Torquato Tasso

Torquato Tasso (March 11 1544 – April 25 1595) was an Italian epic poet and dramatist, best known for his Rinaldo (1562), Aminta (1573) and Gerusalemme Liberata (1580).

Quotes


E voi de' boschi e voi d'onda marina E voi de' fonti e de l'alpestri cime.'' And ye from out the greenwood and where the sea-waves beat, And ye who live by fountains and on hill-tops high.
 * ''Vaghe Ninfe del Po, Ninfe sorelle,
 * Lovely Nymphs, ye sister Nymphs of the river Po,
 * Rime d'amore ("Rhymes of Love"), 175.

Aminta (1573)

 * Translation by Malcolm Hayward

Ne'pastori non men, che ne gli heroi; E la disagguaglianza de'soggetti, Come à me piace, agguaglio.'' among these shepherds than with nobility. And inequalities of subjects to my rule I balance as I please.
 * ''Ovunque i mi sia, io sono Amore.
 * Wherever I am, I am Love, no less
 * Prologue

the thousandth part of joy's flavor, savor from a loving and beloved heart, repentently you'd say: "Lost is all that time I didn't spend in love!" Which is not spent in serving love.'''
 * Forse, se tu gustassi anco una volta La millesima parte de la gioie Che gusta un cor amato riamando, Diresti, ripentita, sospirando: Perduto è tutto il tempo Che in amar non si spende.
 * Thus if just once you tasted
 * Act I, scene i, lines 26–31.
 * Variant translations:
 * '''All time is truly lost and gone
 * All time is lost that is not spent in love.
 * Lost is all the time that you don't spend in love.


 * S'ei piace, ei lice
 * What you wish, you may.
 * Act I, Chorus.

Più che fraschetta al vento, e più che cima Di pieghevole spica.'' more than whistles in the wind and more than the tip of a supple stalk of wheat.
 * ''Femina, cosa mobil per natura,
 * Woman, a thing changeable in nature,
 * Act I, scene ii. Compare: "Varium et mutabile semper femina", Virgil, Aeneid, 4.569.

The fountains of delight, Denying those waves to the thirsting lovers.
 * Tu prima, Onor, velasti La fonte dei diletti, Negando l'onde a l'amorosa sete.
 * You, Honor, you first veiled
 * Act I, Choro, line 358.

Poiché sol vince l'oro, e regna l'oro.'' since only gold wins and gold reigns.
 * ''Veramente il secol d'oro è questo,
 * This is truly the age of gold,
 * Act II, scene i.

Et il più abominabile, e il più sozzo, Che produca la terra, o 'l mar frà l'onde.'' foulest, most abominable monster created on earth or amid the sea's waves.
 * ''Amor servo de l'oro, è il maggior mostro,
 * Love the servant of gold is the greatest,
 * Act II, scene i.

E invecchiando intristisce.'' and growing old, withers away.
 * ''Il mondo invecchia,
 * The world grows old,
 * Act II, scene ii.

Fugge, e fuggendo vuol, che altri la giunga; Niega, e negando vuol, ch'altri si toglia; Pugna, e pugnando vuol, ch'altri la vinca.'' She flees, and fleeing wants to be caught; she denies, and denying wants to be carried off; she fights, and fighting wishes to be vanquished.
 * ''Hor, non sai tu, com'è fatta la donna?
 * Now don't you know how woman is made?
 * Act II, scene ii.

Scongiuro hà ritrovato questo sciocco Di rammentarmi la mia giovanezza, Il ben passato, e la presente noia.'' this fool has found, reminding me of my youth, of pleasures past and present woes!
 * ''O che gentile
 * Oh, such a gentle entreaty
 * Act II, scene ii.

Può sù tenerle, e non le spiega à volo.'' hold them up, and does not spread them out to fly.
 * ''Amor nascente hà corte l'ali, à pena
 * Newborn Love has short wings. He can scarcely
 * Act II, scene ii.

Le Socratiche carte, Ch'io in due begl'occhi apprenderò quest'arte.'' The Socratic papers, While in two beautiful eyes I will apprehend this art.
 * ''Amor, leggan pur gli altri
 * Love, let others read
 * Act II, Chorus.

Fù la tua veramente, ò Dafne, allhora, Che ritenesti il dardo.'' you truly had pitiless pity when you stayed my dart.
 * ''Dispietata pietate
 * Oh Dafne,
 * Act III, scene ii.

