{
 "id": "john-milton/book-xii",
 "title": "Book XII",
 "ordinal": null,
 "subtitle": null,
 "poet": "John Milton",
 "poet_slug": "john-milton",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Paradise Lost",
 "book_slug": "paradise-lost",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": 12,
 "container": "Book XII",
 "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-12.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": 649,
  "n_stanzas": 18,
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  "longest_line_chars": 57,
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 "stanzas": [
  [
   {
    "text": "As one who in his journey bates at noon,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though bent on speed, so here the Archangel paused",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If Adam aught perhaps might interpose;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Man as from a second stock proceed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Much thou hast yet to see; but I perceive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must needs impair and weary human sense:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Henceforth what is to come I will relate;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou, therefore, give due audience, and attend.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“This second source of men, while yet but few,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And while the dread of judgment past remains",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With some regard to what is just and right",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Corn, wine, and oil; and, from the herd or flock",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With large wine-offerings poured, and sacred feast,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall spend their days in joy unblamed, and dwell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Long time in peace, by families and tribes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Under paternal rule; till one shall rise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of proud, ambitious heart, who, not content",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With fair equality, fraternal state,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will arrogate dominion undeserved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over his brethren, and quite dispossess",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Concord and law of Nature from the Earth;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hunting (and men, not beasts, shall be his game)",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With war and hostile snare such as refuse",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Subjection to his empire tyrannous.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before the Lord, as in despite of Heaven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or from Heaven claiming second sovereignty;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from rebellion shall derive his name,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though of rebellion others he accuse.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He, with a crew, whom like ambition joins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With him or under him to tyrannize,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marching from Eden towards the west, shall find",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of brick, and of that stuff, they cast to build",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And get themselves a name, lest, far dispersed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In foreign lands, their memory be lost,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Regardless whether good or evil fame.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But God, who oft descends to visit men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unseen, and through their habitations walks",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To mark their doings, them beholding soon,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Comes down to see their city, ere the tower",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obstruct Heaven-towers, and in derision sets",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon their tongues a various spirit, to rase",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Quite out their native language, and, instead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To sow a jangling noise of words unknown.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Among the builders; each to other calls,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As mocked they storm. Great laughter was in Heaven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And looking down, to see the hubbub strange",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And hear the din; thus was the building left",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeased:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“O execrable son, so to aspire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above his brethren, to himself assuming",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Authority usurped, from God not given!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dominion absolute; that right we hold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By his donation; but man over men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He made not lord; such title to himself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Reserving, human left from human free.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But this usurper his encroachment proud",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stays not on Man; to God his tower intends",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Siege and defiance. Wretched man! what food",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will he convey up thither, to sustain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Himself and his rash army, where thin air",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And famish him of breath, if not of bread?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Justly thou abhorr’st",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That son, who on the quiet state of men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rational liberty; yet know withal,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Since thy original lapse, true liberty",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is lost, which always with right reason dwells",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Twinned, and from her hath no dividual being.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Reason in Man obscured, or not obeyed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Immediately inordinate desires",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And upstart passions catch the government",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From reason, and to servitude reduce",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Within himself unworthy powers to reign",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over free reason, God, in judgment just,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Subjects him from without to violent lords,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who oft as undeservedly enthral",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His outward freedom: tyranny must be,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet sometimes nations will decline so low",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But justice, and some fatal curse annexed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deprives them of their outward liberty,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their inward lost: witness the irreverent son",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of him who built the ark, who, for the shame",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Done to his father, heard this heavy curse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Servant of servants on his vicious race.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thus will this latter, as the former world,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His presence from among them, and avert",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His holy eyes; resolving from thenceforth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To leave them to their own polluted ways,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And one peculiar nation to select",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From all the rest, of whom to be invoked⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A nation from one faithful man to spring.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bred up in idol-worship⁠—Oh, that men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "While yet the patriarch lived who scaped the Flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As to forsake the living God, and fall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To worship their own work in wood and stone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For gods!⁠—yet him God the Most High vouchsafes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To call by vision from his father’s house,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His kindred, and false gods, into a land",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which he will show him, and from him will raise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A mighty nation, and upon him shower",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His benediction so, that in his seed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All nations shall be blest. He straight obeys;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He leaves his gods, his friends, and native soil,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ur of Chaldaea, passing now the ford",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Haran; after him a cumbrous train",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With God, who called him, in a land unknown.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Canaan he now attains; I see his tents",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pitched about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Moreh; there, by promise, he receives",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gift to his progeny of all that land,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From Hamath northward to the Desert south",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(Things by their names I call, though yet unnamed),",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From Hermon east to the great western sea;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mount Hermon, yonder sea, each place behold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In prospect, as I point them: on the shore,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mount Carmel; here, the double-founted stream,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Jordan, true limit eastward; but his sons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This ponder, that all nations of the Earth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall in his seed be blessed. By that seed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Serpent’s head; whereof to thee anon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Plainlier shall be revealed. This patriarch blest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A son, and of his son a grandchild, leaves,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The grandchild, with twelve sons increased, departs",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From Canaan to a land hereafter called",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Egypt, divided by the river Nile;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into the sea. To sojourn in that land",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He comes, invited by a younger son",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In time of dearth, a son whose worthy deeds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Raise him to be the second in that realm",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Pharaoh. There he dies, and leaves his race",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Growing into a nation, and now grown",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inhospitably, and kills their infant males:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till, by two brethren (those two brethren call",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claim",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His people from enthralment, they return,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With glory and spoil, back to their promised land.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But first the lawless tyrant, who denies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To know their God, or message to regard,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must be compelled by signs and judgments dire:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To blood unshed the rivers must be turned;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Frogs, lice, and flies must all his palace fill",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His cattle must of rot and murrain die;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all his people; thunder mixed with hail,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hail mixed with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Palpable darkness, and blot out three days;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Last, with one midnight-stroke, all the first-born",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The river-dragon tamed at length submits",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To let his sojourners depart, and oft",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as ice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More hardened after thaw; till, in his rage",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pursuing whom he late dismissed, the sea",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Swallows him with his host, but them lets pass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As on dry land, between two crystal walls,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Awed by the rod of Moses so to stand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Divided, till his rescued gain their shore:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though present in his Angel, who shall go",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To guide them in their journey, and remove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Behind them, while the obdurate king pursues.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All night he will pursue, but his approach",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Darkness defends between till morning-watch;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then through the fiery pillar and the cloud",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God looking forth will trouble all his host,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And craze their chariot-wheels: when, by command,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Moses once more his potent rod extends",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over the sea; the sea his rod obeys;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On their embattled ranks the waves return,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And overwhelm their war. The race elect",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Safe towards Canaan from the shore advance",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through the wild Desert, not the readiest way;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest, entering on the Canaanite alarmed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "War terrify them inexpert, and fear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Inglorious life with servitude; for life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To noble and ignoble is more sweet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Untrained in arms, where rashness leads not on.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This also shall they gain by their delay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the wide wilderness: there they shall found",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their government, and their great Senate choose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through the twelve tribes, to rule by laws ordained.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God, from the mount of Sinai, whose grey top",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall tremble, he descending, will himself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In thunder, lightning, and loud trumpet’s sound,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ordain them laws; part, such as appertain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To civil justice; part, religious rites",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of sacrifice, informing them, by types",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And shadows, of that destined Seed to bruise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Serpent, by what means he shall achieve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mankind’s deliverance. But the voice of God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To mortal ear is dreadful; they beseech",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That Moses might report to them his will,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And terror cease; he grants what they besought,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Instructed that to God is no access",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Without Mediator, whose high office now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Moses in figure bears, to introduce",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the Prophets, in their age, the times",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus laws and rites",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Established, such delight hath God in men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Among them to set up his tabernacle⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Holy One with mortal men to dwell.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By his prescript a sanctuary is framed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of cedar, overlaid with gold; therein",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "An ark, and in the ark his testimony,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The records of his covenant; over these",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A mercy-seat of gold, between the wings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of two bright Cherubim; before him burn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seven lamps, as in a zodiac representing",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The heavenly fires. Over the tent a cloud",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Save when they journey; and at length they come,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Conducted by his Angel, to the land",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Promised to Abraham and his seed. The rest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Were long to tell: how many battles fought;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How many kings destroyed, and kingdoms won;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or how the sun shall in mid-heaven stand still",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A day entire, and night’s due course adjourn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Man’s voice commanding, ‘Sun, in Gibeon stand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And thou, Moon, in the vale of Aialon,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till Israel overcome!’ so call the third",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From Abraham, son of Isaac, and from him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Here Adam interposed: “O sent from Heaven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Enlightener of my darkness, gracious things",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou hast revealed, those chiefly which concern",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just Abraham and his seed. Now first I find",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mine eyes true opening, and my heart much eased,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Erewhile perplexed with thoughts what would become",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of me and all mankind; but now I see",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His day, in whom all nations shall be blest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Favour unmerited by me, who sought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This yet I apprehend not, why to those",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Among whom God will deign to dwell on Earth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So many and so various laws are given:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So many laws argue so many sins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Among them; how can God with such reside?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Doubt not but that sin",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will reign among them, as of thee begot;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore was law given them, to evince",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their natural pravity, by stirring up",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sin against law to light; that, when they see",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Law can discover sin, but not remove,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Save by those shadowy expiations weak,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some blood more precious must be paid for Man,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just for unjust, that in such righteousness,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To them by faith imputed, they may find",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Justification towards God, and peace",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of conscience, which the law by ceremonies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Cannot appease, nor man the moral part",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Perform, and not performing cannot live.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So law appears imperfect, and but given",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With purpose to resign them, in full time,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Up to a better covenant, disciplined",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From shadowy types to truth, from flesh to spirit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From imposition of strict laws to free",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Acceptance of large grace, from servile fear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To filial, works of law to works of faith.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore shall not Moses, though of God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Highly beloved, being but the minister",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of law, his people into Canaan lead;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His name and office bearing, who shall quell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The adversary Serpent, and bring back",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through the world’s wilderness long-wandered Man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan placed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "National interrupt their public peace,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Provoking God to raise them enemies⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From whom as oft he saves them penitent,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By Judges first, then under Kings; of whom",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The second, both for piety renowned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Irrevocable, that his regal throne",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For ever shall endure. The like shall sing",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All Prophecy⁠—that of the royal stock",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of David (so I name this king) shall rise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A Son, the Woman’s Seed to thee foretold,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All nations, and to kings foretold, of kings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The last, for of his reign shall be no end.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But first a long succession must ensue;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The clouded ark of God, till then in tents",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such follow him as shall be registered",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Part good, part bad; of bad the longer scroll;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose foul idolatries and other faults,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heaped to the popular sum, will so incense",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God, as to leave them, and expose their land,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their city, his temple, and his holy ark,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw’st",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Left in confusion, Babylon thence called.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There in captivity he lets them dwell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The space of seventy years; then brings them back,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To David, stablished as the days of Heaven.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Returned from Babylon by leave of kings,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their lords, whom God disposed, the house of God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They first re-edify, and for a while",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In mean estate live moderate, till, grown",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In wealth and multitude, factious they grow.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But first among the priests dissension springs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Men who attend the altar, and should most",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Endeavour peace; their strife pollution brings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the temple itself; at last they seize",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The sceptre, and regard not David’s sons;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then lose it to a stranger, that the true",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Anointed King Messiah might be born",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Barred of his right. Yet at his birth a star,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And guides the eastern sages, who inquire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His place of birth a solemn Angel tells",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They gladly thither haste, and by a quire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of squadroned Angels hear his carol sung.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A Virgin is his mother, but his Sire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Power of the Most High. He shall ascend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The throne hereditary, and bound his reign",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With Earth’s wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Surcharged as had, like grief, been dewed in tears,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Without the vent of words; which these he breathed:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O prophet of glad tidings, finisher",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of utmost hope! now clear I understand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Why our great Expectation should be called",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Seed of Woman. Virgin Mother, hail!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "High in the love of Heaven, yet from my loins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of God Most High; so God with Man unites.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Expect with mortal pain: say where and when",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victor’s heel.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus Michael: “Dream not of their fight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As of a duel, or the local wounds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of head or heel. Not therefore joins the Son",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Manhood to Godhead, with more strength to foil",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy enemy; nor so is overcome",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Disabled not to give thee thy death’s wound;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which he who comes thy Saviour shall recure,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not by destroying Satan, but his works",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In thee and in thy seed. Nor can this be,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obedience to the law of God, imposed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On penalty of death, and suffering death,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The penalty to thy transgression due,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So only can high justice rest appaid.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The law of God exact he shall fulfil",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both by obedience and by love, though love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Alone fulfil the law; thy punishment",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He shall endure, by coming in the flesh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To a reproachful life and cursed death,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Proclaiming life to all who shall believe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In his redemption, and that his obedience",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Imputed becomes theirs by faith⁠—his merits",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To save them, not their own, though legal, works.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For this he shall live hated, be blasphemed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seized on by force, judged, and to death condemned,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A shameful and accursed, nailed to the cross",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By his own nation, slain for bringing life;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But to the cross he nails thy enemies,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The law that is against thee, and the sins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all mankind, with him there crucified.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Never to hurt them more who rightly trust",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In this his satisfaction. So he dies,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But soon revives; Death over him no power",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy ransom paid, which Man from Death redeems,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His death for Man⁠—as many as offered life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Neglect not, and the benefit embrace",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By faith not void of works. This godlike act",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have died,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In sin for ever lost from life; this act",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And fix far deeper in his head their stings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than temporal death shall bruise the Victor’s heel,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or theirs whom he redeems⁠—a death like sleep,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A gentle wafting to immortal life.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor after resurrection shall he stay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Longer on Earth than certain times to appear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To his disciples, men who in his life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Still followed him; to them shall leave in charge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To teach all nations what of him they learned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And his salvation, them who shall believe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Baptizing in the profluent stream⁠—the sign",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of washing them from guilt of sin to life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befall,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For death like that which the Redeemer died.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All nations they shall teach; for from that day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not only to the sons of Abraham’s loins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Salvation shall be preached, but to the sons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Abraham’s faith wherever through the world;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So in his seed all nations shall be blest.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then to the Heaven of Heavens he shall ascend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With victory, triumphing through the air",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Serpent, Prince of air, and drag in chains",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through all his realm, and there confounded leave;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then enter into glory, and resume",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His seat at God’s right hand, exalted high",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above all names in Heaven; and thence shall come,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When this world’s dissolution shall be ripe,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With glory and power, to judge both quick and dead⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His faithful, and receive them into bliss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whether in Heaven or Earth; for then the Earth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall all be Paradise, far happier place",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than this of Eden, and far happier days.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So spake the Archangel Michael; then paused,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As at the world’s great period; and our Sire,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That all this good of evil shall produce,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And evil turn to good; more wonderful",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than that which by creation first brought forth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Light out of darkness! Full of doubt I stand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whether I should repent me now of sin",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By me done and occasioned, or rejoice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To God more glory, more good-will to men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must reascend, what will betide the few,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The enemies of truth. Who then shall guide",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His people, who defend? Will they not deal",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Worse with his followers than with him they dealt?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Be sure they will,” said the Angel; “but from Heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He to his own a Comforter will send,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The promise of the Father, who shall dwell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His Spirit, within them, and the law of faith,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Working through love, upon their hearts shall write,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To guide them in all truth, and also arm",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With spiritual armour, able to resist",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Satan’s assaults, and quench his fiery darts;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What man can do against them not afraid,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though to the death; against such cruelties",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With inward consolations recompensed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And oft supported so as shall amaze",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their proudest persecutors. For the Spirit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Poured first on his Apostles, whom he sends",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To evangelize the nations, then on all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Baptized, shall them with wondrous gifts endue",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To speak all tongues, and do all miracles,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As did their Lord before them. Thus they win",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Great numbers of each nation to receive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With joy the tidings brought from Heaven: at length",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their ministry performed, and race well run,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their doctrine and their story written left,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They die; but in their room, as they forewarn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who all the sacred mysteries of Heaven",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To their own vile advantages shall turn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of lucre and ambition, and the truth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With superstitions and traditions taint,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Left only in those written records pure,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though not but by the Spirit understood.