On Sonnet 23

Sonnet 23

Methought I saw my late espoused Saint
Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
Whom Joves great son to her glad Husband gave,
Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint.

Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint, [ 5 ]
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 vail'd, yet to my fancied sight, [ 10 ]
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

So clear, as in no face with more delight.
But O as to embrace me she enclin'd,
I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.

 ((unknown), The John Milton Reading Room, 2020)

 

I came across this sonnet on the internet today.  It was written by John Milton after the death of his second wife.  His first marriage, to Mary Powell,  had been difficult.  He was older than his first wife and after a few weeks of marriage, she returned home to her parents.  They reconciled a few years later and she returned to him. They had three children together and she died in childbirth with a daughter. Their infant son soon followed her.  He was left with two daughters from this marriage. His second marriage was to Katherine Woodcock was more successful.  She too died from complications from pregnancy.  This left him with three daughters. ((unknown), John Milton's relationships, 2020)

Perhaps this poem is best understood by someone who has lost or nearly lost a spouse, or companion.  Alcestis was the mythical Queen of Thessaly.  She was known for her devotion to her husband she replaced him in death. (Mark, 2020)

In the summer of 2015, I nearly lost my wife to Stomach Cancer.  Like Milton’s first marriage our relationship has always been a difficult one.  I am devoted to my wife, and she is devoted to me, but we are not each other’s best friends and companions. Our marriage has survived because we wake up each day and commit to renewing our relationship.  This life is about relationships and the promises we make and keep. This is the new covenant given to us by Christ on the cross.  A covenant of renewal and rededication.

My gift of poetry was born at this moment.  I was given this avenue to process my grief. The pain was severe enough I nearly ended my life.

Now my wife is recovering and my poetry is in full bloom I can better appreciate this great poem on love, death, renewal, and resurrection.

Works Cited

(unknown). (2020, 12 20). John Milton's relationships. Retrieved from Wikepedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton%27s_relationships

(unknown). (2020, 12 20). The John Milton Reading Room. Retrieved from Dartmouth.edu: https://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/sonnets/sonnet_23/text.shtml

Mark, J. J. (2020, 12 20). Alcestis. Retrieved from Ancient History Encclopedia : https://www.ancient.eu/Alcestis/#:~:text=Alcestis%20was%20the%20mythical%20queen,and%20wife%20in%20ancient%20Greece.