<strong>Milton</strong> was back in England in August 1639. He had been absent a year and threemonths during which space of time the aspect of public affairs wh... » 

Milton was back in England in August 1639. He had been absent a year and threemonths during which space of time the aspect of public affairs which had beenperplexed and gloomy when he left had been growing still more ominous of acoming storm. The issues of the controversy were so pervasive that it wasalmost impossible for any educated man who understood them not to range himselfon a side. Yet Milton though he had broken off his projected tour inconsequence did not rush into the fray on his return. «