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Transcriber's Notes:
This e-text contains all of Milton's poems in English and Italian.
Poems in Latin have been ommitted.
The original spelling, capitalisation and punctuation have been
retained as far as possible. Characters not in the ANSI standard
set have been replaced by their nearest equivalent. The AE & OE
digraphs have been transcribed as two letters. Accented
letters in the Italian poems have been replaced by the unaccented
letter.
No italics have been retained.
Footnotes have been moved to the end of the poem to which they
refer; in Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained they have been
moved to the end of the book.
The Poetical Works of John Milton
At this point the candid reader may perhaps ask what advantage
is gained by presenting these poems to modern readers in the
dress of a bygone age. If the question were put to me I should
probably evade it by pointing out that Mr. Frowde is issuing an
edition based upon this, in which the spelling is frankly that of
to-day. But if the question were pressed, I think a sufficient
answer might be found. To begin with, I should point out that
even Prof. Masson, who in his excellent edition argues the
point and decides in favour of modern spelling, allows that there
are peculiarities of Milton's spelling which are really significant,
and ought therefore to be noted or preserved. But who is to
determine exactly which words are spelt according to the poet's
own instructions, and which according to the printer's whim? It
is notorious that in Paradise Lost some words were spelt upon a
deliberate system, and it may very well happen that in the
volume of minor poems which the poet saw through the press in
1645, there were spellings no less systematic. Prof. Masson
makes a great point of the fact that Milton's own spelling,
exhibited in the autograph manuscript of some of the minor
poems preserved in Trinity College, Cambridge, does not
correspond with that of the printed copy. [Note: This
manuscript, invaluable to all students of Milton, has lately been
facsimiled under the superintendence of Dr. Aldis Wright, and
published at the Cambridge University press]. This is certainly
true, as the reader may see for himself by comparing the
passage from the manuscript given in the appendix with the
corresponding place in the text. Milton's own spelling revels in
redundant e's, while the printer of the 1645 book is very sparing
of them. But in cases where the spelling affects the metre, we
find that the printed text and Milton's manuscript closely
correspond; and it is upon its value in determining the metre,
quite as much as its antiquarian interest, that I should base a
justification of this reprint. Take, for instance, such a line as the
eleventh of Comus, which Prof. Masson gives as:-
and
Freely we serve.
Because wee freely love, as in our will
To love or not; in this we stand or fall (v. 538).
On the other hand, in the passage (iii. 41) in which the poet
speaks of his own blindness:
H. C. B.
YATTENDON RECTORY,
November 8, 1899.
POEMS
OF
Mr John Milton,
BOTH
ENGLISH and LATIN
Compos'd at several times.
------------------------------
Printed by his true copies.
------------------------------
The SONGS were set in Musick by
Mr. HENRY LAWES Gentleman of
the KINGS Chappel, and one
of His MAIESTIES
Private Musick.
--------Baccare frontem
Cingite, ne vace noceat mala lingua futuro,
Virgil, Eclog. 7.
-----------------------------------------
Printed, and Publish'd according to
ORDER.
-----------------------------------------
LONDON,
Printed by Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Moseley,
and are to be sold at the signe of the Princes
Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard. 1645.
POEMS, &c.
UPON
Several Occasions.
--------------------------
BY
Mr. John Milton:
--------------------------
Both ENGLISH and LATIN &c.
Composed at several times.
--------------------------
With a small tractate of
EDUCATION
To Mr. HARTLIB
--------------------------
--------------------------
LONDON.
Printed for Tho. Dring at the Blew Anchor
next Mitre Court over against Fetter
Lane in Fleet-street. 1673.
Thine to Command
HUMPH. MOSELEY.
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
II
III
IV
II
III
IV
VII
VIII
IX
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIX
XX
XXI
In consecrated Earth,
And on the holy Hearth, 190
The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint,
In Urns, and Altars round,
A drear, and dying sound
Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint;
And the chill Marble seems to sweat,
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
XXII
XXIII
THE PASSION.
