THE
CABINET OF BIOGRAPHY.
CONDUCTED BY THE
REV. DIONYSIUS LARDNER, LL.D. F.R.S. L. & E.
M.R.I.A. F.R.A.S. F.L.S. F.Z.S. Hon. F.C.P.S. &c. &c.
ASSISTED BY
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.
EMINENT
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND JOHN TAYLOR,
UPPER GOWER STREET.
1837.
CONTENTS
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE THIRD VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[INTRODUCTION]
[MOSEN JORDI]
[THE CANCIONEROS]
[ALPHONSO X. AND HIS COURT]
[ALPHONSO XI. AND HIS COURT]
[JUAN DE MENA]
[JUAN DE ENZINA]
[BOSCAN]
[GARCILASO DE LA VEGA]
[DIEGO HURTADO DE MENDOZA]
[LUIS DE LEON]
[HERRERA]
[SAA DE MIRANDA]
[JORGE DE MONTEMAYOR]
[CASTILLEJO]
[THE EARLY DRAMATISTS]
[ERCILLA]
[CERVANTES]
[LOPE DE VEGA]
[VICENTE ESPINEL—ESTEBAN DE VILLEGAS]
[GONGORA]
[QUEVEDO]
[CALDERON]
[EARLY POETS OF PORTUGAL]
[RIBEYRA]
[SAA DE MIRANDA]
[GIL VICENTE]
[FERREIRA]
[CAMOENS]
[INDEX]
[TABLE,
ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL,
TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF]
LIVES OF
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.
DANTE ALEGHIERI.
A. D.
PAGE
His Descent
His Birth
1265.
His Mother's Dream
Brunetto Latini
Story of his early Love for Beatrice
Her Death
1290.
"Vita Nuova"
Uncertain Traditions concerning the early Part of Dante's Life
His Marriage with Madonna Gemma
The Guelfs and Ghibelines
The Battle of Campaldino
1289.
Dante serves in the Cavalry
Extract from his Inferno, Canto XXII., giving an Account, of
this Conflict
He again takes the Field at the Siege of Caprona
Extract from the Inferno, Canto XXI.
He is chosen chief Prior of his native City
Origin of the Schism between the Bianchi and the Neri
The Cerchi and the Donati
Banishment of the principal Instigators of the Neri and the
Bianchi
Dante suspected of favouring the Bianchi Party
He vindicates himself
Entrance of Charles into Florence
The Recal of the Neri
Six Hundred of the Bianchi driven into Exile
Embassy of Dante to Rome
Boccaccio accuses him of Self-confidence and Disparagement of
others
Confiscation of Dante's Property
His Banishment
He joins the Confederates of the Bianchi at Arezzo
Their unfortunate Expedition against Florence
Pietro Petracco
Dante quits the Confederacy
His personal Humiliation
Extract from his "Purgatorio"
Henry of Luxembourg raised to the Throne of Germany
1308.
Dante professes himself a Ghibeline
Henry of Luxembourg poisoned
1313.
Dante dedicates his "De Monarchia"
He wanders from one petty Court to another
Busone da Gubbio affords him shelter at Arezzo
Anecdote of him while at Verona
Guido Novello da Polenta, Lord of Ravenna
Mental Sufferings of Dante
His Letter to a Friend who had obtained Leave for him to
return to his Country
Extracts from his "Paradiso"
His Residence at Ravenna
His Death
1321.
A Copy of his "Divina Commedia" embellished by Michael
Angelo
Dante—his Tomb at Ravenna
Restoration of his Property to his Family
The "De Monarchia" publicly burnt at Rome, by Order of the
Pope
Description of Dante by Boccaccio
Musical Talents of Dante
Extract from his "Purgatorio"
His two Sons the first Commentators
Lyrics of Dante
Origin of the "Divina Commedia"
Observations on the Title of the "Divina Commedia"
Extracts from the "Inferno"
Strictures on it
And on the "Inferno"
PETRARCH.
