WORKS
Milton
Book I of Paradise Lost
Book II of Paradise Lost
Book III of Paradise Lost
Book IV of Paradise Lost
Book V of Paradise Lost
Book VI of Paradise Lost
Book VIII of Paradise Lost
Book IX of Paradise Lost
Book X of Paradise Lost
Book XI of Paradise Lost
Book XII of Paradise Lost
Miscellaneous
MILTON
Head of Milton
Date
(ca. 1800–03)
Medium
Pen and ink and tempera on canvas
Dimensions
Height: 40.1 cm
Width: 90.9 cm
Height (framed): 49.2 cm
Width (framed): 99.1 cm
Location
Manchester Art Gallery
Frontispiece to Milton
Date
1804–11
Medium
Hand-colored relief etching and white-line etching
Dimensions
Height: 15.9 cm
Width: 11 cm
Location
British Museum, London
Plate 13 of Blake’s Milton (Copy A)
Date
1804–11
Medium
Hand-colored relief etching and white-line etching
Dimensions
Height: 16 cm
Width: 11.1 cm
Location
British Museum, London
BOOK I OF PARADISE LOST
“This first Book proposes, first in brief, the whole Subject, Man’s disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he was plac’t: Then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the Serpent; who revolting from God, and drawing to his side many Legions of Angels, was by the command of God driven out of Heaven with all his Crew into the great Deep. Which action past over, the Poem hastes into the midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now fallen into Hell, describ’d here, not in the Centre (for Heaven and Earth may be suppos’d as yet not made, certainly not yet accurst) but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest call’d Chaos: Here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning Lake, thunder-struck and astonisht, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in Order and Dignity lay by him; they confer of thir miserable fall. Satan awakens all his Legions, who lay till then in the same manner confounded; They rise, thir Numbers, array of Battle, thir chief Leaders nam’d, according to the Idols known afterwards in Canaan and the Countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his Speech, comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of a new World and new kind of Creature to be created, according to an ancient Prophecy or report in Heaven; for that Angels were long before this visible Creation, was the opinion of many ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this Prophecy, and what to determine thereon he refers to a full Council. What his Associates thence attempt. Pandemonium the Palace of Satan rises, suddenly built out of the Deep: The infernal Peers there sit in Council.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book I of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
Satan Calling up his Legions
Date
ca. 1800–05
Medium
Tempera and gold leaf on canvas
Dimensions
Height: 53.3 cm
Width: 49.6 cm
Locations
Petworth House, The Egremont Collection (National Trust), West Sussex
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
PL Lines
“He call’d so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded.…
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall’n.
They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung…”
(Paradise Lost, Book I, 314–15, 330–31)
Satan Calling up his Legions
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25 cm
Width: 21.1 cm
Height: 25 cm (mount)
Width: 21.1 cm (mount)
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“He call’d so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded.…
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall’n.
They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung…”
(Paradise Lost, Book I, 314–15, 330–31)
Satan Calling up his Legions
Date
1808
Medium
Watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 51.8 cm
Width: 39.3 cm
Location
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
PL Lines
“He call’d so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded.…
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall’n.
They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung…”
(Paradise Lost, Book I, 314–15, 330–31)
BOOK II OF PARADISE LOST
“The Consultation begun, Satan debates whether another Battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it, others dissuade: A third proposal is preferr’d, mention’d before by Satan, to search the truth of that Prophecy or Tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature equal or not much inferior to themselves, about this time to be created: Thir doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search: Satan thir chief undertakes alone the voyage, is honor’d and applauded. The Council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways and to several employments, as thir inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his Journey to Hell Gates, finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them, by whom at length they are op’n’d, and discover to him the great Gulf between Hell and Heaven; with what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World which he sought.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book II of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
Satan, Sin and Death – Satan comes to the Gates of Hell
Date
1807
Medium
Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 24.7 cm
Width: 20.8 cm
Height: 24.7 cm (mount)
Width: 20.8 cm (mount)
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“So spake the grisly terror, and in shape,
So speaking and so threat’ning, grew tenfold
More dreadful and deform: on th’ other side
Incens’t with indignation Satan stood
Unterrifi’d, and like a Comet burn’d.…
So frown’d the mighty Combatants, that Hell
Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood;
For never but once more was either like
To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
Had been achiev’d, whereof all Hell had rung,
Had not the Snaky Sorceress that sat
Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
Ris’n, and with hideous outcry rush’d between.