Ch'astringer nobil cuore, Prima basta la fede, e poi l'amore.'' For to wring two hearts First faith sufficed and then love.
 * ''Non bisogna la morte,
 * No need for death,
 * Act III, Chorus.

Come'l lampo del tuon.'' as lightning is of thunder.
 * ''La pietà messaggiera è de l'Amore,
 * Pity is the messenger of Love
 * Act IV, scene i.

Ma debil freno è di potente Amore'' but it is a weak bridle to powerful love.
 * ''La vergogna ritien debile amore;
 * Modesty restrains weak love,
 * Act V, scene i.

Gerusalemme Liberata (1581)


Molto egli oprò col senno, e con la mano; Molto soffrì nel glorioso acquisto: E invan l'Inferno a lui s'oppose; e invano s'armò d'Asia e di Libia il popol misto: Chè 'l Ciel gli diè favore, e sotto ai santi Segni ridusse i suoi compagni erranti.'' That the great sepulchre of Christ did free, I sing'''; much wrought his valor and foresight, And in that glorious war much suffered he; In vain 'gainst him did Hell oppose her might, In vain the Turks and Morians armed be: His soldiers wild, to brawls and mutinies prest, Reduced he to peace, so Heaven him blest.
 * ''Canto l'arme pietose e 'l capitano che 'l gran sepolcro liberò di Cristo.
 * '''The sacred armies, and the godly knight,
 * Canto I, stanza 1 (tr. Edward Fairfax)

Non circondi la fronte in Elicona, Ma su nel Cielo infra i beati cori Hai di stelle immortali aurea corona; Tu spira al petto mio celesti ardori, Tu rischiara il mio canto, e tu perdona S'intesso fregj al ver, s'adorno in parte D'altri diletti, che de' tuoi le carte.'' Deckest thy brow by the Heliconian spring, But sittest crowned with stars' immortal rays In Heaven, where legions of bright angels sing; Inspire life in my wit, my thoughts upraise, My verse ennoble, and forgive the thing, If fictions light I mix with truth divine, And fill these lines with other praise than thine.
 * ''O Musa, tu, che di caduchi allori
 * O heavenly Muse, that not with fading bays
 * Canto I, stanza 2 (tr. Edward Fairfax)

Di sue dolcezze il lusinghier Parnaso; E che 'l vero condito in molli versi, I più schivi allettando ha persuaso.'' for men have hearts sweet poetry will win, and when the truth is seasoned in soft rhyme it lures and leads the most reluctant in.
 * ''Là corre il mondo, ove più versi
 * You know the world delights in lovely things,
 * Canto I, stanza 3 (tr. Anthony Esolen)

Di soave licor gli orli del vaso; Succhi ainari, ingannato, in tanto ei bene, E da l'inganno iuo, vita ricere.'' Anoint with sweets the vessel's foremost parts To make them taste the potions sharp we give; They drink deceived, and so deceived, they live. a feverish child to take his medicine: he drinks the bitter juice and cannot tell— but it is a mistake that makes him well.
 * ''Cosi all' egro fanciul porgiamo aspersi
 * So we, if children young diseased we find,
 * Canto I, stanza 3 (tr. Edward Fairfax)
 * Anthony Esolen's translation:
 * As we brush with honey the brim of a cup, to fool
 * Compare:
 * Sed vel uti pueris absinthia taetra medentes / cum dare conantur, prius oras pocula circum / contingunt mellis dulci flavoque liquore, / ut puerorum aetas inprovida ludificetur / labrorum tenus, interea perpotet amarum / absinthi laticem deceptaque non capiatur, / sed potius tali facto recreata valescat.
 * When a doctor is trying to give unpleasant medicine to a child, he smears the rim of the cup with honey. And the child, not suspecting any trick, tastes it; and at first he is misled by the sweetness on his lips into swallowing it, however sour it is. But even though he is deceived, he is not distraught; and soon enough he gets better and regains his strength.
 * Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, Book I, lines 936–942, and Book IV, lines 11–17 (tr. G. B. Cobbold)

Già grande vola, e già trionfa armato.'' Now groan, now armed, this champion captive led.
 * ''Oh meraviglia! Amor, ch'appena è nato,
 * O love, o wonder; love new born, new bred,
 * Canto I, stanza 47 (tr. Fairfax)

