,paradise ,lost  by ,john ,milton       
,contents   ,introduction  ,paradise    
,lost  ,,book ,i  ,,book ,,ii  ,,book   
,,iii  ,,book ,,iv  ,,book ,v  ,,book   
,,vi  ,,book ,,vii  ,,book ,,viii       
,,book ,,ix  ,,book ,x  ,,book ,,xi     
,,book ,,xii     ,introduction 7one     
page7   ,this etext was originally      
created in #aifd-aife according to ,dr4 
,joseph ,raben of ,queens ,college1     
,,ny1 to whom it is attributed by       
,project ,gutenberg4 ,we had heard of   
this etext for years but it was not     
until #aiia that we actually managed to 
track it down to a specific location1   
and then it took months to convince     
people to let us have a copy1 then more 
months for them actually to do the      
copying and get it to us4 ,then another 
month to convert to something we could  
massage with our favorite #dhf in ,,dos4
 ,after that it was only a matter of    
days to get it into this shape you will 
see below4 ,the original was1 of course1
 in ,,caps only1 and so were all the    

other etexts of the #fj's and early     
#gj's4 ,don't let anyone fool you into  
thinking any etext with both upper and  
were also in upper case and were        
translated or rewritten many times to   
get them into their current condition4  
,they have been worked on by many people
 throughout the world4  ,in the course  
of our searches for ,professor ,raben   
and his etext we were never able to     
determine where copies were or which of 
a variety of editions he may have used  
as a source4 ,we did get a little       
information here and there1 but even    
after we received a copy of the etext we
 were unwilling to release it without   
first determining that it was in fact   
,public ,domain and finding ,raben to   
verify this and get his permission4     
,interested enough1 in a totally        
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him1 the professor subscribed to the    
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happened1 by accident1 to notice his    
name4 7,we don't really look at every   

subscription request as the computers   
usually handle them47 ,the etext was    
then properly identified1 copyright     
analyzed1 and the current edition       
prepared4  ,to give you an estimation of
 the difference in the original and what
 we have today3 the original was        
probably entered on cards commonly known
 at the time as 8,,ibm cards0 7,do ,not 
,fold1 ,spindle or ,mutilate7 and       
probably took in excess of #ajj1jjj of  
them4 ,a single card could hold #hj     
characters 7hence #hj characters is an  
accepted standard for so many computer  
margins71 and the entire original       
edition we received in all caps was over
 #hjj1jjj chars in length1 including    
line enumeration1 symbols for caps and  
the punctuation marks1 etc41 since they 
were not available keyboard characters  
at the time 7probably the keyboards     
operated at baud rates of around #aac1  
meaning the typists had to type slowly  
for the keyboard to keep up74  ,this is 
the second version of ,paradise ,lost   

released by ,project ,gutenberg4 ,the   
first was released as our ,october1     
#aiia etext4     ,paradise ,lost   ,book
 ,i  ,of ,man's first disobedience1 and 
the fruit ,of that forbidden tree whose 
mortal taste ,brought death into the    
,world1 and all our woe1 ,with loss of  
,eden1 till one greater ,man ,restore   
us1 and regain the blissful seat1 ,sing1
 ,heavenly ,muse1 that1 on the secret   
top ,of ,oreb1 or of ,sinai1 didst      
inspire ,that shepherd who first taught 
the chosen seed ,in the beginning how   
the heavens and earth ,rose out of      
,chaos3 or1 if ,sion hill ,delight thee 
more1 and ,siloa's brook that flowed    
,fast by the oracle of ,god1 ,i thence  
,invoke thy aid to my adventurous song1 
,that with no middle flight intends to  
soar ,above th' ,aonian mount1 while it 
pursues ,things unattempted yet in prose
 or rhyme4 ,and chiefly thou1 ,o        
,spirit1 that dost prefer ,before all   
temples th' upright heart and pure1     
,instruct me1 for thou know'st2 thou    

from the first ,wast present1 and1 with 
mighty wings outspread1 ,dove-like      
sat'st brooding on the vast ,abyss1 ,and
 mad'st it pregnant3 what in me is dark 
,illumine1 what is low raise and        
support2 ,that1 to the height of this   
great argument1 ,i may assert ,eternal  
,providence1 ,and justify the ways of   
,god to men4     ,say first--for ,heaven
 hides nothing from thy view1 ,nor the  
deep tract of ,hell--say first what     
cause ,moved our grand parents1 in that 
happy state1 ,favoured of ,heaven so    
highly1 to fall off ,from their         
,creator1 and transgress his will ,for  
one restraint1 lords of the ,world      
besides4 ,who first seduced them to that
 foul revolt8     ,th' infernal         
,serpent2 he it was whose guile1        
,stirred up with envy and revenge1      
deceived ,the mother of mankind1 what   
time his pride ,had cast him out from   
,heaven1 with all his host ,of rebel    
,angels1 by whose aid1 aspiring ,to set 
himself in glory above his peers1 ,he   

trusted to have equalled the ,most      
,high1 ,if he opposed1 and with         
ambitious aim ,against the throne and   
monarchy of ,god1 ,raised impious war in
 ,heaven and battle proud1 ,with vain   
attempt4 ,him the ,almighty ,power      
,hurled headlong flaming from th'       
ethereal sky1 ,with hideous ruin and    
combustion1 down ,to bottomless         
perdition1 there to dwell ,in adamantine
 chains and penal fire1 ,who durst defy 
th' ,omnipotent to arms4     ,nine times
 the space that measures day and night  
,to mortal men1 he1 with his horrid     
crew1 ,lay vanquished1 rolling in the   
fiery gulf1 ,confounded1 though         
immortal4 ,but his doom ,reserved him to
 more wrath2 for now the thought ,both  
of lost happiness and lasting pain      
,torments him3 round he throws his      
baleful eyes1 ,that witnessed huge      
affliction and dismay1 ,mixed with      
obdurate pride and steadfast hate4 ,at  
once1 as far as ,angels ken1 he views   
,the dismal situation waste and wild4 ,a

 dungeon horrible1 on all sides round1  
,as one great furnace flamed2 yet from  
those flames ,no light2 but rather      
darkness visible ,served only to        
discover sights of woe1 ,regions of     
sorrow1 doleful shades1 where peace ,and
 rest can never dwell1 hope never comes 
,that comes to all1 but torture without 
end ,still urges1 and a fiery deluge1   
fed ,with ever-burning sulphur          
unconsumed4 ,such place ,eternal        
,justice has prepared ,for those        
rebellious2 here their prison ordained  
,in utter darkness1 and their portion   
set1 ,as far removed from ,god and light
 of ,heaven ,as from the centre thrice  
to th' utmost pole4 ,oh how unlike the  
place from whence they fell6 ,there the 
companions of his fall1 o'erwhelmed     
,with floods and whirlwinds of          
tempestuous fire1 ,he soon discerns2    
and1 weltering by his side1 ,one next   
himself in power1 and next in crime1    
,long after known in ,palestine1 and    
named ,beelzebub4 ,to whom th'          

,arch-,enemy1 ,and thence in ,heaven    
called ,satan1 with bold words ,breaking
 the horrid silence1 thus began3--      
8,if thou beest he--but ,o how fallen6  
how changed ,from him who1 in the happy 
realms of light ,clothed with           
transcendent brightness1 didst outshine 
,myriads1 though bright6--if he whom    
mutual league1 ,united thoughts and     
counsels1 equal hope ,and hazard in the 
glorious enterprise ,joined with me     
once1 now misery hath joined ,in equal  
ruin2 into what pit thou seest ,from    
what height fallen3 so much the stronger
 proved ,he with his thunder2 and till  
then who knew ,the force of those dire  
arms8 ,yet not for those1 ,nor what the 
potent ,victor in his rage ,can else    
inflict1 do ,i repent1 or change1       
,though changed in outward lustre1 that 
fixed mind1 ,and high disdain from sense
 of injured merit1 ,that with the       
,mightiest raised me to contend1 ,and to
 the fierce contentions brought along   
,innumerable force of ,spirits armed1   

,that durst dislike his reign1 and1 me  
preferring1 ,his utmost power with      
adverse power opposed ,in dubious battle
 on the plains of ,heaven1 ,and shook   
his throne4 ,what though the field be   
lost8 ,all is not lost--the             
unconquerable will1 ,and study of       
revenge1 immortal hate1 ,and courage    
never to submit or yield3 ,and what is  
else not to be overcome8 ,that glory    
never shall his wrath or might ,extort  
from me4 ,to bow and sue for grace ,with
 suppliant knee1 and deify his power    
,who1 from the terror of this arm1 so   
late ,doubted his empire--that were low 
indeed2 ,that were an ignominy and shame
 beneath ,this downfall2 since1 by fate1
 the strength of ,gods1 ,and this       
empyreal substance1 cannot fail2 ,since1
 through experience of this great event1
 ,in arms not worse1 in foresight much  
advanced1 ,we may with more successful  
hope resolve ,to wage by force or guile 
eternal war1 ,irreconcilable to our     
grand ,foe1 ,who now triumphs1 and in   

th' excess of joy ,sole reigning holds  
the tyranny of ,heaven40     ,so spake  
th' apostate ,angel1 though in pain1    
,vaunting aloud1 but racked with deep   
despair2 ,and him thus answered soon his
 bold compeer3--     8,o ,prince1 ,o    
,chief of many throned ,powers ,that led
 th' embattled ,seraphim to war ,under  
thy conduct1 and1 in dreadful deeds     
,fearless1 endangered ,heaven's         
perpetual ,king1 ,and put to proof his  
high supremacy1 ,whether upheld by      
strength1 or chance1 or fate1 ,too well 
,i see and rue the dire event ,that1    
with sad overthrow and foul defeat1     
,hath lost us ,heaven1 and all this     
mighty host ,in horrible destruction    
laid thus low1 ,as far as ,gods and     
heavenly ,essences ,can perish3 for the 
mind and spirit remains ,invincible1 and
 vigour soon returns1 ,though all our   
glory extinct1 and happy state ,here    
swallowed up in endless misery4 ,but    
what if he our ,conqueror 7whom ,i now  
,of force believe almighty1 since no    

less ,than such could have o'erpowered  
such force as ours7 ,have left us this  
our spirit and strength entire1         
,strongly to suffer and support our     
pains1 ,that we may so suffice his      
vengeful ire1 ,or do him mightier       
service as his thralls ,by right of war1
 whate'er his business be1 ,here in the 
heart of ,hell to work in fire1 ,or do  
his errands in the gloomy ,deep8 ,what  
can it then avail though yet we feel    
,strength undiminished1 or eternal being
 ,to undergo eternal punishment80       
,whereto with speedy words th'          
,arch-,fiend replied3-- 8,fallen        
,cherub1 to be weak is miserable1 ,doing
 or suffering3 but of this be sure-- ,to
 do aught good never will be our task1  
,but ever to do ill our sole delight1   
,as being the contrary to his high will 
,whom we resist4 ,if then his providence
 ,out of our evil seek to bring forth   
good1 ,our labour must be to pervert    
that end1 ,and out of good still to find
 means of evil2 ,which ofttimes may     

succeed so as perhaps ,shall grieve him1
 if ,i fail not1 and disturb ,his inmost
 counsels from their destined aim4 ,but 
see6 the angry ,victor hath recalled    
,his ministers of vengeance and pursuit 
,back to the gates of ,heaven3 the      
sulphurous hail1 ,shot after us in      
storm1 o'erblown hath laid ,the fiery   
surge that from the precipice ,of       
,heaven received us falling2 and the    
thunder1 ,winged with red lightning and 
impetuous rage1 ,perhaps hath spent his 
shafts1 and ceases now ,to bellow       
through the vast and boundless ,deep4   
,let us not slip th' occasion1 whether  
scorn ,or satiate fury yield it from our
 ,foe4 ,seest thou yon dreary plain1    
forlorn and wild1 ,the seat of          
desolation1 void of light1 ,save what   
the glimmering of these livid flames    
,casts pale and dreadful8 ,thither let  
us tend ,from off the tossing of these  
fiery waves2 ,there rest1 if any rest   
can harbour there2 ,and1 re-assembling  
our afflicted powers1 ,consult how we   

may henceforth most offend ,our enemy1  
our own loss how repair1 ,how overcome  
this dire calamity1 ,what reinforcement 
we may gain from hope1 ,if not1 what    
resolution from despair40     ,thus     
,satan1 talking to his nearest mate1    
,with head uplift above the wave1 and   
eyes ,that sparkling blazed2 his other  
parts besides ,prone on the flood1      
extended long and large1 ,lay floating  
many a rood1 in bulk as huge ,as whom   
the fables name of monstrous size1      
,titanian or ,earth-born1 that warred on
 ,jove1 ,briareos or ,typhon1 whom the  
den ,by ancient ,tarsus held1 or that   
sea-beast ,leviathan1 which ,god of all 
his works ,created hugest that swim th' 
ocean-stream4 ,him1 haply slumbering on 
the ,norway foam1 ,the pilot of some    
small night-foundered skiff1 ,deeming   
some island1 oft1 as seamen tell1 ,with 
fixed anchor in his scaly rind1 ,moors  
by his side under the lee1 while night  
,invests the sea1 and wished morn       
delays4 ,so stretched out huge in length

 the ,arch-fiend lay1 ,chained on the   
burning lake2 nor ever thence ,had      
risen1 or heaved his head1 but that the 
will ,and high permission of all-ruling 
,heaven ,left him at large to his own   
dark designs1 ,that with reiterated     
crimes he might ,heap on himself        
damnation1 while he sought ,evil to     
others1 and enraged might see ,how all  
his malice served but to bring forth    
,infinite goodness1 grace1 and mercy1   
shewn ,on ,man by him seduced1 but on   
himself ,treble confusion1 wrath1 and   
vengeance poured4     ,forthwith upright
 he rears from off the pool ,his mighty 
stature2 on each hand the flames ,driven
 backward slope their pointing spires1  
and rolled ,in billows1 leave i' th'    
midst a horrid vale4 ,then with expanded
 wings he steers his flight ,aloft1     
incumbent on the dusky air1 ,that felt  
unusual weight2 till on dry land ,he    
lights--if it were land that ever burned
 ,with solid1 as the lake with liquid   
fire1 ,and such appeared in hue as when 

the force ,of subterranean wind         
transports a hill ,torn from ,pelorus1  
or the shattered side ,of thundering    
,etna1 whose combustible ,and fuelled   
entrails1 thence conceiving fire1       
,sublimed with mineral fury1 aid the    
winds1 ,and leave a singed bottom all   
involved ,with stench and smoke4 ,such  
resting found the sole ,of unblest feet4
 ,him followed his next mate2 ,both     
glorying to have scaped the ,stygian    
flood ,as gods1 and by their own        
recovered strength1 ,not by the         
sufferance of supernal ,power4     8,is 
this the region1 this the soil1 the     
clime10 ,said then the lost ,archangel1 
8this the seat ,that we must change for 
,heaven8--this mournful gloom ,for that 
celestial light8 ,be it so1 since he    
,who now is sovereign can dispose and   
bid ,what shall be right3 farthest from 
him is best ,whom reason hath equalled1 
force hath made supreme ,above his      
equals4 ,farewell1 happy fields1 ,where 
joy for ever dwells6 ,hail1 horrors6    

hail1 ,infernal world6 and thou1        
profoundest ,hell1 ,receive thy new     
possessor--one who brings ,a mind not to
 be changed by place or time4 ,the mind 
is its own place1 and in itself ,can    
make a ,heaven of ,hell1 a ,hell of     
,heaven4 ,what matter where1 if ,i be   
still the same1 ,and what ,i should be1 
all but less than he ,whom thunder hath 
made greater8 ,here at least ,we shall  
be free2 th' ,almighty hath not built   
,here for his envy1 will not drive us   
hence3 ,here we may reign secure2 and1  
in my choice1 ,to reign is worth        
ambition1 though in ,hell3 ,better to   
reign in ,hell than serve in ,heaven4   
,but wherefore let we then our faithful 
friends1 ,th' associates and co-partners
 of our loss1 ,lie thus astonished on   
th' oblivious pool1 ,and call them not  
to share with us their part ,in this    
unhappy mansion1 or once more ,with     
rallied arms to try what may be yet     
,regained in ,heaven1 or what more lost 
in ,hell80     ,so ,satan spake2 and him

 ,beelzebub ,thus answered3--8,leader of
 those armies bright ,which1 but th'    
,omnipotent1 none could have foiled6 ,if
 once they hear that voice1 their       
liveliest pledge ,of hope in fears and  
dangers--heard so oft ,in worst         
extremes1 and on the perilous edge ,of  
battle1 when it raged1 in all assaults  
,their surest signal--they will soon    
resume ,new courage and revive1 though  
now they lie ,grovelling and prostrate  
on yon lake of fire1 ,as we erewhile1   
astounded and amazed2 ,no wonder1 fallen
 such a pernicious height60     ,he     
scarce had ceased when the superior     
,fiend ,was moving toward the shore2 his
 ponderous shield1 ,ethereal temper1    
massy1 large1 and round1 ,behind him    
cast4 ,the broad circumference ,hung on 
his shoulders like the moon1 whose orb  
,through optic glass the ,tuscan artist 
views ,at evening1 from the top of      
,fesole1 ,or in ,valdarno1 to descry new
 lands1 ,rivers1 or mountains1 in her   
spotty globe4 ,his spear--to equal which

 the tallest pine ,hewn on ,norwegian   
hills1 to be the mast ,of some great    
ammiral1 were but a wand-- ,he walked   
with1 to support uneasy steps ,over the 
burning marl1 not like those steps ,on  
,heaven's azure2 and the torrid clime   
,smote on him sore besides1 vaulted with
 fire4 ,nathless he so endured1 till on 
the beach ,of that inflamed sea he      
stood1 and called ,his legions--,angel  
,forms1 who lay entranced ,thick as     
autumnal leaves that strow the brooks   
,in ,vallombrosa1 where th' ,etrurian   
shades ,high over-arched embower2 or    
scattered sedge ,afloat1 when with      
fierce winds ,orion armed ,hath vexed   
the ,red-,sea coast1 whose waves        
o'erthrew ,busiris and his ,memphian    
chivalry1 ,while with perfidious hatred 
they pursued ,the sojourners of ,goshen1
 who beheld ,from the safe shore their  
floating carcases ,and broken           
chariot-wheels4 ,so thick bestrown1     
,abject and lost1 lay these1 covering   
the flood1 ,under amazement of their    

hideous change4 ,he called so loud that 
all the hollow deep ,of ,hell           
resounded3--8,princes1 ,potentates1     
,warriors1 the ,flower of ,heaven--once 
yours2 now lost1 ,if such astonishment  
as this can seize ,eternal ,spirits6 ,or
 have ye chosen this place ,after the   
toil of battle to repose ,your wearied  
virtue1 for the ease you find ,to       
slumber here1 as in the vales of        
,heaven8 ,or in this abject posture have
 ye sworn ,to adore the ,conqueror1 who 
now beholds ,cherub and ,seraph rolling 
in the flood ,with scattered arms and   
ensigns1 till anon ,his swift pursuers  
from ,heaven-gates discern ,th'         
advantage1 and1 descending1 tread us    
down ,thus drooping1 or with linked     
thunderbolts ,transfix us to the bottom 
of this gulf8 ,awake1 arise1 or be for  
ever fallen60     ,they heard1 and were 
abashed1 and up they sprung ,upon the   
wing1 as when men wont to watch ,on     
duty1 sleeping found by whom they dread1
 ,rouse and bestir themselves ere well  

awake4 ,nor did they not perceive the   
evil plight ,in which they were1 or the 
fierce pains not feel2 ,yet to their    
,general's voice they soon obeyed       
,innumerable4 ,as when the potent rod   
,of ,amram's son1 in ,egypt's evil day1 
,waved round the coast1 up-called a     
pitchy cloud ,of locusts1 warping on the
 eastern wind1 ,that o'er the realm of  
impious ,pharaoh hung ,like ,night1 and 
darkened all the land of ,nile2 ,so     
numberless were those bad ,angels seen  
,hovering on wing under the cope of     
,hell1 ',twixt upper1 nether1 and       
surrounding fires2 ,till1 as a signal   
given1 th' uplifted spear ,of their     
great ,sultan waving to direct ,their   
course1 in even balance down they light 
,on the firm brimstone1 and fill all the
 plain3 ,a multitude like which the     
populous ,north ,poured never from her  
frozen loins to pass ,rhene or the      
,danaw1 when her barbarous sons ,came   
like a deluge on the ,south1 and spread 
,beneath ,gibraltar to the ,libyan      

sands4 ,forthwith1 form every squadron  
and each band1 ,the heads and leaders   
thither haste where stood ,their great  
,commander--godlike ,shapes1 and ,forms 
,excelling human2 princely ,dignities2  
,and ,powers that erst in ,heaven sat on
 thrones1 ,though on their names in     
,heavenly records now ,be no memorial1  
blotted out and rased ,by their         
rebellion from the ,books of ,life4 ,nor
 had they yet among the sons of ,eve    
,got them new names1 till1 wandering    
o'er the earth1 ,through ,god's high    
sufferance for the trial of man1 ,by    
falsities and lies the greatest part ,of
 mankind they corrupted to forsake ,god 
their ,creator1 and th' invisible ,glory
 of him that made them to transform ,oft
 to the image of a brute1 adorned ,with 
gay religions full of pomp and gold1    
,and devils to adore for deities3 ,then 
were they known to men by various names1
 ,and various idols through the heathen 
world4     ,say1 ,muse1 their names then
 known1 who first1 who last1 ,roused    

from the slumber on that fiery couch1   
,at their great ,emperorr's call1 as    
next in worth ,came singly where he     
stood on the bare strand1 ,while the    
promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof8      
,the chief were those who1 from the pit 
of ,hell ,roaming to seek their prey on 
,earth1 durst fix ,their seats1 long    
after1 next the seat of ,god1 ,their    
altars by his altar1 gods adored ,among 
the nations round1 and durst abide      
,jehovah thundering out of ,sion1       
throned ,between the ,cherubim2 yea1    
often placed ,within his sanctuary      
itself their shrines1 ,abominations2 and
 with cursed things ,his holy rites and 
solemn feasts profaned1 ,and with their 
darkness durst affront his light4       
,first1 ,moloch1 horrid king1 besmeared 
with blood ,of human sacrifice1 and     
parents' tears2 ,though1 for the noise  
of drums and timbrels loud1 ,their      
children's cries unheard that passed    
through fire ,to his grim idol4 ,him the
 ,ammonite ,worshiped in ,rabba and her 

watery plain1 ,in ,argob and in ,basan1 
to the stream ,of utmost ,arnon4 ,nor   
content with such ,audacious            
neighbourhood1 the wisest heart ,of     
,solomon he led by fraud to build ,his  
temple right against the temple of ,god 
,on that opprobrious hill1 and made his 
grove ,the pleasant valley of ,hinnom1  
,tophet thence ,and black ,gehenna      
called1 the type of ,hell4 ,next        
,chemos1 th' obscene dread of ,moab's   
sons1 ,from ,aroar to ,nebo and the wild
 ,of southmost ,abarim2 in ,hesebon ,and
 ,horonaim1 ,seon's real1 beyond ,the   
flowery dale of ,sibma clad with vines1 
,and ,eleale to th' ,asphaltic ,pool3   
,peor his other name1 when he enticed   
,israel in ,sittim1 on their march from 
,nile1 ,to do him wanton rites1 which   
cost them woe4 ,yet thence his lustful  
orgies he enlarged ,even to that hill of
 scandal1 by the grove ,of ,moloch      
homicide1 lust hard by hate1 ,till good 
,josiah drove them thence to ,hell4     
,with these came they who1 from the     

bordering flood ,of old ,euphrates to   
the brook that parts ,egypt from ,syrian
 ground1 had general names ,of ,baalim  
and ,ashtaroth--those male1 ,these      
feminine4 ,for ,spirits1 when they      
please1 ,can either sex assume1 or both2
 so soft ,and uncompounded is their     
essence pure1 ,not tried or manacled    
with joint or limb1 ,nor founded on the 
brittle strength of bones1 ,like        
cumbrous flesh2 but1 in what shape they 
choose1 ,dilated or condensed1 bright or
 obscure1 ,can execute their airy       
purposes1 ,and works of love or enmity  
fulfil4 ,for those the race of ,israel  
oft forsook ,their ,living ,strength1   
and unfrequented left ,his righteous    
altar1 bowing lowly down ,to bestial    
gods2 for which their heads as low      
,bowed down in battle1 sunk before the  
spear ,of despicable foes4 ,with these  
in troop ,came ,astoreth1 whom the      
,phoenicians called ,astarte1 queen of  
heaven1 with crescent horns2 ,to whose  
bright image nightly by the moon        

,sidonian virgins paid their vows and   
songs2 ,in ,sion also not unsung1 where 
stood ,her temple on th' offensive      
mountain1 built ,by that uxorious king  
whose heart1 though large1 ,beguiled by 
fair idolatresses1 fell ,to idols foul4 
,thammuz came next behind1 ,whose annual
 wound in ,lebanon allured ,the ,syrian 
damsels to lament his fate ,in amorous  
ditties all a summer's day1 ,while      
smooth ,adonis from his native rock ,ran
 purple to the sea1 supposed with blood 
,of ,thammuz yearly wounded3 the        
love-tale ,infected ,sion's daughters   
with like heat1 ,whose wanton passions  
in the sacred porch ,ezekiel saw1 when1 
by the vision led1 ,his eye surveyed the
 dark idolatries ,of alienated ,judah4  
,next came one ,who mourned in earnest1 
when the captive ark ,maimed his brute  
image1 head and hands lopt off1 ,in his 
own temple1 on the grunsel-edge1 ,where 
he fell flat and shamed his worshippers3
 ,dagon his name1 sea-monster1 upward   
man ,and downward fish2 yet had his     

temple high ,reared in ,azotus1 dreaded 
through the coast ,of ,palestine1 in    
,gath and ,ascalon1 ,and ,accaron and   
,gaza's frontier bounds4 ,him followed  
,rimmon1 whose delightful seat ,was fair
 ,damascus1 on the fertile banks ,of    
,abbana and ,pharphar1 lucid streams4   
,he also against the house of ,god was  
bold3 ,a leper once he lost1 and gained 
a king-- ,ahaz1 his sottish conqueror1  
whom he drew ,god's altar to disparage  
and displace ,for one of ,syrian mode1  
whereon to burn ,his odious offerings1  
and adore the gods ,whom he had         
vanquished4 ,after these appeared ,a    
crew who1 under names of old renown--   
,osiris1 ,isis1 ,orus1 and their train--
 ,with monstrous shapes and sorceries   
abused ,fanatic ,egypt and her priests  
to seek ,their wandering gods disguised 
in brutish forms ,rather than human4    
,nor did ,israel scape ,th' infection1  
when their borrowed gold composed ,the  
calf in ,oreb2 and the rebel king       
,doubled that sin in ,bethel and in     

,dan1 ,likening his ,maker to the grazed
 ox-- ,jehovah1 who1 in one night1 when 
he passed ,from ,egypt marching1        
equalled with one stroke ,both her      
first-born and all her bleating gods4   
,belial came last2 than whom a ,spirit  
more lewd ,fell not from ,heaven1 or    
more gross to love ,vice for itself4 ,to
 him no temple stood ,or altar smoked2  
yet who more oft than he ,in temples and
 at altars1 when the priest ,turns      
atheist1 as did ,eli's sons1 who filled 
,with lust and violence the house of    
,god8 ,in courts and palaces he also    
reigns1 ,and in luxurious cities1 where 
the noise ,of riot ascends above their  
loftiest towers1 ,and injury and        
outrage2 and1 when night ,darkens the   
streets1 then wander forth the sons ,of 
,belial1 flown with insolence and wine4 
,witness the streets of ,sodom1 and that
 night ,in ,gibeah1 when the hospitable 
door ,exposed a matron1 to avoid worse  
rape4     ,these were the prime in order
 and in might3 ,the rest were long to   

tell2 though far renowned ,th' ,ionian  
gods--of ,javan's issue held ,gods1 yet 
confessed later than ,heaven and ,earth1
 ,their boasted parents2--,titan1       
,heaven's first-born1 ,with his enormous
 brood1 and birthright seized ,by       
younger ,saturn3 he from mightier ,jove1
 ,his own and ,rhea's son1 like measure 
found2 ,so ,jove usurping reigned4      
,these1 first in ,crete ,and ,ida known1
 thence on the snowy top ,of cold       
,olympus ruled the middle air1 ,their   
highest heaven2 or on the ,delphian     
cliff1 ,or in ,dodona1 and through all  
the bounds ,of ,doric land2 or who with 
,saturn old ,fled over ,adria to th'    
,hesperian fields1 ,and o'er the ,celtic
 roamed the utmost ,isles4     ,all     
these and more came flocking2 but with  
looks ,downcast and damp2 yet such      
wherein appeared ,obscure some glimpse  
of joy to have found their ,chief ,not  
in despair1 to have found themselves not
 lost ,in loss itself2 which on his     
countenance cast ,like doubtful hue4    

,but he1 his wonted pride ,soon         
recollecting1 with high words1 that bore
 ,semblance of worth1 not substance1    
gently raised ,their fainting courage1  
and dispelled their fears4 ,then        
straight commands that1 at the warlike  
sound ,of trumpets loud and clarions1 be
 upreared ,his mighty standard4 ,that   
proud honour claimed ,azazel as his     
right1 a ,cherub tall3 ,who forthwith   
from the glittering staff unfurled ,th' 
imperial ensign2 which1 full high       
advanced1 ,shone like a meteor streaming
 to the wind1 ,with gems and golden     
lustre rich emblazed1 ,seraphic arms and
 trophies2 all the while ,sonorous metal
 blowing martial sounds3 ,at which the  
universal host up-sent ,a shout that    
tore ,hell's concave1 and beyond        
,frighted the reign of ,chaos and old   
,night4 ,all in a moment through the    
gloom were seen ,ten thousand banners   
rise into the air1 ,with orient colours 
waving3 with them rose ,a forest huge of
 spears2 and thronging helms ,appeared1 

and serried shields in thick array ,of  
depth immeasurable4 ,anon they move ,in 
perfect phalanx to the ,dorian mood ,of 
flutes and soft recorders--such as      
raised ,to height of noblest temper     
heroes old ,arming to battle1 and       
instead of rage ,deliberate valour      
breathed1 firm1 and unmoved ,with dread 
of death to flight or foul retreat2 ,nor
 wanting power to mitigate and swage    
,with solemn touches troubled thoughts1 
and chase ,anguish and doubt and fear   
and sorrow and pain ,from mortal or     
immortal minds4 ,thus they1 ,breathing  
united force with fixed thought1 ,moved 
on in silence to soft pipes that charmed
 ,their painful steps o'er the burnt    
soil4 ,and now ,advanced in view they   
stand--a horrid front ,of dreadful      
length and dazzling arms1 in guise ,of  
warriors old1 with ordered spear and    
shield1 ,awaiting what command their    
mighty ,chief ,had to impose4 ,he       
through the armed files ,darts his      
experienced eye1 and soon traverse ,the 

whole battalion views--their order due1 
,their visages and stature as of gods2  
,their number last he sums4 ,and now his
 heart ,distends with pride1 and1       
hardening in his strength1 ,glories3 for
 never1 since created ,man1 ,met such   
embodied force as1 named with these1    
,could merit more than that small       
infantry ,warred on by cranes--though   
all the giant brood ,of ,phlegra with   
th' heroic race were joined ,that fought
 at ,thebes and ,ilium1 on each side    
,mixed with auxiliar gods2 and what     
resounds ,in fable or romance of        
,uther's son1 ,begirt with ,british and 
,armoric knights2 ,and all who since1   
baptized or infidel1 ,jousted in        
,aspramont1 or ,montalban1 ,damasco1 or 
,marocco1 or ,trebisond1 ,or whom       
,biserta sent from ,afric shore ,when   
,charlemain with all his peerage fell   
,by ,fontarabbia4 ,thus far these beyond
 ,compare of mortal prowess1 yet        
observed ,their dread ,commander4 ,he1  
above the rest ,in shape and gesture    

proudly eminent1 ,stood like a tower4   
,his form had yet not lost ,all her     
original brightness1 nor appeared ,less 
than ,archangel ruined1 and th' excess  
,of glory obscured3 as when the sun     
new-risen ,looks through the horizontal 
misty air ,shorn of his beams1 or1 from 
behind the moon1 ,in dim eclipse1       
disastrous twilight sheds ,on half the  
nations1 and with fear of change        
,perplexes monarchs4 ,darkened so1 yet  
shone ,above them all th' ,archangel3   
but his face ,deep scars of thunder had 
intrenched1 and care ,sat on his faded  
cheek1 but under brows ,of dauntless    
courage1 and considerate pride ,waiting 
revenge4 ,cruel his eye1 but cast ,signs
 of remorse and passion1 to behold ,the 
fellows of his crime1 the followers     
rather 7,far other once beheld in       
bliss71 condemned ,for ever now to have 
their lot in pain-- ,millions of        
,spirits for his fault amerced ,of      
,heaven1 and from eternal splendours    
flung ,for his revolt--yet faithful how 

they stood1 ,their glory withered2 as1  
when heaven's fire ,hath scathed the    
forest oaks or mountain pines1 ,with    
singed top their stately growth1 though 
bare1 ,stands on the blasted heath4 ,he 
now prepared ,to speak2 whereat their   
doubled ranks they bend ,from wing to   
wing1 and half enclose him round ,with  
all his peers3 attention held them mute4
 ,thrice he assayed1 and thrice1 in     
spite of scorn1 ,tears1 such as ,angels 
weep1 burst forth3 at last ,words       
interwove with sighs found out their    
way3--     8,o myriads of immortal      
,spirits6 ,o ,powers ,matchless1 but    
with th' ,almighty6--and that strife    
,was not inglorious1 though th' event   
was dire1 ,as this place testifies1 and 
this dire change1 ,hateful to utter4    
,but what power of mind1 ,forseeing or  
presaging1 from the depth ,of knowledge 
past or present1 could have feared ,how 
such united force of gods1 how such ,as 
stood like these1 could ever know       
repulse8 ,for who can yet believe1      

though after loss1 ,that all these      
puissant legions1 whose exile ,hath     
emptied ,heaven1 shall fail to          
re-ascend1 ,self-raised1 and repossess  
their native seat8 ,for me1 be witness  
all the host of ,heaven1 ,if counsels   
different1 or danger shunned ,by me1    
have lost our hopes4 ,but he who reigns 
,monarch in ,heaven till then as one    
secure ,sat on his throne1 upheld by old
 repute1 ,consent or custom1 and his    
regal state ,put forth at full1 but     
still his strength concealed-- ,which   
tempted our attempt1 and wrought our    
fall4 ,henceforth his might we know1 and
 know our own1 ,so as not either to     
provoke1 or dread ,new war provoked3 our
 better part remains ,to work in close  
design1 by fraud or guile1 ,what force  
effected not2 that he no less ,at length
 from us may find1 who overcomes ,by    
force hath overcome but half his foe4   
,space may produce new ,worlds2 whereof 
so rife ,there went a fame in ,heaven   
that he ere long ,intended to create1   

and therein plant ,a generation whom his
 choice regard ,should favour equal to  
the ,sons of ,heaven4 ,thither1 if but  
to pry1 shall be perhaps ,our first     
eruption--thither1 or elsewhere2 ,for   
this infernal pit shall never hold      
,celestial ,spirits in bondage1 nor th' 
,abyss ,long under darkness cover4 ,but 
these thoughts ,full counsel must       
mature4 ,peace is despaired2 ,for who   
can think submission8 ,war1 then1 war   
,open or understood1 must be resolved40 
,he spake2 and1 to confirm his words1   
outflew ,millions of flaming swords1    
drawn from the thighs ,of mighty        
,cherubim2 the sudden blaze ,far round  
illumined ,hell4 ,highly they raged     
,against the ,highest1 and fierce with  
grasped arms ,clashed on their sounding 
shields the din of war1 ,hurling        
defiance toward the vault of ,heaven4   
,there stood a hill not far1 whose      
grisly top ,belched fire and rolling    
smoke2 the rest entire ,shone with a    
glossy scurf--undoubted sign ,that in   

his womb was hid metallic ore1 ,the work
 of sulphur4 ,thither1 winged with      
speed1 ,a numerous brigade hastened3 as 
when bands ,of pioneers1 with spade and 
pickaxe armed1 ,forerun the royal camp1 
to trench a field1 ,or cast a rampart4  
,mammon led them on-- ,mammon1 the least
 erected ,spirit that fell ,from        
,heaven2 for even in ,heaven his looks  
and thoughts ,were always downward bent1
 admiring more ,the riches of heaven's  
pavement1 trodden gold1 ,than aught     
divine or holy else enjoyed ,in vision  
beatific4 ,by him first ,men also1 and  
by his suggestion taught1 ,ransacked the
 centre1 and with impious hands ,rifled 
the bowels of their mother ,earth ,for  
treasures better hid4 ,soon had his crew
 ,opened into the hill a spacious wound1
 ,and digged out ribs of gold4 ,let none
 admire ,that riches grow in ,hell2 that
 soil may best ,deserve the precious    
bane4 ,and here let those ,who boast in 
mortal things1 and wondering tell ,of   
,babel1 and the works of ,memphian      

kings1 ,learn how their greatest        
monuments of fame ,and strength1 and    
art1 are easily outdone ,by ,spirits    
reprobate1 and in an hour ,what in an   
age they1 with incessant toil ,and hands
 innumerable1 scarce perform4 ,nigh on  
the plain1 in many cells prepared1 ,that
 underneath had veins of liquid fire    
,sluiced from the lake1 a second        
multitude ,with wondrous art founded the
 massy ore1 ,severing each kind1 and    
scummed the bullion-dross4 ,a third as  
soon had formed within the ground ,a    
various mould1 and from the boiling     
cells ,by strange conveyance filled each
 hollow nook2 ,as in an organ1 from one 
blast of wind1 ,to many a row of pipes  
the sound-board breathes4 ,anon out of  
the earth a fabric huge ,rose like an   
exhalation1 with the sound ,of dulcet   
symphonies and voices sweet-- ,built    
like a temple1 where pilasters round    
,were set1 and ,doric pillars overlaid  
,with golden architrave2 nor did there  
want ,cornice or frieze1 with bossy     

sculptures graven2 ,the roof was fretted
 gold4 ,not ,babylon ,nor great ,alcairo
 such magnificence ,equalled in all     
their glories1 to enshrine ,belus or    
,serapis their gods1 or seat ,their     
kings1 when ,egypt with ,assyria strove 
,in wealth and luxury4 ,th' ascending   
pile ,stood fixed her stately height1   
and straight the doors1 ,opening their  
brazen folds1 discover1 wide ,within1   
her ample spaces o'er the smooth ,and   
level pavement3 from the arched roof1   
,pendent by subtle magic1 many a row ,of
 starry lamps and blazing cressets1 fed 
,with naptha and asphaltus1 yielded     
light ,as from a sky4 ,the hasty        
multitude ,admiring entered2 and the    
work some praise1 ,and some the         
architect4 ,his hand was known ,in      
,heaven by many a towered structure     
high1 ,where sceptred ,angels held their
 residence1 ,and sat as ,princes1 whom  
the supreme ,king ,exalted to such      
power1 and gave to rule1 ,each in his   
,hierarchy1 the ,orders bright4 ,nor was

 his name unheard or unadored ,in       
ancient ,greece2 and in ,ausonian land  
,men called him ,mulciber2 and how he   
fell ,from ,heaven they fabled1 thrown  
by angry ,jove ,sheer o'er the crystal  
battlements3 from morn ,to noon he fell1
 from noon to dewy eve1 ,a summer's day1
 and with the setting sun ,dropt from   
the zenith1 like a falling star1 ,on    
,lemnos1 th' ,aegaean isle4 ,thus they  
relate1 ,erring2 for he with this       
rebellious rout ,fell long before2 nor  
aught availed him now ,to have built in 
,heaven high towers2 nor did he scape   
,by all his engines1 but was headlong   
sent1 ,with his industrious crew1 to    
build in ,hell4     ,meanwhile the      
winged ,heralds1 by command ,of         
sovereign power1 with awful ceremony    
,and trumpet's sound1 throughout the    
host proclaim ,a solemn council         
forthwith to be held ,at ,pandemonium1  
the high capital ,of ,satan and his     
peers4 ,their summons called ,from every
 band and squared regiment ,by place or 

choice the worthiest3 they anon ,with   
hundreds and with thousands trooping    
came ,attended4 ,all access was         
thronged2 the gates ,and porches wide1  
but chief the spacious hall 7,though    
like a covered field1 where champions   
bold ,wont ride in armed1 and at the    
,soldan's chair ,defied the best of     
,paynim chivalry ,to mortal combat1 or  
career with lance71 ,thick swarmed1 both
 on the ground and in the air1 ,brushed 
with the hiss of rustling wings4 ,as    
bees ,in spring-time1 when the ,sun with
 ,taurus rides4 ,pour forth their       
populous youth about the hive ,in       
clusters2 they among fresh dews and     
flowers ,fly to and fro1 or on the      
smoothed plank1 ,the suburb of their    
straw-built citadel1 ,new rubbed with   
balm1 expatiate1 and confer ,their      
state-affairs3 so thick the airy crowd  
,swarmed and were straitened2 till1 the 
signal given1 ,behold a wonder6 ,they   
but now who seemed ,in bigness to       
surpass ,earth's giant sons1 ,now less  

than smallest dwarfs1 in narrow room    
,throng numberless--like that pygmean   
race ,beyond the ,indian mount2 or faery
 elves1 ,whose midnight revels1 by a    
forest-side ,or fountain1 some belated  
peasant sees1 ,or dreams he sees1 while 
overhead the ,moon ,sits arbitress1 and 
nearer to the ,earth ,wheels her pale   
course3 they1 on their mirth and dance  
,intent1 with jocund music charm his    
ear2 ,at once with joy and fear his     
heart rebounds4 ,thus incorporeal       
,spirits to smallest forms ,reduced     
their shapes immense1 and were at large1
 ,though without number still1 amidst   
the hall ,of that infernal court4 ,but  
far within1 ,and in their own dimensions
 like themselves1 ,the great ,seraphic  
,lords and ,cherubim ,in close recess   
and secret conclave sat1 ,a thousand    
demi-gods on golden seats1 ,frequent and
 full4 ,after short silence then1 ,and  
summons read1 the great consult began4  
,book ,,ii   ,high on a throne of royal 
state1 which far ,outshone the wealth of

 ,ormus and of ,ind1 ,or where the      
gorgeous ,east with richest hand        
,showers on her kings barbaric pearl and
 gold1 ,satan exalted sat1 by merit     
raised ,to that bad eminence2 and1 from 
despair ,thus high uplifted beyond hope1
 aspires ,beyond thus high1 insatiate to
 pursue ,vain war with ,heaven2 and1 by 
success untaught1 ,his proud            
imaginations thus displayed3--          
8,powers and ,dominions1 ,deities of    
,heaven6-- ,for1 since no deep within   
her gulf can hold ,immortal vigour1     
though oppressed and fallen1 ,i give not
 ,heaven for lost3 from this descent    
,celestial ,virtues rising will appear  
,more glorious and more dread than from 
no fall1 ,and trust themselves to fear  
no second fate6-- ,me though just right1
 and the fixed laws of ,heaven1 ,did    
first create your leader--next1 free    
choice ,with what besides in council or 
in fight ,hath been achieved of         
merit--yet this loss1 ,thus far at least
 recovered1 hath much more ,established 

in a safe1 unenvied throne1 ,yielded    
with full consent4 ,the happier state   
,in ,heaven1 which follows dignity1     
might draw ,envy from each inferior2 but
 who here ,will envy whom the highest   
place exposes ,foremost to stand against
 the ,thunderer's aim ,your bulwark1 and
 condemns to greatest share ,of endless 
pain8 ,where there is1 then1 no good    
,for which to strive1 no strife can grow
 up there ,from faction3 for none sure  
will claim in ,hell ,precedence2 none   
whose portion is so small ,of present   
pain that with ambitious mind ,will     
covet more6 ,with this advantage1 then1 
,to union1 and firm faith1 and firm     
accord1 ,more than can be in ,heaven1 we
 now return ,to claim our just          
inheritance of old1 ,surer to prosper   
than prosperity ,could have assured us2 
and by what best way1 ,whether of open  
war or covert guile1 ,we now debate4    
,who can advise may speak40     ,he     
ceased2 and next him ,moloch1 sceptred  
king1 ,stood up--the strongest and the  

fiercest ,spirit ,that fought in        
,heaven1 now fiercer by despair4 ,his   
trust was with th' ,eternal to be deemed
 ,equal in strength1 and rather than be 
less ,cared not to be at all2 with that 
care lost ,went all his fear3 of ,god1  
or ,hell1 or worse1 ,he recked not1 and 
these words thereafter spake3--     8,my
 sentence is for open war4 ,of wiles1   
,more unexpert1 ,i boast not3 them let  
those ,contrive who need1 or when they  
need2 not now4 ,for1 while they sit     
contriving1 shall the rest-- ,millions  
that stand in arms1 and longing wait    
,the signal to ascend--sit lingering    
here1 ,heaven's fugitives1 and for their
 dwelling-place ,accept this dark       
opprobrious den of shame1 ,the prison of
 his tyranny who reigns ,by our delay8  
,no6 let us rather choose1 ,armed with  
,hell-flames and fury1 all at once ,o'er
 ,heaven's high towers to force         
resistless way1 ,turning our tortures   
into horrid arms ,against the ,torturer2
 when1 to meet the noise ,of his        

almighty engine1 he shall hear ,infernal
 thunder1 and1 for lightning1 see ,black
 fire and horror shot with equal rage   
,among his ,angels1 and his throne      
itself ,mixed with ,tartarean sulphur   
and strange fire1 ,his own invented     
torments4 ,but perhaps ,the way seems   
difficult1 and steep to scale ,with     
upright wing against a higher foe6 ,let 
such bethink them1 if the sleepy drench 
,of that forgetful lake benumb not      
still1 ,that in our proper motion we    
ascend ,up to our native seat2 descent  
and fall ,to us is adverse4 ,who but    
felt of late1 ,when the fierce foe hung 
on our broken rear ,insulting1 and      
pursued us through the ,deep1 ,with what
 compulsion and laborious flight ,we    
sunk thus low8 ,th' ascent is easy1     
then2 ,th' event is feared6 ,should we  
again provoke ,our stronger1 some worse 
way his wrath may find ,to our          
destruction1 if there be in ,hell ,fear 
to be worse destroyed6 ,what can be     
worse ,than to dwell here1 driven out   

from bliss1 condemned ,in this abhorred 
deep to utter woe6 ,where pain of       
unextinguishable fire ,must exercise us 
without hope of end ,the vassals of his 
anger1 when the scourge ,inexorably1 and
 the torturing hour1 ,calls us to       
penance8 ,more destroyed than thus1 ,we 
should be quite abolished1 and expire4  
,what fear we then8 what doubt we to    
incense ,his utmost ire8 which1 to the  
height enraged1 ,will either quite      
consume us1 and reduce ,to nothing this 
essential--happier far ,than miserable  
to have eternal being6-- ,or1 if our    
substance be indeed divine1 ,and cannot 
cease to be1 we are at worst ,on this   
side nothing2 and by proof we feel ,our 
power sufficient to disturb his ,heaven1
 ,and with perpetual inroads to alarm1  
,though inaccessible1 his fatal throne3 
,which1 if not victory1 is yet revenge40
     ,he ended frowning1 and his look   
denounced ,desperate revenge1 and battle
 dangerous ,to less than gods4 ,on th'  
other side up rose ,belial1 in act more 

graceful and humane4 ,a fairer person   
lost not ,heaven2 he seemed ,for dignity
 composed1 and high exploit4 ,but all   
was false and hollow2 though his tongue 
,dropped manna1 and could make the worse
 appear ,the better reason1 to perplex  
and dash ,maturest counsels3 for his    
thoughts were low-- ,to vice            
industrious1 but to nobler deeds        
,timorous and slothful4 ,yet he pleased 
the ear1 ,and with persuasive accent    
thus began3--     8,i should be much for
 open war1 ,o ,peers1 ,as not behind in 
hate1 if what was urged ,main reason to 
persuade immediate war ,did not dissuade
 me most1 and seem to cast ,ominous     
conjecture on the whole success2 ,when  
he who most excels in fact of arms1 ,in 
what he counsels and in what excels     
,mistrustful1 grounds his courage on    
despair ,and utter dissolution1 as the  
scope ,of all his aim1 after some dire  
revenge4 ,first1 what revenge8 ,the     
towers of ,heaven are filled ,with armed
 watch1 that render all access          

,impregnable3 oft on the bordering ,deep
 ,encamp their legions1 or with obscure 
wing ,scout far and wide into the realm 
of ,night1 ,scorning surprise4 ,or1     
could we break our way ,by force1 and at
 our heels all ,hell should rise ,with  
blackest insurrection to confound       
,heaven's purest light1 yet our great   
,enemy1 ,all incorruptible1 would on his
 throne ,sit unpolluted1 and th'        
ethereal mould1 ,incapable of stain1    
would soon expel ,her mischief1 and     
purge off the baser fire1 ,victorious4  
,thus repulsed1 our final hope ,is flat 
despair3 we must exasperate ,th'        
,almighty ,victor to spend all his rage2
 ,and that must end us2 that must be our
 cure-- ,to be no more4 ,sad cure6 for  
who would lose1 ,though full of pain1   
this intellectual being1 ,those thoughts
 that wander through eternity1 ,to      
perish rather1 swallowed up and lost ,in
 the wide womb of uncreated ,night1     
,devoid of sense and motion8 ,and who   
knows1 ,let this be good1 whether our   

angry ,foe ,can give it1 or will ever8  
,how he can ,is doubtful2 that he never 
will is sure4 ,will he1 so wise1 let    
loose at once his ire1 ,belike through  
impotence or unaware1 ,to give his      
enemies their wish1 and end ,them in his
 anger whom his anger saves ,to punish  
endless8 8,wherefore cease we1 then80   
,say they who counsel war2 8we are      
decreed1 ,reserved1 and destined to     
eternal woe2 ,whatever doing1 what can  
we suffer more1 ,what can we suffer     
worse80 ,is this1 then1 worst-- ,thus   
sitting1 thus consulting1 thus in arms8 
,what when we fled amain1 pursued and   
struck ,with ,heaven's afflicting       
thunder1 and besought ,the ,deep to     
shelter us8 ,this ,hell then seemed ,a  
refuge from those wounds4 ,or when we   
lay ,chained on the burning lake8 ,that 
sure was worse4 ,what if the breath that
 kindled those grim fires1 ,awaked1     
should blow them into sevenfold rage1   
,and plunge us in the flames2 or from   
above ,should intermitted vengeance arm 

again ,his red right hand to plague us8 
,what if all ,her stores were opened1   
and this firmament ,of ,hell should     
spout her cataracts of fire1 ,impendent 
horrors1 threatening hideous fall ,one  
day upon our heads2 while we perhaps1   
,designing or exhorting glorious war1   
,caught in a fiery tempest1 shall be    
hurled1 ,each on his rock transfixed1   
the sport and prey ,or racking          
whirlwinds1 or for ever sunk ,under yon 
boiling ocean1 wrapt in chains1 ,there  
to converse with everlasting groans1    
,unrespited1 unpitied1 unreprieved1     
,ages of hopeless end8 ,this would be   
worse4 ,war1 therefore1 open or         
concealed1 alike ,my voice dissuades2   
for what can force or guile ,with him1  
or who deceive his mind1 whose eye      
,views all things at one view8 ,he from 
,heaven's height ,all these our motions 
vain sees and derides1 ,not more        
almighty to resist our might ,than wise 
to frustrate all our plots and wiles4   
,shall we1 then1 live thus vile--the    

race of ,heaven ,thus trampled1 thus    
expelled1 to suffer here ,chains and    
these torments8 ,better these than      
worse1 ,by my advice2 since fate        
inevitable ,subdues us1 and omnipotent  
decree1 ,the ,victor's will4 ,to suffer1
 as to do1 ,our strength is equal2 nor  
the law unjust ,that so ordains4 ,this  
was at first resolved1 ,if we were wise1
 against so great a foe ,contending1 and
 so doubtful what might fall4 ,i laugh  
when those who at the spear are bold    
,and venturous1 if that fail them1      
shrink1 and fear ,what yet they know    
must follow--to endure ,exile1 or       
ignominy1 or bonds1 or pain1 ,the       
sentence of their ,conqueror4 ,this is  
now ,our doom2 which if we can sustain  
and bear1 ,our ,supreme ,foe in time may
 much remit ,his anger1 and perhaps1    
thus far removed1 ,not mind us not      
offending1 satisfied ,with what is      
punished2 whence these raging fires     
,will slacken1 if his breath stir not   
their flames4 ,our purer essence then   

will overcome ,their noxious vapour2 or1
 inured1 not feel2 ,or1 changed at      
length1 and to the place conformed ,in  
temper and in nature1 will receive      
,familiar the fierce heat2 and1 void of 
pain1 ,this horror will grow mild1 this 
darkness light2 ,besides what hope the  
never-ending flight ,of future days may 
bring1 what chance1 what change ,worth  
waiting--since our present lot appears  
,for happy though but ill1 for ill not  
worst1 ,if we procure not to ourselves  
more woe40     ,thus ,belial1 with words
 clothed in reason's garb1 ,counselled  
ignoble ease and peaceful sloth1 ,not   
peace2 and after him thus ,mammon       
spake3--     8,either to disenthrone the
 ,king of ,heaven ,we war1 if war be    
best1 or to regain ,our own right lost4 
,him to unthrone we then ,may hope1 when
 everlasting ,fate shall yield ,to      
fickle ,chance1 and ,chaos judge the    
strife4 ,the former1 vain to hope1      
argues as vain ,the latter2 for what    
place can be for us ,within ,heaven's   

bound1 unless ,heaven's ,lord supreme   
,we overpower8 ,suppose he should relent
 ,and publish grace to all1 on promise  
made ,of new subjection2 with what eyes 
could we ,stand in his presence humble1 
and receive ,strict laws imposed1 to    
celebrate his throne ,with warbled      
hymns1 and to his ,godhead sing ,forced 
hallelujahs1 while he lordly sits ,our  
envied sovereign1 and his altar breathes
 ,ambrosial odours and ambrosial        
flowers1 ,our servile offerings8 ,this  
must be our task ,in ,heaven1 this our  
delight4 ,how wearisome ,eternity so    
spent in worship paid ,to whom we hate6 
,let us not then pursue1 ,by force      
impossible1 by leave obtained           
,unacceptable1 though in ,heaven1 our   
state ,of splendid vassalage2 but rather
 seek ,our own good from ourselves1 and 
from our own ,live to ourselves1 though 
in this vast recess1 ,free and to none  
accountable1 preferring ,hard liberty   
before the easy yoke ,of servile pomp4  
,our greatness will appear ,then most   

conspicuous when great things of small1 
,useful of hurtful1 prosperous of       
adverse1 ,we can create1 and in what    
place soe'er ,thrive under evil1 and    
work ease out of pain ,through labour   
and endurance4 ,this deep world ,of     
darkness do we dread8 ,how oft amidst   
,thick clouds and dark doth ,heaven's   
all-ruling ,sire ,choose to reside1 his 
glory unobscured1 ,and with the majesty 
of darkness round ,covers his throne1   
from whence deep thunders roar4         
,mustering their rage1 and ,heaven      
resembles ,hell6 ,as he our darkness1   
cannot we his light ,imitate when we    
please8 ,this desert soil ,wants not her
 hidden lustre1 gems and gold2 ,nor want
 we skill or art from whence to raise   
,magnificence2 and what can ,heaven show
 more8 ,our torments also may1 in length
 of time1 ,become our elements1 these   
piercing fires ,as soft as now severe1  
our temper changed ,into their temper2  
which must needs remove ,the sensible of
 pain4 ,all things invite ,to peaceful  

counsels1 and the settled state ,of     
order1 how in safety best we may        
,compose our present evils1 with regard 
,of what we are and where1 dismissing   
quite ,all thoughts of war4 ,ye have    
what ,i advise40     ,he scarce had     
finished1 when such murmur filled ,th'  
assembly as when hollow rocks retain    
,the sound of blustering winds1 which   
all night long ,had roused the sea1 now 
with hoarse cadence lull ,seafaring men 
o'erwatched1 whose bark by chance ,or   
pinnace1 anchors in a craggy bay ,after 
the tempest4 ,such applause was heard   
,as ,mammon ended1 and his sentence     
pleased1 ,advising peace3 for such      
another field ,they dreaded worse than  
,hell2 so much the fear ,of thunder and 
the sword of ,michael ,wrought still    
within them2 and no less desire ,to     
found this nether empire1 which might   
rise1 ,by policy and long process of    
time1 ,in emulation opposite to ,heaven4
 ,which when ,beelzebub perceived--than 
whom1 ,satan except1 none higher        

sat--with grave ,aspect he rose1 and in 
his rising seemed ,a pillar of state4   
,deep on his front engraven             
,deliberation sat1 and public care2 ,and
 princely counsel in his face yet shone1
 ,majestic1 though in ruin4 ,sage he    
stood ,with ,atlantean shoulders1 fit to
 bear ,the weight of mightiest          
monarchies2 his look ,drew audience and 
attention still as night ,or summer's   
noontide air1 while thus he spake3--    
8,thrones and ,imperial ,powers1        
,offspring of ,heaven1 ,ethereal        
,virtues6 or these titles now ,must we  
renounce1 and1 changing style1 be called
 ,princes of ,hell8 for so the popular  
vote ,inclines--here to continue1 and   
build up here ,a growing empire2        
doubtless6 while we dream1 ,and know not
 that the ,king of ,heaven hath doomed  
,this place our dungeon1 not our safe   
retreat ,beyond his potent arm1 to live 
exempt ,from ,heaven's high             
jurisdiction1 in new league ,banded     
against his throne1 but to remain ,in   

strictest bondage1 though thus far      
removed1 ,under th' inevitable curb1    
reserved ,his captive multitude4 ,for   
he1 to be sure1 ,in height or depth1    
still first and last will reign ,sole   
king1 and of his kingdom lose no part   
,by our revolt1 but over ,hell extend   
,his empire1 and with iron sceptre rule 
,us here1 as with his golden those in   
,heaven4 ,what sit we then projecting   
peace and war8 ,war hath determined us  
and foiled with loss ,irreparable2 terms
 of peace yet none ,vouchsafed or       
sought2 for what peace will be given ,to
 us enslaved1 but custody severe1 ,and  
stripes and arbitrary punishment        
,inflicted8 and what peace can we       
return1 ,but1 to our power1 hostility   
and hate1 ,untamed reluctance1 and      
revenge1 though slow1 ,yet ever plotting
 how the ,conqueror least ,may reap his 
conquest1 and may least rejoice ,in     
doing what we most in suffering feel8   
,nor will occasion want1 nor shall we   
need ,with dangerous expedition to      

invade ,heaven1 whose high walls fear no
 assault or siege1 ,or ambush from the  
,deep4 ,what if we find ,some easier    
enterprise8 ,there is a place 7,if      
ancient and prophetic fame in ,heaven   
,err not7--another ,world1 the happy    
seat ,of some new race1 called ,man1    
about this time ,to be created like to  
us1 though less ,in power and           
excellence1 but favoured more ,of him   
who rules above2 so was his will        
,pronounced among the ,gods1 and by an  
oath ,that shook ,heaven's whole        
circumference confirmed4 ,thither let us
 bend all our thoughts1 to learn ,what  
creatures there inhabit1 of what mould  
,or substance1 how endued1 and what     
their power ,and where their weakness3  
how attempted best1 ,by force or        
subtlety4 ,though ,heaven be shut1 ,and 
,heaven's high ,arbitrator sit secure   
,in his own strength1 this place may lie
 exposed1 ,the utmost border of his     
kingdom1 left ,to their defence who hold
 it3 here1 perhaps1 ,some advantageous  

act may be achieved ,by sudden          
onset--either with ,hell-fire ,to waste 
his whole creation1 or possess ,all as  
our own1 and drive1 as we were driven1  
,the puny habitants2 or1 if not drive1  
,seduce them to our party1 that their   
,god ,may prove their foe1 and with     
repenting hand ,abolish his own works4  
,this would surpass ,common revenge1 and
 interrupt his joy ,in our confusion1   
and our joy upraise ,in his disturbance2
 when his darling sons1 ,hurled headlong
 to partake with us1 shall curse ,their 
frail original1 and faded bliss-- ,faded
 so soon6 ,advise if this be worth      
,attempting1 or to sit in darkness here 
,hatching vain empires40 ,thus          
,beelzebub ,pleaded his devilish        
counsel--first devised ,by ,satan1 and  
in part proposed3 for whence1 ,but from 
the author of all ill1 could spring ,so 
deep a malice1 to confound the race ,of 
mankind in one root1 and ,earth with    
,hell ,to mingle and involve1 done all  
to spite ,the great ,creator8 ,but their

 spite still serves ,his glory to       
augment4 ,the bold design ,pleased      
highly those infernal ,states1 and joy  
,sparkled in all their eyes3 with full  
assent ,they vote3 whereat his speech he
 thus renews3-- 8,well have ye judged1  
well ended long debate1 ,synod of ,gods1
 and1 like to what ye are1 ,great things
 resolved1 which from the lowest deep   
,will once more lift us up1 in spite of 
fate1 ,nearer our ancient seat--perhaps 
in view ,of those bright confines1      
whence1 with neighbouring arms1 ,and    
opportune excursion1 we may chance      
,re-enter ,heaven2 or else in some mild 
zone ,dwell1 not unvisited of ,heaven's 
fair light1 ,secure1 and at the         
brightening orient beam ,purge off this 
gloom3 the soft delicious air1 ,to heal 
the scar of these corrosive fires1      
,shall breathe her balm4 ,but1 first1   
whom shall we send ,in search of this   
new ,world8 whom shall we find          
,sufficient8 who shall tempt with       
wandering feet ,the dark1 unbottomed1   

infinite ,abyss1 ,and through the       
palpable obscure find out ,his uncouth  
way1 or spread his airy flight1 ,upborne
 with indefatigable wings ,over the vast
 abrupt1 ere he arrive ,the happy ,isle8
 ,what strength1 what art1 can then     
,suffice1 or what evasion bear him safe1
 ,through the strict senteries and      
stations thick ,of ,angels watching     
round8 ,here he had need ,all           
circumspection3 and we now no less      
,choice in our suffrage2 for on whom we 
send ,the weight of all1 and our last   
hope1 relies40     ,this said1 he sat2  
and expectation held ,his look suspense1
 awaiting who appeared ,to second1 or   
oppose1 or undertake ,the perilous      
attempt4 ,but all sat mute1 ,pondering  
the danger with deep thoughts2 and each 
,in other's countenance read his own    
dismay1 ,astonished4 ,none among the    
choice and prime ,of those              
,heaven-warring champions could be found
 ,so hardy as to proffer or accept1     
,alone1 the dreadful voyage2 till1 at   

last1 ,satan1 whom now transcendent     
glory raised ,above his fellows1 with   
monarchal pride ,conscious of highest   
worth1 unmoved thus spake3--     8,o    
,progeny of ,heaven6 ,empyreal ,thrones6
 ,with reason hath deep silence and     
demur ,seized us1 though undismayed4    
,long is the way ,and hard1 that out of 
,hell leads up to light4 ,our prison    
strong1 this huge convex of fire1       
,outrageous to devour1 immures us round 
,ninefold2 and gates of burning adamant1
 ,barred over us1 prohibit all egress4  
,these passed1 if any pass1 the void    
profound ,of unessential ,night receives
 him next1 ,wide-gaping1 and with utter 
loss of being ,threatens him1 plunged in
 that abortive gulf4 ,if thence he      
scape1 into whatever world1 ,or unknown 
region1 what remains him less ,than     
unknown dangers1 and as hard escape8    
,but ,i should ill become this throne1  
,o ,peers1 ,and this imperial           
sovereignty1 adorned ,with splendour1   
armed with power1 if aught proposed ,and

 judged of public moment in the shape   
,of difficulty or danger1 could deter   
,me from attempting4 ,wherefore do ,i   
assume ,these royalties1 and not refuse 
to reign1 ,refusing to accept as great a
 share ,of hazard as of honour1 due     
alike ,to him who reigns1 and so much to
 him due ,of hazard more as he above the
 rest ,high honoured sits8 ,go1         
therefore1 mighty ,powers1 ,terror of   
,heaven1 though fallen2 intend at home1 
,while here shall be our home1 what best
 may ease ,the present misery1 and      
render ,hell ,more tolerable2 if there  
be cure or charm ,to respite1 or        
deceive1 or slack the pain ,of this ill 
mansion3 intermit no watch ,against a   
wakeful foe1 while ,i abroad ,through   
all the coasts of dark destruction seek 
,deliverance for us all4 ,this          
enterprise ,none shall partake with me40
 ,thus saying1 rose ,the ,monarch1 and  
prevented all reply2 ,prudent lest1 from
 his resolution raised1 ,others among   
the chief might offer now1 ,certain to  

be refused1 what erst they feared1 ,and1
 so refused1 might in opinion stand ,his
 rivals1 winning cheap the high repute  
,which he through hazard huge must earn4
 ,but they ,dreaded not more th'        
adventure than his voice ,forbidding2   
and at once with him they rose4 ,their  
rising all at once was as the sound ,of 
thunder heard remote4 ,towards him they 
bend ,with awful reverence prone1 and as
 a ,god ,extol him equal to the ,highest
 in ,heaven4 ,nor failed they to express
 how much they praised ,that for the    
general safety he despised ,his own3 for
 neither do the ,spirits damned ,lose   
all their virtue2 lest bad men should   
boast ,their specious deeds on earth1   
which glory excites1 ,or close ambition 
varnished o'er with zeal4     ,thus they
 their doubtful consultations dark      
,ended1 rejoicing in their matchless    
,chief3 ,as1 when from mountain-tops the
 dusky clouds ,ascending1 while the     
north wind sleeps1 o'erspread ,heaven's 
cheerful face1 the louring element      

