II W i/ii;Il'iill'il"eAlca" ' l'p'B"-~S-"-~\~~iiiCrSPI 3: ii II a: i W jJ; j iijO it I'l' I:i 1. H'ii')1'1!1111/i! I I i ii;ir I'EPi I: I;i:iii!ii j' a iiilililiiII Iii! Ed i i m II!;~~ ill r:l ~i'i''''1'1' "I i; I iilii I Iiiii:1ii:'IIii I i i i; ililli lili I''-iiii'" 1111ii'Iii I' irilll IIliill:i' iiII i i''I i';'':'iiiiiil'iiii1111 iiiiii:iiii;' i it! i ii~ I ~ I:: I IiiiiriI:Iii iiiII( 1i 1:.....................................-................. ..... ...; . _-.....--.. — — -....-II.....................-.... .,II JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMI ES. AN HIISTORICAL NO VEL. BY MAX RING. TRANSLATED FROM THE GEBMAN, BY F. JORDAN. C O M P L E T E IN ONE V O L U M E. with llus$tations b (Faston bal. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & CO., 90, 92 & 94 GRAND STREET. 1868. ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by D. APPLETON & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. CONTEN TS. BOOK I. PAGE PAGE CaAP. XV.-Milton and his Wife-War deCHAP. I.-Lost in Haywood Forest,.. clared,. 192 I. —The Forest Conventicle,. X1VI.-Separation of Milton and his III.-Alice and Comus,... 21 ife, 19 IV.-The Rescue,... 26 XVII.-Anna Davies-Reunion of HusV.-The Return,... 33 band and Wife,... 202 VI. —A Morning at Ludlow Castle, 39 XVI.-Civil War-Freedom of the Press, S08 VII.-Alice and Milton,.. 45 XIX.-The Rebellion in Ireland-CromVIII.-Rendezvous of Thomas and well at Marston Moor,. 212 Lucy,... 2 XX.-Lady Alice Carbury-The Castle IX.-The Meeting,... 58 besieged,...219 X-SirenelmDigby,.. X65 XI.-Marriage of Thomas and LucyX,-Sir Kenelm Digby,.. 65 XI.-Milton and Digby,.. 72 Capture of the Castle,. 226 XII.-Catholic Plans and Progress, 78 XII.-Catholic Plans and Progress, 78 XXII. —Execution of Charles I. —CromXIII.-Milton's Chosen Vocation,. 85well and the Levellers,. 281 XIV.-Love's Sacrifice to Friendship,. 90 XV.-Rehearsal of the Mask of Comus, 96 XVI.-The Performance,... 102 BOOK III. XVII.-Sir Kenelm Digby foiled,. 107 CH. I.-Milton and Davenant-Lady XVIII.-Lucy's Escape and Flight,.. 111Alice's Diary 238 XIX.-The Real Father-The Pursuit, 116 IILady Alice in London-Milton XX.-Death of Edward King,. 121and Salmasius,... 243 HI.-Dispersal of Parliament-Crom-BOOK II., well made Lord Protector, 248 IV.-The Lord Protector's Court,. 252 CHAP. I.-Paris-Hugo Grotius,.. 125 V.-The Crown refused by Cromwell, 256 II.-Florence-Galileo,.. 129 VI.-Lady Claypole-" Killing no III.-Rome-Leonora Baroni,. 135 Murder,"... 261 IV.-The Poet and his Muse,..140 VII.-Lucy and her Father-CromV.-The Struggle of Love and Faith, 143 well's Last Days,. 265 VI.-The Hermit,... 148 VIII.-General Monk-Milton and VII.-Naples-Tasso,...151 Lady Alice,... 269 VIII.-Recall to England-Escape from IX.-The Restoration-Milton's ConAssassination,. 156 cealment,... 273 IX.-Farewell to Leonora-" Adamo X.-Arrest and Pardon of Milton, 277 Caduto,"... 160 XI.-Second Marriage,.. 281 X.- Thomas Egerton at Court, 164 XII.-Milton and the Duke of York, 284 XI.-Charles I. and his Queen and XIII.-Publication of " Paradise Lost" Councillors,... 170 -Milton and Dryden,.. 288 XII.-Parliament-Trial of Strafford, 174 XIV.-England under Charles II.-Old XII.-The Queen's Conspiracy-Exe- Henderson's Insurrection, 291 cution of Strafford,. 179 XV.-Mlle. de Querouaille-Alliance XIV.-Milton's Marriage-Rupture be- with Louis XIV.,..296 tween the King and Parlia- XVI.-" Samson Agonistes,". 301 ment,....186 XVII.-Milton's Death,... 304 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. BOOK I. beauty, and vivacity. They were tenderly atCHAPTER I. tached to each other, and no calamitous event had hitherto disturbed the clear and even curLOST IN HAYWOOD FOREST. rent of their lives. Joy and hilarity beamed Two young noblemen, accompanied by their from their sparkling eyes and blooming cheeks. sister, rode in the most beautiful month of Thus they rode, chatting gayly and carespring through Haywood Forest, one of those lessly, through the verdant, fragrant forest. splendid woods which formerly adorned Old Merry jests, such as only the young know and England so charmingly, and which are fast like, caused them from time to time to burst disappearing from the surface of the country. into ringing laughter, in which the birds of the They had paid a visit to their relatives at forest joined now and then harmoniously with Harefield, the noble house of Derby, and were their sweet warbling and chirping. Haywood now returning to Ludlow Castle, the residence forest, like the larger portion of the county of of their father, who was no other than the Hereford, in which it is situated, consists of a Earl of Bridgewater, at that time Lord Presi- series of undulating knolls and heights, densely dent of Wales. The earl was the son of Thom- covered with tall, gigantic oaks and beeches. as Egerton, the celebrated jurist, who, under The highway, on which the travellers were ridthe reigns of Queen Elizabeth and her sue- ing at the time, led them first past a deep cessor, had held the responsible and com- gorge, and then along the base of a precipitous manding positions of Lord Keeper of the Seal hill, from which a small rivulet rushed noisily and Chancellor*of England with the greatest into'the depth below. Many a by-path interdistinction to an advanced period of his life. sected the road and penetrated deeper and The descendants of this eminent man were deeper into the thicket. There were still renot unworthy of him. His grandsons, mere mote parts of the forest which human feet had youths at the time at which our story opens, rarely or never trodden, and into which no had not become degenerate; and charming murderous axe had yet penetrated-virginal Lady Alice Egerton was considered everywhere sanctuaries, clad with all the weird charms of one of the most beautiful and amiable young lonely and undefiled nature. ladies in Merry Old England. She and her The three travellers had entered one of these brothers were in the full bloom of youth, by-paths, in the eagerness of their conversa 6 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. tion, without noticing that they had left the tain authority over his younger brother and highway. The wonderful charms of this beau- sister. However, far from availing himself of tiful wilderness fascinated them. Oh, how his authority now, John yielded to their glorious was this verdant solitude of the for- wishes, although their straying from the highest! There stood those primeval oaks, the way rendered him more uneasy than he adpatriarchs of creation, spreading their knotty mitted to them. arms, as if to bless the forest, over the younger "Very well," he said, with seeming caregenerations of slender birch, maple, and chest- lessness, "if you are tired, we may rest here nut trees. Flexible ivy encircled their gigantic for an hour or so. The sun is yet high in the trunks with tender gracefulness; and on their heavens, and I hope we shall reach the highbark grew long-haired, silver-colored mosses, way again. Let us, in the mean time, take our resembling gray beards, light-brown mush- dinner here in the forest, like Robin Hood, rooms, and the mysterious mistletoe, parasitic and encamp in the shade of these trees." plants deriving life and nourishment from this "You speak as though you were Solomon curious soil. On the ends of the branches himself," exclaimed Thomas, merrily." I say, gleamed reddish shoots like quivering flames, like Orlando:'If this uncouth forest yield symptoms of the still undiminished vigor of any thing savage, I will either be food for it, or the trees. bring it for food to thee."' "Those are splendid fellows," remarked With this classical quotation from the wellThomas Egerton, the younger brother, point- known old poet, the vivacious youth jumped ing gayly to the giants of the forest. " I do from his horse and hastened to. offer his sernot remember ever having seen here such vices as equerry to his beloved sister, while he beautiful oaks, although I have passed through left to his more sedate brother John the care Haywood Forest more than fifty times." of fastening the reins of the horses to a tree, " I believe we have strayed from the high- and unpacking the provisions which they had way and penetrated too far into the forest," brought with them. The young travellers were replied John, the elder brother, who, during not accompanied by their servants, as the two his father's lifetime, bore the name and title youths were sufficient for the protection of of Lord Brackley. "This part of the forest is their sister, and would not tolerate any vexentirely unknown to me." atious companions near them. "But it is gloriously beautiful," exclaimed The merry company sat down on the soft fair Alice, who was riding on her white palfrey green turf, in the shade of one of the primeval between her two brothers, with radiant eyes. oaks, to partake of the frugal repast. The "I should like to stay here all day." brothers had converted their cloaks'into a " Like Celia in the play," said Thomas, jest- pleasant seat for Alice, whom they treated in ingly. " That remark is characteristic of my every respect with the kindest attention and dear sister, who always thinks of her Shake- solicitude. In their conduct toward her, they speare. Very well, I am at your service; let combined the tone of fraternal love with the us stop here. I shall be your Orlando, if our then customary delicate gallantry which dated melancholy 3aques does not object to it." from the times of Queen Elizabeth, when all The merry youth applied this name from England lay admiringly at the feet of the Shakespeare's " As You Like It" to his graver Maiden Queen. The homage rendered to the brother, who, as the first-born son, according foremost lady of the world was soon transto the custom of the country, exercised a cer- ferred to the whole female sex, and became a LOST IN HAYWOOD FOREST. 7 matter of fashion. The gentlemen adopted a that neither Carbury nor our cousin Digby is most sentimental demeanor toward the ladies, nearer to my heart than you." and addressed them only in terms of peculiar "But no third admirer, either? There was delicacy and politeness. This exaggerated at the house of our good aunt Derby a young language of courtesy imparted a certain fan- poet, with so pretty and sentimental a face, tastic charm to the conversation of the broth- that I felt inclined to take him for a girl in ers with their sister, and added to their mu- disguise, an Arcadian shepherdess. This poet tual sallies the piquancy of a pleasant, arch paid the most particular attention to my sweet irony. Thomas, the younger brother, excelled little sister, and he did not once avert his particularly in this respect. He played with fiery and eloquent eyes from her charming evident relish the assumed part of a knight- face." errant and sentimental shepherd, and it was "I really do not know whom you refer to," undeniable that his performance was highly said the blushing girl, in evident confusion. successful. He treated his sister precisely like "0 Dissimulation, thy name is woman!" an imaginary mistress, and lavished on her exclaimed the youth, in a tone of mock gravity. the most tender and nicely-constructed love- "Can you really not have noticed at the house phrases, which he borrowed very happily from of our aunt, the Countess of Derby, a certain the fashionable authors of that period, Sir John Milton, the poet of the Arcades?" Philip Sidney and Sir Walter Raleigh. "I did, of course," replied Alice, with seem"1 Noble lady," he said, placing a dish before ing indifference. " I have even exchanged a her, and speaking in a tone slightly tinged with few words with him. He seemed to me taciturn merry sarcasm, will you not partake of this and misanthropic." tender venison pie? This wing of the grouse "Say rather awkward and clumsy, like most longs to make the acquaintance of your sweet men who hold more intercourse with their lips. Can you be so cruel as to refuse it that books than with the world and men," remarkfavor?" ed the elder brother, who had hitherto listened Laughing and gayly entering into his jest, to their conversation in silence. Alice thanked him exactly in the spirit of the "I do not consider this awkwardness by any role of a romantic young lady. means ridiculous," replied the beautiful girl, in " What! you are not hungry?" he asked. a tone of slight irritation. "Poets are like "Noble lady, is there a secret grief gnawing at nightingales; they are silent in a noisy crowd, your heart, and have you lost your heart with and sing most beautifully in solitude." your appetite? Is it the fair-haired Carbury, " Well said," remarked Thomas, playfully. the cavalier from Wales, who has robbed me "But I prefer this roast'pheasant to all your of your affections? or is it our philosopher, poetical nightingales and similar useless singSir Kenelm Digby, who, by his magic arts, has ing-birds." inmeshed already many a female heart, al- Alice scoffed, smilingly, at her brother's prosy though he still plays the heart-broken wid- nature, while he derided merrily and gracefully ower? Answer, or, by Jove! this weapon, her predilection for poets and poetry. The which has just carved the juicy mutton ham, elder brother listened for some time to this will put an end to my miserable existence if exchange of witty and amusing sallies, but you deprive me of all hopes." without forgetting his habitual caution. A1"Stop! " cried Alice, with feigned terror. ready more than once he had anxiously inter"I swear by chaste Diana and all her nymphs, rupted the playful conversation by the request 8 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. to put an end to it and start again, as time was felt glad and happy in these kindred surroundpassing by with winged speed. ings. Free from all restraints, they surren"Only a quarter of an hour yet," begged dered willingly to the charms of the forest, his lovely sister, who could not make up her which they were so loth to leave. Hours glidmind to leave the delightful spot already. ed by like moments, and when they were at In fact, Nature had lavished her choicest length obliged to set out, it seemed to them as charms on the place where they were reposing. though they were parting with their paradise. The green turf and soft moss formed a most The elder brother had to exhort them rebeautiful carpet, while the primeval oak peatedly and urgently before the little cavalarched like a splendid canopy over their youth- cade resolved to continue the journey. Even ful heads. Wild rose-bushes covered with fra- the horses, which had found here a splendid grant blossoms, snow-white blackthorns, and pasture, shook their heads, as it were, disevergreen laurels formed the neat and graceful approvingly, and allowed themselves to be border of this natural dining-hall. Aromatic saddled again reluctantly, and amid loud, inthyme, mint, and the whole countless host dignant neighs. Especially did Alice's white of forest herbs and flowers, impregnated the palfrey seem to share the predilection of his balmy air with sweet perfumes. Vernal air mistress for this romantic spot. More than and vernal life filled the beautiful green once he turned back his head toward the rich forest. Finches and linnets vied with each pasture which had pleased him so well. At other in singing, and enlivened the silence of times he even stopped, contrary to his habit, nature. At a distance the cuckoo sounded its to nibble with his rosy lips at a few herbs and monotonous yet sweet melancholy notes, and low shrubs on the wayside. Alice willingly the thrush warbled boldly from lofty tree-tops. permitted these little diversions of her palfrey, Blue and yellow butterflies flitted past, turn- and from time to time turned her lovely face ing around the cups of the flowers and sip- toward the cozy nook where she had passed ping their sweet nectar with their long, fine such blissful hours. tongues from golden bowls. Lady-birds with Her sehsible brother John led the way with red outside wings, dotted with black, were restless haste. He did not yet give up the climbing up the flexible twigs and practising hope of reaching again the highway with which their break-neck acrobatic feats; while a brown he was thoroughly familiar; but the further squirrel was rocking itself in the highest they advanced, the stranger and more alarmbranches of a slender white birch, and curi- ing appeared to him the path which they had ously looking down with its piercing eyes. taken. Moreover, it soon became quite narAt times a pliable lizard slipped through the row and impassable. Dense thorn-bushes and soft moss, and a sunbeam gilded its greenish; rankling weeds bordered it on both sides, and lustrous body. All these beings were moving naked roots crept across it like black snakes. in the bright sunshine, and rejoicing in the The landscape had gradually lost its graceful bliss of their existence; and the young people character, and became gloomier and gloomier. reposed in the midst of this blessed solitude, Sombre pines had taken the places of the leafy themselves the happiest and most contented trees, and shed a melancholy twilight on the creatures in the glorious forest. All three scene. The most profound silence reigned far were young, handsome, and as yet undefiled and near; for even the tread of the horses by the contact of life and the world, children sounded weird and dull on the ground, which of Spring, blossoms of May. Therefore, they was covered with pointed leaves, and, by its LOST IN HAYWOOD FOREST. 9 slipperiness frequently caused the usually sure game-keeper. There he hoped to find a guide feet of the animals to stumble. The appre- through this intricate wilderness. Thomas hension that they had lost their way became was to remain with his sister, whom he was soon a certainty in the mind of the anxious not to leave under any circumstances. The leader of the cavalcade. elder brother enjoined the rash youth repeat"We cannot get through here, and must re- edly not to violate this order, and then set out, turn to the former path," said John. accompanied by the heart-felt wishes of his " We must retrace our steps, eh?" replied brother and sister. the bolder Thomas, who was attracted by Thomas and Alice remained with their every adventure. "By the memory of our horses near the gorge, which presented a by great ancestor Robert Malpas, who fought in no means inviting spectacle to their eyes. the battle of Hastings, the motto of our house The traces of the destruction which the swolsounds otherwise:' Sio donec!'" len forest rivulet caused every spring were disA slight stroke of the riding-whip incited tinctly visible all around. The country far the fiery horse on which the youth was mount- and nearlooked barren and sandy, and covered ed to renewed efforts. Alice kept close behind with the fragments which the furious waters him, and the more prudent John was obliged had detached from the mountains. Scanty, to follow the two, contrary to his better con- dwarfed herbs and ferns cropped out between viction. In the outset, fortune seemed to favor these debris. Sparse and isolated pines and the daring brother and sister. The path be- firs of wretched appearance stood here and came for some time again sufficiently broad there. The insidious waters had laid bare the and convenient, so that the travellers were roots, and the fragile trees awaited their downable to follow it without any special difficulty fall whenever a livelier breeze should spring for more than half a mile. Already they in- up. Other trees had already succumbed to dulged in the pleasant hope that they were in the violence of the equinoctial storms and the a fair way of reaching the highway again, but rising waters. These tree-corpses lay broken, they were doomed to a sad disappointment. with dead branches, and half-rotten. From The insidious path terminated suddenly in the moist, decayed bark cropped out poisonous close proximity to a gorge which had probably mushrooms, and impudent crows skipped with been the bed of a sylvan rivulet. It was in dismal croaking round the sear, withered twigs. vain that the three turned their eyes with This gloomy scenery could not but exert a prying glances in all directions. After long sombre effect on the spirits of Alice and and fruitless search, they discovered a narrow Thomas. The witticism, by which Thomas footpath which was barely wide enough to af- strove to amuse his sister became somewhat ford to a single daring horseman room to pene- forced. The conversation soon ceased entirely, trate through a labyrinth of thorny hedges and and both awaited impatiently the return of rankling weeds and shrubs. It was impossible their brother John. Time hung heavy upon for the brothers to expose their delicate sister them, and minutes seemed like hours. to the fatigues and even dangers of such a "I know brother John," said the. youth, road. after a long pause, almost angrily. "He Is After a brief consultation, John resolved to always so slow, and I bet he has arrived at follow the path, which, in his opinion, would some cross-road, and he is so irresolute which lead him to some human habitation, the hut direction to take, that he does not stir from of a charcoal-burner or the lonely house of a the spot." 10 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. "You do him injustice," replied Alice, gen- tion. Vainly did Alice, who often exercised tly. " His caution is praiseworthy, at all events, a great deal of authority over him, and stood, and he does not deserve your censure. If we as a mediatrix between the two brothers, exhad followed his advice and retraced our steps hort him to be quiet and patient. as soon as he asked us to do so, we should "What matters it," she said, soothingly, "if doubtless have got back to the right road, we have to stay here another hour? We shall and we should have been spared the ennui of reach Ludlow Castle even then in time. The waiting here." day is so fine, and we shall be at home before Notwithstanding the gentle tone in which sundown." his sister uttered these words, they were suf- "4nd there I shall be scolded again," replied ficient to irritate and sadden the passionate the youth, in a tone of irritation. " John will youth. He accused himself with exaggerated be praised for his prudence, and father will impetuosity of his former folly, and would scold me for my rashness." have shrunk from no danger in order to ex- "We may say that we left aunt's house at tricate his beloved sister from the disagreeable an advanced hour of the day. Father shal predicament in which his rashness had in- not learn from us that we lost our way. What volvedher. Moreover, the inactive part assign- good would it do? He would get unnecessaed to him was highly distasteful. His whole rily excited, and would not allow us again to nature urged him to take quick and resolute travel alone. And is not this very adventure steps. He jumped up uneasily from the stone delightful? We owe to it the charming hours on which he had sat hitherto, and paced the which we passed among the oaks. Come, brink of the dismal gorge with a nervous step Orlando, give me your hand, and do not look in order to discover another path. Now he so gloomy, which does not sit well on you, looked at the footpath which John had taken, and which I do not like at all." now his eyes turned in the opposite direction, In this amiable manner the' lovely sister which at all events would lead them some- tried to soften the anger of the sullen youth. where. Pride and ambition filled him with But that which she had formerly always sucpassionate excitement. He wished alone to ceeded in accomplishing was frustrated this save them all. The longing for distinction time by her brother's intense mortification. slumbered unknown to him in his young soul. He started up at *the slightest noise, and More than once, in his childlike dreams, he listened with eager suspense to every distant had seen himself at the head of a large army sound. Now he believed he heard approachand performed miracles of valor: The chival- ing footsteps, now the sound of human voices. rous spirit of his times and the thirst for ad- " Do you hear nothing? " he asked his sister, ventures for which his countrymen were noted vehemently. "There must be men here, and, at that period, filled his bosom. He wished moreover, close by. The sounds I hear proto excel all by his courage and intrepidity, and ceed distinctly from the gorge yonder." especially his elder brother, whose prepon- "Perhaps you are deceived by the rustling derance, based as it was on birth and custom, of the wind, or the notes of a bird." he acknowledged only with the greatest reluc- "No, no. There are men in the gorge. I tance. will ascertain from them how we may get back Thus'this youthful heart concealed, under to the highway, and will return-to you in a few the deceptive cover of rashness and reckless- moments." ness, a burning ambition and thirst for distinc- Before Alice could prevent him, the impa LOST IN HAYWOOD FOREST. 11 tient youth had already disappeared. He pur- The youth hesitated for a moment, and resued his object with a quick step. In the out- fleeted, contrary to his usual habit, before reset Thomas hastened along the dry bed of the solving to penetrate into the mysteries of the rivulet, which afforded him a very convenient wilderness. Poachers and gangs of daring robpath. But fragments of rocks and large heaps bers were by no means rare in those days, and of sand soon obstructed the path, and rendered perhaps they carried on their unlawful profesit almost impassable. The youth was obliged sion in this inaccessible solitude. It was, thereto leave it again. However, these obstacles fore, unadvisable for a single man to plunge only incited his zeal to redoubled efforts instead recklessly into such a danger. Besides, Thomas of deterring him. On the crest of a neighbor- had often heard of secret meetings and illicit ing hill which he climbed, he found the distinct organizations of such religious sects as were. traces of many human footsteps. These traces ruthlessly persecuted by the government. His soon increased in number, and intersected each own father, Lord President of Wales, had been other in different directions. Finally all the instructed by the government, more than once, footsteps led back to the dry bed of the rivulet, to break up such conventicles by main force. which became passable again. Thomas satis- Bloody scenes had sometimes ensued, for the fled himself more and more. that human hands Puritans, Separatists, or whatever their names had made this hidden path. It did not escape might be, offered a bold and even desperate his keen eyes that even the fragments of the resistance to their assailants, whenever they rocks had been intentionally piled up in such a were numerous enough to cope with them. manner as to arrest the progress of the unini- Thomas thought also of his sister Alice, whom tiated. This unexpected discovery warned him he had rashly left in the forest all alone and to be on his guard, and caused him to hesitate; without protection. his intrepid heart, however, did not so easily All these considerations would have probably shrink from a dangerous adventure. On the induced him to turn back and retrace his steps, contrary, his daring spirit found only fresh fuel had he not been irresistibly captivated at this in all these circumstances, and the secret which moment by ite loud and swelling notes of a was concealed here excited his curiosity to the solemn anthem. It was a simple but touching last degree. melody which all at once broke the profound Hence, he bravely advanced without further silence of the wilderness in so wonderful a hesitation. The deeper he penetrated into the manner. He listened breathlessly to the imgorge, the more it expanded at his feet, and it pressive anthem which penetrated in subdued seemed to terminate in a deep, round cleft. notes to him from a distance. These notes However, he was prevented by groups of tall seemed to proceed from choirs of spirits, and trees and almost impenetrable shrubbery from not from human lips. He was carried away by obtaining a full view of it. A natural hedge them in spite of himself. With a quick motion of closely interwoven thorn-bushes and young he opened the mysterious door, and his eyes shoots and shrubs seemed suddenly to put a glanced over the wonderful spectacle suddenly stop to his further progress. Already he had exhibited to his view. drawn his sword, which, according to the custom of the period, never left his side, in order to open himself a passage through the thicket, when he discovered an artificial door, skilfully concealed behind ivy and pine-branches. 12 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. form was wrapped in a black Genevan coat, CHAPTER II. devoid of any other marks of distinction. He never would have donned the surplice of the THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. Anglican clergy; for it was an abomination in AT his feet the extensive gorge lay now his eyes, because it reminded him of Babylon plainly visible. Bordered on all sides by dark and Antichrist, which were the titles he applied beeches and majestic oaks, it formed a natural to the Roman Catholic Church and the detested church, a cathedral which the power of the Pope. The pale face of the preacher bore disCreator had erected with invisible hands. The tinct traces of profound sufferings and the prismagnificent trees loomed up like imposing on air which he had breathed for a long time. Gothic pillars, and their green tops seemed to But all these persecutions had been unable to be the gigantic organ animated by the Lord's damp his zeal, and no sooner had the faithful breath. The softened rays of the setting sun pastor been released than he had returned to stole through the foliage, as if through painted his anxious flock, ready at any moment to suffer church-windows, filling the gorge now with a the same martyrdom for the sake of his faith. gplden light, now with a purple glow. The soft The Rev. Samuel God-will-be-my-help (such turf was a comfortable carpet, and in its centre was the name which he had assumed in acwelled forth a sparkling spring as a baptismal cordance with the custom of the Puritans of font. The first Christians of England had, per- that time) awaited the conclusion of the psalm haps, celebrated their secret rites at the same which his congregation was singing, when he spot when dangers were still besetting them on delivered one of those impassioned sermons so all sides. To-day their successors were com- well calculated to fire the hearts of his audipelled to resort to the samehiding-places. The ence, and render them proof against the perwhole life of humanity is but a repetition, and secutions of the government and the bishops. one page of the history of the world often bears Round the pulpit and the preacher stood a most striking resemblance to another. or sat groups of the most different aspect. A numerous crowd. had assembled here to Thomas, who was concealed merely by the worship the Lord in the open air and after their trunk of a tree, was able to distinguish the own fashion. They were Christians, hated and several persons from his stand-point. Most of persecuted by Christians. Their only crime those present were poor people, of lowly conconsisted in their refusal to acknowledge the dition; but among them was to be seen here Episcopal Church of England, and in basing and there the form of a wealthier farmer or a their creed exclusively on the Bible and its well-to-do commoner. teachings. Hence, they were obliged to repair to It is true, the difference of their costumes this hiding-place; but God Himself had builtfor was but slight. Nearly all wore plain black them the church which was refused to them by woollen doublets and breeches, white stockman, their king, and the then powerful bishops. ings, and shoes on which rosettes of darkThey had fled hither with their stubborn, im- colored ribbons filled the places of silver movable courage and faith in God. Men, wo- buckles. Their heads were covered with men, and children, lay around in picturesque pointed hats, likewise devoid of any ornagroups. On one side a rude pulpit had been ments. There were no waving plumes, no constructed with gray slabs of slate piled one golden clasps, or bright-colored trimmings, above another. On it stood the worthy preacher such as were required by the ostentatious with silvery hair and beard. His tall, emaciated taste of that period. Their hair was clipped THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. 13 even and short around their heads. At that and coquetry found even under the most untime, when long and neatly-curled ringlets favorable circumstances a way of skilfully were deemed peculiarly becoming, and were adding here a ribbon, there a pretty little generally worn, the reverse could not but be knot. The small white, close-fitting caps imthe more surprising, and therefore called forth parted even a singularly prepossessing appearthe nickname of "Roundheads," which was ance to many a youthful face, and worldly applied to the members of this denomination feeling cropped out now and then notwithby their enemies. They called themselves standing the semblance of austere piety. children of God, or the chosen people. In Thomas, who possessed a most refined taste full harmony with this sombre simplicity of in such matters, noticed among the young dress was an air of gloomy fanaticism prevail- girls several who might have risked a coming in the whole assembly. Almost all faces parison with his beautiful sister Alice. exhibited the same expression of sullen de- The youth made such observations from his fiance and self-conscious energy. Sufferings hiding-place only long after the notes of the of every description had aroused their power anthem, which had attracted him so powerof resistance, and the firm conviction of the fully, had died away. After a brief pause, the truth of their principles, and the ultimate vie- preacher was about to begin his sermon. The tory of the good cause, had imparted to them congregation thronged closer round the pulpit, a pride which was not devoid of haughtiness, probably to hear better what the worthy minand which greatly increased the exasperation ister would say to them. Curiosity, and his of their enemies. It was plainly to be seen adventurous spirit, induced Thomas likewise that these strong, heavy-built men submitted to leave his safe hiding-place. He stole, slipto circumstances only with inward, rage, and ping along cautiously between the trees, towthat they were waiting impatiently for the day ard the side of the gorge where the pulpit had of retribution. A close observer might have been erected. This was not noticed by anyread in their faces, besides the marked expres- body, and the first success restored his former sion of piety, an almost savage determination; boldness to the daring youth. He had long and while their lips were singing the psalm wished to hear -a sermon from a Puritan with great unction, their eyes shot fire when- preacher, and his merry spirit depicted to him ever the words alluded to the adversaries of the intense enjoyment which he would derive the Lord-a designation which they applied, from the speaker's nasal tone and ridiculous of course, to their own hated enemies. gestures; for, in accordance with the uniThis austere and repulsive impression was versal belief of the Episcopalians, he thought somewhat softened by the presence of the every Puritan minister must preach in that women and children. Even among the former, style. there were not wanting sombre forms, with After the usual murmuring and hemming, hard, disagreeable features; theimajority, how- which are heard in all large assemblies on such ever, and particularly the younger generation occasions, had died away, the Rev. Samuel among them, were distinguished for a certain God- will-be-my - help commenced speaking, mild enthusiasm, which lent an additional amidst a silence so profound, that the rustling charm to their generally fresh and beautiful of the foliage in the breeze and the bubbling faces. Their dress, too, notwithstanding its of the spring were distinctly to be heard. The Puritanic simplicity, was not so monotonous men looked grave and gloomy, and even the and sombre as that of the men. Female vanity female part of the congregation manifested 14 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. unusual attention. It was evident that these flicted more or less.upon us all; but the sun will people yearned sincerely for the Word of God, sooner deviate from his course, and rise in the for the sake of which they had come from dis- west instead of the east, than we should prove tant parts of the country, and were incurriig recreant to the Lord and His commandments. the greatest dangers. He will not forsake His faithful believers, but "People of Israel, listen to me," said the raise them from the dust to greater splendor. minister, in a low, tremulous voice, which, Only a brief space of time, and all Israel will during the progress of the sermon, became rise as one man, and wreak vengeance on his louder and louder. "Your enemies are ip- tormentors. I tell you, and the Lord speaketh creasing from day to day, and the number of out 6f my mouth, the day will soon dawn your adversaries is legion; but fear not, for when the children of God shall enter the New the Lord is with you. He will be your pro- Jerusalem. Then the chosen people will tector, and strike down your adversaries with rejoice exceedingly, and the impious wretches the strength of His arm. A king has arisen will tremble on account of their ruthlessness. in our midst worse than Pharaoh, who op- Therefore, be glad and hopeful, bear new burpressed the chosen people, and imposed the dens with patience, until the moment comes most laborious services on them; but we still when you may throw them off. But we will likewise have a Moses, who will strike him not await the day of retribution in vain idledown with the keen edge of his sword, and ness. Let the peasant grind his scythe, for bury him and.his whole host in the deep bed the harvest is drawing nigh; let the warrior of the sea. Bear with patience the sufferings whet his sword for the bloody work which is which you have to endure, and resist the in store for us. Up, up, my people; prepare temptations to which you are exposed; for for the day of retribution; arm your hands, the plagues of Egypt will come upon the and unfurl your holy standard!" tyrant and his evil advisers. He is intent on The preacher paused again, exhausted by compelling you to worship the foreign idols, his effort. His fragile body was no longer sufand bend your knees after the fashion of ficient for the fiery zeal of this soul, exasperRome. His bishops are strutting about in ated by all sorts of sufferings and persecutions. unholy vestments, and smell of superstition He tried to gather fresh strength, in order to and idolatry. Woe to them! They leave un- continue in the same violent strain. While he tried no means to induce the pious flock to was speaking, his deep-lying eyes, concealed deviate from the right path. They threaten under the gray shaggy brows, shot fire, and his the true believers with shackles and imprison- emaciated form seemed to grow in size. His ment, and lacerate their backs with sharp words fired the sufficiently prepared and susscourges. Who is there among us that could ceptible hearts of his audience. The whole not bear testimony to their cruel rigor? " congregation was carried away and plunged into A low murmur of assent broke the solemn a state of violent excitement. Old and new stillness for a moment. On remembering the wrongs which they had endured rankled in the oppressions which they had undergone, the men breasts of the men, and they remembered with clinched their fists involuntarily, and their gnashing teeth the tortures which they had sufthreatening.faces betrayed only too plainly the fered but recently. rage which they restrained with difficulty. Somewhat different was the impression which "Heavy penalties in person or property," the sermon produced upon the youth who hapcontinued the aged minister, have been in- pened to have fallen among these enthusiasts. THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. 15 He could not laugh at it as he had expected at arms toward him; already Thomas, who awoke first, for his own position was too alarming for only now to a full sense of his dangerous posithat, and the bearing of the whole assembly tion, had put his hand on the hilt of his sword, was too grave and stern. A mixture of sym- in order, if need be, to repel violence by viopathy and repugnance captivated him in spite lefce, even though without any prospect of of himself. The son of the Lord President of success; when, all at once, a vigorous gentleWales had been educated in the strictest prin- man of distinguished and almost chivalrous ciples of loyalty and attachment to his king and bearing, ordered the excited crowd to be still. the Episcopal Church of England, and he The preacher, too, being prevented by the sudshared, moreover, the prejudices of his age, den uproar from resuming the thread of his and of most of the members of his class, sermon, had descended from the pulpit and against the votaries of Puritanism. Their aus- hastened to the scene of the disturbance as tere, morose bearing, and their simple, sombre quickly as his infirmity permitted. costume were looked upon as hypocrisy, and "Who is this youth, and what does he want were by no means calculated to enlist the sym- here? " asked the before-mentioned gentleman, pathies of merry youths and overbearing cour- who seemed to exercise a certain authority tiers. The seditious words of the preacher over the Puritans. wounded his loyal feelings; nevertheless, he "A spy who has watched us and intends to could not deny that what he heard and saw betray us," cried the men on all sides. exhibited a certain dignity and simple gran- "You lie! " replied Thomas, courageously. deur. He was fascinated in spite of himself, "An accident has brought me hither and made and disregarded the requirements of caution, me a witness of your meeting. What should so far as to give up his reserve, and approach your cant and sanctimonious doings concern gradually closer and closer to the circle of the me otherwise? I care not so much as that audience. While the worthy minister was about them." speaking, his sermon engrossed the attention " Hear the impious rascal!" roared the fuof the congregation so exclusively, that they rious crowd. " Down with the wretch, down overlooked the appearance of the young new- with the son of Belial! " comer. It was only during the pause now en- The imprudent words which the rash youth suing that the immediate bystanders perceived had uttered had aggravated his danger materihim. The presence of a stranger, whose rich ally. Vainly did the aged minister and his and striking dress, and defiant bearing, seemed companion endeavor to allay the fury of the to indicate that he was an impudent intruder excited congregation. Some of the men laid and an enemy of the children of God, was suf- their hands upon Thomas, who, with quick deficient to inflame still further the excitement termination, now unsheathed his sword. Howalready prevailing among the Puritans. The ever, before he had been able to make a danrage and hatred of the assembly had suddenly gerous use of his weapon, it had already been found a definite target. The rash youth was wrested from his hand. Thus disarmed, the immediately surrounded by a threatening youth was exposed So the wrath of his exascrowd; wild and distrustful glances met him, perated adversaries. He stamped angrily with and loud imprecations burst forth in whatever his foot, and his impotent rage drew a tear from direction he tried toturn. The universal exas- his eye. Thus he stood, with glowing cheeks peration increased from second to second. Al- and defiant face, in the midst of the crowd. ready some of the men had stretched out their The women, too, had hastened to the spot, and 16 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. were now contemplating, with a mixture of ness. I request you once more, sir, to give compassion and anxiety, the handsome youth, me your name." who seemed to them by no means so danger- "I shall not do so before you have told me ous as he did to the rude and distrustful yours." men. This bold reply excited another outburst of The sight of the flashing blade, which fortu- indignation among the Puritans, and it renately had done no further harm, had filled quired all the authority of their leader to quiet them with increased rage. The imprecations the exasperated men. After he had succeeded and threats levelled at the intruder became in so doing, he turned with a smile to the rash more violent from minute to minute. Only the youth. presence of the worthy minister and the other " I do not know," he replied, " why I should gentleman protected Thomas from corporal conceal my name from you. It is Overton."! injuries. After reestablishing some degree of " Overton, Sir John Overton!" exclaimed order, these two held a brief consultation. the youth, in surprise. "Your name is not,They spoke in a low whisper of the- entirely unknown to me. If I am not mistaken, I unexpected incident which, to them also, have heard it mentioned repeatedly, and with seemed fraught with danger. While this con- great respect, at my father's house. You are, sultation was going on, the congregation ob- therefore, a cavalier like myself." served a grave and measured attitude toward "Now you will certainly not hesitate to the prisoner, whose arms were held by two comply with my request, and will no longer strong men, for the purpose of rendering it im- conceal your name from me." possible for him to escape or offer further re- "My name is Thomas Egerton." sistance. "Son of the Lord President of Wales." After a short pause, during which Thomas "And I can bear witness that the young had had an opportunity to indulge in not over- man tells you the truth," interposed a deep, pleasant reflections upon the predicament in grave voice, which issued from the mouth of a which he was placed, the gentleman who gloomy-looking old man. seemed to be leader or. elder of the congrega- Thomas turned his eyes involuntarily to the tion approached and addressed him. side where stood the speaker, whom he had "You have intruded in a manner entirely not hitherto noticed in the crowd. He likeuncalled for into this asylum," he said to the wise now recognized the old man, by whose youth, with calm dignity. "Our safety re- side was standing a lovely young girl in the quires me to put to you some questions which costume of the rural population. Her blue you will answer frankly and.tru'thfully. Above eyes met the dark ones of the youth, and a all things give me your name." sudden blush suffused the fine and highly-ex"I do not know with what right you dare pressive face of the beautiful girl. No one in subject me to a regular examination," replied the assembly took any notice of this brief Thomas, whose defiant spirit was not broken, intermezzo, and yet it was a significant meetbut rather strengthenedby the danger. ing after a long separation. The features of "Our right is the right of the stronger, and the young girl awakened many feelings and we make the same use of it to-day as our ad- reminiscences in the soul of the youth. Lucy versaries. Take the advice of an older and Henderson (that was the name of the old more experienced man, and do not aggravate man's daughter) had been Alice's foster-sister your position by such untimely supercilious- and the playmate of her brothers while they THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. 17 were children. At that time she passed whole fine-looking youth. Under circumstances so days at the castle of the Egertons, and partici- altered occurred the first meeting of the forpated in all the games and amusements of the merly so intimate young friends after their long highborn young people. She even attended separation. their lessons very frequently, and in this man- This was neither the right place nor the ner Lucy had received an education such as is right time for them to give expression to their to be found only in exceptional cases among mutual surprise. The two greeted each other persons of her class. Her father, morose old silently with a scarcely perceptible nod of the Henderson, had arrived here years ago from a head, accompanied by a tender glance on the distant country, and settled in the neighbor- part of the youth, and a sweet blush and joyhood of Ludlow Castle. His wife, who had ous tremor on that of the lovely Lucy. The died since then, had nursed Alice Egerton in old acquaintances renewed their former friendher infancy; and thus the two girls, of the ship on this strange occasion without exchangsame age, grew up together. Their friendship ing their sentiments, and engraved each continued even after Mrs. Henderson's death; other's portraits on their hearts. Had they but for a long time past these intimate re- been at liberty to give expression to their feellations had been interrupted. The older Mr. ings, they would certainly have burst out into Henderson became, the more stubborn and the exclamation: "Oh, how handsome and sombre became his temper, which had always tall you have grown! " been strongly tinctured with melancholy. The In the presence of this large assembly, howneighbors attributed this change, which did ever, they were obliged to repress any such not escape them, to the loss of his beloved utterances; but the more silent their lips rewife; for while she was alive he was by far mained, the more eloquent was the language more sociable and kind in his own peculiar of their eyes. way toward his fellow-men. Gradually, how- Under such circumstances, a moment often ever, he retired more and more from the world, decides the course of a whole human life, and and broke off all intercourse with the inmates the inclination violently repressed for the time of Ludlow Castle, who had done nothing to soon seeks and finds an opportunity to reveal justify such neglect. The Countess of Bridge- itself in its full extent and irrepressible intenwater especially had always manifested the sity. Never before had the young girl apgreatest kindness toward the Henderson fam- peared so charming and desirable to the ily, and lavished favors and presents on little youth; never had lovely Lucy had an inkling Lucy. These kindnesses were rejected now of the passion with which the unexpected asby the rough widower with insulting haughti- pect of her former playmate filled her heart. ness; and he allowed his daughter no longer Both longed to approach each other after so to hold intercourse with her aristocratic play- long a separation; both felt irresistibly drawn mates and friends. toward each other. No one in the whole as Despite her tears and objections, she was sembly, and least of all old Henderson, susfinally obliged to yield and give up the inter- pected what was taking place in these young course which was so dear to her. Years had hearts. Only a remnant of his former gratielapsed since then, and Lucy had become a tude, perhaps, induced the old Puritan to in blooming young girl, while her friend Thomas, tercede in behalf of the youth. whom she had always preferred to his elder Thomas was so embarrassed on account of and graver brother, was now a vigorous and his wonderful meeting with Lucy, that he for2 18 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. got its immediate cause and his still by no their tormentors knows no compassion. For means pleasant position. Henderson's words, this reason, you cannot blame either them or however, had evidently produced an effect de- myself, if we ask of you some better security cidedly favorable to him. The immediate by- than the mere name of Egerton and the wormstanders assumed a more peaceable attitude eaten escutcheon of your ancestors." toward him, and no longer uttered any threats "I hope you will be satisfied with a nobleagainst him. Both the reverend minister and man's word of honor," replied the youth, the chivalrous Overton even fixed looks of gnashing his teeth, and scarcely able to resympathy on the more rash than guilty youth. strain another outburst of his rage. "I am glad," said Overton, "that so good "A nobleman's word of honor, perhaps, a man as our friend Henderson bears testimony might satisfy me; but those men yonder will to the truthfulness of your words; but this demand additional security. They know what does not yet explain or excuse your uncalled- it is worth since the first nobleman of Eng-' for intrusion into this asylum. How did you land, King Charles, has broken his word and get here?" violated his sacred pledges more than ten "That is easily explained. I lost my way times." in Haywood Forest." This was too much for the deeply-mortified "I believe you, as your whole bearing youth. Brought up in sentiments of unboundbreathes youthful sincerity, and as I cannot ed loyalty, he could sooner bear insults heaped imagine that you have come hither for the on himself than the least attack upon the purpose of watching or even betraying our honor of his king. With a cry of rage, he meeting." broke loose from the men who held him, and "Sir, I believe my name alone is sufficient rushed upon Overton, after having previously to protect me from any such suspicion," cried wrested his sword from the hands of the PuriThomas, vehemently. tan who had taken it from him. Overton "I will admit that," replied Overton, whose avoided the impetuous lunge of the furious calmness and firmness contrasted strikingly youth by a skilful turn. At the next moment with the rash vehemence of the youth. " But he had likewise unsheathed his sword, and one who warrants us that you will not betray here- who beheld the firmly-knit form of the man, after what you have seen here? You may his strong arm, the coolness and composure purposely or rashly communicate to others of his whole bearing, and compared it with the what an accident made you discover." blind fury and scarcely-developed form of the " Sir John Overton! " exclaimed Thomas, youth, could not for a moment entertain the crimsoning with indignation, " only my pres- slightest doubt as to the issue of this unequal ent helplessness allows you to use such un- contest. chivalrous language. By the escutcheon of my Only the predilection which the English enancestors, had I my sword at my side, I should tertain at all times for scenes of this descripcall you to a bloody account for this insult." tion, and respect for courage and manly de"You would do better to repress your some- portment, prevented the assembly from interwhat proud and impertinent language. Look fering between the two. Despite their Puritan around; these good people here are not in a austerity, these grave men had preserved their very playful humor, as you have found out al- former relish for such spectacles. The circle ready. Their safety, their property, nay, per- widened at once, that the two fencers might haps their lives are at stake, for the cruelty of have sufficient room. The duellists, so unlike THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. 19 each other, stood in the centre and crossed manhood seemed to measure their strength in their flashing swords. All around reigned this arena. Neither could hardly find again anxious silence, which even the worthy minis- worthier representatives of their respective adter did not venture to break by a word of vantages. peace. Thomas attacked his adversary with The contest had lasted a considerable time, his customary wild impetuosity, so that Over- when the cool Overton thought it was best to ton had enough to do to ward off the strokes put a stop to it. In doing so, however, he by and thrusts showered down upon him in rapid no means intended to inflict great bodily harm succession. At first the calmer Overton seem- on our courageous Thomas. With keen-eyed ingly intended to remain entirely on the defen- sagacity, he seemed to account the many adsive; but no sooner had the impetuous youth vantages which the rash valor of his adverrashly exhausted his strength, than the prac- sary offered to him. He parried quietly and tised swordsman turned this advantage to ac- skilfully the stroke which Thomas levelled at count and gave up his passive attitude. him, and then, with his full strength, struck The spectators followed the course of the the sword from the youth's hand before the contest with increasing suspense, and their latter was able to prevent it. In doing this, flashing eyes and flushed faces plainly indi- he could not avoid inflicting on Thomas a cated that a majority of them were no stran- slight wound, whence the red warm blood gers to the profession of arms. A murmur of trickled down and fell in dark drops on the applause burst from the crowd whenever Over- green turf. ton parried a stroke of his adversary with the No sooner did Lucy perceive that the friend coolness peculiar to him, or skilfully evaded of her youth was wounded, than she uttered a one of his furious lunges; just acknowledg- piercing cry, and sank, fainting and with eyes ments were likewise rendered to the courage closed, into the arms of the bystanders. of the youth, but the homage thus paid to him The vanquished Thomas stood blushing and was blended with expressions of the dissatis- disarmed before his triumphant adversary. faction felt at his haughty conduct. But no Overton, however, was not inclined to follow one contemplated the scene with more intense up the advantage which he had obtained. He agitation than charming Lucy Henderson. She magnanimously lowered his sword, which he had advanced as close as possible to the duel- sheathed with his wonted calmness. His chivlists, and watched them with flushed cheeks, alrous conduct did not fail to exert a soothing trembling limbs, and breathless suspense. effect upon the youth. Overton had given The decision was still in doubt. What was him his life, which had been at his mercy. wanting to the youth in strength and practice, The feeling of gratitude which animated him, he made up for by his impetuosity, while Over- however, was dimmed by the mortification of ton supplied his lack of fire by his caution and his wounded vanity. skill. It was a wonderful spectacle to behold "You have spared me," he said, in a tremuthe blooming Thomas, with his waving blonde lous voice. " According to the old-established ringlets, his flushed face, and his slender form, custom, I am in your debt. You may fix the fighting with the heavy-set Overton, whose face amount of my ransom." did not betray even the slightest emotion. No "Let the silence which you will observe in greater contrast could be imagined than that regard to what you have seen here be your presented by the impetuosity of the one and ransom. You will give me your word of the calmness of the other. Youth and mature honor as a cavalier that you will do so." 20 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. " I promise upon honor not to betray you." They would have unhesitatingly committed a "You must not inform anybody of this crime when their safety was at stake. They mysterious hiding-place which an accident murmured aloud now, and it required Overcaused you to discover, nor even speak of it ton's whole authority and the soothing eloto your nearest relatives. Whenever and quence of the venerable minister to prevent wherever one of those present here may meet them from taking further steps. They wished you, you swear that you will feign not to know to pursue Thomas and yet carry out their cruel him?" purpose. To justify this, they quoted a num" I swear." ber of passages from the Bible, especially the " And now you'are free, and may leave the Old Testament, which they.interpreted after place, and return by the same road by which their peculiar fashion. you came." While the men were discussing in this manThe youth proceeded immediately to avail ner, the compassionate women attended to himself of the permission thus given to him, Lucy, who had not yet recovered from her and leave the meeting which he had disturbed. swoon. They fetched water from the neighIt was with the most varied feelings filling his boring spring in the vessels which they had heart that he set out to retrace his steps. brought with them, and sprinkled with it the Shame and mortification at his discomfiture pale cheeks and forehead of the young girl. took the foremost place among these feelings. A few experienced matrons, in the mean time, Though obliged to render homage to Overton's rubbed fragrant forest-herbs, by whose piquant magnanimous conduct, he wished to meet him ethereal odor they wished to arouse her slumsoon again, sword in hand, and measure his bering vital spirits. At length their united strength with him under more favorable cir- efforts succeeded in restoring Lucy to concumstances. His prejudices against the secta-sciousness. She opened her eyes wonderingly rianism of the Puritans had been increased and turned her first glance to the spot where rather than lessened by his meeting with them. the duel had just taken place. Only the image of lovely Lucy Henderson shed "Where is he?" she breathed, in a faint a pleasant light on all the clouds rising in his voice, on not beholding the youth. soul. He thoughtfully entered the path which The wondering women deemed this, to them, was to lead him back to his sister Alice. incomprehensible question a new wandering of The pious congregation, too, was in a state her mind, and were unable to answer it, or of anxious suspense and absence of mind. even interpret it correctly. It was only from The service had been interrupted and dis- the lips of her father that Lucy learned the turbed by the events that had taken place. fate of her playmate, and that he had left the Some of the Puritans were not at all satisfied place without sustaining any severe injuries. with Overton's conduct. In their opinion, he This agreeable news brought about her speedy ought not to have contented himself with the recovery, and she was able to accompany her mere parole of the haughty youth, but should father when he departed with the whole conhave demanded of him a solemn oath on the gregation and returned to his home. Bible. The more fanatical in the assembly went further, and censured Overton for allowing Thomas to depart on any conditions. There were among them men who did not even shrink from the thought of a bloody deed. '/ x,-.- - C -. - I.SI AII'S - A IC p.. i --- --— ^~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-:.SIAI.e ALICE AND COMUS. 21 the attentions and homage rendered to her. CHAPTER III. With feminine, but certainly venial vanity, she ALIC E A ND COMUS. now dwelt in her recollections mostly upon those who had distinguished her in this manIN the mean time, Alice awaited in solitude ner. There appeared before her excited imathe return of her brother. His sudden disapgmination now the image of the nobleman from pearance occasioned her at first but little un- a Wales to whom her brother Thomas had aleasiness, as she was already familiar with the, t r ",~ ~luded, now the expressive face of Kenelm impetuosity of his proceedings. She believed, Digby, a gentleman then already famous both moreover, that he could not have gone v ery. moreover, that he could not have gone very for his eccentricities and his learning-a relafar, and would be back in the course of a few te o t D f,w a?,~~~~~~~~ five of the Derby family, who had abducted, minutes. It was not until he had stayed away married, and lost by her speedy death a daughmuch longer than she had expected, that she, ter of the noble house, the beautiful and ecbecame seriously alarmed. She possessed as c c L V S T centric Lady Venetia Stanley. The various much courage as any woman would have unh c a a w w h u rumors which Alice had heard in regard to der similar circumstances, and soon succeeded,,,'~ ~the eminent gentleman, were in themselves therefore, in overcoming her rising apprehen- cal ted to excite her vele interest in,5~~~~~~ ~ ~ " calculated to excite her liveliest interest in sions. She sought and found an occupation i i. r r him and his strange doings. Moreover, he to divert her idle thoughts. She had discovwas surrounded by a certain veil of mystery ered on the edge of the gorge a few flowers, ^0, " u ~which always inflames the susceptible imaginaforget-me-nots and pansies, which she resolved tion of en and interests their sentimental 0 r' tion of women and interests their sentimental to gather and make a wreath of them. She earts. went quickly to work, and it was not long be- A third gentleman plyed a prominent part fore she was done. With childlike joy she in her recollections. It was a modest poet, placed the pretty wreath on her blond head named John Milton, with delicate, almost after removing the inconvenient barr.et-cap. girlish features, of great intellectual beauty. But Thomas had not yet returned, and she Only in moments of enthusiasm and inspiragave way again to her anxiety, although she tion did he overcome his innate timidity, aid tried to overcome it by deriding it and think- display a wealth of sublime and charming ing of other and more pleasant subjects. In ideas which could not but surprise the listener the first place, she remembered the beautiful the more, the less he had previously suspected hours which she had passed at the hospitable him to be possessed of such faculties. It had house of her relatives. The castle of her aunt, not escaped Alice that his dreamy hazel eyes the Countess of Derby, had always been the followed her whenever they could do so withrendezvous of the high aristocracy and the out being noticed. Besides, she herself had neighboring gentry. In its high and ancient witnessed the triumph which his poetical gehalls reigned a cheerful tone of refined soci- nius had achieved. A charming mask, enability and culture. Alice had there made the titled "The Arcades," and written by Milton, acquaintance of ladies and gentlemen of emi- was performed at the aunt's house and received nent accomplishments and fascinating man- with rapturous applause by the whole audiners, and had found among the latter many ence. Only Kenelm Digby did not seem to an admirer of her budding charms. Although share the favorable opinion of all others; but no one had made a deeper impression on her Alice was delighted with the melodious verses innocent heart, she had not been insensible to and their poetical sentiments. She deemed it 22 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. even incumbent on her to express her joy to form bearing the familiar features of John the poet, and her heart-felt praise had called a Milton flitted down to her. With a strong blush of modesty to his cheeks, paled by noc- arm he lifted her from the burning ruins, rising turnal studies. Butmodesty, perhaps, was not with her above the smoke and the hissing the only cause of his blushing: it was occa- flames, and borne aloft by the powerful silver sioned even more by his rising love for the wings growing from his shoulders. Only after sweet girl. Like the poets of all times, young reaching a golden star did he repose with his Milton possessed a heart susceptible of the sweet burden; sacred music received them power of love. Whether the charming Alice there; choirs of angels intoned hymns sweeter perceived or even shared his affection, we ven- than she had ever heard before. Her Saviour, ture to decide the less, as she herself, not yet too, seized a harp hanging on a golden pillar, fully conscious of her own sentiments, resem- and the most sublime melodies fell from His bled a bud, filled much more with vague an- lips. The poet grew taller and taller, his ticipations and longing than well-defined wishes whole form glowed with the light of transand thoughts. figuration, and the strings of the harp turned All these recollections did not assume a into radiant rivers flowing from heaven down definite shape, but passed before the girl's to earth. His words became figures and assoul like dissolving views and fleeting shadows. sumed now human, now supernatural forms. This dreaming with open eyes, something by A man and a woman stood under a tree full no means unusual in young persons of the of tempting fruits; but coiled around its trunk hopeful age of seventeen, soon passed into a she saw the serpent, whose head bore the feareal, gentle slumber. The long journey and tures of the famous Kenelm Digby. Suddenly unwonted sojourn in the open air had rendered the modest Carbury approached, unsheathed Alice tired and exhausted. Her weariness his sword, and sundered the head of the serwas increased by the stillness surrounding pent with a powerful blow from the trunk; her, broken only by the monotonous rustling but from the drops of its blood sprang countof the wind in the tree-tops, or the mournful less infernal demons, who were dancing with notes of a bird which had strayed into this horrible grimaces and scornful laughter about melancholy wilderness. Vainly she struggled the terrified girl. against her sleepiness; her beautiful eyes Louder and louder grew the laughter of the closed gradually, and her fair head sank down demons, and, blended with it, she seemed to to the soft turf. The images and ideas of her hear the notes of wild music. Alice opened fancy became confused and dissolved like thin her eyes wonderingly, but she thought she was clouds, from which the fantastic god of dreams dreaming on, for the demons whom she had shaped all sorts of wonderful forms. As echo seen in her slumbers surrounded her couch. renders the real tone, these dissolving views It was a troop of wild, daring fellows in all echoed the events of her immediate past. Be- sorts of fantastic costumes. The procession fore the closed eyes of the girl appeared the was headed by a band of strangely-dressed.lofty halls of Castle Derby, with its pinnacles musicians, who made an infernal noise with and towers glistening in the rays of the setting their instruments. Some of them were dissun. The sunbeams were transformed into guised as Moors, and had blackened their devouring flames which seized her dress, and faces; in their hands they held small drums, threatened to burn her. Already she believed tambourines, and cymbals, which they were herself irretrievably lost, when a heavenly striking together. Others were dressed in the ALICE AND COMUS. 23 skins of wild beasts, and had placed wreaths nity animating her features, the rude band of young oak-leaves and evergreen ivy on their seemed to hesitate at first and keep aloof reshaggy heads; they were playing on the shawm spectfully, feeding their eyes with the beautior sounding well-known street-airs on squeak- ful spectacle so suddenly presented to them. ing pipes. Even vulgar persons feel in such moments the The longer Alice stared at these strange majesty surrounding the head of an innocent forms, the faster returned her consciousness. maiden, as if with a protecting halo, and the powHer fear of the demons soon gave place to a er of true beauty is so great that it strikes even still greater anxiety. She perceived at once vulgar men like a revelation from above, and that she was in the midst of a merry, drunken silences all worldly desires. A murmur of apgang of so-called May-cancers, who were re- plause greeted the fair girl. turning from some rural festival, and into "By St. George," exclaimed one of the danwhose hands she had fallen alone and defence- cers, "there stands the fairy of Haywood less.. A majority of the band consisted of Forest." young peasant-lads who would treat a solitary "I will accost her," said another. young girl with little or no delicacy. Escape "Beware! Do you not see that she holds was not to be thought of; hence, Alice sub- her magic wand in her hands? If youirritate mitted to her fate, firmly resolved to ward off her, she will transform you into a donkey." all undue familiarities of the dancers by her de- "And you into a sheep." termined bearing, and by mentioning her name " Let me manage it," shouted a stout lad, and position. who seemed to be the leader of the band. "I The band had surprised the fair sleeper shall speak a confidential word to the beauty under the trees and awakened her by their of the forest, and I will bet a rose-noble that deafening noise. Alice had jumped up in ter- she will not bewitch me for it immediately. ror; with flushed cheeks, and her heart throb- You do not know how to speak to spirits and bing with anxiety, she awaited the result of sylphs." the dangerous adventure. She yet wore the "Yes, Billy knows it," cried the first speaker; wreath of forget-me-nots on her blond hair, "his grandmother was an old witch, and he which had become loosened during her slumber, learned it from her." and was flowing in golden ringlets round her "And your grandmother is the devil's cousin. forehead and her white neck. Her slender, Attention now, and see how I am going to mansylph-like form was wrapped in a green hunt- age it.' ing-dress, and a short silken mantilla of the The merry lad now advanced toward Alice same color waved on her shoulders in the with all sorts of odd leaps and laughable bows. breeze. She had hastily picked up the riding- He was about twenty-four years old; his form whip, the only weapon with which she could was short and wiry; two exceedingly shrewd defend herself. On the ground lay her barret- black eyes flashed in his keen face. His red cap with the waving plume, and her white nose indicated an intimate acquaintance with palfrey and the horse of her absent brother the bottle, and his full, fleshy cheeks, as well were grazing close by. as his round paunch, showed that he was an Whether it was owing to the surpassing epicure of the lowest class. His low forehead beauty of the young girl, whose appearance and shaggy hair were covered with a green made a fairy-like impression upon the beholder, cap, which he wore on his ears, and on which or the expression of innocence and noble dig- the long plume of a peacock was waving. The 24 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES, short doublet which he wore was held together whistle another tune so soon as you have heard by a broad leathern belt, in which hung a large my name, rank, and title; for there stands besoup-ladle in place of a sword. His thick neck fore you no other than Comus, the god of fesand broad breast were covered with a very tive joy and mirth, whose rule is acknowledged short cloak, which was trimmed with lambs' by all England. Condescend, therefore, to tails instead of princely ermine, and set all over pledge me." with diminutive bells, tinkling merrily at every At a beck which the man made to his comstep he made. In his hands he held a half- panions, another bottle was brought to him. emptied bottle and a brown staff, the top of He presented it to the girl. In order not to which Was a fool's head, rudely carved out of increase his anger, Alice resolved reluctantly the wood. this queer figure rested, moreover, to comply with his request, and, bowing slighton two crooked legs, loosely encased in white ly, she raised the bottle to her lips. stockings, covering only a part of his plump "That is right," said the extemporized god. hairy calves. "I see that you are submissive, and I hope we This fellow now approached Alice, who was shall get along very well with each other. It by no means reassured at his sight. Distort- was my intention long since to give up my ing his large mouth, which was dotted with bachelor life and marry a lady of equal rank. white, pointed teeth, into a broad grin, he sa- Your heavenly appearance has kindled the luted her with exaggerated and ludicrous polite- flame of love in my heart, and I feel that its ness. ardor is increasing every minute. Fair Glori"Most beautiful of all fairies," he said to ana, most beautiful of fairies! give me your her, "pardon me if I take the liberty of ap- soft white hand, that we may form an everlastproaching you; but it would be wrong in me ing union. I place you on my throne. From not to render homage to' so extraordinary a this hour you shall share my crown and be the beauty. Permit me, therefore, to drink first queen of the kingdom of fools." your health out of this bottle, and then hand it Alice's situation became more and more to you, that you may do likewise." painful; she did not know what to reply, or So saying, he raised the bottle to his thick what course she ought to adopt under such cirlips and drank a long draught from it, after cumstances. After a brief reflection, she which he presented it to her. She pushed back deemed it best to join in the jolly tone of the his rude hand with a gesture of horror, so that dancers, and converse with them in the same the bottle fell to the ground and broke noisily strain. The fellow who had addressed her in pieces. displayed, despite his rudeness and imperti" Aha!" cried the fellow, angrily; "you are nence, uncommon wit and a jolly kindheartedproud, and refuse to drink with me. Do you ncss which somewhat reassured her; and she know, my little sweetheart, my supercilious resolved to gain him by her complaisance, infairyprincess, whom you have insulted? Iam stead of irritating him by ill-advised defiance. at least as good as you, if not better. You be- Above all things, it was important for her to hold in my person the king of all fools, the gain time, as she might momentarily look for prince of folly, the sovereign of all merry peo- the return of her absent brothers. All these ple, the king of jest. Just distend your lovely reasons induced her to adopt a conciliatory eyes, and however disdainfully you may turn manner, and turn the unpleasant adventure up your tiny nose, however contemptuously into a joke. She, therefore, replied as follows: you may curl your sweet cherry-lips, you will "Great and powerful Comus! your pro ALICE AND COMUS. 25 posals take me so much by surprise that I "Come, bring me the throne," commanded really feel embarrassed. Your power and the leader, whom the others willingly obeyed. rank are well known to me; for all England A few lads made a sort of chair of branches is aware that you are one of the most distin- which they cut quickly from the trees. Alice guished gods. Your realm is certainly the was requested to seat herself on it. Before largest in the world, for fools will never be she was able to object or desist, strong arms wanting to it. The renown of your exploits lifted her up easily and softly. She sat on has penetrated to my ears, and I have often the shoulders of her bearers, and had to subheard of you and the brilliant court which you mit to being carried by them in triumphant hold in various parts of this island, and par- procession. Her white palfrey was led after ticularly in Oakley Park. I bless my star, her, while the leader of the band mounted her therefore, for permitting me to see you and brother's horse and rode by her side. your peers face to face, and obtain the convic- The strange procession was headed by the tion that the fame of your courteous manners, masked musicians, who struck up a noisy gallantry, and wit, is by no means undeserved. march. Behind them followed a number of But as for your honorable proposals, I must masks dressed in the skins of wild beasts. confess that I consider myself unworthy to They formed, as it were, the body-guard, and share the throne of so powerful a ruler and to carried for this purpose large staves adorned live by the side of a god. I am no fairy, and with flowers and ribbons. Then came various least of all the famous Gloriana. My parents dancers in their gay costumes and covered all are only poor mortals, and I myself am a plain over with small bells; they danced on both young girl, and by no means worthy to be- sides, and performed all sorts of ludicrous come the consort of so powerful a spirit." leaps. Alice was carried on the quickly-ex"Hold on," cried the young fellow, with an temporized throne in their midst. The golden ecstatic grin. "Your words only serve to fan rays of the setting sun illuminated the sweet the flame of my love. Whoever you may be, picture. Nothing more beautiful and graceful whether the fairy of this forest, or the daugh- could be traced by a painter's pencil. A mixter of a sooty charcoal-burner, your beauty ture of girlish anxiety and childlike archness and understanding have fascinated me so much brought a smile of confusion and hilarity to that I will never part with you. You shall be her sweet lips and rosy cheeks. The merry queen of the fools, and receive immediately spirits of jest and mirth played round her the homage of my lords and my other subjects. charming dimples and her finely-chiselled chin. Kneel down, you rogues, blackguards, and Her blond ringlets fell down on her green fools! Shout with me:'Long live our riding-dress, which chastely veiled her exquisQueen!'" ite form. The wreath on her head imparted "Long live our queen! Long live the great a queenly appearance to her, and was suitable Comus!" roared the chorus of the merry to the part which had been forced upon her. lads. A last vestige of embarrassment and anxiety At the same time the band struck up again remained in her eye, which she dropped, thus its noisy music. The drums rolled, the fifes adding to her beauty the still greater charm squeaked, and all expressed their assent to, of modesty and humility. and delight at, the selection which Comus had Gradually this anxiety wore off, and Alice made, by the most ludicrous leaps and deafen- regained her usual courage. Her merry spirit ing cheers. even delighted to some extent in the unexpect. 26 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ed adventure. She appeared to herself a queen travelling triumphantly through her CHAPTER IV. realm, and receiving homage at the hands of THE RESCUE. her subjects. She yielded unwittingly to the fantastic charms of the place, and the whole AT the same time two young men were wonderful scenery surrounding her. The wandering in a similar direction through Haydancers treated her with studied politeness, wood Forest. They were friends, nearly of and before long she had acquired more con- the same age, and had been tenderly attached fidence in them. These rude lads were as if to each other for many years. One of them, fascinated by the power of beauty, and the who was a little older than his companion, wild outbursts of their rough and unbridled presented a refined and aristocratic' appearhumor assumed more and more the shape of ance. Slender and tall, his whole bearing injovial and even graceful witticisms. The stout dicated a certain firmness, and the distincarriers strutted about, evidently proud of guished manners which the sons of wealthy their fair burden; Comus, the god, rode slowly and aristocratic families assume so easily. His by her side, and devoted himself now to main- dress likewise betokened the wealth of his taiiing good order in the procession, now to family. His high forehead and carefully-curled amusing his intended consort. Even the wild- dark hair were covered with a plumed hat, est dancers tried to impart a chaster character which was adorned with a golden agraffe set to their somewhat indecent leaps. All with- with brilliants. His dark, well-kept beard, out exception endeavored visibly to please which, after the fashion of that period, was their new queen, who manifested her gratitude perfumed with fragrant oil, surrounded his by pleasant glances and kind words. blooming, bronzed cheeks. An air of careless Notwithstanding this favorable turn of her gayety played round his finely-chiselled mouth, adventure, Alice longed for the return of her and happiness and content beamed from his brothers, as the thought of what would be the dark eyes. His doublet, of costly Dutch velend of all this filled her with serious misgiv- vet, and the golden chain encircling his neck, ings. Dangers might threaten her every mo- completed the picture of a wealthy young noment, alone and unprotected as she was amidst bleman of that time. Fortune seemed to have this horde of lads flushed with wine, mirth, been less favorable to his younger companion, and licentiousness. Moreover, the procession the unusual neatness of whose burgher-like moved farther and farther away from the spot dress made up for the plainness of the stuff of where her brothers would look for her. Her which it was made. His shorter, and almost confusion therefore increased at every step; girlish form, moreover, presented a not very but she took care to conceal her embarrass- advantageous contrast with that of his finement from her companions. With ardent im- looking friend. But a glance at his noble patience she turned her eyes in the direction face, at his high, expansive forehead, and his in which she thought her brothers would ap- deep, unfathomable eyes, satisfied attentive proach, but not a trace was to be discerned observers at once that he was a man of extraor-' of them. She overcame her dejection, how- dinary genius. Despite the delicacy of these ever, for she was still in hopes that she would features, which made him appear much younger speedily be extricated from her embarrassing than he really was, they indicated a rare ripeposition. ness of the mind. The color of his cheeks, without being sickly, showed the traces of his THE RESCUE. 27 nocturnal studies and exhausting meditations. to the forest and fields, and to the bustle of An indescribable charm played round his the world. -Art, too, shielded him from such finely-chiselled lips, and an air of intellectual aberrations. Milton's father was an excellent beauty illuminated the whole expressive face, musician, and communicated to his son at an in whose delicate yet sharp lineaments femi- early age a taste for harmonious beauty. nine gentleness was coupled with manly, ear- Neither did young Milton neglect bodily exnest, and even stubborn firmness. ercise, and the young savant was as well The two young wanderers were homeward- skilled in the practice of arms and in horse bound from one of their usual excursions. manship as he was at home in his books and They were very fond of roaming during the manuscripts. Under such circumstances friends fine season hand-in-hand through the forests and distinguished patrons could not be wantand fields. They shortened the length of the ing to him. roads by conversations alike instructive and For the rest, that period was a decidedly entertaining. Already at the University of prosperous one for the poets and learned men Cambridge Edward King, the only son of a of England. Science and literature, which, distinguished government officer, had become after reawakening in the fifteenth century very fond of his younger friend Milton, whose from that lethargy in which they had been father was a lawyer. The two youths studied long sunk, spread from Greece and Italy together the treasures of classical antiquity, throughout Europe, found here an especially whose ardent admirers they were. The works fertile and susceptible soil. After terrible -of the noble Greeks and Romans kindled in civil wars and struggles between the hostile their souls an ardent enthusiasm for all that is factions, England had at length found a durable great and beautiful. Especially young Milton peace. The nation's energy turned to the distinguished himself by the zeal and earnest- ocean surrounding this much-favored islandness with which he yielded to the spirit of an- realm on all sides. The commerce of the tiquity and rendered himself familiar with it. country soon became very extensive, and the He had soon obtained a thorough knowledge treasures of the most remote countries poured of the writings of the greatest philosophers into the coffers of Great Britain. Important and poets of Athens and Rome, and mastered discoveries and territorial acquisitions in disthe difficulties of both languages so well that tant parts of the world added to the wealth he himself was able to write beautiful poetry and prosperity of the people. While haughty in them. But his indefatigable industry did Spain, owing to her gloomy intolerance and not content itself with this: profoundly im- indolence, was declining more and more, the pressed with the sublime beauties of the Bible, greatness and commerce of England, under the he devoted himself to the arduous study of sceptre of the sagacious and powerful Elizathe Hebrew language, and, after incessant beth, had been constantly on the increase. toils, he succeeded to his utmost joy in read- The more enlightened spirit of Protestantism ing and understanding " God's Word " in the fostered and promoted this grand development original. of the country, and aroused the moral and A rare good fortune preserved him from the material energy of the people. The progress lamentable pedantry which so often clings to of commerce and prosperity had considerable learned men. His lively imagination protected influence in awakening the desires of the peohim from confining himself to one-sided studies, pie for increased culture and education. Elizaand always led him back from his dusty study beth herself was a lover and protectress of 28 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. science and poetry. At her court were to be By means of these delightful excursions they found the most eminent scholars and poets- became intimately acquainted with the whole Bacon, the father and restorer of modern neighborhood. During their trips they often science, Sir Walter Raleigh, and many others. met with solitary shepherds, sooty charcoalAt that time the great Shakespeare wrote his burners, and simple-minded farm-laborers, and immortal plays, and enjoyed the protection of did not disdain to walk with them for a while. his queen, the acquaintance and friendship of In this manner they obtained a better insight the most distinguished noblemen, and the love into the peculiarities of the different classes, and admiration of his contemporaries. Under their simple mode of life, their views, wishes, Elizabeth's successor, the pedantic but learned and wants. The ever-attentive poet received James I., science and culture were treated at these meetings many a poetical subject, and with the highest distinction. In this way it learned popular songs which had hitherto been happened that the whole nation took a lively unknown to him. At other times they visited part in the awakening of this taste for science the clients of Milton's father, well-to-do-farmand culture, and men of scholarly attainments ers, who received them with open-handed hosoccupied a distinguished position in public and pitality. social life. The most aristocratic families The most delightful hours, however, they opened their hospitable mansions to them, passed in the solitude of the forest. Here all and the nobility of the mind marched hence- the great events of the past arose before them, forth hand-in-hand with the nobility of birth. and their lively imaginations revelled in recallIn this manner Milton, by his talents, had ing the beauties of ancient Hellas and the obtained access to the noble house of the power and grandeur of Rome. They lived Earl of Derby, and this was also the reason then in the past, and the present disappeared why the aristocratic and wealthy Edward from their eyes. They felt transformed, as it King felt highly honored and flattered by his were, and their surroundings seemed to asfriendship for, and intercourse with, the young sume the stamp of remote times and countries. poet and savant. Their mutual friendship had Over their heads rustled the sacred oaks of grown more ardent from day to day, and it Dodona, and in the whispers of their foliage was still constantly on the increase. When- they fancied they heard the voice of the Oracle. ever they could, the friends passed their time At other times they walked with Plato through together, exchanging their views and feelings. the groves of the Academy, and listened to the They liked best to roam in the country on wise teachings of his divine mouth. The sunny days, and feast their eyes on the beauty mountain in the neighborhood assumed the of the landscape and the varied scenery of shape of Ielicon, and the brook at their feet Nature. Such walks seemed to both exceed- became the Castalian spring. Thus they coningly delightful and refreshing. Now they founded their surroundings with the creations traversed the green forest, engaged in a most of their imagination. Even their friendship animated conversation; now they reposed on received the peculiar stamp of classical anthe soft moss in the shade of a tall oak, and tiquity. Orestes and Pylades, Damon and partook of the repast which they had brought Pythias, were the models whom they strove to with them, and with which they drank water emulate. Their ordinary names sufficed them from the bubbling spring. At times they had no longer, and they adopted in their stead the on such occasions some little adventure which euphonic ones of Thyrsis and Lycidas, by gave them additional topics of conversation. which they called each other henceforth. In THE RESCUE. 29 doing so, they thought of the friendships of which would, of course, leave me inconsolfaithful shepherds, such as Virgil and Theoc- able." ritus celebrated in their bucolics. "So far as I am concerned, you need not With these symbolic fancies, however, they be afraid," replied Milton, entering with a coupled a lofty earnestness, and the zealous pleasant smile into his friend's jest. "I am endeavor not only to equal those sublime mod- as yet any thing but so famous a bard as Orels, but to surpass them. Both were at that pheus was. The notes of my lyre neither stay happy age when the mind soars from earth the course of the rivers, nor do they tame the toward the stars, and seeks its ideals there. wild beasts of the forest. At the best, they Nothing seemed henceforth impossible to them, gain for me the applause of my too indulgent and they thought they could reach the highest Lycidas, whose love kindles in my heart the goals. As yet friendship and poetry filled the liveliest gratitude toward the gods." whole realm of their thoughts and feelings, So saying, Milton led the way, anxious to and these benign genii accompanied them discover the source of the noisy music which everywhere. broke the silence of the forest so suddenly. The animated conversation of the two friends King likewise accelerated his steps, and both was unexpectedlyinterrupted by the deafening reached almost at the same time a small clearnotes of music which resounded very near ing where they were able to survey the specthem. The dense shrubbery surrounding them tacle so unexpectedly exhibited to them. The prevented their seeing the cause of the up- procession, in whose midst they beheld the roar. god Comus and Alice, moved past them at a "What does this mean?" asked Milton, distance of a few yards. The wonderful scene dropping the previous subject of their conver- surprised the two observers greatly. Indeed, sation. their jocular words seemed to be realized, and "It must be a chorus of Bacchantes," re- their reminiscences of the feast of Bacchus plied his friend, still continuing in their former appeared to be verified. The dancers, in their strain. masks and skins of wild beasts, with their "You are right, my Lycidas. I hear dis- false whiskers and wreaths of oak-leaves on tinctly the noisy pipe of goat-footed Pan, and their heads, reminded them strikingly of the the loud drum and ringing cymbals of the goat-footed chorus of the god of wine. Even furious Manades. Evoe Bacche! Do you not old Silenus seemed to be present; for on a hear the rejoicings of the jubilant chorus? I small donkey hung a fat, bloated drunkard, should not wonder if Dionysus himself, crown- with a red copper-face, whom his weary, toted with ivy and vine-leaves, and seated in his tering feet were, no longer able to support. chariot drawn by panthers, were to issue from The strangely-dressed musicians, too, were the thicket and turn round yonder corner of rending the air with thoroughly pagan strains the forest." from their drums, fifes, and shawms. The as"Let us hasten, then, to greet the god, lest tonishment of the two friends, however, soon we suffer the fate of those who once laughed turned into the highest admiration when they at his distress. To you, my Thyrsis, the meet- beheld the charming Alice seated on her ing with the furious Bacchantes might be throne of branches and green leaves. She especially dangerous; for you know that they occupied her lofty seat with the bearing of a once tore the immortal Orpheus in pieces. As young queen, illuminated by the purple glow a poet you might easily suffer a similar fate, of the setting sun. The sweetest of fairies, 30 JOHN MILTON AND EIS TIMES. the most ravishing sylph, seemed embodied in aside, gentlemen, and render homage to the her to fascinate every mortal eye. The daz- god Comus and his suite. If you do not clear zling light prevented Milton at first from rec- the way immediately, you stand a chance to ognizing the features which were so well become acquainted with his wand and the fists known to him, while his companion believed of his subjects." he was beholding the most beautiful of the So saying, the speaker brandished the staff wonders of antiquity. with the fool's head, and the body-guard like" By Jove!" exclaimed Edward King, en- wise threatened the friends with their sticks. thusiastically, "we are at Naxos, and the lovely This was too much for young King's chivalgirl yonder can be no other than Ariadne, rous courage. He thought hewas able to cope whom the servants of Bacchus are carrying in all alone with the rabble, whose numerical triumphal procession." strength did not frighten him in the least. He Milton made no reply, but suddenly ran unsheathed his sword quickly, and penetrated down the small knoll on which the friends resistlessly close up to Alice. were standing, and hastened toward the pro- "Knock him down!" roared the leader to cession. his men. "What is the matter? " asked King, won- But before the latter had time to recover deringly. from their surprise, the bold youth had " It is she, it is she!" panted Milton, dragged the fellow from his horse, and threatbreathlessly, dragging his surprised friend by ened him with his flashing sword. the hand with him. "If one of this rabble touches me with the Alice heard his loud exclamation, and turned tip of his finger, you are a dead man!" her lovely head in that direction; a new gleam This threat had the desired effect. The of hope colored her cheeks and lit up her blue god's suite kept at a respectful distance, and eyes. She thought she had recognized the Comus himself made no effort to extricate himvoice of a friend, nor was she mistaken. In a self from his adversary's grasp. Meanwhile, few moments Milton and his faithful friend, Milton had likewise hastened to the spot, in Edward King, stood before her. order, if possible, to prevent bloodshed. He "Lady Alice Egerton, Lady Alice!" ex- devoted his first attention, however, to the claimed Milton. frightened girl, who was watching this new "It is I," said Alice, to dispel his doubts. incident tremblingly from her throne. "And what are you doing here in the midst "Put down the lady," he said, imperatively, of these men?" to the carriers. "For God's sake, extricate me from this The latter obeyed immediately, and, with dreadful position," she cried, in an anxious Milton's assistance, Alice's feet touched the voice. ground again. After rendering her this serThe beautiful girl had to confine herself to vice, he turned to the group surrounding him. these vague words. She had no time for a The loud music had ceased, and the performers more extended explanation, for the fellow who stood about with faces half confused and half was playing the part of Comus, and riding by anxious. The body-guard of the god had lowher side, was becoming impatient. ered their staves, and the half-intoxicated sub" Halloo, my little dove," he growled angri- jects had fallen back in dismay. Comus himly, "you mean to violate your plighted faith self lay on the ground, and his former and fly away! But that will not do. Stand grandiloquence had given way to the most THE RESCUE. 31 abject cowardice. His red face had suddenly joked me in an unbecoming manner, but did turned very pale, and his shrewd eyes glanced not insult me. As I pardon him, you must no anxiously from one of the bystanders to an- longer be inexorable. Allow him to rise and other. On his fat paunch rested one foot of withdraw immediately with his companions." his victorious adversary, whose left hand firmly The tone of these words, her sweet voice, grasped the fellow's throat, while his right and her lovely features, made a powerful imhand held the sword at his breast. The immi- pression upon the youth, who now saw Alice nent peril wrung a heavy sigh from the fright- for tie first time. Though usually not at a ened Comus, and he durst not stir for fear of loss for words, he needed a few moments to irritating his adversary. It was in this un- recover his presence of mind. pleasant predicament that Milton found the "Noble lady," replied Edward King, after a poor fellow when he turned his attention to short pause, " your thanks make me blush, behim, and was not a little astonished on recog- cause I do not deserve them. Neither courage nizing an old acquaintance. nor bravery was required to deliver you from " Billy Green!" he exclaimed, in surprise, such hands. First give me an opportunity to "Yes,'tis I, your honor," groaned the fel- deserve your gratitude by shedding my blood low, in ludicrous despair. " Dear Mr. Milton! and risking my life for you, and then you may get me out of this difficulty, and I will be for- thank me. This fellow is unworthy of your inever bound to you." tercession in his behalf, but should be punished "I do not know whether it is advisable to severely for his impudence. However, your release so notorious a gallows-bird, poacher, request of course prevents me from chastising and scapegrace. Your conduct toward this him. I will only make him pledge us his word, lady deserves the severest castigation." for the safety of us all, that neither he nor his "Ask herself if I have addressed an insult- companions will molest us any more. My ing word to her. I took the liberty of joking friend Milton seems to be acquainted with him, her a little, that was all. And then I did not and if he will be his security, the rascal may know who and what she was.-Noble lady, just go, after first asking your pardon on his bended say if I have offended you in any manner what- knees. He will not cheat the gallows anyhow." ever, and pray intercede with these gentlemen "A thousand thanks," grinned Billy Green, in my behalf. A word from your beautiful evidently not a little relieved. "I shall take lips, and a glance of your flashing eyes, will be care not to fulfil your honor's prophecy." sufficient to make poor merry Billy Green your "Dear Edward," added Milton, "I have everlasting debtor." known the fellow for a long time. He often This request, uttered in the most contrite comes to our house, and my father has retone, excited Alice's compassion, and, turning peatedly saved him from a punishment which, to her deliverer with a graceful smile and a as a notorious poacher, he has deserved more sweet blush, she said: than once. However, I believe he is a fool " Noble sir, pardon me, if I couple a request and jester rather than a rogue; and as Lady with my thanks. You have acted toward me Alice has already spoken in his behalf, I will with true chivalry, and manifested your bravery add my intercession to hers. Let him pledge in the most striking manner. But do not for- his word that he will not molest us any more, get that virtue which always accompanies true and then let him withdraw with his companchivalry, to wit, pity for the vanquished. I ions." confirm what he says to you. It is true, he "The devil take me," cried the delighted 32 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. god, " if I ever forget what you have done for change my fool's crown for a round head. For me. I always said that Mr. Milton deserved a the time being I shall intrust you with the emspecial seat in heaven. If you need me either blems of my power. Keep them until I ask by day or by night, just send for merry Billy you to return them to me. This folly will come Green. For your sake, I would willingly rob to an end too, as all folly does on earth. Gooda church, if need be." by, then, until we meet in better times." Even the grave Edward King could not help The fellow burst into tears in the midst of smiling a little at this well-meant effusion. his queer address; but no one could tell wheth"Well, be it so," he said. "I submit to the er his tears were natural or only simulated. orders of the lady and the prayers of my friend. He laid down his cap and wand sobbingly at Rise, you scoundrel! First, however, swear Alice's feet. When Milton stooped to pick up on your bended knees that you repent of-what these eblems of folly, the dethroned god you have done, and will do so no more."added: "I swear, and may God punish me if I break "It is right in you, r. Milton, to take my oath," said Billy Green, making an effort charge of these things. I know that you are to look grave and solemn. a scholar and a poet, that is to say, a twofold King thereupon withdrew his hand from the fool; therefore you deserve to be my succesfellow's throat, which he had grasped until sor. Share my inheritance with the beautiful then. The released Comus jumped with a wild lady. nd now, musicians, strike up once leap from the ground, and hastened to the lady more a merry march, before they beat your and to Milton in order to thank them. He heads with your fiddles. They will soon have gazed at Alice with mock melancholy and a very different dance in England, and the waved his green cap humbly before her. The waved his green cap humbly before her. The drums and fifes will play a crazier tune than peacock-plume had been broken and torn off was ever heard before. Forward, boys; dance during the scuffle. for the last time! Who knows if you will be "Farewell, beautiful fairy," he cried, withpermitted to dance any longer to-morrow? laughable emotion. " Our union lasted only a The dancers were not less surprised at the brief spell, but it was the happiest time of my strange mood and sudden sadness of their life. I see now that you are too sensible to leader than the lady and the two friends. The remain the queen of the realm of fools.'Tis ians, however, struck up a merry march musicians, however, struck up a merry march a pity! I am afraid the reign of folly will soon s he ad ordered. Amidst its stirring notes be at an end in merry Old England, and the the procession moved on, the leader walking god Comus will no longer be permitted to dwell at its head with a tottering step, from time to on this island. Our time makes a serious face, time wiping away the tears running down his and the world hangs its head. The drawling fat cheeks. Gradually the procession disapPuritans are becoming more numerous from peared among the trees, veiled by the twilight day to day. In their eyes every jest is a sin, which was fast settin in. The notes of the and every witticism dooms him who utters it. music grew fainter and fainter, until they finally They detest dancing and hate merry songs. If died away entirely. The pale sickle of the this goes on much longer, merry Old England moon rose in the west, and profound silence will soon be as silent as the grave. Hence, I reigned aain in the forest. prefer to renounce my throne of my own accord, and abdicate as you did. In place of this wand, I will take a hymn-book in my hand, and ex THE RETURN. 33 to your brothers, I believe we shall meet with CHAPTER V. them a great deal sooner on the highway than here in the forest. They have deserved THE RETURN. some punishment for being such bad custoALICE was now alone with the two friends, dians of such a treasure." of whom only the young poet was slightly ac- As Milton assented to the opinion of his quainted with her. Milton now introduced friend, Alice resolved to adopt the well-meant chivalrous Edward King to her. The timid advice. With King's assistance, she mounted girl soon overcame her embarrassment, and the palfrey, which had been taken from the gave her deliverers a full account of the dancers, while the young man, leading her strange adventure which had befallen her. brother's horse by the bridle, and John Milton, "And what do you intend to do now? " walked on either side. Both were sufficiently asked Milton, sympathetically. familiar with the road, and the gentle rays of "I really do not know," replied Alice. ~the moon illuminated the tolerably smooth " We are at your command," said King, with path. It was a splendid, fragrant May night; officious zeal. " We shall not leave you until a gentle breeze murmured in the young foyou are perfectly safe." liage; the blooming birches exhaled delicious "Certainly not," affirmed his friend. "So perfumes, and the nightingales sang the joys long as you have need of us, we will, if you and woes of love in long, melting notes. The permit it, remain with you. The question is young wanderers yielded silently to the exquisnow whether you prefer taking the direct ite charms of Nature; the mysterious fasciroute to Ludlow Castle, or intend remaining nations of Spring, the time of buds and flowhere until your brothers have returned." ers, floated round them and filled their hearts "I deem it more prudent for you," re- with longing and delight. marked King, " to leave the forest and return Alice at length broke the silence, which to the highway." almost filled her with anxiety. She turned in "But my brothers," objected Alice, "will the first place to Milton, with whom she had seek me, and if they find me no longer in the already been acquainted. She spoke with him forest, they will be needlessly anxious on my of her aunt's house, and of the last festival account. Moreover, I should not like to trou- which she had witnessed there. ble you, gentlemen, any more than I have al- " I envy my Aunt Derby," she said, in the ready done. I am sure that your route lies in course of the conversation, which became a different direction from mine." more and more animated, " for being able to "We know of no other duty just now," re- gather around her a circle of ladies and genplied King, politely, "but to serve an unpro- tlemen such as perhaps is not to be found anytected lady; and it is of no consequence what- where else. What delightful amusements she ever whether we get home an hour earlier or manages to prepare for her guests. I shall later. But you, noble lady, must no longer never forget the days which I passed at her expose yourself to the inconveniences and house, and which glided away unfortunately dangers of this wilderness. The fatigues of only too rapidly." the day must have exhausted your strength, "Let me assure you," said Milton, signifiand you need physical and mental repose. cantly, " that I likewise remember them with Moreover, your absence will doubtless occa- grateful emotion. A new life dawned upon sion the liveliest anxiety to your parents. As me in that house." 3 34 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. He paused suddenly, to the great regret of "Is it not beautiful?" said Alice, interruptAlice, who longed to hear more from him, es- ing her recitation, and turning inquiringly to pecially as to what and whom he referred to Edward King, who had listened to her attenin speaking of a "new life." She was almost tively. "Do not these lines themselves sound afraid lest he would relapse into his bashful like music." reserve, which he seemed to overcome here "They certainly do in your mouth." in the green forest with greater ease than in In the mean time Milton was so much fasthe proud halls of her aunt's castle. For- cinated that he could not utter a word. Could tunately his friend now took up the thread of there be any thing more blissful for the poet the conversation. than to hear his own words and thoughts from "If I am not mistaken," he said, "a mask, the lips of his beloved? It was the first time written by you, was presented at the country- that praise had intoxicated him. It is true he seat of the noble Countess-dowager of Derby. was as yet far from giving another interpretaAs usual, you have not yet told me any thing tion to her homage, and reading in it the hidabout its success; hence, I must apply for den confession which it conveyed; but her particulars about the performance to you, words filled the poet's heart with an indebeautiful lady." scribable ecstasy, betokening more than the "I suppose you refer to'The Arcades?'" mere feeling of gratified vanity. His heart asked Alice, kindly. was too full for utterance; dreaming blissfully, "That is the name of the mask, of which he walked by the side of the fair horsewoman, I have hitherto heard only detached frag- looking up to her stealthily from time to time, ments." as if to the heavenly muse herself, which she " A trifle hardly worth mentioning," inter- had become for him at this hour. posed the modest poet. His friend was not less sensible of the "You do injustice to yourself and your charms of the beautiful girl. By his position, work," said Alice, almost indignantly. "But King had obtained a more extensive acquaintas you, like an unjust and cruel father, expose ance with distinguished ladies than his bashful and disown your own child, I shall have mercy friend Milton; nevertheless, he was obliged to on it, and cherish and foster it in accordance confess to himself that he had never met with with its merits." so perfect a beauty either at court or in so"Your irony is cruel. I wish you would ciety. Alice combined with her youthful forget the ungainly child." charms an intellectual grace which Nature "I cannot, sir; and, to prove how deeply grants only to her special favorites. Her its beautiful features are engraved upon my whole bearing breathed an indescribable lovemind, I will quote some lines which struck me liness, and imparted a peculiar charm to her as particularly beautiful." most insignificant words and actions. Even "Pray, don't," murmured Milton, blushing. the most trivial sayings sounded attractive But the amiable girl did not heed his objec- from her lips, and the listener believed he had tions, and commenced as follows: never heard any thing like it. This surpassing grace was only the reflection of a highly-gifted "Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie, mi To lull the daughters of Necessity, mind, in which the most delicate feelings were And keep unsteady Nature to her law, coupled with a firm will, and great lucidness And the low world in measured motion draw of understanding with the liveliest imagination. After the heavenly tune, which none can hear Of human mould, with gross unpurged ear." And all these surpassing gifts had been har THE RETURN. 35 moniously cultivated and perfectly balanced the wanderers to make haste. Soon after, they by a most careful education. succeeded in reaching the highway. Her young companion had time enough and "Oh, I know the road now," said Alice; an excellent opportunity to become acquainted "we must be at Ludlow Castle in half an with her accomplishments during this pro- hour." longed conversation. The strange meeting in "Then we shall reach it just in time to esthe forest, the magnificent spring night, were cape the thunder-storm," replied King. well calculated to add to the susceptibility of "How splendidly the flashes of lightning his heart and imagination. He felt that he cross each other! I am not afraid of the could never forget the noble, beautiful face to thunder-storm, but you, gentlemen, cannot poswhich the moon's silver light lent an additional sibly get home to-night. My father will be charm. The sweet tone of her voice vied with glad to tender the hospitality of his house to the nightingale, and her slender form on the you. My deliverers will certainly be welcome palfrey constantly reminded him of the won- to him." ders of fiction and of the world of fairies. The friends tried vainly to decline her polite When she bent over the neck of her palfrey invitation. Alice insisted upon it, and they and caressed the faithful animal with her soft had to promise her to stay at Ludlow Castle hand, King wished he were in its place; when at least till the following morning. The nearer her ringlets touched his flushed cheek, a sweet Alice approached her home, the merrier beshudder passed through his frame. The whole came the turn which she managed to give to journey seemed to him a heavenly dream from the conversation. With the perfect security which he was afraid he should be aroused too which she began to feel again, returned also soon. her good humor and exuberant spirit. After her first embarrassment had worn off, "Iam delighted," she said, smilingly, " with Alice turned with confiding familiarity, in the the adventure which has ended so agreeably. innocence of her pure heart, now to one of her Like an errant lady, I come back now, accomcompanions,'now to the other. This beautiful panied by a valiant knight and an excellent flower disclosed her accomplishments to them minstrel. Suppose, sir minstrel, you write an more and more unreservedly. Those were epic poem on our meeting? " moments such as never return in a lifetime- " I will bet," said King, " that he has already blissful moments capable of making amends finished it in his head. I know his ways. for long years of suffering; for is there any When he does not speak, he makes poetry." thing more delightful on earth than such "Itis true," said Milton, entering into the chaste and intimate intercourse between noble jest, " the whole occurrence resembles a youths and a charming girl? As yet no other poem; but I scarcely feel able to treat the feeling than the purest benevolence mixed beautiful subject in a becoming manner." with their conversation. The inclination slum- "Oh, pray try it," said the charming girl, bering unconsciously in the young hearts had beseechingly. "But in doing so, you must not yet assumed a definite shape, and did not not omit your own part in the adventure. We mar the confiding familiarity of their inter- must all appear in your poem, my brother, course my deliverers, and Comus, the god, who Distant heat-lightning flashed up from time frightened me so badly." to time near the dark horizon, and the low As Milton made no reply, she added anxthunder of a rising spring-storm admonished iously: 36 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. "What, you are silent? I hope my child- and her siren daughters; but by devout prayer ish wish does not offend you. It is true, I can to that Eternal Spirit, who can enrich with all imagine that a poet who writes such elegant utterance and knowledge, and sends out His Latin verses as you do-verses which I un- seraphim with the hallowed fire of His altar, fortunately do not understand, but which I to touch and purify' the lips of whom He have been told are very beautiful-must deem pleases. Now you know my heart and its asit beneath his dignity to celebrate so insignifi- pirations." cant an event in plain English." "And you will succeed," said Alice, pro"You are mistaken, noble lady," replied the foundly moved, and carried away by the poet's poet in a grave tone. "From my first years enthusiasm. " I see already the laurels which it was found that whether aught was imposed will one day wreathe your brow. The name upon me by them that had the overlooking, or of Milton will be placed by the side of those betaken to of my own choice, in English or of Shakespeare and Spenser." other tongue, prosing or versing, but chiefly the' Hold!" replied Milton. "I am not worthy latter, the style, by certain vital signs it had, as yet to unloose the shoestrings of these was likely to live. Perceiving at a later time that great men, and least of all those of Shakesome trifles which I had composed met with speare, the immortal genius of England. What acceptance above what was looked for, I began have I accomplished hitherto that would perthus far to assent to divers of my friends, and mit me to lift my eyes to him?" not less to an inward prompting, which now "You are young, and the blossom ripens grew daily upon me, that by labor and intent into the fruit only in the course of years." study, which I take to be my portion in this "Was Shakespeare older than I when he life, joined to the strong propensity of nature, wrote'Romeo and Juliet,' the song of songs I might perhaps leave some so written to after- of love?" times as they should not willingly let it die. "Every plant has its own time of developThese thoughts at once possessed me, and ment and maturity. Yours will come too." these other, that if I were certain to write as "Oh, I would you were a true prophetess! men buy leases, for three lives and downward, How gladly would I devote day and night to there ought no regard be sooner had than to this sublime object! Before you, noble lady, God's glory, by the honor and instruction of and my friend here, I may speak frankly, for my country. For which cause I applied my- I know that you will not misunderstand me. self to the resolution to fix all the industry You may hear it, but let me whisper my conand art I could unite to the adorning of my fession into your ear, lest I should blush. Yes, native tongue; not to make verbal curiosities I long for immortality. I am exercising and the end, that were a toilsome vanity; but to strengthening my wings and preparing for a be an interpreter and relater of the best and bold flight; but as yet the wings of my Pegasafest things among my own citizens through- sus are too feeble to soar as high as I would out this island in the mother dialect. The like. Hence, I believe I must be content with kind of poetry to which I aspire is a work not less lofty aspirations." to be raised from the heat of youth or the The noise of horses and loud shouts intervapors of wine, like that which flows at waste rupted the effusions of the poet, who had sudfrom the pen of some vulgar amorist, or the denly become so eloquent. At the head of a trencher-fury of a rhyming parasite; nor to number of servants, whom the anxious parents be obtained by the invocation of Dame Memory had sent out, appeared now young Lord THE RETURN. 37 Brackley in search of his sister. On perceiv- court and in London society, and had now and ing her, he uttered a loud, joyful cry. Alice then exchanged friendly words, so that the son introduced the friends as her deliverers to her was received with increased cordiality on this brother, who thanked them cordially, and in- account. Milton, too, quite unexpectedly, met vited them likewise, on account of the rising at the table with an old acquaintance. Opthunder-storm, to stay overnight at Ludlow posite him sat a young man who taught music Castle, Only Thomas was missing yet, but in the family of the Earl of Bridgewater. The his brother and sister were not over-anxious poet recognized the features of his neighbor, on his account, for the courageous youth often though he had not seen him for several years, returned late at night from his excursions and and did not hesitate to greet him as his former hunts. However, another party of servants fellow-student, Henry Lawes. Alice was the had been dispatched into Haywood Forest in more delighted with this incident, as the modsearch of him. est and able teacher was a special favorite of The young lord was soon on very friendly hers. The recognition gave rise to reministerms with the companions of his sister, of cencts by which the young lady, who listened whom only King was unknown to him, as he attentively to the conversation of the friends, had already met with the poet at his aunt's learned many interesting events which had house. At a beck from him, horses were taken place in the early years of the poet. brought for the friends; the servants, with Lawes alluded particularly to a former adventheir torches, led the way, and the whole ture which had happened to Milton, and the cavalcade moved toward Ludlow Castle, which recollection of which seemed to embarrass the they reached before the threatening thunder- modest poet. storm had burst forth. "Do you remember the nickname which we The parents received their guests in the gave to you at school?" said the musician to hall of the castle with old English politeness his friend. and hospitality. An ample repast was served " Oh, certainly," replied Milton, blushing. up, and Alice, who was seated between the ".What nickname was it?" asked Alice. friends, had to relate her adventure once "We called friend Milton only'the Lady more. In doing so, she said as little as, pos- of the College,'" replied the musician, gayly. sible about the imprudent conduct of her ab- "This nickname was applied to him on acsent brother; but he was nevertheless uni- count of his delicate, girlish appearance. Inversally censured. Great was the praise deed, what with his slight form, his rosy accorded to the chivalrous conduct of the two cheeks, and bashful demeanor, he resembled a friends. Their noble host conversed with them timid young lady rather than the wild, impetuin the most cordial manner, and requested ous boys who sat in the same class with him. them to spend several days at the castle, the We teased him for this reason very often, but modest demeanor and the intelligent answers at the bottem we were very fond of him, for of his young guests having made a very favor- he was the best-hearted fellow in the world. able impression upon him. As is usual on Nor was he lacking in courage, for all his softsuch occasions, it turned out during their con- ness and delicacy. When we teased him too versation that there were many points of mu- much, he defended himself bravely, and made tual interest between them. The Lord Presi- up by his agility and skill for what he lacked dent of Wales had formerly been a cquainted in brute strength. I would not have advised with King's father. They had often met at anybody to challenge him. In wrestling, fen 38 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. cing, and horsemanship he possessed extraor- the whole occurrence was only a poor joke of dinary skill. Nevertheless, we always called my fellow-students. I should have liked best him' the Lady;' there was still another reason to consider the whole event only a dream of for our doing so." my lively imagination, had I not, on awaking, Milton signed vainly to his fellow-student, found the rose with those lines carefully wrapwhom the joy of meeting his old friend, and a ped round the stem. Moreover, I really few glasses of wine, had excited a little. thought I had, on opening my eyes, seen a " Ah, you need not motion to me," continued female form hurrying rapidly from the garden. the merry musician; "Lady Alice shall hear Nay, I even remembered her name, for I that story in spite of your objections. It thought I heard an older lady, accompanying sounded at the time so beautiful and won- her, calling out to her,'Leonora!' I confess drous, that I felt almost tempted to believe frankly that this strange affair engrossed my that you had dreamed, or had one of your mind for some time afterward." usual poetical visions." "Maybe you will meet the lady at some fu"You really excite my curiosity," interposed ture time," said Allce, playfully. "Did you Alice, who seemed to be delighted with the never entertain this desire? " poet's confusion. "In former times I did, but it is a long while "One day," related the loquacious musician, since I forgot the whole occurrence, until "friend Milton lay under a tree in the college Lawes just now reminded me of it. I look garden, and fell asleep. An Italian lady, who upon the adventure now only as a rather bold was on a visit to Cambridge, is said to have jest on the part of the unknown lady, and seen the slumbering youth, and to have been who knows whether I ought to desire to meet so intensely delighted with his appearance, the Signora again? The reality would probthat she dropped on him a rose which she held ably undeceive me, as is usually the case under in her hands. Round the stem was tied a such circumstances. As it is, she lives at least piece of paper, which contained a few beauti- in my imagination as a picture of the Muse ful lines in Italian on the sleeping Endymion." who visited her votary in his dreams." "(Do you still remember those lines? " asked "And you are afraid lest your Muse, on Alice, archly. meeting you again, should be old and ugly? "( I do. If I am not mistaken, they were of You may be right, so far as that is concerned," the following purport: added Alice, smilingly. In the mean time, the condescending host'Oh, fairest eyes, ye orbs of blissful light, If closed, ye such power wield,'conversed with young King on the affairs of hat could my heart, if ye were open, shield? the king, and on what was going on at court. "I think these lines are really charming," The noble earl spoke with a great deal of modremarked the young lady, " though they seem eration on these topics. He made no secret to me more suitable to a woman than a man." of his apprehensions in regard to the quarrels " That is what the whole class thought, and between Charles I. and his Parliament. He henceforth we called Milton'the Lady of the expressed his hope and earnest desire, howCollege' more than ever before." ever, that these dissensions might be amicably " And you heard nothing further from the settled. At the conclusion of the conversation, unknown lady? " said Alice to the confused theLord President of Wales took up the gobpoet. let standing before him. "How should I?" he replied. "Perhaps "God grant," he said, raising his voice, A MORNING AT LUDLOW CASTLE. 39 " peace and tranquillity to our country! But it, and, like a color-grinder, produced new and let me once more heartily welcome you, my surprising combinations of these different dear guests, to Ludlow Castle, and repeat my tints, while the hanging drops fell from the invitation to you to stay at my house as long foliage to the ground like a rain of flashing as you like it." diamonds. Adjoining the luxuriant garden Thereupon he rose, thereby indicating that was the park, with its mighty trees, whose the repast was at an end. The earl's steward tops seemed entirely bathed in the morning had prepared rooms in the side-wing of the light; beyond it extended the landscape with castle for the reception of the friends. Pre- its green meadows and fields, isolated groups ceded by a footman, and accompanied by the of trees and sparse cottages, from which blue kind-hearted musician, they retired after bid- smoke was rising in straight lines. A gentle, ding the earl's family good-night. sloping chain of hills, adorned here and there with an imposing structure, or the ruins of a --— C —, ~castle, dating from the period of the Romans, bordered the horizon. There could be no CHAPTER VI. more beautiful view than this fertile and withal CHlAPTER VI. picturesque landscape in the full splendor of A MORNING AT LUDLOW CASTLE. A MORNING AT LUDLOW CASTLE. the glorious May-time. The azure sky was A SPLENDID spring morning awakened the clear and limpid; not a cloudlet dimmed its sleepers, who had enjoyed the most delightful noble vault, and the first vigorous sunbeams repose after the fatigues of the previous day. shed so bright a lustre, that even the broad Even the thunder-storm had been unable to shades of the dewy fields resembled large disturb their sleep. It had burst forth at mid- golden stripes, embroidered with pearls and night, but passed away very soon, and the only diamonds. At the same time, morning had traces it had left behind were the heavy rain- filled the wide world with new life. At a disdrops now hanging on every blade of green, tance, the cock of the barn-yard uttered its and sparkling magnificently in the golden sun- loud notes; the lark warbled up from the closhine. Milton was the first to awake, and had ver-field, or rang its sweet morning greetings stepped immediately to the open bay-window. down from the clouds; the industrious swalAt his feet lay the large garden, with the care- lows were building their nests chirpingly on a fully and ingeniously arranged flower-beds, decayed wall, and all the other sweet singers whose sweet perfumes were wafted up to him of the forest and the fields joined in the early by the morning breeze. A whole sea of flow- concert of creation. ers and blossoms spread out before his eyes; Amidst this beautiful and fertile landscape the warm shower of the thunder-storm had rose Ludlow Castle, a proud structure in the called forth countless buds, and transformed Norman-Gothic style. Situated on a precipithe cherry and apple trees into fragrant white tous rock, this imposing edifice, which dated snowballs. Amidst them glistened the red- from the times of William the Conqueror, comdish blossoms of the chestnuts and apricots, manded a splendid view of the adjoining counand the young foliage in all its variegated try; according to the chronicler Leland, its colors, from yellow and green to the deep walls had a circuit of nearly a mile. Fortified black of the sombre cypresses, the whole re- ramparts and drawbridges protected it from sembling the palette of an industrious painter. hostile attacks. By the enormous entranceThe fresh morning breeze swept merrily over gate one penetrated into the large inner court 40 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. yard, which was surrounded by a number of pale silver sickle of the moon, while the pinside-buildings used for various purposes. Fur- nacles were sparkling like golden crowns in the ther back the visitor beheld the imposing front bright morning sun. From thence the rays of the ancient castle, which the hands of giants glided down the projections and pillars, here seemed to have built of tremendous blocks of illuminating a Gothic window, there lighting stone, and which had defied the corrosive power up a rose of stone or a jutting oriel. Other of centuries. Two enormous towers rose from parts, however, were still veiled in the shade, it, menacingly and imperiously; they contained until the lustre of the victorious sun gradually embrasures, and were crowned with slender divested them of their gloomy physiognomy. pinnacles. Joined to the main building, in In the depth below flashed the waters of the picturesque angles and projections, were the Teme, which surrounded the ramparts of the wings, which were of later origin than the old castle in picturesque meanderings and reflected structure, to which they had been added from its proud pinnacles. time to time. These additions imparted to the Gradually various sounds issued from the whole the charm of variety, combined with interior of the castle, and indicated the remassiveness and extraordinary extent. The awakening of life. In the neighboring stables heavy Norman lines and forms of the original neighed horses, and pointers and setters barked building were covered and interrupted by the in the court-yard; doors opened noisily, and handsome Gothic arches, pillars, and spires, many footsteps resounded on the pavement. without lessening the grandeur and dignity of At first busy servants passed hastily under the castle. Nature and art had thus combined Milton's window; next came the steward with in rendering it a truly royal residence, and the his grave air, scolding the loiterers and brlandsovereigns of England had indeed owned it ishing threateningly his staff with the large since the death of its first owner, Roger Mont- silver top, whenever his words were not gomery, and had often personally resided there. promptly listened to. Buxom servant-girls, It was not until the reign of Henry VIII. that their cheeks still flushed with sleep, stood at Ludlow Castle had been assigned as the official the well, chatting gayly and cleaning the residence of the Lord President of Wales. At earthen and copper vessels of the remnants of the present time the Earl of Bridgewater, who last night's supper, or filling the wooden buckfilled that distinguished position, and his fam- ets with water from the bubbling spring. Others ily, occupied this magnificent country-seat. A stepped from the stables, preceded by the statelarge number of officers, such as every noble- ly housekeeper, and carrying the new milk on man of his rank and position kept about him their heads. Idle footmen and hunting-grooms at that period, occupied a part of the wings jested with them, which excited the anger of and outbuildings. Besides, there was a small the old housekeeper and caused her to tell them garrison at the castle, to defend it, if need be, indignantly to, go to work. The cook and his against foreign or domestic foes. Numerous assistants returned from the store-room, loaded guests, in those days of liberal hospitality, met with venison and meat as if they bad to prewith a welcome reception m the extensive suites pare a wedding-banquet. At the head of this of apartments, of which there was no lack. culinary procession was carried the wild boar Milton feasted his aesthetic eyes long and which the Lord President had killed with his wonderingly on the imposing pile. A charm- own hands a few days before, and whose ing dare-obscure floated round the gray old gilded head was to be the chief ornament of walls. Above the western tower yet stood the to-day's dinner-table. In the midst of all these A MORNING AT LUDLOW CASTLE. 41 persons moved grave-looking clerks and the inveigh against the Church of England, and bailiff, rent-roll in hand, to receive the rent preach rebellion against the anointed head of from a farmer or the taxes from an humble the king. But this is the consequence of the unpeasant who took off his hat in the presence timely patience and forbearance of our authorof the stern gentleman. The bustle in the ities. I would proceed against them with fire court-yard was constantly on the increase. The and sword, if I had the power of our gracious corpulent chaplain walked yawningly from his master, the Lord President." rooms to the hall of the castle to say grace at "He is a good master, God bless him!" rethe breakfast-table. On passing the cook and plied the loyal steward, taking off his hat. his assistants, he cast a longing glance on the "But his goodness is entirely out of place fat boar and the meats which were carried by. here. This is a time when nothing but severity The agreeable prospect of a sumptuous dinner will be of any avail to extirpate the growing imparted a highly-benevolent expression to his evil of heresy. Some members of my congreface. With a pleasant smile he thanked the gation begin also to deviate from the true path. steward, who greeted the clergyman with pro- I must speak a word in dead earnest with the found respect. noble earl, that he may put a stop to the grow" A fine morning," he said, trying to open a ing mischief, and that the faithful sheep may conversation with the chaplain. "Splendid not be infected by the shabby ones. Henderweather. The cornfields look twice as nice son is one of the latter." after the shower as they did yesterday. With "James Henderson from Huntington? I God's assistance we shall have good crops this know him well; he is an industrious, prompt, year." and reliable man; only he is a little sullen and " Yes, yes, God's goodness and patience with morose sin6e his wife's death." sinful humanity are great," replied the clergy- "Say rather seditious and rebellious against man, clasping his hands. God and his king. I know this industrious "Well, well, the world is not so very bad." James Henderson better. Industrious he is, " What, not so bad? " said the chaplain, in- to be sure, but only in blasphemy, and prompt dignantly. "Have you not heard that the dis- in disobedience. Did he not assert the other senters and contemners of our Church are daily day, loudly and in the presence of a great many on the increase? Not so bad, you say, Mr. others, that no one ought to pay ship-money Buller? And in our own vicinity there are and the tax on soap? The rascal said these swarms of sectarians, Brownists, Anabaptists, new taxes were illegal, inasmuch as they were Familists, Antinomiians, Socinians, Puritans, collected without the approval of Parliament. and whatever may be the names of the blas- Illegal, indeed! As if the king could do wrong; phemous scoundrels. And what is worse yet, and even though he should, is a subject allowed they are performing their infamous rites quite to resist him? Does not the Bible command unconcernedly." the people to be obedient to their rulers? Did " You do not say so! " replied the worthy not the Saviour Himself say,'Render unto steward, shaking his head incredulously. Coesar the things which are Caesar's?' And "What I say is as true as that it is now that Caesar was a heathen and not a confessor broad daylight. I have been credibly informed of the true faith, like King Charles, whom God that they hold in all sorts of out-of-the-way bless and preserve for many years to come " hiding-places, in caves and forests, their clan "But what do we have a Parliament for? " destine meetings and conventicles, where they timidly objected the steward, who, like most 42 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Englishmen, was filled with profound reverence not resulted, as in Germany, from the intellifor the ancient constitution of his country. gence of the people, and their conviction that "According to Magna Charta, no additional a change was indispensable. The quarrel of taxes can be imposed upon the people without Henry VIII. with the pope in regard to his the approval of Parliament." divorce had brought about the rupture be" H'm," murmured the clergyman, in a milder tween England and the Roman Catholic Church. tone. " Parliament is a good institution, and In direct opposition to the German ReformaI will say nothing against it. God forbid that tion, which was based on the principle of reI should deny its privileges and prerogatives! ligious freedom, and strove for it alone, the But we do not speak of that just now, but of English Reformation had been forced, at least, the accursed James Henderson, who speaks dis- upon a part of the people by the arbitrary derespectfully of our most gracious king, and crees of a tyrannous king. Luther, the simple, who has not been at church, nor listened to inspired monk, ventured upon his struggle my sermons, for upward of a year. It is on against all-powerful Rome with no other suphis account that I wish to speak a word in port than that of public opinion and the Bible. earnest with our earl. As Lord President and Henry VIII., on the contrary, profited by representative of his majesty, he must inflict his royal authority and the power which was well-merited punishment on this Henderson on at his command. Personal considerations and account of his infamous sayings and doings. worldly advantages were the motives of the If he followed my advice, he would order Hen- latter, while the German Reformer commenced derson to be whipped and confined in the deep- and finished his immortal work solely in the est dungeon." name of truth and the freedom of conscience. "(You forget that Henderson has a powerful The King of England took the place of the protectress. His daughter is the foster-sister pope in his country, but in most essential of our young lady." points he remained a zealous Catholic, and, "I do not care for that. I shall do my duty with the exception of the pope's supremacy in regardless of her protection. It will not avail secular affairs, and of the monastic system, he him before God." made few important changes in the old dogmas So saying, the zealous chaplain proceeded, of his Church. Thus the two Reformations as the breakfast-hour had struck in the mean differed materially at the outset. They started time. The delicious odor of fresh-baked pies from opposite points, and pursued ever afterwhich issued from the hall allayed his holy ward a'widcly different course. The religious wrath somewhat, and damped his eagerness to current which originated in Germany rose persecute the Brownists, Anabaptists, and from below upward, from the people up to the other sects, which were so remorselessly perse- nobility and princes, who promoted the Reforcuted and punished by the Church and govern- mation partly from inward conviction, partly, ment of England. The steward followed him like Henry VIII., for the sake of worldly hastily, in order to miss neither the blessing advantages. The reverse was the case in Engnor the breakfast. land; the religious movement here extended This conversation, to which Milton had lis- from the summit to the base, from the throne tened, transferred the enthusiastic poet at once down to the lower strata of the people. The from the contemplation of blooming Nature to latter soon took in hand the reformation of the dreary religious troubles and dissensions their faith, not as a secular, but as an excluof his times. Protestantism in England had sively divine affair. Regardless of the motives A MORNING AT LUDLOW CASTLE. 