The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton

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The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton (1899)
by John Milton

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4244107The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton1899John Milton

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General Editor, BLISS PERRY

BROWNING

MRS. BROWNING

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BYRON

DRYDEN

ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH

POPULAR BALLADS

HOLMES

KEATS

LONGFELLOW

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MILTON

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CHAUCER

Edited by

HORACE E. SCUDDER HARRIET WATERS PRESTON W. E. HENLEY PAUL E. MORE GEORGE R. No YES

! HELEN CHILD SARGENT GEORGE L. KITTREDGE HORACE E. SCUDDER HORACE E. SCUDDER HORACE E. SCUDDER HORACE E. SCUDDER WILLIAM VAUGHN MOODY HENRY W. BOYNTON HORACE E. SCUDDER W. A. NEILSON GEORGE E. WOODBERRY R. E. NEIL DODGE WILLIAM J. ROLFE HORACE E. SCUDDER A. J. GEORGE In Preparation

F. N. ROBINSON

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY BOSTON AND NEW YORK

The Cambridge Edition of the Poets
EDITED BY
HORACE E. SCUDDER

MILTON
BY
WILLIAM VAUGHN MOODY

Æt. 24

John Milton

THE

COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS OF

JOHN MILTON

Cambridge Edition

Milton's Home, Chalfont, St. Giles

BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
The Riverside Press, Cambridge

COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND CO.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

EDITOR'S NOTE

The text here given follows in general the edition of 1645 for the poems covered by that edition, that of 1667 for Paradise Lost, that of 1671 for Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. Occasional readings from the other early editions have been preferred. In the matter of spelling and capitalization a compromise has been attempted between complete modernization and complete adherence to the originals. Generally speaking, the old spelling has been retained where the frequency of its occurrence entitled it to the rank of usage, or where it may be judged to have some special value in the verse.

In regard to the prose translations of the Latin poems a word may be prefaced. With the verse translations of Cowper, Strutt, and Masson already in existence, the chief justification of a prose rendering is naturally to be looked for in its literalness. The present translator has nevertheless taken occasional liberties with the original, in order to make clear, without resort to notes, the allusive passages. Here and there, also, an epithet has been omitted, or an unimportant phrase suppressed, in order to avoid a cumbersome effect in the prose.

The dates attached to each poem are in some cases certain, in others conjectural. An attempt has been made to justify the assumption of dates only in the few cases where the usual and accepted chronology has been departed from. In the English poems, the chronological order of arrangement has been followed, except in the case of the Nativity Ode, which has been given a more conspicuous position than it is chronologically entitled to, and in the case of two or three short poems of the Horton period, transposed for mechanical reasons. In the Latin poems, the arrangement made by Milton has been preserved; but several short pieces of minor interest, and three bits of Greek verse, have been transferred to the Appendix.

Much of the matter usually given in notes has been incorporated in the introductions and headnotes. The notes proper have been made as brief and as strictly explanatory as possible. No notes have been furnished for the Latin poems, as an effort has been made in the prose renderings to meet all important difficulties of interpretation.

Milton has been so much written about that it is next to impossible for an editor to acknowledge specifically the aid which he has received from his predecessors in the field. No editor or biographer, however, can well omit mentioning his indebtedness to the researches of Professor Masson, though to do so is to be guilty of obviousness.

The portrait which fronts the title-page is that known as the Onslow portrait, from its having belonged to Speaker Onslow, but it has disappeared since the sale of Lord Onslow's pictures in 1828. It had originally belonged to Milton's widow. This photogravure is after Vertue's engraving made in 1731 from the portrait then in Speaker Onslow's possession. The vignette on the title-page represents the "pretty box" which Ellwood found for the poet in the village of Chalfont St. Giles, during the prevalence of the Plague of 1665.

