Two gerbera flowers. part 2

 
Two days later, there was a knock on Lino’s door: Signor Grazza’s servant brought a letter in which he invited Lino to a late dinner at his Villa. Since that day, Lino had waited impatiently for some message from his loved one. But the invitation from Signor Grazza himself took him by surprise. He brought along a picture that he had painted personally for Signor Grazza a long time ago, while still studying with Master Paolo Veneziano. He knew that there was no better gift for his benefactor than a painting of a spectacular sunset, and in the foreground the Baptistery of San Giovanni from the side of the Piazza del Duomo.
His agitation knew no limits – he didn’t know what else destiny had prepared for him? What other trials would he have to face? Would Violetta listen to him and understand? But one thing he knew for sure: Nothing and nobody would change his decision – he loves his Violetta too much!
“Welcome, Signor Lino,” – he heard the voice of Signor Grazza as he entered the very room where Lino had worked so hard the last night before his departure to replace the stiletto in the hand of his beloved Violetta with two gerbera flowers.
“Thank you, Signor Grazza! I am honored to be your guest, though... I failed to justify your generosity,” he added in a quiet voice.
“Signor Lino! We’ll talk about everything! In the meantime, come in! Roberto, help the guest!”
The servant politely took him by the elbow and sat him down at the table.
Her dress rustling, Signorina Violetta came down the hall. Lino’s heart was beating so loudly it seemed everyone could hear it, while a slight shiver ran up his arms. He lifted his head slightly and, narrowing his eyes, tried to find HER, his priceless beloved one, with his sightless eyes!
His lack of vision strengthened him many times, and even without it, thanks to his excellent ear, he knew she was walking towards him!
“Good evening, Signor Lino!” – Her voice sounded calm, but Lino clearly heard the vibration of anxiousness. So she hadn’t erased him from her mind, he thought. “It’s good to see you again!”
Holding his breath, he bowed down and felt her warm fingers in his... His heart stopped as he gave her hand a polite kiss.
“I’d be happy to see you, Signorina Violetta... But it is also a great pleasure to hear your voice!” – he felt how she gently squeezed his hand.
Dinner passed in festive conversation. Lino barely touched the food, afraid of being clumsy and tipping something over on himself. He only occasionally sipped the wine because he could distinguish the contours of the massive glass. After dinner, all the members of the Grazza family and Lino made themselves comfortable in the Loggia.
“Signor Grazza! I hope that this painting will not disappoint you. It was created especially for you as a token of my sincere gratitude... Unfortunately, I did not have time to do others.”
The picture by the young artist was highly praised. Everybody knew that Signor Grazza was never a hypocrite and always told the truth, so Lino was heartened by the owner’s delight.
“The last few days have given me real pleasure as I encountered the beautiful. And the festival at the School of Arts was a success, wasn’t it?” – The father of the family continued the enthusiastic conversation. “But you, young signorina, made us worry!” – He addressed his daughter. “Thank God, the doctors attributed it to fatigue. You need more rest, my child!”
SHE was so close... Lino inhaled HER fragrant scent... The edge of HER dress, as if by chance, touched his hand... His Soul shouted from the impossibility of hugging HER, kissing and holding her to his Heart... He was afraid that he might not be able to restrain himself and, to stop this torture, said:
“Signor Grazza! You’re free to ask me all the questions you’re interested in... I’m ready to tell you everything...”
“Signor Lino!” – The notes of concern were audible in the voice of the head of the family. “I hope our alarm does not look like idle curiosity...but what happened to you?”
Lino took a deep breath, smiled a little and started in on the story...
