Lamia's winter-quarters . ? Completely, my dear Lamia ; and I am gladto find myself in such excellent company as that ofLorenzo, more especially now that we have takenpossession of a villa where he must often havebeen a guest, with Politian for host, and Poggioand Pico della Mirandola for companions. I fear, said Lamia modestly, I should havefound them too learned to be congenial society. Not when Lorenzo was with them ; for heassimilated their learning to life, and contrived tomake gaiety out of their scholarship. With moreeven than the statesmanship of his grandfather,and of whom it may equa
Lamia's winter-quarters . ? Completely, my dear Lamia ; and I am gladto find myself in such excellent company as that ofLorenzo, more especially now that we have takenpossession of a villa where he must often havebeen a guest, with Politian for host, and Poggioand Pico della Mirandola for companions. I fear, said Lamia modestly, I should havefound them too learned to be congenial society. Not when Lorenzo was with them ; for heassimilated their learning to life, and contrived tomake gaiety out of their scholarship. With moreeven than the statesmanship of his grandfather,and of whom it may equally be said that he ruledwithout arms and without a title, endowed withno inconsiderable portion of the culture of thestudents he so generously abetted, Lorenzo was athorough man-of-the-world, and more than arespectable man-of-letters. I recommend to youhis description, in the Selve d Amore, of theshepherd leading his flock from the wintry fold tothe Spring pasture, and carrying in his arms a PEACH, PLUM, AND PEAR-BLOSSOM. LAMIAS WINTER-QUARTERS 85 newly-dropped lamb, his sonnet on the origin ofthe violet, and, still more perhaps, the one in praiseof rural sights, sounds, and solitude. Permit meto cite at least a portion of it :— Cerchi, chi vuol, le pompe, e gli alti onori,Le piazze, e tempi, e gli edifizi magni,Le delicie, il tesor, qual accompagniMille duri pensier, mille verde praticel pien di bei fiori,Un rivolo che Ierba intorno bagni,Un augelletto che damor si lagni,Acqueta molto meglio i nostri ardori.* I fear, said Lamia, I have not yet madesufficient progress in my studies to follow yourrecitation completely. Will you kindly translate ? Let a spontaneous paraphrase suffice, whichwill reproduce the original with, if with lessliterary perhaps with more spiritual, accuracy. Covet who will the patronage of Kings,And pompous titles Emperors bestow,Splendour, and revelry, and all that bringsA thousand bitter thoughts, a world of woe :A meadow glistening in an Ap
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