Relationships

Sonnet 21: Cyriack, Whose Grandsire

by John Milton 1608–1674

From Poems (1645; enlarged 1673)

Relationships

Cyriack, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench
Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause
Pronounc't and in his volumes taught our Lawes,
Which others at their Barr so often wrench:
To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
In mirth, that after no repenting drawes;
Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause,
And what the Swede intend, and what the French.
To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know
Toward solid good what leads the nearest way;
For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,
And disapproves that care, though wise in show,
That with superfluous burden loads the day,
And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.

MLA

Milton, John. “Sonnet 21: Cyriack, Whose Grandsire.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/milton/29/.

Chicago

Milton, John. “Sonnet 21: Cyriack, Whose Grandsire.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/milton/29/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by John Milton