SONG ON MAY MORNING. BY JOHN MILTON.
Reading edition
John Milton was born at London in 1608. At 16 he went to Christ’s College, Cambridge, and there wrote his “Ode on the Nativity” (1629). During the Long Parliament Milton wrote many political pamphlets attacking the Episcopacy, and later, when Charles I. had been executed, he answered the “Eikon Basilike” of Gauden with his famous “Eikonoclastes.” At home Milton suffered through the neglect and impatience of his daughters, who, on account of his blindness, were the unwilling amanuenses, of “Paradise Lost,” and “Paradise Regained.” Besides these epic poems are “L’Allegro,” “Il Penseroso,” “Comus,” and “Lycidas,” all of which were written between 1634–’37. He died in 1674.
Now the bright morning star, day’s harbinger, Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. Hail, bounteous May, that doth inspire Mirth and youth and warm desire; Woods and groves are of thy dressing, Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing; Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish thee long.