Page:The Oxford book of Italian verse.djvu/537

NOTES from Charles of Anjou. He was murdered in 1282 by the townspeople.

10. Gioiosamente canto... 7. la pantera. It was believed in the middle ages that the panther possessed the art of exhaling a delightful odour which entranced the senses of pursuers or victims. 12. l'Assassino, the faithful servant of the legendary Old Man of the Mountain. 8. non ha = che non ha. 9. giulente = giulivo. 11. mino = meno.

 (page 57). Probably a Florentine. The simplicity of style in this Tenzone contrasts stiongly with the mannered effusions of the Sicilian court.

11. Canzone a dialogo. 1. lezïosa = graziosa. 4. marangone, a diver. 5. s'tu = se tu. 3, 4. ‘The dead don't return, no matter how many masses you sing for them.’ 8. in fio, ‘in fee.’ 4. coralmente, ‘with all my heart.’

. (page 59). Born at Santa Firmina near Arezzo, and held office in the Commune of that city. Enrolled in 1269 amongst the knights of Santa Maria Gloriosa (frati godenti). Gave all his possessions in 1293 to found the monastery degli Angeli in Florence. Died, probably in Florence, 1294. He wrote both verse and prose in Italian; love poetry at first, and then moral and religious canzoni. As a poet he enjoyed great renown and had many disciples; Dante alludes to his fame (Purg. xxvi. 124; xxiv. 55), but regards his followers as blind to the dolce stil nuovo of Italy (cf. De Vulg. Eloq. II. 6). Guittone's letters are interesting examples of the earliest Italian prose.

12. Ahi lasso... 5. granata, flourishing. 8. avaccio = subito. 11. poso, peace. 12. fulli amoroso, ‘was pleasing to her.’ 15. Leone, the Marzocco, the emblem of the Commune of Florence. 1. veo = veggio. 10. innantir, ‘presume.’ 11. la campana, the Martinella which hung on the car of the Commune, the rallying-point 537