For that age, this form
of literature was the most agreeable diversion from archaeological
studies, and, indeed, the only possible means of re-establishing an
independent class of narrative poetry. For the versification of ancient
history could only lead to the false tracks which were trodden by
Petrarch in his 'Africa,' written in Latin hexameters, and a hundred
and fifty years later by Trissino in his 'Italy delivered from the
Goths,' composed in 'versi sciolti'--a never-ending poem of faultless
language and versification, which only makes us doubt whether this
unlucky alliance has been more disastrous to history or to poetry.
And whither did the example of Dante beguile those who imitated him?
The visionary 'Trionfi' of Petrarch were the last of the works written
under this influence which satisfy our taste. The 'Amorosa Visione' of
Boccaccio is at bottom no more than an enumeration of historical or
fabulous characters, arranged under allegorical categories. Others
preface what they have to tell with a baroque imitation of Dante's
first canto, and provide themselves with some allegorical comparison,
to take the place of Virgil. Uberti, for example, chose Solinus for his
geographical poem--the 'Dittamondo'--and Giovanni Santi, Plutarch for
his encomium on Federigo of Urbino. The only salvation of the time from
these false tendencies lay in the new epic poetry which was represented
by Pulci and Boiardo.
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