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Readers must finally decide for themselves whether Milton Satanizes the epic or measures Satan against an epic standard and finds him wanting.
Giordano Bruno (1548–1600), Galileo Galilei (1564–1642), and Henry More (1614–87), took a broader view and argued that an infinite universe would redound to God’s glory. Milton has much in common with these three thinkers, but there is a difference between his universe and theirs. They imagined that the stellar universe itself was infinite. Milton is unusual in that he places a finite universe in an infinite abyss and shuts infinity out by enclosing his universe with a protective shell. Critics have been hard-pressed to find precedents for this shell. The traditional Ptolemaic universe was
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That to the heighth of this great argument18 25 I may assert Eternal Providence,19 And justify the ways of God to men.20
resist. If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labour must be to pervert that end, 165 And out of good still to find means of evil,
That with reiterated crimes he might 215 Heap on himself damnation, while he sought Evil to others, and enraged might see How all his malice served but to bring forth Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shown On man by him seduced, but on himself 220 Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance poured.
mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself103 255 Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n. What matter where, if I be still the same, And what I should be, all but less than he104 Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built 260 Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Me though just right, and the fixed laws of Heav’n Did first create your leader, next, free choice, 20 With what besides, in counsel or in fight, Hath been achieved of merit, yet this loss Thus far at least recovered, hath much more Established in a safe unenvied throne Yielded with full consent.
In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will and Fate, 560 Fixed Fate, Free Will, Foreknowledge absolute, And found no end, in wand’ring mazes lost.175 Of good and evil much they argued then, Of happiness and final misery, Passion and apathy, and glory and shame,176 565 Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy: Yet with a pleasing sorcery could charm Pain for a while or anguish, and excite Fallacious hope, or arm th’ obdurèd breast177 With stubborn patience as with triple steel. 570
Whose but his own? Ingrate, he had of me All he could have; I made him just and right, Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. 100 Such I created all th’ ethereal Powers And Spirits, both them who stood and them who failed; Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
They therefore as to right belonged, So were created, nor can justly accuse Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, As if predestination overruled 115 Their will, disposed by absolute decree Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed Their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, Which had no less proved certain unforeknown.47
man falls deceived By the other first: man therefore shall find grace; The other none: in mercy and justice both, Through Heav’n and earth, so shall my glory excel, But mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
Light after light well-used they shall attain, And to the end persisting, safe arrive. This my long sufferance and my day of grace They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; 200 But hard be hardened, blind be blinded more,64 That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; And none but such from mercy I exclude. But
To me are all my works, nor man the least Though last created, that for him I spare Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 280 By losing thee a while, the whole race lost.
FRom a man who livEd ThroGh civil war
For neither man nor angel can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone, 685 By his permissive will, through Heav’n and earth: And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps At wisdom’s gate, and to simplicity Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems:
Which way shall I fly Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? 75 Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell;23 And in the lowest deep a lower deep
But say I could repent and could obtain By act of grace my former state; how soon28 95 Would heighth recall high thoughts, how soon unsay What feigned submission swore: ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void.29 For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep: 100 Which would but lead me to a worse relapse And heavier fall:
So farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear, Farewell remorse: all good to me is lost; 110 Evil be thou my good; by thee at least30 Divided empire with Heav’n’s King I hold By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign;31 As man ere long, and this new world shall know. Thus while he spake, each passion dimmed his face 115 Thrice changed with pale, ire, envy and despair,32 Which marred his borrowed visage, and betrayed33 Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld.
To whom thus Eve replied. O thou for whom And from whom I was formed flesh of thy flesh, And without whom am to no end, my guide And head, what thou hast said is just and right.
Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they only stand By ignorance, is that their happy state, 520 The proof of their obedience and their faith? O fair foundation laid whereon to build Their ruin! Hence I will excite their minds182 With more desire to know, and to reject Envious commands, invented with design 525 To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt
To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorned. 635 My author and disposer, what thou bidd’st213, 214 Unargued I obey; so God ordains, God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more Is woman’s happiest knowledge and her praise. With thee conversing I forget all time, 640 All seasons and their change, all please alike.215
But know that in the soul Are many lesser faculties that serve Reason as chief; among these Fancy next28 Her office holds; of all external things, Which the five watchful senses represent,29 105 She forms imaginations, airy shapes, Which Reason joining or disjoining, frames30 All what we affirm or what deny, and call Our knowledge or opinion; then retires Into her private cell when nature rests.
