Cyriac, this three years day, those eyes, tho' clear
To outward view of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of sight, their seeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs does day appear,
Or sun, or moon, or stars throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will; nor bate one jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up, and steer
Right onwards. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, friend, t'have lost them overply'd
In Liberty's defence, my noble task,
Whereof all Europe rings from side to side.
This thought might lead me through this world's vain mask
Content, though blind, had I no other guide.
(Sonnet XIX.)
But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts....
Thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest.
They also serve who only stand and wait.
(Sonnet XX.)
[453]: Sonnets italiens, VI, 4.
[454]: Voici les titres des principaux écrits en prose de Milton: History of Reformation,—the Reason of Church government urged against prelacy,—Animadversions upon the remonstrant,—Doctrine and discipline of Divorce,—Tetrachordon,—Tractate of Education,—Areopagitica,—Tenure of Kings and Magistrates,—Iconoclastes,—History of Britain,—Thesaurus linguæ latinæ,—History of Moscovy,—de Logicæ Arte, etc.
[455]: Professor triobolaris.
[456]: Saumaise disait de la mort du roi: «Horribilis nuntius aures nostras atroci vulnere, sed magis mentes perculit.»—Milton répond: «Profecto nuntius iste horribilis aut gladium multo longiorem eo quem strinxit Petrus habuerit oportet, aut aures istæ auritissimæ fuerint, quas tam longinquo vulnere perculerit.»
—«Oratorem tam insipidum et insulsum ut ne ex lacrymis quidem ejus mica salis exiguissima possit exprimi.»