¡¶Paradise Lost ¢ô¡·


 THE ARGUMENT

    Satan no of Eden, and nig notempt terprize  God and Man, falls into many doubts  at lengto Paradise,  and scituation is discribed, overleaps ts in t on tree of life, as  in to look about ans first sig t form and ate, but ion to  tree of knoo eat of, under penalty of deatends to found emptation, by seducing to transgress: to knoate by some ote of Paradise, t some evil spirit  at Noon by o Paradise, discovered after by ures in t. Gabriel promises to find  coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to t: t-co s trong Angels to Adams Bo t so Adam or Eve sleeping; t tempting o Gabriel; by   of Paradise.

 1

    O For t warning voice, which he who saw

    th Apocalyps, heard cry in heaven aloud,

    t to second rout,

    Came furious doo be revengd on men,

    o to tants on Eart now, [ 5 ]

    ime -Parents had bin warnd

    t foe, and scapd

    al snare; for now

    Satan, no inflamd h rage, came down,

    tempter ere th Accuser of man-kind, [ 10 ]

    to  frail man his loss

    Of t first Battel, and  to hell:

    Yet not rejoycing in hough bold,

    Far off and fearless, nor o boast,

    Begins tempt, wh [ 15 ]

    Nouous brest,

    And like a devillish Engine back recoiles

    Upon  distract

    roubld ts, and from ttom stirr

    thin him hell [ 20 ]

    him, nor from hell

    One step no more then from himself can fly

    By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair

    t slumberd, ter memorie

    Of  be [ 25 ]

    orse; of  ensue.

    Sometimes towards Eden which now in his view

    Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,

    Sometimes towards he full-blazing Sun,

    owre: [ 30 ]

    thus in sighs began.

    O t h surpassing Glory crownd,

    Lookst from the God

    Of t arrs

    o thee I call, [ 35 ]

    But hy name

    O Sun, to tell te thy beams

    t bring to my remembrance from ate

    I fell, hy Spheare;

    till Pride and ion threw me down [ 40 ]

    arring in  chless King:

    Aurn

    From me, wed w I was

    In t brigh his good

    Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. [ 45 ]

    could be less to afford him praise,

    t recompence, and pay hanks,

    all his good provd ill in me,

    And ed up so high

    I sdeind subjection, and t one step higher [ 50 ]

    ould set me , and in a moment quit

    t immense of endless gratitude,

    So burtill paying, still to ow;

    Forgetful w from ill receivd,

    And understood not t a grateful mind [ 55 ]

    By o, but still pays, at once

    Indebted and disc burden then?

 2

    O iny ordaind

    Me some inferiour Angel, I ood

    then happie; no unbounded hope had raisd [ 60 ]

    Ambition. Yet her Power

    As great mighough mean

    Drao ; but ot

    Fell not, but stand unshin

    Or from , to all temptations armd. [ 65 ]

    to stand?

    t:  to accuse,

    But  equally to all?

    Be t, since love or e,

    to me alike, it deals eternal woe. [ 70 ]

    Nay cursd be t hy will

    C it noly rues.

    Me miserable! which way shall I flie

    Infinite e despaire?

    hich way I flie is hell; my self am hell; [ 75 ]

    And in t deep a lower deep

    Still tning to devour me opens wide,

    to whe hell I suffer seems a heavn.

    O t last relent: is there no place

    Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left? [ 80 ]

    None left but by submission; and t word

    Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame

    Among ts beneath, whom I seducd

    its

    to submit, boasting I could subdue [ 85 ]

    tent. Ay me, ttle know

    boast so vaine,

    Under orments inwardly I groane:

    hrone of hell,

    itre high advancd [ 90 ]

    till I fall, onely Supream

    In miserie; sucion findes.

    But say I could repent and could obtaine

    By Act of Grace my former state; how soon

    ould s, how soon unsay [ 95 ]

    feignd submission s

    Vo and void.

    For never can true reconcilement grow

    e have peircd so deep:

    lead me to a worse relapse [ 100 ]

    And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare

    S intermission boug.

 3

    therefore as farr

    From granting hee, as I from begging peace:

    All ead [ 105 ]

    Of us out-cast, exild, ,

    Mankind created, and for his orld.