II
III
VI
VII
VIII
Note: This subject the Author finding to be above the yeers he had,
when he wrote it, and nothing satisfi'd with what was begun,
left it unfinish'd.
On Time.
AT A SOLEMN MUSICK.
ON SHAKESPEAR. 1630.
L'ALLEGRO.
Notes:
33 Ye] You 1673
104 And he by] And by the 1673
IL PENSEROSO.
SONNETS.
II
III
IV
VI
VII
How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth,
Stoln on his wing my three and twentith yeer !
My hasting dayes flie on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th,
Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,
That I to manhood am arriv'd so near,
And inward ripenes doth much less appear,
That som more timely-happy spirits indu'th.
Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow.
It shall be still in strictest measure eev'n, 10
To that same lot, however mean, or high,
Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav'n;
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my great task Masters eye.
VIII
Notes:
Camb. autograph supplies title, When the assault was intended
to the city.
3 If deed of honour did thee ever please, 1673.
IX
ARCADES.
I. SONG.
2. SONG.
3. SONG.
LYCIDAS.
A MASKE
PRESENTED
At Ludlow Castle,
1634:
------------------------------------------------------------
Eheu quid volui misero mihi! floribus austrum
Perditus ------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON
Printed for HYMPHREY ROBINSON
at the signe of the Three Pidgeons in
Pauls Church-yard. 1637.
My LORD,
This Poem, which receiv'd its first occasion of Birth from your
Self, and others of your Noble Family, and much honour from
your own Person in the performance, now returns again to
make a finall Dedication of it self to you. Although not openly
acknowledg'd by the Author, yet it is a legitimate off-spring, so
lovely, and so much desired, that the often Copying of it hath
tired my Pen to give my several friends satisfaction, and brought
me to a necessity of producing it to the publike view; and now
to offer it up in all rightfull devotion to those fair Hopes, and
rare endowments of your much-promising Youth, which give a
full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live
sweet Lord to be the honour of your Name, and receive this as
your own, from the hands of him, who hath by many favours
been long oblig'd to your most honour'd Parents, and as in this
representation your attendant Thyrsis, so now in all reall
expression
H. LAWES.
SIR,
It was a special favour, when you lately bestowed upon me
here, the first taste of your acquaintance, though no longer then
to make me know that I wanted more time to value it, and to
enjoy it rightly; and in truth, if I could then have imagined your
farther stay in these parts, which I understood afterwards by
Mr. H. I would have been bold in our vulgar phrase to mend my
draught (for you left me with an extreme thirst) and to have
begged your conversation again, joyntly with your said learned
Friend, at a poor meal or two, that we might have banded
together som good Authors of the antient time: Among which, I
observed you to have been familiar.
Henry Wootton.
Postscript.
The Persons.
The Measure.
La: This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, 170
My best guide now, me thought it was the sound
Of Riot, and ill manag'd Merriment,
Such as the jocond Flute, or gamesom Pipe
Stirs up among the loose unleter'd Hinds,
When for their teeming Flocks, and granges full
In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan,
And thank the gods amiss. I should he loath
To meet the rudenesse, and swill'd insolence
of such late Wassailers; yet O where els
Shall I inform my unacquainted feet 180
In the blind mazes of this tangl'd Wood?
My Brothers when they saw me wearied out
With this long way, resolving here to lodge
Under the spreading favour of these Pines,
Stept as they se'd to the next Thicket side
To bring me Berries, or such cooling fruit
As the kind hospitable Woods provide.
They left me then. when the gray-hooded Eev'n
Like a sad Votarist in Palmers weed
Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus wain. 190
But where they are, and why they came not back,
Is now the labour of my thoughts, 'tis likeliest
They had ingag'd their wandring steps too far,
And envious darknes, e're they could return,
Had stole them from me, els O theevish Night
Why shouldst thou, but for som fellonious end,
In thy dark lantern thus close up the Stars,
That nature hung in Heav'n, and fill'd their Lamps
With everlasting oil, to give due light
To the misled and lonely Travailer? 200
This is the place as well as I may guess,
Whence eev'n now the tumult of loud Mirth
Was rife and perfect in my list'ning ear,
Yet nought but single darknes do I find.