43 which had prompted the king in his defection republics. Every religious reformation is acfrom Rome, the people, instead of the earthly companied by a similar movement in the riches for which the crown had principally sphere of politics. Hence, the crown was longed, sought for the eternal boons of toler- threatened with a twofold danger; not only its ation and freedom of conscience. From the spiritual prerogatives, but even its political rich inheritance of the Roman Catholic clergy, privileges, were disputed by the people. In from the treasuries of the convents, they chose, opposition to the Episcopal Church, which in place of the golden vessels, the precious was based upon the authority of the king and trinkets, and the estates of the Church, nothing the delegated power exercised by the bishops, but the Bible, which had hitherto been with- the popular religious party demanded the free held from them. From the Word of God they election of their clergymen and superintendderived an exuberance of information and an ents, who were called presbyters or elders, entirely novel view of the government of the whence their adherents were afterward styled world. The Bible became, in the hands of the Presbyterians. The people demanded the people, the powerful weapon with which they right of regulating their own religious affairs, achieved their ultimate victory over tyranny, and in justification quoted the precepts of the and conquered, at length, religious and po- Bible and the example of the first Christian litical freedom. From this time on arose the congregations. Besides, most of the Presby-. struggle against the king's authority, which terians rejected all the rites and usages of the had so arbitrarily arrogated the place of that Catholic service, which the Episcopal Church of the pope. The successors of Henry VIII., had partially retained, and which reminded acted more or less in the same spirit. His them of hateful Rome. Hence, they were great daughter, Queen Elizabeth, established called Puritans. This sectarian spirit had the Church of England upon that firmer footing made especial headway in Scotland, where which it has retained to the present day, and many of Calvin's disciples preached their dogleft its supervision in the hands of the bishops mas and enlisted the liveliest sympathies of and archbishops. By virtue of this arrange- the people. ment, the sovereigns always remained the The religious parties were soon arrayed in head of the Church and exercised supreme open hostility against each other. The persepower in it; their power in this respect was cutions of the government aroused the resistsupported by the bishops, who seconded the ance of the people. The greater the pressure king's authority on these conditions by all became on one side, the more intense grew means at their command. Thus originated the zeal on the other, soon bursting into the the so-called Anglican or Episcopal Church. devouring flames of irresistible fanaticism. At The king had taken the place of the pope, and the head of the Episcopal Church stood the the bishops were only dependent officers of well-known Laud, Bishop of London, who exunlimited authority in all clerical affairs. erted a most deplorable influence over the Such a system could not possibly satisfy the king. He was the soul of those relentless pernewly-awakened religious cravings of the peo- secutions, and the dreaded Star-Chamber, ple, and it met at the very outset with deter- which tried all religious offenders, proceeded, mined opposition. The doctrines of the great under his leadership, with inexorable severity Swiss reformer, Calvin, had penetrated -from and cruelty against the dissenters. But neither Geneva to England, and with them the liberal the most exorbitant fines, nor long imprisonpolitical views which usually prevail in small ment, nor the whole host of penalties of every 44 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. description, were able to set bounds to the re- the arrogance and intolerance of the Episcopal ligious zeal and enthusiasm of the people. The Church, and he would not have been a poet sufferers were extolled as martyrs by the peo- had he not taken sides with the more liberal pie, and their examples were constantly imi- faith, and approved of the position taken by tated by others. With admirable courage its adherents. All these reflections which they braved the most cruel persecutions, ready arose in his soul imparted to his surroundings and willing to give up their lives rather than a different and much gloomier color. The their convictions. beautiful landscape lost its charms in his eyes, All these facts stood before Milton's soul, and the magnificent castle no longer excited after he had listened to the conversation be- his enthusiasm. His vivid imagination contween the Episcopal chaplain and the earl's veyed him to the lowly cottages of the people, steward. He himself was an adherent of re- where poor peasants were worshipping behind ligious freedom, although he was entirely desti- locked doors. He saw Henderson, the actute of fanaticism and zealotry. From the cused, torn from his bed, loaded with chains, example set him by his own father, he had and standing tremblingly before his'stern learned to appreciate toleration and modera- judge. The splendid edifice, which had filled tion. Old Mr. Milton had embraced the Prot- him a few minutes ago with heart-felt admiraestant faith, and been disinherited by his tion, seemed now transformed into a vast bigoted Catholic parent. The poet knew of prison, in whose deepest dungeons the torno greater boon than freedom of conscience. mented dissenters were groaning. He felt an This was the sole reason why he had given up irrepressible desire to become their defender, the study of theology, and renounced the and to speak a great word and perform a deed clerical career, which offered to him at that of deliverance for the freedom of religion and time, on account of his talents and industry, the rights of the oppressed people. the most brilliant prospects. " On perceiving," Such ideas had already arisen from time to he wrote in his own justification, " that the time in the poet's soul, but his love of the scidespotism to which the Church'laws compel ences, and his occupation with the ideal creahim who takes orders to subscribe his own tions of antiquity and with poetry, had sieervitude, and moreover impose on him an lenced them, and the splendor of the past oath which only men of easy conscience can had made him forget the sufferings and troutake, I preferred a blameless silence to what I bles of the present. As yet the time had not considered servitude and forswearing." come for him to take the active part in the These considerations had induced Milton, political and religious struggles of his coundespite his father's earnest wishes, to give up try which he did at a later period of his life. the study of theology and choose another At this moment, too, his thoughts were soon career. He had replaced the Fathers of the led into a different channel. Church by the poets and prose writers of clas- A beautiful girl stepped from a side-gate sical antiquity, but, nevertheless, he took the leading into the garden. He recognized Alice liveliest interest in the religious struggles of immediately, although she wore an entirely his times; and, whenever he was reminded of different costume. She had exchanged her them, he sided with the oppressed and perse- splendid riding-dress of gold-embroidered green cuted. velvet for a light white morning-gown, which The conversation to which he had just lis- floated like a silver wave round her charming tened filled him anew with intense aversion to figure in the gentle morning breeze. Instead ALICE AND MILTON. 45 of the handsome barret-cap, with the waving the share allotted to it, swallowed it, and then plume, a veil surrounded her youthful head, withdrew, moving its wings disdainfully from concealing only partially the luxuriant exube- the company so unworthy of the proud bird's rance of her golden ringlets. By her side presence. Alice treated with especial liberalstood a lady's maid, bearing a basket filled ity her favorites; the hen, with its little ones, with all sorts of grain. From time to time and the doves, which were flitting caressingly Alice plunged her white hands into it and around her. The white roe was much better strewed a part of its contents on the ground, off than any of the others, for it was permituttering at the same time a sweet, gentle ted to take its breakfast from its mistress's call. It was not long before the spot where hands, which it kissed gratefully. Soon the she was standing was filled with the feathered ample contents of the basket were emptied, tribe, and even the quadrupeds of the court- and Alice handed it back to her maid. She yard. Voracious chickens, headed by the then clapped her hands, and the whole flock stately rooster, and ducks of all sorts, gath- dispersed. The doves rose like a silver cloud ered round their benefactress. From the sun- from the ground, and rocked to and fro in ny height of the roof and the pinnacles,, coo- the air, until they disappeared. Only the ing doves flitted down, and the proud peacock white roe followed with its wonted fidelity the strutted about amidst all this poultry, display- kind mistress, who went into the garden to ing its magnificent tail, and uttering its dis- pay her daily morning visit to her flowers. agreeable notes. A tame white roe hastened likewise to its mistress, and plucked her gown to remind her not to forget it. The poet watched this charming scene with APTER V II. indescribable delight. He thought he had never beheld a sweeter spectacle. Amidst ALICE AND MILTON. this crowing, chirping, and cooing crowd stood THE human heart, and especially that of a the lovely girl, like a goddess distributing poet, is a wonderful thing. It sways to and their daily bread with blessed hands among all fro like a reed in the breeze, moved by the these creatures. A cheerful smile of content slightest gust of air. A glance from two played round her lips, and she often burst into beautiful eyes, a word from sweet lips, the a peal of laughter when one of the animals, waving of a blond ringlet, the springing step in its too great eagerness, fell down, or of a slender form, and all our resolutions and when the grains intended for it were snatched purposes are gone, and we see the world in a away by another right under its nose. At different light. Where a dark cloud stood a the next moment, however, she indemnified moment ago, beams now the most radiant the sufferers by liberal offerings. No one sunshine; where we saw only sharp thorns, was allowed to depart hungry from her ban- we behold now a wealth of blooming roses. quet. Even from the melancholy turkey she What a magician is our imagination! what drew those deep, guttural notes, by which it a foolish thing the human heart, which is indicates its satisfaction and gratitude; nay, it guided by it! forgot its pride and ill-humor so far as to min- This is what happened to Milton, whom gle, at her call, among the common rabble of Alice's appearance suddenly withdrew from all barn-yard fowls, to which, however, it did not his former thoughts. All at once he was vouchsafe a glance. It pounced hastily upon again a poet, intoxicated with the charming 46 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. spectacle which he had just enjoyed. After been his meeting with her; he would have the lovely girl had disappeared in the direc- scarcely ventured to address her! Here in tion of the garden, he suddenly felt an irre- the garden he lacked neither courage nor depressible desire to enjoy the beautiful morning sire to do so. A considerable while elapsed, in the open air. Now, nowhere did Nature however, before he was able to attain his obseem to him lovelier, the air balmier, or the ject. The carefully-kept gravel-walks led in sun brighter, than in the garden, where he the most various directions, of which Alice knew Alice was. He was about carrying his could have taken only one. Hence, Milton resolution into effect, but at the last moment traversed a labyrinth of flower-beds, cozy bosan inexplicable embarrassment seized him. quets, and shady alleys, before he succeeded He felt as though he were about to commit a in finding the beautiful girl. The garden was crime. For a few moments he was as unde- laid out in accordance with the taste of that cided as Hercules at the cross-roads, but finally time; it was of vast dimensions, and divided he succumbed to the temptation. He cast a into several sections. As yet the French style glance on his friend, who was still fast asleep, of landscape gardening was in its infancy in and then left the room. He descended the France itself, and its stiff forms had not been broad staircase of sandstone very slowly, con- adopted in England. By far more prevalent sidering at every step whether it was becom- was the Italian style, adapted to the peculiariing in' him to follow the fair magician who ties of the country, in the gardens of the arisdrew him after her so irresistibly. His way tocracy. A special portion of the grounds led him through a long gallery, whose walls was allotted as a kitchen-garden, another for were adorned with the portraits of the ances- the culture of the most important medicinal tors of the house. Casting a fugitive glance plants, and then followed the pleasure-garden. on the fine-looking men and richly-attired la- Several steps led up to it, as it ascended in dies, among whom were the highest dignitaries terraces the hill on which the castle was sitand greatest beauties of the country, he felt uated. Long lines of orange and lemon trees, for the first time the almost impassable gulf then far more rare than they are now, borseparating him from the descendant of these dered the main avenue. Between the trees august persons. He seemed to read a decided stood some statues, made by English sculptors disapproval of his steps in the proud features after Greek models, and bearing witness that of these noble lords and pious prelates, some this branch of art, hitherto neglected, was now of whose portraits were masterpieces of illus- cultivated with much zeal and success. To trious Dutch painters. Only when he had be sure, the flower-beds could not bear a comwalked through the gallery, and stood at the parison with the highly-developed culture of open gate leading into the garden, did this the present time, as they were mostly confined embarrassment, mixed as it was with a feeling to domestic plants, and were destitute of the of awe, wear off. beautiful exotics which are to be found everyThe fragrant odor of the flowers, and the where nowadays. But this defect was made up sweet notes of the birds, speedily dissipated for by the luxuriant bosquets, and several the poet's apprehensions. How differently groups of trees of extraordinary beauty. A and more freely throbbed his heart under the rivulet, bubbling from the rock, meandered rustling trees than in the high halls, whose im- through the whole garden, and spread everymense pile threatened to crush him! Had he where a refreshing coolness. It fell noisily found Alice there, how different would have into a pond, in the midst of which was to be ALICE AND MILTON. 47 seen a group of bathing nymphs and swim- ingly splendid tree, now a flower which she ming Tritons, blowing shells. Round the herself had planted, now the prospect of a ruin edge of the pond had been fixed benches of dating from the era of the Romans, or a desandstone, surrounded everywhere by shady cayed stronghold of the ancient Britons. At shrubbery. Those seated in this cozy nook times, such a sight excited her enthusiasm enjoyed at the same time a splendid view of again, and she interrupted the just started the castle, and the prospect of the fertile land- conversation more than once by exclaiming: scape, visible between the neighboring hills. "Oh, how magnificent! how charming 1" MilThis spot was the favorite resort of Alice, and ton never failed to share her transports, and, here it was that the poet found her at length, with his refined'and poetical spirit, did the after traversing the garden in all directions. fullest justice to the beauty of the landscape Her delicate form in the white dress re- and the castle. Both always agreed in their minded him of the nymph of the spring. He appreciation of the scenery, and that which approached her timidly and with a hesitating carried her away was sure to delight the enstep. She rose from her seat, and a gentle thusiastic poet. Never before had he discovblush suffused her cheeks on meeting him so ered and enjoyed so many beauties of nature unexpectedly after the events of the previous as by the side of his lovely companion. Inday. deed, the garden seemed to him a paradise, " Pardon me," said Milton, bowing deeply, where he conferred in his mind the parts of " if I disturb you in your solitude. The splen- Adam and Eve upon himself and Alice. Thus did morning and the beauty of the garden they passed, as if in a dream, the fragrant tempted me, and, finding the gate open, I en- flower-beds, the white marble statues, and tered without permission. Do not be angry at walked through shady alleys formed by luxmy boldness. I will withdraw at once." uriant vine-leaves. They ascended slowly to "You do not disturb me," she replied, not the terrace, where, leaning against the baluswithout embarrassment. "As a guest of our trade of stone, they scanned thoughtfully the house, you are welcome everywhere, and I am varied scene. At their feet extended the sunny glad if you like our garden. I presume you valley, with its scattered houses and huts. have already looked around a little, but you The quiet river flowed amidst luxuriant meaddo not yet know the most beautiful points. I ows and waving cornfields. Driven by its will show them to you." waters, the mill-wheel revolved rapidly, and Before Milton could thank her, she was al- the spray dashed from its spokes sparkled in ready by his side. The tame roe, which had the bright morning light like strings of diahitherto lain at her feet, now leaped gracefully monds and pearls. A boat glided gently on by her side, and all three sauntered through the water, and the morning bells of the Cathe fragrant garden. At first their conversa- thedral of Ludlow, which was concealed from tion was somewhat incoherent, but both soon their eyes, penetrated like distant spirit-voices surmounted the bashfulness so natural under to their ears. such circumstances. Alice was the first to re- Here they enjoyed moments such as never cover her presence of mind. As hostess, she return in life, moments of the most unalloyed conducted her guest from one of her favorite happiness. What Alice said to Milton soundspots to another, and called his attention to ed to him like a revelation. The wondrously the numerous beauties of the landscape and beautiful surroundings, the glorious May-day, the garden. Now he had to admire a surpass- unlocked the innermost recesses of her soul. 48 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. She had quickly learned to repose full confi- with a world generally so foreign to a young dence in the poet, and did not hesitate to corn- girl. Insensibly she became a pupil hanging municate her innermost thoughts and feelings enthusiastically on the lips of her new teacher. to him. What he discovered here resembled As Ab6lard and Heloise in times of yore drew that nature which surrounded him. The de- the sweet poison of love from the cup of light and ecstasy of spring surged in her science and investigation, so here, too, the bosom, sunny brightness and clearness filled growing affection stole under the mask of her soul, and the fragrant charm of innocence thirst for learning and intellectual improvebloomed in her heart. Her highly-cultivated ment into the hearts of Milton and Alice. mind revelled with him in the wondrous realm The verses and strophes of the ancient poets of poetry. The poets of her native country resembled the seeds which are found in the had been her perpetual friends and compan- old tombs of Egypt, and which, sown in fertile ions; but foreign authors, nay, even those soil, germinate, blossom, and bear fruit. of classical antiquity, were no strangers to But not only did the ideas of Greek and her. Alice, like many noble ladies of that Roman antiquity offer them countless points time, had enjoyed a more careful education of contact; but the present with its exciting than most ladies of the present age. She had religious troubles called forth an exchange of read Ariosto and Tasso in the original, and opinions regarding the gravest questions of even tried to read Virgil and Horace in their humanity. Alice, like most of the women of own tongue. Such accomplishments were not her time, was deeply imbued with the eternal unusual among the higher classes in the days truths of Christianity. Faith in the divine of the reawaking of science and literature, and Redeemer and enthusiastic admiration for His among them was to be found many a lady who teachings and His example were the keycombined with true feminine grace and amia- notes of her soul. The former tutor of her bility profound learning and a more than su- brothers, Jeremy Taylor, who afterward beperficial knowledge of classical antiquity. The came one of the most illustrious divines of daughters of Sir Thomas More, Lady Jane England and the chief ornament of the EpisGrey, and Queen Elizabeth, vied in this re- copal Church, had, at an early day, strengthspect with the most learned men of their ened and given a firm direction to Alice's retimes. Alice, who, in compliance with her ligious sentiments. She was an ardent adfather's wishes, had taken part in the lessons herent of the Church of England, while Milton of her brothers, likewise surprised Milton by already inclined to the more liberal views displaying a wealth of sound knowledge which of the persecuted dissenters. The opposite could not but add to the admiration with which course which the two pursued in this respect the young savant looked upon her. was for them rather a point of attractionthan How delighted he was in hearing from such otherwise. Mutually endeavoring to convince beautiful lips now a classical quotation, now and convert each other, they imparted an exthe melodious verse of Tasso's " Jerusalem traordinary ardor to their conversation, and, Delivered," or Ariosto's " Orlando Furioso;" in defending their principles, felt that the perand how her eyes flashed when he expatiated sonal esteem and affection which they enteron the beauties of ancient literature, the epics tained for each other were constantly on the of Homer, and the sublime tragedies of LEschy- increase. lus! She was able to follow him everywhere, The spectacle offered by these two young and manifested the most intimate familiarity persons was certainly as remarkable as it was ALICE AND MILTON. 49. attractive. In accordance with the spirit of choosing a Catholic consort? He will perthose days, although their hearts were filled ceive the error of his ways only when it is too with love, they did not exchange their tender late. The bishops have always been the enefeelings in the face of blooming Nature, but mies of royalty in this country. Have they subtle views and ideas concerning the most not been as the Canaanites and Philistines to abstruse theological questions. A holy zeal this kingdom? What treasons, what revolts colored the cheeks of the lovely girl and lit to the pope, what rebellions, and those the up the flashing eyes of the poet, when, stimu- basest and most pretenceless, have they not lated by his love of liberty, he gave vent in been chief in! What could monarchy think, enthusiastic words to his indignation at the when Becket durst challenge the custody of tyrannous conduct of the government and the Rochester Castle and the Tower of London as bishops. appertaining to his seigniory, to say nothing of "No, no," he said, vehemently. "You can- his other insolences and affronts to regal manot deny, noble lady, that the Episcopal Church jesty, until the lashes inflicted on the anointed is becoming more and more Romanized from body of the king washed off the holy unction day to day, and that it is striving to force with his blood drawn by the polluted hands Catholicism, with all its iniquity and idolatry of bishops, abbots, and monks? What good and the horrors of the inquisition, upon us." upholders of.royalty were the bishops when, " God forbid!" replied Alice, with the un- by their rebellious opposition against King affected dismay of a fervent Protestant of that John, Normandy was lost, he himself deposed, time. and this kingdom made over to the pope! "Have they not dared already," added Mil- When the Bishop of Winchester durst tell the ton," to lay hands on the sacred palladium nobles, the pillars of the realm, that there which we have enjoyed only for so short a were no peers in England, as in France, but time? They grudge us the Bible, which was that the king might do what he pleased, what sought out of the dusty corners where profane could tyranny say more? Witness also the falsehood and neglect had thrown it. At the rendering up of Tournay by Wolsey's treason, same time the schools were opened, and divine the excommunications, cursings, and interand human learning raked out of the embers diets upon the whole land. To be sure, the of forgotten tongues; princes and cities bishops openly affirm the dogma, no bishop gathered apace under the new-erected banner no king. A trim paradox, and that you may of salvation; and martyrs, with the irresistible know where they have been a begging for it, might of weakness, shook the powers of dark- I will fetch you the twin brother to it out of ness and stormed the fiery rage of the old red the Jesuits' cell: they, feeling the axe of dragon. And is all this to be in vain now? God's reformation hewing at the old and holAre not these symptoms significant enough low trunk of popery, and'finding the Spaniard for those who have ears to hear and eyes to their surest friend and safest refuge, to ensee? What is the Episcopal Church but courage him in his dream of a fifth monarchy, Catholicism in disguise?" and withal to uphold the decrepit papacy, "You go too far. The king is a good Prot- have invented this superpolitic aphorism, as estant, and will never betray our dear-bought one may term it, one pope and one king. faith." Amongst many secondary and accessary causes "And did he not promote the growth of that support monarchy, these are not of least this fearful evil to the best of his power by reckoning, though common to all other states: 4 50 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the love of the subjects, the multitude and it, or the workman who shapes it. Wine is valor of the people, and store of treasure. In wine, whether it is contained in earthen cups all these things has the kingdom been of late or golden goblets, and gold does not lose its sorely weakened, and chiefly by the prelates. solid value by being set with this or that subTheir principal weapon is religious persecution. stance. It is not the letter that gives life, but What numbers of faithful and freeborn Eng- the spirit and idea." lishmen, and good Christians, have been con- "But the idea needs a definite form, withstrained to forsake their dearest home, their out which it cannot exist or maintain itself." friends and kindred, whom nothing but the "This form exists; it is that which Christ, wide ocean and the savage deserts of America the Saviour and Redeemer of the world, gave could hide and shelter from the fury of the us Himself. The Puritans, who are so grossly bishops! Oh, if we could but see the shape misrepresented, are precisely bent on purifying of our dear mother England, how would she this genuine gold from all earthly dross. They appear, think you, but in a mourning weed, go back to the fountain-head of Christianity, with ashes upon her head, and tears abun- and derive their faith from the sacred books dantly flowing from her eyes, to behold so which the Apostles have bequeathed to us. Say many of her children exposed at once, and yourself if this is not necessary here in Engthrust from things of dearest necessity, be- land. Where do you find here Christian charcause their conscience could not assent to ity, toleration, and self-abnegation? The things which the bishops thought indif- court is the embodiment of haughtiness and ferent!" arrogance, and vice stalks unblushingly near " I certainly deplore with you," said Alice, the king's anointed person. His courtiers exdeeply moved by the eloquent words of the hibit the most demoralizing spectacle by their poet, "these proceedings, which every one dissipated life and shameless conduct. The must disapprove. My father has openly de- bishops, who call themselves successors of the' nounced them at the risk of displeasing the Apostles, are far from following their example. court. So far as it is in his power, he pursues They would laugh at your folly, if you were to a mild and indulgent course toward the dis- ask them to live in poverty and endure the senters; but are not these Puritans and Pres- privations of their holy predecessors. They byterians to blame for their own fate? Are revel in the riches which they extort from the they not, in their unbridled longing for a mis- poor people. If they had one thought upon taken political and religious freedom, intent on God's glory and the advancement of Christian overthrowing the foundations on which our faith, instead of lavishing their great resources whole political fabric is based? Do they not upon senseless ostentation and luxury, they threaten alike the sacred majesty of the king would provide for the building of churches and and the authority of the Church?" schools where none now exist, and for their in" Pardon me, noble lady; you speak like crease where now there are too few; for the most of the adherents of the Episcopal Church. suitable maintenance of laborious ministers The priesthood, from time out of memory, has who can now scarcely procure bread, while the striven to make men believe that it was the prelates revel like Belshazzar, with goblets and Church, or rather identical with faith and re- vessels of gold torn from God's temple. What ligion. But the two things are as materially a mass of money is drawn from the veins into different.from each other as the vessel is from the ulcers of the kingdom by such execrable, its contents, the gold from the miner who digs such irreligious courses! " ALICE AND MILTON. 51 "And your Puritans are going to abolish all wonderful! When I listen to you, Mr. Milton, I these abuses? What will they put in their always feel as though he were standing before place?" me. You are animated with the same en" God and liberty! " exclaimed the poet, en- thusiasm, you possess the same poetical and thusiastically. " If, under a free and untram- flowery peculiarity of expressing your thoughts melled monarch, the noblest, worthiest, and as that excellent man; and even the tone of most prudent men, with full approbation of the your voice reminds me of him. He would people, have in their power the supreme and have made more satisfactory replies to your final determination of the highest affairs, there arguments than I, an ignorant girl, have been can be nothing more appropriate than that able to do. For he is a very learned man, under the sovereign prince, Christ's vicegerent, and, above all things, a profound divine. He using the sceptre of David, according to God's would certainly be a foeman worthy of your law, the godliest, the wisest, the most learned steel. What a pity that he is no longer here, ministers in their several charges should have for, despite your contrary opinions, you would the instructing and disciplining of God's people, assuredly become warm friends. Noble and by whose full and free election they are conse- generous men, I have often heard him say, crated to that holy and equal aristocracy. If oppose, but do not persecute each other. Only they follow faithfully the example set them by God Himself knows the truth; hence, it is their predecessors and draw their faith from wrong in men to arrogate the position of its the same sources as they did, Christianity will judges and avengers. The most different be restored to its pristine purity, and it will roads may lead to the goal where the good of fill the hearts of all believers with justice, all times and countries, from what opposite truth, love, and toleration. Then, amidst the points soever they may have started, will meet hymns and hallelujahs of saints, some one may in the end to join hands in love and peace. perhaps be heard offering, in new and lofty Let us do the same, although I see that we measures, to sing and celebrate the mercies differ in regard to many essential points; and, and marvellous judgments of Providence in this wherever we may meet, let our motto of recland throughout all ages; and this great and ognition be:'Toleration and charity, friendwarlike nation, instructed in and inured to the ship and love.'" fervent and continual practice of truth and The lovely girl whispered in a low voice righteousness, will become the soberest, wisest, the last words, which, in her mouth, contained and most Christian people." another and sweeter meaning for the happy "Would to God you rwords were verified!" poet. Milton took the hand which she exreplied Alice, with radiant eyes; " would to tended to him, and held it long in his own, God this wish were fulfilled! If I cannot as- like a pledge which he was determined never sent to all you have said, I long with you at to give up again. Thus the hostile parties least for the time when an era of mutual toler- anticipated in the blooming garden the sacred ation and forbearance shall dawn upon us. festival of reconciliation which England was How often have I heard similar words from to celebrate only after long and bloody civil the mouth of my revered teacher, Jeremy Tay- wars. Human and divine love, wonderfully lor! He is likewise opposed to persecution of blended and interwoven, accomplished in a any description, and, though an orthodox di- moment the sublime task at which the statesvine of the Episcopal Church, yet full of mild- manship of the most skilful politicians, the ness and forbearance toward dissenters. How persuasive eloquence of the most impassioned 52 JOHN- MILTON AND HIS TIMES. orators, and the exertions of a great and'around him in a caressing, delighted manner. powerful people were vainly toiling for many A groom held his horse, which was neighing years in succession. A fleeting moment real- and stamping its hoof impatiently, and which ized that which decades were unable to bring Thomas was just going to mount in order to about, and filled up the gulf which the parties take a ride. thought insurmountable. "Good-morning, Orlando!" shouted Alice Alice left her hand willingly to the poet. to him, kindly, from a distance. " Oh, is that Thus they stood on the terrace, leaning against right? You are going to leave me without the balustrade, now looking into the sweet greeting me? You have not even inquired valley at their feet, now gazing deeply into each about my health, and what adventures befell other's eyes. Their enthusiasm had silenced me since you forsook me so faithlessly and them. What could they say to each other imprudently? Do you know, then, that I am after such words? Any additional conversa- quite angry with you?" tion would only have marred the sacred beauty "'That was the very reason why I wished of this hour and the sublime gravity of the to leave. I cannot stand these eternal reprevious moment. Only the dying notes of preaches." the church-bells, proclaiming peace and joy to "You wild boy! have I reproached you, the people, joined harmoniously in the devout then, with any thing? You are decidedly too and inspired feelings of the young hearts sensitive. To punish you, I want you to stay which celebrated to-day their resurrection, the here and tell me what fairy or beautiful magiEaster-morn of their sweet young love. cian met you and enticed you so deep into the forest that you forgot to return to your _,-^~ e~sister." "I can do that in a very few words," reCHAPTER VYIII. plied the youth, with the blush which always accompanies a first lie. " On leaving you, I RENDEZVOUS OF THOMAS AND LUCY. really thought I had heard human voices in ON her way back to the castle Alice met the gorge. It was an illusion, however. The with her younger brother. Thomas had reached farther I advanced, the farther receded these Ludlow Castle much later than the others, and seductive sounds. It was unfortunately too the midnight hour had struck long before he late, when I found out my mistake. I wished arrived there. After being told by a servant to retrace my steps immediately, but I had now that Alice and the two friends had arrived be- lost my way entirely. Thus I wandered through fore him, he immediately retired in a not very the wilderness for several hours without knowpleasant frame of mind. His agitation was ing where I was until I met with some peassuch that he could not sleep for a long while. ants, with whose assistance I got back to the The recollection of his adventure with the highway. I hastened at once back to the place Puritans, and the prospect of his being scolded where I thought I should find you yet. Howby his parents and his more prudent brother, ever, you had disappeared. I vainly shouted kept him awake in his bed. Nevertheless, he your name, no one replied to me. An inderose at an early hour, and Alice met him al- scribable terror seized me, and I passed a long ready fully dressed in the court-yard. The time in search of you. Finally I met the seryouth stood in the midst of a pack of setters vants whom father had sent out. They reasand pointers, which were jumping and barking sured me as to your fate, and I started with RENDEZVOUS OF THOMAS AND LUCY. 53 them for Ludlow Castle. I soon learned the holding the reins loosely in his hands. At particulars of your rescue by two young men, times a blossoming branch touched his hat and of whom one at least is no stranger to you." cheek, but he paid no attention to it. The "And now you are going to leave us again, dogs trotted at first merrily by his side and and roam no one knows where." barked a little whenever they scented game, "I give you my reasons for it. I cannot but the sullen hunter did not hear them. He bear being censured on all sides. To-morrow was following an entirely different scent. His I may be better able to endure it. The thun- game was a slender young girl with hazel eyes der-storm which has gathered over my head and dark ringlets. Beautiful Lucy Henderson must pass away a little before I shall return. engrossed all his thoughts, and he pursued her' It is true, you have good reason to be angry image, or rather it pursued him on his way. with me; but you are not, and I am sure you He knew her dwelling, which lay in the valley have forgiven me long since." below, near the bank of the Teme. An irre" Yes, I have, you wild madcap; and if you sistible longing drew him thither, but his averwill stay here, I will intercede with father in sion to meeting the austere Puritan prevented your behalf." him from riding directly toward the place. The "Not to-day," said the youth, beseechingly. closer he came up to the cottage occupied by "I should play too sorry a part among you. old Henderson and his daughter, the more Spare me this confusion in presence of the audibly throbbed the heart in the youth's strangers, and let me go." bosom. " Well, I do not care, incorrigible one; but Already he saw the small dwelling in the I will let you go only on condition that you re- midst of the blossoming fruit-trees. How often turn before nightfall. I will excuse your ab- had he played there with his brother, his sister, sence as well as I can." and little Lucy, and playfully called her his "Do so," replied the youth, vaulting into little bride! Thehappydays ofinnocentchildthe saddle and galloping away. hood were over, and more ardent longings and Alice looked after him until he disappeared; desires now filled the heart of the fiery youth. she thenwent to her room, where she engaged How much he would have given for permission in company with her mother in needlework, to be together with her as quietly and undiswhich gave her the best opportunity for think- turbedly as he was but a few years ago! Now ing undisturbedly of the absent poet and the he was quite close to the entrance-gate, but he grave conversation she had held with him, was not bold enough to ask admittance. He Meanwhile Thomas was galloping with his halted his horse on the opposite bank of the dogs toward the neighboring forest. But a river, and looked with longing eyes at the ootclose observer would soon have perceived that tage where lived the fair friend of his childthe youth was not intent on hunting to-day; hood. Like a thief, he crept close up to it, this had been only a pretext to cloak, in his hidden by the dense willows and alders on the own eyes, the disquietude which drove him river-bank. From time to time he cast a furaway from home. No sportsman rides so care- tive glance on the cottage, but its door remained lessly through the fields and forest as he did. closed, and no white hand drew back the bolt, Before long he left to his horse the task of no blooming girlish face appeared at the finding the way, seeming to be entirely indif- window. ferent as to the direction which the noble ani- At no great distance from Thomas, and enmal took. He hung carelessly in the saddle, tirely unnoticed by him, there lay a men 54 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. stretched out on the turf amidst the shrubbery. tween dogs. Your dogs know only how to He looked with seeming carelessness at the scent lean rabbits or half-starved grouse; but fishing-rod which he held in his hand, but the I can find the most beautiful girl in the whole shrewd twinkling of his squint-eyes showed country for you. I know here a nice little that the presence of the young man had not girl named Lucy Henderson, who is surely escaped him. The angler watched him cau- worth hunting for." tiously, but with great attention and curiosity. "Fellow," cried the youth, eagerly, "what He saw very well what Thomas was after, and do you know about the girl? Speak!" why he watched old Henderson's cottage so "Aha! I see that I am on the right trail, closely. At times a sneering air overspread for you are as eager for it as a hunter is to get the broad, shrewd face of the rough-looking sightof afatdeerwith sixteenbranches. Well, fellow. it will not be my fault if you do not catch your " Hem! " he murmured to himself. " I war- game this very day." rant the young nobleman is not watching here "No bad jokes, if you please. Tell me for nothing. If I am not mistaken, the old plainly, do you know the girl?" Puritan has a pretty daughter well worth corm- How should I not know the flower of the mitting a little sin. A sweet morsel for such valley, the fairest rose of Herefordshire? But a hunter! I will see how the fowler willman- take care. The old proverb says,'No rose age to catch this little bird. Attention, Billy without thorns,' and morose old Henderson is Green! perhaps there is something for you to a whole thorn-bush protecting the sweet little do here. Lovers are generous, and my pockets rose from profane hands. Unless you are, at are as empty as my stomach. What if I offered least, a saint or an archangel, with your hair him my assistance? I know the necessary cropped like that of the Roundheads, he will little tricks ten times better than any one else." slam his door in your face. Besides, he is So saying, Billy Green, who is no stranger desperate enough to send after you from his to us, raised himself from his comfortable old blunderbuss some blue pills that might posture. The noise which he made caused make it impossible for you ever to call again. the dogs to bark, which aroused Thomas from The old Puritan dog is not a man to be joked his reverie. with; he will snap and bite in the same "Who is there? " he said to the fellow, who breath." stood suddenly before him. "I know, I know," murmured Thomas; "Your servant," replied Billy Green, hum- "and yet I must see Lucy even though all hell bly, taking off his cap. " My name is of no with a legion of devils should guard her. Will consequence, and cannot be useful to you, but you do me a favor? " my person can. He whom you see before you "Two for one," replied the fellow, gayly; is the best sleuth-hound in the whole country. "that is to say, if you pay me two prices." I will drive up the game you are hunting for." "I will pay you liberally. Take these two "Take this," said the youth, dropping a crowns on account." small coin into the fellow's cap. "You see "So a poor devil like me gets two crowns that I want to be alone. Go, therefore; I when the king has but one; but I doubt not have no use for your services, and dogs, you that one often presses more heavily on his see, are not wanting to me." head than my two. Tell me now what I am c Oh, you are rather gruff, sir. But you to do; for I am sure you did not give me this ought to know that there is a difference be- money merely for the sake of my fine face. RENDEZVOUS OF THOMAS ANDY LUCY. 55 Billy Green is not a beggar of the highway, I must bring her some such mysterious greetbut an honest fellow who will fight the devil ing, else she will not trust me. Is there not himself if he gets paid for it." some word or motto that is only known to her "I will trust you, though I do not know and you? Let me hear it." any thing about you. You seem to be a Thomas, who perceived the sagacity of what shrewd, smart fellow." Billy said, reflected a few moments. A long "Just give me a chance to show my shrewd- time had elapsed since he had spoken with the ness and smartness, and you will see wonders. young girl. How was she to recognize, then, I suppose you are in love with pretty Lucy that it was he who wished to see her? ForHenderson? Just let me manage it, and you tunately he remembered a little ditty which shall see her speedily. By Heaven, I know of both had sung very often in their youth, and no greater fun than to play a trick on such a whose last lines were as follows: canting, sanctimonious, psalm-singing Puritan! "He raised the maiden on his steed, Just think of what he did the other day! He bore her to his castle proud, For ah, he loved her well I" Meeting me on Sunday, not in a very soberor ah he lo we condition, I must confess, he called me a ruth- It was not difficult for Billy Green to reless Sabbath-breaker, a son of Antichrist and member the words of this old song, and the of Babylon; in short, he gave me all sorts of melody which the youth sang to him in a low hard names, and all for being a little merry voice. Thus prepared, Billy set out, promising on Sunday. The devil take these Puritanic to obtain an interview with beautiful Lucy scoundrels, who want to deprive every merry Henderson, and return speedily with a reply fellow of his little amusements!" from her. He approached cautiously the " You may vent your bile another time, and house of the Puritan, with whom he did not curse the Puritans as much as you like. I wish to meet, because he knew that the mowill not prevent you from so doing, but join in rose old man was not in the habit of treating it with all my heart. But now you have no such idlers and good-for-nothings very kindly time to lose if you intend to redeem your or considerately. The shrewd fellow prowled promise." for some time around the closed court-yard " There you art right; but, above all things, like a fox intending to visit a dove-cot. He I must know how far you have conquered the hoped to find somewhere an open side-gate, by girl's heart; whether you are at the A or the Z which he might slip stealthily into the cottage; of love; whether the little bird is only casting but he very soon found that this was impossifurtive glances on the berries, or has already ble. The distrustful and misanthropic Hentasted the forbidden fruit." derson had taken means to prevent strangers "1 What does that concern you, fellow? from penetrating into his house. A high and You use language which I do not want to substantial wall, surmounted with stout spikes, hear again." surrounded the whole building. Billy Green "All right, sir; but that will render my was not very eager to endanger his limbs, or task more difficult. I know the girls and the to receive a wound. Nothing, therefore, rebirds, for Billy Green is no novice so far as mained for him but to knock loudly at the enthat sort of sport is concerned. Lucy will not trance-gate, and demand admittance. His inbelieve me, unless you give me a token which genuity had already suggested to him an excelwill satisfy her that the message I bring comes lent excuse in case he should meet the Puritan, from you. Lovers have a cant of their own. and he took care to impart to his face as grave 56 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. and sanctimonious an expression as pos- hiding-place, for there was no longer any thing sible. to prevent him from entering the house. As He had knocked already for some time with- soon as the laborer, in the eagerness of his out attracting any one to the gate. The house pursuit, was sufficiently distant from the house, seemed entirely deserted; not a voice re- Billy left his hiding-place, and stepped boldly sounded in response to his calls; not a foot, not into the court-yard. At the sight of the a hand stirred to open the gate to him. He stranger, whose appearance was by no means almost gave up the hope of succeeding in de- reassuring, the timid housekeeper uttered a livering his message to the beautiful Lucy. He loud cry, and ran away. Lucy, who was a was upon the point of withdrawing and re- courageous girl, stood still and waited for the tracing his steps, when he determined to make new-comer to tell his errand. a final desperate effort before returning to "What do you want?" she inquired, fearThomas. He was bent on mischief, and his lessly. "My father is not at home. If you ambition also prompted him to persist; and want to see him, you must come again to-morhe resolved to force his way into the house, row, when he will be back from his trip to the even at the risk of getting a sound whipping. neighboring city." tFor this purpose he commenced shouting with "I am glad to hear that, for now I can deall his might: "Fire! fire! Help! help!" liver my message without being interfered with This last resort had the desired effect. He by him." heard persono moving in the house. An el- "Your message? To whom?" she asked, derly woman and a young girl rushed anxious- in surprise, and starting back a few steps, as ly into the court-yard, and a laborer hurried the stranger's conduct aroused her suspicion. up from the stable. All three had heard the "To whom but yourself, beautiful Lucy? " shouts, and looked for the man who had ut- "I do not know who could send me a mestered them, but who took good care to con- sage." ceal himself, in order to await the effect of his "A young man whom you know, and who stratagem. He had already seen enough to loves you." be satisfied that old Henderson, of whom he "You are a rogue and villain to address was more afraid than of any one else, was not such words to me. Begone, 6r I will have you present. The frightened inmates of the driven ignominiously from the place." house soon arrived at the conviction that "Do not get excited," said Billy, with an some passer-by had fooled them; for, notwith- impudent leer, " although your indignation sits standing the most careful researches, they very well on you. You cannot deceive me, for were unable to discover any traces of fire. I know all about it. We all know what girls Lucy and the old housekeeper were about to will do." return into the house, but the laborer was not "Silence, sirrah! There comes our laborer, yet willing to drop the matter. and he shall punish you for your impudence." " I will pay the fool for this," he cried, with "You will change your mind before he gets clinched fist. "I bet he is concealed close by. here. If you are determined not to hear my Ill pay him for the fright he gave us." message, let me sing a nice little ditty to you: Before the women, who were still excited' He raised the maiden on his steed, and anxious, could prevent him, he had drawn He bore her to the castle proud, back the bolt from the gate and rushed out. For ah,he loved her well!' Billy Green rubbed his hands gleefully in his Well, how do you like that?" RENDEZVOUS OF THOMAS AND LUCY. 57 Lucy had immediately recognized the words well to taste. The young nobleman wants to and the melody, which Green hummed to her see, embrace, and kiss you. If you do not in an undertone, and accompanied by expres- come, he will commit suicide. He is dying sive ludicrous gestures. He looked at her at of longing and impatience. Perhaps he has the same time so archly, and watched her so already, driven to despair by my long delay, closely, that her agitation could not escape plunged into the cold waters of the Teme to him. cool his ardent love." "I see already that I have struck the right "He wants to see me, did he say?" note this time," he added, smilingly. " Well, " He said so, and swore and raved, as all why do you stand staring as though some mir- lovers do; for he is head over ears in love with acle had happened to you?" you. I can bear witness to that. His loud "How do you come to know that song?" sighs aroused me from my sleep, and it was faltered out Lucy. nothing but compassion for his sufferings that " Great heavens! she asks me how I come caused me to become his messenger. But now to know that song! A merry bird sang it to make up your mind quick, for I really see me under the willows; and as I liked it, I re- that boor of a servant coming toward us, after membered it easily." ransacking every shrub, and looking for me " No,o, no, he taught it to you. Do not tor- behind every blade. What am I to tell your ment me, but tell me the truth: is the com- lover?' My love, my love, oh come to me, mission which you have for me from him?" Beneath the shade I wait for thee: "If you mean by he and him a slender The trees our joys will not betray, young hunter of aristocratic appearance, dis- The little stars are mute as they I tinguished manners, a face like milk and Although Lucy had perceived the approach blood, and a pretty little black mustache, of her father's servant, and saw that there you are right?" was no time to be lost, she hesitated yet to " And you say that he is quite close by?" make a reply. She was afraid of old Hender"Not much beyond the range of a good ri- son's severity, and besides, a feeling of girlish fle. With your nimble feet you can reach him timidity deterred her. But the very puritanic in five minutes, and be in the arms of your retirement and restraint to which she had been beloved. so long subjected, had aroused longings for freedom in her bosom. For a long time her' And thus they sat, and thus they lay, In the green field, in the green field; mind had secretly revolted at the narrow They sat, and, ah, forgot that day,' bounds which had been set to it. She yearned The whole wide world, the whole wide world!'" for the wide world, from which she was shut "Pray, stop this nonsense. Our servant out. By forbidding her to visit Ludlow Casmay return at any moment, and, besides, we tie and its inmates, Henderson had sorely are watched by the housekeeper, who is only chafed her rebellious spirit. Her last meeting prevented by her terror from gratifying her with Thomas had produced a truly feverish efcuriosity." feet upon her warm blood. She had dreamed " Very well, make haste then, and give me all night of her former playmate, and even in a favorable reply to take to your lover." the daytime his image was ever present to her " What does he want of me, then? " soul. Now he had taken the first step, and " Oh, these girls! Like kittens they sniff come to her; could she resist any longer? round the hot soup, which they would like so The servant was scarcely fifty steps from 58 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the gate, and the housekeeper's head was to be seen at the window. Lucy had no time to CHAPTER IX. lose. " Go," she whispered to Billy Green, "and TE MEETING. tell him who sent you that I will see him. My LUCy waited with feverish suspense the mofather is absent on.business, and will not be ment when, after their long separation, she back before to-morrow; put, notwithstanding was to see her former playmate again undishis absence, I am watched like a prisoner. I turbedly. The hours seemed to creep along shall not be able to steal away until after din- with snail-like slowness; the hands of the ner. Let him await me then at the old tomb- clock would not move on. At dinner she was stone near the three pines. Every child knows scarcely able to swallow a morsel, so that the the place; he will easily find it by inquiring old housekeeper asked her anxiously if she was for it." unwell, and what ailed her. She sought to "I myself will conduct him thither, and appear gay and unconcerned, although she stand guard lest any one should overhear hardly succeeded in doing so. At last the you." servant went to work again after carefully "Do so, good man, and take this for your bolting the gate; the old housekeeper seemed trouble." to have fallen asleep in her easy-chair. Now Billy Green pocketed with a chuckle the was the time for Lucy to steal away. She small coin which Lucy handed to him, and slipped noiselessly on tiptoe to the door, and vowed in return, without being asked for it, then anxiously looked back. The housekeeper eternal fidelity and silence; and he really in- had her eyes open again, and asked, dreamtended to redeem his promise, in order to grat- ily, " Where are you going, Lucy?" ify his hatred against the Puritan. He passed "Into the garden," said the girl. "I am the returning servant with a smile of great sat- going to look after the new plants." isfaction. "Go, my child. But do not stroll farther "Did you find the man you were looking away from the house, for you know that your for? " he asked him, maliciously. father does not like you to do so, especially in The servant contented himself with eying his absence. If he should learn of such a Billy distrustfully. thing, he would scold us both." " Let me give you a piece of good advice," "I shall remain in the garden." said Billy to him. " On leaving the yard "Very well, very well," murmured the old henceforth, you had better lock the gate lest woman (a relative of Henderson), and fell once a fox should steal your Puritan chickens while more into her doze. you are pursuing his trail!" Lucy, as she had said, went in the first place He disappeared with a peal of laughter be- to the garden. It consisted of a few modest hind the shrubbery on the bank, before the flower-beds and a small orchard. On one side servant was able to make a fitting reply to were to be seen the beehives, to which old him. The stone which he hurled after the Henderson devoted particular attention. Their vagabond fell noisily into the water, and ex- industrious inmates swarmed in great numbers eited anew the mirth and sneers of Billy past Lucy toward the neighboring forest, Green, who was very proud of having so com- where they sought for richer spoils of honey. pletely fooled the servant. The daughter of the house was well known to the sagacious insects. A bold little bee seated THE MEETING. 59 itself on Lucy's hand, which it had taken, per- precious and gorgeous objects. The stern orhaps, for a white blossom; but, probably find- ders of old Henderson had suddenly put an ing out its mistake, it soon unfurled its brown end to all this. How many tears had the wings and sped forward, as if to show her the privations imposed on her all at once wrung way. A gate led from the garden into the from her! She thought night and day of those open fields; closed on the inside with a wooden charming times, and every thing beautiful and bolt. The girl drew it back with a trembling magnificent was associated in her mind with hand, as though she were about to commit a Ludlow Castle. There lay the country she was great crime. Thus she had crossed the thresh- yearning for, the lost paradise of her childold of her paternal home, and stood still for' hood. a moment, hesitating whether to proceed or It was for this reason that her meeting with not. Indescribable anxiety filled her once Thomas in Haywood Forest had made so deep more. The little bee was still humming before an impression upon her. All the old wounds her, and flew on boldly and carelessly, filled commenced bleeding afresh, and memory with no such apprehensions, and, if it thought fanned her slumbering love into a bright flame. at all, thinking only of the sweet honey which Nothing was needed but an opportunity, a was in store for it. Suddenly a swallow darted beck, and Lucy would leave her hateful paterdown out of the air, and the little bee paid nal home and return into the arms of her forwith its life for its first sally into the fields. mer playmate. The imagination of this girl of Lucy had not noticed the occurrence, for she seventeen looked upon the youth as a savior was too much engrossed in her own thoughts; and deliverer from the jail in which she felt otherwise, perhaps, it might have served as a herself imprisoned. The warm life-blood circaution to her. But, as it was, passion and culating through her veins, throbbed for enhot blood carried the day, and she was bound joyment and pleasure, which had so long been to see Thomas, even though it should cost her denied to her. The gloomy Puritan allowed life. his daughter none of the amusements for which Young as the girl was, she possessed a young persons so justly yearn; even the most strength of will bordering on obstinacy. innocent joys were forbidden to her. She was Something of old Henderson's puritanic stub- not permitted to go out, except in the company bornness was to be found in her character. of her father, or under other surveillance, nor His severe treatment had aroused her indigna-ever to attend a rural festival. Old Hendertion, and she was determined to bear no longer son detested the notes of a bagpipe or violin; the restraint imposed upon her. She had for- he considered dancing a terrible sin, and every merly become acquainted with another and other harmless pleasure, a heavy crime. This more brilliant life than that she was compelled was in keeping with the spirit of the times, and to lead now at the quiet house, in the company with the views of those sectarians. Lucy was of her old relative, and under the surveillance not even permitted to sing, and yet she was of her morose father. At that time, when her famous for her fresh and charming voice. Mr. mother still lived, and she was yet allowed to Lawes, the music-teacher at the castle, after hold daily intercourse with the inmates of Lud- hearing her, had been so delighted as to offer, low Castle, she had been the partner of their of his own accord, to give her the necessary joys and manifold amusements. For days she instruction and cultivate her voice. The surly was permitted to play in the sumptuous apart- Puritan would not even permit this, and had ments of the castle, surrounded by all sorts of rejected the offer under the pretext that the 60 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. human voice was destined only to praise the anxiously after her, and the smoking chimney Lord, and that no instruction was necessary like a finger cautioning her against what she for this purpose. Lucy had borne all this long was about to do. She seemed to hear a wellenough, in her opinion-his exaggerated sever- known voice calling her back in plaintive tones. ity, her joyless loneliness, the rude and oppres- These remembered tones pierced her heart; sive treatment she had to endure, and the her knees trembled involuntarily, and her feet privation of the most innocent amusements. seemed nailed to the ground. But the next The moment had come for her now to indem- moment she thought of the promise she had nify herself to some extent. Her heart was given to the friend who was waiting for her, unconsciously filled with longings for liberty, and turned her back resolutely upon her home and for some change in this tedious and mo- and the spirits of her domestic hearth, which notonous life. were following her warningly. Once more she Her friend's message reached her when such turned before setting foot on the small bridge was her frame of mind. She felt'like a pris- that was to lead her to the opposite bank. oner whose cell is opened by a compassionate The house had disappeared and was concealed hand, and rushed rashly out of the garden. from her eyes. It seemed to her as though It was not until she had left it that she began she had no longer a home. to reflect, and bashfulness stole upon her heart. She crossed the bridge with a rapid step, Her anxiety increased at every step as she and breathed freely again only after reaching moved from her father's house. Every tree the opposite bank. Behind her lay the gloomy by the wayside seemed to her a spy, and be- past, and before her the flowery meadows hind every shrub she thought she saw some and the mute forest, where her lover was waitone watching her. She had to fear the worst ing for her under the pines. How lovingly did from her father's severity in case he should her heart throb toward him! But her home ever learn that she had disregarded his orders seemed not yet willing to give her up; it sent. in such a manner. Her heart felt no love for, after her a faithful messenger who pursued her but only intense fear of him; but it was not steps with stubborn perseverance. She heard this feeling alone that deterred her now. Her a panting sound behind her, but was not conscience, her virgin shame, raised their courageous enough to turn. The pursuer warning voices in her bosom. Both advised came nearer and nearer, howling and barking, her against the step she was taking; they spying and seeking. It was the faithful watchspoke to the hesitating girl softly, it is true, dog that had hastened after her. Now he but impressively enough. Her heart throbbed jumped up to her, and gave vent to his joy with tumultuous agitation and threatened to at finding her in loud barking and wonderful burst her close-fitting black bodice. All sorts leaps. Evidently out of breath he pressed his of objections arose in her soul, and more than shaggy head against her airy form, and looked once she turned her eyes back toward the at her with his sagacious, good-natured eyes. house which lay so quiet in the noonday sun. She was unable to bear his glance, which So long as Lucy saw this house where she was seemed a silent reproach to her. This unexborn, and at the door of which she had so pected witness was a burden to her. Vainly often sat with her lamented mother, conceal- did she drive the animal from her side; the ing her curly head in the lap of the kind-heart- dog, usually so obedient, refused to leave her; ed matron, she still felt tempted to return. he returned to her again and again; neither The windows seemed to her like eyes looking her prayers nor her threats were of any avail. THE MEETING. 61 From her earliest childhood he had been her the forest only to kill the time till the hour of constant companion; he had grown up with meeting, but the game had been safe from his her, always a friend, a careful guardian, and bullets. His thoughts were engrossed in somenow, perhaps, more than ever. This thought thing else, and Lucy's charming image stood presented itself again to Lucy, and yet she constantly before his eyes. She was the prey would not suffer the dumb monitor near her. which he had chosen, and the description She begged and scolded, she threatened and which Billy Green had given him of her beauty entreated, but the dog did not move from the only added to the flame burning in his heart. spot. At the best, he remained a few steps It was not love, but a wild intoxication that behind, and trotted after her mournfully and had seized his senses, an infatuating fascinahanging his head. The girl would not tolerate tion which suddenly changed the whole charhis company at any cost. It was almost with acter of the hitherto innocent youth. tears in her eyes that she ordered him to go The designated spot lay somewhat off the home; but it was all in vain, he stuck to her highway, on a hill, where one could not be heels like the warning voice of conscience. seen, and yet, shielded by the dense shrubHer impatience caused her to forget every- bery, could survey the whole neighborhood. thing-his fidelity and love, his long, long A gray, moss-grown slab covered the grave of services, and her old affection for him. She an unknown knight, who had fallen here several picked up a stone and hurled it at the faithful centuries ago in a duel, or by the hands of animal. The dog uttered a loud howl, and assassins. The inscription had long since belimped off with a bleeding foot. Her head be- come illegible, and the name had been forgotgan to swim, and she thought she would faint. ten, but the legend had stuck to the bloody On looking up again, she discovered that the spot, and did not even allow the slain knight to dog had already disappeared. find rest in his grave. Passers-by asserted that She hastened forward now to make up lost they had often seen a pale youth seated on the time, but she still seemed to hear the panting slab, surrounded by his dogs. The superstitious of the faithful dog behind her, and to see the peasantry of the neighborhood avoided the reproachful glance which he cast on her when road leading past the grave. It was but rarely the hand which had hitherto always caressed that any one ventured to set foot on this weird him raised the stone against him. She felt a spot, and even the birds seemed to shun it. load weighing down her heart as if she had Profound silence reigned all around. The committed a crime. Her conscience raised its heavy branches of the sombre pines did not warning voice once more, but it was again in move, and the tall grass murmured almost invain. She could already see her destination, audibly. Such was the spot which Lucy had the three lonely pines and the old tomb. The chosen for her interview with Thomas; she last scene had heated her warm blood still was sure that no one would watch and disturb more, and added to her obstinacy. Her cheeks them here. She herself was not afraid, for old were flushed, her pulse was throbbing, a sort Henderson had remained free from the superof wild frenzy had seized her soul. Thus she stition of the common peasantry, and had edurushed toward her fate. cated his daughter in this spirit. Thomas waited likewise with feverish ex- A shrill whistle uttered by Billy Green incitement for the arrival of the girl, for whom formed the impatient youth of the girl's arso ardent a love had arisen in his heart over- rival. Soon after she stood before him, breathnight. He had hunted during the morning in less, and unable to utter a word. Thomas 62 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. signed to Billy Green, who disappeared at once after a pause. "Alas! Since my dear mother's in the shrubbery, and the lovers were alone. death I have not had a single merry hour. My "At last! At last!" cried Thomas. "I father became more morose from day to day, was already afraid you would not come." and held intercourse with no one. You know "Was I not obliged to come after you had that he joined the Puritans, and, like them, is called me?" she replied, affectionately. "I at variance with the whole world. He reads should have come even though it had cost my all day long in the Bible, which he carries life." constantly about him; he looks, with sullen "Lucy, do you love me?" hatred, upon every thing that is not in keep"Ask me, rather, if I ever ceased to love ing with his austere notions. I am obliged to you. All my thoughts have always been with follow his example, although this kind of life you and your sister at Ludlow Castle. Oh, is so odious to me that I long for death every how I have longed to meet with one of you, day. I am kept at home like a prisoner, and and unbosom the grief weighing down my am watched at every step. No matter what I heart! At length I saw you yesterday in may do, it is always a sin in father's eyes, and Haywood Forest. My heart throbbed impetu- he pronounces every pleasure a bait of hell. I ously toward you, but I could not utter a syl- cannot bear it any longer. If I had not met lable in that hateful crowd. What did I suffer you, I should surely have carried my resolve for your sake on seeing you exposed to such into effect." deadly peril! Thank God, you were saved, "What resolve?" they did not kill you." "To throw myself into the Teme where it is "You see I got off tolerably well. But let deepest." us no longer speak of me, and, least of all, of "Oh, you bad girl! Would you really have my adventure yesterday. I hope I shall one been capable of doing that?" day get even with the rabble, and wreak ven- "Yes, I would, and you know that I was geance on them for the contumely which they already in my childhood able to take firm heaped on me. Tell me, rather, about your resolutions. But since I have found you affairs, your life. We have not seen each again, and since you have told me that you other for so long; it has been almost an eter- love me yet, I will live. Oh, I love this life nity for me." so dearly, when it smiles at me so gayly from "Really? Oh, would that I could believe your eyes!" you!" "Yes, we will live," said Thomas, pressing "Did I ever tell you a falsehood? Were the girl's slender form to his heart. " To live you not always my dearest friend since my and enjoy shall be our motto. Away with the earliest childhood? Come, sit down; let us morose teachings of the hypocritical Puritans! chat together as we used to do in former What do their gloomy sermons concein us? times.' God did not create the beautiful world in vain. He took her hand, and drew her down to He did not vouchsafe us our joyous youth in his side on the moss-grown slab. He folded vain. Despite all canting, sanctimonious vilher to his heart, and she did not prevent him lains, we will enjoy the present. What does from imprinting glowing kisses on her lips and the flower bloom for, if we are not allowed to cheeks. pluck it; what does the wine grow for, if we "You want to know about my life during are not to drink it? Our lips are created for these latter years?" she asked, with a sigh, something else besides singing tedious psalms THE MEETING. 63 all the time. Kiss me, my sweet love, and I tributed to him. His example was imitated by will absolve you from this sin by another kiss." most of the younger courtiers. Love-affairs of By such tender jests the youth dissipated the most immoral character were even deemed the misgivings which still rose from time to meritorious, and the most heartless and revolttime in the girl's heart. He preached likewise, ing actions were not only glossed over, but but it was the gospel of enjoyment and love, more frequently praised and extolled. A spirit to which she lent only too willing an ear. of open, unbounded licentiousness reigned in Against the gloomy spirit of Puritanism he these circles; liaisons, carousals, and gamcalled up the merry spirits of pleasure and en- bling were the rule, and not the exception. The joyment. Lucy was unable to resist him. She courtiers were leading this most objectionable shared neither the fanaticism of her father nor life under the very eyes of the king and queen. his austere views of the life of this world; her Even the reviving arts, and especially poetry, whole nature rebelled against them. Youth were drawn into this vortex. The poets, such and love revolted in her heart at a creed which as Waller and Davenant, were either themselves was in constant opposition to the desires of dissipated courtiers, or hirelings of immorality her warm blood. "Renounce!" said to her and extravagance. The Muse had lost her the creed that was forced upon her. " Enjoy! " chastity, and occupied the degrading position whispered love into her ear. She followed the of a soubrette. sweet voice of the tempter. In the face of this extravagance and luxury The everlasting struggle between mind and the Puritans, who were gaining new adherents matter, between resignation and enjoyment, to with astounding rapidity, denounced with stern which Christianity gave rise, was never carried austerity and wild fanaticism all the pleasures on in England with greater zeal and fanaticism of this world, which they looked upon only as than in those days. On one side stood the ex- seductions of hell. In their blind zeal they detravagant court, with the rich and overbearing manded the abolition of all amusements. They cavaliers. There reigned in those circles the were the sworn enemies of luxury, and preached greatest splendor and luxury, surpassing by far the greatest simplicity of dress and conduct. all that the present has to compare with it. Their favorite colorswere dark-brown or black, Buckingham, the favorite of two kings, may be and they were intent on imparting this sombre justly looked upon as the representative. His hue, this monotonous, joyless, and forbidding extravagance knew no longer any bounds. His character, to their own lives and those of others. palaces and country-seats were the centres of They detested music and dancing, and deemed fashion and dissipation; the value of his dia- the fine arts not only superfluous, but pernimonds and other gems exceeded the sum of cious. From their midst had risen that gloomy two hundred thousand pounds sterling. He was enthusiast William Prynne, who demonstrated the first Englishman who rode in an equipage in a thick folio volume, called Histriomastix, drawn by six horses, and he was the first also with a great display of absurd learning, the to use a sedan-chair, an innovation which ex- sinfulness of theatrical amusements, plays, asperated the people greatly and was generally masques, etc. His book was received with rapdenounced, because men had to perform in it turous applause by his fellow-dissenters, and the services of beasts of burden. His whole the author, whom the court persecuted for this life was in keeping with this extravagance. reason, and upon whom unjust and ignominiCountless liaisons, the most notorious of which ous penalties were inflicted, was adored and was that with the Queen of France were at- revered as a martyr by the masses of the people. 64 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Thus the hostile parties were more at vari- some; his carefully-dressed blond ringlet ance than ever before: on one side, the licen- floated round his proud, aristocratic forehead; tiousness of the cavaliers; on the other, the his soft mustache and goatee shaded the finelyaustere stoicism of the Puritans. Both were chiselled mouth and chin; a white lace collar wrong, owing to their excesses and one-sided- surrounded his breast and neck; his magnifiness. What with the alternate triumphs and cent gold-embroidered dress was in striking victories of either party in the course of time, contrast with the sombre, monotonous costume England presented now the spectacle of a vo- of the Puritans, which she saw every day. luptuous wanton, now that of a stern, stony- How refined were his manners! how sweet hearted matron. These striking contrasts have sounded his words when he spoke to her of not yet entirely disappeared, and although they his love, or told her of the amusements and are no longer as greatly at variance as they festivals at Ludlow Castle! She did not tire were then, but exist peaceably, side by side, of listening to him, and did not notice how yet the whole nation is even yet affected inju- swiftly the time was passing. riously by the consequences of these two op- The setting sun admonished her to return; posite currents. With a prudery bordering she was afraid that she might reach home too on the extremely ridiculous, the greatest licen- late, and that her old relative might notice her tiousness frequently goes hand in hand, and prolonged absence and inform her father of it. Puritan austerity paralyzes only too often the It was with great reluctance that she tore herwings of free investigation and the develop- self from his arms; she left her heart with him. ment of genius. Lord Byron, the greatest "When shall I see you again?" he asked, poet of modern times, was most injuriously beseechingly. affected by these moral ills of his.native "Soon, as soon as possible, even though it country. should cost my life. My father is frequently Every one unconsciously bore at that time absent from home. I do not know what he is the stamp of the party to which he belonged, doing, but he is often away for several days in and shared its sins and weaknesses. Thus succession. So soon as he is absent again I Thomas was a cavalier from head to foot; will give you a signal, and we will meet at the brave and courageous, loyal to the king and same place.".Church of England, but also overbearing, "I shall die of longing until then. I will reckless, and destitute of firm moral princi- send my messenger to you." ples. He had inhaled the poison of his time "The same man who called me hither?", and his class; for, as in the midst of the "He is shrewd, and I believe close-mouthed. plague every one bears the germ of infection You may always send me word by him." more or less within his body, so even the best "But I must go now. Dusk has already men were not entirely free from the general set in; detain me no longer, or you will get me corruption of their surroundings. The germ into trouble. Farewell!" was in the rash and reckless youth, and it A long, long kiss united the lovers; Lucy needed only an opportunity to burst forth. It then tore herself from the impetuous embrace was to such hands that the inexperienced of the youth, and hastened back to her home Lucy intrusted her fate, her innocence, and like a chased roe. Thomas looked after her honor. She yielded willingly to his dangerous until her slender form had disappeared among caresses, and listened to the blandishments the trees; then he whistled to his dogs and set which he whispered to her. He was hand- out for Ludlow Castle. SIR KENELM DIGBY. "Good luck!" shouted Billy Green to him. caused him to travel in France and Italy. Af"And if you need again a fellow to rouse the ter his return the rumor spread, and met with bounding prey for you, just inquire for me at general belief, that he had forsworn at Rome the tavern of the' Three Pigeons.'" the Protestant religion, which had been forced So saying, he stooped to pick up the coin upon him; he himself, however, denied this which Thomas threw to him on going away. strenuously for some time afterward. At a He eyed the treasure with greedy eyes, and court festival, given in honor of the marriage put it into his pocket. - of the Princess Elizabeth with the Count Pala"I did not suppose that the pious Puritan tine Frederic, afterwards King of Bohemia, he girl would go so fast to the devil," he mur- became acquainted with beautiful Venetia mured, smilingly. "But what do I care for Staniey, the daughter of Sir Edward Stanley, that? I always serve him who pays me best." whose mother was a Percy, and who, therefore, belonged to the highest nobility of the kingdom. Notwithstanding all obstacles, he succeeded in gaining the love of the young CHAPTER X. lady, who was only sixteen years old, but whose reputation, according to the testimony SIR KrENELM DIGBY. of her contemporaries, was none of the best. A NEW guest had arrived at Ludlow Castle. Before marrying her, he was obliged to take Sir Kenelm Digby deemed it incumbent on him up his abode for some time at Paris. His fine to pay, on his return trip to London, a visit to appearance and his extraordinary understandthe Earl of Bridgewater, who was nearly re- ing excited the greatest sensation at the French lated to him. Perhaps he combined still an- court, and even the queen, that lovely and other object with this act of courtesy, for Sir frail Anne of Austria, fell in love with him Kenelm never did any thing without some and entered into a liaison with him. From secret purpose. The reception with which he the queen's arms, however, he hastened back met at the hands of the noble family was in to his beloved Venetia, who, if the unanimous keeping both with its far-famed hospitality and verdict of the authors of her times is to be bethe reputation of the eminent man. Kenelm lieved, was one of the most amiable and seDigby was the son of Sir Everard Digby, a ductive women in England. It was not until wealthy knight. His father, an ardent Catho- he had forcibly abducted and secretly married lie, had been executed as an accomplice in the her, that he obtained full possession of his befamous gunpowder-plot. loved. Ambition and thirst for adventures led His orphan son was educated in the Prot- him back to the court and the bustle of the estant religion, in order to save at least a part world. He accompanied the extravagant Buckof the fortune which the crown had confiscated ingham on his embassy to France. To defray already. His guardian was the well-known the expenses of this journey, his beloved VeneArchbishop Laud, then Dean of Gloucester. tia had to pawn her valuable jewelry, which The talented boy gave promise of a remarkable she did readily anc willingly. At a later date career at an early age, and made extraordinary he armed and equipped several vessels in the progress in all branches of knowledge. When war which King Charles waged against France. he became a youth, his mother, who was a As commander of these vessels, he courageousvery zealous Catholic, placed him under the ly attacked the united galleys of the French guidance of the learned Thomas Allen, and and Venetians, and achieved a brilliant victory. 5 66 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. He returned triumphantly to England, and de- ing to the face, notwithstanding its intellectual voted himself during the peaceful years which stamp, a weird and ghostly expression. His ensued exclusively to his love and to science. whole appearance combined so many contraHis favorite study was chemistry, with which, dictions, that it could not but arouse some disby the most indefatigable industry, he acquired trust in the beholder's mind. Voluptuousness a familiarity such as few of his contemporaries and fanatical austerity, cold reason, and an could boast of. His wife died in the fifth year eccentricity bordering on insanity, were to be of their wedded life. Her death was so sud- read in his keen features. The various rumors den, that suspicions of her being poisoned were which had been circulated in regard to him, aroused, and that her husband was accused were well calculated to add to the strange and of having murdered her in a fit of jealousy; mysterious impression of his person. Like for Venetia was believed to have been faithless many persons of a peculiarly intellectual charto him, which, considering her former life, was acter, the suppressed feelings of his heart, and not so very strange. However, his conduct his restrained imagination, burst forth with after this loss bordered almost on insanity. redoubled violence in unguarded moments. For months he locked himself up in his labo- His impetuousness then knew no bounds, and ratory, and shut himself entirely out from day- the outbursts of his eccentricity resembled delight. With unkempt hair and beard, he structive storms and fatal thunder-bolts. stared into vacancy, and gave way to bound- Both his social position and near relationless despair. It was not until a year afterward ship to the family of the Earl of Bridgewater that he appeared again at court, where he ob- secured him an exceedingly kind reception. tained the special favor of the Catholic Queen. The lord president retired with his guest soon Charles I. made him his confidant, and after his arrival to converse with the expeappointed him his chamberlain. The whole rienced and accomplished courtier on the conappearance and bearing of the knight were in dition of the king and the court. The earl's keeping with this eventful life of him who was private cabinet lay in one of the Gothic towat the same time a warrior, thinker, and cour- ers, and commanded a delightful view of the tier. His athletic form indicated extraordi- valley and the hills of Herefordshire. Soft nary strength and energy. His gigantic neck, carpets were spread on the floor to dampen however, was surmounted by a most expressive every loud noise. The stamped leathern hangand prepossessing head, proclaiming the su- ings contained representations from the Old premacy of the mind over this Herculean Testament. On one wall was to be seen frame. The high, strongly-arched forehead Abraham, about to sacrifice his only son; showed that he was a keen and able thinker. close to them stood the ram, and over the The glance of his dark-gray eyes was as clear altar flitted the saving angel with gilded wings. and bright as a mirror of burnished steel, and Another picture showed the Israelites in the indicated the preponderance of the intellectual desert, worshipping the golden calf;'on a faculties. In striking contrast with their ex- knoll stood Moses, with an angry face, and pression was his voluptuous, soft mouth, round holding the tables of stone in his hands. In which an air of dreamy enthusiasm constantly this manner the religious spirit of the period played. His curly hair was black and glossy, showed itself everywhere in the study of a but it was already quite thin, and a part of the wealthy nobleman. Furniture, hangings, and head was bald. A dark beard fringed his pale every thing destined for household use were at cheeks and flowed down on his breast, impart- that time in strict keepingwith the views and SIR KENELM DIGBY. 67 notions prevailing among the people. Even the joys of unlimited sovereignty, he is unthe seats and easy-chairs were covered with willing to part with them without a struggle. Biblical embroideries. Close to the window For the time being no other system is to be stood the earl's old-fashioned writing-table, thought of; and so long as he has sufficient laden with books and papers. Thick folio funds at his command, he will take good care volumes, bound in hog-skin or parchment, not to convoke a new session of those morose filled the places of our modern neat octavo and taskmasters and canting preachers." duodecimo volumes; and instead of the official "But the extravagant expenditures in which documents of our times, were to be seen every- the court is indulging at the present time will where heavy metal cases, enclosing the parch- soon exhaust the royal exchequer." ments and preserving the large seals from in- "Leave that to old Noy. That shrewd feljury. low is poring night and day over worm-eaten It was in this room that the two men con- parchments and dusty title-deeds. Wherever versed now, undisturbed by the presence of he finds an iota of an ancient claim of the witnesses. The Lord President of Wales was government, a mere vestige of a tax collected already an aged man, with dignified features. by the crown in former times, he follows it up Like his father, Chancellor Egerton, who and manages to coin money out of it. He is gained such great celebrity during the reigns racking his brain night and day to devise adof Elizabeth and James I., he had devoted ditional taxes and imposts of an apparently himself to the study of the law, and, like him, legal character. He is so cunning in this regiven all his life evidence of the most unwav- spect, he knows every nook and corner of our ering fidelity to duty, and a most stubborn ancient laws so well, that no one is able to resense of justice. Notwithstanding his attach- fute him. Does not the king owe to him the ment to the royal house, he was unable to ap- invention of the soap-tax, to which some old prove of the last measures of the government. statute of the time of the Conqueror gave The oppressions and extortions of the Star- rise? It is true the people are grumbling beChamber, the unjustifiable dissolution of Par- cause they can no longer wash so often as liament, the arbitrary taxation brought about formerly; but what does that amount to? by this measure, had rendered him justly ap- The Puritans set a higher value on a pure prehensive of the future of the country. He heart and blameless life than a clean shirt and now uttered his fears, though in a guarded well-washed hands." manner, to his new guest, but his innate loy- " You are jesting, when I and all the true alty frequently came into conflict with his friends of the king are filled with the gloomconscience on this occasion. iest forebodings." "Believe me," he said, in the course of the "You are wrong to yield to any such misconversation, "the people hereabouts are givings, noble earl," replied Sir Kenelm Digevery day more difficult to manage. The king by, with a sinister smile. "I see that, living must call a new Parliament, unless he desires in the country, you no longer know what is to provoke an extremely grave state of affairs. going on at court. No one there has any You live at court near his person, and are fears of the future. Only the pleasures of therefore able to tell me what he intends to the moment are thought of, and every day do." brings a new festival. We all have our hands "Charles will try to govern as long as pos- full of balls, masquerades, and similar amusesiblewithout Parliament. Having once tasted ments.' The queen has taken Buckingham's 68 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. palace, and I pledge you my word that we are highest respectability, merchants and country amusing ourselves just as delightfully as when gentlemen, have already refused to pay the the great duke still lived. Poor Buckingham! ship-money and tonnage-impost, because it is Who would have thought that you would meet raised without the consent of Parliament. If with so premature an end at the hands of an their example should be imitated by many assassin? No sooner were your remains in others, the king would have to yield. Unthe grave, than you were already forgotten. fortunately, he could do so then only by lowerSuch is the course of the world." ing his dignity. Parliament would act only "God grant him eternal peace!" replied the more boldly, and demand new privileges the pious lord president, clasping his hands. besides those which it has already, whereby " He is most to blame for the present confu- additional bounds would be set to the power sion and troubles, but death atones for a great of his majesty." many things. Had the king listened less read- " It is true, where there is no money, there ily to the advice of his favorite, and had he is no courage either.'Point d'argent,.point not always defended him so obstinately, he de Suisses,' say the French. For the time would have been on better terms with Parlia- being, however, those who refuse to pay taxes ment, and it would have been unnecessary for are imprisoned until they do pay. A jail is him to dissolve it." the best means in the world to make such ob"Amen!" exclaimed his guest, with a stinate persons pliable and submissive. In it sneer. "However, the king gets along very blows an air well calculated to quiet and cool well without Parliament. As yet he has plenty down such hot-headed fellows. A few days' of money; the revenue raised by the soap-tax, sojourn in the Tower or at Newgate is often and the ship and tonnage money, is sufficient amply sufficient to tame the wildest of them. to defray all royal expenses. The Star-Cham- Hitherto the remedy has never failed in effectber also sees to it that the penalties and fines ing a speedy cure."'imposed on the dissenters keep the royal ex- " But suppose the judges should refuse to chequer well filled. A thousand pounds more lend their hands to such persecutions; supor less do not startle it at all, and when a pose there should yet be in England men who poor devil is unable to pay his fine, he is im- value justice higher than the good graces of prisoned at the pleasure of his majesty. He the court, what would happen then?" may deem himself happy if his ears are not "Pshaw! The king will get along in spite cut off at the pillory, as was justly done in of them. They will be deposed in the most the case of that impudent fellow Prynne. I unceremonious manner. With some energy myself witnessed the scene, and admired the all such obstacles are easily surmounted. Our courage which the rascal displayed on that minister, Lord Wentworth, showed us very trying occasion. During the bloody operation handsomely how true this is. He is a man of he made a violent speech to the people, and great energy, strikes terror into the hearts of even the executioner was unable to shut his the rebels, and maintains law and order in the mouth. I tell you the scoundrel acted like a country. He knows how to do so, for he himmartyr, and stood there as though he expected self was formerly one of the rebellious memevery moment to be proclaimed patron saint bers of the dissolved Parliament; hence, he is of England." most familiar with the tricks, devices, and "All you tell me only adds to my fears. I weaknesses of his former colleagues. In Inhave been told that a great many men of the dia, I have been told, they use trained ele SIR KENELM DIGBY. 69 phants for the purpose of catching wild ones. "I do not deny it, but I should think that, Believe me, apostates are the wood out of between a Christian king and a despotic tywhich the most relentless persecutors of men rant, there is as much difference as between a of their own class may be carved. A former ploughshare and a sword. One spreads blessdemocrat may be transformed immediately ings and prosperity, the other ruin and destrucinto an adherent of the government, provided tion. Our fathers were wise enough to perthe latter knows how to arouse and satisfy his ceive this, and therefore divested royalty of its ambition. They are all venal, and Wentworth arbitrary character, without detracting from is governing now with a rigor and recklessness its dignity. Parliament is the natural bulupon which none of the old adherents of the wark against royal tyranny. Are we ourselves king would have ventured. It is said he in- to aid in tearing down this bulwark? Tell tends even to organize a standing army. If me, what protection would be left to us in that this master-stroke should prove successful, it event?" would be unnecessary for the king to convene "The Church!" replied Sir Kenelm Digby, Parliament." emphatically. " It always was the best coun"L But in that case all the liberties of the terpoise to the encroachments of the temporal people would be lost, and none of us would be power. The popes always protected the nabetter off than the slaves in Turkey. The tions from the oppressions of their rulers. It nobility, which is at the head of society, will is the greatest bane of the Reformation that it feel the change first. We shall become noth- broke the power of the Church and took from ing but tools and servants of the crown, while it the weapons with which it always effectually at present the King of England is only chief opposed the encroachments of tyranny. The among equals, the peer of his peers. Just thunderbolts of Rome caused the kings to look at France, where Richelieu is governing tremble on their thrones." despotically in the name of King Louis! Are "One who hears you talk in this strain canyou desirous of having a similar state of affairs not but believe that you have really turned brought about in our own country? The Catholic, as a great many persons have asproud cardinal is putting his foot on the necks serted from time to time. I have hitherto reof the noblest families, and cuts off the most fused to credit these rumors." aristocratic heads whenever he pleases." "Can one not be a good Protestant, then, " The vigorous rule of one is by far prefera- and yet not shut his eyes against the great ble to the many-headed government of the advantages of the Roman Church? Will you people. You know that I am a naturalist; deny that Catholicism was a bulwark to the well, then, I have learned from Nature that nations? I do not think you are one of those the members of a whole must be subject to prejudiced men who break into imprecations the will of the head. The stronger one co- as soon as Rome and the Pope are mentioned. erces the weaker, that is a law which cannot You always seemed to me destitute of prejube overthrown. In chemistry the various dice. Hence, you will be obliged to admit powers struggle with each other until one is that the Reformation was by far more advanin the ascendent, whereupon the others submit tageous to the princes than to the people. The to it willingly. Even among metals a certain Catholic Church was free and independent. system like this is to be found. Gold is king, Its clergy formed a consecrated army, a state iron is servant. It was so from the beginning, within the state, with almost a republican conand will always be so." stitution. Its head, the pope himself, is elect 70 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ed to his office, and the lowest priest can reach tacks of the wolf, in order to shear and kill this exalted position, if he possesses the neces- them when he desires to get their wool or their sary talents. This secures at'once the suprem- meat. Now, mankind is not an irrational flock acy of the mind over brute force. In this of sheep; it rebelled against this spiritual sersense Rome always resisted the encroachments vitude, the worst of all tyrannies. Even though of the princes, and its dreaded thunderbolts de- the present state of affairs may not be the hapterred the most powerful monarchs from high- piest, it is much better for us to suffer in our handed violence. What did the Reformation property and lives than our salvation. The bring us for all this? It enriched the kings protection which Rome granted to the.nations and impoverished the people. The clergy lost had to be purchased too dearly. The price its independence, and thereby its influence; was freedom of conscience and thought." from being a free order, it sank to the low con- "And whither has this much-vaunted freedition of servitude. The property of the Church dom led us! All England is split up into hosfell into the hands of the princes, and not into tile sects, hating and persecuting each other those of the people, and added greatly to their with the utmost ferocity. The most absurd power. Who is to shield the people now from teachings find every day more adherents and the arbitrary proceedings of the princes, since mouth-pieces. We are like degenerate sons they have lost their best protector? Brute who are unable to agree upon the division of force has taken the place of intellectual and their father's inheritance, and lacerate and murspiritual supremacy, and the justly odious In- der each other, until no one is left to enjoy the quisition has been replaced by a far worse one. inheritance. I see farther, a great deal farther, Or do you think that the religious tyranny of than you think. Behind these religious dissenthe Star-Chamber is milder, that the fines and sions I behold already the Gorgon head of civil penalties which it imposes are less painful, and war, of a bloody struggle threatening to overthat its dungeons are not as deep and cruel? whelm all existing institutions. The teachI repeat it, the Reformation is the real source ings of the so-called primitive Christianity of our present evils and troubles." begin already to bear fruit, and fanatical en"Hush, for God's sake, hush!" cried the thusiasts and cunning hypocrites derive from anxious earl. " If any one heard you talk the Bible the justification of the most infamous thus, you yourself might have to appear before attacks on property and the government. Have the dreaded Star-Chamber, and, as a secret you not heard of the Anabaptists who infested Catholic, suffer the most severe penalties. parts of Germany? They demanded nothing Even though you may be right in some re- less than the abolition of all privileges and a spects, you must not forget that the Reforma- division of property. Our Puritans bear the tion was the very event that brought spiritual greatest resemblance to their German brethren. freedom to the people. It gave to the people They are said to dream of a millennium, and the Bible, the unadulterated word of salvation. of the rule of the chosen people. They mean We have learned to read and think. The thereby neither more nor less than the unRoman Church is like the miser who starves limited rule of the rabble, the abolition of nohis children and keeps his riches locked up in bility, and the confiscation of our property. his strongbox. It is true, it often protected The chosen people of the Lord are intent on the people from the tyranny, of the princes, beheading us and taking our places. They but it did so only in its own interest, like the consider us only a host of accursed heathens, shepherd who protects his sheep from the at- Moabites, Edomites, etc.,who deserve no mercy, SIR KENELM DIGBY. 71 and whose property, lands, pastures, gardens, same remedies as the diseases of the human and forests, God has assigned to His true chil- body. First, try lenity, and, if it proves inefdren as rewards of their merits and piety. See, fectual, resort to vigorous, and even harsh that is what we owe to your Bible and freedom measures. The sore limb must be removed of conscience. Let the uneducated people get before mortification seizes the whole body. It hold of this two-edged sword, and you will soon is better that a putrid part be lost than the see your own life menaced." whole. This is my sincere opinion. I believe " Unfortunately I am obliged to admit that it is the only way for us to save ourselves, you are right, although I do not know how and preserve, as loyal subjects, our king from the evil is to be counteracted. For this reason injury and danger. But excuse me, if I leave I should like to hear your views. You are you now. I have not yet waited upon the known to me not only as a profound scholar, ladies of the house. If you permit, I will go but as an experienced statesman. What do to them now." you advise us to do in the present state of af- It was with great reluctance that the earl fairs? I believe I am not mistaken in ven- dismissed his guest, with whom he would have turing upon the surmise that your journey con- liked to converse further on the affairs of the ceals some other than its ostensible object, country. He himself had hitherto been unable and that a secret mission is probably coupled to form a definite opinion in regard to them, with your visit. You enjoy the implicit confi- and he was hesitating and vacillating between dence of his majesty, and are the confidential his innate mildness and the fear of dangerous friend and adviser of the queen. Archbishop events. His eminent position imposed grave Laud was formerly your guardian, and is now responsibilities upon him. He remained in his your intimate friend. Be frank with me, and study, absorbed in his reflections, without disclose your mission to me." coming to a definite resolution. Even the Sir Kenelm Digby kept the earl some time doubts which his visitor had aroused in his waiting for a positive reply. He deemed it soul concerning the salutary influence of the prudent to veil himself in mysterious silence. Catholic Church had made a marked impresHe neither contradicted nor confirmed the sur- sion on his mind; and, although the Protmises of his host. estant convictions" of the lord president re"You are mistaken," he said, with a signifi- volted at the idea of Roman supremacy, he had cant smile, " if you think my royal master has to admit to himself that his guest had uttered intrusted me with a special mission. Is any some irrefutable truths. other motive for a visit to your house needed, Meanwhile Sir Kenelm Digby was walking then, than our long friendship and the bonds with an air of great satisfaction through the of relationship, which, instead of loosening, I gallery toward the apartments of the ladies. should like to draw closer? In truth, I have He had attained his object by the interview communicated to you only my individual views he had just had with the earl, and perhaps on the condition of our country. Possibly I gained over another irresolute mind to his may be mistaken. But as you seem to attach plans. He hated the Reformation from the some importance to my advice, I will not bottomof his soul, as it had caused the death withhold it. Hippocrates says that iron cures of his father. For the time being, however, what medicine does not heal; and where iron he deemed it prudent not to throw off the proves ineffectual, fire should be resorted to. mask and td secretly enlist friends and adIn my opinion, the ills of the state require the herents for the Catholic Church. 72 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. his refined wit and his surpassing accomplishCHAPTER XI. ments. He made an especially favorable impression on the countess, who was a very MILTON AND DIGBY. handsome lady yet, and to whom he seemed THE room in which the ladies were seated to devote particular attention, without neglectwas sumptuously furnished in the style of that ing Alice even for a moment. He took part period. Mythological scenes adorned the in the conversation with his habitual ease and gilded ceiling. Venus rode in a car drawn by gracefulness. Milton, without knowing the doves and surrounded by little Cupids, who reason why, felt a most decided aversion to carried, with ludicrous faces, the arms of Mars, the guest who had come in so unexpectedly. his helmet, shield, and lance. Costly hangings It was not envy, not even jealousy, that arose of crimson silk covered the walls; heavy cur- in his bosom, and filled him with distrust of tains of the same stuff flowed down over the the stranger. The poet, perhaps, was disdoors and windows. The high-backed chairs pleased with the superiority and ill-concealed were carved in the most artistic manner. Near egotism of the new-comer; or, maybe, the one of the arched windows stood a small table mysterious atmosphere surrounding Sir Kenelm beautifully inlaid with pearl and ivory. Its Digby made such a disagreeable impression upper part consisted of curiously - wrought upon him. There was something demoniacal wood, ivory, and metal, forming the most at- in his appearance and bearing. Milton could tractive figures, butterflies, flowers, and birds. not help thinking of those magnificent but A small bureau, of the same materials and poisonous flowers, which exhale narcotic odors,'workmanship, stood close by. The ladies kept and, notwithstanding their beauty, make an in it their jewelry and similar toilet articles. unpleasant impression on the beholder. The Alice and her mother were seated on low dissimilitude of the two characters, destitute chairs, occupied with needlework and em- of a single point of contact, was probably the broidery; opposite them sat Milton and his principal cause of this aversion. friend Edward King. At some distance from Alice perceived, first of all, with the keen them Lawes, the musician, had seated himself eye of young love, the poet's aversion to Sir at the organ, then an indispensable article in Kenelm Digby, and she tried to draw him the house of every aristocratic family. He again into the conversation, after he had been had just finished a song, which he had com- silent for some time. posed at the request of the countess, and for " Well, Mr. Milton," she said, playfully, "you which he was enthusiastically applauded by are probably reflecting at this moment on the his whole audience. Scarcely had the conver- promise you gave me and your fiiend Lawes." sation, interrupted by his performance, been "What promise? " asked the poet, absently, resumed, when Sir Kenelm Digby came in and starting up from his reverie. paid his respects to the ladies. His attitude "Why, I should not have thought you so and bearing indicated at once the well-bred forgetful. Do you no longer remember that and accomplished gentleman, who had moved you consented to immortalize our adventure in with so much distinction at the prominent Haywood Forest?" courts of Europe. As, in his interview with "I do, indeed," faltered out Milton, in great the earl, he had so advantageously displayed confusion, "and I shall redeem my promise." his statesmanship as to excite the admiration "Loquacious Fame," interposed Sir Kenelm, of his host, so he now delighted the ladies by "has informed me of your adventure, noble MILTON AND DIGBY. 73 lady, and I envy the young gentlemen who Does it not elevate the soul by the consciouswere fortunate enough to render you so chival- ness of its relationship to all that is divine, rous a service. The author of' The Arcades,' pure, and noble? When soaring to its full for I am happy to recognize him, in my opinion height, it is fused into religion, into Christiancannot make a better use of his talents than ity itself, for, like it, it spiritualizes man and to dedicate charming verse to beauty and in- nature. I grant that poetry sometimes serves fiocence. This is the only place I assign to vice and appears in the company of evil paspoetry; otherwise I think very little of it." sions; but genius even then preserves its di"And may I inquire how the Muses have in- vine nature, and poetry, even in the service of curred your aversion? " asked Alice, displeased voluptuousness or hatred, cannot entirely deny with the sneering tone of the guest. its sublime origin. Traces of pure sentiments, "Because they circulate nothing but lies and traits full of delicacy, pictures of innocent hapfalsehoods in the world. Most of the poets are piness, sympathy with the sufferings of virtue, ignorant of real life, and put in its place their burst from the dark cloud of wrath, from the fanciful dreams and the deceptive creations of night of despair; passages full of a lofty spirit their imagination. Their mind calls up before of morality may be found even in every imtheir readers nothing but dissolving views, moral work; and they prove, in the most strikwhich, on closer contemplation and examina- ing manner, how difficult it is for a poetical tion, turn out to be empty vagaries. Espe- mind to prove recreant to its inborn excellency; cially injurious is the influence of poetry to for poetry is the constant ally of our best senyoung persons, because it misleads the reason, timents. It delights in the beauty and granshows every thing in a false light, and fills the deur both of nature and the human soul. Inheart and the head with fanciful ideas and deed, it depicts.with terrible truthfulness the feelings. Like the divine Plato, I should exile errors of passion, but only such as bear witness the poets from the state." to a powerful nature, a strength calculated to Milton had listened to this unjustifiable at- inspire terror, and yet filling us with profound, tack with flushed cheeks and eyes flashing shuddering compassion. Its principal aspirawith indignation. His pride rebelled against tion and greatest task is to carry the mind bethe reviler of poetry, which he valued highest yond the beaten, dusty, and muddy paths of among all arts. To him the Muse was not a every-day life, and elevate it to purer heights, mere pastime, not an earthly servant, destined where it may breathe in an atmosphere full of only for pleasure and enjoyment. A poet, in noble and lofty sentiments. It reveals to us his eyes, was equivalent to a prophet; hence, the full beauty and loveliness of nature, rehe could not suffer such scornful allusions to stores to us the freshness of youthful sensahis calling, and least of all in the presence of tions, vivifies the joy felt in simple pleasures,, his beloved. He had suddenly lost his former and fans and preserves the sacred flame ofenbashfulness; he had jumped up from his seat, thusiasm, which warms the spring of our life, and now stood in the full ardor of his enthu- ennobles the love of the two sexes, excites our siasm in front of the reviler of poetry. sympathy for all human relations and all classes "No matter what Plato says! "he exclaimed of society, and, by prophetic forebodings, lays indignantly. " I believe that poetry is one of the foundations of our blissful belief in a future the greatest blessings vouchsafed to mankind life." What! poetry, the greatest benefactor to man- "Splendid!" replied Sir Kenelm Digby, sarkind, be injurious to the state and to society. donically. "You defend your own cause with 74 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. a great display of mind and imagination. But, omnipotent passion, which seem to arm the like a true poet, you avoid my charge, and con- soul with superhuman energy; the innocent fine yourself to an encomium of poetry. You and ever-new joys of youth, the blissful transhave not by any means refuted what I said ports of the heart, succumbing for the first against it." time to the sweet charms of love, and dream"I shall do so now. You charge poetry ing of a happiness too sublime for this world; with spreading erroneous views and false ex- woman with her beauty and grace, her irresistpectations of real life, filling the mind with ible amiability and boundless devotion; the fantastic illusions, and building up air-castles blush of innocence, the tone, the glance of on the ruins of wisdom. I do not deny, in- which only a mother is capable: all this is deed, that it combats that kind of wisdom poetry. It is false to say that the poet depicts which is exclusively based on material views, a life that does not exist in reality. He distils considers physical pleasures and enjoyments and concentrates the heavenly essence of life, the highest human blessings, and accumulation preserves and secures its volatile aroma, unites of means the only task of life; yea, I do not the severed and mutilated parts of its beauty, deny it, and praise this circumstance as not and imparts a longer existence to its, alas! the meanest service which poetry is rendering too rapidly withering blossoms. And in doing to mankind, in delivering us from the thraldom this, he is a benefactor, for it is a blessing for of this earth-born and worldly prudence. But us to be reminded that life does not belong exI prefer not to enter into this point, and will elusively to the painful satisfaction of our prove only that all the charges of falsehood earthly wants, but admits also of sentiments and deception, raised against poets, are utterly and feelings that fill us with unutterable bliss, unfounded. In many poerm there is more and are worthy of a better world. This power truth than is to be found in history itself, and of poetry to refine and purify our views of life in philosophical systems. The creations of and happiness should be the more carefully genius are often revelations of the highest fostered, and is the more necessary to us, the truth; they disclose to us unknown regions of greater the progress of society. It is necessary thought, and shed a new light on the mysteries to us, in order to meet the arrogant assumptions of life. The word itself sometimes appears false of our heartless and artificial relations, which, in poetry, while the spirit is imbued with the brought about by civilization, make the world highest truth. And if truth thus lives even in appear to us so desolate and uninteresting. It the boldest flights of poetry, how much more is necessary to us, in order to combat the onewill this be the case when the poet portrays sided aspirations of science, which is no longer, real life; for our present life is only, as it were, as formerly, taught for its own sake, but from the primary school of the immortal spirit, and vile covetousness and for the sake of the adindescribably rich in poetical elements. It is vantages which it holds out to greedy men. the sublime task of the bard to draw these Hence, poetry must prevent men from sinking divine elements from the coarse dross covering and perishing under the burden of this worldly and surrounding them. Life is not by any life of the present time, which attaches the means so prosy, sober, and trivial, as people highest importance to sensual pleasures." generally believe. An open eye sees at once At the conclusion of- his speech, there was that it teems with poetry. The sentiments in the room so profound a silence, that it alwhich it awakens in our own hearts, and scat- most frightened him. Enthusiasm had carried ters as seeds for the future; the powers of him so far away, that he forgot all his sur MILTON AND DIGBY. 75 roundings, the place where he was standing, Mr. Milton from serving the Muses. We have and the persons whom he was addressing. need of him. The birthday of my husband, Coloring and awaking as if from a dream, he the lord president, will be celebrated this looked at his audience, which seemed fasci- month. We have resolved to present some nated by the spell of his words. Alice had mask or other play on this occasion, and were dropped her needlework on her knees, and just going to request the poet to lend us his sat in a reverential attitude, her hands clasped most valuable assistance." as if in prayer. A blissful smile played round " My feeble ability is at your service, graher lips, and in her pure heart resounded yet cious countess; I will assist you with all my the echoes of the words she had just heard. heart," replied Milton. They had expressed her own thoughts and "And I will furnish the music," said Henry feelings, but had clad them in more beautiful Lawes. " I am already proud of the beautiful language, and had been more profound than poem which you will write for me." she had ever thought or felt them. The en- "You are doing me a great deal of honor," thusiastic musician had risen from his feet and replied the poet; "but I am really at a loss to gratefully shook hands with the blushing poet. decide what subject would be most suitable to Even the sneering courtier dropped his sarcas- the occasion." tic tone, and contented himself with cloaking Oh, let me help you to choose an excellent the evident defeat which he had sustained, by subject," exclaimed the musician. "You may adroitly extolling first of all the able manner kill two birds with one stone. What do you in which, he said, the poet had defended his think of selecting the adventure in Haywood cause. Forest as the subject of the mask? You "You have conducted your defence so well, might add the'most charming scenes and that I am almost obliged to admit that I am changes to it. The persons appearing in the vanquished. You are not only a poet, but also mask may be depicted as they really are-our a most skilful advocate. Being possessed of gracious Lady Alice, the two brothers, and such talents, you may obtain the highest dis- Comus, the foolish vagabond. This will save tinctions and honors, if you know how to profit you half the trouble, and I will compose for it by your accomplishments. I will not recur to melodies which will delight the angels in our controversy, else I should advise you to heaven." give up poetry, which rewards its votaries only "The only question is," objected Milton, with crowns of thorns. The laurel always has " whether Lady Alice and her brothers conbeen, and always will be, unfruitful." sent to be brought upon the stage in this man" For this reason, he is the symbol of the ner. And then I do not feel equal to such a highest glory. He who strives for the divine task." renounces any earthly gain." " Oh, pray try it," said Alice. " You have "But as we live on earth, you would do well my consent, which I grant with the greatest to turn your talents to account, and profit by readiness, and my brothers will have no obthem as much as possible. The civil service jections either. I impose, however, the conis open to you, and a young man of your abil- dition that you must not idealize us too much, ity will be able to reach the most eminent po- nor treat us with too great poetical license. sitions, if he is determined to do so." You yourself said just now that poetry is des"Just now, however," interposed the Count- tined to serve truth, and I take you at your ess of Bridgewater, "you must not dissuade word." 76 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. " You need not be afraid, for I shall take ties. Of all the Olympic gods, friend Comus, good care not to falsify my own words. Real- the god of laughter and jollity always pleased ity in this case is full of poetry. I shall go to me best, and I shall take pains to do honor to work immediately, and Lawes shall receive in him, provided you and the poet do not object a few days the first verses, which he will to it. I am sure Mr. Milton will not treat compose" friend Comus with a niggardly hand, but be"I thank you for your great kindness," said stow a good share of wit and humor on him. the countess. "And that we may represent In this case, I will allow him even to encroach truth as faithfully as possible, Alice and her a little upon truth, and not represent the awkbrothers shall themselves perform on the stage ward, sneering fellow entirely in accordance the adventure which occurred to them." with nature. On the other hand, he must not " That is splendid! " exclaimed the musi- be entirely destitute of malice and irony; for cian, jubilantly. " The persons interested in they impart the real zest to life, and will add the adventure will thus pass through it a sec- to the attractions of the mask." ond time." "I am obliged to you for this hint," replied " For the other roles which you intend to the poet, " and shall profit by it to the best add to the mask," continued the countess, " I of my ability. You will have no cause to believe we shall likewise find suitable perform- complain of me; I shall certainly follow your ers. Of course, I count in the first place suggestions." upon you and your friend Mr. King. As sav- "But what is to be the name of the mask?" iors of my daughter, you must, of course, ap- asked the musician. pear in the mask." "Alice; or, Rescued Innocence," replied "Pray do not insist on it, so far as I am Edward King, who had hitherto been silent, concerned," said Milton, beseechingly. "I absorbed in thinking only of the lovely girl. myself do not possess any theatrical talents "You do me too much honor," objected whatever. Whenever I am to speak in pub- Alice. "Let the name of the mask rather be lie, my tongue seems paralyzed, and I am un-'Comus.'" able to utter a word. I should, therefore, play "Your request is equivalent to an order," but a sorry part on such an occasion. More- replied the poet; "I myself like this title best, over, the honor of the rescue, if it may be and will go to work immediately. I hope to called so, is due exclusively to the bravery and finish the mask in the course of a few days." courage of my friend. Hence, it will be suffi- "And I shall be on hand in time," said Sir cient if he performs this role in the mask which Kenelm Digby, " and learn and play my part is now forming in my mind." conscientiously." "But who will represent the god Comus?" "We will take you at your word," replied asked Alice. the countess. " Of course you will all promise " I will, if you permit me," replied Sir Ken- to keep the matter secret, as it is to be a surelm Digby. prise for my husband." "What? You will do it?" exclaimed the The conversation soon took a more general Countess, wonderingly. direction. Sir Kenelm Digby was requested to " I should like to contribute my mite to the speak of his travels, and he did so in a manner festival, and as Nature has given me a prosy which delighted his hearers. He had seen the character, let me, in God's name, take upon greater part of Europe, under the most pecumyself the role most suitable to my peculiari- liar and brilliant circumstances. He knew MILTON AND DIGBY. 77 how to describe life at the courts of France step; you fancy you hear the arrows rattle in and Spain in the most interesting and amusing her quiver, and wish secretly to be kissed in manner. Owing to his personal acquaintance your sleep, like Endymion, by these sweet with the most eminent persons, he was able virgin lips. Leaning against the tree stands to impart a peculiar zest to his descriptions. Apollo, the god of music and poetry, and the Thus he traced a lifelike portrait of Cardinal prototype of manly beauty. His head seems Richelieu, whom he pronounced the greatest surrounded with beams, of light; ambrosial statesman in the world. He interwove his hair flows from his radiant forehead; genernarrative with numerous witty allusions and ous pride and inspiration swells his beautiful piquant anecdotes, and did not forget to ex- mouth and his royal nostrils. And as if these patiate on the love of the cardinal for Queen witnesses of past splendor and glory were inAnne, of Austria, and her aversion to the all- sufficient, new wonders emerge every day from powerful minister. He dwelt longest upon the bowels of the earth, which faithfully conthe wonders and beauties of Italy. Here he cealed such treasures from the hordes of the became himself almost a poet, and in praising barbarians, and restore them to a better and the marvels of Venice, the charms of Florence, more civilized era which knows how to appreand the sublime grandeur of Rome, he was ciate them. These relics of antiquityrekindled carried away by his enthusiasm, and forgot the love of art in Italy. It was not in vain his habitual irony. that Raphael feasted his eyes on these sub"Yes, you must go to Rome," he said, turn- lime works of art, and that Michael Angelo's ing to the poet. "A new life will dawn upon piercing glance penetrated the simplicity and you there. No city on earth combines in the grandeur of the world of the ancients; both same degree the wonders of ancient and mod- created works striving not only to equal, but ern times. Wherever you tread, the ground to surpass their models. The lovely splendor is hallowed. Here rises the Colosseum, the of colors has taken the place of the cold very ruins of which make an overwhelming marble. Christianity displays treasures not impression on the mind; here you behold the less precious than pagan antiquity. How majestic front and sublime dome of St. Peter's. much more beautiful are these Madonnas, Devout awe fills the heart in such gigantic these saints, painted by the master-hand of a surroundings, and when the colossal organ and Raphael, who knows how to surround mortal the enchanting choir accompany high mass, loveliness with the halo of divine glory, than every one bends his krees involuntarily. all those goddesses of love; how much more Temples and palaces are to be seen in endless sublime is Michael Angelo's' Bast Judgment,' procession, and the immortal creations of art than the'Struggle of the Titans! And all beam in eternal beauty from their walls and this is surrounded by a charming wreath of in their niches. All Olympus descends to villas and gardens, where the laurel grows on you, and you see the gods created by the ruins, the vine loaded with grapes encircles teeming imagination of the Greeks. The large, the slender poplar, and the dark cypress regrave face of Juno gazes at you; the goddess minds us with warning finger that every thing of love rises with a sweet smile before your is perishable, and yet invites us to enjoy the eyes from the froth of the sea. The marble delights of life." seems to live, and you expect that she will "Oh " exclaimed Milton, carried away by stretch out her longing arms toward you. The the words of the speaker, " I will some day chaste Diana hastens past you with a quick visit this wonderful country!" 78 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. "You will be justified in doing so," added closer together; and although neither the poet Digby, with a strange smile. "Where Virgil nor Alice had hitherto lent words to their feellived, Iorace wrote, and Cicero spoke and ings, they were nevertheless sure of their thought, inspiration cannot be wanting to the mutual happiness. poet. The great library of the Vatican will However, the parting hour struck at last. open to you its intellectual treasures, its books Milton and his friend could no longer stay at and rare manuscripts. You will find there Ludlow Castle and enjoy the generous hoscombined, at one point, all that human genius pitality which was offered to them there. The created for ages past, an arsenal of knowledge, grief of their separation, however, was lessened a treasury of the noblest kind, such as is not by the hope that they would soon meet again. to be found anywhere else in the world. But The poet had to promise the countess once the classical spirit does not alone lie dead in more that he would return with his work in a those books, it still lives in that wonderful few days, make the necessary arrangements country; and you willbecome acquainted there for the mask, and conduct the performance with many men possessed of extraordinary himself. Alice held out to him her hand, knowledge, and animated by the most refined which he pressed respectfully to his lips. humanity. Italy is, as heretofore, the dwell- "We shall soon meet again! " she whispered ing-place of genius, the fatherland of the poets, to the poet. and her great men are still the teachers of the "We shall soon meet again!" he repeated, whole world." thoughtfully. Digby spoke to Milton in this enthusiastic strain, and fanned in his bosom the wish, which he had entertained for a long time, to visit CHAPTER XI. Italy, until it became a devouring flame. He had already often thought of visiting the classi- CATHOLIC PLANS AND PROGRESS. cal country. At that time young men were sent DIGBY stayed at the castle several days after thither to finish their education, as afterward the friends had left. The presence of this' to France and Paris. Rome and Florence gifted and interesting man was more or less were still considered the high-schools of the welcome to all its inmates; especially was the mind, and no cavalier was looked upon as a countess delighted with his attractive confinished gentleman unless he had lived there versation. The attention which he devoted to for some time. Milton's father was fully con- Alice filled her maternal heart with pride, and vinced of the necessity of such a journey for not with uneasiness. She seemed to second his gifted son, and had long since given him secretly his aim, which became more evident permission to enter upon it; only no time had from day to day, to obtain the Hand of her as yet been fixed for it, and several domestic daughter. A great many ladies manifest a events had compelled the son to postpone the surprising indulgence on such occasions. project. Digby's descriptions reawakened the Neither the by no means unblemished reputaold plan, which nothing but his growing love tion of the suitor nor his mature age injured for Alice prevented him now from carrying into him in the eyes of the mother, whom he maneffect. His affection for her had made decided aged to gain by his refined manners and the progress during the few days which he had advantages of his position. The other mempassed at Ludlow Castle. Since that meeting bers of the family were also favorable to him. in the garden, every hour. had drawn them The impressible Thomas especially felt at CATHOLIC PLANS AND PROGRESS. 79 tracted by the fascinations of the distinguished law which forbids every foreign Catholic priest cavalier and polished courtier. The youth under severe penalties to set foot on British listened rapturously to his enticing descrip- soil." tions of the brilliant life of the aristocracy "And yet you ventured to come hither?" in London and at the court of Charles I. "This will show you the importance of the Alice alone did not share the general predilec- mission intrusted to me. I count upon you, tion; and although she was unable to keep as I am aware of your zeal for the good cause. entirely aloof from the charm of his conversa- Hence, I did not shrink from coming to Ludtion, she felt near him an embarrassment and low Castle before repairing to London; I was anxiety which she could not explain to herself. desirous of making sure of your assistance. Digby, however, did not allow himself to be I am the bearer of a letter, written to you by deterred by her reserved bearing, and con- our holy general, the Rev. Father Vitelleschi, tinued his courtship in so delicate and discreet and I bring you also the most cordial greetings a manner that she was unable to reject it and warm recommendations from the superiors without treating him with downright rudeness. and rectors of our order. At the same time Thus the astute guest wove his net insen- permit me to introduce to you here my assistsibly round the whole house-a net-work of ant and substitute, our worthy brother, Signor schemes and purposes of various kinds. He Con. I myself intend to stay but a short time observed here likewise the mysterious attitude in England, as I must soon return to Rome." which had become peculiar to him. At times "Holy Virgin!" exclaimed Digby, after he locked himself for hours in his room to reading the letter attentively, "the plan is write long letters to persons in different parts bold, and does honor to him who conceived it. of the world. These letters were written in a I have no doubt of its success, and will help cipher which no uninitiated person was able you to carry it into effect to the best of my to read. A discreet servant forwarded them, feeble power. You know that the Church has and was almost incessantly on the road for no more faithful servant than me. Oh, how I this purpose. From time to time there arrived hate this Reformation, which caused my fastrangers who inquired for the guest, and ther's death and made me a beggar! I shall be with whom he had interviews to which no one willing to die on the day when all England else was admitted. forswears its false creed and returns into the One day two gentlemen were announced to bosom of our Holy Church." him. Both seemed to be foreigners, and to " May all the saints bless your prayer! but have just arrived after a long journey. The I am afraid a long time will elapse before this broad-brimmed hat of one of them concealed will be the case." a very characteristic Italian face, a mixture of "The state of affairs here is by far more faclerical sanctimoniousness and worldly cun- vorablethan you think, reverend father. Every ning. No sooner was Digby alone with his thing tends to promote our plans. Since Buckvisitors, than he gave vent to his surprise. ingham's death, the influence of the queen has "Reverend father," he said, kissing the been constantly on the increase, and her zeal hand of the Italian, " I should sooner have ex- for the Catholic cause is well known to you. pected the heavens to fall than to see you in She has to be checked rather than incited, as England. Are you aware of the danger to she is yet too destitute of sagacity, and suffers which you are exposed here?" herself to be hurried on to imprudent steps "I am. I am not ignorant of the barbarous by her restless mind and her impatience. 