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Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7) - The Age of the Despots by John Addington Symonds
page 260 of 583 (44%)
Rarely have the entangled events of a specially dramatic period been set
forth more lucidly, more succinctly, and with greater elegance of style.
Segni is deficient, when compared with Varchi, only perhaps in volume,
minuteness, and that wonderful mixture of candor, enthusiasm, and zeal
for truth which makes Varchi incomparable. His sketches of men,
critiques, and digressions upon statistical details are far less copious
than Varchi's. But in idiomatic purity of language he is superior.
Varchi had been spoiled by academic habits of composition. His language
is diffuse and lumbering. He lacks the vivacity of epigram, selection,
and pointed phrase. But his Storia Fiorentina remains the most valuable
repertory of information we possess about the later vicissitudes of the
republic, and the charm of detail compensates for the lack of style.
Nerli is altogether a less interesting writer than those that have been
mentioned; yet some of the particulars which he relates, about
Savonarola's reform of manners, for example, and the literary gatherings
in the Rucellai gardens, are such as we find nowhere else.

[1] Book ii. cap. 16.

[2] See lib. ii. cap. 34: 'Nel nostro scrivere non intendiamo
far giudizio delle cose incerte, e massimamente della
intenzione e animo segreto degli uomini, che non apparisce
chiara se non per congettura e riscontro delle cose esteriori.
E però stando termo il primo proposito, vogliamo raccontare
quanto più possibile ci sia, la verità delle cose fatte, più
tosto che delle pensate o immaginate.' This is dignified and
noble language in an age which admired the brilliant falsehoods
of Giovio.

Many of my readers will doubtless feel that too much time has been spent
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