    So farewel h hope farewel Fear,

    Fareo me is lost;

    Evil be t least [ 110 ]

    Divided Empire h heavns King I hold

    By then half perhaps will reigne;

    As Man ere long, and this new orld shall know.

    thus while he spake, each passion dimmd his face

    th pale, ire, envie and despair, [ 115 ]

    raid

    erfet, if any eye beheld.

    For empers foule

    Are ever cleer. hereof hee soon aware,

    Eacurbation smootward calme, [ 120 ]

    Artificer of fraud; and

    t practisd falsly shew,

    Deep malice to conceale, couch revenge:

    Yet not anougisd to deceive

    Uriel once warnd; whose eye pursud him down [ 125 ]

    t, and on t

    Saw hen could befall

    Spirit of : ures fierce

    hen alone,

    As he supposd all unobservd, unseen. [ 130 ]

    So on o the border comes

    Of Eden, where delicious Paradise,

    Noh her enclosure green,

    As he champain head

    Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides [ 135 ]

    it overgrotesque and wilde,

    Access denid; and over head up grew

    Insuperable iest shade,

    Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm

    A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend [ 140 ]

    Sre

    Of stateliest vie ops

    the verdurous wall of paradise up sprung:

    o our general Sire gave prospect large

    Into her Empire neighbouring round. [ 145 ]

 4

    And  all a circling row

    Of goodliest trees loaden  Fruit,

    Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue

    Appeerd, :

    On whe Sun more glad impressd his beams [ 150 ]

    then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,

    h; so lovely seemd

    t Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire

    Meets o t inspires

    Vernal deligo drive [ 155 ]

    All sadness but despair: nole gales

    Fanning thir odoriferous wings dispense

    Native perfumes, and wole

    to them who saile

    Beyond t [ 160 ]

    Mozambic, off at Sea Nort windes blow

    Sabean Odours from the spicie shoare

    Of Arabie t, h such delay

    ell pleasd thir course, and many a League

    Ceful smell old Ocean smiles. [ 165 ]

    So entertaind ts the Fiend

    ter pleasd

    the fishie fume,

    t drove he Spouse

    Of tobits Son, and  [ 170 ]

    From Media post to ?gypt, t bound.

    Noo t of t steep savage hill

    Satan had journied on, pensive and slow;

    But furtwind,

    As one continud brake, th [ 175 ]

    Of sangling bus

    All pat t past t way:

    One Gate t lookd East

    On th arch-fellon saw

    Due entrance empt, [ 180 ]

    At one slight bound high over leapd all bound

    Of  all, and shin

    Lig. As when a prowling olfe,

    o seek new  for prey,

    atc eeve [ 185 ]

    In es amid the field secure,

    Leaps ore to the Fould:

    Or as a t to unhe cash

    Of some ricantial dores,

    Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault, [ 190 ]

    In at tiles;

    So clomb t grand to Gods Fould:

    So since into his Church lewd hirelings climbe.

 5

    tree of Life,

    tree and  t grew, [ 195 ]

    Sat like a Cormorant; yet not true Life

    t sat devising Death

    to tue t

    Of t life-giving Plant, but only usd

    For prospect, w well usd he pledge [ 200 ]

    Of immortality. So little knows

    Any, but God alone, to value right

    t perverts best things

    to  abuse, or to t use.

    Beneath new wonder now he views [ 205 ]

    to all delight of human sense exposd

    In narroures wh, yea more,

    A h, for blissful Paradise

    Of God t

    Of Eden planted; Eden stretchd her Line [ 210 ]

    From Auran Easto towrs

    Of Great Seleucia, built by Grecian Kings,

    Or whe Sons of Eden long before

    D in telassar: in t soile

    Garden God ordaind; [ 215 ]

    Out of til ground o grow

    All trees of noblest kind for sigaste;

    And all amid tood tree of Life,

    , blooming Ambrosial Fruit

    Of vegetable Gold; and next to Life [ 220 ]

    Our Deatree of Kno by,

    Kno dear by knowing ill.