O Father, what intends thy hand, she cri’d,
Against thy only Son? What fury O Son,
Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
Against thy Father’s head?”
(Paradise Lost, Book II, 704–08, 719–30)
Satan, Sin and Death – Satan comes to the Gates of Hell
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor, with touches of liquid gold
Dimensions
Height: 49.6 cm
Width: 40.3 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“So spake the grisly terror, and in shape,
So speaking and so threat’ning, grew tenfold
More dreadful and deform: on th’ other side
Incens’t with indignation Satan stood
Unterrifi’d, and like a Comet burn’d.…
So frown’d the mighty Combatants, that Hell
Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood;
For never but once more was either like
To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
Had been achiev’d, whereof all Hell had rung,
Had not the Snaky Sorceress that sat
Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
Ris’n, and with hideous outcry rush’d between.
O Father, what intends thy hand, she cri’d,
Against thy only Son? What fury O Son,
Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
Against thy Father’s head?”
(Paradise Lost, Book II, 704–08, 719–30)
Satan Approaching the Court of Chaos
Date
ca. 1782–85
Medium
Graphite with pen and gray ink and gray wash on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm (sheet)
Width: 33.7 cm (sheet)
Location
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT
PL Lines
“…thither he plies,
Undaunted to meet there whatever power
Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss
Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies
Bordering on light; when straight behold the Throne
Of Chaos, and his dark Pavilion spread
Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron’d
Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things,
The Consort of his Reign; and by them stood
Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name
Of Demogorgon; Rumor next and Chance,
And Tumult and Confusion all imbroil’d,
And Discord with a thousand various mouths.”
(Paradise Lost, Book II, 954–67)
BOOK III OF PARADISE LOST
“God sitting on his Throne sees Satan flying towards this world, then newly created; shows him to the Son who sat at his right hand; foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation, having created Man free and able enough to have withstood his Tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduc’t. The Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man; but God again declares, that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of divine Justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to Godhead, and therefore with all his Progeny devoted to death must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to answer for his offense, and undergo his Punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a Ransom for Man: the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all Names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the Angels to adore him; they obey, and hymning to thir Harps in full Choir, celebrate the Father and the Son. Meanwhile Satan alights upon the bare convex of this World’s outermost Orb; where wand’ring he first finds a place since call’d The Limbo of Vanity; what persons and things fly up thither; thence comes to the Gate of Heaven, describ’d ascending by stairs, and the waters above the Firmament that flow about it: His passage thence to the Orb of the Sun; he finds there Uriel the Regent of that Orb, but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner Angel; and pretending a zealous desire to behold the new Creation and Man whom God had plac’t there, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed; alights first on Mount Niphates.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book III of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
Christ offers to Redeem Man
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.7 cm
Width: 20.9 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“As in him perish all men, so in thee
As from a second root shall be restor’d,
As many as are restor’d, without thee none.…
Because thou hast, though Thron’d in highest bliss
Equal to God, and equally enjoying
God-like fruition, quitted all to save
A world from utter loss, and hast been found
By Merit more than Birthright Son of God,
Found worthiest to be so by being Good,
Far more than Great or High; because in thee
Love hath abounded more than Glory abounds,
Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt
With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne;
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reign
Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
Anointed universal King; all Power
I give thee, reign for ever, and assume
Thy Merits.…
…But all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all this dies,
Adore the Son, and honor him as mee.
No sooner had th’ Almighty ceas’t, but all
The multitude of Angels with a shout
Loud as from numbers without number, sweet
As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav’n rung
With Jubilee, and loud Hosannas fill’d
Th’ eternal Regions: lowly reverent
Towards either Throne they bow, and to the ground
With solemn adoration down they cast
Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold…”
(Paradise Lost, Book III, 287–89, 305–19, 341–52)
Christ Accepting the Office of Redeemer
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 49.6 cm
Width: 39.3 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“As in him perish all men, so in thee
As from a second root shall be restor’d,
As many as are restor’d, without thee none.…
Because thou hast, though Thron’d in highest bliss
Equal to God, and equally enjoying
God-like fruition, quitted all to save
A world from utter loss, and hast been found
By Merit more than Birthright Son of God,
Found worthiest to be so by being Good,
Far more than Great or High; because in thee
Love hath abounded more than Glory abounds,
Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt
With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne;
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reign
Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
Anointed universal King; all Power
I give thee, reign for ever, and assume
Thy Merits.…
…But all ye Gods,
Adore him, who to compass all this dies,
Adore the Son, and honor him as mee.
