Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern And with them comes a third of regal port, 870 Not likely to part hence without contest; He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, 875 How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd though it is right to say that bounds are prescribed to hinder transcursions, yet I think it is not proper to say, that bounds are prescribed to transcursions. And the common reading is justifiable: for though (as Dr. Bentley says) no bounds could be set to Satan's transgressions, but he could transgress in his thought and mind every moment; yet it is good sense, if Milton meant (as I suppose he did) that the bounds of hell were by God prescribed to Satan's transgressions, so as that it was intended he should transgress no where else, but within those bounds; whereas he was now attempting to transgress. without them. And by this interpretation we shall not understand transgressions in the sense of the pure Latin, and transgress in the very next line in the usual English acceptation, but shall affix the same notion both to the one and the other. To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge By thy example, but have pow'r and right 880 To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. 885 Gabriel, thou hadst in heav'n th' esteem of wise, And such I held thee; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou would'st thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place 891 Farthest from pain, where thou might'st hope to change Dole with delight, which in this place I sought; 883. -to violate sleep,] Shakespeare in Macbeth has a stronger expression, to murder sleep; both equally proper in the places where they are employed. 887. -but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt.] Homer: Thou seemedst a wise man formerly, Νυν δ' αφρονι φωτι 10ικας. Bentley. 892. -to change Torment with ease,] We commonly say to change one thing for another, and Dr. Bentley would read for ease in this place: but to change torment with ease is according to the 895 Latins, whom Milton often follows. Glandem mutavit aristd. Virg. Geor. i. 8. 896. -and wilt object His will who bound us?] If these words are to be read with a note of interrogation as in all the editions, thou must be understood, and Dr. Bentley chooses to read and wilt thou object. It is a concise way of speaking, somewhat like that in ii. 730. and knowest for whom. I have sometimes thought that the passage may be read without the note of interrogation, by joining it in His will who bound us? let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. 900 Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel mov'd, Disdainfully half smiling thus replied. O loss of one in heav'n to judge of wise, 905 And now returns him from his prison scap'd, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise 910 However, and to scape his punishment. But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee 915 920 To which the Fiend thus answer'd frowning stern. construction with what goes tion gives a spirit and quickness before; but asking the ques- to it. Not that I less indure, or shrink from pain, To whom the warrior angel soon replied. stood Thy fiercest,] 925 930 935 940 945 926. -well thou know'st I pain. xi. 4. The stony from their hearts. xi. 497. His best of man. 928. The blasting] Thus it is in the first edition, the second has it Thy; but the sense requires it to be The. Richardson. Dr. Bentley reads The fiercest, that is pain: but Thy fiercest is right, and we may understand it with Dr. Pearce Thy fiercest attack, or with Mr. Richardson Thy fiercest enemy. Fiercest is used as a substantive, as our author often uses adjectives. Dr. Pearce gives several instances, ii. 278. The sensible of 945. And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.] With is understood. With songs to hymn his throne, and with practised distances to cringe, not fight. Dr. Bentley has strangely mistaken it. To say and strait unsay, pretending first 950 O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd! Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. 955 Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Power supreme ? Patron of liberty, who more than thou To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, 965 So threaten'd he; but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied. Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, 962. -arreed] To decree, to award. 965. -I drag thee] The present tense used for the future, to signify the immediate execution of the menace. Hume. A Latinism, and very emphatical. Quæ prima pericula vito. Virg. Æn. iii. 367. Cui famula trador? Quem dominum vo 970 co? Senec. Troad. 473. Richard son. 966. And seal thee so.] 'This seems to allude to the chaining of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, mentioned in the Revelation: and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him. xx. 3. Hume. |