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

by John Milton

Better had I Lived ignorant of future, so had borne 765My part of evil only, each day’s lot Enough to bear! Those now that were dispensed, ◦ The burden of many ages, on me light At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth Abortive to torment me, ere their being, 770With thought that they must be!

Far less I now lament for one whole world 875Of wicked sons destroyed than I rejoice For one man found so perfect and so just That God vouchsafes to raise another world From him and all His anger to forget.◦

"God destroyed paradise for me so I'm glad he's willing to preserve whatever's outside of paradise for Noah" - ??

covenant: a formal relationship between Man and God (also testament). The vision of history in Books Eleven and Twelve is that of a progression of covenants. The forbidden fruit, although it was not called that, was the first covenant. Others are the rainbow, the promised land, the law given to Moses, and the new covenant in Jesus Christ, which replaces that of the law. This last is the covenant in the woman’s seed.

285To whom thus Michael: Doubt not but that sin Will reign among them as of thee begot And therefore was Law giv’n them to evince Their natural pravity by stirring up◦ Sin against Law to fight that when they see

290Law can discover sin but not remove Save by those shadowy expiations weak, The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude Some blood more precious◦ must be paid for Man, Just for unjust, that in such righteousness, 295To them by faith imputed, they may find Justification towards God and peace Of conscience, which the Law by ceremonies Cannot appease nor Man the moral part◦ Perform and, not performing, cannot live. 300So Law appears imperfect and but giv’n With purpose to resign them in full time Up to a better covenant, disciplined◦ From shadowy types to truth, from flesh to spirit, From imposition of strict laws to free 305Acceptance of large grace, from servile fear To filial, works of law to works of faith.◦

The woman’s Seed, obscurely then foretold, Now amplier known thy Savior and thy Lord,

yes, how cute. we know this is important because it rhymes.

Henceforth I learn that to obey is best, And love with fear the only God, to walk As in His presence, ever to observe His providence and on Him sole depend, 565Merciful over all His works, with good Still overcoming evil and by small Accomplishing great things, by things deemed weak Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise◦ By simply meek, that suffering for Truth’s sake 570Is fortitude to highest victory And to the faithful death the gate of life: Taught this by His example whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.

Only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, By name to come called charity, the soul◦ 585Of all the rest. Then wilt thou not be loath◦ To leave this Paradise but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far.

Note: The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Devils & Hell, is because he was a true Poet and of the Devil’s party without knowing it.

! Blake thinks Milton is Satanic