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《失樂園》以史詩一般的磅礴氣勢揭示了認得原罪與墮落。始終叛逆之神撒旦，因為反抗上帝的權威被打入地獄，卻好不屈服，為復仇尋至伊甸園。亞當與夏娃受被撒旦附身的蛇的引誘，偷吃了上帝明令禁吃的知識樹上的果子。最終，撒旦及其同伙遭到懲罰全變成了蛇，亞當與夏娃被逐出了伊甸園。該詩體現了詩人追求自由的崇高精神，是世界文學史，思想史上的一部極重要的作品！
Paradise Lost
失樂園
John Milton
約翰·彌爾頓
Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
可是，那威力，那強有力的
Can else inflict(給予打擊) do I repent or change,
勝利者的狂暴，都不能叫我懊喪，或者叫我改變初衷，
Though changed in outward luster; that fixed mind
雖然外表的光彩改變了，
And high disdain, from sense of injured merit,
但堅定的心志和岸然的驕矜
That with the mightiest raised me to contend,
決不轉變；由于真價值的受損，
And to the fierce contention brought along
激動了我，決心和強權決一勝負，
Innumerable force of spirits armed
率領無數天軍投入劇烈的戰斗，
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
他們都厭惡天神的統治而來擁護我，
His utmost power with adverse power opposed
拿出全部力量跟至高的全力對抗，
In dubious Battle on the Plains of Heav'n,
在天界疆上做一次冒險的戰斗，
And shook his throne. What though the field(戰場，戰役) be lost?
動搖了他的寶座。我們損失了什么？
All is not lost; the unconquerable will,
并非什么都丟光：不撓的意志、
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
熱切的復仇心、不滅的憎恨，
And courage never to submit or yield:
以及永不屈服、永不退讓的勇氣，
And what is else not to be overcome?
還有什么比這些更難戰勝呢？
That Glory never shall his wrath or might
他的暴怒也罷，威力也罷，
Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
決不能奪去我這份光榮。
With suppliant knee, and deify his power
經過這一次戰爭的慘烈，
Who from the terror of this Arm so late
好容易才使他的政權動搖；
Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
這時還要彎腰屈膝，向他哀求憐憫，拜倒在他的全力之下，
That were an ignominy(恥辱) and shame beneath
那才真正是卑鄙、可恥，
This downfall; since by fate the strength of Gods
比這次的沉淪還要卑賤。
And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
因為我們生而具有神力，秉有輕清的靈質，不能朽壞，
Since through experience of this great event
又因這次大事件的經驗
In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced,
我們要準備更好的武器，
We may with more successful hope resolve
更遠的預見，更有成功的希望，
To wage by force or guile eternal war
用暴力或智力向我們的大敵
Irreconcilable, to our grand Foe,
挑起不可調解的持久戰爭。
Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
他現在正自夸勝利，得意忘形，
Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven.
獨攬大權，在天上掌握虐政呢。”
So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain,
背叛的天使這樣說了，雖忍痛說出
Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair:
豪言壯語，心卻為深沉的失望所苦。