(Non ti lagnar) giustizia, e non oltraggio.'' No wrong is that, but God's most righteous doom.
 * ''Or se tu se' vil serva, e il tuo servaggio
 * Now if thou be a bondslave vile become,
 * Canto I, stanza 51 (tr. Fairfax)

Forse, che non parrebbe il mal presente.'' For so our present harms still most annoy us.
 * ''E l' aspettar del male è mal peggiore
 * The fear of ill exceeds the evil we fear,
 * Canto I, stanza 82 (tr. Fairfax)


 * A re malvagio, consiglier peggiore.
 * To a bad king a worse counsellor.
 * Canto II, stanza 2 (tr. Max Wickert)

Brama assai, poco spera, e nulla chiede.'' Loved much, hoped little, and desired nought.
 * ''Ei che modesto è sì, com'essa è bella,
 * She fair, he full of bashfulness and truth,
 * Canto II, stanza 16 (tr. Fairfax)

Le negligenze sue son artifici.'' So Beauty's helped by Nature, Heaven, and Love.
 * ''Di natura, d' amor, de' cieli amici
 * For what the most neglects, most curious prove,
 * Canto II, stanza 18 (tr. Fairfax)

S'impetrerò che giunto seno a seno, L'anima mia nella tua bocca io spiri.'' If this I could obtain,—that breast to breast Thy bosom might receive my yielded sprite.
 * ''O fortunati miei dolci martiri!
 * My torments easy, full of sweet delight,
 * Canto II, stanza 35 (tr. Fairfax)


 * L'alte non temo, e l'umili non sdegno.
 * Great acts I reach to, to small things I bow.
 * Canto II, stanza 46 (tr. Fairfax)
 * Variant translation: The proud I fear not, nor the meek disdain.

Fuggir le dubbie guerre a te conviene, Ch' ove tu vinca sol di stato avvanzi Nè tua gloria maggior quindi diviene; Mal' Imperio acquii'tato e prefo dianzi El' onor perdi, se 'l contrario avviene.'' Smiling at first, she frowneth in the end: Beware thine honor be not then disgraced, Take heed thou mar not when thou think'st to mend.
 * ''Giunta è tua gloria al sommo e per lo innanzi
 * Chance in uncertain, fortune double-faced,
 * Canto II, stanza 67 (tr. Fairfax)

Mandandoci venture or triste, or buone: A' voli troppo alti e repentini Sogliono i precipizi esser vicini.'' Mars most unfriendly, when most kind he seems, Who climbeth high, on earth he hardest lights, And lowest falls attend the highest flights.
 * ''Chè fortuna quaggiù varia a vicenda,
 * High state, the bed is where misfortune lies,
 * Canto II, stanza 70 (tr. Fairfax)


 * La fede greca a chi non è palese?
 * Greek faith the due of him who is not known.
 * Canto II, stanza 72 (tr. T. B. Harbottle)


 * Liberi sensi in semplici parole.
 * Unfettered sentiments in simple speech.
 * Canto II, stanza 81 (tr. T. B. Harbottle)

Noi morirem, ma non morremo inulti.'' So would we die, not unrevenged all.
 * ''Noi morirem, né invidia avremo ai vivi:
 * So might we die, not envying them that live;
 * Canto II, stanza 86 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Chi la pace non vuol, la guerra s' abbia.
 * Who scorneth peace shall have his fill of war.
 * Canto II, stanza 88 (tr. Fairfax)

Han l'onde e i venti, e parea muto il mondo, Gli animai lassi, e quei che 'l mare ondoso, O de' liquidi laghi alberga il fondo, E chi si giace in tana, o in mandra ascoso, E i pinti augelli nell’oblio giocondo Sotto il silenzio de' secreti orrori Sopían gli affanni, e raddolciano i cori.'' And summoned every restless eye to sleep; On beds of tender grass the beasts down lie, The fishes slumbered in the silent deep, Unheard were serpent's hiss and dragon's cry, Birds left to sing, and Philomen to weep, Only that noise heaven's rolling circles kest, Sung lullaby to bring the world to rest.
 * ''Era la notte allor ch'alto riposo
 * Now spread the night her spangled canopy,
 * Canto II, stanza 96 (tr. Fairfax)

