Dinner Pieces: A Translation of the Intercenales

278 Pages·1987·9.605 MB·English

by  Leon Battista Alberti, David Marsh

LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI
Dinner Pieces
A Translation of the Intercenales
by
DAVID MARSH
Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies
In conjunction with
The Renaissance Society of America
IIINUIIAMTON, NHW YOKK l<)H7
Pegasus Limited for the Advancement of Neo-Latin Studies
has generously provided a grant to assist in the
publication costs of this volume.
®Copyright 1987
Center for Medieval and Early Renaissance Studies
State University of New York at Binghamton
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Alberti, Leon Battista, 1404-1472.
Dinner Pieces.
(Medieval & Renaissance texts & studies ; v. 45)
Includes index.
1. Marsh, David, 1950- . II. Title. III. Series.
PQ4562.A6I513 1987 858\209 86-31120
ISBN 0-86698-028-8 (alk. paper)
This book is set in Trump typeface,
smythe-sewn and printed on
acid-free paper to library specifications.
It will not fade, tear or crumble.
IMmiciI In ilii’ UiiMnl nl Amiilirt
I dedicate this work to my wife Dorene,
whose love and encouragement have seen
me through the long period of its revision.
Ackn o wledgm en ts
Work on the present translation was aided by a Mellon Fellowship to the
American Academy in Rome, by a Rackham Faculty Grant and Fellowship
from the University of Michigan, and by a National Endowment for the
Humanities Fellowship to the Newberry Library in Chicago. My revision
of the text was facilitated by photographic prints kindly supplied by the
Bodleian Library, and by the generous hospitality of Father Armando Verde
and the Dominican Friars of the convent of San Domenico in Pistoia. Dr.
Keith Sidwell graciously shared with me his unpublished 1975 Cambridge
dissertation on Lucian in the Quattrocento. On behalf of Medieval & Renais­
sance Texts (i. Studies, John B. Dillon and James Hankins offered invalua­
ble critiques. Others who made useful suggestions include D. R. Shackleton
Bailey, Lawrence Lane, and John MacManamon. Naturally, all inaccura­
cies an ! infelicities are mine.
Contents
Introduction 1
Dinner Pieces (Intercenales) 13
Book I
Preface to Paolo Toscanelli 15
The Writer (Scriptor) 16
The Orphan (Pupillus) 16
Religion (Religio) 19
Virtue (Virtus) 21
Fate and Fortune (Fatum et Fortuna) 23
Patience (Patientia) 28
Happiness (Felicitas) 31
Book II
Preface to Leonardo Bruni ‘ 4
The Oracle (Oraculum) 1 i
Frugality (Parsimonia) 3.
The Cock (Gallus) ■•)
Soothsaying (Vaticinium) LI
Poverty (Paupertas) 13
The Coin (Nummus) 51
Pluto (Pluto) 52
Wealth (Divitae) 52
Book III
Paintings (Picture) 54
Flowers (Flores) 57
VIII • Contents
Discord (Discordia) 58
The Enemy (Hostis) 59
Stones (Lapides) 61
Ivy (Hedera) 62
Suspicion (Suspitio) 62
Book IV
Preface to Poggio Bracciolini 65
The Dream (Somnium) 66
Garlands (Corolle) 69
The Cynic (Cynicus) 74
Fame (Fama) 80
Affliction (Erumna) 82
The Slave (Servus) 91
The Deceased (Defunctus) 98
Book VII
Preface 126
The Husband (Maritus) 128
Marriage (Uxoria) 134
Book VIII
Preface 149
Fate and the Unfortunate Father 150
(Fatum et pater infelix)
Veiled Sayings (Convelata) 154
Book IX
Shipwrecked (Naufragus) 159
Book X
Preface and Arguments 166
The Owl (Bubo) 168
Stubbornness (Pertinacia) 171
The Clouds (Nebule) 172
The Temple (Templum) 175
The Lake (Lacus) 176
The Wolf (Lupus) 185
The Spider (Aruncu) 186
Contents • ix
Book XI
The Widow (Vidua) 190
The Love Affair (Amores) 198
Uncertain Book
Rings (Anuli) 210
Uncertain Fragment
Truth? (Veritas?) 218
Notes 219
Index 262

Introduction