Regions of Sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 For those rebellious, here their pris'on ordain'd 70 O how 74. As from the center thrice to th' utmost pole.] Thrice as far as it is from the center of the earth (which is the center of the world according to Milton's fyftem, IX. 103. and X. 671.) to the pole of the world; for it is the pole of the univerfe, far beyond the pole of the earth, which is here call'd the utmost pole. It is obfervable that Homer makes the feat of Hell as far beneath the deepest pit of earth, as the Heaven is above the earth, Τόσσον ενεςθ' αΐδεω, ὅσον ερανία επ aπо yains, Iliad. VIII. 16. Virgil makes it twice as far, Tum Tartarus ipfe Bis patet And Milton thrice as far, As 75 O how unlike the place from whence they fell! 80 If thou beeft he; but O how fall'n! how chang'd From him, who in the happy realms of light 85 Cloth'd As far remov'd from God and light of Heaven, As from the center thrice to th❜utmoft pole : As if these three great poets had stretched their utmoft genius, and vied with each other, who fhould extend his idea of the depth of Hell fartheft. But Milton's whole defcription of Hell as much exceeds theirs, as in this fingle circumftance of the depth of it. And how cool and unaffecting is the ταρταρον περοείία, the σιδηραιαιτε πυλαι καὶ χαλκεον εδος of Homer, and the lugentes campi, the ferrea turris, and borrifono ftridentes cardine porte of Virgil, in comparifon with this defcription by Milton, concluding with that artful contrast, VOL. I. Cloth'd with tranfcendent brightnefs didft outfhine Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counfels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, ༡༠ Join'd with me once, now nifery hath join'd The change and confufion of thefe enemies of God is moft artfully exprefs'd in the abruptnefs of the beginning of this fpeech: If thou art he, that Beelzebub He ftops, and falls into a bitter reflection on their prefent condition, compared with that in which they lately were. He attempts again to open his mind; cannot proceed on what he intends to fay, but returns to thefe fad thoughts; ftill doubting whether it is really his affociate in the revolt, as now in mifery and ruin; by that time he had expatiated on this (his heart was opprefs'd with it) he is affured to whom he fpeaks, and goes on to declare his proud unrelenting mind. Richardjon. He 84. But O bow fall'n! how chang'd From him,] He imitates Ifaiah and Virgil at the fame time. Ifa. XIV. 12. How art theu fall'n, &c. and Virgil's Æn. II. 274. Hei mihi qualis erat! quantum mutatus ab illo ! 85. Cloth'd with tranfcendent brightnefs didft outshine Myriads though bright !] Imitated from Homer, Odyff. VI. 110. where Diana excels all her nymphs in beauty, though all of them be beautiful. 95 He with his thunder: and till then who knew That with the Mightieft rais'd me to contend, That durft dislike his reign, and me preferring, In dubious battel on the plains of Heaven, ΙΘΟ And shook his throne. What though the field be loft? All is not loft; th' unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, 106 And courage never to submit or yield, 105. be loft ? All is not loft; &c.] This paffage is an excellent improvement upon Satan's fpeech to the infernal Spirits in Taffo, Cant. 4. St. 15. but feems to be express'd from Fairfax his tranflation rather than from the original. What though the field our heart. 109. And what is elfe not to be 110 Who and if there be any thing else (befides the particulars mention'd) which is not to be overcome. Pearce. 110. That glory, &c.] That refers to what went before; his unconquerable will and ftudy of revenge, his immortal bate and courage never to We loft the field, yet loft we not submit or yield, and what befides is not to be overcome; thefe Satan efteems his glory, and that glory he fays God never fhould extort from him. And then begins a new fentence according to all the best editions, To bow and fue for grace, &c.—that were low indeed, &c. that ftill referring to what went before overcome; Here fhould be no note of interrogation, but only a femi-colon. The words And what is elle not to be overcome fignify Fifi quid fit aliud quod fuperari nequeat, and |