state. Thus did Dion Prusæus, a stranger and a private orator, counsel the Rhodians against a former edict: and I abound with other like examples, which to set here would be superfluous. But if from the industry of a life wholly dedicated to studious labours, and those natural endowments, haply not the worst for two and fifty degrees of northern latitude, so much must be derogated as to count me not equal to any of those who had this privilege, I would obtain to be thought not so inferior as yourselves are superior, to the most of them who received their counsel: and how 100 far you excel them, be assured, Lords and Commons, there can no greater testimony appear, than when your prudent spirit acknowledges and obeys the voice of reason, from what quarter soever it be heard speaking; and renders ye as willing to repeal any act of your own setting forth, as any set forth by your predecessors. 91. Dion Prusæus. Dion of Prusæus in Bithynia. He was an orator of such eloquence as to be called Chrysostom, or golden-mouthed, and was expelled from Rome by Domitian. He afterwards returned to Rome and died there in 117 A.D. The discourse referred to is one in which he found fault with the Rhodians for altering the names and inscriptions on their old statues and replacing them by brasses of living favourites. 91, 92. a private orator, a writer of speeches, like Milton himself and Isokrates. 94, 95. wholly dedicated to studious labours. "I must say, therefore, that after I had from my first years, by the ceaseless diligence and care of my father, whom God recompense, been exercised to the tongues and some sciences, as my age would suffer, by sundry masters and teachers both at home and in the schools ... but much latelier in the private academies of Italy. . I might ... perhaps leave something SO "As soon as I was able I hired 96. two and fifty degrees, Milton me. 104. it be heard, Milton's accurate use of the subjunctive mood. 106. So far this is the Exordium or opening of the speech, in which Milton has given his reasons for writing, and has prepared his audience to lend him a favourable hearing by lauding their past good deeds, and by declaring their willingness to reconsider. We next get the Statement and the Argument. If ye be thus resolved, as it were injury to think ye were not, I know not what should withhold me from presenting ye with a fit instance wherein to show both that love of truth 10 which ye eminently profess, and that uprightness of your judgment which is not wont to be partial to yourselves; by judging over again that Order which ye have ordained "to regulate Printing :-That no book, pamphlet, or paper shall be henceforth printed, unless the same be first approved and licensed by such," or at least one of such as shall be thereto appointed. For that part which preserves justly every man's copy to himself, or provides for the poor, I touch not: only wish they be not made pretences to "abuse and persecute honest and painful men, who offend not in any of these 120 particulars. But that other clause of Licensing Books, which we thought had died with his brother quadragesimal and matrimonial when the prelates expired, I shall now attend with such a homily, as shall lay before y First the inventors of it to be those whom ye will be loth to own; next, what is to be thought in general of reading, whatever sort the books be; and that this Order avails 107. The three subjunctives In this line are worthy of notice. 116. every man's copy, etc. See the second half of the second section of the Order, beginning: "And that no person or persons shall hereafter print." Milton, of course, approves respect for copyright. 119. painful, full of pains, painstaking. 120. that other clause. See the first half of the second section. 121. his, its. See Chapter on Language. 121. quadragesimal, Lenten regulations retained by the Reformed Church. 122. matrimonial, Marriage nothing to the suppressing of Licenses, against which Milton wrote in his "Tractate Divorce." on |