[108]The Poetical Works of John Milton, ed. Mitford, "Paradise Regained," Book I. pp. 201-206.
[109]Milton's Prose Works, ed. Mitford, 8 vols., "The Reason of Church Government," I. 150.
[110]Milton's Prose Works (Bohn's edition, 1848), "Second Defence of the People of England," p. 257. See also his Italian Sonnets, with their religious sentiment.
[111]Milton's Prose Works, Mitford, "Apology for Smectymnuus," I. 270.
[112]Ibid. 273. See also his "Treatise on Divorce," which shows clearly Milton's meaning.
[113]"Though Christianity had been but slightly taught me, yet a certain reservedness of natural disposition and moral discipline, learnt out of the noblest philosophy, was enough to keep me in disdain of far less incontinences than this of the bordello."—"Apology for Smectymnuus," Mitford, I. 272.
[114]An expression of Jean Paul Richter. See an excellent article on Milton in the "National Review," July, 1859.
[115]1643, at the age of 35.
[116]"Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce", Mitford, II. 27, 29, 32. "Mute and spiritless mate. The bashful muteness of the virgin may oftentimes hide all the unliveliness and natural sloth which is really unfit for conversation. A man shall find himself bound fast to an image of earth and phlegm, with whom he looked to be the copartner of a sweet and gladsome society." A pretty woman will say in reply: I cannot love a man who carries his head like the sacrament.
[117]"Second Defence of the People of England," Prose Works (Bohn), I. 257.