{ "id": "john-milton/book-v", "title": "Book V", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "John Milton", "poet_slug": "john-milton", "language": "en", "book": "Paradise Lost", "book_slug": "paradise-lost", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 5, "container": "Book V", "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-5.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": 907, "n_stanzas": 41, "n_parts": 0, "longest_line_chars": 59, "max_indent": 0 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "Now Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When Adam waked, so customed; for his sleep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was aery light, from pure digestion bred,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And temperate vapours bland, which the only sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora’s fan,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of birds on every bough; so much the more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His wonder was to find unwakened Eve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As through unquiet rest. He, on his side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hung over her enamoured, and beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot forth peculiar graces; then, with voice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her hand soft touching, whispered thus: “Awake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My fairest, my espoused, my latest found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven’s last, best gift, my ever-new delight!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Awake! the morning shines, and the fresh field", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how spring", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How Nature paints her colours, how the bee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Such whispering waked her, but with startled eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My glory, my perfection! glad I see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy face, and morn returned; for I this night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Such night till this I never passed) have dreamed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If dreamed, not, as I oft am wont, of thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Works of day past, or morrow’s next design,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But of offence and trouble, which my mind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knew never till this irksome night. Methought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Close at mine ear one called me forth to walk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With gentle voice; I thought it thine. It said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Why sleep’st thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The cool, the silent, save where silence yields", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the night-warbling bird, that now awake", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tunes sweetest his love-laboured song; now reigns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full-orbed the moon, and, with more pleasing light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shadowy sets off the face of things⁠—in vain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If none regard. Heaven wakes with all his eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom to behold but thee, Nature’s desire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze?’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I rose as at thy call, but found thee not:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To find thee I directed then my walk;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on, methought, alone I passed through ways", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That brought me on a sudden to the Tree", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of interdicted Knowledge. Fair it seemed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Much fairer to my fancy than by day;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, as I wondering looked, beside it stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One shaped and winged like one of those from Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By us oft seen: his dewy locks distilled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ambrosia. On that Tree he also gazed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, ‘O fair plant,’ said he, ‘with fruit surcharged,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor god, nor man? Is knowledge so despised?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Longer thy offered good, why else set here?’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He plucked, he tasted. Me damp horror chilled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At such bold words vouched with a deed so bold;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But he thus, overjoyed: “O fruit divine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropped,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For gods, yet able to make gods of men!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And why not gods of men, since good, the more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Communicated, more abundant grows,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The author not impaired, but honoured more?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Partake thou also: happy though thou art,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Happier thou may’st be, worthier canst not be;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Taste this, and be henceforth among the gods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thyself a goddess; not to Earth confined,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But sometimes in the Air, as we; sometimes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What life the gods live there, and such live thou.’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which he had plucked; the pleasant savoury smell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So quickened appetite that I, methought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With him I flew, and underneath beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Earth outstretched immense, a prospect wide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And various: wondering at my flight and change", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To this high exaltation, suddenly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fell asleep; but, O, how glad I waked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To find this but a dream!” Thus Eve her night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Related, and thus Adam answered sad:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Best image of myself, and dearer half,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Affects me equally; nor can I like", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Created pure. But know that in the soul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Are many lesser faculties, that serve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reason as chief; among these Fancy next", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her office holds; of all external things,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which the five watchful senses represent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She forms imaginations, aery shapes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which Reason, joining or disjoining, frames", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All what we affirm or what deny, and call", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our knowledge or opinion; then retires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into her private cell when Nature rests.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Oft in her absence mimic Fancy wakes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To imitate her; but, misjoining shapes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some such resemblances, methinks, I find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of our last evening’s talk in this thy dream,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But with addition strange; yet be not sad:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Evil into the mind of god or man", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May come and go, so unapproved, and leave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No spot or blame behind; which gives me hope", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Waking thou never wilt consent to do.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be not disheartened, then, nor cloud those looks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That wont to be more cheerful and serene", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than when fair Morning first smiles on the world;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And let us to our fresh employments rise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That open now their choicest bosomed smells,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So cheered he his fair spouse, and she was cheered,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But silently a gentle tear let fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From either eye, and wiped them with her hair;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two other precious drops that ready stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each in their crystal sluice, he, ere they fell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kissed as the gracious signs of sweet remorse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And pious awe, that feared to have offended.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So all was cleared, and to the field they haste.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But first, from under shady arborous roof", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Soon as they forth were come to open sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of day-spring, and the sun⁠—who, scarce uprisen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With wheels yet hovering o’er the ocean-brim,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot parallel to the Earth his dewy ray,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Discovering in wide landskip all the east", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Paradise and Eden’s happy plains⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lowly they bowed adoring, and began", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their orisons, each morning duly paid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In various style; for neither various style", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unmeditated; such prompt eloquence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous verse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More tuneable than needed lute or harp", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To add more sweetness: and they thus began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Almighty! thine this universal frame,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus wondrous fair: thyself how wondrous then!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unspeakable! who sitt’st above these Heavens", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To us invisible, or dimly seen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In these thy lowest works; yet these declare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Speak, ye who best can tell, ye Sons of Light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Angels, for ye behold him, and with songs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And choral symphonies, day without night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Circle his throne rejoicing⁠—ye in Heaven;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Earth join, all ye creatures, to extol", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fairest of stars, last in the train of night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If better thou belong not to the dawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sure pledge of day, that crown’st the smiling Morn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While day arises, that sweet hour of prime.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and soul,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Acknowledge him thy greater; sound his praise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In thy eternal course, both when thou climb’st,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And when high noon hast gained, and when thou fall’st.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Moon, that now meet’st the orient sun, now fliest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With the fixed stars, fixed in their orb that flies,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And ye five other wandering Fires, that move", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In mystic dance not without song, resound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His praise who out of darkness called up light.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Air, and ye Elements, the eldest birth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Nature’s womb, that in quaternion run", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perpetual circle, multiform, and mix", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vary to our great Maker still new praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In honour to the world’s great Author rise;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether to deck with clouds the uncoloured sky,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rising or falling still advance his praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His praise, ye Winds, that from four quarters blow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With every plant, in sign of worship wave.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Join voices, all ye living Souls; ye Birds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Witness if I be silent, morn or even,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hail, universal Lord! be bounteous still", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To give us only good; and if the night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have gathered aught of evil, or concealed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So prayed they innocent, and to their thoughts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On to their morning’s rural work they haste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among sweet dews and flowers; where any row", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of fruit-trees over-woody reached too far", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their pampered boughs, and needed hands to check", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fruitless embraces: or they led the vine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To wed her elm; she, spoused, about him twines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her marriageable arms, and with her brings", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His barren leaves. Them thus employed beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With pity Heaven’s high King, and to him called", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deigned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To travel with Tobias, and secured", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His marriage with the seven-times-wedded maid.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Raphael,” said he, “thou hear’st what stir on Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan, from Hell scaped through the darksome gulf,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath raised in Paradise, and how disturbed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This night the human pair; how he designs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In them at once to ruin all mankind.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Go, therefore, half this day, as friend with friend,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou find’st him from the heat of noon retired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To respite his day-labour with repast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or with repose; and such discourse bring on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As may advise him of his happy state⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Happiness in his power left free to will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Left to his own free will, his will though free", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He swerve not, too secure. Tell him withal", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His danger, and from whom; what enemy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Late fallen himself from Heaven, is plotting now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fall of others from like state of bliss;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By violence? no, for that shall be withstood;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But by deceit and lies. This let him know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest wilfully transgressing he pretend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Surprisal, unadmonished, unforewarned.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So spake the Eternal Father, and fulfilled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All justice; nor delayed the winged Saint", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "After his charge received; but from among", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thousand celestial Ardours, where he stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Veiled with his gorgeous wings, upspringing light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flew through the midst of Heaven; the angelic choirs,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On each hand parting, to his speed gave way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through all the empyreal road, till, at the gate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Heaven arrived, the gate self-opened wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On golden hinges turning, as by work", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divine the sovereign Architect had framed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From hence⁠—no cloud or, to obstruct his sight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Star interposed, however small⁠—he sees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not unconform to other shining globes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Earth, and the Garden of God, with cedars crowned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Above all hills; as when by night the glass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Galileo, less assured, observes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Imagined lands and regions in the moon;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or pilot from amidst the Cyclades", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Delos or Samos first appearing kens,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Winnows the buxom air, till, within soar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A phoenix⁠—gazed by all, as that sole bird,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When, to enshrine his relics in the Sun’s", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He lights, and to his proper shape returns,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A Seraph winged. Six wings he wore, to shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His lineaments divine: the pair that clad", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each shoulder broad came mantling o’er his breast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With regal ornament; the middle pair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And colours dipt in heaven; the third his feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shadowed from either heel with feathered mail,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia’s son he stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance filled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Angels under watch; and to his state", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to his message high in honour rise;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For on some message high they guessed him bound.