{
 "id": "john-milton/book-xi",
 "title": "Book XI",
 "ordinal": null,
 "subtitle": null,
 "poet": "John Milton",
 "poet_slug": "john-milton",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Paradise Lost",
 "book_slug": "paradise-lost",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": 11,
 "container": "Book XI",
 "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"
  ]
 },
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  "repo": "standardebooks/john-milton_paradise-lost",
  "file": "book-11.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": {
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  "n_stanzas": 45,
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  [
   {
    "text": "Thus they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Praying; for from the mercy-seat above",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Prevenient grace descending had removed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breathed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inspired, and winged for Heaven with speedier flight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than loudest oratory. Yet their port",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not of mean suitors, nor important less",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seemed their petition than when the ancient pair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In fables old, less ancient yet than these,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The race of mankind drowned, before the shrine",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Themis stood devout. To Heaven their prayers",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious winds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Blown vagabond or frustrate: in they passed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dimensionless through heavenly doors; then, clad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With incense, where the golden altar fumed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By their great Intercessor, came in sight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before the Father’s throne. Them the glad Son",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Presenting thus to intercede began:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“See, Father, what first-fruits on Earth are sprung",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From thy implanted grace in Man⁠—these sighs",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And prayers, which in this golden censer, mixed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With incense, I, thy priest, before thee bring;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fruits of more pleasing savour, from thy seed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sown with contrition in his heart, than those",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which, his own hand manuring, all the trees",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paradise could have produced, ere fallen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To supplication; hear his sighs, though mute;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unskilful with what words to pray, let me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Interpret for him, me his advocate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And propitiation; all his works on me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Good or not good, ingraft; my merit those",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Accept me, and in me from these receive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The smell of peace toward Mankind: let him live",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before thee reconciled, at least his days",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Numbered, though sad; till death, his doom (which I",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse),",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To better life shall yield him, where with me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All my redeemed may dwell in joy and bliss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Made one with me, as I with thee am one.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom the Father, without cloud, serene:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“All thy request for Man, accepted Son,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obtain; all thy request was my decree.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But longer in that Paradise to dwell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The law I gave to Nature him forbids;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Those pure immortal elements, that know",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No gross, no unharmonious mixture foul,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Eject him, tainted now, and purge him off,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As a distemper, gross, to air as gross,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And mortal food, as may dispose him best",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For dissolution wrought by sin, that first",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Distempered all things, and of incorrupt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Corrupted. I, at first, with two fair gifts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Created him endowed⁠—with happiness",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And immortality; that fondly lost,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This other served but to eternize woe,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till I provided death: so death becomes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His final remedy, and, after life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By faith and faithful works, to second life,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Waked in the renovation of the just,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Resigns him up with Heaven and Earth renewed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But let us call to Synod all the Blest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through Heaven’s wide bounds; from them I will not hide",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My judgments, how with Mankind I proceed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As how with peccant Angels late they saw,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in their state, though firm, stood more confirmed.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ended, and the Son gave signal high",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To the bright minister that watched. He blew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When God descended, and perhaps once more",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To sound at general doom. The angelic blast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Filled all the regions: from their blissful bowers",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of amarantine shade, fountain or spring,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By the waters of life, where’er they sat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In fellowships of joy, the Sons of Light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hasted, resorting to the summons high,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And took their seats, till from his throne supreme",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Almighty thus pronounced his sovereign will:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O Sons, like one of us Man is become",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To know both good and evil, since his taste",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of that defended fruit; but let him boast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His knowledge of good lost and evil got,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Happier had it sufficed him to have known",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Good by itself, and evil not at all.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My motions in him; longer than they move,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His heart I know how variable and vain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Self-left. Lest, therefore, his now bolder hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And live for ever⁠—dream at least to live",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For ever⁠—to remove him I decree,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And send him from the garden forth, to till",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Michael, this my behest have thou in charge:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Take to thee from among the Cherubim",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or in behalf of Man, or to invade",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Vacant possession, some new trouble raise;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Without remorse drive out the sinful pair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From hallowed ground the unholy, and denounce",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To them, and to their progeny, from thence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Perpetual banishment. Yet, lest they faint",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At the sad sentence rigorously urged",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(For I behold them softened, and with tears",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bewailing their excess), all terror hide.