"Antonio.—You come full sail upon me. Plain it is
You are accustomed to make easy conquests,
To walk broad paths, to find an open door.
Thy merit—and thy fortune—I admit,
But fear we stand asunder wide apart.
"Tasso.—In years and in tried worth I still am wanting;
In zeal and will, I yield to none.
"Antonio. The will
Draws the deed after by no magic charm,
And zeal grows weary where the way is long:
Who reach the goal, they only wear the crown.
And yet, crowns are there, or say garlands rather,
Of many sorts, some gather'd as we go,
Pluck'd as we sing and saunter.
"Tasso. But a gift
Freely bestow'd on this mind, and to that
As utterly denied—this not each man,
Stretching his hand, can gather if he will.
"Antonio.—Ascribe the gift to fortune—it is well.