Dr.
Davy's daughters, a very handsome and witty gentlewoman, but averse,
as it is said, to this motion; however the intelligence of this caused
justice Powel's family to let all engines at work to restore the
married woman to the station in which they a little before had planted
her. At last this device was pitched upon. There dwelt in the lane of
St. Martin's Le Grand, which was hard by, a relation of our author's,
one Blackborough, whom it was known he often visited, and upon this
occasion the visits were more narrowly observed, and possibly there
might be a combination between both parties, the friends on both sides
consenting in the same action, tho' in different behalfs. One time
above the rest, making his usual visits, his wife was ready in another
room; on a sudden he was surprized to see one, whom he thought never
to have seen more, making submission, and begging pardon on her knees
before him. He might probably at first make some shew of aversion, and
rejection, but partly his own generous nature, more inclinable to
reconciliation than to perseverance in anger and revenge, and partly
the strong intercession of friends on both sides, soon brought him to
an act of oblivion and a firm league of peace for the future; and it
was at length concluded that she should remain at a friend's house,
till he was settled in his new house in Barbican, and all things
prepared for her reception. The first fruits of her return to her
husband was a brave girl, born within a year after, tho', whether by
ill constitution, or want of care, she grew more and more decrepit.'

Mr. Fenton observes, that it is not to be doubted but the
abovementioned interview between Milton and his wife must wonderfully
affect him; and that perhaps the impressions it made on his
imagination contributed much to the painting of that pathetic scene in
Paradise Lost, b. 10. in which Eve addresses herself to Adam for
pardon and peace, now at his feet submissive in distress.

About the year 1644 our author wrote a small piece in one sheet 4to,
under this title, Education, to Mr. Samuel Hartly, reprinted at the
end of his Poems on several occasions; and in the same year he
published at London in 4to, his Areopagitica, or a speech of Mr. J.
Milton for the liberty of unlicensed printing, to the Parliament of
England.

In 1645 his Juvenile Poems were printed at London, and about this time
his zeal for the republican party had so far recommended him, that a
des