PREFACE TO AN ESSAY ON PARADISE LOST. a panegyric, and, therefore, not confined to historical impartiality, yet it ought always to be written with regard to truth. No man ought to be commended for virtues which he never possessed, but whoever is curious to know his faults must inquire after them in other places; the monuments of the dead are not intended to perpetuate the memory of crimes, but to exhibit patterns of virtue. On the tomb of Mecenas his luxury is not to be mentioned with his munificence, nor is the proscription to find a place on the monument of Augustus. The best subject for Epitaphs is private virtue; virtue exerted in the same circumstances in which the bulk of mankind are placed, and which, therefore, may admit of many imitators. He that has delivered his country from oppression, or freed the world from ignorance and error, can excite the emulation of a very small number; but he that has repelled the temptations of poverty, and disdained to free himself from distress at the expense of his virtue, may animate multitudes, by his example, to the same firmness of heart and steadiness of resolution. 519 “Zosima, who in her life could only have her body sa slaved, now finds her body likewise set at liberty. It is impossible to read this Epitaph without being animated to bear the evils of life with con stancy, and to support the dignity of human nature under the most pressing afflictions, both by the example of the heroine, whose grave we behold, and the prospect of that state in which, o use the language of the inspired writers, “The poor cease from their labours, and the weary Le at rest." The other is upon Epictetus, the stoic philosopher: Δουλος Επίκτητος γενόμην, και σωμ' ανάπηρος, Και πενίην Ιρος, και Ψιλος Αθανάτοις. Servus Epictetus, mut latus corpore, v'ri Pauperieque Irus, curaque prima Deum. "Epictetus, who lies here, was a slave and a cripple, poor as the beggar in the proverb, and the favourite uf Heaven." In this distich is comprised the noblest panegyric, and the most important instruction. We may learn from it that virtue is impracticable in Of this kind I cannot forbear the mention of himself to the regard of Heaven, amidst the no condition, since Epictetus could recommend two Greck inscriptions; one upon a man whose temptations of poverty and slavery; slavery, writings are well known, the other upon a per- which has always been found so destructive to son whose memory is preserved only in her Epi-virtue, that in many languages a slave and a taph, who both lived in slavery, the most calamitous estate in human life: Ζωσιμη ἡ πριν εούσα μονῳ τῳ σωματι δουλή, thief are expressed by the same word. And we may be likewise admonished by it, not to lay any stress on a man's outward circumstances, in making an estimate of his real value, since Epictetus, the beggar, the cripple, and the slave, was the favourite of Heaven. PREFACE* TO AN ESSAY ON MILTON'S USE AND IMITATION OF THE MODERNS IN HIS PARADISE LOST. FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR 1750. It is now more than half a century since the tion. There seems to have arisen a contest, "Paradise Lost," having broke through the among men of genius and literature, who should cloud with which the unpopularity of the au- most advance its honour, or best distinguish its thor, for a time, obscured it, has attracted the beauties. Some have revised editions, others general admiration of mankind; who have en-have published commentaries, and all have endeavoured to compensate the error of their first deavoured to make their particular studies, in neglect, by lavish praises and boundless venera- some degree, subservient to this general emula. tion. It is to be hoped, nay, it is expected, that the ele Among the inquiries, to which this ardour of gant and nervous writer, whose judicious se tients, criticism has naturally given occasion, none is and inimitable style, points out the author of Lauder's Preface and Possteript, will no longer allow one to plume more obscure in itself, or more worthy of rational himself with his feathers, who appears so little to have curiosity, than a retrospection of the progress of deserved his assistance; an assistance which I am per- this mighty genius, in the construction of his suaded would never have been communicated, had