Chapter 3
_Claribel_, 19, "the babbling runnel _crispeth_." In the present case the reference is to the foliage of the trees.
985. ~spruce~, gay. This word, now applied to persons with a touch of levity, was formerly used both of things and persons in the sense of gay or neat. Compare the present and earlier uses of the word _jolly_, on which Pattison says:--"This is an instance of the disadvantage under which poetry in a living language labours. No knowledge of the meaning which a word bore in 1631 can wholly banish the later and vulgar associations which may have gathered round it since. Apart from direct parody and burlesque, the tendency of living speech is gradually to degrade the noble; so that as time goes on the range of poetical expression grows from generation to generation more and more restricted." The origin of the word _spruce_ is disputed: Skeat holds that it is a corruption of Pruce (old Fr. _Pruce_, mod. Fr. _Prusse_) = Prussia; we read in the 14th century of persons dressed after the fashion of Prussia or Spruce, and Prussia was called Sprussia by some English writers up to the beginning of the 17th century. See also Trench, _Select Glossary_.
986. ~The Graces~. The three Graces of classical mythology were Euphrosyne (the light-hearted one), Aglaia (the bright one), and Thalia (the blooming one). See _L'Alleg._ 12: "Euphrosyne ... Whom lovely Venus, at a birth, With two sister Graces more, To ivy-crownèd Bacchus bore." They were sometimes represented as daughters of Zeus, and as the goddesses who purified and enhanced all the innocent pleasures of life. ~rosy-bosomed Hours~. The Hours (Horæ) of classical mythology were the goddesses of the Seasons, whose course was described as the dance of the Horæ. The Hora of Spring accompanied Persephone every year on her ascent from the lower world, and the expression "The chamber of the Horæ opens" is equivalent to "The Spring is coming." 'Rosy-bosomed'; the Gk. +rhodokolpos+: compare the epithets 'rosy-fingered' (applied by Homer to the dawn), 'rosy-armed,' etc.
989. ~musky ... fling~. Compare _Par. Lost_, viii. 515: "Fresh gales and gentle airs Whispered it to the woods, and from their wings Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub." In this passage the verb _fling_ is similarly used. 'Musky' = fragrant: comp. 'musk-rose,' l. 496.
990. ~cedarn alleys~, _i.e._ alleys of cedar trees. For 'alley,' comp. l. 311. For the form of 'cedarn,' see note on 'azurn,' l. 893. Tennyson uses the word 'cedarn' in _Recoll. of Arab. Nights_, 115.
991. ~Nard and cassia~; two aromatic plants. Cassia is a name sometimes applied to the wild cinnamon: nard is also called _spike-nard_; see allusion in the Bible, _Mark_, xiv. 3; _Exod._ xxx. 24, etc.
992. ~Iris ... humid bow~: see note, l. 83. The allusion is, of course, to the rainbow.
993. ~blow~, here used actively = cause to blossom: comp. Jonson, _Mask at Highgate_, "For thee, Favonius, here shall _blow_ New flowers."
995. ~purfled~ = having an embroidered edge (O.F. _pourfiler_): the verb _to purfle_ survives in the contracted form _to purl_, and is cognate with profile = a front line or edge. ~shew~: here rhymes with _dew_; comp. l. 511, 512. This points to the fact that in Milton's time the present pronunciation of _shew_, though familiar, was not the only one recognised.
996. ~drenches with Elysian dew~, _i.e._ soaks with heavenly dew. The Homeric Elysium is described in _Odyssey_, iv.: see note, l. 977; it was afterwards identified with the abode of the blessed, l. 257. _Drench_ is the causative of _drink_: here the nominative of the verb is 'Iris' and the object 'beds.'
997. ~if your ears be true~, _i.e._ if your ears be pure: the poet is about to speak of that which cannot be understood by those with "gross unpurgèd ear" (_Arc._ 73, and _Com._ l. 458). He alludes to that pure Love which "leads up to Heaven," _Par. Lost_, viii. 612.