A nunziar che se ne vien l'aurora: intanto s'adorna, e l'aurea testa Di rose, colte in Paradiso, infiora.'' And donned her robes of pure vermilion hue, Her amber locks she crowned with roses red, In Eden's flowery gardens gathered new.
 * ''Già l'aura messaggiera erasi desta
 * The purple morning left her crimson bed,
 * Canto III, stanza 1 (tr. Fairfax)

Avea tutti del giorno i raggj spenti; E con l'oblío d'ogni nojosa cura Ponea tregua alle lagrime, ai lamenti.'' had quenched all rays of daylight, and made truce, in mere oblivion of all care and fright, with tears and with laments.
 * ''Già la notte oscura
 * Already darkening night
 * Canto III, stanza 71 (tr. Wickert)


 * Il gran nemico dell'umane genti.
 * Mankind's great adversary.
 * Canto IV, stanza 1 (tr. Wickert)


 * L'uom vile, e di vil fango in terra nato.
 * Vile man, begot of clay, and born of dust.
 * Canto IV, stanza 10 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Fa manto del vero alia menzogna.
 * In a cloak of truth disguise your scheming.
 * Canto IV, stanza 25 (tr. Wickert)


 * Per la fe, per la patria il tutto lice.
 * All things are lawful for our lands and faith.
 * Canto IV, stanza 26 (tr. Fairfax)
 * Max Wickert's translation: "For God and country, all things are allowed".

Sen vola adorno di sì chiari fregi; Chè l’esser da te vinte, e in guerra dome Recansi a gloria le provincie e i Regi.'' Is held so great among our Pagan kings, That to those lands thou dost by conquest tame That thou hast won them some content it brings.
 * ''Principe invitto, disse, il cui gran nome
 * Victorious prince, whose honorable name
 * Canto IV, stanza 39 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Crudel, che tal beltà turba e consuma.
 * Hard is that heart which beauty makes not soft.
 * Canto IV, stanza 77 (tr. Fairfax)

L'assénzio, e'l mel, che tu sra noi dispensi, E d'ogni tempo egualmente mortali Vengon da te le medicine e i mali.'' filled now with gall, now with your honeyed treasure— equally fatal all that you ensure, whether it be the sickness or the cure.
 * ''Ahi crudo Amor! ch' egualmente n'ancide
 * Cruel Love! You bear our death in murderous vials,
 * Canto IV, stanza 92 (tr. Wickert)

Costanza è spesso il variar pensiero.'' it's often constancy to change one's mind.
 * ''Chè nel mondo mutabile e leggiero,
 * For in a world so mutable and blind
 * Canto V, stanza 3 (tr. Wickert)


 * Non fia l'arbitrio suo per altro servo.
 * Power constrained is but a glorious slave.
 * Canto V, stanza 5 (tr. Fairfax)

Il pensier de' mortali occulto giace.'' where mortal men their deepest thoughts control.
 * ''Chè 'n parte troppo cupa, e troppo interna
 * Too dark the place and too inscrutable
 * Canto V, stanza 41 (tr. Wickert)

Senza quest' arti, e divien pigro e lento, Quasi destrier che men veloce corra, Se non ha chilo segua, o chi 'l precorra.'' And slow; for jealousy is Cupid's food; For the swift steed runs not so fast alone, As when some strain, some strive him to outgone.
 * ''Alfin s'invecchia amore
 * For love she wist was weak without those arts,
 * Canto V, stanza 70 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Nè consiglio d'uom sano Amor riceve.
 * Love calls it folly, what so wisdom saith.
 * Canto V, stanza 78 (tr. Fairfax)

Sono i più audaci gli ottimi consigli.'' Who dareth most, he wisest counsel giveth.
 * ''Chè spesso avvien che ne' maggior' perigli
 * For when last need to desperation driveth,
 * Canto VI, stanza 6 (tr. Fairfax)

Che dir potrai che contra mie pugnasti.'' to have it said that you once fought with me.
 * ''Renditi vinto, e per tua gloria basti
 * Yield, and sufficient glory let it be
 * Canto VI, stanza 32 (tr. Wickert)

Ma nella notte ogni animale ha pace.'' but every living thing finds peace at night.
 * ''Tempo è da travagliar mentre il sol dura;
 * The time for work is while the sun's light shines,
 * Canto VI, stanza 52 (tr. Wickert)