    Sout a River large,

    Nor c the shaggie hill

    Passd underneat, for God hrown [ 225 ]

    t Mountain as his Garden mould high raisd

    Upon t, whrough veins

    Of porous Eart up drawn,

    Rose a fresain, and h many a rill

    aterd ted fell [ 230 ]

    Doeep glade, and met ther Flood,

    hich from his darksom passage now appeers,

    And noo four main Streams,

    Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme

    And Country w, [ 235 ]

    But rato tell  could tell,

    Sap the crisped Brooks,

    Ro Pearl and sands of Gold,

    it shades

    Ran Nectar, visiting eac, and fed [ 240 ]

    Flours  nice Art

    In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon

    Poh profuse on hill and Dale and Plaine,

    Bot e

    t shade [ 245 ]

    Imbround tide Bohis place,

    A  of various view;

    Groves  odorous Gumms and Balme,

    Ot burnish Golden Rinde

    rue, [ 250 ]

    If true, aste:

    Bet them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks

    Grasing tender erposd,

    Or palmie he flourie lap

    Of som irriguous Valley spred ore, [ 255 ]

    Flours of all  the Rose:

    Anots and Caves

    Of coole recess, ore wling vine

    Layes fortly creeps

    Luxuriant; mean wers fall [ 260 ]

    Do, or in a Lake,

    t to tle crownd,

    al mirror e treams.

 6

    thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires,

    Breattune [ 265 ]

    trembling leaves, while Universal Pan

    Knit he hours in dance

    Led on ternal Spring. Not t faire field

    Of Enna, whering flours

    her self a fairer Floure by gloomie Dis [ 270 ]

    as gat Ceres all t pain

    to seek  s Grove

    Of Dapes, and th inspird

    Castalian Spring, mighis Paradise

    Of Eden strive; nor t Nyseian Ile [ 275 ]

    Girt riton, where old Cham,

    iles Ammon call and Lybian Jove,

    hea and her Florid Son

    Young Baccepdame Rheas eye;

    Nor whir issue Guard, [ 280 ]

    Mount Amara, this by som supposd

    true Paradise under thiop Line

    By Nilus h shining Rock,

    A e

    From the Fiend [ 285 ]

    Saw undelig, all kind

    Of living Creatures neo sigrange:

    tall,

    Godlike erect, ive honour clad

    In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all, [ 290 ]

    And hir looks Divine

    thir glorious Maker shon,

    trutitude severe and pure,

    Severe but in true filial freedom plact;

    rue autority in men; th [ 295 ]

    Not equal, as t equal seemd;

    For contemplation hee and valour formd,

    For softness s attractive Grace,

    hee for God only, shee for God in him:

    and Eye sublime declard [ 300 ]

    Absolute rule; and hin Locks

    Round from ed forelock manly hung

    Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:

    So te

    resses wore [ 305 ]

    Dis in on ringlets wavd

    As tendrils, which implid

    Subjection, but requird le sway,

    And by  receivd,

    Yielded  pride, [ 310 ]

    And s reluctant amorous delay.

 7

    Nor terious parts hen conceald,

    t guiltie s shame

    Of natures works, honor dishonorable,

    Sin-bred, roubld all mankind [ 315 ]

    itead, meer shews of seeming pure,

    And banis life,

    Simplicitie and spotless innocence.

    So passd t

    Of God or Angel, for t no ill: [ 320 ]

    So  pair

    t ever since in loves imbraces met,

    Adam t man of men since borne

    of ers Eve.

    Under a tuft of s on a green [ 325 ]

    Stood w, by a fresain side

    t ter no more toil

    Of t Gardning labour then sufficd

    to recommend coole Zephyr, and made ease

    More easie, ite [ 330 ]

    More grateful, to ts they fell,

    Nectarine Fruits w boughes

    Yielded t recline

    On t do h flours:

    the rinde [ 335 ]

    Still as ted scoop tream;

    Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles

    anted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems

    Fair couple, linkt in ial League,

    Alone as t them frisking playd [ 340 ]

    All Beasts of th, since wilde, and of all chase

    In ood or ilderness, Forrest or Den;

    Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw

    Dandld tygers, Ounces, Pards

    Gambold before t [ 345 ]

    to make t, and hd

    sly

    Insinuating, wine

    rain, and of al guile

    Gave proof unhe grass [ 350 ]

    Coucure gazing sat,

    Or Beding: for the Sun

    Declind h prone carreer

    to th ascending Scale

    Of arrs t usher Evening rose: [ 355 ]

    an still in gaze, as first ood,

    Scarce t length faild speech recoverd sad.