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their glittering tents he passed, and now is come", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him, through the spicy forest onward come,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Adam discerned, as in the door he sat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot down direct his fervid rays, to warm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Earth’s inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Eve within, due at her hour, prepared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "True appetite, and not disrelish thirst", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam called:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Haste hither, Eve, and, worth thy sight, behold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eastward among those trees what glorious shape", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Comes this way moving; seems another morn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Risen on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This day to be our guest. But go with speed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And what thy stores contain bring forth, and pour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abundance, fit to honour and receive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our heavenly stranger; well we may afford", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From large bestowed, where Nature multiplies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More fruitful; which instructs us not to spare.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom thus Eve: “Adam, Earth’s hallowed mould,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God inspired, small store will serve where store,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save what by frugal storing firmness gains", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But I will haste, and from each bough and brake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To entertain our Angel-guest, as he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beholding shall confess that here on Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What choice to choose for delicacy best,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What order, so contrived as not to mix", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tastes, not well joined, inelegant, but bring", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In India East or West, or middle shore,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Alcinous reigned, fruit of all kinds, in coat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rough or smooth-rined, or bearded husk, or shell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She gathers, tribute large, and on the board", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaps with unsparing hand. For drink the grape", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She tempers dulcet creams⁠—nor these to hold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wants her fit vessels pure; then strews the ground", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Meanwhile our primitive great Sire, to meet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His godlike guest, walks forth, without more train", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accompanied than with his own complete", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perfections; in himself was all his state,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On princes, when their rich retinue long", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of horses led, and grooms besmeared with gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nearer his presence, Adam, though not awed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As to a superior nature, bowing low,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus said: “Native of Heaven (for other place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None can than Heaven such glorious shape contain),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since, by descending from the Thrones above,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Those happy places thou hast deigned a while", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two only, who yet by sovereign gift possess", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To sit and taste, till this meridian heat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be over, and the sun more cool decline.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whom thus the angelic Virtue answered mild:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Adam, I therefore came; nor art thou such", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Created, or such place hast here to dwell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To visit thee; lead on, then, where thy bower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O’ershades; for these mid-hours, till evening rise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have at will.” So to the sylvan lodge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They came, that like Pomona’s arbour smiled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With flowerets decked and fragrant smells; but Eve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Undecked save with herself, more lovely fair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than wood-nymph, or the fairest goddess feigned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of three that in Mount Ida naked strove,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven; no veil", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She needed, virtue-proof; no thought infirm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Altered her cheek. On whom the Angel “Hail!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bestowed, the holy salutation used", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Long after to blest Mary, second Eve:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Hail! Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than with these various fruits the trees of God", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have heaped this table!” Raised of grassy turf", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their table was, and mossy seats had round,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on her ample square from side to side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All autumn piled, though spring and autumn here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Danced hand-in-hand. A while discourse they hold⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No fear lest dinner cool⁠—when thus began", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our Author: “Heavenly stranger, please to taste", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All perfect good, unmeasured-out, descends,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To us for food and for delight hath caused", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Earth to yield: unsavoury food, perhaps,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To spiritual natures; only this I know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That one celestial Father gives to all.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the Angel: “Therefore, what he gives", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Whose praise be ever sung) to Man, in part", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Intelligential substances require", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As doth your rational; and both contain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Within them every lower faculty", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And corporeal to incorporeal turn.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For know, whatever was created needs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To be sustained and fed; of elements", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The grosser feeds the purer; earth the sea;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Earth and the sea feed air; the air those fires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ethereal, and, as lowest, first the moon;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vapours not yet into her substance turned.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From her moist continent to higher orbs.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The sun, that light imparts to all, receives", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From all his alimental recompense", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In humid exhalations, and at even", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sups with the ocean. Though in Heaven the trees", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yield nectar; though from off the boughs each morn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Covered with pearly grain; yet God hath here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Varied his bounty so with new delights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As may compare with Heaven; and to taste", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Think not I shall be nice.” So down they sat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to their viands fell; nor seemingly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Angel, nor in mist⁠—the common gloss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of theologians⁠—but with keen dispatch", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of real hunger, and concoctive heat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To transubstantiate: what redounds transpires", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder, if by fire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sooty coal the empiric alchemist", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can turn, or holds it possible to turn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As from the mine. Meanwhile at table Eve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ministered naked, and their flowing cups", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With pleasant liquors crowned. O innocence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deserving Paradise! If ever, then,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then had the Sons of God excuse to have been", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Enamoured at that sight; but in those hearts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Love unlibidinous reigned, nor jealousy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was understood, the injured lover’s hell.