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

P. 97. [13]. wing: flight.

P. 97. [17]. With other notes: Orpheus made a hymn to Night, which is still extant; he also wrote of the creation out of Chaos. See 'Apoll. Rhodius,' i. 493. Orpheus was inspired by his mother Calliope only, Milton by the heavenly Muse; therefore he boasts that he sung with other notes than Orpheus, though the subjects were the same.—Richardson.

P. 97. [21]. hard and rare: evidently after Virgil's Æneid, vi. 126-129.

P. 97. [25]. a drop serene: gutta serena, i.e. amaurosis.

P. 97. [26]. dim suffusion: cataract.

P. 97. [34]. So: appears to be used optatively, as Lat. sic, Greek ὡς, would that I were equalled with them in renown.

P. 97. [35]. Thamyris: a Thracian bard, mentioned by Homer, Iliad, ii. 595:

'he, over-bold,

Boasted himself preëminent in song,

Ev'n though the daughters of Olympian Jove,