{ "id": "john-milton/book-iv", "title": "Book IV", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "John Milton", "poet_slug": "john-milton", "language": "en", "book": "Paradise Lost", "book_slug": "paradise-lost", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 4, "container": "Book IV", "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1674, "venue": "Paradise Lost (1674)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://github.com/standardebooks/john-milton_paradise-lost" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/john-milton_paradise-lost", "file": "book-4.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000634929" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-20" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 1015, "n_stanzas": 42, "n_parts": 0, "longest_line_chars": 60, "max_indent": 0 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "O for that warning voice, which he who saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Apocalypse heard cry in Heaven aloud,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came furious down to be revenged on men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Woe to the inhabitants on Earth!” that now,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While time was, our first parents had been warned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The coming of their secret foe, and scaped,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Haply so scaped, his mortal snare! For now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The tempter ere the accuser of mankind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To wreak on innocent frail Man his loss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Begins his dire attempt; which, nigh the birth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now rolling, boils in his tumultuous breast,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And like a devilish engine back recoils", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon himself. Horror and doubt distract", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The hell within him; for within him Hell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One step, no more than from himself, can fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By change of place. Now conscience wakes despair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That slumbered; wakes the bitter memory", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of what he was, what is, and what must be", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Worse: of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixes sad;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sometimes towards Heaven and the full-blazing sun,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which now sat high in his meridian tower:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O thou that, with surpassing glory crowned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Look’st from thy sole dominion like the god", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of this new World; at whose sight all the stars", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hide their diminished heads; to thee I call,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But with no friendly voice, and add thy name,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That bring to my remembrance from what state", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till pride and worse ambition threw me down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Warring in Heaven against Heaven’s matchless King!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ah, wherefore? He deserved no such return", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From me, whom he created what I was", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In that bright eminence, and with his good", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upbraided none; nor was his service hard.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What could be less than to afford him praise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How due? Yet all his good proved ill in me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wrought but malice. Lifted up so high,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I ’sdeined subjection, and thought one step higher", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would set me highest, and in a moment quit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The debt immense of endless gratitude,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So burdensome, still paying, still to owe;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forgetful what from him I still received;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And understood not that a grateful mind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By owing owes not, but still pays, at once", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Indebted and discharged⁠—what burden then?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Oh, had his powerful destiny ordained", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Me some inferior Angel, I had stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then happy; no unbounded hope had raised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ambition. Yet why not? some other power", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As great might have aspired, and me, though mean,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drawn to his part. But other powers as great", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or from without, to all temptations armed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou hadst. Whom hast thou then, or what, to accuse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But Heaven’s free love dealt equally to all?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be then his love accursed, since, love or hate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To me alike it deals eternal woe.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nay, cursed be thou; since against his thy will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chose freely what it now so justly rues.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Me miserable! which way shall I fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Infinite wrath and infinite despair?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Still threatening to devour me opens wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O, then, at last relent! Is there no place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Left for repentance⁠—none for pardon left?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None left but by submission; and that word", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With other promises and other vaunts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than to submit, boasting I could subdue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Omnipotent. Ay me! they little know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How dearly I abide that boast so vain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under what torments inwardly I groan.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While they adore me on the throne of Hell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With diadem and sceptre high advanced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The lower still I fall, only supreme", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In misery: such joy ambition finds!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But say I could repent, and could obtain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By act of grace my former state; how soon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would highth recall high thoughts, how soon unsay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What feigned submission swore! Ease would recant", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vows made in pain, as violent and void⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For never can true reconcilement grow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which would but lead me to a worse relapse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Short intermission, bought with double smart.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This knows my Punisher; therefore as far", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From granting he, as I from begging, peace.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All hope excluded thus, behold, instead", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of us, outcast, exiled, his new delight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mankind created, and for him this World!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Farewell remorse! All good to me is lost;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Evil, be thou my good: by thee at least", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divided empire with Heaven’s King I hold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As Man ere long and this new World shall know.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus while he spake, each passion dimmed his face,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thrice changed with pale⁠—ire, envy, and despair;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which marred his borrowed visage, and betrayed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For Heavenly minds from such distempers foul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Artificer of fraud; and was the first", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That practised falsehood under saintly show,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep malice to conceal, couched with revenge:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet not enough had practised to deceive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Uriel, once warned; whose eye pursued him down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw him disfigured, more than could befall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spirit of happy sort: his gestures fierce", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He marked and mad demeanour, then alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As he supposed, all unobserved, unseen.