| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | March 11 | | Tasso | | By Craven Langstroth Betts (1853–1941) |
| | (Born March 11, 1544)
LOVE gilds thy laurel,—love was found thy blame; | |
| Yet, brightest in the dungeon shone thy Muse. | |
| Not Este, no, nor Italy, might refuse | |
| Thy due—the poet’s wreath, the deathless name. | |
| Thine honor lustres in thy tyrant’s shame; | 5 |
| The cold cell’s damps were Inspiration’s dews; | |
| The world hath won through what thy hope did lose, | |
| Oh, Tasso, king of hearts, and heir of fame! | |
| |
| Ferrara’s court, by that impassioned dream | |
| Honored and blest, grew envious and ingrate; | 10 |
| O, knightliest bard! Rinaldo’s hero-gleam | |
| Is thine, thrice glorified; thy proud estate, | |
| The Lyre, the Sword, and Love—in each supreme; | |
| Life’s splendid offering at the throne of Fate! | | | | |
|
|