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If patiently thy bidding they obey,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveal",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Adam what shall come in future days,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As I shall thee enlighten; intermix",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My covenant in the Woman’s seed renewed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And on the east side of the garden place,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Cherubic watch, and of a sword the flame",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wide-waving, all approach far off to fright,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And guard all passage to the Tree of Life;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest Paradise a receptacle prove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ceased, and the archangelic Power prepared",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For swift descent; with him the cohort bright",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of watchful Cherubim. Four faces each",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had, like a double Janus; all their shape",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Spangled with eyes more numerous than those",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Charmed with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral reed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanwhile,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To resalute the world with sacred light,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leucothea waked, and with fresh dews embalmed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Earth; when Adam and first matron Eve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had ended now their orisons, and found",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Strength added from above; new hope to spring",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Out of despair; joy, but with fear yet linked;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewed:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Eve, easily may faith admit that all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The good which we enjoy from Heaven descends;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But that from us aught should ascend to Heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So prevalent as to concern the mind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of God high-blest, or to incline his will,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hard to belief may seem; yet this will prayer,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or one short sigh of human breath, upborne",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Even to the seat of God. For, since I sought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By prayer the offended Deity to appease,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Kneeled and before him humbled all my heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Methought I saw him placable and mild,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bending his ear; persuasion in me grew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That I was heard with favour; peace returned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Home to my breast, and to my memory",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His promise that thy seed shall bruise our Foe;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which, then not minded in dismay, yet now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Assures me that the bitterness of death",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is past, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Eve rightly called, Mother of all Mankind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mother of all things living, since by thee",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Man is to live, and all things live for Man.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ill-worthy I such title should belong",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To me transgressor, who, for thee ordained",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A help, became thy snare; to me reproach",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But infinite in pardon was my Judge,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That I, who first brought death on all, am graced",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The source of life; next favourable thou,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsaf’st,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far other name deserving. But the field",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To labour calls us, now with sweat imposed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though after sleepless night; for see! the Morn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All unconcerned with our unrest, begins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her rosy progress smiling. Let us forth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I never from thy side henceforth to stray,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where’er our day’s work lies, though now enjoined",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Here let us live, though in fallen state, content.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So spake, so wished, much-humbled Eve; but Fate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Subscribed not. Nature first gave signs, impressed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On bird, beast, air⁠—air suddenly eclipsed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "After short blush of morn. Nigh in her sight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The bird of Jove, stooped from his aery tour,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Two birds of gayest plume before him drove;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "First hunter then, pursued a gentle brace,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Direct to the eastern gate was bent their flight.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Adam observed, and, with his eye the chase",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pursuing, not unmoved to Eve thus spake:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which Heaven by these mute signs in Nature shows,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Us, haply too secure of our discharge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From penalty because from death released",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some days; how long, and what till then our life,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who knows? or more than this, that we are dust,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And thither must return, and be no more?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Why else this double object in our sight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of flight pursued in the air and o’er the ground",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One way the self-same hour? Why in the east",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Darkness ere day’s mid-course, and morning-light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More orient in yon western cloud, that draws",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O’er the blue firmament a radiant white,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And slow descends, with something Heavenly fraught?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He erred not; for, by this, the Heavenly bands",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down from a sky of jasper lighted now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In Paradise, and on a hill made halt;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A glorious apparition, had not doubt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And carnal fear that day dimmed Adam’s eye.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not that more glorious, when the Angels met",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The field pavilioned with his guardians bright;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor that which on the flaming mount appeared",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In Dothan, covered with a camp of fire,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against the Syrian king, who to surprise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One man, assassin-like, had levied war,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "War unproclaimed. The princely Hierarch",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In their bright stand there left his Powers to seize",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Possession of the garden; he alone,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To find where Adam sheltered, took his way,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not unperceived of Adam; who to Eve,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "While the great visitant approached, thus spake:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of us will soon determine, or impose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "New laws to be observed; for I descry,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One of the Heavenly host, and, by his gait,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "None of the meanest⁠—some great Potentate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or of the Thrones above, such majesty",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Invests him coming; yet not terrible,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That I should fear, nor sociably mild,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As Raphael, that I should much confide;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But solemn and sublime; whom, not to offend,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ended; and the Archangel soon drew nigh,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not in his shape celestial, but as man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Clad to meet man. Over his lucid arms",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A military vest of purple flowed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Livelier than Meliboean, or the grain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In time of truce; Iris had dipt the woof.