Davila's battle of Ivry is worthy of Thucydides himself.

Next to Davila I put Guicciardini, and last of all Machiavelli.

But I do not think that you ever read much Italian.
The English poetry of the day has very few attractions for me.

Van Artevelde is far the best specimen that I have lately seen.

I do not much like Talfourd's Ion; but I mean to read it again.