Courteous Reader, there was no Argument at first intended to the Book,

but for the satisfaction of many that have desired it, I have procur'd

it, and withall a reason of that which stumbled many others, why the

Poem Rimes not. S. Simmons.

Notes: The Printer to the Reader] Added in 1668 to the copies then

remaining of the first edition, amended in 1669, and omitted in 1670. I

have procur'd it, and.... not. 1669] is procured. 1668.

THE VERSE.

THE measure is English Heroic Verse without Rime as that of Homer in

Greek, and of Virgil in Latin; Rime being no necessary Adjunct or true

Ornament of Poem or good Verse, in longer Works especially, but the

Invention of a barbarous Age, to set off wretched matter and lame

Meeter; grac't indeed since by the use of some famous modern Poets,

carried away by Custom, but much to thir own vexation, hindrance, and

constraint to express many things otherwise, and for the most part worse

then else they would have exprest them. Not without cause therefore

some both Italian and Spanish Poets of prime note have rejected Rime

203

The Poetical Works of John Milton