Nature from
classic to modern; they are the ancestors of our enthusiasm, the
links in the chain which leads up to Rousseau, Goethe, Byron, and
Shelley.

From the autobiography of AEneas Sylvius and the lyrics of Petrarch we
gain a far truer picture of the feeling of the period up to the
sixteenth century than from any poetry in other countries. Even the
epic had a more modern tone in Italy; Ariosto's descriptions were far
ahead of any German epic.

Humboldt pointed out very clearly the difference between the epic of
the people and the epic of art--between Homer and Ariosto. Both, he
said, are true painters of the world and Nature; but Ariosto pleases
more by his brilliance and wealth of colour, Homer by purity of form
and beauty of composition. Ariosto achieves through general effect,
Homer through perfection of form. Nature is more naive in Homer, the
subject is paramount, and the singer disappears; in Ariosto, Nature
is sentimental, and the poet always remains in view upon the stage.
In Homer all is closely knit, while Ariosto's threads are loosely
spun, and he breaks them himself in play. Homer almost never
describes, Ariosto always does.

Ariosto's scenes and comparisons from Nature, being calculated for
effect, are more subjective, and far more highly-coloured than
Homer's. But they shew a sympathetic grasp.

The modern bloom, so difficult to define, lies over them--something
at once sensuous, sentimental, and chivalrous. He is given to
describing lonely woodland scenery, fit places for trysts and lovers'
rendezvous.

In the 1st Canto of _Mad Orlando_:

With flowery thorns, vermilion roses near
Her, she upon a lovely bush doth meet,
That mirrored doth in the bright waves appear,
Shut out by lofty oaks from the sun's heat.

Amidst the thickest shades there is a clear
Space in the middle for a cool retreat;
So mixed the leaves and boughs are, through them none
Can see; they are impervious to the sun.

In the 6th Canto the Hippogriff carries Roger into a country:

Nor could he, had he searched the whole world through,
Than this a more delightful country see....
Soft meads, clear streams, and banks affording shade,
Hillocks and plains, by culture fertile made.
Fair thickets of the cedar, palm and no
Less pleasant myrtle, of the laurel sweet,
Of orange trees, where fruit and flow'rs did grow,
And which in various forms, all lovely, meet
With their thick shades against t