Lycidas

I found this poem to be absolutely mezmerizing in it's language and presentation. It was so interesting to me how the poet mingled christian beliefs with Ancient Roman mythology. It seems that he found Roman mythology to be the most poignant and beautiful of stories with which to compare the death of his beloved friend Lycidas. The format of the poem was particuraly interesting to me: How in the beginning Milton is lamenting the death of Lycidas and comparing it the ravaging of nature and it's wonders ( I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude with forced fingers rude). The end of Lycidas life at an age where he was full of vigor and hope is perfect in comparison to the bounty of nature being plucked. From that point the poet has the muses ( considered the most blessed of creatures ) sing to Lycidas, an honor that was not bestowed on normal men in Roman mythology but rather gods and heros. My favorite part of this poem however was the end where Milton has accepted the death of his dear friend and speaks of how no one is singing for his funeral anymore but rather honoring his memory by morphing Lycidas as a god of the water, it was the most perfect ending to a poetic death.