998. ~hyacinth~. This is the "sanguine flower inscribed with woe" of _Lycidas_, 106: it sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus, a youth beloved by Apollo.
999. ~Adonis~, the beloved of Venus, died of a wound which he received from a boar during the chase. The grief of Venus was so great that the gods of the lower world allowed him to spend six months of every year on earth. The story is of Asiatic origin, and is supposed to be symbolic of the revival of nature in spring and its death in winter. Comp. _Par. Lost_, ix. 439, "those gardens feigned Or of revived Adonis," etc.
1000. ~waxing well of~, _i.e._ recovering from. The A.S. _weaxan_ = to grow or increase: Shakespeare has 'man of wax' = adult, _Rom. and Jul._ i. 3. 76; see also Index to Globe _Shakespeare_.
1002. ~Assyrian queen~, _i.e._ Venus, whose worship came from the East, probably from Assyria. She was originally identical with Astarte, called by the Hebrews Ashteroth: see _Par. Lost_, i. 438-452, where Adonis appears as Thammuz.
1003, 4. ~far above ... advanced~. These words are to be read together: 'advanced' is an attribute to 'Cupid,' and is modified by 'far above.'
1003. ~spangled sheen~, glittering brightness. 'Spangled': _spangle_ is a diminutive of _spang_ = a metal clasp, and hence 'a shining ornament.' In poetry it is common to speak of the stars as 'spangles' and of the heavens as 'spangled': comp. Addison's well-known lines:
"The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal sky, And _spangled_ heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim."
Comp. also _Lyc._ 170, "with _new-spangled_ ore." 'Sheen' is here used as a noun, as in line 893; also in _Hymn Nat._ 145, "throned in celestial _sheen_": _Epitaph on M. of W._ 73, "clad in radiant _sheen_." The word occurs in Spenser as an adjective also: comp. "her dainty corse so fair and _sheen_," _F. Q._ ii. 1. 10. In the line "By fountain clear or spangled starlight _sheen_" (_M. N. D._ ii. l. 29) it is doubtful whether the word is a noun or an adjective. Milton uses the adjective _sheeny_ (_Death of Fair Infant_, 48).
1004. ~Celestial Cupid~. The ordinary view of Cupid is given in the note to line 445; here he is the lover of Psyche (the human soul) to whom he is united after she has been purified by a life of trial and misfortune. The myth of Cupid and Psyche is as follows: Cupid was in love with Psyche, but warned her that she must not seek to know who he was. Yielding to curiosity, however, she drew near to him with a lamp while he was asleep. A drop of the hot oil falling on him, he awoke, and fled from her. She now wandered from place to place, persecuted by Venus; but after great sorrow, during which she was secretly supported by Cupid, she became immortal and was united to him for ever. In this story Psyche represents the human soul (Gk. +psychê+), which is disciplined and purified by earthly misfortune and so fitted for the enjoyment of true happiness in heaven. Further, in Milton's Allegory it is only the soul so purified that is capable of knowing true love: in his _Apology for Smectymnuus_ he calls it that Love "whose charming cup is only virtue," and whose "first and chiefest office ... begins and ends in the soul, producing those happy twins of her divine generation, Knowledge and Virtue." To this high and mystical love Milton again alludes in _Epitaphium Damonis_:
"In other part, the expansive vault above, And there too, even there the god of love; With quiver armed he mounts, his torch displays A vivid light, his gem-tipt arrows blaze, Around his bright and fiery eyes he rolls, Nor aims at vulgar minds or little souls, Nor deigns one look below, but aiming high Sends every arrow to the lofty sky; Hence forms divine, and minds immortal, learn The power of Cupid, and enamoured burn."
_Cowper's translation._
1007. ~among~: preposition governing 'gods.'
1008. ~make~: subjunctive after 'till.' Its nominative is 'consent.'
1010. ~blissful~, blest. _Bliss_ is cognate with _bless_ and _blithe_. Comp. "the _blest_ kingdoms meek of joy and love," _Lyc._ 177. ~are to be born~. There seems to be here a confusion of constructions between the subjunctive co-ordinate with _make_ and the indicative dependent in meaning on "Jove hath sworn" in the following line.
1011. ~Youth and Joy~. Everlasting youth and joy are found only after the trials of earth are past. So Spenser makes Pleasure the daughter of Cupid and Psyche, but she is "the daughter late," _i.e._ she is possible only to the purified soul. See also note on l. 1004.
1012. ~my task~, _i.e._ the task alluded to in line 18. This line is an adverbial clause = Now that (or _because_) my task is smoothly done.
1013. The Spirit's task being finished he is free to soar where he pleases. There seems to be implied the injunction that mankind can by virtue alone attain to the same spiritual freedom.
1014. ~green earth's end~. The world as known to the ancients did not extend much beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. The Cape Verd Islands, which lie outside these straits, may be here referred to: comp. _Par. Lost_, viii. 630:
"But I can now no more; the parting sun Beyond the earth's green Cape and Verdant Isles Hesperean sets, my signal to depart."
1015. ~bowed welkin~: the meaning of the line is, "Where the arched sky curves slowly towards the horizon." _Welkin_ is, radically, "the region of clouds," A.S. _wolcnu_, clouds.
1017. ~corners of the moon~, _i.e._ its horns. The crescent moon is said to be 'horned' (Lat. _cornu_, a horn). Comp. the lines in _Macbeth_, iii. 5. 23, 24: "Upon the corners of the moon There hangs a vaporous drop profound."
1020. ~She can teach ye how to climb~, etc. Compare Jonson's song to Virtue:
"Though a stranger here on earth In heaven she hath her right of birth. There, there is Virtue's seat: Strive to keep her your own; 'Tis only she can make you great, Though place here make you known."
1021. ~sphery chime~, _i.e._ the music of the spheres. "To climb higher than the sphery chime" means to ascend beyond the spheres into the empyrean or true heaven--the abode of God and the purest Spirits. Milton therefore implies that by virtue alone can we come into God's presence. See note on "the starry quire," line 112. 'Chime' is strictly 'harmony,' as in "silver _chime_," _Hymn Nat._ 128: the word is cognate with _cymbal_.
1022, 3. ~if Virtue feeble were~, etc. A triumphant expression of that confidence in the invincibleness of virtue, when aided by Divine Providence, and therefore a fitting conclusion of the whole masque. Milton's whole life reveals his unshaken belief in the truth expressed in the last two lines of his _Comus_.
INDEX TO THE NOTES.
A.
Acheron, 604.
Adonis, 999.
Adventurous, 79.
Advice, 108; advised, 755.
Affects, 386.
Alabaster, 660.
All, 714, 981.
All ear, 560.
Alley, 311, 990.
All-giver, 723.
All to-ruffled, 380.
Amber-dropping, 863.
Ambrosial, 16.
Amiss, 177.
Apace, 657.
Arbitrate, 411.
Asphodel, 838.
Assays, 972.
Assyrian Queen, 1002.
Ay me, 511.
Azurn, 893.
B.
Backward, 817.
Baited, 162.
Bandite, 426.
Be, 12, 519.
Benison, 332.
Beryl, 933.
Beseeming, 769.
Blank, 452.
Blissful, 1010.
Blue-haired, 29.
Blow, 993.
Bolt, 760.
Bosky, 313.
Bourn, 313.
Brakes, 147.
Brimmed, 925.
Brinded, 443.
Brute, 797.
Budge, 707.
Burs, 352.
C.
Cassia, 991.
Cast, 360.
Cateress, 764.
Cedarn, 990.
Centre, 382.
Certain, 266.
Chance, 508.
Charactered, 530.
Charmèd, 51.
Charnel, carnal, 471.
Charybdis, 257.
Chime, 1021.
Chimeras, 517.
Circe, 50.
