Paradise Lost

by John Milton

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 Ercoco and the less maritime kings106 Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,107, 108, 109 400 And Sofala thought Ophir, to the realm110 Of Congo, and Angola farthest south; Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount111, 112 The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus,113, 114, 115 Morocco and Algiers, and Tremisen;116 405 On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway The world: in spirit perhaps he also saw117 Rich Mexico the seat of Motezume,118 And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoiled119 410 Guiana, whose great city Geryon’s sons120 Call El Dorado: but to nobler sights121 Michael from Adam’s eyes the film removed122 Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight Had bred; then purged with euphrasy and rue123 415 The visual nerve, for he had much to see; And from the Well of Life three drops instilled.124 So deep the power of these ingredients pierced, Even to the inmo...