PARADISE LOST. BOOK I. THE ARGUMENT. This First Book proposes, first, in brief, the whole subject, Man's disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise, wherein he was placed: then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the serpent; who revolting from God, and drawing to his side many legions of Angels, was, by the command of God, driven ont of Heaven, with all his crew, into the great deep. Which action passed over, the poem hastens into the midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now fallen into Hell, described here, not in the centre (for Heaven and Earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet accursed) but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest called Chaos: here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by him; they confer of their miserable fall. Satan awakens all his legions, who lay till then in the same manner confounded: they rise, their numbers, array of battle, their chief leaders named, according to the idols known afterward in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of a new world and new kind of creature to be created, according to an ancient prophecy or report in Heaven; for that Angels were long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises, suddenly built out of the deep: the infernal peers there sit in council. Or man's first disobedience, and the fruit F Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe, Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Milton's Poetical Works. 1 Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed Delight thee more, 10 15 Instruct me, for Thou know'st: Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread 20 And mad'st it pregnant. What in me is dark That to the height of this great argument I may assert eternal Providence, 25 And justify the ways of God to Men. Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view, 30 35 40 |