Copyright Yuko Nii Foundation 2020
Terrance Lindall’s art herein from the following collections:
Denise Tuite
Brian Olphie
Yuko Nii Foundation
Some are in unknown collections
Lindall’s Paradise Lost Projects
https://www.grandparadiselost.com/
INTRODUCTION TO LINDALL’S PARADISE LOST
by Yuko Nii
“The written word skims in through the eye and by means of the utterly delicate retina hurls shadows like insect legs inward for translation. An immense space opens up in silence and privacy, a space where literally, anything is possible. “ John Updike
Updike’s is a wonderful description of why the written word cannot be superseded and why the written word will endure. Written words in a master’s hand can conjure landscapes, colors, sensations, music, philosophy and artistic visions without confining them. And as the words are scanned, the receptive and imaginative reader, a "sine qua non" part of this formula or process, brings them to life. As John Milton said “Books are not absolutely dead things!”
With Paradise Lost, the written word in it’s greatest fo rm, Milton was able to evoke Updike’s “immense space” and project spectacular landscapes of both heaven and hell, and create also the monumentally tragic character of Satan, courageous yet debased, blinded by jealousy and ambition, heroic nonetheless. The blind poet brings powerful visionary life to one of the world's greatest stories, id est, the Western legend of man’s creation and fall, a story encompassing philosophical concepts of free will, good and evil, justice and mercy, all presented with the greatest artistry to which the written word can aspire.
The artist Terrance Lindall came to Milton while pursuing a double major in Western Philosophy and English Literature, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Hunter College New York City. Paradise Lost, this “greatest work in the English language," enraptured Lindall because it encapsulates Lindall’s metaphysical, epistemological and axiological philosophies. Today Terrance Lindall’s paintings for John Milton's Paradise Lost are perhaps the best-known illustrations for this epic outside of those by William Blake and Gustave Dore'. Thus the power of Milton today is reflected in how it continues to inspire artists, writers and intelligent persons at all levels, creating a ripple effect into society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
P. 4 Introduction by Yuko Nii
P. 6 Timeline of Terrance Lindall’s Milton Project
P. 9 About the Acrostic Paradise Lost
P. 10 How the Acrostic Reads
P. 18 The Acrostic Paradise Lost
P. 103 The Robert J. Wickenheiser Commentary
P. 122 Some Artists Associated with the Project
P. 130 The Historical Paradise Lost Collection
P. 156 English Collection related to John Milton
Time Line of Lindall’s Paradise Lost Project
1970 Lindall takes a course on Milton. Professor Fiske write on Lindall’s final paper “Milton would have reasoned thus!”
1978-9 Lindall paints 24 paintings of Paradise Lost with handmade frames.
1979 Lindall’s Paradise Lost appears in Heavy Metal Magazine.
1983 Lindall self publishes his Paradise Lost. Displayed in the windows of B. Dalton on 5th Avenue and 48th Street in Manhattan, it sells out.
1997 Lindall recites Paradise Lost annually at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center.
1999 Lindall makes a DVD of his recital with music composed by Peter Dizzoza, “the singing lawyer.”
2008 Lindall produces his Gold Scroll with 23.5 k. gold leaf embellishments. He produces Giclee prints that are purchased by renowned collections.
2008 Lindall produces The Grand Paradise Lost Costume Ball and Open Call exhibit that is covered i n the New York Times.
2012-14 Lindall produces two lavish 13 x 19 Gold folios with hand painted borders surrounding Giclee prints. One is acquired by the Robert J. Wickenheiser collection along with a number of original drawings.
2020 Lindall decides to produce The Acrostic Paradise Lost.
Lindall’s art for Paradise Lost appears on the cover of Complete Poetry and Essential Prose of John Milton, to be released by Random House 2008. Edited by William Kerrigan, John Rumrich and Stephen M. Fallon Format: Hardcover, 1392 pages, ISBN 978-0-679-64253-4 (0-679-64253-6)
Holt Rinehart & Winston is using another Lindall Paradise Lost image in a 2009 high school textbook, which will have a first run of 370,000.