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So on he fares, and to the border comes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Eden, where delicious Paradise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As with a rural mound, the champain head", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Access denied; and overhead up-grew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Insuperable highth of loftiest shade,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A sylvan scene, and, as the ranks ascend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shade above shade, a woody theatre", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The verdurous wall of Paradise up-sprung;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which to our general sire gave prospect large", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into his nether empire neighbouring round.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And higher than that wall a circling row", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Appeared, with gay enamelled colours mixed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On which the sun more glad impressed his beams", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than in fair evening cloud, or humid bow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When God hath showered the earth: so lovely seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That landskip. And of pure now purer air", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vernal delight and joy, able to drive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All sadness but despair; now gentle gales,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sabaean odours from the spicy shore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Araby the Blest: with such delay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cheered with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So entertained those odorous sweets the Fiend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who came their bane, though with them better pleased", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That drove him, though enamoured, from the spouse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Tobit’s son, and with a vengeance sent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Now to the ascent of that steep savage hill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan had journeyed on, pensive and slow;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But further way found none; so thick entwined,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As one continued brake, the undergrowth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All path of man or beast that passed that way.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One gate there only was, and that looked east", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the other side: which when the Arch-Felon saw,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Due entrance he disdained, and in contempt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At one slight bound high overleaped all bound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In hurdled cotes amid the field secure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Leaps o’er the fence with ease into the fold;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or as a thief, bent to unhoard the cash", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cross-barred and bolted fast, fear no assault,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In at the window climbs, or o’er the tiles:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So clomb this first grand thief into God’s fold:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So since into his Church lewd hirelings climb.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The middle tree and highest there that grew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thereby regained, but sat devising death", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To them who lived; nor on the virtue thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that life-giving plant, but only used", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For prospect what, well used, had been the pledge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of immortality. So little knows", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Any but God alone to value right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The good before him, but perverts best things", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To worst abuse, or to their meanest use.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Beneath him, with new wonder, now he views,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To all delight of human sense exposed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In narrow room Nature’s whole wealth; yea, more⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A Heaven on Earth; for blissful Paradise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God the garden was, by him in the east", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Eden planted: Eden stretched her line", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Auran eastward to the royal towers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or where the sons of Eden long before", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dwelt in Telassar. In this pleasant soil", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His far more pleasant garden God ordained.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of vegetable gold; and next to life,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our death, the Tree of Knowledge, grew fast by⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Southward through Eden went a river large,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Passed underneath engulfed; for God had thrown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That mountain as his garden-mould, high raised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon the rapid current, which, through veins", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of porous earth with kindly thirst up-drawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Watered the garden; thence united fell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which from his darksome passage now appears;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And now, divided into four main streams,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Runs diverse, wandering many a famous realm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And country, whereof here needs no account;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But rather to tell how, if art could tell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With mazy error under pendent shades", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flowers worthy of Paradise; which not nice art", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both where the morning sun first warmly smote", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The open field, and where the unpierced shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Imbrowned the noontide bowers. Thus was this place,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A happy rural seat of various view:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hung amiable⁠—Hesperian fables true,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If true, here only⁠—and of delicious taste.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grazing the tender herb, were interposed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or palmy hillock; or the flowery lap", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of some irriguous valley spread her store,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Another side, umbrageous grots and caves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of cool recess, o’er which the mantling vine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Luxuriant; meanwhile murmuring waters fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down the slope hills dispersed, or in a lake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That to the fringed bank with myrtle crowned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The birds their choir apply; airs, vernal airs,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The trembling leaves, while universal Pan,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Led on the eternal Spring. Not that fair field", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flowers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was gathered⁠—which cost Ceres all that pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To seek her through the world; nor that sweet grove", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Castalian spring, might with this Paradise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian isle,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hid Amalthea, and her florid son,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea’s eye;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mount Amara, though this by some supposed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "True Paradise, under the Ethiop line", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By Nilus’ head, enclosed with shining rock,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A whole day’s journey high, but wide remote", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From this Assyrian garden, where the Fiend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw undelighted all delight, all kind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of living creatures, new to sight and strange.