,scowls o'er the darkened landscape snow
 or shower1 ,if chance the radiant sun1 
with farewell sweet1 ,extend his evening
 beam1 the fields revive1 ,the birds    
their notes renew1 and bleating herds   
,attest their joy1 that hill and valley 
rings4 ,o shame to men6 ,devil with     
devil damned ,firm concord holds2 men   
only disagree ,of creatures rational1   
though under hope ,of heavenly grace1   
and1 ,god proclaiming peace1 ,yet live  
in hatred1 enmity1 and strife ,among    
themselves1 and levy cruel wars ,wasting
 the earth1 each other to destroy3 ,as  
if 7which might induce us to accord7    
,man had not hellish foes enow besides1 
,that day and night for his destruction 
wait6     ,the ,stygian council thus    
dissolved2 and forth ,in order came the 
grand infernal ,peers3 ,midst came their
 mighty ,paramount1 and seemed ,alone   
th' antagonist of ,heaven1 nor less     
,than ,hell's dread ,emperor1 with pomp 
supreme1 ,and god-like imitated state3  
him round ,a globe of fiery ,seraphim   

enclosed ,with bright emblazonry1 and   
horrent arms4 ,then of their session    
ended they bid cry ,with trumpet's regal
 sound the great result3 ,toward the    
four winds four speedy ,cherubim ,put to
 their mouths the sounding alchemy1 ,by 
herald's voice explained2 the hollow    
,abyss ,heard far and wide1 and all the 
host of ,hell ,with deafening shout     
returned them loud acclaim4 ,thence more
 at ease their minds1 and somewhat      
raised ,by false presumptuous hope1 the 
ranged ,powers ,disband2 and1 wandering1
 each his several way ,pursues1 as      
inclination or sad choice ,leads him    
perplexed1 where he may likeliest find  
,truce to his restless thoughts1 and    
entertain ,the irksome hours1 till his  
great ,chief return4 ,part on the plain1
 or in the air sublime1 ,upon the wing  
or in swift race contend1 ,as at th'    
,olympian games or ,pythian fields2     
,part curb their fiery steeds1 or shun  
the goal ,with rapid wheels1 or fronted 
brigades form3 ,as when1 to warn proud  

cities1 war appears ,waged in the       
troubled sky1 and armies rush ,to battle
 in the clouds2 before each van ,prick  
forth the airy knights1 and couch their 
spears1 ,till thickest legions close2   
with feats of arms ,from either end of  
heaven the welkin burns4 ,others1 with  
vast ,typhoean rage1 more fell1 ,rend up
 both rocks and hills1 and ride the air 
,in whirlwind2 ,hell scarce holds the   
wild uproar3-- ,as when ,alcides1 from  
,oechalia crowned ,with conquest1 felt  
th' envenomed robe1 and tore ,through   
pain up by the roots ,thessalian pines1 
,and ,lichas from the top of ,oeta threw
 ,into th' ,euboic sea4 ,others1 more   
mild1 ,retreated in a silent valley1    
sing ,with notes angelical to many a    
harp ,their own heroic deeds1 and       
hapless fall ,by doom of battle1 and    
complain that ,fate ,free ,virtue should
 enthrall to ,force or ,chance4 ,their  
song was partial2 but the harmony 7,what
 could it less when ,spirits immortal   
sing87 ,suspended ,hell1 and took with  

ravishment ,the thronging audience4 ,in 
discourse more sweet 7,for ,eloquence   
the ,soul1 ,song charms the ,sense7     
,others apart sat on a hill retired1 ,in
 thoughts more elevate1 and reasoned    
high ,of ,providence1 ,foreknowledge1   
,will1 and ,fate-- ,fixed fate1 free    
will1 foreknowledge absolute1 ,and found
 no end1 in wandering mazes lost4 ,of   
good and evil much they argued then1 ,of
 happiness and final misery1 ,passion   
and apathy1 and glory and shame3 ,vain  
wisdom all1 and false philosophy6--     
,yet1 with a pleasing sorcery1 could    
charm ,pain for a while or anguish1 and 
excite ,fallacious hope1 or arm th'     
obdured breast ,with stubborn patience  
as with triple steel4 ,another part1 in 
squadrons and gross bands1 ,on bold     
adventure to discover wide ,that dismal 
world1 if any clime perhaps ,might yield
 them easier habitation1 bend ,four ways
 their flying march1 along the banks ,of
 four infernal rivers1 that disgorge    
,into the burning lake their baleful    

streams-- ,abhorred ,styx1 the flood of 
deadly hate2 ,sad ,acheron of sorrow1   
black and deep2 ,cocytus1 named of      
lamentation loud ,heard on the rueful   
stream2 fierce ,phlegeton1 ,whose waves 
of torrent fire inflame with rage4 ,far 
off from these1 a slow and silent       
stream1 ,lethe1 the river of oblivion1  
rolls ,her watery labyrinth1 whereof who
 drinks ,forthwith his former state and 
being forgets-- ,forgets both joy and   
grief1 pleasure and pain4 ,beyond this  
flood a frozen continent ,lies dark and 
wild1 beat with perpetual storms ,of    
whirlwind and dire hail1 which on firm  
land ,thaws not1 but gathers heap1 and  
ruin seems ,of ancient pile2 all else   
deep snow and ice1 ,a gulf profound as  
that ,serbonian bog ,betwixt ,damiata   
and ,mount ,casius old1 ,where armies   
whole have sunk3 the parching air ,burns
 frore1 and cold performs th' effect of 
fire4 ,thither1 by harpy-footed ,furies 
haled1 ,at certain revolutions all the  
damned ,are brought2 and feel by turns  

the bitter change ,of fierce extremes1  
extremes by change more fierce1 ,from   
beds of raging fire to starve in ice    
,their soft ethereal warmth1 and there  
to pine ,immovable1 infixed1 and frozen 
round ,periods of time1--thence hurried 
back to fire4 ,they ferry over this     
,lethean sound ,both to and fro1 their  
sorrow to augment1 ,and wish and        
struggle1 as they pass1 to reach ,the   
tempting stream1 with one small drop to 
lose ,in sweet forgetfulness all pain   
and woe1 ,all in one moment1 and so near
 the brink2 ,but ,fate withstands1 and1 
to oppose th' attempt1 ,medusa with     
,gorgonian terror guards ,the ford1 and 
of itself the water flies ,all taste of 
living wight1 as once it fled ,the lip  
of ,tantalus4 ,thus roving on ,in       
confused march forlorn1 th' adventurous 
bands1 ,with shuddering horror pale1 and
 eyes aghast1 ,viewed first their       
lamentable lot1 and found ,no rest4     
,through many a dark and dreary vale    
,they passed1 and many a region         

dolorous1 ,o'er many a frozen1 many a   
fiery alp1 ,rocks1 caves1 lakes1 fens1  
bogs1 dens1 and shades of death-- ,a    
universe of death1 which ,god by curse  
,created evil1 for evil only good2      
,where all life dies1 death lives1 and  
,nature breeds1 ,perverse1 all          
monstrous1 all prodigious things1       
,obominable1 inutterable1 and worse     
,than fables yet have feigned or fear   
conceived1 ,gorgons1 and ,hydras1 and   
,chimeras dire4     ,meanwhile the      
,adversary of ,god and ,man1 ,satan1    
with thoughts inflamed of highest       
design1 ,puts on swift wings1 and toward
 the gates of ,hell ,explores his       
solitary flight3 sometimes ,he scours   
the right hand coast1 sometimes the     
left2 ,now shaves with level wing the   
deep1 then soars ,up to the fiery       
concave towering high4 ,as when far off 
at sea a fleet descried ,hangs in the   
clouds1 by equinoctial winds ,close     
sailing from ,bengala1 or the isles ,of 
,ternate and ,tidore1 whence merchants  

bring ,their spicy drugs2 they on the   
trading flood1 ,through the wide        
,ethiopian to the ,cape1 ,ply stemming  
nightly toward the pole3 so seemed ,far 
off the flying ,fiend4 ,at last appear  
,hell-bounds1 high reaching to the      
horrid roof1 ,and thrice threefold the  
gates2 three folds were brass1 ,three   
iron1 three of adamantine rock1         
,impenetrable1 impaled with circling    
fire1 ,yet unconsumed4 ,before the gates
 there sat ,on either side a formidable 
,shape4 ,the one seemed woman to the    
waist1 and fair1 ,but ended foul in many
 a scaly fold1 ,voluminous and vast--a  
serpent armed ,with mortal sting4 ,about
 her middle round ,a cry of ,hell-hounds
 never-ceasing barked ,with wide        
,cerberean mouths full loud1 and rung ,a
 hideous peal2 yet1 when they list1     
would creep1 ,if aught disturbed their  
noise1 into her womb1 ,and kennel there2
 yet there still barked and howled      
,within unseen4 ,far less abhorred than 
these ,vexed ,scylla1 bathing in the sea

 that parts ,calabria from the hoarse   
,trinacrian shore2 ,nor uglier follow   
the night-hag1 when1 called ,in secret1 
riding through the air she comes1 ,lured
 with the smell of infant blood1 to     
dance ,with ,lapland witches1 while the 
labouring moon ,eclipses at their       
charms4 ,the other ,shape-- ,if shape it
 might be called that shape had none    
,distinguishable in member1 joint1 or   
limb2 ,or substance might be called that
 shadow seemed1 ,for each seemed        
either--black it stood as ,night1       
,fierce as ten ,furies1 terrible as     
,hell1 ,and shook a dreadful dart3 what 
seemed his head ,the likeness of a      
kingly crown had on4 ,satan was now at  
hand1 and from his seat ,the monster    
moving onward came as fast ,with horrid 
strides2 ,hell trembled as he strode4   
,th' undaunted ,fiend what this might be
 admired-- ,admired1 not feared 7,god   
and his ,son except1 ,created thing     
naught valued he nor shunned71 ,and with
 disdainful look thus first began3--    

8,whence and what art thou1 execrable   
,shape1 ,that dar'st1 though grim and   
terrible1 advance ,thy miscreated front 
athwart my way ,to yonder gates8        
,through them ,i mean to pass1 ,that be 
assured1 without leave asked of thee4   
,retire2 or taste thy folly1 and learn  
by proof1 ,hell-born1 not to contend    
with ,spirits of ,heaven40     ,to whom 
the ,goblin1 full of wrath1 replied3--  
8,art thou that traitor ,angel8 art thou
 he1 ,who first broke peace in ,heaven  
and faith1 till then ,unbroken1 and in  
proud rebellious arms ,drew after him   
the third part of ,heaven's sons1       
,conjured against the ,highest--for     
which both thou ,and they1 outcast from 
,god1 are here condemned ,to waste      
eternal days in woe and pain8 ,and      
reckon'st thou thyself with ,spirits of 
,heaven ,hell-doomed1 and breath'st     
defiance here and scorn1 ,where ,i reign
 king1 and1 to enrage thee more1 ,thy   
king and lord8 ,back to thy punishment1 
,false fugitive2 and to thy speed add   

wings1 ,lest with a whip of scorpions ,i
 pursue ,thy lingering1 or with one     
stroke of this dart ,strange horror     
seize thee1 and pangs unfelt before40   
,so spake the grisly ,terror1 and in    
shape1 ,so speaking and so threatening1 
grew tenfold1 ,more dreadful and deform4
 ,on th' other side1 ,incensed with     
indignation1 ,satan stood ,unterrified1 
and like a comet burned1 ,that fires the
 length of ,ophiuchus huge ,in th'      
arctic sky1 and from his horrid hair    
,shakes pestilence and war4 ,each at the
 head ,levelled his deadly aim2 their   
fatal hands ,no second stroke intend2   
and such a frown ,each cast at th' other
 as when two black clouds1 ,with        
heaven's artillery fraught1 came        
rattling on ,over the ,caspian1--then   
stand front to front ,hovering a space1 
till winds the signal blow ,to join     
their dark encounter in mid-air4 ,so    
frowned the mighty combatants that ,hell
 ,grew darker at their frown2 so matched
 they stood2 ,for never but once more   

was wither like ,to meet so great a foe4
 ,and now great deeds ,had been         
achieved1 whereof all ,hell had rung1   
,had not the snaky ,sorceress1 that sat 
,fast by ,hell-gate and kept the fatal  
key1 ,risen1 and with hideous outcry    
rushed between4     8,o father1 what    
intends thy hand10 she cried1 8,against 
thy only son8 ,what fury1 ,o son1       
,possesses thee to bend that mortal dart
 ,against thy father's head8 ,and       
know'st for whom8 ,for him who sits     
above1 and laughs the while ,at thee1   
ordained his drudge to execute ,whate'er
 his wrath1 which he calls justice1     
bids-- ,his wrath1 which one day will   
destroy ye both60     ,she spake1 and at
 her words the hellish ,pest ,forbore3  
then these to her ,satan returned3--    
8,so strange thy outcry1 and thy words  
so strange ,thou interposest1 that my   
sudden hand1 ,prevented1 spares to tell 
thee yet by deeds ,what it intends1 till
 first ,i know of thee ,what thing thou 
art1 thus double-formed1 and why1 ,in   

this infernal vale first met1 thou      
call'st ,me father1 and that phantasm   
call'st my son4 ,i know thee not1 nor   
ever saw till now ,sight more detestable
 than him and thee40     ,t' whom thus  
the ,portress of ,hell-gate replied3--  
8,hast thou forgot me1 then2 and do ,i  
seem ,now in thine eye so foul8--once   
deemed so fair ,in ,heaven1 when at th' 
assembly1 and in sight ,of all the      
,seraphim with thee combined ,in bold   
conspiracy against ,heaven's ,king1 ,all
 on a sudden miserable pain ,surprised  
thee1 dim thine eyes and dizzy swum ,in 
darkness1 while thy head flames thick   
and fast ,threw forth1 till on the left 
side opening wide1 ,likest to thee in   
shape and countenance bright1 ,then     
shining heavenly fair1 a goddess armed1 
,out of thy head ,i sprung4 ,amazement  
seized ,all th' host of ,heaven2 back   
they recoiled afraid ,at first1 and     
called me ,sin1 and for a sign          
,portentous held me2 but1 familiar      
grown1 ,i pleased1 and with attractive  

graces won ,the most averse--thee       
chiefly1 who1 full oft ,thyself in me   
thy perfect image viewing1 ,becam'st    
enamoured2 and such joy thou took'st    
,with me in secret that my womb         
conceived ,a growing burden4 ,meanwhile 
war arose1 ,and fields were fought in   
,heaven3 wherein remained 7,for what    
could else87 to our ,almighty ,foe      
,clear victory2 to our part loss and    
rout ,through all the ,empyrean4 ,down  
they fell1 ,driven headlong from the    
pitch of ,heaven1 down ,into this ,deep2
 and in the general fall ,i also3 at    
which time this powerful key ,into my   
hands was given1 with charge to keep    
,these gates for ever shut1 which none  
can pass ,without my opening4 ,pensive  
here ,i sat ,alone2 but long ,i sat not1
 till my womb1 ,pregnant by thee1 and   
now excessive grown1 ,prodigious motion 
felt and rueful throes4 ,at last this   
odious offspring whom thou seest1 ,thine
 own begotten1 breaking violent way1    
,tore through my entrails1 that1 with   

fear and pain ,distorted1 all my nether 
shape thus grew ,transformed3 but he my 
inbred enemy ,forth issued1 brandishing 
his fatal dart1 ,made to destroy4 ,i    
fled1 and cried out ,death6 ,hell       
trembled at the hideous name1 and sighed
 ,from all her caves1 and back resounded
 ,death6 ,i fled2 but he pursued 7though
 more1 it seems1 ,inflamed with lust    
than rage71 and1 swifter far1 ,me       
overtook1 his mother1 all dismayed1     
,and1 in embraces forcible and foul     
,engendering with me1 of that rape begot
 ,these yelling monsters1 that with     
ceaseless cry ,surround me1 as thou     
saw'st--hourly conceived ,and hourly    
born1 with sorrow infinite ,to me2 for1 
when they list1 into the womb ,that bred
 them they return1 and howl1 and gnaw   
,my bowels1 their repast2 then1 bursting
 forth ,afresh1 with conscious terrors  
vex me round1 ,that rest or intermission
 none ,i find4 ,before mine eyes in     
opposition sits ,grim ,death1 my son and
 foe1 who set them on1 ,and me1 his     

parent1 would full soon devour ,for want
 of other prey1 but that he knows ,his  
end with mine involved1 and knows that  
,i ,should prove a bitter morsel1 and   
his bane1 ,whenever that shall be3 so   
,fate pronounced4 ,but thou1 ,o father1 
,i forewarn thee1 shun ,his deadly      
arrow2 neither vainly hope ,to be       
invulnerable in those bright arms1      
,through tempered heavenly2 for that    
mortal dint1 ,save he who reigns above1 
none can resist40     ,she finished2 and
 the subtle ,fiend his lore ,soon       
learned1 now milder1 and thus answered  
smooth3--     8,dear daughter--since    
thou claim'st me for thy sire1 ,and my  
fair son here show'st me1 the dear      
pledge ,of dalliance had with thee in   
,heaven1 and joys ,then sweet1 now sad  
to mention1 through dire change         
,befallen us unforeseen1                
unthought-of--know1 ,i come no enemy1   
but to set free ,from out this dark and 
dismal house of pain ,both him and thee1
 and all the heavenly host ,of ,spirits 

that1 in our just pretences armed1 ,fell
 with us from on high4 ,from them ,i go 
,this uncouth errand sole1 and one for  
all ,myself expose1 with lonely steps to
 tread ,th' unfounded ,deep1 and through
 the void immense ,to search1 with      
wandering quest1 a place foretold       
,should be--and1 by concurring signs1   
ere now ,created vast and round--a place
 of bliss ,in the purlieus of ,heaven2  
and therein placed ,a race of upstart   
creatures1 to supply ,perhaps our vacant
 room1 though more removed1 ,lest       
,heaven1 surcharged with potent         
multitude1 ,might hap to move new       
broils4 ,be this1 or aught ,than this   
more secret1 now designed1 ,i haste ,to 
know2 and1 this once known1 shall soon  
return1 ,and bring ye to the place where
 thou and ,death ,shall dwell at ease1  
and up and down unseen ,wing silently   
the buxom air1 embalmed ,with odours4   
,there ye shall be fed and filled       
,immeasurably2 all things shall be your 
prey40     ,he ceased2 for both seemed  

highly pleased1 and ,death ,grinned     
horrible a ghastly smile1 to hear ,his  
famine should be filled1 and blessed his
 maw ,destined to that good hour4 ,no   
less rejoiced ,his mother bad1 and thus 
bespake her sire3--     8,the key of    
this infernal ,pit1 by due ,and by      
command of ,heaven's all-powerful ,king1
 ,i keep1 by him forbidden to unlock    
,these adamantine gates2 against all    
force ,death ready stands to interpose  
his dart1 ,fearless to be o'ermatched by
 living might4 ,but what owe ,i to his  
commands above1 ,who hates me1 and hath 
hither thrust me down ,into this gloom  
of ,tartarus profound1 ,to sit in       
hateful office here confined1           
,inhabitant of ,heaven and heavenly     
born-- ,here in perpetual agony and     
pain1 ,with terrors and with clamours   
compassed round ,of mine own brood1 that
 on my bowels feed8 ,thou art my father1
 thou my author1 thou ,my being gav'st  
me2 whom should ,i obey ,but thee8 whom 
follow8 ,thou wilt bring me soon ,to    

that new world of light and bliss1 among
 ,the gods who live at ease1 where ,i   
shall reign ,at thy right hand          
voluptuous1 as beseems ,thy daughter and
 thy darling1 without end40     ,thus   
saying1 from her side the fatal key1    
,sad instrument of all our woe1 she     
took2 ,and1 towards the gate rolling her
 bestial train1 ,forthwith the huge     
portcullis high up-drew1 ,which1 but    
herself1 not all the ,stygian ,powers   
,could once have moved2 then in the     
key-hole turns ,th' intricate wards1 and
 every bolt and bar ,of massy iron or   
solid rock with ease ,unfastens4 ,on a  
sudden open fly1 ,with impetuous recoil 
and jarring sound1 ,th' infernal doors1 
and on their hinges grate ,harsh        
thunder1 that the lowest bottom shook   
,of ,erebus4 ,she opened2 but to shut   
,excelled her power3 the gates wide open
 stood1 ,that with extended wings a     
bannered host1 ,under spread ensigns    
marching1 might pass through ,with horse
 and chariots ranked in loose array2 ,so

 wide they stood1 and like a            
furnace-mouth ,cast forth redounding    
smoke and ruddy flame4 ,before their    
eyes in sudden view appear ,the secrets 
of the hoary ,deep--a dark ,illimitable 
ocean1 without bound1 ,without          
dimension2 where length1 breadth1 and   
height1 ,and time1 and place1 are lost2 
where eldest ,night ,and ,chaos1        
ancestors of ,nature1 hold ,eternal     
anarchy1 amidst the noise ,of endless   
wars1 and by confusion stand4 ,for ,hot1
 ,cold1 ,moist1 and ,dry1 four champions
 fierce1 ,strive here for mastery1 and  
to battle bring ,their embryon atoms3   
they around the flag ,of each his       
faction1 in their several clans1        
,light-armed or heavy1 sharp1 smooth1   
swift1 or slow1 ,swarm populous1        
unnumbered as the sands ,of ,barca or   
,cyrene's torrid soil1 ,levied to side  
with warring winds1 and poise ,their    
lighter wings4 ,to whom these most      
adhere ,he rules a moment3 ,chaos umpire
 sits1 ,and by decision more embroils   

the fray ,by which he reigns3 next him1 
high arbiter1 ,chance governs all4 ,into
 this wild ,abyss1 ,the womb of ,nature1
 and perhaps her grave1 ,of neither sea1
 nor shore1 nor air1 nor fire1 ,but all 
these in their pregnant causes mixed    
,confusedly1 and which thus must ever   
fight1 ,unless th' ,almighty ,maker them
 ordain ,his dark materials to create   
more worlds-- ,into this wild ,abyss the
 wary ,fiend ,stood on the brink of     
,hell and looked a while1 ,pondering his
 voyage2 for no narrow frith ,he had to 
cross4 ,nor was his ear less pealed     
,with noises loud and ruinous 7to       
compare ,great things with small7 than  
when ,bellona storms ,with all her      
battering engines1 bent to rase ,some   
capital city2 or less than if this frame
 ,of ,heaven were falling1 and these    
elements ,in mutiny had from her axle   
torn ,the steadfast ,earth4 ,at last his
 sail-broad vans ,he spread for flight1 
and1 in the surging smoke ,uplifted1    
spurns the ground2 thence many a league1

 ,as in a cloudy chair1 ascending rides 
,audacious2 but1 that seat soon failing1
 meets ,a vast vacuity4 ,all unawares1  
,fluttering his pennons vain1 plumb-down
 he drops ,ten thousand fathom deep1 and
 to this hour ,down had been falling1   
had not1 by ill chance1 ,the strong     
rebuff of some tumultuous cloud1        
,instinct with fire and nitre1 hurried  
him ,as many miles aloft4 ,that fury    
stayed-- ,quenched in a boggy ,syrtis1  
neither sea1 ,nor good dry land--nigh   
foundered1 on he fares1 ,treading the   
crude consistence1 half on foot1 ,half  
flying2 behoves him now both oar and    
sail4 ,as when a gryphon through the    
wilderness ,with winged course1 o'er    
hill or moory dale1 ,pursues the        
,arimaspian1 who by stealth ,had from   
his wakeful custody purloined ,the      
guarded gold2 so eagerly the ,fiend     
,o'er bog or steep1 through strait1     
rough1 dense1 or rare1 ,with head1      
hands1 wings1 or feet1 pursues his way1 
,and swims1 or sinks1 or wades1 or      

creeps1 or flies4 ,at length a universal
 hubbub wild ,of stunning sounds1 and   
voices all confused1 ,borne through the 
hollow dark1 assaults his ear ,with     
loudest vehemence4 ,thither he plies    
,undaunted1 to meet there whatever      
,power ,or ,spirit of the nethermost    
,abyss ,might in that noise reside1 of  
whom to ask ,which way the nearest coast
 of darkness lies ,bordering on light2  
when straight behold the throne ,of     
,chaos1 and his dark pavilion spread    
,wide on the wasteful ,deep6 ,with him  
enthroned ,sat sable-vested ,night1     
eldest of things1 ,the consort of his   
reign2 and by them stood ,orcus and     
,ades1 and the dreaded name ,of         
,demogorgon2 ,rumour next1 and ,chance1 
,and ,tumult1 and ,confusion1 all       
embroiled1 ,and ,discord with a thousand
 various mouths4     ,t' whom ,satan1   
turning boldly1 thus3--8,ye ,powers ,and
 ,spirits of this nethermost ,abyss1    
,chaos and ancient ,night1 ,i come no   
spy ,with purpose to explore or to      

disturb ,the secrets of your realm2 but1
 by constraint ,wandering this darksome 
desert1 as my way ,lies through your    
spacious empire up to light1 ,alone and 
without guide1 half lost1 ,i seek1 ,what
 readiest path leads where your gloomy  
bounds ,confine with ,heaven2 or1 if    
some other place1 ,from your dominion   
won1 th' ,ethereal ,king ,possesses     
lately1 thither to arrive ,i travel this
 profound4 ,direct my course3 ,directed1
 no mean recompense it brings ,to your  
behoof1 if ,i that region lost1 ,all    
usurpation thence expelled1 reduce ,to  
her original darkness and your sway     
7,which is my present journey71 and once
 more ,erect the standard there of      
ancient ,night4 ,yours be th' advantage 
all1 mine the revenge60     ,thus       
,satan2 and him thus the ,anarch old1   
,with faltering speech and visage       
incomposed1 ,answered3 8,i know thee1   
stranger1 who thou art-- ,that mighty   
leading ,angel1 who of late ,made head  
against ,heaven's ,king1 though         

overthrown4 ,i saw and heard2 for such a
 numerous host ,fled not in silence     
through the frighted ,deep1 ,with ruin  
upon ruin1 rout on rout1 ,confusion     
worse confounded2 and ,heaven-gates     
,poured out by millions her victorious  
bands1 ,pursuing4 ,i upon my frontiers  
here ,keep residence2 if all ,i can will
 serve ,that little which is left so to 
defend1 ,encroached on still through our
 intestine broils ,weakening the sceptre
 of old ,night3 first1 ,hell1 ,your     
dungeon1 stretching far and wide        
beneath2 ,now lately ,heaven and ,earth1
 another world ,hung o'er my realm1     
linked in a golden chain ,to that side  
,heaven from whence your legions fell6  
,if that way be your walk1 you have not 
far2 ,so much the nearer danger4 ,go1   
and speed2 ,havoc1 and spoil1 and ruin1 
are my gain40     ,he ceased2 and ,satan
 stayed not to reply1 ,but1 glad that   
now his sea should find a shore1 ,with  
fresh alacrity and force renewed        
,springs upward1 like a pyramid of fire1

 ,into the wild expanse1 and through the
 shock ,of fighting elements1 on all    
sides round ,environed1 wins his way2   
harder beset ,and more endangered than  
when ,argo passed ,through ,bosporus    
betwixt the justling rocks1 ,or when    
,ulysses on the larboard shunned        
,charybdis1 and by th' other whirlpool  
steered4 ,so he with difficulty and     
labour hard ,moved on1 with difficulty  
and labour he2 ,but1 he once passed1    
soon after1 when ,man fell1 ,strange    
alteration6 ,sin and ,death amain1      
,following his track 7such was the will 
of ,heaven7 ,paved after him a broad and
 beaten way ,over the dark ,abyss1 whose
 boiling gulf ,tamely endured a bridge  
of wondrous length1 ,from ,hell         
continued1 reaching th' utmost orb ,of  
this frail ,world2 by which the ,spirits
 perverse ,with easy intercourse pass to
 and fro ,to tempt or punish mortals1   
except whom ,god and good ,angels guard 
by special grace4     ,but now at last  
the sacred influence ,of light appears1 

and from the walls of ,heaven ,shoots   
far into the bosom of dim ,night ,a     
glimmering dawn4 ,here ,nature first    
begins ,her farthest verge1 and ,chaos  
to retire1 ,as from her outmost works1 a
 broken foe1 ,with tumult less and with 
less hostile din2 ,that ,satan with less
 toil1 and now with ease1 ,wafts on the 
calmer wave by dubious light1 ,and1 like
 a weather-beaten vessel1 holds ,gladly 
the port1 though shrouds and tackle     
torn2 ,or in the emptier waste1         
resembling air1 ,weighs his spread      
wings1 at leisure to behold ,far off th'
 empyreal ,heaven1 extended wide ,in    
circuit1 undetermined square or round1  
,with opal towers and battlements       
adorned ,of living sapphire1 once his   
native seat2 ,and1 fast by1 hanging in a
 golden chain1 ,this pendent ,world1 in 
bigness as a star ,of smallest magnitude
 close by the moon4 ,thither1 full      
fraught with mischievous revenge1       
,accursed1 and in a cursed hour1 he     
hies4     ,book ,,iii   ,hail1 holy     

,light1 offspring of ,heaven firstborn1 
,or of the ,eternal coeternal beam ,may 
,i express thee unblam'd8 since ,god is 
light1 ,and never but in unapproached   
light ,dwelt from eternity1 dwelt then  
in thee ,bright effluence of bright     
essence increate4 ,or hear'st thou      
rather pure ethereal stream1 ,whose     
fountain who shall tell8 before the sun1
 ,before the ,heavens thou wert1 and at 
the voice ,of ,god1 as with a mantle1   
didst invest ,the rising world of waters
 dark and deep1 ,won from the void and  
formless infinite4 ,thee ,i re-visit now
 with bolder wing1 ,escap'd the ,stygian
 pool1 though long detain'd ,in that    
obscure sojourn1 while in my flight     
,through utter and through middle       
darkness borne1 ,with other notes than  
to the ,orphean lyre ,i sung of ,chaos  
and eternal ,night2 ,taught by the      
heavenly ,muse to venture down ,the dark
 descent1 and up to re-ascend1 ,though  
hard and rare3 ,thee ,i revisit safe1   
,and feel thy sovran vital lamp2 but    

thou ,revisit'st not these eyes1 that   
roll in vain ,to find thy piercing ray1 
and find no dawn2 ,so thick a drop      
serene hath quench'd their orbs1 ,or dim
 suffusion veil'd4 ,yet not the more    
,cease ,i to wander1 where the ,muses   
haunt1 ,clear spring1 or shady grove1 or
 sunny hill1 ,smit with the love of     
sacred song2 but chief ,thee1 ,sion1 and
 the flowery brooks beneath1 ,that wash 
thy hallow'd feet1 and warbling flow1   
,nightly ,i visit3 nor sometimes forget 
,those other two equaled with me in fate
 ,so were ,i equall'd with them in      
renown1 ,thy sovran command1 that ,man  
should find grace2 ,blind ,thamyris1 and
 blind ,maeonides1 ,and ,tiresias1 and  
,phineus1 prophets old3 ,then feed on   
thoughts1 that voluntary move           
,harmonious numbers2 as the wakeful bird
 ,sings darkling1 and in shadiest covert
 hid ,tunes her nocturnal note4 ,thus   
with the year ,seasons return2 but not  
to me returns ,day1 or the sweet        
approach of even or morn1 ,or sight of  

vernal bloom1 or summer's rose1 ,or     
flocks1 or herds1 or human face divine2 
,but cloud instead1 and ever-during dark
 ,surrounds me1 from the cheerful ways  
of men ,cut off1 and for the book of    
knowledge fair ,presented with a        
universal blank ,of nature's works to me
 expung'd and ras'd1 ,and wisdom at one 
entrance quite shut out4 ,so much the   
rather thou1 celestial ,light1 ,shine   
inward1 and the mind through all her    
powers ,irradiate2 there plant eyes1 all
 mist from thence ,purge and disperse1  
that ,i may see and tell ,of things     
invisible to mortal sight4 ,now had the 
,almighty ,father from above1 ,from the 
pure empyrean where he sits ,high       
thron'd above all highth1 bent down his 
eye ,his own works and their works at   
once to view3 ,about him all the        
,sanctities of ,heaven ,stood thick as  
stars1 and from his sight receiv'd      
,beatitude past utterance2 on his right 
,the radiant image of his glory sat1    
,his only son2 on earth he first beheld 

,our two first parents1 yet the only two
 ,of mankind in the happy garden plac'd 
,reaping immortal fruits of joy and     
love1 ,uninterrupted joy1 unrivall'd    
love1 ,in blissful solitude2 he then    
survey'd ,hell and the gulf between1 and
 ,satan there ,coasting the wall of     
,heaven on this side ,night ,in the dun 
air sublime1 and ready now ,to stoop    
with wearied wings1 and willing feet1   
,on the bare outside of this world1 that
 seem'd ,firm land imbosom'd1 without   
firmament1 ,uncertain which1 in ocean or
 in air4 ,him ,god beholding from his   
prospect high1 ,wherein past1 present1  
future1 he beholds1 ,thus to his only   
,son foreseeing spake4 ,only begotten   
,son1 seest thou what rage ,transports  
our ,adversary8 whom no bounds          
,prescrib'd no bars of ,hell1 nor all   
the chains ,heap'd on him there1 nor yet
 the main abyss ,wide interrupt1 can    
hold2 so bent he seems ,on desperate    
revenge1 that shall redound ,upon his   
own rebellious head4 ,and now1 ,through 

all restraint broke loose1 he wings his 
way ,not far off ,heaven1 in the        
precincts of light1 ,directly towards   
the new created world1 ,and man there   
plac'd1 with purpose to assay ,if him by
 force he can destroy1 or1 worse1 ,by   
some false guile pervert2 and shall     
pervert2 ,for man will hearken to his   
glozing lies1 ,and easily transgress the
 sole command1 ,sole pledge of his      
obedience3 ,so will fall ,he and his    
faithless progeny3 ,whose fault8 ,whose 
but his own8 ingrate1 he had of me ,all 
he could have2 ,i made him just and     
right1 ,sufficient to have stood1 though
 free to fall4 ,such ,i created all the 
ethereal ,powers ,and ,spirits1 both    
them who stood1 and them who fail'd2    
,freely they stood who stood1 and fell  
who fell4 ,not free1 what proof could   
they have given sincere ,of true        
allegiance1 constant faith or love1     
,where only what they needs must do     
appear'd1 ,not what they would8 what    
praise could they receive8 ,what        

pleasure ,i from such obedience paid1   
,when will and reason 7reason also is   
choice7 ,useless and vain1 of freedom   
both despoil'd1 ,made passive both1 had 
serv'd necessity1 ,not me4 ,they        
therefore1 as to right belong'd1 ,so    
were created1 nor can justly accuse     
,their ,maker1 or their making1 or their
 fate1 ,as if predestination over-rul'd 
,their will dispos'd by absolute decree 
,or high foreknowledge they themselves  
decreed ,their own revolt1 not ,i2 if ,i
 foreknew1 ,foreknowledge had no        
influence on their fault1 ,which had no 
less proved certain unforeknown4 ,so    
without least impulse or shadow of fate1
 ,or aught by me immutably foreseen1    
,they trespass1 authors to themselves in
 all ,both what they judge1 and what    
they choose2 for so ,i form'd them free3
 and free they must remain1 ,till they  
enthrall themselves2 ,i else must change
 ,their nature1 and revoke the high     
decree ,unchangeable1 eternal1 which    
ordain'd ,their freedom3 they themselves

 ordain'd their fall4 ,the first sort by
 their own suggestion fell1             
,self-tempted1 self-deprav'd3 ,man      
falls1 deceiv'd ,by the other first3    
,man therefore shall find grace1 ,the   
other none3 ,in mercy and justice both1 
,through ,heaven and ,earth1 so shall my
 glory excel2 ,but ,mercy1 first and    
last1 shall brightest shine4 ,thus while
 ,god spake1 ambrosial fragrance fill'd 
,all ,heaven1 and in the blessed        
,spirits elect ,sense of new joy        
ineffable diffus'd4 ,beyond compare the 
,son of ,god was seen ,most glorious2 in
 him all his ,father shone              
,substantially express'd2 and in his    
face ,divine compassion visibly         
appear'd1 ,love without end1 and without
 measure grace1 ,which uttering1 thus he
 to his ,father spake4 ,o ,father1      
gracious was that word which clos'd ,thy
 sovran command1 that ,man should find  
grace2 ,for which both ,heaven and earth
 shall high extol ,thy praises1 with the
 innumerable sound ,of hymns and sacred 

songs1 wherewith thy throne ,encompass'd
 shall resound thee ever blest4 ,for    
should ,man finally be lost1 should     
,man1 ,thy creature late so lov'd1 thy  
youngest son1 ,fall circumvented thus by
 fraud1 though join'd ,with his own     
folly8 that be from thee far1 ,that far 
be from thee1 ,father1 who art judge ,of
 all things made1 and judgest only      
right4 ,or shall the ,adversary thus    
obtain ,his end1 and frustrate thine8   
shall he fulfill ,his malice1 and thy   
goodness bring to nought1 ,or proud     
return1 though to his heavier doom1 ,yet
 with revenge accomplish'd1 and to ,hell
 ,draw after him the whole race of      
mankind1 ,by him corrupted8 or wilt thou
 thyself ,abolish thy creation1 and     
unmake ,for him1 what for thy glory thou
 hast made8 ,so should thy goodness and 
thy greatness both ,be question'd and   
blasphem'd without defence4 ,to whom the
 great ,creator thus replied4 ,o son1 in
 whom my soul hath chief delight1 ,son  
of my bosom1 ,son who art alone4 ,my    

word1 my wisdom1 and effectual might1   
,all hast thou spoken as my thoughts    
are1 all ,as my eternal purpose hath    
decreed2 ,man shall not quite be lost1  
but sav'd who will2 ,yet not of will in 
him1 but grace in me ,freely vouchsaf'd2
 once more ,i will renew ,his lapsed    
powers1 though forfeit2 and enthrall'd  
,by sin to foul exorbitant desires2     
,upheld by me1 yet once more he shall   
stand ,on even ground against his mortal
 foe2 ,by me upheld1 that he may know   
how frail ,his fallen condition is1 and 
to me owe ,all his deliverance1 and to  
none but me4 ,some ,i have chosen of    
peculiar grace1 ,elect above the rest2  
so is my will3 ,the rest shall hear me  
call1 and oft be warn'd ,their sinful   
state1 and to appease betimes ,the      
incensed ,deity1 while offer'd grace    
,invites2 for ,i will clear their senses
 dark1 ,what may suffice1 and soften    
stony hearts ,to pray1 repent1 and bring
 obedience due4 ,to prayer1 repentance1 
and obedience due1 ,though but          

endeavour'd with sincere intent1 ,mine  
ear shall not be slow1 mine eye not     
shut4 ,and ,i will place within them as 
a guide1 ,my umpire ,conscience2 whom if
 they will hear1 ,light after light1    
well us'd1 they shall attain1 ,and to   
the end1 persisting1 safe arrive4 ,this 
my long sufferance1 and my day of grace1
 ,they who neglect and scorn1 shall     
never taste2 ,but hard be harden'd1     
blind be blinded more1 ,that they may   
stumble on1 and deeper fall2 ,and none  
but such from mercy ,i exclude4 ,but yet
 all is not done2 ,man disobeying1      
,disloyal1 breaks his fealty1 and sins  
,against the high supremacy of ,heaven1 
,affecting ,god-head1 and1 so losing    
all1 ,to expiate his treason hath nought
 left1 ,but to destruction sacred and   
devote1 ,he1 with his whole posterity1  
must die1 ,die he or justice must2      
unless for him ,some other able1 and as 
willing1 pay ,the rigid satisfaction1   
death for death4 ,say1 heavenly ,powers1
 where shall we find such love8 ,which  

of you will be mortal1 to redeem ,man's 
mortal crime1 and just the unjust to    
save8 ,dwells in all ,heaven charity so 
dear8 ,he ask'd1 but all the heavenly   
quire stood mute1 ,and silence was in   
,heaven3 on ,man's behalf ,patron or    
intercessour none appear'd1 ,much less  
that durst upon his own head draw ,the  
deadly forfeiture1 and ransom set4 ,and 
now without redemption all mankind ,must
 have been lost1 adjudg'd to ,death and 
,hell ,by doom severe1 had not the ,son 
of ,god1 ,in whom the fulness dwells of 
love divine1 ,his dearest mediation thus
 renew'd4 ,father1 thy word is past1    
,man shall find grace2 ,and shall grace 
not find means1 that finds her way1 ,the
 speediest of thy winged messengers1 ,to
 visit all thy creatures1 and to all    
,comes unprevented1 unimplor'd1         
unsought8 ,happy for ,man1 so coming2 he
 her aid ,can never seek1 once dead in  
sins1 and lost2 ,atonement for himself1 
or offering meet1 ,indebted and undone1 
hath none to bring2 ,behold me then3 me 

for him1 life for life ,i offer3 on me  
let thine anger fall2 ,account me ,man2 
,i for his sake will leave ,thy bosom1  
and this glory next to thee ,freely put 
off1 and for him lastly die ,well       
pleased2 on me let ,death wreak all his 
rage4 ,under his gloomy power ,i shall  
not long ,lie vanquished4 ,thou hast    
given me to possess ,life in myself for 
ever2 by thee ,i live2 ,though now to   
,death ,i yield1 and am his due1 ,all   
that of me can die1 yet1 that debt paid1
 ,thou wilt not leave me in the         
loathsome grave ,his prey1 nor suffer my
 unspotted soul ,for ever with          
corruption there to dwell2 ,but ,i shall
 rise victorious1 and subdue ,my        
vanquisher1 spoiled of his vaunted      
spoil4 ,death his death's wound shall   
then receive1 and stoop ,inglorious1 of 
his mortal sting disarmed2 ,i through   
the ample air in triumph high ,shall    
lead ,hell captive maugre ,hell1 and    
show ,the powers of darkness bound4     
,thou1 at the sight ,pleased1 out of    

,heaven shalt look down and smile1      
,while1 by thee raised1 ,i ruin all my  
foes2 ,death last1 and with his carcase 
glut the grave2 ,then1 with the         
multitude of my redeemed1 ,shall enter  
,heaven1 long absent1 and return1       
,father1 to see thy face1 wherein no    
cloud ,of anger shall remain1 but peace 
assured ,and reconcilement3 wrath shall 
be no more ,thenceforth1 but in thy     
presence joy entire4     ,his words here
 ended2 but his meek aspect ,silent yet 
spake1 and breathed immortal love ,to   
mortal men1 above which only shone      
,filial obedience3 as a sacrifice ,glad 
to be offered1 he attends the will ,of  
his great ,father4 ,admiration seized   
,all ,heaven1 what this might mean1 and 
whither tend1 ,wondering2 but soon th'  
,almighty thus replied3     ,o thou in  
,heaven and ,earth the only peace ,found
 out for mankind under wrath1 ,o thou   
,my sole complacence6 ,well thou know'st
 how dear ,to me are all my works2 nor  
,man the least1 ,though last created1   

that for him ,i spare ,thee from my     
bosom and right hand1 to save1 ,by      
losing thee a while1 the whole race     
lost4 ,thou1 therefore1 whom thou only  
canst redeem1 ,their nature also to thy 
nature join2 ,and be thyself ,man among 
men on ,earth1 ,made flesh1 when time   
shall be1 of virgin seed1 ,by wondrous  
birth2 be thou in ,adam's room ,the head
 of all mankind1 though ,adam's son4 ,as
 in him perish all men1 so in thee1 ,as 
from a second root1 shall be restored   
,as many as are restored1 without thee  
none4 ,his crime makes guilty all his   
sons2 thy merit1 ,imputed1 shall absolve
 them who renounce ,their own both      
righteous and unrighteous deeds1 ,and   
live in thee transplanted1 and from thee
 ,receive new life4 ,so ,man1 as is most
 just1 ,shall satisfy for ,man1 be      
judged and die1 ,and dying rise1 and    
rising with him raise ,his brethren1    
ransomed with his own dear life4 ,so    
heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate1 
,giving to death1 and dying to redeem1  

,so dearly to redeem what hellish hate  
,so easily destroyed1 and still destroys
 ,in those who1 when they may1 accept   
not grace4 ,nor shalt thou1 by          
descending to assume ,man's nature1     
lessen or degrade thine own4 ,because   
thou hast1 though throned in highest    
bliss ,equal to ,god1 and equally       
enjoying ,god-like fruition1 quitted    
all1 to save ,a world from utter loss1  
and hast been found ,by merit more than 
birthright ,son of ,god1 ,found         
worthiest to be so by being good1 ,far  
more than great or high2 because in thee
 ,love hath abounded more than glory    
abounds2 ,therefore thy humiliation     
shall exalt ,with thee thy manhood also 
to this throne3 ,here shalt thou sit    
incarnate1 here shalt reign ,both ,god  
and ,man1 ,son both of ,god and ,man1   
,anointed universal ,king2 all power ,i 
give thee2 reign for ever1 and assume   
,thy merits2 under thee1 as head        
supreme1 ,thrones1 ,princedoms1 ,powers1
 ,dominions1 ,i reduce3 ,all knees to   

thee shall bow1 of them that bide ,in   
,heaven1 or ,earth1 or under ,earth in  
,hell4 ,when thou1 attended gloriously  
from ,heaven1 ,shalt in the sky appear1 
and from thee send ,the summoning       
,arch-,angels to proclaim ,thy dread    
tribunal2 forthwith from all winds1 ,the
 living1 and forthwith the cited dead   
,of all past ages1 to the general doom  
,shall hasten2 such a peal shall rouse  
their sleep4 ,then1 all thy saints      
assembled1 thou shalt judge ,bad ,men   
and ,angels2 they1 arraigned1 shall sink
 ,beneath thy sentence2 ,hell1 her      
numbers full1 ,thenceforth shall be for 
ever shut4 ,mean while ,the world shall 
burn1 and from her ashes spring ,new    
,heaven and ,earth1 wherein the just    
shall dwell1 ,and1 after all their      
tribulations long1 ,see golden days1    
fruitful of golden deeds1 ,with joy and 
peace triumphing1 and fair truth4 ,then 
thou thy regal scepter shalt lay by1    
,for regal scepter then no more shall   
need1 ,god shall be all in all4 ,but1   

all ye ,gods1 ,adore him1 who to compass
 all this dies2 ,adore the ,son1 and    
honour him as me4 ,no sooner had the    
,almighty ceased1 but all ,the multitude
 of ,angels1 with a shout ,loud as from 
numbers without number1 sweet ,as from  
blest voices1 uttering joy1 ,heaven rung
 ,with jubilee1 and loud ,hosannas      
filled ,the eternal regions3 ,lowly     
reverent ,towards either throne they    
bow1 and to the ground ,with solemn     
adoration down they cast ,their crowns  
inwove with amarant and gold2 ,immortal 
amarant1 a flower which once ,in        
,paradise1 fast by the tree of life1    
,began to bloom2 but soon for man's     
offence ,to ,heaven removed1 where first
 it grew1 there grows1 ,and flowers     
aloft shading the fount of life1 ,and   
where the river of bliss through midst  
of ,heaven ,rolls o'er ,elysian flowers 
her amber stream2 ,with these that never
 fade the ,spirits elect ,bind their    
resplendent locks inwreathed with beams2
 ,now in loose garlands thick thrown    

off1 the bright ,pavement1 that like a  
sea of jasper shone1 ,impurpled with    
celestial roses smiled4 ,then1 crowned  
again1 their golden harps they took1    
,harps ever tuned1 that glittering by   
their side ,like quivers hung1 and with 
preamble sweet ,of charming symphony    
they introduce ,their sacred song1 and  
waken raptures high2 ,no voice exempt1  
no voice but well could join ,melodious 
part1 such concord is in ,heaven4 ,thee1
 ,father1 first they sung ,omnipotent1  
,immutable1 ,immortal1 ,infinite1       
,eternal ,king2 the ,author of all      
being1 ,fountain of light1 thyself      
invisible ,amidst the glorious          
brightness where thou sit'st ,throned   
inaccessible1 but when thou shadest ,the
 full blaze of thy beams1 and1 through a
 cloud ,drawn round about thee like a   
radiant shrine1 ,dark with excessive    
bright thy skirts appear1 ,yet dazzle   
,heaven1 that brightest ,seraphim       
,approach not1 but with both wings veil 
their eyes4 ,thee next they sang of all 

creation first1 ,begotten ,son1 ,divine 
,similitude1 ,in whose conspicuous      
countenance1 without cloud ,made        
visible1 the ,almighty ,father shines1  
,whom else no creature can behold2 on   
thee ,impressed the effulgence of his   
glory abides1 ,transfused on thee his   
ample ,spirit rests4 ,he ,heaven of     
,heavens and all the ,powers therein ,by
 thee created2 and by thee threw down   
,the aspiring ,dominations3 ,thou that  
day ,thy ,father's dreadful thunder     
didst not spare1 ,nor stop thy flaming  
chariot-wheels1 that shook ,heaven's    
everlasting frame1 while o'er the necks 
,thou drovest of warring ,angels        
disarrayed4 ,back from pursuit thy      
,powers with loud acclaim ,thee only    
extolled1 ,son of thy ,father's might1  
,to execute fierce vengeance on his     
foes1 ,not so on ,man3 ,him through     
their malice fallen1 ,father of mercy   
and grace1 thou didst not doom ,so      
strictly1 but much more to pity incline3
 ,no sooner did thy dear and only ,son  

,perceive thee purposed not to doom     
frail ,man ,so strictly1 but much more  
to pity inclined1 ,he to appease thy    
wrath1 and end the strife ,of mercy and 
justice in thy face discerned1          
,regardless of the bliss wherein he sat 
,second to thee1 offered himself to die 
,for ,man's offence4 ,o unexampled love1
 ,love no where to be found less than   
,divine6 ,hail1 ,son of ,god1 ,saviour  
of ,men6 ,thy name ,shall be the copious
 matter of my song ,henceforth1 and     
never shall my heart thy praise ,forget1
 nor from thy ,father's praise disjoin4 
,thus they in ,heaven1 above the starry 
sphere1 ,their happy hours in joy and   
hymning spent4 ,mean while upon the firm
 opacous globe ,of this round world1    
whose first convex divides ,the luminous
 inferiour orbs1 enclosed ,from ,chaos1 
and the inroad of ,darkness old1 ,satan 
alighted walks3 ,a globe far off ,it    
seemed1 now seems a boundless continent 
,dark1 waste1 and wild1 under the frown 
of ,night ,starless exposed1 and        

ever-threatening storms ,of ,chaos      
blustering round1 inclement sky2 ,save  
on that side which from the wall of     
,heaven1 ,though distant far1 some small
 reflection gains ,of glimmering air    
less vexed with tempest loud3 ,here     
walked the ,fiend at large in spacious  
field4 ,as when a vultur on ,imaus bred1
 ,whose snowy ridge the roving ,tartar  
bounds1 ,dislodging from a region scarce
 of prey ,to gorge the flesh of lambs or
 yeanling kids1 ,on hills where flocks  
are fed1 flies toward the springs ,of   
,ganges or ,hydaspes1 ,indian streams2  
,but in his way lights on the barren    
plains ,of ,sericana1 where ,chineses   
drive ,with sails and wind their cany   
waggons light3 ,so1 on this windy sea of
 land1 the ,fiend ,walked up and down   
alone1 bent on his prey2 ,alone1 for    
other creature in this place1 ,living or
 lifeless1 to be found was none2 ,none  
yet1 but store hereafter from the earth 
,up hither like aereal vapours flew ,of 
all things transitory and vain1 when sin

 ,with vanity had filled the works of   
men3 ,both all things vain1 and all who 
in vain things ,built their fond hopes  
of glory or lasting fame1 ,or happiness 
in this or the other life2 ,all who have
 their reward on earth1 the fruits ,of  
painful superstition and blind zeal1    
,nought seeking but the praise of men1  
here find ,fit retribution1 empty as    
their deeds2 ,all the unaccomplished    
works of ,nature's hand1 ,abortive1     
monstrous1 or unkindly mixed1 ,dissolved
 on earth1 fleet hither1 and in vain1   
,till final dissolution1 wander here2   
,not in the neighbouring moon as some   
have dreamed2 ,those argent fields more 
likely habitants1 ,translated ,saints1  
or middle ,spirits hold ,betwixt the    
angelical and human kind4 ,hither of    
ill-joined sons and daughters born      
,first from the ancient world those     
giants came ,with many a vain exploit1  
though then renowned3 ,the builders next
 of ,babel on the plain ,of ,sennaar1   
and still with vain design1 ,new        

,babels1 had they wherewithal1 would    
build3 ,others came single2 he1 who1 to 
be deemed ,a ,god1 leaped fondly into   
,aetna flames1 ,empedocles2 and he1 who1
 to enjoy ,plato's ,elysium1 leaped into
 the sea1 ,cleombrotus2 and many more   
too long1 ,embryos1 and idiots1         
eremites1 and friars ,white1 black1 and 
gray1 with all their trumpery4 ,here    
pilgrims roam1 that strayed so far to   
seek ,in ,golgotha him dead1 who lives  
in ,heaven2 ,and they1 who to be sure of
 ,paradise1 ,dying1 put on the weeds of 
,dominick1 ,or in ,franciscan think to  
pass disguised2 ,they pass the planets  
seven1 and pass the fixed1 ,and that    
crystalline sphere whose balance weighs 
,the trepidation talked1 and that first 
moved2 ,and now ,saint ,peter at        
,heaven's wicket seems ,to wait them    
with his keys1 and now at foot ,of      
,heaven's ascent they lift their feet1  
when lo ,a violent cross wind from      
either coast ,blows them transverse1 ten
 thousand leagues awry ,into the devious

 air3 ,then might ye see ,cowls1 hoods1 
and habits1 with their wearers1 tost    
,and fluttered into rags2 then reliques1
 beads1 ,indulgences1 dispenses1        
pardons1 bulls1 ,the sport of winds3    
,all these1 upwhirled aloft1 ,fly o'er  
the backside of the world far off ,into 
a ,limbo large and broad1 since called  
,the ,paradise of ,fools1 to few unknown
 ,long after2 now unpeopled1 and untrod4
 ,all this dark globe the ,fiend found  
as he passed1 ,and long he wandered1    
till at last a gleam ,of dawning light  
turned thither-ward in haste ,his       
travelled steps3 far distant he descries
 ,ascending by degrees magnificent ,up  
to the wall of ,heaven a structure high2
 ,at top whereof1 but far more rich1    
appeared ,the work as of a kingly       
palace-gate1 ,with frontispiece of      
diamond and gold ,embellished2 thick    
with sparkling orient gems ,the portal  
shone1 inimitable on earth ,by model1 or
 by shading pencil1 drawn4 ,these stairs
 were such as whereon ,jacob saw ,angels

 ascending and descending1 bands ,of    
guardians bright1 when he from ,esau    
fled ,to ,padan-,aram1 in the field of  
,luz ,dreaming by night under the open  
sky ,and waking cried1 ,this is the gate
 of ,heaven4 ,each stair mysteriously   
was meant1 nor stood ,there always1 but 
drawn up to ,heaven sometimes ,viewless2
 and underneath a bright sea flowed ,of 
jasper1 or of liquid pearl1 whereon ,who
 after came from earth1 failing arrived 
,wafted by ,angels1 or flew o'er the    
lake ,rapt in a chariot drawn by fiery  
steeds4 ,the stairs were then let down1 
whether to dare ,the ,fiend by easy     
ascent1 or aggravate ,his sad exclusion 
from the doors of bliss3 ,direct against
 which opened from beneath1 ,just o'er  
the blissful seat of ,paradise1 ,a      
passage down to the ,earth1 a passage   
wide1 ,wider by far than that of        
after-times ,over mount ,sion1 and1     
though that were large1 ,over the       
,promised ,land to ,god so dear2 ,by    
which1 to visit oft those happy tribes1 

,on high behests his angels to and fro  
,passed frequent1 and his eye with      
choice regard ,from ,paneas1 the fount  
of ,jordan's flood1 ,to ,beersaba1 where
 the ,holy ,land ,borders on ,egypt and 
the ,arabian shore2 ,so wide the opening
 seemed1 where bounds were set ,to      
darkness1 such as bound the ocean wave4 
,satan from hence1 now on the lower     
stair1 ,that scaled by steps of gold to 
,heaven-gate1 ,looks down with wonder at
 the sudden view ,of all this world at  
once4 ,as when a scout1 ,through dark   
and desert ways with peril gone ,all    
night2 at last by break of cheerful dawn
 ,obtains the brow of some high-climbing
 hill1 ,which to his eye discovers      
unaware ,the goodly prospect of some    
foreign land ,first seen1 or some       
renowned metropolis ,with glistering    
spires and pinnacles adorned1 ,which now
 the rising sun gilds with his beams3   
,such wonder seised1 though after       
,heaven seen1 ,the ,spirit malign1 but  
much more envy seised1 ,at sight of all 

this world beheld so fair4 ,round he    
surveys 7and well might1 where he stood 
,so high above the circling canopy ,of  
night's extended shade17 from eastern   
point ,of ,libra to the fleecy star that
 bears ,andromeda far off ,atlantick    
seas ,beyond the horizon2 then from pole
 to pole ,he views in breadth1 and      
without longer pause ,down right into   
the world's first region throws ,his    
flight precipitant1 and winds with ease 
,through the pure marble air his oblique
 way ,amongst innumerable stars1 that   
shone ,stars distant1 but nigh hand     
seemed other worlds2 ,or other worlds   
they seemed1 or happy isles1 ,like those
 ,hesperian gardens famed of old1       
,fortunate fields1 and groves1 and      
flowery vales1 ,thrice happy isles2 but 
who dwelt happy there ,he staid not to  
inquire3 ,above them all ,the golden    
sun1 in splendour likest ,heaven1       
,allured his eye2 thither his course he 
bends ,through the calm firmament1 7but 
up or down1 ,by center1 or eccentrick1  

hard to tell1 ,or longitude17 where the 
great luminary ,aloof the vulgar        
constellations thick1 ,that from his    
lordly eye keep distance due1 ,dispenses
 light from far2 they1 as they move     
,their starry dance in numbers that     
compute ,days1 months1 and years1       
towards his all-cheering lamp ,turn     
swift their various motions1 or are     
turned ,by his magnetick beam1 that     
gently warms ,the universe1 and to each 
inward part ,with gentle penetration1   
though unseen1 ,shoots invisible virtue 
even to the deep2 ,so wonderously was   
set his station bright4 ,there lands the
 ,fiend1 a spot like which perhaps      
,astronomer in the sun's lucent orb     
,through his glazed optick tube yet     
never saw4 ,the place he found beyond   
expression bright1 ,compared with aught 
on earth1 metal or stone2 ,not all parts
 like1 but all alike informed ,with     
radiant light1 as glowing iron with     
fire2 ,if metal1 part seemed gold1 part 
silver clear2 ,if stone1 carbuncle most 

or chrysolite1 ,ruby or topaz1 to the   
twelve that shone ,in ,aaron's          
breast-plate1 and a stone besides       
,imagined rather oft than elsewhere     
seen1 ,that stone1 or like to that which
 here below ,philosophers in vain so    
long have sought1 ,in vain1 though by   
their powerful art they bind ,volatile  
,hermes1 and call up unbound ,in various
 shapes old ,proteus from the sea1      
,drained through a limbeck to his native
 form4 ,what wonder then if fields and  
regions here ,breathe forth ,elixir     
pure1 and rivers run ,potable gold1 when
 with one virtuous touch ,the           
arch-chemick sun1 so far from us remote1
 ,produces1 with terrestrial humour     
mixed1 ,here in the dark so many        
precious things ,of colour glorious1 and
 effect so rare8 ,here matter new to    
gaze the ,devil met ,undazzled2 far and 
wide his eye commands2 ,for sight no    
obstacle found here1 nor shade1 ,but all
 sun-shine1 as when his beams at noon   
,culminate from the equator1 as they now

 ,shot upward still direct1 whence no   
way round ,shadow from body opaque can  
fall2 and the air1 ,no where so clear1  
sharpened his visual ray ,to objects    
distant far1 whereby he soon ,saw within
 ken a glorious ,angel stand1 ,the same 
whom ,john saw also in the sun3 ,his    
back was turned1 but not his brightness 
hid2 ,of beaming sunny rays a golden    
tiar ,circled his head1 nor less his    
locks behind ,illustrious on his        
shoulders fledge with wings ,lay waving 
round2 on some great charge employed ,he
 seemed1 or fixed in cogitation deep4   
,glad was the ,spirit impure1 as now in 
hope ,to find who might direct his      
wandering flight ,to ,paradise1 the     
happy seat of ,man1 ,his journey's end  
and our beginning woe4 ,but first he    
casts to change his proper shape1 ,which
 else might work him danger or delay3   
,and now a stripling ,cherub he appears1
 ,not of the prime1 yet such as in his  
face ,youth smiled celestial1 and to    
every limb ,suitable grace diffused1 so 

well he feigned3 ,under a coronet his   
flowing hair ,in curls on either cheek  
played2 wings he wore ,of many a        
coloured plume1 sprinkled with gold2    
,his habit fit for speed succinct1 and  
held ,before his decent steps a silver  
wand4 ,he drew not nigh unheard2 the    
,angel bright1 ,ere he drew nigh1 his   
radiant visage turned1 ,admonished by   
his ear1 and straight was known ,the    
,arch-,angel ,uriel1 one of the seven   
,who in ,god's presence1 nearest to his 
throne1 ,stand ready at command1 and are
 his eyes ,that run through all the     
,heavens1 or down to the ,earth ,bear   
his swift errands over moist and dry1   
,o'er sea and land3 him ,satan thus     
accosts4 ,uriel1 for thou of those seven
 ,spirits that stand ,in sight of ,god's
 high throne1 gloriously bright1 ,the   
first art wont his great authentick will
 ,interpreter through highest ,heaven to
 bring1 ,where all his sons thy embassy 
attend2 ,and here art likeliest by      
supreme decree ,like honour to obtain1  

and as his eye ,to visit oft this new   
creation round2 ,unspeakable desire to  
see1 and know ,all these his wonderous  
works1 but chiefly ,man1 ,his chief     
delight and favour1 him for whom ,all   
these his works so wonderous he         
ordained1 ,hath brought me from the     
quires of ,cherubim ,alone thus         
wandering4 ,brightest ,seraph1 tell ,in 
which of all these shining orbs hath    
,man ,his fixed seat1 or fixed seat hath
 none1 ,but all these shining orbs his  
choice to dwell2 ,that ,i may find him1 
and with secret gaze ,or open admiration
 him behold1 ,on whom the great ,creator
 hath bestowed ,worlds1 and on whom hath
 all these graces poured2 ,that both in 
him and all things1 as is meet1 ,the    
universal ,maker we may praise2 ,who    
justly hath driven out his rebel foes   
,to deepest ,hell1 and1 to repair that  
loss1 ,created this new happy race of   
,men ,to serve him better3 ,wise are all
 his ways4 ,so spake the false          
dissembler unperceived2 ,for neither    

,man nor ,angel can discern ,hypocrisy1 
the only evil that walks ,invisible1    
except to ,god alone1 ,by his permissive
 will1 through ,heaven and ,earth3 ,and 
oft1 though wisdom wake1 suspicion      
sleeps ,at wisdom's gate1 and to        
simplicity ,resigns her charge1 while   
goodness thinks no ill ,where no ill    
seems3 ,which now for once beguiled     
,uriel1 though regent of the sun1 and   
held ,the sharpest-sighted ,spirit of   
all in ,heaven2 ,who to the fraudulent  
impostor foul1 ,in his uprightness1     
answer thus returned4 ,fair ,angel1 thy 
desire1 which tends to know ,the works  
of ,god1 thereby to glorify ,the great  
,work-master1 leads to no excess ,that  
reaches blame1 but rather merits praise 
,the more it seems excess1 that led thee
 hither ,from thy empyreal mansion thus 
alone1 ,to witness with thine eyes what 
some perhaps1 ,contented with report1   
hear only in ,heaven3 ,for wonderful    
indeed are all his works1 ,pleasant to  
know1 and worthiest to be all ,had in   

remembrance always with delight2 ,but   
what created mind can comprehend ,their 
number1 or the wisdom infinite ,that    
brought them forth1 but hid their causes
 deep8 ,i saw when at his word the      
formless mass1 ,this world's material   
mould1 came to a heap3 ,confusion heard 
his voice1 and wild uproar ,stood ruled1
 stood vast infinitude confined2 ,till  
at his second bidding ,darkness fled1   
,light shone1 and order from disorder   
sprung3 ,swift to their several quarters
 hasted then ,the cumbrous elements1    
earth1 flood1 air1 fire2 ,and this      
ethereal quintessence of ,heaven ,flew  
upward1 spirited with various forms1    
,that rolled orbicular1 and turned to   
stars ,numberless1 as thou seest1 and   
how they move2 ,each had his place      
appointed1 each his course2 ,the rest in
 circuit walls this universe4 ,look     
downward on that globe1 whose hither    
side ,with light from hence1 though but 
reflected1 shines2 ,that place is       
,earth1 the seat of ,man2 that light    

