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 volgare, 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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