CHAPTER X.

ERMOLAO BARBARO AND PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA.

Bernardo Bembo—Ermolao Barbaro—Barbaro’s Visit to Florence and to Lorenzo de’ Medici at the Baths—Lorenzo’s Exertions in favour of Barbaro—Giovanni Pico de’ Mirandola—Pico in Florence and in the Medici Circle—The Cabbala—Pico’s Amorous Adventure at Arezzo—Disputation at Rome and Opposition—Denunciation and Apology—Lorenzo’s Interposition on behalf of Pico—Pico’s Country Life and Studies—Lorenzo’s Defence of Pico against his Romish Adversaries—Final Issue of the Difference—Pico’s Poetical and Philosophical Works—Pico a Type of the Age—Stefano Porcaro and Pandolfo Collenuccio 79