sì grinze e puzzolenti membra tocche?" Then he mingles fears about Nicomaco's property with a lover's lamentations. "Tu non mi potevi far la maggiore ingiuria, avendomi con questo colpo tolto ad un tratto e l'amata e la roba; perchè Nicomaco, se questo amor dura, è per lasciare delle sue sustanze più a Pirro che a me" (act iv. sc. 1).
[202]Act iii. scs. 4, 5, 6.
[202]Act iii. scs. 4, 5, 6.
[203]Act v. scs. 2 and 3.
[203]Act v. scs. 2 and 3.
[204]SeeAge of the Despots, pp. 315-319. Of the two strains of character so ill-blent in Machiavelli, theMandragolarepresents the vulgar, and thePrincipethe noble. The one corresponds to his days at Casciano, the other to his studious evenings.
[204]SeeAge of the Despots, pp. 315-319. Of the two strains of character so ill-blent in Machiavelli, theMandragolarepresents the vulgar, and thePrincipethe noble. The one corresponds to his days at Casciano, the other to his studious evenings.
[205]"Se voi vedessi uscire i personaggi più di cinque volte in scena, non ve ne ridete, perchè le catene che tengono i molini sul fiume, non terrebbeno i pazzi d'oggidì" (Prologue to theCortigiana).
[205]"Se voi vedessi uscire i personaggi più di cinque volte in scena, non ve ne ridete, perchè le catene che tengono i molini sul fiume, non terrebbeno i pazzi d'oggidì" (Prologue to theCortigiana).