So we have to assume that the occasion for this poem is some kind of question posed by John Milton, Sr., a question like, "To what end am I supporting you, Son?

我们可以假定这个诗的起因是,老约翰弥尔顿问小弥尔顿，“我到底为什么要资助你，儿子？“

耶鲁公开课 - 弥尔顿课程节选