After the loss of all his books in Paris, in 1794 Alfieri started collecting a new library (cat. n. 71) where the Classics held a very special place. The poet in fact had realized an ancient dream of his, that of learning Greek. With perseverance and study he managed to master Greek grammar and translated at least one work by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. In 1798, breaking a vow made to Apollo, he wrote the Alceste Seconda, his final tribute to his life companion, Luisa Stolberg.
   In these years the thought of Time passing - constant in the Rime - recurs more and more frequently; nevertheless, as is stated in his ex libris, he is convinced that poetry, writing, books can defeat its destructive force. He composed the inscription for his and his companion's tombstone as well as appointing her as his universal heir.
   Finally he composed the last part of his autobiography (cat. n. 173) (cat. n. 174), began in 1790. He worked at it practically to the end.
   His posthumous glorification is witnessed by the monument in his memory commissioned to Antonio Canova (cat. n. 202) by Luisa Stolberg and erected in Santa Croce, in Florence.