[Footnote 41: Well might Collins, a kindred spirit, both in his powers of song and in his "moody madness," thus celebrate the great Italian, whose "Godfrey of Bulloigne" he only knew through Fairfax's translation:-- ----"In scenes, which, daring to depart From sober truth, are still to nature true, And call forth fresh delight to fancy's view, The heroic muse employ'd her Tasso's art. How have I trembled when, at Tancred's stroke, Its gushing blood the gaping cypress pour'd; When each live plant with mortal accents spoke, And the wild blast upheaved the vanish'd sword; How have I sat, when piped the pensive wind, To hear his harp by British Fairfax strung! Prevailing poet! _whose undoubting mind_ _Believed the magic wonders which he sung._" _Ode on the Highland Superstitions._] CHIABRERA 1552-1637. Gabbriello Chiabrera was born at Savona, a town on the sea-shore, not far from Genoa, on the 8th of June, 1552. He was born fifteen days after his father's death, and his mother, Gironima Murasana, being young when she was left a widow, married again; which circumstance caused Chiabrera to be brought up by an uncle and aunt, brother and sister to his father, who were both unmarried. At the age of nine, his uncle, who resided at Rome, took him thither, and gave him a private tutor, who taught him Latin. He was twice during childhood assailed by dangerous fevers, which left him so weak and spiritless, that his uncle placed him at the Jesuits' college, that he might regain vigour and hilarity in the company of boys of his own age. The experiment succeeded, and Chiabrera became robust and healthy to the end of his long life. During his juvenile years, his application, memory, and studious habits attracted the applause of his instructors; and the Jesuits were desirous of inducing him to become one of them. The youth showed no disinclination; but his uncle watched over him, and prevented that sacrifice of liberty and independence, which would have rendered him miserable through life. When he was twenty this good uncle died; but he had emancipated himself from monkish influence, and after paying his relations at Savona a short visit, he returned again to Rome, where coming accidentally into contact with the cardinal Comaro Camerlingo, he entered his service, in which he remained some years.