DA SACRO CINERI FLORES-HIC ILLE MARONI BEMBUS. GIACOMO SANNAZARO, according to the most authentic accounts, was born at Naples in the year 1458;-but his family derived their origin from a small town denominated Santo Nazaro, situated between the Tesino and the Po.-He passed the early part of his life at or near Cerreto, (1) which was the birth-place of Giovanni Pontano, or Jovianus Pontanus, (a) a contemporary poet, (a) Joannes Jovianus Pontanus, who makes a very conspicuous figure among the learned of these times, was (1) Vide elegiam "Quod pueritiam egerit in Picen tinis." N poet, and the intimate friend of Sannazaríus. After the example of this friend and associ ate, and born at Cerreto in Umbria, A. D. 1426. He afterwards settled at Naples, where he obtained the patronage and favour of Alfonso, and of Ferdinand his successor filled the highest offices of the state. He eminently distinguished himself, not only as a poét, but also as a writer on various subjects. His poetical works were published by Aldus in 8°. 1505. and again in two volumes 1513. 1518. His prose works at the same press, in three volumes 8vo, 1518. 1519. It has been justly a subject of surprize, that Pontanus who was secretary of state to Ferdinand, and for a long series of years busily occupied in public affairs, should nevertheless have found leisure and inclination for the pursuits of literature:-in which he was so successful, that many have considered him as the most accomplished poet and scholar of his age. Le Sieur Lionardo Nicodemo, has pronounced Pontanus to have been with regard to Politian, what Entellus was to Dares. More rigid critics affirm that Pontanus injured his own reputation as a poet, by writing hastily whatever occurred to him, and neglecting afterwards to retrench any part of what he had thus composed. So sparing file, that it was his custom rather to add, was he of the than diminish, upon every revisal of his works. But as M. Baillet observes, he has one fault still greater, and more injurious to his character, on which it has indeed infixed an indelible stain; and that is the gross indecency that pervades many of his poetical compositions.-He is said to be himself the author of the following inscription, which was after his decease engraven on his tomb. ate, who had taken the name of Jovianus, he assumed the classical or academical appellation of Actius Sincerus, and by this name he is frequently distinguished. While the ingratitude of Pontanus, justly deprived him of that favour and those honours which he had so long enjoyed, under the house of Arragon;-the loyalty of Sannazarius established his interests, and accelerated his advancement in the court of Frederick. He possessed in a very high degree that monarch's good opinion, (b) and received Sum Joannes Jovianus Pontanus Quem amaverunt bonæ Musæ, Suspexérunt viri probi, Honest avérunt reges, domini. Scis quis sim, aut potius quis fuerim, Ego vero te, hospes ! noscere in tenebris nequeo: He died according to some accounts, in the year 1503; or as others inform us, in 1505. (b) "Floruit amicitiâ Federici regis, senescente Pontani gratiâ, qui Arragonum nomen vehementer offenderat, quum veluti personæ oblitus, victorem Carolum invidiosâ vel intempestivâ oratione publicè laudâsset. Permansit in eâ belli procellâ in officio Actius;-redeuntique Ferdi received many distinguishing marks of his favour. To Frederick's munificence he was indebted for the beautiful villa of Mergillina, in the vicinity of Naples, which forms the delight and glory of his muse. When Frederick was compelled to fly from his capital and kingdom, Sannazarius followed the fortunes of his royal patron, He attended him into France, shared in all his dangers and fatigues, and continued firmly attached to him as long as he lived. We find him in one of his Latin poems feelingly lamenting, at once his benefactor's misfortunes, and his own :-and claiming from posterity the credit he deserved, for having thus faithfully discharged the obliga tions of gratitude and friendship. "Ipse per infestos tecum Frederice labores Tuscorumque vadis, Ligurumque exercitus undis, Jam Rhodanum, Volcasque feros, Vocontiaque arva Bisque nando juniori, armatus inter fideles cives operam præstitit, unde ei conspicuus in aulâ gratiæ locus, &c." Jovius. Bisque pruinosas cursu superavimus Alpes, * * * * * * * * * Prosit amicitiæ, sanctum per sæcula nomen Sannazarius is numbered among the ardent and unreserved votaries of pleasure. He is said in his old age to have affected all the levity and gallantry of youth.-The indisposition which terminated his life was brought on by grief and chagrin, on account of the demolition of part of his delightful villa of Mergillina, in decorating which he had taken peculiar delight. Philibert de Nassau, prince of Orange, and general of the Emperor's forces, was the author of this outrage on taste and the Muses. The injured poet, a few days before the termination of his own life, being told, that prince had been slain in battle, was heard to utter the following extempore effu sion: "La Vendetta d'Apollo, ha fatto Marte.” He expired soon after, in the year 1530, and in the 72d year of his age. Sannazarius's poem "de Partu Virginis" contains |