...Second, bestowal of the poetic gift by God was acknowledged by promise through this immortal literature "to celebrate in glorious and lofty Hymns the throne and equipage of Gods Almightinesse, and what he works, and what he suffers to be wrought with high providence in his...

...and publick civility, to allay the pertubations of the mind, and set the affections in right tune, to celebrate in glorious and lofty Hymns the throne and equipage of Gods Almightinesse, and what he works, and what he suffers to be wrought with high providence in his...

...virtue and public civility, to allay the perturbations of the mind and set the affections in right tune, to celebrate in glorious and lofty hymns the throne...and equipage of God's almightiness and what He works . . .' (238; italics added). Here is Milton's open, public declaration of his poetical ministry. Without...

..."to imbreed and cherish in a great people the seeds of vertu, and publick civility" and "to sing the victorious agonies of Martyrs and Saints, the deeds...valiantly through faith against the enemies of Christ" (CP 1: 816-17). Poets ought not to isolate themselves, according to Milton, but instead should fulfill,...

...and public civility,0 to allay the perturbations of the mind and set the affections in right tune; to celebrate in glorious and lofty hymns the throne...wrought with high providence in his church; to sing the victorious agonies of martyrs and saints, the deeds and triumphs of just and pious nations doing...

...fulfill the critical aim of the prophetic poet, announced in his Reason of ChurchGovernment (1642). "to deplore the general relapses of Kingdoms and States from justice and Gods true worship" (YP 1:81 7). Moreover, through a series of challenging historical lessons, Adam...

...the might and prestige of Portugal in the dust."16 None of what Milton had once fervently hailed as "the deeds and triumphs of just and pious nations...valiantly through faith against the enemies of Christ" (YP 1:816-817) will bear very close scrutiny, as Milton learned in his study of British history and...

...virtue and public civility, to allay the perturbations of the mind and set the affections in right tune, to celebrate in glorious and lofty hymns the throne and equipage of God's ahnightiness ... to sing the victorious agonies of martyrs and saints. . . . ' Note the ereation of...