affairs were not very intricate, nor authors very nu

merous.

For the fubject of his epick poem, after much deliberation, long chufing, and beginning late, he fixed upon Paradife Loft; a defign fo comprehenfive, that it could be justified only by fuccefs. He had once defigned to celebrate King Arthur, as he hints in his verses to Manfus; but Arthur was referved, fays Fenton, to another deftiny *.

It appears, by fome sketches of poetical projects left in manufcript, and to be seen in a library at Cambridge, that he had digefted his thoughts on this fubject into one of thofe wild dramas which were anciently called Myfteries; and Philips had feen what he terms part of a tragedy, beginning with the firft ten lines of Satan's addrefs to the Sun. Thefe myfteries confift of allegorical perfons; fuch as Justice, Mercy, Faith. Of the tragedy or mystery of Paradife Loft there are two plans:

* Id eft, to be the fubject of an heroic poem, written by Sir

Richard Blackmore.

H.

Trinity College. R.

Death.

Mofes, wpoλoyil, recounting how he affumed his true body; that it corrupts not, because it is with God in the mount; declares the like with Enoch and Elijah; befides the purity of the place, that certain pure winds, dews, and clouds, preferve it from corruption; whence exhorts to the fight of God; tells they cannot fee Adam in the ftate of innocence, by reason of their fin.

Justice,

Mercy,

Wisdom,

debating what should become of man, if he fall.

Chorus of Angels finging a hymn of the Creation.

Heavenly Love.

Evening Star.

ACT II.

Chorus fing the marriage-fong, and defcribe Paradife,

ACT III.

Lucifer contriving Adam's ruin.

Chorus fears for Adam, and relates Lucifer's rebellion and fall.

Confcience cites them to God's examination. Chorus bewails, and tells the good Adam has loft.

ACT V.

Adam and Eve driven out of Paradise.

--

prefented by an angel with

Labour, Grief, Hatred, Envy, War, Famine,

Peftilence, Sicknefs, Difcontent, Ignor. Mutes,

ance, Fear, Death,

To whom he gives their names.

Heat, Tempeft, &c.

Faith,

Hope,

Charity,

Likewife Winter,

comfort him and inftruft him.

Chorus briefly concludes.

Such

Such was his first defign, which could have produced only an allegory, or myftery. The following sketch feems to have attained more maturity.

Adam unparadifed:

The angel Gabriel, either defcending or entering; fhewing, fince this globe was created, his frequency as much on earth as in heaven; defcribes Paradife. Next, the Chorus, fhewing the reafon of his coming to keep his watch in Paradife, after Lucifer's rebellion, by command from God; and withal expreffing his defire to fee and know more concerning this excellent new creature, man. The angel Gabriel, as by his name fignifying a prince of power, tracing Paradise with a more free office, paffes by the ftation of the Chorus, and, defired by them, relates what he knew of man; as the creation of Eve, with their love and marriage. After this, Lucifer appears; after his overthrow, bemoans himself, feeks revenge on man. The Chorus prepare refiftance at his first approach. At laft, after difcourfe of enmity on either fide, he departs whereat the Chorus fings of the battle and victory in Heaven, against him and his accomplices: as before, after the first act, was sung a hymn of the creation. Here again may appear Lucifer, relating and infulting in what he had done to the deftruction of man. Man next, and Eve having by this time. been feduced by the Serpent, appears confufedly covered with leaves. Confcience, in a fhape, accufes him; Juftice cites him to the place whither Jehovah called for him. In the mean while, the Chorus entertains the stage, and is informed by fome angel the

manner of the fall. Here the Chorus bewails Adam's fall; Adam then and Eve return; accufe one another; but especially Adam lays the blame to his wife; is stubborn in his offence. Juftice appears, reasons with him, convinces him. The Chorus admonishes Adam, and bids him beware Lucifer's example of impenitence. The angel is sent to banish them out of Paradife; but before caufes to pafs before his eyes, in fhapes, a mask of all the evils of this life and world. Pe is humbled, relents, defpairs; at laft appears Mercy, comforts him, promifes the Meffiah; then calls in Faith, Hope, and Charity; inftructs him; he repents, gives God the glory, fubmits to his penalty. The Chorus briefly concludes. Compare this with the former draught.

Thefe are very imperfect rudiments of Paradife Loft; but it is pleasant to fee great works in their feminal ftate, pregnant with latent poffibilities of excellence; nor could there be any more delightful entertainment than to trace their gradual growth and expanfion, and to obferve how they are fometimes fuddenly advanced by accidental hints, and fometimes flowly improved by fteady meditation.

Invention is almoft the only literary labour which blindness cannot obftruct, and therefore he naturally folaced his folitude by the indulgence of his fancy, and the melody of his numbers. He had done what he knew to be neceffarily previous to poetical excellence; he had made himfelf acquainted with feemly arts and affairs; his comprehenfion was extended by various knowledge, and his memory ftored with intellectual treafures. He was fkilful in many languages, and had by reading and compofition attained the full maftery

of