306 ST. MARK’S REST

129. I meant to have read all their legends,¹ but “could do it any time,” and of course never did!-but these following are the most important. Charity is put twelfth as the last attained of the virtues belonging to human life only: but she is called the “Mother of Virtues”²-meaning, of them all, when they become divine; and chiefly of the four last, which relate to the other world. Then Long-suffering (Patientia) has for her legend, “Blessed are the Peacemakers”; Chastity, “Blessed are the pure in Heart”; Modesty, “Blessed are ye when men hate you”; while Constancy (consistency) has the two heads, balanced, one in each hand, which are given to the keystone of the entrance arch:³ meaning, I believe, the equal balance of a man’s being, by which it not only stands, but stands as an arch, with the double strength of the two sides of his intellect and soul. “Qui sibi constat.”⁴ Then note that “Modestia” is here not merely shamefacedness, though it includes whatever is good in that; but it is contentment in being thought little of, or hated,⁵ when one thinks one ought to be made much of-a very difficult virtue to acquire indeed, as I know some people who know.

130. Then the order of the circle becomes entirely clear. All strength of character begins in temperance, prudence, and lowliness of thought. Without these, nothing is possible, of noble humanity: on these follow-kindness (simple, as opposed to malice) and compassion (sympathy, a much rarer quality than mere kindness); then, self-restriction, a

¹ [They may be read (except in the case of Temperance, for which the inscription is wanting) in Boito, La Basilica di San Marco (English translation), pp. 788-789, or in The Bible of St. Mark, pp. 282-290. For an earlier reference to them, see Stones of Venice, vol. ii. (Vol. X. p. 385).]

² [On the scroll which she holds in her hand is the text 1 Peter iv. 8; and above the scroll is the inscription, “Mater Virtutum.”]

³ [The figures which Constancy on the archivolt of the central door holds in her hands represent the sun and the moon, and the idea in the present mosaic seems to be the same; the head held in her right hand is that of Christ (the Sun of Righteousness); that in her left is symbolic of the moon (see the illustration at p. 286 of The Bible of St. Mark). The idea may thus be that Constancy is to be faithful as long as the sun and moon endure.]

⁴ [See Horace, Ars Poetica, 127.]

⁵ [The text which she holds in her hand is Luke vi. 22: “Blessed are ye when men shall hate you.”]

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