of Japheth, the reputed ancestor of Europeans. In Psalm lxxii. 10 we have, "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents." 2 Chron. ix. 21 tells us what the presents would be likely to be-" Ivory, and apes, and peacocks." 717-8 Bravery; i.e. 'finery.' So we say, 'to make a brave show.' So too we talk of a well-dressed woman 'sailing' along. Elsewhere Milton speaks with scorn, but no great wit, of the clergy "under sail, in all their lawn and sarcenet, their shrouds and tackle."-Of Reformation, ii. 719 Hold them play; i.e. 'have (make) them play.' 720 Amber scent. Ambergris, though quite a different substance, is called amber in early writers. (Sk.) Ambergris, called "grisamber" in Paradise Regained, ii. 344 (gris meaning 'grey'), was a perfume used in cooking. Cf. the passage of Paradise Regained just referred to. It is a substance of animal origin, found floating on the sea, or thrown up on the coast. Fuller, in his Worthies, speaks of it as worth £5 an ounce; but then that was best Cornwall, I think. When heated it gives off a peculiar perfume, and is good "on the top of a baked pudding." Cf. a note by Professor Masson on Paradise Regained, ii. 344; and Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (Handy Vol. edition), p. 342"Zouns! sir, we would slit any nose that was turned up at us honest fellows. Ay, sir, we would slit it up to the gristle, though it had smelt nothing all its life but musk, ambergris, and court-scented water." 721 Harbinger. Lit. 'one who goes forward to provide harbour or lodging.' Ger. herberger. Cf. messenger for messager. 724 Dalila. So spelt throughout the tragedy. The Septuagint has Δαλιδά Pronounce Dàlilă. Observe how natural is all this scene between Samson and Dalila, recollecting that Samson is generally Milton, Dalila in many respects, both good and bad, Milton's conception of woman. 736 Fact='deed,' as in line 491. 737 Perverse. Un-toward.' 747 'My misdeed, which was more unfortunate even than rash.' 748, et seq. This whole scene should be compared, and may be in parts contrasted, with that famous scene in Paradise Lost, x. 867 to the end of the book. The opening of each is much alike, the close different indeed. There is much that is autobiographical in each, representing_a_like mood of thought and different moods of thought. I doubt not that Milton, in his usual magnanimous mood, would rather apply to his first wife Paradise Lost, x. 937, et seq., than Samson Agonistes, 748-765. Throughout Dalila is admirably true to nature, and need by no means be considered as altogether bad. 748 The hyena is said to imitate the human voice so artfully as to draw people to it, and then devour them. "'Tis thus the false hyæna makes her moan, Milton applies the comparison to a woman, but Otway to the easy," line 583. 756 The last syllable of "virtue" coalesces to some extent with "or." Cf. 1. 814. 759-763 refers to Milton's reconciliation with his first wife, and probable subsequent quarrels. The reconciliation was in July or August, 1645, after she had left him two years. They lived together seven years, and had three daughters. Milton's nephew, Phillips, tells us how, when the poet was visiting a relative, his wife suddenly appeared and made submission, begging pardon on her knees, which friends, and "partly his own generous nature," induced him to receive. (See Professor Masson's note on the passage.) The scene is painted in undying words in the passage of Paradise Lost, specially referred to above in the note on lines 748, et seq. 760 With goodness principled; i. 'adopting goodness as their principle of action.' 767 Cf. Othello, v. 2, "Nothing extenuate nor set down ought in malice." 775-6 Curiosity importune of secrets; i.e. 'curiosity, troubling in order to find out.' Cf. Paradise Lost, ix. 610; and Paradise Regained, ii. 404, "The importune tempter." secrets" goes also with "inquisitive." "Of Professor Both 778 "He let his wisdom go for ease of heart.” Masson admirably refers to Paradise Lost, ix. 1155-1161. passages illustrate the saying, "There are few things which a woman despises more than a man who yields to her." Observe how throughout all Dalila's effort is to excuse herself, as is usually the case with a weak mind, of man or woman, in face of whatever woe it may have occasioned. 785 Parle. Treaty. Paradise Regained, iv. 529. Or perhaps parley, as in Paradise Lost, vi. 296. 788 The gentler. The more gently.' Cf. note on line 583. 790-810 And what if love. So Merlin suggests to Vivien, that, if he tells her his secret, she may play him false." "Not so much from wickedness As some wild turn of anger, or a mood Dalila's explanation is ingenious, and not discordant with the Bible narrative. Read Judges xvi. 15, "How canst thou say, I love thee?" et seq. 802 Hold; 'confinement.' 803 That made for me; i.e. 'that (viz., your confinement keeping you from going abroad on adventures) suited my plans.' 808 Mine and love's prisoner. Observe how much is said, and how exquisitely, in these four words. Compare— ""T is almost morning, I would have thee gone, 812 Fond. 814, et seq. to genius. pity her. -Romeo and Juliet, ii. 2. Cf. line 228 and note. The audacity of these lines amounts almost Dalila has blinded Samson, and Samson is to 819, et seq. One would rather this speech were not spoken by a man to a woman. All the scene is marred by this, that Samson bandies words where there should be silence or dignified reproof. It is sad to say that Milton often did the same. 828 Impartial, self-severe, inexorable. Refer to-"which" (pardon). The pardon Samson grants himself is no pardon. 