102. 4. "Franco Sacchetti," born at Florence in 1335. His
Novelle were considered the best after those of
Boccaccio.
110. 24. Where the Giglion joins the Chiassa
There did my ancestors flourish
Who bear six golden stones on azure ground.
151. 14. "An eagle on the back of a lion." The bishop was a prominent Ghibelline, whose figure was the imperial eagle, while the lion signified the opposing Guelph party. Buffalmacco as a Florentine would belong to the latter faction.
155. 5. "Voi che avvisate," etc.
Ye who behold this painting
Think, weigh and consider
Upon the merciful God, supreme creator,
Who made all things in love.
He fashioned that angelic nature in new orders,
In that resplendent empire of heaven.
Motionless Himself yet the source of all motion
He made everything good and pure.
Raise the eyes of your mind,
Reflect upon the ordering
Of the entire globe and reverently
Praise Him who has created so well.
Think that you also may taste the delight
Of living among the angels, where all are blessed.
In this scene also we see the glory of the world,
The base, the mean, and the lofty.
188. ii. "arts of Florence." The arts or guilds of Florence formed the basis of the government of the city. They were of two orders, the greater and the lesser. The seven greater arts were: Lawyers (St Luke), the Calimara or dealers in foreign cloth (St John Baptist), money-changers (St Matthew), woollen manufacturers (St Thomas), physicians (Virgin Mary), silk manufacturers (St John the Divine), and the furriers (St James). The lesser arts were fourteen in number, including armourers (St George), locksmiths (St Mark), farriers (St Eloi), drapers (St Stephen), shoemakers (St Philip), butchers (St Peter). They were admitted to the full citizenship in 1378.
199. 21. "Da che prosperitade," etc.
"Since every happiness has abandoned us,
Come death, the cure of every grief,
Come and give us our last meal."
200. 3. "Ischermo di saveri," etc.
"Knowledge and wealth,
Birth and valour, all
Are alike powerless against his strokes."
212. 10. "the Duke of Athens." Walter de Brienne, a Frenchman, elected captain and protector of Florence in June 1342;. he endeavoured to become master of the city, but was expelled in the popular rising referred to.
239. 31. "the Bavarian." Louis of Bavaria, the emperor who died in 1347.
241. 3 "a secco." Fresco painting in secco is that kind which absorbs the colours into the plaster and gives them a dry sunken appearance.—Fairholt.