John Milton(1608–1674)
Methought I Saw
M e t h o u g h t I saw my late e s p o u s e d saint5
B r o u g h t to me like Alcestis6 f r o m the grave,
W h o m Jove's great son to her glad h u s b a n d gave,
R e s c u e d f r o m D e a t h by force, though pale and faint.
Mine, as whom 0 washed from spot of child-bed taintone whom
Purification in the Old Law did save, 7
And such, as yet o n c e more I trust to have
Full sight of her in heaven without restraint,
C a m e vested all in white, pure as her mind.
Her f a c e was veiled; yet to my fancied sight
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined
So clear as in no f a c e with m o r e delight.
B u t O, as to e m b r a c e me she inclined,
I waked, she fled, a n d day brought back my night.
ca. 16581673
FRM PARADISE LST 1