38 ARTISTS AND AUTHORS that the prince wished to possess himself of his manuscripts, Torquato left the palace to reside with his friend Manso. His health and spirits improved in his new abode ; and besides proceeding with the "Jerusalem Conquered," he com- menced, at the request of Manso's mother, "Le Sette Giornate del Mondo Cre- ato," a sacred poem in blank verse, founded on the Book of Genesis, which he completed in Rome a few days before his death. He visited Rome in 1593. A report that Marco di Sciarra, a notorious ban- dit, infested the road, induced him to halt at Gaeta, where his presence was cele- brated by the citizens with great rejoicing. Sciarra having heard that the great poet was detained by fear of him, sent a message purporting that, instead of in- jury, Tasso should receive every protection at his hands. This offer was declined ; vet Sciarra, in testimony of respect, sent word that for the poet's sake he would withdraw all his band from that neighborhood ; and he did so. This time, on his arrival at Rome, Tasso was received by the Cardinals Cinzio and Pietro Aldobrandini, nephews of the pope, not as a courtier, but as a friend. At their palace he completed the "Jerusalem Conquered," and published it with a dedication to Cardinal Cinzio. This work was preferred by its author to the "Jerusalem Delivered." It is remarkable that Milton made a similar error in estimating his "Paradise Regained." In March, 1594, Tasso returned to Naples in hope of benefiting his rapidly declining health. The experiment appeared to answer; but scarcely had he passed four months in his native country, when Cardinal Cinzio requested him to hasten to Rome, having obtained for him from the pope the honor of a sol- emn coronation in the Capitol. In the following November the poet arrived at Rome, and was received with general applause. The pope himself overwhelmed him with praises, and one day said, " Torquato, I give you the laurel, that it may receive as much honor from you as it has conferred upon them who have worn it before you." To give to this solemnity greater splendor, it was delayed till April 25, 1595 ; but during the winter Tasso's health became worse. Feeling that his end was nigh, he begged to be removed to the convent of St. Onofrio, where he was carried off by fever on the very day appointed for his coronation. His corpse was interred the same evening in the church of the monastery, accord- ing to his will ; and his tomb was covered with a plain stone, on which, ten years after, Manso, his friend and admirer, caused this simple epitaph to be engraved Hie Jacet Torquatus Tasso.
