Torquato Tasso
Torquato Tasso
Torquato Tassowas an Italian poet of the 16th century, best known for his poem La Gerusalemme liberata, in which he depicts a highly imaginative version of the combats between Christians and Muslims at the end of the First Crusade, during the siege of Jerusalem. He suffered from mental illness and died a few days before he was due to be crowned as the king of poets by the Pope. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Tasso remained one of...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth11 March 1544
CountryItaly
Grave was the man in years, in looks, in word, his locks were grey, yet was his courage green.
It is the fortunate who should extol fortune.
He, full of bashfulness and truth, loved much, hoped little, and desired naught.
As shaking terrors from his blazing hair, a sanguine comet gleams through dusky air.
A friend giveth sympathy in trouble.
Virtue's guard is labor; ease, her sleep.
They make their fortune who are stout and wise, Wit rules the heavens, discretion guides the skies. [Lat., Che sovente addivien che'l saggio e'l forte. Fabro a se stesso e di beata sorte.]
Horror itself in that fair scene looks gay, And joy springs up e'en in the midst of fear. [It., Bello in si bella vista anco e l'orrore, E di mezzo la tema esce il diletto.]
For when last need to desperation driveth, Who dareth most he wiseth counsel giveth. [It., Che spesso avvien che ne' maggior perigli Son piu audaci gli ottimi consigli.]
Not for no cold did freeze, Nor any cloud beguile Th'eternal flowering spring
O happy, golden age! Not for that rivers ran With streams of milk, and honey dropped from trees
A fool is he that comes to preach or prate, When men with swords their right and wrong debate. [It., Chi conta i colpi e la dovuta offesa, Mentr' arde la tenzon, misura e pesa?]
Women have tongues of craft, and hearts of guile, They will, they will not; fools that on them trust; For in their speech is death, hell in their smile. [It., Femmina e cosa garrula e fallace: Vuole e disvuole, e folle uom chi sen fida, Si tra se volge.]
Then amongst flowers and springs, Making delightful sport, Sat lovers without conflict, without flame