lays the blame to his wife; is stubborn in his offence. Justice
appears, reasons with him, convinces him. The Chorus admonishes
Adam, and bids him beware of Lucifer's example of impenitence. The
angel is sent to banish them out of Paradise; but before causes to
pass before his eyes, in shapes, a mask of all the evils of this
life and world. He is humbled, relents, despairs; at last appears
Mercy, comforts him, promises the Messiah; then calls in Faith,
Hope, and Charity;--instructs him; he repents, gives God the glory,
submits to his penalty. The Chorus briefly concludes. Compare this
with the former draft.

These are very imperfect rudiments of "Paradise Lost;" but it is
pleasant to see great works in their seminal state, pregnant with
latent possibilities of excellence; nor could there be any more
delightful entertainment than to trace their gradual growth and
expansion, and to observe how they are sometimes suddenly advanced
by accidental hints, and sometimes slowly improved by steady
meditation.

Invention is almost the only literary labour which blindness cannot
obstruct, and therefore he naturally solaced his solitude by the
indulgence of his fancy, and the melody of his numbers. He had done
what he knew to be necessarily previous to poetical excellence; he
had made himself acquainted with "seemly arts and affairs;" his
comprehension was extended by various knowledge, and his memory
stored with intellectual treasures. He was skilful in many
languages, and had, by reading and composition, attained the full
mastery of his own. He would have wanted little help from books,
had he retained the power of perusing them.