[XXI] On this he remarks:
“The quality of the words in which Roman vigour still palpitates, the direct force of the image, the construction, at once flowing and concise, of the sentence, give this poetry the charm of precision which is the distinctive characteristic of the genius of the Romans. It is at once sober and grand.” Surely no better example of such writing could anywhere be found than in the poem on “The Mother.”
With what awful severity such a style lends itself to the exposure of the corruption and inhumanity of society, like a veritable Juvenal returned to hurl his satire at these modern times, is shown in the poem on “The Carnival.” [XXII]
Another phase of Carducci's genuine realism is the subtle art of blending with nature, not his own personality, but that of great souls of the past who have lived amid the scenes described. Of this a fine example is the poem “Sermione” mentioned above. [XVI] The peninsula so named, which juts boldly out into the southern bay of the Lago di Garda, the Lacus Benacus of the Romans, is about equidistant from Mantua on the south, the birthplace of Virgil, and from Verona on the east, the birthplace of Catullus. Near by is situated one of the castles of the Scaligers, where Dante may have had his abode when taking refuge with that family on his banishment from Florence in 1316. At the extremity of the promontory are still seen the relics of the villa of Catullus, in which he is supposed to have written many of his poems, especially the one beginning
Peninsularum, Sirmio, insularumque
Ocelle.
How endeared was the lake to the tender-hearted poet, and how its cool and placid shores brought solace to his bosom, rent with the passions of Rome's giddy life, Carducci tells in the song of the Sirens—
Come to us, Quintus Valerius!
Here to our grottos descend still the sunrays, but silvery, and mild as those of Cynthia.