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Paradise Lost · Paradise Lost

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  Book eight, Part one. No more of talk where God or Angel guessed
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  with Man, as with his friend familiar, used to sit indulgent and with
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  him partake rural repast, permitting him the while venial discourse unblamed. I now
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  must change those notes to tragic foul, distrust and breach, disloyal on the
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  part of Man, revolt and disobedience on the part of Heaven, now alienated,
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  distance and distaste, anger and just rebuke and judgment, given that brought
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  into this world a world of woe, sin and her shadow, death and
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  misery, Death's harbinger sad task yet argument not less but more heroic than the
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  wrath of stern Achilles on his foe pursued thrice fugitive about troy Wall or rage
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  of Turnus for Lavinia disespoused, or Neptune's ire or Juno's that so long perplexed
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  the Greek and Scythia's son. If answerable style, I can obtain of my
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  celestial patroness who damns her nightly visitation unimplored and dictates to me slumbering or inspires
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  easy my unpremeditated verse. Since first this subject for heroic song pleased me long
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  choosing and beginning late, not sedulous by nature to indict wars hitherto the only
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  argument heroic deemed chief mastery to dissect with long and tedious havoc, Fabled knights
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  in battles feigned the better fortitude of patience and heroic martyrdom unsung, Or to
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  describe races and games, or tilting furniture, emblazoned shields, impresses, quaint
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  caparisons and steeds, basses and tinsel trappings, gorgeous nights at joust and tournament,
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  then martialed feasts served up in hall with sewers and senesials. The skill
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  of art or office mean not that which justly gives heroic name to person or
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  to poem. Me of these, nor skilled nor studious. Higher argument remains
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  sufficient of itself to raise that name, unless an age too late, or
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  cold climate, or year's damp, My intended wing depressed, and much they
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  may if all be mine, not hers who brings it nightly to my ear.
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  The sun was sunk, and after him the star of Hesperus, whose
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  office is to bring twilight upon the earth short arbiter TwixT day and night,
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  and now from end to end Knight's hemisphere had veiled the horizon round. When
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  Satan, who late fled before the threats of Gabriel out of Eden, now
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  improved in meditated fraud and malice, bent on man's destruction, Maugre what might
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  hap of heavier on himself, fearless returned by night he fled, and at
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  midnight retire turned from compassing the earth, cautious of day, since Uril region
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  of the sun descried his entrance and forewarned the Cherubim that kept their watch.
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  Thence full of anguish, driven the space of seven continued nights, he rode
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  with darkness thrice the equinoctial line he circled four times, crossed the car of
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  night from pole to pole, traversing each collure. On the eighth returned and
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  on the coast, averse from entrance or Cherubic watch, by stealth, found
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  unsuspected way there was a place now not though sin not Time first wrought the
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  change where Tigris at the foot of Paradise into a gulf shot underground till part
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  rose up a fountain by the tree of life. In with the river sunk,
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  and with it rose Satan involved in rising mist. Then sought where to
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  lie hid sea he had searched, and land from Eden over Pontus and the
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  pool Meiotis up beyond the river ob downward as far Antarctic, and in length
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  west from Orantes to the ocean barred at Darien, thence to the land where
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  flows Ganges and Indus. Thus the orb he roamed, with narrow search and
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  with inspection deep considered every creature, which of all most opportune might serve his
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  wiles, and found the serpent, subtlest beast of all the field him.
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  After long debate, irresolute of thoughts, revolved his final sentence, chose fit
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  vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom to enter, and his dark
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  suggestions hide from sharpest sight. For in the wily snake, whatever slights,
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  none would suspicious mark as from his wit and native subtlety, proceeding which in
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  other beasts observed doubt might beget of diabolic power active within beyond the sense of
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  brute. Thus he resolved, but first from inward grief, his bursting passion
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  into plaints. Thus poured o earth, how like to Heaven, if not
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  preferred more justly seat worthier of gods, as built with second thoughts, reforming
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  what was old for what God after better worse would build terrestrial heaven danced round
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  by other heavens that shine yet bear their bright, officious lamps, light above
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  light for THEE alone, as seems in THEE, concentering all their precious beams
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  of sacred influence, as God in heaven is center, yet extends to all.
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  So thou centering receivest from all these orbs in THEE, not in themselves.
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  All their known virtue appears productive in herb, plant and nobler birth of
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  creatures, animate, with gradual life, of growth, sense, reason,
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  all summed up in man with what delight? Could I have walked THEE round
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  if I could joy in aught sweet interchange of hill and valley, rivers,
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  woods and plains, now land, now sea and shores with forest crowned rocks,
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  dens and caves. But I, in none of these find place or
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  refuge. And the more I see pleasures about me, so much more I
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  feel torment within me, as from the hateful siege of contraries, all good
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  to me becomes bane, and in heaven much worse would be my state.
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  But neither here seek I no nor in heaven to dwell unless by mastering Heaven's
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  supreme, nor hope to be myself less miserable by what I seek, but
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  others to make such as I, though thereby worse to me redound. For
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  only in destroying I find ease to my relentless thoughts, and him destroyed,
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  or one to what may work his utter loss for whom all this was made,
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  All this will soon follow, as to him linked in weal or woe
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  in woe, then that destruction wide may range to me. He shall be
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  the glorious soul among the infernal powers. In one day to have marred what
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  he Almighty styled. Six nights and days continued making, and who knows how
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  long before had been contriving, though perhaps not longer than since I, in
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  one night freed from servitude in glorious well, nigh half the angelic name,
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  and thinner left the throng of his adorers, he to be avenged and to
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  repair his numbers, thus impaired. Whether such virtues spent of old now failed
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  more angels to create, if they at least are his created, or to
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  spite us more determined to advance into our room, a creature formed of earth
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  and him endow, exalted from so base original with heavenly spoils, our spoils.
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  What he decreed, he affected, Man he made, and for him
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  built magnificent this world and earth his seat him Lord pronounced, and oh indignity
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  subjected to his service, angel wings and flaming ministers, to watch and tend
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  their earthly charge. Of these the vigilance I dread and to elude. Thus
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  wrapped in mist of midnight, vapor, glide, obscure, and pry in
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  every bush and break wherehap may find the serpent sleeping in whose mazy folds to
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  hide me and the dark intent I bring o foul descent that I, who
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  erst contended with gods to sit the highest, am now constrained into a beast
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  and mixed with bestial slime, this essence to incarnate and imbrute that to the
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  height of deity aspired. But what will not ambition and revenge descend to who
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  aspires must down as low as high he soared, obnoxious first or last to
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  basest things, revenge at first, those sweet bitterer long back on itself recoils,
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  Let it I reck not so it light well aimed, Since higher I
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  fall short on him who next provokes my envy, this new favorite of Heaven,
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  this man of Clay, son of Despite, who must the more to
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  spite his maker. Raised from dust, spite, then with spite his best
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  repaid. So saying through each thicket dank or dry, like a black mist,
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  low creeping, he held on his midnight search where soonest he might find
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  the serpent him fast sleeping. Soon he found in labyrinth of many a round
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  self rolled his head, the midst well stored with subtle wiles, not yet
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  in horrid shade or dismal den nor noisent yet, But on the grassy herb,
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  fearless, unfeared, he slept in at his mouth. The devil entered,
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  and his brutal sense in heart or head possessing soon inspired with act intelligential,
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  but his sleep disturbed, not waiting close the approach of morn. Now,
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  when as sacred light began to dawn in Eden, on the humid flowers
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  that breathed their morning in, when all things that breathe from the Earth's great
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  altar send up silent praise to the Creator, and his nostrils fill with grateful
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  smell, Forth came the human pair and joined their vocal worship to the choir
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  of creature's wanting voice, that done partake the season prime for sweetest scents and
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  airs, then commune how that day they best may ply their growing work.
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  For much their work out grew the hand's dispatch of two gardenings so wide and
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  eve first to her husband thus began Adam, Well, may we labor still
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  to dress this garden, still to tend, plant, herb and flower.
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  Our pleasant task enjoined. But till more hands aid us, the work under
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  our labor grows luxurious. By restraint. What we by day lop overgrown,
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  or prune, or prop or bind one night or two with wanton growth derides
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  tending to wild. Thou therefore, now advise or hear what to my mind
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  first thoughts, pre Let us divide our labors Thou where choice leads thee or
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  where most needs, whether to wind the woodbine round this arbor, or direct
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  the clasping ivy where to climb, While I in yonder spring of roses intermixed
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  with myrtle, find what to redress till noon. For while so near each
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  other, Thus all day our task we choose what wonder if so near looks
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  intervene and smiles or object new casual discourse draw on which intermits our day's work
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  brought to little, though begun early, and the hour of supper comes unearned,
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  to whom mild answer. Adam thus returned soul, Eve, associate's soul
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  to me beyond compare above all living creatures. Dear well, hast thou motioned,
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  well, thy thoughts employed, how we might best fulfill the work which
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  here God hath assigned us. Nor of me shalt pass unpraised. For nothing
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  lovelier can be found in woman than to study household good and good works in
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  her husband, and to promote. Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed
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  labor as to debar us when we need refreshment, whether food or talk,
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  between food of the mind or this sweet intercourse of looks and smiles for smiles
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  from reason flow to brute denied, and are of love. The food love
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  not the lowest end of human life, For not to irksome toil, but
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  to delight He made us, and delight to reason. Joined these paths and
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  bowers, doubt not, but our joint hands will keep from wilderness with ease
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  as white as we need walk till younger hands ere long assist us. But
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  if much converse, perhaps THEE satiate to short absence I could yield, for
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  solitude sometimes is best society, and short retirement urges sweet return. But other
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  doubt possesses me lest harm befall THEE severed from me. For thou knowest what
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  hath been warned us? What malicious foe, envying our happiness and of his
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  own despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame by sly assault, And
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  somewhere nigh at hand watches no doubt, with greedy hope to find his wish
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  and best advantage us asunder hopeless to circumvent us joined where each to other speedy
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  aid might land at need, whether his first design be to withdraw our fealty
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  from God, or to disturb conjugal love than which perhaps no bliss enjoyed by
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  us excites his envy more or this or worse leave not the faithful side that
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  gave THEE being still shades THEE and protects the wife where danger or dishonor lurks,
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  safest and seemlest by her husband's stays, Who guards her or with her
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  the worst endures to whom the virgin Majesty of Eve, as one who loves
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  and some unkindness meets with sweet austere composure. Thus replied, offspring of Heaven
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  and Earth and all Earth's Lord, that such an enemy we have who seeks
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  our ruin, both by thee informed thy learn and from the parting angel overheard
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  as in a shady nook, I stood behind, just then returned at shut
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  of evening flowers. But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt to God or
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  THEE, because we have a foe may tempt it. I expected not to
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  hear his violence. Thou fear'st not being such as we, not capable of
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  death or pain, can either not receive or can repel his fraud. Is
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  then thy fear, which plain infers Thy equal fear that my firm faith and
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  love can by his fraud be shaken or seduced. Thoughts which, how found
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  they harbor in thy breast. Adam misthought of her to THEE, so dear
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  to whom with healing words, Adam replied, daughter of God and Man immortal
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  Eve, for such thou art from sin and blame entire, not diffident of
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  THEE do I dissuade thy absence from my sight, but to avoid the attempt
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  itself intended by our foe. For he who tempts, though in vain,
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  at least asperses the tempted with dishonour foul supposed not incorruptible of faith, not
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  proof against temptation. Thou thyself, with scorn and anger, wouldst resent the
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  offered wrong, though ineffectual found misdeem Not then if such affront I labor to
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  avert from thee alone which on us both at once the enemy, though bold
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  will hardly dare or daring first on me, the assault shall light. Nor
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  thou his malice and false guile contemn subtle. He needs must be who could
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  seduce angels, nor think superfluous others, aid I, from the influence of
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  thy looks, receive access in every virtue in thy sight. More wise,
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  more watchful, stronger if need were of outward strength, while shame Thou looking
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  on shame to be overcome or overreached with utmost vigor rays and raised unite.
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  Why shouldst not thou, like sense within THEE feel when I am pressed and
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  thy trial, choose with me best witness of thy virtue tried, so spake
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  domestic atom in his care and matrimonial love. But Eve, who thought less,
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  attributed to her faith sincere. Thus her reply with accent sweet renewed.
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  If this be our condition, thus, to dwell in narrow circuits straightened by
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  a foe, subtle or violent, we not endued single with like defense wherever
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  met? How are we happy still in fear of harm? But harm precedes
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  not sin. Only our foe attempting affronts us with his foul esteem of our
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  integrity. His foul esteem sticks no dishonor on our front, but turns foul
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  on himself. Then, wherefore, shunned or feared by us, who rather
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  double honor gain from his surmise proved false, find peace within favor from Heaven,
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  our witness from the event. And what is faith love virtue unassayed alone
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  without exterior help sustained. Let us not then suspect our happy state left so
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  imperfect by the maker wise as not secure to single or combined frail is our
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  happiness? If this be so, and Eden were no Eden thus exposed to
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  whom, Thus Adam fervently replied, O, woman, best are all things
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  as the will of God ordained them his creating hand. Nothing imperfect or deficient
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  left of all that he created, much less man or aught that might his
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  happy state secure, secure from outward force within himself. The danger lies yet
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  lies within his power. Against his will. He can receive no harm.
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  But God left free the will for what obeys reason is free, and reason
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  he made right. But bid her well beware and still erect lest by some
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  fair appearing good. Surprised, she dictate false and misinformed, the will to
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  do what God expressly had forbid. Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoins
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  that I should mind thee oft and mind thou me firm. We subsist,
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  yet possible to swerve, since reason not impossibly may meet some specious object by
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  the foe suborned and fall into deception, unaware, not keeping strictest watch,
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  as she was warned, seek not temptation, then, which to avoid were
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  better, and most likely if from me thou sever not, trial will come
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  unsought, which thou approve thy constancy, approve first thy obedience the other who
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  can know, not seeing thee attempted, who attest. But if thou think
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  trial unsought, may find us both securer than thus warned thou seemest go for
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  thy stay not free absents thee more go, in thy native innocence, rely
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  on what thou hast of virtue summon all for God towards thee hath done his
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  part. Do thine, so spake the patriarch of mankind. But Eve persisted,
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  yet submiss though last replied with thy permission. Then, and thus forewarned
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  chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words touched only that our trial, when
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  least sought, may find us both perhaps far less prepared. The willinger I
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  go, nor much expect a foe, so proud will first the weaker seek,
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  so bent the more shall shame him his repulse. Thus saying, from
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  her husband's hand, her hand soft, she withdrew, and like a wood
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  nymph light oread or dryad Or of Delia's train betook her to the groves.
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  But Delia's self, in gait surpassed, and goddess like deport though not as
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  she with bow and quiver, armed, but with such gardening tools as art
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  yet rude, guiltless of fire had formed, or angels brought to Pali's or
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  Pomona thus adorned, likely as she seemed. Pomona when she fled vertumnus or
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  to Ceres in her prime, yet virgin of Proserpina, from jove her long
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  with ardent look, his eye pursued, delighted, but desiring more her stay
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  oft he to her his charge of quick return. Repeated she to him,
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  as oft engaged to be returned by noon, amid the bower and all things
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  in best order, to invite noontide repast or afternoon's repose. O much deceived,
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  much failing, hapless eve of thy presumed return event perverse thou never from
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  that hour in paradise founst either sweet repast or sound repose. Such ambush hid
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  among sweet flowers and shades, waited with hellish rancor imminent to intercept thy way
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  or send thee back, despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss.
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  For now and since the break of dawn, the fiend mere serpent in appearance
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  forth was come, and on his quest where likeliest he might find the only
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  two of mankind, but in them the whole included race his purposed prey.
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  In bower and field he sought where any tuft of grove or garden plot more
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  pleasant lay their tendons or plantation for delight by fountain or by shady rivulet.
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  He sought them both, but wished his hap might find Eve separate. He
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  wished, but not with hope of what so seldom chanced. When to his
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  wish, beyond his hope, Eve separate, he spies, veiled in a
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  cloud of fragrance, where she stood half spied, so thick the roses bushing
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  round about her glowed oft, stooping to support each flower of slender stock,
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  whose head, though gay carnation, purple azure, or specked with gold,
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  hung drooping, unsustained them. She upstays gently with myrtle band mindless, the
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  while herself, though fairest, unsupported flower from her best prop so far,
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  and storms so nigh nearer he drew, and many a walk traversed of stateless
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  covert cedar pine or palm, then voluble and bold, now hid, now
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  seen among thick woven arborates and flowers embroidered on each bank. The hand of
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  Eve spot more delicious than those gardens famed, or of revived Adonis, or
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  renowned alcinous host of old Laerti's son, or that not mystic, where the
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  sapient king held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse. Much he the place admired
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  the person more as one who long in populous city Pent, where houses thick
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  and sewers annoy the air. Forth, issuing on a summer's morn to breathe
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  among the pleasant villages and farms adjoin'd from each thing met conceives delight, the
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  smell of grain or teaded grass, or kine or dairy, each rural sight,
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  each rural sound, if chance, with nymph like step fairer virgin pass.
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  What pleasing seemed for her now pleases more she most, and in her
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  look sums all delight. Such pleasure took the serpent to behold this flowery plat,
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  the sweet recess of Eve, thus early, thus alone, her heavenly
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  form, angelic but more soft and feminine, her graceful innocence. Her every
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  air of gesture or least action overawed his malice, and with rapid sweet bereathed
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  his fierceness of the fierce intended, brought that space. The evil one abstracted,
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  stood from his own evil, and for the time remained stupidly good of
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  enmity, disarmed of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge,
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  But the hot hell that always in him burns, though in mid heaven soon
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  ended his delight and tortures him now more. The more he sees of pleasure
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  not for him ordained, Then soon fierce hate he recollects, and all his
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  thoughts of mischief gratulating thus excites thoughts, whither have ye led me with what
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  sweet compulsion thus transported? To forget what hither brought us hate, not love
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  nor hope of paradise for hell, hope here to taste of pleasure, but
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  all pleasure to destroy, save what is in destroying other joy to me is
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  lost. Then let me not let pass occasion, which now smiles behold alone
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  the woman opportune to all attempts her husband, For I view far around,
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  not nigh, whose higher intellectual, more eye shun and strength of courage,
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  haughty and of limb, heroic built, though of terrestrial mold, foe not
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  informidable, exempt from wound, I not so much hath held debased and pain
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  enfeebled me to what I was in heaven. She fair, divinely, fair,
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  fit, love for gods, not terrible, though terror be in love
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  and beauty not approached by stronger hate hate stronger under show of love, well
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  feigned the way which to her ruin now I tend so spake the enemy of
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  mankind, enclosed in serpent inmate bad and toward Eve, addressed his way,
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  not with indented wave prone on the ground, as sense, but on his
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  rear circular base of rising folds that towered fold above fold, a surging maze,
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  his head crested, aloft and carbuncle, his eyes with burnished neck of
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  verdant gold, erect amidst his circling spires, that on the grass floated redundant,
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  pleasing was his shape and lovely, never since of serpent kind lovelier.
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  Not those that in Illyria changed Hermione and Cadmus, or the god in Epidaurus,
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  nor to which transformed Ammonian Jove or Capitaline was seen He with Olympius,
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  this with her who bore ship. He o the h height of room with
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  tract oblique, at first, as one who sought access, but feared to
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  interrupt sidelong he works his way end of Book eight, Part one, Book
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  eight, Part two, as when a ship by skillful steersmen wrought nigh river's
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  mouth or foreland, where the wind veers oft, as oft, so steers
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  and shifts her sail. So varied, he and of his tortuous train,
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  curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve to lure her eye. She
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  busied, heard the sound of rustling leaves, but minded not as used to
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  such disport before her through the field from every beast, more duteous at her
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  call than at circean call the herd disguised, he bolder, now uncalled before
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  her stood, but as in gaze, admiring oft he bowed his turret crest
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  and sleek enameled neck, fawning, and licked the ground whereon she trod.
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  His gentle, dumb expression turned at length the eye of Eve to mark his
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  play. He, glad of her attention, gained with serpent tongue organic or
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  impulse of vocal air his fraudulent temptation. Thus began wonder, not, Sovereign
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  Mistress, if perhaps thou canst who art sole wonder much less arm thy looks
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  the heaven of mildness with disdain, displeased that I approached thee thus and gaze
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  insatiate. I thus single, nor have feared thy awful brow more awful.
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  Thus retired fairest resemblance of Thy maker, fair thee, all things living,
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  gaze on all things Thine by gift, and thy celestial beauty adore with ravishment
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  beheld their best beheld where universally admired. But here in this enclosure wild,
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  these beasts among beholders, rude and shallow to discern earn half What in THEE
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  is fair one man except who sees THEE. And what is one who shouldst
• 28:06
  be seen? A goddess among gods, adored and served by angels numberless,
• 28:11
  Thy daily train so glowsed the tempter and his proem tuned into the heart of
• 28:18
  Eve. His words made way, though at the voice much marveling at length,
• 28:22
  not unamazed. She thus, in answer spake, what may this mean?
• 28:29
  Language of man pronounced by tongue of brute and human sense expressed the first,
• 28:34
  at least of these I thought denied to beasts, whom God on their
• 28:37
  creation day created mute to all articulate sound. The latter I demur, for
• 28:44
  in their looks much reason, and in their actions oft appears thee serpent subtlest
• 28:48
  beast of all the field I knew, but not with human voice endued redouble.
• 28:53
  Then this miracle and say, how canst thou speakable of mute, and
• 28:57
  how to me so friendly grown above the rest of brutal kind that daily are
• 29:02
  in sight. Say, for such wonder claims attention do to whom the guileful
• 29:08
  tempter thus replied, Impress of this fair world, resplendent eve easy to me
• 29:15
  it is to tell thee all what thou command'st and right thou shouldst be obeyed.
• 29:19
  I was at first as other beasts that grazed the trodden herb of abject
• 29:25
  thoughts and low as was my food, nor aught but food discerned or sex,
• 29:30
  and apprehended nothing high, till on a day roving the field I chanced
• 29:34
  a goodly tree, far distant to behold, loaden with fruit of fairest colors,
• 29:40
  mixed ruddy in gold. I nearer drew to gaze, when from the
• 29:45
  boughs a savory odor blown grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense than smell
• 29:51
  of sweetest fennel, or the teats of eyewe, or goat dropping with milk
• 29:55
  at even unsucked of lamb or kid, that tend their play to satisfy the
• 30:00
  sharp desire I had of tasting those fair apples. I resolved not to defer
• 30:06
  hunger and thirst. At once powerful persuaders quickened at the scent of that alluring
• 30:11
  fruit urged me so keen about the mossy trunk, I wound me soon,
• 30:17
  for high from ground the branches would require thy utmost reach or atoms round the
• 30:22
  tree. All other beasts that saw with like desire, longing and envying,
• 30:26
  stood but could not reach amid the tree now got where plenty hung, tempting
• 30:33
  so nigh to pluck and eat my fill. I spared not for such pleasure
• 30:37
  till that hour at feed or fountain. Never had I found sated at length
• 30:41
  ere long I might perceive strange alteration in me to degree of reason in my
• 30:47
  inward powers and speech wanted not long though to this shape retained thenceforth to speculations
• 30:55
  high or deep. I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind considered all
• 31:00
  things visible in heaven or earth or middle, all things fair and good,
• 31:07
  but all that fair and good in thy divine semblance, and in thy beauty's
• 31:11
  heavenly ray united. I beheld no fair to thine equivalent or second, which
• 31:17
  compelled me thus, though importune, perhaps to come and gaze and worship thee
• 31:22
  of right declared sovereign of creatures, Universal Dame. So talk the spirited sly
• 31:30
  snake, and Eve yet more amazed, unwary, thus replied serpent thy overpraising
• 31:37
  leaves in doubt the virtue of that fruit in thee first proved. But say
• 31:41
  where grows the tree from? Hence? How far? For many are the
• 31:45
  trees of God that grow in paradise, and various, yet unknown to us.
• 31:49
  In such abundance lies our choice, as leaves a greater store of fruit
• 31:53
  untouched, still hanging, incorruptible, till men grow up to their provision,
• 32:00
  and more hands helped to disburden nature of her birth, to whom the wily
• 32:05
  adder blithe and glad empress, the way is ready and not long. Behold
• 32:09
  a row of myrtles on a flat fast by a fountain, one small thicket,
• 32:15
  past of blowing mirror and balm. If thou accept my conduct, I
• 32:19
  can bring thee thither soon. Lead, then said Eve, He leading swiftly
• 32:23
  rolled in tangles and made intricate seem straight to mischief. Swift hope elevates and
• 32:30
  joy brightens his crest, as when a wandering fire compact of unctuous vapor,
• 32:36
  which the night condenses and the cold environs round kindled through agitation to a flame,
• 32:42
  which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends, hovering and blazing
• 32:45
  with delusive light, misleads the amazed night wanderer from his way to bogs and
• 32:51
  mires, and oft through pond or pool. There swallowed up and lost from
• 32:55
  succor. Far so glistered the dire snake, and into fraud led Eve,
• 33:00
  our credulous mother, to the tree of prohibition, root of all our woe,
• 33:07
  which, when she saw thus to her guide she spake, serpent,
• 33:12
  we might have spared our coming hither fruitless to me, though fruit be here
• 33:16
  to excess, the credit of whose virtue rest with thee wondrous. Indeed,
• 33:21
  if cause of such effects, but of this tree, we may not taste
• 33:24
  nor touch. God so commanded and left that command sole daughter of his voice.
• 33:30
  The rest we live law to ourselves. Our reason is our law,
• 33:36
  to whom the tempter guilefully replied, Indeed, hath God then said that of
• 33:42
  the fruit of all these garden trees ye shall not eat. Yet Lords declared
• 33:45
  of all in earth or air, to whom thus Eve yet sinless of the
• 33:51
  fruit of each tree in the garden we may eat, But of the fruit
• 33:53
  of this fair tree amidst the garden, God hath said, ye shall not
• 33:58
  eat thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die. She scarce
• 34:01
  had said, though brief, when now more bold the tempter, but with
• 34:07
  show of zeal and love to man, and indignation at his wrong new part
• 34:12
  puts on, and as to passion, moved fluctuates, disturbed, yet comely
• 34:16
  and in act raised as of some great matter, to begin, as when
• 34:22
  of old some orator renowned in Athens or free Rome, where eloquence flourished,
• 34:27
  Since mute to some great cause addressed, stood in himself collected, while each
• 34:32
  part motion, each act, one audience ere the tongue, sometimes in height,
• 34:37
  began as no delay of preface, brooking through his zeal of right,
• 34:43
  so standing moving or to height, upgrown the tempter, all impassioned. Thus
• 34:47
  began O sacred, wise and wisdom giving plant, mother of science. Now
• 34:53
  I feel thy power within me, clear, not only to discern things in
• 34:59
  their causes, but to trace the ways of highest agents deemed. However,
• 35:04
  wise, Queen of this universe, do not believe those rigid threats of death.
• 35:09
  Ye shall not die, How should ye by the fruit it gives you
• 35:15
  life to knowledge by the threatener. Look on me, me, who have
• 35:19
  touched and tasted, yet both live and life more perfect have attained than fate
• 35:23
  meant me by venturing higher than my lot? Shall that be shut to man,
• 35:29
  which to the beast is open? Or will God incense his ire for
• 35:32
  such a petty trespass and not praise rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain
• 35:37
  of death denounced, Whatever thing death be deterred, not from achieving what might
• 35:43
  lead to happier life, knowledge of good and evil? Of good, how
• 35:49
  just of evil? If what is evil be real? Why not known?
• 35:53
  Since easier shunned God therefore cannot hurt ye and be just? Not just?
• 36:00
  Not God not feared then, nor obeyed your fear itself of death removes the
• 36:06
  fear? Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe? Why but
• 36:13
  to keep ye low and ignorant His worshipers. He knows that in the day
• 36:16
  ye eat, thereof your eyes that seem so clear yet are but dim,
• 36:22
  shall perfectly be then opened and cleared, And ye shall be as gods,
• 36:27
  knowing both good and evil, as they know that ye should be as gods,
• 36:31
  since I, as man internal man, is but proportioned meat, I
• 36:37
  of brute human, ye of human gods. So ye shall die, perhaps
• 36:43
  by putting off human to put on God's death, to be wished, though
• 36:46
  threatened, which no worse than this can bring. And what are gods that
• 36:51
  man may not become? As they participating god like food? The gods are
• 36:55
  first, and that advantage use on our belief that all from them proceeds.
• 37:01
  I question it, for this fair earth I see, warmed by the sun,
• 37:06
  producing every kind them nothing if they all things who enclosed knowledge of good
• 37:13
  and evil? In this tree, that whoso eatch thereof forthwith attains wisdom without
• 37:17
  their leave? And wherein lies the offense that man should thus attain to know?
• 37:22
  What can your knowledge hurt him? Or this tree impart against his will?
• 37:28
  If all be his? Or is it envy? And can envy dwell
• 37:31
  in heavenly breasts? These these and many more causes import your need of this
• 37:37
  fair fruit. Goddess humane reach then and freely taste he ended, and his
• 37:45
  words replete with guile into her heart too easy entrance. One fixed on the
• 37:51
  fruit she gazed, which to behold might tempt alone, and in her ears,
• 37:54
  the sound, yet wrung of his persuasive words, imprened with reason to
• 38:00
  her seeming and with truth. Meanwhile, the hour of noon drew on and
• 38:04
  waked. An eager appetite, raised by the smell so savory of that fruit,
• 38:08
  which, with desire inclinable, now grown to touch or taste, solicited
• 38:14
  her longing eye. Yet, first pausing awhile, thus to herself, she
• 38:17
  mused, great are thy virtues, doubtless best of fruits, though kept from
• 38:23
  man, and worthy to be admired, whose taste too long forborne At first
• 38:29
  essay, gave elocution to the mute, and taught the tongue not made for
• 38:32
  speech, to speak thy praise, Thy praise. He also, who forbids
• 38:37
  thy use conceals not from us, naming THEE the tree of knowledge, knowledge
• 38:43
  both of good and evil, forbids us then to taste. But his forbidding
• 38:47
  commends THEE more, while it infers the good by THEE communicated, and our
• 38:52
  want for good unknown sure is not had or had, and yet unknown is
• 38:58
  as not had at all. In plain, then what forbids he but to
• 39:01
  know? Forbids us good? Forbids us to be wise. Such prohibitions bind
• 39:07
  not, But if death bind us with after bands, what profits then are
• 39:14
  inward freedom? In the day we eat of this fair fruit, our doom
• 39:17
  is we shall die. How dies the serpent he hath eaten, and lives,
• 39:22
  and knows and speaks, and reasons and discerns irrational till then for us
• 39:30
  alone was death invented or to us denied? This intellectual food for beasts,
• 39:35
  reserved for beasts. It seems yet that one beast, which first hath tasted,
• 39:40
  envies not, but brings with joy the good befallen him author unsuspect,
• 39:46
  friendly to man, far from deceit or guile. What fear I, then,
• 39:52
  rather, what know to fear? Under this ignorance of good and evil
• 39:57
  of God, or death, of law or penalty? Here grows the cure
• 40:01
  of all this fruit, divine, fair to the eye, inviting to the
• 40:06
  taste of virtue to make wise. What hinders then to reach and feed at
• 40:12
  once both body and mind? So saying her rash hand in evil hour,
• 40:16
  forth, reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she ate earth, felt
• 40:21
  the wound, and nature from her seat, sighing through all her works gave
• 40:25
  signs of woe that all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk the guilty
• 40:31
  serpent, and well might for Eve intent now wholly on her taste, Naught
• 40:37
  else regarded such delight till then, as seemed in fruit, she never tasted,
• 40:43
  whether true or fancied. So through expectation high of knowledge, nor was
• 40:49
  Godhead from her thought. Greedily she engorged without restraint, and knew not eating
• 40:54
  death. Sat she ate at length and heightened, as with wine, jocund
• 41:00
  and boon. Thus to herself she pleasingly began O sovereign, virtuous, precious
• 41:07
  of all trees in paradise of operation, blest to sapiens, hitherto obscured,
• 41:13
  infamed, and thy fair fruit let hang as to no end created. But
• 41:19
  henceforth my early care, not without song each morning and due praise, shall
• 41:24
  tend THEE and the fertile burden ease of thy full branches, offered free to
• 41:29
  all, till dieted by THEE. I grow mature in knowledge as the gods
• 41:34
  who all things know, though others envy what they cannot give, for had
• 41:39
  the gift been theirs, it had not. Here thus grown experience next to
• 41:45
  THEE, I owe best guide not following thee, I had remained in ignorance.
• 41:50
  Thou openest Wisdom's way and giv'st access. Though secret, she retire,
• 41:54
  and I perhaps am secret. Heaven is high high, and mote to see
• 42:00
  from thence distinct each thing on earth, and other care perhaps may have diverted
• 42:05
  from continual watch. Our great forbidder safe with all his spies about him.
• 42:10
  But to Adam, in what sort shall I appear? Shall I to him
• 42:15
  make known as yet my change, and give him to partake full happiness with
• 42:20
  me? Or rather not, but keep the odds of knowledge in my power
• 42:24
  without co partner. So to add what wants in female sex, the more
• 42:30
  to draw his love and render me more equal and perhaps a thing not undesirable,
• 42:35
  sometime superior for inferior who is free. This may be well, But
• 42:42
  what if God have seen and death ensue, then I shall be no more,
• 42:47
  and Adam, wedded to another Eve, shall live with her, enjoying
• 42:52
  I extinct. A death to think confirmed, then I resolve, Adam shall
• 42:58
  share with me in bliss or war. So dear I love him, that
• 43:01
  with him all deaths I could endure without him live no life. So saying
• 43:07
  from the tree her step she turned, but first low reverence done as to
• 43:13
  the power that dwelt within, whose presence had infused into the plant's sciential sap
• 43:17
  derived from nectar drink of gods. Adam, the while waiting, desirous her
• 43:23
  return, had wove of choicest flowers a garland to adorn her tresses and her
• 43:29
  rural labor's crown, as reapers oft are wont their harvest. Queen great joy,
• 43:34
  he promised to his thoughts and knew solace in her return so long delayed.
• 43:39
  Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill misgave him. He the
• 43:44
  faltering measure felt, and forth to meet her, went the way she took
• 43:49
  that morn, when first they parted by the tree of knowledge, he must
• 43:52
  pass there he her met scarce from the tree, returning in her hand a
• 43:58
  bow of fairest fruit that downy smiled, new gathered and ambrosial smell diffused to
• 44:05
  him. She hasted in her face. Excuse came prolog and apology to prompt,
• 44:09
  which with bland words at will she thus addressed, hast thou not wandered,
• 44:15
  Adam at my stay thee I have missed and thought it long deprived thy
• 44:19
  presence, agony of love till now not felt, nor shall be twice,
• 44:23
  for nevermore mean I to try what rash untried. I sought the pain of
• 44:28
  absence from thy sight. But strange hath been the cause, and wonderful to
• 44:32
  hear. This tree is not, as we are told, a tree of
• 44:36
  danger tasted, nor to evil unknown opening the way, but of divine effect
• 44:40
  to open eyes and make them gods who taste, and hath been tasted such
• 44:46
  the serpent, wise or not restrained as we, or not obeying, hath
• 44:51
  eaten of the fruit, and is become not dead as we are threatened,
• 44:54
  but thenceforth endued with human voice and human sense, reasoning to admiration, and
• 45:00
  with me persuasively. Hath so prevailed that I have also tasted, and have
• 45:05
  also found the effects to correspond, opener mine eyes, dim erst dilated spirits,
• 45:12
  ampler heart, and growing up to Godhead, which for THEE chiefly I
• 45:15
  sought. Without THEE can despise for bliss as thou hast part to me is
• 45:21
  bliss, tedious, unshared with THEE, and odious. Soon Thou therefore also
• 45:27
  taste that equal lot may join us equal joy as equal love. Lest thou,
• 45:31
  not tasting different degree, disjoin us, And I, then, too
• 45:37
  late renounce deity for thee, when fate will not permit. Thus Eve,
• 45:42
  with countenance blythe her story told, but in her cheek distemper flushing glowed on
• 45:47
  the other side. Adam, soon as he heard the fatal trespass done by
• 45:52
  Eve, amazed. A stoniede stood and blank, while horror chill ran through
• 45:58
  his veins, and all his joints relaxed from his slack hand. The garland
• 46:02
  wreathed for Eve down dropped, and all the faded roses shed. Speechless,
• 46:08
  he stood and pale, till thus at length, first to himself, he
• 46:14
  inward silence broke O fairest of creation, last and best of all God's works,
• 46:22
  creature in whom excelled, whatever can to sight or thought be formed,
• 46:25
  holly, divine, good, amiable or sweet? How art thou lost,
• 46:32
  How on a sudden lost, defaced, deflowered, and now to death devote
• 46:38
  Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress the strict forbiddence, How to violate
• 46:44
  the sacred fruit forbidden? Some cursed fraud of enemy hath beguiled thee yet unknown
• 46:51
  and me with THEE hath ruined. For with THEE certain my resolution is to
• 46:55
  die. How can I live without THEE? How forego thy sweet converse and
• 47:00
  love so dearly joined to live again in these wild woods? Forlorn should God
• 47:07
  create another Eve and I another rib afford? Yet loss of THEE would never
• 47:12
  from my heart. No, no, I feel the link of nature draw
• 47:15
  me flesh of flesh, bone of my bone. Thou art, and from
• 47:21
  thy state mine never shall be parted bliss or woe. So having said,
• 47:27
  as one from sad dismay, recomforted, and after thoughts disturbed, submitting to
• 47:32
  what seemed remediless. Thus, in calm mood his words to Eve, he
• 47:37
  turned bold deed. Thou hast presumed adventurous Eve, and peril great provoked,
• 47:45
  Who thus hath dared had it been only coveting to eye that sacred fruit,
• 47:50
  sacred to abstinence, much more to taste it under band to touch, but
• 47:55
  past who can recall or done? Undo not go God, omnipotent, nor
• 48:00
  fate. Yet so perhaps thou shalt not die. Perhaps the fact is not
• 48:07
  so heinous. Now foretasted fruit profaned first by the serpent, by him first
• 48:12
  made common and unhallowed ere our taste, nor yet on him found deadly,
• 48:16
  he yet lives, lives as thou saidst and gains to live as man higher
• 48:22
  degree of life. Inducement strong to us as likely tasting to attain proportional assent,
• 48:29
  which cannot be but to be gods or angels demigods. Nor can I
• 48:34
  think that God, Creator, wise though threatening, will in earnest so destroy
• 48:38
  us his prime creatures, dignified so high set over all his works, which
• 48:45
  in our fall for us created needs with us must fail, dependent made.
• 48:50
  So God shall uncreate, be frustrate, do undo and labor lose, not
• 48:55
  well conceived of God, who, though his power creation and could repeat,
• 49:00
  yet would beloathe us to abolish, lest the adversary triumph and say fickle their
• 49:06
  state. Whom God most favors, who can please him long me first He
• 49:10
  ruin now mankind, whom will ennext matter of scorn, not to be given
• 49:15
  the foe. However, I with THEE have fixed my lot, certain to
• 49:20
  undergo like doom. If death consort with THEE. Death is to me as
• 49:24
  life, so forcible within my heart I feel the bond of nature draw me
• 49:29
  to my own, my own in THEE. For what thou art is mine.
• 49:34
  Our state cannot be severed. We are one, one flesh to lose
• 49:37
  THEE were to lose myself, so Adam and thus Eve to him, replied,
• 49:45
  O glorious trial of exceeding love, illustrious evidence example high engaging me to
• 49:52
  emulate. But short of thy perfection, how shall I attain Adam, from
• 49:57
  whose dear sight I boast me sprung and gladly of our union. Hear THEE
• 50:00
  speak one heart, one soul in both where of good proof this day affords,
• 50:06
  declaring THEE resolved rather than death, or aught than death, more dread
• 50:09
  shall separate us linked in love. So dear to undergo with me one guilt,
• 50:15
  one crime, if any be of tasting this fair fruit, whose virtue
• 50:21
  for of good still good proceeds direct or by occasion, hath presented this happy
• 50:27
  trial of thy love, which else so eminently never had been known. Were
• 50:31
  it I thought death menaced would ensue this my attempt, I would sustain alone
• 50:36
  the worst, and not persuade THEE. Rather die deserted than oblige THEE with
• 50:40
  a fact pernicious to thy peace chiefly assured remarkably so late of Thy, so
• 50:45
  true, so faithful, love unequaled, But I feel far otherwise. The
• 50:51
  event not death, but life augmented, opened eyes, new hopes, new
• 50:55
  joys. Taste so divine that what of sweet before hath Thy touched my sense?
• 51:00
  Flat seems to this and harsh on my experience. Adam freely taste and
• 51:07
  fear of death delivered to the winds so saying she embraced him, and for
• 51:12
  joy tenderly wept much one that he his love, had so ennobled, as
• 51:16
  of choice to incur divine displeasure for her sake, or death in recompense for
• 51:22
  such compliance bad such recompense best merits. From the bow. She gave him
• 51:28
  of that fair, enticing fruit with liberal hand. He scrupled not to eat,
• 51:31
  against his better knowledge. Not deceived, but fondly overcome with female charm.
• 51:37
  Earth trembled from her entrails as again in pangs, and nature gave a
• 51:43
  second groan, Sky lowered and muttering thunder, some sad drops wept at completing
• 51:49
  of the mortal sin original, while Adam took no thought eating his fill,
• 51:53
  nor eve to iterate her former trespass, feared the more to soothe him with
• 51:58
  her loved society. That now, as with new wine, intoxicated, both
• 52:02
  they swim in mirth and fancy that they feel divinity within them, breeding wings
• 52:07
  wherewith to scorn the earth. But that false fruit far other operation first displayed
• 52:15
  carnal desire. In flaming he on eve began to cast lascivious eyes. She
• 52:21
  him as wantonly repaid in lust, they burn till Adam thus gan eve to
• 52:25
  dalliance. Move eve. Now I see thou art exactive taste and elegant of
• 52:32
  sapience no small part, since to each meaning savor we apply and pallate,
• 52:37
  called judicious. I the praise yield thee so well this day thou hast purveyed
• 52:44
  much pleasure we have lost while we abstained from this delightful fruit, nor known
• 52:49
  till now true relish tasting. If such pleasure be in things to us forbidden,
• 52:54
  it might be wished. For this one tree had been forbidden. Ten
• 53:00
  come so well refreshed. Now let us play as meat his after such delicious
• 53:05
  fair For never did thy beauty since the day I saw thee first and wetted
• 53:08
  thee adorned with all perfections, so inflame my sense with ardor to enjoy thee
• 53:15
  fairer now than ever bounty of this virtuous tree, so said he, And
• 53:21
  forbore not glance or toy of amorous intent. Well understood of Eve, whose
• 53:25
  eye darted contagious fire. Her hand he seized, and to a shady bank,
• 53:31
  thick overhead, with verdant roof embowered, he led her nothing loathe flowers,
• 53:37
  with a couch, pansies and violets, and Asphodel and Hyacinth earth's freshest
• 53:42
  softest lap. There they their fill of love, and love's disport took largely
• 53:47
  of their mutual guilt, the seal the solace of their sin, till dewy's
• 53:52
  sleep oppressed them, wearied with their amorous play. Soon as the force of
• 53:58
  that fallacious fruit that, with exhilirating vapor bland about their spirits, had played
• 54:02
  and inmost powers made err was now exhaled, and grosser sleep bred of unkindly
• 54:08
  fumes, with conscious dreams encumbered, now had left them up. They rose
• 54:14
  as from unrest, and each the other viewing soon found their eyes how opened,
• 54:20
  and their minds how darkened, innocence that as a veil had shadowed them
• 54:24
  from knowing ill was gone just confidence and native righteousness and honor from about them,
• 54:30
  naked, left to guilty shame, he covered, but his robe uncovered.
• 54:36
  More so rose the Danite strong, Herculean Samson from the harlot lap of
• 54:40
  Philistine Dolly lah and waked, shorn of his strength, they destitute and bare
• 54:45
  of all their virtue, silent and in face confounded. Long they sat as
• 54:51
  struck in mute, till Adam, though not less than Eve, abashed,
• 54:55
  at length, gave utterance to these words. Constrained, O Eve, in
• 55:01
  evil hour, thou didst give ear to that false worm, of whomsoever taught
• 55:06
  to counterfeit Man's voice, true in our fall, false in our promised rising.
• 55:10
  Since our eyes opened we find, indeed, and find we know both
• 55:15
  good and evil, good lost and evil, God bad fruit of knowledge.
• 55:20
  If this be, and no which leaves us naked, thus of honor,
• 55:23
  void of innocence, of faith, of purity, our wonted ornaments now soiled
• 55:29
  and stained, and in our face is evident the signs of foul, concupiscence.
• 55:34
  Whence evil store even shame, the last of evils of the first be
• 55:38
  sure, then how shall I behold the face? Henceforth of God or angel
• 55:44
  erst with joy and rapture, so oft beheld those heavenly shapes will dazzle now
• 55:50
  this earthly with their blaze insufferably bright. Oh, might I here in solitude
• 55:54
  live savage in some glade obscured, where highest woods imp gnantrable to star or
• 56:00
  sunlight, spread their umbrage broad and brown as evening cover me. Ye pines,
• 56:07
  ye cedars, with innumerable boughs, hide me where I may never see
• 56:12
  them more. But let us, now, as in bad plight, devise
• 56:16
  what best may for the present serve to hide the parts of each from other
• 56:21
  that seem most to shame obnoxious and unseemlest scene. Some tree, whose broad,
• 56:27
  smooth leaves together sowed and girded on our loins, may cover round those
• 56:31
  middle parts that this newcomer shame. There sit not and reproach us as unclean.
• 56:38
  So counseled he and both together went into the thickest wood. There Soon
• 56:44
  they chose the fig tree, not that kind for fruit renowned, but such
• 56:47
  as at this day to Indians known in Malabar or Decan, spreads her arms,
• 56:52
  branching so broad and long that in the ground the bended twigs take root,
• 56:58
  and daughters grow about the muther their tree a pillared shade, high overarched
• 57:02
  and echoing walks between thereof the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, shelters in cool
• 57:08
  and tends his pasturing herds at loopholes cut through thickest shade. Those leaves they
• 57:14
  gathered broad as Amazonian targe, and with what skill they had together sowed to
• 57:20
  gird their waste, vain covering if to hide their gilt and dreaded shame,
• 57:24
  oh Hawanlike to that first naked glory, such of late Columbus found the Americans
• 57:30
  so girt with feathered cincture, naked else and wild among the trees on aisles
• 57:36
  and woody shores. Thus fenced, and as they thought their shame in part
• 57:39
  covered, but not at rest or ease of mind, they sat them down
• 57:45
  to weep. Nor only tears reigned at their eyes, But high winds worse
• 57:50
  within began to rise, high passions, anger, hate, mistrust, suspicion,
• 57:57
  discord, and shook sore them inward state of mind. Calm region,
• 58:01
  once and full of peace, now tossed and turbulent. For understanding ruled not,
• 58:07
  and the will heard not her lore, both in subjection now to sensual
• 58:13
  appetite, who from beneath usurping over sovereign reason, claimed superior sway from thus
• 58:20
  distempered breast Adam, estranged in look and altered style speech intermitted thus to Eve
• 58:25
  renewed. Would thou hadst hearkened my words and stayed with me as I besought
• 58:31
  thee when that strange desire of wandering, this unhappy morn I know not?
• 58:37
  Whence possess thee we had then remained still happy. Not as now despoiled of
• 58:42
  all our good, shamed, naked, miserable. Let none henceforth seek needless
• 58:49
  cause to approve the faith they owe When earnestly they seek such proof conclude they
• 58:53
  then begin to fail, to whom soon moved with touch of blame thee us
• 59:00
  Eve, What words have passed thy lips? Adam severe imputest thou that to
• 59:06
  my default or will of wandering, as thou call'st it, which who knows,
• 59:09
  but might as ill have happened thou being by or to thyself. Perhaps
• 59:15
  hadst thou been there or hear the attempt, thou couldst not have discerned fraud
• 59:20
  in the serpent speaking as he spake, no ground of enmity between us,
• 59:24
  known why he should mean me ill or seek to harm? Was I to
• 59:29
  have never parted from thy side? As good have grown there still a lifeless
• 59:34
  rib being as I am? Why didst not thou the head, command me
• 59:38
  absolutely not to go going into such danger? As thou saidst too facile?
• 59:45
  Then thou didst not much gainsay, nay didst permit, approve and fair dismiss?
• 59:51
  Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy descent? Neither had I transgressed,
• 59:54
  nor thou with me, to whom then first in sensed Adam replied,
• 1:00:01
  Is this the love? Is this the recompense of mind to thee? In
• 1:00:06
  grateful eve expressed immutable when thou wert lost? Not I, who might have
• 1:00:12
  lived and enjoyed immortal bliss, yet willingly chose rather death with THEE? And
• 1:00:16
  am I now upbraided as the cause of thy transgressing not enough severe? It
• 1:00:21
  seems in thy restraint? What could I more? I warned THEE? I
• 1:00:25
  admonish THEE foretold the danger and the lurking enemy that lay in wait beyond this
• 1:00:31
  had been force and force upon free will, hath here no place but confidence
• 1:00:37
  then bore thee on secure, either to meet the danger or to find matter
• 1:00:42
  of glorious trial. And perhaps I also erred in overmuch admiring what seemed in
• 1:00:47
  thee so perfect, that I thought no evil durst attempt thee. But I
• 1:00:52
  rue that error now, which is become my crime, and thou the accuser.
• 1:00:57
  Thus it shall befall him who to worth in women. Overtrusting lets her
• 1:01:01
  will rule, restraint, she will not brook, and left to herself,
• 1:01:07
  if evil vents ensue, she first, his weak indulgence will accuse. Thus
• 1:01:12
  they, in mutual accusation, spent the fruitless hours, but neither self condemning,
• 1:01:19
  and of their vain contest appeared no end. End of Book eight,
• 1:01:23
  Part two, Book five, Part one now morn her rosy steps. The
• 1:01:30
  eastern climb, advancing sowed the earth with orient pearl. What Adam waked so
• 1:01:35
  customed for his sleep was airy light from pure digestion, bred and temperate vapors,
• 1:01:39
  bland, which the only sound of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan
• 1:01:45
  lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song of birds on every bough. So
• 1:01:50
  much the more his wonder was to find unwakened Eve with tress's discomposed and glowing
• 1:01:54
  cheek as through unquiet rest, he on his side line, eating, half
• 1:02:00
  raised with looks of cordial love, hung over her, enamored and beheld beauty
• 1:02:05
  which, whether waking or asleep, shot forth peculiar graces. Then, with
• 1:02:09
  voice mild as when Zephyrus and Flora breathes her hand soft touching, whispered,
• 1:02:15
  thus, awake, my fairest, my espoused, my latest found, Heaven's
• 1:02:21
  last best gift, my ever new delight. Awake. The morning shines,
• 1:02:25
  and the fresh field calls us. We lose the prime to mark how spring
• 1:02:30
  our tended plans, how blows the citron grove, what drops the mirror,
• 1:02:34
  and what the balmy reed? How nature paints her colors, how the bee
• 1:02:37
  sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweet. Such whispering waked her, but
• 1:02:44
  with startled eye on Adam, whom embracing Thus she spake a soul in whom
• 1:02:49
  my thoughts find all repose, my glory, my perfection. Glad I see
• 1:02:53
  thy face and morn returned for I this night, such night till this I
• 1:02:59
  never passed, dreamed, if dreamed not as I oft am want of thee
• 1:03:04
  works of day passed, or Morrow's next design, but of offense and trouble,
• 1:03:07
  which my mind knew never till this irksome night. Methought close at mine
• 1:03:13
  ear one call'd me forth to walk with gentle voice. I thought it thine,
• 1:03:17
  it said, why sleep'st thou eve? Now is the pleasant time,
• 1:03:22
  the cool, the silent, save where silence yields to the night. Warbling
• 1:03:28
  bird that now awake, tune sweetest his love labor'd song now reigns full orb'd
• 1:03:34
  the moon, and with more pleasing light, shadowy sets off the face of
• 1:03:37
  things in vain. If none regard Heaven wakes with all his eyes whom to
• 1:03:43
  behold, but THEE Nature's desire, and whose sight all things joy with ravishment.
• 1:03:49
  Attracted by thy beauty, still to gaze, I rose as at thy
• 1:03:53
  call, but found THEE not to find THEE. I directed than my walk,
• 1:03:58
  and on me thought alone. I passed through ways that brought me on
• 1:04:01
  a sudden to the tree of interdicted knowledge. Fair it seemed much fairer to
• 1:04:06
  my fancy than by day. And as I wondering looked beside it stood one
• 1:04:12
  shaped and winged like one of those from heaven by us oft seen his dewy
• 1:04:16
  locks distilled ambrosia on that tree. He also gazed, and o fair plant,
• 1:04:21
  said he, with fruit surcharged. Deigns none to ease thy load and
• 1:04:26
  taste thy sweet. Nor god nor man is knowledge so despised or envy,
• 1:04:32
  or what reserve forbids to taste? Forbid? Who will none shall from me
• 1:04:36
  withhold longer thy offered good? Why else? Set here? Thus said he
• 1:04:42
  paused, not, but with venturous arm he plucked. He tasted me damp
• 1:04:48
  horror, chilled at such bold words, vouched with a deed so bold,
• 1:04:53
  But he thus overjoyed, Oh fruit, divine sweet of thyself, but much
• 1:05:00
  more sweet thus cropt forbidden. Here it seems as only fit for gods,
• 1:05:04
  yet able to make gods of men, And why not gods of men?
• 1:05:10
  Since good, the more communicated, more abundant, grows the author not impaired,
• 1:05:15
  but honored more. Here, happy creature, fair angelic eve, partake
• 1:05:23
  thou also happy, Though thou art happier, thou mayst be worthier, canst
• 1:05:29
  not be taste this? And be henceforth among the gods? Thyself a goddess
• 1:05:36
  not to earth confined, but sometimes in the air, as we sometimes ascend
• 1:05:41
  to heaven by merit thine, and see what life the gods live there,
• 1:05:45
  and such live thou. So saying, he drew nigh, and to me
• 1:05:49
  held even to my mouth of that same fruit, held part which he had
• 1:05:54
  plucked. The pleasant savory smell so quickened appetite that I methought, could not
• 1:06:01
  but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds with him, I flew, and
• 1:06:08
  underneath beheld the earth outstretched immense, a prospect, wide and various, wondering
• 1:06:14
  at my flight, and changed to this high exaltation. Suddenly my guide was
• 1:06:17
  gone, and I methoughts sunk down and fell asleep. But ah, how
• 1:06:24
  glad I wake to find this but a dream? Thus Eve her knight related,
• 1:06:29
  and thus Adam answered, sat best image of myself, and dearer half
• 1:06:36
  the trouble of thy thoughts. This night in sleep affects me equally. Nor
• 1:06:42
  can I like this uncouth dream of evil sprung. I fear yet evil?
• 1:06:46
  Whence in thee can the harbor none created pure? But know that in the
• 1:06:51
  soul are many lesser faculties that serve reason, as chief among these fancy next
• 1:06:58
  her office holds of all external things which the five watchful senses represent. She
• 1:07:03
  forms imaginations, airy shapes, which reason joining or disjoining frames all what we
• 1:07:11
  affirm or what deny, and calls our knowledge or opinion. Then retires into
• 1:07:16
  her private cell. When nature rests oft in her absence, mimic fancy wakes
• 1:07:23
  to imitate her, but misjoining shapes. Wild work produces oft, and most
• 1:07:29
  in dreams ill matching words and deeds long past or late. Some such resemblances.
• 1:07:35
  Methinks, I find of our last evening's talk in this thy dream,
• 1:07:41
  but with additions strange. Yet be not sad. Evil into the mind of
• 1:07:47
  God or man may come and go so unapproved and leave no spot or blame
• 1:07:54
  behind, which gives me hope that what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream
• 1:07:58
  waking thou never wilt consent to do. Be not disheartened then, nor cloud
• 1:08:05
  those looks that wont to be more cheerful and serene than when fair morning first
• 1:08:11
  smiles on the world and let us to our fresh employments. Rise among the
• 1:08:15
  groves, the fountains, and the flowers that opened now their choicest bosomed smells
• 1:08:19
  reserved from night and kept for thee in store. So cheered he his fair
• 1:08:29
  spouse, and she was cheered but silently. A gentle tear let fall from
• 1:08:32
  either eye and wipe them with their hair, two other precious drops that ready
• 1:08:39
  stood each in their crystal sluice. He Ere they fell, kissed as the
• 1:08:45
  gracious signs of sweet or remorse and pious awe that feared to have offended.
• 1:08:51
  So all was cleared, and to the field they haste, but first from
• 1:08:56
  under shady arborous roof. Soon as they forth were come to open sight of
• 1:09:00
  day spring and the sun, who scarce uprisen with wheels, yet hovering o'er
• 1:09:03
  the ocean brim shot parallel to the earth, his dewy ray, discovering in
• 1:09:09
  wide landscape all the east of Paradise and Eden's happy plains. Lowly they bowed,
• 1:09:15
  adoring, and began their orisons each morning, duly paid in various style.
• 1:09:20
  For neither various style nor holy rapture wanted they to praise their maker in
• 1:09:26
  fit strains pronounced or sung unmeditated. Such prompt eloquence flowed from their lips in
• 1:09:32
  prose or numerous verse, more tuneable than needed lute or harp to add more
• 1:09:38
  sweetness, and they thus began. These are thy glorious works, Parent of
• 1:09:45
  good, Almighty Thine, this universal frame thus wondrous, fair thy self,
• 1:09:53
  how wondrous then unspeakable, who sitst above these heavens to us invisible or dimly
• 1:09:58
  seen in these thy li lowest works. Yet these declare thy goodness beyond thought
• 1:10:03
  and power. Divine speak ye who best can tell ye, sons of light
• 1:10:09
  angels, for ye behold him, and with songs and choral symphonies, day
• 1:10:14
  without night, circle his throne, rejoicing ye in heav'n on earth, Join
• 1:10:19
  all ye creatures to extol him, first him, last, him, midst
• 1:10:25
  and without end, fairest of stars, last in the train of night.
• 1:10:30
  If better thou belong not to the dawn sure pledge of day, that crown'st
• 1:10:34
  the smiling morn, with thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere while
• 1:10:40
  day arises, that sweet hour of prime, Thou Sun of this great world,
• 1:10:46
  Both eye and soul acknowledge him thy greater sound his praise in thy eternal
• 1:10:51
  course, both when thou climb'st and when high noon hast gain'd, and when
• 1:10:58
  thou fall'st moon that now meets the orient sun now fliest, with the fixed
• 1:11:03
  stars fix'd in their orb that flies, and ye five other wandering fires that
• 1:11:10
  move in mystic dance, not without song, resound his praise, who out
• 1:11:15
  of darkness call'd up light air, and ye elements, the eldest birth of
• 1:11:20
  Nature's womb threin quaternion, run perpetual circle, multiform, and mix and nourish
• 1:11:27
  all things. Let your ceaseless change vary to our great makers, still new.
• 1:11:32
  Praise ye mists and exhalations that now rise from hill or streaming lake,
• 1:11:38
  dusky or gray, till the sun paints your fleecy skirts with gold in honor
• 1:11:44
  to the world's great author. Rise, whether to deck with clouds the uncolor'd
• 1:11:48
  sky, or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers, rising or falling,
• 1:11:53
  still advance his praise, His praise, Ye winds that from four quarters blow
• 1:11:59
  breathes soft or loud, And wave your tops, ye pines, with every
• 1:12:03
  plant and sign of worship, wave fountains, and ye that warble as ye
• 1:12:10
  flow melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise, Join voices all ye living souls,
• 1:12:16
  Ye birds that sing up to heaven Gate, ascend, bear on your
• 1:12:20
  wings, and in your notes his praise, Ye that in waters glide,
• 1:12:26
  and ye that walk the earth, and stately tread or lowly creep, Witness,
• 1:12:31
  if I be silent morn, or even to hill or valley, fountain
• 1:12:35
  or fresh shade, made vocal by my song, and taught his praise,
• 1:12:41
  Hail, Universal Lord, be bounteous still to give us only good. And
• 1:12:46
  if the knight have gathered aught of evil or conceal'd disperse it, as now
• 1:12:53
  light dispels the dark. So prayed they innocent, and to their thoughts firm
• 1:12:59
  peace re cover'd soon, and wonted calm on to their morning's rural work.
• 1:13:03
  They haste among sweet dews and flowers, where any row of fruit trees over
• 1:13:09
  woody reached too far their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check fruitless embraces.
• 1:13:15
  Or they led the vine to wed her elm. She spous'd about him,
• 1:13:18
  twines her marriageable arms, and with her brings her dower. The adopted
• 1:13:25
  clusters to adorn his barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld with pity Heaven's high
• 1:13:32
  king, and to him called Raphael the sociable spirit that deigned to travel with
• 1:13:39
  Tobias and secured his marriage with the seven times wedded maid. Raphael said,
• 1:13:45
  he thou hearest what stir on earth, Satan from Hell escaped through the darksome
• 1:13:48
  gulf, hath raised in Paradise. And how disturb'd this night the human pair,
• 1:13:55
  how he designs in them at once to ruin all mankind. Go Therefore
• 1:14:00
  half this day, as friend with friend, converse with Adam in what bower
• 1:14:04
  or shade thou find'st him from the heat of noon, retir'd to respit his
• 1:14:09
  day, labor with repast or with repose, And such discourse bring on as
• 1:14:14
  may advise him of his happy state, happiness in his power, left free
• 1:14:18
  to will, left to his own free will, his will, though free
• 1:14:24
  yet mutable. Whence warn him to beware he swerved not too secure. Tell
• 1:14:30
  him withal his danger, and from whom what enemy late fallen himself from heaven
• 1:14:34
  is plotting now the fall of others from like state of bliss by violence,
• 1:14:39
  No, for that shall be withstood but by deceit and lies. This let
• 1:14:45
  him know, least wilfully transgressing he pretend surprisal, unadmonish'd unforewarn'd, so spake
• 1:14:53
  the eternal Father, and fulfill'd all justice, nor delay'd the winged saint,
• 1:14:58
  after his charge receiv'd. But from among thousand celestial ardors, where he stood
• 1:15:02
  veil'd, with his gorgeous wings up springing light, flew through the midst of
• 1:15:06
  Heaven. Angelic choirs on each hand, parting to his speed, gave way
• 1:15:13
  through all the imperial road, till at the gate of Heaven arriv'd the gates
• 1:15:16
  self opened wide on golden hinges, turning as by work divine the sovereign architect
• 1:15:21
  had framed from hence no cloud or to obstruct his sight. Star interposed,
• 1:15:28
  however small, he sees, not unconformed to other shining globes Earth and the
• 1:15:33
  Garden of God, with cedars crowned above all hills, as when by night
• 1:15:40
  the glass of Galileo less assured observes. Imagine lands and relics in the moon
• 1:15:45
  or pilot from amidst the Cyclodes Dilo Sir Samos, first appearing kins a cloudy
• 1:15:50
  spot down thither. Prone in flight, he speeds, and through the vast
• 1:15:56
  ethereal sky sails between worlds and worlds with steady wing. Now on the polar
• 1:16:00
  winds. Then with quick fan winnows the buxom air till within soar of towering
• 1:16:06
  eagles. To all the fowls, he seems a phoenix, gazed by all
• 1:16:11
  as that sole bird. When to enshrine his relics in the sun's bright temple,
• 1:16:15
  to Egyptian thebes, he flies at once. On the eastern cliff of
• 1:16:19
  Paradise, he lights, and to his proper shape returns a seraph winged six
• 1:16:25
  wings he wore to shade his lineaments divine. The pair that clad each shoulder
• 1:16:30
  broad came mantling o'er his breast with regal ornament. The middle pair girt like
• 1:16:33
  a starry zone his waste and round skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold
• 1:16:39
  and colors dipped in heaven. The third his feet shadowed from either heel,
• 1:16:44
  with feathered mail sky tinctured grain. Like Maya's son. He stood and shook
• 1:16:49
  his plumes. That heavenly fragrance filled the circuit wide straight knew him all the
• 1:16:56
  bands of angels under watch, and to his state and to his message high
• 1:16:59
  in honor, For on some message high they guessed him bound their glittering tints
• 1:17:04
  he passed, and now is come into the blissful field, through groves of
• 1:17:09
  mirh and flowering odors, cassia, nard and balm, a wilderness of sweets
• 1:17:15
  for nature here wantoned as in her prime, and played at will her virgin
• 1:17:18
  fancies, pouring forth more sweet wild above rule or art enormous bliss him through
• 1:17:26
  the spicy forest. Onward come Adam, discerned, as in the door he
• 1:17:30
  sat of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun shot down, direct
• 1:17:34
  his fervid rays to warm Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam need,
• 1:17:41
  and Eve within do at her hour, prepared for dinner, savory fruits of
• 1:17:45
  taste, pleased true appetite, and not disrelish thirst of nectarous drafts between from
• 1:17:51
  milky stream, berry or grape, to whom thus Adam called, haste hither,
• 1:17:59
  Eve and worth thy sight behold eastward among those trees. What glorious shape
• 1:18:03
  comes this way? Moving seems another morn risen on mid noon, some great
• 1:18:09
  behest from heaven to us. Perhaps he brings and will vouchsafe this day to
• 1:18:13
  be our guest. But go with speed, and what thy stores contain,
• 1:18:16
  bring forth and pour abundance fit to honor and receive our heavenly stranger. Well
• 1:18:21
  we may afford our givers their own gifts and large bestow from large bestowed where
• 1:18:28
  nature multiplies her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows more fruitful, which instructs
• 1:18:34
  us not to spare to whom. Thus eve adam Earth's hallowed mold of God
• 1:18:41
  inspired small store will serve where store all seasons ripe for use, hangs on
• 1:18:46
  the stalk, save what by frugal storing firmness gains to nourish and superfluous moist
• 1:18:51
  consumes. But I will haste, and from each bow and break each plant
• 1:18:57
  and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice to entertain our angel guest as he
• 1:19:02
  beholding, shall confess that here on Earth God hath dispensed his bounties as in
• 1:19:08
  heaven. So saying, with dispatchful looks and haste, she turns on hospitable
• 1:19:13
  thoughts intent, What choice to choose for delicacy best? What order so contrived
• 1:19:17
  as not to mix tastes not well joined inelegant, but bring taste after taste
• 1:19:25
  upheld with kindliest change bestirs her. Then and from each tender stalk, whatever
• 1:19:29
  earth all bearing mother yields in India east or west, or middle shore,
• 1:19:33
  in Pontus or the Punic coast, or where Alcinous reigned, fruit of all
• 1:19:39
  kinds in coat, rough or smooth rind, or bearded husk or shell,
• 1:19:43
  she gathers tribute large and on the board heaps with unsparing hand for drink.
• 1:19:49
  The grapes she crushes and offensive most, and meathes from many a berry,
• 1:19:54
  and from sweet kernels. Presst she tempers dulcet creams nor the east to whole,
• 1:20:00
  wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground with rose and odors
• 1:20:03
  from the shrub unfumed. Meanwhile, our primitive great sire, to meet his
• 1:20:09
  godlike guest, walks forth without more train, accompanied than with his own complete
• 1:20:14
  perfections, and himself was all his state more solemn than the tedious pomp that
• 1:20:19
  waits on princes, when their rich retinue, long of horses, led and
• 1:20:24
  grooms besmeared with gold, dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape nearer his
• 1:20:30
  presence, Adam, though not awed yet with submiss approach and reverence meek as
• 1:20:34
  to a superior nature, bowing low, thus said, native of Heaven.
• 1:20:42
  For other place none can than Heaven such glorious shape contain. Since by descending
• 1:20:47
  from the thrones above those happy places, thou hast deigned a while to want
• 1:20:51
  and honor these vouchsafe with us too. Only who yet, by sovereign gift,
• 1:21:00
  to possess this spacious ground in yonder shady bower, to rest, and
• 1:21:04
  what the garden choicest bears to sit and taste, till this meridian heat be
• 1:21:10
  over and the sun more cool decline whom, thus the angelic virtue answered mild
• 1:21:17
  Adam. I therefore came, nor art thou such created, or such place
• 1:21:23
  hast here to dwell as may not oft invite those spirits of Heaven to visit
• 1:21:27
  thee lead on, then, where thy bower or shades for these mid hours
• 1:21:31
  till evening rise? I have it well. So to the Sylvan lodge they
• 1:21:35
  came, that, like Pomona's arbor smiled with florets decked and fragrant smells.
• 1:21:41
  But Eve undecked save with herself more lovely fair than wood Nymph, or the
• 1:21:45
  fairest goddess feigned of three that in Mount Ida naked strove stood to entertain her
• 1:21:51
  guest from heaven, no veil, she needed virtue proof, No thought infirm
• 1:21:57
  altered her cheek on whom the Angel hailed stowed the holy salutation used long after
• 1:22:02
  to blest Mary second Eve, Hail, mother of mankind, whose fruitful wombs
• 1:22:08
  shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons than with these various fruits.
• 1:22:13
  The trees of God have heaped this table, raised of grassy turf. Their
• 1:22:16
  table was, and mossy seats had round, and on her ample square from
• 1:22:20
  side to side, all autumn piled. Though spring and autumn here danced hand
• 1:22:26
  in hand a while discourse they hold no fear less dinner cool. When thus
• 1:22:31
  began our author, heavenly stranger, pleased to taste these bounties which our nourisher,
• 1:22:39
  from whom all perfect good, unmeasured out, descends to us for food
• 1:22:43
  and for delight, hath caused the earth to yield unsavory food, perhaps to
• 1:22:47
  spiritual natures. Only this I know that one celestial Father gives to all.
• 1:22:57
  End of Book five, Part one, Book five, Part two, to
• 1:23:03
  whom the Angel therefore what he gives, whose praise be ever sung to man?
• 1:23:10
  In part spiritual May of purest spirits be found no ingrateful food and food
• 1:23:15
  alike, those pure intelligential substances require, as doth your rational, and both
• 1:23:21
  contain within them every lower faculty of sense, whereby they hear, see,
• 1:23:28
  smell, touch, taste, tasting, can coct, digest, assimilate,
• 1:23:33
  and corporeal to incorporeal turn, For know whatever was created needs to be sustained
• 1:23:40
  and fed of elements. The grosser feeds the purer earth, the sea.
• 1:23:45
  Earth, and the sea feed air. The air those fires ethereal and as
• 1:23:50
  lowest first the moon, whence, in her visage round those spots unpurged vapors
• 1:23:57
  not yet into her substance turned. Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhale from
• 1:24:01
  her moist continent to higher orbs. The Sun, that light imparts to all,
• 1:24:06
  receives from all his elemental recompense in humid exhalations, and it even SUPs
• 1:24:13
  with the ocean. Though in heaven the trees of life ambrosial fruitage bear and
• 1:24:17
  binds yielded nectar. Though from off the boughs each morn we brush melephalous dews
• 1:24:24
  and find the ground covered with pearly grain. Yet God hath here varied his
• 1:24:29
  bounty, so with new delights as may compare with heaven, and to taste,
• 1:24:32
  think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, and to
• 1:24:36
  their ve ends fell nor seemingly the angel, nor in mist the common gloss
• 1:24:42
  of theologians, but with keen dispatch of real hunger and concoctive heat to transubstantiate
• 1:24:48
  what redounds transpires through spirits with ease. Nor wonder if by fire of sooty
• 1:24:54
  coal the empiric alchemist can turn, or holds it possible to turn metals of
• 1:24:59
  drossyest ore to perfect gold, as from the mind. Meanwhile, at table,
• 1:25:04
  Eve ministered naked, and their flowing cups with pleasant liquors crowned o innocence,
• 1:25:10
  deserving paradise. If ever, then then had the sons of God excuse
• 1:25:15
  to have been enamored at that sight. But in those hearts love unlibiddenness reigned,
• 1:25:19
  nor jealousy was understood the injured lover's hell. Thus, when with meats
• 1:25:26
  and drinks they had sufficed not burdened nature, sudden mind arose in atom not
• 1:25:30
  to let the occasion pass given him by this great conference, to know of
• 1:25:35
  things above his world, and of their being who dwell in heaven, whose
• 1:25:39
  excellence he saw transcend his own, so far, whose radiant forms, divine
• 1:25:45
  effulgence, whose high power so far exceeded human, And his weary speech Thus
• 1:25:49
  to the imperial minister he framed, inhabitant with God, now know I well
• 1:25:56
  thy favor in this honor done to man, under whose lowly roof thou hast
• 1:26:00
  vouchsafe to enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, food not of angels,
• 1:26:05
  yet accepted, so as that more willingly thou couldst not seem at Heaven's
• 1:26:10
  feast to have fed. Yet what compare to whom the winged hierarch replied,
• 1:26:15
  O, Adam, one Almighty, is from whom all things proceed, and
• 1:26:19
  up to him return, if not depraved from good created all such to perfection,
• 1:26:26
  one first matter, all endued with various forms, various degrees of substance,
• 1:26:30
  and in things that live of life, but more refined, more spiritous
• 1:26:34
  and pure, as near to Him placed or near tending, each in their
• 1:26:39
  several active spheres, assigned till body up to spirit work in bounds proportioned to
• 1:26:45
  each kind. So from the root springs lighter the green stalk. From thence
• 1:26:49
  the leaves more airy last, the bright consummate flower spirits, odorous breathes flowers
• 1:26:56
  and their fruit. Man's nourishment by gradual scale sublime to vital spirits, aspire
• 1:27:02
  to animal, to intellectual, give both life and sense, fancy and understanding.
• 1:27:08
  Whence the soul reason receives, and reason is her being discursive or intuitive.
• 1:27:14
  Discourse is oftenest yours. The latter most is ours, differing, but
• 1:27:18
  in degree of kind the same wonder not then what God for you saw good?
• 1:27:24
  If I refuse not but convert as you to proper substance. Time may
• 1:27:29
  come when men with angels may participate and find no inconvenient diet nor to light
• 1:27:34
  fare. And from these corporeal nutriments, perhaps your bodies may at last turn
• 1:27:39
  all to spirit, improved by tract of time, and winged ascend ethereal as
• 1:27:44
  we, or may it choice here or in heavenly paradises. Dwell if ye
• 1:27:49
  be found obedient and retain unalterably firm His love entire, whose progeny you are,
• 1:27:56
  Meanwhile, enjoy your fill what happiness this happyestefe can comprehend, incapable of
• 1:28:01
  more to whom the patriarch of mankind replied, O favorable spirit, propitious guest,
• 1:28:09
  Well, hast thou taught the way that might direct our knowledge? And
• 1:28:12
  the scale of nature set from center to circumference, whereon, in contemplation of
• 1:28:16
  created things by steps we may ascend to God. But say what meant that
• 1:28:21
  caution? Joined? If ye be found obedient? Can we want obedience then
• 1:28:27
  to Him or possibly his love desert, who formed us from the dust and
• 1:28:31
  placed us here full to the utmost measure of what bliss human desires can seek
• 1:28:35
  or apprehend. To whom the angel, son of Heaven and Earth, attend
• 1:28:43
  that thou art happy, O to God, that thou continuest such oh to
• 1:28:46
  thyself, that is, to thy obedience. Therein stand this was that caution
• 1:28:53
  given THEE be advised. God made THEE perfect, not immutable and good.
• 1:28:58
  He made THEE, but persevere, He left it in thy power, ordained
• 1:29:02
  by thy will, by nature, free, not o'er ruled by fate,
• 1:29:06
  inextricable or strict necessity. Our voluntary service he requires not are necessitated. Such
• 1:29:13
  with him finds no acceptance, nor can find For how can hearts not free
• 1:29:17
  be tried, whether they serve willing or no Who will but what they must
• 1:29:21
  by destiny, and can no other choose myself and all the angelic hosts that
• 1:29:27
  stand in sight of God enthroned, our happy statehold as you yours, while
• 1:29:31
  our obedience holds on other surety. None freely we serve because we freely love,
• 1:29:38
  as in our will to love or not. In this we stand or
• 1:29:42
  fall, And some are fallen to disobedience, fallen, And so from heaven
• 1:29:46
  to deepest hell, O fall from what high state of bliss into what woe
• 1:29:53
  to whom our great progenitor. Thy words attentive and with more delighted ear,
• 1:29:58
  Divine instructor, I have heard than when cherubic songs by night from the neighboring
• 1:30:02
  hills aerial music send. Nor knew I not to be both will and deed
• 1:30:08
  created free, yet that we shall never forget to love our maker and obey
• 1:30:12
  him whose demands single is yet so just My constant thoughts assured me, and
• 1:30:16
  still assure. Though what thou tellest hath passed in heaven. Some doubt within
• 1:30:20
  me move, but more desire to hear if thou consent the full relation which
• 1:30:27
  must needs be strange, worthy of sacred silence to be heard and we have
• 1:30:30
  yet large day for Scarce the sun hath finished half his journey, and Scarce
• 1:30:35
  begins his other half in the great zone of heaven. Thus Adam made request,
• 1:30:41
  and Raphael, after short pause, assenting, thus began high matter.
• 1:30:46
  Thou enjoin'st me o prime of men, sad task and hard. For how
• 1:30:51
  shall I relate to human sense the invisible exploits of warring spirits? How without
• 1:30:57
  remorse, the ruin of so many glorious wars, once and perfect while they
• 1:31:00
  stood? How last unfold the secrets of another world, perhaps not lawful to
• 1:31:05
  reveal, Yet for thy good this is dispensed. And what surmounts the reach
• 1:31:11
  of human sense? I shall delineate so by likening spiritual to corporeal forms,
• 1:31:16
  and may express them best. Though what if Earth be but the shadow of
• 1:31:19
  Heaven, and things therein each to other like more than on earth is thought?
• 1:31:26
  As yet this world was not, and chaos whild reigned where these heavens
• 1:31:30
  now roll, where Earth now rests upon her center, poised When on a
• 1:31:35
  day for time, though in eternity applied to motion, measures all things durable
• 1:31:41
  by present, past and future, on such day as Heaven's great year bring
• 1:31:45
  forth the Imperial host of angels by imperial summons called innumerable. Before the almighties
• 1:31:51
  thrown forthwith from all the ends of heaven appeared under their hierarchs and orders bright
• 1:31:58
  ten thousand thousand ensigns, high advanced standards, and gonfalons TwixT than and rear
• 1:32:04
  stream in the air, and four distinctions served of hierarchies of orders and degrees,
• 1:32:11
  or in their glittering tissues bear emblazoned holy memorials, acts of zeal and
• 1:32:15
  love recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs of circuit inexpressible they stood, or
• 1:32:21
  within orb the Father Infinite, by whom, in bliss imbosn sat the sun
• 1:32:27
  amidst from a flaming mount whose top brightness had made invisible. Thus spake here
• 1:32:33
  all ye angels, progeny of light, thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues,
• 1:32:40
  powers. Hear my decree, which unrevoked, shall stand this day.
• 1:32:45
  I have begot whom I declare my only son, And on this holy hill
• 1:32:49
  him have anointed, whom ye now behold at my right hand your head.
• 1:32:55
  I him a point, and by myself have sworn to him, shall bow
• 1:33:00
  all knees in heaven and shall confess him Lord, under his great vice regent
• 1:33:04
  reign abide united as one individual soul forever happy. Him who disobeys me disobeys
• 1:33:12
  breaks union, and that day, cast out from God and blessed vision,
• 1:33:16
  falls into utter darkness, deep engulfed, his place, ordained without redemption,
• 1:33:21
  without end. So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words all seemed well
• 1:33:28
  pleased, all seemed, but were not. All That day, as other
• 1:33:32
  solemn days, they spent in song and dance about the sacred Hill, mystical
• 1:33:36
  dance which, yonder Starry's sphere of planets and of fixed in all her wheels,
• 1:33:42
  resembles nearest mazes, intricate, eccentric, inter revolved, yet regular then
• 1:33:47
  most when most irregular they seem, And in their motions harmony divine, so
• 1:33:54
  smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear listens, delighted. Evening approached,
• 1:34:00
  for we have also our evening and our morn. We ours for change,
• 1:34:03
  delectable, not need forthwith, from dance to sweet repast, they turned
• 1:34:10
  desirous. All in circles as they stood, tables are set, and on
• 1:34:14
  a sudden piled with angels, food, and rubied nectar, flows in pearl,
• 1:34:18
  in diamond and massy gold, fruit of delicious vines, the growth of
• 1:34:23
  heaven they eat, they drink, and with perfections sweet are filled before the
• 1:34:28
  all bounteous King, who showered with copious hand, rejoicing in their joy.
• 1:34:33
  Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhaled from that high mount of God, whence
• 1:34:38
  light and shade spring both the face of brightest Heaven had chains to grateful twilight,
• 1:34:44
  for night comes not near in darker vale and roseate dews disposed all but
• 1:34:48
  the unsleeping eyes of God to rest wide o'er all the plain and wider far.
• 1:34:54
  Then all this globious earth, in plain outspread, Such are the courts
• 1:34:59
  of God, the angelic throng, dispersed in bands and files. Their camp
• 1:35:02
  extend by living streams among the trees of life, pavilions numberless and sudden reared
• 1:35:09
  celestial tabernacles, where they slept, fanned with cool winds. Save those who,
• 1:35:14
  in their coarse, melodious hymns about the sovereign throne alternate all night long.
• 1:35:19
  But not so waked Satan, So call him now his former name is
• 1:35:24
  heard no more in heaven. He of the first If not the first archangel,
• 1:35:29
  great in power, in favor and pre eminence, yet fraught with envy
• 1:35:32
  against the son of God that day, honored by his great father and proclaimed
• 1:35:38
  Messiah King Anointed, could not bear through pride that sight, and thought himself
• 1:35:43
  impaired deep malice, thence conceiving in disdain. Soon as midnight brought on the
• 1:35:48
  dusky hour, friendliest to sleep in silence, he resolved with all his legions
• 1:35:54
  to dislodge and leave unworshiped, unobeyed, the throne supreme, contemptuous, and
• 1:36:00
  his next to subordinate awakening. Thus to him in secret spake sleepest, thou
• 1:36:05
  companion, dear what sleep can close thy eyelids and rememberest? What decree of
• 1:36:11
  yesterday so late hath passed the lips of heavens Almighty? Thou to me thy
• 1:36:15
  thoughts west want I mind to thee was wont to impart both waking we were
• 1:36:20
  one? How then can now thy sleep descent? New laws thou seest imposed
• 1:36:27
  new laws from him who reigns. New minds may raise in us who serve
• 1:36:31
  new councils to debate what doubtful may ensue. More in this place to utter
• 1:36:36
  is not safe assemble thou of all those myriads which we lead the Chief tell
• 1:36:43
  them that by command ere yet dim Knight, her shadowy cloud withdraws I am
• 1:36:46
  to haste, and all who under me their banner's wave homeward with flying marks,
• 1:36:51
  where we possess the quarters of the north, there to prepare fit entertainment
• 1:36:56
  to receive our King, the Great Messiah, and his new commands, who
• 1:37:00
  speedily through all the hierarchies intends to pass triumphant and give laws. So spake
• 1:37:06
  the false archangel and infused bad influence into the unwary breast of his associate.
• 1:37:13
  He together calls, or several, one by one, the regent powers under
• 1:37:16
  him. Regent tells, as he was taught, that the most high commanding
• 1:37:20
  now ere night, now ere dim Night, had disencumbered heaven. The great
• 1:37:26
  hierarchical standard was to move, tells the suggested cause, and casts between ambiguous
• 1:37:31
  words and jealousies to sound or taint integrity. But all obeyed the wonted signal
• 1:37:38
  and superior voice of their great potentate. For great indeed his name and high
• 1:37:43
  was his degree in Heaven, his countenance as the morning star that guides the
• 1:37:47
  starry flock allured them, and with lies drew after him the third part of
• 1:37:53
  Heaven's host. Meanwhile, the eternal eye, whose sight discerns abtrusist thoughts,
• 1:37:59
  from lad forth his holy mount, and from within the golden lamps that burn
• 1:38:02
  nightly before him, saw without the light rebellion rising, saw in whom,
• 1:38:09
  how spread among the sons of morn, what multitudes were banded to oppose his
• 1:38:14
  high decree, And smiling to his only son, thus said Son, Thou
• 1:38:19
  in whom my glory I behold in full resplendence, e'er of all my might.
• 1:38:25
  Nearly it now concerns us to be sure of our omnipotence, and with
• 1:38:29
  what arms we mean to hold what anciently we claim of deity or emperor.
• 1:38:33
  Such a foe is rising, who intends to erect his throne equal to ours
• 1:38:38
  throughout the spacious north. Nor so content hath in his thought to try in
• 1:38:43
  battle what our power is or our right. Let us advise, and to
• 1:38:47
  this hazard, draw with speed what force is left at all employ in our
• 1:38:51
  defense, lest unawares we lose this our high place, our sanctuary, our
• 1:38:58
  hill, to whom the sun with calm aspect and clear, lightning, divine,
• 1:39:02
  ineffable. Serene made answer, Mighty Father, Thou thy foes justly hast
• 1:39:10
  in derision as secure laughest at their vain designs and tumults, vain matter to
• 1:39:15
  me of glory, whom their hate illustrates. When they shall see all regal
• 1:39:19
  power given me to quell their pride, and event know whether I be dexterous
• 1:39:25
  to subdue thy rebels, or be found the worst in heaven. So spake
• 1:39:30
  the Sun, But Satan, with his powers far was advanced on winged speed
• 1:39:34
  and host innumerable as the stars of night or stars of morning, dewdrops which
• 1:39:40
  the sun imperils with every leaf and every flower. Regions. They passed,
• 1:39:45
  the mighty regencies of Seraphim and potentates and thrones in their triple degrees, regions
• 1:39:50
  to which all thy dominion, Adam, is no more than what this garden
• 1:39:55
  is to all the earth at all the sea from one entire globose stretched into
• 1:40:00
  Longitude, which, having passed at length into the limits of the north,
• 1:40:04
  they came and Satan to his royal seat high on a hill, far blazing
• 1:40:10
  as a mount, raised on a mount with pyramids and towers from diamond corries
• 1:40:14
  hewn and rocks of gold, the palace of Great Lucifer. So call that
• 1:40:18
  structure in the dialect of men interpreted, which not long after he effecting all
• 1:40:24
  equality with God, in imitation of that mount whereon Messiah was declared in sight
• 1:40:30
  of Heaven, the mountain of the congregation called for thither he assembled all his
• 1:40:34
  train, pretending so commanded to consult about the great reception of their king thither
• 1:40:40
  to come, and with calumnous art of counterfeited truth, thus held their ears,
• 1:40:45
  thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, if these magnific titles
• 1:40:51
  yet remained not merely titular, since by decree another now hath to himself engrossed
• 1:40:58
  all power, and thus eli under the name of King anointed, for whom
• 1:41:01
  all this haste of midnight march and hurried meeting here this only to consult,
• 1:41:06
  how we may best with what may be devised of honors knew receive him coming
• 1:41:12
  to receive from us knee tribute, yet unpaid prostration vile too much to one,
• 1:41:17
  but double how endured to one, and to his image now proclaimed.
• 1:41:23
  But what if better counsels might erect our minds to teach us to cast off
• 1:41:27
  this yoke. Will ye submit your nexts and choose to bend your supple knee?
• 1:41:31
  Ye will not? If I trust to know ye write, or if
• 1:41:34
  ye know yourselves natives and sons of heaven, possessed before by none, and
• 1:41:40
  if not equal all yet free, equally free for orders and degrees, jar
• 1:41:45
  not with liberty but well consist. Who can, in reason, then or
• 1:41:49
  write, assume monarchy over such as live by right his equals, if in
• 1:41:55
  power and splendor less in freedom equal, or can introduce law and edict upon
• 1:42:00
  us, who without law er not much less for this to be our lord,
• 1:42:04
  and look for adoration to the abuse of those imperial titles which assert our
• 1:42:09
  being ordained to govern, not to serve. Thus far, his bold discourse
• 1:42:15
  without control had audience when among the seraphim Abdael, then whom none with more
• 1:42:20
  zeal adored the deity and divine commands obeyed, stood up, and, in
• 1:42:26
  a flame of zeal severe the current of his fury thus opposed O argument,
• 1:42:31
  blasphemous, false and proud word, which no ear ever to hear in Heaven
• 1:42:35
  expected, least of all from thee ingrate in place thyself. So high above
• 1:42:41
  thy peers, canst thou, with impious obloquy, condemn the just decree of
• 1:42:45
  God pronounced and sworn that to his only son, by right endued with regal
• 1:42:50
  scepter, every soul in heaven shall bend the knee, And in that honor
• 1:42:55
  do confess him rightful king unjust, Thou sayest flatly, unju to bind with
• 1:43:00
  laws the free and equal over equals to let reign one over all with unsucceeded
• 1:43:05
  power. Shalt thou give law to God? Shalt thou dispute with him the
• 1:43:11
  points of liberty? Who made thee what thou art, and form the powers
• 1:43:15
  of heaven, such as he pleased and circumscribed their being. Yet by experience
• 1:43:19
  taught we know how good, and of our good, and of our dignity,
• 1:43:24
  how provident he is, how far from thought to make us less bent,
• 1:43:28
  rather to exalt our happy state under one head more near united, but
• 1:43:32
  to grant it thee unjust, that equal over equals monarch reign thyself, though
• 1:43:38
  great and glorious, dost thou count or all angelic nature joined in one equal
• 1:43:44
  to him begotten son by whom, as by his word, the Mighty Father
• 1:43:47
  made all things, even thee and all the spirits of heaven, by him
• 1:43:51
  created in their bright degrees, crowned them with glory, and to their glory
• 1:43:57
  named thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, essential powers, Nor
• 1:44:02
  by his reign obscured, but more illustrious maid. Since he the head one
• 1:44:08
  of our number, thus reduced becomes his laws our laws, all honor to
• 1:44:13
  him done, returns our own cease. Then this impious rage and tempt not
• 1:44:17
  these but hasten to appease the incensed father and the incensed son. While pardon
• 1:44:24
  may be found in time besought, so spake the fervent angel, but his
• 1:44:29
  zeal none seconded, as out of season, judged or singular and rash.
• 1:44:33
  Whereat rejoiced the apostate, and more haughty, thus replied that we were formed.
• 1:44:40
  Then, sayest thou, and the work of secondary hands, by task
• 1:44:44
  transferred from father to his son. Strange point and new doctrine, which we
• 1:44:49
  would know whence learnt who saw when this creation was? Rememberest thou thy making,
• 1:44:56
  while the maker gave thee being, we know no time when we were
• 1:45:00
  not as now no none before us self begot self raised by our own quickening
• 1:45:05
  power, when fatal course had circled his full orb. The birth mature of
• 1:45:10
  this our native heaven ethereal sons, our pucience is our own, Our own
• 1:45:15
  right hand shall teach us highest deeds by proof. To try who is our
• 1:45:19
  equal. Then thou shalt behold whether by supplication we intend address and to begirt
• 1:45:25
  the almighty throne, beseeching or besieging this report. These tidings carry to the
• 1:45:30
  anointed King, and fly ere evil intercept thy flight, he said, And
• 1:45:36
  as the sound of water's deep hoarse murmur echoed to his words, applause through
• 1:45:42
  the infinite host. Nor less for that the flaming Sarah, fearless, though
• 1:45:45
  alone encompassed round with foes, thus answered, bold, O alienate from God,
• 1:45:51
  O spirit accursed, forsaken of all good. I see thy fall determined,
• 1:45:57
  and thy hapless crew involved in this profit dede is fraud contagion spread both
• 1:46:01
  of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth, no more be troubled how to quit
• 1:46:06
  the yoke of God's Messiah. Those indulgent laws will not now be vouchsafed.
• 1:46:12
  Other decrees against thee are gone forth without recall that golden scepter which thou didst
• 1:46:17
  reject, is now an iron rod to bruise and break thy disobedience. Well
• 1:46:23
  thou didst advise, Yet not for thy advice or threats, I fly these
• 1:46:27
  wicked tints devoted least the wrath impendent, raging into sudden flame, distinguished,
• 1:46:32
  not for soon expect to feel his thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
• 1:46:39
  Then who created thee? Lamenting? Learn? When? Who can uncreate thee?
• 1:46:43
  Thou shalt know? So spake the seraph abdiel faithful found among the faithless,
• 1:46:49
  faithful, only he among innumerable false, unmoved, unshaken, unseduced,
• 1:46:55
  unterrified his loyalty. He kept his love, his zeal, nor numbers nor
• 1:47:00
  example with him wrought to swerve from truth or change his constant mind, though
• 1:47:05
  single from amidst them. Forth he passed long way through hostile scorn, which
• 1:47:12
  he sustained superior, nor of violence, feared aught, and with retorted scorn
• 1:47:16
  his back, he turned on those proud towers to swift destruction, doomed.
• 1:47:23
  End of paradise lost. Book five, Part two, Book four, Part
• 1:47:29
  one. Oh for that warning voice which he who saw the apocalypse heard cry
• 1:47:36
  in heaven aloud than when the dragon put to second route, came furious down
• 1:47:44
  to be revenged on men. Woe to the inhabitants on earth, that now,
• 1:47:48
  while time was our first parents had been mourned the coming of their secret
• 1:47:55
  foe, and scaped happily, so scaped his mortal snare. For now Satan,
• 1:48:00
  now first, inflamed with rage, came down the tempter ere, the
• 1:48:06
  accuser of mankind, to wreck on innocent, frail man his loss of that
• 1:48:14
  first battle and his flight to hell. Yet, not rejoicing in his speed,
• 1:48:19
  though bold, far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,
• 1:48:26
  begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth. Now rolling boils in his
• 1:48:31
  tumultuous breast, and like a devilish engine back recoils upon himself. Horror and
• 1:48:40
  doubt distract his troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir the hell within him.
• 1:48:47
  For within him hell he brings, and round about him. Nor from
• 1:48:53
  Hell one step, no more than from himself can fly by change of place.
• 1:49:00
  Well, conscience wakes despair, that slumber'd wakes the bitter memory of what
• 1:49:05
  he was, what is, and what must be worse, of worse deeds,
• 1:49:11
  worse sufferings must ensue, sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view
• 1:49:17
  lay pleasant. His grieved look he fixes sad, sometimes towards Heaven and the
• 1:49:25
  full blazing Sun, which now sat high in his meridian tower. Then much
• 1:49:30
  revolving, thus in size, began O thou, that, with surpassing glory
• 1:49:39
  crown'd look'st from thy soul dominion, like the god of this new world,
• 1:49:45
  at whose sight all the stars hide their diminished heads. To THEE, I
• 1:49:50
  call, but with no friendly voice, and add thy name, O Sun,
• 1:49:56
  to tell THEE, how I hate thy beams that bring to my remembrance
• 1:50:01
  from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere, till pride
• 1:50:08
  and worse ambition threw me down, warring in heaven against Heaven's matchless king Ah.
• 1:50:15
  Wherefore he deserved no such return from me, whom he created what I
• 1:50:23
  was in that bright eminence, and with his good upbraided none. Nor was
• 1:50:29
  his service hard. What could be less than to afford him praise the easiest
• 1:50:34
  recompense, and pay him thanks. How do yet all his good prov'd ill
• 1:50:41
  in me and wrought but malice lifted up so high. I feigned subjection,
• 1:50:48
  and thought one step higher would set me highest, and in a moment quit
• 1:50:56
  the debt immense of endless gratitude, so burdens, still paying still to owe
• 1:51:02
  forgetful what from him I still received and understood not that a grateful mind by
• 1:51:10
  owing owes not but still pays at once indebted and discharged what burden? Then?
• 1:51:18
  Now had his powerful destiny ordained me some inferior angel? I had stood
• 1:51:26
  then happy, no unbounded hope had raised ambition. Yet why not some other
• 1:51:32
  power as great might have aspired, and me, though mean, drawn to
• 1:51:36
  his part? But other powers as great fell not, but stand unshaken from
• 1:51:43
  within or from without, to all temptations, armed, hadst thou the same
• 1:51:48
  free will and power to stand? Thou hadst whom hast thou then? Or
• 1:51:56
  what to accuse? But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all. Be then
• 1:52:03
  his love accursed, since love or hate to me alike it deals eternal woe.
• 1:52:12
  Nay cursed be thou, since against his thy will chose freely what it
• 1:52:18
  now so justly ruse me miserable? Which way shall I fly infinite wrath and
• 1:52:27
  infinite despair? Which way I fly? His hell myself am hell, and
• 1:52:34
  in the lowest deep, a lower deep, still threatening to devour me,
• 1:52:40
  opens wide, to which the hell I suffer seems a heaven. Oh,
• 1:52:46
  then at last relent. Is there no place left for repentance, none for
• 1:52:53
  pardon left, None left but by submission, And that word disdain forbids me
• 1:53:01
  and my dread of shame among the spirits beneath whom I seduced with other promises
• 1:53:08
  and other vaunts, than to submit, boasting I could subdue the omnipotent I
• 1:53:15
  me. They little know how dearly I abide that boast so vain under what
• 1:53:20
  torments inwardly high groan, while they adore me on the throne of hell,
• 1:53:28
  with diadem and scepter high advanced the lower still I fall only supreme in misery
• 1:53:36
  such joy ambition finds. But say I could repent, and could obtain by
• 1:53:45
  act of grace my former state, How soon would hight recall high thoughts?
• 1:53:50
  How soon, unsay what feigned submission swore ease would recant vows made in pain,
• 1:54:00
  violent and void? For never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly
• 1:54:06
  hate have pierced so deep, which would but lead me to a worse relapse
• 1:54:13
  and heavier fall. So should I purchase dear short intermission bought with double smart
• 1:54:21
  This knows my punisher. Therefore, as far from granting he as I from
• 1:54:29
  begging peace, all hope excluded. Thus behold, instead of us outcast,
• 1:54:36
  exiled, his new delight mankind created and for him this world. So farewell,
• 1:54:46
  hope, and with hope, farewell fear, farewell remorse. All good
• 1:54:55
  to me is lost evil. Be thou mine good by thee at least divided
• 1:55:03
  empire with Heaven's king, I hold by THEE, and more than half perhaps
• 1:55:10
  will reign as man ere long, and this new world shall know. Thus,
• 1:55:16
  while he spake, each passion dimmed his face thrice changed with pale ire,
• 1:55:24
  envy, and despair, which marred his borrowed visage and betrayed him counterfeit.
• 1:55:30
  If any eye beheld for heavenly minds from such distempers, foul are ever
• 1:55:36
  clear, whereof he soon aware each perturbation smoothed with outward calm, artificer of
• 1:55:45
  fraud, and was the first that practiced falsehood under saintly show deep malice to
• 1:55:51
  conceal couched with revenge. Yet not enough had practiced to deceive Furiel once warned,
• 1:56:01
  whose eye pursued him. Down the way he went, and on the
• 1:56:05
  Assyrian mount saw him disfigured more than could befall spirit of happy sort. His
• 1:56:14
  gestures fierce he marked, and mad demeanor. Then alone, as he supposed,
• 1:56:19
  all observed unseen. So on he fares, and to the border comes
• 1:56:27
  of Eden, where delicious Paradise now nearer crowns with her enclosure green as with
• 1:56:33
  a rural mound, the champagne head of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides,
• 1:56:41
  with thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild access denied, and overhead up grew
• 1:56:47
  insuperable height of loftiest shade, cedar and pine and fir and branching palm,
• 1:56:56
  a Sylvan scene, and as the ranks and shade above shade a woody theater
• 1:57:02
  of stateliest view, yet higher than their tops, the verduous wall of Paradise
• 1:57:10
  upsprung, which to our general sire gave prospect large into his nether empire,
• 1:57:16
  neighboring round and higher than that wall, a circling row of goodliest trees,
• 1:57:24
  loden with fairest fruit, blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue appeared with
• 1:57:30
  gay enameled colors mixed, on which the sun more glad impressed his beams than
• 1:57:36
  in fair evening cloud or humid bow. When God hath showered the earth,
• 1:57:43
  so lovely seemed that landscape, and of pure now purer air meets his approach,
• 1:57:49
  and to the heart inspires vernal delight and joy, able to drive all
• 1:57:56
  sadness, But to spare now gentle gales, failing their odoriferous wings, dispense
• 1:58:01
  native perfumes and whisper. Whence they stole those balmy spoils, as when to
• 1:58:09
  them who sail beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past Mozambique.
• 1:58:14
  Off at sea, northeast winds blow sabian odors from the spicy shore of Araby,
• 1:58:19
  the blessed, with such delay, well pleased, they slack their course,
• 1:58:25
  and many a league cheered with the grateful smell old ocean smiles, so
• 1:58:32
  entertained those odorous sweets. The fiend who came their bane, though with them,
• 1:58:39
  better pleased than as Modius, with the fishy fume that drove him,
• 1:58:44
  though enamoured from the spouse of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent from
• 1:58:49
  media post to Egypt. There fast bound now to the ascent of that steep
• 1:58:57
  savage hill, Satan had need on pensive and slow, but further away found
• 1:59:03
  none so thick and twined as one continued break. The undergrowth of shrubs and
• 1:59:10
  tangling bushes had perplexed all path of man or beast that passed that way.
• 1:59:16
  One gait there only was, and that looked east on the other side,
• 1:59:23
  which when the arch villain saw dew entrance, he disdained, and in contempt
• 1:59:30
  at one slight bound high over, leaped all bound of hill or highest wall,
• 1:59:36
  and sheer within lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf whom
• 1:59:44
  hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey watching, where shepherds pen their flocks
• 1:59:49
  at eve in hurdled coats amid the field secure leaps o'er the fence with ease
• 1:59:57
  into the fold. Or as a thief bent to unhoard the cache of some
• 2:00:02
  rich burgher whose substantial doors cross barred and bolted fast fear no assault in at
• 2:00:10
  the window climbs or o'er the tiles, so clum this first grand thief into
• 2:00:17
  God's fold, so since into his church lewd hirelings climb. Thence up he
• 2:00:25
  flew, and on the tree of life, the middle tree and highest there
• 2:00:30
  that grew, sat like a cormorant, yet not true life thereby regain'd,
• 2:00:38
  but sat devising death to them who liv'd, nor on the virtue thought of
• 2:00:44
  that life giving plant, but only used for prospect what well used had been
• 2:00:50
  the pledge of immortality. So little knows any but God alone to value right
• 2:00:58
  the good before him, but perverts best things to worst abuse or to their
• 2:01:02
  meanest use. Beneath him with new wonder. Now he views to all delight
• 2:01:11
  of human sense exposed in narrow room, Nature's whole wealth. Yea more a
• 2:01:17
  heaven on earth for blissful paradise of God. The garden was by him in
• 2:01:25
  the east of Eden. Planted Eden stretched her line from Arran eastward to the
• 2:01:30
  royal towers of Great Silutia, built by Grecian kings, or where the suns
• 2:01:36
  of Eden long before dwelt into Lasar. In this pleasant soil his far more
• 2:01:44
  pleasant garden God ordained out of the fertile ground. He caused to grow all
• 2:01:50
  trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste, and all amid them
• 2:01:57
  stood the tree of life, high, eminent, blooming, ambrosial froat of
• 2:02:02
  vegetable gold, and next to life our death. The tree of knowledge grew
• 2:02:09
  fast by knowledge of good, bought deer by knowing ill. Southward through Eden
• 2:02:16
  went a river large nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill passed
• 2:02:23
  underneath, engulfed, for God had thrown that mountain as his garden moled high
• 2:02:30
  raysed upon the rapid current, which, through veins of porous earth, with
• 2:02:34
  kindly thirst up drawn rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill watered
• 2:02:41
  the garden. Thence united, fell down the steep glade and met the nether
• 2:02:46
  flood, which, from his darksome passage now appears, and now divided into
• 2:02:53
  four main streams, runs diverse, wandering many a famous realm and country,
• 2:03:00
  whereof here needs no account, but rather to tell how, if art could
• 2:03:04
  tell how From that sapphire found the crisped brooks, rolling on orient pearl and
• 2:03:13
  sands of gold, with maizy air under pendent shades, ran nectar, visiting
• 2:03:19
  each plant, and fed flowers worthy of paradise, which not nice art in
• 2:03:26
  beds and curious knots, but nature boon powered forth profuse on hill and dale
• 2:03:32
  and plain, both where the morning sun first warmly smote the open field,
• 2:03:39
  and where the unpierced shade imbrowned the noontide bowers. Thus was this place a
• 2:03:45
  happy rural seat of various view groves, whose rich trees wept, odorous gums
• 2:03:54
  and balm, others whose fruit burnished with golden rind, hung aimable Hesperian fables
• 2:04:01
  true if true here only, and of delicious taste betwixt them. Lawns or
• 2:04:09
  level downs, and flocks grazing the tender herb were interposed, or palmy hillock,
• 2:04:16
  or the flowery lap of some irriguous valley spread her store flowers of all
• 2:04:23
  hue and without thorn, the rose another side umbrigeous grots, and caves of
• 2:04:30
  cool recess, or which the mantling vine lays forth her purple grape and gently
• 2:04:36
  creeps luxuriant. Meanwhile, murmuring waters fall down the slope, hills dispersed,
• 2:04:44
  or in a lake that to the fringed bank. With myrtle crowned. Her
• 2:04:48
  crystal mirror holds unite their streams, the birds, their choir, apply airs,
• 2:04:57
  vernal airs, breathing the smell of field and grove attune their trembling leaves,
• 2:05:03
  while universal pan knit with the graces and the hours in dance led on
• 2:05:10
  the eternal spring. Not that fair field of Anna, where proserpine gathering flowers
• 2:05:17
  herself a fairer flower by gloomy dis was gathered, which cost Ceres all that
• 2:05:24
  pain to seek her through the world, Nor that sweet grove of Daphne by
• 2:05:30
  orants and the inspired Castalian spring might with this paradise of Edens drive, Nor
• 2:05:38
  that Nician isle girt with the river Triton, where old cham whom Gentiles Ammon
• 2:05:45
  call and Libyan jove hid Amalthea and her florid son, young Bacchus from his
• 2:05:50
  step Dame Rhea's eye, Nor where Abysin kings their issue guard Mount Amora.
• 2:05:58
  Though this by so supposed true paradise under the ethiop line by Nilis's head,
• 2:06:04
  enclosed with shining rock, a whole day's journey high but wide, remote from
• 2:06:11
  this Assyrian garden where the fiend saw undelighted all delight, all kind of living
• 2:06:18
  creatures new to sight and strange, two of far nobler shape, erect and
• 2:06:27
  tall, godlike, erect, with native honor clad in naked majesty seemed lords
• 2:06:33
  of all and worthy, seemed for in their looks divine the image of their
• 2:06:39
  glorious maker shone truth, wisdom, sanctitude, severe and pure, severe,
• 2:06:46
  but in true filial freedom placed whence true authority in men, though both not
• 2:06:54
  equal as their sex, not equal, seemed for contemplation, He and valor
• 2:07:00
  formed for softness, she and sweet attractive grace, He for God only,
• 2:07:09
  she for God. In him, his fair, large front and eye sublime
• 2:07:15
  declared absolute rule, and hyacinthine locks round from his parted forelock, manly hung,
• 2:07:23
  clustering, but not beneath his shoulders. Broad, She as a veil
• 2:07:29
  down to the slender waist. Her unadorned golden tresses wore disheveled, but in
• 2:07:35
  wanton ringlets waved as the vine curls her tendrils, which implied subjection, but
• 2:07:43
  required with gentle sway, and by her yielded by him best received, yielded
• 2:07:48
  with coy submission, modest pride, and sweet reluctant amorous delay. Nor those
• 2:07:57
  mysterious parts were then concealed. Then was not guilty, shame, dishonest,
• 2:08:03
  shame of nature's works, honor dishonorable sin bread. How have ye troubled all
• 2:08:11
  mankind with shows? Instead mere shows of seeming pure and banished from man's life
• 2:08:18
  his happiest life, simplicity and spotless innocence. So passed they naked on,
• 2:08:26
  nor shunn'd the sight of God or Angel, for they thought no ill.
• 2:08:33
  So hand in hand they passed the loveliest pair that ever since, in love's
• 2:08:39
  embraces, met Adam, the goodliest man of men since born his sons,
• 2:08:46
  the fairest of her daughter's eve, under a tuft of shade, that on
• 2:08:52
  a green stood whispering soft by a fresh fountain side. They sat them down,
• 2:08:56
  and, after no more toil of their sweet gardening labor, then sufficed
• 2:09:01
  to recommend cool's effort, and made ease more easy, wholesome thirst and appetite
• 2:09:09
  more grateful to their supper fruits, they fell nectarin fruits, which the compliant
• 2:09:15
  boughs yielded them sidelong as they sat recline on the soft, downy bank,
• 2:09:20
  damasked with flowers, the savory pulp they chew, and in the rind still
• 2:09:26
  as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream. Nor gentle purpose nor endearing smiles wanted
• 2:09:35
  nor youthful dallions as Bessiem's fair couple linked in happy nuptial league alone as they
• 2:09:41
  about them frisking played all beasts of the earth since wild, and of all
• 2:09:48
  chase in wood or wilderness, forest or den sporting. The lion ramped and
• 2:09:54
  in his paw dandled the kid bears, tigers ounce parts gamboled before them the
• 2:10:03
  unwieldy elephant to make them mirth, used all his might and wreathed his lithe
• 2:10:09
  proboscis close. The serpent sly insinuating, wove with Gordian twine his bearded train,
• 2:10:18
  and of his fatal guile gave proof unheeded. Others on the grass,
• 2:10:22
  couched and now filled with pasture, grazing sat or bedward, ruminating for the
• 2:10:28
  sun declined. Was hasting now with prone career to the ocean aisles, and
• 2:10:35
  in the ascending scale of heaven the stars that usher evening rose when Satan,
• 2:10:41
  still in gaze as first he stood scarce, Thus at length failed speech recovered,
• 2:10:46
  sad, Oh, Hell, what do mine eyes with grief behold into
• 2:10:54
  our room of bliss? Thus high advanced creatures of other mold earth born perhaps
• 2:11:01
  not spirits yet to heavenly spirits, bright little inferior, whom my thoughts pursue
• 2:11:09
  with wonder and could love so lively, shines in them divine resemblance, and
• 2:11:16
  such grace the hand that formed them on their shape hath pour'd ah, gentle
• 2:11:22
  pair, ye little think how nigh your change approaches, when all these delights
• 2:11:30
  will vanish and deliver ye to woe, more woe, the more your taste
• 2:11:35
  is now of joy, happy, but for so happy, ill secured,
• 2:11:41
  long to continue, And this high seat your heav'n ill fenced for heaven to
• 2:11:48
  keep out such a foe as now is enter'd. Yet no purpos'd foe to
• 2:11:54
  you, whom I could pity. Thus forlorn, though I unpitied league with
• 2:12:00
  you I seek, and mutual amity so straight, so close, that I
• 2:12:05
  with you must dwell, or you with me. Henceforth, my dwelling haply
• 2:12:13
  may not please like this fair paradise your sense. Yet such except your maker's
• 2:12:20
  work he gave it me, which I as freely give. Hell shall unfold
• 2:12:28
  to entertain you to her widest gaits, and send forth all her kings.
• 2:12:35
  There will be room, not like these narrow limits to receive your numerous offspring,
• 2:12:43
  if no better place, Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge
• 2:12:48
  on you who wrong me, not for him who wrong'd, And should I,
• 2:12:54
  at your harmless innocence melt as I do yet public reason, just honor
• 2:13:00
  and empire, with revenge enlarged by conquering this new world, compels me now
• 2:13:07
  to do what else? Though damned I should abhor, so spake the fiend,
• 2:13:15
  and with necessity the tyrant's plea excused his devilish deeds. Then from his
• 2:13:22
  lofty stand on that high tree, down he alights among the sportful herd of
• 2:13:28
  those four footed kinds, himself now one now other, as their shape served
• 2:13:33
  best his end, nearer to view his prey and unespied, to mark what
• 2:13:39
  of their state he more might learn by word or action marked about them.
• 2:13:45
  Round a lion, now he stalks with fiery glare, Then as a tiger
• 2:13:52
  who by chance hath spied in some purlieu, two gentle fawns at play,
• 2:13:58
  straight couches close, Then rising changes oft his couchant watch as one who chose
• 2:14:05
  his ground, whence rushing he might surest seize them both gripped in each paw,
• 2:14:11
  when Adam first of men to first of women eve, thus moving speech
• 2:14:16
  turned him all ear to hear new utterance flow, sole partner and sole part
• 2:14:24
  of all these joys. Dearer thyself than all needs, must the power that
• 2:14:28
  made us and for us this ample world, be infinitely good, and of
• 2:14:35
  His good, as liberal and free, as infinite, that raised us from
• 2:14:39
  the dust and placed us here in all this happiness, Who at his hand
• 2:14:46
  have nothing merited, nor can perform aught. Whereof he hath need he who
• 2:14:52
  requires from us no other service than to keep this one, this easy charge.
• 2:14:58
  Of all the trees in Paris Ice that bear delicious fruit, so various,
• 2:15:03
  not to taste that only tree of knowledge, planted by the tree of
• 2:15:07
  life, so near grows death to life, whate'er death is some dreadful thing,
• 2:15:13
  no doubt, for well thou know'st God hath pronounced it death. To
• 2:15:18
  taste that tree the only sign of our obedience left among so many signs of
• 2:15:24
  power and rule conferred upon us, and dominion given over all other creatures that
• 2:15:31
  possess earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard one
• 2:15:37
  easy prohibition, who enjoy free leave so large to all things else and choice
• 2:15:43
  unlimited of manifold delights. But let us ever praise him and extol his bounty,
• 2:15:50
  following our delightful task to prune these growing plants and tend these flowers,
• 2:15:56
  which were it toilsome. Yet we THEE were sweet to whom thus Eve replied,
• 2:16:05
  O thou, for whom and from whom I was form'd flesh of thy
• 2:16:09
  flesh, and without whom am to no end my guide and head. What
• 2:16:16
  thou hast said is just and right for we to him. Indeed, all
• 2:16:22
  praises O and daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy so far the happier lot,
• 2:16:28
  enjoying THEE pre eminent by so much odds. While thou, like concert
• 2:16:35
  to thyself, canst nowhere find that day. I oft remember when from sleep
• 2:16:41
  I first awaked and found myself reposed under a shade on flowers, much wondering
• 2:16:48
  where and what I was. Whence thither brought, and how not distant far
• 2:16:54
  from thence a murmuring sound of waters issued from a cave and spread into a
• 2:17:01
  liquid plain. Then stood unmoved, pure as the expanse of heaven. I
• 2:17:07
  thither went with unexperienced thought, and laid me down on the green bank to
• 2:17:13
  look into the clear, smooth lake that to me seemed another sky. As
• 2:17:18
  I bent down to look just opposite, a shape within the watery gleam appeared,
• 2:17:24
  bending to look on me. I started back. It started back,
• 2:17:28
  but pleased. I soon returned, pleased it returned as soon with answering looks
• 2:17:35
  of sympathy and love. There I had fixed mine eyes till now and pined
• 2:17:41
  with vain desire, had not a voice, thus warned me, what thou
• 2:17:46
  seest, What there thou seest? Fair creature is thyself with thee it came
• 2:17:52
  and goes. But follow me, and I will bring thee where no shadow
• 2:17:58
  stays, Thy coming and thy soft embraces he whose image thou art him.
• 2:18:03
  Thou shalt enjoy inseparably thine to him, shalt bear multitudes like thyself, And
• 2:18:11
  thence be call'd mother of human race. What could I do but follow straight
• 2:18:16
  invisibly, Thus led till I espied thee fair indeed and tall under a platon,
• 2:18:24
  yet methought less, fair less, winning, soft, less, amiably
• 2:18:28
  mild than that smooth, watery image. Back I turned, thou following criest
• 2:18:35
  aloud, return fair Eve, whom fliest thou whom thou fliest of him,
• 2:18:39
  Thou art his flesh, his bone, to give THEE, being, I
• 2:18:45
  leant out of my side to THEE nearest my heart, substantial life, to
• 2:18:50
  have THEE by my side, henceforth an individual solace, dear part of my
• 2:18:56
  soul, I seek THEE, and THEE cla my other half. With that
• 2:19:03
  thy gentle hand seized mine. I yielded, And from that time see how
• 2:19:09
  beauty is excelled by manly grace and wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
• 2:19:16
  End of Book four, Part one, Book four, Part two. So
• 2:19:24
  spake our general Mother, and with eyes of conjugal attraction, unapproved and meek
• 2:19:30
  surrender, half embracing, leaned on our first father half. Her swelling breast,
• 2:19:35
  naked met his under the flowing gold of her loose tresses. Hid he
• 2:19:41
  in delight both of her beauty and submissive charms, smiled with superior love,
• 2:19:46
  as Jupiter on Juno's smiles when he imprains the clouds that shed may flowers,
• 2:19:52
  and pressed her matron lip with kisses pure aside. The devil turned for envy.
• 2:19:58
  Yet with jellaluy us Leah malign eyed them askance and to himself thus plained
• 2:20:05
  sight, hateful sight tormenting. Thus these too imparadised in one another's arms.
• 2:20:11
  The happier Eden shall enjoy their fill of bliss on bliss, while I to
• 2:20:16
  Hell am thrust where neither joy nor love but fierce desire. Among our other
• 2:20:22
  torments, not the least still unfulfilled with pain of longing pines. Yet let
• 2:20:28
  me not forget what I have gained from their own mouths. All is not
• 2:20:33
  theirs, It seems one fatal tree. There stands of knowledge called forbidden them
• 2:20:39
  to taste knowledge forbidden, suspicious, reasonless? Why should their lord envy them
• 2:20:46
  that? Can it be sin? To know? Can it be death?
• 2:20:50
  And do they only stand by ignorance? Is that their happy state, the
• 2:20:54
  proof of their obedience and their faith O fair foundation aid whereon to build their
• 2:21:01
  ruin. Hence I will excite their minds with more desire to know and to
• 2:21:05
  reject envious commands invented with design to keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt,
• 2:21:11
  equal with gods. Aspiring to be such, they taste and die what
• 2:21:18
  likely I can ensue, But first, with narrow search, I must walk
• 2:21:22
  round this garden, and no corner leave unspied a chance. But chance may
• 2:21:28
  lead where I may meet some wondering spirit of Heaven by fountainside or in thick
• 2:21:33
  shade. Retired from him to draw what further would be learnt. Live while
• 2:21:39
  ye may yet happy pair, enjoy till I return. Short pleasures, for
• 2:21:45
  long woes are to succeed. So, saying his proud step, he scornful
• 2:21:50
  turned but with sly circumspection, and began through wood, through waste o a
• 2:21:58
  hill o'er dale his rome. Meanwhile, in utmost longitude, where Heaven with
• 2:22:05
  Earth and ocean meets the setting sun slowly descended, and with right aspect against
• 2:22:11
  the eastern gate of Paradise, leveled his evening rays. It was a rock
• 2:22:16
  of alabaster, piled up to the clouds, conspicuous, far winding, with
• 2:22:22
  one ascent accessible from Earth, one entrance high. The rest was craggy cliff
• 2:22:28
  that overhung still as it rose, impossible to climb betwixt these rocky pillars.
• 2:22:35
  Gabriel sat chief e thangelic guards, awaiting night about him, exercised heroic games
• 2:22:43
  the unarmed youth of Heaven, but nigh at hand celestial armory, shields,
• 2:22:50
  helms, and spears hung high with diamond flaming and with gold. Thither came
• 2:22:54
  Uriel, gliding through the even on a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star
• 2:23:00
  in autumn, thwarts the night when vapors fired impressed the air, and shows
• 2:23:05
  the mariner from what point of his compass to beware impetuous winds. He thus
• 2:23:09
  began in haste Gabriel to thee thy course by lot hath given charge and strict
• 2:23:16
  watch that to this happy place no evil thing approach or enter. In this
• 2:23:22
  day, at height of noon, came to my sphere as spirit zealous,
• 2:23:26
  as he seemed to know more of the Almighty's works, and chiefly man God's
• 2:23:31
  latest image. I described his way, bent on all speed, and marked
• 2:23:37
  his airy gait. But in the mounth that lies from Eden north, where
• 2:23:41
  first he lighted, soon discerned his looks alien from heaven. With passions foul
• 2:23:46
  obscured. Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade lost sight of him.
• 2:23:52
  One of the banished crew. I fear hath ventured from the deep to
• 2:23:56
  raise new troubles him. Thy care must be to fire, to whom the
• 2:24:03
  winged warrior thus returned Uriel no wonder if thy perfect sight amid the Sun's bright
• 2:24:09
  circle, where thou sitt'st see far and wide in at this gate, none
• 2:24:15
  pass the vigilance here placed, but such as come well known from heaven,
• 2:24:20
  and since meridian hour no creature. Thence, if spirit of other sort so
• 2:24:24
  minded have o'elept these earthly bounds on purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude
• 2:24:31
  a spiritual substance with corporeal bar But if within the circuit of these walls,
• 2:24:37
  in whatsoever shape he lurk of whom thou tell'st by morrow dawning I shall know,
• 2:24:46
  so promised he and Uriel, to his charge, returned on that bright
• 2:24:50
  beam, whose point now raised bore him slope downward to the sun. Thou
• 2:24:54
  fallen beneath the azores, whither the prime orb incredible, how swet had the
• 2:25:00
  rolled diurnal or this less voluble earth, by shorter flight to the east had
• 2:25:05
  left him there arraying with reflected purple and gold. The clouds that on his
• 2:25:11
  western throne attend now came still evening on, and twilight Gray had in her
• 2:25:18
  sober livery all things clad silence, accompanied for beast and bird, they to
• 2:25:24
  their grassy couch. These to their nests were slunk all but the wakeful nightingale.
• 2:25:31
  She all night long, her amorous, descant sung silence was pleased,
• 2:25:37
  now glowed the firmament with living sapphires hesperus that led the starry host rode brightest
• 2:25:43
  till the moon rising in clouded majesty at length apparent Queen unveiled her peerless light,
• 2:25:50
  and o'er the dark her silver mantle through when adam thus to eve fair
• 2:25:58
  consort night, and all things now retired to rest, mind us of like
• 2:26:03
  repose, since God hath set labor and rest as day and night to men
• 2:26:09
  successive, and the timely dew of sleep now falling with soft, slumbrous weight
• 2:26:13
  inclines our eyelids. Other creatures all day long rove idle, unemployed and less
• 2:26:20
  need rest. Man hath his daily work of body or mind appointed, which
• 2:26:26
  declares his dignity and the regard of Heaven on all his ways, while other
• 2:26:31
  animals unactive, range and of their doings, God takes no account. To
• 2:26:37
  morrow. Ere fresh mornings streak the east with first approach of light. We
• 2:26:41
  must be risen and at our pleasant labor to reform Yon flowery arbors yonder Alley's
• 2:26:48
  green. Our walks at noon with branches overgrown that mock our scant, manuring,
• 2:26:54
  and require more hands than hours to lop their wanton growth. Those blossoms
• 2:26:58
  also, and those dropping gums that lie bestrewn, unsightly and unsmooth. Ask
• 2:27:03
  riddance if we mean to tread with ease. Meanwhile, as nature wills,
• 2:27:09
  Knight bids us rest to whom Thus eve with perfect beauty adorned, my author
• 2:27:18
  and disposer. What thou bidst unargued, I obey, so God ordains.
• 2:27:24
  God is thy law. Thou mine to know. No more is woman's happiest
• 2:27:28
  knowledge and her praise With thee conversing, I forget all time, all seasons,
• 2:27:33
  and their change, all please alike. Sweet is the breath of morn,
• 2:27:39
  her rising, sweet with charm of earliest birds, pleasant the sun when
• 2:27:45
  first on this delightful land he spreads his orient beams on herb, tree,
• 2:27:50
  fruit and flower, glistering with dew, fragrant the fertile earth, after soft
• 2:27:56
  showers and sweet, the coming on of grateful evening, mild then silent night,
• 2:28:03
  with this her solemn bird, and this fair moon. And these the
• 2:28:05
  gems of heaven her starry train. But neither breath of morn when she ascends
• 2:28:11
  with charm of earliest birds, nor rising sun on this delightful land, nor
• 2:28:16
  herb fruit flower glistering with dew, nor fragrance after showers, nor grateful evening
• 2:28:22
  mild, nor silent night with this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon
• 2:28:28
  or glittering starlight without thee is sweet. But wherefore all night long shine These
• 2:28:35
  for whom this glorious sight, when sleep hath shut, or lies to whom
• 2:28:43
  our general ancestor replied daughter of God and man accomplished eve, those have their
• 2:28:50
  course to finish round the earth by tomorrow evening, and from land to land,
• 2:28:54
  in order though to nations yet unborn, ministering light prepare they set and
• 2:29:01
  rise, lest total darkness should by night regain her old possession and extinguish life
• 2:29:07
  in nature and all things which these soft fires not only enlighten, but with
• 2:29:11
  kindly heat of various influence, ferment and warm temper or nourish, or in
• 2:29:18
  part shed down their stella virtue on all kinds that grow on earth, made
• 2:29:22
  hereby apter to receive perfection from the Sun's more potent ray. These then,
• 2:29:28
  though unbeheld in deep of night shine, not in vain, nor think though
• 2:29:33
  men were none, that Heaven would want spectators. God want praise. Millions
• 2:29:39
  of spiritual creatures walk the earth unseen, both when we wake and when we
• 2:29:43
  sleep, All these with ceaseless praise His works. Behold both day and night.
• 2:29:50
  How often from the steep of echoing hill or thicket have we heard celestial
• 2:29:54
  voices to the midnight air. Soul are responsive each to others, note singing.
• 2:30:00
  Their great creator often bands while they keep watch or nightly rounding walk with
• 2:30:05
  heavenly touch of instrumental sounds in full harmonic number. Joined their songs divide the
• 2:30:11
  night and lift our thoughts to Heaven. Thus talking hand in hand alone,
• 2:30:18
  they passed on to their blissful bower. It was a place chosen by the
• 2:30:22
  sovereign Planter when he framed all things to man's delightful use. The roof of
• 2:30:28
  thickest covert was inwoven shade laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew of firm
• 2:30:35
  and fragrant leaf on either side acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub fenced up
• 2:30:41
  the verdant wall. Each beauteous flower iris, all hues, roses and jasmine
• 2:30:48
  reared high, their flourished heads between, and wrought mosaic underfoot. The violet
• 2:30:54
  crocus and hyacinth, with rich inlay, broidered the ground more colored than with
• 2:30:58
  stir of costliest emblem. Other creature here beast, bird, insect, or
• 2:31:05
  worm durst enter. None such was their awe of man in shady a bower
• 2:31:13
  more sacred and sequestered, though but feigned pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor
• 2:31:18
  nymph nor faunas haunted here in close recess, with flowers, garlands and sweet
• 2:31:24
  smelling herbs espoused. Eve decked first her nuptial bed and heavenly choires. The
• 2:31:31
  Hymenaean sung, what day the genial angel to Arsire brought her in naked beauty,
• 2:31:37
  more adorned, more lovely than Pandora, whom the gods endowed with all
• 2:31:41
  their gifts, and o too like in sad event, when to the unwiser
• 2:31:46
  son of Japhet, brought by Hermes, she ensnared mankind with her fair looks,
• 2:31:50
  to be avenged on him who had stole Jove's authentic fire. Thus,
• 2:31:56
  at their shady lodge arrived both stood both turned and under open sky, adored
• 2:32:03
  the God that made both sky, air, earth and heaven, which they
• 2:32:07
  beheld the moon's resplendent globe and starry pole. Thou also, madest, the
• 2:32:13
  night maker omnipotent, And Thou the day which we, in our appointed work
• 2:32:18
  employed, have finished, happy in our mutual help and mutual love. The
• 2:32:22
  crown of all our bliss ordained by thee, and this delicious place for us,
• 2:32:28
  too large, where thy abundance wants partakers and uncropt falls to the ground.
• 2:32:33
  But thou hast promised from us to a race to fill the earth,
• 2:32:37
  who shall with us extol thy goodness infinite, both when we wake and when
• 2:32:41
  we seek as now thy gift of sleep. This said unanimous and other rites,
• 2:32:50
  observing none but adoration pure, which God likes best, into their innermost
• 2:32:54
  bower handed, they went and eased the putting off. These trouble disguises,
• 2:33:01
  which we wear straight side by side, were laid nor turned i ween Adam
• 2:33:05
  from his fair spouse, nor Eve, the rights mysterious of connubial love refused.
• 2:33:13
  Whatever hypocrites austerely talk of purity and place and innocence, defaming as impure,
• 2:33:20
  what God declares pure, and commands to some leaves free to all our
• 2:33:26
  make bids increase, who bids abstain, but our destroyer. Foe to God
• 2:33:31
  and man. Hail wedded love, mysterious law, true source of human offspring,
• 2:33:39
  sole propriety, in paradise of all things common else by THEE. Adulterous
• 2:33:46
  lust was driven from men among the bestial herds to range by thee founded in
• 2:33:52
  reason, loyal, just and pure relations dear, and all the charities of
• 2:33:58
  father, son and brother first were known. Far be it that I should
• 2:34:05
  write THEE sin or blame, or think THEE unbefitting, holiest place, perpetual
• 2:34:09
  fountain of domestic sweets, whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced present or past,
• 2:34:16
  as saints and patriarchs used here love his golden shafts, employs here,
• 2:34:24
  lights his constant lamp, and waves his purple wings. Reigns here and revels
• 2:34:30
  not in the bought smile of Harlot's loveless, joyless, unendeared casual fruition,
• 2:34:37
  nor in quarter Moor's mixed dance or wanton mask, or midnight ball or serenade,
• 2:34:43
  which the starved lover sings to his proud fare best quitted with disdain.
• 2:34:50
  These lulled by nightingales embracing slept, and on their naked limbs the flowery roof
• 2:34:56
  showered roses, which the morn repair, sleep on blest pair, and oh
• 2:35:03
  yet happiest, if ye seek no happier state, and know to know no
• 2:35:07
  more. Now had night measured with her shadowy cone half way up hill,
• 2:35:15
  this vast subloona vault, and from their ivory port the cherubim, forth,
• 2:35:20
  issuing at the customed hour, stood armed to their night watches in warlike parade.
• 2:35:26
  When Gabriel, to his next in power, thus spake Uzil. Half
• 2:35:33
  these draw off and coast the south with strictest watch. These other wheel the
• 2:35:37
  north. Our circuit meets full west as flame. They part, half wheeling
• 2:35:43
  to the shield, half to the spear. From these two strong and subtle
• 2:35:48
  spirits, he called that near him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
• 2:35:54
  Ethuriel and Zephon, with winged speed, searched through this garden leave uns
• 2:36:00
  searched no nook, but chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge now laid,
• 2:36:05
  perhaps asleep, securer of harm. This evening from the sun's decline arrived,
• 2:36:09
  who tells of some infernal spirit seen hitherwood bent, who could have thought escaped
• 2:36:16
  the bars of hell on errand bad no doubt such where ye find sees fast,
• 2:36:22
  and hither bring so, saying on he led his radiant files, dazzling
• 2:36:28
  the moon, these to the bower direct in search of whom they sought him.
• 2:36:35
  There they found squat like a toad, close at the ear of eve,
• 2:36:39
  A, saying by his devilish art to reach the organs of her fancy,
• 2:36:43
  and with them forgedelusions. As he list phanfasms and dreams, or if
• 2:36:50
  inspiring venom, he might taint of animal spirits that from pure blood arise like
• 2:36:54
  gentle breaths from rivers pure thence rays at least distempered, discontented thoughts, vain
• 2:37:01
  hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, blown up with high conceits, engendering
• 2:37:07
  pride him. Thus intent ethereal, with his spear touched lightly, for no
• 2:37:13
  falsehood can endure touch of celestial temper, but returns of force to its own
• 2:37:18
  likeness. Up he starts, discovered and surprised, as when a spark lights
• 2:37:24
  on a heap of nitrous powder laid fit for the touns some magazine to store
• 2:37:30
  against a rumored war. The smutty grain with sudden blaze diffused inflamed the air,
• 2:37:37
  so started up in his own shape. The fiend back stepped those two
• 2:37:41
  fair angels, half amazed, so sudden to behold the grisly king, yet
• 2:37:46
  thus unmoved with fear accost him. Soon which of those rebel spirits adjudged to
• 2:37:54
  hell comest? Thou escaped thy prison and transformed. Why sat'st Thou like an
• 2:38:00
  enemy in weight here watching at the head of these that sleep? Know ye
• 2:38:07
  not? Then said Satan, filled with scorn, know ye not me?
• 2:38:11
  Ye knew me once? No mate for you there, sitting where ye durst
• 2:38:15
  not soar not to know me, argues yourselves unknown, the lowest of your
• 2:38:20
  throng. Or if ye know why, ask ye and superfluous begin your message
• 2:38:24
  like to end as much in vain to whom Thus zephon answering scorn with scorn,
• 2:38:33
  think not revolted spirit, thy shape the same or undiminished brightness to be
• 2:38:37
  known as when thou stoodst in heaven, upright and pure that glory. Then
• 2:38:43
  when thou no more wast good departed from thee, and thou resemblest now thy
• 2:38:48
  sin and place of doom, obscure and fowl. But come, for thou
• 2:38:54
  be sure shalt give account to him who sent us, whose charge is to
• 2:38:58
  keep this place inviolable, and these from harm. So spake the cherub and
• 2:39:05
  his grave rebuke, severe in youthful beauty, added grace invincible, abashed.
• 2:39:11
  The devil stood and felt how awful goodness is, and saw virtue in her
• 2:39:16
  shape, how lovely, saw and pined his loss, but chiefly to find
• 2:39:22
  here observed his luster visibly impaired, yet seemed undaunted. If I must contend,
• 2:39:31
  said he best, with the best the sender, not the scent,
• 2:39:35
  or all at once more glory will be won, or less be lost.
• 2:39:43
  Thy fear, said Zephon, bald will save us trial what the least can
• 2:39:46
  do single against thee wicked and thence weak. The fiend replied, not overcome
• 2:39:54
  with rage, but like a proud steed, reigned went haughty on, chomping
• 2:39:58
  his iron kerb to strive or fly. He held it vain or from above
• 2:40:05
  had quelled his heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh the western
• 2:40:11
  point, where those half rounding guards just met and closing stood in squadron,
• 2:40:16
  joined, awaiting next command, to whom their chief. Gabriel from the front
• 2:40:22
  thus called aloud o friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet hasting this
• 2:40:28
  way, and now by glimpse discern Etheriel and Zephon through the shade, and
• 2:40:33
  with them comes a third of regal port, but faded splendor, one who,
• 2:40:37
  by his gait and fierce demeanor, seems the prince of Hell not likely
• 2:40:43
  to part hence without contest, stand firm, for in his look defiance lowers
• 2:40:52
  he scarce had ended. When those two approached, and brief related whom they
• 2:40:56
  brought, where found, how busied in what form and posture couched to whom
• 2:41:03
  with stern regard. Thus Gabriel spake, why hast thou, Satan, broke
• 2:41:09
  the bounds prescribed to thy transgressions and disturbed the charge of others, who approve
• 2:41:16
  not to transgress by thy example, but have power and right to question thy
• 2:41:20
  bold entrance on this place employed it seems to violate sleep and those whose dwelling
• 2:41:26
  god hath planted here in bliss, to whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow,
• 2:41:35
  Gabriel, thou hadst in heaven the esteem of wise, and such I
• 2:41:39
  held thee. But this question asked puts me in doubt. Lives there?
• 2:41:45
  Who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way break loose from hell?
• 2:41:48
  Though thither doomed, Thou wouldst thyself no doubt, and boldly venture to
• 2:41:54
  whatever place farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change torment with ease,
• 2:42:00
  and soonest recompense dole with delight, which in this place I sought to
• 2:42:05
  thee no reason, who knowst only good? But evil has not tried,
• 2:42:11
  and wilt object his will? Who bound us? Let him surer bar his
• 2:42:15
  iron gates, if he intends our stay in that black durrance. Thus much
• 2:42:20
  what was asked. The rest is true. They found me where they say,
• 2:42:24
  but that implies not violence nor harm. Thus he in scorn the warlike
• 2:42:31
  angel moved disdainfully, half smiling. Thus replied, O, loss of one
• 2:42:37
  in heaven to judge of wise, Since Satan fell whom folly overthrew, and
• 2:42:43
  now returns him from his prison, escaped gravely in doubt whether to hold them
• 2:42:46
  wise or not? Who ask what boldness brought him hither unlicensed from his bounds.
• 2:42:52
  In Hell prescribed so wise he judges it to fly from pain, however,
• 2:42:56
  and escape his punishment. No judge thou still presumptuous till the wrath which
• 2:43:03
  thou encoarst by flying, meet thy flight sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back
• 2:43:07
  to Hell, which taught THEE yet no better that no pain can equal anger
• 2:43:13
  infinite provoked. But wherefore thou alone, wherefore with THEE came not all hell
• 2:43:20
  broke loose? Is pain to them less pain less to be fled? Or
• 2:43:24
  thou then they less hardy to endure? Courageous chief, the first in flight
• 2:43:30
  from pain? Hadst thou alleged to thy deserted host this cause of flight?
• 2:43:35
  Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive, to which the fiend thus answered,
• 2:43:41
  frowning stern, not that I less endure or shrink from pain, insulting angel.
• 2:43:48
  Well thou knowest I stand thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid
• 2:43:52
  the blasting volleyed thunder made all speed and seconded thy else not dreaded spear,
• 2:43:58
  But still thy words at random, as before argue thy inexperience. What behoofs
• 2:44:05
  from harder says and ill successes past a faithful leader, not to hazard all
• 2:44:09
  through ways of danger by himself untried. I therefore I alone first undertook to
• 2:44:16
  wing the desolate abyss and spy this new created world, whereof in hell fame
• 2:44:22
  is not silent. Here in hope to find better abode, and my afflicted
• 2:44:28
  powers to settle here on earth or in mid air, though for possession.
• 2:44:33
  Put to try once more what thou and thy gay legions dare against whose easier
• 2:44:37
  business were to serve their lord high up in heaven with songs to him his
• 2:44:43
  throne, and practice distances to cringe, not fight, to whom the warrior
• 2:44:50
  angel soon replied to say, and straight unsay, pretending first wise to fly
• 2:44:56
  pain professing next the spy are use no leader but a liar tracked Satan,
• 2:45:05
  And couldst thou faithful add o name O sacred name of faithfulness, profaned faithful
• 2:45:11
  to whom to thy rebellious crew army of fiends, fit body to fit head?
• 2:45:18
  Was this your discipline and faith engaged your military obedience to dissolve allegiance to
• 2:45:24
  the acknowledged power supreme? And thou sly hypocrite, who now would seem patron
• 2:45:31
  of liberty? Who more than thou once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored
• 2:45:35
  Heaven's awful monarch. Wherefore, but in hope to dispossess him and thyself to
• 2:45:41
  reign. But mark what I read thee now of unt fly thither whence thou
• 2:45:48
  fledest If from this hour, within these hallowed limits thou appear back to the
• 2:45:52
  infernal pit. I drag thee chained and seal thee, so as henceforth not
• 2:45:58
  to scorn the facile gaines of Hell too slightly barred, so threatened he but
• 2:46:05
  Satan to no threats gave heed, but waxing more enrage, replied than when
• 2:46:11
  I am thy captive talk of chains, proud, limitary cherub, but ere
• 2:46:16
  then far heavier load thy self expect to feel from my prevailing arm. Though
• 2:46:20
  Heaven's king ride on thy wings, and thou, with thy compeers, used
• 2:46:24
  to the yoke drawest his triumphant wheels in progress through the road of heaven star
• 2:46:30
  paved. While thus he spake, vangelic squadron bright turned fiery red, sharpening
• 2:46:37
  in moon horns their flanks, and began to hem him round with ported spears
• 2:46:43
  as thick as when a field of serres, ripe for harvest, waving bends
• 2:46:46
  her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind sways them. The careful
• 2:46:52
  plow and doubting stands least on the threshing floor, his hopeful sheaves prove chaff.
• 2:46:58
  On the other side, Satan, alarmed, collecting all his might,
• 2:47:03
  dilated, stood like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved. His stature reached the sky,
• 2:47:09
  and on his crest sat horror, plumed, nor wanted in his grasp
• 2:47:13
  what seemed both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds might have ensued, nor
• 2:47:18
  only paradise in this commotion. But the starry cope of heaven, perhaps or
• 2:47:24
  all the elements had at least gone to rack, disturbed and torn with violence
• 2:47:28
  of this conflict, had not soon the eternal to prevent such horrid fray hung
• 2:47:33
  forth in heaven, his golden scales yet seen betwixt Astria and the scorpion sign
• 2:47:41
  wherein all things created, first he weighed the pendulous round earth with balanced air.
• 2:47:46
  In counterpoise, now ponders all events, battles and realms. In these
• 2:47:54
  he put two weights, the sequel, each of parting and of fight.
• 2:47:58
  The latter cup flew and kicked the beam which Gabriel spying. Thus bespake the
• 2:48:05
  fiend, Satan. I know thy strength, and thou knowest mine, neither
• 2:48:11
  our own. But given what folly, then to boast what arms can do,
• 2:48:16
  since thine no more than Heaven permits nor mine. Though doubled, now
• 2:48:20
  to trample thee as Maia for proof, look up and read thy lot in
• 2:48:24
  yon celestial sign, where thou art weighed, and shone, how light,
• 2:48:30
  how weak if thou resist. The fiend looked up and knew his mounted scale
• 2:48:37
  aloft nor more, but fled, murmuring, and with him fled the shades
• 2:48:43
  of night. The end of the second part of the fourth book, Book
• 2:48:50
  nine, Part one, the argument man's transgression, known the guardian Aneus,
• 2:49:00
  for sat paradise and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are
• 2:49:05
  approved. God, declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them
• 2:49:09
  prevented, he sends his son to judge the transgressors, who descends and give
• 2:49:15
  sentence accordingly. Then, in pity clothes them both and reascends sin and death,
• 2:49:22
  sitting till then at the gates of hell by wondrous sympathy, feeling the
• 2:49:26
  success of Satan in this new world and the sin by man there committed,
• 2:49:31
  resolved to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan, their
• 2:49:35
  sire, up to the place of man. To make the way easier from
• 2:49:39
  Hell to this world, to and fro, they pave a broad highway or
• 2:49:43
  bridge over chaos, according to the trap that Satan first made. Then,
• 2:49:50
  preparing for Earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to
• 2:49:54
  Hell their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium in full assembly, relates with
• 2:50:01
  boasting his success against man. Instead of applause, is entertained with a general
• 2:50:07
  hiss by all his audience, transformed, with himself also suddenly into serpents according
• 2:50:13
  to his doom given in Paradise. Then deluded with a shower of the forbidden
• 2:50:18
  tree springing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit,
• 2:50:24
  chee dust and bitter ashes. Meanwhile, the heinous and despiteful act of Satan
• 2:50:31
  done in Paradise, and how he in the serpent, had perverted Eve her
• 2:50:35
  husband she to taste the fatal fruit was known in heaven. For what can
• 2:50:41
  scape the eye of God? All seeing or deceive his heart omniscient, who
• 2:50:46
  in all things wise and just hindered not satan to attempt the mind of man
• 2:50:52
  with strength in tire and free will, armed complete, to have discovered and
• 2:50:56
  repulsed whatever whiles of foe, or seen mean friend. For still they knew
• 2:51:01
  and ought to have still remembered the high injunction not to taste that fruit.
• 2:51:07
  Whoever tempted, which they, not obeying incurred. What could they less the
• 2:51:11
  penalty and manifolding sin deserved to fall up into heaven from paradise in haste,
• 2:51:18
  The angelic guards ascended, mute and sad for man for of his state.
• 2:51:24
  By this they knew much, wondering how the subtle fiend had stolen entrance unseen.
• 2:51:30
  Soon as the unwelcome news from Earth arrived at heaven gate, displeased all
• 2:51:35
  were who heard, dim sadness did not spare that time Celestial visages, yet
• 2:51:41
  mixed with pity, violated not their bliss about the new arrived in multitudes the
• 2:51:46
  ethereal people ran to hear and know how all befell They towards the throne supreme
• 2:51:52
  accountable made haste to make appear with righteous plea their utmost vigilance. It easily
• 2:52:00
  approved when the most high eternal Father, from his secret cloud amidst in thunder
• 2:52:05
  uttered, Thus his voice assembled angels, and yet powers returned from unsuccessful charge.
• 2:52:13
  Be not dismayed nor troubled at these tidings from Earth, which your sincerest
• 2:52:16
  care could not prevent. Foretold so lately, what would come to pass when
• 2:52:22
  first this tempter crossed the gulf from Hell? I told you, Then he
• 2:52:26
  should prevail and speed on his bad errand man should be seduced and flattered out
• 2:52:31
  of all believing lies against his maker. No decree of mind concurring to necessitate
• 2:52:37
  his fall, or touch with the lightest moment of impulse, his free will
• 2:52:43
  to her own inclining left in even scale. But fallen he is. And
• 2:52:48
  now what rests but that the mortal sentence pass on his transgression, death denounced
• 2:52:54
  that day, which he presumes already vain and void, because not yet inflicted
• 2:53:00
  he feared by some immediate stroke, But soon shall find forbearance no acquittance ere
• 2:53:05
  day end. Justice shall not return as bounty scorned. But whom send I
• 2:53:11
  to judge them? Whom but thee vice regent son to thee I have transferred
• 2:53:16
  all judgment, whether in heaven or Earth or hell. Easy. It may
• 2:53:20
  be seen that I intend mercy, colleague with justice, sending THEE man's friend,
• 2:53:26
  his mediator, his design both ransom and redeemer, voluntary and destined man
• 2:53:31
  himself to judge man fallen. So spake the Father, and unfolding bright towards
• 2:53:39
  the right hand, his glory on the sun blazed forth unclouded deity, he
• 2:53:43
  full resplendent all his father manifest expressed, and thus divinely answered, mild Father,
• 2:53:52
  eternal, Thine is to decree mine, both in heaven and earth,
• 2:53:56
  to do thy will supreme, that thou in me, thy son beloved,
• 2:54:00
  mayst ever rest well pleased. I go to judge on earth these thy transgressors.
• 2:54:05
  But thou knowest whoever judged the worst on me most light, when time
• 2:54:11
  shall be for so I undertook before THEE, and not repenting this obtain of
• 2:54:16
  right, that I may mitigate their doom on me derived yet I shall temper
• 2:54:20
  so justice with mercy as may illustrate most them fully satisfied, and THEE appease
• 2:54:28
  attendance. None shall need nor train where none are to behold the judgment.
• 2:54:33
  But the judged those two. The third best absence is condemned, convict by
• 2:54:39
  flight and revel to all law, conviction to the serpent, none belongs.
• 2:54:46
  Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose of high collateral glory him thrones
• 2:54:52
  and powers, princedoms and dominations. Ministrant accompanied to heaven gate. From whence
• 2:54:58
  Eden and all the coast in prospect lay down, he descended straight. The
• 2:55:03
  speed of God's time counts not, though with the swiftest minutes winged. Now
• 2:55:11
  was the sun in western cadence low from noon, and gentle airs due at
• 2:55:16
  their hour to fan the earth, now waked and usher in the evening cool.
• 2:55:22
  When he, from wrath more cool, came the mild judge and intercessor,
• 2:55:26
  both to sentence man. The voice of God they heard, now,
• 2:55:31
  walking in the garden by soft winds brought to their ears while day declined,
• 2:55:37
  they heard, and from his presence hid themselves among the thickest trees, both
• 2:55:41
  man and wife, till God approaching Thus to Adam, called aloud, where
• 2:55:46
  art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet my coming scene far off?
• 2:55:50
  I miss thee here not please, Thus entertained with solitude, where obvious
• 2:55:56
  duty erewhile appeared unsought, my less conspicuous, or what change absents THEE,
• 2:56:03
  or what chance detains come forth? He came, and with him Eve more
• 2:56:07
  loathe, though first to offend, discountenanced both and discomposed. Love was not
• 2:56:15
  in their looks, either to God or to each other, but apparent guilt
• 2:56:20
  and shame, and perturbation and despair, anger and obstinacy, and hate and
• 2:56:26
  guile. Whence Adam, faltering long thus answered, brief I heard THEE in
• 2:56:31
  the garden, and of thy voice, afraid, being naked, hid myself
• 2:56:35
  to whom the gracious judge, without revile, replied my voice. Thou oftest
• 2:56:39
  heard, and hast not feared, but still rejoiced. How is it now
• 2:56:43
  become so dreadful to THEE that thou art naked? Who hath told THEE?
• 2:56:50
  Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I gave THEE charge thou shouldst not eat
• 2:56:54
  to whom? Thus Adam sore beset replied, Oh Heaven, in evil straight
• 2:56:58
  this I stand before my judge, either to undergo myself the total crime,
• 2:57:03
  or to accuse my other self, the partner of my life, whose failing,
• 2:57:09
  while her faith to me remains I should conceal, and not exposed to
• 2:57:13
  blame by my complaint. But strict necessity subdues me, and calamitous constraint lest
• 2:57:18
  on my head. Both sin and punishment, however insupportable, be all devolved,
• 2:57:24
  though should I hold my peace, Yet thou wouldst easily detect what I
• 2:57:28
  conceal. This woman, who thou madest to be my help and gavest me
• 2:57:33
  as Thy perfect gift, so good, so fit, so acceptable, so
• 2:57:37
  divine, that from her hand I could suspect no ill, And what she
• 2:57:41
  did whatever, in itself, her doings seemed to justify the deed she gave
• 2:57:46
  me of the tree, and I did eat to whom the sovereign presence thus
• 2:57:54
  replied, Was she thy God that her thou didst obey before his voice?
• 2:57:58
  Or was she made thy God superior? Or but equal that to her thou
• 2:58:03
  didst resign thy manhood? And the place wherein God set THEE above her,
• 2:58:07
  made of thee, and for THEE whose perfection far excelled hers in all real
• 2:58:11
  dignity adorned. She was indeed and lovely to attract thy love, not thy
• 2:58:18
  subjection. And her gifts were such as under government well seemed unseemly to bear
• 2:58:22
  rule which was thy part and person. Hadst thou known thyself aright? So
• 2:58:28
  having said he thus to Eve in few, say woman, what is this
• 2:58:33
  which thou hast done, to whom sad Eve with shame thigh overwhelmed, confessing
• 2:58:37
  soon yet not before her judge bold or loquacious, thus abashed, replied the
• 2:58:43
  serpent me beguiled, and I did eat, which when the Lord God heard,
• 2:58:48
  without delay to judgment, he proceeded on the cues serpent, though brute
• 2:58:54
  unable to transfer the guilt on him, who made him instrument of mischief and
• 2:58:58
  polluted from them the end of his creation justly than accursed as vitiated in nature
• 2:59:05
  more to know, concerned not man, since he no further new nor alter'd
• 2:59:09
  his offense. Yet God at last to Satan first in sin his doom applied,
• 2:59:15
  though in mysterious terms, judged as then best, and on the serpent.
• 2:59:20
  Thus his curse let fall. Because thou hast done this, Thou art
• 2:59:24
  accursed above all cattle, each beast of the field, upon thy belly groveling,
• 2:59:28
  Thou shalt go, and dust shalt eat all the days of thy life
• 2:59:33
  between thee and the woman, I will put enmity, and between thine and
• 2:59:37
  her seed. Her seed shall bruise thy head, Thou bruise his heel.
• 2:59:43
  So spake this oracle then verified when Jesus, son of Mary second Eve,
• 2:59:50
  saw Satan fall like lightning down from heaven. Prince of the Air, then
• 2:59:54
  rising from his grave, spoiled principalities and powers, triumph in open show,
• 3:00:01
  and with ascension bright captivity led captive through the air the realm itself of Satan
• 3:00:07
  long usurped, whom he shall tread at last under our feet, even he
• 3:00:11
  who now foretold his fatal bruise. And to the woman. Thus his sentence
• 3:00:16
  turned thy sorrow, I will greatly multiply by thy conception children, Thou shalt
• 3:00:22
  bring in sorrow forth, and to thy husband's will, thine shall submit He
• 3:00:28
  over thee shall rule on Adam last. Thus judgment he pronounced, because thou
• 3:00:33
  hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife and eaten of the tree concerning which
• 3:00:37
  I charge thee, saying thou shalt not eat thereof, cursed is the ground
• 3:00:43
  for thy sake. Thou, in sorrow shalt eat thereof all the days of
• 3:00:48
  thy life thorns also and thistles that shall bring thee forth unbid. And thou
• 3:00:54
  shalt eat the herb of the field in the sweat of thy face. Shalt
• 3:00:58
  thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground, For thou out of the
• 3:01:03
  ground wast taken, know thy birth, for dost thou art, and shalt
• 3:01:07
  to dust return. So judg'd he man, both judge and savior sent,
• 3:01:15
  and instant stroke of death denounced that day, remov'd far off. Then,
• 3:01:20
  pitying how they stood before him, naked to the air, that now must
• 3:01:24
  suffer change, disdain not to begin thenceforth the form of servant to assume,
• 3:01:30
  as when he wash'd his servant's feet. So now, as father of his
• 3:01:33
  family, he clad their nakedness with skins of beasts or slain, or as
• 3:01:39
  the snake with youthful coat repaid, and thought not much to clothe his enemies.
• 3:01:45
  Nor he there outward only with the skins of beasts, but inward nakedness
• 3:01:50
  much more opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness, arraying cover'd from his father's
• 3:01:56
  sight to him, with swift assentee returned into his blissful bosom, reassumed in
• 3:02:03
  glory as of old to him appeased all though all knowing what had passed with
• 3:02:09
  man recounted mixing intercession sweet. Meanwhile, ere Thus was sinned and judged on
• 3:02:15
  Earth. Within the gates of Hell, sat sin and death in counterview,
• 3:02:20
  within the gates that now stood open wide, belching outrageous flame, far into
• 3:02:24
  chaos. Since the fiend passed through sin opening who thus now to death began
• 3:02:33
  O Son? Why sit we hear each other viewing idly, while Satan,
• 3:02:35
  our great author, thrives in other worlds, and happier seat provides for us
• 3:02:41
  his offspring Deer, It cannot be but that success attends him. If mishap
• 3:02:48
  ere this, he had returned with fury, driven by his advenger. Since
• 3:02:52
  no place like this can fit his punishment or their revenge. Methinks I feel
• 3:02:58
  new strength within me, rise, wings growing, and dominion given me large.
• 3:03:01
  Beyond this deep whatever draws me on, or sympathy, or some cannatural
• 3:03:07
  force powerful at greatest distance to unite with secret amity things of like kind by
• 3:03:13
  secretist conveyance. Thou my shade, inseparable, must with me along for death
• 3:03:20
  from sin. No power can separate, but lest the difficulty of passing back
• 3:03:24
  stay his return perhaps over this gulf, impassable, impervious. Let us try
• 3:03:31
  adventurous work, yet to thy power and mine not unagreeable to found a path
• 3:03:37
  over this main from Hell to that new world where Satan now prevails a monument
• 3:03:43
  of merit high to all the infernal host, easing their passage, hence for
• 3:03:48
  intercourse or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. Nor can I miss the
• 3:03:54
  way so strongly drawn by this new felt attraction and instinct, whom thus the
• 3:04:01
  meager shadow answered, soon go with a fate and inclination strong leads thee.
• 3:04:05
  I shall not lag behind, nor e'er the way thou leading, such as
• 3:04:11
  scent I draw of carnage, pray innumerable, and taste the savor of death
• 3:04:16
  from all things there that live. Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest
• 3:04:20
  be wanting, but afford thee equal aid, So saying with delight, he
• 3:04:26
  snuff'd the smell of mortal change on earth, As when a flock of ravenous
• 3:04:31
  fowl, though many a league remote, against the day of battle, to
• 3:04:35
  a field where armies lae encamped, come flying, lured with scent of living
• 3:04:39
  carcasses designed for death. The following day, in bloody fight, so scented
• 3:04:46
  the grim feature and upturned his nostril wide into the murky air, sagacious of
• 3:04:52
  his quarry from so far then, both from out Hell gates into the waste
• 3:04:56
  wide anarchy of chaos, damp and dark, flew divers, and with power.
• 3:05:01
  Their power was great. Hovering upon the waters, what they met solid
• 3:05:07
  or slimy, as in a raging sea, tossed up and down. Together
• 3:05:11
  crowded, drove from each side, shoaling towards the mouth of Hell, as
• 3:05:16
  when to polar winds blowing adverse upon the Cronian Sea. Together drive mountains of
• 3:05:22
  ice that stopped the imagined way beyond Petsaura, eastward to the rich Cathayan coast.
• 3:05:31
  The aggregated soil Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry as with
• 3:05:37
  a trident smote, and fixed as firm as de loss, floating once the
• 3:05:41
  rest his look bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move, and with asphaltic slime,
• 3:05:48
  broad as the gate deep to the roots of Hell. The gathered beach
• 3:05:52
  they fastened, and the mole immense wrought on over the foaming deep, high
• 3:05:56
  arched a bridge of length prodigious, joining to the wall immovable of this now
• 3:06:03
  fence this world forfeit to death. From hence a passage broad, smooth,
• 3:06:09
  easy, inoffensive, down to Hell. So if great things to small may
• 3:06:15
  be compared. Xerxes, the liberty of Greece, to yoke from Susa,
• 3:06:20
  his Memnonian palace high, came to the sea and over hellispont bridging his way.
• 3:06:26
  Europe with Asia joined and scourged with many a stroke th indignant waves.
• 3:06:31
  Now had they brought the work by wondrous art pontifical, a ridge of pendent
• 3:06:37
  rock over the vexed Abyss, following the track of Satan to the self same
• 3:06:41
  place where he first lighted from his wing and landed safe from out of chaos,
• 3:06:46
  to the outside bear of this round world. With pins of adamant and
• 3:06:52
  chains, they made all fast, too fast, they made and durable,
• 3:06:56
  and now in little space the confines matter of it imperere in heaven and of
• 3:07:01
  this world. And on the left hand Hell, with long reach interposed three
• 3:07:07
  several ways in sight to each of these three places led and now their way
• 3:07:11
  to Earth. They had descried to Paradise, first tending when behold Satan in
• 3:07:18
  likeness of an angel, bright betwixt the centaur and the scorpions, steering his
• 3:07:22
  zenith, while the sun in aries rose. Disguised he came, but those
• 3:07:28
  his children dear their parents soon discerned. Though in disguise, he after Eve
• 3:07:33
  seduced, unminded, slunk into the wood, fast by and changing shape to
• 3:07:39
  observe the sequel saw his guileful act by Eve, though all unweting seconded upon
• 3:07:46
  her husband saw their shame that sought vain covertures. But when he saw descend
• 3:07:52
  the son of God to judge them, terrified, he fled, not hoping
• 3:07:54
  to escape, but shunned the present, fearing guilty what is wrong might suddenly
• 3:08:01
  inflict that past. Returned by night and listening where the hapless pair sat in
• 3:08:07
  their sad discourse and various plaint. Thence gathered his own doom, which understood
• 3:08:13
  not instant but of future time. With joy and tidings fraught to hell,
• 3:08:18
  he now returned, and at the brink of chaos, near the foot of
• 3:08:22
  this new wondrous pontifice, unhoped met who to meet him came his offspring Deer.
• 3:08:28
  Great joy was at their meeting and at sight of that stupendous bridge,
• 3:08:33
  his joy increased. Long he and biring stood till sin his fair enchanting daughter.
• 3:08:39
  Thus the silence broke, O parent. These are thy magnific deeds,
• 3:08:46
  thy trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own. Thou art their author
• 3:08:50
  and prime architect. For I no sooner in my heart divined my heart,
• 3:08:56
  which by a secret harmony, still moves with thine joy in connection suite that
• 3:09:01
  Thou on Earth hadst prospered, which thy looks now also evidence but straight I
• 3:09:07
  felt, though distant from THEE worlds between, yet felt that I must after
• 3:09:11
  THEE with this thy son. Such fatal consequence unites us three. Hell could
• 3:09:18
  no longer hold us in her bounds, nor this unvoyageable gulf obscure detain from
• 3:09:24
  following thy illustrious track. Thou hast achieved our liberty confined within hell gates,
• 3:09:30
  till now thou ust empowered to fortify thus far and overlay with this portentous bridge.
• 3:09:37
  The dark abyss thy now is all this world. Thy virtue hath won
• 3:09:43
  what thy hands builded, not thy wisdom gained with odds what war hath lost.
• 3:09:48
  And fully avenged our foil in Heaven. Here thou shalt monarch reign there,
• 3:09:54
  didst not there let him still victor sway as battle. Hath adjudged from
• 3:09:58
  them this new world, retiring by his own doom, alienated, and henceforth
• 3:10:05
  monarchy, with thee divide of all things parted by them perial bounds his quadrature
• 3:10:11
  from thy orbicular world. Or try thee now more dangerous to his throne,
• 3:10:18
  whom Thus the Prince of Darkness answered, glad fair daughter, and thou son
• 3:10:24
  and grandchild, both high proof, ye now have given to be the race
• 3:10:28
  of Satan. For I glory in the name antagonist of Heaven's almighty king,
• 3:10:33
  amply have merited of me of all the infernal empire that so near Heaven's door,
• 3:10:39
  triumphal with triumphal act of met mine with this glorious work, and made
• 3:10:45
  one realm Hell, and this world one realm, one continent of easy thoroughfare.
• 3:10:50
  Therefore, while I descend through darkness on your road with ease to my
• 3:10:54
  associate, powers them to acquaint with these successes, and with them rejoice you
• 3:11:01
  too this way among those numerous orbs, all yours right down to Paradise,
• 3:11:05
  descend there, dwell and reigning bliss. Thence on the earth dominion exercise,
• 3:11:11
  and in the air, chiefly on man sole Lord have all declared him.
• 3:11:16
  First make sure your thrall, and lastly kill my substitutes I send you,
• 3:11:20
  and create plenty potent on earth of matchless might, issuing from me on your
• 3:11:26
  joint vigor. Now my hold of this new kingdom all depends through sin to
• 3:11:31
  death, exposed by my exploit. If your joint power prevail the fares of
• 3:11:37
  hell, no detriment need fear, go and be strong. So saying he
• 3:11:43
  dismissed them, they with speed their course through thickest constellations held, spreading their
• 3:11:48
  bane. The blastest stars looked wan and planet's planets struck real eclips then suffered
• 3:11:56
  the other way. Satan went down the causeway to hell Gate. When neither
• 3:12:00
  side disparted, chaos overbuilt, exclaimed, and with rebounding surge, the bars
• 3:12:05
  assailed that scorned his indignation. Through the gate, wide open and unguarded,
• 3:12:11
  Satan passed, and with all about found desolate for those appointed to sit there
• 3:12:16
  had left their charge flown to the upper world. The rest were all far
• 3:12:22
  to the inland retired about the walls of Pandemonium City and proud seat of Lucifer,
• 3:12:28
  so by illusion called of that bright star to Satan Paragond. There kept
• 3:12:35
  their watch the legions, while the grand in council sat solicitous. What chance
• 3:12:39
  might intercept their emperor sent so he departing, gave command, and they observed,
• 3:12:46
  as when the Tartar from his Russian foe by Astra Khan over the snowy
• 3:12:50
  plains retires, or Bactrin Sofie from the horns of Turkish crescent leaves all waste
• 3:12:56
  beyond the realm of Aladl in his retreat to Taris or cas been. So
• 3:13:03
  these the late heaven banished host left desert utmost hell, many a dark league,
• 3:13:07
  reduced in careful watch round their metropolis, and now expecting each hour their
• 3:13:13
  great adventurer from the search of foreign worlds. He through the midst unmarked in
• 3:13:18
  show Plebeian angel, militant of lowest order, passed, and from the door
• 3:13:24
  of that Plutonian hall invisible ascended his high throne, which, under state of
• 3:13:30
  richest texture spread at upper end, was placed in regal luster down a while
• 3:13:37
  he sat and round about him sore unseen at last, as from a cloud,
• 3:13:41
  his fulgent head and shaped star bright appeared, or brighter clad with what
• 3:13:46
  permissive glory since his fall was left him, or false glitter. All amazed
• 3:13:52
  at that so sudden blaze. The Stygian throng bent their aspect, and whom
• 3:13:56
  they wished beheld the mighty Chief returned, loud was the claim, forth rushed
• 3:14:03
  in haste. The great consulting peers raised from their dark divan, and was
• 3:14:09
  like joy congratulant approached him who, with hand silence and with these words attention
• 3:14:15
  one thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, for in possession such
• 3:14:22
  not only of right, I call ye and declare ye now returned, successful
• 3:14:26
  beyond hope, to lead ye forth triumphant out of this infernal pit, abominable,
• 3:14:33
  accursed, the house of woe and dungeon of our tyrant, now possess
• 3:14:37
  as lords a spacious world to our native heaven, little inferior, by my
• 3:14:43
  adventure, hard with peril, great achieved. Long were to tell what I
• 3:14:48
  have done, what suffered, with what pain? Voyaged, unreal, vast,
• 3:14:52
  unbounded, deep of horrible confusion, over which by sin and death a
• 3:14:56
  broad way now is paved to expedite your glorious march. But I toiled out
• 3:15:01
  my uncouth passage, forced to ride the untractable abyss plunged in the womb of
• 3:15:07
  unoriginal Knight and chaos wild, that, jealous of their secrets, fiercely opposed
• 3:15:13
  my journey strange with clamorous uproar, protesting fate supreme. Thence how I found
• 3:15:20
  the new created world, which fame in Heaven long had foretold, a fabric
• 3:15:24
  wonderful of absolute perfection. Therein man, placed in a paradise by our exile,
• 3:15:31
  made happy him by fraud, I have seduced from his creator, and
• 3:15:35
  the more to increase your wonder with an apple he thereat offended worth your laughter.
• 3:15:41
  Hath given up both his beloved man and all his world to sin and
• 3:15:46
  death, a prey, and so to us, without our hazard, labor
• 3:15:50
  or alarm, to range in and to dwell, an over man to rule
• 3:15:54
  as over all he should have ruled. True is me also he hath judged,
• 3:16:00
  or rather mean not but the brute serpent in whose shape man I have
• 3:16:03
  deceived that which to me belongs his enmity, which he will put between me
• 3:16:09
  and mankind. I am to bruise his heel. His seed, when is
• 3:16:15
  not set, shall bruise my head A world who would not purchase with a
• 3:16:18
  bruise or much more grievous pain. Ye have the count of my performance.
• 3:16:24
  What remains, ye gods? But up an enter now into full bliss.
• 3:16:30
  So, having said a while, he stood, expecting their universal shout and
• 3:16:33
  high applause to fill his ear. When contrary, he hears on all sides,
• 3:16:39
  from innumerable tongues, a dismal, universal hiss, the sound of public
• 3:16:43
  scorn. He wondered, but not long had leisure. Wondering at himself.
• 3:16:48
  Now more, his visage drawn, he felt to sharpen, spare. His
• 3:16:54
  arms clung to his ribs, his legs entwining each other, till supplanted down
• 3:16:58
  he fell a monstrous serpent on his belly, Prone, reluctant, but in
• 3:17:03
  vain. A greater power now ruled him, punish'd in the shapey sind According
• 3:17:09
  to his doom. He would have spoke, but hiss for hiss, returned
• 3:17:15
  with forked tongue to forgitngue. For now were all transformed alike to serpents,
• 3:17:20
  all as accessories to his bold riot. Dreadful was the din of hissing through
• 3:17:26
  the hall, thick swarming now with complicated monsters head and tail, scorpion and
• 3:17:33
  asp and amphisben adre kerastes, horn, Hydrus and Ilop's drea and dipsus.
• 3:17:39
  Not so thick swarmed once the soil bedropp'd with blood of Gorgon or the isle
• 3:17:45
  off Usa. But still greatest tee the midst now dragon grown larger than whom
• 3:17:50
  the sun engendered in the Pythian veil on slime, huge python, and his
• 3:17:56
  power no less, he seemed above the rest, still to retain. They
• 3:18:01
  all him followed, issuing forth to the open field, where all yet left
• 3:18:05
  of that revolted route heaven fallen in station, stood or just array, sublime
• 3:18:11
  with expectation, when to see in triumph, issuing forth their glorious chief,
• 3:18:18
  they saw but other sight instead, a crowd of ugly serpents. Horror on
• 3:18:24
  them fell, and horrid sympathy for what they saw they felt themselves now changing
• 3:18:30
  down, their arms down, fell both spear and shield down they as fast,
• 3:18:35
  and the dire hiss renewed, and the dire form caught by contagion,
• 3:18:41
  like in punishment as in their crime. Thus was the plause they meant,
• 3:18:46
  turned to exploding hiss triumph, to shame cast on themselves from their own mouths.
• 3:18:52
  There stood a grove hard by sprung up with this their change his will,
• 3:18:58
  who reigns above, to aggravate their penance, Laden with fair fruit,
• 3:19:03
  like that which grew in Paradise. The bait of eve used by the tempter
• 3:19:07
  on that prospect strange their earnest eyes they fixed, imagining for one forbidden tree,
• 3:19:13
  and multitude now risen to work them further woe or shame. Yet parched
• 3:19:20
  with scolding, thirst and hunger fierce though to delude them, scent could not
• 3:19:24
  abstain. But on they rolled, in heaps and up the trees, climbing
• 3:19:28
  sat thicker than the snaky locks that curled Megeira. Greedily they plucked the fruitage
• 3:19:35
  fair to sight, like that which grew near that bituminous lake where sodom flamed.
• 3:19:41
  This more delusive, not the touch, but taste. Deceived, they
• 3:19:45
  fondly, thinking to allay their appetite with gust. Instead of fruit, chewed
• 3:19:50
  bitter ashes, which the fended taste with spattering noise, rejected off. They
• 3:19:56
  essayed, hunger and thirst, constraining drugg'd as oft with hatefullest disrelish, writh'd
• 3:20:03
  their jaws with soot and cinders field so oft they fell into the same illusion,
• 3:20:09
  not as man, whom they triumph'd once laps'd. Thus were they plagued
• 3:20:13
  and worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss, till their lost shape permitted
• 3:20:20
  they resum'd yearly enjoy'd, some say, to undergo this annual humbling certain number'd
• 3:20:26
  days, to dash their pride and joy for man seduc'd. However, some
• 3:20:31
  tradition they dispers'd among the heathen of their purchase got and fabled how the serpent
• 3:20:37
  whom they call'd offion with uryumy. The wide and croaching eve perhaps had first
• 3:20:43
  the rule of Highlympus, thence by satin driven and ops ere. Yet dic
• 3:20:48
  tee and Jove was born, and of Part one of Book nine, Book
• 3:20:56
  nine, Part two, the argument the proceedings of Sin and Death. God
• 3:21:07
  foretells the final victory of his son over them and the renewing of all things,
• 3:21:13
  But for the present commands his angels to make several alterations in the heavens
• 3:21:18
  and elements. Adam more and more, perceiving his fallen condition heavily bewails,
• 3:21:24
  rejects the condolement of Eve. She persists and at length appeases him. Then,
• 3:21:30
  to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to adam
• 3:21:35
  violent ways, which he approves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her
• 3:21:39
  in mind of the late promise made them that her seed should be revenged on
• 3:21:45
  the serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended deity
• 3:21:50
  by repentance and supplication. Meanwhile, in Paradise, the Hellish pair too soon
• 3:21:58
  arrived Sin. They're in power before once actual, now in body and to
• 3:22:03
  dwell, habitual habitant behind her death close following pace for pace not mounted yet
• 3:22:11
  on his pale horse, to whom Sin thus began, second of Satan sprung
• 3:22:16
  all conquering death. What think'st thou of our empire now, though earned with
• 3:22:22
  trabaile difficult, not better far than still at Hell's dark threshold, to have
• 3:22:26
  sat watch, unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half starved. Whom thus the
• 3:22:31
  sin born monster answered soon to me, who with eternal famine pine alike,
• 3:22:37
  is Hell or Paradise or Heaven their best where most with ravin I may meet,
• 3:22:43
  which, here, though plenteous, all too little, seems to stuff
• 3:22:48
  this more, this vast, unhide bound corpse, to whom the incestuous mother
• 3:22:54
  thus replied, Thou. Therefore on these herbs and fruits and flowers feed first,
• 3:23:00
  on each beast next, and fish and fowl, no homely morsels,
• 3:23:05
  and whatever thing the scythe of time mows down devour unspared till I in man,
• 3:23:11
  residing through the race. His thoughts, his looks, words, actions
• 3:23:16
  all infect and season him thy last and sweetest prey. This said. They
• 3:23:22
  both betook them several ways, both to destroy or unimmortal make all kinds,
• 3:23:28
  and for destruction to mature sooner or later, which the Almighty, seeing from
• 3:23:33
  his transcendent seat the saints among to those bright orders, uttered thus his voice,
• 3:23:41
  See with what heat these dogs of Hell advance to waste and have it
• 3:23:45
  yonder world, which I, so fair and good created, and had still
• 3:23:50
  kept in that state. Had not the folly of man let in these wasteful
• 3:23:54
  furies, who impute folly to me. So doth the Prince of Hell and
• 3:24:00
  his adherance, that with so much ease I suffer them to enter and possess
• 3:24:05
  a place so heavenly and conniving seemed to gratify my scornful enemies, that laugh,
• 3:24:11
  as if transported with some fit of passion. I to them had quitted
• 3:24:16
  all at random, yielded up to their misrule, and know not that I
• 3:24:20
  called and drew them thither my hell hounds to lick up the draft and filth
• 3:24:26
  which man's polluting sin with taint hath shed on what was pure, till crammed
• 3:24:31
  and gorged, and igh burst with, sucked and glutted offal at one sling
• 3:24:37
  of thy victorious arm well, pleasing son, both sin and death and yawning
• 3:24:41
  grave. At last, through chaos hurled obstruct the mouth of Hell for ever
• 3:24:48
  and seal up his ravenous jaws. Then heaven and Earth renewed shall be made
• 3:24:52
  pure to sanctity that shall receive no stain. Till then the curse pronounced on
• 3:24:58
  both proceeds he ended, and the heavenly audience loud sung Hallelujah as the sound
• 3:25:05
  of seas through multitude that sung. Just are Thy ways, righteous, are
• 3:25:11
  Thy decrees on all thy works? Who can extenuate thee next to the sun,
• 3:25:16
  destined restorer of mankind by whom new heaven and Earth shall to the ages
• 3:25:22
  rise or down from heaven descend. Such was their song. While the Creator,
• 3:25:26
  calling forth by name his mighty angels, gave them several charge as sorted
• 3:25:33
  best with present things. The Sun had first his precepts, so to move
• 3:25:37
  so shine as might effect the earth with cold and heat scarce tolerable, and
• 3:25:43
  from the north to call decrepit winter, from the south to bring solsticial summer's
• 3:25:48
  heat to the blank moon her office. They prescribed to the other five their
• 3:25:54
  planetary motions and aspects in sex style, square and trine, and opposite of
• 3:26:01
  noxious efficacy, and when to join in sinnerd unbeeign, and taught the fixed
• 3:26:07
  their influence malignant. When to shower, which of them rising with the sun
• 3:26:11
  or falling, should prove tempestuous to the winds, they set their corners.
• 3:26:16
  When with blusters too confound sea air and shore, the thunder went to roll
• 3:26:22
  with terror through the darker aerial hall. Some say he bid his angels turn
• 3:26:26
  askance the poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more. From the Sun's axle,
• 3:26:31
  they with labor pushed oblique the centric globe. Some say the sun was
• 3:26:37
  bid turned rains from the quinoctial road like distant Breadth to Taurus, with the
• 3:26:41
  seven Atlantic Sisters and the Spartan Twins up to the Tropic Crab, thence down
• 3:26:48
  a main by Leo and the Virgin, and the scales as deep as Capricorn,
• 3:26:54
  to bring in change of seasons to each climb. Else had the spring
• 3:26:58
  perpetual smile on earth, with vernant flowers equal in days and nights, except
• 3:27:03
  to those beyond the polar circles. To them, day had unbeknighted shone,
• 3:27:09
  while the low sun, to recompense his distance in their sight, had rounded
• 3:27:13
  still the horizon, and not known of east or west, which had forbid
• 3:27:18
  the snow from cold as stotty Land, and south as far beneath mcgellen.
• 3:27:24
  At that tasted fruit, the sun, as from Thyestian banquet, turned his
• 3:27:30
  course intended. Else how had the world inhabited, though sinless, more than
• 3:27:35
  now, avoided pinching cold and scorching heat. These changes in the heavens,
• 3:27:41
  though slow, produced light change on sea and land sideal blast, vapor and
• 3:27:46
  mist and exhalation, hot, corrupt and pestilent. Now from the north of
• 3:27:52
  Norumbega and the samoyed shore, bursting their brazen dungeon, armed with ice and
• 3:27:58
  snow and hail and stormy gust and flow, Boreus and Kaikios, and our
• 3:28:03
  guestes loud and Thrascius, rend the woods and seize, upturn with adverse blast
• 3:28:11
  upturns them from the south, Notice and Afa black with thundrous clouds from Sera
• 3:28:16
  Leonia, thwart of these as fierce forth rushed the leavant and the ponent winds
• 3:28:22
  Eurus and Zephyr with their lateral noise. Sirocco and Libecco. Thus began outrage
• 3:28:28
  from liveless things, but discord first daughter of sin among the irrational death introduced
• 3:28:35
  through fierce antipathy. Beast now with beast, and war, and fowl with
• 3:28:41
  fowl, and fish with fish to graze the herb, all leaving devoured each
• 3:28:46
  other. Nor stood much in awe of man, but fled him, or
• 3:28:50
  with countenance grim glared on him passing. These were from without the growing miseries
• 3:28:56
  which Adam saw already in part, though hid in glade glommeist shade to sorrow,
• 3:29:01
  abandoned, but worse felt within and in a troubled sea of passion tossed
• 3:29:07
  thus to disburden sort with sad complaint, Oh, miserable of happy? Is
• 3:29:13
  this the end of this new glorious world, and me so late the glory
• 3:29:18
  of that glory, who now become a cursed of blessed? Hide me from
• 3:29:22
  the face of God, whom to behold was then my height of happiness.
• 3:29:28
  Yet well, if he would end the misery, I deserved it, and
• 3:29:31
  would bear my own deservings. But this will not serve. All that I
• 3:29:35
  eat, or drink, or shall beget is propagated. Curse, Oh voice,
• 3:29:39
  once heard, delightfully increase and multiply. Now death to hear. For
• 3:29:46
  what can I increase or multiply, but curses on my head, who of
• 3:29:50
  all ages to succeed, but feeling the evil on him brought by me,
• 3:29:54
  will curse my head, ill fare our ancestor impure. For this we may
• 3:30:00
  thank Adam, but it's thanks shall be the execration. So besides mine own
• 3:30:05
  that bide upon me, all from me shall with a fierce reflux on me,
• 3:30:09
  redowned on me as on their natural center light heavy though in their place,
• 3:30:16
  Oh, fleeting joys of paradise. Dear bought with lasting woes? Did
• 3:30:20
  I request THEE maker from my clay to mold me? Man? Did I
• 3:30:24
  solicit THEE from darkness to promote me? Or here place in this delicious garden
• 3:30:30
  as my will concurred, not to my being it were but right and equal
• 3:30:35
  to reduce me to my dust. Desirous to resign and render back all I
• 3:30:39
  received, Unable to perform Thy terms too hard by which I was to hold
• 3:30:43
  the good? I sought not to the loss of that sufficient penalty. Why
• 3:30:48
  hast thou added the sense of endless woes inexplicable? Thy justice seems yet to
• 3:30:54
  say truth too late? I thus contest, then should have been refused those
• 3:31:00
  terms, whatever, when they were proposed, Thou didst accept them? Wilt
• 3:31:05
  thou enjoy the good? Then cavil the conditions? And though God made THEE
• 3:31:09
  without thy leave, what if thy son proved disobedient and reproved retort? Wherefore
• 3:31:13
  didst thou beget me? I sought it? Not? Wouldst thou admit for
• 3:31:18
  his contempt of THEE that proud excuse yet him, not thy election, but
• 3:31:22
  natural necessity begot God made THEE of choice his own and of his own to
• 3:31:28
  serve him. Thy reward was of his grace. Thy punishment then justly is
• 3:31:31
  at his will? Be it so? For I submit his doom? Is
• 3:31:35
  fair that dust I am, and shall to dust returned, Oh, welcome
• 3:31:39
  hour whenever? Why delays his hand to execute what his decree fixed on this
• 3:31:46
  day? Why do I overlive? Why am I mocked with death and lengthened
• 3:31:50
  out to deathless pain? How gladly would I meet mortality my sentence and be
• 3:31:54
  earth insensible? How glad would lay me down as in my mother's lap?
• 3:32:00
  There I should rest and sleep secure his dreadful voice. No more with thunder
• 3:32:03
  in my ears. No fear of worse to me and to my offspring would
• 3:32:07
  torment me with cruel expectation. Yet one doubt pursues me still lest all I
• 3:32:13
  cannot die, lest that pure breath of life, the spirit of man which
• 3:32:18
  God inspired, cannot together perish with this corporeal clod. Then in the grave
• 3:32:24
  or in some other dismal place. Who knows? But I shall die a
• 3:32:26
  living death? Oh thought horrid if true? Yet, why it was but
• 3:32:31
  breath of life that sinned? What dies? But what had life? And
• 3:32:35
  sin? The body properly hath neither all of me then shall die. Let
• 3:32:39
  this appease the doubt, since humane reach no further knows. For though the
• 3:32:45
  Lord of all be infinite, is his wrath also be it? Man is
• 3:32:48
  not so but mortal doomed. How can he exercise wrath without end on man
• 3:32:54
  whom death must end? Can he make deathless? Death? That were to
• 3:32:58
  make tee contradiction, which to God himself impossible, is held as argument of
• 3:33:03
  weakness, not of power. Will he draw out, for anger's sake,
• 3:33:09
  finite to infinite in punished man, to satisfy his rigor satisfied, Never that
• 3:33:15
  were to extend his sentence beyond dust and nature's law, by which all causes
• 3:33:20
  else according still to the reception of their matter, act not to the extent
• 3:33:24
  of their own sphere. But say that death be not one stroke, as
• 3:33:28
  I suppose, bereaving sense, but endless misery from this day onward, which
• 3:33:33
  I feel begun, both in me and without me, and so last to
• 3:33:37
  perpetuity, a me that fear comes thundering back with dreadful revolution on my defenseless
• 3:33:45
  head. Both death and eye are found eternal and incorporate both, Nor I
• 3:33:50
  on my part single in me all posterity stands cursed fair patrimony that I must
• 3:33:56
  lead ye sons, Oh, were I able to wasted all myself and leave
• 3:34:01
  ye none so disinherited, how would ye bless me now your curse? Ah?
• 3:34:07
  Why should all mankind for one man's fault, thus guiltless be condemned?
• 3:34:11
  If guiltless but from me, what can proceed but all corrupt, both mind
• 3:34:16
  and will depraved? Not to do only but to will the same with me?
• 3:34:22
  How can they acquitted stand in sight of God Him? After all disputes
• 3:34:26
  forced, I absolve all my evasions, vain and reasonings, though through mazes
• 3:34:33
  leads me still but to my own conviction first and last, on me,
• 3:34:37
  me only, as the source and spring of all corruption, all the blame
• 3:34:41
  light's due. So might the wrath fond wish, couldst thou support that burden
• 3:34:48
  heavier than the earth, to bear than all the world much heavier though divided
• 3:34:52
  with that bad woman. Thus what thou desist, and what thou fierst alight,
• 3:34:58
  destroys all hope of refusege and concludes thee miserable, beyond all past,
• 3:35:03
  example and future, to Satan only like both crime and doom O conscience into
• 3:35:11
  what abyss of fears and horrors hast thou driven me out of which I find
• 3:35:16
  no way, but deep to deeper plunged. Thus Adam to himself lamented loud
• 3:35:22
  through the still night, not now as ere man fell, wholesome and cool
• 3:35:26
  and mild, but with black air, accompanied with damps and dreadful gloom,
• 3:35:33
  which to his evil conscience represented all things with double terror. On the ground
• 3:35:39
  outstretched, he lay on the cold ground, and Oft cursed his creation death,
• 3:35:45
  as Oft accused of tardy execution, since denounced the day of his offense,
• 3:35:50
  Why comes not death? Said he, with one thrice acceptable stroke to
• 3:35:56
  end me? Shall truth fail to keep her word? Justice divine not hasten
• 3:36:01
  to be just? But death comes not at call? Justice divine Men's not
• 3:36:07
  her slowest pace for prayers or cries O woods, old fountains, hillocks,
• 3:36:11
  dales, and bowers with other echo late, I tort your shades to answer
• 3:36:16
  and resound far other song, whom thus afflicted. When sad Eve beheld desolate
• 3:36:24
  where she sat, approaching nigh soft words to his fierce passion, she essayed,
• 3:36:30
  but her with stern regard, he thus repelled out of my sight thou
• 3:36:35
  serpent, that name best befits THEE with him, lead thyself as false and
• 3:36:41
  hateful. Nothing wants but that thy shape, like his and color serpentine,
• 3:36:45
  may show thy inward fraud. To warn all creatures from THEE henceforth, lest
• 3:36:52
  that too heavenly form pretended to hellish falsehood sneer them. But for THEE I
• 3:36:58
  had persisted happy, had not thy pride and wandering vanity, when least was
• 3:37:03
  safe, rejected my forewarning and disdained not to be trusted, longing to be
• 3:37:09
  seen though by the devil himself, him overweening to overreach. But with the
• 3:37:15
  serpent meeting fooled and beguiled by him, Thou aye by THEE to trust THEE.
• 3:37:20
  From my side imagined wise, constant, mature, proof against all assaults,
• 3:37:26
  and understood not all was but a show rather than solid virtue, All
• 3:37:31
  but a rib crooked by nature, bent as now appears more to the part
• 3:37:35
  sinister from me, drawn well, if thrown out as supernumerary to my just
• 3:37:41
  number found aw, Why did God create a wise that peopled highest heaven with
• 3:37:46
  spirits masculine, create at last this novelty on earth, this fair defect,
• 3:37:50
  of nature, and not fill the world at once with men as angels without
• 3:37:56
  feminine, or find some other way to generate ape mankind. This mischief had
• 3:38:03
  not then befallen, and more that shall befall innumerable disturbances on earth through female
• 3:38:09
  snares and straight conjunction with his sex. For either he never shall find out
• 3:38:13
  fit mate, but such as some misfortune brings him, or mistake, or
• 3:38:18
  whom he wishes most, shall seldom gain through her perverseness, but shall see
• 3:38:24
  her gained by a far worse Or if she love withheld by parents or his
• 3:38:28
  happiest choice too late, shall meet already linked and wedlock, bound to a
• 3:38:35
  fell adversary his hate or shame, which infinite calamity shall cause to human life
• 3:38:41
  and household peace confound, he added not, and from her turn, but
• 3:38:48
  Eve not so repulsed with tears that ceased not flowing, and tresses all disordered
• 3:38:52
  at his feet, fell humble, and embracing them, besought his peace,
• 3:38:56
  and thus preceded in her plaint Forsake me not thus adam witness Heaven, what
• 3:39:03
  love sincere and reverence in my heart I bear thee and unwitting have offended unhappily
• 3:39:09
  deceived, thy suppliant, I beg and clasp thy knees. Bereave me not
• 3:39:13
  whereon I live, Thy gentle looks, thy aid, thy counsel. In
• 3:39:16
  this uttermost distress, my only strength and stay forlorn of thee. Whither shall
• 3:39:22
  I betake me where subsist? While yet we live scarce one short hour perhaps
• 3:39:28
  between us two, Let there be peace, both joining as joined in injuries,
• 3:39:33
  one enmity against a foe by doom express assigned us that cruel serpent on
• 3:39:39
  me. Exercise not thy hatred for this misery befam on me already lost me
• 3:39:45
  than thyself, more miserable both of sin, But thou against God only I
• 3:39:50
  against God and THEE, and to the place of judgment will return therewith my
• 3:39:54
  cries in fortune heaven, that all the sentence from thy head removed light on
• 3:40:00
  me, sole cause to THEE of all this woe me me only just object
• 3:40:05
  of all his ire. She ended weeping, and her lowly plight immovable,
• 3:40:11
  till peace obtained from fault acknowledged and deplored in Adam wrought commiseration. Soon his
• 3:40:18
  heart relented towards her. His life so late and soul delight now at his
• 3:40:22
  feet, submissive in distress, creature so fair, his reconcilement, seeking his
• 3:40:28
  counsel, whom she had displeased, his aid as one disarmed his anger,
• 3:40:33
  all he lost, and thus with peaceful words upraised her soon unwary and too
• 3:40:41
  desirous as before, So now of what thou know'st not, who disast'd the
• 3:40:46
  punishment all on thyself, alas bear thine own first ill abled to sustain his
• 3:40:52
  full wrath, Whose thou feel'st as yet least part, and my displeasure be'st
• 3:40:56
  so ill, if prayers could all high decrees, I to that place,
• 3:41:01
  would speed before thee and be louder heard that on my head all might be
• 3:41:05
  visited, Thy frouty and infirmer sex forgiven to me, committed and by me
• 3:41:11
  exposed. But rise, Let us no more content or blame each other blamed
• 3:41:16
  enough elsewhere, But strive in offices of love, how we may lighten each
• 3:41:20
  other's burden in our share of woe. Since this day's death denounced, If
• 3:41:26
  aught I see will prove no sudden but a slow pacede evil, a long
• 3:41:31
  day's dying, to augment our pain and to our seed, O hapless seed
• 3:41:37
  derived to whom thus eve recovering heart, replied Adam, by sad experiment,
• 3:41:43
  I know how little weight my words with THEE confined found so erroneous, thence
• 3:41:50
  by just event, found so unfortunate, nevertheless restored by THEE vile as I
• 3:41:56
  am to place of new acceptance, hopeful to regain Thy love, the sole
• 3:42:00
  contentment of my heart, living or dying from THEE. I will not hide
• 3:42:05
  what thoughts in my unquiet breast are risen tending to some relief of our extremes
• 3:42:09
  or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable as in our evils,
• 3:42:15
  and of easier choice, if care of our descent perplex us most which must
• 3:42:20
  be borne to certain woe, devoured by death at last, and miserable it
• 3:42:24
  is to be to others cause of misery our own begotten, and of our
• 3:42:28
  loins, to bring into this cursed world a woeful race, that, after
• 3:42:33
  wretched life, must be at last food for so foul a monster in thy
• 3:42:39
  power. It lies yet ere conception to prevent the race unblest to being yet
• 3:42:45
  unbegot, childless, Thou art childless, remain so death shall be deceiv'd his
• 3:42:52
  glut, and with us too be forced to satisfy his ravedness more. But
• 3:42:56
  if thou judge it hard and difficult, conursing looking loving, to abstain from
• 3:43:01
  love's do rights, nuptial embraces sweet and with desire, to languish without hope
• 3:43:07
  before the present object, languishing with light desire, which would be misery and
• 3:43:13
  torment, less than none of what we dread. Then both ourselves and seed
• 3:43:18
  at once to free from what we fear. For both, let us make
• 3:43:20
  short, let us seek death or he not found supply with our own hands
• 3:43:26
  his office on ourselves. Why stand we longer shivering under fears that show no
• 3:43:31
  end but death, and have the power of many ways to die the shortest,
• 3:43:35
  choosing destruction, with destruction to destroy, She ended here, or vehement
• 3:43:41
  despair broke off the rest so much of death. Her thoughts had entertained,
• 3:43:46
  as dyed her cheeks with pale. But Adam with such counsel nothing swayed to
• 3:43:52
  better hopes. His more attentive mind laboring had raised, and thus to Eve
• 3:43:58
  replied Eve, Thy contempt of life and pleasure seems to argue in thee something
• 3:44:03
  more sublime and excellent than what thy mind condemns, but self destruction thereforesought refutes
• 3:44:11
  that excellence thought in thee, and implies not thy contempt, but anguish and
• 3:44:16
  regret for loss of life and pleasure over loved. Or if thou covet death
• 3:44:20
  as utmost end of misery, so thinking to evade the penalty pronounced, doubt
• 3:44:26
  not, but God hath wiselier armed his vengeful are than so to be forestalled.
• 3:44:31
  Much more I fear lest death so snatched will not exempt us from the
• 3:44:35
  pain we are by doom to pay. Rather, such acts of contumacy will
• 3:44:39
  provoke the Highest to make death in us live. Then let us seek some
• 3:44:43
  safer resolution, which methinks I have in view, calling to mind with heed
• 3:44:48
  part of our sentence, that thy seed shall bruise the serpent's head piteous amends,
• 3:44:54
  unless be meant whom I conjecture our grand foes, Satan, who in
• 3:45:00
  the serpent hath contrived against us. This deceit to crush his head would be
• 3:45:05
  revenge indeed, which will be lost by death brought on ourselves or childish days.
• 3:45:09
  Resolved as thou proposest, so our foe shall escape his punishment ordained,
• 3:45:16
  and we instead, shall double hours upon our heads. No more be mentioned
• 3:45:20
  than of violence against ourselves and wilful barrenness that cuts us off from hope,
• 3:45:26
  and save us only rancor and pride, impatience, and despite reluctance against God
• 3:45:31
  and his just yoke laid on our necks, Remember with what mild and gracious
• 3:45:37
  temper he both heard and judged, without wrath or reviling. We expected immediate
• 3:45:43
  dissolution, which we thought was meant by death that day, when low to
• 3:45:48
  thee pains only in child bearing were foretold, and bringing forth soon recompensed with
• 3:45:54
  joy fruit of Thy womb on me the curser slope glanced on the ground with
• 3:46:00
  labour. I must earn my bread. What harm idleness had been worse?
• 3:46:05
  My labour will sustain me, and less cold or heat should injure us his
• 3:46:09
  timely care. Hath unbesought provided, and his hands clothed us unworthy pitying while
• 3:46:16
  he judged. How much more if we pray him, will his ear be
• 3:46:20
  open and his heart to pity incline and teach us further by what means to
• 3:46:26
  shun th inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow, which
• 3:46:31
  now the sky with various face, begins to show us in this mountain,
• 3:46:35
  while the winds blow, moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks of these
• 3:46:41
  fair spreading trees, which bids us seek some better shroud, some better warmth,
• 3:46:46
  to cherish our limbs benumbed. Ere this diurnal star leave cold the night.
• 3:46:52
  How we his gathered beams reflected may with matter sear foment or by collision
• 3:46:58
  of two bodies, grind the ear air atrite to fire. As late the
• 3:47:01
  clouds ustling or pushed with winds rude in their shock, tying the slant lightning,
• 3:47:07
  whose thwart flame driven down, kindles the gummy bark of fur or pine,
• 3:47:13
  and sends a comfortable heat from far, which might supply the sun such
• 3:47:18
  fire to use, and what may else be remedy or cure to evils which
• 3:47:22
  our own misdeeds have brought. He will instruct us praying and of grace,
• 3:47:26
  beseeching him, so as we need not fear to pass commodiously this life,
• 3:47:31
  sustained by him, with many comforts, till we end in dust, our
• 3:47:35
  final rest and native home. What better can we do than to the place,
• 3:47:41
  repairing where he judged us prostrate fall before him, reverent, and there
• 3:47:46
  confess humbly our faults and pardon beg, with tears watering the ground, and
• 3:47:52
  with our size the air frequenting sent from heart's contrite in sign of sorrow,
• 3:47:58
  unfeigned and humiliation meek. Undoubtedly he will relent and turn from his displeasure,
• 3:48:05
  in whose lu serene, When angry most he seemed, and most severe,
• 3:48:09
  What else but favor, grace and mercy shone, So spake our father,
• 3:48:15
  penitent, nor eve felt less remorse. They forthwith to the place, repairing
• 3:48:20
  where he judged them prostrate, fell before him, reverent, and both confessed
• 3:48:26
  humbly their faults and pardon begged, with tears watering the ground, and with
• 3:48:31
  their sighs the air frequenting sent from heart's contrite, in sign of sorrow,
• 3:48:37
  unfeigned and humiliation meek. End of Part two of Book nine, Book one,
• 3:48:48
  Section one of man's first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree,
• 3:48:58
  whose mortal taste brought death into the world and all our woe with loss of
• 3:49:05
  Eden, till one greater man restore us and regain the blissful seat, sing
• 3:49:11
  heavenly muse that on the secret top of Ureb or of SINAI didst inspire that
• 3:49:20
  shepherd who first taught the Chosen Seed in the beginning, how the heavens and
• 3:49:24
  earth rose out of chaos? Or if sion Hill delight thee more and silly
• 3:49:31
  A's brook that flowed fast by the oracle of God, I thence invoke thy
• 3:49:37
  aid to my adventurous song, that, with no middle flight, intends to
• 3:49:41
  soar above the Ionian mount while it pursues things unattempted. Yet in prose or
• 3:49:50
  rhyme, and chiefly thou, o Spirit, that dost prefer for all temples
• 3:49:58
  the upright heart and pure or instruct me, For thou knowest thou from the
• 3:50:03
  first wast present and with mighty wings outspread dove like sat'st brooding on the vast
• 3:50:11
  abyss and maid'st it pregnant. What in me is dark? Illumine? What
• 3:50:20
  is low? Raise? And support that to the height of this great argument,
• 3:50:26
  I may assert the eternal providence and justify the ways of God to men,
• 3:50:33
  Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view nor the deep tract
• 3:50:39
  of hell. Say first, what cause moved our grandparents in that happy state
• 3:50:48
  favored of heaven so highly to fall off from their creator and transgress his will
• 3:50:56
  for one restraint, lords of the world, besidess, who first seduced them
• 3:51:03
  to that foul revolt, the infernal serpent. He it was whose guile stirred
• 3:51:11
  up with envy and revenge, deceived the mother of mankind. What time his
• 3:51:18
  pride had cast him out from heaven with all his host of rebel angels,
• 3:51:24
  by whose aid, aspiring to set himself in glory above his peers, he
• 3:51:31
  trusted to have equaled the most high. If he opposed, and, with
• 3:51:35
  ambitious aim against the throne and monarchy of God, raised impious war in heaven
• 3:51:43
  and battle proud with vain attempt him, the almighty power hurled headlong, flaming
• 3:51:52
  from the ethereal sky with hideous ruin and combustion, down to bottomless per dish,
• 3:52:00
  there to dwell in adamantine chains and penal fire. Who durst defy the
• 3:52:07
  omnipotent to arms nine times the space that measures day and night to mortal men,
• 3:52:16
  He with his horrid crew lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf,
• 3:52:22
  confounded though immortal, but his doom reserved him to more wrath. For now
• 3:52:30
  the thought, both of lost happiness and lasting pain torments him round. He
• 3:52:35
  throws his baleful eyes that witnessed huge affliction and dismay, mixed with obdurate pride
• 3:52:43
  and steadfast hate. At once, as far as angels can, he views
• 3:52:50
  the dismal situation, waste and wild, a dungeon horrible on all sides,
• 3:52:56
  round as one great furnace flame. Yet from those flames no light, but
• 3:53:03
  rather darkness visible, served only to discover sights of woe, regions of sorrow,
• 3:53:11
  doleful shades, where peace and rest can never dwell. Hope never comes
• 3:53:18
  that comes to all, but torture without end still urges, and a fiery
• 3:53:24
  deluge fed with the ever burning sulfur unconsumed such place eternal justice had prepared for
• 3:53:33
  those rebellious. Here, their prison ordained in utter darkness, and their portion
• 3:53:39
  set as far removed from God and light of Heaven as from the center thrice
• 3:53:46
  to the utmost pole. Oh, how unlike the place from whence they fell.
• 3:53:54
  There the companions of his fall, overwhelmed with floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous
• 3:53:58
  fire, he soon discerns, and weltering by his side, won next himself
• 3:54:05
  in power, and next in crime, long after known in Palestine and named
• 3:54:11
  bial Zebub, to whom the arch enemy, and thence in heaven called Satan,
• 3:54:18
  with bold words, breaking the horrid silence thus began. If thou beest
• 3:54:26
  he, but oh how fallen, how changed from him who, in the
• 3:54:33
  happier realms of light, clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine myriads, though
• 3:54:43
  bright, If he whom mutual league united thoughts and counsels, equal hope and
• 3:54:54
  hazard in the glorious enterprise, joined with me once now misery hath joined in
• 3:55:03
  equal ruin into what pit thou seest from what height? Fallen so much the
• 3:55:11
  stronger proved he with his thunder Until then, who knew the force of those
• 3:55:22
  dire arms? Yet not for those, nor what the potent victor, in
• 3:55:28
  his rage can else inflict. Do I repent or change? Though changed in
• 3:55:37
  outward luster, that fixed mind and high disdain from sense of injured merit,
• 3:55:46
  that with the mightiest raised me to contend, and to the fierce contention brought
• 3:55:54
  along innumerable force of Spirit's arm, that durst dislike his reign, and me
• 3:56:05
  preferring his utmost power with adverse power opposed in dubious battle on the plains of
• 3:56:13
  heaven, and shook his throne. What though the field be lost, all
• 3:56:22
  is not lost. The unconquerable will and study of revenge, immortal hate and
• 3:56:31
  courage never to submit or yield, And what is else not to be overcome
• 3:56:41
  that glory never shall his wrath or might extort from me to bow and sue
• 3:56:50
  for grace with suppliantne and defy his power, who, from the terror of
• 3:56:58
  this arm so late doubted his empire that were low, indeed, that were
• 3:57:07
  an ignominy and shame beneath this downfall. Since by fate the strength of gods
• 3:57:16
  and this ephemeral substance cannot fail. Since through experience of this great event in
• 3:57:24
  arms, not worse in foresight, much advanced, we may, with more
• 3:57:31
  successful hope, resolve to wage by force or guile, eternal war, irreconcilable
• 3:57:43
  to our grand foe, who now triumphs, and in the excess of joy
• 3:57:50
  soul reigning holds the tyranny of heaven. So spake the apostible state angel,
• 3:58:01
  though in pain, vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair, And him
• 3:58:07
  thus answered soon his bold compare o prince o chief of many throne at powers
• 3:58:18
  that led the embattled Serapham to warn nder thy conduct and in dreadful deeds fearless
• 3:58:26
  endangered Heaven's perpetual king, and put to proof his high supremacy, whether upheld
• 3:58:35
  by strength or chance of fate. Too well I see and rule the diy
• 3:58:43
  event that with sad overthrow and foul defeat, hath lost us Heaven and all
• 3:58:54
  this mighty host in horrible destruction, laid thus low as far as God's and
• 3:59:03
  Heavenly essences can perish. For the mind and spirit remains invincible, and vigor
• 3:59:11
  soon returns. Though all our glory extinct and happy state, he is swallowed
• 3:59:20
  up in endless misery. But what of he, our conqueror, whom I
• 3:59:28
  now aforce believe almighty? Since no less than such cuind of our power and
• 3:59:35
  such force as ours have left us this our spirit and strength entire strongly to
• 3:59:45
  suffer and support our pains, that we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
• 3:59:52
  or do him mighty as service as his thralls by right of war. What
• 3:59:58
  a'er his business be here in the heart of hell, to work in fire?
• 4:00:03
  Or do his errands in the gloomy deep. What can it then evail?
• 4:00:09
  Though yet we feel strength undiminished or eternal being to undergo eternal punishment.
• 4:00:20
  Where too, with speedy words, the arch fiend replied fallen cherub. To
• 4:00:28
  be weak is miserable doing or suffering. But of this be sure to do
• 4:00:37
  aught good never will be our task, but ever to do ill our soul
• 4:00:46
  delight as being the contrary to his high will, whom we resist. If
• 4:00:56
  then his providence, out of our evils, seek to bring forth good,
• 4:01:01
  our labor must be to pervert that end, and out of good still to
• 4:01:09
  find means of evil, which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps shall
• 4:01:18
  grieve him if I fail not and disturb his inmost counsels from their destined name.
• 4:01:28
  But see the angry victor. Hath recalled his ministers of vengeance and pursuit
• 4:01:37
  back to the gates of Heaven. The sulfurous hail shot after us in storm
• 4:01:46
  or blown, hath laid the fiery surge that from the precipice of Heaven received
• 4:01:52
  us falling, and the thunder wingered with red lightning and impectuous rage. Perhaps
• 4:02:01
  hath spent his shafts and ceases now to bellow through their vast and boundless deep.
• 4:02:11
  Let us not slip the occasion, whether scorn or satiet, fury yielded
• 4:02:18
  from our foe, seest thou yon dreary plane, forlorn and wild de seat
• 4:02:28
  of desolation, void of light. Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
• 4:02:35
  casts, pale and dreadful Thither. Let us tend from off the tossing of
• 4:02:41
  these fiery waves their rest, if any rest can harbor there, and reassembling
• 4:02:50
  our afflicted powers. Consult how we may henceforth most offend our enemy, our
• 4:02:58
  own loss, How repair, how overcome this dire calamity. What reinforcement we
• 4:03:07
  may gain from hope, if not, what resolution from despair? Thus Satan
• 4:03:16
  talking to his nearest mate, with head uplift above the wave, and eyes
• 4:03:22
  that sparkling blazed. His other parts besides prone on the floor, extended,
• 4:03:28
  long and large, lay floating many a rude in bulk as huge as whom
• 4:03:35
  the fable's name of monstrous size, Titanian or earthborn, that warred on Jove
• 4:03:41
  Bryros or typhon whom the den by ancient tarsis held, or that sea beast
• 4:03:50
  Leviathan, which God of all his works created hugest that swim in the ocean
• 4:03:56
  stream him happily slumbering on the Norway foam. The pilot of some small night
• 4:04:03
  foundered skiff, deeming some island oft as seamen tell with fixed anchor in his
• 4:04:09
  scaly rind, moors by his side under the lee. While knight invests the
• 4:04:15
  sea, and wished morn delays so stretched out huge in length, the arch
• 4:04:22
  fiend lay chained on the burning lake. Nor ever, thence had risen or
• 4:04:28
  heaved his head, but that the will and high permission of all ruling heaven
• 4:04:35
  left him at large to his own dark designs, that with reiterated crimes he
• 4:04:41
  might heap on himself damnation. While he sought evil to others, and enraged,
• 4:04:48
  might see how all his malice served but to bring forth infinite goodness,
• 4:04:54
  grace and mercy shown on man by him seduced, but himself treble, confusion,
• 4:05:03
  wroth, and vengeance poured forthwith upright he rears from off the pool,
• 4:05:09
  his mighty stature on each hand. The flames, driven backwards slope their pointing
• 4:05:16
  spires, and rolled in billows, leave in the midst the horrid veil.
• 4:05:22
  Then, with expanded wings, he steers his flight aloft, incumbent on the
• 4:05:28
  dusky air that felt unusual weight, till on dry land he lights if it
• 4:05:37
  were land that ever burned with solid as the lake with liquid fire, And
• 4:05:43
  such appeared in hue as when the force of subterranean wind transports a hill torn
• 4:05:50
  from Pelarus, or the shattered side of thundering Etna, whose compustible and fueled
• 4:05:56
  entrails thence conceiving fire sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds, and leave
• 4:06:03
  a singed bottom, all involved with stench and smoke, such resting round the
• 4:06:11
  soul of unblest feet him followed his next mate, both glorying to have scaped
• 4:06:18
  the Stygian flood as gods and by their own recovered strength, not by the
• 4:06:24
  sufferance of supernal power. Is this the region? This the soil? The
• 4:06:35
  clime, said, then the lost archangel, This the seat that we must
• 4:06:43
  change for heaven, This mournful gloom, for that celestial light. Be it
• 4:06:52
  so, since he who now is sovereign, can dispose and bid what shall
• 4:06:58
  be right. Farthest from him is best whom reason hath equalled force hath made
• 4:07:07
  supreme above his equals. Farewell, happy fields, where joy forever dwells.
• 4:07:18
  Hail horrors, Hail infernal world, And thou profoundest Hell, receive thy new
• 4:07:28
  possessor, one who brings a mind not to be changed by place or time.
• 4:07:37
  The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven
• 4:07:43
  of hell a hell of heaven. What matter where if I be still the
• 4:07:52
  same, and what I should be, all but less than he whom thunder
• 4:07:58
  hath made greater. Here, at least we shall be free. The Almighty
• 4:08:07
  hath not built here, for his envy will not drive us. Hence here
• 4:08:13
  we may reign secure, And in my choice to reign is worth ambition,
• 4:08:22
  though in hell. Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. But
• 4:08:31
  wherefore, let we, then, our faithful friends, the associates and co
• 4:08:37
  partners of our loss, lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool, and call
• 4:08:45
  them not to share with us their part in this unhappy mansion, or once
• 4:08:52
  more with rallied arms, to try what may be yet regained in heaven,
• 4:08:58
  or what more lost in hell. So Satan spake, and him the Elzebub
• 4:09:07
  thus answered, leader of those armies, bright, which but the omnipotent none
• 4:09:16
  could have foiled. If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge of
• 4:09:22
  hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft in worse extremes, and on
• 4:09:28
  the perilous edge of battle, when it raged in all assaults, their surest
• 4:09:35
  signal, they will soon resume new courage and revive. Though now they lie
• 4:09:41
  groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, as we erewhile astounded and amazed,
• 4:09:50
  no wonder fallen such a pernicious height he scarce had ceased when the superior
• 4:09:58
  fiend was moving toward the shore, his ponderous shield ethereal temper massy, large
• 4:10:05
  and round behind him, cast the broad circumference hung on his shoulders, like
• 4:10:13
  the moon whose orb through optic glass the Tuscan artist views at evening from the
• 4:10:20
  top of Fezole or in Voldano, to decry new lands, rivers or mountains
• 4:10:26
  in her spotty globe. His spear to equal which the tallest pine hewn on
• 4:10:33
  Norwegian hills to be the mast of some great admiral, were but a wand
• 4:10:37
  he walked with to support uneasy steps over the burning marle, Not like those
• 4:10:43
  steps on heavens azure, but the torrid climbs smote on him soar besides vaulted
• 4:10:50
  with fire Natlus he so endured till on the beach of that inflamed sea he
• 4:10:58
  stood and caught his legions angel forms who lay in transit, thick as autumnal
• 4:11:05
  leaves that strow the brooks in Vallombrosa, where the Etrurian shades high overarched in
• 4:11:13
  bower or scattered sedge afloat, when with fierce winds orion armed hath vexed the
• 4:11:20
  red sea coast, whose waves o'er through Berseus and his Memphian chivalry. While
• 4:11:26
  with perfidious hatred they pursued the sojournals of Goshen, who beheld from the safe
• 4:11:33
  shore their floating carcasses and broken chariot wheels, so thick prestrwon abject and lost
• 4:11:41
  lay these covering the flood. Under amazement of their hideous change, he called
• 4:11:50
  so loud that all the hollow deep of hell resounded. Princes, potentates,
• 4:11:58
  warriors, the flower of Heaven wants yours now lost, if such astonishment as
• 4:12:09
  this can seize eternal spirits, or have ye chosen this place after the toil
• 4:12:18
  of battle, to repose your wearied virtue for the ease you find to slumber
• 4:12:26
  here as in the vales of heaven, or in this abject posture, have
• 4:12:33
  ye sworn to adore the conqueror, who now beholds Cherub and Serath rolling in
• 4:12:43
  the flood with scattered arms and ensigns, till Anon his swift pursuers from Heaven's
• 4:12:52
  gates discern the advantage, and descending tread us down the thus drooping all with
• 4:13:01
  linked thunderbolts transfixes to the bottom of this gulf. Awake, arise, or
• 4:13:13
  be forever fallen. End of Book one, Section one, Book one,
• 4:13:24
  Part two. They heard and were abashed, and up they sprung upon the
• 4:13:31
  wing, as when men want to watch on duty sleeping found by whom they
• 4:13:37
  dread rouse and bestir themselves erewell awake. Nor did they not perceive the evil
• 4:13:43
  plight in which they were, or the fierce pains not feel Yet to their
• 4:13:46
  general's voice, they soon obeyed innumerable, as when the potent rod of Amram's
• 4:13:52
  sun in Egypt's evil day waved round the coast up called a pitchy cloud of
• 4:13:58
  locusts, warping on the eastern wind that o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh,
• 4:14:03
  hung like night and darkened all the land of Nile. So numberless were those
• 4:14:09
  bad angels seen hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, TwixT upper nether
• 4:14:13
  and surrounding fires, till as a signal given the uplifted spear of their great
• 4:14:20
  Sultan, waving to direct their course in even balance, down they light on
• 4:14:24
  the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain, a multitude like which the
• 4:14:31
  populous North poured, never from her frozen loins to pass Rhine or the Danao,
• 4:14:37
  when her barbarous sons came like a deluge on the South and spread beneath
• 4:14:41
  Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. Forthwith from every squadron and each band, the
• 4:14:48
  heads and leaders thither hast where stood their great commander, godlike shapes and forms,
• 4:14:54
  excelling human princely dignities and powers, that erst in Hea heaven sat on
• 4:15:00
  thrones. Though of their names in heavenly records now be no memorial blotted out
• 4:15:05
  and raced by their rebellion from the books of life, Nor had they yet
• 4:15:11
  among the sons of Eve got them new names till wandering o'er the earth,
• 4:15:16
  through God's high sufferance for the trial of man by falsities and lies, the
• 4:15:20
  greatest part of mankind, they corrupted to forsake God, their creator, and
• 4:15:26
  the invisible glory of Him that made them to transform off to the image of
• 4:15:31
  a brute adorned with gay religions, full of pomp and gold, and devils
• 4:15:35
  to adore for deities. Then were they known to men by various names and
• 4:15:41
  various idols through the heathen world, say muse their names. Then known who
• 4:15:48
  first, who last roused from the slumber on that fiery couch at their great
• 4:15:54
  Emperor's call, as next in worth came singly when he stood on the bare
• 4:16:00
  strand, while the promiscuous crowd stood. Yet aloof the chief were those who,
• 4:16:06
  from the pit of hell, roaming to seek their prey on earth.
• 4:16:10
  Durst fixed their seats long after next the seat of God, their altars by
• 4:16:15
  his altar, gods adored among the nations round and Durst abide Jehovah thundering out
• 4:16:22
  of scyon throne between the carabim Yea often placed within his sanctuary itself, their
• 4:16:27
  shrines, abominations, and with cursed things, his holy rites and solemn feasts
• 4:16:33
  profaned, and with their darkness durst affront his light first Molech horrid king besmeared
• 4:16:41
  with blood of human sacrifice and parent's tears, though for the noise of drums
• 4:16:48
  and timbrels loud, their children's cries unheard, that passed through fire to his
• 4:16:52
  grim Idol Him the Ammonite, worshiped in Rabah and her watery plain, in
• 4:17:00
  Argob and in Basan, to the stream of utmost Arnon nor content with such
• 4:17:04
  audacious neighborhood, the wisest heart of Solomon, he led by fraud to build
• 4:17:11
  his temple right against the temple of God on that opprobrious hill, and made
• 4:17:15
  his grove the pleasant valley of Hinhem Tofhet Thence and black Gehenna, called the
• 4:17:22
  type of hell. Next Chimos, the obscene dread of Moab's sons, from
• 4:17:27
  Aroer to Nebo, and the wild of southmost Abhirim in Hespan and Horanim Seon's
• 4:17:36
  realm, beyond the flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines, and Eluel to
• 4:17:41
  the asphaltic pool Peior his other name. When he enticed Israel in setim on
• 4:17:47
  their march from Nile to do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
• 4:17:52
  Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged even to that hill of scandal by the
• 4:17:57
  grove of Moelek Hama side lust hard by hate, till good Josiah drove them.
• 4:18:04
  Thence to hell. With these came they who from the bordering flood of
• 4:18:10
  old Euphrates to the brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names
• 4:18:15
  of Balim and Ashtaroth. Those male these feminine for spirits, when they please,
• 4:18:22
  can either sex, assume, or both. So soft and uncompounded is
• 4:18:27
  their essence pure, nor tide or manacled with joint or limb, nor founded
• 4:18:33
  on the brittle strength of bones like cumbrous flesh. But in what shape they
• 4:18:38
  choose, dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, can execute their airy purposes
• 4:18:45
  and works of love or enmity fulfill for those the race of Israel oft forsook
• 4:18:52
  their living strength and unfrequented left his righteous altar, bowing lowly down to besteal
• 4:18:59
  God, for which their heads as low bowed down in battle, sunk before
• 4:19:03
  the spear of despicable foes. With these in troop. Came Astareth, whom
• 4:19:10
  the Phoenicians called Astarte, queen of Heaven with crescent horns, to whose bright
• 4:19:17
  image nightly by the moon, Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs in Syan,
• 4:19:22
  also not unsung, where stood her temple on the offensive mountain, built
• 4:19:27
  by that uxorious king, whose heart, though large, beguiled by fair idolatrises,
• 4:19:33
  fell to evil's fowl. Thamus came next, behind, whose annual wound
• 4:19:40
  in Lebanon allured the Syrian damsels to lment his fate in amorous ditties all a
• 4:19:45
  summer's day, while smooth Adonis, from his native rock ran purple to the
• 4:19:51
  sea, supposed with blood of Thamus. Yearly wounded, the love tale infected
• 4:19:56
  Scion's daughters with like heat, whose wond in passions in the sacred porch Ezekiel
• 4:20:03
  saw, when by the vision led his eyes surveyed the dark idolatries of alienated
• 4:20:07
  Judah. Next came one who mourned in earnest when the captive ark maimed his
• 4:20:14
  brute image, head and hands lopped off in his own temple on the gunsel
• 4:20:19
  edge, where he fell flat and shamed his worshippers Dagon his name sea monster,
• 4:20:26
  upward man, and downward fish, yet had his temple high reared in
• 4:20:32
  Azotis dreaded through the coast of Palestine in Gath and Ascalon and Akaran, and
• 4:20:38
  Gaza's frontier bounds him. Followed Riemont, whose delightful seat was fair Damascus,
• 4:20:45
  on the fertile banks of Abana and pharfar lucid streams. He also against the
• 4:20:52
  house of God, was bold a leper. Once he lost and gained a
• 4:20:56
  king a has his soddish conqueror, whom he drew God's altered to disparage and
• 4:21:03
  displace for one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn his odious offerings and adore
• 4:21:08
  the gods whom he had vanquished. After these appeared a crew who under names
• 4:21:15
  of old renown Osiris isis Oorus, and their train with monstrous shapes and sorceries
• 4:21:22
  abused fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek their wondering gods disguised in brutish forms
• 4:21:27
  rather than human mor did Israel escape the infection when they borrowed gold composed the
• 4:21:33
  calf in Areb, and the rebel king doubled that sin in Bethel and in
• 4:21:40
  Dan, likening his maker to the grazed ox Jehovah, who, in one
• 4:21:45
  night, when he passed from Egypt marching, equalled with one stroke both her
• 4:21:49
  first born and all her bleeding gods. Beliele came last, when whom a
• 4:21:56
  spirit more lewd fell not from heaven, or more gross to love vice for
• 4:22:00
  itself. To him, no temple stood or alter smoked. Yet who more
• 4:22:04
  oft than he? In temples and it altars when the priest turns atheist,
• 4:22:10
  as did Eli's sons, who filled with lust and violence the house of God
• 4:22:15
  in courts and palaces, He also reigns, and in luxurious cities, where
• 4:22:19
  the noise of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, and injury and outrage.
• 4:22:26
  And when night darkens the streets then wander forth the sons of Belile, flown
• 4:22:32
  with insolence and wine. Witness the streets of Sodom, And that night in
• 4:22:37
  Gibea, when hospitable dores yielded their matrons to prevent worse rape. These were
• 4:22:44
  the prime in order and in might. The rest were long to tell.
• 4:22:48
  Though far renowned. The Ionian gods of Javan's issue held gods yet confessed later
• 4:22:55
  than Heaven and Earth their boasted parents Titan heavens first born, with his enormous
• 4:23:02
  brood and birthright seized by younger Saturn. He from mightier Jove his own and
• 4:23:07
  Rae's son like measure found so jove usurping reigned these first in Crete and Ida,
• 4:23:15
  known thence on the snowy top of cold Olympus ruled the middle air there
• 4:23:21
  highest heaven, or on the Delphian cliff, or in Dodona, and through
• 4:23:26
  all the bounds of Doric land. Or who Saturn Old fled over Adria to
• 4:23:32
  the Hesperian fields, and o'er the Celtic roamed the utmost isles. All these
• 4:23:38
  and more came flocking, but with looks downcast and damp. Yet such wherein
• 4:23:45
  appeared obscure some glimpses of joy, to have found their chief, not in
• 4:23:48
  despair, to have found themselves not lost in loss itself, which on his
• 4:23:56
  countenance cast like doubtful Hugh. But he his won did pride, soon recollecting
• 4:24:02
  with high words that bore semblance of worth not substance, gently raised their fainted
• 4:24:07
  courage and dispelled their fears. Then straight commands that at the warlike sound of
• 4:24:14
  trumpet's loud and clarions be upreared his mighty standard that proud honor claimed Azazel as
• 4:24:21
  his right, a carib tall who forthwith from the glittering staff, unfurled the
• 4:24:26
  Imperial ensign, which full high advanced, shone like a meteor, streaming to
• 4:24:33
  the wind with gems and golden luster, rich emblazed seraphic arms and trophies,
• 4:24:38
  all the while sonorous metal blowing martial sounds, at which the universal host up
• 4:24:45
  sent a shout that tore Hell's concave and beyond frightened the rain of chaos and
• 4:24:52
  old night. All in a moment through the gloom were seen ten thousand banners
• 4:24:57
  rise into the air with orient color waving. With them rose a forest huge
• 4:25:03
  of spears and thronging helms appeared, and serried shields in thick array of depth
• 4:25:08
  immeasurable anon. They move in perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood of flutes and
• 4:25:15
  soft recorders, such as raised to hythe of noble temper, heroes old arming
• 4:25:22
  to battle, and instead of rage, deliberate valor breathed, firm and unmoved
• 4:25:26
  with dread of death to flight or foul retreat, nor wanting power to mitigate
• 4:25:33
  and suage with solemn touches, troubled thoughts and chase, anguish and doubt,
• 4:25:37
  and fear, and sorrow and pain from mortal or immortal minds. Thus they,
• 4:25:45
  breathing united force with fixed thought, moved on in silence to soft pipes
• 4:25:51
  that charmed their painful steps o'er the burnt soil, And now advanced in view,
• 4:25:56
  they stand a horrid front of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise
• 4:26:03
  of warriors old with ordered spear and shield. Awaiting what command their mighty chief
• 4:26:07
  had to impose. He through the armed files, darts his experienced eye,
• 4:26:14
  and soon traverse the whole battalion views their order, due their visages and stature,
• 4:26:18
  as of gods their number. Last, he sums, and now his
• 4:26:23
  heart distends with pride and hardening in his strength. Glories, for never since
• 4:26:29
  created man met such embodied force as named with these could merit more than that
• 4:26:34
  small infantry warred on by cranes. Though all the giant brood of Flegra with
• 4:26:41
  the heroic race were joined, that fought at thebes and ilium on each side,
• 4:26:45
  mixed with auxiliar gods, and what resounds in fable or romance of Uther's
• 4:26:52
  son begirt with British and Armoric knights, and all who sense baptized or infidel
• 4:26:59
  jousted in Aspermont or Montalban, Damasco or Morocco, or tree Bisson, or
• 4:27:06
  whom Bissyrta went from Afric shore when Charlemagne, with all his peerage, fell
• 4:27:11
  by font Arabia. Thus far these beyond compare of mortal prowess, yet observed
• 4:27:18
  their dread commander. He above the rest in shape and gesture, proudly eminent,
• 4:27:23
  stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost all her original
• 4:27:27
  brightness, nor appeared less than archangel ruined and the excess of glory obscured,
• 4:27:34
  as when the sun new risen looks through the horizontal misty air shorn of his
• 4:27:40
  beams, or from behind the moon in dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds on
• 4:27:45
  half the nations, and with fear of change perplexes monarchs darkened. So yet
• 4:27:52
  shone above them all the Archangel, but his face deep scars of thunder had
• 4:27:57
  entrenched, and care sat on his faded cheek, but under brows of dauntless
• 4:28:03
  courage and considerate pride, waiting revenge cruel his eye, but cast signs of
• 4:28:10
  remorse and passion to behold the fellows of his crime. The followers, rather
• 4:28:15
  for other wants beheld in bliss, condemned forever, now to have their lot
• 4:28:21
  in pain. Millions of spirits for his fault, emerked on heaven and from
• 4:28:26
  eternal splendors, flung for his revolt, Yet faithful, how they stood their
• 4:28:32
  glory wither'd as when Heaven's fire hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines with
• 4:28:38
  singe top their stately growth, though bare stands on the blasted heath. He
• 4:28:45
  now prepared to speak whereat their doubled ranks, they bend from wing to wing,
• 4:28:51
  and half inclose him round with all his peers attention held them mute.
• 4:28:56
  Thrice he essayed, and thrice, in spite of scorn, tears such as
• 4:29:02
  angels weep, burst forth. At last, words interwove with sighs, found
• 4:29:07
  out their way O myriads of immortal spirits, o powers matchless but with the
• 4:29:15
  almighty, And that strife was not inglorious. Though the event was dire,
• 4:29:19
  as this place testifies, and this dire change hateful to utter. But what
• 4:29:25
  power of mind, foreseeing or presaging from the depth of knowledge past or present,
• 4:29:30
  could have feared How such united force of gods, how such as stood
• 4:29:36
  like these, could ever no repulse. For who can yet believe, though,
• 4:29:40
  after loss, that all these pucient legions whose exile hath emptied Heaven shall
• 4:29:45
  fail to reascend, self raised and repossess their native seat. For me bewitness
• 4:29:52
  all the host of heaven, if counsels different or danger shunned by me,
• 4:29:57
  have lost our hopes. But he who reigns monarch in heaven till then,
• 4:30:02
  as one secure, sat on his throne, upheld by old repute, consent
• 4:30:07
  or custom, and his regal state put forth at full But still his strength
• 4:30:11
  concealed, which tempted our attempt and wrought our fall. Henceforth his might we
• 4:30:18
  know and know our own, so as not either to provoke or dread new
• 4:30:22
  war provoked Our better part remains to work in close design by fraud or guile.
• 4:30:30
  What force affected, not that he no less at length from us may
• 4:30:34
  find who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe. Space may
• 4:30:41
  produce new worlds whereof so rife there went a fame in Heaven that he ere
• 4:30:47
  long intended to create, and therein plant a generation whom his choice regard should
• 4:30:52
  favor equal to the sons of Heaven. Thither if but to pry shall be
• 4:30:56
  perhaps our first eruption thither or elsewhere. For this infernal pit shall never hold
• 4:31:03
  celestial spirits in bondage, nor the abyss long under darkness cover. But these
• 4:31:08
  thoughts, full Council must mature. Peace is despaired. For who can think
• 4:31:15
  submission war? Then war open or understood, must be resolved. He spake,
• 4:31:23
  and to confirm his words, outflew millions of flaming swords, drawn from
• 4:31:29
  the thighs of mighty Caribim. The sudden blaze far round illumined hell highly.
• 4:31:34
  They raged against the highest, and fierce, with grassed arms, clashed on
• 4:31:38
  their sounding shields, the din of war, hurling defiance. Towards the vault
• 4:31:44
  of heaven. There stood a hill not far whose grysly top belched fire and
• 4:31:49
  rowling smoke. The rest entire shone with glossy scurf undoubted sign that in his
• 4:31:56
  womb was hid metallic ore, the work of sulfur. Thither winged with speed,
• 4:32:02
  a numerous brigade hastened, as when bands of pioneers with spade and pickaxe
• 4:32:07
  armed forerun the royal camp to trench a field or cast a rampart. Mammon
• 4:32:14
  led them on. Mammon, the least erected spirit that fell from heaven,
• 4:32:18
  For even in heaven, his looks and thoughts were always downward bent, admiring
• 4:32:23
  more the riches of Heaven's pavement trodden gold, than aught divine or holy else
• 4:32:30
  enjoyed in beatific vision by him. First men also, and by his suggestion,
• 4:32:36
  Taught ransacked the center, and with impious hands rifled the bowels of their
• 4:32:41
  mother Earth for treasures better hid. Soon had his crew opened into the hill
• 4:32:45
  a spacious wound and digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire that riches
• 4:32:52
  grow in hell, that soil made best deserve the prettiest vein. And here
• 4:32:57
  let those who boast in mortal things and wandering telle of Babel and the works
• 4:33:02
  of Memphian kings learn how their greatest monuments of fame and strength and art are
• 4:33:07
  easily outdone by spirits reprobate at in an hour what in an age, with
• 4:33:12
  their incessant toil and hands innumerable scarce perform nigh on the plain, and many
• 4:33:19
  cells prepared that underneath had veins of liquid fire sluiced from the lake. A
• 4:33:25
  second multitude, with wondrous art founded the massy ore, severed each kind and
• 4:33:30
  scum the bouyon dross. A third as soon had formed within the ground of
• 4:33:37
  various mold, and from the boiling cells by strange conveyance, filled each hollow
• 4:33:41
  nook as in an organ. From one blast of wind to many a row
• 4:33:47
  of pipes, the sound board breathe anon out of the earth a fabric huge
• 4:33:52
  rose like an exhalation, with the sound of dulcet symphonies and voices. Sweet
• 4:33:57
  built like a temple, where piliasters round were set and doric pillars overlaid with
• 4:34:03
  golden architrave. Nor did their wont cornice or freeze with bossy sculptures graven the
• 4:34:10
  roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon nor Great alcayro such magnificence equalled in all
• 4:34:17
  their glories to enshrine bellus or syrapis their gods, or seat their kings.
• 4:34:22
  When Egypt, with a serious strove in wealth and luxury, the ascending pile
• 4:34:27
  stood fixed her stately height and straight. The doors opening their brazen bowls discover
• 4:34:34
  wide within her ample spaces, or the smooth and level pavement from the arched
• 4:34:41
  roof pedant by subtle magic. Many a row of starry lamps and blazing cressets
• 4:34:47
  fed with naphtha and asphaltis yielded light as from a sky. The hasty multitude
• 4:34:52
  admiring entered, and the work some praise, and some the architect his hand
• 4:34:59
  was known in heavy by many, A towered structure high where sceptred angels held
• 4:35:03
  their residence and sat as princes, whom the Supreme King exalted to such power
• 4:35:08
  and gave to rule each in his hierarchy the orders bright. Nor was his
• 4:35:14
  name unheard or unadored. In ancient Greece and in Osonian land, men called
• 4:35:19
  him Mulciber. And how he fell from heaven they fabled throne by angry jove
• 4:35:26
  sheer o'er the crystal battlements from morn to noon. He fell from noon to
• 4:35:32
  dewy eve a summer's day, and with the setting sun dropped from the zenith
• 4:35:37
  like a falling star on Lemnos, the Aegean isle. Thus they relate Erring
• 4:35:44
  for he with this rebellious route, fell long before, nor ought availed him
• 4:35:48
  now to have built in heaven high towers, nor did he escape by all
• 4:35:52
  his engines, but was headlong sent with his industrious crew to build in hell.
• 4:36:00
  Meanwhile, the winged heralds, by command of sovereign power, with awful
• 4:36:04
  ceremony and trumpets sound throughout the host, proclaim a solemn council forthwith, to
• 4:36:11
  be held at Pandemonium, the high capital of Satan and his peers. There
• 4:36:15
  summons called from every band and squared regiment, by place or choice. The
• 4:36:21
  worthiest they anon, with hundreds, and with thousands trooping came attended. All
• 4:36:27
  access was thronged, the gates and porches wide, but chief the spacious hall,
• 4:36:33
  though like a covered field where champions bold won't ride in, armed and
• 4:36:38
  in the soldan's chair, defied the best of Panim chivalry to mortal combat or
• 4:36:44
  career. With lance, thick swarmed both on the ground and in the air,
• 4:36:48
  brushed with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees in springtime when the
• 4:36:53
  sun with taris rides, pour forth their populous youth about the hive. In
• 4:36:59
  clusters they among fresh dews and flowers, fly to and fro or on the
• 4:37:04
  smooth plank the suburb of their straw built citadel, new rubbed with balm,
• 4:37:11
  expatiate and confer their state affairs. So thick the airy crowds swarmed and were
• 4:37:15
  straightened till the signal given. Behold a wonder they but now, who seemed
• 4:37:22
  in bigness to surpass Earth's giant suns, now less than smallest dwarfs in narrow
• 4:37:27
  room throng, numberless, like that pygmian race beyond the Indian mount or fairy
• 4:37:33
  elves whose midnight rebels by a forest side or fountain, some belated peasant sees,
• 4:37:40
  or dreams he sees. While overhead the moon sits arbitrous and nearer to
• 4:37:45
  the Earth wheels her pale course. They, on their mirth and dance,
• 4:37:48
  intent with jakun music, charm his ear at once with joy and fear his
• 4:37:53
  heart rebounds. Thus incorporeal spirits to smallest forms, reduced their shape's immense,
• 4:38:00
  and were at large, though without number, still amidst the hall of that
• 4:38:06
  infernal court, but far within and in their own dimensions, like themselves,
• 4:38:11
  the great seraphic lords and carabim, in close recess and secret conclave sat a
• 4:38:17
  thousand demigods on golden seats, frequent and full. After short silence, then
• 4:38:23
  and summons read, the great consult began. End of Book one, Part
• 4:38:30
  two, Book seven, Part one. Descend from heaven Urania by that name,
• 4:38:40
  if rightly thou art called, whose voice divine? Following above the Olympian
• 4:38:45
  hill, I soar above the flight of Pagaesian wing. The meaning not the
• 4:38:49
  name I call for thou, nor of the muses nine, nor on the
• 4:38:53
  top of old Olympus dwelst, but heavenly born, before the hills appear or
• 4:39:00
  fountain flow'd, Thou, with eternal wisdom, didst converse wisdom, thy sister,
• 4:39:07
  and with her didst play in presence of thy mighty father, pleas'd with
• 4:39:11
  thy celestial song. Up Led by thee into the heaven of heavens, I
• 4:39:17
  have presum'd an earthly guest, and drawn imperial air, thy tempering with like
• 4:39:22
  safety, guided down return me to my native element less from this flying steed,
• 4:39:27
  unreign'd as once bellafhun, though from a lower clime, dismounted in the
• 4:39:33
  Allalian field, I fall erroneous there to wander and forlorn. Half yet remains
• 4:39:41
  unsung, but narrower bound within the visible diurnal sphere, standing on earth,
• 4:39:48
  not wrapt above the pole. More safe I sing with mortal voice, unchanged
• 4:39:52
  to horse or mute, though fallen on evil days, On evil days,
• 4:39:57
  though fallen and evil tongues in darkness and with dangers, compass round and solitude,
• 4:40:06
  Yet not alone. While thou visit'st my slumbers nightly, or when morn
• 4:40:11
  purples the east still govern thou my song. Urania and fits audience find,
• 4:40:17
  though few, but drive far off the barbarous dissonance of Bacchus and his revelers,
• 4:40:23
  the race of that wild root that tore the Thracian bard in Rodolph,
• 4:40:29
  where woods and rocks had ears to rapture till the savage clamor drown both harp
• 4:40:36
  and voice. Nor could the muse defend her son. So fail not thou,
• 4:40:41
  who the implores, for thou art heavenly she an empty dream, Say
• 4:40:48
  Goddess, what ensued when Raphael, the affable archangel, had forewarned Adam by
• 4:40:55
  dire example to beware apostasy, by what befell in heaven to those apostates,
• 4:41:02
  Yes, the like befall in paradise to Adam or his race, charged not
• 4:41:07
  to touch the interdicted tree if they transgress, and slight that soul command so
• 4:41:14
  easily obeyed, amid the choice of all taste else to please their appetite.
• 4:41:18
  Though wandering he with his consorted eve, the story heard attentive, and was
• 4:41:25
  filled with admiration and deep mused to hear of things so high and strange,
• 4:41:32
  things to their thoughts, so unimaginable as hate in heaven, and war,
• 4:41:37
  so near the peace of God in bliss, with such confusion. But the
• 4:41:41
  evil soon driven back, redounded as a flood on those from whom it sprung,
• 4:41:48
  impossible to mix with blessedness. Whence Adams soon repealed the doubts that in
• 4:41:52
  his heart arose, and now let on, yet sinless, with desire to
• 4:41:59
  know what nearer might concern him, how this world of heaven and earth,
• 4:42:03
  conspicuous first began, when and whereof created? For what cause? What within
• 4:42:10
  eden? Or with what was done before? His memory, As one whose
• 4:42:14
  drought, yet scarce allayed, still eyes the current stream, whose liquid murmur
• 4:42:19
  heard new thirst excits, proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest, great things
• 4:42:27
  and full of wonder in our ears, far differing from this world, Thou
• 4:42:33
  hast revealed divine interpreter by favors sent down from the Imperian, to forewarn us
• 4:42:40
  timely of what might else have been our loss, unknown, which human knowledge
• 4:42:45
  could not reach, for which to infinitely good we owe immortal thanks, and
• 4:42:51
  his admonishment received with solemn purpose, to observe immutably his sovereign will the end
• 4:42:57
  of what we are. But since thou hast vouchsafed gently for our instruction to
• 4:43:03
  impart things above earthly thought, which yet concerned our knowing as to highest wisdom,
• 4:43:11
  seem'd deigned to descend now lower and relate what may no less perhaps avail
• 4:43:18
  us known. How first began this heaven which we behold distant, so high,
• 4:43:25
  with moving fires adorn'd innumerable, and this which yields or fills all space,
• 4:43:32
  the ambient air wide interfused, embracing round this floorid earth? What cause
• 4:43:38
  moved the Creator in his holy rest through all eternity so late to build in
• 4:43:45
  chaos and the work begun, how soon absolv'd, if unforbid, thou mayst
• 4:43:52
  unfold what we not to explore the secrets ask of his eternal empire, but
• 4:43:59
  there to magnify his works the more we know, and the great light of
• 4:44:04
  day. Yet once to run much of his race, though steep suspense in
• 4:44:10
  heaven, held by thy voice, Thy potent voice, he hears, and
• 4:44:15
  longer will delay to hear THEE tell his generation and the rising births of nature
• 4:44:21
  from the unapparent deep. Or if the star of evening and the moon haste
• 4:44:26
  to thy audience, night with her will bring silence and sleep listening to THEE
• 4:44:33
  will watch. Or we can bid his absence till thy song end and dismiss
• 4:44:38
  thee air the morning shine. Thus Adam his illustrious guests be sought, And
• 4:44:45
  thus the godlike Angel answered mild. This also thy request, with caution asked
• 4:44:52
  obtain though to recount almighty works, what words or tongue of serf can suffice,
• 4:45:00
  or heart of man suffice to comprehend. Yet what thou canst attain,
• 4:45:04
  which best may serve to glorify the maker and infer thee also happier, shall
• 4:45:11
  not be withheld thy hearing such commission from above I have received to answer thy
• 4:45:17
  desire of knowledge, within bounds beyond abstained to ask, nor let thine own
• 4:45:22
  inventions, hope things not revealed, which the invisible King only omniscient hath suppressed
• 4:45:30
  in knight, to none communicable in earth or heaven. Enough is left besides
• 4:45:37
  to search and know. But knowledge is as food and needs no less.
• 4:45:41
  Her temperance over appetite to know in measure what the mind may well contain,
• 4:45:48
  oppresses elt with surfeit, and soon turns wisdom to folly, as nourishment to
• 4:45:52
  wind. Know then, that after Lucifer from heaven, so call him brighter,
• 4:45:59
  once amid the host of angels than that star the stars among fell with
• 4:46:04
  his flaming legions through the deep into his place, and the great Son returned
• 4:46:10
  victorious with his saints. The omnipotent eternal Father, from his throne beheld their
• 4:46:15
  multitude, and to his son thus spake at least her envious foe hath failed,
• 4:46:22
  who thought all like himself, rebellious, by whose aid this inaccessible high
• 4:46:27
  strength the seat of Daity supreme Us dispossessed, he trusted to have seized,
• 4:46:34
  and into fraud drew many whom their place knows here no more. Yet far
• 4:46:40
  the greater part have kept. I see their station heaven. Yet populace retains
• 4:46:45
  number sufficient to possess her realms, though wide, and this high temple to
• 4:46:52
  frequent with ministries due and solemn rites. But less his heart exalt him in
• 4:46:57
  the harm already done, to have dispeopl'd heav'n, my damage falling deem'd,
• 4:47:03
  I can repair that detriment, if such it be, to lose self lost,
• 4:47:08
  and in a moment will create another world out of one man, a
• 4:47:12
  race of men innumerable there to dwell not here till by degrees of merit rais'd
• 4:47:19
  they open to themselves at length the way up hither under long obedience tried,
• 4:47:26
  and Earth be chang'd to Heav'n, and Heav'n to Earth, one kingdom,
• 4:47:32
  joy and union without end. Meanwhile inhabit lacks ye powers of Heav'n, and
• 4:47:38
  thou my word begotten sun by THEE, this I perform, Speak Thou,
• 4:47:44
  and be it done, my overshadowing spirit and might with THEE I send along,
• 4:47:49
  ride forth, and bid the deep within appointed bounds be Heav'n and earth
• 4:47:55
  boundless the deep, because I am who fill infinitude, nor vacuus the space.
• 4:48:02
  Though I uncircumscribe myself retire and put not forth my goodness, which is
• 4:48:08
  free to act or not. Necessity and chance approach not me, And what
• 4:48:15
  I will is fate. So spake Almighty, And to what he spake his
• 4:48:22
  word the filial Godhead gave effect. Immediate. Are the acts of God more
• 4:48:29
  swift than time or motion. But to human ears cannot without process of speech
• 4:48:34
  be told. So told as earthly notion can receive. Great triumph and rejoicing
• 4:48:41
  was in heaven when such was heard, declared the Almighty's will. Glory.
• 4:48:45
  They sung to the most high good will to future men, and in their
• 4:48:51
  dwellings peace, Glory to him whose just avenging ire had driven out Thune godly
• 4:48:56
  from his sight, and the inhabitants of the just to him glory and praise,
• 4:49:03
  whose wisdom had ordained good out of evil, to create instead of spirits
• 4:49:07
  malign, a better race, to bring into their vacant room, and thence
• 4:49:14
  diffuse his good to worlds and ages infinite, so sang the hierarchies. Meanwhile,
• 4:49:22
  the Sun, on his great expedition, now appeared, girt with omnipotence,
• 4:49:27
  with radiance, crowned of majesty, divine sapiens, and love immense and
• 4:49:33
  all his father in him shone about his chariot. Numberless were poured chirrup and
• 4:49:40
  seraph, potentates and thrones and virtues, wing spirits and chariots winged from the
• 4:49:45
  Army of God, where stand of old myriads between two brazen mountains, lodged
• 4:49:49
  against a solemn day, harnessed at hand celestial equipage, and now came forth
• 4:49:56
  spontaneous, for within them spirit lived attendant on their Lord, Heaven open wide
• 4:50:03
  her ever during gaits harmonious sound on golden hinges, moving to let forth the
• 4:50:08
  King of Glory in his powerful word and spirit coming to create new worlds.
• 4:50:15
  On heavenly ground. They stood, and from the shore they view'd the vast
• 4:50:18
  immeasurable abyss, outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild, up
• 4:50:26
  from the bottom, turn'd by furious winds and surging waves as mountains to assault
• 4:50:32
  Heaven's height, and with the center mix the pole silence, Ye, troubled
• 4:50:37
  waves, and thou deep peace, said then the omnific word Yer discord end
• 4:50:44
  nor stay'd. But on the wings of Cherubim, uplifted in paternal glory,
• 4:50:48
  rode far into chaos, and the world unborn for chaos heard his voice him
• 4:50:56
  all his train followed in bright possession to behold creation and the wonders of his
• 4:51:02
  might. Then stayed the fervid wheels, and in his hand he took the
• 4:51:07
  golden compasses prepared in God's eternal store to circumscribe this universe in all created things.
• 4:51:15
  One foot he center'd and the other turned round through the vast profundity obscure,
• 4:51:19
  and said, thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, This be
• 4:51:26
  thy just circumference O world. Thus God the heaven created. Thus the earth,
• 4:51:32
  matter unformed and void, darkness profound covered the abyss, But on the
• 4:51:37
  watery calm his brooding wings, the spirit of God outspread, and vital virtue
• 4:51:42
  infused, and vital warmth throughout the fluid mass, but downward purge the black
• 4:51:48
  tartarius, cold infernal dregs adverse to life. Then founded, then conglobed like
• 4:51:56
  things to like the rest to several placed disparted, and between spun out the
• 4:52:02
  air and earth self balanced on her center hung. Let there be light,
• 4:52:10
  said God, And forthwith light ethereal. First of things, quintessence pure sprung
• 4:52:17
  from the deep and from her native east to journey through the airy gloom began
• 4:52:22
  sphered in a radiant cloud. For yet the sun was not she in a
• 4:52:27
  cloudy tabernacle. Sojourned the while God saw the light was good, and light
• 4:52:34
  from darkness by the hemisphere divided light the day and darkness night. He named.
• 4:52:41
  Thus was the first day even and morn nor past, uncelebrated nor unsung
• 4:52:47
  by the celestial choirs. When orient light exhaling first from darkness, they beheld
• 4:52:52
  birth day of Heaven and Earth with joy and shout the hollow universal orb.
• 4:52:57
  They filled and touched their golden hearts and hymning praise God and his works creator
• 4:53:04
  Him. They sung both when first evening was and when first morn again.
• 4:53:11
  God said, let there be firmament amid the waters, and let it divide
• 4:53:15
  the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament expanse of liquid,
• 4:53:21
  pure transparent elemental air, diffuse in circuit to the uttermost convex of this great
• 4:53:26
  round partition, firm and sure the waters underneath from those above, dividing for
• 4:53:33
  as Earth, so he the world built on circumfluous waters, calm in wide
• 4:53:38
  crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule of chaos far removed, lest fierce extremes
• 4:53:45
  contiguous might distemper the whole frame and heaven. He named the firmament. So
• 4:53:49
  evening and more incurious sang the second day. The Earth was formed, but
• 4:53:56
  in the womb as yet of waters, embryon immature involved appeared. Not over
• 4:54:03
  all the face of Earth. Main ocean flowed not idle, but with warm,
• 4:54:08
  prolific humor, softening all her globe. Fermented the Great Mother to conceive
• 4:54:14
  satiate with genial moisture. When God said, be gathered, now ye waters
• 4:54:19
  under heaven into one place, and let dry land appear. Immediately, the
• 4:54:26
  mountains huge appear emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave into the clouds.
• 4:54:33
  Their tops ascend the sky so high as heaved, the tumid hills so low
• 4:54:38
  down sunk a hollow bottom, broad and deep, capacious bed of waters.
• 4:54:45
  Thither they hasted, with glad precipitates, uprolled as drops on dust, conglobing
• 4:54:51
  from the dry part, rise in crystal wall or ridge. Direct for haste
• 4:54:56
  such flight the Great command impressed on the swift floods as armies at the call
• 4:55:02
  of trumpet. For of armies, thou hast heard troop to their standard.
• 4:55:07
  So the watery throng wave ruling after wave. Whereway they found, if steep
• 4:55:12
  with torrent rapture, if through plain soft ebbing, nor withstood them rock or
• 4:55:19
  hill, but they or underground or circuit wide with serpent air wandering, found
• 4:55:26
  their way, and on the washy ooze deep channel's war easy ere. God
• 4:55:30
  had bid the ground be dry all but within those banks where rivers now stream
• 4:55:37
  and perpetual draw their humid train. The dry land earth and the great receptacle
• 4:55:44
  of congregated waters he called seas, and saw that it was good, and
• 4:55:48
  said, let the earth put forth the verdant grass, herb yielding seed,
• 4:55:53
  and fruit tree yielding fruit, after her kind, whose seed is in herself
• 4:56:00
  the earth. He scarce had said, when the bare earth till then desert
• 4:56:04
  and bare, unsightly, unadorned, brought forth the tender grass, whose veder
• 4:56:11
  clad her universal face with pleasant green. Then herbs of every leaf that sudden
• 4:56:18
  flowered, opening their various colors, and made gay her bosoms, smelling sweet.
• 4:56:23
  And these Scarce blown forth, flourishing thick. The clustering vine forth crept
• 4:56:30
  the smelling gourd up stood the corny reed embattled in her field, and the
• 4:56:36
  umbel shrub and bush with frizzled hair implicit last rose as in danced the stately
• 4:56:42
  trees and spread their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemm'd their blossoms with
• 4:56:49
  high woods. The hills were crowned with tufts, the valley and each fountain
• 4:56:55
  side with borders long the rivers. That Earth now seens like to Heaven a
• 4:57:00
  seat where gods might dwell or wander with delight and love, to haunt her
• 4:57:07
  sacred shades. Though God had not yet reigned upon the earth and man to
• 4:57:12
  till the ground none was. But from the earth a dewy miss went up
• 4:57:18
  and watered all the ground, and each plant of the field, which e'er
• 4:57:22
  it was in the earth God made, and every herb before it grew on
• 4:57:27
  the green stem. God saw that it was good. So evening and morn
• 4:57:33
  recorded the third day again the Almighty spake, let there be lights high in
• 4:57:41
  the expense of Heaven, to divide the day from night. And let them
• 4:57:45
  be for signs for seasons and for days encircling years. And let them be
• 4:57:52
  for lights, as I ordained their office in the firmament of heaven to give
• 4:57:56
  light on the earth. And it was so, and God made two great
• 4:58:03
  lights, great for their use to man, the greater to have ruled by
• 4:58:07
  day, the less by night. Altern and made the stars and set them
• 4:58:14
  in the ferment of heaven to illuminate the earth, and ruled the day in
• 4:58:18
  their vicissitude, and rule the night, and light from darkness to divide.
• 4:58:25
  God saw, surveying his great work, that it was good for of celestial
• 4:58:30
  bodies. First the Sun, a mighty sphere. He framed unlightsome first though
• 4:58:36
  of ethereal mold. Then form the moon Globos, and every magnitude of stars,
• 4:58:42
  and sow'd with stars. The heaven thick as a field of light by
• 4:58:48
  far the greater part he took, transplant it from her cloudy shrine, and
• 4:58:52
  placed in the Sun's orb, made porest to receive and drink the liquid light
• 4:58:59
  firmed to retain her gathered beams. Great palace now of light hither as to
• 4:59:06
  their fountain. Other stars, repairing in their golden urns, draw light,
• 4:59:12
  and hence the morning planet gilds his horns by tincture or reflection. They augment
• 4:59:19
  their small peculiar though from human sight so far remote with diminution. Seen first
• 4:59:26
  in his east, the glorious lamp was seen regent of day, and all
• 4:59:32
  the horizon round invested with bright rays. Jokin to run his longitude through Heaven's
• 4:59:37
  high road. The gray dawn and the plaietes before him dance shedding sweet influence.
• 4:59:45
  Less bright the moon, but opposite in leveled west was set his mirror
• 4:59:49
  with full face, borrowing her light from him. For other light she needed
• 4:59:56
  none in that aspect, and still that distance keeps till night. Then in
• 5:00:00
  the east her turn she shines revolved on Heaven's great axel, and her reign
• 5:00:07
  with thousand lesser lights dvidual holds with thousand thousand stars that then appeared, spangling
• 5:00:15
  the hemisphere, then first adorn with their bright luminaries that set and rose glad
• 5:00:22
  evening, and glad morn crowned the fourth day. And God said, let
• 5:00:27
  the waters generate reptile with spawn abundant living soul, and let fowl fly above
• 5:00:33
  the earth with wings displayed on the open firmament of Heaven. And God created
• 5:00:40
  the great whales and each soul living, each that crept which plenteously the waters
• 5:00:47
  generated by their kinds, and every bird of wing after his kind, and
• 5:00:52
  saw that it was good, and blessed them, saying be fruitful, multiply,
• 5:00:59
  and in the seas and lakes and running streams, the waters fill,
• 5:01:03
  and let the fowl be multiplied on the earth forthwith the sounds and seas,
• 5:01:07
  each creek and bay with fry, innumerable swarm and shoals of fish that with
• 5:01:14
  their fins and shining scales, glide under the green wave in skulls that off
• 5:01:19
  bank the mid sea part single o'erthmate grays the seaweat their pasture and through groves
• 5:01:26
  of coral stray or sporting with quick glance show to the sun their wave coats
• 5:01:33
  drop with gold or in their pearly shells at ease a tend moist nutriment,
• 5:01:38
  or under rocks their food in jointed armor, watch on smooth the seal and
• 5:01:45
  bended dolphins play part huge of bulk, wallowing, unwieldy, enormous in their
• 5:01:51
  gait tempests the ocean. There leviathan hugest of living creatures on the deep stretch
• 5:01:57
  like a promontory sleep leaps or swims and seems like a moving land, and
• 5:02:03
  at his gills draws in and at his trunk spouts out a sea. Meanwhile,
• 5:02:10
  the tepid caves and fens and shores their brood as numerous hatch from the
• 5:02:15
  egg that soon, bursting with kindly rapture, forth disclosed their callow, young
• 5:02:21
  but feathered. Soon and fledge, they summon their pens, and soaring the
• 5:02:26
  air sublime with clang, despised the ground under a cloud in prospect. There
• 5:02:32
  the eagle and the stork, on cliffs and cedar tops, their eyries build
• 5:02:37
  part loosely wing the region, part more wise in common range and figure,
• 5:02:42
  wedge their way, intelligence of seasons, and set forth their airy caravan high
• 5:02:48
  over seas, flying and over lands with mutual wing easing their flight so steers
• 5:02:53
  the prudent crane her annual voyage, borne on winds. The air flows as
• 5:03:00
  they pass, fan with unnumbered plumes from branch to branch. The smaller birds,
• 5:03:06
  with song solace the woods and spread their painted wings till even nor Then
• 5:03:11
  the solemn nightingale cease warbling, but all night tune her soft lays. Others
• 5:03:18
  on silver lakes and rivers bathe their downy breast. The swan with arched neck
• 5:03:23
  between her white wings, mantling proudly rose her state with oary feet. Yet
• 5:03:30
  off they quit the dank, and rising on stiff pennons tower the mid aerial
• 5:03:36
  sky. Others on ground walk firm, the crested cock, whose clarion sounds
• 5:03:41
  the silent hours, and the other whose gay train adorns him, colored with
• 5:03:47
  the floored hue of rainbows and starry eyes. The waters thus with fish replenished,
• 5:03:55
  and the air with fowl evening and morn solemness rised the fifth day,
• 5:04:02
  the sixth, and of creation last arose with evening harps and mattane. When
• 5:04:07
  God said, let the earth bring forth foul living in her kind, cattle,
• 5:04:11
  in creeping things, and beasts of the earth, each in their kind.
• 5:04:17
  The earth obeyed, and straight opening her fertile womb, teamed at birth
• 5:04:22
  innumerable living creatures, perfect forms, limbed and full grown out of the ground.
• 5:04:29
  Up rose as from his lair, the wild beast where he once in
• 5:04:33
  force, wild in thicket, brake, or den, among the trees and
• 5:04:38
  pears, they rose. They walked. The cattle in fields and meadows,
• 5:04:44
  green, those rare and solitary, these in flocks pasturing at once, and
• 5:04:49
  in broad herds upsprung. The grassy clods, now calved, now half appeared
• 5:04:56
  the tawny lion, pawing to get free his hinder parts, then springs as
• 5:05:02
  broke from bonds and rampant shakes his brindled mane. The ounce, the libbard,
• 5:05:07
  and the tiger as the mole, rising the crumbled earth above them through
• 5:05:14
  in hillocks. The swift stag from underground bore up his branching head, scarce
• 5:05:19
  from his mold bemoth suggests born of earth beheaved. His vastness fleeced the flocks
• 5:05:26
  and bleeding rose as plants ambiguous between sea and land. The river horse and
• 5:05:33
  scaly crocodile at once came forth whatever creeps the ground, insect or worm.
• 5:05:40
  Those waved their limber fans for wings and smallest lineaments exact in all the liveries,
• 5:05:45
  decked of summer's pride, with spots of gold and purple, azure and
• 5:05:52
  green. These as a line their long dimension drew, streaking the ground with
• 5:05:56
  sinuous trace. Not all minions of nature, some of serpent kind, wondrous
• 5:06:03
  in length and corporance, involve their snaky folds and added wings. First crept
• 5:06:11
  the parsimonious emmet provident of future in small room, large heart enclosed pattern of
• 5:06:18
  just equality, perhaps hereafter joined in her popular tribes of commonalty swarming. Next
• 5:06:26
  appeared the female bee that feeds her husband drone deliciously, and builds her waxen
• 5:06:32
  cells with honey stored. The rest are numberless, and Thou their nature know'st
• 5:06:38
  and gavest them names needless to thee, repeated nor unknown. The serpent's subtlest
• 5:06:45
  beasts of all the field of huge extent, sometimes with brazen eyes and hairy
• 5:06:52
  maine terrific, though to THEE not noxious, but obedient at thy call now
• 5:06:59
  Heaven. In all her glory, Shone enrolled her motions as the great first
• 5:07:04
  mover's hand first wheeled their course. Earth in her rich attire, consummate,
• 5:07:11
  lovely smiled air, water, earth by fowl, fish, beasts, was
• 5:07:18
  flown, was swum, was walked frequent, and of the sixth day,
• 5:07:25
  yet remained there, wanted yet the master work, the end of all yet
• 5:07:30
  done. A creature who not prone and brud as other creatures, but endued
• 5:07:36
  with sanctity of reason, might erect his stature and upright with front serene govern
• 5:07:41
  the rest self, knowing and from thence magnanimous to correspond with Heaven, but
• 5:07:47
  grateful to acknowledge whence as good descends thither with heart and voice and eyes directed
• 5:07:53
  in devotion to adore and worship God Supreme, who made him chief of all
• 5:08:00
  his works, therefore omnipotent, eternal Father. For where is not he present?
• 5:08:07
  Thus to his son audibly spake, let us make now a man in
• 5:08:11
  our image, man in our similitude, and let them rule o'er the fish
• 5:08:17
  and fowl of sea and air, beasts of the field, over all the
• 5:08:22
  earth, and every creeping thing that creeps the ground. This said he formed
• 5:08:27
  thee Adam, thee o man dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils
• 5:08:33
  breathe the breath of life. In his own image. He created THEE in
• 5:08:38
  the image of God express, and thou becamest a living soul. Male.
• 5:08:45
  He created Thee, but thy consort female for race. Then bless mankind,
• 5:08:51
  and said, be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth, subdue it,
• 5:08:56
  and through out dominion. Hold over fish of the sea, see and foul
• 5:09:00
  of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth wherever thus
• 5:09:06
  created, For no place is yet distinct by name. Thence, as thou
• 5:09:11
  know'st, he brought THEE into this delicious grove, this garden planted with the
• 5:09:17
  trees of God, delectable both to behold and taste, and freely all their
• 5:09:22
  pleasant fruit for food gave thee. All sorts are here, that all the
• 5:09:29
  earth yields variety without end. But of the tree which tasted works knowledge of
• 5:09:36
  good and evil. Thou mayst not in the day thou eat'st. Thou diest
• 5:09:41
  death is the penalty imposed. Beware and govern well thy appetite, lest sin
• 5:09:48
  surprise thee and her black attendant death. Here finished, he and all that
• 5:09:53
  he had made viewed and behold all was entirely good, so even and morn
• 5:10:00
  accomplished the sixth day. Yet not till the Creator from his work, desisting
• 5:10:06
  though unwearied up, returned up to Heaven of heavens, his high abode,
• 5:10:11
  thence, to behold his new created world, the addition of his empire,
• 5:10:17
  and how it showed in prospect from his throne, how good, how fair?
• 5:10:22
  Answering his great idea up he rode followed with acclamation and the sounds semphonious
• 5:10:30
  of ten thousand harps that tuned angelic harmonies the earth. The air resounded.
• 5:10:37
  Thou rememberest, for thou heardst the heavens, and all the constellations rung.
• 5:10:42
  The planets in their station listening stood while the bright pomp ascended, jubilant,
• 5:10:49
  Open ye, everlasting gates, they sung, Open ye, Heavens, your
• 5:10:55
  living doors. Let in the great Creator from his work, return magnificent his
• 5:11:02
  six days work a world open and henceforth oft. For God will deign to
• 5:11:10
  visit the dwellings of just men, delighted and with frequent intercourse. Thither will
• 5:11:15
  send his winged messengers on errands of supernal grace. So sung the glorious strain,
• 5:11:21
  ascending he through Heaven, that open wide, her blazing portals led to
• 5:11:26
  God's eternal house. Direct the way, a broad and ample road, whose
• 5:11:32
  dust is gold and pavement stars as stars to thee appear seen in the galaxy,
• 5:11:38
  that milky way, which nightly as a circling zone. Thou seest powdered
• 5:11:44
  with stars, and now on Earth. The seventh evening arose in Eden,
• 5:11:49
  for the sun was set, and twilight from the east came on for running
• 5:11:53
  night. When at the holy Mount of Heaven's high seated top the imperial throne
• 5:12:00
  of Godhead, fix forever, firm and sure. The filial power arrived and
• 5:12:07
  sat him down with his great father. For he also went invisible, yet
• 5:12:11
  stayed such privilege hath omnipresence, and the work ordained, author and end of
• 5:12:18
  all things. And from work now resting, blessed and hollowed the seventh day,
• 5:12:26
  as resting on that day from all his work, but not in silence,
• 5:12:30
  wholly kept. The harp had work and rested not the solemn pipe and
• 5:12:37
  dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, all sounds on fret by string or
• 5:12:42
  golden wire, tempered soft tunings intermixed with voice, coral or unison of vincense.
• 5:12:51
  Clouds fuming from golden censers hid the mount creation and the six days axe.
• 5:12:57
  They sung, Gray, are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power.
• 5:13:03
  What thought can measure thee or tongue relate THEE greater now in Thy return
• 5:13:10
  than from the giant angels. Thee that day thy thunders magnified. But to
• 5:13:17
  create is greater than created. To destroy? Who can impair THEE mighty king
• 5:13:23
  or bound thy empire easily? The proud attempt of spirits apost it and their
• 5:13:30
  counsel's vain Thou hast repelled, while impiously they thought THEE to diminish, and
• 5:13:37
  from THEE withdraw the number of thy worshippers. Who seeks to lessen THEE against
• 5:13:44
  his purposes, serves to manifest the more thy might his evil Thou usest,
• 5:13:51
  and from thence creates more good witness This new made world, another heaven from
• 5:13:59
  heaven gatenear founded in view on the clear Hylene, the glassy sea of amplitude,
• 5:14:07
  almost immense, with stars numerous and every star, perhaps a world of
• 5:14:12
  destined habitation. But thou know'st their seasons. Among these the seat of men
• 5:14:21
  Earth, wh their nether ocean circumfused their pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happy men
• 5:14:27
  and sons of men, whom God hath thus advanced created in his image there
• 5:14:33
  to dwell and worship him, and in reward, to roll over his works
• 5:14:38
  on earth, in sea or air, and multiply. A race of worshipers,
• 5:14:45
  holy and just, thrice happy if they know their happiness and persevere upright,
• 5:14:52
  So sung they and the Empyrean rung with halleluahs. Thus was Sabbath kept
• 5:15:00
  and thy requests think now fulfilled that asked now, first this world and face
• 5:15:07
  of things began, and what before thy memory was done from the beginning,
• 5:15:12
  that posterity, informed by THEE, might know, if else thou seek'st aught
• 5:15:19
  not surprising human measure say, end of Book seven, Part one, Book
• 5:15:29
  seven, Part two, to whom thus Adam gratefully replied, what thanks sufficient
• 5:15:38
  or what recompense equal? Have I to render THEE divine historian, who thus
• 5:15:45
  largely has delayed the thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsafed this friendly condescension
• 5:15:52
  to relate things else by me unsearchable now heard with wonder but delight, and
• 5:15:59
  as is due with glory attributed to the High Creator. Something yet of doubt
• 5:16:04
  remains, which only thy solution can resolve. When I behold this goodly frame,
• 5:16:11
  this world of heaven and Earth consisting, and compute their magnitudes, this
• 5:16:17
  earth a spot, a grain, an atom with the firmament compared, and
• 5:16:22
  all her numbered stars that seem to roll spaces incomprehensible for such their distance argues
• 5:16:30
  and their swift return diurnal, merely to officiate light round this curpacious earth,
• 5:16:36
  this punctual spot. One day and night, in all their vast survey useless.
• 5:16:42
  Besides reasoning, I often admire how nature wise and frugal could commit such
• 5:16:49
  disproportions with superfluous hand. So many nobler bodies to create greater so manifold to
• 5:16:56
  this one use for aught peers, and on their orbs impose such restless revolution
• 5:17:03
  day by day repeated. While the sedentary earth, that better might, with
• 5:17:07
  far less compass, move serv'd by more noble than herself, attains her end
• 5:17:14
  without least motion, and receives as tribute such a sumless journey brought of incorporeal
• 5:17:21
  speed, her warmth and light speed to describe whose swiftness number fails, So
• 5:17:27
  spake our sire, and by his countenance seem'd entering on studious thoughts of struce,
• 5:17:34
  which eve perceiving where she sat, retired in sight with loneliness majestic from
• 5:17:41
  her seat and grace, that one who saw to wish her stay rose and
• 5:17:45
  went forth among her fruits and flowers to visit how they prosper'd, bud and
• 5:17:51
  bloom her nursery. They at her comings, sprung and touch'd by her fair
• 5:17:56
  attendants gladly agrew. Yet when she ye not as not with such discourse,
• 5:18:02
  delighted or not capable her ear of what was high, such pleasure she reserved
• 5:18:07
  Adam, relating she sole auditress. Her husband, the relator she preferred before
• 5:18:15
  the angel, and of him to ask chose rather, he she knew,
• 5:18:18
  would intermix grateful digressions and solve high dispute with conjugal caresses from his lip.
• 5:18:26
  Not words alone pleased her. Oh, when meet now such pairs in love
• 5:18:32
  and mutual honor, join'd with goddish like demeanor. Forth she went not unattended,
• 5:18:38
  for on her as queen, a pomp of winning graces waited still,
• 5:18:42
  and from about her shot darts of desire into all eyes to wish her still
• 5:18:48
  in sight. And Raphael, now to Adam's doubt, proposed benevolent and facile,
• 5:18:55
  thus replied, to ask or search, I blame thee not, for
• 5:19:00
  heaven is as the book of God before they set wherein to read his wondrous
• 5:19:04
  works and learn his seasons, hours or days, or months or years.
• 5:19:10
  This to attain, whether heaven move or earth imports not, if thou reckon
• 5:19:15
  right the rest from man or Angel. The great architect did wisely to conceal
• 5:19:22
  and not divulge his secrets, to be scann'd by them who ought rather admire,
• 5:19:27
  Or if they list to try conjecture, he his fabric of the heavens
• 5:19:32
  hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move his laughter at their quaint opinions
• 5:19:37
  wide hereafter, when they come to model heaven and calculate the stars, how
• 5:19:44
  they will wield the mighty frame, How build unbuild, contrive to save appearances,
• 5:19:49
  how gird the sphere with centric and eccentric scribbled awe cycle and epicycle orb
• 5:19:56
  in orb Already by thy re this I guess who art to lead thy offspring,
• 5:20:03
  and supposest that bodies bright and greater should not serve the less, not
• 5:20:07
  bright nor heaven such journeys run Earth sitting still, when she alone receives the
• 5:20:14
  benefit. Consider first, that great or bright infers not excellence. The Earth,
• 5:20:19
  though in comparison of Heaven, so small nor glistering, may of solid
• 5:20:25
  good contain more plenty than the sun that barren shines, whose virtue on itself
• 5:20:30
  works no effect. But in the fruitful Earth there first received his beams unactive
• 5:20:37
  else their vigor find yet not to Earth are those bright luminaries officious, but
• 5:20:42
  to thee Earth's habitant, and for the heaven's wide circuit. Let it speak
• 5:20:48
  the maker's high magnificence, who built so spacious, and his lines stretched out
• 5:20:53
  so far that man may know he dwells not in his own an ed off
• 5:20:59
  his two large him to feel lodged in a small partition, and the rest
• 5:21:03
  ordained for uses to his Lord best known. The swiftness of those circles,
• 5:21:08
  attribute, though numberless, to his omnipotence, that two corporeal substances could add
• 5:21:15
  speed almost spiritual me. Thou think'st not slow? Who since the morning hour
• 5:21:21
  set out from Heaven where God resides, and ere midday arrived in Eden,
• 5:21:26
  distance inexpressible by numbers that have name. But this I urge, admitting motion
• 5:21:32
  in the heavens, to show invalid that which THEE to doubt it moved.
• 5:21:37
  Not that I so affirm, though so it seem to THEE who hast thy
• 5:21:41
  dwelling here on Earth. God to remove his ways from human sense, placed
• 5:21:47
  Heaven from Earth so far that earthly sight, if it presume, might err
• 5:21:52
  in things too high and no advantage gain. What if the sun be sentered
• 5:21:59
  to the world another stars by his attractive virtue, and their own incited dance
• 5:22:04
  about him, various rounds, their wandering course, now high, now low,
• 5:22:10
  then hid, progressive retrograde, or standing still in six thou seest,
• 5:22:15
  And what if seventh to these the planet Earth, so steadfast, though she
• 5:22:19
  seem insensibly three different motions move, which else to several spheres thou must ascribe
• 5:22:26
  moved contrary with thwart obliquities. Or save the sun his labor, and that
• 5:22:33
  swift nocturnal and diurnal rom supposed invisible else above all stars, the wheel of
• 5:22:38
  day and night, which needs not thy belief. If Earth, industrious of
• 5:22:44
  herself, fetch day, traveling east, and with her part averse from the
• 5:22:48
  Sun's beam, meet night, her other part still luminous by his ray.
• 5:22:53
  What if that light sent from her through the wide transpicuous air to the terrestria
• 5:23:00
  moon be as a star in enlightening her by day as she by night,
• 5:23:03
  This earth reciprocal. If land be there, fields and inhabitants her spots,
• 5:23:10
  thou ceast as clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce fruits in
• 5:23:15
  her softened soil, for some to eat allotted there, and other suns,
• 5:23:19
  perhaps with their attendant moons, Thou wilt descry, communicating male and female light,
• 5:23:26
  which two great sexes animate the world stored in each orb, perhaps with
• 5:23:32
  some that live. For such vast room in nature, unpossessed by living soul,
• 5:23:38
  desert and desolate only to shine, yet scarce to contribute each orb a
• 5:23:45
  glimpse of light conveyed so far down to this habitable which returns light back to
• 5:23:51
  them, is obvious to dispute. But whether thus these things, or whether
• 5:23:55
  not, whether the sun, predominant in heaven rise on Earth or Earth rise
• 5:24:00
  on the sun. He from the east his flaming road begin, or she
• 5:24:06
  from west her silent course advance within offensive pace, that spinning sleeps on her
• 5:24:11
  soft axel, while she paces en and bears thee soft with the smooth air
• 5:24:18
  along. Solicit not thy thoughts, with matters hed, Leave them to God
• 5:24:22
  above him, serve and fear of other creatures as him pleases best, wherever
• 5:24:29
  placed, Let him dispose. Joy thou in what he gives to thee,
• 5:24:33
  This paradise and thy fair eve. Heaven is for THEE too high to know
• 5:24:38
  what passes there be lowly wise think only what concerns THEE and thy being dream
• 5:24:45
  not of other worlds, what creatures there live in? What state? Condition?
• 5:24:51
  Or degree? Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd, not of earth
• 5:24:56
  only, but of highest Heaven, to who thus adam, cleared of doubt,
• 5:25:00
  replied, now fully, hast thou satisfied me pure intelligence of Heaven,
• 5:25:07
  angel, serene and freed from intricacies, taught to live the easiest way,
• 5:25:12
  nor with perplexing thoughts to interrupt the sweet of life from which God hath bid
• 5:25:18
  dwell far off all anxious cares, and not molest us unless we ourselves seek
• 5:25:26
  them with wandering thoughts and notions vain. But at the mind or fancy is
• 5:25:30
  to rove unchecked, And of her roving is no end. Till warned or
• 5:25:36
  by experienced taught. She learn that not to know at large of things remote
• 5:25:41
  from use, obscure and subtle, but to know that which before us lies
• 5:25:47
  in daily life is the prime wisdom. What is more, is fume,
• 5:25:52
  or emptiness, or fond impertinence, and renders us in things that most concern,
• 5:25:57
  unpracticed, un prepared, and still to seek. Therefore, from this
• 5:26:03
  high pitch, let us descend a lower flight, and speak of things at
• 5:26:07
  hand useful whence haply mention may arise of something not unseasonable to ask by sufferance,
• 5:26:15
  and thy wonted favor deained THEE I have heard relating what was done ere
• 5:26:22
  my remembrance. Now hear me relate my story, which perhaps thou hast not
• 5:26:26
  heard, and day is yet not spent, till then thou ceast how subtly
• 5:26:32
  to detain THEE. I devise inviting THEE to hear while I relate fond were
• 5:26:37
  it not in hope of thy reply. For while I sit with THEE,
• 5:26:41
  I seem in heaven and sweeter. Thy discourse is to my ear than fruits
• 5:26:48
  of palm tree, pleasantest to thirst and hunger, both from labor. At
• 5:26:52
  the hour of sweet repast, they satiate and soon feel though pleasant. But
• 5:26:57
  thy words, with great divine imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety to
• 5:27:04
  whom thus Raphael answered, heavenly meek, Nor are thy lips ungraceful sire of
• 5:27:11
  men, nor tongue ineloquent. For God on thee abundantly His gifts hath also
• 5:27:17
  poured inward and outward, both his image, fair speaking or mute. All
• 5:27:22
  comeliness and grace attends THEE and each word, each motion forms. Nor less
• 5:27:29
  think we in Heaven of thee on earth than of our fellow servant, and
• 5:27:33
  inquire gladly into the ways of God with man. For God we see hath
• 5:27:37
  honored thee and set on man his equal love. Say therefore on, for
• 5:27:44
  I that day was absent, as befell, bound on a voyage, uncouth
• 5:27:48
  and obscure, far on excursion toward the gates of Hell, squared in full
• 5:27:53
  legion such command we had to see that none thence issued forth a spy or
• 5:28:00
  enemy while God was in his work, lest he incensed at such irruption,
• 5:28:04
  bold destruction with creation might have mixed. Not that they durst without his leave
• 5:28:11
  attempt. But us hecends upon his high behests for state as sovereign king,
• 5:28:18
  and to inure our prompt obedience. Fast we found fast shut the dismal gaits
• 5:28:23
  and barricadoed strong but long ere our approaching heard within noise other than the sound
• 5:28:32
  of dance or song, torment and loud, lament and furious rage. Glad
• 5:28:37
  we return'd up to the coasts of light ere Sabbath evening, so we had
• 5:28:42
  in charge but thy relation. Now for I attend pleased with thy words,
• 5:28:49
  no less than thou with mine. So spake the god like power, and
• 5:28:56
  thus our sire. For man to tell how human life life began is hard,
• 5:29:00
  for who himself, beginning knew desire with these still longer to converse,
• 5:29:06
  induced me as new waked from sound asleep soft on the flowery herb, I
• 5:29:11
  found me laid in balmy sweat, which with his beams the sun soon dried,
• 5:29:18
  and on the reeking moisture fed straight toward heaven. My wondering eyes,
• 5:29:22
  I turned and gazed awhile the ample sky till raised by quick instinctive motion.
• 5:29:29
  Up I sprung as thitherwood endeavoring, and upright stood on my feet. About
• 5:29:34
  me round I saw hill dale and shady woods, and sunny plains, and
• 5:29:40
  liquid lapse of murmuring streams. By these creatures that lived and moved and walked,
• 5:29:45
  or flew, birds on the branches warbling. All things smiled with fragrance
• 5:29:52
  and with joy in my heart o'erflowed myself. I then perused, and limb
• 5:29:56
  by limb, surveyed, and sometimes when and sometimes ran with supple joints as
• 5:30:03
  lively vigor led. But who I was or where or from what cause knew
• 5:30:07
  not to speak? I tried, and forthwith spake my tongue obeyed, and
• 5:30:11
  readily could name whate'er I saw thou sun, said I fair light, and
• 5:30:18
  thou enlighten'd earth so fresh and gay, Ye heels and dales, ye rivers,
• 5:30:22
  woods and plains, and ye that live and move, fair creatures.
• 5:30:27
  Tell tell if ye saw how came I? Thus? How here not of
• 5:30:32
  myself by some great maker? Then, in goodness and in power pre eminent,
• 5:30:37
  Tell me how may I know him? How adore from whom I have?
• 5:30:41
  That? Thus I move and live, and feel that I am happier
• 5:30:45
  than I know. While thus I called and strayed, I knew not whither
• 5:30:51
  from where I first drew air and first beheld this happy light. When answer
• 5:30:56
  none, return'd on a green, shady bank, profuse of flowers, pensive,
• 5:31:00
  I sat me down there. Gentle sleep first found me, and with
• 5:31:06
  soft oppression seized my drowsed sense. Untroubled though I thought I then was passing
• 5:31:11
  to my former state, insensible, and forthwith to dissolve, when suddenly stood
• 5:31:18
  at my head a dream whose inward apparition gently moved my fancy to believe I
• 5:31:25
  yet had being and lived. One came methought of shape divine, and said,
• 5:31:30
  thy mansion once the adam rise, first man of men innumerable ordained first
• 5:31:37
  father, call'd by thee, I come, thy guide to the garden of
• 5:31:41
  bliss, Thy seat prepared, so saying by the hand. He took me
• 5:31:45
  raised and over fields and waters as in air, smooth sliding without step,
• 5:31:52
  last led me up a woody mountain whose high top was plain, a circuit
• 5:31:57
  wide enclosed with goodlyest trees, planted with walks and bowers. That what I
• 5:32:03
  saw of earth before scarce pleasant seem'd, each tree loaden with fairest fruit that
• 5:32:11
  hung to the eye, tempting, stirred in me sudden appetite to pluck and
• 5:32:15
  eat whereat I waked and found before mine eyes all real as the dream had
• 5:32:22
  lively shadowed. Here had new begun my wandering. Had not he who was
• 5:32:26
  my guide up hither from among the trees appear'd presence divine, rejoicing, but
• 5:32:33
  with awe in adoration at his feet, I fell submiss He reared me,
• 5:32:40
  and whom thou sought'st I am said, mildly, author of all this,
• 5:32:45
  thou ceast above or round about thee or beneath this paradise. I give THEE
• 5:32:51
  count it thine to till and keepen, of the fruit, to eat,
• 5:32:55
  of every tree that in the garden grows, eat freely with glad heart.
• 5:33:00
  I fear hear no dearth, but of the tree, whose operation brings knowledge
• 5:33:04
  of good and ill, which I have set the pledge of thy obedience and
• 5:33:10
  thy faith amid the garden, by the tree of life. Remember what I
• 5:33:14
  warn THEE, shun to taste, and shun the bitter consequence. For know
• 5:33:19
  the day thou eat'st thereof my sole command transgressed inevitably, thou shalt die from
• 5:33:26
  that day mortal, and this happy state shalt lose, expelled from hence into
• 5:33:33
  a world of woe and sorrow. Sternly he pronounced the rigid interdiction, which
• 5:33:40
  resounds yet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choice not to incur.
• 5:33:45
  But soon his clear aspect returned, and gracious purpose thus renewed. Not only
• 5:33:52
  these fair bounds, but all the earth to THEE and to thy race.
• 5:33:56
  I give as lords possess it, and all things things that therein live or
• 5:34:00
  live in sea or air, beast, fish, and fowl in sign.
• 5:34:06
  Whereof each bird and beast behold after their kinds, I bring them to receive
• 5:34:11
  from THEE their names, and pay THEE fealty with low subjection. Understand the
• 5:34:17
  same of fish within their watery residence, not hithersummoned, since they cannot change
• 5:34:22
  their element to draw the thinner air. As thus he spake, each bird
• 5:34:29
  and beast behold approaching two and two these cowering low with blandishment, each bird
• 5:34:36
  stooped on his wing. I named them as they passed, and understood their
• 5:34:41
  nature. With such knowledge God endued my sudden apprehension. But in these I
• 5:34:47
  found not what methought I wanted still, and to the heavenly vision thus presumed,
• 5:34:53
  Oh by what name for thou above all these, above mankind, or
• 5:34:57
  aught than mankind, and higher surpassest far my naming? How may I adore
• 5:35:03
  THEE author of this universe, and all this good to man, for whose
• 5:35:08
  well being so amply and with hands so liberal, thou hast provided all things?
• 5:35:15
  But with me I see not who partakes in solitude, what happiness?
• 5:35:21
  Who can enjoy alone? Or all enjoying? What contentment? Find? Thus
• 5:35:26
  I presumptuous, and the vision bright as with a smile more brightened. Thus
• 5:35:32
  replied, what course thou solitude is not the earth with various living creatures,
• 5:35:38
  and the air replenished, and all these at thy command to come and play
• 5:35:42
  before thee? Know'st thou not their language and their ways? They also know
• 5:35:48
  and reason not contemptibly with these, find pastime and bear rule. Thy realm
• 5:35:53
  is large, so spake the Universal Lord, and seemed so ordering, with
• 5:36:00
  leave of speech implored and humble deprecation, thus replied, let not my words
• 5:36:06
  offend thee heavenly power my maker be propitious while I speak, Hast thou not
• 5:36:11
  made me hear thy substitute, And these inferior far beneath me? Set among
• 5:36:18
  unequals, what society consort? What harmony or true delight? Which must be
• 5:36:23
  mutual in proportion due given and received? But in disparity the one intense,
• 5:36:30
  the other still remiss, cannot well suit with either, but soon prove tedious
• 5:36:36
  alike of fellowship I speak, such as I seek fit to participate or rational
• 5:36:41
  delight, wherein the brute cannot be human consort. They rejoice, each with
• 5:36:48
  their kind lion with lioness, so fitly them in pairs thou hast combined.
• 5:36:53
  Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl so well converse,
• 5:36:59
  nor with the other the ape. Worse then can man with beast? And
• 5:37:03
  least of all, Where too, th Almighty answered, not displeased and nice
• 5:37:10
  and subtle happiness. I see thou to thyself proposest in the choice of thy
• 5:37:15
  associates, adam, and wilt taste no pleasure, though in pleasure solitary.
• 5:37:21
  What think'st thou then of me? And this my state seem I to THEE
• 5:37:25
  sufficiently possessed of happiness? Or not? Who am alone from all eternity?
• 5:37:30
  For none I know second to me or like equal? Much less how have
• 5:37:36
  I, then, with whom to hold converse, save with the creatures which
• 5:37:40
  I made, and those to me inferior infinite descents beneath. What other creatures
• 5:37:45
  are to thee he ceased, I lowly answered, to attain the height and
• 5:37:52
  depth of thy eternal ways. All human thoughts come short. Supreme of things.
• 5:37:57
  Thou in thyself up perfect and in THEE is no deficience found. Not
• 5:38:03
  so is man but in degree the cause of his desire, by conversation with
• 5:38:08
  his like to help or solace his defects. No need that thou shouldst propagate,
• 5:38:15
  already infinite and through all numbers absolute though one, but man by number
• 5:38:21
  is to manifest his single imperfection and beget like of his like, his image
• 5:38:27
  multiplied in unity defective, which requires collateral love and dearest amity. Thou,
• 5:38:36
  in thy secrecy, although alone, best with thy self accompanied, seek'st not
• 5:38:41
  social communication. Yet so pleased, canst raise thy creature to what hight thou
• 5:38:47
  wilt of union or communion? Daified I, by conversing, cannot these erect
• 5:38:53
  from prone, nor in their ways complacence find Thus I am bolden spake,
• 5:39:00
  and freedom used, permissive and acceptance found, which gained this answer from the
• 5:39:07
  gracious voice divine. Thus far to try THEE adam, I was pleased and
• 5:39:12
  find THEE, knowing not of beasts alone, which thou hast rightly named,
• 5:39:18
  but of thyself, expressing well the spirit within THEE free my image, not
• 5:39:23
  imparted to the brute, whose fellowship therefore unmeet for THEE. Good reason was
• 5:39:30
  thou freely shouldst dislike and be so minded? Still ay ere thou spakest knew
• 5:39:37
  it not good for man to be alone and no such company as then thou
• 5:39:41
  sourced intended THEE for trial, only brought to see how thou couldst judge of
• 5:39:47
  fit and meet. What next I bring shall please THEE. Be assured thy
• 5:39:52
  likeness, thy fit, help thy other self, thy wish exactly to thy
• 5:39:57
  heart's desire. He ended, or I heard no more. For now,
• 5:40:03
  my earthly by his heavenly overpower'd, which it had long stood under strained to
• 5:40:08
  the height in that celestial colloquy sublime as with an object that excels the scents,
• 5:40:15
  dazzled and spent, sunk down and sought repair of sleep, which instantly
• 5:40:21
  fell on me call'd by nature as in aid, and clos'd mine eyes,
• 5:40:26
  Mine eyes. He clos'd, but open left the cell of fancy my internal
• 5:40:32
  sight, by which abstract as in a trance, methought, I saw,
• 5:40:36
  though sleeping where I lay, and saw the shape still glorious, before whom
• 5:40:41
  awake I stood, who, stooping, opened my left side, and took
• 5:40:45
  from thence a rib with cordial spirits warm and life blood streaming fresh wide was
• 5:40:52
  the wound, But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd the rib. He
• 5:40:57
  form'd and fashion'd with his Under his forming hands of creature, grew manlike but
• 5:41:03
  different sex, so lovely fair that what seemed fair in all the world seemed
• 5:41:10
  now mean or in her summed up in her contained, and in her looks,
• 5:41:15
  which from that time infused sweetness into my heart unfelt before, and into
• 5:41:22
  all things. From her air inspired the spirit of love and amorous delight.
• 5:41:27
  She disappeared and left me dark. I waked to find her, or forever
• 5:41:33
  to deplore her loss and other pleasures all obdure. When out of hope behold
• 5:41:40
  her, not far off, such as I saw her in my dream,
• 5:41:44
  adorned with what all earth or Heaven could bestow to make her amiable. On
• 5:41:49
  she came, led by her heavenly maker, though unseen and guided by his
• 5:41:55
  voice, nor uninformed of nuptial sanctity and many marriage rites. Grace was in
• 5:42:02
  all her steps, Heaven in her eye, in every gesture, dignity and
• 5:42:07
  love. I overjoyed, could not forbear aloud this turn hath made amends.
• 5:42:14
  Thou hast fulfilled thy words, creator, bounteous and benign, Give her of
• 5:42:18
  all things fair, but fairest this of all thy gifts, nor envioust i
• 5:42:25
  now see bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself before me
• 5:42:30
  woman is her name of man extracted for this cause. He shall forego father
• 5:42:36
  and mother, and to his wife a dear, and they shall be one
• 5:42:40
  flesh, one heart, one's soul. She heard me thus, and though
• 5:42:45
  divinely brought yet innocence and virgin modesty, her virtue and the conscience of her
• 5:42:52
  worth, that would be wooed and not unsought, be one not obvious,
• 5:42:56
  not obtrusive, but retired the more desirable, Or to say, all nature
• 5:43:03
  herself, though pure of sinful thought, wrought in her soul that seeing me,
• 5:43:07
  she turned. I followed her. She what was honor knew, and
• 5:43:12
  with obsequious majesty, approved my pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower. I
• 5:43:18
  led her, blushing like the morn. All heaven and happy constellations on that
• 5:43:23
  hour shed their selectest influence. The earth gave sign of gratulation, and each
• 5:43:30
  hill joyous. The birds, fresh gales and gentle airs whispered it. To
• 5:43:36
  the woods, and from their wings flung rose, flung odors from the spicy
• 5:43:41
  shrub, disporting till the amorous bird of night sung spousal and bid haste the
• 5:43:47
  evening star on his hilltop to light the bridle lamp. Thus I have told
• 5:43:52
  thee all my state and brought my story to the sum of earthly bliss,
• 5:43:57
  which I enjoy and must confess to find in all things else delight indeed,
• 5:44:03
  but such as used or not works in the mind, no change nor vehement
• 5:44:08
  desire. These delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs,
• 5:44:14
  fruits and flowers, walks, and the melody of birds. But here far
• 5:44:18
  otherwise transported, I behold, transported, touch here passion. First I felt
• 5:44:26
  commotions strange in all enjoyments else superior and unmov'd here only weak against the charm
• 5:44:33
  of Beauty's powerful glance. Or nature failed in me and left some part not
• 5:44:40
  proof enough such object to sustain or from my side subducting took perhaps more than
• 5:44:47
  enough, at least on her bestowed too much of ornament in outward show elaborate
• 5:44:52
  of inward less exact. For while I understand in the prime end of nature
• 5:44:57
  her the inferior in the mind and inward faculties which most excel in outward,
• 5:45:03
  also her resembling less his image, you made both and less expressing the character
• 5:45:10
  of that dominion given or other creatures. Yet when I approach her, loveliness
• 5:45:15
  so absolute she seems and in herself complete, so well to know her own,
• 5:45:22
  that what she wills to do or say seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest,
• 5:45:27
  best, all higher knowledge in her presence falls degraded. Wisdom, and
• 5:45:33
  discourse with her loses discountenanced, and like folly, shows authority and reason on
• 5:45:41
  her weight as one intended first, not after, made occasionally, and to
• 5:45:47
  consume it all greatness of mind and nobleness their seat, build in her loveliest
• 5:45:52
  and create an awe about her as a guard angelic placed to whom the angel
• 5:45:59
  with contracted brow accused not nature, she hath done her part. Do thou
• 5:46:03
  but thine, and be not diffident of wisdom. She deserts thee, not
• 5:46:08
  if thou dismiss not her when most thou need'st her nigh by attributing overmuch to
• 5:46:15
  things less excellent as thou thyself perceivest for what admires thou, what transport'st thee
• 5:46:22
  so and outside fair, no doubt and worthy, well thy cherishing, thy
• 5:46:27
  honoring, and thy love, not thy subjection, weigh with her thyself.
• 5:46:33
  Then value ofttimes nothing profits more than self esteem, grounded on just and right,
• 5:46:40
  well managed of that skill. The more thou know'st, the more she
• 5:46:45
  will acknowledge THEE her head, and two realities yield all her shows made so
• 5:46:51
  adorn for thy delight, the more so awful that with honor thou mayst love
• 5:46:56
  thy mate, who sees when thou art seen, lie be wise. But
• 5:47:00
  if the sense of touch, whereby mankind is propagated, seems such dear delight
• 5:47:07
  beyond all other think the same vouchsafed to cattle and each beast, which would
• 5:47:12
  not be to them made common and divulged, if aught therein enjoyed, were
• 5:47:18
  worthy to subdue the soul of man, or passion in him, move what
• 5:47:23
  hire in her society thou find'st attractive human rational love. Still in loving,
• 5:47:30
  thou dost well in passion, not wherein true love consists. Not love refines
• 5:47:37
  the thoughts and heart enlarges hath his seat in reason, and is judicious.
• 5:47:41
  Is the scale by which to heavenly love thou mayst ascend, not sunk in
• 5:47:48
  carnal pleasure, for which cause among the beasts no mate for THEE was found,
• 5:47:55
  to whom thus half abashed. Adam replied, neither her I had formed
• 5:48:00
  so fair nor aught in procreation common to all kinds, though higher of the
• 5:48:06
  genial bed by far, and with mysterious reverence, I deem so much delights
• 5:48:11
  me as those graceful acts, those thousand decencies that daily flow from all her
• 5:48:17
  words and actions, mixed with love and sweet compliance, which declare unfeigned union
• 5:48:23
  of mind or in us both one's soul, harmony to behold in wedded pair,
• 5:48:30
  more grateful than harmonious sound to the ear. Yet the subject, not
• 5:48:36
  I to thee, disclose what inward? Thence I feel not therefore foiled,
• 5:48:41
  who meet with various objects from the sense, variously representing, yet still free,
• 5:48:45
  approve the best and follow what I approve to love, Thou blamest me,
• 5:48:52
  not for love, thou sayest leads up to heaven is both the way
• 5:48:56
  and guide. Bear with me. Then, if lawful what I am osc
• 5:49:00
  love not the heavenly spirits, and how their love expressed they by looks only,
• 5:49:06
  or do they mix irradiance, virtual or immediate touch, to whom the
• 5:49:11
  angel with a smile that glowed celestial rosy red, love's proper hue answered,
• 5:49:17
  Let it suffice THEE that thou know'st us happy and without love, no happiness
• 5:49:22
  whatever pure thou in the body enjoyst and pure thou work created, We enjoy
• 5:49:29
  in eminence. An obstacle, find none of membrane, joint or limb.
• 5:49:33
  Exclusive bars easier than air with air. If spirits embrace total, they mix
• 5:49:41
  union of pure with pure desiring, nor restrain conveyance, need as flesh to
• 5:49:47
  mix with flesh, or soul with soul. But I can now know more
• 5:49:52
  the parting sun beyond the Earth's green cape and verdant isles Hespirian sets my signal
• 5:49:59
  to depart, be strong, live, happy, and love. But first
• 5:50:03
  of all him whom to love is to obey and keep his great command.
• 5:50:08
  Take heed lest passion sway thy judgment to do aught, which else free will
• 5:50:15
  would not admit. Thine, and of all thy sons, the weal or
• 5:50:18
  woe in THEE is place'd beware ay in thy persevering shall rejoice, and all
• 5:50:26
  the blest stand fast to stand or fall free in thine own arbitriment. It
• 5:50:33
  lies perfect within. No outward aid require, and all temptation to transgress repel
• 5:50:41
  so saying he arose, whom Adam thus follow'd with benediction, since to part
• 5:50:48
  go heavenly guest ethereal messenger sent from whose sovereign goodness I adore, gentle to
• 5:50:56
  me and affable, hath been thy condescension, and shall be honored ever with
• 5:51:02
  grateful memory. Thou to mankind be good and friendly still and oft returned.
• 5:51:08
  So parted they the Angel up to Heaven from the thick shade, and Adam
• 5:51:15
  to his bower. End of Book seven, Book six, Part one.
• 5:51:25
  All night, the dreadless angel unpursued through Heaven's wide Champagne held his way till
• 5:51:30
  morn, waked by the circling hours, with rosy hand unbarred the gates of
• 5:51:36
  light. There is a cave within the mount of God, fast by his
• 5:51:38
  throne, where light and darkness in perpetual round lodge and dislodge by turns,
• 5:51:45
  which makes through Heaven grateful vicissitude like day and night. Light issues forth,
• 5:51:49
  and at the other door obsequious darkness enters till her hour to veil the heaven,
• 5:51:55
  though darkness there might well seem twilight here and now went forth the morns,
• 5:52:00
  such as in highest Heaven arrayed in gold imperial from before her vanished night,
• 5:52:04
  shot through with orient beams, when all the plain covered with thick embattled
• 5:52:10
  squadrons, bright chariots, and flaming arms and fiery steeds reflecting blaze on blaze
• 5:52:15
  first met his view war. He perceived war in procinct, and found already
• 5:52:21
  known what he, for news had thought to have reported gladly. Then he
• 5:52:26
  mixed among those friendly powers, whom him received with joy and acclamations loud that
• 5:52:30
  one that of so many myriads fallen, yet one return not lost. On
• 5:52:36
  to the sacred hill. They led him high, applauded, and present before
• 5:52:40
  the Seat Supreme. From whence a voice from midst a golden cloud. Thus
• 5:52:44
  mild was heard, Servant of God. Well done, Well, Hast thou
• 5:52:48
  fought the better fight, whose single hast maintained against revolted multitudes, the cause
• 5:52:52
  of truth in word mightier than they in arms. And for the testimony of
• 5:52:57
  truth, Hast borne universe versal reproach far worse to bear than violence. For
• 5:53:03
  this was all thy care to stand, approved in sight of God. Though
• 5:53:07
  worlds judge thee perverse, the easier conquest now remains thee aided by this host
• 5:53:11
  of friends, back on thy foes, more glorious to return than scorn thou
• 5:53:15
  didst depart, and to subdue by force, who reason for their law,
• 5:53:19
  refuse right reason for their law and for their king, Messiah, who by
• 5:53:25
  right of merit reigns, Go Michael of celestial armies, Prince, and Thou
• 5:53:30
  in military prowess next to Gabriel, Lead forth to battle these my sons invincible.
• 5:53:36
  Lead forth my armed saints, by thousands and by millions, ranged for
• 5:53:40
  fight, equal in number to that godless crew. Rebellious them with fire and
• 5:53:45
  hostile arms, fearless assault, and to the brow of Heaven, pursuing drive
• 5:53:49
  them out from God and bliss into their place of punishment, the gulf of
• 5:53:53
  Tartarus, which ready opens wide his fiery chaos, to receive their fall.
• 5:54:00
  So spake the sovereign voice, and clouds began to darken all the hill and
• 5:54:03
  smoke to roul in dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign of wrath awaked
• 5:54:10
  nor with less dread. The loud ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow at
• 5:54:14
  which command the power's militant that stood for heaven in mighty quadrit joined of union,
• 5:54:19
  irresistible, moved on in silence, their bright legions to the sound of
• 5:54:23
  instrumental harmony that breathed heroic ardor to adventurous deeds under their godlike leaders in the
• 5:54:30
  cause of God and his Messiah. On they move indissolubly, firm, nor
• 5:54:36
  obvious hill, nor straightening veil, nor wood nor stream divides their perfect ranks.
• 5:54:41
  For high above the ground their march was, and the passive air upbore
• 5:54:45
  their nimble tread as when the total kind of birds in orderly array on wing
• 5:54:49
  came summoned over Eden to receive their names of thee. So over many a
• 5:54:53
  tract of heaven they marched, and many a province wide tenfold the length of
• 5:54:59
  this terrain. At last, far in the horizon to the north, appeared
• 5:55:03
  from skirt to skirt of fiery regions, stretched in battalious aspect, and nearer
• 5:55:07
  view, bristled with upright beams, innumerable of rigid spears and helmets, thronged,
• 5:55:14
  and shields various with boastful argument, portrayed the banded powers of Satan,
• 5:55:19
  hasting on with furious expedition, for they weened that self same day by fight
• 5:55:25
  or by surprise, to win the mount of God, and on his throne
• 5:55:29
  to set the envier of his state, the proud aspirer. But their thoughts
• 5:55:33
  proved fond and vain in the midway. Though strange to us, it seemed
• 5:55:37
  at first that Angel should with Angel war and in fierce hosting meat, who
• 5:55:41
  wont to meet so oft in festivals of joy and love, unanimous as sons
• 5:55:47
  of one great sire, hymning the eternal Father. But the shout of battle
• 5:55:51
  now began, and rushing sound of onset ended. Soon each milder thought high
• 5:55:56
  in the midst exalted as a god, the postat in his his sun bright
• 5:56:00
  chariot, sate idle of majesty, divine inclosed with flaming cherubim and golden shields,
• 5:56:07
  then lighted from his gorgeous throne for now TwixT host and host, But
• 5:56:11
  narrow space was left a dreadful interval, and front to front presented stood in
• 5:56:15
  terrible array of hideous length before the cloudy van on the rough edge of battle
• 5:56:21
  ere it join'd Satan with vast and haughty strides advanced came towering, armed in
• 5:56:26
  adamant and gold abdeal that sight endured not where he stood among the mightiest,
• 5:56:32
  bent on highest deeds. And thus his own undaunted heart explores, Oh Heaven,
• 5:56:37
  that such resemblance of the highest should yet remain where faith and realty remain.
• 5:56:41
  Not, wherefore should not strength and might there fail where virtue fails,
• 5:56:47
  or weakest prove where boldest though to sight unconquerable, his puissants, trusting in
• 5:56:52
  the Almighty's aid, I mean to try, whose reason I have tried unsound
• 5:56:56
  and false, nor is it aught, but just that he he who in
• 5:57:00
  debate of truth hath one should win in arms in both disputes alike victor,
• 5:57:04
  though brutish that contest, and foul when reason hath to deal with force.
• 5:57:10
  Yet so most reason is that reason overcome. So pondering, and from his
• 5:57:15
  armed peers forth, stepping opposite half way, he met his daring foe at
• 5:57:19
  this prevention, more incensed, and thus securely him defied proud art, Thou
• 5:57:25
  met thy hope was to have reached the height of thy aspiring unopposed, the
• 5:57:29
  throne of God, unguarded, and his side abandoned at the terror of thy
• 5:57:33
  power or potent tongue. Fool not to think how vain against omnipotent to rise
• 5:57:38
  in arms, who out of smallest things, could without end have raised incessant
• 5:57:44
  armies to defeat thy folly, Or with solitary hand, reaching beyond all limit,
• 5:57:48
  at one blow, unaided, could have finished thee and whelm thy legions
• 5:57:52
  under darkness. But thou seest all are not of thy train. There be
• 5:57:56
  who faith prefer and piety to go God. Though then to THEE not visible,
• 5:58:02
  when I alone seem'd in thy world erroneous to dissent from all my sect,
• 5:58:07
  thou seest now learn too late, how few sometimes may know when thousands
• 5:58:11
  err whom the grand foe, with scornful eye askance. Thus answer'd ill for
• 5:58:17
  THEE, but in wisht hour of my revenge first sought for thou return'st from
• 5:58:22
  flight seditious angel, to receive thy merited reward. The first essay of this
• 5:58:26
  right hand provoked, since first that tongue inspired with contradiction, Durst oppose a
• 5:58:32
  third part of the gods in Synod met their deities to assert who, while
• 5:58:37
  they feel vigor divine within them, can allow omnipotence to none. But well
• 5:58:42
  thou comest before thy fellows ambitious to win from me some plume that thy success
• 5:58:48
  may show destruction to the rest. This pause between unanswer'd, least thou boast
• 5:58:53
  to let thee know. At first I thought that liberty in heaven to heav'nly
• 5:58:57
  souls had been all one. But now I see that most through sloth had
• 5:59:02
  rather serve ministering spirits train'd up in feast and song. Such hast thou arm'd
• 5:59:07
  the ministrelsy of heav'n servility, with freedom to contend, as both their deeds
• 5:59:14
  compared this day shall prove to whom in brief. Thus abd'al Stern replied apostat,
• 5:59:19
  Still thou errest nor end will find of erring from the path of truth
• 5:59:23
  remote unjustly, Thou deprav'est it with the name of servitude to serve whom God
• 5:59:29
  ordains or nature. God and Nature bid the same, when he who rules
• 5:59:33
  is worthiest and excels them whom he governs. This is servitude to serve thee
• 5:59:38
  unwise o'er him that hath rebelled against his worthier as thine. Now serve thee
• 5:59:44
  thyself not free, but to thy self enthralled. Yet lewdely dast our,
• 5:59:48
  ministering upbraid reign Thou in Hell, thy kingdom, let me serve in heaven,
• 5:59:52
  God ever blest, and his divine behests obey, worthiest to be obeyed.
• 5:59:57
  Yet chains in hell, what realms expect Meanwhile from me returned as erst
• 6:00:03
  Thou saidst from flight, this greeting on thy impious crest, receive so,
• 6:00:08
  saying a noble stroke, he lifted high, which hung not, but so
• 6:00:12
  swift with tempest, fell on the proud crest of Satan, that no sight
• 6:00:18
  nor motion of swift thought less could his shield such ruin intercept ten paces huge
• 6:00:23
  He back recoiled the tenth on bended knee, his massy spear upstayed, as
• 6:00:29
  if on earth, winds, underground or waters forcing way. Sidelong had pushed
• 6:00:33
  a mountain from his seat, half sunk with all his pines. Amazement seized
• 6:00:38
  the rebel thrones, but greater rage to see thus foiled their mightiest ours joy
• 6:00:44
  filled and shout presage of victory and fierce desire of battle. Whereat Michael bid
• 6:00:49
  sound the archangel trumpet through the vast of heaven. It sounded, and the
• 6:00:53
  faithful armies wrung Hosanna to the highest, nor stood it gaze. The adverse
• 6:00:59
  legion, nor less hideous joined the horrid shock. Now storming fury rose and
• 6:01:04
  clamor such as heard in heaven till now was never Arms on armor clashing brayed,
• 6:01:10
  horrible discord, and the madding wheels of brazen chariots raged. Dire was
• 6:01:15
  the noise of conflict overhead, The dismal hiss of fiery darts in flaming volleys
• 6:01:21
  flew and flying vaulted either host with fire, sounder fiery cope together rushed both
• 6:01:26
  battles mane with ruinous assault and inextinguishable rage. All heaven resounded, And had
• 6:01:33
  earth been then all Earth had to her center shook. What wonder when millions
• 6:01:38
  of fierce, encountering angels fought on either side, the least of whom could
• 6:01:42
  weld these elements and arm him with the force of all their regions, How
• 6:01:47
  much more of power army against army numberless to raise dreadful combustion, warring and
• 6:01:52
  disturb, though not destroy their happy native seat. Had not the eternal king
• 6:01:59
  omnipotent from his stronghold of Heaven High o'er ruled and limited their might, Though
• 6:02:03
  numbered, such as each divided legion might have seemed a numerous host in strength,
• 6:02:07
  each armed hand a legion led in fight. Yet leaders seemed, each
• 6:02:12
  warrior single, as in chief, expert when to advance or stand, or
• 6:02:17
  turn the sway of battle open, when and when to close the ridges of
• 6:02:21
  grim war. No thought of flight, none of retreat, no unbecoming deed
• 6:02:26
  that argued fear. Each on himself relied as only in his arm the moment
• 6:02:30
  lay of victory. Deeds of eternal fame were done, but infinite, for
• 6:02:34
  wide was spread that war, and various, sometimes on firm ground, a
• 6:02:40
  standing fight, then soaring on main wing, tormented all the air, all
• 6:02:44
  air seemed, then conflicting fire long time in even scale. The battle hung
• 6:02:49
  till Satan, who that day prodigious power, had shone and met in arms
• 6:02:53
  no equal ranging through the dire attack of fighting. Seraphim confused at length saw
• 6:02:59
  where the sword of Michael smote and felled squadrons at once with huge two handed
• 6:03:03
  sway brandished aloft, the horrid edge came down wide, wasting such destruction to
• 6:03:10
  withstand. He hasted and opposed the rocky orb of tenfold, adamant his ample
• 6:03:15
  shield a vast circumference. At his approach, the great Archangel from his warlike
• 6:03:21
  toil, surceased and glad as hoping here to end intestine war in heaven,
• 6:03:26
  the arch foe subdued or captive, dragged in chains with hostile frown and visage,
• 6:03:30
  all inflame. First, thus began author of evil unknown till thy revolt
• 6:03:37
  unnamed in Heaven. Now plenteous as thou seest these acts of hateful strife,
• 6:03:41
  hateful to all, though heaviest by just measure, on thyself and thy adherents.
• 6:03:45
  How hast thou disturbed Heaven's blest peace and into nature brought misery uncreated till
• 6:03:52
  the crime of thy rebellion. How hast thou instill'd thy malice into thousands,
• 6:03:56
  once upright and faithful, now proved false, But think not here to trouble
• 6:04:02
  wholly rest Heaven casts THEE out from all her confines. Heaven the seed of
• 6:04:07
  bliss brooks not the works of violence and war. Hence then an evil Go
• 6:04:11
  with THEE along thy offspring, to the place of evil Hell, Thou and
• 6:04:15
  thy wicked crew there mingle broils e'er this avenging sword begin thy doom or some
• 6:04:22
  more sudden vengeance, winged from God, precipitate thee with augmented pain. So
• 6:04:27
  spake the Prince of angels, to whom thus the adversary. Nor think thou,
• 6:04:33
  with wind of aery threats to all whom. Yet with deeds thou canst
• 6:04:37
  not hast thou turn the least of these to flight, or if to fall,
• 6:04:41
  but that they rise unvanquish'd easier to transact with me than thou shouldst hope,
• 6:04:45
  imperious and with threats to chase me. Hence ere not that so shall
• 6:04:49
  end the strife which thou call'st evil, But we style the strife of glory,
• 6:04:55
  which we mean to win, or turn this heaven itself into the hell.
• 6:04:59
  Thou fablest here, however, to dwell free, if not to rain.
• 6:05:03
  Meanwhile, thy utmost force and join him, Nam'd almighty to thy,
• 6:05:07
  aid I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh. They ended
• 6:05:11
  parley, and both addressed for fight unspeakable. For who, though with the
• 6:05:15
  tongue of angels, can relate or to what things liken on earth conspicuous that
• 6:05:21
  may lift human imagination to such hight of godlike power. For likest gods,
• 6:05:26
  they seem'd stood they or moved in stature motion, arms fit to decide the
• 6:05:30
  empire of great Heaven now waved their fiery swords, and in the air made
• 6:05:36
  horrid circles two broad suns. Their shields blazed opposite, while expectations stood in
• 6:05:41
  horror from each hand. With speed retir'd where erst was thickest, fight the
• 6:05:47
  angelic throng, and left large field unsafe within the wind of such commotion,
• 6:05:52
  such as to set forth great things by small if nature's concord broke among the
• 6:05:56
  constellations, war were sprung. Two planets, rushing from a spectmaligne of fiercest
• 6:06:03
  opposition in mid sky, should combat, and their jarring spheres confound together,
• 6:06:07
  both with next to almighty arm uplifted imminent one's stroke, they aim'd that might
• 6:06:12
  determine and not need repeat, as not of power at once nor odds appeared
• 6:06:18
  in might or swift prevention. But the sword of Michael, from the armory
• 6:06:22
  of God was given him temper'd, so that neither keen nor solid might resist
• 6:06:26
  that edge. It met the sword of Satan with steep force to smite,
• 6:06:30
  descending and in half cut sheer nor stay'd, but with swift wheel reverse deep
• 6:06:36
  entering shared all his right side. Then Satan first knew pain and writhed him
• 6:06:41
  to and fro convolv'd so sore. The grinding sword with discontinuous wound, passed
• 6:06:47
  through him, but the ethereal substance closed, not long divisible, and from
• 6:06:52
  the gash a stream of nectrous humor issuing flowed sanguine, such as celestial spirits
• 6:06:57
  may bleed, and all his arms stain'd ere while so bright forthwith on all
• 6:07:03
  sides to his aid was run by angels many and strong, who interpose defense,
• 6:07:07
  while others bore him on their shields. Back to his chariot, where
• 6:07:11
  it stood, retired from off the files of war. There they him laid,
• 6:07:15
  gnashing for anguish, and despite and shame, to find himself not matchless,
• 6:07:21
  and his pride humbled by such a rebuke, so far beneath his confidence
• 6:07:25
  to equal God in power. Yet soon he healed, for spirits that live
• 6:07:30
  throughout, vital in every part, not as frail man and entrails hard or
• 6:07:33
  head, liver or rinds cannot. But by annihilating die nor in their liquid
• 6:07:40
  texture, mortal wound received no more than can the fluid air, all heart.
• 6:07:45
  They live, all head, all eye, all ear, all intellect,
• 6:07:48
  all sense, And as they please, they limb themselves and color,
• 6:07:52
  shape or size, assume as likes them best, condense or rare. Meanwhile,
• 6:07:57
  in other parts, like deed deserved memorial, where the might of Gabriel
• 6:08:02
  fought and with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array of Moloch, furious king who
• 6:08:07
  him defied and at his chariot wheels to drag him bound. Threatened, Nor
• 6:08:11
  from the holy One of Heaven, refrained his tongue blasphemous, but Anon down,
• 6:08:15
  cloven to the waist, with shattered arms and uncouth pain, fled bellowing
• 6:08:21
  on each wing. Yuriel and Raphael, his vaunting foe, though huge and
• 6:08:25
  in a rock of diamond, armed, vanquish'd Adramlek and Asthmadai, two potent
• 6:08:30
  thrones that to be less than God's disdained but meaner thoughts learned in their flight,
• 6:08:36
  mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail, Nor stood unmindful abdel to
• 6:08:41
  annoy the atheist crew, but with redoubled blow Ariel and Arioch and the violence
• 6:08:45
  of Ramiel scorched and blasted overthrow. I might relate of thousands and their names
• 6:08:52
  eturnies here on earth. But those elect angels, contented, with their fame
• 6:08:56
  in heaven, seek not the praise of men the other sord in might,
• 6:09:00
  though wondrous and in acts of war, nor of renown less eager, yet
• 6:09:03
  by doom, canceled from heaven and sacred memory, nameless in dark oblivion,
• 6:09:08
  Let them dwell for strength from truth divided, and from just illaudable, not
• 6:09:14
  merits but dispraise and ignominy. Yet to glory aspires vain glorious, and through
• 6:09:18
  infamy seeks fame. Therefore eternal silence be their doom. And now their mightiest
• 6:09:25
  quelled. The battle swerved with many an inroad, gored, deformed, rout
• 6:09:29
  entered, and foul disorder all the ground, with shivered armor strown, and
• 6:09:33
  on a heap, chariot and charioteer lay overturned, and fiery foaming steeds.
• 6:09:38
  What stood recoiled or wearied through the faint Satanic hosts, defensive scarce, or
• 6:09:45
  with pale fear surprised. Then first with fear surprised and sense of pain,
• 6:09:49
  fled ignominious to such evil brought by sin, of disobedience till that hour,
• 6:09:55
  not liable to fear or flight or pain. Far otherwise, the unviolable saints
• 6:10:00
  in Cubic Phalanx's firm advanced, entire invulnerable, impenetrably armed, such high advantages
• 6:10:07
  their innocence gave them above their foes, not to have sinned, not to
• 6:10:11
  have disobeyed in fight. They stood, unwearied, unobnoxious, to be pained
• 6:10:15
  by wound, though from their place by violence moved. End of book six,
• 6:10:22
  Part one, Book six, Part two. Now Knight her course began,
• 6:10:27
  and over heaven inducing darkness, grateful truce imposed and silence on the odious
• 6:10:33
  din of war under her cloudy covert both retired, victor and vanquished. On
• 6:10:38
  the foughten field, Michael and his angels, prevalent in camping, placed in
• 6:10:42
  guard, their watches round Cherubic waving fires. Another part, Satan with his
• 6:10:48
  rebellious disappeared far in the dark, dislodged and void of rest. His potentates
• 6:10:53
  to council called by night and in the midst thus undismayed began oh now in
• 6:11:00
  danger tried, now known in arms, not to be overpower'd companions dear found
• 6:11:07
  worthy not of liberty alone to mean pretense, But what we more affect honor,
• 6:11:12
  dominion, glory, and renown. Who have sustained one day in doubtful
• 6:11:18
  fight, And if one day, why not eternal days? What Heaven's lord
• 6:11:23
  had powerfullest to send against us from about his throne, and judged sufficient to
• 6:11:29
  subdue us to his will? But proves not so then fallible? It seems
• 6:11:34
  of future we may deem him, though till now omniscient thought true, is
• 6:11:41
  less firmly armed. Some disadvantage we endured, and pain till now not known,
• 6:11:47
  but known as soon contemned. Since now we find this our imperial form,
• 6:11:52
  incapable of mortal injury, imperishable, and though pierced with wounds soon closing,
• 6:11:59
  and by native vigor healed of evil, then so small as easy think
• 6:12:03
  the remedy perhaps more valid, arms, weapons, more violent when next we
• 6:12:10
  meet, may serve to better us and worse our foes, or equal What
• 6:12:14
  between us made the odds in nature none, if other hidden cause left them
• 6:12:18
  superior, While we can preserve unhurt our minds, an understanding sound, due
• 6:12:26
  search and consultation will disclose. He sat, and in the assembly next upstood
• 6:12:32
  Nisrock of principalities the prime as one he stood escaped from cruel fight, sore
• 6:12:37
  toiled his riven arms to havoc hewn and cloudian aspect. Thus answering spake deliverer
• 6:12:45
  from new lords leader to free enjoyment of our right as gods. Yet hard
• 6:12:51
  for gods, and too unequal work we find against unequal arms, to fight
• 6:12:56
  in pain, against unpained impassive, from which evil ruin must needs ensue for
• 6:13:03
  what avails valor or strength, though matchless, quell'd with pain, which all
• 6:13:07
  subdues and makes remiss the hands of mightiest sense of pleasure, we may well
• 6:13:14
  spare out of life, perhaps, and not repine, but live content,
• 6:13:18
  which is the calmest life. But pain is perfect misery, the worst of
• 6:13:23
  evils, and excessive overturns all patience. He who therefore can invent with what
• 6:13:30
  more forcible we may offend our yet unwounded enemies, or arm ourselves with like
• 6:13:34
  defense to me, deserves no less than for deliverance what we owe. Whereto
• 6:13:41
  with look compos'd, Satan replied, not uninvented that which thou aright belieft So
• 6:13:48
  main to our success I bring which of us who beholds the bright surface of
• 6:13:52
  this ethereous mold, whereon we stand this continent of spacious heav'n adorn'd with plant,
• 6:14:00
  root, flower, ambrosial gems, and gold, whose eye so superficially
• 6:14:04
  surveys these things as not to mind. From whence they grow deep underground materials,
• 6:14:11
  dark and crude of spirituous and fiery spume, till touched with Heaven's ray
• 6:14:17
  and temper'd they shoot forth, so beauteous opening to the ambient light. These,
• 6:14:22
  in their dark nativity, the deep shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame,
• 6:14:27
  which into hallow engines, long and round, thick, rammed at thather
• 6:14:32
  bore, with touch of fire, dilated and infuriate, shall send forth from
• 6:14:37
  far, with thundering noise, among our foes, such implements of mischief as
• 6:14:41
  shall dash to pieces and overwhelm whatever stands adverse, that they shall fear We
• 6:14:48
  have disarmed the thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. Nor long shall be our
• 6:14:53
  labor. Yet ere dawn affect shall end our wish. Meanwhile, revive a
• 6:15:00
  and in fear to strength and counsel joind think nothing hard, much less to
• 6:15:04
  be despaired he ended, and his words their drooping cheer enlightened, and their
• 6:15:11
  languished hope revived. The invention all admired, and each how he to be
• 6:15:15
  then inventor missed, so easy it seem'd once found, which yet unfound,
• 6:15:19
  most would have thought impossible, Yet haply of thy race. In future days,
• 6:15:25
  if malice should abound, some one intent on mischief, or inspired with
• 6:15:29
  devilish machination, might devise like instrument to plague the sons of men, for
• 6:15:34
  sin on war and mutual slaughter. Bent forthwith from counsel to the work,
• 6:15:40
  they flew, none arguing stood, Innumerable hands were ready. In a moment.
• 6:15:45
  Up they turn'd wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath the originals of
• 6:15:48
  nature in their crude conception, sulfurous and nitrous foam they found. They mingled,
• 6:15:55
  and with subtle art concocted and adjusted, they reduced to blackest grain,
• 6:16:00
  and into store convey'd part hidden veins digg'd up. Nor hath this earth entrails
• 6:16:04
  unlike of mineral and stone, whereof to found their engines and their balls of
• 6:16:10
  missive ruin part incentive reed provide pernicious with one touch to fire, so all
• 6:16:15
  ere day spring under conscious night secret they finish'd and in order set with silent
• 6:16:22
  circumspection, unespied. Now when fair morn orient in heav'n appear'd. Up rose
• 6:16:27
  the victor angels, and to arms the mattin trumpets sung in arms. They
• 6:16:33
  stood of golden panoply. Refulgent host soon banded. Others from the dawning hills
• 6:16:38
  looked round, and scouts each coast light arm'd scour each quarter to descry the
• 6:16:44
  distant foe, where lodg'd or whither fled, or if for fight in motion
• 6:16:48
  or in alt him. Soon they met under spread ensigns, moving nigh in
• 6:16:53
  slow but firm battalion back with speediest sail. Zephiel of Cherubim, the swiftest
• 6:17:00
  wing came flying and in mid air aloud. Thus cried arm warriors, arm
• 6:17:06
  for fight the foe at hand, whom fled, we thought will save us
• 6:17:10
  long pursuit this day. Fear not his flight, So thick a cloud he
• 6:17:15
  comes, and settled in his face, I see sad resolution and secure.
• 6:17:21
  Let each his adamantine coat gird well, and each fit well his helm,
• 6:17:26
  grip fast his orbed, shield borne even or high for this day will pour
• 6:17:30
  down if I conjecture aught no drizzling shower, but rattling storm of arrows barbed
• 6:17:36
  with fire, so warned he them aware themselves, and soon in order quit
• 6:17:41
  of all impediment instant without disturbed, they took alarm and onward move embattled,
• 6:17:48
  when behold not distant far with heavy pace, the foe approaching, gross and
• 6:17:53
  huge in hollow cube training his devilish enginery, impaled on every side, with
• 6:17:59
  shap gadoing squadrons deep to hide the fraud. At interview, both stood awhile,
• 6:18:04
  but suddenly at head appeared Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud,
• 6:18:10
  vanguard to right and left the front unfold, that all may see who hate
• 6:18:15
  us, how we seek peace and composure, And with open breast, stand
• 6:18:19
  ready to receive them if they like our overture, and turn not back perverse,
• 6:18:26
  But that I doubt, however, witness Heaven, Heaven, witness thou
• 6:18:30
  Anon. While we discharge freely our part ye who appointed, stand, do
• 6:18:34
  as you have in charge, and briefly touch what we propound and loud that
• 6:18:38
  all may hear. So, scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce had ended,
• 6:18:45
  when to right and left the front divided, and to either flank retir'd,
• 6:18:49
  which to our eyes discover'd new and strange, a triple mounted row of
• 6:18:53
  pillars, laid on wheels, For like to pillars, most they seem'd or
• 6:18:59
  hallow'd. Bodies made of oak or fir, with branches lopped in wood,
• 6:19:03
  or mountain felled brass, iron, stony mold, had not their mouths,
• 6:19:07
  with hideous orifice gaped on us, wide portending hollow truce. At each behind
• 6:19:14
  a seraph stood, and in his hand a reed stood waving, tipped with
• 6:19:18
  fire, while we, suspense collected, stood within our thoughts amused not long
• 6:19:25
  for sudden. All at once their reeds put forth, and to a narrow
• 6:19:30
  vent applied with nicest touch, immediate in a flame, but soon obscured with
• 6:19:36
  smoke. All heaven appeared from those deep throated engine's belch, whose roar emboweled
• 6:19:41
  with outrageous noise the air and all her entrails toward disgorging foul. Their devilish
• 6:19:47
  glut chained thunderbolts and hail of iron globes, which on the victor host leveled
• 6:19:52
  with such impetuous fury smote that whom they hit none on their feet might stand
• 6:19:59
  though standing el says rocks. But down they fell by thousands angel on archangel
• 6:20:03
  rolled the sooner for their arms unarmed, they might have easily as spirits evaded
• 6:20:10
  swift by quick contraction or remove. But now foul dissipation followed and forced rout,
• 6:20:17
  Nor served it to relax their serried files. What should they do if
• 6:20:22
  on they rushed, repulse, repeated and indecent overthrow doubled, would render them
• 6:20:26
  yet more despised, and to their foes of laughter, For in view stood
• 6:20:30
  rank of seraphim, another row imposture to displode their second tire of thunder back
• 6:20:37
  defeated to return, they worse, abhorred. Satan beheld their plight, and
• 6:20:42
  to his mates, thus in derision, called O friends, Why come not
• 6:20:48
  on these victors proud ere while they fierce were coming? And when we to
• 6:20:52
  entertain them fair with open front and breast, what could we more propounded?
• 6:20:57
  Terms of composition straight they changed their minds, flew off and into strange vagaries,
• 6:21:03
  fell as they would dance. Yet for a dance they seemed somewhat extravagant
• 6:21:08
  and wild, perhaps for joy of offer'd peace. But I suppose, if
• 6:21:14
  our proposals once again were heard, we should compel them to a quick result,
• 6:21:18
  to whom thus belial in like game some mood leader. The terms we
• 6:21:23
  sent were terms of weight, of hard contents, and full of force.
• 6:21:29
  Urg'd home such as we might perceive, amus'd them all and stumbled. Many
• 6:21:33
  who received them right had need from head to foot well understand not understood this
• 6:21:40
  gift they have. Besides, they show us when our foes walk not upright.
• 6:21:45
  So they, among themselves, in pleasant veins, stood scoffing, hyphened
• 6:21:51
  in their thoughts, beyond all doubt of victory eternal might to match with their
• 6:21:55
  inventions, they presum'd so easy, and of his thunder made of scorn,
• 6:22:00
  and all his host derided while they stood awhile in trouble. But they stood
• 6:22:03
  not long. Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms against such
• 6:22:07
  hellish mischief, fit to oppose. Forthwith behold the excellence the power which God
• 6:22:15
  hath in his mighty angels. Placed their arms away they threw, and to
• 6:22:19
  the hills, for earth hath this variety from heaven of pleasures, situate in
• 6:22:25
  hill and dale light as the lightning glimpse. They ran, they flew from
• 6:22:30
  their foundations, loosening to and fro. They plucked the seated hills with all
• 6:22:33
  their load, rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops uplifting
• 6:22:40
  bore them in their hands. A maze be sure and terror seized the rebel
• 6:22:45
  host when coming towards them, so dread they saw the bottom of the mountains
• 6:22:49
  upward turned till on those cursed engines triple row. They saw them whelmed,
• 6:22:55
  and all their confidence under the weight of mountains buried deep themselves. Elves invaded
• 6:23:00
  next, and on their heads main promontories flung, which in the air came
• 6:23:04
  shadowing and oppressed whole legions. Armed their armor helped their harm, crushed in
• 6:23:11
  and bruised into their substance, pent which wrought them pain, implacable, and
• 6:23:15
  many a dolorous groan, long struggling underneath. Ere they could wind out of
• 6:23:19
  such prison, though spirits of purest light, purest at first now gross by
• 6:23:26
  sinning grown the rest in imitation to like arms betook them, and the neighboring
• 6:23:30
  hills uptore. So hills amid the air, encountered hills hurled to and fro
• 6:23:37
  with jaculation dire that underground. They fought in dismal shade, infernal noise.
• 6:23:42
  War seem'd a civil game. To this uproar, horrid confusion heaped upon confusion
• 6:23:48
  rose, And now all heaven had gone to rack with ruin overspread. Had
• 6:23:53
  not Almighty Father, where he sits shrined in his sanctuary of Heaven, secure
• 6:23:59
  can insulting on the sum of things foreseen this tumult and permitted all advised that
• 6:24:06
  his great purpose he might so fulfill to honor his anointed son, avenged upon
• 6:24:11
  his enemies, and to declare all power on him transferred whence to his son,
• 6:24:15
  the assessor of his throne. He thus began effulgence of my glory,
• 6:24:22
  son, beloved son, in whose face invisible is beheld visibly? What by
• 6:24:30
  deity I am? And in whose hand? What by decree I do?
• 6:24:36
  Second omnipotence, Two days are past, two days as we compute the days
• 6:24:42
  of heaven. Since Michael and his powers went forth to tame these disobedient sore
• 6:24:49
  hath been their fight as likeliest was when two such foes met armed for to
• 6:24:56
  themselves. I left them and them, thou knowst equal in their creation,
• 6:25:02
  they were form'd save what sin hath impaired, which yet hath wrought insensibly,
• 6:25:07
  for I suspend their doom. Whence, in perpetual fight they needs must last
• 6:25:14
  endless, and no solution will be found. War wearied hath perform'd what war
• 6:25:21
  can do, and to disordered rage, let loose the reins with mountains,
• 6:25:26
  as with weapons arm'd, which makes wild work in heaven and dangerous to the
• 6:25:32
  main. Two days are therefore past. The third is thine for THEE.
• 6:25:37
  I have ordain'd it, and thus far have suffer'd that the glory may be
• 6:25:42
  Thine of ending this great war, since none but thou can end it.
• 6:25:48
  Into THEE such virtue and grace immense I have transfus'd that all may know in
• 6:25:55
  heaven and hell, thy power above compare, and then this perverse commotion govern'd
• 6:26:02
  thus to manifest thee worthiest to be heir of all things, to be heir
• 6:26:07
  and to be king by sacred unction thy deserved right. Go. Then,
• 6:26:12
  thou, mightiest, in thy father's might, Ascend my chariot, guide the
• 6:26:18
  rapid wheels that shake Heaven's basis. Bring forth all my war, my bow,
• 6:26:23
  and thunder my almighty arms, gird on and soar'd upon thy puissant thigh
• 6:26:30
  pursue these sons of darkness. Drive them out from all Heaven's bounds into thee
• 6:26:37
  uttered deep. There let them learn, as likes them, to despise God
• 6:26:41
  and Messiah, his anointed king. He said, And on his son with
• 6:26:47
  rays direct shone full he all his father full express'd ineffably into his face,
• 6:26:52
  receiv'd. And thus the filial Godhead answering, spake, O Father, O
• 6:27:00
  supreme of heav'nly thrones first, highest, holiest best. Thou always seek'st to
• 6:27:08
  glorify thy son, I always THEE as is most just this I my glory,
• 6:27:15
  account, my exaltation, and my whole delight that thou in me well
• 6:27:22
  pleas'd declast thy will fulfill'd, which to fulfill is all my bliss, scepter
• 6:27:30
  and power thy giving I assume, and gladlier shall resign when in the end
• 6:27:37
  thou shalt be all in all, and I in THEE forever and in me
• 6:27:42
  all whom thou lovest, but whom thou hatest I hate, and can put
• 6:27:48
  on thy terrors as I put thy mildness on image of THEE in all things,
• 6:27:56
  and shall soon arm'd with thy might rid heaven of these rebell'd to their
• 6:28:02
  prepar'd ill mansion, driven down to chains of darkness, and the undying worm
• 6:28:08
  that from thy just obedience could revolt whom to obey is happiness entire. Then
• 6:28:17
  shall thy saints unmix'd, and from them pure, far separate, circling thy
• 6:28:23
  holy mount, unfeign'd. Hale lujahs to thee seeing hymns of high praise,
• 6:28:30
  and I among them chief, So said he o'er, his scepter bowing rose
• 6:28:37
  from the right hand of glory where he sate, and the third sacred morn
• 6:28:41
  began to shine, dawning through heaven forth rush'd with whirlwind sound, the chariot
• 6:28:48
  of paternal deity, flashing thick flames wheal within weeal undrawn itself instinct with spirit,
• 6:28:56
  but convoyed by four cherubic shapes, four faces each had wondrous as with
• 6:29:03
  stars, their bodies all and wings were set with eyes, with eyes,
• 6:29:07
  the wheels of beryl and careering fires between. Over their heads a crystal firmament,
• 6:29:14
  whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure amber and colors of the showery
• 6:29:19
  arch he in celestial panoply all armed of radiant urim work, divinely wrought,
• 6:29:26
  ascended at his right hand, victory sate eagle winged beside him, hung his
• 6:29:32
  bow and quiver with three bolted thunder stored, and from about him fierce effusion
• 6:29:38
  rolled of smoke and bickering flame and sparkles dire Attended with ten thousand thousand saints.
• 6:29:47
  He onward came far off his coming shone and twenty thousand I their number
• 6:29:52
  heard. Chariots of God, half on each hand, were seen. He
• 6:29:56
  on the wings of cherub rode sublime on the crystalline sky in sapphire, throned
• 6:30:03
  illustrious, far and wide, but by his own first seen then unexpected joy
• 6:30:08
  surprised when the great ensign of Messiah blazed, aloft by angels, born his
• 6:30:14
  sign in Heaven, under whose conduct Michael soon reduced. His army, circumfus'd
• 6:30:19
  on either wing, under their head, embodied all in one before him,
• 6:30:25
  power divine, his way prepared at his command, the uprooted hills retir'd each
• 6:30:30
  to his place. They heard his voice and went obsequious Heaven, his wonted
• 6:30:37
  face renewed, and with fresh florets, hill and valley smiled this saw his
• 6:30:42
  hapless foes, but stood obdur'd, and to rebellious fight rallied their powers,
• 6:30:48
  insensate hope, conceiving from despair in heavenly spirits. Could such perverseness dwell.
• 6:30:56
  But to convince the proud, what signs of vail or wonder moved the abdurate
• 6:31:00
  to relent. They hardened more by what might most reclaim. Grieving to see
• 6:31:06
  his glory at the sight, took envy, and aspiring to his height,
• 6:31:11
  stood re embattled, fierce by force or fraud, weening to prosper and at
• 6:31:15
  length prevail against God and Messiah, or to fall in universal ruin last and
• 6:31:22
  now to final battle drew, disdaining flight or faint retreat, when the Great
• 6:31:26
  Son of God, to all his host on either hand, thus spake stand
• 6:31:33
  still in bright array, Ye saints, Here stand, ye angels, arm'd
• 6:31:37
  this day from battle, rest faithful hath been your warfare and of God accepted
• 6:31:45
  fearless in His righteous cause. And as ye have receiv'd, so have ye
• 6:31:51
  done invincibly. But of this cursed crewe, the punishment, to other hand
• 6:31:56
  belongs vengeance is his or whose he sole appoints number to this day's work is
• 6:32:04
  not ordain'd nor multitude. Stand only and behold God's indignation on these godless pour'd
• 6:32:14
  by me, not you, but me. They have despis'd, yet envied
• 6:32:19
  against me is all their rage. Because the Father to whom in heaven supreme
• 6:32:26
  kingdom and power and glory appertains, hath honor'd me according to his will.
• 6:32:34
  Therefore to me their doom he hath assign'd that they may have their wish to
• 6:32:41
  try with me in battle, which the stronger proves they all or I alone
• 6:32:48
  against them, since by strength they measure all of other excellence not emulous,
• 6:32:55
  nor care who them excels, nor other strife with them, do I vouchsafe.
• 6:33:02
  So spake the sun and into terror changed his countenance, too severe to
• 6:33:07
  be beheld, and full of wrath. Bent on his enemies. At once,
• 6:33:11
  the four spread out their starry wings with dreadful shade, contiguous, and
• 6:33:17
  the orbs of his fierce chariot rolled as with the sound of torrent floods or
• 6:33:22
  of a numerous host. He on his impious foes right onward, drove gloomy
• 6:33:29
  as night under his burning wheels. The steadfast Empyrean shook throughout all but the
• 6:33:34
  throne itself of God full Soon among them he arrived in his right hand,
• 6:33:41
  grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent before them, such as in their
• 6:33:45
  souls in fixed plagues. They astonished, all resistance, lost, all courage,
• 6:33:52
  down, their idle weapons, dropped, or shields and helms and helmed
• 6:33:56
  heads. He rode of thrones, and mighty seraphim, prostrate that wished the
• 6:34:00
  mountains now might be again thrown on them as a shelter from his eyre.
• 6:34:07
  Nor less on either side, tempestuous fell his arrows from the fourfold visag'd four
• 6:34:12
  distinct with eyes, and from the living wheels, distinct alike, with multitude
• 6:34:18
  of eyes. One spirit in them ruled, and every eye glared lightning,
• 6:34:22
  and shot forth pernicious fire. Among the accursed, that withered all their strength
• 6:34:26
  and of their wonted vigor, left them drain'd, exhausted, spiritless, afflicted,
• 6:34:33
  fallen yet half his strength, he put not forth, but check'd his
• 6:34:38
  thunder in mid volley, for he meant not to destroy, but root them
• 6:34:44
  out of heaven. The overthrown he rais'd, and as a herd of goats,
• 6:34:48
  or timorous flock together thronged drove them before him, thunder struck, pursued
• 6:34:53
  with terrors and with furies, to the bounds and crystal wall of Heaven,
• 6:34:57
  which, opening wide, they rolled inward, and a spacious gap disclosed into
• 6:35:03
  the wasteful deep. The monstrous sight struck them with horror backward, but far
• 6:35:08
  worse urged them behind headlong themselves. They threw down from the verge of Heaven.
• 6:35:15
  Eternal wroth burnt after them to the bottomless pit. Hell heard the unsufferable
• 6:35:21
  noise. Hell saw Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled affrighted,
• 6:35:26
  but strict fate had cast too deep her dark foundations, and too fast had
• 6:35:32
  bound. Nine days they fell confounded, Chaos roared, and felt tenfold confusion
• 6:35:38
  in their fall through his wild anarchy so huge a rout encumbered him with ruin.
• 6:35:45
  Hell at last Yawning received them whole, and on them closed Hell.
• 6:35:48
  Their fit habitation, fraught with fire, unquenchable, the house of woe and
• 6:35:55
  pain disburdened. Heaven rejoiced and soon repaired her mural breach, returning whence it
• 6:36:02
  rolled sole Victor from the expulsion of his foes Messiah, his triumphal chariot turn'd
• 6:36:07
  to meet him, all his saints, who silence stood eye witness of his
• 6:36:11
  almighty acts. With jubilee advanced, and as they went shaded with branching palm,
• 6:36:18
  each order bright sung triumph, and him sung victorious, King, son,
• 6:36:23
  heire and Lord to him dominion given worthiest to reign. He celebrated,
• 6:36:30
  rode triumphant through mid Heaven into the courts and temple of his mighty Father,
• 6:36:34
  throned on high, who into glory him receiv'd, where now he sits at
• 6:36:40
  the right hand of bliss, thus measuring things in heaven by things on earth
• 6:36:45
  at thy request, And that thou mayest beware by what is past to thee,
• 6:36:51
  I have revealed what might else to human race be hid, the discord
• 6:36:55
  which befell and war in heaven among the angelic powers, and the deep fall
• 6:37:00
  of those too high aspiring who rebelled with Satan. He who envies now thy
• 6:37:06
  state, who now is plotting how he may seduce thee also from obedience that
• 6:37:11
  with him bereaved of happiness, thou mayst partake his punishment eternal misery, which
• 6:37:18
  would be all his solace and revenge as a despite done against the most high,
• 6:37:22
  thee once to gain companion of his woe. But listen not to his
• 6:37:27
  temptations, Warn thy weaker. Let it profit THEE to have heard, by
• 6:37:32
  terrible example the reward of disobedience. Firm they might have stood, yet fell
• 6:37:38
  remember and fear to transgress. End of Book six, Part two, Book
• 6:37:45
  ten, Part one. Thus they, in Lowlia's plight, repentant, stood,
• 6:37:53
  praying for from the mercy seat above, provenient grace descending had removed the
• 6:37:59
  stony from their hearts and made new flesh regenerate grow instead that sighs now breathed,
• 6:38:06
  unutterable, which the spirit of prayer inspired, and winged for heaven with
• 6:38:10
  speedier flight than loudest oratory. Yet their port not of mean suitors, nor
• 6:38:15
  important, less seemed their petition than when the ancient pair and fables old,
• 6:38:21
  less ancient yet than these Deucylian and chas Pyah, to restore the race of
• 6:38:25
  mankind drowned before the shrine of themis stood devout to heaven. Their prayers flew
• 6:38:30
  up, nor missed the way by envious winds, blown vagabond or frustrate in
• 6:38:34
  they passed dimentionless through heavenly doors, then clad with incense, where the golden
• 6:38:40
  autofuned by their great intercessor, came in sight before the Father's throne. Them
• 6:38:45
  the glad son, presenting thus to intercede, began, See Father, what
• 6:38:52
  first fruits on earth are sprung from thy implanted grace in man? These sighs
• 6:38:56
  and prayers which in this golden censer mixed with incense, I, thy priest
• 6:39:02
  before THEE, bring fruits of more pleasing savor from thy seed sown with contrition
• 6:39:07
  in his heart than those which his own hand, manuring all the trees of
• 6:39:11
  paradise could have produced, ere fallen from innocence. Now therefore, bend thine
• 6:39:15
  ear to supplication. Hear his sighs, Thou mute, I'm skillful with what
• 6:39:22
  words to pray. Let me interpret for him, me his advocate and propitiation
• 6:39:27
  all his works on me, good or not good, in graft my merit,
• 6:39:32
  those shall perfet and for these my death shall pay. Accept me,
• 6:39:37
  and in me from these receive the smell of peace towards mankind. Let him
• 6:39:41
  live before thee reconciled, at least his days numbered, though sad till death
• 6:39:48
  his doom, which I to mitigate. Thus plead not to reverse to better
• 6:39:52
  life, shall yield him where with me all my redeemed may dwell in joy
• 6:39:56
  and bliss, made one with me, as I with thee am, one
• 6:40:03
  to whom the Father without clouds serene. All thy requests for men, excepted
• 6:40:07
  son obtain all thy request was my decree, but longer in that paradise to
• 6:40:15
  dwell. The law I gave to nature him forbids those pure immortal elements that
• 6:40:19
  no no gross, no unharmonious mixture fowl, eject him tainted now and purge
• 6:40:25
  him off as a distemper gross to er as gross and mortal food as may
• 6:40:30
  dispose him best for dissolution wrought by sin that first distempered all things, and
• 6:40:34
  of incorrupt corrupted. I at first, with two fair gifts, created him,
• 6:40:41
  endowed with happiness and immortality that fondly lost. This other served but to
• 6:40:48
  eternalize woe till I provided death. So death comes his final remedy, and
• 6:40:53
  after life tried in sharp tribulation and refined by faith and faithful works, to
• 6:40:59
  second life, waked in the renovation of the just, resigns him up with
• 6:41:03
  heaven and earth renewed. But let us call to synod all the blest through
• 6:41:07
  Heaven's wide bounds. From them. I will not hide my judgments. How
• 6:41:12
  with mankind I proceed as now with peccant angels. Light they saw, and
• 6:41:18
  in their state, though firm stood more confirmed he ended, and the sun
• 6:41:25
  gave signal high to the bright minister that watched. He blew his trumpet,
• 6:41:29
  heard an orb since perhaps when God descended, and perhaps once more to sound
• 6:41:33
  at general doom. The angelic blast filled all the regions from their blissful bowers
• 6:41:40
  of amarand and shade, fountain or spring, by the waters of life,
• 6:41:44
  where they e'er they sate in fellowships of joy. The suns of light hasted,
• 6:41:48
  resorting to the summons high, and took their seats till from his throne
• 6:41:52
  Supreme, the Almighty thus pronounced his sovereign will o suns. Like one of
• 6:42:00
  us men, is become to know both good and evil, since his taste
• 6:42:03
  of that defended fruit. But let him boast his knowledge of good lost in
• 6:42:07
  evil. God happier had it sufficed him to have known good by itself,
• 6:42:12
  and evil not at all. He sorrows now repents and praise, contrite my
• 6:42:18
  motions in him longer than they move his heart. I know, how variable
• 6:42:23
  and vain self left. Least therefore his now bolder hand, reach also of
• 6:42:30
  the tree of life, and eat and live forever, dream at least to
• 6:42:33
  live forever. To remove him, I decree and send him from the garden
• 6:42:37
  forth to till the ground whence he was taken fitter soil. Michael, this
• 6:42:45
  might be hast. Have thou in charge take to THEE from among the cheruboom,
• 6:42:49
  thy choice of flaming warriors, least the fiend or in behalf of man,
• 6:42:55
  or to invade vacant possessions, some new trouble. Raise haste THEE and
• 6:43:00
  the paradise of God without remorse, Drive out the cimvil pair from hallowed ground
• 6:43:03
  the unholy, and denounce to them and to their progeny. From thence perpetual
• 6:43:08
  banishment. Yet least they faint at the sad sentence rigorously urged, For I
• 6:43:15
  behold them, softened and with tears, bewailing their excess all terror. Hide,
• 6:43:21
  If patiently thy bidding they obey, dismiss them, not disconsolate. Reveal
• 6:43:26
  to Adam what shall come in future. Days as I shall be enlightened,
• 6:43:30
  intermix my covenant in the woman's seed renewed. So send them forth, though
• 6:43:37
  sorrowing, yet in peace. And on the east side of the garden place
• 6:43:41
  where entrance up from Eden's easiest climes, Cherubic watch and of a sword,
• 6:43:48
  the flame wide, waving all approach far off to fright and guard all passage
• 6:43:52
  to the Tree of life, least Paradise, a receptacle proof to Spirit's fowl,
• 6:43:57
  and all my trees there with whom stolen fruit man once more to delude
• 6:44:07
  he ceased, and the archangelic power prepared for swift descent with him. The
• 6:44:11
  cohort brite of watchful Cheribim, four faces each had like a double Janus,
• 6:44:18
  all their shapes spangled with eyes more numerous than those of Argus, and more
• 6:44:22
  wakeful than to drowse, charmed with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral reed of Hermes
• 6:44:27
  or his opiate rod. Meanwhile, to resolute the world with sacred light,
• 6:44:33
  Leucothea waked and with fresh dews embalmbed the earth. When Adam and first matron
• 6:44:40
  Eve had ended now their horisons and found strength added from above new hope to
• 6:44:45
  spring out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked which thus to
• 6:44:51
  Eve his welcome words renewed Eve easily may faith admit that all the good which
• 6:44:57
  we enjoy from heaven to disa sends, but that from us aught should ascend
• 6:45:02
  to Heaven so prevalent as to concern the mind of God high blest, or
• 6:45:07
  to incline his will. Hard to belief may seem, Yet this will prayer,
• 6:45:11
  or one short sigh of humane breath upborne even to the seat of God.
• 6:45:17
  For since I sought by prayer the offended deity to appease, kneeled and
• 6:45:21
  before him humbled all my heart methought, I saw him placable and mild,
• 6:45:26
  bending his ear. Persuasion in me grew that I was heard with favor.
• 6:45:32
  Peace returned home to my breast and to my memory his promise that thy seed
• 6:45:37
  shall bruise our foe, which then not minded in dismay, yet now assures
• 6:45:41
  me that the bitterness of death is past, and we shall live. Whence
• 6:45:47
  hail to thee Eve, rightly called mother of all mankind, mother of all
• 6:45:52
  things living, Since by THEE man is to live, and all things live
• 6:45:55
  for man to whom thus Eve with sad demeanor, meek, ill worthy.
• 6:46:03
  I such title should belong to me, transgressor, who for thee ordained a
• 6:46:07
  help became thy snare to me reproach rather belongs distrust and all dispraise. But
• 6:46:15
  infinite pardon was my judge that I, who first brought death on all am,
• 6:46:19
  graced the source of life. Next favorable Thou who highly thus to entitle
• 6:46:26
  me vouchsafed far other name deserving. But the field till labor calls us now
• 6:46:32
  was sweat imposed. Though after sleepless night for see the morn, all concerned
• 6:46:37
  with our unrest, begins her rosy progress, smiling. Let us forth,
• 6:46:42
  I never from thy side, henceforth the stray where'er our day's work lies,
• 6:46:48
  though now enjoined, laborious till day droop, while here we dwell what can
• 6:46:52
  be toilsome in these pleasant walks. Here let us live, though in fallen
• 6:46:57
  state. Content so spake, so wished much humbled Eve, But fate subscribed.
• 6:47:06
  Not Nature first gave signs impressed on bird beast air ere suddenly eclipsed after
• 6:47:11
  a short blush of morn nigh in her sight, the bird of Joe stooped
• 6:47:17
  from his airy tour. Two birds of Gay's plume before him drove down from
• 6:47:22
  a hill the beast that reigns in woods. First hunter then pursued a gentle
• 6:47:26
  brace, goodliest of all the forest heart and hind direct to the eastern gate
• 6:47:33
  was bent their flight. Adam observed and with his eye the chase, pursuing,
• 6:47:37
  not unmoved to Eve. Thus spake o Eve. Some further change awaits
• 6:47:44
  us nigh, which Heaven by these mute signs in nature shows forerunners of his
• 6:47:48
  purpose, or to warn us happily too secure of our discharge from penalty,
• 6:47:52
  because from death released some days? How long and what till then our life?
• 6:47:59
  Who knows or more than this than we are dust, and thither must
• 6:48:03
  return and be no more? Why else this double object in our sight of
• 6:48:07
  flight pursued in the air and o'er the ground one way the self same hour.
• 6:48:12
  Why in the east darkness ere day's mid course and morning light more orient
• 6:48:18
  in yon western cloud that draws o'er the blue firmament, a radiant white and
• 6:48:22
  slow descends with something heavenly fraught. He erred not for by this the heavenly
• 6:48:30
  bands down from a sky of jasper lighted now in paradise, and on a
• 6:48:34
  hill made alt a glorious apparition, had not doubt and carnal fear that day
• 6:48:40
  dimmed Adam's eye, not that more glorious when the angels met Jacob in mayn
• 6:48:45
  Ahem, where he saw the field pavilioned with his guardian's bright, nor that
• 6:48:52
  which on the flaming mount appeared in Dothan covered with a camph of fire against
• 6:48:56
  the Syrian king, who, to surprise, when man assassin like levied war
• 6:49:00
  war unproclaimed the princely hierarch in their bright stand there left his powers to seize
• 6:49:07
  possession of the garden, he alone to find where Adam shelter took his way,
• 6:49:12
  not unperceived of Adam, who to Eve while the great visitant approach,
• 6:49:17
  Thus spake Eve. Now expect great tidings, which perhaps of us will soon
• 6:49:22
  determine or impose new laws to be observed. For I descry from yonder blazing
• 6:49:29
  cloud that veils the hill, one of the heavenly host, and by his
• 6:49:32
  gait none of the meanest, some potentiate or of the thrones above. Such
• 6:49:37
  majesty invests him coming. Yet not terrible that I should fear, nor sociably
• 6:49:42
  mind as Raphael, that I should much confide, but solemn and sublime,
• 6:49:47
  whom not to offend with reverence, I must meet, and thou retire.
• 6:49:52
  He ended, and the archangel soon drew nigh, not in his shape celestial,
• 6:49:56
  but as man, clad to meet man. Over his lucid arms.
• 6:50:00
  A military vest of purple flow'd livelier than Molybyian or the grain of Sarah,
• 6:50:06
  worn by kings and heroes old in time of truce. Iris had dipp'd the
• 6:50:11
  wolf, his starry helm unbuckled, shew'd him prime in manhood, where youth
• 6:50:17
  ended by his side, as in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword Satan's
• 6:50:22
  dire dread, and in his hand the spear Adam bowed low, he king
• 6:50:29
  thee from his state inclined not but his coming. Thus declared Adam, Heaven's
• 6:50:36
  high behest. No preface needs sufficient, that thy prayers are heard, and
• 6:50:41
  death, then do by sentence, when thou didst transgress, defeated of his
• 6:50:45
  seizure many days given thee of grace, wherein thou mayst repent, and one
• 6:50:52
  bad act, with many deeds well done, mayst cover well. May then
• 6:50:57
  thy Lord appease to redeem THEE from death's rapacious claims. But longer in this
• 6:51:03
  paradise to dwell permits nought to remove THEE. I am come and send THEE
• 6:51:07
  from the garden forth to till the ground. Whence thou wast taken fitter soil,
• 6:51:14
  He added, not for Adam at the news heart stroke, with chilling
• 6:51:18
  gripe of sorrow, stood that all his senses bound Eve, who unseen yet
• 6:51:23
  all had heard with audible lament, discovered soon the place of her retire,
• 6:51:30
  Oh, unexpected stroke worse than of death. Must I thus leave THEE paradise,
• 6:51:36
  Thus leave THEE native soil. These happy walks and shades fit haunt of
• 6:51:41
  gods, where I had hope to spend quiet, though sad, the respite
• 6:51:45
  of that day that must be mortal to us. Both o flowers that never
• 6:51:51
  will in other climate grow My early visitation and my last at even which I
• 6:51:56
  bred up with tender hand from the first opening bud and gave ye names,
• 6:52:00
  which now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank your tribes. And
• 6:52:04
  water from the ambrosial found thee. Lastly nuptial bower by me, adorned with
• 6:52:11
  what to sight or smell, was sweet from thee. How shall thy part,
• 6:52:15
  and whither wander down into a lower world, to this obscure and wild?
• 6:52:21
  How shall we breathe in other air, less pure, accustomed to immortal
• 6:52:25
  fruits, whom thus the Angel interrupted, mild, lament, not eve,
• 6:52:33
  but patiently resign what justly thou hast lost, nor set thy heart? Thus
• 6:52:38
  over fond on that which is not thine, Thy going is not lonely.
• 6:52:45
  With thee goes thy husband him to follow thou art bound where he abides.
• 6:52:49
  Think there thy native soil adam by this from the cold, sudden, damp,
• 6:52:56
  recovering, and his scattered spirits returned to my go. Thus his humble
• 6:53:00
  words addressed celestial, whether among the thrones or named of them the highest,
• 6:53:07
  for such shape may seem Prince above princes. Gently hast thou told thy message,
• 6:53:14
  which might else in telling wound and in performing end us What besides of
• 6:53:19
  sorrow and dejection and despair our frailty can sustain thy tidings bring departure from this
• 6:53:26
  happy place, our sweet recess, and only consolation left familiar to our eyes.
• 6:53:30
  All places else inhospitable, appear and desolate, nor knowing us, nor
• 6:53:37
  known and if by prayer incessant I could hope to change the will of him
• 6:53:41
  whom all things can, I would not cease to worry him with my assiduous
• 6:53:45
  cries. But prayer against his absolute decree no more avails than breath against the
• 6:53:52
  wind blown stifling back on him that breast set forth. Therefore, to his
• 6:53:57
  great bidding, I submit this most afflicts me, that departing hence as from
• 6:54:03
  his face, I shall be hid, deprived his blessed countenance. Here I
• 6:54:07
  could frequent with worship, placed by place where he vouchsafed presents divine, and
• 6:54:12
  to my sons relate on this mount. He appeared under this tree, stood
• 6:54:18
  visible among these pines. His voice I heard here with him at this fountain,
• 6:54:22
  talked so many grateful altars. I would rear of grassy turf, and
• 6:54:26
  pile up every stone of luster from the brook in memory or monument to ages,
• 6:54:32
  and thereon offer sweet smelling gums and fruits and flowers. In yonder nether
• 6:54:37
  world, Where shall I seek his bright appearances or footsteps trace? For though
• 6:54:42
  I fled him angry, yet recalled to life prolonged and promise race, I
• 6:54:48
  now gladly behold. Though but his utmost skirts of glory, and far off
• 6:54:52
  his steps the door to whom, thus Michael, with regard benign adam,
• 6:55:00
  thou know'st heaven, his and all the earth, not this rock. Only
• 6:55:06
  his omnipresence fills land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives.
• 6:55:10
  Fomented by his virtual power, and warmed all the earth. He gave
• 6:55:15
  THEE to possess and rule, no despicable gift surmise not then his presence to
• 6:55:21
  these narrow bounds, confined of Paradise or Eden. This had been perhaps thy
• 6:55:26
  capital seat, from whence had spread. All generations had had hither come from
• 6:55:30
  all the ends of the earth to celebrate and reverence THEE, their great progenitor.
• 6:55:37
  But this pre eminence thou hast lost, brought down to dwell on even
• 6:55:41
  ground now with thy sons. Yet doubt not, but in valley and in
• 6:55:45
  plain God is as here and will be found alike, present, and all
• 6:55:49
  of his presence many a sign still following THEE, still compassing THEE round with
• 6:55:55
  goodness and paternal love, his face express and of his steps the tract divine,
• 6:56:02
  which that thou mayst believe and be confirmed. Ere thou from hence depart.
• 6:56:07
  Know I am sent to show THEE what shall come in future days.
• 6:56:10
  To THEE and to thy offspring, good with bad, expect to hear supernal
• 6:56:15
  grace, contending with simfulness of men, thereby to learn true patience, and
• 6:56:21
  to temper joy with fear and pious sorrow, equally inerd by moderation, either
• 6:56:26
  state to bear prosperous or adverse. So shalt thou lead safest thy life,
• 6:56:33
  and best prepared endure thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend this hill.
• 6:56:38
  Let Eve, for I have drenched her eyes here sleep below, while thou
• 6:56:41
  to foresight wakest, and once thou slep'st while she to life was formed to
• 6:56:51
  whom. Thus Adam gratefully replied, I send I follow THEE, save guide
• 6:56:56
  the path thou lead'st me, and to the hand of Heaven. Submit,
• 6:57:00
  however, chastening to the evil, turn my obvious breath, arming to overcome
• 6:57:03
  by suffering, and earn rest from labor one, if so I may attain,
• 6:57:10
  so both ascend. In the visions of God, it was a hill
• 6:57:15
  of paradise, the highest, from whose top the hemisphere of Earth in clearest
• 6:57:18
  ken stretched out to amplest reach of prospect lay not higher that hill, nor
• 6:57:26
  wider looking round whereon for different cause, the Tempter set our Atom in the
• 6:57:30
  wilderness to show him all the Earth's kingdoms and their glory. His eye might
• 6:57:36
  there command wherever stood city of old or modern fame, the seat of mightiest
• 6:57:41
  Empire, from the destined walls of Kambaloo, seat of Kathayan Khan and Samarkan,
• 6:57:47
  by Oxus Timir's throne, to Packin of Senean kings, and thence to
• 6:57:52
  Agra and the horror of Great Mogul, down to the golden Chersones, or
• 6:57:57
  where the Persian in Ecbatan set or since in Hispahin, or where the Russian
• 6:58:03
  Czar in Moscow, or the Sultan in Byzance turksten born. Nor could his
• 6:58:08
  I not can the Empire of Negus to its utmost port Ercuco, and the
• 6:58:14
  less maritime kings Mombasa in Kilwa and Milind and Sofala, though offer to the
• 6:58:21
  realm of Congo and Angola farthest south, or thence from Niger fled to Atlas
• 6:58:27
  Mount, the kingdoms of Alamensor Fez and Sous, Morocco and Algiers and Tremensen
• 6:58:34
  on Europe, thence and where Rome was to sway the world in spirit.
• 6:58:38
  Perhaps he also saw rich Mexico, the seat of Montezuma, and Cusco in
• 6:58:44
  Peru, the richer seat of Atabilipa, and yet unspoiled Guiana, whose great
• 6:58:48
  city Jirian sons call El Dorado. But to nobler sites Michael, from Adam's
• 6:58:56
  eye the film removed, which that false fruit that promised clearer sight had bred,
• 6:59:02
  than purged with euphrasi and rue the visual nerve. For he had much
• 6:59:06
  to see, and from the well of life three drops instilled. So deep
• 6:59:11
  the power of these ingredients pierced even to the inmost seat of mental sight,
• 6:59:17
  that Adam, now enforced to close his eyes sunk down, and all his
• 6:59:21
  spirits became intransit. But him, the gentle angel by the hand, soon
• 6:59:26
  raised, and his attention thus recalled. Adam. Now ope thine eyes,
• 6:59:33
  and first behold the effects which thy original crime hath wrought in some to spring
• 6:59:38
  from THEE who never touched thee accepted tree, nor with the snake conspired,
• 6:59:44
  nor sined thy sin. Yet from that sin derived corruption to bring forth more
• 6:59:49
  violent deeds. His eyes he opened and beheld a field part arable and tilt,
• 6:59:57
  whereon were sheaves new, the other part sheep walks and folds, if
• 7:00:03
  amidst an altar, as the landmarks stood rustic of grassy sword. Thither Anon,
• 7:00:10
  a sweaty reaper, from his tillage, brought first fruits, the green
• 7:00:12
  ear and the yellow sheaf, uncalled, as came to hand a shepherd.
• 7:00:18
  Next, more meek came with the firstlings of his flock, choicest and best.
• 7:00:23
  Then, sacrificing, laid the inwards, and their fat, with incense
• 7:00:27
  strewed on the cleft of wood, and all due rites performed his offerings.
• 7:00:33
  Soon proprietous fire from heaven consumed with nimble glance and grateful steam. The others
• 7:00:40
  not, for his was not sincere whereat he and lie raged, and as
• 7:00:45
  they talked, smote him into the middriff with a stone that beat out life.
• 7:00:49
  He fell, and deadly, pale, groaned out his soul with gushing
• 7:00:52
  blood affused. Much at that sight was Adam, and his heart dismayed.
• 7:00:57
  And thus, in haste to the Angelo cod O teacher, some great mischief
• 7:01:02
  hath befallen to that meek man, who well had sacrificed is piety thus and
• 7:01:07
  pure devotion paid to whom Michael Thus he also moved, replied, these two
• 7:01:14
  are brethren, Adam, And to come out of thy loins the unjust the
• 7:01:18
  just hath flain for envy that his brother's offering found from heaven acceptance. But
• 7:01:23
  the bloody fact will be avenged, and the other's faith approved. Loose no
• 7:01:29
  reward, though here thou see him die, rolling in dust and gore,
• 7:01:33
  to which are a sire alas both for the deed and for the cause.
• 7:01:38
  But have I now seen death? Is this the way I must return to
• 7:01:42
  native dust? O sight of terror, foul and ugly, to behold,
• 7:01:48
  horrid, to think, how horrible to feel to whom Thus Michael dst.
• 7:01:55
  Thou hast seen in his first shape on man. But many shapes of death,
• 7:01:59
  and many are the ways that lead to his grim cave, all dismal,
• 7:02:04
  yet to sense more terrible at the entrance than within. Some, as
• 7:02:08
  thou sawest by violent stroke, shall die by fire, flood, famine,
• 7:02:14
  by intemperance, more in meats and drinks, which on the earth shall bring
• 7:02:18
  disease, dire, of which a monstrous crew before thee shall appear, that
• 7:02:22
  thou mayst know what misery the inabstinence of eve shall bring on men. Immediately
• 7:02:30
  A place before his eyes appeared sad, noisome, dark, a lazar house,
• 7:02:36
  it seemed, wherein were laid numbers of all diseased, all maladies of
• 7:02:40
  ghastly spasm or racking torture, qualms of heart sake, agony, all feverish
• 7:02:45
  kinds, convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catters, intestines stood on an ulcer,
• 7:02:52
  colic pangs, dropsies and athmos, and joint racking rooms. Dire were the
• 7:02:59
  tossing, deep, the groans despair tended the sick, busiest from couch to
• 7:03:03
  couch, and over them triumphant death. His dart shook, but delayed to
• 7:03:08
  strike, though oftenvoked, with vows as their chief good and final hope,
• 7:03:15
  sight so deform. What heart of rock could long, dry eyed behold?
• 7:03:21
  Adam could not but wept, though not of woman born. Compassion quelled his
• 7:03:26
  best of man, and gave him up to tears, a space till firmer
• 7:03:30
  thoughts restrained, excess and scarce recovering words. His plaint renewed, O miserable
• 7:03:37
  mankind, to what fall degraded to what wretched state reserved better end here unborn?
• 7:03:45
  Why is life given to be thus wrested from us? Rather? Why
• 7:03:49
  obtruded on us? Thus, who, if we knew what we receive,
• 7:03:52
  would either not accept life offered or soon beg to lay it down? Glad
• 7:03:57
  to be so dismissed and pa can Thus the image of God in man created
• 7:04:03
  once so goodly in erect, though faulty, Since to such unsightly sufferings be
• 7:04:08
  debased under inhuman pains, why should not man, retaining still divine similitude in
• 7:04:15
  part from such deformities, be free and for his maker's image sake exempt their
• 7:04:22
  maker's image, answered Michael, Then forsook them when themselves they vilified to serve
• 7:04:27
  ungoverned appetite, and took his image, whom they served a brutish vice,
• 7:04:33
  inductive mainly to the sin of eve. Therefore, so object is their punishment
• 7:04:38
  disfiguring not God's likeness but their own, or if his likeness by themselves defaced
• 7:04:45
  while they pervert pure nature's healthful rules to loathe them sickness worthily, since they
• 7:04:49
  God's image did not reverence in themselves, I yield it just said Adam,
• 7:04:57
  and submit. But is there yet no other way besides these painful passages?
• 7:05:03
  How we may come to death and mix with our cannatural dust. There is,
• 7:05:11
  said Michael. If thou well observe the rule of not too much thy
• 7:05:15
  temperance taught in what thou east, and drink'st seeking from, thence due nourishment,
• 7:05:21
  not gluttonous delight, till many years o'er thy head return. So mayst
• 7:05:26
  thou live till thy ripe fruit thou drop into thy mother's lap, or be
• 7:05:30
  with ease gathered, not harshly plucked for death mature. This is old age.
• 7:05:37
  But then thou must outlive thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty,
• 7:05:41
  which will change to withered, weak and gray thy senses. Then obtuse all
• 7:05:47
  taste of pleasure, must forego to what thou hast, and for the air
• 7:05:51
  of youth, hopeful and cheerful in thy blood, will rain a melancholy damp
• 7:05:55
  of cold and dry, to weigh thy spirits down, and last consume them
• 7:06:00
  of life to whom our ancestor. Henceforth I fly not death, nor would
• 7:06:07
  prolong life much vent. Rather, how I may quit fairest and easiest of
• 7:06:11
  this conrous charge, which I must keep till my appointed day of rendering up.
• 7:06:17
  Michael to him, replied, nor love thy life, nor hate.
• 7:06:21
  But what thou lidst live? Well? How long were short permit to heaven?
• 7:06:26
  And now prepare thee for another sight? He looked and saw a spacious
• 7:06:33
  plain, whereon were tents of various hue. By some were herds of cattle
• 7:06:38
  grazing others. Whence the sound of instruments that made melodious chime was heard of
• 7:06:45
  harp an organ, and who moved their stops and chords was seen his violent
• 7:06:48
  touch instinct. Through all proportions, low and high fled and pursued transverse the
• 7:06:53
  resonant fugue. In other parts stood one who, at the forged, laboring
• 7:06:59
  to two massy clods of iron and brass had melted, whether found where casual
• 7:07:03
  fire had wasted woods on mountain or in veil down to the veins of earth,
• 7:07:08
  then s gliding hot to some cave's mouth, or whether washed by stream
• 7:07:12
  from underground. The liquid ore he drained into fit molds prepared from which he
• 7:07:18
  formed first his own tools. Then what might else be wrought, fulfill or
• 7:07:22
  graven in metal? After these but on the heather side, a different sort
• 7:07:29
  from the high neighboring hills which was their seat, down to the plain,
• 7:07:32
  descended by their guise. Just men they seemed, and all their study bent
• 7:07:37
  to worship God aright and know his works, not hid, nor those things
• 7:07:41
  lost, which might preserve freedom and peace to men. They on the plain
• 7:07:45
  long had not walked, when from the tents behold a bevy of fair women,
• 7:07:49
  richly gay in gems, in wanton dress. To the harp they sung
• 7:07:53
  soft, amorous ditties, and in dance came on. The men, though
• 7:07:57
  grave, eyed them, and let their eyes rove without rain, till in
• 7:08:03
  the amorous net fast caught they liked, and each his liking chose, And
• 7:08:07
  now of love they treat till the evening star Love's harbinger appeared. Then,
• 7:08:12
  all in heat, they light the nuptial torch and bid invoke hymen than first
• 7:08:17
  to marriage. Rites invoked with feast and music. All the tents resound such
• 7:08:22
  happy interview and fair event of love and youth, not lost songs, garlands,
• 7:08:27
  flowers, and charming symphonies attached the heart of Adam, soon inclined to
• 7:08:33
  admit delight the bent of nature which He thus expressed true opener of mine eyes,
• 7:08:40
  prime angel blest. Much better seems this vision, and more hopeful of
• 7:08:45
  peaceful days portend than these two past. Those were of hate and death or
• 7:08:51
  pain much worse. Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends, to whom,
• 7:08:56
  thus Michael, judge not what is best by pleasure, though to nature
• 7:09:00
  seeming meet created as thou art, to nobler and holy and pure conformity divine.
• 7:09:07
  Those tents thou sawest, so pleasant were the tents of wickedness, wherein
• 7:09:11
  shall dwell his race who slew his brother studious. They appear of arts that
• 7:09:18
  polished life, inventors rare, mindful of their maker, though Spirit taught them,
• 7:09:22
  but they his gifts acknowledged none. Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget
• 7:09:29
  for that fair female troope thou sawest that seemed of goddesses, so blithe,
• 7:09:34
  so smooth, so gay, yet empty of all good, wherein consists woman's
• 7:09:38
  domestic honor and chief praise, bread only and completed to the taste of lustful
• 7:09:45
  appearance, to sing, to dance, to dress, and truel the tongue
• 7:09:48
  and roll the eye. To these, that sober race of men, whose
• 7:09:52
  lives religious titled them sons of God, shall yield all their virtue, all
• 7:09:59
  their fame, ignoble to the trains and to the smiles of these fair atheists,
• 7:10:03
  And now swim in joy, ere long, to swim at large and
• 7:10:07
  laugh, for which the world ere long, a world of tears, must
• 7:10:11
  weep, to whom this atom of short joy bereft o pity and shame,
• 7:10:18
  that they who live well interred so fair, should turn aside to tread paths
• 7:10:22
  indirect or in the midway faint. But still I see the tenor of man's
• 7:10:27
  woe holds on the same, from woman to begin, from man's effeminate slackness,
• 7:10:34
  it begins, said the angel, who should better hold his place by
• 7:10:38
  wisdom and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene. He
• 7:10:47
  looked and saw wide territory spread before him, towns and rural works, between
• 7:10:52
  cities of men, with lofty gates and towers, concours and arms, fierce
• 7:10:57
  faces, threatening war. Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise, part wheeled,
• 7:11:03
  their arms, part curb the foraming steed, single or an array of
• 7:11:07
  battle ranged both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood one way. A
• 7:11:14
  band select from forage, drives a herd of beads, fair oxen and fair
• 7:11:18
  kind from a fat meadow ground or fleecy flock use in their beating lambs over
• 7:11:22
  the plain, their booty scarce with life. The shepherds fly, but call
• 7:11:27
  an aid, which tacks a bloody fray with cruel tournament. The squadrons join,
• 7:11:33
  where cattle pasture late, now scattered lies with carcasses and arms. The
• 7:11:37
  ensanguined field deserted others to a city strongly siege, encamped by battery, scale
• 7:11:45
  and mine, assaulting others from the wall defend with dart and javelin stones in
• 7:11:49
  sulfurous fire on each hand, slaughter and gigantic deeds in other parts. The
• 7:11:56
  sceptred heralds call to council in the city gates anon, gray headed men and
• 7:12:00
  grave with warriors mixed assemble and harangues are heard, but soon in factious opposition
• 7:12:06
  till at last of middle Age, when rising eminent in wise deports, spake
• 7:12:11
  much of right and wrong, of justice, of religion, truth and peace
• 7:12:15
  and judgment from above him old and young exploded and had seized with violent hads,
• 7:12:21
  had not a cloud descending snatched him, thence unseen among the throng.
• 7:12:25
  So violence proceeded, and oppression and sword law through all the plane and refuge,
• 7:12:30
  none was found. Adam was volunteers, And who is guide? Lamenting?
• 7:12:36
  Turned full sad? Oh, what are these death's ministers? Not?
• 7:12:41
  Men who thus deal death inhumanely to men, and multiplied ten thousand fold the
• 7:12:48
  sin of him who slew his brother, For of whom such massacre make they?
• 7:12:52
  But of their brethren, men of men? But who was that just
• 7:12:56
  man whom had not Heaven rescued, had in his righteousness been lost to whom
• 7:13:03
  Thus, Michael, these are the product of those illmated marriages thou sawest,
• 7:13:10
  where good with bad were matched, who of themselves abhorred to join, and
• 7:13:15
  by imprudence mixed produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these giants,
• 7:13:22
  men of high renown. For in those days might one only shall be
• 7:13:26
  admired, and valor and heroic virtue, called to overcome and battle and subdue
• 7:13:32
  nations and bring home spoils with infinite manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch
• 7:13:37
  of human glory, and for glory done of triumph, to be styled great
• 7:13:41
  conquerors, patrons of mankind, gods and son of gods, destroyers rightly called,
• 7:13:48
  and plagues of men. Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on earth,
• 7:13:55
  and what most merits fame and silence hid But he ye, the seventh,
• 7:14:00
  from thee whom thou beheldst the only righteous in a world perverse and therefore
• 7:14:06
  hated. Therefore so beset with foes, for daring single to be just an
• 7:14:11
  utter odious truth, that God would come to judge them with his saints,
• 7:14:15
  Him the most high, wrapped in a balmy cloud with winged steeds, did
• 7:14:19
  as thou sawest received to walk with God in high salvation and the climes of
• 7:14:23
  bliss, exempt from death, To show thee what reward awaits the good the
• 7:14:30
  rest, what punishment which now direct thine eyes and soon behold. End of
• 7:14:40
  Book ten, Part one, Book ten, Part two. He looked and
• 7:14:48
  saw the face of things quite changed. The brazen throat of war had ceased
• 7:14:53
  to roar, and now was turned to jollity and game, to luxury and
• 7:14:59
  riot, feast and dance, marrying or prostituting as befell, rape or adultery,
• 7:15:07
  where passing fair allured them. Thence from cups to civil broils. At
• 7:15:12
  length a reverend sire among them came, and of their doings great dislike,
• 7:15:18
  declared and testified against their ways. He oft frequented their assemblies whereso met triumphs
• 7:15:25
  or festivals, and to them preached conversion and repentance, as to souls in
• 7:15:30
  prison under judgments imminent, but all in vain, which, when he saw
• 7:15:37
  he ceased contending, and removed his tents far off. Then from the mountain,
• 7:15:41
  hewing timber tall began to build a vessel of huge bulk, measured by
• 7:15:47
  cubit length and breadth and height, smeared round with pitch, and in the
• 7:15:52
  side a door contrived, and of provisions laid in large for man and beast.
• 7:15:59
  When lo, a wonder strange of every beast and bird and insects small
• 7:16:03
  came sevens and pears, and entered in as taught their order. Last the
• 7:16:10
  sire and his three sons, with their four wives and God made fast the
• 7:16:14
  door. Meanwhile, the south wind rose, and with black wings wide hovering,
• 7:16:19
  all the clouds together drove from under heaven the hills to their supply vapor
• 7:16:26
  and exhalation. Dusk and moist set up a main, and now the thickened
• 7:16:32
  sky, like a dark ceiling, stood down, rushed the rain impetuous,
• 7:16:37
  and continued till the earth no more was seen. The floating vessels swum uplifted
• 7:16:42
  and secure with beaked prow, rode tilting o'er the waves, all dwellings else
• 7:16:48
  flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp deep under water, rolled sea,
• 7:16:56
  covered sea, sea without shore, and in their palaces where luxury late
• 7:17:02
  reigned, sea monsters whelped and stabled of mankind, so numerous late, all
• 7:17:08
  left in one small bottom swum embarked. How didst thou grieve? Then adam
• 7:17:15
  to behold the end of thy offspring? And so sad depopulation thee another flood
• 7:17:22
  of tears and sorrow, a flood thee also drowned and sunk thee as thy
• 7:17:26
  sons till gently reared by the Angel on thy feet. Thou stood'st at last,
• 7:17:33
  though comfortless, as when a father mourns his children, all in view,
• 7:17:37
  destroyed at once, and scarce to the angel utters. Thus thy plaint
• 7:17:42
  o visions ill foreseen better had I lived ignorant of future, so had borne
• 7:17:48
  my part of evil? Only each day's lot enough to bear those now that
• 7:17:53
  were dispensed the burden of many ages on me, light at once by my
• 7:17:59
  foreth knowledge, gaining birth abortive to torment me ere, there being with thought
• 7:18:04
  that they must be let. No man seek henceforth to be foretold what shall
• 7:18:10
  befall him or his children. Evil he may be sure, which neither his
• 7:18:15
  foreknowing can prevent, And he the future evil shall no less in apprehension than
• 7:18:21
  in substance, feel grievous to bear. But that care now is past.
• 7:18:26
  Man is not whom to warn. Those few escaped famine and anguish will at
• 7:18:32
  last consume wandering and watery desert. I had hope, when violence was ceased
• 7:18:37
  and war on earth, all would have gone well. Then peace would have
• 7:18:41
  crowned, with length of happy days the race of man. But I was
• 7:18:45
  far deceived. For now I see peace to corrupt, no less than war
• 7:18:51
  to waste. How comes it? Thus, unfold, celestial guide, And
• 7:18:56
  whether here the race of man will end to whom? Thus, Michael,
• 7:19:03
  those whom thou last sawest in triumph and luxurious wealth, are they first seen
• 7:19:10
  in acts of prowess eminent and great exploits, But of true virtue void who,
• 7:19:17
  having spilt much blood and done much waste, subduing nations, and achieved
• 7:19:22
  thereby fame in the world, high titles and rich prey, shall change their
• 7:19:26
  course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, surfeit and lust, till wantonness
• 7:19:33
  and pride raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. The conquered also and
• 7:19:38
  enslaved by war, shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose,
• 7:19:42
  and fear of God from whom the piety feigned in sharp contest of battle found
• 7:19:48
  no aid against invaders. Therefore cooled in zeal, thenceforth shall practice how to
• 7:19:55
  live, secure, worldly or dissolute, on what the Lord shall leave them
• 7:20:00
  to enjoy. For the earth shall bear more than enough that temperance may be
• 7:20:04
  tried. So all shall turn degenerate all depraved justice and temperance, truth and
• 7:20:11
  faith for God one man except the only son of light. In a dark
• 7:20:17
  age against example, good, against allurement, custom, and a world offended,
• 7:20:23
  fearless of reproach and scorn or violence. He of their wicked ways shall
• 7:20:29
  them admonish, and before them set the paths of righteousness, how much more
• 7:20:33
  safe and full of peace, denouncing wrath to come on their impenitence, and
• 7:20:40
  shall return of them derided. But of God observed, the one just man
• 7:20:45
  alive by his command, shall build a wondrous arc, as thou beheldest,
• 7:20:52
  to save himself and household from amidst a world devote to universal rack. No
• 7:20:57
  sooner he, with them of man and beast select for life, shall in
• 7:21:03
  the ark be lodged and sheltered round. But all the cataracts of Heaven set
• 7:21:07
  open on the earth, shall pour rain day and night, all fountains of
• 7:21:12
  the deep broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp beyond all bounds,
• 7:21:18
  till inundation rise above the highest hills. Then shall this mount of Paradise,
• 7:21:23
  by might of waves be moved out of his place, pushed by the horned
• 7:21:29
  flood, with all his verdure spoiled, and trees adrift, down the great
• 7:21:33
  river to the opening gulf. And there take root an island salt, and
• 7:21:38
  bear the haunt of seals and orcs and sea mews clang to teach thee that
• 7:21:45
  God attributes to place. No sanctity, if none be thither brought by men
• 7:21:49
  who there frequent or therein dwell. And now what further shall ensue. Behold,
• 7:21:57
  he looked and saw the arc hull on the flood, which now abated,
• 7:22:03
  For the clouds were fled, driven by a keen north wind that blowing
• 7:22:07
  dry wrinkled the face of deluge as decayed, and the clear sun on his
• 7:22:12
  wide watery glass glazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew as after
• 7:22:18
  thirst, which made their flowing shrink from standing lake to tripping ebb that stole
• 7:22:25
  with soft foot toward the deep, who now had stopped his sluices as the
• 7:22:30
  heaven his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems to
• 7:22:34
  ground fast on the top of some high mountain fixed, and now the tops
• 7:22:40
  of hills as rocks appear with clamour. Thence the rapid currents drive toward the
• 7:22:45
  retreating sea their furious tide forthwith from out the ark, a raven flies after
• 7:22:52
  him. The surer messenger, a dove, sent forth once and again to
• 7:22:56
  spy green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light. The second time,
• 7:23:03
  returning in his bill an olive leaf, he brings Pacific sign anon.
• 7:23:10
  Dry ground appears, and from his ark the ancient sire descends with all his
• 7:23:15
  train, then with uplifted hands and eyes devout, grateful to Heaven. O'er
• 7:23:21
  his head beholds a dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow conspicuous with
• 7:23:26
  three lifted colors, gay betokening peace from God and covenant new whereat. The
• 7:23:33
  heart of Adam erst so sad greatly rejoiced, and thus his joy brought forth
• 7:23:40
  O thou, that future things canst represent as present heavenly instructor, I revive
• 7:23:45
  at this last sight, assured that man shall live with all the creatures and
• 7:23:49
  their seed preserve. Far less I now lament for one whole world of wicked
• 7:23:55
  sons destroyed, than I rejoice for one man found so perfect and so just,
• 7:24:00
  that God vouchsafes to raise another world from him and all his anger to
• 7:24:04
  forget. But say, what mean these colored streaks in heaven, distended as
• 7:24:10
  the brow of God appeased? Or serve they as a glory verge of bind
• 7:24:15
  the flurid skirts of that same watery cloud, least it again dissolve and shower
• 7:24:19
  the earth to whom the archangel dexterously Thou aimest, so willingly doth God remit
• 7:24:27
  his ire, though late repenting him of man depraved, grieved at his heart
• 7:24:33
  when looking down he saw the whole earth filled with violence, and all flesh
• 7:24:37
  corrupting each their way. Yet those removed such grace shall one just man find
• 7:24:42
  in his sight that he relents not to blot out mankind, and makes a
• 7:24:48
  covenant, never to destroy the earth again by flood, nor let the sea
• 7:24:52
  surpass his bounds, nor brain to drown the world with man therein or beast.
• 7:25:00
  When he brings over the earth a cloud will therein set his triple colored
• 7:25:03
  bow, wherein to look and call to mind his covenant. Day and night,
• 7:25:08
  seed, time and harvest, heat and hoary frost shall hold their course
• 7:25:15
  till fire purge all things new, both heaven and earth, wherein the just
• 7:25:19
  shall dwell. Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end, and man,
• 7:25:26
  as from a second stock, proceed much thou hast yet to see.
• 7:25:32
  But I perceive thy mortal sight to fail. Objects divine must needs impair and
• 7:25:37
  weary human sense. Henceforth, what is to come, I will relate Thou.
• 7:25:42
  Therefore give due audience and attend this second sours of man, while yet
• 7:25:48
  but few, and while the dread of judgment past remains fresh in their minds,
• 7:25:53
  fearing the deity, with some regard to what is just and right,
• 7:25:57
  shall lead their lives and multiply apace, laboring the soil and reaping prolenteous crop,
• 7:26:04
  corn, wine and oil, and from the herd or flock oft sacrificing
• 7:26:10
  bullock, lamb or kid, with large wine offerings poured and sacred feast,
• 7:26:15
  shall spend their days enjoy unblamed, and dwell long time in peace by families
• 7:26:19
  and tribes under paternal rule, till one shall rise of proud, ambitious heart,
• 7:26:26
  who not content with fair equality fraternal state, will arrogate dominion undeserved over
• 7:26:33
  his brethren, and quite dispossesses concord and law of nature from the earth.
• 7:26:38
  Hunting and men not beasts, shall be his game, with war and hostile
• 7:26:45
  snares, such as refuse subjection to his empire. Tyrannus a mighty hunter.
• 7:26:51
  Thence he shall be styled before the Lord as in despite of heaven or from
• 7:26:56
  heaven, claiming secred sovereignty, and from rebellion shall derive his name. Though
• 7:27:03
  of rebellion others he accuse, he with a crew whom like ambition joins with
• 7:27:07
  him or under him, to Tyrannize, marching from Eden toward the west,
• 7:27:11
  shall find the plain wherein a black bitumous gurge boils out from underground the mouth
• 7:27:18
  of hell, of brick, and of that stuff they cast to build a
• 7:27:22
  city in tower whose top may reach the hen and get themselves a name.
• 7:27:27
  Least far dispersed in foreign lands, their memory be lost, regardless whether good
• 7:27:33
  or evil fame. But God, who oft descends to visit men unseen,
• 7:27:38
  and through their habitations walks to mark their doings them beholding. Soon comes down
• 7:27:45
  to see their city ere the tower obstruct heaven towers, and in derision,
• 7:27:49
  sets upon their tongues a various spirit to raise quite out their native language,
• 7:27:56
  and instead to sow a jangling noise of words unknown. Forthwith a hideous gable
• 7:28:03
  arises loud among the builders, each to other calls not understood, kill horse,
• 7:28:10
  and all in rage as mocked they storm. Great laughter was in heaven,
• 7:28:14
  and looking down to see the hubbub strange and hear the din. Thus
• 7:28:18
  was the building left ridiculous, and the work confusion named whereto. Thus Adam
• 7:28:26
  fatherly displeased, o exorable son, so to aspire above his brethren to himself,
• 7:28:32
  affirming authority usurped from God, not given. He gave us only over
• 7:28:37
  beast, fish, foul dominion absolute, that right we hold by his donation.
• 7:28:44
  But man over men he made not lord such title to himself, reserving
• 7:28:48
  human left from human free. But this usurper his encroachment, proud stays not
• 7:28:55
  on man to God his tower, and tend siege and defiance. Wret man,
• 7:29:00
  what food will he convey up thither to sustain himself and his rash army,
• 7:29:04
  where then thin air above the clouds will pine his entrails gross and famish
• 7:29:11
  him of breath, if not of bread, to whom Thus Michael, justly
• 7:29:18
  thou abhorrest that son, who, on the quiet state of men, such
• 7:29:21
  trouble brought, affecting to subdue rational liberty. Yet know withal since thy original
• 7:29:27
  lapse, true liberty is lost, which always with right reason dwells twined,
• 7:29:33
  and from her hath no individual being reason in man obscured or not obeyed.
• 7:29:41
  Immediately, inordinate desires and upstart passions catch the government from reason and to servitude
• 7:29:47
  reduce man till then free. Therefore, since he permits within himself unworthy powers
• 7:29:55
  to reign over free reason, God in judgment just subjects him from without to
• 7:30:00
  violent lords, who, oft as undeservedly enthrall his outward freedom. Tyranny must
• 7:30:07
  be, though to the tyrant thereby no excuse. Yet sometimes nations will decline
• 7:30:14
  so low from virtue, which is reason that no wrong but justice, and
• 7:30:18
  some fatal curse annext deprives them of their outward liberty, their inward lost.
• 7:30:25
  Witness the irreverent son of him who built the ark, who for the shame
• 7:30:29
  done to his father, heard this heavenly curse, servant of servants on his
• 7:30:34
  viteous race. Thus will this latter as the former world, still tend from
• 7:30:41
  bad to worse, till God, at last, wearied by their iniquities,
• 7:30:45
  withdraw his presence from among them and avert his holy eyes, resolving from thenceforth
• 7:30:51
  to leave them to their own polluted ways, and one peculiar nation to select
• 7:30:56
  from the rest of whom to be invoked, a nation from one faithful man
• 7:31:00
  to spring him on this side. Euphrates, yet residing bred up in idle
• 7:31:07
  worship O that men canst thou believe should be so stupid grown. While yet
• 7:31:12
  the patriarch lived, who scaped the flood as to forsake the Living God and
• 7:31:17
  fall to worship their own work in wood and stone for gods. Yet him,
• 7:31:22
  God the most High, vouchsafes to call by vision from his father's house
• 7:31:26
  his kindred and false gods into a land which he shall show him, and
• 7:31:32
  from him will raise a mighty nation, and upon him shower his benediction,
• 7:31:37
  so that in his seed all nations shall be blessed. He straight obeys,
• 7:31:42
  not knowing to what land, yet firm believes I see him, But THOU
• 7:31:48
  canst not with what faith. He leaves his gods, his friends, and
• 7:31:52
  native soil err of Chaldea, passing now the ford to Haran. After him
• 7:31:59
  a cumbrious train of herds and flocks in numerous servitude, not wandering poor,
• 7:32:06
  but trusting all his wealth with God who called him in a land unknown Canaan
• 7:32:11
  he now attains. I see his tents pitched about Shachem and the neighboring plain
• 7:32:17
  of moreb. There By promise he receives gift to his progeny of all that
• 7:32:22
  land from Haymath northward to the desert south, things by their names I call,
• 7:32:27
  though yet unnamed, from Hormone east to the great western Sea, Mount
• 7:32:33
  Hermone yonder sea. Each place behold in prospect, as I point them on
• 7:32:38
  the shore Mount Carmel, here the double fountain stream Jordan true limit eastward.
• 7:32:45
  But his sons shall dwell to Sinnear, that long ridge of hills. This
• 7:32:52
  ponder that all nations of the earth shall in his seed be blessed. By
• 7:32:57
  that seed is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise the serpent's head,
• 7:33:03
  whereof to thee anon plainer shall be revealed This patriarch blessed, whom faithful Abraham
• 7:33:11
  due time shall call a son, and of his son a grandchild leaves like
• 7:33:18
  him in faith, in wisdom and renown. The grandchild, with twelve sons
• 7:33:23
  increased, departs from Canaan to a land hereafter called Egypt, divided by the
• 7:33:29
  river Nile See, where it flows, disgorging at seven miles into the sea.
• 7:33:34
  To sojourn in that land, he comes invited by a younger son in
• 7:33:38
  time of Dearth, a son whose worthy deeds raise him to be the second
• 7:33:44
  in that realm of Pharaoh. There he dies and leaves his race, growing
• 7:33:48
  into a nation, and now grown suspected to a sequent king who seeks to
• 7:33:53
  stop their overgrowth as inmate guests too numerous. Whence of guests, he makes
• 7:33:59
  them slaves inhospitably and kills their infant males till by two brethren. Those two
• 7:34:07
  brethren call Moses and Aaron, sent from God to claim his people from enthrallment.
• 7:34:11
  They return with glory and spoil back to their promised land. But first
• 7:34:17
  the lawless tyrant, who denies to know their God or message to regard,
• 7:34:22
  must be compelled by signs and judgments dire to blood unshed. The rivers must
• 7:34:26
  be turned, frogs, lice, and flies. Must all his palace fill
• 7:34:32
  with loathe intrusion, and fill all the land. His cattle must of rot
• 7:34:37
  and moor and die, botches and blames. Must all his flesh emboss and
• 7:34:42
  all his people. Thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire must rend
• 7:34:48
  the Egyptian sky and wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls what it
• 7:34:53
  devours, not herb or fruit or grain. A darksome cloud of locusts swarming
• 7:35:00
  down must eat and on the ground leave nothing. Green darkness must overshadow all
• 7:35:04
  his bounds, palpable darkness and blot out three days last, with one midnight
• 7:35:12
  stroke, all the first born of Egypt must lie dead. Thus, with
• 7:35:18
  ten wounds, this river dragon, tamed at length, submits to let his
• 7:35:22
  sojourners depart, and oft humbles his stubborn heart, but still as ice more
• 7:35:29
  hardened after thaw till in his rage pursuing whom he late dismissed, the sea
• 7:35:33
  swallows him with his host, But them lets pass as on dry land between
• 7:35:38
  two crystal walls, awed by the rod of Moses, so to stand divided
• 7:35:44
  till his rescue gain their shore. Such wondrous power God to his saint,
• 7:35:48
  shall lend though present, to his angel, who shall go before them in
• 7:35:52
  a cloud and pillar of fire, to guide them in their journey and remove
• 7:35:57
  behind them. While the Abdurah king pursues all night, he will pursue,
• 7:36:03
  but his approach darkness defends between till morning. Watch. Then through the fiery
• 7:36:08
  pillar and the cloud, God looking forth will trouble all his host and craze
• 7:36:14
  their jariot wheels. Then by command Moses once more his potent rod extends over
• 7:36:19
  the sea, and the sea his rod obeys on their embattled ranks. The
• 7:36:25
  waves return and overwhelm their war the race elects safe towards Canaan from the shore,
• 7:36:30
  advance through the wild desert, not the readiest way, least entering on
• 7:36:36
  the Canaanite alarmed war terrify them an expert, and fear return them back to
• 7:36:41
  Egypt, choosing rather inglorious life with servitude for life to noble and ignoble is
• 7:36:48
  more sweet, untrained in arms, where rashness leads. Not on this also
• 7:36:53
  shall they gain by their delay in the wide wilderness. There they shall found
• 7:36:59
  their government and their great Senate. Choose through the twelve tribes, to rule
• 7:37:03
  by laws ordained God from the mount of Sinai, whose gray top shall tremble,
• 7:37:10
  He descending will himself in thunder lightning and loud trumpets sound ordain them laws
• 7:37:15
  part such as appertain to civil justice, part religious rites of sacrifice, informing
• 7:37:22
  them by types and shadows of that destined seed to bruise the serpent, by
• 7:37:26
  what means he shall achieve mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God to mortal
• 7:37:32
  ear is dreadful. They beseech that Moses might report to them his will,
• 7:37:37
  and terror cease. He grants them their desire instructed that to God is no
• 7:37:41
  access without mediator, whose high office now Moses in figure bears to introduce one
• 7:37:48
  greater of whose day he shall foretell at all the prophets in their age.
• 7:37:52
  The times of great Messiah shall sing thus laws and right established. Such de
• 7:38:00
  light hath God and man obedient to his will, that He vouchsafes among them
• 7:38:03
  to set up his tabernacle, the Holy One with mortal men to dwell by
• 7:38:10
  his prescript. A sanctuary is framed of cedar, overlaid with gold, therein
• 7:38:15
  an ark, and in this ark his testimony the records of his covenant.
• 7:38:19
  Over these a mercy seat of gold, between the wings of two bright caravan
• 7:38:25
  before him burn seven lamps, as in a zodiac representing the heavenly fires.
• 7:38:30
  Over the tent. A cloud shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by
• 7:38:34
  night, save when they journey, and at length they come, conducted by
• 7:38:38
  his Angel to the land promised to Abraham and his seed. The rest were
• 7:38:44
  long to tell how many battles fought, how many kings destroyed and kingdoms won,
• 7:38:49
  or how the sun shall in mid heaven stand still an entire day,
• 7:38:55
  and knight's due course. Abjurn Man's voice commanding sun in Gibeon stand, and
• 7:39:00
  thou moon in the Vale of Agelan till Israel overcome. So call the third
• 7:39:07
  from Abraham, son of Isaac, and from him his whole descent, who
• 7:39:11
  shall thus Canaan win. Here Adam interposed O sin from heaven enlightener of my
• 7:39:18
  darkness. Gracious things thou hast revealed, those chiefly which concern just Abraham at
• 7:39:23
  his seed. Now first I find my eyes true opening, and my heart
• 7:39:29
  much eased. Erewhile perplexed with thoughts what would become of me and all mankind?
• 7:39:36
  But now I see his day, in whom all nations shall be blessed
• 7:39:40
  favor unmerited by me, who sought forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. And yet
• 7:39:45
  I apprehend not why to those among whom God will deign to dwell on earth,
• 7:39:49
  so many and so various laws are given, so many laws argue so
• 7:39:55
  many sin among them. How can God with such reside to whom Thus Michael
• 7:40:03
  doubt not but that sin will reign among them as of thee Begot. And
• 7:40:07
  therefore was law given them to evince their natural pravity by stirring up sin against
• 7:40:12
  law, to fight that when they see law can discover sin, but not
• 7:40:17
  remove save by those shadowy expiations weak the blood of bulls and goats, they
• 7:40:22
  may conclude some blood more precious must be paid for man, just for unjust,
• 7:40:29
  that in such righteousness to them by faith imputed, they may find justification
• 7:40:33
  toward God and peace of conscience, which the law by ceremonies cannot appease,
• 7:40:40
  nor man the moral part perform, and not performing cannot live. So law
• 7:40:45
  appears imperfect, and but given with purpose to resign them in full time up
• 7:40:51
  to a better covenant, discipline from shadowy types of truth, from flesh to
• 7:40:56
  spirit, from imposition of strict laws to free excces, acceptance of large grace,
• 7:41:02
  from servile fear to filial works of law to works of faith. And
• 7:41:08
  therefore shall not Moses, though of God highly beloved being, but the minister
• 7:41:14
  of law his people into Canaan lead, But Joshua, whom the gentiles Jesus
• 7:41:19
  call his name and office bearing, who shall quell the adversary, separate and
• 7:41:26
  bring back through the world's wilderness long wandered man safe to eternal paradise of rest.
• 7:41:33
  Meanwhile, they, in their earthly canaan, placed long time, shall
• 7:41:37
  dwell and prosper But when sins national interrupt their public peace, provoking God to
• 7:41:44
  raise them enemies from whom as oft he saves them penitent by judges first,
• 7:41:48
  and then under kings, of whom the second both propiety renowned and pucient deeds.
• 7:41:55
  A promise shall receive irrevocable, that his regal throne forever shall endure.
• 7:42:00
  The like shall sing all prophecy that of the royal stock of David. So
• 7:42:06
  I name this king shall rise a sun the woman seed to thee foretold foretold
• 7:42:11
  to Abraham, as in whom shall trust all nations, and to kings foretold
• 7:42:17
  of kings the last, for of his reign shall be no end, But
• 7:42:22
  first a long succession must ensue, and his next son for wealth and wisdom
• 7:42:29
  famed the clouded ark of God, till then intense wandering shall in a glorious
• 7:42:33
  temple enshrine such follow him as shall be registered part good, part bad of
• 7:42:41
  bad. The longer scroll, whose foul, idolatries and other faults heaped to
• 7:42:45
  the popular sum will so incense God as to leave them and expose their land,
• 7:42:52
  their city, his temple, and his holy ark, with all his
• 7:42:56
  sacred things. A scorn and prey to that proud city whose high walls thou
• 7:43:02
  sawest left in confusion, Babylon. Thence called there in captivity. He lets
• 7:43:08
  them dwell the space of seventy years, then brings them back, remembering mercy
• 7:43:15
  and his covenant sworn to David, established as the days of Heaven. Returned
• 7:43:21
  from Babylon by leave of kings their lords, whom God disposed the House of
• 7:43:26
  God, they first re edify, and for a while in mean estate live
• 7:43:30
  moderate till grown in wealth and multitude factious, they grow, but first among
• 7:43:37
  the priest's dissension springs, men who attend the altar, and should most endeavor
• 7:43:41
  peace, their strife pollution brings upon the temple itself. At last they seize
• 7:43:48
  the scepter and regard not David's sons, then lose it to a stranger,
• 7:43:53
  that the true anointed King Messiah might be borne, barred of his right.
• 7:43:59
  Yet at his birth, a star unseen before in heaven proclaims him come and
• 7:44:04
  guides the Eastern sages who inquire his place to offer incense, mrh and gold.
• 7:44:11
  His place of birth, a solemn angel tells to simple shepherds keeping watch
• 7:44:15
  by night they gladly thither haste, and by a choir of squadroned angels hear
• 7:44:21
  his carol sung a virgin is his mother, but his sire the power of
• 7:44:26
  the Most High. He shall ascend the throne hereditary, and bound his reign
• 7:44:32
  with Earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heavens. He ceased, discerning
• 7:44:38
  Adam with such joy surcharged, as had like grief been dewed in tears,
• 7:44:42
  without the vent of words, which these he breathed, O, prophet of
• 7:44:48
  glad tidings, finisher of utmost hope, Now clear, I understand what oft
• 7:44:52
  my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain, Why our great expectation should be called
• 7:44:57
  the seed of woman virgin? Must other hail high in the love of heaven.
• 7:45:02
  Yet from my loins thou shalt proceed, and from the womb the son
• 7:45:06
  of God Most High. So God with man unites needs. Must the serpent
• 7:45:12
  now his capital bruise expect with mortal pain. Say where and when their fight?
• 7:45:18
  What stroke shall bruise the victor's heal to whom Thus Michael dream not of
• 7:45:25
  their fight as of a duel, or the local wounds of head or heal.
• 7:45:30
  Not therefore joins the sun manhood to God, heead with more strength to
• 7:45:34
  foil thy enemy. Nor so is overcome Satan, whose fall from heaven a
• 7:45:40
  deadlier bruise, disabled not to give thee thy death wound, which he who
• 7:45:45
  comes thy savior shall recure, not by destroying Satan, but his works in
• 7:45:51
  thee and in thy seed. Nor can this be but by fulfilling that which
• 7:45:56
  thou didst want, obedience to the law of God imposed on penalty of death,
• 7:46:03
  and suffering death, the penalty of thy transgression, doe and doe to
• 7:46:07
  theirs, which out of thine will grow. So only can high justice rest
• 7:46:12
  a paid the law of God exact he shall fulfill both by obedience and by
• 7:46:18
  love, though love alone fulfill the law by punishment. He shall endure by
• 7:46:25
  coming in the flesh to a reproachful life and cursed death, proclaiming life to
• 7:46:30
  all who shall believe in his redemption, and that his obedience imputed becomes theirs
• 7:46:36
  by faith his merits to save them, not their own, though legal works.
• 7:46:41
  For this he shall live, hated, be blasphemed, seized on,
• 7:46:45
  by force, judged, and to death condemned. A shameful and a cursed
• 7:46:52
  nailed to the cross by his own nation, slain for bringing life. But
• 7:46:56
  to the cross he nails thine enemy, the law that is against thee,
• 7:47:02
  and the sins of all mankind with him there, crucified, never to hurt
• 7:47:07
  them more who rightly trust in his satisfaction. So he dies, but soon
• 7:47:12
  revives death over him. No power shall long usurp ere the third dawning light
• 7:47:19
  returned the stars of morn, shall see him rise out of his grave,
• 7:47:23
  fresh as the dawning light. Thy ransom paid which man from death redeems his
• 7:47:29
  death for man as many as offered life neglect not, and the benefit embrace
• 7:47:33
  by faith not void of works. This godlike act annuls thy doom, the
• 7:47:40
  death thou shouldst have died in sin, forever lost from life. This act
• 7:47:45
  shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, defeating sin and death
• 7:47:52
  his two main arms, and fix far deeper in his head their stings.
• 7:47:56
  When temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel or theirs, whom he redeems a
• 7:48:02
  death like sleep, a gentle wafting to immortal life. Nor after resurrection shall
• 7:48:08
  he stay longer on earth than certain times to appear to his disciples, men
• 7:48:14
  who in his life still followed him to them, shall leave in charge to
• 7:48:18
  teach all nations what of him they learned, and his salvation. Them who
• 7:48:22
  shall believe, baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign of washing them from
• 7:48:27
  guilt of sin to life pure and in mind prepared, if so befall for
• 7:48:33
  death like that which the Redeemer died, all nations they shall teach. For
• 7:48:40
  from that day, not only to the sons of Abraham's loins, salvations shall
• 7:48:44
  be preached, but to the sons of Abraham's faith wherever through the world,
• 7:48:48
  so in his seed all nations shall be blessed. Then to the heaven of
• 7:48:55
  heavens, he shall ascend with victory, triumphing through the air over his foes,
• 7:48:59
  and thine there shall surprise the serpent Prince of Air, and drag in
• 7:49:04
  chains through all his realm, and there confounded. Leave then enter into glory
• 7:49:10
  and resume his seat at God's right hand, exalted high above all names in
• 7:49:15
  heaven. And thence shall come when this world's dissolution shall be ripe with glory
• 7:49:21
  and power to judge both quick and dead. To judge the unfaithful dead,
• 7:49:26
  but to reward his faithful and receive them into bliss, whether in heaven or
• 7:49:30
  earth. For then and earth shall be Paradise, far happier place than this
• 7:49:36
  of Eden, and far happier days. So spake the archangel Michael. Then
• 7:49:42
  paused, as at the world's great period and our sire replete with joy and
• 7:49:48
  wonder Thus replied, O goodness, infinite goodness immense, that all this good
• 7:49:56
  of evil shall produce, and evil turn to good more one wonderful than that
• 7:50:00
  which by creation first brought forth light out of darkness. Full of doubt,
• 7:50:04
  I stand whether I should repent me now of sin by me done and occasioned,
• 7:50:10
  or rejoice much more That much more good therefore shall spring to God,
• 7:50:15
  more glory, more good will to men from God, and over wrath grace
• 7:50:18
  shall abound. But say, if our deliverer up to heaven must reascend,
• 7:50:25
  what shall betide the few his faithful left among the unfaithful herd the enemies of
• 7:50:30
  truth? Who then shall guide his people who defend? Will they not deal
• 7:50:34
  worse with his followers than with him? They dealt? Be sure they will,
• 7:50:40
  said the angel. But from heaven, he to his own a comforter,
• 7:50:45
  shall send the promise of the Father, who shall dwell his spirit within
• 7:50:48
  him, and the law of faith, working through love upon their hearts,
• 7:50:52
  shall write to guide them in all truth, and also arm with spiritual armor,
• 7:50:57
  able to resist Satan's aside and quench the fiery darts what man can do
• 7:51:03
  against them, not afraid though to the death, against such cruelties, with
• 7:51:07
  inward consolations recompensed, and oft support it, so as shall maze their proudest
• 7:51:14
  persecutors. For the Spirit powered first on his apostles, whom he sends to
• 7:51:18
  evangelize the nations. Then on all baptized, shall them, with wondrous gifts,
• 7:51:25
  endue to speak all tongues and to do all miracles, as did their
• 7:51:30
  Lord before them. Thus they win great numbers of each nation, to receive
• 7:51:34
  with joy the tidings brought from Heaven. At length their ministry performed, and
• 7:51:41
  race well run, their doctrine and their story written. Left they die,
• 7:51:45
  but in their room, as they foreworn, wolves shall succeed for teachers,
• 7:51:51
  grievous wolves, who all the sacred mysteries of Heaven to their own vile advantages
• 7:51:56
  shall turned of lucre and ambition, and the true with superstitions and traditions taint
• 7:52:02
  left only in those written records pure though not but by the spirit understood,
• 7:52:07
  then shall they seek to avail themselves of names, places and titles, and
• 7:52:12
  with these to join secular power, though feigning still to act by spiritual to
• 7:52:18
  themselves, appropriating the spirit of God promised alike and given to all believers.
• 7:52:23
  And from that pretense spiritual laws by carnal power shall force on every conscience,
• 7:52:29
  laws which none shall find left them enrolled. Or what the spirit within shall
• 7:52:33
  on the heart and grave. What will they, then but force the spirit
• 7:52:38
  of grace itself and bind his consort liberty? What but unbuild his living temples
• 7:52:45
  built by faith to stand their own faith, not another's. For on earth,
• 7:52:49
  who against faith and conscience can be heard infallible? Yet many will presume.
• 7:52:56
  Whence heavy persecution shall rise on all all who, in the worship persevere
• 7:53:00
  of spirit and truth. The rest, far greater apart will deem in outward
• 7:53:07
  rights and specious forms. Religion satisfied truth shall retire is struck with slanderous darts,
• 7:53:15
  and works of faith rarely to be found. So shall the world go
• 7:53:18
  on to good, malignant to bad men, benign under her own weight,
• 7:53:25
  groaning to the day appear of respiration to the just, and vengeance to the
• 7:53:29
  wicked, at return of him so lately promised to Thy aid the woman seed
• 7:53:34
  obscurely then foretold, now amply aer known, thy Savior and Thy Lord Last
• 7:53:41
  in the clouds from heaven, to be revealed in glory of the Father,
• 7:53:45
  to dissolve Satan with his perverted world. Then raise from the conflagrant mass,
• 7:53:49
  purged and refined, new heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date,
• 7:53:56
  founded in righteousness and peace and love, to bring forth fruits, joy and
• 7:54:00
  eternal bliss. He ended, and thus Adam Last replied, how soon hath
• 7:54:08
  thy prediction seere blessed measured this transient world, the race of time till time
• 7:54:15
  stand fixed beyond is all abyss eternity, whose end no eye can reach.
• 7:54:22
  Greatly instructed, I shall hence depart greatly in peace of thought, and have
• 7:54:27
  my fill of knowledge what this vessel can contain, beyond which was my folly
• 7:54:33
  to aspire. Henceforth I learned that to obey is best, and love with
• 7:54:37
  fear the only god to walk as in his presence, ever to observe His
• 7:54:42
  providence, and on him soul depend merciful over all his works, with good,
• 7:54:48
  still overcoming evil, and by small accomplishing great things, by things deemed
• 7:54:55
  weak, subverting the worldly strong and worldly wise, by s imply meek,
• 7:55:00
  that suffering for truth's sake is fortitude to highest victory and to the faithful death.
• 7:55:07
  The gates of life taught this by his example, whom I now acknowledge,
• 7:55:11
  my redeemer, ever blessed to whom thus also the Angel last replied this,
• 7:55:21
  Having learnt, thou hast attained the sum of wisdom hope, no higher
• 7:55:26
  though all the stars thou knewest by name, at all the ethereal powers,
• 7:55:30
  all secrets of the deep, all nature's works or works of God in heaven
• 7:55:34
  e'er earth or sea, and all the riches of this world enjoinst and all
• 7:55:40
  the rule one empire. Only add deeds to thy knowledge answerable, Add faith,
• 7:55:45
  add virtue, patience, temperance, Add love by name to come called
• 7:55:52
  Charity, the soul of all the rest. Then wilt thou not be loathes
• 7:55:56
  to leave this paradise, but shall possess a paridie ice within thee happier far.
• 7:56:03
  Let us descend. Now. Therefore, from this top of speculation,
• 7:56:07
  for the hour precise exacts our parting. Hence, and see the guards by
• 7:56:11
  me encamped on yonder hill, expect their motion, at whose front a flaming
• 7:56:17
  sword in signal of remove waves fiercely round. We may no longer stay.
• 7:56:22
  Go waken Eve her also I will, gentle dreams have calmed, portending good,
• 7:56:29
  and all her spirits composed to meek submission, Thou at season fit Let
• 7:56:33
  her with thee partake what thou hast learned, Chiefly what may concern her faith
• 7:56:40
  to know the great deliverance by her seed to come, for by the woman's
• 7:56:44
  seed on all mankind, that ye may live, which will be many days
• 7:56:49
  both in one faith, unanimous, though sad, which cause for evils past,
• 7:56:55
  yet much more cheered with meditation. On the happy end, he ended,
• 7:57:00
  and they both descend the hill. Descended adam to the bower where Eve
• 7:57:06
  lay sleeping, ran before, but found her waked, and thus with words
• 7:57:10
  not sad, she him received. Whence thou returnest, and whither wentest?
• 7:57:15
  I know? For God is also in sleep and dreams advise which he hath
• 7:57:22
  sent propitious some great good presaging. Since with sorrow and heart's distress, wearied,
• 7:57:27
  I fell asleep. But now lead on in me is no delay with
• 7:57:33
  THEE. To go is to stay here without THEE here, to stay is
• 7:57:37
  to go. Hence, unwilling thou to me art all things under heaven,
• 7:57:41
  all places, Thou, who for my wilful crime art banished. Hence this
• 7:57:48
  further consolation, Yet secure I carry. Hence, though all by me is
• 7:57:52
  lost, such favor I unworthy am vouchsafed by me The promised seed shall all
• 7:57:59
  restore, So spake our mother. Eve and Adam heard well pleased, but
• 7:58:04
  answered not for now to nigh the archangel stood, and from the other hill
• 7:58:10
  to their fixed station, All in bright array, the Carabim descended on the
• 7:58:15
  ground, gliding meteorus as evening mist risen from a river oer. The Marish
• 7:58:19
  glides and gathers ground fast to the labourer's heel homeward. Returning high in front,
• 7:58:27
  advanced the brandished sword of God before them blazed fierce as a comet,
• 7:58:33
  which, with torrid heat and vapor as the Libyan air a dust, began
• 7:58:37
  to parch that temperate climb whereat in either hand. The hastening angel caught our
• 7:58:44
  lingering parents, and to the eastern gate, let them direct and down the
• 7:58:48
  cliff as fast to the subjected plain. Then disappeared. They looking back all
• 7:58:56
  the eastern side beheld of paradise. So late their happy sons eat waved over
• 7:59:00
  by that flaming brand. The gait with some dreadful faces, thronged and fiery
• 7:59:06
  arms, some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them. Soon the world
• 7:59:11
  was all before them. Where to choose their place of rest and providence their
• 7:59:15
  guide. They hand in hand with wandering steps, and slow through Eden took
• 7:59:22
  their solitary way. End of Book ten, Part two, end of Paradise
• 7:59:33
  Lost, Book three, Part one. Hail Holy Light, offspring of Heaven's
• 7:59:40
  first born, or of the eternal coeternal beam. May I express the unblamed,
• 7:59:47
  since God is light and never but in unapproached light dwelt from Eternity dwelt
• 7:59:52
  Then in thee bright affluence of bright essence in create or hearest thou rather pure
• 8:00:00
  ethereal stream whose fountain, who shall tell before the sun, before the heavens
• 8:00:07
  thou wert And at the voice of God, as with a mantle didst invest
• 8:00:11
  the rising world of waters, dark and deep, one from the void and
• 8:00:17
  formless, infinite. THEE I revisit now with bolder wing, escaped the stigen
• 8:00:22
  pool, though long detained in that obscure sojourn. While in my flight through
• 8:00:29
  utter and through middle darkness, borne with other notes than to the orphean lyre,
• 8:00:33
  I sung of chaos and eternal night, taught by the heavenly muse to
• 8:00:38
  venture down the dark descent and up to reascend, Though hard and rare,
• 8:00:45
  thee I revisit safe and feel thy sovereign, vital lamp. But thou revisit'st
• 8:00:51
  not these eyes that roll in vain to find thy piercing ray, and find
• 8:00:56
  no dawn so thin gadrop serene hath quenched their orbs, or dim suffusion veiled.
• 8:01:04
  Yet not the more cease I to wander where the muses haunt clear spring
• 8:01:10
  or shady grove or sunny hill smit with the love of sacred song. But
• 8:01:15
  chief these ion and the flowery brooks beneath that wash thy hallowed feet and warbling
• 8:01:22
  flow nightly I visit, nor sometimes forget those other two equall'd with me in
• 8:01:30
  fate, So were I equalled with them in renown, blind Thamaris and blind
• 8:01:36
  Meonides and Tyresius and Phineas prophets old then feet on thoughts that voluntary move,
• 8:01:44
  harmonious numbers, as the wakeful bird sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid
• 8:01:51
  tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year seasons return, but not to
• 8:01:56
  me returns day or the sweet approach of even or morn, or sight of
• 8:02:03
  vernal bloom or summer's rose, or flocks or herds, or human face divine,
• 8:02:11
  but cloud instead, and ever during dark surrounds me from the cheerful ways
• 8:02:17
  of men, cut off and for the book of knowledge fare presented with a
• 8:02:22
  universal blank of Nature's works to me expunged and raised, and wisdom at one
• 8:02:29
  entrance quite shut out, so much the rather thou celestial light shine inward,
• 8:02:36
  and the mind, through all her powers, irradiate their plant eyes all mist
• 8:02:41
  from thence purge and disperse, that I may see and tell of things invisible
• 8:02:47
  to mortal sight. Now had the Almighty Father from above, from the pure
• 8:02:52
  Empyrean, where he sits high, throned above all height, bent down his
• 8:02:57
  eye his own works and their works at once, to view about him,
• 8:03:03
  all the sanctities of heaven stood thick as stars, and from his sight received
• 8:03:07
  beatitude past utterance. On his right, the radiant image of his glory sat
• 8:03:15
  his only son on earth. He first beheld our two first parents, yet
• 8:03:19
  the only two of mankind, in the happy garden, placed reaping immortal fruits
• 8:03:25
  of joy and love, uninterrupted joy, unrivaled love, in blissful solitude.
• 8:03:33
  He then surveyed Hell and the gulf between and Satan, there coasting the wall
• 8:03:37
  of Heaven on this side night in the dun air sublime, and ready now
• 8:03:42
  to stoop with wearied wings and willing feet on the bare outside of this world
• 8:03:48
  that seemed firm land embosomed without firmament. Uncertain which in ocean or in air
• 8:03:55
  him God beholding from his prospect high, wherein past present few uture he beholds
• 8:04:00
  thus to his only son, for seeing spake only begotten son. Seest thou
• 8:04:07
  what rage transports our adversary, whom no bounds prescribed, no bars of Hell,
• 8:04:12
  nor all the chains heaped on him there, Nor yet the main abby's
• 8:04:18
  wide interrupt can hold so bent he seems on desperate revenge that shall redound upon
• 8:04:25
  his own rebellious head. And now through all restraint broke loose, he wings
• 8:04:30
  his way, not far off heaven, in the precincts of light, directly
• 8:04:33
  towards the new created world, and man there placed with purpose to assay if
• 8:04:40
  him by force he can destroy, or worse by some false guile, pervert,
• 8:04:45
  and shall pervert. For man will hearken to his closing lies and easily
• 8:04:52
  transgress the sole command, sole pledge of his obedience, so will fall he
• 8:04:57
  and his faithless progeny, whose fault, whose but his own? In great
• 8:05:03
  he had of me all he could have. I made him jest and right
• 8:05:08
  sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. Such I created all the
• 8:05:14
  ethereal powers and spirits, both them who stood and them who failed freely they
• 8:05:19
  stood, who stood and fell? Who fell not free? What proof could
• 8:05:25
  they have given sincere of true allegiance, constant faith, or love? Where
• 8:05:30
  only what they needs must do appeared, not what they would? What praise
• 8:05:34
  could they receive? What pleasure I from such obedience paid when will and reason
• 8:05:41
  reason also his choice useless and vain of freedom, both despoiled, made passive,
• 8:05:47
  both had served necessity not me. They therefore, as to rite,
• 8:05:52
  belonged, so were created, Nor can justly accuse their maker, or their
• 8:05:59
  making, or their fate as if predestination over ruled their will, disposed by
• 8:06:04
  absolute decree or high foreknowledge, They themselves decreed their own revolt, not I
• 8:06:11
  if I foreknew. Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, which had no
• 8:06:17
  less proved certain unforeknown. So without least impulse or shadow of fate or aught
• 8:06:23
  by me immutably foreseen, they trespass authors to themselves in all, both what
• 8:06:30
  they judge and what they choose. For so I formed them free and free,
• 8:06:36
  they must remain till they enthrall themselves. I else must change their nature
• 8:06:41
  and revoke the high decree, unchangeable, eternal, which ordained their freedom.
• 8:06:47
  They themselves ordained their fall the first sort by their own suggestion, fell self
• 8:06:52
  tempted, self depraved, man falls deceived by the other. First man therefore
• 8:06:59
  shall think find grace, the other none. In mercy and justice, both
• 8:07:03
  through heaven and earth. So shall my glory excel, But mercy first and
• 8:07:08
  last shall brightest shine. Thus, while God spake ambrosial fragrance filled all heaven,
• 8:07:17
  and in the blessed spirits elect sense of new joy, ineffable diffused beyond
• 8:07:22
  compare, the son of God was seen most glorious in him, all his
• 8:07:26
  father shown substantially expressed, and in his face divine compassion visibly appeared, love
• 8:07:33
  without end and without measure, grace which uttering thus he to his father spake,
• 8:07:41
  O Father, gracious was that word which closed thy sovereign sentence, that
• 8:07:45
  man should find grace, for which both heaven and earth shall high extol thy
• 8:07:51
  praises with the innumerable sound of hymns and sacred songs, where with thy throne
• 8:07:56
  encompassed shall resound thee ever blessed, for should man finally be lost, should
• 8:08:03
  man thy creature, late, so loved thy youngest son fall circumvented thus by
• 8:08:07
  fraud, though joined with his own folly, that be from THEE far,
• 8:08:12
  that far be from THEE Father, who art judge of all things made,
• 8:08:17
  and judgest only right. Or shall the adversary thus obtain his end and frustrate
• 8:08:22
  thine, shall he fulfill his malice and thy goodness bring to naught or proud
• 8:08:27
  return though to his heavier doom, yet with revenge accomplished, and to hell
• 8:08:33
  draw after him, the whole race of mankind by him corrupted, Or wilt
• 8:08:38
  thou thyself abolish thy creation and unmake for him what for thy glory thou'st made.
• 8:08:45
  So should thy goodness and thy greatness both be questioned and blasphemed without defense
• 8:08:52
  to whom the great Creator thus replied, O, son, in whom my
• 8:08:56
  soul hath chief delight, son of my bosom, son who art alone my
• 8:09:02
  word, my wisdom and effectual might. All hast thou spoken as my thoughts
• 8:09:07
  are, all as my eternal purpose hath decreed. Man shall not quite be
• 8:09:12
  lost but saved. Who will yet not of will in him, but grace
• 8:09:18
  in me, freely vouchsafed. Once more I will renew his lapsed powers,
• 8:09:23
  though forfeit and enthralled by sin, to foul exorbitant desires, upheld by me,
• 8:09:30
  Yet once more he shall stand on even ground against his mortal foe,
• 8:09:34
  by me upheld, that he may know how frail his fallen condition is.
• 8:09:38
  And to me oe all his deliverance, And to none but me, some
• 8:09:44
  I have chosen of peculiar grace elect above the rest, so is my will.
• 8:09:49
  The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warned their sinful state,
• 8:09:55
  and to appeased betimes the insensed deity, while offered grace in for I
• 8:10:00
  will clear their senses dark what may suffice and soften stony hearts, to pray,
• 8:10:06
  repent and bring obedience. Due to prayer, repentance and obedience, do
• 8:10:11
  though, but endeavored with sincere intent. Mine ear shall not be slow,
• 8:10:17
  mine eye not shut. And I will place within them as a guide my
• 8:10:22
  umpire conscience, whom if they will hear light after light well used, they
• 8:10:26
  shall attain, and to the end, persisting safe, arrive this my long
• 8:10:32
  sufferance and my day of grace. They who neglect and scorn shall never taste
• 8:10:37
  but hard, be hardened, blind, be blinded, more that they may
• 8:10:41
  stumble on in deeper fall. And none but such from mercy I exclude.
• 8:10:48
  But yet all is not done. Man disobeying, disloyal, breaks his fealty
• 8:10:52
  and sins against the high supremacy of Heaven, affecting Godhead, and so losing
• 8:11:00
  all to expiate his treason, hath not left but to destruction, sacred and
• 8:11:04
  devote He with his whole posterity, must die, die, he or justice
• 8:11:11
  must unless for him some other able and as willing pay the rigid satisfaction death
• 8:11:17
  for death, Say, heavenly powers, where shall we find such love,
• 8:11:21
  which of ye will be mortal to redeem man's mortal crime and just the unjustice
• 8:11:26
  save dwells in all heaven charity, so dear he asked. But all the
• 8:11:32
  heavenly choir stood mute, and silence was in heaven on man's behalf patron or
• 8:11:37
  intercessor, none appeared much less that durst upon his own head draw the deadly
• 8:11:42
  forfeiture and ransom set, And now without redemption, all mankind must have been
• 8:11:48
  lost, adjudged to death and hell by doom severe, had not the Son
• 8:11:53
  of God, in whom the fullness dwells of love divine his dearest mediation.
• 8:11:59
  Thus renew, Father, Thy word is past. Man shall find grace,
• 8:12:04
  and shall grace not find means that finds her way the speediest of thy winged
• 8:12:08
  messengers to visit all thy creatures, and to all comes unprevented, unimplored,
• 8:12:15
  unsought, happy for man so coming he her aid, can never seek,
• 8:12:21
  once dead in sins and lost, atonement for himself for offering meet indebted,
• 8:12:26
  and undone, hath none to bring behold me then me for him life for
• 8:12:33
  life I offer on me. Let thine anger fall account me man, I
• 8:12:38
  for his sake will leave thy bosom and this glory next to thee freely put
• 8:12:44
  off, and for him lastly die well pleased on me, let death wreck
• 8:12:48
  all his rage under his gloomy power. I shall not long lie anguished.
• 8:12:53
  Thou hast given me to possess life in myself forever by THEE I live,
• 8:13:00
  though now to death I yield and am his due. All that of me
• 8:13:03
  can die. Yet that debt paid, Thou wilt not leave me in the
• 8:13:07
  loathsome grave his prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul forever with corruption there to
• 8:13:14
  dwell. But I shall rise, victorious and subdue my vanquisher, spoiled of
• 8:13:18
  his vaunted spoil death his death's wound, shall then receive and stoop inglorious of
• 8:13:26
  his mortal sting, disarmed, I through the ample air in triumph high,
• 8:13:30
  shall lead Hell, captive malger hell, and show the powers of darkness.
• 8:13:36
  Bound Thou at the sight, pleased out of heaven, shalt look down and
• 8:13:40
  smile, while by THEE raised I ruin all my foes. Death last,
• 8:13:45
  and with his carcass glut the grave. Then, with the multitude of my
• 8:13:49
  redeemed, shall enter heaven long absent, and return Father to see thy face,
• 8:13:55
  wherein no cloud of anger shall remain, but peace assured and reconcilement.
• 8:14:00
  Wrath shall be no more thenceforth, but in thy presence, joy and tire.
• 8:14:07
  His words here ended, but his meek aspect silent yet spake and breathed
• 8:14:11
  immortal love to mortal men, above which only shone filial obedience. As a
• 8:14:18
  sacrifice, glad to be offered, he attends the will of his great father.
• 8:14:22
  Admiration seized all heaven what this might mean, and whither tend wondering.
• 8:14:27
  But soon the Almighty thus replied, O Thou, in heaven and earth the
• 8:14:33
  only peace found out for mankind under wrath, O thou my sole complaisance.
• 8:14:38
  Well thou knowest, how dear to me are all my works nor man the
• 8:14:42
  least though last created that for him, I spare thee from my bosom and
• 8:14:48
  right hand to save by losing thee, a while the whole race lost Thou.
• 8:14:52
  Therefore, whom thou only canst redeem their nature also to thy nature,
• 8:14:59
  Join and be thyself man among men on earth made flesh, when time shall
• 8:15:04
  be of virgin seed by wondrous birth. Be thou in Adam's room, the
• 8:15:10
  head of all mankind. Though Adam's son, as in him, perish all
• 8:15:15
  men. So in THEE, as from a second root, shall be restored,
• 8:15:18
  as many as are restored. Without THEE. None his crime makes guilty
• 8:15:23
  all his sons. Thy merit imputed, shall absolve them who renounce their own,
• 8:15:29
  both righteous and unrighteous deeds, and live in THEE transplanted, and from
• 8:15:33
  THEE receive new life. So man, as is most just, shall satisfy.
• 8:15:40
  For man be judged and die, and dying rise, and rising with
• 8:15:45
  him raise his brethren, ransomed with his own dear life. So heavenly love
• 8:15:51
  shall outdo hellish hate, giving to death and dying to redeem, so dearly
• 8:15:56
  to redeem what hellish hate so easily destroyed and still destroys in those who,
• 8:16:02
  when they may accept not grace. Nor shalt thou, by descending to assume
• 8:16:07
  man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own, Because thou hast, though throned
• 8:16:12
  in highest bliss, equal to God and equally enjoying god like fruition, quitted
• 8:16:18
  all to save a world from utter loss, and hast been found by merit
• 8:16:22
  more than birthright, son of God, found worthiest to be so by being
• 8:16:26
  good, far more than great or high. Because in THEE love hath abounded
• 8:16:33
  more than glory abounds. Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt with THEE thy manhood.
• 8:16:40
  Also to this throne. Here shalt thou sit incarnate. Here shalt reign both
• 8:16:45
  God and man son, both of God and Man, anointed universal King,
• 8:16:49
  all power, I give THEE reign forever, and assume thy merits under THEE
• 8:16:56
  as head, supreme thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions, Thy reduce all
• 8:17:00
  needs to THEE. Shall bow of them that bide in heaven or earth,
• 8:17:04
  or under earth in hell. When thou attendedt gloriously from heaven, shalt in
• 8:17:10
  the sky appear, and from THEE send the summoning archangels to proclaim thy dread
• 8:17:15
  tribunal. Forthwith from all winds the living, and forthwith the sighted dead of
• 8:17:22
  all past ages to the general doom shall hasten. Such appeal shall rouse their
• 8:17:26
  sleep. Then all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge bad men and angels
• 8:17:33
  they arraigned shall sink beneath thy sentence, Hell her numbers full, thenceforth shall
• 8:17:38
  be forever shed. Meanwhile the world shall burn, and from her ashes spring
• 8:17:45
  new heaven and earth, wherein the just shall dwell. And after all their
• 8:17:48
  tribulations long see golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, with joy and love,
• 8:17:55
  triumphing and fair truth. Then thou thy regal set shalt lay by for
• 8:18:00
  regal scepter. Then no more shall need God shall be all in all,
• 8:18:06
  but all ye gods, adore Him who to compass all this dies, Adore
• 8:18:11
  the Sun, and honor him as me end of Book three, Part one,
• 8:18:15
  Book three, Part two. No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but
• 8:18:22
  all the multitude of angels, with a shout loud as from numbers without number,
• 8:18:26
  sweet as from blessed voices uttering joy, heaven rung with jubilee and loud
• 8:18:33
  hosannas filled the eternal regions. Lowly reverent, towards either throne they bow,
• 8:18:40
  and to the ground, with solemn adoration, down they cast their crowns in
• 8:18:44
  wove with amorant and gold, immortal amorant. A flower which, once in
• 8:18:49
  Paradise, fast by the tree of life, began to bloom, but soon
• 8:18:55
  for man's offense to heaven removed where first it grew, there grows and flowers
• 8:19:00
  aloft shading the fount of life, and where the river of bliss, through
• 8:19:04
  midst of heaven rolls, or elesian flowers her amber stream. With these that
• 8:19:11
  never fade, the spirits elect bind their resplendent locks in wreathed with beams,
• 8:19:17
  now in loose garlands, thick thrown off the bright pavement, that like a
• 8:19:21
  sea of jasper shone, impurpled with celestial roses, smiled, then crowned again
• 8:19:26
  their golden harps. They took harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side
• 8:19:32
  like quivers hung and with preamble suite of charming symphony, they introduced their sacred
• 8:19:37
  song and waken raptures high. No voice exempt, no voice, but well
• 8:19:44
  could join melodious part. Such concord is in heaven thee Father. First they
• 8:19:49
  sung, omnipotent, immutable, immortal, infinite, eternal King, the author
• 8:19:56
  of all being, fountain of light, Thy thy self invisible amidst the glorious
• 8:20:02
  brightness, where thou sit'st throned, inaccessible, But when thou shadest the full
• 8:20:07
  blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud drawn round about THEE like a
• 8:20:12
  radiant shrine. Dark with excessive bright, thy skirts appear yet dazzle heaven that
• 8:20:18
  brightest Seraphim approached not but with both wings veil their eyes THEE. Next they
• 8:20:26
  sang of all creation, first begotten Sun, divine similitude, in whose conspicuous
• 8:20:33
  countenance, without cloud made visible, the Almighty Father shines, whom else no
• 8:20:38
  creature can behold. On THEE. Impressed, the effulgence of his glory abides
• 8:20:44
  transfused on thee, his ample spirit rests he Heaven of heavens, and all
• 8:20:49
  the powers therein. By THEE created, and by THEE threw down the aspiring
• 8:20:55
  dominations. Thou that day, thy father's dreadful thunder didat not spare nor stop
• 8:21:02
  thy flaming chariot wheels that shook Heaven's everlasting frame. While o'er the next thou
• 8:21:07
  drovest of warring angels, disarrayed back from pursuit thy powers. With loud acclaim,
• 8:21:14
  THEE only extolled, son of thy father's might to execute fierce vengeance on
• 8:21:19
  his foes, not so on man him through their malice fallen Father of mercy
• 8:21:26
  and grace, Thou didst not doom so strictly, but much more to pity
• 8:21:30
  incline. No sooner did thy dear and only son perceive THEE purposed not to
• 8:21:36
  doom frail man so strictly, but much more to pity inclined he to appease
• 8:21:41
  thy wrath and end the strife of mercy and justice in thy face discerned,
• 8:21:47
  regardless of the bliss wherein he sat, second to THEE, offered himself to
• 8:21:52
  die for man's offense. O unexampled love, Love nowhere to be found less
• 8:21:57
  than divine hale, Son of God, Savior of men. Thy name shall
• 8:22:03
  be the copious matter of my song henceforth, and never shall my harp thy
• 8:22:07
  praise forget, nor from thy father's praise disjoin. Thus they in heaven above
• 8:22:15
  the starry sphere, their happy hours in joy and hymning spent meanwhile upon the
• 8:22:22
  firm, opacous globe of this round world, whose first convex divides the luminous
• 8:22:26
  inferior orbs enclosed from chaos and the inroad of darkness, Old Satan alighted walks
• 8:22:34
  a globe far off, it seemed, now seems a boundless continent, dark,
• 8:22:41
  waste and wild, under the frown of night, starless exposed and ever
• 8:22:45
  threatening storms of chaos blustering round inclement sky, save on that side which from
• 8:22:52
  the wall of heaven, though distant far some small reflection gains of glimmering air
• 8:22:57
  less, vexed with temper loud. Here walked the fiend at large in spacious
• 8:23:03
  field, as when a vulture on Immaeus bread whose snowy ridge the roving tartar
• 8:23:08
  bounds, dislodging from a region scarce of prey, to gorge the flesh of
• 8:23:14
  lambs or yeeling kids on hills where flocks are fed, flies toward the springs
• 8:23:18
  of Ganges or Hidaspis Indian streams. But in his way lights on the barren
• 8:23:25
  plains of Sarakhana, where Chineses drive with sails and wind their caney wagons.
• 8:23:30
  Light So on this windy sea of land. The fiend walked up and down
• 8:23:34
  alone, bent on his prey. Alone. For other creature in this place,
• 8:23:38
  living or lifeless, to be found was none, none yet but store
• 8:23:44
  hereafter from the earth up hither like aerial vapors flew of all things transitory and
• 8:23:49
  vain. When sin with vanity had filled the works of men, both all
• 8:23:55
  things vain, and all who in vain things built their fond hopes of glory
• 8:24:00
  or lasting fame, or happiness in this or the other life. All who
• 8:24:04
  have their reward on earth, the fruits of painful superstition and blind zeal,
• 8:24:10
  not seeking but the praise of man, here find fit retribution empty as their
• 8:24:15
  deeds. All the unaccomplished works of nature's hand, abortive, monstrous, or
• 8:24:22
  unkindly mixed, dissolved on earth. Fleet hither and in vain till final dissolution,
• 8:24:27
  wander here, not in the neighboring moon, as some have dreamed.
• 8:24:33
  Those argent fields, more likely inhabitants, translated saints or middle spirits, hold
• 8:24:37
  betwixt the angelical and human kind, hither of ill joined sons and daughters born
• 8:24:44
  first from the ancient world, Those giants came with many a vain exploit,
• 8:24:48
  though then renowned the builders. Next of Babel on the plain of senne Are,
• 8:24:55
  and still with vain design, new babbels had they wherewithal would build others
• 8:25:00
  came single, He who to be deemed a god, leaped fondly into atina
• 8:25:04
  flames Empodocles, and he who to enjoy Plato's Elysium, leaped into the sea
• 8:25:11
  Cleombrotus, and many more too long embryos and idiots, Aramites and friars,
• 8:25:17
  white, black and gray, with all their trumpery. Here pilgrim's roam,
• 8:25:22
  that strayed so far to seek Ingalgathe hymn dead who lives in heaven, And
• 8:25:27
  they who to be sure of paradise dying, put on the weeds of dominic
• 8:25:33
  or in Franciscan think, to pass disguised. They passed the planets seven,
• 8:25:37
  and passed the fixed, and that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs the trepidation talked,
• 8:25:44
  and that first moved, And now Saint Peter at Heaven's wicket seems to
• 8:25:48
  weight them with his keys. And now at foot of Heaven's ascent, they
• 8:25:52
  lift their feet when lo a violent cross wind from either coast blows them transversed
• 8:26:00
  ten thousand leagues awry into the devious air. Then might ye see cowls,
• 8:26:04
  hoods, and habits with their wearers tossed and fluttered into rags. Then relics,
• 8:26:10
  beads, indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls, the sport of winds.
• 8:26:15
  All these upwhirled aloft, fly o'er the backside of the world, far
• 8:26:21
  off into a limbo large and broad, since called the Paradise of fools to
• 8:26:26
  few unknown long after, now unpeopled and untrod, all this dark globe the
• 8:26:33
  fiend found as he passed, and long he wandered, till at last a
• 8:26:37
  gleam of dawning light turned thitherward. In haste his traveled steps far distant,
• 8:26:41
  he descries, ascending by degrees magnificent up to the wall of Heaven, a
• 8:26:47
  structure high at top, whereof but far more rich, appeared the work as
• 8:26:52
  of a kingly palace gate, with frontispiece of diamond and gold, embellished thick
• 8:26:57
  with sparkling orient gems. The portal shone inimitable on earth by model or by
• 8:27:03
  shading pencil drawn. The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw angels ascending and
• 8:27:10
  descending, bands of guardians bright. When he from Esau fled to padan Araum
• 8:27:15
  in the field of Lewes, dreaming by night under the open sky, and
• 8:27:21
  waking, cried, this is the gate of Heaven. Each stair mysteriously was
• 8:27:26
  met nor stood. There always but drawn up to Heaven, sometimes viewless,
• 8:27:32
  and underneath a bright sea flowed of jasper or of liquid pearl, whereon who
• 8:27:37
  after came from Earth sailing arrived, wafted by angels, or flew o'er the
• 8:27:41
  lake, wrapped in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. The stairs were then
• 8:27:48
  let down, whether to dare the fiend by easy assent, or aggravate his
• 8:27:52
  sad exclusion from the doors of bliss direct against which opened from beneath just o'er
• 8:27:59
  the blissful seat of Paradise, a passage down to the Earth, a passage
• 8:28:03
  wide, wider by far than that of after times over Mount Zion, and
• 8:28:08
  though that were large over the promised land to God so dear by which to
• 8:28:14
  visit oft those happy tribes on high behests, his angels to and fro passed
• 8:28:18
  frequent, and his eye with choice regard from Panaeus, the fount of Jordan's
• 8:28:25
  flood to beare Saba, where the Holy Land borders on Egypt, and the
• 8:28:29
  Arabian shore, so wide the opening seemed where bounds were set to darkness,
• 8:28:34
  such as bound the ocean wave Satan from hence, now on the lower stair
• 8:28:41
  that scaled by steps of gold to heaven Gate, looks down with wonder at
• 8:28:45
  the sudden view of all this world at once, as when a scout through
• 8:28:49
  dark and desert ways, with peril gone all night, at last, by
• 8:28:55
  break of cheerful dawn, obtains the brow of some high climbing hill, which
• 8:29:00
  which to his eye discovers, unaware the goodly prospect of some foreign land first
• 8:29:04
  seen, or some renowned metropolis with glistering spires and pinnacles adorned, which now
• 8:29:11
  the rising sun gilds with his beams such wonder seed, though after heaven seen
• 8:29:18
  the spirit malign, but much more envy seed. At sight of all this
• 8:29:22
  world beheld so fair round, he surveys, and well might where he stood
• 8:29:27
  so high above the circling canopy of night's extended shade, from eastern point of
• 8:29:33
  Libra to the fleecy star that bears Andromeda, far off Atlantic seas beyond the
• 8:29:38
  horizon. Then from pole to pole he views in breadth, and without longer
• 8:29:45
  pause, down right into the world's first region, throws his flight precipitate,
• 8:29:49
  and winds with ease through the pure marble air, his oblique way amongst innumerable
• 8:29:55
  stars that shone stars distant but nighand seemed other worlds, or other worlds they
• 8:30:02
  seemed, or happy isles like those Hesperian gardens, famed of old fortunate fields
• 8:30:07
  and groves and flowery vales, thrice happy isles. But who dwelt happy there
• 8:30:14
  he stayed not to inquire. Above them all the golden sun, in splendor
• 8:30:18
  likest heaven, allured his eye thither his course he bends through the calm firmament,
• 8:30:25
  but up or down by center or eccentric hard to tell, or longitude,
• 8:30:30
  where the great luminary aloof the vulgar constellations thick, that from his lordly
• 8:30:34
  eye keep distance due dispenses light from far. They, as they move their
• 8:30:40
  starry dance in numbers that compute days, months, and years, towards his
• 8:30:45
  all cheering lamp, turn swift their various motions, or are turned by his
• 8:30:49
  magnetic beam that gently warms the universe, and to each inward part with gentle
• 8:30:56
  penetration, though unseen, shoots invisible virtue even to the deep. So wondrously
• 8:31:03
  was set his station bright There lands the fiend, a spot like which perhaps
• 8:31:08
  astronomer in the Sun's lucent orb through his glazed optic tube, yet never saw
• 8:31:15
  the place he found beyond expression bright compared with aught on earth, metal or
• 8:31:19
  stone, not all parts like, but all alike, informed with radiant light,
• 8:31:26
  as glowing iron with fire. If metal parts seemed gold, part silver
• 8:31:30
  clear, if stone carbuncle most or chrysolite, ruby or topaz to the twelve
• 8:31:37
  that shone in Erin's breastplate, and a stone besides imagined rather oft than elsewhere,
• 8:31:42
  seen that stone, or like to that which here below. Philosophers in
• 8:31:48
  vain, so long of sought in vain, though by their powerful art they
• 8:31:52
  bind volatile hermes and call up unbound in various shapes. Old proteus from the
• 8:31:57
  sea, drained through a limb to his native form. What wonder, then,
• 8:32:01
  if fields and regions here breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run potable
• 8:32:07
  gold. When with one virtuous touch the archchemmick sun, so far from us
• 8:32:13
  remote, produces with terrestrial humor mixed here in the dark, so many precious
• 8:32:17
  things of color, glorious and effects so rare here matter new to gaze.
• 8:32:23
  The devil met undazzled far and wide. His eye commands for sight. No
• 8:32:30
  obstacle found here, nor shade, but all sunshine, as when his beams
• 8:32:35
  at noon culminate from the equator, as they now shot upward, still direct,
• 8:32:39
  whence no way round shadow from body opaque can fall, And the air
• 8:32:45
  nowhere so clear, sharpened his visual ray to objects distant far, whereby he
• 8:32:51
  soon saw within can a glorious angel stand, the same whom John saw also
• 8:32:57
  in the sun. His back was turned, but not his brightness hid of
• 8:33:01
  beaming sunny rays. A golden tire circled his head, nor less his locks
• 8:33:07
  behind, illustrious on his shoulders, fledged with wings lay waving round on some
• 8:33:12
  great charge employed, he seem'd or fixed in cogitation, deep glad was the
• 8:33:17
  spirit impure, as now in hope to find who might direct his wandering flight
• 8:33:22
  to Paradise, the happy seat of man, his journeys, and and our
• 8:33:27
  beginning woe. But first he casts to change his proper shape, which else
• 8:33:32
  might work him danger or delay. And now a stripling cherub, he appears
• 8:33:37
  not of the prime yet, such as in his face youth smiled celestial,
• 8:33:42
  and to every limb suitable grace diffused so well he feigned under a coronet,
• 8:33:47
  his flowing hair in curls on either cheek played wings. He wore of many
• 8:33:52
  a colored plume sprinkled with gold, his habit fit for speed succinct, and
• 8:33:59
  held before his its decent steps a silver wand he drew not nigh unheard the
• 8:34:04
  angel bright Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned admonished by his ear,
• 8:34:09
  and straight was known. There are changel Uriel, one of the seven,
• 8:34:14
  who, in God's presence, nearest to his throne, stand ready at
• 8:34:17
  command. And are his eyes that run through all the heavens, or down
• 8:34:22
  to the earth, bear his swift errands over moist and dry, or sea
• 8:34:25
  and land him Satan. Thus accosts Uriel, for thou of those seven spirits
• 8:34:31
  that stand in sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright the first art,
• 8:34:37
  won't his great authentic will interpreter through highest heaven to bring where all his sons
• 8:34:43
  thy embassy attend, and here art likeliest by supreme decree, like honor to
• 8:34:49
  obtain, and as his eye to visit oft this new creation round unspeakable desire
• 8:34:54
  to see and know all these his wondrous works. But chiefly Man his chief,
• 8:35:00
  delight and favor him, for whom all these his works so wondrous he
• 8:35:06
  ordained, hath brought me from the choirs of Cherubim alone, Thus wandering brightest
• 8:35:12
  Serah, tell in which of all these shining orbs hath man his fixed seat?
• 8:35:16
  Or fixed seat hath none but all these shining orbs his choice to dwell
• 8:35:21
  that I may find him, And with secret gaze or open admiration him.
• 8:35:25
  Behold on whom the great Creator hath bestowed worlds, and on whom hath all
• 8:35:30
  these graces poured that, both in him and all things as is meet the
• 8:35:36
  universal maker, we may praise, who justly hath driven out his rebel foes
• 8:35:39
  to deepest hell, and to repair that loss, created this new happy race
• 8:35:45
  of men to serve him better. Wise are all his ways, So spake
• 8:35:50
  the false dissembler, unperceived, For neither man nor angel can discern hypocrisy,
• 8:35:55
  the only evil that walks invisible except God alone, by his permissive will,
• 8:36:01
  through heaven and earth and oft. Though wisdom wake, Suspicion sleeps at Wisdom's
• 8:36:07
  gate, and to simplicity resigns her charge. While goodness thinks no ill where
• 8:36:13
  no ill seems, which now for once beguiled Uriel though regent of the Sun,
• 8:36:19
  and held the sharpest sighted spirit of all in heaven, who to the
• 8:36:22
  fraudulent impostor fowl, in his uprightness answer Thus returned fair Angel. Thy desire,
• 8:36:29
  which tends to know the works of God, thereby to glorify the great
• 8:36:32
  work Master, leads to no excess that reaches blame, but rather merit's praise.
• 8:36:38
  The more it seems excess that led thee hither from thy emperial mansion.
• 8:36:44
  Thus alone to witness with thine eyes what some perhaps contented with report here only
• 8:36:50
  in heaven. For wonderful indeed, are all his works pleasant to know and
• 8:36:53
  worthiest to be all had in remembrance, always with delight. But what created
• 8:37:00
  mind can comprehend their number, or the wisdom infinite that brought them forth,
• 8:37:05
  but hid their causes. Deep I saw when at his word the formless mass
• 8:37:10
  this world's material mold came to a heap confusion heard his voice, and wild
• 8:37:16
  uproar stood, ruled, stood, vast infinitude, confined till at his second
• 8:37:22
  bidding, darkness fled, Light shone an order from disorder, sprung swift to
• 8:37:29
  their several quarters. Hasted, Then the cumbrous elements earth, flood, air
• 8:37:34
  fire, and this ethereal quintessence of heaven flew upward, spirited with various forms
• 8:37:39
  that rolled orbicular and turned to stars, numberless as thou seest, and how
• 8:37:45
  they move, each had his place appointed, each his course. The rest
• 8:37:50
  in circuit walls this universe. Look downward on that globe whose hither side,
• 8:37:55
  with light from hence, though but reflected shines. That place is Earth,
• 8:38:00
  the seat of man that light his day, which else, as the other
• 8:38:05
  hemisphere, night would invade. But there the neighb'ring moon, so called that
• 8:38:09
  opposite fair star. Her aid timely interposes, and her monthly round still ending,
• 8:38:15
  still renewing through mid heaven. With borrowed light, her countenance try form,
• 8:38:21
  hence fills and empties to enlighten the earth, and in her pale dominion
• 8:38:25
  checks the night. That spot to which I point is Paradise, Adam's abode,
• 8:38:30
  those lofty shades, his bower thy way, Thou canst not miss me
• 8:38:36
  mine requires Thus said he turn'd and Satan, bowing low as to superior spirits,
• 8:38:42
  is wont in heaven, where honor due and reverence none neglects. Took
• 8:38:46
  leave, and toward the coast of Earth, beneath down from the ecliptic,
• 8:38:51
  sped with hoped success, throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel,
• 8:38:55
  nor stay'd till on ny F eighty's top he lights. End of Book three,
• 8:39:00
  Part two, Book two, Part one, High on a throne of
• 8:39:07
  royal state, which far outshone the wealth of Ormus and of innd Or,
• 8:39:12
  where the gorgeous east, with richest hand showers on her king's barbaric pearl and
• 8:39:16
  gold. Satan exalted sat by merit raised to that bad eminence, and from
• 8:39:23
  despair thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
• 8:39:30
  vain war with Heaven, and by success untaught his proud imaginations thus displayed powers
• 8:39:38
  and dominions deities of Heaven. For since no deep within her gulf can hold
• 8:39:45
  immortal vigor. Though oppressed and fallen, I give not Heaven for loss.
• 8:39:50
  From this descent, celestial virtues rising will appear more glorious and more dread than
• 8:39:55
  from no fall. And trust themselves to fear no second fate. Me though
• 8:40:00
  just right and the fixed laws of Heaven did first create your leader. Next,
• 8:40:06
  free choice, with what besides in counsel or in fight, hath been
• 8:40:09
  achieved of merit. Yet this lass, thus far at least recovered, hath
• 8:40:14
  much more established in a safe, unenvied throne, yielded with full consent.
• 8:40:19
  The happier state in heaven, which follows dignity might draw envy from each inferior.
• 8:40:24
  But who here will envy whom the highest place exposes foremost to stand against
• 8:40:29
  the thunderers, Aim your bulwark and condemns to greatest share of endless pain.
• 8:40:34
  Where there is then no good from which to strive. No strife can grow
• 8:40:38
  up there from faction, For none sure will claim in hell precedence, None
• 8:40:43
  whose portion is so small of present pain, that, with ambitious mind will
• 8:40:46
  covet more with this advantage than to union and firm faith and firm accord,
• 8:40:52
  more than can be in heaven. We now return to claim our just inheritance
• 8:40:57
  of old surer to prosper than prosper could have assured us. And by what
• 8:41:01
  best way, whether of open war or covert guile, We now debate who
• 8:41:06
  can advise? May speak? He ceased and next him, Moloch, sceptred
• 8:41:13
  King stood up the strongest and the fiercest spirit that fought in Heaven, now
• 8:41:20
  fiercer by despair. His trust was with the eternal to be deemed equal in
• 8:41:24
  strength. And rather than be less cared, not to be at all.
• 8:41:28
  With that care lost went all his fear of God or Hell or worse,
• 8:41:32
  he recked not, And these words thereafter spake My sentence is for open war
• 8:41:38
  of wiles. More an expert, I boast not them. Let those contrive
• 8:41:43
  who need, or when they need not now, for while they sit contriving,
• 8:41:47
  shall the rest millions that stand in arms and longing wait the signal to
• 8:41:52
  ascend. Sit lingering here Heaven's fugitives, and for their dwelling place except this
• 8:41:58
  dark, opprobrious denis shame, the prison of his tyranny, who reigns by
• 8:42:01
  our delay. No, let us rather choose, armed with hell, flames
• 8:42:06
  and fury, all at once o'er Heaven's high towers, to force resistless way,
• 8:42:10
  turning our tortures into horrid arms against the torturer. When to meet the
• 8:42:15
  noise of his almighty engine, he shall hear infernal thunder, and for lightning
• 8:42:19
  see black fire and horror shot with equal rage among his angels and his throne
• 8:42:23
  itself mixed with tartarian sulfur and strange fire, his own invented torments. But
• 8:42:31
  perhaps the way seems difficult and steep to scale with upright wing against a higher
• 8:42:36
  foe. Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench of that forgetful lake
• 8:42:40
  be numb, not still that in our proper motion we ascend up to our
• 8:42:45
  native seat. Descent and fall to us is adverse? Who but felt of
• 8:42:51
  late when the fierce foe hung on our broken rear, insulting and pursued us
• 8:42:54
  through the deep, with what compulsion and laborious flight we sunk thus slowly the
• 8:43:00
  ascent is easy. Then the event is feared. Should we again provoke our
• 8:43:05
  stronger some worse way his wrath may find to our destruction. If there be
• 8:43:08
  in hell fear to be worse destroyed, what can be worse than to dwell
• 8:43:13
  here, driven out from bliss, condemned in this abhorred deep, to utter
• 8:43:16
  woe, where pain of unextinguishable fire must exercise us without hope of end the
• 8:43:22
  vassals of his anger. When the scourge inexorably and the torturing hour calls us
• 8:43:27
  to penance, more destroyed than thus we should be quite abolished and expire.
• 8:43:31
  What fear we, then, what doubt we to incense his utmost ire,
• 8:43:36
  which to the height enraged, will either quite consume us and reduce to nothing
• 8:43:40
  this essential happier far than miserable to have eternal being, or if our substance
• 8:43:45
  be indeed divine and cannot cease to be, we are at worst on this
• 8:43:50
  side nothing, and by proof we feel our power sufficient to disturb his heaven,
• 8:43:54
  and with perpetual inroads to alarm, though inaccessible his fatal throne, which,
• 8:44:00
  if not victory, is yet revenge. He ended frowning, and his
• 8:44:06
  look denounced desperate revenge and battle dangerous to less than God's. On the other
• 8:44:12
  side rose Bellio, in act more graceful and humane, A fairer person lost
• 8:44:16
  not heaven. He seemed for dignity, composed and high exploit, but all
• 8:44:22
  was false and hollow. Though his tongue dropped manna and could make the worse
• 8:44:27
  appear, the better reason to perplex and dash maturest counsels, for his thoughts
• 8:44:31
  were low to vites industrious, but to nobler deeds timorous and slothful. Yet
• 8:44:37
  he pleased the ear, and with persuasive accent. Thus began, I should
• 8:44:44
  be much for open war, or peers as not behind in hate. If
• 8:44:47
  what was urged main reason to persuade immediate war did not dissuade me most and
• 8:44:53
  seemed to cast ominous conjecture on the whole success when he who most excels in
• 8:44:59
  fact of arm in what he counsels, and what excels mistrustful, grounds his
• 8:45:04
  courage on despair and utter dissolution as the scope of all his aim after some
• 8:45:08
  dire revenge? First, what revenge? The towers of heaven are filled with
• 8:45:14
  armed watch that render all acts as impregnable oft on the bordering, deep in
• 8:45:19
  camp their legions, or with obscure wings scout far and wide into the realm
• 8:45:23
  of night, scorning surprise. Or could we break our way by force and
• 8:45:29
  at our heels all hell should rise with blackest insurrection to confound Heaven's purest light.
• 8:45:34
  Yet our great enemy, all incorruptible, would on his throne sit unpolluted,
• 8:45:38
  and the ethereal mold, incapable of stain, would soon expel her mischief
• 8:45:44
  and purge off the baser fire. Victorious thus repulsed, Our final hope is
• 8:45:49
  flat despair, we must exasperate the almighty victor to spend all his rage,
• 8:45:53
  and that must end us. That must be our cure, to be no
• 8:45:58
  more sad cure, For who would lose though full of pain, this intellectual
• 8:46:02
  being, those thoughts that wander through eternity to perish, rather swallowed up and
• 8:46:07
  lost in the wide womb of uncreated knight, devoid of sense and motion.
• 8:46:13
  And who knows? Let this be good? Whether our angry foe can give
• 8:46:17
  it or will ever how he can, is doubtful that he never will,
• 8:46:22
  is sure? Will he so wise let loose at once his ire be like
• 8:46:28
  through impotence or unaware, to give his enemies their wish and end them in
• 8:46:31
  his anger, whom his anger saves to punish endless. Wherefore cease, we
• 8:46:36
  then say, they who counsel war, We are decreed, reserved, and
• 8:46:40
  destined to eternal woe, whatever doing, What can we suffer more? What
• 8:46:46
  can suffer worse? Is this then worst? Thus sitting thus consulting, thus
• 8:46:52
  in arms, What when we fled a main, pursued and strick with Heaven's
• 8:46:55
  afflicting thunder, and besought the deep to shelter us. This hell then seemed
• 8:47:00
  a refuge from those wounds, or when we lay chained on the burning lake,
• 8:47:05
  that shore was worse. What if the breath that kindled those grim fires
• 8:47:08
  awaked should blow them into sevenfold rage and plunge us into flames, Or from
• 8:47:14
  above should intermitted vengeance arm again his red right hand to plague us. What
• 8:47:19
  if all her stores were opened, and this firmament of hell should spout her
• 8:47:23
  cataracts of fire, impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall one day upon our heads,
• 8:47:29
  while we, perhaps designing or exhorting glorious war, caught in a fiery
• 8:47:35
  tempest, shall be hurled each on his rock, transfixed the sport and prey
• 8:47:39
  of racking whirlwinds, or forever sunk under yon boiling ocean, wrapped in chains,
• 8:47:45
  there to converse with everlasting groans, unrespited, unpitied, unreprieved ages of
• 8:47:52
  hopeless end. This would be worse war. Therefore open or concealed alike,
• 8:47:57
  my voice dissuades, for what can force or guile with him? Or who
• 8:48:01
  deceive his mind? Whose eye views all things at one view? He from
• 8:48:07
  heaven's height, all these our motions vain sees and derides not more almighty to
• 8:48:12
  resist our might than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we
• 8:48:16
  then live thus vile the race of heaven thus trampled, thus expelled to suffer
• 8:48:21
  here chains in these torments, Better these than worse by my advice, Since
• 8:48:25
  fate inevitable subdues us, and omnipotent decree the victor's will to suffer as to
• 8:48:32
  do our strength is equal, nor the law unjust that so ordains. This
• 8:48:37
  was at first resolved. If we were wise against so great a foe contending,
• 8:48:42
  and so doubtful, what might fall? I laugh when those who at
• 8:48:45
  the spear are bold and venturous. If that fail them shrink and fear what
• 8:48:49
  they yet know must follow, to endure exile or ignominy, or bonds or
• 8:48:53
  pain, the sentence of their conqueror. This is now our doom, which,
• 8:48:58
  if we can sustain and bear our supreme foe, in time, may
• 8:49:01
  remit his anger, and perhaps thus far removed. Not mind us not offending,
• 8:49:06
  satisfied with what is punished. Whence these raging fires will slacken. If
• 8:49:10
  his breath stir not their flames. Our purer essence then will overcome their noxious
• 8:49:15
  vapor or inured, not feel or changed at length, and to the plates
• 8:49:21
  conformed in temper and in nature will receive familiar the fierce heat and void of
• 8:49:24
  pain. This horror will grow mild, this darkness light. Besides what hope
• 8:49:30
  the never ending flight of future days may bring? What chance? What change?
• 8:49:35
  Worth waiting? Since our present lot appears for happy, though but ill,
• 8:49:39
  for ill, not worst, if we procure not to ourselves more woe.
• 8:49:45
  Thus belial, with words cloaked in reason's garb, counseled ignoble ease and
• 8:49:50
  peaceful sloth, not peace, And after him, Thus Mammon spoke either to
• 8:49:57
  disenthrone the king of heaven we wore, if war its best, or to
• 8:50:00
  regain our own right lost him too unthrone. We then may hope, when
• 8:50:07
  everlasting fate shall yield to fickle chance and chaos. Judge the strife. The
• 8:50:12
  former, vain to hope, argues as vain the latter, For what place
• 8:50:15
  can be for us within Heaven's bound? Unless Heaven's Lord supreme we overpower,
• 8:50:20
  suppose he should relent and publish grace to all, on promise made of new
• 8:50:23
  subjection. With what eyes could we stand in his presence? Humble and receive
• 8:50:28
  strict laws imposed, to celebrate his throne with warbled hymns, and to his
• 8:50:32
  godhead sing forced hollelujahs, whilst he lordly sits our envied sovereign, and his
• 8:50:38
  altar breaths ambrosial odors and ambrosial flowers, our servile offerings. This must be
• 8:50:45
  our task in heaven, this our delight. How wearisome eternity spent so in
• 8:50:50
  worship, paid to whom we hate. Let us not then pursue by force
• 8:50:54
  impossible, by leave obtained unacceptable though in heaven our state of splendid vassalage.
• 8:51:01
  But rather seek our own good from ourselves and from our own live to ourselves,
• 8:51:07
  though in this vast recess, free and to none accountable, preferring hard
• 8:51:13
  liberty before the easy yoke of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear, then
• 8:51:17
  most conspicuous, when great things of small, useful of hurtful, prosperous of
• 8:51:22
  adverse, we can create. And in what place so e'er thrive under evil
• 8:51:28
  and work ease out of pain through labor and endurance. This deep world of
• 8:51:31
  darkness do we dread, how oft amidst thick clouds and dark doth Heaven's all
• 8:51:37
  ruling sire choose to reside his glory unobscured, and with the majesty of darkness
• 8:51:43
  round covers his throne. From whence deep thunders roar, mustering their rage,
• 8:51:47
  and Heaven resembles Hell as he our darkness. Cannot we his light imitate when
• 8:51:53
  we please. This desert soil wants not her hidden luster gems and gold,
• 8:51:58
  nor want we skill or are from whence to raise magnificence? And what can
• 8:52:01
  Heaven show more? Our torments also may, in length of time become our
• 8:52:06
  elements, these piercing fires, as soft as now severe. Our temper changed
• 8:52:10
  into their temper, which must needs remove the sensible of pain. All things
• 8:52:15
  invite to peaceful counsels and the settled state of order. How in safety best
• 8:52:21
  we may compose our present evils, with regard of what we are and where,
• 8:52:24
  dismissing quite all thoughts of war, Ye have what I advise he had
• 8:52:31
  scarce finished when such murmur filled the assembly, as when hollow rocks retain the
• 8:52:37
  sound of blustering winds, which all night long had roused the sea now with
• 8:52:42
  horse cadence, lull seafaring men or watched whose bark by chance or pinnace anchors
• 8:52:46
  in a craggy bay. After the tempests, such applause was heard as Mammon
• 8:52:52
  ended, and his sentence pleased, advising peace for such another field they dreaded
• 8:52:55
  worse than Hell, so much the fear of thunder and the sored of Michael
• 8:53:00
  wrought still within them, and no less desire to found this nether empire,
• 8:53:04
  which might raise by policy and long process of time in emulation, opposite to
• 8:53:08
  Heaven, which, when beels above perceived, then whom Satan accept none higher,
• 8:53:15
  sat with grave aspect he rose, and in his rising seemed a pillar
• 8:53:20
  of state. Deep on his front, engraven deliberations, sat, and public
• 8:53:24
  care and princely counsel in his face, yet shone majestic. Though in ruin
• 8:53:30
  sage he stood with Atlanteans shoulders fit to bear the weight of mightiest monarchies.
• 8:53:36
  His look drew audience and attentions still as night or summer's noontide air. While
• 8:53:42
  thus he spake thrones and imperial powers offspring of Heaven ethereal virtues, or these
• 8:53:49
  titles now must we renounce and changing still be called princes of Hell. For
• 8:53:53
  so the popular vote inclines here to continue and build up here a growing empire,
• 8:54:00
  doubtless, while we dream and know not that the King of Heaven hath
• 8:54:02
  doomed this place our dungeon, not our safe retreat beyond his potent arm,
• 8:54:07
  to live exempt from Heaven's high jurisdiction in new league, banded against his throne,
• 8:54:13
  but to remain in strictest bondage, though thus far removed under the inevitable
• 8:54:16
  curb, reserved his captive multitude, For he be sure in height or depth,
• 8:54:22
  still first and last will reign soul king and of his kingdom, lose
• 8:54:27
  no part by our revolt, but over hell extend his empire, and with
• 8:54:31
  iron scepter rule us here, as with his golden those in heaven. What
• 8:54:36
  sit we then? Projecting peace and war, war hath determined us and foiled
• 8:54:40
  with loss irreparable terms of peace, yet none vouchsafed or sought for. What
• 8:54:46
  peace will be given to us? Enslaved but custody severe and stripes and arbitrary
• 8:54:52
  punishment inflicted? And what peace can we return but to our power, hostility
• 8:54:57
  and hate, untamed, reluctance and revenge, Though slow yet ever plotting how
• 8:55:01
  the conqueror least may reap his conquest, and may least rejoice in doing what
• 8:55:06
  we most in suffering feel. Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
• 8:55:10
  with dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege
• 8:55:15
  or ambush from the deep. What if we find some easier enterprise. There
• 8:55:21
  is a place, if ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven, err not another
• 8:55:24
  world, the happy seat of some new race called man, about this time,
• 8:55:30
  to be created like to us, though less in power and excellence,
• 8:55:34
  but favored more of him who rolls above. So was his will pronounced among
• 8:55:38
  the gods, and by an oath that shook Heaven's whole circumference confirmed. Thither,
• 8:55:45
  let us bend all our thoughts to learn what creatures there inhabit, of
• 8:55:49
  what mold or substance, how endued, and what their power, and where
• 8:55:52
  their weakness, how attempted best by force or subtlety. Though Heaven be shut,
• 8:55:58
  and Heaven's high arbitrators its a cure in his own strength, this plays
• 8:56:01
  may lie exposed, the utmost border of his kingdom, left to their defense.
• 8:56:07
  Who can hold it? Here? Perhaps some advantageous act may be achieved
• 8:56:10
  by sudden onset, either with hell fire to waste his whole creation, or
• 8:56:15
  possess as all our own and drive as we were driven the puny inhabitants,
• 8:56:20
  or if not drive, seduce them to our party, that their God may
• 8:56:23
  prove their foe, and with repenting hand abolish his own works. This would
• 8:56:29
  surpass common revenge and interrupt his joy in our confusion, and our joy uprays
• 8:56:34
  in his disturbance. When his darling sons hurled headlong to partake with us,
• 8:56:38
  shall curse their frail originals and fated bliss faded, So soon advise if this
• 8:56:45
  be worth attempting, or to sit in darkness here hatching vain empires. Thus
• 8:56:50
  beels above pleaded his devilish council, first devised by Satan, and in part
• 8:56:53
  proposed for whence but from the author of all ill could spring so deep a
• 8:56:59
  malice to found the race of mankind in one root and earth, withhell to
• 8:57:02
  mingle and involve. Done all to spite the great Creator. But their spite
• 8:57:07
  still serves his glory to augment The bold design pleased highly those infernal states,
• 8:57:14
  and joy sparkled in all their eyes with full assent, they vote, where
• 8:57:17
  at his speech he thus renews, well have you judged and well ended?
• 8:57:23
  Long debate, synod of gods and like to what you are? Great things
• 8:57:28
  resolved, which from the lowest deep will once more lift us up in spite
• 8:57:31
  of fate, nearer our ancient seat, perhaps in view of those bright confines.
• 8:57:37
  Whence, with neighboring arms and opportune excursion, we may chance re enter
• 8:57:40
  Heaven or else in some mild zone, dwell not unvisited of Heaven's fair light.
• 8:57:46
  Secure, and at the brightening orient beam, purge off this gloom.
• 8:57:51
  The soft delicious air to heal the scar of these corrosive fires, shall breathe
• 8:57:54
  her balm. But first, whom shall we send in search of this new
• 8:57:59
  world? World? Whom shall we find sufficient? Who shall tempt with wandering
• 8:58:04
  feet the dark, unbottomed, infinite abyss, and through the palpable obscure,
• 8:58:07
  find out his uncouth way, or spread his airy flight upborne with indefatigable wings
• 8:58:14
  over the vast, abrupt ere he arrived the happy isle, What strength,
• 8:58:17
  what art can then suffice? Or what evasion bear him safe through the strict
• 8:58:22
  sentries and stations, thick of angels watching round here he had need all circumspection,
• 8:58:27
  and we now no less choice in our suffrage, for on whom we
• 8:58:30
  send the weight of all and our last hope relies. This said he sat,
• 8:58:37
  and expectation held his look suspense, a waiting who appeared to second,
• 8:58:40
  or oppose, or undertake the perilous attempt. But all sat mute, pondering
• 8:58:45
  the danger with deep thoughts, and each in other's countenance read his own dismay,
• 8:58:51
  astonished. None among the choice and prime of those heaven warring champions could
• 8:58:55
  be found so hearty as to proffer or accept alone the dread voyage till at
• 8:59:00
  last Satan, whom now transcendent glory, raised above his fellows with monarchical pride,
• 8:59:07
  conscious of highest worth, unmoved, thus spake o progeny of Heaven,
• 8:59:14
  imperial thrones, with reason have silence and demure seized us, though undismayed,
• 8:59:20
  long as the way and hard that out of hell leads up to light our
• 8:59:23
  prisons strong. This huge convex of fire, outrageous to devour, immures us
• 8:59:30
  round ninefold, and gates of burning adamant barred over us, prohibit all egress
• 8:59:36
  these past, if any pass the void profound of unessential night receive him next
• 8:59:40
  wide gaping and with utter loss of being, threatens him plunged in that abortive
• 8:59:45
  gulf. If thence escape into whatever world of unknown region what remains him less
• 8:59:52
  than unknown dangers, and as hard escape. But I should ill become this
• 8:59:57
  throne appears, and this imperial so sovereignty, adorned with splendor, armed with
• 9:00:01
  power, if aught, proposed and judged of public moment in the shape of
• 9:00:06
  difficulty or danger, could deter me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume these
• 9:00:10
  royalties and not refuse to reign, refusing to accept as great a share of
• 9:00:15
  hazard as of honor, do alike to him who reigns, and so much
• 9:00:20
  to him do of hazard more as he above the rest high honored sits go.
• 9:00:24
  Therefore mighty powers, terror of heaven, though fallen, intend at home,
• 9:00:29
  while here shall be our home. What best may ease the present misery
• 9:00:32
  and render hell more tolerable? If there be cure or charm to respite,
• 9:00:37
  or deceive or slack the pain of this ill mansion, Intermit no watch against
• 9:00:42
  a wakeful foe. While I abroad, through all the coasts of dark destruction,
• 9:00:46
  seek deliverance for us, all this enterprise, none shall partake with me,
• 9:00:52
  Thus saying the monarch, and prevented all reply prudent lest from his resolution
• 9:00:58
  raised others among the chief might offer, now certain to be refused. What
• 9:01:01
  erst they feared, and so refused, might, in opinion stand his rivals
• 9:01:07
  winning cheap the high repute which he, through hazard huge, must earn.
• 9:01:10
  But they dreaded not more the adventure than his voice forbidding. And at once
• 9:01:15
  with him they rose. Their rising all at once was as the sound of
• 9:01:19
  thunder heard remote towards him. They bend with awful reverence, prone, and
• 9:01:23
  as a god, extol him equal to the highest in heaven. Nor failed
• 9:01:28
  they to express how much they praised that for the general safety he despised his
• 9:01:31
  own. For neither do the spirits damned lose all their virtue, lest bad
• 9:01:37
  men should boast their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, or close
• 9:01:40
  ambition varnished, or with zeal. Thus they their doubtful consultations dark ended,
• 9:01:46
  rejoicing in their matchless chief, as when from mountain tops the dusky clouds ascending
• 9:01:52
  while the north wind sleeps or spread Heaven's cheerful face. The lowering elements scowls
• 9:01:58
  o'er the darkened landscaped snow or shower. If chance, the radiant sun,
• 9:02:01
  with farewell sweet, extend his evening beam. The fields revive, the birds
• 9:02:07
  their notes renew, and bleating herds attest their joy. That hill and valley
• 9:02:12
  rings, Oh, shame to men, devil with devil, damned. Firm
• 9:02:15
  concord holds men only disagree of creatures, rational, though under hope of heavenly
• 9:02:21
  grace and God proclaiming peace, yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife
• 9:02:25
  among themselves, and levy cruel wars, wasting the earth each other to destroy.
• 9:02:31
  As if which might induce us to accord, men had not hellish foes,
• 9:02:36
  And now besides that day and night for his destruction wait end of book
• 9:02:42
  two, Part one, Book two, Part two. The Stitchian Council thus
• 9:02:47
  dissolved, and forth in order came the grand infernal peers. Midst came their
• 9:02:52
  mighty paramount, and seemed alone the antagonist of heaven, nor less than hell'sd
• 9:02:57
  red emperor, with pomp, supreme and godlike imitated state him round a globe
• 9:03:02
  of fiery seraphim enclosed with bright emblazonry and horrent arms. Then of their session
• 9:03:09
  ended, they bid cry with trumpets regal sound the great result toward the four
• 9:03:15
  winds, for speedy cherubim put to their mouths. The sounding alchemy by Harold's
• 9:03:20
  voice explained the hollow abyss heard far and wide, and all the host of
• 9:03:24
  Hell, with deafening shout returned them louder claim thence more at ease their minds,
• 9:03:31
  and somewhat raised by false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers disband and wandering,
• 9:03:37
  each his several way pursues as inclination or sad choice leads him perplexed where
• 9:03:44
  he may likeliest find truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain the irksome hours
• 9:03:49
  till his great chief return. Part upon the plane or in the air,
• 9:03:53
  sublime upon the wing, or in swift race contend as at the Olympian Games.
• 9:03:59
  Orthian fields put curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal with rapid
• 9:04:05
  wheels, or fronted brigades form as when to worn proud cities. War appears
• 9:04:09
  waged in the troubled sky, and armies rush to battle in the clouds before
• 9:04:15
  each van prick forth the airy nights and couch their spears till thickest legions close
• 9:04:21
  with feats of arms from either end of heaven. The welkin burns others with
• 9:04:25
  vast typhean rage. More fell rend up both rocks and hills and ride the
• 9:04:30
  air in whirlwind. Hell scarce holds the wild uproar, as when alcides from
• 9:04:37
  Orealia, crowned with conquest, felt the venomed robe and tore through pane up
• 9:04:43
  by the roots Thlacian pines and liches from the top of Oeta through into the
• 9:04:46
  Euboic sea. Others, more mild, retreated in a silent valley, sing
• 9:04:53
  with notes angelical to many a harp their own heroic deeds and hapless fall by
• 9:04:59
  doom of battle, and complain that fate free virtue should enthrall to force or
• 9:05:04
  chance. Their song was partial, but the harmony what could it less?
• 9:05:09
  When spirits immortal sing suspended Hell and took with ravishment the thronging audience in discourse
• 9:05:17
  more sweet for eloquence, the soul song charms the sense. Others apart sat
• 9:05:22
  on a hill, retired in thoughts, more elevate and reasoned, high of
• 9:05:27
  providence foreknowledge will and fate, fixed fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute,
• 9:05:35
  and found no end in wandering Moses lost of good and evil. Much they
• 9:05:40
  argued then, of happiness and final misery, passion and apathy, and glory
• 9:05:45
  and shame, vain wisdom, alle and false philosophy. Yet with a pleasing
• 9:05:52
  sorcery could champagin for a while, or anguish and excite fallacious hope, or
• 9:05:59
  ark the dured breast with stubborn patience, as with triple steel. Another part
• 9:06:05
  in squadrons and gross bands on bold adventure to discover wide that dismal world,
• 9:06:10
  if any climb perhaps might yield them easier habitation. Bend foreweys their flying march
• 9:06:16
  along the banks four infernal rivers that disgorge into the burning lake. Their baleful
• 9:06:22
  streams are broad Styx, the flood of deadly hate, sad Acheron of sorrow,
• 9:06:28
  black and deep Coccitis, named of lamentation, loud heard on the rueful
• 9:06:34
  stream, fierce Fledgerton, whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. Far
• 9:06:40
  off from these, a slow and silent stream Leith, the river of oblivion,
• 9:06:46
  rules her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks forthwith his former state and being
• 9:06:52
  forgets, forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. Beyond this flood,
• 9:07:00
  a frozen continent lies, dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms of
• 9:07:06
  whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land thaws not but gathers heap and
• 9:07:10
  ruin seams of ancient pile. All else deep snow and ice, a gulf
• 9:07:16
  profound as that Sabonian bog betwixt Damiata and Mount Cassius Old, where armies whole
• 9:07:23
  have sunk. The parching air burns, fraw and cold performs the effect of
• 9:07:29
  fire thither by harpy footed furies hailed at certain revolutions, all the damned abrought
• 9:07:37
  and feel by turns the bitter change of fierce extremes, extremes by change more
• 9:07:42
  fierce from beds of raging fire, to starve in ice, their soft ethereal
• 9:07:46
  warmth, and there to pine, immovable, infixed and frozen round periods of
• 9:07:52
  time. Thence hurried back to fire, they ferry over Thiselythian sound, both
• 9:07:58
  to and fro their sorrow, to augment and wish and struggle as they pass
• 9:08:02
  to reach the tempting stream, with one small drop to loose in sweet forgetfulness,
• 9:08:07
  all pain and woe, all in one moment, and so near the
• 9:08:12
  brink. But fate withstands and to oppose the tempt. Medusa, with Gorgonian
• 9:08:17
  terror, guards the ford and of itself. The water flies all taste of
• 9:08:22
  living white as once it fled the lip of Tantalus, Thus roving on in
• 9:08:28
  confused march. Forlorn, the venturous bands, with shuddering horror, pale and
• 9:08:32
  eyes aghast, viewed first their lamentable lot, and found no rest. Through
• 9:08:37
  many a dark and dreary vale they passed, and many a region dolorus,
• 9:08:43
  are many a frozen, many a fiery alp, rocks, caves, lakes,
• 9:08:49
  fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death, a universe of
• 9:08:53
  death, which God by curse created evil for evil only good, where all
• 9:08:59
  life eyes death, lives, and nature breeds perverse, all monstrous, all
• 9:09:04
  prodigious things, abominable, unutterable, and worse than fables, yet have feigned
• 9:09:09
  or fear conceived Gorgons and hydras and Shimera's dire. Meanwhile, the adversary of
• 9:09:19
  God and Man, Satan, with thoughts inflamed of highest design, puts on
• 9:09:24
  swift wings and toward the gates of Hell explores his solitary flight. Sometimes he
• 9:09:30
  scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left now shaves with a level wing.
• 9:09:35
  The deep then saws up to the fiery concave, toring high, as
• 9:09:39
  when far off at sea, a fleet descried hangs in the clouds by equinoctial
• 9:09:45
  winds, close sailing from Bengola or the isles of Ternate and Tidor whence merchants
• 9:09:51
  bring their spicy drugs. They on the trading flood through the wide Ethiopian to
• 9:09:55
  the cape plies, stemming nightly toward the pole. So seemed far off,
• 9:10:00
  the flying fiend at last appear Hell bounds high, reaching to the horrid roof,
• 9:10:07
  and thrice threefold. The gates. Three folds were brass, three iron,
• 9:10:12
  three of adamantine rock, impenetrable, impaled with circling fire, yet unconsumed.
• 9:10:20
  Before the gates, there sat on either side a formidable shape. The
• 9:10:23
  one seemed woman to the waist and fair, but ended foul in many a
• 9:10:28
  scaly fold, voluminous and vast, a serpent armed with mortal sting about her
• 9:10:34
  middle round. A cry of hell hounds never ceased, barking with wide serber
• 9:10:37
  and mouths full loud and wrung a hideous peal. Yet when they list would
• 9:10:44
  creep if out disturbed their noise into her womb and kennel. There yet there
• 9:10:50
  still barked and howled within unseen. Far less abhorred than these vexed skyla bathing
• 9:10:55
  in the sea that parts Calabria from the horse Trinacrian shore, nor uglier follow
• 9:11:00
  the night Hag when called in secret. Riding through the air, she comes,
• 9:11:05
  lured with the smell of infant blood to dance with lapland witches, while
• 9:11:08
  the laboring moon eclipses at their charms. The other shape, if shape it
• 9:11:15
  might be called that shape, had none distinguishable in member, joint, or
• 9:11:19
  limb, or substance, might be called that shadow seemed, for each seemed
• 9:11:22
  either blacket, stood as night, fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell,
• 9:11:29
  and shook a dreadful dart. What seemed on his head the likeness of
• 9:11:34
  a kingly crown had on Satan was now at hand, and from his seat
• 9:11:38
  the monster, moving onward, came as fast with horrid strides, Hell trembled
• 9:11:44
  as he strode, th undaunted fiend what this might be admired admired, not
• 9:11:49
  feared God and his son, except created thing, nought valued, he nor
• 9:11:54
  shunned, And with disdainful look thus first began. Whence and what art thou
• 9:12:01
  excurable shape that dareest through grim and terrible advance thy miscreated front hathwart my way
• 9:12:07
  to yonder gates. Through them, I mean to pass that be assured without
• 9:12:13
  leave, asked of thee, retire, or taste thy folly and learn thy
• 9:12:17
  proof hell born, not to contend with spirits of Heaven, to whom the
• 9:12:22
  goblin full of wrath replied, Art thou, that traitor angel, Art thou,
• 9:12:29
  he who first broke peace in Heaven and faith till then, unbroken and
• 9:12:32
  in proud rebellious arms drew after him, the third part of Heaven's sons conjured
• 9:12:37
  against the Highest, for which both thou and they outcast from God are here
• 9:12:43
  condemned to waste eternal days in woe and pain and reckon'st thou thyself, with
• 9:12:47
  spirits of Heaven Hell, doomed and breathest defiance here and scorn, where I
• 9:12:52
  reign King, and to enrage thee more thy king and Lord, back to
• 9:12:59
  thy punishment, false fugitive, unto thy speed add wings lest with a whip
• 9:13:02
  of scorpions, I pursue thy lingering, or with one stroke of this dart
• 9:13:07
  strange horror sees thee and pangs unfelt before so spake the grisly terror, and
• 9:13:15
  in shape, so speaking and so threatening, grew tenfold more dreadful and deform.
• 9:13:21
  On the other side, incensed with indignation, Satan stood unterrified, and
• 9:13:25
  like a comet burned that fires the length of Offucus huge in darctic sky,
• 9:13:31
  and from his horrid hair shakes pestilence and war, each at the head,
• 9:13:37
  leveled his deadly aim their fatal hands. No second stroke in tend and such
• 9:13:43
  a frown each cast at the other, as when two black clouds with Heaven's
• 9:13:46
  artillery fraught come rattling on over the Caspian then stand front to front, hovering
• 9:13:52
  a space till winds the signal blow to join their dark encounter in mid air.
• 9:13:59
  So Fren and the mighty combatants that Hell grew darker at their frown,
• 9:14:04
  so matched they stood for never but once more was either like to meet so
• 9:14:08
  great a foe. And now great deeds had been achieved, whereof all Hell
• 9:14:14
  had rung had not the snaky sorceress that sat fast by hell Gate and kept
• 9:14:19
  the fatal key risen, and with hideous outcry rushed between O father, What
• 9:14:24
  intends thy hand? She cried against thy only son, what furio son possesses
• 9:14:30
  THEE to bend that mortal dart against thy father's head, and knowst for whom?
• 9:14:36
  For him who sits above and laughs the while at THEE ordains his drudge
• 9:14:39
  to execute whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids his wrath which
• 9:14:45
  one day will destroy ye. Both she spake, and at her words the
• 9:14:50
  hellish pest forebore. Then these to her Satan returned so strange thy outcry and
• 9:14:58
  thy words so strange thou interpose, Josees, that by my sudden hand prevented
• 9:15:01
  spares to tell THEE, yet by deeds what it intends? Till first I
• 9:15:06
  know of THEE? What thing thou art thus double formed? And why in
• 9:15:10
  this internal veil first met thou callest me father, and that phantasm callst my
• 9:15:15
  son. I know THEE not nor ever saw till now sight more detestable than
• 9:15:22
  him, and THEE to whom. Thus the portress of Hellgate replied hast Thou
• 9:15:28
  forgot me then, And do I seem now in Thine eye so foul once
• 9:15:31
  deemed so fair in heaven, When at assembly and in sight of all the
• 9:15:36
  Seraphim with THEE, combined in bold conspiracy against Heaven's king, all on a
• 9:15:40
  sudden miserable pain surprised THEE dim thine eyes, and did ye swam in darkness
• 9:15:46
  while thy head flames thick and fast, drew forth till on the left side,
• 9:15:51
  opening wide, likest THEE in shape and countenance bright, then shining heavenly
• 9:15:57
  fair, A goddess armed out of thy head. I sprung amazement, seized
• 9:16:01
  all the host of Heaven back. They recoiled afraid at first, and called
• 9:16:06
  me sin, and for a sign portentous held me but familiar groan. I
• 9:16:09
  pleased, and with attractive graces won the most diverse THEE, chiefly, who
• 9:16:15
  full aft thyself in me thy perfect image viewing became st enamoured, and such
• 9:16:21
  joy thou tooxt with me in secret, that my womb conceived a growing burden.
• 9:16:25
  Meanwhile, war arose, and fields were fought in heaven wherein remained,
• 9:16:30
  for what could else to our almighty foe clear victory to our part loss and
• 9:16:37
  rout through all the Empyrean down they fell, driven headlong from the pitch of
• 9:16:42
  heaven down into this deep and in the general fall. I also, at
• 9:16:46
  which time this powerful key into my hand was given with charge to keep these
• 9:16:52
  gaits forever shut, which none can pass without my opening. Pensive here I
• 9:16:57
  sat alone, but long I sat, not till my womb, pregnant by
• 9:17:01
  thee and now excessive groan, prodigious motion, felt and rueful throes. At
• 9:17:07
  last, this odious offspring, whom thou seest thine own begotten, breaking violent
• 9:17:13
  way, tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain, distorted
• 9:17:16
  all my Nether shape thus grew transformed. But he, my inbred enemy,
• 9:17:22
  forth issued, brandishing his fatal dart made to destroy. I fled and cried
• 9:17:28
  out death. Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sighed from all her
• 9:17:32
  caves, and back resounded death. I fled, but he pursued, though
• 9:17:39
  more, it seems, inflamed with lust than rage and swift of far me.
• 9:17:44
  He overtook his mother, all dismayed and in embraces forcible and foul engendering
• 9:17:49
  with me of that rape begot these yelling monsters, that, with ceaseless cry,
• 9:17:53
  surround me as thou sawest, hourly conceived and hourly born, with sorrow
• 9:17:59
  infinite to me. For when they list into the womb that bred them,
• 9:18:01
  they return and howl, and nor my bowels there are past, then bursting
• 9:18:07
  forth afresh with conscious terrors, vex me round that rest or intermission. None
• 9:18:12
  I find before mine eyes in opposition sits grim death, My son and foe
• 9:18:19
  who sets them on and me his parent would full soon devour for want of
• 9:18:22
  other prey, but that he knows his end with mine involved, and knows
• 9:18:28
  that I should prove a bitter morsel and his bane, whenever that shall be
• 9:18:32
  so fate pronounced. But thou, o father, I forewarn thee shun his
• 9:18:37
  deadly arrow. Neither vainly hope to be invulnerable in those bright arms, though
• 9:18:43
  temper'd heavenly, for that mortal dint, save he who reigns above, none
• 9:18:47
  can resist. She finished, and the subtle fiend his law soon learned now
• 9:18:53
  milder, and thus answered, smooth, dear daughter, since thou claim'st me
• 9:19:00
  for thy sire and my fair son, here showst me the dear pledge of
• 9:19:02
  deliance had with THEE in heaven and joys then sweet now sad to mention through
• 9:19:07
  dire change befallen us unforeseen unthought of know I come no enemy, but to
• 9:19:14
  set free from out this dark and dismal house of pain, both him and
• 9:19:19
  THEE, and all the heavenly host of spirits that, in our just pretenses
• 9:19:22
  armed fell with us from one high from them, I go, this uncouth,
• 9:19:28
  errand soul, and one for all myself expose with lonely steps, to
• 9:19:31
  tread the unfounded deep, and through the void immense, to search with wandering
• 9:19:37
  quest a place foretold should be, and by concurring signs ere now created vast
• 9:19:43
  and round a place of bliss in apolliuse of heaven, and therein placed a
• 9:19:49
  race of upstart creatures to supply perhaps our vacant room. Though more removed least
• 9:19:54
  heavens surcharged with potent multitude, might hap to move new broils, be this
• 9:20:00
  or out than this, more secret now designed, I haste to know,
• 9:20:04
  And this, once known, shall soon return and bring ye to the place
• 9:20:07
  where thou and death shalt dwell at ease, and up and down unseen wing
• 9:20:13
  silently the buxom air, embalmed with odors. There ye shall be fed and
• 9:20:19
  filled immeasurably. All things shall be your prey. He ceased for both seemed
• 9:20:24
  highly pleased, and death grinned horrible, a ghastly smile to hear his famine
• 9:20:30
  should be filled and blessed. Is more destined that good hour no less rejoiced
• 9:20:35
  his mother bad, and thus bespake her sire the key of this infernal pit.
• 9:20:39
  By dew and by command of Heaven's all powerful king, I keep by
• 9:20:45
  him forbidden to unlock these adamantine gates against all fours. Death ready stands to
• 9:20:50
  interpose his dart. Fearless to be o'ermatched by living might. But what o
• 9:20:55
  ey to his commands above? Who hates me? And hath hither trust me?
• 9:21:00
  Down into this gloom of Tartarus, profound to sit in hateful office here,
• 9:21:04
  confined, inhabitant of heaven and heavenly born, here, in perpetual agony
• 9:21:09
  and pain, with terrors and with clamors compassed round of mine own brood,
• 9:21:15
  that on my bowels. Feed thou art, my father, thou my author,
• 9:21:20
  Thou my being gaf'st me. Whom should I obey, but thee whom
• 9:21:23
  follow thou wilt bring me soon to that new world of light and bliss among
• 9:21:29
  the gods who live at ease, where I shall reign at thy right hand,
• 9:21:32
  voluptuous, as beseems thy daughter and thy darling without end. Thus saying
• 9:21:39
  from her side, the fatal key sad instrument of all our woe, she
• 9:21:45
  took, and towards the gate, ruling her bestial train forthwith the huge poor
• 9:21:51
  cullis high updrew, which but herself, not all Astygian powers could once have
• 9:21:55
  moved. Then in the keyhole turns then at wards, and every bolt and
• 9:22:01
  bar of massy iron or solid rock, with ease unfastens on a sudden open
• 9:22:08
  fly, with impetuous recoil and jarring sound, with infernal doors, and on
• 9:22:14
  their hinges great harsh thunder that the lowest bottom shook of erebus. She opened,
• 9:22:20
  but to shut excelled her power. The gates wide open, stood that
• 9:22:24
  with extended wings a bannered host under spread ensign's marching might pass through, with
• 9:22:30
  horse and chariots ranked in luce ray, So wide they stood, and like
• 9:22:35
  a furnace mouth cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame before their eyes in sudden
• 9:22:40
  view appear the secrets of the hoary Deep, a dark, illimitable ocean without
• 9:22:46
  bound, without dimension, where length, breadth and height, and time and
• 9:22:52
  place are lost, Where eldest Knight and chaos ancestors of nature hold eternal anarchy
• 9:23:00
  amidst the noise of endless wars, and by confusion stand for hot, cold,
• 9:23:07
  moist and dry. Four champions fierce strive here for mastery and to battle.
• 9:23:12
  Bring their embryon atoms. They around the flag of each his faction,
• 9:23:16
  in their several clans, light armed or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift
• 9:23:22
  or slow, swarm populace, unnumbered as the sands of Barker or Syrenees,
• 9:23:27
  torrid soil, levied to side with warring winds and poise their lighter wings to
• 9:23:34
  whom these most Adhere. He rules a moment chaos umpire sits, and by
• 9:23:39
  decision more embroils the fray by which he reigns. Next him, high arbiter
• 9:23:45
  Chance governs all into this wild abyss, the womb of nature and perhaps her
• 9:23:51
  grave of neither sea, nor shore, nor air nor fire. But all
• 9:23:57
  these, in their pregnant causes mix confusedly, and which thus must ever fight,
• 9:24:02
  unless the Almighty make of them, ordain his dark materials to create more
• 9:24:07
  worlds into this wild abyss. The wary fiend stood on the brink of hell
• 9:24:14
  and looked awhile pondering his voyage, for no narrow frith he had to cross,
• 9:24:20
  Nor was his ear less peeled with noises loud and ruinous. To compare
• 9:24:23
  great things with small than when Bellona storms with all her battering engines, bent
• 9:24:29
  to raise some capital city, or less than if this frame of heaven were
• 9:24:34
  falling, and these elements in mutiny had from her axel torn the steadfast earth.
• 9:24:39
  At last his sail board veins, he spreads for flight, and in
• 9:24:45
  the surging smoke, uplifted spurns the ground. Thence many a league, as
• 9:24:49
  in a cloudy chair, ascending rides audacious, But that seat, soon failing,
• 9:24:53
  meets a vast vacuity, all unawares. Fluttering his pennons vein plum down,
• 9:25:00
  he drops ten thousand fadden deep, and to this hour down had been
• 9:25:05
  falling, had not, by ill chance the strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud
• 9:25:09
  instinct with fire and nitra, hurried him as many miles aloft that fury stayed,
• 9:25:15
  quenched in a boggy surface, neither sea nor good dry land, nigh
• 9:25:22
  foundered on, he fares treading the crude consistence, half on foot, half
• 9:25:27
  flying. Behooves him now both awe and sail. As when a griffin through
• 9:25:31
  the wilderness with winged course o'er Hill or maury Dale pursues the Arimaspian, who
• 9:25:37
  by stealth had from his wakeful custody purloined the guarded gold. So eagerly the
• 9:25:44
  fiend o'er bog or steep through straight, rough, dense or rare, with
• 9:25:50
  head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way and swims or
• 9:25:53
  sinks, or wades or creeps or flies at length. A universe ussel hubbub,
• 9:26:00
  wild of stunning sounds and voices, all confused, borne through the hollow
• 9:26:05
  dark, assaults his ear with loudest vehemence. Thither he plies, undaunted,
• 9:26:09
  to meet there whatever power or spirit of the nethermost abyss might in that noise
• 9:26:15
  reside of whom to ask which way the nearest coast of darkness lies bordering on
• 9:26:21
  light. When straight behold the throne of Chaos and his dark pavilions spread wide
• 9:26:27
  on a wasteful deep, with him enthroned sat sable vested Knight, eldest of
• 9:26:32
  things, the consort of his reign, and by them stood Orcus and Ades
• 9:26:37
  and the dreaded name of Demagorgon, Rumor next, and chance, and tumult
• 9:26:43
  and confusion, all embroiled and discord with a thousand various mouths, to whom
• 9:26:51
  Satan turning boldly. Thus ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss, Chaos
• 9:26:57
  and ancient Knight. I come no spar with purpose to explore or to disturb,
• 9:27:01
  the secrets of your realm, but by constraint wondering this darksome desert,
• 9:27:07
  as my way lies through your spacious empire, up to light, alone and
• 9:27:12
  without guide, half lost, I seek what readiest path leads where your gloomy
• 9:27:15
  bounds confine with heaven, or if some other place from your dominion ie the
• 9:27:21
  ethereal King possesses lately thither to arrive, I travel this profound direct, my
• 9:27:27
  course directed, no mean recompense. It brings to your behoof if I that
• 9:27:32
  region lost or usurpation thus expelled, reduce to her original darkness and your sway,
• 9:27:38
  which is my present journey, and once more erect the standard there of
• 9:27:43
  ancient Knight. Yours be the advantage, all mine the revenge Thus Satan and
• 9:27:52
  him. Thus the annark Old, with faltering speech and visage incomposed, answered,
• 9:27:59
  I know these tree, who thou art, that mighty leading angel,
• 9:28:04
  who of late made head against Heaven's king. Though overthrown, I saw and
• 9:28:09
  heard for such a numerous host fled not in silence through the frighted deep,
• 9:28:15
  with ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, confusion worse confounded, and heaven
• 9:28:22
  gates poured out by millions her victorious bands pursuing I upon my frontiers. Here
• 9:28:29
  keep residence, if all I can will serve that little which is left so
• 9:28:34
  to defend. Encroached on still to our intestine broils weakening the scepter of old
• 9:28:39
  Knight. First Hell, your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath now lately
• 9:28:45
  Heaven and Earth, another world hung o'er my realm, linked in a golden
• 9:28:51
  chain to that side Heaven, from whence your legions fell. If that way
• 9:28:55
  be your walk, you have not far so much the nearer danger go and
• 9:29:01
  speed, havoc and spoil and ruin a my gain. He ceased, and
• 9:29:08
  Satan stayed not to reply, but glad now that his sea should find ashore
• 9:29:14
  with fresh alacrity and force, renewed springs upward like a pyramid of fire,
• 9:29:19
  into the wild expanse, and through the shock of fighting elements on all sides
• 9:29:23
  round environed wins his way, harder, beset, and more endangered than when
• 9:29:29
  Argo passed through Bosphorus betwixt the justling rocks, or when Ulysses on the larboard
• 9:29:34
  shunned Charybdis, and by the other whirlpool steered. So he, with difficulty
• 9:29:39
  and labor hard moved on with difficulty and labor he but he once passed.
• 9:29:45
  Soon after when man fell strange, alteration, sin, and death, a
• 9:29:51
  main following his track, such was the will of Heaven paved after him,
• 9:29:55
  a broad and beaten way over the dark abyss whose boiling go valf tamely endured,
• 9:30:00
  a bridge of wondrous length from Hell, continued, reaching themost orb of
• 9:30:06
  this frail world, by which the spirits perverse with easy intercourse, pass to
• 9:30:10
  and fro to tempt or punish mortals, except whom God and good angels guard
• 9:30:16
  by special grace. But now at last, the sacred influence of light appears,
• 9:30:22
  and from the walls of heaven shoots far into the bosom of dim night,
• 9:30:25
  a glimmering dawn. Here Nature first begins her farthest verge, and chaos
• 9:30:31
  to retire, as from her utmost works. A broken foe, with tumult
• 9:30:37
  less and with less hostile din that Satan, with less toil and now with
• 9:30:43
  ease, wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light, and like a weather
• 9:30:47
  beaten vessel, holds gladly the port, though shrouds and tackle torn or in
• 9:30:53
  the emptier waist resembling air, weighs his spread wings at leisure, to behold
• 9:30:59
  far off the imperial Heaven, extended wide in circuit undetermined, square or round,
• 9:31:06
  with opal towers and battlements, adorned of living sapphire, once his native
• 9:31:10
  seat, and fast by hanging in a golden chain, this pendant world in
• 9:31:16
  bigness, as a star of smallest magnitude close by the moon, thither full,
• 9:31:22
  fraught with mischievous revenge, accursed, and in a cursed hour, he
• 9:31:27
  hies. The end of the second part of the second book