than with a guide, and the objects converse with me
at once, with freshness and power. I did not go far
on this first ramble. I stopped at a square, which is,
at the same time, a Pantheon, for on every side stand
tall glorious marble statues, with expressive heads, of
great individuality and character, men, interpreted by
the master hand of art, which preserves the individuality
whilst it presents the ideal. I recognized many
old acquaintances,—Dante, with the energetic countenance
of nobly bitter lineaments; Michael Angelo,
Buonarotti, and Benvenuto Celini, in whom the
rough strength is superior to beauty. Boccacio and
Petrarch, who seem listening to gentle and pleasant
inspirations. Many forms were new to me, as, for
instance, Machiavelli, with a countenance devoid of
beauty, but captivating from its expression of sagacity
and keen sarcasm; Galileo, with a splendid head,
indicative of strong concentration and deep attention to
the problems of physical creation. But all the forms
of artists, poets, thinkers, and warriors, seemed
concentrated, one and all, upon his own special calling—whence
the indescribably strengthening and beneficial
effect of being amongst them. I found myself, without
being aware of it, in the court of the Uffizi-reale.
In niches all around, built in the walls, were placed,
on pedestals, the nobles and great men of Tuscany, and
above them smiled the bright heaven of their native
land. They now enjoyed a state of tranquillity and
honor which had not been granted to them during
their lifetime. I proceeded this day no further. The
following day I spent in visiting museums and
churches.
Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/35
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LIFE IN THE OLD WORLD.
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