INDEX TO THE NOTES.
Reading edition
A.
Acheron, 604.
Adonis, 999.
Adventurous, 79.
Affects, 386.
Alabaster, 660.
All, 714, 981.
All ear, 560.
All-giver, 723.
All to-ruffled, 380.
Amber-dropping, 863.
Ambrosial, 16.
Amiss, 177.
Apace, 657.
Arbitrate, 411.
Asphodel, 838.
Assays, 972.
Assyrian Queen, 1002.
Ay me, 511.
Azurn, 893.
B.
Backward, 817.
Baited, 162.
Bandite, 426.
Benison, 332.
Beryl, 933.
Beseeming, 769.
Blank, 452.
Blissful, 1010.
Blue-haired, 29.
Blow, 993.
Bolt, 760.
Bosky, 313.
Bourn, 313.
Brakes, 147.
Brimmed, 925.
Brinded, 443.
Brute, 797.
Budge, 707.
Burs, 352.
C.
Cassia, 991.
Cast, 360.
Cateress, 764.
Cedarn, 990.
Centre, 382.
Certain, 266.
Chance, 508.
Charactered, 530.
Charmèd, 51.
Charnel, carnal, 471.
Charybdis, 257.
Chime, 1021.
Chimeras, 517.
Circe, 50.
Clime, 977.
Close, 548.
Clouted, 635.
Company, 274.
Comus, 46, 58.
Convoy, 81.
Cordial, 672.
Corners, 1017.
Cotes, 344.
Cotytto, 129.
Courtesy, 325.
Cozened, 737.
Crabbed, 477.
Crisped, 984.
Crofts, 531.
Crowned, 934.
Curfew, 435.
Curious, 714.
Cynic, 708.
Cynosure, 342.
D.
Dapper, 118.
Darked, 730.
Dear, 790.
Dell, 312.
Descry, 141.
Dew-besprent, 542.
Dimple, 119.
Dingle, 312.
Disinherit, 334.
Ditty, 86.
Drench, 996.
Drouth, 66.
Drowsy frighted, 553.
Due, 12.
Dun, 127.
Durst, 577.
E.
Earth-shaking, 869.
Ebon, 134.
Ecstasy, 261, 625.
Element, 299.
Elysium, 257.
Emblaze, 732.
Emprise, 610.
Engaged, 193.
Enow, 780.
Erebus, 804.
Eye, 329.
F.
Faery, 298.
Fairly, 168.
Fence, 791.
Firmament, 598.
Fond, 67.
Forestalling, 285.
Forlorn, 39.
Fraught, 355, 732.
Freezed, 449.
Frighted, 553.
Frolic, 59.
G.
Gear, 167.
Glistering, 219.
Glozing, 161.
Goodly, 968.
Graces, 986.
Grain, 750.
Granges, 175.
Gratulate, 949.
Grisly, 603.
Guise, 961.
H.
Haemony, 638.
Hag, 434.
Hallo, 226.
Hapless, 350.
Harpies, 605.
Harrowed, 565.
Heave, 885.
Hecate, 135.
Hence, 824.
Hesperian, 393.
High, 654.
Hinds, 174.
Holiday, 959.
Home-felt, 262.
Homely, 748.
Horror, 38.
Hours, 986.
How chance, 508.
Huswife, 751.
Hutched, 719.
Hyacinth, 998.
Hydras. 605.
I.
Imbathe, 837.
Imbodies, 468.
Imbrutes, 468.
Immured, 521.
Infamous, 424.
Infer, 408.
Influence, 336.
Inlay, 22.
Innumerous, 349.
Insphered, 3.
Interwove, 544.
Inured, 735.
Iris, 83.
Isle, 21.
J.
Jocund, 172.
Jollity, 104.
Julep, 672.
K.
Knot-grass, 542.
L.
Lackey, 455.
Lake, 865.
Languished, 744.
Lank, 836.
Lap, 257.
Lawn, 568.
Lees, 809.
Leucothea, 875.
Lewdly-pampered, 770.
Lime-twigs, 646.
Liquid, 980.
Liquorish, 700.
Listed, 49.
Listened, 551.
Liveried, 455.
Lore, 34.
Love-lorn, 234.
Luscious, 652.
M.
Madness, 261.
Madrigal, 495.
Mansion, 2.
Mantling, 294.
Many a, 949.
Margent, 232.
Me, 163, 630.
Meander, 232.
Meditate, 547.
Melancholy, 810.
Methought, 171.
Meliboeus, 822.
Mickle, 31.
Mildew, 640.
Mincing, 964.
Mintage, 529.
Misusèd, 47.
Moly, 636.
Monstrous, 533.
Mountaineer, 426.
Morrice, 116.
Mortal, 10.
Murmurs, 526.
Mutters, 817.
My, mine, 170.
N.
Naiades, 254.
Nard, 991.
Navel, 520.
Necromancer, 649.
Nectar, 479.
Neighbour, 484.
Nepenthes, 675.
Nereus, 835.
Nether, 20.
New-intrusted, 36.
Nice, 139.
Night-foundered, 483.
Nightingale, 234.
Nightly, 113.
Nor ... nor, 784.
O.
Ominous, 61.
Orient, 65.
Other, 612.
Oughly-headed, 695.
Ounce, 71.
Over-exquisite, 359.
Over-multitude, 731.
P.
Palmer, 189.
Pan, 176.
Pard, 444.
Parley, 241.
Pent, 499.
Perplexed, 37.
Pert, 118.
Pestered, 7.
Pinfold, 7.
Plight, 372.
Plighted, 301
Plumes, 378.
Potion, 68.
Pranked, 759.
Presentments, 156.
Prime, 289.
Prithee, 615.
Prove, 123.
Purchase, 607.
Purfled, 995.
Psyche, 1004.
Q.
Quaint, 157.
Quarters, 29.
Quire, 112.
Quivered, 422.
R.
Rapt, 794.
Ravishment, 244.
Reared, 836.
Recks, 404.
Regard, 620.
Rifted, 518.
Rite, 125.
Roost, 317.
Rosy-bosomed, 986.
Rout, 92-93.
Rule, 340.
Rushy-fringed, 890.
S.
Sabrina, 826.
Sadly, 509.
Sampler, 751.
Saws, 110.
Scape, 814.
Scylla, 257.
Serene, 4.
Several, 25.
Shagged, 429.
Shapes, 2.
Shew, 995.
Shoon, 635.
Should, 482.
Shrewd, 846.
Shrouds, 147.
Shuddering, 802.
Siding, 212.
Simples, 627.
Single, 204.
Sleeking, 882.
Slope, 98.
Solemnity, 142.
Soothest, 823.
Sooth-saying, 874.
Sounds, 115.
Sovran, 41, 639.
Spangled, 1003.
Spell, 154.
Spets, 132.
Sphery, 1021.
Spruce, 985.
Square, 329.
Squint, 413.