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God-like erect, with native honour clad,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In naked majesty seemed lords of all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And worthy seemed; for in their looks divine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The image of their glorious Maker shone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Severe, but in true filial freedom placed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whence true authority in men; though both", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not equal, as their sex not equal seemed:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For contemplation he and valour formed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For softness she and sweet attractive grace;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He for God only, she for God in him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His fair large front and eye sublime declared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Round from his parted forelock manly hung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She, as a veil down to the slender waist,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her unadorned golden tresses wore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dishevelled, but in wanton ringlets waved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As the vine curls her tendrils⁠—which implied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Subjection, but required with gentle sway,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by her yielded, by him best received,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor those mysterious parts were then concealed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then was not guilty shame. Dishonest shame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Nature’s works, honour dishonourable,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And banished from man’s life his happiest life,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Simplicity and spotless innocence!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So passed they naked on, nor shunned the sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So hand in hand they passed, the loveliest pair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That ever since in love’s embraces met:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Adam the goodliest man of men since born", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under a tuft of shade that on a green", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain-side,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They sat them down; and after no more toil", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of their sweet gardening labour than sufficed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To recommend cool Zephyr, and make ease", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More grateful, to their supper-fruits they fell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nectarine fruits, which the compliant boughs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the soft downy bank damasked with flowers.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fair couple linked in happy nuptial league,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Alone as they. About them frisking played", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In wood or wilderness, forest or den.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gambolled before them; the unwieldy elephant,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreathed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His lithe proboscis; close the serpent sly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His braided train, and of his fatal guile", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gave proof unheeded. Others on the grass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Couched, and now filled with pasture gazing sat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or bedward ruminating; for the sun,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Declined, was hastening now with prone career", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the Ocean Isles, and in the ascending scale", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Heaven the stars that usher evening rose:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When Satan, still in gaze as first he stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Scarce thus at length failed speech recovered sad:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O Hell! what do mine eyes with grief behold?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into our room of bliss thus high advanced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Creatures of other mould, Earth-born perhaps,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not Spirits, yet to Heavenly Spirits bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With wonder, and could love, so lively shines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In them divine resemblance, and such grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The hand that formed them on their shape hath poured.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ah! gentle pair, ye little think how nigh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your change approaches, when all these delights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More woe, the more your taste is now of joy:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Happy, but for so happy ill secured", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Long to continue, and this high seat, your Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ill fenced for Heaven to keep out such a foe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As now is entered; yet no purposed foe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though I unpitied. League with you I seek,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mutual amity, so strait, so close,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That I with you must dwell, or you with me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Henceforth: my dwelling, haply, may not please,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like this fair Paradise, your sense; yet such", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accept your Maker’s work; he gave it me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which I as freely give. Hell shall unfold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To entertain you two, her widest gates,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And send forth all her kings; there will be room,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not like these narrow limits, to receive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your numerous offspring; if no better place,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On you who wrong me not, for him who wronged.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, should I at your harmless innocence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Melt, as I do, yet public reason just⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Honour and empire with revenge enlarged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By conquering this new World⁠—compels me now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To do what else, though damned, I should abhor.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The tyrant’s plea, excused his devilish deeds.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then from his lofty stand on that high tree", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down he alights among the sportful herd", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now other, as their shape served best his end", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nearer to view his prey, and unespied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To mark what of their state he more might learn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By word or action marked. About them round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A lion now he stalks with fiery glare;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Straight couches close; then, rising, changes oft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whence rushing he might surest seize them both,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Griped in each paw: when Adam, first of men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turned him all ear to hear new utterance flow:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sole partner and sole part of all these joys,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dearer thyself than all, needs must the Power", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That made us, and for us this ample World,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be infinitely good, and of his good", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As liberal and free as infinite;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That raised us from the dust, and placed us here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In all this happiness, who at his hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have nothing merited, nor can perform", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aught whereof he hath need; he who requires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From us no other service than to keep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This one, this easy charge⁠—of all the trees", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Paradise that bear delicious fruit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So various, not to taste that only Tree", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So near grows death to life, whate’er death is;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God hath pronounced it death to taste that Tree⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The only sign of our obedience left", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among so many signs of power and rule", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Conferred upon us, and dominion given", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Over all other creatures that possess", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One easy prohibition, who enjoy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Free leave so large to all things else, and choice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unlimited of manifold delights;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But let us ever praise him, and extol", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His bounty, following our delightful task,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom thus Eve replied: “O thou for whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from whom I was formed, flesh of thy flesh,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And without whom am to no end, my guide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And head! what thou hast said is just and right.