While the issues of the day that consumed the attention of scholar, accomplished linguist, politician and severe Puritan, John Milton (1608-1674) are now largely of historical interest, the verse which they inspired remains a staple of English literature.

Although he is best known today for his poetic epics, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, Milton was also a master of shorter verse forms, particularly the sonnet, in which many consider him second only to Shakespeare.

This collection includes twenty-one of Milton's best-known short works:

• On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity
• On Shakespeare
• L’Allegro
• Il Penseroso
• At a Solemn Music
• Lycidas
• Fifteen Sonnets