[12] Guest's "History of English Rhythms," ii. 23.
[13] This curious literary information has been disclosed by ROGER WILLIAMS, the founder of the State of Rhode Island, who was despatched to England in 1651, to obtain the repeal of a charter granted to Mr. Coddington. I give this remarkable passage in the words of this Anglo-American:--"It pleased the Lord to call me for some time and with some persons to practise the Hebrew, the Greek, Latin, French and Dutch. _The secretary of the council, Mr. Milton, for my Dutch I read him, read me many more languages._ Grammar rules begin to be esteemed a tyranny. I taught two young gentlemen, a parliament-man's sons, as we teach our children English--by words, phrases, and constant talk, &c." This vague &c. stands so in the original, and leaves his "wondrous tale half-told." "Memoirs of Roger Williams, the Founder of the State of Rhode Island, by James D. Knowles, Professor of Pastoral Duties in the Newton Theological Institution," 1834, p. 264.
I am indebted for this curious notice to the prompt kindness of my most excellent friend ROBERT SOUTHEY; a name long dear to the public as it will be to posterity; an author, the accuracy of whose knowledge does not yield to its extent.
[14] Mr. SOUTHEY observes, in a letter now before me, that "VONDEL'S 'Lucifer' was published in 1654. His 'Samson,' the same subject as the 'Agonistes,' 1661. His 'Adam,' 1664. CÆDMON, ANDREINI, and VONDEL, each or all, may have led Milton to consider the subject of his 'Paradise Lost.' But Vondel is the one who is most likely to have impressed him. Neither the Dutch nor the language were regarded with disrespect in those days. Vondel was the greatest writer of that language, and the _Lucifer_ is esteemed the best of his tragedies. Milton alone excepted, he was probably the greatest poet then living."
This critical note furnishes curious dates. Milton was blind when the _Lucifer_ was published; and there is so much of the personal feelings and condition of the poet himself in his "Samson Agonistes," that it is probable little or no resemblance could be traced in the Hollander. The "Adam" of Milton, and the whole "Paradise" itself, was completed in 1661. As for Cædmon, I submit the present chapter to Mr. Southey's decision.