Chapter 479

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As a convincing proof of the reality of the fact, a Roman Catholic refers the reader to the picture of the incident painted by Simon de Sienne, a friend of the poet, on the portal of the Church Notre Dame du Don at Avignon, notwithstanding the prohibition of the Sovereign Pontiff, who “would not allow this triumph of love to be enthroned in the holy place”; and adds: “Time has injured the work of art, but has not weakened its tradition.” (Ibid., p. 425.) De Mirville’s “Dragon-Devils” of our era seem to have no luck, as they disappear most mysteriously from the museums where they are said to have been. Thus the Dragon embalmed by Ulysses Aldovrandus and presented to the Musée du Sénat, either in Naples or Bologna, “was there still in 1700,” but is there no more. (Ibid., p. 427.)