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus when with meats and drinks they had sufficed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not burdened nature, sudden mind arose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Adam not to let the occasion pass,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Given him by this great conference, to know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of things above his world, and of their being", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who dwell in Heaven, whose excellence he saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divine effulgence⁠—whose high power, so far", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Exceeded human; and his wary speech", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus to the empyreal minister he framed:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Inhabitant with God, now know I well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy favour, in this honour done to Man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Food not of Angels, yet accepted so,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As that more willingly thou couldst not seem", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At Heaven’s high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the winged Hierarch replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“O Adam, one Almighty is, from whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All things proceed, and up to him return,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If not depraved from good, created all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such to perfection, one first matter all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Endued with various forms, various degrees", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of substance, and, in things that live, of life;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But more refined, more spiritous and pure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As nearer to him placed or nearer tending,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each in their several active spheres assigned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till body up to spirit work, in bounds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Proportioned to each kind. So from the root", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More aery, last the bright consummate flower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spirits odorous breathes: flowers and their fruit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Man’s nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To vital spirits aspire, to animal,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To intellectual; give both life and sense,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fancy and understanding; whence the soul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reason receives, and reason is her being,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Discursive, or intuitive: discourse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Differing but in degree, of kind the same.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wonder not, then, what God for you saw good", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If I refuse not, but convert, as you,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To proper substance. Time may come when men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Angels may participate, and find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from these corporal nutriments, perhaps,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Improved by tract of time, and winged ascend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ethereal, as we; or may at choice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here or in heavenly Paradises dwell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If ye be found obedient, and retain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unalterably firm his love entire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your fill what happiness this happy state", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can comprehend, incapable of more.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the Patriarch of Mankind replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“O favourable Spirit, propitious guest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Well hast thou taught the way that might direct", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From centre to circumference, whereon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In contemplation of created things,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By steps we may ascend to God. But say,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What meant that caution joined, If ye be found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Obedient? Can we want obedience, then,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To him, or possibly his love desert,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full to the utmost measure of what bliss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Human desires can seek or apprehend?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the Angel: “Son of Heaven and Earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Attend! That thou art happy, owe to God;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That thou continuest such, owe to thyself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That is, to thy obedience; therein stand:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This was that caution given thee; be advised.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God made thee perfect, not immutable;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And good he made thee, but to persevere", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He left it in thy power⁠—ordained thy will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By nature free, not over-ruled by fate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inextricable, or strict necessity.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our voluntary service he requires,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not our necessitated; such with him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can hearts not free be tried whether they serve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Willing or no, who will but what they must", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By destiny, and can no other choose?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Myself, and all the angelic host, that stand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In sight of God enthroned, our happy state", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On other surety none: freely we serve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because we freely love, as in our will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To love or not; in this we stand or fall.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And so from Heaven to deepest Hell: O fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From what high state of bliss into what woe!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom our great Progenitor: “Thy words", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Attentive, and with more delighted ear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divine instructor, I have heard, than when", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aerial music send; nor knew I not", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To be, both will and deed, created free.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet that we never shall forget to love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our Maker, and obey him whose command", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Assured me, and still assure; though what thou tell’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath passed in Heaven some doubt within me move,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But more desire to hear, if thou consent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The full relation, which must needs be strange,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Worthy of sacred silence to be heard.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath finished half his journey, and scarce begins", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His other half in the great zone of heaven.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus Adam made request; and Raphael,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "After short pause assenting, thus began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“High matter thou enjoin’st me, O prime of men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sad task and hard; for how shall I relate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To human sense the invisible exploits", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of warring Spirits? how, without remorse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ruin of so many, glorious once", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And perfect while they stood? how, last, unfold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The secrets of another world, perhaps", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not lawful to reveal? Yet for thy good", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This is dispensed, and what surmounts the reach", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of human sense I shall delineate so,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By likening spiritual to corporal forms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As may express them best⁠—though what if Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each to other like, more than on Earth is thought!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reigned where these Heavens now roll, where Earth now rests", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon her centre poised; when on a day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For time, though in eternity, applied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To motion, measures all things durable", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By present, past, and future), on such day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As Heaven’s great year brings forth, the empyreal host", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Angels, by imperial summons called,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Innumerable before the Almighty’s throne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appeared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under their Hierarchs in orders bright:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Standards and gonfalons, ’twixt van and rear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stream in the air, and for distinction serve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Hierarchies, of orders, and degrees;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or in their glittering tissues bear emblazed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of circuit inexpressible they stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Orb within orb, the Father Infinite,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By whom in bliss embosomed sat the Son,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amidst, as from a flaming mount, whose top", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brightness had made invisible, thus spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Hear, all ye Angels, progeny of light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This day I have begot whom I declare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My only Son, and on this holy hill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him have anointed, whom ye now behold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At my right hand; your head I him appoint,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under his great vicegerent reign abide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "United as one individual soul,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For ever happy. Him who disobeys", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into utter darkness deep engulfed, his place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ordained without redemption, without end.