Sonnets 18, 19, 20, 21, and 23 were numbered XV., XVI., XVII., XVIII., and XIX., respectively in Poems (1673).
Introduction. As many have noted, Sonnets 20 and 21 form a complementary pair of lyrics ( see Lewalski's Life of John Milton 354). Sonnet 20 praises Henry Lawrence and 21 praises Cyriack Skinner in tones reminiscent of Martial and Horace. Both appear to have been written in 1655 or 1656 when the most puritanical of the major-generals advising Cromwell's government urged the repression of sports and recreations they regarded as unsuitable for truly reformed Christians. Richard Baxter, in a number of sermons preached and printed during these years, railed against "needless sports" and "recreation" as all one with cards, dice, drunkeness and ungodly behavior in general. He also regarded the persistence of parish sports and recreations as a dangerous throw-back to the Laudian church under Charles I:
And now Hearers, what is your resolution? perhaps you have been enemies to Christ under the name of Christians: Will you be so still? Have you not loathed this busie diligent serving of him? and hated them that most carefully seek him, more then the vilest drunkard or blaspemer? Have not his word and service and sabbaths been a burthen to you? Have not multitudes ventured their lives against his Ordinances and Government? Nay is it not almost the common voice of the Nation in effect, Give us our sports and liberty of sinning, give us our Readers, and singing-men, and drunken Preachers, give us our Holy-daies and Ceremonies, and the Customes of our fore-fathers; Away with these precise fellows, they are an eye-sore to us; these precise Preachers shall no Single illegible letter controll us, this precise Scripture shall be no Law to us, and consequently this Christ shall not Rule over us. (Three Treatises to awaken secure sinners London 1656, 120-21)Milton regarded recreation quite differently; see Tetrachordon, Of Education and The Reason of Church Government.
This poetic address to Edward Lawrence, the son of one of Cromwell's council members, constitutes an invitation to graceful and well-chosen pastimes: to "wast a sullen day" with food, wine and song beside a cozy fire. The speaker refers to the lilies of the field who, according to Jesus in Matthew 6:28-9, neither spin or sow, but nevertheless enjoy God's favor and protection.
Lawrence. Henry Lawrence was Lord President of the Council under Cromwell, and his son Edward Lawrence later became a member of Parliament (Hughes, 168). As seen in Odes 1.16, Horace began many poems with references to people's ancestors.
Favonius. The west wind or zephyr, was often invoked by Horace in delight of springtime. See Odes 1.4.1-5.
The Lillie. In Matthew 6:28-9 Jesus calls attention to the lillies of the field as emblems of patient trust in God.
Attick. Of or pertaining to Attica, or to its capital Athens. See OED2.
Tuskan Ayre. Italian music.
spare. Although often read as "refrain," some critics read it as "afford" (Carey and Fowler 410-11).