• Compare Thomson’s description of the “pleasing land of drowsy-head,” in the Castle of Indolence :⁠— “And there a season atween June and May, Half prankt with spring, with summer half imbrowned, A listless climate made, where, sooth to say, No living wight could work, ne cared even for play.” ↩
• “He loved also in life,” says Arrivabene, Commento Storico , 584, “a certain Belacqua, an excellent maker of musical instruments.” Benvenuto da Imola says of him: “He was a Florentine who made guitars and other musical instruments. He carved and ornamented the necks and heads of the guitars with great care, and sometimes also played. Hence Dante, who delighted in music, knew him intimately.” This seems to be all that is known of Belacqua. ↩
• Measure for Measure , II 2:⁠— “True prayers That shall be up at heaven, and enter there Ere sunrise; prayers from preserved souls, From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate To nothing temporal.” ↩