What might this be? A thousand fantasies
Begin to throng into my memory
Of calling shapes, and beckning shadows dire,
And airy tongues, that syllable mens names
On Sands and Shoars and desert Wildernesses.
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound 210
The vertuous mind that ever walks attended
By a strong siding champion Conscience.--
O welcom pure-ey'd Faith, white-handed Hope,
Thou hovering Angel girt with golden wings.
And thou unblemish't form of Chastity,
I see ye visibly and now beleeve
That he, the Supreme good t'whom all things ill
Are but as slavish officers of vengeance,
Would send a glistring Guardian if need were
To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 220
Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?
I did not err, there does a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night,
And casts a gleam over this tufted Grove.
I cannot hallow to my Brothers, but
Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest
Ile venter, for my new enliv'nd spirits
Prompt me; and they perhaps are not far off.
SONG.
The scene changes to a stately Palace, set out with all manner of
deliciousness; Soft Musick, Tables spred with all dainties.
Comus appears with his rabble. and the Lady set in an inchanted
Chair, to whom he offers his Glass, which she puts by, and goes
about to rise.
The brothers rush in with Swords drawn, wrest his Glass out of
his hand, and break it against the ground; his rout make signe of
resistance, but are all driven in; The attendant Spirit comes in.
SONG.
Sabrina fair
Listen when thou art sitting 860
Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of Lillies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,
Listen for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save.
SONG.
Notes:
43 ye] you 1673
167 omitted 1673
168, 9 Thus 1637. Manuscript reads --
but heere she comes I fairly step aside
& hearken, if I may, her buisnesse heere.
1673 reads --
And hearken, if I may her business hear.
But here she comes, I fairly step aside.
474 sensualty] sensuality 1673. Manuscript also reads sensualtie,
as the metre requires.
493 father] So also 1673. Manuscript reads father's
547 meditate] meditate upon 1673
553 drowsie frighted] Manuscript reads drowsie flighted.
556 steam] stream 1673
580 furder] further 1673
743 In the manuscript, which reads--
If you let slip time like an neglected rose
a circle has been drawn round the an, but probably not by Milton.
780 anough] anow 1673
II
III
IV
VI
VII
VIII
IX
XI
SONNETS.
XI
XIII
XIV
When Faith and Love which parted from thee never,
Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God,
Meekly thou didst resign this earthy load
Of Death, call'd Life; which us from Life doth sever
Thy Works and Alms and all thy good Endeavour
Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod;
But as Faith pointed with her golden rod,
Follow'd thee up to joy and bliss for ever.
Love led them on, and Faith who knew them best
Thy hand-maids, clad them o're with purple beams 10
And azure wings, that up they flew so drest,
And speak the truth of thee on glorious Theams
Before the Judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams.
XV
XVI
XVIII
XIX
The four following sonnets were not published until 1694, and
then in a mangled form by Phillips, in his Life of Milton; they
are here printed from the Cambridge MS., where that to Fairfax
is in Milton's autograph.
April, 1648. J. M.
Nine of the Psalms done into Metre, wherein all but what is
in a different Character, are the very words of the Text,
translated from the Original.
PSAL. LXXX.
PSAL. LXXXI.
PSAL. LXXXII.
PSAL. LXXXIII.
PSAL. LXXXIV.
PSAL LXXXV.
PSAL. LXXXVI.
PSAL. LXXXVII
PSAL. LXXXVIII
Finis.
Paradise lost.
A
POEM
Written in
TEN BOOKS
By John Milton
------------------------------------------------------------
Licensed and Entred according
to Order
------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON.
