ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 



murmuring rills over the whole garden. Here the 

 fair maid Berenice paused. ' Madonna/ said her 

 cavalier Gismondo, * shall we rest awhile ? We could 

 hardly find a more delicious spot, for here the grass is 

 greener and the flowers are gayer than anywhere else. 

 The trees will shelter us from the sun, and the murmur 

 of the running waters and the romantic charm of these 

 shades will dispose each of you to talk of what you 

 like best, while we will gladly listen.' So the three 

 youths and three maidens sat down in a circle on the 

 lawn, on the banks of the stream flowing from the 

 fountain in the laurel grove, and sang love songs and 

 recited verses. And Berenice told the old tale of Dido, 

 and Gismondo sang the praise of Love, saying, that as 

 in spring the air is full of light and song, and woods and 

 valleys, mountains and rivers all laugh for joy, so when 

 Love takes hold of the heart our looks and thoughts 

 are full of rapture, and the whole being of man 

 rejoices. So the day wore on in light and happy 

 converse until the trumpet gave the signal for renewed 

 feasting and dancing, and youths and maidens rose, not 

 without a sigh, to return to the palace." l 



Another famous villa in this same district of Asolo, 

 " on the borders of La Magna," was that of Messer 

 Alvise Priuli at Treville. This ricca e grandlssima casa, 

 worthy as Bembo wrote, of the noble owner, was built 

 by Palladio, and adorned with frescoes by the Tuscan 

 master, Francesco Salviati. The interior was furnished 

 in the richest style, the polished marble floors shone 



1 Gli Asolani, 6-8. 

 128 



