66 however, had eagerly raked into all his faults, and when his life was reform- No. XXII. ́ing, and becoming pure, had blamed his manhood for follies, not its own. His offences of this kind (he adds) had not, moreover, if his conscience did not greatly flatter him, been of a very aggravated sort. But," continues he, "the charges of heresy, joined to those of treachery against my prince, formed such a deluge of misery, that no rampart of human reason, nor favour of the most serene princesses, who laboured much for my benefit, were sufficient to resist it. Now, what shall I answer to these heavy impeachments, or what testimony can I adduce in my behalf-your own, my lord, which, if it does not wholly disburthen me of this weight of infamy, at least shall greatly lighten it." Tasso then enters into a long metaphysical discussion on the nature of be lief, and on the liberty of the will, and adds, that it is no defence of incredulity to state that our belief is independent of ourselves. He then addresses, in a very eloquent manner, the Supreme Being, and confesses that he had contemplated the Almighty merely in a philosophical view, as the great first Cause, and Preserver of the universe, but that he had entertained doubts about the incarnation, and the immortality of the soul. That on this account, he could not have a firm belief in the efficacy of the sacraments, the authority of the Roman pontiff, or in the existence of hell and purgatory. Tasso continues to state, that his doubts were painful, and that, owing to the strength of the terrour and horrour with which they inspired him, he had been led sometimes to impart them to a friend or acquaintance, and from the same cause, communicated and confessed very frequently, but that his scruples were feebly and cautiously revealed to the confessor, lest he might not obtain absolution. He adds, that one of his principal fears was that he was an infidel, and could not be absolved; but he comforted himself in the reflection, that his incredulity was not the fruit of obstinacy, since he had always wished the exaltation of the faith, and of the Roman see; and since, though he frequently associated in the most intimate manner with political infidels of that church, he had always detested the name of Lutheran. He subjoins, that he had never talked of his doubts to any one for the purpose of contaminating him, but of unloading his own mind, and that after the divine hand had struck him where his humanity was most sensible-in his honour and love of glory; No. XXII. his religious principles grew stronger; he attended still more frequently the communions of the church; thought less presumptuously of the powers of his own intellect; and became, at length, a submissive and affectionate child of the faith. After this long address to the Almighty, of which some passages in the original are very eloquent, Tasso proceeds to a portion of his story which is ob scure, and upon which, as this part of his discourse is somewhat mutilated, it is difficult to throw light. From the fragments, however, which remain, compared with an address of our poet to the courts of judicature, and people of Naples, it appears that one of Tasso's friends, having, in his opinion, accused him to the inquisition, the poet had, after obtaining permission from the Duke of Ferrara, presented himself before one of the members of that court, and had denied and retorted the charge of infidelity. He complains that the inqui sitor had not gone through the usual formalities, nor allowed him the accustomed defences, and that, when he had a second time presented himself before the inquisition at Bologna, sufficient regard had neither been paid to his exculpation nor his complaints. † After this defence of himself from the charge of heresy, Tasso proceeds to the imputation of treachery to his prince; a prince, he remarks, distinguished by every noble endowment, and whom he had, on every account, the highest obligations to serve. "If," says he, "I had planned any thing against the life, states, or honour of a prince who had treated me with such benevolence, I should deserve torments more cruel than were ever inflicted by Phalaris, or by Mezentius. But in truth," continues he, "I never offended him, except by some inconsiderate words, such as are often heard in the mouths of dissatisfied courtiers, and in treating about a change of service, urged by that necessity which he might learn from me if he chose, and in a mode which is known to you, illustrious sir, and at which I cannot think he had reason to take offence." Tasso proceeds to say, that he might enter into a long narration, from which it would appear that he had not been culpable, but unfortunate, but that he neither wishes to accuse nor irritate any one, nor did he need to justify himself to his friend. He confesses that he deserved some No. XXII. chastisement on account of his conduct, but assuredly, not vengeance; and adds, that he writes to Gonzaga, not to inform him of any thing, but in order (says he) that" these reasonings of mine may be presented to their highnesses, sweetened by your favour, like gales which become odoriferous amidst flowers, or as water is purified and brightens in its course." Our poet next