"We saw thee in thy yet unripened green, Like folded rose, whose damask leaf unspread To the warm sun, still in its virgin bed Retires and blushes in the bud unseen. Or rather--for such earthly type is mean-- Like to Aurora, who with earthly red Pearls the plain and gilds the mountain head, Kindling with smiles the dewy sky serene. Nor is thy riper year in aught less fair; No youthful beauty in her choice attire Can so engage, or equal charms display. Thus sweetest is the flower when to the air Unbosomed; thus the sun's meridian fire Exceeds the lustre of its morning ray." But these seductions did not divert Torquato from the loftier theme which engaged his muse. Far from the gaieties and the squabbles of Ferrara, he drew a fresher inspiration from glorious nature, and among the delightful descriptions suggested by the scenery around Castel Durante are generally numbered those of the gardens of Armida. Whatever may have been the true footing on which the poet's devotion was received by the Princess, and whatever the secret cause of her domestic misunderstandings, her husband never showed, on this or any future occasion, jealousy of his early playmate; and in 1574 Tasso returned to Ferrara, laden with compliments and presents from the august circle at Pesaro, including a jewel of price from the Princess, which his necessities afterwards obliged him to dispose of. Lucrezia had become Duchess of Urbino in 1574, and her separation from the Duke took place three years later, in circumstances of which we have elsewhere spoken.[192] Released from ties in which affection had never any part, she sought in her brother's palace distractions more suited to her lively temperament, and renewed her intimacy with its silver-tongued laureate. Among the reasons which incline us to believe that this connection was chiefly sought upon her side, is the desire which Tasso about this time manifested of exchanging the protection of the d'Este for a residence at Rome. His intention was not realised, for his visit to the Eternal City did not extend beyond a month, and before the close of 1575 he was at Florence. [Footnote 192: At pp. 153, 154 above.]