Sore beat by storms in Glory's arduous way,
Here might Ambition mufe, a pilgrim fage;
Here raptur'd fee, Religion's evening ray
Gild the calm walks of his repofing age.

Here ancient Art her dædal fancies play'd
In the quaint mazes of the crisped roof;
In mellow glooms the speaking pane array'd,
And rang'd the cluster'd column, maffy proof.

60

V. 62. —the crifped roof;] And above, in Verfes to Sir Fof. Reynolds, ver. 72. "the crifped nich." The word must be underftood of the curious fretwork, which winds and interlaces itself, in every direction, over the roofs and tabernacles of Gothic buildings.

V. 63. the fpeaking pane-] Verfes to Sir J. Reynolds, ver. 4. "the fpeaking glass.”

V. 64. And rang'd the clufter'd column, maffy proof.] Il Penf

ver. 157:

And love the high embowed roof,

With antick pillars may proof.

Maffy proof, that is (fays Bp. Warburton) proof against a great "weight. So, in the poem of Arcades,

-branching elm ftar-proof;

"that is, which will refift the evil influence of the planets.” And in this explanation, as to that part of it, which concerns the etymology, Dr. Hurd, Mr. Warton, Mr. Todd, and the other commentators on Milton appear to have acquiefced, or at least have not objected to it; though it is evidently unfounded. “Star-proof” and" fun-proof" doubtlefs mean proof againft, or (in Milton's words)." impenetrable to, ftar or fun light :" but by no analogy can. maffy-proof be analyfed into "proof against a great weight," or maffivenefs; unless it be contended, and furely it will not, that

Here Learning, guarded from a barbarous age, 65
Hover'd awhile, nor dar'd attempt the day;
But patient trac'd upon the pictur'd page
The holy legend, or heroic lay,

Hither the folitary minstrel came

69

An honour'd guest, while the grim evening fky

"maffy" is a fubftantive. Milton however may be still made to illuftrate himself. In Samfon Agoniftes it is faid that Samfon, weaponlefs himself,

Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery

Of brazen fhield and fpear, the hammer'd cuirafs,
Chalybean temper'd fteel, and frock of mail

Adamantean proof. Ver. 130.

"Adamantean proof" here evidently does not mean proof against adamant; the frock of mail was adamantean (tunica adamantina), and proof or impenetrable; as the fteel mentioned before was chalybean (chalybeum ferrum) and tempered. In each cafe are two adjectives agreeing with one fubftantive, though not connected by the copulative: and thus in the paffage, with which we set out, the pillars are maffy and proof, or immoveable. That "proof" may be used thus abfolutely appears from the following:

Now put your fhields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.

This paffage is quoted from Shak fpere by Dr. Johnson on the word, but without reference to the play. The above explanation will hold, whether the word is confidered to be an adjective, or to be used elliptically (as Dr. Johnson says) for " of proof.”

Suicide, ver. 7. "Lower'd the grim morn." Milton speaks of "grim fires" in Par. Loft, ii. 170. and "Death's grim cave" in xi. 469.

Hung lowering, and around the focial flame
Tun'd his bold harp to tales of chivalry.

Thus fings the Mufe, all penfive and alone; Nor fcorns, within the deep fane's inmost cell, To pluck the gray mofs from the mantled ftone, Some holy founder's mouldering name to fpell.

Thus fings the Mufe:-yet partial as she sings,
With fond regret furveys these ruin'd piles :
And with fair images of ancient things
The captive bard's obfequious mind beguiles. so

But much we pardon to th' ingenuous Mufe;
Her fairy fhapes are trick'd by Fancy's pen:
Severer Reafon forms far other views,
And scans the scene with philofophic ken.

V. 75. the gray mofs] So Spenfer in the Faerie Queene,
-did spread

Their arms abroad with gray mosse overcast.. I. ii. 28.

And in the Shepherd's Calendar, February :

But now the gray moffe marred his rine.

V. S2. Her fairy fhapes are trick'd by Fancy's pen:] "Tricked," which means adorned, dreffed out, is used by Milton in Il Penf. ver. 123:

Not trick'd and frounc'd as fhe was wont.

And in a fublime paffage in Lycidas, ver. 170:

And tricks his beams, and with new-fpangled ore
Flames in the forehead of the morning fky.

But the word is not yet out of use.

From these deserted domes new glories rife; 85 More useful institutes, adorning man,

Manners enlarg'd, and new civilities,

On fresh foundations build the focial plan.

90

Science, on ampler plume, a bolder flight Effays, efcap'd from Superstition's shrine ; While freed Religion, like primeval light Bursting from chaos, fpreads her warmth divine.

SOLITUDE, AT AN INN.

(Written May 15, 1769.)

OFT upon the twilight plain,
Circled with thy fhadowy train,
While the dove at diftance coo'd,
Have I met thee, Solitude!

Then was loneliness to me

Best and true fociety.

But, ah! how alter'd is thy mien
In this fad deserted scene!
Here all thy claffic pleafures cease,
Musing mild, and thoughtful peace:
Here thou com'ft in fullen mood,
Not with thy fantastic brood
Of magic shapes and visions airy
Beckon'd from the land of Fairy :
'Mid the melancholy void

Not a penfive charm enjoy'd!
No poetic being here

Strikes with airy founds mine ear;

V. 5. Then was loneliness to me

Beft and true fociety.]

Par. Loft, ix. 249 :

For folitude fometimes is beft fociety.

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