One that had Often seen him, told me he us'd to come to a House where He Liv'd, and he has also Met him in the Street, Led by _Millington_, the same who was so Famous an Auctioneer of Books about the time of the Revolution, and Since. This Man was then a Seller of Old Books in _Little Britain_, and _Milton_ lodg'd at his house. This was 3 or 4 Years before he Dy'd. he then wore no Sword that My Informer remembers, though Probably he did, at least 'twas his Custom not long before to wear one with a Small Silver-Hilt, and in Cold Weather a Grey Camblet Coat....
I have heard many Years Since that he Us'd to Sit in a Grey Coarse Cloth Coat at the Door of his House, near _Bun-hill_ Fields Without _Moor-gate_, in Warm Sunny Weather to Enjoy the Fresh Air, and So, as well as in his Room, receiv'd the Visits of People of Distinguished Parts, as well as Quality, and very Lately I had the Good Fortune to have Another Picture of him from an Ancient Clergyman in _Dorsetshire_, Dr. _Wright_; He found him in a Small House, he thinks but One Room on a Floor; in That, up One pair of Stairs, which was hung with a Rusty Green, he found _John Milton_, Sitting in an Elbow Chair, Black Cloaths, and Neat enough, Pale, but not Cadaverous, his Hands and Fingers Gouty, and with Chalk Stones. among Other Discourse He exprest Himself to This Purpose; that was he Free from the Pain This gave him, his Blindness would be Tolerable.
... besides what Affliction he Must have from his Disappointment on the Change of the Times, and from his Own Private Losses, and probably Cares for Subsistence, and for his Family; he was in Perpetual Terror of being Assassinated, though he had Escap'd the Talons of the Law, he knew he had Made Himself Enemies in Abundance. he was So Dejected he would lie Awake whole Nights. He then kept Himself as Private as he could. This Dr. _Tancred Robinson_ had from a Relation of _Milton's_, Mr. _Walker_ of the Temple. and This is what is Intimated by Himself, VII. 26.
_On Evil Daies though fall'n and Evil Tongues, in Darkness, and with Dangers compast round, and Solitude_.
Mr. _Bendish_ has heard the Widow or Daughter or Both say it, that Soon after the Restauration the King Offer'd to Employ this Pardon'd Man as his Latin Secretary, the Post in which he Serv'd _Cromwell_ with So much Integrity and Ability; (that a like Offer was made to _Thurlow_ is not Disputed as ever I heard) _Milton_ Withstood the Offer; the Wife press'd his Compliance. _Thou art in the Right_ (says he) _You, as Other Women, would ride in your Coach; for Me, My Aim is to Live and Dye an Honest Man_.