Paradise Lost: A Norton Critical Edition (Norton Critical Editions Book 0)

by John Milton

To whom thus Adam cleared of doubt replied: 180How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure Intelligence of Heav’n, angel serene, And freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of life from which 185God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares And not molest us, unless we ourselves Seek them with wand’ring thoughts and notions vain. But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Unchecked and of her roving is no end 190Till warned or by experience taught she learn That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life Is the prime wisdom. What is more is fume 195Or emptiness or fond impertinence◦ And renders us in things that most concern Unpracticed, unprepared and still to seek.◦ Therefore from this high pitch let us descend A lower flight and speak of things at hand 200Useful, whence haply mention may arise Of something not unseasonable to ask By sufferance and thy wonted favor deigned.