On the Piazza di S. Pulinari, not in connection with the tribunal that
was near there, but to the end that the great space between the Duomo
and the next arch might not remain empty, although the street is very
beautiful, there was made with marvellous artistry and subtle invention
the figure of an immense, very excellent, very fiery and well-executed
horse, more than nine braccia in height, which was rearing up on the
hind-legs; and upon it was seen a young hero in full armour and in
aspect all filled with valour, who had just wounded to death with his
spear, the butt of which was seen at his feet, a vast monster that was
stretched all limp beneath his horse, and already he had laid his hand
on a glittering sword, as if about to smite him again, and seemed to
marvel to what straits the monster had been reduced by the first blow.
That hero represented the true Herculean Virtue, which, as Dante said so
well, chased through every town and banished to Hell the dissipatrix of
kingdoms and republics, the mother of discord, injury, rapine, and
injustice, that evil power, finally, that is commonly called Vice or
Fraud, hidden under the form of a woman young and fair, but with a great
scorpion's tail; and, slaying her, he seemed to have restored the city
to the tranquillity and peace in which she is seen at the present day,
thanks to her excellent Lords, reposing and flourishing so happily.
Which was demonstrated in a manner no less masterly by the device,
placed fittingly on the great base, in which, in the centre of an open
temple supported by many columns, upon a sacred altar, was seen the
Egyptian Ibis, which was shown tearing with the beak and with the claws
some serpents that were wound round its legs; with a motto that said
aptly: PRAEMIA DIGNA.
OF THE BORGO DE' GRECI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account