XXI.
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he second sonnet to Cyriac Skinner determines its own date as 1655, andthis one is probably to be assigned to the same year. But little is known of the person to whom this sonnet and the next oneare addressed, except what we learn from the sonnets themselves,--that hewas an intimate and esteemed friend of Milton. He may have been one ofMilton's pupils; and he may, when his old teacher had become blind, haverendered him important services as amanuensis or as reader. 1-4. Cyriac Skinner's mother was daughter of the famous lawyer and judge,Sir Edward Coke. 2. Themis is personified _law_, this being the meaning of the Greek word. 7. Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause: intermit for a day your severemathematical studies. 8. And what the Swede intend, and what the French: and pay no heed toforeign news. XXII (1655). 1. this three years' day: three years ago to-day. 10. Milton's duties as Latin secretary to the government were exceedinglyarduous.
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