Stabled, 534.
Star of Arcady, 341.
State, 35.
Stead, 611.
Step-dame, 830.
Still, 560.
Stoic, 707.
Stops, 345.
Storied, 516.
Straight, 811.
Strook, 301.
Stygian, 132.
Sun-clad, 782.
Sung, 256.
Sure, 148.
Surrounding, 403.
Swain, 497.
Swart, 436.
Swinked, 293.
Sylvan, 268.
Syrups, 674.
T.
Tapestry, 324.
Temple, 461.
Thyrsis, 494.
Tinsel-slippered, 877.
To-ruffled, 380.
To seek, 366.
Toy, 502.
Trains, 151.
Treasonous, 702.
Trippings, 961.
Turkis, 894.
Tuscan, 48.
Twain, 284.
Tyrrhene, 49.
U.
Unblenched, 430.
Unenchanted, 395.
Unmuffle, 331.
Unprincipled, 367.
Unweeting, 539.
Unwithdrawing, 711.
Urchin, 845.
V.
Various, 379.
Venturous, 609.
Vermeil-tinctured, 752.
Very, 427.
Vialed, 847.
Viewless, 92.
Violet-embroidered, 233.
Virtue, 165, 621.
Visage, 333.
Vizored, 698.
Votarist, 189.
W.
Wakes, 121.
Warranted, 327.
Wassailers, 179.
Weeds, 16.
Welkin, 1015.
What need, 362.
Whilom, 827.
Whit, 774.
Who, 728.
Wily, 151.
Wink, 401.
Wizard, 571, 872.
Wont, 332, 549.
Woof, 83.
Y.
Ye, 216.
GLASGOW: PRINTED BY ROBERT MACLEHOSE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.
Notes in this chapter
Note 1 · this mortal change. In Milton’s MS. line 7 was followed by the words, ‘beyond the written date of mortal change,’ i.e. beyond, or after, manNote 2 · by lot, etc. When Saturn (Kronos) was dethroned, his empire of the universe was distributed amongst his three sons, Jupiter (‘high’ Jove), NNote 5 · On Circe’s island fell. Circe’s island = Aeaea, off the coast of Latium. Circe was the daughter of Helios (the Sun) by the ocean-nymph PerseNote 11 · saws, sayings, maxims. Saw, say, and saga (a Norwegian legend) are cognate.Note 13 · 129. Cotytto, the goddess of Licentiousness: here called ‘dark-veiled’ because her midnight orgies were veiled in darkness. She was a ThraciNote 17 · 170. mine ear ... My best guide. Observe the juxtaposition of mine and my in these lines. Mine is frequent before a vowel, especially when tNote 22 · 219. glistering guardian, i.e. one clad in the ‘pure ambrosial weeds’ of l. 16. Glister, glisten, glitter, and glint are cognate words.Note 30 · 299. the element; the air. Since the time of the Greek philosopher Empedocles, fire, earth, air, and water have been popularly called the foNote 33 · Unmuffle, uncover yourselves. To muffle is to cover up, e.g. ‘to muffle the throat,’ ‘a muffled sound,’ etc. Muffle (subst.) is a diminutiveNote 34 · long levelled rule; straight horizontal beam of light: comp. Par. Lost, iv. 543, “the setting sun ... Levelled his evening rays.” The instruNote 35 · hapless, unfortunate. Many words, such as happy, lucky, fortunate, etc., which strictly refer to a person’s hap or chance, whether good or bNote 36 · To cast the fashion, i.e. to prejudge the form. ‘To cast’ was common in the sense of to calculate or compute; see Shakespeare, ii. Henry IV.Note 38 · all to-ruffled. Milton wrote “all to ruffled,” which may be interpreted in various ways: (1) all to-ruffled, (2) all too ruffled, (3) all-toNote 39 · 386. most affects: has the greatest liking for. It now generally denotes rather a feigned than a real liking: comp. pretend. Lines 386-392 mNote 43 · unblenched, undaunted, unflinching. This word, sometimes confounded with ‘unblanched,’ is from blench, a causal of blink.Note 48 · 479. nectared sweets. Nectar (Gk. νέκταρ, the drink of the gods) is repeatedly used by Milton to express the greatest sweetness: see l. 838;Note 50 · 499. pent, penned, participle of pen, to shut up (A.S. pennan, which is connected with pin, seen in pin-fold, l. 7). forsook: a form of the Note 52 · navel, centre, inmost recess. Shakespeare (Cor. iii. l. 123) speaks of the ‘navel of the state’; and in Greek Calypso’s island was ‘the naveNote 53 · 529. unmoulding reason’s mintage charactered, i.e. defacing those signs of a rational soul that are stamped on the human face. The figure isNote 56 · Still, always. This use of still is frequent in Elizabethan writers (Abbott, § 69). I was all ear. Warton notes this expressive idiom (stillNote 60 · 598. pillared firmament. The firmament (Lat. firmus, firm or solid) is here regarded as the roof of the earth and supported on pillars. The Note 61 · yet, nevertheless. The meaning is: ‘Though thy courage is useless, yet I love it.’ emprise: an obsolete form (common in Spenser) of enterpriNote 62 · Of small regard to see to: in colloquial English, ‘not much to look at.’ This is an old idiom: comp. Greek καλὸς ἰδεῖν: see English Bible, “Note 63 · me, i.e. for me: the ethic dative.Note 64 · mildew blast: comp. Arc. 48-53, Ham. iii. 4. 64, “Here is your husband; Like a mildew’d ear Blasting his wholesome brother.” A mildew blast Note 66 · your nerves ... alabaster. Comp. Tempest, i. 2. 471-484. Milton has the word alabaster three times, twice incorrectly spelled alablaster (inNote 69 · 689. timely, seasonable. So ‘timeless’ = unseasonable (Scott’s Marmion, iii. 223, “gambol rude and timeless joke”): comp. Son. ii. 8, “timelNote 70 · liquorish baits: see note on baited, l. 162. ‘Liquorish,’ by catachresis for lickerish = tempting to the appetite, causing one to lick one’sNote 73 · winged air darked with plumes, i.e. the air being darkened by the flight of innumerable birds. Spenser also has dark as a verb. Both clausesNote 75 · of sorry grain, not brilliant, of poor colour. ‘Grain’ is from Lat. granum, a seed, applied to small objects, and hence to the coccus or cocNote 76 · -1. I hate when Vice brings forward refined arguments, and Virtue allows them to pass unchallenged. bolt = to sift or separate, as the boultNote 77 · lewdly-pampered; one of Milton’s most expressive compounds = wickedly gluttonous. Lewd has passed through several changes of meaning: (1) thNote 78 · enow. ‘Enow’ conveys the notion of a number, as in early English: it is also spelt anow, and in Chaucer ynowe, and is the plural of enough. Note 79 · dear wit. ‘Dear’ is here used in contempt: its original sense is ‘precious’ (A.S. deore), but in Elizabethan English it has a variety of meaNote 81 · 809. ’tis but the lees, etc. Lees and settlings are synonymous = dregs. The allusion is to the old physiological system of the four primary Note 83 · step-dame. For the actual relationship, see note, l. 826. The prefix step (A.S. steóp-) means ‘orphaned,’ and applies properly to a child whNote 88 · 878-80. Sirens ... Parthenopè’s ... Ligea’s. The three Sirens (see note, l. 253) were Parthenopè, Ligēa, and Lucosia. The tomb of the first Note 89 · rushy-fringèd, fringed with rushes. The more usual form would be rush-fringed: we may regard Milton’s form as a participle formed from the cNote 94 · 934. May thy lofty head, etc. The grammatical construction is: ‘May thy lofty head be crowned round with many a tower and terrace, and here Note 95 · wished, i.e. wished for; see note, l. 574. and beside, i.e. ‘and where, besides,’ etc.Note 97 · timely. Here an adverb: in l. 689 it is an adjective. Comp. the two phrases in Macbeth: “To gain the timely inn,” iii. 3. 