SONNET.
ON READING MILTON'S PARADISE LOST
Sweet as that soul-uplifting Hydromel
Idean Ganymede did give to Jove
In the God-kingdoms of Immortal Love—
Dipt from Heaven's everlasting Golden Well—
Was thy great song, celestial Israfel!
Like that Apollo near the shining portals
Of Heaven, in chariot, with celestial lyre,
Sung for the thronging glorified Immortals,
Which set the souls of all the gods on fire!
So sweet my soul, entranced, seemed suddenly brought
Before the star-crowned, blazing majesty
Of those great Sages of immortal thought,
And Poet-kings of deathless melody,
Who now shake Heaven with thunderous Jubilee.