No sooner had th’ Almighty ceas’t, but all
The multitude of Angels with a shout
Loud as from numbers without number, sweet
As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav’n rung
With Jubilee, and loud Hosannas fill’d
Th’ eternal Regions: lowly reverent
Towards either Throne they bow, and to the ground
With solemn adoration down they cast
Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold…”
(Paradise Lost, Book III, 287–89, 305–19, 341–52)
BOOK IV OF PARADISE LOST
“Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and situation is described, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a Cormorant on the Tree of Life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. The Garden describ’d; Satan’s first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at thir excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work thir fall; overhears thir discourse, thence gathers that the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his Temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while, to know further of thir state by some other means. Meanwhile Uriel descending on a Sun-beam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the Gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escap’d the Deep, and past at Noon by his Sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the Mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to thir rest: thir Bower describ’d; thir Evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his Bands of Night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adam’s Bower, lest the evil spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom question’d, he scornfully answers, prepares resistance, but hinder’d by a Sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book IV of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
Satan Spying on Adam and Eve’s Descent into Paradise
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.1 cm
Width: 20.9 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood,
Scarce thus at length fail’d speech recover’d sad.
O Hell! what do mine eyes with grief behold,
Into our room of bliss thus high advanc’t
Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,
Not Spirits, yet to heav’nly Spirits bright
Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
In them Divine resemblance, and such grace
The hand that form’d them on thir shape hath pour’d.”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 356–65)
Satan Watching the Endearments of Adam and Eve
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.7 cm
Width: 21.8 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreprov’d,
And meek surrender, half imbracing lean’d
On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
Naked met his under the flowing Gold
Of her loose tresses hid: hee in delight
Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
Smil’d with superior Love, as Jupiter
On Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
That shed May Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
With kisses pure: aside the Devil turn’d
For envy, yet with jealous leer malign
Ey’d them askance, and to himself thus plain’d.
Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis’t in one another’s arms
The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 492–511)
Satan Watching the Endearments of Adam and Eve
Engraver
William Bell Scott, after William Blake
Date
1807
Medium
Etching on chine collé
Dimensions
Height: 18.1 cm (image)
Width: 14.1 cm (image)
Height: 26.5 cm (plate)
Width: 20 cm (plate)
Height: 34.8 cm (sheet)
Width: 26.6 cm (sheet)
Location
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
PL Lines
“So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreprov’d,
And meek surrender, half imbracing lean’d
On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
Naked met his under the flowing Gold
Of her loose tresses hid: hee in delight
Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
Smil’d with superior Love, as Jupiter
On Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
That shed May Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
With kisses pure: aside the Devil turn’d
For envy, yet with jealous leer malign
Ey’d them askance, and to himself thus plain’d.
Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis’t in one another’s arms
The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 492–511)
Satan Watching the Caresses of Adam and Eve
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 50.5 cm
Width: 38 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreprov’d,
And meek surrender, half imbracing lean’d
On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
Naked met his under the flowing Gold
Of her loose tresses hid: hee in delight
Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
Smil’d with superior Love, as Jupiter
On Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
That shed May Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
With kisses pure: aside the Devil turn’d
For envy, yet with jealous leer malign
Ey’d them askance, and to himself thus plain’d.
Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis’t in one another’s arms
The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 492–511)
Satan Watching the Endearments of Adam and Eve
Date
1822
Medium
Pen and ink and watercolour over traces of black chalk, with gum and stippling and sponging
Dimensions
Height: 52.8 cm (sheet)
Width: 39 cm (sheet)
Location
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
PL Lines
“So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreprov’d,
And meek surrender, half imbracing lean’d
On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
Naked met his under the flowing Gold
Of her loose tresses hid: hee in delight
Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
Smil’d with superior Love, as Jupiter
On Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
That shed May Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
With kisses pure: aside the Devil turn’d
For envy, yet with jealous leer malign
Ey’d them askance, and to himself thus plain’d.
Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis’t in one another’s arms
The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 492–511)
Adam and Eve Sleeping
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 49.2 cm
Width: 38.7 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“…these to the Bower direct
In search of whom they sought: him there they found
Squat like a Toad, close at the ear of Eve;
Assaying by his Devilish art to reach
The Organs of her Fancy, and with them forge
Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,
Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint
Th’ animal spirits that from pure blood arise
Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise
At least distemper’d, discontented thoughts,
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires
Blown up with high conceits ingend’ring pride.”
(Paradise Lost, Book IV, 798–809)
BOOK V OF PARADISE LOST
“Morning approacht, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: They come forth to thir day labors: Thir Morning Hymn at the Door of thir Bower. God to render Man inexcusable sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand; who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise, his appearance describ’d, his coming discern’d by Adam afar off sitting at the door of his Bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; thir discourse at Table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates at Adam’s request who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his Legions after him to the parts of the North, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in Argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book V of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The Archangel Raphael with Adam and Eve
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.7 cm
Width: 20.9 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“Thus Adam made request, and Raphaël
After short pause assenting, thus began.
High matter thou injoin’st me, O prime of men,
Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate
To human sense th’ invisible exploits
Of warring Spirits; how without remorse
The ruin of so many glorious once
And perfet while they stood; how last unfold
The secrets of another World, perhaps
Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good
This is dispens’t, and what surmounts the reach
Of human sense, I shall delineate so,
By lik’ning spiritual to corporal forms,
As may express them best, though what if Earth
Be but the shadow of Heav’n, and things therein
Each to other like more than on Earth is thought?”
(Paradise Lost, Book V, 561–76)
The Archangel Raphael with Adam and Eve
Date
1808
Medium
Height: 49.8 cm
Width: 39.8 cm
Dimensions
Pen and watercolor on paper
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“Thus Adam made request, and Raphaël
After short pause assenting, thus began.
High matter thou injoin’st me, O prime of men,
Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate
To human sense th’ invisible exploits
Of warring Spirits; how without remorse
The ruin of so many glorious once
And perfet while they stood; how last unfold
The secrets of another World, perhaps
Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good
This is dispens’t, and what surmounts the reach
Of human sense, I shall delineate so,
By lik’ning spiritual to corporal forms,
As may express them best, though what if Earth
Be but the shadow of Heav’n, and things therein
Each to other like more than on Earth is thought?”
(Paradise Lost, Book V, 561–76)
BOOK VI OF PARADISE LOST
“Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to Battle against Satan and his Angels. To first Fight describ’d: Satan and his Powers retire under Night: He calls a Council, invents devilish Engines, which in the second day’s Fight put Michael and his Angels to some disorder; but they at length pulling up Mountains overwhelm’d both the force and Machines of Satan: Yet the Tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserv’d the glory of that Victory: Hee in the Power of his Father coming to the place, and causing all his Legions to stand still on either side, with his Chariot and Thunder driving into the midst of his Enemies, pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepar’d for them in the Deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book VI of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The Rout of the Rebel Angels
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 28.8 centimeters
Width: 20.8 centimeters
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“The overthrown he rais’d, and as a Herd
Of Goats or timorous flock together throng’d
Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu’d
With terrors and with furies to the bounds
And Crystal wall of Heav’n, which op’ning wide,
Roll’d inward, and a spacious Gap disclos’d
Into the wasteful Deep; the monstrous sight
Struck them with horror backward, but far worse
Urg’d them behind; headlong themselves they threw
Down from the verge of Heav’n, Eternal wrath
Burn’d after them to the bottomless pit.”
(Paradise Lost, Book VI, 856–66)
The Casting of the Rebel Angels into Hell
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 49.6 cm (sheet)
Width: 39.3 cm (sheet)
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“The overthrown he rais’d, and as a Herd
Of Goats or timorous flock together throng’d
Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu’d
With terrors and with furies to the bounds
And Crystal wall of Heav’n, which op’ning wide,
Roll’d inward, and a spacious Gap disclos’d
Into the wasteful Deep; the monstrous sight
Struck them with horror backward, but far worse
Urg’d them behind; headlong themselves they threw
Down from the verge of Heav’n, Eternal wrath
Burn’d after them to the bottomless pit.”
