These compositions bear, indeed, the mark of a distinguished genius; no one but Tasso could have written them at that period of Italian literature.

Yet they lack individuality of emotion, specific passion, insight into the profundities of human feeling.

Such shades of difference as we perceive in them, indicate the rhetorician seeking to set forth his motive, rather than the lover pouring out his soul.

Contrary to the commonly received legend, I am bound to record my opinion that love played a secondary part in Tasso's destinies.

It is true that we can discern the silhouettes of some Court-ladies whom he fancied more than others.