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Complete Poems
In the course of his forty-year career John Milton evolved from a prodigy to a blind prophet, from a philosophical aesthete to a Puritan rebel, and from a Latinist poet who proclaimed the triumph of reason to an epic poet obsessed with the intractability of sin. A master of almost every verse style -- from the pastoral, devotional, and tenderly lyrical to the supreme grandeur of his great epic, Paradise Lost, and his biblical "Greek tragedy, " Samson Agonistes -- Milton left a body of work unrivaled in literary history. Although he wrote Comus and "Lycidas" shortly after leaving Cambridge University, Milton devoted much of his adult life -- and even sacrificed his eyesight -- to defending the cause of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. Milton's later poetry, produced after Charles II's restoration led to the defeat of the Commonwealth, contains not only personally achieved theological insights but also a deep firsthand understanding of politics and power.This edition presents Milton's complete English, Latin, and Greek poems, modernizing spelling, capitalization, and any punctuation likely to cause confusion. Fully annotated with glosses on the poems' biblical, classical, and historical allusions, this is the best place to start for readers wanting to come to grips with this giant in English literature.
606 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1645
About the author
John Milton
2,697 books2,073 followersJohn Milton was an English poet, polemicist, man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost (1667), written in blank verse.
Milton's poetry and prose reflect deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination, and the urgent issues and political turbulence of his day. Writing in English, Latin, Greek, and Italian, he achieved international renown within his lifetime, and his celebrated Areopagitica (1644)—written in condemnation of pre-publication censorship—is among history's most influential and impassioned defenses of free speech and freedom of the press.
William Hayley's 1796 biography called him the "greatest English author," and he remains generally regarded "as one of the preeminent writers in the English language," though critical reception has oscillated in the centuries since his death (often on account of his republicanism). Samuel Johnson praised Paradise Lost as "a poem which...with respect to design may claim the first place, and with respect to performance, the second, among the productions of the human mind," though he (a Tory and recipient of royal patronage) described Milton's politics as those of an "acrimonious and surly republican".
Because of his republicanism, Milton has been the subject of centuries of British partisanship.
Milton's poetry and prose reflect deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination, and the urgent issues and political turbulence of his day. Writing in English, Latin, Greek, and Italian, he achieved international renown within his lifetime, and his celebrated Areopagitica (1644)—written in condemnation of pre-publication censorship—is among history's most influential and impassioned defenses of free speech and freedom of the press.
William Hayley's 1796 biography called him the "greatest English author," and he remains generally regarded "as one of the preeminent writers in the English language," though critical reception has oscillated in the centuries since his death (often on account of his republicanism). Samuel Johnson praised Paradise Lost as "a poem which...with respect to design may claim the first place, and with respect to performance, the second, among the productions of the human mind," though he (a Tory and recipient of royal patronage) described Milton's politics as those of an "acrimonious and surly republican".
Because of his republicanism, Milton has been the subject of centuries of British partisanship.
