[98. As all their souls in blissful rapture took.] The verb take has here the same meaning as in Hamlet I 1 163, “no fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm.” Thus also we say, a vaccination takes.
[103. Cynthia’s seat.] See [Penseroso 59], and Romeo and Juliet III 5 20.
[108.] Make the line rhyme properly, giving to union three syllables.
[112. The helmed cherubim.] See Genesis III 24.
[113. The sworded seraphim.] See Isaiah VI 2-6.
[116. With unexpressive notes], meaning beyond the power of human expression. So in [Lycidas 176]; Par. Lost V 595; and in As You Like It, “the fair, the chaste, and inexpressive she.”
[119. But when of old the Sons of Morning sung.] See Job XXXVIII 7.
[124. the weltering waves.] Compare [Lycidas 13].
[125. Ring out, ye crystal spheres.] See [note, line 48]. The elder poetry is full of the notion that the spheres in their revolutions made music, which human ears are too gross to hear. See Merchant of Venice V 1 50-65.
[136. speckled Vanity.] The leopard that confronts Dante in Canto I of Hell is beautiful with its dappled skin, but symbolizes vain glory.