The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 11.1957  Friday, 20 October 2000.

From:           Gavin Witt <
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 >
Date:           Thursday, 19 Oct 2000 15:07:31 CDT
Subject:        Tasso Inquiry

Please forgive any potential cross-posting, but I'm trying to locate
some info under a bit of time pressure.  IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE EMAIL
DIRECTLY OR CC: TO 
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  RATHER THAN MERELY REPLYING TO
LIST.....

10/19/00--

I'm interested in knowing if anyone is aware of early references to,
citations of, or best of all publication of any _English_ versions of
Torquato Tasso's DISCORSO DELLA VIRTU FEMINILE, either in mss. or
printed?  That is, ideally, something prior to 1592-1595? In addition,
or alternatively, anyone know of subsequent versions or reprints or
anything between 1595-1618 or so?

I have been unable to locate anything definitively; it's for a secondary
dating issue, and it would be more than helpful to be able to establish
English language lineage of the piece prior to these dates, rather than
rely on access to the Italian OR French version, or speculate on
possible "closet" circulating mss. translations that are undocumentable.

If anyone is working on this, knows of references, or even of likely
locations/sources for further inquiry or pursuit, I would deeply
appreciate notice at 
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 .  Because I'm not closely
following listservs under this time crunch, direct notification (or at
least cc: to me directly rather than merely replying to list) would be
extraordinarily helpful.  In fact, otherwise I shall almost certainly
miss out on your response.

With profound thanks in advance for any help.