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Il penseroso
This book is a replica, produced from digital images of the original. It was scanned at the University of Toronto Libraries and may contain defects, missing
16 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1631
About the author
John Milton
3,819 books2,271 followersPeople best know John Milton, English scholar, for
Paradise Lost
, the epic poem of 1667 and an account of fall of humanity from grace.
Beelzebub, one fallen angel in Paradise Lost, of John Milton, lay in power next to Satan.
Belial, one fallen angel, rebelled against God in Paradise Lost of John Milton.
John Milton, polemicist, man of letters, served the civil Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote in blank verse at a time of religious flux and political upheaval.
Prose of John Milton reflects deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination, and the urgent issues and political turbulence of his day. He wrote in Latin, Greek, and Italian and achieved international renown within his lifetime, and his celebrated Areopagitica (1644) in condemnation of censorship before publication among most influential and impassioned defenses of free speech and the press of history.
William Hayley in biography of 1796 called and generally regarded John Milton, the "greatest ... author," "as one of the preeminent writers in the ... language," though since his death, critical reception oscillated often on his republicanism in the centuries. Samuel Johnson praised, "with respect to design may claim the first place, and with respect to performance, the second, among the productions of the ... mind," though he, a Tory and recipient of royal patronage, described politics of Milton, an "acrimonious and surly republican."
Because of his republicanism, centuries of British partisanship subjected John Milton.
Beelzebub, one fallen angel in Paradise Lost, of John Milton, lay in power next to Satan.
Belial, one fallen angel, rebelled against God in Paradise Lost of John Milton.
John Milton, polemicist, man of letters, served the civil Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote in blank verse at a time of religious flux and political upheaval.
Prose of John Milton reflects deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination, and the urgent issues and political turbulence of his day. He wrote in Latin, Greek, and Italian and achieved international renown within his lifetime, and his celebrated Areopagitica (1644) in condemnation of censorship before publication among most influential and impassioned defenses of free speech and the press of history.
William Hayley in biography of 1796 called and generally regarded John Milton, the "greatest ... author," "as one of the preeminent writers in the ... language," though since his death, critical reception oscillated often on his republicanism in the centuries. Samuel Johnson praised, "with respect to design may claim the first place, and with respect to performance, the second, among the productions of the ... mind," though he, a Tory and recipient of royal patronage, described politics of Milton, an "acrimonious and surly republican."
Because of his republicanism, centuries of British partisanship subjected John Milton.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 11, 2018
"But hail thou Goddess, sage and holy,
Hail divinest Melancholy,
Whose Saintly visage is too bright
To hit the Sense of human sight;
And therefore to our weaker view,
O'erlaid with black staid Wisdom's hue."
This is an early Milton poem written right after he left Cambridge. It has the familiar early style of Milton of prelude then main poem (the above quote is the first six lines of the main poem). It is a companion poem to L'Allegro and they are usually grouped together, but I am reviewing this one separately. It is in-praise to the divine Muse Melancholy and the inspiration she gives to poets. Like any Milton poem it is filled which allusions and references to ancient Greek and Roman culture. It also contains some actually positive references to Ancient Africa which would become increasingly rare as the 17th century went on.
"Black, but such as in esteem,
Prince Memnon's sister might beseem,
Or that Starr'd Ethiope Queen that strove
To set her beauty's praise above
The Sea Nymphs, and their powers offended."
The main focus is how Melancholy, or in a modern sense, solitude and contemplation can lead to great inspiration for a creative mind. The Classical references goes deep and it is as wordy as anything Milton made. Overall, it said a lot, but not too much to make me bored.
"Till old experience do attain
To something like Prophetic strain.
These pleasures Melancholy give,
And I with thee will choose to live."
Hail divinest Melancholy,
Whose Saintly visage is too bright
To hit the Sense of human sight;
And therefore to our weaker view,
O'erlaid with black staid Wisdom's hue."
This is an early Milton poem written right after he left Cambridge. It has the familiar early style of Milton of prelude then main poem (the above quote is the first six lines of the main poem). It is a companion poem to L'Allegro and they are usually grouped together, but I am reviewing this one separately. It is in-praise to the divine Muse Melancholy and the inspiration she gives to poets. Like any Milton poem it is filled which allusions and references to ancient Greek and Roman culture. It also contains some actually positive references to Ancient Africa which would become increasingly rare as the 17th century went on.
"Black, but such as in esteem,
Prince Memnon's sister might beseem,
Or that Starr'd Ethiope Queen that strove
To set her beauty's praise above
The Sea Nymphs, and their powers offended."
The main focus is how Melancholy, or in a modern sense, solitude and contemplation can lead to great inspiration for a creative mind. The Classical references goes deep and it is as wordy as anything Milton made. Overall, it said a lot, but not too much to make me bored.
