СНАР. І. Tasso was welcomed into the world. He was born at Sor- rento on the eleventh of March 1544. eventful life is to form the sequel of this history. * *The house, or (as by the courtesy of Italy it is called) palace where Torquato was born, was (as we are told by Anastasio, Lucubr. in Surrentinorum Ecclesiast. civilesq. Antiquit. tom. II. p. 445,) delightfully situated on the sea-shore," ad litorales rupes amœnissimé prominentes." It was so near the sea indeed, that the chamber where he was born was soon destroyed by the fury of the waves. Another reason for its destruction is assigned by the eloquent writer just mentioned. The chamber it seems was indignant at the reception of vulgar inhabitants after it had lost Torquato: "Ea concameratio non longum tempus substitit, sed fluctuum concussione subsedit, pertæsa fortasse e trivio incolas accipere, postquam præclarissimum Torquatum amisit." That Torquato was born at Sorrento, and at the period we mention, he himself informs us, "Ora sono in Napoli poche miglia lontano da Sorrento, città ove nacqui....Io nacqui del 1544, gli undici Marzo nel quale è la vigilia di S. Gregorio" [Opere, tom. IX. pp. 97, 387. In Venezia 1722.] I quote these passages, because there have been many disputes about the birth place of Torquato, which has furnished a world of common place comparison with Homer. Some mistakes have arisen from his having, as above mentioned, an elder brother of the same name, who died an infant. Even those who are forced to acknowledge that Tasso was born at Sorrento, do not therefore give up the point; and Manso argues, that he ought to be considered as a Neapolitan, as it was by chance that his birth happened in Sorrento, his mother being on a visit there from Naples. "Il tempo," says he," della generazione, molto più che del nascimento attendersi debba, come ottimamente conchiuse Ulpiano Tempus enim conceptionis spectandum." This, however, serves the Marquis nothing, and his assertion is contradicted in the following angry manner by Serassi : "Il Manso e il Fasano pretendono che il Tasso sia generato in Napoli, e che per questa cagione si debba assolutamente chiamar Napoletano, ma cio é falsissimo, perchè fu concepito e partorito in Sorrento," pag. 21. not. In a comedy of Goldoni, entitled Torquato Tasso, a considerable part of the humour consists in disputes on the birth-place of the poet. Tasso himself observing, that he was a Sorrentine, is thus taken up by Signor Tomio a Venetian, in his native patois, who de nies, like Manso, that his birth at Sorrento is of any consequence in the dispute. Compare, a sto discorso non posso più star saldo, CHAPTER II. Departure of Bernardo Tasso to the army.-Strange circumstances related of the infancy of Torquato.-Return of his father.-Commotions at Naples.—Banishment of Bernardo. -Early progress of the young Tasso in learning.-He is sent for by his father from Naples to Rome.-His studies there. Death of his mother. A. D. 1544-1556. THE birth of Torquato Tasso seems to have formed the æra of the commencement of the misfortunes of his family. A few days before that period, a new war having arisen between the Emperor Charles V. and Francis I., the Count D'Enghien, CHAP. II. Vostra Mare xe andada a trovar so Sorella, Atto 3. Sc. 8. Serassi quotes four authors for the purpose of proving that Tasso was born precisely at mid-day, (p. 21. note.) Nothing surely can be of less consequence; but the poet himself has recorded, that he was born about four o'clock in the morning, IX. p. 97. CHAP. II. told of Tasso's childhood. early in spring, invested Carignan in Piedmont. This city, in the preceding year, had been surprised by the Marquis di Guasto, the Imperial general, and he, fond of his conquest, resolved to hazard a battle for its defence. The prince of Salerno, as general of the Italian infantry, joined the Spanish army; and recalled his secretary Bernardo from the sweet retirement of Sorrento. On the fourteenth of April, a month after the birth of Torquato, the Marquis di Guasto was severely wounded, and the Imperialists routed with great slaughter in the battle of Ceresola. The prince of Salerno greatly distinguished himself in the battle, and still more in the Spanish retreat. Before Bernardo