[M2.39L]                                                              [M2.39]								39
                                                                      
                                                                      Monument of Andrea Vendramin.
                                                                      On one of its pedestals it has two vulgar shields tied up
                                                                      with a bit of narrow riband - 2d a yard.  Below, a dragon
                                                                      with a woman’s head on helmet.  The spiral of the helmet
                                                                      is chiselled as sharply as a nautilus shell. The body is
                                                                      covered in centre with seals of various size, beautifully
                                                                      set;  on the back of it it has sturgeon spines on the
                                                                      belly, jointed mail, its wings are cut to as sharp a
                                                                      point in each plume as needles;  and crescent eyed
                                                                      It stands holding the helmet distinctly with its claw,
                                                                      looking as though it would slip off. - it L. ends in a
                                                                      woman’s head with a insipid grin and a shaft straight nose
                                                                      {according to Caro}, turned up hair behind drawing room
                                                                      fashion.  The tail curls elaborately like a riband - no 
                                                                      invention - no clatter of scales - no terror no muscular
                                                                      action in wings, utterly base - Body stuffed.
                                                                      Fat legged boys sprawling on sea horses or spreading
                                                                      handkerchiefs on dolphins backs occupy two panels of lower
                                                                      basement, the arabesques of leaves ending in currants
                                                                      with wriggly stems and birds eating them - or at least - 
                                                                      holding them in their bills - for there is no peck - no 
                                                                      life - no gesture - only the two birds delicately feathered
                                                                      each in a proper posture opposite the other, holding
                                                                      the currants as opera girls do in a ballet over the heads
                                                                      of the principal figures.  (Compare Benedet da Majano’s
                                                                      chimney piece - where there is both spirit and life and
                                                                      light and shade)

[Version 0.05: May 2008]