7; and “To call tiNote 98 · suck the liquid air, inhale the pure air. ‘Liquid’ (lit. flowing) is used figuratively and generally in the sense of pure and sweet: comp. SNote 99 · cedarn alleys, i.e. alleys of cedar trees. For ‘alley,’ comp. l. 311. For the form of ‘cedarn,’ see note on ‘azurn,’ l. 893. Tennyson uses tNote 100 · waxing well of, i.e. recovering from. The A.S. weaxan = to grow or increase: Shakespeare has ‘man of wax’ = adult, Rom. and Jul. i. 3. 76; sNote 101 · blissful, blest. Bliss is cognate with bless and blithe. Comp. “the blest kingdoms meek of joy and love,” Lyc. 177. are to be born. There seNote 1 · 977. happy climes. Comp. Odyssey, iv. 566: “The deathless gods will convey thee to the Elysian plain and the world’s end ... where life is eNote 1 · 29. quarters, divides into distinct regions. Comp. Dryden, Georg. I. 208:Note 2 · 2. mansion, abode. Trench points out that this word denotes strictly “a place of tarrying,” which might be for a longer or a shorter time: hNote 3 · 16. ‘I would not sully the purity of my heavenly garments with the noisome vapour of this sin-corrupted earth.’ ambrosial, heavenly; also usNote 2 · 574. aidless: an obsolete word. See Trench’s English Past and Present for a list of about 150 words in -less, all now obsolete: comp. l. 92,Note 3 · 755. advised. Contrast with ‘Advice,’ l. 108.Note 4 · 12. Yet some there be, etc.: ‘Although men are generally so exclusively occupied with the cares of this life, there are nevertheless a few wNote 4 · 73. perfect, complete (Lat. perfectus, done thoroughly).Note 5 · 19. every ... each. It is usual to write every ... every, or each ... each, but Milton occasionally uses ‘every’ and ‘each’ together: comp. Note 6 · 147. shrouds, coverts, places of hiding. The word etymologically denotes ‘something cut off,’ being allied to ‘shred’; hence a garment; and Note 6 · 893. Thick set, etc., i.e. thickly inlaid with agate and beautified with the azure sheen of turquoise, etc. There is a zeugma in set. azurn Note 8 · 1004. Celestial Cupid. The ordinary view of Cupid is given in the note to line 445; here he is the lover of Psyche (the human soul) to whom Note 9 · the starry quire: an allusion to the music of the spheres; see lines 3, 1021. Pythagoras supposed that the planets emitted sounds proportionNote 12 · 216. see ye visibly, i.e. you are not mere shapes, but living presences. Ye: here the object of the verb. “This confusion between ye and youNote 13 · 256. sung. “The verbs swim, begin, run, drink, shrink, sink, ring, sing, spring, have for their proper past tenses swam, began, ran, etc., pNote 7 · 602. for, as regards. let ... girt, though he be surrounded.Note 8 · 79. adventurous, full of risks. The current sense of ‘adventurous,’ applied only to persons, is “enterprising.” See l. 61, 609. glade: stricNote 14 · 304. help you find: comp. l. 623. The simple infinitive is here used without to where to would now be inserted. This omission of the preposiNote 9 · 162. Baited, rendered attractive. Radically bait is the causative of bite; hence a trap is said to be baited. Comp. Sams. Ag. 1066, “The baiNote 10 · 359. over-exquisite, i.e. too curious, over-inquisitive. Exquisite is here used in the sense of inquisitive; in modern English ‘exquisite’ hNote 11 · 362. What need, etc., i.e. why should a man anticipate his hour of sorrow. ‘What’ = for what (Lat. quid): comp. l. 752; also On Shakespeare,Note 12 · 526. murmurs. The incantations or spells of evil powers were sung or murmured over the doomed object; sometimes they were muttered (as here)Note 13 · 826. Sabrina: The following is Milton’s version of the legend:—“After this, Brutus, in a chosen place, builds Troja Nova, changed in time toNote 15 · 835. aged Nereus’ hall, the abode of old Nereus, i.e. the bottom of the sea. Nereus, the father of the Nereids, or sea nymphs, is described Note 14 · 253. Circe ... Sirens three. In the Odyssey the Sirens are two in number and have no connection with Circe. They lived on a rocky island offNote 15 · 1003. spangled sheen, glittering brightness. ‘Spangled’: spangle is a diminutive of spang = a metal clasp, and hence ‘a shining ornament.’ INote 16 · 728. Who. The pronoun here relates not to the word immediately preceding it, but to the substantive implied in the possessive pronoun her, iNote 16 · 568. lawns. ‘Lawn’ is always used by Milton to denote an open stretch of grassy ground, whereas in modern usage it is applied generally to aNote 17 · sooty flag of Acheron. Acheron, at first the name of a river of the lower world, came to be used as a name for the whole of the lower world Note 18 · Adonis, the beloved of Venus, died of a wound which he received from a boar during the chase. The grief of Venus was so great that the gods Note 19 · Advice ... scrupulous head. ‘Advice,’ now used chiefly to signify counsel given by another, was formerly used also of self-counsel or delibeNote 20 · All amidst. For this adverbial use of all (here modifying the following prepositional phrase), compare Il Pens. 33, “all in a robe of darkesNote 21 · each ... every: see note, l. 19. alley, a walk or avenue.Note 22 · All-giver. Comp. Gk. πανδώρα, an epithet applied to the earth as the giver of all.Note 23 · amber-dropping: see note, l. 333; and comp. l. 106, where the idea is similar, warranting us in taking ‘amber-dropping’ as a compound epitheNote 24 · thank the gods amiss. Amiss stands for M.E. on misse = in error. “Perhaps there is a touch of Puritan rigour in this. The gods should be thaNote 25 · apace; quickly, at a great pace. This word has changed its meaning: in Chaucer it means ‘at a foot pace,’ i.e. slowly. The first syllable isNote 26 · arbitrate the event, judge of the result. The meaning is ‘Where the result depends equally upon circumstances to be hoped and to be dreaded Note 27 · nectared lavers, etc., baths sweetened with nectar and scented with asphodel flowers. On ‘nectar,’ see note, l. 479. asphodel; the same, botNote 28 · assays, trials, temptations. Assay