Paradise Regained - The Second Book Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEBFGHIJKILMNOPQM RCCIMSTCCUCMCVCCCJCW MXOYCCCMCZICA2B2TC2I D2CE2IIF2CCG2CCCCH2C I2J2G2MCK2L2M2N2IO2I P2ICI2IQ2CG2CICIE2CC IR2CS2T2CCU2MCCLCCG2 IIPCV2ILCCW2LI2LX2CC CIIX2Y2CCILLLF2TCCCT CLX2CCMCPLCLCZ2E2LA3 IB3CCLCCLCCCMLLC3D3I LCCCSIE3H2CILICCCH2C CCCF3CCCH2CCCA3G2CIC LX2H2G3CCLLLCCG2C3LC B3CCLLI2A3CH3H2ICCCC CCCCCCCH2LCSII2I3CG3 IIB3CJ3CCLICCCCCCLLM LMH2MLJ3CCCCLB3CH2CI ICCCCCCCICCICLIB3LCC CCCCLICCMCCLI2CB3CLC 3CLCH2CCCCCCCA3CH2IC CCB3ICC3H2CLICLCLH2C LCLH2CCCH2XI2CLSCCCC LICH2LCCLCCILCCI2CLC I2CLCCCCCLCLCLCLD3B3 K3CH2CICCLCILB3E3I2C ICCCCD3CCLCCICCIH2LH 2ILB3IH2LCL3LCILLK2L MLLLMLM3LILVCCQ2CLCC CID2LCC

Mean while the new baptiz'd who yet remain'dA
At Jordan with the Baptist and had seenB
Him whom they heard so late expresly call'dC
Jesus Messiah Son of God declar'dD
And on that high Authority had believ'dE
And with him talkt and with him lodg'd I meanB
Andrew and Simon famous after knownF
With others though in Holy Writ not nam'dG
Now missing him thir joy so lately foundH
So lately found and so abruptly goneI
Began to doubt and doubted many daysJ
And as the days increas'd increas'd thir doubtK
Sometimes they thought he might be only shewnI
And for a time caught up to God as onceL
Moses was in the Mount and missing longM
And the great Thisbite who on fiery wheelsN
Rode up to Heaven yet once again to comeO
Therefore as those young Prophets then with careP
Sought lost Eliah so in each place theseQ
Nigh to Bethabara in JericoM
The City of Palms non and Salem OldR
Mach rus and each Town or City wall'dC
On this side the broad lake GenezaretC
Or in Perea but return'd in vainI
Then on the bank of Jordan by a CreekM
Where winds with Reeds and Osiers whisp'ring playS
Plain Fishermen no greater men them callT
Close in a Cottage low together gotC
Thir unexpected loss and plaints out breath'dC
Alas from what high hope to what relapseU
Unlook'd for are we fall'n our eyes beheldC
Messiah certainly now come so longM
Expected of our Fathers we have heardC
His words his wisdom full of grace and truthV
Now now for sure deliverance is at handC
The Kingdom shall to Israel be restor'dC
Thus we rejoyc'd but soon our joy is turn'dC
Into perplexity and new amazeJ
For whither is he gone what accidentC
Hath rapt him from us will he now retireW
After appearance and again prolongM
Our expectation God of IsraelX
Send thy Messiah forth the time is comeO
Behold the Kings of the Earth how they oppressY
Thy chosen to what highth thir pow'r unjustC
They have exalted and behind them castC
All fear of thee arise and vindicateC
Thy Glory free thy people from thir yokeM
But let us wait thus far he hath perform'dC
Sent his Anointed and to us reveal'd himZ
By his great Prophet pointed at and shownI
In publick and with him we have convers'dC
Let us be glad of this and all our fearsA2
Lay on his Providence he will not failB2
Nor will withdraw him now nor will recallT
Mock us with his blest sight then snatch him henceC2
Soon we shall see our hope our joy returnI
Thus they out of their plaints new hope resumeD2
To find whom at the first they found unsoughtC
But to his Mother Mary when she sawE2
Others return'd from Baptism not her SonI
Nor left at Jordan tydings of him noneI
Within her brest though calm her brest though pureF2
Motherly cares and fears got head and rais'dC
Some troubl'd thoughts which she in sighs thus cladC
O what avails me now that honour highG2
To have conceiv'd of God or that saluteC
Hale highly favour'd among women blestC
While I to sorrows am no less advanc'tC
And fears as eminent above the lotC
Of other women by the birth I boreH2
In such a season born when scarce a ShedC
Could be obtain'd to shelter him or meI2
From the bleak air a Stable was our warmthJ2
A Manger his yet soon enforc't to flyeG2
Thence into Egypt till the Murd'rous KingM
Were dead who sought his life and missing fill'dC
With Infant blood the streets of BethlehemK2
From Egypt home return'd in NazarethL2
Hath been our dwelling many years his lifeM2
Private unactive calm contemplativeN2
Little suspicious to any King but nowI
Full grown to Man acknowledg'd as I hearO2
By John the Baptist and in publick shownI
Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's voiceP2
