The Story of Siena and San GimignanoGardner, Edmund G.
History
The Story of Siena and San Gimignano
Gardner, Edmund G.
Art -- Italy -- Siena; San Gimignano (Italy) -- History; Siena (Italy) -- History
On the right wall are shown the effects of good government, the rule of
Justice. "Turn your eyes to gaze upon her who is figured here--O ye that
rule!--and who is crowned for her excellence"; so runs the inscription.
"Behold what great good things come from her, and how sweet and restful
is the life of the city where that virtue is preserved that gloweth back
more than any other." Within the city are dancing and feasting; the
shops are full and trade flourishes; cavalcades of dames and cavaliers
pass through the streets. Beyond the walls unarmed trains pass out to
the chase; the fields are cultivated, the peasants fearlessly bringing
their produce into the city. In the distance is the sea--for the
righteous republic will have commerce and become a maritime power--and a
harbour said to represent Talamone. Over all hovers Security, a winged
woman with a little gallows and a scroll: "Without fear may every one
travel freely and each man work and sow, whilst the Commune will
maintain this Lady in signory, for she has taken all power from the
wicked."
On the opposite wall is Evil Government, the fruits of Injustice.
Tyranny, a hideous horned monster, with dagger and poisoned cup, sits
enthroned above a goat. Avarice, Pride and Vainglory float over him.
Foul and horrible shapes sit round him as ministers: Cruelty (torturing
a child), Treason and Fraud, Fury, Division and War. At his feet lies
Justice--dishevelled, overthrown, bound. Murder and outrage wanton
within and without the walls; the smiling fields are devastated, while
at the gate of the ruined, bloodstained city hovers the dark and ragged
demon of Fear, with a scroll: "Through selfish ambition in this city has
Justice been subjected to Tyranny; wherefore by this way no one passes
without dread of death: for without and within the gates they
plunder."[74]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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