'At A Solemn Musick' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John MiltonBlest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,
Sphear-born harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Vers,
Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ
Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce,
And to our high-rais'd phantasie present,
That undisturbed Song of pure content,
Ay sung before the saphire-colour'd throne
To him that sits theron
With Saintly shout, and solemn Jubily,
Where the bright Seraphim in burning rowTheir loud up-lifted Angel trumpets blow,
And the Cherubick host in thousand quires
Touch their immortal Harps of golden wires,
With those just Spirits that wear victorious Palms,
Hymns devout and holy Psalms
Singing everlastingly;
That we on Earth with undiscording voice
May rightly answer that melodious noise;
Asonce we did, till disproportion'd sin
Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh dinThe fair musick that all creatures made
To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd
In perfect Diapason, whilst they stood
In first obedience, and their state of good.
O may we soon again renew that Song,
And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long
To his celestial consort us unite,
To live with him, and sing in endles morn of light.Note: 6 content]Manuscript reads concent as does the Second
Edition; so that content is probably a misprint.
Editor 1 Interpretation
At A Solemn Musick by John Milton: A poetic masterpiece
Have you ever found yourself in a state of pure bliss while listening to a piece of music that touches your soul? Have you ever wished to express the emotions that this music evokes in you, but words seem to fall short? John Milton's "At A Solemn Musick" is a perfect example of how music and poetry intertwine to create a masterpiece that transcends time and space.
Written in the 17th century, "At A Solemn Musick" is a poem that celebrates the power of music to uplift the human soul and connect it to the divine. Milton's language is rich and evocative, and his imagery is both sensual and spiritual. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between music and spirituality.
The first stanza: The power of music to move the soul
The first stanza of the poem is dedicated to the power of music to move the soul. Milton begins by describing the effect of music on the human heart:
Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,
Sphear-born harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Verse,
Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ
Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce,
And to our high-rais'd phantasie present,
That undisturbed Song of pure content,
Ay sung before the saphire-colour'd throne
To him that sits theron.
The "Blest pair of Sirens" refers to the Greek mythological creatures who had the power to lure sailors to their doom with their enchanting songs. However, Milton transforms this negative image into a positive one by associating the Sirens with joy and heaven. He addresses the "harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Verse," suggesting that music and poetry form a sacred bond that transcends the material world.
Milton goes on to describe how music has the power to awaken the senses and connect them to the spiritual realm. The phrase "inbreath'd sense" suggests that music has the ability to enter into our very being, awakening us to the divine. The "undisturbed Song of pure content" refers to the unbroken harmony that exists in the heavenly realm, and which music has the power to bring to the earthly plane.
The second stanza: The beauty of music as an expression of the divine
The second stanza of the poem celebrates the beauty of music as an expression of the divine. Milton describes how the music of the spheres, the heavenly music that is said to be produced by the movement of the planets, is echoed in the music of the human soul:
Or let our lips and hands
Be t'other two Ithuriel's wand,
And give the mystic rod
To him that can tell what this Trod
In measures daunc't, what shape it bears,
How many lights above it shed,
And what streams are mingled there;
Then let him well advise,
And teach his erring finger's skilful stead,
To guide the breathings of his fluent song
Least straying air's and dissonant sounds among.
The image of "Ithuriel's wand" suggests that music has the power to reveal hidden truths, just as the wand in Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost" has the power to reveal the true form of Satan. The "mystic rod" is a symbol of the divine inspiration that is necessary to create great music.
Milton also suggests that music has the power to connect human beings to the divine. The "lights" and "streams" that are mingled together in the heavenly music suggest a unity and harmony that transcends the boundaries of space and time. By invoking these images, Milton suggests that music has the power to transport us to a higher plane of existence, where we can connect with the divine.
The third stanza: The role of music in worship
The third stanza of the poem explores the role of music in worship. Milton suggests that music has the power to elevate human beings to a state of spiritual ecstasy, enabling them to connect with the divine:
Thee, Siren, thee,
Thee, Chorus of the dead,
Of the breath of God,
Odours rise from the spiced shrine
Altars send forth their savourie smell
To all the temples farre and nigh,
And all the swelling sounds of joy
Roll o'er the ground.
The "Siren" and the "Chorus of the dead" are once again associated with joy and heaven, suggesting that music has the power to connect human beings to the divine. The "breath of God" and the "spiced shrine" suggest a sacredness and holiness that is associated with worship. The "altars" and "temples" are symbols of the human desire to connect with the divine, and music is seen as a means of achieving this connection.
The fourth stanza: The power of music to bring peace and harmony
The final stanza of the poem celebrates the power of music to bring peace and harmony to the world. Milton describes how music has the power to heal the divisions that exist between human beings:
Such 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.