I look't for some great change to Honour noI
But trouble as old Simeon plain fore toldC
That to the fall and rising he should beI2
Of many in Israel and to a signI
Spoken against that through my very SoulQ2
A sword shall pierce this is my favour'd lotC
My Exaltation to Afflictions highG2
Afflicted I may be it seems and blestC
I will not argue that nor will repineI
But where delays he now some great intentC
Conceals him when twelve years he scarce had seenI
I lost him but so found as well I sawE2
He could not lose himself but went aboutC
His Father's business what he meant I mus'dC
Since understand much more his absence nowI
Thus long to some great purpose he obscuresR2
But I to wait with patience am inur'dC
My heart hath been a store house long of thingsS2
And sayings laid up portending strange eventsT2
Thus Mary pondering oft and oft to mindC
Recalling what remarkably had pass'dC
Since first her Salutation heard with thoughtsU2
Meekly compos'd awaited the fulfillingM
The while her Son tracing the Desert wildC
Sole but with holiest Meditations fedC
Into himself descended and at onceL
All his great work to come before him setC
How to begin how to accomplish bestC
His end of being on Earth and mission highG2
For Satan with slye preface to returnI
Had left him vacant and with speed was gonI
Up to the middle Region of thick AirP
Where all his Potentates in Council sateC
There without sign of boast or sign of joyV2
Sollicitous and blank he thus beganI
Princes Heavens antient Sons thereal ThronesL
Demonian Spirits now from the ElementC
Each of his reign allotted rightlier call'dC
Powers of Fire Air Water and Earth beneathW2
So may we hold our place and these mild seatsL
Without new trouble such an EnemyI2
Is ris'n to invade us who no lessL
Threat'ns then our expulsion down to HellX2
I as I undertook and with the voteC
Consenting in full frequence was impowr'dC
Have found him view'd him tasted him but findC
Far other labour to be undergonI
Then when I dealt with Adam first of MenI
Though Adam by his Wives allurement fellX2
However to this Man inferior farY2
If he be Man by Mothers side at leastC
With more then humane gifts from Heaven adorn'dC
Perfections absolute Graces divineI
And amplitude of mind to greatest DeedsL
Therefore I am return'd lest confidenceL
Of my success with Eve in ParadiseL
Deceive ye to perswasion over sureF2
Of like succeeding here I summon allT
Rather to be in readiness with handC
Or counsel to assist lest I who erstC
Thought none my equal now be over match'dC
So spake the old Serpent doubting and from allT
With clamour was assur'd thir utmost aidC
At his command when from amidst them roseL
Belial the dissolutest Spirit that fellX2
The sensuallest and after AsmodaiC
The fleshliest Incubus and thus advis'dC
Set women in his eye and in his walkM
Among daughters of men the fairest foundC
Many are in each Region passing fairP
As the noon Skie more like to GoddessesL
Then Mortal Creatures graceful and discreetC
Expert in amorous Arts enchanting tonguesL
Perswasive Virgin majesty with mildC
And sweet allay'd yet terrible to approachZ2
Skill'd to retire and in retiring drawE2
Hearts after them tangl'd in Amorous NetsL
Such object hath the power to soft'n and tameA3
Severest temper smooth the rugged'st browI
Enerve and with voluptuous hope dissolveB3
Draw out with credulous desire and leadC
At will the manliest resolutest brestC
As the Magnetic hardest Iron drawsL
Women when nothing else beguil'd the heartC
Of wisest Solomon and made him buildC
And made him bow to the Gods of his WivesL
To whom quick answer Satan thus return'dC
Belial in much uneven scale thou weigh'stC
All others by thy self because of oldC
Thou thy self doat'st on womankind admiringM
Thir shape thir colour and attractive graceL
None are thou think'st but taken with such toysL
Before the Flood thou with thy lusty CrewC3
False titl'd Sons of God roaming the EarthD3
Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of menI
And coupl'd with them and begot a raceL
Have we not seen or by relation heardC
In Courts and Regal Chambers how thou lurk'stC
In Wood or Grove by mossie Fountain sideC
In Valley or Green Meadow to way layS
Some beauty rare Calisto ClymeneI
Daphne or Semele AntiopaE3
Or Amymone Syrinx many moreH2
Too long then lay'st thy scapes on names ador'dC
Apollo Neptune Jupiter or PanI
Satyr or Fawn or Silvan But these hauntsL
Delight not all among the Sons of MenI
How many have with a smile made small accountC
Of beauty and her lures easily scorn'dC
All her assaults on worthier things intentC
Remember that Pellean ConquerourH2
A youth how all the Beauties of the EastC
He slightly view'd and slightly over pass'dC
How hee sirnam'd of Africa dismiss'dC
In his prime youth the fair Iberian maidC
For Solomon he liv'd at ease and fullF3
Of honour wealth high fare aim'd not beyondC
Higher design then to enjoy his StateC
Thence to the bait of Women lay expos'dC
But he whom we attempt is wiser farH2
Then Solomon of more exalted mindC
Made and set wholly on the accomplishmentC
Of greatest things what woman will you findC
Though of this Age the wonder and the fameA3
On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eyeG2
Of fond desire or should she confidentC
As sitting Queen ador'd on Beauties ThroneI
Descend with all her winning charms begirtC
To enamour as the Zone of Venus onceL
Wrought that effect on Jove so Fables tellX2
How would one look from his Majestick browH2
Seated as on the top of Vertues hillG3
Discount'nance her despis'd and put to routC
All her array her female pride dejectC
Or turn to reverent awe for Beauty standsL
In the admiration only of weak mindsL
Led captive cease to admire and all her PlumesL
Fall flat and shrink into a trivial toyC
At every sudden slighting quite abashtC
Therefore with manlier objects we must tryG2
His constancy with such as have more shewC3
Of worth of honour glory and popular praiseL
Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'dC
Or that which only seems to satisfieB3
Lawful desires of Nature not beyondC
And now I know he hungers where no foodC
Is to be found in the wide WildernessL
The rest commit to me I shall let passL
No advantage and his strength as oft assayI2
He ceas'd and heard thir grant in loud acclaimA3
Then forthwith to him takes a chosen bandC
Of Spirits likest to himself in guileH3
To be at hand and at his beck appearH2
If cause were to unfold some active SceneI
Of various persons each to know his partC
Then to the Desert takes with these his flightC
Where still from shade to shade the Son of GodC
After forty days fasting had remain'dC
Now hungring first and to himself thus saidC
Where will this end four times ten days I have pass'dC
Wandring this woody maze and humane foodC
Nor tasted nor had appetite that FastC
To Vertue I impute not or count partC
Of what I suffer here if Nature need notC
Or God support Nature without repastC
Though needing what praise is it to endureH2
But now I feel I hunger which declaresL
Nature hath need of what she asks yet GodC
Can satisfie that need some other wayS
Though hunger still remain so it remainI
Without this bodies wasting I content meI2
And from the sting of Famine fear no harmI3
Nor mind it fed with better thoughts that feedC
Mee hungring more to do my Fathers willG3
It was the hour of night when thus the SonI
Commun'd in silent walk then laid him downI
Under the hospitable covert nighB3
Of Trees thick interwoven there he sleptC
And dream'd as appetite is wont to dreamJ3
Of meats and drinks Natures refreshment sweetC
Him thought he by the Brook of Cherith stoodC
And saw the Ravens with their horny beaksL
Food to Elijah bringing Even and MornI
Though ravenous taught to abstain from what they broughtC
He saw the Prophet also how he fledC
Into the Desert and how there he sleptC
Under a Juniper then how awaktC
He found his Supper on the coals prepar'dC
And by the Angel was bid rise and eatC
And eat the second time after reposeL
The strength whereof suffic'd him forty daysL
Sometimes that with Elijah he partookM
Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulseL
Thus wore out night and now the Herald LarkM
Left his ground nest high towring to descryH2
The morns approach and greet her with his SongM
As lightly from his grassy Couch up roseL
Our Saviour and found all was but a dreamJ3
Fasting he went to sleep and fasting wak'dC
Up to a hill anon his steps he rear'dC
From whose high top to ken the prospect roundC
If Cottage were in view Sheep cote or HerdC
