Latest / Sacred Texts Archive / 06 - Paradise Lost - John Milton

Transcript

06 - Paradise Lost - John Milton · Sacred Texts Archive

0:00
Book four, Part two. So spake our general mother, and with eyes
0:08
of conjugal attraction, unreproved and meek surrender, half embracing, leaned on our
0:13
first father half, her swelling breast, naked met his under the flowing gold
0:18
of her loose tresses. Hid he in delight, both of her beauty and
0:23
submissive charms, smiled with superior love, as Jupiter on Juno's smiles. When
0:29
he imprains the clouds that shed may flowers, and pressed her matron lip with
0:35
kisses pure aside, the devil turned for envy, yet with jealous leer,
0:40
malign eyed them askance, and to himself thus plained sight, hateful sight,
0:48
tormenting. Thus these two imparadised in one another's arms. The happier Eden shall
0:53
enjoy their fill of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell, a thrust
0:59
where neither jaw way nor love but fierce desire. Among our other torments,
1:03
not the least still unfulfilled with pain of longing pines. Yet let me not
1:08
forget what I have gained from their own mouths. All is not theirs.
1:14
It seems one fatal tree there stands of knowledge called forbidden them to taste knowledge
1:21
forbidden, suspicious, reasonless? Why should their lord envy them that? Can
1:27
it be sin to know? Can it be death? And do they only
1:32
stand by ignorance? Is that their happy state, the proof of their obedience
1:37
and their faith O fair foundation laid whereon to build their ruin. Hence I
1:42
will excite their minds with more desire to know and to reject envious commands invented
1:49
with design to keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt, equal with gods.
1:53
Aspiring to be such, they taste and die? What likely I can
1:59
ensue? But first, with narrow search, I must walk round this garden,
2:04
and no corner leave unspied a chance. But chance may lead where I
2:09
may meet some wandering spirit of Heaven by fountain side, or in thick shade
2:14
retired from him, to draw what further would be learnt? Live while ye
2:20
may, yet happy pair enjoy till I return. Short pleasures, for long
2:25
woes are to succeed. So, saying his proud step, he scornful turned,
2:31
but with sly circumspection, and began through wood, through waste o'er hill,
2:38
o'er dale his roam. Meanwhile in utmost longitude where heaven with Earth and
2:46
ocean meets the setting sun slowly descended, and with right aspect against the eastern
2:53
gate of Paradise, leveled his evening rays. It was a rock of alabaster,
2:59
piled up to the clouds, conspicuous, far winding, with one ascent
3:04
accessible from Earth, one entrance high. The rest was craggy cliff that overhung
3:09
still as it rose, impossible to climb. Betwixt these rocky pillars. Gabriel
3:16
sat, chief of thangelic guards, awaiting night. About him, exercised heroic
3:23
games the unarmed youth of Heaven, But nigh at hand celestial armory, shields,
3:30
helms and spears hung high with diamond flaming and with gold. Thither came
3:36
Uriel, gliding through the even on a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star
3:39
in autumn, thwarts the night when vapors fired impressed the air, and shows
3:46
the mariner from what point of his compass to beware impetuous winds. He thus
3:51
began in haste, Gabriel to thee thy course by lot hath given charge and
3:57
strict watch that to this happy place no evil thing approach or enter in this
4:02
day. At height of noon came to my sphere as spirit zealous as he
4:06
seemed to know more of the Almighty's works, and chiefly man God's latest image.
4:14
I described his way bent on all speed, and marked his airy gait.
4:18
But in the mounth that lies from Eden north, where first he lighted,
4:23
soon discerned his looks alien from Heaven. With passions foul obscured. Mine
4:29
eye pursued him still, but under shade lost sight of him, one of
4:33
the banished crew. I fear hath ventured from the deep to raise new troubles
4:38
him. Thy care must be defined to whom the winged warrior thus returned Uriel.
