'On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John MiltonIO fairest flower no sooner blown but blasted,
Soft silken Primrose fading timelesslie,
Summers chief honour if thou hadst outlasted
Bleak winters force that made thy blossome drie;
For he being amorous on that lovely die
That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss
But kill'd alas, and then bewayl'd his fatal bliss.IIFor since grim Aquilo his charioter
By boistrous rape th' Athenian damsel got,
He thought it toucht his Deitie full neer,If likewise he some fair one wedded not,
Thereby to wipe away th' infamous blot,
Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld,
Which 'mongst the wanton gods a foul reproach was held.IIISo mounting up in ycie-pearled carr,
Through middle empire of the freezing aire
He wanderd long, till thee he spy'd from farr,
There ended was his quest, there ceast his care
Down he descended from his Snow-soft chaire,
But all unwares with his cold-kind embraceUnhous'd thy Virgin Soul from her fair hiding place.IVYet art thou not inglorious in thy fate;
For so Apollo, with unweeting hand
Whilome did slay his dearly-loved mate
Young Hyacinth born on Eurotas' strand,
Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartan land;
But then transform'd him to a purple flower
Alack that so to change thee winter had no power.VYet can I not perswade me thou art dead
Or that thy coarse corrupts in earths dark wombe,Or that thy beauties lie in wormie bed,
Hid from the world in a low delved tombe;
Could Heav'n for pittie thee so strictly doom?
O no! for something in thy face did shine
Above mortalitie that shew'd thou wast divine.VIResolve me then oh Soul most surely blest
(If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear)
Tell me bright Spirit where e're thou hoverest
Whether above that high first-moving Spheare
Or in the Elisian fields (if such there were.)Oh say me true if thou wert mortal wight
And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy flight.VIIWert thou some Starr which from the ruin'd roofe
Of shak't Olympus by mischance didst fall;
Which carefull Jove in natures true behoofe
Took up, and in fit place did reinstall?
Or did of late earths Sonnes besiege the wall
Of sheenie Heav'n, and thou some goddess fled
Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd headVIIIOr wert thou that just Maid who once beforeForsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth
And cam'st again to visit us once more?
Or wert thou that sweet smiling Youth!
Or that c[r]own'd Matron sage white-robed Truth?
Or any other of that heav'nly brood
Let down in clowdie throne to do the world some good.Note: 53 Or wert thou] Or wert thou Mercy -- conjectured by
John Heskin Ch. Ch. Oxon. from Ode on Nativity, st. 15.IXOr wert thou of the golden-winged boast,
Who having clad thy self in humane weed,
To earth from thy praefixed seat didst poast,
And after short abode flie back with speed,As if to shew what creatures Heav'n doth breed,
Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire
To scorn the sordid world, and unto Heav'n aspire.XBut oh why didst thou not stay here below
To bless us with thy heav'n-lov'd innocence,
To slake his wrath whom sin hath made our foe
To turn Swift-rushing black perdition hence,
Or drive away the slaughteringpestilence,
To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart
But thou canst best perform that office where thou art.XIThen thou the mother of so sweet a child
Her false imagin'd loss cease to lament,
And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild;
Think what a present thou to God hast sent,
And render him with patience what he lent;
This if thou do he will an off-spring give,
That till the worlds last-end shall make thy name to live.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough by John Milton: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a heart-wrenching poem this is! John Milton's "On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough" is a powerful example of elegiac poetry that captures the emotions of a grieving parent. The poem portrays the death of an innocent child as an act of God's will, and the speaker's acceptance of this tragedy highlights the religious and moral themes present in this work.
Background Information
John Milton, an English poet and author, is famous for his works "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained." But, "On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough" is one of his lesser-known poems, published in 1626. The poem is written in the form of an elegy, which is a poem that mourns the loss of a loved one.
Literary Analysis
The poem consists of eight stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is written with an ABABCC rhyme scheme, which contributes to the poem's overall melancholic tone. The use of iambic tetrameter, which consists of four iambs per line, gives the poem a musical feel.
Structure
The poem is divided into three parts: the first two stanzas describe the infant's death, the next four stanzas portray the infant in heaven with God, and the last two stanzas conclude the poem with the speaker's acceptance of the infant's death.
The first two stanzas set the stage for the poem's theme: death of a child. The speaker describes the infant's death as an act of God's will. The speaker acknowledges the infant's beauty and innocence, which makes the tragedy of the child's death even more poignant.
The next four stanzas portray the infant in heaven with God. The speaker imagines the infant in heaven as happy and free from pain. The speaker also portrays God as loving and compassionate, taking care of the infant in heaven.
The last two stanzas of the poem conclude with the speaker's acceptance of the infant's death. The speaker acknowledges that the infant was too good for this sinful world and that God has taken the infant to a better place.
