14485 18.40 HARVARD COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped June, 1899. Reprinted April, Norwood Press J. S. Cushing & Co. - Berwick & Smith "AFTER I had for my first years, by the ceaseless diligence and care of my father (whom God recompense), been exercised to the tongues, and some sciences, as my age would suffer, by sundry masters and teachers, both at home and at the schools, it was found that whether aught was imposed me by them that had the overlooking, or betaken to of mine own choice in English or other tongue, prosing or versing, but chiefly by this latter, the style, by certain vital signs it had, was likely to live. . . . I began thus far to assent to an inward prompting which now grew daily upon me, that by labour and intent study (which I take to be my portion in this life), joined with the strong propensity of nature, I might perhaps leave something so written to aftertimes as they should not willingly let it die. . . . I applied myself to fix all the industry and art I could unite to the adorning of my native tongue." ... -THE REASON OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. PREFATORY NOTE I HAVE included in this edition several poems not in the college requirements, in order to give a proper introduction and conclusion to the work and to reveal the element of unity and growth. The notes furnish biographical, historical, and critical material sufficient to enable the student to gain an insight into the forces which went to form the mind and art of the great poet. Additional interest is given to the volume from the fact that it contains the most significant of the many estimates of Milton's greatness, Mr. Matthew Arnold's address at the unveiling of the Milton Memorial Window in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. The dates which precede the notes to each poem refer, if there are two, to the date of composition of the poem and its first publication by Milton; and if three, the second refers to date of first publication by some one other than Milton. The letters K., T., and M., in brackets, refer to Keightley, Todd, and Masson respectively. If errors, biographical, historical, or textual, are found in this edition, I shall be glad to have my attention called to them. BROOKLINE, January, 1899. A. J. G. |