Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Even in the cannon's mouth. And then, the Justice, In fair round belly, with good capon lined, With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut, And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side; Is second childishness and mere oblivion, MERCY. THE quality of Mercy is not strained; It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, ENGLAND. THIS royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, This fortress, built by Nature for herself, This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. THE MIND. FOR 't is the mind that makes the body rich : What is the jay more precious than the lark, Or is the adder better than the eel, Because his painted skin contents the eyes? PERFECTION. To gild refinéd gold, to paint the lily, To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, 1* MILTON. 1608-1674. JOHN MILTON- clarum et venerabile nomen was born in London in December, 1608, and died November, 1674. He was the son of John Milton, a respectable scrivener. The younger John entered Christ's College, Cambridge, at the age of sixteen, and became distinguished during his University career for his brilliant poetical abilities. He was destined for the service of the Church; but, on arriving at manhood, he found to quote his own words "what tyranny had invaded the Church, and that he who would take orders must subscribe Slave." He therefore turned his thoughts to the law, but soon abandoned it, and gave his undivided attention to literature. The death of his mother, in 1637, affected his health, and he sought to restore it by travel. He visited several continental countries, and, while in Italy, made the acquaintance of Galileo. Returning to England in 1639, he found the nation in a fever of political excitement, and lost no time in declaring himself with reference to the momentous questions then under discussion. In 1641 and 1642 he published his first polemical treatises, which made a profound impression. In 1643 he was married to Mary Powell; but the union, like Shakespeare's, proved a rather unhappy one. The lady was volatile, and fond of gayety, and her family were enthusiastic Royalists, while Milton was a stern Puritan. Soon after the marriage a separation took place; but at last a reconciliation was effected, and the partnership was renewed. Several of his political pamphlets brought Milton into prominence, and led to his being appointed, in 1649, Latin Secretary to the Council of State, which office he held eight years. During that period he wrote his famous Eikonoklastes, and several other books. In 1653 his wife died, and three years later he married again, finding, it is believed, real happiness in his new relation. In 1660 the monarchy was re-established, and thenceforward he took no conspicuous part in politics. Having lost his second wife, he took a third in 1664, who survived him nearly fifty years, dying in 1727. His most famous composition, Paradise Lost, was written after he had become totally blind, which happened in 1652, it being dictated to his daughter. It is worthy of note that the whole remuneration received by the poet and his family for this poem, which ranks among the grandest in the world, was only twenty-eight pounds, about one hundred and forty dollars. Paradise Lost represents the only successful attempt ever made to construct a drama whose principal personages are supernatural; in this character it stands above others unapproached. To the student it offers a field whose exploration never ceases to be delightful and remunerative. It is the finest flower of one of the greatest minds that ever commanded the reverence of the world; and in design, if not in execution, is the noblest poetical product of human genius. THE INVOCATION AND INTRODUCTION TO PARADISE LOST. OF man's first disobedience, and the fruit With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing, heavenly Muse, that on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, I may assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to man. Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, To set himself in glory above his peers, ADAM AND EVE'S MORNING HYMN. THESE are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Thus wondrous fair; Thyself how wondrous then! In these thy lowest works; yet these declare Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. If better thou belong not to the dawn, Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling Morn And nourish all things; let your ceaseless change |