virtue; and while they declaim against lewdness, not to become panders to debauch the young, the innocent, and the unsuspecting. To go no farther than the example before us. If ever man deserved poetical honours, Ariosto did; and if ever poet deserved the curse of posterity for the prostitution of high talents, Ariosto does. Without presuming to judge him, even for his worst offences, beyond the present world, it had been better for many of his readers,--why should we not say, at once, for all of them?--that he had never been born. Whatever be her beauty, his Muse has a cancerous sore upon her face, which cannot be looked upon without loathing by any eye, not wilfully blind, where it ought to be eagle-sighted. [Footnote 94: History of Leo X. vol. I. p. 91. 4to.] [Footnote 95: The lightning did not spare the laurelled bust of Ariosto, on his monument at Ferrara, some years ago; for the wreath (being of _iron_) was struck off from the marble temples by a flash, which entered the church during a thunderstorm.] [Footnote 96: "At Bologna, Michel Angelo erected, in front of the church of St Petronio, a statue of Julius II. in bronze, which he is said to have executed so as to express, in the most energetic manner, those qualities for which he was distinguished; giving grandeur and majesty to his person, and courage, promptitude, and ferociousness to his countenance, while even the drapery was remarkable for the boldness and magnificence of its folds. When Julius saw the model, and observed the vigour of the attitude, and the energy with which the right arm was extended, he enquired from the artist, whether he meant to represent him as dispensing his benediction or his curse. Michel Angelo prudently replied, that he meant to represent him in the act of admonishing the citizens of Bologna. In return, the artist requested to know from his holiness, whether he would have a book in his hand. 'No,' replied Julius; 'give me a sword, I am no scholar.'"--_Roscoe's Leo X._ vol. IV. p. 306. 4to edition.] [Footnote 97: Leo X. vol. II. p. 52.] [Footnote 98: Ariosto seems to have had a horror of travelling under any circumstances:-- "Men's tastes are various: one prefers the church, The camp another; this his native soil, That foreign countries; as for me, who will May travel to and fro, to visit France, Spain, England, Hungary; but I love home. Lombardy, Rome, and Florence I have seen; The mountains that divide, and those that gird, Fair Italy, and either sea that bathes her; This is enough for me. Without expense Of innkeepers, I roam with Ptolemy O'er all the world beside, in peace or war; I sail on every sea, nor make vain vows When lightnings flash, for, safe, along the chart, I see more lands than from the reeling deck." _Satire IV._] [Footnote 99: Apollo and the Muses are supposed to speak here, and Ariosto replies to them.] [Footnote 100: The cardinal's steward.] [Footnote 101: "E fin ch'a Roma s'andò a far leone." _Satire IV._