Terrance Lindall's illustrations for Paradise Lost is featured in ‘Paradise Lost and the Private Presses’, a catalog for a major exhibit of private press books in the collection of James Freemantle at Milton's Cottage in England.
Terrance Lindall's illustrations for Paradise Lost is in “Digital Milton” published by Palgrave Macmillan. His Gold Scroll is featured in an essay by Hugh Macrae Richmond “Milton for Millenials” covering the range of dynamic approaches to Milton resulting from modern technology. Editor David A Currell said to Hugh: "Lindall's image is both beautiful and striking; I think it would be a wonderful inclusion."
Oxford University's major exhiibit "CITIZEN MILTON" at the Bodleian Library (to which Milton himself personally donated copies of many of his works) uses one of the works of art by Lindall for Milton's Paradise Lost from the Nii Foundation collection. Their exhibit honors Milton's 400th birthday. The web page is entitled "Exhumations and Destinies: 'For Books are not absolutely Dead Things.'" Oxford University recognizes Lindall's contribution to the continuing Miltonian artistic legacy[19].
Satan Inspires Humanism
In Milton’s Paradise Lost, as Satan contemplated God, he “trusted to have equaled the most high.” In other words, he held up a conceptual mirror to himself, thus blotting out the light of God’s truth and perfect order, and in that mirror Satan saw himself as God. His own desires were now the criteria of Truth and Justice. Satan rejected the order of God’s Love and he was now on his own to determine what is good and bad.
The seduction of Adam and Eve by Satan also left Adam and Eve cut off from the order and law of God. That is loss of Eden, where humans knew their boundaries and were happy in God’s orderly garden. Now God left them to be on their own. Adam & Eve had decided to disobey God’s Law and now God lef t them to create their own laws and h umanism was born. Yes, indeed, Satan inspired humanism and it was the only recourse to man after the fall. What is humanism?
From the Wikipedia article: "Humanism can be considered as a process by which truth and morality is sought through human investigation." In other words, truth and morality are found by holding up a mirror and examining ourselves in relation to the world, not by receiving any revelation from God or his appointed messengers on earth, most notably the Pope. In investigating our relation to others and ourselves, humanism seems to have arrived at the conclusion that judgment of good and bad are relative to each person. For example, it may be good for one man to kill another to preserve his family, but is it good for the family whose member has been killed?
It is curious that Milton supported Cromwell, a rebel against absolute authority, like Satan’s rebellion against absolute authority. That is probably why Blake said Milton was ”…of the Devil’s party.”
About The Acrostic Paradise Lost
By Terrance Lindall
There's an acrostic “Satan” in Paradise Lost 9.510-514:
“Scipio the highth of Rome. With tract oblique At first, as one who sought access, but feard To interrupt, side-long he works his way. As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind.”
Acrostics in Milton’s poem have fascinated scholars, and I thought I might lik e to write another synopsized version of Paradise Lost in acrostic form that actually tells the story briefly. The idea was suggested by John Geraghty, a prominent collector of Milton books, art and ephemera.
I am just beginning the project that I hope I can present it during National Poetry Month next year. I will also present two first edition illustrated books of William Blake, plus many other remarkable illustrated books.
I do attempt things with Paradise Lost never done before. One was synopsizing it and then popularizing it in Heavy Metal Magazine. The synopsized book was on display in B. Dalton’s store window on 5th Avenue in mid- Manhattan and sold out. Another was the Gold Folio, and another was the Gold Scroll that reads like a Torah scroll (p.65). Then there was the Paradise Lost Costume ball in 2008 that got a major article in the New York Times. All were successful.
We also have a major collection of Paradise Lost related materials, including first illustrated editions, an Elkington Shield that won a world fair award, etc. These will be on display when I produce the show related to the acrostic.
Inquire: Milton@wahcenter.net
The acrostic presented here reads:
Book 1
P. “MUSIC! Why he fell with horror and saw red flames.”
Book 2
P. Pandemonium. Satan’s Council. Moloch. Belial, Beelzebub persuades. Satan assumes the charge. Death bars the fiend. Sin’s tale. Said mayhem abounds. Now the gates open. Chaos guides Satan.
