Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/84

70 made by many Italian writers, but more particularly by the famous Girolamo Muzio, who was deeply in love with her, and esteemed her highly. In the third book of his letters, he speaks much of the good qualities and virtues of this ingenious lady; and his most beautiful poems are written in her praise, under the fictitious names of Tyrrhenia and Thalia.

the reigns of the unworthy successors of Caesar, the most unbridled licentiousness prevailed at Rome; and with its liberties, the last remains of moral restraint seemed to have expired. The sect of the Stoics alone, to which all that was noble of both sexes then belonged, by a stern and unbending austerity, by rigorous self-denial and fortitude, acted as a powerful counterpoise to the general depravity. Arria was of this sect, and, if the abandonment of every personal consideration, and the power of subjecting lively and tender feelings be the highest proof of magnanimity, she is well entitled to that immortality her actions have secured.

Her son and husband were both sick of a dangerous illness at the same time: the former died; and she was convinced, that, in his present weak state Pœtus could not survive a knowledge of the fatal event. She therefore fulfilled every mournful duty to the remains of her child, whom she bitterly bewailed in secret; but, when she entered the chamber of his father, concealed the anguish of her soul, under the assumed smiles of hope and confidence; not even his solicitude and frequent inquiries disarmed her resolution, which his recovery, in this