From him Milton learnt to bear the stings
of evil tongues and the contumely of evil days; and long years
after, Byron, thinking of Dante under the pine-trees of Ravenna,
was incited to attune his harp to loftier strains than he had ever
attempted before. Dante inspired the greatest painters of Italy--
Giotto, Orcagna, Michael Angelo, and Raphael. So Ariosto and
Titian mutually inspired one another, and lighted up each
other's glory.
Great and good men draw others after them, exciting the
spontaneous admiration of mankind. This admiration of noble
character elevates the mind, and tends to redeem it from the
bondage of self, one of the greatest stumbling blocks to moral
improvement. The recollection of men who have signalised
themselves by great thoughts or great deeds, seems as if to create
for the time a purer atmosphere around us: and we feel as if our
aims and purposes were unconsciously elevated.
"Tell me whom you admire," said Sainte-Beuve, "and I will tell you
what you are, at least as regards your talents, tastes, and
character." Do you admire mean men?--your own nature is mean.
Do you admire rich men?--you are of the earth, earthy. Do you
admire men of title?--you are a toad-eater, or a tuft-hunter. (8)
Do you admire honest, brave, and manly men?--you are yourself of
an honest, brave, and manly spirit.
It is in the season of youth, while the character is forming, that
the impulse to admire is the greatest.
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