Paradise Lost
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Random lines from Paradise Lost
Look round, and scouts each
coast light-armed scour,
Each quarter to descry the
distant foe,
Where lodged, or whither fled,
or if for fight,
In motion or in halt: Him soon
they met
Under spread ensigns moving
nigh, in slow
VI, 529-533
coast light-armed scour,
Each quarter to descry the
distant foe,
Where lodged, or whither fled,
or if for fight,
In motion or in halt: Him soon
they met
Under spread ensigns moving
nigh, in slow
VI, 529-533
November 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Look round, and scouts each
coast light-armed scour,
Each quarter to descry the
distant foe,
Where lodged, or whither fled,
or if for fight,
In motion or in halt: Him soon
they met
Under spread ensigns moving
nigh, in slow
VI, 529-533
coast light-armed scour,
Each quarter to descry the
distant foe,
Where lodged, or whither fled,
or if for fight,
In motion or in halt: Him soon
they met
Under spread ensigns moving
nigh, in slow
VI, 529-533
Part on the plain, or in the
air sublime,
Upon the wing or in swift race
contend,
As at th' Olympian games or
Pythian fields;
Part curb their fiery steeds,
or shun the goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted
brigades form:
II, 528-532
air sublime,
Upon the wing or in swift race
contend,
As at th' Olympian games or
Pythian fields;
Part curb their fiery steeds,
or shun the goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted
brigades form:
II, 528-532
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Part on the plain, or in the
air sublime,
Upon the wing or in swift race
contend,
As at th' Olympian games or
Pythian fields;
Part curb their fiery steeds,
or shun the goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted
brigades form:
II, 528-532
air sublime,
Upon the wing or in swift race
contend,
As at th' Olympian games or
Pythian fields;
Part curb their fiery steeds,
or shun the goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted
brigades form:
II, 528-532
Attracted by thy beauty still
to gaze."
I rose as at thy call, but
found thee not;
To find thee I directed then
my walk;
And on, methought, alone I
passed through ways
That brought me on a sudden to
the tree
Of interdicted knowledge: fair
it seemed,
V, 47-52
to gaze."
I rose as at thy call, but
found thee not;
To find thee I directed then
my walk;
And on, methought, alone I
passed through ways
That brought me on a sudden to
the tree
Of interdicted knowledge: fair
it seemed,
V, 47-52
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Attracted by thy beauty still
to gaze."
I rose as at thy call, but
found thee not;
To find thee I directed then
my walk;
And on, methought, alone I
passed through ways
That brought me on a sudden to
the tree
Of interdicted knowledge: fair
it seemed,
V, 47-52
to gaze."
I rose as at thy call, but
found thee not;
To find thee I directed then
my walk;
And on, methought, alone I
passed through ways
That brought me on a sudden to
the tree
Of interdicted knowledge: fair
it seemed,
V, 47-52
Cancelled from Heaven and
sacred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let
them dwell.
For strength from truth
divided, and from just,
Illaudable, nought merits but
dispraise
And ignominy; yet to glory
aspires
Vain-glorious, and through
infamy seeks fame:
VI, 379-384
sacred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let
them dwell.
For strength from truth
divided, and from just,
Illaudable, nought merits but
dispraise
And ignominy; yet to glory
aspires
Vain-glorious, and through
infamy seeks fame:
VI, 379-384
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Cancelled from Heaven and
sacred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let
them dwell.
For strength from truth
divided, and from just,
Illaudable, nought merits but
dispraise
And ignominy; yet to glory
aspires
Vain-glorious, and through
infamy seeks fame:
VI, 379-384
sacred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let
them dwell.
For strength from truth
divided, and from just,
Illaudable, nought merits but
dispraise
And ignominy; yet to glory
aspires
Vain-glorious, and through
infamy seeks fame:
VI, 379-384
While other animals unactive
range,
And of their doings God takes
no account.
To-morrow, ere fresh morning
streak the east
With first approach of light,
we must be risen,
And at our pleasant labour, to
reform
Yon flowery arbours, yonder
alleys green,
IV, 621-626
range,
And of their doings God takes
no account.
To-morrow, ere fresh morning
streak the east
With first approach of light,
we must be risen,
And at our pleasant labour, to
reform
Yon flowery arbours, yonder
alleys green,
IV, 621-626
November 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM
While other animals unactive
range,
And of their doings God takes
no account.