“Thank you for your concern, Signor Grazza. My life has changed in ways I never dreamed of. Everything was going great; I studied with Master Veneziano with such enthusiasm! I was sorry to waste time sleeping! I was immersed in the irrepressible power of creativity; I was the happiest man on earth. Master Veneziano himself foretold a great future for me. I dreamed of the day when I would become a master and have the skill to return to Florence and stand before your family with my head proudly raised. I dreamed that one day, when I became a famous artist, I would be able to thank you for your generosity, adding to the list of all those who were touched by your virtue! But how weak and exposed man is to the trials of fate... – silence descended. – Everything was unfolding as well as possible until Venice, trying to reclaim the lands of Dalmatia and the Aegean Islands, started a war with the Ottomans. Sultan Bayezid II captured the port of Lepanto. He was reputed to be a big fan of dervishes and had a great passion for splendor and luxury.  To see the magnificence of Venice and remain indifferent to its exquisite beauty was beyond even the power of the Turkish sultan himself. One day, after learning about Master Veneziano’s school, the sultan visited it. He looked at the paintings of the master’s apprentices for a long time. At that moment I was finishing up my next commission – a portrait of a certain Signorina Mirella. He looked at the portrait for a while and expressed the wish that I would paint one of his beloved daughter, the sultaness Sophia Fatma. His proposal took me by surprise: Why did he ignore the skill of Master Veneziano himself? I felt uncomfortable, but the master, on the contrary, started talking about me as the most talented apprentice. The sultan listened attentively to the master and declared, ‘Be ready tomorrow morning; I’ll send for you!  If I like your work, you’ll be generously rewarded!’ Master Veneziano seemed to rejoice more than I did: If everything went well, not simply doors, but gates to a great future would be opened for me; maybe after he saw beautiful work, the sultan would commission a personal portrait, and then glory and riches would be possible for me... That is what the master said, but instead of jubilation, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of misfortune... and it did not fail me.”
Lino caught his breath, as if preparing for the climax of his story.
 Violetta listened to the account of her beloved and – to somehow suppress the shiver in her hands – nervously pulled at her silk scarf. She wanted to come to Lino’s rescue, but how? As if hearing her thoughts, Signor Grazza said:
“Signor Lino! Would you like to... it’s clear you’re having a hard time with these memories...”
“No, Signor Grazza! Come as it may have come, I’d like to finish my story... if I haven’t exhausted you...”
“Go on, my boy! Continue...”
“I started to paint the portrait of the young sultaness. The sessions, ordered by the sultan himself, were held under the watchful eye of the harem warden and a couple of eunuchs. The day before I was explained the rules: Do not talk, do not meet the eyes of the sultaness, only look when necessary, without raising your head. But the most important rule was that I return any sketches. It is clear that the working conditions were depressing, but the portrait of the sultaness delighted Sultan Bayezid. He especially liked the sultaness’s hair in the color of ripe wheat. That day, the Sultan generously gave me gold. Naive! I was going back to my room with a sense of relief, hoping to return to Master Veneziano as soon as possible. But it wasn’t to be... No sooner had I opened the door to my room than two janissaries grabbed me and took me to the sultan’s palace. I was sure it was the end, but I didn’t know what I was at fault for. I was dragged into the big hall. They roughly pressed on my shoulders, forcing me down on my knees. In front of me on a wide couch-throne sat a frowning sultan with a roll of canvas in his hand. He slowly unfurled the canvas and grumbled threateningly, ‘How dare you, you reprobate?’”
Lino fell silent. And everyone who was listening to his story was silent. He gulped down water and continued:
“It was my favorite painting. I had painted when I arrived in Venice. I put all the warmth of my heart... all my skill into the vision of beauty... All my soul...”
“What was depicted in that painting...?” – asked Signorina Violetta shyly, but with excitement in her voice.
“It depicted a girl of divine beauty: She stood in the primordial nude, large curls of her beautiful hair covered her maiden breasts in a golden cascade, and the moon with its silver blanket seemed to be trying to protect her purity from unworthy eyes. She was holding two flowers in her hand...” – he almost switched to a whisper, while Signorina Violetta stopped breathing. “She was holding two flowers in her hand. ‘Perfection of Purity’ – that was the name of the painting.”
A fever passed through Violetta’s body like an ocean wave; her cheeks flamed up, and beads of moisture “ran” down her back in warm streams... How could she not recognize that night??? That night, before Lino left, when she was ready to prove her Love to him... And he just stood there and admired her, daring only to give her a first, passionate kiss. His refusal had elevated him even higher in Violetta’s eyes... He did not succumb to momentary weakness; he decided to dedicate his whole life to being worthy of this Gift.
