"_Antonio._ The will Draws the deed after by no magic charm, And zeal grows weary where the way is long: Who reach the goal, they only wear the crown. And yet, crowns are there, or say garlands rather, Of many sorts, some gather'd as we go, Pluck'd as we sing and saunter. "_Tasso._ But a gift Freely bestow'd on this mind, and to that As utterly denied--this not each man, Stretching his hand, can gather if he will. "_Antonio._--Ascribe the gift to fortune--it is well. * * * * * The fortunate, with reason good, extol The goddess Fortune--give her titles high-- Call her Minerva--call her what they will-- Take her blind gifts for just reward, and wear Her wind-blown favour as a badge of merit. "_Tasso._--No need to speak more plainly. 'Tis enough. I see into thy soul--I know thee now, And all thy life I know. Oh, that the princess Had sounded thee as I! But never waste Thy shafts of malice of the eye and tongue Against this laurel-wreath that crowns my brow, The imperishable garland. 'Tis in vain. First be so great as not to envy it, Then perhaps thou may'st dispute. "_Antonio._ Thyself art prompt To justify my slight esteem of thee. The impetuous boy with violence demands The confidence and friendship of the man. Why, what unmannerly deportment this! "_Tasso._--Better what you unmannerly may deem, Than what I call ignoble. "_Antonio._ There remains One hope for thee. Thou still art young enough To be corrected by strict discipline. "_Tasso._--Not young enough to bow myself to idols That courtiers make and worship; old enough Defiance with defiance to encounter. "_Antonio._--Ay, where the tinkling lute and tinkling speech Decide the combat, Tasso is a hero. "_Tasso._--I were to blame to boast a sword unknown As yet to war, but I can trust to it. "_Antonio._--Trust rather to indulgence." We are in the high way, it is plain, to a duel. Tasso insists upon an appeal to the sword. The secretary of state contents himself with objecting the privilege or sanctity of the place, they being within the precincts of the royal residence. At the height of this debate, Alphonso enters. Here, again, the minister has a most palpable advantage over the poet. He insists upon the one point of view in which he has the clear right, and will not diverge from it; Tasso has challenged him, has done his utmost to provoke a duel within the walls of the palace; and is, therefore, amenable to the law. The Duke can do no other than decide against the poet, whom he dismisses to his apartment with the injunction that he is there to consider himself, for the present, a prisoner.