Printed, and are to be sold by Peter Parker
under Creed Church neer Aldgate; And by
Robert Boulter at the Turk's head in Bishopsgate-street
And Matthias Walker, under St. Dunstan's Church
in Fleet-street, 1667.
Paradise Lost.
A
POEM
IN
TWELVE BOOKS.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Author
JOHN MILTON.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Second Edition
Revised and Augmented by the
Same Author.
------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON.
Printed by S. Simmons next door to the
Golden Lion in Aldergate-street, 1674.
PARADISE LOST.
ON Paradise Lost.
A.M.
Notes:
The Printer to the Reader] Added in 1668 to the copies then
remaining of the first edition, amended in 1669, and omitted in
1670.
I have procur'd it, and . . . . not. 1669] is procured. 1668.
THE VERSE.
BOOK I.
THE ARGUMENT.
THIS first Book proposes first in brief the whole Subject, Mans
disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he
was plac't: Then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent,
or rather Satan in the Serpent; who revolting from God, and
drawing to his side many Legions of Angels, was by the
command of God driven out of Heaven with all his Crew into
the great Deep. Which action past over, the Poem hasts into the
midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now fallen
into Hell describ'd here, not in the Center (for Heaven and Earth
may be suppos'd as yet not made, certainly not yet accurst) but
in a place of utter darknesse, fitliest call'd Chaos: Here Satan
with his Angels lying on the burning Lake, thunder-struck and
astonisht, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls
up him who next in Order and Dignity lay by him; they confer of
thir miserable fall. Satan awakens all his Legions, who lay till
then in the same manner confounded; They rise, thir Numbers,
array of Battel, thir chief Leaders nam'd according to the Idols
known afterwards in Canaan and the Countries adjoyning. To
these Satan directs his Speech, comforts them with hope yet of
gaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of a new World and new
kind of Creature to be created, according to an ancient
Prophesie or report in Heaven; for that Angels were long
before this visible Creation, was the opinion of many ancient
Fathers. To find out the truth of this Prophesie, and what to
determin thereon he refers to a full councell. What his
Associates thence attempt. Pandemonium the palace of Satan
rises, suddenly built out of the Deep: The infernal Peers there sit
in Counsel.
Notes:
504, 505 hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons] the hospitable
door Expos'd a Matron 1674.
530 fainted] fa(i)nting 1674.
703 founded] found out 1674.
737 Herarchie] Hierarchie 1674.
BOOK II.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
282 where] were 1674.
402 breath] misprint for breathe.
483 thir] her 1674.
527 his] this 1674.
542 Oealia] Oechalia 1674.
631 toward] towards 1674.
BOOK III.
THE ARGUMENT.
God sitting on his Throne sees Satan flying towards this world,
then newly created; shews him to the Son who sat at his right
hand; foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind;
clears his own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation, having
created Man free and able enough to have withstood his
Tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in
regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him
seduc't. The Son of God renders praises to his father for the
manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man; God again
declares, that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without
the satisfaction of divine Justice; Man hath offended the majesty
of God by aspiring to Godhead, and therefore with all his
progeny devoted to death must dye, unless some one can be
found sufficient to answer for his offence, and undergoe his
Punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a Ransome
for Man: the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation,
pronounces his exaltation above all in Heaven and Earth,
commands all the Angels to adore him; they obey, amid
hymning to their Harps in full Quire, celebrate the Father and
the Son.. Mean while Satan alights upon the bare convex of this
Worlds outermost Orb; where wandring he first finds a place
since call'd The Lymbo of Vanity, what persons and things fly
up thither; thence comes to the Gate of Heaven, describ'd
ascending by stairs and the waters above the Firmament that
flow about it: His passage thence to the Orb of the Sun; he finds
there Uriel the Regent of that Orb, but first changes himself into
the shape of a meaner Angel; and pretending a zealous desire to
behold the new Creation and Man whom God had plac't here,
inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed;
alights first on Mount Niphates.
