[283] See Poesie Pastorali e Rusticali (Milano, Classici Italiani, 1808) for a fairly representative collection of these authors.
[284] Of Molza's many sonnets upon this woman and her death, see especially Nos. cxi. cxii.
[285] In the chapter on Burlesque Poetry I shall have to justify this remark.
[286] See Revival of Learning, p. 488.
[287] The best Life of Molza is that written by Pierantonio Serassi, Bergamo, 1747. It is republished, with Molza's Italian poems, in the series of Classici Italiani, 1808.
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Ten apples of fine gold, elect and rare, Which hung for thee, and softest perfume shed, Like unto that which from thy bosom fair Doth often breathe, whence Love is nourishéd, Humbly I offer; and if thou shalt care, To-morrow with the dawn yon fields I'll tread, My great desire some little to requite, Plucking another ten for thy delight. Also an olive cup, where still doth cling That pure perfume it borrowed from the lathe, Where in the midst a fair youth ruining Conducts the day, and with such woeful scathe Doth guide his car, that to their deepest spring The rivers burn, and burn the grasses rathe; Ah fool, who knew not how to hold his way, Nor by that counsel leal and wise to stay! |
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White ivy with pale corymbs loads for thee That cave, and with thick folds of helichryse Gildeth the arch it shades so lovingly; Here lapped in the green grass which round it lies, Thou shalt dismiss grave thoughts, and fancy-free Spread wide thy skirt of fair cerulean dyes, And with the wholesome airs that haunt the hill, Welcome sweet soothing sleep, secure from ill. |