The Latin phrase, ipsa mollities, may be translated,—it is the very perfection of delicacy. The Italian words below mean,—My dear Henry, thoughts close, face open.
[1. Before the starry threshold of Jove’s court.] The attendant spirit not only announces himself as a dweller in heaven, but he specifies his particular function among the celestials: he is doorkeeper in the house of God.
[3. insphered.] Compare [Il Penseroso 88].
[7. Confined and pestered.] Pester has its primitive meaning, to clog or encumber. In this pinfold here. Pinfold is probably not connected with the verb to pen, but is a shortened form of poundfold, and means, literally, an enclosure for stray cattle.
[10. After this mortal change:] after this life on earth, which is subject to death.
[11. Amongst the enthroned gods.] Make but two syllables of enthroned, and accent the first.
[The long sentence ending with line 11] is very loose in construction: the and in line 7 is a coördinate conjunction, but does not connect coördinate elements.
[13. To lay their just hands on that golden key.] Compare [Lycidas 110].
[16. these pure ambrosial weeds.] Ambrosial has its proper meaning,—pertaining to the immortals.
[20. by lot ’twixt high and nether Jove.] Neptune drew lots with Jupiter and Pluto. To Jupiter fell the region of the upper air, to Pluto the lower world, and to Neptune the sea. The ancient poets sometimes spoke of Jupiter and Pluto as the upper and the lower Jove.