L'ALLEGRO

'L'Allegro' (1631) is a famous pastoral poem by John Milton.
The verses banish "loathèd Melancholy," invoke Euphrosyne and other allegorical figures of joy and merriment, and extol the active and cheerful life, depicting a day in the countryside according to this philosophy.
''L'Allegro'' (which means "the happy man" in Italian) is invariably paired with the contrasting pastoral poem, ''Il Penseroso'' ("the pensive man"), which depicts a similar day spent in contemplation and thought.
The poet and engraver William Blake, who was deeply influenced by Milton's poetry and personality, made illlustrations to both ''L'Allegro'' and ''Il Penseroso''.

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★ "L'Allegro"

★ William Blake's illustrations

★ Handel's L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, based partly on this poem.