An Introduction to the Study of Robert Nrowning's Poetry. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 Excerpt: ...Fra Fiiippo was much addicted to the pleasures of sense, insomuch that he would give all he possessed to secure the gratification of whatever inclination might at the moment be predominant;... It was known that, while occupied in the pursuit of his pleasures, the works undertaken by him received little or none of his attention: for which reason Cosimo tiu' Medici, wishing him to execute a work in his own palace, shut him up, that he might not waste his time in running about: but having endured this conlinement fur two days, he then made ropes with the sheets of his bed, which he cut to pieces for that purpose, and so having let himself down from a window, escaped, and for several days gave himself up to his amusements. When Cosimo found that the painter had disappeared, he caused him to be sought, and Fra Filippo at last returned to his work, but from that lime forward Cosimo gave him liberty to go in and out at his pleasure, repenting greatly of having previously shut him up, when he considered the danger that Fra Filippo had incurred by his folly in descending from the window; and ever afterwards laboring to keep him to his work by kindness only, he was by this means much more promptly and effectually served by the painter, and was wont to say that the excellencies of rare genius were as forms of light and not beasts of burden." 'The date of birth diflt'rs in the biographies, it being variously given as 1400, 1406, 1410, and 1412. Hut the latter appears to be the one generally accepted. 2 It was customary, on entering a convent, to change the baptismal name for some other. A Fack. The speaker imagines the head of a beautiful girl he knows, "painted upon a background of pale gold, such as the Tuscan's early art prefers," and details the pict...