without their political use in very turbulent times. But
when the attempt was made to turn Michael Angelo into a
"utility man" of that kind, he did (it is true) some
patriotic duty in the fortification of Florence; but it is
no less a fact that, when he had done all that he thought
became him, he retired to a certain trackless and forgotten
tower, and there stayed in some sort of peace (though much
in request) till he could lead his own life again; nor
should we forget the occasion on which he did not hesitate
even to betake himself to Venice as a refuge. Yet M. Angelo
was in every way a patriot, a philosopher, and a hero. I do
not say this to undervalue the scope of your theory. I think
possibilities are generally so much behind desirabilities
that there is no harm in any degree of incitement in the
right _direction_; and that is assuredly mental activity of
_all_ kinds. I judge you cannot suspect _me_ of thinking the
apotheosis of the early Italian poets (though surely
spiritual beauty, and not sensuality, was their general aim)
of more importance than the "unity of a great nation." But
it is in my minute power to deal successfully (I feel) with
the one, while no such entity, as I am, can advance or
retard the other; and thus mine must needs be the poorer
part. Nor (with alas, and again alas!) will Italy or another
twice have her day in its fulness.

I happened to have said in speaking of self-indulgence among artists,
that there probably existed those to whom it seemed more important to
preserve such a pitiful possession as the poetical remains of Cecco
Angiolieri than to secure the unity of a great nation. Rossetti half
suspected I meant this for a playful backhanded blow at himself (for
Cecco was a great favourite with him), and protested that no such
individual could exist. I defended my charge by quoting Keats's--

... the silver flow
Of Hero's tears, the swoon of Imogen,
Fair Pastorella in the bandit's den,
Are things to brood on with more ardency
Than the death-day of empires.

But Rossetti grew weary of the jest:

I must protest that what you quote from Keats about "Hero's
tears," etc., fails to meet the text. Neither Shakspeare nor
Spenser assuredly was a Cecco; Marlowe may be most meant as
to "Hero," and he perhaps affords the shadow o