Poetical Works of John Milton

Milton, John

• Publisher: pubOne.info
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9782819934530
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

pubOne.info present you this new edition. This edition of Milton's Poetry is a reprint, as careful as Editor and Printers have been able to make it, from the earliest printed copies of the several poems. First the 1645 volume of the Minor Poems has been printed entire; then follow in order the poems added in the reissue of 1673; the Paradise Lost, from the edition of 1667; and the Paradise Regain'd and Samson Agonistes from the edition of 1671.

The Argument.

Samson made Captive, Blind, and now in the Prison at Gaza, there to labour as in a common work-house, on a Festival day, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open Air, to a place nigh, somewhat retir'd there to sit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old Father Manoa, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this Feast was proclaim'd by the Philistins as a day of Thanksgiving for thir deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoa then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistian Lords for Samson's redemption; who in the mean while is visited by other persons; and lastly by a publick Officer to require coming to the Feast before the Lords and People, to play or shew his strength in thir presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the publick officer with absolute denyal to come; at length perswaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatnings to fetch him; the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoa returns full of joyful hope, to procure e're long his Sons deliverance: in the midst of which discourse an Ebrew comes in haste confusedly at first; and afterward more distinctly relating the Catastrophe, what Samson had done to the Philistins, and by accident to himself; wherewith the Tragedy ends.

The Persons

Samson.

Manoa the father of Samson.

Dalila his wife.

Harapha of Gath.

Publick Officer.

Messenger.

Chorus of Danites

The Scene before the Prison in Gaza.

Sam: A little onward lend thy guiding hand

To these dark steps, a little further on;

For yonder bank hath choice of Sun or shade,

There I am wont to sit, when any chance

Relieves me from my task of servile toyl,

Daily in the common Prison else enjoyn'd me,

Where I a Prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw

The air imprison'd also, close and damp,

Unwholsom draught: but here I feel amends,

The breath of Heav'n fresh-blowing, pure and sweet, 10

With day-spring born; here leave me to respire.

This day a solemn Feast the people hold

To Dagon thir Sea-Idol, and forbid

Laborious works, unwillingly this rest

Thir Superstition yields me; hence with leave

Retiring from the popular noise, I seek

This unfrequented place to find some ease,

Ease to the body some, none to the mind

From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm

Of Hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 20

But rush upon me thronging, and present

Times past, what once I was, and what am now.

O wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold

Twice by an Angel, who at last in sight

Of both my Parents all in flames ascended

From off the Altar, where an Off'ring burn'd,

As in a fiery column charioting

His Godlike presence, and from some great act

Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race?

Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd 30

As of a person separate to God,

Design'd for great exploits; if I must dye

Betray'd, Captiv'd, and both my Eyes put out,

Made of my Enemies the scorn and gaze;

To grind in Brazen Fetters under task

With this Heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength

Put to the labour of a Beast, debas't

Lower then bondslave! Promise was that I

Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver;

Ask for this great ...

Table of contents

• THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOHN MILTON
• PREFACE by the Rev. H. C. Beeching, M. A.
• THE STATIONER TO THE READER.
• MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
• THE PASSION.
• ON TIME.
• UPON THE CIRCUMCISION.
• AT A SOLEMN MUSICK.
• AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER.
• SONG ON MAY MORNING.
• ON SHAKESPEAR. 1630.
• ANOTHER ON THE SAME.
• L'ALLEGRO.
• IL PENSEROSO.
• SONNETS.
• ARCADES.
• LYCIDAS.
• A MASK PRESENTED At LUDLOW-Castle, 1634. and c.
• POEMS ADDED IN THE 1673 EDITION.
• THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE. LIB. I.
• SONNETS.
• ON THE NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT.
• ON THE LORD GEN. FAIRFAX AT THE SEIGE OF COLCHESTER.
• TO THE LORD GENERALL CROMWELL MAY 1652.
• TO SR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER.
• TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS.
• PSAL. I. Done into Verse, 1653.
• PSAL. II Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti.
• PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653
• PSAL. IV. Aug. 10.1653.
• PSAL. V. Aug. 12.1653.
• PSAL. VI Aug. 13. 1653.
• PSAL. VII. Aug. 14. 1653.
• PSAL. VIII. Aug. 14. 1653.
• APRIL, 1648. J. M. NINE OF THE PSALMS DONE INTO METRE,
• PSAL. LXXX.
• PSAL. LXXXI.
• PSAL. LXXXII.
• PSAL. LXXXIV.
• PSAL LXXXV.
• PSAL. LXXXVI.
• PSAL. LXXXVII
• PSAL. LXXXVIII
• COLLECTION OF PASSAGES TRANSLATED IN THE PROSE WRITINGS.
• [From Reason of Church Government, 1641.]
• [From Apology for Smectymnuus, 1642.]
• [From Areopagitica, 1644.]
• [From Tetrachordon, 1645.]
• [From The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates, 1649.]
• [From History of Britain, 1670.]
• PARADISE LOST.
• THE VERSE.
• BOOK I.
• BOOK II.
• BOOK III.
• BOOK IV.
• BOOK V.
• BOOK VI.
• BOOK VII.
• BOOK VIII.
• BOOK IX.
• BOOK X.
• BOOK XI.
• BOOK XII.
• PARADISE REGAIN'D.
• The Second Book.
• The Third Book.
• The Fourth Book.
• SAMSON AGONISTES
• The Argument.
• APPENDIX.
• ON TIME
• Copyright