nguished from Goodwin, with advantage, will justly appear
strange; for his vast merit, as an honest man, a great scholar, and a
most excellent writer, and his fame, on that account, will hardly be
thought the causes, especially when it is remembered Paradise Lost was
not produced, and the writings, on which his vast reputation stood,
are now become criminal, and those most, which were the main pillars
of his fame. Goodwin was an inconsiderable offender, compared with
him; some secret cause must be recurred to in accounting for this
indulgence. I have heard that secretary Morrice, and Sir Thomas
Clarges were his friends, and managed matters artfully in his favour;
doubtless they, or some body else did, and they very probably, as
being powerful friends at that time. But still how came they to put
their interest at such a stretch, in favour of a man so notoriously
obnoxious? perplexed, and inquisitive as I was, I at length found the
secret. It was Sir William Davenant obtained his remission, in return
of his own life, procured by Milton's interest, when himself was under
condemnation, Anno 1650. A life was owing to Milton (Davenant's) and
it was paid nobly; Milton's for Davenant, at Davenant's intercession.
The management of the affair in the house, whether by signifying the
King's desire, or otherwise, was, perhaps by those gentlemen named.'

This account Mr. Richardson had from Mr. Pope, who was informed of it
by Betterton, the celebrated actor, who was first brought upon the
stage by Sir William Davenant, and honoured with an intimacy with him,
so that no better authority need be produced to support any fact.

Milton being secured by his pardon, appeared again in public, and
removed to Jewin street, where he married his third wife, Elizabeth,
the daughter of Mr. Minshul of Cheshire, recommended to him by his
friend Dr. Paget, to whom he was related, but he had no children by
her: soon after the restoration he was offered the place of Latin
secretary to the King, which, notwithstanding the importunities of his
wife, he refused: we are informed, that when his wife pressed him to
comply with the times, and accept the King's offer, he made answer,
'You are in the right, my dear, you, as other women, would ride in
your coach; for me, my aim is to live and die an honest man.' Soon
after his marriage with his third wife, he removed to a house in the
Artillery Walk, leading to Bunhill-fields, where he continued till his
death,