His Progenitors
1302.
Banishment from Florence
Petrarch and his Mother return from Banishment
1305.
They remove to Pisa
1312.
They proceed to Avignon
They quit this for Carpentras, where Petrarch becomes
acquainted with Settimo
1315.
He enters the University of Montpelier
1319.
His Father destines him for the Law
His Aversion to it
He goes to Bologna
1323.
His Recal to France, on the Death of his Father; he
abandons the Law
He resides with his Brother at Avignon; he becomes a
Favourite with the Nobles
His Person
His Friendship for John of Florence
Giacomo Colonna; his illustrious Descent
His Friendship for Petrarch
Character of Petrarch
(April 6th.) His Acquaintance with Laura
1327.
His Devotion to her
His poetic Life commences
His Patriotism
Giacomo Colonna made Bishop of Lombes; Petrarch
accompanies him to his Bishoprick
1330.
His Friendship for Lello and Louis
He makes the Tour of France, Flanders, and Brabant
1331.
He meets with a Disappointment at Lyons
His Arrival at Rome
(August 6th.) He returns to Avignon
His Excursion to Mont Ventoux
His Letter to Father Dionisio Robertis
His Retirement to the Valley of Vaucluse
A Description of it
Version of one of Petrarch's Canzoni, by Lady Dacre
Criticisms on Petrarch's Italian Poetry
Philip de Cabassoles, Bishop of Cavaillon, becomes the Intimate
of Petrarch
Letter of Petrarch to Giacomo Colonna
Petrarch receives Letters from Rome and Paris, inviting him
to accept the Crown of Poetry; he accepts the former
1340.
His Reception at the Court of King Robert of Naples
1341.
(April 17th.) His Coronation
He leaves Rome and arrives at Parma
He meets Azzo Correggio
Death of Giacomo Colonna
Early Death of Thomas of Messina
Petrarch's Grief for the Loss of these Friends
He and Rienzi sent on an Embassy to Rome, on the Accession
of Pope Clement VI.
He meets Laura at Avignon
His Confidants
Death of Robert, King of Naples
1343.
He is succeeded by his Daughter Giovanna
Mission of Petrarch to Queen Giovanna
Nicola di Rienzi seizes upon the Government of Rome, and
assumes the Name of Tribune
1345.
Change produced by him in the State of the Country
Petrarch offered a Bishoprick, which he refuses
He leaves Avignon, and repairs to Parma
1347.
Downfal of Rienzi
The Plague in Italy
1348.
(January 25th.) An Earthquake
(April 6th.) Death of Laura
Petrarch's Account of it
He visits Rome on Occasion of the Jubilee
1350.
Assassination of Giacomo da Carrara, Lord of Padua
Restitution of Petrarch's paternal Property
1351.
Arrival of Petrarch at Avignon
His Letter to Pope Clement VI. on the Choice of a Physician
He revisits Vaucluse
Death of Pope Clement VI.
1352.
Petrarch visits the Carthusian Convent
His Treatise "On Solitary Life"
He crosses the Alps, and visits Milan
1353.
Is invited by Charles, Emperor of Germany, to visit Mantua
1354.
He exhorts Charles to deliver Italy
Petrarch at Milan
1355.
He is sent on two Missions—one to Venice, the other to Prague
Invasion of France by the English
1360.
Petrarch sent to congratulate King John on his Return from
Imprisonment
He returns to Italy
His Letter to Settimo
Italy again visited by the Plague
1361.
Death of Petrarch's Son
Marriage of Francesco, Daughter of Petrarch
The Poetry of Dante and Petrarch compared
"The Triumph of Death"
Petrarch's Description of Laura's Death
Boccaccio, his Attachment for Petrarch
1363.
Leonzio Pilato's Death
Petrarch's Letter to Pope Urban V.
1367.
His Reply
Petrarch suffers from Fever
1369.
