Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing, Heav'nly Muse, that, on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed In the beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth Rose out of Chaos; or, if Sion hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd Fast by the oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thy aid to my advent'rous song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. And chiefly thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for thou know'st; thou from the first Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, Dovelike sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark Illumine; what is low, raise and support; That, to the height of this great argument, I may assert Eternal Providence,
And justify the ways of God to men.