E quanto è in lei d'altero e di gentile; E fuor la maesta regia traluce Per gli atti ancor de l'esercizio umile.'' of noble soul, her nature high and grand, and all her queenly majesty shines bright in every act her humble chores demand.
 * ''Non copre abito vil la nobil luce,
 * Her peasant garments cannot hide the light
 * Canto VII, stanza 18 (tr. Wickert)

Senta nell'altrui gloria, e se ne rode.'' to shame, as though reproached for coward fear.
 * ''Par che la sua viltà rimproverarsi
 * The other's glory seems to make him prey
 * Canto VIII, stanza 11 (tr. Wickert)

È la santa innocenza al petto ignudo.'' To the bare breast than holy innocence.
 * ''Difesa miglior, ch'usbergo e scudo,
 * For shield and mail are less secure defence
 * Canto VIII, stanza 41 (tr. Alex. Cuningham Robertson)
 * Variant translation: Better defence than shield or breastplate, is holy innocence to the naked breast!

Via più ch' acquisto di province e d'oro.'' than conquests of huge realms or infinite gold.
 * ''Felice e cotal morte e scempio,
 * Such death makes happier end
 * Canto VIII, stanza 44 (tr. Wickert)


 * Dal sonno alla morte è un picciol varco.
 * For little differs death and heavy sleep.
 * Canto IX, stanza 18 (tr. Fairfax)

Quinci Austro in guerra vien, quindi Aquilone.'' Meeteth in battle strong the northern blast.
 * ''Come pari d'ardir, con forza pare
 * With equal rage, as when the southern wind,
 * Canto IX, stanza 52 (tr. Fairfax)

Dà legge al tutto, e 'l tutto orna e produce Sovra i bassi confin del mondo angusto, Ove senso o ragion non si conduce. E della eternità nel trono augusto Risplendea con tre lumi in una luce. Ha sotto i piedi il Fato e la Natura, Ministri umíli, e 'l moto, e chi 'l misura; E 'l loco, e quella che qual fumo o polve La gloria di qua giuso e l'oro e i regni, piace là su, disperde e volve: Nè, Diva, cura i nostri umani sdegni. Quivi ei così nel suo splendor s'involve, Che v'abbaglian la vista anco i più degni; D'intorno ha innumerabili immortali Disegualmente in lor letizia eguali.'' Sit nature, fortune, motion, time and place.]] From whence with grace and goodness compassed round, He ruleth, blesseth, keepeth all he wrought, Above the air, the fire, the sea and ground, Our sense, our wit, our reason and our thought, Where persons three, with power and glory crowned, Are all one God, who made all things of naught, Under whose feet, subjected to his grace, Sit nature, fortune, motion, time and place. This is the place, from whence like smoke and dust Of this frail world the wealth, the pomp and power, He tosseth, tumbleth, turneth as he lust, And guides our life, our death, our end and hour: No eye, however virtuous, pure and just, Can view the brightness of that glorious bower, On every side the blessed spirits be, Equal in joys, though differing in degree. to all, and all creates, and all sets right, above the low bounds of this world of dust, beyond the reach of sense or reason's might; enthroned upon Eternity, august, He shines with three lights in a single light. At His feet Fate and Nature humbly sit, and Motion, and the Power that measures it, and Space, and Fate who like a powder will all fame and gold and kingdoms here below, as pleases Him on high, disperse or spill, nor, goddess, cares she for our wrath or woe. There He, enwrapped in His own splendour, still blinds even worthiest vision with His glow. All round Him throng immortals numberless, unequally equal in their happiness.
 * '' Sedea colà, dond'egli e buono e giusto
 * [[File:Europe a Prophecy, copy D, object 1 (Bentley 1, Erdman i, Keynes i) British Museum.jpg|thumb|Under whose feet, subjected to [[God|His]] grace,
 * Canto IX, stanzas 56–57 (tr. Edward Fairfax)
 * Max Wickert's translation:
 * He sat where He gives laws both good and just

Cenere anco sepolto, e spirto ignudo!'' Though dead, though slain, though burnt to ashes cold.
 * ''Risorgero nemico ognor piu crudo,
 * I will rise again, a foe, fierce, bold,
 * Canto IX, stanza 99 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Dagl'interni avoltoj, sdegno e dolore.
 * Two inward vultures, Sorrow and Disdain.
 * Canto X, stanza 6 (tr. Fairfax)

