ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 



Morosina never recovered from the shock of her 

 child's death. Three years later she followed him to 

 the grave, and was buried under a stately tomb in the 

 church of S. Bartolommeo. Bembo was inconsolable 

 for her loss. 



" What shall I say, my dearest Trifone," he wrote 

 to his old and valued friend, " in answer to your letter 

 on the death of my loved Morosina ? Before it 

 reached me, I had turned for comfort to the Ancients, 

 and tried to read the consoling words which they used 

 at such moments. But this does me little good, for 

 no sooner do I lay down the book, than I remember 

 she is gone, and that I have lost the sweetest soul that 

 ever lived. She loved me far more than herself and 

 was altogether satisfied with my love, despising the 

 gifts and ornaments of jewels and fine clothes which 

 please other women. And this blessed soul was clad 

 in the fairest form, and had the loveliest face that has 

 ever been seen in these lands, or, perhaps, in the present 

 time. It is true, as you say, that I ought to thank 

 God who gave her to me for all these years. I try to 

 do this, but it is impossible in one moment to lay aside 

 the affections which are part of our being, and must 

 remain with us as long as we live. I know how true 

 your sorrow is, and realise how much you loved this 

 fair and noble woman, and how deeply^she on her part 

 loved and honoured you. Farewell." l 



How deeply Bembo felt this bereavement we learn 

 from the touching letter which he wrote to Ramusio, 



1 Lettere, ii. 37. 



158 