(Paradise Lost, Book VI, 856–66)
BOOK VIII OF PARADISE LOST
“Adam inquires concerning celestial Motions, is doubtfully answer’d, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam assents, and still desirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remember’d since his own Creation, his placing in Paradise, his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society, his first meeting and Nuptials with Eve, his discourse with the Angel thereupon; who after admonitions repeated departs.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book VIII of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The Creation of Eve
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.3 cm
Width: 20.8 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“Mine eyes he clos’d, but op’n left the Cell
Of Fancy my internal sight, by which
Abstract as in a trance methought I saw,
Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape
Still glorious before whom awake I stood;
Who stooping op’n’d my left side, and took
From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warm,
And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,
But suddenly with flesh fill’d up and heal’d:
The Rib he form’d and fashion’d with his hands;
Under his forming hands a Creature grew,
Manlike, but different sex, so lovely fair,
That what seem’d fair in all the World, seem’d now
Mean, or in her summ’d up, in her contain’d
And in her looks, which from that time infus’d
Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before,
And into all things from her Air inspir’d
The spirit of love and amorous delight.”
(Paradise Lost, Book VIII, 460–77)
The Creation of Eve
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 50.3 cm
Width: 40 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“Mine eyes he clos’d, but op’n left the Cell
Of Fancy my internal sight, by which
Abstract as in a trance methought I saw,
Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape
Still glorious before whom awake I stood;
Who stooping op’n’d my left side, and took
From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warm,
And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,
But suddenly with flesh fill’d up and heal’d:
The Rib he form’d and fashion’d with his hands;
Under his forming hands a Creature grew,
Manlike, but different sex, so lovely fair,
That what seem’d fair in all the World, seem’d now
Mean, or in her summ’d up, in her contain’d
And in her looks, which from that time infus’d
Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before,
And into all things from her Air inspir’d
The spirit of love and amorous delight.”
(Paradise Lost, Book VIII, 460–77)
The Creation of Eve
Date
1822
Medium
Pen and brown and black ink and watercolor over pencil and black chalk, with stippling and sponging
Dimensions
Height: 50.4 cm (sheet)
Width: 40.7 cm (sheet)
Location
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
PL Lines
“Mine eyes he clos’d, but op’n left the Cell
Of Fancy my internal sight, by which
Abstract as in a trance methought I saw,
Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape
Still glorious before whom awake I stood;
Who stooping op’n’d my left side, and took
From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warm,
And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,
But suddenly with flesh fill’d up and heal’d:
The Rib he form’d and fashion’d with his hands;
Under his forming hands a Creature grew,
Manlike, but different sex, so lovely fair,
That what seem’d fair in all the World, seem’d now
Mean, or in her summ’d up, in her contain’d
And in her looks, which from that time infus’d
Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before,
And into all things from her Air inspir’d
The spirit of love and amorous delight.”
(Paradise Lost, Book VIII, 460–77)
BOOK IX OF PARADISE LOST
“Satan having compast the Earth, with meditated guile returns as a mist by Night into Paradise, enters into the Serpent sleeping. Adam and Eve in the Morning go forth to thir labors, which Eve proposes to divide in several places, each laboring apart: Adam consents not, alleging the danger, lest that Enemy, of whom they were forewarn’d, should attempt her found alone: Eve loath to be thought not circumspect or firm enough, urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength; Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone; his subtle approach, first gazing, then speaking, with much flattery extolling Eve above all other Creatures. Eve wond’ring to hear the Serpent speak, asks how he attain’d to human speech and such understanding not till now; the Serpent answers, that by tasting of a certain Tree in the Garden he attain’d both to Speech and Reason, till then void of both: Eve requires him to bring her to that Tree, and finds it to be the Tree of Knowledge forbidden: The Serpent now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments induces her at length to eat; she pleas’d with the taste deliberates awhile whether to impart thereof to Adam or not, at last brings him of the Fruit, relates what persuaded her to eat thereof: Adam at first amaz’d, but perceiving her lost, resolves through vehemence of love to perish with her; and extenuating the trespass, eats also of the Fruit: The effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover thir nakedness; then fall to variance and accusation of one another.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book IX of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The Temptation and Fall of Eve
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.4 centimeters
Width: 20.8 centimeters
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree
Impart against his will if all be his?
Or is it envy, and can envy dwell
In heav’nly breasts? these, these and many more
Causes import your need of this fair Fruit.
Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.