Fabbro a se stesso è di beata sorte.'' Wit rules the heavens, discretion guides the skies.
 * ''Chè sovente addivien che 'l saggio e 'l forte
 * They make their fortune who are stout and wise,
 * Canto X, stanza 20 (tr. Fairfax)

Si prometta vittoria, e sprezzi morte.'' assured of triumph and contemning death.
 * ''Egualmente apprestato ad ogni sorte,
 * Alike prepared for all fates, at each breath
 * Canto X, stanza 38 (tr. Wickert)


 * Ch' era al cor picciol fallo amaro morso.
 * For virtue is of little guilt ashamed.
 * Canto X, stanza 59 (tr. Fairfax). Cf. Dante, Purgatorio 3.8–9.

Te non risana, o la mortal mia destra.'' nor my poor mortal hands here work your cure.'
 * ''Grida Erotimo allor: l'arte maestra
 * Eròtimo cries: 'Not science (I am sure)
 * Canto XI, stanza 74 (tr. Wickert)

Sweet loveliness in black attired lies.
 * Bruna e si, ma il bruno il bel non toglie.
 * Black was this queen as jet, yet on her eyes
 * Canto XII, stanza 21 (tr. Fairfax)

Quinci da i ladri son, quindi dal rio.'' blocks my advance while bandits follow me.
 * ''E giungo ad un torrente, e riserrato
 * Soon, at a torrent's banks, I find its flood
 * Canto XII, stanza 34 (tr. Wickert)

Con le robuste braccia.'' in his huge arms.
 * ''Tre volte il Cavalier la donna stringe
 * Three times the warrior has embraced the maid
 * Canto XII, stanza 57 (tr. Wickert)

Con leve sferza di lassù flagella Tua folle colpa; e fa di tua salute Te medesmo ministro.'' Heaven's light lash now punishes your black and foolish sin, and makes of your soul's weal yourself the minister.
 * ''Seconda avversità, pietoso sdegno
 * With fortunate misfortune, kindly wrath,
 * Canto XII, stanza 87 (tr. Wickert)

Chiama con voce stanca, e prega, e plora.'' To her, for her, he mourns, he calls, he cries.
 * ''Lei nel partir, lei nel tornar del Sole
 * Till Phoebus' rising from his evening fall
 * Canto XII, stanza 90 (tr. Fairfax)


 * Non dee guerra co'morti aver chi vive.
 * With spirits dead why should men living fight?
 * Canto XIII, stanza 39 (tr. Fairfax)

Solitudini è stretto il vostro fasto! Lei, come isola, il mare intorno chiude; E lui, ch'or Ocean chiamate or vasto, Nulla eguale a tai nomi ha in sè di magno; Ma è bassa palude, e breve stagno.'' abandoned solitudes your fame lies bound! Amid vast seas your island earth is shut, though "vast" or "ocean", or what words resound to name that sea, are idle names and fond, for what it is: a shallow bog, a pond.
 * ''In che picciolo cerchio, e fra che nude
 * In what a narrow circuit, among what
 * Canto XIV, stanza 10 (tr. Wickert)

Voi superbi mortali, e par si bella, E un'ecco, un sogno, anzi del sogno un'ombra, Ch'ad ogni vento si dilegua e sgombra.'' to you proud mortals, and who seems so fair, is a mere echo, dream, dream lost in shade, at every wind-puff scattered and unmade.
 * ''La fama che invaghisce a un dolce suono
 * Fame, whose sweet voice whispers of phantom bliss
 * Canto XIV, stanza 63 (tr. Wickert)

Dell'alte sue ruine il lido serba. Muojono le città, muojono i regni; Copre i fasti e le pompe arena ed erba; E l'uomo d'esser mortal par che si sdegni: O nostra mente cupida e superba!'' Her ruins poor the herbs in height scant pass, So cities fall, so perish kingdoms high, Their pride and pomp lies hid in sand and grass: Then why should mortal man repine to die, Whose life, is air; breath, wind; and body, glass? of her great ruin fade upon the strand. So dies each city, so each realm declines, its pomp and glory lost in scrub and sand, and mortal man to see it sighs and pines. (Ah, greed and pride! when will you understand?)
 * ''Giace l'alta Cartago; appena i segni
 * Great Carthage low in ashes cold doth lie,
 * Canto XV, stanza 20 (tr. Fairfax)
 * Max Wickert's translation:
 * Exalted Carthage lies full low. The signs