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July 31, 2015
Preface
Table of Dates
Further Reading
Poems 1645
--On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
--A Paraphrase on Psalm 114
--Psalm 136
--The Passion
--On Time
--Upon the Circumcision
--At a Solemn Music
--An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester
--Song. On May Morning
--On Shakespeare. 1630
--On the University Carrier
--Another on the Same
--L'Allegro
--Il Penseroso
--Sonnet I ('O nightingale')
--Sonnet II ('Donna leggiadra')
--Sonnet III ('Qual in colle aspro')
--Canzone
--Sonnet IV ('Diodati, e te'l dirò')
--Sonnet V ('Per certo')
--Sonnet VI ('Giovane piano')
--Sonnet VII ('How soon hath Time')
--Sonnet VIII ('Captain or colonel')
--Sonnet IX ('Lady that in the prime')
--Sonnet X ('Daughter to that good Earl')
--Arcades
--Lycidas
--A Masque Presented at Ludlow Castle ['Comus']
English Poems Added in 1673
--On the Death of a Fair Infant
--At a Vacation Exercise
--Sonnet XI ('A book was writ of late')
--Sonnet XII On the same ('I did but prompt the age')
--Sonnet XIII To Mr H. Lawes, on his Airs
--Sonnet XIV ('When Faith and Love')
--Sonnet XV On the Late Massacre in Piedmont
--Sonnet XVI ('When I consider how my light is spent')
--Sonnet XVII ('Lawrence of virtuous father')
--Sonnet XVIII ('Cyriack, whose grandsire')
--Sonnet XIX ('Methought I saw my late espouséd saint')
--The Fifth Ode of Horace
--On the New Forcers of Conscience
Psalm Paraphrases Added in 1673
--Psalms I-VIII
--Psalms LXXX-LXXXVIII
Uncollected English Poems
--On the Lord General Fairfax
--To the Lord General Cromwell
--To Sir Henry Vane the Younger
--To Mr Cyriack Skinner upon his Blindness
--'Fix Here'
Translations From the Prose Works
--'Ah Constantine, of how much ill'
--'Founded in chaste and humble poverty'
--'Then passed he to a flow'ry mountain green'
--'When I die'
--'Laughing to teach the truth'
--'Jesting decides great things'
--''Tis you that say it, not I'
--'This is true liberty, when freeborn men'
--'Whom do we count a good man'
--'There can be slain'
--'Goddess of shades, and huntress'
--'Brutus far to the west'
--'Low in a mead of kine'
--Paradise Lost
--Paradise Regained
--Samson Agonistes
The Latin and Greek Poems
Elegiarum Liber
--Elegia I Ad Carolum Diodatum
--Elegia II In Obitum Praeconis Academici Cantabrigiensis
--Elegia III In Obitum Praesulis Wintoniensis
--Elegia IV Ad Thomam Iunium
--Elegia V In adventum veris
--Elegia VI Ad Carolum Diodatum, ruri commorantem
--Elegia VII Anno aetatis undevigesimo
--'Haec ego mente'
--In Proditionem Bombardicam
--In eandem
--In eandem
--In eandem
--In Inventorem Bombardae
--Ad Leonoram Romae canentem
--Ad eandem
--Ad eandem
Silvarum Liber
--In Obitum Procancellarii Medici
--In Quintum Novembris
--In Obitum Praesulis Eliensis
--Naturam non pati senium
--De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intellexit
--Ad Patrem
Greek Verses:
--Psalm CXIV
--Philosophus ad Regem
--Ad Salsillum
--Mansus
--Epitaphium Damonis
Greek and Latin Poems Added in 1673
--Apologus de Rustico et Hero
--In Effigiei eius Sculptorem
--Ad Ioannem Rousium
Latin Poems from the Prose Works
--Epigram from Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio
--Epigram from Defensio Secunda
Unpublished Latin Poems
--Carmina Elegiaca
--[Asclepiads]
Notes
Index of Titles
Index of First Lines
Table of Dates
Further Reading
Poems 1645
--On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
--A Paraphrase on Psalm 114
--Psalm 136
--The Passion
--On Time
--Upon the Circumcision
--At a Solemn Music
--An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester
--Song. On May Morning
--On Shakespeare. 1630
--On the University Carrier
--Another on the Same
--L'Allegro
--Il Penseroso
--Sonnet I ('O nightingale')
--Sonnet II ('Donna leggiadra')
--Sonnet III ('Qual in colle aspro')
--Canzone
--Sonnet IV ('Diodati, e te'l dirò')
--Sonnet V ('Per certo')
--Sonnet VI ('Giovane piano')
