[18]. Hence with denial vain and coy excuse: away with, etc., i.e. on my part; denial: refusal; coy: shrinking, hesitating, reluctant, by reason of what is expressed in the opening verses.
[19-22]. So may . . . sable shroud: these verses are parenthetical, and v. 23 must be connected with v. 18, 'Hence with denial vain,' etc. I have followed Keightley's pointing; gentle Muse: high-born (nobly endowed) poet; lucky words: words that will favorably perpetuate my memory; bid fair peace: pray that fair peace be, etc.
[23-36]. For we were nursed: these verses express in pastoral language the devotion to their joint studies, early and late, of Milton and King, at Christ's College, Cambridge.
[25]. ere the high lawns appeared: i.e. before daybreak.
[28]. What time the grey-fly: i.e. the sultry noontide.
[30]. Oft till the star . . . had sloped his westering wheel: i.e. they continued their studies till after midnight, while in the meantime many of their fellow-students were giving themselves to music and dancing.
[33]. Tempered: attuned, modulated.
[36]. old Damœtas: 'may be,' says Masson, 'some fellow or tutor of Christ's College, if not Dr. Bainbrigge, the master.'
[37]. Now thou art gone: emotionally repeated; heavy: sad.
[40]. With wild thyme . . . o'ergrown: to be connected only with 'desert caves,' not 'woods.'