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Paradise Lost PDF
Paradise Lost PDF
By
John Milton
1
PARADISE LOST
BOOK I.
2
And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host
3
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
4
As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
5
And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
6
Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
7
That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
8
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
9
TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE,
10
In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.
11
Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
12
If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
13
Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach
14
With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
15
On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
16
Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,
17
His Temple right against the Temple of God
18
Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose
19
Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
20
Fanatic EGYPT and her Priests, to seek
21
These were the prime in order and in might;
22
Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard
23
Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
24
DAMASCO, or MAROCCO, or TREBISOND,
25
Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung
26
For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,
27
For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr
28
Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
29
Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
30
Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
31
(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
32
Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
33
PARADISE LOST
BOOK II.
34
Thus farr at least recover'd, hath much more
35
Equal in strength, and rather then be less
36
With upright wing against a higher foe.
37
Then miserable to have eternal being:
38
Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast
39
Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,
40
His red right hand to plague us? what if all
41
Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust
42
Thus BELIAL with words cloath'd in reasons garb
43
By force impossible, by leave obtain'd
Our own good from our selves, and from our own
44
As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd
45
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
46
By our revolt, but over Hell extend
47
Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath,
48
Hatching vain Empires. Thus BEELZEBUB
49
In search of this new world, whom shall we find
50
Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
51
Of hazard as of honour, due alike
52
Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n:
53
That day and night for his destruction waite.
54
As at th' Olympian Games or PYTHIAN fields;
55
(For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)
56
Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,
57
In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,
58
He scours the right hand coast, som times the left,
59
Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these
60
To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass,
61
Unterrifi'd, and like a Comet burn'd,
62
What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids,
63
Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright,
64
Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
65
Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
66
In the Pourlieues of Heav'n, and therein plac't
67
Into this gloom of TARTARUS profound,
68
Of EREBUS. She op'nd, but to shut
69
By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter
70
Down had been falling, had not by ill chance
71
Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron'd
72
Erect the Standerd there of ANCIENT NIGHT;
73
He ceas'd; and SATAN staid not to reply,
74
Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night
75
PARADISE LOST
BOOK III
76
And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou
77
Presented with a Universal blanc
78
To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet
79
All he could have; I made him just and right,
And Spirits, both them who stood & them who faild;
As if Predestination over-rul'd
80
I formd them free, and free they must remain,
81
Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne
82
Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will,
83
They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste;
84
By doom severe, had not the Son of God,
And shall grace not find means, that finds her way,
85
For ever with corruption there to dwell;
86
O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace
87
Giving to death, and dying to redeeme,
88
The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime
89
Towards either Throne they bow, & to the ground
90
Fountain of Light, thy self invisible
91
Father of Mercie and Grace, thou didst not doome
92
Of CHAOS blustring round, inclement skie;
93
Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal,
94
And they who to be sure of Paradise
95
At top whereof, but farr more rich appeerd
96
Over Mount SION, and, though that were large,
97
So high above the circling Canopie
98
Turn swift their various motions, or are turnd
99
Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch
100
But first he casts to change his proper shape,
101
And here art likeliest by supream decree
102
Invisible, except to God alone,
103
Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar
104
Thus said, he turnd, and SATAN bowing low,
105
PARADISE LOST
BOOK IV.
106
By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair
107
How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me,
108
Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?
109
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
110
URIEL once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him down
111
Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,
112
Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext
113
Any, but God alone, to value right
114
Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,
115
Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lap
116
Nor where ABASSIN Kings thir issue Guard,
117
Dissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav'd
118
Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes
119
O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,
120
And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,
121
Grip't in each paw: when ADAM first of men
122
One easie prohibition, who enjoy
123
On the green bank, to look into the cleer
124
Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart
125
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
126
Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return,
Through wood, through waste, o're hil, o're dale his roam.
127
From what point of his Compass to beware
128
So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds
129
Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,
130
Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.
131
This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?
