登陆注册
5386800000015

第15章 Book 3(1)

Hail holy light, ofspring of Heav'n first-born, Or of th' Eternal Coeternal beam May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light, And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from Eternitie, dwelt then in thee, Bright effluence of bright essence increate.

Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream, Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun, Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest The rising world of waters dark and deep, Won from the void and formless infinite.

Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing, Escap't the STYGIAN Pool, though long detain'd In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight Through utter and through middle darkness borne With other notes then to th' ORPHEAN Lyre I sung of CHAOS and ETERNAL NIGHT, Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down The dark descent, and up to reascend, Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe, And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou Revisit'st not these eyes, that rowle in vain To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;

So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs, Or dim suffusion veild. Yet not the more Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt Cleer Spring, or shadie Grove, or Sunnie Hill, Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief Thee SION and the flowrie Brooks beneath That wash thy hallowd feet, and warbling flow, Nightly I visit: nor somtimes forget Those other two equal'd with me in Fate, So were I equal'd with them in renown, Blind THAMYRIS and blind MAEONIDES, And TIRESIAS and PHINEUS Prophets old.

Then feed on thoughts, that voluntarie move Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful Bird Sings darkling, and in shadiest Covert hid Tunes her nocturnal Note. Thus with the Year Seasons return, but not to me returns Day, or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn, Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summers Rose, Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine;

But cloud in stead, and ever-during dark Surrounds me, from the chearful waies of men Cut off, and for the book of knowledg fair Presented with a Universal blanc Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd, And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out.

So much the rather thou Celestial light Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight.

Now had the Almighty Father from above, From the pure Empyrean where he sits High Thron'd above all highth, bent down his eye, His own works and their works at once to view:

About him all the Sanctities of Heaven Stood thick as Starrs, and from his sight receiv'd Beatitude past utterance; on his right The radiant image of his Glory sat, His onely Son; On Earth he first beheld Our two first Parents, yet the onely two Of mankind, in the happie Garden plac't, Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, Uninterrupted joy, unrivald love In blissful solitude; he then survey'd Hell and the Gulf between, and SATAN there Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night In the dun Air sublime, and ready now To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet On the bare outside of this World, that seem'd Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament, Uncertain which, in Ocean or in Air.

Him God beholding from his prospect high, Wherein past, present, future he beholds, Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake.

Onely begotten Son, seest thou what rage Transports our adversarie, whom no bounds Prescrib'd, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyss Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems On desperat revenge, that shall redound Upon his own rebellious head. And now Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way Not farr off Heav'n, in the Precincts of light, Directly towards the new created World, And Man there plac't, with purpose to assay If him by force he can destroy, or worse, By som false guile pervert; and shall pervert;

For man will heark'n to his glozing lyes, And easily transgress the sole Command, Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall Hee and his faithless Progenie: whose fault?

Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of mee All he could have; I made him just and right, Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.

Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers And Spirits, both them who stood & them who faild;

Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.

Not free, what proof could they have givn sincere Of true allegiance, constant Faith or Love, Where onely what they needs must do, appeard, Not what they would? what praise could they receive?

What pleasure I from such obedience paid, When Will and Reason (Reason also is choice)

Useless and vain, of freedom both despoild, Made passive both, had servd necessitie, Not mee. They therefore as to right belongd, So were created, nor can justly accuse Thir maker, or thir making, or thir Fate;

As if Predestination over-rul'd Thir will, dispos'd by absolute Decree Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed Thir own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown.

So without least impulse or shadow of Fate, Or aught by me immutablie foreseen, They trespass, Authors to themselves in all Both what they judge and what they choose; for so I formd them free, and free they must remain, Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd Thir freedom, they themselves ordain'd thir fall.

The first sort by thir own suggestion fell, Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: Man falls deceiv'd By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace, The other none: in Mercy and Justice both, Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel, But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.

Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd All Heav'n, and in the blessed Spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd:

同类推荐
  • 洞玄灵宝二十四生图经

    洞玄灵宝二十四生图经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Songs of Travel

    Songs of Travel

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大方广佛花严经修慈分一卷

    大方广佛花严经修慈分一卷

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Morning Star

    Morning Star

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 此山诗集

    此山诗集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 星光学院之星星的奇迹

    星光学院之星星的奇迹

    月亮离不开星星环绕。美月口中的星光少女即将回归。她会在偶像界塑造怎样的奇迹。
  • 凉生只恋一个你

    凉生只恋一个你

    重生前,慕漪离对盛寒尧一直死乞白赖地纠缠不休,慕漪离以为,日久见人心,盛寒尧总会发现她的好,会开始慢慢喜欢上她的,后来,她发现,盛寒尧也会对人笑,对人温柔体贴,可惜,那个人不是她,是另一个女人。再后来,她发现自己的心已经被盛寒尧伤得千疮百孔了……出车祸那夜,她以为盛寒尧至少会念在以前来看她一眼,可惜也没有,最后,她重新睁开眼,自己回到十七岁的美好年华,她勾唇讽刺一笑,盛寒尧,今生,我不会再纠缠你了……
  • 红颜乱天下

    红颜乱天下

    一个经历情感背叛的丑女转生为拥有绝色美貌的公主。看这她的纤纤玉手怎样掀起情海波涛,怎么掀起权利斗争和国与国之间的斗争。她本想平静的过一生,但是为了最宠爱她的皇兄,她运用权术,成为后宫的真正掌权者,成为朝堂暗中的操作者,帮助他登上帝位。她本不想远嫁他国,但是他却用百万大军压境,逼迫她出嫁,让她憎恨。他为了这场禁忌的爱恋,可以放弃皇位。但是因为他的仁慈,反而亲手把他最爱的女人,最疼的妹妹送上远嫁他国的花轿。他从男扮女装待在她身边时,就因为她的谋略,才识所倾倒,更因为从旁的偷学,得到重返故国,夺回帝位的能力。明知她心有所属,他还是执拗地机关算尽,步步为营,只为得到她。两个男人,一个女人,天下因此而纷乱。铃:希望喜欢本书的大大,请尽量的收藏、推荐吧!多多收藏、多多推荐,当然回报的是我的多多更新!一位热心的读者帮我的红颜进了个群:欢迎大家加入。群号:48697757敲门砖:红颜新坑《傻瓜王爷穿越妃》。希望亲们去捧捧场。地址:
  • 现代中国文化与文学(第10辑)

    现代中国文化与文学(第10辑)

    李怡、毛迅主编的《现代中国文化与文学(第10辑)》汇编了当代文学研究名家的精辟论述,系统地对这个命题进行了阐述。栏目有“现代文学与现代文化”、“文学史新论”、“巴蜀文学重读”、“对视与争鸣”、“现代中国文学档案”等。
  • 丑颜毒妃:弃嫁修罗王

    丑颜毒妃:弃嫁修罗王

    她是异世的一缕孤魂,重生于这个相府弃子的身上,她无心权势,一心留恋江湖。可是上天却偏偏要给她开一个玩笑。他好不容易将她钳制住,一脸溺爱的说:“娘子,别逃了!你可是伪装成小白兔的大灰狼,现在要发挥你小白兔的本性!”
  • 完美系统之至尊巅峰

    完美系统之至尊巅峰

    废宅青年外出遭遇恐怖袭击而不幸身死,灵魂竟然携带完美系统穿越至众多平行世界之一的仙妖大陆,重活一世,他立志绝不再重蹈上一世的窝囊,这一世即便要面对无穷无尽的坎坷凶险,他也要活出自己不一样的人生!从此,赖小天在完美系统的帮助下走上了一条前无古人的巅峰之路。修炼境界:武道九重天、星窍境、魂海境、魂翼境、魂轮境、造化境、登仙境、天帝境、至尊境。
  • 毒枭枪声

    毒枭枪声

    漫城,在西南边陲,是个不大的城,然而,这个不大的城,最近却是血案连连,以至于每晚六点半,漫城新闻开始,漫城人从女主持人那红润的唇里,都能猜测出,她将会说出什么内容。果然,今天晚上,在女主持人的唇红齿白间,吐出的珠圆玉润的句子,又一次抓住了人们的神经:“今天早上,在城南靠近边境的苍龙山上,又发现了一具尸体,死者是一个胖子,一弹毙命。在死者身上,发现了少量毒品。目前,对于这个案件,警方正在作进一步的深入调查。”又是一枪毙命,这已经是第三个了。
  • 邪皇妖后

