Prof.Masson makes a great point of the fact that Milton's own spelling, exhibited in the autograph manuscript of some of the minor poems preserved in Trinity College, Cambridge, does not correspond with that of the printed copy.

[Note: This manuscript, invaluable to all students of Milton, has lately been facsimiled under the superintendence of Dr.Aldis Wright, and published at the Cambridge University press].

This is certainly true, as the reader may see for himself by comparing the passage from the manuscript given in the appendix with the corresponding place in the text.

Milton's own spelling revels in redundant e's, while the printer of the 1645 book is very sparing of them.

But in cases where the spelling affects the metre, we find that the printed text and Milton's manuscript closely correspond; and it is upon its value in determining the metre, quite as much as its antiquarian interest, that I should base a justification of this reprint.