'The Hymn' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonIIt was the Winter wilde,
While the Heav'n-born-childe,All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;
Nature in aw to him
Had doff't her gawdy trim,
With her great Master so to sympathize:
It was no season then for her
To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour.IIOnly with speeches fair
She woo'd the gentle Air
To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow,
And on her naked shame,Pollute with sinfull blame,
The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw,
Confounded, that her Makers eyes
Should look so near upon her foul deformities.IIIBut he her fears to cease,
Sent down the meek-eyd Peace,
She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding
Down through the turning sphear
His ready Harbinger,
With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing,And waving wide her mirtle wand,
She strikes a universall Peace through Sea and Land.IVNo War, or Battails sound
Was heard the World around,
The idle spear and shield were high up hung;
The hooked Chariot stood
Unstain'd with hostile blood,
The Trumpet spake not to the armed throng,
And Kings sate still with awfull eye,
As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.VBut peacefull was the night
Wherin the Prince of light
His raign of peace upon the earth began:
The Windes with wonder whist,
Smoothly the waters kist,
Whispering new joyes to the milde Ocean,
Who now hath quite forgot to rave,
While Birds of Calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.VIThe Stars with deep amaze
Stand fit in steadfast gaze,Bending one way their pretious influence,
And will not take their flight,
For all the morning light,
Or Lucifer that often warned them thence;
But in their glimmering Orbs did glow,
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.VIIAnd though the shady gloom
Had given day her room,
The Sun himself with-held his wonted speed,
And hid his head for shame,As his inferior flame,
The new enlightened world no more should need;
He saw a greater Sun appear
Then his bright Throne, or burning Axletree could bear.VIIIThe Shepherds on the Lawn,
Or ere the point of dawn,
Sate simply chatting in a rustic row;
Full little thought they than,
That the mighty Pan
Was kindly com to live with them below;Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep,
Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep.IXWhen such Musick sweet
Their hearts and ears did greet,
As never was by mortal finger strook,
Divinely-warbled voice
Answering the stringed noise,
As all their souls in blisfull rapture took:
The Air such pleasure loth to lose,
Withthousand echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close.XNature that heard suchsound
Beneaththe hollow round
of Cynthia's seat the Airy region thrilling,
Now was almost won
To think her part was don
And that her raign had here its last fulfilling;
She knew such harmony alone
Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union.XIAt last surrounds their sight
A globe of circular light,That with long beams the shame faced night arrayed
The helmed Cherubim
And sworded Seraphim,
Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid,
Harping in loud and solemn quire,
With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir.XIISuch Musick (as 'tis said)
Before was never made,
But when of old the sons of morning sung,
While the Creator Great
His constellations set,And the well-ballanc't world on hinges hung,
And cast the dark foundations deep,
And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep.XIIIRing out ye Crystall sphears,
Once bless our human ears,
(If ye have power to touch our senses so)
And let your silver chime
Move in melodious time;
And let the Base of Heav'ns deep Organ blow,And with your ninefold harmony
Make up full consort to th'Angelike symphony.XIVFor if such holy Song
Enwrap our fancy long,
Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold,
And speckl'd vanity
Will sicken soon and die,
And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould,
And Hell it self will pass away
And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day.XVYea Truth, and Justice then
Will down return to men,
Th'enameld Arras of the Rain-bow wearing,
And Mercy set between
Thron'd in Celestiall sheen,
With radiant feet the tissued clouds down stearing,
And Heav'n as at som festivall,
Will open wide the gates of her high Palace Hall.XVIBut wisest Fate sayesno,
This must not yet be so,The Babe lies yet in smiling Infancy,
That on the bitter cross
Must redeem our loss;
So both himself and us to glorifie:
Yet first to those ychain'd in sleep,
The Wakeful trump of doom must thunder through the deep,XVIIWith such a horrid clang
As on Mount Sinai rang
While the red fire, and smouldring clouds out brake:
The aged Earth agastWith terrour of that blast,
Shall from the surface to the center shake;
When at the worlds last session,
The dreadfull Judge in middle Air shall spread his throne.XVIIIAnd then at lastour bliss
Full and perfect is,
But now begins; for from this happy day
Th'old Dragon under ground
In straiter limits bound,
Not half so far casts his usurped sway,And wrath to see his Kingdom fail,
Swindges the scaly Horrour of his foulded tail.XIXThe Oracles are dumm,
No voice or hideous humm
Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.
Apollo from his shrine
Can no more divine,
With hollow shreik the steep of Delphos leaving.
No nightly trance, or breathed spell,
Inspire's the pale-ey'd Priest from the prophetic cell.XXThe lonely mountains o're,
And the resounding shore,
A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament;
From haunted spring, and dale
Edg'd with poplar pale
The parting Genius is with sighing sent,
With flowre-inwov'n tresses torn
The Nimphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn.XXIIn consecrated Earth,
And on the holy Hearth,The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint,
In Urns, and Altars round,
A drear, and dying sound
Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint;
And the chill Marble seems to sweat,
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.XXIIPeor, and Baalim,
Forsake their Temples dim,
With that twise-batter'd god of Palestine,
And mooned Ashtaroth,Heav'ns Queen and Mother both,
Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine,
The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn,
In vain the Tyrian Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn.XXIIIAnd sullen Moloch fled,
Hath left in shadows dred,
His burning Idol all of blackest hue,
In vain with Cymbals ring,
They call the grisly king,
In dismall dance about the furnace Blue;And Brutish gods of Nile as fast,
lsis and Orus, and the Dog Anubis hast.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Hymn by John Milton: A Masterpiece of Religious Poetry

When we talk about religious poetry, the name of John Milton inevitably comes to mind. The 17th-century English poet is known for his epic masterpiece, "Paradise Lost," but his contribution to religious poetry goes beyond that. One of his lesser-known works, "The Hymn," is a profound meditation on the nature of God and the human soul. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance and beauty.