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Places, and titles, and with these to join",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Secular power, though feigning still to act",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By spiritual; to themselves appropriating",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Spirit of God, promised alike and given",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To all believers; and, from that pretence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Spiritual laws by carnal power shall force",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On every conscience, laws which none shall find",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Left them enrolled, or what the Spirit within",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But force the Spirit of Grace itself, and bind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His consort, Liberty? what but unbuild",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His living temples, built by faith to stand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their own faith, not another’s? for, on Earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who against faith and conscience can be heard",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Infallible? Yet many will presume:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whence heavy persecution shall arise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On all who in the worship persevere",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Spirit and Truth; the rest, far greater part,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will deem in outward rites and specious forms",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Religion satisfied; Truth shall retire",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bestuck with slanderous darts, and works of faith",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rarely be found. So shall the world go on,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To good malignant, to bad men benign,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Under her own weight groaning till the day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Appear of respiration to the just,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And vengeance to the wicked, at return",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Him so lately promised to thy aid,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Woman’s Seed⁠—obscurely then foretold,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Last in the clouds from Heaven to be revealed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In glory of the Father, to dissolve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Satan with his perverted world; then raise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Founded in righteousness and peace and love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ended; and thus Adam last replied:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Measured this transient world, the race of time,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till time stand fixed! Beyond is all abyss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Eternity, whose end no eye can reach.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Greatly instructed I shall hence depart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of knowledge, what this vessel can contain;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beyond which was my folly to aspire.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Henceforth I learn that to obey is best,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And love with fear the only God, to walk",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As in his presence, ever to observe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His providence, and on him sole depend,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Merciful over all his works, with good",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Still overcoming evil, and by small",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Accomplishing great things, by things deemed weak",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Subverting worldly-strong, and worldly-wise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By simply meek; that suffering for truth’s sake",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is fortitude to highest victory,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, to the faithful, death the gate of life;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Taught this by his example whom I now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom thus also the Angel last replied:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“This having learned, thou hast attained the sum",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou knew’st by name, and all the ethereal powers,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All secrets of the deep, all Nature’s works,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or works of God in Heaven, air, Earth, or sea,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the riches of this world enjoy’dst,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the rule, one empire. Only add",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deeds to thy knowledge answerable; add faith,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Add virtue, patience, temperance; add love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By name to come called charity, the soul",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A Paradise within thee, happier far.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Let us descend now, therefore, from this top",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of speculation; for the hour precise",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Exacts our parting hence; and, see! the guards,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By me encamped on yonder hill, expect",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their motion, at whose front a flaming sword,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In signal of remove, waves fiercely round.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her also I with gentle dreams have calmed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Portending good, and all her spirits composed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To meek submission: thou, at season fit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Chiefly what may concern her faith to know,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The great deliverance by her seed to come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(For by the Woman’s Seed) on all mankind;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That ye may live, which will be many days,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both in one faith unanimous; though sad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With cause for evils past, yet much more cheered",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With meditation on the happy end.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ended, and they both descend the hill.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Descended, Adam to the bower where Eve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay sleeping ran before, but found her waked;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And thus with words not sad she him received:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Whence thou return’st, and whither went’st, I know;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For God is also in sleep, and dreams advise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which he hath sent propitious, some great good",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Presaging, since with sorrow and heart’s distress",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wearied I fell asleep. But now lead on;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In me is no delay; with thee to go",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is to stay here; without thee here to stay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is to go hence unwilling; thou to me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Art all things under Heaven, all places thou,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who for my wilful crime art banished hence.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This further consolation yet secure",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I carry hence: though all by me is lost,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such favour I unworthy am vouchsafed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By me the Promised Seed shall all restore.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So spake our mother Eve, and Adam heard",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Well pleased, but answered not; for now too nigh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Archangel stood, and from the other hill",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To their fixed station, all in bright array,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Cherubim descended; on the ground",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gliding meteorous, as evening mist",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Risen from a river o’er the marish glides,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And gathers ground fast at the labourer’s heel",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Homeward returning. High in front advanced,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The brandished sword of God before them blazed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And vapour as the Libyan air adust,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In either hand the hastening angel caught",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To the subjected plain; then disappeared.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paradise, so late their happy seat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The world was all before them, where to choose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through Eden took their solitary way.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}