Paradise Lost

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. Or if Sion Hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed
Fast by the oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above the Aonian mount, while it pursues
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme
And cheifly thou, O Spirit! that dost prefer
Before all temples the upright heart and pure,
Instruct me, for Thou knowest; Thou from the first
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread,
Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast abyss,
And madest it pregnan; what in me is dark
Illumine! what is low raise and support!
 That to the height of this great argument
I may assert eternal Providence,
And justify the ways of God to Men