--Sonnet VII ('How soon hath Time')
--Sonnet VIII ('Captain or colonel')
--Sonnet IX ('Lady that in the prime')
--Sonnet X ('Daughter to that good Earl')
--Arcades
--Lycidas
--A Masque Presented at Ludlow Castle ['Comus']
English Poems Added in 1673
--On the Death of a Fair Infant
--At a Vacation Exercise
--Sonnet XI ('A book was writ of late')
--Sonnet XII On the same ('I did but prompt the age')
--Sonnet XIII To Mr H. Lawes, on his Airs
--Sonnet XIV ('When Faith and Love')
--Sonnet XV On the Late Massacre in Piedmont
--Sonnet XVI ('When I consider how my light is spent')
--Sonnet XVII ('Lawrence of virtuous father')
--Sonnet XVIII ('Cyriack, whose grandsire')
--Sonnet XIX ('Methought I saw my late espouséd saint')
--The Fifth Ode of Horace
--On the New Forcers of Conscience
Psalm Paraphrases Added in 1673
--Psalms I-VIII
--Psalms LXXX-LXXXVIII
Uncollected English Poems
--On the Lord General Fairfax
--To the Lord General Cromwell
--To Sir Henry Vane the Younger
--To Mr Cyriack Skinner upon his Blindness
--'Fix Here'
Translations From the Prose Works
--'Ah Constantine, of how much ill'
--'Founded in chaste and humble poverty'
--'Then passed he to a flow'ry mountain green'
--'When I die'
--'Laughing to teach the truth'
--'Jesting decides great things'
--''Tis you that say it, not I'
--'This is true liberty, when freeborn men'
--'Whom do we count a good man'
--'There can be slain'
--'Goddess of shades, and huntress'
--'Brutus far to the west'
--'Low in a mead of kine'
--Paradise Lost
--Paradise Regained
--Samson Agonistes
The Latin and Greek Poems
Elegiarum Liber
--Elegia I Ad Carolum Diodatum
--Elegia II In Obitum Praeconis Academici Cantabrigiensis
--Elegia III In Obitum Praesulis Wintoniensis
--Elegia IV Ad Thomam Iunium
--Elegia V In adventum veris
--Elegia VI Ad Carolum Diodatum, ruri commorantem
--Elegia VII Anno aetatis undevigesimo
--'Haec ego mente'
--In Proditionem Bombardicam
--In eandem
--In eandem
--In eandem
--In Inventorem Bombardae
--Ad Leonoram Romae canentem
--Ad eandem
--Ad eandem
Silvarum Liber
--In Obitum Procancellarii Medici
--In Quintum Novembris
--In Obitum Praesulis Eliensis
--Naturam non pati senium
--De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intellexit
--Ad Patrem
Greek Verses:
--Psalm CXIV
--Philosophus ad Regem
--Ad Salsillum
--Mansus
--Epitaphium Damonis
Greek and Latin Poems Added in 1673
--Apologus de Rustico et Hero
--In Effigiei eius Sculptorem
--Ad Ioannem Rousium
Latin Poems from the Prose Works
--Epigram from Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio
--Epigram from Defensio Secunda
Unpublished Latin Poems
--Carmina Elegiaca
--[Asclepiads]
Notes
Index of Titles
Index of First Lines
March 21, 2018
Milton is considered one of the few greatest poets in the English language, so obviously a complete collection of his poetry is going to be pretty good. As complete collections normally go, there's a lack of consistency in the interest level that some people are going to be bound to have as far as reading this straight-through goes. I just skimmed the Latin/Greek poems for instance since they basically seemed like exercises in writing classically that were nonessential for me. If I were to rank every work in this it would go like this:
Paradise Lost 5/5
Paradise Regained 5/5
Samson Agonistes 4.5/5
Comus 4/5
Early poems 3/5 overall (some are higher/lower)
Latin/Greek poems 2/5
Suffice to say these works are essential for any student of English writing, poetry, great human achievement in art, and Christianity or classicism in literature. I especially recommend reading Paradise Lost at least.
Paradise Lost 5/5
Paradise Regained 5/5
Samson Agonistes 4.5/5
Comus 4/5
Early poems 3/5 overall (some are higher/lower)
Latin/Greek poems 2/5
Suffice to say these works are essential for any student of English writing, poetry, great human achievement in art, and Christianity or classicism in literature. I especially recommend reading Paradise Lost at least.
March 7, 2008
How can you not give 5 stars to Milton?
September 21, 2021
While I do agree with the common claim that that the "infernal" books of Paradise Lost is far more engaging than the celestial passages. However, reading Stephen M. Fallon alongside this work brought to attention far more interesting themes than Milton's otherwise unimpressive Reformed theology, what Fallon calls "animist materialism".
I disagree with William Blake's statement that Milton would be "of the Devil's party without knowing it". One certainly can read Satan as a some antimony between Milton's Christianity and his republicanism, but I believe this plays into a mistaken assumption that there's a natural relationship between democratic republicanism and contemporary notions of liberty. As Niccolò Machiavelli once argued that the liberty of Florence relied on its subjugation of Pisa and the necessity of a privileged class of grandi, Milton's republicanism too (as advocated in his political texts) is one of peers and subjugation. However, Milton imagines his society as unified through a total subjugation the sole sovereignty of God (which might explain his fancy for Calvinism). In contrast, Satan is the Machiavellian or Homeric character of secular liberty, glory, and hubris. Milton certainly has a fascination for the heroes of Greek epic, but his universe has no place for them: Satan's self-serving use of his abilities inevitably only lead to further misery and debasement.
I disagree with William Blake's statement that Milton would be "of the Devil's party without knowing it". One certainly can read Satan as a some antimony between Milton's Christianity and his republicanism, but I believe this plays into a mistaken assumption that there's a natural relationship between democratic republicanism and contemporary notions of liberty. As Niccolò Machiavelli once argued that the liberty of Florence relied on its subjugation of Pisa and the necessity of a privileged class of grandi, Milton's republicanism too (as advocated in his political texts) is one of peers and subjugation. However, Milton imagines his society as unified through a total subjugation the sole sovereignty of God (which might explain his fancy for Calvinism). In contrast, Satan is the Machiavellian or Homeric character of secular liberty, glory, and hubris. Milton certainly has a fascination for the heroes of Greek epic, but his universe has no place for them: Satan's self-serving use of his abilities inevitably only lead to further misery and debasement.
December 14, 2016
My third time through Paradise Lost, first time through Paradise Regained, Samson Agonistes, Comus, etc. All appropriately staggering in their complexity and (newly apparent to me) their tenderness. I had read a smattering of the smaller poems before - a few sonnets and the poem on time. I mentioned to Jim Nance that I was taking a class on Milton and he proceeded to recite part of On the Morning of Christ's Nativity without moving from his chair, which was a surprise and a treat.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it was pretty amazing to see the consistency in Milton's poetry and how well it dovetails with what he says about poetry, education, and virtue in his prose writings. He truly believed poetry was a divine calling, able to shape desires and teach people how to worship. His Arian leanings are probably the only reason he's not the patron saint of Classical Christian Education.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it was pretty amazing to see the consistency in Milton's poetry and how well it dovetails with what he says about poetry, education, and virtue in his prose writings. He truly believed poetry was a divine calling, able to shape desires and teach people how to worship. His Arian leanings are probably the only reason he's not the patron saint of Classical Christian Education.
February 2, 2008
I had not read Milton for years and when I did, it was required reading. After re-reading Paradise Lost--and Regained--I ordered Blake's Milton from the Folio Society in England. Ouch, 90 or so pounds, but what a treat! Yes, I've decided that our educational system may have gone a bit astray in the late 60's when dead white European males fell out of favor. Now, before going off to write my American Studies phD thesis on "The Secret Life of TV Pundits" I plan to spend some time again out of Paradise with Milton.
December 17, 2011
originally @ http://literating.wordpress.com/2011/...
John Milton in VOLUME FOUR of the Harvard classics feels like semi-automatic catharsis. One of his poems, an early composition on the passion of Christ Milton quit halfway, hid this gem:
Befriend me, Night, best Patroness of grief!
Over the pole thy thickest mantle throw,
And work my flattered fancy to belief
That Heaven and Earth are coloured with my woe;
My sorrows are too dark for day to know:
The leaves should all be black whereon I write,
And letters, where my tears have washed, a wannish white.