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That day, as other solemn days, they spent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In song and dance about the sacred hill;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of planets and of fixed in all her wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Resembles nearest⁠—mazes intricate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then most when most irregular they seem;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in their motions harmony divine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So smooths her charming tones that God’s own ear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Listens delighted. Evening now approached", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For we have also our evening and our morn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We ours for change delectable, not need),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Desirous: all in circles as they stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tables are set, and on a sudden piled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Angels’ food, and rubied nectar flows", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crowned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Quaff immortality and joy, secure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of surfeit where full measure only bounds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Excess, before the all-bounteous King, who showered", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now when ambrosial night, with clouds exhaled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From that high mount of God whence light and shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had changed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To grateful twilight (for night comes not there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In darker veil), and roseate dews disposed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wide over all the plain, and wider far", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than all this globous Earth in plain outspread", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Such are the courts of God), the angelic throng,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By living streams among the trees of life⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pavilions numberless and sudden reared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Celestial tabernacles, where they slept", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fanned with cool winds; save those who, in their course,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Melodious hymns about the sovereign throne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Alternate all night long. But not so waked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan⁠—so call him now; his former name", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is heard no more in Heaven. He, of the first,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If not the first Archangel, great in power,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In favour, and pre-eminence, yet fraught", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With envy against the Son of God, that day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Honoured by his great Father, and proclaimed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Messiah, King anointed, could not bear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolved", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With all his legions to dislodge, and leave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unworshipped, unobeyed, the throne supreme,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Contemptuous; and, his next subordinate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Awakening, thus to him in secret spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Sleep’st thou, companion dear? what sleep can close", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy eyelids? and rememberest what decree,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of yesterday, so late hath passed the lips", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Heaven’s Almighty? Thou to me thy thoughts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont, to impart;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both waking we were one; how, then, can now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest imposed:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "New laws from him who reigns new minds may raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In us who serve⁠—new counsels, to debate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What doubtful may ensue: more in this place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To utter is not safe. Assemble thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all those myriads which we lead the chief;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tell them that by command, ere yet dim night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all who under me their banners wave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Homeward with flying march where we possess", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The quarters of the North, there to prepare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fit entertainment to receive our King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The great Messiah, and his new commands,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who speedily through all the Hierarchies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the false Archangel, and infused", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bad influence into the unwary breast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of his associate. He together calls,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or several one by one, the regent powers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under him regent; tells, as he was taught,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That, the Most High commanding, now ere night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now ere dim night had disencumbered Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The great Hierarchal standard was to move;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tells the suggested cause, and casts between", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or taint integrity. But all obeyed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The wonted signal, and superior voice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of their great Potentate; for great indeed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His name, and high was his degree in Heaven:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His countenance, as the morning-star that guides", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The starry flock, allured them, and with lies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drew after him the third part of Heaven’s host.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meanwhile, the Eternal eye, whose sight discerns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from within the golden lamps that burn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nightly before him, saw without their light", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rebellion rising⁠—saw in whom, how spread", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the Sons of Morn, what multitudes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were banded to oppose his high decree;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, smiling, to his only Son thus said:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Son, thou in whom my glory I behold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In full resplendence, Heir of all my might,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nearly it now concerns us to be sure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of our omnipotence, and with what arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We mean to hold what anciently we claim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of deity or empire: such a foe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is rising, who intends to erect his throne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor so content, hath in his thought to try", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In battle what our power is or our right.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let us advise, and to this hazard draw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With speed what force is left, and all employ", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In our defence, lest unawares we lose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“To whom the Son, with calm aspect and clear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lightening divine, ineffable, serene,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made answer: ‘Mighty Father, thou thy foes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Justly hast in derision, and secure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Laugh’st at their vain designs and tumults vain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Matter to me of glory, whom their hate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Illustrates, when they see all regal power", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Given me to quell their pride, and in event", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know whether I be dextrous to subdue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the Son; but Satan with his powers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far was advanced on winged speed, an host", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Innumerable as the stars of night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or stars of morning, dew-drops which the sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Impearls on every leaf and every flower.