is used by Milton in the sense of ‘attempt’ as well as of ‘trial’: see Arc. 80, “I will assay, her worth Note 29 · Assyrian queen, i.e. Venus, whose worship came from the East, probably from Assyria. She was originally identical with Astarte, called by thNote 30 · Ay me! Comp. Lyc. 56, “Ay me! I fondly dream”; 154. This exclamatory phrase = ah me! Its form is due to the French aymi = alas, for me! and Note 31 · backward mutters. The notion of a counter-charm produced by reversing the magical wand and by repeating the charm backwards occurs in Ovid (Note 32 · bandite or mountaineer. ‘Bandite’ (in Shakespeare bandetto, and now bandit) is borrowed from the Italian bandito, outlawed or banned. ‘MountNote 33 · such there be. See note on l. 12 for this indicative use of be.Note 34 · beryl: in the Bible (Rev. xxi. 20) this precious stone forms one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The word is of Eastern origin: comNote 35 · beseeming, suitable. The original sense of seem is ‘to be fitting,’ as in the words beseem and seemly.Note 36 · blank awe: the awe of one amazed. Comp. the phrase, ‘blank astonishment,’ and see Par. Lost, ix. 890.Note 37 · blow, here used actively = cause to blossom: comp. Jonson, Mask at Highgate, “For thee, Favonius, here shall blow New flowers.”Note 38 · 312. Dingle ... bushy dell ... bosky bourn. ‘Dingle’ = dimble (see Ben Jonson’s Sad Shepherd) = dimple = a little dip or depression; hence aNote 39 · brimmèd. The passive participle is so often used where we now use the active that ‘brimmed’ may mean ‘brimming’ = full to the brim. On the oNote 40 · brinded lioness. ‘Brinded’ = brindled or streaked. Comp. “brinded cat,” Macb. iv. 1. 1: brind is etymologically connected with brand.Note 41 · the brute Earth, etc., i.e. the senseless Earth would become sensible and assist me. ‘Brute’ = Lat. brutus, dull, insensible: comp. Horace, Note 42 · budge doctors of the Stoic fur. Budge is lambskin with the wool dressed outwards, worn on the edge of the hoods of bachelors of arts, etc. TNote 43 · burs; burrs, prickly seed-vessels of certain plants, e.g. the burr-thistle, the burdock (= the burr-dock), etc. 355. leans. As Milton frequeNote 44 · Nard and cassia; two aromatic plants. Cassia is a name sometimes applied to the wild cinnamon: nard is also called spike-nard; see allusion Note 45 · cateress, stewardess, provider: lit. ‘a buyer.’ Cateress is feminine: the masculine is caterer, where the final -er of the agent is unnecessNote 46 · centre, i.e. centre of the earth: comp. Par. Lost i. 686, “Men also ... Ransacked the centre”; and Hymn Nat. 162, “The aged Earth ... Shall Note 47 · certain: see note, l. 246.Note 48 · How chance. Chance is here a verb followed by a substantive clause: ‘how does it chance that,’ etc. This idiom is common in Shakespeare (AbbNote 49 · charmèd cup, i.e. liquor that has been charmed or rendered magical. Charms are incantations or magic verses (Lat. carmina): comp. lines 526 Note 50 · charnel-vaults, burial vaults. ‘Charnel’ (O.F. charnel, Lat. carnalis; caro, flesh): comp. ‘carnal,’ l. 474.Note 51 · lap it in Elysium. Lap is a form of wrap: comp. L’Alleg. 136, “Lap me in soft Lydian airs.” Elysium: the abode of the spirits of the blessedNote 52 · sphery chime, i.e. the music of the spheres. “To climb higher than the sphery chime” means to ascend beyond the spheres into the empyrean orNote 53 · Chimeras, monsters. Comp. the sublime passage in Par. Lost, ii. 618-628. The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster, with the head of a lion, Note 54 · had, should have: comp. l. 394. ere a close, i.e. before he had finished his song (Masson). Close occurs in the technical sense of ‘the finaNote 55 · clouted shoon, patched shoes. The expression is found in Shakespeare, ii. Hen. VI. iv. 2. 195, “Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon”;Note 56 · my severed company: a condensed expression = the companions separated from me. Comp. l. 315: this figure of speech is called Synecdoche.Note 57 · Comus: see note, l. 46. The Greek word κῶμος denoted a revel or merry-making; afterwards it came to mean the personification of riotous mirtNote 58 · convoy: comp. Par. Lost, vi. 752, “convoyed By four cherubic shapes.” It is another form of convey (Lat. con = together, via = a way). 83. sNote 59 · cordial julep, heart-reviving drink. Cordial, lit. hearty (Lat. cordi, stem of cor, the heart): julep, Persian gulāb, rose-water.Note 60 · corners of the moon, i.e. its horns. The crescent moon is said to be ‘horned’ (Lat. cornu, a horn). Comp. the lines in Macbeth, iii. 5. 23, Note 61 · wattled cotes: enclosures made of hurdles, i.e. frames of plaited twigs. Cote, cot, and coat are varieties of the same word = a covering or Note 62 · first was named. The meaning is: ‘Courtesy which is derived from court, and which is still nominally most common in high life, is nevertheleNote 63 · coy: shy or reserved. cozened: cheated, beguiled. The origin of this word is interesting: a cozener is one who, for selfish ends, claims kinNote 64 · crabbed, sour or bitter: comp. crab-apple. Crab (a shell-fish) and crab (a kind of apple) are radically connected, both conveying the idea oNote 65 · crispéd shades. ‘Crisped,’ like ‘curled’ (comp. “curl the grove,” Arc. 46) is a common expression in the poetry of the time, and has the samNote 66 · crofts that brow = crofts that overhang. Croft = a small field, generally adjoining a house. Brow = overhang: comp. L’Alleg. 8, “low-browed Note 67 · 434. meagre hag, lean witch. Hag is from A.S. haegtesse, a prophetess or witch. Comp. Par. Lost, ii. 662; M. W. of W. iv. 2. 188, “Come downNote 68 · the Cynic tub = the tub of Diogenes the Cynic, here put in contempt for the Cynic school of Greek philosophy, which was the forerunner of thNote 69 · 341. star of Arcady Or Tyrian Cynosure; here put by synecdoche for ‘lode-star.’ More particularly, the star of Arcady signifies any of the sNote 70 · pert, lively. Here used in its radical sense (being a form of perk, smart): its modern sense is ‘forward’ or ‘impertinent.’ Skeat points outNote 71 · tell-tale Sun. Compare Spenser, Brit. Ida, ii. 3,Note 72 · knot-grass. A grass with knotted or jointed stem: some, however, suppose marjoram to be intended here. dew-besprent, i.e. besprinkled with dNote 73 · dimple. Dimple is a diminutive of dip, and cognate with dingle and dapple.Note 74 · disinherit, drive out, dispossess. Comp. Two Gent. iii. 2. 