'An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester' by John Milton
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This rich Marble doth enterr
The honour'd Wife of Winchester,
A Vicounts daughter, an Earls heir,
Besides what her vertues fair
Added to her noble birth,
More then she could own from Earth.
Summers three times eight save one
She had told, alas too soon,
After so short time of breath,
To house with darknes, and with death.
Yet had the number of her days
Bin as compleat as was her praise,
Nature and fate had had no strife
In giving limit to her life.
Her high birth, and her graces sweet,
Quickly found a lover meet;
The Virgin quire for her request
The God that sits at marriage feast;
He at their invoking came
But with a scarce-wel-lighted flame;
And in his Garland as he stood,
Ye might discern a Cipress bud.
Once had the early Matrons run
To greet her of a lovely son,
And now with second hope she goes,
And calls Lucina to her throws;
But whether by mischance or blame
Atropos for Lucina came;
And with remorsles cruelty,
Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree:
The haples Babe before his birth
Had burial, yet not laid in earth,
And the languisht Mothers Womb
Was not long a living Tomb.
So have I seen som tender slip
Sav'd with care from Winters nip,
The pride of her carnation train,
Pluck't up by som unheedy swain,
Who onely thought to crop the flowr
New shot up from vernall showr;
But the fair blossom hangs the head
Side-ways as on a dying bed,
And those Pearls of dew she wears,
Prove to be presaging tears
Which the sad morn had let fall
On her hast'ning funerall.
Gentle Lady may thy grave
Peace and quiet ever have;
After this thy travail sore
Sweet rest sease thee evermore,
That to give the world encrease,
Shortned hast thy own lives lease;
Here besides the sorrowing
That thy noble House doth bring,
Here be tears of perfect moan
Weept for thee in Helicon,
And som Flowers, and som Bays,
For thy Hears to strew the ways,
Sent thee from the banks of Came,
Devoted to thy vertuous name;
Whilst thou bright Saint high sit'st in glory,
Next her much like to thee in story,
That fair Syrian Shepherdess,
Who after yeers of barrennes,
The highly favour'd Joseph bore
To him that serv'd for her before,
And at her next birth much like thee,
Through pangs fled to felicity,
Far within the boosom bright
of blazing Majesty and Light,
There with thee, new welcom Saint,
Like fortunes may her soul acquaint,
With thee there clad in radiant sheen,
No Marchioness, but now a Queen.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester: A Masterpiece of Elegy and Hymn
John Milton's An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester is a masterpiece of elegy and hymn. Written in 1625, the poem is a tribute to Lady Margaret Russell, the Marchioness of Winchester, who died in childbirth. Milton's poem is a moving testimony to the beauty and nobility of the deceased.
The poem is composed of twenty-three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines, and is written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABABABCC, with the exception of the final couplet, which is a rhymed couplet. The poem begins with a description of the deceased, and then moves on to praise her piety, her beauty, and her virtues.
A Tribute to the Deceased
The first two stanzas of the poem serve as a tribute to the deceased. Milton describes her in the most glowing terms, extolling her virtues and her beauty. He tells us that she was a woman of great beauty and nobility, and that she was dearly loved by all who knew her. He also tells us that her death was a great loss, not only to her family and friends, but to the entire nation.
Underneath this marble hearse Lies the subject of all verse, Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother. Death, ere thou hast slain another, Fair and learn'd and good as she, Time shall throw a dart at thee.
Milton's use of language in these stanzas is particularly striking. He uses a series of parallel phrases to create a sense of balance and harmony. The repetition of the words "fair" and "learn'd" emphasizes the deceased's beauty and intelligence, while the repetition of the word "good" emphasizes her moral character.
A Hymn to Virtue
The rest of the poem is a hymn to virtue, with Milton extolling the deceased's piety, her love of God and her charitable works. He tells us that the deceased was not only beautiful and noble, but also a true Christian, devoted to God and to her fellow human beings. He praises her for her charity and her kindness, and for her love of learning and the arts.
Who ere she be, That not impossible she That shall command my heart and me; Where'er she lie Locked up from mortal eye In shady leaves of destiny, Till that ripe birth Of studied Fate stand forth, And teach her fair steps to our earth; Till that divine Idea take a shrine Of crystal flesh, through which to shine: Meet you her, my wishes, Bespeak her to my blisses, And be ye call'd my absent kisses.