(January.) His Letter to a Friend who had asked him, "how
he was"
1372.
His Opinion of the Decameron of Boccaccio
1374.
His Death
His Will
BOCACCIO.
Origin of his Family
His Birth
1313.
He enters on the Study of the Canonical Law
1329.
His Dislike for this Study
1333.
He goes to Naples
He visits the Tomb of Virgil
1338.
A Description of it
Boccaccio—his Admiration of it
Another Circumstance occurs which confirms his Predilection
for Literature
1341.
Commencement of his Attachment for Lady Mary
Some Account of her
Her Person
His first Book, "Filocopo"
The Story of it
His Style
His Recal to Florence on the Death of his Father
1342.
His "Ameto"
He returns to Naples
1344.
Death of King Robert
Queen Jane and her Court
"Filostrato," of Boccaccio
His "Amorosa Fiammetta" and "Amorosa Visione"
He writes "The Decameron"
1348.
The Preface
Description of the Plague in Florence
Critique on the "Decameron"
Burning of the "Decameron"
1497.
The "Ventisettana" and "Delphin" edition of the
"Decameron" published
1527.
Return of Boccaccio to Florence
1350.
His various Embassies
He visits Petrarch at Padua
1351.
He is sent to Bohemia to Louis of Bavaria
Again sent on a Mission to Avignon
1354.
His violent Party Feelings
His Letter to Petrarch
Petrarch's Answer
Boccaccio—his enthusiastic Love for the Study of the Ancients
His celebrated Copy of Dante
He visits Petrarch at Milan
Moral Change in him
A singular Circumstance occurs which achieves this moral Work
1361.
He communicates this Circumstance to Petrarch
Petrarch's Letter in Answer
Power and Influence of Acciajuolo, Seneschal of Naples
1363.
He invites Boccaccio to his Palace
His unworthy Treatment of Boccaccio
He removes from his Palace in consequence
He returns to Florence
His Residence at Certaldo
His Work, "De Casibus Virorum et Færainarum Illustrium"
His Embassy to Pope Urban V.
1355.
He projects a Visit to Venice
His Letter to Petrarch, whom he missed seeing
His Visit to Niccolo di Montefalcone, Abbot of the Carthusian
Monastery of San Stefano, in Calabria
1370.
He visits Naples
1372.
He returns to his Retreat at Certaldo
1373.
His Work on "The Genealogy of the Gods"
The Professorship for the Public Explanation of the "Divina
Commedie" conferred on him
Petrarch's Death
1374.
Grief of Boccaccio
(December 21st.) Death of Boccaccio
1375.
LORENZO DE' MEDICI.
Ficino, Pico Della Mirandola, Politian, the Pulci, &c.
Platonic Doctrines in Italy
1438.
Gemisthus Pletho
The Medicean Library founded by Cosmo
His Death
1464.
Lorenzo de' Medici succeeds to his Father's Wealth and Influence
The Pazzi Conspiracy
1478.
Pope Sixtus VI. leagues all Italy against Florence
1479.
Lorenzo de' Medici—his Firmness and Talents
1480.
He induces the King of Naples to conclude a Treaty with
Florence
A Yearly Anniversary of Plato's Death instituted
Lorenzo de' Medici—his Commentary on his first Sonnet
Extract of a Translation of one of his Sonnets
His "Nencia da Barbarino"
And another, "Canzoni Carnaleschi"
His descriptive Poems
His Death
1492.
MARSIGLIO FICINO.
His Birth
1433.
He is adopted by Lorenzo de' Medici
His "Platonic Institutions"
His "Treatise on the Origin of the World"
He assumes the Clerical Profession
1468.
He obtains the Cure of two Churches and Cathedral of Florence
1475.
(October 1st.) His Death
1499.
GIOVANNI PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA.
His Birth
1463.
His Parentage
He visits Rome
His 900 Propositions published
His Persecution and Death
1494.
