Paradise Lost

Milton evokes the voice of a new muse, Urania (the muse of astronomy), but transforms her into a voice for Christian poetry. He asks her to guide his writing for a fit audience, highlighting his purpose to write for the faithful, even if there is but one among his readers.

The narration shifts back to Adam and Raphael. Adam thanks Raphael for the story and assures him that he and Eve are thankful to God and will work to be loyal to him alone. He tentatively and respectfully asks if he can know more. Raphael agrees to tell Adam the creation story. He tells Adam that God thought of creating humankind in part to replace the many followers he lost after the civil war, but also that God requires that humans prove themselves worthy of the life of angels.

The Son was sent to create the Earth from Chaos, and the creation process began. On the first day, God said “let there be light,” and the day was therefore split into daytime and nighttime. On the second day, he divided land from water; on the third day, he created plants, rivers, oceans, and rain.