"We wish to add a few words relative to another subject on which the enemies of Milton delight to dwell—his conduct during the administration of the Protector."
In a paragraph or two summarize Macaulay's views on the subject indicated in the passage given above.
IV Take one part only, either a or b.
"Mortals, that would follow me,
Love Virtue; she alone is free.
She can teach ye how to climb
Higher than the sphery chime;
Or, if Virtue feeble were,
Heaven itself would stoop to her."
By whom were these words said? to whom? when? where? under what circumstances? Show the relation of these lines to the opening lines of the poem; to the plot of the poem. Answer in a paragraph or two.
In Macaulay's Essay on Milton occurs the following passage:
"In none of the works of Milton is his peculiar manner more happily displayed than in the Allegro and the Penseroso. It is impossible to conceive that the mechanism of language can be brought to a more exquisite degree of perfection. These poems differ from others as attar of roses differs from ordinary rose-water, the close-packed essence from the thin, diluted mixture. They are, indeed, not so much poems as collections of hints, from each of which the reader is to make out a poem for himself. Every epithet is a text for a stanza."
Quote from L'Allegro and Il Penseroso several phrases, lines, or passages that exemplify the statements in italics. Give your reasons for the selection of any one of these.