Tullio e Catone-e Varrone e Seneca-ebbero moglie," &c., &c. It is odd that honest Lionardo's examples, with the exception of Seneca, and for any thing I know of Aristotle, are not the most felicitous. Tully's Terentia, and Socrates' Xantippe, by no means contributed to their husbands' happiness, whatever they might do to their philosophy-Cato gave away his wife-of Varro's we know nothing-and of Seneca's, only that she was disposed to die with him, but recovered, and lived several years afterwards. But says Lionardo, "L'uomo è animald civile, secondo piace a tutti filosofi." And thence concludes that the greatest proof of the animal's civism is "la prima congiunzione, dalla quale multiplicata nasce la Città." Di Giovanni Battista Zappi. Chi è costui, che in dura pietra scolto, Acque ei sospese a se d' intorno, e tale 14. Over the damn'd before the Judgment throne. Page 515, line 94. The Last Judgment, in the Sistine chapel. 15. The stream of his great thoughts shall spring from me Page 515, line 97. I have read somewhere (if I do not err, for I cannot recollect where) that Dante was so great a favorite of Michael Angelo's, that he had designed the whole of the Divina Commedia; but that the volume containing these studies was lost by sea. 16. Her charms to pontiff's proud, who but employ, &c. Page 515, line 117. See the treatment of Michael Angelo by Julius II., and his neglect by Leo X. 17. "What have I done to thee, my people?" Page 516, line 41. "E scrisse più volte non solamente a particolari cittydini del reggimento, ma ancora al popolo, e intra l'altre una Epistola assai lunga che comincia: - Popule mi, quid feci tibi?'" Vita di Dante, scritta da Lionardo Aretino. I SAW THEE WEEP. I SAW thee weep-the big bright tear And then methought it did appear I saw thee smile-the sapphire's blaze It could not match the living rays As clouds from yonder sun receive Which scarce the shade of coming eve Those smiles upon the moodiest mind THY DAYS ARE DONE. THY days are done, thy fame begun; Though thou art fall'n, while we are free Thou shalt not taste of death! The generous blood that flow'd from thee Disdain'd to sink beneath : Within our veins its currents be, Thy spirit on our breath! Thy name, our charging hosts along, Shall be the battle-word! Thy fall, the theme of choral song SONG OF SAUL BEFORE HIS LAST BATTLE. WARRIORS and Chiefs! should the shaft or the sword Pierce me in leading the host of the Lord, Thou who art bearing my buckler and bow, Farewell to others, but never we part, SAUL. THOU whose spell can raise the dead King, behold the phantom seer!" Earth yawn'd; he stood the centre of a cloud: Light changed its hue, retiring from his shroud. Death stood all glassy in his fixed eye; His hand was wither'd, and his veins were dry; "Why is my sleep disquieted? "ALL IS VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER." FAME, wisdom, love, and power were mine, I sunn'd my heart in beauty's eyes, And felt my soul grow tender; All earth can give, or mortal prize, Was mine of regal splendor. I strive to number o'er what days Remembrance can discover, Which all of life or earth displays Would lure me to live over. There rose no day, there roll'd no hour That gall'd not while it glitter'd. The serpent of the field, by art And spells, is won from harming; But that which coils around the heart, Oh! who hath power of charming? It will not list to wisdom's lore, Nor music's voice can lure it; But there it stings for evermore The soul that must endure it. |