Paradise Lost
@paradise-lost.bsky.social
Random lines from Paradise Lost
For, what admirest thou, what
transports thee so,
An outside? fair, no doubt,
and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring,
and thy love;
Not thy subjection: Weigh with
her thyself;
Then value: Oft-times nothing
profits more
VIII, 567-571
transports thee so,
An outside? fair, no doubt,
and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring,
and thy love;
Not thy subjection: Weigh with
her thyself;
Then value: Oft-times nothing
profits more
VIII, 567-571
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 AM
For, what admirest thou, what
transports thee so,
An outside? fair, no doubt,
and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring,
and thy love;
Not thy subjection: Weigh with
her thyself;
Then value: Oft-times nothing
profits more
VIII, 567-571
transports thee so,
An outside? fair, no doubt,
and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring,
and thy love;
Not thy subjection: Weigh with
her thyself;
Then value: Oft-times nothing
profits more
VIII, 567-571
So hardy as to proffer or
accept,
Alone, the dreadful voyage;
till, at last,
Satan, whom now transcendent
glory raised
Above his fellows, with
monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
II, 425-430
accept,
Alone, the dreadful voyage;
till, at last,
Satan, whom now transcendent
glory raised
Above his fellows, with
monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
II, 425-430
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 AM
So hardy as to proffer or
accept,
Alone, the dreadful voyage;
till, at last,
Satan, whom now transcendent
glory raised
Above his fellows, with
monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
II, 425-430
accept,
Alone, the dreadful voyage;
till, at last,
Satan, whom now transcendent
glory raised
Above his fellows, with
monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth,
unmoved thus spake:--
"O Progeny of Heaven!
Empyreal Thrones!
II, 425-430
I have received, to answer thy
desire
Of knowledge within bounds;
beyond, abstain
To ask; nor let thine own
inventions hope
Things not revealed, which the
invisible King,
Only Omniscient, hath
suppressed in night;
VII, 119-123
desire
Of knowledge within bounds;
beyond, abstain
To ask; nor let thine own
inventions hope
Things not revealed, which the
invisible King,
Only Omniscient, hath
suppressed in night;
VII, 119-123
December 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM
I have received, to answer thy
desire
Of knowledge within bounds;
beyond, abstain
To ask; nor let thine own
inventions hope
Things not revealed, which the
invisible King,
Only Omniscient, hath
suppressed in night;
VII, 119-123
desire
Of knowledge within bounds;
beyond, abstain
To ask; nor let thine own
inventions hope
Things not revealed, which the
invisible King,
Only Omniscient, hath
suppressed in night;
VII, 119-123
Ambition! Yet why not some
other Power
As great might have aspired,
and me, though mean,
Drawn to his part; but other
Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken,
from within
Or from without, to all
temptations armed.
IV, 61-65
other Power
As great might have aspired,
and me, though mean,
Drawn to his part; but other
Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken,
from within
Or from without, to all
temptations armed.
IV, 61-65
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Ambition! Yet why not some
other Power
As great might have aspired,
and me, though mean,
Drawn to his part; but other
Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken,
from within
Or from without, to all
temptations armed.
IV, 61-65
other Power
As great might have aspired,
and me, though mean,
Drawn to his part; but other
Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken,
from within
Or from without, to all
temptations armed.