,his day1 which else1 as the other      
hemisphere1 ,night would invade2 but    
there the neighbouring moon 7,so call   
that opposite fair star7 her aid ,timely
 interposes1 and her monthly round      
,still ending1 still renewing1 through  
mid ,heaven1 ,with borrowed light her   
countenance triform ,hence fills and    
empties to enlighten the ,earth1 ,and in
 her pale dominion checks the night4    
,that spot1 to which ,i point1 is       
,paradise1 ,adam's abode2 those lofty   
shades1 his bower4 ,thy way thou canst  
not miss1 me mine requires4 ,thus said1 
he turned2 and ,satan1 bowing low1 ,as  
to superiour ,spirits is wont in        
,heaven1 ,where honour due and reverence
 none neglects1 ,took leave1 and toward 
the coast of earth beneath1 ,down from  
the ecliptick1 sped with hoped success1 
,throws his steep flight in many an aery
 wheel2 ,nor staid1 till on ,niphates'  
top he lights4     ,book ,,iv   ,o1 for 
that warning voice1 which he1 who saw   
,the ,apocalypse1 heard cry in ,heaven  

aloud1 ,then when the ,dragon1 put to   
second rout1 ,came furious down to be   
revenged on men1 ,woe to the inhabitants
 on earth6 that now1 ,while time was1   
our first parents had been warned ,the  
coming of their secret foe1 and 'scaped1
 ,haply so 'scaped his mortal snare3    
,for now ,satan1 now first inflamed with
 rage1 came down1 ,the tempter ere the  
accuser of mankind1 ,to wreak on        
innocent frail ,man his loss ,of that   
first battle1 and his flight to ,hell3  
,yet1 not rejoicing in his speed1 though
 bold ,far off and fearless1 nor with   
cause to boast1 ,begins his dire        
attempt2 which nigh the birth ,now      
rolling boils in his tumultuous breast1 
,and like a devilish engine back recoils
 ,upon himself2 horrour and doubt       
distract ,his troubled thoughts1 and    
from the bottom stir ,the ,hell within  
him2 for within him ,hell ,he brings1   
and round about him1 nor from ,hell ,one
 step1 no more than from himself1 can   
fly ,by change of place3 ,now conscience

 wakes despair1 ,that slumbered2 wakes  
the bitter memory ,of what he was1 what 
is1 and what must be ,worse2 of worse   
deeds worse sufferings must ensue4      
,sometimes towards ,eden1 which now in  
his view ,lay pleasant1 his grieved look
 he fixes sad2 ,sometimes towards       
,heaven1 and the full-blazing sun1      
,which now sat high in his meridian     
tower3 ,then1 much revolving1 thus in   
sighs began4 ,o thou1 that1 with        
surpassing glory crowned1 ,lookest from 
thy sole dominion like the ,god ,of this
 new world2 at whose sight all the stars
 ,hide their diminished heads2 to thee  
,i call1 ,but with no friendly voice1   
and add thy name1 ,of ,sun6 to tell thee
 how ,i hate thy beams1 ,that bring to  
my remembrance from what state ,i fell1 
how glorious once above thy sphere2     
,till pride and worse ambition threw me 
down ,warring in ,heaven against        
,heaven's matchless ,king3 ,ah1         
wherefore6 he deserved no such return   
,from me1 whom he created what ,i was   

,in that bright eminence1 and with his  
good ,upbraided none2 nor was his       
service hard4 ,what could be less than  
to afford him praise1 ,the easiest      
recompence1 and pay him thanks1 ,how    
due6 yet all his good proved ill in me1 
,and wrought but malice2 lifted up so   
high ,i 'sdeined subjection1 and thought
 one step higher ,would set me highest1 
and in a moment quit ,the debt immense  
of endless gratitude1 ,so burdensome    
still paying1 still to owe1 ,forgetful  
what from him ,i still received1 ,and   
understood not that a grateful mind ,by 
owing owes not1 but still pays1 at once 
,indebted and discharged2 what burden   
then ,o1 had his powerful destiny       
ordained ,me some inferiour ,angel1 ,i  
had stood ,then happy2 no unbounded hope
 had raised ,ambition6 ,yet why not some
 other ,power ,as great might have      
aspired1 and me1 though mean1 ,drawn to 
his part2 but other ,powers as great    
,fell not1 but stand unshaken1 from     
within ,or from without1 to all         

temptations armed4 ,hadst thou the same 
free will and power to stand8 ,thou     
hadst3 whom hast thou then or what to   
accuse1 ,but ,heaven's free love dealt  
equally to all8 ,be then his love       
accursed1 since love or hate1 ,to me    
alike1 it deals eternal woe4 ,nay1      
cursed be thou2 since against his thy   
will ,chose freely what it now so justly
 rues4 ,me miserable6 which way shall ,i
 fly ,infinite wrath1 and infinite      
despair8 ,which way ,i fly is ,hell2    
myself am ,hell2 ,and1 in the lowest    
deep1 a lower deep ,still threatening to
 devour me opens wide1 ,to which the    
,hell ,i suffer seems a ,heaven4 ,o1    
then1 at last relent3 ,is there no place
 ,left for repentance1 none for pardon  
left8 ,none left but by submission2 and 
that word ,disdain forbids me1 and my   
dread of shame ,among the ,spirits      
beneath1 whom ,i seduced ,with other    
promises and other vaunts ,than to      
submit1 boasting ,i could subdue ,the   
,omnipotent4 ,ay me6 they little know   

,how dearly ,i abide that boast so vain1
 ,under what torments inwardly ,i groan1
 ,while they adore me on the throne of  
,hell4 ,with diadem and scepter high    
advanced1 ,the lower still ,i fall1 only
 supreme ,in misery3 ,such joy ambition 
finds4 ,but say ,i could repent1 and    
could obtain1 ,by act of grace1 my      
former state2 how soon ,would highth    
recall high thoughts1 how soon unsay    
,what feigned submission swore8 ,ease   
would recant ,vows made in pain1 as     
violent and void4 ,for never can true   
reconcilement grow1 ,where wounds of    
deadly hate have pierced so deep3 ,which
 would but lead me to a worse relapse   
,and heavier fall3 so should ,i purchase
 dear ,short intermission bought with   
double smart4 ,this knows my ,punisher2 
therefore as far ,from granting he1 as  
,i from begging1 peace2 ,all hope       
excluded thus1 behold1 instead ,of us   
out-cast1 exil'd1 his new delight1      
,mankind created1 and for him this      
world4 ,so farewell1 hope2 and with hope

 farewell1 fear2 ,farewell1 remorse6 all
 good to me is lost2 ,evil1 be thou my  
good2 by thee at least ,divided empire  
with ,heaven's ,king ,i hold1 ,by thee1 
and more than half perhaps will reign2  
,as ,man ere long1 and this new world1  
shall know4 ,thus while he spake1 each  
passion dimmed his face ,thrice changed 
with pale1 ire1 envy1 and despair2      
,which marred his borrowed visage1 and  
betrayed ,him counterfeit1 if any eye   
beheld4 ,for heavenly minds from such   
distempers foul ,are ever clear4        
,whereof he soon aware1 ,each           
perturbation smoothed with outward calm1
 ,artificer of fraud2 and was the first 
,that practised falsehood under saintly 
show1 ,deep malice to conceal1 couched  
with revenge3 ,yet not enough had       
practised to deceive ,uriel once warned2
 whose eye pursued him down ,the way he 
went1 and on the ,assyrian mount ,saw   
him disfigured1 more than could befall  
,spirit of happy sort2 his gestures     
fierce ,he marked and mad demeanour1    

then alone1 ,as he supposed1 all        
unobserved1 unseen4 ,so on he fares1 and
 to the border comes ,of ,eden1 where   
delicious ,paradise1 ,now nearer1 crowns
 with her enclosure green1 ,as with a   
rural mound1 the champaign head ,of a   
steep wilderness1 whose hairy sides     
,with thicket overgrown1 grotesque and  
wild1 ,access denied2 and overhead      
upgrew ,insuperable height of loftiest  
shade1 ,cedar1 and pine1 and fir1 and   
branching palm1 ,a sylvan scene1 and1 as
 the ranks ascend1 ,shade above shade1 a
 woody theatre ,of stateliest view4 ,yet
 higher than their tops ,the verdurous  
wall of ,paradise upsprung2 ,which to   
our general sire gave prospect large    
,into his nether empire neighbouring    
round4 ,and higher than that wall a     
circling row ,of goodliest trees1 loaden
 with fairest fruit1 ,blossoms and      
fruits at once of golden hue1 ,appeared1
 with gay enamelled colours mixed3 ,on  
which the sun more glad impressed his   
beams ,than in fair evening cloud1 or   

humid bow1 ,when ,god hath showered the 
earth2 so lovely seemed ,that landskip3 
,and of pure now purer air ,meets his   
approach1 and to the heart inspires     
,vernal delight and joy1 able to drive  
,all sadness but despair3 ,now gentle   
gales1 ,fanning their odoriferous wings1
 dispense ,native perfumes1 and whisper 
whence they stole ,those balmy spoils4  
,as when to them who fail ,beyond the   
,cape of ,hope1 and now are past        
,mozambick1 off at sea north-east winds 
blow ,sabean odours from the spicy shore
 ,of ,araby the blest2 with such delay  
,well pleased they slack their course1  
and many a league ,cheered with the     
grateful smell old ,ocean smiles3 ,so   
entertained those odorous sweets the    
,fiend1 ,who came their bane2 though    
with them better pleased ,than ,asmodeus
 with the fishy fume ,that drove him1   
though enamoured1 from the spouse ,of   
,tobit's son1 and with a vengeance sent 
,from ,media post to ,egypt1 there fast 
bound4 ,now to the ascent of that steep 

savage hill ,satan had journeyed on1    
pensive and slow2 ,but further way found
 none1 so thick entwined1 ,as one       
continued brake1 the undergrowth ,of    
shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed
 ,all path of man or beast that passed  
that way4 ,one gate there only was1 and 
that looked east ,on the other side3    
which when the arch-felon saw1 ,due     
entrance he disdained2 and1 in contempt1
 ,at one flight bound high over-leaped  
all bound ,of hill or highest wall1 and 
sheer within ,lights on his feet4 ,as   
when a prowling wolf1 ,whom hunger      
drives to seek new haunt for prey1      
,watching where shepherds pen their     
flocks at eve ,in hurdled cotes amid the
 field secure1 ,leaps o'er the fence    
with ease into the fold3 ,or as a thief1
 bent to unhoard the cash ,of some rich 
burgher1 whose substantial doors1       
,cross-barred and bolted fast1 fear no  
assault1 ,in at the window climbs1 or   
o'er the tiles3 ,so clomb this first    
grand thief into ,god's fold2 ,so since 

into his church lewd hirelings climb4   
,thence up he flew1 and on the tree of  
life1 ,the middle tree and highest there
 that grew1 ,sat like a cormorant2 yet  
not true life ,thereby regained1 but sat
 devising death ,to them who lived2 nor 
on the virtue thought ,of that          
life-giving plant1 but only used ,for   
prospect1 what well used had been the   
pledge ,of immortality4 ,so little knows
 ,any1 but ,god alone1 to value right   
,the good before him1 but perverts best 
things ,to worst abuse1 or to their     
meanest use4 ,beneath him with new      
wonder now he views1 ,to all delight of 
human sense exposed1 ,in narrow room1   
,nature's whole wealth1 yea more1 ,a    
,heaven on ,earth3 ,for blissful        
,paradise ,of ,god the garden was1 by   
him in the east ,of ,eden planted2 ,eden
 stretched her line ,from ,auran        
eastward to the royal towers ,of great  
,seleucia1 built by ,grecian kings1 ,or 
where the sons of ,eden long before     
,dwelt in ,telassar3 ,in this pleasant  

soil ,his far more pleasant garden ,god 
ordained2 ,out of the fertile ground he 
caused to grow ,all trees of noblest    
kind for sight1 smell1 taste2 ,and all  
amid them stood the tree of life1 ,high 
eminent1 blooming ambrosial fruit ,of   
vegetable gold2 and next to life1 ,our  
death1 the tree of knowledge1 grew fast 
by1 ,knowledge of good bought dear by   
knowing ill4 ,southward through ,eden   
went a river large1 ,nor changed his    
course1 but through the shaggy hill     
,passed underneath ingulfed2 for ,god   
had thrown ,that mountain as his        
garden-mould high raised ,upon the rapid
 current1 which1 through veins ,of      
porous earth with kindly thirst         
up-drawn1 ,rose a fresh fountain1 and   
with many a rill ,watered the garden2   
thence united fell ,down the steep      
glade1 and met the nether flood1 ,which 
from his darksome passage now appears1  
,and now1 divided into four main        
streams1 ,runs diverse1 wandering many a
 famous realm ,and country1 whereof here

 needs no account2 ,but rather to tell  
how1 if ,art could tell1 ,how from that 
sapphire fount the crisped brooks1      
,rolling on orient pearl and sands of   
gold1 ,with mazy errour under pendant   
shades ,ran nectar1 visiting each plant1
 and fed ,flowers worthy of ,paradise1  
which not nice ,art ,in beds and curious
 knots1 but ,nature boon ,poured forth  
profuse on hill1 and dale1 and plain1   
,both where the morning sun first warmly
 smote ,the open field1 and where the   
unpierced shade ,imbrowned the noontide 
bowers3 ,thus was this place ,a happy   
rural seat of various view2 ,groves     
whose rich trees wept odorous gums and  
balm1 ,others whose fruit1 burnished    
with golden rind1 ,hung amiable1        
,hesperian fables true1 ,if true1 here  
only1 and of delicious taste3 ,betwixt  
them lawns1 or level downs1 and flocks  
,grazing the tender herb1 were          
interposed1 ,or palmy hillock2 or the   
flowery lap ,of some irriguous valley   
spread her store1 ,flowers of all hue1  

and without thorn the rose3 ,another    
side1 umbrageous grots and caves ,of    
cool recess1 o'er which the mantling    
vine ,lays forth her purple grape1 and  
gently creeps ,luxuriant2 mean while    
murmuring waters fall ,down the slope   
hills1 dispersed1 or in a lake1 ,that to
 the fringed bank with myrtle crowned   
,her crystal mirrour holds1 unite their 
streams4 ,the birds their quire apply2  
airs1 vernal airs1 ,breathing the smell 
of field and grove1 attune ,the         
trembling leaves1 while universal ,pan1 
,knit with the ,graces and the ,hours in
 dance1 ,led on the eternal ,spring4    
,not that fair field ,of ,enna1 where   
,proserpine gathering flowers1 ,herself 
a fairer flower by gloomy ,dis ,was     
gathered1 which cost ,ceres all that    
pain ,to seek her through the world2 nor
 that sweet grove ,of ,daphne by        
,orontes1 and the inspired ,castalian   
spring1 might with this ,paradise ,of   
,eden strive2 nor that ,nyseian isle    
,girt with the river ,triton1 where old 

,cham1 ,whom ,gentiles ,ammon call and  
,libyan ,jove1 ,hid ,amalthea1 and her  
florid son ,young ,bacchus1 from his    
stepdame ,rhea's eye2 ,nor where        
,abassin kings their issue guard1 ,mount
 ,amara1 though this by some supposed   
,true ,paradise under the ,ethiop line  
,by ,nilus' head1 enclosed with shining 
rock1 ,a whole day's journey high1 but  
wide remote ,from this ,assyrian garden1
 where the ,fiend ,saw1 undelighted1 all
 delight1 all kind ,of living creatures1
 new to sight1 and strange ,two of far  
nobler shape1 erect and tall1 ,godlike  
erect1 with native honour clad ,in naked
 majesty seemed lords of all3 ,and      
worthy seemed2 for in their looks divine
 ,the image of their glorious ,maker    
shone1 ,truth1 wisdom1 sanctitude severe
 and pure1 7,severe1 but in true filial 
freedom placed17 ,whence true authority 
in men2 though both ,not equal1 as their
 sex not equal seemed2 ,for             
contemplation he and valour formed2 ,for
 softness she and sweet attractive      

grace2 ,he for ,god only1 she for ,god  
in him3 ,his fair large front and eye   
sublime declared ,absolute rule2 and    
hyacinthine locks ,round from his parted
 forelock manly hung ,clustering1 but   
not beneath his shoulders broad3 ,she1  
as a veil1 down to the slender waist    
,her unadorned golden tresses wore      
,dishevelled1 but in wanton ringlets    
waved ,as the vine curls her tendrils1  
which implied ,subjection1 but required 
with gentle sway1 ,and by her yielded1  
by him best received1 ,yielded with coy 
submission1 modest pride1 ,and sweet1   
reluctant1 amorous delay4 ,nor those    
mysterious parts were then concealed2   
,then was not guilty shame1 dishonest   
shame ,of nature's works1 honour        
dishonourable1 ,sin-bred1 how have ye   
troubled all mankind ,with shows        
instead1 mere shows of seeming pure1    
,and banished from man's life his       
happiest life1 ,simplicity and spotless 
innocence6 ,so passed they naked on1 nor
 shunned the sight ,of ,god or ,angel2  

for they thought no ill3 ,so hand in    
hand they passed1 the loveliest pair1   
,that ever since in love's embraces met2
 ,adam the goodliest man of men since   
born ,his sons1 the fairest of her      
daughters ,eve4 ,under a tuft of shade  
that on a green ,stood whispering soft1 
by a fresh fountain side ,they sat them 
down2 and1 after no more toil ,of their 
sweet gardening labour than sufficed ,to
 recommend cool ,zephyr1 and made ease  
,more easy1 wholesome thirst and        
appetite ,more grateful1 to their       
supper-fruits they fell1 ,nectarine     
fruits which the compliant boughs       
,yielded them1 side-long as they sat    
recline ,on the soft downy bank damasked
 with flowers3 ,the savoury pulp they   
chew1 and in the rind1 ,still as they   
thirsted1 scoop the brimming stream2    
,nor gentle purpose1 nor endearing      
smiles ,wanted1 nor youthful dalliance1 
as beseems ,fair couple1 linked in happy
 nuptial league1 ,alone as they4 ,about 
them frisking played ,all beasts of the 

earth1 since wild1 and of all chase ,in 
wood or wilderness1 forest or den2      
,sporting the lion ramped1 and in his   
paw ,dandled the kid2 bears1 tigers1    
ounces1 pards1 ,gambolled before them2  
the unwieldy elephant1 ,to make them    
mirth1 used all his might1 and wreathed 
,his lithe proboscis2 close the serpent 
sly1 ,insinuating1 wove with ,gordian   
twine ,his braided train1 and of his    
fatal guile ,gave proof unheeded2 others
 on the grass ,couched1 and now filled  
with pasture gazing sat1 ,or bedward    
ruminating2 for the sun1 ,declined1 was 
hasting now with prone career ,to the   
ocean isles1 and in the ascending scale 
,of ,heaven the stars that usher evening
 rose3 ,when ,satan still in gaze1 as   
first he stood1 ,scarce thus at length  
failed speech recovered sad4 ,o ,hell6  
what do mine eyes with grief behold6    
,into our room of bliss thus high       
advanced ,creatures of other mould1     
earth-born perhaps1 ,not ,spirits1 yet  
to heavenly ,spirits bright ,little     

inferiour2 whom my thoughts pursue ,with
 wonder1 and could love1 so lively      
shines ,in them divine resemblance1 and 
such grace ,the hand that formed them on
 their shape hath poured4 ,ah6 gentle   
pair1 ye little think how nigh ,your    
change approaches1 when all these       
delights ,will vanish1 and deliver ye to
 woe2 ,more woe1 the more your taste is 
now of joy2 ,happy1 but for so happy ill
 secured ,long to continue1 and this    
high seat your ,heaven ,ill fenced for  
,heaven to keep out such a foe ,as now  
is entered2 yet no purposed foe ,to you1
 whom ,i could pity thus forlorn1       
,though ,i unpitied3 ,league with you ,i
 seek1 ,and mutual amity1 so strait1 so 
close1 ,that ,i with you must dwell1 or 
you with me ,henceforth2 my dwelling    
haply may not please1 ,like this fair   
,paradise1 your sense2 yet such ,accept 
your ,maker's work2 he gave it me1      
,which ,i as freely give3 ,hell shall   
unfold1 ,to entertain you two1 her      
widest gates1 ,and send forth all her   

kings2 there will be room1 ,not like    
these narrow limits1 to receive ,your   
numerous offspring2 if no better place1 
,thank him who puts me loth to this     
revenge ,on you who wrong me not for him
 who wronged4 ,and should ,i at your    
harmless innocence ,melt1 as ,i do1 yet 
publick reason just1 ,honour and empire 
with revenge enlarged1 ,by conquering   
this new world1 compels me now ,to do   
what else1 though damned1 ,i should     
abhor4 ,so spake the ,fiend1 and with   
necessity1 ,the tyrant's plea1 excused  
his devilish deeds4 ,then from his lofty
 stand on that high tree ,down he       
alights among the sportful herd ,of     
those four-footed kinds1 himself now    
one1 ,now other1 as their shape served  
best his end ,nearer to view his prey1  
and1 unespied1 ,to mark what of their   
state he more might learn1 ,by word or  
action marked4 ,about them round ,a lion
 now he stalks with fiery glare2 ,then  
as a tiger1 who by chance hath spied ,in
 some purlieu two gentle fawns at play1 

,straight couches close1 then1 rising1  
changes oft ,his couchant watch1 as one 
who chose his ground1 ,whence rushing1  
he might surest seize them both1 ,griped
 in each paw3 when1 ,adam first of men  
,to first of women ,eve thus moving     
speech1 ,turned him1 all ear to hear new
 utterance flow4 ,sole partner1 and sole
 part1 of all these joys1 ,dearer       
thyself than all2 needs must the ,power 
,that made us1 and for us this ample    
world1 ,be infinitely good1 and of his  
good ,as liberal and free as infinite2  
,that raised us from the dust1 and      
placed us here ,in all this happiness1  
who at his hand ,have nothing merited1  
nor can perform ,aught whereof he hath  
need2 he who requires ,from us no other 
service than to keep ,this one1 this    
easy charge1 of all the trees ,in       
,paradise that bear delicious fruit ,so 
various1 not to taste that only tree ,of
 knowledge1 planted by the tree of life2
 ,so near grows death to life1 whate'er 
death is1 ,some dreadful thing no doubt2

 for well thou knowest ,god hath        
pronounced it death to taste that tree1 
,the only sign of our obedience left1   
,among so many signs of power and rule  
,conferred upon us1 and dominion given  
,over all other creatures that possess  
,earth1 air1 and sea4 ,then let us not  
think hard ,one easy prohibition1 who   
enjoy ,free leave so large to all things
 else1 and choice ,unlimited of manifold
 delights3 ,but let us ever praise him1 
and extol ,his bounty1 following our    
delightful task1 ,to prune these growing
 plants1 and tend these flowers1 ,which 
were it toilsome1 yet with thee were    
sweet4 ,to whom thus ,eve replied4 ,o   
thou for whom ,and from whom ,i was     
formed1 flesh of thy flesh1 ,and without
 whom am to no end1 my guide ,and head6 
what thou hast said is just and right4  
,for we to him indeed all praises owe1  
,and daily thanks2 ,i chiefly1 who enjoy
 ,so far the happier lot1 enjoying thee 
,pre-eminent by so much odds1 while thou
 ,like consort to thyself canst no where

 find4 ,that day ,i oft remember1 when  
from sleep ,i first awaked1 and found   
myself reposed ,under a shade on        
flowers1 much wondering where ,and what 
,i was1 whence thither brought1 and how4
 ,not distant far from thence a         
murmuring sound ,of waters issued from a
 cave1 and spread ,into a liquid plain1 
then stood unmoved ,pure as the expanse 
of ,heaven2 ,i thither went ,with       
unexperienced thought1 and laid me down 
,on the green bank1 to look into the    
clear ,smooth lake1 that to me seemed   
another sky4 ,as ,i bent down to look1  
just opposite ,a shape within the watery
 gleam appeared1 ,bending to look on me3
 ,i started back1 ,it started back2 but 
pleased ,i soon returned1 ,pleased it   
returned as soon with answering looks   
,of sympathy and love3 ,there ,i had    
fixed ,mine eyes till now1 and pined    
with vain desire1 ,had not a voice thus 
warned me2 8,what thou seest1 ,what     
there thou seest1 fair ,creature1 is    
thyself2 ,with thee it came and goes3   

but follow me1 ,and ,i will bring thee  
where no shadow stays ,thy coming1 and  
thy soft embraces1 he ,whose image thou 
art2 him thou shalt enjoy ,inseparably  
thine1 to him shalt bear ,multitudes    
like thyself1 and thence be called      
,mother of human race40 ,what could ,i  
do1 ,but follow straight1 invisibly thus
 led8 ,till ,i espied thee1 fair indeed 
and tall1 ,under a platane2 yet         
methought less fair1 ,less winning soft1
 less amiably mild1 ,than that smooth   
watery image3 ,back ,i turned2 ,thou    
following cryedst aloud1 8,return1 fair 
,eve2 ,whom flyest thou8 whom thou      
flyest1 of him thou art1 ,his flesh1 his
 bone2 to give thee being ,i lent ,out  
of my side to thee1 nearest my heart1   
,substantial life1 to have thee by my   
side ,henceforth an individual solace   
dear2 ,part of my soul ,i seek thee1 and
 thee claim ,my other half30 ,with that 
thy gentle hand ,seised mine3 ,i        
yielded2 and from that time see ,how    
beauty is excelled by manly grace1 ,and 

wisdom1 which alone is truly fair4 ,so  
spake our general mother1 and with eyes 
,of conjugal attraction unreproved1 ,and
 meek surrender1 half-embracing leaned  
,on our first father2 half her swelling 
breast ,naked met his1 under the flowing
 gold ,of her loose tresses hid3 he in  
delight ,both of her beauty1 and        
submissive charms1 ,smiled with         
superiour love1 as ,jupiter ,on ,juno   
smiles1 when he impregns the clouds     
,that shed ,mayflowers2 and pressed her 
matron lip ,with kisses pure3 ,aside the
 ,devil turned ,for envy2 yet with      
jealous leer malign ,eyed them askance1 
and to himself thus plained4 ,sight     
hateful1 sight tormenting6 thus these   
two1 ,imparadised in one another's arms1
 ,the happier ,eden1 shall enjoy their  
fill ,of bliss on bliss2 while ,i to    
,hell am thrust1 ,where neither joy nor 
love1 but fierce desire1 ,among our     
other torments not the least1 ,still    
unfulfilled with pain of longing pines4 
,yet let me not forget what ,i have     

gained ,from their own mouths3 ,all is  
not theirs1 it seems2 ,one fatal tree   
there stands1 of knowledge called1      
,forbidden them to taste3 ,knowledge    
forbidden ,suspicious1 reasonless4 ,why 
should their ,lord ,envy them that8 ,can
 it be sin to know8 ,can it be death8   
,and do they only stand ,by ignorance8  
,is that their happy state1 ,the proof  
of their obedience and their faith8 ,o  
fair foundation laid whereon to build   
,their ruin6 hence ,i will excite their 
minds ,with more desire to know1 and to 
reject ,envious commands1 invented with 
design ,to keep them low1 whom knowledge
 might exalt ,equal with ,gods3 aspiring
 to be such1 ,they taste and die3 ,what 
likelier can ensue ,but first with      
narrow search ,i must walk round ,this  
garden1 and no corner leave unspied2 ,a 
chance but chance may lead where ,i may 
meet ,some wandering ,spirit of ,heaven 
by fountain side1 ,or in thick shade    
retired1 from him to draw ,what further 
would be learned4 ,live while ye may1   

,yet happy pair2 enjoy1 till ,i return1 
,short pleasures1 for long woes are to  
succeed6 ,so saying1 his proud step he  
scornful turned1 ,but with sly          
circumspection1 and began ,through wood1
 through waste1 o'er hill1 o'er dale1   
his roam ,mean while in utmost          
longitude1 where ,heaven ,with earth and
 ocean meets1 the setting sun ,slowly   
descended1 and with right aspect        
,against the eastern gate of ,paradise  
,levelled his evening rays3 ,it was a   
rock ,of alabaster1 piled up to the     
clouds1 ,conspicuous far1 winding with  
one ascent ,accessible from earth1 one  
entrance high2 ,the rest was craggy     
cliff1 that overhung ,still as it rose1 
impossible to climb4 ,betwixt these     
rocky pillars ,gabriel sat1 ,chief of   
the angelick guards1 awaiting night2    
,about him exercised heroick games ,the 
unarmed youth of ,heaven1 but nigh at   
hand ,celestial armoury1 shields1 helms1
 and spears1 ,hung high with diamond    
flaming1 and with gold4 ,thither came   

,uriel1 gliding through the even ,on a  
sun-beam1 swift as a shooting star ,in  
autumn thwarts the night1 when vapours  
fired ,impress the air1 and shows the   
mariner ,from what point of his compass 
to beware ,impetuous winds3 ,he thus    
began in haste4 ,gabriel1 to thee thy   
course by lot hath given ,charge and    
strict watch1 that to this happy place  
,no evil thing approach or enter in4    
,this day at highth of noon came to my  
sphere ,a ,spirit1 zealous1 as he       
seemed1 to know ,more of the ,almighty's
 works1 and chiefly ,man1 ,god's latest 
image3 ,i described his way ,bent all on
 speed1 and marked his aery gait2 ,but  
in the mount that lies from ,eden north1
 ,where he first lighted1 soon discerned
 his looks ,alien from ,heaven1 with    
passions foul obscured3 ,mine eye       
pursued him still1 but under shade ,lost
 sight of him3 ,one of the banished     
crew1 ,i fear1 hath ventured from the   
deep1 to raise ,new troubles2 him thy   
care must be to find4 ,to whom the      

winged warriour thus returned4 ,uriel1  
no wonder if thy perfect sight1 ,amid   
the sun's bright circle where thou      
sitst1 ,see far and wide3 ,in at this   
gate none pass ,the vigilance here      
placed1 but such as come ,well known    
from ,heaven2 and since meridian hour   
,no creature thence3 ,if ,spirit of     
other sort1 ,so minded1 have o'er-leaped
 these earthly bounds ,on purpose1 hard 
thou knowest it to exclude ,spiritual   
substance with corporeal bar4 ,but if   
within the circuit of these walks1 ,in  
whatsoever shape he lurk1 of whom ,thou 
tellest1 by morrow dawning ,i shall     
know4 ,so promised he2 and ,uriel to his
 charge ,returned on that bright beam1  
whose point now raised ,bore him slope  
downward to the sun now fallen ,beneath 
the ,azores2 whether the prime orb1     
,incredible how swift1 had thither      
rolled ,diurnal1 or this less volubil   
earth1 ,by shorter flight to the east1  
had left him there ,arraying with       
reflected purple and gold ,the clouds   

that on his western throne attend4 ,now 
came still ,evening on1 and ,twilight   
gray ,had in her sober livery all things
 clad2 ,silence accompanied2 for beast  
and bird1 ,they to their grassy couch1  
these to their nests ,were slunk1 all   
but the wakeful nightingale2 ,she all   
night long her amorous descant sung2    
,silence was pleased3 ,now glowed the   
firmament ,with living sapphires3       
,hesperus1 that led ,the starry host1   
rode brightest1 till the moon1 ,rising  
in clouded majesty1 at length ,apparent 
queen unveiled her peerless light1 ,and 
o'er the dark her silver mantle threw4  
,when ,adam thus to ,eve4 ,fair         
,consort1 the hour ,of night1 and all   
things now retired to rest1 ,mind us of 
like repose2 since ,god hath set ,labour
 and rest1 as day and night1 to men     
,successive2 and the timely dew of      
sleep1 ,now falling with soft slumbrous 
weight1 inclines ,our eye-lids3 ,other  
creatures all day long ,rove idle1      
unemployed1 and less need rest2 ,man    

hath his daily work of body or mind     
,appointed1 which declares his dignity1 
,and the regard of ,heaven on all his   
ways2 ,while other animals unactive     
range1 ,and of their doings ,god takes  
no account4 ,to-morrow1 ere fresh       
morning streak the east ,with first     
approach of light1 we must be risen1    
,and at our pleasant labour1 to reform  
,yon flowery arbours1 yonder alleys     
green1 ,our walk at noon1 with branches 
overgrown1 ,that mock our scant         
manuring1 and require ,more hands than  
ours to lop their wanton growth3 ,those 
blossoms also1 and those dropping gums1 
,that lie bestrown1 unsightly and       
unsmooth1 ,ask riddance1 if we mean to  
tread with ease2 ,mean while1 as ,nature
 wills1 night bids us rest4 ,to whom    
thus ,eve1 with perfect beauty adorned  
,my ,author and ,disposer1 what thou    
bidst ,unargued ,i obey3 ,so ,god       
ordains2 ,god is thy law1 thou mine3 ,to
 know no more ,is woman's happiest      
knowledge1 and her praise4 ,with thee   

conversing ,i forget all time2 ,all     
seasons1 and their change1 all please   
alike4 ,sweet is the breath of ,morn1   
her rising sweet1 ,with charm of        
earliest birds3 pleasant the sun1 ,when 
first on this delightful land he spreads
 ,his orient beams1 on herb1 tree1      
fruit1 and flower1 ,glistering with dew2
 fragrant the fertile earth ,after soft 
showers2 and sweet the coming on ,of    
grateful ,evening mild2 then silent     
,night1 ,with this her solemn bird1 and 
this fair moon1 ,and these the gems of  
,heaven1 her starry train3 ,but neither 
breath of ,morn1 when she ascends ,with 
charm of earliest birds2 nor rising sun 
,on this delightful land2 nor herb1     
fruit1 flower1 ,glistering with dew2 nor
 fragrance after showers2 ,nor grateful 
,evening mild2 nor silent ,night1 ,with 
this her solemn bird1 nor walk by moon1 
,or glittering star-light1 without thee 
is sweet4 ,but wherefore all night long 
shine these8 for whom ,this glorious    
sight1 when sleep hath shut all eyes8   

,to whom our general ancestor replied4  
,daughter of ,god and ,man1 accomplished
 ,eve1 ,these have their course to      
finish round the earth1 ,by morrow      
evening1 and from land to land ,in      
order1 though to nations yet unborn1    
,ministring light prepared1 they set and
 rise2 ,lest total ,darkness should by  
night regain ,her old possession1 and   
extinguish life ,in ,nature and all     
things2 which these soft fires ,not only
 enlighten1 but with kindly heat ,of    
various influence foment and warm1      
,temper or nourish1 or in part shed down
 ,their stellar virtue on all kinds that
 grow ,on earth1 made hereby apter to   
receive ,perfection from the sun's more 
potent ray4 ,these then1 though unbeheld
 in deep of night1 ,shine not in vain2  
nor think1 though men were none1 ,that  
,heaven would want spectators1 ,god want
 praise3 ,millions of spiritual         
creatures walk the earth ,unseen1 both  
when we wake1 and when we sleep3 ,all   
these with ceaseless praise his works   

behold ,both day and night3 ,how often  
from the steep ,of echoing hill or      
thicket have we heard ,celestial voices 
to the midnight air1 ,sole1 or          
responsive each to others note1 ,singing
 their great ,creator8 oft in bands     
,while they keep watch1 or nightly      
rounding walk1 ,with heavenly touch of  
instrumental sounds ,in full harmonick  
number joined1 their songs ,divide the  
night1 and lift our thoughts to ,heaven4
 ,thus talking1 hand in hand alone they 
passed ,on to their blissful bower3 it  
was a place ,chosen by the sovran       
,planter1 when he framed ,all things to 
,man's delightful use2 the roof ,of     
thickest covert was inwoven shade       
,laurel and myrtle1 and what higher grew
 ,of firm and fragrant leaf2 on either  
side ,acanthus1 and each odorous bushy  
shrub1 ,fenced up the verdant wall2 each
 beauteous flower1 ,iris all hues1      
roses1 and jessamin1 ,reared high their 
flourished heads between1 and wrought   
,mosaick2 underfoot the violet1 ,crocus1

 and hyacinth1 with rich inlay          
,broidered the ground1 more coloured    
than with stone ,of costliest emblem3   
,other creature here1 ,bird1 beast1     
insect1 or worm1 durst enter none1 ,such
 was their awe of ,man4 ,in shadier     
bower ,more sacred and sequestered1     
though but feigned1 ,pan or ,sylvanus   
never slept1 nor ,nymph ,nor ,faunus    
haunted4 ,here1 in close recess1 ,with  
flowers1 garlands1 and sweet-smelling   
herbs1 ,espoused ,eve decked first her  
nuptial bed2 ,and heavenly quires the   
hymenaean sung1 ,what day the genial    
,angel to our sire ,brought her in naked
 beauty more adorned1 ,more lovely1 than
 ,pandora1 whom the ,gods ,endowed with 
all their gifts1 and ,o6 too like ,in   
sad event1 when to the unwiser son ,of  
,japhet brought by ,hermes1 she ensnared
 ,mankind with her fair looks1 to be    
avenged ,on him who had stole ,jove's   
authentick fire4 ,thus1 at their shady  
lodge arrived1 both stood1 ,both turned1
 and under open sky adored ,the ,god    

that made both sky1 air1 earth1 and     
heaven1 ,which they beheld1 the moon's  
resplendent globe1 ,and starry pole3    
,thou also madest the night1 ,maker     
,omnipotent1 and thou the day1 ,which   
we1 in our appointed work employed1     
,have finished1 happy in our mutual help
 ,and mutual love1 the crown of all our 
bliss ,ordained by thee2 and this       
delicious place ,for us too large1 where
 thy abundance wants ,partakers1 and    
uncropt falls to the ground4 ,but thou  
hast promised from us two a race ,to    
fill the earth1 who shall with us extol 
,thy goodness infinite1 both when we    
wake1 ,and when we seek1 as now1 thy    
gift of sleep4 ,this said unanimous1 and
 other rites ,observing none1 but       
adoration pure ,which ,god likes best1  
into their inmost bower ,handed they    
went2 and1 eased the putting off ,these 
troublesome disguises which we wear1    
,straight side by side were laid2 nor   
turned1 ,i ween1 ,adam from his fair    
spouse1 nor ,eve the rites ,mysterious  

of connubial love refused3 ,whatever    
hypocrites austerely talk ,of purity1   
and place1 and innocence1 ,defaming as  
impure what ,god declares ,pure1 and    
commands to some1 leaves free to all4   
,our ,maker bids encrease2 who bids     
abstain ,but our ,destroyer1 foe to ,god
 and ,man8 ,hail1 wedded ,love1         
mysterious law1 true source ,of human   
offspring1 sole propriety ,in ,paradise 
of all things common else6 ,by thee     
adulterous ,lust was driven from men    
,among the bestial herds to range2 by   
thee ,founded in reason1 loyal1 just1   
and pure1 ,relations dear1 and all the  
charities ,of father1 son1 and brother1 
first were known4 ,far be it1 that ,i   
should write thee sin or blame1 ,or     
think thee unbefitting holiest place1   
,perpetual fountain of domestick sweets1
 ,whose bed is undefiled and chaste     
pronounced1 ,present1 or past1 as saints
 and patriarchs used4 ,here ,love his   
golden shafts employs1 here lights ,his 
constant lamp1 and waves his purple     

wings1 ,reigns here and revels2 not in  
the bought smile ,of harlots1 loveless1 
joyless1 unendeared1 ,casual fruition2  
nor in court-amours1 ,mixed dance1 or   
wanton mask1 or midnight ball1 ,or      
serenate1 which the starved lover sings 
,to his proud fair1 best quitted with   
disdain4 ,these1 lulled by nightingales1
 embracing slept1 ,and on their naked   
limbs the flowery roof ,showered roses1 
which the morn repaired4 ,sleep on1     
,blest pair2 and ,o6 yet happiest1 if ye
 seek ,no happier state1 and know to    
know no more4 ,now had night measured   
with her shadowy cone ,half way up hill 
this vast sublunar vault1 ,and from     
their ivory port the ,cherubim1 ,forth  
issuing at the accustomed hour1 stood   
armed ,to their night watches in warlike
 parade2 ,when ,gabriel to his next in  
power thus spake4 ,uzziel1 half these   
draw off1 and coast the south ,with     
strictest watch2 these other wheel the  
north2 ,our circuit meets full west4 ,as
 flame they part1 ,half wheeling to the 

shield1 half to the spear4 ,from these1 
two strong and subtle ,spirits he called
 ,that near him stood1 and gave them    
thus in charge4 ,ithuriel and ,zephon1  
with winged speed ,search through this  
garden1 leave unsearched no nook2 ,but  
chiefly where those two fair creatures  
lodge1 ,now laid perhaps asleep1 secure 
of harm4 ,this evening from the sun's   
decline arrived1 ,who tells of some     
infernal ,spirit seen ,hitherward bent  
7who could have thought87 escaped ,the  
bars of ,hell1 on errand bad no doubt3  
,such1 where ye find1 seise fast1 and   
hither bring4 ,so saying1 on he led his 
radiant files1 ,dazzling the moon2 these
 to the bower direct ,in search of whom 
they sought3 ,him there they found      
,squat like a toad1 close at the ear of 
,eve1 ,assaying by his devilish art to  
reach ,the organs of her fancy1 and with
 them forge ,illusions1 as he list1     
phantasms and dreams2 ,or if1 inspiring 
venom1 he might taint ,the animal       
spirits1 that from pure blood arise     

,like gentle breaths from rivers pure1  
thence raise ,at least distempered1     
discontented thoughts1 ,vain hopes1 vain
 aims1 inordinate desires1 ,blown up    
with high conceits ingendering pride4   
,him thus intent ,ithuriel with his     
spear ,touched lightly2 for no falshood 
can endure ,touch of celestial temper1  
but returns ,of force to its own        
likeness3 ,up he starts ,discovered and 
surprised4 ,as when a spark ,lights on a
 heap of nitrous powder1 laid ,fit for  
the tun some magazine to store ,against 
a rumoured war1 the smutty grain1 ,with 
sudden blaze diffused1 inflames the air2
 ,so started up in his own shape the    
,fiend4 ,back stept those two fair      
,angels1 half amazed ,so sudden to      
behold the grisly king2 ,yet thus1      
unmoved with fear1 accost him soon4     
,which of those rebel ,spirits adjudged 
to ,hell ,comest thou1 escaped thy      
prison8 and1 transformed1 ,why sat'st   
thou like an enemy in wait1 ,here       
watching at the head of these that      

sleep8 ,know ye not then said ,satan1   
filled with scorn1 ,know ye not me8 ye  
knew me once no mate ,for you1 there    
sitting where ye durst not soar3 ,not to
 know me argues yourselves unknown1 ,the
 lowest of your throng2 or1 if ye know1 
,why ask ye1 and superfluous begin ,your
 message1 like to end as much in vain8  
,to whom thus ,zephon1 answering scorn  
with scorn4 ,think not1 revolted        
,spirit1 thy shape the same1 ,or        
undiminished brightness to be known1 ,as
 when thou stoodest in ,heaven upright  
and pure2 ,that glory then1 when thou no
 more wast good1 ,departed from thee2   
and thou resemblest now ,thy sin and    
place of doom obscure and foul4 ,but    
come1 for thou1 be sure1 shalt give     
account ,to him who sent us1 whose      
charge is to keep ,this place           
inviolable1 and these from harm4 ,so    
spake the ,cherub2 and his grave rebuke1
 ,severe in youthful beauty1 added grace
 ,invincible3 ,abashed the ,devil stood1
 ,and felt how awful goodness is1 and   

saw ,virtue in her shape how lovely2    
saw1 and pined ,his loss2 but chiefly to
 find here observed ,his lustre visibly 
impaired2 yet seemed ,undaunted4 ,if ,i 
must contend1 said he1 ,best with the   
best1 the sender1 not the sent1 ,or all 
at once2 more glory will be won1 ,or    
less be lost4 ,thy fear1 said ,zephon   
bold1 ,will save us trial what the least
 can do ,single against thee wicked1 and
 thence weak4 ,the ,fiend replied not1  
overcome with rage2 ,but1 like a proud  
steed reined1 went haughty on1 ,champing
 his iron curb3 ,to strive or fly ,he   
held it vain2 awe from above had quelled
 ,his heart1 not else dismayed4 ,now    
drew they nigh ,the western point1 where
 those half-rounding guards ,just met1  
and closing stood in squadron joined1 ,a
 waiting next command4 ,to whom their   
,chief1 ,gabriel1 from the front thus   
called aloud4 ,o friends6 ,i hear the   
tread of nimble feet ,hasting this way1 
and now by glimpse discern ,ithuriel and
 ,zephon through the shade2 ,and with   

them comes a third of regal port1 ,but  
faded splendour wan2 who by his gait    
,and fierce demeanour seems the ,prince 
of ,hell1 ,not likely to part hence     
without contest2 ,stand firm1 for in his
 look defiance lours4 ,he scarce had    
ended1 when those two approached1 ,and  
brief related whom they brought1 where  
found1 ,how busied1 in what form and    
posture couched4 ,to whom with stern    
regard thus ,gabriel spake4 ,why hast   
thou1 ,satan1 broke the bounds          
prescribed ,to thy transgressions1 and  
disturbed the charge ,of others1 who    
approve not to transgress ,by thy       
example1 but have power and right ,to   
question thy bold entrance on this      
place2 ,employed1 it seems1 to violate  
sleep1 and those ,whose dwelling ,god   
hath planted here in bliss6 ,to whom    
thus ,satan with contemptuous brow4     
,gabriel8 thou hadst in ,heaven the     
esteem of wise1 ,and such ,i held thee2 
but this question asked ,puts me in     
doubt4 ,lives there who loves his pain6 

,who would not1 finding way1 break loose
 from ,hell1 ,though thither doomed6    
,thou wouldst thyself1 no doubt ,and    
boldly venture to whatever place        
,farthest from pain1 where thou mightst 
hope to change ,torment with ease1 and  
soonest recompense ,dole with delight1  
which in this place ,i sought2 ,to thee 
no reason1 who knowest only good1 ,but  
evil hast not tried3 and wilt object    
,his will who bounds us6 ,let him surer 
bar ,his iron gates1 if he intends our  
stay ,in that dark durance3 ,thus much  
what was asked4 ,the rest is true1 they 
found me where they say2 ,but that      
implies not violence or harm4 ,thus he  
in scorn4 ,the warlike ,angel moved1    
,disdainfully half smiling1 thus        
replied4 ,o loss of one in ,heaven to   
judge of wise ,since ,satan fell1 whom  
folly overthrew1 ,and now returns him   
from his prison 'scaped1 ,gravely in    
doubt whether to hold them wise ,or not1
 who ask what boldness brought him      
hither ,unlicensed from his bounds in   

,hell prescribed2 ,so wise he judges it 
to fly from pain ,however1 and to 'scape
 his punishment6 ,so judge thou still1  
presumptuous6 till the wrath1 ,which    
thou incurrest by flying1 meet thy      
flight ,sevenfold1 and scourge that     
wisdom back to ,hell1 ,which taught thee
 yet no better1 that no pain ,can equal 
anger infinite provoked4 ,but wherefore 
thou alone8 wherefore with thee ,came   
not all hell broke loose8 is pain to    
them ,less pain1 less to be fled8 or    
thou than they ,less hardy to endure8   
,courageous ,chief6 ,the first in flight
 from pain6 hadst thou alleged ,to thy  
deserted host this cause of flight1     
,thou surely hadst not come sole        
fugitive4 ,to which the ,fiend thus     
answered1 frowning stern4 ,not that ,i  
less endure1 or shrink from pain1       
,insulting ,angel6 well thou knowest ,i 
stood ,thy fiercest1 when in battle to  
thy aid ,the blasting vollied thunder   
made all speed1 ,and seconded thy else  
not dreaded spear4 ,but still thy words 

at random1 as before1 ,argue thy        
inexperience what behoves ,from hard    
assays and ill successes past ,a        
faithful leader1 not to hazard all      
,through ways of danger by himself      
untried3 ,i1 therefore1 ,i alone first  
undertook ,to wing the desolate abyss1  
and spy ,this new created world1 whereof
 in ,hell ,fame is not silent1 here in  
hope to find ,better abode1 and my      
afflicted ,powers ,to settle here on    
earth1 or in mid air2 ,though for       
possession put to try once more ,what   
thou and thy gay legions dare against2  
,whose easier business were to serve    
their ,lord ,high up in ,heaven1 with   
songs to hymn his throne1 ,and practised
 distances to cringe1 not fight1 ,to    
whom the warriour ,angel soon replied4  
,to say and straight unsay1 pretending  
first ,wise to fly pain1 professing next
 the spy1 ,argues no leader but a liar  
traced1 ,satan1 and couldst thou        
faithful add8 ,o name1 ,o sacred name of
 faithfulness profaned6 ,faithful to    

whom8 to thy rebellious crew8 ,army of  
,fiends1 fit body to fit head4 ,was this
 your discipline and faith engaged1     
,your military obedience1 to dissolve   
,allegiance to the acknowledged ,power  
supreme8 ,and thou1 sly hypocrite1 who  
now wouldst seem ,patron of liberty1 who
 more than thou ,once fawned1 and       
cringed1 and servilely adored ,heaven's 
awful ,monarch8 wherefore1 but in hope  
,to dispossess him1 and thyself to      
reign8 ,but mark what ,i arreed thee    
now1 ,avant2 ,fly neither whence thou   
fledst6 ,if from this hour ,within these
 hallowed limits thou appear1 ,back to  
the infernal pit ,i drag thee chained1  
,and seal thee so1 as henceforth not to 
scorn ,the facile gates of ,hell too    
slightly barred4 ,so threatened he2 but 
,satan to no threats ,gave heed1 but    
waxing more in rage replied4 ,then when 
,i am thy captive talk of chains1 ,proud
 limitary ,cherub6 but ere then ,far    
heavier load thyself expect to feel     
,from my prevailing arm1 though         

,heaven's ,king ,ride on thy wings1 and 
thou with thy compeers1 ,us'd to the    
yoke1 drawest his triumphant wheels ,in 
progress through the road of ,heaven    
star-paved4 ,while thus he spake1 the   
angelick squadron bright ,turned fiery  
red1 sharpening in mooned horns ,their  
phalanx1 and began to hem him round     
,with ported spears1 as thick as when a 
field ,of ,ceres ripe for harvest waving
 bends ,her bearded grove of ears1 which
 way the wind ,sways them2 the careful  
plowman doubting stands1 ,left on the   
threshing floor his hopeless sheaves    
,prove chaff4 ,on the other side1       
,satan1 alarmed1 ,collecting all his    
might1 dilated stood1 ,like ,teneriff or
 ,atlas1 unremoved3 ,his stature reached
 the sky1 and on his crest ,sat ,horrour
 plumed2 nor wanted in his grasp ,what  
seemed both spear and shield3 ,now      
dreadful deeds ,might have ensued1 nor  
only ,paradise ,in this commotion1 but  
the starry cope ,of ,heaven perhaps1 or 
all the elements ,at least had gone to  

wrack1 disturbed and torn ,with violence
 of this conflict1 had not soon ,the    
,eternal1 to prevent such horrid fray1  
,hung forth in ,heaven his golden       
scales1 yet seen ,betwixt ,astrea and   
the ,scorpion sign1 ,wherein all things 
created first he weighed1 ,the pendulous
 round earth with balanced air ,in      
counterpoise1 now ponders all events1   
,battles and realms3 ,in these he put   
two weights1 ,the sequel each of parting
 and of fight3 ,the latter quick up     
flew1 and kicked the beam1 ,which       
,gabriel spying1 thus bespake the       
,fiend4 ,satan1 ,i know thy strength1   
and thou knowest mine2 ,neither our own1
 but given3 ,what folly then ,to boast  
what arms can do8 since thine no more   
,than ,heaven permits1 nor mine1 though 
doubled now ,to trample thee as mire3   
,for proof look up1 ,and read thy lot in
 yon celestial sign2 ,where thou art    
weighed1 and shown how light1 how weak1 
,if thou resist4 ,the ,fiend looked up1 
and knew ,his mounted scale aloft3 ,nor 

more2 but fled ,murmuring1 and with him 
fled the shades of night4     ,book ,v  
,now ,morn1 her rosy steps in the       
eastern clime ,advancing1 sowed the     
earth with orient pearl1 ,when ,adam    
waked1 so customed2 for his sleep ,was  
aery-light1 from pure digestion bred1   
,and temperate vapours bland1 which the 
only sound ,of leaves and fuming rills1 
,aurora's fan1 ,lightly dispersed1 and  
the shrill matin song ,of birds on every
 bough2 so much the more ,his wonder was
 to find unwakened ,eve ,with tresses   
discomposed1 and glowing cheek1 ,as     
through unquiet rest3 ,he1 on his side  
,leaning half raised1 with looks of     
cordial love ,hung over her enamoured1  
and beheld ,beauty1 which1 whether      
waking or asleep1 ,shot forth peculiar  
graces2 then with voice ,mild1 as when  
,zephyrus on ,flora breathes1 ,her hand 
soft touching1 whispered thus4 ,awake1  
,my fairest1 my espoused1 my latest     
found1 ,heaven's last best gift1 my ever
 new delight6 ,awake3 ,the morning      

shines1 and the fresh field ,calls us2  
we lose the prime1 to mark how spring   
,our tender plants1 how blows the citron
 grove1 ,what drops the myrrh1 and what 
the balmy reed1 ,how nature paints her  
colours1 how the bee ,sits on the bloom 
extracting liquid sweet4 ,such          
whispering waked her1 but with startled 
eye ,on ,adam1 whom embracing1 thus she 
spake4 ,o sole in whom my thoughts find 
all repose1 ,my glory1 my perfection6   
glad ,i see ,thy face1 and morn         
returned2 for ,i this night 7,such night
 till this ,i never passed7 have        
dreamed1 ,if dreamed1 not1 as ,i oft am 
wont1 of thee1 ,works of day past1 or   
morrow's next design1 ,but of offence   
and trouble1 which my mind ,knew never  
till this irksome night3 ,methought1    
,close at mine ear one called me forth  
to walk ,with gentle voice2 ,i thought  
it thine3 ,it said1 8,why sleepest thou1
 ,eve8 now is the pleasant time1 ,the   
cool1 the silent1 save where silence    
yields ,to the night-warbling bird1 that

 now awake ,tunes sweetest his          
love-laboured song2 now reigns          
,full-orbed the moon1 and with more     
pleasing light ,shadowy sets off the    
face of things2 in vain1 ,if none       
regard2 ,heaven wakes with all his eyes1
 ,whom to behold but thee1 ,nature's    
desire8 ,in whose sight all things joy1 
with ravishment ,attracted by thy beauty
 still to gaze40 ,i rose as at thy call1
 but found thee not2 ,to find thee ,i   
directed then my walk2 ,and on1         
methought1 alone ,i passed through ways 
,that brought me on a sudden to the tree
 ,of interdicted knowledge3 fair it     
seemed1 ,much fairer to my fancy than by
 day3 ,and1 as ,i wondering looked1     
beside it stood ,one shaped and winged  
like one of those from ,heaven ,by us   
oft seen2 his dewy locks distilled      
,ambrosia2 on that tree he also gazed2  
,and 8,o fair plant10 said he1 8with    
fruit surcharged1 ,deigns none to ease  
thy load1 and taste thy sweet1 ,nor     
,god1 nor ,man8 ,is knowledge so        

despised8 ,or envy1 or what reserve     
forbids to taste8 ,forbid who will1 none
 shall from me withhold ,longer thy     
offered good2 why else set here80 ,this 
said1 he paused not1 but with venturous 
arm ,he plucked1 he tasted2 me damp     
horrour chilled ,at such bold words     
vouched with a deed so bold3 ,but he    
thus1 overjoyed2 8,o fruit divine1      
,sweet of thyself1 but much more sweet  
thus cropt1 ,forbidden here1 it seems1  
as only fit ,for ,gods1 yet able to make
 ,gods of ,men3 ,and why not ,gods of   
,men2 since good1 the more              
,communicated1 more abundant grows1 ,the
 author not impaired1 but honoured more8
 ,here1 happy creature1 fair angelick   
,eve6 ,partake thou also2 happy though  
thou art1 ,happier thou mayest be1      
worthier canst not be3 ,taste this1 and 
be henceforth among the ,gods ,thyself a
 ,goddess1 not to earth confined1 ,but  
sometimes in the air1 as we1 sometimes  
,ascend to ,heaven1 by merit thine1 and 
see ,what life the ,gods live there1 and

 such live thou60 ,so saying1 he drew   
nigh1 and to me held1 ,even to my mouth 
of that same fruit held part ,which he  
had plucked2 the pleasant savoury smell 
,so quickened appetite1 that ,i1        
methought1 ,could not but taste4        
,forthwith up to the clouds ,with him ,i
 flew1 and underneath beheld ,the earth 
outstretched immense1 a prospect wide   
,and various3 ,wondering at my flight   
and change ,to this high exaltation2    
suddenly ,my guide was gone1 and ,i1    
methought1 sunk down1 ,and fell asleep2 
but ,o1 how glad ,i waked ,to find this 
but a dream6 ,thus ,eve her night       
,related1 and thus ,adam answered sad4  
,best image of myself1 and dearer half1 
,the trouble of thy thoughts this night 
in sleep ,affects me equally2 nor can ,i
 like ,this uncouth dream1 of evil      
sprung1 ,i fear2 ,yet evil whence8 in   
thee can harbour none1 ,created pure4   
,but know that in the soul ,are many    
lesser faculties1 that serve ,reason as 
chief2 among these ,fancy next ,her     

office holds2 of all external things    
,which the five watchful senses         
represent1 ,she forms imaginations1 aery
 shapes1 ,which ,reason1 joining or     
disjoining1 frames ,all what we affirm  
or what deny1 and call ,our knowledge or
 opinion2 then retires ,into her private
 cell1 when nature rests4 ,oft in her   
absence mimick ,fancy wakes ,to imitate 
her2 but1 misjoining shapes1 ,wild work 
produces oft1 and most in dreams2 ,ill  
matching words and deeds long past or   
late4 ,some such resemblances1 methinks1
 ,i find ,of our last evening's talk1 in
 this thy dream1 ,but with addition     
strange2 yet be not sad4 ,evil into the 
mind of ,god or ,man ,may come and go1  
so unreproved1 and leave ,no spot or    
blame behind3 ,which gives me hope ,that
 what in sleep thou didst abhor to      
dream1 ,waking thou never will consent  
to do4 ,be not disheartened then1 nor   
cloud those looks1 ,that wont to be more
 cheerful and serene1 ,than when fair   
morning first smiles on the world2 ,and 

let us to our fresh employments rise    
,among the groves1 the fountains1 and   
the flowers ,that open now their        
choisest bosomed smells1 ,reserved from 
night1 and kept for thee in store4 ,so  
cheered he his fair spouse1 and she was 
cheered2 ,but silently a gentle tear let
 fall ,from either eye1 and wiped them  
with her hair2 ,two other precious drops
 that ready stood1 ,each in their       
crystal sluice1 he ere they fell        
,kissed1 as the gracious signs of sweet 
remorse ,and pious awe1 that feared to  
have offended4 ,so all was cleared1 and 
to the field they haste4 ,but first1    
from under shady arborous roof ,soon as 
they forth were come to open sight ,of  
day-spring1 and the sun1 who1 scarce    
up-risen1 ,with wheels yet hovering o'er
 the ocean-brim1 ,shot parallel to the  
earth his dewy ray1 ,discovering in wide
 landskip all the east ,of ,paradise and
 ,eden's happy plains1 ,lowly they bowed
 adoring1 and began ,their orisons1 each
 morning duly paid ,in various style2   

for neither various style ,nor holy     
rapture wanted they to praise ,their    
,maker1 in fit strains pronounced1 or   
sung ,unmeditated2 such prompt eloquence
 ,flowed from their lips1 in prose or   
numerous verse1 ,more tuneable than     
needed lute or harp ,to add more        
sweetness2 and they thus began4 ,these  
are thy glorious works1 ,parent of good1
 ,almighty6 ,thine this universal frame1
 ,thus wonderous fair2 ,thyself how     
wonderous then6 ,unspeakable1 who sitst 
above these heavens ,to us invisible1 or
 dimly seen ,in these thy lowest works2 
yet these declare ,thy goodness beyond  
thought1 and power divine4 ,speak1 ye   
who best can tell1 ye sons of light1    
,angels2 for ye behold him1 and with    
songs ,and choral symphonies1 day       
without night1 ,circle his throne       
rejoicing2 ye in ,heaven ,on ,earth join
 all ye ,creatures to extol ,him first1 
him last1 him midst1 and without end4   
,fairest of stars1 last in the train of 
night1 ,if better thou belong not to the

 dawn1 ,sure pledge of day1 that        
crownest the smiling morn ,with thy     
bright circlet1 praise him in thy       
sphere1 ,while day arises1 that sweet   
hour of prime4 ,thou ,sun1 of this great
 world both eye and soul1 ,acknowledge  
him thy greater2 sound his praise ,in   
thy eternal course1 both when thou      
climbest1 ,and when high noon hast      
gained1 and when thou fallest4 ,moon1   
that now meetest the orient sun1 now    
flyest1 ,with the fixed ,stars1 fixed in
 their orb that flies2 ,and ye five     
other wandering ,fires1 that move ,in   
mystick dance not without song1 resound 
,his praise1 who out of darkness called 
up light4 ,air1 and ye ,elements1 the   
eldest birth ,of ,nature's womb1 that in
 quaternion run ,perpetual circle1      
multiform2 and mix ,and nourish all     
things2 let your ceaseless change ,vary 
to our great ,maker still new praise4   
,ye ,mists and ,exhalations1 that now   
rise ,from hill or steaming lake1 dusky 
or gray1 ,till the sun paint your fleecy

 skirts with gold1 ,in honour to the    
world's great ,author rise2 ,whether to 
deck with clouds the uncoloured sky1 ,or
 wet the thirsty earth with falling     
showers1 ,rising or falling still       
advance his praise4 ,his praise1 ye     
,winds1 that from four quarters blow1   
,breathe soft or loud2 and1 wave your   
tops1 ye ,pines1 ,with every plant1 in  
sign of worship wave4 ,fountains1 and ye
 that warble1 as ye flow1 ,melodious    
murmurs1 warbling tune his praise4 ,join
 voices1 all ye living ,souls3 ,ye      
,birds1 ,that singing up to ,heaven-gate
 ascend1 ,bear on your wings and in your
 notes his praise4 ,ye that in waters   
glide1 and ye that walk ,the earth1 and 
stately tread1 or lowly creep2 ,witness 
if ,i be silent1 morn or even1 ,to hill1
 or valley1 fountain1 or fresh shade1   
,made vocal by my song1 and taught his  
praise4 ,hail1 universal ,lord1 be      
bounteous still ,to give us only good2  
and if the night ,have gathered aught of
 evil1 or concealed1 ,disperse it1 as   

now light dispels the dark6 ,so prayed  
they innocent1 and to their thoughts    
,firm peace recovered soon1 and wonted  
calm4 ,on to their morning's rural work 
they haste1 ,among sweet dews and       
flowers2 where any row ,of fruit-trees  
over-woody reached too far ,their       
pampered boughs1 and needed hands to    
check ,fruitless embraces3 or they led  
the vine ,to wed her elm2 she1 spoused1 
about him twines ,her marriageable arms1
 and with him brings ,her dower1 the    
adopted clusters1 to adorn ,his barren  
leaves4 ,them thus employed beheld ,with
 pity ,heaven's high ,king1 and to him  
called ,raphael1 the sociable ,spirit1  
that deigned ,to travel with ,tobias1   
and secured ,his marriage with the      
seventimes-wedded maid4 ,raphael1 said  
he1 thou hearest what stir on ,earth    
,satan1 from ,hell 'scaped through the  
darksome gulf1 ,hath raised in          
,paradise2 and how disturbed ,this night
 the human pair2 how he designs ,in them
 at once to ruin all mankind4 ,go       

therefore1 half this day as friend with 
friend ,converse with ,adam1 in what    
bower or shade ,thou findest him from   
the heat of noon retired1 ,to respite   
his day-labour with repast1 ,or with    
repose2 and such discourse bring on1 ,as
 may advise him of his happy state1     
,happiness in his power left free to    
will1 ,left to his own free will1 his   
will though free1 ,yet mutable2 whence  
warn him to beware ,he swerve not1 too  
secure3 ,tell him withal ,his danger1   
and from whom2 what enemy1 ,late fallen 
himself from ,heaven1 is plotting now   
,the fall of others from like state of  
bliss2 ,by violence8 no1 for that shall 
be withstood2 ,but by deceit and lies3  
,this let him know1 ,lest1 wilfully     
transgressing1 he pretend ,surprisal1   
unadmonished1 unforewarned4 ,so spake   
the ,eternal ,father1 and fulfilled ,all
 justice3 ,nor delayed the winged ,saint
 ,after his charge received2 but from   
among ,thousand celestial ,ardours1     
where he stood ,veiled with his gorgeous

 wings1 up springing light1 ,flew       
through the midst of ,heaven2 the       
angelick quires1 ,on each hand parting1 
to his speed gave way ,through all the  
empyreal road2 till1 at the gate ,of    
,heaven arrived1 the gate self-opened   
wide ,on golden hinges turning1 as by   
work ,divine the sovran ,architect had  
framed4 ,from hence no cloud1 or1 to    
obstruct his sight1 ,star interposed1   
however small he sees1 ,not unconformed 
to other shining globes1 ,earth1 and the
 garden of ,god1 with cedars crowned    
,above all hills4 ,as when by night the 
glass ,of ,galileo1 less assured1       
observes ,imagined lands and regions in 
the moon3 ,or pilot1 from amidst the    
,cyclades ,delos or ,samos first        
appearing1 kens ,a cloudy spot4 ,down   
thither prone in flight ,he speeds1 and 
through the vast ethereal sky ,sails    
between worlds and worlds1 with steady  
wing ,now on the polar winds1 then with 
quick fan ,winnows the buxom air2 till1 
within soar ,of towering eagles1 to all 

the fowls he seems ,a phoenix1 gazed by 
all as that sole bird1 ,when1 to        
enshrine his reliques in the ,sun's     
,bright temple1 to ,egyptian ,thebes he 
flies4 ,at once on the eastern cliff of 
,paradise ,he lights1 and to his proper 
shape returns ,a ,seraph winged3 ,six   
wings he wore1 to shade ,his lineaments 
divine2 the pair that clad ,each        
shoulder broad1 came mantling o'er his  
breast ,with regal ornament2 the middle 
pair ,girt like a starry zone his waist1
 and round ,skirted his loins and thighs
 with downy gold ,and colours dipt in   
,heaven2 the third his feet ,shadowed   
from either heel with feathered mail1   
,sky-tinctured grain4 ,like ,maia's son 
he stood1 ,and shook his plumes1 that   
heavenly fragrance filled ,the circuit  
wide4 ,straight knew him all the bands  
,of ,angels under watch2 and to his     
state1 ,and to his message high1 in     
honour rise2 ,for on some message high  
they guessed him bound4 ,their          
glittering tents he passed1 and now is  

come ,into the blissful field1 through  
groves of myrrh1 ,and flowering odours1 
cassia1 nard1 and balm2 ,a wilderness of
 sweets2 for ,nature here ,wantoned as  
in her prime1 and played at will ,her   
virgin fancies pouring forth more sweet1
 ,wild above rule or art1 enormous      
bliss4 ,him through the spicy forest    
onward come ,adam discerned1 as in the  
door he sat ,of his cool bower1 while   
now the mounted sun ,shot down direct   
his fervid rays to warm ,earth's inmost 
womb1 more warmth than ,adam needs3 ,and
 ,eve within1 due at her hour prepared  
,for dinner savoury fruits1 of taste to 
please ,true appetite1 and not disrelish
 thirst ,of nectarous draughts between1 
from milky stream1 ,berry or grape3 ,to 
whom thus ,adam called4 ,haste hither1  
,eve1 and worth thy sight behold        
,eastward among those trees1 what       
glorious shape ,comes this way moving2  
seems another morn ,risen on mid-noon2  
some great behest from ,heaven ,to us   
perhaps he brings1 and will vouchsafe   