He ended, and his words replete with guile
Into her heart too easy entrance won.…
So saying, her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck’d, she eat…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IX, 727–34, 780–81)
The Temptation and Fall of Eve
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 49.7 cm
Width: 38.7 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree
Impart against his will if all be his?
Or is it envy, and can envy dwell
In heav’nly breasts? these, these and many more
Causes import your need of this fair Fruit.
Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.
He ended, and his words replete with guile
Into her heart too easy entrance won.…
So saying, her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck’d, she eat…”
(Paradise Lost, Book IX, 727–34, 780–81)
BOOK X OF PARADISE LOST
“Man’s transgression known, the Guardian Angels forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve thir vigilance, and are approv’d, God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the Transgressors, who descends and gives Sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death sitting till then at the Gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new World, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confin’d in Hell, but to follow Satan thir Sire up to the place of Man: To make the way easier from Hell to this World to and fro, they pave a broad Highway or Bridge over Chaos, according to the Track that Satan first made; then preparing for Earth, they meet him proud of his success returning to Hell; thir mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transform’d with himself also suddenly into Serpents, according to his doom giv’n in Paradise; then deluded with a show of the forbidden Tree springing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the Fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death; God foretells the final Victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but for the present commands his Angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and Elements. Adam more and more perceiving his fall’n condition heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists and at length appeases him: then to evade the Curse likely to fall on thir Offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late Promise made them, that her Seed should be reveng’d on the Serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek Peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book X of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The Judgment of Adam and Eve
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25 cm
Width: 20.2 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“So judg’d he Man, both Judge and Savior sent,
And th’ instant stroke of Death denounc’t that day
Remov’d far off; then pitying how they stood
Before him naked to the air, that now
Must suffer change, disdain’d not to begin
Thenceforth the form of servant to assume,
As when he wash’d his servants’ feet, so now
As Father of his Family he clad
Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain,
Or as the Snake with youthful Coat repaid;
And thought not much to clothe his Enemies:
Nor hee thir outward only with the Skins
Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more
Opprobious, with his Robe of righteousness,
Arraying cover’d from his Father’s sight.
To him with swift ascent he up return’d,
Into his blissful bosom reassum’d
In glory as of old, to him appeas’d
All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man
Recounted, mixing intercession sweet.…
So saying he [Satan] dismiss’d them [Sin and Death], they with speed
Thir course through thickest Constellations held
Spreading thir bane; the blasted Stars lookt wan,
And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclipse
Then suffer’d.”
(Paradise Lost, Book X, 209–28, 410–14)
BOOK XI OF PARADISE LOST
“The Son of God presents to his Father the Prayers of our first Parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a Band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael’s coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael’s approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces thir departure. Eve’s Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The Angel leads him up to a high Hill, sets before him in vision what shall happ’n till the Flood.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book XI of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
The House of Death
Date
ca. 1795–1805
Medium
Color print, ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 48.5 cm
Width: 61 cm
Location
Tate Britain, London
British Museum, London
PL Lines
“…Immediately a place
Before his eyes appear’d, sad, noisome, dark,
A Lazar-house it seem’d, wherein were laid
Numbers of all diseas’d, all maladies
Of ghastly Spasm, or racking torture, qualms
Of heart-sick Agony, all feverous kinds,
Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,
Intestine Stone and Ulcer, Colic pangs,
Dæmoniac Frenzy, moping Melancholy
And Moon-struck madness, pining Atrophy,
Marasmus, and wide-wasting Pestilence,
Dropsies, and Asthmas, and Joint-racking Rheums.
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair
Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;
And over them triumphant Death his Dart
Shook, but delay’d to strike, though oft invok’t
With vows, as thir chief good, and final hope.”
(Paradise Lost, Book XI, 477–93)
BOOK XII OF PARADISE LOST
“The Angel Michael continues from the Flood to relate what shall succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his Incarnation, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension; the state of the Church till his second Coming. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by these Relations and Promises descends the Hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams compos’d to quietness of mind and submission. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery Sword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking thir Stations to guard the Place.”
— John Milton, “The Argument,” Book XII of Paradise Lost (1674 edition)
Michael Foretelling the Crucifixion to Adam
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 25.2 cm
Width: 20.3 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“The Law of God exact he shall fulfil
Both by obedience and by love, though love
Alone fulfil the Law; thy punishment
He shall endure by coming in the Flesh
To a reproachful life and cursed death,
Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
In his redemption, and that his obedience
Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits
To save them, not thir own, though legal works.