"Till old experience do attain
To something like Prophetic strain.
These pleasures Melancholy give,
And I with thee will choose to live."
July 18, 2017
The rhyming scheme starts off with an ABBA scheme and then becomes an AABB scheme. I am not a fan of swapping rhyming schemes in the middle of a poem, because it's very distracting.
August 13, 2019
I think this one is more than marginally better than L'Allegro, Milton's companion poem; that probably just reveals something about my primary emotional makeup.
February 9, 2023
Il Penseroso gives a description of the variety of interests, tastes, pleasures, likes and dislikes, of the contemplative man. He does not like "vain deluding joys", which he regards, "the brood of Folly", and' so expels them from his presence.
They should go and dwell in the mind and imagination of some imprudent, frolicsome person.
He welcomes, "divinest Melancholy", whom he regards as an erudite and consecrated goddess. He prefers to dwell in her companionship and so invokes her to come to him along with her companions --- Calm, Peace and Quiet, Spare Fast, Retired Leisure and Cherub Contemplation.
In such company he would lead an abstemious, unwavering life, given to study and meditation.
It is the sweetest saddest song of the nightingale which the meditative man likes to enjoy. He walks forth in moonlight, seeing all objects in their silver aspect, and listening to the sounds of night.
Such evening or night-time sights and sounds befit his mood.
And then, indoors again we follow the considerate youth, to see him, in his chamber, where the embers blaze on the hearth, sitting musingly, bothered by no sound, save (for it may be a town that he is now in) the sleepy voice of the passing watchman.
Later still, or following midnight, we see him in some high watch-tower, communing, over his books, with old philosophers, or with poets, of momentous and catastrophic themes.
In such somber and bizarrely phantasies he lets the whole night pass, and lets the morning come, not gay, but sombre and overcast, the winds rocking the trees, and rain-drops falling heavily from the eaves.
At last, when the sun is up, the watcher, who has not slept, comes out; but it is to lose himself in some forest of colossal oaks or pines, where sleep may overtake him as he rests by some waterfall.
And always, ere he joins the assorted society of men, he pays his due visit of worship to the Gothic cathedral near, and have his mind raised to its highest by the music of the pealing organ.
He is a devotee of music and likes to enjoy such music as will so melt his soul, so carry him out of himself, that he might also learn the secret of divine things.
In his old age he would retire to some hermitage and dedicate his life to the study of herbs and stars, to study and contemplation.
In this way, he would acquire knowledge and experience enough to foretell the future.
Such are the tastes of II Penseroso, and such are the pleasures dear to him. If Melancholy can give him these pleasures, he would forever live with her.
As in the case of L' Allegro, the question has often been asked whether the pleasures mentioned in the lyric are the pleasures of a single day or the pleasures he customarily likes to enjoy.
Il Penseroso is among the easiest of the poems of Milton, but even the style of this charming little piece is greatly over-weighted with Milton's learning.
Allusions to classical folklore and literature as well as to Biblical myth and legend are scattered wide over the lyric. The Muses, Philomel, Cynthia, Hermes, Musaeus, Orpheus, Pluto, and Sylvan all have their sources in the ancient classics.
The story of Orpheus who sought to bring his wife Eurydice from Hell and the story of the courtship of Cephalus by Eros are two fine episodes introduced into the poem from classical mythology.
Not only has he borrowed from ancient and medieval myths and legends, he has also created his own mythology.
Thus the background of Melancholy is Milton’s own creation.
They should go and dwell in the mind and imagination of some imprudent, frolicsome person.
He welcomes, "divinest Melancholy", whom he regards as an erudite and consecrated goddess. He prefers to dwell in her companionship and so invokes her to come to him along with her companions --- Calm, Peace and Quiet, Spare Fast, Retired Leisure and Cherub Contemplation.
In such company he would lead an abstemious, unwavering life, given to study and meditation.
It is the sweetest saddest song of the nightingale which the meditative man likes to enjoy. He walks forth in moonlight, seeing all objects in their silver aspect, and listening to the sounds of night.
Such evening or night-time sights and sounds befit his mood.
And then, indoors again we follow the considerate youth, to see him, in his chamber, where the embers blaze on the hearth, sitting musingly, bothered by no sound, save (for it may be a town that he is now in) the sleepy voice of the passing watchman.
Later still, or following midnight, we see him in some high watch-tower, communing, over his books, with old philosophers, or with poets, of momentous and catastrophic themes.
In such somber and bizarrely phantasies he lets the whole night pass, and lets the morning come, not gay, but sombre and overcast, the winds rocking the trees, and rain-drops falling heavily from the eaves.