John Milton in VOLUME FOUR of the Harvard classics feels like semi-automatic catharsis. One of his poems, an early composition on the passion of Christ Milton quit halfway, hid this gem:
Befriend me, Night, best Patroness of grief!
Over the pole thy thickest mantle throw,
And work my flattered fancy to belief
That Heaven and Earth are coloured with my woe;
My sorrows are too dark for day to know:
The leaves should all be black whereon I write,
And letters, where my tears have washed, a wannish white.
February 5, 2013
Some dreadfully bookish stuff mixed in with some truly breathtaking and inimitable poetry that I could read a dozen more times and gain something new with each reading. Not for the faint of heart, but the guy was blind, wrote fifty meanings into every line and completely changed the face of the Christian religion (which most modern Christians don't even realize). Maybe he's worth a read.
September 12, 2007
I'm in the midst of this as a part of my Milton class. I'm learning the depths of allusion and Biblical mysticsm. And the poetic tradition of brag-adociousness. Milton to Mos Def...that would be a class!
March 28, 2008
... Farewell happy fields,
Where joy forever dwells: hail, horrors!
Where joy forever dwells: hail, horrors!
October 16, 2017
Spent most of my time with Paradise Lost. Still one of my favorite books.
August 1, 2016
Last summer one of the academic members of Temple Emanu-El in Tucson, Wendy Weise PhD, offered a class on the topics of the Garden of Eden, sex, and lost innocence. Her material included several excerpts from Milton’s Paradise Lost. I was intrigued and decided to use Milton’s poetry to fill one of the squares in the Books on the Nightstand summer Bingo card, the square set aside for a selection from the Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books. I had never read Milton’s poetry, although I was familiar with the names of his major works. It was a revelation to read Paradise Lost with its vivid imagery. Why no one has made a graphic novel out of this work is beyond me.
One surprising element Milton added to the familiar story was the effect that the beauty and innocence of Eve had on the Serpent.
Read the rest at https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
One surprising element Milton added to the familiar story was the effect that the beauty and innocence of Eve had on the Serpent.
Read the rest at https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
March 16, 2015
It saddens me to say I am not a huge fan of Paradise Lost. After abandoning it after the first book in 10th grade, I knew I needed to read it because of how significant it is to British literature. But now that it's done, I don't quite feel like he explained, "the ways of God to men". However, his, "On Time" is probably one of the finest poems written in the English language. It has haunted me ever since I read it years back. Perhaps Paradise Lost needs a second reading, but I won't deny that Milton symbolized an era which would be unrecognizable without him.
April 6, 2012
Beautiful prose, but not really my cup of tea. Paradise Lost is moderately interesting as a period piece. And while I understand that Milton was trying to present a pre-fall picture of innocence and was a creature of his times, I had a hard time not ridiculing the stilted "nobility" of Milton's Adam and his offensively submissive Eve.
May 19, 2015
Well it took me 8 months, but i finally made it through. There is definitely some worthwhile reading in here. I particularly liked Comus and Samson Agonistes. Paradise Lost was a bear to get through. It was interesting and so very different from my LDS view of the fall. Overall i'm glad i read this book. I read the version in volume 4 of the Harvard Classics.
February 17, 2010
Mind broadening, juxtaposition and unparalleled delving into the minds and thoughts of, what we often gloss over, Lucifer and God, concerning heaven and hell, war , struggle, sacrifice, eternal loss and redemption.
August 23, 2017
Milton's poetry is just okay. He's neither inventing a new form like Shakespeare, nor starting a new school of poetry like Donne; and I personally find his commitment to the religious aspect makes many of his sonnets repetitive.
August 3, 2007
They also serve who only stand and waite.
