[161. the great Vision of the guarded mount.] St. Michael’s Mount is a pyramidal rock in Mounts Bay on the coast of Cornwall. This was guarded by the angel, St. Michael, whose gaze was directed seaward, toward Namancos and Bayona, in northwestern Spain. In some unknown place between these widely sundered limits, the body of Lycidas is tossed.
[170. with new-spangled ore.] Ore, from its original meaning of metal in the natural state, comes to signify metallic lustre generally. See Comus [719], [933].
[173.] See Matthew XIV 25.
[175.] Compare [Comus 838].
[176. the unexpressive nuptial song.] See [Hymn on the Nativity 116]. See also Revelation XIX 7-9.
[181. And wipe the tears forever from his eyes.] See Revelation XXI 4.
[183. Henceforth thou art the genius of the shore.] This is the same promotion that was accorded to Melicertes, son of Ino, who on his death became the genius of the shore under the name of Palæmon.
[186. uncouth;] a self-depreciating expression meaning unknown or obscure.
[187.] Milton applies the epithet gray both to evening and to morning.
[188. various quills] are the tubes of the shepherd pipe.