observes, that the same act, according to the disposition or intention of the agent, may be denominated correction, punishment, or vengeance, and adds, that he will examine which of these is the object of the princes whom he has offended. And, beginning with the first, he remarks, that the union of mind and body is so close, that every thing but intelligence is common between them. That, therefore, on account of this connection, it is impossible to make the body uncomfortable, without destroying that harmony of which it is the instrument, and that, on this account, a mental physician, whose only object is to correct, would be careful not to aggravate corporeal infirmities. After a pathetic complaint of these, Tasso adds, that he can never be cured without open testimonies of esteem and respect, and if he is not restored, as formerly, to the service of princes, and the conversation of nobles. With regard to punishment, this, our bard observes, ought to be proportioned to the offence, which his had by no means been. "I will say also, (continues he) that the principal action for which I am blamed, and which, perhaps, is the only cause for which I am chastised, * ought not perhaps to be punished as absolutely guilty, but as mixed; since it did not proceed from choice, but from necessity-necessity not absolute, but conditional-and through fear, at one time of death; at another, of the greatest shame; at a third, of a hapless and perpetual disquiet..... Nor do I judge the words which I have spoken less worthy of pardon, since they were used by a man not merely angry, but on that occasion overcome by rage; and since I am conscious, and could adduce many proofs that, in loving my lord, and in desiring * His design to leave the service of Alphonso, I presume. C No. XXII. his greatness and felicity, I have yielded to few of his most intimate favourites." Tasso afterward remarks, that the impulses of anger ought not to be punished too severely, as being in some degree involuntary; and adds, that he had met with the most cruel and unexampled punishment, namely, an obstruction in the exercise of his art, on which account he had departed the second time from Ferrara. He owns that he is not absolutely restrained from composition, but says that his liberty is of little use, unless it be accompanied with that honour which nourishes the arts. On this subject he is very diffuse, and he then enters into a discussion on arithmetical and geometrical proportions, and specifies some moral modes, which, according to him, may be contemplated as corresponding with these relations. On the last article, viz. vengeance, the poet is very short, tantae ne animis (says he) cœlestibus irae? Nor can it enter into his mind that a passion so vile could taint the souls of such distinguished princes, especially towards a being so weak and humble as himself. After some very sensible remarks on this head, and a high compliment to the pope (Gregory XIII.) Tasso asks if (amid such blessings of Providence, and in such a holy season) Christian princes could be princes of vengeance? Would they not follow the example of their glorious ancestors; would they not remember their own heroic and magnanimous deeds; would they not be regardful of Christian charity? “I speak not," adds he, " to them as I would to judges; I do not excuse but accuse myself; I do not diminish, but increase my faults; I do not recount the wrongs which I have received from their subjects; I ask not justice-no! but grace and pardon." Tasso concludes by earnestly exhorting Gonzaga to intercede for him to the utmost of his power, not only with the two princes whom he had offended, but with all the princes of Italy, or whatever sovereign might be useful to him in his calamities. He subjoins the following postscript: "The hurry of sending off this discourse to-day, which is Holy Wednesday, and a day on which the courier leaves us, has prevented me from giving it but a very cursory revisal. I have corrected many things, but many perhaps have escaped me; I have the first sketch, however, which I shall studiously polish—this has been copied without any change. I do not remember whether it was Caligula or Claudius, who prohibited the works of Virgil and of Livy, and I am doubtful that it was Claudius. * Your lordship will find it in Suetonius. If there be any No. XXII. thing in the above discourse, which is not Catholic and pious, it has been said involuntarily and through ignorance, and I submit to every correc tion." No. XXIII.-P. 63. SONNETS TO THE CATS IN ST ANNE'S HOSPITAL. The following sonnets addressed to the Cats in the hospital of St Anne, are No. XXIII. to be found among the Rime che vanno sotto nome di Torquato Tasso, Oper. vol. VI. p. 384. Come nell' ocean, s'oscura, e'nfesta Procella il rende torbido, e sonante, L'Orsa maggior colla minore: O gatte, Se'l ciel vi pasca di carne, e di latte, Tante le gatte son moltiplicate, Ch'a doppio son più che l'Orse nel cielo : • This alludes to a passage of the discourse, in which the poet, enumerating some princes who had been hostile to writers, says, " Bandi Caligola dalle librerie l'immagini, e i libri di Virgilio, e di Livio." Tasso in his deepest misery never forgot his reputation as an author. |