Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 8.djvu/41

 RAPHAEL 221 RAPHAEL By Mrs. Lee (1483-1520) The solemn and silent season of Lent had passed away; and, on the second evening of the joyful Easter, a house was seen brightly illuminated in one of the streets of Urbino. It was evident that a festival was held there on some happy occasion. The sound of music was heard, and guest after guest entered the man- sion. No one, however, was more cordially welcomed than Pietro Perugino, the fellow-student of Leonardo da Vinci, at the school of the good old Andrea Veroc- chio. For a moment, general gayety was suspended in honor of the guest. He was considered at that time one of the greatest painters of the age ; and the host, Giovanni di Sanzio, though himself only ranking in the second or third order of limners, knew well how to prize the rare talents of his visitor. The wife of Giovanni came forward, leading her son Raphael. Perugino had the eye of an artist : he gazed upon the mother and son with enthusiastic feeling ; the striking resemblance they bore to each- other, so exquisitely modulated by years and sex, was indeed a study for this minute copyist of nature. " Benvenuto, Messer Perugino," said the hostess, with her soft musical voice and graceful Italian accent, and she placed the hand of her boy in that of the artist. Gently he laid the other on the head of the youthful Raphael, and in a solemn and tender manner pronounced a benediction. " Your blessing is well timed, my honored friend," said Giovanni, " our festi' val is given to celebrate the birthday of our son." " Is this his birthday ? " inquired Perugino. " Not so," replied the father, " he was born on April 7th, the evening of Good Friday, and it well befits us to be gay on the joyful Easter that succeeds it." " My friend," said Perugino, " if thou wilt entrust thy boy to my care, I will take him as my pupil." The father acceded with delight to this proposal. When the mother became acquainted with the arrangement, and found that her son was to quit his paternal dwelling at the early age of twelve, and reside wholly with Perugino, she could not restrain her tears. With hers the young Raphael's mingled, though ever and anon a bright smile darted like a sunbeam across his face. He remained with Perugino several years. Raphael was made for affection, and fondly did his heart cling to his instructor. For a time he was content to