To-morrow, ere fresh morning
streak the east
With first approach of light,
we must be risen,
And at our pleasant labour, to
reform
Yon flowery arbours, yonder
alleys green,
IV, 621-626
range,
And of their doings God takes
no account.
To-morrow, ere fresh morning
streak the east
With first approach of light,
we must be risen,
And at our pleasant labour, to
reform
Yon flowery arbours, yonder
alleys green,
IV, 621-626
Pleas'd me long choosing, and
beginning late;
Not sedulous by nature to
indite
Wars, hitherto the only
argument
Heroick deem'd chief mastery
to dissect
With long and tedious havock
fabled knights
In battles feign'd; the better
fortitude
IX, 26-31
beginning late;
Not sedulous by nature to
indite
Wars, hitherto the only
argument
Heroick deem'd chief mastery
to dissect
With long and tedious havock
fabled knights
In battles feign'd; the better
fortitude
IX, 26-31
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Pleas'd me long choosing, and
beginning late;
Not sedulous by nature to
indite
Wars, hitherto the only
argument
Heroick deem'd chief mastery
to dissect
With long and tedious havock
fabled knights
In battles feign'd; the better
fortitude
IX, 26-31
beginning late;
Not sedulous by nature to
indite
Wars, hitherto the only
argument
Heroick deem'd chief mastery
to dissect
With long and tedious havock
fabled knights
In battles feign'd; the better
fortitude
IX, 26-31
So spake our mother Eve; and
Adam heard
Well pleased, but answered
not: For now, too nigh
The Arch-Angel stood; and,
from the other hill
To their fixed station, all in
bright array
The Cherubim descended; on the
ground
XII, 624-628
Adam heard
Well pleased, but answered
not: For now, too nigh
The Arch-Angel stood; and,
from the other hill
To their fixed station, all in
bright array
The Cherubim descended; on the
ground
XII, 624-628
November 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
So spake our mother Eve; and
Adam heard
Well pleased, but answered
not: For now, too nigh
The Arch-Angel stood; and,
from the other hill
To their fixed station, all in
bright array
The Cherubim descended; on the
ground
XII, 624-628
Adam heard
Well pleased, but answered
not: For now, too nigh
The Arch-Angel stood; and,
from the other hill
To their fixed station, all in
bright array
The Cherubim descended; on the
ground
XII, 624-628
Might yield them easier
habitation, bend
Four ways their flying march,
along the banks
Of four infernal rivers, that
disgorge
Into the burning lake their
baleful streams--
Abhorred Styx, the flood of
deadly hate;
Sad Acheron of sorrow, black
and deep;
II, 573-578
habitation, bend
Four ways their flying march,
along the banks
Of four infernal rivers, that
disgorge
Into the burning lake their
baleful streams--
Abhorred Styx, the flood of
deadly hate;
Sad Acheron of sorrow, black
and deep;
II, 573-578
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Might yield them easier
habitation, bend
Four ways their flying march,
along the banks
Of four infernal rivers, that
disgorge
Into the burning lake their
baleful streams--
Abhorred Styx, the flood of
deadly hate;
Sad Acheron of sorrow, black
and deep;
II, 573-578
habitation, bend
Four ways their flying march,
along the banks
Of four infernal rivers, that
disgorge
Into the burning lake their
baleful streams--
Abhorred Styx, the flood of
deadly hate;
Sad Acheron of sorrow, black
and deep;
II, 573-578
For ever, to remove him I
decree,
And send him from the garden
forth to till
The ground whence he was
taken, fitter soil.
Michael, this my behest have
thou in charge;
Take to thee from among the
Cherubim
Thy choice of flaming
warriours, lest the Fiend,
XI, 96-101
decree,
And send him from the garden
forth to till
The ground whence he was
taken, fitter soil.
Michael, this my behest have
thou in charge;
Take to thee from among the
Cherubim
Thy choice of flaming
warriours, lest the Fiend,
XI, 96-101
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 AM
For ever, to remove him I
decree,
And send him from the garden
forth to till
The ground whence he was
taken, fitter soil.
Michael, this my behest have
thou in charge;
Take to thee from among the
Cherubim
Thy choice of flaming
warriours, lest the Fiend,
XI, 96-101
decree,
And send him from the garden
forth to till
The ground whence he was
taken, fitter soil.
