ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 
doubt that much fruit will spring from those joyous 
days passed in the shade of the citron-trees which 
he brought from the shores of Benacus.” 1 
Six years later, in April 1526, during Navagero’s 
absence in Spain, Bembo himself visited the villa at 
Murano, and addressed the following letter to his 
generous host: 
“ I have been staying for the last fortnight in your 
own pleasant villa, at the invitation of our Ramusio ” 
—the son-in-law and intimate friend of Messer Andrea 
—“ and have enjoyed myself so much that I am quite 
sorry to go. We have talked of you very often, as 
you may imagine, in the most affectionate terms. I 
rejoice to hear the great and singular renown which 
you have acquired on this your first foreign embassy. 
Every one praises you so much that I can only say, 
‘ Go on as you have begun, and you may be sure that 
the State will be grateful to you, and that you will be 
remembered in days to come, not only as a great and 
illustrious citizen, but as having had no equal among 
the servants of the Republic.’ Keep well and remember 
me to our dear Messer Baldassare Castiglione. From 
your Murano. April 7, 1526.” 2 
In another letter, addressed to Gian Battista Ramusio, 
his dear and too courteous friend, Bembo thanks 
Heaven that Messer Andrea has escaped the perils of the 
sea and reached Spain in safety. 
1 P. Bembo, Epistol. fam., v. 201. 
2 Lettere famigliari di M. Pietro Bembo , ii. 112. 
Il8 
