85 



variety, and does not shew itself till the 

 dreadful thunder has rent the region, has 

 tossed the clouds into a thousand tower- 

 ing forms., and opened, as it were, the re- 

 cesses of the sky. A blaze of light un- 

 mixed with shade, on the same principles 

 tends to the sublime only : Milton has 

 placed light in its most glorious brightness, 

 as an inaccessible barrier round the throne 

 of the Almighty : 



For God is light, 

 And never but in unapproached light 

 Dwelt from eternity. 



And such is the power lie has given even 

 to its diminished splendor, 



That the brightest seraphim 

 Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes. 



In one place, indeed, he has introduced 

 very picturesque circumstances in his su- 

 blime representation of the deity : but it is 

 of the deity in wrath; it is when from the 

 weakness and narrowness of our concep- 

 tions, we give the names and the effects 

 of our passions, to the all- perfect Creator: 



And clouds began 

 To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll 

 G 3 



