Truly everything here has a dramatic character. The smallness and grace of this little church gleaming with colour, its chapels and grottoes like a spiritual vision, such as I have never found elsewhere in the whole field of religious conception. It is an illustrated picture-book of poetical legends, which are bloodless and painless, though fantastic, like the lives of pious anchorites in the wilderness, and amid the birds of the field. Here Religion treads on the borders of fairy-land, and brings an indescribable atmosphere away from thence.
Gregorovius.
BRAMANTE
Few words record Bramante's great command,
As from some mountain silence set apart,
He blazed a trail along the way of art,
Upheld the torch and led his little band.
He spoke alone to those who understand,
Not cheapening words within the public mart,
Living withdrawn, a high and humble heart,
Creating loveliness for his loved land.
Though he dwelt cloistered in his northern home,
When he strode forth it was with unveiled face,
To rear a fabric that may crumble never.
They called him "Master" when he wrought in Rome
And with earth's greatest ones shall labor ever
The hand that gave to Lombardy her grace.
Marion Monks Chase.
XII
RANCONEZZO
Santa Prassede, the Cardinal's Church
IL PENSEROSO