87, “This or else nothing, will inherit (i.e. obtain possession of) her.”Note 75 · That to the service, etc. The part of the Spirit was acted by Lawes, first in “sky-robes,” then in shepherd dress. In the dedication of ComuNote 76 · drenches with Elysian dew, i.e. soaks with heavenly dew. The Homeric Elysium is described in Odyssey, iv.: see note, l. 977; it was afterwarNote 77 · drouth of Phoebus, i.e. thirst caused by the heat of the sun. Phoebus is Apollo, the Sun-god. Compare l. 928, where ‘drouth’ = want of rain;Note 78 · drowsy frighted, i.e. drowsy and frighted. The noise of Comus’s rout is here supposed to have kept the horses of night awake and in a state Note 79 · dun shades: evidently suggested by Fairfax’s Tasso, ix. 62, “The horrid darkness, and the shadows dun.” ‘Dun’ is A.S. dunn, dark.Note 80 · durst not stay. Durst is the old past tense of dare, and is used as an auxiliary: the form dared is much more modern, and may be used as an Note 81 · earth-shaking Neptune’s mace, i.e. the trident of Poseidon (Neptune). Homer calls him ἐννοσίγαιος = earth-shaking: comp. Iliad, xii. 27, “AnNote 82 · Stay, here used causally = check. The radical sense of the word is ‘to support,’ as in the substantive stay and its plural stays. ebon, blacNote 83 · ecstasy: see note, l. 261. The Greek ekstasis = standing out of one’s self.Note 84 · o’erfraught: see note, l. 355.Note 85 · engaged, committed: this use of the word may be compared with that in Hamlet, iii. 3. 69, “Art more engaged” (= bound or entangled). To engaNote 86 · Speaks thunder and the chains of Erebus, etc.; in allusion to the Titanomachia or contest between Zeus and the Titans. Zeus, having been proNote 87 · Eye me, i.e. look on me. To eye a person now usually implies watching narrowly or suspiciously. square, accommodate, adjust. The adj. ‘propoNote 88 · faery. This spelling is nearer to that of the M.E. faerie than the current form.Note 89 · 167. keeps up, etc., i.e. keeps occupied with his country affairs even up to a late hour. Gear: its original sense is ‘preparation’ (A.S. geNote 90 · light fantastic round: comp. L’Alleg. 34, “Come, and trip it, as you go, On the light fantastic toe.” A round is a dance or ‘measure’ in whiNote 91 · What might this be? This is a direct question about a past event, and has the same meaning as “what should it be?” in line 482: see note theNote 92 · fence, argumentation, Fence is an abbreviation of defence: comp. “tongue-fence” (Milton), “fencer in wits’ school” (Fuller), Much Ado, v. 1.Note 93 · fond, foolish (its primary sense). Fonned was the participle of an old verb fonnen, to be foolish. The word is now used to express great likNote 94 · for me, i.e. for my part, so far as I am concerned: see note, l. 602.Note 95 · forestalling, anticipating. ‘Forestall,’ originally a marketing term, is to buy up goods before they have been displayed at a stall in the mNote 96 · freezed, froze. The adjective ‘congealed’ is used proleptically, the meaning being ‘froze into a stone so that it was congealed.’Note 97 · frolic: an instance of the original use of the word as an adjective; comp. L’Alleg. 18, “frolic wind”; Tennyson’s Ulysses, “a frolic welcomeNote 98 · glozing, flattering, wheedling. Compare Par. Lost, ix. 549,Note 99 · so goodly grown, i.e. grown so goodly. Goodly = handsome (A.S. gódlic = goodlike).Note 100 · The Graces. The three Graces of classical mythology were Euphrosyne (the light-hearted one), Aglaia (the bright one), and Thalia (the bloomiNote 101 · granges, granaries, barns (Lat. granum, grain). The word is now applied to a farm-house with its outhouses.Note 102 · many a friend. ‘Many a’ is a peculiar idiom, which has been explained in different ways. One view is that ‘many’ is a corruption of the FrenNote 103 · grisly legions. ‘Grisly,’ radically the same as grue-some = horrible, causing terror. In Par. Lost, iv. 821, Satan is called “the grisly kinNote 104 · trippings ... lighter toes ... court guise: words used to describe the graceful movements of the Lady and her brothers: comp. L’Alleg. 33: “Note 105 · He called it Hæmony. He is the shepherd lad of line 619. Haemony: Milton invents the plant, both name and thing. But the adjective HaemonianNote 106 · hallo. Also hallow (as in Milton’s editions), halloo, halloa, and holloa.Note 107 · Harpies and Hydras. The Harpies (lit. ‘spoilers’) were unclean monsters, being birds with the heads of maidens, with long claws and gaunt faNote 108 · harrowed, distracted, torn as by a harrow. This is probably the meaning, but there is a verb ‘harrow’ corrupted from ‘harry,’ to subdue; henNote 109 · heave, raise. Comp. the similar use of the word in L’Alleg. 145, “Orpheus’ self may heave his head.”Note 110 · Hecat’, i.e. Hecatè (as in line 535): a mysterious Thracian divinity, afterwards regarded as the goddess of witchcraft: for these reasons a Note 111 · Helping all urchin blasts, remedying or preventing the blighting influence of evil spirits. ‘Urchin blasts’ is probably here used generally Note 112 · from hence. Hence represents an A.S. word heonan, -an being a suffix = from: so that in the phrase ‘from hence’ the force of the prepositionNote 113 · her, herself. On the reflexive use of her, see note, l. 163.Note 114 · liveried angels lackey her, i.e. ministering angels attend her. So, in L’Alleg. 62, “the clouds in thousand liveries dight”; a servant’s livNote 115 · menace high, violent threat. High is thus used in a number of figurative senses, e.g. a high wind, a high hand, high passions (Par. Lost, ixNote 116 · unlettered hinds, ignorant rustics (A.S. hina, a domestic).Note 117 · sunshine holiday. Comp. L’Alleg. 98, where the same expression is used. There is a close resemblance between the language of this song and lNote 118 · home-felt, deeply felt. Compare “The home thrust of a friendly sword is sure” (Dryden); “This is a consideration that comes home to our inteNote 119 · homely ... home. There is here a play upon words as in Two Gent. i. 1. 