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His starry helm unbuckled showed him prime",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In manhood where youth ended; by his side,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Satan’s dire dread, and in his hand the spear.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Adam bowed low; he, kingly, from his state",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inclined not, but his coming thus declared:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Adam, Heaven’s high behest no preface needs:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sufficient that thy prayers are heard, and Death,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Defeated of his seizure many days,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Given thee of grace, wherein thou may’st repent,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And one bad act with many deeds well done",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "May’st cover. Well may then thy Lord, appeased,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Redeem thee quite from Death’s rapacious claim;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But longer in this Paradise to dwell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Permits not: to remove thee I am come,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And send thee from the garden forth, to till",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He added not; for Adam at the news",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet all had heard, with audible lament",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Discovered soon the place of her retire:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thee, native soil? these happy walks and shades,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Quiet, though sad, the respite of that day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That must be mortal to us both. O flowers,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That never will in other climate grow,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My early visitation, and my last",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At even, which I bred up with tender hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the first opening bud, and gave ye names,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thee, lastly, nuptial bower, by me adorned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With what to sight or smell was sweet, from thee",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How shall I part, and whither wander down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into a lower world, to this obscure",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And wild? How shall we breathe in other air",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Less pure, accustomed to immortal fruits?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy husband; him to follow thou art bound;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where he abides, think there thy native soil.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Adam, by this from the cold sudden damp",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Recovering, and his scattered spirits returned,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Michael thus his humble words addressed:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or named",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of them the highest⁠—for such of shape may seem",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Prince above princes⁠—gently hast thou told",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy message, which might else in telling wound,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in performing end us. What besides",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Departure from this happy place, our sweet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Recess, and only consolation left",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Familiar to our eyes; all places else",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inhospitable appear, and desolate,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor knowing us, nor known. And, if by prayer",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Incessant I could hope to change the will",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of him who all things can, I would not cease",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To weary him with my assiduous cries;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But prayer against his absolute decree",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No more avails than breath against the wind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Therefore to his great bidding I submit.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This most afflicts me, that, departing hence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As from his face I shall be hid, deprived",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His blessed countenance. Here I could frequent,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With worship, place by place where he vouchsafed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Presence Divine, and to my sons relate,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "‘On this mount he appeared; under this tree",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stood visible; among these pines his voice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I heard; here with him at this fountain talked.’",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So many grateful altars I would rear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of lustre from the brook, in memory",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or monument to ages, and thereon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In yonder nether world where shall I seek",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His bright appearances, or footstep trace?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For, though I fled him angry, yet, recalled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To life prolonged and promised race, I now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of glory, and far off his steps adore.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael, with regard benign:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Adam, thou know’st Heaven his, and all the Earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not this rock only; his omnipresence fills",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fomented by his virtual power and warmed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All the Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No despicable gift; surmise not, then,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His presence to these narrow bounds confined",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paradise or Eden. This had been",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All generations, and had hither come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From all the ends of the Earth, to celebrate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And reverence thee their great progenitor.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But this pre-eminence thou hast lost, brought down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To dwell on even ground now with thy sons.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet doubt not but in valley and in plain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God is, as here, and will be found alike",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Present, and of his presence many a sign,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Still following thee, still compassing thee round",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With goodness and paternal love, his face",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Express, and of his steps the track divine.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which that thou may’st believe, and be confirmed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To show thee what shall come in future days",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To thee and to thy offspring. Good with bad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Expect to hear, supernal grace contending",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With sinfulness of men; thereby to learn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "True patience, and to temper joy with fear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And pious sorrow, equally inured",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By moderation either state to bear,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Safest thy life, and best prepared endure",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This hill; let Eve (for I have drenched her eyes)",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak’st,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As once thou slept’st, while she to life was formed.