Then he would start as if from a dream, cast a hurried, frightened, apologetic glance around, and, with a crestfallen, humbled air, draw his rebellious instrument back to the beaten track of the glib monotony.

But at home he would make himself amends for this reluctant drudgery.

And there, grasping the unhappy violin with ferocious fingers, he would pour forth, often till the morning rose, strange, wild measures that would startle the early fisherman on the shore below with a superstitious awe, and make him cross himself as if mermaid or sprite had wailed no earthly music in his ear.
(*Orpheus was the favourite hero of early Italian Opera, or Lyrical Drama.

The Orfeo of Angelo Politiano was produced in 1475.

The Orfeo of Monteverde was performed at Venice in 1667.) This man's appearance was in keeping with the characteristics of his art.