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

Qui consulta patrum, qui leges juraque servat;

Quo multæ magnæque secantur judice lites;

Quo res sponsore, et quo causæ teste tenentur.

Sed videt hunc omnis domus et vicinia tota

Introrsùs turpem, speciosum pelle decorâ.'

—Epistolarum Liber, i. 16, vv. 40-45, Ad Quinctium.

P. [118]. Crescentius Nomentanus: Roman patrician, a native of Nomentum (now La Mentana), tenth century, was at the head of the Italian party against the Germans and the popes, with title of Consul; was besieged in the Castle St. Angelo, and finally capitulated on terms honorable to himself, but was basely put to death by Otho III., A.D. 998.

P. [118]. Nicholas Rentius: Rienzi, or Rienzo (Niccolo Gabrini), or Cola di Rienzi, 'the last of the Roman Tribunes,' b. about 1313, d. 1354.

'Then turn we to her latest tribune's name,

From her ten thousand tyrants turn to thee,