scovered in the Ambrosian Library, at Milan, toward the end of the
last century. They are written in prose, and express the author's
melancholy thoughts in elegant and poetic language. The "Jerusalem"
had now been published and republished both in Italy and France, and
Europe rang with its praises; yet the author lay almost perishing
in close confinement, sick, forlorn, and destitute of every comfort.

In 1548, Camillo Pellegrini, a Capuan nobleman, and a great admirer of
Tasso's genius, published a "Dialogue on Epic Poetry," in which he
placed the "Jerusalem" far above the "Orlando Furioso." This testimony
from a man of literary distinction caused a great sensation among the
friends and admirers of Ariosto. Two academicians of the Crusca,
Salviati and De Rossi, attacked the "Jerusalem" in the name of the
academy, and assailed Tasso and his father in a gross strain of abuse.
From the mad-house Tasso answered with great moderation; defended his
father, his poem, and himself from these groundless invectives; and
thus gave to the world the best proof of his soundness of mind, and of
his manly, philosophical spirit.

At length, after being long importuned by the noblest minds of Italy,
Alfonso released him in 1586, at the earnest entreaty of Don Vincenzo
Gonzaga, son of the Duke of Mantua, at whose court the poet for a time
took up his abode. There, through the kindness and attentions of his
patron and friends, he improved so much in health and spirits that he
resumed his literary labors, and completed his father's poem,
"Floridante," and his own tragedy, "Torrismondo."

But, with advancing age, Tasso became still more restless and
impatient of dependence, and he conceived a desire to visit Naples, in
the hope of obtaining some part of the confiscated property of his
parents. Accordingly, having received permission from the duke, he
left Mantua, and arrived in Naples at the end of March, 1588. About
this time he made several alterations in his "Jerusalem," corrected
numerous faults, and took away all the praises he had bestowed on the
House of Este. Alfieri used to say that this amended "Jerusalem" was
the only one which he could read with pleasure to himself or with
admiration for the author. But as there appeared no hope that his
claims would be soon adjusted, he returned to Rome in November, 1588.
Ever harassed by a restless mind, he quitted, one after another, the
hospitable roofs which gave him shelter; and at last,