Book 3
P. About. God and Son see all. The Son offers Self.
(continued)
“The haralds by command of sovereign power now proclaim…”
The Acrostics Continued…
Book 4
P Satan Reaches the Garden. His regret sad. Eve’s troubled sleep. Satan is dispatched. Woman Eve sees herself.
Book 5
P. Raphael arrives and reveals Satan’s apostasy.
Book 6
P. Traitorous angels war against God.
Book 7
P. Creation described. The oasis with land and sea, earth and life.
Book 8
P. God creates Eve. The warning.
Book 9
P. Satan enters serpent, beguiling and tempts Eve to sin.
Book 10
P. Man seduced.
Book 11
P. God’s judgement. Man’s fate and man’s future.
Book 12
P. The Son redeems man.
Milton’s poem is the first soap opera, with a lot of sex, war, arguments, jealousy and more. It is also the first science fiction fantasy tale with flights through “outer space” (word coined by Milton).
The poem bounces around with flashbacks and a lot of philosophy and many events concurrent. I think it is probably the greatest work in the world!
The “secret” of Milton’s Satan is that he carries Hell within him. The entire poem is a parable of an internal spiritual struggle that many people go through on a lesser scale.
My theory with this version is that all a good story needs is “patter.” i.e., it must read lyrically. So you will see longer and shorter stanzas, sometimes rhyme, most often not. It works. I will record my reading soon.
My acrostic summarizes the poetry that accompanies it. The story is told in the acrostic.
I am currently gathering together all my paintings and drawings done over the years and will include it in this book.
I want to thank Pat Wickenheiser for her support. I thanks John Geraghty for the many gifts to the Milton collection and his great support and advice. Also, Elizabeth Sudduth of the University of South Carolina, Professor Joseph Wittreich, Professor Hugh Macrae Richmond, Professor Carter Kaplan, Professor Horace Jeffery Hodges, Professor Karen Karbiener, Professor Louis Schwarz, John Dugdale Bradley of Milton’s Cottage and especially my “Heavenly Muse’ Yuko Nii.
Terrance Lindall
From the commentary for Terrance Lindall’s Gold Folio of John Milton’s PARADISE LOST
“Without a doubt, Terrance Lindall is the foremost illustrator of Paradise Lost in our age, comparable to other great illustrators through the ages, and someone who has achieved a place of high stature for all time.” Robert J. Wickenheiser, 19th President of St, Bonaventure University
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Wickenheiser
In memory of Robert J. Wickenheiser, Milton Book & Art Collector
He was, among other things, a great collector of art, specifically Miltonian Art. He gave the University of South Carolina the whole of the prestigious sets of illustrations he owned, based on Milton's works
Lindall’s art appears on the cover of the Essential Milton and the Cambridge Companion
Milton Dictates Paradise Lost
THE ACROSTIC PARADISE LOST
Freely Written and Illustrated Based on Milton’s Work
By Terrance Lindall
BOOK 1
MUSE!
Under starry skies, with angels nigh, Sing of that Forbidden Tree so high, In fairest verse, the saddest case of all, Cause then of Man's free will and fall.
Who tempted our proud parents in thir Happy state? Eve, wife of Adam, fair of face, Yearned for knowledge yet fell from grace.
He it was , The Infernal Serpent, whose guile, and scheme, Ev’n in rage rebelled ‘gainst the power supreme.
Favour'd of Heav'n once so highly, through & abroad
Ethereal Skies hurled he by hand of God, Long flaming nine times the span of night and day, Lastly to the lake of burning fire…and thir he lay.
Withall, his Glory now extinct in endless woe, Infinite mind and spirit was dealt a mighty blow. Though immortal, now vanquish’t, in the fiery lake, Hell within him, he his crime would not foresake.
He with the mightiest enlisted heav’ns admiring, Obedient Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring, Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud. Now Regions of sorrow, darkness visible, a dismal shroud!
Obdurate pride, his great sin, took him to this path Reserved him in this dark prison only to more wrath.