2: “Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.” Homely is derived fromNote 120 · sampler, a sample or pattern piece of needlework. It is a doublet of exemplar. tease the huswife’s wool. To tease is to comb or card: comp. Note 121 · hutched = stored up, enclosed. Hutch is an old word for chest or coffer, chiefly used now in the compound ‘rabbit-hutch.’Note 122 · hyacinth. This is the “sanguine flower inscribed with woe” of Lycidas, 106: it sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus, a youth beloved by ApollNote 123 · imbathe, to bathe in: the force of the preposition being reduplicated, as in Lat. incidere in.Note 124 · imbodies and imbrutes, i.e. becomes materialised and brutish. Imbody, ordinarily used as a transitive verb, is here intransitive. Imbrute (sNote 125 · Immured, enclosed. Here used generally: radically it = shut up within walls (Lat. murus, a wall).Note 126 · Infámous, having a bad name, ill-famed: a Latinism. The word now implies disgrace or guilt. It is here accented on the penult.Note 127 · infer, reason, argue. This use of the word is obsolete. See Shakespeare, iii. Hen. VI. ii. 2. 44, “Inferring arguments of mighty force”; K. Note 128 · Influence ... dammed up. The verb here shows that influence is employed in its strict sense, = a flowing in (Lat. in and fluo): it was thus Note 129 · like to rich and various gems, etc. Shakespeare describes England as a ‘precious stone set in the silver sea,’ Richard II. ii. 1. 46: he alsNote 130 · innumerous, innumerable (Lat. innumerus). Comp. Par. Lost, vii. 455, “Innumerous living creatures”; ix. 1089.Note 131 · insphered. ‘Sphere,’ with its derivatives ‘sphery,’ ‘insphere,’ and ‘unsphere’ (Il Pens. 88), is used by Milton with a literal reference to Note 132 · canopied, and interwove. Comp. M. N. D. ii. 2. 49, ‘I know a bank,’ etc. In sense ‘canopied’ refers to ‘bank,’ and ‘interwove’ to ‘ivy.’ TheNote 133 · inured, accustomed, by custom rendered less sensitive. Inure is from the old phrase ‘in ure’ = in operation (Fr. œuvre, work).Note 134 · 173. jocund, merry. Comp. L’Allegro, 94, “the jocund rebecks sound.” gamesome, lively. This word, like many other adjectives in -some, is noNote 135 · jollity: has here its modern sense of boisterous mirth. In Milton occasionally the adjective ‘jolly’ (Fr. joli, pretty) has its primary sensNote 136 · silver lake, the Severn. Virgil has the Lat. lacus in the sense of ‘a river.’Note 137 · It = beauty. languished, languid or languishing: comp. Par. Lost, vi. 496, “their languished hope revived”; Epitaph on M. of W. 33. The suffNote 138 · piteous of, i.e. full of pity for; comp. Lat. miseret te aliorum (genitive). Milton occasionally uses the word in this passive sense; its acNote 139 · Leucothea: lit. “the white goddess” (Gk. λευκή, θεά), the name by which Ino, the daughter of Cadmus, was worshipped after she had thrown herNote 140 · unknown and like esteemed: known and esteemed to a like extent, i.e. in both cases not at all. Like here corresponds to the prefix un in unkNote 141 · -7. Entered ... came off. ‘I entered into the very midst of his treacherous enchantments, and yet escaped.’ Lime-twigs = snares; in allusionNote 142 · listened them. The omission of to after verbs of hearing is frequent in Shakespeare and others: comp. “To listen our purpose”; “List a briefNote 143 · nursed in princely lore, brought up in a manner worthy of their high position. It is to be noted that the Bridgewater family was by birth diNote 144 · luscious, delicious. The word is a corruption of lustious from O.E. lust = pleasure: see note, l. 49.Note 145 · sweetened ... dale; poetical exaggeration or hyperbole, implying that fragrant flowers became even more fragrant from Thyrsis’ music.Note 146 · mantling, spreading. To mantle is strictly to cloak or cover: comp. Temp. v. 1. 67, “fumes that mantle Their clearer reason.”Note 147 · Meander’s margent green. Maeander, a river of Asia Minor, remarkable for the windings of its course; hence the verb ‘to meander,’ and hence Note 148 · meditate ... minstrelsy, i.e. to sing a pastoral song: comp. Lyc. 32. 66. To meditate the muse is a Virgilian phrase: see Ecl. i. and vi. ThNote 149 · Melibœus. The name of a shepherd in Virgil’s Eclogue i. Possibly the poet Spenser is here meant, as the tale of Sabrina is given in the FaerNote 150 · mickle (A.S. micel) great. From this word comes much. ‘Mickle’ and ‘muckle’ are current in Scotland in the sense of great. Comp. Rom. and JuNote 151 · mincing Dryades. The Dryades are wood-nymphs (Gk. δρῦς, a tree), here represented as mincing, i.e. tripping with short steps, unlike the cluNote 152 · more med’cinal, of greater virtue. The line may be scanned thus: And yet | more med | ’cinal is | it than | that Mo | ly. Moly. When UlyssesNote 153 · monstrous rout; see note on the stage-direction after l. 92. Comp. ‘the bottom of the monstrous world,’ Lyc. 158. In Aen. vii. 15, we read tNote 154 · to the moon, i.e. as affected by the moon. For similar uses of ‘to,’ comp. Lyc. 33, “tempered to the oaten flute”; Lyc. 44, “fanning their jNote 155 · flowery-kirtled Naiades: fresh-water nymphs dressed in flowers, or having their skirts decorated with flowers. A kirtle is a gown; Skeat sugNote 156 · necromancer’s hall. Warton supposes that Milton here thought of a magician’s castle which has an enchanted hall invaded by Christian knightsNote 157 · neighbour. An adjective, as in line 576, and frequently in Shakespeare. Neighbour = nigh-boor, i.e. a peasant dwelling near.Note 158 · that Nepenthes, etc. The allusion is explained by the following lines of the Odyssey: “Then Helen, daughter of Zeus, turned to new thoughts.Note 159 · nice; hard to please, fastidious: “a finely chosen epithet, expressing at once curious and squeamish” (Hurd). It is used by Comus in contempNote 160 · night-foundered; benighted, lost in the darkness. Radically, ‘to founder’ is to go to the bottom (Fr. fondrer; Lat. fundus, the bottom), henNote 161 · nightly watchful spheres. Milton elsewhere alludes to the stars keeping watch: “And all the spangled host keep watch in order bright,” Hymn Note 162 · nor ... nor. These correlatives are often used in poetry for neither ... nor (Shakespeare often omitting the former altogether), and are equNote 163 · oaten stops: see Lyc. 33, “the oaten flute”; 88, “But now my oat proceeds”; 188, “the tender stops of various quills.” The shepherd’s pipe, Note 164 · steep Atlantic stream. To the ancients the Ocean was the great stream that encompassed the earth: Iliad, xiv., “the deep-flowing Okeanos (βαNote 165 · great Oceanus, Gk. Ὠκέανόν τε μέγαν. The early Greeks regarded the earth as a flat disc, surrounded by a perpetually flowing river called OcNote 166 · orient, bright. The Lat. oriens = rising; hence (from being applied to the sun) = eastern (l. 30); and hence generally ‘bright’ or ‘shining’Note 167 · Far other arms, i.e. very different arms. ‘Other’ has here its radical sense of ‘different,’ and can therefore be modified by