NO more of talk where Gel Guest
With Man, as with his Friend, familiar usd
To sit indulgent, and with him partake
Rural repast, permitting him the while
Venial discourse unblamd: I now must ge [ 5 ]
Those ic; foul distrust, and breach
Disloyal on the part of Ma,
And disobedience: On the part of Heavn
Now alienated, distand distaste,
Anger and just rebuke, and judgement givn, [ 10 ]
That brought into this World a world of woe,
Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie
Deaths Harbinger: Sad task, yet argument
Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth
Of stern Achilles on his Foe pursud [ 15 ]
Thrice Fugitive about Troy Wall; e
Of Turnus for Lavinia disespousd,
Or uns ire or Junos, that so long
Perplexd the Greek and Cythereas Son;
If answerable style I obtaine [ 20 ]
Of my Celestial Patroness, who deignes
Her nightly visitation unimplord,
And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires
Easie my unpremeditated Verse:
Since first this Subject for Heroig [ 25 ]
Pleasd me long choosing, and beginning late;
Not sedulous by Nature to indite
Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument
Heroic deemd, chief maistrie to dissect
With long and tedious havoc fabld Knights [ 30 ]
In Battels feignd; the better fortitude
Of Patiend Heroic Martyrdom
Unsung; or to describe Races and Games,
Or tilting Furniture, emblazond Shields,
Impreses quaint, Caparisons and Steeds; [ 35 ]
Bases and tirappings, gious Knights
At Joust and Tor; then marshald Feast
Servd up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals;
The skill of Artifice or Office mean,
Not that which justly gives Heroiame [ 40 ]
To Person or to Poem. Mee of these
Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument
Remaines, suffit of it self to raise
That name, unless aoo late, or cold
Climat, or Years damp my intended wing [ 45 ]
Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine,
Not Hers whs it nightly to my Ear.