Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 1070 1068. Some better shroud,] Spenser frequently uses shroud for shelter: But trembling fear still to and fro did fly, And found no place where safe he Faery Queen, b. ii. c. vii. st. 22. 1069. -ere this diurnal star So sinks the day star in the ocean bed: So that this is spoken as if it was now day, whereas it was night a little before. See ver. 846. And after Leave cold the night there should be only a comma as in Milton's own editions, and not a colon as in Dr. Bentley's; for how we his gathered beams &c. still refers to which bids us seek. 1071. with matter sere foment,] Sere Engos (Greek) dry: according to Virgil's exact description, Æn. i. 175. Suscepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum Nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fo mite flammam. Hume. I find the word sere used like Justling or push'd with winds rude in their shock Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, And sends a comfortable heat from far, Which might supply the sun such fire to use, 1076 1085 To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 1080 1090 assurance in the poet, that what was once well said will bear repeating: and has the true air both of simplicity and grandeur. Bentley. Dr. Bentley believes that Milton gave it meet: but I believe not. He seems to think that meek humiliation is tautology; but humiliation here is not humility: it is the act of humbling themselves before God. We have meek submission in xii. 597, Pearce. From his displeasure; in whose look serene, So spake our father penitent, nor Eve 1095 1100 |