Paradise Lost.
Manuscript of Book I, in the hand of an amanuensis, ca. 1665.
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1904
That fought at Theb's and Ilium, on each side
Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds
In fable or Romance of Uthers sonne
Begirt with Brittish and Armoric knights;
And all who since, baptiz'd or infidell
Jousted in Aspramont or Montalban,
Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond,
Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore
When Charlemain with all his peerage fell
By Fontarabbia. Thus farr these beyond
Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd
Thir dred Commander: hee above the rest
In shape and gesture proudly eminent
Stood like a towre; his forme had yet not lost
All her original brightnesse, nor appear'd
Lesse then Archangel ruin'd, and th' excess
Of glory obscur'd: As when the sun new ris'n
Looks through the horizontal misty air
Shorn of his beames; or from behind the moon
In dimme eclipse disastrous twilight sheds
On half the nations, and with fear of change
Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon
Above them all th' Archangel: but his face
Deep scarrs of thunder had intrench't, and care
Sat on his faded cheeke, but under browes
Paradise Lost. Manuscript of Book I, in the hand of an amanuensis, ca. 1665.