619. ~a certain shepherd lad~. This is supposed to refer to Charles
Diodati, Milton's dearest friend, to whom he addressed his 1st and 6th
elegies, and after whose death he wrote the touching poem _Epitaphium
Damonis_, in which he alludes to his friend's medical and botanical
skill:
"There thou shalt cull me simples, and shalt teach
Thy friend the name and healing powers of each."
(_Cowper's translation._)
620. ~Of small regard to see to~: in colloquial English, 'not much to
look at.' This is an old idiom: comp. Greek +kalos idein+: see English
Bible, "goodly to look to," i. _Sam._ xvi. 12; _Ezek._ xxiii. 15; _Jer._
xlvii. 3.
621. ~virtuous~, of healing power: see note, l. 165. Comp. _Il Pens._ 113,
"the virtuous ring and glass."