Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1882-03-11

"A L, MAhCH IL,
TASsO AND THE "GERUsALEMME
LIBERATA."
EDITOR INTELLIG ENCER All crit
les agree that epic poetry is one of the
highest efforts of the most splendid
Consequently, epic po-
ems are few, and some nations and
languages are destitute OF this crown.
ing work of human geuuis. Greece
had but one Homer, but one "Iliad"
aud Odyssey )" Portugal boasts her
:'Lusisd;" Germany, her 'Niebelungen
Lied;' aud England, her "Faerie
Qucene" aud her "Paradise Lost"
But Italy has produced within term
of sixteen centuries, four epic poets
and four immortal poems. When
Rome touched her zenith of power |
and glory. Virgil and his "AGneid"
were among her proudest posses
sions. When the Roman speech and
the Roman imperial civilization had
passed away, and q new language was
forming itself out of the fragments,
Dante aroIe, to make his words
"Foot-paths for the thoughts of Italy"
After him came Ariosto, whose
"Orlando Furioso," though falling
far below the terrific grandeur Of the
Inferno" has force aud fire enough
to entitle it to the rank of epic.
Last of the four appears Tasso.
most unfortunate of poeta, whose
very name touches the chords Of sor-
rowful affection. Without the awful
sublimity of Dante or Milton. Tasso
yet stands undeniably high among the
great masters of song. His just dis
elimination in seizing on aud appro-
priating go unique and perfect sub
ject, as the conquest Of the Holy City
from the unbelisvers. his vivid COLI
ception Of his great theme, the beau
ty and pathos Of his episodes, all
duly subordinate to his central idea,
his noble standards of truth, valor
and tenderness, aud the glowing fresh
ness and music of his style, unite to
form in the "Gerusalemme Llberata,"
poem, which has made Italy rich,
and all modern literature grateful.
Who, that reads, is ignorant of
Tancred's heroism and generosity, Of
Armida's magic, "of fair Herminia's
fight" of Clorinda's devotion. of
Godfrey's fame? Translated into
every recent language, the story of
the Crusaders is the delight and
wonder of old and young of thought
full critics, and OF impulslve youth ;
the subject for painters, aud the thome
for musicians. Perhaps few pages
relating to the life and work of this
great poet may be found of interest
to the lovers of poetry, aud the
students Of Italian history and liter.
ature.
Torqnato Tasso was DO. = at Sorren-
to, near Naples. March IL, 1914. His
father, Bernardo Tasso, was of noble
house, and was poet Of high rank
hut tho illustrious son has eclipset
the fame Of the father. In 1889, Bcr.
nardo married Parzia de Rossi, whit
united TO birth, wealth aud greal
beauty, the most lovely and loving
traits of wOmanly excellence. Tor
quato inherited his ,nother's personal
graces; his pictures represent a per
feet specimen of manly symmetry ant
intellectual expression. The educa
ton of the child of early promis,
was entrusted to the Jesuits of tn.
College at Naples. From his eight
year TorquaLo showed remarkabl,
ability. with a decided lovo for poetry
and no small skill in versifying. Ber
nardo Tasso was involved in the part.
of the Prince Sansevcrino of Salerno
and, on the downfall of his leader
was banished from Naples. He fie'
to Rome. and, after brief stay, wa
> sent to Bergamo, where hs perfecte
his studies of classic literature.
1861. he studied law, and wished hi
= son to adopt the legal profession. 9
he had found the life of poet moi
hsrassing and unsatisfactory. Bu
the beut of tho younger Tasso's gen
. ius was already shown; he criticise
and amended Bernardo's poem {
. "Amadis," 80 wonderfully that Ii
u father consented for him to devol
himself TO poetry. Before no ha
. completed his seventeenth year, Tol
quato had composed the greater pa
," "f his 'Rinaldo," and several short,
ri' es. Among these were son
. s...res, which were thought to rcfle,
j" too severely on the government
. Taking these as Indications of disa
~ "'i,n,th officials searched his hou
. aud ,cized on all his pspors. Alwa!
o. proud aud sensitive. Tasso regardt
- this as an intended iusult. aud sta
- OH his honor. lie retired to Padu
&c where he finished the "Rinald0
~ which was published when the q
IL thor was nineteen. This poem is
romance of knlgh,-errantry, celebra
o. ing the deeds aud love of Rinaldo
," Mont Albano. and the beauty and
'e vOtion of the fair Clarice. 1t W.
!" dedicated to Cardinal Luigi d'Est
the brother Of Alfonso H., reignil
~ duke of Ferrara. Alfonso was
- vain aud ostentatious prince. al
~ during his reign, from 1859 10 l59
exhausted his treasury and mortgag
VI his estates by his extravaganza. l
~ allied himself to the imperial hou
'' of Austria, hoping thus TO hold 4
first rank among the princes OF Ital
He invited Tasso to his court, b
afterward, when the pact was t
Nv pride aud ornament of Ferrura, t
10 capricious duke treated him wi
- coldness, and even with cruelt