At once as far as angels kenn he views the waste and wilde. No light, but rather darkness visible, burning unconsum'd, Dungeon horrible on all sides round, the fires plumed.
Satan now rose with steadfast hate, bound in Adamantine Chains and penal Fire, his fate, Who durst defie th' omnipotent to arms.
Round he rolled his baleful eyes, to view the fiery surges, Eternal Hell where peace and rest can never dwell, Death never comes, but torture without end still urges!
Furnace flames on all sides round, lost happiness and Lasting pain torments him, mixed with obdurate pride, And o'rewhelm'd by whirlwinds of tempestuous fire.
Myriad about him, his horrid crew. Thus said he with ire: "Extort from me nor ever shall that Glory take, nor Shall His might, make me bow and sue for grace."
Pencil & Ink Borders
Book 2, The Lindall Acrostic Paradis e Lost Pandemonium arises and a council proclaimed
Pioners with Spade and pickax now the fallen move, Arm’d to cast a rampart, Mammon led them on.
Nigh on the Plain, found out the massie ore, Dig’d out ribs of gold, that now they tread upon, Easily out-done the works of Mephian Kings, Monuments of fame and story that fable rings, and Opening their brazen foulds, rows of Starry Lamps. Nor great Alcairo such magnificence equaled In all their glories, and here the legions thick encamped. Underneath had veins of liquid fire, womb of metallic ore. Meanwhile Haralds by command proclaim a councel.
Seraphic Lords and Cherubim, From every Band
A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seats at hand, The great consult began. Powers and dominions Amidst that infernal court, from dispair uplifted, Numberless throngs, by place or choice were gifted; Satan high on a throne of royal estate thus exalted:
“ Council! We now debate whether with Open warr we fight or if covert guile is right Until a verdict by us is rendered on our plight. Now, who can advise may speak within these towers! Command me as you will my sovereign powers , I call thee to judge our fate to what is meet, Live in torment or to regain our happy seat.
M oloch, sceptered king, stood and called for Open warr, now fiercer from despair, care lost, “ Let those contrive who need. Of wiles not I.
O’re Heavens high towers He shall see Cataracts of flame and black fire, and fury, His own invented torments, ‘gainst His tyranny!”
BELIAL:
“ Excels He most in fact of arms! I fear the harms. Legions encamp, the towers of Heaven are filled thus! Inpregnable! What revenge? Would soon expel us! And that must end us, thus repelled in flat despair, Lay chain’d on the burning Lake!” Here we must repair.
Beelzebub, with great aspect rose, a pillar of state.
Eng raven deliberation on his front and public care.
“ Etheral virtues! Let us bend our thoughts anew!”
Look drew audience and attention still as night:
“ Z one milde opportune awaits to where we find by flight,
Excursion thence we may chance re-enter Heaven.
But first whom shall we send upon this mighty task,
Upborn with indefatigable wings to another world,
By force or suttlety to seduce some new Race call’d man?”
“Policy now and long process of time, we are now
Exempt from Heav’ns high jurisd iction , yet we
Remain in strictest bondage, amid this fiery sea,
Safe retreat beyond His Potent arm think we and yet,
Under th’ inevitable curb, our prison where we are set.
Ambush from the deep? Dangerous! Thus Warr hath
Determin’d us and foiled with loss irreparable, our path
Enslav’d, hatching vain empires, tearms of peace meant
Severe custody, stripes and arbitrary punishment!”
Satan, whom now transcendent pride and glory raised
Above his fellows thus spake: “Long is the way and hard
That out of Hell leads up to light, barred by night. I shall
Assume these Royalties and by accepting this hazard
Not refuse to Reign, in this I lend my powers in regard.”
“ Against a wakeful foe, intend at home, render tollerable .”
Saying thus the Monarch arose and prevented all reply.
Stygian counsel thus dissolved to shouts of praise. And
Upon the wing, part curb their fiery steeds, of deeds,
M isery Final and of Will and Fate they argued then,
Evil and Good… Passion, Apathy and bold venture and
Shame, vain wisdom all…Devil with Devil damned.
