INTERPOLATION IN BEZA.

Essay, page 119.

  Stygemque testor, et profunda Tartari,
  Nisi impediret livor, et queis prosequor
  Odia supremum numen, atque hominum genus,
  Pietate motus hinc patris, et hinc filii,
  Possem parenti condolere et filio,
  “Quasi exuissem omnem malitiam ex pectore.”

INTERPOLATION IN FLETCHER.

Essay, page 124.

  Nec tamen aeternos obliti (absiste timere)
  Umquam animos, fessique ingentes ponimus iras. 
  Nec fas; non sic deficimus, nec talia tecum
  Gessimus, in coelos olim tua signa secuti. 
  Est hic, est vitae et magni contemptor Olympi,
  Quique oblatam animus lucis nunc respuat aulam,
  Et domiti tantum placeat cui regia coeli. 
  Ne dubita, numquam fractis haec pectora, numquam
  Deficient animis:  prius ille ingentia coeli
  Atria, desertosque aeternae lucis alumnos
  Destituens, Erebum admigret noctemque profundam,
  Et Stygiis mutet radiantia lumina flammis. 
  “In promptu caussa est:  superest invicta voluntas,
  Immortale odium, vindictae et saeva cupido.”

INTERPOLATIONS IN TAUBMAN.

Essay, page 132.

  Tune, ait, imperio regere omnia solus; et una
  Filius iste tuus, qui se tibi subjicit ultro,
  Ac genibus minor ad terram prosternit, et offert
  Nescio quos toties animi servilis bonores? 
  Et tamen aeterni proles aeterna Jehovae
  Audit ab aetherea luteaque propagine mundi. 
  ("Scilicet hunc natum dixisti cuncta regentem;
  Caelitibus regem cunctis, dominumque supremum”)
  Huic ego sim supplex? ego? quo praestantior alter
  Non agit in superis.  Mihi jus dabit ille, suum qui
  Dat caput alterius sub jus et vincula legum? 
  Semideus reget iste polos? reget avia terrae? 
  Me pressum leviore manu fortuna tenebit? 
  “Et cogar aeternum duplici servire tyranno?”
  Haud ita.  Tu solus non polles fortibus ausis. 
  Non ego sic cecidi, nec sic mea fata premuntur,
  Ut nequeam relevare caput, colloque superbum
  Excutere imperium.  Mihi si mea dextra favebit,
  Audeo totius mihi jus promittere mundi.

Essay, page 152.

“Throni, dominationes, principatus, virtutes, potestates,” is said to be a line borrowed by Milton from the title-page of Heywood’s Hierarchy of Angels.  But there are more words in Heywood’s title; and, according to his own arrangement of his subjects, they should be read thus:—­ “Seraphim, cherubim, throni, potestates, angeli, archangeli, principatus, dominationes.”

These are my interpolations, minutely traced without any arts of evasion.  Whether from the passages that yet remain, any reader will be convinced of my general assertion, and allow, that Milton had recourse for assistance to any of the authors whose names I have mentioned, I shall not now be very diligent to inquire, for I had no particular pleasure in subverting the reputation of Milton, which I had myself once endeavoured to exalt[1]; and of which, the foundation had always remained untouched by me, had not my credit and my interest been blasted, or thought to be blasted, by the shade which it cast from its boundless elevation.