Cyriac, this three years' day these eyes, though clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot; Nor to their idle orbs doth sight
Of sun or moon or star throughout the year, Or man or woman.
Yet I argue not Against Heav'n's hand or will, not bate a jot Of heart or hope, but still bear up and
Right onward.
What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied In liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask Content, though blind, had I no better guide.'These two sonnets to Cyriac Skinner we have printed in the same order as they are number'd in the Manuscript.
His latter was never printed in Milton's lifetime, but was first publish'd several years after his death at the same time and in the same manner with the foregoing ones to General Fairfax,
Cromwell, and Sir Henry Vane: and tho' the person, to whom it is address'd, was not so obnoxious as any of those before mention'd, yet it might not have been safe for Milton to have publish'd such a commendation of his Defense of the people, which the government had order'd to be burnt by the hands of the common hangman.
In the printed editions this sonnet likewise is very incorrect, but we shall restore it by the assistance of the Manuscript.(line 3:
Bereft of light their seeing have forgot,...):
In the printed copies it is absurdly,"Bereft of 'sight' their seeing have forgot."(line 4:
Nor to their idle orbs...):
In the printed edition it is,"Nor to their idle orbs doth 'day' appear,'Or' sun, or moon,..." &c.(line 7:
Against Heav'n's hand...)&c:
It was at first in the Manuscript "God's hand;" and 'one jot' in the printed copies is 'a jot' in the Manuscript.'~ Th.
Newton,
Milton's Works, 2nd edition, 1753.-----8. bear up: a nautical phrase, put the helm up, so as to bring the vessel into the direction of the wind (but with a memory also of the sense, "keep up one's spirits"). 10. conscience: consciousness. them: his eyes, i.e., their sight. 10-12.
Warned of his danger,
Milton had deliberately sacrificed his much impaired vision to write his Defence of the English People, a work which spread his fame on the continent. 13. vain mask: empty pageant.
