John Milton

Impostor; do not charge most innocent Nature,
As if she would her children should be riotous
With read more

Impostor; do not charge most innocent Nature,
As if she would her children should be riotous
With her abundance; she, good cateress,
Means her provision only to the good,
That live according to her sober laws,
And holy dictate of spare temperance.

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise,
(That last infirmity of noble mind)
To read more

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise,
(That last infirmity of noble mind)
To scorn delights, and live laborious days;
But the fair guerdon when we hope to find,
And think to burst out into sudden blaze,
Comes the blind Fury with th' abhorred shears,
And slits the thin-spun life.

Experience, next, to thee I owe,
Best guide; not following thee, I had remain'd
In ignorance; thou read more

Experience, next, to thee I owe,
Best guide; not following thee, I had remain'd
In ignorance; thou open'st wisdom's way,
And giv'st access, though secret she retire.

So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse
Met ever, and to shameful silence brought,
Yet gives not o'er read more

So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse
Met ever, and to shameful silence brought,
Yet gives not o'er though desperate of success.

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

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