Can equal this!---What carnage shall be spread!
In every part what baneful venom shed!
Whate'er the sculpture shows his rage exceeds;
Unutterable and detested deeds!

Long shall the groaning world for mercy sue

315

When these, whose names are read, these chosen few, Whose fame must shine like Phoebus' beams display'd,

At utmost need shall bring their glorious aid.
Not one shall more the cruel beast appall,

Than Francis, whom the Franks their sovereign call. 320
He first of men !--with-happy omens led,

The crown scarce settled on his youthful head,
Shall cross th' opposing Alps, and render vain
Whate'er against him would the pass maintain;
Impell'd by generous wrath t' avenge the shame 325
Which from the rustic folds and sheep-cotes came,
With sudden inroad, on the Gallic name.
To Lombardy's rich fields he then descends,
The flower of Gallia on his march attends.
Th' Helvetian power he routs, as never more
To raise its pride to what it rose before:

330

of the earth after the deluge. He was killed by the darts of Apollo ; in commemoration of which event were instituted the Tythian games.

Ver. 320. Than Francis,--] The poet, in this allegory, celebrates the liberality of the most magnanimous king Francis I. the successor of Lewis XII. who, for the unbounded generosity of his dispositior, may not only be said to have deeply wounded, but in a manner destroyed, the monster Avarice. He was a munificent patron of art and genius.

Ver. 326. Which from the rustic folds and sheep-cotes came--] The poet means the Switzers, who, at that time followed no employment in their own country but that of shepherds and herdsmen.

Then to the church's scandal, to the stain
Of either camp, of Florence and of Spain,
He storms the castle, which till then was held,
Through strength of bulwark, never to be quell'd.
Where'er he wields his weapon, prostrate lies
Each hostile standard, or before him flies:
Nor fosse nor rampart can his force oppose,
And strongest walls in vain the town enclose.
This glorious chief shall every gift possess
By Heaven decreed the happiest prince to bless :
As Cæsar brave; his prudence far renown'd,
As his at Thrasymene and Trebia found:
Him Alexander's fortune shall attend :
On every deed in vain our toil we bend,
Unless good fortune our designs befriend.
Thus Malagigi spoke, and new desire
In every knight was kindled to inquire

334

340

345

The names of other chiefs, whose arms could quell
The dreadful beast by whom such numbers fell.
There, midst the first, was read Bernardo's name,
Whom Merlin's sculpture chronicled to fame :

350

Ver. 335.

Where'er he wields, &c.] IIe means the emperor Charles V. whom he compares to C sar for his valour, to Fabius Maximus for his prudence, and to Alexander the Great for his

success.

Ver. 351.

Bernardo's name, ] This Bernardo was surnamed Divitio, though he was generally called Bibiena, from the town of that name near Florence, where he resided. He attached himself to the fortune of Giovanni di Medici, afterwards Leo, and was by him created cardinal of Santa Maria, in Portico. He wrote the comedy called Callandra, and caused it to be represented at Rome by the young nobility, in honour of Isabella duchess of Mantua. He died at no advanced age, having conceived hopes of obtaining the popedom on the decease of Leo.

By him shall Bibiena gain renown,

With neighbouring Florence, and Sienna's town.

From one of these brave Guidobaldo sprung,
Pursues his sire, with love of glory stung:
With Ottobon there Sinabaldo drives

The raging beast, and each for conquest strives.

Ver. 355,6.---Giovanni -- Ghismond --- Ludovico---] Three cardinals, Giovanni Salviati, one of the most ancient and illustrious families of Florence; a man of profound learning and virtue. Ghismondo Gonzaga, created cardinal by Julius II. The third was Ludovico of Arragon, likewise a cardinal.

Ver. 357. Francisco see, ] Francisco Gonzaga, second of the name, and fourth marquis of Mantua: he succeeded to the possessions of his father Frederic at eighteen years of age, and fought against Charles VIII. of France; he was a general of consummate skill and intrepidity, and Charles, enamoured of his worth, in vain endeavoured to corrupt his faith, and detach him from the Venetians.

