If Petrarch, however, learned nothing from the King, the King learned something from Petrarch.

Among the other requisites for examining a Poet Laureate which Robert possessed, was _an utter ignorance of poetry_.

But Petrarch couched his blindness on the subject, so that Robert saw, or believed he saw, something useful in the divine art.

He had heard of the epic poem, Africa, and requested its author to recite to him some part of it.

The King was charmed with the recitation, and requested that the work might be dedicated to him.