there been the least s spicion of those facts which I have been work; a view of the fabric gradually rising, the instrument of conveying to the world in these sheet," perhaps from small beginnings, till its foundation -Millon vindicated from the charge of plag ar smrests in the centre, and its turrets sparkle in the brought against him by Mr Lauder, and Lauder hm-skies; to trace back the structure, through all self cone cted of several forger es and gross in posi tions on the public. By John Douglas, M. A. Rector of its varieties, to the simplicity of its first plan, to Faim Constantive, Salap. Svo. 1791, p. 77. find what was first projected, whence the scheme 620 PREFACE TO AN ESSAY ON PARADISE LOST. was taken, how it was improved, by what assistance it was executed, and from what stores the materials were collected, whether its founder dug them from the quarries of nature, or demolished other buildings to embellish his own. This inquiry has been, indeed, not wholly neglected, nor, perhaps, prosecuted with the care and diligence that it deserves. Several critics have offered their conjectures; but none have much endeavoured to enforce or ascertain them. Mr. Voltaire tells us without proof, that the first hint of "Paradise Lost" was taken from a farce called Adamo, written by a player; Dr. Pearce, that it was derived from an Italian tragedy, called Il Paradiso Perso; and Mr. Peck, that it was borrowed from a wild romance. Any of these conjectures may possibly be true, but, as they stand without sufficient proof, it must be granted, likewise, that they may all possibly be false; at least they cannot preclude any other opinion, which without argument has the same claim to credit, and may perhaps be shown, by resistless evidence, to be better founded. It is related, by steady and uncontroverted tradition, that the "Paradise Lost" was at first a Tragedy, and therefore, among tragedies, the first hint is properly to be sought. In a manuscript, published from Milton's own hand, among a great number of subjects for tragedy, is, "Adam unparadised," or "Adam in Exile;" and this, therefore, may be justly supposed the embryo of this great poem. As it is observable that all these subjects had been treated by others, the manuscript can be supposed nothing more than a memorial or catalogue of plays, which, for some reason, the writer thought worthy of his attention. When, therefore, I had observed that "Adam in Exile" was named amongst them, I doubted not but, in finding the original of that tragedy, I should disclose the genuine source of "Paradise Lost." Nor was my expectation disappointed; for, having procured the Adamus Exul of Grotius, I found, or imagined myself to find, the first draught, the prima stamina of this wonderful poem. Having thus traced the original of this work, I was naturally induced to continue my search to the collateral relations, which it might be supposed to have contracted, in its progress to maturity and having, at least, persuaded my own judgment that the search has not been entirely ineffectual, I now lay the result of my labours before the public; with full conviction, that in questions of this kind, the world cannot be mistaken, at least cannot long continue in error. POSTSCRIPT. When this essay was almost finished, the splendid Edition of "Paradise Lost," so long promised by the Rev. Dr. Newton, fell into my hands; of which I had, however, so little use, that as it would be injustice to censure, it would be flattery to commend it: and I should have totally forborne the mention of a book that I have not read, had not one passage at the conclusion of the life of Milton, excited in me too much pity and indignation to be suppressed in silence. “Deborah, Milton's youngest daughter," says the Editor, "was married to Mr. Abraham Clarke, a weaver, in Spitalfields, and died in August, 1727, in the 76th year of her age. She had ten children. Elizabeth, the youngest, was married to Mr. Thomas Foster, a weaver in Spitalfields, and had seven children, who are all dead; and she herself is aged about sixty, and weak and infirm. She seemeth to be a good, plain, sensible woman, and has confirmed several particulars related above, and informed me of some others, which she had often heard from her mother." These the doctor enumerates, and