IV, 61-65
To observe the sequel, saw his
guileful act
By Eve, though all unweeting,
seconded
Upon her husband; saw their
shame that sought
Vain covertures; but when he
saw descend
The Son of God to judge them,
terrified
He fled; not hoping to escape,
but shun
X, 334-339
guileful act
By Eve, though all unweeting,
seconded
Upon her husband; saw their
shame that sought
Vain covertures; but when he
saw descend
The Son of God to judge them,
terrified
He fled; not hoping to escape,
but shun
X, 334-339
December 8, 2025 at 7:43 PM
To observe the sequel, saw his
guileful act
By Eve, though all unweeting,
seconded
Upon her husband; saw their
shame that sought
Vain covertures; but when he
saw descend
The Son of God to judge them,
terrified
He fled; not hoping to escape,
but shun
X, 334-339
guileful act
By Eve, though all unweeting,
seconded
Upon her husband; saw their
shame that sought
Vain covertures; but when he
saw descend
The Son of God to judge them,
terrified
He fled; not hoping to escape,
but shun
X, 334-339
I fled; but he pursued (though
more, it seems,
Inflamed with lust than rage),
and, swifter far,
Me overtook, his mother, all
dismayed,
And, in embraces forcible and
foul
Engendering with me, of that
rape begot
II, 790-794
more, it seems,
Inflamed with lust than rage),
and, swifter far,
Me overtook, his mother, all
dismayed,
And, in embraces forcible and
foul
Engendering with me, of that
rape begot
II, 790-794
December 8, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I fled; but he pursued (though
more, it seems,
Inflamed with lust than rage),
and, swifter far,
Me overtook, his mother, all
dismayed,
And, in embraces forcible and
foul
Engendering with me, of that
rape begot
II, 790-794
more, it seems,
Inflamed with lust than rage),
and, swifter far,
Me overtook, his mother, all
dismayed,
And, in embraces forcible and
foul
Engendering with me, of that
rape begot
II, 790-794
Thick rammed, at the other
bore with touch of fire
Dilated and infuriate, shall
send forth
From far, with thundering
noise, among our foes
Such implements of mischief,
as shall dash
To pieces, and o'erwhelm
whatever stands
VI, 485-489
bore with touch of fire
Dilated and infuriate, shall
send forth
From far, with thundering
noise, among our foes
Such implements of mischief,
as shall dash
To pieces, and o'erwhelm
whatever stands
VI, 485-489
December 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thick rammed, at the other
bore with touch of fire
Dilated and infuriate, shall
send forth
From far, with thundering
noise, among our foes
Such implements of mischief,
as shall dash
To pieces, and o'erwhelm
whatever stands
VI, 485-489
bore with touch of fire
Dilated and infuriate, shall
send forth
From far, with thundering
noise, among our foes
Such implements of mischief,
as shall dash
To pieces, and o'erwhelm
whatever stands
VI, 485-489
Thee, Father, first they sung
Omnipotent,
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
Eternal King; the Author of
all being,
Fountain of light, thyself
invisible
Amidst the glorious brightness
where thou sit'st
Throned inaccessible, but when
thou shadest
III, 373-378
Omnipotent,
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
Eternal King; the Author of
all being,
Fountain of light, thyself
invisible
Amidst the glorious brightness
where thou sit'st
Throned inaccessible, but when
thou shadest
III, 373-378
December 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Thee, Father, first they sung
Omnipotent,
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
Eternal King; the Author of
all being,
Fountain of light, thyself
invisible
Amidst the glorious brightness
where thou sit'st
Throned inaccessible, but when
thou shadest
III, 373-378
Omnipotent,
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
Eternal King; the Author of
all being,
Fountain of light, thyself
invisible
Amidst the glorious brightness
where thou sit'st
Throned inaccessible, but when
thou shadest
III, 373-378
With such confusion: but the
evil, soon
Driven back, redounded as a
flood on those
From whom it sprung;
impossible to mix
With blessedness. Whence Adam
soon repealed
The doubts that in his heart
arose: and now
Led on, yet sinless, with
desire to know
VII, 56-61
evil, soon
Driven back, redounded as a
flood on those
From whom it sprung;
impossible to mix
With blessedness. Whence Adam
soon repealed
The doubts that in his heart
arose: and now
Led on, yet sinless, with
desire to know
VII, 56-61
December 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM
With such confusion: but the
evil, soon
Driven back, redounded as a
flood on those
From whom it sprung;
impossible to mix
With blessedness. Whence Adam
soon repealed
The doubts that in his heart
arose: and now
Led on, yet sinless, with
desire to know
VII, 56-61
evil, soon
Driven back, redounded as a
flood on those
From whom it sprung;
impossible to mix
With blessedness. Whence Adam
soon repealed
The doubts that in his heart
arose: and now
Led on, yet sinless, with
desire to know
VII, 56-61
And stumbled many: Who
receives them right,
Had need from head to foot
well understand;
Not understood, this gift they
have besides,
They show us when our foes
walk not upright.
So they among themselves in
pleasant vein
VI, 624-628
receives them right,
Had need from head to foot
well understand;
Not understood, this gift they
have besides,
They show us when our foes
walk not upright.
