Evening in Paradise

John Milton (1608–1674)

From “Paradise Lost,” Book IV.

NOW came still evening on, and twilight gray

Had in her sober livery all things clad;

Silence accompanied; for beast and bird,

They to their grassy couch, these to their nests,

Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale;

She all night long her amorous descant sung.

Silence was pleased: now glowed the firmament

With living sapphires; Hesperus, that led

The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon

Rising in clouded majesty, at length

Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light,

And o’er the dark her silver mantle threw.