Rinaldo is in many ways the true type of our modern Boy-heroes—yes, our heroes, and those of the other side—as well as of mediaeval chivalry. Unable to rest at home when war is raging across the world, he dashes off, while still under sixteen years of age, by paths known only to himself, and “joins up” in Palestine. Allor (ne pur tre lustri avea forniti) Fuggì soletto, e corse strade ignote, Varcò l’ Egeo, passò di Greca i liti, Giunse nel campo in region remote Nobilissima fuga, e che l’ imiti Ben degna alcun magnanima nipote. Tre anni son ch’ è in guerra: e intempestiva Molle piuma del mento appena usciva. Many a lad of this generation has indeed imitated his “noble flight”; has seen three years of war—and what a war!—ere his face first felt the touch of the razor. They have sped forth from the fields, from the mines and mills, and from luxurious homes where too much softness was in danger of undermining their manhood. They have “climbed the steep ascent” of the Hill of Valour—they have, in fact, heard and responded to a call like that which came to Rinaldo after he had lain spell-bound in Armida’s Garden, (xvii. 61)— Signor, non sotto l’ ombra in piaggia molle Tra fonti e fior, tra ninfe e tra sirene Ma in cima all’ erto e faticoso colle Della virtù è riposto il nostro bene. “They in a short time have fulfilled a long time.” For them the fruits of manhood have followed hard upon the bloom of youth. In them soft gentleness is conjoined with royalty of mien and soldierly bearing. In battle, Mars; in face, Eros; the cynosure of a world’s admiring eyes—Behold Rinaldo! Dolcemente feroce alzar vedresti La regal fronte, e in lui mirar sol tutti. L’ età precorse, e la speranza; e presti Pareano i fior, quando n’ uscirò i frutti: Se ’l miri fulminar nell’ arme avvolto, Marte lo stimi: Amor, se scopre il volto. APPENDICES APPENDIX I ANTONIO MASCHIO AND THE CELEBRATION OF 1865 The Dante Celebrations of the last fifty-six years—the years that mark the duration of the Poet’s life—have always had about them, as was meet, a touch of fervid Italian patriotism. For Dante is in a true sense “Pater Patriae.” The sexcentenary of his birth in 1865 coincided with the new dignity of Florence as temporary capital of a largely united and independent Italy. It was celebrated by the unveiling of Dante’s statue by Victor Emmanuel, protagonist of the New Italy in the chief Piazza of his new Capital, and it was celebrated with military as well as civic honours.