Paradise Lost

Description

Of Man’s first insubordination, and the natural product

Of that taboo tree whose human taste

Carried passing into the World, and all our trouble,

With loss of Eden, till one more noteworthy Man

Reestablish us, and recapture the euphoric seat,

Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the mystery top

Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst rouse

That shepherd who originally showed the picked seed

In the first place how the sky and earth

Emerged from Chaos: or, if Sion slope

Enjoyment thee more, and Siloa’s creek that streamed

Quick by the prophet of God, I thereupon

Summon thy help to my daring melody,

That with no center flight plans to take off

Above th’ Aonian mount, while it seeks after

Things unattempted yet in writing or rhyme.

What’s more, predominantly thou, O Spirit, that dost like

Prior to all sanctuaries th’ upstanding heart and unadulterated,

Teach me, for thou know’st; thou from the first

Wast present, and, with powerful wings extended,

Pigeon like sat’st agonizing on the huge Abyss,

What’s more, mad’st it pregnant: what in me is dim

Brighten, what is low raise and backing;

That, to the tallness of this extraordinary contention,

I may state Eternal Providence,

Also, legitimize the methods of God to men.

State first—for Heaven conceals nothing from thy see,

Nor the profound plot of Hell—state first what cause …