John Milton
1608–1674
John Milton (1608–1674) was an English poet and polemicist, born in London. He served Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth as Secretary for Foreign Tongues and wrote passionately in defence of a free press and the republic.
Blind from about 1652, he dictated Paradise Lost (1667), his epic of the Fall of Man, regarded as one of the greatest poems in English, followed by Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes (1671). His earlier works include “Lycidas”, “L’Allegro”, “Il Penseroso” and the sonnet “On His Blindness”.
Best-known poems
-
Lycidas
Yet once more, O ye Laurels, and once more
Ye Myrtles brown, with Ivy never-sear,
I com to pluck your Berries harsh and crude, … -
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide, … -
L'Allegro
Hence loathèd Melancholy
Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born,
In Stygian Cave forlorn … -
Il Penseroso
Hence vain deluding joyes,
The brood of folly without father bred,
How little you bested, … -
Song on May Morning
Now the bright morning star, day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws … -
From 'Comus'
The Star that bids the Shepherd fold,
Now the top of Heav'n doth hold,
And the gilded Car of Day, …
All poems (42)
A 6
- A Book was writ of late call'd TetrachordonAnd wov'n close, both matter, form and stile;
- Adam and EveFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book IV.
- Adam Describing EveFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book VIII.
- Adam to EveFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book IX.
- An Epitaph on the Admirable Dramatic Poet, W. ShakespeareWhat needs my Shakespeare for his honored bones,
- At a Solemn MusickBlest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,
B 1
E 3
F 3
H 1
I 3
L 4
O 4
S 3
T 11
- The Departure from ParadiseFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book XII.
- The Faithful AngelFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book V.
- The FallFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book IX.
- The Lady lost in the WoodFrom “Comus”
- The Nymph of the SevernFrom “Comus”
- The Poet’s ThemeFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book I.
- The TemptationFrom “Paradise Lost,” Book IX.
- To Cyriack SkinnerCyriack, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench
- To Mr. LawrenceLawrence of vertuous Father vertuous Son,
- To the Lord-General CromwellCromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud,
- To the NightingaleO Nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray
