Note 41 — CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA. (continued 4)
Reading edition
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.