Scoprian alfin men erte ed elevate. Ed eran queste l'isole felici; Così le nominò la prisca etate, A cui tanto stimava i Cieli amici, Che credea volontarie, e non arate Quì partorir le terre, e in più graditi Frutti, non culte, germogliar le viti. Quì non fallaci mai fiorir gli olivi, E 'l mel dicea stillar dall'elci cave: E scender giù da lor montagne i rivi Con acque dolci, e mormorio soave: E zefiri e rugiade i raggj estivi Temprarvi sì, che nullo ardor v'è grave: E quì gli Elisj campi, e le famose Stanze delle beate anime pose.'' Where other rocks, crags, cliffs, and mountains stood, The Isles Fortunate these elder time did call, To which high Heaven they reigned so kind and good, And of his blessings rich so liberal, That without tillage earth gives corn for food, And grapes that swell with sweet and precious wine There without pruning yields the fertile vine. The olive fat there ever buds and flowers, The honey-drops from hollow oaks distil, The falling brook her silver streams downpours With gentle murmur from their native hill, The western blast tempereth with dews and showers The sunny rays, lest heat the blossoms kill, The fields Elysian, as fond heathen sain, Were there, where souls of men in bliss remain.
 * ''Ecco altre isole insieme, altre pendíci
 * About the hill lay other islands small,
 * Canto XV, stanzas 35–36 (tr. Fairfax)

Zampilletti spruzzar l'erba di stille.'' The plenteous spring a thousand streams down pours.
 * ''E con ben mille
 * And on the flowers
 * Canto XV, stanza 55 (tr. Fairfax)


 * L'arte, che tutto fa, nulla si scopre.
 * Art, that does all things, never herself displays.
 * Canto XVI, stanza 9 (tr. T. B. Harbottle). Cf. Ovid, Ars Amatoria, 2.313.

Dal verde suo modesta e verginella; Che mezzo aperta ancora, e mezzo ascosa, Quanto si mostra men, tanto è più bella. Ecco poi nudo il sen già baldanzosa Dispiega: ecco poi langue, e non par quella, Quella non par che desiata innanti Fu da mille donzelle e mille amanti. Così trapassa al trapassar d'un giorno Della vita mortale il fiore, e 'l verde: Nè, perchè faccia indietro April ritorno, Si rinfiora ella mai, nè si rinverde.'' first bursting her green bud so timidly, half hidden and half bare: '''the less she shows herself, the lovelier she seems to be.''' Now see her bosom, budding still, unclose and look! She droops, and seems no longer she— not she who in her morning set afire a thousand lads and maidens with desire. So passes in the passing of a day the leaf and flower from our mortal scene, nor will, though April come again, display its bloom again, nor evermore grow green.'
 * ''Deh mira (egli cantò) spuntar la rosa
 * 'Ah, see,' he sang, 'the shamefast, virgin rose
 * Canto XVI, stanzas 14–15 (tr. Wickert)

Esser si puote riamato amando.'' Loving, be loved; embracing, be embraced.''' Whilst loving thou mayst loved be with equal crime.
 * ''Cogliam d'Amor la rosa: amiamo or quando
 * '''Gather the rose of love, while yet thou mayest,
 * Canto XVI, stanza 15 (tr. Fairfax)
 * Compare:
 * Gather the Rose of Love, whilst yet is time,
 * Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, B. II, C. XII, st. 75
 * Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
 * Robert Herrick, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time"

Dal vagheggiarsi, o da' suoi bei lavori. Poichè intrecciò le chiome, e che ripresse Con ordin vago i lor lascivi errori, Torse in anella i crin minuti, e in esse, Quasi smalto su l'or, consparse i fiori: E nel bel sen le peregrine rose Giunse ai nativi giglj, e 'l vel compose.'' fixed on herself, love's labours to behold. Her locks she braided and their wanton ways in lovely order marshalled and controlled. She wound the curls of her fine strands with sprays of flowers, like enamel worked on gold, and made the stranger rose join with her pale breast's native lily, and composed her veil.
 * ''Ride Armida a quel dir: ma non che cesse
 * Armida smiles to hear, but keeps her gaze
 * Canto XVI, stanza 23 (tr. Wickert)

