第2章 1

NO more of talk where God or Angel Guest With Man, as with his Friend, familiar usd To sit indulgent, and with him partake Rural repast, permitting him the while Venial discourse unblamd: I now must change [ 5 ] Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt,

And disobedience: On the part of Heavn Now alienated, distance and distaste, Anger and just rebuke, and judgement givn, [ 10 ] That brought into this World a world of woe, Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie Deaths Harbinger: Sad task, yet argument Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth

Of stern Achilles on his Foe pursud [ 15 ] Thrice Fugitive about Troy Wall; or rage Of Turnus for Lavinia disespousd, Or Neptuns ire or Junos, that so long Perplexd the Greek and Cythereas Son; If answerable style I can obtaine [ 20 ] Of my Celestial Patroness, who deignes Her nightly visitation unimplord,

And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires Easie my unpremeditated Verse: Since first this Subject for Heroic Song [ 25 ] Pleasd me long choosing, and beginning late; Not sedulous by Nature to indite Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument Heroic deemd, chief maistrie to dissect With long and tedious havoc fabld Knights [ 30 ]

In Battels feignd; the better fortitude Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom Unsung; or to describe Races and Games, Or tilting Furniture, emblazond Shields, Impreses quaint, Caparisons and Steeds; [ 35 ] Bases and tinsel Trappings, gorgious Knights At Joust and Torneament; then marshald Feast Servd up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals;

The skill of Artifice or Office mean, Not that which justly gives Heroic name [ 40 ] To Person or to Poem. Mee of these Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument Remaines, sufficient of it self to raise That name, unless an age too late, or cold Climat, or Years damp my intended wing [ 45 ] Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine,

Not Hers who brings it nightly to my Ear.