• SONNETS OF lllICHEL ANGELO.
Sonnets and Madrigals of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Rendered into English Verse by William Wells Newell. With Italian Text, Introduction, and Notes. (Houghton, Miffiin, and Co.)—In this little book Mr. Newell has given us an attractive selection of the sculptor's poems. The grace and charm of the originals have been well kept in the translations, and help us to realise the gentler side of Michelangelo's character. In the introductory essay Mr. Newell gives a delightful glimpse of the convent of San Silvestro, where Vittoria Colonna "reigned as queen of an intelligent circle." The end of the book is taken up with notes, in which Mr. Newell gives his reasons for differing from Mr. Symonds as to the kind of love which inspired the poet. Here is a madrigal as an example of Mr. Newell's work :— " .0 Love, thou art divine,
A god to work thy will ; PrIthee, for me fulfil All I would do for thee, If deity were mine: He were no friend of thine, Who hope of lofty beauty should bestow On one who presently; must life forego ;
Come, put thee In my place,
Thy Idle prayer retrace: • Wilt thou Implore a gain That granted only would enlarge thy pain ? Death hath a sober face ;
If even the unhappy and him rude,
How 'item to one arrived at full beatitude?"
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