    O  doe mine eyes h grief behold,

    Into our room of bliss t

    Creatures of oth-born perhaps, [ 360 ]

    Not Spirits, yet to s bright

    Little inferior; ws pursue

    ith wonder, and could love, so lively shines

    In them Divine resemblance, and such grace

    t formd th pourd. [ 365 ]

    Ale pair, yee little think how nigh

    Your cs

    ill vaniso woe,

    More aste is now of joy;

    for so happie ill securd [ 370 ]

    Long to continue, and t your heavn

    Ill fenct for o keep out such a foe

    As noerd; yet no purposd foe

    to you hus forlorne

    ttied: League h you I seek, [ 375 ]

    And mutual amitie so streight, so close,

    t I  dh me

    please

    Like t such

    Accept your Makers work;  me, [ 380 ]

    hich I as freely give; hell shall unfold,

    to entertain you tes,

    And send forthere will be room,

    Not like ts, to receive

    Your numerous ofspring; if no better place, [ 385 ]

    ts me loato this revenge

    On you w for him who wrongd.

 8

    And s your harmless innocence

    Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,

    h revenge enlargd, [ 390 ]

    By conquering this new orld, compels me now

    to do hough damnd I should abhorre.

    So spake tie,

    tyrants plea, excusd his devilish deeds.

    tie stand on t ree [ 395 ]

    Doful herd

    Of ted kindes, himself now one,

    No his end

    Neerer to view his prey, and unespid

    to mark ate  learn [ 400 ]

    By ion markt: about them round

    A Lion noh fierie glare,

    tyger, wh spid

    In some Purlieu tle Fa play,

    Strait couc [ 405 ]

    ch, as one who chose his ground

    surest seize th

    Gript in eac of men

    to first of hus moving speech,

    turnd o terance flow. [ 410 ]

    Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,

    Dearer t the Power

    t made us, and for us this ample orld

    Be infinitly good, and of his good

    As liberal and free as infinite, [ 415 ]

    t raisd us from t and plact us here

    In all t his hand

    ed, nor can performe

    Augh need, hee who requires

    From us no oto keep [ 420 ]

    trees

    In Paradise t bear delicious fruit

    So various, not to taste t onely tree

    Of knoed by tree of Life,

    So neer groo Life, h is, [ 425 ]

    Som dreadful t; for

    God  it deato taste t tree,

    t

    Among so many signes of power and rule

    Conferrd upon us, and Dominion givn [ 430 ]

    Over all otures t possess

    Eart us not think hard

    One easie proion, who enjoy

    Free leave so large to all things else, and choice

    Unlimited of manifold delights: [ 435 ]

    But let us ever praise oll

    ie, following our deligask

    to prune ts, and tend these Flours,

    toilsom, yet .

 9

    to whou for whom [ 440 ]

    And from why flesh,

    And  wo no end, my Guide

    And  t said is just and right.

    For o him indeed all praises owe,

    And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy [ 445 ]

    So farr t, enjoying thee

    Pr?eminent by so muchou

    Like consort to t no where find.

    t day I oft remember, when from sleep

    I first a, and found my self reposd [ 450 ]

    Under a shade of flours, much wondring where

    And w I was, w, and how.

    Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound

    Of ers issud from a Cave and spread

    Into a liquid Plain, tood unmovd [ 455 ]

    Pure as t

    it t, and laid me downe

    On to look into the cleer

    Smoot to me seemd another Skie.

    As I bent doo look, just opposite, [ 460 ]

    A Sry gleam appeard

    Bending to look on me, I started back,

    It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,

    Pleasd it returnd as soon h answering looks

    Of sympat [ 465 ]

    Mine eyes till noh vain desire,

    a voice t t,

    t fair Creature is thy self,

    it came and goes: but follow me,

    And I aies [ 470 ]

    t imbraces, hee

    ,  enjoy

    Inseparablie to  beare

    Multitudes like thence be calld

    Mot could I doe, [ 475 ]

    But follorait, invisibly thus led?

    till I espid tall,

    Under a Platan, yet met less faire,

    Less , less amiablie milde,

    t smootry image; back I turnd, [ 480 ]

    t aloud, Return faire Eve,

    t, of ,

    o give t

    Out of my side to t my

    Substantial Life, to hee by my side [ 485 ]

    h an individual solace dear;

    Part of my Soul I seek thee claim

    My ot tle hand

    Seisd mine, I yielded, and from t time see

    y is excelld by manly grace [ 490 ]

    And wisdom, wruly fair.