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Adam gratefully replied:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ascend; I follow thee, safe guide, the path",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou lead’st me, and to the hand of Heaven submit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "However chastening; to the evil turn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My obvious breast, arming to overcome",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By suffering, and earn rest from labour won,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If so I may attain.” So both ascend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the visions of God. It was a hill,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paradise the highest, from whose top",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The hemisphere of Earth, in clearest ken,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stretched out to the amplest reach of prospect lay.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not higher that hill, nor wider looking round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereon for different cause the Tempter set",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our second Adam, in the wilderness,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To show him all Earth’s kingdoms and their glory.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His eye might there command wherever stood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "City of old or modern fame, the seat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of mightiest empire, from the destined walls",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Samarchand by Oxus, Temir’s throne,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Paquin of Sinaean kings, and thence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Agra and Lahor of Great Mogul,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down to the golden Chersonese, or where",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In Hispahan, or where the Russian Ksar",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In Mosco, or the Sultan in Bizance,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Turchestan-born; nor could his eye not ken",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The empire of Negus to his utmost port",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ercoco, and the less maritime kings,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Sofala, thought Ophir, to the realm",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Congo, and Angola farthest south;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The world. In spirit perhaps he also saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rich Mexico, the seat of Montezume,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoiled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Guiana, whose great city Geryon’s sons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Call El Dorado. But to nobler sights",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Michael from Adam’s eyes the film removed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had bred; then purged with euphrasy and rue",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The visual nerve, for he had much to see,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the well of life three drops instilled.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So deep the power of these ingredients pierced,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Even to the inmost seat of mental sight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That Adam, now enforced to close his eyes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sunk down, and all his spirits became entranced;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But him the gentle Angel by the hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Soon raised, and his attention thus recalled:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The effects which thy original crime hath wrought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In some to spring from thee, who never touched",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The excepted tree, nor with the Snake conspired,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor sinned thy sin, yet from that sin derive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "His eyes he opened, and beheld a field,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "New-reaped, the other part sheep-walks and folds;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I’ the midst an altar as the landmark stood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rustic, of grassy sord. Thither anon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "First-fruits, the green ear and the yellow sheaf,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unculled, as came to hand; a shepherd next,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More meek, came with the firstlings of his flock,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Choicest and best; then, sacrificing, laid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The inwards and their fat, with incense strewed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On the cleft wood, and all due rites performed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His offering soon propitious fire from heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Consumed with nimble glance and grateful steam;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The other’s not, for his was not sincere:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereat he inly raged, and, as they talked,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Smote him into the midriff with a stone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That beat out life; he fell, and, deadly pale,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Groaned out his soul with gushing blood effused.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Much at that sight was Adam in his heart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dismayed, and thus in haste to the Angel cried:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O Teacher, some great mischief hath befallen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To that meek man, who well had sacrificed:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is piety thus and pure devotion paid?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“These two are brethren, Adam, and to come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Out of thy loins. The unjust the just hath slain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For envy that his brother’s offering found",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From Heaven acceptance; but the bloody fact",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will be avenged, and the other’s faith approved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lose no reward, though here thou see him die,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rolling in dust and gore.” To which our Sire:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But have I now seen Death? Is this the way",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I must return to native dust? O sight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of terror, foul and ugly to behold!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Death thou hast seen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In his first shape on Man; but many shapes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Death, and many are the ways that lead",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To his grim cave, all dismal; yet to sense",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More terrible at the entrance than within.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some, as thou saw’st, by violent stroke shall die,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By fire, flood, famine; by intemperance more",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In meats and drinks, which on the Earth shall bring",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before thee shall appear, that thou may’st know",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What misery the inabstinence of Eve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall bring on men.” Immediately a place",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before his eyes appeared, sad, noisome, dark;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A lazar-house it seemed, wherein were laid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Numbers of all diseased, all maladies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Intestine stone and ulcer, colic pangs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Demoniac frenzy, moping melancholy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dropsies and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dire was the tossing, deep the groans; Despair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And over them triumphant Death his dart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shook, but delayed to strike, though oft invoked",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With vows, as their chief good and final hope.