Horton, 1635–1638

Abstract MILTON’s Horton period was one of relentless study. So far as we know, during 1635, 1636, and the first ten months of 1637 he wrote no verse. Doubtless he continued to dream of immortality as a Latin and English poet, but, as the opening lines of Lycidas more than hint, he realized that increased knowledge and maturity were necessary to give his writing the richness and significance his youthful performances had lacked. Both the opening and closing passages of Ad Patrem indicate that he regarded his previous work as iuvenilia carmina. His was a ‘slowendeavouring art’ compared with that of the ‘more timely-happy’; it was his destiny to be slow in development. And the remedy was obvious: to his aged parent he conceded the prosaic nature of preparation. There would be no more writing of masques. There would be only reading and note-taking-and more reading. What he needed to know could be found in books, and books can be read anywhere.