Themes
The theme of death is central to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that death is a part of life but also portrays death as a tragedy, especially when it involves a child. The poem also explores the theme of God's will. The speaker acknowledges that God's will is often beyond human understanding and that it is important to accept God's will in times of tragedy.
The poem also explores the theme of innocence. The speaker portrays the infant as innocent and pure, free from sin. This innocent quality of the infant makes the tragedy of the infant's death even more poignant.
Use of Imagery
Milton uses vivid imagery to portray the infant's death and the infant in heaven. The speaker describes the infant's death as a "flow'r" that withers and dies. This image of a flower is used throughout the poem to describe the infant's beauty and innocence. The speaker also describes the infant in heaven as wearing a "garland" and surrounded by "cherubs."
Use of Allusion
Milton uses allusion to the Bible to reinforce the poem's religious themes. The speaker refers to the infant as a "little pilgrim" and imagines the infant in heaven with "Abrah'm's bosom." These references to the Bible reinforce the religious themes of the poem and provide comfort to the grieving speaker.
Use of Personification
Milton uses personification to portray death as a force that acts upon the infant. The speaker describes death as "pitiless" and "ruthless," which emphasizes the tragedy of the infant's death.
Use of Alliteration
Milton uses alliteration to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker uses alliteration to emphasize the infant's beauty: "fair flower." In the second stanza, the speaker uses alliteration to emphasize the infant's death: "pitiless power."
Interpretation
Milton's "On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough" is a powerful elegy that explores the themes of death, God's will, and innocence. The poem portrays the death of an innocent child as an act of God's will and emphasizes the importance of accepting God's will in times of tragedy.
The use of vivid imagery, allusion, personification, and alliteration in the poem adds to its power and emotional impact. The speaker's acceptance of the infant's death and the portrayal of the infant in heaven provide comfort to the grieving speaker.
Overall, "On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough" is a beautiful and powerful elegy that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, especially a child. Milton's use of language and imagery captures the emotions of grief and loss, making this poem a timeless classic of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough by John Milton is a heart-wrenching poem that explores the themes of death, grief, and the fragility of life. The poem was written in the 17th century and is considered to be one of Milton's most famous works. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem opens with the speaker addressing the infant who is lying on its deathbed. The speaker is filled with grief and sorrow as he watches the infant struggle to breathe. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker laments the loss of the infant's life. The use of the word "fair" in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes the beauty and innocence of the infant, making its death all the more tragic.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the infant's soul departing from its body. The speaker describes the soul as a "little airy spirit" that is leaving the body and ascending to heaven. This idea of the soul leaving the body is a common theme in literature and is often used to explore the idea of life after death. The use of the word "airy" to describe the soul emphasizes its ethereal nature and suggests that it is not bound by the physical limitations of the body.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker describes the infant's mother, who is weeping and mourning the loss of her child. The use of the word "weeping" emphasizes the depth of the mother's grief and suggests that she is inconsolable. The speaker then goes on to describe the father, who is also grieving but is trying to remain strong for his wife. The use of the word "manly" to describe the father suggests that he is trying to be stoic in the face of his grief, but it also implies that he is struggling to hold back his emotions.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the infant's innocence. The speaker describes the infant as being "pure" and "undefiled" and suggests that its death is a tragedy because it has not had the chance to experience the world and all its wonders. This idea of innocence being lost is a common theme in literature and is often used to explore the idea of the loss of childhood.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful. The speaker suggests that the infant's soul is now in heaven and is surrounded by angels. The use of the word "seraphim" to describe the angels emphasizes their divine nature and suggests that the infant is now in a better place. The speaker also suggests that the infant is now free from the pain and suffering of the world and is now at peace.
The final stanza of the poem is a lament for the loss of the infant's life. The speaker suggests that the infant's death is a tragedy because it has robbed the world of its beauty and innocence. The use of the word "beauty" emphasizes the idea that the infant was a precious and valuable part of the world, and its loss is a tragedy that cannot be undone.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in six stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains is common in poetry and is often used to create a sense of symmetry and balance. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, which creates a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of iambic tetrameter, which is a common meter in poetry, also creates a sense of rhythm and flow.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in imagery and symbolism. The use of the word "fair" to describe the infant emphasizes its beauty and innocence, while the use of the word "undefiled" emphasizes its purity. The use of the word "seraphim" to describe the angels emphasizes their divine nature and suggests that the infant is now in a better place. The use of the word "little" to describe the infant's soul emphasizes its fragility and suggests that it is vulnerable to the forces of the world.
In conclusion, Poetry On The Death Of A Fair Infant Dying Of A Cough by John Milton is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, grief, and the fragility of life. The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism and is written in a structured and rhythmic style. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotion and to provide comfort in times of sorrow.
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