then adds, "In all probability, Milton's whole family will be extinct with her, and he can live only in his writings. And such is the caprice of fortune, this grand-daughter of a man, who will be an everlasting glory to the nation, has now, for some years, with her husband, kept a little chandler's or grocer's shop, for their subsistence, lately at the lower Holloway, in the road between Highgate and London, and at present in Cock Lane, not far from Shoreditch Churen." That this relation is true, cannot be questioned: but, surely, the honour of letters, the dignity of sacred poetry, the spirit of the English nation, and the glory of human nature, require that it should be true no longer.-In an age in which statues are erected to the honour of this great writer, in which his effigy has been diffused on medals, and his works propagated by translations, and illustrated by commentaries; in an age, which amidst all its vices, and all its follies, has not become infamous for want of charity;it may be, surely, allowed to hope, that the living remains of Milton will be no longer suffered to languish in distress. It is yet in the power of a great people, to reward the poet whose name they boast, and from their alliance to whose genius, they claim some kind of superiority to every other nation of the earth; that poet, whose works may possibly be read when every other monument of British greatness shall be obliterated; to reward him-not with pictures, or with medals, which if he sees, he sees with contempt, but-with tokens of gratitude, which he, perhaps, may even now consider as not unworthy the regard of an immortal spirit. And, surely, to those who refuse their names to no other scheme of expense, it will not be unwelcome, that a subscription is proposed, for relieving, in the languor of age, the pains of disease, and the contempt of poverty, the grand-daughter of the author of "Paradise Lost." Nor can it be questioned, that if I, who have been marked out as the Zoilus of Milton, think this regard due to his posterity, the design will be warmly seconded by those, New Memoirs of Mr. John Milton. By Francis whose lives have been employed in discovering Peck. 4to. 1740, p 52. I cannot avoid acknowledging the candour of the author of that excellent monthly book, the "Gentleman's Magazine," in giving admission to the specimens in favour of this argument; and his impartiality in as freely inserting the several answers. I shall here subjoin some extracts from the xviith volume of this work, which I think suitable to my purpose. To which I have added, in order to obviate every pretence for cavil, a list of the authors quoted in the following Essay, with their respective dates, in comparison with the date of "Paradise Lost." his excellences, and extending his reputation. TO WHICH ARE SUBJOINED, SEVERAL CURIOUS ORIGINAL LETTERS, FROM THE AUTHORS OF THE UNIVERSAL HISTORY, MR. AINSWORTH, MR. MACLAURIN, &C. BY WILLIAM LAUDER, A.M. Quem pœnitet peccasse pane est innocens.-SENECA Pugna suum finem, quum jacet hostis, habet.—OVID. Juris rigori.-GROTII Adamus Exsul. FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1751. TO THE REV. MR. DOUGLAS. but to confess, without the least dissimulation, SIR, CANDOUR and tenderness are in any rela-lation I have made in those authors, which you subterfuge, or concealment, every other interpo tion, and on all occasions, eminently amiable but when they are found in an adversary, and found so prevalent, as to overpower that zeal which his cause excites, and that heat which naturally increases in the prosecution of argument, and which may be in a great measure justified by the love of truth, they certainly appear with particular advantages; and it is impossible not to envy those who possess the friendship of him, whom it is even some degree of good fortune to have known as an enemy. have not yet had opportunity to examine. PASSAGES INTERPOLATED IN MASENIUS. CITATION VI. Essay, page 38. I will not so far dissemble my weakness, or my fault, as not to confess that my wish was to have passed undetected; but since it has been my fortune to fail in my original design, to have the supposititious passages which I have inserted in my quotations made known to the world, and the shade which began to gather on the splendour of