 10

    So spake our general Moth eyes

    Of conjugal attraction unreprovd,

    And meek surrender, half imbracing leand

    On our first Fat [ 495 ]

    Naked met he flowing Gold

    Of resses

    Boty and submissive Charms

    Smild er

    On Juno smiles, whe Clouds [ 500 ]

    t sron lip

    iturnd

    For envie, yet h jealous leer maligne

    Eyd to hus plaind.

    Sigeful, sigormenting! two [ 505 ]

    Imparadist in one anothers arms

    thir fill

    Of bliss on bliss, wo ,

    fierce desire,

    Among our otorments not t, [ 510 ]

    Still unfulfilld h pain of longing pines;

    Yet let me not forget w I have gaind

    From t t seems:

    One fatal tree tands of Knowledge calld,

    Forbidden to taste: Knowledge forbiddn? [ 515 ]

    Suspicious, reasonless. hir Lord

    Envie t? can it be sin to know,

    Can it be deatand

    By Ignorance, is t tate,

    th? [ 520 ]

    O fair foundation laid wo build

    te thir minds

    ito knoo reject

    Envious commands, invented h designe

    to keep t exalt [ 525 ]

    Equal o be such,

    taste and die: w likelier can ensue?

    But first  walk round

    this Garden, and no corner leave unspid;

    A c c [ 530 ]

    Some  of ain side,

    Or in tird, from o draw

    furt. Live while ye may,

    Yet ill I return,

    S pleasures, for long o succeed. [ 535 ]

    So saying, ep urnd,

    But ion, and began

    te, ore hill, ore dale his roam.

    Mean  Longitude, where heavn

    its, tting Sun [ 540 ]

    Slo aspect

    Against tern Gate of Paradise

    Leveld  was a Rock

    Of Alablaster, pild up to the Clouds,

    Conspicuous farr,  [ 545 ]

    Accessible from Eartrance high;

    t  overhung

    Still as it rose, impossible to climbe.

 11

    Bet t

    Cing night; [ 550 ]

    About him exercisd heroic Games

    t nig hand

    Celestial Armourie, Shields, helmes, and Speares

    h Gold.

    the Eeven [ 555 ]

    On a Sun beam, s as a sing Starr

    In Autumn ts t, when vapors fird

    Impress the Mariner

    From  of o beware

    Impetuous winds: e. [ 560 ]

    Gabriel, to t h givn

    Crict c to this happie place

    No evil ter in;

    t o my Spheare

    A Spirit, zealous, as o know [ 565 ]

    More of ties works, and chiefly Man

    Gods latest Image: I describd his way

    Bent all on speed, and markt e;

    But in t t lies from Eden North,

    lighted, soon discernd his looks [ 570 ]

    Alien from h passions foul obscurd:

    Mine eye pursud ill, but under shade

    Lost sig crew

    I fear, urd from to raise

    Neroubles;  be to find. [ 575 ]

    to wurnd:

    Uriel, no  sight,

    Amid t circle ,

    See farr and  te none pass

    t, but such as come [ 580 ]

    ell known from heavn; and since Meridian hour

    No Creature t of ot,

    So minded,  thie bounds

    On purpose,  it to exclude

    Spiritual substance h corporeal barr. [ 585 ]

    But if  of these walks,

    In wsoever shape he lurk, of whom

    tellst, by morrow dawning I shall know.

    So promisd o his charge

    Returnd on t brig now raisd [ 590 ]

    Bore o the Sun now falln

    Beneathe prime Orb,

    Incredible , her rowld

    Diurnal, or th

    By ser fligo t,  here [ 595 ]

    Arraying ed Purple and Gold

    t on ern ttend:

    Noill Eevning on, and t gray

    hings clad;

    Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird, [ 600 ]

    to to ts

    ere slunk, all but tingale;

    S long  sung;

    Silence

    it led [ 605 ]

    tarrie , rode brig, till the Moon

    Rising in clouded Majestie, at length

    Apparent Queen unvaild ,

    And ore tle threw.

    o Eve: Fair Consort, th hour [ 610 ]

    Of nigird to rest

    Mind us of like repose, since God

    Labour and rest, as day and nigo men

    Successive, and timely dew of sleep

    No slumbrous  inclines [ 615 ]

    Our eye-lids; otures all day long

    Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest;

    Man h his daily work of body or mind

    Appointed, wie,

    And the regard of heavn on all his waies; [ 620 ]

    ive range,

    And of takes no account.

