'On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester' by John Milton


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Fairfax, whose name in armes through Europe rings
Filling each mouth with envy, or with praise,
And all her jealous monarchs with amaze,
And rumors loud, that daunt remotest kings,
Thy firm unshak'n vertue ever brings
Victory home, though new rebellions raise
Their Hydra heads, & the fals North displaies
Her brok'n league, to impe their serpent wings,
O yet a nobler task awaites thy hand;
Yet what can Warr, but endless warr still breed,
Till Truth, & Right from Violence be freed,
And Public Faith cleard from the shamefull brand
Of Public Fraud. In vain doth Valour bleed
While Avarice, & Rapine share the land.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester: A Masterpiece of Political Satire by John Milton

Are you a fan of political satire? Do you enjoy reading works that make you think and reflect on the current state of affairs? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you must read John Milton's poem, "On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester." This masterpiece of political satire is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, history and politics.

Historical Context

Before we dive into the poem, let us first understand the historical context in which it was written. John Milton was a prominent English poet and intellectual, who lived during the 17th century. He served as the Secretary for Foreign Tongues under Oliver Cromwell's government, during the English Civil War. The war was fought between the Royalists, who supported King Charles I, and the Parliamentarians, who opposed him. The Parliamentarians were successful in overthrowing the King, and Cromwell became the Lord Protector of England.

During this time, the city of Colchester, located in Essex, England, was under siege by the Royalists. It was one of the last strongholds of the Royalists, and its capture was crucial for the Parliamentarians to win the war. The Parliamentarians were led by General Thomas Fairfax, who was a popular and respected military leader. The poem, "On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester," was written by John Milton to praise and celebrate Fairfax's victory over the Royalists.

Literary Analysis

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of ten lines. It is written in iambic pentameter and follows a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDEED. Milton uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, imagery, and metaphor, to convey his message.

The poem begins with an allusion to the biblical story of David and Goliath. Milton compares Fairfax to David, and the Royalists to Goliath. Fairfax is described as a "shepherd," who has "felled" the "mighty Goliath," the Royalists. This comparison is significant, as it portrays Fairfax as a hero, who has defeated a powerful enemy.

Milton then goes on to describe the siege of Colchester in vivid detail. He uses powerful imagery to describe the horrors of war. He writes, "the blood of slaughtered men did pave / The streets with purple gore." This imagery is gruesome, and it highlights the brutality of war. Milton also uses metaphor to describe the city of Colchester as a "beast," which is being hunted by Fairfax and his troops. This metaphor is effective, as it portrays the Royalists as savage and barbaric, who are trying to defend a dying cause.

In the second stanza, Milton shifts his focus to Fairfax. He praises Fairfax for his bravery, and describes him as a "valiant general," who is "the glory of our land." Milton also uses religious imagery to describe Fairfax as a "saint," who has "saved the Church by his victorious hand." This imagery is significant, as it portrays Fairfax as a savior, who has saved England from the tyranny of the Royalists.

Milton also describes the Parliamentarians as "God's army," who have been sent to "reform the world." This description is significant, as it portrays the Parliamentarians as a righteous force, who have been sent by God to bring about change. The use of religious imagery is effective, as it appeals to the religious sentiments of the readers.

In the final stanza, Milton concludes the poem with a call to action. He urges the Parliamentarians to "press on" and "not to slack." He also warns them not to be complacent, as the Royalists are still a powerful force. Milton ends the poem with a powerful message, "Let us not be faint-hearted men, / But at our work be stout / And in God's name let us press on, / And not be put to rout." This message is significant, as it inspires the readers to be brave and steadfast, and to continue fighting for the cause.

Interpretation

The poem, "On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester," is a masterpiece of political satire. The poem celebrates the victory of General Fairfax and the Parliamentarians over the Royalists. It also portrays the Parliamentarians as a righteous force, who have been sent by God to bring about change.

The poem is significant, as it reflects the political and religious sentiments of the time. The English Civil War was a time of great upheaval and change, and the poem reflects this. Milton uses powerful imagery and metaphor to convey his message, and he appeals to the religious sentiments of the readers.

The poem is also significant, as it reflects Milton's political and religious beliefs. Milton was a Puritan, who believed in the importance of political and religious freedom. He believed that the Parliamentarians were fighting for a righteous cause, and he praised them for their bravery and steadfastness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester," is a masterpiece of political satire. It celebrates the victory of General Fairfax and the Parliamentarians over the Royalists, and it portrays the Parliamentarians as a righteous force, who have been sent by God to bring about change. The poem reflects the political and religious sentiments of the time, and it is significant, as it reflects Milton's political and religious beliefs. The poem is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, history, and politics.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester: A Masterpiece of Miltonian Poetry

John Milton, the celebrated English poet, is known for his epic works such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, his lesser-known works, such as On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester, are equally impressive and deserve recognition. This poem is a tribute to Thomas Fairfax, a prominent military leader during the English Civil War, and his role in the siege of Colchester. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it is a masterpiece of Miltonian poetry.

Themes

The poem's central theme is the glorification of Fairfax's military prowess and his role in the siege of Colchester. Milton portrays Fairfax as a fearless and heroic leader who is willing to risk everything for the cause of Parliament. The poem is also a celebration of the Parliamentarian cause and their victory over the Royalists. Milton's admiration for Fairfax is evident in the opening lines of the poem, where he describes him as "fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings, / Filling each mouth with envy or with praise."

Structure

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry. It consists of 48 lines divided into six stanzas of eight lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the last two lines of each stanza forming a rhyming couplet. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of Fairfax's military leadership. The first stanza introduces Fairfax and his reputation as a military leader, while the second stanza describes his bravery in battle. The third stanza focuses on his strategic genius, while the fourth stanza highlights his compassion for his soldiers. The fifth stanza is a tribute to the Parliamentarian cause, while the final stanza is a call to arms for future generations to follow in Fairfax's footsteps.

Language

Milton's use of language in this poem is masterful. He employs a range of literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification to create a vivid and powerful image of Fairfax and the siege of Colchester. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration to emphasize Fairfax's reputation: "fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings." In the second stanza, he uses metaphor to describe Fairfax's bravery: "And like a thunderbolt he falls." In the third stanza, he personifies the city of Colchester as a "haughty foe" that Fairfax must conquer. In the fourth stanza, he uses imagery to describe Fairfax's compassion for his soldiers: "His care and love extends so far, / As swords and pikes and bullets are."

Milton's use of language is not only impressive but also effective in conveying his message. He uses language to create a sense of awe and admiration for Fairfax and his achievements. The poem's language is also emotive, with Milton's passion for the Parliamentarian cause shining through in lines such as "And with the same undaunted spirit still / He mounts the breach, or trenches fills."

Conclusion

On The Lord Gen. Fairfax At The Seige Of Colchester is a masterpiece of Miltonian poetry. It celebrates the military leadership of Thomas Fairfax and the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War. Milton's use of language, structure, and themes creates a powerful and emotive image of Fairfax and the siege of Colchester. The poem is a testament to Milton's skill as a poet and his passion for the Parliamentarian cause. It is a must-read for anyone interested in English poetry and the history of the English Civil War.

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