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For we to him indeed all praises owe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And daily thanks; I chiefly, who enjoy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So far the happier lot, enjoying thee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like consort to thyself canst nowhere find.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That day I oft remember, when from sleep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I first awaked, and found myself reposed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of waters issued from a cave, and spread", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into a liquid plain; then stood unmoved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pure as the expanse of Heaven. I thither went", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With unexperienced thought, and laid me down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the green bank, to look into the clear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Smooth lake, that to me seemed another sky.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As I bent down to look, just opposite", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A shape within the watery gleam appeared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bending to look on me: I started back,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It started back; but pleased I soon returned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pleased it returned as soon with answering looks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sympathy and love. There I had fixed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had not a voice thus warned me: ‘What thou seest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With thee it came and goes: but follow me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I will bring thee where no shadow stays", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy coming, and thy soft embraces⁠—he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inseparably thine; to him shalt bear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Multitudes like thyself, and thence be called", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mother of human race.’ What could I do", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But follow straight, invisibly thus led?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under a platane; yet methought less fair,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Less winning soft, less amiably mild,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than that smooth watery image. Back I turned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou, following, cried’st aloud, ‘Return, fair Eve;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom fliest thou? whom thou fliest, of him thou art,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Substantial life, to have thee by my side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Henceforth an individual solace dear:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Part of my soul, I seek thee, and thee claim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My other half.’ With that thy gentle hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seized mine: I yielded; and from that time see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How beauty is excelled by manly grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So spake our general mother, and with eyes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of conjugal attraction unreproved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And meek surrender, half-embracing leaned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On our first father; half her swelling breast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Naked met his, under the flowing gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of her loose tresses hid. He, in delight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both of her beauty and submissive charms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Juno smiles when he impregns the clouds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That shed May flowers, and pressed her matron lip", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With kisses pure. Aside the Devil turned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For envy; yet with jealous leer malign", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plained:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Imparadised in one another’s arms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of bliss on bliss; while I to Hell am thrust,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among our other torments not the least,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Still unfulfilled, with pain of longing pines.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet let me not forget what I have gained", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From their own mouths. All is not theirs, it seems;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One fatal tree there stands, of Knowledge called,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forbidden them to taste. Knowledge forbidden?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Suspicious, reasonless! why should their Lord", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Envy them that? can it be sin to know?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can it be death? and do they only stand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By ignorance? is that their happy state,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The proof of their obedience and their faith?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O fair foundation laid whereon to build", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their ruin! Hence I will excite their minds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With more desire to know, and to reject", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Envious commands, invented with design", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equal with gods. Aspiring to be such,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They taste and die: what likelier can ensue?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But first with narrow search I must walk round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This garden, and no corner leave unspied;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A chance but chance may lead where I may meet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some wandering Spirit of Heaven, by fountain-side,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What further would be learned. Live while ye may,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet happy pair; enjoy, till I return,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Short pleasures; for long woes are to succeed.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So saying, his proud step he scornful turned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But with sly circumspection, and began", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through wood, through waste, o’er hill, o’er dale, his roam.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slowly descended, and with right aspect", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against the eastern gate of Paradise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Levelled his evening rays. It was a rock", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of alabaster, piled up to the clouds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accessible from Earth, one entrance high;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Still as it rose, impossible to climb.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "About him exercised heroic games", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The unarmed youth of Heaven; but nigh at hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Celestial armoury, shields, helms, and spears,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hung high, with diamond flaming and with gold.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Impress the air, and shows the mariner", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From what point of his compass to beware", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Impetuous winds. He thus began in haste:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No evil thing approach or enter in.