with several interesting particulars of his youth and many of his opinions, which must have had considerable influence on his moral character. His sixth Elegy, addressed to his bosom friend, Charles Diodati, seems to be founded on the idea, which he may be said to have verified in his own conduct, that strict habits of temperance and virtue are highly conducive to the perfection of great poetical powers. To poets of a lighter class he recommends, with graceful pleasantry, much convivial enjoyment; but for those, who aspire to epic renown, he prescribes eyen the simple regimen of Pythagoras. Ille quidem parce, Samii pro more magistri, Simply let these, like him of Samos, live; In beechen goblets let their beverage shine; In his Elegy on the Spring, our poet expresses the fervent emotions of his fancy in terms, that may be almost regarded as a prophetic description of his sublimest work Jam mihi mens liquidi raptatur in ardua cæli, I mount, and, undepress'd by cumbrous clay, With these verses it may be pleasing to compare a similar passage in his English vacation exercise, where, addressing his native language, as applied to an inconsiderable purpose, he adds, Yet I had rather, if I were to chuse, Thy service in some graver subject use; Such as may make thee search thy coffers round, How he before the thunderous throne doth lie. "It is worth the curious reader's attention to observe how much the Paradise. Lost corresponds with this prophetic wish," says Mr. Thyer, one of the most intelligent and liberal of English commentators. The young poet, who thus expressed his ambition, was then in his nineteenth year. At the age of twenty-one (the period) of his life when that pleasing portrait of him was executed, which the Speaker, Onslow obtained from the executors of his widow) he composed his Ode on the Nativity; a poem that surpasses in fancy and devotional fire a composition on the same subject by that celebrated and devout poet of Spain, Lopez de Vega. The most trifling performances of Milton are so singular, that we may regret even the loss of the verses alluded to by Aubrey, as the offspring of his childhood. Perhaps no juvenile author ever displayed, with such early force, "The spirit of a youth Who means to be of note." His mind, even in his boyish days, seems to have glowed, like the fancy and furnace of an alchymist, with incessant hope and preparation for astonishing productions. Such austerity and moroseness have been falsely attributed to Milton, that a reader, acquainted with him only as he appears in the page of Johnson, must suppose him little formed for love; but his poetry in general, and especially the compositions we are now speaking of, may convince us, that he felt, with the most exquisite sensibility, the magic of beauty, and all the force of female attraction. His seventh Elegy exhibits a lively picture of his first passion; he represents himself as captivated by an unknown fair, who, though he saw her but for a moment, made a deep impression on his heart. Protinus insoliti subierunt corda furores, Uror amans intus, flammaque totus eram. Interea misero quæ jam mihi sola placebat, Ablata est oculis non reditura meis. Ast ego progredior tacite querebundus, et excors, Et dubius volui sæpe referre pedem. Findor et hæc remanet: sequitur pars altera votum, Raptaque tam subito gaudia flere juvat. A fever, new to me, of fierce desire The juvenile poet then addresses himself to love, with a request that beautifully expresses all the inquietude, and all the irresolution, of hopeless attachment. Deme meos tandem, verum nec deme, furores; Nescio cur, miser est suaviter omnis amans. |