“But I don’t understand the reason for the Turk’s indignation,” Signor Grazza’s question interrupted the thread of Violetta’s memories. “I know how Islam relates to images; maybe he was outraged by the girl’s nudity?”
“Believe me, I was totally confused. Incredibly quickly, I ran through one reason after another for the sultan’s indignation; I didn’t know what to think of it. While I was at a loss, the sultan asked again, ‘What is this impudence? You forgot our agreement, and not only did you not return all the drawings, but you also dared to paint my daughter without... Your punishment will be so cruel that you will beg for death!’ That’s when I realized what the reason for the sultan’s anger was. I said, ‘Oh, Great Sultan! I swear, the painting isn’t of your daughter, how could I do that? That girl is the one I love more than life, she’s my first and last Love! You don’t see her face, do you? She, like your daughter, has been given golden hair by God! I came to Venice to become a great artist, to be worthy of her Love!’ The Sultan pondered this and asked, ‘So what? Did she pose for you in the nude?’ ‘No, my sultan! I didn’t touch her with a finger! I painted her only from my own imagination and memory!’ Sultan Bayezid remained silent for a long time, then got up, approached me and announced his decision – ‘I will change my anger to mercy. If you have such an imagination that you could paint the image of your beloved so masterfully from memory, it means that you would be able to someday paint my daughter from memory too...’ I tried to object, but he threw up his hand abruptly and said something that made me want to die – ‘I will not kill you, artist! I’d love to cut out your eyes, but that’s not fair. You’ll be blinded by garlic juice... you’ll see, but only a little. You’ll have to forget about painting.  Too bad; you could have been a great artist.’ He gave me two days to enjoy the light of my eyes for the last time, as he said.” 
 The silence in the Loggia was deathly. Tears fell from Signorina Violetta’s eyes, and she could hardly keep herself from throwing her arms around her beloved’s neck. Lino sat there, his head bowed.
“What cruelty?! This is an outrageous atrocity! A cruel-hearted barbarian!” – There was no limit to Signor Grazza’s indignation. “Killing talent is tantamount to murder! Damn the day I made that decision for you, my boy! Indeed, good and evil go hand in hand on earth!”
“You have nothing to reproach yourself with, Signor Grazza! I’m sincerely grateful to you!” 
“How did you survive this, my boy? It’s hard to imagine how you could handle such misfortune!”
“I was thrown out on the street right after the ‘sultan’s mercy’.” Carrying two leather purses tightly stuffed with the sultan’s gold, I drifted around the city like a blind, homeless dog. I couldn’t even cry since my eyes burned as if lead were being poured into them. I don’t know how long I wandered around the city, whether it was day or night. Then suddenly I felt someone’s warm, soft hand. It took me by the elbow, and the person said, ‘Trust me, young man...’ and brought me to a room. The people there spoke a language I didn’t know. They washed me, fed me and put me in a soft bed with some herbal brew. The pain subsided, and I fell asleep right away.”   
“Who were these people?” said Signor Grazza, unable to hold back, “I hope they weren’t gold hunters.”
“These people were sent to me by Providence itself. It was the abbot of the Armenian Church of Sourp Khach (Holy Cross), Father Areg Arakel.”
“I know him well!” exclaimed Signor Grazza unexpectedly. “He’s a very merciful man; he helps a lot of people. No wonder he helped you too!”
“Yes, you’re absolutely right! Through an Armenian merchant who traded with China, Father Areg Arakel invited an elder, a healer from that country. Thanks to his treatment, I began to see the outlines of objects in a year. Although the Sultan promised that I would see, albeit poorly, the executor of the punishment, evidently, tried, with all his heart, to please his ruler... I was completely blind...”
“Thank God, my boy, that you met the abbot!”
“Father! How do you know him?” asked Alberto, the eldest son.