132
Sole, or responsive each to others note
133
Nor FAUNUS haunted. Here in close recess
The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth & Heav'n
134
To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll
135
Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
136
UZZIEL, half these draw off, and coast the South
137
Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise
138
Not to know mee argues your selves unknown,
139
Will save us trial what the least can doe
140
To whom with stern regard thus GABRIEL spake.
141
Thus hee in scorn. The warlike Angel mov'd,
142
Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood
143
O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd!
144
Us'd to the yoak, draw'st his triumphant wheels
145
The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire
Where thou art weigh'd, & shown how light, how weak,
146
PARADISE LOST
BOOK V.
147
What drops the Myrrhe, & what the balmie Reed,
148
Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.
149
The Author not impair'd, but honourd more?
What life the Gods live there, and such live thou.
150
This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear;
151
Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World,
152
Thir Maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sung
153
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st,
And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst.
154
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;
155
RAPHAEL, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on Earth
156
After his charge receivd, but from among
157
Bright Temple, to AEGYPTIAN THEB'S he flies.
158
Of his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun
159
Save what by frugal storing firmness gains
160
With Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum'd.
161
Created, or such place hast here to dwell,
162
These bounties which our Nourisher, from whom
Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those Fires
163
The Sun that light imparts to all, receives
164
Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousie
165
Such to perfection, one first matter all,
166
Improv'd by tract of time, and wingd ascend
167
That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.
168
Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills
169
This is dispenc't, and what surmounts the reach
Reignd where these Heav'ns now rowl, where Earth now rests
170
Orb within Orb, the Father infinite,
All seemd well pleas'd, all seem'd, but were not all.
171
Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare
172
Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred,
173
Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what Decree
New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise
174
That the most High commanding, now ere Night,
175
Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe
176
Regions they pass'd, the mightie Regencies
177
If these magnific Titles yet remain
178
Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord,
179
With him the points of libertie, who made
180
So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale
181
Hoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause
182
Among the faithless, faithful only hee;
183
PARADISE LOST
BOOK VI.
184
With joy and acclamations loud, that one
185
By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight;
186
Thir nimble tread; as when the total kind
187
High in the midst exalted as a God
188
Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,
189
How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.
190
Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find
191
Sidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seat
192
Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power
193
Of fighting Seraphim confus'd, at length
194
Brooks not the works of violence and Warr.
195
Of Angels, can relate, or to what things
196
The sword of SATAN with steep force to smite
197
All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare,
198
Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n
199
Invulnerable, impenitrably arm'd:
200
(And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?)
201
Sore toild, his riv'n Armes to havoc hewn,
202
This continent of spacious Heav'n, adornd
203
Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
204
The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood
205
Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe
206
With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell'd)
207
Repeated, and indecent overthrow
208
Had need from head to foot well understand;
209
Till on those cursed Engins triple-row
210
To honour his Anointed Son aveng'd
211
Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine
212
To glorifie thy Son, I alwayes thee,
213
Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele undrawn,
And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels
214
Under whose Conduct MICHAEL soon reduc'd
215
Ye Angels arm'd, this day from Battel rest;
216
At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings
217
Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd
218
Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoic'd, and soon repaird
219
Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake
220
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK VII.
221
Standing on Earth, not rapt above the Pole,
222
So easily obeyd amid the choice
223
Down from the Empyrean to forewarne
224
Much of his Race though steep, suspens in Heav'n
225
Onely Omniscient, hath supprest in Night,
226
Number sufficient to possess her Realmes
227
Approach not mee, and what I will is Fate.
228
Cherub and Seraph, Potentates and Thrones,
229
Follow'd in bright procession to behold
230
Sphear'd in a radiant Cloud, for yet the Sun
231
Of CHAOS farr remov'd, least fierce extreames
232
Troop to thir Standard, so the watrie throng,
And saw that it was good, and said, Let th' Earth
233
And Bush with frizl'd hair implicit: last
And God made two great Lights, great for thir use
234
The less by Night alterne: and made the Starrs,
235
Dawn, and the PLEIADES before him danc'd
236
Forthwith the Sounds and Seas, each Creek & Bay
237
Part loosly wing the Region, part more wise
238
With Eevning Harps and Mattin, when God said,
239
Insect or Worme; those wav'd thir limber fans
240
Consummate lovly smil'd; Aire, Water, Earth,
241
Created thee, in the Image of God
Gave thee, all sorts are here that all th' Earth yeelds,
242
Up to the Heav'n of Heav'ns his high abode,
243
Seen in the Galaxie, that Milkie way
244
Then from the Giant Angels; thee that day
245
Holy and just: thrice happie if they know
246
An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd
247
And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
248
Wherein to read his wondrous Works, and learne
249
More plenty then the Sun that barren shines,
250
Plac'd Heav'n from Earth so farr, that earthly sight,
251
As Clouds, and Clouds may rain, and Rain produce
252
And thy faire EVE; Heav'n is for thee too high
253
Unpractis'd, unprepar'd, and still to seek.
254
Speaking or mute all comliness and grace
255
Pleas'd with thy words no less then thou with mine.
256
What e're I saw. Thou Sun, said I, faire Light,
257
To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepar'd.
258
The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith,
259
With blandishment, each Bird stoop'd on his wing.
260
Find pastime, and beare rule; thy Realm is large.
261
A nice and suttle happiness I see
262
Like of his like, his Image multipli'd,
263
What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd,
264
And in her looks, which from that time infus'd
265
And they shall be one Flesh, one Heart, one Soule.
266
In all things else delight indeed, but such
267
Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best;
268
And to realities yeild all her shows;
Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise.
269
So much delights me, as those graceful acts,
270
Of membrane, joynt, or limb, exclusive barrs:
271
With grateful Memorie: thou to mankind
272
PARADISE LOST
BOOK VIII.
273
And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires
274
The Sun was sunk, and after him the Starr
Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught the change,
275
In with the River sunk, and with it rose
276
O Earth, how like to Heav'n, if not preferrd
277
To dwell, unless by maistring Heav'ns Supreame;
For whom all this was made, all this will soon
278
With Heav'nly spoils, our spoils: What he decreed
279
Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais'd
280
Thir growing work: for much thir work outgrew
281
To whom mild answer ADAM thus return'd.
282
Befall thee sever'd from me; for thou knowst
283
And from the parting Angel over-heard
284
Though ineffectual found: misdeem not then,
285
Single with like defence, wherever met,
286
Against his will he can receave no harme.
287
So spake the Patriarch of Mankinde, but EVE
288
Repeated, shee to him as oft engag'd
289
Half spi'd, so thick the Roses bushing round
290
If chance with Nymphlike step fair Virgin pass,
291
Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy,
292
Amidst his circling Spires, that on the grass
293
The Eye of EVE to mark his play; he glad
294
Not unamaz'd she thus in answer spake.
295
Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt,
296
I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind
But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?
297
Empress, the way is readie, and not long,
298
Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects.
She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold
299
Stood in himself collected, while each part,
300
To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil;
301
Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree,
302
Whose taste, too long forborn, at first assay
303
What fear I then, rather what know to feare
304
To Sapience, hitherto obscur'd, infam'd,
305
And render me more equal, and perhaps
306
That Morn when first they parted; by the Tree
307
Perswasively hath so prevaild, that I
308
Of all Gods Works, Creature in whom excell'd
309
Bold deed thou hast presum'd, adventrous EVE,
310
Us to abolish, least the Adversary
311
If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit,
312
With liberal hand: he scrupl'd not to eat
313
Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd
314
That with exhilerating vapour bland
315
Both Good and Evil, Good lost and Evil got,
316
There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.
317
Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,
318
But might as ill have happ'nd thou being by,
319
The danger, and the lurking Enemie
320
PARADISE LOST
BOOK IX.
321
From Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate, displeas'd
322
In eevn scale. But fall'n he is, and now
323
Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge
324
Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both
325
My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd,
326
To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd.
327
Serpent though brute, unable to transferre
Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.
328
The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt,
329
Before him naked to the aire, that now
330
In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides
331
By this new felt attraction and instinct.
332
Tost up and down, together crowded drove
333
Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock
And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made
334
Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun
335
Such fatal consequence unites us three:
336
Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore
337
Then sufferd. Th' other way SATAN went down
338
Each hour their great adventurer from the search
339
Abominable, accurst, the house of woe,
340
Without our hazard, labour or allarme,
341
Now rul'd him, punisht in the shape he sin'd,
342
Down fell both Spear and Shield, down they as fast,
343
Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft,
344
With travail difficult, not better farr
345
See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance
346
Hee ended, and the heav'nly Audience loud
347
Sea, Aire, and Shoar, the Thunder when to rowle
348
These changes in the Heav'ns, though slow, produc'd
Beast now with Beast gan war, & Fowle with Fowle,
349
And in a troubl'd Sea of passion tost,
350
Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay
351
Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair,
352
Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so,
353
So disinherited how would ye bless
354
Through the still Night, now now, as ere man fell,
355
Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee
356
Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares,
357
My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee,
358
And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon.
359
Found so unfortunate; nevertheless,
360
Before the present object languishing
361
Or if thou covet death, as utmost end
362
Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild
363
Or by collision of two bodies grinde
364
So spake our Father penitent, nor EVE
365
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK X.
366
See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung
367
Obtain, all thy request was my Decree:
368
He ended, and the Son gave signal high
369
And send him from the Garden forth to Till
370
And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:
371
Hard to belief may seem; yet this will Prayer,
372
Farr other name deserving. But the Field
373
Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn
Some days; how long, and what till then our life,
374
Warr unproclam'd. The Princely Hierarch
375
His starrie Helme unbuckl'd shew'd him prime
376
O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!
377
ADAM by this from the cold sudden damp
378
His blessed count'nance; here I could frequent,
379
Of Paradise or EDEN: this had been
380
Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak'st,
381
The PERSIAN in ECBATAN sate, or since
382
That ADAM now enforc't to close his eyes,
383
The others not, for his was not sincere;
384
To whom thus MICHAEL. Death thou hast seen
385
Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long
386
His Image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice,
387
To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth
Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst
388
Had melted (whether found where casual fire
The Men though grave, ey'd them, and let thir eyes
389
With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.
390
Yet empty of all good wherein consists
391
Before him, Towns, and rural works between,
392
Of middle Age one rising, eminent
But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav'n
393
And Valour and Heroic Vertu call'd;
394
To luxurie and riot, feast and dance,
With thir four Wives, and God made fast the dore.
395
Vapour, and Exhalation dusk and moist,
396
Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst
All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd
397
Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby
398
The one just Man alive; by his command
399
Wrinkl'd the face of Deluge, as decai'd;
With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt
400
Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth.
401
The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea
Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new,
402
Long time in peace by Families and Tribes
403
Unseen, and through thir habitations walks
404
Siege and defiance: Wretched man! what food
405
But Justice, and some fatal curse annext
406
His benediction so, that in his Seed
407
Plainlier shall be reveald. This Patriarch blest,
408
Frogs, Lice and Flies must all his Palace fill
409
To guide them in thir journey, and remove
410
Ordaine them Lawes; part such as appertaine
411
The Heav'nly fires; over the Tent a Cloud
412
Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth
413
To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.
414
And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd,
415
Then loose it to a stranger, that the true
416
Of God most High; So God with man unites.
417
Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
418
Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,
419
When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,
420
His people, who defend? will they not deale
421
Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous Wolves,
422
Will deem in outward Rites and specious formes
423
Of knowledge, what this vessel can containe;
424
By name to come call'd Charitie, the soul
425
And thus with words not sad she him receav'd.
426
The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz'd
THE END.
427