80 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Many distinguished persons in the kingdom compelled to disturb your plans, for mere either adhere firmly to the ancient faith, or pleasure does not seem to be the reason of have returned to it publicly or secretly. Some your sojourn here." important conversions have lately taken place "You may be right; but in serving my own even among the prominent officers of the king. interests, I never lose sight of those of the Lord Cottington, and Windbank, the private order. The Earl of Bridgewater, Lord Presisecretary, have turned Catholics, and the ex- dent of Wales, is one of the wealthiest and ample they have set is imitated every day by most distinguished noblemen of this kingdom. others. There are even many clergymen of I have succeeded in gaining his confidence, the Church of England who are secret friends and sowing. the seeds of doubt in his weak of Rome. If we succeed in gaining the all- heart. In a few days the seeds would probpowerful Laud over to our side, we are sure ably have borne some fruit already, and we of victory." should have gained another adherent to our "And you think that he will espouse our Church. I am afraid that all will be lost cause?" again by my absence." " His inclination toward the Catholic Church " He who desires to gain great things must cannot be doubted. Wherever he can, he re- know how to give up lesser ones. If Laud, stores the ancient rites and ceremonies. His the Primate of the Church of England, joins liturgy is but slightly different from our mass. our side, the others will follow him, as the He has introduced again costly vestments, al- whole flock follows the shepherd. Your labor tars, and images of saints; in short, he lacks will not be lost for all that; it will be acnothing to be as good a Catholic as you and I knowledged both in heaven and here on but the acknowledgment of papal authority. earth." His boundless pride has hitherto prevented "I do not desire to conceal any thing from him from bowing to Rome; but now that you you. The earl has a daughter." bring him the cardinal's hat which the Holy "I understand. You are desirous of putFather has conferred on him, this last scruple ting an end to your forlorn condition as a widwill disappear also." ower; and as a rich dower is doubtless not "You know that my own safety does not wanting to the lady, you intend thereby to permit me to negotiate directly with Laud; extricate yourself from your pecuniary emnor will the Primate of the Church of England barrassments. The order cannot blame you be willing to receive me. Our negotiations, for this; nay, it approves of what you are dotherefore, must be carried on by a person who ing, as it is important to it that the influence will not be suspected, and the general of our and social standing of its friends should be holy order has selected you to take this task placed on a firm footing. In the first place, upon yourself." however, it must insist on the strict fulfilment "I shall always treat his wishes as orders. of your duties. After performing your mission I shall leave Ludlow Castle with you this very and gaining Laud over to our side, you will day, and repair to London in order to commu- have plenty of time left to occupy yourself nicate your offers to the archbishop. All per- with the affairs of your heart, court the lady, sonal considerations must be subordinate to andpmake her your wife." the interests of the order." "But what if another should outstrip me? " "You seem to leave the castle reluctantly," "Then there are rivals of your suit, and said the wily Jesuit. " I am sorry that I am competitors for her favor? " CATHOLIC PLANS AND PROGRESS. 81' There is but one up to this time, so far as are sure to deliver them into our hands. You I know. A young poet who lives in the know the parable of the bundle of arrows. So neighborhood seems to have made some im- long as a bond unites them, they cannot be pression upon the heart of the young lady. broken, but any child can break them singly. He' is not destitute of talent, and it has oc- We will look on quietly while the heretics are curred to me that he might become a useful destroying each other. You will see it will instrument in our hands, although he sympa- not last much longer." thizes openly with the Puritans." "The Catholics are to remain neutral, "What is his name?" then?" "Milton. John Milton." "Not altogether. There may soon come a "I will remember it, and the order will not time when we shall take a decisive part in the lose sight of him." struggle. But for the time being I deem an The Jesuit drew from a secret pocket a attitude of quiet observation most advisable note-book, in which he wrote a few words in for us. We must break neither with the cipher. Church of England, nor with the Puritans. " For the rest," he added, in a calmer tone, Who knows to-day which side may be victo"it seems to me you have little or nothing to rious to-morrow? Besides, you will bear in fear from such a rival. Poets are rarely dan- mind that the interests of the Catholics in gerous; your own experience must have taught England in some points are identical with you that, as you yourself did homage to the those of the Protestant dissenters." Muses in your early years. They are wild en- "Of our worst enemies?" asked Digby, thusiasts, and it is not until the vapors and wonderingly. mists of imagination have vanished, that they "Yes. Are not the Puritans and similar see men and things as they really are. But separatists persecuted as we are? are we not then it is too late for them; the opportunity both groaning under the same penal laws? In is gone, and they stand empty-handed. I am demanding freedom of conscience and toleraastonished that a man like you should be tion, the sectarians are fighting for us. Not afraid of such an enthusiast. Seize the prize our friends, but our enemies, must be useful to boldly, and the lady cannot escape you. But us. It will be good policy for us to go hand in we will talk of this secondary affair at some hand with them so long as our own advantage other time. We have to speak of more im- requires it. After triumphing with them and portant matters. You mentioned the Puri- through them, it will be time enough for us to tans. What of them and the dissenters in drop them. Do not forget this policy, which general?" you will, perhaps, be obliged to pursue in a "They are gaining every day numerous ad- very short time." herents, and are rankling like weeds'in the "You will find me ready at all times to dismal swamp of the Reformation." obey the instructions of the order, and the "So much the better," replied the Jesuit, commands of the Holy Church." with a singular smile. "We cannot wish for a "Very well. Let us not lose a moment. more faithful ally than this sectarian spirit, We must leave the castle this very hour, and provided we know how to profit by it. The enter upon our most important mission. If more numerous the sects in England, the easier Laud accepts the cardinal's hat, England will will be our triumph. They are fighting and be ours to-morrow." persecuting each other for us; their dissensions Digby at once obeyed the Jesuit, whom he 6 82 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. honored as his superior. He himself was a prevented. Almost down to the present time secret member of the order, and he had even this event was annually celebrated in London received permission to remain apparently a and nearly every town of England, and a figure member of the Church of England so long as of Guy Fawkes was burned amid great rejoichis position should require it. On the other ings. All these plots and intrigues added to hand, he had solemnly pledged himself to the hostility with which the English people strictly obey the orders of his superior. Filled were animated against Rome, and stirred up from early youth with intense hatred of the an unyielding fanaticism against the Catholic Reformation, which had cost him his father's Church. The Protestant clergy thundered life, and a large portion of his fortune, he forth the most terrible denunciations and menknew no other or higher object than the resto- aces against the pope and his adherents, and ration of Catholicism. In these aspirations he lavished on them the most offensive invectives was upheld and seconded by his bigoted Cath- and obscene by-words, from which that period olic mother. Already, during his sojourn in of ardent fanaticism never shrank back. Rome France, he had carried out the purposes which was called a hot-bed of sin and lewdness, and he had entertained for a long time, and had the pope was compared with the Antichrist, returned into the bosom of the Catholic the dragon, and the seven-headed beast of the Church. He had ever since devoted his whole Apocalypse. Thus the gulf was widening from activity to the interests of the order, which day to day, and the hatred of the people besoon found him to be one of its most useful came constantly more intense. and energetic members. Notwithstanding these unfavorable prosRome, which forgets nothing and gives up pects, the Catholic Church was not disheartnothing, could not get over the defection of the ened. What she had failed to accomplish by English people. During the reign of Queen violence, she sought to obtain in a more peaceElizabeth, the Holy See had called out the ful way. Moreover, there had been in English Catholic powers against the heretical princess, affairs a change which seemed to encourage to reestablish the ancient faith, sword in hand. her to renewed activity. It is true, the hearts At the bidding of Rome, Philip of Spain had of the people and of Parliament were still filled equipped the proud Armada, which was ship- with the old hatred of and aversion to Rome, wrecked on the shores of England. Rome was which manifested themselves by the most cruel the soul of all insurrections and conspiracies laws and bloody penalties. No Catholic was against Elizabeth; the unfortunate Mary Stuart permitted to hold a public office. The priests was only a welcome tool in her hands. Espe- of the Roman Church were persecuted as herecially did the order of Jesuits, which had been tofore, imprisoned, and even executed, and established but a short time, display extraor- conversions were rigorously prohibited. King dinary activity and energy in this respect. Charles I. had married a Catholic princess, After Elizabeth's death, early in the reign of Henrietta of France, and promised her not James I., the Jesuits brought about Guy only that she herself should be at liberty to Fawkes's celebrated gunpowder-plot, the ob- worship God in accordance with the rites of ject of which was to blow up the Parliament- her religion, but that such alleviations as were house, when the king, the'queen, the king's in his power should be granted to all the memeldest son, the lords, and the members would bers of her Church. The queen had in her all be present. An accident led to the discov- suite not only French courtiers, but also ery of the plot, and the dreadful explosion was priests, and even monks. For the first time CATHOLIC PLANS AND PROGRESS. 83 in many years, the citizens of London saw upon the pride and unbridled ambition of the bearded capuchins in their streets. Mass was Episcopal prelate. regularly celebrated in the apartments of St. Before setting out from Ludlow Castle, he James's, and even the foundations of a.Catho- took leave of all its inmates with studied lic Church were laid in the neighborhood of courtesy and kindness. The Earl of Bridgethe royal palace. The people contented them- water expressed great surprise and regret at selves with manifesting their disapproval by his sudden departure. low murmurs. Relying on the protection and "I am exceedingly sorry," he said, politely, growing influence of the young queen, the Cath- "that you leave us so soon, as I intended to olic party raised its head once more, in the be- converse with you yet on many important subginning timidly and hesitatingly, but afterward jects." more openly and haughtily. Public and secret "I hope to return very speedily, and profit conversions were no longer rare occurrences, once more by your kind hospitality. Pressing and the relentless Star-Chamber suddenly dis- business unfortunately compels me now to go played much lenity and forbearance in this to London." respect. "As you are going to see his majesty, you The Church of England, to which the king may render me an important service." was earnestly devoted, was by no means as "Speak, and I will gladly do all I can for hostile to and different from Catholicism as you and your house." the other reformed sects. It had retained "In the first place, I desire you to present many ancient rites; and outwardly differed but to his miajesty the assurance of my unalterable little from it. Laud, the primate of the king- loyalty and attachment, and likewise to the dom, manifested even a surprising inclination queen, your august patroness and protectoward Rome and its tenets. The more the tress." people became imbued with Puritan principles, "Do you wish to ask a favor ot their mathe more determined was the stand which the jesties? " government and court took in the opposite "Indeed I do, and yet I scarcely venture to direction. The Jesuits profited by these fa- ask for it myself, as so many proofs of the vorable circumstances, with their usual shrewd- royal favor have been lavished on me that ness and energy. Their agents, one of whom any additional demand on my part would look was Sir Kenelm Digby, displayed the greatest like an abuse of the great kindness of their activity. They were everywhere secretly at majesties. I have a son, with whom you are work; they had succeeded in converting many acquainted." eminent persons, and if the offer of a cardi- Lord Brackley? " nals hat should bring about the defection of "I do not refer to him, but to his younger the ambitious Laud, no insurmountable ob- brother Thomas. He has enjoyed an excellent stacles would prevent them from restoring education, and is a young man of noble-gifts, England to the bosom of Catholicism. both of the mind and body. Nevertheless, I For years past Digby had devoted his whole have reason not to be entirely satisfied with energy to this great task. Now he had been him. He does not profit by his fine accomcommissioned to enter into negotiations with plishnents, but squanders his talents in dethe primate, and gain him over by holding out plorable idleness. Latterly, especially, I have to him so rich a prize. Sir Kenelm did not noticed a by no means favorable change in his shrink from this adventure, counting as he did bearing and conduct. Instead of devoting 84 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. himself to his studies, he roams about for days tion that they will receive your son most grawithout any apparent purpose. He is absent- ciously, and assign him at once a suitable posiminded, inattentive, and shuns society. The tion. On my part, good advice shall not be greater was my surprise, on seeing him so withheld from him, although I may resemble soon on excellent terms with you, and I looked certain preachers whose words are excellent, upon this as a hint given me by Fate." while their deeds are any thing but praise"And I am glad that the youth, who is so worthy. However, I have the advantage of amiable, despite your charges, had confidence being very familiar with the temptations of in me and became immediately attached to me." court life; hence, I am able to caution the " I build my plan on this very fact, and hope youth against the sirens, and protect him from that you will lend me your assistance. Already the Charybdis to whose dangers I was likewise for a long time past it was my intention to send exposed." my son to the royal court. As a younger " Then be a wise Mentor to him on his lifebrother, he must strive in time to secure him- path. In the mean time I will prepare him self a position there. Hence, I am very anx- for his new career, and when you return in the ious to see him become a member of the house- course of a few weeks, as you have promised, hold of the king or queen." you may take with you your pupil, whom I "I believe you will meet with no obstacles would not intrust to any man more willingly in obtaining such a position for him, although than to you." a great many younger sons are flocking to court It was with intense joy that Digby took upon for the same purpose." himself this task, which cbuld not but draw " The more necessary is it that some one closer the bonds connecting him with the earl's should intercede in his behalf. You are an family. In doing so, he would, as it were, intimate friend of her majesty, and I request hold in his hands a pledge that would poweryou, therefore, to speak favorably of him to the i-fully promote his schemes. For this reason queen." he promised the earl solemnly that he would "What little influence I am possessed of watch with the utmost solicitude over his son shall be used in his behalf; however, my inter- Thomas. The countess renewed her former cession is unnecessary. The son of the Lord invitation to him. Alice treated him with less President of Wales is sure of meeting with a reserve when he took leave of her. favorable reception." "Do not forget Comus," she added, play"That is not all I ask for. The inexperi- fully, " and do not keep us waiting too long." enced youth, besides, needs some one to watch "Never fear, noble lady; I shall be here in over and guide him. If your friendship for time, and play my part as well as the best him and myself should induce you to take upon actor." yourself the arduous task of guiding his first "I never doubted it," she replied, archly. steps on the slippery ground which he is about On account of his Jesuit companions Digby to enter, you would place me under the greatest rejected the offer of the two brothers, who proobligations." posed to accompany him on horseback beyond "Your confidence does me so much honor the boundaries of Ludlow. After his departthat I will try to deserve it to the best of my ure the whole family concurred in extolling power. I shall mention the subject to the king their well-bred and accomplished guest, and and my august protectress immediately after all were delighted that he would return in the my return to London. It is my firm convic- course of afew weeks. Alice alone was silent MILTON'S CHOSEN VOCATION. 85 and thoughtful. She alone felt an inexplicable so he took care that his room should always aversion to him whom the others eulogized so present a most attractive aspect. The Latin enthusiastically. Innocence possesses as, a and Greek classics, poets, and philosophers, shield a presentiment surpassing by far the stood or lay in old-fashioned cases and on sagacity and experience of the children of tle quaintly-carved shelves; and among the repworld. Moreover, another and worthier love resentatives of antiquity were to be seen also protected her heart from the snares of the large folio editions of the fathers of the Church courtier. She loved the poet. and the most renowned theologians. Thus there were here in contact the opposite elements from which that period derived its learning and culture; classical antiquity and CHAPTER III. Christian theology occupied the same shelves. On the plain table lay an open Hebrew Bible, MILTON'S CHOSEN VOCATION. always the favorite book of the poet, who MILToN'S father had relinquished business drew his principal inspiration from its sacred several years ago, and purchased a small pages. property at Horton, in Buckinghamshire. Milton had passed here many a sleepless Here he lived in moderately comfortable cir- night in arduous study and profound meditacumstances, which enabled him to educate his tion: for to him poetry was not the easy talented son with great care. He was dis- pastime of a versatile and vivid imagination, tinguished as a musical composer, and devoted the passing trance of momentary and fasthimself in his leisure hours, which were not vanishing enthusiasm, but the grave task of wanting to him, to this delightful and soothing his whole life, and the quintessence of the art. Milton's mother was a gentle, quiet lady, highest and noblest creations of human genius. distinguished for her piety and rare benevo- He intended to enter the temple of the godlence. An elder brother of the poet, and a dess only after'passing through the Propylaea married sister, completed the family circle; of Science. He was fully alive to the great and, notwithstanding their conflicting views on difficulties of this arduqus task. some subjects, all were warmly attached to eSince his return to Ludldw Castle he had each other. The dwelling was one of those laid aside his scientific studies, and occupied old houses with a gable-roof, of modest ap- himself exclusively with the mask which he pearance outside, but well furnished, com- had promised to write. The plan was quickly fortable, and cozy within. Despite the limited arranged, and the poet went at once to work size of the building, the poet had a study of upon it with his usual energy. He rapidly his own, opening upon the neighboring garden. wrote down several scenes and sketches of the The small window was fringed with vines and leading persons. One day his father, who rehoneysuckle; when he opened it, the sweet peatedly inquired after the occupations of his odor of flowers penetrated into the room. The son, surprised him while he was thus employed. walls of the study contained no other orna- Milton concealed nothing from his indulgent ments than a large library neatly arranged parent, but informed him frankly of the object and always kept in good order; for the and scope of his poem, and told him all about slovenly habits of some literary men were ut- the adventure in Haywood Forest and his soterly distasteful to Milton. As he was scru- journ at Ludlow Castle. The enthusiastic depulously neat and even elegant in his dress, scription he gave him of the family of the Earl 86 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. of Bridgewater, and especially of Alice's grace hindered or disapproved your predilection for and loveliness, made his tender father thought- poetry. I always rejoiced in your talents, and ful and anxious. received your first works with paternal pride. " You know full well," he said, in a more Nevertheless, I am not desirous that you serious tone than usual, "that I have hitherto should devote yourself exclusively to the never interfered with your doings. Other pa- Muses, for in such a career you will never obrents would probably have insisted that a son tain a competence and prominent position in of your age should at length choose a definite life. Most of the poets with whom I have vocation and think of gaining a lucrative posi- been acquainted have had to struggle with care tion. I have thus far refrained from urging and want; their occupation gains them someyou to do so." times honor and fame, but rarely bread enough "And I thank you for it," replied the poet, to feed them. I am willing to admit of poetry warmly, seizing his father's hand and pressing as an ornament of life, but it is not well calit with filial reverence to his lips. " I thank culated to furnish a man with sufficient means you for your forbearance, although I am sorry to live upon. Therefore I deem myself in duty to say that my gratitude as yet is confined bound to recommend another course to you. only to empty words. You have granted me You refused to take orders, because you said rare freedom since my earliest youth, and al- you preferred a blameless silence to what you ways abstained from setting bounds to the considered servitude and false teaching. I course of my mind; nor would you allow me approved your decision at that time, but you to enter the beaten track, strive for filthy cannot refuse for the same reason to aspire to lucre, and hunt after vain and glittering a position upon the bench. The judiciary is splendor. You did not compel me to take one of our most respected classes. I will orders contrary to my conviction, and teach neither urge you to make up your mind at things against which my conscience rebelled; once, nor compel you to follow my advice, but on the contrary, you permitted me to enrich give you! sufficient time for reflection. You my mind, which was thirsting for knowledge, may tell me frankly what you think of my and occupy myself in delightful solitude with proposition." my favorite studies. But few parents wouid "I must acknowledge your kindness once have done so; therefore, I thank my fate, more," said Milton, after a short pause. which gave me the best and most sagacious "Like you, I revere Poetry so highly as to be of fathers." unwilling to degrade her to a servile position "For this reason, I suppose you will listen and ask from her the daily bread of life. She the more readily to my well-meant words?" has nothing to do with our worldly affairs, "Speak, and I shall obey you willingly, for and where she is used as a means of making I know that you will give me only the most money she loses her divine dignity. The life judicious advice." of man is a twofold one. The body demands As Milton saw that his interview with his its rights as well as the mind, and the material father would be longer than usual, he hastened world forces itself soon enough upon our atto fetch him a comfortable easy-chair, and tention. Hence, I deem your exhortation himself remained standing before him in the decidedly well-timed and judicious. But I most respectful attitude. After a short pause should not like to aspire to a position on the his father said to him: bench at this juncture. No one can have a "You will certainly admit that I have not more exalted opinion of the judicial position MILTON'S CHOSEN VOCATION. 87 than I, but my respect for it lasts only so long in regard to this matter has been a truly melas the bench preserves its independence from ancholy one that I am determined to struggle external influence. When the despotism of against these abuses to the best of my power. a tyrannical government falsifies justice, vi- At present our schools are nothing but prisons olates the laws, and reduces judges by force both for the body and mind, and our universior persuasion to mere tools, the whole order ties only rob us of seven or eight of the finest sinks even below the level of executioners; years of our lives. They present their young and such is unfortunately the case in England unmatriculated novices at first coming with at this time. Your own experience has shown the most intellective abstractions of logic and you that I speak the truth. Would you ad- metaphysics; so that they, having but newly vise me, then, to become a judge, that is to left those grammatical fiats and shallows say, a slave?" where they stuck unreasonably to learn a few " God forbid!" replied his father, with a words with lamentable construction, and now gesture of horror. "You are right-we are on the sudden transported under another living in evil times. Yet I should like to have climate, to be tossed and turmoiled with their you choose a definite vocation." unbilasted wits in fathomless and unquiet "I am going to do so, for I am obliged to deeps of controversy, do for the most part acknowledge the justice of your wish; but grow into hatred and contempt of learning, neither theology nor the law would afford me mocked and deluded all this while with ragthat satisfaction which a man must find in his ged notions and babblements, while they exprofession if he is to be useful to himself and pected worthy and delightful knowledge; till others. There is still a third calling which, at poverty or youthful years call them importuthis juncture, I must prefer to any other pro- nately their several ways, and hasten them fession. Let me become a teacher of youth. with the sway of friends either to an ambitious It is only in this calling that I can be useful to and mercenary or ignorantly zealous divinity; the world and my native country. I know some allured to the trade of law, grounding well that it is not very lucrative, but if its out- their purposes not on the prudent and heavenward reward is small, its inward one is great. ly contemplation of justice and equity, which I have long been engrossed in this plan, and was never taught them, but on the promising it has always seemed to me that the reforming and pleasing thoughts of litigious terms, fat of education is one of the greatest and noblest contentions, and flowing fees; others betake designs that can be thought of. You smile them to state affairs, with souls so unat my enthusiasm, and think perhaps of our principled in virtue and true generous breedpoor schoolmasters who painfully instill the ing, that flattery and court shifts and tyrannous rudiments of science into the untutored minds aphorisms appear to them the highest points of ignorant children, or of our professors who of wisdom; instilling their barren hearts with from their dusty treatises always repeat the a conscientious slavery, if, as I rather think, it same wisdom to their own disgust and that of be not feigned. Others, lastly, of a more deothers." licious and airy spirit, retire themselves (knowIt is true, I should not have expected that ing no better) to the enjoyments of ease and you would choose such a career, inasmuch as jollity, living out their days in feast and luxI am aware of your aversion to our present ury; which indeed is the wisest and the safest system of education and instruction." course of all these, unless they were with "It is precisely because my own experience more integrity undertaken. And these are 88 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the errors, and these are the fruits of misspend- riences of hunters, fowlers, fishermen, sheping our prime youth at the schools and univer- herds, gardeners, apothecaries; and in the sities as we do; either in learning mere words, other sciences, architects, engineers, mariners, or such'things chiefly as were better un- and physicians? When all these employments learned." are well conquered, then will the choice histo"And despite these evils you wish to be- ries, heroic poems, and Attic tragedies of come a teacher?" stateliest and most regal argument, with all "I wish to do so, because I have long since the famous political orations, offer themselves; formed the design of reforming our whole sys- which, if they were not only read, but some of ter of education. This idea has long, in si- them got by memory, and solemnlypronounced lence, presented itself to me, of a better edu- with right accent and grace, as might be cation, in extent and comprehension far more taught, would endow them even with the spirit large, and yet of time far shorter, and of and vigor of Demosthenes or Cicero, Euripides attainment far more certain, than has been or Sophocles. In which methodical course it is yet in practice. The end of learning is to re- so supposed they must proceed by the steady pair the ruins of our first parents by regaining pace of learning onward, as at convenient to know God aright, and out of that knowledge times, for memory's sake, to retire back into to love Him, to imitate Him, to be like Him, the middle ward, and sometimes into the rear as we may the nearest by possessing our of what they have been taught, until they have souls of true virtue, which, being united to the confirmed and solidly united the whole body heavenly grace of faith, makes up the highest of their perfected knowledge, like the last emperfection. But because understanding can- battling of a Roman legion. By this time, not in this body found itself but on sensible years and good precepts will have furnished things, nor arrive so clearly to the knowledge them more distinctly with that art of reason of God and things invisible, as by orderly con- which in ethics is called proairesis; that they ning over the visible and inferior creature, the may with some judgment contemplate upon same method is necessarily to be followed in moral good and evil. Then will be required a all discreet teaching. With the elements of special reinforcement of constant and sound grammar, I will instill into the minds of my indoctrinating to set them right and firm, inpupils the teachings of virtue and morals, for structing them more and amply in the knowlwords are only the envelopes of ideas, and lan- edge of virtue and hatred of vice. But in culguage is the garb of thoughts. My pupils tivating the minds of the pupils, sight must shall learn to read and think at the same time. not be lost' of the development of their bodies. And after mastering the principles of arith- The leisure hours are to be devoted to repose, metic, geometry, astronomy, and geography, physical exercise, and the divine harmonies of with a general compact of physics, they may music, which has a great power over disposidescend in mathematics to the instrumental tions and manners, to smooth and make them science of trigonometry; and in natural phi- gentle from rustic harshness and distempered losophy, they may leisurely proceed from the passions. In those vernal seasons of the year, history of meteors, minerals, plants, and living when the air is calm and pleasant, it were an creatures, as far as anatomy. To set forward injury and sullenness against Nature, not to go all these proceedings in nature and mathemat- out and see her riches, and partake in her reics, what hinders but that they may procure, joicing with heaven and earth. I should not, as oft as shall be needful, the helpful expe- therefore, be a persuader to them of studying MILTON'S CHOSEN VOCATION. 89 much then, after two or three years that they worth to believe you could ever stoop as low have well laid their grounds, but to ride out in as many poets of the present time have done, companies, with prudent and staid guides, to and become a mere parasite and sycophant of all the quarters of the land; learning and ob- the nobles." serving all places of strength, all commodities "Dear father, you know neither the house of building and of soil for towns and tillage; of the Countess of Derby, nor the noble family harbors and ports for trade. These ways of Bridgewater." would try all their peculiar gifts of nature, "But I know the world, and especially the and, if there were any secret excellence among sentiments of the nobles, owing to my expethem, would fetch it out, and give it fair op- rience as a lawyer, as which I frequently came portunities to advance itself by, which could in contact with them. Of course, there are not but mightily redound to the good of this exceptions, and I am willing to regard your nation, and bring into fashion again those old- patrons and friends as such; nevertheless, I admired virtues and excellencies with far more wish to warn you, lest you should meet sooner advantage now in this purity of Christian or later with bitter disappointments, and be knowledge. Nor shall we then need the mon- rudely aroused from your dreams. I am willsieurs of Paris to take our hopeful youth into ing to admit that our nobles are honoring poets their slight and prodigal custodies, and send and attracting them to their houses; but they them over back again, transformed into mimics, esteem and befriend only the poet, and not the apes, and kickshows." man. If the latter should be bold enough to "I am glad," replied his father, gravely, demand real friendship, or even true love, they "that you have weighed your plan so care- would soon show him that they think they are fully, and still more, that you think at last of his superiors. You know the Latin proverb, choosing a vocation. To tell you the truth,'Procul a Jove, procul a falmine.'" your present occupations caused me to doubt Milton's father uttered these words so emit. Your associations, too, filled me with a phatically, and with so significant a glance, certain distrust. It is true, the intercourse that the poet blushed and dropped his eyes. with aristocratic persons, with whom you have He felt that the secret of his heart was beassociated of late almost exclusively, offers trayed. some advantages, to which I attach due im- His father then left him, and Milton reportance; but you must never forget that one mained absorbed in his reflections. Before may thereby very easily lose one's own inde- him lay the last scene of his mask Comus, pendence, and become the sport of their whims which he had just written when his father's and amusements. They foster and protect entrance had interrupted him. As if to quiet talents only so long as they serve to divert his agitation, he read once more the lines dethem and help them to kill their time. They scribing Alice's appearance inHaywood Forest. are never forgetful of their higher position, and Her lovely image was before his eyes, and disalways retain their innate pride, despite their pelled all at once the doubts and fears which seeming condescension. So soon as you pre- his father's warnings had awakened in his tend to treat them on terms of equality, they mind. He read in a loud, sonorous voice, the will haughtily tell you that they are your su- lines which the lovely girl was to recite on this periors; and when they have no longer any occasion: need of you, they will drop you unceremoneed of y, ty wl dp " This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, niously. I have too good an opinion of your My best guide now; methought it was the sound 90 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Of riot and ill-managed merriment, strength. A sigh escaped his breast. Milton Such as the jocund flute, or gamesome pipe,. Stirs up among the loose unlettered hinds, turned and erceived his friend. When for their teeming flocks and granges full, " Welcome, my Lycidas!" he exclaimed. In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan, ii And thank the gods amiss. I should be loath ou have me g a tme for To meet the rudeness and swilled insolence your visit." Of such late wassailers; yet, oh I where else Shall I inform my unacquainted feet'I was afraid of disturbing you, as I knew Shall I inform my unacquainted feet In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? you were occupied with your mask." My brothers, when they saw me wearied out and b s With this long way, resolving here to lodge shall fish very soo and besdes I Under the spreading favor of these pines, have always time and leisure for my friends. Stepped, as they said, to the next thicket-side, To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit If you have no objections, we will take a walk. As the kind hospitable woods provide. I have worked all day, and a stroll with you They left me then, when the gray-hooded Even, will do me good Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed, w do me Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus' wain, The room also seemed to his friend too But where they are, and why they came not back, Is now the labor of my thoughts;'tis likeliest narr Both left t and entered the They had engaged their wandering steps too far'; habitual walk. And envious darkness, ere they could return, Had stole them from me: else, oh thievish Night, Why shouldst thou, but for some felonious end, In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars, That Nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps With everlasting oil, to give due light CHAPTER XIV. To the misled and lonely traveller? This is the place, as well as I may guess, LOVE'S SACRIFICE TO FRIENDSHIP. Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear; THE friends walked a long while side by Yet naught but single darkness do I find. E What might this be? A thousand fantasies side, without conversing as they used to do. Begin to throng into my memory, Their thoughts were fixed on the same distant Of calling shapes, and beckoning shadows dire, And airy tongues that syllable men's names object; the same inclination made them siOn sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses. lent. Perhaps each suspected the other's feelThese thoughts may startle well, but not astound The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended ings, and therefore avoided speaking to each By a strong-siding champion, Conscience. other. A certain bashfulness prevented them O welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, m A n And thou, unblemished form of Chastity! And thou, unblemished form of Chastity I from mentioning Alice's name, and alluding to I see ye visibly, and now believe, their late sojourn at Ludlow Castle. Milton, That He, the Supreme Good, to whom all things ill i in i i Are but as slavish officers of vengeance, Would send a glistering guardian, if need were, meanor, and the pallor of his cheeks, broke at To keep my life and honor unassailed. l t a p Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud Turn forth her silver lining on the night? "You look very pale," he said; "what ails I did not err-" you, my Lycidas?" While the poet was reading these lines, the His friend started almost in dismay from his door opened noiselessly. Unnoticed by him, musing. his friend Edward King had entered the room "' What ails me?" he asked, evasively. " I and overheard at least the latter part of the am as well as ever." lines recited. He knew at once that Alice And yet I think you have latelyundergone was to recite this passage on appearing in a marked change. Your cheeks are pale, your Haywood Forest. The love which he had felt glance is wild and wandering, and I have heard for the charming girl ever since his first meet- you sigh repeatedly, contrary to your former ing with her, reawoke now with redoubled habit. If some secret grief weighs down your LOVE'S SACRIFICE TO FRIENDSHIP. 91 heart, communicate it to me. I long to ad- ments. No other woman can be compared vise and help you." with her. Language is too tame and feeble to "Oh, you are so good," murmured King, describe her loveliness. Is it necessary for "and I do wrong in concealing from you a se- me to utter her name?" cret that fills my whole heart. Yes, you shall A shudder seized Milton, his heart stood know all, this very day." still, and consciousness threatened to leave "Indeed, you excite my curiosity." him. He well knew that his friend alluded to "Come, let us repose here under this linden. Alice Egerton. It was only by a violent effort In its fragrant shade I will confide to you what that he restrained his agitation, which escaped I have scarcely ventured to confess to myself. the speaker, who was absorbed in his own I am in love." thoughts. "You are!" exclaimed Milton, in surprise. "Alice!" murmured the poet, in profound "Oh, now I understand it all, for love is a emotion. powerful wizard, transforming us and all our "Alice! You have guessed it," said King. peculiarities. It makes the bold bashful and "I loved her the moment I saw her in Haywood timid, the wise foolish, the eloquent mute, and Forest. At that time I fancied she was the the mute eloquent. It saddens the glad, and fairy of the forest, a blessed angel descended gladdens the sad. No wonder is impossible to from above. Afterward I became better acit, as it is itself the greatest wonder in which quainted with her, and every day lent new the mysterious power of Nature reveals itself charms to her. It was not only her beauty to us. You are in love; now I comprehend that won my heart; a more profound impreswhy my once gay Lycidas creeps along like sion was made upon me by the innocence surthe shivering ghosts on the banks of the rounding her whole form like a halo, and her Acheron, and fills the woods with his lamenta- accomplishments, coupled as they are with tions." the most touching modesty. Oh, she is peer"You depict love as though you were your- less on earth!" self enamoured of some fair girl. One hearing Every word by which his transported friend you would take it for granted that you had extolled the loveliness of Alice added to the likewise succumbed to the tender flame." grief with which this unexpected confession "Who knows?" said Milton, smiling and could not but fill the poet's heart. He almost crimsoning with confusion. "Perhaps my succumbed to his agony, and succeeded, only hour has struck too; perhaps I may likewise by the most violent efforts, in mastering his surprise you soon by my confessions; but first emotions and restraining an outburst of his I must find out what nymph has won your coy tortured feelings. heart. I am sure she is as shy as a young "And she returns your love?" faltered out roe, endowed with a noble heart, and with all Milton. thecharms that fill us with rapture, as beauti- "Oh, I would you were the true prophet of ful as Venus, and as accomplished as Pallas. my happiness. Hitherto I have not ventured Such I fancy to be the woman capable of win- to put such a question to her; but I may conning your heart." fess to you that I am not entirely destitute of "You portray her as though you knew al- hope, for what would life be worth to me in ready who she is. Well, you know her as well future if I could not hope? Alice did not reas I do. You have seen her, and undergone ject my admiration, but received it with en the fascination of her charms and accomplish- couraging kindness. When she spoke to me, 92 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. or met me, her conduct was such as to make no doubt that you will obtain Alice's me believe that I was not entirely indifferent hand." to her. Her parents, too, and especially her A painful sigh escaped the poet, and now at father, seemed not to disapprove my bashful last King perceived Milton's agitation. His efforts to obtain their daughter's love. All deathlike pallor, the profound grief stamped this, however, does not convince me that my on his features, could no longer escape him; suit would really be agreeable to them. Your but, so far from suspecting the real cause of own experience has shown you, perhaps, that these marked symptoms of suffering, he ata lover's heart at first fluctuates between tributed them to an entirely different one. blissful transports and overwhelming despair. "Pardon me," he said, after this discovery, Now, I have come to you to obtain some cer- "if, in speaking of my love-affair, I entirely tainty about it. I have no more faithful friend forgot yours. If I did not misunderstand you, than you, and whom should I apply to but my you alluded to a similar inclination filling your Thyrsis, the playmate of my childhood and heart with grief and anxiety. Follow the exfaithful companion of my youth?" ample I have set you, and unbosom your "I shall know how to deserve your friend- sorrow to me. Speak as frankly as I have ship more than ever before," replied the poet, done, and command me. All that I am and with all the self-abnegation of which he was have is at your disposal, and I should rejoice capable at that moment. if I could help you to attain your object. " I count upon you," continued his friend, Speak, beloved Thyrsis, and you will see that with the blind egotism of an ardent lover. love has not deadened in my heart the sacred "You have known Alice longer than I, and feelings of friendship. Let me know, too, are just now on even more intimate terms what grieves your heart." with her. Perhaps you may succeed in ob- "Not now-no, not now," groaned Milton; serving her in unguarded moments, or even "perhaps some other time." gaining her confidence. She knows that we "And why not now?" said his friend, are friends. A word from you now* and then pressingly. " I hope you do not believe that may do a great deal of good, and disclose the my sympathy for you and your friendship is true state of her heart to me. Therefore, less ardent than it was? Oh, how I grieve at strive to approach her even closer than hith- the mee thought of it! You know me, you erto, and speak to her much and often about know how dearly I love you. I should be me, that I may learn her feelings toward me. capable of giving up all for you-yes, Thyrsis, But whatever you may bring to me, life or all! Have we not often sworn to each other death, I shall always gratefully acknowledge fidelity and devotion until death; are we not, the service which you will render me thereby." as heretofore, brothers such as Castor and "I will try to comply with your request," Pollux were of yore-you, my Damon; I, your faltered out Milton, whose heartwas bleeding Pythias? Or do you think that such instances from a mortal wound. of a league of souls are to be found only in "And I am convinced that you will leave Greece and in past centuries? No, I am aninothing undone to second my courtship. I mated, as heretofore, by the love and enthuimplore you in the name of our friendship to siasm which would make me willing to die for aid me energetically and honestly, for I feel you." that I cannot live withdut her." "No, you shall not die for me," exclaimed "I will assuredly do all I can, and I have the poet, deeply moved. "If one of us is to LOVE'S SACRIFICE TO FRIENDSHIP. 93 die, if one of us is to sacrifice himself, let it be own confession engrosses my mind so much, me. I long for death more than I ever did. that I cannot give utterance to my feelings. But you must live and enjoy the pleasures of Therefore, content yourself with the reply life; for the gods have smiled upon you ever that I have likewise found a young girl worthy since the hour of your birth. You possess a of the most ardent affection." distinguished name and rank, and all the boons " And I am sure she loves you, for you are which Heaven showers upon its favorites with worthy of the fairest and noblest woman's lavish hands. Think of the brilliant future love." which is in store for you, of your parents whose "I do not know it," replied the poet, repride and joy you are, and, above all, of your straining his feelings, "for I have not yet utlove for Alice." tered a single word about my love. My innate " And of the friend who is dearer to me than timidity has always prevented me from so all the treasures of the world. Come! Let doing." us renew, at this beautiful hour, the old bond "But your glances, your face must have cerof our love. Whatever may happen, no acci- tainly revealed the secret to her. The female dent, no reverse must separate us. Swear to eye is in this respect by far more keen-sighted me everlasting love and friendship, as I do to than ours. She knows that you love her." you." "I believe not; and even though she were Overcome by their feelings, the youths em- aware of it, what good would it do me? She braced each other fervently. The soft moon- stands too high, and will never condescend to light illuminated their features. On the heart give her hand to a poor poet and future schoolof his friend Milton vowed to himself to re- master." nounce Alice and sacrifice his love to him. "That, then, is the secret cause of your When he raised his pale face again, a tear was grief? It should not induce you to give up all yet trembling in his eyes, the only trace of hope. Love is omnipotent, and levels mounthe dreadful struggle which his heart had un- tains obstructing its path. Every new obstacle dergone. increases its strength and impetuosity. You The sacrifice had been made. must not lose heart. A poet is the peer of the In this hour he crushed the most precious greatest noble in the kingdom. Your learning dream of his heart for the sake of his beloved will open you the way to the most exalted posifriend. He was imbued with the teachings of tions. You have friends and patrons who will the ancients, and, bearing in mind the glorious interest themselves in your behalf and assist examples of antiquity, he was able to achieve you energetically. My own father loves you this victory over himself. Never was King to as his son, and his influence at court will enable learn the greatness of the sacrifice he had made him to obtain a good position for you. Then to him. you may go boldly to your beloved, or, if you The friends wandered hand in hand through are too timid and bashful, I will ask her to give the silent night. King tried once more to draw you her hand." Milton's secret from him; but the poet replied "I thank you from the bottom of my heart," beseechingly: faltered out the poet. "Do not insist on it to-day. You know that "After the dearest wishes of our hearts have silence under such circumstances is always been fulfilled, we will, with our beautiful and most welcome to me. For all that, you must virtuous wives, enter upon a new life. Do you not charge me with a lack of candor. Your not feel, as I do, the transports filling my heart 94 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. at this thought? Alice will be at my side and the neighborhood of his father's house, that he inspire me with enthusiasm to perform the gave way to his profound grief. Milton sank, noblest deeds, for she is endowed with a lofty faint and exhausted, on the green turf, which spirit and a heart ardently devoted to the most he moistened with his tears. It was not until sublime interests of mankind. For her sake I now that he felt the whole bitterness of the shall give up the idleness in which I have loss he had sustained. Alice's image stood hitherto lived, and strive to distinguish myself. before his soul; he vainly tried to drive it Henceforth I will devote myself earnestly to the away; it returned again and again, with a genservice of my native country, and toil for it tie, beseeching face. The sweet lips seemed with unflagging zeal. I shall share with her to say to him, " Do not drive me from you," every victory I shall thus achieve, and if ever and she opened her soft arms to him longinga civic crown should be conferred upon me, it ly. All the places where he had seen her rose shall adorn the fair brow of my lovely wife. again in his memory-Haywood Forest in the But when silent evening draws nigh, when the silvery moonlight, the garden with its pond, loud noise dies away, and business is over for the court-yard, and the cozy sitting-room of the day, I shall hasten to her, the friend of my the ladies. His poetical imagination added to soul; the cozy roof of my Penates will receive the pangs torturing his heart; it called up beme, the purest love will indemnify me for the fore his soul again and again the radiant, yet wranglings of factions and the cares of the so modest and innocent, eyes of the beloved statesman, and her lips will greet me sweetly girl, her gestures and motions so full of the and gently with charming kisses and smiles. most charming grace, her sweet smiles and Our time will pass in the most delightful man- sagacious words; it depicted all this to him ner, and you will join us, no longer alone, but in the most glowing colors. She had never accompanied by your sweet wife. Your hap- appeared to him so beautiful as at this moment piness will redouble mine. You will bring with of despair, when he was to renounce her foryou the gifts of the Muses, and the admiring ever, and drain the cup of his sorrow to the hearers will surround the poet with sincere en- very dregs. thusiasm. Thus my house will be transformed Thus he lay on the ground, brooding over into a temple of love and friendship, a quiet his grief; the foliage of the trees murmured sanctuary where daily incense will be offered softly over his head, as if they wished to join to the Muses and Graces. We will enjoy life in his wails; the nightingale broke the stillhand in hand, not egotistically, but serving the ness of the night by its long-drawn, sobbing great whole, setting an example to future gen- notes, but he did not hear the sweet bird, erations, and handing down to our children the which seemed to lament his sorrow. He called friendship which once united their fathers so Death in a loud voice, and wished that the firmly and tenderly." green turf might open and close over him forThe happy youth gave vent to his enthusi- evermore, but the angel of death flitted past asm in this manner, without suspecting how the unhappy poet to strike with the point of deeply he wounded his friend by his wards. his sword more fortunate beings, revelling in Milton no longer betrayed by word or gesture the enjoyment of all pleasures. the pain torturing his heart. He walked si- Milton had vowed resignation, and he was lently by his side, with a mortal wound in his strong enough to conquer himself. After payheart. ing tribute to human weakness, he rose to that It was not until King took leave of him, in height of ancient heroism which he had found LOVE'S SACRIFICE TO FRIENDSHIP. 95 in the writings and examples of antiquity. Lawes, the musician, came to see him from Like the immortal Greek youth, he attached a time to time in order to hasten the completion higher importance to the faith which he had of the mask and come to a thorough underplighted than to love, although this view of standing in regard to it with the poet. He friendship entailed upon him the greatest suf- brought him greetings and flattering invitaferings during his whole life; for all the fibres tions from the Countess of Bridgewater and of his soul were firmly fixed in the ideas of the her daughter. Milton had engaged to conduct modern world, which grants the foremost place the rehearsals of the mask in person, and this to love, and not to friendship. His resignation necessitated a sojourn of several days at the was not a natural triumph over a passion, but castle, which he would have preferred to avoid. rather a fastidious imitation of examples, set However, it was impossible for him to break at a remote period and amid vastly different the promise which he had made to the countess, circumstances. In sacrificing himself for his and, therefore, he was obliged to set out refriend, he destroyed love, a higher ideal than luctantly and with heavy heart, accompanied friendship. by the musician, to Ludlow Castle. However, he rose victorious from the ground; How greatly changed were the feelings with only his pale, distorted face bore yet the traces which he beheld again the scenes of his lost of the fearful struggle through which he had happiness! On seeing the hospitable house, passed. Day was dawning in the eastern he felt his grief and despair burst forth with horizon; faint red gleams colored the gray redoubled strength. He needed his whole declouds. The morning breeze swept merrily termination in order not to be borne down by through the rustling foliage and awakened this crushing burden. The reception which sleeping Nature to renewed life. Its strong he met at the hands of the noble family breath rent the veils of night. Already the was exceedingly cordial, and Alice expressed lark was warbling in the blue air, and sending her delight at his return so openly, that he unseen its greetings from the clouds to re- was scarcely able to restrain his emotion. awaken Nature. The horizon grew brighter His changed demeanor would not have escaped and brighter; the rosy streaks of the clouds her and the other inmates of the castle, had turned into flaming purple and radiant gold. they not all been engrossed in the preparations The last remnants of darkness fled before the for the festival and the arrival of numerous victorious power of light. guests from far and near. Milton owed it to After a short slumber which Milton allowed this circumstance that he remained unnoticed his exhausted body, he was able to resume his in the crowd. Under the pretext that it was wonted labors. Above all things, he deemed necessary for him to revise his mask once it incumbent upon him to finish the work more and make many alterations in it, he which could not but arouse so many mournful withdrew from the society Of the others, and reminiscences in his mind. He did so with held intercourse only with Lawes, who had to stoical self-abnegation, and it was only in rare confer a great deal with him in regard to the intervals that his oppressed breast heaved a music. heavy sigh when he thought of his first meet- The other guests, among whom were Edward ing with Alice Egerton. Such reminiscences, King and Sir Kenelm Digby, passed the time it is true, rendered more painful the sacrifice in the most agreeable manner. Now they which he was about to make to his friend, made an excursion in the park, which rebut it was impossible for him to avoid them. sounded with their loud laughter; now they 96 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. made a trip to the more remote environs of jests of the company by her kindness, which Ludlow Castle, or went out hunting. The won his whole heart. He perceived the mosoul of all these diversions was Sir Kenelm tive of her conduct and was grateful to her. Digby, who always distinguished himself as In this manner he soon became her constant the boldest horseman, the best shot, and the companion, and Alice had sufficient oppormost amiable story-teller. Notwithstanding tunities to discover the excellent qualities these brilliant qualities, Alice seemed to shun which his plain outside concealed from the rather than seek his presence; she avoided eyes of the world. She soon entered into an being alone with him, and evaded his inces- even closer connection with her protege, by sant effort to gain her favor, so far as she could, taking pains to polish his rough and angular without positive discourtesy. She much pre- peculiarities, and call his attention, with noble ferred the company of a young gentleman from frankness, to his imperfections. She did this Wales, with whom she had become acquainted with the greatest delicacy, and found in him a at the house of her Aunt Derby, and who, as a most willing and docile pupil. The sneers neighbor, had likewise received an invitation presently died away, particularly as Carbury's to the celebration of her father's birthday. strength and undoubted courage obliged the Simple and unassuming in his whole bearing, others to treat him with a certain degree of Sir Robert Carbury exhibited the most striking respect. contrast with the accomplished courtier. His However, the preference which Alice gave frank, rosy face, his good-natured blue eyes, him was not calculated to excite the jealousy did not indicate a very profound mind, but an of the chivalrous King, nor that of the accomexcellent heart coupled with a great deal of plished courtier. Both continued uninterruptcommon-sense. A certain uncouthness caused edly to court the beautiful girl, who, in achim to appear less gifted and accomplished cordance with the spirit of the times, received than he really was. He lacked neither knowl- their homage as a tribute due to her from all edge nor judgment, after overcoming his in- gentlemen. Thus surrounded with admirers, nate bashfulness and gaining confidence in engrossed by all sorts of amusements, Alice himself and the persons with whom he had to did not notice the poet's absence so much as deal. His body was exceedingly strong and she would have done under other circumwell built, and, as is often the case with such stances. It was only in moments of thoughtful men, his strength was coupled with almost quiet that she missed the faithless friend, who feminine mildness and gentleness; yet all felt was most congenial to her of all the men with that he would display extraordinary courage whom she was acquainted, and who was yet and great perseverance in critical moments. so dear to her heart. There was in his whole appearance something hearty and honest, qualities which are still to be found very often among the English country gentlemen, and for which this honorable class CHAPTER XV. is particularly noted. His broad, Welsh dialect, and an almost childlike awkwardness, REHEASAL OF THE MASK OF COMUS. rendered Sir Robert Carbury the butt of MEANWHILE Milton, assisted by his friend, Alice's brother and the other guests. This had in his quiet retirement given the finishing excited at first her compassion, and she in- touches to his work. The parts were asdemnified the poor cavalier'for the naughty signed to the performers, and the rehearsals REHEARSAL OF THE MASK OF COMUS. 97 commenced. Besides Alice and her brothers, You avoid mixing with the company, and King and Sir Kenelm Digby were to appear in seem to shun us. Up to this time your labors the mask. The former was to play the At- have been a valid excuse, but from this day tendant Spirit; the latter, in accordance with forward I count upon you. I long for more his own offer, the god Comus. The part of congenial conversation than I am able to find the nymph Sabrina was assigned to a relative among the guests. I hope we shall resume, of Alice, because she possessed a beautiful before and after the festival, the topics on voice, and her part consisted mostly of songs. which we formerly conversed." Several guests had been prevailed upon to ap- Digby's approach rendered it unnecessary pear as dancers. The spacious hall of the for the poet to make a painful reply to her. castle was the scene of the rehearsals. All the He withdrew with a stiff bow, and the rehearsal performers manifested an earnest desire to commenced. On the following day he sought acquit themselves creditably, and looked for- likewise to avoid Alice. He was unable to ward to the performance itself with unfeigned conceal from her any longer the fact that he pleasure. The poet, in the first place, read did so on purpose, and she vainly sought for the mask to them, and was rewarded with en- the reason of his strange conduct. She exthusiastic applause; even Sir Kenelm Digby amined carefully the course she had hitherto could not refrain from clapping his hands at pursued toward him; she recalled every word, several passages. every glance, whereby she might have wounded Alice approached Milton to thank him. the irritable and sensitive feelings of the poet; Filled with genuine enthusiasm, she seized his but she was unconscious of having done any hand. A shudder ran through his frame when thing of the kind. The more painful, therehe felt this gentle contact. fore, was the impression which his manner " Instead of a mere occasional poem, you toward her now made upon her. She was inhave created a masterpiece," she said, in a cessantly engrossed by the endeavor to dislow voice. " Shakespeare himself would not cover the hidden cause of this strange change. be ashamed of this play; but you have com- She attributed it now to bodily suffering, mismitted a great wrong against me." led by the sickly pallor of his face and the ex-'' I do not understand you," faltered out the pression of pain stamped upon his features; poet. now to domestic misfortunes. In the anxiety "You have not been true to nature, but which the poet occasioned her, she applied to made of me an ideal which can nowhere be King for advice and information. King's refound in reality. I am far behind the picture plies were evasive, and by no means reassuryou have drawn of me; but I will not expos- ing. He intimated to her that an unhappy tulate with the poet; he uses his poetic license affection for a lady of high rank was the cause as he deems best. You should have spared of Milton's dejection. On hearing this stateme the blush that will suffuse my cheeks when ment, which was uttered in a very careless I am to recite your verses in public." manner, Alice became greatly excited. More "Every one will find that my prototype is sagacious than King, she thought she knew worthy of even higher praise." the lady of whom Milton was enamoured. How "Let us drop the subject," said Alice, color- much would she have given to learn her name, ing. "I thank you both for the magnificeut but her timidity prevented her from making poem and your good opinion. I will desist further inquiries! Her heart trembled with from my charge, but only to prefer another. delight, for now she understood it all-Mil7 98 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ton's confusion, his endeavors to avoid her, Thomas became somewhat embarrassed, and his reserved conduct toward her. But at the did not reply immediately. He thought of his same time she suddenly cast a glance into her beloved, whose beautiful voice he had often own heart, and she knew then for certain that admired. she loved the poet-an affection which had "For God's sake," interrupted Lawes, "tell hitherto been a veiled secret to herself. This me who and where she is. Why do you hesidiscovery filled her with unutterable trans- tate? You see that we have no time to lose." ports; but already in the next moment doubts All urged the youth in such a manner that arose in her mind. Was it not, perhaps, he could not avoid making a candid reply. another lady who was so happy as to have "You know our former playmate Lucy won Milton's love? Was it not, perhaps, a Henderson," he said to his brother and sister, lady unknown to her? New hesitations, new blushing. "She has a magnificent voice." doubts and fears. "That is true," said Alice, "but she has Such being the frame of her mind, she long since broken off all intercourse with avoided likewise being alone with Milton, al- us." though she longed to bring about an explana- "Never mind," cried the excited musician; tion. She felt greatly embarrassed whenever "that is of no consequence if she can sing he approached her. He, however, interpreted well. She must be invited, sent for, and, if her silence, her endeavors to avoid him, in an need be, forcibly abducted. Dearest Thomas, opposite sense, and felt the painful conscious- you must get us this treasure, this priceless ness that the gulf which was to separate him jewel." from Alice for evermore was daily widening. "I will try my best." Meanwhile the rehearsals took their course, "Do so," said Alice, " and we shall all be when suddenly an unexpected incident threat- glad to greet our friend again after so long an ened to prevent the performance of the mask. absence." The lady to whom the part of the nymph Sa- Under such circumstances Thomas was brina had been assigned received quite un- obliged to repair to Lucy Henderson and inexpectedly a letter informing her that her form her of his sister's wishes. For some mother had been taken dangerously sick. She time past he had kept up a regular intercourse resolved immediately to set out from Ludlow with the Puritan's daughter. Old Henderson's Castle, leaving the poet and the other perform- frequent absence from home facilitated the ers in the greatest embarrassment. Lawes secret meetings of the lovers. At these interran up and down like a madman, because he views Thomas had depicted to the girl in glowthought he had composed his fine music in ing colors the interesting performance which vain. None of the ladies at Ludlow Castle was to be given on his father's birthday, and possessed sufficient musical talents to fill the had thereby excited her curiosity. He offered absentee's place. her now an opportunity to be present at the " What are we to do now? " cried the ex- mask, not only in the audience, as she herself cited musician. " Where shall we find at so had desired, but to take an active part in the short a notice an equally competent song- play. The light-hearted girl was delighted stress?" with the invitation, and she uttered a cry of "I know one, and a better one," said joy on hearing the message which Thomas Thomas, rashly. brought to her. Her fears of her stern father, You? " asked his brother and Alice. who considered such amusements sinful abom REHEARSAL OF THE MASK OF COMUS. 99 nations, vanished in the face of so alluring a " He is absent from home, and will return prospect. only after five days. The housekeeper goes "I, I am to sing before all the noble lords early to bed, and I will devise some plausible and ladies, and before you?" she exclaimed, subterfuge. I have long since bribed the joyously. "Oh, Thomas, you are mocking servant-girl; the man-servant alone would be me." dangerous, but he does not sleep in the house. " I pledge you my word that I am in dead It is true, the gate is locked, but Billy Green earnest. My sister requested me to invite has furnished me with a rope-ladder, which I you." have concealed for some time past under my "And I shall meet again with Alice, my pillow." dear foster-sister? May I really venture to " And the dog? " inquired Thomas, anxiousgo with you?" she asked suddenly, dropping ly. " Will he not betray you by barking?" her eyes. " Father gave him, at my request, to an ac" Never fear," replied the youth, who under- quaintance of his. The dog did not like me, stood very well what she meant. " No one at and growled at me ever since I once hurled a home suspects that we are lovers. I for one stone at him. I did not want him any longer am only afraid of your father's anger, in about me; his eyes looked at me with so sincase he should learn that you took part in a gular an expression. He seemed to rebuke me performance which he will of course regard as silently for what I had done, and I did not rest very sinful." until he had been given away. Our new watch" He shall and must not learn any thing dog knows me; I have made him quite tame about it. I have made up my mind. I can by feeding him with cake. I need not fear no longer bear this thraldom. I shall flee him." with you so soon as you go to London. You "So much the better," said Thomas, abpledged me your word that you would not sently. "Then you can and will take the part leave me here." upon yourself?" " And I shall redeem my promise. I have "With the greatest pleasure," replied Lucy, already arranged every thing with Billy Green. "for what would I not do for you? Await me He will accompany you to London." at the old place." " I will follow you to the end of the world, Lucy Henderson arrived on the following if need be. I do not ask for any thing else morning at Ludlow Castle to take part in the than to live with you. I am ready to be your rehearsals of the mask. Alice received her slave, only permit me to breathe the air in former playmate and foster-sister with unwhich you live. Ah, how I long for the day feigned cordiality, while she returned her cawhen I may throw off these chains which are resses with some embarrassment. Her timidity, so burdensome to me! I count the minutes however, wore off very soon under the influand the hours up to the moment when I may ence of the enthusiastic praise which all beleave our gloomy house. With you and in stowed on her beauty, her fine voice, and London! My head swims when I think of it!" musical talents. With great tact she managed "Try to be as calm as possible, lest you be- to strike the key suitable to the company in tray yourself. But how will you manage to whose midst she had been placed so suddenly. play the part offered to you, appear at Ludlow She moved in it as though it were her own Castle, and yet prevent your father from learn- sphere, for she possessed, in a remarkable deing any thing about it?" gree, that talent of the fair sex to adapt her 100 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES self to the most opposite conditions of life, and other day I saw her walking on the bank of assume at least the outward bearing of aristo- the Teme; it was already after nightfall. I cratic persons. Her eyes beamed and her lips intended to follow her, when she disappeared smiled with delight at the sight of the splen- all at once. I would almost swear that she dor and luxury which she had missed so long. plunged into the waters of the river." Her light-hearted spirit dispelled every fear of " You are a dreamer," said the youth, smilthe possible consequences of her hazardous ing; "but I will give you a piece of well-meant step. The flattery, homage, and kindness advice: henceforth do not follow the lovely which were lavished upon her on all sides, filled nymph, for you might get yourself into her with intense delight, but amidst her tri- trouble." umph her eyes sought her lover. Thomas, "How so?" however, deemed it prudent to approach her as "Old Henderson is a very rough sort of fellittle as possible, lest his liaison with her low, and Lucy does not want her father to find should be discovered. Lawes, the enthusiastic out that she is going to take part in our fesmusician, indemnified her for her lover's invol- tival. Therefore, be cautious; otherwise he untary absence. No sooner had he heard her might prevent her yet from so doing." first notes than he declared loudly and publicly "Never fear. I know how to be silent. I that she was destined to eclipse all the prime would bite off my tongue rather than lose such donne in the world by her talents. He took it a songstress, who will do so much honor to my upon himself to teach her the songs he had compositions. But I persist in it, she is the composed, and already after a lesson of two or nymph Sabrina." three hours she made the most gratifying prog- Notwithstanding this well-meant warning, ress. the musician was already head over ears in "By the nine Muses!" exclaimed the de- love with the charming Lucy. This rapid conlighted musician, " we have discovered a quest added to the mirth of the beautiful girl. phoenix! It looks almost like a miracle. She jested about it in an interview with Thomas, Dearest Thomas, how did you come to find who advised her not to reject Lawes's homage, this treasure? " so that all suspicions might be diverted from "You have heard already," replied Thomas, himself. Thus the charming creature was flit"that the young girl is Alice's foster-sister and ting here and there in this intoxicating atmosthe daughter of old Henderson." phere, carelessly enjoying the pleasures of life, "Don't tell me that! I should sooner be- and displaying the amiable peculiarities of her lieve that a thistle produces grapes and a black- light-hearted nature. Her delight was at its thorn sweet tropical fruits. You mean to mock height, when Alice had her don one day, a me. The surly, morose, canting Henderson, short time previous to the performance of the who has the voice of a hoarse bull-dog, the mask, with the assistance of her maid, the cosfather of this lovely creature! Go, go! You tume which she was to wear as the nymph talk nonsense. I will tell you who she is, and Sabrina. Her slender form was wrapped in a where she comes from." gold-embroidered white dress and a transparent "I am very curious to learn it." veil. A wreath of bluish green reed-leaves, "She is the nymph Sabrina in person, and water-roses, and anemones crowned her dark dwells in the cool waters of the blue river. hair, which flowed in long loose tresses down Have you not noticed that she is able to make to her waist. A set of red coral jewelry herself suddenly invisible and disappear? The adorned her beautiful neck and white arms. REHEARSAL OF THE MASK OF COMUS. 101 Thus she stood, rapturously admiring her own boons God has vouchsafed to mankind, and image in the costly Venetian mirror, while robs her victim of his most precious possesAlice was feasting her eyes, without the least sions, his faith in woman and his love. No, feeling of envy, on the beauty of her foster- no, you will not do so. I know my Lucy will sister, and arranging her costume with skilful not act so heartlessly. Perhaps you have not hands. yet reflected upon it and examined your own "Do you know," said Alice, " that you have heart. Young and inexperienced, you do not become one of the most beautiful girls I have know life and the world. You are beautiful, ever seen? You have already conquered one but beauty is the most dangerous attraction heart here." which we poor girls possess. It diverts the Lucy crimsoned, and her heart throbbed mind only too often from higher things, and audibly. endangers our immortal soul. They resemble " Well, you need not be ashamed of your the foolish virgins whose lamp has gone out triumph. Mr. Lawes is a very good young when the heavenly bridegroom makes his apman and an excellent musician. How glad I pearance." would be if you should, in consequence of his Lucy heaved a deep sigh. Shame and reaffection for you, return to our house, for he pentance filled her heart, and she dared not is employed here as music-teacher! May I raise her eyes to the innocent sister of her hope for this? " lover. "No, no," whispered Lucy, dropping her "Have confidence in me," added Alice. eyes. "If you love another young man already, let "And why not? Do you not like him, me know it. Our old friendship entitles me then? He is young, amiable, a master of all to your confidence. I have no sister except instruments, and, what is most essential, head you, and you stand likewise solitary and alone over ears in love. Nor do you seem to dislike in a world full of treachery and temptation. him. You need not conceal any thing from How easily is a young girl misled, and loses in me, for we have grown up like sisters. Tell an unguarded moment the happiness of her me frankly if you like him." whole life! All the sufferings and joys of "I-I do not know," faltered out Lucy, in woman arise from the same source. Happy great confusion. the girl that meets in her path with a noble " What, you do not know? And yet you and honorable man, who does not trifle with accept his homage, and encourage him by your her love!" smiles and kind glances. Do you know, my Alice's words pierced the heart of her foschild, that your conduct would be reprehen- ter-sister like two-edged swords; for Lucy was sible and inexcusable, if Lawes really were in- not yet inaccessible to the force of such addifferent to you? There is, in my opinion, no monitions; but she thought of Thomas and more contemptible being than a woman fool- kept silent. She had gone already so far, that ing an honorable man, playing with his most she was unable to retrace her steps. generous feelings, and then spurning the vie- "No, no," she murmured, scarcely able to tim of her heartlessness. A highway robber repress her tears; "I do not deserve your is not as mean as she is, for he takes only kindness, but I will be grateful to you all my what he has need of. Poverty and distress life, for I know you will not condemn and generally make a criminal of him, while such despise me." a woman commits a crime against the noblest Before Alice was able to ask for an expla 102 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. nation of these strange words, Lucy, overcome concealed the stage from the audience was by her feelings, embraced her with impetuous profusely adorned with gold embroidery. A tenderness. Alice vainly tried to calm the ex- row of chairs was intended for the guests; in cited girl. A stream of tears rolled down the middle of this row arose a sort of baldaLucy's blooming cheeks, and convulsive sobs chin, under which the lord president and his indicated her profound agitation. But after a wife were to be seated. The galleries were few minutes her former smile returned to her assigned to the servants and the inhabitants lips; it was forced at first, but soon again as of the neighboring country. The wealthiest natural as ever. Her light-hearted frivolity citizens of the town of Ludlow received pertriumphed over this sudden outburst of the mission to witness the performance, and they despair of a heart which contained a strange appeared now in the hall with their wives and mixture of good and bad qualities. daughters, dressed in their holiday attire. Alice looked after her wonderingly and The steward had enough to do to maintain thoughtfully; her character was in striking order and decorum; and equally busy was contrast with Lucy's passionate and impres- Henry Lawes, who made his appearance at sible nature. the head of his musicians, and took position --, _ c-with the band close in front of the stage. The orchestra consisted of several lutes, flutes, CHAPTER XVI. horns, and a harpsichord, which filled the place of our modern piano, and was played by Lawes THE PERFORMANCE. himself. Six singers stood on both sides of THE earl's birthday came at last, and the the orchestra, to reenforce it by their voices. performance of " Comus," by which it was to A lively commotion reigned behind the scenes. be celebrated, was about to commence. The Actors and dancers, in fancy costumes, glanced stage had been erected in the large reception- once more over their parts, or performed their hall. It consisted of a wooden platform, cov- dances. Some stood in groups, conversing ered with beautiful carpets. The decorations with great animation. The decorations offered and machinery were of very fine and ingenious to others cozy nooks, where they might talk workmanship, and by no means so simple as is with each other without being seen or heard generally believed nowadays. The so-called by any one. In one of these recesses Thomas masks, a favorite amusement of the court and met with Lucy Henderson; a kiss and a few nobility, were always performed with an ex- passionate words-sufficed to dispel the doubts traordinary and even lavish display of pomp and fears which had arisen in the mind of the and splendor. Such performances took place beautiful girl. Both spoke again of the flight only on festive occasions of special impor- of Lucy, which was to take place very soon, as tance, on coronation-days, at the weddings of the youth, in accordance with the wishes of his the royal princes, on the birthdays of high father, was to leave Ludlow Castle in the course dignitaries, etc. Their subjects were usually of a few days, and accompany Sir Kenelm allegories, and more importance was attached Digby to London, where a position in the to the expensive decorations and costumes dis- household of her majesty had been procured played in them than to the poem itself. for him. The wealthy and munificent countess had Sir Kenelm Digby embraced this opportunity spent a great deal of money for gorgeous sce- to approach Alice and do homage to her. In nery and dazzling costumes. The curtain which doing so he availed himself of the privilege THE PERFORMANCE. 103 which the place and his mask conferred upon new admirer greeted her, when Milton gave him, and addressed her in the spirit of his the signal that the performance was to compart. mence. " Most beautiful of mortals!" he whispered The first scene represented a wild wood. in a low voice, "I lay my heart at your feet. King as Attendant Spirit entered it and proI am called a powerful wizard by every one, claimed his mission in the following well, and my fame fills this whole sea-girt island; sounding lines: but before you I feel my weakness. Who can "Before the starry threshold of Jove's court behold with impunity so many accomplish- My mansion is, where those immortal shapes Of bright aerial spirits live insphered ments, coupled with such ravishing beauty, In regions mld of calm and serene air, without being enthralled thereby?" Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, "You are not in keeping with your part," Which men call earth; and, with low-thoughted care she replied, playfully. " Moreover, it is well Confined, and pestered in this pinfold here, Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being, known to every one that the god Comus is an Ue t Unmindful of the crown that Virtue gives, arrant rogue, intent upon deceiving a poor After this mortal change, to her true servants, girl." Amongst the enthroned gods on sainted seats. ~'g ~~~~~~~~* Yet some there be, that by due steps aspire " I swear to you that I never loved a woman To lay their just hands on that golden key, as intensely as I love you." That opes the palace of Eternity; To such my errand is; and, but for such, "Not even Venetia Stanley, your first I would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds wife? " With the rank vapors of this sin-worn mould." The accomplished courtier was silent only After these introductory lines, the Spirit exfor a moment. This reply had disconcerted tolled the noble Earl of Bridgewater and his him, but he soon recovered his wonted bold- children. To protect those who had lost ness, and overwhelmed Alice with impassioned their way in the wood from the knavish deprotestations and insidious flatteries, which, vices of Comus, the most malicious of all gods, however, produced the opposite effect on her. he said he would take the weeds and likeHis dress, a doublet of red silk, covered with ness of a swain that belonged to the service of small bells, his bearing, and even the tone of the house, and caution the unsuspecting travhis voice, reminded her only too painfully of ellers against the baneful tricks of the wizard. her meeting with Billy Green, who appeared to So saying, the Spirit withdrew, and Sir Kenelm her here a second time, though in a refined Digby entered the scene in the mask of Coform, and with the manners of a well-bred mus. In one hand he held an enchanting-rod, courtier. Nay, she even secretly preferred the in the other his glass; with him a rout of monvoluptuous bluntness of the shrewd vagabond sters, with heads like various sorts of wild to the refined sensuality of the courtier. The beasts, but otherwise like men and women, same brutal expression, only concealed under their apparel glistening. They came in, makthe mask of courtly politeness, deterred her ing a riotous and unruly noise, with torches in distrustful heart from listening to the appeals their hands. Comus addressed his companof the unprincipled tempter. The approach ions quite in the spirit of his part: of King, who was to perform the part of the..... Welcome joy and feast, Attendant Spirit, delivered her from the irk- Midnight shout andrevelry, Tipsy dance and jollity I some presence of the dangerous courtier, who Braid your locks with rosy twine, withdrew angrily, deferring his plans to a Droppingodors,droppingwine. Rigor now is gone to bed, more favorable opportunity. Scarcely had her And Advice, with scrupulous head, 104 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Strict Age and sour Severity, as a prize for his unprincipled voluptuousness With their grave saws, in slumber lie. ih teir gre s, in s er lie addresses her in the disguised character of a The sounds and seas, with all their finny drove, peasant, offering to conduct her to his own Now to the moon in wavering morrice move; lowly but loyal cottage, which she trustfully And, on the tawny sands and shelves, Trip the pert fairies and the dapper elves. accepts. Meanwhile, the brothers, unable to By dimpled brook and fountain-brim, find their way back to their sister, become The wood-nymphs, decked with daisies trim, X Their merry wakes and pastimes keep: dreadfully uneasy lest some harm should beWhat hath night to do with sleep? fall her. John, the more prudent of the two, Night hath better sweets to prove; Venus now wakes, and wakens Love. comforts his younger brother Thomas, and enCome, let us our rites begin; deavors to quiet his fears:'Tis only daylight that makes sin, Which these dun shades will ne'er report. Elder Brother. Hail, goddess of nocturnal sport, " My sister is not so defenceless left Dark-veiled Cotytto I to whom the secret flame As you imagine; she has a hidden strength, Of midnight torches burns. Which you remember not. Second Brother. Come, knit hands, aud beat the ground, In a light fantastic round" Whathidden strength, Unless the strength of Heaven, if you mean that? The monsters now performed a characteris- lder Brother.. tic dance, exhibiting their brutal peculiarities I mean that, too, but yet a hidden strength, Which, if Heaven gave it, may be termed her own: in the boldest and wildest leaps. The torches Chastity shed a lurid light on the dark scene and the She that has that is clad in complete steel; wonderful groups. The goats made a fearful And, like a quivered nymph, wth arrows keen, May trace huge forests, and unharbored heaths, noise, and danced up and down the stage; the Infamous hills, and sandy, perilous wilds, ass waltzed with a monkey, wolves and lions Where, through the sacred rays of hastity No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer, vied with each other in howling and roaring. Will dare to soil her virgin purity; The whole chorus expressed the brutal jollity eatherewhere very desolation dwells, By grots and caverns, shagged with horrid shades, of the attendants with great skill. Gradually, She may pass on with unblenched majesty, however, the noisy, bacchantic music assumed Be it not done in pride, or in presumption. Some say, no evil thing that walks by night a gentler character, to indicate the approach In fog or fire, by lake or moorish fen, of Alice, who had lost her way in the forest, Blue meagre hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost That breaks his magic chains at curfew-time, and Comus shouted to the crazy dancers: No goblin, or swart fairy of the mine, Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity. U Break off, break off, I feel the different pace e e Of some chaste footing near about this ground. Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and So dear to Heaven is saintly Chastity, trees; That, when a soul is found sincerely so, Our number may affright: some virgin sure A thousand liveried angels lackey her, (For so I can distinguish by mine art), Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt; Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, And in clear dream and solemn vision, Ajn~d to my wily trains~! Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear; *~ *~ *~~ * * *Till oft converse with heavenly habitants therhe c s I* f y step a * Begins to cast a beam on the outward shape, But here she comes: I fairly step aside, The unpolluted temple of the mind, And hearken, if I may, her business here." t n, And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence, Alice appeared now in the same dress which Till all be made immortal; but wen lust By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk, she had worn in Haywood Forest, and ex- But most by lewd and lavish act of sin, pressed fears as to the absence of her broth- Lets in defilement to the ward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion, ers, who had left her alone in the forest. Co- Imbodies and imbrutes, till she quite lose mus discovered the beautiful lady in her for- The divine property ofher first being. Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp lorn and unprotected state; and, to secure her Oft seen in charnal vaults and sepulchres THE PERFORMANCE. 105 Lingering, and sitting by a new-made grave, mask passed into real life, and its fantastic As loth to leave the body that it loved,o And linked itself by carnal sensuality words expressed, though in a manner concealed To a degenerate and degraded state." from the audience, the true state of their feelThe attentive audience greeted this beauti-ings toward each other. The most eminent ful passage with rapturous applause. The earl actors could not have performed these parts himself gave the signal for it, and all thebetter tha Digby and lice did Both forgot others followed him. King, the Good Spirit, that they were on the stage, and playing a mask; the impetuosity with which be urged with whom the poem had opened, now enteredmask; the uosity with which he urged again in the garb of a shepherd, and joined er to yield to his propositions was no longer the anxious brothers. He informed them of feigned, but interpreted truly his own desires. the character of Comus, and his wicked de- Voluptuousness and passionate longing were stamped on his countenance, and were besigns upon their sister. At the same time he taped on his countenance, and were betold them how to save her. He handed them trayed by the tremulous tone of his voice, a small unsightly root, but of divine effect, and while Alice expressed to him most emphatiof sovereign use against all enchantments. ally the horror and fear with which he inArmed with this amulet, he told them to as- spired her. This was no longer an illusion; it sault boldly the necromancer's hall- cwas the whole, undisguised truth. The words which Milton had given them to speak corre"'Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood And brandished blade, rush on him, break his glass, sponded in an almost incomprehensible manAnd shed the luscious liquor on the ground, ner to the singular position which they occuBut seize his wand;.though he and his cursed crew Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, ped toward each other. In writing these Or, like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke, lines, the poet had perhaps borne in mind Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink." Yet will ty, their individual characters and their striking The brothers promised to follow his advice, contrast, and, in trying to portray general and departed, accompanied by the Good Spirit. types and ideal events, had unconsciously, and In the mean time, the scene changed to a with a prophetic spirit, reproduced the reality stately palace, gorgeously furnished, with soft and life in his immediate surroundings. Digmusic, and tables spread with all dainties. by-Comus attempted once more to prevail Comus appeared with his rabble and the upon Alice to drink from the enchanted glass, lady seated in an enchanted chair, to whom he and lavished the most hypocritical and false offered his glass, which she put by, and at- representations upon her, but she spurned him tempted to rise; but the wizard waved his with virtuous indignation. She said to him: wand, and she sank back into her chair. The "Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul detwo leading persons played with great natural- ceiver I Bast thou betrayed my credulous innocence ness, for life and reality mingled with their ar- iathou betraed my credulous innocenry With visored falsehood and base forgery; tistic performance. Already behind the scene, And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here With lickerish baits, fit to ensnare a brute? Digby had renewed his efforts to gain Alice's Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, favor by his flattery and homage; but she had, I would not taste thy treasonous offer. as heretofore, turned a deaf ear to him. He Comus. followed her even on the stage with his im- 0 foolishness of men!. that lend their ears portunities, which she rejected with lively in- To those budge doctors of the stoic fur, And fetch their precepts from the cynic tub, dignation. Thus the poet's words, which both Praising the lean and sallow abstinence I emphasized in accordance with their real feel- Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth With such a full and unwithdrawing hand, ings, received a special significance. The Covering the earth with odors, fruits, and flocks, 106 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable, Of that which lewdly-pampered luxury But all to please and sate the curious taste? Now heaps upon some few with vast excess, And set to work millions of spinning-worms, Nature's full blessings would be well dispensed That in their green shops weave the smooth-haired In unsuperfluous even proportion, silk, And she no whit encumbered with her store; To deck her sons; and, that no corner might And then the Giver would be better thanked, Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins His praise due paid: for swinish gluttony She hutched the all-worshipped ore and precious Ne'er looks to Heaven amidst his gorgeous feast, gems, But with besotted, base ingratitude To store her children with; if all the world Crams, and blasphemes his feeders. Shall I go on, Should in a pet of temperance feed on pulse, Or have I said enow? To him that dares Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words The All-Giver would be unthanked, would be un- Against the sun-clad power of chastity, praised, Fain would I something say; yet to what end? Not half His riches known, and yet despised; Thou hast nor ear nor soul to apprehend And we should serve Him as a grudging Master, The sublime notion and high mystery, As a penurious niggard of His wealth; That must be uttered to unfold the sage And live like Nature's bastards, not her sons, And serious doctrine of virginity; Who would be quite surcharged with her own And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know weight, More happiness than this thy present lot. And strangled with her waste fertility; Enjoy your dear wit and gay rhetoric, The earth cumbered, and the winged air darked That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence; with plumes, Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinced; The herds would over-multitude their lords, Yet should I try, the uncontrolled work The sea o'erfraught would swell, and the unsought Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirit diamonds To such a flame of sacred vehemence Would so imblaze the forehead of the deep, That dumb things would be moved to sympathize And so bestud with stars, that they below And the brute Earth would lend her nerves, and Would grow inured to light, and come at last shake, To gaze upon the sun with shameless brows. Till all thy magic structures, reared so high, List, lady; be not coy, and be not cozened Were shattered into heaps o'er thy false head. With that fame-vaunted name, virginity. ons Beauty is Nature's coin, must not be hoarded, But must be current; and the good thereof Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, Come, no more; Unsavory in the enjoyment of itself; This is mere moral babble, and direct If you let slip time, like a neglected rose, Against the canon-laws of our foundation: It withers on the stalk with languished head. I must not uffer this; yet'tis but the lees Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown And settlings of a melancholy blood; In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, But this will cure all straight; one sip of this Where most may wonder at the workmanship; Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, It is for homely features to keep home, Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste." They had their name thence; coarse complexions, The pirit made another attempt at inducing And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply The sampler, and to tease the housewife's wool. Alice to drink from his glass, but she refused, What need a vermeil-tinctured lip for that, and pushed back his hand. Suddenly the Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn? There was another meaning in these gifts; brothers rushed in with swords drawn, wrested Think what, and be advised; you are but young yet. is glass out of his hand, and broke it against Alice. the ground. His rout made sign of resistance, I had not thought to have unlocked my lips but all were driven in. At the same time the In this unhallowed air, but that this juggler Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, Attendant Spirit came in again. He blamed Obtruding false rules, pranked in reason's garb. the brothers for letting the false enchanter esI hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, And Virtue has no tongue to check her pride. cape by not snatching hs wand. He sad: Impostor I do not charge most innocent Nature,...... Without his rod reversed, As if she would her children should be riotous And backward mutters of dissevering power, With her abundance; she, good cateress, We cannot free the lady that its here Means her provision only to the good, In stoy fetters fixed, and motionless; That live according to her sober laws, Yet stay; be not disturbed; now I bethink me, And holy dictate of spare temperance; Some other means I have which may be used." If every just man, that now pines with want, Had but a moderate and beseeming share He told them that their sister could be freed SIR KENELM DIGBY FOILED. 107 from the spell only by the nymph Sabrina. She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime; Upon his adjuration, there appeared the nymph Or, if Virtue feeble were, herself, represented by Lucy Henderson. Fab- Heaven itself would stoop to her.' ulous sea-monsters drew the gilded car in which the girl was seated in the dress which we have already described. Her appearance drew a murmur of applause from the audience, which CHAPTER XVII, expressed its satisfaction even more emphatically when she rose and sang in a silvery SIa KENELM DIGBY FOILED. voice: ALL concurred in praising the poem with "Shepherd, ti my office bet great enthusiasm. Milton was surrounded by " Shepherd,'tis my office best To help ensnared Chastity; the whole audience, extolling the beauties of Brightest lady, look on me. his creation. The lord president and his wife Thus I sprinkle on thy breast Drops, that from my mountain pure thanked him in the most flattering manner, I have kept, of precious cure; and Alice approached him likewise to give vent Thrice upon thy finger's tip, Thrice upon thy rubied lip; to the delight with which the mask had filled Next this marble venomed seat, her. His triumph was also her own, and the saSmeared with gums of glutinous heat, I touch with chaste palms moist and cold; tisfaction which she felt lent new charms to the Now the spell hath lost his hold; lovely girl. Flushed with the purest enthusiAnd I must haste, ere morning hour, To wait in Amphitrites bower." asm, she dropped her former reserve; she was carried away, and betrayed, in spite of herself, Sabrina descended amid the sweet notes of her most secret thoughts and feelings. Hence, gentle music, and Alice rose out of her seat. gTle msicn, changd Alieseni outlofwe seat the marked coolness with which the poet treated The scene changed, presenting Ludlow town thes pres en n her, impressed her only the more painfully. and the president's castle. Then came in aondthe eda ents aste. thm he Amendn He seemed to avoid being alone with her, and country dancers; after them the Attendant even conversing long with her. Alice could no Spirit, with the two brothers. The Spirit prelonger bear this treatment, which bewildered sented them to their father and mother, say- d almost maddened her; she made up her and almost maddened her; she made up her ing: ing: belrnay bihmind to obtain an explanation from him at any " Noble lord and lady bright, I have brought ye new delight; cost, but neither the place nor the time favored Here behold so goodly grown, her purpose. She was soon called away from Three fairy branches of your own; Heaven hath timely tried their youth, his side and drawn into the whirl of the festival. Heaven hath timely tried their youth, Their faith, their patience, and their truth; A sumptuous banquet took place after the And sent them here through hard assays,, With a crown of deathless praise, With a crown of deathless praise, mask was at an end, and a ball concluded the To triumph in victorious dance festivities of the day. The dancers moved O'er sensual folly and intemperance." r s l fy ad i " around the brilliantly-illuminated hall, and Finally, King took leave of the audience in Alice, the daughter of the house and leading the following epilogue: belle of the occasion, could not absent herself t nw my tk is s d, from the ball. Notwithstanding her reluc" But now my task is smoothly done, I can fly, or I can run, tance, she danced with Digby,who did not leave Quickly to the green earth's end, her a moment and displayed all his seductive Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend; And from thence can soar as soon wiles. It was only for the purpose of escaping To the corners of the moon. his importunities that she received much more Mortals, that would follow me, Love Virtue; she alone is free; readily than usual the homage which Edward 108 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. King rendered to her, and treated him with ery. The whispering breeze, the murmuring marked kindness. The happy youth allowed water, the dying notes of the music, lulled him himself to be misled by her conduct, and re- to sleep. He slumbered on the stone bench; joiced in what he was pleased to call his great and forgot his grief, though only for a short triumph. time. Milton stood leaning against a pillar, and Was it a mere accident or mysterious symgazing with a bleeding heart upon the gay pathy? No sooner had Alice finished the last scene. Whenever Alice flitted past him at the dance than she suddenly escaped from the host side of his friend, the most profound grief filled of her admirers and hastened from the hot ballhim anew, and he felt like crying out aloud in room into the garden. Some irresistible and his agony. While rejoicing in the success of mysterious force drew her toward the poet, the happy King, he charged Alice with faith- whose absence she could scarcely have noticed. lessness, though he himself had wished that Like a white apparition she glided through the she should give him up. He accused the whole silent alleys, past the moonlit marble statues female sex of fickleness, levity, and want of of pagan gods. She heard only the throbbing principle. Instead of blaming himself, he of her agitated heart, whose impetuous pulsablamed the purest of creatures, and transferred tions threatened to burst her airy dress. She his own guilt to the beloved of his heart. He dared not confess even to herself what had led could no longer bear to look upon her; the her hither. She hoped and yet feared to meet air threatened to stifle him, the ceiling of the the poet here. If she had known that she room menaced to fall down on him, and the would find him, she would not have come; her dancers transformed themselves into infernal virgin pride would have rebelled against it; demons deriding him by their boisterous mirth. she followed only the fascinating voice of a Scarcely knowing what he did, he rushed into vague presentiment, without being fully conthe open air. The garden was bathed in silvery scious what she was about to do. Thus she moonlight. Red and green lamps were burn- strolled through the garden without a definite ing on the balustrade in honor of the festival; object, and yet pursuing one, deceiving herself flaming pitch-rings were blazing here and there and absorbed in melancholy dreams. Every amid the trees, and shedding a lurid light on noise caused her to start like a chased roe; the the green foliage. Even here there was too falling of a leaf; the rustling of a drowsy bird, much light for the poet, and the noise of the the slightest note froze her blood. Her foot festival pursued him scornfully. He quickly hesitated very often, but an inward longing, descended the steps leading to the dark bowers for which she was unable to account, urged her and shady alleys, soon reached the solitude he on with magic power. She felt as though she longed for, and the notes of the music pene- would meet Milton here and demand of him an trated to him only as faintly as the dying avowal of the secret reasons which caused him echoes of lost happiness. to avoid her. He was to defend himself and On the banks of the pond, where the waters break his mysterious silence. But even this seemed to utter low moans, and where he had purpose rose in her soul only like a distant disonce passed the most blissful hours at Alice's solving view, and vanished almost immediately side, he gave way to his melancholy dreams. after it had appeared. Another will overcame The stillness of nature calmed his wildly agi- her own and paralyzed her strength; she tottated heart, and the despair which had seized tered like a somnambulist in her night-walk, him in the ballroom passed into a gentle rev- until she reached her favorite place on the bank SIR KENELM DIGBY FOILED. 109 of the pond. Here she found Milton slumbering "You are too sagacious," replied Digby, in the moonlight; his pale face beamed toward scrnfully, " to do any thing of the kind. Even her, as if transfigured. She did not know though your voice were heard, which I think whether she should stay or flee; with bated is utterly impossible, your reputation would be breath she gazed at the sleeper, fascinated in lost. Therefore, you had better be reasonable spite of herself by meeting him so suddenly. and submit to your fate." Thus she resembled the chaste goddess at the He pressed Alice with passionate impetuosity moment she found the sleeping Endymion for to his breast, and tried to cover her cheeks the first time in the silent forest. She shud- and neck with burning kisses. dered with coy timidity, but her feet refused "Let me go!" faltered out Alice, almost to move. She would have liked to bend over fainting with dismay. him anl breathe a gentle kiss on his noble "Do not attempt to disengage yourself from forehead. The happy poet might have been my arms. I am not afraid of your anger or aroused by it, and have succumbed to this new your cries. Do you think I did not take the temptation; he would then have lacked cour- necessary steps beforehand in order not to be age to sacrifice such a love to the demands of disturbed? Why do you resist me and disfriendship. play so much prudery now? I know what Approaching footsteps aroused Alice from brought you here-I know that your lover is her contemplation; it was necessary that no still concealed in the garden. You are in my one should see her here, and she disappeared power; your honor, your reputation, is in my quickly among the trees, after casting a part- hands." ing glance on the sleeper. With a throbbing "You lie! " cried Alice, indignantly. heart she hastened back toward the illumi- "Not I, but you, my beautiful lady, say nated ballroom. The footsteps pursued her what is not true. If you are really innocent, and came nearer and nearer to her; before she why do you not shout for help? But I think was able to reach the balustrade, she felt sud- you are too sensible to resort to so extreme a denly that two strong arms encircled her. step. Do not be angry with me-forgive me. She uttered a low cry of surprise, and tried to You shall soon become better acquainted with disengage herself from the stranger's embrace. me, and it is my firm conviction that you will " Keep quiet," whispered a well-known voice then do me full justice. Above all things, I to her.' I followed you." pledge you my word of honor that no one shall "Sir Kenelm!" cried the frightened girl. learn any thing about this occurrence. I shall "What do you want here?" forget your little weakness and attach no "To see you and speak with you. You special importance to the childish freak, which must listen to me, for you are in my power I believe it to be. I love younone the less for now. Your efforts to escape from me will be it, and do not care about this harmless error in vain, I shall not let you go. I know full of a young heart. You see, I am a fair-minded well that you hate and detest me at this mo- man, and by no means such a were-wolf as you ment; but this is better than your indiffer- thought I was." ence. I love you, and therefore you will love " Tell me, then, what you want of me? " asked me also." Alice, in a milder tone, encouraged by his "Never!" groaned Alice. "And if you do words, and anxious not to drive him to exnot take your hands from me, I will call for tremities. help." "Your hand and your heart. You know 110 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. that I have sought for some time past to gain tage will be your dwelling-place. Your foot both. You have hitherto rejected my propo- has hitherto trodden only soft carpets; a hard sals, and any other man, perhaps, would have clay-floor will be painful to it. Will you go to been deterred by your cold prudery. On me, market like the wives of other commoners, hewever, it exerted an opposite effect; for and quarrel about a farthing with the butcher difficulties stimulate my energy, and obstacles and fishwoman? Go, go! You are not desfire my courage. I do not care for enemies tined for such a lot. Your rank, your educanor women whose resistance is easily over- tion, and your beauty, assign you a different come. I am a man of different mettle from position. Such a pearl must not perish in the common mortals, and do not like to walk the filth of poverty; it is destined to adorn abeaten track of others. I wrested my first royal diadem. I will give you my hand and wife from her relatives after a serious struggle, conduct you to the right place. Become my and I am going to win my second wife in spite wife, and you shall occupy a brilliant position of herself." at court, become one of the leading ladies of "And you believe you will succeed in so London society, and receive the homage due doing?" to you. A new life is in store for you there, " I have no doubt of it, for you will and a world full of splendor and pomp, intimate must listen to me. I rely on your sagacity, intercourse with the noblest and most refined which will enable you to see the folly of your men and women of the kingdom, the charms conduct. An affection unworthy of your po-and perfumes of a more elevated and pure sition has seized your heart; but on reflection atmosphere, which is never obscured by the you will admit that it would be preposterous mists of want and the clouds of poverty. Why for you to yield to it. Will you give your do you not reply to me? Will you accept my hand to an inexperienced young man, who is proposals?" nothing and has nothing-a poet whose talents "Never! " replied Alice, resolutely. enable him at the best to write a little play "Then I must compel you to accept a lot for a birthday or a similar celebration, and that will redound to your happiness. Bear in who is tolerated in good society only on ac- mind that you have no other alternative than count of these talents?" disgrace or my hand. Your absence must "You are mistaken," replied Alice, eva- have been noticed already, and maybe they sively. are looking for you everywhere at this mo"Believe me, I know life and the world. ment. If they find you here, whether with Never will such a union receive the consent of me or with another man, your reputation will your parents. Will you rebel against their be gone forever. If I utter a loud word, you wishes, and take the consequences of such a will be dishonored." step? Disowned by your family, you will "I despise both your threats and your flatthen be the wife of a man who, notwithstand- teries." ing his talents (for I do not deny that heis en- Alice tried to escape again, but Digby held dowed with some), will have to work very her in his Herculean arms so that she was unhard in order to make a living. You are ac- able to stir. He relied on his strength, which, customed to splendor and luxury, and will then under similar circumstances, had often already have to struggle every day with a thousand made him victorious over feeble women. At privations. Instead of the sumptuous apart- the same tinie he counted upon Alice's conments of a palace, the humble rooms of a cot- fusion, upon her anxiety, her bashfulness, and LUCY'S ESCAPE AND FLIGHT. 111 her inexperience. He thought he would ob- "Go, vain, foolish girl!" he murmured. tain his object by taking her by surprise, and "I shall know how to revenge myself. You the stubborn resistance with which he met, shall not escape your fate. But am I not mycontrary to his expectation, only fanned the self a greater fool? Instead of remaining flame of his passions. He was one of those calm, I allowed myself to be carried away by bold, reckless men who shrink from no vio- blind passion. It will be best for me to leave lence. In contending with her, he tore from Ludlow Castle secretly; for I can no longer her the veil in which she was wrapped, and stay here, and further sojourn would be useher dazzling shoulders and heaving bosom less: my game is lost, and I must give it up. were exposed to his voluptuous glances. This Bah! What does it all amount to? It is sight inflamed his desires to the utmost. In- true, a hue and cry may be raised about it, and stinct and calculation urged him to risk every it may not; for, if the girl has any sense, and thing in order to accomplish his purpose; he she seems to have, she will say nothing about felt that he had already gone too far, that he it, and forbid that boorish fellow Carbury to must triumph or give up his plans forever, mention the occurrence to any one. Fortune, aside from the consequences in which this out- I am afraid, has turned her back upon me rageous attack upon the daughter of a noble here in England. Laud did not accept my house would involve him. offer either; and if the affair of the cardinal's Alice thought that she was lost, and feared hat leaks out, it will go hard with me, and I lest she should faint. At this critical moment shall lose the remainder of my estates. I beshe uttered a loud cry. It was heard; a man lieve it will be best for me to make a tour emerged from the shrubbery. In the moon- abroad. I feel my old longing to see Italy. I light she recognized her friend Carbury. He will go, therefore, to Rome, and not take leave was by her side at once, and drew his sword. of the earl, whose farewell would probably not"Villain!" he shouted to Digby; " defend be very friendly." yourself, and show if you are as brave when Digby hastened immediately to his room, you have to deal with men as you are against and awakened his sleeping footman. With his defenceless women." assistance he packed his trunks, and left Ludlow But before Sir Kenelm Digby was able to Castle as stealthily as a thief. He embarked reply, and accept the challenge, Alice threw already on the following evening on a ship herself between the two men. bound for Italy, where he intended to live for "If you are my friend," she whispered, some time, in order to escape the consequences "sheathe your sword. No blood must be shed of his unsuccessful intrigues. for my sake. I thank you for your kind intentions, Sir Robert Carbury; give me your arm, and conduct me back to the ballroom." "And this man is not to be chastised for HAPTER XVI. insulting you?" asked Carbury, indignantly. LUCY'S ESCAPE AND FLIGHT. "I will leave him to his conscience," she replied, in a dignified tone. As Digby had supposed, neither Alice nor She cast a disdainful glance on Digby, who her protector accused him, and the outrage durst not follow her. He remained for a mo- which he had committed was not communiment, gnashing his teeth, and absorbed in cated to any one. The young lady had, in rethoughts of revenge. gard to it, a brief conversation with Carbury, 112 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. which exerted an important effect upon their Bible, while Lucy was seated opposite him, mutual fate. Carbury dropped his habitual with her needlework. When he did not read, bashfulness on this occasion, and showed that he stared seemingly into vacancy; and yet he could not only act bravely, but also think Lucy felt that he did not avert his eyes and feel in a delicate and high-minded man- from her, and penetrated into the innermost ner. Not a doubt rose in his heart as to her recesses of her soul. Wherever she turned, innocence, and he looked up to her, as hereto- she met his eyes, and his piercing glance folfore, as to a saint. In this manner he gained lowed her all the time. By and by his presAlice's confidence and esteem, and when he ence became almost intolerable to her. left Ludlow Castle, after the festival, like the Thus passed the joyless day; when night other guests, an inward voice told him that came, she took her candle, said good-night to his love was not entirely hopeless. Milton her father, and went to her chamber. She and his friend departed, in gloomier spirits, tried to sleep, but an inward anxiety prevented from the castle. King had received a pressing her from doing so, and she lay with eyes open letter from his father, who called him to Ire- in her bed. Whenever she endeavored to close land. He was to set out immediately, and them, she saw before her the threatening form the separation from his friend and his beloved of her father, and his piercing glance which depressed his spirits. Never before had a froze her blood. Hour after hour went by; she separation saddened him so much; but nothing could find no rest, and vain were her efforts to remained for him but to obey. dispel the dreadful fancies of her imagination After the excitement of the festival was by fixing her thoughts upon more pleasant over, all who had taken part in it felt a certain reminiscences. She recalled the events and weariness, which made upon no one a more scenes through which she had passed recentpainful impression than upon light-hearted ly, the fairylike festival, the homage which had Lucy Henderson. After the pomp and splen- been rendered to her, the handsome dresses dor which she had seen anew at the earl's and trinkets which Alice had presented to her, castle, life at the Puritan's house had become and which she concealed now under her pillow; more offensive and irksome to her than ever. all was in vain, and her anxiety oppressed her Moreover, she was afraid lest Henderson should breast like a nightmare. discover what she had done. How easily could The clock struck midnight, when the door her participation in the performance of the of her chamber opened noiselessly. A shudder mask be betrayed to him! Her father had ran through her frame, and she closed her returned, and his gloomy features seemed to eyes involuntarily. Was it a dream or was it her guilty conscience more threatening and reality? Old Henderson stood on the threshstern than ever before. Whenever she met his old, and she distinctly recognized his slender, keen, piercing glance, a shudder ran through emaciated form in the moonlight. He held a her frame. Formerly he had at least spoken flashing knife in his hand, and approached her to her, though in a rough, harsh manner; but, bed on tiptoe. since his return, he did not break his ominous Lucy made a violent effort to repress the silence; he did not ask her a single question, cry which was about to burst from her lips, and did not even inquire how she had passed and scarcely dared to breathe. He bent cauher time during his absence, which he had tiously over his daughter and touched her face hitherto never failed to do. softly, as if to satisfy himselfwhether she was He sat all day at the table reading in hi asleep or not. Not a motion, not the slightest LUCY'S ESCAPE AND FLIGHT. 113 twitching of her features indicated that she "You have broken the commandments of was awake. The Puritan knelt down now and the Lord, gone to the house of the unclean, muttered a prayer. Terror had sharpened the and taken part in their abominations. Can senses of the girl, so that not a word escaped you deny that you played a part in a sinful her. mask at Ludlow Castle contrary to my wishes, "God of Israel!" prayed the fanatic, "Listen that you represented a heathen goddess, and to Thy servant. As Abraham did not hesitate sang infamous songs? You see I know all." to sacrifice his beloved son, I will offer my "And for this you intend to punish me so child to Thee. It is better that my daughter cruelly? I confess that I have done wrong, should lose her life to-day than that her soul and will repent." should go to hell for evermore. Thou knowest "Your repentance comes too late. You my heart and my anguish at this terrible hour must die, but first you shall pray that your of distress and sore trial, which Thou hast soul may be saved at least." visited upon me. But Thou wilt lend me "Die! die!" cried the girl, despairingly. strength to bear it. My arm shall not falter "I will not, cannot die. Oh, have mercy on plunging the knife into the bosom of my upon my youth, I am scarcely eighteen years daughter." old, and am already to leave the world and Lucy thought she was lost; she had heard descend to the dark grave! No, no! it is imher own dirge. Her father rose noiselessly possible. Think of my mother; she would and approached her bed again. However, be- have defended me against you with her life. fore he carried out the bloody deed, another So long as she was standing by my side you idea seemed to strike him. were not allowed to speak a harsh word to me, "She shall not die without a prayer," he nor to cast an angry glance on me. When a murmured to himself. "I will waken her." bee stung me she applied a healing plaster to The stern Puritan manifested profound emo- the swelling; and when a thorn tore my hand, tion; a tear glistened in his eyes, when he she wept and lamented with me. She sees gazed once more at his devoted daughter. and hears us at this moment. Do you not " How beautiful she is!" he murmured, ad- fear lest she should curse your cruelty in miring her unveiled charms. "So beautiful heaven?" was also the first woman in paradise, who " Do not invoke your mother," replied the brought sin and crime into this world. Her Puritan, gloomily. " She was a virtuous wocheeks bloom like roses, but venomous worms man, such as is not to be met with again on are concealed in the flowers. It is better that earth. Had she suspected what would become her body, and not her soul, should die." of you, instead of the milk of her breast she Soon, however, the hard man overcame would have given you poison. She will not his emotion entirely, and his fanaticism re- curse me in paradise, where she is with the sumed its sway. He stretched out his right blessed, but will exult at my purpose to prehand, in which he held the flashing blade. serve her child from further corruption. Why " Rise!" he said to Lucy, in a loud, imperi- do you tremble at the prospect of death? It ous voice. is the fate that is sooner or later in store for "For God's sake," she cried in dismay, us all. He who dies young is protected from " what do you want of me, father?" sin, and eternal bliss awaits him. The Lord " I have come to judge you." may as yet pardon your crime; but the longer "What have I done? " she cried. you live the greater will'be the guilt, until it 8 114 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. will finally hurl you into hell. Do you believe "Who art in heaven." that it affords me pleasure to shed your blood, "In heaven," gasped Lucy. and that your loss will not grieve my heart? "Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom But the father chastises his child because he come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in loves it." heaven.-Lucy, why do you not pray? " asked Well, then, punish me; chastise me as se- her father who had knelt down by the side of verely as you please. Lock me up in the dark- his daughter. " Will you give up your only est cellar, deprive me of food and light, let me hope of salvation, and descend to hell, loaded feel the full weight of your hand, or cast me with all your sins? " off entirely; but do not take my life! Ah, it "Give us this day our daily bread," she said, is so sweet to live, and death is so terrible that mechanically. I dare not think of it." "And forgive us our trespasses as we forLucy had jumped from her bed and clasped give those who trespass against us." the Puritan's knees. Despair lent herextraor- "Who-trespass-against-us," she falterdinary strength, and she clung convulsively to ed out. her cruel father. With dishevelled hair and "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver livid cheeks bathed in tears, sobbing and groan- us from evil." ing, she implored him to spare her life. He She prayed no longer, but jumped up from vainly tried to shake her off; she allowed him the floor. Every word was only a harbinger to drag her on the floor. of death; how could she utter them any longer? "No, no," she screamed aloud, "you cannot The Puritan had risen likewise, and muttered kill me." the last words of the Lord's Prayer in an in"I must," replied Henderson, inexorably. audible tone. "I shrank a long time from the sore trial "Amen!" he said at last in a loud voice, which the Lord imposed upon me. All day I brandishing the knife. tried to escape from the stern necessity of car- Lucy fled into the most distant corner of the rying out His will, but the Spirit pursued me chamber, ready to defend her life against her incessantly. The voice of God ordered me to father. kill you as it once bade Abraham to sacrifice "Submit to your fate!" shouted the fanatic his only son. When the Lord orders me to do to her. "You cannot escape it." any thing, I obey Him." She uttered a piercing scream which shook "Theall-merciful God does not demand such the walls of the building. All was in vain. a sacrifice. He spared Isaac and took the ram No one heard her, for old Henderson had rein his place. God does not demand my blood. moved the other inmates of the house, that He forgives the sinner." no one might witness his bloody deed. He " And did He not sacrifice His own Son, our was alone with her, and she was in his power. Redeemer, for the sake of mankind? Think She gathered once more her whole strength. of Him who died for our sins, and look up to "Assassin!" she shouted to him. "You the cross. Pray, pray!" are not my father, for a father cannot kill his "I cannot!" groaned the unfortunate girl. own child." "I cannot pray, and I cannot die." On hearing these words, which despair had " Then I will pray for you. Our father!" put into her mouth, the Puritan started back "Our father!" she repeated in a dying in surprise, and the knife dropped from his voice. hand. Instead of taking it up, he stood for 'I- a^ E.SI- AR;,- L, AjCT CLASPED THE PURITAN'S KNFS. I..(Y CAqE TE'IRTA' NEq LUCY'S ESCAPE AND FLIGHT. 115 a few moments, absorbed in deep thought. He for reflection whither she should turn her seemed to struggle with himself before making steps. Her escape might have been discovered, up his mind. Lucy watched the expression and her father might already have started of his countenance, breathlessly. in pursuit of her; hence, she fled as fast as her There was a dreadful pause. The death- feet would carry her in the direction of Ludangel seemed to flit through the humble cham- low Castle. There only, she thought, would ber, irresolute whether he should stay or flee. she be safe, under her lover's protection. "What she says is true," murmured old Scarcely had she ran for fifteen minutes, a Henderson. "I have no right to kill her. prey to incessant fears, when she met a numOne that has more power over her than I shall ber of horsemen. She made a movement to be her judge, and I will carry His decision into avoid them and hide in the neighboring shrubexecution." bery, but they had already seen her. Without exchanging another word with "Good heavens!" exclaimed a voice that Lucy, he left the room, which he locked care- was well known to her, "there is our little fully after him. Only the knife, lying on the Puritan girl. Thunder and lightning! she has floor, yet proved to her that she had not as nice a scent as the best pointer. So much dreamed; otherwise she must have looked the better; we need not go to her house now. upon the whole occurrence as an illusion of Well, my little dove, what drove you from her heated imagination. She was saved, but your warm nest at so early an hour? " a prisoner. Gradually she recovered from the " God be praised that I meet you here!" fearful anguish and terror she had endured; replied Lucy, greatly encouraged; "is Mr. she regained her presence of mind, and took Thomas present?" her singular situation into consideration. Her "Of course he is. Why, he stands before first idea was to escape and leave her father's you now. Where have you got your eyes, my house forever, as she had already agreed upon pretty child?" with her lover. This last scene with her father "Indeed," said Thomas himself, " this is a put an end to her hesitation; every bond that wonderful coincidence. I am on my way to could attach her yet to her paternal home had London, and was quite uneasy in regard to been torn asunder. Means of escape werenot you. Billy Green was instructed to inform wanting to her. She had a rope-ladder, by you of my departure, and, if possible, take you means of which she could easily leave her with him immediately. I intended to wait chamber and the house; she drew it now from with my servants at the neighboring tavern, under her pillow, packed up a few dresses and until he had brought me word; and now you the best of her trinkets, and prepared to bid come yourself, as though you had divined the farewell forever to her home. She opened the impatience with which I was looking for you. window cautiously and listened; nothing was But, tell me quick what has happened. You to be heard, and old Henderson seemed to glance around with an air of terror, and look have gone to bed. She fastened the frail rope- pale, as though you were afraid lest you should ladder with trembling fingers to the window- be pursued." frame; it was strong enough, however, to bear Lucy informed her lover hastily, and in a her airy form. She descended quickly, and few words, of her dreadful adventure. He inher foot soon touched the solid ground. It terrupted her narrative from time to time by was not until she reached the open field that loud exclamations of surprise and terror. she breathed more freely. She had no time " The devil! I should never have thought 116 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. old Henderson capable of such villany. But you. I will and must see London. I have wait, wait, you rascally Puritan! We shall made up my mind to do so, and no one shall meet again one day, and then beware of me! prevent me. I do not like living in the counPoor child! How you must have suffered! try any longer; perhaps I may be more sucEven a man would have trembled. I do, from cessful in the city. I am too good for the merely hearing your account of the terrible boors in the country; my place is at court, I scene. Weep no more. I will not forsake am fully satisfied of it. Many a vagabond you. I will always be your faithful pro- and rascal endowed with less sense than I has tector." become a distinguished man there." "I have no one now on earth save you," Thomas yielded at last to the importunities wailed the poor girl, throwing herself impetu- of the vagabond, who managed also to obtain ously into her lover's arms. "Neither father Lucy's intercession in his behalf. nor mother-no place to lay down my head!" "Hurrah!" shouted Billy Green, jubilantly. "Never fear," said Thomas, consolingly. "I "I shall go now to London, to court, and into will be all to you. You will follow me im- the wide, wide world!" mediately." "Until death, wherever you wish me togo." The youth signed to one of the servants, CHAPTER XIX. who dismounted, and arranged the saddle so that Lucy could sit very comfortably upon it. THE REAL FATHER-THE PRSUIT. Thomas himself helped her to mount the WHEN the old Puritan awoke, on the mornhorse, and then gave the signal to start. Be- ing after that terrible night, his first move fore doing so, however, he called his confi- was to go to the bedchamber of his daughter, dant, Billy Green, to his side. but she was no longer there. The rope-ladder "Here," he said, handing him a few gold- hanging from the open window told him how pieces, "this is your pay. You may go now she had effected her escape. He set out at wherever you like." once in pursuit of Lucy. All his inquiries in "What, you intend to dismiss me?" asked the neighborhood were fruitless, for the girl Billy, in surprise. " No, sir, that will never had shrewdly exchanged her female dress for do; since you have secured the little bird, you a suit belonging to her lover, and was thus wish to repudiate the fowler, do you? I think riding in the handsome costume of a young that is very wrong.":cavalier by the side of Thomas. Being mounted "You see that servants are not wanting to on fast horses, both were soon beyond the me." range of pursuit, so that grim old Henderson "You have awkward fools, but no servants. had to go back to his home without accomDo you believe, then, that any of these mon- plishing any thing. keys, in their gold-embroidered red coats, will He sat in his room, reading as usual in the be half as useful to you as Billy Green, who Bible, when the door opened noisily, and a has more sense and grit in his little finger strange visitor entered. It was a man of forty, than all the lackeys in Old England? You not very tall, but broad-shouldered and heavy wish to discharge me, but I refuse to be dis- set. At the first blush his face seemed coarse charged. Never fear, I ask neither wages and rough, but a close observer could not but nor food of you; allow me only to accompany discover very soon that his broad, high fore THE REAL FATHER-THE PURSUIT. 