Methought I saw my late espousèd saint

By John Milton 1608–1674 John Milton

Brought to me like Alcestus from the grave,

Whom Jove's great Son to her glad husband gave,

Rescu'd from Death by force though pale and faint.

Mine as whom washed from spot of child-bed taint

Purification in the Old Law did save,

And such as yet once more I trust to have

Full sight of her in heaven without restraint,

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:

Her face was veiled, yet to my fancied sight

Love, sweetness, goodness in her person shined

So clear as in no face with more delight.

But O, as to embrace me she inclined

I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night.

Biography

John Milton’s career as a writer of prose and poetry spans three distinct eras: Stuart England; the Civil War (1642-1648) and Interregnum, including the Commonwealth (1649-1653) and Protectorate (1654-1660); and the Restoration. When Elizabeth I, the so-called Virgin Queen and the last of the Tudors, died, James VI, King of Scots, was enthroned as Britain’s king. Titled James I, he inaugurated the House of Stuart. His son and . . .

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