John Milton

Who can enjoy alone?
Or all enjoying what contentment find?

Who can enjoy alone?
Or all enjoying what contentment find?

Thou, in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thyself a life-long monument.

Thou, in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thyself a life-long monument.

Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar
Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined;
Till at his second read more

Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar
Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined;
Till at his second bidding darkness fled,
Light shone, and order from disorder sprung.

These eyes, tho' clear
To outward view of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing read more

These eyes, tho' clear
To outward view of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will, not bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward.

If all the world
Should in a pet of temp'rance, feed on pulse,
Drink the clear stream, read more

If all the world
Should in a pet of temp'rance, feed on pulse,
Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze,
Th' All-giver would be unthank'd, would be unprais'd.