Corinne, Volume 1 (of 2)

  Chapter ii.

  Oswald and Corinne went first to the Pantheon, which is now called _StMary of the Rotunda_. In every part of Italy Catholicism has inheritedsomething of Paganism, but the Pantheon is the only ancient Temple ofRome which is preserved entire, the only one where may be remarked inits _ensemble_ the beauty of the architecture of the ancients, and theparticular character of their worship. Oswald and Corinne stopped in thesquare of the Pantheon to admire the portico of this Temple and thepillars that support it.

  Corinne made Nelville observe that the Pantheon was constructed in sucha manner as to appear greater than it was. "The church of St Peter,"said she, "will produce quite a different effect upon you; you willbelieve it at first less stupendous than it is in reality. Thisillusion, so favourable to the Pantheon, comes, as I am assured, fromthere being more space between the pillars, and the air playing freelyaround it; but principally from your not perceiving any of that detailedornament with which St Peter's is overladen. It is thus that the ancientpoets only designed large masses, and left the imagination of the hearerto fill up the intervals, and supply the developments; but we moderns inall things say too much."

  "This Temple," continued Corinne, "was consecrated by Agrippa, thefavourite of Augustus, to his friend, or rather to his master. However,the master had the modesty to refuse the dedication of the Temple, andAgrippa was obliged to dedicate it to all the gods in Olympus, in orderto take the place of Power, the god of the earth. There was a car ofbronze on the top of the Pantheon, on which were placed the statues ofAugustus and of Agrippa. On each side of the portico these same statueswere placed in another form, and on the pediment of the Temple is stillto be read: '_Consecrated by Agrippa_.' Augustus gave his name to theage in which he lived because he made that age an epoch of the humanmind. The masterpieces of every kind produced by his contemporaries formthe rays of glory that encircle his head. He knew how to honour the menof genius who cultivated letters, and he has found his recompense inposterity."

  "Let us enter the temple," said Corinne. "You see it remains uncovered,almost the same as it was formerly. They say that this light, proceedingfrom the top, was the emblem of that God who was superior to all theother deities. The Pagans have always been fond of symbolic images. Itseems, in effect, that this language is more fitting than speech toreligion. The rain often falls upon this marble court, but the rays ofthe sun also enter to enlighten devotion. What serenity! What an air offestivity is remarkable in this edifice! The Pagans have deified life,and the Christians have deified death. Such is the spirit of the twoworships, but the Roman Catholic religion here, however, is less sombrethan in the northern countries. You will observe it when we visit StPeter's. Inside the sanctuary of the Pantheon are the busts of our mostcelebrated artists, they adorn the niches where were placed the gods ofthe ancients.--As, since the destruction of the empire of the Caesars, wehave hardly ever had political independence in Italy, you do not findhere either statesmen or great commanders. It is the genius ofimagination which constitutes our own glory; but do you not think, mylord, that a people who honour talents in this manner ought to merit anobler fate?" "I am very severe towards nations," answered Oswald; "Ialways believe that they deserve their fate let it be what it may.""That is hard," replied Corinne; "perhaps after a longer residence inItaly you will experience a sentiment of compassion towards this unhappycountry, which nature seems to have decorated as a victim; but, atleast, you will remember that the dearest hope of us artists, of uslovers of glory, is to obtain a place here. I have already fixed uponmine," said she pointing to a niche still vacant. "Oswald! who knowswhether you will not come again to this same enclosure when my bustshall be placed there? Then--"

  Oswald interrupted her quickly and said, "In the shining splendour ofyouth and beauty can you talk thus to one whom misfortune and sufferinghave already bent towards the grave?" "Ah!" replied Corinne, "the stormmay in a moment snap asunder those flowers that now have their headsupreared in life and bloom. Oswald, dear Oswald!" added she; "why shouldyou not be happy? Why--" "Never interrogate me," replied Lord Nelville,"you have your secrets--I have mine, let us mutually respect eachother's silence. No--you know not what emotion I should feel were Iobliged to relate my misfortunes." Corinne was silent, and her steps inleaving the temple were slower, and her looks more thoughtful.

  She stopped beneath the portico:--"There," said she to Lord Nelville,"was a most beautiful urn of porphyry, now transferred to St John ofLateran; it contained the ashes of Agrippa, which were placed at thefoot of the statue that he had raised to himself. The ancients took somuch care to soften the idea of dissolution that they knew how to stripit of every thing that was doleful and repulsive. There was, besides, somuch magnificence in their tombs that the contrast was less felt betweenthe blank of death and the splendours of life. It is true that the hopeof another world being less vivid among the Pagans than amongstChristians, they endeavoured to dispute with death the futureremembrance which we place, without fear, in the bosom of the Eternal."

  Oswald sighed and was silent. Melancholy ideas have many charms when wehave not been ourselves deeply wretched, but when grief in all itsasperity has seized upon the soul, we no longer hear without shudderingcertain words which formerly only excited in us reveries more or lesspleasing.