Introduction to Robert Browning [102]
a certain precious little tablet: "The `little tablet' was a famous `Last Supper', mentioned by Vasari, and gone astray long ago from the Church of S. Spirito: it turned up, according to report, in some obscure corner, while I was in Florence, and was at once acquired by a stranger. I saw it, genuine or no, a work of great beauty." -- From Poet's Letter to the Editor. Buonarotti: Michael Angelo (more correctly, Michel Agnolo) Buonarotti, b. 6th of March, 1475, at Castel Caprese, near Florence; d. at Rome, 18th of Feb., 1564. and to whom? -- to whom?: a contemptuous repetition.
31.
I, that have haunted the dim San Spirito, (Or was it rather the Ognissanti?) Patient on altar-step planting a weary toe! Nay, I shall have it yet! Detur amanti! My Koh-i-noor -- or (if that's a platitude) Jewel of Giamschid, the Persian Sofi's eye; So, in anticipative gratitude, What if I take up my hope and prophesy?
-- St. 31. San Spirito: a church of the 14th century, in Florence. Ognissanti: i.e., "All Saints", in Florence. I shall have it yet!: I shall make a happy find yet. Detur amanti!: let it be given to the loving one. Koh-i-noor: "Mountain of Light", a celebrated diamond, "the diamond of the great Mogul", presented to Queen Victoria, in 1850. See Art. on the Diamond, `N. Brit. Rev.' Vol. 18, p. 186, and Art., Diamond, `Encycl. Brit.'; used here, by metonymy, for a great treasure. Jewel of Giamschid: the `Deria-i-noor', or `the Sea of Light', one of the largest of known diamonds, belonging to the king of Persia, is probably referred to. See `N. Brit. Rev.', Vol. 18, p. 217.
32.
When the hour grows ripe, and a certain dotard Is pitched, no parcel that needs invoicing, To the worse side of the Mont St. Gothard, We shall begin by way of rejoicing; None of that shooting the sky (blank cartridge), Nor a civic guard, all plumes and lacquer, Hunting Radetzky's soul like a partridge Over Morello with squib and cracker.
-- St. 32. a certain dotard: Joseph Wenzel Radetzky, b. Nov. 2, 1766, d. Jan. 5, 1858, in his 92d year; governed the Austrian possessions in Italy to Feb. 28, 1857. Morello: Monte Morello, the highest of the spurs of the Apennines, to the north of Florence.
33.
This time we'll shoot better game and bag 'em hot: No mere display at the stone of Dante, But a kind of sober Witanagemot (Ex: "Casa Guidi", `quod videas ante') Shall ponder, once Freedom restored to Florence, How Art may return that departed with her. Go, hated house, go each trace of the Loraine's, And bring us the days of Orgagna hither!
-- St. 33. the stone of Dante: see `Casa Guidi Windows', Pt. I, Sect. XIV., XV. Witanagemot: A. S. `witena gemo^t': an assembly of wise men, a parliament. Casa Guidi: Mrs. Browning's `Casa Guidi Windows', a poem named from the house in Florence in which she lived, and giving her impressions of events in Tuscany at the time. the Loraine's: the "hated house" included the Cardinals of Guise, or Lorraine, and the Dukes of Guise, a younger branch of the house of Lorraine. Orgagna: Andrea di Cione (surnamed Orcagna, or Arcagnolo, approximate dates of b. and d. 1315-1376), one of the most noted successors of Giotto, and allied to him in genius; though he owed much to Giotto, he showed great independence of spirit in his style.
34.
How we shall prologuize, how we shall perorate, Utter fit things upon art and history, Feel truth at blood-heat and falsehood at zero rate, Make of the want of the age no mystery; Contrast the fructuous and sterile eras, Show -- monarchy ever its uncouth cub licks Out of the bear's shape into Chimaera's, While Pure Art's birth is still the republic's!
35.
