Blind Milton alone remained, the Samson Agonistes, On him, in the absence of others, the eyes of the Philistine mob, the worshippers of Dagon, had been turned from time to time of late as the Hebrew that could make them most efficient sport; and now it was as if they had all met, by common consent, to be amused by this single Hebrew's last exertions, and had sent to bring him on the stage.

They laughed, they shouted, they shrieked, the gathered Philistine thousands: "He, patient, but undaunted, where they led him Came to the place." The first of the feats of strength of Milton, thus alone on the stage, and knowing himself to be confronted and surrounded by a jeering multitude, was a somewhat puny and unnecessary one.

It was an onslaught on Dr.Matthew Griffith for his Royalist sermon.

He wanted some object of attack, and the very notoriety given to Dr.Griffith's performance by the rebuke of the Council of State recommended it for the purpose despite its intrinsic wretchedness.

Accordingly, having had Dr.Griffith's Sermon and its accompaniments read over to him, he dictated what appeared some time in April with this title: "_Brief Notes upon a late Sermon, titled 'The Fear of God and the King'; Preach'd, and since published, by Matthew Griffith, D.D., and Chaplain to the late King.