Left to his own free will, his will though free, Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware He swerve not too secure: tell him withal61 His danger, and from whom, what enemy 240 Late fall’n himself from Heav’n, is plotting now The fall of others from like state of bliss; By violence, no, for that shall be withstood, But by deceit and lies; this let him know, Lest wilfully transgressing he pretend62 245 Surprisal, unadmonished, unforewarned.
things By steps we may ascend to God. But say, What meant that caution joined, if ye be found Obedient? can we want obedience then 515 To him, or possibly his love desert Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend?165 To whom the angel. Son of Heav’n and earth, 520 Attend: that thou art happy, owe to God; That thou continuest such, owe to thyself, That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. This was that caution giv’n thee; be advised. God made thee perfect, not immutable; 525 And good he made thee, but to
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ye will not, if I trust To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves 790 Natives and sons of Heav’n possessed before By none, and if not equal all, yet free, Equally free; for orders and degrees Jar not with liberty, but well consist. Who can in reason then or right assume 795 Monarchy over such as live by right His equals, if in power and splendour less, In freedom equal? or can introduce Law and edíct on us, who without law Err not, much less for this to be our Lord,258 800 And look for adoration to th’ abuse Of those imperial titles which assert Our being ordained to govern, not to serve?
But knowledge is as food, and needs no less56 Her temperance over appetite, to know In measure what the mind may well contain, Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 130 Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind.
Thus her reply with accent sweet renewed. If this be our condition, thus to dwell108 In narrow circuit straitened by a Foe, Subtle or violent, we not endued 325 Single with like defence, wherever met,109 How are we happy, still in fear of harm?110 But harm precedes not sin: only our Foe Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem111 Of our integrity: his foul esteem112 330 Sticks no dishonour on our front, but turns Foul on himself; then wherefore shunned or feared By us?
To whom thus Adam fervently replied. O woman, best are all things as the will116 Of God ordained them; his creating hand 345 Nothing imperfect or deficient left Of all that he created, much less man, Or aught that might his happy state secure, Secure from outward force; within himself The danger lies, yet lies within his power: 350 Against his will he can receive no harm. But God left free the will, for what obeys Reason, is free, and reason he made right, But bid her well beware, and still erect,117 Lest by some fair appearing good surprised 355 She díctate false, and misinform the will To do
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Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve122 First thy obedience; th’ other who can know, Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?
The woman, opportune to all attempts,161 Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun, And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb162 485 Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould,163 Foe not informidable, exempt from wound,164 I not; so much hath Hell debased, and pain Enfeebled me, to what I was in Heav’n.165 She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods, 490 Not terrible, though terror be in love166 And beauty, not approached by stronger hate, Hate stronger, under show of love well-feigned, The way which to her ruin now I tend.
Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung 595 Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill I spared not, for such pleasure till that hour At feed or fountain never had I found. Sated at length, ere long I might perceive Strange alteration in me, to degree 600 Of reason in my inward powers, and speech Wanted not long, though to this shape retained.199
or will God incense his ire231 For such a petty trespass, and not praise Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain232 695 Of death denounced, whatever thing death be,233, 234 Deterred not from achieving what might lead To happier life, knowledge of good and evil; Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil235 Be real, why not known, since easier shunned? 700 God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; Not just, not God; not feared then, nor obeyed:236 Your fear itself of death removes the fear. Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe, Why but to keep ye low and ignorant, 705 His worshippers;
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For good unknown, sure is not had, or had And yet unknown, is as not had at all. In plain then, what forbids he but to know,249 Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise? 760 Such prohibitions bind not. But if death Bind us with after-bands, what profits then250 Our inward freedom?
For us alone Was death invented? or to us denied This intellectual food, for beasts reserved? For beasts it seems: yet that one beast which first 770 Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy251 The good befall’n him, author unsuspect,252, 253 Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile.
But to Adam in what sort Shall I appear? shall I to him make known As yet my change, and give him to partake Full happiness with me, or rather not, 820 But keep the odds of knowledge in my power266 Without copartner? so to add what wants267, 268 In female sex, the more to draw his love, And render me more equal, and perhaps, A thing not undesirable, sometime269 825 Superior; for inferior who is free? This may be well: but what if God have seen, And death ensue? then I shall be no more,270 And Adam wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct; 830 A death to think. Confirmed
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Me first 950 He ruined, now mankind; whom will he next? Matter of scorn, not to be given the Foe. However I with thee have fixed my lot, Certain to undergo like doom; if death300 Consort with thee, death is to me as life;301 955 So forcible within my heart I feel The bond of nature draw me to my own, My own in thee, for what thou art is mine; Our state cannot be severed, we are one, One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself.302 960 So Adam, and thus Eve to him replied. O glorious trial of exceeding love,303 Illustrious evidence, example high! Engaging me to emulate, but short Of thy
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As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. 1155 Being as I am, why didst not thou the head358 Command me absolutely not to go, Going into such danger as thou saidst?
Who might have lived and joyed immortal bliss, Yet willingly chose rather death with thee: And am I now upbraided, as the cause Of thy transgressing? not enough severe, 1170 It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more?
What seemed in thee so perfect, that I thought 1180 No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue That error now, which is become my crime, And thou th’ accuser. Thus it shall befall Him who to worth in women overtrusting362 Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook, 1185 And left to herself, if evil thence ensue, She first his weak indulgence will accuse. Thus they in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning,363 And of their vain contést appeared no end.
