All we can rely upon for certain is that Alfonso sent him back to Ferrara to be treated physically and spiritually for derangement; and that Tasso thought his life was in danger.

He took up his abode in the Convent of S.Francis, submitted to be purged, and began writing eloquent letters to his friends and patrons.
[Footnote 28: _Lettere_, vol.i.p.

228.] [Footnote 29: This is Rosini's hypothesis in the Essay cited above.

The whole of his elaborate and ingenious theory rests upon the supposition that Alfonso at Belriguardo extorted from Tasso an acknowledgment of his _liaison_ Leonora, and spared his life on the condition of his playing a fool's part before the world.

But we have no evidence whatever adequate to support the supposition.] Those which he addressed to the Duke of Ferrara at this crisis, weigh naturally heaviest in the scale of criticism.[30] They turn upon his dread of the Inquisition, his fear of poison, and his diplomatic practice with Florence.