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

[48]. After the Tuscan mariners transformed: a Latinism; so, 'since created man.'—P. L., i. 573. The allusion is to the story of the Etruscan or Tyrrhenian pirates, who attempted to carry off Bacchus, sell him as a slave, and were by him changed into dolphins.—Ovid, Met., 660 et seq.

[49]. listed: pleased.

[50]. On . . . fell: happened upon.

[59]. of: from, by reason of.

[60]. Celtic and Iberian fields: France and Spain.

[61]. ominous: portentous.

[65]. orient: bright. The word was used independently of the idea of 'eastern.' In the ode 'On the Nativity,' v. 231, the setting sun 'pillows his chin upon an orient wave.' Fuller, in his 'Holy War,' Book ii. Chap. I., says of Godfrey of Bouillon, 'His soul was enriched with many virtues, but the most orient of all was his humility, which took all men's affections without resistance.'

[66]. the drouth of Phœbus: the thirst caused by the sun's heat.

[67]. fond: foolish.

[88]. nor of less faith: i.e. than of musical power; 'faith' means the fidelity of his service.