The reader will immediately call to mind the occupation of the fallen angels in Milton Others apart sat on a hill retired, In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high Of good and evil much they argued then, &c. There can be little doubt that our English poet was acquainted with this singular passage of the Morgante Maggiore. (9)" Or, after some dark, doubtful. lingering space," &c.] M. Ginguené has omitted to state the most characteristic circumstance of this heterodox poet's creed, -one which he repeatedly insists upon with a zeal which we should more expect to meet with in an heresiarch of the early church than in a romance-writer and buffoon of the fifteenth century. This is the doctrine of universal redemption. Forse che il Vero, dopo lungo errore, E troverete ogn' un misericordia. So, in the long prayer which Orlando offers up when dying, E perdonasti a tutta la Natura Quando tu perdonasti al primo Padre! C. xxvii. st. 127. There are, however, various passages throughout this extraordinary poem, which seem to discountenance the necessity of attributing to any other than Pulci himself those daring errors of theology for which the shade of Ficinus has been invoked to answer. I am not now adverting to the irreligious mockeries by which it is unfortunately too often disgraced; but to points of serious doctrine, in which is displayed a spirit of tolerance and liberality worthy of the more enlightened periods of protestantism. In this spirit is Orlando's address to a reverend abbot by whom he is entertained and lodged second in the first canto of the Morgante, and the holy man's answer. "O tell me, much-loved father, why has Fate "Some with the crosier, others with the sword, All men, Orlando, seek the gates of Rome; many are the paths that lead them home." (10) "On the top of yon lone hermitage," &c.] Com pare the Morgante, c. xxvii. st. 88, 89. (11) “ In dreadful vengeance for Orlando slain.”] The vengeance here foretold actually takes effect in Pulci's poem, of which an entire canto, after the death of Orlando, is occupied with the hanging and quartering of Ganellon, and the destruction of Marsilius and his empire by Rinaldo. But, although the laws of poetry seem to require that this Paladin should at least be pointed out as the future restorer of France and avenger of the slaughter at Roncesvalles, in order to justify the miraculous interposition of his aërial journey, I have thought the rule sufficiently satisfied in this instance by barely hinting at the epic conclusion; for no interest can possibly be made to survive the death of the hero. (12) "Montalban's lion on the blazing shield."] Compare Pulci, c. xxvi. st. 98. (13) "Oh! loosen'd oft by Joy's too sudden flood," &c.] Tanto gaudio nel cor sente in un punto, Usciron quasi della bocca fora, Che spesso avvien ch' huom d' allegrezza mora: (14) "The joy that bursts in tears," &c.] Orlando mille volte ha abbracciato St. 99. Rinaldo pure; e d'allegrezza geme. St. 101. (15) "Sleeps Arthur in his isle of Avalon ?"] Every body knows that King Arthur is not dead, but still lies, or till lately did lie, asleep on the lap of the Lady of the Lake, in the island of Avalon. And, as Drayton sings in his Polyolbion, Of Merlin and his skill what region doth not heare? Or who is not apprized that Carmarthen, alias CaerMerddhyn, (the castle of Merlin) claims the honour of that famous wizard's nativity? (16) Rest, Paladin of England!"] Astolpho, whose death is related in the last canto. (17) "Fair dream, that o'er Cadogan's early bier."] Surely, no event, in the annals of our Spanish campaigns, is more deserving of chivalrous celebration, from the circumstances attending it, than the death of the gallant Colonel Cadogan at the battle of Vittoria. The particulars must be fresh in the memory of my readers. THE funeral rites have ceased; and, lowly laid |