Michael, this my behest have
thou in charge;
Take to thee from among the
Cherubim
Thy choice of flaming
warriours, lest the Fiend,
XI, 96-101
Servant of God. Well done;
well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single
hast maintained
Against revolted multitudes
the cause
Of truth, in word mightier
than they in arms;
And for the testimony of truth
hast borne
VI, 29-33
well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single
hast maintained
Against revolted multitudes
the cause
Of truth, in word mightier
than they in arms;
And for the testimony of truth
hast borne
VI, 29-33
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Servant of God. Well done;
well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single
hast maintained
Against revolted multitudes
the cause
Of truth, in word mightier
than they in arms;
And for the testimony of truth
hast borne
VI, 29-33
well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single
hast maintained
Against revolted multitudes
the cause
Of truth, in word mightier
than they in arms;
And for the testimony of truth
hast borne
VI, 29-33
Father of mercy and grace,
thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to
pity incline:
No sooner did thy dear and
only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to
doom frail Man
So strictly, but much more to
pity inclined,
III, 402-406
thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to
pity incline:
No sooner did thy dear and
only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to
doom frail Man
So strictly, but much more to
pity inclined,
III, 402-406
November 24, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Father of mercy and grace,
thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to
pity incline:
No sooner did thy dear and
only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to
doom frail Man
So strictly, but much more to
pity inclined,
III, 402-406
thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to
pity incline:
No sooner did thy dear and
only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to
doom frail Man
So strictly, but much more to
pity inclined,
III, 402-406
The Serpent, prince of air,
and drag in chains
Through all his realm, and
there confounded leave;
Then enter into glory, and
resume
His seat at God's right hand,
exalted high
Above all names in Heaven; and
thence shall come,
XII, 454-458
and drag in chains
Through all his realm, and
there confounded leave;
Then enter into glory, and
resume
His seat at God's right hand,
exalted high
Above all names in Heaven; and
thence shall come,
XII, 454-458
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The Serpent, prince of air,
and drag in chains
Through all his realm, and
there confounded leave;
Then enter into glory, and
resume
His seat at God's right hand,
exalted high
Above all names in Heaven; and
thence shall come,
XII, 454-458
and drag in chains
Through all his realm, and
there confounded leave;
Then enter into glory, and
resume
His seat at God's right hand,
exalted high
Above all names in Heaven; and
thence shall come,
XII, 454-458
Some one intent on mischief,
or inspired
With devilish machination,
might devise
Like instrument to plague the
sons of men
For sin, on war and mutual
slaughter bent.
Forthwith from council to the
work they flew;
None arguing stood;
innumerable hands
VI, 503-508
or inspired
With devilish machination,
might devise
Like instrument to plague the
sons of men
For sin, on war and mutual
slaughter bent.
Forthwith from council to the
work they flew;
None arguing stood;
innumerable hands
VI, 503-508
November 23, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Some one intent on mischief,
or inspired
With devilish machination,
might devise
Like instrument to plague the
sons of men
For sin, on war and mutual
slaughter bent.
Forthwith from council to the
work they flew;
None arguing stood;
innumerable hands
VI, 503-508
or inspired
With devilish machination,
might devise
Like instrument to plague the
sons of men
For sin, on war and mutual
slaughter bent.
Forthwith from council to the
work they flew;
None arguing stood;
innumerable hands
VI, 503-508
In all things else delight
indeed, but such
As, used or not, works in the
mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these
delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks, and the melody of
birds: but here
VIII, 524-528
indeed, but such
As, used or not, works in the
mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these
delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks, and the melody of
birds: but here
VIII, 524-528
November 23, 2025 at 7:43 PM
In all things else delight
indeed, but such
As, used or not, works in the
mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these
delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks, and the melody of
birds: but here
VIII, 524-528
indeed, but such
As, used or not, works in the
mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these
delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks, and the melody of
birds: but here
VIII, 524-528
Of Chaos blustering round,
inclement sky;
Save on that side which from
the wall of Heaven,
Though distant far, some small
reflection gains
Of glimmering air less vexed
with tempest loud:
Here walked the Fiend at large
in spacious field.
III, 427-431
inclement sky;
Save on that side which from
the wall of Heaven,
Though distant far, some small
reflection gains
Of glimmering air less vexed
with tempest loud:
Here walked the Fiend at large
in spacious field.