“I met him as a young man when I was taking shy steps in trade,” – he sighed deeply and smiled. “I handed over the little money I had for goods, and I had not a cent to buy myself something to eat. There were three days left before the ship sailed, and I hadn’t touched a morsel of food for two days. I was walking down the street called Armenian Alley, and a young man in church clothes was approaching me. As we passed each other, I said I was looking for any job I could get, just for a bowl of soup. He didn’t say anything; he just took me by the hand and led me along.” – Signor Grazza’s eyes moistened, and he wiped away a tear. “I’ll never forget that day... Father Areg Arakel brought me to a monastery, silently poured me a bowl of soup, cut off a large piece of bread and put a cluster of red grapes and cheese next to me... I haven’t eaten anything tastier in my entire life!!!  When I was full, I asked what kind of work I should do. He smiled, stroked my head and gently said, ‘My son! Your job is to remember!’ ‘Remember what?’ ‘Remember that the Lord fed you today, but many will have to go to bed hungry! Remember that when you’re rich! That is your job!’”
“So that’s where your charity comes from,” exclaimed Alberto.
During this conversation, Signorina Violetta didn’t utter a word. She wanted this evening to be over soon! She wanted to meet her beloved one alone! Lino’s tragic story broke her heart; she just wanted to snuggle up close to him and... be mesmerized.
“I owe Father Areg Arakel not only the lesson of charity for my whole life, but also my welfare. He introduced me to Armenian merchants who patiently taught me the intricacies of the merchant business. By the way, you know that two vice-consuls of Ravenna, Nerses and Isaac, were Armenians. Nerses, 80 years before Isaac, built two churches on the square, San Theodoros and San Geminiano, for the centennial of the founding of Venice.” (It was also at exactly this time that the viceroy Nerses built what later became the most famous square in the world – St. Mark’s Square. Author’s note)
While the father of the family delved into the memories of his early youth and was distracted from his guest for a moment, Signorina Violetta quietly whispered to Lino:
“Tomorrow... at midnight... Francheska will escort you...” – she knew her father and brothers were going to Siena for the wine fair in the morning.
“Excuse me, Signor Lino! I think I got carried away. I’d like to hear the rest of your story.”
“Well, Signor Grazza! In short, a year after the Chinese doctor’s treatment, my vision improved so much that I was not afraid to bump into anyone on the street. Although it’s true, only during the day... I gave all the sultan’s gold for the treatment. The Holy Father did not want to let me go, but I really wanted to return to Florence.”
“And that’s understandable, my boy! This is where your beloved one lives, doesn’t she?” – Signor Grazza said happily.
“It’s not just that. When I had to give up painting, the only thing I could devote myself to was music. My lack of vision greatly increased my feel, my sense of touch. And then, by the way, my ability to play different stringed instruments came in useful. I played for the priests in church and on the streets of Venice. And when I found out that a school for gifted children had opened in Florence, I sent a letter and received an invitation. My way forward was predetermined. So here I am... I guess that’s it...”
“Yes...” said Signor Grazza thoughtfully. “How long have you been in Florence? Why didn’t you let us know you were here?”
“I couldn’t, Signor Grazza... I had legitimate reasons... I had to finish something that was very important to me.”
“But we could have come to your rescue!”
“You see? That’s one of the reasons. I’ve accepted the rules of the game that fate has shown me!”
“What about your beloved one? You haven’t said anything about her!”
“I haven’t had the pleasure to talk with her yet, but I’m sure she’s become even more beautiful since we last met.”
“Tell me, Signor Lino,” the youngest Grazza son intervened, “Did the sultan return the painting of your beloved?”
“No. I don’t know anything about the fate of the painting.”
 
 
Lino waited for Violetta in the ivy gazebo, and was excited, taking small steps from side to side.  His knees were twitching and his heart beat in his ears. Impatiently, he waited for the sound of the approaching footsteps.  He knew every word he had to say to Her, the meaning of his life: He had not kept his promise to become worthy of her; he had failed to protect their Love; he had to go away forever... Evil destiny had used his Love and Talent, leaving him with an Eternal stigma, condemning him to hopeless existence at the very moment when the garlic juice sizzled and burnt his eyes...