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sight so deform what heart of rock could long",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dry-eyed behold? Adam could not, but wept,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though not of woman born: compassion quelled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His best of man, and gave him up to tears",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A space, till firmer thoughts restrained excess,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, scarce recovering words, his plaint renewed:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O miserable Mankind, to what fall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Degraded, to what wretched state reserved!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Better end here unborn. Why is life given",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To be thus wrested from us? rather why",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obtruded on us thus? who, if we knew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What we receive, would either not accept",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Life offered, or soon beg to lay it down,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Glad to be so dismissed in peace. Can thus",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The image of God in Man, created once",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So goodly and erect, though faulty since,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To such unsightly sufferings be debased",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Retaining still divine similitude",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In part, from such deformities be free,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And for his Maker’s image sake exempt?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Their Maker’s image,” answered Michael, “then",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forsook them, when themselves they vilified",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To serve ungoverned Appetite, and took",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His image whom they served⁠—a brutish vice,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Therefore so abject is their punishment,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Disfiguring not God’s likeness, but their own;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or, if his likeness, by themselves defaced",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "While they pervert pure Nature’s healthful rules",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To loathsome sickness; worthily, since they",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God’s image did not reverence in themselves.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“I yield it just,” said Adam, “and submit.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But is there yet no other way, besides",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "These painful passages, how we may come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To death, and mix with our connatural dust?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“There is,” said Michael, “if thou well observe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The rule of Not too much, by temperance taught",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In what thou eat’st and drink’st, seeking from thence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till many years over thy head return.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So may’st thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into thy mother’s lap, or be with ease",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This is old age; but then thou must outlive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To withered, weak, and grey; thy senses then,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgo",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To what thou hast; and, for the air of youth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A melancholy damp of cold and dry,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The balm of life.” To whom our Ancestor:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Life much, bent rather how I may be quit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous charge,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which I must keep till my appointed day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of rendering up, and patiently attend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My dissolution.” Michael replied:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou livest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Live well; how long or short, permit to Heaven.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now prepare thee for another sight.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He looked, and saw a spacious plain, whereon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Were tents of various hue; by some were herds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of cattle grazing; others, whence the sound",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of instruments that made melodious chime",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was heard, of harp and organ, and who moved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their stops and chords was seen; his volant touch",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Instinct through all proportions, low and high,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In other part stood one who, at the forge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had melted (whether found where casual fire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had wasted woods, on mountain or in vale,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To some cave’s mouth, or whether washed by stream",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From underground); the liquid ore he drained",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into fit moulds prepared; from which he formed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "First his own tools; then, what might else be wrought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fusil or graven in metal. After these,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But on the hither side, a different sort",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the high neighbouring hills, which was their seat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down to the plain descended: by their guise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just men they seemed, and all their study bent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To worship God aright, and know his works",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not hid; nor those things last which might preserve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Freedom and peace to men. They on the plain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Long had not walked, when from the tents behold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A bevy of fair women, richly gay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In gems and wanton dress! to the harp they sung",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The men, though grave, eyed them, and let their eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rove without rein, till, in the amorous net",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fast caught, they liked, and each his liking chose.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now of love they treat, till the evening-star,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Love’s harbinger, appeared; then, all in heat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With feast and music all the tents resound.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such happy interview, and fair event",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And charming symphonies, attached the heart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The bent of Nature; which he thus expressed:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Much better seems this vision, and more hope",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of peaceful days portends, than those two past:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Judge not what is best",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Created, as thou art, to nobler end,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Holy and pure, conformity divine.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Those tents thou saw’st so pleasant were the tents",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who slew his brother: studious they appear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of arts that polish life, inventors rare;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Taught them; but they his gifts acknowledged none.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For that fair female troop thou saw’st, that seemed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet empty of all good wherein consists",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Woman’s domestic honour and chief praise;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bred only and completed to the taste",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To these that sober race of men, whose lives",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Religious titled them the Sons of God,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(Erelong to swim at large) and laugh; for which",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The world erelong a world of tears must weep.