John Milton

Under the sooty flag of Acheron,
Harpies and Hydras.

Under the sooty flag of Acheron,
Harpies and Hydras.

O dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon,
Irrecoverably dark! total eclipse,
Without all hope of day.

O dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon,
Irrecoverably dark! total eclipse,
Without all hope of day.

(Eternity) a moment standing still for ever.

(Eternity) a moment standing still for ever.

If weakness may excuse,
What murderer, what traitor, parricide,
Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it?
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If weakness may excuse,
What murderer, what traitor, parricide,
Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it?
All wickedness is weakness; that plea, therefore,
With God or man will gain thee no remission.

If at great things thou would'st arrive,
Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap,
Not difficult, read more

If at great things thou would'st arrive,
Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap,
Not difficult, if thou hearken to me;
Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand,
They whom I favor thrive in wealth amain,
While virtue, valor, wisdom, sit in want.