a Mistake, and will be cleared up To-morrow. Tasso is as fane as I am; great Wits don't go mad—'tis unsteady Brains, not full ones, that rattle. Maddalo, who deferves to be hanged like a Cat, has been caught in some of his evil Practices, and Taffo has given him the fummary Punishment he deserved. I trust he has not beaten the Boy within less than an Inch of his Life, however, for fo far I would joyfully undertake his Correction myself. I'll go, however, and inquire into it on the Spot, befeeching your Excellency to have Care for your dear Health, and to compose yourself during my Abfence.”

I found Tasso beyond my Reach, being fhut into the Guard-room, guarded by one of the Duchefs's own Attendants, in addition to two of the Duke's Guards, whom I might otherwife have induced to admit me. I then fought his Highnefs, who was playing with Dice, and informed him that Madama Leonora, being much indifpofed, was greatly shocked to hear of Tafso's Arreft, and begged the Thing might be inquired into, and his

Liberation granted without Delay. The Duke replied

"It is fimply impoffible; but tell my good Sifter he shall be treated with all Lenity, and the Cafe adjudged To-morrow Morning. At Present I have no Leifure for it, nor any Defire to fee him while the Mania is on him. I have Reason to think the Fit has been impending for fome Time, and a Night's Solitude and Darkness will cool his Brain and purge it of ill Humours. Tell Madama Leonora I hope fhe will sleep refreshingly."

A vain Hope! thought I, as I retired ill at Ease. In the Ante-chamber, I encountered Antonini, one of the Duchefs's Gentlemen, whom I knew to have little Affection for Taffo; and therefore inquired of him the Particulars of the Affray, without much Hope of hearing them impartially stated. He feemed little minded to fatisfy me; faid he was carving a Pheasant, and the Duchefs was inquiring whether Abram the Jew Phyfician had yet returned from Cyprus, when fuddenly Tao ftarted up like a Maniac, pinned

Maddalo to the Wall, and drew upon him. He and Guerazzi feized each an Arm, and had the utmost Difficulty in getting him to loosen his Hold of the Boy, who was growing black in the Face; and the Duchess screamed, "Don't let him go! Difarm him! Remove him, but don't hurt him!" and then went off into a Swoon.

I faid, What offence had Maddalo given? He faid he had not heard the Boy utter a Word-it was not his Place to speak at Supper, unless spoken to. He had filled for the Duchefs, and was just filling Taffo's Cup, when the Fray occurred.

Here Bertolazzi, who had come up, must needs put in, that Nobody would be furprised many had noted great Strangeness in Taffo for fome Time past, and, indeed, many Things in his Conduct were wholly indefenfible, fave on the Suppofition of a difordered Mind. The Duke had noticed more than one ftrange Vagary, and had been heard to mutter, "Crack-brained." Signor Maffei had afked Bertolazzi who and

what the Epithet referred to; and Bertolazzi had faid

I did not want to hear Bertolazzi's Commentaries and Gloffes, fo moved off. Juft outfide the Door, I met Venieri, the Phyfician. I faid,

"Doctor! they may fwear Tafso is mad, if they will-but he's no more fo than you or I. He has had enough to make him fo, though, long ago!"

The good Phyfician, who was much in Attendance on Madama Leonora, smiled and fhook his Head without any other Answer; and then turning back, after paffing on a few Steps, faid,

"Bid Olimpia give Madama her Henbanedraught the laft Thing, when All is hushed and ftill."

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CHAPTER XI

Of Tasso in the Guard-room.

HEN I lay down in Bed, I could not fleep for thinking of my poor Friend, pacing with impetuous Steps that gloomy Guard-room looking out on the Court. As I could believe Maddalo bad enough for Anything, it was Nothing incredible to me that he should have caft Poison into Taffo's Cup, provided it had been made worth his While to do fo by fome one fufficiently powerful to protect him. Nay, he had Malignity enough to do it on his own Account; but would he then have dared it at the Duchefs's Table, under her very Eye?

How was it that fhe fided with him rather