《失乐园》以史诗一般的磅礴气势揭示了认得原罪与堕落。始终叛逆之神撒旦，因为反抗上帝的权威被打入地狱，却好不屈服，为复仇寻至伊甸园。亚当与夏娃受被撒旦附身的蛇的引诱，偷吃了上帝明令禁吃的知识树上的果子。最终，撒旦及其同伙遭到惩罚全变成了蛇，亚当与夏娃被逐出了伊甸园。该诗体现了诗人追求自由的崇高精神，是世界文学史，思想史上的一部极重要的作品！
Paradise Lost
失乐园
John Milton
约翰·弥尔顿
Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
可是，那威力，那强有力的
Can else inflict(给予打击) do I repent or change,
胜利者的狂暴，都不能叫我懊丧，或者叫我改变初衷，
Though changed in outward luster; that fixed mind
虽然外表的光彩改变了，
And high disdain, from sense of injured merit,
但坚定的心志和岸然的骄矜
That with the mightiest raised me to contend,
决不转变；由于真价值的受损，
And to the fierce contention brought along
激动了我，决心和强权决一胜负，
Innumerable force of spirits armed
率领无数天军投入剧烈的战斗，
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
他们都厌恶天神的统治而来拥护我，
His utmost power with adverse power opposed
拿出全部力量跟至高的全力对抗，
In dubious Battle on the Plains of Heav'n,
在天界疆上做一次冒险的战斗，
And shook his throne. What though the field(战场，战役) be lost?
动摇了他的宝座。我们损失了什么？
All is not lost; the unconquerable will,
并非什么都丢光：不挠的意志、
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
热切的复仇心、不灭的憎恨，
And courage never to submit or yield:
以及永不屈服、永不退让的勇气，
And what is else not to be overcome?
还有什么比这些更难战胜呢？
That Glory never shall his wrath or might
他的暴怒也罢，威力也罢，
Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
决不能夺去我这份光荣。
With suppliant knee, and deify his power
经过这一次战争的惨烈，
Who from the terror of this Arm so late
好容易才使他的政权动摇；
Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
这时还要弯腰屈膝，向他哀求怜悯，拜倒在他的全力之下，
That were an ignominy(耻辱) and shame beneath
那才真正是卑鄙、可耻，
This downfall; since by fate the strength of Gods
比这次的沉沦还要卑贱。
And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
因为我们生而具有神力，秉有轻清的灵质，不能朽坏，
Since through experience of this great event
又因这次大事件的经验
In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced,
我们要准备更好的武器，
We may with more successful hope resolve
更远的预见，更有成功的希望，
To wage by force or guile eternal war
用暴力或智力向我们的大敌
Irreconcilable, to our grand Foe,
挑起不可调解的持久战争。
Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
他现在正自夸胜利，得意忘形，
Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven.
独揽大权，在天上掌握虐政呢。”
So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain,
背叛的天使这样说了，虽忍痛说出
Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair:
豪言壮语，心却为深沉的失望所苦。