,this day to be our guest4 ,but go with 
speed1 ,and1 what thy stores contain1   
bring forth1 and pour ,abundance1 fit to
 honour and receive ,our heavenly       
stranger3 ,well we may afford ,our      
givers their own gifts1 and large bestow
 ,from large bestowed1 where ,nature    
multiplies ,her fertile growth1 and by  
disburthening grows ,more fruitful1     
which instructs us not to spare4 ,to    
whom thus ,eve4 ,adam1 earth's hallowed 
mould1 ,of ,god inspired6 small store   
will serve1 where store1 ,all seasons1  
ripe for use hangs on the stalk2 ,save  
what by frugal storing firmness gains   
,to nourish1 and superfluous moist      
consumes3 ,but ,i will haste1 and from  
each bough and brake1 ,each plant and   
juciest gourd1 will pluck such choice   
,to entertain our ,angel-guest1 as he   
,beholding shall confess1 that here on  
,earth ,god hath dispensed his bounties 
as in ,heaven4 ,so saying1 with         
dispatchful looks in haste ,she turns1  
on hospitable thoughts intent ,what     

choice to choose for delicacy best1     
,what order1 so contrived as not to mix 
,tastes1 not well joined1 inelegant1 but
 bring ,taste after taste upheld with   
kindliest change2 ,bestirs her then1 and
 from each tender stalk ,whatever       
,earth1 all-bearing mother1 yields ,in  
,india ,east or ,west1 or middle shore  
,in ,pontus or the ,punick coast1 or    
where ,alcinous reigned1 fruit of all   
kinds1 in coat ,rough1 or smooth rind1  
or bearded husk1 or shell1 ,she gathers1
 tribute large1 and on the board ,heaps 
with unsparing hand2 for drink the grape
 ,she crushes1 inoffensive must1 and    
meaths ,from many a berry1 and from     
sweet kernels pressed ,she tempers      
dulcet creams2 nor these to hold ,wants 
her fit vessels pure2 then strows the   
ground ,with rose and odours from the   
shrub unfumed4 ,mean while our primitive
 great sire1 to meet ,his ,god-like     
guest1 walks forth1 without more train  
,accompanied than with his own complete 
,perfections2 in himself was all his    

state1 ,more solemn than the tedious    
pomp that waits ,on princes1 when their 
rich retinue long ,of horses led1 and   
grooms besmeared with gold1 ,dazzles the
 croud1 and sets them all agape4 ,nearer
 his presence ,adam1 though not awed1   
,yet with submiss approach and reverence
 meek1 ,as to a superiour nature bowing 
low1 ,thus said4 ,native of ,heaven1 for
 other place ,none can than ,heaven such
 glorious shape contain2 ,since1 by     
descending from the thrones above1      
,those happy places thou hast deigned a 
while ,to want1 and honour these1       
vouchsafe with us ,two only1 who yet by 
sovran gift possess ,this spacious      
ground1 in yonder shady bower ,to rest2 
and what the garden choicest bears ,to  
sit and taste1 till this meridian heat  
,be over1 and the sun more cool decline4
 ,whom thus the angelick ,virtue        
answered mild4 ,adam1 ,i therefore came2
 nor art thou such ,created1 or such    
place hast here to dwell1 ,as may not   
oft invite1 though ,spirits of ,heaven1 

,to visit thee2 lead on then where thy  
bower ,o'ershades2 for these mid-hours1 
till evening rise1 ,i have at will4 ,so 
to the sylvan lodge ,they came1 that    
like ,pomona's arbour smiled1 ,with     
flowerets decked1 and fragrant smells2  
but ,eve1 ,undecked save with herself1  
more lovely fair ,than ,wood-,nymph1 or 
the fairest ,goddess feigned ,of three  
that in mount ,ida naked strove1 ,stood 
to entertain her guest from ,heaven2 no 
veil ,she needed1 virtue-proof2 no      
thought infirm ,altered her cheek4 ,on  
whom the ,angel ,hail ,bestowed1 the    
holy salutation used ,long after to     
blest ,mary1 second ,eve4 ,hail1 ,mother
 of ,mankind1 whose fruitful womb ,shall
 fill the world more numerous with thy  
sons1 ,than with these various fruits   
the trees of ,god ,have heaped this     
table6--,raised of grassy turf ,their   
table was1 and mossy seats had round1   
,and on her ample square from side to   
side ,all autumn piled1 though spring   
and autumn here ,danced hand in hand4 ,a

 while discourse they hold2 ,no fear    
lest dinner cool2 when thus began ,our  
author4 ,heavenly stranger1 please to   
taste ,these bounties1 which our        
,nourisher1 from whom ,all perfect good1
 unmeasured out1 descends1 ,to us for   
food and for delight hath caused ,the   
earth to yield2 unsavoury food perhaps  
,to spiritual natures2 only this ,i     
know1 ,that one celestial ,father gives 
to all4 ,to whom the ,angel4 ,therefore 
what he gives 7,whose praise be ever    
sung7 to ,man in part ,spiritual1 may of
 purest ,spirits be found ,no ingrateful
 food3 ,and food alike those pure       
,intelligential substances require1 ,as 
doth your rational2 and both contain    
,within them every lower faculty ,of    
sense1 whereby they hear1 see1 smell1   
touch1 taste1 ,tasting concoct1 digest1 
assimilate1 ,and corporeal to           
incorporeal turn4 ,for know1 whatever   
was created1 needs ,to be sustained and 
fed3 ,of elements ,the grosser feeds the
 purer1 earth the sea1 ,earth and the   

sea feed air1 the air those fires       
,ethereal1 and as lowest first the moon2
 ,whence in her visage round those      
spots1 unpurged ,vapours not yet into   
her substance turned4 ,nor doth the moon
 no nourishment exhale ,from her moist  
continent to higher orbs4 ,the sun that 
light imparts to all1 receives ,from all
 his alimental recompence ,in humid     
exhalations1 and at even ,sups with the 
ocean4 ,though in ,heaven the trees ,of 
life ambrosial fruitage bear1 and vines 
,yield nectar2 though from off the      
boughs each morn ,we brush mellifluous  
dews1 and find the ground ,covered with 
pearly grain3 ,yet ,god hath here       
,varied his bounty so with new delights1
 ,as may compare with ,heaven2 and to   
taste ,think not ,i shall be nice4 ,so  
down they sat1 ,and to their viands     
fell2 nor seemingly ,the ,angel1 nor in 
mist1 the common gloss ,of ,theologians2
 but with keen dispatch ,of real hunger1
 and concoctive heat ,to                
transubstantiate3 ,what redounds1       

transpires ,through ,spirits with ease2 
nor wonder2 if by fire ,of sooty coal   
the empirick alchemist ,can turn1 or    
holds it possible to turn1 ,metals of   
drossiest ore to perfect gold1 ,as from 
the mine4 ,mean while at table ,eve     
,ministered naked1 and their flowing    
cups ,with pleasant liquours crowned3 ,o
 innocence ,deserving ,paradise6 if     
ever1 then1 ,then had the sons of ,god  
excuse to have been ,enamoured at that  
sight2 but in those hearts ,love        
unlibidinous reigned1 nor jealousy ,was 
understood1 the injured lover's hell4   
,thus when with meats and drinks they   
had sufficed1 ,not burdened nature1     
sudden mind arose ,in ,adam1 not to let 
the occasion pass ,given him by this    
great conference to know ,of things     
above his world1 and of their being ,who
 dwell in ,heaven1 whose excellence he  
saw ,transcend his own so far2 whose    
radiant forms1 ,divine effulgence1 whose
 high power1 so far ,exceeded human2 and
 his wary speech ,thus to the empyreal  

minister he framed4 ,inhabitant with    
,god1 now know ,i well ,thy favour1 in  
this honour done to ,man2 ,under whose  
lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed ,to     
enter1 and these earthly fruits to      
taste1 ,food not of ,angels1 yet        
accepted so1 ,as that more willingly    
thou couldst not seem ,at ,heaven's high
 feasts to have fed3 yet what compare   
,to whom the winged ,hierarch replied4  
,o ,adam1 ,one ,almighty is1 from whom  
,all things proceed1 and up to him      
return1 ,if not depraved from good1     
created all ,such to perfection1 one    
first matter all1 ,endued with various  
forms1 various degrees ,of substance1   
and1 in things that live1 of life2 ,but 
more refined1 more spiritous1 and pure1 
,as nearer to him placed1 or nearer     
tending ,each in their several active   
spheres assigned1 ,till body up to      
spirit work1 in bounds ,proportioned to 
each kind4 ,so from the root ,springs   
lighter the green stalk1 from thence the
 leaves ,more aery1 last the bright     

consummate flower ,spirits odorous      
breathes3 flowers and their fruit1      
,man's nourishment1 by gradual scale    
sublimed1 ,to vital spirits aspire1 to  
animal1 ,to intellectual2 give both life
 and sense1 ,fancy and understanding2   
whence the soul ,reason receives1 and   
reason is her being1 ,discursive1 or    
intuitive2 discourse ,is oftest yours1  
the latter most is ours1 ,differing but 
in degree1 of kind the same4 ,wonder not
 then1 what ,god for you saw good ,if ,i
 refuse not1 but convert1 as you ,to    
proper substance4 ,time may come1 when  
,men ,with ,angels may participate1 and 
find ,no inconvenient diet1 nor too     
light fare2 ,and from these corporal    
nutriments perhaps ,your bodies may at  
last turn all to spirit1 ,improved by   
tract of time1 and1 winged1 ascend      
,ethereal1 as we2 or may1 at choice1    
,here or in heavenly ,paradises dwell2  
,if ye be found obedient1 and retain    
,unalterably firm his love entire1      
,whose progeny you are4 ,mean while     

enjoy ,your fill what happiness this    
happy state ,can comprehend1 incapable  
of more4 ,to whom the patriarch of      
mankind replied4 ,o favourable ,spirit1 
propitious guest1 ,well hast thou taught
 the way that might direct ,our         
knowledge1 and the scale of nature set  
,from center to circumference2 whereon1 
,in contemplation of created things1 ,by
 steps we may ascend to ,god4 ,but say1 
,what meant that caution joined1 ,if ye 
be found ,obedient8 ,can we want        
obedience then ,to him1 or possibly his 
love desert1 ,who formed us from the    
dust and placed us here ,full to the    
utmost measure of what bliss ,human     
desires can seek or apprehend8 ,to whom 
the ,angel4 ,son of ,heaven and ,earth1 
,attend6 ,that thou art happy1 owe to   
,god2 ,that thou continuest such1 owe to
 thyself1 ,that is1 to thy obedience2   
therein stand4 ,this was that caution   
given thee2 be advised4 ,god made thee  
perfect1 not immutable2 ,and good he    
made thee1 but to persevere ,he left it 

in thy power2 ordained thy will ,by     
nature free1 not over-ruled by fate     
,inextricable1 or strict necessity3 ,our
 voluntary service he requires1 ,not our
 necessitated2 such with him ,finds no  
acceptance1 nor can find2 for how ,can  
hearts1 not free1 be tried whether they 
serve ,willing or no1 who will but what 
they must ,by destiny1 and can no other 
choose8 ,myself1 and all the angelick   
host1 that stand ,in sight of ,god1     
enthroned1 our happy state ,hold1 as you
 yours1 while our obedience holds2 ,on  
other surety none3 ,freely we serve1    
,because we freely love1 as in our will 
,to love or not2 in this we stand or    
fall3 ,and some are fallen1 to          
disobedience fallen1 ,and so from       
,heaven to deepest ,hell2 ,o fall ,from 
what high state of bliss1 into what woe6
 ,to whom our great progenitor4 ,thy    
words ,attentive1 and with more         
delighted ear1 ,divine instructer1 ,i   
have heard1 than when ,cherubick songs  
by night from neighbouring hills ,aereal

 musick send3 ,nor knew ,i not ,to be   
both will and deed created free2 ,yet   
that we never shall forget to love ,our 
,maker1 and obey him whose command      
,single is yet so just1 my constant     
thoughts ,assured me1 and still assure3 
,though what thou tellest ,hath passed  
in ,heaven1 some doubt within me move1  
,but more desire to hear1 if thou       
consent1 ,the full relation1 which must 
needs be strange1 ,worthy of sacred     
silence to be heard2 ,and we have yet   
large day1 for scarce the sun ,hath     
finished half his journey1 and scarce   
begins ,his other half in the great zone
 of ,heaven4 ,thus ,adam made request2  
and ,raphael1 ,after short pause        
assenting1 thus began4 ,high matter thou
 enjoinest me1 ,o prime of men1 ,sad    
task and hard3 ,for how shall ,i relate 
,to human sense the invisible exploits  
,of warring ,spirits8 how1 without      
remorse1 ,the ruin of so many glorious  
once ,and perfect while they stood8 how 
last unfold ,the secrets of another     

world1 perhaps ,not lawful to reveal8   
yet for thy good ,this is dispensed2 and
 what surmounts the reach ,of human     
sense1 ,i shall delineate so1 ,by       
likening spiritual to corporal forms1   
,as may express them best2 though what  
if ,earth ,be but a shadow of ,heaven1  
and things therein ,each to other like1 
more than on earth is thought8 ,as yet  
this world was not1 and ,chaos wild     
,reigned where these ,heavens now roll1 
where ,earth now rests ,upon her center 
poised2 when on a day 7,for time1 though
 in eternity1 applied ,to motion1       
measures all things durable ,by present1
 past1 and future17 on such day ,as     
,heaven's great year brings forth1 the  
empyreal host ,of ,angels by imperial   
summons called1 ,innumerable before the 
,almighty's throne ,forthwith1 from all 
the ends of ,heaven1 appeared ,under    
their ,hierarchs in orders bright3 ,ten 
thousand thousand ensigns high advanced1
 ,standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and
 rear ,stream in the air1 and for       

distinction serve ,of hierarchies1 of   
orders1 and degrees2 ,or in their       
glittering tissues bear imblazed ,holy  
memorials1 acts of zeal and love        
,recorded eminent4 ,thus when in orbs   
,of circuit inexpressible they stood1   
,orb within orb1 the ,father ,infinite1 
,by whom in bliss imbosomed sat the     
,son1 ,amidst as from a flaming mount1  
whose top ,brightness had made          
invisible1 thus spake4 ,hear1 all ye    
,angels1 progeny of light1 ,thrones1    
,dominations1 ,princedoms1 ,virtues1    
,powers2 ,hear my decree1 which         
unrevoked shall stand4 ,this day ,i have
 begot whom ,i declare ,my only ,son1   
and on this holy hill ,him have         
anointed1 whom ye now behold ,at my     
right hand2 your head ,i him appoint2   
,and by myself have sworn1 to him shall 
bow ,all knees in ,heaven1 and shall    
confess him ,lord3 ,under his great     
vice-gerent reign abide ,united1 as one 
individual soul1 ,for ever happy3 ,him  
who disobeys1 ,me disobeys1 breaks      

union1 and that day1 ,cast out from ,god
 and blessed vision1 falls ,into utter  
darkness1 deep ingulfed1 his place      
,ordained without redemption1 without   
end4 ,so spake the ,omnipotent1 and with
 his words ,all seemed well pleased2 all
 seemed1 but were not all4 ,that day1 as
 other solemn days1 they spent ,in song 
and dance about the sacred hill2        
,mystical dance1 which yonder starry    
sphere ,of planets1 and of fixed1 in all
 her wheels ,resembles nearest1 mazes   
intricate1 ,eccentrick1 intervolved1 yet
 regular ,then most1 when most irregular
 they seem2 ,and in their motions       
harmony divine ,so smooths her charming 
tones1 that ,god's own ear ,listens     
delighted4 ,evening now approached1     
7,for we have also our evening and our  
morn1 ,we ours for change delectable1   
not need27 ,forthwith from dance to     
sweet repast they turn ,desirous2 all in
 circles as they stood1 ,tables are set1
 and on a sudden piled ,with ,angels    
food1 and rubied nectar flows ,in pearl1

 in diamond1 and massy gold1 ,fruit of  
delicious vines1 the growth of ,heaven4 
,on flowers reposed1 and with fresh     
flowerets crowned1 ,they eat1 they      
drink1 and in communion sweet ,quaff    
immortality and joy1 secure ,of surfeit1
 where full measure only bounds ,excess1
 before the all-bounteous ,king1 who    
showered ,with copious hand1 rejoicing  
in their joy4 ,now when ambrosial night 
with clouds exhaled ,from that high     
mount of ,god1 whence light and shade   
,spring both1 the face of brightest     
,heaven had changed ,to grateful        
twilight1 7for night comes not there ,in
 darker veil7 and roseate dews disposed 
,all but the unsleeping eyes of ,god to 
rest2 ,wide over all the plain1 and     
wider far ,than all this globous earth  
in plain outspread1 7,such are the      
courts of ,god7 the angelick throng1    
,dispersed in bands and files1 their    
camp extend ,by living streams among the
 trees of life1 ,pavilions numberless1  
and sudden reared1 ,celestial           

tabernacles1 where they slept ,fanned   
with cool winds2 save those1 who1 in    
their course1 ,melodious hymns about the
 sovran throne ,alternate all night     
long3 but not so waked ,satan2 so call  
him now1 his former name ,is heard no   
more in ,heaven2 he of the first1 ,if   
not the first ,arch-,angel1 great in    
power1 ,in favour and pre-eminence1 yet 
fraught ,with envy against the ,son of  
,god1 that day ,honoured by his great   
,father1 and proclaimed ,messiah ,king  
anointed1 could not bear ,through pride 
that sight1 and thought himself         
impaired4 ,deep malice thence conceiving
 and disdain1 ,soon as midnight brought 
on the dusky hour ,friendliest to sleep 
and silence1 he resolved ,with all his  
legions to dislodge1 and leave          
,unworshipt1 unobeyed1 the throne       
supreme1 ,contemptuous2 and his next    
subordinate ,awakening1 thus to him in  
secret spake4 ,sleepest thou1 ,companion
 dear8 ,what sleep can close ,thy       
eye-lids8 and rememberest what decree   

,of yesterday1 so late hath passed the  
lips ,of ,heaven's ,almighty4 ,thou to  
me thy thoughts ,wast wont1 ,i mine to  
thee was wont to impart2 ,both waking we
 were one2 how then can now ,thy sleep  
dissent8 ,new laws thou seest imposed2  
,new laws from him who reigns1 new minds
 may raise ,in us who serve1 new        
counsels to debate ,what doubtful may   
ensue3 ,more in this place ,to utter is 
not safe4 ,assemble thou ,of all those  
myriads which we lead the chief2 ,tell  
them1 that by command1 ere yet dim night
 ,her shadowy cloud withdraws1 ,i am to 
haste1 ,and all who under me their      
banners wave1 ,homeward1 with flying    
march1 where we possess ,the quarters of
 the north2 there to prepare ,fit       
entertainment to receive our ,king1 ,the
 great ,messiah1 and his new commands1  
,who speedily through all the           
hierarchies ,intends to pass triumphant1
 and give laws4 ,so spake the false     
,arch-,angel1 and infused ,bad influence
 into the unwary breast ,of his         

associate3 ,he together calls1 ,or      
several one by one1 the regent ,powers1 
,under him ,regent2 tells1 as he was    
taught1 ,that the ,most ,high           
commanding1 now ere night1 ,now ere dim 
night had disincumbered ,heaven1 ,the   
great hierarchal standard was to move2  
,tells the suggested cause1 and casts   
between ,ambiguous words and jealousies1
 to sound ,or taint integrity3 ,but all 
obeyed ,the wonted signal1 and superiour
 voice ,of their great ,potentate2 for  
great indeed ,his name1 and high was his
 degree in ,heaven2 ,his countenance1 as
 the morning-star that guides ,the      
starry flock1 allured them1 and with    
lies ,drew after him the third part of  
,heaven's host4 ,mean while the ,eternal
 eye1 whose sight discerns ,abstrusest  
thoughts1 from forth his holy mount1    
,and from within the golden lamps that  
burn ,nightly before him1 saw without   
their light ,rebellion rising2 saw in   
whom1 how spread ,among the sons of     
morn1 what multitudes ,were banded to   

oppose his high decree2 ,and1 smiling1  
to his only ,son thus said4 ,son1 thou  
in whom my glory ,i behold ,in full     
resplendence1 ,heir of all my might1    
,nearly it now concerns us to be sure   
,of our ,omnipotence1 and with what arms
 ,we mean to hold what anciently we     
claim ,of deity or empire3 ,such a foe  
,is rising1 who intends to erect his    
throne ,equal to ours1 throughout the   
spacious north2 ,nor so content1 hath in
 his thought to try ,in battle1 what our
 power is1 or our right4 ,let us advise1
 and to this hazard draw ,with speed    
what force is left1 and all employ ,in  
our defence2 lest unawares we lose ,this
 our high place1 our sanctuary1 our     
hill4 ,to whom the ,son with calm aspect
 and clear1 ,lightning divine1          
ineffable1 serene1 ,made answer4 ,mighty
 ,father1 thou thy foes ,justly hast in 
derision1 and1 secure1 ,laughest at     
their vain designs and tumults vain1    
,matter to me of glory1 whom their hate 
,illustrates1 when they see all regal   

power ,given me to quell their pride1   
and in event ,know whether ,i be        
dextrous to subdue ,thy rebels1 or be   
found the worst in ,heaven4 ,so spake   
the ,son2 but ,satan1 with his ,powers1 
,far was advanced on winged speed2 an   
host ,innumerable as the stars of night1
 ,or stars of morning1 dew-drops1 which 
the sun ,impearls on every leaf and     
every flower4 ,regions they passed1 the 
mighty regencies ,of ,seraphim1 and     
,potentates1 and ,thrones1 ,in their    
triple degrees2 regions to which ,all   
thy dominion1 ,adam1 is no more ,than   
what this garden is to all the earth1   
,and all the sea1 from one entire       
globose ,stretched into longitude2 which
 having passed1 ,at length into the     
limits of the north ,they came2 and     
,satan to his royal seat ,high on a     
hill1 far blazing1 as a mount ,raised on
 a mount1 with pyramids and towers ,from
 diamond quarries hewn1 and rocks of    
gold2 ,the palace of great ,lucifer1 7so
 call ,that structure in the dialect of 

men ,interpreted17 which not long after1
 he ,affecting all equality with ,god1  
,in imitation of that mount whereon     
,messiah was declared in sight of       
,heaven1 ,the ,mountain of the          
,congregation called2 ,for thither he   
assembled all his train1 ,pretending so 
commanded to consult ,about the great   
reception of their ,king1 ,thither to   
come1 and with calumnious art ,of       
counterfeited truth thus held their     
ears4 ,thrones1 ,dominations1           
,princedoms1 ,virtues1 ,powers2 ,if     
these magnifick titles yet remain ,not  
merely titular1 since by decree ,another
 now hath to himself engrossed ,all     
power1 and us eclipsed under the name   
,of ,king anointed1 for whom all this   
haste ,of midnight-march1 and hurried   
meeting here1 ,this only to consult how 
we may best1 ,with what may be devised  
of honours new1 ,receive him coming to  
receive from us ,knee-tribute yet       
unpaid1 prostration vile6 ,too much to  
one6 but double how endured1 ,to one1   

and to his image now proclaimed8 ,but   
what if better counsels might erect ,our
 minds1 and teach us to cast off this   
yoke8 ,will ye submit your necks1 and   
choose to bend ,the supple knee8 ,ye    
will not1 if ,i trust ,to know ye right1
 or if ye know yourselves ,natives and  
sons of ,heaven possessed before ,by    
none2 and if not equal all1 yet free1   
,equally free2 for orders and degrees   
,jar not with liberty1 but well consist4
 ,who can in reason then1 or right1     
assume ,monarchy over such as live by   
right ,his equals1 if in power and      
splendour less1 ,in freedom equal8 or   
can introduce ,law and edict on us1 who 
without law ,err not8 much less for this
 to be our ,lord1 ,and look for         
adoration1 to the abuse ,of those       
imperial titles1 which assert ,our being
 ordained to govern1 not to serve4 ,thus
 far his bold discourse without controul
 ,had audience2 when among the ,seraphim
 ,abdiel1 than whom none with more zeal 
adored ,the ,deity1 and divine commands 

obeyed1 ,stood up1 and in a flame of    
zeal severe ,the current of his fury    
thus opposed4 ,o argument blasphemous1  
false1 and proud6 ,words which no ear   
ever to hear in ,heaven ,expected1 least
 of all from thee1 ,ingrate1 ,in place  
thyself so high above thy peers4 ,canst 
thou with impious obloquy condemn ,the  
just decree of ,god1 pronounced and     
sworn1 ,that to his only ,son1 by right 
endued ,with regal scepter1 every soul  
in ,heaven ,shall bend the knee1 and in 
that honour due ,confess him rightful   
,king8 unjust1 thou sayest1 ,flatly     
unjust1 to bind with laws the free1 ,and
 equal over equals to let reign1 ,one   
over all with unsucceeded power4 ,shalt 
thou give law to ,god8 shalt thou       
dispute ,with him the points of liberty1
 who made ,thee what thou art1 and      
formed the ,powers of ,heaven ,such as  
he pleased1 and circumscribed their     
being8 ,yet1 by experience taught1 we   
know how good1 ,and of our good and of  
our dignity ,how provident he is2 how   

far from thought ,to make us less1 bent 
rather to exalt ,our happy state1 under 
one head more near ,united4 ,but to     
grant it thee unjust1 ,that equal over  
equals monarch reign3 ,thyself1 though  
great and glorious1 dost thou count1 ,or
 all angelick nature joined in one1     
,equal to him begotten ,son8 by whom1   
,as by his ,word1 the ,mighty ,father   
made ,all things1 even thee2 and all the
 ,spirits of ,heaven ,by him created in 
their bright degrees1 ,crowned them with
 glory1 and to their glory named        
,thrones1 ,dominations1 ,princedoms1    
,virtues1 ,powers1 ,essential ,powers2  
nor by his reign obscured1 ,but more    
illustrious made2 since he the head ,one
 of our number thus reduced becomes2    
,his laws our laws2 all honour to him   
done ,returns our own4 ,cease then this 
impious rage1 ,and tempt not these2 but 
hasten to appease ,the incensed ,father1
 and the incensed ,son1 ,while pardon   
may be found in time besought4 ,so spake
 the fervent ,angel2 but his zeal ,none 

seconded1 as out of season judged1 ,or  
singular and rash3 ,whereat rejoiced    
,the ,apostate1 and1 more haughty1 thus 
replied4 ,that we were formed then      
sayest thou8 and the work ,of secondary 
hands1 by task transferred ,from ,father
 to his ,son8 strange point and new6    
,doctrine which we would know whence    
learned3 who saw ,when this creation    
was8 rememberest thou ,thy making1 while
 the ,maker gave thee being8 ,we know no
 time when we were not as now2 ,know    
none before us1 self-begot1 self-raised 
,by our own quickening power1 when fatal
 course ,had circled his full orb1 the  
birth mature ,of this our native        
,heaven1 ethereal sons4 ,our puissance  
is our own2 our own right hand ,shall   
teach us highest deeds1 by proof to try 
,who is our equal3 ,then thou shalt     
behold ,whether by supplication we      
intend ,address1 and to begirt the      
almighty throne ,beseeching or          
besieging4 ,this report1 ,these tidings 
carry to the anointed ,king2 ,and fly1  

ere evil intercept thy flight4 ,he said2
 and1 as the sound of waters deep1      
,hoarse murmur echoed to his words      
applause ,through the infinite host2 nor
 less for that ,the flaming ,seraph     
fearless1 though alone ,encompassed     
round with foes1 thus answered bold4 ,o 
alienate from ,god1 ,o ,spirit accursed1
 ,forsaken of all good6 ,i see thy fall 
,determined1 and thy hapless crew       
involved ,in this perfidious fraud1     
contagion spread ,both of thy crime and 
punishment3 ,henceforth ,no more be     
troubled how to quit the yoke ,of ,god's
 ,messiah2 those indulgent laws ,will   
not be now vouchsafed2 other decrees    
,against thee are gone forth without    
recall2 ,that golden scepter1 which thou
 didst reject1 ,is now an iron rod to   
bruise and break ,thy disobedience4     
,well thou didst advise2 ,yet not for   
thy advice or threats ,i fly ,these     
wicked tents devoted1 lest the wrath    
,impendent1 raging into sudden flame1   
,distinguish not3 ,for soon expect to   

feel ,his thunder on thy head1 devouring
 fire4 ,then who created thee lamenting 
learn1 ,when who can uncreate thee thou 
shalt know4 ,so spake the ,seraph       
,abdiel1 faithful found ,among the      
faithless1 faithful only he2 ,among     
innumerable false1 unmoved1 ,unshaken1  
unseduced1 unterrified1 ,his loyalty he 
kept1 his love1 his zeal2 ,nor number1  
nor example1 with him wrought ,to swerve
 from truth1 or change his constant     
mind1 ,though single4 ,from amidst them 
forth he passed1 ,long way through      
hostile scorn1 which he sustained       
,superiour1 nor of violence feared      
aught2 ,and1 with retorted scorn1 his   
back he turned ,on those proud towers to
 swift destruction doomed4     ,book    
,,vi   ,all night the dreadless ,angel1 
unpursued1 ,through ,heaven's wide      
champain held his way2 till ,morn1      
,waked by the circling ,hours1 with rosy
 hand ,unbarred the gates of light4     
,there is a cave ,within the mount of   
,god1 fast by his throne1 ,where light  

and darkness in perpetual round ,lodge  
and dislodge by turns1 which makes      
through ,heaven ,grateful vicissitude1  
like day and night2 ,light issues forth1
 and at the other door ,obsequious      
darkness enters1 till her hour ,to veil 
the ,heaven1 though darkness there might
 well ,seem twilight here3 ,and now went
 forth the ,morn ,such as in highest    
,heaven arrayed in gold ,empyreal2 from 
before her vanished ,night1 ,shot       
through with orient beams2 when all the 
plain ,covered with thick embattled     
squadrons bright1 ,chariots1 and flaming
 arms1 and fiery steeds1 ,reflecting    
blaze on blaze1 first met his view3 ,war
 he perceived1 war in procinct2 and     
found ,already known what he for news   
had thought ,to have reported3 ,gladly  
then he mixed ,among those friendly     
,powers1 who him received ,with joy and 
acclamations loud1 that one1 ,that of so
 many myriads fallen1 yet one ,returned 
not lost4 ,on to the sacred hill ,they  
led him high applauded1 and present     

,before the seat supreme2 from whence a 
voice1 ,from midst a golden cloud1 thus 
mild was heard4 ,servant of ,god4 ,well 
done2 well hast thou fought ,the better 
fight1 who single hast maintained       
,against revolted multitudes the cause  
,of truth1 in word mightier than they in
 arms2 ,and for the testimony of truth  
hast borne ,universal reproach1 far     
worse to bear ,than violence2 for this  
was all thy care ,to stand approved in  
sight of ,god1 though worlds ,judged    
thee perverse3 ,the easier conquest now 
,remains thee1 aided by this host of    
friends1 ,back on thy foes more glorious
 to return1 ,than scorned thou didst    
depart2 and to subdue ,by force1 who    
reason for their law refuse1 ,right     
reason for their law1 and for their     
,king ,messiah1 who by right of merit   
reigns4 ,go1 ,michael1 of celestial     
armies prince1 ,and thou1 in military   
prowess next1 ,gabriel1 lead forth to   
battle these my sons ,invincible2 lead  
forth my armed ,saints1 ,by thousands   

and by millions1 ranged for fight1      
,equal in number to that ,godless crew  
,rebellious3 ,them with fire and hostile
 arms ,fearless assault2 and1 to the    
brow of ,heaven ,pursuing1 drive them   
out from ,god and bliss1 ,into their    
place of punishment1 the gulf ,of       
,tartarus1 which ready opens wide ,his  
fiery ,chaos to receive their fall4 ,so 
spake the ,sovran ,voice1 and clouds    
began ,to darken all the hill1 and smoke
 to roll ,in dusky wreaths1 reluctant   
flames1 the sign ,of wrath awaked2 nor  
with less dread the loud ,ethereal      
trumpet from on high 'gan blow3 ,at     
which command the ,powers militant1     
,that stood for ,heaven1 in mighty      
quadrate joined ,of union irresistible1 
moved on ,in silence their bright       
legions1 to the sound ,of instrumental  
harmony1 that breathed ,heroick ardour  
to adventurous deeds ,under their       
,god-like leaders1 in the cause ,of ,god
 and his ,messiah4 ,on they move        
,indissolubly firm2 nor obvious hill1   

,nor straitening vale1 nor wood1 nor    
stream1 divides ,their perfect ranks2   
for high above the ground ,their march  
was1 and the passive air upbore ,their  
nimble tread2 as when the total kind ,of
 birds1 in orderly array on wing1 ,came 
summoned over ,eden to receive ,their   
names of thee2 so over many a tract ,of 
,heaven they marched1 and many a        
province wide1 ,tenfold the length of   
this terrene3 ,at last1 ,far in the     
horizon to the north appeared ,from     
skirt to skirt a fiery region1 stretched
 ,in battailous aspect1 and nearer view 
,bristled with upright beams innumerable
 ,of rigid spears1 and helmets thronged1
 and shields ,various1 with boastful    
argument portrayed1 ,the banded ,powers 
of ,satan hasting on ,with furious      
expedition2 for they weened ,that       
self-same day1 by fight or by surprise1 
,to win the mount of ,god1 and on his   
throne ,to set the ,envier of his state1
 the proud ,aspirer2 but their thoughts 
proved fond and vain ,in the mid way3   

,though strange to us it seemed ,at     
first1 that ,angel should with ,angel   
war1 ,and in fierce hosting meet1 who   
wont to meet ,so oft in festivals of joy
 and love ,unanimous1 as sons of one    
great ,sire1 ,hymning the ,eternal      
,father3 ,but the shout ,of battle now  
began1 and rushing sound ,of onset ended
 soon each milder thought4 ,high in the 
midst1 exalted as a ,god1 ,the ,apostate
 in his sun-bright chariot sat1 ,idol of
 majesty divine1 enclosed ,with flaming 
,cherubim1 and golden shields2 ,then    
lighted from his gorgeous throne1 for   
now ',twixt host and host but narrow    
space was left1 ,a dreadful interval1   
and front to front ,presented stood in  
terrible array ,of hideous length3      
,before the cloudy van1 ,on the rough   
edge of battle ere it joined1 ,satan1   
with vast and haughty strides advanced1 
,came towering1 armed in adamant and    
gold2 ,abdiel that sight endured not1   
where he stood ,among the mightiest1    
bent on highest deeds1 ,and thus his own

 undaunted heart explores4 ,o ,heaven6  
that such resemblance of the ,highest   
,should yet remain1 where faith and     
realty ,remain not3 ,wherefore should   
not strength and might ,there fail where
 virtue fails1 or weakest prove ,where  
boldest1 though to fight unconquerable8 
,his puissance1 trusting in the         
,almighty's aid1 ,i mean to try1 whose  
reason ,i have tried ,unsound and false2
 nor is it aught but just1 ,that he1 who
 in debate of truth hath won1 ,should   
win in arms1 in both disputes alike     
,victor2 though brutish that contest and
 foul1 ,when reason hath to deal with   
force1 yet so ,most reason is that      
reason overcome4 ,so pondering1 and from
 his armed peers ,forth stepping        
opposite1 half-way he met ,his daring   
foe1 at this prevention more ,incensed1 
and thus securely him defied4 ,proud1   
art thou met8 thy hope was to have      
reached ,the highth of thy aspiring     
unopposed1 ,the throne of ,god          
unguarded1 and his side ,abandoned1 at  

the terrour of thy power ,or potent     
tongue3 ,fool6 not to think how vain    
,against the ,omnipotent to rise in     
arms2 ,who out of smallest things could1
 without end1 ,have raised incessant    
armies to defeat ,thy folly2 or with    
solitary hand ,reaching beyond all      
limit1 at one blow1 ,unaided1 could have
 finished thee1 and whelmed ,thy legions
 under darkness3 ,but thou seest ,all   
are not of thy train2 there be1 who     
faith ,prefer1 and piety to ,god1 though
 then ,to thee not visible1 when ,i     
alone ,seemed in thy world erroneous to 
dissent ,from all3 ,my sect thou seest2 
now learn too late ,how few sometimes   
may know1 when thousands err4 ,whom the 
grand foe1 with scornful eye askance1   
,thus answered4 ,ill for thee1 but in   
wished hour ,of my revenge1 first sought
 for1 thou returnest ,from flight1      
seditious ,angel6 to receive ,thy       
merited reward1 the first assay ,of this
 right hand provoked1 since first that  
tongue1 ,inspired with contradiction1   

durst oppose ,a third part of the ,gods1
 in synod met ,their deities to assert2 
who1 while they feel ,vigour divine     
within them1 can allow ,omnipotence to  
none4 ,but well thou comest ,before thy 
fellows1 ambitious to win ,from me some 
plume1 that thy success may show        
,destruction to the rest3 ,this pause   
between1 7,unanswered lest thou boast7  
to let thee know1 ,at first ,i thought  
that ,liberty and ,heaven ,to heavenly  
souls had been all one2 but now ,i see  
that most through sloth had rather      
serve1 ,ministring ,spirits1 trained up 
in feast and song6 ,such hast thou      
armed1 the minstrelsy of ,heaven1       
,servility with freedom to contend1 ,as 
both their deeds compared this day shall
 prove4 ,to whom in brief thus ,abdiel  
stern replied4 ,apostate6 still thou    
errest1 nor end wilt find ,of erring1   
from the path of truth remote3 ,unjustly
 thou depravest it with the name ,of    
servitude1 to serve whom ,god ordains1  
,or ,nature3 ,god and ,nature bid the   

same1 ,when he who rules is worthiest1  
and excels ,them whom he governs4 ,this 
is servitude1 ,to serve the unwise1 or  
him who hath rebelled ,against his      
worthier1 as thine now serve thee1      
,thyself not free1 but to thyself       
enthralled2 ,yet lewdly darest our      
ministring upbraid4 ,reign thou in      
,hell1 thy kingdom2 let me serve ,in    
,heaven ,god ever blest1 and his divine 
,behests obey1 worthiest to be obeyed2  
,yet chains in ,hell1 not realms1       
expect3 ,mean while ,from me returned1  
as erst thou saidst1 from flight1 ,this 
greeting on thy impious crest receive4  
,so saying1 a noble stroke he lifted    
high1 ,which hung not1 but so swift with
 tempest fell ,on the proud crest of    
,satan1 that no sight1 ,nor motion of   
swift thought1 less could his shield1   
,such ruin intercept3 ,ten paces huge   
,he back recoiled2 the tenth on bended  
knee ,his massy spear upstaid2 as if on 
earth ,winds under ground1 or waters    
forcing way1 ,sidelong had pushed a     

mountain from his seat1 ,half sunk with 
all his pines4 ,amazement seised ,the   
rebel ,thrones1 but greater rage1 to see
 ,thus foiled their mightiest2 ours joy 
filled1 and shout1 ,presage of victory1 
and fierce desire ,of battle3 ,whereat  
,michael bid sound ,the ,arch-,angel    
trumpet2 through the vast of ,heaven ,it
 sounded1 and the faithful armies rung  
,hosanna to the ,highest3 ,nor stood at 
gaze ,the adverse legions1 nor less     
hideous joined ,the horrid shock4 ,now  
storming fury rose1 ,and clamour such as
 heard in ,heaven till now ,was never2  
arms on armour clashing brayed ,horrible
 discord1 and the madding wheels ,of    
brazen chariots raged2 dire was the     
noise ,of conflict2 over head the dismal
 hiss ,of fiery darts in flaming vollies
 flew1 ,and flying vaulted either host  
with fire4 ,so under fiery cope together
 rushed ,both battles main1 with ruinous
 assault ,and inextinguishable rage4    
,all ,heaven ,resounded2 and had ,earth 
been then1 all ,earth ,had to her center

 shook4 ,what wonder8 when ,millions of 
fierce encountering ,angels fought ,on  
either side1 the least of whom could    
wield ,these elements1 and arm him with 
the force ,of all their regions3 ,how   
much more of power ,army against army   
numberless to raise ,dreadful combustion
 warring1 and disturb1 ,though not      
destroy1 their happy native seat2 ,had  
not the ,eternal ,king ,omnipotent1     
,from his strong hold of ,heaven1 high  
over-ruled ,and limited their might2    
though numbered such ,as each divided   
legion might have seemed ,a numerous    
host2 in strength each armed hand ,a    
legion2 led in fight1 yet leader seemed 
,each warriour single as in chief1      
expert ,when to advance1 or stand1 or   
turn the sway ,of battle1 open when1 and
 when to close ,the ridges of grim war3 
,no thought of flight1 ,none of retreat1
 no unbecoming deed ,that argued fear2  
each on himself relied1 ,as only in his 
arm the moment lay ,of victory3 ,deeds  
of eternal fame ,were done1 but         

infinite2 for wide was spread ,that war 
and various2 sometimes on firm ground ,a
 standing fight1 then1 soaring on main  
wing1 ,tormented all the air2 all air   
seemed then ,conflicting fire4 ,long    
time in even scale ,the battle hung2    
till ,satan1 who that day ,prodigious   
power had shown1 and met in arms ,no    
equal1 ranging through the dire attack  
,of fighting ,seraphim confused1 at     
length ,saw where the sword of ,michael 
smote1 and felled ,squadrons at once2   
with huge two-handed sway ,brandished   
aloft1 the horrid edge came down        
,wide-wasting2 such destruction to      
withstand ,he hasted1 and opposed the   
rocky orb ,of tenfold adamant1 his ample
 shield1 ,a vast circumference4 ,at his 
approach ,the great ,arch-,angel from   
his warlike toil ,surceased1 and glad1  
as hoping here to end ,intestine war in 
,heaven1 the arch-foe subdued ,or       
captive dragged in chains1 with hostile 
frown ,and visage all inflamed first    
thus began4 ,author of evil1 unknown    

till thy revolt1 ,unnamed in ,heaven1   
now plenteous as thou seest ,these acts 
of hateful strife1 hateful to all1      
,though heaviest by just measure on     
thyself1 ,and thy adherents3 ,how hast  
thou disturbed ,heaven's blessed peace1 
and into nature brought ,misery1        
uncreated till the crime ,of thy        
rebellion6 how hast thou instilled ,thy 
malice into thousands1 once upright ,and
 faithful1 now proved false6 ,but think 
not here ,to trouble holy rest2 ,heaven 
casts thee out ,from all her confines4  
,heaven1 the seat of bliss1 ,brooks not 
the works of violence and war4 ,hence   
then1 and evil go with thee along1 ,thy 
offspring1 to the place of evil1 ,hell2 
,thou and thy wicked crew6 there mingle 
broils1 ,ere this avenging sword begin  
thy doom1 ,or some more sudden          
vengeance1 winged from ,god1            
,precipitate thee with augmented pain4  
,so spake the ,prince of ,angels2 to    
whom thus ,the ,adversary4 ,nor think   
thou with wind ,of aery threats to awe  

whom yet with deeds ,thou canst not4    
,hast thou turned the least of these ,to
 flight1 or if to fall1 but that they   
rise ,unvanquished1 easier to transact  
with me ,that thou shouldst hope1       
imperious1 and with threats ,to chase me
 hence8 err not1 that so shall end ,the 
strife which thou callest evil1 but we  
style ,the strife of glory2 which we    
mean to win1 ,or turn this ,heaven      
itself into the ,hell ,thou fablest2    
here however to dwell free1 ,if not to  
reign3 ,mean while thy utmost force1    
,and join him named ,almighty to thy    
aid1 ,i fly not1 but have sought thee   
far and nigh4 ,they ended parle1 and    
both addressed for fight ,unspeakable2  
for who1 though with the tongue ,of     
,angels1 can relate1 or to what things  
,liken on earth conspicuous1 that may   
lift ,human imagination to such highth  
,of ,godlike power8 for likest ,gods    
they seemed1 ,stood they or moved1 in   
stature1 motion1 arms1 ,fit to decide   
the empire of great ,heaven4 ,now waved 

their fiery swords1 and in the air ,made
 horrid circles2 two broad suns their   
shields ,blazed opposite1 while         
,expectation stood ,in horrour3 ,from   
each hand with speed retired1 ,where    
erst was thickest fight1 the angelick   
throng1 ,and left large field1 unsafe   
within the wind ,of such commotion2 such
 as1 to set forth ,great things by      
small1 if1 nature's concord broke1      
,among the constellations war were      
sprung1 ,two planets1 rushing from      
aspect malign ,of fiercest opposition1  
in mid sky ,should combat1 and their    
jarring spheres confound4 ,together both
 with next to almighty arm ,up-lifted   
imminent1 one stroke they aimed ,that   
might determine1 and not need repeat1   
,as not of power at once2 nor odds      
appeared ,in might or swift prevention3 
,but the sword ,of ,michael from the    
armoury of ,god ,was given him tempered 
so1 that neither keen ,nor solid might  
resist that edge3 it met ,the sword of  
,satan1 with steep force to smite       

,descending1 and in half cut sheer2 nor 
staid1 ,but with swift wheel reverse1   
deep entering1 shared ,all his right    
side3 ,then ,satan first knew pain1 ,and
 writhed him to and fro convolved2 so   
sore ,the griding sword with            
discontinuous wound ,passed through him3
 ,but the ethereal substance closed1    
,not long divisible2 and from the gash  
,a stream of necturous humour issuing   
flowed ,sanguine1 such as celestial     
,spirits may bleed1 ,and all his armour 
stained1 ere while so bright4 ,forthwith
 on all sides to his aid was run ,by    
,angels many and strong1 who interposed 
,defence1 while others bore him on their
 shields ,back to his chariot1 where it 
stood retired ,from off the files of    
war3 ,there they him laid ,gnashing for 
anguish1 and despite1 and shame1 ,to    
find himself not matchless1 and his     
pride ,humbled by such rebuke1 so far   
beneath ,his confidence to equal ,god in
 power4 ,yet soon he healed2 for        
,spirits that live throughout ,vital in 

every part1 not as frail man ,in        
entrails1 heart of head1 liver or reins1
 ,cannot but by annihilating die2 ,nor  
in their liquid texture mortal wound    
,receive1 no more than can the fluid    
air3 ,all heart they live1 all head1 all
 eye1 all ear1 ,all intellect1 all      
sense2 and1 as they please1 ,they limb  
themselves1 and colour1 shape1 or size  
,assume1 as likes them best1 condense or
 rare4 ,mean while in other parts like  
deeds deserved ,memorial1 where the     
might of ,gabriel fought1 ,and with     
fierce ensigns pierced the deep array   
,of ,moloch1 furious king2 who him      
defied1 ,and at his chariot-wheels to   
drag him bound ,threatened1 nor from the
 ,holy ,one of ,heaven ,refrained his   
tongue blasphemous2 but anon ,down      
cloven to the waist1 with shattered arms
 ,and uncouth pain fled bellowing4 ,on  
each wing ,uriel1 and ,raphael1 his     
vaunting foe1 ,though huge1 and in a    
rock of diamond armed1 ,vanquished      
,adramelech1 and ,asmadai1 ,two potent  

,thrones1 that to be less than ,gods    
,disdained1 but meaner thoughts learned 
in their flight1 ,mangled with ghastly  
wounds through plate and mail4 ,nor     
stood unmindful ,abdiel to annoy ,the   
atheist crew1 but with redoubled blow   
,ariel1 and ,arioch1 and the violence   
,of ,ramiel scorched and blasted1       
overthrew4 ,i might relate of thousands1
 and their names ,eternize here on      
earth2 but those elect ,angels1         
contented with their fame in ,heaven1   
,seek not the praise of men3 ,the other 
sort1 ,in might though wonderous and in 
acts of war1 ,nor of renown less eager1 
yet by doom ,cancelled from ,heaven and 
sacred memory1 ,nameless in dark        
oblivion let them dwell4 ,for strength  
from truth divided1 and from just1      
,illaudable1 nought merits but dispraise
 ,and ignominy2 yet to glory aspires    
,vain-glorious1 and through infamy seeks
 fame3 ,therefore eternal silence be    
their doom4 ,and now1 their mightiest   
quelled1 the battle swerved1 ,with many 

an inroad gored2 deformed rout ,entered1
 and foul disorder2 all the ground ,with
 shivered armour strown1 and on a heap  
,chariot and charioteer lay overturned1 
,and fiery-foaming steeds2 what stood1  
recoiled ,o'er-wearied1 through the     
faint ,satanick host ,defensive scarce1 
or with pale fear surprised1 ,then first
 with fear surprised1 and sense of pain1
 ,fled ignominious1 to such evil brought
 ,by sin of disobedience2 till that hour
 ,not liable to fear1 or flight1 or     
pain4 ,far otherwise the inviolable     
,saints1 ,in cubick phalanx firm1       
advanced entire1 ,invulnerable1         
impenetrably armed2 ,such high          
advantages their innocence ,gave them   
above their foes2 not to have sinned1   
,not to have disobeyed2 in fight they   
stood ,unwearied1 unobnoxious to be     
pained ,by wound1 though from their     
place by violence moved1 ,now ,night her
 course began1 and1 over ,heaven        
,inducing darkness1 grateful truce      
imposed1 ,and silence on the odious din 

of war3 ,under her cloudy covert both   
retired1 ,victor and vanquished3 ,on the
 foughten field ,michael and his ,angels
 prevalent ,encamping1 placed in guard  
their watches round1 ,cherubick waving  
fires3 ,on the other part1 ,satan with  
his rebellious disappeared1 ,far in the 
dark dislodged2 and1 void of rest1 ,his 
potentates to council called by night2  
,and in the midst thus undismayed began4
 ,o now in danger tried1 now known in   
arms ,not to be overpowered1 ,companions
 dear1 ,found worthy not of liberty     
alone1 ,too mean pretence6 but what we  
more affect1 ,honour1 dominion1 glory1  
and renown2 ,who have sustained one day 
in doubtful fight1 7,and if one day1 why
 not eternal days87 ,what ,heaven's     
,lord had powerfullest to send ,against 
us from about his throne1 and judged    
,sufficient to subdue us to his will1   
,but proves not so3 ,then fallible1 it  
seems1 ,of future we may deem him1      
though till now ,omniscient thought4    
,true is1 less firmly armed1 ,some      

disadvantage we endured and pain1 ,till 
now not known1 but1 known1 as soon      
contemned2 ,since now we find this our  
empyreal form ,incapable of mortal      
injury1 ,imperishable1 and1 though      
pierced with wound1 ,soon closing1 and  
by native vigour healed4 ,of evil then  
so small as easy think ,the remedy2     
perhaps more valid arms1 ,weapons more  
violent1 when next we meet1 ,may serve  
to better us1 and worse our foes1 ,or   
equal what between us made the odds1 ,in
 nature none3 ,if other hidden cause    
,left them superiour1 while we can      
preserve ,unhurt our minds1 and         
understanding sound1 ,due search and    
consultation will disclose4 ,he sat2 and
 in the assembly next upstood ,nisroch1 
of ,principalities the prime2 ,as one he
 stood escaped from cruel fight1 ,sore  
toiled1 his riven arms to havock hewn1  
,and cloudy in aspect thus answering    
spake4 ,deliverer from new ,lords1      
leader to free ,enjoyment of our right  
as ,gods2 yet hard ,for ,gods1 and too  

unequal work we find1 ,against unequal  
arms to fight in pain1 ,against         
unpained1 impassive2 from which evil    
,ruin must needs ensue2 for what avails 
,valour or strength1 though matchless1  
quelled with pain ,which all subdues1   
and makes remiss the hands ,of          
mightiest8 ,sense of pleasure we may    
well ,spare out of life perhaps1 and not
 repine1 ,but live content1 which is the
 calmest life3 ,but pain is perfect     
misery1 the worst ,of evils1 and1       
excessive1 overturns ,all patience4 ,he1
 who therefore can invent ,with what    
more forcible we may offend ,our yet    
unwounded enemies1 or arm ,ourselves    
with like defence1 to me deserves ,no   
less than for deliverance what we owe4  
,whereto with look composed ,satan      
replied4 ,not uninvented that1 which    
thou aright ,believest so main to our   
success1 ,i bring4 ,which of us who     
beholds the bright surface ,of this     
ethereous mould whereon we stand1 ,this 
continent of spacious ,heaven1 adorned  

,with plant1 fruit1 flower ambrosial1   
gems1 and gold2 ,whose eye so           
superficially surveys ,these things1 as 
not to mind from whence they grow ,deep 
under ground1 materials dark and crude1 
,of spiritous and fiery spume1 till     
touched ,with ,heaven's ray1 and        
tempered1 they shoot forth ,so          
beauteous1 opening to the ambient light8
 ,these in their dark nativity the deep 
,shall yield us1 pregnant with infernal 
flame2 ,which1 into hollow engines1 long
 and round1 ,thick rammed1 at the other 
bore with touch of fire ,dilated and    
infuriate1 shall send forth ,from far1  
with thundering noise1 among our foes   
,such implements of mischief1 as shall  
dash ,to pieces1 and o'erwhelm whatever 
stands ,adverse1 that they shall fear we
 have disarmed ,the ,thunderer of his   
only dreaded bolt4 ,nor long shall be   
our labour2 yet ere dawn1 ,effect shall 
end our wish4 ,mean while revive2       
,abandon fear2 to strength and counsel  
joined ,think nothing hard1 much less to

 be despaired4 ,he ended1 and his words 
their drooping cheer ,enlightened1 and  
their languished hope revived4 ,the     
invention all admired1 and each1 how he 
,to be the inventer missed2 so easy it  
seemed ,once found1 which yet unfound   
most would have thought ,impossible3    
,yet1 haply1 of thy race ,in future     
days1 if malice should abound1 ,some one
 intent on mischief1 or inspired ,with  
devilish machination1 might devise ,like
 instrument to plague the sons of men   
,for sin1 on war and mutual slaughter   
bent4 ,forthwith from council to the    
work they flew2 ,none arguing stood2    
innumerable hands ,were ready2 in a     
moment up they turned ,wide the         
celestial soil1 and saw beneath ,the    
originals of nature in their crude      
,conception2 sulphurous and nitrous foam
 ,they found1 they mingled1 and1 with   
subtle art1 ,concocted and adusted they 
reduced ,to blackest grain1 and into    
store conveyed3 ,part hidden veins      
digged up 7nor hath this earth ,entrails

 unlike7 of mineral and stone1 ,whereof 
to found their engines and their balls  
,of missive ruin2 part incentive reed   
,provide1 pernicious with one touch to  
fire4 ,so all ere day-spring1 under     
conscious night1 ,secret they finished1 
and in order set1 ,with silent          
circumspection1 unespied4 ,now when fair
 morn orient in ,heaven appeared1 ,up   
rose the victor-,angels1 and to arms    
,the matin trumpet sung3 ,in arms they  
stood ,of golden panoply1 refulgent     
host1 ,soon banded2 others from the     
dawning hills ,look round1 and scouts   
each coast light-armed scour1 ,each     
quarter to descry the distant foe1      
,where lodged1 or whither fled1 or if   
for fight1 ,in motion or in halt3 ,him  
soon they met ,under spread ensigns     
moving nigh1 in slow ,but firm          
battalion2 back with speediest sail     
,zophiel1 of ,cherubim the swiftest     
wing1 ,came flying1 and in mid air aloud
 thus cried4 ,arm1 ,warriours1 arm for  
fight2 the foe at hand1 ,whom fled we   

thought1 will save us long pursuit ,this
 day2 fear not his flight2 so thick a   
cloud ,he comes1 and settled in his face
 ,i see ,sad resolution1 and secure3    
,let each ,his adamantine coat gird     
well1 and each ,fit well his helm1 gripe
 fast his orbed shield1 ,borne even or  
high2 for this day will pour down1 ,if  
,i conjecture aught1 no drizzling       
shower1 ,but rattling storm of arrows   
barbed with fire4 ,so warned he them1   
aware themselves1 and soon ,in order1   
quit of all impediment2 ,instant without
 disturb they took alarm1 ,and onward   
moved embattled3 ,when behold6 ,not     
distant far with heavy pace the foe     
,approaching gross and huge1 in hollow  
cube ,training his devilish enginery1   
impaled ,on every side with shadowing   
squadrons deep1 ,to hide the fraud4 ,at 
interview both stood ,a while2 but      
suddenly at head appeared ,satan1 and   
thus was heard commanding loud4         
,vanguard1 to right and left the front  
unfold2 ,that all may see who hate us1  

how we seek ,peace and composure1 and   
with open breast ,stand ready to receive
 them1 if they like ,our overture2 and  
turn not back perverse3 ,but that ,i    
doubt2 however witness1 ,heaven6        
,heaven1 witness thou anon6 while we    
discharge ,freely our part3 ye1 who     
appointed stand ,do as you have in      
charge1 and briefly touch ,what we      
propound1 and loud that all may hear6   
,so scoffing in ambiguous words1 he     
scarce ,had ended2 when to right and    
left the front ,divided1 and to either  
flank retired3 ,which to our eyes       
discovered1 new and strange1 ,a triple  
mounted row of pillars laid ,on wheels  
7for like to pillars most they seemed1  
,or hollowed bodies made of oak or fir1 
,with branches lopt1 in wood or mountain
 felled17 ,brass1 iron1 stony mould1 had
 not their mouths ,with hideous orifice 
gaped on us wide1 ,portending hollow    
truce3 ,at each behind ,a ,seraph stood1
 and in his hand a reed ,stood waving   
tipt with fire2 while we1 suspense1     

,collected stood within our thoughts    
amused1 ,not long2 for sudden all at    
once their reeds ,put forth1 and to a   
narrow vent applied ,with nicest touch4 
,immediate in a flame1 ,but soon        
obscured with smoke1 all ,heaven        
appeared1 ,from those deep-throated     
engines belched1 whose roar ,embowelled 
with outrageous noise the air1 ,and all 
her entrails tore1 disgorging foul      
,their devilish glut1 chained           
thunderbolts and hail ,of iron globes2  
which1 on the victor host ,levelled1    
with such impetuous fury smote1 ,that1  
whom they hit1 none on their feet might 
stand1 ,though standing else as rocks1  
but down they fell ,by thousands1 ,angel
 on ,arch-,angel rolled2 ,the sooner for
 their arms2 unarmed1 they might ,have  
easily1 as ,spirits1 evaded swift ,by   
quick contraction or remove2 but now    
,foul dissipation followed1 and forced  
rout2 ,nor served it to relax their     
serried files4 ,what should they do8 if 
on they rushed1 repulse ,repeated1 and  

indecent overthrow ,doubled1 would      
render them yet more despised1 ,and to  
their foes a laughter2 for in view      
,stood ranked of ,seraphim another row1 
,in posture to displode their second    
tire ,of thunder3 ,back defeated to     
return ,they worse abhorred4 ,satan     
beheld their plight1 ,and to his mates  
thus in derision called4 ,o ,friends6   
why come not on these victors proud ,ere
 while they fierce were coming2 and when
 we1 ,to entertain them fair with open  
front ,and breast1 7what could we more87
 propounded terms ,of composition1      
straight they changed their minds1 ,flew
 off1 and into strange vagaries fell1   
,as they would dance2 yet for a dance   
they seemed ,somewhat extravagant and   
wild2 perhaps ,for joy of offered peace3
 ,but ,i suppose1 ,if our proposals once
 again were heard1 ,we should compel    
them to a quick result4 ,to whom thus   
,belial1 in like gamesome mood4 ,leader6
 the terms we sent were terms of weight1
 ,of hard contents1 and full of force   

urged home2 ,such as we might perceive  
amused them all1 ,and stumbled many3    
,who receives them right1 ,had need from
 head to foot well understand2 ,not     
understood1 this gift they have besides1
 ,they show us when our foes walk not   
upright4 ,so they among themselves in   
pleasant vein ,stood scoffing1 hightened
 in their thoughts beyond ,all doubt of 
victory3 ,eternal ,might ,to match with 
their inventions they presumed ,so easy1
 and of his thunder made a scorn1 ,and  
all his host derided1 while they stood  
,a while in trouble3 ,but they stood not
 long2 ,rage prompted them at length1   
and found them arms ,against such       
hellish mischief fit to oppose4         
,forthwith 7behold the excellence1 the  
power1 ,which ,god hath in his mighty   
,angels placed67 ,their arms away they  
threw1 and to the hills 7,for ,earth    
hath this variety from ,heaven ,of      
pleasure situate in hill and dale17     
,light as the lightning glimpse they    
ran1 they flew2 ,from their foundations 

loosening to and fro1 ,they plucked the 
seated hills1 with all their load1      
,rocks1 waters1 woods1 and by the shaggy
 tops ,up-lifting bore them in their    
hands3 ,amaze1 ,be sure1 and terrour1   
seized the rebel host1 ,when coming     
towards them so dread they saw ,the     
bottom of the mountains upward turned2  
,till on those cursed engines'          
triple-row ,they saw them whelmed1 and  
all their confidence ,under the weight  
of mountains buried deep2 ,themselves   
invaded next1 and on their heads ,main  
promontories flung1 which in the air    
,came shadowing1 and oppressed whole    
legions armed2 ,their armour helped     
their harm1 crushed in and bruised ,into
 their substance pent1 which wrought    
them pain ,implacable1 and many a       
dolorous groan2 ,long struggling        
underneath1 ere they could wind ,out of 
such prison1 though ,spirits of purest  
light1 ,purest at first1 now gross by   
sinning grown4 ,the rest1 in imitation1 
to like arms ,betook them1 and the      

neighbouring hills uptore3 ,so hills    
amid the air encountered hills1 ,hurled 
to and fro with jaculation dire2 ,that  
under ground they fought in dismal      
shade2 ,infernal noise6 war seemed a    
civil game ,to this uproar2 horrid      
confusion heaped ,upon confusion rose3  
,and now all ,heaven ,had gone to wrack1
 with ruin overspread2 ,had not the     
,almighty ,father1 where he sits        
,shrined in his sanctuary of ,heaven    
secure1 ,consulting on the sum of       
things1 foreseen ,this tumult1 and      
permitted all1 advised3 ,that his great 
purpose he might so fulfil1 ,to honour  
his anointed ,son avenged ,upon his     
enemies1 and to declare ,all power on   
him transferred3 ,whence to his ,son1   
,the ,assessour of his throne1 he thus  
began4 ,effulgence of my glory1 ,son    
beloved1 ,son1 in whose face invisible  
is beheld ,visibly1 what by ,deity ,i   
am2 ,and in whose hand what by decree ,i
 do1 ,second ,omnipotence6 two days are 
past1 ,two days1 as we compute the days 

of ,heaven1 ,since ,michael and his     
,powers went forth to tame ,these       
disobedient3 ,sore hath been their      
fight1 ,as likeliest was1 when two such 
foes met armed2 ,for to themselves ,i   
left them2 and thou knowest1 ,equal in  
their creation they were formed1 ,save  
what sin hath impaired2 which yet hath  
wrought ,insensibly1 for ,i suspend     
their doom2 ,whence in perpetual fight  
they needs must last ,endless1 and no   
solution will be found3 ,war wearied    
hath performed what war can do1 ,and to 
disordered rage let loose the reins     
,with mountains1 as with weapons1 armed2
 which makes ,wild work in ,heaven1 and 
dangerous to the main4 ,two days are    
therefore past1 the third is thine2 ,for
 thee ,i have ordained it2 and thus far 
,have suffered1 that the glory may be   
thine ,of ending this great war1 since  
none but ,thou ,can end it4 ,into thee  
such virtue and grace ,immense ,i have  
transfused1 that all may know ,in       
,heaven and ,hell thy power above       

compare2 ,and1 this perverse commotion  
governed thus1 ,to manifest thee        
worthiest to be ,heir ,of all things2 to
 be ,heir1 and to be ,king ,by sacred   
unction1 thy deserved right4 ,go then1  
,thou ,mightiest1 in thy ,father's      
might2 ,ascend my chariot1 guide the    
rapid wheels ,that shake ,heaven's      
basis1 bring forth all my war1 ,my bow  
and thunder1 my almighty arms ,gird on1 
and sword upon thy puissant thigh2      
,pursue these sons of darkness1 drive   
them out ,from all ,heaven's bounds into
 the utter deep3 ,there let them learn1 
as likes them1 to despise ,god1 and     
,messiah his anointed ,king4 ,he said1  
and on his ,son with rays direct ,shone 
full2 he all his ,father full expressed 
,ineffably into his face received2 ,and 
thus the ,filial ,godhead answering     
spake4 ,o ,father1 ,o ,supreme of       
heavenly ,thrones1 ,first1 ,highest1    
,holiest1 ,best2 thou always seek'st ,to
 glorify thy ,son1 ,i always thee1 ,as  
is most just3 ,this ,i my glory account1