117 head indicated an unusual understanding; that "Well, that is right. I greet you, then, the firm, well-formed chin showed a high de- once more in the name of Him who led me gree of energy and determination; and that a hither. I took a circuitous route for your powerful soul was slumbering in the piercing sake, and have ridden to-day upward of thirty bluish-gray eyes. As plain as his whole ap- miles. The journey has whetted my appetite, pearance was his dress, which was in no wise and my body longs in the first place for earthly different from the common garb of a well-to-do food." English farmer. He wore a brown coat, round "You shall be attended to immediately. which was wrapped a cloak of the same color; Food and drink are not wanting in this house." a broad-brimmed felt hat covered his large "I know that the Lord has endowed you head; his legs were encased in large cavalry- here more richly than at the time when you boots reaching up to his thighs. In the broad lived in our own neighborhood. The soil is leathern belt encircling his waist a brace of magnificent here; the waving cornfields prepistols was gleaming, for at that time no one sent a splendid appearance, and you live now set out on a journey without being well in very easy circumstances after formerly drainarmed. ing the bitter cup of poverty to the dregs." The loud, almost majestic tone of these "I should have perished had you not lent footsteps aroused the Puritan from his gloomy me the money I needed, and advised me to reflections. Twilight had already set in, so settle here. I owe to you all I am and have that he did not immediately recognize the new- now." comer, although he had been looking for his "And you are so ungrateful," replied his arrival. On hearing his greeting, old Hender- visitor, with a tinge of humor, "as to starve son gave a start; the tone of this deep voice me now. You would do better to get me sounded like menacing thunder in his ears, some supper, instead of talking to me in this and when he met the searching glance of the manner." flashing eyes, all his doubts were dispelled. In a few minutes supper was ready, and the Only one man possessed this glance, whose guest partook with great zest of the savory magnetic charm was able to fascinate every ham, which diminished rapidly under the inone; and this man was the stranger who had roads he made upon it, until nothing was left arrived so suddenly. A wonderful expression of it but the bone. At the same time he animated old Henderson's rigid face, and a drank such large draughts from the jug which struggle between anxiety and joy was plainly Henderson had placed before him, that it was visible in his features. He was scarcely able soon empty and had to be filled again. In the to rise from his easy-chair; his feet and the mean time Henderson, who had not yet entirely hands which he held out to the visitor trembled recovered from his surprise, profited by this like aspen-leaves. interval, during which little was said, to regain "Oliver!" he cried, almost in dismay. his presence of mind. The short but hearty "It is I," replied the visitor. "But why meal ended almost too soon for him. The do you stare at me as though I were a ghost? guest closed the lid of the empty jug noisily Has old age confused your head and weakened and wiped his mouth with an end of the tableyour memory? You recognize your friend no cloth; he then clasped his bony hands and was more." about to say grace. "Oh, how should I not recognize you? Wel- "Take some more food, or drink, at least, come, whatever you may bring to me." some of the beer which I have brewed myself," 118 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. said Henderson, whom his confusion rendered America, to recover there our lost liberties. quite polite. We will intrust our lives and fortunes to the "No, I have had enough," replied the guest, ocean rather than longer bear this grinding pushing back the food which Henderson of- tyranny. It is better to live in the wilderness fered to him. " You have refreshed me suffi- with a free conscience, than to be slaves in the ciently and strengthened me with earthly midst of plenty and ease. The wild beasts manna. The more disagreeable it is for me will be more merciful and less cruel than these to sadden you, but I cannot keep from you the proud and insatiable bishops. We shall have news which you would sooner or later hear to bear no other evils there than the inclemfrom other persons. The hand of the Lord ency of the climate, no arbitrary imposts, no rests heavily on His people." other duties than the sweat with which we "What has happened? " asked Henderson, shall cultivate the virgin soil. There we shall eagerly. find no coercion of faith, no arrogant and su"Nothing particularly new. The old burden percilious courtiers, no impudent and lustful which almost crushes us is heavy enough for priests. Among the mighty trees of the prius. Distress and suffering are the lot of true meval forest we shall obtain an asylum for us believers, and pious men are being persecuted and our children, and be allowed to worship and punished for the sake of their fidelity, be- the Lord freely and without fear of man in the cause they do not bend their knees before the churches which He built for Himself." idols nor pass over to the Church of England, " Then you intend to emigrate and go to which is a sister of the Babylonian harlot, and America?" holds adulterous intercourse with the Roman "Is there any other course left to us? We dragon. Our conscience is oppressed, our bid farewell to our native country with bleedfreedom is trampled upon. A Pharaoh is ing hearts; but man should attach a higher seated on the throne, and listens to the advice importance to the purity of faith and to liberty of his blind and infatuated priests instead of than to worldly considerations. I come to you the voice of his people and Parliament. Our as a man at the point of death, to take leave privileges are no longer respected, our liberties of you and settle my earthly affairs. You know are violated, and the most barefaced despotism that I intrusted you with something very prereigns instead of our sacred laws. The arro- cious to me." gance of our rulers knows no longer any "I am ready to pay you the last instalment bounds, and our native country, which was of my debt," replied Henderson, evasively. once envied by the nations of the world, has " You can get the money immediately." now become their butt. The best men in the "I did not make this circuitous journey for country are mourning and averting their heads, the sake of the money coming to me, brother, for they are powerless against the encroach- although under these circumstances the sum ments of the government." cannot but be welcome, provided you are able "What are you going to do about it?" to pay it without embarrassing yourself. I "The most pious and sagacious men, among refer to something else that is much more prewhom I will mention my excellent uncle John cious to me. Where is the girl whom I inHampden, are going to turn their backs upon trusted to you? Call her, that I may see her their ungrateful fatherland. I have consented once more and give her my blessing." to accompany them. We shall leave England "What! you are really going to tell her in the course of a few weeks and embark for that you are her father? " asked the Puritan, THE REAL FATHER-THE PURSUIT. 119 trying to recover his presence of mind, and flushed with feverish heat. He struck his merely intent on gaining time. breast repeatedly with his clinched fist. This "No, I am not," replied the guest. "Never fit, which seemed to border on insanity, lasted must Lucy learn who is her father. The secret a short time; the stranger then rose, calm and of her birth shall be concealed from her for- composed, without exhibiting the slightest ever; since her mother is dead, only you and trace of so profound an emotion. He resumed I are aware of it. I have still the same reasons the conversation in as measured a tone as to hide the sins of my early years. Oh, would I though nothing remarkable had happened. had never committed this folly! But at that' Well, then, I came to you to see the girl time I was not yet in a state of grace; I lis- once more previous to my departure. Betened to the temptations of my sinful passions sides, I wished to make all necessary arrangeand tottered on the verge of hell. You know ments with you, brother, and provide for all, for Lucy's mother was the nearest relative Lucy's future. Let us first settle our earthly of your wife; the poor girl atoned for her sin affairs. You may keep the hundred pounds by death. She died in the hour that she gave and fifteen shillings which you owe me yet, birth to her daughter, and I intrusted you with and spend them for her. I have also brought the new-born child, the fruit of sin and shame. with me another sum of about the same Years have gone by since then; the Lord has amount. It is to be her dower when she finds opened my eyes and shown me the true path; a suitable husband and enters the holy state nay, I may justly claim that I have become of matrimony. Keep the money in a secure another man; but I have been unable to blot place; I have saved it by undergoing a great out the remembrance of my fault, which stands many privations. I have not taken a farthing all the time before my eyes as a dark spot. I of it from the property of my present wife and will atone for the wrong I committed; I will my legitimate children, who must not suffer repent to the best of my ability. The thought any detriment in consequence of my sins. of'it pursues me incessantly. Therefore, I Above all things, do not lose sight of Lucy's came to you to humble myself once more at salvation; she is the daughter of a frivolous the sight of my daughter and recall my sins. mother, and the vices and weaknesses of the Lord, Lord! I do not deserve that Thou parents are entailed upon the children. Thereshouldst look down and have mercy upon me. fore, watch her carefully, and do not treat her I violated Thy holy commandments, turned a with undue lenity. You have taken an ardudeaf ear to Thy teachings, wallowed in sin and ous duty upon yourself, for you are responsible shame, and stained my immortal soul with all for this child not only to me, but to God vices. Canst Thou forgive me and raise me Himself." up? Look at my repentance, at the tears "Oliver," cried the Puritan, " I cannot call which my early career wrings from me. I lie your daughter, for she is no longer in my here in the dust before Thee and implore Thy house." forgiveness. Lord, my God, do not thrust me " What do you say? " replied the stranger, from the heavenly threshold which my foot is frowning. "You have sent her out of your unworthy to cross." house and lost sight of her? " The strange guest had knelt down with man- "I did not send her away; she left it of her ifestations of the most profound contrition, own accord. She has escaped." and prayed fervently. His eyes beamed with "And you sit still here? You do not purwonderful enthusiasm, and his cheeks were sue her?" 120 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES.' I started at once in pursuit, and followed fanaticism, a wonderful clearness of thought her for many miles, but was unable to discover and a surprising knowledge of human nature. her track." A few hints were sufficient for his keen mind " You are responsible for all consequences. to fathom the true state of affairs. The news Henderson, you must restore my child to me, which Henderson brought with him on his reeven though you have to go to the ends of the turn from Ludlow Castle, were apparently earth. But tell me first what has happened, insignificant; he informed him merely that and why she has left your house. Oh, I know the earl's younger son had gone to London. you; your severity has driven her to despair; "Do you know the lad?" asked the you have maltreated her and punished her too stranger. harshly. Give me back my child, my child!" "I know him well; he is a rash and over"Be a man, Oliver! Listen to me calmly; bearing fellow." you shall judge between me and her. I will "And he came to see Lucy repeatedly?" not conceal any thing from you." "My man-servant told me he'saw him often The stranger allowed himself to be calmed prowling round my house." by and by, and the Puritan gave him a truth- "Call your man-servant." ful account of the events of the night. The servant came, and Oliver examined him "Your child was in the snares of hell; you very carefully. The servant asserted that he yourself had conferred on me paternal power had seen Lucy and Thomas one evening at the over Lucy. Can you deny it? " lonely three pines, and added that he had been "Certainly not," murmured the guest, gloom- so much afraid of the ghosts haunting that ily; i' but I feel that a father would have acted gloomy spot, that he did not venture to apotherwise." proach them. "For this reason I did not carry my resolve "Enough said," replied the guest. "I am into execution, though the spirit prompted me greatly mistaken if Lucy did not escape with to do so. I determined to leave her punish- the young man to London. We must look for ment to you." her there." " You frightened her, and she fled in conse- "You will sooner find a needle in a hayquence of it. It is a terrible misfortune. It stack than your daughter in London." is not only that she is exposed to all the temp- " That is my lookout. You know me; you tations of the world, but that you have bur- know that I can always do what I will do." dened my heart with heavy solicitude. We This time, however, the stranger's self-confimust discover her whereabouts. Avail your- dence was to be disappointed. On the same self of all your sagacity; make even more day, after a short rest, he left the Puritan's minute inquiries in regard to her; do not house, accompanied by Henderson, to go to overlook the slightest hints, for they may help London and ferret out the whereabouts of his us to discover where she has gone. Above all lost daughter. However, all his efforts were things, inquire at Ludlow Castle, for I must be in vain, as Thomas took good care to conceal greatly mistaken if she has not friends and Lucy for the time being. Billy Green disconfidants there, and perhaps a lover, who as- played his talents again on this occasion. The sisted her in escaping." vagabond had rented a house in an out-of-theThe Puritan set out at once to comply with way part of the city, where the girl lived safely the instructions of his friend. The stranger under his vigilant care. After a great many displayed on this occasion, despite his religious fruitless efforts, Henderson, at the stranger's DEATH OF EDWARD KING. 121 suggestion, called upon Thomas himself to blood, and not water, will drown the impious make inquiries in regard to Lucy. He found sinners. As for ourselves, brother, let us him in a sumptuous suite of apartments in the watch and pray, that we may be prepared on neighborhood of Whitehall. On hearing the the day of judgment, when the Lord calls us. Puritan's accusation, the youth burst into a For the time being we must submit to His will. peal of laughter. I can no longer stay in London; my family is "What! you charge me with abducting a waiting for me at Huntingdon. I must, theregirl, and that your own daughter, friend Hen- fore, desist from further steps, by which we derson? What do you take me for? If we should, moreover, hardly attain our object. were not old acquaintances, I should have re- The Lord has visited me in wrath and heaped sponded to your charge with the horsewhip. bitter woe on my head. I am afraid lest this This time I will overlook the offence and for- child of sin should cause me yet a great deal give you." of grief and solicitude, but I have done all I "But Lucy was seen in your company." could to recover her. You may likewise go "In my company, and in that of many back to your home and await there the events others. What does that prove? But I have which will surely come to pass." no time to spare for arguing with you; I have "And the seducer of your daughter-shall business at court. Go, and beware henceforth he not be punished?" of charging a nobleman with a crime, without "Who says he should! I know him now, being able to prove it. You might easily in- and that is sufficient; I shall not forget him; cur a heavy penalty for libel. Well, why do his name is in my ledger, and I warrant you you stand still? You had better leave me as that he shall pay me one day every penny he quickly as possible." And the overbearing owes me." youth brandished his flexible riding-whip play- The friends then parted, and each returned fully around the ears of the old Puritan, who to his home. gnashed his teeth and returned to his friend. He found him sitting at the door of the tavern and looking for his return. CHAPTER XX. "Well, what do you bring? " he said eagerly to Henderson. DEATH OF EDWARD KING. "Nothing but the impertinent reply of an MILTON had led a very lonely and retired arrogant cavalier. Oh, I would I could have life, and been engrossed in profound studies chastised him as I longed to do! " since the festival at Ludlow Castle. He had "The time will come when we shall call not seen Alice again, and declined all invitathem to account for every thing, for every tions of the Bridgewater family. He had to thing," murmured Oliver in a prophetic voice. do even without the intercourse of his friend "The present state of affairs cannot last for and his long daily walks with him, as King any length of time. The people will not bear had set out for Ireland. His beloved books, this thraldom much longer; they will arise in with which he was occupied night and day, their might. Woe unto those who have in- were his only solace and enjoyment. These curred their wrath! These haughty prelates, incessant studies, by which he sought to drown these overbearing nobles will repent when it is his grief and divert his thoughts from his untoo late. Their sins will be brought home to happy love, were injurious to his health. His them. Another deluge will then set in; but face became very pallid, his bright eyes were 122 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. dimmed, and his gait was weary and languid. his life. A crowd of sorrowing persons folThese changes did not escape the eyes of his lowed the fishermen and lamented the melantender mother, who had herself been an in- choly fate of the unhappy young man. The valid for some time past. She called the at- procession came nearer and nearer to the tention of Milton's father to his sickly appear- tavern, and Milton was able now to recognize ance, and he persuaded his son to make a trip the features of the drowned man. to the sea-shore, and strengthen himself by Uttering a piercing cry, he rushed from the breathing the bracing sea-air and contemplat- house and hastened to the corpse. ing the sublime ocean. The poet accepted "King, my Edward, my Lycidas!" he cried, this suggestion reluctantly and with secret and sank to the ground, overwhelmed with misgivings. He was profoundly moved on grief. bidding farewell to his sick mother. The crowd had stepped aside on beholding He reached his destination after a short him, and the fishermen had gently put down journey, during which he had met with no ad- their load. All honored this outburst of proventures. He found the whole population in found grief. a state of great excitement, owing to a terrible "Can he not be saved?" asked Milton, disaster which had just taken place near the after a long pause. shore. The dreadful storm which had raged "He is dead," replied a kind-hearted sailor. all night long had driven several vessels into " All is in vain; you see he has been several the breakers, where they had been wrecked hours in the water. Poor young man!" before the eyes of the inhabitants. Many "Where did you find him?" lives were lost, and the waves threw the "The waves threw him on the beach near corpses of the drowned sailors upon the beach. those rocks yonder. There are several other Milton learned all this from the talkative corpses yet, all belonging to the same ship. daughter of the landlord at whose tavern he But as the young gentleman seemed to be of had stopped. noble birth, we thought we would give him a "Oh, see," exclaimed the loquacious girl, Christian burial first of all." "they are just bringing another drowned man "God bless you for it!" this way. 0, my God, what a handsome young "You seem to be his brother, or some near man! He looks as though he were the Prince relation of his. I suppose, therefore, you will of Wales himself. He must belong to a no- take charge of his funeral. Where do you ble family." want us to carry the corpse?" Milton stepped mechanically to the window "To the tavern. I shall not leave him unwhich opened upon the sea. He could dis- til he is buried." tinctly hear the roar of the waves, whose fury At Milton's request, the carriers took up the had not yet subsided. A mournful procession corpse again, and conveyed it to the tavern, moved along the beach. Several fishermen where it was laid on a bed. After paying the were carrying the corpse of a youth who fishermen for their trouble, the poet remained seemed to sleep. Only the matted golden alone with the corpse and with his grief. ringlets, soiled with sand and sea-grass, and "My friend, my brother, my Lycidas!" he the closed eyes, showed that he was dead. cried, despairingly. " Thus you had to perish His travelling-dress, which was that of a wealthy -at the threshold of youth, in the midst of and aristocratic man, was saturated with water, all the promises and joys of life! Oh, I would and indicated the manner in which he had lost cruel death had taken me in your stead! DEATH OF EDWARD KING. 123 With you, I bury my friendship and love. distasteful to him, and there was every prosWoe to me! The sacrifice I made to you was pect of his becoming a confirmed hypochonin vain. A cruel fate has decreed otherwise." driac. His physician advised a foreign tour. Such were Milton's lamentations by the At first Milton refused to leave his father, but side of his friend's remains. It was not until he yielded at last to his entreaties, and conthe next day that he recovered sufficient pres- sented to go to Italy. ence of mind to send a messenger with the Before taking leave of England for so long mournful intelligence to King's father in Ire- a time, he visited once more the graves of his land, and make the necessary preparations for mother and his beloved friend. Their rememthe temporary burial of the corpse. The poet brance accompanied him, and he wrote the was the only mourner that followed the coffin sweetest verse in honor of the lamented Edto the grave. ward Kifg. "Lycidas" was the name he " Farewell, farewell " he cried, as the earth gave tothe most touching monody ever dedicovered his friend's remains. cated by a poet to the memory of his The grave-digger had long since gone away, friend: but he still sat on the freshly-raised mound.,. We were nursed upon the self-same hill: Dusk was already setting in; a gale was blow- Fed the same flock by fountain, shade, and rill. Together both, ere the high lawns appeared ing from the sea, the waves roared furiously, Und the openingeyelids ofthe morn, and upon the sky scudded dark, ragged clouds, We drove afield; and both together heard What time the gray-fly winds her sultry horn, from which the moon burst pale and weird. Battening our flocks with the fresh dews of night; In his despair, Milton did not notice that many Oft till the star, that rose at evening bright, Toward Heaven's descent had sloped his westering hours passed by. Unutterable woe weighed hel him down; he had lost all: his friend, his be- Meanwhile the rural ditties were not mute, Tempered to the oaten flute. loved, his youth, all were buried in this grave. T When he rose at last, he had become a man, When he rose at last, e had become a man, But, oh, the heavy change, now thou art gone, ripe, sober, and grave; his ideals were de- Now thou art gone, and never must returnI his puret ad hie fin h Thee, shepherd, thee, the woods and desert caves, stroyed; his purest and holiest feelings had stroyed; purest and ho estWith wild thyme and the gadding vine o'ergrown, left him. He became afterward acquainted And all their echoes, mourn: The willows, and the hazel-copses green, with other men and women; his poetical heart The illows, and the hazel-copses green, Shall now no more be seen throbbed for them too, but no longer so Fanning their joyous leaves to thy soft lays. warmly and enthusiastically as it had once As killing as the canker to the rose, Or taint-worm to the weanling herds that graze, done for King and Alice. Ah, man rises only Or frost to flowers, that their gay wardrobe wear, once on the wings of youth to heaven; para- en first the white-thor blows; Such, Lycidas, thy loss to shepherd's ear. lyzed by the thunderbolts of fate, or by the hand of time, he is no longer able to soar to Weep no more, woeful shepherds, weep no more; those divine heights. For Lycidas your sorrow is not dead, Sunk though he be beneath the watery floor: Milton returned mournfully to his father's So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, house, where another blow was in store for And yet anon repairs his drooping head Him. His mother's disease had become so.And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled dre Flames in the forehead of the morning sky; aggravated that she was at the point of death. So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high, The faithful son did not leave her bedside un- Through the dear might of Hm that walked the waves; til she breathed her last in his arms. This Where other groves, and other streams along, new loss was too much for him; it undermined With nectar pure his oozy locks he laves, And hears the unexpressive nuptial song, his health. His favorite occupations became In the blest kingdoms meek of joy and love. 124 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. There entertain him all the saints above, To all that wander in that perilous flood. In solemn troops and sweet societies, Thus sang the uncouth swain to the oaks and rills, That sing, and singing, in their glory move, While the still morn went out with sandals gray. And wipe the tears forever from his eyes. And now the sun had stretched out all the hills, Now, Lycidas, the shepherds weep no more; And now was dropped into the western bay; Henceforth thou art the Genius of the shore, At last he rose, and twitched his mantle blue: In thy large recompense, and shalt be good To-morrow to fresh woods and pastures new." BOOK II. that they who sailed by forgot their country, CHAPTER I. and died in an ecstasy of delight; the language of the country still sounds as sweet as PARIS —HUGO GROTIUS. music, and retains its ancient charm. The voITALY is a Circe, a sweet enchantress, who, luptuousness of Italy is not coarse and repulwith seductive smiles, presents the cup of for- sive, but clad in the garb of beauty and art; getfulness to the Northern wanderer. Her soft religion itself is in its service. The Madonna breezes caress and fondle him, until they is only a lovely woman, a happy mother with smooth his ruffled brow and drive his grief her charming boy in her arms; she smiles at from his heart. Despair cannot dwell long sinners, and forgives the guilty with feminine under that ever-clear, azure sky, and the golden mildness. These saints and martyrs, notwithsunlight dispels the gloom of the soul; even standing their torments, are splendid men and night is there not the time for melancholy and women, whose beautiful forms delight the eyes contemplation, but for mirth and enjoyment. of the educated beholder. The churches are The light-hearted people prrform the taran- radiant with variegated colors, golden ornatella over ruins and tombs; the guitar and ments, and mosaics; the choir sings in strains tambourine fill the air with their gay notes, of surpassing beauty; and faith is not angry and the merry youths move in the graceful with love entering its sanctuary. With fermazes of the dance. Love-not the cold and vent prayers mingle the ardent sighs of earthsober affection of the North, but the glowing, ly passion, and on beholding the heavenly devouring passion of the South-dwells amid virgin, the worshipper thinks also of the lovely green myrtles and the flaming red blossoms of girl kneeling so close by his side that the hem the pomegranate. The orange-tree bends un- of her garment touches him. Their eyes meet, der the load of its golden fruit, and the vine their glances speak an eloquent language, spreads its luxuriant leaves, in whose shade even though their lips must be silent; signs the happy reveller quaffs his fiery must. of a secret understanding are exchanged, and Every thing breathes pleasure and enjoyment, the clasped hands often indicate, in a manner and temptation smiles in every nook. Beau- understood only by the initiated, the hour tiful women, with dark ringlets and burning when they shall meet again. The penitent sineyes, weave their charming nets around the ner kneels in the confessional, and the indulNorthern barbarian; they are the daughters gent priest grants absolution to the contrite of those sirens who sang with such sweetness girl. The treasures of art and science, amassed 126 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. in the museums and libraries, give the mind tained here by the pressing affairs of my emunequalled opportunities to familiarize itself bassy!" with the wonders of the past, and forget, in "Who could lament this more sincerely contemplating them, the sufferings and humil- than I?" replied Milton; "for in your comiations of the present time. The scholar be- pany only would my eyes open fully to all comes absorbed in old manuscripts and faded those sublime wonders which my good fortune parchments, and a new world rises from the will allow me to behold. What new and mysterious characters which he deciphers. grand impressions should I, and the world The sages and great men of all times surround with me, receive through you, who have penehim, and he derives comfort and calmness trated the spirit of classical antiquity more from their consolation. Remains of ancient profoundly than any other scholar of our art abound, and he is allowed to hold undis- times! The learned world justly regrets that turbed intercourse with the immortal gods. politics should withdraw you from science; Milton likewise experienced the soothing but, then, Europe and diplomacy would regret charms of life in Italy. He had left England, it still more if the learned world should claim and passed through France. A teacher and you as its exclusive property. Your labors patron of the poet, Sir Henry Wotton, had and position show me, in a very striking given him the most cordial and flattering let- manner, that science and poetry may go hand ters of introduction to foreign savans and in hand with practical life, and that one may statesmen, and added to them the adage, 1n be at the same time a poet and a politician; viso sciolto e i pensieri stretti. (" The counte- for in your person are united the two elements nance open and the thoughts close.") Urged which seem to exclude each other. You are on by longing impatience, Milton hastened in a citizen of two worlds, of heaven and earth." the first place to Paris, where he stayed only "You do me too much honor, and but for a short time. He liked neither the country your frank face and manly bearing, I should nor Richelieu, the all-powerful minister, who feel tempted to take you for a common flatthen ruled over France. He joyfully embraced terer. Fate familiarized me with life at an the opportunity offered him by the English early age. I was almost a boy yet when the ambassador to make the acquaintance of the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon celebrated Hugo Grotius, who represented me. This honor was bestowed upon me in my Sweden at the court of France, after being ex- fifteenth year, and to it was added the even iled by his ungrateful country. The illustrious greater one which my paternal friend and pascholar and statesman received with the most tron, the noble Barneveldt, conferred upon me, gratifying kindness the poet who had been so by taking me with him to Paris and the court warmly recommended to him. He'saw very of Henry IV., to whom he was accredited as soon that the young man was highly gifted, minister plenipotentiary of the Dutch Repuband already, after a brief conversation, Milton lie. My precocity delighted the great king, was no longer a stranger to him. and I am indebted to him for many kind and "I am glad," said Grotius, "that you are flattering distinctions. But I attach a much going to Italy, and it would be better yet if higher importance to the influence which that you should extend your trip to Greece. Oh, august person could not but exert upon all how envious I am of your being permitted to those who, like me, were fortunate enough to pass your time in sweet leisure on that sacred be on intimate terms with him. Every one classical soil, while I am unfortunately de- extols him, and his memory will live as long PARIS-HUGO GROTIUS. 127 as the French people. Now, the most glorious travelled with my poor family from one place quality of great men is, that they resemble the to another, until I finally came to the wealthy sun, whose light kindles many thousands of commercial city of Hamburg. Here I became small stars; these stars continue to beam long acquainted with the influential and wise Chanafter the sun has set, and they illuminate the cellor Oxenstiern, who promised me protecgloom that set in after the sun's disappear- tion, and took me into the service of his sovance. By my intercourse with the illustrious ereign." king I became acquainted with a different "In truth, notwithstanding your sufferings system of politics from that established by and privations, you have been very prosperMachiavelli, which has, nowadays, unfortu- ous. You have had the rare good fortune to nately been adopted by most of the European be on intimate terms with the greatest men sovereigns. I then learned that a ruler has and women of our times. You were allowed no other task but that of securing the welfare to sit at the feet of a great king, who commuand tranquillity, first of his own people, and nicated his vast and far-reaching plans to you, then of mankind generally. Fate put a pe- and to call friend a man like Oxenstiern, who mature end to the life of this extraordinary is universally acknowledged to be the greatest prince, and buried his mighty plans, some of statesman of Europe." which he communicated to me, a wondering "Nevertheless," said Grotius, in a grave tone, youth, or made me divine, at least. After his " I should like to change situations with you, death I returned to the Netherlands, where I my young friend, and to devote myself, as you strove to live and act in his spirit. In the are allowed to do, exclusively to the study of violent struggle which the two hostile parties science, and to intercourse with the sweet there were waging with each other, I espoused Muses. Believe me, only true poets and scholthe cause of that of my friend Barneveldt, be- ars, who live in an ideal world of dreams and cause I was convinced that right and liberty thoughts, are perfectly happy. They preserve were on its side. The old man scaled his no- that innocence of the heart and soul, of which ble efforts on behalf of his party with his contact with the real world must deprive the death. He was beheaded, amid the cheers of politician. We are like actors behind the the infatuated populace. I was sentenced to scenes, who are familiar with the lamp-black, imprisonment for life, at Castle Liwenstein. the rouge, and the coarse paintings, by which You have doubtless heard of the heroic deed the spectators are deceived. The beautiful of my noble wife. By means of a box, in faces lose their charms there, the magnificent which she sent me some books, she managed robes become miserable rags, and the splendid to deliver me, at the risk of her own life. I landscapes coarse canvas daubed with a signwent in the first place to France, where Louis painter's brush. When thinking of this, I alXIII., mindful, perhaps, of the friendship ways remember what the great Oxenstiern wrote with which his great father had once treated to his son:' Thou dost not yet know, my son, me, or for the sake of my own insignificant with how little wisdom mankind is governed.' merits, granted me a pension of three thousand But I will not make your heart prematurely livres; but I did not enjoy it long. Cardinal heavy. Take my advice, enjoy your youth, and, Richelieu, the all-powerful minister, whom I above all things, go to Greece." would not flatter, deprived me of'the pension, "I shall follow your advice, particularly as and I was once more exposed to poverty, and I have for several years longed to visit the even want. Exiled from my native country, I country to which we owe our modern civiliza 128 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. tion, to tread the soil on which Miltiades ven- ing Arcetri and call upon the celebrated Gali' tured upon the gigantic struggle with Asiatic leo, who so gloriously maintained the laws of despotism, Leonidas gloriously sacrificed him- Nature in the face of a preposterous system, self, Socrates lived and died like the best Chris- and whom the Inquisition in consequence pertian, Plato taught, and Pindar sang. All I am secuted in the most outrageous manner. Go I owe solely to the sublime examples and and see him, particularly as the old man, to teachings which this extraordinary people has whom science is so greatly indebted, is so much left to us. Oh, had I inherited the wonderful weakened by disease, care, and grief, that he eloquence of Demosthenes, I should now raise will probably die at an early day. Hence, we my voice and call upon all Europe, and first should carefully profit by the little time during of all upon my native country, to deliver Greece, which we may still enjoy the instruction of so the cradle of art and poetry, the original seat great a teacher. I am sure the celebrated man of eloquence, from the yoke of the cruel Turks. will receive you very kindly, if you bring him Is it not a disgrace to the whole civilized world greetings from me; for he knows that I am that the sons of those heroes should be the oie of his most ardent admirers." slaves of a barbarous people, and that Chris- Milton thanked him for this new recommentians should drag the chains of unbelievers?" dation, and promised to profit by the oppor"I share your wishes in this respect," re- tunity to make the acquaintance of one of the plied the learned statesman, " although I think most eminent men of the century. Grotius, that the fate of the modern Greeks is that of who was beginning to take the liveliest intermost of the heirs of a great name. They re- est in the promising young man, requested him semble their ancestors as the cat resembles the to visit him as often as possible during his lion. To judge from what I have seen and brief sojourn in Paris. By this intercourse read of them, I feel inclined to consider them with one of the greatest statesmen of his time, not less barbarous and uncivilized than their the poet not only became familiar with the tyrants. They have, moreover, acquired all political situation of Europe, but he also obthe vices of a people living in slavery and op- tained an inside view of the different parties pression: they are stubborn, insidious, and and interests which were in conflict with each cowardly." other. His conversations with Grotius exerted "I cannot believe that every divine spark a powerful effect upon his political principles, can be extinct in them. I myself know some and caused him to adopt the views which he excellent representatives of this nation, and advocated afterward with so much ability. they prevent me from despairing of the regen- In their long interviews they expatiated often eration of Greece." on the most important questions of political " May yourhopes befulfilled! I comprehend and social science. The critical spirit with fully that a poet may look with rapturous en- which religious matters were treated at that thusiasm upon the fatherland of poetry even time, extended also' to political discussions. in its present decay. But the dead past must Once aroused from the dreamy torpor of the not cause you to forget the living present. Our Middle Ages, the human mind shook with own time is not destitute of great men in the youthful vigor all the barriers impeding its realm of science. I should like to introduce progress. Resuscitated science, after suryou to one of its heroes, who, moreover, wears mounting the ramparts of religious thraldom, the martyr's crown. You will, of course, go attacked the bulwark of political tyranny, and to Florence; do not fail to visit the neighbor- opened its critical batteries upon all existing FLORENCE-GALILEO. 129 institutions. The Reformation had thrown a This boon we owe solely to science and its universal ferment into the world, which was creations. In truth, it is wonderful what manstruggling for a transformation and new or- kind have achieved during the last centuries, ganization. The authority of the pope and and we need no longer shrink from comparing the belief in his infallibility having been'at- ourselves with the nations of antiquity. The tacked and much shaken, royal absolutism was art of printing, above all things, lent wings to likewise endangered. The princes themselves the mind, and enabled it to fly from one end were infatuated enough to open to the enemy of the globe to the other. It gave to the word the gate by which the torrent of revolution a thousand-fold echo, penetrating. into every would overwhelm them sooner or later. They heart. The works of the Greek and Roman had, mostly for selfish reasons, seconded the classics, and above all the Bible, rose from the Reformation to the best of their power, and dust and mould in which they had lain for long loosened the ties binding the nations to Rome, centuries, and became the common property in order to appropriate the treasures and es- of all. Knowledge and civilization, and not tates of the clergy, or to unite the spiritual brute force, rule now over the world. There authority of the pope to their own temporal are no longer laymen and priests; we have all power. In France especially, royalty waged a become a people of priests, as the Bible predesperate war against the feudal nobility and dieted we should. Thus delivered from its the magnates of the kingdom. Its object was chains, Science becomes a sacred spirit desabsolute sovereignty, but, by overthrowing the tined to enlighten and save the nations. If I natural pillars of its throne, the clergy and the am not mistaken, my young friend, you are nobles, and degrading them to the position of likewise chosen to fill this holy office. Remere servants of the crown, it exposed itself ceive, therefore, from me the fraternal kiss afterward, bound hand and foot, to the at- which will initiate you into the great republic tacks of its enemies. of letters, which unites the enlightened minds Grotius explained all this to his attentive of the whole world in a holy and powerful pupil with wonderful clearness and sagacity. league." " We have arrived," he said, " at the dawn of a new and great era of history. The ancient world is dead and in a state of corruption; but CHAPTER II. we can distinctly see that a new life is developing itself out of its remains. This cannotFLORENCE-GALILEO. take place without a terrible struggle; birth is THUS prepared for his future career, Milton always preceded by the pains of labor. But took leave of the illustrious statesman, and set the spirit which is now stirring everywhere out for Italy. He had soon crossed the Alps, must, in the long run, achieve a brilliant vie- and arrived safely at Florence. The imprestory. This spirit is the spirit of liberty, the sions he received here were almost overwhelmbreath of God, whose invigorating influence ing. It is true, the glorious era of the first pervades the whole world. It is true, all the Medicis was already at an end, but there was black clouds of tyranny, the mists of supersti- still a lingering echo of that period which had tion, and the shades of night impede its prog- exerted so powerful an effect upon the developress; but it will overpower and dispel them. ment of art and literature. With eyes radiant The daylight which has once dawned upon the with delight, the poet hastened through the nations cannot be extinguished any more. streets of the beautiful city. Leaning against 9 ~1533 )JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the bridge of the Arno, he followed the course iest families took pride in protecting artists of the river, which darts like a silver arrow and scholars, and entertaining them with muthrough the city, crowned on both sides with nificent hospitality. Their palaces, villas, and magnificent palaces, built in the best and gardens were the rendezvous of foreign and chastest style of architecture. These palaces, native talents; musicians performed their comresembling fortresses, notwithstanding their positions here, critics expatiated on art and beautiful appearance, creations of a bold re- literature, philosophers read their essays, poets publican spirit, monuments of terrible party recited their epics and lyrics, and even a handstruggles, saw their proud pinnacles and ram- some theatre was built, in which amateurs part-like walls reflected in the waters of the performed the comedies of Terence, or modern swift-flowing river. The manly and indepen- dramas, such as Pastor fido, by Guarino, or dent spirit of republicanism seemed to be still Machiavelli's sprightly Madragora. The ladies on guard as a mail-clad sentinel in front of the took part in these amusements, and their closed portals, and to wait for the signal of the learning proved in many instances by no bloody combat. But Milton's attention was means inferior to that of the men. riveted still more by the countless treasures The centres of this intellectual life were the of art and science amassed here, than by these academies, which were established and named historical reminiscences. He passed many after Plato's model. No large Italian city hours every day in the galleries and libraries, would do without them, and they exerted a now turning over the leaves of an ancient most powerful influence upon the education of manuscript, now admiring an antique statue, the nation, and the course of public opinion. or a painting created by Titian's master-hand. The poetical and scientific contests were held A new world, the world of art, was revealed to in these academies; poets and scholars read him, and the poet's susceptible mind received their works to a select audience, which critihere the first indelible impressions of a beauty, cised them with profound sagacity and crowned of which he had not had an idea up to this the victor with a laurel-wreath. In this mantime. His sick heart gradually began to re- ner science and literature were subject to pecover, and his gloomy melancholy yielded to culiar influences, such as are unknown to our the now gay, now lofty feelings with which the times, when the dead letter has long since monuments and charming environs of Florence taken the place of the living word. It is true, inspired him. these academies were not free from a certain Nor was social intercourse to be wanting to theatrical ostentation, and they were also frehim. At Geneva he had become acquainted quently affected with an almost childish imitawith a young savant, named Diodati, who lived tion of antique forms, coupled with stiff pedthere, and who had given him letters of intro- antry; but their advantages outweighed most duction to his friends and relatives in Florence. decidedly these objectionable features. Milton met with an exceedingly kind reception Milton was introduced into such an academy at their hands, and was introduced by them to by his Italian friends, and requested to recite the'most distinguished families of the city. some of his Latin poems. The specimens of The educated classes of Florence took the live- his poetical works, which he read on this ocliest interest in the development of art and casion, met with an applause which far exscience, and the native city of Dante, Boccac- ceeded his expectations; he received even a cio, and Machiavelli, contained yet a great number of laudatory letters, which Italians do many eminent men. The noblest and wealth- not address very often to transalpine writers. FLORENCE-GALILEO. 131 This unexpected success, however, did not scribable beauty and grandeur, until the ragged make our poet vainglorious. It only incited mountains of Carrara arrested his transported him to renewed efforts and higher aspirations, eyes. for he judged his works with greater rigor Absorbed in the contemplation of the magthan his delighted audience did. Above all nificent landscape, Milton perceived an old things, he acquired the conviction that a true man who had seated himself on a marble poet should not use a foreign language, but bench close by, and by whose side a nun with his mother tongue. He resolved to write one a large flowing veil was standing. Their forms day a grand work in English, and to relinquish riveted his whole attention immediately. The forever the stiff Latin forms which he had countenance of the old man seemed to the mostly used up to this time. poet the most venerable he had ever seen; In this manner the poet passed his time at the expansive forehead, which indicated him Florence under the most agreeable circum- to be a profound thinker, was adorned with stances, honored and courted by the best cir- long silver hair; a beard of the same color cles, which opened to him with charming hos- surrounded the pale wan cheeks, and flowed pitality. He enjoyed the pleasures of life once nearly down to the breast. But the most more, and the melancholy reminiscences of the touching impression was produced by the dark past months faded gradually from his memory. eyes, whose light was extinct. They stared He took the liveliest interest in the social in- lustreless and dull into the endless night of tercourse with refined and accomplished per- incurable blindness. The slender nun bent sons, who lavished proofs of their esteem and over the unfortunate old man; her delicate, friendship upon him. At times he made ex- sickly face was illuminated with the rays of cursions into the environs of the city, and their piety and filial love. surpassing beauties completed his cure. On "Let us go," said the old man, rising and one of these occasions he visited the small leaning upon his daughter's arm. "You willretown of Arcetri, where the celebrated Galilei turn to your cloister, for if I am not mistaken, lived in a sort of compulsory exile. Amidst evening is drawing nigh. The cool breeze asvineyards and fruitful olive-trees Milton as- cending from the valley tells me so. This has cended the hill on which the humble house of been a very fine day, and night will set in with the greatest and most unfortunate of natural all the glorious beauties of the star-spangled philosophers was situated. Upon reaching the sky. Oh, I miss the stars much more than summit, the poet rested a little and gazed upon the sun. I would I could just once rejoice in the magnificent valley at his feet. There lay their glorious aspect, and admire them from the city, with its spires, palaces, and bridges3 mv observatory " in the golden sunshine, so clear and distinct, "Poor father!" murmured the nun, comthat it seemed to him as though his hands passionately. could seize it; the Arno meandered like. a "Do not pity me. The decline of my strength silver ribbon through the fertile fields and tells me that the day cannot be far off when I meadows, a picture of prosperity and amply shall be permitted to walk in the midst of my rewarded industry, undulating knolls covered stars. Then I shall know all about the eternal with vines and olive-trees, and dotted with laws regulating their course, which I have white villas, lined the banks of the beautiful hitherto divined only in an imperfect manner. river. The whole country resembled a vast In my dreams, which give me a foretaste of garden spread out before the beholder in inde- future bliss, I see the vast golden worlds re .132 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. volving round the radiant sun. Lovely Venus, my solemn recantation, which was a crime glowing Mars, and august Jupiter gather like against truth." children round the mother that gave them "You consented to it in obedience to the birth, and our globe is revolving with them in supplications of your children and friends, and harmonious rhythms. No, I was not mistaken; to the advice of the prince who protected you Science does not lie. God Himself wrote the as long as he was able to do so." truth in flaming star-letters upon His firma- "And yet I ought not to have yielded, for ment, and He will be to me in His mercy a truth must be more sacred and precious to us wiser and milder judge than the Inquisition, than wife and children, than the whole world. which compelled me to assert on my knees Did the holy martyrs ever deny their faith and that the sun moved round the earth." bow to the idols of their tormentors? They "Calm yourself,.father," said his pious rather suffered the most excruciating tortures daughter, beseechingly; "we must obey the and death. Oh! I ought to have imitated Church and submit to its commandments." their example; and I grieve bitterly at having "The Church, yes; but not the Inquisition. lacked courage and strength to do so. NaI am as good a Catholic as any one in Italy; ture, to which I turned recreant, wreaked a and I believe that God has revealed Himself terrible vengeance on me. It deprived me of to us both in the Bible and in Nature. The my eyesight, that I might no longer behold world, therefore, is the work, and the Bible and admire its sublime beauties. This is a the word, of the same God; but the word, ren- just retribution for my recreancy." dered in human language, is susceptible of The pious daughter made no reply, but many interpretations; and hundreds of pas- dropped a scalding tear upon her father's sages, if literally understood, would not only be hand. heresies, but downright blasphemies, by rep- "Do not weep," said the venerable man, in resenting God Himself as capable of anger, a voice tremulous with emotion. "This repentance, forgetfulness, and revenge. Na- earthly blindness cannot last much longer; I ture, on the other hand, the servant of God, is shall soon see what no earthly eye ever beeternally immutable, and human wishes and held. Already the rays of a higher sun peneopinions have no influence over it; in regard trate the gloom of my existence, and a reflex to the motion, shape, and system of its com- of the eternal light fills my soul. I often feel ponent parts, the universe is always the same. as though I were seated on a lofty tower, The moon will and must always be a spherical fanned by purer air, holding in my hand a body, although the common people long be- telescope by far more perfect and powerful lieved her to be a flat disk. Nature is not than my own instruments; the galaxy passes subject to manifold interpretations like the my eyes; on looking at it without a telescope, word; and human opinions are powerless in we think it is a fine silvery mist; but to me it the face of eternal truth. Hence, I have appears as an ocean of light, filled with an adopted it as my guide, and taken infinite enormous number of new suns, round which pains to discover its holy teachings and laws. move planets and moons larger and more beauNature was my Bible; I read in it night and tiful than those which have hitherto been disday without becoming tired of it. And could covered. These celestial suns and planets folmy efforts to recognize the Creator in His low in endless succession up to the throne of works be heresy? Oh, such a charge was the Almighty, who is hidden behind this da;most painful, but still more painful to me was zling ocean of light, and whose face none but FLORENCE-GALILEO. 133 the blessed are allowed to behold. I hope I old man. It was only in regard to the pershall likewise see Him amidst the glorious secutions he had suffered at the hands of the world of His stars." Inquisition that he kept silence, although his Concealed behind a tree, Milton had listened guest in the course of the conversation alluded to this conversation, which he did not venture repeatedly to this subject; but he became eloto interrupt. He could no longer doubt that quent when Milton referred to the progress of the unfortunate old man was the illustrious the physical sciences. Galileo, to whom Grotius had recommended "In your country, too," said Galileo, " there him. As the blind sufferer was about to re- has risen a man who combated, like me, the enter his house, the poet hastened after him errors of scholastic philosophy, and entered and overtook him at the threshold. the only true path of observation and experi" If I am not mistaken, I greet in you the ment; I refer to the great Chancellor Bacon, illustrious Galileo, to whom one of his many the father and restorer of modern science. friends and admirers, Hugo Grotius, has re- Thus the spirit of truth bursts everywhere the quested me to bring greetings and this letter." chains with which Aristotle, or rather his "Come in," said the old man, "that my blind adherents, fettered it. For centuries daughter may read to me my excellent friend's mankind, like the Israelites, wandered about letter." in the wilderness of falsehood and delusion, Milton complied with this invitation, and was and only a vigorous generation finds the land conducted into an humble room filled with of promise. But I feel like the dying Moses, books and dusty instruments. The nun, who who is not allowed to tread the sacred soil, had immediately veiled herself when the stran- but only to overlook the land of Canaan from ger joined them, now removed her veil, and the top of a high mountain. What a glorious read, in a timid voice, the recommendation and sight! The seed scattered by the mind bears the praise which Grotius had bestowed in the fruit a hundredfold. Temples and altars are letter upon the talented youth. A sweet blush erected everywhere to science, new inventions suffused her delicate ethereal face, and, despite of the most wonderful description bring earth her piety, she looked up from the letter and nearer to heaven, and all virtues go hand in fixed her gentle eyes upon the slender, fine- hand with growing civilization. Milder manlooking form of the visitor. When their glances ners supplant the old barbarism, superstition happened to meet, she was scarcely able to con- disappears, war and discord must flee, and the ceal her confusion, and she went out for a short blessings of peace and harmony render the time under the pretext of looking after the world happy and prosperous." supper. "Then the truth will be able to raise its The distrust with which the blind Galileo, voice fearlessly, and its adherents need not be surrounded as he was by spies, could not but afraid of executioners and tormentors," added look upon every stranger, gave way to a more the poet, significantly. cordial understanding so soon as they had ex- There was a solemn pause. Galileo, whose changed a few words. There were many face beamed with the enthusiastic expression points of contact between the two men, for the of a prophet, seemed to be absorbed in the great naturalist was also a lover of poetry and dream which the best men of all times have music. cherished in the innermost recesses of their The longer Milton was with him, the more souls, and which reminds us of our higher unreserved and trustful became the amiable origin. A gentle smile played over the pale, 134 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. emaciated features of the sufferer. The sun day. No sooner did the nun hear the sacred was setting, and its last fiery rays penetrated notes, than she knelt down and prayed, holdthrough the open window into the small room, ing the rosary in her delicate white hands. filling it with golden light and surrounding Galileo, who, notwithstanding his scientific inGalileo's venerable head with a halo. Milton vestigations, had remained a pious Catholic, thought of the first martyrs of Christianity, followed her example. But the prayers which whom those of science were to follow. A fore- ascended from their lips to heaven were probboding of his own future fate stole upon the ably very different from each other. During young poet at the sight of the blind Galileo. this devout ceremony, the poet remained The features of the great Italian stamped standing and contemplated in silence the old themselves indelibly on his soul. man and the lovely girl, who seemed to him The nun opened the door softly, and, as- embodiments of science and faith. sisted by an old servant, put the dishes noise- When the prayer was over, the nun rose lessly on the table. She then waved her hand and cast a searching and almost reproachful to the guest and invited him to sit down. glance on the stranger, who did not share her Galileo partook likewise of the simple meal, devotion. which consisted mostly of fruits. During the "You do not pray?" she asked wonderrepast Milton addressed a few words to the ingly. pious girl, and her answers indicated a rare "Pardon me, signora," replied the poet, in understanding and excellent education. He a firm voice, "I do not belong to your expressed his regrets to the father that he had Church." to do without the company of such a daughter, "I hope you are not a heretic? " she cried, as the rules of her cloister permitted but rarely in dismay. " That is impossible." such a visit as she had paid him to-day. "The gentleman," said Galileo to his pious "My child did right," said Galileo, "in daughter, "is an Englishman, and his nation seeking refuge with God from the temptations adopted the doctrines of John Calvin." of the world and all troubles and sufferings. " Then he is a heretic after all," murmured I myself am too old and infirm to give her the the pale nun. "Santa Maria! You do not necessary protection. She is a good daughter, pray, you do not believe in God and the Reand does not forget her old father. Whenever deemer?" she added, in a loud, mournful the prioress grants her permission, she comes voice. to Arcetri and stays with me. From her "You are mistaken, signora," replied Milearliest youth her heart turned toward heaven, ton, with a gentle smile. "We believe likeand it was well that it did. She has escaped wise in God and the Redeemer who died for many a trial thereby, for faith is the safest us on the cross, although we worship Him in guide in this world. One day, when I close a different manner." my eyes, she will stand at my death-bed, and " I hope the Lord will lead you back to the an angel will implore God to have mercy upon fold of His holy Church, you and your people. me." For this purpose I will pray every day to the A tear glistened in the eye of the nun, and Madonna in your behalf. Pray accept this Milton also was profoundly moved. Their consecrated rosary; it will shield you from all emotion was enhanced by the Ave Maria the dangers of a long journey, and remind you which penetrated to them from the churches also of this hour and our interview." of the city and proclaimed the departure of Milton was unable to sneer at the pious de ROME-LEONORA BARONI. 135 lusion, which seemed to him so touching, and ness and courtesy, and overwhelmed him with took the rosary with heartfelt thanks. When friendly attentions. It was still at that time his outstretched hand touched that of the nun, customary for strangers in Rome, according to he felt that it trembled. their nationality, to receive protection and hos" May the Madonna protect you," she whis- pitality at the palaces of the high dignitaries pered in a tremulous voice. " I must go, for of the Church. The sumptuous apartments my time is up." of the Barberini palace were opened to the She bent over her blind father, who im- sons of Albion. The cardinal, who was not printed a tender kiss upon her forehead, and yet very old, combined in his person the digthen turned once more to the guest. nity of a distinguished prelate with the gay "Farewell," she said, deeply moved. "I philosophy of an epicure, and was a most shall never fail to remember you in my amiable host to his numerous guests. prayers." At night the gorgeous halls and apartments Wrapped in her veil, she left the room to were almost always filled with a select circle return to her cloister. Leaning against the of eminent and distinguished persons; foreignwindow, the poet gazed after her, holding the ers and natives, priests and laymen, scholars rosary thoughtfully in his hand, until the and poets, surged up and down in a motley growing darkness and the distance concealed crowd, and engaged in the most animated her slender form from his eyes. After a short conversation. Here walked a venerable bishop while he likewise took leave of his host, deeply by the side of an artist, there a bearded monk moved by the manifold impressions of this by the side of a smooth-shaved dandy; in the visit. midst of the fiery, black-haired Italians moved Galileo's daughter knelt in her cell and blond Englishmen, with a measured step, and prayed fervently to the Madonna for the sal- stiff as tapers. Nor were the ladies excluded, vation of the young heretic. for, despite his clerical position, the lively cardinal did not seem to be a woman-hater. -@;~~ ^~Milton was delighted with the easy, unaffected tone reigning in this circle, and he was CHAPTER III. almost always to be found there on the regular reception-nights. But, in addition, he was R O M E -L E ONO R A B A R O N I. often invited to special festivals, and treated, AFTER a two months' sojourn, abounding generally, with a distinction which could not alike in enjoyment and solid instruction, Milton but surprise him. proceeded on his journey to Rome. Here, too, "You are very fortunate," said the learned his reputation and the letters of introduction librarian to him, playfully; " and, if you wish, which he brought with him secured him a you can attain all your.objects here. Cardinal friendly reception; he was admitted to the Barberini, the pope's cousin, is your friend." best society, and the most distinguished houses "I am indebted to your recommendation opened to him. During the first days after for the kindness with which he treats me." his arrival he visited the learned Holstenius, "No, my friend: you seem to have still the celebrated librarian of the Vatican. Hol- other secret protectors; for when I mentioned stenius introduced him to his patron, the ac- your name to his eminency for the first time, complished and influential Cardinal Barberini, he seemed to have heard it before, and acted who received the poet with surprising kind- as though he knew you already." 136 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. "Possibly one of the numerous Englishmen brows and silky lashes shaded two stars, than who have visited the cardinal may have men- which the nocturnal sky contained none more tioned my name." radiant. They were beaming now with the "That must be it," replied Holstenius, glow both of enthusiasm and innate fire. From cautiously breaking off the conversation. her swelling crimson lips flowed the charming Milton was rendered quite thoughtful by notes of the glorious hymn. Her whole form what he had just heard, but his rising appre- on the dais resembled a statue of the goddess hensions soon subsided, and he looked upon of art. the extraordinary kindness of the cardinal The audience stood or sat around her, only as the condescension of an aristocratic deeply moved by her divine voice; a breathpatron. Other secret intentions, he thought, less stillness reigned, and the easily-transthe distinguished prelate could not entertain ported Italians gave vent to their delight in regard to an almost unknown young man. and enthusiasm only in almost inaudible, Hence he did not hesitate to accept his invita- tifled sighs. It was not until the singer had tions as heretofore. One evening, on entering finished the hymn that the general enthusiasm the crowded hall at a later hour than usual, burst forth like a raging tempest. he heard wondrous singing; a female voice, " Eviva Leonora! brava! brava!" shouted of a compass and beauty such as he had never the enthusiastic countrymen of the artiste. heard before, was performing one of Palestri- "St. Cecilia!" said a gray-headed bishop na's hymns with rare perfection. The poet who was standing by Milton's side. "My ears hastened involuntarily forward to see the never heard such singing before." singer. The applauded lady thanked her admirers She stood on a gilded dais as a queen on with an imperceptible nod of her head, like a her throne. Her slender form was wrapped princess receiving the due homage and tribute in a dark-red dress; her magnificent arms and of her subjects. the classical neck, for which the Roman women "Ancora bis " cried those who were standare noted, were bare; only two precious cameos ing close to her, and the whole audience fastened the dress on her shoulders and vo- echoed their shouts. luptuous bust. A wreath of flaming pome- An imperceptible smile of satisfaction played granate- blossoms surrounded the beautiful around her beautiful lips, and her beaming temples and raven hair, which was tied in a eyes cast proud glances on the crowd of her knot, after the fashion of the ancients; but admirers. She whispered a few words to the countless little ringlets mocked the ribbon, cardinal, who was seated near her; Barberina and protruded, like small seductive serpents, nodded kindly, and the artiste disappeared bein natural exuberance. The proud neck was hind the green curtain leading to the inner surmounted by a magnificent head, combining apartments of the palace. The audience was Junonian dignity with the graces of Venus. breathless with suspense; it felt that another A golden tinge colored her slightly-flushed surprise was in store for it. cheeks, whose soft roundness reminded the A few moments afterward a very prepossessbeholder of the swelling forms of the peach; ing youth made his appearance. His beauher slightly-curved nose and well-shaped chin tiful form was wrapped in a short Greek indicated unusual firmness, while the clear, tunic, white as snow, and trimmed with gold smooth forehead seemed to be the throne of lace; an ivy-wreath crowned his dark, flowing an extraordinary understanding. Dark eye- ringlets; in his hands he held a golden lyre. ROME-LEONORA BARONI. 137 His noble face expressed profound grief and creature. Indescribable feelings filled his depair. breast; it seemed to him that he had now "Orfeo!" murmured the audience. learned, for the first time, the true meaning The artiste, indeed, represented the unfortu- and power of art, and that all he had hitherto nate Orpheus. His complaints for his lost heard and seen had been insignificant and consort flowed with touching power from her scarcely worthy of being remembered. The lips. It was not alone the singing that pro- truly feminine delicacy and modesty of Alice duced an almost indescribable effect, and car- Egerton, the touching piety of Galileo's pale ried away the audience, but the wonderful daughter, faded by the side of this radiant sun perfection of the execution, blended with the which had now risen before him. He had striking and most appropriate expression of never seen a woman endowed with such surher countenance. This voice, expressive of passing talents, nay, with such genius and the most profound feeling, wept and sobbed, irresistible, majestic power. He stood now hoped and feared, rose to the acme of grief before a being of a higher order, an inspired and sank to the lowest depths of despair. priestess of divine art. And with his enthuNot an eye was tearless, and the artiste siasm and delight blended still another emoachieved the grandest triumph. tion: the appearance and even the name of the A profound stillness reigned in the hall artiste awakened old, long-forgotten reminiseven long after she had concluded. No one cences in his mind. A picture which had dared to break the silence, for all felt as slumbered in his soul for many years past though something tremendous had happened, emerged from his memory, and he recalled inand as though they themselves had witnessed voluntarily his singular meeting with the an extraordinary event. They seemed not to beautiful stranger in the college. garden at have heard a fable, a myth, but to have seen Cambridge. it all with their own eyes, and taken part in it. While he was thus absorbed in his reverie, It was only after a long pause that they re- the cantatrice had returned. She had excovered their full presence of mind. The changed her male attire for her former female cardinal himself gave the signal of applause, garb. A host of admirers thronged around which, if possible, surpassed the previous out- her as she walked, with a proud step, by the burst of enthusiasm. The Southern vivacity side of the cardinal through the hall. She and transports of the Italians were no longer approached nearer and nearer, until she stood confined to the usual manifestations of ap- in front of the poet. She conversed in the plause. Ladies and gentlemen rose from their most animated manner with her companions, seats and threw flowers, rings, bracelets, and and the sweet sound of her silver voice, which diadems-in short, whatever ornaments and is peculiar to the Roman women, struck Miltrinkets they had-at the feet of the great ton's ear; he lifted his eyes to her, their artiste. She scarcely, however, vouchsafing a glances met, and a deep blush suffused his delglance to these rich offerings, bowed, and dis- icate and almost feminine countenance; even appeared, to change her dress. But a little the pale cheeks of the cantatrice colored boy in the guise of an angel, who had stood slightly. by her side, carefully gathered in a neat bas- "Who is the stranger? " she said in a low ket the tribute paid to the artiste. voice to the cardinal, on whose arm she was Milton, too, was deeply moved. He leaned leaning. against a pillar and gazed after the charming "Permit me, signora," replied Barberini, 138 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. with a smile, " to introduce to you a votary of "I grant you permission to recite the lines, the Muses, Signor Milton, from England, dis- and shall be glad if you have not forgotten my tinguished alike as a poet and scholar." first poetical effort." Before the poet was able to utter a word, Milton blushed again, and so great was his and express his admiration to the artiste, she emotion, that he could falter out only the first said to him: line: "You are an Englishman. I know your " Oh, fairest eyes, ye orbs of blissful light-" country, for I lived there with my father for a, s t r, " *,~~~ "I see," said the artiste, "that I must come short time. I believe I have seen you some- to the assistance of your memory; the lines where; your features seem to me quite familwere as follows: iar, and remind me of a prank I played in my ar, and d me of a p k I p d in my Oh, fairest eyes, ye orbs of blissful light, youth." If closed, ye such power wield, " You were in Cambridge 9 "What could my heart, if ye were open, shield?' " "I was, indeed," replied the cantatrife, "Brava, brava!" exclaimed the cardinal, wonderingly. "How do you come to know gallantly. "You were born to be not only a that? " cantatrice, but also a poetess; Leonora Baroni "You visited the college garden, which is and remains in every respect the most gifted ladies enter but very rarely. If I am not mis- and accomplished lady in the world. Do you taken, you were accompanied by an older not think so, too, Signor Inglese? " lady." Milton was unable to join in his playful "My poor mother; she is dead-a saint in tone; his heart was too deeply moved by this paradise! But proceed, proceed!" exclaimed strange meeting. He had not dreamed, then; the cantatrice, impatiently. the ideal of his youth was not a vain creation " A boy lay there asleep under a tree. He of his imagination, and the sweet reality was had a wonderful dream; he fancied he saw an before him in its most beautiful embodiment. angel bending over him and dropping a rose." How should or could he find words for the "The boy was as handsome as Endymion, emotions filling his heart at this moment? but I thought he was slumbering," added the Language seemed too tame and feeble for the cantatrice, smiling. delight which he felt all at once. Leonora "He did not sleep; only his eyes were divined, doubtless, what was going on in the closed." young man's heart, and his silence pleased her " Ah, the rogue deceived me, and I allowed better than the trivial praise which was lavmyself to be carried away by my exuberant ished on her from all sides, and with which spirits, and added to the rose a few lines which she was already surfeited. She delighted in I wrote hurriedly. Did the boy read and re- his confusion, though not with her wonted member the lines?" pride and haughtiness, but with a quiet smile "He engraved them, as well as the lovely and a gentle glance from her sparkling eyes. apparition, forever on his memory." But the cardinal laughed at the mute poet. "Signor Milton can, perhaps, recite the "What, sir poet," he asked, "you do not doubtless charming lines," interposed the car- say a word to the most beautiful lady and dinal, with a good-natured smile. foremost cantatrice of Italy? Forsooth, if I "I do not know if I am allowed to do so," were a poet like you, I should write a poem on replied the poet, casting an inquiring glance her." on the cantatrice. "The signora has no need of my poems," ROME-LEONORA BARONI. 139 replied Milton, gravely. "The whole Parnas- City, where the past and present, life and sus of Italy renders homage to her, and she death are so wonderfully blended in an inceswill not miss the awkward foreigner." sant contact. Forgotten were all his former "Do you not know that that which is for- sufferings and struggles; only here and there eign is particularly attractive for our sex?" a reminiscence emerged like a lone pillar or said Leonora. a ruin amidst the chaos of new impressions " You are above the average of your sex." and feelings. As luxuriant ivy and exuberant "Are you a flatterer, too? I shall punish vines clad the ruins and rubbish all around you for this, by compelling you to write a son- him, so, in the poet's heart, the hope of future net on me; and you shall do so, not in your happiness blossomed on the ruins of the past. rough language, but in my own." What were his sufferings compared with the " And you call that a punishment for him?" fate of Rome, his grief compared with that of asked the cardinal. this Niobe among the cities of the earth? She "I shall await you with your poem to-mor- had seen her best sons die, she had wept over row at my house. A rivederci!" Cesar's corpse, and survived the downfall of Milton bowed to the cantatrice, who left the the republic; she had been hurled from her hall soon afterward. He also withdrew soon proud position; the old rmistress of the world after the disappearance of the beautiful mag- had been subjugated and devastated by barnet that had attracted him so powerfully. He barians; her children were degenerate, and wandered dreamily through the nocturnal bowed their proud necks to the yoke; and streets of the Eternal City. It was a magnifi- still a serene smile played round her lips, and cent summer-night; the golden stars twinkled her eyes beamed with ardent desires. in the azure heavens with a radiance such as Is man alone to yield always to his grief and is known only to the happy South. The moon never to forget his sufferings? Life offers a shed her silver rays on the countless cupolas, thousand compensations, and when one flower towers, and ruins. His way had led him from fades, another blooms only the more beautiBarberini's palace to the Monte Pincio. On fully. The world is so rich and magnificent, its summit he enjoyed the magnificent prospect and the very fact that it is subject to decay of this chaos of palaces, splendid churches, pil- and destruction lends additional charms to lars, and obelisks, which, in that magic illu- it. Ancient Rome has fallen; another Rome mination, looked like a scene from fairyland. has taken its place. Instead of heroic deeds At his feet lay the Piazza Spagnuola, with its we admire now the surpassing beauty of its bustling crowds, whose noise was scarcely to art; the air resounds no longer with battlebe heard at this distance, but blended harmo- cries, but with love-songs, and strength and niously with the murmurs of the numerous valor have given way to poverty and want. fountains. From time to time the silence was The human heart longs at all times to live, broken by the sweet notes of a guitar or man- love, enjoy, and be happy. dolin, to which a lover sang ritornelles in a The warm, voluptuous breeze whispered sonorous voice. The warm breeze caressed such thoughts to the poet; they rustled in the the tops of the green sweet-pines lovingly, and gently-moving foliage; the graceful waters of only the dark cypress did not move its branches the fountain muttered them, and they flitted in and foliage. The poet's soul sank into that the pale weird moonlight. sweet reverie which nowhere more readily "To live and love!" he repeated in a low steals over the wanderer than in the Eternal voice, on leaving the hill, and descending the 140 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. magnificent staircase, whose arched windings against the feet of a winged Mercury. Laurelled him to the Piazza Spagnuola, where the wreaths and similar offerings, which her adpeople were yet enjoying themselves despite mirers had bestowed upon her, lay on the the lateness of the night. table amidst music-books and poems written in honor of the celebrated artiste. She herself wore a white dress, transparent enough to show her magnificent form; and the usual CHAPTER IV. veil of the Roman ladies she had wound picturesquely round her head. This strange THE POET AND HIS MU SE. head-dress, from which a mass of dark ringON the following day Milton repaired to the lets flowed down on her shoulders, reminded house of the celebrated cantatrice. She came the poet of one of Raphael's Sibyls, to whom to meet him with the kindest greetings, and the cantatrice bore a striking resemblance at conducted him to a swelling divan, on which this moment. she invited him to seat himself by her side. " I was looking for you," she said, in a Her whole surroundings wore a gay artistic soft, sonorous voice. "You keep your word aspect. The high, eool walls of the room were promptly, like all Englishmen; but let me see covered with beautiful frescoes representing what you have brought to me." the power of music. Here stood Apollo among The poet handed her with an embarrassed the shepherds of Admetus, and played on the air the sonnet, which she read aloud. It was lyre, while the shepherds listened with un- written in Italian, and read as follows: feigned delight to his divine strains. There "Giovane piano, e semplicetto amante Orpheus tamed the wild beasts of the forest Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono, Madonna a voi del mio cuor'humil dono by his music, so that they followed him will- Faro divoto; io certo a prove tante ingly. The frieze was formed by a chain of Lhebbi fedele, intrepido, constante, De pensieri, leggiadri accorto, e buono; Cupids and children performing on all sorts of Quando rugge il gran mondo, e scocca il tuono, instruments, blowing trombones with swelling Sarma di se, e dintero diamante; Tanto del forse, e d'individia sicuro, cheeks, or striking cymbals together with their Di timori, e speranze, al popol use, tiny hands, or wielding the bow. On the ceil- Quanto d'igegno, e d'alto valor vago, Edi cetra sonora, e delle muse; ing was to be seen St. Cecilia with transfigured Sol troverete in tal parte menduro, face, surrounded by kneeling angels who held Ove' amor mise I'insanabil ago." the music-book before her or flitted round the A pleasant and gratified smile played round open organ. On examining her a little more the lips of the cantatrice when she had read the closely the beholder perceived that the saint poem, and she held out her beautiful hand to bore Leonora's features, a great though sincere the poet. flattery on the part of the painter, who was "Indeed," she said, " your poem is beautione 6f her most ardent friends and admirers. ful, almost too beautiful to be true." All around stood or lay in picturesque confu- "What, signora, you doubt my sincerity?" sion all sorts of vessels and precious gifts, "I will believe you, for I donot like to treat vases and statues of exquisite workmanship, you like my common admirers. Besides, I either real antiques of high value, or excel- have been told that love in the North is not a lent imitations. On the outstretched arm of a fugitive blossom, but as firm and durable as its Venus hung the Greek tunic which the can- oaks." tatrice had worn yesterday, and a lute leaned "That is true. Put me to the test." THE POET AND HIS MUSE. 141 "I may soon have an opportunity to con- "Permit the Muse now to withdraw for a vince myself whether or not I have mistaken few moments, that she may go to the kitchen. your character. Your poem breathes a manly You are my guest to-day, and if you do not spirit, such as I look for in vain among my want to starve to death, I must give the necountrymen. The ancient Romans are gone, cessary orders to my servants." and their descendants bear but a slight resem- Milton remained alone, and yielded entirely blance to them. Once we were masters of the to the impression which Leonora's beauty and world." understanding had made upon him. He con"And so you are now, though in a different fessed to himself that he had never met'in his manner. Rome formerly conquered the world life-path a woman like her. Her whole bearby her valor; she does so now by art and ing and appearance breathed a certain artisbeauty." tic enthusiasm, grandeur, and a gracefulness "You are right. Divine art has remained which helped the bashful poet to surmount the to us. The heavenly fire is not yet extinct; barriers of conventionality, without wounding it burns in the lyrics of our poets, in the colors his delicacy in any manner. The atmosphere of Raphael, in the sublime figures of Michael surrounding him here seemed more suitable Angelo." to his peculiarities than any other. He was "And in the performances of Leonora Ba- likewise an ardent lover of music, and upon roni." poesy he always looked as the most sublime "Hush, hush! You must not flatter me," vocation. He had now met with a lady who replied the artiste, striking his arm gently seemed to him an embodiment of his own ideal with her fan. longings and aspirations. She shared his inMilton hastened to kiss the hand which clinations, she comprehended him and his most chastised him so charmingly. secret thoughts, she sympathized most ardently "You are a stranger here," added the sig- with his aspirations. To all this was to be nora; "therefore, I will be your guide in added the fascination of her manners and her Rome." radiant beauty, which was only a most suitable' You are too kind." garb of a highly-cultivated mind and talents " I know of no greater pleasure than to com- bordering on genius. No wonder that she had municate to others the grand and sublime taken the poet's heart by storm, and kindled things which delight me. Therefore, if you the most passionate love in it. Even the grievaccept my offer, we will commence this very ous loss which he had sustained previous to his day our walks through the Eternal City." departure from England, rendered him only the "I shall always be obliged to you, and am more susceptible of a new affection. desirous of no better guide-for a lifetime." Youth never ceases to hope and love. If "Who knows if you would not soon regret vernal frosts nip many a bud, they do not kill that?" the healthy fruitful sap; new buds spring up "The Muse should always go by the side of in place of those which were blighted, and new the poet." blossoms take the places of those which fell "But I am afraid he would soon get tired off. Spring is rich enough to repair all inof the company of the Muse. After a while he juries. would see in her a woman like all others." Meanwhile Leonora had returned with a ser"Your divine origin protects you from such vant-girl, who brought in a table and covered a fate." it with choice dishes. Even on this occasion 142 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the cantatrice had an opportunity to display "You are more of an egotist than I thought her refined and poetical spirit; she arranged you were; however, I will not imitate the bad every thing herself, and in doing so evinced the example of so many sisters of mine, who cause most exquisite taste. The costly Majorca themselves to be entreated and urged in order plates, painted by skilful artists, lay on the to enhance thereby the value and charm of gorgeous silken table-cloth; numerous gold their performances. I am very fond of singand silver vessels, wrought and finished per- ing. Already when a little child, I sang all haps by Benvenuto Cellini himself, stood day, whether I walked or sat, whether I worked among magnificent vases filled with flowers or was idle. It was a kind of inward necesand laurel-branches. Wine flashed and sity for me to do so, and I sang even before sparkled, like liquid gold, in Venetian crystal I was able to talk plainly and rationally. My decanters. dear mother, who is now in paradise, called "You shall have a classical meal," she said, me only'her little bird;' the whole neighborinviting the poet to seat himself. "There is hood called me by that name, and I kept it a genuine Falernian wine; Horace himself never long time. One day I heard at church the drank better. Fill your glass and touch mine. celebrated Antonio Liberti, the greatest singer Long live poesy! "in Italy. He made so powerful an impression "The Muse! "upon me that I was taken sick and had to be'Life!" carried home. A violent fever and delirium "Love!" were the consequences of my youthful enthu"Life and love," added Leonora, thought- siasm. Mother told me afterward that I sung fully. "That exhausts every thing. I still during my delirium, in a wondrously beautiful remember enough of your mother-tongue to voice, passages from the requiem which I had know that live and love sound almost alike. heard at church. She said I did not omit a There is a deep meaning in that." note or commit a single mistake. Everybody "To live is to love, and only he who loves said it was a miracle, and persons came from lives," affirmed the poet, flushed with the gen- the most distant parts of the city to listen to erous wine. my singing while I was delirious. I remember *' I should hardly have deemed your lan- only a dream which I had every night at that guage, which sounds barbarous to my Italian time. St. Cecilia sat at my bedside and sang ears, capable of moulding such beautiful words." to me in a heavenly voice the most beautiful " You treat it unjustly. It is true, the Eng- hymns, which I endeavored to repeat. Possilish language is not as pleasing to the ear as bly I may not have dreamed, but the saint Italian, but, on the other hand, it possesses a may have really descended to me." manly strength and tenderness which I believe "You do not believe that in earnest, do it owes to its Germanic origin. I should not you?" asked Milton, with a slight, wondering like henceforth to write poetry in any other smile. language." "You do not understand it," replied the can" Nor I to sing in any other than my mother- tatrice, half seriously, half jestingly. " You tongue." are unfortunately a heretic, but I hope to con"Do so, pray do so! Yesterday I had to vert you yet." share my admiration with the crowded audi- "You will hardly succeed in doing that." ence; oh, let me enjoy to-day what such a "Well, I will make an effort. It is worth crowd is unable to appreciate." while to convert men like you; and no matter THE STRUGGLE OF LOVE AND FAITH. 143 how earnestly you may resist me, I shall not "Leonora!" he sighed in the ecstasy of his give up all hope of gaining you over." bliss. "My goddess, my Muse!" The tone in which Leonora alluded to this "I belong to thee," she said, gently disensubject seemed to make an unpleasant impres- gaging herself from his embrace. " With this sion upon the poet; she, therefore, deemed it kiss I give thee my soul, my whole heart. imprudent to recur to it, and continued her And now come with me. These stone walls narrative. are too narrow for me; I long for the open "Whether St. Cecilia appeared to me in a air." dream or in reality, certain it is that my talent Hand in hand they left the house of the developed from that time in a surprising man- cantatrice and wandered through the Eternal ner. I was looked upon as a prodigy, and City. even many eminent and aristocratic men came to our house, to convince themselves with their own eyes and ears. Among them was my CH R 0 CHAPTER V. present friend and protector, Cardinal Barberini; as my parents were poor, he generously THE STRUGGLE OF LOVE AND FAITH. took charge of my education. He took me to GUIDED by the beautiful Leonora Baroni, Antonio Liberti, whose pupil I became. Al- Milton became only now fully familiar with ready a year afterward I was the cantatrice the precious treasures of the Eternal City, its who stands before you now." churches and palaces, its ruins and relics of "' Who is admired by all Italy, and to whom antiquity. She showed him the statues of the a northern barbarian is permitted to listen in gods, the creations of the modern poets, and, an ecstasy of delight. You promised to sing being herself deeply initiated into and an ara song to me alone, and I remind you now of dent lover of art, she revealed to him the your promise." significance and leading ideas of the highest "Well, then, you alone shall hear this song. achievements of mankind. He stood admirI have never sung it to any other person. It ingly with her before the Apollo-Belvedere, has hitherto been, as it were, locked as a secret the dying Gladiator, and the Faun; with in my bosom. But I cannot conceal any thing enraptured eyes he contemplated Raphael's from you, sir barbarian." Madonnas and Michael Angelo's "Last JudgShe looked at him with flaming, devouring ment," on the walls of the Vatican. His own eyes, promising him so much delight and hap- imagination was particularly attracted by the piness, that a shudder of ecstasy ran through noble works of this sublime master. He felt Milton's frame. What a charm there was in that he possessed a kindred genius, and in his her voice, what a fire gleamed in her eyes, soul dawned in vague outlines the plan of a while she was singing! All the joys and pains poem which was to vie in boldness and granof existence trembled in those divine notes; deur of conception with the immortal frescoes they were jubilant, and revealed the innermost of Michael Angelo. Leonora did not share his secret of a loving female heart to the trans- predilection for this majestic painter, but inported poet. He sat breathless, and listened dined more toward the divine Sanzio, who in in a trance of delight to her glorious strains. his sublime creations never overstepped the When she ceased to sing, he knelt down be- rules of aesthetics and beauty. fore her; she bent over him, and he felt the " Your predilection for old Angelo," she warm touch of her swelling lips on his forehead. said, with charming gayety, "proves to me 144 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. again that, despite your accomplishments, you fore, it always hopes for a change for the betstill remain half a barbarian. I admit that ter, and is exceedingly indulgent until the cup he is grand and gigantic, but the Graces did is full to overflowing, and further faith is out not stand at his cradle, I do not know how it of the question; even then it still clings to the comes, but, whenever I stand before his works, shadow, and lives on illusions, on a dream, I also see the stern, sullen master before me, until it vanishes too, and leaves it in the gloom with his gloomy features and angry zeal. I of eternal night. always feel as though he did violence to Art, This inward antagonism returned very often, as though he struggled with her, and com- but, so far from leading to a rupture, always pelled her to serve him. She never loved terminated in reconciliations which attached him; she only feared and obeyed him. It is the poet only more tenderly to Leonora. He true, his strong arm overpowered the marble, met her enthusiastic religious zeal with deliand the stone succumbed to the irresistible cate reserve; she was an ardent Catholic, and strokes of his chisel; but the sweet world of betrayed more than once her earnest desire to colors mocked his tyranny. It revealed itself convert Milton. Numerous opportunities for to its favorite; it disclosed to him, without making efforts in this direction were not wanttrouble or toil, the secret of its eternal beauty. ing. He often visited the principal churches Divine Raphael, how dearly I love thee!" of the city with her, and sometimes when "I am almost glad that he is dead. I should high mass was chanted. She managed, under have been jealous of him, and, it seems, not all sorts of pretexts, to take him there on such without cause." occasions; now she told him there were cele-"He is dead," said Leonora, mournfully, brated paintings and statues which he had not "and the dead can no longer be dangerous to yet admired; now she invited him to attend a the living. I should have loved him, perhaps, solemn church-festival. He yielded willingly more than his Fornarina, who was unable to and unsuspectingly to her wishes, though the appreciate his genius. Do not be angry at my impressions which he received were not such sincerity, my Giovanni. You live, and I love as she had expected. He admitted, in his you; what else do you want?" conversations with her, that the Roman serShe held out to him, with a winning smile, vice was more pompous and gratifying to the her white hand, which he covered with kisses. senses than the sober worship of the ProtesHowever, a slight cloud remainedon his fore- tants; but he refused to make further conceshead all day. The longer Milton was on inti- sions, although Leonora did not despair of mate terms with Leonora, and the better he converting him by and by entirely. With the became acquainted with her, the deeper was shrewdness of her sex, she waited for a favorthe insight he acquired into her peculiar na- able moment, and counted upon the power of ture. This nature was more artistic than habit and the triumph of her love. feminine, and, even in Milton, she seemed to One day, after a prolonged interval, she relove the poet rather than the man. Notwith- sumed her efforts to convert him with restanding this observation, which often forced doubled zeal. She went with Milton to St. itself upon him, to his great regret, he was Peter's, where a high church-festival was celeunable to break with her. Love is not blind, brated. The gigantic building was crowded but only generous. It excuses weaknesses, it with worshippers, and Catholicism displayed overlooks faults, and disregards even bitter mor- all its pomp. At the head of his cardinals tifications. It believes in its power, and, there- appeared the Holy Father himself, wearing the THE STRUGGLE OF LOVE AND FAITH. 145 golden tiara on his head. The highest digni- silence, and deeply moved despite his convictaries of the city surrounded the throne on tions. On the way to her house they were which he was carried to the church, and a joined by Sir Kenelm Digby, who had just reretinue worthy of the first prelate of Chris- turned from a trip to Naples, and whom Miltendom accompanied him. At his appearance ton had not yet seen during his sojourn in the worshippers knelt, and the choir of the Rome. He greeted with kind words the poet Sistine Chapel intoned the Ambrosian Chant and his companion, with whom he was liketo the majestic notes of the organ. It was a wise acquainted. scene such as the traveller can see nowhere "How glad I am to meet you!" he said to but in Rome. The sublime dome, with its gi- them. "Apollo and his muse! You have gantic cupola and unrivalled colonnades, re- followed my advice, then, and come to Rome. sembled a picture of heaven itself. Countless I see that you have no reason to regret my wax-lights shed a most dazzling glare into all advice." parts of the vast structure. The walls were So saying, he cast a searching, significant radiant with their magnificent frescoes and glance on the signora. Milton, however, did mosaics; the numerous altars blazed with not seem overjoyed at this meeting. In his gold and precious stones. Blue clouds of heart rose again the old aversion to the acfragrant incense rose from silver censers up to complished courtier, whose whole character the lofty ceiling. Through these clouds flashed was at variance with his own nature; but Sir from time to time the splendor of the church, Kenelm was treated very kindly and politely like a flood of sunshine. Gorgeous paintings by the signora, who shook hands with him, and richly-embroidered banners surged over and invited him to follow her. On the way to the heads of the worshippers, and the statues her house, Sir Kenelm Digby informed the of the saints and martyrs stretched out their wondering poet that he had now openly hands as if to bless them. adopted the Catholic faith, to which he had The Holy Father himself now stepped up to already secretly belonged in England. the principal altar, and knelt before the pic- "I hope," he added, "you will soon follow ture of the Redeemer, attired in his golden my example. It will be best for you to do so vestments, whose heavy burden almost weighed at the earliest moment, for our native country him down. A reverential silence reigned will sooner or later return to the bosom of the throughout the vast church; one might have Catholic Church." heard the falling of a leaf. It was as though "What leads you to believe this?" the spirit of the Lord were passing through "My faith in the irresistible power of Catholthe immense building. The pope prayed. icism, and my knowledge of the views and When he rose agaig, the trombones rang wishes of the English court. It is true, King out their jubilant notes, the kettle-drums Charles is as yet a member of the Church of rolled, the organ poured forth its majestic England, and is profuse in his protestations of strains, a flood of tones swept down from the devotion to it; but his convictions must bring choir, and the acoustic vault of the gigantic him gradually nearer and nearer to us. The dome echoed the melodious waves. This was queen is a devout Catholic, and exerts the no earthly chant, but the gates of heaven had greatest influence over her husband. Even opened, and the angels sang their triumphal Archbishop Laud is favorable to our cause, hymns. and promotes its interests to the best of his Milton left the church with Leonora in power. Several of the most influential and 10 146 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. distinguished members of the king's suite have head of the spiritual movement which shook already returned to the ancient faith, and you the world to its foundations. Deprive Engknow the reply a lady made to a bishop who land of her Reformation, and you cut her reproved her for her defection.'My lord,' great artery." she said,'I do not like to go with the Leonora, who had hitherto listened in sicrowd.'" lence, said now smilingly: "You speak only of the court and its ad- "Giovanni, I do not understand any thing herents, but the people cling firmly to their about your politics, and the fate of your faith." native country does not concern me; but "The people," replied Sir Kenelm Digby, your eternal welfare does, and the interests shrugging his shoulders, "the people are of no of art also. You really are a barbarian, as I consequence in this respect. The same blind have often called you playfully, if you do not populace which allowed Henry VIII. to force see that the Catholic Church is the only the Reformation upon it, will not resist the mother and protectress of the fine arts. efforts of Charles I. to lead it back to the What has your vaunted Reformation brought bosom of the Catholic Church. The king forth up to this time? Nothing but bloody commands, the people obey." civil wars, domestic dissensions, havoc, and "You are greatly mistaken. When Henry devastation. Can the Muses live and prosper VIII. established the Reformation, as I will there? Look around, and you must admit admit, actuated by selfish motives, he himself that I am right. Rome is the first city of the was but an instrument in the hands of Provi- world; her churches and palaces are filled with dence, and was impelled unwittingly by the the masterpieces of the greatest painters and spirit of his time to take this momentous step. sculptors; poetry and music have taken up The ground had been sufficiently broken and their abode here. And all this splendor and prepared by Wycliffe, Luther, and Calvin. It glory proceed solely from the eternal source was only necessary for the sower to scatter the of the Catholic faith. It inspires the artist, seeds, that the plant might spring up and bear and fills his soul with those heavenly forms fruit. It was not the imperious command of which we behold everywhere. Look, Raphael's a king, but the solemn and profound convic- divine Madonna, the portraits of the sainted tion of the people, that brought forth the martyrs, are but embodied reflexes of the Reformation. Since then its roots have grown' Catholic Church. Now, what does your Refmore tenacious, and it showed the hold it has ormation offer us for all this? Bare walls, upon the minds of the people amidst the per- cold repulsive structures, and a service devoid secutions during the reign of Bloody Mary. of ardor and enthusiasm." Its roots spread in the blood-stained soil, fer- "But it gives us truth instead of a deceptilized by the ashes of the martyrs who had tion of the senses, freedom instead of religious died at the stake for the sake of their religion. coercion, sublime science instead of enticing Queen Elizabeth fostered the young shoot, art. If we owed the Reformation only the genwhich became a majestic tree under her pro- eral circulation of the Bible, this alone would tection. She became great with and by the suffice to entitle it to the everlasting respect Reformation, seconded and upheld by the peo- and gratitude of mankind." pie and their new-born strength. Then it was "The Bible will always be a two-edged that our country rose to an unheard-of great- sword in the hands of laymen," replied Sir ness and power, because it placed itself at the Kenelm Digby. "The populace should not THE STRUGGLE OF LOVE AND FAITH. 147 know the whole truth. It will abuse its free- arbitrary manner. In this wild and impious dom, and the healing medicine becomes only uproar, the Church of Rome stands as firm and too easily a fatal poison in the hands of the immovable as a rock in the tempest-tossed inexperienced. Only physicians have the sea; it rests on the promises of the Redeemer, right and duty to apportion the dose which on the merits of its saints and martyrs, on the the patient needs." teachings of the apostolic fathers, and on the " The Bible is no medicine, but health it- temporal and spiritual power which the Lord self, our most vital element. He who with- has conferred upon it forever. Here are granholds it from us, deprives us of the air we deur and simplicity, power and wisdom, severbreathe, and of the conditions of our existence. ity and lenity. You cannot contemplate its The Sacred Scriptures must not be the prop- gigantic structure without awe and admiration; erty of a separate class; they belong to the mankind never saw any thing more sublime. whole world. See, how impetuously the peo- It has already stood for upward of a thousand pie throng toward the eternal source from years, and will also triumphantly weather this which they derive comfort, faith, and salva- storm of the Reformation." tion! God reveals Himself in it, and you "In truth," added the signora, "Signor would chain the Holy Ghost, but it braves Kenelm himself has spoken like one of the and mocks your power. You can no longer apostolic fathers. Giovanni! do not shut subjugate it; it bursts its fetters violently. It your ears to the words of our friend, but folpervades the whole world, and sheds its di- low his glorious example. But a short while vine light on all men. It is freedom, and ago he was likewise a heretic, but he listened Rome can exist only by the spiritual servitude to the voice of the mother he had forsaken, of the nations and individuals. Free investi- and returned penitently into her arms. The gation and its truths are abominations in her Blessed Virgin will lead you too back to the eyes, and Science is her mortal enemy. Still true path and forgive you. Oh, you do not smokes the stake at which she burned Gior- know how good she is, how mildly and sweetly dano Bruno, and I have myself seen the unfor- she bends over the believer; for she is a lovtunate blind Galileo. His fate alone is suffi- ing, tender-hearted'woman. Therefore, I pray cient to fill me with everlasting aversion to her every day to touch and illuminate your Catholicism." heart. I will not belong to jou entirely until "Has the father no right to punish his dis- you return to the bosom of the Catholic obedient children? Whither is this spiritual Church; then the last barrier that separates licentiousness to lead us unless bounds be set us will fall immediately." to it in time? Have not these fatal innova- With her soft arms she drew the reluctant tions brought Germany and our own country poet with her, and he was unable to resist the to the verge of ruin? The false doctrines of sweet temptation, although he had made up the Anabaptists, Brownists, and other dissent- his mind never to sacrifice his convictions and ers threaten to shake the foundations of so- religious freedom to his love. ciety. In their wild fanaticism they preach the annihilation of all established institutions, and war against the government, law, and order. All of them appeal to the Bible; they pretend to derive their tenets from the gospel, which they interpret and distort in the most 148 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ents to bring about his defection. Now she CHAPTER VI frowned at him, now she lavished upon him the sweetest blandishments and caresses; and, THE HERMIT. to attain her object, she set the whole arsenal SuCH scenes recurred now very frequently, of her seductive wiles in motion, tears and and Milton justly ascribed this increased zeal smiles, prayers and threats. Milton felt the of his mistress to convert him to the presence danger becoming every day more imminent; of Sir Kenelm Digby. The courtier remained his strength was exhausted, and to escape furin Rome, and pursued from thence with great ther temptations, he resolved to leave Rome, circumspection and prudence the schemes even though but for a short time; he hoped whose object was the restoration of the Catho- the separation would exert the most salutary lie faith in England, either By wily intrigues or effect upon Leonora and himself. high-handed measures. He was a welcome It cost him a violent effort to tear himself ally to the Society of Jesus, which was then at from the arms of his beloved, who insisted on the height of its prosperity, displayed the most accompanying him; but by the solemn promindefatigable activity, and shrank from no ise to return at as early a day as possible, he means calculated to promote its ends. The prevailed upon her to desist from her purpose. young poet, whose eminent talents were ac- He had long wished to visit Naples, and, if knowledged every day more willingly and uni- possible, Greece; he now carried his plan into versally, received due attention at the hands execution. Accompanied by a faithful serof the Jesuits; they thought they would be vant, he set out on this journey, by which he able to make of him a most effectual instru- hoped to divert and calm his mind. He left ment for their vast and far-reaching schemes. Rome and his mistress on a fine day in spring, Hence, they left no stone unturned to gain him and was soon, in the midst of the desolate over to their side. Cardinal Baberini encour- Campagna. The sterile brown wilderness exaged these efforts, and continued to treat him tended in endless desolation before his eyes, with the greatest kindness and distinction; he dotted only here and there with a decayed held out to him prospects well calculated to aqueduct or a pile of ruins. He rode for hours entice an ambitious young man, and intimated without meeting anybody but the wild shepto him that it woul.d be easy for him to gain herds of the Campagna, clad in rough sheepa distinguished and influential position. Love skins, their feet encased in goatskin shoes, and was likewise in the service of the powerful their sunburnt heads covered with pointed order; the ardent passion which Leonora Ba-.felt hats; and thus he was able to brood unroni had kindled in the poet's heart did not disturbed over his Roman adventures. At escape its keen-scented glance, and was used times his love for Leonora seized him again only to bait the victim with greater certainty. with all its former power, almost impelling Thus surrounded by snares and nets of every him to turn his horse, return to the city he description, Milton would have succumbed but had just left, and hasten back into the arms for his love of freedom, and his unfaltering of his beloved. On the first evening he ardevotion to his principles and convictions. rived at Albano, but neither the classical remiHowever, a violent struggle was yet in store niscences attached to the name of Alba Longa, for him; the attacks and scenes recurred nor the far-famed beauties of the women of every dayi the cantatrice availed herself of that place, were able to dispel his mournful all the seductive power of her charms and tal- longings. On the following morning, when he THE HERMIT. 149 awoke refreshed and reinvigorated, and con- from the horse and greeted the hermit, who tinued his journey, the beautiful scenery ex- invited him kindly to seat himself y his side. erted its wonted,charm upon him. He had The hermit was a good-natured old man with scarcely been a quarter of an hour on the road prepossessing features. His silver beard flowed when he arrived at the Lake of Albano,,with down to his breast, and imparted to him, notwater clear as crystal, surrounded by steep withstanding his simplicity, a most venerable and richly-wooded banks, and adorned by the appearance. noble edifice of Castel Gandolfo. The monu- "Welcome in the green shade!" he gayly ments and relics of antiquity scattered every- shouted to Milton already from afar. "'If you where riveted his whole attention; at a most wish to share my palace, you will be a very idyllic spot he sought and found the tomb of welcome guest; for though I am a hermit, I the great Pompey, and the poet recalled the like company and a pleasant chat." gigantic contests which had preceded the "You have a beautifulhouse, indeed,"jested downfall of the republic. Farther on was a the poet. "Your palace here surpasses all solemn scene, the Lake of Nemi, anciently that I saw in Rome." Nemus Dianne, from the grove sacred to that "To be sure it does, for human hands did goddess; it was small, seated in a deep hol- not build it. The green roof is more airy and low of the mountain, which it partly fills, and cool than any architect on earth could make it, surrounded with wooded and highly-culti- and the view is surpassingly beautiful. Just vated banks. In the centre of this lake, look around, and you will say so too." Trajan had moored a floating palace, in the Milton glanced, around, and could not but form of a ship, of which some fragments were assent to what his kind host had said. Yonder dug up in the sixteenth century. At the beau- lay the blue sea in the golden sunshine; here tifully situated Ariccia, Milton recalled the rose the picturesque summits of the mountime when Horace resided here, and, far from tains. A special attraction was added to the the noise and bustle of the capital, enjoyed the wild romantic landscape by the small gardens quiet pleasures of rural life. At every step as hanging like colored carpets on the rock among he advanced, Milton met great historical remi- the houses, and clothing the bare slopes in the niscences, before which his own petty adven- most charming manner. Orange and lemon tures faded from view, and by which his mind trees were suspended on the verge of the rawas strengthened and purified. The blue sea vine, and bent under the weight of their golden soon arose before his eyes at a distance, and fruit; among them were to be seen peach and its aspect filled his soul with unutterable de- almond trees in the full beauty of their gentle light. colors. The lonely palm rose as straight as a Milton had also found a fellow-traveller. In pillar to heaven, and displayed its fantastic the vicinity of Terracina, in the shade of one crown, reminding the beholder of Oriental fairyof its mighty trees, he met with a hermit who lands. The dark foliage of the black cypress held his siesta there during the noonday heat; was in picturesque contrast with the tender an humble donkey, loaded with provisions, the leaves of the poplar and silver willow. Countgifts of. devout believers, was grazing by his less shrubs, covered with blossoms, among side. The perpendicular and scorching sun- them the fragrant myrtle, protruded from every beams led the languishing poet to profit with cleft, while the naked fig-tree with its tortuous his companion and the weary horses by the arms, seemed to climb from one terrace to ancool and pleasant shade. He therefore alighted other. The whole landscape, bathed in the 150 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. sunshine ofa southern sky, produced a truly with a gay, mild view of life. He knew the magic effect.. world, and his opinions were generally very "Oh, how beautiful your fatherland is!" sagacious, and withal gentle and forbearing. said Milton to his companion, in an ecstasy of He kept silence as to his former life, and his delight. words and whole bearing showed only that he "Well, was I not right?" replied the her- had once belonged to the aristocracy, and filled mit, with a pleasant smile. " Is there on earth a distinguished position in the world. It was a more beautiful palace, with a finer view? obvious that he had enjoyed an excellent eduAnd wherever I go, I find one like it." cation, and in the course of the conversation "You are a rich man," said the poet, "and he quoted classical passages frequently from I almost envy you." the authors of antiquity and the best poets of "To be sure, I am a rich man. As I do not his native country. own any thing on earth, the whole world be- When Milton told him that he was a poet, longs to me. Can you solve this riddle?" and recited to him some of his Latin verses, " I understand you, and I see, moreover, that the hermit manifested the liveliest interest. you are also a great philosopher." "You are a genuine poet," he said, "and " For God's sake, do not speak so loud, for therefore, as you are going to Naples, I will philosophy has a bad reputation in this coun- give you a letter of introduction to an excellent try. Let us rather speak of something else. nobleman, who was the most intimate friend You seem to have come from a remote country of the immortal Tasso, with whose glorious to Italy." poems you are doubtless familiar. Poor "I come from England." Tasso!" "I suppose, then, that you are a heretic." Contrary to his habit, the hermit seemed to "I should be sorry if that should render my be filled with melancholy on alluding to the company less agreeable to you." author of " Jerusalem Delivered." " On the contrary, it gives me an excellent " You yourself seem to have been acquainted opportunity to lead an erring lamb back to the with Tasso? " said Milton to his companion, true path." who became every moment more interesting to "Good father, I am afraid all your efforts in him. this direction will be in vain." "Pardon me for not referring to the most "Well, I will not trouble you, then. For mournful recollection of my whole life. His the rest, what does it concern me? If you are history is that of genius devouring itself to intent on not-going to heaven, it is your own illuminate the earth with its light. I made fault. For all that, we may journey yet a his acquaintance in Rome, when he lay, broken while together, and if you have no other place in body and spirit, on his sick-bed at the conwhere you would prefer to stay overnight, my vent of St. Onofrio. But even in that decayed humble hermitage is at your disposal." form he still appeared to me like one of those So saying, the hermit rose from the ground temples of antiquity, whose ruins and broken and saddled his donkey; Milton likewise pre- columns bear witness to their former beauty pared to set out. Both continued their jour- and magnificence. But I will introduce you to ney together, and the longer their intercourse his best friend, Battista Manso, Marquis di lasted, the more they delighted in each other's Villa, and I am convinced that you will always company. The hermit displayed in his con- be grateful to me for it." versation a clear, keen understanding, coupled Thus the travellers, conversing pleasantly on NAPLES-TASSO. 151 all kinds of topics, reached a charming valley; is very sensitive and any thing but indulgent, here stood the hermit's cottage, surrounded by and the Society of Jesus has the sharpest ears evergreen oaks and birches. In front of the and longest arms. You are in Italy, that is, door, a crystal spring bubbled from the vol- surrounded by spies. The prisons in which canic soil, and a picture of the Redeemer heretics are confined are deep, and their walls greeted the wanderer at the threshold. The are so thick that your. complaints would not kind hermit invited the poet to follow him, and be heard by anybody. I am not angry with as a hospitable host he hastened to prepare a you, for I share your opinions in many respects, plain supper for him. After partaking of it, but I love and long for peace. I do not yet both took seats on the turf-bench, and enjoyed give up the hope that these accursed dissenthe delightful coolness of the night. The stars sions will come to a peaceful end. Peccatur twinkled with golden lustre in the azure sky, intra et extra muros; both sides have comand the moon shed her silver rays on an earthly mitted errors and sins. Rome refused to paradise. The conversation gradually took a listen to the just wishes of the nations, and more serious turn, and the two men expatiated they broke with it in an arbitrary and unjustion the important questions which riveted pub- fiable manner. This unfortunate schism will lie attention at that time. Italy had likewise be most injurious to both sides. I hope, theretaken part in the religious struggles of the Ref- fore, that a reconciliation will take place ormation, and produced philosophers and sooner or later. For the time being we will thinkers who, like Giordano Bruno, had to ex- set a good example, and shake hands in peace piate the boldness of their opinions at the and harmony." stake. In the inaccessible valleys of Piedmont Such were the words of the amiable hermit, lived the descendants of those Waldenses, who and his actions harmonized with them. He had rebelled against Rome already in the Mid- shared his couch willingly with the poet, and dle Ages and adopted the Scriptures as the sole the heretic slept by the side of the pious rule of their faith. The hermit alluded to all Catholic. The next morning Milton continued this in a spirit of mildness and toleration; he his journey to Naples. The kind hermit inwas likewise imbued with the conviction that sisted on accompanying his young friend for a the abuses of the Church should be corrected, mile or two; and, on taking leave of him as he was more familiar with the ills of Cathol- handed him the letter to the Marquis di Villa, icism than Milton. He denounced with espe- Tasso's intimate friend. cial bitterness the Jesuits, whom he called the principal obstacle to the most pressing requirements of progress. However, he was as sincerely opposed to the Reformation, which he considered a most lamentable schism. CHAPTER VII. When Milton argued against this view from NAPLES —TASSO. his own stand-point, and attacked the tenets of Rome with unsparing severity, his host cau- MILTON reached Naples without further adtioned him with well-meant words. ventures. He repaired immediately to the "Beware, my friend, of giving the reins to palace of the marquis, to whom he delivered your tongue. I myself can bear contradiction, his letter of introduction. He found an amiand forgive many an imprudent word on ac- able old man, who had formerly filled an imcount of your youth. But the holy Inquisition portant public position, and who, since he had 152 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. retired from active life, devoted himelf exclu- "You attach too great importance to my sively to the study of science and to poetry. merit; and how amply was I rewarded for it! " An old friend of mine," said the marquis, Aside from his friendship, which I consider " recommends you to me in this letter in the the greatest boon vouchsafed to me, he dedimost urgent and flattering manner. I bid you cated to me his celebrated dialogue on friendtwice welcome, as I see from the letter that ship, which will hand down my name from you are a young poet." age to age. At the request of my mother he "Pardon me for troubling you already by also wrote his poem,'The Seven Days of my curiosity; but I presume you will deem it Creation.' Thus I still remained in his debt. but natural if I inquire the name and history Unfortunately I was unable to discharge this of that kind hermit, to whom I am indebted debt during his lifetime, and I will erect to for your acquaintance." him now, after his death, a monument worthy "He was an old fellow-soldier of mine, and of his fame. I intend to write his biography, life has used him harshly. After burying his which abounds in wonderful events." wife and two children, he retired from the "I have heard a great deal about his unforworld. I feel almost like envying him for his tunate love-affair with the Princess Leonora lonely hermitage and the cheerful spirit he has d'Este. This liaison is said to have been the preserved. I cannot tell you his name, for he cause of all his sufferings." does not want it to be divulged." " So far as he himself told me the particuMilton was obliged to content himself with lars of this love-affair, it never overstepped the this scanty information, and the conversation limits of virtuous and chivalrous affection. I soon took another turn, which seemed not less was myself acquainted with the august prininteresting to the poet. The marquis told cess; she was an ornament of her sex, one of him, without being requested to do so, of his those great characters which are but rarely intercourse with Tasso. met with. Noble and generous, she took the "It was my good fortune," said the vener- liveliest interest in the intellectual progress able man, " to grant the poet, who was perse- and literature of our country. She spoke the cuted by external and internal foes, an asylum Latin language with the fluency of a learned in one of my villas on the sea-shore. There he professor, and read the immortal Homer and finished his' Jerusalem Delivered' in blessed most of the Greek poets in the original. No retirement, after leaving the house of Prince wonder that she held much intercourse with Conca. A dreadful suspicion haunted him, Tasso, and befriended the poet. She was and he was incessantly afraid lest his manu- passionately fond of the conversation of great scripts should be seized and used to his disad- men, and in her eyes talents, not birth, entivantage. He had full and implicit confidence tled men to esteem and admiration. As she in no one but myself. I profited by it to re- was much older than he, her friendship seemed store his greatly affected health, to'enliven his to be that of a devoted sister. Oh, Tasso languishing imagination, and incite his Muse passed at that time glorious days at the court to renewed sublime creations." of Ferrara. The noblest men and most amiable "Happy the poet who meets with such a ladies had met there and formed an intelfriend and protector in his life-path. Your lectual court headed by the duke himself. merit almost equals his own, for to you we are All these eminent persons esteemed and beindebted for these last immortal works of his friended the poet. Especially was he a favorgenius, the glorious farewell of the setting sun." ite of the ladies whom he immortalized in his NAPLES-TASSO. 153 lyrics. There was a sort of tender jealousy hind him even those papers and manuscripts among them in regard to him, and each of to which he had hitherto attached the highest them tried to gain his exclusive love. At first, importance. He hastened to his sister Corthe charming young Lucretia Venadidio wasn elia, a widow, who lived at Sorrento. By her victorious, and conquered his heart. She be- tenderness and solicitude she succeeded in came the subject of his poetical effusions; but calming him, and restoring his reason to him. she really deserved the homage he rendered The unfortunate poet took heart once more, her, for spring cannot be more beautiful than and the most magnificent flashes of his genius this lovely lady was. But the lofty mind of burst radiantly through the gloom veiling his Leonora and her equally-gifted sister deprived mind, and changing only too soon into the her of her admirer, and the poet walked everlasting night of insanity. He longed to between the two princesses, absorbed in Pla- return to Ferrara, and thought the wedding of tonic conversations, through the blooming the duke with Margaret Gonzaga the most fagardens and shady avenues of Bellriguardo. vorable time for this purpose. However, his Afterward came the charming Countess Leo- expectations were bitterly disappointed. Innora Sanvitale, consort of the Count di Scan- stead of giving him a kind and honorable rediano; she likewise courted the friendship of ception, the court treated him with coldness the poet, and took part in the rivalry of the and indifference, and his adversaries sneered lovely ladies. Before long she was the sover- and laughed at him. Both the duke and the eign queen of his heart. So much favor and princesses refused to see him. His patience distinction bestowed upon him on all sides was soon exhausted, and he denounced Alfonso could not but arouse enmity and jealousy and his court so bitterly that the prince was against him. His worst enemy, however, was obliged to have him conveyed to St. Anna's his constantly - growing melancholy, which Hospital, and keep him there in close confinecould not but terminate sooner or later in in- ment." sanity. This calamity was not brought about "Poor Tasso! " interrupted Milton. "Are by the meanness of the courtiers, by the quar- poets, then, born only to suffer? rel which he had at the palace with a footman "One should think almost," replied the of the Duchess of Urbino, or, least of all, by venerable marquis, "that a crown of thorns the duke's conduct toward him. The noble is the only endowment of genius. For seven Alfonso bore the whimsical freaks of the poet years the greatest poet of Italy was immured at first with the greatest patience and forbear- in his cell, surrounded by idiots and maniacs, ance, and took the utmost pains to calm and whose ravings and shrieks would have sufficed cure him. At Tasso's own request he had to deprive even the healthiest man of his reahim conveyed to the monastery of the Fran- son. In the mean time, his numerous friends ciscans, in order to await his recovery there. were not inactive. His works had created the Notwithstanding the most careful nursing, his greatest enthusiasm throughout his native condition grew worse and worse; he believed country, and Alfonso was urged on all sides himself surrounded by dangers and persecuted to release Tasso. Princes and cities, above by imaginary enemies, and overwhelmed him- all Bergamo, the poet's birthplace, sent amself with the most groundless reproaches. His bassadors to him to demand his release. At derangement became such that in an un- last the duke was unable to resist these pressguarded moment he escaped from the monas- ing representations any longer; he set him at tery, destitute of every thing, and leaving be- liberty, but the great, sublime genius emerged '154 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. crushed and broken from the jail, and the "You really deserve," replied Milton, "that light of his reason was nearly extinct. Too every poet should praise your name, for few late came an invitation from the pope for the men possess the noble quality of delighting in poet to go to Rome and be solemnly crowned; the productions of talented men without envyat the capital as prince of Italian poesy. His ing them and of assisting them in their thorny strength was exhausted, and while the most path, as you did in the case of the immortal gorgeous arrangements were being made for Tasso. Your name will never be forgotten, his coronation, the great man breathed his last but it will be handed down from age to age at the convent of St. Onofrio." jointly with his own." The marquis paused in profound emotion, Only one thing disturbed from time to time and a tear trembled on his gray eyelashes. the tender relations between the two friends, Milton was likewise deeply impressed by what who were so widely separated by age, rank, he had heard of Tasso's sufferings. Common and nationality, and yet so closely united by grief attached the youth to the old man, and their intellectual aspirations. This was the from their sorrow for the departed poet arose difference of their creeds. Although the marthe new league of their friendship. The ven- quis manifested a great deal of toleration, Milerable marquis treated with paternal kindness ton was carried away by his zeal and youthful the foreign poet, who rewarded his affection impetuosity to utter many an imprudent word with filial love and reverence. The marquis in Naples, which caused trouble and even danmade Milton thoroughly familiar with Naples ger to his noble host. The marquis cautioned and its beautiful environs. Besides, his fre- the rash young man vainly against the dangers quent conversations with the amiable old man in which he himself might be involved in conon literature, and the most noteworthy pro- sequence. It is true, Milton abstained as ductions of the Italian poets, exercised an ex- much as possible from expatiating on religious traordinary influence over him. It was owing questions and the tenets of the different to the marquis's suggestions that Milton con- Churches; but, after the conversation had once ceived the first plan of writing in his mother- turned to such topics, he could not forbear tongue a great epic, such as those by which uttering his opinion freely and openly, and in Tasso had immortalized himself. He com- doing so he frequently overstepped the bounds municated his ideas to the marquis, who en- of prudence. Of course, the gentle reproaches couraged him, gave him many excellent hints, of the marquis touched him; but when the and generally exercised the most salutary in- amiable old man, filled with serious solicitude fluence over the poet. for the salvation of the'young heretic, made a In one of their conversations he said smiling- gentle attempt to convert him, he met with ly: "I am destined to be the friend and patron the most serious resistance. Thus Milton reof talented men, and I am glad and proud of mained under all circumstances true to his it; for, next to the joy which men of genius religious convictions, and both love and friendderive from their creations, I know none that ship were unable to shake his faith. He could be compared with that which intimate deemed the Reformation the only road to inintercourse with them gives us. I would not tellectual progress, and he considered Protbe willing to exchange this humble position estantism equivalent to liberty. for any other, and I am content if a ray of the Notwithstanding these slight dissensions, sun, whose light fills the whole world, falls to his relations with the marquis continued to be my own share." of the most cordial and friendly character. NAPLES-TASSO. 155 The old man invited him often to make ex- risen from the chair on which she was seated cursions with him into the environs of Naples. in the open vine-clad bower, but the marquis He visited with him one day the charming prevented her. little port of Sorrento, where some of Tasso's "Sit still, Cornelia," said the kind-hearted relatives were yet living. The town lies at the old man. " I intended long since to visit you, extremity of the bay, on the precipitous slope but old age often prevents me from following of high mountains, which, descending almost my inclinations. But why do I speak of old perpendicularly to the sea-shore, form a gigan- age? You look as young and fresh as in your tic terrace covered everywhere with orange- best years." trees. The small white houses with their flat "Oh, do not mock me," replied the old roofs, on which the inhabitants pass most of lady. "I feel the decrease of my strength their time in order to enjoy the coolness of the more and more every day, and I shall doubtsea-breeze, emerge from a perfect sea of fra- less soon follow my poor brother. How glad grant blossoms. One of these houses be- I am that it was vouchsafed to me to see the longed to Tasso's sister, and her sick, weary day when all Italy acknowledges and praises brother had found here a welcome asylum for him as her greatest poet. Since full justice a short time. Milton, conducted by the mar- has been done to him, and even his enemies quis, crossed the hospitable threshold with and enviers have been compelled to admit his profound emotion and reverence. At the greatness, I can calmly bid farewell to the door stood a young matron with a rosy babe world. I should not have thought that so in her arms, the image of the Madonna and many persons would flock one day, as to a child. An elder boy was playing at her feet. sanctuary, to this humble house where he On beholding the marquis, the young mother lived with me. Hardly a day passes that disuttered a cry of joy, and hastened to meet tinguished persons do not call on me and inhim. quire of me about the most insignificant events " How glad mother will be! " she shouted of his life. Thus, in the evening of my days, I to him already from afar. "She is in the enjoy yet the happiness of witnessing and pargarden, and I will inform her immediately of ticipating in his triumph." the honor conferred on our house." "And you have amply deserved this happi" I will go to her myself," replied the mar- ness by the devotion with which you nursed quis. "Lead the way, we will follow you. and comforted him. It is not only Italy that Notwithstanding my advanced age, I am yet honors her great poet, but even the most rehale and strong enough to treat ladies with mote nations now render him homage. This the consideration due to their sex." young man, my friend, is an Englishman, who So saying, the marquis hastened to follow desires to see the place and make the acquaintthe young matron who was leading the way, ance of Tasso's sister. He himself is already and to climb the stairs hewn into the rock, renowned as a poet in his native country." which led to the garden. Here Tasso's sister "You are welcome," said the old lady, in a Cornelia, a venerable lady of eighty, awaited dignified tone. "May the Holy Virgin grant them. It was a touching scene when she held you the fame of my poor brother, and preserve out her hand to the faithful friend of her you from his sufferings!" brother. Her face still bore distinct traces of At a beck from Cornelia the young matron, former beauty, and especially were her dark who was her"daughter, Tasso's niece, hastened eyes yet wonderfully radiant. She would have to offer some refreshments to the guests. 