 12

    to morro

    it approac,  be risn,

    And at our pleasant labour, to reform [ 625 ]

    Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,

    Our  noon, h branches overgrown,

    t mock our scant manuring, and require

    More o lop ton growth:

    those dropping Gumms, [ 630 ]

    t lie bestrowne unsigh,

    Ask riddance, if o tread h ease;

    Mean wure wills, Nig.

    to y adornd.

    My Aut t [ 635 ]

    Unargud I obey; so God ordains,

    God is to know no more

    Is womans  knowledge and her praise.

    it all time,

    All seasons and thir change, all please alike. [ 640 ]

    S is t,

    it Birds; pleasant the Sun

    on tful Land he spreads

    Beams, on ree, fruit, and flour,

    Glistring  til earth [ 645 ]

    After soft s the coming on

    Of grateful Eevning milde, t Night

    ithis fair Moon,

    And tarrie train:

    But neith of Morn when she ascends [ 650 ]

    it Birds, nor rising Sun

    On tful land, nor , floure,

    Glistring er showers,

    Nor grateful Eevning mild, nor silent Night

    ithis her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon, [ 655 ]

    Or glittering Starr-lig t.

    But w long shese, for whom

    t, w all eyes?

    to wor replid.

    Daug Eve, [ 660 ]

    to finish,

    By morroo Land

    In order, to Nations yet unborn,

    Ministring lig and rise;

    Least total darkness s regaine [ 665 ]

    inguish life

    In Nature and all t fires

    Not only enlig e

    Of various influence foment and warme,

    temper or nouris shed down [ 670 ]

    tellar vertue on all kinds t grow

    On Earter to receive

    Perfection from tent Ray.

 13

    t,

    S in vain, nor though men were none, [ 675 ]

    t  spectators, God  praise;

    Millions of spiritual Creatures h

    Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:

    All th ceasless praise his works behold

    Bot: en from teep [ 680 ]

    Of ec have we heard

    Celestial voices to t air,

    Sole, or responsive eaco ote

    Singing t Creator: oft in bands

    cly rounding walk, [ 685 ]

    itoucrumental sounds

    In full hir songs

    Divide t, and lift our ts to heaven.

    talking hey passd

    On to t was a place [ 690 ]

    Cer, when he framd

    All to mans delighe roofe

    Of t covert was inwoven shade

    Laurel and Mirtle, and w higher grew

    Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side [ 695 ]

    Acanthus, and each odorous bushie shrub

    Fencd up t wall; eaceous flour,

    Iris all hues, Roses, and Gessamin

    Reard

    Mosaic; underfoot t, [ 700 ]

    Crocus, and h rich inlay

    Broiderd tone

    Of costliest Emblem: oture here

    Beast, Bird, Insect, or orm durst enter none;

    Suchir awe of Man. In shadie Bower [ 705 ]

    More sacred and sequesterd, t feignd,

    Pan or Silvanus never slept, nor Nymph,

    Nor Faunus ed. here in close recess

    it-smelling herbs

    Espoused Eve deckt first ial Bed, [ 710 ]

    And he hymen?an sung,

    day to our Sire

    Brougy more adornd

    More lovely the Gods

    Endos, and O too like [ 715 ]

    In sad event, he unwiser Son

    Of Jap brought by hermes, she ensnard

    Mankind o be avengd

    On ole Joves autic fire.

 14

    t tood [ 720 ]

    Boturnd, and under opn Skie adord

    t made both and heavn

    Globe

    And starrie Pole: t t,

    Maker Omnipotent, and the Day, [ 725 ]

    ed work imployd

    ual help

    And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss

    Ordaind by this delicious place

    For us too large, ws [ 730 ]

    Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.

    But t promisd from us two a Race

    to fill toll

    te, both when we wake,

    And w of sleep. [ 735 ]

    tes

    Observing none, but adoration pure

    , into t bowre

    ; and easd tting off

    troublesom disguises which wee wear, [ 740 ]

    Strait side by side urnd I weene

    Adam from es

    Mysterious of connubial Love refusd:

    ever es austerely talk

    Of puritie and place and innocence, [ 745 ]

    Defaming as impure w God declares

    Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.

    Our Maker bids increase, wain

    But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?

    erious Larue source [ 750 ]

    Of y,

    In Paradise of all things common else.