The Adversary of God and Man, with thoughts of Highest design puts on swift wings and looks above, Explores his solitary flight o’er the scape of Hell.
Coast som times he scours, and then shaves the deep, High touring the fiery concave, thus the flying fiend til’
At last appeer Hell bounds with circling fires Reaching to the horrid roof. And there he sees Gates thrice threefold, brass, iron, rock, and on Either side a formidable shape! Miscreated anon.
Distinguishable not in member, joint or limb, Execrable shape was one, black it stood as night And shook a dreadful dart. A kingly crown on him. The Monster came moving fast with horrid strides. Hell trembled as he strode. And thus Satan replied:
“Be assured I mean to pass though barred, And thou shalt learn by proof, without leave askt.
Retire or taste thy folly! Contend not with Spirits of Heav’n!” Thus Satan set the task.
To whom the Goblin reply’d: “Thou traitor angel!
Hee thou art who first broke peace, faith and now Eternal days do waste in woe and pain!” Hell-doom’d
For never but once more was such a pair opposed. In mid air so frowned and the mighty Combatants closed, Each shaking Pestilence and horrid Warr. Now had been achieved many great uncanny Deeds had not the Snakey Sorceress rushed between.
Seem’d she woman to the waist and fair, yet ended In many a voluminous scaly fould that held a key. Never ceasing Hell Hounds barked around her. Sting armed her nether end and threatened injure.
“Thou art my Father, thou my author’ she cried. “ At thy right hand I shall reign voluptuous in Light and bliss and live in thy house at thy side in Ease, as beseems thy daughter. Therefore hold!
“ Shining fair out of thy head I sprung and Amazement seiz’d all the host of angels. I pleased with attractive graces and in Darkness thou soon took’st joy with me.”
“My womb ere long conceived a growing burden. At last this odious offspring my entrails tore and He, my inbred enemy , forth issued and in Embraces forcible and foul begot in Mee these yelling monsters whom you see…”
And now the crafty fiend thus answered smooth, “Both him and thee and all the host, the sum Of spirits who fell, will profit by my deeds to come. Uncouth errand I undertake and expose myself to Now search with wandering high unequaled quest, Designed to bring myself and thee both to rest, Sin and Death, to dwell free with ease and honor best!”
Now bothe seemed highly pleased and Satan answered meet:
“Our dalliance had with thee in Heav’n and joys then sweet
Will now find riches in alliance though here in hell we greet”
Thus from her side the Fatal Key she took, in the keyhole turns, Her bestial tra in rouling, moves the massie iron or solid rock, Every bolt and bar unfastened with impetuous recoile and shock.
Grating hinges and harsh thunder shook the bottom of Erebus
And like a furnace mouth belching flame before that ocean
The infernal dores op’n flie, but to shut those massie doors
Excel’d her powers, e’en if she would, those mighty bars now stay So wide they , for Hell to pass in mighty armied loose array.
Over the abyss, he, uplifted, spurns the ground Pondering his voyage through the hoary deep. Elements in mutiny he had to cross, but Nitre hurried him aloft, where Chaos keeps .
Escape!
Chaos now, his dark pavilion spread before his keep, Himself enthroned upon the wasteful deep, And Sable vested Night along besideand Erebus. Onto his left demogorgon stood amid the eddied tide. Satan, bold upon his mission, thrust his fears aside:
“Good Chaos, thou and ancient Night, Observe my flight. Under thy banner herewith I fly from prison’s blight I seek to where the readiest path dost lead from this Darksome Desart through which your empire stands. Ethereal King, hath cast me down of late, and being So thus I now fly up to heav’ns light from Hell’s gate.
Said Monarch Old, in steadfast judgment still: “All I can do will I do to serve thy will. That little which God’s work here left us to defend And weakened thus the scepter I do bend with Night. Havoc and spoil my gain, with thee thy flight”
Book 3
God and Son View Satan’s Voyage
Above high throned, the Almighty Father from the Empyrean Bent down His Eye, throned above all highth, His Onley Son by His Side. About Him the sanctities of Heav’n.
“ Useless and vain, my Son, to draw after him all mankind, Thus Satan accosts our shores and thus to obtain his end.”
