A tournament is held and very brave in their attire are all the combatants.

But according to its rules the greatest sluggard wins the crown of honor.

Even in the similes, which formed so important an element of epic decoration, the same principle of contrast is maintained.

Fine vignettes from nature in the style consecrated by Ariosto and Tasso introduce ludicrous incidents.

Vulgar details picked up from the streets prepare us for touches of pathos or poetry.
Tassoni takes high rank as a literary artist for the firmness with which he adhered to his principle of irony, and for the facility of vigor which conceals all traces of effort in so difficult a task.