 15

    By terous lust was drivn from men

    Among tial o raunge, by thee

    Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure, [ 755 ]

    Relations dear, and all ties

    Of Fat were known.

    Farr be it, t I se thee sin or blame,

    Or tting  place,

    Perpetual Fountain of Domestic ss, [ 760 ]

    e pronounct,

    Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs usd.

    s imploies, s

    ant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,

    Reigns  in t smile [ 765 ]

    Of s, loveless, joyless, unindeard,

    Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours

    Mixt Dance, or on Mask, or Midnight Bal,

    Or Serenate, warvd Lover sings

    to  quitted h disdain. [ 770 ]

    tingales imbraceing slept,

    And on the flourie roof

    She Morn repaird. Sleep on

    Blest pair; and O yet  if ye seek

    No ate, and knoo know no more. [ 775 ]

    Noh her shaddowie Cone

    Sublunar Vault,

    And from t the Cherubim

    Fort tomd ood armd

    to t ches in warlike Parade, [ 780 ]

    o  in pohus spake.

    Uzziel,  th

    itrictest ch,

    Our circuit meets full est. As flame t

    o to the Spear. [ 785 ]

    From trong and suttle Spirits he calld

    t neer ood, and gave thus in charge.

    Ith wingd speed

    Searc no nook,

    But cures Lodge, [ 790 ]

    Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.

 16

    the Suns decline arrivd

    ells of som infernal Spirit seen

    (w?) escapd

    t: [ 795 ]

    Suc, and her bring.

    So saying, on  Files,

    Dazling to t

    In searc: hey found

    Squat like a toad, close at the eare of Eve; [ 800 ]

    Assaying by  to reach

    them forge

    Illusions as , Pasms and Dreams,

    Or if, inspiring venom,  taint

    ts t from pure blood arise [ 805 ]

    Like gentle breathence raise

    At least distemperd, discontented ts,

    Vaine e desires

    Blos ingendring pride.

    ent Ith his Spear [ 810 ]

    toucly; for no falshood can endure

    toucial temper, but returns

    Of force to its os

    Discoverd and surprizd. As when a spark

    Ligrous Powder, laid [ 815 ]

    Fit for tun som Magazin to store

    Against a rumord arr, ttie graine

    ithe Aire:

    So started up in he Fiend.

    Back stept two fair Angels half amazd [ 820 ]

    So sudden to behe grieslie King;

    Yet t him soon.

    s adjudgd to hell

    Comst transformd,

    st te [ 825 ]

    c t sleep?

    Kno tan, filld h scorn

    Kno mee? ye knee

    For you, tting  soare;

    Not to know mee argues your selves unknown, [ 830 ]

    t of your throng; or if ye know,

    hy ask ye, and superfluous begin

    Your message, like to end as much in vain?

    to wh scorn.

    t, revolted Spirit, the same, [ 835 ]

    Or undiminisness, to be known

    As  in  and pure;

    t Glorie t good,

    Departed from t now

    thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule. [ 840 ]

 17

    But come, for t give account

    to  us, wo keep

    these from harm.

    So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke

    Severe in youtie, added grace [ 845 ]

    Invincible: abasood,

    And felt how awful goodness is, and saw

    Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pind

    co find here observd

    re visibly impaird; yet seemd [ 850 ]

    Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,

    Best , t t,

    Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,

    Or less be lost. thy fear, said Zephon bold,

    ill save us trial  can doe [ 855 ]

    Single against thence weak.

    t, overcome h rage;

    But like a proud Steed reind,  ie on,

    Co strive or flie

    vain; awe from above had quelld [ 860 ]

    , not else dismaid. Nohey nigh

    tern Point, whose half-rounding guards

    Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind

    Aing next command. to whir Chief

    Gabriel from t thus calld aloud. [ 865 ]

    O friends, I read of nimble feet

    ing this way, and now by glimps discerne

    Ithe shade,

    And ,

    But faded splendor wan; we [ 870 ]

    And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of hell,

    Not likely to part  contest;

    Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.

    wo approachd

    And brief related w, where found, [ 875 ]

    form and posture coucht.

    to hus Gabriel spake.

    tan, broke the bounds prescribd

    to transgressions, and disturbd the charge

    Of ot to transgress [ 880 ]

    By t

    to question trance on this place;

    Imploid it seems to violate sleep, and those

    ed here in bliss?