The "sons of morning" refers to the angels who, according to Milton's cosmology, were present at the creation of the world. The image of the "Creator great" setting the constellations in motion suggests a sense of divine order and harmony. By associating music with the act of creation, Milton suggests that music has the power to bring order and harmony to the world.
Milton concludes the poem by describing how music has the power to bring peace and harmony to the human soul:
Peace hath her victories
No less renownd than Warre, new foes arise
Threatning to bind our souls with secular chains:
Helpt by the verses that are but breath,
And have no hope of any thing beneath,
Which they to beleeve of true they make those pliant essences
That wrapt up in celestiall flames,
With winged expeditions, flie
After the Sunne's hot chariot, The creator's joyes to spy.
The image of "secular chains" suggests a world that is divided and fragmented, and which is in need of healing. The "verses that are but breath" refer to the power of poetry and music to transcend the material world and connect us to the divine. By invoking the image of the "celestiall flames" and the "winged expeditions," Milton suggests that music has the power to lift us up and carry us to a higher plane of existence.
Conclusion
In "At A Solemn Musick," John Milton celebrates the power of music to uplift the human soul and connect it to the divine. His language is rich and evocative, and his imagery is both sensual and spiritual. Through his use of mythological allusions and religious symbols, Milton suggests that music has the power to transport us to a higher plane of existence, where we can connect with the divine.
The poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to touch the human soul and to transcend the boundaries of time and space. It reminds us that, even in a world that is divided and fragmented, there is still hope for peace and harmony, and that music and poetry can play a vital role in bringing about this peace and harmony.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry At A Solemn Musick: An Analysis of John Milton's Masterpiece
John Milton, the renowned poet of the 17th century, is known for his exceptional contribution to the world of literature. His works are a reflection of his deep understanding of human nature and his ability to express it in the most beautiful and profound way. One of his most celebrated works is "Poetry At A Solemn Musick," a poem that is considered a masterpiece of English literature. In this article, we will analyze this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "Poetry At A Solemn Musick" was written by John Milton in 1645. It is a lyrical poem that celebrates the power of poetry and music to uplift the human spirit. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of ten lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCCDEED, which gives it a musical quality and enhances its lyrical beauty.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the lines, "Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy, / Sphere-born harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Verse, / Wed your divine sounds, and mixed power employ / Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce." These lines introduce the concept of the "Blest pair of Sirens," which refers to the combination of poetry and music. The "Sphere-born harmonious Sisters" represent the perfect harmony between these two art forms. The lines also suggest that poetry and music have the power to bring life to inanimate objects and make them feel alive.
The second stanza of the poem continues to explore the theme of the power of poetry and music. It begins with the lines, "And let these also in their course be blessed, / And sung with grace the sylvan Quire confest, / Drayton, and Dunce, glory of English lays, / Sidney, Spencer, and Milton's sacred strain." These lines pay homage to some of the greatest poets of English literature, including Michael Drayton, John Donne, Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, and the poet himself, John Milton. The stanza suggests that these poets have the power to create a "sylvan Quire," which refers to a group of singing birds in a forest. The poets' words are compared to the birds' songs, which are a natural expression of beauty and harmony.
The third stanza of the poem is the most powerful and emotional. It begins with the lines, "Under the shady roof of pious Paul, / Where first the Christian anthem sung aloud, / Behold the Father of the sacred quire / And skilled in song, and more in sage counsel." These lines refer to St. Paul's Cathedral in London, where the Christian anthem was first sung. The "Father of the sacred quire" refers to the composer of the anthem, which is believed to be John Milton's father, also named John Milton. The stanza suggests that the power of poetry and music is not limited to the secular world but can also be used to express religious devotion and praise.
The poem "Poetry At A Solemn Musick" is a masterpiece of English literature, not only because of its lyrical beauty but also because of its profound themes and literary devices. One of the most notable literary devices used in the poem is alliteration. The repetition of consonant sounds in the poem, such as "Sphere-born harmonious Sisters" and "sung with grace the sylvan Quire," creates a musical quality that enhances the poem's beauty.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The poem is full of vivid and powerful images, such as "Blest pair of Sirens," "sylvan Quire," and "shady roof of pious Paul." These images not only enhance the poem's beauty but also help to convey its themes and ideas.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. The use of the ABABCCDEED rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality and enhances its lyrical beauty. The three stanzas of the poem are also significant. Each stanza explores a different aspect of the theme of the power of poetry and music, and together they create a powerful and emotional expression of this theme.
In conclusion, "Poetry At A Solemn Musick" is a masterpiece of English literature that celebrates the power of poetry and music to uplift the human spirit. The poem's themes, structure, and literary devices all contribute to its beauty and power. John Milton's ability to express the profound ideas of human nature in the most beautiful and profound way is what makes him one of the greatest poets of all time.
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