 ,my exaltation1 and my whole delight1  
,that thou1 in me well pleased1         
declarest thy will ,fulfilled1 which to 
fulfil is all my bliss4 ,scepter and    
power1 thy giving1 ,i assume1 ,and      
gladlier shall resign1 when in the end  
,thou shalt be all in all1 and ,i in    
thee ,for ever2 and in me all whom thou 
lovest3 ,but whom thou hatest1 ,i hate1 
and can put on ,thy terrours1 as ,i put 
thy mildness on1 ,image of thee in all  
things2 and shall soon1 ,armed with thy 
might1 rid ,heaven of these rebelled2   
,to their prepared ill mansion driven   
down1 ,to chains of darkness1 and the   
undying worm2 ,that from thy just       
obedience could revolt1 ,whom to obey is
 happiness entire4 ,then shall thy      
,saints unmixed1 and from the impure    
,far separate1 circling thy holy mount1 
,unfeigned ,halleluiahs to thee sing1   
,hymns of high praise1 and ,i among them
 ,chief4 ,so said1 he1 o'er his scepter 
bowing1 rose ,from the right hand of    
,glory where he sat2 ,and the third     

sacred morn began to shine1 ,dawning    
through ,heaven4 ,forth rushed with     
whirlwind sound ,the chariot of         
,paternal ,deity1 ,flashing thick       
flames1 wheel within wheel undrawn1     
,itself instinct with ,spirit1 but      
convoyed ,by four ,cherubick shapes2    
four faces each ,had wonderous2 as with 
stars1 their bodies all ,and wings were 
set with eyes2 with eyes the wheels ,of 
beryl1 and careering fires between2     
,over their heads a crystal firmament1  
,whereon a sapphire throne1 inlaid with 
pure ,amber1 and colours of the showery 
arch4 ,he1 in celestial panoply all     
armed ,of radiant ,urim1 work divinely  
wrought1 ,ascended2 at his right hand   
,victory ,sat eagle-winged2 beside him  
hung his bow ,and quiver with           
three-bolted thunder stored2 ,and from  
about him fierce effusion rolled ,of    
smoke1 and bickering flame1 and sparkles
 dire3 ,attended with ten thousand      
thousand ,saints1 ,he onward came2 far  
off his coming shone2 ,and twenty       

thousand 7,i their number heard7        
,chariots of ,god1 half on each hand1   
were seen2 ,he on the wings of ,cherub  
rode sublime ,on the crystalline sky1 in
 sapphire throned1 ,illustrious far and 
wide2 but by his own ,first seen3 ,them 
unexpected joy surprised1 ,when the     
great ensign of ,messiah blazed ,aloft  
by ,angels borne1 his sign in ,heaven2  
,under whose conduct ,michael soon      
reduced ,his army1 circumfused on either
 wing1 ,under their ,head imbodied all  
in one4 ,before him ,power ,divine his  
way prepared2 ,at his command the       
uprooted hills retired ,each to his     
place2 they heard his voice1 and went   
,obsequious2 ,heaven his wonted face    
renewed1 ,and with fresh flowerets hill 
and valley smiled4 ,this saw his hapless
 foes1 but stood obdured1 ,and to       
rebellious fight rallied their ,powers1 
,insensate1 hope conceiving from        
despair4 ,in heavenly ,spirits could    
such perverseness dwell8 ,but to        
convince the proud what signs avail1 ,or

 wonders move the obdurate to relent8   
,they1 hardened more by what might most 
reclaim1 ,grieving to see his glory1 at 
the sight ,took envy2 and1 aspiring to  
his highth1 ,stood re-embattled fierce1 
by force or fraud ,weening to prosper1  
and at length prevail ,against ,god and 
,messiah1 or to fall ,in universal ruin 
last2 and now ,to final battle drew1    
disdaining flight1 ,or faint retreat2   
when the great ,son of ,god ,to all his 
host on either hand thus spake4 ,stand  
still in bright array1 ye ,saints2 here 
stand1 ,ye ,angels armed2 this day from 
battle rest3 ,faithful hath been your   
warfare1 and of ,god ,accepted1 fearless
 in his righteous cause2 ,and as ye have
 received1 so have ye done1 ,invincibly3
 ,but of this cursed crew ,the          
punishment to other hand belongs2       
,vengeance is his1 or whose he sole     
appoints3 ,number to this day's work is 
not ordained1 ,nor multitude2 stand     
only1 and behold ,god's indignation on  
these godless poured ,by me2 not you1   

but me1 they have despised1 ,yet envied2
 against me is all their rage1 ,because 
the ,father1 to whom in ,heaven s'preme 
,kingdom1 and power1 and glory          
appertains1 ,hath honoured me1 according
 to his will4 ,therefore to me their    
doom he hath assigned2 ,that they may   
have their wish1 to try with me ,in     
battle which the stronger proves2 they  
all1 ,or ,i alone against them2 since by
 strength ,they measure all1 of other   
excellence ,not emulous1 nor care who   
them excels2 ,nor other strife with them
 do ,i vouchsafe4 ,so spake the ,son1   
and into terrour changed ,his           
countenance too severe to be beheld1    
,and full of wrath bent on his enemies4 
,at once the ,four spread out their     
starry wings ,with dreadful shade       
contiguous1 and the orbs ,of his fierce 
chariot rolled1 as with the sound ,of   
torrent floods1 or of a numerous host4  
,he on his impious foes right onward    
drove1 ,gloomy as night2 under his      
burning wheels ,the stedfast empyrean   

shook throughout1 ,all but the throne   
itself of ,god4 ,full soon ,among them  
he arrived2 in his right hand ,grasping 
ten thousand thunders1 which he sent    
,before him1 such as in their souls     
infixed ,plagues3 ,they1 astonished1 all
 resistance lost1 ,all courage2 down    
their idle weapons dropt3 ,o'er shields1
 and helms1 and helmed heads he rode ,of
 ,thrones and mighty ,seraphim          
prostrate1 ,that wished the mountains   
now might be again ,thrown on them1 as a
 shelter from his ire4 ,nor less on     
either side tempestuous fell ,his       
arrows1 from the fourfold-visaged ,four 
,distinct with eyes1 and from the living
 wheels ,distinct alike with multitude  
of eyes2 ,one ,spirit in them ruled2 and
 every eye ,glared lightning1 and shot  
forth pernicious fire ,among the        
accursed1 that withered all their       
strength1 ,and of their wonted vigour   
left them drained1 ,exhausted1          
spiritless1 afflicted1 fallen4 ,yet half
 his strength he put not forth1 but     

checked ,his thunder in mid volley2 for 
he meant ,not to destroy1 but root them 
out of ,heaven3 ,the overthrown he      
raised1 and as a herd ,of goats or      
timorous flock together thronged ,drove 
them before him thunder-struck1 pursued 
,with terrours1 and with furies1 to the 
bounds ,and crystal wall of ,heaven2    
which1 opening wide1 ,rolled inward1 and
 a spacious gap disclosed ,into the     
wasteful deep3 ,the monstrous sight     
,struck them with horrour backward1 but 
far worse ,urged them behind3 ,headlong 
themselves they threw ,down from the    
verge of ,heaven2 eternal wrath ,burnt  
after them to the bottomless pit4 ,hell 
heard the unsufferable noise1 ,hell saw 
,heaven ruining from ,heaven1 and would 
have fled ,affrighted2 but strict ,fate 
had cast too deep ,her dark foundations1
 and too fast had bound4 ,nine days they
 fell3 ,confounded ,chaos roared1 ,and  
felt tenfold confusion in their fall    
,through his wild anarchy1 so huge a    
rout ,incumbered him with ruin3 ,hell at

 last ,yawning received them whole1 and 
on them closed2 ,hell1 their fit        
habitation1 fraught with fire           
,unquenchable1 the house of woe and     
pain4 ,disburdened ,heaven rejoiced1 and
 soon repaired ,her mural breach1       
returning whence it rolled4 ,sole       
victor1 from the expulsion of his foes1 
,messiah his triumphal chariot turned3  
,to meet him all his ,saints1 who silent
 stood ,eye-witnesses of his almighty   
acts1 ,with jubilee advanced2 and1 as   
they went1 ,shaded with branching palm1 
each ,order bright1 ,sung triumph1 and  
him sung victorious ,king1 ,son1 ,heir1 
and ,lord1 to him dominion given1       
,worthiest to reign3 ,he1 celebrated1   
rode ,triumphant through mid ,heaven1   
into the courts ,and temple of his      
,mighty ,father throned ,on high2 who   
into glory him received1 ,where now he  
sits at the right hand of bliss4 ,thus1 
measuring things in ,heaven by things on
 ,earth1 ,at thy request1 and that thou 
mayest beware ,by what is past1 to thee 

,i have revealed ,what might have else  
to human race been hid2 ,the discord    
which befel1 and war in ,heaven ,among  
the angelick ,powers1 and the deep fall 
,of those too high aspiring1 who        
rebelled ,with ,satan2 he who envies now
 thy state1 ,who now is plotting how he 
may seduce ,thee also from obedience1   
that1 with him ,bereaved of happiness1  
thou mayest partake ,his punishment1    
eternal misery2 ,which would be all his 
solace and revenge1 ,as a despite done  
against the ,most ,high1 ,thee once to  
gain companion of his woe4 ,but listen  
not to his temptations1 warn ,thy       
weaker2 let it profit thee to have      
heard1 ,by terrible example1 the reward 
,of disobedience2 firm they might have  
stood1 ,yet fell2 remember1 and fear to 
transgress4     ,book ,,vii   ,descend  
from ,heaven1 ,urania1 by that name ,if 
rightly thou art called1 whose voice    
divine ,following1 above the ,olympian  
hill ,i soar1 ,above the flight of      
,pegasean wing6 ,the meaning1 not the   

name1 ,i call3 for thou ,nor of the     
,muses nine1 nor on the top ,of old     
,olympus dwellest2 but1 heavenly-born1  
,before the hills appeared1 or fountain 
flowed1 ,thou with eternal ,wisdom didst
 converse1 ,wisdom thy sister1 and with 
her didst play ,in presence of the      
,almighty ,father1 pleased ,with thy    
celestial song4 ,up led by thee ,into   
the ,heaven of ,heavens ,i have         
presumed1 ,an earthly guest1 and drawn  
empyreal air1 ,thy tempering3 with like 
safety guided down ,return me to my     
native element3 ,lest from this flying  
steed unreined1 7as once ,bellerophon1  
though from a lower clime17 ,dismounted1
 on the ,aleian field ,i fall1          
,erroneous there to wander1 and forlorn4
 ,half yet remains unsung1 but narrower 
bound ,within the visible diurnal       
sphere2 ,standing on earth1 not rapt    
above the pole1 ,more safe ,i sing with 
mortal voice1 unchanged ,to hoarse or   
mute1 though fallen on evil days1 ,on   
evil days though fallen1 and evil       

tongues2 ,in darkness1 and with dangers 
compassed round1 ,and solitude2 yet not 
alone1 while thou ,visitest my slumbers 
nightly1 or when morn ,purples the east3
 still govern thou my song1 ,urania1 and
 fit audience find1 though few4 ,but    
drive far off the barbarous dissonance  
,of ,bacchus and his revellers1 the race
 ,of that wild rout that tore the       
,thracian bard ,in ,rhodope1 where woods
 and rocks had ears ,to rapture1 till   
the savage clamour drowned ,both harp   
and voice2 nor could the ,muse defend   
,her son4 ,so fail not thou1 who thee   
implores3 ,for thou art heavenly1 she an
 empty dream4 ,say1 ,goddess1 what      
ensued when ,raphael1 ,the affable      
,arch-,angel1 had forewarned ,adam1 by  
dire example1 to beware ,apostasy1 by   
what befel in ,heaven ,to those         
apostates2 lest the like befall ,in     
,paradise to ,adam or his race1 ,charged
 not to touch the interdicted tree1 ,if 
they transgress1 and slight that sole   
command1 ,so easily obeyed amid the     

choice ,of all tastes else to please    
their appetite1 ,though wandering4 ,he1 
with his consorted ,eve1 ,the story     
heard attentive1 and was filled ,with   
admiration and deep muse1 to hear ,of   
things so high and strange2 things1 to  
their thought ,so unimaginable1 as hate 
in ,heaven1 ,and war so near the peace  
of ,god in bliss1 ,with such confusion3 
but the evil1 soon ,driven back1        
redounded as a flood on those ,from whom
 it sprung2 impossible to mix ,with     
blessedness4 ,whence ,adam soon repealed
 ,the doubts that in his heart arose3   
and now ,led on1 yet sinless1 with      
desire to know ,what nearer might       
concern him1 how this world ,of ,heaven 
and ,earth conspicuous first began2     
,when1 and whereof created2 for what    
cause2 ,what within ,eden1 or without1  
was done ,before his memory2 as one     
whose drouth ,yet scarce allayed still  
eyes the current stream1 ,whose liquid  
murmur heard new thirst excites1        
,proceeded thus to ask his heavenly     

guest4 ,great things1 and full of wonder
 in our ears1 ,far differing from this  
world1 thou hast revealed1 ,divine      
interpreter6 by favour sent ,down from  
the empyrean1 to forewarn ,us timely of 
what might else have been our loss1     
,unknown1 which human knowledge could   
not reach2 ,for which to the infinitely 
,good we owe ,immortal thanks1 and his  
admonishment ,receive1 with solemn      
purpose to observe ,immutably his sovran
 will1 the end ,of what we are4 ,but    
since thou hast vouchsafed ,gently1 for 
our instruction1 to impart ,things above
 earthly thought1 which yet concerned   
,our knowing1 as to highest wisdom      
seemed1 ,deign to descend now lower1 and
 relate ,what may no less perhaps avail 
us known1 ,how first began this ,heaven 
which we behold ,distant so high1 with  
moving fires adorned ,innumerable2 and  
this which yields or fills ,all space1  
the ambient air wide interfused         
,embracing round this floried ,earth2   
what cause ,moved the ,creator1 in his  

holy rest ,through all eternity1 so late
 to build ,in ,chaos2 and the work      
begun1 how soon ,absolved2 if unforbid  
thou mayest unfold ,what we1 not to     
explore the secrets ask ,of his eternal 
empire1 but the more ,to magnify his    
works1 the more we know4 ,and the great 
light of day yet wants to run ,much of  
his race though steep2 suspense in      
,heaven1 ,held by thy voice1 thy potent 
voice1 he hears1 ,and longer will delay 
to hear thee tell ,his generation1 and  
the rising birth ,of ,nature from the   
unapparent ,deep3 ,or if the star of    
evening and the moon ,haste to thy      
audience1 ,night with her will bring1   
,silence2 and ,sleep1 listening to thee1
 will watch2 ,or we can bid his absence1
 till thy song ,end1 and dismiss thee   
ere the morning shine4 ,thus ,adam his  
illustrious guest besought3 ,and thus   
the ,godlike ,angel answered mild4 ,this
 also thy request1 with caution asked1  
,obtain2 though to recount almighty     
works ,what words or tongue of ,seraph  

can suffice1 ,or heart of man suffice to
 comprehend8 ,yet what thou canst       
attain1 which best may serve ,to glorify
 the ,maker1 and infer ,thee also       
happier1 shall not be withheld ,thy     
hearing2 such commission from above ,i  
have received1 to answer thy desire ,of 
knowledge within bounds2 beyond1 abstain
 ,to ask2 nor let thine own inventions  
hope ,things not revealed1 which the    
invisible ,king1 ,only ,omniscient1 hath
 suppressed in night2 ,to none          
communicable in ,earth or ,heaven3      
,enough is left besides to search and   
know4 ,but knowledge is as food1 and    
needs no less ,her temperance over      
appetite1 to know ,in measure what the  
mind may well contain2 ,oppresses else  
with surfeit1 and soon turns ,wisdom to 
folly1 as nourishment to wind4 ,know    
then1 that1 after ,lucifer from ,heaven 
7,so call him1 brighter once amidst the 
host ,of ,angels1 than that star the    
stars among17 ,fell with his flaming    
legions through the deep ,into his      

place1 and the great ,son returned      
,victorious with his ,saints1 the       
,omnipotent ,eternal ,father from his   
throne beheld ,their multitude1 and to  
his ,son thus spake4 ,at least our      
envious ,foe hath failed1 who thought   
,all like himself rebellious1 by whose  
aid ,this inaccessible high strength1   
the seat ,of ,deity supreme1 us         
dispossessed1 ,he trusted to have       
seised1 and into fraud ,drew many1 whom 
their place knows here no more3 ,yet far
 the greater part have kept1 ,i see1    
,their station2 ,heaven1 yet populous1  
retains ,number sufficient to possess   
her realms ,though wide1 and this high  
temple to frequent ,with ministeries    
due1 and solemn rites3 ,but1 lest his   
heart exalt him in the harm ,already    
done1 to have dispeopled ,heaven1 ,my   
damage fondly deemed1 ,i can repair     
,that detriment1 if such it be to lose  
,self-lost2 and in a moment will create 
,another world1 out of one man a race   
,of men innumerable1 there to dwell1    

,not here2 till1 by degrees of merit    
raised1 ,they open to themselves at     
length the way ,up hither1 under long   
obedience tried2 ,and ,earth be changed 
to ,heaven1 and ,heaven to ,earth1 ,one 
kingdom1 joy and union without end4     
,mean while inhabit lax1 ye ,powers of  
,heaven2 ,and thou my ,word1 begotten   
,son1 by thee ,this ,i perform2 speak   
thou1 and be it done6 ,my overshadowing 
,spirit and ,might with thee ,i send    
along2 ride forth1 and bid the ,deep    
,within appointed bounds be ,heaven and 
,earth2 ,boundless the ,deep1 because ,i
 ,am who fill ,infinitude1 nor vacuous  
the space4 ,though ,i1 uncircumscribed  
myself1 retire1 ,and put not forth my   
goodness1 which is free ,to act or not1 
,necessity and ,chance ,approach not me1
 and what ,i will is ,fate4 ,so spake   
the ,almighty1 and to what he spake ,his
 ,word1 the ,filial ,godhead1 gave      
effect4 ,immediate are the acts of ,god1
 more swift ,than time or motion1 but to
 human ears ,cannot without process of  

speech be told1 ,so told as earthly     
notion can receive4 ,great triumph and  
rejoicing was in ,heaven1 ,when such was
 heard declared the ,almighty's will2   
,glory they sung to the ,most ,high1    
good will ,to future men1 and in their  
dwellings peace2 ,glory to ,him1 whose  
just avenging ire ,had driven out the   
ungodly from his sight ,and the         
habitations of the just2 to ,him ,glory 
and praise1 whose wisdom had ordained   
,good out of evil to create2 instead ,of
 ,spirits malign1 a better race to bring
 ,into their vacant room1 and thence    
diffuse ,his good to worlds and ages    
infinite4 ,so sang the ,hierarchies3    
,mean while the ,son ,on his great      
expedition now appeared1 ,girt with     
,omnipotence1 with radiance crowned ,of 
,majesty ,divine2 sapience and love     
,immense1 and all his ,father in him    
shone4 ,about his chariot numberless    
were poured ,cherub1 and ,seraph1       
,potentates1 and ,thrones1 ,and         
,virtues1 winged ,spirits1 and chariots 

winged ,from the armoury of ,god2 where 
stand of old ,myriads1 between two      
brazen mountains lodged ,against a      
solemn day1 harnessed at hand1          
,celestial equipage2 and now came forth 
,spontaneous1 for within them ,spirit   
lived1 ,attendant on their ,lord3       
,heaven opened wide ,her ever-during    
gates1 harmonious sound ,on golden      
hinges moving1 to let forth ,the ,king  
of ,glory1 in his powerful ,word ,and   
,spirit1 coming to create new worlds4   
,on heavenly ground they stood2 and from
 the shore ,they viewed the vast        
immeasurable abyss ,outrageous as a sea1
 dark1 wasteful1 wild1 ,up from the     
bottom turned by furious winds ,and     
surging waves1 as mountains1 to assault 
,heaven's highth1 and with the center   
mix the pole4 ,silence1 ye troubled     
,waves1 and thou ,deep1 peace1 ,said    
then the ,omnifick ,word2 your discord  
end6 ,nor staid2 but1 on the wings of   
,cherubim ,uplifted1 in paternal glory  
rode ,far into ,chaos1 and the world    

unborn2 ,for ,chaos heard his voice3    
,him all his train ,followed in bright  
procession1 to behold ,creation1 and the
 wonders of his might4 ,then staid the  
fervid wheels1 and in his hand ,he took 
the golden compasses1 prepared ,in      
,god's eternal store1 to circumscribe   
,this universe1 and all created things3 
,one foot he centered1 and the other    
turned ,round through the vast          
profundity obscure2 ,and said1 ,thus far
 extend1 thus far thy bounds1 ,this be  
thy just circumference1 ,o ,world6 ,thus
 ,god the ,heaven created1 thus the     
,earth1 ,matter unformed and void3      
,darkness profound ,covered the abyss3  
but on the watery calm ,his brooding    
wings the ,spirit of ,god outspread1    
,and vital virtue infused1 and vital    
warmth ,throughout the fluid mass2 but  
downward purged ,the black tartareous   
cold infernal dregs1 ,adverse to life3  
then founded1 then conglobed ,like      
things to like2 the rest to several     
place ,disparted1 and between spun out  

the air2 ,and ,earth self-balanced on   
her center hung4 ,let there be light1   
said ,god2 and forthwith ,light         
,ethereal1 first of things1 quintessence
 pure1 ,sprung from the deep2 and from  
her native east ,to journey through the 
aery gloom began1 ,sphered in a radiant 
cloud1 for yet the sun ,was not2 she in 
a cloudy tabernacle ,sojourned the      
while4 ,god saw the light was good2 ,and
 light from darkness by the hemisphere  
,divided3 light the ,day1 and darkness  
,night1 ,he named4 ,thus was the first  
day even and morn3 ,nor past            
uncelebrated1 nor unsung ,by the        
celestial quires1 when orient light     
,exhaling first from darkness they      
beheld2 ,birth-day of ,heaven and       
,earth2 with joy and shout ,the hollow  
universal orb they filled1 ,and touched 
their golden harps1 and hymning praised 
,god and his works2 ,creator him they   
sung1 ,both when first evening was1 and 
when first morn4 ,again1 ,god said1 ,let
 there be firmament ,amid the waters1   

and let it divide ,the waters from the  
waters2 and ,god made ,the firmament1   
expanse of liquid1 pure1 ,transparent1  
elemental air1 diffused ,in circuit to  
the uttermost convex ,of this great     
round2 partition firm and sure1 ,the    
waters underneath from those above      
,dividing3 for as earth1 so he the world
 ,built on circumfluous waters calm1 in 
wide ,crystalline ocean1 and the loud   
misrule ,of ,chaos far removed2 lest    
fierce extremes ,contiguous might       
distemper the whole frame3 ,and ,heaven 
he named the ,firmament3 ,so even ,and  
morning chorus sung the second day4 ,the
 ,earth was formed1 but in the womb as  
yet ,of waters1 embryon immature        
involved1 ,appeared not3 over all the   
face of ,earth ,main ocean flowed1 not  
idle2 but1 with warm ,prolifick humour  
softening all her globe1 ,fermented the 
great mother to conceive1 ,satiate with 
genial moisture2 when ,god said1 ,be    
gathered now ye waters under ,heaven    
,into one place1 and let dry land       

appear4 ,immediately the mountains huge 
appear ,emergent1 and their broad bare  
backs upheave ,into the clouds2 their   
tops ascend the sky3 ,so high as heaved 
the tumid hills1 so low ,down sunk a    
hollow bottom broad and deep1 ,capacious
 bed of waters3 ,thither they ,hasted   
with glad precipitance1 uprolled1 ,as   
drops on dust conglobing from the dry3  
,part rise in crystal wall1 or ridge    
direct1 ,for haste2 such flight the     
great command impressed ,on the swift   
floods3 ,as armies at the call ,of      
trumpet 7for of armies thou hast heard7 
,troop to their standard2 so the watery 
throng1 ,wave rolling after wave1 where 
way they found1 ,if steep1 with torrent 
rapture1 if through plain1 ,soft-ebbing2
 nor withstood them rock or hill2 ,but  
they1 or under ground1 or circuit wide  
,with serpent errour wandering1 found   
their way1 ,and on the washy oose deep  
channels wore2 ,easy1 ere ,god had bid  
the ground be dry1 ,all but within those
 banks1 where rivers now ,stream1 and   

perpetual draw their humid train4 ,the  
dry land1 ,earth2 and the great         
receptacle ,of congregated waters1 he   
called ,seas3 ,and saw that it was good2
 and said1 ,let the ,earth ,put forth   
the verdant grass1 herb yielding seed1  
,and fruit-tree yielding fruit after her
 kind1 ,whose seed is in herself upon   
the ,earth4 ,he scarce had said1 when   
the bare ,earth1 till then ,desart and  
bare1 unsightly1 unadorned1 ,brought    
forth the tender grass1 whose verdure   
clad ,her universal face with pleasant  
green2 ,then herbs of every leaf1 that  
sudden flowered ,opening their various  
colours1 and made gay ,her bosom1       
smelling sweet3 and1 these scarce blown1
 ,forth flourished thick the clustering 
vine1 forth crept ,the swelling gourd1  
up stood the corny reed ,embattled in   
her field1 and the humble shrub1 ,and   
bush with frizzled hair implicit3 ,last 
,rose1 as in dance1 the stately trees1  
and spread ,their branches hung with    
copious fruit1 or gemmed ,their         

blossoms3 ,with high woods the hills    
were crowned2 ,with tufts the valleys1  
and each fountain side2 ,with borders   
long the rivers3 that ,earth now ,seemed
 like to ,heaven1 a seat where ,gods    
might dwell1 ,or wander with delight1   
and love to haunt ,her sacred shades3   
though ,god had yet not rained ,upon the
 ,earth1 and man to till the ground     
,none was2 but from the ,earth a dewy   
mist ,went up1 and watered all the      
ground1 and each ,plant of the field2   
which1 ere it was in the ,earth1 ,god   
made1 and every herb1 before it grew ,on
 the green stem3 ,god saw that it was   
good3 ,so even and morn recorded the    
third day4 ,again the ,almighty spake1  
,let there be lights ,high in the       
expanse of ,heaven1 to divide ,the day  
from night2 and let them be for signs1  
,for seasons1 and for days1 and circling
 years2 ,and let them be for lights1 as 
,i ordain ,their office in the firmament
 of ,heaven1 ,to give light on the      
,earth2 and it was so4 ,and ,god made   

two great lights1 great for their use   
,to ,man1 the greater to have rule by   
day1 ,the less by night1 altern2 and    
made the stars1 ,and set them in the    
firmament of ,heaven ,to illuminate the 
,earth1 and rule the day ,in their      
vicissitude1 and rule the night1 ,and   
light from darkness to divide4 ,god saw1
 ,surveying his great work1 that it was 
good3 ,for of celestial bodies first the
 sun ,a mighty sphere he framed1        
unlightsome first1 ,though of ethereal  
mould3 then formed the moon ,globose1   
and every magnitude of stars1 ,and sowed
 with stars the ,heaven1 thick as a     
field3 ,of light by far the greater part
 he took1 ,transplanted from her cloudy 
shrine1 and placed ,in the sun's orb1   
made porous to receive ,and drink the   
liquid light2 firm to retain ,her       
gathered beams1 great palace now of     
light4 ,hither1 as to their fountain1   
other stars ,repairing1 in their golden 
urns draw light1 ,and hence the         
morning-planet gilds her horns2 ,by     

tincture or reflection they augment     
,their small peculiar1 though from human
 sight ,so far remote1 with diminution  
seen1 ,first in his east the glorious   
lamp was seen1 ,regent of day1 and all  
the horizon round ,invested with bright 
rays1 jocund to run ,his longitude      
through ,heaven's high road2 the gray   
,dawn1 and the ,pleiades1 before him    
danced1 ,shedding sweet influence3 ,less
 bright the moon1 ,but opposite in      
levelled west was set1 ,his mirrour1    
with full face borrowing her light ,from
 him2 for other light she needed none   
,in that aspect1 and still that distance
 keeps ,till night2 then in the east her
 turn she shines1 ,revolved on ,heaven's
 great axle1 and her reign ,with        
thousand lesser lights dividual holds1  
,with thousand thousand stars1 that then
 appeared ,spangling the hemisphere3    
,then first adorned ,with their bright  
luminaries that set and rose1 ,glad     
evening and glad morn crowned the fourth
 day4 ,and ,god said1 ,let the waters   

generate ,reptile with spawn abundant1  
living soul3 ,and let fowl fly above the
 ,earth1 with wings ,displayed on the   
open firmament of ,heaven4 ,and ,god    
created the great whales1 and each ,soul
 living1 each that crept1 which         
plenteously ,the waters generated by    
their kinds2 ,and every bird of wing    
after his kind2 ,and saw that it was    
good1 and blessed them1 saying4 ,be     
fruitful1 multiply1 and in the seas1    
,and lakes1 and running streams1 the    
waters fill2 ,and let the fowl be       
multiplied1 on the ,earth4 ,forthwith   
the sounds and seas1 each creek and bay1
 ,with fry innumerable swarm1 and shoals
 ,of fish that with their fins1 and     
shining scales1 ,glide under the green  
wave1 in sculls that oft ,bank the mid  
sea3 part single1 or with mate1 ,graze  
the sea-weed their pasture1 and through 
groves ,of coral stray2 or1 sporting    
with quick glance1 ,show to the sun     
their waved coats dropt with gold2 ,or1 
in their pearly shells at ease1 attend  

,moist nutriment2 or under rocks their  
food ,in jointed armour watch3 on smooth
 the seal ,and bended dolphins play3    
part huge of bulk ,wallowing unwieldy1  
enormous in their gait1 ,tempest the    
ocean3 there leviathan1 ,hugest of      
living creatures1 on the deep ,stretched
 like a promontory sleeps or swims1 ,and
 seems a moving land2 and at his gills  
,draws in1 and at his trunk spouts out1 
a sea4 ,mean while the tepid caves1 and 
fens1 and shores1 ,their brood as       
numerous hatch1 from the egg that soon  
,bursting with kindly rupture forth     
disclosed ,their callow young2 but      
feathered soon and fledge ,they summed  
their pens2 and1 soaring the air        
sublime1 ,with clang despised the       
ground1 under a cloud ,in prospect2     
there the eagle and the stork ,on cliffs
 and cedar tops their eyries build3     
,part loosely wing the region1 part more
 wise ,in common1 ranged in figure1     
wedge their way1 ,intelligent of        
seasons1 and set forth ,their aery      

caravan1 high over seas ,flying1 and    
over lands1 with mutual wing ,easing    
their flight2 so steers the prudent     
crane ,her annual voyage1 borne on      
winds2 the air ,floats as they pass1    
fanned with unnumbered plumes3 ,from    
branch to branch the smaller birds with 
song ,solaced the woods1 and spread     
their painted wings ,till even2 nor then
 the solemn nightingale ,ceased         
warbling1 but all night tun'd her soft  
lays3 ,others1 on silver lakes and      
rivers1 bathed ,their downy breast2 the 
swan with arched neck1 ,between her     
white wings mantling proudly1 rows ,her 
state with oary feet2 yet oft they quit 
,the dank1 and1 rising on stiff pennons1
 tower ,the mid aereal sky3 ,others on  
ground ,walked firm2 the crested cock   
whose clarion sounds ,the silent hours1 
and the other whose gay train ,adorns   
him1 coloured with the florid hue ,of   
rainbows and starry eyes4 ,the waters   
thus ,with fish replenished1 and the air
 with fowl1 ,evening and morn solemnized

 the fifth day4 ,the sixth1 and of      
creation last1 arose ,with evening harps
 and matin2 when ,god said1 ,let the    
,earth bring forth soul living in her   
kind1 ,cattle1 and creeping things1 and 
beast of the ,earth1 ,each in their     
kind4 ,the ,earth obeyed1 and straight  
,opening her fertile womb teemed at a   
birth ,innumerous living creatures1     
perfect forms1 ,limbed and full grown3  
,out of the ground up rose1 ,as from his
 lair1 the wild beast where he wons ,in 
forest wild1 in thicket1 brake1 or den2 
,among the trees in pairs they rose1    
they walked3 ,the cattle in the fields  
and meadows green3 ,those rare and      
solitary1 these in flocks ,pasturing at 
once1 and in broad herds upsprung4 ,the 
grassy clods now calved2 now half       
appeared ,the tawny lion1 pawing to get 
free ,his hinder parts1 then springs as 
broke from bonds1 ,and rampant shakes   
his brinded mane2 the ounce1 ,the       
libbard1 and the tiger1 as the mole     
,rising1 the crumbled earth above them  

threw ,in hillocks3 ,the swift stag from
 under ground ,bore up his branching    
head3 ,scarce from his mould ,behemoth  
biggest born of earth upheaved ,his     
vastness3 ,fleeced the flocks and       
bleating rose1 ,as plants3 ,ambiguous   
between sea and land ,the river-horse1  
and scaly crocodile4 ,at once came forth
 whatever creeps the ground1 ,insect or 
worm3 those waved their limber fans ,for
 wings1 and smallest lineaments exact   
,in all the liveries decked of summer's 
pride ,with spots of gold and purple1   
azure and green3 ,these1 as a line1     
their long dimension drew1 ,streaking   
the ground with sinuous trace2 not all  
,minims of nature2 some of serpent-kind1
 ,wonderous in length and corpulence1   
involved ,their snaky folds1 and added  
wings4 ,first crept ,the parsimonious   
emmet1 provident ,of future2 in small   
room large heart enclosed2 ,pattern of  
just equality perhaps ,hereafter1 joined
 in her popular tribes ,of commonalty3  
,swarming next appeared ,the female bee1

 that feeds her husband drone           
,deliciously1 and builds her waxen cells
 ,with honey stored3 ,the rest are      
numberless1 ,and thou their natures     
knowest1 and gavest them names1         
,needless to thee repeated2 nor unknown 
,the serpent1 subtlest beast of all the 
field1 ,of huge extent sometimes1 with  
brazen eyes ,and hairy mane terrifick1  
though to thee ,not noxious1 but        
obedient at thy call4 ,now ,heaven in   
all her glory shone1 and rolled ,her    
motions1 as the great first ,mover's    
hand ,first wheeled their course3 ,earth
 in her rich attire ,consummate lovely  
smiled2 air1 water1 earth1 ,by fowl1    
fish1 beast1 was flown1 was swum1 was   
walked1 ,frequent2 and of the sixth day 
yet remained3 ,there wanted yet the     
master-work1 the end ,of all yet done2 a
 creature1 who1 not prone ,and brute as 
other creatures1 but endued ,with       
sanctity of reason1 might erect ,his    
stature1 and upright with front serene  
,govern the rest1 self-knowing2 and from

 thence ,magnanimous to correspond with 
,heaven1 ,but grateful to acknowledge   
whence his good ,descends1 thither with 
heart1 and voice1 and eyes ,directed in 
devotion1 to adore ,and worship ,god    
,supreme1 who made him chief ,of all his
 works3 therefore the ,omnipotent       
,eternal ,father 7for where is not he   
,present87 thus to his ,son audibly     
spake4 ,let us make now ,man in our     
image1 ,man ,in our similitude1 and let 
them rule ,over the fish and fowl of sea
 and air1 ,beast of the field1 and over 
all the ,earth1 ,and every creeping     
thing that creeps the ground4 ,this     
said1 he formed thee1 ,adam1 thee1 ,o   
,man1 ,dust of the ground1 and in thy   
nostrils breathed ,the breath of life2  
in his own image he ,created thee1 in   
the image of ,god ,express2 and thou    
becamest a living soul4 ,male he created
 thee2 but thy consort ,female1 for     
race2 then blessed mankind1 and said1   
,be fruitful1 multiply1 and fill the    
,earth2 ,subdue it1 and throughout      

dominion hold ,over fish of the sea1 and
 fowl of the air1 ,and every living     
thing that moves on the ,earth4         
,wherever thus created1 for no place ,is
 yet distinct by name1 thence1 as thou  
knowest1 ,he brought thee into this     
delicious grove1 ,this garden1 planted  
with the trees of ,god1 ,delectable both
 to behold and taste2 ,and freely all   
their pleasant fruit for food ,gave     
thee2 all sorts are here that all the   
,earth yields1 ,variety without end2 but
 of the tree1 ,which1 tasted1 works     
knowledge of good and evil1 ,thou mayest
 not2 in the day thou eatest1 thou      
diest2 ,death is the penalty imposed2   
beware1 ,and govern well thy appetite2  
lest ,sin ,surprise thee1 and her black 
attendant ,death4 ,here finished he1 and
 all that he had made ,viewed1 and      
behold all was entirely good2 ,so even  
and morn accomplished the sixth day3    
,yet not till the ,creator from his work
 ,desisting1 though unwearied1 up       
returned1 ,up to the ,heaven of         

,heavens1 his high abode2 ,thence to    
behold this new created world1 ,the     
addition of his empire1 how it showed   
,in prospect from his throne1 how good1 
how fair1 ,answering his great idea4 ,up
 he rode ,followed with acclamation1 and
 the sound ,symphonious of ten thousand 
harps1 that tuned ,angelick harmonies3  
,the earth1 the air ,resounded1 7thou   
rememberest1 for thou heardst17 ,the    
heavens and all the constellations rung1
 ,the planets in their station listening
 stood1 ,while the bright pomp ascended 
jubilant4 ,open1 ye everlasting gates6  
they sung1 ,open1 ye ,heavens6 your     
living doors2 let in ,the great ,creator
 from his work returned ,magnificent1   
his six days work1 a ,world2 ,open1 and 
henceforth oft2 for ,god will deign ,to 
visit oft the dwellings of just men1    
,delighted2 and with frequent           
intercourse ,thither will send his      
winged messengers ,on errands of        
supernal grace4 ,so sung ,the glorious  
train ascending3 ,he through ,heaven1   

,that opened wide her blazing portals1  
led ,to ,god's eternal house direct the 
way2 ,a broad and ample road1 whose dust
 is gold ,and pavement stars1 as stars  
to thee appear1 ,seen in the galaxy1    
that milky way1 ,which nightly1 as a    
circling zone1 thou seest ,powdered with
 stars4 ,and now on ,earth the seventh  
,evening arose in ,eden1 for the sun    
,was set1 and twilight from the east    
came on1 ,forerunning night2 when at the
 holy mount ,of ,heaven's high-seated   
top1 the imperial throne ,of ,godhead1  
fixed for ever firm and sure1 ,the      
,filial ,power arrived1 and sat him down
 ,with his great ,father2 for he also   
went ,invisible1 yet staid1 7such       
privilege ,hath ,omnipresence7 and the  
work ordained1 ,author and ,end of all  
things2 and1 from work ,now resting1    
blessed and hallowed the seventh day1   
,as resting on that day from all his    
work1 ,but not in silence holy kept3 the
 harp ,had work and rested not2 the     
solemn pipe1 ,and dulcimer1 all organs  

of sweet stop1 ,all sounds on fret by   
string or golden wire1 ,tempered soft   
tunings1 intermixed with voice ,choral  
or unison3 of incense clouds1 ,fuming   
from golden censers1 hid the mount4     
,creation and the six days acts they    
sung3 ,great are thy works1 ,jehovah6   
infinite ,thy power6 what thought can   
measure thee1 or tongue ,relate thee6   
,greater now in thy return ,than from   
the giant ,angels3 ,thee that day ,thy  
thunders magnified2 but to create ,is   
greater than created to destroy4 ,who   
can impair thee1 ,mighty ,king1 or bound
 ,thy empire6 ,easily the proud attempt 
,of ,spirits apostate1 and their        
counsels vain1 ,thou hast repelled2     
while impiously they thought ,thee to   
diminish1 and from thee withdraw ,the   
number of thy worshippers4 ,who seeks   
,to lessen thee1 against his purpose    
serves ,to manifest the more thy might3 
his evil ,thou usest1 and from thence   
createst more good4 ,witness this       
new-made world1 another ,heaven ,from   

,heaven-gate not far1 founded in view   
,on the clear hyaline1 the glassy sea2  
,of amplitude almost immense1 with stars
 ,numerous1 and every star perhaps a    
world ,of destined habitation2 but thou 
knowest ,their seasons3 among these the 
seat of ,men1 ,earth1 with her nether   
ocean circumfused1 ,their pleasant      
dwelling-place4 ,thrice happy ,men1 ,and
 sons of ,men1 whom ,god hath thus      
advanced6 ,created in his image1 there  
to dwell ,and worship him2 and in reward
 to rule ,over his works1 on earth1 in  
sea1 or air1 ,and multiply a race of    
worshippers ,holy and just3 ,thrice     
happy1 if they know ,their happiness1   
and persevere upright6 ,so sung they1   
and the empyrean rung ,with halleluiahs3
 ,thus was sabbath kept4 ,and thy       
request think now fulfilled1 that asked 
,how first this world and face of things
 began1 ,and what before thy memory was 
done ,from the beginning2 that          
posterity1 ,informed by thee1 might     
know3 ,if else thou seekest ,aught1 not 

surpassing human measure1 say4     ,book
 ,,viii   ,the ,angel ended1 and in     
,adam's ear ,so charming left his voice1
 that he a while ,thought him still     
speaking1 still stood fixed to hear2    
,then1 as new waked1 thus gratefully    
replied4 ,what thanks sufficient1 or    
what recompence ,equal1 have ,i to      
render thee1 divine ,historian1 who thus
 largely hast allayed ,the thirst ,i had
 of knowledge1 and vouchsafed ,this     
friendly condescension to relate        
,things1 else by me unsearchable2 now   
heard ,with wonder1 but delight1 and1 as
 is due1 ,with glory attributed to the  
high ,creator6 ,something yet of doubt  
remains1 ,which only thy solution can   
resolve4 ,when ,i behold this goodly    
frame1 this world1 ,of ,heaven and      
,earth consisting2 and compute ,their   
magnitudes2 this ,earth1 a spot1 a      
grain1 ,an atom1 with the firmament     
compared ,and all her numbered stars1   
that seem to roll ,spaces               
incomprehensible1 7for such ,their      

distance argues1 and their swift return 
,diurnal17 merely to officiate light    
,round this opacous ,earth1 this        
punctual spot1 ,one day and night2 in   
all her vast survey ,useless besides2   
reasoning ,i oft admire1 ,how ,nature   
wise and frugal could commit ,such      
disproportions1 with superfluous hand   
,so many nobler bodies to create1       
,greater so manifold1 to this one use1  
,for aught appears1 and on their orbs   
impose ,such restless revolution day by 
day ,repeated2 while the sedentary      
,earth1 ,that better might with far less
 compass move1 ,served by more noble    
than herself1 attains ,her end without  
least motion1 and receives1 ,as tribute1
 such a sumless journey brought ,of     
incorporeal speed1 her warmth and light2
 ,speed1 to describe whose swiftness    
number fails4 ,so spake our sire1 and by
 his countenance seemed ,entering on    
studious thoughts abstruse2 which ,eve  
,perceiving1 where she sat retired in   
sight1 ,with lowliness majestick from   

her seat1 ,and grace that won who saw to
 wish her stay1 ,rose1 and went forth   
among her fruits and flowers1 ,to visit 
how they prospered1 bud and bloom1 ,her 
nursery2 they at her coming sprung1     
,and1 touched by her fair tendance1     
gladlier grew4 ,yet went she not1 as not
 with such discourse ,delighted1 or not 
capable her ear ,of what was high3 such 
pleasure she reserved1 ,adam relating1  
she sole auditress2 ,her husband the    
relater she preferred ,before the       
,angel1 and of him to ask ,chose rather2
 he1 she knew1 would intermix ,grateful 
digressions1 and solve high dispute     
,with conjugal caresses3 from his lip   
,not words alone pleased her4 ,o6 when  
meet now ,such pairs1 in love and mutual
 honour joined8 ,with ,goddess-like     
demeanour forth she went1 ,not          
unattended2 for on her1 as ,queen1 ,a   
pomp of winning ,graces waited still1   
,and from about her shot darts of desire
 ,into all eyes1 to wish her still in   
sight4 ,and ,raphael now1 to ,adam's    

doubt proposed1 ,benevolent and facile  
thus replied4 ,to ask or search1 ,i     
blame thee not2 for ,heaven ,is as the  
book of ,god before thee set1 ,wherein  
to read his wonderous works1 and learn  
,his seasons1 hours1 or days1 or months1
 or years3 ,this to attain1 whether     
,heaven move or ,earth1 ,imports not1 if
 thou reckon right2 the rest ,from ,man 
or ,angel the great ,architect ,did     
wisely to conceal1 and not divulge ,his 
secrets to be scanned by them who ought 
,rather admire2 or1 if they list to try 
,conjecture1 he his fabrick of the      
,heavens ,hath left to their disputes1  
perhaps to move ,his laughter at their  
quaint opinions wide ,hereafter2 when   
they come to model ,heaven ,and         
calculate the stars1 how they will wield
 ,the mighty frame2 how build1 unbuild1 
contrive ,to save appearances2 how gird 
the sphere ,with centrick and eccentrick
 scribbled o'er1 ,cycle and epicycle1   
orb in orb3 ,already by thy reasoning   
this ,i guess1 ,who art to lead thy     

offspring1 and supposest ,that bodies   
bright and greater should not serve ,the
 less not bright1 nor ,heaven such      
journeys run1 ,earth sitting still1 when
 she alone receives ,the benefit3       
,consider first1 that great ,or bright  
infers not excellence3 the ,earth       
,though1 in comparison of ,heaven1 so   
small1 ,nor glistering1 may of solid    
good contain ,more plenty than the sun  
that barren shines2 ,whose virtue on    
itself works no effect1 ,but in the     
fruitful ,earth2 there first received1  
,his beams1 unactive else1 their vigour 
find4 ,yet not to ,earth are those      
bright luminaries ,officious2 but to    
thee1 ,earth's habitant4 ,and for the   
,heaven's wide circuit1 let it speak    
,the ,maker's high magnificence1 who    
built ,so spacious1 and his line        
stretched out so far2 ,that ,man may    
know he dwells not in his own2 ,an      
edifice too large for him to fill1      
,lodged in a small partition2 and the   
rest ,ordained for uses to his ,lord    

best known4 ,the swiftness of those     
circles attribute1 ,though numberless1  
to his ,omnipotence1 ,that to corporeal 
substances could add ,speed almost      
spiritual3 ,me thou thinkest not slow1  
,who since the morning-hour set out from
 ,heaven ,where ,god resides1 and ere   
mid-day arrived ,in ,eden2 distance     
inexpressible ,by numbers that have     
name4 ,but this ,i urge1 ,admitting     
motion in the ,heavens1 to show ,invalid
 that which thee to doubt it moved2 ,not
 that ,i so affirm1 though so it seem   
,to thee who hast thy dwelling here on  
,earth4 ,god1 to remove his ways from   
human sense1 ,placed ,heaven from ,earth
 so far1 that earthly sight1 ,if it     
presume1 might err in things too high1  
,and no advantage gain4 ,what if the sun
 ,be center to the world2 and other     
stars1 ,by his attractive virtue and    
their own ,incited1 dance about him     
various rounds8 ,their wandering course 
now high1 now low1 then hid1            
,progressive1 retrograde1 or standing   

still1 ,in six thou seest2 and what if  
seventh to these ,the planet earth1 so  
stedfast though she seem1 ,insensibly   
three different motions move8 ,which    
else to several spheres thou must       
ascribe1 ,moved contrary with thwart    
obliquities2 ,or save the sun his       
labour1 and that swift ,nocturnal and   
diurnal rhomb supposed1 ,invisible else 
above all stars1 the wheel ,of day and  
night2 which needs not thy belief1 ,if  
earth1 industrious of herself1 fetch day
 ,travelling east1 and with her part    
averse ,from the sun's beam meet night1 
her other part ,still luminous by his   
ray4 ,what if that light1 ,sent from her
 through the wide transpicuous air1 ,to 
the terrestrial moon be as a star1      
,enlightening her by day1 as she by     
night ,this earth8 reciprocal1 if land  
be there1 ,fields and inhabitants3 ,her 
spots thou seest ,as clouds1 and clouds 
may rain1 and rain produce ,fruits in   
her softened soil for some to eat       
,allotted there2 and other suns perhaps1

 ,with their attendant moons1 thou wilt 
descry1 ,communicating male and female  
light2 ,which two great sexes animate   
the world1 ,stored in each orb perhaps  
with some that live4 ,for such vast room
 in ,nature unpossessed ,by living soul1
 desart and desolate1 ,only to shine1   
yet scarce to contribute ,each orb a    
glimpse of light1 conveyed so far ,down 
to this habitable1 which returns ,light 
back to them1 is obvious to dispute4    
,but whether thus these things1 or      
whether not2 ,but whether the sun1      
predominant in ,heaven1 ,rise on the    
earth2 or earth rise on the sun2 ,he    
from the east his flaming road begin2   
,or she from west her silent course     
advance1 ,with inoffensive pace that    
spinning sleeps ,on her soft axle1 while
 she paces even1 ,and bears thee soft   
with the smooth air along2 ,sollicit not
 thy thoughts with matters hid2 ,leave  
them to ,god above2 him serve1 and fear6
 ,of other creatures1 as him pleases    
best1 ,wherever placed1 let him dispose2

 joy thou ,in what he gives to thee1    
this ,paradise ,and thy fair ,eve2      
,heaven is for thee too high ,to know   
what passes there2 be lowly wise3 ,think
 only what concerns thee1 and thy being2
 ,dream not of other worlds1 what       
creatures there ,live1 in what state1   
condition1 or degree2 ,contented that   
thus far hath been revealed ,not of     
,earth only1 but of highest ,heaven4 ,to
 whom thus ,adam1 cleared of doubt1     
replied4 ,how fully hast thou satisfied 
me1 pure ,intelligence of ,heaven1      
,angel serene6 ,and1 freed from         
intricacies1 taught to live ,the easiest
 way2 nor with perplexing thoughts ,to  
interrupt the sweet of life1 from which 
,god hath bid dwell far off all anxious 
cares1 ,and not molest us2 unless we    
ourselves ,seek them with wandering     
thoughts1 and notions vain4 ,but apt the
 mind or fancy is to rove ,unchecked1   
and of her roving is no end2 ,till      
warned1 or by experience taught1 she    
learn1 ,that1 not to know at large of   

things remote ,from use1 obscure and    
subtle2 but1 to know ,that which before 
us lies in daily life1 ,is the prime    
wisdom3 ,what is more1 is fume1 ,or     
emptiness1 or fond impertinence3 ,and   
renders us1 in things that most concern1
 ,unpractised1 unprepared1 and still to 
seek4 ,therefore from this high pitch   
let us descend ,a lower flight1 and     
speak of things at hand ,useful2 whence1
 haply1 mention may arise ,of something 
not unseasonable to ask1 ,by sufferance1
 and thy wonted favour1 deigned4 ,thee  
,i have heard relating what was done    
,ere my remembrance3 now1 hear me relate
 ,my story1 which perhaps thou hast not 
heard2 ,and day is not yet spent2 till  
then thou seest ,how subtly to detain   
thee ,i devise2 ,inviting thee to hear  
while ,i relate2 ,fond6 were it not in  
hope of thy reply3 ,for1 while ,i sit   
with thee1 ,i seem in ,heaven2 ,and     
sweeter thy discourse is to my ear ,than
 fruits of palm-tree pleasantest to     
thirst ,and hunger both1 from labour1 at

 the hour ,of sweet repast2 they        
satiate1 and soon fill1 ,though         
pleasant2 but thy words1 with grace     
divine ,imbued1 bring to their sweetness
 no satiety4 ,to whom thus ,raphael     
answered heavenly meek4 ,nor are thy    
lips ungraceful1 ,sire of men1 ,nor     
tongue ineloquent2 for ,god on thee     
,abundantly his gifts hath also poured  
,inward and outward both1 his image     
fair3 ,speaking1 or mute1 all comeliness
 and grace ,attends thee2 and each word1
 each motion1 forms2 ,nor less think we 
in ,heaven of thee on ,earth ,than of   
our fellow-servant1 and inquire ,gladly 
into the ways of ,god with ,man3 ,for   
,god1 we see1 hath honoured thee1 and   
set ,on ,man his equal love3 ,say       
therefore on2 ,for ,i that day was      
absent1 as befel1 ,bound on a voyage    
uncouth and obscure1 ,far on excursion  
toward the gates of ,hell2 ,squared in  
full legion 7such command we had7 ,to   
see that none thence issued forth a spy1
 ,or enemy1 while ,god was in his work2 

,lest he1 incensed at such eruption     
bold1 ,destruction with creation might  
have mixed4 ,not that they durst without
 his leave attempt2 ,but us he sends    
upon his high behests ,for state1 as    
,sovran ,king2 and to inure ,our prompt 
obedience4 ,fast we found1 fast shut1   
,the dismal gates1 and barricadoed      
strong2 ,but long ere our approaching   
heard within ,noise1 other than the     
sound of dance or song1 ,torment1 and   
loud lament1 and furious rage4 ,glad we 
returned up to the coasts of light ,ere 
sabbath-evening3 so we had in charge4   
,but thy relation now2 for ,i attend1   
,pleased with thy words no less than    
thou with mine4 ,so spake the ,godlike  
,power1 and thus our ,sire4 ,for ,man to
 tell how human life began ,is hard2 for
 who himself beginning knew ,desire with
 thee still longer to converse ,induced 
me4 ,as new waked from soundest sleep1  
,soft on the flowery herb ,i found me   
laid1 ,in balmy sweat2 which with his   
beams the sun ,soon dried1 and on the   

reeking moisture fed4 ,straight toward  
,heaven my wondering eyes ,i turned1    
,and gazed a while the ample sky2 till1 
raised ,by quick instinctive motion1 up 
,i sprung1 ,as thitherward endeavouring1
 and upright ,stood on my feet3 about me
 round ,i saw ,hill1 dale1 and shady    
woods1 and sunny plains1 ,and liquid    
lapse of murmuring streams2 by these1   
,creatures that lived and moved1 and    
walked1 or flew2 ,birds on the branches 
warbling2 all things smiled2 ,with      
fragrance and with joy my heart         
o'erflowed4 ,myself ,i then perused1 and
 limb by limb ,surveyed1 and sometimes  
went1 and sometimes ran ,with supple    
joints1 as lively vigour led3 ,but who  
,i was1 or where1 or from what cause1   
,knew not2 to speak ,i tried1 and       
forthwith spake2 ,my tongue obeyed1 and 
readily could name ,whate'er ,i saw4    
,thou ,sun1 said ,i1 fair light1 ,and   
thou enlightened ,earth1 so fresh and   
gay1 ,ye ,hills1 and ,dales1 ye ,rivers1
 ,woods1 and ,plains1 ,and ye that live 

and move1 fair ,creatures1 tell1 ,tell1 
if ye saw1 how ,i came thus1 how here8--
 ,not of myself2--by some great ,maker  
then1 ,in goodness and in power         
pre-eminent3 ,tell me1 how may ,i know  
him1 how adore1 ,from whom ,i have that 
thus ,i move and live1 ,and feel that ,i
 am happier than ,i know4-- ,while thus 
,i called1 and strayed ,i knew not      
whither1 ,from where ,i first drew air1 
and first beheld ,this happy light2     
when1 answer none returned1 ,on a green 
shady bank1 profuse of flowers1 ,pensive
 ,i sat me down3 ,there gentle sleep    
,first found me1 and with soft          
oppression seised ,my droused sense1    
untroubled1 though ,i thought ,i then   
was passing to my former state          
,insensible1 and forthwith to dissolve3 
,when suddenly stood at my head a dream1
 ,whose inward apparition gently moved  
,my fancy to believe ,i yet had being1  
,and lived3 ,one came1 methought1 of    
shape divine1 ,and said1 8,thy mansion  
wants thee1 ,adam2 rise1 ,first ,man1 of

 men innumerable ordained ,first        
,father6 called by thee1 ,i come thy    
guide ,to the garden of bliss1 thy seat 
prepared40 ,so saying1 by the hand he   
took me raised1 ,and over fields and    
waters1 as in air ,smooth-sliding       
without step1 last led me up ,a woody   
mountain2 whose high top was plain1 ,a  
circuit wide1 enclosed1 with goodliest  
trees ,planted1 with walks1 and bowers2 
that what ,i saw ,of ,earth before      
scarce pleasant seemed4 ,each tree1     
,loaden with fairest fruit that hung to 
the eye ,tempting1 stirred in me sudden 
appetite ,to pluck and eat2 whereat ,i  
waked1 and found ,before mine eyes all  
real1 as the dream ,had lively shadowed3
 ,here had new begun ,my wandering1 had 
not he1 who was my guide ,up hither1    
from among the trees appeared1 ,presence
 ,divine4 ,rejoicing1 but with awe1 ,in 
adoration at his feet ,i fell ,submiss3 
,he reared me1 and 8,whom thou soughtest
 ,i am10 ,said mildly1 8,author of all  
this thou seest ,above1 or round about  

thee1 or beneath4 ,this ,paradise ,i    
give thee1 count it thine ,to till and  
keep1 and of the fruit to eat3 ,of every
 tree that in the garden grows ,eat     
freely with glad heart2 fear here no    
dearth3 ,but of the tree whose operation
 brings ,knowledge of good and ill1     
which ,i have set ,the pledge of thy    
obedience and thy faith1 ,amid the      
garden by the tree of life1 ,remember   
what ,i warn thee1 shun to taste1 ,and  
shun the bitter consequence3 for know1  
,the day thou eatest thereof1 my sole   
command ,transgressed1 inevitably thou  
shalt die1 ,from that day mortal2 and   
this happy state ,shalt lose1 expelled  
from hence into a world ,of woe and     
sorrow40 ,sternly he pronounced ,the    
rigid interdiction1 which resounds ,yet 
dreadful in mine ear1 though in my      
choice ,not to incur2 but soon his clear
 aspect ,returned1 and gracious purpose 
thus renewed4 8,not only these fair     
bounds1 but all the ,earth ,to thee and 
to thy race ,i give2 as lords ,possess  

it1 and all things that therein live1   
,or live in sea1 or air2 beast1 fish1   
and fowl4 ,in sign whereof1 each bird   
and beast behold ,after their kinds2 ,i 
bring them to receive ,from thee their  
names1 and pay thee fealty ,with low    
subjection2 understand the same ,of fish
 within their watery residence1 ,not    
hither summoned1 since they cannot      
change ,their element1 to draw the      
thinner air40 ,as thus he spake1 each   
bird and beast behold ,approaching two  
and two2 these cowering low ,with       
blandishment2 each bird stooped on his  
wing4 ,i named them1 as they passed1 and
 understood ,their nature1 with such    
knowledge ,god endued ,my sudden        
apprehension3 ,but in these ,i found not
 what methought ,i wanted still2 ,and to
 the heavenly ,vision thus presumed4 ,o1
 by what name1 for thou above all these1
 ,above mankind1 or aught than mankind  
higher1 ,surpassest far my naming2 how  
may ,i ,adore thee1 ,author of this     
universe1 ,and all this good to man8 for

 whose well being ,so amply1 and with   
hands so liberal1 ,thou hast provided   
all things3 ,but with me ,i see not who 
partakes4 ,in solitude ,what happiness1 
who can enjoy alone1 ,or1 all enjoying1 
what contentment find8 ,thus ,i         
presumptuous2 and the ,vision bright1   
,as with a smile more brightened1 thus  
replied4 ,what callest thou solitude8   
,is not the ,earth ,with various living 
creatures1 and the air ,replenished1 and
 all these at thy command ,to come and  
play before thee8 ,knowest thou not     
,their language and their ways8 ,they   
also know1 ,and reason not contemptibly3
 ,with these ,find pastime1 and bear    
rule2 thy realm is large4 ,so spake the 
,universal ,lord1 and seemed ,so        
ordering3 ,i1 with leave of speech      
implored1 ,and humble deprecation1 thus 
replied4 ,let not my words offend thee1 
,heavenly ,power2 ,my ,maker1 be        
propitious while ,i speak4 ,hast thou   
not made me here thy substitute1 ,and   
these inferiour far beneath me set8     

,among unequals what society ,can sort1 
what harmony1 or true delight8 ,which   
must be mutual1 in proportion due ,given
 and received2 but1 in disparity ,the   
one intense1 the other still remiss1    
,cannot well suit with either1 but soon 
prove ,tedious alike3 ,of fellowship ,i 
speak ,such as ,i seek1 fit to          
participate ,all rational delight3      
wherein the brute ,cannot be human      
consort3 ,they rejoice ,each with their 
kind1 lion with lioness2 ,so fitly them 
in pairs thou hast combined3 ,much less 
can bird with beast1 or fish with fowl  
,so well converse1 nor with the ox the  
ape2 ,worse then can man with beast1 and
 least of all4 ,whereto the ,almighty   
answered1 not displeased4 ,a nice and   
subtle happiness1 ,i see1 ,thou to      
thyself proposest1 in the choice ,of thy
 associates1 ,adam6 and wilt taste ,no  
pleasure1 though in pleasure1 solitary4 
,what thinkest thou then of me1 and this
 my state8 ,seem ,i to thee sufficiently
 possessed ,of happiness1 or not8 who am

 alone ,from all eternity2 for none ,i  
know ,second to me or like1 equal much  
less4 ,how have ,i then with whom to    
hold converse1 ,save with the creatures 
which ,i made1 and those ,to me         
inferiour1 infinite descents ,beneath   
what other creatures are to thee8 ,he   
ceased2 ,i lowly answered4 ,to attain   
,the highth and depth of thy eternal    
ways ,all human thoughts come short1    
,supreme of things6 ,thou in thyself art
 perfect1 and in thee ,is no deficience 
found3 ,not so is ,man1 ,but in degree2 
the cause of his desire ,by conversation
 with his like to help ,or solace his   
defects4 ,no need that thou ,shouldst   
propagate1 already ,infinite2 ,and      
through all numbers absolute1 though    
,one3 ,but ,man by number is to manifest
 ,his single imperfection1 and beget    
,like of his like1 his image multiplied1
 ,in unity defective2 which requires    
,collateral love1 and dearest amity4    
,thou in thy secresy although alone1    
,best with thyself accompanied1 seekest 

not ,social communication2 yet1 so      
pleased1 ,canst raise thy creature to   
what highth thou wilt ,of union or      
communion1 deified3 ,i1 by conversing1  
cannot these erect ,from prone2 nor in  
their ways complacence find4 ,thus ,i   
emboldened spake1 and freedom used      
,permissive1 and acceptance found2 which
 gained ,this answer from the gracious  
,voice ,divine4 ,thus far to try thee1  
,adam1 ,i was pleased2 ,and find thee   
knowing1 not of beasts alone1 ,which    
thou hast rightly named1 but of thyself2
 ,expressing well the spirit within thee
 free1 ,my image1 not imparted to the   
brute2 ,whose fellowship therefore      
unmeet for thee ,good reason was thou   
freely shouldst dislike2 ,and be so     
minded still3 ,i1 ere thou spakest1     
,knew it not good for ,man to be alone2 
,and no such company as then thou sawest
 ,intended thee2 for trial only brought1
 ,to see how thou couldest judge of fit 
and meet3 ,what next ,i bring shall     
please thee1 be assured1 ,thy likeness1 

thy fit help1 thy other self1 ,thy wish 
exactly to thy heart's desire4 ,he      
ended1 or ,i heard no more2 for now ,my 
earthly by his heavenly overpowered1    
,which it had long stood under1 strained
 to the highth ,in that celestial       
colloquy sublime1 ,as with an object    
that excels the sense ,dazzled and      
spent1 sunk down2 and sought repair ,of 
sleep1 which instantly fell on me1      
called ,by ,nature as in aid1 and closed
 mine eyes4 ,mine eyes he closed1 but   
open left the cell ,of fancy1 my        
internal sight2 by which1 ,abstract as  
in a trance1 methought ,i saw1 ,though  
sleeping1 where ,i lay1 and saw the     
shape ,still glorious before whom awake 
,i stood3 ,who stooping opened my left  
side1 and took ,from thence a rib1 with 
cordial spirits warm1 ,and life-blood   
streaming fresh2 wide was the wound1    
,but suddenly with flesh filled up and  
healed3 ,the rib he formed and fashioned
 with his hands2 ,under his forming     
hands a creature grew1 ,man-like1 but   

different sex2 so lovely fair1 ,that    
what seemed fair in all the world1      
seemed now ,mean1 or in her summed up1  
in her contained ,and in her looks2     
which from that time infused ,sweetness 
into my heart1 unfelt before1 ,and into 
all things from her air inspired ,the   
spirit of love and amorous delight4 ,she
 disappeared1 and left me dark2 ,i waked
 ,to find her1 or for ever to deplore   
,her loss1 and other pleasures all      
abjure3 ,when out of hope1 behold her1  
not far off1 ,such as ,i saw her in my  
dream1 adorned ,with what all ,earth or 
,heaven could bestow ,to make her       
amiable3 ,on she came1 ,led by her      
heavenly ,maker1 though unseen1 ,and    
guided by his voice2 nor uninformed ,of 
nuptial sanctity1 and marriage rites3   
,grace was in all her steps1 ,heaven in 
her eye1 ,in every gesture dignity and  
love4 ,i1 overjoyed1 could not forbear  
aloud4 ,this turn hath made amends2 thou
 hast fulfilled ,thy words1 ,creator    
bounteous and benign1 ,giver of all     

things fair6 but fairest this ,of all   
thy gifts6 nor enviest4 ,i now see ,bone
 of my bone1 flesh of my flesh1 myself  
,before me3 ,woman is her name2 of ,man 
,extracted3 for this cause he shall     
forego ,father and mother1 and to his   
wife adhere2 ,and they shall be one     
flesh1 one heart1 one soul4 ,she heard  
me thus2 and though divinely brought1   
,yet innocence1 and virgin modesty1 ,her
 virtue1 and the conscience of her      
worth1 ,that would be wooed1 and not    
unsought be won1 ,not obvious1 not      
obtrusive1 but1 retired1 ,the more      
desirable2 or1 to say all1 ,nature      
herself1 though pure of sinful thought1 
,wrought in her so1 that1 seeing me1 she
 turned3 ,i followed her2 she what was  
honour knew1 ,and with obsequious       
majesty approved ,my pleaded reason4 ,to
 the nuptial bower ,i led her blushing  
like the morn3 ,all ,heaven1 ,and happy 
constellations1 on that hour ,shed their
 selectest influence2 the ,earth ,gave  
sign of gratulation1 and each hill2     

