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very reason I made use of his own proper words, but only so far as was necessary for my purpose. If these poor wretches could conceive the difference between an imitation and an absolute plagiarism, they would not hold such idle and extravagant language as they now do. But my comfort is in the words of Cicero, "Vera laus fit à laudato viro." Conceive, therefore, my dear and excellent friend, if these idle chatterings can give me uneasiness for a single moment. It is a matter of real concern to me to learn from your letter that our worthy and admirable friend Messer Bernardo is tormented with his old complaint. So excellent a man ought not, if such were the will of Heaven, to suffer any grievance whatever. Remember me kindly to him, and assure him of the pain I feel on his account. beg you also to make an apology on my part to the Reverend Cardinal John, your brother, for not having endeavoured to find the book he pointed out to me. The reason for the omission was this: in the very short time I passed with the Most Serene King Robert, I was never for a single moment my own master; and when I proposed returning to Rome, I had not sufficient time left to take leave of any of my friends. Be so good, in my name, most respectfully to salute your excellent and honoured father, Messer Stephen Colonna, and continue, as usual, to exhilarate your old friend Francis with your delightful letters. Farewell.

Naples, 8th Calends of April, 1341.

From inclination as well as duty,

Your most devoted Friend,

FRANCIS PETRARCA.

I

A LETTER OF DANTE'S

From the Original

IN THE LAURENTIAN LIBRARY

AT FLORENCE

PLUTEUM XXIX. CODEX VIII. FOL. 123.

ecce

IN licteris vestris et reverentia debita et affectione receptis, quam repatriatio mea cure sit vobis ex animo, grata mente ac diligenti animaversione concepi. etenim tanto me districtius obligastis, quanto rarius exules invenire amicos contingit. ad illam vero significata respondeo, et si non eatenus qualiter forsam pusillanimitas appeteret aliquorum, ut sub examine vestri consilii sit ante judicium, affectuose deposco. igitur quod per licteras vestri meique nepotis necnon aliorum quamplurimum amicorum significatum est mihi per ordinamentum nuper factum florentie (sic) super absolutione bannitorum, quod si solvere vellem certam pecunie (sic) quantitatem vellemque pati notam oblationis et absolvi possem et redire at presens (sic). in quo quidem duo ridenda et male perconsiliata sunt. Pater, dico male perconsiliata per illos qui talia expresserunt. nam vestre litere (sic) discretius et consultius clausulate nicil de talibus continebant. estne ista revocatio gloriosa qua d. all. (i. e. Dantes Aligherius) revocatur ad patriam per trilustrium fere perpessus exilium? hecne (sic) meruit conscientia manifesta quibuslibet? hec sudor et labor continuatus in studiis? absit a viro philosophie (sic) domestico temeraria terreni

cordis humilitas, ut more cujusdam cioli et aliorum, infamia quasi vinctus ipse se patiatur offerri. absit a viro predicante justitiam, ut purpessus injuriam inferentibus, velut benemerentibus, pecuniam suam solvat. non est hec (sic) via redeundi ad patriam, pater mi, sed si alia per vos, aut deinde per alios invenietur que fame (sic) d. (Dantis) que onori non deroget, illam non lentis passibus acceptabo. quod si per nullam talem florentia introitur, nunquam florentiam introibo. quidni? nonne solis astrorumque specula ubique conspiciam ? nonne dulcissimas veritates potero speculari ubique sub celo (sic) ni prius inglorium, imo ignominiosum populo, florentineque civitati me reddam? quippe panis non deficiet.

A TRANSLATION OF THIS LETTER IS INSERTED IN THE

PARALLEL, SECT. XVI.

APPENDIX VII.

TRANSLATIONS

FROM PETRARCH,

BY

BARBARINA LADY DACRE.

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