--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He scarce had ceased when the superior…" description: "\"He scarce had ceased when the superior fiend Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield Ethereal temper, massy, large and round, Behind him cast..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/john-milton-191_artist_he-scarce-had-ceased-when-the-superior-f_2658006.png" --- # He scarce had ceased when the superior fiend Was moving… ![“He scarce had ceased when the superior fiend Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield Ethereal temper, massy, large and round, Behind him cast; the broad circumference Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views At evening from the top of…” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/john-milton-191_artist_he-scarce-had-ceased-when-the-superior-f_2658006.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/john-milton-191_artist_he-scarce-had-ceased-when-the-superior-f_2658006.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/john-milton-191_artist_he-scarce-had-ceased-when-the-superior-f_2658006.png) > “He scarce had ceased when the superior fiend Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield Ethereal temper, massy, large and round, Behind him cast; the broad circumference Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views At evening from the top of Fésolè, Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands, Rivers or mountains in her spotty globe.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage uses vivid imagery to compare a massive shield to the moon, suggesting a celestial, awe‑inspiring protection that frames the world like a globe. **In simple terms:** A great shield is likened to the moon, encircling the world. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of grand, protective symbols. Themes mythology cosmology protection imagery poetry Mood reflective inspired Type literary descriptive When to use this quote - artistic inspiration - literary analysis - visual design - storytelling Key Concepts symbolism visual metaphor astronomy Questions to Reflect On - What does the shield represent in modern contexts? - How does celestial imagery influence our sense of security? A Different Perspective The metaphor may be too abstract for practical application. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Broads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broads/) [Casts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/casts/) [Ethereal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethereal/) [Evening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evening/) [Glass Tuscan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glass-tuscan-2403606/) [Glasses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glasses/) [Globes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/globes/) [Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hung/) [Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/land/) [Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moon/) [Mountain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mountain/) [Mountains Spotty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mountains-spotty-2403608/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Orbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orbs/) [Paradise lost book 1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradise-lost-book-1/) [Paradise lost book 9](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradise-lost-book-9/) [Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivers/) [Rounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rounds/) [Scarce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scarce/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shields/) [Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shore/) [Shore Ponderous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shore-ponderous-2403607/) [Shoulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoulders/) [Superiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiors/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Tuscan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tuscan-312935/) [Tuscan Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tuscan-artist-2403605/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [Better to reign in hell than serve in heav'n.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/better-to-reign-in-hell-than-serve-in-heav-n/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Unless an age too late, or cold Climate, or years, damp my intended wing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/unless-an-age-too-late-or-cold-climate-or-years-damp-my-intended-wing/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And out of good still to find means of evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-out-of-good-still-to-find-means-of-evil/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [To adore the conqueror, who now beholds Cherub and seraph rolling in the flood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-adore-the-conqueror-who-now-beholds-cherub-and-seraph-rolling-in/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [As in an organ from one blast of wind To many a row of pipes the soundboard breathes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/as-in-an-organ-from-one-blast-of-wind-to-many-a-row-of-pipes-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Pandemonium, the high capital Of Satan and his peers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/pandemonium-the-high-capital-of-satan-and-his-peers/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/in-dim-eclipse-disastrous-twilight-sheds-on-half-the-nations-and-with/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Revenge, at first though sweet, Bitter ere long back on itself recoils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/revenge-at-first-though-sweet-bitter-ere-long-back-on-itself-recoils/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [For Spirits when they please Can either sex assume, or both; so soft And uncompounded is their essence pure, Not tied or manacled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/for-spirits-when-they-please-can-either-sex-assume-or-both-so-soft/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes, That comes to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-peace-and-rest-can-never-dwell-hope-never-comes-that-comes-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Should God create another Eve, and I Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee Would never from my heart; no no, I feel The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/should-god-create-another-eve-and-i-another-rib-afford-yet-loss-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Spirits when they please Can either sex assume, or both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/spirits-when-they-please-can-either-sex-assume-or-both/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat, Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe That all was lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/earth-felt-the-wound-and-nature-from-her-seat-sighing-through-all-her/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The work under our labour grows, Luxurious by restraint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-work-under-our-labour-grows-luxurious-by-restraint/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Here we may reign secure; and in my choice To reign is worth ambition, though in hell: Better to reign in hell than serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/here-we-may-reign-secure-and-in-my-choice-to-reign-is-worth-ambition/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. 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