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.” 1 
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 grandissima 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 