ANGELO POLIZIANO.
(July 24th.) His Birth
1454.
In Florence, he attracts the Attention of Lorenzo de' Medici
He engages him as Tutor to his Children
He obtains the Professorship of Greek and Latin in the
University of Florence
His Letter to Jacopo Antiquario
1492.
Disasters which befell the Medici
Politian's Monody on Lorenzo
(September 24th.) Politian.—His Death
1494.
BERNARDO PULCI.
His Origin
His Works
LUCA FULCI.
His Works
LUIGI PULCI.
Author of the "Morgante Maggiore"
Critique on "Morgante Maggiore"
The Family of the Heroes of Romance
Extract from the "Morgante Maggiore"
The Subject of the Poem
CIECO DA FERRARA.
Author of "Mambriano"
1509.
BURCHIELLO.
His Death
1448.
BOJARDO.
Matteo Maria Bojardo; his Ancestors
His Birth
1434.
His Parents
His Education
He is sent out as one of the Noblemen to welcome Frederic III.
to Ferrara
1469.
Borso, Marquess of Ferrara, created Duke
1471.
Bojardo accompanies him to Rome on his Investiture
Marriage of Bojardo to Taddea
1472.
Bojardo selected by the Duke of Ercole to escort his Wife to
Ferrara
1473.
He is made Governor of Reggio
1478.
His Death
1494.
His Lyrical Poetry
His Classical Works
An Extract from his "Orlando Innamorato"
BERNI.
Francesco Berni
His Birth
His early Life
The Vignaiuoli established at Rome by Oberto Strozzi
Rome plundered by the Colonna
1526.
(July 26th.) Death of Berni
1536.
Publication of his "Rifacimento"
Alterations made by Berni in "Orlando Innamorato"
His introductory Stanzas which he appended to each Canto
His Person and Disposition
An Extract as a Specimen of his Humour
Bernese Poetry
ARIOSTO.
(September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth
1474.
His Lineage
His early Studies
Latin the universal Language of Writers
The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languages
into modern Tongues
Death of Ariosto's Father
His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence
His filial and paternal Affection
His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso
His Sisters
A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother
His Bagatelles
He composes his "Orlando Furioso"
His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it in
Latin
The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of the
Vatican
Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion
Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians
The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna
The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on the
River Po
Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion
His second Embassy to Rome
His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff
Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacable
Julius
And the perfidious Treatment he receives
The singular Manner in which he retaliates
The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso"
1515.
Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it
The last Edition
1532.
Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishopric
Their consequent Estrangement
A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whom
they both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnatural
Conduct of the Cardinal
Independence of Ariosto
Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of a
Poet
Letter of Ariosto to his Brother Alessandro
Ariosto enters the Service of Duke Alfonso
Discomforts and Mortifications of his precarious Circumstances
His Reasons for not taking Orders
Pope Leo X. issues a Bull in favour of the "Orlando Furioso"
What Claims had Ariosto on the Bounty of Leo X.?
Extracts from his Satires
The Dignity and Ease he enjoys at the Court of Alfonso
His Government of Graffagnana
His Rencontre with some of his uncouth Neighbours
Baretti, his Version of this Anecdote
Extract from his Satires
He is invited to accept a third Embassy to Rome
His Answer to Bonaventura Pistolfo
His Release from his Government
He perfects his "Orlando;" his Dramatic Works
A curious Anecdote of him when a Child
Remarks on his Writings
Ariosto, his last Illness
1532.
Apocryphal Traditions of him
His Person
His Character
His Sons
His Elegies, Sonnets, and Madrigals
A Translation of one of his Sonnets
Difficulty of translating his Works
English Versions of his "Orlando Furioso"
His Recitation
Anecdote of him
His whimsical Peculiarities; his Habits
His Reveries
His last Hours
His Monument
Sketch of the Outline of the "Orlando Furioso"
Critical Remarks on it
A Sequel and Imitation of it
MACHIAVELLI.