4:46
No wonder if thy perfect sight amid the Sun's bright circle, where thou
4:50
sitt'st see far and wide in at this gate none pass the vigilance here placed,
4:58
but such as come well known from heid heaven, and since meridian hour
5:01
no creature. Thence, if spirit of other sort so minded have o'lept these
5:06
earthly bounds on purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude a spiritual substance with
5:13
corporeal bar But if within the circuit of these walls, in whatsoever shape he
5:18
lurk of whom thou tell'st by morrow dawning, I shall know, so promised
5:27
he and Urial to his charge, returned on that bright beam, whose point
5:30
now raised bore him slope downward to the sun, now fallen beneath the azores,
5:36
whither the prime orb incredible, how swift had the rolled diurnal or this
5:43
less voluble earth, by shorter flight to the east had left him there arraying
5:47
with reflected purple and gold. The clouds that on his western throne attend now
5:54
came still evening on and twilight. Gray had in her sober livery all things
5:59
clad silence accompanied for beast and bird, they to their grassy couch, These
6:05
to their nests were slunk all but the wakeful nightingale. She all night long,
6:12
her amorous, descant sung silence was pleased, now glowed the firmament with
6:18
living sapphires hesperus that led the starry host rode brightest till the moon rising in
6:26
clouded majesty at length apparent Queen unveiled her peerless light, and o'er the dark
6:31
her silver mantle, through when adam thus to eve fair consort the hour of
6:40
night, and all things now retired to rest. Mind us of like repose,
6:45
Since God hath set labor and rest as day and night to men successive,
6:49
and the timely dew of sleep now falling with soft, slumbrous weight inclines,
6:55
our eyelids. Other creatures all day long rove eyes unemployed and less need
7:01
rest. Man hath his daily work of body or mind appointed, which declares
7:06
his dignity and the regard of Heaven on all his ways, while other animals
7:13
unactive range and of their doings. God takes no account to morrow. Ere
7:18
fresh mornings streak the east with first approach of light. We must be risen
7:24
and at our pleasant labor to reform yon flowery arbors yonder alley's green. Our
7:30
walks at noon with branches overgrown that mock our scant manuring, and require more
7:34
hands than ours to lop their wanton growth. Those blossoms also, and those
7:40
dropping gums that lie bestrewn, unsightly and unsmooth, ask riddance if we mean
7:46
to tread with ease. Meanwhile, as nature wills, Night bids us rest
7:53
to whom thus eve with perfect beauty adorned my author and disposer, what thou
8:00
bidst unargued I obey, so God ordains. God is thy law, Thou
8:05
mine to know. No more is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise with
8:11
THEE conversing, I forget all time, all seasons, and their change.
8:15
All please alike. Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising, sweet
8:20
with charm of earliest birds, pleasant the sun when first on this delightful land
8:26
he spreads his orient beams on herb, tree, fruit and flower, glistering
8:33
with dew, fragrant the fertile earth after soft showers, and sweet the coming
8:39
on of grateful evening mild, then silent night with this her solemn bird,
8:43
and this fair moon, and these the gems of heaven her starry train.
8:50
But neither breath of morn when she ascends with charm of earliest birds, nor
8:54
rising sun on this delightful land, nor herb fruit flower glistering with nor fragrance
9:01
after showers, nor grateful evening mild, nor silent night with this her solemn
9:05
bird, nor walk by moon or glittering starlight without THEE is sweet. But
9:13
wherefore all night long shine, these for whom this glorious sight, when sleep
9:18
hath shut, all lies to whom our general ancestor, replied Daughter, of
9:26
God and man accomplished eve, those have their course to finish round the earth
9:33
by to morrow evening, and from land to land, in order though to
9:37
nations yet unborn, ministering light prepared, they set and rise, lest total
9:43
darkness should by night regain her old possession and extinguish life in nature and all
9:48
things which these soft fires not only enlighten, but with kindly heat of various
9:54
influence, ferment and warm temper, or nourish or in part shed down their
9:58
staf a virtue on all kinds that grow on earth, made hereby apt to
10:03
receive perfection from the Sun's more potent ray. These then, though unbeheld in
10:09
deep of night shine, not in vain, nor think though men were none,
10:15
that Heaven would want spectators. God want praise. Millions of spiritual creatures
10:20
walk the earth unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep, All
10:26
these with ceaseless praise His works. Behold both day and night. How often
10:31
from the steep of echoing hill or thicket have we heard celestial voices to the
10:35
midnight air. Soul are responsive each to others, note singing. Their great
10:41
creator often bands while they keep watch or nightly rounding walk with heavenly touch of
10:48
instrumental sounds in full harmonic number, joined their songs divide the night and lift
10:54
our thoughts to heaven. Thus talking hand in hand alone, they cassed on
11:00
to their blissful bower. It was a place chosen by the sovereign planter when
11:05
he framed all things to man's delightful use. The roof of thickest covert was
11:09
inwoven shade laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew of firm and fragrant leaf
11:16
on either side Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub fenced up the verdant wall.
11:22
Each beauteous flower, iris or hues, Roses and jasmine reared high,
11:28
their flourished heads between, and wrought mosaic underfoot. The violet crocus and hyacinth,
11:35
with rich inlay broidered the ground more colored than with stone of costliest emblem.
11:41
Other creature here beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter.
11:46
None such was their awe of man in shadier bower, more sacred and
11:54
sequestered, though, but feigned. Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph
11:58
nor fawnas haunted here in close recess with flowers, garlands, and sweet smelling
12:05
herbs espoused Eve decked first her nuptial bed and heavenly quires. The Hymenaean sung,
12:13
what day the genial angel to our sire brought her in naked beauty,
12:16
more adorned, more lovely than Pandora, whom the gods endowed with all their
12:22
gifts and o two like in sad event, when to the unwiser son of
12:26
Japhet, brought by Hermes, she ensnared mankind with her fair looks to be
12:31
avenged on him who had stole Jove's authentic fire. Thus, at their shady
12:37
lodge arrived, both stood, both turned and under open sky, adored the
12:43
God that made both sky, air, earth and heaven, which they beheld
12:48
the moon's resplendent globe and starry pole. Thou also madest the night make her
12:54
omnipotent, And thou the day which we, in our appointed work employed,
13:00
have finished happy in our mutual help and mutual love. The crown of all
13:03
our bliss ordained by THEE. And this delicious place for us too large,
13:09
where thy abundance wants partakers and uncropt folds to the ground. But Thou hast
13:15
promised from us to a race to fill the earth. Who shall with us
13:18
extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake and when we seek as now
13:24
thy gift of sleep. This said, unanimous and other rights, observing none
13:31
but adoration pure, which God likes best, into their innermost bower handed,
13:37
they went and eased the putting off. These troublesome disguises, which we wear
13:43
straight side by side, were laid, nor turned thy ween Adam from his
13:46
fair spouse, nor Eve. The rights mysterious of connubial love refused. Whatever
13:54
hypocrites austerely talk of purity and place and innocence defame it as impure. What
14:01
God declares pure and commands to some leaves free to all our make bids increase.
14:09
Who bids abstain, but our destroyer Foe to God and man hail wedded
14:16
love, mysterious law, true source of human offspring, sole propriety, in
14:22
paradise of all things common else by thee, adulterous lust was driven from men
14:28
among the bestial herds to range by thee founded in reason, loyal, just
14:35
and pure relations dear, and all the charities of father, son and brother
14:41
first were known. Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame,
14:46
or think thee unbefitting, holiest place, perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,
14:52
whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced present or past, as saints and patriarchs
14:58
used here love his golden shafts, employs here, lights his constant lamp,
15:05
and waves his purple wings. Reigns here and revels not in the bought smile
15:11
of Harlot's loveless, joyless, unendeared casual fruition, nor in quarter Moor's mixed
15:20
dance or wanton mask, or midnight ball or serenate, which the starved lover
15:26
sings to his proud fare best quitted with disdain, These lulled by nightingales,
15:33
embracing slept and on their naked limbs the flowery roof showered roses, which the
15:39
morn repaired, sleep on blessed pair, and oh yet happiest, if ye
15:45
seek no happier state, and know to know no more. Now had night
15:52
measured with her shadowy cone half way uphill this vast sublooner vault, and from
15:58
their ivory port, the cherubim, forth, issuing at the customed hour,
16:03
stood armed to their night watches in warlike parade. When Gabriel, to his
16:07
next in power, thus spake Uzil. Half these draw off and coast the
16:15
south with strictest watch. These other wheel the north. Our circuit meets full
16:19
west as flame. They part, half wheeling to the shield, half to
16:25
the spear. From these two strong and subtle spirits, he called that near
16:30
him stood, and gave them Thus in charge Ethuriel and Zephon, with winged
16:37
speed, searched through this garden, leave unsearched no nook, but chiefly where
16:41
those two fair creatures lodge, now laid, perhaps asleep, securer of harm,
16:48
this evening, from the sun's decline arrived who tells of some infernal spirits
16:52
seen hitherwood bent, who could have thought escaped the bars of hell on errand
16:57
bad no doubt such where ye find sees fast, and hither bring so saying
17:07
on he led his radiant files, dazzling the moon, these to the bower
17:11
direct in search of whom they sought him. There they found squat like a
17:17
toad, close at the ear of eve A, saying by his devilish art
17:22
to reach the organs of her fancy, and with them forge delusions as he
17:26
list phanfasms and dreams, or if inspiring venom, he might taint of animal
17:33
spirits that from pure blood arise like gentle breaths from rivers. Pure thence rays
17:38
at least distempered, discontented thoughts, vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires,
17:45
blown up with high conceits, engendering pride him. Thus intent ethereal with
17:52
his spear touched lightly, for no falsehood can endure touch of celestial temper,
17:57
but returns of force to its own likeness. Up he starts, discovered and
18:03
surprised, as when a spark lights on a heap of nitrous powder laid fit
18:07
for the touns some magazine to store against a rumored war. The smutty grain,
18:12
with sudden blaze, diffused inflamed the air, so started up in his
18:18
own shape. The fiend back stepped. Those two fair angels, half amazed,
18:23
so sudden to behold the grisly king, yet thus unmoved with fear accost
18:30
him. Soon which of those rebel spirits adjudged to hell comest Thou escaped thy
18:36
prison and transformed Why sat'st Thou like an enemy in weight here watching at the
18:42
head of these that sleep, know ye not, then said Satan, filled
18:48
with scorn, know ye not me, Ye knew me once? No mate
18:52
for you there, sitting where ye durst, not soar not to know me,
18:56
argues yourselves unknown, the lowest of your throng. Or if ye know
19:02
why, ask ye, and superfluous begin your message like to end as much
19:07
in vain to whom thus zephon answering scorn with scorn, think not revolted spirit,
19:15
thy shape the same or undiminished brightness, to be known as when thou
19:19
stoodst in heaven, upright and pure that glory. Then when thou no more
19:25
wast good departed from thee, and thou resemblest now thy sin and place of
19:30
doom, obscure and foul. But come, for thou be sure, shalt
19:34
give account to him who sent us, whose charge is to keep this place
19:38
inviolable and these from harm. So spake the cherub and his grave rebuke,
19:47
severe in youthful beauty, added grace invincible, abashed. The devil stood and
19:53
felt how awful goodness is, and saw virtue in her shape, how lovely
19:59
sore, and hind his loss, But chiefly to find here, observed his
20:03
luster, visibly impaired, yet seemed undaunted. If I must contend, said
20:11
he best, with the best the sender, not the scent, or all
20:17
at once more glory will be won, or less be lost. Thy fear,
20:23
said Zephon, bald will save us trial what the least can do single
20:27
against thee wicked, and thence weak. The fiend replied, not overcome with
20:34
rage, but like a proud steed, reigned went haughty on, chomping his
20:40
iron curb to strive or fly, He held it vain or from above had
20:45
quelled his heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh the western point,
20:52
where those half rounding guards just met, and closing stood in squadron,
20:56
joined, awaiting next command, to whom their chief, Gabriel, from the
21:00
front, thus called aloud o, friends, I hear the tread of nimble
21:07
feet hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Etheriel and Zephon through the
21:11
shade, and with them comes a third of regal port, but faded splendor,
21:18
one who, by his gait and fierce demeanor, seems the prince of
21:22
Hell not likely to part hence without contest, stand firm, for in his
21:27
look defiance lowers he scarce had ended when those two approached, and brief related
21:37
whom they brought, where found how busied in what form and posture couched to
21:44
whom with stern regard. Thus Gabriel spake, why hast thou Satan, broke
21:51
the bounds prescribed to thy transgressions and disturbed the charge of others, who approve
21:56
not to transgress by thy example, but have power and right to question thy
22:00
bold entrance on this place employed it seems to violate sleep and those whose dwelling
22:07
God hath planted here in bliss, to whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow,
22:15
Gabriel, thou hadst in heaven the steam of wise, and such I held
22:19
thee. But this question asked puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves
22:25
his pain? Who would not, finding way break loose from hell? Though
22:29
thither doomed, Thou wouldst thyself no doubt and boldly venture to whatever place farthest
22:36
from pain, where thou mightst hope to change torment with ease, and soonest
22:41
recompense dole with delight, which in this place I sought to thee no reason
22:47
who know'st only good but evil has not tried, and wilt object his will.
22:52
Who bound us let him surer bar his iron gates if he intends,
22:56
I'll stay in that black durrance. Thus much what was asked. The rest
23:03
is true. They found me where they say, but that implies not violence
23:07
nor harm. Thus he in scorn The warlike angel moved disdainfully, half smiling.
23:15
Thus replied, O loss of one in Heaven? To judge of wise,
23:19
since Satan fell whom folly overthrew, and now returns him from his prison
23:25
escaped gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise or not? Who ask what
23:29
boldness brought him hither, unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed so wise,
23:34
he judges it to fly from pain, however, and escape his punishment.
