"You are tired, and so am I, with the descriptions of countries; and therefore shall only say, that
nothing can be more singularly beautiful than the plains of Lombardy, nor more beggarly and miserable than this town."
"Cremona, 12th of May.
"Alas, poor Italy!
Impius haec tam culta novalia miles habebit;
Barbarus has segetes?
The poor inhabitant
Starves, in the midst of Nature's plenty curst;
And in the loaded vineyard dies for thirst.
"The taxes are here exorbitant beyond all bounds. We lie to-morrow at Milan."