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A few moments after something turned his thoughts in another direction, and he was discussing with Lady Stanley the translation into English of an Italian sonnet which he thought was badly done.

They depart from the Italian sonnet form in closing with a couplet, as is the case with most of the sonnets of Surrey and Wyat, but they have a grace and tenderness all their own.

Two of Milton's Italian sonnets are very beautiful, and have been translated by Cowper with singular felicity.

But perhaps the most elegant Italian sonnets are yet to be found in Dante.

On the different forms of the Italian sonnet, see Tomlinson's essay, just cited.