MANTUA.

IN Mantua, the fame of Virgil is followed by that of Mantegna, of Giulio Romano, and of the military engineers who have been occupied in strengthening its fortifications from the sixteenth century till now. It is a regularly built, but dreary and unhealthy town, on a lake of the Mincio, surrounded by low plains. and reedy fens. But its long fortified bridges, and the bastions. which surround it, are impressive. The 2000 Jews who form part of its population, have a showy quarter, with elegant shops: several merchants of that nation have excellent picture galleries; and their schools and houses of industry (instituted in 1825) are models in their sort. The ancient ducal palace, within the walls, has but wretched ruins of Mantegna's works, and those of Giulio; and the latter has scarcely left more in his suburban palace of the Te. The Academy of the Fine Arts possesses a curious, but little known, collection of antique statues. Bernardo Tasso is buried in the church of Sant' Egidio, Giulio in San Barnaba, and Mantegna in Sant' Andrea, which is one of the best works of Alberti.

SPALDING'S ITALY.

ROMEO AND JULIET.

ACT V. SCENE I.

MANTUA.

Romeo. If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep,

My dreams presage some joyful news at hand :

My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne ;

And, all this day an unaccustomed spirit

Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts.

I dreamt, my lady came and found me dead;

(Strange dream! that gives a dead man leave to think,)
And breathed such life with kisses in my lips,
That I revived, and was an emperor.

Ah me! how sweet is love itself possess'd,
When but love's shadows are so rich in joy

Enter BALTHASAR.

News from Verona !-How now, Balthasar?
Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?
How doth my lady? Is my father well?
How doth my lady Juliet? That I ask again;
For nothing can be ill, if she be well.

Bal. Then she is well, and nothing can be ill.
Her body sleeps in Capels' monument,
And her immortal part with angels lives.
I saw her laid low in her kindred's vault,
And presently took post to tell it you :
O pardon me for bringing these ill news,
Since did leave it for my office, sir.

you

Rom. Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!

Thou know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper,
And hire post horses; I will hence to-night.