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

He constantly warns his son, who was kind of an n'er do well, that, "You better work hard, " Or, "You better work a little harder and pay more attention to what you're doing.

他不断提醒那一事无成的儿子,"你要加倍用功,哪怕只是稍微用点心,对你做的事要更上心

耶鲁公开课 - 欧洲文明课程节选