Author(s): Milton, John
Label: Naxos AudioBooks
Genre: Poetry
Period: Baroque
Catalogue No: NA888512
Barcode: 9789626348857
Release Date: 08/2008

MILTON, J.: Essential John Milton (The)

This thoughtful collection of John Milton’s finest poetry marks the quarter centenary of the poet’s birth in 1608. It is read by several of Britain’s foremost classical actors, including Anton Lesser, Samantha Bond and Derek Jacobi. Milton’s uncompromising views set him firmly on the side of Cromwell, putting his life in danger when the Stuart monarchy was restored. But he is now remembered for Paradise Lost and a strong collection of other poetry which influenced successive generations. This collection offers an ideal overview, including excerpts from Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained in its entirety, excerpts from other major works, including Comus and Samson Agonistes, as well as sonnets and famous shorter poems such as On his blindness, plus a biography of Milton.

Tracklist

Disc 1
Milton, John - Author
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
1 PARADISE LOST Book I Line 1: Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit 07:52
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 Line 128: O Prince, O chief of many throned Powers 04:47
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 Line 242: Is this the region, this the soil, the clime 06:38
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 Line 522: All these and more came flocking; but with looks 05:31
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 Line 622: O myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers 05:35
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 Line 722: …Th' ascending pile 04:20
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 Book II Line 1: High on a throne of royal state, which far 07:31
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 Line 119: I should be much for open war, O Peers 06:45
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 Line 229: Either to disenthrone the King of Heav'n 04:43
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Line 310: Thrones and imperial Powers, offspring of Heav'n 05:18
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Line 390: Well have ye judged, well ended long debate 02:39
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Line 430: O progeny of Heav'n, empyreal Thrones 03:02
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 Line 506: The Stygian Council thus dissolved; and forth 05:51
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 Line 704: So spake the grisly terror, and in shape 08:40
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 2
1 Line 850: The key of this infernal pit by due 07:00
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 Line 968: T' whom Satan turning boldly thus. Ye Powers 05:04
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 Book III Paraphrase: God sitting on his throne sees Satan… 01:54
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 Book IV Line 1: O for that warning voice, which he who saw 07:24
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 Line 114: Thus while he spake, each passion dimmed his face 03:18
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 Line 172: Now to th' ascent of that steep savage hill 03:35
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 Line 246: …thus was this place 06:20
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 Line 358: O Hell! What do mine eyes with grief behold 05:29
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 Line 440: To whom thus Eve replied. O thou for whom 03:16
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Line 492: So spake our general mother, and with eyes 03:09
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Books V–VIII Paraphrase: Meanwhile, Uriel, descending 02:16
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Book IX Line 1: No more of talk where God or angel guest 05:33
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 Line 99: O earth, how like to Heav'n, if not preferr'd 06:57
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 Line 204: And Eve first to her husband thus began. 03:48
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
15 Line 270: To whom the virgin majesty of Eve 05:27
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
16 Line 376: So spake the patriarch of mankind, but Eve 07:07
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 3
1 Line 494: So spake the Enemy of mankind, enclosed 04:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 Line 567: To whom the guileful Tempter thus replied. 02:37
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 Line 613: So talked the spirited sly snake; and Eve 03:39
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 Line 679: O sacred, wise and wisdom-giving plant 04:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 Line 745: Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits 06:56
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 Line 856: Hast thou not wondered Adam, at my stay? 02:35
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 Line 896: O fairest of Creation, last and best 04:42
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 Line 960: So Adam, and thus Eve to him replied. 04:43
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 Line 1034: So said he, and forbore not glance or toy 06:18
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Line 1134: Would thou hadst hearkened to my words, and stayed 03:15
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Book X Paraphrase: Man's disobedience known 00:38
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Line 68: Father Eternal, thine is to decree 09:07
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 Line 229: Meanwhile ere thus was sinned and judged on earth 04:58
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 Line 354: O parent, these are thy magnific deeds 03:56
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
15 Line 460: Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers 07:19
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
16 Books XI and XII Paraphrase: Meanwhile Sin and Death rejoice 01:52
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
17 Book XII Line 553: How soon hath thy prediction, seer blest 07:53
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 4
1 Paradise Regained – Book I 03:48
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 Oh ancient powers of Air and this wide World 04:31
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 So to the coast of Jordan he directs 03:54
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 Meanwhile the Son of God, who yet some days 04:36
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 This having heard, straight I again revolved 02:52
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 Full forty days he passed – whether on hill 03:54
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 Whom thus answered the Arch-Fiend, now undisguised: 03:10
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 To whom our Saviour sternly thus replied: 03:41
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 So spake our Saviour; but the subtle Fiend, 03:32
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Book II 03:30
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Thus they out of their plaints new hope resume 03:18
