An Introduction to the Prose and Poetical Works of John Milton / Comprising All the Autobiographic Passages in His Works, the More Explicit Presentations of His Ideas of True Liberty.

by John Milton

On his deceased wife

P. 91. [1]. my late espoused saint: his second wife, Catherine Woodcock, whom he married November 12, 1656; she died in February, 1658.

P. 91. [2]. Alcestis: brought back to life by Herakles (Hercules). her glad husband: Admetus, King of Pheræ in Thessaly. See Browning's 'Balaustion's Adventure, including a Transcript from [the Alkestis of] Euripides.'

P. 91. [5]. as whom: as one whom.

P. 91. [6]. Purification: Leviticus xii.

P. 91. [10]. her face was veiled: Alcestis was still in his mind. In Browning's 'Balaustion's Adventure,' when Hercules returns with her:

'Under the great guard of one arm, there leant

A shrouded something, live and woman-like,

Propped by the heart-beats 'neath the lion coat. . . .

There is no telling how the hero twitched