I am of a cautious temper, and unwilling to risk my happiness in a hurry.

Coordinate term: maid of Kent

The idea that Milton's imitatio operates through a process of gathering and culling rather than one of sublimating and assimilating cuts against the grain of much recent criticism, which views Milton as the great concocter/transumer.

naught but his imperfections are in our eyes, he is a base knave, a devil, a monster, caterpillar, a viper, an hog-rubber, etc.