Fornari.

Ver. 358. Frederico-] Frederico Gonzaga, son of Francisco, after the death of his father, was by Leo X. made captain general of the Roman church, and of the republic of Florence. He was magnificent, liberal, just, and a great patron of virtue and learning. Fornari.

Ver. 360. Ferrara's there, and here Urbino's duke:] Alphonso of Este, and Francisco Maria delle Rovere.

Ver. 361. ----- Guidobaldo ---] Guidobaldo the second, afterwards duke of Urbino, son of Francesco Maria.

Ver. 363. -Ottobon---Sinabaldo---] Of these names were two noble youths, brothers of the family of Flischi at Genoa. Qttobon was an ecclesiastic. These retired into voluntary exile, that they might not, by a private enmity which they had incurred, draw a war

365

Lewis of Gazalo, with speeding art,

Warms in the monster's neck the feather'd dart:
Ilis dart and bow had Phoebus' gift supply'd,
When Mars the falchion girded to his side.
See two Hippolitos of Este's breed;
Two Hercules, and next of kindred seed
Another Hercules, and near him shine
A third Hippolito: this last the line
Of Medicis: the first Gonzaga's race:

All these with equal warmth the monster chase.

370

name.

upon their country. There were likewise two pontiffs of the same One was Innocent IV. Arst called Sinal-aldo of Genoa, of the family of the Flischi. He ordered the cardinals to wear a red hat, and was a liberal and munificent ponuff. The other, Adrian IV. before called Ottobon, nephew of pope Innocent IV. of the same family and country, created cardinal by his uncle. He was a man of great ability and application, but lived only forty days after he came to the papal chair.

Fornari.

Ver. 365. Lewis of Gazalo---] Luigi Gonzaga, surnamed Rodomont for his valour, was the son of Ludovico Gonzaga, and called Gazalo from a castle which he held. This person is further spoken of in the succeeding notes.

Ver. 369. two Hippolitos---] One, to whom the poet dedicates his book; the other, son of Alphonso duke of Ferrara, likewise a cardinal.

Fornari.

Ver. 370. Two Hercules,--] Hercules, the father of Alphonso duke of Ferrara, and his son afterwards duke of Ferrara.

Fornari.

Ver. 371,2. Another Hercules---a third IIippolito---] Hercules Gonzaga, cardinal of Mantua: Hippolito of the honoured family of Medicis, cardinal of St. Lovenza. He died by poison, much lamented for his many virtues.

Fornari.

Not Julian's son above his sire prevails,
Nor in his brother's steps Ferrantes fails:
Unconquer'd Dorea shows an equal mind:
By none Francisco Sforza left behind.

See two appear, whose blood illustrious flows
From noblo Avolo, whose banner shows

375

380

The rock which whelm'd beneath Typhoeus bore,
Typhoeus fell with serpents cover'd o'er.

Scarce one so prompt as these in noble deed,
Scarce one so prompt to make the monster bleed.

Ver. 375. Not Julian's son---] The brother of Lorenzo of Medicis was called Julian, and lost his life in a popular insurrection; but bis death was afterwards severely revenged by the Florentines. His son was Pope Clement VII. born a few days after his father's death.

Fornari.

Ver. 376. -----Ferrantes---] Ferrantes Gonzaga, brother to the duke of Mantua, at one time viceroy of the island of Sicily, and afterwards lieutenant of the duchy of Milan, and general of the army for the emperor.

Fornari.

Ver. 377. Unconquer'd Dorea---] See Book xv. note to ver. 218, where his character is displayed at large.

Ver. 378. ---Francisco Sforza-] He means the second Francisco Sforza, son of Ludovico il Moro, who, having married the daughter of Christiern king of Datia, and sister to Charles V. obtained the duchy of Milan.

Fornari.

Ver. 379.two appear, whose blood illustrious flows

From noble Avolo --] This noble family of the Avoli came from Spain, well known at Toledo, and of great repute and

antiquity.

Fornari.