October 8, 1942 C.S. Lewis publishes A Preface to Paradise Lost.
The book is a technical literary study of John Milton’s epic narrative poem Paradise Lost. Readers might be particularly interested in Chapter 12 of Lewis’ book, “The Theology of Paradise Lost.”
Also, don’t miss Journey TV’s Sunday evening conversation with Max McLean about his scintillating new movie:
“The Most Reluctant Convert. The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis.”
PS: get your tickets now to an exclusive showing on November 3rd. Seating is limited.
Paradise Lost. Manuscript of Book I, in the hand of an
amanuensis, corrected at Milton’s direction, ca. 1665.
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1904
Used with permission, The Morgan Library & Museum; MA 307.
Transcription:
Of mans first disobedience, & the fruit Of that forbidd’n tree, whose mortal! tast
Brought death into the world, & all our woe, With losse of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, & regaine the blisfull seate, Sing heav’nly 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 Heav’ns & Earth
Rose out of Chaos: Or if Sion hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa’s brooke that flow’d Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
Invoke thy aide to my adventrous song, That with no middle flight intends to soare Above th’ Aonian Mount; while it persues Things unattempted yet in prose or rime. And cheifly thou O Spirit that dost prefer Before all temples th’ upright heart & pure
Instruct me, for thou know’st; thou from the first
Wast present, & with mighty wings outspread Dove-Iike satst brooding on the vast Abysse, And mad’st it pregnant: What in me is darke
