Task'-in Cowley's works-Milton the earliest English epic writer-Southey-Scott-Byron-The epic quality of their Milton's juvenile poems-' L'Allegro' and 'Il Penseroso' considered with reference to originality' Comus'' Lyci- Milton's Sonnets - Suggested by Dante's-- Spenser's and Shakspeare's Sonnets too much commended-Superiority of Milton's His naked grandeur of language-His power of description and compression-Johnson's opinion of Milton's ILLUSTRATIONS. VOL. I. PORTRAIT OF MILTON in his 62nd year, from FAITHORNE'S original drawing W. C. EDWARDS. MUSTERING OF THE WARRIOR-ANGELS. - PARADISE LOST.' Book vi. J. M. W. TURNER, R.A. ROBERT BRANDARD. "Go, Michael! of celestial armies Prince; In dusky wreaths reluctant flames. ** At which command the powers militant In silence their bright legions. VOL. 1. b PREFACE. I AM desirous to say a few words on the arduous task I have undertaken. I am called upon to show that the subject I have chosen required a new attempt to put it in its true light. The lives already given to the public of the immortal author of Paradise Lost' are numerous. It may seem ungracious to speak of my predecessors, if not with unqualified praise; yet it is necessary. The foundation of all the Memoirs of the Poet is that which was written by his nephew Edward Philips: his personal knowledge of the bard gives authenticity to all he relates; but it is a piece of biography brief and bare. How much more interesting it would have been, had it been written in the amiable and sentimental, though half-gossiping style of old Isaac Walton ! Toland took up the subject, and collected much useful matter; but he was a heavy writer, who never enjoyed much favour with the public. The |