ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 



graceful courtesy would lend lustre to the most 

 splendid banquet. Several other remarkable men 

 were present on this occasion Messer Pietro Aretino, 

 that miracle of nature ; Jacopo Tatti, called Sansovino, 

 who is as renowned a sculptor as our host is a painter ; 

 and Messer Jacopo Nardi. The heat of the sun was 

 still great, although the garden is shady, so, while 

 the tables were being carried out and supper laid, we 

 spent our time in looking at the admirable paintings 

 which adorn the house, and in enjoying the rare beauty 

 and delights of the garden, which lies on the sea-shore 

 at the far end of Venice, looking towards the lovely 

 island of Murano and other fair places. As the sun 

 went down, the lagoon swarmed with gondolas full of 

 beautiful women, and the sweet sounds of musical 

 instruments and singing floated over the water and 

 charmed our ears as we sat at our delightful supper 

 till midnight. The garden is beautifully laid out, and 

 excites universal admiration. The supper also was 

 most excellent, rich in choice viands and rare wines. 

 In short, nothing was lacking which could heighten 

 the charm of the summer, evening and the pleasure 

 of the company. The fruit had just been placed on 

 the table when your letter came, and Aretino's wrath 

 was excited by your assertion of the superior excellence 

 of the Latin tongue. He called for ink and paper, 

 and was with difficulty restrained from committing his 

 fierce invectives to writing. And so the supper ended, 

 as gaily as it began ! " l 



The garden in which Titian gave these joyous 

 supper-parties has been built over, and the noble tree 

 1 Priscianese, Delia lingua romana, Ticozzi Dizionario^ iv. 79. 

 112 