BOOK IV.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
Argument: promises to find him out] promises to find him 1674
627 walks] walk 1674.
928 The] Thy 1674.
BOOK V.
THE ARGUMENT.
Morning approach't, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome
dream: he likes it not, yet comforts her: They come forth to thir
day labours: Their Morning Hymn at the Door of their Bower.
God to render Man inexcusable sends Raphael to admonish him
of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand;
who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail
Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise; his
appearance describ'd, his coming discern'd by Adam afar off
sitting at the door of his Bower; he goes out to meet him, brings
him to his lodge, entertains him with the choycest fruits of
Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at Table: Raphael
performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his
enemy; relates at Adams request who that enemy is, and how he
came to be so, beginning with his first revolt in Heaven and the
occasion thereof; how he drew his Legions after him to the
parts of the North, and there incited them to rebel with him,
perswading all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in Argument
diswades and opposes him, then forsakes him.
Notes:
627: Eevning approachd] Eevning now approachd 1674
636-639: On flours repos'd, and with fresh flourets crown'd
They eate, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortalitie and joy, secure
Of surfet where full measure onely bounds
Excess, before th'all bounteous King, who showrd 1674.
BOOK VI.
THE ARGUMENT.
BOOK VII.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
451. Bentley's emendation of soul for fowl should be noted.
See Genesis i. 30 A. V. margin.
563 stations] station 1674
BOOK VIII.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
1-4 These lines were added in the second edition (1674) when
Book VII was divided into two at line 640. Line 641 had read
'To whom thus Adam gratefully repli'd'.
269 as] and 1674.
BOOK IX.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
186 not] nor 1674.
213 hear] bear 1674.
394 Likest] likeliest 1674.
922 hast] hath 1674.
BOOK X.
THE ARGUMENT.
Notes:
58 may] might 1674.
241 Avenger] Avengers 1674.
397 those] these 1674.
827 they acquitted] they then acquitted 1674.
BOOK XI.
THE ARGUMENT.
The Son of God presents to his Father the Prayers of our first
Parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts
them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise;
sends Michael with a Band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but
first to reveal to Adam future things: Michaels coming down,
Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michaels
approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces thir
departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The
Angel leads him up to a high Hill, sets before him in a vision
what shall happ'n till the Flood.
Notes:
484 After this line, 1674 adds:
Daemoniac Phrenzie, moaping Melancholie
And Moon struck madness, pining Atrophie,
Marasmus, and wide wasting Pestilence,
548 Of rendring up, and patiently attend
My dissolution. Michael repli'd 1674.
647 tacks] makes 1674.
866 that] who 1674.
BOOK XII.
THE ARGUMENT.
The Angel Michael continues from the Flood to relate what shall
succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to
explain who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was
promised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his Incarnation, Death,
Resurrection, and Ascention; the state of the Church till his
second Coming. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by these
Relations and Promises descends the Hill with Michael; wakens
Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams
compos'd to quietness of mind and submission. Michael in either
hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery Sword waving behind
them, and the Cherubim taking thir Stations to guard the Place.
Notes:
Argument: The Angel .... seed] Thence from the Flood relates,
and by degrees explains who that seed 1667.
1-5 These five lines were added in the Second Edition (1674) when
the original tenth book was divided into an eleventh and twelfth.
The End.
PARADISE
REGAIND.
A
POEM.
In IV BOOKS
To which is added
SAMSON AGONISTES
------------------------------------------------------------
The Author
JOHN MILTON
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON.
Printed by J.M. for John Starkey at the
Mitre in Fleetstreet, near Temple-Bar.
MDCLXXI
PARADISE REGAIN'D.
The End.
Transcriber's Note: Title page of first edition of Samson Agonistes
follows:
SAMSON
AGONISTES,
A
DRAMATIC POEM.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Author
JOHN MILTON
------------------------------------------------------------
Aristot. Poet. Cap. 6.