Origin of his Family
850.
(February 3d.) His Birth
1469.
His Parentage
Nothing known of his Childhood and Education
Paul Jovius
Machiavelli Secretary under Marcellus Virgil
1494.
Florence agitated by the Prophet Salvanorola
1497.
Marcellus Virgil elected High Chancellor
Machiavelli made Chancellor of the Second Court
1498.
Is Secretary of the Council of Ten
His Missions to various Sovereigns and States
Italy convulsed by foreign Armies and domestic Quarrels
1492.
Ludovico Sforza invites Charles VIII. of France into Italy,
instigating him to assert his Right to the Neapolitan Crown
Entrance of the French into Italy; causes great Commotion in
Florence; the Overthrow and Exile of the Medicean Family
1493.
Italy overrun by Charles
The Italian System of Warfare
Death of Charles VIII.
1498.
Louis XII. succeeds him; his speedy Conquest of Milan
Pisa, under the Rule of Florence, repines at its Servitude; they
implore Charles to restore their Independence
1501.
Pisa besieged by the Florentines
1500.
Machiavelli and Francesco della Caza employed by the Republic
as Envoys to the French Court; curious Style of their Instructions
They fail in their Object, and return to Italy
Machiavelli, his Mission to Cæsar Borgia
Roderigo Borgia chosen Pope; he assumes the Name of
Alexander VI.
His Character
Cæsar Borgia raised to the Rank of Cardinal; his Dislike to the
Church
His Jealousy of his Brother, the Duke of Candia, whom he
causes to be waylaid and murdered
He abdicates the Cardinal's Hat, and obtains the Duchy of
Valence in France
He determines to form the Principality in Italy
His Encroachments supported by an Alliance with Louis XII.
His Attack on Bologna
Revolt of his chief Condottieri
Conspiracy of Magione
Arrival of Machiavelli at Imola
1502.
His Interview with Caesar Borgia
His Opinion of him
Cæsar Borgia, his Method of defending himself
His Policy
Paolo Orsino, his Arrival at Imola
Machiavelli, his Letter to the Signoria of Florence
His Conversation with Cæsar Borgia
His Admiration of Borgia's Talents
Machiavelli solicits to be recalled
Treaty between Caesar Borgia and the Confederates
Letter of Machiavelli on this Subject
Borgia leaves Imola
Machiavelli follows the Court to Cesena
His Letter
He again writes from Cesena
The Confederates sent to Sinigaglia
Arrival of Borgia at Sinigaglia
He causes the Orsini and Vitellozzo to be taken Prisoners
Machiavelli, his Account of this Transaction
His Letter
Treacherous and cruel Revenge of Borgia on the Confederates
(January 8th.) Machiavelli, his Letter to the Republic
His Recal to Florence
1503.
His Description of the Method used by the Valentian Duke in
putting to death Vitellozzo Vitelli
The "Decenal"
An Anecdote of Cæsar Borgia
Narrow Escape of Cæsar Borgia at Rome, it is supposed from
Poison
(August 28th.) Sudden Death of his Father, Pope Alexander
Accession of Pope Pius III.
Fall of the Fortunes of Cæsar Borgia
Machiavelli's Embassy to Rome to influence the Consultations
concerning the future Destination of Cæsar Borgia
Julius II.
Borgia sent to Romagna in the Name of the Holy See
Cardinal Volterra sent after him with a Requisition; Borgia
refuses to comply; he is arrested in consequence, and sent on
board a French Galley
He is brought back to the Vatican; he is liberated
He goes to Naples
He forms new Schemes, is again arrested, and confined in the
Fortress of Medina del Campo
His Escape and Death
1506.
Machiavelli leaves Rome, and goes to France
1504.
Peace between France and Spain
Formation of a native Militia in Florence
1506.
Pope Julius II., his Projects