But Cottage Herd or Sheep cote none he sawL
Only in a bottom saw a pleasant GroveB3
With chaunt of tuneful Birds resounding loudC
Thither he bent his way determin'd thereH2
To rest at noon and entr'd soon the shadeC
High rooft and walks beneath and alleys brownI
That open'd in the midst a woody SceneI
Natures own work it seem'd Nature taught ArtC
And to a Superstitious eye the hauntC
Of Wood Gods and Wood Nymphs he view'd it roundC
When suddenly a man before him stoodC
Not rustic as before but seemlier cladC
As one in City or Court or Palace bredC
And with fair speech these words to him address'dC
With granted leave officious I returnI
But much more wonder that the Son of GodC
In this wild solitude so long should bideC
Of all things destitute and well I knowI
Not without hunger Others of some noteC
As story tells have trod this WildernessL
The Fugitive Bond woman with her SonI
Out cast Nebaioth yet found he reliefB3
By a providing Angel all the raceL
Of Israel here had famish'd had not GodC
Rain'd from Heaven Manna and that Prophet boldC
Native of Thebes wandring here was fedC
Twice by a voice inviting him to eatC
Of thee these forty days none hath regardC
Forty and more deserted here indeedC
To whom thus Jesus what conclud'st thou henceL
They all had need I as thou seest have noneI
How hast thou hunger then Satan reply'dC
Tell me if Food were now before thee setC
Would'st thou not eat Thereafter as I likeM
The giver answer'd Jesus Why should thatC
Cause thy refusal said the subtle FiendC
Hast thou not right to all Created thingsL
Owe not all Creatures by just right to theeI2
Duty and Service nor to stay till bidC
But tender all their power nor mention IB3
Meats by the Law unclean or offer'd firstC
To Idols those young Daniel could refuseL
Nor proffer'd by an Enemy though whoC3
Would scruple that with want opprest beholdC
Nature asham'd or better to expressL
Troubl'd that thou shouldst hunger hath purvey'dC
From all the Elements her choicest storeH2
To treat thee as beseems and as her LordC
With honour only deign to sit and eatC
He spake no dream for as his words had endC
Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheldC
In ample space under the broadest shadeC
A Table richly spred in regal modeC
With dishes pill'd and meats of noblest sortC
And savour Beasts of chase or Fowl of gameA3
In pastry built or from the spit or boyl'dC
Gris amber steam'd all Fish from Sea or ShoreH2
Freshet or purling Brook of shell or finI
And exquisitest name for which was drain'dC
Pontus and Lucrine Bay and Afric CoastC
Alas how simple to these Cates compar'dC
Was that crude Apple that diverted EveB3
And at a stately side board by the wineI
That fragrant smell diffus'd in order stoodC
Tall stripling youths rich clad of fairer hewC3
Then Ganymed or Hylas distant moreH2
Under the Trees now trip'd now solemn stoodC
Nymphs of Diana's train and NaiadesL
With fruits and flowers from Amalthea's hornI
And Ladies of th' Hesperides that seem'dC
Fairer then feign'd of old or fabl'd sinceL
Of Fairy Damsels met in Forest wideC
By Knights of Logres or of LyonesL
Lancelot or Pelleas or PellenoreH2
And all the while Harmonious Airs were heardC
Of chiming strings or charming pipes and windsL
Of gentlest gale Arabian odors fann'dC
From their soft wings and Flora's earliest smellsL
Such was the Splendour and the Tempter nowH2
His invitation earnestly renew'dC
What doubts the Son of God to sit and eatC
These are not Fruits forbidden no interdictC
Defends the touching of these viands pureH2
Thir taste no knowledge works at least of evilX
But life preserves destroys life's enemyI2
Hunger with sweet restorative delightC
All these are Spirits of Air and Woods and SpringsL
Thy gentle Ministers who come to payS
Thee homage and acknowledge thee thir LordC
What doubt'st thou Son of God sit down and eatC
To whom thus Jesus temperately reply'dC
Said'st thou not that to all things I had rightC
And who withholds my pow'r that right to useL
Shall I receive by gift what of my ownI
When and where likes me best I can commandC
I can at will doubt not as soon as thouH2
Command a Table in this WildernessL
And call swift flights of Angels ministrantC
Array'd in Glory on my cup to attendC
Why shouldst thou then obtrude this diligenceL
