Intro (Paradise Lost)

Drew many, whom their place knows here no more
Yet far the greater part have kept, I see
Their station, heaven, yet populous, retains
Number sufficient to possess her realms
Though wide, and this high temple to frequent
With ministries due, and solemn rites

But, lest his heart exalt him in the harm
Already done, to have dis-peopled heaven
My damage fondly deemed, I can repair
That detriment, if such it be to lose
Self-lost, and in a moment will create
Another world, out of one man a race
Of men innumerable, there to dwell

Not here, till, by degrees of merit raised
They open to themselves at length the way
Up hither, under long obedience tried
And earth be changed to heaven, and heaven to Earth

One kingdom, joy and union without end
Meanwhile, inhabit lax, ye powers of heaven
And thou my word, begotten son, by thee
This I perform, speak thou, and be it done

My overshadowing spirit and might with thee
I send along, ride forth, and bid the deep
Within appointed bounds be heaven and earth
Boundless the deep, because I am who fill

Infinitude, nor vacuous the space
Though I, uncircumscribed myself, retire
And put not forth my goodness, which is free
To act or not, necessity and chance
Approach not me, and what I will is fate

So spake the almighty, and to what he spake
His word, the filial godhead, gave effect
Immediate are the acts of God, more swift
Than time or motion, but to human ears
Cannot without process of speech be told
So told as earthly notion can receive