    邪皇妖后

    当邪恶撞到腹黑时,会发生什么事呢?又会有怎样的一个火花呢?宠,我就要宠你!究竟是谁宠谁?又或者是互宠?她的大婚,没有喜,也没有乐,有的只是悲,还有痛,只因在这一天,她的国家没了,至亲没了,就连他也背叛了她,只因他的新娘不是她。“只要我没死,我一定会让那些伤我害我灭我的人付出惨痛代价!”万丈悬崖,闭上双眸,纵身一跳。当她再次睁开双眸时,她不再是以前那个不谙世事,天真无邪的小公主,而眼底闪过的锐利光华让人无法别过自己的视线。当她打败了武林盟主,摧毁了最强大的暗杀组织,踹了帝君一脚,剃光了郡主的万根墨发等等,而且她背后总是有一个妖孽男子跟在屁股后面甩也甩不掉,世人再也不敢小看这个小女子,不单单只是因为这女子的能力,更是因为她背后的妖孽男子。女主慕若依:重生后有些腹黑~也有些邪恶~男主司徒殇:妖孽男子一枚~~无论是身还是心都是干净的男人一枚~片段一:“女人,你当我只是摆件吗?”男子怒斥着。“摆件是死的,你是活的。”男子的怒气稍微缓了缓,似乎多了些抱怨,“那你当我是什么?”“男人!”女子冰冷的吐出两个字。“就这样?”“不然你想当女人?”“对,我是男人!”男子邪邪一笑,而后扑倒了绝色女子,屋内一片旖旎。片段二:冰冷的眸子尽显柔意,冰冷的大手持起那只柔软的玉手贴在自己心口处,柔声吐出,“这里装满了你!”“脏了!”倾世女子冷冷抽回自己的小手,寒声吐出。“不,除你之外,从未有人能住进去。”“那也是脏了!”“为什么?”“她已经有我了,最主要的是我够干净。”只见那只大手和小手十指相扣紧紧相握。喜欢的亲们就收藏吧~~嘻嘻推荐完结文文——【一品寒妃】简介:她,不仅聪慧,而且还拥有一张风华绝代的容貌,受尽众人的宠爱,可是却因为一句话,被送到山上修炼,受尽苦难;十年过去,又是因为一句话,被迫嫁给那个人人惧怕的恶魔。情景一绝色女子持剑抵着男子的心口处,轻声吐出,“放我走!”“除非我死,不然你永远都是属于我的。”男子说完,只见亮白的剑身已被鲜血染红。情景二“想救她?”冰冷的声音从她口里吐出。男子好看的嘴型眯成一条线,寒冷的眸子闪过一丝的柔情。“只要你能打败我,就能从我手上带走她!”剑轻轻一划,鲜红的血随着剑身而流下。“好”她招招狠辣,而他,也没留情。他的一掌,把她打下了悬崖。“不……”一道身影紧随着那道白色身影跳下悬崖。
  • 代嫁丫鬟懒洋洋

    代嫁丫鬟懒洋洋

    楚泱想要的很简单。一张不动的床板,一床棉被,和一个枕头。垂着头问人家强盗,“我拿十八箱金子换你的床板,成么?”把一桌子的珠宝推到太后面前:“这些东西我用不着,能不能把我的那床棉被送来。”楚泱指着皇上的额头,狡黠的笑着:“拿一个棉枕头来,可以换一个小吻。”楚泱很好打发,但又很不好打发,睡眠充足的时候如猫一样调皮,睡眠不足的时候,就是——谁也无法对付的母夜叉。指着人家笑意盈盈来送毒药的妃子,款款道:“在外面蹲一会,等小姐我睡醒了,再和你玩宫斗!”懒洋洋书群:22378990欢迎每一只小懒猫的到来哦~~以下是偶在追的文章:《入画》《娘子进错房》《兔子惦记窝边草》《花事》《爹地请你温柔一点》推荐一下,全部很好看呢。
  • 人皮面具

    人皮面具

    我叫吴泽,原本是一个平凡的大学学生,可在大三那年却在我身上发生了一件诡异的事情。晚上我和女友钻了小树林,第二天我才知道女友四天前就已经在老家出车祸死了,尸体莫名其妙的出现在千里之外的学校……