Cowper's Milton [The Poetical Works, with Life, Notes and Tr. by W. Cowper. Ed. by W. Hayley]. - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810. Excerpt: ... And sits as safe as in a senate-house; For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, Or do his gray hairs any violence? But Beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard Of dragon-watch with unenchanted eye, To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit, From the rash hand of bold Incontinence. Yon may as well spread out the unsunn'd heaps Of miser's treasure by an outlaw's den, And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope Danger will wink on Opportunity, And let a single helpless maiden pass Uninjur'd in this wild surrounding waste. Of night, or loneliness, it recks me not; 1 fear the dread events that dog them both, Lest some ill-greeting touch attempt the person Of our unowned Sister. Elder Brother. I do not, Brother, Infer, as if I thought my Sister's state Secure, without all doubt or controversy, Yet, where an equal poise of hope and fear Does arbitrate the event, my nature is That I incline to hope, rather than fear, And gladly banish squint suspicion. My Sister is not so defenceless lefi As you imagine; she has a hidden strength, Which you remember not. Second Brother. What hidden strength, Unless the strength of Heaven, if you mean that? Elder Brother. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength, Which, if Heaven gave it, may be term'd her own "Pis Chastity, my Brother, Chastity: She, that has that, is clad in complete steel; And, like a quiver'd Nymph with arrows keen, May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths, Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds; Where, through the sacred rays of Chastity, No savage fierce, bandite, or mountaineer, Will dare to spoil her virgin purity: Yea there, where very Desolation dwells, By grots and caverns shagg'd with horrid shades, She may pass ...