English Poets: Ben Jonson to Dryden [Hardcover]

Thomas H. Ward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1985 | ISBN-10: 0836962451 | ISBN-13: 978-0836962451

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1880 Excerpt: ... JOHN MILTON. john Milton (1608-1674) was born in Bread Street, Cheapside, 9 Dec. 1608. Educated at St. Paul's School, and Christ's College, Cambridge, he was destined by his family for the Church. From this, however, he was diverted, partly by his strong Puritan bias, partly by an ambition which possessed him from a very early period, to compose a great work which should bring honour to his country, and to the English language. Full of this lofty purpose, he retired to his father's country residence at Horton, in the county of Bucks. Here he gave himself up to study, and poetical meditation, in preparation for the work to which he had resolved to devote his life. He looked upon himself as a man dedicated to a high purpose,. and framed his life accordingly. He thought that' he who would not be frustrated of his hope to write well hereafter in laudable things, ought himself to be a true poem,.... not presuming to sing high praises of heroic men or famous cities, unless he have in himself the experience and practice of all that which is praiseworthy.' This residence at Horton constitutes Milton's first poetic period, 1632-1638. During these six years he wrote L'Allegro and Il Penseroso, Arcades, Comas, and Lycidas. All these were thrown off by their author as occasional pieces, exercises for practice, preluding to the labour of his life, which he was all the while meditating. A journey to Italy, 1638-9, was undertaken as a portion of the poet's education which he was giving himself. He was recalled from his tour by the lowering aspect of public affairs at home. For the next twenty years his thoughts were diverted from poetry by the absorbing interest of the civil struggle. His time was occupied, partly by official duties as Latin secretary to the Council of th...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Ayer Co Pub (June 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836962451
• ISBN-13: 978-0836962451
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,665,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)