| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | VII. Invitation to an Attic Feast | | By John Milton (1608–1674) |
| | | LAWRENCE, 1 of virtuous father virtuous son, | |
| Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, | |
| Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire | |
| Help waste a sullen day, what may be won | |
| From the hard season gaining? Time will run | 5 |
| On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire | |
| The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire | |
| The lily and rose, that neither sowed nor spun. | |
| What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, | |
| Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise | 10 |
| To hear the lute well touched, or artful voice | |
| Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air? | |
| He who of those delights can judge, and spare | |
| To interpose them oft, is not unwise. | |
| | | Note 1. This Mr. Lawrence was the son of the President of Cromwell’s Council. [back] | | |
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