Great literature should do some good to the reader: must quicken his perception though dull, and sharpen his discrimination though blunt, and mellow the rawness of his personal opinions.

And malt does more than Milton can to justify God's ways to man.

They put arsenic in his meat And stared aghast to watch him eat; They poured strychnine in his cup And shook to see him drink it up.

Could man be drunk for ever With liquor, love, or fights, Lief should I rouse at morning And lief lie down of nights. But men at whiles are sober And think by fits and starts, And if they think, they fasten Their hands upon their hearts.

And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears.

We now to peace and darkness And earth and thee restore Thy creature that thou madest And wilt cast forth no more.

All knots that lovers tie Are tied to sever. Here shall your sweetheart lie, Untrue for ever.