Of Man's first disobedience and the fruitOf that forbidden tree whose mortal tasteBrought death into the World and all our woeWith loss of Eden till one greater ManRestore us and regain the blissful seatSing Heavenly Muse that on the secret topOf Oreb or of Sinai didst inspireThat shepherd who first taught the chosen seedIn the beginning how the heavens and earthRose out of Chaos: or if Sion hillDelight thee more and Siloa's brook that flowedFast by the oracle of God I thenceInvoke thy aid to my adventurous songThat with no middle flight intends to soarAbove th' Aonian mount while it pursuesThings unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.And chiefly thou O Spirit that dost preferBefore all temples th' upright heart and pureInstruct me for thou know'st; thou from the firstWast present and with mighty wings outspreadDove-like sat'st brooding on the vast AbyssAnd mad'st it pregnant: what in me is darkIllumine what is low raise and support;That to the height of this great argumentI may assert Eternal ProvidenceAnd justify the ways of God to men.