|
|
Article: Milton's Paradise Lost, book 11.
- Article from:
- The Explicator
- Article date:
- September 22, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The opening of book 11 in Paradise Lost finds Adam and Eve engaged in penitent prayer. The narrator explains that their repentance is the work of divine grace:
Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood
Praying, for from the Mercie-seat above
Prevenient Grace descending had remov'd
The stonie from thir hearts, and made new flesh
Regenerat grow instead, that sighs now breath'd
Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer
Inspir'd. (11.1-7) (1)
While Adam and Eve thus stand praying, the Son presents their prayers to the Father and intercedes on their behalf:
See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung
From ...