I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs
By the known rules of antient libertie,
When strait a barbarous noise environs me
Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs.
As when those Hinds that were transform'd to Froggs
Raild at Latona's twin-born progenie
Which after held the Sun and Moon in fee.
But this is got by casting Pearl to Hoggs;
That bawle for freedom in their senceless mood,
And still revolt when truth would set them free.
Licence they mean when they cry libertie;
For who loves that, must first be wise and good;
But from that mark how far they roave we see
For all this wast of wealth, and loss of blood.
Notes
(line 4: Of owls and cuccoos...): In Milton's Manuscript it stands,
"Of owls and buzzards ----"
(line 5: As when those hinds...&c): The fable of the Lycian clowns changed into frogs is related by Ovid. Met. VI. Fab. 4. and the poet in saying,
"Which after held the sun and moon in fee,"
intimates the good hopes which he had of himself, and his expectations of making a considerable figure in the world.
(line 8: --- by casting pearl to hogs...): Matthew VII. 6. "neither cast ye your pearl before swine."
(line 10: And still revolt...&c): He had written at first,
"And hate the truth whereby they should be free."
~ Th. Newton, Milton's Works, 2nd edition, 1753.
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