Читать книгу A history of Italian literature онлайн

29 страница из 109

—ROSSETTI.

But the great poet was about to arise who may almost be said to have created two literatures—his country’s and that specially devoted to himself—and whose own works are such, that if every other production of Italian literature were to perish, it would, on their account alone, continue to deserve a place among the great literatures of the world.

FOOTNOTES:

ssss1 The other prose Italian writings of approximate date are for the most part either translations from the Latin, which do not enter into the plan of this work, or novelettes, which will be more advantageously considered along with other works of their class. The origin of Italian prose would have to be carried considerably farther back if theCarte di Arborea in the public library of Cagliari were genuine, but they are unquestionably forgeries.

ssss1

Gin my seven sons were seven rats, Rinning over the castle wa’, And I mysel’ were the auld grey cat, Full soon would I worry them a’!

—OLD BALLAD.