THE STODDARD A THOUSAND HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE WORLD'S GREAT WRITERS BY JOHN L. STODDARD VOL. XII ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO AND BOSTON GEO. L. SHUMAN & CO. MCMXIII TORQUATO TASSO TORQUATO TASSO, an eminent Italian poet. Born at Sorrento, Italy, March 11, 1544; died at Rome, April 25, 1595. Author of "Rinaldo,” "Aminta," "Jerusalem Delivered," "Jerusalem Conquered" and "Torismondo." Nothing is more pitifully tragic than the story of this poet's life, in striking contrast to the splendor of his genius and the grandeur of his work. (From "JERUSALEM DELIVERED") THE odorous air, morn's messenger, now spread And loud and spreading murmurs upward fly, They miss not long, the trumpet's tuneful cry Gives the command to march, shrill sounding to the sky. II The skilful Captain, with a gentle rein Guides their desires, and animates their force; Or bridle Boreas in, when gruffly hoarse He ranks them, urges, rules them on the way; III Wing'd is each heart, and winged every heel; 3 PN 6013 sn V.12 But by the time the dewless meads reveal "All hail, Jerusalem!" hill, down, and dale Catch the glad sounds, and shout, "Jerusalem, all hail!” IV Thus, when a crew of fearless voyagers Seeking new lands, spread their audacious sails One views the long-wished headland from the mast, V To the pure pleasure which that first far view Succeeds a deep contrition, feelings new, Grief touched with awe, affection mixed with dread; Scarce dare they now upraise the abject head, Or turn to Zion their desiring eyes, The chosen city! where Messias bled, Defrauded Death of his long tyrannies, New clothed his limbs with life, and reassumed the skies! VI Low accents, plaintive whispers, groans profound, Like that which sobs amidst the dying leaves, |