The reader of Milton must be always on his duty: he is surrounded with sense; it rises in every line; every word is to the purpose. There are no lazy intervals; all has been considered, and demands and merits observation. If this be called obscurity, let it be remembered that it is such an obscurity as is a compliment to the reader; not that vicious obscurity, which proceeds from a muddled head.
Footnote 1
: These notes were written by Mr. Coleridge in a copy of Hayley's
Life of Milton
, (4to. 1796), belonging to Mr. Poole. By him they were communicated, and this seems the fittest place for their publication.
Ed.
Footnote 2