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“O pity and shame, that they who to live well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Entered so fair should turn aside to tread",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Paths indirect, or in the midway faint!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But still I see the tenor of Man’s woe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“From Man’s effeminate slackness it begins,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Said the Angel, “who should better hold his place",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By wisdom, and superior gifts received.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But now prepare thee for another scene.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He looked, and saw wide territory spread",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before him⁠—towns, and rural works between,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Cities of men with lofty gates and towers,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Single or in array of battle ranged,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One way a band select from forage drives",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From a fat meadow-ground, or fleecy flock,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the plain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With cruel tournament the squadrons join;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where cattle pastured late, now scattered lies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deserted. Others to a city strong",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay siege, encamped, by battery, scale, and mine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Assaulting; others from the wall defend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With dart and javelin, stones and sulphurous fire;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In other part the sceptred haralds call",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To council in the city-gates: anon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors mixed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In factious opposition, till at last",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of middle age one rising, eminent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And judgment from above: him old and young",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Exploded, and had seized with violent hands,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had not a cloud descending snatched him thence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unseen amid the throng. So violence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through all the plain, and refuge none was found.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Adam was all in tears, and to his guide",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lamenting turned full sad: “Oh, what are these?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Death’s ministers, not men! who thus deal death",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inhumanly to men, and multiply",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His brother; for of whom such massacre",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Make they but of their brethren, men of men?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “These are the product",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw’st;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where good with bad were matched, who of themselves",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Abhor to join, and, by imprudence mixed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Produce prodigious births of body or mind.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such were these Giants, men of high renown;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For in those days might only shall be admired,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And valour and heroic virtue called;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To overcome in battle, and subdue",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of human glory, and for glory done",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on Earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And what most merits fame in silence hid.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheld’st",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The only righteous in a world perverse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore hated, therefore so beset",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With foes, for daring single to be just,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And utter odious truth, that God would come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To judge them with his Saints⁠—him the Most High,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Did, as thou saw’st, receive, to walk with God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "High in salvation and the climes of bliss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Exempt from death: to show thee what reward",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Awaits the good, the rest what punishment;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He looked, and saw the face of things quite changed;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All now was turned to jollity and game,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To luxury and riot, feast, and dance,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marrying or prostituting, as befell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rape or adultery, where passing fair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Allured them; thence from cups to civil broils.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At length a reverend sire among them came,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And of their doings great dislike declared;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And testified against their ways: he oft",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Frequented their assemblies, whereso met,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Triumphs or festivals, and to them preached",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Conversion and repentance, as to souls",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In prison, under judgments imminent;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But all in vain. Which when he saw, he ceased",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Contending, and removed his tents far off;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, from the mountain hewing timber tall,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Began to build a vessel of huge bulk,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Measured by cubit, length, and breadth, and highth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Smeared round with pitch, and in the side a door",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Contrived, and of provisions laid in large",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For man and beast: when lo! a wonder strange!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of every beast, and bird, and insect small,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came sevens and pairs, and entered in, as taught",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their order; last, the sire and his three sons,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With their four wives; and God made fast the door.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meanwhile the south-wind rose, and, with black wings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wide hovering, all the clouds together drove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From under heaven; the hills, to their supply,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sent up amain; and now the thickened sky",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like a dark ceiling stood: down rushed the rain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Impetuous, and continued till the Earth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No more was seen. The floating vessel swum",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rode tilting o’er the waves; all dwellings else",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deep under water rolled; sea covered sea,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sea without shore: and in their palaces,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where luxury late reigned, sea-monsters whelped",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And stabled: of mankind, so numerous late,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All left in one small bottom swum embarked.