Of “paradise regained” the general judgment seems to be right,that is in many parts elegant and everywhere instructive. It was not to be supposed that the writer of “Paradise Lost” could ever write without great effusions of fancy and exalted precepts of wisdom. The basis of “Paradise regained” is narrow a dialogue without action can never please like a union of the narrative and dramatic powers. Had this poem been written not by Milton but by some imitator it would have claimed and received universal praise. |
