CHAP. XVII. 1518. IMPROVEMENT in classical literature—JACOPO SADOLETI-Latin writings of BemboGIOVANNI AURELIO AUGURELLI-His Chrysopoiea-Latin writings of SanazzaroHis poem De partu Virginis-GIROLAMA VIDA-His Christiad-His Poetics-GIROLAMO FRACASTORO-His poem entitled Syphilis-ANDREA NAVAGERO-MARCANTONIO FLAMINIO-His writings-Latin poetry cultivated at Rome-GUIDO POSTUMO SILVESTRI GIOVANNI MOZZARELLO-Latin extemporary Poets-RAFFAELLO BRANDOLINI-ANDREA MARONE -CAMILLO QUERNO and others—BARABALLO DI GAETA-GIOVANNI GORIZIO a patron of learning at Rome-The Coryciana -FRANCESCO ARSILLI-His Latin poem de Poetis Urbanis. CHAP. XVII. : XVII. A. D. 1518. A. Et. 43. A. Pont, VI. Improvement in classical li FROM the time of the revival of letters in CHAP. Italy, the poesia volgare, or poetry of the national tongue, had experienced many vicissitudes; having at some periods shone with distinguished lustre, and at others been again obscured by dark and unexpected clouds; but classical learning, and particularly Latin poetry, had made a steady and uniform progress, and in the course of one hundred and fifty years, during which a long succession of eminent scholars had continually improved upon their predecessors, had at length nearly. attained to the highest degree of excellence. The terature. XVII. A. D. 1518. A. Et. 43. CHAP. The pontificate of Leo X. was destined to give a last impulse to these studies; for if there was any department of literature, the profesA. Pont. VI. sors of which he regarded with more partiality and rewarded with greater munificence than those of another, it was undoubtedly that of Latin poetry. Nor had this partiality first manifested itself on his ascending the pontifical throne; whilst he yet held the rank of cardinal, the Italian scholars had been well prepared by his conduct, to judge of the favour and encouragement which they would be likely to experience, if that fortunate event should take place; and we have already seen that in the very commencement of his pontificate, he was saluted by them as the person destined to restore the honours of literature and to revive the glories of the Augustan age.(a) The hopes thus early entertained of the future conduct of the pontiff, had been greatly encouraged by the appointment to the important office of apostolic secretaries, of Bembo and Sadoleti; two men who were distinguished by their proficiency in almost every branch of polite learning, but who had chiefly acquired their (a) v. ante. vol. ii. chap. xi. p. 327. |