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This day at highth of noon came to my sphere", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A Spirit, zealous, as he seemed, to know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More of the Almighty’s works, and chiefly Man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God’s latest image. I described his way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bent all on speed, and marked his aery gait;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But in the mount that lies from Eden north,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where he first lighted, soon discerned his looks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lost sight of him. One of the banished crew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I fear, hath ventured from the Deep, to raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "New troubles; him thy care must be to find.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the winged warrior thus returned:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amid the Sun’s bright circle where thou sitt’st,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "See far and wide. In at this gate none pass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The vigilance here placed, but such as come", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Well-known from Heaven; and since meridian hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No creature thence. If Spirit of other sort,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So minded, have o’erleaped these earthy bounds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On purpose, hard thou know’st it to exclude", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spiritual substance with corporeal bar.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But if within the circuit of these walks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In whatsoever shape, he lurk of whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou tell’st, by morrow dawning I shall know.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So promised he; and Uriel to his charge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Returned on that bright beam, whose point now raised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bore him slope downward to the sun, now fallen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beneath the Azores; whether the prime orb,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Incredible how swift, had thither rolled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Diurnal, or this less volubil Earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By shorter flight to the east, had left him there,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arraying with reflected purple and gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The clouds that on his western throne attend.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had in her sober livery all things clad;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Silence accompanied; for beast and bird,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They to their grassy couch, these to their nests,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She all night long her amorous descant sung:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Silence was pleased. Now glowed the firmament", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With living sapphires; Hesperus, that led", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The starry host, rode brightest, till the Moon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rising in clouded majesty, at length", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And o’er the dark her silver mantle threw;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When Adam thus to Eve: “Fair consort, the hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of night, and all things now retired to rest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mind us of like repose, since God hath set", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Labour and rest, as day and night, to men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Successive; and the timely dew of sleep,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now falling with soft slumberous weight, inclines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our eye-lids. Other creatures all day long", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Man hath his daily work of body or mind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Appointed, which declares his dignity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And the regard of Heaven on all his ways;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While other animals unactive range,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And of their doings God takes no account.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To-morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With first approach of light, we must be risen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And at our pleasant labour, to reform", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yon flowery arbours, yonder alleys green,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That mock our scant manuring, and require", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That lie bestrewn, unsightly and unsmooth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meanwhile, as Nature wills, night bids us rest.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorned:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“My author and disposer, what thou bidd’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unargued I obey; so God ordains:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is woman’s happiest knowledge, and her praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With thee conversing I forget all time,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All seasons and their change: all please alike.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet is the breath of Morn, her rising sweet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With charm of earliest birds; pleasant the Sun,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When first on this delightful land he spreads", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glistering with dew; fragrant the fertile Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "After soft showers; and sweet the coming-on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of grateful Evening mild; then silent Night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With this her solemn bird, and this fair Moon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But neither breath of Morn, when she ascends", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With charm of earliest birds; nor rising Sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On this delightful land; nor herb, fruit, flower,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glistering with dew; nor fragrance after showers;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor grateful Evening mild; nor silent Night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With this her solemn bird; nor walk by moon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or glittering star-light, without thee is sweet.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But wherefore all night long shine these? for whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom our general ancestor replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Daughter of God and Man, accomplished Eve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Those have their course to finish round the Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By morrow evening, and from land to land", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In order, though to nations yet unborn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ministering light prepared, they set and rise;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest total Darkness should by night regain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her old possession, and extinguish life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In nature and all things; which these soft fires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of various influence foment and warm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Temper or nourish, or in part shed down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Earth, made hereby apter to receive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perfection from the sun’s more potent ray.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shine not in vain. Nor think, though men were none,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That Heaven would want spectators, God want praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Millions of spiritual creatures walk the Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All these with ceaseless praise his works behold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both day and night. How often, from the steep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of echoing hill or thicket, have we heard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Celestial voices to the midnight air,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sole, or responsive each to other’s note,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Singing their great Creator! Oft in bands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In full harmonic number joined, their songs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus talking, hand in hand alone they passed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On to their blissful bower. It was a place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chosen by the sovereign Planter, when he framed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All things to Man’s delightful use. The roof", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thickest covert was inwoven shade,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fenced up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mosaic; under-foot the violet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of costliest emblem. Other creature here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More sacred and sequestered, though but feigned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Espoused Eve decked first her nuptial bed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Heavenly choirs the hymenaean sung,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What day the genial Angel to our sire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brought her, in naked beauty more adorned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More lovely, than Pandora, whom the gods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Endowed with all their gifts; and, O! too like", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In sad event, when, to the unwiser son", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On him who had stole Jove’s authentic fire.