Tell me bright Spirit where e're thou hoverest

Whether above that high first-moving Spheare

Or in the Elisian fields (if such there were.)

Oh say me true if thou wert mortal wight

And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy flight.

VII

Wert thou some Starr which from the ruin'd roofe

Of shak't Olympus by mischance didst fall;

Which carefull Jove in natures true behoofe

Took up, and in fit place did reinstall?

Or did of late earths Sonnes besiege the wall

Of sheenie Heav'n, and thou some goddess fled

Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd head

VIII

Or wert thou that just Maid who once before

Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth

And cam'st again to visit us once more?

Or wert thou that sweet smiling Youth!

Or that c[r]own'd Matron sage white-robed Truth?

Or any other of that heav'nly brood

Let down in clowdie throne to do the world some good.

138

The Poetical Works of John Milton