The critical work of Tasso is far from inconsiderable, and only a sense of duty prevents the consideration of it here at greater length. [Sidenote: _Tasso’s Critical writings_] It consists[122] of the _Discorsi_ which, as noted above, appeared at Venice (with divers _Lettere Poetiche_) in one of the thin small parchment-covered quartos for which the student of this literature begins, after a time, to feel a distinct affection. The much longer and later _Discorsi del Poema Epico_ partly repeat, partly correct, partly expand, the earlier work; and sometimes stand in a curious relation to it.[123] But this by no means exhausts the tale. Tasso, nothing if not conscientious, appears to have taken his art in general, and his work in particular, very seriously indeed. He makes extracts from Castelvetro; writes on the Allegory of his own _Gerusalemme_, an Apology for it in dialogue, a formal Reply to the strictures of the Della Cruscans, a tractate in answer to Patrizzi’s defence of Ariosto, another on Poetical Differences, a long “Judgment of the _Conquistata_,” a discourse on the Art of the Dialogue. Also he has some curious considerations on three Canzoni of Pigna’s entitled _Le Tre Sorelle_, written in honour of Lucrezia Bendidio, and dealing with Sacred and Profane Love. These considerations have the additional interest of being addressed to Leonora d’Este, and of breathing a peculiar blend of that half-sensual, half-Platonic Renaissance rapture of which the great _locus_ is the discourse assigned to Bembo at the end of Castiglione’s _Courtier_, with the religiosity which we more specially think of in Tasso. He has an elaborate lecture on a single sonnet of La Casa,—a great favourite of Tasso’s, and deservedly so as far as his serious poetry goes,—and some minor matter of the kind. ----- Footnote 122: These pieces form the major part of Cesare Guasti’s _Prose Diverse di T. T._ (2 vols., Florence, 1875). Footnote 123: For instance, my attention was drawn by Mr Ker to the fact that the description of the subject of the _third_ original _Discorso_ given at the end of the _second_ (f. 24 original ed. vol. i. p. 48, Guasti) does not in the least fit the actual contents, while the missing matter is duly supplied in the later book (i. 162 _sq._, Guasti). -----