John Milton. (1608–1674). Complete Poems.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Sonnet to the Nightingale |
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| (1632–33) |
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| O NIGHTINGALE that on yon blooming spray | |
| Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, | |
| Thou with fresh hopes the Lover’s heart dost fill, | |
| While the jolly Hours lead on propitious May. | |
| Thy liquid notes that close the eye of Day, | 5 |
| First heard before the shallow cuckoo’s bill, | |
| Portend success in love. O if Jove’s will | |
| Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay, | |
| Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate | |
| Foretell my hopeless doom, in some grove nigh; | 10 |
| As thou from year to year hast sung too late | |
| For my relief, yet had’st no reason why. | |
| Whether the Muse or Love call thee his mate, | |
| Both them I serve, and of their train am I. | |
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