Paradise Lost at last

At last, I have completed Paradise Lost by John Milton. I have been listening to the audio recording of it (which I received as a free download from christianaudio.com), and finished this morning as I hiked along the rim trail overlooking White Rock Canyon and the Rio Grande. The sun was hot, the breeze was cool, and everything was fresh from yesterday's rain. What a beautiful morning!

I really enjoyed the beauty of Milton's language, and admire the scope of the project he undertook. Let me share some words, put into Adam's mouth after Michael, the archangel, explains the mystery of salvation to Adam. It's from the last book, and gives the feel of Milton's summary and purpose...

...Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things
Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne
Just ABRAHAM and his Seed: now first I finde
Mine eyes true op'ning, and my heart much eas'd,
Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom
Of mee and all Mankind; but now I see
His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,
Favour unmerited by me, who sought
Forbidd'n knowledge by forbidd'n means. ...

...O goodness infinite, goodness immense!
That all this good of evil shall produce,
And evil turn to good; more wonderful
Then that which by creation first brought forth
Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,
Whether I should repent me now of sin
By mee done and occasiond, or rejoyce
Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring,
To God more glory, more good will to Men
From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound...

It is interesting to think that perhaps Milton himself fell into Adam's trap of seeking forbidden knowledge in trying to imagine the things not revealed to us in Scripture. Indeed, perhaps that is why he understood that temptation so well! I find myself sympathetic with Milton, at least in this work, and willing to enjoy the beauty of his language and the loftiness of his goals, without being too critical of his theology.