At last, when the sun is up, the watcher, who has not slept, comes out; but it is to lose himself in some forest of colossal oaks or pines, where sleep may overtake him as he rests by some waterfall.
And always, ere he joins the assorted society of men, he pays his due visit of worship to the Gothic cathedral near, and have his mind raised to its highest by the music of the pealing organ.
He is a devotee of music and likes to enjoy such music as will so melt his soul, so carry him out of himself, that he might also learn the secret of divine things.
In his old age he would retire to some hermitage and dedicate his life to the study of herbs and stars, to study and contemplation.
In this way, he would acquire knowledge and experience enough to foretell the future.
Such are the tastes of II Penseroso, and such are the pleasures dear to him. If Melancholy can give him these pleasures, he would forever live with her.
As in the case of L' Allegro, the question has often been asked whether the pleasures mentioned in the lyric are the pleasures of a single day or the pleasures he customarily likes to enjoy.
Il Penseroso is among the easiest of the poems of Milton, but even the style of this charming little piece is greatly over-weighted with Milton's learning.
Allusions to classical folklore and literature as well as to Biblical myth and legend are scattered wide over the lyric. The Muses, Philomel, Cynthia, Hermes, Musaeus, Orpheus, Pluto, and Sylvan all have their sources in the ancient classics.
The story of Orpheus who sought to bring his wife Eurydice from Hell and the story of the courtship of Cephalus by Eros are two fine episodes introduced into the poem from classical mythology.
Not only has he borrowed from ancient and medieval myths and legends, he has also created his own mythology.
Thus the background of Melancholy is Milton’s own creation.
April 16, 2017
Sweet bird, that shun the noise of folly, most musical, most melancholy!
In sage and solemn tunes have sung,
Of tourneys and of trophies hung,
Of forests, and enchantments drear,
Where more is meant than meets the ear.
Thus, Night, oft see me in thy pale career,
Till civil-suited Morn appear,
Not trick'd and frounc'd as she was wont,
With the Attic boy to hunt,
But kerchief'd in a comely cloud,
While rocking winds are piping loud,
Or usher'd with a shower still,
When the gust hath blown his fill,
Ending on the rustling leaves,
With minute-drops from off the eaves.
There in close covert by some brook,
Where no profaner eye may look,
Hide me from Day's garish eye,
While the bee with honied thigh,
That at her flow'ry work doth sing,
And the waters murmuring
With such consort as they keep,
Entice the dewy-feather'd sleep;
And let some strange mysterious dream,
Wave at his wings, in airy stream
Of lively portraiture display'd,
Softly on my eye-lids laid.
But let my due feet never fail
To walk the studious cloister's pale,
And love the high embowed roof,
With antique pillars massy proof,
And storied windows richly dight,
Casting a dim religious light.
There let the pealing organ blow,
To the full-voic'd quire below,
In service high, and anthems clear,
As may with sweetness, through mine ear,
Dissolve me into ecstasies,
And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes.
And may at last my weary age
Find out the peaceful hermitage,
The hairy gown and mossy cell,
Where I may sit and rightly spell
Of every star that Heav'n doth shew,
And every herb that sips the dew;
Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.
These pleasures, Melancholy, give,
And I with thee will choose to live.
In sage and solemn tunes have sung,
Of tourneys and of trophies hung,
Of forests, and enchantments drear,
Where more is meant than meets the ear.
Thus, Night, oft see me in thy pale career,
Till civil-suited Morn appear,
Not trick'd and frounc'd as she was wont,
With the Attic boy to hunt,
But kerchief'd in a comely cloud,
While rocking winds are piping loud,
Or usher'd with a shower still,
When the gust hath blown his fill,
Ending on the rustling leaves,
With minute-drops from off the eaves.
There in close covert by some brook,
Where no profaner eye may look,
Hide me from Day's garish eye,
While the bee with honied thigh,
That at her flow'ry work doth sing,
And the waters murmuring
With such consort as they keep,
Entice the dewy-feather'd sleep;
And let some strange mysterious dream,
Wave at his wings, in airy stream
Of lively portraiture display'd,
Softly on my eye-lids laid.
But let my due feet never fail
To walk the studious cloister's pale,
And love the high embowed roof,
With antique pillars massy proof,
And storied windows richly dight,
Casting a dim religious light.
There let the pealing organ blow,
To the full-voic'd quire below,
In service high, and anthems clear,
As may with sweetness, through mine ear,
Dissolve me into ecstasies,
And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes.
And may at last my weary age
Find out the peaceful hermitage,
The hairy gown and mossy cell,
Where I may sit and rightly spell
Of every star that Heav'n doth shew,
And every herb that sips the dew;
Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.
These pleasures, Melancholy, give,
And I with thee will choose to live.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews