XVI.

CHAP. Bentivolio, who was nearly his contemporary, and which are written on a similar model, we shall be compelled to acknowledge that neither

A. D. 1518.

A. Et. 43.

A. Pont. VI.. these, nor the singular productions of Berni, Bini, Mauro, and their associates, have in any degree been rivalled in subsequent times. Nor have the later writers of blank verse, among whom may be enumerated Annibale Caro, Marchetti, and Salvini, greatly improved upon the correct and graceful example displayed in the writings of Rucellai, Alamanni, the cardinal Ippolito de' Medici, and frequently in those of Trissino.

The Itali an drama,

With respect to the drama, much, however, remained to be done. Neither the Sofonisba of Trissino, nor the Rosmunda or Oreste of Rucellai, although highly to be commended when compared with the works which preceded them, and when considered, with relation to the times in which they were produced, can be regarded as perfect models of tragedy, adapted to theatrical representation. It must also be observed that the efforts of the cardinal da Bibbiena, and even of Ariosto, to introduce a better style of comic writing, are rather scholastic attempts to imitate the ancient writers, than examples of that true cor medy which represents by living portraits the follies,

age.

follies, the vices, and the manners of the
It is only in later times that the dramatic
works of Maffei, of Metastasio, of Alfieri,
and of Monti, have effectually removed from
their country the reproach of having been in-
ferior in this great department of letters to the
rest of Europe. In comedy, the Italians have
been yet more negligent; for between the dry
and insipid performances of the early writers,
and the extravagant, low, and burlesque ex-
hibitions of Goldoni, Chiari, and similar au-
thors of modern comedy, lies a spacious field,
in which the genius of a Moliere, a Gold-
smith, or a Sheridan, would not fail to disco-
ver innumerable objects of pursuit and of

amusement,

CHAP.

XVI.

A. D. 1518.

A. Et. 43.

A. Pont. VI.

CHAP. XVII.

1518.

IMPROVEMENT in classical literature-JA

COPO SADOLETI-Latin writings of BemboGIOVANNI AURELIO AUGURELLI-His Chrysopoiea-Latin writings of Sanazzaro— His 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.