BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION,
NAKED AND STERN; AND TO EFFEMINATE EARS
PERCHANCE EVEN HARSH; BUT WHO WILL DARE DISPUTE
HIS STRENGTH AND GRANDEUR?
SIR EGERTON BRYDGES.
MILTON THOU SHOULDST BE LIVING AT THIS HOUR.
......... RETURN TO US AGAIN,
AND GIVE US MANNERS, VIRTUE, FREEDOM, POWER.
THY SOUL WAS LIKE A STAR, AND DWELT APART:
THOU HADST A VOICE, WHOSE SOUND WAS LIKE THE SEA :
PURE AS THE NAKED HEAVENS, MAJESTIC, FREE;
SO DIDST THOU TRAVEL ON LIFE'S COMMON WAY,
IN CHEERFUL GODLINESS, AND YET THY HEART
THE LOWLIEST DUTIES ON HERSELF DID LAY.
HERMAN HOOKER, PUBLISHER, No. 16 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET.