Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.

Obscure

And through the palpable obscure find out
His uncouth way.
Milton.—Paradise Lost, Book II. Line 406.

Such as I oft have chaunced to espy
Lost in the dreary shades of dull obscurity.
Shenstone.—The Schoolmistress, Verse 1.