The Complete Poems of John Milton Volume 4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... What within Eden, or without, was done Before his memory--as one whose drouth, Yet scarce allayed, still eyes the current stream, Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, Proceeded thus to ask his Heavenly Guest: -- "Great things, and full of wonder in our ears. Far differing from this World, thou hast revealed, Divine Interpreter by favour sent Down from the Empyrean to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach; For which to the infinitely Good we owe Immortal thanks, and his admonishment Receive with solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovran will, the end Of what we are. But, since thou hast voutsafed Gently, for our instruction, to impart Things above Earthly thought, which yet concerned Our knowing, as to highest Wisdom seemed, Deign to descend now lower, and relate What may no less perhaps avail us known-- How first began this Heaven which we behold Distant so high, with moving fires adorned Innumerable; and this which yields or fills All space, the ambient Air, wide interfused, Imbracing round this florid Earth; what cause Moved the Creator, in his holy rest Through all eternity, so late to build In Chaos; and, the work begun, how soon Absolved: if unforbid thou may'st unfold What we not to explore the secrets ask Of his eternal empire, but the more To magnify his works the more we know. And the great Light of Day yet wants to run Much of his race, though steep. Suspense in heaven Held by thy voice, thy potent voice he hears And longer will delay, to hear thee tell His generation, and the rising birth Of Nature from the unapparent Deep: Or, if the Star of Evening and the Moon Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring Silence, and Sleep listening to thee...