On ike Theogony. 12S 



and condensation. In the note will be found the passages of Milton, which 

 will admit the nearest comparison with the above.* 



The Titans are at length hurled into the depths of Tartarus, 



As far beneath the earth as earth from heav'n. 



A brazen anvil would, as Hesiod adds, occupy nine days and nights in 

 falling through either space j whence Milton appears to have borrowed the 

 idea of assigning this space to the fall of his rebel angels. 



In this abyss the Titans are chained by Briareus and his brethren, who 

 there keep watch and ward over them 5 and a striking description of their 

 penal abode follows. 



I0V irepi xa^Ksov epKog tXjjXarai 726. 



Around a wall of brass is firmly fix'd, 



A threefold night aye hovers o'er the brow ; 



While overhead the solid roots extend 



Of earth's vast plains, and the unfertile main. 



Xaaixa jxey' 740. 



'Tis a vast yawning gulph — a year's full space 

 Sufficeth not from the first gates to reach 

 The solid soil ; impetuous tempests rage 

 Throughout, and whirlwinds drive from point to point. 



• Par. Lost. b. vi, 1. 205.— 



Nor stood at gaze 



The adverse legions, nor less hideous seem'd 

 The horrid shock ; now storming fury rose. 

 And clamour, such as heard in heav'n till now 

 Was never : arms on armour clashing brayed 

 Horrible discord, and the madding wheels 

 Of brazen chariots raged ; dire was the noise 

 Of conflict. Overhead the dismal hiss 

 Of fiery darts in flaming voUies flew, 

 And, flying, vaulted either host with fire. 

 So under fiery cope together rush'd 

 Both battles main with ruinous assault, 

 An inextinguishable rage ; all heav'n 

 Resounded, and had earth been then, all earth 

 Had to her centre shook. 



Milton is perhaps most superior to Hesiod, where we find the latter describing 

 Jupiter as under trie necessity of collecting and putting forth all his might for the 

 contest ; but the latter, when he introduces the charge of the Messiah on the rebel 

 angels, adds, 



Vet half his strength be put not forth, but check'd 

 Jlis thunder in mid volley. 



And although thunder and lightning arc in both instances the divine weapons, yet 

 in Milton wc have none of the over-wrought descriptions of Hesiod. 



