Eminent literary and scientific men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Vol. 3 (of 3)Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
History
Eminent literary and scientific men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Vol. 3 (of 3)
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors -- Biography; Scientists -- Biography
In 1610 the count of Lemos was named viceroy of Naples; and here again
Cervantes was doomed to disappointment. The count of Lemos held in high
esteem the two Argensolas. These brothers, Lupercio and Bartolomé
Leonardo de Argensola, were of a family originally of Ravenna in Italy,
and settled in Aragon. They were surnamed the Horaces of Spain. Before
he was twenty, Lupercio wrote three tragedies, which met with success,
and which Cervantes praises highly in "Don Quixote:" too highly, indeed,
for they are of the old school, wanting in verisimilitude and
regularity, and not elevated by the merits of poetry. Philip III.
appointed him historiographer of the kingdom of Aragon. Bartolomé, his
junior by a year, was an ecclesiastic and also a poet. These brothers
were residing at Saragossa, when the count, wishing to have them with
him, offered Lupercio the place of secretary of state and war at Naples,
and requested that his brother should accompany him. The count also
confided to them the charge of choosing the persons to fulfil the under
places in their office, and they, confiding in the counts taste,
selected various poets for this purpose.
Cervantes was their friend; he had reason to hope that they would use
their interest when arrived at Naples to advance him. But he was
disappointed. He takes a gentle revenge in his "Voyage to Parnassus."
Mercury bids him invite the two Argensolas to assist in the conquest of
Parnassus, but Cervantes excuses himself, saying, "I am afraid they
would not listen to me--although I am desirous to oblige in all
things--since I have been told that my will and my eyes are both
short-sighted, and my poverty-stricken appearance would ill suit such a
journey. They have fulfilled none of the many promises they made me at
parting. Much I hoped--for they promised much; but perhaps their new
occupations have caused them to forget what they then said."[69]
Cervantes meanwhile had relinquished business, or nearly so: his means,
considering the number of persons he maintained, were strait indeed: he
felt that he was neglected, while others of far less talent basked in
the favour of the court. But he did not hunt after patrons nor pension:
he lived quiet and secluded, expecting nothing, repining at
nothing--content, if not satisfied.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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