This passage beginning—
“There wanted yet the Master-work,”
contains an undoubted imitation of Ovid.
“Sanctius his animal, &c.
Deerat.”
And Ovid’s is surprisingly noble—for him—the Sanctius alone is quite enough. That is the heathen contemplation of Man. How many of us know ourselves and our fellows as holy? Nevertheless, Milton makes that which was high and impassioned—logical, comprehensive, and sublime.
SEWARD.
Sanctity of Reason is hallowed and hallowing Intelligence. It is implied that in the best and truest actions of our understanding, there is an afflux of Deity, and that, as Bacon says, we are akin to God by our Spirits.
NORTH.
Well alluded to.