The Themes of "The Hymn"

At its core, "The Hymn" is a celebration of God's greatness and goodness. The poem opens with a statement of praise, "Let us with a gladsome mind / Praise the Lord for he is kind," and goes on to list the many attributes of God: his power, wisdom, mercy, and love. The poem also acknowledges human frailty and sinfulness, but it affirms the hope of redemption through faith and repentance. Milton's vision of God is both awe-inspiring and comforting, as he portrays God as a just and loving father who watches over his children.

Another theme that runs through "The Hymn" is the idea of divine providence. Milton portrays God as the master of fate, who guides the course of history and the destiny of nations. He notes that even in times of war and chaos, God's providence is at work, bringing about good from evil. This theme reflects Milton's belief in the Puritan doctrine of predestination, which holds that God has predetermined the salvation or damnation of every human soul.

The Structure of "The Hymn"

"The Hymn" is a formal poem that follows a strict structure of four-line stanzas, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). This strict adherence to form gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which is appropriate for a hymn that extols the divine order of the universe.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of God's nature. The first part celebrates God's power and majesty, the second his wisdom and mercy, and the third his love and grace. Each part begins with a statement of praise, followed by a series of rhetorical questions that emphasize the greatness of God.

The Language of "The Hymn"

Milton's language in "The Hymn" is both simple and elevated. He uses plain words and phrases to express profound ideas, such as "God is our refuge and our strength" and "He with a breath doth snatch their soul / From death's eternal gloom." At the same time, he employs rich imagery and poetic devices to create a vivid and memorable portrayal of God's attributes. For example, he compares God's mercy to a "plenteous shower" that refreshes the earth, and his love to a "sweet perfume" that fills the air.

Milton also uses biblical allusions and quotations to reinforce the religious themes of the poem. For instance, he refers to God as "the Most High" and "the Lord of hosts," which are common epithets for God in the Old Testament. He also quotes from Psalm 136 to emphasize God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

The Significance of "The Hymn"

"The Hymn" is significant not only for its religious content but also for its literary merit. It exemplifies Milton's skill as a poet, as he combines form and content to create a work that is both beautiful and meaningful. The poem's strict structure and elevated language give it a sense of reverence and solemnity, while its themes of praise, providence, and redemption resonate with readers of all religious backgrounds.

Moreover, "The Hymn" reflects the cultural and historical context in which it was written. Milton lived in a time of political and religious turmoil, as England was torn apart by civil war and religious dissent. His Puritan faith and republican politics placed him at odds with the monarchy and the Anglican church, but he remained steadfast in his belief in God's providence and salvation. "The Hymn" can be seen as an expression of this faith and a call to others to join in the praise of God.

Conclusion

In summary, "The Hymn" is a masterpiece of religious poetry that celebrates God's greatness and goodness. Through its themes of praise, providence, and redemption, Milton creates a vision of God that is both awe-inspiring and comforting. The poem's formal structure and elevated language give it a sense of reverence and solemnity, while its biblical allusions and historical context make it a rich and complex work of art. "The Hymn" is a testament to Milton's skill as a poet and his deep faith in God, and it continues to inspire and uplift readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Hymn is a classic poem written by John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English language. This poem is a beautiful expression of Milton's faith and his deep reverence for God. It is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, a celebration of the glory and majesty of God.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which is a separate hymn. The first stanza is a hymn of praise to God the Father, the second stanza is a hymn of praise to God the Son, and the third stanza is a hymn of praise to God the Holy Spirit.

The first stanza begins with the words "Let us with a gladsome mind" and goes on to describe the greatness of God the Father. Milton uses vivid imagery to describe God's power and majesty, saying that he "reigns above the sky" and "fills the earth with his fullness wide." He also describes God's mercy and love, saying that he "bears us in his gentle breast" and "forgives our sins."

The second stanza begins with the words "Let us love and sing and wonder" and goes on to describe the greatness of God the Son. Milton uses beautiful language to describe the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He describes Jesus as "the Word of God made flesh" and "the Lamb of God who died for us." He also describes the joy and hope that come from believing in Jesus, saying that he "gives us life and light and gladness" and "leads us to the heavenly shore."

The third stanza begins with the words "Let us sing of the Holy Spirit" and goes on to describe the greatness of God the Holy Spirit. Milton uses poetic language to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the world and in the hearts of believers. He describes the Holy Spirit as "the Comforter and Guide" and "the source of all our joy and peace." He also describes the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, saying that he "renews us day by day" and "makes us holy, pure, and true."

Overall, The Hymn is a beautiful expression of Milton's faith and his deep reverence for God. It is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, a celebration of the glory and majesty of God. Milton's use of vivid imagery and poetic language makes this poem a true masterpiece of English literature. It is a timeless reminder of the greatness of God and the joy and hope that come from believing in him.

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