Biblioteca Braidense
Milan
Italy
The author states that the ‘Ragionamento’ is taken from a whole ‘Convivio’ devoted to Petrarch’s Canzoniere (a manuscript of such work is now lost). Occasional marginal printed notes identify the content of the relevant section of the lecture. The lecture consists of repeated religious, philosophical, astrological, and linguistic digressions. A lengthy digression touches on the legend of the foundation of Rome and the stories of Romulus and Aeneas. Mentions are made mostly to classical authors and philosophers. Bembo is referred to as an authority, previous commentaries (Daniello’s and Gesualdo’s) are mentioned and discussed in a few loci (see e.g. L4r-v, M1v).
Other Petrarchan poems quoted include: RVF 191 (E1v and F4v); RVF 135 (F4v); RVF 173 (G3r); RVF 229 (G3v); RVF 325 (G4r); RVF 340 (H1v); RVF 356 (H3v); RVF 240 (H3v); RVF 25 (H4r); RVF 10 (H4r); RVF 215 (L4r); Triumphus Mortis II, 163-165 (L4r); RVF 188 (L4r); RVF 246 (L4r); RVF 72 (L4v and M1r); RVF 133 (M1r); RVF 220 (M1r); RVF 84 (M1r); RVF 113 (M1r); RVF 248 (M1v); and RVF 323 (M1v).