is much beside this wisdom, much that is higher than this
wisdom; and so it does not maintain a very prominent position, but gets
obscured and neglected.

"_Tasso._--Thou hast good title to advise, to warn,
For sage experience, like a long-tried friend,
Stands at thy side. Yet be assured of this,
The solitary heart hears every day,
Hears every hour, a warning; cons and proves,
And puts in practice secretly that lore
Which in harsh lessons you would teach as new,
As something widely out of reach."

Yet, spurred on by the injunction of the princess, he still makes an
attempt to grasp at the friendship of Antonio.

"_Tasso._--Once more! here is my hand! clasp it in thine!
Nay, step not back, nor, noble sir, deny me
The happiness, the greatest of good men,
To yield me, trustful, to superior worth,
Without reserve, without a pause or halt.

"_Antonio._--You come full sail upon me. Plain it is
You are accustomed to make easy conquests,
To walk broad paths, to find an open door.
Thy merit--and thy fortune--I admit,
But fear we stand asunder wide apart.

"_Tasso._--In years and in tried worth I still am wanting;
In zeal and will, I yield to none.

"_Antonio._ The will
Draws the deed after by no magic charm,
And zeal grows weary where the way is long:
Who reach the goal, they only wear the crown.
And yet, crowns are there, or say garlands rather,
Of many sorts, some gather'd as we go,
Pluck'd as we sing and saunter.

"_Tasso._ But a gift
Freely bestow'd on this mind, and to that
As utterly denied--this not each man,
Stretching his hand, can gather if he will.

"_Antonio._--Ascribe the gift to fortune--it is well.

* * * * *

The fortunate, with reason good, extol
The goddess Fortune--give her titles high--
Call her Minerva--call her what they will--
Take her blind gifts for just reward, and wear
Her wind-blown favour as a badge of merit.

"_Tasso._--No need to speak more plainly. 'Tis enough.
I see into thy soul--I know thee now,
And all thy life I know. Oh, that the princess
Had sounded thee as I! But never waste
Thy shafts of malice of the eye and tongue
Against this laurel-wreath that crowns my brow,
The imperishable garland. 'Tis in vain.
First be so great as not to envy it,
Then perhaps thou may'st dispute.

"_Antonio._