,joyous the birds2 fresh gales and      
gentle airs ,whispered it to the woods1 
and from their wings ,flung rose1 flung 
odours from the spicy shrub1            
,disporting1 till the amorous bird of   
night ,sung spousal1 and bid haste the  
evening-star ,on his hill top1 to light 
the bridal lamp4 ,thus have ,i told thee
 all my state1 and brought ,my story to 
the sum of earthly bliss1 ,which ,i     
enjoy2 and must confess to find ,in all 
things else delight indeed1 but such    
,as1 used or not1 works in the mind no  
change1 ,nor vehement desire2 these     
delicacies ,i mean of taste1 sight1     
smell1 herbs1 fruits1 and flowers1      
,walks1 and the melody of birds3 but    
here ,far otherwise1 transported ,i     
behold1 ,transported touch2 here passion
 first ,i felt1 ,commotion strange6 in  
all enjoyments else ,superiour and      
unmoved2 here only weak ,against the    
charm of ,beauty's powerful glance4 ,or 
,nature failed in me1 and left some part
 ,not proof enough such object to       

sustain2 ,or1 from my side subducting1  
took perhaps ,more than enough2 at least
 on her bestowed ,too much of ornament1 
in outward show ,elaborate1 of inward   
less exact4 ,for well ,i understand in  
the prime end ,of ,nature her the       
inferiour1 in the mind ,and inward      
faculties1 which most excel2 ,in outward
 also her resembling less ,his image who
 made both1 and less expressing ,the    
character of that dominion given ,o'er  
other creatures3 ,yet when ,i approach  
,her loveliness1 so absolute she seems  
,and in herself complete1 so well to    
know ,her own1 that what she wills to do
 or say1 ,seems wisest1 virtuousest1    
discreetest1 best3 ,all higher knowledge
 in her presence falls ,degraded2       
,wisdom in discourse with her ,loses    
discountenanced1 and like ,folly shows2 
,authority and ,reason on her wait1 ,as 
one intended first1 not after made      
,occasionally2 and1 to consummate all1  
,greatness of mind and ,nobleness their 
seat ,build in her loveliest1 and create

 an awe ,about her1 as a guard angelick 
placed4 ,to whom the ,angel with        
contracted brow4 ,accuse not ,nature1   
she hath done her part2 ,do thou but    
thine2 and be not diffident ,of ,wisdom2
 she deserts thee not1 if thou ,dismiss 
not her1 when most thou needest her     
nigh1 ,by attributing overmuch to things
 ,less excellent1 as thou thyself       
perceivest4 ,for1 what admirest thou1   
what transports thee so1 ,an outside8   
fair1 no doubt1 and worthy well ,thy    
cherishing1 thy honouring1 and thy love2
 ,not thy subjection3 ,weigh with her   
thyself2 ,then value3 ,oft-times nothing
 profits more ,than self-esteem1        
grounded on just and right ,well        
managed2 of that skill the more thou    
knowest1 ,the more she will acknowledge 
thee her head1 ,and to realities yield  
all her shows3 ,made so adorn for thy   
delight the more1 ,so awful1 that with  
honour thou mayest love ,thy mate1 who  
sees when thou art seen least wise4 ,but
 if the sense of touch1 whereby mankind 

,is propagated1 seem such dear delight  
,beyond all other2 think the same       
vouchsafed ,to cattle and each beast2   
which would not be ,to them made common 
and divulged1 if aught ,therein enjoyed 
were worthy to subdue ,the soul of man1 
or passion in him move4 ,what higher in 
her society thou findest ,attractive1   
human1 rational1 love still2 ,in loving 
thou dost well1 in passion not1 ,wherein
 true love consists not3 ,love refines  
,the thoughts1 and heart enlarges2 hath 
his seat ,in reason1 and is judicious2  
is the scale ,by which to heavenly love 
thou mayest ascend1 ,not sunk in carnal 
pleasure2 for which cause1 ,among the   
beasts no mate for thee was found4 ,to  
whom thus1 half abashed1 ,adam replied4 
,neither her outside formed so fair1 nor
 aught ,in procreation common to all    
kinds1 7,though higher of the genial bed
 by far1 ,and with mysterious reverence 
,i deem17 ,so much delights me1 as those
 graceful acts1 ,those thousand         
decencies1 that daily flow ,from all her

 words and actions mixed with love ,and 
sweet compliance1 which declare         
unfeigned ,union of mind1 or in us both 
one soul2 ,harmony to behold in wedded  
pair ,more grateful than harmonious     
sound to the ear4 ,yet these subject    
not2 ,i to thee disclose ,what inward   
thence ,i feel1 not therefore foiled1   
,who meet with various objects1 from the
 sense ,variously representing2 yet1    
still free1 ,approve the best1 and      
follow what ,i approve4 ,to love1 thou  
blamest me not2 for ,love1 thou sayest1 
,leads up to ,heaven1 is both the way   
and guide2 ,bear with me then1 if lawful
 what ,i ask3 ,love not the heavenly    
,spirits1 and how their love ,express   
they8 by looks only8 or do they mix     
,irradiance1 virtual or immediate touch8
 ,to whom the ,angel1 with a smile that 
glowed ,celestial rosy red1 ,love's     
proper hue1 ,answered4 ,let it suffice  
thee that thou knowest ,us happy1 and   
without love no happiness4 ,whatever    
pure thou in the body enjoyest1 7,and   

pure thou wert created7 we enjoy ,in    
eminence2 and obstacle find none ,of    
membrane1 joint1 or limb1 exclusive     
bars2 ,easier than air with air1 if     
,spirits embrace1 ,total they mix1 union
 of pure with pure ,desiring1 nor       
restrained conveyance need1 ,as flesh to
 mix with flesh1 or soul with soul4 ,but
 ,i can now no more2 the parting sun    
,beyond the ,earth's green ,cape and    
verdant ,isles ,hesperian sets1 my      
signal to depart4 ,be strong1 live      
happy1 and love6 ,but1 first of all1    
,him1 whom to love is to obey1 and keep 
,his great command2 take heed lest      
passion sway ,thy judgement to do aught1
 which else free will ,would not admit3 
thine1 and of all thy sons1 ,the weal or
 woe in thee is placed2 beware6 ,i in   
thy persevering shall rejoice1 ,and all 
the ,blest3 ,stand fast2 to stand or    
fall ,free in thine own arbitrement it  
lies4 ,perfect within1 no outward aid   
require2 ,and all temptation to         
transgress repel4 ,so saying1 he arose2 

whom ,adam thus ,followed with          
benediction4 ,since to part1 ,go1       
heavenly guest1 ethereal ,messenger1    
,sent from whose sovran goodness ,i     
adore6 ,gentle to me and affable hath   
been ,thy condescension1 and shall be   
honoured ever ,with grateful memory3    
,thou to mankind ,be good and friendly  
still1 and oft return6 ,so parted they2 
the ,angel up to ,heaven ,from the thick
 shade1 and ,adam to his bower4         
,book ,,ix   ,no more of talk where ,god
 or ,angel guest ,with ,man1 as with his
 friend1 familiar us'd1 ,to sit         
indulgent1 and with him partake ,rural  
repast2 permitting him the while ,venial
 discourse unblam'd4 ,i now must change 
,those notes to tragick2 foul distrust1 
and breach ,disloyal on the part of     
,man1 revolt1 ,and disobedience3 on the 
part of ,heaven ,now alienated1 distance
 and distaste1 ,anger and just rebuke1  
and judgement given1 ,that brought into 
this world a world of woe1 ,sin and her 
shadow ,death1 and ,misery ,death's     

harbinger3 ,sad task6 yet argument ,not 
less but more heroick than the wrath ,of
 stern ,achilles on his foe pursued     
,thrice fugitive about ,troy wall2 or   
rage ,of ,turnus for ,lavinia           
disespous'd2 ,or ,neptune's ire1 or     
,juno's1 that so long ,perplexed the    
,greek1 and ,cytherea's son3 ,if        
answerable style ,i can obtain ,of my   
celestial patroness1 who deigns ,her    
nightly visitation unimplor'd1 ,and     
dictates to me slumbering2 or inspires  
,easy my unpremeditated verse3 ,since   
first this subject for heroick song     
,pleas'd me long choosing1 and beginning
 late2 ,not sedulous by nature to indite
 ,wars1 hitherto the only argument      
,heroick deem'd chief mastery to dissect
 ,with long and tedious havock fabled   
knights ,in battles feign'd2 the better 
fortitude ,of patience and heroick      
martyrdom ,unsung2 or to describe races 
and games1 ,or tilting furniture1       
imblazon'd shields1 ,impresses quaint1  
caparisons and steeds1 ,bases and tinsel

 trappings1 gorgeous knights ,at joust  
and tournament2 then marshall'd feast   
,serv'd up in hall with sewers and      
seneshals2 ,the skill of artifice or    
office mean1 ,not that which justly     
gives heroick name ,to person1 or to    
poem4 ,me1 of these ,nor skill'd nor    
studious1 higher argument ,remains2     
sufficient of itself to raise ,that     
name1 unless an age too late1 or cold   
,climate1 or years1 damp my intended    
wing ,depress'd2 and much they may1 if  
all be mine1 ,not hers1 who brings it   
nightly to my ear4 ,the sun was sunk1   
and after him the star ,of ,hesperus1   
whose office is to bring ,twilight upon 
the earth1 short arbiter ',twixt day and
 night1 and now from end to end ,night's
 hemisphere had veil'd the horizon      
round3 ,when satan1 who late fled before
 the threats ,of ,gabriel out of ,eden1 
now improv'd ,in meditated fraud and    
malice1 bent ,on ,man's destruction1    
maugre what might hap ,of heavier on    
himself1 fearless returned ,by night he 

fled1 and at midnight returned ,from    
compassing the earth2 cautious of day1  
,since ,uriel1 regent of the sun1       
descried ,his entrance1 and foreworned  
the ,cherubim ,that kept their watch2   
thence full of anguish driven1 ,the     
space of seven continued nights he rode 
,with darkness2 thrice the equinoctial  
line ,he circled2 four times crossed the
 car of night ,from pole to pole1       
traversing each colure2 ,on the eighth  
returned2 and1 on the coast averse ,from
 entrance or ,cherubick watch1 by       
stealth ,found unsuspected way4 ,there  
was a place1 ,now not1 though sin1 not  
time1 first wrought the change1 ,where  
,tigris1 at the foot of ,paradise1 ,into
 a gulf shot under ground1 till part    
,rose up a fountain by the tree of life3
 ,in with the river sunk1 and with it   
rose ,satan1 involved in rising mist2   
then sought ,where to lie hid2 sea he   
had searched1 and land1 ,from ,eden over
 ,pontus and the pool ,maeotis1 up      
beyond the river ,ob2 ,downward as far  

antarctick2 and in length1 ,west from   
,orontes to the ocean barred ,at        
,darien2 thence to the land where flows 
,ganges and ,indus3 ,thus the orb he    
roamed ,with narrow search2 and with    
inspection deep ,considered every       
creature1 which of all ,most opportune  
might serve his wiles2 and found ,the   
,serpent subtlest beast of all the      
field4 ,him after long debate1          
irresolute ,of thoughts revolved1 his   
final sentence chose ,fit vessel1       
fittest imp of fraud1 in whom ,to enter1
 and his dark suggestions hide ,from    
sharpest sight3 for1 in the wily snake  
,whatever sleights1 none would          
suspicious mark1 ,as from his wit and   
native subtlety ,proceeding2 which1 in  
other beasts observed1 ,doubt might     
beget of diabolick power ,active within1
 beyond the sense of brute4 ,thus he    
resolved1 but first from inward grief   
,his bursting passion into plaints thus 
poured4 ,more justly1 seat worthier of  
,gods1 as built ,with second thoughts1  

reforming what was old6 ,o ,earth1 how  
like to ,heaven1 if not preferred ,for  
what ,god1 after better1 worse would    
build8 ,terrestrial ,heaven1 danced     
round by other ,heavens ,that shine1 yet
 bear their bright officious lamps1     
,light above light1 for thee alone1 as  
seems1 ,in thee concentring all their   
precious beams ,of sacred influence6 ,as
 ,god in ,heaven ,is center1 yet extends
 to all2 so thou1 ,centring1 receivest  
from all those orbs3 in thee1 ,not in   
themselves1 all their known virtue      
appears ,productive in herb1 plant1 and 
nobler birth ,of creatures animate with 
gradual life ,of growth1 sense1 reason1 
all summed up in ,man4 ,with what       
delight could ,i have walked thee round1
 ,if ,i could joy in aught1 sweet       
interchange ,of hill1 and valley1       
rivers1 woods1 and plains1 ,now land1   
now sea and shores with forest crowned1 
,rocks1 dens1 and caves6 ,but ,i in none
 of these ,find place or refuge2 and the
 more ,i see ,pleasures about me1 so    

much more ,i feel ,torment within me1 as
 from the hateful siege ,of contraries3 
all good to me becomes ,bane1 and in    
,heaven much worse would be my state4   
,but neither here seek ,i1 no nor in    
,heaven ,to dwell1 unless by mastering  
,heaven's ,supreme2 ,nor hope to be     
myself less miserable ,by what ,i seek1 
but others to make such ,as ,i1 though  
thereby worse to me redound3 ,for only  
in destroying ,i find ease ,to my       
relentless thoughts2 and1 him destroyed1
 ,or won to what may work his utter     
loss1 ,for whom all this was made1 all  
this will soon ,follow1 as to him linked
 in weal or woe2 ,in woe then2 that     
destruction wide may range3 ,to me shall
 be the glory sole among ,the infernal  
,powers1 in one day to have marred ,what
 he1 ,almighty styled1 six nights and   
days ,continued making2 and who knows   
how long ,before had been contriving8   
though perhaps ,not longer than since   
,i1 in one night1 freed ,from servitude 
inglorious well nigh half ,the angelick 

name1 and thinner left the throng ,of   
his adorers3 ,he1 to be avenged1 ,and to
 repair his numbers thus impaired1      
,whether such virtue spent of old now   
failed ,more ,angels to create1 if they 
at least ,are his created1 or1 to spite 
us more1 ,determined to advance into our
 room ,a creature formed of earth1 and  
him endow1 ,exalted from so base        
original1 ,with heavenly spoils1 our    
spoils3 ,what he decreed1 ,he effected2 
,man he made1 and for him built         
,magnificent this world1 and earth his  
seat1 ,him lord pronounced2 and1 ,o     
indignity6 ,subjected to his service    
angel-wings1 ,and flaming ministers to  
watch and tend ,their earthly charge3   
,of these the vigilance ,i dread2 and1  
to elude1 thus wrapt in mist ,of        
midnight vapour glide obscure1 and pry  
,in every bush and brake1 where hap may 
find ,the serpent sleeping2 in whose    
mazy folds ,to hide me1 and the dark    
intent ,i bring4 ,o foul descent6 that  
,i1 who erst contended ,with ,gods to   

sit the highest1 am now constrained     
,into a beast2 and1 mixed with bestial  
slime1 ,this essence to incarnate and   
imbrute1 ,that to the highth of ,deity  
aspired6 ,but what will not ambition and
 revenge ,descend to8 ,who aspires1 must
 down as low ,as high he soared2        
obnoxious1 first or last1 ,to basest    
things4 ,revenge1 at first though sweet1
 ,bitter ere long1 back on itself       
recoils3 ,let it2 ,i reck not1 so it    
light well aimed1 ,since higher ,i fall 
short1 on him who next ,provokes my     
envy1 this new favourite ,of ,heaven1   
this man of clay1 son of despite1 ,whom1
 us the more to spite1 his ,maker raised
 ,from dust3 ,spite then with spite is  
best repaid4 ,so saying1 through each   
thicket dank or dry1 ,like a black mist 
low-creeping1 he held on ,his           
midnight-search1 where soonest he might 
find ,the serpent2 him fast-sleeping    
soon he found ,in labyrinth of many a   
round self-rolled1 ,his head the midst1 
well stored with subtile wiles3 ,not yet

 in horrid shade or dismal den1 ,nor    
nocent yet2 but1 on the grassy herb1    
,fearless unfeared he slept3 in at his  
mouth ,the ,devil entered2 and his      
brutal sense1 ,in heart or head1        
possessing1 soon inspired ,with act     
intelligential2 but his sleep ,disturbed
 not1 waiting close the approach of     
morn4 ,now1 when as sacred light began  
to dawn ,in ,eden on the humid flowers1 
that breathed ,their morning incense1   
when all things1 that breathe1 ,from the
 ,earth's great altar send up silent    
praise ,to the ,creator1 and his        
nostrils fill ,with grateful smell1     
forth came the human pair1 ,and joined  
their vocal worship to the quire ,of    
creatures wanting voice2 that done1     
partake ,the season prime for sweetest  
scents and airs3 ,then commune1 how that
 day they best may ply ,their growing   
work3 for much their work out-grew ,the 
hands' dispatch of two gardening so     
wide1 ,and ,eve first to her husband    
thus began4 ,adam1 well may we labour   

still to dress ,this garden1 still to   
tend plant1 herb1 and flower1 ,our      
pleasant task enjoined2 but1 till more  
hands ,aid us1 the work under our labour
 grows1 ,luxurious by restraint2 what we
 by day ,lop overgrown1 or prune1 or    
prop1 or bind1 ,one night or two with   
wanton growth derides ,tending to wild4 
,thou therefore now advise1 ,or hear    
what to my mind first thoughts present3 
,let us divide our labours2 thou1 where 
choice ,leads thee1 or where most needs1
 whether to wind ,the woodbine round    
this arbour1 or direct ,the clasping ivy
 where to climb2 while ,i1 ,in yonder   
spring of roses intermixed ,with myrtle1
 find what to redress till noon3 ,for1  
while so near each other thus all day   
,our task we choose1 what wonder if so  
near ,looks intervene and smiles1 or    
object new ,casual discourse draw on2   
which intermits ,our day's work1 brought
 to little1 though begun ,early1 and the
 hour of supper comes unearned8 ,to whom
 mild answer ,adam thus returned4 ,sole 

,eve1 associate sole1 to me beyond      
,compare above all living creatures     
dear6 ,well hast thou motioned1 well thy
 thoughts employed1 ,how we might best  
fulfil the work which here ,god hath    
assigned us2 nor of me shalt pass       
,unpraised3 for nothing lovelier can be 
found ,in woman1 than to study houshold 
good1 ,and good works in her husband to 
promote4 ,yet not so strictly hath our  
,lord imposed ,labour1 as to debar us   
when we need ,refreshment1 whether food1
 or talk between1 ,food of the mind1 or 
this sweet intercourse ,of looks and    
smiles2 for smiles from reason flow1 ,to
 brute denied1 and are of love the food2
 ,love1 not the lowest end of human     
life4 ,for not to irksome toil1 but to  
delight1 ,he made us1 and delight to    
reason joined4 ,these paths and bowers  
doubt not but our joint hands ,will keep
 from wilderness with ease1 as wide ,as 
we need walk1 till younger hands ere    
long ,assist us2 ,but1 if much converse 
perhaps ,thee satiate1 to short absence 

,i could yield3 ,for solitude sometimes 
is best society1 ,and short retirement  
urges sweet return4 ,but other doubt    
possesses me1 lest harm ,befall thee    
severed from me2 for thou knowest ,what 
hath been warned us1 what malicious foe 
,envying our happiness1 and of his own  
,despairing1 seeks to work us woe and   
shame ,by sly assault2 and somewhere    
nigh at hand ,watches1 no doubt1 with   
greedy hope to find ,his wish and best  
advantage1 us asunder2 ,hopeless to     
circumvent us joined1 where each ,to    
other speedy aid might lend at need3    
,whether his first design be to withdraw
 ,our fealty from ,god1 or to disturb   
,conjugal love1 than which perhaps no   
bliss ,enjoyed by us excites his envy   
more2 ,or this1 or worse1 leave not the 
faithful side ,that gave thee being1    
still shades thee1 and protects4 ,the   
wife1 where danger or dishonour lurks1  
,safest and seemliest by her husband    
stays1 ,who guards her1 or with her the 
worst endures4 ,to whom the virgin      

majesty of ,eve1 ,as one who loves1 and 
some unkindness meets1 ,with sweet      
austere composure thus replied4         
,offspring of ,heaven and ,earth1 and   
all ,earth's ,lord6 ,that such an enemy 
we have1 who seeks ,our ruin1 both by   
thee informed ,i learn1 ,and from the   
parting ,angel over-heard1 ,as in a     
shady nook ,i stood behind1 ,just then  
returned at shut of evening flowers4    
,but1 that thou shouldst my firmness    
therefore doubt ,to ,god or thee1       
because we have a foe ,may tempt it1 ,i 
expected not to hear4 ,his violence thou
 fearest not1 being such ,as we1 not    
capable of death or pain1 ,can either   
not receive1 or can repel4 ,his fraud is
 then thy fear2 which plain infers ,thy 
equal fear1 that my firm faith and love 
,can by his fraud be shaken or seduced2 
,thoughts1 which how found they harbour 
in thy breast1 ,adam1 mis-thought of her
 to thee so dear8 ,to whom with healing 
words ,adam replied4 ,daughter of ,god  
and ,man1 immortal ,eve6 ,for such thou 

art2 from sin and blame entire3 ,not    
diffident of thee do ,i dissuade ,thy   
absence from my sight1 but to avoid ,the
 attempt itself1 intended by our foe4   
,for he who tempts1 though in vain1 at  
least asperses ,the tempted with        
dishonour foul2 supposed ,not           
incorruptible of faith1 not proof       
,against temptation3 ,thou thyself with 
scorn ,and anger wouldst resent the     
offered wrong1 ,though ineffectual      
found3 misdeem not then1 ,if such       
affront ,i labour to avert ,from thee   
alone1 which on us both at once ,the    
enemy1 though bold1 will hardly dare2   
,or daring1 first on me the assault     
shall light4 ,nor thou his malice and   
false guile contemn2 ,subtle he needs   
must be1 who could seduce ,angels2 nor  
think superfluous other's aid4 ,i1 from 
the influence of thy looks1 receive     
,access in every virtue2 in thy sight   
,more wise1 more watchful1 stronger1 if 
need were ,of outward strength2 while   
shame1 thou looking on1 ,shame to be    

overcome or over-reached1 ,would utmost 
vigour raise1 and raised unite4 ,why    
shouldst not thou like sense within thee
 feel ,when ,i am present1 and thy trial
 choose ,with me1 best witness of thy   
virtue tried8 ,so spake domestick ,adam 
in his care ,and matrimonial love2 but  
,eve1 who thought ,less attributed to   
her faith sincere1 ,thus her reply with 
accent sweet renewed4 ,if this be our   
condition1 thus to dwell ,in narrow     
circuit straitened by a foe1 ,subtle or 
violent1 we not endued ,single with like
 defence1 wherever met2 ,how are we     
happy1 still in fear of harm8 ,but harm 
precedes not sin3 only our foe1         
,tempting1 affronts us with his foul    
esteem ,of our integrity3 his foul      
esteem ,sticks no dishonour on our      
front1 but turns ,foul on himself2 then 
wherefore shunned or feared ,by us8 who 
rather double honour gain ,from his     
surmise proved false2 find peace within1
 ,favour from ,heaven1 our witness1 from
 the event4 ,and what is faith1 love1   

virtue1 unassayed ,alone1 without       
exteriour help sustained8 ,let us not   
then suspect our happy state ,left so   
imperfect by the ,maker wise1 ,as not   
secure to single or combined4 ,frail is 
our happiness1 if this be so1 ,and ,eden
 were no ,eden1 thus exposed4 ,to whom  
thus ,adam fervently replied4 ,o ,woman1
 best are all things as the will ,of    
,god ordained them3 ,his creating hand  
,nothing imperfect or deficient left ,of
 all that he created1 much less ,man1   
,or aught that might his happy state    
secure1 ,secure from outward force2     
within himself ,the danger lies1 yet    
lies within his power3 ,against his will
 he can receive no harm4 ,but ,god left 
free the will2 for what obeys ,reason1  
is free2 and ,reason he made right1 ,but
 bid her well be ware1 and still erect2 
,lest1 by some fair-appearing good      
surprised1 ,she dictate false2 and      
mis-inform the will ,to do what ,god    
expressly hath forbid4 ,not then        
mistrust1 but tender love1 enjoins1     

,that ,i should mind thee oft2 and mind 
thou me4 ,firm we subsist1 yet possible 
to swerve2 ,since ,reason not impossibly
 may meet ,some specious object by the  
foe suborned1 ,and fall into deception  
unaware1 ,not keeping strictest watch1  
as she was warned4 ,seek not temptation 
then1 which to avoid ,were better1 and  
most likely if from me ,thou sever not3 
,trial will come unsought4 ,wouldst thou
 approve thy constancy1 approve ,first  
thy obedience2 the other who can know1  
,not seeing thee attempted1 who attest8 
,but1 if thou think1 trial unsought may 
find ,us both securer than thus warned  
thou seemest1 ,go2 for thy stay1 not    
free1 absents thee more2 ,go in thy     
native innocence1 rely ,on what thou    
hast of virtue2 summon all6 ,for ,god   
towards thee hath done his part1 do     
thine4 ,so spake the patriarch of       
mankind2 but ,eve ,persisted2 yet       
submiss1 though last1 replied4 ,with thy
 permission then1 and thus forewarned   
,chiefly by what thy own last reasoning 

words ,touched only2 that our trial1    
when least sought1 ,may find us both    
perhaps far less prepared1 ,the         
willinger ,i go1 nor much expect ,a foe 
so proud will first the weaker seek2 ,so
 bent1 the more shall shame him his     
repulse4 ,thus saying1 from her         
husband's hand her hand ,soft she       
withdrew2 and1 like a ,wood-,nymph      
light1 ,oread or ,dryad1 or of ,delia's 
train1 ,betook her to the groves2 but   
,delia's self ,in gait surpassed1 and   
,goddess-like deport1 ,though not as she
 with bow and quiver armed1 ,but with   
such gardening tools as ,art yet rude1  
,guiltless of fire1 had formed1 or      
,angels brought4 ,to ,pales1 or ,pomona1
 thus adorned1 ,likest she seemed1      
,pomona when she fled ,vertumnus1 or to 
,ceres in her prime1 ,yet virgin of     
,proserpina from ,jove4 ,her long with  
ardent look his eye pursued ,delighted1 
but desiring more her stay4 ,oft he to  
her his charge of quick return          
,repeated2 she to him as oft engaged ,to

 be returned by noon amid the bower1    
,and all things in best order to invite 
,noontide repast1 or afternoon's repose4
 ,o much deceived1 much failing1 hapless
 ,eve1 ,of thy presumed return6 event   
perverse6 ,thou never from that hour in 
,paradise ,foundst either sweet repast1 
or sound repose2 ,such ambush1 hid among
 sweet flowers and shades1 ,waited with 
hellish rancour imminent ,to intercept  
thy way1 or send thee back ,despoiled of
 innocence1 of faith1 of bliss6 ,for    
now1 and since first break of dawn1 the 
,fiend1 ,mere serpent in appearance1    
forth was come2 ,and on his quest1 where
 likeliest he might find ,the only two  
of mankind1 but in them ,the whole      
included race1 his purposed prey4 ,in   
bower and field he sought1 where any    
tuft ,of grove or garden-plot more      
pleasant lay1 ,their tendance1 or       
plantation for delight2 ,by fountain or 
by shady rivulet ,he sought them both1  
but wished his hap might find ,eve      
separate2 he wished1 but not with hope  

,of what so seldom chanced2 when to his 
wish1 ,beyond his hope1 ,eve separate he
 spies1 ,veiled in a cloud of fragrance1
 where she stood1 ,half spied1 so thick 
the roses blushing round ,about her     
glowed1 oft stooping to support ,each   
flower of slender stalk1 whose head1    
though gay ,carnation1 purple1 azure1 or
 specked with gold1 ,hung drooping      
unsustained2 them she upstays ,gently   
with myrtle band1 mindless the while    
,herself1 though fairest unsupported    
flower1 ,from her best prop so far1 and 
storm so nigh4 ,nearer he drew1 and many
 a walk traversed ,of stateliest covert1
 cedar1 pine1 or palm2 ,then voluble and
 bold1 now hid1 now seen1 ,among        
thick-woven arborets1 and flowers       
,imbordered on each bank1 the hand of   
,eve3 ,spot more delicious than those   
gardens feigned ,or of revived ,adonis1 
or renowned ,alcinous1 host of old      
,laertes' son2 ,or that1 not mystick1   
where the sapient king ,held dalliance  
with his fair ,egyptian spouse4 ,much he

 the place admired1 the person more4 ,as
 one who long in populous city pent1    
,where houses thick and sewers annoy the
 air1 ,forth issuing on a summer's morn1
 to breathe ,among the pleasant villages
 and farms ,adjoined1 from each thing   
met conceives delight2 ,the smell of    
grain1 or tedded grass1 or kine1 ,or    
dairy1 each rural sight1 each rural     
sound2 ,if chance1 with nymph-like step1
 fair virgin pass1 ,what pleasing       
seemed1 for her now pleases more2 ,she  
most1 and in her look sums all delight3 
,such pleasure took the ,serpent to     
behold ,this flowery plat1 the sweet    
recess of ,eve ,thus early1 thus alone3 
,her heavenly form ,angelick1 but more  
soft1 and feminine1 ,her graceful       
innocence1 her every air ,of gesture1 or
 least action1 overawed ,his malice1 and
 with rapine sweet bereaved ,his        
fierceness of the fierce intent it      
brought3 ,that space the ,evil-one      
abstracted stood ,from his own evil1 and
 for the time remained ,stupidly good2  

of enmity disarmed1 ,of guile1 of hate1 
of envy1 of revenge3 ,but the hot ,hell 
that always in him burns1 ,though in mid
 ,heaven1 soon ended his delight1 ,and  
tortures him now more1 the more he sees 
,of pleasure1 not for him ordained3 then
 soon ,fierce hate he recollects1 and   
all his thoughts ,of mischief1          
gratulating1 thus excites4 ,thoughts1   
whither have ye led me6 with what sweet 
,compulsion thus transported1 to forget 
,what hither brought us6 hate1 not love2
 nor hope ,of ,paradise for ,hell1 hope 
here to taste ,of pleasure2 but all     
pleasure to destroy1 ,save what is in   
destroying2 other joy ,to me is lost4   
,then1 let me not let pass ,occasion    
which now smiles2 behold alone ,the     
woman1 opportune to all attempts1 ,her  
husband1 for ,i view far round1 not     
nigh1 ,whose higher intellectual more ,i
 shun1 ,and strength1 of courage        
haughty1 and of limb ,heroick built1    
though of terrestrial mould2 ,foe not   
informidable6 exempt from wound1 ,i not2

 so much hath ,hell debased1 and pain   
,enfeebled me1 to what ,i was in        
,heaven4 ,she fair1 divinely fair1 fit  
love for ,gods6 ,not terrible1 though   
terrour be in love ,and beauty1 not     
approached by stronger hate1 ,hate      
stronger1 under show of love well       
feigned2 ,the way which to her ruin now 
,i tend4 ,so spake the enemy of mankind1
 enclosed ,in serpent1 inmate bad6 and  
toward ,eve ,addressed his way3 not with
 indented wave1 ,prone on the ground1 as
 since2 but on his rear1 ,circular base 
of rising folds1 that towered ,fold     
above fold1 a surging maze6 his head    
,crested aloft1 and carbuncle his eyes2 
,with burnished neck of verdant gold1   
erect ,amidst his circling spires1 that 
on the grass ,floated redundant3        
pleasing was his shape ,and lovely2     
never since of serpent-kind ,lovelier1  
not those that in ,illyria changed1     
,hermione and ,cadmus1 or the god ,in   
,epidaurus2 nor to which transformed    
,ammonian ,jove1 or ,capitoline1 was    

seen2 ,he with ,olympias2 this with her 
who bore ,scipio1 the highth of ,rome4  
,with tract oblique ,at first1 as one   
who sought access1 but feared ,to       
interrupt1 side-long he works his way4  
,as when a ship1 by skilful steersmen   
wrought ,nigh river's mouth or foreland1
 where the wind ,veers oft1 as oft so   
steers1 and shifts her sail3 ,so varied 
he1 and of his tortuous train ,curled   
many a wanton wreath in sight of ,eve1  
,to lure her eye2 she1 busied1 heard the
 sound ,of rusling leaves1 but minded   
not1 as used ,to such disport before her
 through the field1 ,from every beast2  
more duteous at her call1 ,than at      
,circean call the herd disguised4 ,he1  
bolder now1 uncalled before her stood1  
,but as in gaze admiring3 oft he bowed  
,his turret crest1 and sleek enamelled  
neck1 ,fawning2 and licked the ground   
whereon she trod4 ,his gentle dumb      
expression turned at length ,the eye of 
,eve to mark his play2 he1 glad ,of her 
attention gained1 with serpent-tongue   

,organick1 or impulse of vocal air1 ,his
 fraudulent temptation thus began4      
,wonder not1 sovran ,mistress1 if       
perhaps ,thou canst1 who art sole       
wonder6 much less arm ,thy looks1 the   
,heaven of mildness1 with disdain1      
,displeased that ,i approach thee thus1 
and gaze ,insatiate2 ,i thus single2 nor
 have feared ,thy awful brow1 more awful
 thus retired4 ,fairest resemblance of  
thy ,maker fair1 ,thee all things living
 gaze on1 all things thine ,by gift1 and
 thy celestial beauty adore ,with       
ravishment beheld6 there best beheld1   
,where universally admired2 but here ,in
 this enclosure wild1 these beasts      
among1 ,beholders rude1 and shallow to  
discern ,half what in thee is fair1 one 
man except1 ,who sees thee8 and what is 
one8 who should be seen ,a ,goddess     
among ,gods1 adored and served ,by      
,angels numberless1 thy daily train4 ,so
 glozed the ,tempter1 and his proem     
tuned3 ,into the heart of ,eve his words
 made way1 ,though at the voice much    

marvelling2 at length1 ,not unamazed1   
she thus in answer spake4 ,what may this
 mean8 language of man pronounced ,by   
tongue of brute1 and human sense        
expressed8 ,the first1 at least1 of     
these ,i thought denied ,to beasts2 whom
 ,god1 on their creation-day1 ,created  
mute to all articulate sound3 ,the      
latter ,i demur2 for in their looks     
,much reason1 and in their actions1 oft 
appears4 ,thee1 ,serpent1 subtlest beast
 of all the field ,i knew1 but not with 
human voice endued2 ,redouble then this 
miracle1 and say1 ,how camest thou      
speakable of mute1 and how ,to me so    
friendly grown above the rest ,of brutal
 kind1 that daily are in sight8 ,say1   
for such wonder claims attention due4   
,to whom the guileful ,tempter thus     
replied4 ,empress of this fair world1   
resplendent ,eve6 ,easy to me it is to  
tell thee all ,what thou commandest2 and
 right thou shouldst be obeyed3 ,i was  
at first as other beasts that graze ,the
 trodden herb1 of abject thoughts and   

low1 ,as was my food2 nor aught but food
 discerned ,or sex1 and apprehended     
nothing high3 ,till1 on a day roving the
 field1 ,i chanced ,a goodly tree far   
distant to behold ,loaden with fruit of 
fairest colours mixed1 ,ruddy and gold3 
,i nearer drew to gaze2 ,when from the  
boughs a savoury odour blown1 ,grateful 
to appetite1 more pleased my sense ,than
 smell of sweetest fennel1 or the teats 
,of ewe or goat dropping with milk at   
even1 ,unsucked of lamb or kid1 that    
tend their play4 ,to satisfy the sharp  
desire ,i had ,of tasting those fair    
apples1 ,i resolved ,not to defer2      
hunger and thirst at once1 ,powerful    
persuaders1 quickened at the scent ,of  
that alluring fruit1 urged me so keen4  
,about the mossy trunk ,i wound me soon2
 ,for1 high from ground1 the branches   
would require ,thy utmost reach or      
,adam's3 ,round the tree ,all other     
beasts that saw1 with like desire       
,longing and envying stood1 but could   
not reach4 ,amid the tree now got1 where

 plenty hung ,tempting so nigh1 to pluck
 and eat my fill ,i spared not2 for1    
such pleasure till that hour1 ,at feed  
or fountain1 never had ,i found4 ,sated 
at length1 ere long ,i might perceive   
,strange alteration in me1 to degree ,of
 reason in my inward powers2 and speech 
,wanted not long2 though to this shape  
retained4 ,thenceforth to speculations  
high or deep ,i turned my thoughts1 and 
with capacious mind ,considered all     
things visible in ,heaven1 ,or ,earth1  
or ,middle2 all things fair and good3   
,but all that fair and good in thy      
divine ,semblance1 and in thy beauty's  
heavenly ray1 ,united ,i beheld2 no fair
 to thine ,equivalent or second6 which  
compelled ,me thus1 though importune    
perhaps1 to come ,and gaze1 and worship 
thee of right declared ,sovran of       
creatures1 universal ,dame6 ,so talked  
the spirited sly ,snake2 and ,eve1 ,yet 
more amazed1 unwary thus replied4       
,serpent1 thy overpraising leaves in    
doubt ,the virtue of that fruit1 in thee

 first proved3 ,but say1 where grows the
 tree8 from hence how far8 ,for many are
 the trees of ,god that grow ,in        
,paradise1 and various1 yet unknown ,to 
us2 in such abundance lies our choice1  
,as leaves a greater store of fruit     
untouched1 ,still hanging incorruptible1
 till men ,grow up to their provision1  
and more hands ,help to disburden       
,nature of her birth4 ,to whom the wily 
,adder1 blithe and glad4 ,empress1 the  
way is ready1 and not long2 ,beyond a   
row of myrtles1 on a flat1 ,fast by a   
fountain1 one small thicket past ,of    
blowing myrrh and balm3 if thou accept  
,my conduct1 ,i can bring thee thither  
soon ,lead then1 said ,eve4 ,he1        
leading1 swiftly rolled ,in tangles1 and
 made intricate seem straight1 ,to      
mischief swift4 ,hope elevates1 and joy 
,brightens his crest2 as when a         
wandering fire1 ,compact of unctuous    
vapour1 which the night ,condenses1 and 
the cold environs round1 ,kindled       
through agitation to a flame1 ,which    

oft1 they say1 some evil ,spirit        
attends1 ,hovering and blazing with     
delusive light1 ,misleads the amazed    
night-wanderer from his way ,to bogs and
 mires1 and oft through pond or pool2   
,there swallowed up and lost1 from      
succour far4 ,so glistered the dire     
,snake1 and into fraud ,led ,eve1 our   
credulous mother1 to the tree ,of       
prohibition1 root of all our woe2 ,which
 when she saw1 thus to her guide she    
spake4 ,serpent1 we might have spared   
our coming hither1 ,fruitless to me1    
though fruit be here to excess1 ,the    
credit of whose virtue rest with thee2  
,wonderous indeed1 if cause of such     
effects4 ,but of this tree we may not   
taste nor touch2 ,god so commanded1 and 
left that command ,sole daughter of his 
voice2 the rest1 we live ,law to        
ourselves2 our reason is our law4 ,to   
whom the ,tempter guilefully replied4   
,indeed6 hath ,god then said that of the
 fruit ,of all these garden-trees ye    
shall not eat1 ,yet ,lords declared of  

all in earth or air8 ,to whom thus ,eve1
 yet sinless4 ,of the fruit ,of each    
tree in the garden we may eat2 ,but of  
the fruit of this fair tree amidst ,the 
garden1 ,god hath said1 ,ye shall not   
eat ,thereof1 nor shall ye touch it1    
lest ye die4 ,she scarce had said1      
though brief1 when now more bold ,the   
,tempter1 but with show of zeal and love
 ,to ,man1 and indignation at his wrong1
 ,new part puts on2 and1 as to passion  
moved1 ,fluctuates disturbed1 yet comely
 and in act ,raised1 as of some great   
matter to begin4 ,as when of old some   
orator renowned1 ,in ,athens or free    
,rome1 where eloquence ,flourished1     
since mute6 to some great cause         
addressed1 ,stood in himself collected2 
while each part1 ,motion1 each act1 won 
audience ere the tongue2 ,sometimes in  
highth began1 as no delay ,of preface   
brooking1 through his zeal of right3 ,so
 standing1 moving1 or to highth up      
grown1 ,the ,tempter1 all impassioned1  
thus began4 ,o sacred1 wise1 and        

wisdom-giving ,plant1 ,mother of        
science6 now ,i feel thy power ,within  
me clear2 not only to discern ,things in
 their causes1 but to trace the ways ,of
 highest agents1 deemed however wise4   
,queen of this universe6 do not believe 
,those rigid threats of death3 ye shall 
not die3 ,how should you8 by the fruit8 
it gives you life ,to knowledge2 by the 
threatener8 look on me1 ,me1 who have   
touched and tasted2 yet both live1 ,and 
life more perfect have attained than    
,fate ,meant me1 by venturing higher    
than my lot4 ,shall that be shut to     
,man1 which to the ,beast ,is open8 or  
will ,god incense his ire ,for such a   
petty trespass8 and not praise ,rather  
your dauntless virtue1 whom the pain ,of
 death denounced1 whatever thing death  
be1 ,deterred not from achieving what   
might lead ,to happier life1 knowledge  
of good and evil2 ,of good1 how just8 of
 evil1 if what is evil ,be real1 why not
 known1 since easier shunned8 ,god      
therefore cannot hurt ye1 and be just2  

,not just1 not ,god2 not feared then1   
nor obeyed3 ,your fear itself of death  
removes the fear4 ,why then was this    
forbid8 ,why1 but to awe2 ,why1 but to  
keep ye low and ignorant1 ,his          
worshippers8 ,he knows that in the day  
,ye eat thereof1 your eyes that seem so 
clear1 ,yet are but dim1 shall perfectly
 be then ,opened and cleared1 and ye    
shall be as ,gods1 ,knowing both good   
and evil1 as they know4 ,that ye shall  
be as ,gods1 since ,i as ,man1 ,internal
 ,man1 is but proportion meet2 ,i1 of   
brute1 human2 ye1 of human1 ,gods4 ,so  
ye shall die perhaps1 by putting off    
,human1 to put on ,gods2 death to be    
wished1 ,though threatened1 which no    
worse than this can bring4 ,and what are
 ,gods1 that ,man may not become ,as    
they1 participating ,god-like food8 ,the
 ,gods are first1 and that advantage use
 ,on our belief1 that all from them     
proceeds3 ,i question it2 for this fair 
earth ,i see1 ,warmed by the sun1       
producing every kind2 ,them1 nothing3 if

 they all things1 who enclosed          
,knowledge of good and evil in this     
tree1 ,that whoso eats thereof1         
forthwith attains ,wisdom without their 
leave8 and wherein lies ,the offence1   
that ,man should thus attain to know8   
,what can your knowledge hurt him1 or   
this tree ,impart against his will1 if  
all be his8 ,or is it envy8 and can envy
 dwell ,in heavenly breasts8 ,these1    
these1 and many more ,causes import your
 need of this fair fruit4 ,goddess      
humane1 reach then1 and freely taste6   
,he ended2 and his words1 replete with  
guile1 ,into her heart too easy entrance
 won3 ,fixed on the fruit she gazed1    
which to behold ,might tempt alone2 and 
in her ears the sound ,yet rung of his  
persuasive words1 impregned ,with       
reason1 to her seeming1 and with truth3 
,mean while the hour of noon drew on1   
and waked ,an eager appetite1 raised by 
the smell ,so savoury of that fruit1    
which with desire1 ,inclinable now grown
 to touch or taste1 ,solicited her      

longing eye2 yet first ,pausing a while1
 thus to herself she mused4 ,great are  
thy virtues1 doubtless1 best of fruits1 
,though kept from man1 and worthy to be 
admired2 ,whose taste1 too long forborn1
 at first assay ,gave elocution to the  
mute1 and taught ,the tongue not made   
for speech to speak thy praise3 ,thy    
praise he also1 who forbids thy use1    
,conceals not from us1 naming thee the  
tree ,of knowledge1 knowledge both of   
good and evil2 ,forbids us then to      
taste6 but his forbidding ,commends thee
 more1 while it infers the good ,by thee
 communicated1 and our want3 ,for good  
unknown sure is not had2 or1 had ,and   
yet unknown1 is as not had at all4 ,in  
plain then1 what forbids he but to know1
 ,forbids us good1 forbids us to be     
wise8 ,such prohibitions bind not4 ,but1
 if death ,bind us with after-bands1    
what profits then ,our inward freedom8  
,in the day we eat ,of this fair fruit1 
our doom is1 we shall die6 ,how dies the
 ,serpent8 he hath eaten and lives1 ,and

 knows1 and speaks1 and reasons1 and    
discerns1 ,irrational till then4 ,for us
 alone ,was death invented8 or to us    
denied ,this intellectual food1 for     
beasts reserved8 ,for beasts it seems3  
yet that one beast which first ,hath    
tasted envies not1 but brings with joy  
,the good befallen him1 author          
unsuspect1 ,friendly to man1 far from   
deceit or guile4 ,what fear ,i then8    
rather1 what know to fear ,under this   
ignorance of good and evil1 ,of ,god or 
death1 of law or penalty8 ,here grows   
the cure of all1 this fruit divine1     
,fair to the eye1 inviting to the taste1
 ,of virtue to make wise3 ,what hinders 
then ,to reach1 and feed at once both   
body and mind8 ,so saying1 her rash hand
 in evil hour ,forth reaching to the    
fruit1 she plucked1 she eat6 ,earth felt
 the wound2 and ,nature from her seat1  
,sighing through all her works1 gave    
signs of woe1 ,that all was lost4 ,back 
to the thicket slunk ,the guilty        
,serpent2 and well might2 for ,eve1     

,intent now wholly on her taste1 nought 
else ,regarded2 such delight till then1 
as seemed1 ,in fruit she never tasted1  
whether true ,or fancied so1 through    
expectation high ,of knowledge2 not was 
,godhead from her thought4 ,greedily she
 ingorged without restraint1 ,and knew  
not eating death3 ,satiate at length1   
,and hightened as with wine1 jocund and 
boon1 ,thus to herself she pleasingly   
began4 ,o sovran1 virtuous1 precious of 
all trees ,in ,paradise6 of operation   
blest ,to sapience1 hitherto obscured1  
infamed4 ,and thy fair fruit let hang1  
as to no end ,created2 but henceforth my
 early care1 ,not without song1 each    
morning1 and due praise1 ,shall tend    
thee1 and the fertile burden ease ,of   
thy full branches offered free to all2  
,till1 dieted by thee1 ,i grow mature   
,in knowledge1 as the ,gods1 who all    
things know2 ,though others envy what   
they cannot give3 ,for1 had the gift    
been theirs1 it had not here ,thus      
grown4 ,experience1 next1 to thee ,i    

owe1 ,best guide2 not following thee1 ,i
 had remained ,in ignorance2 thou       
openest wisdom's way1 ,and givest       
access1 though secret she retire4 ,and  
,i perhaps am secret3 ,heaven is high1  
,high1 and remote to see from thence    
distinct ,each thing on ,earth2 and     
other care perhaps ,may have diverted   
from continual watch ,our great         
,forbidder1 safe with all his spies     
,about him4 ,but to ,adam in what sort  
,shall ,i appear8 shall ,i to him make  
known ,as yet my change1 and give him to
 partake ,full happiness with me1 or    
rather not1 ,but keeps the odds of      
knowledge in my power ,without          
copartner8 so to add what wants ,in     
female sex1 the more to draw his love1  
,and render me more equal2 and perhaps1 
,a thing not undesirable1 sometime      
,superiour2 for1 inferiour1 who is free 
,this may be well3 ,but what if ,god    
have seen1 ,and death ensue8 then ,i    
shall be no more6 ,and ,adam1 wedded to 
another ,eve1 ,shall live with her      

enjoying1 ,i extinct2 ,a death to think6
 ,confirmed then ,i resolve1 ,adam shall
 share with me in bliss or woe3 ,so dear
 ,i love him1 that with him all deaths  
,i could endure1 without him live no    
life4 ,so saying1 from the tree her step
 she turned2 ,but first low reverence   
done1 as to the ,power ,that dwelt      
within1 whose presence had infused ,into
 the plant sciential sap1 derived ,from 
nectar1 drink of ,gods4 ,adam the while1
 ,waiting desirous her return1 had wove 
,of choicest flowers a garland1 to adorn
 ,her tresses1 and her rural labours    
crown2 ,as reapers oft are wont their   
harvest-queen4 ,great joy he promised to
 his thoughts1 and new ,solace in her   
return1 so long delayed3 ,yet oft his   
heart1 divine of something ill1 ,misgave
 him2 he the faltering measure felt2    
,and forth to meet her went1 the way she
 took ,that morn when first they parted3
 by the tree ,of knowledge he must pass2
 there he her met1 ,scarce from the tree
 returning2 in her hand ,a bough of     

fairest fruit1 that downy smiled1 ,new  
gathered1 and ambrosial smell diffused4 
,to him she hasted2 in her face excuse  
,came prologue1 and apology too prompt2 
,which1 with bland words at will1 she   
thus addressed4 ,hast thou not wondered1
 ,adam1 at my stay8 ,thee ,i have       
missed1 and thought it long1 deprived   
,thy presence2 agony of love till now   
,not felt1 nor shall be twice2 for never
 more ,mean ,i to try1 what rash untried
 ,i sought1 ,the pain of absence from   
thy sight4 ,but strange ,hath been the  
cause1 and wonderful to hear3 ,this tree
 is not1 as we are told1 a tree ,of     
danger tasted1 nor to evil unknown      
,opening the way1 but of divine effect  
,to open eyes1 and make them ,gods who  
taste2 ,and hath been tasted such3 ,the 
serpent wise1 ,or not restrained as we1 
or not obeying1 ,hath eaten of the      
fruit2 and is become1 ,not dead1 as we  
are threatened1 but thenceforth ,endued 
with human voice and human sense1       
,reasoning to admiration2 and with me   

,persuasively hath so prevailed1 that ,i
 ,have also tasted1 and have also found 
,the effects to correspond2 opener mine 
eyes1 ,dim erst1 dilated spirits1 ampler
 heart1 ,and growing up to ,godhead2    
which for thee ,chiefly ,i sought1      
without thee can despise4 ,for bliss1 as
 thou hast part1 to me is bliss2        
,tedious1 unshared with thee1 and odious
 soon4 ,thou therefore also taste1 that 
equal lot ,may join us1 equal joy1 as   
equal love2 ,lest1 thou not tasting1    
different degree ,disjoin us1 and ,i    
then too late renounce ,deity for thee1 
when ,fate will not permit4 ,thus ,eve  
with countenance blithe her story told2 
,but in her cheek distemper flushing    
glowed4 ,on the other side ,adam1 soon  
as he heard ,the fatal trespass done by 
,eve1 amazed1 ,astonied stood and blank1
 while horrour chill ,ran through his   
veins1 and all his joints relaxed2 ,from
 his slack hand the garland wreathed for
 ,eve ,down dropt1 and all the faded    
roses shed3 ,speechless he stood and    

pale1 till thus at length ,first to     
himself he inward silence broke4 ,o     
fairest of ,creation1 last and best ,of 
all ,god's works1 ,creature in whom     
excelled ,whatever can to sight or      
thought be formed1 ,holy1 divine1 good1 
amiable1 or sweet6 ,how art thou lost6  
how on a sudden lost1 ,defaced1         
deflowered1 and now to death devote6    
,rather1 how hast thou yielded to       
transgress ,the strict forbiddance1 how 
to violate ,the sacred fruit forbidden6 
,some cursed fraud ,of enemy hath       
beguiled thee1 yet unknown1 ,and me with
 thee hath ruined2 for with thee        
,certain my resolution is to die3 ,how  
can ,i live without thee6 how forego    
,thy sweet converse1 and love so dearly 
joined1 ,to live again in these wild    
woods forlorn6 ,should ,god create      
another ,eve1 and ,i ,another rib       
afford1 yet loss of thee ,would never   
from my heart3 no1 no6 ,i feel ,the link
 of ,nature draw me3 flesh of flesh1    
,bone of my bone thou art1 and from thy 

state ,mine never shall be parted1 bliss
 or woe4 ,so having said1 as one from   
sad dismay ,recomforted1 and after      
thoughts disturbed ,submitting to what  
seemed remediless1 ,thus in calm mood   
his words to ,eve he turned4 ,bold deed 
thou hast presumed1 adventurous ,eve1   
,and peril great provoked1 who thus hast
 dared1 ,had it been only coveting to   
eye ,that sacred fruit1 sacred to       
abstinence1 ,much more to taste it under
 ban to touch4 ,but past who can recall1
 or done undo8 ,not ,god ,omnipotent1   
nor ,fate2 yet so ,perhaps thou shalt   
not die1 perhaps the fact ,is not so    
heinous now1 foretasted fruit1 ,profaned
 first by the serpent1 by him first     
,made common1 and unhallowed1 ere our   
taste2 ,nor yet on him found deadly2 yet
 he lives2 ,lives1 as thou saidst1 and  
gains to live1 as ,man1 ,higher degree  
of life2 inducement strong ,to us1 as   
likely tasting to attain ,proportional  
ascent2 which cannot be ,but to be      
,gods1 or ,angels1 demi-,gods4 ,nor can 

,i think that ,god1 ,creator wise1      
,though threatening1 will in earnest so 
destroy ,us his prime creatures1        
dignified so high1 ,set over all his    
works2 which in our fall1 ,for us       
created1 needs with us must fail1       
,dependant made2 so ,god shall uncreate1
 ,be frustrate1 do1 undo1 and labour    
lose2 ,not well conceived of ,god1 who1 
though his power ,creation could repeat1
 yet would be loth ,us to abolish1 lest 
the ,adversary ,triumph1 and say2       
8,fickle their state whom ,god ,most    
favours2 who can please him long8 ,me   
first ,he ruined1 now ,mankind2 whom    
will he next80 ,matter of scorn1 not to 
be given the ,foe4 ,however ,i with thee
 have fixed my lot1 ,certain to undergo 
like doom3 ,if death ,consort with thee1
 death is to me as life2 ,so forcible   
within my heart ,i feel ,the bond of    
,nature draw me to my own2 ,my own in   
thee1 for what thou art is mine2 ,our   
state cannot be severed2 we are one1    
,one flesh2 to lose thee were to lose   

myself4 ,so ,adam2 and thus ,eve to him 
replied4 ,o glorious trial of exceeding 
love1 ,illustrious evidence1 example    
high6 ,engaging me to emulate2 but1     
short ,of thy perfection1 how shall ,i  
attain1 ,adam1 from whose dear side ,i  
boast me sprung1 ,and gladly of our     
union hear thee speak1 ,one heart1 one  
soul in both2 whereof good proof ,this  
day affords1 declaring thee resolved1   
,rather than death1 or aught than death 
more dread1 ,shall separate us1 linked  
in love so dear1 ,to undergo with me one
 guilt1 one crime1 ,if any be1 of       
tasting this fair fruit2 ,whose virtue  
for of good still good proceeds1        
,direct1 or by occasion1 hath presented 
,this happy trial of thy love1 which    
else ,so eminently never had been known8
 ,were it ,i thought death menaced would
 ensue ,this my attempt1 ,i would       
sustain alone ,the worst1 and not       
persuade thee1 rather die ,deserted1    
than oblige thee with a fact ,pernicious
 to thy peace2 chiefly assured          

,remarkably so late of thy so true1 ,so 
faithful1 love unequalled3 but ,i feel  
,far otherwise the event2 not death1 but
 life ,augmented1 opened eyes1 new      
hopes1 new joys1 ,taste so divine1 that 
what of sweet before ,hath touched my   
sense1 flat seems to this1 and harsh4   
,on my experience1 ,adam1 freely taste1 
,and fear of death deliver to the winds4
 ,so saying1 she embraced him1 and for  
joy ,tenderly wept2 much won1 that he   
his love ,had so ennobled1 as of choice 
to incur ,divine displeasure for her    
sake1 or death4 ,in recompence 7for such
 compliance bad ,such recompence best   
merits7 from the bough ,she gave him of 
that fair enticing fruit ,with liberal  
hand3 he scrupled not to eat1 ,against  
his better knowledge2 not deceived1 ,but
 fondly overcome with female charm4     
,earth trembled from her entrails1 as   
again ,in pangs2 and ,nature gave a     
second groan2 ,sky loured2 and1         
muttering thunder1 some sad drops ,wept 
at completing of the mortal sin         

,original3 while ,adam took no thought1 
,eating his fill2 nor ,eve to iterate   
,her former trespass feared1 the more to
 sooth ,him with her loved society2 that
 now1 ,as with new wine intoxicated     
both1 ,they swim in mirth1 and fancy    
that they feel ,divinity within them    
breeding wings1 ,wherewith to scorn the 
earth3 ,but that false fruit ,far other 
operation first displayed1 ,carnal      
desire inflaming2 he on ,eve ,began to  
cast lascivious eyes2 she him ,as       
wantonly repaid2 in lust they burn3     
,till ,adam thus 'gan ,eve to dalliance 
move4 ,eve1 now ,i see thou art exact of
 taste1 ,and elegant1 of sapience no    
small part2 ,since to each meaning      
savour we apply1 ,and palate call       
judicious2 ,i the praise ,yield thee1 so
 well this day thou hast purveyed4 ,much
 pleasure we have lost1 while we        
abstained ,from this delightful fruit1  
nor known till now ,true relish1        
tasting2 if such pleasure be ,in things 
to us forbidden1 it might be wished1    

,for this one tree had been forbidden   
ten4 ,but come1 so well refreshed1 now  
let us play1 ,as meet is1 after such    
delicious fare2 ,for never did thy      
beauty1 since the day ,i saw thee first 
and wedded thee1 adorned ,with all      
perfections1 so inflame my sense ,with  
ardour to enjoy thee1 fairer now ,than  
ever2 bounty of this virtuous tree6 ,so 
said he1 and forbore not glance or toy  
,of amorous intent2 well understood ,of 
,eve1 whose eye darted contagious fire4 
,her hand he seised2 and to a shady     
bank1 ,thick over-head with verdant roof
 imbowered1 ,he led her nothing loth2   
flowers were the couch1 ,pansies1 and   
violets1 and asphodel1 ,and hyacinth2   
,earth's freshest softest lap4 ,there   
they their fill of love and love's      
disport ,took largely1 of their mutual  
guilt the seal1 ,the solace of their    
sin2 till dewy sleep ,oppressed them1   
wearied with their amorous play1 ,soon  
as the force of that fallacious fruit1  
,that with exhilarating vapour bland    

,about their spirits had played1 and    
inmost powers ,made err1 was now        
exhaled2 and grosser sleep1 ,bred of    
unkindly fumes1 with conscious dreams   
,incumbered1 now had left them2 up they 
rose ,as from unrest2 and1 each the     
other viewing1 ,soon found their eyes   
how opened1 and their minds ,how        
darkened2 innocence1 that as a veil ,had
 shadowed them from knowing ill1 was    
gone2 ,just confidence1 and native      
righteousness1 ,and honour1 from about  
them1 naked left ,to guilty ,shame2 he  
covered1 but his robe ,uncovered more4  
,so rose the ,danite strong1 ,herculean 
,samson1 from the harlot-lap ,of        
,philistean ,dalilah1 and waked ,shorn  
of his strength4 ,they destitute and    
bare ,of all their virtue3 ,silent1 and 
in face ,confounded1 long they sat1 as  
strucken mute3 ,till ,adam1 though not  
less than ,eve abashed1 ,at length gave 
utterance to these words constrained4 ,o
 ,eve1 in evil hour thou didst give ear 
,to that false worm1 of whomsoever      

taught ,to counterfeit ,man's voice2    
true in our fall1 ,false in our promised
 rising2 since our eyes ,opened we find 
indeed1 and find we know ,both good and 
evil2 good lost1 and evil got2 ,bad     
fruit of knowledge1 if this be to know2 
,which leaves us naked thus1 of honour  
void1 ,of innocence1 of faith1 of       
purity1 ,our wonted ornaments now soiled
 and stained1 ,and in our faces evident 
the signs ,of foul concupiscence2 whence
 evil store2 ,even shame1 the last of   
evils2 of the first ,be sure then4--,how
 shall ,i behold the face ,henceforth of
 ,god or ,angel1 erst with joy ,and     
rapture so oft beheld8 ,those heavenly  
shapes ,will dazzle now this earthly    
with their blaze ,insufferably bright4  
,o6 might ,i here ,in solitude live     
savage2 in some glade ,obscured1 where  
highest woods1 impenetrable ,to star or 
sun-light1 spread their umbrage broad   
,and brown as evening3 ,cover me1 ye    
,pines6 ,ye ,cedars1 with innumerable   
boughs ,hide me1 where ,i may never see 

them more6-- ,but let us now1 as in bad 
plight1 devise ,what best may for the   
present serve to hide ,the parts of each
 from other1 that seem most ,to shame   
obnoxious1 and unseemliest seen2 ,some  
tree1 whose broad smooth leaves together
 sewed1 ,and girded on our loins1 may   
cover round ,those middle parts2 that   
this new comer1 ,shame1 ,there sit not1 
and reproach us as unclean4 ,so         
counselled he1 and both together went   
,into the thickest wood2 there soon they
 chose ,the fig-tree2 not that kind for 
fruit renowned1 ,but such as at this    
day1 to ,indians known1 ,in ,malabar or 
,decan spreads her arms ,branching so   
broad and long1 that in the ground ,the 
bended twigs take root1 and daughters   
grow ,about the mother tree1 a pillared 
shade ,high over-arched1 and echoing    
walks between3 ,there oft the ,indian   
herdsman1 shunning heat1 ,shelters in   
cool1 and tends his pasturing herds ,at 
loop-holes cut through thickest shade3  
,those leaves ,they gathered1 broad as  