an adverb.Note 168 · oughly-headed: so spelt in Milton’s MS. = ugly-headed. Ugly is radically connected with awe.Note 169 · ounce. This is the Felis uncia, allied to the panther and the cheetah. Some connect it with the Persian yúz, panther.Note 170 · over-multitude, outnumber. This line and the preceding one illustrate the freedom with which, in earlier English, one part of speech was useNote 171 · a sad votarist, etc. A votarist is one who is bound by a vow (Lat. votum): the current form is votary, applied in a general sense to one devNote 172 · Pan, the god of everything connected with pastoral life: see Arc. 106, “Though Syrinx your Pan’s mistress were.”Note 173 · mountain-pard, i.e. panther or other spotted wild beast. Pard, originally a Persian word, is common in the compounds leo-pard and camelo-parNote 174 · Sweet Queen of Parley, etc. ‘Parley is conversation (Fr. parler, to speak): parlour, parole, palaver, parliament, parlance. etc., are cognatNote 175 · rife, prevalent. perfect, distinct; see note, l. 73. 204. single darkness, darkness only. Single is from the same base as simple; comp. l. 3Note 176 · perplexed, interwoven, entangled (Lat. plecto, to plait or twist). The word is here used literally and is therefore applicable to inanimate Note 177 · This line is attributive to ‘men.’ pestered ... pinfold, crowded together in this cramped space, the Earth. Pester, which has no connection Note 178 · misbecoming: see note on ‘misused,’ l. 47. plight, condition. Skeat derives this word from A.S. pliht, danger; others connect it with pledgeNote 179 · plumes. Some would read prunes, both words being used of a bird’s smoothing or trimming its feathers—or (more strictly) picking out damaged Note 180 · Soon as, etc., i.e. as soon as the magical draught produces its effect. In line 66 as is temporal. potion. Radically, potion = a drink, but Note 181 · rules pranked in reason’s garb, i.e. specious arguments. Pranked = decked in a showy manner: Milton (Prose works, i. 147, ed. 1698) speaks oNote 182 · presentments, appearances. This word is to be distinguished from presentiment. A presentiment is a “fore-feeling” (Lat. praesentire): while Note 183 · manly prime, etc.: ‘Were they in the prime of manhood, or were they merely youths?’ With Milton the ‘prime of manhood’ is where ‘youth’ endsNote 184 · unthread, loosen. Comp. Temp. iv. l. 259, “Go charge my goblins that they grind their joints With dry convulsions, shorten up their sinews WNote 185 · 121. wakes, night-watches (A.S. niht-wacu, a night wake). The adjective wakeful (A.S. wacol) is the exact cognate of the Latin vigil. The woNote 186 · return his purchase back, i.e. ‘give up his spoil,’ or (as in the MS.) ‘release his new-got prey.’ To purchase (Fr. pour-chasser) originallyNote 187 · purfled = having an embroidered edge (O.F. pourfiler): the verb to purfle survives in the contracted form to purl, and is cognate with profiNote 188 · quivered nymph. The chaste Diana of the Romans was armed with bow and quiver; and Shakespeare makes virginity “Diana’s livery.” So in SpenseNote 189 · rapt spirits. ‘Rapt’ = enraptured, as if the mind or soul had been carried out of itself (Lat. raptus, seized): comp. Il Pens. 40, “Thy raptNote 190 · mortal mixture ... divine enchanting ravishment. The words mortal and divine are in antithesis: comp. Il Pens. 91, 92, “The immortal mind thNote 191 · it recks me not, i.e. I do not heed: an impersonal use of the old verb reck (A.S. récan, to care). Comp. Lyc. 122, “What recks it them.”Note 192 · rifted rocks: rifted = riven. Orpheus, in search of Eurydice, entered the lower world through the rocky jaws of Taenarus, a cape in the soutNote 193 · rights. Here used, as sometimes by Spenser, where modern usage requires rites (Lat. ritus, a custom): see l. 535.Note 194 · low-roosted lark, i.e. the lark that has roosted on the ground. This is certainly Milton’s meaning, as he refers to the bird as rising from Note 195 · star ... fold, the evening star, Hesperus, an appellation of the planet Venus: comp. Lyc. 30. As the morning star (called by Shakespeare theNote 196 · sadly, seriously. Radically, sad = sated or full (A.S. saed); hence the two meanings, ‘serious’ and ‘sorrowful,’ the former being common in Note 197 · scape, a mutilated form of ‘escape,’ occurs both as a noun and a verb in Shakespeare and Milton: see Par. Lost, x. 5, “what can scape the eyNote 198 · mild: an attributive of the whole clause, ‘regions of calm and serene air.’ calm and serene. These are not mere synonyms: the Lat. serenus =Note 199 · By course commits, etc., i.e. “In regular distribution he commits to each his distinct government.” several: separate or distinct. RadicallyNote 200 · shagged ... shades. ‘Shagged’ is rugged or shaggy, and ‘horrid’ is probably used in the Latin sense of ‘rough’: see note, l. 38.Note 201 · thy airy shell; the atmosphere. Comp. “the hollow round of Cynthia’s seat,” Hymn Nat. 103. The marginal reading in the MS. is cell. Some supNote 202 · shrewd. Here used in its radical sense = shrew-ed, malicious, like a shrew. Comp. M. N. D. ii. 1, “That shrewd and knavish sprite called RobNote 203 · though not mortal: sc. ‘I am.’ shuddering dew. The epithet is, by hypallage, transferred from the person to the dew or cold sweat which ‘dipNote 204 · siding champion, Conscience. To side is to take a side, and hence to assist: comp. Cor. iv. 2. 2: “The nobles who have sided in his behalf.”Note 205 · simples, medicinal herbs. ‘Simple’ (Lat. simplicem, ‘one-fold,’ ‘not compound’) was used of a single ingredient in a medicine; hence its popNote 206 · Sleeking, making sleek or glossy. The original sense of ‘sleek’ is greasy: comp. Lyc. 99, “On the level brine Sleek Panopè with all her sistNote 207 · slope sun, sun sunk beneath the horizon, so that the only rays visible shoot up into the sky. Slope = sloped; also used by Milton as an adveNote 208 · solemnity, ceremony, rite. The word is from Lat. sollus, complete, and annus, a year; ‘solemn’ = solennis = sollennis. Hence the changes of Note 209 · soothsaying Glaucus. He was a Boeotian fisherman who had been changed into a marine deity, and was regarded by fishermen and sailors as a soNote 210 · sounds, straits: A.S. sund, a strait of the sea, so called because it could be swum across. See Skeat, Etym. Dict. s.v.Note 211 · sovran use: see note, l. 41. The use of this adjective with charms, medicines, or remedies of any kind was so very common that the word cameNote 212 · dazzling. This implies both brightness and illusion. spells. A spell is properly a magical form of words (A.S. spel, a saying): here it refeNote 213 · spets, a form of spits (as spettle for spittle).Note 214 · spruce, gay. This word, now applied to persons with a touch of levity, was formerly used both of things and persons in the sense of gay or nNote 215 · squint suspicion. Compare Quarles: “Heart-gnawing Hatred, and squint-eyed Suspicion.” To look askance or sideways frequently indicates suspiNote 216 · stabled wolves, wolves in their dens. Stable (= a standing-place) is used by Milton in the general sense of abode, e.g. in Par. Lost, xi. 75Note 217 · their father’s state. This probably refers to the actual ceremonies connected with the installation of the Earl as Lord President. The old sNote 218 · can do thee little stead, i.e. can help thee little. Stead, both as noun and verb, is obsolete except in certain phrases, e.g. ‘to stand in Note 219 · storied, related: ‘To story’ is here used actively: the past participle is frequent in the sense of ‘bearing a story or picture’; Il Pens. 1Note 220 · straight, immediately. The adverb straight is now chiefly used of direction; to indicate time straightway (= in a straight way) is more usuaNote 221 · plighted, interwoven or plaited. The verb ‘plight’ (or more properly plite) is a variant of plait: see Il Pens. 57, “her sweetest saddest plNote 222 · sun-clad power of chastity. With ‘sun-clad’ compare ‘the sacred rays of chastity,’ l. 425. Similarly in the Faerie Queene, iii. 6, Spenser sNote 223 · Some virgin sure, sc. ‘it is.’Note 224 · surrounding. Milton is said to be the first author of any note who uses this word in its current sense of ‘encompassing,’ which it has acquiNote 225 · swain: a word of common use in pastoral poetry. It denotes strictly a peasant or, more correctly, a young man: comp. the compounds boat-swaiNote 226 · swart faery of the mine. In Burton’s Anat. of Mel. we read, “Subterranean devils are as common as the rest, and do as much harm. Olaus MagnuNote 227 · swinked, overcome with toil, fatigued (A.S. swincan, to toil). Skeat points out that this was once an extremely common word; the sense of toNote 228 · Pan or Sylvan: see l. 176: also Il Pens. 134, “shadows brown that Sylvan loves,” and Arc. 106, “Though Syrinx your Pan’s mistress were.” SylNote 229 · syrups: Arab, sharāb, a drink, wine.Note 230 · tapestry halls. Halls hung with tapestry, tapestry being “a kind of carpet work, with wrought figures, especially used for decorating walls.Note 231 · temple of the mind, i.e. the body. This metaphor is common: see Shakespeare, Temp. i. 2. 57, “There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a templeNote 232 · Thyrsis, Like Lycidas, this name is common in pastoral poetry. In Milton’s Epitaphium Damonis it stands for Milton himself; in Comus it beloNote 233 · tinsel-slippered. The ‘permanent epithet’ of Thetis, a daughter of Nereus and mother of Achilles, is “silver-footed” (Gk. ἀργυρόπεζα). Comp.Note 234 · to seek, at a loss. Compare Par. Lost, viii. 197: “Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek.” Bacon, in Adv. of Learning, has: “Men bred iNote 235 · trivial toy, ordinary trifle. The phrase seems redundant, but ‘trivial’ may here be used in the strict sense of common or well-known. ComparNote 236 · ere long: ere has here the force of a preposition; in A.S. it was an adverb as well = soon, but now it is used only as a conjunction or a prNote 237 · treasonous; an obsolete word. The current form ‘treasonable’ has usually a more restricted sense: Milton and Shakespeare use treasonous in tNote 238 · turkis; also spelt turkoise, turquois, and turquoise: lit. ‘the Turkish stone,’ a Persian gem so called because it came through Turkey (PersNote 239 · twain: thus frequently used as a predicate. It is also used after its substantive as in Lyc. 110, “of metals twain,” and as a substantive.Note 240 · unenchanted, superior to all the powers of enchantment, not to be enchanted. Similarly Milton has ‘unreproved’ for ‘not reprovable,’ ‘unvaluNote 241 · unprincipled in virtue’s book, i.e. ignorant of the elements of virtue. A principle (Lat. principium, beginning) is a fundamental truth; henNote 242 · unweeting; unwitting, unknowing. This spelling is found in Spenser’s Faerie Queene, both in the compounds and in the simple verb weet, a corNote 243 · unwithdrawing. In this participle the termination -ing seems almost equivalent to that of the past participle: comp. “all-obeying breath” (=Note 244 · various, varied: comp. l. 22. The ‘bustle of resort’ is in L’Allegro the ‘busy hum of men.’Note 245 · venturous, ready to venture. See note, l. 79.Note 246 · What need a vermeil-tinctured lip? See note, l. 362, on ‘what need.’ Vermeil: a French spelling of vermilion. The name is from Lat. vermis, Note 247 · 428. very desolation. Very (as an adj.) = true or real and may be traced to Lat. verus = true: comp. l. 646.Note 248 · vialed, contained in phials.Note 249 · the violet-embroidered vale. The notion that flowers broider or ornament the ground is common in poetry: comp. Par. Lost, iv. 700: “Under foNote 250 · virtuous, of healing power: see note, l. 165. Comp. Il Pens. 113, “the virtuous ring and glass.”Note 251 · with visored falsehood and base forgery. A vizor (also spelt visor, visard, vizard) is a mask, “a false face.” The allusion is to Comus’s diNote 252 · less warranted, i.e. when I have less guarantee of safety. Guarantee and warrant, like guard and ward, guile and wile, are radically the samNote 253 · 178. swilled insolence, etc., i.e. the drunken rudeness of those carousing at this late hour. Swill: to swill is to drink greedily, hence toNote 254 · Not a waste, etc., i.e. ‘Let there not be a superfluous or unnecessary sound until we come.’ ‘waste’ is an attributive: see note, l. 728.Note 255 · bowed welkin: the meaning of the line is, “Where the arched sky curves slowly towards the horizon.” Welkin is, radically, “the region of cloNote 256 · she no whit encumbered, i.e. Nature would not be in the least surcharged (as Comus represented in l. 728). No whit, used adverbially = not iNote 257 · Danger will wink on, etc., i.e. danger will shut its eyes to an opportunity. To wink on or wink at is to connive, to refuse to see somethingNote 258 · Carpathian wizard’s hook. See Virgil’s Georg. iv. 387, “In the sea-god’s Carpathian gulf there lives a seer, Proteus, of the sea’s own hue .Note 259 · wonted: see note, l. 332.