Poem Lake | Page 2 | The Greatest Poems of All Time

Eve’s Lament From “Paradise Lost,” Book XI. O UNEXPECTED stroke, worse than of death! Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave Thee, native soil! these happy walks and shades, Fit haunt of gods; where I had hope to spend, Quiet, though sad, the respite of that day... Poet: John Milton	Eve to Adam From “Paradise Lost,” Book XII. WITH sorrow and heart’s distress Wearied, I fell asleep. But now lead on; In me is no delay; with thee to go, Is to stay here; without thee here to stay, Is to go hence unwilling; thou to me Art all things under... Poet: John Milton	The Departure from Paradise From “Paradise Lost,” Book XII. IN either hand the hastening angel caught Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast To the subjected plain; then disappeared. They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld... Poet: John Milton	On his Blindness When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent, which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he... Poet: John Milton
The Faithful Angel From “Paradise Lost,” Book V. THE SERAPH Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he; Among innumerable false, unmoved, Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number, nor example with... Poet: John Milton	Invocation to Light From “Paradise Lost,” Book III. HAIL, holy Light, offspring of Heaven first-born! Or of the Eternal coeternal beam May I express thee unblamed? since God is light, And never but in unapproachèd light Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, Bright... Poet: John Milton	Light From “Paradise Lost,” Book VII. “LET there be light,” God said; and forthwith Light Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung from the deep; and from her native east To journey through the aery gloom began, Sphered in a radiant cloud, for yet... Poet: John Milton	Evening in Paradise From “Paradise Lost,” Book IV. NOW came still evening on, and twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad; Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale;... Poet: John Milton
Song on May Morning Now the bright morning star, day’s harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. Hail, bounteous May! that doth inspire Mirth and youth and warm desire;... Poet: John Milton	To the Nightingale O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, Thou with fresh hopes the lover’s heart dost fill, While the jolly hours lead on propitious May. Thy liquid notes, that close the eye of day, First heard before... Poet: John Milton