Bitter epigrams like this on Byron become a characteristic of Carlyle's style in his later writings.
[[120]] Milton's real words are: "I was confirmed in this opinion, that he who would not be frustrate of his hope to write well hereafter in laudable things, ought himself to be a true poem; that is, a composition and pattern of the best and honourablest things; not presuming to sing high praises of heroic men, or famous cities, unless he has in himself the experience and the practice of all that which is praiseworthy."—Apology for Smectymnuus.
[[121]] Shipping ports in southern England. Carlyle is writing from the point of view of a Scotchman.
[[122]] Vaucluse (Valclusa in Italian) is a town in southeast France where the great Italian poet Petrarch (1304-1374) lived for some time, and where he did much of his best work. Its fountain is celebrated in his poems.