He remembered every little detail of their last meeting – sensations, scents, touches and sounds. Reliving bit by bit the sequence of that magical night, Lino, with his
blind eyes, began to see everything: the narrow path leading to the gazebo; the figure of Violetta wrapped in a purple velvet cloak; and a gentle summer breeze, which made the “lace” ivy tremble like a kaleidoscope of small butterflies. But the brightest part etched in his memory was the moment when he lost his breath in the labyrinth of his consciousness and, it seemed, he stopped breathing altogether – She appeared before him as the Goddess of Chastity, Greatness and Beauty... When even the Moon, the sole witness, just after casting all its silver on the shoulders of that goddess, tried to become at least somehow involved in that magic.
The rustling of steps along the gravel path drew Lino out of his reverential memories – he shuddered. He wanted to run towards her so badly! Pick her up and spin her around and around...! But instead, all that was left for him to do was extend his trembling hands with two gerbera flowers and try to see anything at all...
“Lino! My darling! You’re alive!” – Violetta threw herself around his neck.
They stood there hugging each other and were afraid to breathe.
“I love you! I’m madly in love you!” Lino whispered, breathing in the scent of her hair. “Oh, my God! How much I would give to see you for even just a moment!”
They couldn’t get enough, kissing and hugging each other.
“What have they done to your beautiful eyes? Monsters!” – Violetta was outraged, covering his blind eyes with her kisses. 
When the excitement of the long-awaited meeting subsided a little, they sat down in the gazebo. Lino took a deep breath and said falteringly:
“Light of my life! I made a decision that day when...”
“I beg you, not now!” Violetta interrupted him, placing her tender fingers on his lips. “I don’t want to hear a word about your decision. Let’s just talk... about nothing. Tell me! If I hadn’t come to the School of Arts, I wouldn’t have found out you were here?”
“My love! I’d have definitely let you know I was here, but there’s something very important that I need to finish.”
“I remember you mentioned the importance of something in your conversation with my father. Tell me...”
“Violetta! I’m leaving in two days... It’s a sign from Heaven that your father and brothers are away...”
Violetta couldn’t believe her ears! How can he leave her again after such a long separation?
“Listen to me, please!” Lino said, lowering his head quietly. “It’s so important to me, and the only thing that will tie us together forever. It is proof of my infinite love for you. We’ve been dreaming of a future, and believe me, I’ve tried my best to achieve it. But now...”
“I will die without you, Lino!” – Her whisper sounded like a groan.
 “My Violetta! I have one big request of you. The last one... It may seem strange, but I beg you, trust me...”
 Violetta’s eyes were dripping with tears, and she heard the “rumble” of crumbling hope in her soul. She suddenly felt the determination in Lino’s quiet voice – he’s going away forever! Their union is impossible!!! Her soul screamed, tossing and turning in despair and pain!
“I’ll do anything, please!”
“Remember the last time we met, here, on that moonlit night? You offered me a priceless gift...” – Her shoulders were quivering from silent sobbing. “My dream would be to repeat that night... But now you’ll have to see for us both... Tomorrow at midnight I’ll be here. Think about it, take your time! This is going to be the biggest gift I receive for the rest of my life!”
He stood up, took the pretty face of his beloved one in his hands, and gently pressed his lips to her forehead.
Violetta watched the departing Lino take small steps, knocking on the gravel with a long stick, as if walking “by feel” to the gates of the Villa Grazza. As soon as his figure disappeared from her field of vision, she burst into bitter sobs: She “buried” her Love and her Dreams of Happiness. She felt dire devastation: Bone-chilling Fear, like a wild predator, crept up on her Heart, gradually taking the place of Love... 
 The next day, at midnight, Violetta wrapped herself in the purple velvet cloak and hurried to the gazebo; Lino was already there. He gave her two gerbera flowers again:
“Thank you for coming, my love!”
“I couldn’t help but come...” – she slowly threw her purple cloak off her shoulders, removed the bone comb from her gorgeous hair, and just like then, her hair tumbled down in a golden cascade, accentuating her magical nakedness even more... “Last time you refused to join me... so make me yours today...”
