Heroes of Modern Europe

								

had not a party leader, Farinata degli Uberti, showed unexpected
patriotism which saved her.
Florence had waxed mighty through her commerce, {20} holding a high
place among the Italian cities which had thrown off the feudal yoke and
become republics.  Wealth gave the citizens leisure to study art and
literature, and to attain to the highest civilization of a thriving
state.  The Italians of that time were the carriers of Europe, and as
such had intercourse with every nation of importance.  They were
especially successful as bankers, Florentine citizens of middle rank
acquiring such vast fortunes by finance that they outstripped the
nobles who dwelt outside the gates and spent all their time in
fighting.  The guilds of Florence united men of the same trade and also
encouraged perfection in the various branches.  Goldsmiths offered
marvellous wares for the purchase of the affluent dilettante.  Silk was
a natural manufacture, and paper had to be produced in a place where
the School of Law attracted foreign scholars.
Rome had the renown of past splendour and the purple of imperial pride.
Venice was the depôt of the world's trade, and sent fleets east and
west laden with precious cargoes, which gave her a unique position
among the five Republics.  Bologna drew students from every capital in
Europe to her ancient Universities.  Milan had been a centre of
learning even in the days of Roman rule, and the Emperor Maximilian had
made it the capital of Northern Italy.  Florence, somewhat overshadowed
by such fame, could yet boast the most ancient origin.  Was not
Faesulae, lying close to her, the first city built when the Flood had
washed away the abodes of men and left the earth quite desolate?  Fia
sola--"Let her be alone"--the words re-echoed through the whole
neighbourhood and were the pride of Florence, which lay in a smiling
fertile plain where all things flourished.  The Florentines were coming
to their own as the Middle Ages {21} passed; they were people of
cunning hand and brain, always eager to make money and spend it to
procure the luxury and beauty their natures craved.  The "florin" owed
its popularity to the soundness of trade within the very streets where
the bell, known as "the great cow," rang so lustily to summon the
citizens to combat.  The golden coins carried the repute of the fair
Italian town to other lands, and changed owners so often that her
prosperity was obvious.
Florence looked very fair when Durante Alighieri came into the world,
for he was born on a May morning, and the Florentines were making
holiday.  There was mirth and jesting within the tall grey houses round
the little church of San Martino.  The Alighieri dwelt in that quarter,
but more humbly than their fine neighbours, the Portinari, the Donati,
and the Cerci.
The Portinari celebrated May royally in 1275, inviting all their
friends to a blithe gathering.  At this festa Dante Alighieri met
Beatrice, the little daughter of his host, and the long dream of his