What did John Milton supposedly imply, connote, or denote in the phrase, "trip the light fantastic"?

zbeckabee

In the poem L'Allegro by John Milton, published in 1645, a similar phrase appears, which seemingly refers to the dance-like gracefulness of the goddess Mirth: Come, and trip it as ye go, On the light fantastick toe. And in thy right hand lead with thee, The Mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty; The term trip in this passage means to step lightly or nimbly. The adjectives light and fantastick (as Milton spelled it) refer to the movement of the feet (toe, or dance step). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trip_the_light_fantastic_%28phrase%29 Mar 13 08, 6:53 PM