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both turned, and under open sky adored", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The God that made both sky, air, Earth, and Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which they beheld, the moon’s resplendent globe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And starry pole: “Thou also madest the night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Maker Omnipotent; and thou the day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which we, in our appointed work employed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have finished, happy in our mutual help", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ordained by thee; and this delicious place,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For us too large, where thy abundance wants", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But thou hast promised from us two a race", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This said unanimous, and other rites", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Observing none but adoration pure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which God likes best, into their inmost bower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Handed they went; and, eased the putting-off", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These troublesome disguises which we wear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Straight side by side were laid; nor turned, I ween,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mysterious of connubial love refused:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whatever hypocrites austerely talk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of purity, and place, and innocence,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Defaming as impure what God declares", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our Maker bids increase; who bids abstain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But our destroyer, foe to God and Man?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true source", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of human offspring, sole propriety", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Paradise of all things common else!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By thee adulterous lust was driven from men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Relations dear, and all the charities", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of father, son, and brother, first were known.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Present or past, as saints and patriarchs used.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reigns here and revels: not in the bought smile", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendeared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Casual fruition; nor in court-amours,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or serenate, which the starved lover sings", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These, lulled by nightingales, embracing slept,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on their naked limbs the flowery roof", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Showered roses, which the morn repaired. Sleep on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blest pair! and, O! yet happiest, if ye seek", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No happier state, and know to know no more!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Now had night measured with her shadowy cone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Half-way up-hill this vast sublunar vault;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from their ivory port the Cherubim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forth issuing, at the accustomed hour, stood armed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To their night-watches in warlike parade;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With strictest watch; these other wheel the north:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our circuit meets full west.” As flame they part,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From these, two strong and subtle Spirits he called", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Search through this garden; leave unsearched no nook;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This evening from the sun’s decline arrived", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hitherward bent (who could have thought?), escaped", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So saying, on he led his radiant files,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dazzling the moon; these to the bower direct", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In search of whom they sought. Him there they found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Assaying by his devilish art to reach", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The organs of her fancy, and with them forge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At least distempered, discontented thoughts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blown up with high conceits engendering pride.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Touched lightly; for no falsehood can endure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Touch of celestial temper, but returns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of force to its own likeness: up he starts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Discovered and surprised. As when a spark", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fit for the tun, some magazine to store", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against a rumoured war, the smutty grain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So started up in his own shape the Fiend.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Back stept those two fair Angels, half amazed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So sudden to behold the grisly King;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged to Hell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Com’st thou, escaped thy prison? and, transformed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why sat’st thou like an enemy in wait,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here watching at the head of these that sleep?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Know ye not, then,” said Satan, filled with scorn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Know ye not me? Ye knew me once no mate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not to know me argues yourselves unknown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why ask ye, and superfluous begin", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your message, like to end as much in vain?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or undiminished brightness, to be known", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As when thou stood’st in Heaven upright and pure.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That glory then, when thou no more wast good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Departed from thee; and thou resemblest now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But come; for thou, be sure, shalt give account", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This place inviolable, and these from harm.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So spake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Severe in youthful beauty, added grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Invincible. Abashed the Devil stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And felt how awful goodness is, and saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Virtue in her shape how lovely; saw, and pined", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His loss; but chiefly to find here observed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Undaunted. “If I must contend,” said he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Best with the best⁠—the sender, not the sent;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or all at once; more glory will be won,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or less be lost.” “Thy fear,” said Zephon bold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Will save us trial what the least can do", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Single against thee, wicked and thence weak.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But, like a proud steed reined, went haughty on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He held it vain; awe from above had quelled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The western point, where those half-rounding guards", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Just met, and closing stood in squadron joined,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Awaiting next command. To whom their chief,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gabriel, from the front thus called aloud:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with them comes a third, of regal port,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But faded splendour wan, who by his gait", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not likely to part hence without contest.