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Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish
Our lips benumn'd, ere this diurnal star

Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 1070
Reflected, may with matter sere foment
Or by collision of two bodies grind
The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds

1068. Some better shroud,] Spenser frequently uses shroud for shelter:

But trembling fear still to and fro did fly,

And found no place where safe he
shroud him might.

Faery Queen, b. ii. c. vii. st. 22.
And so Milton, Comus, 316, and
Par. Reg. iv. 419. Dunster.

1069. -ere this diurnal star
Leave cold the night,]
The diurnal star is the star of
day, the sun, as in Lycidas,

So sinks the day star in the ocean bed:

So that this is spoken as if it was now day, whereas it was night a little before. See ver. 846. And after Leave cold the night there should be only a comma as in Milton's own editions, and not a colon as in Dr. Bentley's; for how we his gathered beams &c. still refers to which bids us seek.

1071. with matter sere foment,] Sere Engos (Greek) dry: according to Virgil's exact description, Æn. i. 175.

Suscepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum

Nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fo mite flammam.

Hume.

I find the word sere used like

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Justling or push'd with winds rude in their shock

Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine,

And sends a comfortable heat from far,

Which might supply the sun such fire to use,
And what may else be remedy or cure

1076

1085

To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 1080
He will instruct us praying, and of grace
Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd
By him with many comforts, till we end
In dust, our final rest and native home.
What better can we do, than to the place
Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall
Before him reverent, and there confess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow' unfeign'd, and humiliation meek?
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn

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1090

assurance in the poet, that what was once well said will bear repeating: and has the true air both of simplicity and grandeur. Bentley.

Dr. Bentley believes that Milton gave it meet: but I believe not. He seems to think that meek humiliation is tautology; but humiliation here is not humility: it is the act of humbling themselves before God. We have meek submission in xii. 597, Pearce.

From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
When angry most he seem'd and most severe,
What else but favour, grace, and mercy shone?

So spake our father penitent, nor Eve
Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
Repairing where he judg'd them, prostrate fell
Before him reverent, and both confess'd
Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears
Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow' unfeign'd, and humiliation meek,

1095

1100

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK XI.

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