Explore "Milton (in Praise of Poets)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I. Lover of beauty, walking on the height / Of pure philosophy and tranquil song; / Born to behold the visions that belong / To those who dwell in melody and light; / Milton, thou spirit delicate and bright! / What drew thee down to join the Roundhead / throng / Of iron-sided warriors, rude and strong, / Fighting for freedom in a world half night?
Lover of Liberty at heart wast thou, / Above all beauty bright, all music clear: / To thee she bared her bosom and her brow, / Breathing her virgin promise in thine ear, / And bound thee to her with a double vow, -- / Exquisite Puritan, grave Cavalier!