[277.] What chance, etc. In lines [277-290] we have a reproduction of that form of dialogue employed in Greek tragedy in which question and answer occupy alternate lines: it is called stichomythia, and is admirable when there is a gradual rise in excitement towards the end (as in the Supplices of Euripides). In Samson Agonistes, which is modelled on the Greek pattern, Milton did not employ it.
[278.] An alliterative line.
[279.] near ushering, closely attending. To usher is to introduce (Lat. ostium, a door).
[284.] twain: thus frequently used as a predicate. It is also used after its substantive as in Lyc. 110, “of metals twain,” and as a substantive.
[285.] forestalling, anticipating. ‘Forestall,’ originally a marketing term, is to buy up goods before they have been displayed at a stall in the market in order to sell them again at a higher price: hence ‘to anticipate.’ prevented. ‘Prevent,’ now used in the sense of ‘hinder,’ seems in this line to have something of its older meaning, viz., to anticipate (in which case ‘forestalling’ would be proleptic). Comp. l. [362]; Par. Lost, vi. 129, “half-way he met His daring foe, at this prevention more Incensed.”
[286.] to hit. This is the gerundial infinitive after an adjective: comp. “good to eat,” “deadly to hear,” etc.
[287.] Imports their loss, etc.: ‘Apart from the present emergency, is the loss of them important?’
[289.] manly prime, etc.: ‘Were they in the prime of manhood, or were they merely youths?’ With Milton the ‘prime of manhood’ is where ‘youth’ ends: comp. Par. Lost, xi. 245, “prime in manhood where youth ended”; iii. 636, “a stripling Cherub he appears, Not of the prime, yet such as in his face Youth smiled celestial.” Spenser has ‘prime’ = Spring.
[290.] Hebe, the goddess of youth. “The down of manhood” had not appeared on the lips of the brothers.
[291.] what time: common in poetry for ‘when’ (Lat. quo tempore). Compare Horace, Od. iii. 6: “what time the sun shifted the shadows of the mountains, and took the yokes from the wearied oxen.” laboured: wearied with labour.