During his confinement in S.Anna he even threw the chief blame of his detention upon the Cardinal.[11] After spending a short time at Rome in the company of the Cardinals Ippolito d'Este and Albano, Tasso returned to Ferrara in 1572.

Alfonso offered him a place in his own household with an annual stipend worth about 88 _l_.

of our money.

No duties were attached to this post, except the delivery of a weekly lecture in the university.

For the rest, Tasso was to prosecute his studies, polish his great poem, and augment the luster of the court by his accomplishments.[12] It was of course understood that the _Gerusalemme_, when completed, should be dedicated to the Duke and shed its splendor on the House of Este.