The variety of images in this passage is infinitely pleasing, and the recapitulation of each particular image, with a little varying of the expression, makes one of the finest turns of words that I have ever seen; which I rather mention, because Mr. Dryden has said in his preface to Juvenal, that he could meet with no turn of words in Milton.[371]
It may further be observed, that though the sweetness of these verses has something in it of a pastoral, yet it excels the ordinary kind, as much as the scene of it is above an ordinary field or meadow. I might here, since I am accidentally led into this subject, show several passages in Milton that have as excellent turns of this nature as any of our English poets whatsoever; but shall only mention that which follows, in which he describes the fallen angels engaged in the intricate disputes of predestination, free-will, and foreknowledge; and to humour the perplexity, makes a kind of labyrinth in the very words that describe it:
Others apart sat on a hill retired,
In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high
Of Providence, foreknowledge, will and fate,
Fixed fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute,
And found no end in wandering mazes lost.[372]
FOOTNOTES:
[363] Story's Gate and Rosamond's Pond were at opposite ends of Birdcage Walk (see No. 60).
[364] "Steele assisted in this paper" (Tickell).
[365] No. 95.
[366] Dr. Smalridge (see No. 72).
[367] What follows is said to have been written by Addison. "It would seem as though Steele felt himself unable to proceed, and his friend had taken the pen from his trembling hand" (Forster, "Historical and Biographical Essays," 1858, ii. 141).