Milton's language in these stanzas is both poetic and eloquent. He uses a series of images and metaphors to create a sense of wonder and awe. His use of the words "shrine" and "divine" emphasizes the religious nature of the deceased's virtues, while his use of the word "crystal" emphasizes her purity and her beauty.
An Ode to Love
The final stanza of the poem is an ode to love, with Milton expressing his love for the deceased and his longing for her. He tells us that he will never forget her and that she will always be in his heart. He also says that he looks forward to the day when he will be reunited with her in Heaven.
But whither am I stray'd? I need not raise Trophies to thee from other men's dispraise; Nor is thy fame on lesser ruins built, Nor needs thy juster title the foul guilt Of Eastern kings, who, to secure their reign, Must have their brothers, sons, and kindred slain. And, where they find the memory too nigh, They razed the buildings, and the sculptures fly: This knows thy builder, who thus, to thy name, Eternal monument hath rear'd the same, And still thy praise survives, and must do so, While he that built it makes it greater grow.
Milton's use of language in this stanza is poignant and moving. He uses a series of metaphors to create a sense of longing and loss. His use of the word "trophy" emphasizes the deceased's greatness, while his use of the word "ruins" emphasizes her mortality. The final lines of the poem, in which Milton speaks directly to the deceased, are particularly powerful. His use of the words "eternal monument" and "greater grow" emphasizes the immortality of the deceased's memory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Milton's An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester is a masterpiece of elegy and hymn, a tribute to the beauty, nobility, and piety of Lady Margaret Russell. The poem is a moving testimony to the power of love and virtue and is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a person's life. Milton's use of language in the poem is both poetic and eloquent, with his use of images and metaphors creating a sense of wonder and awe. The poem is a true work of art and a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry
John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English language, is known for his epic works such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, his talent for elegiac poetry is often overlooked. One of his most beautiful elegies is An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester, written in 1631. This poem is a tribute to Margaret Russell, the Marchioness of Winchester, who was a patron of the arts and a friend of Milton's family. In this article, we will analyze and explain the beauty and significance of this masterpiece of elegiac poetry.
The poem begins with a description of the Marchioness's tomb, which is adorned with beautiful sculptures and inscriptions. Milton praises the sculptor for his skill in capturing the Marchioness's beauty and grace in stone. He then turns his attention to the Marchioness herself, describing her as a woman of great virtue and piety. He praises her for her generosity and kindness, and for her devotion to her family and her faith.
Milton's language is rich and poetic, with a rhythm and flow that is both soothing and melancholic. He uses a variety of poetic devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification to create a vivid and emotional portrait of the Marchioness. For example, he describes her as "the fairest flower that e'er saw the light," using a metaphor to convey her beauty and fragility. He also personifies death as a "grim tyrant" who has taken the Marchioness from this world, adding a sense of tragedy and loss to the poem.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of religious imagery and language. Milton was a deeply religious man, and his faith is evident in his elegiac poetry. In An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester, he uses religious language to describe the Marchioness's virtues and her place in heaven. He refers to her as a "saint" and a "blessed soul," and describes her as being "with the saints in light." This language not only adds to the beauty of the poem, but also reflects Milton's belief in the afterlife and the power of faith to overcome death.
Another notable feature of the poem is its structure. An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester is written in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which is appropriate for a poem about death and the afterlife. The rhyming couplets also create a musical quality to the poem, making it easy to read and remember.
In addition to its beauty and structure, An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester is significant for its historical context. The poem was written during a time of great political and religious turmoil in England. The country was divided between the Royalists, who supported the king, and the Parliamentarians, who opposed him. Milton was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarians, and his elegiac poetry often reflected his political and religious beliefs.
In An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester, Milton uses the Marchioness's death as a metaphor for the political and religious turmoil of the time. He describes her as a victim of the "civil wars" and the "sectarian strife" that were tearing the country apart. He also uses her death as a call to action, urging his readers to "learn from hence how vain is life" and to "prepare for death and follow Christ."
Overall, An Epitaph On The Marchioness Of Winchester is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that combines beauty, structure, and historical significance. Milton's use of language, imagery, and structure creates a powerful and emotional tribute to a woman of great virtue and piety. The poem also reflects Milton's political and religious beliefs, making it a valuable historical document as well as a work of art.
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