To the Lady Margaret Ley

Portrait of John Milton
John Milton 1608–1674

Daughter to that good Earl, one President Of England's Council and her Treasury, Who lived in both unstained with gold or fee, And left them both, more in himself content, Till the sad breaking of that Parliament Broke him, as that dishonest victory At Chæronea, fatal to liberty, Killed with report that old man eloquent, Though later born than to have known the days Wherein your father flourished, yet by you, Madam, methinks I see him living yet: So well your words his noble virtues praise That all both judge you to relate them true And to possess them, honoured Margaret.

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