Part 8 (2/2)

2. Ref. Richard of St. Victor. ”On the preparation of the soul for contemplation,” where he distinguishes between cogitation, meditation, and contemplation.

In cogitation the thought or attention flits aimlessly about the subject.

In meditation it circles round it, that is, it views it systematically, from all sides, gaining perspective.

In contemplation it radiates from a centre, that is, as light from the sun it reaches out in an infinite number of ways to things that are related to or dependent on it.

The words above are my own, as I have not the Benjamin Minor by me.

Following St. Victor's figure of radiation: Poetry in its acme is expression from contemplation.

3. San Pietro Incarnato. There are several rows of houses intervening between it and the river.

ALBA BELINGALIS

MS. in Latin, with refrain,

”L alba par umet mar atras el poy Pas abigil miraclar Tenebris.”

It was and may still be the oldest fragment of Provencal known.

MARVOIL

The Personae are:

Arnaut of Marvoil, a troubadour, date 1170-1200.

The Countess (in her own right) of Burlatz, and of Beziers, being the wife of The Vicomte of Beziers.

Alfonso IV of Aragon.

Tibors of Mont-Ausier. For fuller mention of her see the ”razos” on Bertran of Born. She is contemporary with the other persons, but I have no strict warrant for dragging her name into this particular affair.

Marco Londonio's Italian version of ”Nel Biancheggiar”:

Nel biancheggiar di delicata rosa Risplendono i colori D' occidentali fiori Prima che l'alba, in esultanza ascosa

Voglia baciarli. Ed aleggiar io sento Qual su dolce luto Nel lor linguaggio muto Fiorir di gioia e tocco di tormento

Cosi un' arcano senso di languore, Le sue sognanti dita Fanno scordar la vita Spirando in verso tutto pien d'amore....

Senza morir: che sanno i suoni alati, Vedendo il nostro stato, Ch' e dal dolor turbato, Di lasciarci, morendo, desolati.

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