“You’re mine forever!” – Gently taking hold of her by the shoulders, he pressed Violetta to his chest. Then, Lino lifted up the cloak that had fallen to her feet and put it on the gazebo bench. “It’s not what you thought. The Seal of Interdiction has already been placed on that generous Gift... Forever! But I ordered this silk carpet from the most famous Persian master for you, my Love!”
The carpet of the finest work was laid out on the soft grass: Two gerbera flowers, the color of Amethyst and woven in stalks, shone against a turquoise background. Violetta’s heart broke – These two flowers were looking at her with Lino’s beautiful blue eyes!!!
“I’m lucky, my love! Apparently, somebody up above is predetermining our destiny.  This rug was woven to my design when I could still paint! I wanted to look at you eternally!” 
Violetta was lying on the carpet with her eyes closed, not feeling her nudity. Lino took her magnificent hair in his hands and nuzzled into it, enjoying its aroma.
“It has the scent of the sun!” he whispered.
His thin fingers slowly, like a spring breeze, barely touched her.  At first, they gently felt the girl’s face and shoulders, then moved down to the girl’s chest, slightly touching her pale nipples. Then, his hands took hold of her waist, and he put his head on her “porcelain” stomach. When the Two Gerbera Flowers gently lay on the womb of the girl, on the Altar of Lust, Violetta shuddered slightly – here it is, the Seal of Interdiction! His gentle touches all over the young girl’s body made a slight shiver roll over her like a wave. They both froze for a moment, and, to an outsider, it would have seemed like they were asleep. She realized: since he was blind, he was trying to see her with his fingers. And not only to see, but to remember. He kept caressing her, covering her face and body with gentle kisses. It was as if Lino was indulging, basking, in Her for the rest of his life. Violetta could not move; she had never felt such languid bliss, immaculate exhaustion, suffused to the brim with a Man’s Adoration. Her soul and body were completely given to Him. Yes! Lino didn’t take advantage of her innocence, but he made her a WOMAN!!!
And the Moon... confused by its involuntary involvement in the Beauty it had seen, with its eyes wide open, looked down in astonishment at the Apotheosis of Love, at the Unity of Souls, completely forgetting about the stars, the ebb and flow! It covered the beautiful young bodies of the two lovers with a “silver tent,” slightly “blew” a warm summer breeze on them, “wove” a band of stars over their heads and... also wept...
They fell asleep like that, their bodies wrapped in each other like those two gerbera flowers on the carpet. Lino woke up from the merry chirping of birds. It’s morning, I have to hurry, he thought, carefully freeing himself from the arms of his beloved. Covering Violetta’s divine body with the edges of the carpet, he got up on his knees and touched her forehead with his lips.
“Goodbye, my love! You gave me more than I deserve! Now I know how to complete what’s worthy of you!”
When Violetta opened her eyes, Lino wasn’t there... nor was her purple velvet cloak..
 
 
 
Since that very night, day after day, Signor Grazza’s beloved daughter has been withering away. The once happy house of Grazza, where the delightful Signorina Violetta was a source of joy, had lost its luster. Like a hearth that has died out, the house of Grazza had become desolate. The unhappy father was torn by his powerlessness and despair, pacing back and forth like a tiger in a cage, not knowing what to do? Where could he find help? How should he survive the death of his child, the death of his beloved daughter? Doctors called from all over Europe threw up their hands, not understanding the cause of the young girl’s disease. The words of the old Copt man, Avad Mussa, called to the dying girl’s bedside at the advice of Padre Lorenzo, further discouraged the unhappy father: His daughter had been laid low by the most severe disease of mankind – Love without Hope! And why did the old Copt man say that his name was Cry of Pain!!!
“Signor Grazza! Signorina Violetta asks you to come to her room...”
“I’m already on my way, Francheska!”
Her father sat at the head of his dying daughter’s bed and gently stroked her hand. Violetta strained to open her eyes and smiled:
“Father! Do you remember our conversation that if there is Love in my life, you will be the first to know about it?” – She breathed intermittently, struggling to find the right words. Her father nodded. “I will tell you everything, but promise that you will never hurt him... Fate has already been too cruel to us...”
