Summers of the snakeless meadow,
unlaborious earth and oarless sea.'
[88]. my oat proceeds: the suspended pastoral strain is resumed.
[89]. Herald of the Sea: Triton, with 'wreathed horn.'
[90]. in Neptune's plea: Neptune's is an objective genitive: in defence, or exculpation of Neptune. This explanation of 'plea' is supported by its use in all other places in Milton's poetry:
'So spake the fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.'
—P. L., iv. 394.
'to make appear,
With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance.'—P. L., x. 30.