Introduction

Languages change constantly, a fact that becomes most noticeable when we read texts a few centuries old. For example, change at various levels of language is apparent in almost any passage of John Milton (1608–74), such as in these four lines from his Sonnet VII: How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth  Stoln on his wing my three and twentith year!  My hasting dayes the on with full career,  But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th.