Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit<br/>Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste<br/>Brought death into the World, and all our woe,<br/>With loss of Eden, till one greater Man<br/>Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,<br/>Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top<br/>Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire<br/>That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed<br/>In the beginning how the heavens and earth<br/>Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion hill<br/>Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed<br/>Fast by the oracle of God, I thence<br/>Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,<br/>That with no middle flight intends to soar<br/>Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues<br/>Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.