VINCENZO, a lyrical poet of Italy, was b. at Florence, of an ancient but impoverished family, in 1642. Deeply wounded, while yet a youth, in his affections, lie resolved to dedicate his undivided genius to heroic, martial, and sacred themes, for swearing all amatory compositions for the future, and perversely consigning his exqui site love inspirations to the flames. In six sublime odes, F. celebrated the deliverance of Vienna in 1683 from the besieging forces of the Turks, chiefly effected by the hero ism of John Sobieski, king of Poland, and of Charles duke of Lorraine. On the publi cation of the odes in Florence in 1684, F. became, almost in spite of himself, famous, and attracted the notice of queen Christina of Sweden, an ardent admirer and munifi cent protectress of Italian letters and genius. Relieved from harassing pecuniary embar rassments by the liberal patronage of Christina, F. was enabled, with undisturbed powers, to devote himself to composition, some of his most touching verses being addressed to his royal benefactress. Patriotic sonnets, thigrandest of which is a lament
over the internal weakness of Italy—Italia, Italia, 0 to cui feo la sorte—and heroic odes, severely classic in form, are the chief works of Filicaja. His career as patriot, citizen, and man, won him reverence and love as universal as was the admiration accorded to his works. In advanced age, he was appointed judge and senator, and in 1702 was called to one of the highest magisterial offices in Florence, where he died in honored peace, Sept. 24, 1707. His works, under the title of Poesie Toscane di Vincenzo da Fill caja, Senatore Fiorentino e Accademico della Crusca, were published after his death. The best edition is that of Venice (2 vols. 1762), containing both the Italian and Latin verses of the author.