156 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Meanwhile her husband, an intelligent ship- "If I am not mistaken," said the marquis, master, had come home and took part in the turning to the shipmaster, "your men are conversation. In the circle of this happy and singing from Tasso's' Jerusalem Delivered.'" contented family Milton felt that the hours "You are right," replied Cornelia's son-inwere passing with the speed of moments. The law. " Most of our sailors know the poem by setting sun, which plunged with southern splen- heart, and while away their time on the sea by dor into the blue sea and turned it into flaming singing passages from it. They love the poet, purple, reminded the guests that it was time and the heroic deeds of Rinaldo, the enchanted for them to depart. The shipmaster offered to palace of Armida, and Clotilda's love, live. in convey the two friends in his boat to Naples, the mouths of these simple-hearted men." and they accepted his kind proposition. It "Indeed!"exclaimed Milton, enthusiasticalwas a magnificent evening, and the breeze ly. "Now I can no longer deplore Tasso's swelling the sails was impregnated with sweet fate. He has achieved the most glorious triodors. Milton left Tasso's house profoundly umph of the poet: his works live in the mouths moved, accompanied by the greetings and of the people!" blessings of the noble Cornelia. "Farewell " she said to him," and become to your native country what my brother was to CHAPTER VIII. Italy. He is indemnified by everlasting glory and immortality for his sufferings on earth." RECALL TO ENGLAND-ESCAPE FROM ASSASSIHer noble face seemed transfigured by the NATION. rays of the setting sun, when she uttered these AFTER a sojourn of several weeks, which had words in a solemn voice. passed in the most rapid and agreeable manThe waves through which the boat sailed in ner, Milton was about to carry his former plan its rapid course murmured and moaned gently. into execution and visit Greece. He had alThe moon had risen and illuminated the sea ready made the necessary preparations and and the cliffs whose fantastic outlines disap- taken an affectionate farewell of the noble peared in the mist. The two oarsmen had but marquis, when he received a letter from his little to do, as a fresh breeze swelled the sails father which caused him to give up his plan. of the boat. One of them, a stout lad with He learned from this letter that important dark, curly hair and full whiskers, his head events had occurred during his absence. Civil covered with a red sailor's cap, raised his voice war seemed imminent in England, and a terriall at once in gentle, plaintive strains. What ble revolution was about to break out. The the listeners heard was a song and recitative, infatuated king, who did not lack many excelstrangely impressive and in beautiful harmony lent qualities of the head and heart, allowed with the sweet murmur of the waves. The himself to be carried away by his advisers, and words grew more and more distinct, and Milton still more by the high idea which he enterand the marquis soon recognized lines from tained of his royal dignity, and committed highTasso's "Jerusalem Delivered." The other handed violations of the ancient institutions oarsman, who was older than his companion, and laws of the country. Thrice he had sumsang in a deeper voice when the first singer moned Parliament, and as many times dispaused; his companion soon joined in his song, solved it. For ten years past he had governed and the poet was delighted with *their melodi- without consulting the representatives of the ous strains. people. As the necessary funds were lacking, RECALL TO ENGLAND-ESCAPE FROM ASSASSINATION. 157 he resorted, in order to extricate himself from suffice to kindle the flames of revolution and his embarrassments, to all sorts of arbitrary civil war. extortions and reprehensible devices. Old Even more dangerous religious troubles taxes which had not been levied for centuries, were added to the political discontent of the were declared in full force again, and imposed people. At once both spiritual and temporal upon the people; he who refused to pay them ruler of his country, the king deemed it inwas subjected to heavy fines and imprison- cumbent upon him to make the Episcopal ment. One of these arbitrary impositions was Church the only lawful Church both in Engthe so-called ship-money, which former princes land and Scotland. In accordance with the had raised only in time of war, and which was deplorable advice of the bigoted and fanatical then charged on the ports, cities, boroughs, Laud, Charles had issued new, and, if possible, and counties of England, for providing and fur- more stringent and rigorous laws against the nishing certain ships for the king's service. Presbyterians and other dissenters. ExcomEven the royalists could not deny that this munication and all its dire consequences were imposition was not exacted for this purpose, to be inflicted on whosoever dared to question but was destined merely to provide the king the divine right of the execrated bishops. All with money, and that he could exact it to any meetings and conventicles held by private peramount and use it in the most arbitrary man- sons and preachers for the purpose of explainner. The whole nation protested most vehe- ing the Bible were prohibited under severe mently against this measure, which was pro- penalties. But the most dangerous innovation nounced the most dangerous blow yet levelled (most dangerous because it was most obvious at the liberties of the country. Especially to the common people) concerned the form were the people afraid lest the king should use of divine worship. Divine service was thencethe money thus obtained for the organization forth to be held only in strict accordance with and maintenance of a standing army, by which the precepts ot the Church of England, and a despotic ruler might destroy the institutions the rites reminding the people of the Catholic of the country and the bulwarks of popular service were to be restored. Already the mere liberty. At this juncture John Hampden, a news that the king had resolved upon such wealthy landed proprietor of Buckinghamshire, measures created the most intense excitement of honorable descent, and highly esteemed in throughout Scotland; especially were the peohis neighborhood, but until then little known ple of the northern capital extremely indignant throughout the country, opposed the arbitrary at the proposed innovation. On the day when measures of the king in the most courageous the service was to be held for the first time in and determined manner. He refused emphati- accordance with the new rites, the churches cally to pay the illegal imposition; and in a were crowded with men and women deterlawsuit which he instituted against the gov- mined to resort to extremities in order to preernment, he asserted that it had no right what- vent the introduction of ceremonies reminding ever to raise ship-money. Although the venal them of Roman Catholicism. No sooner had judges, who were mostly dependent on the the bishop, dressed in his white surplice, and court, decided against him, his courageous con- accompanied by the other prelates and the duct gave the signal of general resistance. The magistrates, entered the church, than a storm extreme hostility to the king and the court, of imprecations and invectives burst forth which had prevailed until then, was now raised against him. The deanrrho read the service, to such a pitch that the slightest spark would was interrupted by the loud sobs and sighs of 158 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the aristocratic ladies, while the women of the resist all interference in their religious services. lower classes received him with wild cries, and Charles attempted to put down the Covenanters flung the backs and legs of broken chairs at with the sword, but ineffectually. As he was him. When the bishop entered the pulpit, destitute of money and soldiers, nothing rethe noise grew more deafening. He was un- mained for him but to summon a Parliament. able to utter a word. Amidst shouts of " A This was done in the spring of 1640. pope! a pope! Antichrist! Stone him!- Such was the intelligence which Milton reknock him down!" he had to withdraw and ceived from his father. He did not hesitate a flee from the church in order to save his life. moment, but made his choice immediately as The furious populace smashed the windows of a friend of liberty and of his country. He rethe cathedral and all the chapels. The riot solved to return at once to England; for he soon became general. The men incited each deemed it disgraceful to roam idly in foreign other to offer the most unflinching resistance lands, while his fellow-citizens were arming for to all religious innovations; the women like- the great struggle for liberty. A short time wise took part in the movement, and, as is previous to his departure from Naples some always the case, with fanatical zeal and ardor. English friends in Rome cautioned him against The Presbyterian clergy thundered furiously returning to the Eternal City. They were against popery and the liturgy, which they merchants who did business in Rome, and said were the same thing. The pulpits re- wrote him, that his bold utterances in regard sounded with imprecations against Antichrist; to Catholicism, and especially the visit he had and the people who had first declared against paid to Galileo, had aroused the hostility of the liturgy were compared in a not very flat- certain persons, and chiefly that of the Jesuits. tering manner to Balaam's ass speaking "with Nevertheless, he returned to Rome. The a man's voice." The general fanaticism was Eternal City embraced him once more with enhanced by the passions of the political her siren arms, and it seemed to him as though parties; private interests stimulated the spirit he could never bid farewell to her. Love conof liberty, and on all sides were to be seen the tributed not a little to the prolongation of his most menacing symptoms of the speedy out- sojourn in Rome. So long as he had been break of a terrible revolution. Had the king separated from Leonora Baroni and diverted issued an amnesty under these circumstances, his mind by his familiar intercourse with the and acted only with some degree of forbear- distinguished marquis, his passion had slumance in regard to the liturgy, the danger might bered; but at the sight of the beautiful cantahave been averted. But instead of adopting trice it awoke again with redoubled ardor. so prudent a course, he proceeded with the She received him with a cry of joy, and fasutmost rigor, and accelerated the outbreak of cinated him more than ever by her caresses. the crisis by the most unyielding obstinacy. It is true, he remembered the sorceress ArBefore long the most distinguished men were mida in Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," but drawn into the whirlpool of the movement, he lacked the courage to liberate himself from which had originated among the lowest classes, his voluptuous bondage. Whenever he aland a real and important revolution grew out luded to his departure, she closed his lips with of a street riot. The heads of the Scottish burning kisses. But despite the happiness nobility and the foremost commoners con- which he felt in her company, a profound eluded the famous!pague of the Scottish Cove- melancholy stole over him amidst all his nanters, by which they bound themselves to pleasures. He felt a secret foreboding of the RECALL TO ENGLAND-ESCAPE FROM ASSASSINATION. 159 struggles and troubles which were in store for wrenched his weapon from him. The villain him in his native country. He seemed to hear succeeded in escaping, owing to the darkness, a voice calling upon him to hasten to the as- without being recognized. Milton thanked sistance of his distressed fatherland. He often his liberator, a young man who introduced himstarted up from her arms and gazed gloomily self to him as a countryman of his, named Marinto vacancy. ell. The amiable young man impressed Mil"What ails you, Giovanni?" asked Leo- ton very favorably, and they were soon on innora, in dismay. timate terms. "I can no longer stay with you; I must set "I am greatly obliged to you," said the out for England. My country is in danger." poet. "You naughty man! What does your coun- "Not to me, but to the accident which led try concern you? My heart, my bosom, shall me this way. My name is Marvell." be your home for evermore." "And mine is Milton." "Leonora, follow me; I can no longer with- "I have already heard of you, and am therehold my assistance from my fellow-citizens." fore doubly glad of having rendered you a " I must follow you, and whither? To a re- slight service. But, above all things, permit mote country whose gray, leaden sky threatened me to caution you. Friends have told me that to crush me, and whose language I do not un- attempts would be made here in Rome to asderstand. Stay with me in Rome, in our magni- sassinate you." ficent Italy, where the sun shines so radiantly, "I do not see why such attempts should be and where the sweetest pleasures of life may made." be enjoyed. Do not leave me, for it would kill "The frankness with which you have uttered me to lose you." your principles on all occasions has excited atShe burst into tears, and Milton was too tention. You have enemies here that will not weak to resist so touching an appeal. Similar shrink from the most infamous outrages. You conversations recurred almost every day. It have just seen that people in Rome attempt was in vain that his reason struggled against to settle a religious dispute by the stab of an this powerful passion. At times he attempted assassin, and to cut off not only the words of to liberate himself from this voluptuous bond- an eloquent speaker, but also the thread of age, and he then wandered alone in the silent his life." night, amidst the monuments and ruins of the "I did not think that they attached so much Eternal City. During these lonely walks he importance to my humble person." noticed that a stranger, whose features were "You are too modest, and do not appreciconcealed by his hat and cloak, often dogged ate your own worth. Your poems, which were his steps, but he paid no particular attention publicly recited in the academies of Florence to him. One day, when he visited the Colise- and Rome, have met with extraordinary favor um after dusk had set in, and was admiring and applause. Besides, I understand that our the sublime edifice on which the moon was talented yet unprincipled countryman, Sir shedding her pale weird light, a man wrapped Kenelm Digby, intended to use you as an inin a cloak, and concealing his features under strument to promote his dark schemes and a broad-brimmed hat, rushed toward Milton. intrigues. Thank God, you did not lend yourIn his uplifted hand heheld a flashing dagger; self to such vile purposes! Many of your but before the assassin was able to carry his countrymen, who took the liveliest interest in fell purpose into effect, a strong arm had your welfare, feared the worst, and rumors 160 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. were rife everywhere that you had been con- similar rumors, but had refused to believe verted to the Catholic Church." them. Now he resolved to examine them care" What an infamous slander!" fully, and, if they should prove well-grounded, "Your manly conduct was the best refuta- to break with Leonora forever. Accompanied tion of these absurd rumors, which neverthe- by his new friend, he returned to his rooms. less had an air of great probability, as you On the way they conversed a great deal on the were received in so exceedingly kind a manner precarious state of affairs in their native counat Cardinal Barberini's palace. But what try, and exchanged views on this interesting seemed to confirm those rumors more than subject. Milton found that Marvell shared his any thing else was your intimate intercourse political and religious opinions, and was an enwith Signora Baroni. Pardon me for speaking thusiastic lover of liberty. so unreservedly, but I deem myself in duty "We are on the eve of important events," bound not to conceal any thing from you." said Marvell, " and no man is allowed to lag "What do you know about Leonora Baro- behind now that we are called upon to defend ni? " asked Milton, hastily. our most sacred boons. For this reason I shall "I know that the celebrated singer was used return immediately to England. The time, of by the Jesuits and by Sir Kenelm Digby, half idleness and enjoyment is past for me; duty wittingly and half unwittingly, as a tool to con- calls me, and I shall obey it." vert you. I am sorry to tell you so, but it is "And I will follow you." not the first time that the signora has been "Let us shake hands," replied the young used for similar purposes. Last year a young man, holding out his right hand enthusiastiFrench nobleman, a distinguished Huguenot, cally to Milton. "We will both dedicate our languished in her nets precisely like you. After strength to our oppressed country. War he had forsworn his faith, Leonora turned her against tyranny! war for freedom of conback upon him. The poor fellow did not sur- science!" vive this double loss, and the thought of hav- "War against tyranny, war for freedom of ing sacrificed his convictions to a chimera. He conscience!" repeated Milton, solemnly. threw himself into the Tiber, and reposes now, in an unconsecrated grave. If you like it, we may visit his grave. It might be a wholesome warning to you, Mr. Milton." CHAPTER IX. " But who is this Leonora Baroni?" asked the poet, mournfully.FAREWELL TO LEONORA — ADAMO CADUTO." the poet, mournfully. "Some assert that she is the daughter, others MILTON ascertained that Marvell's statethe mistress of the cardinal; perhaps she is ments in regard to Leonora's character were both. Since the time of Lucretia Borgia, such partly true, although she was not as guilty as things are by no means rare in Rome. But, he had hinted. She was only half wittingly a however that may be, follow my advice and tool of the wily Society of Jesus. No sooner leave the siren, the sooner the better. Escape had Milton acquired this conviction, than he from the danger, for the eyes of the Italian resolved to leave her. He met her with entire women are even worse than the daggers of frankness, but brought about the rupture with the Italian men." becoming delicacy. He felt sincere pity for Marvell's words seemed to make a powerful this magnificent creature, who had succumbed impression on the poet. He had already heard to the force of circumstances. When he men. FAREWELL TO LEONORA-" ADAMO CADUTO." 161 tioned the young French nobleman, she gave a She uttered a wild cry, embraced Milton start, and her pallor proved that she was guilty. once more, and imprinted a glowing kiss on "Luigi! " she sighed. "Poor Luigi!" his lips. "You were the cause of his death," said "Accursed be the lips," she exclaimed with Milton, in a mild tone. " Do you feel no re- southern vivacity, " that dare to kiss yours pentance?" after me; accursed yourself, if you dare to "Why should I repent of having saved his love another woman! And now go, go; the soul, and led it to the Madonna? I only la- Madonna will give me strength to forget you, ment the poor young man, or rather I lament sweet, faithless heretic!" myself. I could not love him, and now fate She disengaged herself impetuously from his has overtaken me. I love you, and you will arms and pushed him back; she then disapforsake me!" peared, and left the poet stunned and bewil"I cannot help it. I should have to de- dered by this strange farewell. spise myself if I were to act otherwise." Milton left Rome on the following morning "Cruel man! I will follow you and be your with a heavy heart. He had passed the night slave. Abuse me, kill me, but do not forsake sleepless and reading in the Bible, for he me. If you are bent on leaving me, I must greatly needed strength and comfort. The die." deepest gloom filled his heart. In taking A flood of tears accompanied these words. leave of Rome he had likewise bidden farewell "Leonora! " replied the poet " you will not to love and art. He felt that he was going to die. You mistake your attachment to me. meet a grave and stormy future, and that he Your whole nature prevents you from feeling had arrived at the great turning- point of his so profound a passion. You are, above all, an fate. artiste, and art alone affords you full satisfac- In such moments the mind plunges once tion. I have observed you too well. Pride more into the past, that great graveyard of and gratified vanity will and must indemnify our thoughts and feelings. It walks there you for the joys of love. You are first an ar- amid the graves and shades of years long gone tiste, and then a woman. When your singing by. It sheds tears on the faded wreaths and carries away the souls of your audience, every withered flowers, and laments the loss of youth other feeling gives way before the triumph and happiness. achieved by the singer. Accustomed to rule Such was the frame of mind in which Milton over so many hearts, a single one can no longer set out from Rome. Notwithstanding his satisfy you, and least of all for a lifetime. We longing for his home, he did not accelerate his should have parted sooner or later in any journey. He tarried at Florence and Venice event, even though faith, nationality, and lan- as though he were unable to bid farewell to guage had not separated us." the beautiful scenery and azure sky of Italy. "Barbarian! you do not know my heart, His heart, a part of his life and love, remained nor the ardent love I feel for you." here. To dispel his melancholy thoughts, he "And when art no longer satisfies you, you visited at Florence the theatre, where he hapwill have recourse to religion." pened to witness the representation of a sin" Yes, you are right," she said. " I will re- gular drama which was to exercise a decisive tire fiom the world and take the veil. In a influence over his whole poetical life. The cloister I shall atone for the grievous sin of play was entitled "Adamo Caduto," by Anhaving loved a heretic so intensely." dreini, and reminded him of the so-called mys11 162 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. teries of the Middle Ages. The subject, which spirits celebrated the event by demoniacal was taken from the Bible, was the fall of songs and wild dances, which presently passed man. into exclamations of dismay at the approach When the curtain rose, the audience beheld of God and His heavenly host. He came to a chorus of angels singing praise to the Lord. judge the two sinners, Adam and Eve. He After their hymn was at an end, God the cursed them, and told them they should not Father appeared with the Spirit of Darkness; dwell any longer in Paradise; whereupon the the former a venerable old man with a long Archangel Michael drove them out of it amid silver beard and clad in a blue star-spangled thunder and lightning. The angels closed the dress; the latter wrapped in a costume of fire- act with a chorus exhorting the sinners to recolored taffeta, with fine though diabolical pentance and hope. In the next act Lucifer features. In a brief dialogue God commanded appeared again, surrounded by the princes of Lucifer to contemplate the beauty of His cre- hell, profoundly grieved because he had beation and listen to the gratitude of Adam and come aware of the predestined incarnation of Eve, who uttered their joy and adoration in Christ and the redemption of the world, which loud words. This aroused the ire of the Evil would frustrate his evil designs. The evil Spirit, and he swore everlasting hatred to the spirits tried to comfort him, and he devised good angels and destruction to the mortals. new snares into which Adam and Eve were to At his bidding, the seven Deadly Sins, which fall. He called to his assistance three demons, he summoned, arose from hell. Their names in having the characteristic names of Death, the the drama were: Melecano, or Pride; Lurcone, Flesh, and the World. Meanwhile, Adam was or Envy; Ruspicano, or Anger; Arfarat, or bewailing his fate, and even more piteously Covetousness; Maltea, or Idleness; Dulciato, the sufferings of his wife. Wild beasts puror Lust; and Guliar, or Gluttony. Unseen by sued them; they were compelled to flee, and Adam and Eve, Lurcone and Guliar watched felt the full extent of their misery. Hunger, them; but the prayer of Adam and Eve, who thirst, fatigue, and despair appeared in the turned to God with fervent piety and child- shapes of horrible demons, and tormented the like reverence, drove away the Evil Spirits, unfortunate creatures to the utmost, so that who hastened back to the infernal regions. In Eve begged Adam to kill her and himself. their place appeared the Serpent, accompanied Death, armed with a sharp scythe, a frightful bv Ambition and other demons. It approach- skeleton, upbraided Eve with her terrible ed Eve, and seduced her to pluck the forbid- guilt, and prophesied to her the fate of all her den fruit. After a tender dialogue with Adam, children. Seized with horror, Adam and Eve she produced the fruit; her husband expressed fled into the mountains. Here the Flesh, in first intense horror at this violation of God's the shape of a lovely girl, approached Adam commandment, but finally yielded also to the and sought to seduce him; but he withstood temptation. They immediately knew that the new temptation courageously. Lucifer what they had done was not good, but evil. appeared to him, and told him he was a man, Their souls were filled with shame, and fear an elder brother of Adam; but a cherub, sent and repentance. They sought, as sinners, to from heaven, rescued the victim from the conceal themselves from God, and hid among hands of the evil one, and struggled with him. thick bushes. Satan announced his triumph A fine-looking man, called the World, apto hell, and called upon his demons to rejoice proached Eve, and promised her splendor, and render homage to him. A chorus of evil ease, and luxury. At his bidding there FAREWELL TO LEONORA-" ADAMO CADUTO." 163 emerged from the ground a magnificent pal- it treats the most profound philosophy, the ace, filled with sumptuous things of every de- most difficult and important question in regard scription. Wanton nymphs thronged around to the nature of man and the origin of sin! In Eve, and invited her to enjoy herself, but the form of a parable, which all can underAdam warned her of her peril. The exas- stand, it reveals the highest wisdom, and the perated World called the demons of hell, who narrative solves the mysterious problem of chained the two. Eve begged for mercy, but human life and nature, so that even children Adam exhorted her to be firm and put her are able to comprehend it." trust in God. Lucifer and Death rushed upon " You have given utterance to my own ideas the sufferers, when suddenly the Archangel on the subject," replied Milton. "No book in Michael, clad in a radiant coat-of-mail, sword the world, not even the works of the Greeks, in hand, and accompanied by the other angels, which I esteem so very highly, equal the Bible descended from heaven. After a violent in this respect. Whenever I open it, a feeling struggle, Lucifer succumbed to him. Adam of awe seizes me; I feel the presence of God, and Eve rejoiced at Michael's victory,'and who reveals Himself in it to the world. All thanked him, and he comforted them by that human wisdom and genius have conceived promising them that God would take compas- or devised is unable to cope with the truths sion on them. Angels closed the drama with which it teaches. Its words are like' apples hymns of praise, in which they announced the of gold in pictures of silver,' and combine the coming of the Redeemer. simplicity of childhood with the wisdom of Although this drama, by its turgid language mature age. Heaven and earth, flowers and and all sorts of fantastic additions, materially stars, the wonders of creation and human life, impaired the sublime simplicity and grandeur are to be found in glowing beauty on every of the Biblical account of the fall of man, it page. To the happy, as well as to the afdid not fail to make a powerful impression on flicted, it gives food, solace, and comfort. It the susceptible mind of the young poet. For is indeed the word of God, as the world created the first time he conceived the idea of writing by Him is His deed. Each is the complement an epic on this grand subject, which he after- of the other, and both reveal the greatness, ward carried out in his immortal "Paradise omnipotence, and wisdom of the Lord. The Lost." Engrossed with the scenes he had just better we become acquainted with the Bible, witnessed, and with the plan of his future epic, the more enchanting beauties we discover in Milton left the theatre, accompanied by an it. Thus a new star has risen upon me also eminent Florentine gentleman to whom he had to-day, and the profound philosophy of the been recommended. Signor Diodati, noted creation and the fall of man has produced an for his learning and accomplishments, broke extraordinary impression on me. Adam and the poet's silence by commenting, in a most Eve are the representatives of mankind, and sagacious manner, on the subject and the per- Paradise is the state of human innocence. formance of the drama. The voice of God, forbidding Adam to eat of "Of all the revelations of the Holy Scrip- the fruit, is the voice of reason. So long as tures," he said, "the account of the creation it retains its sway over the passions, man is and the fall of man has always made a par- happy and contented; the world is then a ticularly profound impression on me. How paradise for him. But the serpent does not childlike and yet how sublime, how simple sleep; it beguiles him to gratify his sinful deand yet how grand, is the manner in which sires. He loses his innocence, and with it 164 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. paradise. Grief and misery then befall him, the wonders of the creation, and praise the and repentance fills his heart; from this arise greatness and mercy of God? Heaven and the knowledge of the good and salutary con- hell, with their mysteries, shall be the theme trition. He turns once more toward God, of my epic, and my imagination revels already struggles manfully with sin, and triumphs by in the depths of everlasting darkness and in the mercy of the Lord, who raises up the the land of the blessed. I seetheLord seated fallen sinner. Salvation is granted to him, on His glorious throne, surrounded by His and he recovers the lost paradise. Such is the angels and cherubim; while Lucifer, with his history of Adam, or rather man. Eve is des- demons, rules over the infernal regions, clad tined to show us the peculiarities of woman in the lurid glare of diabolical majesty. As and female nature. She is first beguiled by Homer depicted the war of the Trojans and the serpent, because her heart is more acces- Greeks with surpassing truth and beauty, so I sible to temptation, and because her husband will portray the far more sacred and grand is made of sterner stuff. Her senses and pas- struggle between good and evil, virtue and sions dominate her, and hence she is punished sin,'heaven and hell. I have not vainly seen more harshly. God says to her,'Now shalt the works of the great Italian artists, the thou bear children with pain, and in sorrow painted and sculptured poems of Raphael and shalt thou bring them up.' This simple nar- Michael Angelo; they shall be my models, rative abounds in profound wisdom and sub- and I will strive to equal them." lime truths." "And you will succeed in your efforts," said "I share your admiration entirely, but it Diodati, deeply moved by the poet's enthualways looks to me like a desecration to see siasm. "I see in my mind already your poem such sacred traditions performed on the stage, combining the grace of our Raphael with the and God Himself and His angels represented power and energy of Michael Angelo, for you by actors whose private life is generally at va- possess that of which the poet has need above riance with the parts they play. In my opin- all things, faith in God and love of country." ion, they are entirely unfit for dramatic representation, which cannot but impair their dignity and the reverence with which the people look upon them." CHAPTER X. " I think you are right, and will confess to you that the drama has suggested to me theTHOMAS EGERTON AT COURT. idea of treating this profound mystery in a WHILE Milton thus found the subject of his more becoming form. Like Tasso, I would great poem, the affairs of his native country like to create a Christian epic which should, were constantly assuming a more threatening if possible, do full justice to the sublime sub- aspect. The parties were more at variance ject. I have already long sought for such a than ever before: on one side, the newly-sumtask, on which I might try my strength. moned Parliament was instigated by religious Htitherto, I thought of writing a poem on the and political fanatics to take extreme measexploits of King Arthur, but the drama to- ures; on the other side, the infatuated king, night has caused me to change my mind, and with his court and his reckless and overbearing pointed out to me a nobler and loftier task. adherents, became every day more obstinate Can the poet do any thing better than to make and defiant. One of the most ardent royalists man in general the hero of his poem, celebrate was the rash Thomas Egerton, who had re THOMAS EGERTON AT COURT. 165 ceived an appointment in the queen's house- her eyes. Treated with extraordinary distinchold, and, as one of her majesty's favorites, tion by her majesty, he excited already the soon took a prominent position in his new attention and jealousy of the other courtiers. sphere. The bold youth had plunged reck- The polished Jermyn, the fine-looking Percy, lessly into the whirl of intrigues and pleasures and he were publicly called the queen's pets. which the court offered to him at that period. He was very proud of this, and fanatically deThere was a continuous round of festivals, al- voted to his august mistress. The kindness though the times were any thing but favorable and condescension of the royal lady awakened to such diversions; the court and its adhe- in the favorite's heart a feeling of boundless rents were literally dancing on a terrible vol- gratitude, which soon passed into the most arcano. dent love. It is true, Henrietta never acted in The indignation of the people was at its a manner derogatory to her royal dignity, but height. By all sorts of illegal and despotic she was too much of a Frenchwoman not to measures the crown had forfeited the confi- be pleased with the homage rendered her by dence and love of the nation, which sided en- the handsome and agreeable youth. She did thusiastically with the courageous adversaries not deem illicit a kind smile, a winning glance of the king, and with the members of Parlia- from her fiery hazel eyes, and added thereby ment who attacked the government in the to the flame devouring his heart. He would most vehement manner. Such men as Pym willingly have given up his life in order to oband Hampden were the heroes of the day, and tain such favors. His attachment to poor enjoyed the greatest popularity. They alone Lucy Henderson, who had accompanied him were regarded as true patriots, friends of the so trustingly to London, had to give way to people, and, above all, genuine and sincere this new love; for the humble country girl, of Christians. Even an entirely pure and unob- course, could not vie with the Queen of Engjectionable attachment to the court was con- land. She felt indeed that he did not treat sidered and derided as slavish servility, and her with the same tenderness as formerly, but confidence in the king's promises was looked in her innocence she did not suspect the true upon as shameless venality and corruption. reason, and ascribed his coldness to the change This current of public opinion was irresistible, in his circumstances, his new position, and the and the sudden dissolution of the Parliament occupations connected with it. She loved him had added to its strength. nevertheless as tenderly as ever, and contented Notwithstanding these threatening symp- herself with the crumbs falling from the table toms of an impending revolution, the court, of his love. When he told her in the most and particularly the queen, were engrossed enthusiastic manner of the beauty and amiawith the most brilliant amusements and enter- bility of the queen, she did not feel a particle tainments. Charles was too grave, and almost of jealousy; for how could she envy a prinpedantic, to take a leading part in the gay life cess? On the contrary, she shared his feelof the court; but the queen was extremely ings, and, although she had never seen Henpartial to festivities, dancing, and theatrical rietta, she worshipped her as a saint, and was, representation. An amiable companion and a like her lover, ready to sacrifice her life for good dancer, wit and humor were always wel- her. come to the sprightly Frenchwoman; and Quite different were the sentiments animathence Thomas, who combined all these quali- ing our friend Billy Green. The impudent felties in his person, had at once found favor in low was exceedingly well pleased with life in 166 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the streets of London, and still better with served a certain freedom of action. He poswhat he saw at court, where he appeared as sessed far more than feline cunning, and the footman of his young master. He was whenever a wily trick was to be played, Billy soon generally known there, and well liked on Green assisted his master in the most effective account of his merry jests and tricks. He was manner. To-day he was engaged in dressing always to be found among the idle servants of his master for the festival, which was to be the courtiers, and feasted with them at the given at night in the apartments of the queen, expense of the royal exchequer. A great and for which Davenant, the laureate, had change had taken place in his appearance; he written a mask. Henrietta liked to divert and took pains to imitate the tone of the great surprise her husband on such occasions by city, and particularly of his surroundings, and witty and pleasant plays and representations. was very successful in his efforts. Dressed in To the great indignation of her Puritan subthe cast-off clothes of his master, he played jects, she herself frequently took part in these the distinguished cavalier in a somewhat ex- performances, particularly in the dances. aggerated manner. The plumed round hat sat Thomas Egerton had been invited to take part obliquely on his head. A broad lace collar in a quadrille, in which the queen intended to covered the upper part of the variegated appear, and of course he paid a great deal of doublet, and very large trousers encased his attention to his dress, as he was well aware of plump thighs, while his white stockings exhib- the importance which his august protectress ited a pair of fine calves. He always strolled attached to a tasteful costume and fine perabout the halls and passages of the palace, and sonal appearance. With the assistance of his tried to assume the bearing and air of an in- footman, he donned a coat of white silk, richly fluential and polished courtier. He really suc- embroidered with gold, and adorned with the ceeded in deceiving a few short-sighted peti- costliest Brussels lace and waving ribbons. tioners, whom he promised to intercede in While dressing his master, Billy Green ditheir behalf, of course only in consideration verted him by all sorts of droll stories and of a suitable reward, with the king and other witticisms, indicative of his low cunning and distinguished persons of the court. Billy shrewdness. Green was also a greater favorite of the fair "You will have a fine time to-night," he said sex in his new garb than heretofore, and he to Thomas. "I have already been in the entered into many a tender liaison with cham- kitchen. Good Lord, what an amount of bermaids and the daughters of commoners, on cooking and roasting was going on there! which occasions his modesty generally caused My mouth waters at the mere recollection. him to deny that he was only a footman, and And what generous wines will be set before to play the role of a real cavalier. In short, the guests! The chief-butler had to tap his the merry fellow was exceedingly well pleased best casks. Ah! I should like to feast just with his new position, and blessed the mo- once in my life at the royal table! The clerment when he had exchanged the fields of his ical black-coats will rave and thunder again native county for the pavement of the capital. when the odors of the roasts in the royal He remained faithful to his young master, save kitchen reach their pious noses. Believe me, in one point.' His nature inclined more to the Sir Thomas, all the dissatisfaction of the independent spirit of the cat than the affec- clergymen arises from their empty stomtionate attachment of the dog. Like the for- achs." mer, he moused on his own account, and pre- "You may be right," replied the youth, THOMAS EGERTON AT COURT. 167 absently, buttoning his coat, and putting on more its most lustrous rays. The pomp, his scented gloves. splendor, and beauty of the whole kingdom "The other day," added Billy, " I went for seemed to be concentrated here. The luxury fun to one of their churches, and listened to and magnificance displayed on this occasion the sermon. If I was king, I would have the have never been equalled since. Especially rascally preacher hung. You ought to have charming was the spectacle exhibited by the heard him rave. He compared the king with decorations of the royal palace, and the rich Saul, who perished because he refused to costumes of that period. The absence of simlisten to Samuel's voice. Samuel, of course, plicity was amply compensated by its gorgeous was no other than the roundhead preacher magnificence. The halls and apartments himself. He inveighed even worse against the where the guests assembled were filled with queen, whom he called the scarlet woman, gilded ornaments, costly hangings, and gobeanother Jezebel, the ruin of England, and the lins. Gigantic mirrors of Venetian glass leaned plague of the world." against the pillars. In the corners stood large "If he were here, I would shut his foul tables groaning under a load of silver vessels, mouth with my sword, and give him a taste of decanters, goblets, and massive bowls of beaucold iron," said Thomas. tiful workmanship. The ceilings were adorned "I could not stand it any longer, and com- with frescoes, representing scenes from Greek menced groaning aloud. But this only added mythology in the most glowing colors. to his fury.'Out with the son of Baal!' Numerous candelabra and lustres with thoucried the preacher; and the whole congrega- sands of wax-candles illuminated the aparttion rushed upon me, and thrust and kicked ments in the most brilliant manner. The style me until I got out of the church-I hardly of the Renaissance, which was then at its height, know how. I got a bump on my head as big achieved here its greatest triumph. In entire as a melon, all in honor of our gracious consonance with the gay and luxurious charqueen, whom may God protect!" acter of the court, it was blended with the " There, take this doubloon as smart-money," manners and costumes of the period into a said the youth, opening his heavy purse and harmonious whole. The court, in accordance handing a gold-piece to his footman. with the times, was extravagant, dashing, "Long live the queen!' exclaimed Billy, brilliant, and passionately fond of pleasure. waving his hat, and well pleased with the The richly-attired guests surged in these success of his feigned loyalty. magnificent halls and apartments, and awaited Thomas left his room and repaired to the the arrival of their majesties. The costumes gorgeous apartments of Whitehall. Large of the gentlemen, which were made of velvet, numbers of the invited guests were already and frequently so thickly studded with pearls assembled there. Courtiers, statesmen, and and precious stones, that the original stuff was beautiful ladies thronged the halls and gal- scarcely to be seen; the heavy dresses of the leries, which were adorned with the master- ladies, made of gold-emnibroidered silks, and pieces of the most celebrated Dutch paint- sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow, were ers. Charles I. was a lover of art, and in perfect harmony with their gorgeous surlavished riches and honors on painters such as roundings. A number of separate groups had Rubens and Van Dyke. The court presented formed; friends and acquaintances met, greeted a most dazzling spectacle at this moment. each other, and conversed on the events of Like the setting sun, court-life shed once the day and on politics. There were several 168 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. parties among the adherents of the king. ease among these various groups, and soon Some of his friends, who were strongly sup- met with a circle which he joined. A number ported by Henrietta, were animated with a of young men distinguished by their elegant blind hatred of the Parliament and the exist- attire, and arrogant and almost noisy tone, ing, laws, which were checks upon the arbi- bade him welcome. trary aspirations of the government; they "This way, Thomas!" said one of them to advised high-handed, bold, and decisive him. "Where were you yesterday, my friend? measures. Most of them were dissipated We greatly regretted your absence from our young men, fond of women and play, courtiers merry circle. We were at the Anchor, and rather than politicians, soldiers rather than played until daybreak. Percy was finely statesmen, reckless rovers of pleasure, to whom fleeced. Just look at the wry face he restraints of any kind were repugnant, and makes!" who derided the religious zeal, the stern sim- "I was on duty at her majesty's apartplicity, and the austerity of the Puritans. ments," replied Thomas. They did not lack courage and impetuous "I do not believe a word of it. I know valor, but were destitute of earnestness, per- your tricks, my fine fellow. You have a severance, and sagacity. They were called sweetheart with whom you pass your evencavaliers, and the people detested them on ings. Everybody knows that. As soon as account of their arrogance and immorality. you are tired of the fair one, give me a hint, Another party embraced a number of honor- and I will willingly take care of the deserted able and distinguished friends of the king, Dido." headed by Lord Falkland; they were not "Of course!" sneered another. "Villiers blind to the impending crisis, but they were buys his clothes and sweethearts at second still in hopes that they could succeed in avert- hand. He gets them cheaper in that way." ing the danger. Occupying a mediatorial "By the way," interposed a third, "what position between the crown and the Parlia- about the Scottish army? I have been told ment, between the government and the people, that the Earl of Strafford will arrive here tothey resisted all efforts either to impair the night, and then undertake to chastise the vilroyal authority or to encroach upon the rights lanous rebels." of the country. They incurred the usual fate "That will gladden Lady Carlisle's heart; of such a position, and were denounced by she will certainly accompany him. She is both sides. The cavaliers considered them such a faithful friend of his, she will never traitors in disguise, and the popular party re- leave his side," said the first speaker, sneer garded them as enemies of liberty. The ingly. king himself failed to do them justice, and His words elicited a burst of laughter. A mostly sided with the extremists. Nor were new-comer added to the frivolous turn which secret and open enemies of the court wanting the conversation had taken. It was Davenant, in the assembly. Where so many easily-injured the poet laureate, who was as witty and talented interests crossed each other, a conflict was al- as he was unprincipled and dissipated. His together unavoidable. Ambition and vanity, expressive countenance exhibited the traces of thirst for intrigues, and the whole host of evil a vicious life. A contagious disease had despirits, found ample scope here for their per- prived him of his nose, but his dark eyes nicious activity. sparkled with intelligence and mischievousThomas moved with his innate grace and ness. According to his own assertion, he was THOMAS EGERTON AT COURT. 169 Shakespeare's illegitimate son, and his mother most reverential manner, so far as such a circle was the landlady of a popular tavern. was capable of feeling reverence for any one. " Well, son of Apollo," said Lord Wilmot, He enjoyed here, at least, a degree of respect one of the most reckless young men, "how is which men of greater wealth refused to him; your poetic soul? " for he was, as it were, the leader and model " Very well, thank your lordship. Permit of these young men, and treated his satellites me to express my satisfaction at your having with affected condescension. escaped the gallows up to this time." "Good-evening, Goring, Percy, Wilmot, "Davenant is not Apollo's son, but a bastard Egerton," he said to them, nodding his head. of William Shakespeare," remarked the hand- "Ah, you are there too, Davenant! Her masome Percy. jesty just now spoke to me of your mask, and "There you are right," replied the poet. expressed herself well pleased with the subject "My mother did more for me than yours did and the manner in which you handled it.for you; she gave me a father who was a man Well, gentlemen, have you heard the great of genius; and I would rather be the bastard news of the day? " of a genius than the legitimate son of a block- " That all women are virtuous and all -men head. We may both be content, as we have are sensible," sneered the poet laureate; " that inherited the qualities of our fathers." Percy no longer gambles, that Villiers has The handsome Percy deemed it prudent to ceased lying, that Egerton is no longer a hotbreak off this duel of words with the malicious headed enthusiast, and that Jermyn is no and sarcastic poet, who had all the laughter longer a lady-killer." on his side. He, therefore, turned his back "You are utterly mistaken, my noble poet. on him and nodded to a young man who en- I will tell you something that is a great deal tered the hall at this moment. He was the better. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the model of a perfect courtier, the greatest favor- Earl of Strafford, has just arrived in London, ite of the queen, and her equerry, Lord Jermyn. and is at this moment with the king in his Although he was not as handsome as Percy, majesty's cabinet. So far as I have learned, his whole appearance was distinguished by the he advises the government to adopt the most highest elegance and refinement. His dress energetic measures, and he is the man to carry of brown velvet, richly embroidered with gold, them into execution. He is opposed to a policy relieved his slender form to the greatest ad- of conciliation and concessions, and proposes vantage. His features bore the genuine aristo- to subdue by main force both the rebellious cratic type; carefully-arranged blond ringlets Scots and the seditious people of England. He fell down on his shoulders; his eyes were blue brings from Ireland money enough to fill the and radiant, but as cold as steel; and an arro- exhausted exchequer, and, what is even better, gant and perfidious smile played round his ten thousand well-drilled soldiers, who, under finely-chiselled lips. Not only the queen, but a commander like him, are not afraid of the almost all the ladies of the court were enthu- devil himself. So soon as he is through with siastic admirers of the polished courtier, and the Covenanters, he will attend to London and the more hearts he broke the more ladies put an end to this parliamentary nuisance. By longed for a similar fate. It had become fash- the Eternal, I myself should like to take part ionable to be deceived and rendered unhappy in a short campaign under Strafford; for the by Lord Jermyn. whole affair will not last longer than two He was greeted by the young men in an al- weeks. Well, gentlemen, what do you think 170 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. of such an excursion to the frontier? It rassed. Being a younger son, he had origiwould be a pleasant change in our life." nally been destined for the Church, and it was "It would be a mere breakfast-party, at not until after his elder brother had died that which each of us would devour ten Scotch- he became heir to the throne of his father. men," boasted the handsome Percy. The peculiarities of his early education still " The only trouble is, that the fellows are too clung to him, and his whole bearing was that tough and indigestible," remarked Goring. of a learned theologian rather than the son of " Then we will pummel them until they a King of England. It is true, long-continued grow soft enough," jested Egerton. military and equestrian exercise had gradually "Do so," replied Jermyn, sneeringly; "you imparted considerable strength to his body, will thereby gain the special favor of his ma- but nevertheless a certain awkwardness, such jesty, and you would have a splendid oppor- as is often peculiar to scholars, stuck to him. tunity to distinguish yourself." His face was regular, handsome, and well-com" That is to say," replied Thomas, smilingly, plexioned, and a singular expression ofmelan" dear Egerton, do me the favor of allowing a choly, a foreboding as it were of his terrible barelegged Scotchman to break your neck, fate, was stamped on his features. Pbysiogthat you may no longer be in my way." nomists assert that this peculiarity is often A disdainful smile curled the lips of the noticed in persons destined to die by violence. haughty favorite, and he cast a proud glance His slightly-defective utterance added to his on his rival. "I am not afraid of any man, timidity and reserve. much less of a beardless boy!" he replied. The character of this prince was a strange " Beware of the beardless boy! " threatened mixture of good and bad qualities. Weakness Thomas, angrily; "he might tear a hole in was the leading feature of his whole nature, your magnificent costume and your milky the key of all his actions; he displayed stubface.' bornness and obstinacy when energy and manAnother insulting remark was already on ly dignity were indispensable; and, when he the courtier's lips, when the folding-doors was unable to resist the force of circumstances, opened, and the usher announced the arrival he resorted to low cunning and the most repof their majesties in a loud voice. The ad- rehensible deception. His beneficent dispoversaries had only time to cast furious glances sition was clouded by a manner not very graon each other, as their position required them cious; his piety was tinctured with superstito go to meet their majesties. The other tion; his good sense was disfigured by a deferguests ranged themselves in the order of their ence to persons of a capacity much inferior to rank and birth, and awaited thus the approach his own; and his moderate temper exempted of Charles and Henrietta. him not from hasty and precipitate resolutions. Many of his good qualities were offset by some latent frailty, which, though seemingly inconsiderable, was able, when seconded by the exCHAPTER PX-I. treme malevolence of his fortune, to disappoint them of all their influence. His strong incliCHARLES i. AND HIS QUEEN AND COUNCILLORS. nation to promote the interests of his friends CHARLES I. was not a man of impos- misled him into blind devotion to unworthy faing appearance: his form was of a middle vorites; his attachment to the queen and his stature, and his bearing was timid and embar- family rendered him their abject slave. He CHARLES I. AND HIS QUEEN AND COUNCILLORS. 171 loved art and literature, but fostered them which was not accustomed to bend, was surwithout exercising a salutary and vivifying in- mounted by a magnificent head crowned with fluence over them, because he did not give a dense mass of ringlets. His high, expansive them as much freedom as they needed, but forehead, and his clear, piercing eyes, indicated caused them to pine away in the unhealthy at- the mind of a great statesman and diplomatist; mosphere of the court. Like most men of while his bushy eyebrows, his arched temples, weak character, he often had fits of sullen his defiant mouth, and firm chin, which was stubbornness, which he believed to be strength fringed with a black beard, told the beholder and energy; on such occasions his despotism that he was an intrepid soldier and experienced was tinctured with a spirit of cruelty which captain. His decided bearing, and his firm, was foreign to his original and better nature. noisy gait, betokened a spirit of defiant energy In his contests with his adversaries he did not shrinking from no difficulty whatever. Forshrink from the most unscrupulous measures; merly an enthusiastic adherent of Parliament, and the honesty and straightforwardness which an advocate of popular rights, the most emialways go hand in hand with manly strength, nent orator and statesman of his party, he had were entirely wanting to him. He knew neither succumbed to the flatteries of the court and to how to yield nor to be firm in time; he allowed the craving of his ambition, and turned his himself to be compelled to make concessions back upon the cause which he had defended which he might have easily granted of his own with so much eloquence and ability. Like all accord; and while tendering liberty with his apostates, Strafford now persecuted his former right hand to his people, he already held out political friends with wild fanaticism. Never the left to take back his gift. As he lacked at a loss for resources, and inexorable in his strength and courage to refuse openly, he re- hatred, he was at this juncture the most dansorted to all sorts of subterfuges and prevari- gerous adversary of Parliament and of popular cations, by which he utterly forfeited the re- liberty. He constantly advised the most enspect of his subjects. Estimable in his private ergetic measures and determined resistance, life, and adorned with many domestic and hu- and cautioned the king against the dangers in man virtues, fate had put on his head a crown which, he asserted, a conciliatory course would which his weak shoulders were unable to bear. involve him. He devised a plan to place the Nevertheless, he might have become an excel- king in a perfectly independent position by lent ruler if he had lived in quiet times. Un- organizing a standing army and making large happily, his fate threw him into a period when reductions in the public expenditure, and the genius of the people ran violently toward afterward boldly repealing the constitution. liberty, and the tempest of revolution shobk For this purpose he had already taken all nethe foundations of the British empire. cessary steps, levied troops, collected taxes in The king was accompanied at this moment Ireland, and secured the cooperation of the by a man made of sterner stuff than himself. most ardent royalists. He was now only waitIt was Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, ing for a favorable moment, and especially for the all-powerful minister, who at once became the termination of the Scottish war, to carry the cynosure of all eyes. His firmly-knit out this plan, which was fully approved by his frame, with its powerful chest and shoulders, sovereign. The people, who justly considered seemed chiselled out of granite; his muscles him the author of all oppressions and persecuand sinews forged out of steel, such was their tions, of all violent and illegal measures of strength and elasticity. The powerful neck, the government, detested him instinctively. 172 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. He was execrated all over the country, but he mother, and instructed by Richelieu as to the laughed the threats of his enemies to scorn, best use she might make of her position, she and persecuted with relentless perseverance went to England with the firm determination his former friends, who were now his mortal to render important services to the Catholic enemies. But the great man had even at religion and the members of her church. She court many opponents whose enmity he had pursued her course with less prudence than aroused by his implacable severity, his bound- was necessary in a Protestant country, and less pride, and his rude bearing. Even the placed herself at the very outset in a false poqueen and her adherents were jealous of the sition toward her subjects. Though her businfluence and friendship which Charles granted band was very fond of her, she did not sucto his minister. Two persons only were ceed in obtaining much influence over him strongly attached to Strafford, the beautiful until after the death of Buckingham, the and accomplished Countess of Carlisle, who king's favorite adviser. So long as the duke was generally believed to be his mistress, and was alive, the king always followed his counthe bigoted Archbishop Laud, the spiritual ad- sels. After his death, Henrietta took his poviser of the king. By means of the countess, sition, and exercised soon a decisive influence who was an intimate friend of Queen Henriet- over the government and its political measta, he influenced her majesty, and the fanat- ures. Ignorant of the customs and peculiariical prelate helped him to retain his power ties of the people, hostile to the laws which over Charles himself. With their assistance set bounds to the king's authority, she conStrafford deemed his position perfectly safe tributed not a little to the dissensions and and impregnable. difficulties prevailing between the king and his With his proud consciousness he accompa- subjects. As a Catholic, she was already from nied his sovereign through the magnificent the start an object of suspicion in the eyes of apartments of Whitehall; and so great was the people, who soon began to hate her, as the impression produced by his appearance, she did not know how to humor their prethat he eclipsed the less distinguished figure of judices. Her worldliness and thirst for enhis royal master and riveted the attention of joyment were also highly distasteful to the all guests. Charles perceived this with a austere Puritans. The pulpits resounded with slight tinge of envy, to which his suspicious scathing attacks upon the queen, whom the mind, which was so fully impressed with the fanatical preachers called a Canaanite, a dignity of his position, was always very prone. daughter of Heth, and an idolatress. On her Meanwhile the queen had seated herself on part, she repaid hatred with hatred, and perher throne, surrounded by a bevy of her beau- secutions with even more relentless persecutiful ladies of honor. Maria Henrietta, accord- tions. It was principally at her instigation ing to the portraits which have been handed that several popular orators were prosecuted, down to us, was a lovely and sprightly princess, and that a heavy fine was imposed upon the deficient neither in charms nor understanding. celebrated Pym. Although no definite charges It is true her features were not entirely regular, could be preferred against her morals, her but her elegant form, her dark hair, her shape- frivolity often gave rise to the most injurious ly mouth with dazzling white teeth, the arch reports. dimples of her cheeks and chin, and above all At to-night's festival, Henrietta acted again her brilliant eyes, rendered her very piquant in a very imprudent manner. To the regret and interesting. Educated by her ambitious of all sagacious adherents of the court, she CHARLES I. AND HIS QUEEN AND COUNCILLORS. 173 played apart in Davenant's mask, and recited crown as to the measures necessitated by the some verses in it, an innovation upon which impending war with the Scottish rebels. Most no Queen of England had ventured up to this of them counselled the king to pursue a contime, and which even many old courtiers ciliatory course, and enter into negotiations deemed utterly incompatible with royal dig- with the Scots; but the proud minister urged nity. Henrietta, however, derided such scru- Charles to carry on the war with the utmost ples, and gave rein to her merry and viva- energy. cious temper in the most unconcerned manner. "I hope," he said, in the consciousness of She danced alternately with Jermyn and his strength, "to put down this Scottish rabble Thomas, whom she delighted by her conde- in a very short time; and then I intend to scension. carry into execution the plan which I have " Sir Thomas Egerton," she whispered, smil- long since laid before his majesty, and to ingly, "you have made considerable progress; quell these disorders at a blow. Believe me, in a very short time you have become the best my lords and gentlemen, the populace is like a dancer of our court." barking dog; if you betray timidity, it will "How could it be otherwise, when I had so only bark the louder and show its teeth; but august a model before my eyes?" give it a kick, and it will run away with a "To-morrow all the preachers of London whine. For God's sake, do not suffer yourwill denounce again my harmless pleasures." selves to be cowed, and do not yield an inch "Command me, and I will shut the mouths in the face of its demands! Above all things, of these miserable preachers with my sword." we must shut the mouths of some noisy lead"The time for that has not come yet; but ers, and silence them either by force or by you may, perhaps, in the course of a few bribery. The blind multitude has always one weeks have an opportunity to draw the sword or several leaders; deprive it of these leaders for your queen." and it will be utterly helpless and disperse. "And you accept me for your knight?" Remove the props, and the whole edifice of " If you are faithful and discreet." revolution sinks in ruins. In the first place, "Put me to the test, your majesty. Demand I shall subdue the Scots with a well-disciplined my life, my blood, and I will joyfully give army, loyal and devoted to his majesty, and them up." then teach the people of England that disHenrietta rewarded the youth's enthusiasm obedience to the king's orders is a grievous with her most winning smile, so that Thomas crime." forgot all around him. He was very near "But a standing army is contrary to the kneeling down before his adored mistress in laws of our country," remarked the noble the presence of the whole court. Jermyn, Falkland, faithful to the ancient constitution. who was standing at a distance, observed with "He who has the power need not trouble secret rage the progress which his rival made himself about the laws," replied the Earl of in the queen's favor. While he looked en- Strafford. "Tell me a better means, if you tirely unconcerned and smiled sweetly, he are aware of any." brooded over a scheme for removing his dan- A new Parliament will, perhaps, prove less gerous adversary as soon as possible. obstinate, and vote the necessary troops and The king had, shortly after his arrival, with- supplies." drawn again with the Earl of Strafford, to con- " You are utterly mistaken. A new Parliafer with him and some other advisers of the ment will be even more arrogant than its 174 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. predecessors. The people will elect only men "I do not want to summon a Parliament," of whose hostility to the government they are repeated Charles incessantly, with petulant firmly convinced. Under the present circum- obstinacy, until he had completely intimidated stances it would be the height of imprudence and silenced his faithful adherents. He therefor us to summon a Parliament. Oh, I am upon instructed Sir Henry Vane, the secrefamiliar with those men and their evil designs; tary, to note down what the Earl of Strafford I know the insidious Pym, and the wily had proposed, and add the paper to the docuHampden, who conceals the most boundless ments preserved in the secret archives. ambition under the mask of straightforward- The festival was drawing to a close. The ness. Summon them, and they will shake the queen, tired by the dance, retired to her throne so frantically that it will soon totter to rooms. On taking leave of the overjoyed the earth. The king will have to purchase Thomas she once more smiled graciously upon every shilling that they vote with a sacrifice him, and he left Whitehall in an ecstasy of deof some of his prerogatives, until nothing re- light, and dreamed of the love of a princess. mains to him save the empty title, the vain shadow of his dignity, provided the Parliament is gracious enough to leave him so much." "And religion will also thereby incur the greatest perils,", remarked Archbishop Laud, CHAPTER XII, who took part in the conference. " The enePARLIAMENT-TRIAL OF STRAFFORD. mies of the Episcopal Church are waiting only for an opportunity to carry their pernicious THE success of the war with the Scottish purposes into effect; they demand freedom rebels was by no means such as Straffoid had for their accursed teachings, and toleration of expected. The noble earl had under-estimated their sectarianism. What is to become of the the strength of his adversaries; their religious state if the Church loses its dignity, and is fanaticism made up for what they lacked in mocked and derided by the people? " numbers and discipline. The soldiers of the "I do not want to summon a Parliament," king were demoralized, and dissatisfied with a cried the king, resolutely; "I will not tolerate contest with a kindred people, for whose opinany other masters by my side! Strafford and ions and principles the people of England felt Laud are right. The throne and the altar the liveliest sympathy. Notwithstanding the would be exposed once more to the furious as- efforts and surpassing ability of the comsaults of their enemies. God Himself placed mander-in-chief, the army made no progress, the crown on my anointed head, and intrusted and even sustained some serious defeats. The me with my power; and I shall know how to king was again in want of money and troops, maintain tlem. The Lord will grant me His and, to extricate himself from his embarrassprotection and chastise my adversaries." ments, he applied to the Lords, where he ex"Amen!" said the archbishop, clasping his pected to meet with a more submissive spirit hands. than in the House of Commons. Contrary The other advisers of the crown, and espe- to his expectations, the Lords likewise decially Lord Falkland, ventured once more to manded that he should speedily summon a offer a feeble resistance; but the king adhered Parliament, and declared themselves incomto his resolve to comply with Strafford's coun- petent to afford the requested relief to the govsels. ernment. Thus urged on all sides, the king PARLIAMENT-TRIAL OF STRAFFORD. 175 was obliged, against his will, to comply with the excitement of their audiences to the highthe wishes of his subjects. est pitch. The press, delivered from its forrer When the nation was so generally discon- restraints, began to stir, and was used on tented, no wonder that almost all elections either side with more exasperation than pruran in favor of those who had espoused the dence and ability. Innumerable pamphlets cause of the opposition. Old and new oppo- and treatises were printed, and offered for nents of the king filled the benches of the sale in the streets of London under all sorts House of Commons, and, firmly supported by of strange titles calculated to allure purpublic opinion, they soon obtained almost ab- chasers. Even Parliament and the governsolute sway. This was the time when genius ment did not disdain this means of influencing and capacity of all kinds, freed from the re- the people on all important occasions. straint of authority, and nourished by un- A political club named "Rota," a society of bounded hopes and projects, began to exert the most prominent and active leaders of the themselves and be distinguished by the pub- opposition, was formed at this time. Speeches lie. Then was celebrated the astuteness of were made there, and political and religious Pym, more fitted for use than ornament; ma- topics were discussed by its members. The tured, not chilled, by his advanced age and poet Harrington developed there in his long experience. Then was displayed the " Oceana" the plan of a social republic, nearly mighty ambition of Hampden, supported by two centuries before Cabet, the Communist, courage, conducted by prudence, embellished published his "Icarie." by modesty. Then, too, were known the Frightened by these forerunners of the imdark and ardent character of St. John; the pending crisis, Charles I. in his distress looked impetuous spirit of Hollis, violent and sincere, around for a savior. He thought no one could open and entire in his enmities and in his friend- serve him better than the Earl of Strafford, ships; the enthusiastic genius of young Vane, whom he deemed strong enough to guide the extravagant in the ends which he pursued, leaking ship of the government with a firm sagacious and profound in the means which he hand through the tumultuous waves of the employed, incited by the externals of religion, revolution. Strafford, sensible of the load of negligent of the duties of morality. ~ popular prejudices under which he labored, By the daily harangues and invectives would gladly have declined attendance in Paragainst illegal usurpations, not only did the liament; but Charles, who relied entirely on House of Commons inflame themselves with the earl's capacity, thought that his counsels the highest animosity against the court, but could not be dispensed with during the critical the nation caught new fire from the popular session which approached; and when Strafford leaders, and took the liveliest interest in the still insisted on the danger of his appearing proceedings of Parliament. Meetings were amidst so many enraged enemies, the king, daily held; and every man, neglecting his own little apprehensive that his own authority was business, was wholly intent on the defence of so suddenly to expire, promised him protecliberty and religion. By stronger contagion, tion, and assured him that not a hair of his the popular feelings were communicated from head should be touched by Parliament. breast to breast in this place of general ren- No sooner was Strafford's arrival known, dezvous and society. The preachers discussed than a concerted attack was made upon him the public questions and most important in the House of Commons. At the head of events of the day with a fanatical zeal, raising his sworn enemies was now the all-powerful 176 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Pym. They had been friends in former years, but loud shouts arose, ordering him to wait and had shared the same political opinions, at the door until he should be called. After before Strafford passed over to the government a short consultation, he was summoned to the side. This only served to sharpen their mu- bar; he was ordered to fall on his knees and tual exasperation, and Pym, in a long-studied listen to the resolution passed against him. discourse, divided into many heads, enumer- He was thereupon delivered into the hands of ated all the grievances under which the na- the doorkeeper of the House, who was intion labored; and, from a complication of such structed to keep him in custody until he had oppressions, inferred that a deliberate plan purged himself of all the charges preferred had been formed of changing entirely the against him. The proud earl once more gathframe of government, and subverting the an- ered his whole energy and attempted to adcient laws and liberties of the kingdom. dress the assembly, but his voice was drowned " We must inquire," said the speaker, by the general clamor, and he was ordered to "from what fountain these waters of bitter- withdraw in silence. At the door, Maxwell ness flow; and though doubtless many evil took his sword from him, and conducted him counsellors will be found to have contributed through the gaping crowd to his carriage. No their endeavors, yet there is one who chal- one greeted him; no one took off his hat belenges the infamous preeminence, and who, by fore the all-powerful man, to whom the his courage, enterprise, and capacity, is enti- wealthiest and proudest lords had bowed tied to the first place among these betrayers that very morning. The people received him of their country. He is the Earl of Strafford, in silence; yet few ventured to deride him, Lieutenant of Ireland, and President of the for even after his downfall he maintained so Council of York, who, in both places, and in dignified a bearing that the populace could all other provinces where he has been intrusted not refuse him respect. On arriving at the with authority, has raised ample monuments place where he had left his carriage, it could of tyranny, and will appear, from a survey of not be immediately found. He had therefore his actions, to be the chief promoter of every to retrace his steps through the same curious arbitrary counsel." crowd. It was not until some time afterward Pym afterward entered into a more per- that the carriage arrived and conveyed him to sonal attack on the earl, and dwelt even upon his prison. Laud also was immediately, upon his love-affairs with the Countess of Carlisle the same general charges, sequestered from and other ladies. And in conclusion he called Parliament, and committed to custody. upon Parliament not to spare the criminal be- The king, who in the former part of his cause he was invested with an exalted dignity, reign had offered the most obstinate resistance but to proceed against him regardless of his to the as yet moderate encroachments of the position, and impeach the Earl of Strafford of Commons, seemed as if struck by lightning, high-treason. Pym sat down amid loud ap- and completely paralyzed by these events. He plause, and the impeachment was immediately looked on quietly while his foremost advisers voted in secret session. The doorkeeper of and best friends were arrested, and made no the Commons, James Maxwell, was sent to the attempt to deliver them. Perhaps he hoped House of Lords, which Strafford had just en- to regain the confidence of his people by tered, to summon him to the House of Com- pliableness, by concessions, and by a total mons. He appeared there with his wonted conformity to their wishes and inclinations; haughtiness, and would have seated himself, perhaps he was all at once overcome by the I i~~~~ Ii 1:i _____~ -- - HI I~ __~ -, jFi'...;jll A,p ~~~~~~~~~~~~~; 1~~il' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -~i i ~,?:;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ B _____ / _ _ _ j1- _ _ _ _ PARLIAMENT-TRIAL OF STRAFFORD. 177 feeling of his impotence in the face of public present no incident of more tragic sublimity opinion. Perhaps he thought too he would in in their united annals. due time retrace his steps and recover all he "Unable to find in my conduct," said Strafhad lost. For the time being, however, he ford, in the course of his admirable defence, kept perfectly quiet, resented none of the at- "any thing to which might be applied the tacks made upon him, and did not interfere name or punishment of treason, my enemies with the proceedings instituted against Straf- have invented, in defiance of all law, a chain ford. of constructive and accumulative evidence, To bestow the greater solemnity on this im- by which my actions, although innocent and portant trial, platforms covered with red cloth laudable when taken separately, viewed in were erected in Westminster Hall, where both this collected light, become treasonable. It is houses sat, the one as accusers, the other as hard to be questioned on a law which cannot judges. Besides the chair of state, a close be shown. gallery was prepared for the king and queen, "Where ~ath this fire lain hid so many hunwhere they could witness the proceedings un- dreds of years without smoke to discover it seen. An accusation carried on by the united till it thus bursts forth to consume me and my effort of three kingdoms against one man, children? It is better to be without laws alunprotected by power, discountenanced by au- together than to persuade ourselves that we thority, was likely to prove a very unequal have laws by which to regulate our conduct, contest; yet such were the capacity, genius, and to find that they consist only in the enand presence of mind displayed by this emi- mity and arbitrary will of our accusers. If a nent statesman, that, so long as argument, man sails upon the Thames in aboat, and splits reason, and law, had any place,' he obtained himself upon an anchor, and no buoy be floatan undisputed victory. And he perished at ing to discover it, he who owneth the anchor last, overwhelmed, but still unsubdued, and shall make satisfaction; but if a buoy be set his death cannot but make us forget the faults there, every one passeth it at his own peril. and errors of his life. Now where is the mark, where the tokens upon On the 21st of May the prisoner was con- this crime, to declare it to be high-treason? evyed under a strong escort from the Tower It has remained hidden under the water; no to Westminster Hall. Besides the Parliament, human prudence or innocence could preserve there were present the king, the queen, and me from the ruin with which it menaces me. the whole court; the most distinguished la- For two hundred and forty years every species dies, and, above all, the Countess of Carlisle, of treason has been defined, and during that took the liveliest interest in the trial, and long space of time, I am the first, I am the sympathized almost without exception with only exception, for whom the definition has the prisoner. Stratford wore a simple but been enlarged, that I may be enveloped in its costly velvet dress. He firmly glanced over meshes. My lords, we have lived happily the brilliant assembly, and many a beautiful within the limits of our own land; we have eye met his own with heart-felt sympathy. lived gloriously beyond them, in the eyes of After the articles of impeachment had been the whole world. Let us be satisfied with what read, Strafford took the floor. Never did an our fathers have left us; let not ambition arraigned prisoner reply with greater majesty tempt us to desire that we may become more than did Strafford in his last defence before acquainted than they were with these destruchis accusers and his king. Athens and Rome tive and perfidious arts of incriminating inno12 178 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. cence. In this manner, my lords, you will act tion seemed impossible. If he had been acwisely, you will provide for your own safety quitted, his adversaries would have been purand the safety of your descendants, while you sued with relentless vindictiveness by the in. secure that of the whole kingdom. If you exorable and indefatigable minister. It was a throw into the fire these sanguinary and mys- mortaj combat. The lion had shown his forterious selections of constructive treason, as mer strength; his voice had resounded as of the first Christians consumed their books of old, and its tremendous notes had struck terror dangerous art, and confine yourselves to the into the hearts of the leaders of the opposition. simple meaning of the statute in its vigor, The king himself, seated in his grated gallery, who shall say that you have done wrong? had followed the proceedings with the closest Where will be your crime, and how, in abstain- attention and suspense. Now he rejoiced at ing from error, can you incur punishment? the triumph of the earl, whose acquittal seemed Beware of awakening these sleeping lions of no longer doubtful. At this moment rose the your own destruction. Add not t8 my other gloomy St. John, who conducted the prosecuafflictions that which I shall esteem the heavi- tion. A sinister smile played round his lips. est of all-that for my sins as a man, and not After expatiating on the nature of political for my offences as a minister, I should be the trials, and arguing that the judgment should unfortunate means of introducing such a pre- rest on the moral conviction of the judges cedent, such an example of a proceeding so rather than the strength of the proofs, he drew opposed to the laws and liberties of my coun- forth a paper which he read in a loud voice. try. It contained the advice which Strafford had "My lords, I have troubled you longer than given to the king a short time ago, and of I should have done were it not for the interest which Sir Henry Vane, secretary, had taken of these dear pledges a saint in heaven hath notes. A few days ago he had sent the keys left me." Here he stopped, letting fall some of his cabinet to his son, Sir Henry, in order tears, and then resumed: "What I forfeit my- to search for some papers which were necesself is nothing; but that my indiscretion should sary for completing a marriage settlement. extend to my posterity, woundeth me to the Young Vane, falling upon this paper of notes, very soul. You will pardon my infirmity. deemed the matter of the utmost importance, Something I should have added, but am not and immediately communicated it to Pym and able; therefore let it pass. And now, my St. John, who now read the paper to the aslords, for myself, I have been, by the blessing sembly. "The question before the council of Almighty God, taught that the afflictions of was,' offensive or defensive war with the this present life are not to be compared to the Scots.' The king proposes this difficulty: eternal weight of glory which shall be revealed'But how can I undertake offensive war, if I hereafter. And so, my lords, even so, with all have no more money?' The Earl of Strafford tranquillity of mind, I freely submit myself to then made the following proposition:'Borrow your judgment; and whether that judgment of the city a hundred thousand; go on vigorbe for life or death,'Te Deum laudamus.'" ously to levy ship-money. Your majesty havSo powerful was the impression of this speech ing tried the affections of your people, you are that the judges, filled with compassion, wa- absolved and loosed fcom all rules of governvered, and Strafford's enemies feared lest he ment, and may do what power will admit. should be acquitted. He had refuted every Your majesty, having tried all ways, shall be charge preferred against him, and his convic- acquitted before God and man. And you have THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRACY-EXECUTION OF STRAFFORD. 179 an army in Ireland, which you may employ to passed upon Strafford with bloodthirsty exulreduce this kingdom to obedience; for I am tation, and demanded the execution of the confident the Scots cannot hold out five prisoner with the utmost impetuosity. The months.'" populace flocked about Whitehall, and accomDuring the reading of this decisive docu- panied their demand for justice with the loudment, a stifled cry burst from the royal gallery. est clamors and most open menaces in order Charles had bent forward and clutched the to force the king's assent to the sentence. wooden trellis, concealing him from the eyes Sinister rumors were circulated, and the popuof the assembly, so violently with both hands, lar passions were lashed into a ferment which that it broke in pieces. He himself now re- threatened some great and imminent convulmained exposed to the eyes of all. The cou- sion. On whichever side the king cast his rageous Strafford turned pale, but he soon eyes, he saw no resource or security. All his regained his former composure, and, with great servants, consulting their own safety rather ingenuity, called the attention of his judges to than their master's honor, declined to interthe vagueness of the words, which might be pose with their advice between him and his understood of the Scottish rebels rather than Parliament. Strafford himself, hearing of the people of England; and, besides, he denied Charles's irresolution and anxiety, took a very ever having made the proposition imputed to extraordinary step; he wrote a letter, in which hirm. Nevertheless, the evidence of Secretary he entreated the king, for the sake of public Vane caused the judges to convict the pris- peace and his own safety, to put an end to his oner. unfortunate life, and to quiet the tumultuous They found the Earl of Strafford guilty of people by granting them the request for which high-treason, and passed sentence of death they were so importunate. "In this," he upon him. added, "my consent will more acquit you to God than all the world can do besides. To a willing man there is no injury. And as, by CIIHPTER XIII God's grace, I forgive all the world, with a calmness and meekness of infinite contentment THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRACY —EXECUTION OF THE QUEEN'S C PA-EEUTION OF to my dislodging soul, so, sire, to you I can STRAFFORD. resign the life of this world with all imaginable THE king left Westminster Hall, profoundly cheerfulness, in the just acknowledgment of moved, and firmly resolved to strain every your exceeding favors." nerve in order to save his minister. He im- Perhaps Strafford hoped that this unusual mediately summoned his privy council to take instance of generosity would engage the king the necessary steps into consideration. Con- still more strenuously to protect him; perhaps trary to his expectation, with the exception he gave up his life for lost, and this conviction of the venerable Bishop Juxon, no one spoke armed him with that courage and constancy in favor of the condemned earl. All pointed which thenceforth never left him. The king, more or less emphatically to the necessity of who had repeatedly assured him that he would sacrificing the prisoner to public opinion. Yet protect him, was a prey to the most violent the king would not allow himself to be con- anxiety and doubt, and he was not courageous vinced, and was still in hopes of being able to enough either to defend or desert his minister. save Strafford's life. Ite sat, brooding over his misfortunes, in his The people of London received the sentence cabinet at Whitehall, when the queen came in 180 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. and very gently encircled him with her misfortunes, triumphed over his enemies, and arms. killed the impudent suitors." "What ails you?" said Henrietta to her The lovely queen in this manner overwhelmed mournful husband. him with supplications and blandishments, and "I am required to sacrifice my best friend, when they proved insufficient, resorted to tears, my most faithful servant, to the fury of the until Charles was weak enough to yield to her populace. Henrietta, do you comprehend the importunities. He signed the death-warrant grief with which this idea fills me?" in her presence. No sooner had he taken the "Charles, it must be done. Think of me, fatal step, than he buried his face in his hands of your children." as if to conceal his shame and repentance "You advise me to break my royal word. even from his consort. Her smile encouraged Who will henceforth repose confidence in me? him again. I shall stand, a dishonored sovereign, before "Rely on me," she said, comforting him. -myself, before my servants, before the whole "Strafford shall not suffer death, for all that." country. No, no; never, never will I do it!" "What are you going to do to avert the "It is better that one man should perish doom from his head?" than all of us. He is your servant, and his "That is my secret for the time being. It life belongs to you. Strafford himself has is better for you not to know anything about offered his head to you." it, as I know your timidity. I will tell you "But I am not at liberty to accept his offer. only that I have friends who will not hesitate The whole world would despise me if I should a moment to sacrifice their lives for me." sign the death-warrant of my best and dearest "You are more fortunate, then, than I," friend." said the unhappy monarch. "The signature would not be so important, No sooner had Henrietta left her husband, inasmuch as the execution of the sentence than she called her devoted lady of honor, might be deferred. Yield to the will of Par- Madame de Motteville, a Frenchwoman, who liament, and submit seemingly to the importu- had accompanied her to England, and in nate demands of the populace. Leave it to whom she could repose implicit confidence. me to devise a plan for saving the earl. Charles, "Motteville," she said, " take this note, and my lord, my beloved! submit to stern neces- deliver it secretly to Sir Thomas Egerton. I sity, and preserve the menaced throne to your- shall await him toward dusk. You will conself and your children. What we lose to-day, duct him to my cabinet by the private stairwe may regain to-morrow. There will be case." better times, when you will recover your The wily Frenchwoman, who suspected, authority and your royal power. You know perhaps, an illicit liaison, looked inquiringly at the fickleness of the people; although they her mistress. are now rebelling against you, they may in a "Go! " said the queen, impatiently; "lose few weeks prostrate themselves at your feet. no time, and be as silent as the grave." Prudent concessions accomplish frequently a The elegant, musk-scented note of the great deal more than obstinate stubbornness. queen, which contained an invitation to a It was not Achilles, with his savage strength, tete-d-tite at an unusual time, filled the passionbut the wily Ulysses with his ingenuity, that ate youth with no little excitement. Hopes vanquished the Trojans. Imitate the example and fears agitated his heart, and, a prey to the set by Ulysses, who, after sustaining many most intense impatience, he counted the slowly THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRACY-EXECUTION 8F STRAFFORD. 181 passing hours of the day until the moment Earl of Strafford, but also the threatened throne. came which promised him so much happiness. He who takes its execution upon himself may He cautiously approached the indicated door, imperil his head in case the plan should miswhich, according to his agreement with Ma- carry." dame de Motteville, opened to him after he "I should lay it unmurmuringly on the had softly knocked at it three times. Madame block for my queen. Command me; what am de Motteville received him at the door, and I to do?" conducted him to the private cabinet of the "You must set out for the camp this very queen. Henrietta was languidly reclining on night, and try to gain over the army to our a crimson divan. A lamp filled with, per- side. I know that you are intimately acfumed oil shed a magic lustre upon her lovely quainted with most of the officers; besides, and interesting face. She held out, with a you will meet there several friends of mine. winning smile to the dazzled youth, her deli- O'Neale, Pollard, Ashburnham, are devoted to cate hand, which Thomas, kneeling before me and to the king. Jermyn, Percy, Wilmot, her, pressed to his burning lips. and Goring shall assist you. In the first place, "Sir Thomas," said the queen, "I sent for try to win over the commanders, and, next, you in order to ask you to render me an im- the soldiers; I shall furnish you.with the neportant service." cessary funds for this purpose." "Ask my life, and I will give it up for you "And what is to be done in case my miswith the utmost willingness!" exclaimed sion should succeed?" Thomas, in an ecstasy of delight. "The first object to be attained is to in"I was not mistaken in counting upon you. timidate the Parliament. For this purpose, Be seated, and listen calmly to me; but we have a strong petition to the king and Parliamust have no witnesses." ment drawn up, and get it subscribed by the The queen made a sign to Madame de army. This petition must be written very Motteville, who locked the door carefully, carefully. The petitioners mut represent the lowered the crimson curtains, and left the great and unexampled concessions made by room. Nevertheless, we cannot doubt that the king for the security of public peace and Madame de Motteville overheard the following liberty; the endless demands of certain inconversation by applying her ear to the thin satiable and turbulent spirits, whom nothing partition, and glancing from time to time less will content than a total subversion of through the key-hole. She was, however, dis- the ancient constitution; the frequent tumults appointed in her expectations, as neither the which these factious malcontents have exqueen nor her adorer overstepped in any man- cited, and which endanger the liberty of Parner the bounds of propriety, or of the tone liament. To prevent these mischiefs, let the prevailing in court circles. Keeping at a re- army offer to come up and guard that asspectful distance, Thomas contented himself sembly." with silently admiring'the charms of his "But would it not be better for us to lead august mistress. After a short pause the the army at once to London, and disperse the queen said to him: Parliament by its aid? " " I have need of a resolute and discreet man " Certainly it would, but I am afraid of the who shrinks from no danger whatever; such lukewarmness of many officers, and of the sola one I believe I have found in you. I have diers who are still imbued with attachment to conceived a plan, destined to save not only the the constitution; besides, the people would 182 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. immediately take up arms and resist such entirely forgotten the quarrel which he had high-handed measures. For the present, we had with him some time before. The officers must try to retain the semblance of law, and met at his tent, and bound themselves by a fight Parliament with its own weapons. As it solemn oath to keep the utmost secrecy, and is menacing and intimidating the government second the queen's plan to the best of their by means of petitions and seditious tumults, ability. A banquet of the reckless cavaliers so we will now pursue the same course toward closed the consultation. They drank a great it. If the House of Commons sees the army deal of wine, and, in their defiant mood, siding with us, it will become more pliable, quaffed many a cup in honor of the queen,.and comply with our wishes. We may then coupling with the toast the most imprudent demand of it Strafford's release, and still other threats against Parliament. Billy Green, who concessions. You see, therefore, how much was standing behind his master's chair, caredepends on a rapid and careful execution of fully treasured up every word he heard. On this plan." the following morning Thomas hastened back " I will set out this very hour." to London, to inform the queen of the results "Count upon my unbounded gratitude. of his mission. Jermyn had promised him to Deliver these letters to Jermyn and Percy; get the petition subscribed immediately, and they are to be your credentials. Tell them, to deliver it himself, at the head of all the offihowever, to burn them immediately in your cers, to the Parliament. However, no sooner presence." had Thomas, relying on this promise, left the Thomas took the letters from the queen's camp, than the insidious courtier summoned hands, although he would have much preferred his friends, Wilmot, O'Neale, Pollard, and to bear the dangers and reap the honor of the Goring to his tent. HIe told them he did not enterprise all alone. At the same time Henri- disapprove at all of the plan of her majesty etta handed him a large sum of money, which the queen, but was utterly dissatisfied with she had realized by the sale of some of her the choice of the confidant of whose services jewels. She took the most gracious farewell she had availed herself on this occasion. of the youth, who left her cabinet fully de- "I believe," he said, "there are other men termined, if need be, to sacrifice his life for who might conduct such an enterprise far bethis adored mistress. He ordered Billy Green ter than a beardless stripling, who has passed in hot haste to saddle his horse, and, attended only a few months at court. We must not by his shrewd footman, set out immediately suffer such a spirit of favoritism. Moreover, for the camp. On his arrival there, he fulfilled his imprudence may involve us in fearful danwithout delay the commission intrusted to gers. If Parliament should hear of the conhim. Most of;the officers assured him that spiracy, we should be hopelessly lost." they would energetically second her majesty's "What are we to do?" asked Goring, who plan, and by means of the money which he began to tremble for his head. " Already too had brought with him, and scattered with many men know of the secret. Therefore, it lavish hands, he hoped to gain over a majority will be best for us to take the matter into our of the soldiers, who were displeased at some own hands, and drop Egerton entirely. We marks of preference given by the Commons to will draw up the petition, and, instead of subthe Scots. scribing it, submit it to the king to sign it. The insidious Jermyn feigned the greatest When his name heads those of the other devotion towards Thomas, and seemed to have signers, we have nothing to fear. Under his THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRACY-EXECUTION OF STRAFFORD. 183 sanction, we may present the petition with mutual espionage and treachery; both the perfect impunity to the House of Commons." court and Parliament availed themselves of the This proposition met with unanimous ap- lowest tools to watch each other. The conplause. The same cavaliers who, a few months science of parties is never very scrupulous in afterward, fought with the greatest valor and the choice of means, provided they are carcuintrepidity for the king, and in courage yielded lated to lead to the desired ends. Billy Green to none of their adversaries, were now filled counted already in anticipation the gold-pieces with cowardly fear of the authority of Parlia- which he hoped to receive for his treachery. ment, and cautiously retired behind the aegis No sooner had he reached London, than he of the royal name. However, their prudence went to Pym, the well-known leader of the was in vain. Billy Green had lived at court, opposition. and became acquainted with the demoralization, "What will you give me," asked the imperfidy, and venality reigning there. The re- pudent fellow, "if I betray to you a secret on suit of Strafford's trial had greatly shaken his which the safety of Parliament depends?" confidence in the power of the king, and shown Pym fixed his cold, piercing eyes on the him both the authority of Parliament and the vagabond. sentiments of the people. He possessed a "You do not look like one to whom anycertain political instinct, and under different body would intrust an important secret; but circumstances he might have become a sue- let me hear what you know." cessful politician. He was satisfied that he "Not before I have secured my reward." could no longer derive much benefit from his "If your information is really important, connection with the royal cause; and although you will be liberally rewarded." at bottom he was filled with aversion to the "All right, sir. Let me tell you, then, that ruling party, owing to its Puritanic austerity, he my master and the most distinguished officers felt attracted toward it, like all mean men who have agreed to disperse Parliament by the aid follow the tide and join the victorious side. of the army, under the pretext of protecting He knew, besides, that a rogue and hypocrite the Commons." might do just as he pleased under the mask Have you any proofs?" of virtue, and that at bottom even the sternest "I knew you would not trust my word, and Puritans were men, secretly drank their wine, took my steps accordingly. Read these letters and kissed their sweethearts. These ideas which the queen herself has written." had long filled the mind of the shrewd vaga- "And how did you obtain them?" bond, and he only waited for an opportunity "In a very simple manner. I was into leave his master and turn his political and structed to throw them into the fire, but prereligious coat. His sympathies for his young ferred to keep them." master had never been strong enough to in- "You were right in so doing, and are enduce him to sacrifice for them his self-interest, titled to a liberal reward. Take this purse on and the prospect of obtaining a large reward. account. Parliament will take care of you. Such thoughts engrossed the attention of For the present you may return to your master, Billy Green during the journey from the camp and when you have additional news of importo London. IHe had accidentally discovered tance for me, you know where to find me." a secret which he resolved to turn to account, Billy Green withdrew, overjoyed and well and sell as dearly as possible to the enemies satisfied with the reward, and with the prosof the government. This was the time of pect of a lucrative position which Pyrm had 184 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. held out to him. On the way back to his well as the queen, whose complicity, moreover, master's rooms, however, he felt some remorse, was clearly established by the autograph letters and resolved to caution Thomas. delivered to Pym. "Every one," argued Billy to himself, "is The failure of this project damaged the in duty bound to take care of himself. It is royal cause far more than its success would not until he is through with his own affairs have benefited it. The charges heretofore that he can think of others. My master, who, preferred against Charles and his consort were on the whole, has treated me tolerably well, reiterated with redoubled vehemence. But shall see that I am grateful. I fulfil my duty the immediate consequence was, that the unto myself and to my fellow-men. At bottom fortunate Strafford's execution became inevitaSir Thomas must thank me for preventing ble. The people demanded his head with the him from committing such an act of extreme utmost impetuosity, and all the pulpits refolly. A change of air will do him good, and sounded with violent denunciations of his adthe sooner he gets away from here the better herents. Execrated by the populace, urged for him. I will write him a letter, and tell by the entreaties of his advisers and the tears him that it will be best for him to leave Lon- of the queen to raise no further obstacles to don." the execution of the prisoner, Charles neverSo saying, Billy Green went to the next theless made a last effort in Strafford's behalf. tavern, where he refreshed himself with a He sent by the hands of his little son, the glass of wine; he then requested one of the Prince of Wales, a letter addressed to the waiter to convey to Sir Thomas Egerton a peers, in which he requested them to confer letter which he had written to him in a dis- with the Commons about a mitigation of Strafguised hand, and in which he informed him ford's sentence, and begged at least for some that every thing was betrayed, and that he delay. But all remained deaf to the voice of could save his life only by speedy flight. the father and the intercession of the child. On the same day Pym opened the matter in Strafford was prepared for every extremity the House. The disclosure concerning the after being abandoned by those whom he had conspiracy of the officers was received with most loved and served on earth. Neverthegeneral indignation, and the House resolved at less, when it was announced to him that the once that the guilty parties should be pros- king had signed the death-warrant, nature ecuted with inexorable rigor. Constables were triumphed over resignation, and a reproach sent out to take them into custody. Thomas escaped him in his grief. "Nolite fidere prinhad received Billy Green's letter and made his cipibus et filiis hominum," he cried, raising lois escape in time. He took the road to Wales, hands in astonishment toward the vaulted where his sister Alice was living with her hus- ceiling of his prison, " quia n9on est salus in band. He hoped his place of concealment illis." " Put not your trust in princes, nor in there would not be discovered. Percy suc the sons of men, for in them there is no help." ceeded likewise in finding a safe hiding-place, He requested to be allowed a short interand Jermyn deemed it prudent to go to France view with Archbishop Laud, imprisoned in the and wait there for the storm to blow over. Tower on a similar charge with himself. This Goring, however, was arrested and examined interview, in which the two royalists hoped to by a committee of the House of Commons. fortify each other for life or death, was reA prey to the most abject terror, he made a fused. "Well," said Strafford to the govfull confession, and betrayed his friends as ernor of the Tower, "at least tell the arch THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRACY-EXECUTION OF STRAFFORD. 185 bishop to place himself to-morrow at his win- bridesman. This block," pointing to that upon dow at the hour when I pass to the scaffold, which he was about to lay his head, " will be that I may bid him a last farewell." my pillow, and I shall repose there well, withThe next day it was pressed upon Strafford out pain, grief, or fear." to ask for a carriage to convey him to the Having ascended the scaffold with his brothplace of execution, for fear the fury of the er and friends, he knelt for a moment as if to people should anticipate the executioner, and salute the place of sacrifice; he soon arose, tear from his hands the victim denounced by and looking around upon the innumerable and Pym and the orators of the House of Com- silent multitude which covered the hill and mons as the public enemy. "No," replied Tower of London, the place of execution, he Strafford; " I know how to look death and the raised his voice in the same audible and firm people in the face; whether I die by the hand tone which he was accustomed to use in the of the executioner or by the fury of the popu- House of Commons, that theatre of 4is majeslace, if it should so please them, matters little tic eloquence. to me." "People," he said, "who are assembled In passing under the archbishop's window here to see me die, bear witness that I desire in the prison-yard, Strafford recollected his for this kingdom all the prosperity that God request of the previous night, and raised his can bestow. Living, I have done my utmost eyes toward the iron bars, which prevented to secure the happiness of England; dying, it him from seeing Laud distinctly. He could is still my most ardent wish; but I beseech only perceive the thin and trembling hands of each one of those who now hear me, to lay his the old man stretched out between the bars, hand upon his heart, and examine seriously if trying to bless him as he passed on to death. the commencement of a salutary reform ought Strafford knelt in the dust and bent his to be written in characters of blood. Ponder head. " My lord," he said to the archbishop, this well upon your return home. God grant " let me have your prayers and benediction." that not a drop of mine may be required at The heart of the old prelate sank at the yourhands! I fear, however, that you cannot sound of his voice and emotion, and he fainted advance by such a fatal path." in the arms of his jailers while uttering a part- After Strafford had spoken these words of ing prayer. anxious warning to his country, he again knelt, " Farewell, my lord," cried Strafford; " may and prayed with all the signs of humble fervor God protect your innocence! " for upward of a quarter of an hour. Then, He then walked forward with a firm step, hearing a low murmur: either of pity or imalthough suffering from the effects of illness patience in the crowd, he arose, and addressand debility, at the head of the soldiers, who ing those who immediately surrounded him, appeared to follow rather than to escort said, "All will soon be over. One blow will him. render my wife a widow, my children orphans, Strafford's brother accompanied him weep- and deprive my servants of their master. God ing. "Brother," he said, " why do you grieve be with them and you! thus? Do you see any thing in my life or death " Thanks to the internal strength that God which can cause you to feel any shame? Do has given me," he added, while removing his I tremble like a criminal, or boast like an upper garment, and tucking up his hair, that atheist? Come, be firm, and think only that nothing might interfere with the stroke of the this is my third marriage, and that you are my axe upon his neck, " I take this off with as 186 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. tranquil a spirit as I have ever felt when taking respect, in a passage of " Paradise Lost," as it off at night upon retiring to rest." follows: He then made a sign to the executioner to "But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Unchecked, and of her roving is no end: approach, pardoned him for the blood he was nch, an hr r g is n Till warned, or by experience taught, she learn, about to shed, and laid his head upon the block, That not to know at large of things remote looking up, and praying to Heaven. His head From use, obscure and subtle, ut to know That which before us lies in daily life, rolled at the feet of his friends. "God save Is the prime wisdom: what is more, is fume." the king!" cried the executioner, holding it It was in this manner that he developed the up to exhibit it to the people. minds of his pupils by strengthening their morality, arousing their latent energy, and familiarizing them with the duties and tasks of practical life, without neglecting their sci* CHAPTER XIV. entific studies. Notwithstanding the scrupulous conscientiousness with which Milton disMILTON'S MARRIAGE-RUPTURE BETWEEN THE vL S M3E N charged his duties as a teacher, he found KING AND PARLIAMENT. leisure to take part in the great events of the DURING these tragic scenes Milton had re- times, and in the discussion of the questions turned from Italy. His sojourn in foreign agitating the public mind. He did not possess lands, his intercourse with the most distin- that objective calmness, or rather indifference, guished and illustrious men, had ripened his un- which would have led him to be an idle lookerderstanding; the youth had become a man. on of the struggle, keeping aloof from the The time of idle reveries and poetical enthusi- contests of parties, and secluding himself anxasm was past for him; he longed for a serious iously from the world. The time for writing and useful field of action, a permanent and poetry was past for him at present, and life well-regulated occupation. In the first place, imposed graver duties on him. Well prepared he resolved to carry into effect the plan he had by thorough theological and political studies, conceived long since, and become a teacher of he felt called upon to break his silence and youth. The profession of a teacher was at that espouse the cause of liberty in the most entime neither very honorable nor lucrative; yet ergetic manner. Since Strafford's death and Milton did not hesitate a moment to devote Laud's arrest, Parliament had devoted a great himself to the service of mankind. He moved deal of attention to the affairs of the Episcopal into an humble house in the neighborhood of Church. The bishops were chiefly to blame St. Bride's churchyard, and instructed there for the oppressive measures adopted against his two nephews, John and Edward Phillips, the dissenters. Milton attacked their pretenthe sons of his sister, as well as several boys sions in a short treatise, which exposed the who were confided to him. He devoted him- disastrous consequences of their system, and self to his task with the most disinterested urgently demanded a thorough reform in matzeal, and followed out his own system, the re- ters of faith. Written in an enthusiastic and sult of mature reflection. In his opinion, a dignified style, his treatise created the greatest complete course of education should enable the sensation both among friends and foes. The pupils to discharge all the duties of public and author was admired, applauded, and attacked. domestic life, of war and peace, in a skilful, Several replies were published, and Milton able, and thorough manner. He afterward noticed them in a becoming manner. Before expressed the principles guiding him in this long the poet was also famous as a political MILTON'S MARRIAGE. 187 essayist. The most distinguished members of marry and settle before your old father dies. Parliament, and especially the younger Vane, You have already reached an age when'it is visited him in his retirement and became his not good for man to be alone.' The enthusifriends. He was requested to come to the astic dreams of youth are behind you, and Rota, that political club which was the model your judgment must have told you that wedof all subsequent societies of the same descrip- ded life only is the source of true happiness. tion. On appearing there, he saw himself sur- Follow my advice, and hesitate no longer to rounded by numbers of young and old men gladden your old father's heart by complying who ardently longed to enter into relations of with his wishes. I shall not leave London unintimate friendship with him. Especially was til you consent to accompany me, and, at least, he soon on terms of great cordiality with the make the acquaintance of the girl whom I have brave and liberal Overton, whom we have met selected for you. If you do not like her, you already in Haywood Forest, where he attended will, at least, have complied with my wishes, the secret service of the Puritans, and chas- and may follow your own inclinations." tised with his sword the arrogant Thomas Milton yielded to his father's entreaties, and Egerton. He felt attracted to Milton, and the accompanied him to his country-seat in order stern, austere republican became the life-long to see his young intended. Close to his father's friend of the poet. house there lived a wealthy country gentleMilton, however, did not suffer himself to be man, Richard Powell, whose daughter Mary, a unduly involved in the whirlpool of politics, but blooming girl of nineteen, made a very favormaintained even here a certain independence. able impression upon the poet. She was of The party whose cause he espoused was nei- slender form, and her rosy face, surrounded ther that of Parliament nor that of the extreme with a mass of blond ringlets, combined many republicans and religious fanatics, but that of a sweet charm with youthful freshness. She liberty, common-sense, and justice. Amidst was not destitute of accomplishments, and these manifold labors and occupations he was seemed to possess a serene and pleasant temone day surprised by his father, who visited per. In her eyes, too, the delicate and intelhim at his house. After their first greetings lectual beauty of the poet's face found favor, were over, the venerable old man, who was the more readily as she longed to marry as filled with tender solicitude for the welfare of soon as possible, and exchange her rural surhis son, spoke of a subject to which he had roundings for the noisy and brilliant life of the already frequently alluded in his letters to capital. Like a true daughter of Eve, she was Milton. exceedingly fond of fine attire, diversions, and " I think," said his father, after a few intro- amusements, all of which she hoped to obtain dudtory remarks, " it is time for you to marry. by her marriage to a gentleman from the city. You can no longer remain a bachelor. If you Her wit and good-humor caused Milton to overhave not yet made a choice, I should like to look many a fault of her education, and her point out to you a young girl who lives in my voluptuous gracefulness prevented him from neighborhood, and would certainly be a good perceiving that she lacked depth of the heart partner for you." and mind. "I cannot make up my mind so easily," re- A kind of resignation which had seized his plied the poet, who thought of Leonora Baroni soul facilitated the conclusion of this union. at this moment. His female ideals had escaped him, partly by "And yet I am very anxious that you should his own fault, partly by that of others. Alice 188 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Egerton had become Carbury's wife, and lived little or no attention to politics. The merry, with him in Wales; since his return to Eng- harmless life at Powell's house afforded a land he had not had any news from her. pleasant diversion to the poet, and after the She was lost to him, and, as he was obliged to bustle and excitement reigning at the capital admit to himself, owing to his foolish self- the tranquillity of the country-seat made a abnegation. In Leonora Baroni he had met most agreeable impression upon him. Origiwith a truly artistic nature, but as a woman nally he intended to stay only a few days at she had been unable to satisfy the longings Forest Hill; but he passed several weeks in of his ardent heart. He was downcast now, the company of fair Mary, who received his and had obtained the conviction that weakness proposals most favorably, and, after the lapse was the inheritance of woman, and that no of a month, accompanied him as his wife to woman was entirely faultless. London. There, however, she was grievously The cheerful life which the inmates of For- disappointed; instead of the brilliant life to est Hill were leading, and the cordial recep- which she had looked forward so longingly, tion with which he met at their hands, pre- she saw herself confined to the house of a vented these thoughts from fully maturing in young scholar, and to the intercourse with his mind. A gay spirit reigned at Richard him and his few friends and pupils. Powell's house. The tables were loaded down Immediately after his marriage, Milton rewith good cheer, and there was no lack of sumed his former studies and occupations, wine and old ale. The hospitality of the leaving the management of the household afhouse was well known all over the county, fairs to his young wife. Mary, however, did and there were not wanting to it guests old not like this at all; neither wedded life nor and young, who gave zest to the repast by her position in London was in accordance with their jests and witticisms. Red-nosed squires the expectations she had entertained in regard from the vicinity, with their sons, and broken- to them. She had dreamed of festivals, dances, down cavaliers, who liked to feast at the ex- amusements, and parties, but the capital was pense of other people, flocked to the house in utterly averse to such pleasures. The playlarge numbers. In the spacious hall the mer- houses were empty or closed; flutes and viory company was seated round the large fire- lins were silent; the most popular amuseplace, in which a whole forest seemed to burn. ments had gone out of fashion. Neither bearApples were roasted at the fire and thrown baiting nor cock-fights attracted any spectahissing into the foaming beer. Amid loud tors, and the circus and arena were lonely and laughter, the young folks amused themselves deserted. On the other hand, the churches with the game of forfeits, during which many a were filled with vast crowds, listening attenkiss was half snatched from rosy lips, half tively to the popular pulpit orators. The more given by them, while the old folks, seated in vehemently they inveighed against the former their large easy-chairs, were conversing about amusements of the people, the more eagerly days long gone by, and telling stories of the they were listened to. Men and women laid past. aside their silken garments, and all their orHere was still to be met merry old England, naments and trinkets, and dressed in plain full of exuberant mirth and good-natured hu- black or brown. In obedience to their enthumor; the noise and quarrels of parties had siastic convictions, or to hypocrisy-as the not yet penetrated into this hospitable house. power of the Puritans was constantly on the All drank the health of the king, and paid increase-they put on very sanctimonious airs, MILTON'S MARRIAGE. 189 and renounced all the joys of the world. Pub- discovered another conspiracy, the plot of the lic banquets and balls were abominations in the officers having proved so lucrative for him. eyes of the pious, and even a harmless jest The two honorable men informed the Comwas considered a grievous sin. The streets of mons that, walking in the fields, they had London mostly exhibited a gloomy aspect, and hearkened to the discourse of certain persons the daily turpults and alarms filled the mind unknown to them. A hundred and eight rufwith terror and anxiety. The leaders of the fians, they learned, had been appointed to opposition, for reasons easy to divine, favored murder a hundred and eight lords and comthese disorders; they constantly feigned fears moners, and were promised rewards for these of the treacherous schemes of their adversa- assassinations at the rate of ten pounds for ries, whom they charged with all sorts of each lord, and forty shillings for each comwell-grounded or utterly fictitious projects to moner. Billy and his friend did not hesitate disperse Parliament and subvert the constitu- to swear to their statements. New arrests, tion. mostly of innocent persons, were the natural Billy Green had a great deal to do now. consequence of such false information, which, The shrewd vagabond was employed as a hired in a time of general excitement, was only too spy and informer, and made daily reports to readily credited. his patron Pym. To inspire more confidence, At last Charles seemed to awake from his he had assumed the bearing and garb of a apathy. Frightened by the progress which devout Puritan. He had his hair cropped, Parliament made every day, tired of the conwore a pointed hat, exchanged his embroidered cessions he had already made, and irritated at doublet for a brown woollen coat, and his the resistance with which he met nevertheless, white collar was of exaggerated breadth. he suffered himself to,be led on to a highHanging his head, with eyes downcast and handed step which added fresh fuel to the hands clasped in prayer, he was always prowl- flames of the revolution, and involved him in ing in the neighborhood of Parliament, so as the most disastrous consequences. He reto be always on hand when he was needed. solved to seize the leaders of the opposition at He was highly successful in imitating his pat- a blow. For this purpose, he sent Herbert, terns; he assumed a most sanctimonious air, the attorney-general, to the House of Lords to and took care to interlard his conversation enter an accusation of high-treason against with pious phrases and Biblical quotations. Lord Kimbolton and five commoners, Hollis, In this new guise he appeared every day with Sir Arthur Hazlerig, Hampden, Pym, and fresh information, partly true, partly false, for Strode. The articles were to the effect that which he received a round price. Whenever they had traitorously endeavored to subvert matter was lacking, he did not shrink from the fundamental laws and government of the inventing stories, in which his lively imagina- kingdom, to deprive the king of his regal tion rendered him valuable service. He had power, and to impose on his subjects an arbiformed a regular society of fellows like him- trary and tyrannical authority; that they had self, in order, if need be, to have with him invited and encouraged the Scots to invade witnesses who might confirm his statements, England, and had actually raised and counteand who had acquired great fluency in perjur- nanced tumults against the king and Parliaing themselves. ment. Great was the astonishment and indigBy the aid of a boon companion, a broken- nation of the assembly, whose liberty and exdown tailor, named Beale, Billy Green had istence were threatened by this step; but the 190 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. members had not leisure to wonder at the in- having been seated, he made the following discretion of the king. A sergeant-at-arms speech: followed the attorney-general, and, in the' Gentlemen, I am sorry for this occasion king's name, demanded of the House the five of coming to you. Yesterday I sent a sermembers; he was sent back without any posi- geant-at-arms to demand some who, by my ortive answer. The king employed messengers der, were accused of high-treason, Instead of to search for them and arrest them. Their obedience, I received a message. I must here trunks, chambers, and studies were sealed and declare to you, that though no king that ever locked. The House voted all these acts of was in England could be more careful of your violence to be breaches of privilege, and privileges than I shall be, yet in cases of treacommanded every one to defend the liberty son no person has privilege. Therefore am I of the members. The king, irritated by all come to tell you, that I must have these men this opposition, resolved to come in person to wheresoever I can find them. Well, since I the House, with the intention of demanding, see all the birds are flown, I do expect that perhaps of seizing in their presence, the per- you will send them to me as soon as they resons whom he had accused. turn. But I assure you, on the word of a This revolution was betrayed before it was king, I never did intend any force, but shall carried into execution, and intelligence was proceed against them in a fair and legal way; privately sent to the five members. The for I never meant any other. And now, since Countess of Carlisle, Strafford's former mis- I see I cannot do what I came for, I think this tress, since the death of the earl, whose ruin no unfit occasion to repeat what I have said she not unjustly attributed to the king's weak- formerly, that whatever I have done in favor ness, had entered into a secret understanding and to the good of my subjects, I do intend with the leaders of the opposition. The beau- to maintain it." tiful countess was a lady of spirit, wit, and When the king was looking around for the intrigue. So long as Strafford was the fore- accused members, he asked the speaker, who most statesman in England, she was faithfully stood below, whether any of these persons attached to him, and her ambition felt flattered were in the House. The speaker, falling on by his love and homage. After his death she his knee, prudently replied: "I have, sire, cast out her nets for Pym, the most influential neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this leader of the opposition. Like Dame Fortune, place, but as the House is pleased to direct she always followed the victor, and turned her me, whose servant I am. And I humbly ask back without shame or remorse upon the van- pardon that I cannot give any other answer to quished. As lady of honor to the queen, she what your majesty is pleased to demand of was informed of all the plans of the court, and me." did not hesitate to warn her new favorites of The Commons were in the utmost disorder; the danger menacing them. and when the king was departing, some memThe king, accompanied by a numerous ret- bers cried aloud, "Privilege! privilege!" inue, and by two hundred soldiers armed with That evening the accused members, to show halberts, repaired to the House. He left the the greater apprehension, removed into the latter at the door, and advanced alone through city, which was their fortress. The citizens the hall, while all the members rose to receive were in arms the whole night. Some people, him. The speaker withdrew from his chair, who were appointed for that purpose, or perand the king took possession of it. After haps actuated by their own terrors, ran from MILTON'S MARRIAGE. 191 gate to gate, crying out that the cavaliers On a corner sat an old man; it was the were coming to burn the city, and that the austere Henderson. When the king drew king himself was at their head. Billy Green, nigh, the zealous Puritan rose and called out accompanied by a crowd of armed apprentices with a loud voice, " To your tents, O Israel! " and idlers, moved from one quarter of the city the words employed by the mutinous Israelto another, and added to the tumult. He met ites when they abandoned Rehoboam, their several officers and partisans of the king, rash and ill-counselled sovereign. Charles and he entered into a violent altercation. was frightened by the fanatical fury which "Down with the cavaliers, with the blood- Henderson's wild glances flashed at him. hounds! " he cried out in a thundering voice. "Who are you? " he said to the Puritan. "Down with the roundheads, with the vil- " A servant of the Lord," replied the gloomy lanous Puritans! " was the furious reply. fanatic, "who has come to warn thee.' Mene, From words they passed to blows; the ap- mene, tekel!'" prentices brandished their bludgeons mounted The king ordered his coachman to drive with iron; the cavaliers drew their swords, faster, in order to escape from the crowd, but and soon there was a general melee. But, while Henderson's cry of" Mene, mene, tekel! " purthe populace and the courtiers were breaking sued him incessantly. He arrived at his paleach other's heads, the wily vagabond deemed ace in utter exhaustion, and sank into gloomy it prudent to sneak away, and let others fight reflections. out the quarrel which he had stirred up. Meanwhile Parliament had resolved that the Next morning Charles resolved to make accused members should, with a triumphant some concessions, in order to allay the general and military procession, take their seats in excitement. He sent to the mayor, and or- the House. The river was covered with boats dered him to call the Common Council im- and other vessels, laden with small pieces of mediately. About ten o'clock, he himself, at- ordnance, and prepared for fight. Skippon, tended only by three or four lords, went to whom Parliament had appointed major-genGuildhall. He told the Common Council that eralof the city militia, conducted the members, he was sorry to hear of the apprehensions en- at the head of this tumultuary army, to Westtertained of him; that he was come to them minster Hall. The more to intimidate the without any guard, in order to show how king, Parliament renewed the expedient of pemuch he relied on their affections; and that he titioning. Billy Green displayed the most ashad accused certain men of high -treason, tonishing activity on this occasion, and showed against whom he would proceed in a legal great skill in collecting and forging signatures. way, and therefore presumed that they would At the head of his apprentices, he presented not meet with protection in the city. to the House a petition signed by six thousand After many other gracious expressions, he persons, who promised to live and die in detold one of the two sheriffs, who was thought fence of the privileges of Parliament. It is the least inclined to his service, that he would true, many did not know what they had subdine with him. Yet he departed from the scribed, and were by no means willing to be hall without' receiving the applause which he taken at their word. The very women were expected. In passing through the streets, he seized with the same rage, owing to Billy's heard the cry, "Privilege of Parliament!- persuasive eloquence. One day he appeared privilege of Parliament!" resounding from all with several thousand women, headed by a quarters. corpulent brewer's wife, with whom he was 192 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. well acquainted. The latter, who, with her the sore troubles of the kingdom. Under little black mustache and bloated face, looked these circumstances she resolved to leave Englike a man rather than a woman, demanded, land and escape to Holland. In order to facilin her own name and in that of her sisters, to itate her escape, she advised the king to make be admitted to the House in order to present further concessions. However, the more he a petition, in which the petitioners expressed yielded, the more exorbitant became the detheir terror of the papists and prelates. They mands of the opposition, whose leaders inhad been necessitated, they said, to imitate troduced a bill, which was passed, transferring the example of the women of Tekoah; and the control of the armed force of the kingdom they claimed equal rights with the men, be- from the king to Parliament, or rather to its cause Christ had purchased them at as dear a partisans among the officers of the army. rate, and in the free enjoyment of Christ con- Charles refused to sanction this bill, and as sists equally the happiness of both sexes. his position at the capital became daily more Pym came to the door of the House. A sar- precarious, he resolved to remove farther from castic smile played round his lips when he London, and went to York, where he issued a thanked the brewer's wife for her zeal. public manifesto against the encroachments of "My fair friends," he said, with a hypocriti- Parliament, and prepared likewise for war. cal air of cordiality, "cook and wash for your Civil war, then, was declared, and the sword husbands, and, if you have any time to spare, was to decide the great question of the times. pray for the success of the Commons." The women retired with loud shouts of "Long live Pym! Long live Parliament! " Under such circumstances Charles's last CHAPTER XV hope was the House of Lords, a great many MILTON AND HIS "WIFE —WAR DECLARED. of whom were faithfully devoted to him, and MILTON AND IS WIFEWAR DELARED. opposed the encroachments of the Commons ON a bleak evening in March, Milton's young upon the authority of the king. Hence, the wife was seated in her humble room. The leaders of the opposition endeavored to turn wild equinoctial storms howled around the public opinion against the Peers and shake house; snow and rain pelted noisily the closed their authority. Every act of opposition to window-shutters, and the wind rushed down the Commons was regarded as a crime. The into the fireplace and threatened to extinguish populace out of doors were ready to execute, its flames. A small lamp was burning on the from the least hint, the will of their leaders; table, and all around lay books in picturesque nor was it safe for any member to approach disorder. A feeling of profound loneliness either House who pretended to control or op- stole over the young wife; she had dropped pose the general torrent. Both Pym and her needlework on her knees, and stared into Hollis declared loudly that the people must the glare of the coal-fire. Her eyes filled not be restrained in the expression of their with tears when she thought of the fine days just desires. Especially was the queen an ob- she had passed at the house of her parents, ject of their hatred. The rage of the people where merry conversation and pleasant society was, on account of her religion as well as her had never been wanting. Now she had to do spirit and activity, levelled against her. She without both, much as she longed for them. was vehemently denounced, and, in part not Her husband passed most of his time in his unjustly, charged with being at the bottom of school-room with his pupils, and even late at MILTON AND HIS WIFE-WAR DECLARED. 193 night he occupied himself more with his books who had calmly listened to her reproaches. than his wife. The gulf between these two "I shall soon finish the work on which I am entirely different characters widened every now engaged, and we will then pass the evenday. The light-hearted wife was unable to ing together. My friend Overton will take appreciate the lofty aspirations and sublime supper with us." genius of her husband; she thought he neg- " I do not care much about his company. lected her shamefully, and overwhelmed him A fine companion, indeed, is this melancholy with reproaches. Nevertheless, she was pas- Puritan, whom I have never heard laugh yet. sionately fond of her husband, but her affec- In truth, I would rather be alone than have tion was entirely egotistical; she was intent this mournful fellow about me." on possessing him exclusively, and was jealous "You would do well to speak in more reeven of the books, which, in her opinion, en- spectful terms of your husband's friends," said grossed him by far too much. Milton. "Mr. Overton is a gentleman distinAfter brooding for some time over her sup- guished alike by his mind and character." posed grievances, she suddenly sprang to her "Of course, you prefer his company to that feet and by her quick movement threw a few of your wife. You will sit together again, folio volumes from the table. Instead of talk of the wretched Parliament, and inveigh taking them up, she disdainfully pushed them against the poor bishops, who are a thousand aside with her small foot, and wreaked in this times better than your Overton, no matter manner a childish revenge upon her supposed how pious he may feign to be." enemies. "Mary!" said the poet, beseechingly, "do " You may lie there," she said angrily, kick- not use such language. You allude to a subing the innocent books once more. With a ject which, owing to your. education, you do quick step she then hastened to the door lead- not understand at all. Let us drop this uning to her husband's study. She rapped twice pleasant subject, and go to your kitchen in without receiving a reply; at last her patience order to prepare our supper." was entirely exhausted, and she rushed into "Of course, I am always good enough for the calm asylum of the poet. He seemed not that. The poor wife is to cook, bake, wash, to notice her, and continued writing until she and sew, and that is all. You treat me as a stood before him, her face flushed with anger, slave." and seized his arm. "Your reproaches are utterly unjustified, as "What is the matter? " he asked, irritated I treat you on all occasions, as I do to-day, at being interrupted in his labors. with a forbearance bordering on weakness." "What is the matter?" cried the young "And I repeat that I am only a slave, a wife, greatly excited. "The matter is, that I servant-girl, in your hodse. I must work all can no longer bear the life I am compelled to day, and at night, when all other husbands are lead here. Do you think I married you for with their wives, making visit or going to the purpose of pining away? All day long I parties with them, you pore over your books am confined to my lonely room, and hardly or talk politics with your friends. You conknow how to kill my time, while you are verse eagerly with them, but do not address a buried amidst your books, or repeating Latin word to your poor wife. I am too stupid for words with your school-boys. I cannot stand you; I am not able to appreciate your learnit any longer." ing; I am only a poor ignorant woman, for " Oh, do not get excited," replied Milton, whom you do not care at all." 13 194 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. So saying, Mary burst into tears and loud and leave it to us soldiers to fight out this sobs. Although this scene was by no means struggle." the first of the same description, Milton al- "Then you do not believe in the possibility lowed himself to be touched anew; he pushed of a reconciliation between the king and Parhis books aside, and tried to pacify his excited liament? " wife by his kisses and gentle remonstrances. "If the contest were confined to those two, Mary soon passed from one extreme to the peace might not be impossible; but the strugother. The most playful mirth succeeded to gle is greater, it is much more important and the outburst of her despair, and while the extensive. It is the old war between liberty tears were yet glistening on her' rosy cheeks, and tyranny, between despotism and republicanher crimson lips smiled already, and her eyes ism, between intolerance and freedom of conbeamed with arch gayety. She was a true science. No mediation is possible between daughter of Eve, whimsical as the sky in these two sides. Men no longer oppose men, April, and fickle as the sea. Amid laughter but truth combats falsehood, liberty oppresand jests she hastened to the kitchen to pre-'sion, and despotism law and order. Mortal pare their supper. enemies may be reconciled, but immortal prinAt the wonted hour appeared the expected ciples, eternal contrasts, do not admit of a recguest, whom Mary received more cordially than onciliation: their war will continue to the usual. Milton and Overton were soon engaged day of judgment." in an animated conversation concerning the "Yes," exclaimed Milton, enthusiastically, desperate condition of the country. "it is thus that I imagined the struggle of the "I believe war is inevitable," said Overton. fallen angels with the host of the Lord, of light "Parliament is already levying troops and call- with darkness. I see my dreams embodied, ing out volunteers for the impending struggle. and the creations of my imagination realized. I have likewise enlisted, and received an offi- It is not Charles and Parliament, but the great cer's commission." and mighty contrasts of the world, that are at " I intend to take the same step," replied war, and light will and must triumph." Milton. The entrance of Mary, who brought in the "You?" asked Overton, wonderingly. supper, turned the conversation in another di"That would be downright folly on your rection, and, for his wife's sake, Milton avoided part." further allusions to political affairs. "And why should I not, just as well as you, Unfortunately their domestic peace was disdevote my life to my country, now that it is in turbed again a few days afterward by the ardanger " rival of Mary's parents. Richard Powell, Mil"Because you can le more useful to it with ton's worthy father-in-law, and his wife paid your head than we with our hands. Every one their long-promised visit to London. On his after his own fashion. The scholar is a soldier journey he had passed through York and seen too; his weapon is the pen; it is even sharper the king. His loyal heart was overflowing than the sword, and more pointed than the with devotion and fidelity to Charles and his lance. It requires more courage to declare and cause. The honest country squire of Forest defend one's opinion than to rush into the Hill did not conceal his political sentiments. thickest of the fight on the field of battle. The "How long will it be," said the loyal old mind has achieved more victories than brute gentleman, "until the king recovers his full force. Therefore, stay quietly with your books, authority and returns to London? I was at MILTON AND HIS WIFE-WAR DECLARED. 195 York and saw him in person; he was so affable meet there with any books, nor with learned and condescending that I should have at once conversations, but with a good piece of roastdrawn my sword for him but for my advanced beef, foaming ale, and merry friends and acyears. The whole country, with the exception quaintances, who will be very glad to see you of the accursed capital, shares my sentiments; again." but London will certainly submit as soon as war So saying, the mother-in-law took leave of breaks out in earnest. Hitherto the king has Milton's house. Mary soon followed her adbeen by far too gracious and indulgent. If I vice, and begged leave of her husband to pass were in his place, I should know what to do. a few weeks at the house of her parents. He I should summon all my loyal subjects and willingly complied with her request, and permarch directly upon the accursed city. I would mitted her to stay there till Michaelmas, alcatch a few of the ringleaders, have them strung though her absence inconvenienced him not a up, and the whole fuss would be at an end." little. He hoped that this brief separation Milton contented himself with quietly listen- would exercise a favorable effect upon himself ing to the narrow-minded opinions of the ex- and his wife. A few days after her departure, cellent squire; but when Mr. Powell rebuked his father suddenly arrived at his house. The his son-in-law for his political course, and par- old gentleman had removed to the residence ticularly for his treatise against the authority of his younger son, a lawyer and royalist at of the bishops, he broke his silence, and replied Reading; but at the outbreak of hostilities to his father-in-law with manly dignity. The between Charles and Parliament he deemed discussion terminated in a violent altercation, it prudent to take up his abode at Milton's which led to the speedy departure of the old house in London. He met with the most gentleman. Mary's mother, however, allowed tender and reverential reception at the hands herself to be persuaded by her daughter to stay of his distinguished son. On account of his yet a few days at Milton's house. Mrs. Powell arrival, Milton desired his wife to return at an improved this opportunity, like a genuine early day; but Mary did not seem disposed to mother-in-law, to sow the seeds of as many comply with his wishes; she was too well weeds as possible in the young household; she pleased with the numerous amusements which encouraged Mary in her resistance, and in all she enjoyed at her father's house. Her brothsorts of whims. Never did she fail to dispar- ers and relatives had sided with the king, age Milton in the eyes of his wife, to blame his whose prospects seemed far more hopeful at retired life, and to deride his political views. this juncture than heretofore. Mary was unfortunately a most impressionable In compliance with the king's proclamation, creature, and her mother exercised unlimited the nobility of York and the adjoining counties influence over her. The teachings of the old flocked to the royal headquarters. Before long lady fell into a fertile soil and grew with amaz- he was surrounded by a numerous retinue and ing rapidity. On her departure, Mrs. Powell army; his ministers, Falkland, Hyde, and Coleinvited her daughter urgently to pass the sum- peper, had arrived from London; over forty mer at Forest Hill. peers followed them, and so did many of the "You will be able," said the worthy matron, commoners. From all quarters came country " to recreate and divert yourself there. If you gentlemen, veteran officers, and cavaliers, with do not like to live in London, and with your squads of men; it is true, these soldiers lacked husband, you will always find an asylum in arms, uniforms, ammunition, and, above all your parental home. It is true, you will not things, discipline; but in return they were 196 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. animated with ardent zeal and courage. The to prevail on her to leave York again, represtreets of York exhibited a most lively spec- senting to her that she could not possibly stay tacle. They were crowded with courtiers and there, so near the court, and in the midst of soldiers; the taverns were filled with jovial the camp. But she never tired of overwhelmguests, who never tired of drinking the king's ing him with tearful supplications. health. The cavaliers dragged their long "I am willing," she said, clinging to him, swords noisily over the pavement, and the "to conceal myself from all the world, as I courtiers raised their heads again with their know that my presence might involve you in former haughtiness. The air resounded with unpleasant consequences. Since Billy Green derisive songs about Parliament, the Scots, and left you, you have no footman; let me be your the Puritans, and they were never mentioned servant." but in terms of boastful arrogance. The cava- " That will not do." liers were in the highest spirits, and vented "Oh, let me see to that, I have already their insolence in all sorts of defiant expres- thought of it before now, and procured a boy's sions and jests. Although the queen was still suit, which I will don immediately." in Holland, where, disposing of the crown She took an elegant doublet and a hat from jewels, she had been enabled to purchase a the small bundle which she had brought with cargo of arms and ammunition, most of her her. In a few moments she was disguised former courtiers and adherents had repaired to and appeared in the garb of a page. The York. The handsome Percy, the dissipated close-fitting costume sat very well on her Wilmot, Ashburnham, and O'Neale, had left charming form, and Thomas could not refrain their hiding-places; Jermyn had returned from from admiring her appearance. France, and Thomas Egerton had hastened up "And now," she added, smilingly, "you from Wales as soon as he heard that hostili- will not send me away any more. No one ties were about to break out. All these young will recognize me, and I will be a more faithmen joyfully looked forward to the campaign, ful footman to you than Billy Green ever which they considered an agreeable change in was." their mode of life. Nor were ladies wanting " I am afraid you will be unable to bear the to the new court, and the cavaliers promised fatigues of military life. We shall set out in to perform the most valiant exploits under the a few days, and attack the enemy." eyes of their mistresses. The ladies were by "Have no fears on that head. I can bear no means idle; besides the usual court and love any fatigue if I am allowed to share it with intrigues, they entered into communication you. Henceforth I shall no longer leave your with the most influential men in London, in side., I shall accompany you, even though you order to win them over to the royal cause. go to the ends of the world; I shall nurse you, No sooner had Lucy Henderson heard of undergo all dangers with you, fight by your Thomas Egerton's arrival at York, than she side, and, if you should be wounded, not leave hastened thither. Uttering a cry of joy, she your bedside. I will gladly do all, all; only rushed into the arms of her lover, who was do not drive away your poor Lucy, who for not a little surprised at her arrival. She did your sake sacrificed every thing, and has no not notice the confusion and coolness with one but you in the whole world." which he received her, as the image of the ab- Touched by her self-sacrificing love and gensent queen still engrossed his heart. After erous devotion, Thomas was no longer able to the first outburst of her joy was over, he tried withstand her entreaties, and kept Lucy with SEPARATION OF MILTON AND HIS WIFE. 197 him. No one recognized her in this new garb, at York, fickle Dame Fortune seemed to smile and all believed her to be her master's page. on him again. Surrounded by experienced In the mean time events assumed a more officers, who assisted him in reorganizing his menacing aspect. The king had so far cor- army, he had obtained important victories pleted his preparations that he caused his over his less-disciplined adversaries. His adstandard to be unfurled on the 29th of August. herents, with whom Richard Powell openly It was a stormy evening. The sun set in sympathized, now raised their heads proudly, blood-red clouds. Charles appeared, attended and passed from the deepest dejection to the by his most faithful adherents, on the castle- most overbearing arrogance. The family of hill at York, where a large crowd had assem- Milton's young wife began to repent of having bled to witness the scene. Marshal Verney bestowed their daughter upon a man who bore the colors containing the royal coat-of- sided with the opposition, and had incurred arms, and a hand pointing to the crown, which the displeasure of the court by his work was surmounted by the inscription, "Render against the bishops. They feared lest this unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's." union should discredit their loyal sentiments, The ground was so stony that they were and stain the honor of their escutcheon. Selfhardly able to dig a hole for the flag-staff. interest, too, influenced their course on this The crowd was profoundly impressed with the occasion, inasmuch as they expected that the ceremony, and the king looked even gloomier king, in case he should recover his power, as than usual. Even the arrogant cavaliers ab- seemed more than probable now, would restained from jesting; they foresaw the suf- ward their fidelity in the most liberal manner. ferings which awaited them. The profound Mary was weak enough to listen to their insilence was broken only by the flourishes of sinuations, although she still loved her husthe bugles and the deep roll of the drums. A band. Her mother intentionally withheld Milherald read in a loud voice the declaration of ton's letters from her, so that in this respect war against the rebellious Parliament. All she was much less guilty than she seemed to then took off their hats and shouted, " God be. At times she felt remorse, and made up save the king!" her mind to return to London and to her husThe same night the storm redoubled in band; but these better resolves were always violence and upset the ill-fastened flag-staff. nipped in the bud by her own frivolity and the This occurrence was considered a bad omen bad advice of her parents. Milton's pride was by Charles's partisans. wounded in the most painful manner; he resolved to make another attempt to lead his disobedient wife back to the path of duty. For this purpose he requested his friend OverCHAPTER XVI. ton to go to Forest Hill and bring Mary back to London. This choice was not a happy one; SEPARATION OF MILTON AND HIS WIFE. the young wife had always felt a great averTHE summer was drawing to a close, and sion to the grave and almost gloomy friend of Mary had not yet returned to her husband's her husband. If Milton himself had gone to house. She did not answer his repeated re- her, she would surely have yielded and folquests and letters. However, her parents lowed him; but she received his messenger were most to blame for this unpardonable con- with a coldness bordering on disdain. duct. Since the king had planted his standard "My friend Milton has sent me to you," 198 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. said Overton to her, as soon as he was alone tion in the whole neighborhood. My excellent with her. "Your husband is profoundly husband tears out his gray hair, and his loyal grieved at your conduct, and insists on your heart bleeds at the conduct of his son-in-law; immediate return." wherever he goes, people talk of the accursed "I shall go to him when it suits me," re- scribbler and his contemptible writings. I plied Mary, sullenly. curse the hour that he set foot in our house, " Consider well what you are doing. You and that Mary gave her hand to this beggar!" owe obedience to your husband, according to "And yet," replied Overton, angrily, " this divine as well as human law." beggar took your daughter without the dower "You had better preach your sermons at of one thousand pounds into his house, and your conventicles; we have ndo need of them never demanded nor received the money." here." "A thousand pounds!" cried Mrs. Powell, "For the sake of my friend, I will not take enraged at hearing him mention this fact, umbrage at your insulting remarks. But, which she could not deny. "A thousand above all things, I demand a definite reply, pounds! A thousand stripes he should get whether you will accompany me or not." from us for the ill-treatment which our daughMary reflected and hesitated; she would ter received at his hands. Indeed, a thousand probably have followed her better nature and pounds for such a vagabond!" gone with him, but for her mother, who Mary sought in vain to pacify her angry rushed impetuously into the room and inter- mother; the furious woman was perfectly berupted their conversation. side herself, and gave the reins to her violent " My daughter," cried Mrs. Powell, in the and sordid nature. imperious tone which had become habitual to "I will curse you," she shouted, "if you her, "will stay here; she will not return to only think of returning to Milton. And now, the bookworm, the hypocrite, who feels nei- sir, you have heard our answer; repeat it to ther respect for his majesty nor regard for the your friend, and the sooner you do so the venerable bishops. Tell him that he has no more agreeable it will be to me. At all events, use for a young wife, because he prefers his you have no business here." musty parchments and his miserable friends to Notwithstanding this insulting hint, Overton her society. Neither does Mary long for the deemed himself in duty bound to hear Mary's dry old curmudgeon. My poor daughter re- own reply; but she was so completely under vived only after she had returned to us, for her mother's sway, that she did not dare to she did not even get enough to eat in Lon- contradict her. don." "Tell my husband," she replied to him, eva"But, mother-" interposed Mary, timidly. sively, " that I intend to stay yet a while with "Let me speak out; I will make a fitting my parents." reply to this gentleman. My child is too good Without vouchsafing to her another glance for a schoolmaster, who makes a precarious or word, Overton left Powell's house. No living by giving lessons to naughty boys. Our sooner, however, had he gone, than she felt family is highly respected all over the coun- the keenest remorse, and was near hastening try, and even his majesty (God save him!) after him. It was too late, and only a flood knows us well. Instead of appreciating the of tears bore witness to her repentance and honor we conferred upon him by this union, weakness. However, she soon dried her Mr. Milton disgraces us and ruins our reputa- tears, and her rosy face beamed with childish SEPARATION OF MILTON AND HIS WIFE. 199 joy when her mother, to console her, presented For truth is as impossible to be reached by her with some trinkets, for which her daughter any outward touch as the sunbeam; though had long wished. this ill hap wait on her nativity, that she never Milton awaited his friend's return with the comes into the world, but, like a bastard, to utmost impatience. When Overton had given the ignominy of him that brought her forth; him a detailed account of his unsuccessful mis- till Time, the midwife rather than the mother sion, and of Mary's conduct, he was seized of truth, have washed and salted the infant, with poignant grief, which soon gave way to declared her legitimate." violent anger. "I am afraid you will not only be strenuously "Very well," he said, after a short inward opposed, but those men, to whom no liberty struggle. " Nothing remains for me then but is pleasing but unbridled and vagabond lust, to obtain a divorce." without pale or partition, will laugh broadly "You can hardly hope to accomplish your to see you arguing, as they suppose, in favor purpose, as our church regulations and civi of their debaucheries." laws render it almost impossible for any one "Bad men, like spiders, draw venom from to get a divorce." the most innocent flowers. But this cannot Milton admitted this, and said: prevent us from telling the truth, to wit, that "If it were seriously asked (and this is the honest liberty is the greatest foe to dishonest very question now) who, of all teachers and license. I deem the question of divorce of masters that have ever taught, has drawn the the highest importance to society, although it most disciples after him, both in religion and is not treated yet by any means with the atin manners, it might be not untruly answered, tention which it deserves. Indeed, man's disCustom. Though virtue be commended for position, though prone to search after vain the most persuasive in her theory, and con- curiosities, yet, when points of difficulty are to science in the plain demonstration of the spirit be discussed, appertaining to the removal of finds most evincing, yet, whether it be the se- unreasonable wrong and burden from the percret of divine will, or the original blindness plexed life of our brother, it is incredible how we are born in, so it happens, for the most cold, how dull, and far from all fellow-feeling part, that Custom still is silently received for we are, without the spur of self-concernment. the best instructor, although it fills each estate Now, what thing is more instituted to the of life and profession with abject and servile solace and delight of man than marriage? principles, and depresses the high and heaven- And yet the misinterpreting of some Scripture, born spirit of man far beneath the condition directed mainly against the abusers of the law wherein either God created him, or sin has for divorce, given by Moses, ha; changed the sunk him. Custom is but a mere face, as blessing of matrimony not seldom into a faEcho is a mere voice, and she rests not in her miliar and coinhabiting mischief; at least into unaccomplishment, until, by secret inclination, a drooping and disconsolate household capshe accorporates herself with Error, who, be- tivity, without refuge or redemption. No place ing a blind and serpentine body, without a in heaven or earth, no place except hell, where head, willingly accepts what he wants, and charity may not enter; yet marriage, the orsupplies what her incompleteness went seek- dinance- of our solace and contentment, the ing. Hence it is, that Error supports Custom, remedy of our loneliness, will not admit now Custom countenances Error; and he who op- either of charity or mercy to come in and poses them must submit to slander and enmity. mediate, or pacify the fierceness of this gentle 200 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ordinance, the unremedied loneliness of this knowledge, as this prevention of loneliness to remedy. He who marries, intends as little to the mind and spirit of man. And with all conspire his own ruin as he that swears alle- generous persons married thus it is, that giance; and as a whole people is in proportion where the mind and person pleases aptly, to an ill government, so is one man to an ill there some unaccomplishment of the body's marriage. If they, against any unworthy au- delight may be better borne with, than when thority, covenant, or statute, may, by the the mind hangs off in an unclosing disproporsovereign edict of charity, save not only tion, though the body be as it ought; for their lives but honest liberties from unworthy there all corporal delight will soon become unbondage, as well may he against any private savory and contemptible. And the solitariness covenant, which he never entered to his mis- of man, which God had namely and principally chief, redeem himself from unsupportable dis- ordered to prevent by marriage, has no remedy, turbances to honest peace and just content- but lies under a worse condition than the ment. For no effect of tyranny can sit more loneliest single life; for, in single life, the abheavy on the commonwealth than this house- sence and remoteness of a helper might inure hold unhappiness on the family. And fare- him to expect his own comforts out of himwell all hope of true reformation in the state self, or to seek with hope; but here the conwhile such an evil as this lies undiscerned or tinual sight of his deluded thoughts, without unregarded in the house, on the redress where- cure, must needs be to him, if especially his of depends, not only the spiritual and orderly complexion inclines him to melancholy, a daily life of our own grown men, but the willing trouble and pain of loss, in some degree like and careful education of our children." that which reprobates feel." "( I have no doubt of the correctness of your "For this reason the most careful examinaviews; however, they are not in accordance tion ought to precede the choice of a consort, with the teachings and principles of the and he who resolves to marry should proceed Church, which acknowledges only adultery as with the utmost deliberation." a cause of divorce." "The utmost deliberation and care do not " And yet all sense and equity reclaims, that exclude mistakes in all human matters. The any law or covenant, how solemn or strait so- most deliberate and calm men are generally ever, either between God and man, or man those who have the least practical experience and man, should bind against a prime and in this regard. But it does not follow from principal scope of its own institution. And this that any one, by committing so pardonwhat God's chief end was of creating woman able a mistake, should forfeit his happiness for to be joined with man, His own instituting all his lifetime. Marriage is a covenant, the words declare, and are infallible to inform us very being whereof consists not in a forced cowhat is marriage, and what is no marriage. habitation, and counterfeit performance of du-' It is not good,' saith He,'that man should ties, but in unfeigned love and peace. I do be alone; I will make him a help meet for not know if you are familiar with the parable him.' From which words, so plain, less can- of the ancient sages, which, it seems to me, not be concluded, nor is by any learned in- might be aptly quoted on this occasion." terpreter, than that in God's intention a meet "I am not, and would like to hear it from and happy conversation is the chiefest and the your lips." noblest end of marriage; for we find here no "Eros, the god of love, if he be not twinexpression so necessarily implying carnal born, yet has a brother wondrous like him, SEPARATION OF MILTON AND HIS WIFE. 201 called Anterom; whom while he seeks all about, his objections to Milton's resolution to obtain his chance is to meet with many false and a divorce from Mary. Milton, however, perfeigning desires, that wander singly up and sisted in it, and continued to present additional down in his likeness; by them in their bor- arguments to his friend. rowed garb, Eros, though not wholly blind, as "What can be a fouler incongruity," he said poets wrong him, yet having but one eye, as in the course of the conversation, "a greater being born an archer aiming, and that eye not violence to the reverend secret of nature, than the quickest in this dark region here below, to force a mixture of minds that cannot unite, which is not love's proper sphere, partly out and to sow the sorrow of man's nativity with of the simplicity and credulity which is native seed of two incoherent and uncombining disto him, often deceived, embraces and consorts positions? Generally daily experience shows him with these obvious and suborned striplings, that there is a hidden efficacy of love and as if they were his mother's own sons; for so hatred in man as well as in other kinds, not he thinks them, while they subtilly keep them- moral but natural, which, though not always selves most on his blind side. But after a in the choice, yet in the success of marriage, while, as his manner is when soaring up into will ever be most predominant. But what the high tower of his Apogweum, above the might be the cause, whether each one's allotted shadow of the earth, he darts out the direct genius or proper star, or whether the supernal rays of his then most piercing eyesight upon influence of schemes and angular aspects, or the impostures and trim disguises that were this elemental crasis here below; whether all used with him, and discerns that this is not his these jointly or singly meeting friendly or ungenuine brother as he imagined; he has no friendly in either party, I dare not appear so longer the power to hold fellowship with such much a philosopher as to conjecture. Seeing, a personated mate: for straight his arrows then, there is a twofold seminary, or stock in lose their golden heads and shed their purple nature, from whence are derived the issues of feathers, his silken braids untwine and slip love and hatred, distinctly flowing through the their knots, and that original and fiery virtue whole mass of created things, and that God's given him by fate all on a sudden goes out, and doing ever is to bring the due likenesses and leaves him undeified and despoiled of all his harmonies together, except when out of two force; till finding Anteros at last, he kindles contraries met to their own destruction He and repairs the almost faded ammunition of moulds a third existence; and that it is error his deity by the reflection of a coequal and or some evil angel which either blindly or mahomogeneous fire. Thus mine author sung it liciously has drawn together, in two persons ill to me; and by the leave of those who would embarked in wedlock, the sleeping discords be counted the only grave ones, this is no mere and enmities of nature, lulled on purpose with amatorious novel, but a deep and serious verity some false bait, that they may wake to agony showing us that love in marriage cannot live and Strife, later than prevention could have nor subsist unless it be mutual; and where love wished, if from the bent of just and honest incannot be, there can be left of wedlock noth- tentions beginning what was begun and so coning but the empty husk of an outside matri- tinuing, all that is equal, all that is fair and mony, as undelightful and unpleasing to God possible has been tried, and no accommodaas any other kind of hypocrisy." tion likely to succeed; what folly is it still to Overton had listened approvingly to the par- stand combating and battering against invinable; nevertheless, he renewed again and again cible causes and effects, with evil upon evil, till 202 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. either the best of our days be lingered out, or and fruitless rigor of the most unwarranted ended with some speeding sorrow! If the law." noisomeness or disfigurement of body can soon destroy the sympathy of mind to wedlock duties, much more will the annoyance and trouble CHAPTER XVII of mind infuse itself into all thle faculties and acts of the body, to render them invalid, un- NNA DAVIES-REUNION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. kindly, and even unholy against the law of na- THE longer Mary delayed returning to him, ture. What is life without the vigor and spir- the more fixed became Milton's purpose to reitual exercise of life? How can it be useful pudiate her forever. But, in reflecting on the either to private or public employment? Shall nature of matrimony and divorce, he had in it therefore be quite dejected, though never so view not so much his own individual case as valuable, and left to moulder away in heavi- the general welfare of his country. He longed ness, for the superstitious and impossible per- to abate the evils which he believed exerted formance of an ill-driven bargain? It is not the most injurious effects, and he really inwhen two unfortunately met are by the canon tended to benefit his fellow-citizens far more forced to draw in that yoke an unmerciful day's than himself. His own case seemed less imwork of sorrow till death unharnesses them, portant to him than the pernicious consethat then the law keeps marriage most unvio- quences of that legislation which made the lated and unbroken; but when the law takes institution of wedlock an indissoluble bond, an order, that marriage be accountant and respon- intolerable tyrant for all. He did not wish to sible to perform that society, whether it be re- deliver himself alone, but the whole world was ligious, civil, or corporal, which may be con- to enjoy the liberty for which he strove. Thus scionably required and claimed therein, or else he rose above his own grief, and sought to to be dissolved if it cannot be undergone. This free himself from the sufferings weighing him is to make marriage most indissoluble, by mak- down, in a less egotistical manner, and to the ing it a just and equal dealer, a performer of benefit of all men. For this reason he wrote those due helps which instituted the covenant; out in an elaborate manner the ideas to which being otherwise a most unjust contract, and his conversation with Overton had given rise, no more to be maintained under tuition of law, and dedicated his " Doctrine and Discipline of than the vilest fraud, or cheat, or theft, that Divorce" to the British Parliament. may be committed. Let not, therefore, the Milton was not a little surprised at the unfrailty of man go on thus inventing needless expected attacks which were made upon this troubles to itself, to groan under the false ima- work from a side whence he had expected gination of a strictness never imposed from them least. The Presbyterian clergy, which above. Let us not be thus over-curious to he had defended so courageously and ably in strain at atoms, and yet to stop every vent and his pamphlet against the Episcopal prelates, cranny of permissive liberty, lest nature, want- took umbrage at this essay, and preferred ing those needful pores and breathing-places, charges against the author on account of his which God has not debarred our weakness, liberal sentiments. The same party, which either suddenly break out into some wide rpp- had but a short time ago groaned under the ture of open vice and frantic heresy, or else in- persecutions of the bishops, and fought for wardly fester with useless repinings and freedom of conscience and faith, persecuted blasphemous thoughts, under an unreasonable truth now that it had achieved a victory. For ANNA DAVIES-REUNION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. 203 tunately, Parliament did not listen to its in- such as influence us in a palpable manner, tolerant charges, and dropped the whole while we are only too much inclined to conmatter. sider as non-existent those mysterious powers Deserted by his wife, Milton sought to corn- which escape our coarser senses. And yet fort and divert himself at the house of a noble they are the rulers of the world and the prinlady. Lady Margaret Ley was the daughter cipal wheels of the creation." of the Earl of Marlborough, and endowed with "You are right," replied Lady Ley; "above rare qualities of the heart and mind. At her all, it seems to me, love is one of those myshouse met the most eminent men and women, terious forces of Nature which are revealed to who, amidst the troubles and disorder of a man only by their effects. Unfortunately, we bloody civil war, preserved a refined taste for have no natural philosopher who demonstrates art and science, and worshipped the Muses and its peculiarities to us as clearly as our friend Graces in this peaceful asylum. Here Milton Boyle did in regard to air." was a welcome and much-courted guest. His "Love would only lose thereby," said a domestic sorrows added to the interest which timid young lady. "Its nature requires sethe ladies took in the poet, while his genius crecy, in which it hides itself from the world. and learning captivated the men. He passed Take from it the veil in which it is chastely his evenings there in pleasant and instructive wrapped, and it is no longer love. The poet, conversation. Eminent members of all parties and not the naturalist, has alone the right of met there, as it were, on neutral ground, and revealing the purest and most sacred feelings it was at this house that Milton made the ac- of the human heart." quaintance of the accomplished Lady Ranelagh Milton applauded the words of the youthful and her distinguished brother, the Honorable speaker, who was graceful and interesting Robert Boyle, the celebrated naturalist. Nat- rather than beautiful. He had long since ural philosophy was cultivated with especial noticed the charming creature. A sweet expredilection in those days, and it had become pression of melancholy was stamped on the fashionable even for ladies to speak of phlo- slender form, which was slightly bent forward, giston, observe an eclipse of the moon through and on the noble features of the girl, who was the telescope, and admire magnified infusoria a daughter of Dr. Davies. From her blue eyes by means of the yet imperfect microscope. beamed a glorious soul; they resembled a One evening Robert Boyle brought with him mountain lake, and were, like it, clear, deep, the air-pump which Otto Guericke had invent- and mysterious. Generally she was taciturn ed, and the construction of which he had ma- and reserved, and she was one of those women terially improved, and astonished the specta- who know even better how to listen than to tors by his ingenious experiments. Removing speak, and who, therefore, are so agreeable to from two hollow balls the air contained therein, talented men. Her manners indicated true he pressed them together in such a manner womanly grace, and a modesty equally remote that they could not be torn asunder, and de- from unbecoming bashfulness and secret pride. monstrated thus the pressure of the atmos- When Milton approached her now, a sweet phere around us on all bodies. blush suffused the pale cheeks of the amiable "The air around us," said Milton, on this Anna, and her charming confusion made her occasion, "resembles our ideas. Both exer- almost look beautiful. The poet soon entered cise an invisible power over man. We are into an animated conversation with her, in accustomed to acknowledge as forces only which she displayed profound knowledge and 204 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. learning. In the course of the conversation fully concealed both from him and the world. she expressed her sympathy for the misfor- She possessed extraordinary self-command, tunes of the poet, and the delicate manner in and would have died rather than betray the which she uttered her compassion added to its secret of her heart. To her natural timidity value. were added all sorts of religious scruples on On his next visit to Lady Ley, the kind- account of her attachment to a married man, hearted lady bantered, him for the attention for such she considered Milton so long as he he had devoted to Anna on the previous even- was not divorced from his first wife. The ining. cessant struggle with herself threatened to "If you were divorced," she said, "Anna kill her; she became even paler than before, would be an excellent wife for you. I believe and her father, a skilful and sagacious physhe is quite fond of you. She is a dear friend sician, feared lest she should fall a victim to of mine, and will surely render happy the man consumption, of which Anna's mother had upon whom she bestows her hand. Her ac- died. complishments and the excellent education Although Milton's wife lived apart from which her father gave her qualify her espe- him at the house of her parents,.er love for cially to become the wife of a learned man like him was not yet entirely extinct. She never you." lost sight of him, and frequently inquired of Milton made no reply; he was absorbed in her London acquaintances concerning his life deep thought. The lady, however, with femi- and all that happened at his house. Thus she nine persistency, would not so easily drop the was also informed of the frequent visits which plan which she had suggested. She praised he paid to Anna. This news filled her with Anna's virtues and accomplishments until she profound grief. Fear and repentance seized had excited in him the liveliest desire to become her soul, and what neither Milton's remonmore intimately acquainted with the excellent strances nor her own reason had been able to girl. It was not difficult for Milton to gain accomplish was brought about by jealousy, access to Dr. Davies's house. Here Anna and by the thought that another woman made an even more favorable impression upon might obtain her place. Hitherto Mary had him than in the brilliant circle where he had allowed her parents, and particularly her met her hitherto. The deep but not chilling mother, to guide her in her conduct toward gravity with which she always received him, her husband; now she suddenly recovered her and her dignified but cordial kindness, attached independence, and instead of her usual weakhim to her, and gradually there arose between ness, she displayed now an almost unfilial them an affectionate friendship, which, how- harshness. Mrs. Powell was not a little surever, never threatened to overstep its bounds prised at this change, and still more at the reand pass into a more tender feeling. Milton preaches with which her daughter overwhelmwas not yet divorced from his wife, and hence ed her. They had exchanged parts: the weak he could not enter into a new union; and Anna daughter showed an unusual vehemence, and was too conscientious and sensible to encroach the imperious mother the most extraordinary upon the rights of another woman, however forbearance, as she feared lest a harsher much she had deserved her fate. With seeming course on her part should drive Mary to extranquillity she saw the poet come and go; tremities. For days the latter locked herself but in the innermost recesses of her heart she in her room, bathed her face with scalding bore a more tender affection, which she care- tears, and refused to take food. She was near ANNA DAVIES-REUNION OF HUSBANDND AD WIFE. 205 cursing her mother, as the latter had threat- "You commit a grievous sin if you yield to ened to do in regard to her if she returned to such gloomy feelings, I myself was formerly her husband. As usual, she had not been a prey to these sombre spirits of melancholy; able to appreciate what she possessed until they are in our blood, and in the air, but we she had lost it. Possession does not make us must keep them down. Life is so beautiful if half as happy as the loss of the thing possessed we only know how to take it; and even our renders us unhappy. sufferings are only the passing shadows accomIt was not until a rival threatened to rob panying and enhancing the light." her of Milton's love that she felt the full ex- " You are right, and I will enjoy yet the tent of her guilt, and the whole worth of the brief span vouchsafed to me." man whom she had mortified so grievously A mournful smile played round her pale only a short time since. Swayed by her pas- lips, and she endeavored at least to seem sesions, and not by reason, and going from one rene. Nevertheless, their conversation reextreme to another, she gave way to un- mained grave, owing in part to their peculiar bounded despair. As formerly her sojourn in surroundings. They were seated in the small London, so now her abode under the parental garden, which bore already an autumnal asroof, had become anintolerable burden to her. pect. The breeze stirred the foliage, and sear The ground, as it were, was burning under her yellow leaves flitted softly at their feet. The feet, and she was desirous only of returning as whole scene breathed gentle melancholy; it soon as possible to her husband. was as though it were preparing for its deparMeanwhile Milton was a daily visitor at the ture. Anna gazed thoughtfully on the withdoctor's house. He had likewise perceived ered foliage, and felt as if she herself were Anna's pallor and feebleness. about to bid farewell to earth. Contrary to "You seem to be unwell," he said compas- her habit, she gave way to her emotion, and sionately, taking her hand. tears trembled in her eyes. A slight shudder ran through her frame, and "Winter is close at hand," she said, after a he felt the tremor of her hands. pause, in a tremulous voice, in order to break "What ails you, dear Anna?" he asked, the dangerous, oppressive silence. still retaining her hand. "If you grieve, com- "And spring will succeed to winter," replied municate your sorrow to me, for assuredly you Milton, with an encouraging smile. have no better friend in this world than me." "Death and resurrection! " murmured An"It is only a slight indisposition," she re- na, in a low voice. plied, evasively. "Nature confirms thus the faith which "Your father is quite anxious and afraid keeps up our hope. Every tree, every flower lest you should be taken sick. Pray take preaches in autumn that immortality which good care of yourself for his and my sake." only fools can question. We shall meet again "Why should I?" she replied, with a sus- one day." picious cough. " The world will not lose " Certainly, we shall meet again," repeated much by the death of a poor girl like me. Anna, her face transfigured with heavenly joy. Since I saw my mother die, I am no longer " And what we have lost we shall recover afraid of death. She fell asleep so gently and purified and ennobled," added Milton. blissfully, with a sweet smile on her pale lips, "I wish yozu would recover as soon as that I almost envied her fate. Blessed are possible what you have lost. You have a the dead!" wife-" 206 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. On hearing Mary alluded to, the poet gave as slumber in every female heart, and such as a start, and looked at Anna beseechingly. true men and artists are almost always able to "No, no," she said; "you shall and must elicit from it." listen to me. I have hitherto avoided allud- "My wife is not a euphonic instrument. ing to an affair which cannot but stir sorrow- Education and habit have spoiled her better ful recollections in your bosom;'but the time nature." has come when I must speak to you frankly, "In accusing her, you excuse her. What and as your true friend. I have attentively her parental education spoiled should be reread your essay on divorce, and, despite my paired by her matrimonial education. For religious scruples, I must admit that you are matrimony is a continuous mutual school, in right on the whole. You have convinced my which husband and wife are both pupils and mind, but not my heart; and you are aware teachers. The sternness of the husband is to that women reason with the heart rather than be lessened and ennobled by the mildness of the head. I am sure your wife is far more to the wife; the weakness of the wife by the blame than you, but are you entirely free from strength of the husband. And as some claim guilt? Should you not accuse yourself also, to have noticed that married persons, after a instead of blaming only your weak wife?" long wedded life, begin to bear a strong phys"No man is devoid of faults." ical resemblance to each other, so by and by "Therefore, judge not that ye be not that intellectual and moral sympathy, which judged." your essay on divorce declares the essential "Another motive guided me. The longer I condition of matrimonial happiness, will not lived with my wife, the more I was impressed be wanting to them. Therefore, do not turn a with the fact that the sympathy necessary for deaf ear to my request, but reconcile yourself wedlock was wanting to us, and that our char- with your wife. I can neither conceive nor acters were incompatible." approve the idea of your being divorced from "It was because you neglected to devote her." the necessary time and attention to bringing What! You ask me to take her back?" about this harmony. We women resemble said Milton, mournfully. delicately-stringed instruments which must be "I earnestly call upon you to take this played by artistic hands to utter their true step," replied Anna, with dignified resignasound. A breath of air, to say nothing of a tion. " I demand it as a proof of your friendrude contact, untunes us at once. We must ship and esteem." be treated tenderly and affectionately. If you * He was about to make a reply, but Anna, fail to do so at the outset, there remains a dis- who was afraid lest he should make a desonance, which it is difficult afterward to re- claration of love to her, interrupted him move. I am afraid this happened in your quickly. wedded life. You did not know how to play "Pledge me your word that you will reconthe instrument intrusted to you, and as it did cile yourself with your wife as soon as she not at once emit sweet sounds, you cast it dis- feels repentance and returns to you." dainfully aside. Give it another trial, take it Milton hesitated, but he was unable longer up again tenderly, familiarize yourself with its to withstand her pressing entreaties. Finally, innermost nature, devote yourself fondly to to indicate his consent, he held out to her his studying its peculiarities, and you will discover hand, which she grasped in thoughtful melanevery day new and beautiful harmonies, such choly. She then averted her face, and signed ANNA DAVIES-REUNION OF HUSBANDND AD WIFE. 207 to him to leave her. No sooner had he done " Have you heard any thing of Mary? " she so, than she pressed her white handkerchief inquired. to her feverish lips: when she removed it, "For months past I have not had any the fine cambric was reddened with the blood news whatever from Forest Hill," he replied, flowing from her lungs. She leaned her head evidently unwilling to speak of this subject. in utter exhaustion on her arm. "You do not know, then, that she has left "It will soon be over," she murmured, in a her parents secretly?" low voice. "I do not. What may have induced her to Her father came into the garden. She per- take such a step, and whither has she gone? " ceived him, and hastened to conceal the traces "I believe she acknowledges the fault of her heart-struggle and her disease from his which she committed, and that it was repentsearching eyes. ance that drove her from the house of her "How are you? " he asked, anxiously. parents. The poor woman is at a loss whither "I am better, much better," she replied, al- to turn, and is now wandering about among though her pale cheeks refuted her cheerful strangers-without parents, without her huswords. band." Milton was unable to banish Anna's image " If she really were repentant, she would not from his heart; he was thinking all day long hesitate to approach him." of the excellent girl with whom he had be- At these words, the door leading to the adcome acquainted too late. He was vividly joining room opened suddenly. A sobbing impressed with the sentiment which he ex- woman approached Milton and threw herself pressed afterward in the following lines of his at his feet. "Paradise Lost:" "Mary!" exclaimed her husband, in sur"... This mischief had not then befallen, prise. And more that shall befall; innumerableYes it is " she sighed " it is your guilDisturbances on earth through female snares, X o And strait conjunction with this sex: for either ty wife, who implores your forgiveness on her He never shall find out fit mate, but such knees. Oh have mercy on me" As some misfortune brings him, or mistake; Or whom he wishes most, shall seldom gain, He averted his head irresolutely. Pride and Through her perverseness, but shall see her gained just sensibility struggled in his heart with his By a far worse; or, if she love, withheld By parents; or his happiest choice too late innate kindness and the pity with which her Bhall meet, already linked and wedlock-bound humble condition filled him. She had clasped To a fell adversary, his hate or shame: Which infinite calamity shall cause his knees and moistened his hands with her To human life, and household peace confound." scalding tears. Her dishevelled hair fell upon A few weeks afterward, Milton paid a visit her heaving bosom, and her rosy face betrayed to a near relative in St. Martin's Lane. He the most profound grief of which she was cawas, as he had always been, received by the pable. family with great kindness, but not without a " Do not disown me!" she wailed, with upcertain embarrassment. While he was en- lifted hands. "I willingly admit that I alone gaged with the husband in an animated con- am to blame for every thing, but I can no versation on various topics, the wife was walk- longer live without you. I left the house of ing up and down in great uneasiness. From my parents secretly to return to you. If you time to time she added a remark to the con- do not take me back, I do not know where versation, which she took pains to turn toward to go; nothing remains for me then but to Milton's wife. die." 208 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. His relatives added their prayers to Mary's throughout the country. Every town was supplications. His anger began to give way, transformed into a camp, every castle into a and he cast a milder glance upon his guilty fortress. The citizen relinquished his trade, the wife. His eyes beamed with forgiveness, and, peasant laid down the plough, and both took deeply moved, he bent over the penitent wo- the sword. The whole nation was in a state man, and raised her up. She encircled him of intense excitement, and the parties were with her soft arms, and folded him to her more at variance than ever before; on one heart. side, the king with his cavaliers; on the other, " Oh, you are so good, much better than the Parliament with its adherents. It is true, I!" she exclaimed, smiling amid her tears. many eminent men raised their voices in favor "Henceforth I will obey you, and comply of peace, but their appeals were not heeded with your wishes as though I were your ser- by either party. Charles had transferred his vant." headquarters to Oxford in the course of the " You shall not be my servant, you shall be summer. The fortune of war had favored my wife," he said, soothing her violent agita- him hitherto, and Parliarment deemed it prution. "I am not blameless either." dent to enter into negotiations. However, "No, no," she cried, vehemently. "You they failed, owing both to the obstinacy of the displayed more forbearance than I deserved. king, which increased with every victory, and to Oh, repeat to me that I may stay with you, and the distrust and the unabated demands of Parneed not leave you again." liament. After various fruitless attempts, the "You shall stay with me forever," he re- decision was left again to the sword and the plied, imprinting a kiss on her crimson lips. fortune of war. Perfectly reconciled, Milton and his wife But, the more furious the struggle grew, the left the house of their relatives. A few months higher the tide of revolution rose, the more afterward, Anna Davies was buried; her father marked became the dissensions which had said she had died of hereditary consumption. hitherto slumbered in the bosom of the ParliaShe herself knew and concealed the cause of ment. Presbyterians and Independents, or her sufferings. A short time previous to her Brownists, who, up to this time had been death, Milton received from her a letter, the striving harmoniously to attain the same ends, characters of which indicated extreme debil- namely, to overthrow the absolutism of the ity. The last words were: "Be happy, and government and the tyranny of the Episcopal forget your unfortunate friend." Church, separated from and made war upon A withered linden-leaf was enclosed in the each other. The Presbyterians had accomletter. Milton moistened both with his tears. plished their purpose, and were ready to rfake Never in his whole life did he forget the vir- peace with the king. They had striven for tuous and lovely Anna. the correction of abuses and the introduction of reforms, but not for the overthrow of all existing institutions. But the zealous Independents, with whom the republicans united, CHAPTER XVIII. did not content themselves with this. They were intent on bringing about, if possible, the CIVIL WAR-FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. downfall of royalty and of all church instituPEACE had been restored to the poet's house, tions. What they lacked in numerical strength but civil war was raging with terrific violence and influence they made up by their courage, CIVIL WAR-FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. 209 activity, anfd indefatigable energy. These and when it threatened to become dangerous were the very qualities which could not but to themselves. They had intended only to secure their triumph over their adversaries, wrench a powerful weapon from the hands of the Presbyterians, whom their previous sue- the government and the Episcopal Church; cesses had rendered careless and lukewarm. and, although they themselves had established In a revolution, victory will always perch, at freedom of the press, they indulged in secret least for a time, on the banners of that party threats against the writers who openly eswhich acts with the utmost consistency, and pouted the cause of the king. They dreaded shrinks from no measures, how hazardous so- even more the Independents, who could not be ever they may be. silenced so easily. The Presbyterians tremMilton himself, who naturally was not an bled before the spirit which they had called extremist, was forced, almost against his will, up, and resolved to chain it again. They by the course the Presbyterians pursued tow- were not bold enough, however, to take this ard him, to side with the Independents. One step backward in an open and high-handed of the first acts of the Parliament had been manner. Under all sorts of vain pretexts the deliverance of the press from the restric- they tried to reestablish the old restrictions tions with which it had been fettered by the imposed on the press, and to walk in the government of the king, particularly by the steps of the Star-Chamber, which they had so hateful Star-Chamber. All the laws interfer- furiously assailed. ing with the freedom of the press were re- Great was the sensation and indignation pealed. London and the whole country were which this oppressive measure created. Milat once flooded with countless pamphlets con- ton was profoundly grieved at this blow levveying from one end of England to the other elled at the press, which he justly regarded as the hopes and grievances of the Presbyterians, the bulwark of civil liberty in England. He who were in the ascendant in Parliament. was resolved to reconquer this natural right, Some of these passionate satirical papers cre- so highly important to the people, and spare ated a great sensation, and became exceed- no efforts to overthrow this new tyranny. He ingly popular. King Charles, who read them was obliged to assail the same Presbyterians all, and often replied to them, once paid ten with whom he had united to overthrow the pounds for a copy of a scurrilous pamphlet Episcopal Church, and establish liberty and which he was anxious to read. At this time the longed-for Parliament, from which Engthe press, and especially the newspapers, ac- land had expected so many blessings. He did quired great importance, and became a for- so, with as much courage as sagacity. midable weapon in the hands of the parties. Milton went again to the Rota, the celeThe Miercurius Pragmaticus long defended the brated political club, where he had not been cause of the Presbyterians, while the Mcr- for a long time past. His presence was nocurius Aulicus, edited by Sir John Birkenhead, ticed immediately, and his friends and acquaintwas the organ of the court. None of these ances thronged about him. He denounced journals were slow in deriding, and even slan- the restrictions recently imposed on the press; dering their opponents. After a while, this and even some of the members of this club, freedom of the press displeased the Presby- which was noted for its revolutionary spirit, terians, and, having availed themselves suffi- were opposed to the freedom of the press. ciently of this auxiliary, they strove to de- One of the latter, the gloomy St. John, a disstroy it when they had no longer need of it, tinguished lawyer, said to Milton: " It is not 14 210 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. possible that you can advocate entire and un- of this world grow up together almost insepalimited freedom of the press." rably; and the knowledge of good is so involved "Certainly not," replied Milton. "I deny and interwoven with the knowledge of evil, and not but that it is of greatest concernment in in so many cunning resemblances hardly to be the Church and commonwealth, to have a vigi- discerned, that those confused seeds which lant eye how books demean themselves as well were imposed upon Psyche as an incessant laas men; and thereafter to confine, imprison, bor to cull out, and sort asunder, were not and do sharpest justice on them as malefac- more intermixed. It was from out the rind tors; for books are not absolutely dead things, of one apple tasted, that the knowledge of good but do contain a progeny of life in them to be and evil, as two twins cleaving together, leaped as active as that soul was whose progeny they forth into the world. And perhaps this is that are: nay, they do preserve as in a vial the doom which Adam fell into of knowing good purest efficacy and extraction of that living in- and evil. As therefore the state of man now tellect that bred them. I know they are as is, what wisdom can there be to choose, what lively, and as vigorously productive, as those continence to forbear, without the knowledge fabulous dragons' teeth; and being sown up of evil? He that can apprehend and consider and down, may chance to spring up armed Vice with all his baits and seeming pleasures, men. And yet on the other hand, unless wari- and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet ness be good, as good almost kill a man as kill prefer that which is truly better, he is the true a good book: who kills a man kills a reason- warfaring Christian. I cannot praise a fugiable creature, God's image; but he who de- tive and cloistered Virtue unexercised and unstroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the breathed, that never sallies out and sees her image of God, as it were in the eye. Many a adversary, but slinks out of the race, where man lives a burden to the earth; but a good that immortal garland is to be run for, not book is the precious life-blood of a master- without dust and heat." spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose "You forget that all men are not strong to a life beyond life." enough to withstand temptation. Do you not ( But license," objected St. John, "is as old fear the infection that may spread?" as literary production. So long as any books "If you fear the infection that may spread, have been written, the state has had the right all human learning and controversy in religious of watching and suppressing them, when they points must remove out of the world; yea, the do more harm than good." Bible itself; for that ofttimes relates blas"I must deny the correctness of this asser- phemy not nicely: it describes the carnal sense tion. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans of wicked men not elegantly. The ancientest knew the licensing of books. Even during the fathers must next be removed, as Clement of first centuries after Christianity had been es- Alexandria, and that Eusebian book of evantablished, the Church condemned only such gelic preparation, transmitting our ears through books as were directly immoral and attacked a hoard of heathenish obscenities to receive the the fundamental truths of religion. After the gospel. If you shut and fortify one gate against Nicene Council in the eighth century, the popes corruption, you will be necessitated to leave introduced a formal censorship, which is not others round about wide open. If you think only a disgrace to humanity, but an utterly to regulate printing, and thereby to rectify useless invention which never yet attained its manners, you must regulate all recreations and object. Good and evil, we know, in the field pastimes, all that is delightful to man. No CIVIL WAR-FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. 211 music must be heard, no song be set or sung, heres, he resigns the whole warehouse of his but what is grave and Doric. There must be religion, with all the locks and keys, into his licensing dancers, that no gesture, motion, or custody; and indeed makes the very person deportment be taught our youth, but what by of that man his religion; esteems his associattheir allowance shall be thought honest. It ing with him a sufficient evidence and comwill ask more than the work of twenty licen- mendatory of his own piety. So that a man sers to examine all the lutes, the violins, and may say his religion is now no more within the guitars in every house; they must not be himself, but is become a dividual movable, and suffered to prattle as they do, but must be li- goes and comes near him, according as that censed what they may say. And who shall good man frequents the house. He entertains silence all the airs and madrigals that whisper him, gives him gifts, feasts him, lodges him; softness in chambers? The windows also, his religion comes home at night, prays, is and the balconies, must be thought on. The liberally supped, and sumptuously laid to sleep; villages also must have their visitors to inquire rises, is saluted, and after the malmsey, or what lectures the bagpipe and the rebec read, some well-spiced brewage, and better breakeven to the ballatry and the gamut of every fasted than He whose morning appetite would municipal fiddler. And even though you should have gladly fed on green figs between Bethany succeed in shutting all these gates against the and Jerusalem, his religion walks abroad at mind, what would you gain thereby? Truth eight, and leaves his kind entertainer in the is compared in Scripture to a streaming foun- shop trading all day without his religion. tain; if her waters flow not in a perpetual pro- These are the fruits which a dull ease and cesgression, they sicken into a muddy pool of con- sation of our knowledge will bring forth among formity and tradition." the people. No, no, we must not suffer this. "To preserve the purity of truth is the duty The time demands freedom of thinking and of its servants, the ministers of the Church, writing for all. Whether all the storms of and Parliament." opinion will sweep at once through the world " I reply that a man may be a heretic in the or not, Truth is in the field and well able to truth; and if he believe things only because cope with Error. Truth indeed came once into his pastor says so, or the assembly so deter- the world with her divine Master, and was a mines, without knowing other reason, though perfect shape most glorious to look on; but his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds when He ascended, and His apostles after Him becomes his heresy. A wealthy man, addicted were laid asleep, then straight arose a wicked to his pleasure and to his profits, finds religion race of deceivers, who, as that story goes of to be a traffic so entangled, and of so many the Egyptian Typhon with his conspirators, piddling accounts, that of all mysteries he can- how they dealt with the good Osiris, took the notskill to keep a stock going upon that trade. virgin Truth, hewed her lovely form into a What should he do? Fain he would have the thousand pieces, and scattered them to the four name to be religious, fain he would bear up winds. From that time ever since, the sad with his neighbors in that. What does he friends of Truth, such as durst appear, imitattherefore, but resolves to give over toiling, and ing the careful search that Isis made for the to find himself out some,factor, to whose care mangled body of Osiris, went up and down and credit he may commit the whole managing gathering up limb by limb still as they could of his religious affairs; some divine of note find them. We have not yet found them all, and estimation that must be. To him he ad- nor ever shall do, till her Master's second com 212 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. ing; He shall bring together every joint and Such was the fate of Harrington's "Oceana," member, and shall mould them into an immor- for even the republic did not protect the retal feature of loveliness and perfection. Suffer publicans. Milton's pamphlet, however, pronot these licensing prohibitions to stand at duced one effect which bore witness to its every place of opportunity forbidding and dis- sterling value: one of the censors of the press, turbing them that continue seeking, that con- named Gilbert Mabbot, resigned his office after tinue to do our obsequies to the torn body of reading the "' Areopagitica," stating that his our martyred saint." office seemed to him illegal, dangerous, and Milton's speech was warmly applauded by injurious rather than useful. At the same all the members, and even the gloomy St. time he proposed that all authors who signed John admitted that he had refuted his argu- their writings should be allowed to print them, ment. The noble defender of freedom of the on condition of being called to account by the press was requested to write a pamphlet on courts in case their books contained any thing the subject and publish it. He promised to contrary to law and morality. do so, and issued shortly after his "Areopagitica, a Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing," which he likewise dedicated to Parliament. The poet thus defended with manly courage one of the noblest boons of mankind, CHAPTER XIX. and up to the present time hardly any thing THE REBELLION IN IRELAND-CROMWELL AT equal to this noble essay has been written MARSTON MOOR. on the same subject. It met, however, with vehement opposition. The learned Baxter, ON a stormy day in February, Sir Kenelm perhaps the most eminent of the nonconformist Digby, attended by a man who, notwithstanddivines of this period, published a violent at- ing his concealed tonsure and careful disguise, tack on the freedom of the press, alleging that was evidently a Catholic priest, rode across it led to the publication of countless books one Of those numerous bogs which extend for by bad and incompetent authors, and was many miles in the interior of Ireland. The decidedly injurious to the dissemination of ground had been softened by long-continued truth. rain, and transformed into black mire. The "Better books must be written, then, and saturated soil trembled at every step of the you may be sure that, like the staff of Moses, horses, and the strong animals were in conthey will swallow the works of the impious," stant danger of sinking into it. An icy breeze, replied Milton to him. which dashed the large rain-drops mixed with Baxter went so far in his blind zeal, that he snow-flakes into the faces of the travellers, wished to die previous to the triumph of the added to the uncomfortable frame of their detested liberty of unlicensed printing. While minds. the Presbyterians were at the helm of govern- "By the saints!" growled Sir Kenelm, "I ment, the press was fettered as heretofore. would we were already under shelter. Night During Cromwell's protectorate, it is true, the will soon set in, and then it will be impossible system of licensed printing was abolished, but for us to advance another step. Nothing would prosecutions of authors and printers were not remain for us but to encamp in the accursed unknown. Manuscripts were frequently taken bog, if we do not prefer perishing in it." from authors while they were being printed. At these by no means encouraging words REBELLION IN IRELAND-MARSTON MOOR. 213 his pious companion heaved a deep sigh and which it subjects us? I am afraid it will incr.ossed himself. volve us in serious trouble." "Perhaps there is a cabin near by," he said, "You are mistaken on that head. What I "where we might find shelter for the night. am doing, I do on my own responsibility. I Exert your eyes, dear friend. The snow-storm am first of all a good Catholic, and afterward has almost blinded mine." a subject of his majesty. The Irish have risen " I am afraid I shall not be able to see any in the name of the Catholic religion; their more than you, reverend father. Beautiful other motives do not concern me. Hence, Erin does not abound with habitable dwellings, I deem myself in duty bound to assist them and what few of them were left have been de- with my advice. The men who are at the stroyed by our dear friends, the Irish rebels." head of the rebels need it, for Phelim O'Neale "( In majorem Dei gloriam," said the priest, has no more sense in his thick skull than the clasping his hands. horse I am riding." "' I would our hot-headed friends had done " And what do you purpose doing " their work less thoroughly. Moreover, they "Above all things, I am going to obtain a should have deferred their insurrection for a clear insight into the whole situation. When time; but such are the Irish, always rash and I know the strength of the rebels, and the imprudent. Every thing was arranged in the means at their disposal, every thing else will most judicious manner, all necessary disposi- follow of itself." tions were made, and Dublin would have fallen "And in what capacity are you going to ininto their hands without their striking a blow; troduce yourself to the leaders? " but these men cannot wait, and want to pluck "As Sir Kenelm Digby, as a zealous Caththe fruit from the tree before it is ripe." olic, as a true friend of our oppressed Church." " You forget entirely that the conspiracy "They would certainly bid you welcome, if was prematurely betrayed. That was not their you came as envoy of the king to negotiate fault." with the Irish." "And then the unnecessary massacre of the Sir Kenelm made no reply to the further Protestants, the cruelties committed against questions of his fellow-traveller, but acceleratinnocent women and children! I am entirely ed the step of his horse so far as the mire peropposed to bloodshed, and do not want our mitted him to do so. The day was drawing to just cause to be stained by such abominable a close, and twilight had set in. The situation outrages. As a matter of course, the king had of the two travellers became more and more to repudiate and attack them. He would have disagreeable. There was no house far and forfeited the last remnant of respect felt for near; not even a wretched hovel was to be him by the people of England, if he had not seen anywhere; only the black bog extended treated the rebels as enemies and traitors. Pol- as far as the horizon, where it seemed to blend icy itself compelled him to adopt this course." with the clouded sky. The road was almost "But he is secretly negotiating with the invisible, and withal impassable. There were Irish. You know this better than any other places where the horses stuck in the mire, man, for what other object can your journey and could be extricated only after almost suto Ireland have, and why did you come to me perhuman efforts. Moreover, they feared lest and persuade me to take part in this journey, they should be attacked in this dismal region, which I have cursed already more than once which had become more unsafe than formerly, on account of the fatigues and privations to owing to the civil war. Sir Kenelm, there 214 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. fore, deemed it prudent to cock his pistols and Around the fireplace sat or lay several armed keep them in readiness for an emergency. men, whose appearance and manners were not They had continued their way through the exactly calculated to inspire them with condarkness for about half an hour, when the fidence. Their costume consisted of a few road became entirely invisible. Night had rags, and their shaggy unkempt hair hung set in, and they could not see a step before down on their shoulders. Their language and them. Already they were preparing to pass lively gestures indicated that they were natives the night in the open air, when the loud bark of the soil. On the entrance of the strangers, of a dog stirred new hopes and fears in their they rose with flashing eyes and threatening bosoms. gestures. "There must be men close by," said Sir "They are Englishmen!" cried a HercuKenelm, cautiously drawing his pistol. lean man, raising the hatchet which he held in " Holy Ignatius!" prayed the Jesuit, " pro- his hands. tect us, and send us an angel to lead us back " In that case theymust die," added another, to the right path!" casting a covetous glance on the golden chain A few minutes elapsed in anxious suspense; and costly weapons of Sir Kenelm Digby. the dog then barked once more, and louder The priest trembled with terror, while Digby than at first. The roar of the storm, and the was calm and collected. darkness, prevented them from perceiving the "You are mistaken, my friends," he said, approach of some persons who soon surround- with a quiet smile. " It is true, we are Enged the travellers. lishmen, but we are good Catholics and friends "Who are you? " asked a rough voice with of Ireland. We wish to go to the camp and a strong Irish brogue. see your leader Phelim O'Neale, as we are the "Poor travellers who have lost their way," bearers of important news for him." was the reply. His words seemed to make some impression " Whence do you come, and where are you on the men; at least they held a brief congoing?" sultation, the result of which was favorable to "We have come across the channel, and the travellers. The guide, whose dress was are going to the camp. My friend," added not less ragged than those of the others, but the priest, " can you not give us shelter? We who seemed to exercise considerable influence shall be very grateful to you." over them, took part in the consultation, and "Follow me." announced to Sir Kenelm Digby and his conSo saying, the stranger seized the bridle of panion that their lives were not in danger, but the priest's horse, while his companion did that they would have to accompany him imthe same with Sir Kenelm's animal. Both mediately to the camp. The priest heaved a seemed to be perfectly familiar with the pe- deep sigh on being told to bid farewell to the culiarities of the road. Despite the utter uncomfortable, but at least warm room, and darkness, the travellers advanced more rapidly ride again through the dark night, God knew than before, and soon was to be seen a light, whither. However, nothing remained for him indicating the proximity of a human dwelling. but to comply with the bidding of the guide The guide uttered a shrill whistle, whereupon and follow the example of Sir Kenelm Digby. several men rushed out of the door of a house It was past midnight when the travellers arand conducted the travellers into a spacious rived at the camp. Already from afar they room where a comfortable fire was burning. saw numerous camp-fires glistening in the REBELLION IN IRELAND-MARSTON MOOR. 215 darkness; but on coming up closer to them, squad spoke a few words to the chief, who they seemed to be in the abode of demons nodded assent. rather than a camp of soldiers. Groups of "Hang them at sunrise," he said, laconihalf-naked persons squatted round the fires in cally. various positions; and even women and chil- The doomed prisoners were about to defend dren were warming themselves, while others themselves, but Phelim ordered them to be were dancing in wild intoxication round the silent. fires of burning wood and straw, and uttering "You are convicted spies," he added, "for screams and roars reminding the hearers of what else brought you so close to the camp? the cries of the doomed. The guide con- Besides, you are natives of England, and ducted the travellers through these groups, therefore our enemies. Prepare for death." awakening here and there with a kick a "Pardon me," replied one of the prisoners, sleeper stretched out across the road, or push- fearlessly, "I have a secret message for you. ing him quickly aside. At last they reached This is the reason why I approached the the tent of the chief, where they had to wait camp." a long time before they were admitted. "From whom is the message?" Phelim O'Neale, surrounded by his officers "I can only tell you that alone, and not in and several Catholic priests who were staying the presence of witnesses." in the camp, met them in the proud conscious- On hearing the first words of the prisoner, ness of his dignity. The coarse features of Sir Kenelm had cast a glance on him, and rechis countenance indicated energy rather than ognized him immediately. understanding or shrewdness. "Sir Thomas Egerton!" he exclaimed, in "Who are you? " he asked the travellers, surprise. imperiously. "You know the man?" asked the chief of "My name is Sir Kenelm Digby," replied the rebels. the courtier, "and X believe you are acquainted "I know him, and warrant the truth of with my companion." what he says. He cannot be an enemy, a At these words the Jesuit advanced a few traitor, since he is in the service of her masteps toward the chief. jesty the queen." "Reverend father!" exclaimed Phelim, in At a beck from the chief, Thomas and his surprise. "What! you yourself have come companion, who was no other than Lucy Hento me, and in so bleak a night?" derson, in male disguise, were delivered from "At the request of Sir Kenelm Digby I left their fetters. Thomas, in the first place, my safe asylum, and shrank from no danger thanked Digby with much feeling and warmth to second his plans. If I am not mistaken, he for the service he had rendered him. is the bearer of important news, and he 3omes "How do you happen to be here?" with the firm determination to serve you and "The queen sent me hither," replied Thomas, the good cause." in a low voice. " Her majesty commissioned "Both you and he are a thousand times me to repair to the camp of the rebels." welcome!" said the chief, holding out his hands A significant smile played round Digby's to them. lips when he received this reply. While Phelim O'Neale was conversing with "In that case I am doubly glad of having them, a squad of soldiers approached with two rendered you this insignificant service. I beprisoners. The officer in command of the lieve we have both come hither for the same 216 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. purpose, and may, therefore, speak without which, like all his failings, proceeded from his reserve." innate weakness. As the night was already too far advanced The fortune of war, which had hitherto for them to speak of business matters, the smiled on Charles, seemed to desert him. The chief dismissed his guests, to whom he as- Scottish Covenanters had formed a junction signed a common tent. Exhausted by the with the army of the Parliament, and the fatigues of the journey and the dangers they united forces had given battle to the Royalists had incurred, Lucy and the priest soon fell on Marston Moor, and inflicted a disastrous asleep, while Thomas and Sir Kenelm Digby defeat on them. Prince Rupert, son of the conversed yet for a time. Digby had soon as- king's sister, commanded the royal cavalry, certained the object of the mission intrusted and suffered himself to be carried away too far to Thomas. He was instructed by the queen in the ardor of the battle. He was opposed to to offer her support secretly to the Irish a general alike brave and sagacious, Oliver rebels, and assure them that Charles was dis- Cromwell, a man whose name had only recentposed to conclude an armistice with, them. ly become generally known. In Parliament, This communication filled Sir Kenelm Digby of which he was a member, he had hitherto with glowing hopes for the Catholic party, achieved very little distinction. He was a poor whose triumph he fondly wished o bring about. speaker, but a great captain and party leader. On the following morning Thomas had the In the course of a few months he had secured wished-for interview with the chief of the a commanding position by his valor and skill rebels, and received from him an autograph in organizing troops. On Marston Moor his letter to the queen, whereupon he left the boldness, coupled with extraordinary presence camp, while Sir Kenelm Digby remained there of mind, decided the battle in favor of Parliafor some time longer. On taking leave of his ment. young friend, the courtier offered of his own The setting sun shed his rays on the bloody accord to conduct the negotiations between field of battle, and on the corpses of the slain. Charles and the Irish rebels under the seal of Here and there severely wounded soldiers utprofound secrecy. The king, after some hesi- tered groans and craved relief. Horses withtation, accepted the offer, and while he was out riders sped spectre-like through the darkseemingly waging war with the rebels, Sir ness. The loud booming of artillery had died Kenelm Digby managed secretly the threads away, and been succeeded by profound stillof an intrigue, the object of which was, in the ness. Cromwell rode across the gory moor, first place, only an armistice, to which was attended by old Henderson, who had not left then to succeed the conclusion of a formal al- his side during the battle. A broad wound on liance, so that Irish troops might help the his forehead, which was but slightly dressed, king to put down the Parliament, and subvert bore witness to the gloomy Puritan's intrepidthe liberties of England. It was by such ity. Both were grave and taciturn. It was steps, which could not be entirely concealed not until the moon rose and shed her pale light from the people, that Charles forfeited the over the battle-field that Cromwell opened his sympathies of even those of his subjects who lips, round which a triumphant smile was playwere still attached to him, but whose fidelity ing. to the Protestant religion and horror of popery "The Lord has delivered His enemies into far surpassed their devotion and loyalty to the our hands. In truth, England and the Church king. His worst enemy was his duplicity, of God have been greatly blessed by Him. No REBELLION IN IRELAND-MARSTON MOOR. 217 more brilliant victory has been gained since pious, whenever you bring the matter before war broke out." Parliament." " The country is chiefly indebted for this tri- "God forbid," exclaimed Cromwell, feignumph to your valor and wisdom." ing dismay, "that I should oppose those worthy "The praise and honor are due to the men, who, moreover, are friends of mine!" Almighty. His is the glory. I am only His "Others, then, will do it. I shall see Sir and the Parliament's servant." Harry Vane, St. John, and Nathaniel Fines "If you chose, you might be the Parlia- about it. The command-in-chief should be ment's master." intrusted to more deserving hands, and I know "What do you say, Henderson! I must of no one worthier of our confidence than you." not listen to such suggestions." "What the Lord resolves in regard to me "Will you shut your ears to the truth? You will be done, and I shall submit to His will. are not blind, Oliver. You know as well as I Do what the Spirit prompts you to do, and act that the Spirit of God no longer illumines the according to God's will. But, above all things, assembly at Westminster Hall. Many of its go now and have your wound carefully dressed, members resemble Korah and his com- lest the cool night-air prove injurious to it." pany, and rebel against the Lord and His "Have no fears on my account. This wound saints." gives me no more pain than the bite of a gnat; " Alas! what you say is but too true," it shall always remind me of him who struck sighed Cromwell. the blow, and whom, by God's help, I hope to " Nor are all the generals like you, Oliver, hit better one day than he did me." the elect of the Lord. Essex, Fairfax, and "Who was it? " Waller adhere to the Presbyterians, who re- "Your enemy, as well as mine-the impious fuse to carry on the war against Charles. youth who abducted your Lucy." Their arms have become weak, and their hearts "Woe to him, if I ever should meet him!" are intimidated." " I perceived him in the thickest of the fight, " You inveigh against men who are braver and singled him out. Our blades crossed each and worthier than we are; and yet there is in other, and I believed already that the Lord had your words a grain of truth, which I will sift delivered him into my hands, when suddenly out. I likewise look in vain for the necessary a beardless boy, who seemed to be his servant, harmony and zeal that should animate the war- attacked me from behind. While facing about riors of the Lord. I will reflect on the best to defend myself against this new assailant, I way of remedying this evil, confer with our received this wound across the forehead. The friends, and particularly seek for the necessary streaming blood blinded my eyes and prevented light in prayer. The war should be continued me from seeing. The next moment both my with greater zeal and energy, if it is to be adversaries had disappeared, and I did not see brought to a successful termination. I am them any more." afraid all of our men are not possessed of such "He will not escape us, and a fearful retripurity of heart as you and I. There are among bution will then be wreaked upon him. Have them ambitious persons, who, for the sake of you heard nothing of Lucy? " their exalted position and of other worldly ad- "My researches were in vain. I only learned vantages, would like to protract the war. That that she left London secretly, but no one knows must not be tolerated." where she went." " You may count upon the support of the " Her death cannot grieve me more bitterly 218 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. than her sinful life. She is lost to me, lost The higher Cromwell rose, the clearer and forevermore." more far-sighted became his judgment. He Cromwell urged Henderson again to leave grew with events, and, on reaching the sum. the field, that his wound might be attended to, mit, he stood a mortal of colossal size. Not and that he might enjoy the necessary repose. only his understanding, but a certain demoni. He himself remained, absorbed in deep reflec- acal instinct, urged him onward in the path tions. His past life appeared before his eyes. which he had entered. It is true, the necessiOnly a few years since entirely unknown, and, ties of the moment dominated him, but he alfor the sake of his faith, intent on leaving his ways knew how to profit by circumstances in native country and emigrating to the wilds of the most judicious manner, and thus he was America, he had now, in consequence of the simultaneously their master and their servant. revolution, become a famous general, and one His power of dissimulation, and the hypocrisy of the most influential leaders of the most with which he has so often been reproached, powerful party. His ambition, which had did not arise from his innermost nature, but hitherto slumbered unknown to him in his were imposed on him by his peculiar positionbosom, began to stir impetuously. He was his auxiliaries, as it were, but which he disone of those great and peculiar men whom banded after gaining a victory. His purposes Providence calls forth in revolutionarytimes were always great, but his actions were often to fulfil a special mission. Cromwell com- necessarily little; yet he never lost sight of bined in his extraordinary'nature the most op- his chief aim, namely, to render England powerposite qualities. His sincere piety by no means ful and respected. excluded a certain worldly shrewdness and At this moment, he was gazing into vacancy. great power of dissimulation. Endowed with White mist arose from the moor and veiled a keen understanding, he was an ardent fanat- the dead; they united and assumed all sorts ic, and his nice penetration and keen judg- of fantastic shapes in the pale moonlight. A ment were frequently blended with a some- long weird procession, as it were, composed of what scurrilous humor. He was a hero with the ghosts of the slain, passed him. Fear did the manners of a clown, a sagacious politician not seize him, for he was insensible to it; but in the awkward shape of an English grazier; a slight shudder ran through his frame. He the genius of his age with all its faults. There thought of the immediate future and the mencould be no greater contrast than that between acing events to which this fratricidal war would Cromwell and his royal adversary. Weakness lead. was the leading trait of the one, strength of "No, no," he murmured to himself; "this will that of the other. Charles was descended war must not be continued; a speedy end must from a long line of august ancestors, and com- be put to it, or it will involve England in utter bined in his person all the good and bad qual- ruin. A few victories yet, and Charles must ities of the English aristocracy, while Crom- yield, or-" well embodied the peculiarities of the com- He did not conclude the sentence, but stared moners of his age; he was, as it were, an in- gloomily before him. He added only after a carnation of religious zeal, coupled with the long pause: keenest' intellect-the revolutionary spirit of "If the king succumbs, Parliament will get the period, opposed to the despotic obstinacy hold of the helm of government-Parliament, of the king. 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It seems to me the tower and its bold projections and pillars. Spirit of God animates the assembly no longer, Surrounded by a strong wall, protected by a and their doings are vain. Many men, many drawbridge, and covered by ramparts and minds. They lack a firm will, of which we other fortifications, it resembled a small forhave need at this juncture. Essex and Fairfax tress, well calculated to withstand even a nuare not the men to achieve our great under- merous force during a protracted siege. Alice taking. The Lord will choose another servant Egerton had lived here for several years by to reveal His will. Whosoever he may be, the side of her husband. After Milton's dehe will take a heavy burden upon his shoulders, parture, the excellent girl had yielded to the a task which only the best are able to accom- persistent suit of the noble and brave Sir plish. But the will of the Lord be done on Robert Carbury, and accompanied him as his earth as it is in heaven." wife to his native country. She had no reason The moon illuminated the form of the pray- to regret the choice she had made, as her husing general. His devotion was soon inter- band was one of the best men she had ever rupted by the arrival of a squad of mounted known, and tried to fulfil her every wish even men headed by old Henderson, whose wound before she had uttered it. Nevertheless, she had been carefully dressed. was not able to efface the memory of Milton "Behold the instrument of the Lord, the entirely from her heart. There were hours chosen leader of Israel! " exclaimed the fanat- when his dear image appeared to her again ical Puritan, pointing to the kneeling general. and again, although, actuated by a stern sense The soldiers greeted their commander re- of duty, she strenuously resisted all such spectfully. He seemed to awake from a pro- temptations. Like many distinguished ladies found dream, and looked around wonderingly, she preserved the ideal of an early love in her as though he had not noticed them before. heart, without thereby violating the faith she "Go," he said to them, "and do your duty. had plighted to her husband. She loved CarPursue the enemy, and give him no quarter bury only the more, and sought to indemnify wherever you meet him. I shall pray for you him by the most devoted tenderness and selfwhile you are fighting." denial for these recollections which stole upon her in spite of herself. She had borne to him X,- ~~.a son, who drew still closer the ties uniting his father and mother. To-day she was seated in CHAPTER XX. the castle-garden, and by her side stood the cradle in which her little son was slumbering. LADY ALICE CARBURY-THE CASTLE BESIEGED. A Bible, the constant companion of the truly AMID the mountains of Wales lay a green pious Alice, lay open before her; but, while shady valley, through which flowed a limpid she was reading, the eyes of the tender mother rivulet. The whole landscape resembled a wandered from the pages to the rosy babe. large romantic park; a somewhat precipitous A sweet smile played round the lips of the hill was surmounted by an imposing castle, little one, and the mother bent over him, not which evidently dated from the commence- daring to kiss him, for fear of awakening the ment of the Wars of the Roses, but had since child. Her eyes feasted in an ecstasy of debeen greatly extended and improved. It had light on the dear being, and she hearkened retained its original Gothic style, and looked with reverence to the light breathing of the imperiously down from its hills with its high delicate breast which rose and fell with rhyth 220 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. mical regularity. While she was thus enjoy- happen to us," replied Carbury evasively, ing this delightful spectacle, she suddenly felt "but will make all necessary dispositions for two vigorous arms encircling her. an emergency. When our enemies perceive "Alice, my dear sweet wife," whispered the that we are sufficiently prepared to receive well-known voice of her husband. them, they will not lose their time by entering She turned and beheld Carbury, attended by upon a useless siege, by which, at the best, his worthy chaplain. Her husband was in his they can gain little or nothing." travelling-dress, and his face, notwithstanding "And my brother Thomas is to lead the the forced smile illuminating it, wore an almost reinforcements to us? It is a long time since solemn expression. I have heard any thing of him and the other "You are going away? " she asked, in sur- members of my family." prise." He was a long time in the service of the " Only for a short time. I trust I shall be queen; but after she left England and escaped back to-morrow. Our worthy doctor will stay to France, he joined the king's army, in which with you in the mean time." he has already distinguished himself on more So saying, she pointed to the clergyman, than one occasion." whose gentle and intellectual face could not "How glad I shall be to meet him, even but inspire confidence. Nevertheless, Alice though the cause of his visit is not very cheerwas greatly alarmed by this sudden departure. ing." "I can certainly," she said, "wish for no "Never fear, my sweet wife. I hope that better protection, nor more agreeable com- the storm will blow over this time also." pany, than that afforded to me by Doctor Tay- "God grant it!" added the pious and lor's presence; and yet your resolve surprises learned chaplain, with clasped hands. me the more as it is taken at a time when Sir Robert Carbury took the most affectiondangers are menacing us from all quarters. ate leave of his wife, and imprinted a kiss on You know that the army of the Parliament the lips of his slumbering son, who, aroused has invaded Wales, and is stationed only a from his sleep, started up weeping, and few miles from our castle. Your sentiments stretched out his tiny hands toward his mother. and loyalty to the king are generally known." Alice quieted the crying babe by singing a "This is the very cause of my departure. lullaby. to it, and soon the small blue eyes, I have been informed that a coup de main is which resembled those of the mother, closed in contemplation against us. The garrison of again. The chaplain accompanied Carbury to our castle is too weak to stand a vigorous and the gate, and then returned to stay with the protracted siege. I therefore applied to the lady of the house. He found her occupied king for reenforcements, and although he him- with reading the Bible. After a short time self is hard pressed on all sides, he has prom- she laid the book aside. ised to send me the necessary troops. Your "Is it not strange," she said, "that the own brother is to lead them to me, and I am same book which to me is a source of peace now going to meet them, because their fail- and consolation, should so violently inflame ure -to arrive before this time fills me with so many people? Catholics and Protestants, uneasiness." Independents and Presbyterians, as well as "Then you look for a regular attack on the Episcopal Church, claim the Bible as auour castle?" asked Alice, anxiously. thority for their tenets, and fight in its name." "I do not think any thing very serious will "Blessed are the peacemakers," replied the LADY ALICE CARBURY-THE CASTLE BESIEGED. 221 chaplain. " True believers may be known by they brought the rents of their holdings, the charity and toleration with which they which Alice received and carefully entered in treat those who differ from them. When a book. Almost all of them complained of Abraham, according to the ancient legend, was hard times, and demanded large or small reseated at the door of his tent to invite, as he ductions in the amounts they owed. Alice was in the habit of doing, weary travellers to granted willingly all she could, and, by her come in, he beheld an old man, who, weighed kindness, increased the number of the friends down by his years and the fatigues of his jour- and faithful adherents of the house, who, if ney, approached wearily. Abraham received need be, were ready to die for their landlord. him kindly, washed his feet, and invited him Toward evening she went, attended by the to sit down and partake of his food. But on chaplain and her faithful maid, to the cottages noticing that the old man prayed neither be- of the poor and sick, spreading everywhere fore nor after the meal, he asked him why he consolation and relief, and greeted by the did not worship God in heaven. The old man blessings of those to whom she was an aftold him that he was a fire-worshipper and did fectionate mother. After kissing her babe not recognize any other God. This reply once more, she took from a private drawer of made Abraham so angry that he drove the old her bureau, which was neatly inlaid with ivory man from his tent'and exposed him to the in- and silver, a book, to which she was in the clemency of the night and the dangers of the habit of confiding her most secret thoughts, desert. After the old man was gone, God sentiments, feelings; and adventures. For called Abraham, and asked him where the years past she had given to herself a strict acstranger was. He replied,'I drove him away count of her doings and ideas; she examined because he did not worship Thee.' But God herself in so doing, and these carefully-presaid to him:'I have borne for a hundred served pages were a mirror of her soul. Here years with his neglect, and couldst thou not she had also noted down the sweetest secret, tolerate it a single night, although he did not her first love for Milton. Now she wrote the offend thee in the least?' Then Abraham following words, which bore witness to her perceived that he had done wrong, hastened purity and amiability: after the old man, begged his pardon, and "September 15th.-My lord set out early took him humbly back to his tent! "this morning to make inquiries concerning the " And we will do so, too," said Alice, rising enemy, who is said to be only fifteen miles from the bench. from our castle. He hopes to return with my " I know many an excellent man who differs brother and some royal troops. When he left with me so far as religious matters are con- me I grieved sorely, and took up the Bible to cerned, and yet I would not hate him for it. console myself. The chapter which I hapHe who seeks for truth shall remain our pened to open caused me to feel in the most friend, even though he should pursue another vivid manner the goodness of God toward His path than ours. All the virtuous and good weak and ignorant children. Thank God, no will meet at the goal." learning and talents are required to underAlice passed her day, like all others, in stand the Gospel! I believe that poor simple faithfully discharging her duties. She had to women often entertain better and healthier attend to manifold household cares, and to di- views of life than we with all our knowledge. rect and superintend the labors of a large I rarely see blind old Betty, whose cottage I number of servants. Tenants came and went; visited again yesterday, without learning a 222 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. great deal from her and being comforted by young lambs bleated; they seemed not to recher example. She has lost her husband, and ognize their mothers in their altered garb. I all her children except one son, who left.her returned through the park. Never did I see long ago, and of whom she does not even the chestnuts and beeches so beautiful in their know whether he is still alive. Moreover, she autumnal foliage. A sunbeam gilded the red has been blind for fifteen years past; and yet and yellow leaves, some of which rustled she is serene and full of confidence in God. pleasantly at my feet. I thought of my death, This blind old woman sees better than I do but the idea did not frighten me; I only with my eyes open. While I was thus read- wished to pass away as gently and smilingly ing and meditating, there came to me our as parting nature. good chaplain, who had accompanied my lord "I settled all accounts with the tenants in to the gate. He brought me greetings from my lord's absence. I am almost afraid that I my husband, and we spoke of toleration tow- devote too much attention to worldly affairs, ard those who differ from us. The worthy and neglect the examination and improvement clergyman shared my opinion, and I was glad of my heart. Others may believe that I am to hear him utter such mild views. On this doing my whole duty; for who penetrates the occasion I thought of the man who is still secret faults of the heart; who knows the redear to my heart, despite my duties as a wife luctance, imperfection, and coldness with which and mother. My little son was slumbering I serve my Creator, the egotism and reprehensicalmly, and I thanked God for the precious ble motives prompting my benevolent actions? pledge He has intrusted to me. All my grief Since I am a mother, I must watch myself vanishes whenever I contemplate the smiling with redoubled attention. When, tired by face of my child; every impure thought is si- settling all those accounts, and filled with aplent in the presence of this sweet innocence. prehensions, I laid my babe on my breast, my I feel purified and elevated by its aspect. gloomy, anxious face seemed to frighten the' At dinner I felt lonely, as my lord was little one. The boy, notwithstanding his age, absent. It is not only the force of habit already pays close attention to the physiognothat attaches me to my husband, but the most mies of the persons surrounding him. The fervent esteem and love for the best of men. expression of my countenance must have He conquered my heart by his virtues, and startled him, for he cried violently. My stifled every previous affection in it. For the smiles and caresses again quieted the little companion of my youth I feel now only sin- one, who laid his head on my breast and soon cere friendship. It is my firm conviction that fell asleep. This incident is very trifling in ithe has not forgotten me either. Last night I self, and yet it teaches me how necessary it is visited the dairy-farm, and found every thing for us always to be careful of what we are doin good order. Cicely is a faithful girl, and ing. Now, if this duty is incumbent on us the cattle thrive under her care. I praised toward our children, and toward all men, her, for praise from the mistress gladdens the how much more so toward Him who sees hearts of faithful servants. Always be more through our hearts and knows our most secret sparing of your censure than your praise. The thoughts! " sheep are again covered with wool; they were On the following day Sir Robert Carbury shorn in May last. Poor animals! How they returned with a small detachment of soldiers rebelled at first against the cold iron, and yet commanded by Thomas Egerton, whom the finally submitted patiently to their fate! The king had sent to him. Alice went to meet LADY ALICE CARBURY-THE CASTLE BESIEGED. 223 ner husband and her long-wished-for brother in honor of the birth of an heir, and they had with unfeigned joy; but she soon perceived an since then lain unused in a corner of the castle. expression of ill-concealed grief in the features They were now taken out and loaded with and conduct of the two men. pieces of lead and iron. Some servants were "Robert," she said to her husband, "what ordered to fell the old trees in the park, lest has happened? Do not conceal any thing they should cover the besiegers. The decayed from me. You know that I am not timid, and parts of the wall were hurriedly repaired and as your wife I have a right to share your sor- provided with loopholes. The drawbridge was rows as well as your joys." raised, and the necessary sentinels were posted. "I am afraid," replied Carbury, after some Alice assisted her husband and brother in this hesitation, "that we must part. You must emergency in the most vigorous manner; with not stay any longer at the castle. The enemy her maids she attended to the wants of the is drawing nearer and nearer to it, and he may garrison, and, so far as the time permitted, be here to-morrow and begin the siege. You caused the tenants and laborers, who were dewill set out this very day, attended by a faith- voted to her, to drive the cattle from the pasful servant, to Ludlow Castle, where you will tures into the court-yard, and convey as much be safe at the house of your parents." corn as possible into the castle. The court"What! do you think I could leave you? yard was soon filled with lowing cows and My place is here at your side. No danger can bleating sheep, and the store-rooms with corn tear me from your side. We have solemnly and flour. A large tire was burning in the vowed not to leave each other to our last kitchen, and the cook boiled and baked all day day." long for the hungry garrison., "But I cannot, must not expose you to the Sir Robert Carbury had sent out some stout terrors of such a siege." lads to reconnoitre the operations of the enemy. "But I am not afraid. Put me to the test, The intelligence with which they returned was and you will see that I shall not tremble." any thing but reassuring. The Parliamentary " Think of our son. For his sake I beg, I army, commanded by Fairfax, had taken by implore you to leave the castle!" assault and destroyed most of the castles and " The duties of the wife are not less stringent fortresses of the country; a detachment led by than those of the mother. My life belongs to Major Overton, had started for the possessions you as well as to my son. I shall not leave of Sir Robert Carbury, and was already so you." close to them that its appearance might be Carbury's entreaties, and even orders, were looked for on the following day. There could in vain; Alice persisted in her determination be no doubt whatever as to its destination, to share all dangers with him. Thomas, who Sir Robert Carbury being considered one of loved his sister tenderly, was likewise unable the most zealous adherents of the king. The to shake her will. She therefore remained, night passed amid gloomy apprehensions. On and calmly awaited the impending siege. the following morning Sir Robert Carbury orIn a few hours the castle had lost its peace- dered all the women, children, and sick perful aspect. The court-yard and the halls were sons to be removed from the castle. Only filled with noisy soldiers. Two small pieces faithful Cicely and two servant-girls remained, of ordnance, which had formerly only been to assist their mistress in her numerous and used on festive occasions, were planted on the arduous labors. walls; the last time they were discharged was Immediately after dinner Thomas and Car 224 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES., bury ascended the tower to watch with spy- "Come, we will receive the bearer of the glasses the approach of the enemy. Toward flag of truce, and hear what he has to say." three they descried, in the horizon, a cloud of After descending from the tower, Sir Robert dust approaching with considerable rapidity. Carbury met at the drawbridge a ParliamenHere and there flashed from it a glittering tary officer, who demanded an interview with weapon, a musket, or the hilt of a sword. him. He called upon Carbury to surrender They also heard the noise and rhythmic tread the castle and submit unconditionally to Parof a detachment of soldiers. As yet the num- liament, when his life, as well as those of the bers of the force could not be ascertained, garrison, would be spared. Sir Robert debut, to judge from the size of the cloud of dared that he was a loyal adherent of the dust, it could not be insignificant. Thus the king, and that he would defend himself to the danger was drawing nigh, veiled, like a som- last drop of blood. bre secret, concealing in its bosom destruction "Your blood be upon your own head, then," and death. It was not till some time after- said the Puritan officer, spurring his horse. ward that they distinctly perceived the whole The enemy immediately encamped, and discolumn moving like a serpent amid the hills played the same evening the utmost activity. and valleys, now disappearing among the On reconnoitring his position from the tower, trees, now emerging again into the plain. At Sir Robert acquired the conviction that he the head of the troops rode the commander, had to deal with an adversary alike brave and surrounded by a few officers; behind him skilled in military operations. marched several hundred soldiers, the Saints " We shall have a hard fight," he said to of Israel, as they styled themselves. On be- Thomas. " The commander seems to be a holding the castle, they intoned a pious hymn, man who understands his business." and advanced as calmly as though they were "I know him, and am glad to have an opabout to go to church instead of making an portunity to settle an old account with him. assault on a fortified place. This man, Overton, is still in my debt." " I suppose," said Thomas, " the rascals in- The approach of Alice and the chaplain dulge the hope that they will carry the walls now gave another turn to the conversation. of this castle, like those of Jericho, by their She invited the men to supper, of which they sanctimonious noise. Would it not be prudent partook in a grave and solemn frame of mind. for us to give them a more correct opinion of Afterward Sir Robert posted the sentinels, and the situation by a well-aimed cannon-shot?" urged them to be as vigilant as possible; he " We shall have time enough for that here- himself did not go to bed, but remained awake after," replied his brother-in-law. " We must all night long, in order to be on hand for any save our powder; they are as yet too far from emergency that might arise. Alice stayed the castle to fear ourcannon-shots. But, not- with her babe. Before falling asleep, she withstanding their singing, they are good men, clasped her hands, and prayed God to avert and their whole bearing indicates that they the imminent danger. are brave and well-tried soldiers." "Hold on," interrupted Thomas, "the fellows seem to be more polite than I thought they were. By the Eternal! they are sending to us a flag of truce, probably in order to summon us to surrender." MARRIAGE OF THOMAS AND LUCY-CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE. 225 mentary soldiers had fallen, and considerable CHAPTER XXI, gaps were to be seen in their ranks. The latter closed up again, and the assaulting column MARRIAGE OF THOMAS AND LUCY-CAPTURE OF advanced with the utmost firmness and inTHE CASTLE. THE CASTLE. trepidity. The brave commander encouraged THE autumnal sun rose in golden radiance. his men incessantly, and by his words and exThe mists which were floating like airy veils ample immediately restored order in the ranks round the hills and meadows vanished, and of his soldiers. The besiegers were soon so the landscape exhibited an aspect of wondrous close to the castle as to be entirely out of the beauty. Nothing indicated that savage war range of Sir Robert's artillery; they suffered was raging in these rural scenes. Every thing at the most only by the musketry of the garwas yet hushed; only the flocks of the depart- rison, which, however, injured them but very ing migratory birds sounded their farewell slightly. By means of the fascines which they notes. Alice had stepped to the window and had brought along, they tried to approach the gazed upon the scenery. At last she beheld ditch and the ramparts, and to gain the drawthe camp, with its gray tents, which, like a bridge, by which they hoped to penetrate into dark thunder-cloud, had descended on these the castle. Already the boldest had climbed peaceful fields. It was no dream, it was the up, and were preparing to cut with their axes stern reality of war that was staring her in the chains fastening the bridge, when it was the face. The silver sickle of the moon was suddenly lowered, and Thomas, at the head of yet in the heavens, and the morning-star fifty volunteers, rushed out and drove back twinkled comfortingly to her. Profound si- the surprised enemies. The foremost were lence seemed to reign in the camp; but loud either killed or compelled to jump into the flourishes resounded suddenly, and in a few ditch, in whose muddy waters they perished, moments the whole scene was changed. Sol- unless a bullet put a speedier end to their sufdiers rushed from the tents and formed in ferings. A terrible melee took place in the line; scaling-ladders and fascines for enabling middle of the bridge; the enemies fought the troops to climb the walls and fill the hand to hand, and tried to push each other ditches were brought up. The column moved, into the ditch. Overton brought up reenand advanced at the quick-step to within can- forcements, but they were likewise unable to non-range of the castle, shouting wildly, "The force an entrance into the castle. The Parsword of the Lord and of Gideon!" There liamentary troops had to yield to the impetuwas a fearful pause of several minutes, during ous bravery of the besieged, and were comwhich Alice heard nothing but the throbbing pelled to retreat. Murderous volleys of musof her own heart. Meanwhile, Sir Robert ketry from the ramparts of the castle pursued Carbury was at the head of the besieged. He the fugitives, and it was not until they were had likewise closely watched the operations close to their camp that Overton succeeded in of the enemy, and awaited his approach on rallying his dispersed soldiers. the rampart. He now ordered his men, in a The first assault had been successfully reloud voice, to point the cannon and fire at the pulsed, and Alice thanked God for her husassailants. The next moment the booming of band's victory. She hastened immediately artillery shook the air, and Alice, from her into the court-yard, where she met Sir Robert position, was able to observe the destructive and Thomas, who had been slightly wounded effects of the balls. Several of the Parlia- in the hand-to-hand conflict. A handsome 15 226 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. youth, who seemed to be his servant, was en- Thomas, your brother, become my husband? gaged in dressing his wound. Alice did not at You forget that neither my birth nor my foronce recognize her friend Lucy Henderson, who tune entitles me to such a position." attended to the wounded, and took good care Alice tried to quiet the excited girl; but she not to look at her. But when she was about was unable to prevent her covering her hands to withdraw, and turned her face toward Alice, and feet with kisses and tears. She called the latter uttered a cry of surprise. Cicely, who assisted Lucy in changing her "Lucy!" she exclaimed, in dismay. dress, and she soon reappeared in her former The poor girl dared neither to stay nor to garb. The kind-hearted lady had furnished the leave. A deep blush of shame suffused her necessary articles, which fitted Lucy exactly. cheeks. Thomas was sent for, and his sister had a long "Come with me," said Alice, who suspected and grave interview with him. that there was a secret at the bottom of this "You have to make amends for a grievous strange disguise. wrong," she said to him. "It is your fault Lucy accompanied her friend to her room. that poor Lucy lost her honor. I know that Amid a flood of tears she confessed to Alice she loves you; she has proved it to you by her her illicit love for Thomas, her escape from old boundless devotion. It is for you now to reHenderson's house, and all her adventures since store honor and reputation to her. Your liaithe performance of "Comus" at Ludlow son must cease, and be converted into a more Castle. sacred union." " I am unworthy," she said, at the conclu- Although Thomas fully shared the frivolous sion of her narrative, " to be addressed by a views of life entertained by the young cavaliers noble lady like you. Ah! I was filled with of his age, he was not bold enough to profess shame and confusion on beholding you; you such principles before his noble sister. The must consider me the vilest creature on earth." virtue and purity of Alice filled him with pro" God forbid! "replied Alice, mildly. "'Judge found reverence, and in her presence he did not, that ye be not judged.' The Saviour for- not venture to utter an unbecoming word or a gave the greatest sinner, and how could I con- frivolous jest. Up to this moment Lucy had demn you? My brother is at least as guilty as not raised any such claims, and he did not by you are. I shall speak to him about you." any means look upon his union with her as an " Do so, but do not drive me to despair. I illicit one. Such love-affairs were very comfeel that I can never leave him." mon among the cavaliers of the time, and were " And yet it is necessary that you should. not only tolerated but encouraged in their cirBut, above all things, you must doff your male cles. Nevertheless, Alice's words seemed to attire, and put on a costume becoming your make a deep impression upon the light-hearted sex." young man. Perhaps the many touching "I will do all, all that you ask; only do not proofs of fervent love on Lucy's part were extell me to leave Thomas." ercising a decisive influence over him at this "It is not I, but he, that is to decide what moment. He went to Lucy and held out his is to be done. He took your honor from you; hand to her. he shall now restore it to you." " The chaplain," said Alice, "is waiting for "What! Did I understand you right?" you in the chapel, i order to marry you this asked Lucy, as if awaking from a dream. "No, very night." no, that is impossible. It can never be. Weeping, overcome at once by shame and MARRIAGE OF THOMAS AND LUCY-CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE. 227 joy, Lucy sank into the arms of the virtuous proached the advanced line of the besiegers. lady. Accompanied only by Sir Robert Car- A soldier of the Parliament, who was about to bury and his wife, who were present at the give the alarm, was slain by Thomas himself. ceremony as witnesses, the young couple stood Already they were in the open field when they before the altar, where the pious chaplain ad- met a strong picket, which attacked them. It dressed a few appropriate remarks to them, and was not until now that they used their firethen married them. The'passionate bride was arms. The reports of their muskets aroused filled with an affection'bordering on veneration the whole camp, and Overton himself hastened for her new sister-in-law. After the ceremony up at the head of his troops, which he had was over, Alice kissed Lucy, but this did not hastily formed in line. A desperate struggle satisfy the impetuous girl; she threw herself now ensued in the profound darkness, which at her feet, and kissed her hands, notwithstand- was broken only by the flashes of the muskets ing Alice's entreaties not to do so. and the glittering of the swords. It was a Meanwhile the siege took its course. The most savage and bloody hand-to-hand conflict. troops of the Parliament had soon recovered Friend and foe were scarcely able to distinfrom their first defeat, and burned with the guish each other in the darkness of the night. desire of avenging their discomfiture as soon It was not until the moon rose and shed her as possible. They requested their commander pale light on the scene that Overton ascertained Overton to order immediately another assault, the insignificant number of his adversaries. but he preferred to surround the castle more They were soon hemmed in on all sides, and closely, and starve the garrison into a surren- nothing remained for them but to surrender or der. For this purpose he posted all around force a passage through the ranks of the enethe castle detachments which rendered it im- my, which, at the best, involved them in the possible for Sir Robert to obtain supplies from heaviest losses. the surrounding country. He also had heavy "Follow me! " shouted Thomas, courageousartillery brought up, in order to breach the ly. " Sell your lives as dearly as possible." walls, and then undertake another and more So saying, he rushed intrepidly at the iron successful assault. What few supplies the wall of the enemy, in order to break it; his garrison had were soon exhausted, and ammu- men followed him with desperate impetuosity. nition was also scarce. Sir Robert was under But Overton opposed him with his veteran solthe necessity of tearing all the lead and iron diers. Twice they crossed their blades, and from the roofs and windows, in order to make the old adversaries recognized each other in balls and bullets. The enemy's artillery daily the dim moonlight. made sad havoc; the walls were soon in ruins, "Take this for Haywood Forest!" cried and the castle itself had already been injured Thomas, levelling at the Puritan's head a to some extent. The ranks of the garrison powerful stroke, which Overton parried with were thinned, many of its soldiers having been great skill. killed and wounded. Under these circum- "Surrender!" shouted Overton. "The stances, a council of war was held, and the res- Lord has delivered you a second time into my olution taken to make a sortie in order to pro- hands." vision the castle, and, if possible, to compel "Stop your sanctimonious phrases, which the Parliamentary troops to raise the siege. fill me only with disgust " In the dead of night the intrepid garrison, They fought with extreme exasperation, and, driven to extremity, left the castle and ap- as before, the two were surrounded by a circle 228 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. of men who, attracted by the extraordinary the ditch. The ditch filled with the corpses of scene, had ceased fighting. Both adversaries the slain, which formed a natural bridge for the had already received several wounds, when Sir living. They stepped over them to return to Robert Carbury, who had vainly tried to break the charge. All efforts of Sir Robert were in the line of the enemy at another point, ap- vain; attacked both in front and rear, he was proached them. He rushed impetuously upon unable to prolong the fight. After resisting the Puritans, and the struggle became general in the most heroic manner, he sank mortally again. In the melee now ensuing Thomas was wounded to the ground., But his fall was the separated from Overton. The victory re- signal of a still more desperate struggle. mained long doubtful; the scales of success Thomas, who had perceived from afar the inclining now to one side, now to the other. danger menacing his brother-in-law, hastened Sir Robert performed prodigies of valor; sur- up with the remainder of his men to rescue rounded by his most faithful servants; he suc- him from his perilous position. He came too ceeded again in opening a bloody passage late to save him, but determined at least to through the ranks of the enemy; but the avenge his death. He attacked Overton and superior numbers of the latter rendered it im- his troops with furious impetuosity. His possible for him to follow up the advantages grief added to his intrepidity, and the besieged he had obtained here and there. His force fought for the same reason with redoubled was thinned more and more, and his brave valor. The soldiers of the Parliament began men sank mortally wounded at his feet. to give way, and Thomas succeeded in breakCloser and closer became the net which he ing their ranks and retreating with his men to vainly tried to break. Hitherto he had man- the castle, without being pursued by the enaged to keep his back free by retreating to a emy. He had Sir Robert's corpse conveyed small grove which was covered by a shallow into the court-yard, where Alice met the mournditch. With his rear protected in this man- ful procession, and, uttering a piercing cry, ner, he was able to resist the superior force of threw herself upon the bloody bier. the enemy for some time. Overton, however, Notwithstanding her profound grief at the with his habitual penetration, had not over- terrible loss which had befallen her, Alice did looked this natural bulwark: at his bidding, not lose her presence of mind; she was dea small detachment of his soldiers forced a termined to carry out the intentions of her passage, sword in hand, through the bushes. lamented husband, and defend the castle as he The clash of the swords and the breaking of would have done. After his remains had been the branches informed Sir Robert of this new interred in the family vault, she appeared in and imminent danger. After a few minutes her weeds before the garrison, which was now the soldiers had removed all obstructions, and commanded by Thomas. Her noble form only the narrow ditch served him yet as a bul- was wrapped in a black veil flowing to the wark, which he resolved to defend at any cost. ground, and leaving free only her pale face. The besiegers waded the ditch and rushed In her arms she carried her orphan son, who up the opposite bank, which was only a few was playing unconcernedly with the dark ribfeet higher. Here they met with a truly des- bons on her bosom. Thus she addressed the perate resistance. Carbury profited by the brave little garrison, and called upon them to slight advantages of his position, and, aided resist the Puritans with unflinching courage. by his faithful men, hurled the soldiers, as Her aspect touched and fired the hearts of they were climbing up, again and again into these valiant men; many an eye, which had MARRIAGE OF THOMAS AND LUCY-CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE. 229 seldom or never wept, filled with tears. All thrown himself with a number of determined swore of their own accord to live and die for men into the tower; there was also Alice with their mistress. her child. The brave men fired from the winDespite Carbury's death, the besiegers met, dows at the enemy, and their bullets killed as before, with an unexpectedly vigorous re- yet many a soldier of Parliament. A detachsistance. Accompanied by Lucy, Alice ap- ment of intrepid volunteers, armed with axes, peared at all hours of the day among her faith- approached to break in the iron doors leading ful defenders to fire their courage, and she into the tower. Several well-aimed volleys never failed to do so. Wherever the danger of the besieged, however, were sufficient to seemed more imminent than anywhere else, dislodge them. Overton himself led his men there she was sure to be found. Her whole once more to the charge; they no longer nature had undergone a sudden change. listened to his orders, but gave way dismayed Hitherto timid and retiring, she had all at once at the shower of bullets thinning their ranks. become a heroine, avenging the death of her There remained only one means, to which husband and keeping the faith plighted to her their commander, from motives of humanity, king. Like the heroic women of antiquity, had hitherto refused to resort; but now he she did not shrink from the terrors of war, the ordered his men to fetch pitch and torches to clash of arms, and the sight of the dead and set fire to the tower. Dense clouds of smoke wounded. After sharing by day all the dan- arose after a few minutes, and the greedy gers of her men, she walked by night through flames, fed by straw and fagots, consumed the the halls to dress the wounds of the brave. worm-eaten timber with great rapidity. The She herself underwent the greatest privations, devouring conflagration rose from story to and as the lack of provisions became every story, and soon threatened to burn the garday more distressing, she willingly deprived rison. No escape seemed possible, and all herself of her wonted food and comforts. The prepared to die in the raging sea of flames. whole garrison, among whom there was not a "It is better for us," said Thomas, at last, single deserter or traitor, displayed a fidelity "to fall sword in hand than to perish so miserand perseverance unheard of in this war. ably in the fire. Let us, at least, sell our lives Nevertheless, all efforts of the besieged were as dearly as possible." unsuccessful. The artillery of the besiegers His proposition met with general approval. had destroyed the larger part of the ramparts Thomas then signed to his men, who drew and walls, and the garrison was unable to re- back the bolts of the iron door, and the bepair the damages. Exasperated by this un- sieged, now reduced to a very small number, expected delay, Overton resolved to venture rushed from the burning tower. In their midst on another assault. At midnight, when the were Lucy and Alice, who carried her son in garrison, overcome by the fatigues of the inces- her arms. The Parliamentary troops immesant struggle, had fallen asleep, the Parliamen- diately surrounded them. Escape was hardly tary troops scaled the walls, and, before the possible, but all the more desperate was the sentinels were able to give the alarm, they struggle. Thomas succumbed to the odds of were slain. the enemy, and was taken prisoner; the same The court-yard soon filled with soldiers, fate befell such of his men as were not slain by who attacked the surprised garrison from all the exasperated victors. The two women were quarters. But the besieged offered even now more fortunate. In the darkness and general the most desperate resistance. Thomas had confusion they succeeded in effecting their 230 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. escape without being perceived by the infuri- "Thunder and lightning!" he cried out. ated soldiers. Already they had reached a "If I am not mistaken, I have caught a presmall gate leading to the park and the open cious little bird. You and your child must fields, when the cries of the babe attracted the accompany me. Give me the babe." attention of a soldier, who immediately pur- " I will die rather than do so," replied Alice, sued them. It was no other than Billy Green, resolutely, pressing her little son firmly to her who, imitating the example of many similar heaving bosom. adventurers, was now seeking for booty and "No foolery," said Billy, gruffly. "You promotion in the Parliamentary army, after his are the lady of the castle, and my prisoner. patron Pym had died, and his profession as a Do not resist me; you see that I know who spy and informer was nO longer so lucrative you are." as at the outset. He took good care to keep Alice vainly implored him to spare her and out of danger, and watched only for an oppor- her child. Already Billy stretched out his tunity, after the fight was over, to fill his hand to seize the babe, when Lucy, of whom pocketa with the spoils that fell into the hands he had hitherto taken no notice whatever, of the victors. Such an opportunity seemed rushed at the villain with the courage of an to have come for him now. Owing to the angry lioness. Before he was able to prevent bright glare of the burning tower, he discovered her, she had snatched the pistol which he wore the fleeing women immediately; and when he in his broad belt. had to deal with women he was always ex- "Stand back!" she shouted to him in a ceedingly brave. He had soon overtaken Alice thundering voice, "or, as sure as there is a and seized her dress. God in heaven, I will instantly shoot you "Halloo!" he shouted. "My sweet little down!" dove, you will not escape in this manner." Billy, seized with terror, staggered back a "For God's sake, let me go! What do you few steps, and the livid pallor of cowardice want of hae?" overspread his features; but he was soon en" What a foolish question!" laughed the couraged by the thought that he had to deal villain. "You wear on your neck a golden only with a feeble woman. He left Alice and chain which pleases me amazingly." turned to his new enemy. "Take it, then, and do not detain me any "Stand back!" she shouted to him once longer." more, cocking the pistol. "There is also a little ring glittering on your Whether the villain was ashamed of his finger. I should like to get it for my sweet- former cowardice, or was impelled by the deheart." sire of effecting an important capture, and "It is my wedding-ring," replied Alice, thereby securing a large reward, he disremournfully. garded the threat, and put his hand on his " Let me see whether it is worth any thing," sword in order to intimidate Lucy and arrest was his unfeeling reply. her and Alice; but before he was able to carry Billy grasped her hand in order to draw his purpose into effect, Lucy aimed at him and the ring from it. In doing so, he had ap- discharged the pistol. Billy Green fell woundproached so close to her that she recognized ed, and shouted piteously for help. Before him as the impudent Comus of Haywood any of his comrades had heard his cries, Lucy Forest. He seemed to remember her like- had seized the hand of her sister-in-law and wise. fled with her. EXECUTION OF CHARLES I.-CROMWELL AND THE LEVELLERS. 231 had hitherto connected the two hostile parties CHAPTER XXII. was broken. The discord between the Presbyterians and Independents broke out with unEXECUTION OF CHARLES I. —-CROMWELL AND disguised fury. Both were intensely jealous THE LEVELLERS. THE LEVELLERS. of each other; the former preponderated in MISFORTUNE after misfortune had befallen the Parliament, the latter in the army. To the king; his troops had been routed, his ad- deprive their opponents of the support of the herents were fleeing or imprisoned; he himself army, the Presbyterians resolved to disband a was wandering about from place to place with part of it, and send the remainder to Ireland, the demoralized remnants of his army. Thus where the rebellion was still raging with unadeserted by all the world, he listened at last bated violence. The soldiers, to whose valor to the counsels of Montreville, the French am- alone Parliament was indebted for its triumph, bassador, and repaired to the camp of the were extremely indignant at these measures. Scots. He preferred to intrust himself to They held daily meetings of the most excited his Scotch rather than his English subjects- character in the camp, and appointed comcounting, doubtless, partly on their generosity, mittees to maintain the rights of the army. partly on the jealousy constantly prevailing Old Henderson, who exercised considerable between the two nations. He soon, however, influence over his party, stood, a few days acquired the conviction that he had been mis- after the king bad been delivered to the Engtaken. The Scots sold the king for the sum lish, in front of his tent, surrounded by a of four hundred thousand pounds to the Eng- number of soldiers who shared his opinions. lish Parliament. The Presbyterians, who were Some had Bibles in their hands; others leaned still in the ascendant, seized the king, and con- on the hilts of their long swords. Their stern veyed him to Holmby, where he was strictly faces were even graver than, usual; fanatical guarded by their commissioners, but still zeal reddened their cheeks, and gleamed from treated with the respect due to his exalted under their shaggy eyebrows. They resembled rank. Charles himself indulged once more a congregation of ecstatic worshippers rather the hope that, by negotiating with his adver- than a crowd of soldiers. saries, he would not only succeed in saving "Israel, arm!" shouted the old Puritan. his crown, but by and by recover his former "Gird on thy sword, and prepare for the power and authority. In accordance with his struggle with the heathens. The Lord has usual duplicity, he seemed to listen readily to vouchsafed a great victory to the lion of Juthe terms and proposals of Parliament, while dah, but the cowardly jackal is intent on dehe was secretly trying to be delivered from priving him of his well-deserved reward, and their hands. He thought the fanatical Inde- robbing him of the spoils that belong to him pendents and the army would help him to re- alone. While we were fighting, the idle babcover his liberty. He hated the moderate blers reposed in safety; while we were starvPresbyterians, who were in favor of a consti- ing, they revelled in wine; while we were tutional monarchy, far more than the republi- watching, they slept on soft cushions. Instead can Independents. Despotism always inclines of thanking us, they mock and revile the warmore toward extreme democracy than toward riors of the Lord. Woe, woe to them!" the constitutional friends of liberty. "Woe, woe to them " murmured the solNo sooner was the struggle ended by the diers, grasping the hilts of their swords in a capture of the king, than the last tie which menacing manner. 