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He scarce had ended, when those two approached,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And brief related whom they brought, where found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How busied, in what form and posture couched.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To whom, with stern regard, thus Gabriel spake:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thy transgressions, and disturbed the charge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of others, who approve not to transgress", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By thy example, but have power and right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To question thy bold entrance on this place?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Employed, it seems, to violate sleep, and those", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Gabriel, thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And such I held thee; but this question asked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though thither doomed? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And boldly venture to whatever place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Torment with ease, and soonest recompense", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dole with delight; which in this place I sought:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thee no reason, who know’st only good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But evil hast not tried. And wilt object", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His will who bound us? let him surer bar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His iron gates, if he intends our stay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In that dark durance. Thus much what was asked:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rest is true, they found me where they say;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But that implies not violence or harm.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel moved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“O loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And now returns him from his prison scaped,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or not who ask what boldness brought him hither", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So wise he judges it to fly from pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "However, and to scape his punishment!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrath,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which thou incurr’st by flying, meet thy flight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can equal anger infinite provoked.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Less pain, less to be fled? or thou than they", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Less hardy to endure? Courageous chief,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The first in flight from pain, hadst thou alleged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thy deserted host this cause of flight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To which the Fiend thus answered, frowning stern:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Insulting Angel! well thou know’st I stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The blasting vollied thunder made all speed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And seconded thy else not dreaded spear.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But still thy words at random, as before,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Argue thy inexperience what behoves,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From hard assays and ill successes past,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A faithful leader; not to hazard all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through ways of danger by himself untried.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I therefore, I alone, first undertook", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To wing the desolate Abyss, and spy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This new-created World, whereof in Hell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fame is not silent; here in hope to find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Better abode, and my afflicted powers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To settle here on Earth, or in mid air;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though for possession put to try once more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What thou and thy gay legions dare against;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose easier business were to serve their Lord", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High up in Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And practised distances to cringe, not fight.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the warrior Angel soon replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“To say and straight unsay, pretending first", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Argues no leader, but a liar traced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan; and couldst thou ‘faithful’ add? O name,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O sacred name of faithfulness profaned!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Army of fiends, fit body to fit head,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was this your discipline and faith engaged,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your military obedience, to dissolve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Allegiance to the acknowledged Power Supreme?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Patron of liberty, who more than thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Once fawned, and cringed, and servilely adored", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven’s awful Monarch? wherefore, but in hope", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To dispossess him, and thyself to reign?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But mark what I areed thee now: Avaunt!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fly thither whence thou fledst. If from this hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Within these hallowed limits thou appear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Back to the infernal pit I drag thee chained,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And seal thee so as henceforth not to scorn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The facile gates of Hell too slightly barred.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So threatened he; but Satan to no threats", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Then, when I am thy captive, talk of chains,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Proud limitary Cherub! but ere then", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far heavier load thyself expect to feel", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From my prevailing arm, though Heaven’s King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Used to the yoke, drawest his triumphant wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In progress through the road of Heaven star-paved.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "While thus he spake, the angelic squadron bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turned fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their phalanx, and began to hem him round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With ported spears, as thick as when a field", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her bearded grove of ears which way the wind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeful sheaves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarmed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Collecting all his might, dilated stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His stature reached the sky, and on his crest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sat Horror plumed; nor wanted in his grasp", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What seemed both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Might have ensued; nor only Paradise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In this commotion, but the starry cope", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Heaven perhaps, or all the elements", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At least, had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With violence of this conflict, had not soon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet seen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Betwixt Astraea and the Scorpion sign,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wherein all things created first he weighed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The pendulous round Earth with balanced air", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In counterpoise⁠—now ponders all events,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Battles and realms. In these he put two weights,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The sequel each of parting and of fight:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The latter quick up flew, and kicked the beam;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know’st mine;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Neither our own, but given; what folly then", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To boast what arms can do! since thine no more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To trample thee as mire. For proof look up,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And read thy lot in yon celestial sign,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where thou art weighed, and shown how light, how weak", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If thou resist.” The Fiend looked up, and knew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }