request, and being well acquainted with the rules, and espe-
cially with the Aristotelian rules of poetry, my father de-
termined to frame a poem with a single action, and formed
the fable on the despair of Amadis at the jealousy of Oriana,
concluding his work with the battle between Lisuarte and
Cildanano. He narrated, in episodes or digressions, the
other principal incidents, and his design was such as could
not be surpassed by the highest masters of the art. But at
last, he was compelled to relinquish the claim of a judicious
poet, in order not to lose that of a good courtier. He read
some cantos to the prince his master, and when he began to
read, the apartments were crowded with gentlemen eager to
listen, all of whom before he ended had disappeared. From
this circumstance he concluded, that unity of action in
its nature yields little delight, since he could not accuse
himself of having failed in one rule of art.
He accordingly
complied unwillingly with the commands of his prince, and
laid aside those rules of art, which, though he considered
them as essential, had met with so little success.” * The
true cause, however, of the failure of Bernardo was not his
compliance with the rules of poetry, but his alteration of a
work so notorious and celebrated as the romance of Amadis.
The genius too, and glory of Ariosto, was fatal to the efforts
of many of his contemporaries and successors; as a gigan-

CHAP. III.

A. D. 1560.
Aet. 16.

CHAP. III. A. D. 1560. Act. 16,

tic tree in the forest repels the sunshine, and attracts the nourishment from those which grow around it. *

In Italian poetry, there are reckoned about sixty heroic poems, besides the Orlando and Jerusalem. Of these neglected works, many are the productions of men of very considerable talent, as Trissino, Alamanni, &c. This will give a high idea of the poetical abilities of the two who have preceded so far in a course where so many were contending for victory.

CHAPTER IV.

Remarks on the feudal system, and its moral effects.—On chivalry and its peculiar fitness for delineation by the poet.— Rise of romantic fiction, different accounts given of its origin, and arguments adduced for its derivation from classical mythology. Of the Italian romantic poets.-State of heroic poetry in Italy at the birth of Torquato.-Admiration entertained for Ariosto.-Advantages of education enjoyed by Tasso.

As we are now approaching the period when Tasso began CHAP. IV. his poetical career, by the publication of the poem of Rinaldo, it will not, perhaps, be improper to say something of the nature of chivalry, and the origin of romantic fiction. The first of these topics has been largely treated of by some illustrious, and the last by several able writers. From these

CHAP. IV.

I shall select, as briefly as possible, the remarks which seem best fitted to illustrate the subject, and mix them with such observations as may occur to myself. *

When the barbarous tribes over-ran the different provinces of the Roman Empire, the lands (distributed by lot, were Feudal system. thence called Allodial, and) were held in entire dominion by each proprietor, without any other obligation, than that of, on great occasions, defending the community. New tribes succeeded to the first, and subduing large tracks of country, many individuals occupied large landed estates. The king, or chieftain who had led them to conquest, naturally acquired the largest portion of territory. These lands, he found it convenient to parcel out to his principal followers, subjecting them to certain aids, and military services. His example was imitated by his courtiers, who distributed, under similar conditions, portions of their estates to their dependants. A feudal kingdom was thus a military establishment, and had the appearance of a victorious army, subordinate to command, and encamped under its officers in

*The middle ages, and those which immediately preceded the revival of letters, are in the highest degree interesting, and have been treated by pedants with infinitely too much contempt. In fact, we owe them much more, than to the Greeks and Romans. The direction of the mariner's compass, paper, printing, gunpowder, windmills, glass, &c. have been at least as useful to mankind as the Ergotisms of Aristotle, or the bad reasonings of Plato. What species of architecture interests so strongly as the gothic, the fancy, and the heart? The refinement of modern manners, the acquisition of many delicate, and many dignified sentiments, has been traced in a considerable degree to the institutions of the middle ages; and their manners and adventures, furnished the poet with new images and descriptions, superior in interest to those derived from what are called the heroic ages of antiquity.

different parts of the country. Amidst the turbulence and disorder of the middle ages, the allodial possessor found it convenient, both for personal safety, and the protection of his property, to subject his estate to the feudal services, and become the vassal of some great military baron.

CHAP. IV.

The country was thus portioned out amongst a number of warlike chieftains, all of them considering themselves as independent of the sovereign, except during a period of na- Its effects. tional war. Possessed of large territories, and residing at a distance from the capital, they erected strong and gloomy fortresses in places of difficult access; and not only oppressed the people, and slighted the civil magistrate, but were often in a condition to set the authority of the crown itself at defiance. As the tenure by which the lands were held was military, as there was no art or science to occupy the mind, every landed proprietor was a soldier, and being expert and strong by the daily use of arms, was eager for an opportunity of shewing his prowess. This was never wanting; for when not employed in some expedition against a public enemy, he was commonly engaged in some petty enterprise, prompted by avarice, idleness, or revenge. Animosities and feuds were continually rising among the neighbouring barons, and as lives were often lost in these combats, disputes were rendered hereditary, and the son succeeded to the quarrels, as well as to the estate of his an

cestor.

In these private battles only a few were engaged at a time, so that the prowess of a single combatant became