ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 



The great reputation which Bembo had acquired as 

 a poet and scholar, his vast knowledge of classical 

 literature and the mastery with which he wrote both 

 in Latin and in the lingua votgare, attracted all the men 

 of letters who came to study at Padua. One summer 

 day the venerable Professor Leonico rode out to the 

 Villa with a distinguished company, which included 

 young Ermes Stampa, the Duke of Milan's intimate 

 friend, and Reginald Pole "Monsignore d'Inghilterra " 

 as he was called who, besides being near of kin to the 

 King of England, was said to be the most virtuous and 

 learned youth at the University. These illustrious 

 guests spent an enjoyable afternoon studying Bembo's 

 priceless Codices and discussing the latest poems of 

 Petrarch which he had discovered, and lingered on 

 the pleasant lawn among the roses and honeysuckle, 

 until the last glow of the setting sun had died away. 

 This was a red-letter day in Bembo's calendar. 



There were others, too, which lived long in his 

 memory. One morning, news reached the Villa that 

 Gaspare Contarini was coming to Padua on his way 

 to Rome; so Bembo hastened to send horses for the 

 Ambassador's use, and placed both his houses at the 

 disposal of this august visitor. Another day his dear 

 friend Trifone would come over from Ronchi with 

 Vettore Soranzo, the young Papal Chamberlain, bring- 

 ing their latest sonnets and canzoni for Messer Pietro's 

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