III, 427-431
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Of Chaos blustering round,
inclement sky;
Save on that side which from
the wall of Heaven,
Though distant far, some small
reflection gains
Of glimmering air less vexed
with tempest loud:
Here walked the Fiend at large
in spacious field.
III, 427-431
inclement sky;
Save on that side which from
the wall of Heaven,
Though distant far, some small
reflection gains
Of glimmering air less vexed
with tempest loud:
Here walked the Fiend at large
in spacious field.
III, 427-431
Sad instrument of all our woe,
she took;
And, towards the gate rolling
her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge portcullis
high up-drew,
Which, but herself, not all
the Stygian Powers
Could once have moved; then in
the key-hole turns
II, 872-876
she took;
And, towards the gate rolling
her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge portcullis
high up-drew,
Which, but herself, not all
the Stygian Powers
Could once have moved; then in
the key-hole turns
II, 872-876
November 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Sad instrument of all our woe,
she took;
And, towards the gate rolling
her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge portcullis
high up-drew,
Which, but herself, not all
the Stygian Powers
Could once have moved; then in
the key-hole turns
II, 872-876
she took;
And, towards the gate rolling
her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge portcullis
high up-drew,
Which, but herself, not all
the Stygian Powers
Could once have moved; then in
the key-hole turns
II, 872-876
With what may be devised of
honours new,
Receive him coming to receive
from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid,
prostration vile!
Too much to one! but double
how endured,
To one, and to his image now
proclaimed?
But what if better counsels
might erect
V, 780-785
honours new,
Receive him coming to receive
from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid,
prostration vile!
Too much to one! but double
how endured,
To one, and to his image now
proclaimed?
But what if better counsels
might erect
V, 780-785
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
With what may be devised of
honours new,
Receive him coming to receive
from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid,
prostration vile!
Too much to one! but double
how endured,
To one, and to his image now
proclaimed?
But what if better counsels
might erect
V, 780-785
honours new,
Receive him coming to receive
from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid,
prostration vile!
Too much to one! but double
how endured,
To one, and to his image now
proclaimed?
But what if better counsels
might erect
V, 780-785
So high above the circling
canopy
Of night's extended shade,)
from eastern point
Of Libra to the fleecy star
that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantick
seas
Beyond the horizon; then from
pole to pole
He views in breadth, and
without longer pause
III, 557-562
canopy
Of night's extended shade,)
from eastern point
Of Libra to the fleecy star
that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantick
seas
Beyond the horizon; then from
pole to pole
He views in breadth, and
without longer pause
III, 557-562
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
So high above the circling
canopy
Of night's extended shade,)
from eastern point
Of Libra to the fleecy star
that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantick
seas
Beyond the horizon; then from
pole to pole
He views in breadth, and
without longer pause
III, 557-562
canopy
Of night's extended shade,)
from eastern point
Of Libra to the fleecy star
that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantick
seas
Beyond the horizon; then from
pole to pole
He views in breadth, and
without longer pause
III, 557-562
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
With reason hath deep silence
and demur
Seized us, though undismayed.
Long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell
leads up to light.
II, 429-433
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
With reason hath deep silence
and demur
Seized us, though undismayed.
Long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell
leads up to light.
II, 429-433
November 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
With reason hath deep silence
and demur
Seized us, though undismayed.
Long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell
leads up to light.
II, 429-433
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
With reason hath deep silence
and demur
Seized us, though undismayed.
Long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell
leads up to light.
II, 429-433
With joy and peace triumphing,
and fair truth.
Then thou thy regal scepter
shalt lay by,
For regal scepter then no more
shall need,
God shall be all in all. But,
all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all
this dies;
Adore the Son, and honour him
as me.
III, 339-344
and fair truth.
Then thou thy regal scepter
shalt lay by,
For regal scepter then no more
shall need,
God shall be all in all. But,
all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all
this dies;
Adore the Son, and honour him
as me.
III, 339-344
November 23, 2025 at 7:43 AM
With joy and peace triumphing,
and fair truth.
Then thou thy regal scepter
shalt lay by,
For regal scepter then no more
shall need,
God shall be all in all. But,
all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all
this dies;
Adore the Son, and honour him
as me.