Lasci? ma il varco al suon chiuse il dolore: Sicchè tornò la flebile parola Più amara indietro a rimbombar sul core.'' leave me alone here?' Pain choked off her cry, and in her heart the plaintive words began to echo in a yet more bitter sigh.
 * ''Volea gridar: dove, o crudel, me sola
 * She tried to cry out: 'Will you, cruel man,
 * Canto XVI, stanza 36 (tr. Wickert)


 * Amo d' esser amata, odio gli amanti.
 * Lovers she hated, though she loved their love.
 * Canto XVI, stanza 38 (tr. T. B. Harbottle)


 * Audace si, ma cautamente audace.
 * Bold, but cautiously bold.
 * Canto XVIII, stanza 57

E i secreti pensier trargli del petto.'' extract the guarded mysteries of his mind.
 * ''Vantomi in lui scoprir gl'intimi sensi,
 * I'll know his inmost aims and (doubt me not)
 * Canto XVIII, stanza 59 (tr. Wickert)


 * Lo schermitor vinto è di schermo.
 * The craftsman is in his own craft beguiled.
 * Canto XIX, stanza 14 (tr. Fairfax)

Vuole e disvuole; è folle uom che sen fida.'' They will, they will not; fools that on them trust.
 * ''Femina è cosa garrula e fallace:
 * Women have tongues of craft, and hearts of guile,
 * Canto XIX, stanza 84 (tr. Fairfax)

Doppia nella contesa i soffj e l'ira; Ma con fiato più placido e più molle Per le campagne libere poi spira. Come fra scoglj il mar spuma e ribolle: E nell'aperto onde più chete aggira. Così quanto contrasto avea men saldo, Tanto scemava il suo furor Rinaldo.'' Grows strong and fierce, tears boughs and trees in twain, But with mild blasts, more temperate, gentle, still, Blows through the ample field or spacious plain; Against the rocks as sea-waves murmur shrill, But silent pass amid the open main: Rinaldo so, when none his force withstood, Assuaged his fury, calmed his angry mood.
 * ''Qual vento a cui s'oppone o selva o colle,
 * Like as the wind, stopped by some wood or hill,
 * Canto XX, stanza 58 (tr. Fairfax)


 * La via d'onor della salute è via.
 * The way to honor, way to safety is.
 * Canto XX, stanza 110 (tr. Fairfax)

Misattributed

 * Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door.
 * This is sometimes said to be by Torquato Tasso, and sometimes to be a quotation from Goethe's verse play Torquato Tasso, but it is from Joseph Jacobs' translation of Baltasar Gracián's Oráculo manual y arte de prudencia, maxim no. 59. In the original Spanish: Pocas veces acompaña la dicha a los que salen.


 * It is the fortunate who should extol fortune.
 * Though attributed to Tasso this is in fact from Goethe's Torquato Tasso, Act II, scene iii, line 115. In the original German: Das Glück erhebe billig der Beglückte!


 * The day of fortune is like a harvest day, We must be busy when the corn is ripe.
 * Actually from Goethe's Torquato Tasso, Act IV, scene iv, line 63. In the original German:
 * Ein Tag der Gunst ist wie ein Tag der Ernte: Man muss geschäftig sein, sobald sie reift.

Quotes about Tasso

 * Whoever has a relish for the beauty, the art, the interest of a poetic composition, for richness of detail, for truth of character, for generosity of sentiment, should make the Jerusalem Delivered his favourite study. It is in a particular manner the poem of the soldier: it breathes valour and glory, and, as I have elsewhere observed, it seems to have been written upon a buckler in the midst of camps.
 * François-René de Chateaubriand, Itinéraire de Paris à Jérusalem (1811), translated into English by Frederic Shoberl: Travels in Greece, Palestine, Egypt, and Barbary, Vol. II (1812), pp. 169–170.


 * The most excellent of modern poets, ... whom I reverence next to Virgil.
 * John Dryden, Preface to An Evening's Love, or The Mock-Astrologer (1668)


 * I found that I had an affinity with writers like Ariosto and Tasso, at least to the extent of loving their poetry. (“Those allegories of Ariosto and Tasso were in some ways very futuristic with those fantastic voyages-they were almost like science fiction without the science.”) Of course they didn't really have science to use. But they had a similarly disciplined imagination.
 * 1982 interview in Conversations with Ursula Le Guin


 * No man in the world was ever born with a greater genius and more qualified for epic poetry.
 * Voltaire, An Essay on Epic Poetry (1727)