Milton totally dispersed, I cannot but count it an alleviation of my pain, that I have been defeated by a man who knows how to use advantages with so much moderation, and can Adnuit ipsa dolo, malumque (heu! longa dolendi enjoy the honour of conquest without the inso-Materies! et triste nefas!) vesana momordit lence of triumph. Tanti ignari mali. Mora nulla, solutus Avernus Exspuit infandas acies; fractumque remugit Divulso compage solum. Nabathaa receptum Regna dedere sonum, Pharioque in littore Territus erubuit: simul adgemuere dolentes Hesperia valles, Libyæque calentis arena Nereus It was one of the maxims of the Spartans, not to press upon a flying army, and therefore their enemies were always ready to quit the field, because they knew the danger was only in opposing. The civility with which you have thought proper to treat me, when you had incontestible superiority, has inclined me to make your victory complete, without any further struggle, and not only publicly to acknowledge the truth of the charge which you have hitherto advanced, racters. The interpolations are distinguished by Italic cha Exarsere procul. Stupefacta Lycaonis ursa CITATION VII. Essay, page 41. Illa quidem fugiens, sparsis per terga capillis, Ora rigat lacrimis, et cœlum questibus implet. Talia voce rogans. Magni Deus arbiter orbis ! Qui rerum momenta tenes, solusque futuri Præscius, elapsique memor: quem terra po tentem Imperio, cœlique tremunt; quem dite superbus Infaustas e ulas, nosque omnes prodidit hosti. passage. CITATION IV. Essay, p. 61, the whole passage. CITATION V. Essay, page 63. Quod illud animal, tramite obliquo means, CITATION VII. Essay, p. 65, the whole passage. CITATION VIII. Essay, p. 66, the whole passage. CITATION IX. Essay, ibid. Per sancta thalami sacra, per jus nominis INTERPOLATION IN RAMSAY. O judex! nova me facies inopinaque terret; INTERPOLATIONS IN STAPHORSTIUS Conjugii, sponsi sponsæque jugalia sacra! CITATION VI. Essay, page 109. num! Nec fas; non sic deficimus, nec talia tecum Et domiti tantum placeat cui regia cœli. [quam Et Stygiis mutet radiantia lumina flammis. Cœlestes anima! sublimia templa tenentes, numen! Summe Deus! sobolesque Dei! consorsque hova Existens, celebrabo tuas, memorique sonabo rentem, O miris mirande modis! ter maxime rerum! INTERPOLATION IN FOX. Essay, page 116. Tu Psychephone Hypocrisis esto, hoc sub Francisci pallio. Tu Psychephone! INTERPOLATION IN QUINTIANUS. Mic. Cur huc procaci veneris cursu refer? Veniret? Illic summa tenebrarum lues, INTERPOLATION IN BEZA. Essay, page 119. Stygemque testor, et profunda Tartari, INTERPOLATION IN FLETCHER. Nec tamen æternos obliti (absiste timeṛe) genus, Essay, page 132. Ac genibus minor ad terram prosternit, et offert alter Non agit in superis. Mihi jus dabit ille, suum Essay, page 152. Throni, dominationes, principatus, virtutes, potestates, is said to be a line borrowed by Milton from the titlepage of Heywood's "Hierarchy of Angels." But there are more words in Heywood's title; and, according to his own arrangement of his subjects, they should be read thus: Seraphim, cherubim, throni, potestates, angeli, archangeli, principatus, dominationes. These are my interpolations, minutely traced without any arts of evasion. Whether from the passages that yet remain, any reader will be convinced of my general assertion, and allow that Milton had recourse for assistance to any of the authors whose names I have mentioned, I shall not now be very diligent to inquire, for I had no particular pleasure in subverting the reputation of Milton, which I had myself once endeavoured to exalt; and of which, the foundation had al celeberrimus-non Anglia mo, soli natalis, verum ge neris humani ornamentum-cujus eximius liber, Angli canis versibus conscriptus, vulgo PARADISUS AMISSUS, iminortalis illud ingenii monumentum, cum ipsa teré eternitate perennaturum est opu-H jus memoriam Anglorum primus, post tantum, pro de 1r! ab tanti ex cessu pocte intervallom, tatua eleganti in loco ceter. rimo,cœnobio Wes monsterie.si, posita, regum, ¦ rinci pom, antistitum, illustriumque Anglie viro um cæmo Virorum maximus-JOANNES MILTONUS-Pocta Umquam animos, fessique ingentes ponimus iras.lerio, vir ornati-simus Gulielmu- Benson prosecutus est For facile, the word voluve was substituted in the Ensay. |