So they among themselves in
pleasant vein
VI, 624-628
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 AM
And stumbled many: Who
receives them right,
Had need from head to foot
well understand;
Not understood, this gift they
have besides,
They show us when our foes
walk not upright.
So they among themselves in
pleasant vein
VI, 624-628
receives them right,
Had need from head to foot
well understand;
Not understood, this gift they
have besides,
They show us when our foes
walk not upright.
So they among themselves in
pleasant vein
VI, 624-628
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables
true,
If true, here only, and of
delicious taste:
Betwixt them lawns, or level
downs, and flocks
Grazing the tender herb, were
interposed,
Or palmy hillock; or the
flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley
spread her store,
IV, 250-255
true,
If true, here only, and of
delicious taste:
Betwixt them lawns, or level
downs, and flocks
Grazing the tender herb, were
interposed,
Or palmy hillock; or the
flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley
spread her store,
IV, 250-255
December 8, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables
true,
If true, here only, and of
delicious taste:
Betwixt them lawns, or level
downs, and flocks
Grazing the tender herb, were
interposed,
Or palmy hillock; or the
flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley
spread her store,
IV, 250-255
true,
If true, here only, and of
delicious taste:
Betwixt them lawns, or level
downs, and flocks
Grazing the tender herb, were
interposed,
Or palmy hillock; or the
flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley
spread her store,
IV, 250-255
Training his devilish
enginery, impaled
On every side with shadowing
squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At
interview both stood
A while; but suddenly at head
appeared
Satan, and thus was heard
commanding loud.
VI, 553-557
enginery, impaled
On every side with shadowing
squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At
interview both stood
A while; but suddenly at head
appeared
Satan, and thus was heard
commanding loud.
VI, 553-557
December 8, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Training his devilish
enginery, impaled
On every side with shadowing
squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At
interview both stood
A while; but suddenly at head
appeared
Satan, and thus was heard
commanding loud.
VI, 553-557
enginery, impaled
On every side with shadowing
squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At
interview both stood
A while; but suddenly at head
appeared
Satan, and thus was heard
commanding loud.
VI, 553-557
Thrice fugitive about Troy
wall; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia
disespous'd;
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's,
that so long
Perplexed the Greek, and
Cytherea's son:
If answerable style I can
obtain
Of my celestial patroness, who
deigns
IX, 16-21
wall; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia
disespous'd;
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's,
that so long
Perplexed the Greek, and
Cytherea's son:
If answerable style I can
obtain
Of my celestial patroness, who
deigns
IX, 16-21
December 8, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Thrice fugitive about Troy
wall; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia
disespous'd;
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's,
that so long
Perplexed the Greek, and
Cytherea's son:
If answerable style I can
obtain
Of my celestial patroness, who
deigns
IX, 16-21
wall; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia
disespous'd;
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's,
that so long
Perplexed the Greek, and
Cytherea's son:
If answerable style I can
obtain
Of my celestial patroness, who
deigns
IX, 16-21
Among the trees in pairs they
rose, they walked:
The cattle in the fields and
meadows green:
Those rare and solitary, these
in flocks
Pasturing at once, and in
broad herds upsprung.
The grassy clods now calved;
now half appeared
VII, 459-463
rose, they walked:
The cattle in the fields and
meadows green:
Those rare and solitary, these
in flocks
Pasturing at once, and in
broad herds upsprung.
The grassy clods now calved;
now half appeared
VII, 459-463
December 8, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Among the trees in pairs they
rose, they walked:
The cattle in the fields and
meadows green:
Those rare and solitary, these
in flocks
Pasturing at once, and in
broad herds upsprung.
The grassy clods now calved;
now half appeared
VII, 459-463
rose, they walked:
The cattle in the fields and
meadows green:
Those rare and solitary, these
in flocks
Pasturing at once, and in
broad herds upsprung.