,amazonian targe2 ,and1 with what skill 
they had1 together sewed1 ,to gird their
 waist2 vain covering1 if to hide ,their
 guilt and dreaded shame6 ,o1 how unlike
 ,to that first naked glory6 ,such of   
late ,columbus found the ,american1 so  
girt ,with feathered cincture2 naked    
else1 and wild ,among the trees on isles
 and woody shores4 ,thus fenced1 and1 as
 they thought1 their shame in part      
,covered1 but not at rest or ease of    
mind1 ,they sat them down to weep2 nor  
only tears ,rained at their eyes1 but   
high winds worse within ,began to rise1 
high passions1 anger1 hate1 ,mistrust1  
suspicion1 discord2 and shook sore      
,their inward state of mind1 calm region
 once ,and full of peace1 now tost and  
turbulent3 ,for ,understanding ruled    
not1 and the ,will ,heard not her lore2 
both in subjection now ,to sensual      
,appetite1 who from beneath ,usurping   
over sovran ,reason claimed ,superiour  
sway3 ,from thus distempered breast1    
,adam1 estranged in look and altered    

style1 ,speech intermitted thus to ,eve 
renewed4 ,would thou hadst hearkened to 
my words1 and staid ,with me1 as ,i     
besought thee1 when that strange ,desire
 of wandering1 this unhappy morn1 ,i    
know not whence possessed thee2 we had  
then ,remained still happy2 not1 as now1
 despoiled ,of all our good2 shamed1    
naked1 miserable6 ,let none henceforth  
seek needless cause to approve ,the     
faith they owe2 when earnestly they seek
 ,such proof1 conclude1 they then begin 
to fail4 ,to whom1 soon moved with touch
 of blame1 thus ,eve4 ,what words have  
passed thy lips1 ,adam severe6 ,imputest
 thou that to my default1 or will ,of   
wandering1 as thou callest it1 which who
 knows ,but might as ill have happened  
thou being by1 ,or to thyself perhaps8  
,hadst thou been there1 ,or here the    
attempt1 thou couldst not have discerned
 ,fraud in the ,serpent1 speaking as he 
spake2 ,no ground of enmity between us  
known1 ,why he should mean me ill1 or   
seek to harm4 ,was ,i to have never     

parted from thy side8 ,as good have     
grown there still a lifeless rib4 ,being
 as ,i am1 why didst not thou1 the head1
 ,command me absolutely not to go1      
,going into such danger1 as thou saidst8
 ,too facile then1 thou didst not much  
gainsay2 ,nay1 didst permit1 approve1   
and fair dismiss4 ,hadst thou been firm 
and fixed in thy dissent1 ,neither had  
,i transgressed1 nor thou with me4 ,to  
whom1 then first incensed1 ,adam        
replied4 ,is this the love1 is this the 
recompence ,of mine to thee1 ingrateful 
,eve6 expressed ,immutable1 when thou   
wert lost1 not ,i2 ,who might have      
lived1 and joyed immortal bliss1 ,yet   
willingly chose rather death with thee8 
,and am ,i now upbraided as the cause   
,of thy transgressing8 ,not enough      
severe1 ,it seems1 in thy restraint3    
,what could ,i more ,i warned thee1 ,i  
admonished thee1 foretold ,the danger1  
and the lurking enemy ,that lay in wait2
 beyond this1 had been force2 ,and force
 upon free will hath here no place4 ,but

 confidence then bore thee on2 secure   
,either to meet no danger1 or to find   
,matter of glorious trial2 and perhaps  
,i also erred1 in overmuch admiring     
,what seemed in thee so perfect1 that ,i
 thought ,no evil durst attempt thee2   
but ,i rue ,the errour now1 which is    
become my crime1 ,and thou the accuser4 
,thus it shall befall ,him1 who1 to     
worth in women overtrusting1 ,lets her  
will rule3 restraint she will not brook2
 ,and1 left to herself1 if evil thence  
ensue1 ,she first his weak indulgence   
will accuse4 ,thus they in mutual       
accusation spent ,the fruitless hours1  
but neither self-condemning2 ,and of    
their vain contest appeared no end4     
,book ,x   ,mean while the heinous and  
despiteful act ,of ,satan1 done in      
,paradise2 and how ,he1 in the serpent1 
had perverted ,eve1 ,her husband she1 to
 taste the fatal fruit1 ,was known in   
,heaven2 for what can 'scape the eye ,of
 ,god all-seeing1 or deceive his heart  
,omniscient8 who1 in all things wise and

 just1 ,hindered not ,satan to attempt  
the mind ,of ,man1 with strength entire 
and free will armed1 ,complete to have  
discovered and repulsed ,whatever wiles 
of foe or seeming friend4 ,for still    
they knew1 and ought to have still      
remembered1 ,the high injunction1 not to
 taste that fruit1 ,whoever tempted2    
which they not obeying1 7,incurred what 
could they less87 the penalty2 ,and1    
manifold in sin1 deserved to fall4 ,up  
into ,heaven from ,paradise in haste    
,the angelick guards ascended1 mute1 and
 sad1 ,for ,man2 for of his state by    
this they knew1 ,much wondering how the 
subtle ,fiend had stolen ,entrance      
unseen4 ,soon as the unwelcome news     
,from ,earth arrived at ,heaven-gate1   
displeased ,all were who heard2 dim     
sadness did not spare ,that time        
celestial visages1 yet1 mixed ,with     
pity1 violated not their bliss4 ,about  
the new-arrived1 in multitudes ,the     
ethereal people ran1 to hear and know   
,how all befel3 ,they towards the throne

 supreme1 ,accountable1 made haste1 to  
make appear1 ,with righteous plea1 their
 utmost vigilance ,and easily approved2 
when the ,most ,high ,eternal ,father1  
from his secret cloud1 ,amidst in       
thunder uttered thus his voice4         
,assembled ,angels1 and ye ,powers      
returned ,from unsuccessful charge2 be  
not dismayed1 ,nor troubled at these    
tidings from the earth1 ,which your     
sincerest care could not prevent2       
,foretold so lately what would come to  
pass1 ,when first this tempter crossed  
the gulf from ,hell4 ,i told ye then he 
should prevail1 and speed ,on his bad   
errand2 ,man should be seduced1 ,and    
flattered out of all1 believing lies    
,against his ,maker2 no decree of mine  
,concurring to necessitate his fall1 ,or
 touch with lightest moment of impulse  
,his free will1 to her own inclining    
left ,in even scale4 ,but fallen he is2 
and now ,what rests1 but that the mortal
 sentence pass ,on his                  
transgression1--death denounced that    

day8 ,which he presumes already vain and
 void1 ,because not yet inflicted1 as he
 feared1 ,by some immediate stroke2 but 
soon shall find ,forbearance no         
acquittance1 ere day end4 ,justice shall
 not return as bounty scorned4 ,but whom
 send ,i to judge them8 whom but thee1  
,vicegerent ,son8 ,to thee ,i have      
transferred ,all judgement1 whether in  
,heaven1 or ,earth1 or ,hell4 ,easy it  
may be seen that ,i intend ,mercy       
colleague with justice1 sending thee    
,man's friend1 his ,mediator1 his       
designed ,both ransom and ,redeemer     
voluntary1 ,and destined ,man himself to
 judge ,man fallen4 ,so spake the       
,father2 and1 unfolding bright ,toward  
the right hand his glory1 on the ,son   
,blazed forth unclouded ,deity3 ,he full
 ,resplendent all his ,father manifest  
,expressed1 and thus divinely answered  
mild4 ,father ,eternal1 thine is to     
decree2 ,mine1 both in ,heaven and      
,earth1 to do thy will ,supreme2 that   
thou in me1 thy ,son beloved1 ,mayest   

ever rest well pleased4 ,i go to judge  
,on earth these thy transgressours2 but 
thou knowest1 ,whoever judged1 the worst
 on me must light1 ,when time shall be2 
for so ,i undertook ,before thee2 and1  
not repenting1 this obtain ,of right1   
that ,i may mitigate their doom ,on me  
derived2 yet ,i shall temper so ,justice
 with mercy1 as may illustrate most     
,them fully satisfied1 and thee appease4
 ,attendance none shall need1 nor train1
 where none ,are to behold the          
judgement1 but the judged1 ,those two2  
the third best absent is condemned1     
,convict by flight1 and rebel to all    
law3 ,conviction to the serpent none    
belongs4 ,thus saying1 from his radiant 
seat he rose ,of high collateral glory3 
,him ,thrones1 and ,powers1 ,princedoms1
 and ,dominations ministrant1           
,accompanied to ,heaven-gate2 from      
whence ,eden1 and all the coast1 in     
prospect lay4 ,down he descended        
straight2 the speed of ,gods ,time      
counts not1 though with swiftest minutes

 winged4 ,now was the sun in western    
cadence low ,from noon1 and gentle airs1
 due at their hour1 ,to fan the earth   
now waked1 and usher in ,the evening    
cool2 when he1 from wrath more cool1    
,came the mild ,judge1 and ,intercessour
 both1 ,to sentence ,man3 ,the voice of 
,god they heard ,now walking in the     
garden1 by soft winds ,brought to their 
ears1 while day declined2 they heard1   
,and from his presence hid themselves   
among ,the thickest trees1 both man and 
wife2 till ,god1 ,approaching1 thus to  
,adam called aloud4 ,where art thou1    
,adam1 wont with joy to meet ,my coming 
seen far off8 ,i miss thee here1 ,not   
pleased1 thus entertained with solitude1
 ,where obvious duty ere while appeared 
unsought3 ,or come ,i less conspicuous1 
or what change ,absents thee1 or what   
chance detains8--,come forth6 ,he came2 
and with him ,eve1 more loth1 though    
first ,to offend2 discountenanced both1 
and discomposed2 ,love was not in their 
looks1 either to ,god1 ,or to each      

other2 but apparent guilt1 ,and shame1  
and perturbation1 and despair1 ,anger1  
and obstinacy1 and hate1 and guile4     
,whence ,adam1 faltering long1 thus     
answered brief4 ,i heard thee in the    
garden1 and of thy voice ,afraid1 being 
naked1 hid myself4 ,to whom ,the        
gracious ,judge without revile replied4 
,my voice thou oft hast heard1 and hast 
not feared1 ,but still rejoiced2 how is 
it now become ,so dreadful to thee8     
,that thou art naked1 who ,hath told    
thee8 ,hast thou eaten of the tree1     
,whereof ,i gave thee charge thou       
shouldst not eat8 ,to whom thus ,adam   
sore beset replied4 ,o ,heaven6 in evil 
strait this day ,i stand ,before my     
,judge2 either to undergo ,myself the   
total crime1 or to accuse ,my other     
self1 the partner of my life2 ,whose    
failing1 while her faith to me remains1 
,i should conceal1 and not expose to    
blame ,by my complaint3 but strict      
necessity ,subdues me1 and calamitous   
constraint2 ,lest on my head both sin   

and punishment1 ,however insupportable1 
be all ,devolved2 though should ,i hold 
my peace1 yet thou ,wouldst easily      
detect what ,i conceal4-- ,this ,woman1 
whom thou madest to be my help1 ,and    
gavest me as thy perfect gift1 so good1 
,so fit1 so acceptable1 so divine1 ,that
 from her hand ,i could suspect no ill1 
,and what she did1 whatever in itself1  
,her doing seemed to justify the deed2  
,she gave me of the tree1 and ,i did    
eat4 ,to whom the ,sovran ,presence thus
 replied4 ,was she thy ,god1 that her   
thou didst obey ,before his voice8 or   
was she made thy guide1 ,superiour1 or  
but equal1 that to her ,thou didst      
resign thy manhood1 and the place       
,wherein ,god set thee above her made of
 thee1 ,and for thee1 whose perfection  
far excelled ,hers in all real dignity8 
,adorned ,she was indeed1 and lovely1 to
 attract ,thy love1 not thy subjection2 
and her gifts ,were such1 as under      
government well seemed2 ,unseemly to    
bear rule2 which was thy part ,and      

person1 hadst thou known thyself aright4
 ,so having said1 he thus to ,eve in    
few4 ,say1 ,woman1 what is this which   
thou hast done8 ,to whom sad ,eve1 with 
shame nigh overwhelmed1 ,confessing     
soon1 yet not before her ,judge ,bold or
 loquacious1 thus abashed replied4 ,the 
,serpent me beguiled1 and ,i did eat4   
,which when the ,lord ,god heard1       
without delay ,to judgement he proceeded
 on the accused ,serpent1 though brute2 
unable to transfer ,the guilt on him1   
who made him instrument ,of mischief1   
and polluted from the end ,of his       
creation2 justly then accursed1 ,as     
vitiated in nature3 ,more to know       
,concerned not ,man1 7since he no       
further knew7 ,nor altered his offence2 
yet ,god at last ,to ,satan first in sin
 his doom applied1 ,though in mysterious
 terms1 judged as then best3 ,and on the
 ,serpent thus his curse let fall4      
,because thou hast done this1 thou art  
accursed ,above all cattle1 each beast  
of the field2 ,upon thy belly groveling 

thou shalt go1 ,and dust shalt eat all  
the days of thy life4 ,between thee and 
the woman ,i will put ,enmity1 and      
between thine and her seed2 ,her seed   
shall bruise thy head1 thou bruise his  
heel4 ,so spake this oracle1 then       
verified ,when ,jesus1 ,son of ,mary1   
second ,eve1 ,saw ,satan fall1 like     
lightning1 down from ,heaven1 ,prince of
 the air2 then1 rising from his grave   
,spoiled ,principalities and ,powers1   
triumphed ,in open show2 and1 with      
ascension bright1 ,captivity led captive
 through the air1 ,the realm itself of  
,satan1 long usurped2 ,whom he shall    
tread at last under our feet2 ,even he1 
who now foretold his fatal bruise2 ,and 
to the ,woman thus his sentence turned4 
,thy sorrow ,i will greatly multiply ,by
 thy conception2 children thou shalt    
bring ,in sorrow forth2 and to thy      
husband's will ,thine shall submit2 he  
over thee shall rule4 ,on ,adam last    
thus judgement he pronounced4 ,because  
thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy 

wife1 ,and eaten of the tree1 concerning
 which ,i charged thee1 saying1 ,thou   
shalt not eat thereof3 ,cursed is the   
ground for thy sake2 thou in sorrow     
,shalt eat thereof1 all the days of thy 
life2 ,thorns also and thistles it shall
 bring thee forth ,unbid2 and thou shalt
 eat the herb of the field2 ,in the     
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread1 
,till thou return unto the ground2 for  
thou ,out of the ground wast taken1 know
 thy birth1 ,for dust thou art1 and     
shalt to dust return4 ,so judged he     
,man1 both ,judge and ,saviour sent2    
,and the instant stroke of death1       
denounced that day1 ,removed far off2   
then1 pitying how they stood ,before him
 naked to the air1 that now ,must suffer
 change1 disdained not to begin         
,thenceforth the form of servant to     
assume2 ,as when he washed his servants 
feet2 so now1 ,as father of his family1 
he clad ,their nakedness with skins of  
beasts1 or slain1 ,or as the snake with 
youthful coat repaid2 ,and thought not  

much to clothe his enemies2 ,nor he     
their outward only with the skins ,of   
beasts1 but inward nakedness1 much more4
 ,opprobrious1 with his robe of         
righteousness1 ,arraying1 covered from  
his ,father's sight4 ,to him with swift 
ascent he up returned1 ,into his        
blissful bosom reassumed ,in glory1 as  
of old2 to him appeased ,all1 though    
all-knowing1 what had passed with ,man  
,recounted1 mixing intercession sweet4  
,mean while1 ere thus was sinned and    
judged on ,earth1 ,within the gates of  
,hell sat ,sin and ,death1 ,in          
counterview within the gates1 that now  
,stood open wide1 belching outrageous   
flame ,far into ,chaos1 since the ,fiend
 passed through1 ,sin opening2 who thus 
now to ,death began4 ,o ,son1 why sit we
 here each other viewing ,idly1 while   
,satan1 our great author1 thrives ,in   
other worlds1 and happier seat provides 
,for us1 his offspring dear8 ,it cannot 
be ,but that success attends him2 if    
mishap1 ,ere this he had returned1 with 

fury driven ,by his avengers2 since no  
place like this ,can fit his punishment1
 or their revenge4 ,methinks ,i feel new
 strength within me rise1 ,wings        
growing1 and dominion given me large    
,beyond this deep2 whatever draws me on1
 ,or sympathy1 or some connatural force1
 ,powerful at greatest distance to      
unite1 ,with secret amity1 things of    
like kind1 ,by secretest conveyance4    
,thou1 my shade ,inseparable1 must with 
me along2 ,for ,death from ,sin no power
 can separate4 ,but1 lest the difficulty
 of passing back ,stay his return       
perhaps over this gulf ,impassable1     
impervious2 let us try ,adventurous     
work1 yet to thy power and mine ,not    
unagreeable1 to found a path ,over this 
main from ,hell to that new world1      
,where ,satan now prevails2 a monument  
,of merit high to all the infernal host1
 ,easing their passage hence1 for       
intercourse1 ,or transmigration1 as     
their lot shall lead4 ,nor can ,i miss  
the way1 so strongly drawn ,by this     

new-felt attraction and instinct4 ,whom 
thus the meager ,shadow answered soon4  
,go1 whither ,fate1 and inclination     
strong1 ,leads thee2 ,i shall not lag   
behind1 nor err ,the way1 thou leading2 
such a scent ,i draw ,of carnage1 prey  
innumerable1 and taste ,the savour of   
death from all things there that live3  
,nor shall ,i to the work thou          
enterprisest ,be wanting1 but afford    
thee equal aid4 ,so saying1 with delight
 he snuffed the smell ,of mortal change 
on earth4 ,as when a flock ,of ravenous 
fowl1 though many a league remote1      
,against the day of battle1 to a field1 
,where armies lie encamped1 come flying1
 lured ,with scent of living carcasses  
designed ,for death1 the following day1 
in bloody fight3 ,so scented the grim   
,feature1 and upturned ,his nostril wide
 into the murky air2 ,sagacious of his  
quarry from so far4 ,then both from out 
,hell-gates1 into the waste ,wide       
anarchy of ,chaos1 damp and dark1 ,flew 
diverse2 and with power 7their power was

 great7 ,hovering upon the waters1 what 
they met ,solid or slimy1 as in raging  
sea ,tost up and down1 together crouded 
drove1 ,from each side shoaling towards 
the mouth of ,hell2 ,as when two polar  
winds1 blowing adverse ,upon the        
,cronian sea1 together drive ,mountains 
of ice1 that stop the imagined way      
,beyond ,petsora eastward1 to the rich  
,cathaian coast4 ,the aggregated soil   
,death with his mace petrifick1 cold and
 dry1 ,as with a trident1 smote2 and    
fixed as firm ,as ,delos1 floating once2
 the rest his look ,bound with          
,gorgonian rigour not to move2 ,and with
 ,asphaltick slime1 broad as the gate1  
,deep to the roots of ,hell the gathered
 beach ,they fastened1 and the mole     
immense wrought on ,over the foaming    
deep high-arched1 a bridge ,of length   
prodigious1 joining to the wall         
,immoveable of this now fenceless world1
 ,forfeit to ,death2 from hence a       
passage broad1 ,smooth1 easy1           
inoffensive1 down to ,hell4 ,so1 if     

great things to small may be compared1  
,xerxes1 the liberty of ,greece to yoke1
 ,from ,susa1 his ,memnonian palace     
high1 ,came to the sea3 and1 over       
,hellespont ,bridging his way1 ,europe  
with ,asia joined1 ,and scourged with   
many a stroke the indignant waves4 ,now 
had they brought the work by wonderous  
art ,pontifical1 a ridge of pendant     
rock1 ,over the vexed abyss1 following  
the track ,of ,satan to the self-same   
place where he ,first lighted from his  
wing1 and landed safe ,from out of      
,chaos1 to the outside bare ,of this    
round world3 ,with pins of adamant ,and 
chains they made all fast1 too fast they
 made ,and durable6 ,and now in little  
space ,the confines met of empyrean     
,heaven1 ,and of this ,world2 and1 on   
the left hand1 ,hell ,with long reach   
interposed2 three several ways ,in      
sight1 to each of these three places    
led4 ,and now their way to ,earth they  
had descried1 ,to ,paradise first       
tending2 when1 behold6 ,satan1 in       

likeness of an ,angel bright1 ,betwixt  
the ,centaur and the ,scorpion steering 
,his zenith1 while the sun in ,aries    
rose3 ,disguised he came2 but those his 
children dear ,their parent soon        
discerned1 though in disguise4 ,he1     
after ,eve seduced1 unminded slunk ,into
 the wood fast by2 and1 changing shape1 
,to observe the sequel1 saw his guileful
 act ,by ,eve1 though all unweeting1    
seconded ,upon her husband2 saw their   
shame that sought ,vain covertures2 but 
when he saw descend ,the ,son of ,god to
 judge them1 terrified ,he fled2 not    
hoping to escape1 but shun ,the present2
 fearing1 guilty1 what his wrath ,might 
suddenly inflict2 that past1 returned   
,by night1 and listening where the      
hapless pair ,sat in their sad          
discourse1 and various plaint1 ,thence  
gathered his own doom2 which understood 
,not instant1 but of future time1 with  
joy ,and tidings fraught1 to ,hell he   
now returned2 ,and at the brink of      
,chaos1 near the foot ,of this new      

wonderous pontifice1 unhoped ,met1 who  
to meet him came1 his offspring dear4   
,great joy was at their meeting1 and at 
sight ,of that stupendous bridge his joy
 encreased4 ,long he admiring stood1    
till ,sin1 his fair ,enchanting         
daughter1 thus the silence broke4 ,o    
,parent1 these are thy magnifick deeds1 
,thy trophies6 which thou viewest as not
 thine own2 ,thou art their author1 and 
prime architect3 ,for ,i no sooner in my
 heart divined1 ,my heart1 which by a   
secret harmony ,still moves with thine1 
joined in connexion sweet1 ,that thou on
 earth hadst prospered1 which thy looks 
,now also evidence1 but straight ,i     
felt1 ,though distant from thee worlds  
between1 yet felt1 ,that ,i must after  
thee1 with this thy son2 ,such fatal    
consequence unites us three6 ,hell could
 no longer hold us in our bounds1 ,nor  
this unvoyageable gulf obscure ,detain  
from following thy illustrious track4   
,thou hast achieved our liberty1        
confined ,within ,hell-gates till now2  

thou us impowered ,to fortify thus far1 
and overlay1 ,with this portentous      
bridge1 the dark abyss4 ,thine now is   
all this world2 thy virtue hath won     
,what thy hands builded not2 thy wisdom 
gained ,with odds what war hath lost1   
and fully avenged ,our foil in ,heaven2 
here thou shalt monarch reign1 ,there   
didst not2 there let him still victor   
sway1 ,as battle hath adjudged2 from    
this new world ,retiring1 by his own    
doom alienated2 ,and henceforth monarchy
 with thee divide ,of all things1 parted
 by the empyreal bounds1 ,his           
quadrature1 from thy orbicular world2   
,or try thee now more dangerous to his  
throne4 ,whom thus the ,prince of       
darkness answered glad4 ,fair ,daughter1
 and thou ,son and ,grandchild both2    
,high proof ye now have given to be the 
race ,of ,satan 7for ,i glory in the    
name1 ,antagonist of ,heaven's ,almighty
 ,king17 ,amply have merited of me1 of  
all ,the infernal empire1 that so near  
,heaven's door ,triumphal with triumphal

 act have met1 ,mine1 with this glorious
 work2 and made one realm1 ,hell and    
this world1 one realm1 one continent ,of
 easy thorough-fare4 ,therefore1 while  
,i ,descend through darkness1 on your   
road with ease1 ,to my associate        
,powers1 them to acquaint ,with these   
successes1 and with them rejoice2 ,you  
two this way1 among these numerous orbs1
 ,all yours1 right down to ,paradise    
descend2 ,there dwell1 and reign in     
bliss2 thence on the earth ,dominion    
exercise and in the air1 ,chiefly on    
,man1 sole lord of all declared2 ,him   
first make sure your thrall1 and lastly 
kill4 ,my substitutes ,i send ye1 and   
create ,plenipotent on earth1 of        
matchless might ,issuing from me3 on    
your joint vigour now ,my hold of this  
new kingdom all depends1 ,through ,sin  
to ,death exposed by my exploit4 ,if    
your joint power prevail1 the affairs of
 ,hell ,no detriment need fear2 go1 and 
be strong6 ,so saying he dismissed them2
 they with speed ,their course through  

thickest constellations held1 ,spreading
 their bane2 the blasted stars looked   
wan1 ,and planets1 planet-struck1 real  
eclipse ,then suffered4 ,the other way  
,satan went down ,the causey to         
,hell-gate3 ,on either side ,disparted  
,chaos overbuilt exclaimed1 ,and with   
rebounding surge the bars assailed1     
,that scorned his indignation3 ,through 
the gate1 ,wide open and unguarded1     
,satan passed1 ,and all about found     
desolate2 for those1 ,appointed to sit  
there1 had left their charge1 ,flown to 
the upper world2 the rest were all ,far 
to the inland retired1 about the walls  
,of ,pandemonium2 city and proud seat   
,of ,lucifer1 so by allusion called ,of 
that bright star to ,satan paragoned2   
,there kept their watch the legions1    
while the ,grand ,in council sat1       
solicitous what chance ,might intercept 
their emperour sent2 so he ,departing   
gave command1 and they observed4 ,as    
when the ,tartar from his ,russian foe1 
,by ,astracan1 over the snowy plains1   

,retires2 or ,bactrin ,sophi1 from the  
horns ,of ,turkish crescent1 leaves all 
waste beyond ,the realm of ,aladule1 in 
his retreat ,to ,tauris or ,casbeen3 ,so
 these1 the late ,heaven-banished host1 
left desart utmost ,hell ,many a dark   
league1 reduced in careful watch ,round 
their metropolis2 and now expecting     
,each hour their great adventurer1 from 
the search ,of foreign worlds3 ,he      
through the midst unmarked1 ,in show    
plebeian ,angel militant ,of lowest     
order1 passed2 and from the door ,of    
that ,plutonian hall1 invisible         
,ascended his high throne2 which1 under 
state ,of richest texture spread1 at the
 upper end ,was placed in regal lustre4 
,down a while ,he sat1 and round about  
him saw unseen3 ,at last1 as from a     
cloud1 his fulgent head ,and shape      
star-bright appeared1 or brighter2 clad 
,with what permissive glory since his   
fall ,was left him1 or false glitter3   
,all amazed ,at that so sudden blaze the
 ,stygian throng ,bent their aspect1 and

 whom they wished beheld1 ,their mighty 
,chief returned3 loud was the acclaim3  
,forth rushed in haste the great        
consulting peers1 ,raised from their    
dark ,divan1 and with like joy          
,congratulant approached him2 who with  
hand ,silence1 and with these words     
attention1 won4 ,thrones1 ,dominations1 
,princedoms1 ,virtues1 ,powers2 ,for in 
possession such1 not only of right1 ,i  
call ye1 and declare ye now2 returned   
,successful beyond hope1 to lead ye     
forth ,triumphant out of this infernal  
pit ,abominable1 accursed1 the house of 
woe1 ,and dungeon of our tyrant3 ,now   
possess1 ,as ,lords1 a spacious world1  
to our native ,heaven ,little inferiour1
 by my adventure hard ,with peril great 
achieved4 ,long were to tell ,what ,i   
have done2 what suffered2 with what pain
 ,voyaged th' unreal1 vast1 unbounded   
deep ,of horrible confusion2 over which 
,by ,sin and ,death a broad way now is  
paved1 ,to expedite your glorious march2
 but ,i ,toiled out my uncouth passage1 

forced to ride ,the untractable abyss1  
plunged in the womb ,of unoriginal      
,night and ,chaos wild2 ,that1 jealous  
of their secrets1 fiercely opposed ,my  
journey strange1 with clamorous uproar  
,protesting ,fate supreme2 thence how ,i
 found ,the new created world1 which    
fame in ,heaven ,long had foretold1 a   
fabrick wonderful ,of absolute          
perfection6 therein ,man ,placed in a   
,paradise1 by our exile ,made happy3    
,him by fraud ,i have seduced ,from his 
,creator2 and1 the more to encrease     
,your wonder1 with an apple2 he1 thereat
 ,offended1 worth your laughter6 hath   
given up ,both his beloved ,man1 and all
 his world1 ,to ,sin and ,death a prey1 
and so to us1 ,without our hazard1      
labour1 or alarm2 ,to range in1 and to  
dwell1 and over ,man ,to rule1 as over  
all he should have ruled4 ,true is1 me  
also he hath judged1 or rather ,me not1 
but the brute serpent in whose shape    
,man ,i deceived3 that which to me      
belongs1 ,is enmity which he will put   

between ,me and mankind2 ,i am to bruise
 his heel2 ,his seed1 when is not set1  
shall bruise my head3 ,a world who would
 not purchase with a bruise1 ,or much   
more grievous pain8--,ye have the       
account ,of my performance3 ,what       
remains1 ye ,gods1 ,but up1 and enter   
now into full bliss8 ,so having said1 a 
while he stood1 expecting ,their        
universal shout1 and high applause1 ,to 
fill his ear2 when1 contrary1 he hears  
,on all sides1 from innumerable tongues1
 ,a dismal universal hiss1 the sound ,of
 publick scorn2 he wondered1 but not    
long ,had leisure1 wondering at himself 
now more1 ,his visage drawn he felt to  
sharp and spare2 ,his arms clung to his 
ribs2 his legs entwining ,each other1   
till supplanted down he fell ,a         
monstrous serpent on his belly prone1   
,reluctant1 but in vain2 a greater power
 ,now ruled him1 punished in the shape  
he sinned1 ,according to his doom3 he   
would have spoke1 ,but hiss for hiss    
returned with forked tongue ,to forked  

tongue2 for now were all transformed    
,alike1 to serpents all1 as accessories 
,to his bold riot3 ,dreadful was the din
 ,of hissing through the hall1 thick    
swarming now ,with complicated monsters 
head and tail1 ,scorpion1 and ,asp1 and 
,amphisbaena dire1 ,cerastes horned1    
,hydrus1 and ,elops drear1 ,and ,dipsas2
 7not so thick swarmed once the soil    
,bedropt with blood of ,gorgon1 or the  
isle ,ophiusa17 but still greatest he   
the midst1 ,now ,dragon grown1 larger   
than whom the sun ,ingendered in the    
,pythian vale or slime1 ,huge ,python1  
and his power no less he seemed ,above  
the rest still to retain2 they all ,him 
followed1 issuing forth to the open     
field1 ,where all yet left of that      
revolted rout1 ,heaven-fallen1 in       
station stood or just array2 ,sublime   
with expectation when to see ,in triumph
 issuing forth their glorious ,chief2   
,they saw1 but other sight instead6 a   
croud ,of ugly serpents2 horrour on them
 fell1 ,and horrid sympathy2 for1 what  

they saw1 ,they felt themselves1 now    
changing2 down their arms1 ,down fell   
both spear and shield2 down they as     
fast2 ,and the dire hiss renewed1 and   
the dire form ,catched1 by contagion2   
like in punishment1 ,as in their crime4 
,thus was the applause they meant1      
,turned to exploding hiss1 triumph to   
shame ,cast on themselves from their own
 mouths4 ,there stood ,a grove hard by1 
sprung up with this their change1 ,his  
will who reigns above1 to aggravate     
,their penance1 laden with fair fruit1  
like that ,which grew in ,paradise1 the 
bait of ,eve ,used by the ,tempter3 on  
that prospect strange ,their earnest    
eyes they fixed1 imagining ,for one     
forbidden tree a multitude ,now risen1  
to work them further woe or shame2 ,yet1
 parched with scalding thirst and hunger
 fierce1 ,though to delude them sent1   
could not abstain2 ,but on they rolled  
in heaps1 and1 up the trees ,climbing1  
sat thicker than the snaky locks ,that  
curled ,megaera3 greedily they plucked  

,the fruitage fair to sight1 like that  
which grew ,near that bituminous lake   
where ,sodom flamed2 ,this more         
delusive1 not the touch1 but taste      
,deceived2 they1 fondly thinking to     
allay ,their appetite with gust1 instead
 of fruit ,chewed bitter ashes1 which   
the offended taste ,with spattering     
noise rejected3 oft they assayed1       
,hunger and thirst constraining2 drugged
 as oft1 ,with hatefullest disrelish    
writhed their jaws1 ,with soot and      
cinders filled2 so oft they fell ,into  
the same illusion1 not as ,man ,whom    
they triumphed once lapsed4 ,thus were  
they plagued ,and worn with famine1 long
 and ceaseless hiss1 ,till their lost   
shape1 permitted1 they resumed2 ,yearly 
enjoined1 some say1 to undergo1 ,this   
annual humbling certain numbered days1  
,to dash their pride1 and joy1 for ,man 
seduced4 ,however1 some tradition they  
dispersed ,among the ,heathen1 of their 
purchase got1 ,and fabled how the       
,serpent1 whom they called ,ophion1 with

 ,eurynome1 the wide-- ,encroaching ,eve
 perhaps1 had first the rule ,of high   
,olympus2 thence by ,saturn driven ,and 
,ops1 ere yet ,dictaean ,jove was born4 
,mean while in ,paradise the hellish    
pair ,too soon arrived2 ,sin1 there in  
power before1 ,once actual2 now in body1
 and to dwell ,habitual habitant2 behind
 her ,death1 ,close following pace for  
pace1 not mounted yet ,on his pale      
horse3 to whom ,sin thus began4 ,second 
of ,satan sprung1 all-conquering ,death6
 ,what thinkest thou of our empire now1 
though earned ,with travel difficult1   
not better far ,than still at ,hell's   
dark threshold to have sat watch1       
,unnamed1 undreaded1 and thyself half   
starved8 ,whom thus the ,sin-born       
monster answered soon4 ,to me1 who with 
eternal famine pine1 ,alike is ,hell1 or
 ,paradise1 or ,heaven2 ,there best1    
where most with ravine ,i may meet2     
,which here1 though plenteous1 all too  
little seems ,to stuff this maw1 this   
vast unhide-bound corps4 ,to whom the   

incestuous mother thus replied4 ,thou   
therefore on these herbs1 and fruits1   
and flowers1 ,feed first2 on each beast 
next1 and fish1 and fowl2 ,no homely    
morsels6 and1 whatever thing ,the sithe 
of ,time mows down1 devour unspared2    
,till ,i1 in ,man residing1 through the 
race1 ,his thoughts1 his looks1 words1  
actions1 all infect2 ,and season him thy
 last and sweetest prey4 ,this said1    
they both betook them several ways1     
,both to destroy1 or unimmortal make    
,all kinds1 and for destruction to      
mature ,sooner or later2 which the      
,almighty seeing1 ,from his transcendent
 seat the ,saints among1 ,to those      
bright ,orders uttered thus his voice4  
,see1 with what heat these dogs of ,hell
 advance ,to waste and havock yonder    
world1 which ,i ,so fair and good       
created2 and had still ,kept in that    
state1 had not the folly of ,man ,let in
 these wasteful furies1 who impute      
,folly to me2 so doth the ,prince of    
,hell ,and his adherents1 that with so  

much ease ,i suffer them to enter and   
possess ,a place so heavenly2 and1      
conniving1 seem ,to gratify my scornful 
enemies1 ,that laugh1 as if1 transported
 with some fit ,of passion1 ,i to them  
had quitted all1 ,at random yielded up  
to their misrule2 ,and know not that ,i 
called1 and drew them thither1 ,my      
,hell-hounds1 to lick up the draff and  
filth ,which ,man's polluting sin with  
taint hath shed ,on what was pure2 til1 
crammed and gorged1 nigh burst ,with    
sucked and glutted offal1 at one sling  
,of thy victorious arm1 well-pleasing   
,son1 ,both ,sin1 and ,death1 and       
yawning ,grave1 at last1 ,through ,chaos
 hurled1 obstruct the mouth of ,hell    
,for ever1 and seal up his ravenous     
jaws4 ,then ,heaven and ,earth renewed  
shall be made pure ,to sanctity1 that   
shall receive no stain3 ,till then1 the 
curse pronounced on both precedes4 ,he  
ended1 and the heavenly audience loud   
,sung ,halleluiah1 as the sound of seas1
 ,through multitude that sung3 ,just are

 thy ways1 ,righteous are thy decrees on
 all thy works2 ,who can extenuate thee8
 ,next1 to the ,son1 ,destined ,restorer
 of mankind1 by whom ,new ,heaven and   
,earth shall to the ages rise1 ,or down 
from ,heaven descend4--,such was their  
song2 ,while the ,creator1 calling forth
 by name ,his mighty ,angels1 gave them 
several charge1 ,as sorted best with    
present things4 ,the sun ,had first his 
precept so to move1 so shine1 ,as might 
affect the earth with cold and heat     
,scarce tolerable2 and from the north to
 call ,decrepit winter2 from the south  
to bring ,solstitial summer's heat4 ,to 
the blanc moon ,her office they         
prescribed2 to the other five ,their    
planetary motions1 and aspects1 ,in     
sextile1 square1 and trine1 and         
opposite1 ,of noxious efficacy1 and when
 to join ,in synod unbenign2 and taught 
the fixed ,their influence malignant    
when to shower1 ,which of them rising   
with the sun1 or falling1 ,should prove 
tempestuous3 ,to the winds they set     

,their corners1 when with bluster to    
confound ,sea1 air1 and shore2 the      
thunder when to roll ,with terrour      
through the dark aereal hall4 ,some say1
 he bid his ,angels turn ascanse ,the   
poles of earth1 twice ten degrees and   
more1 ,from the sun's axle2 they with   
labour pushed ,oblique the centrick     
globe3 ,some say1 the sun ,was bid turn 
reins from the equinoctial road ,like   
distant breadth to ,taurus with the     
seven ,atlantick ,sisters1 and the      
,spartan ,twins1 ,up to the ,tropick    
,crab3 thence down amain ,by ,leo1 and  
the ,virgin1 and the ,scales1 ,as deep  
as ,capricorn2 to bring in change ,of   
seasons to each clime2 else had the     
spring ,perpetual smiled on earth with  
vernant flowers1 ,equal in days and     
nights1 except to those ,beyond the     
polar circles2 to them day ,had         
unbenighted shone1 while the low sun1   
,to recompense his distance1 in their   
sight ,had rounded still the horizon1   
and not known ,or east or west2 which   

had forbid the snow ,from cold          
,estotiland1 and south as far ,beneath  
,magellan4 ,at that tasted fruit ,the   
sun1 as from ,thyestean banquet1 turned 
,his course intended2 else1 how had the 
world ,inhabited1 though sinless1 more  
than now1 ,avoided pinching cold and    
scorching heat8 ,these changes in the   
,heavens1 though slow1 produced ,like   
change on sea and land2 sideral blast1  
,vapour1 and mist1 and exhalation hot1  
,corrupt and pestilent3 ,now from the   
north ,of ,norumbega1 and the ,samoed   
shore1 ,bursting their brazen dungeon1  
armed with ice1 ,and snow1 and hail1 and
 stormy gust and flaw1 ,boreas1 and     
,caecias1 and ,argestes loud1 ,and      
,thrascias1 rend the woods1 and seas    
upturn2 ,with adverse blast upturns them
 from the south ,notus1 and ,afer black 
with thunderous clouds ,from            
,serraliona2 thwart of these1 as fierce1
 ,forth rush the ,levant and the ,ponent
 winds1 ,eurus and ,zephyr1 with their  
lateral noise1 ,sirocco and ,libecchio4 

,thus began ,outrage from lifeless      
things2 but ,discord first1 ,daughter of
 ,sin1 among the irrational ,death      
introduced1 through fierce antipathy3   
,beast now with beast 'gan war1 and fowl
 with fowl1 ,and fish with fish2 to     
graze the herb all leaving1 ,devoured   
each other2 nor stood much in awe ,of   
,man1 but fled him2 or1 with countenance
 grim1 ,glared on him passing4 ,these   
were from without ,the growing miseries1
 which ,adam saw ,already in part1      
though hid in gloomiest shade1 ,to      
sorrow abandoned1 but worse felt within2
 ,and1 in a troubled sea of passion     
tost1 ,thus to disburden sought with sad
 complaint4 ,o miserable of happy6 ,is  
this the end ,of this new glorious      
world1 and me so late ,the glory of that
 glory1 who now become ,accursed1 of    
blessed8 hide me from the face ,of ,god1
 whom to behold was then my highth ,of  
happiness6--,yet well1 if here would end
 ,the misery2 ,i deserved it1 and would 
bear ,my own deservings2 but this will  

not serve3 ,all that ,i eat or drink1 or
 shall beget1 ,is propagated curse4 ,o  
voice1 once heard ,delightfully1        
,encrease and multiply2 ,now death to   
hear6 for what can ,i encrease1 ,or     
multiply1 but curses on my head8 ,who of
 all ages to succeed1 but1 feeling ,the 
evil on him brought by me1 will curse   
,my head8 ,ill fare our ancestor impure1
 ,for this we may thank ,adam6 but his  
thanks ,shall be the execration3 so1    
besides ,mine own that bide upon me1 all
 from me ,shall with a fierce reflux on 
me rebound2 ,on me1 as on their natural 
center1 light ,heavy1 though in their   
place4 ,o fleeting joys ,of ,paradise1  
dear bought with lasting woes6 ,did ,i  
request thee1 ,maker1 from my clay ,to  
mould me ,man8 did ,i solicit thee ,from
 darkness to promote me1 or here place  
,in this delicious garden8 ,as my will  
,concurred not to my being1 it were but 
right ,and equal to reduce me to my     
dust2 ,desirous to resign and render    
back ,all ,i received2 unable to perform

 ,thy terms too hard1 by which ,i was to
 hold ,the good ,i sought not4 ,to the  
loss of that1 ,sufficient penalty1 why  
hast thou added ,the sense of endless   
woes8 ,inexplicable ,thy justice seems2 
yet to say truth1 too late ,i thus      
contest2 then should have been refused  
,those terms whatever1 when they were   
proposed3 ,thou didst accept them2 wilt 
thou enjoy the good1 ,then cavil the    
conditions8 ,and1 though ,god ,made thee
 without thy leave1 what if thy son     
,prove disobedient1 and reproved1       
retort1 8,wherefore didst thou beget me8
 ,i sought it not60 ,wouldst thou admit 
for his contempt of thee ,that proud    
excuse8 yet him not thy election1 ,but  
natural necessity begot4 ,god made thee 
of choice his own1 and of his own ,to   
serve him2 thy reward was of his grace2 
,thy punishment then1 justly is at his  
will4 ,be it so1 for ,i submit2 his doom
 is fair1 ,that dust ,i am1 and shall to
 dust return4 ,o welcome hour whenever6 
,why delays ,his hand to execute what   

his decree ,fixed on this day8 ,why do  
,i overlive1 ,why am ,i mocked with     
death1 and lengthened out ,to deathless 
pain8 ,how gladly would ,i meet         
,mortality my sentence1 and be earth    
,insensible6 ,how glad would lay me down
 ,as in my mother's lap6 ,there ,i      
should rest1 ,and sleep secure2 his     
dreadful voice no more ,would thunder in
 my ears2 no fear of worse ,to me1 and  
to my offspring1 would torment me ,with 
cruel expectation4 ,yet one doubt       
,pursues me still1 lest all ,i cannot   
die2 ,lest that pure breath of life1 the
 spirit of ,man ,which ,god inspired1   
cannot together perish ,with this       
corporeal clod2 then1 in the grave1 ,or 
in some other dismal place1 who knows   
,but ,i shall die a living death8 ,o    
thought ,horrid1 if true6 ,yet why8 ,it 
was but breath ,of life that sinned2    
what dies but what had life ,and sin8   
,the body properly had neither1 ,all of 
me then shall die3 let this appease ,the
 doubt1 since human reach no further    

knows4 ,for though the ,lord of all be  
infinite1 ,is his wrath also8 ,be it1   
,man is not so1 ,but mortal doomed4 ,how
 can he exercise ,wrath without end on  
,man1 whom death must end8 ,can he make 
deathless death8 ,that were to make     
,strange contradiction1 which to ,god   
himself ,impossible is held2 as argument
 ,of weakness1 not of power4 ,will he   
draw out1 ,for anger's sake1 finite to  
infinite1 ,in punished ,man1 to satisfy 
his rigour1 ,satisfied never8 ,that were
 to extend ,his sentence beyond dust and
 ,nature's law2 ,by which all causes    
else1 according still ,to the reception 
of their matter1 act2 ,not to the extent
 of their own sphere4 ,but say ,that    
death be not one stroke1 as ,i supposed1
 ,bereaving sense1 but endless misery   
,from this day onward2 which ,i feel    
begun ,both in me1 and without me2 and  
so last ,to perpetuity2--,ay me6 that   
fear ,comes thundering back with        
dreadful revolution ,on my defenceless  
head2 both ,death and ,i ,am found      

eternal1 and incorporate both2 ,nor ,i  
on my part single2 in me all ,posterity 
stands cursed3 ,fair patrimony ,that ,i 
must leave ye1 ,sons6 ,o1 were ,i able  
,to waste it all myself1 and leave ye   
none6 ,so disinherited1 how would you   
bless ,me1 now your curse6 ,ah1 why     
should all mankind1 ,for one man's      
fault1 thus guiltless be condemned1 ,it 
guiltless8 ,but from me what can        
proceed1 ,but all corrupt2 both mind and
 will depraved ,not to do only1 but to  
will the same ,with me8 ,how can they   
then acquitted stand ,in sight of ,god8 
,him1 after all disputes1 ,forced ,i    
absolve3 all my evasions vain1 ,and     
reasonings1 though through mazes1 lead  
me still ,but to my own conviction3     
first and last ,on me1 me only1 as the  
source and spring ,of all corruption1   
all the blame lights due2 ,so might the 
wrath6 ,fond wish6 couldst thou support 
,that burden1 heavier than the earth to 
bear2 ,than all the world much heavier1 
though divided ,with that bad ,woman8   

,thus1 what thou desirest1 ,and what    
thou fearest1 alike destroys all hope   
,of refuge1 and concludes thee miserable
 ,beyond all past example and future2   
,to ,satan only like both crime and     
doom4 ,o ,conscience6 into what abyss of
 fears ,and horrours hast thou driven   
me2 out of which ,i find no way1 from   
deep to deeper plunged6 ,thus ,adam to  
himself lamented loud1 ,through the     
still night2 not now1 as ere ,man fell1 
,wholesome1 and cool1 and mild1 but with
 black air ,accompanied2 with damps1 and
 dreadful gloom2 ,which to his evil     
conscience represented ,all things with 
double terrour3 ,on the ground          
,outstretched he lay1 on the cold       
ground2 and oft ,cursed his creation2   
,death as oft accused ,of tardy         
execution1 since denounced ,the day of  
his offence4 ,why comes not ,death1     
,said he1 with one thrice-acceptable    
stroke ,to end me8 ,shall ,truth fail to
 keep her word1 ,justice ,divine not    
hasten to be just8 ,but ,death comes not

 at call2 ,justice ,divine ,mends not   
her slowest pace for prayers or cries1  
,o woods1 ,o fountains1 hillocks1 dales1
 and bowers6 ,with other echo late ,i   
taught your shades ,to answer1 and      
resound far other song4-- ,whom thus    
afflicted when sad ,eve beheld1         
,desolate where she sat1 approaching    
nigh1 ,soft words to his fierce passion 
she assayed3 ,but her with stern regard 
he thus repelled4 ,out of my sight1 thou
 ,serpent6 ,that name best ,befits thee 
with him leagued1 thyself as false ,and 
hateful2 nothing wants1 but that thy    
shape1 ,like his1 and colour serpentine1
 may show ,thy inward fraud2 to warn all
 creatures from thee ,henceforth2 lest  
that too heavenly form1 pretended ,to   
hellish falshood1 snare them6 ,but for  
thee ,i had persisted happy2 had not thy
 pride ,and wandering vanity1 when least
 was safe1 ,rejected my forewarning1 and
 disdained ,not to be trusted2 longing  
to be seen1 ,though by the ,devil       
himself2 him overweening ,to over-reach2

 but1 with the serpent meeting1 ,fooled 
and beguiled2 by him thou1 ,i by thee   
,to trust thee from my side2 imagined   
wise1 ,constant1 mature1 proof against  
all assaults2 ,and understood not all   
was but a show1 ,rather than solid      
virtue2 all but a rib ,crooked by       
nature1 bent1 as now appears1 ,more to  
the part sinister1 from me drawn2 ,well 
if thrown out1 as supernumerary ,to my  
just number found4 ,o6 why did ,god1    
,creator wise1 that peopled highest     
,heaven ,with ,spirits masculine1 create
 at last ,this novelty on earth1 this   
fair defect ,of nature1 and not fill the
 world at once ,with ,men1 as ,angels1  
without feminine2 ,or find some other   
way to generate ,mankind8 ,this mischief
 had not been befallen1 ,and more that  
shall befall2 innumerable ,disturbances 
on earth through female snares1 ,and    
strait conjunction with this sex3 for   
either ,he never shall find out fit     
mate1 but such ,as some misfortune      
brings him1 or mistake2 ,or whom he     

wishes most shall seldom gain ,through  
her perverseness1 but shall see her     
gained ,by a far worse2 or1 if she love1
 withheld ,by parents2 or his happiest  
choice too late ,shall meet1 already    
linked and wedlock-bound ,to a fell     
adversary1 his hate or shame3 ,which    
infinite calamity shall cause ,to human 
life1 and houshold peace confound4 ,he  
added not1 and from her turned2 but     
,eve1 ,not so repulsed1 with tears that 
ceased not flowing ,and tresses all     
disordered1 at his feet ,fell humble2   
and1 embracing them1 besought ,his      
peace1 and thus proceeded in her plaint4
 ,forsake me not thus1 ,adam6 witness   
,heaven ,what love sincere1 and         
reverence in my heart ,i bear thee1 and 
unweeting have offended1 ,unhappily     
deceived6 ,thy suppliant ,i beg1 and    
clasp thy knees2 bereave me not1        
,whereon ,i live1 thy gentle looks1 thy 
aid1 ,thy counsel1 in this uttermost    
distress1 ,my only strength and stay3   
,forlorn of thee1 ,whither shall ,i     

betake me1 where subsist8 ,while yet we 
live1 scarce one short hour perhaps1    
,between us two let there be peace2 both
 joining1 ,as joined in injuries1 one   
enmity ,against a foe by doom express   
assigned us1 ,that cruel ,serpent3 ,on  
me exercise not ,thy hatred for this    
misery befallen2 ,on me already lost1 me
 than thyself ,more miserable6 ,both    
have sinned2 but thou ,against ,god     
only2 ,i against ,god and thee2 ,and to 
the place of judgement will return1     
,there with my cries importune ,heaven2 
that all ,the sentence1 from thy head   
removed1 may light ,on me1 sole cause to
 thee of all this woe2 ,me1 me only1    
just object of his ire6 ,she ended      
weeping2 and her lowly plight1          
,immoveable1 till peace obtained from   
fault ,acknowledged and deplored1 in    
,adam wrought ,commiseration3 ,soon his 
heart relented ,towards her1 his life so
 late1 and sole delight1 ,now at his    
feet submissive in distress2 ,creature  
so fair his reconcilement seeking1 ,his 

counsel1 whom she had displeased1 his   
aid3 ,as one disarmed1 his anger all he 
lost1 ,and thus with peaceful words     
upraised her soon4 ,unwary1 and too     
desirous1 as before1 ,so now of what    
thou knowest not1 who desirest ,the     
punishment all on thyself2 alas6 ,bear  
thine own first1 ill able to sustain    
,his full wrath1 whose thou feelest as  
yet least part1 ,and my displeasure     
bearest so ill4 ,if prayers ,could alter
 high decrees1 ,i to that place ,would  
speed before thee1 and be louder heard1 
,that on my head all might be visited2  
,thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven1 
,to me committed1 and by me exposed4    
,but rise2--let us no more contend1 nor 
blame ,each other1 blamed enough        
elsewhere2 but strive ,in offices of    
love1 how we may lighten ,each other's  
burden1 in our share of woe2 ,since this
 day's death denounced1 if aught ,i see1
 ,will prove no sudden1 but a slow-paced
 evil2 ,a long day's dying1 to augment  
our pain2 ,and to our seed 7,o hapless  

seed67 derived4 ,to whom thus ,eve1     
recovering heart1 replied4 ,adam1 by sad
 experiment ,i know ,how little weight  
my words with thee can find1 ,found so  
erroneous2 thence by just event ,found  
so unfortunate3 ,nevertheless1 ,restored
 by thee1 vile as ,i am1 to place ,of   
new acceptance1 hopeful to regain ,thy  
love1 the sole contentment of my heart  
,living or dying1 from thee ,i will not 
hide ,what thoughts in my unquiet breast
 are risen1 ,tending to some relief of  
our extremes1 ,or end2 though sharp and 
sad1 yet tolerable1 ,as in our evils1   
and of easier choice4 ,if care of our   
descent perplex us most1 ,which must be 
born to certain woe1 devoured ,by ,death
 at last2 and miserable it is ,to be to 
others cause of misery1 ,our own        
begotten1 and of our loins to bring     
,into this cursed world a woeful race1  
,that after wretched life must be at    
last ,food for so foul a monster2 in thy
 power ,it lies1 yet ere conception to  
prevent ,the race unblest1 to being yet 

unbegot4 ,childless thou art1 childless 
remain3 so ,death ,shall be deceived his
 glut1 and with us two ,be forced to    
satisfy his ravenous maw4 ,but if thou  
judge it hard and difficult1            
,conversing1 looking1 loving1 to abstain
 ,from love's due rights1 nuptial       
embraces sweet2 ,and with desire to     
languish without hope1 ,before the      
present object languishing ,with like   
desire2 which would be misery ,and      
torment less than none of what we dread2
 ,then1 both ourselves and seed at once 
to free ,from what we fear for both1 let
 us make short1-- ,let us seek          
,death2--or1 he not found1 supply ,with 
our own hands his office on ourselves3  
,why stand we longer shivering under    
fears1 ,that show no end but death1 and 
have the power1 ,of many ways to die the
 shortest choosing1 ,destruction with   
destruction to destroy8-- ,she ended    
here1 or vehement despair ,broke off the
 rest3 so much of death her thoughts    
,had entertained1 as dyed her cheeks    

with pale4 ,but ,adam1 with such counsel
 nothing swayed1 ,to better hopes his   
more attentive mind ,labouring had      
raised2 and thus to ,eve replied4 ,eve1 
thy contempt of life and pleasure seems 
,to argue in thee something more sublime
 ,and excellent1 than what thy mind     
contemns2 ,but self-destruction         
therefore sought1 refutes ,that         
excellence thought in thee2 and implies1
 ,not thy contempt1 but anguish and     
regret ,for loss of life and pleasure   
overloved4 ,or if thou covet death1 as  
utmost end ,of misery1 so thinking to   
evade ,the penalty pronounced2 doubt not
 but ,god ,hath wiselier armed his      
vengeful ire1 than so ,to be            
forestalled2 much more ,i fear lest     
death1 ,so snatched1 will not exempt us 
from the pain ,we are by doom to pay2   
rather1 such acts ,of contumacy will    
provoke the ,highest ,to make death in  
us live3 ,then let us seek ,some safer  
resolution1 which methinks ,i have in   
view1 calling to mind with heed ,part of

 our sentence1 that thy seed shall      
bruise ,the ,serpent's head2 piteous    
amends6 unless ,be meant1 whom ,i       
conjecture1 our grand foe1 ,satan2 who1 
in the serpent1 hath contrived ,against 
us this deceit3 ,to crush his head      
,would be revenge indeed6 which will be 
lost ,by death brought on ourselves1 or 
childless days ,resolved1 as thou       
proposest2 so our foe ,shal 'scape his  
punishment ordained1 and we ,instead    
shall double ours upon our heads4 ,no   
more be mentioned then of violence      
,against ourselves2 and wilful          
barrenness1 ,that cuts us off from hope2
 and savours only ,rancour and pride1   
impatience and despite1 ,reluctance     
against ,god and his just yoke ,laid on 
our necks4 ,remember with what mild ,and
 gracious temper he both heard1 and     
judged1 ,without wrath or reviling2 we  
expected ,immediate dissolution1 which  
we thought ,was meant by death that day2
 when lo6 to thee ,pains only in        
child-bearing were foretold1 ,and       

bringing forth2 soon recompensed with   
joy1 ,fruit of thy womb3 ,on me the     
curse aslope ,glanced on the ground2    
with labour ,i must earn ,my bread2 what
 harm8 ,idleness had been worse2 ,my    
labour will sustain me2 and1 lest cold  
,or heat should injure us1 his timely   
care ,hath1 unbesought1 provided2 and   
his hands ,clothed us unworthy1 pitying 
while he judged2 ,how much more1 if we  
pray him1 will his ear ,be open1 and his
 heart to pity incline1 ,and teach us   
further by what means to shun ,the      
inclement seasons1 rain1 ice1 hail1 and 
snow6 ,which now the sky1 with various  
face1 begins ,to show us in this        
mountain2 while the winds ,blow moist   
and keen1 shattering the graceful locks 
,of these fair spreading trees2 which   
bids us seek ,some better shroud1 some  
better warmth to cherish ,our limbs     
benummed1 ere this diurnal star ,leave  
cold the night1 how we his gathered     
beams ,reflected may with matter sere   
foment2 ,or1 by collision of two bodies1

 grind ,the air attrite to fire2 as late
 the clouds ,justling1 or pushed with   
winds1 rude in their shock1 ,tine the   
slant lightning2 whose thwart flame1    
driven down ,kindles the gummy bark of  
fir or pine2 ,and sends a comfortable   
heat from far1 ,which might supply the  
sun3 ,such fire to use1 ,and what may   
else be remedy or cure ,to evils which  
our own misdeeds have wrought1 ,he will 
instruct us praying1 and of grace       
,beseeching him2 so as we need not fear 
,to pass commodiously this life1        
sustained ,by him with many comforts1   
till we end ,in dust1 our final rest and
 native home4 ,what better can we do1   
than1 to the place ,repairing where he  
judged us1 prostrate fall ,before him   
reverent2 and there confess ,humbly our 
faults1 and pardon beg2 with tears      
,watering the ground1 and with our sighs
 the air ,frequenting1 sent from hearts 
contrite1 in sign ,of sorrow unfeigned1 
and humiliation meek4 ,undoubtedly he   
will relent1 and turn ,from his         

displeasure2 in whose look serene1 ,when
 angry most he seemed and most severe1  
,what else but favour1 grace1 and mercy1
 shone8 ,so spake our father penitent2  
nor ,eve ,felt less remorse3 they1      
forthwith to the place ,repairing where 
he judged them1 prostrate fell ,before  
him reverent2 and both confessed ,humbly
 their faults1 and pardon begged2 with  
tears ,watering the ground1 and with    
their sighs the air ,frequenting1 sent  
from hearts contrite1 in sign ,of sorrow
 unfeigned1 and humiliation meek4       
,book ,,xi   ,thus they1 in lowliest    
plight1 repentant stood ,praying2 for   
from the mercy-seat above ,prevenient   
grace descending had removed ,the stony 
from their hearts1 and made new flesh   
,regenerate grow instead2 that sighs now
 breathed ,unutterable2 which the       
,spirit of prayer ,inspired1 and winged 
for ,heaven with speedier flight ,than  
loudest oratory3 ,yet their port ,not of
 mean suitors2 nor important less       
,seemed their petition1 than when the   

ancient pair ,in fables old1 less       
ancient yet than these1 ,deucalion and  
chaste ,pyrrha1 to restore ,the race of 
mankind drowned1 before the shrine ,of  
,themis stood devout4 ,to ,heaven their 
prayers ,flew up1 nor missed the way1 by
 envious winds ,blown vagabond or       
frustrate3 in they passed ,dimensionless
 through heavenly doors2 then clad ,with
 incense1 where the golden altar fumed1 
,by their great intercessour1 came in   
sight ,before the ,father's throne3 them
 the glad ,son ,presenting1 thus to     
intercede began4 ,see ,father1 what     
first-fruits on earth are sprung ,from  
thy implanted grace in ,man2 these sighs
 ,and prayers1 which in this golden     
censer mixed ,with incense1 ,i thy      
priest before thee bring2 ,fruits of    
more pleasing savour1 from thy seed     
,sown with contrition in his heart1 than
 those ,which1 his own hand manuring1   
all the trees ,of ,paradise could have  
produced1 ere fallen ,from innocence4   
,now therefore1 bend thine ear ,to      

supplication2 hear his sighs1 though    
mute2 ,unskilful with what words to     
pray1 let me ,interpret for him2 me1 his
 advocate ,and propitiation2 all his    
works on me1 ,good1 or not good1        
ingraft2 my merit those ,shall perfect1 
and for these my death shall pay4       
,accept me2 and1 in me1 from these      
receive ,the smell of peace toward      
mankind3 let him live ,before thee      
reconciled1 at least his days ,numbered1
 though sad2 till death1 his doom1      
7which ,i ,to mitigate thus plead1 not  
to reverse17 ,to better life shall yield
 him3 where with me ,all my redeemed may
 dwell in joy and bliss2 ,made one with 
me1 as ,i with thee am one4 ,to whom the
 ,father1 without cloud1 serene4 ,all   
thy request for ,man1 accepted ,son1    
,obtain2 all thy request was my decree3 
,but1 longer in that ,paradise to dwell1
 ,the law ,i gave to ,nature him        
forbids3 ,those pure immortal elements1 
that know1 ,no gross1 no unharmonious   
mixture foul1 ,eject him1 tainted now2  

and purge him off1 ,as a distemper1     
gross1 to air as gross1 ,and mortal     
food2 as may dispose him best ,for      
dissolution wrought by sin1 that first  
,distempered all things1 and of         
incorrupt ,corrupted4 ,i1 at first1 with
 two fair gifts ,created him endowed2   
with happiness1 ,and immortality3 that  
fondly lost1 ,this other served but to  
eternize woe2 ,till ,i provided death3  
so death becomes ,his final remedy2 and1
 after life1 ,tried in sharp            
tribulation1 and refined ,by faith and  
faithful works1 to second life1 ,waked  
in the renovation of the just1 ,resigns 
him up with ,heaven and ,earth renewed4 
,but let us call to synod all the       
,blest1 ,through ,heaven's wide bounds3 
from them ,i will not hide ,my          
judgements2 how with mankind ,i proceed1
 ,as how with peccant ,angels late they 
saw1 ,and in their state1 though firm1  
stood more confirmed4 ,he ended1 and the
 ,son gave signal high ,to the bright   
minister that watched2 he blew ,his     

trumpet1 heard in ,oreb since perhaps   
,when ,god descended1 and perhaps once  
more ,to sound at general doom4 ,the    
angelick blast ,filled all the regions3 
from their blisful bowers ,of amarantine
 shade1 fountain or spring1 ,by the     
waters of life1 where'er they sat ,in   
fellowships of joy1 the sons of light   
,hasted1 resorting to the summons high2 
,and took their seats2 till from his    
throne supreme ,the ,almighty thus      
pronounced his sovran will4 ,o ,sons1   
like one of us ,man is become ,to know  
both good and evil1 since his taste ,of 
that defended fruit2 but let him boast  
,his knowledge of good lost1 and evil   
got2 ,happier6 had it sufficed him to   
have known ,good by itself1 and evil not
 at all4 ,he sorrows now1 repents1 and  
prays contrite1 ,my motions in him2     
longer than they move1 ,his heart ,i    
know1 how variable and vain1 ,self-left4
 ,lest therefore his now bolder hand    
,reach also of the tree of life1 and    
eat1 ,and live for ever1 dream at least 

to live ,for ever1 to remove him ,i     
decree1 ,and send him from the garden   
forth to till ,the ground whence he was 
taken1 fitter soil4 ,michael1 this my   
behest have thou in charge2 ,take to    
thee from among the ,cherubim ,thy      
choice of flaming warriours1 lest the   
,fiend1 ,or in behalf of ,man1 or to    
invade ,vacant possession1 some new     
trouble raise3 ,haste thee1 and from the
 ,paradise of ,god ,without remorse     
drive out the sinful pair2 ,from        
hallowed ground the unholy2 and denounce
 ,to them1 and to their progeny1 from   
thence ,perpetual banishment4 ,yet1 lest
 they faint ,at the sad sentence        
rigorously urged1 7,for ,i behold them  
softened1 and with tears ,bewailing     
their excess17 all terrour hide4 ,if    
patiently thy bidding they obey1        
,dismiss them not disconsolate2 reveal  
,to ,adam what shall come in future     
days1 ,as ,i shall thee enlighten2      
intermix ,my covenant in the ,woman's   
seed renewed2 ,so send them forth1      

though sorrowing1 yet in peace3 ,and on 
the east side of the garden place1      
,where entrance up from ,eden easiest   
climbs1 ,cherubick watch2 and of a sword
 the flame ,wide-waving2 all approach   
far off to fright1 ,and guard all       
passage to the tree of life3 ,lest      
,paradise a receptacle prove ,to        
,spirits foul1 and all my trees their   
prey2 ,with whose stolen fruit ,man once
 more to delude4 ,he ceased2 and the    
arch-angelick ,power prepared ,for swift
 descent2 with him the cohort bright ,of
 watchful ,cherubim3 four faces each    
,had1 like a double ,janus2 all their   
shape ,spangled with eyes more numerous 
than those ,of ,argus1 and more wakeful 
than to drouse1 ,charmed with ,arcadian 
pipe1 the pastoral reed ,of ,hermes1 or 
his opiate rod4 ,mean while1 ,to        
re-salute the world with sacred light1  
,leucothea waked2 and with fresh dews   
imbalmed ,the earth2 when ,adam and     
first matron ,eve ,had ended now their  
orisons1 and found ,strength added from 

above2 new hope to spring ,out of       
despair2 joy1 but with fear yet linked2 
,which thus to ,eve his welcome words   
renewed4 ,eve1 easily my faith admit1   
that all ,the good which we enjoy from  
,heaven descends2 ,but1 that from us    
aught should ascend to ,heaven ,so      
prevalent as to concern the mind ,of    
,god high-blest1 or to incline his will1
 ,hard to belief may seem2 yet this will
 prayer ,or one short sigh of human     
breath1 upborne ,even to the seat of    
,god4 ,for since ,i sought ,by prayer   
the offended ,deity to appease2         
,kneeled1 and before him humbled all my 
heart2 ,methought ,i saw him placable   
and mild1 ,bending his ear2 persuasion  
in me grew ,that ,i was heard with      
favour2 peace returned ,home to my      
breast1 and to my memory ,his promise1  
that thy seed shall bruise our foe2     
,which1 then not minded in dismay1 yet  
now ,assures me that the bitterness of  
death ,is past1 and we shall live4      
,whence hail to thee1 ,eve rightly      

called1 mother of all mankind1 ,mother  
of all things living1 since by thee ,man
 is to live2 and all things live for    
,man4 ,to whom thus ,eve with sad       
demeanour meek4 ,ill-worthy ,i such     
title should belong ,to me              
transgressour2 who1 for thee ordained ,a
 help1 became thy snare2 to me reproach 
,rather belongs1 distrust1 and all      
dispraise3 ,but infinite in pardon was  
my ,judge1 ,that ,i1 who first brought  
death on all1 am graced ,the source of  
life2 next favourable thou1 ,who highly 
thus to entitle me vouchsaf'st1 ,far    
other name deserving4 ,but the field ,to
 labour calls us1 now with sweat        
imposed1 ,though after sleepless night2 
for see6 the morn1 ,all unconcerned with
 our unrest1 begins ,her rosy progress  
smiling3 let us forth2 ,i never from thy
 side henceforth to stray1 ,where'er our
 day's work lies1 though now enjoined   
,laborious1 till day droop2 while here  
we dwell1 ,what can be toilsome in these
 pleasant walks8 ,here let us live1     

though in fallen state1 content4 ,so    
spake1 so wished much humbled ,eve2 but 
,fate ,subscribed not3 ,nature first    
gave signs1 impressed ,on bird1 beast1  
air2 air suddenly eclipsed1 ,after short
 blush of morn2 nigh in her sight ,the  
bird of ,jove1 stooped from his aery    
tour1 ,two birds of gayest plume before 
him drove2 ,down from a hill the beast  
that reigns in woods1 ,first hunter     
then1 pursued a gentle brace1 ,goodliest
 of all the forest1 hart and hind2      
,direct to the eastern gate was bent    
their flight4 ,adam observed1 and with  
his eye the chase ,pursuing1 not        
unmoved1 to ,eve thus spake4 ,o ,eve1   
some further change awaits us nigh1     
,which ,heaven1 by these mute signs in  
,nature1 shows ,forerunners of his      
purpose2 or to warn ,us1 haply too      
secure1 of our discharge ,from penalty1 
because from death released ,some days3 
how long1 and what till then our life1  
,who knows8 or more than this1 that we  
are dust1 ,and thither must return1 and 

be no more8 ,why else this double object
 in our sight ,of flight pursued in the 
air1 and o'er the ground1 ,one way the  
self-same hour8 why in the east         
,darkness ere day's mid-course1 and     
morning-light ,more orient in yon       
western cloud1 that draws ,o'er the blue
 firmament a radiant white1 ,and slow   
descends with something heavenly        
fraught8 ,he erred not2 for by this the 
heavenly bands ,down from a sky of      
jasper lighted now ,in ,paradise1 and on
 a hill made halt2 ,a glorious          
apparition1 had not doubt ,and carnal   
fear that day dimmed ,adam's eye4 ,not  
that more glorious1 when the ,angels met
 ,jacob in ,mahanaim1 where he saw ,the 
field pavilioned with his guardians     
bright2 ,nor that1 which on the flaming 
mount appeared ,in ,dothan1 covered with
 a camp of fire1 ,against the ,syrian   
king1 who to surprise ,one man1         
assassin-like1 had levied war1 ,war     
unproclaimed4 ,the princely ,hierarch   
,in their bright stand there left his   

,powers1 to seise ,possession of the    
garden2 he alone1 ,to find where ,adam  
sheltered1 took his way1 ,not           
unperceived of ,adam2 who to ,eve1      
,while the great visitant approached1   
thus spake4 ,eve1 now expect great      
tidings1 which perhaps ,of us will soon 
determine1 or impose ,new laws to be    
observed2 for ,i descry1 ,from yonder   
blazing cloud that veils the hill1 ,one 
of the heavenly host2 and1 by his gait1 
,none of the meanest2 some great        
,potentate ,or of the ,thrones above2   
such majesty ,invests him coming6 yet   
not terrible1 ,that ,i should fear2 nor 
sociably mild1 ,as ,raphael1 that ,i    
should much confide2 ,but solemn and    
sublime2 whom not to offend1 ,with      
reverence ,i must meet1 and thou retire4
 ,he ended3 and the ,arch-,angel soon   
drew nigh1 ,not in his shape celestial1 
but as man ,clad to meet man2 over his  
lucid arms ,a military vest of purple   
flowed1 ,livelier than ,meliboean1 or   
the grain ,of ,sarra1 worn by kings and 

heroes old ,in time of truce2 ,iris had 
dipt the woof2 ,his starry helm         
unbuckled showed him prime ,in manhood  
where youth ended2 by his side1 ,as in a
 glistering zodiack1 hung the sword1    
,satan's dire dread2 and in his hand the
 spear4 ,adam bowed low2 he1 kingly1    
from his state ,inclined not1 but his   
coming thus declared4 ,adam1 ,heaven's  
high behest no preface needs3           
,sufficient that thy prayers are heard2 
and ,death1 ,then due by sentence when  
thou didst transgress1 ,defeated of his 
seisure many days ,given thee of grace2 
wherein thou mayest repent1 ,and one bad
 act with many deeds well done ,mayest  
cover3 ,well may then thy ,lord1        
appeased1 ,redeem thee quite from       
,death's rapacious claim2 ,but longer in
 this ,paradise to dwell ,permits not3  
to remove thee ,i am come1 ,and send    
thee from the garden forth to till ,the 
ground whence thou wast taken1 fitter   
soil4 ,he added not2 for ,adam at the   
news ,heart-struck with chilling gripe  

of sorrow stood1 ,that all his senses   
bound2 ,eve1 who unseen ,yet all had    
heard1 with audible lament ,discovered  
soon the place of her retire4 ,o        
unexpected stroke1 worse than of ,death6
 ,must ,i thus leave thee ,paradise8    
thus leave ,thee1 native soil6 these    
happy walks and shades1 ,fit haunt of   
,gods8 where ,i had hope to spend1      
,quiet though sad1 the respite of that  
day ,that must be mortal to us both4 ,o 
flowers1 ,that never will in other      
climate grow1 ,my early visitation1 and 
my last ,at even1 which ,i bred up with 
tender hand ,from the first opening bud1
 and gave ye names1 ,who now shall rear 
ye to the sun1 or rank ,your tribes1 and
 water from the ambrosial fount8 ,thee  
lastly1 nuptial bower6 by me adorned    
,with what to sight or smell was sweet6 
from thee ,how shall ,i part1 and       
whither wander down ,into a lower world2
 to this obscure ,and wild1 how shall we
 breathe in other air ,less pure1       
accustomed to immortal fruits8 ,whom    

thus the ,angel interrupted mild4       
,lament not1 ,eve1 but patiently resign 
,what justly thou hast lost1 nor set thy
 heart1 ,thus over-fond1 on that which  
is not thine3 ,thy going is not lonely2 
with thee goes ,thy husband2 whom to    
follow thou art bound2 ,where he abides1
 think there thy native soil4 ,adam1 by 
this from the cold sudden damp          
,recovering1 and his scattered spirits  
returned1 ,to ,michael thus his humble  
words addressed4 ,celestial1 whether    
among the ,thrones1 or named ,of them   
the highest2 for such of shape may seem 
,prince above princes6 gently hast thou 
told ,thy message1 which might else in  
telling wound1 ,and in performing end   
us2 what besides ,of sorrow1 and        
dejection1 and despair1 ,our frailty can
 sustain1 thy tidings bring1 ,departure 
from this happy place1 our sweet        
,recess1 and only consolation left      
,familiar to our eyes6 all places else  
,inhospitable appear1 and desolate2 ,nor
 knowing us1 nor known3 ,and1 if by     

prayer ,incessant ,i could hope to      
change the will ,of ,him who all things 
can1 ,i would not cease ,to weary him   
with my assiduous cries3 ,but prayer    
against his absolute decree ,no more    
avails than breath against the wind1    
,blown stifling back on him that        
breathes it forth3 ,therefore to his    
great bidding ,i submit4 ,this most     
afflicts me1 that1 departing hence1 ,as 
from his face ,i shall be hid1 deprived 
,his blessed countenance3 ,here ,i could
 frequent ,with worship place by place  
where he vouchsafed ,presence ,divine2  
and to my sons relate1 ,on this mount he
 appeared2 under this tree ,stood       
visible2 among these pines his voice ,i 
heard2 here with him at this fountain   
talked3 ,so many grateful altars ,i     
would rear ,of grassy turf1 and pile up 
every stone ,of lustre from the brook1  
in memory1 ,or monument to ages2 and    
theron ,offer sweet-smelling gums1 and  
fruits1 and flowers3 ,in yonder nether  
world where shall ,i seek ,his bright   

appearances1 or foot-step trace8 ,for   
though ,i fled him angry1 yet recalled  
,to life prolonged and promised race1 ,i
 now ,gladly behold though but his      
utmost skirts ,of glory2 and far off his
 steps adore4 ,to whom thus ,michael    
with regard benign4 ,adam1 thou knowest 
,heaven his1 and all the ,earth2 ,not   
this rock only2 his ,omnipresence fills 
,land1 sea1 and air1 and every kind that
 lives1 ,fomented by his virtual power  
and warmed3 ,all the earth he gave thee 
to possess and rule1 ,no despicable     
gift2 surmise not then ,his presence to 
these narrow bounds confined ,of        
,paradise1 or ,eden3 this had been      
,perhaps thy capital seat1 from whence  
had spread ,all generations2 and had    
hither come ,from all the ends of the   
earth1 to celebrate ,and reverence thee1
 their great progenitor4 ,but this      
pre-eminence thou hast lost1 brought    
down ,to dwell on even ground now with  
thy sons3 ,yet doubt not but in valley1 
and in plain1 ,god is1 as here2 and will

 be found alike ,present2 and of his    
presence many a sign ,still following   
thee1 still compassing thee round ,with 
goodness and paternal love1 his face    
,express1 and of his steps the track    
divine4 ,which that thou mayest believe1
 and be confirmed ,ere thou from hence  
depart2 know1 ,i am sent ,to show thee  
what shall come in future days ,to thee1
 and to thy offspring3 good with bad    
,expect to hear2 supernal grace         
contending ,with sinfulness of men2     
thereby to learn ,true patience1 and to 
temper joy with fear ,and pious sorrow2 
equally inured ,by moderation either    
state to bear1 ,prosperous or adverse3  
so shalt thou lead ,safest thy life1 and
 best prepared endure ,thy mortal       
passage when it comes4--,ascend ,this   
hill2 let ,eve 7for ,i have drenched her
 eyes7 ,here sleep below2 while thou to 
foresight wakest2 ,as once thou sleptst1
 while she to life was formed4 ,to whom 
thus ,adam gratefully replied4 ,ascend1 
,i follow thee1 safe ,guide1 the path   

,thou leadest me2 and to the hand of    
,heaven submit1 ,however chastening2 to 
the evil turn ,my obvious breast2 arming
 to overcome ,by suffering1 and earn    
rest from labour won1 ,if so ,i may     
attain4--,so both ascend ,in the visions
 of ,god4 ,it was a hill1 ,of ,paradise 
the highest2 from whose top ,the        
hemisphere of earth1 in clearest ken1   
,stretched out to the amplest reach of  
prospect lay4 ,not higher that hill1 nor
 wider looking round1 ,whereon1 for     
different cause1 the ,tempter set ,our  
second ,adam1 in the wilderness2 ,to    
show him all ,earth's kingdoms1 and     
their glory4 ,his eye might there       
command wherever stood ,city of old or  
modern fame1 the seat ,of mightiest     
empire1 from the destined walls ,of     
,cambalu1 seat of ,cathaian ,can1 ,and  
,samarchand by ,oxus1 ,temir's throne1  
,to ,paquin of ,sinaean kings2 and      
thence ,to ,agra and ,lahor of great    
,mogul1 ,down to the golden ,chersonese2
 or where ,the ,persian in ,ecbatan sat1

 or since ,in ,hispahan2 or where the   
,russian ,ksar ,in ,mosco2 or the       
,sultan in ,bizance1 ,turchestan-born2  
nor could his eye not ken ,the empire of
 ,negus to his utmost port ,ercoco1 and 
the less maritim kings ,mombaza1 and    
,quiloa1 and ,melind1 ,and ,sofala1     
thought ,ophir1 to the realm ,of ,congo1
 and ,angola farthest south2 ,or thence 
from ,niger flood to ,atlas mount ,the  
kingdoms of ,almansor1 ,fez and ,sus1   
,morocco1 and ,algiers1 and ,tremisen2  
,on ,europe thence1 and where ,rome was 
to sway ,the world3 in spirit perhaps he
 also saw ,rich ,mexico1 the seat of    
,montezume1 ,and ,cusco in ,peru1 the   
richer seat ,of ,atabalipa2 and yet     
unspoiled ,guiana1 whose great city     
,geryon's sons ,call ,el ,dorado4 ,but  
to nobler sights ,michael from ,adam's  
eyes the film removed1 ,which that false
 fruit that promised clearer sight ,had 
bred2 then purged with euphrasy and rue 
,the visual nerve1 for he had much to   
see2 ,and from the well of life three   

drops instilled4 ,so deep the power of  
these ingredients pierced1 ,even to the 
inmost seat of mental sight1 ,that      
,adam1 now enforced to close his eyes1  
,sunk down1 and all his spirits became  
entranced2 ,but him the gentle ,angel by
 the hand ,soon raised1 and his         
attention thus recalled4 ,adam1 now ope 
thine eyes2 and first behold ,the       
effects1 which thy original crime hath  
wrought ,in some to spring from thee2   
who never touched ,the excepted tree2   
nor with the snake conspired2 ,nor      
sinned thy sin2 yet from that sin derive
 ,corruption1 to bring forth more       
violent deeds4 ,his eyes he opened1 and 
beheld a field1 ,part arable and tilth1 
whereon were sheaves ,new reaped2 the   
other part sheep-walks and folds2 ,i'   
the midst an altar as the land-mark     
stood1 ,rustick1 of grassy sord2 thither
 anon ,a sweaty reaper from his tillage 
brought ,first fruits1 the green ear1   
and the yellow sheaf1 ,unculled1 as came
 to hand2 a shepherd next1 ,more meek1  

came with the firstlings of his flock1  
,choicest and best2 then1 sacrificing1  
laid ,the inwards and their fat1 with   
incense strowed1 ,on the cleft wood1 and
 all due rights performed3 ,his offering
 soon propitious fire from ,heaven      
,consumed with nimble glance1 and       
grateful steam2 ,the other's not1 for   
his was not sincere2 ,whereat he inly   
raged1 and1 as they talked1 ,smote him  
into the midriff with a stone ,that beat
 out life2 he fell2 and1 deadly pale1   
,groaned out his soul with gushing blood
 effused4 ,much at that sight was ,adam 
in his heart ,dismayed1 and thus in     
haste to the ,angel cried4 ,o ,teacher1 
some great mischief hath befallen ,to   
that meek man1 who well had sacrificed2 
,is piety thus and pure devotion paid8  
,to whom ,michael thus1 he also moved1  
replied4 ,these two are brethren1 ,adam1
 and to come ,out of thy loins2 the     
unjust the just hath slain1 ,for envy   
that his brother's offering found ,from 
,heaven acceptance2 but the bloody fact 

,will be avenged2 and the other's faith1
 approved1 ,lose no reward2 though here 
thou see him die1 ,rolling in dust and  
gore4 ,to which our sire4 ,alas6 both   
for the deed1 and for the cause6 ,but   
have ,i now seen ,death8 ,is this the   
way ,i must return to native dust8 ,o   
sight ,of terrour1 foul and ugly to     
behold1 ,horrid to think1 how horrible  
to feel6 ,to whom thus ,michael4 ,death 
thou hast seen ,in his first shape on   
,man2 but many shapes ,of ,death1 and   
many are the ways that lead ,to his grim
 cave1 all dismal2 yet to sense ,more   
terrible at the entrance1 than within4  
,some1 as thou sawest1 by violent stroke
 shall die2 ,by fire1 flood1 famine1 by 
intemperance more ,in meats and drinks1 
which on the earth shall bring ,diseases
 dire1 of which a monstrous crew ,before
 thee shall appear2 that thou mayest    
know ,what misery the inabstinence of   
,eve ,shall bring on ,men4 ,immediately 
a place ,before his eyes appeared1 sad1 
noisome1 dark2 ,a lazar-house it seemed2

 wherein were laid ,numbers of all      
diseased2 all maladies ,of ghastly      
spasm1 or racking torture1 qualms ,of   
heart-sick agony1 all feverous kinds1   
,convulsions1 epilepsies1 fierce        
catarrhs1 ,intestine stone and ulcer1   
colick-pangs1 ,demoniack phrenzy1       
moaping melancholy1 ,and moon-struck    
madness1 pining atrophy1 ,marasmus1 and 
wide-wasting pestilence1 ,dropsies1 and 
asthmas1 and joint-racking rheums4 ,dire
 was the tossing1 deep the groans2      
,despair ,tended the sick busiest from  
couch to couch2 ,and over them          
triumphant ,death his dart ,shook1 but  
delayed to strike1 though oft invoked   
,with vows1 as their chief good1 and    
final hope4 ,sight so deform what heart 
of rock could long ,dry-eyed behold8    
,adam could not1 but wept1 ,though not  
of woman born2 compassion quelled ,his  
best of man1 and gave him up to tears ,a
 space1 till firmer thoughts restrained 
excess2 ,and1 scarce recovering words1  
his plaint renewed4 ,o miserable        

mankind1 to what fall ,degraded1 to what
 wretched state reserved6 ,better end   
here unborn4 ,why is life given ,to be  
thus wrested from us8 rather1 why       
,obtruded on us thus8 who1 if we knew   
,what we receive1 would either not      
accept ,life offered1 or soon beg to lay
 it down2 ,glad to be so dismissed in   
peace4 ,can thus ,the image of ,god in  
,man1 created once ,so goodly and erect1
 though faulty since1 ,to such unsightly
 sufferings be debased ,under inhuman   
pains8 ,why should not ,man1 ,retaining 
still divine similitude ,in part1 from  
such deformities be free1 ,and1 for his 
,maker's image sake1 exempt8 ,their     
,maker's image1 answered ,michael1 then 
,forsook them1 when themselves they     
vilified ,to serve ungoverned ,appetite2
 and took ,his image whom they served1 a
 brutish vice1 ,inductive mainly to the 
sin of ,eve4 ,therefore so abject is    
their punishment1 ,disfiguring not      
,god's likeness1 but their own2 ,or if  
his likeness1 by themselves defaced2    

,while they pervert pure ,nature's      
healthful rules ,to loathsome sickness2 
worthily1 since they ,god's image did   
not reverence in themselves4 ,i yield it
 just1 said ,adam1 and submit4 ,but is  
there yet no other way1 besides ,these  
painful passages1 how we may come ,to   
death1 and mix with our connatural dust8
 ,there is1 said ,michael1 if thou well 
observe ,the rule of ,not too much2 by  
temperance taught1 ,in what thou eatest 
and drinkest2 seeking from thence ,due  
nourishment1 not gluttonous delight1    
,till many years over thy head return3  
,so mayest thou live2 till1 like ripe   
fruit1 thou drop ,into thy mother's lap2
 or be with ease ,gathered1 nor harshly 
plucked2 for death mature3 ,this is ,old
 ,age2 but then1 thou must outlive ,thy 
youth1 thy strength1 thy beauty2 which  
will change ,to withered1 weak1 and     
gray2 thy senses then1 ,obtuse1 all     
taste of pleasure must forego1 ,to what 
thou hast2 and1 for the air of youth1   
,hopeful and cheerful1 in thy blood will

 reign ,a melancholy damp of cold and   
dry ,to weigh thy spirits down1 and last
 consume ,the balm of life4 ,to whom our
 ancestor4 ,henceforth ,i fly not death1
 nor would prolong ,life much2 bent     
rather1 how ,i may be quit1 ,fairest and
 easiest1 of this cumbrous charge2      
,which ,i must keep till my appointed   
day ,of rendering up1 and patiently     
attend ,my dissolution4 ,michael        
replied4 ,nor love thy life1 nor hate2  
but what thou livest ,live well2 how    
long1 or short1 permit to ,heaven3 ,and 
now prepare thee for another sight4 ,he 
looked1 and saw a spacious plain1       
whereon ,were tents of various hue2 by  
some1 were herds ,of cattle grazing2    
others1 whence the sound ,of            
instruments1 that made melodious chime1 
,was heard1 of harp and organ2 and1 who 
moved ,their stops and chords1 was seen2
 his volant touch1 ,instinct through all
 proportions1 low and high1 ,fled and   
pursued transverse the resonant fugue4  
,in other part stood one who1 at the    

forge ,labouring1 two massy clods of    
iron and brass ,had melted1 7whether    
found where casual fire ,had wasted     
woods on mountain or in vale1 ,down to  
the veins of earth2 thence gliding hot  
,to some cave's mouth2 or whether washed
 by stream ,from underground27 the      
liquid ore he drained ,into fit moulds  
prepared2 from which he formed ,first   
his own tools2 then1 what might else be 
wrought ,fusil or graven in metal4      
,after these1 ,but on the hither side1 a
 different sort ,from the high          
neighbouring hills1 which was their     
seat1 ,down to the plain descended2 by  
their guise ,just men they seemed1 and  
all their study bent ,to worship ,god   
aright1 and know his works ,not hid2 nor
 those things last1 which might preserve
 ,freedom and peace to ,men2 they on the
 plain ,long had not walked1 when from  
the tents1 behold6 ,a bevy of fair      
women1 richly gay ,in gems and wanton   
dress2 to the harp they sung ,soft      
amorous ditties1 and in dance came on3  

,the men1 though grave1 eyed them2 and  
let their eyes ,rove without rein2 till1
 in the amorous net ,fast caught1 they  
liked2 and each his liking chose2 ,and  
now of love they treat1 till the        
evening-star1 ,love's harbinger1        
appeared2 then1 all in heat ,they light 
the nuptial torch1 and bid invoke       
,hymen1 then first to marriage rites    
invoked3 ,with feast and musick all the 
tents resound4 ,such happy interview1   
and fair event ,of love and youth not   
lost1 songs1 garlands1 flowers1 ,and    
charming symphonies1 attached the heart 
,of ,adam1 soon inclined to admit       
delight1 ,the bent of nature2 which he  
thus expressed4 ,true opener of mine    
eyes1 prime ,angel blest2 ,much better  
seems this vision1 and more hope ,of    
peaceful days portends1 than those two  
past2 ,those were of hate and death1 or 
pain much worse2 ,here ,nature seems    
fulfilled in all her ends4 ,to whom thus
 ,michael4 ,judge not what is best ,by  
pleasure1 though to nature seeming meet2

 ,created1 as thou art1 to nobler end   
,holy and pure1 conformity divine4      
,those tents thou sawest so pleasant1   
were the tents ,of wickedness1 wherein  
shall dwell his race ,who slew his      
brother2 studious they appear ,of arts  
that polish life1 inventers rare2       
,unmindful of their ,maker1 though his  
,spirit ,taught them2 but they his gifts
 acknowledged none4 ,yet they a         
beauteous offspring shall beget2 ,for   
that fair female troop thou sawest1 that
 seemed ,of ,goddesses1 so blithe1 so   
smooth1 so gay1 ,yet empty of all good  
wherein consists ,woman's domestick     
honour and chief praise2 ,bred only and 
completed to the taste ,of lustful      
appetence1 to sing1 to dance1 ,to dress1
 and troll the tongue1 and roll the eye3
 ,to these that sober race of men1 whose
 lives ,religious titled them the sons  
of ,god1 ,shall yield up all their      
virtue1 all their fame ,ignobly1 to the 
trains and to the smiles ,of these fair 
atheists2 and now swim in joy1 ,erelong 

to swim at large2 and laugh1 for which  
,the world erelong a world of tears must
 weep4 ,to whom thus ,adam1 of short joy
 bereft4 ,o pity and shame1 that they1  
who to live well ,entered so fair1      
should turn aside to tread ,paths       
indirect1 or in the mid way faint6 ,but 
still ,i see the tenour of ,man's woe   
,holds on the same1 from ,woman to      
begin4 ,from ,man's effeminate slackness
 it begins1 ,said the ,angel1 who should
 better hold his place ,by wisdom1 and  
superiour gifts received4 ,but now      
prepare thee for another scene4 ,he     
looked1 and saw wide territory spread   
,before him1 towns1 and rural works     
between2 ,cities of men with lofty gates
 and towers1 ,concourse in arms1 fierce 
faces threatening war1 ,giants of mighty
 bone and bold emprise2 ,part wield     
their arms1 part curb the foaming steed1
 ,single or in array of battle ranged   
,both horse and foot1 nor idly mustering
 stood2 ,one way a band select from     
forage drives ,a herd of beeves1 fair   

oxen and fair kine1 ,from a fat meadow  
ground2 or fleecy flock1 ,ewes and their
 bleating lambs over the plain1 ,their  
booty2 scarce with life the shepherds   
fly1 ,but call in aid1 which makes a    
bloody fray2 ,with cruel tournament the 
squadrons join2 ,where cattle pastured  
late1 now scattered lies ,with carcasses
 and arms the ensanguined field1        
,deserted3 ,others to a city strong ,lay
 siege1 encamped2 by battery1 scale1 and
 mine1 ,assaulting2 others from the wall
 defend ,with dart and javelin1 stones1 
and sulphurous fire2 ,on each hand      
slaughter1 and gigantick deeds4 ,in     
other part the sceptered heralds call   
,to council1 in the city-gates2 anon    
,gray-headed men and grave1 with        
warriours mixed1 ,assemble1 and         
harangues are heard2 but soon1 ,in      
factious opposition2 till at last1 ,of  
middle age one rising1 eminent ,in wise 
deport1 spake much of right and wrong1  
,of justice1 or religion1 truth1 and    
peace1 ,and judgement from above3 him   

old and young ,exploded1 and had seized 
with violent hands1 ,had not a cloud    
descending snatched him thence ,unseen  
amid the throng3 so violence ,proceeded1
 and oppression1 and sword-law1 ,through
 all the plain1 and refuge none was     
found4 ,adam was all in tears1 and to   
his guide ,lamenting turned full sad2   
,o6 what are these1 ,death's ministers1 
not men8 who thus deal death ,inhumanly 
to men1 and multiply ,ten thousandfold  
the sin of him who slew ,his brother3   
for of whom such massacre ,make they1   
but of their brethren2 men of men ,but  
who was that just man1 whom had not     
,heaven ,rescued1 had in his            
righteousness been lost8 ,to whom thus  
,michael4 ,these are the product ,of    
those ill-mated marriages thou sawest2  
,where good with bad were matched1 who  
of themselves ,abhor to join2 and1 by   
imprudence mixed1 ,produce prodigious   
births of body or mind4 ,such were these
 giants1 men of high renown2 ,for in    
those days might only shall be admired1 

,and valour and heroick virtue called2  
,to overcome in battle1 and subdue      
,nations1 and bring home spoils with    
infinite ,man-slaughter1 shall be held  
the highest pitch ,of human glory2 and  
for glory done ,of triumph1 to be styled
 great conquerours ,patrons of mankind1 
,gods1 and sons of ,gods2 ,destroyers   
rightlier called1 and plagues of men4   
,thus fame shall be achieved1 renown on 
earth2 ,and what most merits fame1 in   
silence hid4 ,but he1 the seventh from  
thee1 whom thou beheldst ,the only      
righteous in a world preverse1 ,and     
therefore hated1 therefore so beset     
,with foes1 for daring single to be     
just1 ,and utter odious truth1 that ,god
 would come ,to judge them with his     
,saints2 him the ,most ,high ,rapt in a 
balmy cloud with winged steeds ,did1 as 
thou sawest1 receive1 to walk with ,god 
,high in salvation and the climes of    
bliss1 ,exempt from death2 to show thee 
what reward ,awaits the good2 the rest  
what punishment2 ,which now direct thine

 eyes and soon behold4 ,he looked1 and  
saw the face of things quite changed2   
,the brazen throat of war had ceased to 
roar2 ,all now was turned to jollity and
 game1 ,to luxury and riot1 feast and   
dance2 ,marrying or prostituting1 as    
befel1 ,rape or adultery1 where passing 
fair ,allured them2 thence from cups to 
civil broils4 ,at length a reverend sire
 among them came1 ,and of their doings  
great dislike declared1 ,and testified  
against their ways2 he oft ,frequented  
their assemblies1 whereso met1 ,triumphs
 or festivals2 and to them preached     
,conversion and repentance1 as to souls 
,in prison1 under judgements imminent3  
,but all in vain3 which when he saw1 he 
ceased ,contending1 and removed his     
tents far off2 ,then1 from the mountain 
hewing timber tall1 ,began to build a   
vessel of huge bulk2 ,measured by cubit1
 length1 and breadth1 and highth2       
,smeared round with pitch2 and in the   
side a door ,contrived2 and of          
provisions laid in large1 ,for man and  

beast3 when lo1 a wonder strange6 ,of   
every beast1 and bird1 and insect small1
 ,came sevens1 and pairs2 and entered in
 as taught ,their order3 last the sire  
and his three sons1 ,with their four    
wives2 and ,god made fast the door4     
,mean while the south-wind rose1 and1   
with black wings ,wide-hovering1 all the
 clouds together drove ,from under      
,heaven2 the hills to their supply      
,vapour1 and exhalation dusk and moist1 
,sent up amain2 and now the thickened   
sky ,like a dark ceiling stood2 down    
rushed the rain ,impetuous2 and         
continued1 till the earth ,no more was  
seen3 the floating vessel swum          
,uplifted1 and secure with beaked prow  
,rode tilting o'er the waves2 all       
dwellings else ,flood overwhelmed1 and  
them with all their pomp ,deep under    
water rolled2 sea covered sea1 ,sea     
without shore2 and in their palaces1    
,where luxury late reigned1 sea-monsters
 whelped ,and stabled2 of mankind1 so   
numerous late1 ,all left1 in one small  

bottom swum imbarked4 ,how didst thou   
grieve then1 ,adam1 to behold ,the end  
of all thy offspring1 end so sad1       
,depopulation6 ,thee another flood1 ,of 
tears and sorrow a flood1 thee also     
drowned1 ,and sunk thee as thy sons2    
till1 gently reared ,by the ,angel1 on  
thy feet thou stoodest at last1 ,though 
comfortless2 as when a father mourns    
,his children1 all in view destroyed at 
once2 ,and scarce to the ,angel         
utter'dst thus thy plaint4 ,o visions   
ill foreseen6 ,better had ,i ,lived     
ignorant of future6 so had borne ,my    
part of evil only1 each day's lot       
,enough to bear2 those now1 that were   
dispensed ,the burden of many ages1 on  
me light ,at once1 by my foreknowledge  
gaining birth ,abortive1 to torment me  
ere their being1 ,with thought that they
 must be4 ,let no man seek ,henceforth  
to be foretold1 what shall befall ,him  
or his children2 evil he may be sure1   
,which neither his foreknowing can      
prevent2 ,and he the future evil shall  

no less ,in apprehension than in        
substance feel1 ,grievous to bear3 but  
that care now is past1 ,man is not whom 
to warn3 those few escaped ,famine and  
anguish will at last consume1 ,wandering
 that watery desart3 ,i had hope1 ,when 
violence was ceased1 and war on earth1  
,all would have then gone well2 peace   
would have crowned ,with length of happy
 days the race of ,man2 ,but ,i was far 
deceived2 for now ,i see ,peace to      
corrupt no less than war to waste4 ,how 
comes it thus8 unfold1 celestial ,guide1
 ,and whether here the race of ,man will
 end4 ,to whom thus ,michael4 ,those1   
whom last thou sawest ,in triumph and   
luxurious wealth1 are they ,first seen  
in acts of prowess eminent ,and great   
exploits1 but of true virtue void2 ,who1
 having spilt much blood1 and done much 
wast ,subduing nations1 and achieved    
thereby ,fame in the world1 high titles1
 and rich prey2 ,shall change their     
course to pleasure1 ease1 and sloth1    
,surfeit1 and lust2 till wantonness and 

pride ,raise out of friendship hostile  
deeds in peace4 ,the conquered also1 and
 enslaved by war1 ,shall1 with their    
freedom lost1 all virtue lose ,and fear 
of ,god2 from whom their piety feigned  
,in sharp contest of battle found no aid
 ,against invaders2 therefore1 cooled in
 zeal1 ,thenceforth shall practice how  
to live secure1 ,worldly or dissolute1  
on what their lords ,shall leave them to
 enjoy2 for the earth shall bear ,more  
than enough1 that temperance may be     
tried3 ,so all shall turn degenerate1   
all depraved2 ,justice and temperance1  
truth and faith1 forgot2 ,one man       
except1 the only son of light ,in a dark
 age1 against example good1 ,against    
allurement1 custom1 and a world         
,offended3 fearless of reproach and     
scorn1 ,or violence1 he of their wicked 
ways ,shall them admonish2 and before   
them set ,the paths of righteousness1   
how much more safe ,and full of peace2  
denouncing wrath to come ,on their      
impenitence2 and shall return ,of them  

derided1 but of ,god observed ,the one  
just man alive2 by his command ,shall   
build a wonderous ark1 as thou beheldst1
 ,to save himself1 and houshold1 from   
amidst ,a world devote to universal     
wrack4 ,no sooner he1 with them of man  
and beast ,select for life1 shall in the
 ark be lodged1 ,and sheltered round2   
but all the cataracts ,of ,heaven set   
open on the ,earth shall pour ,rain1 day
 and night2 all fountains of the deep1  
,broke up1 shall heave the ocean to     
usurp ,beyond all bounds2 till          
inundation rise ,above the highest      
hills3 ,then shall this mount ,of       
,paradise by might of waves be moved    
,out of his place1 pushed by the horned 
flood1 ,with all his verdure spoiled1   
and trees adrift1 ,down the great river 
to the opening gulf1 ,and there take    
root an island salt and bare1 ,the haunt
 of seals1 and orcs1 and sea-mews'      
clang3 ,to teach thee that ,god         
attributes to place ,no sanctity1 if    
none be thither brought ,by men who     

there frequent1 or therein dwell4 ,and  
now1 what further shall ensue1 behold4  
,he looked1 and saw the ark hull on the 
flood1 ,which now abated2 for the clouds
 were fled1 ,driven by a keen           
north-wind1 that1 blowing dry1 ,wrinkled
 the face of deluge1 as decayed2 ,and   
the clear sun on his wide watery glass  
,gazed hot1 and of the fresh wave       
largely drew1 ,as after thirst2 which   
made their flowing shrink ,from standing
 lake to tripping ebb1 that stole ,with 
soft foot towards the deep2 who now had 
stopt ,his sluces1 as the ,heaven his   
windows shut4 ,the ark no more now      
floats1 but seems on ground1 ,fast on   
the top of some high mountain fixed4    
,and now the tops of hills1 as rocks1   
appear2 ,with clamour thence the rapid  
currents drive1 ,towards the retreating 
sea1 their furious tide4 ,forthwith from
 out the ark a raven flies1 ,and after  
him1 the surer messenger1 ,a dove sent  
forth once and again to spy ,green tree 
or ground1 whereon his foot may light3  

,the second time returning1 in his bill 
,an olive-leaf he brings1 pacifick sign3
 ,anon dry ground appears1 and from his 
ark ,the ancient sire descends1 with all
 his train2 ,then with uplifted hands1  
and eyes devout1 ,grateful to ,heaven1  
over his head beholds ,a dewy cloud1 and
 in the cloud a bow ,conspicuous with   
three lifted colours gay1 ,betokening   
peace from ,god1 and covenant new4      
,whereat the heart of ,adam1 erst so    
sad1 ,greatly rejoiced2 and thus his joy
 broke forth4 ,o thou1 who future things
 canst represent ,as present1 heavenly  
,instructer6 ,i revive ,at this last    
sight2 assured that ,man shall live1    
,with all the creatures1 and their seed 
preserve4 ,far less ,i now lament for   
one whole world ,of wicked sons         
destroyed1 than ,i rejoice ,for one man 
found so perfect1 and so just1 ,that    
,god vouchsafes to raise another world  
,from him1 and all his anger to forget4 
,but say1 what mean those coloured      
streaks in ,heaven ,distended1 as the   

brow of ,god appeased8 ,or serve they1  
as a flowery verge1 to bind ,the fluid  
skirts of that same watery cloud1 ,lest 
it again dissolve1 and shower the earth8
 ,to whom the ,arch-,angel4 ,dextrously 
thou aimest2 ,so willingly doth ,god    
remit his ire1 ,though late repenting   
him of ,man depraved2 ,grieved at his   
heart1 when looking down he saw ,the    
whole earth filled with violence1 and   
all flesh ,corrupting each their way2   
yet1 those removed1 ,such grace shall   
one just man find in his sight1 ,that he
 relents1 not to blot out mankind2 ,and 
makes a covenant never to destroy ,the  
earth again by flood2 nor let the sea   
,surpass his bounds2 nor rain to drown  
the world1 ,with man therein or beast2  
but1 when he brings ,over the earth a   
cloud1 will therein set ,his            
triple-coloured bow1 whereon to look1   
,and call to mind his covenant3 ,day and
 night1 ,seed-time and harvest1 heat and
 hoary frost1 ,shall hold their course2 
till fire purge all things new1 ,both   

,heaven and ,earth1 wherein the just    
shall dwell4     ,book ,,xii   ,as one  
who in his journey bates at noon1       
,though bent on speed2 so here the      
,arch-,angel paused ,betwixt the world  
destroyed and world restored1 ,if ,adam 
aught perhaps might interpose2 ,then1   
with transition sweet1 new speech       
resumes4 ,thus thou hast seen one world 
begin1 and end2 ,and ,man1 as from a    
second stock1 proceed4 ,much thou hast  
yet to see2 but ,i perceive ,thy mortal 
sight to fail2 objects divine ,must     
needs impair and weary human sense3     
,henceforth what is to come ,i will     
relate2 ,thou therefore give due        
audience1 and attend4 ,this second      
source of ,men1 while yet but few1 ,and 
while the dread of judgement past       
remains ,fresh in their minds1 fearing  
the ,deity1 ,with some regard to what is
 just and right ,shall lead their lives1
 and multiply apace2 ,labouring the     
soil1 and reaping plenteous crop1 ,corn1
 wine1 and oil2 and1 from the herd or   

flock1 ,oft sacrificing bullock1 lamb1  
or kid1 ,with large wine-offerings      
poured1 and sacred feast1 ,shall spend  
their days in joy unblamed2 and dwell   
,long time in peace1 by families and    
tribes1 ,under paternal rule3 till one  
shall rise ,of proud ambitious heart2   
who1 not content ,with fair equality1   
fraternal state1 ,will arrogate dominion
 undeserved ,over his brethren1 and     
quite dispossess ,concord and law of    
nature from the earth2 ,hunting 7and men
 not beasts shall be his game7 ,with    
war1 and hostile snare1 such as refuse  
,subjection to his empire tyrannous3 ,a 
mighty hunter thence he shall be styled 
,before the ,lord2 as in despite of     
,heaven1 ,or from ,heaven1 claiming     
second sovranty2 ,and from rebellion    
shall derive his name1 ,though of       
rebellion others he accuse4 ,he with a  
crew1 whom like ambition joins ,with him
 or under him to tyrannize1 ,marching   
from ,eden towards the west1 shall find 
,the plain1 wherein a black bituminous  

gurge ,boils out from under ground1 the 
mouth of ,hell3 ,of brick1 and of that  
stuff1 they cast to build ,a city and   
tower1 whose top may reach to ,heaven2  
,and get themselves a name2 lest1 far   
dispersed ,in foreign lands1 their      
memory be lost2 ,regardless whether good
 or evil fame4 ,but ,god1 who oft       
descends to visit men ,unseen1 and      
through their habitations walks ,to mark
 their doings1 them beholding soon1     
,comes down to see their city1 ere the  
tower ,obstruct ,heaven-towers1 and in  
derision sets ,upon their tongues a     
various spirit1 to rase ,quite out their
 native language2 and1 instead1 ,to sow 
a jangling noise of words unknown3      
,forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud1 
,among the builders2 each to other calls
 ,not understood2 till hoarse1 and all  
in rage1 ,as mocked they storm3 great   
laughter was in ,heaven1 ,and looking   
down1 to see the hubbub strange1 ,and   
hear the din3 ,thus was the building    
left ,ridiculous1 and the work          

,confusion named4 ,whereto thus ,adam1  
fatherly displeased4 ,o execrable son6  
so to aspire ,above his brethren2 to    
himself assuming ,authority usurped1    
from ,god not given3 ,he gave us only   
over beast1 fish1 fowl1 ,dominion       
absolute2 that right we hold ,by his    
donation2 but man over men ,he made not 
lord2 such title to himself ,reserving1 
human left from human free4 ,but this   
usurper his encroachment proud ,stays   
not on ,man2 to ,god his tower intends  
,siege and defiance3 ,wretched man6 what
 food ,will he convey up thither1 to    
sustain ,himself and his rash army2     
where thin air ,above the clouds will   
pine his entrails gross1 ,and famish him
 of breath1 if not of bread8 ,to whom   
thus ,michael4 ,justly thou abhorrest   
,that son1 who on the quiet state of men
 ,such trouble brought1 affecting to    
subdue ,rational liberty2 yet know      
withal1 ,since thy original lapse1 true 
liberty ,is lost1 which always with     
right reason dwells ,twinned1 and from  

her hath no dividual being3 ,reason in  
man obscured1 or not obeyed1            
,immediately inordinate desires1 ,and   
upstart passions1 catch the government  
,from reason2 and to servitude reduce   
,man1 till then free4 ,therefore1 since 
he permits ,within himself unworthy     
powers to reign ,over free reason1 ,god1
 in judgement just1 ,subjects him from  
without to violent lords2 ,who oft as   
undeservedly enthrall ,his outward      
freedom3 ,tyranny must be2 ,though to   
the tyrant thereby no excuse4 ,yet      
sometimes nations will decline so low   
,from virtue1 which is reason1 that no  
wrong1 ,but justice1 and some fatal     
curse annexed1 ,deprives them of their  
outward liberty2 ,their inward lost3    
,witness the irreverent son ,of him who 
built the ark2 who1 for the shame ,done 
to his father1 heard this heavy curse1  
,servant of servants1 on his vicious    
race4 ,thus will this latter1 as the    
former world1 ,still tend from bad to   
worse2 till ,god at last1 ,wearied with 

their iniquities1 withdraw ,his presence
 from among them1 and avert ,his holy   
eyes2 resolving from thenceforth ,to    
leave them to their own polluted ways2  
,and one peculiar nation to select ,from
 all the rest1 of whom to be invoked1 ,a
 nation from one faithful man to spring3
 ,him on this side ,euphrates yet       
residing1 ,bred up in idol-worship3 ,o1 
that men 7,canst thou believe87 should  
be so stupid grown1 ,while yet the      
patriarch lived1 who 'scaped the flood1 
,as to forsake the living ,god1 and fall
 ,to worship their own work in wood and 
stone ,for ,gods6 ,yet him ,god the     
,most ,high vouchsafes ,to call by      
vision1 from his father's house1 ,his   
kindred1 and false ,gods1 into a land   
,which he will show him2 and from him   
will raise ,a mighty nation2 and upon   
him shower ,his benediction so1 that in 
his seed ,all nations shall be blest3 he
 straight obeys2 ,not knowing to what   
land1 yet firm believes3 ,i see him1 but
 thou canst not1 with what faith ,he    

leaves his ,gods1 his friends1 and      
native soil1 ,ur of ,chaldaea1 passing  
now the ford ,to ,haran2 after him a    
cumbrous train ,of herds and flocks1 and
 numerous servitude2 ,not wandering     
poor1 but trusting all his wealth ,with 
,god1 who called him1 in a land unknown4
 ,canaan he now attains2 ,i see his     
tents ,pitched about ,sechem1 and the   
neighbouring plain ,of ,moreh2 there by 
promise he receives ,gift to his progeny
 of all that land1 ,from ,hameth        
northward to the ,desart south2 7,things
 by their names ,i call1 though yet     
unnamed27 ,from ,hermon east to the     
great western ,sea2 ,mount ,hermon1     
yonder sea2 each place behold ,in       
prospect1 as ,i point them2 on the shore
 ,mount ,carmel2 here1 the              
double-founted stream1 ,jordan1 true    
limit eastward2 but his sons ,shall     
dwell to ,senir1 that long ridge of     
hills4 ,this ponder1 that all nations of
 the earth ,shall in his seed be        
blessed3 ,by that seed ,is meant thy    

great ,deliverer1 who shall bruise ,the 
,serpent's head2 whereof to thee anon   
,plainlier shall be revealed4 ,this     
patriarch blest1 ,whom faithful ,abraham
 due time shall call1 ,a son1 and of his
 son a grand-child1 leaves2 ,like him in
 faith1 in wisdom1 and renown3 ,the     
grandchild1 with twelve sons increased1 
departs ,from ,canaan to a land         
hereafter called ,egypt1 divided by the 
river ,nile ,see where it flows1        
disgorging at seven mouths ,into the    
sea4 ,to sojourn in that land ,he comes1
 invited by a younger son ,in time of   
dearth1 a son whose worthy deeds ,raise 
him to be the second in that realm ,of  
,pharaoh4 ,there he dies1 and leaves his
 race ,growing into a nation1 and now   
grown ,suspected to a sequent king1 who 
seeks ,to stop their overgrowth1 as     
inmate guests ,too numerous2 whence of  
guests he makes them slaves             
,inhospitably1 and kills their infant   
males3 ,till by two brethren 7these two 
brethren call ,moses and ,aaron7 sent   

from ,god to claim ,his people from     
enthralment1 they return1 ,with glory   
and spoil1 back to their promised land4 
,but first1 the lawless tyrant1 who     
denies ,to know their ,god1 or message  
to regard1 ,must be compelled by signs  
and judgements dire2 ,to blood unshed   
the rivers must be turned2 ,frogs1 lice1
 and flies1 must all his palace fill    
,with loathed intrusion1 and fill all   
the land2 ,his cattle must of rot and   
murren die2 ,botches and blains must all
 his flesh emboss1 ,and all his people2 
thunder mixed with hail1 ,hail mixed    
with fire1 must rend the ,egyptians sky1
 ,and wheel on the earth1 devouring     
where it rolls2 ,what it devours not1   
herb1 or fruit1 or grain1 ,a darksome   
cloud of locusts swarming down ,must    
eat1 and on the ground leave nothing    
green2 ,darkness must overshadow all his
 bounds1 ,palpable darkness1 and blot   
out three days2 ,last1 with one midnight
 stroke1 all the first-born ,of ,egypt  
must lie dead4 ,thus with ten wounds    

,the river-dragon tamed at length       
submits ,to let his sojourners depart1  
and oft ,humbles his stubborn heart2 but
 still1 as ice ,more hardened after     
thaw2 till1 in his rage ,pursuing whom  
he late dismissed1 the sea ,swallows him
 with his host2 but them lets pass1 ,as 
on dry land1 between two crystal walls2 
,awed by the rod of ,moses so to stand  
,divided1 till his rescued gain their   
shore3 ,such wondrous power ,god to his 
saint will lend1 ,though present in his 
,angel2 who shall go ,before them in a  
cloud1 and pillar of fire2 ,by day a    
cloud1 by night a pillar of fire2 ,to   
guide them in their journey1 and remove 
,behind them1 while the obdurate king   
pursues3 ,all night he will pursue2 but 
his approach ,darkness defends between  
till morning watch2 ,then through the   
fiery pillar1 and the cloud1 ,god       
looking forth will trouble all his host1
 ,and craze their chariot-wheels3 when  
by command ,moses once more his potent  
rod extends ,over the sea2 the sea his  

rod obeys2 ,on their embattled ranks the
 waves return1 ,and overwhelm their war3
 ,the race elect ,safe toward ,canaan   
from the shore advance ,through the wild
 ,desart1 not the readiest way2 ,lest1  
entering on the ,canaanite alarmed1 ,war
 terrify them inexpert1 and fear ,return
 them back to ,egypt1 choosing rather   
,inglorious life with servitude2 for    
life ,to noble and ignoble is more sweet
 ,untrained in arms1 where rashness     
leads not on4 ,this also shall they gain
 by their delay ,in the wide wilderness2
 there they shall found ,their          
government1 and their great senate      
choose ,through the twelve tribes1 to   
rule by laws ordained3 ,god from the    
mount of ,sinai1 whose gray top ,shall  
tremble1 he descending1 will himself ,in
 thunder1 lightning1 and loud trumpets' 
sound1 ,ordain them laws2 part1 such as 
appertain ,to civil justice2 part1      
religious rites ,of sacrifice2 informing
 them1 by types ,and shadows1 of that   
destined ,seed to bruise ,the ,serpent1 

by what means he shall achieve          
,mankind's deliverance4 ,but the voice  
of ,god ,to mortal ear is dreadful3     
,they beseech ,that ,moses might report 
to them his will1 ,and terrour cease2 he
 grants what they besought1 ,instructed 
that to ,god is no access ,without      
,mediator1 whose high office now ,moses 
in figure bears2 to introduce ,one      
greater1 of whose day he shall foretel1 
,and all the ,prophets in their age the 
times ,of great ,messiah shall sing4    
,thus1 laws and rites ,established1 such
 delight hath ,god in ,men ,obedient to 
his will1 that he vouchsafes ,among them
 to set up his tabernacle2 ,the ,holy   
,one with mortal ,men to dwell3 ,by his 
prescript a sanctuary is framed ,of     
cedar1 overlaid with gold2 therein ,an  
ark1 and in the ark his testimony1 ,the 
records of his covenant2 over these ,a  
mercy-seat of gold1 between the wings   
,of two bright ,cherubim2 before him    
burn ,seven lamps as in a zodiack       
representing ,the heavenly fires2 over  

the tent a cloud ,shall rest by day1 a  
fiery gleam by night2 ,save when they   
journey1 and at length they come1       
,conducted by his ,angel1 to the land   
,promised to ,abraham and his           
seed3--,the rest ,were long to tell2 how
 many battles fought ,how many kings    
destroyed2 and kingdoms won2 ,or how the
 sun shall in mid ,heaven stand still ,a
 day entire1 and night's due course     
adjourn1 ,man's voice commanding1 8,sun1
 in ,gibeon stand1 ,and thou moon in the
 vale of ,aialon1 ,till ,israel         
overcome60 so call the third ,from      
,abraham1 son of ,isaac2 and from him   
,his whole descent1 who thus shall      
,canaan win4 ,here ,adam interposed4 ,o 
sent from ,heaven1 ,enlightener of my   
darkness1 gracious things ,thou hast    
revealed2 those chiefly1 which concern  
,just ,abraham and his seed3 now first  
,i find ,mine eyes true-opening1 and my 
heart much eased2 ,erewhile perplexed   
with thoughts1 what would become ,of me 
and all mankind3 ,but now ,i see ,his   

day1 in whom all nations shall be blest2
 ,favour unmerited by me1 who sought    
,forbidden knowledge by forbidden means4
 ,this yet ,i apprehend not1 why to     
those ,among whom ,god will deign to    
dwell on earth ,so many and so various  
laws are given2 ,so many laws argue so  
many sins ,among them2 how can ,god with
 such reside8 ,to whom thus ,michael4   
,doubt not but that sin ,will reign     
among them1 as of thee begot2 ,and      
therefore was law given them1 to evince 
,their natural pravity1 by stirring up  
,sin against law to fight3 that when    
they see ,law can discover sin1 but not 
remove1 ,save by those shadowy          
expiations weak1 ,the blood of bulls and
 goats1 they may conclude ,some blood   
more precious must be paid for ,man2    
,just for unjust2 that1 in such         
righteousness ,to them by faith imputed1
 they may find ,justification towards   
,god1 and peace ,of conscience2 which   
the law by ceremonies ,cannot appease2  
nor ,man the mortal part ,perform2 and1 

not performing1 cannot live4 ,so law    
appears imperfect2 and but given ,with  
purpose to resign them1 in full time1   
,up to a better covenant2 disciplined   
,from shadowy types to truth2 from flesh
 to spirit2 ,from imposition of strict  
laws to free ,acceptance of large grace2
 from servile fear ,to filial2 works of 
law to works of faith4 ,and therefore   
shall not ,moses1 though of ,god ,highly
 beloved1 being but the minister ,of    
law1 his people into ,canaan lead2 ,but 
,joshua1 whom the ,gentiles ,jesus call1
 ,his name and office bearing1 who shall
 quell ,the adversary-,serpent1 and     
bring back ,through the world's         
wilderness long-wandered ,man ,safe to  
eternal ,paradise of rest4 ,mean while  
they1 in their earthly ,canaan placed1  
,long time shall dwell and prosper1 but 
when sins ,national interrupt their     
publick peace1 ,provoking ,god to raise 
them enemies2 ,from whom as oft he saves
 them penitent ,by ,judges first1 then  
under ,kings2 of whom ,the second1 both 

for piety renowned ,and puissant deeds1 
a promise shall receive ,irrevocable1   
that his regal throne ,for ever shall   
endure2 the like shall sing ,all        
,prophecy1 that of the royal stock ,of  
,david 7so ,i name this king7 shall rise
 ,a ,son1 the ,woman's seed to thee     
foretold1 ,foretold to ,abraham1 as in  
whom shall trust ,all nations2 and to   
kings foretold1 of kings ,the last2 for 
of his reign shall be no end4 ,but      
first1 a long succession must ensue2    
,and his next son1 for wealth and wisdom
 famed1 ,the clouded ark of ,god1 till  
then in tents ,wandering1 shall in a    
glorious temple enshrine4 ,such follow  
him1 as shall be registered ,part good1 
part bad2 of bad the longer scroll2     
,whose foul idolatries1 and other faults
 ,heaped to the popular sum1 will so    
incense ,god1 as to leave them1 and     
expose their land1 ,their city1 his     
temple1 and his holy ark1 ,with all his 
sacred things1 a scorn and prey ,to that
 proud city1 whose high walls thou      

sawest ,left in confusion2 ,babylon     
thence called4 ,there in captivity he   
lets them dwell ,the space of seventy   
years2 then brings them back1           
,remembering mercy1 and his covenant    
sworn ,to ,david1 stablished as the days
 of ,heaven4 ,returned from ,babylon by 
leave of kings ,their lords1 whom ,god  
disposed1 the house of ,god ,they first 
re-edify2 and for a while ,in mean      
estate live moderate2 till1 grown ,in   
wealth and multitude1 factious they     
grow2 ,but first among the priests      
dissention springs1 ,men who attend the 
altar1 and should most ,endeavour peace3
 their strife pollution brings ,upon the
 temple itself3 at last they seise ,the 
scepter1 and regard not ,david's sons2  
,then lose it to a stranger1 that the   
true ,anointed ,king ,messiah might be  
born ,barred of his right2 yet at his   
birth a star1 ,unseen before in ,heaven1
 proclaims him come2 ,and guides the    
eastern sages1 who inquire ,his place1  
to offer incense1 myrrh1 and gold3 ,his 

place of birth a solemn ,angel tells ,to
 simple shepherds1 keeping watch by     
night2 ,they gladly thither haste1 and  
by a quire ,of squadroned ,angels hear  
his carol sung4 ,a virgin is his mother1
 but his sire ,the power of the ,most   
,high3 ,he shall ascend ,the throne     
hereditary1 and bound his reign ,with   
,earth's wide bounds1 his glory with the
 ,heavens4 ,he ceased1 discerning ,adam 
with such joy ,surcharged1 as had like  
grief been dewed in tears1 ,without the 
vent of words2 which these he breathed4 
,o prophet of glad tidings1 finisher ,of
 utmost hope6 now clear ,i understand   
,what oft my steadiest thoughts have    
searched in vain2 ,why our great        
,expectation should be called ,the seed 
of ,woman3 ,virgin ,mother1 hail1 ,high 
in the love of ,heaven2 yet from my     
loins ,thou shalt proceed1 and from thy 
womb the ,son ,of ,god ,most ,high3 so  
,god with ,man unites6 ,needs must the  
,serpent now his capital bruise ,expect 
with mortal pain3 ,say where and when   

,their fight1 what stroke shall bruise  
the victor's heel4 ,to whom thus        
,michael4 ,dream not of their fight1 ,as
 of a duel1 or the local wounds ,of head
 or heel3 ,not therefore joins the ,son 
,manhood to ,godhead1 with more strength
 to foil ,thy enemy2 nor so is overcome 
,satan1 whose fall from ,heaven1 a      
deadlier bruise1 ,disabled1 not to give 
thee thy death's wound3 ,which he1 who  
comes thy ,saviour1 shall recure1 ,not  
by destroying ,satan1 but his works ,in 
thee1 and in thy seed3 ,nor can this be1
 ,but by fulfilling that which thou     
didst want1 ,obedience to the law of    
,god1 imposed ,on penalty of death1 and 
suffering death2 ,the penalty to thy    
transgression due1 ,and due to theirs   
which out of thine will grow3 ,so only  
can high ,justice rest appaid4 ,the law 
of ,god exact he shall fulfil ,both by  
obedience and by love1 though love      
,alone fulfil the law2 thy punishment   
,he shall endure1 by coming in the flesh
 ,to a reproachful life1 and cursed     

death2 ,proclaiming life to all who     
shall believe ,in his redemption2 and   
that his obedience1 ,imputed1 becomes   
theirs by faith2 his merits ,to save    
them1 not their own1 though legal1      
works4 ,for this he shall live hated1 be
 blasphemed1 ,seised on by force1       
judged1 and to death condemned ,a       
shameful and accursed1 nailed to the    
cross ,by his own nation2 slain for     
bringing life3 ,but to the cross he     
nails thy enemies1 ,the law that is     
against thee1 and the sins ,of all      
mankind1 with him there crucified1      
,never to hurt them more who rightly    
trust ,in this his satisfaction2 so he  
dies1 ,but soon revives2 ,death over him
 no power ,shall long usurp2 ere the    
third dawning light ,return1 the stars  
of morn shall see him rise ,out of his  
grave1 fresh as the dawning light1 ,thy 
ransom paid1 which ,man from death      
redeems1 ,his death for ,man1 as many as
 offered life ,neglect not1 and the     
benefit embrace ,by faith not void of   

works3 ,this ,god-like act ,annuls thy  
doom1 the death thou shouldest have     
died1 ,in sin for ever lost from life2  
this act ,shall bruise the head of      
,satan1 crush his strength1 ,defeating  
,sin and ,death1 his two main arms2 ,and
 fix far deeper in his head their stings
 ,than temporal death shall bruise the  
victor's heel1 ,or theirs whom he       
redeems2 a death1 like sleep1 ,a gentle 
wafting to immortal life4 ,nor after    
resurrection shall he stay ,longer on   
earth1 than certain times to appear ,to 
his disciples1 men who in his life      
,still followed him2 to them shall leave
 in charge ,to teach all nations what of
 him they learned ,and his salvation2   
them who shall believe ,baptizing in the
 profluent stream1 the sign ,of washing 
them from guilt of sin to life ,pure1   
and in mind prepared1 if so befall1 ,for
 death1 like that which the ,redeemer   
died4 ,all nations they shall teach2    
for1 from that day1 ,not only to the    
sons of ,abraham's loins ,salvation     

shall be preached1 but to the sons ,of  
,abraham's faith wherever through the   
world2 ,so in his seed all nations shall
 be blest4 ,then to the ,heaven of      
,heavens he shall ascend ,with victory1 
triumphing through the air ,over his    
foes and thine2 there shall surprise    
,the ,serpent1 prince of air1 and drag  
in chains ,through all his realm1 and   
there confounded leave2 ,then enter into
 glory1 and resume ,his seat at ,god's  
right hand1 exalted high ,above all     
names in ,heaven2 and thence shall come1
 ,when this world's dissolution shall be
 ripe1 ,with glory and power to judge   
both quick and dead2 ,to judge the      
unfaithful dead1 but to reward ,his     
faithful1 and receive them into bliss1  
,whether in ,heaven or ,earth2 for then 
the ,earth ,shall all be ,paradise1 far 
happier place ,than this of ,eden1 and  
far happier days4 ,so spake the         
,arch-,angel ,michael2 then paused1 ,as 
at the world's great period2 and our    
sire1 ,replete with joy and wonder1 thus

 replied4 ,o ,goodness infinite1        
,goodness immense6 ,that all this good  
of evil shall produce1 ,and evil turn to
 good2 more wonderful ,than that which  
by creation first brought forth ,light  
out of darkness6 ,full of doubt ,i      
stand1 ,whether ,i should repent me now 
of sin ,by me done1 and occasioned2 or  
rejoice ,much more1 that much more good 
thereof shall spring2 ,to ,god more     
glory1 more good-will to ,men ,from     
,god1 and over wrath grace shall abound4
 ,but say1 if our ,deliverer up to      
,heaven ,must re-ascend1 what will      
betide the few ,his faithful1 left among
 the unfaithful herd1 ,the enemies of   
truth8 ,who then shall guide ,his       
people1 who defend8 ,will they not deal 
,worse with his followers than with him 
they dealt8 ,be sure they will1 said the
 ,angel2 but from ,heaven ,he to his own
 a ,comforter will send1 ,the promise of
 the ,father1 who shall dwell ,his      
,spirit within them2 and the law of     
faith1 ,working through love1 upon their

 hearts shall write1 ,to guide them in  
all truth2 and also arm ,with spiritual 
armour1 able to resist ,satan's         
assaults1 and quench his fiery darts2   
,what man can do against them1 not      
afraid1 ,though to the death2 against   
such cruelties ,with inward consolations
 recompensed1 ,and oft supported so as  
shall amaze ,their proudest persecutors3
 ,for the ,spirit1 ,poured first on his 
,apostles1 whom he sends ,to evangelize 
the nations1 then on all ,baptized1     
shall them with wonderous gifts endue   
,to speak all tongues1 and do all       
miracles1 ,as did their ,lord before    
them4 ,thus they win ,great numbers of  
each nation to receive ,with joy the    
tidings brought from ,heaven3 ,at length
 ,their ministry performed1 and race    
well run1 ,their doctrine and their     
story written left1 ,they die2 but in   
their room1 as they forewarn1 ,wolves   
shall succeed for teachers1 grievous    
wolves1 ,who all the sacred mysteries of
 ,heaven ,to their own vile advantages  

shall turn ,of lucre and ambition2 and  
the truth ,with superstitions and       
traditions taint1 ,left only in those   
written records pure1 ,though not but by
 the ,spirit understood4 ,then shall    
they seek to avail themselves of names1 
,places1 and titles1 and with these to  
join ,secular power2 though feigning    
still to act ,by spiritual1 to          
themselves appropriating ,the ,spirit of
 ,god1 promised alike and given ,to all 
believers2 and1 from that pretence1     
,spiritual laws by carnal power shall   
force ,on every conscience2 laws which  
none shall find ,left them inrolled1 or 
what the ,spirit within ,shall on the   
heart engrave4 ,what will they then ,but
 force the ,spirit of ,grace itself1 and
 bind ,his consort ,liberty8 what1 but  
unbuild ,his living temples1 built by   
faith to stand1 ,their own faith1 not   
another's8 for1 on earth1 ,who against  
faith and conscience can be heard       
,infallible8 yet many will presume3     
,whence heavy persecution shall arise   

,on all1 who in the worship persevere   
,of spirit and truth2 the rest1 far     
greater part1 ,will deem in outward     
rites and specious forms ,religion      
satisfied2 ,truth shall retire ,bestuck 
with slanderous darts1 and works of     
faith ,rarely be found3 ,so shall the   
world go on1 ,to good malignant1 to bad 
men benign2 ,under her own weight       
groaning2 till the day ,appear of       
respiration to the just1 ,and vengeance 
to the wicked1 at return ,of him so     
lately promised to thy aid1 ,the        
,woman's ,seed2 obscurely then foretold1
 ,now ampler known thy ,saviour and thy 
,lord2 ,last1 in the clouds1 from       
,heaven to be revealed ,in glory of the 
,father1 to dissolve ,satan with his    
perverted world2 then raise ,from the   
conflagrant mass1 purged and refined1   
,new ,heavens1 new ,earth1 ages of      
endless date1 ,founded in righteousness1
 and peace1 and love2 ,to bring forth   
fruits1 joy and eternal bliss4 ,he      
ended2 and thus ,adam last replied4 ,how

 soon hath thy prediction1 ,seer blest1 
,measured this transient world1 the race
 of time1 ,till time stand fixed6       
,beyond is all abyss1 ,eternity1 whose  
end no eye can reach4                   
,greatly-instructed ,i shall hence      
depart2 ,greatly in peace of thought2   
and have my fill ,of knowledge1 what    
this vessel can contain2 ,beyond which  
was my folly to aspire4 ,henceforth ,i  
learn1 that to obey is best1 ,and love  
with fear the only ,god2 to walk ,as in 
his presence2 ever to observe ,his      
providence2 and on him sole depend1     
,merciful over all his works1 with good 
,still overcoming evil1 and by small    
,accomplishing great things1 by things  
deemed weak ,subverting worldly strong1 
and worldly wise ,by simply meek3 that  
suffering for truth's sake ,is fortitude
 to highest victory1 ,and1 to the       
faithful1 death the gate of life2       
,taught this by his example1 whom ,i now
 ,acknowledge my ,redeemer ever blest4  
,to whom thus also the ,angel last      

replied4 ,this having learned1 thou hast
 attained the sum ,of wisdom2 hope no   
higher1 though all the stars ,thou      
knewest by name1 and all the ethereal   
powers1 ,all secrets of the deep1 all   
,nature's works1 ,or works of ,god in   
,heaven1 air1 earth1 or sea1 ,and all   
the riches of this world enjoyedst1 ,and
 all the rule1 one empire2 only add     
,deeds to thy knowledge answerable2 add 
faith1 ,add virtue1 patience1           
temperance2 add love1 ,by name to come  
called charity1 the soul ,of all the    
rest3 then wilt thou not be loth ,to    
leave this ,paradise1 but shalt possess 
,a ,paradise within thee1 happier far4--
 ,let us descend now therefore from this
 top ,of speculation2 for the hour      
precise ,exacts our parting hence2 and  
see the guards1 ,by me encamped on      
yonder hill1 expect ,their motion2 at   
whose front a flaming sword1 ,in signal 
of remove1 waves fiercely round3 ,we may
 no longer stay3 go1 waken ,eve2 ,her   
also ,i with gentle dreams have calmed  

,portending good1 and all her spirits   
composed ,to meek submission3 thou1 at  
season fit1 ,let her with thee partake  
what thou hast heard2 ,chiefly what may 
concern her faith to know1 ,the great   
deliverance by her seed to come 7,for by
 the ,woman's seed7 on all mankind3     
,that ye may live1 which will be many   
days1 ,both in one faith unanimous1     
though sad1 ,with cause1 for evils past2
 yet much more cheered ,with meditation 
on the happy end4 ,he ended1 and they   
both descend the hill2 ,descended1 ,adam
 to the bower1 where ,eve ,lay sleeping1
 ran before2 but found her waked2 ,and  
thus with words not sad she him         
received4 ,whence thou returnest1 and   
whither wentest1 ,i know2 ,for ,god is  
also in sleep2 and dreams advise1 ,which
 he hath sent propitious1 some great    
good ,presaging1 since with sorrow and  
heart's distress ,wearied ,i fell       
asleep3 ,but now lead on2 ,in me is no  
delay2 with thee to go1 ,is to stay     
here2 without thee here to stay1 ,is to 

go hence unwilling2 thou to me ,art all 
things under ,heaven1 all places thou1  
,who for my wilful crime art banished   
hence4 ,this further consolation yet    
secure ,i carry hence2 though all by me 
is lost1 ,such favour ,i unworthy am    
vouchsafed1 ,by me the ,promised ,seed  
shall all restore4 ,so spake our mother 
,eve2 and ,adam heard ,well pleased1 but
 answered not3 ,for now1 too nigh ,the  
,arch-,angel stood2 and1 from the other 
hill ,to their fixed station1 all in    
bright array ,the ,cherubim descended2  
on the ground ,gliding meteorous1 as    
evening-mist ,risen from a river o'er   
the marish glides1 ,and gathers ground  
fast at the labourer's heel ,homeward   
returning4 ,high in front advanced1 ,the
 brandished sword of ,god before them   
blazed1 ,fierce as a comet2 which with  
torrid heat1 ,and vapour as the ,libyan 
air adust1 ,began to parch that         
temperate clime2 whereat ,in either hand
 the hastening ,angel caught ,our       
lingering parents1 and to the eastern   

gate ,led them direct1 and down the     
cliff as fast ,to the subjected plain2  
then disappeared4 ,they1 looking back1  
all the eastern side beheld ,of         
,paradise1 so late their happy seat1    
,waved over by that flaming brand2 the  
gate ,with dreadful faces thronged1 and 
fiery arms3 ,some natural tears they    
dropt1 but wiped them soon2 ,the world  
was all before them1 where to choose    
,their place of rest1 and ,providence   
their guide3 ,they1 hand in hand1 with  
wandering steps and slow1 ,through ,eden
 took their solitary way4               
,transcriber's ,notes  ,introduction    
added by a ,project ,gutenberg          
volunteer1 likely ,michael ,hart4