The Poetical Works of John Milton


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O Visions ill foreseen! better had I  
Liv'd ignorant of future, so had borne  
760  
My part of evil onely, each dayes lot  
Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst  
The burd'n of many Ages, on me light  
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth  
Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,  
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek  
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall  
Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,  
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,  
And hee the future evil shall no less  
770  
In apprehension then in substance feel  
Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,  
Man is not whom to warne: those few escap't  
Famin and anguish will at last consume  
Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope  
When violence was ceas't, and Warr on Earth,  
All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd  
With length of happy days the race of man;  
But I was farr deceav'd; for now I see  
Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.  
How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide,  
And whether here the Race of man will end.  
To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst  
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they  
780  
595  


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