Task-in Cowley's works-Milton the earliest English epic

writer-Southey-Scott-Byron-The epic quality of their

poems-Remarks- Paradise Regained' much less encum-

bered with abstruse learning than Paradise Lost'

page 248

CHAPTER XXIV.

Milton's juvenile poems-'L'Allegro' and 'Il Penseroso'

considered with reference to originality Comus'-' Lyci-

das'-Johnson's censure of Lycidas'-His overbearing pe-

dantry-Opinions of Johnson's contemporaries on his life of

Milton

254

CHAPTER XXV.

Milton's Sonnets - Suggested by Dante's-Spenser's and

Shakspeare's Sonnets too much commended-Superiority of

Milton's His naked grandeur of language-His power of

description and compression-Johnson's opinion of Milton's

sonnets-its malignity-Necessity of counteracting Johnson's

opinions

259

CHAPTER XXVI.

On Samson Agonistes'-Written after the model of the

ancient Greek tragedies-Sublimity of Samson's endurance—

Third place of excellence in Milton's works ought to be

assigned to Samson '-What ought to be brought to the read-

ing of Milton-Remarks

265

Conclusion

CHAPTER XXVII.

271

APPENDIX.

I. Memoranda relating to the family of Powell, of Forest-

hill, Oxfordshire

II. Descendants of Milton

page 277

III. Milton's Agreement with Mr. Symons for 'Paradise

Lost'

IV. Cowley's Preface to his Poems, 1656

V. Selected Encomiastic Lines

283

286

292

ILLUSTRATIONS.

VOL. I.

PORTRAIT OF MILTON in his 62nd year, from FAITHORNE'S original drawing W. C. EDWARDS.

MUSTERING OF THE WARRIOR-ANGELS. - - PARADISE LOST.'

Book vi. J. M. W. TURNER, R.A. ROBERT BRANDARD.

"Go, Michael! of celestial armies Prince;
And thou, in military prowess next,

Gabriel, lead forth to battel these my sons;
By thousands and by millions ranged for fight."
-So spake the Sovereign voice; and clouds began
To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll

In dusky wreaths reluctant flames. ***
At which command the powers militant

That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd
Of union irresistible, moved on

In silence their bright legions.—

b

TOL. I.

PREFACE.

I AM desirous to say a few words on the arduous task I have undertaken. I am called upon to show that the subject I have chosen required a new attempt to put it in its true light. The lives already given to the public of the immortal author of Paradise Lost' are numerous. It may seem ungracious to speak of my predecessors, if not with unqualified praise; yet it is necessary.

The foundation of all the Memoirs of the Poet is that which was written by his nephew Edward Philips his personal knowledge of the bard gives authenticity to all he relates; but it is a piece of biography brief and bare. How much more interesting it would have been, had it been written in the amiable and sentimental, though half-gossiping style of old Isaac Walton!

Toland took up the subject, and collected much useful matter; but he was a heavy writer, who never enjoyed much favour with the public. The