W. V. M.

New York, February 13, 1899.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LIFE OF MILTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		ix
PART FIRST: ENGLISH POEMS.
Poems Written at School and at College, 1624-1632.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		5
On the Morning of Christ's Nativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		7
A Paraphrase on Psalm CXIV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		10
Psalm CXXXVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		11
On the Death of a Fair Infant Dying of a Cough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		12
At a Vacation Exercise in the College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		13
The Passion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		15
On Shakespeare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		16
On the University Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		17
Another on the Same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		17
An Epitaph On the Marchioness of Winchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		18
On his being arrived to the Age of Twenty-Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		19
Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638, and in Italy, 1638-1639.
Written at Horton:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

L'Allegro and Il Penseroso.

Introduction .... 23

L'allegro 26

Il Penseroso .... 28

Sonnet to the Nightingale . 30

Song On May Morning . . 30

On Time 30

At a Solemn Music ... 30

Upon the Circumcision . . 31

Arcades and Comus.

Introduction .... 32

Arcades 38

Comus 40

Lycidas.

Introduction .... 54

Lycidas 60

Written in Italy:

Introduction .... 63

Sonnet: " Donna Leggiadra, Il

Cot Bel Nome Onora." . . .63

Translation: " Lady Gay and Gracious, Whose Fair Name Honors " 63

Sonnet: " Qual in Colle Aspro, All' Imbrunir Di Sera " .64

Translation: " As On a Rough Hillside, at Dusk of Evening " 64

Canzone: " Ridonsi Donne E Giovani Amorosi " . . . .64

Translation: " the Ladies and Young Lovers Laugh at Me " 64

Sonnet: " Diodati (E Te 'l Dir6 Con Maraviglia) " . . .64

Translation: "Diodati (I Tell It Thee With Wonder) " . 65

Sonnet: " Per Certo I Bei Vostr' Occhi, Donna Mia" . . .65

Translation: " in Sooth, Your Beauteous Eyes, My Lady " . 65

Sonnet: " Giovane, Piano, E Semplicetto Am Ante " . . . 65

Translation: "A Young, and Meek, and Simple Lover " . 65

Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658.

Sonnets:

Introduction .... 69

When the Assault Was Intended to the City . . . .74

To a Virtuous Young Lady . 74

To the Lady Margaret Ley . 74

On the Detraction Which Followed Upon My Writing Certain Treatises ... 74

On the Same 75

On the New Forcers of Conscience Under the Long Parliament 75

To Mr. H. La Wes On His Airs . 75

On the Religious Memory of Mrs. Catherine Thomson . 76

On the Lord General Fairfax . 76

To the Lord General Cromwell ...... 76

To Sir Henry Vane, the Younger 77

On the Late Massacre in Piemont 77

On His Blindness ... 77

To Mr. Lawrence . . . .77

To Cyriack Skinner ... 78

To the Same 78

On His Deceased Wife . . 78

Translations:

The Fifth Ode of Horace Lib. I. . 79

Nine of the Psalms Done Into Metre: PSALM LXXX, " THOU SHEPHERD THAT DOST ISRAEL keep" . . 79

PSALM LXXXI, "To GOD OUR STRENGTH SING LOUD and clear" . 80

PSALM LXXXII, " GOD IN THE GREAT ASSEMBLY STANDS " . . . 81

PSALM LXXXIII, "BE NOT THOU SILENT now at length "... 81

PSALM LXXXI V, "How LOVELY ARE THY DWELLINGS FAIR! " 82

PSALM LXXXV, " THY LAND TO FAVOUR GRACIOUSLY " . . 82

PSALM LXXX VI, "THY gracious EAR, O LORD, INCLINE" . . .83

PSALM LXXX VII, " AMONG THE HOLY MOUNTAINS high " . . 84

PSALM LXXXVIII, " LORD GOD, THAT DOST ME SAVE AND KEEP " . . 84

PSALM I, " BLEST is THE MAN WHO HATH NOT WALKED ASTRAY" ... 85

PSALM II, "WHY DO THE GENTILES TUMULT AND THE NATIONS" . . .85

PSALM III, " LORD, HOW MANY ARE MY FOES!" 85

PSALM IV, " ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL " 86

PSALM V, "JEHOVAH, TO MY WORDS GIVE EAR" 86

PSALM VI, " LORD, IN THY ANGER DO NOT REPREHEND ME" . . . 87

PSALM VII, " LORD, MY GOD, TO THEE I FLY" 87

PSALM VIII, "O JEHOVAH OUR LORD, HOW WONDROUS GREAT" . . 88

PARADISE LOST, 1658-1663.