831 Philistian gold. Judges xvi. 5. 834-5 These fine lines well express the high principle of Milton's strenuous life. See 840 i.e. 'knowing myself to be betrayed by thee.' Cf. the Greek use of the participle in such expressions as οἶδα ὤν. Paradise Lost, ix. 792, "And knew not eating death." 842 Keightley suggests that Milton dictated, "And by evasions," &c. He points out that there is often confusion between and and or. 843, et seq. This speech is very full. In it Dalila distinctly changes her ground. It is not now love that urged her, but patriotism and religious scruple. Here she gives Samson an advantage which he is quick to seize. 843 Determin'st... for. Used in the sense of the Greek Kpive, to decide a thing to be so-and-so' (for=as = 'to be'). 848 Constantest. (Cf. famousest, line 982, &c.) A form of superlative used by Milton, and in later times affected by Carlyle. 850 Thou know'st. Judges xvi. 5. 857, et seq. Dunster remarks that the priest is Milton's own addition, and adds, "It is obviously a satire on the ministers of the Church," which may be so. 860 Irreligious; i.e. not conforming to our religion.' 865 Contest. So always, with the accent on the second syllable, in Milton. 868 Respects. 'Respect.' Lat. respectus, 'a looking at,' 'consideration.' Observe the two extra syllables in this line; yet the effect is much that of a ten-syllabled line. 877-8 'Loved thee too well, as too well thou knew'st.' 881 Who. A long way from its antecedent “I” in line 876. 885-6 For the sentiment expressed in the lines, cf.— "Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes Thy husband; him to follow thou art bound; 886 Parents. Possibly the poet has his first wife in mind, who returned to her parents shortly after marriage, and refused to come home when sent for. 887 But my own. independent. 'I belonged to no one but myself,' was 891, et seq. 'Men who induce others to act against natural law are impious, i.e. undutiful towards their fatherland, doing against it deeds worse than those of enemies. "Our country" is a name rightly dear to us so long as we may be justly proud of it; but men who so mar the honour of their country do violence to the reasons which make " our country a dear name.' Milton refers to the jus naturale and jus gentium of the Roman jurists, i.e., the law which is founded on the constitution of man, and is common to all civilized nations, as opposed to municipal law, the special laws which obtain in any particular State. 897 To acquit themselves; i.e. 'to fulfil their object.' 897-9 The argument is that there is a natural religion which gods must not break, or they become ungodly. Yet Milton in other moods might be slow to admit this, and Dalila might have mentioned episodes in the history of the Israelitish race apparently contradictory of the decision. 901 Pretéxts. 905-6 These sarcastic lines, though natural, appear rather too colloquial and vulgar. Peals. See note to line 235. 907-27 The speech begins and ends admirably. Leaving argument, the man's weapon, Dalila betakes herself to entreaty and gentle persuasion, the woman's. Yet part of the speech could scarcely have been uttered by a woman; no woman would have had so little tact as to have reminded Samson of his blindness. The poet seems to conceive of Dalila as having some real wish to make amends, or at least as having some real affection. 907-8 refer, I think, to line 906. Dalila has explained (lines 790-810) her reasons for so worrying Samson. 910 "He found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears,” Hebrews xii. 17. ·(K.) 912 Misguided. Past part. agreeing with "I." 913 Too sensibly; i.e. 'with too much feeling.' French sensible. Cf. the "Tend" short for 925 Tend about thee; i.e. tend thee.' "attend." O.F. atendre, to 'wait,' 'attend.' (Sk.) 927 Least; i.e. 'as little as possible.' 928-37. The long dialogue evidently makes it very difficult to keep on a high level of thought and musical language. 932 Trains. Cf. "treson and trayne," Morte Arthure, ed. Brock, 4192. Der. M.E. traynen, 'to entice;' O.Fr. trahinar, Low Lat. trahinare, 'to drag.' (Sk.) 933 Gins. 'Contrivances.' Fr. engin, Lat. ingenium. 934 Thyer remarks that this allusion to Circe and the Sirens is out of place. Dr. Johnson (Rambler, No. 140) has a similar criticism on such allusions, and especially on the allusion to the Phoenix (line 1699, et seq). The warbling charms may be connected with adder's wisdom (line 936; Psalm lviii. 4, 5), and not refer to the Sirens; but the fair enchanted cup can scarce refer to any but Circe. 939 Could. So in the original, but altered into "could'st" in most of the editions since. (M.) 945 Uxorious. 'Devoted to,' 'dependent on' my wife. 948 Several editions have a comma after "censuring." Prof. Masson has a comma after "and" as well. These editions seem to consider the meaning to be, 'How would'st thou, in thy censure of me, frown or smile?' I have preferred to consider the meaning to be, 'How would'st thou censure my smile or frown?' We have just before, "How would'st thou gloss upon my words?" Censuring; i.e. ‘taking account of,' 'appraising.' 949 This jail. Pointing to the prison close at hand. How shall I part? And whither wander down And wild."-Paradise Lost, xi. 281, et seq. 951 Pretty, perhaps pathetic; and such touch might awaken sweet remembrance. |