In vain where no acceptance it can findC
And with my hunger what has thou to doC
Thy pompous Delicacies I contemnI
And count thy specious gifts no gifts but guilesL
To whom thus answer'd Satan malecontentC
That I have also power to give thou seestC
If of that pow'r I bring thee voluntaryI2
What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'dC
And rather opportunely in this placeL
Chose to impart to thy apparent needC
Why shouldst thou not accept it but I seeI2
What I can do or offer is suspectC
Of these things others quickly will disposeL
Whose pains have earn'd the far fet spoil With thatC
Both Table and Provision vanish'd quiteC
With sound of Harpies wings and Talons heardC
Only the importune Tempter still remain'dC
And with these words his temptation pursu'dC
By hunger that each other Creature tamesL
Thou art not to be harm'd therefore not mov'dC
Thy temperance invincible besidesL
For no allurement yields to appetiteC
And all thy heart is set on high designsL
High actions but wherewith to be atchiev'dC
Great acts require great means of enterpriseL
Thou art unknown unfriended low of birthD3
A Carpenter thy Father known thy selfB3
Bred up in poverty and streights at homeK3
Lost in a Desert here and hunger bitC
Which way or from what hope dost thou aspireH2
To greatness whence Authority deriv'stC
What Followers what Retinue canst thou gainI
Or at thy heels the dizzy MultitudeC
Longer then thou canst feed them on thy costC
Money brings Honour Friends Conquest and RealmsL
What rais'd Antipater the EdomiteC
And his Son Herod plac'd on Juda's ThroneI
Thy throne but gold that got him puissant friendsL
Therefore if at great things thou wouldst arriveB3
Get Riches first get Wealth and Treasure heapE3
Not difficult if thou hearken to meI2
Riches are mine Fortune is in my handC
They whom I favour thrive in wealth amainI
While Virtue Valour Wisdom sit in wantC
To whom thus Jesus patiently reply'dC
Yet Wealth without these three is impotentC
To gain dominion or to keep it gain'dC
Witness those antient Empires of the EarthD3
In highth of all thir flowing wealth dissolv'dC
But men endu'd with these have oft attain'dC
In lowest poverty to highest deedsL
Gideon and Jephtha and the Shepherd ladC
Whose off spring on the Throne of Juda satC
So many Ages and shall yet regainI
That seat and reign in Israel without endC
Among the Heathen for throughout the WorldC
To me is not unknown what hath been doneI
Worthy of Memorial canst thou not rememberH2
Quintius Fabricius Curius RegulusL
For I esteem those names of men so poorH2
Who could do mighty things and could contemnI
Riches though offer'd from the hand of KingsL
And what in me seems wanting but that IB3
May also in this poverty as soonI
Accomplish what they did perhaps and moreH2
Extol not Riches then the toyl of FoolsL
The wise mans cumbrance if not snare more aptC
To slacken Virtue and abate her edgeL3
Then prompt her to do aught may merit praiseL
What if with like aversion I rejectC
Riches and Realms yet not for that a CrownI
Golden in shew is but a wreath of thornsL
Brings dangers troubles cares and sleepless nightsL
To him who wears the Regal DiademK2
When on his shoulders each mans burden liesL
For therein stands the office of a KingM
His Honour Vertue Merit and chief PraiseL
That for the Publick all this weight he bearsL
Yet he who reigns within himself and rulesL
Passions Desires and Fears is more a KingM
Which every wise and vertuous man attainsL
And who attains not ill aspires to ruleM3
Cities of men or head strong MultitudesL
Subject himself to Anarchy withinI
Or lawless passions in him which he servesL
But to guide Nations in the way of truthV
By saving Doctrine and from errour leadC
To know and knowing worship God arightC
Is yet more Kingly this attracts the SoulQ2
Governs the inner man the nobler partC
That other o're the body only reignsL
And oft by force which to a generous mindC
So reigning can be no sincere delightC
Besides to give a Kingdom hath been thoughtC
Greater and nobler done and to lay downI
Far more magnanimous then to assumeD2
Riches are needless then both for themselvesL
And for thy reason why they should be soughtC
To gain a Scepter oftest better miss'tC

John Milton



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