Then one shall propose in a speech (curt Tuscan, Expurgate and sober, with scarcely an "issimo"), To end now our half-told tale of Cambuscan, And turn the bell-tower's ALT to ALTISSIMO; And, fine as the beak of a young beccaccia, The Campanile, the Duomo's fit ally, Shall soar up in gold full fifty braccia, Completing Florence, as Florence, Italy.
31.
I, that have haunted the dim San Spirito, (Or was it rather the Ognissanti?) Patient on altar-step planting a weary toe! Nay, I shall have it yet! Detur amanti! My Koh-i-noor -- or (if that's a platitude) Jewel of Giamschid, the Persian Sofi's eye; So, in anticipative gratitude, What if I take up my hope and prophesy?
-- St. 31. San Spirito: a church of the 14th century, in Florence. Ognissanti: i.e., "All Saints", in Florence. I shall have it yet!: I shall make a happy find yet. Detur amanti!: let it be given to the loving one. Koh-i-noor: "Mountain of Light", a celebrated diamond, "the diamond of the great Mogul", presented to Queen Victoria, in 1850. See Art. on the Diamond, `N. Brit. Rev.' Vol. 18, p. 186, and Art., Diamond, `Encycl. Brit.'; used here, by metonymy, for a great treasure. Jewel of Giamschid: the `Deria-i-noor', or `the Sea of Light', one of the largest of known diamonds, belonging to the king of Persia, is probably referred to. See `N. Brit. Rev.', Vol. 18, p. 217.
32.
When the hour grows ripe, and a certain dotard Is pitched, no parcel that needs invoicing, To the worse side of the Mont St. Gothard, We shall begin by way of rejoicing; None of that shooting the sky (blank cartridge), Nor a civic guard, all plumes and lacquer, Hunting Radetzky's soul like a partridge Over Morello with squib and cracker.
-- St. 32. a certain dotard: Joseph Wenzel Radetzky, b. Nov. 2, 1766, d. Jan. 5, 1858, in his 92d year; governed the Austrian possessions in Italy to Feb. 28, 1857. Morello: Monte Morello, the highest of the spurs of the Apennines, to the north of Florence.
33.
This time we'll shoot better game and bag 'em hot: No mere display at the stone of Dante, But a kind of sober Witanagemot (Ex: "Casa Guidi", `quod videas ante') Shall ponder, once Freedom restored to Florence, How Art may return that departed with her. Go, hated house, go each trace of the Loraine's, And bring us the days of Orgagna hither!
-- St. 33. the stone of Dante: see `Casa Guidi Windows', Pt. I, Sect. XIV., XV. Witanagemot: A. S. `witena gemo^t': an assembly of wise men, a parliament. Casa Guidi: Mrs. Browning's `Casa Guidi Windows', a poem named from the house in Florence in which she lived, and giving her impressions of events in Tuscany at the time. the Loraine's: the "hated house" included the Cardinals of Guise, or Lorraine, and the Dukes of Guise, a younger branch of the house of Lorraine. Orgagna: Andrea di Cione (surnamed Orcagna, or Arcagnolo, approximate dates of b. and d. 1315-1376), one of the most noted successors of Giotto, and allied to him in genius; though he owed much to Giotto, he showed great independence of spirit in his style.
34.
How we shall prologuize, how we shall perorate, Utter fit things upon art and history, Feel truth at blood-heat and falsehood at zero rate, Make of the want of the age no mystery; Contrast the fructuous and sterile eras, Show -- monarchy ever its uncouth cub licks Out of the bear's shape into Chimaera's, While Pure Art's birth is still the republic's!
35.
Then one shall propose in a speech (curt Tuscan, Expurgate and sober, with scarcely an "issimo"), To end now our half-told tale of Cambuscan, And turn the bell-tower's ALT to ALTISSIMO; And, fine as the beak of a young beccaccia, The Campanile, the Duomo's fit ally, Shall soar up in gold full fifty braccia, Completing Florence, as Florence, Italy.