232 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. "Are we to be insulted with impunity?," Toward midnight they arrived at that place, asked the fanatical speaker. " Are we to suf- and demanded to see the king. The commisfer them to deprive the industrious laborer of sioners of Parliament were not a little surhis wages, and defraud him of the fruits of prised, but they relied on the fidelity of their his toils? Zephaniah, tell us your opinion, soldiers who were guarding the king. General for I know that you are a wise and prudent Browne and Colonel Graves, who were in comsoldier." mand of the troops, asked the cornet for his The soldier whom he thus addressed started name, and what he wanted, before admitting up, unsheathed his sword, brandished it in him. the air, and then relapsed into his former "I am Cornet Joyce," he replied, boldly, brooding. "and wish to see the king." "I understand you," added Henderson. "By whose order? " they inquired. "The sword is to decide between us and them, "By my own." between the victorious army and the ungrate- The officers laughed. fill Parliament." "You need not laugh," he said, very gravely. Zephaniah contented himself with nodding " I have as good a right to see him as any one his head, to indicate that this was his opinion. in England." Most of the other soldiers assented to it like- The officers told him to remove his soldiers, wise. Only a cornet, named Joyce, made and apply on the morrow to the commissioners another proposition.. of Parliament. "The time has not come yet," he said, " for "I neither need your advice," he replied, us to settle our accounts with Parliament. We " nor have I to deal with the commissioners, have to deal with a bad debtor, and hence let but only with the king. I will and must see us seize a pledge, that the reluctant debtor him immediately." may remain at our mercy. Such a pledge is Browne and Graves ordered their soldiers the king, whom Parliament is guarding. He to draw their swords, but they had already who has his person has the power. I there- recognized some of their old comrades and fore advise you to start immediately for Holm- come to an understanding with them. Instead by, and convey the king to the camp, either of obeying their officers, they themselves by a stratagem or by main force. Who is opened the gate and welcomed the Puritan more entitled to Charles than the army which soldiers. After posting sentinels in front of vanquished him? To it belong rightfully all the rooms of the commissioners, Joyce deadvantages that may be derived from his pres- manded, pistol in hand, an interview with the ence; and if negotiations are to be entered king. The four chamberlains informed Charles upon with him, it is better that this should be of what had occurred, but the king refused to done on the part of the army than on that of see Joyce until the following day. Parliament." Early in the morning he admitted him. "The Lord inspires you to speak thus!" Joyce came into his presence armed with pisexclaimed old Henderson. "We will not hesi- tols, and told him that he must immediately tate to follow your advice immediately.-Mount go along with him. your horses, soldiers; and you, Cornet Joyce, " Whither?" said the king. shall be our leader." "To the army," replied Joyce. Shortly afterward a detachment of soldiers, " By what warrant? " asked the king. headed by the cornet, set out for Holmby. Joyce pointed to the soldiers whom he had EXECUTION OF CHARLES I.-CROMWELL AND THE LEVELLERS. 233 brought along; tall, handsome, and well ac- apartments of Hampton Court around the percoutred. son of the fallen monarch, as formerly at "Your warrant," said Charles, smiling, " is Whitehall, when Charles was still at the height written in fair characters, legible without spell- of his power. Wily mediators went to and ing." fro; the king used for this purpose his confiThe commissioners, who had been sum- dant Berkeley and his faithful adherent Ashmoned in the mean time, were compelled to burnham. Through them he negotiated now consent to the king's removal, and resolved to with the Parliament, now with the army, stiraccompany him. Charles seemed not at all dis- ring hopes in both, making promises, and holdpleased with Joyce's mission. He had really ing out prospects of rewards. So great was more confidence in the army than the Parlia- the charm of majesty, that, after having lost ment; he hoped he would now be able to enter all, it yet possessed enough to excite the aminto direct connection with the commanders of bition, cupidity, and vanity of the victors. the troops, and gain them over to his side. In Even the shadow of this setting sun was yet the first place he was conveyed to Hampton surrounded with seductive splendor and impos. Court. His expectations seemed at first to be ing grandeur. verified. On the way to his new place of con- Notwithstanding his downfall, Charles was finement, he was allowed to embrace his chil- placed in a more favorable posture than during dren, the Dukes of York and Gloucester, and the war; but he did not know how to yield the Princess Elizabeth. The impressionable little things in order to gain great ones. His populace who witnessed this affecting interview old obstinacy awoke again, and he deceived were deeply moved by it. They strewed flowers himself again as to the extent of his power. In and leaves at the feet of the royal family, and his infatuation he ascribed the position which even his guards were so profoundly touched by he owed to circumstances and to the mutual this tender scene that they gladly permitted jealousies of the hostile parties, to his own perhim to keep his children several days with him. son and his supposed innate and Heaven-given At Hampton Court he did not live by any means royal majesty. His old duplicity and treachery as a prisoner; he resided in the most sumptu- added to this infatuation: he sought to overrous rooms of the magnificent palace, and was throw the Presbyterians by the Independents, attended by a numerous retinue. His adher- the Parliament by the army, and vice versa, ents flocked to him from all quarters, and no and get rid of one adversary by means of the one was denied access to him. other. For this reason he listened to all parPresbyterians and Independents, Parliament ties, and negotiated with all; now with the and the army, every party and sect vied in their Scots, now with the English'; with the cornefforts to derive as much benefit as possible missioners of Parliament, as well as the comfrom the peculiar position of the king. All manders of the army. At the head of the latwished to come to an understanding with ter were Generals Fairfax and Cromwell. It Charles, and bring about his restoration to the was chiefly with Cromwell and his son-in-law throne on as favorable terms as possible. Thus Ireton that Charles entered into clandestine he became the centre of the most conflicting negotiations. He made Cromwell promises interests and all sorts of intrigues; he was brilliant enough to satisfy the ambition of the courted and flattered by the leaders of the par- Puritan general. It was owing perhaps to ties and the army. Members of Parliament, Cromwell's dissatisfaction with Parliament that generals, and commissioners thronged in the he listened to them; and yet he never ceased 234 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. to look with the greatest distrust upon the me the care of the negotiations, as I am famil king. iar with the situation, and know precisely Cromwell and Ireton had learned from a what to do under the circumstances. I have spy that the king was keeping up a continuous entered into relations with the scoundrels correspondence with the queen, who had fled Cromwell and Ireton only in order to gain to France. They had been informed that a them over to my side for a short time. I am letter concerning them was to be forwarded far from taking my promises seriously, and from Hampton Court by a groom who had con- instead of the order of the garter, the halter cealed it in a saddle. Henrietta had reproached which they deserve awaits them so far as I am her husband with negotiating with the " scoun- concerned." drels" Cromwell and Ireton, and promising After reading these lines aloud, Ireton burst them titles and orders. Charles's letter con- into imprecations against the king and his pertained his reply, and it was now all-important fidy. Cromwell remained calm; only a wild for the two generals to find out his true opinion. peal of laughter indicated his intense hatred. For this purpose they watched at midnight "I believe," he added, gloomily, "that his at the gate of the palace for the departure of neck is in greater danger than ours. A traitor the messenger. The groom, who did not sus- falls by his own hands. He shall presently pect that every thing had been betrayed, ap- tremble before the scoundrels." peared at the stated hour, bearing the saddle After this event, a sudden change took on his head. place in the treatment of the king; he was " Stand, villain! " thundered Cromwell to kept again in stricter confinement; his guards him. were doubled; his adherents were removed, "What do you want of me?" asked the and many a liberty allowed to him hitherto groom, falling on his knees. was now denied. Charles deemed this change "What do you bear on your head?" intolerable, and resolved to escape from "A saddle, sir," replied the groom, trying Hampton Court, but he was chiefly incited to to look unconcerned. "It is nothing but an this determination by a mysterious warning old saddle which I am going to take to the that his life was threatened. A new political saddler who is to repair it." and religious sect, the so-called Levellers, had "At this hour of the night? Give it to us; arisen in the army. They advocated an equal we will save you the trouble." distribution: of all property, the abolition of "No, that would not do. I cannot let you all distinctions of rank, and especially the have the saddle." overthrow of the royal throne. Henderson, " You must," cried Cromwell, attempting to Cromwell's old friend, joined these extremists, take it from him. and so did several superior officers, such as the "Help, help!" shouted the groom, resisting well-known Colonel Harrison, who dreamed, him. moreover, of a millennium, and a republic of Before any one could hear him, Ireton had the saints. These fanatics uttered loud drawn his sword and stabbed him. The mes- threats against the king, and said they would senger sank to the ground without uttering a seize his person. Charles had been warned groan. The generals hastened away with the of their plans, and this was the chief motive saddle; they opened it, and found in it a let- of his flight. ter written by the king, containing the follow- He had succeeded in deceiving his guards ing words: "Never fear. You may leave to by means of a skilful disguise and escaping, EXECUTION OF CHARLES I.-CROMWELL AND THE LEVELLERS. 235 attended only by a faithful servant. He was Charles embarked with the governor for the presently joined by his chamberlains, Berkeley Isle of Wight, and accompanied him to Carisand Ashburnham, who, informed of every brooke Castle, where he deemed himself perthing, had been waiting for him on the road. fectly safe. His faithful attendants, AshburnCharles himself was at a loss where to go. At ham and Berkeley, did not leave him. Here, first he thought of repairing to London and too, his position at the outset seemed by no intrusting himself to tlhe city or the Parlia- means unfavorable. Both Parliament and the ment; but this step seemed too dangerous to Scots sent, commissioners to negotiate with himself; then again he resolved to escape to him. With the latter he concluded a secret Jersey. Ashburnham finally proposed to him treaty, by which he recognized their rights, to go to the Isle of Wight, whose governor, while they themselves engaged to restore him Hammond, an bld friend of his, he said, would to his throne, if need be, sword in hand. He surely befriend his majesty. The king was sent his faithful Berkeley to the generals of well pleased with this proposition, and dis- the army, to renew his former negotiations with patched his chamberlain to Hammond to as- them. As a matter of course, he met with a certain more about his sentiments. Hammond very cool reception. professed great readiness to afford the king all Meanwhile the religious and political fanatinecessary protection, and promised to call cism of the Levellers had risen to such a pitch himself upon Charles and accompany him back as to endanger the discipline of the army. to the isle. Cromwell, with his wonted sagacity, penetrated No sooner had Ashburnham returned, than the pernicious consequences of this mutinous Charles regretted what he had done, and ex- spirit, which he himself had at first encouraged. pressed fears as to the governor's fidelity. He issued a proclamation forbidding his sol"I am afraid," he said, "that Hammond diers to hold meetings and present petitions. will betray me." Nevertheless, the Levellers met secretly, and "If your majesty has no confidence in him," several regiments openly mutinied. replied Ashburnham, "you need not admit "We must make a severe example of them," him." he said to Ireton. "This mutinous spirit is "I have, moreover, dispatched Berkeley in spreading rapidly, and the Levellers will ruin your absence to Southampton, to find a vessel the commonwealth." that can convey me to France, and look mo- " Are they not our friends? " asked his sonmentarily for his return. What are we to do in-law, wonderingly. "Did they not drive the when the governor comes?" king to the Isle of Wight, where he can no "If your majesty deems it best, I will kill longer escape us, and intimidate Parliament? " him. I will conceal myself behind the curtain, "Friends may become burdensome to us, and shoot him as soon as you sign to me." and do us more harm than good. We must "We will see," replied Charles, with his no longer look on idly; otherwise this spirit usual irresolution.' of rebellion will involve us in general ruin. Hammond came, and was admitted. He as- These saints injure the good cause, and turn sured the king so solemnly of his fidelity and the quiet citizens against us. They advocate attachment, that Charles's apprehensions dis- a distribution of property, and abolition of all appeared. Ashburnham waited in vain for distinctions of rank. I do not intend to divide the sign which had been agreed upon. The my property with them, nor to give up an iota king did not give it. of my vested rights." 236 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. " What are you going to do with them? " tachment to Cromwell turned into a mortal "I will crush them before they are strong hatred. enough to resist me! Go, Ireton, and have Shortly after this domestic triumph Cromthe army formed in line for a review." well was obliged to lead the army against a The army drew up in an open field. Crom- foreign foe. An insurrection had broken out well soon appeared, attended by all the gen- in Scotland in favor of King Charles, and his erals and staff-officers. With his usual tran- partisans rose also in several parts of Engquillity and impenetrable face, he rode down land, and particularly in South Wales. The the line and stopped in front of the mutinous general suppressed these risings in favor of regiments. He knew the ringleaders, and or- the unfortunate king with his wonted bravery dered them to step forward. Among them and sagacity. All these events added to the was old Henderson. dangers menacing Charles. Cromwell became "Seize them! " he ordered, in a loud voice. more and more satisfied that nothing but a The eleven men were instantly surrounded bold stroke would restore order. Both he and and given into custody. He summoned a his friends resolved to sacrifice the king, and council of war, which passed sentence of death abolish the royal throne. In Parliament, too, upon the mutineers. there were many who deemed this the most Cromwell approached them, and fixed his prudent course. People were tired of negotiapiercing eyes upon them. His gaze fell upon ting with Charles, whose duplicity had disgusted the Puritan, his former friend, but he feigned and exasperated all parties. not to recognize him. After looking at them Governor Hammond, with whom Cromwell for a time, he pointed out two of the most corresponded, received orders to deliver the violent Levellers. king to Colonel Cobbett, who was instructed to " Take them and execute them," he said, in convey him first to Hurst, and thence to Lona loud voice. don. On the road, Colonel Harrison, the faBoth were compelled to kneel down, and natical champion of the millennium, joined the were shot in the presence of the whole army. escort. It was not till he beheld the dreaded No one dared to murmur; a salutary terror fanatic, that Charles lost the serene indifferspread through the ranks. The other prisoners ence which he had exhibited up to this time. expected that they would be executed like- However, the colonel treated the king with wise. Henderson was the first of them; he soldierly politeness, and his blunt though was calm and composed. Already the mus- frank conduct and bearing gradually inspired kets had been reloaded, and the sentence was him with confidence. He took his arm and about to be carried into effect; already the conversed a long time with him. intrepid Puritan had knelt down to pray, when "I have been told," said. Charles, " that you Cromwell waved his hand. intend to assassinate me." "It is sufficient," he said, with a peculiar "Your majesty has been misinformed," resmile. "Let this day be a warning to all. I plied the colonel. "I may justly repeat what tolerate no disobedience among my soldiers." I have said so often, that the laws protect The army marched in silence and deep emo- everybody, the noble and the lowly, the rich tion past the general, whose energy and cour- and the poor; and that justice must be done age had thus stifled the mutiny and restored without regard to persons." discipline among his soldiers. Old Henderson The king seemed offended by his frankness, only remained inflexible, and his former at- and broke off the conversation after a while. EXECUTION OF CHARLES I.-CROMWELL AND THE LEVELLERS. 237 No sooner had Charles reached London, than " Mark, child, what I say," he added. the Parliament preferred charges against him. "They will cut off my head, and perhaps The trial of the king took place at Westmin- make thee a king. But mark what I say, ster Hall. The court consisted of one hun- thou must not be a king, as long as thy brothdred and thirty-three members, among whom ers Charles and James are alive. They will were Cromwell, Ireton, and Harrison. cut off thy brothers' heads when they can The charges were read, and the king was catch them; and thy head too they will cut called upon to defend himself. He did so with off at last. And therefore, I charge thee, do dignity and moderation, but without acknowl- not be made a king by them." edging the competence of the court. Above "I will be torn in pieces first," replied the all things, he appealed to his inviolability as boy. So determined an answer, from one of king, who, according to the English constitu- such tender years, filled the king's eyes with tion, could do no wrong, and therefore could tears of joy and admiration. not be punished. His appeals, however, were On the morning of his execution, Charles unsuccessful. The court was determined to rose early, and prayed in the presence of Herconvict him, and sentence of death was passed bert, his faithful servant, and Bishop Juxon, upon him. whom the Parliament had allowed to assist Three days were allowed the king between him in his devotions. The king then walked his sentence and his execution. All the steps to the scaffold, where he uttered only a few taken by his friends and relatives in his behalf words, justifying his conduct, and forgiving his proved utterly fruitless. The people were in- enemies. When he was preparing himself for different, and manifested neither love nor ha- the block, Bishop Juxon called to him: tred of him; they were intimidated, perhaps, "There is, sire, but one stage more, which, by the presence of numerous troops in Lon- though turbulent and troublesome, is yet a don. Charles passed this interval with great very short one. Consider, it will soon carry tranquillity, chiefly in reading and devotion. you a great way; it will carry you from earth All his family that remained in England were to heaven; and there you shall find, to your allowed access to him. They consisted only great joy, the prize to which you hasten, a of the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of crown of glory." Gloucester; all the others had made their es- "I go," replied the king, calmly, " from a cape. Charles comforted and exhorted them, corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where and tenderly embraced his weeping daughter. no disturbance can have place." "Tell your mother," exclaimed the unfortu- He himself gave the signal of death by movnate king, " that during the whole course of ing his hand. my life I have never once, even in thought, A man in a black visor performed the office failed in my fidelity toward her, and that my of executioner. At one blow was the king's conjugal tenderness and my life shall have an head severed from his body. At the same equal duration." moment the assembled spectators burst into To the young duke, whom he held on his deafening shouts, which indicated perhaps knee, he said: "Now they will cut off thy more compassion than approval. father's head." The executioner held up to the spectators At these words, the child looked very stead- the head streaming with blood, and cried fastly upon him. aloud, " This is the head of a traitor! " BOOK III. A gloomy silence had succeeded the intense CHAPTER I. excitement of the nation, which now stood MILTON AND DAVENANT-LADY ALICE'S DIARY, aghast at its own power and boldness. No one MILTON had hitherto taken little or no direct ventured to raise his voice and defend the exepart in public affairs; he lived mostly in quiet cution of King Charles. So great was the awe retirement, engrossed with the education of inspired even by dead majesty, that the men his pupils. It was not until the king had been who were now at the helm of government enexecuted that he was aroused from his tran- joyed the fruits and divided the spoils of their quillity. He had joined the Independents al- victory in silence. most against his will, as his former political Milton entered, without hatred of the king friends seemed to profit by their victory only or of the monarchical system, upon an examito menace anew that liberty to which he was nation of the great problem of popular soverso ardently devoted. Once a member of the eignty, which he tried to solve with the disextreme party, he did not shrink from any passionate calmness of a philosopher. It was of the consequences of its principles. The not till his adversaries, among whom the celebloody deed had been perpetrated; the people brated Leyden professor Salmasius played the had availed themselves of their power, and most prominent part, overwhelmed him with killed Charles. But, as usual, death proved a the vilest invectives, that Milton retorted with great conciliator; the melancholy end of the a warmth which embittered all his later years. unfortunate monarch caused the public to for- The success of his political pamphlets was as get his faults, and the fickle multitude pitied great as it was unexpected. The attention of him almost as much as it had formerly hated the council of state, which was intrusted with him. It was all-important now to enlighten the administration of the country, was called public opinion and give it a definite direction, to the learned and enthusiastic lover of liberty, fix the vacillating sentiments and feelings, and and it appointed Milton foreign or Latin secpass a calm judgment amid the storm of pas- retary. In this capacity he wrote the corresions. Milton took upon himself this arduous spondence of the new republic in Latin, which, task, which might involve him in the greatest since the peace of Westphalia, had become the perils, without hesitation, without prospect of language of the courts. In this manner he berewards or thanks, solely guided by his love came acquainted with the leading men of the of liberty. country, and Cromwell, who was already at the MILTON AND DAVENANT-LADY ALICE'S DIARY. 239 head of the administration, was on intimate it will comfort me much better than your chapterms with Milton. lain." A short time after Milton had been appointed Cromwell turned angrily from the incorto his new office, the witty poet Davenant was rigible jester, and ordered the guard to take threatened with death. He had accompanied him away. On entering the anteroom, the his patroness, Queen Henrietta, during her doomed poet met Milton, with whom he had flight to France. At her request he had now been slightly acquainted in former times. returned to England to establish connections "Davenant!" exclaimed Milton, in surprise. in favor of the exiled hereditary prince with "Where are you going?" the discontented royalists. His intentions "Where all go sooner or later-to death." were betrayed to Cromwell, who had him ar- "You are under sentence of death? And rested, and examined him personally concern- why?" ing the plans of his adversaries, The general' On account of my devotion to the queen. approached the prisoner with a quick step, I have shared the days of her prosperity, and and threatened to pierce him with his keen therefore could not forsake her in the days of eyes. Notwithstanding his dangerous predica- her adversity; she fed me with her bread, and ment, the light-hearted poet had not lost his therefore I will give up my life for her. It is old humor. true, I have never paid my debts, but I am at "You are a self-convicted traitor," said least going to discharge this one." Cromwell, in a stern voice, "and shall not "You must not, shall not die." escape your fate. I shall have you hung to- "Do not take any trouble to save me; I morrow." know that all will be in vain. Cromwell has " You need not be in a hurry about it; I pronounced my doom, and I look upon myself am free to confess that I should like to wait a already as a dying man. Shake hands with few years yet." me once more; perhaps we may meet again " Leave your jests, and prepare rather to die in a better life, where there are no Puritans like a Christian." and cavaliers, no soldiers and priests. To tell "I have always been a good- Christian, and you the truth, I am not afraid of death; but I am not afraid of death." am sorry to leave the farce of human life at so A good Christian! Do you suppose, then, early a stage. I should not have expected this that I do not know you? Did you not write tragic denouement." all the lascivious farces and masks that were "I shall do all I can to save you." performed at the court of Charles Stuart with "Accept my thanks for your kindness, such extravagant pomp and splendor? You which I appreciate very highly. Give me your deserve the halter for the life which you have hand, dear Milton! I always considered you led up to this time." a good-hearted, generous man. You are only " If every one in this world were to be pun- somewhat too pious, and too zealous a lover ished according to his deserts, all the halters of liberty. Believe me, it will result in nothin England would be insufficient." ing. The people expel one tyrant to exchange "Enough said!" cried Cromwell, sternly. him for another who is a great deal worse; " I will send you my chaplain." and the same thing is the case with religion. "For God's sake, don't! I hate nothing Sensible men, like you and me, should not more intensely thanwater and priests. If you meddle with such trifles at all. Do not be will do me a favor, send me a bottle of wine; angry at this; I lack taste for such things, but 240 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. I really do not see why two sensible men "I may hope the more, then, that you will should hate and persecute each other because not reject my prayer to-day." they differ on certain points."." Tell me frankly what you want of me." Milton shook hands with the poet, and "I ask of you the life of a man whom you promised to obtain a pardon for him from the have just sent back to his prison." general. He found Cromwell in a gloomy What!" said Cromwell, wonderingly, frame of mind. The young republic was at "you ask me to pardon Davenant, that inthis juncture threatened from all quarters; famous sinner? Do you know what he is foreign and domestic enemies united to over- charged with? " throw it. Civil war was still raging in Ire- "He has remained faithful to his queen, and land, and Cromwell's presence there was ur- to the cause he espoused. I esteem him more gently demanded. The Scots had called the highly for this than many an apostate who has son of Charles I., Charles II., and conferred suddenly turned republican, whether from fear the crown of his father upon him, though on or self-interest." very rigorous conditions. The Levellers had "Bah! We must not judge our political been intimidated, but not crushed; they were friends too scrupulously.. I know there are a again in open rebellion, and threatened to sub- great many rogues and hypocrites among us; vert law, order, and society. Add to all this but they do far less harm than the wrongthe intrigues of the partisans of the late king, headed, stubborn, honest men. If I am not who were incessantly entering into new plots. mistaken, your friend Overton is one of the The general sat frowning in front of a map, latter. He and John Lilburn give me more devising the plan of a new campaign, by which trouble than the royalists. Give your friend he intended to annihilate all his enemies. At Overton a hint to beware of me. I know that Milton's entrance he gave a start, and looked he sympathizes with the Levellers and rebels around distrustfully. On recognizing him, in the army." however, he kindly held out his hand to him. "You assuredly do him injustice. It is " It is you, Mr. Secretary," he said, with a true, he is an ardent enthusiast, but I do not winning smile. believe that he shares the views of the Level" I bring you the letters to the Dutch Re- lers and, like them, is bent on subverting law, public, and to Cardinal Mazarin." order, and society. He loves liberty and the " Put them on the table, and be seated. I republic. This is certainly no crime after the wish to speak to you. You are an honest and royal government has been abolished." pious man, in whom I may confide. Many " Of course not," said Cromwell, mildly. "A others are not at all like you. The Lord has republican government is certainly a nice laid a heavy burden upon me." thing, provided it be understood correctly. "He knows what He does. To the strongest Fools deem it a field where they may gratify shoulders He intrusts the heaviest burdens. their licentiousness; but wise men consider it You are the only man capable of saving the a form of government like any other. But if country." I am not mistaken, we were speaking of Dav"I thank you for your good opinion, and enant." would like to do something for you. Since I " And I repeat my former request." have acquired some influence, every one over- "He does not deserve to be pardoned. He whelms me with requests and demands; you is a miserable playwright, an immoral scape. alone have not yet opened your mouth." grace." MILTON AND DAVENANT-LADY ALICE'S DIARY. 241 "For that reason he is the more harmless; pleasant feeling, and I shall always be grateful he is talented, and I should greatly regret to to you for it. There may soon be an opportusee him lose his head." nity for me to prove my gratitude, for, to tell "As you intercede so warmly in his behalf, you the truth, I have very little confidence in let him keep it, although I cannot comprehend this republic of the saints. The people feel at how so virtuous a man can ask me to pardon ease only when they have a master ruling over such a sinner." them. If his name is not Charles, it will be "He is a poet for all that, and as such at Cromwell. The general looks very much like least he is entitled to my sympathy. I esteem a man who would not pass- a crown if he divine poesy wherever I find it, and for the should find it in his path." sake of the precious contents I would like to "You misjudge Cromwell; his whole enpreserve the vessel, even though it should con- deavor is to put an end to the civil war, and sist partly of base metal and be disfigured by render England great and happy." many rents and holes." "I have no doubt of it; he will fatten the " Well, I believe you are right," said Crom- goose before killing it. But I do not want to well, with a sudden burst of mirth. " Dav- exasperate you. You are an innocent, honest enant is a broken jar with many rents and man, a genuine poet filled with illusions, and holes. He has one hole which is very large, always seeking for some object of your enthuand his nose is gone." siastic admiration. I am precisely like you in The general then resumed his former dig- this respect. We shall always be the fools of nified tone, and drew up the pardon for which our enthusiasm, and fool others thereby. FareMilton had applied. well, my excellent friend in need." "Go," he said, kindly, "and inform him "Where are you going now?" personally that I consent to release him; but "To my old mother, who is still keeping if he should enter again into a political con- tavern and entertaining drinkers of all confesspiracy, nothing would save his head. I do sions. I shall await there quietly the end of not care if he writes farces and masks, but your republic, write farces, and soon compose tell him to beware of meddling with politics. a coronation hymn for Charles II." That is a dangerous, very dangerous game for Davenant drank another glass of wine, and such inexperienced hands." left his prison with that cynical indifference So saying, the general dismissed Milton. which had become habitual to him. Milton He repaired immediately to the prison of accompanied him a short distance, and then Davenant, whom he found engrossed with a returned to his house. He found there his bottle of wine. friend Overton, who had been expecting him "I bring you your pardon," he said. for some time. The major was about to start "Do you, indeed? Well, God bless you for for the army in Scotland. what you have done for me! You see that I "Before departing for the army," he said, was already preparing for death. Wine is the after greeting Milton cordially, " I wished to best confessor and most efficient comforter. see you once more." Nevertheless, I was unable to get rid of a "Where have you been so long?" asked somewhat unpleasant feeling. I must confess Milton, kindly. that I am a little ticklish, and when imagining " Now here, now there, wherever the events a halter round my neck, I feel a very peculiar of the war led me; to-day in the south, toitching. You have relieved me of this un- morrow in the north. A soldier is always on 16 242 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the wing, and it may be a long while yet be- escape. One of my men, a cowardly vagabond, fore I shall be able to take repose." asserted that he had seen her, and had even "You seem to long for it." been wounded by her female companion on at"To tell you the truth, I am tired of this tempting to arrest them. I did not make any rough life. You know that I prefer science further inquiries concerning them, and, from and the muses to any thing else. War, how- regard for you, desisted from pursuing them. ever just the cause for which it is waged, is I should be very glad if the lady succeeded in always a very melancholybusiness. I havere- making her escape. I will let you keep the cently seen all its horrors in Wales." diary, as it may be exceedingly interesting for "In Wales? " asked Milton, eagerly. you." "I have fought there many a hard fight, and Milton received with profound emotion at destroyed many a fine castle. It is true, I only the hands of his friend the pages which redid my duty, but I did it with a bleeding heart. minded him of the noble lady, and of his own The most painful duty imposed upon me was youth. He thanked him by informing him of the destruction of Golden Grove. The garrison Cromwell's warning. defended the castle with the most heroic intre- "I know that he is not partial to me," said pidity, and after the proprietor had fallen, his Overton, with a sombre smile. " He is jealous wife offered us a most unexpected resistance. of my influence, and afraid of the frankness I should have liked to spare her, but it was be- with which I criticise his measures. I am a yond my power. Nothing remained for me but republican, and consider a republic our only to take the castle by storm. On this melan- salvation. According to his habit, the general choly occasion I discovered accidentally that tried to ascertain my opinions, and I did not the distinguished lady must have formerly been conceal them from him." on intimate terms with you." "But you do not believe that he intends to " Her name was Alice Carbury," said Mil- restore the monarchy and recall the Stuarts? " ton, deeply moved. "He will assuredly not recall the Stuarts, "Alice Carbury. Carbury was the name of but I should not like to pledge my word that her husband, and she herself was the daughter he does not intend to convert our present govof the Earl of Bridgewater, formerly Lord Pres- ernment again into a monarchy. The general ident of Wales. I penetrated into the castle seems intent on becoming the tyrant of Engand passed several days there. The rooms of land; but before he is able to attain his ends, the lady had been ransacked; my soldiers had I and my comrades will oppose him and frusdestroyed the furniture, torn off the hangings, trate his plans." and broken open the cabinets. This diary, So saying, Overton took leave of Milton. which I found there, attracted my attention. I The poet held in his hands the diary, the first opened it, and saw your name on almost every trace of his beloved friend with which he had page; this excited my curiosity, and I kept it met after so many years. A feeling of awe in order to give it to you." prevented him from opening it immediately, "But what became of the lady? " inquired and he hesitated whether he had a right to the poet, anxiously. penetrate into the secrets of this noble female "Unfortunately, I am unable to give you heart. At last, it was not his curiosity that any satisfactory information on this point, al- triumphed, but the tender interest which he though all that I ascertained about it leads me took in Lady Alice's fate. In reading the to the belief that she succeeded in making her diary, he felt anew that he once possessed and LADY ALICE IN LONDON-MILTON AND SALMASIUS. 243 forfeited in her the supreme happiness of his "They are traitresses, for I have recognized life. What purity of heart, what innocence them despite their disguise. They know me and cultivation of mind met him in her every too, and that not to-day for the first time. line! He followed, with profound emotion, the Many a year has elapsed since we first met in noble woman's struggle between duty and love, Haywood Forest. Is it not so, Lady Alice? " until at last her heart turned entirely to her On hearing this name, Milton trembled with husband, and felt for Milton only a purified joyous surprise. friendship, the sweet though melancholy mem- "These two ladies are under my protecories of a blissful past. Every word he read tion," he said, with dignified firmness. "I bore witness to her noble heart, her profound will be their bondsman, and that you may mind, and her simple and gentle faith. know who I am, I will mention my name and Milton was seized with the deepest grief, and official position." his tears moistened the precious leaves, the "That is unnecessary," replied Billy Green, only token of the fair friend of his youth, the with his wonted impudenc,e. "We are old only woman whom he had truly loved. He acquaintances, Mr. Milton, and I hope to meet thought of her with mournful longing, and a you and your protegees before long." deep sigh escaped his breast. So saying, the vagabond left them. The meeting of Milton and the lady he had loved so dearly was highly affecting. Alice's eyes filled with tears when she held out her CHAPTER I~I. hand to him. CHAPTER II. "Little did I think that such a meeting was LADY ALICE IN LONDON -MILTON AND SALMAICE IN LONDONMILTON ND SLM-in store for us, she said, profoundly moved. SItr. "( I am proscribed, a widow, persecuted by the ONE day when Milton, according to his officers of justice, or rather the minions of a habit, was takinga walk in the environs of victorious party. My poor brother, the busLondon, he beheld two women and a child; band of my companion, is imprisoned in the they were plainly, almost poorly dressed, and Tower, and looking for his impending execuhotly pursued by a man who was about to tion. Life has no value for me, and but for overtake them. They tried to accelerate their this child I should long ago have surrendered steps, but the pursuer was already so close to myself voluntarily to my judges." them that he needed only to stretch out his " I deeply deplore the mournful fate which hand in order to catch them, when one of the has befallen you, and of which I have not rewomen uttered a loud cry. mained wholly ignorant. I hope, however, to "Save us!" she cried, in an anxious voice, be able to alleviate your sufferings, as I have which seemed well known to Milton. influential friends, and I myself am now holdMeanwhile the man had also come up. ing an office in which I may be useful to you. "What do you want of these women?" For the present, pray accompany me to my asked the poet. house, where you shall stay until I have pro" Is that any of your business? I need not vided a safe asylum for you." give you an account of what I am doing. Milton succeeded by his influence in obThese women must follow me; I arrest them taining a pardon for Alice; and she was al]n the name of the commonwealth." lowed to remain in London, as no danger was "And by what right?" apprehended from a woman. Even a portion 244 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. of her fortune was restored to her, so that from English history and from the Bible. Up she was sufficiently, protected'from want. to this time I have not felt inclined to write Lucy, however, was unable to obtain a pardon them, because I shrank from being compared for her husband. Thomas remained impris- with that immortal genius. For this reason I oned in the Tower, and a delay of his execu- really prefer an epic, with which I have been tion was all that Milton could obtain by his engrossed for some time past." intercession in his behalf. Alice passed her "Would you inform me of the subject of days henceforth in quiet retirement, mourning this poem? Pardon my curiosity, to which I her heroic husband, and devoting herself ex- may assuredly give the nobler name of sincere clusively to the education of her child. The sympathy." only friend with whom she held intercourse "I will not conceal any thing from you. was Milton, whom she now calmly saw coming During my sojourn in Italy several years ago, and going. Notwithstanding their political I attended at Florence the performance of a and religious differences, she was still affec- play which, despite many imperfections and tionately attached to him. Without timidly faults, made a deep impression upon me. The avoiding an exchange of their views, both took subject was the fall of man. I was powerfully pains to meet on the neutral ground of art and struck at the time with the simple grandeur poetry rather than in the arena of the wild of that revelation. The subject seemed to me' struggle of parties. Each respected the subjime, and worthy to claim the earnest efother's convictions; the royalist and the re- forts of a poetical mind, and it gave rise to publican exercised mutual forbearance, a mild innumerable conceptions in my imagination. toleration. So far as Milton was concerned, I saw the wonders of Paradise, that garden of this intercourse exerted an extraordinary influ- God, with its magnificent trees and golden ence over his creative power as a poet, for fruits, with its fragrant flowers and shady Alice sought almost insensibly to lead him groves. There lived Adam and Eve in undisback to his original vocation. In her eyes turbed peace, in pure innocence, until the serhis political labors were an aberration from pent came and beguiled Eve to eat of the the sublime task Nature had imposed upon fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and him. evil. Thus Adam and his guilty wife were " You owe yet to me, or rather to the world, driven out of Paradise; death and sin clung a more extensive work," said she once, half to the heels of the sinners. The history both seriously, half jestingly. "But since you have of mankind and of every individual is conbeen appointed foreign secretary tOcthe Coun- tained in that sacred tradition. Is not ancil of State, you have bidden farewell to the other Adam born in every man, and another poor muses." Eve in every woman? Have we not all a "You are mistaken, dear friend. Notwith- lost paradise to weep over? " standing my manifold occupations, I do not "Entitle your epic'Paradise Lost,' " said lack leisure to think at least of divine poetry. Alice, with a mournful smile. " You are right. I have conceived a great many plans; but I Who has not a lost paradise to weep over? have not yet made up my mind whether to The innocence of childhood; the dreams of imitate the example of Shakespeare, or follow youth; our hopes and expectations, which are the sublime models of Homer, Virgil, and so often disappointed; the enthusiasm and Tasso. I have already elaborated in my head ardor which prematurely succumb to stern several tragedies, the subjects of which I took reality; the still and calm peace, which is LADY ALICE IN LONDON-MILTON AND SALMASIUS. 245 drowned by the noisy clash of arms; the lofty should bring about a counter-revolution. One faith, which doubts and sneers try to under- man only was able to neutralize its baneful mine; love, with its divine transports, which effects, and that man was Milton. He was pass away so swiftly; our most beautiful called upon to write a reply to the book. On ideals: all are the lost paradises of poor hu- assuming this task, he did not conceal from manity." himself the painful consequences which would "But, above all things," replied Milton, "I arise from it for him. He was to attack an intend to give prominence to the great and unfortunate man, who was pitied by a vast eternal struggles between the good and evil majority of the people even in his grave, and, powers, between heaven and hell. Before my as it were, act as an intellectual executioner eyes stands the form of the fallen angel, who toward the beheaded corpse; he was to exrebelled, first of all, against the Creator; I be- pose himself to the hatred and resentment of hold him, still beautiful, with hypocritical fea- the royalists, who, in their blind vindictivetures and seductive form, not denying his di- ness, did not shrink from assassination, as vine origin even after his fall. Again and was afterwards proved in many instances. again he rises against the sway of the Eternal; But all these considerations exercised a less and again and again he must acknowledge his painful effect upon him than the thought of impotence, for heaven and its angels always his relations to Alice. His fair friend wortriumph over him." shipped Charles I., and had made the greatest The poet thus laid the outlines of his im- sacrifices for him. Was he to lose again, by mortal epic before Alice, who listened to him his own fault, her who had just been restored in an ecstasy of delight; and he left her with to him? the promise to carry out his plan as soon as "I cannot refuse to fulfil my duty," he said possible; but the time for him to do so had to her, on informing her of the commission not yet come. which had been intrusted to him. " I am alSoon afterward, Milton received from the most afraid of losing thereby your friendship, Council of State a mission with which he was my most precious boon; and yet I cannot act obliged to comply. A few days after the otherwise." king's execution, there had been published in "Obey your convictions," replied Alice, reEngland a book entitled "Eikon Basilike," or spectfully. "You are a republican, and I am "The Portraiture of His Most Sacred Ma- a friend of the king; but this must not prejesty." It was ascribed to Charles I., and vent us from holding intercourse on the same contained the feelings, sentiments, meditations, terms as heretofore. No one can regret more impressions, and struggles, in short, the whole intensely than I that you have entered this soul of the unfortunate monarch, and a his- path, and thrown your talents into the scale tory of his sufferings and trials, which caused of the enemy; but these party struggles shall him to appear in the light of a sainted martyr. not deprive me of my old and well-tried friend. The book created the most extraordinary I honor and esteem you as a man, even though sensation. The partisans of the king raised I can never share your political views." their heads again, and every reader of the " I esteem you only the more highly," rebook was seized with compassion and admira- plied Milton, deeply moved by the lofty sentition. In spite of its prohibition by the gov- ments of the noble lady. ernment, it was rapidly circulated throughout Both thus set a glorious example of tolerathe country, and Parliament trembled lest it tion. Amid the general discord, they remained 246 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. as devoted friends as ever. Pure humanity tri- "But your adversaries and enemies may umphed in them over the hatred of the hostile ascribe the loss of your eyesight to Divine parties. However, before Milton left Alice, visitation, and deride you for it." she fixed her eyes upon him with an expres- "Let them do so, let them make me the sion of tender anxiety. Incessant toils had sport of their sneers. They shall soon find undermined his health, and especially injured that, so far from receiving my lot with repenthis eyesight. It is true, his eyes seemed as ance and despair, I strenuously adhere to my lustrous as ever, but he himself had noticed principles, neither fearful nor sensible of the that their strength had been failing for some wrath of God, but recognizing in this, as in all time past, and had often complained of this important events of my life, His paternal goodevil to his compassionate friend. When he ness and mercy. The consciousness of my was now about to leave Alice, she was sur- rectitude will always sustain me, and I would prised at his being almost unable to see the not exchange it for all the riches of this world. door, and groping his way to it. She hastened If the cause of justice and truth requires me after him in dismay, and conducted him into to give up my eyesight, I am willing and proud the street. to make the sacrifice. Nay, if it were neces"Your health really makes me uneasy," she sary for me to sacrifice my life for this purpose, said to him, compassionately. "You must I should not shrink from death. Between my take better care of yourself, and, above all duty and my eyesight I cannot hesitate a mothings, give the necessary repose to your eyes. ment." For this reason, if for no other, I should like Animated with this spirit, Milton disreyou to desist from writing that treatise." garded Alice's warnings, and took in hand a " How can I? I must not delay writing it." work which involved him in a number of vio" Consider that you may lose your eyesight. lent controversies and proved most injurious Oh, I cannot bear the thought of your becom- to his health. Above all things, he took pains ing blind!" to refute the general belief that the king was "I am not afraid of blindness, nor of the the author of " Eikon Basilike," and tried to terrors of night, which are threatening me; for prove, in a very ingenious manner, that it to me beams the faith in a kind Providence, must be the production of another writer; a the sympathy and tenderness of my friends, supposition which seemed to be verified some and, before all else, the conviction that I am years afterward, when the authorship was doing my duty. These stars twinkle brightly claimed by Dr. Gauden. Milton accomplished in the darkness which will perchance surround his task amid incessant sufferings, and opme before long.' Man doth not live by bread posed a true portrait of the king to the false alone, but by every word that proceedeth out image traced by Dr. Gauden, although he of the mouth of God;' why shall I not, there- could not avoid introducing many an odious fore, content myself with the knowledge that trait, and oftentimes used his pencil in too my eyesight is not my only light, but that the merciless a manner. At all events, his porguidance of God will illuminate me sufficiently? traiture of the king did not conceal the failings So long as He Himself looks forward to the and imperfections of Charles's character from future for me, so long as He takes care of me, the public gaze, and aroused the intense rage as He has done all my lifetime, I will gladly of the whole royalist party against him. Old let my eyes keep Sabbath, as such seems to be and new adversaries arose against him; the His will." celebrated Salmasius, a professor of Leyden, LADY ALICE IN LONDON-MILTON AND SALMASIUS. 247 was the foremost among them. For two thou- a venal and pedantic polyhistor. Milton's sand gold-pieces Charles II. purchased the ever- learning was not merely a sterile and useless ready pen of this great scholar to justify the accumulation of indigested material, however memory of his father and abuse the whole well calculated to tickle his own vanity, or to English nation. Such, however, was the influ- impose upon the blind multitude. His knowlence of the press already at that time, that the edge had passed into flesh and blood, and beParliament again took notice of the work come united with his whole character, and written by Salmasius, and instructed Milton with his peculiarities of thinking and feeling. to publish a reply to it. It is true, the author's It was, therefore, under the promptings of a name added greatly to the importance that more exalted spirit that he entered upon this was attached to this pamphlet. Salmasius new task and wrote his "Defensio Populi." was considered the most learned man of his In this defence, he developed already, with age; he spoke all living and dead languages, surprising boldness, the principles which Latin and Greek, even Persian, Syriac, and Rousseau afterwards only repeated in his "ConArabic. At the university he taught at the trat Social," and Which were sufficient to shake same time all sciences, theology, medicine, the foundations of the whole civilized world. jurisprudence, and history. By means of his Milton rested his argument likewise on popular innumerable treatises, commentaries, notes, sovereignty, and contended that the nation and learned prefaces, he had gained the great- had conferred power on the king solely for the est celebrity throughout Europe, and hitherto sake of its own security. The sensation which no one had ventured to dispute with him his his work produced was extraordinary. So supremacy in the learned world. He was eagerly and universally was it perused by the courted by the most powerful monarchs; both nation and throughout Europe, that fifty thouRichelieu and Mazarin had taken the utmost sand copies were sold in the course of a few pains to win him for France, and the eccentric weeks. The foreign ambassadors congratuQueen of Sweden succeeded only by means lated Milton on this unexpected success; even of urgent prayers in prevailing on him to com- the former patrons of Salmasius turned their ply with her invitation and come to Stockholm. backs disdainfully upon the discomfited proWhen the celebrated professor was sick, or fessor, and lavished praise and flatteries on his would not leave his house, owing to the cold victorious opponent. Queen Christina now declimate of the north, Christina herself came to rided her former favorite even more than she him, kindled the fire in the stove, cooked his had once admired and revered him. Salmasius breakfast, and often stayed for whole days at vainly made new efforts to wrest from his adhis bedside; so that the professor's wife be- versary his newly-gained laurels; every such came jealous of the queen, and compelled attempt resulted in more profound humiliations her learned husband to leave Stockholm and for him. But Milton achieved his triumphs Sweden. ofly at a heavy cost. Every word which he Such was the disputant with whom Milton wrote, and by which he crushed the venal pednow had to deal. All his friends were afraid ant, impaired his eyesight. A dreadful headiest this controversy should result in his signal ache, with which he had often been affected discomfiture, and sought to dissuade him from from his earliest youth, added to the pains of entering upon it. Milton, however, was con- his suffering eyes; but he paid little or no atscious of his strength, and knew that his abil- tention to the augmentation of his ills. Like ity was not only equal, but superior to that of a brave soldier, he continued the struggle with 248 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. bleeding wounds, and, though fearfully in- as his friends asserted, Milton's severities had jured, sternly refused to leave the field of broken his heart. battle. Milton had conquered, but almost lost his The medieval tournaments had now given eyesight in the struggle. To his triumph soon place to the scientific controversies of the most succeeded the everlasting night of blindness. illustrious scholars, and the public took as much interest in them as in the knightly contests of former times. Princes and peoples were the spectators, and the power of the press CHAPTER III. had vastly extended the bounds of the formerlyrestricted arena. A remnant of the knightly DISPERSAL OF PARLIAMENT-CROMWELL MADE spirit of old lingered in these scientific com- LORD PROTECTOR. bats, in which folio volumes took the place of MEANWHILE Cromwell, by his bravery, had cuirasses, and thick " Fathers of the Church " delivered the new republic in the course of a were used as lances and shields. The adver- few weeks from all its enemies. In the first saries entered the arena well armed with quo- place, he had subdued the rebellious Irish, and tations from classical authors, and with the crushed their resistance by means of the most ample stores of a learned arsenal; they fought merciless measures. Next, he turned against with words instead of swords, and with theses the Scots, who had young King Charles II. in and dogmas instead of battle-axes and spears. their midst. Worsted in two battles, the They fought not only for truth, but still more young prince wandered for some time about eagerly for honor and fame; hence, the war on the country, and escaped only in an almost both sides was oftentimes carried on with a miraculous manner to France. After these degree of virulent abuse and personality which victories Cromwell returned triumphantly to is calculated to strike a modern reader with London. Surrounded by his officers, and folamazement. The contest assumed mostly a lowed by numerous prisoners, he made his solpersonal character, and terminated only when emn entrance into the capital. The Parliaone party or the other had been utterly de- ment, which acknowledged his deserts only feated. The disputants did not shrink from with reluctance, and justly feared lest the vicinflicting the most painful wounds on each torious general should soon become a despotic other, and the venom of slander and misrepre- usurper, sent four commissioners to meet him sentation added to the pains of mortified van- at Aylesbury, and salute him in the name of ity. The whole educated world took more or the assembly. In London he was received by less interest in these intellectual tournaments, the Speaker and a large number of members in proportion to the names and reputations of of the House, the president of the Council of the disputants. Milton had entered upon such State, and the lord mayor and aldermen of a duel with the learned Salmasius, and all Eu- the city. Thousands of the most respectable rope applauded the victor with the most rap- citizens joined them and accompanied Cromturous acclamations. His reputation annihi- well to Whitehall, amid the booming of artillated the moral authority of his opponent and lery and the jubilant acclamations of the people. hurled him from the throne which he had ar- The general received all these honors'with rogated. Salmasius was mortally wounded, devout modesty; he spoke very little of his not only figuratively, but really; he survived own merits, and ascribed his triumphs almost his defeat but a short time, and died, because, exclusively to the mercy of God and the valor DISPERSAL OF PARLIAMENT. 249 of his soldiers. However, expressions of ill- the exercise of power under similar circum-'concealed exultation and secret ambition burst stances. Adversaries were not wanting to it; from time to time from under the mask of this among them, the quarrelsome John Lilburne assumed modesty. He rewarded the commis- was most prominent. Rarely has a politician sioners sent to him by Parliament with princely enjoyed so much popularity; he was worshipped munificence, presenting them not only with by the people, and especially by the lower horses which had been taken during the war, classes of London. Already, during the reign but also with wealthy and aristocratic prison- of Charles I., he had gained the reputation of ers, who, it was to be expected, would pay a a martyr of liberty, and after the king's exheavy ransom for their release. Thus he en- ecution his restless spirit impelled him to opdeavored already to win for himself friends pose the Parliament with the same obstinacy. and devoted adherents. His bearing, his man- His contemporaries characterized his quarrelners, and his language seemed to have under- someness most aptly by saying that, if John gone a complete change, and plainly exhibited Lilburne were to remain all alone in the world, the consciousness of his undisputed power. John would enter upon a quarrel with LilAll these symptoms added to the apprehen- burne. However, it was not this innate pesions with which Parliament looked upon the culiarity of his character that dictated his influence and the schemes of the successful course, but he was guided far more by a strong general, who, at the head of a victorious army, sense of justice, and the conviction that the could demand and dare every thing. This rights of every Englishmen must remain unimdistrust could not fail to lead sooner or later paired, no matter what pretexts might be adto an open rupture, and the struggle between duced for a contrary course. In the city, the two sides seemed inevitable. Cromwell where he had passed his youth, and in the leaned upon the army, and counted upon the army, where he had served with honor and imprudence with which his opponents daily laid distinction, he had a host of friends, citizens, themselves open to his attacks. He did not and apprentices, officers and privates, religious hasten to strike the decisive blow, but pre- and political enthusiasts, who, like him, were pared every thing in secret. Few great men ardently attached to democratic ideas and have possessed the instinctive prudence and principles, and who cared neither for the resharp-sightedness of this upstart. Seemingly quirements of social order nor the stability of inactive, he watched his enemies like a spider the government, but were always ready to critin its web. Like the latter, he was gifted with icise and attack the latter when it did not the finest scent for public opinion and for the come up to its demands and dreams, or pursued sentiments of the people. Representing the, course-offensive to their pride or their conwishes and ideas of the latter, he acquired a victions. Now, Lilburne possessed not only gigantic strength, a demoniacal power. Since the talent of exasperating the public by means the beginning of civil war, the whole authority of his writings, but the still more dangerous of government had centred in the Parlia- gift of raising this exasperation to the highest ment, which was held responsible for every pitch. He was indefatigable in getting up public measure. It had governed too long petitions, in holding seditious meetings, in inalreaty not to excite in the nation the longing fluencing the temper of the army-in short, in for a change. Like every assembly of the all the democratic measures calculated to keep same description, it was not free from the fail- up a spirit of rebellion and to shake the power ings and weaknesses which always pertain to of the existing government. This remarkable 250 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. man had succeeded in the course of time in secret to secure their reflection and the retendiscrediting the Parliament in the eyes of the tion of the government in their hands. Crommultitude, and in undermining its influence well was highly indignant at these intrigues, and authority. In so doing,-he served unwit- and made up his mind to frustrate them at any tingly the ambition of Cromwell, against whom cost. The meetings of his friends at his rooms he inveighed afterward with the same rancor took place in a more rapid succession than and violence. heretofore; he used means to add to the numCromwell profited by the unpopularity of ber of his partisans, until he at last felt strong the Parliament, to which he secretly sought to enough to throw down the gauntlet and disadd as much as possible. For this purpose, perse the Parliament by main force. What he frequently assembled the most influential no King of England had ever attempted, what party leaders and the generals of the army, Charles Stuart, despite his despotic tendencies partly to ascertain their sentiments with his had never dared, was now unhesitatingly unaccustomed caution, partly to make sure of dertaken by Cromwell. When all was ready, their assistance. Thus he gradually matured Colonel Ingoldsby informed Cromwell, one the plan which had long slumbered in his soul. day, that Parliament was sitting, and had come However, before resorting to violent means, to a resolution not to dissolve itself, but to fill he wished to enter a peaceful path for getting up the House by new elections. Cromwell in rid of his adversaries. The people concurred a rage immediately hastened to the House, universally in expressions- of weariness and and carried a body of three hundred soldiers dissatisfaction at the so-called Long Parlia- along with him. Some of them he placed at ment, which they said had outlived itself. A the door, some in the lobby, some on the large number of pamphlets and scurrilous stairs. He entered the hall alone, without papers were levelled against it, and their tone creating a sensation in the assembly. He became, daily more insulting and aggressive. wore a black coat and gray woollen stockings, Contempt combined with hatred, and the as was his custom when not appearing in uniweapons used were often those of scathing form. Cromwell took his seat and seemed to irony and mortifying scorn. In vain were all listen attentively to the debate; only from prohibitions and prosecutions of the offending time to time a grin or sarcastic smile illumiauthors; neither the wrath of Parliament nor nated his stern features. Like an eagle, he the power of the Council of State was able to was silent and calm before pouncing on his restore its influence, or to silence the enemies, prey. Not a gesture betrayed his emotion, who were well aware that Cromwell shared and yet his heart throbbed perhaps more imtheir opinions, and was a secret ally of theirs. petuously to-day than it had done in many a The Parliament was already morally dead, and bloody battle. He had arrived at the Rubicon; yet it was intent on continuing its semblance in the next moment he would be either a proof life; it lacked alike moral and material scribed traitor or the sovereign ruler of three power; neither the people nor the army, who kingdoms. agreed in their aversion to it, were willing to His friend St. John spoke to him. It was tolerate it any further. Under these circum- not until now that Cromwell broke his silence, stances; the leaders of the republican party and told him that he had come with tme purthemselves deemed it prudent to move the pose of doing what grieved him to the very dissolution of Parliament and the holding of soul, and what he had earnestly with tears begeneral elections; but they took measures in sought the Lord not to impose upon him. , iil~ i 0Piii,,! 111 h~i 11'u,~~~~~~~~~~~~'r;:i 7;I~~~~~~~~~"r /I~~~''II 111ii' i,' i iI:! i riJII~ t-~~~~~~~~~~!BrioY ~. ~ ~ ~ i61 ~.. i i. I''IiI.. I. I,, i;: l "'ii~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ii?'1 iii? m i!t., i~' t~i~ rt t.,,,,,' i' I i i:,; f RA_ i=:l~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ r' 9:1 31iir. ji ati'iii' ~'4 P HD',,O I ~~ ~~~~~~ ~.h~.:'1''j1~i --......~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i,~:A~- ~... xx -_,_~.'..[.~~..!1b PUL I~ D:r! ~;~~~~~~~~CRE R.iVL, DISPERSAL OF PARLIAMENT. 251 But there was a necessity, in order to the and its members, doing full justice to their glory of God and the good of the nation. zeal and activity; but he gradually changed "I do not know what you refer to," replied his tone, and his expressions and gestures beSt. John, "but God grant that whatever you trayed the most violent irritation. He frowned, do may redound to the good of the common- and his large eyes flashed glances of inexorable wealth!" anger at his adversaries. Finally, he loaded He went in dismay to his seat, and left the Parliament with the vilest reproaches for Cromwell. engrossed with his thoughts. Fi- its tyranny, ambition, oppression, and robbery nally, the latter beckoned Harrison, and told of the public. Then stamping with his foot, him that he now judged the Parliament ripe which was a signal for the soldiers to enterfor a dissolution. The intrepid soldier shrank "For shame!" he said to the Parliament; from the great responsibility, and whispered "get you gone! Give place to honester men, to him: to those who will more faithfully discharge "Sir, the work is very great and dangerous; their trust. You are no longer a Parliament. I desire you seriously to consider before you The Lord has done with you; He has chosen engage in it." other instruments for carrying on His work." "You say well," replied Cromwell; and He crossed the large hall repeatedly with a thereupon sat still about a quarter of an hour. noisy step, and then stood still once more with It was a quarter of an hour full of the greatest folded arms. suspense and agitation for the general. He "Take him down," he said to Harrison, saw before him a scaffold and a crown; death pointing to Lenthal, the speaker, who sat with at the hands of the executioner or the throne a pale face in his chair. of England awaited him. Already the next The colonel called upon him to rise, which minute might decide the matter. He muttered he refused to do. something sounding like a prayer, as though "Pull him down!" cried Cromwell, inexhe wished to make God an ally of his plans. orably. The most various thoughts and feelings stirred Harrison obeyed, and dragged Lenthal from like wild waves in his bosom; ambition and the chair. sense of duty, pride and devout humility, truth Sir Henry Vane exclaiming against this proand falsehood, alternated in rapid succession ceeding, Cromwell cried with a loud voice: in his mind. He shrank from taking the de- "Oh, Sir Harry Vane, Sir Harry Vane! cisive step, but not a moment was to be lost, The Lord deliver me from Sir Harry Vane!" for the speaker was ready to put the ques- He then turned to the other members, tion. whom he reproached in the most scathing He said again to Harrison, "This is the manner with their weaknesses and failings. time; I must do it." He then rose and took "Thou art a drunkard," he said to one; the floor. Cromwell was not a good speaker; "thou art an adulterer," to another; " and besides, he liked to conceal his thoughts under thou an extortioner," to a third. In this turgid phrases. Notwithstanding these de- manner he preferred just or unjust charges fects, the assembly listened to him with the against the members, who, from fear of the closest attention, his position and acknowl- soldiers, or consciousness of their guilt, durst edged merits commanding them to treat him not defend themselves. with the greatest deference. At the outset, "It is you," he said to the House, "that he spoke in respectful terms of the Parliament have forced this upon me. I have sought the 252 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Lord night and day, that He would rather slay upon himself the protectorate of England, me than put me upon this work." Scotland, and Ireland. Although the whole He then commanded a soldier to seize the scene had been preconcerted, and although the mace. What shall we do with this bauble? parts had been distributed beforehand among Here, take it away." the actors, Cromwell, for appearance' sake, Having commanded the soldiers to clear the hesitated to make a definite reply, and yielded hall, he himself went out the last, and order- only to repeated and most pressing requests. ing the doors to be locked, departed to his One of the secretaries then read the new lodgings in Whitehall. constitution, which he signed and solemnly After the downfall of the so-called Long swore to observe. Major-General Lambert Parliament, Cromwell, who was now master knelt down and presented to him a sheathed of the situation, to preserve at least the sem- sword, the symbol of civil authority. On reblance of liberty, ordered new elections. The ceiving it, Cromwell took off his own sword Parliament, however, which met under his and laid it down, signifying thereby that he auspices, and consisted mostly of men desti- would no longer govern by martial law. The tute of ability and influence, dissolved itself, lord keeper and the judges then invited him in the consciousness of its weakness and in- to take the chair of state. He sat down, and significance. It was an object of general ridi- covered his head with his hat, while all the cule, and the public gave it the nickname of others stood bareheaded. After the ceremony Barebone's Parliament, because a worthy was over, the procession returned to Whitedealer in leather, Praise-God Barebone, was hall, where a sumptuous banquet closed the one of its most ludicrous members. festivities of the day. Heralds traversed the Four days afterward, a long procession streets and announced the event to the moved between two lines of soldiers from people. Whitehall to Westminster. The lord mayor "Long live the protector!" shouted the and aldermen of the city of London headed it, multitude. in their gorgeous gala equipages; next came Only one man did not join in their acclamaCromwell, attired in a black velvet coat, and tions. It was Henderson, the old Puritan. with broad gold lace around his pointed hat. " Oliver has betrayed us," he murmured, His guards, mostly veteran soldiers, and a gloomily. "He has betrayed the Lord, and large number of noblemen who had submitted must die!" to him, preceded his carriage, which was surrounded by the most distinguished officers, who held their drawn swords in their hands.APTR CIfAPTER IV. On arriving at Westminster Hall, the procession entered the large hall, at the end of whichTHE LORD PROTECTOR'S COURT. had been placed a purple chair of state. Crom- A NEW life began now at Whitehall. Cromwell stood before the chair, and, after all the well put off his mask more and more, and members of the procession had assembled seemed to manifest a desire to seize the crown around him, Major-General Lambert announced of England. Cautious as usual, he first tried that Parliament had dissolved of its own ac- to ascertain the sentiments of his adherents cord, and demanded, in the name of the army, before taking another step forward. Almost of the three nations, and of the requirements every day he had long interviews with his offiof the times, that the'lord general should take cers, as well as with the most influential citi THE LORD PROTECTOR'S COURT. 253 zens. In these interviews he took occasion to bend their knees and whisper fulsome flathint vaguely that England ought to have a teries. Milton was not a little astonished on monarchical government, and thus gradually meeting here many an ex-cavalier, who but prepared them for the change which he had recently had applied to Cromwell the nickin contemplation. He had vanquished the name of "Old Satan." All was forgotten Presbyterians and Constitutionals by the Inde- now; the protector tried to conciliate the nopendents and Republicans, and overthrown bility, and had of late treated the aristocratic these in their turn by means of the army, so families with surprising lenity. They made peace that he only had to deal with the latter. It is with him, either from fear or from self-interest, true, he met here with unexpected resistance. and received at his hands, besides other subAlready his title of Protector excited discon- stantial proofs of his favor, their estates, tent, and Colonel Harrison and Major Overton, which the commonwealth had confiscated. Milton's friend, declared openly against it. Such being his course now, the nobility flocked They and their adherents threatened the to the new court, whose centre was composed usurper and opposed his schemes. Cromwell, of Cromwell's own family. A motley crowd however, headed them off; and before they now presented itself to the eyes of the bewere able to carry their plans into effect, he holder. In yonder corner stood an old Indecaused them to be arrested. Milton was not pendent, or a fanatic expecting the fifth mona little surprised on hearing of this event, and archy of God and the New Jerusalem, now deemed himself in duty bound to ask the pro- grimly gazing upon the unwonted bustle. His tector, at the first opportunity that should awkward manners, his strange dress, which offer, to pardon his esteemed friend. was very plain and dark-colored, and his lanFor this purpose he repaired to Whitehall, guage, interlarded every moment with Bible where Cromwell had taken up his quarters in quotations, were secretly derided by the polthe apartments of the executed king, and had ished courtiers, who, however, dared only to already surrounded himself with a sort of smile furtively at them. At the other end of retinue of courtiers. A special lifeguard was the hall some clergymen were engaged with a posted in front of his doors. The anterooms few officers in an animated controversy on and staircases were crowded with persons who theological questions, which were discussed solicited favors and rewards at the hands of with hair-splitting keenness on both sides, and the new ruler.'Generals and other officers, in which the uncouth soldiers frequently got among whom were to be seen austere Puri- the better of their learned adversaries. Yontans, who did not know how to adapt them- der, some young courtiers were conversing in selves to the change that had taken place, and a low tone about the love-affairs of his highstill saw in Cromwell only their old comrade, ness the protector, and tried to ascertain were walking up and down in threadbare uni- whether he gave the preference to the beauforms, and dragging their long swords noisily tiful Lady Dysart or to the accomplished Lady on the floor. It was evident that they con- Lambert. Soldiers and priests, aristocrats and sidered as an abomination the splendor which republicans, the austere Puritan and the frivosurrounded them here. They cast distrustful lous skeptic, were now united here by the will glances on the young courtiers who, like flies of the new ruler, or by their various interests, in midsummer, had quickly made their appear- and blended together notwithstanding their ance to buzz in the rays of the rising sun; differences. A very peculiar tone, therefore, they had now another idol to which they could reigned in the apartments of Whitehall. Demo 254 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. cratic sullenness and aristocratic pliancy, fa- ought not to be rejected, but they should be natical enthusiasm and cool, sober selfishness, received and treated with hospitality and tolerwent hand in hand, and produced a truly won- ation. They are, as it were, the trunk from derful effect. which Christianity, that noblest blossom of While Milton was engrossed with such ob- humanity, has developed itself. Add to this servations, he was frequently greeted and ad- that the chosen people display rare commerdressed by friends and acquaintances. Lord cial talents and activity, and will assuredly Broghill, the brother of the Countess of Rane- bring riches into our country." lagh, shook hands with him. The poet Waller, "That is just what the lord protector a relative of the protector, and yet formerly thinks. He immediately summoned a confera favorite of Charles I., spoke to him. He ence of merchants, theologians, and jurists, at had just left Cromwell's cabinet, where the which he himself presided, and warmly advoprotector had given him an audience. cated the cause of his proteges." "Can I see the lord protector?" said "He is a great man in every sense of the Milton to him. word." "I do not know," replied the merry but un- " Of course he is, and he lacks nothing of principled Waller. "His highness has with being a king but the royal title. To tell you him at this moment a saint, a shoemaker ani- the truth, I believe my worthy cousin will, bemated with the Holy Ghost. George Fox is fore long, put the crown on his head." the name of the queer fellow; he has already "You must be jesting," said Milton, deeply founded a sect called Friends or Quakers. He moved. will no longer tolerate any clergymen, nor "Not at all, sir; I have already written a take off his hat to anybody, nor take oaths. coronation ode, and I should seriously advise He addresses every one with'thou.' I tell you, for the solemnity of the coronation, to you, it was rich to see him approach Cromwell take your own Pegasus from the stable and and say to him,'Peace be with thy house,' mount him, which you have not done for a whereupon both entered upon a theological long time past." disputation. While his highness was putting "I cannot believe it." on his trousers, there was a perfect shower "And yet it is only necessary for you to of quotations from the Bible. I could no look around these apartments to be convinced longer keep serious, and therefore left the that I have told you the truth. What is wantroom. The lord protector, in secret, also ing, then, to the restoration of the monarchy? laughs at such wonderful saints; but what is We reside at Whitehall, the royal palace; we he to do? As he told me in confidence, have a splendid lifeguard, and a full retinue'When you are in Rome, you must do as the of courtiers. See, yonder stand the Earl of Romans do.' You have no idea of the number Warwick and Lord Broghill; and here comes, of persons that call upon him. Last week if I mistake not, Sir Kenelm Digby, to render Manasseh Ben Israel, the Jew from Amster- homage to the new ruler of England." dam, was here, and presented in his own " Sir enelm Digby, the Catholic, the exiled name, and in that of his fellow-Israelites, a royalist?" asked Milton, wonderingly. petition, in which they begged leave to live "Well, you need not wonder at it. He has and trade in London. What do you think of obtained permission to return to England. such impertinence?" We have need of him for secret purposes. "In my opinion, the application of the Jews Jews, Catholics, and Anabaptists, meet at our THE LORD PROTECTOR'S COURT. 255 court, and I should not be surprised if the deemed himself in duty bound to utter his pope himself should come to Whitehall one convictions fearlessly and unreservedly, even day to put the crown on his highness's head." in the presence of Cromwell, and at the peril So saying, the gay poet moved on and dis- of incurring the wrath of the powerful ruler. appeared in the crowd. Milton remained, a While he was engrossed with these thoughts, prey to mournful thoughts and apprehensions. Sir Kenelm Digby, who recognized him, in He feared more and more lest the republic, to spite of their long separation, approached which he was so ardently attached, should be on him. After greeting him with seeming cordithe brink of ruin. A new despotism, more in- ality, he said to the poet: tolerable than any other, because it rested on "Well, Mr. Milton, I am sure you are likethe brute force of arms, threatened to take wise here for the purpose of saluting the sun the place of the former tyranny. Milton had that has lately risen over England. I am alhailed Cromwell as the liberator of his father- most inclined to bet that you have in your land, the protector of freedom of conscience, pocket some poem written in honor of the the greatest man of his age; and now his ideal great man." lay before his eyes broken and trampled in "You are mistaken," replied the poet, inthe dust. What he had revered he could not dignantly. "I have come to Whitehall to but despise; what he had loved he could not wait on the lord protector in my capacity as but hate. It is the greatest affliction that can Secretary to the Council of State." befall a noble soul to be compelled to tear its "Then you have really followed my advice. idols with its own hands from its heart and You have bid farewell to poetry, and turned hurl them from their exalted pedestals. It is politician. Well, I am glad of it, and wish not love deceived, but faith and trust betrayed you joy of your new career. Beware only of and abused, that strikes the deepest wounds, being impeded in your path by your poetical because it envenoms man's heart and mind, vagaries. A politician must be cool, sober, and buries and destroys all his ideals at one and destitute of poetical illusions. I am afraid fell blow. The poet's soul was filled with bit- you still possess too much imagination and enter grief, and he wept in secret not only over thusiasm; at least, I have noticed these pecuhis country, but over the fate of the whole liarities in your late writings, which, as an old world. He asked himself if liberty was only friend of yours, I read with a great deal of inan empty illusion, only the dream of a terest." heated imagination. On gazing upon the un- " I thank you for the sympathy which you principled crowd about him, and observing vouchsafe to my writings, but I cannot share their doings and aspirations, he felt doubts your views. In my judgment, a great and arising in his soul whether the people would true politician must possess a heart throbbing ever be ripe for freedom. The degradation of for the liberty and welfare of the people. If human nature and the innate slavishness of he lack this, he will never exercise an endurthe vile multitude impressed him with crush- ing influence over public affairs, and, at the ing force, and he experienced the disdain with best, obtain only the reputation of a skilful which lofty spirits so often look upon the intriguer. If Moses had not sympathized so miseries and weaknesses of mankind. But profoundly with the sufferings of his people, soon these mournful thoughts gave place to if he had not revolted at the tyranny of its the sense of his own dignity, which restored oppressors, he would never have performed to him his faith in liberty and truth. He the miracles which God caused him to do, 256 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. He was chosen by the Lord, because he had her death-bed, and had to promise her to visit a heart for the sufferings of his people." you and convey her last greetings to you." "Precisely like our lord protector," said Milton's eyes filled involuntarily with tears, Sir Kenelm Digby, sneeringly; "only, I be- which he consecrated to Leonora's memory. lieve, with this difference, that his highness This noble and artistic nature, then, which had will not content himself with viewing the land once divided his heart with Alice, had also deof promise from afar. Unless all symptoms parted this life! deceive me, I believe we shall presently have a "Poor Leonora i" he sighed, forgiving her coronation in London,.and in that case it would the pain which she had caused him. have been a better policy for you not to have so openly avowed your love of liberty and your republican sentiments. Believe me, my dear friend, liberty is nothing but a chimera of theAPT V — ~ —— J -- - ----— B CECHAPTER V. poets, and a republic exists only till the right man arises to subvert it. Nowadays it is THE CROWN REFUSED BY CROMWELL. generally only a production of weakness and STILL profoundly moved by the news he had impotence, a sort of fever which closes with just received, Milton entered the cabinet, where general exhaustion, and is cured by a skilful the protector gave his audiences. Cromwell physician. But in talking politics, I forgot to- sat, with his eyes almost closed, and absorbed communicate to you intelligence which con- in his reflections. Before him lay an open cerns you personally. I have been at Rome Bible, in which he seemed to have just been and seen Leonora Baroni." reading. His eyes wandered from the sacred " Leonora!" echoed the poet, giving a start. volume to the ceiling and the wainscoting of "I thought," continued Sir Kenelm Digby, the walls. He contemplated musingly the "that you had not yet forgotten the signora. golden crown and the royal initials which were She fares no better than you; she told me to everywhere to be seen in the room. This was greet you, and I bring you, perhaps, her last the goal of his wishes. At present he was the farewell." most powerful man in England. Europe bowed " She is dead? " asked Milton, mournfully. to him; France courted his friendship, and the "Oh, tell me what has become of her." wily IMazarin flattered him in the name of his "Shortly after your departure she was taken sovereign by means, of complimentary letters sick, she loved you so fondly. As she was and costly presents. The whole Protestant growing weaker from day to day, she caused world looked upon him as its protector. His herself to be conveyed to a cloister. There I mere word had sufficed to intimidate the Duke saw her; her cheeks were very pale, but her of Savoy, who, with unheard-of cruelty, had eyes beamed with heavenly radiance. She re- persecuted the descendants of the old Walsembled a saint in her divine beauty. In de- denses in the mountain-valleys of the Alps for vout contrition she repented of her past, and the sake of their Protestant faith. He stood, with fervent ardor turned her eyes from the honored and dreaded, on the summit of an aljoys of this world to the blessedness above. most absolute power, to which he had risen The signora will soon intercede for you in solely by his merits and the strength of his heaven. Ah! how anxious she always was for mind. Nothing was wanting to him, except the salvation of your soul; with how touching that crown which was here flashing toward an affection she thought of you! I left her on him on all sides. It was only necessary for THE CROWN REFUSED BY CROMWELL. 257 him to stretch out his hand for it, for the newly- seemed hewn out of granite; his flushed face summoned Parliament had voluntarily offered indicated extraordinary strength of will, and on it to him, or rather sought to force it upon him; his coarse features was stamped a firmness and yet he hesitated to accept it. He thought commanding respect. Peculiar to him was his it was not time yet; public opinion had not glance and the expression of his large, clear been sufficiently prepared for this last and most eyes, which now gleamed with enthusiastic fire, decisive step. Through it he had become strong now seemed apathetic, as if turned inward and and powerful; to him it was the voice of God, sunk into their sockets, until they suddenly to which, he said, he would never turn a deaf and unexpectedly shot flashes and threatened ear. This was on his part no hypocrisy, but to crush the beholder. On the other hand, the his innermost conviction, for he regarded him- poet's figure was slender and almost feeble; self as an instrument of Providence, and as the fine dark-brown hair surrounded his delicate chosen warrior of the Lord. His belief in his face and pale cheeks; from his high forehead mission was deeply rooted in his soul, and this beamed the noble expression of a profound faith enhanced his greatness. Thus religious thinker, and the traces of his intellectual toils fanaticism was blended in this wonderful nature and long-continued exertions were imprinted with a clear, sober understanding, which, in on his fragile frame. It is true, his suffering thinking of heaven, did not forget the earth eyes had retained their old radiance, but the and its worldly schemes; his fear of the Lord immobility of the pupils indicated the almost was coupled with a high sense of his own dig- entire extinction of his eyesight. However, nity and an insatiable ambition. Fanaticism the light that was departing from them seemed and a spirit of intrigue penetrated one another, now to float around his whole being; he reand thereby added to their mutual strength. sembled a transparent alabaster lamp illumined But for his religious fanaticism, Cromwell from within. Thus the two representative men would have remained a common schemer all of their time stood face to face —the energy of his lifetime; and but for his cool, sober sa- the ruler and the enthusiasm of the poet, the gacity, he would have been a blind fanatic like beautiful ideal and the stern reality. Colonel Harrison. Possessed of these two an- Milton addressed the protector, and entagonistic qualities, he was the greatest man treated him to pardon Overton, whom Cromof his age. well had sent to the Tower. Milton's entrance put an end to his medita- " I should gladly grant your request," said tion. He drew his strong hand repeatedly the protector, "but your friend himself renders across his broad forehead, as if to dispel the it difficult for me to do so. I call God to spirits that had haunted him. He feigned per- witness that I am a well-wisher of his, and feet tranquillity and indifference, which he that I am sorry to treat an old comrade with dropped only in the course of the conversation. so much rigor. It is no fault of mine; but With a kind gesture he invited the poet to be both he and Harrison have forced me toadopt seated. Although he himself had not enjoyed this course. The Lord alone knows my heart, a very good education, he esteemed the more and will judge between me and them. Say highly the learning and knowledge of others. yourself if I can act otherwise. They conTo the beholder the two men presented the spired against the government, and stirred up most striking contrast. Cromwell was heavy- a mutiny in the army. Had they been royalset; his body, in spite of the fatigues and pri- ists, I should have caused them to be bevations which it had undergone during the war, headed; but, as they are old friends of mine, 17 258 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. I have contented myself with imprisoning "By a man whom Providence has raised them." higher than any other mortal, who delivered " So far as I know, their only crime consists England from intolerable oppression, who in their intense devotion to the republic." achieved glorious victories in countless battles "Both are fanatics, incorrigible madcaps, bent over the enemies of the people, and whom on accomplishing impossibilities, and thereby the grateful country calls the father of the breeding confusion and disorder. If their people." views were carried into effect, we should have "And what do they say of this man now? " no government whatever. They dream of a "That he is stretching out his hand for a state of society that would be nothing but crown, and hankering after a title unworthy utter anarchy. This I cannot tolerate, and the transcendent majesty of his character. therefore nothing remained for me but to As yet the friends of freedom will not and canrender them harmless. I swear to you that not credit this rumor; they refuse to think the no harm shall befall either Overton or Har- great man capable of such littleness. He will rison. God forbid that I should consent to respect the fond expectations which we cherthe execution of such brave men, who shed ish, the solicitudes of his anxious country." their blood for the good cause! I will only Milton paused to await the impression prokeep them imprisoned until they have seen duced by his bold words. Cromwell, however, the errors to which they have yielded. Do remained silent and seemed absorbed in deep not grieve, Mr. Secretary, and do not be angry thought. Carried away by his own enthusiwith me, if I cannot grant this request of asm, the poet discarded all timidity as unworyours. You know that I am your friend, and thy of his character, and addressed the proam always glad to see you. If you wish to tector without further circumlocution. say any thing else to me, speak, for I regard "Respect," he exclaimed, with flushed you as a man alike wise and modest." cheeks, and in a voice of noble enthusiasm, The protector thus unwittingly came to "the looks and the wounds of your brave commeet the poet, and Milton seized unhesitat- panions-in-arms, who, under your banners, ingly the opportunity to lay his eiews before have so strenuously fought for liberty; rehim. spect the shades of those who perished in the "I grieve not only for the sake of my contest; respect also the opinions and the friend," he said gravely, "but still more for hopes which foreign states entertain concernthe fate of a fair woman, I might almost say ing us, which promise to themselves so many the beloved of my youth." advantages from that liberty which we have so "Ah, ah! " exclaimed Cromwell, in a play- bravely acquired, from the establishment of ful tone. "Has our esteemed secretary for that new government which has begun to shed the foreign tongues also a sweetheart? For its splendor over the world, and which, if it be aught I know, you are married, and I have suffered to vanish like a dream, would involve always heard you spoken of as a strictly moral us in the deepest abyss of shame." man." " I am only an instrument in the hand of "I do not speak of a mortal woman, but of the Lord," interrupted Cromwell, as if to exdivine liberty and this republic. The general cuse himself to Milton, and to himself. impression is that both are endangered." "Therefore, respect yourself. After having "And by whom?" asked the protector, who endured so many sufferings and encountered was suddenly all ear. so many perils for the sake of liberty, do not THE CROWN REFUSED BY CROMWELL. 259 suffer it, now it is obtained, either to be vi- to penetrate into the remotest parts of the olated by yourself, or in any one instance im- country, to have the mind present and operapaired by others. Indeed, you cann6t be tive in every quarter, to watch against surtruly free unless we are free also; for such is prise, to provide against danger, to reject the the nature of things, that he who trenches blandishments of pleasure and the pomp of on the liberty of others is the first to lose his power-these are exertions compared with own, and become a slave. But if you, who which the labor of war is a mere pastime; have hitherto been the patron and tutelary which will require all the energy, and employ genius of liberty-if you, who are exceeded by every faculty that you possess; which demand no one in justice, in piety, and goodness, a man supported from above, and almost inshould hereafter invade that liberty which you structed by immediate inspiration." have defended, your conduct must be fatally "What you say is true, very true," replied operative, not only against the cause of lib- Cromwell. " The Lord Himself will illumierty, but the general interests of piety and nate me." virtue. Your integrity and virtue will appear "I have no doubt that He is with you. But to have evaporated, your faith in religion to you will bear my feeble words in mind, and have been small; your character with posterity consider especially how you may discharge all will dwindle into insignificance, and thus a these important duties in such a manner as most destructive blow will be levelled against not only to secure our liberties, but to add to the happiness of mankind." them." Was Cromwell really moved? At all events When Milton ceased, the protector rose he heaved a deep sigh. Milton continued, from his chair and strode, as was his habit, up without taking any notice of his real or feigned and down the room. emotion: " Go, go," he said, laying his hand on Mil" I know full well that the work which you ton's shoulder. " You are an honest, excellent have undertaken is of incalculable moment; man, and I would I possessed your genius and that it will thoroughly sift and expose every virtue; but the Lord has endowed us all with principle and sensation of your heart; that it different gifts. To you He has vouchsafed will fully display the vigor and genius of your learning and eloquence; but to me-" character; and that it will determine whether Cromwell did not finish his sentence. With you really possess those great qualities of a kind gesture he dismissed the poet, who left piety, fidelity, justice, and self-denial, which the great man with renewed hope and confimade us believe that you were raised by the dence. After he was gone, the protector bespecial direction of the Deity to the highest came again absorbed in his reflections. In his pinnacle of power." mind arose once more that long struggle be"I am only a weak man, an instrument in tween his ambition and his sense of duty. His hands," murmured the protector. "In The temptation was too strong, and the old truth, the Lord speaks out of your mouth; demon soon seized him again. An old augury therefore, speak out fearlessly." came into his. mind. In his boyhood, in a "At once wisely and discreetly to hold the Latin play performed by the pupils of Camsceptre over three powerful nations," added bridge, and representing the struggle of the Milton, thus encouraged, " to persuade people human limbs, he had played "the Tongue," to relinquish inveterate and corrupt for new and finally been crowned as victor, all his and more beneficial maxims and institutions, schoolmates kneeling down and paying homage 260 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. to him. He involuntarily recalled all this, and vague, and interlarded with reflections, remiit filled him anew with superstitious faith in niscences, predictions, and allusions. his mission. "Gentlemen," he replied to the deputation, A private door in the wall opened noiseless- "I have passed the greater part of my life in ly, and the head of a man looked cautiously fire (if I may so speak), and surrounded by into the room. His face, furrowed by a thou- commotions; but all that has happened since sand small wrinkles and lines, his keen, twink- I have meddled with public affairs for the ling eyes, and the pliable attitude of the bowed general good, if it could be gathered into a frame, indicated a shrewd and adroit servant. single heap, and placed before me in one view, It was the protector's confidant. would fail to strike me with the terror and re"Thurloe, come in," said Cromwell. "We spect for God's will which I undergo at the are entirely alone. What do you bring to thought of this thing you now mention, and me?" this title you offer me. But I have drawn " Glad tidings-the confidential deputation confidence and tranquillity in every crisis of of Parliament to offer you the crown, and re- my past life from the conviction that the ceive your definite reply. I preceded them to heaviest burdens I have borne have been imprepare your highness for their arrival." posed upon me by His hand without my own "Thank you, thank you. But it is difficult participation. Often have I felt that I should for me to make up my mind. The matter is have given way under these weighty loads if fraught with many difficulties." it had not entered into the views, the plans, "What! you hesitate to accept a crown? " and the great bounty of the Lord to assist me "New misgivings have arisen in my soul. in sustaining them. If, then, I should suffer A man who spoke to me on the subject has myself to deliver you an answer on this matjust left me. I confess that his words have ter, so suddenly and unexpectedly brought unmade a deep impression upon me, although he der my consideration, without feeling that this is a half-blind enthusiast." answer is suggested to my heart and lips by " You refer to Milton, the secretary to the Him who has ever been my oracle and guide, Council of State?" I should therein exhibit to you a slender evi"I do. He is a very excellent and respect- dence of my wisdom. To' accept or refuse able man, and many people in England share your offer in one word, from desires or feelings his views." of personal interest, would savor too much of " If you will listen to the Utopian vagaries the flesh and of human appetite. To elevate of such fanatics, you will never reach the glo- myself to this height by motives of ambition rious goal beckoning to you." or vain-glory, would be to bring down a curse " You are right, Thurloe. Admit the com- upon myself, upon my family, and upon the missioners of Parliament." whole empire. Better would it be that I had Cromwell received them standing. They never been born. Leave me, then, to seek were headed by Lord Broghill, who addressed counsel at my leisure of God, and my own the protector, and, after enumerating once conscience; and I hope neither the declamamore all the arguments in favor of the resto- tions of a light and thoughtless people, nor ration of a monarchical government, urged the selfish wishes of those who expect to beCromwell to assume the royal title, after hav- come great in my greatness, may influence my ing so long been invested with royal author- decision, of which I shall communicate to you ity and power. Cromwell's reply was long, the result with as little delay as possible." LADY CLAYPOLE-" KILLING NO MURDER." 261 Three hours afterward, the parliamentary new spirit-a spirit of zeal and piety; I taught committee returned to press for his answer. them to fear God. From that day forward It was in many respects confused and unintel- they were invariably victorious. To Him be ligible. all the glory! "Royalty," he said, "is composed of two " It has ever been thus, it will ever continue matters, the title of king and the functions of to be thus, gentlemen, with the government. monarchy. These functions are so united by Zeal and piety will preserve us without a king. the very roots to an old form of legislation, Understand me well; I would willingly bethat all our laws would fall to nothing did we come a victim for the salvation of all; but I not retain in their appliance a portion of the do not think-no, truly, I do not believe that kingly power. But as to the title of king, it is necessary this victim should bear the title this distinction implies not only a snpreme au- of a king." thority, but, I may venture to say, an authority With this reply Cromwell dismissed the partaking of the divine! I have assumed the committee which had offered him a crown. place I now occupy to drive away the dangers When themembers had left, his private secrewhich threatened my country, and to prevent tary, Thurloe, asked him what his real opinion their recurrence. I shall not quibble between was. the titles of king and protector, for I am pre- "A crown,' said Cromwell, plucking his pared to continue in your service as either of confidant's ear, is "a nice thing, but a clear these, or even as a simple constable, if you so conscience is still better. The Lord will settle will it, the lowest officer in the land; for, in it all to our best. Come, let us go to dinner; truth, I have often said to myself that I am, the long speech has given me a good appetite, in fact, nothing more than a constable, main- even though it may have greatly puzzled the taining the order and peace of the parish. I gentlemen of the committee." am, therefore, of opinion that it is unpecessary for you to offer, and for me to accept, the title of king, seeing that any other will equally answer the purpose. CHAPTER VI. "Allow me," he added, "to lay open my heart here, aloud, and in your presence. At ADY CLAYPOLE-" ILLING NO MURDER." the moment when. I was called to this great CROMWELL dined to-day with his favorite work, and preferred by God to so many daughter, Lady Claypole, who exercised an others more worthy than myself, what was I? extraordinary influence over her father. She Nothing more than a simple captain of dra- was a lady of rare delicacy of feeling, endowed goons in a regiment of militia. My command- with accomplishments and understanding, ing officer was a dear friend, who possessed a faithful to her friends, magnanimous toward noble nature, and whose memory I know you her enemies, and fondly attached to her father, cherish as warmly as I do myself. This was of whom she always thought only with pride Mr. Hampden. The first time I found myself and solicitude. When Cromwell was exunder fire with him, I saw that our troops, hausted by his public labors, and full of care newly levied, without discipline, and cor- and anxiety, he joyously sought relief and posed of men who loved not God, were beaten tranquillity in the society of a heart holding in every encounter. With the permission of aloof from the ambitious struggles and violent Mr. Hampden, I introduced among them a deeds with which his life abounded. The very 262 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. contrast in their two characters added to their true, it is only a book, a sort of political romutual love. Lady Claypole was in secret an mance, but its loss grieves me exceedingly." adherent of the proscribed Stuarts and the Lady Claypole smiled at the double entendre. Episcopal Church, while her sister, the wife " I will speak to my father about it; he shall of Major-General Fleetwood, shared the re- restore your child to you." publican principles of her husband. Thus the "Accept my thanks beforehand. I shall protector often met with resistance in the dedicate the work to the protector, and prebosom of his own family, where were repre- sent the first copy to you, my lady." sented all the parties with which he had to The poet withdrew, and Lady Claypole went struggle in public life. Many a supplicant to meet her father, who arrived a few moments applied to Lady Claypole, whose influence over afterward, her father was generally known. "My lord protector," said the amiable lady, The poet Harrington was now waiting in after tenderly embracing him, " permit me to her room for a similar purpose. Cromwell intercede in behalf of a poor child which you had caused the manuscript of his " Oceana," have stolen from its father. Do you know which abounded with Utopian ideas, to be Harrington, the poet? " seized at the printing-office and conveyed to "I do, my daughter." Whitehall. In vain were the efforts of the "I have promised him that you would give poet to recover his work. His last hope was him back his manuscript." the intercession of Lady Claypole. Her maid Cromwell frowned, but his daughter stroked came in, accompanied by the little daughter his forehead with her delicate hands, until it of the lady, a sweet child three years old, with became smooth again. blond ringlets. Harrington took the little "You are not afraid of a book, father?" girl in his arms, and played with her until Lady "I am not afraid either of the book or of Claypole came in. the author, who would like to deprive me of "My lady," said the poet, putting down the my power and put his chimeras in my place; child, it is fortunate that you have come, for but no attack with a little paper-gun shall take I was about to steal your sweet little daughter." from me what I have gained by the sword. I "Steal my daughter, and why? " asked the must assume th~e office of lord high constable mother, pressing her darling to her heart. to reestablish peace between the hostile par"She will certainly make more brilliant ties; for they cannot agree on any form of conquests one day, but I will confess to you, government, and use their power only to ruin my lady, that revenge, and not love, prompted themselves. For your sake I will let him print me to steal her." the book, and even accept its dedication."," And what have I done to provoke your re- At dinner Cromwell, as usual when he was sentment?" she asked, wonderingly. at his daughter's house, was in very good "Nothing, my lady. I only wished to re- spirits, and to-day his gayety was so great as taliate upon you, as your father has stolen to excite her surprise. from me a child of which I am as fond as you "Something very agreeable must have hapare of yours." pened to you to-day," she said, sympathetically. "Oh, my father is incapable of doing any "The Parliament to-day offered me the thing of the kind. The protector is severe, crown for the third time. I believe I shall but just. have to accept it, even if it were only to pro. "And yet he took my child from me. It is cure for you the title of royal highness." LADY CLAYPOLE-" KILLING NO MURDER." 263 Lady Claypole turned pale and heaved a he left her peaceful company than he plunged deep sigh. Her uneasiness and paleness made anew into the whirlpool of intrigues and affairs, a profound impression on the protector. steadily keeping his goal in view. But he had " My child, reassure yourself," he exclaimed, to contend in his family not alone with the deeply moved. "I have not yet made up my pious and tender objections of his daughter. mind. You will gradually accustom yourself His brother-in-law Desborough and his son-into this idea." law Fleetwood, an ardent republican, opposed " Never! " replied his daughter, resolutely. his plan in the most determined manner. When "The crown on your head would only be a he conversed with them in his usual playful misfortune for our whole house. Like my poor manner on the subject, and repeated his favorgrandmother, I should be unable to sleep ite phrase that the royal title would be only a calmly for a minute; for I should always see plume on his hat, and that he could not but the assassin's dagger raised against you. Oh, wonder at men refusing to let children rejoice father, listen to me quietly, and do not be in their playthings, they remained grave and angry with me. I am only a feeble woman, persisted in their convictions. and am unable to appreciate your lofty plans; "This matter," said Major-General Desbut, if you love me, if you feel only the slight- borough, "is far more important than you est tenderness for me, then content yourself seem willing to admit. Those who are urging with the greatness which you have already you to take this step are not the enemies of achieved, and do not aspire'to a title which, as Charles Stuart; and if you comply with their you say yourself, has no greater value than the wishes, you will irretrievably ruin yourself and plume on your hat. I feel that your accession your friends." to the throne would cause my death." "Both of you are too timid," replied Crom"No, no," cried Cromwell, in dismay; "you well, laughing. "I cannot do any thing with shall not, must not die. What would your old you." father do? Nothing would remain for him " If you assume the royal title, I shall conbut to follow you immediately." sider your cause and your family as hopelessly Tears moistened his cheeks, and the man to lost; and although I shall never do any thing whom all England bowed, and who annihilated against you, I shall henceforth no longer do his enemies without mercy or compassion, any thing for you." trembled at the mere thought of such a loss. They parted, angry and irritated. Cromwell, His paternal love drowned the voice of ambi- however, thought he might still overcome the tion, and those projects which the most influ- resistance of his family; nor was he the man ential and powerful men vainly sought to shake to drop so soon a resolution which he had gave way, at least for the time, before the once taken. Desborough, a prominent officer glance and the words of a feeble woman. But in the army, profited by his position, and Cromwell was unable to give up every thing caused his most distinguished comrades to sign so abruptly. It is true, his feelings had over- apetition against the protector's assuming the powered him, but his understanding and his royal title. This last step dashed the cup from inflamed passions stirred up his ambition again. Cromwell's lips; already so near the goal, he The prize beckoning to him was too tempting. was hurled back from it, as he could maintain So long as he was with his daughter, he forgot himself on the throne only by the assistance of his ambitious schemes; in her presence he was the army. He therefore declined with an air nothing but a loving father; but no sooner had of pious indifference the crown offered to him 264 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. by the Parliament. He remained, as hereto- memory blows which you will no longer fore, Lord Protector of England. Nevertheless, feel." the numbers of his enemies and opponents were Cromwell was as indignant as he was dumconstantly on the increase. Innumerable con- founded at this pamphlet, and instructed all spiracles against his life were discovered by his his spies to strain every nerve in order to fernumerous spies, among whom Billy Green acted ret out its author and circulators. Billy Green again a prominent part. was fortunate enough to catch and arrest a A pamphlet, entitled " Killing No Murder," woman who was engaged in circulating the was mysteriously circulated in the streets of dangerous pamphlet. The prisoner was waitLondon; it went from hand to hand; it spread ing in the anteroom of the protector, who everywhere like wildfire; it penetrated under deemed the matter so important as to declare various addresses into all houses, now con- that he would himself examine her. He was cealed in a box, now in the shape of a letter. resolved to treat her with extreme rigor, and Women and children were engaged in circulat- nothing short of death seemed to him a pening it. This pamphlet recommended the as- alty adequate to such a crime. He was pasassination of the protector, and commenced cing his cabinet with a rapid step; his forewith an address to his highness, Oliver Crom- head was covered with threatening furrows, well. The unknown author wrote to him as and his whole face was flushed with anger and follows: "I intend to procure for your high- determination. ness that justice which no one as yet has been "Bring in the woman," he said to the officer willing to let you have, and to show to the of the day. people how great an injury it would inflict upon The prisoner came in; she bore calmly and itself and you if it should delay complying with composedly the threatening glance of the promy advice. To your highness belongs the tector, which caused the most courageous men honor of dying for the people, and the thought to tremble. of the benefit which your death will confer on "You have committed a capital crime," he England cannot but comfort you in your last said, stepping close up to her. moments. Not until then, my lord, will you "I know it, and am not afraid of death," really have a right to the titles which, you now she replied with a proud smile. arrogate to yourself; you will then really be "But before dying, you will give me the the liberator of your people, and deliver it from names of your accomplices. Who gave you a yoke hardly less oppressive than that from this pamphlet?" which Moses freed his people. Then you will " That is my secret, and no one will be able really be the reformer that you now try to to wrest it from me." seem; for then religion will be reestablished, "But suppose I should pardon you on this liberty will be restored, and the Parliament condition?" will regain the rights for which it struggled so "Life and liberty have no longer any value manfully. All this we hope to obtain by the for me." speedy death of your highness. To bring about "You are young yet," replied Cromwell, this blessing as soon as possible, I have written struck by her firmness. "How comes it that this pamphlet, and if it has the effect which I life and liberty have no longer value for you?" expect from it, your highness will soon be be- "Because sentence of death has been passed yond the reach of human malice, and your upon- my husband, who is to be executed toenemies will only be able to level against your morrow." 7,'777 / / 7 V A\'1, 1 (AlAV A /// 7 W,' 7/~~~~~~~~~~~~~=.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' ~- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 77g 71'11' LUCY AND HER FATHER-CROMWELL'S LAST DAYS. 265 "And what is your husband's name?" "Call Henderson," ordered the protector; "Thomas Egerton." "he shall take her to the Tower." When the protector heard this name, the HE turned indifferently to Thurloe, his prisympathy and compassion which had already vate secretary, whom he instructed to pay a begun to stir his heart died away again. He few gold-pieces to Billy Green for his services remembered his seduced daughter and the as a spy. Soon afterward old Henderson vengeance which he had sworn to wreak on made his appearance. Cromwell gave him in her seducer. an undertone instructions for the governor of "Thomas Egerton!" he cried, furiously. the Tower. The Puritan approached the " Oh, I know him, and even though he had a prisoner in order to take her away; on seeing thousand lives, he should lose them all. You him, she uttered a cry of surprise, which did are his wife, and shall die too. Heaven is just, not escape the protector. Henderson, too, and the Lord delivers into my hands His ene- seemed deeply moved, but he presently remies and mine!" covered his presence of mind, and his rigid "Your cruelty does not frighten me. To features no longer betrayed the least emotion. die at the same time with my husband was the "Do you know this woman? " said the prodearest wish of my heart." tector to his former friend. " It shall be fulfilled, but not in the manner "I do not." you expect. You shall be executed before "And yet she uttered a cry on seeing you. him, and in his presence." You lie, Henderson! But I shall find out the "By adopting this course, you will in spite truth. All but these two will withdraw." of yourself confer another benefit on me; for All the others left the room, in which CromI shall not then have the grief of witnessing well remained with the Puritan and the my husband's execution." prisoner. "This woman cannot be tamed," murmured Cromwell in impotent rage, and yet involuntarily admiring her conduct. CHAPTER VII The longer he conversed with her, the more he was obliged to acknowledge her manfulness LICY AND HER FATHER-CROMWELL'S LAST and courage; he felt the nearness of a kindred DAYS. spirit. Her very features bore a certain re- A VAGUE suspicion arose in the protector's semblance to his own. In her whole appear- mind. Profound silence, which no one dared ance there was something that struck awe and to break, reigned in the cabinet. Seized with terror into his heart, and he could not avoid the most various feelings, the three stood face shuddering the longer he contemplated her. to face. Cromwell at last approached the He tried once more to wrest from her a con- Puritan. fession in reference to the pamphlet, but she " Speak! Who is this woman? " he asked, remained inflexible, and his threats were un- imperiously. able to intimidate her. So saying, he gazed at the Puritan with " Your blood, then," he said, " be on your those piercing eyes whose demoniacal power own head. Remove her; she shall die with but few persons were able to withstand. her husband." Henderson also was unable to resist the charm, "Thank you," replied the heroic woman, and, contrary to his original intention, he con. preparing to leave the room. fessed the truth. 266 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. " You want to know it," he said, sullenly, " You will never betray the secret of your and with a sinister smile. "Learn, then, that descent either to him or to anybody else. this woman is-your daughter! " Henderson will accompany you, and pledge "My daughter!" echoed Cromwell, and me his word never to return." buried his face in his hands. When he looked "I will go, not because you order me to do up again, the color had fled from his cheeks, so, but because the Spirit prompts me. The and he trembled like an aspen-leaf. kingdom of the saints has not come yet; "You lie! " he cried out. "I know that I hence, I will leave the country and go to have grieved you, and now you want to re- foreign lands. There is no longer any symvenge yourself." pathy between you and me, for you are an "I have never uttered a lie," replied the apostate, and, by base defection from God, Puritan. "I speak the truth even now, have betrayed your cause. He, therefore, will though I intended to conceal it from you." turn from you and your house, because you " You intended to let me kill my child? " have become an abomination in his eyes." asked Cromwell, divining the fanatic's pur- Cromwell was long since inured to such lanpose. "And then you would have stood be- guage. Hence, he was not angry with the fore me and called me her murderer." Puritan, and allowed him to depart in peace. Henderson made no reply, but contented On the same day Thomas received his himself with nodding his head. Lucy had pardon. The long imprisonment and the imsunk at the feet of the father whom she had minent prospect of death had exerted a salufound so unexpectedly. tary effect upon his frivolous character; the "Forgive me," she said in a heart-rending heroic devotion of his wife, her fidelity and tone, "but I did not know that Oliver Crom- tenderness, had made another man of him. well was my father." He left England with her, and returned only "' You are not to blame," he replied, deeply after the protector's death. From time to moved; "I am the only guilty party. You time Lucy received from a mysterious hand are only an instrument in the hand of the large sums of money, which covered all their Lord, who now punishes the sins of my youth. expenses. This was the only sign of recogniI forgive you." tion which she received from her father. She " And my husband?" faithfully kept the pledge she had given to "Your husband?" he asked doubtingly. him, and did not reveal the secret of her birth "I always thought him your seducer, and till after his death, when she communicated it hated him bitterly for it." to her husband. " He acknowledged the wrong he had per- The pamphlet which Colonel Titus had writpetrated on me, and restored my honor and ten, was only the forerunner of new and danreputation. We have been married at the al- gerous conspiracies, which now broke out tar. I cannot live without him." against the protector in all parts of England. "I will pardon him for your sake, although Charles II. had entered into negotiations with he has richly deserved death. I shall, how- the malecontents of all parties, even with the ever, impose on you a condition; if you re- republicans, and intended to make another fuse to submit to it, the execution will take its descent upon England. The levellers and course." cavaliers, the ex-members of the Long Parlia"To save him, I will submit to any terms, ment and officers of the army, the most inhowever rigorous they may be." congruous elements, had united to overthrow LUCY AND HER FATHER-CROMWELL'S LAST DAYS. 267 their common enemy. Even in London, and life; henceforth he wore a hidden coat of mail under Cromwell's eyes, the conspirators car- to protect himself against the daggers of asried their boldness so far as to fix the day sassins; whenever he left the palace, several and the hour when they were to occupy the trusty attendants accompanied him in his carmost important points of the city, arrest the riage. In Whitehall he had several bedrooms lord mayor, set fire to the Tower, and, during with secret doors, and he never slept for two the general confusion, seize the protector's consecutive nights in the same room. This person. Cromwell, however, redoubled his incessant emotion could not but undermine vigilance and the activity of his spies, whom even his iron constitution. Old Henderson's he hired everywhere, even among the attend- curse seemed now to be fulfilled in him and his ants and confidants of Charles II. So soon as family. His beloved daughter, Lady Claypole, he had obtained the necessary proofs, he acted was taken sick. He had her sent to Hampton with his accustomed firmness and energy. On Court, that the country air and tranquillity the morning of the day when the blow was to might restore her health. When her sufferbe struck, at the very moment the conspira- ings grew worse, he himself went to her and tors were repairing to the posts assigned to nursed her with the most tender solicitude. them, their leaders were suddenly arrested, and His arm, which had caused the world to all guards reinforced. Colonel Birkstead, the tremble, was now the support of a feeble wolieutenant of the Tower, marched with a strong man; and it was from her sick-room that he body of troops and five pieces of artillery governed three kingdoms. through the city, and arrested about forty of "Poor, poor child!" he sighed, deeply,'the conspirators, and as many apprentices. moved, when she was in pain. "To save your Among the former were Sir Henry Slingsby, life, I would sacrifice my whole power-all, all an uncle of Lord Falconbridge, who had mar- that I possess 1" ried Lady Mary Cromwell, and Dr. Hewet, a She responded by that faint but charming clergyman of the Episcopal Church, highly smile which was peculiar to the noble lady, esteemed and revered by Lady Claypole. Both and denied with the self-abnegation of an angel ladies took- infinite pains to save these two the sufferings to which she was a prey. men, upon whom sentence of death had been "I am better, much better," she whispered, passed. Vainly did the favorite daughter of in a gentle voice, while the paleness of her Oliver Cromwell overwhelm him with supplica- cheeks and her lustreless eyes gave the lie to tions and tears; on this occasion he remained her words. inexorable; he was intent on intimidating his In such hours the soul of the great man enemies, and, therefore, displayed the most in- rose high above the mists of ambition and flexible rigor. Cromwell loved his daughter egotism by which it was darkened, and from dearly, but his stern nature had no idea of the the earthly smoke burst forth the purified profound grief of this noble lady. She was a flame of his religious nature. prey to indescribable anguish, and her feeble "The Lord will not forsake me,:' he said; body began to succumb to it. "He will not take from me that which is. For the time being, the protector had. at- dearest to me on earth. He has raised me to tained his object; terror kept hatred at bay; an exalted position, and chosen me as His but he himself and his tranquillity were the instrument; what I did I did through and for victims of this victory. Everywhere he thought Him. By God's help I have ended the bloody himself surrounded by enemies menacing his civil war, restored the greatness of England, 268 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. protected our Protestant brethren, and de- Galen or Hippocrates. It is the answer of fended our holy faith. He will not drop His God Himself to our prayers; not to mine faithful servant, nor disown His instrument. alone, but to those of others who have a more But His will be done, and not mine. If He intimate interest in Him than I have. You has mercy on me, I will glorify His name, may have skill in your profession; but Nature heal the wounds of this country, govern with can do more than all the physicians in the the most conscientious justice, and dedicate world, and God is far above Nature." the whole remainder of my life to His service, All the friends and adherents of the proand to the welfare of my people. I feel that tector shared this firm belief. Not only in my task is not yet ended, and that I am called Whitehall, but in all the churches of London, upon to achieve still greater things." prayers for his recovery ascended to heaven; He remained for long hours on his knees, but even his adversaries were filled with terror praying fervently for the recovery of his and anxiety at the thought of his death, and daughter; but Heaven turned a deaf ear to the confusion that would succeed to it. Hithhis appeals. Lady Claypole finally succumbed erto, Cromwell had made no definite deposito her sufferings, and breathed her last in his tions as to his successor, and his friends, for arms. It afforded a melancholy enjoyment to this reason, were greatly embarrassed-even the protector to surround his daughter's coffin Thurloe, from various motives, hesitating to with regal pomp. Her adorned remains lay in ascertain the protector's wishes in this respect. state at Westminster Hall, and were interred Cromwell himself, as his condition grew worse in a special vault amid the tombs of the and worse, no longer took any interest in worldly kings. affairs. His soul turned exclusively to heaven; After her death, the protector was subject it retired into itself, and occupied itself with to fits of the most profound melancholy. His other questions and problems than those which health began to give way, and soon he was no engrossed the mourners surrounding his bed. longer able to leave his bed. Hisw.physicians At the gates of eternity, which opened to him were sensible of the perilous condition to now, a sudden shudder seized him. Round which his disease had reduced him, but he his bed sat his chaplains, who henceforth did himself would not believe that his life was not leave him any more; he alternately prayed drawing to a -close. or conversed with them on religious subjects. "Why do you look so sad?" he asked the "Tell me," he asked, starting up from his doctor, who was standing by his bedside. meditations, "is it possible to fall from "How can I look gay when I am respon- grace?" sible for the life of your highness?" "It is not possible," replied Sterry, one of "You physicians think that I shall die," re- the preachers. plied Cromwell, seizing the hand of his wife, "Then I am safe," said Cromwell; "for I who was sitting at his side; " but I tell you I know that I was once in grace." shall not die of this distemper. I am well as- He turned and commenced praying aloud: sured of my recovery." "Lord, though a miserable and wretched Perceiving that the physicians were won- creature, I am in covenant with Thee through dering at these words, he added: Thy grace, and may and will come to Thee " Think not that I have lost my reason; I for Thy people. Thou hast made me a mean tell you the truth. I know it from better au- instrument to do them some good, and Thee thority than any which you can have from service. Many of them set too high a value GENERAL MONK-MILTON AND LADY ALICE. 269 upon me, though others would be glad of my death. Lord, however Thou disposest of me, CHAPTER VIII. continue and go on to do good for them. GENERAL MONK-MILTON AND LADY ALICE. Teach those who look too much upon Thy instruments to depend more upon Thyself, and IMPORTANT events occurred now in rapid pardon such as desire to trample upon the succession. The little son of a great father dust of a poor worm, for they are Thy people ruled but a short time over England. Richard too." Cromwell was too weak for such a burden; he After uttering this fervent prayer, he sank succumbed to the parties which, after the into a stupor, which lasted until evening. death of the mighty protector, delivered from Toward nightfall he became greatly excited; the pressure of his iron hand, raised their he spoke in an undertone, and very inco- heads again. The protector's generals, inherently, and hesitated in the middle of the cited by their ambition, aspired to his power. words and sentences: They possessed, perhaps, his baser, but not his " In truth, God is good; He will not-God nobler qualities. Only one of them had inheris good-I should like to live for the sake of ited his calculating penetration and calm pruGod and His people, but my task is ended.- dence; but the ardent enthusiasm, by which God will be with His people." Cromwell had achieved such extraordinary They asked him to drink, and then to sleep. successes, was wanting to him. General "I do not want to drink," he said, "nor to Monk marched his troops, who were blindly sleep. I think only of making haste, for I devoted to him, to London, where he restored must depart very soon." tranquillity, and for the time being quietly Thurloe, who did not leave his bedside, and watched the course of events. As usual, a the members of his family, deemed it indis- state of exhaustion had succeeded to the propensable to remind him of the necessity of ap- tracted civil wars and the long-continued inpointing a successor. He uttered in a feeble tense political excitement. Tired of party voice the name of his son Richard. A terrific struggles, and deprived by Cromwell of the tempest raged at night, destroying vast amounts liberty for which the country had striven, a of property on land and sea. Morning dawned majority of the nation longed for tranquillity at last; it was the anniversary of his victories and enduring institutions. The youth hated at Dunbar and Worcester, but Cromwell had the moral austerity of the Puritans, and were already lost consciousness. desirous of enjoying the forbidden pleasures Between three and four.in the afternoon he of life. Thus the way was already fairly paved heaved a deep sigh; his friends and the mem- for the restoration of the Stuarts. Even durbers of his family hastened to his bedside and ing the existence of the republic, the pulpits found that he was dead. resounded with appeals in favor of a monProfound silence reigned in the death-room, archy, as they had formerly done against it. broke only by the sobs and low lamentations Large numbers of armed apprentices marched of the family, and of a few faithful servants. noisily through the streets, and cheered vocif" Cease to weep," said Sterry; "you have erously for Charles II. His agents now promore reason to rejoice. He was your protec- ceeded openly and fearlessly, and enlisted for tor here; he will prove a still more powerful him every day new adherents. protector, now that he is with Christ, at the England's fate depended on one man, and right hand of the Father." he was the officer to whom we have already 270 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. alluded, General Monk. Hitherto he had not was the more painful to him as she left three revealed his intentions; he possessed the art half-grown daughters. His faithful friend was of silence in the highest degree, and concealed to him a devoted support, and to his children his thoughts even from his own brother. Cool- a mother. She took care of him and did not headed and sober, he knew how to appreciate leave him. Owing to his constant intercourse the state of public affairs and his own posi- with her, his mind assumed a milder tone; he tion; destitute of ardor and enthusiasm, the learned from her involuntarily that gentleness republic was as indifferent to him as the mon- and toleration with which the noble lady was archy, and he concluded to espouse the cause animated. Without being recreant to his own from which he expected to derive most benefit. convictions, he judged the views of others with This man was now master of the situation. greater forbearance than formerly. He reCool calculation and prudent selfishness had fleeted seriously on the reconciliation of the succeeded to ardent fanaticism. Everything various Protestant sects, and in his conversabetokened the impending downfall of the re- tions with her he frequently dwelt upon this public. The ex-royalists exulted openly, while subject. the friends of liberty mourned in secret. "Such a reconciliation," he said to her one No one grieved more profoundly than Mil- day, "is feasible only after the Church has ton. Since his last interview with Cromwell, gained its entire independence of the state." he had taken heart again and hopefully looked "I doubt if it will ever succeed in so doforward to the future. Owing to his growing ing." blindness, he was obliged to retire from public "And yet every argument supports my deaffairs; and, in accordance with his recom- mand. It cannot be denied, being the main mendation, Marvell, the young Englishman, foundation of our Protestant religion, that we whose acquaintance he had made in Rome, of these ages (having no other divine rule or was appointed his assistant. The great poet authority from without us, warrantable to one was now again at liberty to pursue his private another as a common ground, but the Holy studies, and to realize the devout aspirations Scripture, and no other within us but the illuof his youth for an immortality of literary mination of the Holy Spirit so interpreting fame. In his lonely and sleepless nights he that Scripture as warrantable only to ourselves, was at work upon his " Paradise Lost." Frag- and to such whose consciences we can so perments of this great epic he communicated to suade) can have no other ground in matters his friends, who received the first books with of religion but only from the Scriptures. rapturous admiration, and urged him to con- Hence it is obvious that neither traditions, tinue his work. Especially was Alice delighted councils, nor canons of any visible church, with the passages which she had heard. He much less edicts of any magistrate or civil listened willingly to her advice, and her refined session, but the Scripture only, can be the final judgment and excellent taste, but more than judge or rule in matters of religion, and that all her innate piety exercised the greatest in- only in the conscience of every Christian to fluence upon his immortal creation. No less himself. Our doctrine prefers the Scripture happy was the effect which she exerted upon before the Church, and acknowledges none but his spirits. His wife had died; in spite of the Scripture sole interpreter of itself to the their reconciliation, she had never been able to conscience. But if any man shall pretend appreciate his worth and genius. Neverthe- that the Scripture judges to his conscience for less, he mourned sincerely over his loss, which other men, he makes himself greater not only GENERAL MONK-MILTON AND LADY ALICE. 