er forgot.

My boast is not that I deduce my birth
From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth;
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,--
The son of parents passed into the skies.
And now, farewell! Time, unrevoked, has run
His wonted course, yet what I wished is done.

By Contemplation's help, not sought in vain,
I seem to have lived my childhood o'er again;
To have renewed the joys that once were mine,
Without the sin of violating thine;
And, while the wings of Fancy still are free,
And I can view this mimic show of thee,
Time has but half succeeded in his theft,--
Thyself removed, thy power to soothe me left.

LXXXV. DEATH OF SAMSON. (312)

John Milton, 1608-1674, was born in London--eight years before the
greatest English poet, Shakespeare, died. His father followed the
profession of a scrivener, in which he acquired a competence. As a boy,
Milton was exceedingly studious, continuing his studies till midnight. He
graduated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where his singular beauty, his
slight figure, and his fastidious morality caused his companions to
nickname him "the lady of Christ's." On leaving college he spent five
years more in study, and produced his lighter poems. He then traveled on
the continent, returning about the time the civil war broke out. For a time
he taught a private school, but soon threw himself with all the power of
his able and tried pen into the political struggle. He was the champion of
Parliament and of Cromwell for about twenty years. On the accession of
Charles II., he concealed himself for a time, but was soon allowed to live
quietly in London. His eyesight had totally failed in 1654; but now, in
blindness, age, family affliction, and comparative poverty, he produced
his great work "Paradise Lost." In 1667 he sold the poem for 5 Pounds in
cash, with a promise of 10 Pounds more on certain contingencies; the sum
total received by himself and family for the immortal poem, was 23 Pounds.
Later, he produced "Paradise Regained" and "Samson Agonistes," from the
latter of which the following extract is taken. Milton is a wonderful
example of a man, who, by the greatness of his own mind, triumphed over
trials, afflictions, hardships, and the evil influence of bitter political
controversy.
###

Occasions drew me early to this city;
And, as the gates I entered with sunrise,
The morning trumpets festival proclaimed
Through each high street: little I had dispatched,
When all abr