Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET: 12. ON THE DETRACTION FOLLOWED MY WRITING TREATISES (2), by JOHN MILTON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs Last Line: For all this waste of wealth, and loss of blood. Variant Title(s): Second Sonnet On Tetrachordon Subject(s): Divorce; Freedom; Liberty | ||||||||
I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs By the known rules of ancient liberty, When straight a barbarous noise environs me Of owls and cuckoos, asses, apes and dogs. As when those hinds that were transformed to frogs Railed at Latona's twin-born progeny Which after held the sun and moon in fee. But this is got by casting pearl to hogs; That bawl for freedom in their senseless mood, And still revolt when truth would set them free. Licence they mean when they cry liberty; For who loves that, must first be wise and good; But from that mark how far they rove we see For all this waste of wealth, and loss of blood. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER |
|