23:40
So judge thou, still presumptuous, till the wrath which thou encoarst by flying,
23:45
meets thy flight sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, which
23:49
taught THEE yet no better, that no pain can equal anger infinite provoked.
23:56
But wherefore thou alone, wherefore with THEE came not all hell broke? Loose?
24:00
Is pain to them less pain less to be fled? Or thou then
24:04
they less hardy to endure, courageous chief, the first in flight from pain,
24:11
hadst thou alleged to thy deserted host this cause of flight, Thou surely
24:15
hadst not come sole fugitive, to which the fiend thus answered, frowning stern,
24:25
not that I less endure or shrink from pain, insulting angel, Well
24:30
thou knowest I stand thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid the blasting
24:33
volleyed thunder made all speed, and seconded thy else not dreaded spear, but
24:40
still thy words at random, as before, argue thy inexperience, what behooves
24:45
from harder says and ill successes past a faithful leader not to hazard all through
24:51
ways of danger by himself untried. I therefore I alone first undertook to wing
24:56
the desolate abyss and spy this the new created world, whereof in hell fame
25:03
is not silent. Here in hope to find better abode, and my afflicted
25:07
powers to settle here on earth or in mid air, though for possession.
25:12
Put to try once more what thou and thy gay legions dare against whose easier
25:18
business were to serve their lord high up in heaven with songs to him his
25:22
throne, and practice distances to cringe, not fight, to whom. The
25:29
warrior angel soon replied to say, and straight unsay, pretending first wise to
25:37
fly pain professing. Next, the spy argues, no leader but a liar
25:41
tracked Satan, and couldst thou faithful? Add o name, O sacred name
25:48
of faithfulness, profaned, faithful to whom to thy rebellious crew, army of
25:56
fiends, fit body to fit head? Was this your discipline and faith engaged
26:02
your military obedience to dissolve allegiance to the acknowledged power supreme? And thou sly
26:07
hypocrite, who now would seem patron of liberty, who more than thou once
26:14
fawned and cringed and servilely adored Heaven's awful monarch. Wherefore, but in hope
26:19
to dispossess him and thyself to reign. But mark what I read, THEE
26:25
now avunt fly thither, whence thou fledest if from this hour, within these
26:30
hallowed limits thou appear back to the infernal pit. I drag thee chained and
26:36
seal thee, so as henceforth not to scorn the facile gaits of Hell too
26:41
slightly barred, so threatened he but Satan to no threats gave heed, but
26:48
waxing more enrage, replied than when I am thy captive, talk of chains,
26:53
proud, limitary cherub. But e're then far heavier load thy self expect
26:57
to feel from my preveil arm. Though Heaven's king ride on thy wings,
27:03
and thou with thy compeers used to the yoke, drawest his triumphant wheels in
27:07
progress through the road of heaven star paved. While thus he spake vangelic squadron
27:15
bright turned fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns their flanks, and began to
27:21
hem him round with ported spears as thick as when a field of serres ripe
27:26
for harvest, waving bends her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind
27:30
sways them. The careful plowman, doubting, stands least on the threshing floor,
27:36
his hopeful sheaves proved chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarmed,
27:41
collecting all his might, dilated, stood like teneriff or atlas unremoved.
27:47
His stature reached the sky, and on his crest sat horror plumed, nor
27:52
wanted in his grasp what seemed both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds might
27:57
have ensued, nor only paradise in this commotion. But the starry cope of
28:03
heaven, perhaps or all the elements had at least gone to rack, disturbed
28:07
and torn with violence of this conflict, had not soon the eternal to prevent
28:12
such horrid fray hung forth in heaven, his golden scales yet seen betwixt Astria
28:18
and the scorpion sign, wherein all things created, First he weighed the pendulous
28:26
round earth with balanced air. In counterpoise now ponders all events, battles and
28:32
realms. In these he put two weights, the sequel, each of parting
28:37
and of fight. The latter quick up, flew and kicked the beam which
28:42
Gabriel spying. Thus bespake the fiend, Satan. I know thy strength,
28:49
and thou knowest mine, neither our own. But given what folly, then
28:55
to boast what arms can do, since thine no more than Heaven permits nor
28:59
mine. Though doubled now to trample thee asmire for proof, look up and
29:03
read thy lot in yon celestial sign, where thou art weighed and shone,
29:08
How light, how weak? If thou resist the fiend looked up and knew
29:15
his mounted scale aloft nor more but fled, murmuring, and with him fled
29:22
the shades of night. The end of the second part of the fourth book,