PREFACE. IN this Poem the author has endeavoured to describe his journey through a beautiful country; and it 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 has been "dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue." Much of it was originally published as it was written on the spot. He has since, on a second visit, revised it throughout, and added many stories from the old Chroniclers and many notes illustrative of the manners, customs, and superstitions there. |