Eternal Father from his secret cloud, Amidst in thunder uttered thus his voice. Assembled angels, and ye Powers returned 35 From unsuccessful charge, be not dismayed, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Which your sincerest care could not prevent, Foretold so lately what would come to pass, When first this Tempter crossed the gulf from Hell. 40 I told ye then he should prevail and speed8 On his bad errand, man should be seduced And flattered out of all, believing lies Against his Maker; no decree of mine Concurring to necessitate his Fall, 45 Or touch with lightest moment of impúlse9
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O Heav’n! in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge, either to undergo Myself the total crime, or to accuse My other self, the partner of my life;36 Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, 130 I should conceal, and not expose to blame By my complaint; but strict necessity Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, Lest on my head both sin and punishment, However insupportable, be all 135 Devolved; though should I hold my peace, yet thou37 Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. This woman whom thou mad’st to be my help,38 And gav’st me as thy perfect gift, so good, So fit, so ácceptáble,
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But up and enter now into full bliss.167 So having said, a while he stood, expecting 505 Their universal shout and high applause To fill his ear, when contrary he hears On all sides, from innumerable tongues A dismal universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn; he wondered, but not long 510 Had leisure, wond’ring at himself now more; His visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare,168 His arms clung to his ribs, his legs entwining Each other, till supplanted down he fell169 A monstrous serpent on his belly prone, 515 Reluctant, but in vain; a greater power170 Now ruled him, punished in the shape he
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For though the Lord of all be infinite, 795 Is his wrath also? be it, man is not so,260 But mortal doomed. How can he exercise Wrath without end on man whom death must end? Can he make deathless death? that were to make Strange contradiction, which to God himself 800 Impossible is held, as argument Of weakness, not of power. Will he draw out, For anger’s sake, finite to infinite In punished man, to satisfy his rigour Satisfied never? that were to extend261 805 His sentence beyond dust and Nature’s law, By which all causes else according still To the reception of their matter act, Not to th’
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Ah, why should all mankind For one man’s fault thus guiltless be condemned, If guiltless? But from me what can proceed, 825 But all corrupt, both mind and will depraved, Not to do only, but to will the same With me? how can they then acquitted stand264 In sight of God? Him after all disputes Forced I absolve: all my evasions vain 830 And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still But to my own conviction: first and last265 On me, me only, as the source and spring266 Of all corruption, all the blame lights due; So might the wrath.
And understood not all was but a show Rather than solid virtue, all but a rib277 885 Crookèd by nature, bent, as now appears, More to the part sinister from me drawn,278 Well if thrown out, as supernumerary279 To my just number found. O why did God,280 Creator wise, that peopled highest Heav’n 890 With Spirits masculine, create at last281 This novelty on earth, this fair defect282 Of nature, and not fill the world at once With men as angels without feminine, Or find some other way to generate 895 Mankind? this mischief had not then befall’n, And more that shall befall,
Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems To argue in thee something more sublime 1015 And excellent than what thy mind contemns; But self-destruction therefore sought, refutes That excellence thought in thee, and implies, Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret For loss of life and pleasure overloved. 1020 Or if thou covet death, as utmost end Of misery, so thinking to evade The penalty pronounced, doubt not but God Hath wiselier armed his vengeful ire than so To be forestalled;
Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heard and judged Without wrath or reviling; we expected Immediate dissolution, which we thought 1050 Was meant by death that day, when lo, to thee Pains only in child-bearing were foretold,309 And bringing forth, soon recompensed with joy, Fruit of thy womb: on me the curse aslope310 Glanced on the ground; with labour I must earn 1055 My bread; what harm? Idleness had been worse; My labour will sustain me; and lest cold Or heat should injure us, his timely care Hath unbesought provided, and his hands311 Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he
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Before thee reconciled, at least his days 40 Numbered, though sad, till death, his doom (which I To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse)
Therefore to his great bidding I submit. 315 This most afflicts me, that departing hence, As from his face I shall be hid, deprived81 His blessèd count’nance; here I could frequent, With worship, place by place where he vouchsafed Presence divine, and to my sons relate; 320 On this mount he appeared, under this tree Stood visible, among these pines his voice I heard,
For though I fled him angry, yet recalled To life prolonged and promised race, I now83 Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts Of glory, and far off his steps adore.
To show him all earth’s kingdoms and their glory. 385 His eye might there command wherever stood City of old or modern fame, the seat Of mightiest empire, from the destined walls Of Cambalu, seat of Cathayan Khan95 And Samarkand by Oxus, Temir’s throne,96 390 To Paquin of Sinaean kings, and thence97, 98 To Agra and Lahore of Great Mogul99, 100 Down to the golden Chersonese, or where101 The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since102 In Hispahan, or where the Russian Czar 395 In Moscow, or the Sultan in Bizance,103 Turkéstan-born; nor could his eye not ken104 Th’ empire of Negus to his utmost port105
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