The grassy clods now calved;
now half appeared
VII, 459-463
From skirt to skirt a fiery
region, stretched
In battailous aspect, and
nearer view
Bristled with upright beams
innumerable
Of rigid spears, and helmets
thronged, and shields
Various, with boastful
argument portrayed,
VI, 80-84
region, stretched
In battailous aspect, and
nearer view
Bristled with upright beams
innumerable
Of rigid spears, and helmets
thronged, and shields
Various, with boastful
argument portrayed,
VI, 80-84
December 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM
From skirt to skirt a fiery
region, stretched
In battailous aspect, and
nearer view
Bristled with upright beams
innumerable
Of rigid spears, and helmets
thronged, and shields
Various, with boastful
argument portrayed,
VI, 80-84
region, stretched
In battailous aspect, and
nearer view
Bristled with upright beams
innumerable
Of rigid spears, and helmets
thronged, and shields
Various, with boastful
argument portrayed,
VI, 80-84
Free Virtue should enthrall to
Force or Chance.
Their song was partial; but
the harmony
(What could it less when
Spirits immortal sing?)
Suspended Hell, and took with
ravishment
The thronging audience. In
discourse more sweet
II, 551-555
Force or Chance.
Their song was partial; but
the harmony
(What could it less when
Spirits immortal sing?)
Suspended Hell, and took with
ravishment
The thronging audience. In
discourse more sweet
II, 551-555
December 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Free Virtue should enthrall to
Force or Chance.
Their song was partial; but
the harmony
(What could it less when
Spirits immortal sing?)
Suspended Hell, and took with
ravishment
The thronging audience. In
discourse more sweet
II, 551-555
Force or Chance.
Their song was partial; but
the harmony
(What could it less when
Spirits immortal sing?)
Suspended Hell, and took with
ravishment
The thronging audience. In
discourse more sweet
II, 551-555
(For by the Woman's seed) on
all mankind:
That ye may live, which will
be many days,
Both in one faith unanimous,
though sad,
With cause, for evils past;
yet much more cheered
With meditation on the happy
end.
He ended, and they both
descend the hill;
XII, 601-606
all mankind:
That ye may live, which will
be many days,
Both in one faith unanimous,
though sad,
With cause, for evils past;
yet much more cheered
With meditation on the happy
end.
He ended, and they both
descend the hill;
XII, 601-606
December 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
(For by the Woman's seed) on
all mankind:
That ye may live, which will
be many days,
Both in one faith unanimous,
though sad,
With cause, for evils past;
yet much more cheered
With meditation on the happy
end.
He ended, and they both
descend the hill;
XII, 601-606
all mankind:
That ye may live, which will
be many days,
Both in one faith unanimous,
though sad,
With cause, for evils past;
yet much more cheered
With meditation on the happy
end.
He ended, and they both
descend the hill;
XII, 601-606
Hath been achieved of
merit--yet this loss,
Thus far at least recovered,
hath much more
Established in a safe,
unenvied throne,
Yielded with full consent. The
happier state
In Heaven, which follows
dignity, might draw
II, 21-25
merit--yet this loss,
Thus far at least recovered,
hath much more
Established in a safe,
unenvied throne,
Yielded with full consent. The
happier state
In Heaven, which follows
dignity, might draw
II, 21-25
December 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Hath been achieved of
merit--yet this loss,
Thus far at least recovered,
hath much more
Established in a safe,
unenvied throne,
Yielded with full consent. The
happier state
In Heaven, which follows
dignity, might draw
II, 21-25
merit--yet this loss,
Thus far at least recovered,
hath much more
Established in a safe,
unenvied throne,
Yielded with full consent. The
happier state
In Heaven, which follows
dignity, might draw
II, 21-25
His fair large front and eye
sublime declared
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine
locks
Round from his parted forelock
manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath
his shoulders broad:
She, as a veil, down to the
slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses
wore
IV, 300-305
sublime declared
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine
locks
Round from his parted forelock
manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath
his shoulders broad:
She, as a veil, down to the
slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses
wore
IV, 300-305
December 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
His fair large front and eye
sublime declared
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine
locks
Round from his parted forelock
manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath
his shoulders broad:
She, as a veil, down to the
slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses
wore
IV, 300-305
sublime declared
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine
locks
Round from his parted forelock
manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath
his shoulders broad:
She, as a veil, down to the
slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses
wore
IV, 300-305
He named. Thus was the first
day even and morn:
Nor past uncelebrated, nor
unsung
By the celestial quires, when
orient light
Exhaling first from darkness
they beheld;
Birth-day of Heaven and Earth;
with joy and shout
VII, 252-256
day even and morn:
Nor past uncelebrated, nor
unsung
By the celestial quires, when
orient light
Exhaling first from darkness
they beheld;
Birth-day of Heaven and Earth;
with joy and shout
VII, 252-256
December 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
He named. Thus was the first
day even and morn:
Nor past uncelebrated, nor
unsung
By the celestial quires, when
orient light
Exhaling first from darkness
they beheld;
Birth-day of Heaven and Earth;
with joy and shout
VII, 252-256
day even and morn:
Nor past uncelebrated, nor
unsung
By the celestial quires, when
orient light
Exhaling first from darkness
they beheld;
Birth-day of Heaven and Earth;
with joy and shout
VII, 252-256
To serve the unwise, or him
who hath rebelled
Against his worthier, as thine
now serve thee,
Thyself not free, but to
thyself enthralled;
Yet lewdly darest our
ministring upbraid.