Then she told her father all about their Love: about their conversations; about Lino’s distinguished ancestry and the fate of his parents; about the two gerbera flowers; about how, before Lino’s departure to Venice, she offered herself to him, yet he just kissed her; about how Lino promised to become worthy of her Love; about their last meeting; about Lino’s decision to leave forever...
Violetta’s story touched her father so much it brought him to tears:
“Why didn’t you tell me about it all before, my child? I’ll find him; I’ll bless your marriage; but don’t leave me, my treasure!”
“It’s not my decision, father! He’s too honorable to change it... that’s why I fell in love with him...
“Lino!!!” exclaimed Signor Grazza unexpectedly. “That’s the meaning of his name Cry of Pain, as the old Copt man said!”
“All our Love is the Cry of Pain, father!” – She collapsed onto the pillows and drifted off into oblivion. Violetta’s confession seemed to have taken the girl’s last strength.      
That night, her unhappy father fell asleep at his beloved daughter’s bedside...
 
 
In the early morning, when the birds were just waking up... When the long shadows of the night began to fade uneasily, not knowing where to hide from the onslaught of Light... When the first rays of the sun, breaking into golden reflections, gently “kissed” the spires of Giotto’s bell tower... When the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, scintillating in the rays of the sun, emerged in all its grandiose splendor... From somewhere, delightful sounds of a melody began to soar across the city. At first, the melody came from afar. Gradually approaching, the previously indistinguishable sounds of the melody rang out more clearly and more beautifully. In the early morning, the people of Florence began to awaken not from the noise of merchants and craftsmen, nor from the calls of flower girls and dashing townspeople. For the first time, they woke up from the magical sound of an unknown instrument and mesmerizing music... music that made everyone listen. It seemed to swim through all the windows and doors, “smiling” with magical sonority. At first people were surprised, then interested, and ultimately – delighted and emotional. Traders, leaving their counters, flower girls, wrapping their arms around the buckets of flowers, as if entranced, moved toward the magical sounds of this music. Kids stopped making noise, their children’s hearts pierced by the charm of the unfamiliar sound. Slowly, the inhabitants of Florence, whose ears were touched by the sounds of an instrument they had never seen before, flocked to Giotto’s chapel with radiant smiles on their faces. Frozen by the amazing sound of the strange instrument, they were afraid to move.  The crowd of people was steadily increasing.  The music trickled from everywhere, like the crystal moisture of a spring in the crevice of a cliff. The mysterious instrument produced the honey-like, languid sounds of a male timbre, then sparkled with children’s laughter, before smoothly crossing over to the amber timbre of a female voice. The instrument was singing about passionate Love, then bitterly crying.
Signor Grazza woke up from the stampede of people running. He went out to the Loggia, and, when he saw the gardener at the Villa’s gate, asked:
“What happened, Giacomo? Where are these people running?”
“They’re running to Giotto’s bell tower! They say a blind man is playing beautiful music on some instrument!”
“Father,” the youngest Grazza son burst into the Loggia. “For hours, Lino has been standing at Giotto’s bell tower playing exquisite music on a strange instrument!”
“On what instrument?”
“It looks like a Pontic lyra; it has strings and a bow, but its form is more elegant and it sounds wonderful!  While playing it, for some reason, he doesn’t hold it down on his knee, as usual, but puts it on his shoulder!”
Signor Grazza ran to his daughter’s room:
“My child! Open your eyes! Lino is here!” he whispered to Signorina Violetta.         
She barely opened her beautiful violet eyes:
“What are you talking about, father?” – she whispered.
“There’s a big crowd a Giotto’s bell tower. Lino is playing delightful music on some unknown instrument.”
 While exhausted Violetta was trying to understand what her father was saying, the servant reported the arrival of Father Lorenzo.
“Signor Grazza!” exclaimed Padre Lorenzo, out of breath, having barged into the hall. “Remember that old Copt man, Avad Mussa? He came to me this morning and said Signorina Violetta would recover!”
