John Milton Possibly Adds Smut Writer to His Resume

The University of Oxford’s Dr. Jennifer Batt made an interesting discovery while reading an old 18th-century poetic anthology; a smutty rhyme poem supposedly authored by John Milton.

The title reads, “An Extempore Upon a Faggot.” It features coarse language, a weeping virgin, sexual references, and blatant mysogyny. According to Batt, if Milton proves to be the actual mind behind these filthy ideas his respected image as the writer of Paradise Lost would be greatly altered. Another literary scholar, Dr. Abigail Williams raises doubts to the theory that Milton is indeed the author.

The Guardian reports: “‘You could become very rich and famous – well, famous, anyway – if you could prove the rhyme was really by Milton. I am pretty certain it is not.’ The volume in which it was discovered, the Oxford and Cambridge Miscellany, published in 1708, was, said Williams, ‘a set of poems written by witty young men about town for witty young men about town.’ The volume as a whole (‘a ragbag of serious classical imitations, love lyrics and bawdy poems’, according to Williams) is clearly intended to appeal to the prejudices of ‘cavalier and Tory’ readers.”

It was only recently announced that Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost will be adapted into an action-packed film possibly shot in 3-D. Alex Proyas signed on as director. Producers include Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Vincent Newman.