DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0623
chap, xxviii.] THE LAKE OF BOLSENA. 515
character to the eyes of the beholders, and conclude that
the propagators of the miracle had been making too deep
potations in the rich wine of its shores \ Now, at least,
the islands have lost their erratic and Protean propensities,
and, though still capt with wood, have taken determinate
and beautiful forms, no longer plastic beneath the touch
of jEolus.4 As early as the Second Punic War, this lake
was the subject of a miracle—its waters were changed
into blood5—not merely, it may be, a portent of the
pestilence that ensued, but a symbol, perhaps, of the
pestiferous atmosphere which must even then have brooded
over it. If miracles have ceased, malaria has not, but
summerly visits the spot, and makes these beautiful and
fertile shores, which might be a paradise, a desolation and
a curse. Man has well-nigh deserted them, and the fish
and wild-fowl, which abounded here of old, have still
undisturbed possession of its waters.6
Monte Fiascone stands on the very summit of its hill,
the loftiest ground on the shores of the lake. It is a town
of some importance, with a neat, new cathedral, on the
plan of the Pantheon, and with a decent inn outside the
walls. Beyond this, and its wine, the far-famed, prelate-
snaring, prelate-slaying " Est, est, est,"7 which, if it be not
4 The Isola Martana is said to retain for the lake has but one emissary, the
restiges of antiquity. The other, called Marta, which falls into the sea below
Bisentino, must have received its name Corneto.
from the Vesentum or Vesentium men- 7 The family of the Rev. John Fugger
tioned in Pliny's catalogue—" Vesentini" bequeathed a sum of money for masses to
(III. 8)—the site of which town, I know be said for his soul on the anniversary of
not with what truth, has been placed on his death,andforabarrel of the fatal wine
the western shore of the lake, between to be poured upon his grave. The first
Marta and Valentano. part of the bequest is religiously attended
5 Liv. XXVII. 23. to, but the people now dispense with
6 Strabo, V. p. 226. Columella, de the heathenish libation, and pour the
Re Rust. VIII. 16. Strabo errs in wine, which Sancho would have pro-
saying that the reeds and rushes of this nounced " very Catholic," down their
lake were borne by the Tiber to Rome, own throats instead.
ii 2
character to the eyes of the beholders, and conclude that
the propagators of the miracle had been making too deep
potations in the rich wine of its shores \ Now, at least,
the islands have lost their erratic and Protean propensities,
and, though still capt with wood, have taken determinate
and beautiful forms, no longer plastic beneath the touch
of jEolus.4 As early as the Second Punic War, this lake
was the subject of a miracle—its waters were changed
into blood5—not merely, it may be, a portent of the
pestilence that ensued, but a symbol, perhaps, of the
pestiferous atmosphere which must even then have brooded
over it. If miracles have ceased, malaria has not, but
summerly visits the spot, and makes these beautiful and
fertile shores, which might be a paradise, a desolation and
a curse. Man has well-nigh deserted them, and the fish
and wild-fowl, which abounded here of old, have still
undisturbed possession of its waters.6
Monte Fiascone stands on the very summit of its hill,
the loftiest ground on the shores of the lake. It is a town
of some importance, with a neat, new cathedral, on the
plan of the Pantheon, and with a decent inn outside the
walls. Beyond this, and its wine, the far-famed, prelate-
snaring, prelate-slaying " Est, est, est,"7 which, if it be not
4 The Isola Martana is said to retain for the lake has but one emissary, the
restiges of antiquity. The other, called Marta, which falls into the sea below
Bisentino, must have received its name Corneto.
from the Vesentum or Vesentium men- 7 The family of the Rev. John Fugger
tioned in Pliny's catalogue—" Vesentini" bequeathed a sum of money for masses to
(III. 8)—the site of which town, I know be said for his soul on the anniversary of
not with what truth, has been placed on his death,andforabarrel of the fatal wine
the western shore of the lake, between to be poured upon his grave. The first
Marta and Valentano. part of the bequest is religiously attended
5 Liv. XXVII. 23. to, but the people now dispense with
6 Strabo, V. p. 226. Columella, de the heathenish libation, and pour the
Re Rust. VIII. 16. Strabo errs in wine, which Sancho would have pro-
saying that the reeds and rushes of this nounced " very Catholic," down their
lake were borne by the Tiber to Rome, own throats instead.
ii 2