'T was in an age more happy and more free Than Tasso's, that, like Dante, Petrarch sang: Brave poet of Italian liberty. Elsewhere they know him only by his love: Here memories more severe, aye, consecrate His sacred name; his country could inspire E'en more than Laura. His vigils gave antiquity new life; Imagination was no obstacle To his deep studies; that creative power Conquer'd the future, and reveal'd the past. He proved how knowledge lends invention aid; And more original his genius seem'd, When, like the powers eternal, it could be Present in every time. Our laughing climate, and our air serene Inspired our Ariosto: after war, Our many long and cruel wars, he came Like to a rainbow; varied and as bright As that glad messenger of summer hours. His light, sweet gayety is like nature's smile, And not the irony of man. Raffaële, Galileo, Angelo, Pergolese; you! intrepid voyagers, Greedy of other lands, though Nature never Could yield ye one more lovely than your own; Come ye, and to our poets join your fame: Artists, and sages, and philosophers, Ye are, like them, the children of a sun Which kindles valor, concentrates the mind, Develops fancy, each one in its turn; Which lulls content, and seems to promise all, Or make us all forget. Know ye the land where orange-trees are blooming Where all heaven's rays are fertile, and with love! Have you inhaled these perfumes, luxury! In air already so fragrant and so soft? Now, answer, strangers; Nature, in your home, Is she as generous or as beautiful? Not only with vine-leaves and ears of corn Is nature dress'd, but 'neath the feet of man, As at a sovereign's feet, she scatters flowers And sweet and useless plants, which, born to please, Disdain to serve. Here pleasures delicate, by nature nurst-- Felt by a people who deserve to feel;-- The simplest food suffices for their wants. What though her fountains flow with purple wine From the abundant soil, they drink them not! They love their sky, their arts, their monuments; Their land, the ancient, and yet bright with springs; Brilliant society; refined delight: Coarse pleasures, fitting to a savage race, Suit not with them.