A boundless continent, Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of night Starless expos'd.

There swift return Diurnal, merely to officiate light Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot.

Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call earth.

Those whom reason hath equalled, force hath made supreme

Fear of change perplexes monarchs.

Lords are lordliest in their wine.

But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, Bereaving sense, but endless misery From this day onward, which I feel begun Both in me, and without me, and so last To perpetuity; ay me, that fear Comes thund'ring back with dreadful revolution On my defenceless head; both Death and I Am found eternal, and incorporate both, Nor I on my part single, in me all Paradise Lost Posterity stands cursed: fair patrimony That I must leave ye, sons; O were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none!