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

That e'en Cotytto sickens at the sight.'

—Gifford's translation of Juvenal, ii. 91, 92.

[132]. spets: spits.

[135]. Hecate: goddess of sorcery and magic and 'of all kinds of nocturnal ghastliness, such as spectral sights, the howlings of dogs, haunted spots, the graves of the murdered, witches at their incantations' (Masson). King Lear (I. i. 112) swears by 'the mysteries of Hecate and the night.'

[139]. nice: fastidious, over-scrupulous; used contemptuously by Comus.

[141]. descry: reveal.

[144]. round: a circular dance; in 'L'Allegro,' 34, we have 'the light fantastic toe.'

[151]. trains: enticements, allurements.

[154]. spungy air: which absorbs his 'dazzling spells.'

[155]. blear: dim, deceiving.