I do not wish to go, nor shall, unless

My friends disturb my home by vain dissensions.

O, teach me but what I shall do for thee;
My life is thine, my heart beats but to praise,
To adore thy excellence; my all of bliss
To realize the beautiful in thee.

The gods are separate and elevate
Far above man as destiny o'er prudence,
And plans formed by the foresight of us mortals
Waves which o'erwhelm us with destroying press.
To their wide ken seem but as the brook's ripple.
The wild tornadoes of our atmosphere
Reach not those azure heights where they are throned.
They hear our wailings with as light regard
As we do children's for their shattered toys.
But thou, serene as they, art not removed
From sympathy, but oft, sun-like, dost pour
Down from thy heights floods of consoling light
Upon these eyelids wet with dew of earth.

All women ought to love the bard, whose lay
Like theirs can praise them. Soft and yet heroic,
Lovely and noble, hast thou painted them;
And e'en Armida's faults are half redeemed
By tenderness and beauty.

From one model

I pictured all; if any shall be deemed Worthy of immortality, to that model They owe it. My Clorinda and Hermione Her unheeded but undying faith. Olindo,

His sorrow and Sophronia's magnanimity, Are not the children of my fancy; now They exist, and if profound reality

Tasso.

No more at present, Tasso. If some things May suddenly be seized, yet love and virtue (Nearly, I think, related to each other) Ask in their quest patience and self-denial. Forget not this. And now adieu, my friend.

SCENE II.

TASSO, alone.

Is it permitted thee to ope thine eyes

And look around-above thee? Did these pillars

Hear what she spake? They were the witnesses

How a descending goddess lifted me

Into a new, incomparable day.

What power, what wealth, lie in this new-traced circle !

My happiness outruns my wildest dream!

Let those born blind think what they will of colors,

To the cleared eye wakens a novel sense.

What courage, what presentiment! Drunk with joy,

I scarce can tread the indicated path,

And how shall I deserve the choicest gifts
Of earth and heaven? Patience, self-denial,

Must give me claim to confidence they shall.

O, how did I deserve that she should choose me !
What shall I do to justify her choice?

Yet that choice speaks my worth. Yes; I am worthy,
Since she could think me so. My soul is consecrate,
My princess, to thy words, thy looks. Whate'er
Thou wilt, ask of thy slave. In distant lands
I'll seek renown with peril of my life,

Or chant in every grove thy charms and virtues.
Wholly possess the creature thou hast formed;
Each treasure of my soul is thine. I ne'er can
Express my vast devotion with the pen
In written words. Ah, could I but assist
The poet's by the painter's art! Did honey
Fall from my lips! Now never more shall I

Tasso.

Anto.

Tasso.

Be lonely, sad, or weak. Thou wilt be with me.

Anto.

SCENE III.

TASSO, ANTONIO.

Be welcome to me as if now first seen.

Thy coming is most happy. Welcome, welcome!
For knowing now thy worth, I long to proffer

A heart and hand which thou must not disdain.
I thank thee for thy gifts, but must beware
Lest I abuse thy generosity, accepting
Where I cannot repay. Pardon my providence ;
"Tis best for both I be not over hasty.

No one can blame the prudence which we need
At every step; yet in some precious moments
The heart suffices to direct our way.

Let each for himself decide when these occur, Since each must bear the weight of his own error. Well, be it so. I now have asked thy friendship, Swayed by a wish the princess has expressed, And she could not expect that I should urge it. Time and acquaintance may perchance give value To what thou now almost disdain'st.

Moderation

Is still reproached as coldness by those men.

Who give impetuous heat the name of tenderness

Tasso. Thou blamest what I blame and shun. Though young

Anto.

I know that constancy and vehemence

Seldom combine.

Act wisely as thou speakest.

Tasso. Thou hast a right to advise and warn me, since Experience is thy friend and guide. Yet trust me, The heart soon learns all that she teaches;