Paradise Lost
John Milton (1608-1674)
John Milton's blank-verse epic of 1667, dictated in darkness after blindness took his sight, and the first great poem in English to take the Fall of Man for its argument. Satan and his rebel angels are thrown out of Heaven, build Pandemonium, and plot the ruin of the new creature; Adam and Eve are placed in Eden, warned, tempted, and expelled — "They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way." The twelve-book arrangement printed here is the one Milton settled on in 1674, and it gives the devil the best speeches in the language.
Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.
Table of Contents
- 001 Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree… 2513 words
- 002 Nor did they not perceive the evil plight In which they were, or the… 2516 words
- 003 Thither, winged with speed, A numerous brigade hastened: as when… 916 words
- 004 Book II High on a throne of royal state, which far Outshone the… 2539 words
- 005 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need With dangerous expedition… 2536 words
- 006 Through them I mean to pass, That be assured, without leave asked of thee. 2823 words
- 007 Book III Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heaven firstborn, Or of the… 2511 words
- 008 Then, all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge Bad Men and Angels… 2529 words
- 009 Brightest Seraph, tell In which of all these shining orbs hath Man… 563 words
- 010 Book IV O, for that warning voice, which he, who saw The Apocalypse… 2567 words
- 011 About them frisking played All beasts of the earth, since wild, and… 2583 words
- 012 These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, Shine not in vain; nor… 2633 words
- 013 Book V Now Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime Advancing, sowed… 2564 words
- 014 So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste She turns, on hospitable… 2521 words
- 015 Sleepest thou, Companion dear? 1741 words
- 016 Book VI All night the dreadless Angel, unpursued, Through Heaven’s… 2512 words
- 017 Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run By Angels many and strong… 2526 words
- 018 Effulgence of my glory, Son beloved, Son, in whose face invisible is… 1744 words
- 019 Book VII Descend from Heaven, Urania, by that name If rightly thou… 2506 words
- 020 Again the Almighty spake, Let there be lights High in the expanse of… 2284 words
- 021 Book VIII The Angel ended, and in Adam’s ear So charming left his… 2559 words
- 022 “Not only these fair bounds, but all the Earth To thee and to thy… 2355 words
- 023 Book IX No more of talk where God or Angel guest With Man, as with… 2518 words
- 024 And what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed Alone, without exteriour help sustained? 2533 words
- 025 As when of old some orator renowned, In Athens or free Rome, where… 2515 words
- 026 In recompence (for such compliance bad Such recompence best merits)… 1481 words
- 027 Book X Mean while the heinous and despiteful act Of Satan, done in… 2631 words
- 028 Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight Of that stupendous bridge his joy encreased. 2540 words
- 029 At that tasted fruit The sun, as from Thyestean banquet, turned His… 2526 words
- 030 Or if thou covet death, as utmost end Of misery, so thinking to evade… 650 words
- 031 Book XI Thus they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood Praying; for… 2502 words
- 032 For though I fled him angry, yet recalled To life prolonged and… 2518 words
- 033 In other part the sceptered heralds call To council, in the… 1876 words
- 034 Book XII As one who in his journey bates at noon, Though bent on… 2507 words
- 035 Such follow him, as shall be registered Part good, part bad; of bad… 2423 words