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The end of all thy offspring, end so sad,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Depopulation! Thee another flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of tears and sorrow a flood, thee also drowned,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And sunk thee as thy sons; till, gently reared",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By the Angel, on thy feet thou stood’st at last,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though comfortless, as when a father mourns",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His children, all in view destroyed at once;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And scarce to the Angel utter’dst thus thy plaint:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O visions ill foreseen! Better had I",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lived ignorant of future! so had borne",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My part of evil only, each day’s lot",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Enough to bear; those now, that were dispensed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The burden of many ages, on me light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Abortive, to torment me, ere their being,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With thought that they must be. Let no man seek",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Him or his children; evil he may be sure,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And he the future evil shall no less",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In apprehension than in substance feel",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grievous to bear. But that care now is past;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Man is not whom to warn; those few escaped",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Famine and anguish will at last consume,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wandering that watery desert. I had hope,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When violence was ceased and war on Earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All would have then gone well, peace would have crowned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With length of happy days the race of Man;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But I was far deceived, for now I see",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How comes it thus? Unfold, Celestial Guide,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And whether here the race of Man will end.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Those, whom last thou saw’st",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "First seen in acts of prowess eminent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And great exploits, but of true virtue void;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who, having spilt much blood, and done much waste,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Subduing nations, and achieved thereby",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Surfeit, and lust, till wantonness and pride",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The conquered also, and enslaved by war,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And fear of God, from whom their piety feigned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In sharp contest of battle found no aid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against invaders; therefore, cooled in zeal,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall leave them to enjoy; for the Earth shall bear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More than enough, that temperance may be tried.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One man except, the only son of light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In a dark age, against example good,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against allurement, custom, and a world",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Offended. Fearless of reproach and scorn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or violence, he of their wicked ways",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall them admonish, and before them set",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The paths of righteousness, how much more safe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And full of peace, denouncing wrath to come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On their impenitence; and shall return",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of them derided, but of God observed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The one just man alive; by his command",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheld’st,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To save himself and household from amidst",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A world devote to universal wrack.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No sooner he, with them of man and beast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And sheltered round, but all the cataracts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Heaven set open on the Earth shall pour",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rain day and night; all fountains of the deep,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above the highest hills. Then shall this Mount",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paradise by might of waves be moved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Out of his place, pushed by the horned flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With all his verdure spoiled, and trees adrift,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down the great river to the opening Gulf,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there take root, an island salt and bare,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews’ clang:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To teach thee that God attributes to place",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No sanctity, if none be thither brought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By men who there frequent or therein dwell.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now what further shall ensue behold.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He looked, and saw the ark hull on the flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which now abated; for the clouds were fled,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Driven by a keen north-wind, that, blowing dry,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decayed;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the clear sun on his wide watery glass",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His sluices, as the heaven his windows shut.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fast on the top of some high mountain fixed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now the tops of hills as rocks appear;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With clamour thence the rapid currents drive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And after him, the surer messenger,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A dove, sent forth once and again to spy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The second time returning, in his bill",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The ancient sire descends, with all his train;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, with uplifted hands and eyes devout,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Conspicuous with three listed colours gay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Betokening peace from God, and covenant new.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Greatly rejoiced, and thus his joy broke forth:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“O thou, who future things canst represent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As present, Heavenly Instructor, I revive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At this last sight, assured that Man shall live,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With all the creatures, and their seed preserve.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far less I now lament for one whole world",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of wicked sons destroyed, than I rejoice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For one man found so perfect and so just,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That God vouchsafes to raise another world",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From him, and all his anger to forget.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But say, what mean those coloured streaks in Heaven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Distended as the brow of God appeased?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or serve they as a flowery verge to bind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest it again dissolve and shower the Earth?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom the Archangel: “Dextrously thou aim’st.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So willingly doth God remit his ire,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though late repenting him of Man depraved;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The whole Earth filled with violence, and all flesh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Corrupting each their way; yet, those removed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such grace shall one just man find in his sight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That he relents, not to blot out mankind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And makes a covenant never to destroy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Earth again by flood, nor let the sea",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With man therein or beast; but, when he brings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over the Earth a cloud, will therein set",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And call to mind his covenant. Day and night,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}