John Milton

So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity,
That, when a soul is found sincerely so,
A thousand read more

So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity,
That, when a soul is found sincerely so,
A thousand liveried angels lacky her,
Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt.

Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven firstborn!
Or of th' eternal co-eternal beam,
May I express thee read more

Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven firstborn!
Or of th' eternal co-eternal beam,
May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light
And never but in unapproached light
Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee,
Bright effluence of bright essence increate!

Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell,
. . . .
And boldly venture to read more

Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell,
. . . .
And boldly venture to whatever place
Farthest from pain?

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour
Friendliest to sleep and silence.

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour
Friendliest to sleep and silence.

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.