Garden happie at once both view the goodly prospect and Our two first Parents in that Blissful seat, with joy ad love, Day and vernal bloom surrounding that God’s purpose decreed.
All restraint broke loose, Satan wings his way, up or down Not far off Heaven, in the precincts of light, amongst the stars, Directly towards the new created World. Thither he hies.
“ So bent he seems, my son, with many a vain exploit Of desparate revenge, he and those to follow trespass, Not free of their own corruption, though free to fall!”
“ So were created they , nor can justly accuse thir Maker, Else must change thir nature, that those can freely do, Eternal, unchangeable, which ordained thir being through . “
Ambrosial fragrance fill’d All Heav’n while thus God spake. Love without end, and without measure, and all the while Love and new joy ineffable the Son diffus’d in pleasure.
“That man should find Grace,” spake the Son, “Heaven and Earth shall high extol Encompassing thy throne of hymns and song!”
“Son, who art alone My Word, My Might, On even ground upheld by Me, Now man soon disobeying sins, and needs must dye.”
“Oh Father, man shall find grace in place of strife, For behold mee then, mee for him, life for life. Fall your anger on mee, account mee man. Even upon mee let Death wreck all his rage. Redeem man, but I shall rise victorious, Shall enter Heav’n to see thy face!”
So Heav’nly love shall outdoo Hellish hate. Even to save a World from utter loss, Love triumphing and fair Truth, Fruitful of Golden Deeds!
Book 4, Satan Arrives in Eden
So on Satan fares And to the border comes of Eden That delicious Paradise, A sylvan scene of loftiest shade,
Gentle pair he spies of nobler shape And worthy seem’d they.
Reveling in thir beauty he recovered sad, Discovers simplicitie and spotless innocence. Eve and Adam under a tuft of green revealed, Nor were those mysterious parts conceal’d.
Hasting now the sun declined and they In naked majestie seemed lords of all, Seen in thir looks the image of thir maker.
Ruminating, still in gaze, Satan thus: “Ere soon your change approaches, Gentle pair, when all these delights Retreat and deliver ye to woe. Entertaining Hell shall now enfold thee, That I with you must dwell.”
“Still reason, honour And empire with revenge Decides me to do what I should abore!”
Eve Tells Adam Ho w She Awaked to Life
When from sleep I first awaked under a shade Of flours near, I much wondered whence thither brought, and Murmuring sound of waters made a liquid plain unmove’d And thither I went and laid me down and sank, Not with experienced thought, on the green bank.
Expanse of Heaven it seem’d, and as I bent down Visage within the watrie gleam appeard, Even answering my own gaze with looks of love.
Shalt thou be warned, said a voice, seest fair is thyself. Even now I will bring thee where no shadow staies Even to him whose image thou art, and thou shalt enjoy, Sleeping now under a platan. Thir I bring thee.
His flesh, his bone thou art. And Eve saw how manly grace Excelld with wisdom which alone bound with Reason should far exceed all other virtues. So sojourned our general Mother with gentle Eyes of conjugal attraction and meek surrender. Love smiled under the flowing gold of her tresses Finding substantial love to have him by her side.
Eve and Adam into thir inmost bowre now retire. Virtuous pair there shared thir fond desires. Eve, in rite of connubial love inspires. Source of human offspring, Eve and Adam each admires.
The angelic guardians search with good and careful Reason and wing’d speed, earnestly watch and wareful. O’er and throughout the Garden now they make thir way Under the Sun’s decline to seek with troubled minds By spear and shield against all evil forms mayhaps to find. Lying within the bounds they round upon in chance
Erranding infernal spirit among love’s kind romance, Desiring devlish deeds, insinuating by circumstance.
Squat like a toad close at the eare of Eve they see, Lies Satan , by devlish arts seducing what can be deeded into Eve’s fancie with vain hopes, distempered thoughts, Vain Enterprises and illusions as he wist and dropped like rain, Phantasm and dreams and Pride engendered high conceits.
