ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 148
Adam and Eve Leave Paradise
IN either hand the hastening angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the Eastern gate
Led them direct, and down, the cliff as fast
To the subjected plain—then disappeared.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld
Of Paradise, so late their happy seat,
Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate
With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms.
Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon ;
The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.
They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,
Through Eden took their solitary way.
Last words of Paradise Lost
Milton9s First Poem
LET us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for He is kind ;
For His mercies ay endure.
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us blaze His name abroad
For of gods He is the God :
He with all-commanding might
Filled the new-made world with light:
He the golden-tressed sun
Caused all day his course to run :
The horned moon to shine by night,
Mid her spangled sisters bright:
All things living He doth feed.
His full hand supplies their need :
Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for He is kind :
For His mercies shall endure
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Milton in His Pride
accuse me of blindness, because I have lost my eyes in the
JL service of liberty. They tax me with cowardice, and while I
had the use of my eyes and my sword I never feared the boldest
among them. Finally, I am upbraided with deformity, while no one
was more handsome in the age of beauty* I do not even complain
of my want of sight; in the night with which I am surrounded the
light of the Divine Presence shines with a more brilliant lustre.