For this he shall live hated, be blasphem’d,
Seiz’d on by force, judg’d, and to death condemn’d
A shameful and accurst, nail’d to the Cross
By his own Nation, slain for bringing Life;
But to the Cross he nails thy Enemies,
The Law that is against thee, and the sins
Of all mankind, with him there crucifi’d,
Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
In this his satisfaction; so he dies,
But soon revives, Death over him no power
Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light
Return, the Stars of Morn shall see him rise
Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,
Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,
His death for Man, as many as offer’d Life
Neglect not, and the benefit embrace
By Faith not void of works: this God-like act
Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have di’d,
In sin for ever lost from life; this act
Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength
Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms,
And fix far deeper in his head thir stings
Than temporal death shall bruise the Victor’s heel,
Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,
A gentle wafting to immortal Life.”
(Paradise Lost, Book XII, 402–35)
Michael Foretelling the Crucifixion to Adam
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 50.2 cm (sheet)
Width: 38.1 cm (sheet)
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“The Law of God exact he shall fulfil
Both by obedience and by love, though love
Alone fulfil the Law; thy punishment
He shall endure by coming in the Flesh
To a reproachful life and cursed death,
Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
In his redemption, and that his obedience
Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits
To save them, not thir own, though legal works.
For this he shall live hated, be blasphem’d,
Seiz’d on by force, judg’d, and to death condemn’d
A shameful and accurst, nail’d to the Cross
By his own Nation, slain for bringing Life;
But to the Cross he nails thy Enemies,
The Law that is against thee, and the sins
Of all mankind, with him there crucifi’d,
Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
In this his satisfaction; so he dies,
But soon revives, Death over him no power
Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light
Return, the Stars of Morn shall see him rise
Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,
Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,
His death for Man, as many as offer’d Life
Neglect not, and the benefit embrace
By Faith not void of works: this God-like act
Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have di’d,
In sin for ever lost from life; this act
Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength
Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms,
And fix far deeper in his head thir stings
Than temporal death shall bruise the Victor’s heel,
Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,
A gentle wafting to immortal Life.”
(Paradise Lost, Book XII, 402–35)
The Expulsion from Eden
Date
1807
Medium
Pen and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 24.9 cm
Width: 20.5 cm
Location
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, San Marino, CA
PL Lines
“…In either hand the hast’ning Angel caught
Our ling’ring Parents, and to th’ Eastern Gate
Led them direct, and down the Cliff as fast
To the subjected Plain; then disappear’d.
They looking back, all th’ Eastern side beheld
Of Paradise, so late thir happy seat,
Wav’d over by that flaming Brand, the Gate
With dreadful Faces throng’d and fiery Arms:
Some natural tears they dropp’d, but wip’d them soon;
The World was all before them, where to choose
Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:
They hand in hand with wand’ring steps and slow,
Through Eden took thir solitary way.”
(Paradise Lost, Book XII, 637–49)
The Expulsion from Eden
Date
1808
Medium
Pen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 50 cm
Width: 38.7 cm
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
PL Lines
“…In either hand the hast’ning Angel caught
Our ling’ring Parents, and to th’ Eastern Gate
Led them direct, and down the Cliff as fast
To the subjected Plain; then disappear’d.
They looking back, all th’ Eastern side beheld
Of Paradise, so late thir happy seat,
Wav’d over by that flaming Brand, the Gate
With dreadful Faces throng’d and fiery Arms:
Some natural tears they dropp’d, but wip’d them soon;
The World was all before them, where to choose
Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:
They hand in hand with wand’ring steps and slow,
Through Eden took thir solitary way.”
(Paradise Lost, Book XII, 637–49)
MISCELLANEOUS MILTONIC ILLUSTRATIONS
Satan Exulting over Eve
Date
1795
Medium
Graphite, pen and black ink, and watercolor
Dimensions
Height: 42.5 cm
Width: 53.5 cm
Location
The Getty, Los Angeles
Tate Britain, London
Satan in His Original Glory: “Thou Wast Perfect Till Iniquity was Found in Thee”
Date
ca. 1805
Medium
Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Height: 42.9 cm
Width: 33.9 cm
Location
Tate Britain, London