271 than the Church, but also than the Scripture, "The protector becomes only too easily a than the consciences of other men; a pre- tyrant. In pretending to protect religion sumption too high for any mortal, since every against its enemies, he will ere long lay his true Christian, able to give a reason of his hands upon the freedom of conscience and faith, has the word of God before him, the thought. He that seeks to compel an infidel promised Holy Spirit, and the mind of Christ to observe at least the outward forms of reliwithin him; a much better and safer guide of gion, or a conscientious man to act contrary conscience, which, as far as concerns himself, to his conviction, will bring about the same he may far more certainly know than any out- result in the two cases, and make only hypoward rule imposed upon him by others, whom crites. I can see the salvation of our faith he inwardly neither knows nor can know. only in the entire independence of the Church Chiefly for this cause do all true Protestants from the state. It is not until then that we account the pope Antichrist, for that he as- shall have that toleration which you, my sumes to himself this infallibility over both friend, as well as I, desire for all men." the conscience and the Scripture." "God grant then that the day may soon "But if you deny all authority and church dawn upon us, when every one shall practise discipline, you throw open the door to heresy the charity and forbearance which have aniand infidelity," objected his orthodox friend. mated us for many years past, notwithstand"These dread words do not terrify me, al- ing our opposite views!" though I know that they have been used for "Amen!" said the poet. "And now let me ages past as scarecrows to keep free and lib- recite to you the first lines of the third book eral minds from the field of truth. He who to of my'Paradise Lost.'" his best apprehension follows the Scripture, The poet spoke, in a tremulous voice: though against any point of doctrine by the " Hail, holy Light I offspring of heaven first-born, whole Church received, is not a heretic, but he Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam, who follows the Church against his conscience May I express thee unblamed? since God is light, And never but in unapproached light and persuasion grounded on the Scripture. Dwelt from eternity; dwelt then in thee, How many persecutions, imprisonments, ban- Bright effluence of bright essence increate. Or hear'st thou rather, pure ethereal stream, ishments, penalties, and stripes, how much Whose fountain who shall tell? Before the sun, bloodshed, have the forcers of conscience to Before the heavens thou wert, and at the voice Of God, as with a mantle, didst invest answer for! Christianity in its original form The rising world of waters dark and deep, is of a purely spiritual nature, and founded on Won from the void and formless infinite. Thee I revisit now with bolder wing, unlimited liberty; for its growth and develop- Escaped the Stygian pool, thouh long detained ment, it has no need of the temporal power, In that obscure sojourn; while in my flight Through utter and through middle darkness borne, which is manifestly subordinate to it, and With other notes than to the Orphean lyre, whose yoke it cannot tolerate. It is a de- I sung of chaos and eternal night; Taught by the heavenly muse to venture down radation of religion to deem such a support Tauht the he to ven d The dark descent, and up to reascend, necessary to it; it is a perversion of its whole Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe, And feel thy sovereign vital lamp; but thou essence and character, and, what is worse still, evisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain an insult to divine truth." To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn; So thick a drop serene hath quenched their orbs, "In my opinion, the state must have atet not the more X-~~~~ ~~Or dim suffusion veiled. Yet not the more least the right to superintend religious mat- Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill, ters, so as to prevent blasphemy and immo-,, Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief rality. This is its bounden duty." Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 272 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. That wash thy hallowed feet, and warbling flow, man. God knows how dear he became to me. Nightly I visit; nor sometimes forget Those other two equalled with me in fate, It was not that intoxicating love that attached So were I equalled with them in renown, me to Carbury, but the highest admiration of Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonides. Blind T yiresis and bindeu, rophets old:his noble and manly nature. I grappled a long And Tiresias and Phineus, prophets old: Then feed on thoughts, that voluntary move time with my remembrance of the past, and Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful bird Singsdarkling, and in shadiest covert bid of you, until the fulfilment of my duty afforded Sings darkling, a-id in shadiest covert bid Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year me full satisfaction and tranquillity. I learned Seasons returns but not to me returns nt oy t e Day, or the sweet apprdach of even or morn,t to love my usOr sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, band, and soon he was my most precious treasOr flocks, or herds, or human face divine; ure on earth. For you, however, I preserved But cloud instead, and ever-during dark Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men in my heart the most affectionate sympathyCut off, and for the book of knowledge fair anaffection which like yours, has remained Presented with a universal blank Of Nature's works, to me expunged and razed, free from illicit desires and impure thoughts." And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. vouchsafed to me a happi-,. " And thus was vouchsafed to me a happiSo much the rather thou, celestial Light, Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers ness for which I scarcely ventured to hope. Irradiate; there plant eyes, all mist from thence ou have restored to me my faith in the betPurge and disperse, that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight." ter nature of woman; in you I learned to reAlice listened in profound emotion to the spect and revere that holy womanhood which touching complaint which the poet uttered in I once considered a mere chimera. Let me conregard to his own blindness. When he was fess to you that there was once in my life a through, she seized his hand and dropped a time when I really believed that woman was tear on it. made of baser stuff, and was inferior to man." " Is my Muse weeping?" asked the poet. "How I deplore your error, and how you " Yes, you are my Muse, and stand as such be- must have suffered in consequence! For a fore my dimmed eyes. In you I find again the man who has lost faith in the exalted nature divine nature of woman, which restores to us of woman cannot be happy on this earth. It our paradise lost. Alas! I possessed it once, is true, the Creator has given us weakness as and forfeited it by my own fault. But Heaven our inheritance, but at the same time He has was merciful to me, and sent to me in yourper- planted mildness in our hearts. If Eve deson one of His angels, who opened to me the prived mankind of paradise, through another gates of a new and more beautiful Eden. That woman was given to us the Redeemer and the earthly passion has vanished, and only that salvation of the world." heavenly love, which is now my comfort in "In these words you have described my own gloom and adversity, has remained to me. Let fate. I also possessed once a wife resembling me confess to you at this hour how fervently I Eve. She destroyed the paradise of my wedded' once loved you, dear Alice. Time has purified life, and I forgave her, as Adam of old forgave and transfigured my love; free from all earthly his wife, that great sinner. But now there has desires, I may openly avow to you to-day what appeared to me another woman, who, free from I formerly concealed with timid anxiety from all the weaknesses of her sex, soars high above the world." this miserable world, and carries me from earth "And I return your avowal in the same to heaven. Already I feel her blessed influspirit," whispered Alice, deeply moved. "I ence; already I feel that, despite my blindness, loved you, also, in those beautiful days. Fate she fills my soul with radiant light, purifies me separated us, and I became the wife of another by her gentleness and toleration, reconciles THE RESTORATION-MILTON'S CONCEALMENT. 273 me to the world, becomes a pattern for me by terian clergymen in their black Genevan gowns, her piety, helps me to bear my grievous mis- dinned his ears; all sects tried to gain access fortunes, and, by her sympathy and refined to him, and either to fathom the intentions of judgment, encourages me in writing my epic, the general or to lead them into a special chanwhich, but for her advice, would perhaps never nel. The fickleness and want of principle of have been finished. Such a woman restores the multitude became more and more apparent; to me my lost paradise, and I praise the good- and while Milton was waiting in the anteroom, ness of the Lord, who, even though so late, has he could not but notice that his old friends and had mercy upon me, and revealed to me the acquaintances anxiously shunned him now that true and exalted nature of woman." he had lost his former influence, and the curThe blind poet felt a gentle, chaste kiss on rent of public opinion was favorable to the his lips; but before he was able to return it, Stuarts. his muse had disappeared. At last he was admitted. The general received him with the coldness and imperturbable + —( —~I.equanimity which always give a shrewd, calculating mind the advantage over a fervent enCHAPTER IX. thusiast. " What do you want of me? " asked Monk, THE RESTORATION-MILTON'S CONCEALIENT. with his characteristic bluntness. ALTHOUGH Milton was thus restored to "Solicitude for the welfare of the country poetry, his heart was still ardently devoted to leads me to you; the fate of England is in the liberties of his country, which at this jun- your hands. At no time, perhaps, has so much ture were more seriously threatened than ever been intrusted to a single man as to you, genbefore. General Monk, who, as we have said, eral. On your decision depends the weal or was master of the situation, hesitated, it is woe of England. A whole people looks up to true, to take the last decisive step; but all you and holds you responsible for its fate. symptoms indicated the speedy overthrow of History, with uplifted pencil, stands ready to the republic. With profound affliction Milton engrave your name on her tablets, either as saw his fondest ideals ruthlessly swept away, the benefactor or the worst enemy.of your and he beheld the rapid return to power of country." a reactionary party, which, in anticipation of "Come to the point. Who sent you to me?" its overwhelming triumph, already exulted at "Who sent me to you? My love of-liberty, the humiliation of its republican adversaries. general, and the voice of the Spirit. As the As yet, however, he thought the cause that was Lord of old raised up prophets in Israel when so dear and sacred to him was not irretrievably His people was in danger, so He calls forth lost; and as he had once spoken to Cromwell, to-day also men that will fearlessly proclaim so he resolved now to go to Monk and remind the truth." him of his duty. The blind poet caused him- "The time of miracles is past," replied the self to be conducted to the general, whom he general, sneeringly. found surrounded by the leading men of the "And yet the events of the last fifteen years different parties. All thronged about Monk prove the falsehood of that adage. Has not to exercise a decisive influence over his reso- a miracle happened under our own eyes? A lutions. The haughty cavaliers in their rich throne fell before the mighty will of a nation, costumes of silk and velvet, and the Presby- and the anointed head of a king was laid on 18 274 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. the block. A man of lowly descent became whole people who themselves know not what ruler of England, and at the very moment when law, what reason, what right and wrong, what he was stretching out his hand for the crown, crooked and straight, what licit and illicit death overtook him. Is it not a miracle, too, mean? who think that all power consists in that you yourself have reached a position outrage, all dignity in the parade of insolence? where you may decide upon the future of three who neglect every other consideration for the kingdoms?" corrupt gratification of their friendships, or the "And what are your views, your wishes? prosecution of their resentments? who disWhat do you advise me to do? perse their own relations and creatures through "To preserve the republic and protect it the provinces, for the sake of levying taxes against its enemies; to save to the nation and confiscating goods? men, for the greater those liberties which it has purchased with part, the most profligate and vile, who in a rivers of precious blood." moment emerge from penury and rags to a "Pray ask the'people whether they want state of splendor and wealth? Who could freedom; and ask yourself whether the multi- believe that the masters and patrons of ban-' tude is ripe for it." ditti could be the proper guardians of liberty? " " In my opinion, freedom is not a gift of Monk was silent, and his cold features did mercy, which must be solicited and humbly not betray the slightest symptom of sympathy; obtained, but it is the birthright of individuals yet Milton continued to defend liberty in the as well as nations. I will not deny that it may most enthusiastic manner. To save the rebe abused and degenerate into anarchy; hence, public, no sacrifice seemed to him too great. I demand wise laws and institutions to pre- He anticipated allpossible objections, and even vent such abuse of freedom." consented to concessions at which the mem" And who is to enact these laws?" bers of his party took deep umbrage, and for "An assembly of the best men, to be freely which he was bitterly denounced by a great elected by the people." many. We have seen that he gave up univer"In that case we shall have another Parlia- sal suffrage; the members of the senate (the ment such as that of the miserable Barebone," Parliament which he advocated) were to be said Monk, shrugging his shoulders. elected for life, except some who were to lose " It is true, if the right of unrestrained suf- their seats from time to time, and in whose frage were adopted, not wisdom and authority, places new members were to be elected. In but turbulence and greed would prevail, and return, he demanded freedom of conscience for would soon exalt the vilest miscreants from all those who recognized the Bible as the founour towns and villages to the rank and dignity dation of their faith. He rejected emphatically of senators. Should the management of the the House of Lords, pointing to the influence republic be intrusted to persons to whom no of the large knded proprietors, an evil of the one would willingly intrust the management English constitution by which the country is of his private concerns; and the treasury of injuriously affected even at the present time. the state be left to the care of those who lav- Thus he strove to render good service to the ished their own fortunes in an infamous prod- republic, not as a mere enthusiast, but as a igality? Should they have the charge of the practical statesman, even at the moment when public purse, which they would soon empty it was expiring, and when its adherents were into private ones by their unprincipled pecula- exposed to grave dangers. tions? Are they fit to be the legislators of a " If we return to kingship," he exclaimed at THE RESTORATION-MILTON'S CONCEALMENT. 275 the end of the conversation, " and soon repent tively decorated. Charles rode by the side of (as undoubtedly we shall, when we begin to his gloomy brother, the Duke of York. He find the old encroachments coming on by little kindly greeted the same populace which a few and little upon our consciences, which must years before had hailed his father's execution, necessarily proceed from king and bishop and had wished the same fate to be inflicted united inseparably in one interest), we may be upon him. The merry, jovial king, jested and forced, perhaps, to fight over again all that we laughed with his companions and friends, have fought, and spend over again all that we among whom the licentious Buckingham renhave spent, but are never like to attain thus dered himself most noticeable by his coarse far as we are now advanced to the recovery jests and his handsome appearance. Thus of our freedom, never to have it in possession Charles repaired to the palace, surrounded by as we now have it, never to be vouchsafed a brilliant suite and an innumerable multitude, hereafter the like mercies and signal assist- which set no bounds to its rejoicings. His ances from Heaven in our cause, if by our un- adherents now flocked to him from all quarters grateful backsliding we make these fruitless; and rallied around him; and many of his former flying now to regal concessions from His di- adversaries deserted their party and passed vine condescensions, and gracious answers to over to him. Now commenced that disgusting our once importuning prayers against the tyr- spectacle which is never wanting to a restoraanny which we then groaned under; making tion. Many partisans of the republic, many vain and viler than dirt the blood of so many Puritans dropped their masks, which they had thousand faithful and valiant Englishmen, who worn only while they were benefited by so doleft us in this liberty, bought with their lives." ing, and joined the court. The very noisiest The general turned a deaf ear to these elo- democrats suddenly became the most enthuquent appeals; he was unable to discern the siastic adherents of the king, and persecuted requirements and struggles of the future, and their former friends and associates. Not only his sober mind did not rise above the questions fellows like Billy Green, but men that had with which he had to deal at the present mo- filled the most distinguished positions, gave rment. Milton's words made no impression the most unmistakable proofs of their venality upon him, and he dismissed the blind poet and want of principle. Edmund Waller, the without revealing his intentions to him. poet, who had celebrated Cromwell's death in A few days afterward the general and the one of his most vigorous and impressive poems, Parliament declared for Charles II. The peo- presented a congratulatory address to Charles pie received this intelligence approvingly, nay, II. The royal offering was considered inferior.with manifestations of exultation. Tired of to the panegyric on Cromwell, and the king civil war, of military rule, and of the arrogance himself told him of the disparity. of the generals, they looked upon the restora- "Poets, sire," replied the witty, self-postion of the Stuarts as their only salvation, and as sessed, and unprincipled Waller, "succeed the safest road to the reestablishment of law, better in fiction than in truth." order, and tranquillity. The change which Charles smiled, and from that hour forward public opinion had undergone became strik- Waller was admitted to the circle of those disingly manifest at Charles I.'s solemn entrance solute courtiers who, by their vices and iminto London. The most jubilant acclamations morality, have gained a lasting though most greeted him on all sides; the streets were unenviable name in the annals of English hisstrewed with flowers, and all the houses fes- tory. In a short time St. James's palace was 276 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. converted into a rendezvous of indescribable not hope to escape from the vindictiveness of licentiousness and corruption. Here were cele- the royalists. His friends were afraid lest brated the orgies to which none but the sentence of death should be passed upon him, intimate friends of the king were admitted. and advised him to conceal himself until the Frivolous women, such as the adventurous first storm had blown over. To mislead the niece of Cardinal Mazarin, Barbara Villiers persecutors, they even circulated the rumor (Mrs. Palmer), afterward Duchess of Cleveland, that he was dead. While he found a quiet and the accomplished but frail actress Nell and safe asylum at Lady Carbury's house, a Gwynn, played the most prominent parts on coffin, attended by a small number of mournthese occasions; the most notorious reprobates ers, was carried from his own dwelling to the vied with them. Here reigned a tone and cemetery. This stratagem saved him, at least, manners that defied the dictates of decorum for the time being. and decency; obscene witticisms were levelled "I would," said the poet, during this sham at the most sacred things, and the more vi- funeral, " I were really dead and buried! cious a man was, the more he was courted as a Life has no longer any value for me since I boon companion. At that time appeared first have to lament the subversion of liberty, and those frivolous roues who boasted of their this fearful demoralization prevailing everyvices, and lauded meanness and infamy as where." praiseworthy qualities. The very literature " Why so gloomy?" replied Alice, who was of that time was demoralized, and pandered to seated at his side. "Resurrection succeeds to the basest lust. The most vicious plays were death. To-day they inter only Milton the performed on the stage, and more lascivious politician, while Milton the poet celebrates his utterances fell from the lips of the actresses resurrection. You possess the greatest conthan from those of the actors. This immoder- solation in your poetical genius, which raises ate thirst for amusements and dissipation did you above all earthly troubles. You should not exclude the most vindictive spirit of per- never have bid farewell to your Muse, never secution. The resentment of victorious reac- have plunged into the whirlpool of party-life; tionists knew no bounds. The king himself was you would suffer less at this juncture." not very bloodthirsty, but his courtiers urged "No, no! I followed only the dictates of him to commit a number of actions entirely at my own conscience, and never shall I regret variance with his originally careless and indif- having courageously raised my voice in favor ferent nature. Sentence of death was passed of freedom of conscience and thought. The upon the judges of his father, and they were true poet must not stand aloof from the world executed amid the most excruciating tortures. and its aspirations; he must not turn a deaf The very grave did not shield the deceased re- ear to the claims which life and his country publicans from the cavaliers, whose revenge make upon him. He is, at the same time, a extended beyond the bounds of death. The bard and a prophet, a seer and an exhorter, remains of Cromwell and Ireton, and even the enlisted in the service of truth. Life and corpse of the noble and magnanimous Lady art must commingle in him, and only if he Claypole, were torn from their coffins and serves humanity, takes part in its struggles, hanged on the gallows. Death, imprisonment, fearlessly enters upon the solution of great or exile, menaced all the partisans of the com- public questions, and undauntedly professes monwealth. Milton had occupied so prom- his principles and convictions, does he deserve inent a position among them, that he could the name of a poet." ARIlEST AND PARDON OF MILTON. 277 servants to disturb him. In vain the noble CHAPTER X. lady mentioned her devotion to the Stuarts and the great sacrifices she had made to their ARREST AND PARDON OF MILTON. cause; the chamberlain was ordered not to MILTON, therefore, was believed to be dead; admit her. Charles II. was utterly forgetful but in his soul, as Alice had predicted to him, of the faithful services which his adherents he celebrated the resurrection of poetry. In had rendered to him, and they had often his safe retreat he worked at his "Paradise enough cause to charge him with ingratitude. Lost," the great struggle of light with dark- Alice, however, was firmly determined not to ness, of truth with falsehood. Only from leave the palace until she had seen the king time to time his friends informed him of the himself and prevailed upon him to pardon events of the day. Parliament caused his Milton. While she was waiting in the ante" Defence of the People of England" to be room, the poet Davenant came in on his way burned by the public executioner. This act to the apartments of the king, with whom he of baseness and resentment grieved him pro- was on the most intimate terms. Without foundly. His health began to give way under knowing him, Alice hastened to meet him. so many mournful impressions, and his volun- On seeing her, Davenant involuntarily stood tary loneliness produced a most injurious effect still. on his constitution. Gradually reassured in " Pardon me if I detain you, and ask you to regard to his personal security, he left his render me an important service." asylum after nightfall and wandered through "Ask of me all that you like, exceptthe streets of the city. Whenever he took money." such walks a shadow was noticed dogging his " I must see the king, and you must procure steps and seemingly watching his movements. me an audience." He paid no attention to it, for life had lost all "I am afraid that that is altogether imposvalue in his eyes. He had long desired to see sible; for, when his majesty is at the dinnerhis daughters, and, contrary to Alice's advice, table with a full goblet before him, he does he went to his house il order to meet his chil- not allow himself to be disturbed, even though dren, who lived there under the care of his an angel should come from paradise to see sisters. After spending a short time in their him. Let me advise you to come back some midst, he left the house again to return to his other time." safe asylum. On stepping out of the door, he " My business brooks no delay. I am here was surrounded by armed men headed by to obtain the pardon of a noble, magnanimous Billy Green, who had been lurking for him. man, who is, moreover, so unfortunate as to " You are my prisoner! " cried Cromwell's be blind." former spy, who was now in the service of the "I hope you do not refer to my friend Milgovernment. ton?" he asked eagerly. " If that is the case, The news of Milton's arrest spread like T will myself speak to the king, and I pledge wildfire, and his friends were in great trepida- you my word I will get him pardoned! " tion on his account. Alice hastened to the "Are you a friend of Milton?" palace to intercede in behalf of the unfortu- "Of course I am, although we bear no more nate poet. She vainly demanded admittance resemblance to one another than the eagle to the king; Charles II. was at dinner with does to the merry bullfinch. He is a repubhis favorites, and had strictly forbidden his lican, and I am a royalist; he is an enthu 278 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. siast for ideals, and I am one for reality; life. You must set a glorious example to he drinks water, and I drink wine; he loves your subjects, and be a pattern of morality." the Muses, and I love pretty girls wherever I "I suppose that is what I am," said the may meet them. This, however, shall not king, laughing, and imprinting a glowing kiss prevent my doing for him what he has done on Nell Gwynn's crimson lips. for me. He once saved me a very unpleasant "Besides, it is incumbent on your majesty, sensation at the time that old Satan Cromwell by wise economy and a prudent administrawas still alive. His highness was intent on tion, to bring order into the unsettled finances hanging me, and I am indebted for my life of the kingdom. I deem myself also in duty to the intercession of my friend Milton." bound to warn your majesty of those dissolute "Oh, make haste, then, and save him!" and extravagant men who, I regret to say, are "Of course I shall; and in case his majesty to be seen but too often around my august should refuse to grant me this little favor, I master, such as the vicious Earl of Rochester, swear to you, madam, that I shall commit who is wallowing in the mire of lust, and suicide, and hang myself in despair, although Grammont, the Frenchman, an incorrigible I am exceedingly ticklish. But the king will rake." not allow me to do so. I know him too well; " And, above all, the Duke of Buckingham," he cannot refuse any thing to those who know interposed Waller, the poet, " a man destitute how to take him, and least of all to a friend of honesty and virtue, who runs after every like me, who helps him to kill his time. Wait wench in the streets, and from whom no wofor me here, madam, until I return, and I will man in the three kingdoms is safe; a pattern be a scoundrel if our friend Milton is not set of voluptuousness, a colossus of lewdness, the at liberty this very night." most vicious man in England." So saying, the frivolous Davenant hastened "Better and better," laughed Charles, who into the adjoining room, from which the liked nothing better than such coarse jests. laughter and shouts of a merry carousal pene- "Long live the incorrigible Buckingham!" trated to Alice. The king sat in the midst of "Long live the incorrigible Buckingham! " his boon companions at a table loaded with cried the whole chorus. dishes and decanters. The beautiful Nell While the nobleman who had been cheered Gwynn filled his glass, while the overbearing in so peculiar a manner returned thanks, in Buckingham told one of his funny stories, and, ludicrous words, levelling the shafts of his to the delight of his august patron, imitated, satire even at the king, Daveriant entered the in the most ludicrous manner, the pedantic room. bearing and peculiarities of Lord Clarendon, "Ah," said Charles to him, "where have the worthy president of the Council of State. you been so long? " " Splendid! splendid! " cried Charles. "With some wench, I bet," said the Earl "That is Clarendon to the life; only his big of Rochester, a well-known profligate. wig is wanting." "I do not like to hunt in your lordship's "Your majesty," said Buckingham, in the park," replied the poet, who was as witty as tone of his assumed role, "Providence has im- he was impudent. "Some harm might befall posed on you the sublime task of making your me there in the end." people happy and contented. For this purpose "Then you have been at your mother's you must, above all things, honor the Epis- tavern, and tried to get sober after last night's copal Church, and lead a virtuous and devout carousal." ARREST AND PARDON OF MILTON. 279 "You are not very happy in your guesses master has no memory for faithful services, nor to-day. It would be advisable for you to ears for devoted friends." send your wit to a cobbler and have it mended. "Well, I see that nothing remains for me It lacks point." but to listen to you. Tell me, therefore, what "Then it fares no better than your nose." it is all about, but be brief. You see that " Requiescat in pace," said the king, laugh- our time is exceedingly limited. Who is the ing. "Davenant, I want you to tell me where prisoner in whose behalf you intercede so you have been so long." strongly? " "In your majesty's anteroom, where I had Milton, the poet." an interview with a lady." On hearing this name, the guests burst into " A lady who has had an interview with you loud murmurs. The swarthy face of the king is always suspicious to me." colored with indignation; he seemed to have " See her yourself and you will judge other- awakened from his indolence. wise. She is waiting in the anteroom, and in- "And you really ask me to pardon that sists on being admitted to your majesty." man?" he said, sternly. " Do you not know " Is she young and handsome? " asked the that he reviled my father even in his grave?" king, eagerly. "He was a republican, and acted according "She no longer possesses the charms of to his convictions, as I did according to mine. first youth, but in return she is gifted with Besides, he saved my life at the time I rethat beauty which is imperishable, because it turned to England in compliance with your indicates a noble heart and a lofty mind." august mother's request. I am still in his "Davenant has gone mad," sneered Buck- debt, and your majesty pledged me your royal ingham. "He must be confined in a lunatic word to pay all my debts on your return." asylum. In the interest of public security I " You are a rogue," said Charles, laughing move that he be sent thither." at the witty pun. " But how does it come that' Hush! hush!" said Charles II. " Dave- Milton has not been arrested until now? " nant's intellectual beauty begins to excite my " His friends said he was dead, and caused interest. And what does the Platonic lady an empty coffin to be buried in his stead in want of me? " order to protect him from punishment." " She wants your majesty to pardon a pris- "A very good joke," said the king, whose oner, and I join my prayers to hers." good-humor had been fully restored by what " She wishes doubtless to intercede in behalf Davenant had told him. " Justice has nothing of some accursed Roundhead," said Bucking- to do with the dead, and punishment ceases ham. "It is wrong in such supplicants to with the grave." trouble his majesty during the most important "Your majesty, then, will pardon Milton? " hours of his life. The whole crowd should be "Well, I believe I will." hung at the same time, so that they may not "And to save your majesty all further troudisturb his majesty any longer." ble, I have drawn up these lines; all you have " Buckingham is right," said the lazy king. to do, sire, is to sign them." " I do not want to be disturbed, nor do I want With a quick stroke of the pen Charles orto hear any thing about the lady and her pro- dered the immediate release of the prisoner, tege. You are a tedious fellow, Davenant." for which Davenant thanked him very warmly. "Very well," replied Davenant; "I will go, "But what about your lady? " asked the then, and inform the lady that my gracious king, when Davenant was about to withdraw 280 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. in order to convey the glad tidings to Alice. have bowed her knee before him, but he pre"You have not even told me her name. I am vented her doing so; he could not, however, sure she is as bad a republican as your friend prevent the kiss which she imprinted on his Milton, since she takes so lively an interest in hand. The king, although he was not handhis fate." some, was able to display the most seductive "Your majesty is utterly mistaken. The amiability whenever he wished to do so. Full lady was the most loyal adherent of your of disdain of human nature, although few lamented father, for whom her husband gave monarchs ever received so many proofs of deup his life. She herself fought like a heroine votion at the hands of his subjects, he was for the good cause, and in consequence lost yet naturally kind-hearted, and manifested on the largest part of her estates. There is no many occasions extreme affability and condemore loyal woman in all England than Lady scension. His frivolity was the source of his Alice Carbury, the daughter of the Earl of faults and virtues, if a certain indolent kindBridgewater, Lord President of Wales." heartedness and a sympathetic though super" In that case it is my duty to see her. Peo- ficial cheerfulness deserve to bear this name. ple in general reproach me with neglecting my Susceptible of every new impression, Alice's old friends; but since my accession, God knows unfeigned devotion, and still more the intelI have found so many old friends of my family lectual beauty which she had preserved in that I could not satisfy their claims even spite of her mature years, won his heart. though my treasury contained all the riches of "How does so devoted an adherent of the the two Indies." royal cause," he asked, in the course of the " So far as I know, Lady Alice Carbury is audience, " come to intercede in behalf of one one of those friends who ask for nothing but of the most inflexible and dangerous republian affable word and a kindly smile from your cans? Milton has injured our cause more majesty. It will not cost you any thing, sire, than a legion of our other enemies, and yet to vouchsafe these to them." you speak in his behalf." " Well, we must display some gallantry "Because I esteem his character, and above toward ladies," said the king. "I will see her all his genius, which I believe to be equal to and pay my respects to her. Tell her that I that of the greatest poets of ancient or shall await her in my cabinet to inform her in modern times." person that Milton's pardon has been granted. "Very well. He shall live, then, and enter This room would not be a suitable place to our service. We are fond of poets, and Davgive her an audience." enant is aware that we know how to reward Davenant hastened to inform Alice of the them." king's will. Her loyal heart was filled with "I doubt if Milton will accept so generous the utmost joy by this intelligence; she ad- an offer, though I gratefully appreciate the hered to the royal cause with a rare fidelity spirit which has dictated it." bordering almost on fanaticism. "And why should your protege refuse to "All is well," whispered Davenant to her, take a position at our court? Believe me, "but his majesty is desirous of seeing you in Lady Carbury, all men are venal, as soon as person." we know the price at which they will s " God bless him for it! " she prayed, with themselves." fervent gratitude. In her loyalty, Alice did not venture to Charles II. came to meet her. She would combat an assertion which the king made j_ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ LI.L NL~USA f ~ ~ >~~`~-<~~ ~~l a KFmR~ SECOND MARRIAGE. 281 th'e rule of his life, and which rested especially found him in the company of his eldest daughon his experience during the first months of ter Anna; who had received permission to the restoration, a time when apostacy and visit her father from time to time. He was shameless venality were fearfully prevalent. just dictating to her a portion of his " ParaWhen the audience, during which Charles's dise Lost." Carried away by his enthusiasm, respect for the noble lady had constantly in- he did not notice the entrance of his friends, creased, was drawing to a close, he alluded of who, profoundly moved by the sublime spechis own accord to the sacrifices which she had tacle, did not venture to disturb him. In made for the royal cause. prison, and exposed to the terrors of an igno"Your noble husband died for us," he said, minious death, he yielded fearlessly to the inkindly. "You yourself have lost most of spirations of his lofty imagination. He had your estates by confiscation. It is meet, there- just arrived at the description of the parents fore, that so far as I am able, I should indem- of mankind, whom he portrayed as follows: nify you for the losses which you have sus" Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall, tained. Golden Grove Castle and its domains, Godlike erect, with native honor clad, which were confiscated during the common- In naked majesty, seemed lords of all; And worthy seemed; for in their looks divine wealth, rightfully belong to you. I restore The image of their glorious Maker shone; them to you and to your sons. They shall Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, Severe, but in true filial freedom placed; always be the property of your family." Whence true authority in men: though both "That is too much," faltered out Alice, in Not equal, as their sex not eqal, seemed; For contemplation he and valor foimed, surprise. "I came to implore your mercy, not For softness she and sweet attractive grace; for myself, but in behalf of another." He for God only, she for God in him. His fair large front and oye sublime declared "But it does not behoove the king," said Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks Charles, in a dignified manner, which he saw Pound from his parted forelock manly hung Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad; fit to assume but very rarely, " to enrich him- She, as a veil, down to the slender waist self with the property of widows and orphans. Her unadorned golden tresses wore Dishevelled, but in wanton ringlets waved Go, Lady Carbury, and tell your republican As the vine curls her tendrils; which implied friend that we princes are hot so bad as he Subjection, but required with gentle sway, a.his poi. f d. p t. u And by her yielded, by him best received, and his political friends paint us." Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, After this act of justice and magnanimity, And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. the king re d to te, w e, i- Nor those mysterious parts were then concealed; ~ the king returned to the banquet, where, in- Then as not ghilty shae: dishonest shame Then was not gtilty shame: dishonest shame toxicated with wine and with the kisses of his Of Nature's works, honor dishonorable, e soon t te ly wo hd Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind mistresses, he soon forgot the lady w h With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure, stirred the better feelings of his heart. And banished from man's life his happiest life, Simplicity and spotless innocence I So passed they naked on, nor shunned the sight Of God or angel, for they thought no ill: So hand in hand they passed, the loveliest pair That ever since in love's embraces met; Adam the goodliest man of men since born His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. CHAPTER XI. Under a tuft of shade, that on a green Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain-side, SECOND MARRIAGE., They sat them down; and, after no more toil Of their sweet gardening labor than sufficed ALICE, overjoyed, and accompanied by Dav- To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease enant, hastened to Milton's prison to announce Mor easy, wholesome thirst and appetite to',~~~~~ h t tk hd rT N aeu, c cmaMore grateful, to their supper fruits they fell, to him that the king had pardoned him. They Nectarine fruits, which the compliant boughs 282 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Yielded them, sidelong as they sat reclined not pay to sacrifice one's happiness for a mere On the soft downy bank damasked with flowers. chimera. The first of all laws is self-preserThe savory pulp they chew, and in the rind, Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream: vation." Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles "I should think it was self-respect," replied Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems Fair couple, linked in happy nuptial league, Milton, and then turned the conversation into Alone as they. About them frisking played a different channel, Alice helping him kindly All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase In wood or wilderness, forest or den: to do so. Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw Milton preferred his honorable poverty to Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambolled before them; the unwieldy elephant, the royal offer, and did not shrink from the To make them mirth, used all his might, and sacrifices which he voluntarily imposed upon wreathed His lithe proboscis; close the serpent sly, himself. Henceforth he lived in retirement in Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine the environs of London, occupied exclusively His braided train, and of his fatal guile Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass with the completion of his great epic. His Couched, and now filled with pasture, gazing sat, hree daughters shared his retirement only Or bedward ruminating; for the sun, Declined, was hasting now with prone career with the greatest reluctance. They had inTo the ocean isles, and in the ascending scale herited the character and predilections of their Tf heaven the stars that usher evening rose." deceased mother, and requited his tenderness It was not till Milton paused, that Alice and with coldness and ingratitude. Olly his Davenant made known their arrival to the youngest daughter Deborah was an exception, blind poet. and treated her father more affectionately than "You see," said Davenant, " how soon my her undutiful and unkind sisters. The latter predictions have been verified. To-day I re- complained bitterly of the tyranny of Milton, turn the visit which you paid me in prison, who taught them to read and pronounce and am happy to inform you that you have Latin, Greek, and even Hebrew, and caused been pardoned." them to read to him daily for several consec" You owe your life and liberty to this ex- utive hours. He was now totally blind, " dark, cellent gentleman," added Alice. " The king, dark, irrecoverably dark," and needed more whom may God save! was exceedingly gracious than ever a support which he did not meet with toward me, and toward you too." at the hands of his undutiful daughters. With "And it depends only on yourself," added the assistance of the servant-girl they de-'Davenant, " to resume your former office as frauded the blind helpless man by selling besecretary to the Council of State. His majesty hind his back the most valuable books of his seemed greatly inclined to reappoint you to library, and extorted from him for household that office. If I were in your place, I should expenses a great deal of money which they not hesitate a moment." spent for dresses and amusements. In this "Never!" replied Milton, with solemn ear- manner they indemnified themselves for the nestness; " never will I take such a step, and ennui which they felt in his company. prove recreant to my principles. I will eat His good angel also left him. Alice was the dry crust of poverty rather than repudiate obliged to return to her estates, where her my convictions." presence was indispensable. She deemed her" Bah! one must not be so very scrupulous. self in duty bound to preserve from decay the Look about you: I could name a great many inheritance of her only son, who had grown republicans who have now become ardent up in the mean time, and to rebuild the castle royalists. Believe me, my old friend, it does of his ancestors. She deferred as long as pos SECOND MARRIAGE. 283 sible her departure, by which her friend was your life and become to you a stay and staff to be deprived of his last support. At last in your old age. If you consent to take hershe informed him, profoundly moved, of her and I am convinced that you will not turn a resolution. deaf ear to the voice of reason-you shall "I must look after my neglected estates, have this very day an interview with your inand try to preserve to my son the inheritance tended at my own house." of his ancestors. One idea only, that I must "It is your wish, and I will comply with it, leave you here, grieves me profoundly. You although my heart cannot love another have more than ever need of female care and woman." solicitude, and your daughters fail to do their "Let us forget the past, which is irrevocaduty toward you." ble for us two. We must submit to the re"I am destined to drink the bitter cup of quirements of life. I shall bid you farewell adversity to its very dregs," replied Milton, with less sorrow if I leave you under the tender heaving a deep sigh. " My daughters resem- care of this excellent creature." ble the unnatural children of King Lear. Oh, Milton appreciated the sacrifice which Alice how truthfully did the great Shakespeare de- made to him unmurmuringly. Fate had sunpict in his immortal tragedy the grief and de- dered them forever, and vouchsafed to them spair of their poor old father! May God pre- only a spiritual and intellectual union. At serve me from madness!" Alice's house he got acquainted with the ami"I came to make you to-day a proposition, able girl she had destined for him. With which, coming from my lips, may surprise womanly devotion and self-abnegation, the you. I have struggled with myself a long noble creature had resolved to sweeten the time, and tried to find another expedient, but last days of the blind poet; free from all selfhave been unable to do so. You must marry ishness, she sacrificed to him her youth and again." a bright future. Alice was her friend, and, in "And you advise me to do so? " he asked, her daily intercourse with her, she had inspired reproachfully. the young girl with love and veneration for " I know best the reasons which will render Milton. She herself encouraged her to perit difficult for you to make up your mind to severe in her intention. take this step; but nevertheless you yourself "Can there be any thing more beautiful for cannot fail to perceive how necessary it is." a woman," she said, "than to accompany a " And what girl would bestow her hand on man of genius on the thorny pathway of his a blind old man, the father of three daughters, life, to protect him from the cares of stern who is not even rich enough to compensate reality, and to belong to him? Were I not a her for the sacrifice she would make to mother, and had I not other duties to fulfil, I him? " should have joyfully remained with him. But "I know such a girl, the daughter of an as it is, I must leave him, and he needs a helpexcellent man, who has lived for some time mate. You, my daughter; are the only woman past in my neighborhood, and shares my ven- to whom I should not grudge his friendship eration for you. She herself has confessed to and his affections." me her love for you, and is willing to become "And I pledge you my word that I will be' yours notwithstanding your blindness. At to him a faithful companion and assistant." my hands you shall receive the wife who enter- It was an affecting scene when Alice introtains no more ardent wish than to sweeten duced to the blind poet the young woman who 284 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. was to share the evening of his life. All three was on terms of special intimacy, he repaired were profoundly moved. to Milton's house. They found him in an open " I accept your sacrifice," said Milton to the bower, where he spent most of his time; he weeping girl. " Alas! I have become so poor was engaged in dictating to a young man a that I have nothing to offer you, not even my letter to a distant friend. Hidden in the love, which belongs to another woman." shrubbery, they listened to the words of the "I know it, she replied; and yet I am proud blind poet. Notwithstanding the twofold of the name of your wife, for I revere in you burden of age and adversity, his features had the most sublime genius, the greatest poet. not by any means lost the noble intellectual My only apprehension is, lest, with my feeble expression for which they were distinguished. abilities, I should not fulfil your expectations. His gray hair fell in long ringlets upon his Never till now have I been so painfully alive shoulders; from his high forehead beamed the to my own worthlessness." majesty of his mind; and round his finely"It is not knowledge, but love, that makes chiselled lips played a melancholy smile, the us rich," said Alice, putting the girl's hand only symptom of his sufferings, which he bore into that of the poet. "God bless you!" she with manly resignation. His costume was added, with tears in her eyes. "I shall be simple, but neat; his slender, unbowed form with you, even though you do not see me." was wrapped in a comfortable gray coat. Thus With a mournful embrace, and shedding he was seated in the small garden where he bitter tears, she bade farewell to the beloved used to pass most of his time during the of her youth; however, she left him more fine season. The autumnal sun illumined his calmly as she had given him a faithful wife, venerable face, and seemed to surround his though her heart bled and grieved in secret. head with a halo. The breeze whispered gently in the foliage surrounding the bower. Some late flowers bloomed in gay colors, while yellow leaves flitted from time to time to the CHAPTER XII. ground. In the top of the linden a bird sang the melancholy notes with which he took leave MILTON AND THE DUKE OF YORK. of the parting season. The whole was a picMILTON'S wife kept her word, and became a ture of peace, blended with a spirit of gentle stay and staff to her blind husband. Peace melancholy. The poet, who was reclining in returned to his house, although his unnatural his easy-chair, involuntarily inspired the visitdaughters persisted in their heartless conduct ors, despite the hostile intention with which toward their old father. New dangers and they had come, with a feeling of respect and persecutions, however, threatened him from admiration. without; for his enemies were again intent on "I had formed a different idea of this enemy involving him il serious trouble. The atten- of religion and of our cause," said the gloomy tion of the king's brother, James, Duke of Duke of York to his companion. York, who afterward ascended the throne, and, "And yet," whispered Sir Kenelm Digby, owing to his tyranny, was deprived of his "no man in England has more fatally injured crown, was called to Milton. He dinned our sacred cause. You know his writings, Charles's ears with entreaties, until the king which breathe the most intense hatred of allowed him to go and see the blind poet. At- Catholicism and of the Holy Father in Rome." tended by Sir Kenelm Digby, with whom he James, who had turned Catholic in France, MILTON AND THE DUKE OF YORK. 285 and become one of the most fanatical ad- plished then. The innocent blood of my herents of his Church, was irritated again by father, who diet for his faith, will no longer the insidious remark of Sir Kenelm Digby. cry to Heaven, and my vengeance will be fully The milder mood which had involuntarily satiated." seized him at the sight of Milton, gave place "We will commence avenging your father's to his vindictiveness and spirit of persecution. death upon this fanatic. Come, I will speak "It would be a downright outrage if such a to him, but he shall not learn immediately who heretic and republican should not suffer any I am." punishment whatever. But, in the first place, So saying, the duke and his companion I will speak with him, and enjoy the misfor- approached the poet, who heard them, and tunes which have so justly befallen him." rose from his easy-chair. "He deserves his fate the more as he re- "Who is there?" he asked. jected in Rome the most brilliant offers made "A good friend," said Sir Kenelm Digby, to him on the part of our holy Church. I my- with feigned cordiality. "I have long inself took the greatest pains, and left no means tended to afford myself the pleasure of visiting untried, to prevail upon him to accept them; you in your retirement." Already I thought I had won him over to our "I bid you welcome, Sir Kenelm; but you side, when he escaped me, and rewarded my have brought a companion with you? " efforts by deriding and reviling me. Oh, I "You cannot wonder that an admirer of cannot tell you how intensely I hate that man, your genius has accompanied me in order to who has always frustrated my most important pay his respects to you." plans! " "Sir Kenelm tells you the truth," added the "Depend on it, I shall revenge myself and duke, with a sinister smile. "Already long you on him.' The time is no longer distant ago I wished to get acquainted with the celewhen I shall openly proclaim my convictions, brated poet and republican, who has sworn and annihilate our enemies." everlasting hatred to kings." "You really intend, then, to avow your " Not to kings, but only to tyrants and unadoption of the Catholic religion in the face just princes." of the whole world? " "Moreover, you are the standard-bearer of " I have already too long deferred this. You Protestantism, and the sworn foe of the Royourself and our Roman friends advised me to man Church." proceed very cautiously; but the moment There was in the tone of these words a bitwhen I may put off the irksome mask is at terness which could not but attract Milton's hand. The throne has been so firmly rees- attention, the more so as the speaker had tablished that nothing is able to shake it. My come with Sir Kenelm Digby, whose attachbrother, too, is secretly attached to our ment to Rome was generally known. Hence Church. However, he cannot yet openly adopt Milton avoided at first making any reply to our faith; and, besides, his mind is too frivo- the remark. Soon, however, the duke no lous to fathom and appreciate the sublime longer contented himself with these covert attask imposed upon our house. I for one am tacks; both he and Sir Kenelm put off their firmly resolved to subvert Protestantism in hypocritical masks more and more. England for all time to come. I swear that I "You have attained your object now," said will do so as soon as I have ascended the Digby, sneeringly; "your high-flying dreams throne! The task of my life will be accom- and expectations have been fulfilled in a most 286 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. remarkable manner. What has become of loss which I have sustained is that of my eyeyou and your republic? The very children sight. To be blind, oh! that is worse than laugh it to scorn. Admit now that you acted imprisonment, poverty, or the infirmities of the fool. In truth, when I think of the time age; for a blind man is at the same time a we spent together in Rome, and compare the prisoner, buried in everlasting night, poorer present to it, I am almost inclined to take than the most wretched beggar, and more decompassion on you. At that time the world crepit than the feeblest old man. The lowest lay admiringly at your feet; beauty, wealth, animal is better off; the worm creeps in the and power offered themselves to you. All you dust, but it sees, while I live in darkness. O needed to do was to stretch out your hands darkness! darkness! And I know that the for them. Why did you not follow my golden sun is now shining in the heavens. advice? With the eye of a seer I divined This terrible gloom deprives me of all hope events as they have come to pass. Instead of and joy. And why is the noblest of boons inyour so-called liberty, the throne stands firmer trusted to an organ so delicate and weak as than ever; and in a few years, as is to be the eye? " foreseen with absolute certainty, all England In this touching manner the poet lamented will return to the faith of its fathers." over his fate. Even Sir Kenelm Digby was "And you can really hope to bow my cour- profoundly moved; but the Duke of York had age? " asked Milton. " It is true, I am poor, no compassion on him. With his innate cruelty unfortunate, and weighed down by adversity; he gloated over the sufferings of the unfortubut I do not despair for all that. Out of the nate man, which he tried to sharpen by his shipwreck of my life I have saved my most bitter taunts. precious treasure, the consciousness of having And do you not see yet," he asked, sneerremained true to myself, and of never having ingly, "that your blindness is only the just pendenied my convictions. I know full well that alty of your misdeeds?" man is not infallible, but the Lord forgives "I am not sensible of any guilt," replied errors arising from thirst for truth. God will Milton, with the calmness of a clear conscience. be a mild judge to me. Now I am sitting "You forget entirely your sins against the here like Job, whom Heaven had given into late king, whom you reviled even in his grave. the hands of the tempter. My, houses have Do you confess your guilt?" sunk into ruin, my gardens are devastated, "I do not, for I acted only in accordance my children have forsaken me; my enemies with my convictions." are triumphant, my very friends deride me; "You do not know with whom you are but, like him, I am firm in my faith. There- speaking," whispered Sir Kenelm to the poet. fore, the all-merciful Father will not forsake "Beware! your imprudent utterances might me, but sustain me in my sore distress." still endanger your life." "But I believe you have not yet experienced "Iam afraid of no man," replied Milton, the full extent of the sufferings which you aloud. have brought upon your head," remarked the "Not even of me? " asked the duke. duke, exasperated at the firmness which Mil- "Not even of you, even though you were ton still displayed amidst his misfortunes. the king himself." " What more can befall me? " asked the "I am not the king," replied James, frownblind poet. " Since I have become blind, I am ing, " but his brother, the Duke of York. I no longer afraid of any thing. The greatest I repeat it to you, that Heaven is just. He has MILTON AND THE DUKE OF YORK. 287 deprived you of your eyesight, because you, an lent cavalier, who believes himself justly enincorrigible republican, insulted my late la- titled to my gratitude; and that waddling duck mented father even after -his assassination. yonder is urgently requesting me to promote You deserve your fate; the vengeance of and reward her young ones. All my favors Heaven has overtaken you." have been distributed for to-day, and I am Milton was not frightened by this unexpected sorry that I can no longer do any thing for the visit, nor did he humble himself before the birds." most powerful of his enemies. With a calm The courtiers joined in these playful sallies, smile he rose from his chair, and saluted the and delighted the king by.applying to the duke by bowing slightly to him. ducks the names of well-known office-seekers. " If your royal highness," he replied, "is of Meanwhile the Duke of York had approached. opinion that our misfortunes are evidences of On perceiving his brother, Charles said to him the wrath of God, and that they befall us only in a kind tone: " Come, James, we are giving in consequence of our crimes, how do you ex- an audience in the open air, and conferring plain the death of your father?" orders and offices on our faithful subjects in The duke turned pale with rage; muttering the pond." a terrible threat between his clinched teeth, "Will you do me a favor?" said the duke. he left the inflexible republican, a prey to the "Well, I do not care if you get a crumb too, most violent agitation. though you are in want of nothing, because you "By the bloody head of my father! " he have always been more economical than I." exclaimed, on leaving the house, " this blind "I do not ask for money, but for the punishmonster shall find out that a worse fate than ment of an offender." the loss of his eyesight is in store for him." " Always the same old strain," said the king, Flushed with excitement and vindictiveness, more gravely; "always the same old cry for he went to the king~ his brother. Charles II. revenge. Do you know, James, that your vinwas promenading in his park with his boon dictiveness begins to be tedious? I think we companions, and engaged in his favorite pas- have done enough, and you may be satisfied." time of feeding the ducks in the pond of St. "There lives as yet one of the most infaJames's. While the birds were snapping mous adversaries of our lamented father-a greedily at the crumbs which he threw to them, man who, in my eyes, is more criminal than the he made all sorts of witty remarks as to their regicides. Sire, it is your fault that old Milton haste and the manner in which one duck tried has not yet been hanged." to deprive another of the morsels destined for " Then you have been at his house? " asked her. Charles, throwing the rest of his crumbs with " They are my parasites," said the king, a careless air into the pond. who was in excellent humor. " Look, Bucking- "1 have had an interview with him." ham, how they are fighting for a few crumbs! "And in what condition did you find him?" If this goes on for any length of time, my "Bowed down by age, and, it seemed also, pockets will soon be empty, and I shall not very poor." have a morsel left. These parasites will utterly " And he is blind, too, is he not? " impoverish me. Do you not think so too, "He is totally blind." Rochester? How loud they scream! I sup- "Go, go, James," replied the king; " you pose they are relating how well they have are a downright fool to believe that the galserved me. I bet that old drake is an excel- lows would be a punishment for such a man. 288 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Why, it would at once put an end to his suf- turbing influences, completed his "Paradise ferings, and confer upon him a great blessing. Lost." If he is old, poor, and blind, he is sufficiently The young Quaker was in an ecstasy of depunished, and we may spare his life." light when Milton permitted him to read the In spite of his brother's remonstrances, manuscript. On returning it to him, he exCharles adhered for once to his resolution not pressed the warmest thanks. to take any further steps against Milton. But, "In truth," he said, with the frankness in return, the bloodthirsty James wrested from peculiar to his sect, " thou hast created a work him an order for the execution of the younger which will outlive all thy other writings. Thou Vane, although the king had solemnly prom- hast descended to hell and ascended to heaven, ised to the latter that no harm should befall and forcest the reader's soul to follow thee him. Indemnified by this victim, the duke left with transports or horror wherever thou mayst St. James's Park, and gloated over the agony lead it. Through thee we become acquainted to which the king's perfidy would subject the with the terrible majesty of Satan, who, in prisoner. spite of his wickedness, still exhibits traces of his divine origin. We see the prince of hell a prey to the most violent grief and looking TCHA PTER XIII. up to heaven with intense longing; only his still unbroken pride sustains him and fans the PUBLICATION OF "PARADISE LOST -MILTON flames devouring his bosom. Guided by thy AND DRYDEN. hand, we walk in an ecstasy of delight through HENCEFORTH Milton was safe from further Paradise, and rejoice in the innocence of Adam persecutions, and he had ample leisure to com- and Eve, in their pure love, in their devout plete his immortal epic. He dictated it alter- prayers, and in the sweet charms of the scenately to his daughters and young Ellwood, nery surrounding them. We tremblingly see who had been recommended to him, and who the evil one, in the shape of a seductive sernow lived at his house. Ellwood was a Quaker, pent, approach the credulous Eve and tempt and by his modesty, and the reverential hor- her to eat of the forbidden fruit. We take age which he paid to the blind poet, he won compassion on the fallen woman, and, although Milton's friendship and esteem. Perhaps Mil- she has delivered mankind to sin and death, ton secretly entertained the desire of making we forgive her, as did Adam, touched by her him his son-in-law; but his youngest daughter prayers and supplications. We follow Adam Deborah, his only child that had never treated and Eve as they are driven out of Paradise, him in an undutiful and disrespectful manner, and listen with solemn awe to the teachings and whom he had destined to his young friend, and prophecies of the messenger of God,who left her parental home and eloped to Ireland, reveals the fate of his descendants, until he where she married. This event, however, did finally promises them, in the name of the Lord,'not dissolve the intimate relations between the that He will send them a Redeemer to deliver master and his pupil; and when the plague the human race from the bondage of sin." which had broken out in London made sad "I am glad," replied Milton, to the enthuhavoc among the inhabitants of the capital, siastic youth, " that my poem has pleased you Ellwood rented for Milton a small cottage at so well, and that you have so clearly peneChalfont, in Bucks, where the poet, in the trated its spirit and object. My only merit is healthy country air, and protected from all dis- the firm confidence that, in the struggle be PUBLICATION OF "PARADISE LOST "-MILTON AND DRYDEN. 289 tween the good and evil powers, truth and "Tell me what you will give me for it. I liberty must triumph over all the wiles and do not like to haggle about the price, although arts of hell." I greatly need the money." "For this reason I do not consider' thy "Well, I will give you five pounds," said work complete. Thou hast given us only the the penurious bookseller. " That is a handpromise, but not the fulfilment; thou hast some sum, and I will pay it to you immeshown us'Paradise Lost,' but not'Paradise diately. Are you satisfied with it?" Regained.'" "Nothing remains for me but to accept Milton made no reply to the honest Quaker; your offer." he sat for a time absorbed in his reflections, "And you will receive the like sum as soon and in his soul dawned the plan of a new epic, as a new edition is issued. You shall see the subject of which was to be the salvation that I am not niggardly, and treat authors in of mankind. a generous manner." No sooner had the plague ceased raging in A melancholy smile played over the poet's the metropolis, than the poet returned thither lips when he delivered his immortal work, the to find a publisher for his work. He applied fruit of years of toil and reflection, to the avato Samuel Simmons, a well-known bookseller, ricious publisher for this ridiculous sum. Simto whom he offered the manuscript. After mons immediately drew up a contract, which reading the poem, Simmons returned it to the Milton, who stood in need of the money, signed poet. with a deep sigh. "The poem is not so bad," said the book- When the book was issued from the press. seller, "but it is not suitable to the times. A the predictions of Mr. Simmons seemed to be few years ago I should have gladly given you fully verified. The public appeared insensible ten times as much for it as I can offer you to the merits of the divine poem then entering now. The times are changed, and taste is on its course of immortality. Taste was changed with them. The public no longer changed indeed. Literature, which always recares for religious books; nobody buys them fleets the time and its sentiments, languished nowadays. There is no demand for grave in the midst of the general decay and corrupand learned treatises. Ah, if you had written tion which had seized the whole English naa satire or a witty farce, I might pay you a tion. The greatest licentiousness and most round price for it. I want such works as shameless immorality reigned at that period Butler's'Hudibras,' of which thousands of in the productions of the poets, and on the copies have been sold, and which every one stage, which had become the scene of all vices wants to read. I admit that it is a low and and extravagances. Obscene wit levelled its scurrilous book; but we publishers have to shafts at all that was sacred and venerable. humor the wishes of the public." Innocence and truth were mercilessly derided, "Then only scurrilous books and farces and lewdness was of itself considered a sign meet with purchasers nowadays?" of talent. Only the books of authors who "That is the difficulty, and I cannot help pursued this course, and penned the most dis it. But in order that you may see how willing graceful things, were bought, and eagerly de I am to help talented men, I will take your voured. Hardly any notice was taken of Mil. poem on liberal terms. It is true, I know ton's sublime epic, which was kept out of beforehand that it will not sell, but I will do sight by the rankling weeds of contemporary the best I can." literature. The publisher was dissatisfied 19 290 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. with the small sales, and dinned the poet's second edition of the work a short and spirited ears with his complaints. explanation of his reasons for departing from "Yes, yes," said Mr. Simmons, " such are the troublesome bondage of rhyming.' We the results of the desire of writers to immor- do not know whether or not the idea of the talize themselves, and of their contempt of bookseller had the wished-for results; but the present. What do I care for immortality, gradually'Paradise Lost' met with more adwhen the present does not care about us? mirers and purchasers. Sir John Denham, a What does the future concern us? Posterity gentleman distinguished for his taste' and will not pay me a penny for all your poetical learning, took the poem with him to Parliaworks." ment, in order to read it in the intervals of " You must not grow impatient," said Mil- the sessions. On being asked by his acquaintton, to comfort the dissatisfied bookseller. ances what book he was reading, he expressed " Besides, the purchasers complain of the the most enthusiastic admiration for it. blank verse of'Paradise Lost.' This is, in- "It is," be said, " the best poem ever writdeed, a very serious fault of the work. Such ten in any language or in any age." innovations should not be countenanced. We The Earl of Dorset, an influential courtier should always adhere to that which is well happened one day to enter with a friend the established and used by everybody else." book-store of Milton's publisher. He inquired "That is what I have done, for both Homer for the latest productions of literature, and and Virgil wrote their poems in blank verse." caused them to be shown to him. Among "What do I care for Homer and Virgil? them was Milton's "Paradise Lost." The They did not know any better; but culture earl took up the book and read the title. has advanced since then, and as the public "A work by John Milton!" he exclaimed does not want any but rhymed poems, the eagerly. " Is that the same Milton who was poets should comply with its demands." foreign secretary to the Council of State dur"But I am sure you do not want me'to ing the time of the commonwealth?" change the whole poem?" "The same," replied the bookseller: "I "Of course I do not, for in that event it bought the manuscript from compassion for would have to be printed anew; but some- the poor blind man; but it was a bad bargain thing should surely be done.-Hold on! I for me. If the public does not soon cornknow what you must do. You must write a mence buying the book, I shall lose heavily by preface to your work, and excuse in it, to the the transaction." best of your ability, your having written While Simmons was giving vent to his com-'Paradise Lost' in blank verse, and not in plaints, the earl had seated himself and begun rhyme." to read the book. The book-stores at that "I think there is neither rhyme nor reason time were also reading-rooms, and no one purin your suggestion," said Milton, sarcasti- chased a book without having thoroughly excally. amined its contents. Already, after reading "Then you refuse to comply with it? Very the first pages, the earl perceived the rare well, sir; then nothing remains for me but to merits of the poem. write such a preface myself." "Magnificent! magnificent! " he exclaimed "I cannot object to that," said the poet, rapturously. " This is a perfect gem." shrugging his shoulders. "Good heavens!" sighed the bookseller. Milton relented, however, and added to the "For two weeks past, I believe, I have not ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES II.-HENDERSON'S INSURRECTION. 291 sold a single copy. Shall I send a copy to "You should at least devote your attention your lordship's house?" to the drama," advised Dryden, kindly; "the "I will take one along." stage holds out to you far better prospects The earl left, and his delight increased with than the book-trade." every page he read. He communicated his "If the stage is to fulfil its exalted task," discovery to Dryden, the poet, who lived at replied Milton, "and be a school of life, it the court of Charles II., and was generally needs freedom before every thing else. At considered the greatest poet of his time, from present the theatre only serves to amuse ariswhose imperfections, it is true, he did not keep tocratic rakes and the low rabble, who digest himself entirely free, although he pursued a there comfortably, and desire to be diverted more praiseworthy course than most of the by the obscene jests of the actors.. Rather contemporary authors. Like Milton, John than stoop to write such things, I would starve Dryden had been an ardent adherent of the re- to death. The drama, that noblest blossom public during the time of the commonwealth, of art, is affected by the general corruption and had sung hymns in honor of Cromwell. and decay; and no poet, however talented he When monarchy was restored, he went over may be, can restore it to its purity unless a with the tuneful throng to welcome in Charles change should take place in our whole moral II., and some time afterward he was appointed and political atmosphere. The putrid sap cirpoet-laureate. During the reign of James II. culating in the trunk produces rotten fruits; he embraced the Roman Catholic faith. In only a healthy people and a moral age can direct contrast with Milton, he distinguished possess a true and great drama." himself by his want of principle; nevertheless, On receiving this reply, Dryden took his he had remained enough of a poet to fully leave, somewhat irritated aid offended. When appreciate the vast importance and the ex- he complained of Milton to Davenant, the lattraordinary beauties of " Paradise Lost." ter burst into laughter. After reading the book, he was asked by the "My friend," said the merry poet, "you Earl of Dorset what he thought of it. must not wonder at this reply. Milton is like " This man," he said, in a tone of admira- an oak, which is bent neither by the violent tion, not entirely devoid of envy, "eclipses us storm nor by the gentle zephyr. On seeing all, and the ancients also." him, I always feel as if I behold one of the Afterward he sought an opportunity to get old prophets, predicting the doom of Jerusaacquainted with Milton, of whom he begged lem or Babylon! Allow him this harmless permission to dramatize "Paradise Lost." pleasure, and come with me and drink a glass He also offered his protection at court to the of malmsey. At all events, we cannot change blind poet, whose pecuniary circumstances the world." were then by no means brilliant. " Iam obliged to you," said Milton. "s The court is not a proper sphere for me. In my CHAPTER XIV. opinion, a poet must be free above all things, ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES II. —OLD HENDERand he cannot be free when his Muse is in the SON'S INSURRECTION. service of a prince. I value my independent poverty much higher than all the splendor MILTON thus lived in an age of general corwhich I might purchase at the expense of my ruption, one of the few men of that period convictions." who remained faithful to their convictions, and 292 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. whose names were unsullied by venality and bought up the votes of such parliamentary apostasy. The court had become the centre orators as were still to be feared. The perof the most disgraceful licentiousness. Amuse- secution of the republicans was carried on ment succeeded to amusement-now a play, as vindictively as ever; the triumphant party represented in the most lavish and extravagant had not yet satiated its resentment, although manner; and now a ball, resplendent with it had already shed rivers of blood to avenge flowers, lights, and frail beauties, or a tea- the execution of Charles I. The enthusiastic party, still at that time a rare and expen- Harrison, and the younger Vane, one of the sive entertainment. Splendid masquerades, at most eminent men of his time, suffered death which the ladies appeared in the most trans- for their convictions. Milton wept over the parent and lascivious costumes, alternated premature end of his friend, to whom he was with ballets and concerts, which Saint-Evre- chiefly indebted for his appointment to the mond and the Duchess de Mazarin had brought secretaryship, and for whose talents and ferover from France and rendered fashionable in vent zeal he entertained the highest respect. England. Charles occupied himself with feed- Profound grief gnawed at the poet's heart, and ing his dogs and ducks, or was present at his soul revolted at this high-handed act of incock-fights and bear-baitings, while the blood- justice and tyranny. He himself was poor, thirsty Duke of York never failed to be pres- infirm, and blind; forsaken by nearly everyent at the executions, feasting his eyes on the body, and deeply afflicted by the ingratitude agony of the Puritans and republicans who of his own children. Weary of life, he totwere put to death. To this laxity of morals tered through the streets of London, holding corresponded the evident decline of the na- the hand of a boy who was employed to guide tional character; skepticism and indifference his steps. A crowd was gathered at the cortook the place of the fanaticism and enthusi- ner. There stood a man with a livid face and asm which only a short time since had reigned wan, hollow cheeks. Covered with rags, he in England. A vain, flippant literature, to held in his hand a broom, which he brandished which not wit, but depth of principle and con- in the air. It was the visionary Harrington, viction, was wanting, supplanted the manly, the author of that Utopian work "Oceana." bold poetry and courageous prose of the past. Banished to a desert island withoutsa lawful Instead of the intrepid spirit of investigation, trial, he had gone mad. The sufferings enwith which England had formerly ventured to dured in his captivity impaired his intellectual enter upon the solution of the most important faculties, and he sank into incurable insanity. questions, only frivolous subjects were treated "What!" cried the maniac, brandishing of, and French patterns were copied in a man- his broom in the air. "What! you will not ner alike servile and superficial. The great vanish, devouring thoughts? There they are and eternal principles, for which, during the coming again, chirping and humming like little Revolution, the most eminent men had entered birds and bees. How they sing and whistle, the lists, seemed to be forever forgotten and buzz and croak! Begone! Let me alone with relinquished; freedom of thought, of con- your horrible cries! I have fed you on my science, and of speech, reform of parliamen- life-blood, and you have feasted on it until I tary elections, and improvement of public in- became a mere skeleton; and you are not yet struction, were stifled, and silence was im- satisfied! Air! air! The vapor stifles me. posed on their friends and advocates. The It smells of corpses; my thoughts are the press groaned under new fetters, and bribery worms creeping out of my petrified brain. A ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES II.-HENDERSON'S INSURRECTION. 293 plague upon the vermin devouring an honest years. Such persecutions and cruelties could man while he is still alive! Oh, would I had not but drive the republicans to despair; but never thought, never thought!" their courage was gone, and they lacked, above Such were the wails and ravings of the all things, a sagacious and prudent leader. madman, who, with his broom, incessantly Isolated insurrections, which broke out from sought to dispel his thoughts, which seemed time to time, were speedily suppressed. to him to be flying about him in the shape of After Cromwell's death, old Henderson had little birds and insects. A large crowd sur- returned to England. In vain did his former rounded him, and brutally derided the poor foster-daughter Lucy, and her husband, who man, whom his sister accompanied, and vainly were now living again at Ludlow Castle, offer sought to draw from the spot. Milton ap- him an asylum; he preferred to wait with his proached her in profound emotion, as he had political friends for the rise of the fifth monformerly been intimately acquainted with Har- archy and the New Jerusalem. But when rington. monarchy was restored, and the Puritans and "Poor friend," he said to the maniac, in other dissenters were persecuted with extreme a tremulous voice, " do you not know me?" rigor, Henderson joined a band of similar On hearing Milton's voice, Harrington gave fanatics who intended to establish the kinga start; his eyes beamed strangely, and his dom of God sword in hand. Although they reason seemed to return for a moment. were only sixty strong, these madmen under"You?" asked the maniac. "Why should took to overthrow the king and carry their I not know you? You are also dead and a hair-brained plans into execution; they thought corpse. Every thing is dead-the republic, themselves invincible. liberty, the protector, and the king! The "It is not numbers," said the Puritan, at grave swallows us all; we then moulder, and a meeting of the fanatics, " but our faith, that new thoughts arise from our putrefying re- will enable us to achieve a brilliant victory. mains. There they are! Do you not see them? The Saviour Himself will be our leader, and As yet they are as small as gnats; but they render our arms strong and our bodies invulare constantly growing larger and larger, until nerable. Therefore, never fear the odds of our they become eagles, and soar to the sun. Ah, enemies. Even though their number were how unfortunate we two are for having thought legion, we should vanquish them; for the too much! Thinking brings misfortune upon Lord is with us. He beckons, and they are us, and may drive a sensible man to the verge annihilated; He commands, and they disappear of insanity. Beware-beware!" like chaff before the wind. Who can withProfoundly moved by this heart-rending stand His people, or injure the elect? Onward! spectacle, Milton went away; and at a distance The sword of the Lord and of Gideon! " he still heard the cries of the maniac, "Why Such was the battle-cry with which the did we thinkthinkhink?" fanatics rushed, sword in hand, into the street; Not less deplorable was the fate which befell every one fled before the infuriated men. Milton's most faithful friend, Major Overton. Among the fugitives was Billy Green, who Although he kept perfectly quiet when mon- hurriedly tried to escape. Henderson had recarchy was restored, yet the mere reputation ognized the hateful spy, and pursued him at of his love of liberty sufficed to make him sus- a furious rate. pected. He was likewise imprisoned without "Stand and surrender, son of Belial!" he a trial, and kept in a dungeon for long, long shouted to him. 294 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. Seized with indescribable terror, the villain mand. If you will let me go, I will communirushed toward the nearest house, where he cate an important secret to you. The Duke thought he would find an asylum. Already of York has embraced the Catholic faith, and he had reached the door, and knocked loudly a French priest privately reads mass to King for admittance, when the Puritan's sinewy Charles II. I know a great many other things, hand seized him by the neck. and will tell you all if you will let me go." " The judgment of the Lord," cried Hen- In his anguish, Billy Green had clasped the derson, savagely, " shall overtake all sinners! Puritan's knees, and lay writhing at his feet, Confess your sins, villain, for your soul is as while Henderson was brandishing his sword black as that of the evil one." over his head. "Mercy!" gasped Billy, while the fanatic's "Down with the traitor! " shouted the inhand clutched his throat so violently that his furiated fanatic, and his flashing sword cleft small, cunning eyes protruded from their the spy's skull. Billy Green died without utsockets. "I am innocent, and never wronged tering a groan, while Henderson coolly turned you in my life." from him. "You are innocent? Then Satan in hell is "The Lord has judged him," he said, pusha saint! Have you not always served vice and ing aside the corpse, whose glazed eyes stared infamy? Have you not been the boon com- after him. panion of the most black-hearted scoundrels? At the head of his men, he marched triumYou see, I am not ignorant of your character. phantly from street to street, proclaiming the You have deserved death a hundred times, be- kingdom of Jesus, the invisible leader of this cause you have always been an impudent, pious and devout insurrection. The authoriHeaven-defying reprobate. Did you not strut ties attempted to disperse the insurgents by about in heathenish costumes, an abomination main force, but the assailants were driven back in the eyes of the just? Did you not serve by the irresistible valor of the fanatics, who the tyrant who, on account of his sins, lost his defended themselves with the most heroic inhead on the block?" trepidity. Many a member of the militia was " I perceived the error of my ways, and if killed or wounded by them, until the whole Mr. Pym were still alive, he would bear wit- force that had been sent to disperse them, ness to the zeal with which I afterward served seized with a panic, took to flight, although the cause of the republicans." its numerical strength was perhaps ten times "Miserable hypocrite! For the sake of superior to that of the insurgents. filthy lucre, you were intent, under the mask No sooner had the militia fled, than old of a saint, a wolf in sheep's clothing, only on Henderson intoned a triumphant hymn. Baring promoting your own interests. Did you not his gray head, and brandishing hisblood-stained turn your back on us as soon as young Stuart sword, he sang exultingly: returned to England? You were his pointer, "Great is the Lord, and they who trust in and helped him to pursue the noble game of Him will be invincible. The enemies apthe pious Puritans. On your head is the blood proached in countless strength, like locusts deof the martyrs, which cries to heaven for ven- scending on a harvest-field; and yet we did geance." not succumb, for He is our shield. We struck " Mercy! " groaned the unfortunate spy. "I them, and they sank to the ground; with the will make amends for all the wrongs that I keen edges of our swords we mowed them have perpetrated; I will do all that you de- down like stubble. The Lord be praised, the ENGLAND UNDER CHARLES II-HENDERSON'S INSURRECTION. 295 God of Israel, who does not suffer His people ants, they advanced again and attacked the to perish in distress. Sing to Him, and give intrepid enthusiasts on all sides. praise to His glory! " "In the Saviour's name," shouted HenderSinging a psalm, as they had done at Dun- son to his men, "do not budge an inch! This bar and Worcester on rushing upon the enemy, is our last trial, and he who shall pass through the enthusiastic Puritans marched through all it will enter heaven and the new Jerusalem." London without meeting with any serious re- A bullet pierced his breast and struck him sistance, so great was the cowardice of their down. Already darkness veiled his eyes. adversaries, and their own confidence in divine "Do you see?" murmured the mortally assistance. They firmly believed in the tri- wounded Puritan. "The day is ours. The umph of their cause, and expected every mo- gates are unlocked, heaven opens to us, and ment the appearance of the Saviour, whom the Saviour descends from it. Legions of they proclaimed King of the world. It was saints, martyrs, and angels, surround Him; not until the following morning, when the they lift me up and carry me to heaven. Aldanger grew more and more alarming, that the ready I am floating in their midst. Ha, give royal guards were sent against the fanatics, me my sword! There stands the evil one, who had retired in good order and taken posi- the archfiend of mankind! I will-" tion in a remote part of the city. From thence He did not conclude. In his last struggle they made several sallies into the old city of he still convulsively grasped the hilt of his London, which was nowise prepared for their sword as if to redeem the world at a blow. attacks. They produced there not a little con- And thus the fanatic departed this life. Most fusion, and the wealthy merchants believed of his men were killed; only a few surrendered, that the turbulent times of the commonwealth and were ignominiously executed on the scafhad returned, and left in timid haste their fold. counting-houses and the riches stored in their Not far from Henderson lay Billy Green's warehouses. Finally, assailed from all quar- mutilated corpse: the stern, consistent Puritan, ters, and hemmed in, the fanatics threw them- and the unprincipled, fickle apostate; both selves into a neighboring house, where the productions of the same stormy commotion troops were obliged to enter upon a regular which carries virtue as well as vice to a colossiege against them. Their ranks were fear- sal development, far overstepping the ordinary fully thinned by the volleys of the soldiers, bounds of human nature. and at last only a few of them were left. In Such was the last flicker, the last desperate vain quarter was offered to them if they would attempt of a party which, at first persecuted surrender voluntarily. In their fanatical faith and oppressed, had gradually risen to almost in divine assistance, they rejected all the offers absolute power, which it was to-wield only for of their adversaries. a very short time. The Puritans did not "Stand firm," cried old Henderson; "the venture upon another rising, and left the field Lord cannot and will not forsake His people. to others, who afterward entered the list for Follow me, and nobody shall hurt a hair of liberty, and, during the reign of James II., your heads." achieved the final victory over despotism. The small band, headed by the Puritan, Milton shared the principles and aspirations rushed unhesitatingly upon the troops. The of these political and religious fanatics only so soldiers at first fell back in dismay; but on long as they themselves groaned under the perceiving the small number of their assail- grinding yoke of their oppressors, and met 296 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. their persecutors with valor and manly cour- clining carelessly on their swelling divans, age. His common-sense and innate poetical they contracted alliances and waged wars; by spirit preserved him from their violent excesses. a smile, by a glance, they often decided the After conquering their adversaries, the Puri- most important questions. Their whole life tans were as intolerant and prone to perse- was a net-work of intrigues, in which now the cution as the royalists, although they distin- heart, and now the interests of the state, played guished themselves most advantageously from the most prominent part. the latter by their morality and fervent piety. Henrietta was exceedingly skilled in this inNevertheless, the maintenance of their suprem- tricate game, and Louis XIV. was perfectly acy would have done more harm than good to justified in intrusting her with a confidential England, inasmuch as, from their narrow- mission to England. Under the mask of a minded point of view, they were intent on mere visit to her native country, she was to converting the state into a house of prayer, and enter upon the most important negotiations, the nation into a pious conventicle. A reac- whose object was nothing short of a total tion was the inevitable consequence of this change in the foreign policy of the country. system, against which the people could not but England, which had hitherto stood at the head rebel in the interest of individual liberty. of the Protestant states, and had but recently concluded an alliance with Sweden and the Dutch Republic for the protection of the Reformation, and as a measure of safety against CHAPTER XV. the thirst of France for conquest, was to dissolve this " triple alliance," which the nation MLLE. DE QUEROUIAILLE-ALLIANCE WITH had hailed with the utmost enthusiasm, declare LOUIS XIV. LO~UIS XIV. war against the Dutch Republic, and assist AT the royal court had arrived a guest who Louis XIV. in his plans for destroying the carried to the highest pitch the licentiousness equilibrium of Europe. Both the triumph of and immorality already prevailing there. This Catholicism and the supremacy of absolution, was the beautiful and accomplished but frail whose most prominent representative, and, as Henrietta of Orleans, the sister of Charles II., it were, incarnation, was the King of France, and sister-in-law of Louis XIV., and doted was to be achieved by this arrangement. The upon by both. She was one of the amiable fate of the world was at stake, and every thing ladies of that period, who combined with the depended upon the decision at which Charles utmost frivolity a polished mind and an ex- II. should arrive. Circumstances greatly fatraordinary spirit of intrigue. They were the cilitated Henrietta's task. The king had rediplomatists in petticoats, the forerunners of warded the faithful services of his pedantic those arrogant mistresses who, toward the end but honorable minister, Clarendon, by ignoof the seventeenth and the beginning of the miniously depriving him of his office, and sendeighteenth centuries, exercised at almost all ing him into exile. The men to whom the courts a decisive influence over the political government was now intrusted were a set of affairs of the time. These ladies coupled love frivolous and unreliable profligates. Clifford, with politics, coquetry with diplomacy; from a Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Laudertender tete-d-tte they went to a cabinet meeting, dale, were the unprincipled servants whom the and tied and untied with their delicate white king called into the cabinet and appointed to hands the threads of political intrigues; re- the most responsible offices. From the initial MLLE. DE QUEROUAILLE-ALLIANCE WITH LOUIS XIV. 297 letters of their names the people made the which he had become partial; but the younger word " cabal," which is still used to stigmatize generation covered their heads with the enora system of falsehood, rascality, and infamy. mous wigs purchased in Paris, which was Surrounded and influenced by such men, then, as now, the leader of fashion. The coats Charles lost the last trace of shame and scru- were adorned with costly embroidery, and the pulousness. Engrossed only with his pleas- elegant hanger which the gentlemen wore ures, he left the whole government in the hands threatened entirely to supplant the heavy of his ministers. broadsword. Gay-colored ribbons floated down Henrietta was familiar with her brother's from the shoulders, and the large number of weaknesses, and, to profit by them, she had rosettes fastened to the attire of the gentlebrought with her a female ally. This was men imparted to them an effeminate appearMlle. de Querouaille, one of the most beauti- ance. ful ladies of France. No sooner had the king The ladies at the court of Charles II. wore beheld her, than he fell in love with her. His light, transparent dresses; they unhesitatingly sister had foreseen this, and given beforehand displayed the charms which their mothers had the necessary instructions to the beautiful carefully veiled, and took pains, if possible, to lady. outstrip their French patterns. English gayety At St. James's palace a most brilliant festi- combined with French coquetry into a strange val was given in honor of the guests. The mixture, which, like champagne and porter apartments and halls were resplendent with mixed together, gave rise to a doubly heavy fairy-like magnificence. Costly hangings, intoxication, and degenerated into the most splendid Gobelins, covered the walls with licentious frivolity. To the ball succeeded a their artistic embroideries; on the wainscoted mask, specially written for the occasion by ceilings hung large lustres, shedding a flood Dryden, who gradually eclipsed the already of light over the gorgeous scene. The tables superannuated Davenant, and, with Waller, were loaded down with viands and liquors, shared the special favor of the king and his which were served up in silver and golden courtiers. On the stage appeared nearly all vessels. Immediately after the banquet, com- the gods of Olympus, represented by ladies menced the ball, which the king opened with and gentlemen of the court, who celebrated the beautiful Mlle. de Querouaille. They the arrival of the Duchess of Orleans with the were followed by the extravagant and reckless most fulsome flatteries. Already, for several Buckingham with the charming Henrietta of days previous to the performance, all the acOrleans, and the other dancers. The gloomy tresses were in the highest state of excitement fanatics and rude warriors were supplanted by in regard to the interesting question which of licentious and supercilious courtiers, who imi- them would be selected to play the part of tated the example of their sovereign. They Venus. This was a matter of the highest imturned in the mazes of the dance until they portance for the ladies of the court, as the sesank exhausted upon their chairs. The gen- lection would be equivalent to a public declaratlemen lavished on the ladies the most gallant tion which of them was generally considered compliments, which, like their whole costume, the most beautiful. All the mistresses of the they borrowed from France. Here and there king believed themselves justly entitled to the some old cavalier, who had fought under role, and left no means untried to attain their Prince Rupert or the Duke of Newcastle, wore object. Prayers and threats, blandishments his own gray hair, and the ancient uniform to and tears, were resorted to, and none of them 298 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. were willing to renounce their claims, but direction. That game is reserved to his marather determined to carry matters to extremi- jesty, and no loyal subject is allowed to hunt ties. Charles was greatly puzzled, and the and kill game in the royal park." affair engrossed him and his cabinet far more A general burst of surprise and admiration than the most important political questions. greeted the appearance of the goddess of Finally, after innumerable consultations and love. Surrounded by Cupids, a silver charsecret conferences, it was resolved to bestow iot, adorned with shells and drawn by two upon Mile. de Querouaille the rdle of the doves, moved across the stage. A surpassgoddess of love, whereby she was, as it were, ingly beautiful woman carelessly reclined m it. elevated to the position of the king's favorite Like small serpents, countless black ringlets mistress. The whole court had watched these curled round the white forehead, under which important deliberations with the utmost sus- two dark eyes were burning. The most prepense, and it was now filled with the most in- cious pearls and diamonds, flashing around tense curiosity, assembled in front of the stage. her charming head, were to represent the waThe curtain rose. A number of inferior ter-drops clinging to the goddess, who had just genii announced the approach of the Olympian risen from the foam of the sea. A blue gosgods~ at last appeared the procession, amid samer mantle surrounded her slender form, the brilliant notes of a solemn march. At and served to unveil rather than hide her the head of the procession strode Ashley, a charms. At her side strode the Earl of member of the " cabal," representing Jupiter, Rochester, representing Mars, and clad in a wearing a golden crown on his head, and hold- magnificent cuirass; while Lord Wilmot, as ing a sceptre in his hand. At his side ap- Vulcan, limped after them. A beautiful boy, peared Lady Arlington as Juno, seated in a Amor, accompanied her, and handed her from chariot of gold drawn by peacocks. Then fol- time to time a gilded arrow, which she sent lowed the other gods and goddesses, who were from her small bow into the midst of the greeted with more or less applause by the audience. audience, and gave rise to all sorts of witty Great was the admiration excited by this remarks and exclamations. goddess of love; especially were the king and " Good faith," said a courtier, rather loudly, the other gentlemen in ecstasies at her loveli"there comes Grammont as Apollo, with his ness and grace, while the ladies gave vent to thin legs, which look precisely like walking- their envy by all sorts of malicious remarks. sticks. A man must be very bold to walk on Mlle. de Querouaille was about to recite the them." lines which she was to utter as Venus, when "And yet," whispered another, "he has suddenly there emerged from behind the padded them with more than twenty pounds scenes a similar chariot, likewise drawn by of wool. What do you think of Lady Clifton doves. From it descended another goddess as Diana?" of love, wearing the same costume, and who "As she has no Actseon, she has placed was no other than Barbara Villiers, the king's antlers on her husband's head. But hush! former mistress. The slighted mistress could if I am not mistaken, Venus and the Graces not bear the idea that a stranger should be are about to step upon the stage." preferred to her; therefore, at the risk of "Mlle. de Querouaille! By Jove, she is incurring the king's anger, she had chosen beautiful!" the same mask, and appeared so unexpectedly "You need not hope for any thing in that to dispute with her the palm of beauty. Both MLLE. DE QUEROUAILLE-ALLIANCE WITH LOUIS XIV. 299 the spectators and actors were not a little lady; "moreover, it no longer belongs to you, surprised at this spectacle. All fixed their but to your consort." eyes on Charles, who, speechless with aston- " Do not remind me of the sacrifice which ishment, seemed at first to be at a loss I was obliged to make to circumstances. whether to laugh or be angry at this improvi- We poor princes are entitled to your comsation. passion." During this piquant scene, the two fair ri- "Poor king!" jested the lady. vals looked daggers at each other. Mlle. "I cannot offer you any thing save my de Querouaille, however, did not lose her self- heart." possession, and commenced reciting the lines "Which I should hav to share with a in broken English. No sooner, however, had hundred other women-among them with she concluded, than Barbara Villiers recited Barbara Villiers, Nell Gwynn, and so forth." a few verses perfectly adapted to the situa- " You are cruel. But I swear to be faithtion. Thus a most charming contest of love ful to you." and grace took place between them in the "Do not commit perjury. I have been presence of the whole court, which followed warned of your oaths. The king, I have with undisguised interest the* developments been told, is constant only in inconstancy." of the strange scene. At last the king rose "Put me to the test, and ask of me whatand put an end to the mask which had been ever you please," cried Charles, whose desires interrupted by Barbara's appearance. He were still more inflamed by her resistance. took the hands of the two ladies, and whis- "I am a good Catholic, and, therefore, solipered into -the ear of each a word sounding citous for the salvation of my soul. A heretic half like an entreaty, and half like an order. never can be my lover. My Church would not The rivals then approached and embraced forgive such a sin." each other before the audience, which burst "For your sake, then, I will embrace the into loud applause. Peace seemed momen- Catholic faith." tarily restored; but in the hearts of the two "That is quite acceptable," she replied, jealousy fanned as before its devouring flames. with charming coquetry. " At least I should It was not until late in the evening that do something for my Church, and would be the king succeeded in getting rid of the irk- less guilty. Tell me, are you in earnest about some Barbara, and in holding an undisturbed your promise?" tete-dc-tte with Mlle. de Querouaille. Henri- "As sure as my name is Charles, and as I etta of Orleans had instructed her beforehand am King of Great Britain. Like your Henry as to the course she was to pursue in regard IV., I say,'Such a woman is worth a mass.'" to the king. Every favor which she should "He said,'Paris is worth a mass.'" grant to Charles was to be sold at an exorbi- "I would give Paris and London for a kiss tant rate. In a remote cabinet the king lay from your rosy lips." at the feet of the goddess of love. A discreet "You will not attain your object so very lamp shed its rosy lustre over her charming fast. I am not only a good Catholic, but also form. The distant notes of seductive, volup- a good Frenchwoman. So long as you side tuous music penetrated faintly into the room. with the heretical Swedes and Dutch, and op"I will give my crown," said Charles, "for pose France, you shall not touch the tip of my you and your love." little finger." "I do not ask for it," replied the French So saying, she withdrew her delicate white 300 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. hand from that of the king, and pouted so a limited one, and hitherto no king has succharmingly that Charles entirely lost his pres- ceeded in governing without a Parliament." ence of mind, and would have consented to all " Then you must be the first to do so. I that she asked of him. have been authorized to promise you the as"I envy your king, not for his glory, but sistance of his majesty King Louis, who'will for the fair subject who so warmly advocates furnish you all the means you need for imitathis cause; but you do not know what you ask ing his example." of me. I am to dissolve the triple alliance, So saying, the beautiful woman drew from that is to say, defy the public opinion of all her bosom a treaty fully drawn up, and conEngland, which, inconsideration of this alli- taining all the points which she had menance with the Protestant powers, overlooks all tioned. With a seductive smile, the ambassamy other weaknesses and faults. Do not look dress handed the enamoured king the paper at me so wonderingly with your large blue which she wished him to sign. Charles read eyes, to which I cannot refuse any thing; but it, and seemed to hesitate. In spite of his it would be no joke for me if all parties should recklessness, he shrank from a plan aiming at rise against me, and stun my ears with their nothing less than the restoration of England cries. It would be a dangerous, very danger- to the Catholic faith, and the abolition of ous step; for, to tell you the truth, the people Parliament. It is true, he was perfectly insubmit to a great many things so long as I do different in religious matters, and looked upon not act contrary to their Protestant convic- the repeal of the constitution only as a retions. In this point they are like a restive moval of an irksome restraint; but at the horse, prancing and perhaps throwing off his same time he was fully alive to the dangers in rider, if he should not sit well in the saddle." which such a step might involve him. Too "' I always thought you a good horseman, indolent to make up his mind on so important and able to manage your charger." a subject, he possessed not sufficient courage " What will Parliament say? " asked Charles and energy either to accept or to reject the thoughtfully; for, notwithstanding his frivolity, offer. Mlle. de Querouaille watched with be possessed sufficient understanding to see anxious suspense the features of her lover. his position in its true light. Only his pas- On perceiving that he hesitated, she seized his sions blinded him, and to them he mostly hands, and with caresses and blandishments sacrificed his better conviction. pressed into it the pen with which he was to " Parliament? " smiled Mlle. de Querouaille, sign the treaty. playing with her fan, and gently waving it; "You do not know what you ask of me." " you will chase it away if it should incom- "A prooof of your love. It is only on this mode you, just as I chase away the fly buzzing condition that I can belong to you." around me at this moment." The lovely woman bent over his shoulders " That is not so easy as you seem to ima- as if to read the contents of the important gine. Parliament is not a fly, but a wasp document. Her fragrant breath intoxicated which knows how to sting." him; her silky ringlets touched his cheeks, " Then you will kill the wasp. Do what the and her electric contact fanned the fire burnKing of France did with his Parliament. He ing in his heart to a devouring flame. Her silenced its members, riding-whip in hand." eyes gazed so longingly and beseechingly into "But there is a vast difference between his own, that he was scarcely able to withEngland and France. Our governmrent is only stand her. He himself did not know exactly " SAMSON AGONISTES." 301 how it happened, but her hand moved the pen new promises when he was reminded of his which he yet held in his hand, and with her engagement, or with underhand half-measures assistance he mechanically affixed his royal against the British constitution, which he signature to the treaty. By a stroke of the dared not openly attack. An event, not very pen the fate of England had been decided; important in itself, characterizes most strikand he had become a vassal of Louis XIV., ingly the course he pursued toward Parliafrom whom he henceforth received an annual ment, and betrayed his real intentions. The stipend, which he used in gratifying his expen- Parliament contemplated imposing a tax upon sive passions. The tender embrace and the actors. The court party opposed this measburning kisses of the female diplomatist stifled ure, objecting that the actors were servants the rising misgivings of the king. of the king, and were kept for his majesty's At such a price Charles bought the love pleasure. On this occasion a highly-respected of Mlle. de Querouaille, whom he afterward member of the House of Commons inquired created Duchess of Portsmouth. whether they referred to the actors or actresses. This was evidently an allusion to two actresses who were favorite mistresses of Charles II. The king was furious at this insult, and resolved to revenge himself in a CHAPTER XVI. manner entirely unworthy of his exalted office. Some officers of the lifeguards took upon "SAMSON AGONISTES.", themselves the task of chastising the offender. HENCEFORWARD England sank deeper and They assailed him in a most cowardly manner, deeper from. the lofty position which she had and, notwithstanding his determined resisthitherto occupied. At home, the reactionary ance, mutilated him by slitting his nose. The party put off its hypocritical mask and no long- Parliament was highly indignant at this cower disguised its despotic intentions; abroad, ardly outrage, and, supported by the violent the government, owing to its humiliating de- exasperation of the whole country, demanded pendence on France, forfeited what little re- due satisfaction for it. spect it had enjoyed up to this time. The The people, however, were aroused to still "cabal" continued in power, while Charles greater excitement'by their apprehensions regratified his licentiousness the more eagerly, garding the restoration of the Catholic faith. as Louis XIV. furnished him with the neces- The king was not unjustly suspected of leansary funds. As a matter of course, general ing toward the Roman Church. The Duke of discontent prevailed among the people, and, York, his brother, had already publicly addespite the demoralization reigning throughout mitted that he had embraced Catholicism. the country, there stirred in the nation a grow- Sir Kenelm Digby, who had meanwhile died ing sense of its humiliating condition, which during'a journey to France, had not unsuccesswas intensified by the consciousness of having fully worked, both in secret and openly, for forfeited its honor, and by gloomy forebodings the faith of his executed father. Protestantism of dangers menacing the security of England. was seriously menaced, and religious liberty It is true, Charles did not possess sufficient had to fear the worst at the hands of the energy to take a decisive step toward carrying gloomy and bigoted James. out the treaty which he had concluded with The mournful posture to which England was France. He contented himself with making reduced made upon no one a deeper impres 302 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. sion than upon Milton. His domestic afflic- "And what subject have you chosen, my tions added to his grief at the distress of his venerable friend? " country. He had witnessed the greatness of "Blind Samson is my hero." his nation, which was now so deeply humili- "Blind Samson," repeated Marvell, mournated. Liberty, for which he had once entered fully. the lists, was gone, destroyed, and reviled. "Blind like myself, deserted like myself, His political friends had expiated their honest but full of hope in the Eternal. Thus he sits convictions on the scaffold or in prison. Per- under the gate of Gaza, while the Philistines fidy and meanness were triumphant. More- are feasting and celebrating orgies in honor over, he had grown old and blind, and his own of their contemptible idols. Listen to his daughters had deserted him. Profound dejec- complaints: tion had seized him, and he longed to die.'Oh, that torment should not be confined Poesy alone had remained faithful to him; but To the body's wounds and sores, With maladies innumerable it no longer appeared to him as a divine cor- In heart, head, breast, and veins; forter, but in a mourning-garb, and with tears Bt must ecret passage find To the inmost mind. in the extinct eyes. He exhaled his grief in a There exercise all his fierce accidents, drama which he published a short time previ- And on her purest spirits prey, As on entrails, joints, and limbS, ous to his death, under the title of " Samson With answerable pains but more intense, Agohistes." This was an outburst of his deep Though void of corporal sense. My griefs not only pain me anguish. As a lingering disease, In the person of the blind hero of the But finding no redress, ferment and rage; Nor less than wounds immedicable Israelites he lamented his own misfortunes. Eankle, and fester, and gangrene Milton himself was the blind Samson, derided To black mortification. Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly by the Philistines and idolaters, betrayed by a stings, perfidious woman, deserted by all, and despair- Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts, Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise ing of the mighty God of his fathers. Like Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb this Biblical hero, he had fought and strug- Or med'cinal liquor can assuage, Nor breath of vernal air from snowy Alp. gled, and now he was prostrate, chained, and Sleep hath forsook and given me o'er crushed. To Death's benumbing opium as my only cure; Thence faintings, swoonings of despair, While depicting his sufferings in this drama, And sense of Heaven's desertion. he was cheered from time to time by a visit I was His nursling once, and choice delight, His destined from the womb, of his faithful friend Marvell. This honest f his faithful friend Marvell. This honest romised by heavenly message twice descending. man was one of the few who had remained Under His special eye Abstemious I grew up, and thrived amain: true to their convictions, and had disdained He led me on to mightiest deeds, all the offers of Charles, who recognized his Above the nerve of mortal arm, Against the uncircumcised, our enemies; worth, and sought to win him over to his side. But now hath cast me of as never known, With this friend Milton shared the remainder And to those cruel enemies, Whom I by His appointment had provoked, of his fortune; with him he recalled the event- Left me all helpless, with the irreparable loss ful past, and he communicated to him his new Of sight, reserved alive to be repeated The subject of their cruelty or scorn. poem, which was to appear in dramatic form. Nor am I in the list of them that hope: "Dryden," said the poet, "asked me to Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless. writ aad I he de s; bt This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard, write a drama, and I have done so; but I am o long petition: speedy death, No long petition: speedy death, afraid it has little prospect of being performed The close of all my miseries, and the balm.'" at court." "Poor Samson!" cried Marvell, seizing the "SAMSON AGONISTES." 303 poet's hand in profound emotion. " Is there But throwest them lower than Thou didst exalt no other consolation left to thee? We must them high; Unseemly falls in human eye, submit, and bear with patience that which Too grievous for the trespass or omission; ~canno-t lbe helped." Oft leavest them to the hostile sword cannot be helped." Of heathen and profane, their carcasses "I possess such patience, and, above all To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captived; things, confidence in the government of Di- Or to the unjust tribunals, under change of times, And condemnation of the ungrateful multitude.'" vine Providence. Nevertheless, I am in pain, Here Milton paused, profoundly moved by and no one will blame my Samson for crying his own words. He thought of the fate of out under his heavy burden, and praying God his unfortunate friends. In his mind he saw to end his life.". But will yu nt c b d M - the scaffold on which the noble Vane had " But will you ndt continue?" begged Marbled, the dungeon in which his friend Overton vell; " that is, if the recitation does not exhaust,, excieyutomuhwas still groaning-all the banished and perhaust or excite you too much." ~ " mso's c ts ae r d to b t ecuted men, his political friends. He remem" Samson's complaints are replied to by the bered with great bitterness the fickleness of chorus of his Israelite friends, which I arthe foolish people, who were to-day kneeling ranged in accordance with the rules of the again before the idols they had once upset: Greek tragedy: y ae te s s of te w, who denied and derided the principles to' Many are the sayings of the wise, In ancient or in modern books enrolled, which they had adhered only yesterday with Extolling patience as the truest fortitude; the ardor of fanaticism, and who heaped the, 0 p,...' the ardor of fanaticism, and who heaped the And to the bearing well of all calamities, All chances incident to man's frail life, most poignant contumely and mortification on Consolatories writ Consolator~i~es writ their former favorites and friends. A tear With studied argument, and much persuasion sought, of indignation and just anger trembled in the Lenient of grief and anxious thought: continued: But with the afflicted in his pangs their sound Little prevails, or rather seems a tune If these they'scape, perhaps in poverty Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint; ith sickness and disease Thou bowest them Unless he feel within down Some source of consolation from above, Painful diseases and deformed, Secret refreshings, that repair his strength, In crude old age; And fainting spirits uphold. Though not disordinate, yet causeless suffering God of our fathers, what is man, The punishment of dissolute days: in fine, That Thou toward him with hand so various, Just or unjust, alike seem miserable, Or might I say contrarious, For oft alike both come to evil end. Temperest Thy providence through his short So deal not with this once Thy glorious champion, course 1 The image of Thy strength and mighty minister. Not evenly, as thou rulest Ca Not evenly, as thou rulest What do I beg? How hast Thou dealt already? The angelic orders, and inferior creatures mute, Behold him in this state calamitous, and tur Irrational and brute? HIis labors, for thou canst, to peaceful end.", Nor do I name of men the common rout, That, wandering loose about, That, wandering loose about, While Milton was reciting these lines, which Grow up and perish, as the summer fly, Heads without name, no more remembered, lamented his own fate in the person of SamBut such as Thou hast solemnly elected, son the cold wind moved the leafless trees, With gifts and graces eminently adorned, To some great work, Thy glory, and accompanied the mournful words with And people's safety, which in part they effect: it melancholy tones. The summer was at Yet toward these, thus dignified, Thou oft, Amidst their height of noon, an end; the fields had been mown, the flowChangest Thy countenance, and Thy hand, with no er were withered, the joyous notes of the regard Of highest favors past birds had died away. A profound, gloomy siFrom Thee on them, or them to Thee of service. lence reigned all around. The parting rays Nor only dost degrade them, or remit To life obscured, which were a fair dismission; of the pale sun illuminated the gray head 304 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. and wan face of the poet. He had grown self up to his full height, an intellectual Sam old and feeble; blind and sick he sat there, a son, shaking once more the edifice of despotbroken, crushed hero like his Samson; but in ism, ready to die, and even in death clinging his heart there lived yet the courageous spirit to the faith of his whole life. of poetry, the unexhausted.vigor of the soul. Without an effort he recited his poem to the end. In stirring lines he depicted at the conclusion the vengeance which blind Samson wreaked upon his enemies, the terrible CHAPTER XVII. strength with which the hero shook the pilMILTON'S DEATH. lars of the house in which his adversaries were feasting, and the fall of the roof, under THIS was the last flicker of his surpassing which he simultaneously buried them and genius before its utter extinction. Longhimself. He raised his voice on reciting the continued sufferings of the body and soul contriumphant chorus of the Israelites: fined Milton at last to his bed; he felt that "'But he. though blind of sight, his life was drawing to a close. His wife Despised, and though extinguished quite, nursed him with the greatest devotion; his With inward eyes illuminated, His fiery virtue roused brother, who did not share his political views, From under ashes into sudden flame, also hastened to him. The brothers met after And as an evening dragon came, Assailant on the perchd roosts a prolonged separation, and forgot their poAnd nests in order ranged litical differences, at least during the first few Of tame villatic fowl; but as an eagle His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. moments. Milton held out his emaciated hand So Virtue, given for lost, to his faithful brother. Depressed and overthrown,'as seemed, Like that self-begotten bird Dear Christopher," he said, in a feeble In the Arabian woods embost, voice, "I see that you still love me. How That no second knows, nor third, And lay erewhile a holocaust, I am to see after so ma ears From out her ashy womb now teemed, how glad I am that you have come! You Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most When most unactive deemed; will help me to set my house in order." When most unactive deemed; And, though her body die, her fame survives "I will gladly do so," replied his brother, A secular bird ages of lives. deeply moved. All is best, though we oft doubt "My fortune is but small, for poets gather What the unsearchable dispose no riches. I am sorry that I can leave so Of Highest Wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close. little to my wife. I should have liked to free Oft He seems to hide his face, her from care; she deserves it by the tender But unexpectedly returns, And to His faithful champion hath in place solicitude with which she has nursed me, and Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns, by the love and patience with which she has And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent: always treated her poor blind husband; but His servants He, with new acquist I did not know how to amass large sums of Of true experience from this great event, With peace and consolation hath dismissed, money. And calm of mind, all passion spent.'" ("I understand you have many claims outLike one of those prophets of the Old Tes- standing." tament, the poet poured out in awful words "My debtors are even poorer than I; his grief, his wrath, and his hopes. His form most of them are political friends of mine, seemed t? grow; he had risen and drawn him- who lost their fortunes at the restoration MILTON'S DEATH. 305.t is not in consonance with my wishes that "You have immortal sons and daughters; you should collect these claims." your works,' Comus,'' Paradise Lost,' Para"And your children, your daughters?" dise Regained,''Samson Agonistes,' and all asked Christopher, as delicately as possible. those magnificent creations of your genius." "I have no children," said Milton, mourn- "Oh, they are not sufficient. I would willfully. "They have forsaken me. I am lonely ingly give all my works for a son, a child and deserted." of flesh and blood, to whom I might bequeath At these words the door opened noiselessly. my name, my spirit, and my sentiments." A matron, whose face still bore the traces of "Take my William, then, and bequeath surpassing beauty, entered the room. She your love to him." was accompanied by a young man with noble The young man, who shared his mother's features. It was Alice, with her son. She attachment to her illustrious friend, bent his had completed the education of the youth at head before the dying poet and asked his her country-seat, far from the pernicious in- blessing. fluence of the court. No sooner had she "I shall not leave this world, then," said heard that her friend had been taken dan- Milton, "without leaving a son in it. God gerously sick, than she hastened to him; but bless you, God bless the youth of England, she had not thought that his end was so from whom alone I expect the salvation of close at hand. The tears of his heart-broken our poor country! I depart with the hope wife told her that such was the case. Al- that the seeds which we have scattered will though she had entered as noiselessly as pos- not utterly perish. A later generation will sible, the'keen ears of the blind poet had harvest the fruits. It was not vouchsafed to heard her arrival. us to set foot in the land of promise. Like "Who is there? " he asked, eagerly. Moses, we were allowed only to see the prom"A friend-Alice," replied the matron, ised liberty from afar. The Israelites had to hardly able to repress her tears. wander through the wilderness for forty years A gentle smile kindled Milton's face; a before reaching the sacred soil of Canaan. touching gleam of joy flushed his pale cheeks. The Lord will not allow us to perish either. "Welcome," he cried, profoundly moved, The spirit which He stirred in us cannot die. "spirit of my youth, genius of the poet! I We may compare the present time to a wilknew that you would come, and that I should derness, in which we are wandering about meet you once more before bidding farewell to without knowing the right path. The people this world." are still dancing around the golden calf, and "And I am not alone; I bring with me a turning their backs upon the true God, who son, who has come to receive your blessing." veils Himself majestically in his clouded "Approach," said the dying poet to the heavens; but the nation will surely acknowlyoung man. edge its fault, forsake the false gods, and turn He touched with his hands the noble lil- again toward the Almighty." eaments of the youthful face, which seemed The sufferer paused, exhausted by the efto please him. He nodded with an air of fort; language failed him, but his soul, which great satisfaction. was already beginning to free itself from its "God refused a son to me," sighed Mil- earthly shell, took a loftier prophetic flight; ton. "I have no children to perpetuate my it soared unfettered above time and space. name." After a long pause, he added: 20 306 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. " The struggle is not yet over, the struggle cuted. I have had to deplore the loss of my between heaven and hell, between the good eyesight, and become, a poor, miserable, blind and evil powers. There stands the fallen an- man. Fate has taken much from me, but it gel, with his infernal host; he is preparing has also given me much. It was vouchsafed anew for war with truth. Here Comus is grin- to me to live in a great period, and take part ning at me-Comus, the god of lust and world- in the greatest event of the century. I fought liness. The Philistines are roaming every- and labored faithfully during the great strugwhere, and boasting of their victory over the gle. The first minds of my time joined hands God-sent hero. All is in vain, all their efforts with me, and the spiritual bond of friendship are fruitless. I know and feel that hell will and esteem united me with the noble and eminot triumph. Already I saw the Messiah nent men of all countries. Princes and nacoming, before whom falsehood vanishes. The tions listened to my words, which became Holy Ghost descends upon the nations, the deeds, and inspired thousands with love of libHoly Ghost of knowledge, humanity, and tol- erty and truth. But all this is nothing comeration. The guardian angel of virtue and in- pared with the love which two of the noblest nocence expels the lustful Comus, who must women bestowed upon me-you, my dear wife, give up his prey. There will be better times and you, Alice, my Muse, my genius. I thank and other soldiers of truth, who will triumph you and God for it at this last hour. God in the end. Arm, ye chosen ones; never tire, bless you!" never give up the contest! Victory will not The tears of the two women moistened his always flee from you or from the just cause. hands. Gradually he became nearly unconAs for you," he added, turning to Alice's son, scious, and the marked change in his features "I enlist you now for the new army which is indicated the impending extinction of the dyto fight out the old contest. Be faithful to ing flame. His cold hands still grasped those the religion of your fathers, to your convic- of Alice and his wife. During the brief and tions, and to truth. God bless you! " almost painless agony, his physical blindness A profound, reverential silence reigned dur- disappeared for a moment; he seemed to see ing these words of the dying poet. The fine- all. the bystanders in the most wonderful illulooking youth, overcome by his feelings, knelt mination; they appeared to him free from down at the bedside to receive the blessing of earthly admixture, as heavenly forms in the the illustrious sufferer. He was profoundly light of transfiguration. The phantoms which impressed with the grave importance of the seemed to crowd around his death-bed became moment which was to exercise a decisive in- more and more numerous; the friends of his fluence over his whole life. Milton held out youth, the men who had toiled and suffered his hands to his faithful wife, and the beloved with him, the women who had loved and reof his youth, who were standing like angels at vered his surpassing genius, passed as a glohis bedside. rious procession before his eyes ere he closed "Do not weep," he said to them. "It is them forevermore. A serene, blissful smile true, my life has abounded in sufferings. I illuminated his countenance. When Alice have stood at the grave of that liberty which bent over him, his sublime spirit had already I helped to establish. My convictions have fled. been derided, my opinions reviled, my writings She imprinted a kiss, her last love-offering, burned by the public executioner. My friends on the pale, noble forehead of the poet, and have been persecuted, imprisoned, and exe- then sank weeping into the arms of his wife. MILTON'S DEATH. 307 A large number of mourners accompanied on his faith in Christianity. From religion, Milton's remains to St. Giles's Church, near from the eternal truths of the Bible, he deCripplegate, where he was buried close to the rived the necessary strength. He looked upon altar. his task as a sublime, divine mission; hence, It was not vouchsafed to him to witness the the stern, moral earnestness, the lofty energy, victory of the lileral cause under James II., and the inspired zeal which did not forsake and the triumph of his principles, which took him even when he advocated principles and place a few years after his death. Alice's defended views which belonged to a narrowson took a leading part in the subsequent minded, and, in many respects, a bigoted age. struggle, and sided most energetically with the He knew how to preserve a certain dignity in party which rebelled against the tyranny of a his controversies, in which the war on both bigoted and cruel king. His mother lived in sides was carried on with a degree of virulent quiet retirement, and always cherished and abuse and personality which, though common honored the memory of her illustrious friend. in the age of the disputants, is calculated to She still enjoyed the happiness and satisfac- strike a modern reader with astonishment. tion of witnessing the rapid growth of his re- But we cannot but esteem him even in his ernown. rors, because they arise from his ardent thirst Like most eminent men, Milton did not re- for truth. He was the sworn foe of restraint, ceive the full meed of his fame until after his whether in education or in domestic life, in death; but it is not altogether just that it the state or Church. In his eyes every man should rest chiefly on his "Paradise Lost." was born free, and, to fulfil his task before His proseworks bear as much the stamp of God and man in a becoming manner, should his genius, despite their faults, which were enjoy the whole extent of his freedom. He those of their pedantic age rather than of therefore demanded that all the natural rights their author. The more do they deserve our of man should be scrupulously respected; he admiration and attention, as they treat almost advocated the separation of the Church from every great question of humanity, and all the the state, free investigation of the truths of political and social problems whose solution the Bible, liberty of speech, of the press, of has been attempted by the most eminent men education, and of matrimonial relations. In up to the present time. In these writings we his prose works, Milton has traced, as it were, find Milton to be the most indefatigable cham- the outlines of a new social system, There pion of liberty, and the great precursor of are few of the questions agitating the public Rousseau and the French Revolution. He mind, even at the present time, to which he stands on the doctrines of the new era, an in- did not give his attention. The deliverance tellectual giant, adorned with the radiant of Greece, the reform of parliamentary eleccrown of the poet, whose splendor eclipsed tions, the improvement of public instruction, for a time the merits of the publicist. The and of the laws regulating divorce-in short, poet never forgot that he was a man and citi- all the hopes and wishes of our times, were zen. He did not live in egotistical seclusion foreseen and dwelt upon by his prophetic from the world, but took part in its struggles, mind. Like a prophet of the Lord, he saw its aspirations, and sufferings. He sacrificed into the most remote future, and his genius, all to his convictions, and shrank from no dan- transcending the circumstances surrounding gers when struggling for the ideas which he him, outstripped not only his times, but in advocated. He rested firmly and immovably many respects even our own. 308 JOHN MILTON AND HIS TIMES. None of his contemporaries equalled his in- to himself and to his principles. His faults tellectual strength, his moral worth, and his and errors belong to the age in which he firmness of character. In the midst of gen- lived; his virtues and his genius to himself eral corruption and apostasy, he remained true alone. THE END. NOW READY. THE MILITARY HISTORY OF ULYS SE S S. GRANT, From April, 1861, to April, 1865. By ADAM BADEAU, Colonel, and Aide-de-Camp to the General-in-Chief, Brevet Brigadier-General United States Army. roZieme i. W3ith Portrait and numerous Mraps. 680 pages. -Price, S4. 00. PRO nII T E P REFACE. "The fact that I became a member of General Grant's personal staff, before he assumed command of the armies of the United States, and that I have since remained with him, is the voucher that I offer for the correctness of this history. I have not meant to state one fact, unless it came under my own personal observation, or has been told me by the General of the Army, or one of his important officers, or unless I know it from official papers. When I deviate from this rule, I make the deviation known. "The correspondence, telegraphic and written, of the headquarters of the armies, is accessible to me. I have also been allowed to examine all papers under the control of the War Department; and, as many of the rebel archives are now in the possession of the Government, I have seen the original reports made by the rebel generals, of every battle but two, which I have attempted to describe. Those two are Corinth and Iuka, at neither of which General Grant was present in person. 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