Tragedia mimeis praxeos spadaias, &c.
Tragedia est imitatio actionis seriae. &c. Per misericordiam &
metum perficiens talium affectuum lustrationem.
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON.
Printed by J.M. for John Starkey at the
Mitre in Fleetstreet, near Temple-Bar.
MDCLXXI
SAMSON AGONISTES
The ARGUMENT.
Samson made Captive, Blind, and now in the Prison at Gaza, there
to labour as in a common work-house, on a Festival day, in the
general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open Air, to a
place nigh, somewhat retir'd there to sit a while and bemoan his
condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain
friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek
to comfort him what they can ; then by his old Father Manoa, who
endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his
liberty by ransom; lastly, that this Feast was proclaim'd by the
Philistins as a day of Thanksgiving for thir deliverance from the
hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoa then
departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistian Lords for
Samson's redemption; who in the mean while is visited by other
persons; and lastly by a publick Officer to require coming to the
Feast before the Lords and People, to play or shew his strength in
thir presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the publick officer with
absolute denyal to come; at length perswaded inwardly that this
was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the
second time with great threatnings to fetch him; the Chorus yet
remaining on the place, Manoa returns full of joyful hope, to
procure e're long his Sons deliverance: in the midst of which
discourse an Ebrew comes in haste confusedly at first; and
afterward more distinctly relating the Catastrophe, what Samson
had done to the Philistins, and by accident to himself; wherewith
the Tragedy ends.
The Persons
Samson.
Manoa the father of Samson.
Dalila his wife.
Harapha of Gath.
Publick Officer.
Messenger.
Chorus of Danites
Man: With cause this hope relieves thee, and these words
I as a Prophecy receive: for God,
Nothing more certain, will not long defer
To vindicate the glory of his name
Against all competition, nor will long
Endure it, doubtful whether God be Lord,
Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done?
Thou must not in the mean while here forgot
Lie in this miserable loathsom plight 480
Neglected. I already have made way
To some Philistian Lords, with whom to treat
About thy ransom: well they may by this
Have satisfi'd thir utmost of revenge
By pains and slaveries, worse then death inflicted
On thee, who now no more canst do them harm.
Sam: Spare that proposal, Father, spare the trouble
Of that sollicitation; let me here,
As I deserve, pay on my punishment;
And expiate, if possible, my crime, 490
Shameful garrulity. To have reveal'd
Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend,
How hainous had the fact been, how deserving
Contempt, and scorn of all, to be excluded
All friendship, and avoided as a blab,
The mark of fool set on his front?
But I Gods counsel have not kept, his holy secret
Presumptuously have publish'd, impiously,
Weakly at least, and shamefully: A sin
That Gentiles in thir Parables condemn 500
To thir abyss and horrid pains confin'd.
Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with that gift
Which was expresly giv'n thee to annoy them?
Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle,
Inglorious, unimploy'd, with age out-worn. 580
But God who caus'd a fountain at thy prayer
>From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst to allay
After the brunt of battel, can as easie
Cause light again within thy eies to spring,
Wherewith to serve him better then thou hast;
And I perswade me so; why else this strength
Miraculous yet remaining in those locks?
His might continues in thee not for naught,
Nor shall his wondrous gifts be frustrate thus.
Cho: Yet on she moves, now stands & eies thee fixt,
About t'have spoke, but now, with head declin'd
Like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps
And words addrest seem into tears dissolv'd,
Wetting the borders of her silk'n veil: 730
But now again she makes address to speak.
Chor: Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not
Chor: How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. 1380
Chor: Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain
Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon
Conceiv'd, agreeable to a Fathers love,
In both which we, as next participate.
Mess: Gaza yet stands, but all her Sons are fall'n,
All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n.
The End.
APPENDIX.
ON TIME
End of the Project Gutenberg E-text of The Poetical Works of John Milton.