THE PREFACE.

WHATEVER may be the fate of this Poem, it has led

the Author in many an after-dream through a beautiful country; and may not perhaps be uninteresting to those who have learnt to live in Past Times as well as Present, and whose minds are familiar with

the Events and the People that have rendered Italy so illustrious; for, wherever he came, he could not

but remember; nor is he conscious of having slept

over any ground that had been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue.'