Page:The Amyntas of Tasso (1770) - Percival Stockdale.djvu/20

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xii
PREFACE.

herds were peculiar favourites of the Nine, and sometimes honoured with the company of learned, and polite patrons.

Thyrsis, in the second scene of the first act, prevails with Amyntas to relate to him the story of his love by these arguments;

——————————Et è ben degna
La fedele amicitia, et il commune
Studio de le Muse, ch' à me scuopra
Ciò ch' à gli altri si cela——————

“My faithful friendship well deserves the trust; and our converse with the Muses, which reveals objects to me that are concealed from vulgar minds."

Thyrsis went to the court of Ferrara; he met with a kind reception there; and the society of that court had the following effect upon him:

Sentii me far di mi stesso maggiore;
Pien di nova vertù; pieno di nova
Deitade: e cantai guerre, et heroi,
Sdegnando pastoral ruvido carme.
E se ben poi (come altrui piacque) fect.
Ritorno à queste selve, io pur ritenni
Parte di quello spirto; nè già suona
La mia sampogna humil, come soleva;
Mà di voce più altera, e più sonora,
Emula de le trombe, empie le selve.
Act i. Scene 2.

"On