Clime, 977.
Close, 548.
Clouted, 635.
Company, 274.
Comus, 46, 58.
Convoy, 81.
Cordial, 672.
Corners, 1017.
Cotes, 344.
Cotytto, 129.
Courtesy, 325.
Cozened, 737.
Crabbed, 477.
Crisped, 984.
Crofts, 531.
Crowned, 934.
Curfew, 435.
Curious, 714.
Cynic, 708.
Cynosure, 342.
D.
Dapper, 118.
Darked, 730.
Dear, 790.
Dell, 312.
Descry, 141.
Dew-besprent, 542.
Dimple, 119.
Dingle, 312.
Disinherit, 334.
Ditty, 86.
Drench, 996.
Drouth, 66.
Drowsy frighted, 553.
Due, 12.
Dun, 127.
Durst, 577.
E.
Each ... every, 19, 311.
Earth-shaking, 869.
Ebon, 134.
Ecstasy, 261, 625.
Element, 299.
Elysium, 257.
Emblaze, 732.
Emprise, 610.
Engaged, 193.
Enow, 780.
Erebus, 804.
Every ... each, 19, 311.
Eye, 329.
F.
Faery, 298.
Fairly, 168.
Fantastic, 144, 205.
Fence, 791.
Firmament, 598.
Fond, 67.
For, 586, 602.
Forestalling, 285.
Forlorn, 39.
Fraught, 355, 732.
Freezed, 449.
Frighted, 553.
Frolic, 59.
G.
Gear, 167.
Glistering, 219.
Glozing, 161.
Goodly, 968.
Graces, 986.
Grain, 750.
Granges, 175.
Gratulate, 949.
Grisly, 603.
Guise, 961.
H.
Haemony, 638.
Hag, 434.
Hallo, 226.
Hapless, 350.
Harpies, 605.
Harrowed, 565.
Heave, 885.
Hecate, 135.
Help, 304, 845.
Hence, 824.
Her, 351, 455.
Hesperian, 393.
High, 654.
Hinds, 174.
Holiday, 959.
Home-felt, 262.
Homely, 748.
Horror, 38.
Hours, 986.
How chance, 508.
Huswife, 751.
Hutched, 719.
Hyacinth, 998.
Hydras. 605.
I.
Imbathe, 837.
Imbodies, 468.
Imbrutes, 468.
Immured, 521.
Infamous, 424.
Infer, 408.
Influence, 336.
Inlay, 22.
Innumerous, 349.
Insphered, 3.
Interwove, 544.
Inured, 735.
Iris, 83.
Isle, 21.
J.
Jocund, 172.
Jollity, 104.
Julep, 672.
K.
Knot-grass, 542.
L.
Lackey, 455.
Lake, 865.
Languished, 744.
Lank, 836.
Lap, 257.
Lawn, 568.
Lees, 809.
Leucothea, 875.
Lewdly-pampered, 770.
Like, 22, 634.
Lime-twigs, 646.
Liquid, 980.
Liquorish, 700.
Listed, 49.
Listened, 551.
Liveried, 455.
Lore, 34.
Love-lorn, 234.
Luscious, 652.
M.
Madness, 261.
Madrigal, 495.
Mansion, 2.
Mantling, 294.
Many a, 949.
Margent, 232.
Me, 163, 630.
Meander, 232.
Meditate, 547.
Melancholy, 810.
Methought, 171.
Meliboeus, 822.
Mickle, 31.
Mildew, 640.
Mincing, 964.
Mintage, 529.
Misusèd, 47.
Moly, 636.
Monstrous, 533.
Mountaineer, 426.
Morrice, 116.
Mortal, 10.
Murmurs, 526.
Mutters, 817.
My, mine, 170.
N.
Naiades, 254.
Nard, 991.
Navel, 520.
Necromancer, 649.
Nectar, 479.
Neighbour, 484.
Nepenthes, 675.
Nereus, 835.
Nether, 20.
New-intrusted, 36.
