" Milton
had applied his test, and learnt--what every great poet has to
learn--that he must trust more to the vague impression of truth,
beauty, and high thought, that can be made upon thousands of right-
hearted men and women, than to the clear, full understanding of his
work. The noblest aims of the true artist can make themselves felt
by all, though understood by few. Few know the secrets of the
sunshine, although all draw new life from the sun. When Milton--
who, with his habitual gentleness, never allowed Ellwood to suspect
that he had missed the whole purpose of "Paradise Lost"--showed him
"Paradise Regained," and made him happy by telling him that he
caused it to be written; he showed him a poem that expanded the
closing thought of "Paradise Lost" into an image of the Paradise
within, that is to be obtained only by an imitation of Christ under
all forms of our temptation.
Of Ellwood's life after the year in which he ends his own account of
it, let it suffice to say, that he wrote earnest, gentle books in
support of his opinions and against the persecution of them.
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