perhaps, appear to be something incompatible between a regard to the common concerns of life, and the transports of poetry, or the soarings of science; but it is to be doubted that many young persons have increased or produced this habit of inattention, from an idea that it is an effect, or proof of genius. The history of many illustrious men testifies that worldly prudence is perfectly consistent with the sublimest intellectual powers; and many melancholy proofs exist, that a man may be imprudent or dissipated, without having first-rate talents for painting, poetry, or music. Let me caution, therefore, all young persons from considering indiscretion, or want of foresight, as a test of, or constant attendant upon, genius; and let me remind them, that the flight of the eagle may be then most steady, and most high, when he has fed himself, and prepared his nest below. *

CHAP. XVIII.

A. D. 1586.

Aet. 42.

* Tasso, when too late, seems to have been sensible of the truth of these sentiments. "Attendo (says he,) a'miei studj quanto posso, ma son' impedito dall' infermità, e dalla povertà: laonde ho conchiuso, che sia assai vero quel detto, che prius oportet ditari, postea philosophari; e s'io fossi nella dottrina simile a Talete, penserei di arricchire così col vino, come egli fece con l'olio," vol. X. p. 347.

In a letter, too, to George Alario, concerning his tragedy, Tasso says, "Io vi porrò la mano innanzi le feste; accioch' in qualche occasione si potesse rappresentare, o stampar piuttosto; ch'io amerei meglio riempirmi la borsa, che è vota, e sgonfia più che le vesciche bucate, che vedere tutti gli spettacoli del mondo." Opere, vol. IX. p. 283.

A. D. 1586.
Aet. 42.

CHAPTER XIX.

Tasso leaves Ferrara, and goes to Mantua.-His comfortable situation there, and literary employments.-Publishes his father's роет Floridante.-Becomes tired of Mantua.—Miscellaneous circumstances.-Is invited to read ethics and criticism at Genoa.-Visits Bergamo.-Tires of that city, and wishes to go to Rome.-Returns to Mantua.-Publishes his Torrismondo.-Remarks on this tragedy.

A. D. 1586-1587.

Aet. 42-43.

ABOUT the middle of July, 1586, Tasso departed from CHAP. XIX. Ferrara, in the company of the Prince of Mantua, his deliverer and protector. This took place without his having seen Alphonso, a meeting, which, in the minds of both, could only have awakened disagreeable ideas. * On his arrival at Mantua, such was his reception, particularly from the young Princess Leonora de' Medici, that he was in high spirits, a

Aet. 42.

thing which we shall find was usual at his first residence any CHAP. XIX. where, and which was soon succeeded by depression and A. D. 1586. disappointment. Tasso seems ever to have forgot that the ardour of reception must soon subside, and that, in the familiar commerce of life, those demonstrations of admiration and respect, which flame out on a first arrival, must gradually sink into a moderate and gentle heat. He considered not that man, who is a selfish being occupied with his own concerns, will often, from interest and self-love, and still more frequently from hurry, indolence, and inattention, neglect to pay the tribute of admiration, which he confesses to be really due. The old Duke William, who was a wise and good prince, was pleased that his son should thus take under his protection a man so unfortunate and so illustrious, and gave orders that apartments should be provided for our poet in the palace, and that he should be furnished with every convenience which might render his situation comfortable. The prince made him be cloathed as became his worth and dignity; " and I find," says Serassi, "that, amongst other things, he presented him with a most beautiful doublet, and a pair of perfumed silken hose."* Of the satisfaction of Tasso at this period, we have proof from several of

* Opere, vol. IX. p. 385. This perhaps might be a princely present. We are told by Stowe, that the Earl of Oxford, in 1574, brought from Italy, for Queen Elizabeth, "a paire of perfumed gloves," which she valued highly, and took such delight in, that she was pictured with them upon her hands, and for many years after, adds Stowe, it was called "The Earl of Oxford's Perfume."

CHAP. XIX. his letters. "I am in Mantua (says he, writing to Licino,)

A. D. 1586.
Aet. 42.

Satisfaction of

Tasso with Mantua.

lodged by the most serene prince, and waited on by his
servants, as I myself could desire; and in all respects am
caressed, as pleases his highness. Here I find good meat,
good fruits, excellent bread, wines sharp and brisk, such as
my father delighted in ; admirable fish and
game, and espe-
cially good air; but, perhaps, that of Bergamo is better."
"I will stay (says he in another letter) at Mantua, because
my chamber is most beautiful, and the prince most courteous,
so that I hope to enjoy myself all this summer, and winter
likewise." At this court, too, he found an agreeable soci-
ety of literary gentlemen, and his hope of health was revived
by his confidence in the skill of the physician Cavallara,
who gave him some pills for the purpose of restoring his
memory. This gentleman seems to have been a physician
according to Tasso's taste, as he dealt in agreeable confec-
tionary medicines; and a letter is extant among the works
of the bard, dated at St Annes, in which he gives him great
thanks for a jar of very delicate candied citrons. Cavallara,
however, began to mutter something about a cathartic, to
remedy his other complaints; but Tasso, who looked upon
such medicines with horrour, delayed this till spring, under
the pretence of not interrupting the sports of autumn. In
spring he would no doubt find a new pretext. In addition
to his want of memory, were joined several other complaints,

but the greatest (says he) and most distressing is the frenzy; CHAP. XIX. so that I am always disturbed by vexing thoughts, and many imaginations, and many phantasms.'

دو

Notwithstanding the deplorable state of his health, this indefatigable man did not cease his application to his studies, but corrected and amplified his old, and composed new writings. He made several important changes in his dialogues of the Messenger: of Nobility: and of Dignity; and in October, wrote a long letter in answer to a question in politics, proposed by the Duke of Urbino. + In September, he began to refit and complete the poem of Floridante, a work which had been begun by his father on the twentyfourth of November, 1563, and which had been left unfinished. Its subject, as I have already mentioned, was an episode taken from the Amadigi, embellished, however, and amplified, so as to form a new work. Tasso shortened the plan, filled up some empty spaces, corrected the whole, and added twenty-five stanzas in praise of some distinguished females. His friend Constantini supplied it with arguments, and caused it to be printed at Bologna at his own expence. This work was dedicated by our poet to Duke William of

A. D. 1586.
Aet, 42.

The Flori

dante.

Opere, vol. IX. p. 258, and in another letter he says, "Il maggior di tutti i mali è la frenesia, per la quale son malinconicissimo, è accompagnata da grande smemorataggine. Nell' altre cose son quasisano. E ho così buono appetito, che mangiando la mattina compiutamente potrei cenare a quattro, e a cinque ore; ma non prima. Ese non ceno, soglio veggiar la maggior parte della notte." Ibid. p. 98.

↑ Ibid. p. 463.

See above, vol. I. p. 120.