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Arthur Ponsonby Baron Ponsonby. Rebels and Reformers: Biographies for Young People
Rebels and Reformers: Biographies for Young People
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
ILLUSTRATIONS
I. SAVONAROLA. 1452–1498
II. WILLIAM THE SILENT. 1533–1584
III. TYCHO BRAHE. 1546–1601
IV. CERVANTES. 1547–1616
V. GIORDANO BRUNO. 1548–1600
VI. GROTIUS. 1583–1645
VII. VOLTAIRE. 1694–1778
VIII. HANS ANDERSEN. 1805–1875
IX. MAZZINI. 1805–1872
X. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON. 1805–1879
XI. HENRY THOREAU. 1817–1862
XII. TOLSTOY. 1828–1910
Отрывок из книги
Arthur Ponsonby Baron Ponsonby, Dorothea Ponsonby
Published by Good Press, 2021
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It was to this brilliant and powerful man, who was the chief authority in the State, that Savonarola from the first refused to show any respect whatsoever. He declared that his election as Prior was due to God, not to Lorenzo. He saw, moreover, that while Lorenzo was interested in art and learning, the people of Florence were badly governed and had no freedom or independence. Although the very Convent of San Marco, of which he was the head, had been enriched by the bounty of Lorenzo, the Prior declined to do homage to him, or even to visit him, and whenever Lorenzo walked in the gardens of the monastery he carefully avoided him, saying that his intercourse was with God, not with man. Lorenzo, however, was anxious to add this remarkable monk to the select society he had gathered about him, and to have him join the interesting discussions on art, letters, and philosophy which took place at his banquets and assemblies. But Savonarola regarded him as an enemy of the people and of true religion; and even when Lorenzo came to Mass at San Marco he paid no attention to him, and though he found a number of gold coins in the alms-chest, obviously the gift of Lorenzo, he would not take the money for the convent, but sent it away to be distributed among the poor. Savonarola did not believe in the Church being rich except in the spiritual sense; in fact, the greed of the Church for actual riches was what he constantly denounced.
Within the year, however, the Prince and the priest were destined to meet, for Lorenzo on his deathbed sent for the Prior of San Marco. One account tells how Savonarola came and, standing by the bedside, bade Lorenzo repent of his sins and give up his wealth, but refused him absolution because the dying man hesitated to restore their liberties to the people of Florence. While some thought that the wise and great prince was very prudent and lenient with the impossible, fanatical monk, others were inclined to suspect that he was more probably afraid of him.
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