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 The while her Son, tracing the desert wild, 03:51
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 To whom quick answer Satan thus returned: 03:38
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 He ceased, and heard their grant in loud acclaim; 03:46
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
15 He viewed it round; 04:34
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
16 'What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat?' 04:18
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
17 To whom thus Jesus patiently replied: 04:05
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 5
1 Book III 03:14
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 To whom our Saviour calmly thus replied 04:10
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 To whom the Tempter, murmuring, thus replied 04:36
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 To whom our Saviour answer thus returned 04:15
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 With that (such power was given him then), he took 03:43
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 He looked, and saw what numbers numberless 04:26
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 To whom our Saviour answered thus, unmoved 04:19
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 Book IV 02:37
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 And now the Tempter thus his silence broke 04:10
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 To whom the Son of God, unmoved, replied 03:42
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Whom thus our Saviour answered with disdain 04:08
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount 02:55
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied 03:04
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 Or, if I would delight my private hours 03:50
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
15 So saying, he took (for still he knew his power Not yet expired) 03:30
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
16 Him walking on a sunny hill he found 03:15
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
17 To whom the Fiend, now swoln with rage, replied 03:46
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
18 But Satan, smitten with amazement, fell 02:07
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
19 'True Image of the Father, whether throned…' 05:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 6
1 At a Vacation Exercise 06:46
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 L'Allegro 07:19
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 Il Penseroso 05:21
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 Or let my lamp, at midnight hour… 05:06
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 At a Solemn Musick 01:55
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 To Mr. H Lawes, on his Aires 01:05
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 On Time 01:17
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 On Shakespeare 01:05
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 On the morning of Christ's Nativity 05:49
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Yea Truth, and Justice then… 03:31
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 Sonnet: To the Lord General Cromwell 01:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Sonnet: On the detraction which followed… 01:07
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
13 Sonnet: On the Late Massacre in Piedmont 00:55
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
14 Lycidas 06:25
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
15 cont. It was that fatal and perfidious bark… 06:47
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
16 Sonnet: To the Nightingale 00:56
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
17 Sonnet: On my 23rd Birthday 01:38
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
18 from Paradise Lost – opening of Book I 01:48
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
19 from Paradise Lost – Book 1 – The fall of Mulciber 01:31
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
20 from Paradise Lost – opening of Book II 01:52
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
21 from Paradise Lost – from Book XII 01:30
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
22 from Paradise Regained 01:39
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
23 Sonnet: Upon a Deceased Wife 01:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
24 Sonnet: On his Blindness 01:11
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
25 Sonnet: to Cyriack Skinner 01:12
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
26 from Samson Agonistes 02:05
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
27 The destruction of the Temple from Samson Agonistes 02:11
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
28 The Final Chorus from Samson Agonistes 00:48
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
29 from Comus, a Masque 03:55
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 7
1 Introduction to Areopagitica 00:49
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 from Areopagitica 06:58
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 Next, what more national corruption… 06:35
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 What advantage is it to be a man… 06:13
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 And now the time in special… 05:48
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 Introduction to The Doctrine and Discipline 00:41
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 from The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce 05:36
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 How vain therefore is it…. 06:49
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 I suppose it will be allow'd us… 07:27
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 Introduction to The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates 00:32
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
11 from The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates 07:19
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
12 Since the king or magistrate… 05:40
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
Disc 8
1 John Milton: A Life 07:59
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
2 John Milton was a republican and a Protestant. 07:03
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
3 In the end, his time at Cambridge… 07:16
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
4 The poem, a pastoral elegy… 06:58
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
5 Speculation surrounds almost every facet… 07:41
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
6 In 1644 he wrote what is still probably… 07:01
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
7 Milton stayed in his role… 08:08
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
8 This was a dangerous thing to be doing… 07:14
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
9 The poem is a dark and dramatic one. 07:20
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)
10 He was still working, though. 06:47
Jacobi, Derek (Reader)
Bond, Samantha (Reader)
Lesser, Anton (Reader)

Total Playing Time: 09:44:45