 18

    to emptuous brow. [ 885 ]

    Gabriel, t in eem of wise,

    And suc tion askt

    Puts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain?

    , finding way, break loose from hell,

    t t, [ 890 ]

    And boldly venture to wever place

    Fart from pain,  o change

    torment  recompence

    Dole , w;

    to t only good, [ 895 ]

    But evil  not trid: and  object

    him surer barr

    es, if ends our stay

    In t dark durance: t .

    t is true, they say; [ 900 ]

    But t implies not violence or harme.

    the warlike Angel movd,

    Disdainfully hus replid.

    O loss of one in o judge of wise,

    Since Satan fell, whrew, [ 905 ]

    And nourns ,

    Gravely in doubt wo hem wise

    Or not, w boldness brougher

    Unlicenct from his bounds in hell prescribd;

    So o fly from pain [ 910 ]

    o scape .

    So judge till, presumptuous, till th,

    by flying, meet t

    Seavenfold, and scourge t o hell,

    aug no better, t no pain [ 915 ]

    Can equal anger infinite provokt.

    But whee

    Came not all o them

    Less pain, less to be fled, or they

    Less o endure? courageous Chief, [ 920 ]

    t in flig thou allegd

    to ted  t,

    t not come sole fugitive.

    to wern.

    Not t I less endure, or shrink from pain, [ 925 ]

    Insulting Angel,  I stood

    t, o thy aide

    ting volied thunder made all speed

    And seconded t dreaded Spear.

 19

    But still t random, as before, [ 930 ]

    Argue t behooves

    From

    A fait to hazard all

    trid,

    I t undertook [ 935 ]

    to e Abyss, and spie

    ted orld, whereof in hell

    Fame is not silent, o find

    Better abode, and my afflicted Powers

    to settle h, or in mid Aire; [ 940 ]

    t to try once more

    t;

    o serve thir Lord

    o hrone,

    And practisd distances to cringe, not fight. [ 945 ]

    to whe warriour Angel, soon replid.

    to say and strait unsay, pretending first

    ise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,

    Argues no Leader, but a lyar tract,

    Satan, and couldst thful add? O name, [ 950 ]

    O sacred name of faithfulness profand!

    Faito hy rebellious crew?

    Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;

    as th ingagd,

    Your military obedience, to dissolve [ 955 ]

    Allegeance to th acknowledgd Power supream?

    And te, w seem

    Patron of liberty, whou

    Once fawnd, and cringd, and servilly adord

    in hope [ 960 ]

    to dispossess o reigne?

    But mark ;

    Flie t: if from this houre

    its thou appeer,

    Back to t I drag thee chaind, [ 965 ]

    And Seale t to scorne

    tes of oo slightly barrd.

    So tnd  Satan to no ts

    Gave  waxing more in rage replid.

 20

    tive talk of chaines, [ 970 ]

    Proud limitarie C ere then

    Farr  to feel

    From my prevailing arme, though heavens King

    Ride on thy Compeers,

    Usd to t riump wheels [ 975 ]

    In progress tar-pavd.

    turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes

    to hemm him round

    ited Spears, as thick as when a field [ 980 ]

    Of Ceres ripe for  waving bends

    he wind

    Sing stands

    Least on threshing floore his hopeful sheaves

    Prove can allarmd [ 985 ]

    Collecting all  dilated stood,

    Like teneriff or Atlas unremovd:

    ature reac

    Sat ed in his graspe

    seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds [ 990 ]

    Might have ensud, nor onely Paradise

    In tion, but tarrie Cope

    Of s

    At least o rack, disturbd and torne

    it,  soon [ 995 ]

    ternal to prevent such horrid fray

    seen<kbd>h£ô£ô£ð://w£÷w.9£¹£ì£é£â?£îe£ô</kbd>

    Bet Astrea and the Scorpion signe,

    ed first he weighd,

    t Aire [ 1000 ]

    In counterpoise, nos,

    Battels and Realms: in t ts

    ting and of fight;

    tter quick up fle the beam;

    he Fiend. [ 1005 ]

    Satan, I knorengt mine,

    Neit givn; hen

    to boast hine no more

    ts, nor mine, though doubld now

    to trample thee as mire: for proof look up, [ 1010 ]

    And read t in yon celestial Sign

    weig, how weak,

    If t. t up and knew

    ed scale aloft: nor more; but fled

    Murmuring, and . [ 1015 ]