Old Calabria by Norman Douglas
page 231 of 451 (51%)
page 231 of 451 (51%)
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But in her cheek distemper flushing glowed. --MILTON (ix, 886).
only with this difference, that the Italian Eve adds a half-lie by way of explaining the change: . . . Forse cangiata (del che non mi avveggio) Sono nel volto per la tua partenza.--(p. 89). In both poems Sin and Death reappear on the scene after the transgression. The flight of Innocence from earth; the distempered lust which dominates over Adam and Eve after the Fall; the league of Sin and Death to rule henceforward over the world; the pathetic lament of Adam regarding his misfortune and the evils in store for his progeny; his noble sentiment, that none can withdraw himself from the all-seeing eye of God--all these are images which Milton has copied from Salandra. Adam's state of mind, after the fall, is compared by Salandra to a boat tossed by impetuous winds (p. 228): Qual agitato legno d'Austro, e Noto, Instabile incostante, non hai pace, Tu vivi pur . . . which is thus paraphrased in Milton (ix, 1122): . . . High winds worse within Began to rise . . . and shook sore Their inward state of mind, calm region once And full of peace, now tossed and turbulent. |
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