(? cloke) by favouring monks and building monasteries." But in these notes of projected dramas Scripture takes precedence of history, and the very first entry which follows "Lycidas" is a list of dramatis personæ, or rather two lists, one being struck out, for a drama on the Fall. Words italicised are struck through in the MS. Having thus outlined his scheme of characters, Milton strokes them out, draws a line, and proceeds to a sketch of the action. PARADISE LOST. THE PERSONS his Moses проλоyízeι recounting how he assum'd a true bodie, that it corrupts not because of his* with god in the mount declares the like of Enoch and Eliah, besides the purity of ye pl* that certain winds, dues, and clouds præserve it from corruption whence Heavenly Love horts* to the sight of god, tells they cannot se Adam in the state of innocence by reason of sin thire sin Justice Mercie Mercie} debating what should become of man if he fall Wisdome (hymne of ye creation) Chorus of Angels sing a Act 2. Heavenly Love Evening starre chorus sing the marriage song and describe Paradice Act 3. Lucifer contriving Adams ruine Chorus feares for Adam and relates Lucifers rebellion and fall Act 4. Adam Eve fallen * Some letters lost at margin throughout. Conscience cites them to Gods examination Act 5. Adam and Eve driven out of Paradice præsented by an angel with Labour greife hatred Envie warre famine Pestilence sicknesse discontent mutes to whom he gives likewise winter, heat Tempest etc thire names Ignorance Feare enterd into Death } Faith Hope comfort him and istruct him Chorus breifly concludes The succeeding two pages are filled with lists of possible subjects from Old Testament and British History, thirty-three in number. On the next page are fairly full plans of dramas on "Abram from Morea or Isack redeemd," "Baptistes" and "Sodom." The scheme of the last runs over and fills half the next page when follows Adam unparadiz'd Adams Banishment The angel Gabriel, either descending or entring, shewing since this globe was created, his frequency as much on earth as in heav'n, describes Paradise. next first the Chorus shewing the reason of his coming to keep his watch in Paradise after Lucifers re bellion by command from god and withall expressing his desire to see, and know more concerning this excellent new creature man. the angel Gabriel as by his name signifying a prince of power tracing paradise with a more free office comes passes by the station of ye chorus and desired by them relates what he knew of man as the creation of Eve with thire love, and marriage. after this Lucifer appeares after his overthrow, bemoans himself, seeks revenge on man the Chorus prepare resistance at his first approach at last after discourse of enmity on either side he departs wherat the chorus sings of the battell, and victorie in heavn against him and his accomplices, as before after the first act was sung a hymn of the creation.) man next and Eve having by this time bin seduc't by the serpent appeares confusedly cover'd with leaves conscience in a shape accuses him, Justice cites him to the place whither Jehova call'd for him. in the mean while the chorus entertains the stage, and his informed by some angel the manner of his fall Adam then and Eve returne accuse one another but especially Adam layes the blame to his wife, is stubborn in his offence Justice appeares reason with him convinces him the Angel is sent to banish them out of Paradise but before causes to passe before his eyes in shapes a mask of all the evills of this life and world he is humbl'd relents, dispaires. at last appeares Mercy comforts him and brings in faith hope and charity promises the Messiah, A heer the chorus bewailes Adams fall. the chorus admonisheth Adam, and bids him beware by Lucifers example of impenitence then calls in faith, hope, and charity, instructs him he repents gives god the glory, submitts to his penalty the chorus breifly concludes. compare this with the former draught. The final page of notes contains five subjects from Scottish history including Macbeth, and the Moabitides or Phineas, and at the foot of the page "Christus patiens The scene in the garden beginning from the comming thither till Judas betraies and the officers lead him away the rest by message and chorus. his agony make may receav noble expressions." These notes indicate that of the three forms described in "The Reason of Church Government" the dramatic has now taken precedence in Milton's mind of the epic. The epic indeed is not excluded, for an interesting note appended to the twenty-fourth of his suggested subjects, Alfred's defeat of the Danes, runs: "A Heroicall Poem may be founded somewhere in Alfreds reigne, especially at his issuing out of Edelingsey on the Danes, whose actions are wel like those of Ulysses." But a drama is what he is immediately contemplating and the subject in the treatment of which he has gone furthest is the Fall, and this alone concerns us. To read the outlines I have printed above is to see that, at whatever exact date these notes were set down (and the position of the first sketch suggests that the Fall was the first theme to which he turned when he finally abandoned Arthur), that Milton had the whole or main scheme of his poem clear to his mind from the outset. It also, I think, reveals why he finally treated it in epic and not dramatic form. There are four chief events which a drama or poem on the Fall had to include |