The Argument ｜Text ｜Annotation
God sitting on his Throne sees Satan flying towards this world, then newly created; shows him to the Son who sat at his right hand; foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation, having created Man free and able enough to have withstood his Tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. The Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man; but God again declares, that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of divine justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to God-head, and therefore with all his Progeny devoted to death must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to answer for his offence, and undergo his Punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a Ransom for Man: the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all Names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the Angels to adore him; they obey, and hymning to their Harps in full Quire, celebrate the Father and the Son. Mean while Satan alights upon the bare Convex of this Worlds outermost Orb; where wandering he first finds a place since called The Limbo of Vanity; what persons and things fly up thither; thence comes to the Gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the waters above the Firmament that flow about it: His passage thence to the Orb of the Sun; he finds there Uriel the Regent of that Orb, but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner Angel; and pretending a zealous desire to behold the new Creation and Man whom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed; alights first on Mount Niphates. 1. Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heav'n first-born, 2. Or of the Eternal Coeternal beam 3. May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light, 4. And never but in unapproached light 5. Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee 6. Bright effluence of bright essence increate. 7. Or hear'st thou rather pure ethereal stream, 8. Whose fountain who shall tell? before the sun, 9. Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice 10. Of God, as with a mantle, didst invest 11. The rising world of waters dark and deep, 12. Won from the void and formless infinite. 13. Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing, 14. Escap'd the Stygian pool, though long detain'd 15. In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight 16. Through utter and through middle darkness borne, 17. With other notes than to the Orphean lyre 18. I sung of Chaos and eternal Night; 19. Taught by the heavenly Muse to venture down 20. The dark descent, and up to re-ascend, 21. Though hard and rare: Thee I revisit safe, 22. And feel thy sovran vital lamp; but thou 23. Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain 24. To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn; 25. So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, 26. Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more 27. Cease I to wander, where the Muses haunt, 28. Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill, 29. Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief 30. Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 31. That wash thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow, 32. Nightly I visit: nor sometimes forget 33. So were I equall'd with them in renown, 34. Thy sovran command, that Man should find grace; 35. Blind Thamyris, and blind Maeonides, 36. And Tiresias, and Phineus, prophets old: 37. Then feed on thoughts, that voluntary move 38. Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful bird 39. Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid 40. Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year 41. Seasons return; but not to me returns 42. Day, or the sweet approach of even or morn, 43. Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 44. Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine; 45. But cloud instead, and ever-during dark 46. Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men 47. Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair 48. Presented with a universal blank 49. Of nature's works to me expung'd and ras'd, 50. And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 51. So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 52. Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 53. Irradiate; there plant eyes, all mist from thence 54. Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell 55. Of things invisible to mortal sight. 56. Now had the Almighty Father from above, 57. From the pure empyrean where he sits 58. High thron'd above all highth, bent down his eye 59. His own works and their works at once to view: 60. About him all the Sanctities of Heaven 61. Stood thick as stars, and from his sight receiv'd 62. Beatitude past utterance; on his right 63. The radiant image of his glory sat, 64. His only son; on earth he first beheld 65. Our two first parents, yet the only two 66. Of mankind in the happy garden plac'd 67. Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, 68. Uninterrupted joy, unrivall'd love, 69. In blissful solitude; he then survey'd 70. Hell and the gulf between, and Satan there 71. Coasting the wall of Heaven on this side Night 72. In the dun air sublime, and ready now 73. To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet, 74. On the bare outside of this world, that seem'd 75. Firm land imbosom'd, without firmament, 76. Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. 77. Him God beholding from his prospect high, 78. Wherein past, present, future, he beholds, 79. Thus to his only Son foreseeing spake. 