A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Este, Eleonora d'
ESTE, ELEONORA D',
Was descended from the most illustrious of Italian princely races—that of the sovereigns of Este, Modena, and Reggio. She was the daughter of Hercules the Second, Marquis of Este, and Renée, daughter of Louis the Twelfth, King of France, and was born in 1537. Endowed by fortune with an exalted station, by nature with extraordinary beauty, fine taste, and intellect, Eleonora drew the admiration of all, and seemed destined to a life whose tissue was woven in golden threads; but these very qualities, while they added lustre to her station, led to a true romance, the melancholy course of which clouded not only her own life, but that of one of the greatest geniuses that has ever shone and suffered.
Tasso was twenty-one years old when he appeared at the court of Alphonso of Este. He had just given to the world his "Jerusalem Delivered," and a well-founded enthusiasm for the poet pervaded all Italy. He was endowed with every pleasing quality—a handsome countenance, winning address, a captivating voice in speaking, and, what all poets do not possess, most extraordinary bravery. An indiscreet remark having been made by a certain cavalier upon his devotion to the princess Eleonora, he challenged the offender, who, with three brothers to aid him, basely attacked the bard. Tasso valiantly combatted the whole four, until persons interfered to put an end to the affray. The Duke Alphonso felt his pride offended at the cause of this rencontre; it is true he punished the four cowardly brothers, but at the same time he sent Tasso into exile, where he remained until the Duke was persuaded to recall him. After this time, Eleonora appears to have become cautious in her encouragement of the poet; but when we read the verses in which he speaks of her charms and his passion, who can wonder that a heart of any sensibility should be touched?
Eleonora was in her thirtieth year when Tasso was first introduced at her brother's court; a disparity of age—the poet being nine years her junior, which is certainly no argument against the passion she inspired. For a young man, at his first entrance into life, to fall in love ambitiously—with a woman older than himself, or with one who is, or ought to be, unattainable—is a common occurrence. Tasso was an admirer of beauty. Eleonora was exceedingly lovely; she had a transparent delicacy of complexion—a "Paleur, qui marque une ame tendre," as the lover thought. It is said that Tasso, being at the wedding of one of the Gonzago family, celebrated at the court of Este, blinded by his passion, impressed a kiss on the cheek of the princess Eleonora. The colour mounted to Alphonso's brow; but he turned coldly on his courtiers, and said, "What a great pity that the finest genius of the age has become suddenly mad!"
Upon this charge of madness, the prince caused Tasso to be shut up in the hospital of St. Anna. His long years of imprisonment, his sufferings, his laments, are known to everybody. In a few words, we will close the story of the unfortunate Eleonora. Obliged to witness the cruel punishment of her lover, and knowing the inflexible character of her brother, she fell into a slow fever; constantly receiving the tender complaints of the poet, whose pangs were daggers to her heart, she gradually sank into the grave. Solitary and melancholy, she dragged on the last days of her life; holding converse with no one, living on sad memories, languishing, and fading away. The doors of Tasso's prison were at length opened; but she was dead! Youth, love, fortune, all had vanished; fame, it is true, remained. The laurel-crown was placed on his brow at Rome, in the midst of a pompous festival. Could this recompense him for his wasted youth and his lost Eleonora? She died in 1581, about the first year of Tasso's imprisonment.'