Then we should see our Leandro in his
true position and vocation. Give me a sheet of paper, and I will
show you a new presentation of Apollo and the Muses. They are all
presenting him with pasticcerie and bonbons. He has one hand on the
lyre, and the other on his stomach, for the homage of the goddesses
has made him somewhat sick; his eyes, you observe, are cast
heavenwards, partly by reason of poetic inspiration, and partly by
reason of nausea!"
"Bravo! bravo, Manutoli!" cried a chorus of voices.
"Envy and jealousy, envy and jealousy, all envy and jealousy. It is
pitiable to see what they can reduce men to," cried the poet,
foaming at the mouth.
"Never mind them, Leandro mio--never mind them. It is the universal
penalty of true merit, you know; the same thing all the world over,"
said Ludovico.
"But, I say, Ludovico," rejoined Manutoli, "in the meantime, till
our Leandro's poem shall have been read and duly appreciated, you
are the only one who has been admitted to the privacy of La Lalli.
What is your report to us Gentiles of the outer court? Is she really
so unapproachable? And is she as adorable behind the scenes as
before them?"
"Well, you ought to be able to answer that question yourself,
Manutoli," replied Ludovico; "you were with lo zio and me that day
when we went out to meet her; I am sure you had a fair look at her
then.
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