John Milton's poetry and audio

[fenlan]

This is a 17th century poem, quoted mainly for the beauty of the first four lines rather than for the religious references further down. If anyone wants clarification let me know. The poem is addressed to Oliver Cromwell, former Lord Protector of England.

These 14 line poems are known as sonnets, and generally have a pattern of rhymes running through them, in this case abba abba cddc ee (abcde refer to the five rhyme patterns in the poem). To get cddc to rhyme properly, "victories" needs to rhyme with "arise". This is probably how it was pronounced 300 years ago, but in reading the poem today it is optional whether simply to use the modern pronunciation and destroy the rhyme (but bear in mind in your head the intended rhyme), or to change the pronunciation to bring out the rhyme.

John Milton (1608-1674)

Sonnet XVI: To the Lord General Cromwell

On the proposals of certain ministers at the Committee for Propagation of the Gospel

1 Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud

2 Not of war only, but detractions rude,

3 Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,

4 To peace and truth thy glorious way hast plough'd,

5 And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud

6 Hast rear'd God's trophies, and his work pursu'd,

7 While Darwen stream with blood of Scots imbru'd,

8 And Dunbar field, resounds thy praises loud,

9 And Worcester's laureate wreath; yet much remains

10 To conquer still: peace hath her victories

11 No less renown'd than war. New foes arise

12 Threat'ning to bind our souls with secular chains:

13 Help us to save free Conscience from the paw

14 Of hireling wolves whose gospel is their maw.