Milton writes,
Our torments, also, may in length of time
Become our elements. B. ii. ver. 274.
Bentley corrects—
Then, AS WAS WELL OBSERV'D our torments may
Become our elements.
A curious instance how the insertion of a single prosaic expression turns a fine verse into something worse than the vilest prose.
To conclude with one more instance of critical emendation: Milton says, with an agreeable turn of expression—
So parted they; the angel up to heaven,
From the thick shade; and Adam to his bower.
Bentley "conjectures" these two verses to be inaccurate, and in lieu of the last writes—
Adam, to ruminate on past discourse.
And then our erudite critic reasons! as thus:—