INTRODUCTION 91

ON PARADISE LOST . . . .101

THE VERSE 102

PARADISE LOST 102

PARADISE REGAINED, 1665-1667.

INTRODUCTION 249

PARADISE REGAINED .... 252

SAMSON AGONISTES: A DRAMATIC POEM, 1667-1671.

INTRODUCTION 283

MILTON'S INTRODUCTION . . . 292

SAMSON AGONISTES . . . 293

PART SECOND: LATIN POEMS.

INTRODUCTION

DE AUCTORE TESTIMONIA.

JOANNES BAPTISTA MANSUS, MARCHIO VELLENSIB NEAPOLITANUS, AD JOANNEM MlLTONUM ANGLUM

AD JOANNEM MILTONEM ANGLUM, TRIPLICI POESEOS LAUREA CORONANDUM GRAECA NIMIRUM, LATINA ATQUE HETRUSCA", EPIGRAMMA Jo ANNIS SALSILLI ROMANI . . 321

AD JOANNEM MILTONUM . . . 322

AL SIGNOR Gio. MILTONI, NoBin INGLESE. ODE .... 321

JOANNI MILTONI, LONDINENSI . . 322

ELEGIARUM LIBER.

ELEGIA PRIMA AD CAROLUM DioDATUM 323

ELEGIA SECUNDA IN OBITUM PR.E CONIS ACADEMICI CANTABRIGIENSIS 326

ELEGIA TERTIA IN OBITUM PKA: SULIS WlNTONIENSIS . . . 327

ELEGIA QUARTA AD THOMAM Ju NIUM, PRAECEPTOREM SUUM . . 329

ELEGIA QUINTA IN ADVENTUM VERIS 333

ELEGIA SEXTA AD CAROLUM Dio DATUM, RURI COMMORANTEM . 337

ELEGIA SEPTIMA 340

EPIGRAMMATA:

IN PRODITIONEM BOMBAHDICAM 343

IN INVENTOREM BOMBARDS . 344

AD LEONORAM ROM^E CANENTEM . 344

SYLVARUM LIBER.

IN OBITUM PHOCANCELLARII MEDICI 346

IN QUINTUM NOVEMBRIS . . 347

IN OBITUM PR^SULIS ELIENSIS 354

NATURAM NON PATI SENIUM . . 355

DE IDEA" PLATONIC^ QUEMADMODUM ARISTOTELES INTELLEXIT . . 357

AD PATREM 358

AD SALSILLUM, POETAM ROMANUM, ^EGROTANTEM 362

MANSUS 363

EPITAPHIUM DAMONIS .... 367

AD JOANNEM ROUSIUM . . . 375

APPENDIX.

I. NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS . . 381

II. SUPPLEMENTARY LATIN AND GREEK POEMS 409

FROM THE ELEGIARUM LIBER:

APOLOGUS DE RUSTICO ET HERO . 409

DE MORO 410

AD CHRISTINAM, SUECORUM REGI NAM, NOMINE CROMWELLI . 410

FROM THE SYLVARUM LIBER: IN SALMASII HUNDREDAM . . 410

IN SALMASIUM .... 410

PsALM CXIV, 'IcrparjA ore Traces, or' dyAaa <j>v\' 'laxujSov .... 410

PHILOSOPHUS AD REGEM . . 410

IN EFFIGIEI EJUS SCULPTOREM . . 410

INDEX OF FIRST LINES 413

INDEX OF TITLES 415

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton

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