THE CERTOSA OF FLORENCE 
Petrarch in his retreat at the monastery of S. Sim- 
pliciano, two miles from the town. This meeting 
between the Grand Seneschal and the poet, who had 
so long admired and honoured him, is best described 
in Petrarch’s own letter to Zanobi da Strada : 
“ Thy Mecenas has paid a visit to my Augustus, 
and also, I am proud to say, to me. Without fear of 
stooping from his high station, twice he entered my 
library, regardless of the crowd which thronged around 
him, or the multitude of affairs and inconvenience of 
the distance, which to say the truth is great. Such 
were the majesty of his bearing, the courtesy of his 
manner, the earnestness of the first silence, and the 
first words, that not only myself, but all the illus¬ 
trious personages present, were filled with reverence, 
and almost moved to tears. He was pleased to 
examine the books which are my companions, and 
here we reasoned of many things, but more than all 
of thee. Nor did he remain a short time, as is the 
custom of those who pay visits, but stayed so long 
with me that you would have thought he could hardly 
tear himself away, and by his presence he gave this 
poor threshold such splendour that it will certainly 
be famous for all time ; and all who come to see it, 
not only Romans and Florentines, but every lover of 
virtue, will regard it with devout veneration. Of 
him what more shall I tell you ? All this royal city 
was moved with joy at his coming, and from that 
serene brow joy and calm seemed to radiate. Wel¬ 
comed by the Duke, beloved by the people, even more 
dear to me, although I loved him so well before that I 
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