Bacchanalian Verses. 55 



taking a glass of acquavita early in the morning, and consequently 

 the acquavitaro was soon called, and engaged to enter into the court, 

 which Michael Angelo had no sooner reached, than, putting upon a 

 bench the whole of his stock, he requested the masons to let him see 

 the ground floor, which had been almost entirely painted. As no one 

 could suspect that Buonarroti was concealed under that accoutre- 

 ment, he immediately obtained his request, and thus hastily viewed 

 all that Raffaelle had painted. Having arrived where the mytho- 

 logical history of Galatea, Acis, and Polyphemus is represented, 

 he found that only three sides of that apartment had been already 

 painted, but the fourth was prepared for the immediate use of Raf- 

 faelle, who that very day was to begin to paint on it the Death of 

 Acis. Michael Angelo mounted on the scaffold erected near the wall, 

 and, with a charcoal, sketched on the proposed intonaco an enormous 

 beautiful head, to show to Raffaelle, that not only he had been there, 

 but that he thought that the style of his a fresco was not grandioso. 

 Having done this, the mock acquavitaro left the Farnesina without 

 even thinking of his merchandise. 



The same day Raffaelle went about noon to the Farnesina, accom- 

 panied by his Farnarina, whom he has there immortalized under the 

 figures of the graceful Goddess of Love, of the innocent Psyche, and 

 of the charming Galatea. Scarcely had he entered into the apart- 

 ment where he was to work, than casting his eyes over the prepared 

 wall, he soon perceived the colossal head which Michael Angelo had 

 there sketched ; and this unexpected visit and critique of his rival, 

 so much hurt his feelings, that, notwithstanding the pressing solicita- 

 tions and entreaties of the family of Farnese, and of his patron, and 

 proud Cardinal Bambo, Raffaelle would not complete the painting of 

 that room. 



Buonarroti's wonderful gigantic head is still preserved with great 

 care under a glass ; and it continues to be admired by all the artists 

 and connoisseurs who visit the Farnesina as an extraordinary con- 

 trast of style compared with the beautiful but diminutive pattern of 

 the angelic figures of Raffaelle. 



BACCHANALIAN VERSES. 



OH ! could we but find 

 Such chains as would bind 



The vigorous limbs of old Time, 

 We might talk then with truth 

 Of the blessings of youth, 



And a century pass in our prime. 



But since we now no longer may 

 Look forward to a distant day, 



There's not a moment to be lost, boys. 

 We'll push about the ruddy wine, 

 While song and jest and toast combine 



Of our short span to make the most, boys. 