Reign thou in Hell, thy
kingdom; let me serve
VI, 179-183
who hath rebelled
Against his worthier, as thine
now serve thee,
Thyself not free, but to
thyself enthralled;
Yet lewdly darest our
ministring upbraid.
Reign thou in Hell, thy
kingdom; let me serve
VI, 179-183
December 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
To serve the unwise, or him
who hath rebelled
Against his worthier, as thine
now serve thee,
Thyself not free, but to
thyself enthralled;
Yet lewdly darest our
ministring upbraid.
Reign thou in Hell, thy
kingdom; let me serve
VI, 179-183
who hath rebelled
Against his worthier, as thine
now serve thee,
Thyself not free, but to
thyself enthralled;
Yet lewdly darest our
ministring upbraid.
Reign thou in Hell, thy
kingdom; let me serve
VI, 179-183
And whether here the race of
Man will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those,
whom last thou sawest
In triumph and luxurious
wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess
eminent
And great exploits, but of
true virtue void;
XI, 786-790
Man will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those,
whom last thou sawest
In triumph and luxurious
wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess
eminent
And great exploits, but of
true virtue void;
XI, 786-790
December 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
And whether here the race of
Man will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those,
whom last thou sawest
In triumph and luxurious
wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess
eminent
And great exploits, but of
true virtue void;
XI, 786-790
Man will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those,
whom last thou sawest
In triumph and luxurious
wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess
eminent
And great exploits, but of
true virtue void;
XI, 786-790
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, 558-562
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, 558-562
December 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM
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, 558-562
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, 558-562
Of passion, I to them had
quitted all,
At random yielded up to their
misrule;
And know not that I called,
and drew them thither,
My Hell-hounds, to lick up the
draff and filth
Which Man's polluting sin with
taint hath shed
X, 627-631
quitted all,
At random yielded up to their
misrule;
And know not that I called,
and drew them thither,
My Hell-hounds, to lick up the
draff and filth
Which Man's polluting sin with
taint hath shed
X, 627-631
December 7, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Of passion, I to them had
quitted all,
At random yielded up to their
misrule;
And know not that I called,
and drew them thither,
My Hell-hounds, to lick up the
draff and filth
Which Man's polluting sin with
taint hath shed
X, 627-631
quitted all,
At random yielded up to their
misrule;
And know not that I called,
and drew them thither,
My Hell-hounds, to lick up the
draff and filth
Which Man's polluting sin with
taint hath shed
X, 627-631
Transplanted from her cloudy
shrine, and placed
In the sun's orb, made porous
to receive
And drink the liquid light;
firm to retain
Her gathered beams, great
palace now of light.
Hither, as to their fountain,
other stars
VII, 360-364
shrine, and placed
In the sun's orb, made porous
to receive
And drink the liquid light;
firm to retain
Her gathered beams, great
palace now of light.
Hither, as to their fountain,
other stars
VII, 360-364
December 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Transplanted from her cloudy
shrine, and placed
In the sun's orb, made porous
to receive
And drink the liquid light;
firm to retain
Her gathered beams, great
palace now of light.
Hither, as to their fountain,
other stars
VII, 360-364
shrine, and placed
In the sun's orb, made porous
to receive
And drink the liquid light;
firm to retain
Her gathered beams, great
palace now of light.
Hither, as to their fountain,
other stars
VII, 360-364