Thy maidens, grieved themselves at my concern,
Oft gave me promise of thy quick return;
What ardently I wished, I long believed;
And, disappointed still, was still deceived;
By expectation, every day beguiled,
Dupe of to-morrow, even when a child. 
Thus many a sad to-morrow came and went,
Till, all my stock of infant sorrows spent,
I learned at last submission to my lot;
But, though I less deplored thee, ne’er forgot.

My boast is not that I deduce my birth
From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth;
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,—­
The son of parents passed into the skies. 
And now, farewell!  Time, unrevoked, has run
His wonted course, yet what I wished is done.

By Contemplation’s help, not sought in vain,
I seem to have lived my childhood o’er again;
To have renewed the joys that once were mine,
Without the sin of violating thine;
And, while the wings of Fancy still are free,
And I can view this mimic show of thee,
Time has but half succeeded in his theft,—­
Thyself removed, thy power to soothe me left.

LXXXV.  DEATH OF SAMSON. (312)

John Milton, 1608-1674, was born in London—­eight years before the greatest English poet, Shakespeare, died.  His father followed the profession of a scrivener, in which he acquired a competence.  As a boy, Milton was exceedingly studious, continuing his studies till midnight.  He graduated at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where his singular beauty, his slight figure, and his fastidious morality caused his companions to nickname him “the lady of Christ’s.”  On leaving college he spent five years more in study, and produced his lighter poems.  He then traveled on the continent, returning about the time the civil war broke out.  For a time he taught a private school, but soon threw himself with all the power of his able and tried pen into the political struggle.  He was the champion of Parliament and of Cromwell for about twenty years.  On the accession of Charles ii., he concealed himself for a time, but was soon allowed to live quietly in London.  His eyesight had totally failed in 1654; but now, in blindness, age, family affliction, and comparative poverty, he produced his great work “Paradise Lost.”  In 1667 he sold the poem for 5 Pounds in cash, with a promise of 10 Pounds more on certain contingencies; the sum total received by himself and family for the immortal poem, was 23 Pounds.  Later, he produced “Paradise Regained” and “Samson Agonistes,” from the latter of which the following extract is taken.  Milton is a wonderful example of a man, who, by the greatness of his own mind, triumphed over trials, afflictions, hardships, and the evil influence of bitter political controversy. ###

Occasions drew me early to this city;
And, as the gates I entered with sunrise,
The morning trumpets festival proclaimed
Through each high street:  little I had dispatched,
When all abroad was rumored that this day
Samson should be brought forth, to show the people
Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games. 
I sorrowed at his captive state,
But minded not to be absent at that spectacle.