Nice, 139.
Night-foundered, 483.
Nightingale, 234.
Nightly, 113.
Nor ... nor, 784.
O.
Oaten, 345, 893.
Oceanus, 97, 868.
Of, 59, 155, 836, 1000.
Ominous, 61.
Orient, 65.
Other, 612.
Oughly-headed, 695.
Ounce, 71.
Over-exquisite, 359.
Over-multitude, 731.
P.
Palmer, 189.
Pan, 176.
Pard, 444.
Parley, 241.
Pent, 499.
Perfect, 73, 203.
Perplexed, 37.
Pert, 118.
Pestered, 7.
Pinfold, 7.
Plight, 372.
Plighted, 301
Plumes, 378.
Potion, 68.
Pranked, 759.
Presentments, 156.
Prime, 289.
Prithee, 615.
Prove, 123.
Purchase, 607.
Purfled, 995.
Psyche, 1004.
Q.
Quaint, 157.
Quarters, 29.
Quire, 112.
Quivered, 422.
R.
Rapt, 794.
Ravishment, 244.
Reared, 836.
Recks, 404.
Regard, 620.
Rifted, 518.
Rite, 125.
Roost, 317.
Rosy-bosomed, 986.
Rout, 92-93.
Rule, 340.
Rushy-fringed, 890.
S.
Sabrina, 826.
Sadly, 509.
Sampler, 751.
Saws, 110.
Scape, 814.
Scylla, 257.
Serene, 4.
Several, 25.
Shagged, 429.
Shapes, 2.
Sheen, 893, 1003.
Shell, 231, 837.
Shew, 995.
Shoon, 635.
Should, 482.
Shrewd, 846.
Shrouds, 147.
Shuddering, 802.
Siding, 212.
Simples, 627.
Single, 204.
Sirens, 253, 878.
Sleeking, 882.
Slope, 98.
Solemnity, 142.
Soothest, 823.
Sooth-saying, 874.
Sounds, 115.
Sovran, 41, 639.
Spangled, 1003.
Spell, 154.
Spets, 132.
Sphery, 1021.
Spruce, 985.
Square, 329.
Squint, 413.
Stabled, 534.
Star of Arcady, 341.
State, 35.
Stead, 611.
Step-dame, 830.
Still, 560.
Stoic, 707.
Stops, 345.
Storied, 516.
Straight, 811.
Strook, 301.
Stygian, 132.
Sun-clad, 782.
Sung, 256.
Sure, 148.
Surrounding, 403.
Swain, 497.
Swart, 436.
Swinked, 293.
Sylvan, 268.
Syrups, 674.
T.
Tapestry, 324.
Temple, 461.
Thyrsis, 494.
Timely, 689, 970.
Tinsel-slippered, 877.
To-ruffled, 380.
To seek, 366.
Toy, 502.
Trains, 151.
Treasonous, 702.
Trippings, 961.
Turkis, 894.
Tuscan, 48.
Twain, 284.
Tyrrhene, 49.
U.
Unblenched, 430.
Unenchanted, 395.
Unmuffle, 331.
Unprincipled, 367.
Unweeting, 539.
Unwithdrawing, 711.
Urchin, 845.
V.
Various, 379.
Venturous, 609.
Vermeil-tinctured, 752.
Very, 427.
Vialed, 847.
Viewless, 92.
Violet-embroidered, 233.
Virtue, 165, 621.
Visage, 333.
Vizored, 698.
Votarist, 189.
W.
Wakes, 121.
Warranted, 327.
Wassailers, 179.
Waste, 728, 942.
Weeds, 16.
Welkin, 1015.
What need, 362.
Whilom, 827.
Whit, 774.
Who, 728.
Wily, 151.
Wink, 401.
Wished, 574, 950.
Wizard, 571, 872.
Wont, 332, 549.
Woof, 83.
Y.
Ye, 216.
GLASGOW: PRINTED BY ROBERT MACLEHOSE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.