Paradise Lost Opening

John Milton — Paradise Lost

Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste Brought death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed In the beginning how the heavens and earth Rose out of Chaos.

Published in 1667, Paradise Lost is John Milton's epic retelling of the biblical fall of man. Its opening lines follow the classical epic tradition of invoking a muse, here asking for inspiration to tell how humanity's disobedience in Eden brought death and suffering into the world.