departed to the army, he had left to Don Ernando de Torres, a Neapolitan gentleman, the charge of holding his child at the baptismal font. The infant was baptized in the metropolitan church of Sorrento, and the name Torquato was given him, which had been borne a few Circumstances days by his elder brother. Of the childhood of Tasso, a number of circumstances are related, which are strongly impregnated with the odour of romance. When six months old, he spoke, it is said, in a clear and distinct manner; a faculty which he seems to have lost as he advanced in life. Not only this, but the infant reasoned, explained his thoughts, and answered appropriately to every question that was put to him. In his sentiments, it is added, there was nothing childish, nor could one who only heard him, have suspected he was an infant, except from the sound of his tender voice. He rarely wept, and never laughed; grave, dignified, and sage, he announced by his behaviour, from the dawn of life, that he was destined for some great design. * After the war of Piedmont, Bernardo accompanied Sanseverino to the Imperial court, whence returning in the beginning of next year to Sorrento, he had the pleasure of embracing his lovely wife, and wonderful child. † From Sorrento he conducted his family to Salerno, where, taking possession of his former house, he seems to have lived two CHAP. II. * These circumstances we are told by Manso, who informs us, that he learned them from people to whom they were confirmed on oath by the nurse of Torquato. Torquato, says he," diè fin dal primo degli anni suoi manifesto saggio della divinità dell' ingegno. Perciocchè appena uscito dal sesto mese, cominciò fuor dell' uso degli altri fanciulli, non pure a snodar la lingua, ma a favellare eziando; e per si fatta maniera, che non fu mai avvertito, ch' egli balbetasse, come fanno tutti i fanciulli, ma sempre formó le sue parole intiere, e con perfetto suono," &c. That the faculty of speaking distinctly, and without stuttering, was lost by Torquato, after these exertions of his infancy, is evident from several passages in his works. In his Cataneo he says, Però, non mi contentando della viva voce, o del parlare, nel quale per l'impedimento della lingua fui poco favorito dalla natura, pensai di scriver la mia opinione." (Oper. vol. VIII. 138.) And in his Malpiglio, (vol. cit. p. 70.) talking of the tongue, he says, "La mia è balba come udite." The other circumstances of Tasso's infancy related by Manso, are probably equally apocryphal with that of his fluent eloquence, but they ought not to be overlooked by his biographer, as affording proofs of the high, and almost supernatural estimation in which, soon after his death, this poet was held by his countrymen. + I cannot resist quoting on this occasion the beautiful lines of Catullus, worthy, as is observed by Sir William Jones, of the pencil of Dominichino. CHAP. II. Commotions at Naples. years in the bosom of his family, and employed in the composition of his poem. The year 1547, was fatal to the interests of Sanseverino, and, by consequence, to those of Bernardo his secretary. Don Pedro de Toledo was at this time viceroy of Naples, a man who adorned that city with many magnificent works, and embellished it with numerous fountains, streets, and palaces. By his orders, the grotto of Pausilippo was hollowed out to its present vastness; and the Strada di Toledo, the noblest street in Naples, or perhaps in Europe, was in a great measure built by, and is named in honour of him. The viceroy, however, like all great reformers, was of a most despotic temper; he ruled the realm of Naples with a high hand, and spread disaffection in the most noble families of the kingdom. Amongst other innovations, he determined to introduce the inquisition, with the pretence of preventing the diffusion of the opinions of Luther, but really, under the mask of religion, to increase his own authority, and have it in his power to check and oppress the Barons, who were his enemies. To this proposal of the viceroy, the emperor and, after some time, the Pontiff Paul III. yielded their con sent. And soon, to be completely blest, Soon may a young Torquatus rise; To his known sire shall turn his eyes; Half SIR W. JONES. |