“Are you serious?! Is that what he said?!” – The unhappy father’s eyes overflowed with tears. 
“Yes! However, I still don’t understand a word of what he said: ‘She will be cured by Cry of Pain, in whose veins flows the blood of the ruler’.”
“I get it!” Signor Grazza exclaimed. “I get what he means!” – Then he abruptly raised his hand to the sky, listened and asked quietly, “Do you hear that, Father Lorenzo? Do you hear that?”
From afar, the sounds of the melody could be heard. The more they listened to the sounds, the clearer the melody could be made out. Then, for a moment, the melody subsided. When Signor Grazza and Padre Lorenzo went out to the Loggia, they saw the following scene: Avad Mussa was slightly supporting a young man by the elbow as he walked beside him. The young man, wrapped in a purple velvet cloak, was heading towards the Villa, and behind them, silently, was a large crowd of people. They reached the Villa and stopped.
“We’re here, son.” – Signor Grazza heard the voice of the old Copt man.
 Lino picked up an incredibly beautiful instrument, laid it on his shoulder, raised the bow and... started playing...
Neither Signor Grazza nor Padre Lorenzo had ever heard anything like this – it was DIVINE!!! It seemed like the sounds of that glorious instrument were coming from heaven! A small instrument with only four strings was producing the magic. And the melody... The delightful music infused the entire area with its beauty – It was a story... A story about two Lovers, about unrealistic Love, about unprecedented Passion, about the mercilessness of Fate, whose goal was to conquer Love, and which now... itself bemoaned its Cruelty and regretted its Decision. On the altar of Fate lay the biggest, most monumental Victim – LOVE!!!
While everyone was listening to the charming music in a trance, a soft hand descended on the shoulder of Signor Grazza. He shuddered in surprise – his daughter was standing next to him! His Violetta! Still pale and weak... She struggled to walk to the Loggia’s railing. Avad Mussa whispered something in Lino’s ear... he looked up, with his blind eyes, smiled, bowed and...
Lino played only for Her, for his One and Only... The notes of the divine music touched Violetta’s heart like Lino’s caressing hands. He played and played without stopping. Lino was giving her everything:
an unlived Life, unexplored Passion, Health and Youth, the spiritual Strength of the Soul, and the beating of his Heart, Dreams and Hopes... Weak Violetta was barely able to stand on her feet. She, together with him, lived out the story of their Love...
It was already getting dark, but nobody left. The Moon, which had woken up for the “night vigil,” was outraged by the “barbarity of Fate”: With all the Stars, it flashed and directed their light at the heads of the lovers! Mesmerized, the people listened to this CRY OF PAIN and sobbed. And together with the people, the Moon cried as well... Four silver tears in the night Light, one after the other, fell on the strings of the otherworldly instrument, snapping them with the sound of a metal pluck. Suddenly, people saw a strange picture unveiled: All four strings were already detached, but the lovely music continued to flow, inundating everything and everyone, penetrating everywhere like air. Lino’s courageous face began to change; he began to age in front of everyone’s eyes, becoming covered with wrinkles. The eyelids of his once beautiful bright-blue eyes sagged... gray streaks began to shine through his hair. Suddenly, Violetta felt a surge of energy. She ran out to him and hugged him as he, exhausted and weakened, fell to his knees. Lino held his divine instrument in his elderly hands.
“This is what I had to finish,” – he whispered quietly in her ear. “It’s you, my Love, in my hands! I called this instrument by our names – VIO-LINO! (VIOLIN)
When Violetta, crying bitterly over the body of Lino, raised her head and looked at the VIOLINO, she was stunned: Two exquisite holes in the instrument had TWO GERBERA  FLOWERS sprouting from them, and they looked at the girl with Lino’s bright blue eyes and... crumbled...
               
 
 
Mankind does not know for a fact       
Who Created the Violin – the most
Sensual of all Instruments.
 
 
 
P. S. Special thanks to my husband, Vaagn Vartanyan, whose painting “The Blind Violinist” inspired me to compose my own legend about the creation of the VIOLIN. 
1