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Regions they passed, the mighty regencies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In their triple degrees⁠—regions to which", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All thy dominion, Adam, is no more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than what this Garden is to all the earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all the sea, from one entire globose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stretched into longitude; which having passed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At length into the limits of the North", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They came, and Satan to his royal seat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High on a hill, far-blazing, as a mount", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From diamond quarries hewn and rocks of gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The palace of great Lucifer (so call", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That structure, in the dialect of men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Interpreted) which not long after he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Affecting all equality with God,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In imitation of that mount whereon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Mountain of the Congregation called;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For thither he assembled all his train,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pretending so commanded to consult", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "About the great reception of their King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thither to come; and with calumnious art", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If these magnific titles yet remain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not merely titular, since by decree", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Another now hath to himself engrossed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All power, and us eclipsed under the name", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of King anointed; for whom all this haste", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This only to consult, how we may best,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With what may be devised of honours new,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Receive him coming to receive from us", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Too much to one! but double how endured⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To one and to his image now proclaimed?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But what if better counsels might erect", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The supple knee? Ye will not, if I trust", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Natives and Sons of Heaven possessed before", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By none, and if not equal all, yet free,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equally free; for orders and degrees", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Jar not with liberty, but well consist.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who can in reason, then, or right, assume", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Monarchy over such as live by right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His equals⁠—if in power and splendour less,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In freedom equal? or can introduce", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Law and edict on us, who without law", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Err not? much less for this to be our Lord,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And look for adoration, to the abuse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of those imperial titles which assert", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our being ordained to govern, not to serve!’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Thus far his bold discourse without control", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had audience, when among the Seraphim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Deity, and divine commands obeyed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The current of his fury thus opposed:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O argument blasphemous, false, and proud!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In place thyself so high above thy peers!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That to his only Son, by right endued", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Confess him rightful King? Unjust, thou say’st,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And equal over equals to let reign,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One over all with unsucceeded power!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shalt thou give law to God? shalt thou dispute", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Him the points of liberty, who made", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thee what thou art, and formed the powers of Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet, by experience taught, we know how good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And of our good and of our dignity", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How provident he is⁠—how far from thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To make us less; bent rather to exalt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our happy state, under one head more near", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "United. But to grant it thee unjust", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That equal over equals monarch reign:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or all angelic nature joined in one,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equal to him, begotten Son? by whom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As by his Word, the mighty Father made", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All things, even thee, and all the Spirits of Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By him created in their bright degrees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Essential Powers; nor by his reign obscured,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But more illustrious made; since he, the head,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One of our number thus reduced becomes;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His laws our laws; all honour to him done", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Returns our own. Cease, then, this impious rage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And tempt not these; but hasten to appease", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The incensed Father and the incensed Son", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While pardon may be found, in time besought.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None seconded, as out of season judged,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or singular and rash; whereat rejoiced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Apostate, and more haughty thus replied:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘That we were formed, then, say’st thou? and the work", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of secondary hands, by task transferred", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Father to his Son? Strange point and new!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Doctrine which we would know whence learned! Who saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When this creation was? Remember’st thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We know no time when we were not as now;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know none before us, self-begot, self-raised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By our own quickening power, when fatal course", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had circled his full orb, the birth mature", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of this our native Heaven, Ethereal Sons.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our puissance is our own; our own right hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether by supplication we intend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Address, and to begirt the Almighty throne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beseeching or besieging. This report,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These tidings, carry to the anointed King;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“He said; and, as the sound of waters deep,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through the infinite host; nor less for that", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The flaming Seraph, fearless, though alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Determined, and thy hapless crew involved", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more be troubled how to quit the yoke", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God’s Messiah; those indulgent laws", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will not be now vouchsafed; other decrees", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against thee are gone forth without recall;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That golden sceptre which thou didst reject", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is now an iron rod to bruise and break", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet nor for thy advice or threats I fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Impendent, raging into sudden flame,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then who created thee lamenting learn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the faithless, faithful only he;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among innumerable false, unmoved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor number nor example with him wrought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though single. From amidst them forth he passed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Superior, nor of violence feared aught;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with retorted scorn his back he turned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On those proud towers, to swift destruction doomed.”", "indent": 0 } ] ] }