III, 339-344
and fair truth.
Then thou thy regal scepter
shalt lay by,
For regal scepter then no more
shall need,
God shall be all in all. But,
all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all
this dies;
Adore the Son, and honour him
as me.
III, 339-344
For he who tempts, though in
vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonour
foul; supposed
Not incorruptible of faith,
not proof
Against temptation: Thou
thyself with scorn
And anger wouldst resent the
offered wrong,
IX, 296-300
vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonour
foul; supposed
Not incorruptible of faith,
not proof
Against temptation: Thou
thyself with scorn
And anger wouldst resent the
offered wrong,
IX, 296-300
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 AM
For he who tempts, though in
vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonour
foul; supposed
Not incorruptible of faith,
not proof
Against temptation: Thou
thyself with scorn
And anger wouldst resent the
offered wrong,
IX, 296-300
vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonour
foul; supposed
Not incorruptible of faith,
not proof
Against temptation: Thou
thyself with scorn
And anger wouldst resent the
offered wrong,
IX, 296-300
Down the great river to the
opening gulf,
And there take root an island
salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs,
and sea-mews' clang:
To teach thee that God
attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be
thither brought
XI, 833-837
opening gulf,
And there take root an island
salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs,
and sea-mews' clang:
To teach thee that God
attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be
thither brought
XI, 833-837
November 23, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Down the great river to the
opening gulf,
And there take root an island
salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs,
and sea-mews' clang:
To teach thee that God
attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be
thither brought
XI, 833-837
opening gulf,
And there take root an island
salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs,
and sea-mews' clang:
To teach thee that God
attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be
thither brought
XI, 833-837
Nor are thy lips ungraceful,
Sire of men,
Nor tongue ineloquent; for God
on thee
Abundantly his gifts hath also
poured
Inward and outward both, his
image fair:
Speaking, or mute, all
comeliness and grace
Attends thee; and each word,
each motion, forms;
VIII, 218-223
Sire of men,
Nor tongue ineloquent; for God
on thee
Abundantly his gifts hath also
poured
Inward and outward both, his
image fair:
Speaking, or mute, all
comeliness and grace
Attends thee; and each word,
each motion, forms;
VIII, 218-223
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Nor are thy lips ungraceful,
Sire of men,
Nor tongue ineloquent; for God
on thee
Abundantly his gifts hath also
poured
Inward and outward both, his
image fair:
Speaking, or mute, all
comeliness and grace
Attends thee; and each word,
each motion, forms;
VIII, 218-223
Sire of men,
Nor tongue ineloquent; for God
on thee
Abundantly his gifts hath also
poured
Inward and outward both, his
image fair:
Speaking, or mute, all
comeliness and grace
Attends thee; and each word,
each motion, forms;
VIII, 218-223
In Argob and in Basan, to the
stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content
with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the
wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to
build
His temple right against the
temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and
made his grove
I, 398-403
stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content
with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the
wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to
build
His temple right against the
temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and
made his grove
I, 398-403
November 22, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In Argob and in Basan, to the
stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content
with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the
wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to
build
His temple right against the
temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and
made his grove
I, 398-403
stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content
with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the
wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to
build
His temple right against the
temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and
made his grove
I, 398-403
Ezekiel saw, when, by the
vision led,
His eye surveyed the dark
idolatries
Of alienated Judah. Next came
one
Who mourned in earnest, when
the captive ark
Maimed his brute image, head
and hands lopt off,
In his own temple, on the
grunsel-edge,
I, 455-460
vision led,
His eye surveyed the dark
idolatries
Of alienated Judah. Next came
one
Who mourned in earnest, when
the captive ark
Maimed his brute image, head
and hands lopt off,
In his own temple, on the
grunsel-edge,
I, 455-460
November 22, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Ezekiel saw, when, by the
vision led,
His eye surveyed the dark
idolatries
Of alienated Judah. Next came
one
Who mourned in earnest, when
the captive ark
Maimed his brute image, head
and hands lopt off,
In his own temple, on the
grunsel-edge,
I, 455-460
vision led,
His eye surveyed the dark
idolatries
Of alienated Judah. Next came
one
Who mourned in earnest, when
the captive ark
Maimed his brute image, head
and hands lopt off,
In his own temple, on the
grunsel-edge,
I, 455-460