January 3, 2021
John Milton was born in 1608 and is now considered to be the greatest writer in English prose next to William Shakespeare. Milton is known for Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. According to Britannica it states; "In his prose works Milton advocated the abolition of the Church of England and the execution of Charles I. From the beginning of the English Civil Wars in 1642 to long after the restoration of Charles II as king in 1660, he espoused in all his works a political philosophy that opposed tyranny and state-sanctioned religion." that in his prose works Milton advocated the abolition of the Church of England and the execution of Charles 1.
This collection of works is separated into four parts. The first part is rated 4/5, the second 5/5 and part four 4/5.
I liked most of the works here, as John Milton is one of my favorite poets next to Dante and Ovid, except for the last two Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. The rest were fine and Paradise Lost is my favorite this is my second read of the epic.
This collection of works is separated into four parts. The first part is rated 4/5, the second 5/5 and part four 4/5.
I liked most of the works here, as John Milton is one of my favorite poets next to Dante and Ovid, except for the last two Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. The rest were fine and Paradise Lost is my favorite this is my second read of the epic.
July 20, 2024
Now why should I read him in 2024?
Just for the singular fact that he possesses an unexpected power of drawing magnificent and glowing pen-pictures.
His descriptions of series and events are so impressive that it is difficult to forget them. He seldom goes into details ; but with a few strokes of his mighty and magic pen draws a vast impressionist picture.
And guess what? His blindness contributes not a little to this special feature of his poetry – he effing sees things through his feelings and imagination.
What monumental effect do his pictures of Hell and Chaos produce on our minds!!
Case in point: in the Second Book of Paradise Lost, the description of the deliberations of the fallen angels, of the horrors of hell, and of the fierce encounter between Satan and Death, undoubtedly show what a prodigious artist Milton was.
A most recommended tome.
Just for the singular fact that he possesses an unexpected power of drawing magnificent and glowing pen-pictures.
His descriptions of series and events are so impressive that it is difficult to forget them. He seldom goes into details ; but with a few strokes of his mighty and magic pen draws a vast impressionist picture.
And guess what? His blindness contributes not a little to this special feature of his poetry – he effing sees things through his feelings and imagination.
What monumental effect do his pictures of Hell and Chaos produce on our minds!!
Case in point: in the Second Book of Paradise Lost, the description of the deliberations of the fallen angels, of the horrors of hell, and of the fierce encounter between Satan and Death, undoubtedly show what a prodigious artist Milton was.
A most recommended tome.
November 15, 2023
WHEN Faith and Love, which parted from thee never,
Had ripened thy just soul to dwell with God,
Meekly thou didst resign this earthly load
Of death, called life, which us from life doth sever.
Thy works, and alms, and all thy good endeavour,
Stayed not behind, nor in the grave were trod;
But, as Faith pointed with her golden rod,
Followed thee up to joy and bliss for ever.
Love led them on; and Faith, who knew them best
Thy handmaids, clad them o’er with purple beams
And azure wings, that up they flew so drest,
And speak the truth of thee on glorious themes
Before the Judge; who henceforth bid thee rest,
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams.
Want to read
August 3, 2020Everyman: The Complete English Poems
February 8, 2021
Um espanto esta cadência. Embalada e comanda a vida. Um livro essencial que mesmo quem tenha menos conhecimentos de inglês poderá saborear. Clássico!
Read
July 5, 2022read: "Paradise lost" & "L'Allegro"
December 9, 2023
not bad but not good
January 22, 2009
kind of read. i realized i found paradise lost too long the first time around. there are about 150 pages of miscellaneous collected poems i also didn't read. but i read paradise regained for the first time, and that was pretty interesting (and much shorter.) i didn't know that it focuses mainly on the temptation of christ, and that's it!
September 24, 2008
OH my God. So painful.
I do enjoy his earlier poetry, but Paradise Lost just made my eyes glaze over.
I do enjoy his earlier poetry, but Paradise Lost just made my eyes glaze over.
December 23, 2016
It took me six years but I finished! Woot doggies. Turns out that Jesus was the good guy all along. I mean, I saw that coming.
February 16, 2022
I’st really’st enjoyed’st this’st book’st
July 2, 2013
I have only read poems On His Blindness and Lycidas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews