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One idyllic day in June 2001 I glimpsed paradise lost when I happened
upon John Milton's cottage in Chalfont St Giles. I spent a quiet hour
exploring the retreat where Milton took refuge from the plague. It was
here at Chalfont St Giles that Milton wrote 'Paradise Lost'. The keeper
of the house knew everything about Milton, except it seemed, his relationship
with the muse. It was Milton's teacher, Thomas Young, who " led the
way for me, when I first traversed Aonia's retreats and the holy greensward
of the twice-cleft ridge, he led the way for me when I drank Pieria's
waters, and, favored by Clio, I thrice sprinkled my happy lips with Castalia's
wine"
Milton paved the way as I searched for my muse and so it
seemed that I was standing on hallowed ground. It was no coincidence that
my muses led me to this special place, that eventually I would find my
way to Aonia's retreats and thrice sprinkle my happy lips with Castalia's
wine.
Meditate upon Milton's Sonnet XX and consider how your light
is spent; who you must serve. Peek through the doorway of Milton's cottage,
glimpse paradise and write about 'Paradise Found'.
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Begin writing. Do not worry about grammar or spelling. Just write
for twenty minutes about who you serve.
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