The comic and satirical poetry of Francesco Berni occupies a distinctive place in Italian Renaissance literature. Writing in the early sixteenth century, Berni became celebrated for his witty mock heroic style and playful verse, so influential that the term "Bernesque" later came to describe a whole genre of humorous poetic writing in Italy. Opere Burlesche gathers together many of these celebrated satirical works, accompanied by scholarly annotations and an essay examining Berni's lively and entertaining letters. This 1806 Milan printing from the Società Tipografica de' Classici Italiani forms part of the society's ambitious early nineteenth century project to publish authoritative editions of the major authors of Italian literature, and remains an attractive example of this important series. Opere Burlesche di M. Francesco Berni, con annotazioni e con un saggio.delle sue lettere piacevoli (The Burlesque Works of Messer Francesco Berni, with annotations, and with an essay on his witty letters.) Published Milano, dalla Società Tipografica de' Classici Italiani, 1806. A stand-alone volume forming Vol. IV of the five volume collected works of Francesco Berni in the Classici Italiani series. A beautiful copy of this work in a fine condition full leather binding. The book is bound in polished mottled calf leather with ruled gilt panel design and fully tooled gilt spine with green and tan morocco title labels and decorated raised bands. A stunning binding. With marbled endpapers and matching marbled edges to text block. Text is bright and clean throughout. Printed on fine laid paper. The blank endpapers with some offset staining to their edges.  Most handsome indeed. Text in Italian. (viii) + 230pp + (i) Errata. Dimensions: approx 214mm high x 137mm wide x 18mm deep.  Weight: approximately 375g (unpacked).