80. Only begotten Son, seest thou what rage 81. Transports our Adversary? whom no bounds 82. Prescrib'd no bars of Hell, nor all the chains 83. Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main abyss 84. Wide interrupt, can hold; so bent he seems 85. On desperate revenge, that shall redound 86. Upon his own rebellious head. And now, 87. Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way 88. Not far off Heaven, in the precincts of light, 89. Directly towards the new created world, 90. And man there plac'd, with purpose to assay 91. If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, 92. By some false guile pervert; and shall pervert; 93. For man will hearken to his glozing lies, 94. And easily transgress the sole command, 95. Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall 96. He and his faithless progeny: Whose fault? 97. Whose but his own? Ingrate, he had of me 98. All he could have; I made him just and right, 99. Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. 100. Such I created all the ethereal Powers 101. And Spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd; 102. Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. 103. Not free, what proof could they have given sincere 104. Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love, 105. Where only what they needs must do appear'd, 106. Not what they would? What praise could they receive? 107. What pleasure I, from such obedience paid, 108. When Will and Reason (Reason also is Choice) 109. Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd, 110. Made passive both, had serv'd Necessity, 111. Not me. They therefore, as to right belong'd, 112. So were created, nor can justly accuse 113. Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, 114. As if predestination over-rul'd 115. Their will dispos'd by absolute Decree 116. Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed 117. Their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, 118. Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, 119. Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown. 120. So without least impulse or shadow of Fate, 121. Or aught by me immutably foreseen, 122. They trespass, Authors to themselves in all 123. Both what they judge and what they choose; for so 124. I form'd them free, and free they must remain, 125. Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change 126. Their nature, and revoke the high Decree 127. Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd 128. Their freedom, they themselves ordain'd their fall. 129. The first sort by their own suggestion fell, 130. Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: Man falls deceiv'd 131. By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace, 132. The other none: In Mercy and Justice both, 133. Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glory excel, 134. But Mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine. 135. Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd 136. All Heaven, and in the blessed Spirits elect 137. Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd. 138. Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 139. Most glorious; in him all his Father shone 140. Substantially express'd; and in his face 141. Divine compassion visibly appear'd, 142. Love without end, and without measure grace, 143. Which uttering, thus he to his Father spake. 144. O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd 145. Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace; 146. For which both Heaven and earth shall high extol 147. Thy praises, with the innumerable sound 148. Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy throne 149. Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. 150. For should Man finally be lost, should Man, 151. Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest son, 152. Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd 153. With his own folly? that be from thee far, 154. That far be from thee, Father, who art judge 155. Of all things made, and judgest only right. 156. Or shall the Adversary thus obtain 157. His end, and frustrate thine? shall he fulfill 158. His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought, 159. Or proud return, though to his heavier doom, 160. Yet with revenge accomplish'd, and to Hell 161. Draw after him the whole race of mankind, 162. By him corrupted? or wilt thou thyself 163. Abolish thy creation, and unmake 164. For him, what for thy glory thou hast made? 165. So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 166. Be question'd and blasphem'd without defence. 167. To whom the great Creator thus replied. 168. O son, in whom my soul hath chief delight, 169. Son of my bosom, Son who art alone. 170. My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 171. All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all 172. As my eternal purpose hath decreed; 173. Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will; 174. Yet not of will in him, but grace in me 175. Freely vouchsaf'd; once more I will renew 176. His lapsed powers, though forfeit; and enthrall'd 177. By sin to foul exorbitant desires; 178. Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand 179. On even ground against his mortal foe; 180. By me upheld, that he may know how frail 181. His fallen condition is, and to me owe 182. All his deliverance, and to none but me. 183. Some I have chosen of peculiar grace, 184. Elect above the rest; so is my will: 185. The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd 186. Their sinful state, and to appease betimes 187. The incensed Deity, while offer'd grace 188. Invites; for I will clear their senses dark, 189. What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 190. To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 191. To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, 192. Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, 193. Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 194. And I will place within them as a guide, 195. My umpire Conscience; whom if they will hear, 196. Light after light, well us'd, they shall attain, 197. And to the end, persisting, safe arrive. 198. This my long sufferance, and my day of grace, 199. They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; 200. But hard be harden'd, blind be blinded more, 201. That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; 202. And none but such from mercy I exclude. 203. But yet all is not done; Man disobeying, 204. Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins 205. Against the high supremacy of Heaven, 206. Affecting God-head, and, so losing all, 207. To expiate his treason hath nought left, 208. But to destruction sacred and devote, 209. He, with his whole posterity, must die, 210. Die he or justice must; unless for him 211. Some other able, and as willing, pay 212. The rigid satisfaction, death for death. 213. Say, heavenly Powers, where shall we find such love? 214. Which of you will be mortal, to redeem 215. Man's mortal crime, and just the unjust to save, 216. Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear? 217. He ask'd, but all the heavenly Quire stood mute, 218. And silence was in Heav'n: on man's behalf 219. Patron or Intercessor none appear'd, 220. Much less that durst upon his own head draw 221. The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 222. And now without redemption all mankind 223. Must have been lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell 224. By doom severe, had not the Son of God, 225. In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, 226. His dearest mediation thus renew'd. 227. Father, thy word is past, Man shall find grace; 228. And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, 229. The speediest of thy winged messengers, 230. To visit all thy creatures, and to all 231. Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought? 232. Happy for Man, so coming; he her aid 233. Can never seek, once dead in sins, and lost; 234. Atonement for himself, or offering meet, 235. Indebted and undone, hath none to bring; 236. Behold me then: me for him, life for life 237. I offer: on me let thine anger fall; 238. Account me Man; I for his sake will leave 239. Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee 240. Freely put off, and for him lastly die 241. Well pleased; on me let Death wreak all his rage. 242. Under his gloomy power I shall not long 243. Lie vanquished. Thou hast given me to possess 244. Life in myself for ever; by thee I live; 245. Though now to Death I yield, and am his due, 246. All that of me can die, yet, that debt paid, 247. Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave 248. His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul 249. For ever with corruption there to dwell; 250. But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 251. My vanquisher, spoiled of his vaunted spoil. 252. Death his death's wound shall then receive, and stoop 253. Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarmed; 254. I through the ample air in triumph high 255. Shall lead Hell captive maugre Hell, and show 256. he powers of darkness bound. Thou, at the sight 257. Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile, 258. While, by thee raised, I ruin all my foes; 259. Death last, and with his carcase glut the grave; 260. Then, with the multitude of my redeemed, 261. Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, 262. Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud 263. Of anger shall remain, but peace assured 264. And reconcilement: wrath shall be no more 265. Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire. 266. His words here ended; but his meek aspect 267. Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love 268. To mortal men, above which only shone 269. Filial obedience: as a sacrifice 270. Glad to be offered, he attends the will 271. Of his great Father. Admiration seized 272. All Heaven, what this might mean, and whither tend, 273. Wondering; but soon th' Almighty thus replied. 274. O thou in Heaven and Earth the only peace 275. Found out for mankind under wrath, O thou 276. My sole complacence! Well thou know'st how dear 277. To me are all my works; nor Man the least, 278. Though last created, that for him I spare 279. Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 280. By losing thee a while, the whole race lost. 281. Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, 282. Their nature also to thy nature join; 283. And be thyself Man among men on Earth, 284. Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed, 285. By wondrous birth; be thou in Adam's room 286. The head of all mankind, though Adam's son. 287. As in him perish all men, so in thee, 288. As from a second root, shall be restored 289. As many as are restored, without thee none. 290. His crime makes guilty all his sons; thy merit, 291. Imputed, shall absolve them who renounce 292. Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, 293. And live in thee transplanted, and from thee 294. Receive new life. So Man, as is most just, 295. Shall satisfy for Man, be judged and die, 296. And dying rise, and rising with him raise 297. His brethren, ransomed with his own dear life. 298. So heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate, 299. Giving to death, and dying to redeem, 300. So dearly to redeem what hellish hate 301. So easily destroyed, and still destroys 302. In those who, when they may, accept not grace. 303. Nor shalt thou, by descending to assume 304. Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own. 305. Because thou hast, though throned in highest bliss 306. Equal to God, and equally enjoying 307. God-like fruition, quitted all, to save 308. A world from utter loss, and hast been found 309. By merit more than birthright Son of God, 310. Found worthiest to be so by being good, 311. Far more than great or high; because in thee 312. Love hath abounded more than glory abounds; 313. Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt 314. With thee thy manhood also to this throne: 315. Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign 316. Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man, 317. Anointed universal King; all power 318. I give thee; reign for ever, and assume 319. Thy merits; under thee, as head supreme, 320. Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions, I reduce: 321. All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide 322. In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell. 323. When thou, attended gloriously from Heaven, 324. Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send 325. The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaim 326. Thy dread tribunal; forthwith from all winds, 327. The living, and forthwith the cited dead 328. Of all past ages, to the general doom 329. Shall hasten; such a peal shall rouse their sleep. 330. Then, all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge 331. Bad Men and Angels; they, arraigned, shall sink 332. Beneath thy sentence; Hell, her numbers full, 333. Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Mean while 334. The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring 335. New Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell, 336. And, after all their tribulations long, 337. See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, 338. With joy and peace triumphing, and fair truth. 339. Then thou thy regal scepter shalt lay by, 340. For regal scepter then no more shall need, 341. God shall be all in all. But, all ye Gods, 342. Adore him, who to compass all this dies; 343. Adore the Son, and honour him as me. 344. No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but all 345. The multitude of Angels, with a shout 346. Loud as from numbers without number, sweet 347. As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heaven rung 348. With jubilee, and loud Hosannas filled 349. The eternal regions: Lowly reverent 350. Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground 351. With solemn adoration down they cast 352. Their crowns inwove with amarant and gold; 353. Immortal amarant, a flower which once 354. In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 355. Began to bloom; but soon for man's offence 356. To Heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows, 357. And flowers aloft shading the fount of life, 358. And where the river of bliss through midst of Heaven 359. Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream; 360. With these that never fade the Spirits elect 361. Bind their resplendent locks inwreathed with beams; 362. Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright 363. Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 364. Impurpled with celestial roses smiled. 365. Then, crowned again, their golden harps they took, 366. Harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side 367. Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet 368. Of charming symphony they introduce 369. Their sacred song, and waken raptures high; 370. No voice exempt, no voice but well could join 371. Melodious part, such concord is in Heaven. 372. Thee, Father, first they sung Omnipotent, 373. Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, 374. Eternal King; the Author of all being, 375. Fonntain of light, thyself invisible 376. Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st 377. Throned inaccessible, but when thou shadest 378. The full blaze of thy beams, and, through a cloud 379. Drawn round about thee like a radiant shrine, 380. Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear, 381. Yet dazzle Heaven, that brightest Seraphim 382. Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes. 383. Thee next they sang of all creation first, 384. Begotten Son, Divine Similitude, 385. In whose conspicuous countenance, without cloud 386. Made visible, the Almighty Father shines, 387. Whom else no creature can behold; on thee 388. Impressed the effulgence of his glory abides, 389. Transfused on thee his ample Spirit rests. 390. He Heaven of Heavens and all the Powers therein 391. By thee created; and by thee threw down 392. The aspiring Dominations: Thou that day 393. Thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare, 394. Nor stop thy flaming chariot-wheels, that shook 395. Heaven's everlasting frame, while o'er the necks 396. Thou drovest of warring Angels disarrayed. 397. Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaim 398. Thee only extolled, Son of thy Father's might, 399. To execute fierce vengeance on his foes, 400. Not so on Man: Him through their malice fallen, 401. Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom 402. So strictly, but much more to pity incline: 403. No sooner did thy dear and only Son 404. Perceive thee purposed not to doom frail Man 405. So strictly, but much more to pity inclined, 406. He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife 407. Of mercy and justice in thy face discerned, 408. Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat 409. Second to thee, offered himself to die 410. For Man's offence. O unexampled love, 411. Love no where to be found less than Divine! 412. Hail, Son of God, Saviour of Men! Thy name 413. Shall be the copious matter of my song 414. Henceforth, and never shall my heart thy praise 415. Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin. 416. Thus they in Heaven, above the starry sphere, 417. Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. 418. Mean while upon the firm opacous globe 419. Of this round world, whose first convex divides 420. The luminous inferiour orbs, enclosed 421. From Chaos, and the inroad of Darkness old, 422. Satan alighted walks: A globe far off 423. It seemed, now seems a boundless continent 424. Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night 425. Starless exposed, and ever-threatening storms 426. Of Chaos blustering round, inclement sky; 427. Save on that side which from the wall of Heaven, 428. Though distant far, some small reflection gains 429. Of glimmering air less vexed with tempest loud: 430. Here walked the Fiend at large in spacious field. 431. As when a vulture on Imaus bred, 432. Whose snowy ridge the roving Tartar bounds, 433. Dislodging from a region scarce of prey 434. To gorge the flesh of lambs or yeanling kids, 435. On hills where flocks are fed, flies toward the springs 436. Of Ganges or Hydaspes, Indian streams; 437. But in his way lights on the barren plains 438. Of Sericana, where Chineses drive 439. With sails and wind their cany waggons light: 440. So, on this windy sea of land, the Fiend 441. Walked up and down alone, bent on his prey; 442. Alone, for other creature in this place, 443. Living or lifeless, to be found was none; 444. None yet, but store hereafter from the earth 445. Up hither like aereal vapours flew 446. Of all things transitory and vain, when sin 447. With vanity had filled the works of men: 448. Both all things vain, and all who in vain things 449. Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame, 450. Or happiness in this or the other life; 451. All who have their reward on earth, the fruits 452. Of painful superstition and blind zeal, 453. Nought seeking but the praise of men, here find 454. Fit retribution, empty as their deeds; 455. All the unaccomplished works of Nature's hand, 456. Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixed, 457. Dissolved on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 458. Till final dissolution, wander here; 459. Not in the neighbouring moon as some have dreamed; 460. Those argent fields more likely habitants, 461. Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold 462. Betwixt the angelical and human kind. 463. Hither of ill-joined sons and daughters born 464. First from the ancient world those giants came 465. With many a vain exploit, though then renowned: 466. The builders next of Babel on the plain 467. Of Sennaar, and still with vain design, 468. New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build: 469. Others came single; he, who, to be deemed 470. A God, leaped fondly into Aetna flames, 471. Empedocles; and he, who, to enjoy 472. Plato's Elysium, leaped into the sea, 473. Cleombrotus; and many more too long, 474. Embryos, and idiots, eremites, and friars 475. White, black, and gray, with all their trumpery. 476. Here pilgrims roam, that strayed so far to seek 477. In Golgotha him dead, who lives in Heaven; 478. And they, who to be sure of Paradise, 479. Dying, put on the weeds of Dominick, 480. Or in Franciscan think to pass disguised; 481. They pass the planets seven, and pass the fixed, 482. And that crystalling sphere whose balance weighs 483. The trepidation talked, and that first moved; 484. And now Saint Peter at Heaven's wicket seems 485. To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 486. Of Heaven's ascent they lift their feet, when lo 487. A violent cross wind from either coast 488. Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry 489. Into the devious air: Then might ye see 490. Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tost 491. And fluttered into rags; then reliques, beads, 492. Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls, 493. The sport of winds: All these, upwhirled aloft, 494. Fly o'er the backside of the world far off 495. Into a Limbo large and broad, since called 496. The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown 497. Long after; now unpeopled, and untrod. 498. All this dark globe the Fiend found as he passed, 499. And long he wandered, till at last a gleam 500. Of dawning light turned thither-ward in haste 501. His travelled steps: far distant he descries 502. Ascending by degrees magnificent 503. Up to the wall of Heaven a structure high; 504. At top whereof, but far more rich, appeared 505. The work as of a kingly palace-gate, 506. With frontispiece of diamond and gold 507. Embellished; thick with sparkling orient gems 508. The portal shone, inimitable on earth 509. By model, or by shading pencil, drawn. 510. These stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 511. Angels ascending and descending, bands 512. Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled 513. To Padan-Aram, in the field of Luz 514. Dreaming by night under the open sky 515. And waking cried, This is the gate of Heaven. 516. Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood 517. There always, but drawn up to Heaven sometimes 518. Viewless; and underneath a bright sea flowed 519. Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon 520. Who after came from earth, failing arrived 521. Wafted by Angels, or flew o'er the lake 522. Rapt in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. 523. The stairs were then let down, whether to dare 524. The Fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate 525. His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss: 526. Direct against which opened from beneath, 527. Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise, 528. A passage down to the Earth, a passage wide, 529. Wider by far than that of after-times 530. Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 531. Over the Promised Land to God so dear; 532. By which, to visit oft those happy tribes, 533. On high behests his angels to and fro 534. Passed frequent, and his eye with choice regard 535. From Paneas, the fount of Jordan's flood, 536. To Beersaba, where the Holy Land 537. Borders on Egypt and the Arabian shore; 538. So wide the opening seemed, where bounds were set 539. To darkness, such as bound the ocean wave. 540. Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, 541. That scaled by steps of gold to Heaven-gate, 542. Looks down with wonder at the sudden view 543. Of all this world at once. As when a scout, 544. Through dark and desert ways with peril gone 545. All night; at last by break of cheerful dawn 546. Obtains the brow of some high-climbing Hill, 547. Which to his eye discovers unaware 548. The goodly prospect of some foreign land 549. First seen, or some renowned metropolis 550. With glistering spires and pinnacles adorned, 551. Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams: 552. Such wonder seised, though after Heaven seen, 553. The Spirit malign, but much more envy seised, 554. At sight of all this world beheld so fair. 555. Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood 556. So high above the circling canopy 557. Of night's extended shade,) from eastern point 558. Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears 559. Andromeda far off Atlantic seas 560. Beyond the horizon; then from pole to pole 561. He views in breadth, and without longer pause 562. Down right into the world's first region throws 563. His flight precipitant, and winds with ease 564. Through the pure marble air his oblique way 565. Amongst innumerable stars, that shone 566. Stars distant, but nigh hand seemed other worlds; 567. Or other worlds they seemed, or happy isles, 568. Like those Hesperian gardens famed of old, 569. Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales, 570. Thrice happy isles; but who dwelt happy there 571. He staid not to inquire: Above them all 572. The golden sun, in splendour likest Heaven, 573. Allured his eye; thither his course he bends 574. Through the calm firmament; but up or down, 575. By center, or eccentric, hard to tell, 576. Or longitude, where the great Luminary 577. Aloof the vulgar constellations thick, 578. That from his lordly eye keep distance due, 579. Dispenses light from far; they, as they move 580. Their starry dance in numbers that compute 581. Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp 582. Turn swift their various motions, or are turned 583. By his magnetick beam, that gently warms 584. The universe, and to each inward part 585. With gentle penetration, though unseen, 586. Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep; 587. So wonderously was set his station bright. 588. There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps 589. Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb 590. Through his glazed optick tube yet never saw. 591. The place he found beyond expression bright, 592. Compared with aught on earth, metal or stone; 593. Not all parts like, but all alike informed 594. With radiant light, as glowing iron with fire; 595. If metal, part seemed gold, part silver clear; 596. If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite, 597. Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone 598. In Aaron's breast-plate, and a stone besides 599. Imagined rather oft than elsewhere seen, 600. That stone, or like to that which here below 601. Philosophers in vain so long have sought, 602. In vain, though by their powerful art they bind 603. Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound 604. In various shapes old Proteus from the sea, 605. Drained through a limbeck to his native form. 606. What wonder then if fields and regions here 607. Breathe forth Elixir pure, and rivers run 608. Potable gold, when with one virtuous touch 609. The arch-chemick sun, so far from us remote, 610. Produces, with terrestrial humour mixed, 611. Here in the dark so many precious things 612. Of colour glorious, and effect so rare? 613. Here matter new to gaze the Devil met 614. Undazzled; far and wide his eye commands; 615. For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 616. But all sun-shine, as when his beams at noon 617. Culminate from the equator, as they now 618. Shot upward still direct, whence no way round 619. Shadow from body opaque can fall; and the air, 620. No where so clear, sharpened his visual ray 621. To objects distant far, whereby he soon 622. Saw within ken a glorious Angel stand, 623. The same whom John saw also in the sun: 624. His back was turned, but not his brightness hid; 625. Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar 626. Circled his head, nor less his locks behind 627. Illustrious on his shoulders fledge with wings 628. Lay waving round; on some great charge employed 629. He seemed, or fixed in cogitation deep. 630. Glad was the Spirit impure, as now in hope 631. To find who might direct his wandering flight 632. To Paradise, the happy seat of Man, 633. His journey's end and our beginning woe. 634. But first he casts to change his proper shape, 635. Which else might work him danger or delay: 636. And now a stripling Cherub he appears, 637. Not of the prime, yet such as in his face 638. Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb 639. Suitable grace diffused, so well he feigned: 640. Under a coronet his flowing hair 641. In curls on either cheek played; wings he wore 642. Of many a coloured plume, sprinkled with gold; 643. His habit fit for speed succinct, and held 644. Before his decent steps a silver wand. 645. He drew not nigh unheard; the Angel bright, 646. Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned, 647. Admonished by his ear, and straight was known 648. The Arch-Angel Uriel, one of the seven 649. Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, 650. Stand ready at command, and are his eyes 651. That run through all the Heavens, or down to the Earth 652. Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, 653. O'er sea and land: him Satan thus accosts. 654. Uriel, for thou of those seven Spirits that stand 655. In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, 656. The first art wont his great authentick will 657. Interpreter through highest Heaven to bring, 658. Where all his sons thy embassy attend; 659. And here art likeliest by supreme decree 660. Like honour to obtain, and as his eye 661. To visit oft this new creation round; 662. Unspeakable desire to see, and know 663. All these his wonderous works, but chiefly Man, 664. His chief delight and favour, him for whom 665. All these his works so wonderous he ordained, 666. Hath brought me from the quires of Cherubim 667. Alone thus wandering. Brightest Seraph, tell 668. In which of all these shining orbs hath Man 669. His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none, 670. But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell; 671. That I may find him, and with secret gaze 672. Or open admiration him behold, 673. On whom the great Creator hath bestowed 674. Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces poured; 675. That both in him and all things, as is meet, 676. The universal Maker we may praise; 677. Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes 678. To deepest Hell, and, to repair that loss, 679. Created this new happy race of Men 680. To serve him better: Wise are all his ways. 681. So spake the false dissembler unperceived; 682. For neither Man nor Angel can discern 683. Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks 684. Invisible, except to God alone, 685. By his permissive will, through Heaven and Earth: 686. And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps 687. At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity 688. Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill 689. Where no ill seems: Which now for once beguiled 690. Uriel, though regent of the sun, and held 691. The sharpest-sighted Spirit of all in Heaven; 692. Who to the fraudulent Impostor foul, 693. In his uprightness, answer thus returned. 694. Fair Angel, thy desire, which tends to know 695. The works of God, thereby to glorify 696. The great Work-master, leads to no excess 697. That reaches blame, but rather merits praise 698. The more it seems excess, that led thee hither 699. From thy empyreal mansion thus alone, 700. To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps, 701. Contented with report, hear only in Heaven: 702. For wonderful indeed are all his works, 703. Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 704. Had in remembrance always with delight; 705. But what created mind can comprehend 706. Their number, or the wisdom infinite 707. That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep? 708. I saw when at his word the formless mass, 709. This world's material mould, came to a heap: 710. Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 711. Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined; 712. Till at his second bidding Darkness fled, 713. Light shone, and order from disorder sprung: 714. Swift to their several quarters hasted then 715. The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire; 716. And this ethereal quintessence of Heaven 717. Flew upward, spirited with various forms, 718. That rolled orbicular, and turned to stars 719. Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move; 720. Each had his place appointed, each his course; 721. The rest in circuit walls this universe. 722. Look downward on that globe, whose hither side 723. With light from hence, though but reflected, shines; 724. That place is Earth, the seat of Man; that light 725. His day, which else, as the other hemisphere, 726. Night would invade; but there the neighbouring moon 727. (So call that opposite fair Star) her aid 728. Timely interposes, and her monthly round 729. Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heaven, 730. With borrowed light her countenance triform 731. Hence fills and empties to enlighten the Earth, 732. And in her pale dominion checks the night. 733. That spot, to which I point, is Paradise, 734. Adam's abode; those lofty shades, his bower. 735. Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires. 736. Thus said, he turned; and Satan, bowing low, 737. As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven, 738. Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 739. Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath, 740. Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success, 741. Throws his steep flight in many an Aery wheel, 742. Nor staid, till on Niphates' top he lights.
22-4 but thou /...no dawn: 在忍受多年的視力衰退後，密爾頓於一六五二年全盲。 <BACK>
54-5 that I.../...mortal sight: 肉體的眼盲不會因此阻礙他心靈的視力，這是他可以用來述說凡人看不到的一面。 <BACK>
60-1 About him.../...as stars: 史詩中常出現對應的情節（type-scene），亦即重複相近的情節在不同的卷別，藉以形成對比。第二卷的地獄會議，常被拿來對照第三卷的天堂聚會。 <BACK>
62 on his right: 聖子（God the Son）坐在聖父（God the Father）的右邊。尼西亞信經（Nicene Creed）提到：『我們相信×××耶穌基督×××他坐在聖父之右×××他的王國將永無止盡。』（"We believe in...Jesus Christ...who sitteth on the right hand of the Father, and...of whose kingdom there shall be no end."）參照《失樂園》第二卷第八六八到八七O行，罪惡譏仿在他們統治的王國裡，她也會坐在撒旦的右邊，永無止盡。 <BACK>
78 Wherein past, present, future, he beholds: 上帝的時間與人類的時間不同。人類的時間是以線性的過去、現在和未來串連起來，而上帝的時間沒有過去，也沒有未來，只有永遠的『現在』（eternal now） 。一切彷如處於停滯狀態（stasis）。 <BACK>
93-5 For man.../...faithless progeny: 在上帝的預知（foreknowledge）中，他知道人類會聽信撒旦的謊言，違反他唯一必須遵從的禁令。人類和他的子孫都將墮落。 <BACK>
97-9 Whose but.../...to fall: 上帝依他的形像創造人類，該有的內在或外在都有了，並給予人類自由意志去做選擇，人類的墮落是自己造成的結果。 <BACK>
110-1 had serv'd Necessity, /Not me: 人類遵從上帝要出於自願，而不是逼不得已。 <BACK>
112-9 nor can.../...certain unforeknown: 人類的墮落並非宿命（predestination），上帝的預知（foreknowledge）並不會影響人類自己所做的選擇。上帝知道所有即將發生的事，卻不干預，也不防止其發生。一切皆是人類自己的作為。人類不能因為自己犯錯卻怪罪上帝。即使上帝沒有預見到，人類一樣會因為自己的選擇而犯罪。 <BACK>
122-4 They trespass.../...must remain:人類背叛上帝是基於自己的判斷和選擇，他們生而自由，也保有自由。下面第一二八行則提到：『人類決定自己的墮落。』（"they themselves ordain'd their fall"） <BACK>
129-32 The first.../...other none: The first sort 指墮落天使。他們是自甘墮落，誘惑自己。而人的墮落是受騙於前者。所以人類可以得到上帝的慈悲與恩典，墮落天使則不能。 <BACK>
144 O Father: 參照罪惡在第二卷第七二七行對撒旦的稱呼。 <BACK>
169-72 Son of.../...hath decreed: 密爾頓在《失樂園》的宗教觀並非傳統的三位一體（Trinity），即聖父、聖子及聖靈（Holy Spirit）合為上帝。而是二位論（dyadism），及聖父（God the Father）及聖子（God the Son）為一體，聖父是抽象的思想（thoughts），而聖子是具體的言詞（word）。 <BACK>
177 desires: 人類因為慾望而墮落。 <BACK>
217 stood mute: 上帝詢問眾天使，是否有人願為人類的罪過而死，天堂一片靜默。參照第二卷第四二O行，撒旦詢問是否有自願者擔任偵察人間的任務，所有魔鬼端坐無聲（"all sat mute"）。 <BACK>
431-4 As when.../...yeanling kids: 在撒旦探索人類世界的過程中，密爾頓不斷以猛禽（例如在這裡是禿鷲 vulture）或猛獸比喻撒旦，而人類是（待宰的）羔羊（lambs），上帝則是看守羊群的牧羊人（shepherd）。在第四卷第一八三行，撒旦被比喻為野狼（wolf），第一九三行為鸕鶿（cormorant），第四O二行為獅子（lion），第四O三行為老虎（tiger）。 <BACK>
505 The work as of a kingly palace-gate: 關於天堂的建築，密爾頓僅止於片段的描寫，沒有如萬魔殿般鉅細靡遺的刻劃。或許密爾頓認為神的疆界之大、之廣、之宏偉，並非人類淺薄的眼光所能一眼窺見其全貌。 <BACK>
655 God's: 這是撒旦叛變後，第一次直呼上帝。 <BACK>
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