Beneath was the lake of Guarda, with its flux and reflux, like the sea, and around them were the rich hills and fertile valleys.

"It must be confessed," said the Legate to Petrarch, "that your country is more beautiful than ours." The face of Petrarch brightened up.

"But you must agree," continued the Cardinal, perhaps to moderate the poet's exultation, "that ours is more tranquil." "That is true," replied Petrarch, "but we can obtain tranquillity whenever we choose to come to our senses, and desire peace, whereas you cannot procure those beauties which nature has lavished _on us_." Petrarch here took leave of the Cardinal, and set out for Parma.

Taking Mantua in his way, he set out from thence in the evening, in order to sleep at Luzora, five leagues from the Po.

The lords of that city had sent a courier to Mantua, desiring that he would honour them with his presence at supper.