THE CERTOSA OF FLORENCE 



Petrarch in his retreat at the monastery of S. Sim- 

 pliciano, two miles from the town. This meeting 

 between the Grand Seneschal and the poet, who had 

 so long admired and honoured him, is best described 

 in Petrarch's own letter to Zanobi da Strada : 



" Thy Mecenas has paid a visit to my Augustus, 

 and also, I am proud to say, to me. Without fear of 

 stooping from his high station, twice he entered my 

 library, regardless of the crowd which thronged around 

 him, or the multitude of affairs and inconvenience of 

 the distance, which to say the truth is great. Such 

 were the majesty of his bearing, the courtesy of his 

 manner, the earnestness of the first silence, and the 

 first words, that not only myself, but all the illus- 

 trious personages present, were filled with reverence, 

 and almost moved to tears. He was pleased to 

 examine the books which are my companions, and 

 here we reasoned of many things, but more than all 

 of thee. Nor did he remain a short time, as is the 

 custom of those who pay visits, but stayed so long 

 with me that you would have thought he could hardly 

 tear himself away, and by his presence he gave this 

 poor threshold such splendour that it will certainly 

 be famous for all time ; and all who come to see it, 

 not only Romans and Florentines, but every lover of 

 virtue, will regard it with devout veneration. Of 

 him what more shall I tell you ? All this royal city 

 was moved with joy at his coming, and from that 

 serene brow joy and calm seemed to radiate. Wel- 

 comed by the Duke, beloved by the people, even more 

 dear to me, although I loved him so well before that I 



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