Add MS 38023

AESOPIC FABLES, and another moralized tract, in Italian, viz.:-

1. "Incomincia il prologo soura la traslacione de Esopo de gramaticha in uolgare": prose translation in a Northern dialect (Padua?) of the Latin verse collection known as Anonymus Neveleti, or sometimes as that of Walter the Englishman (see Ward, Cat. of Romances, ii. p. 309). The list of fables is identical with that of the translation "per uno da Siena" (see Hervieux, Les Fabulistes Latins, 1893, i. p. 642), but M. P. Brush (Isopo Laurenziano, Baltimore, 1898) is mistaken in classing this among the MSS. of the Sienese writer's version. It is, as is also the Riccardian MS. printed by Ghivizzani (Volgarizzamento delle Favole di Galfredo, Bologna, 1866), an independent translation with a different preface. The translator speaks of himself as "del arte de gramaticha piciolo e uille professore." A table of chapters is prefixed. Translator's preface beg. "Li scriti delli autori delli quali fi fato mentione"; preface to the text, "Usanza e deli sauii auctori che inançi che li comenzi el suo tratato"; and text, "Questo ortexelo parturisse parimente lo fruto cum lo fiore." Ends "lo crudel e mortel uelen. E questo e prouado in la presente fabula. cio e che disc lauctore." f. 3.

2. "Qui comenza le dodexe fatige de Hercule dele quale se inc po cauar e chauasene de molti beli exempli, dei quali lomo po adimprendere per le istorie sottoscrite segondo la Boa possibilitade de intelecto." Beg. "La prima fatigha del dito Hercule seguitando lordene de Boecio fo in domare li centauri"; ends "con le tue sanite si li abati. Deo gracias. Amen." Colophon, "Compito de scriuer a di ultimo Mazo, 1449, cio e de acopiar." f. 83 b. On ff. 99 b-100 b is added in a later hand (circ. 1500) a poetical "Epistola ad D. P. Sauo" in Italian (49 lines in terza rima), beg. Non hebe un dolor si intenso quel pastore." Nearly the whole volume is palimpsest, the underlying writing being a record in a 14th cent. band apparently of land-tenures or legal proceedings. Tho date 1291 and a mention of Padua occur. On f. 102 is among other scribbling an acquittance in 1507 by "Antonio Justo, fo de messer Ironimo," to "messser Frischo Balbe" for part of an exchange of 1000 ducats made by messer Pixani with "Nicholo Duodo marchadantte da Londra." Vellum; ff. i. + 102. 7 in. x 4¾ in. A.D. 1449. Gatherings (beg. f. 3) of ten leaves. See. fol. "e dire." Original binding of wooden boards covered with leather, circular centre-ornament and border to panel of interlanced blind-tooling; rebacked. Brass studs and remains of clasps (one lettered Ihs). Old nos. 1150 (on f. 2), 1455, 413l, 5025 (on binding). Bought by Sir T. Phillipps of Thomas Thorpe, the bookseller; Phillipps MS. 2749 (sale-cat. 1910, lot. 298).

Manuscripts, Dated (to A.D. 1500): Latin and Modern Languages.: 1332-1457: A.D. 1449.

Padua, Italy: Aesopic fables, etc., written in the Paduan dialect (?): 1449.

Padua, Italy: Record concerning lands in 14th cent. Palimpsest.: 14th cent.

Bindings ITALIAN: Wooden boards, leathercovered, interlaced ornament: 15th cent.

includes:

• f. 3 Walter, the Englishman: Translation of fables attributed to: 1449.: Ital.
• f. 3 Anonymus Neveleti: Translation of Fables of: 1449.: Ital.
• f.3 Aesop: Fables attributed to (Anonymus Neveleti): 1449.: Ital.
• f. 99 b D[onna?] P- Savo: Poetical epistle to: circ. 1500.
• f. 99 b Poetry: Epistola ad D. P. Savo: circ. 1500.: Ital.
• f. 102 Pixani: Exchange transaction by: 1507.
• f. 102 Antonio Justo: Acquittance by: 1507.
• f. 102 Frischobalbe: Acquittance to: 1507.