CIC. Now surely he of divers moods, which he exhibits in various ways, may cover himself with the branches of different plants, and may hold discourse worthily with the Muses, for they are his aura or comforter, his anchor or support, and his harbour, to which he retires in times of labour, of agitation, and storm. Hence he cries: "O mountain of Parnassus, where I abide! Muses, with whom I converse! Fountain of Helicon, where I am nourished. Mountain, that affordest me a quiet dwelling-place! Muses, that inspire me with profound doctrines. Fountain, that cleanses me! Mountain, on whose ascent my heart uprises! Muses, that in discourse revive my spirit. Well, whose arbours cool my brows! Change my death into life, my cypress to laurels, and my hells into heavens: that is, give me immortality, make me poet, render me illustrious!" TANS. Well; because to those whom Heaven favours the greatest evils turn to greatest good, for needs or necessities bring forth labours and studies, and these most often bring the glory of immortal splendour. CIC. For to die in one age makes us live in all the rest. Go on. TANS. Then follows: 2. In form and place like to Parnassus is my heart, And up unto this mount for safety I ascend; My Muses are my thoughts, and they present to me At every hour new beauties counted out. The frequent tears that from my eyes do pour, These make my fount of Helicon. By such a mount, such nymphs, such floods, As Heaven did please, was I a poet born. No king of any kingdom, No favouring hand of emperor, No highest priest nor great pastor, Has given to me such graces, honours, privileges, As are those laurel leaves with which O'ershadowed are my heart, my thoughts, my tears. Here he declares his mountain to be the exalted affection of his heart, his Muses he calls the beauties and attributes of the object of his affections, and the fountain is his tears. In that mountain affection is kindled; through those beauties enthusiasm is conceived, and by those tears the enthusiastic affection is demonstrated; and he esteems himself not less grandly crowned by his heart, his thoughts, and his tears than others are by the hand of kings, emperors, and popes. CIC. Explain to me what he means by his heart being in form like Parnassus. TANS. Because the human heart has two summits, which terminate in one base or root; and, spiritually, from one affection of the heart proceed two opposites, love and hate; and the mountain of Parnassus has two summits and one base. CIC. On to the next! 3.