Eve’s Dream
Satan is discovered and surpizd in his own shape sure At touch of Ituriel’s spear, for no falsehood can endure
Touch of celestial temper. Satan started up in Aire inflamed with high anger, as with sudden blaze Nitrous powder sparks. Yet thus unmovd the Grisley King.
“In waite which of those rebel angels com’st escaped Such Is now watching at head of these that sleep?”
“Do you not know mee then?” said Satan with scorn, “In vain should I explain. Asking mee argues your Selves unknown, the lowest of your throng.”
Proud fiend went hautie on, his lustre impaired, yet Abashed the devil stood overcome with rage
To strive or flie in vain, thought he, thus chaumping his iron Curb, as appeered on high great scales that weighed the issue. He, Gabriel spying thus bespake, and on Satan’s crest sat horror: “Ev’n read thy lot by scale aloft we read thy lot and are Doubled now to trample thee.” Satan fled murmuring.
Book 5, Raphael Arrives to Warn Adam & Eve of Satan’s Plot
Raphael steps down the eastern climb, A seraph winged into the blissful field. Plumes he shook and with grace so fair, and Heav’nly fragrance filled the air. And som message high they guessed the pair. Eve then Adam hasted hither, she with wondering stare Looking eastward among the trees.
Angelic virtue Dazles, though Adam not awed. Rose and odor from the shrub unfum’d and Raphael walks forth, Adam bowing. In naked majesty our primitive great sire
Viewing his god-like guest thus said, “Ev’n no place but Heav’n can thee contain So yet do honour these two onely.”
“Adam, I therefore came, lead on then to thy Bowre. Nor art thou such created in this place, this here Dwelling to oft invite like myself to visit thee.”
“Reveal I to thee why I am come, Ev’n relate the ruin of so many Virtuous though once they stood. Even as Heav’ns great year brings forth All the host before The Throne appear’d ‘Look thee Progeny of Light, My Son, your head I now appoint.’
“Satan with envy against the son of God, Angered, could not bear that sight and Thought himself impaired. And deep malice thence conceiving Now with all his legions resolved Such to dislodge the Throne Supreme.”
“Another now hath to himself ingrossed all Power,” said Satan, “and us eclipsed under the name Of a King anointed to receive from us knee tribute. Submit ye your necks and chuse to bend?
Titles Imperial!” commanded Lucifer, “Assert our being ordained to be free and not Serve!” And Abdiel stood up with flame of zeal and Yielded and the Divine Command obeid.
“Assert our being ordained to be free!”
War in Heaven
Satan In His Guise as the Great Magician
“All obeyed the superior voice ”
All rebels obeyed the superior voice of thir Great potentate Satan. He, thir God, accused with Ambiguous words and blind jealousy infused, Influence bad into the unwary brest. Now high was his degree in Heav’n, and Superior was his voice that with lyes a Third part of Heaven drew after him.
God whose sight discernes all things now gazed O’er the starry flock what multitudes Displayed hath thir thought to try battle.
Arms on armour clashing bray’d. And Now the Father Infinite to honor His son Glorious power all on him transferred: “Effluence of My Glorie, Legions have suffered in this great war, So ascend My chariot and bring forth warr!”
With whirlwind sound the Empyrean shook As under those burning wheels the Son Routed the Rebel Angels and thus they fell.
Cast out from God
BOOK 7
Raphael Describes Creation
Cheribum on wings uplifted watched as Round through the vast profunditie Extended the Paternal Glorie into Chaos And all creat’d things sprung from the deep. This fluid massey darkness he infused. Infernal adverse to life where fire and darkness surged Our Infinite Father downward purged, to Notoreous tartareous, Infernal dregs.
Disparted the rest to several places, Earth self balanc’t on her center hung. Sprung from her native East Cloudy radiance first of all things, Radiant cloud for yet the sun was not but In a cloudie Tabernacle sojourn’d. By and by and each to thir own, Ev’ng and Morn he named, Divided Light the Day and Darkness Night
Took the Golden compasses
He to circumscribe this universe
Exhaling first from darkness.
One foot God centered
And then the other turned and Said “thus far extend thy circumference and Infinite extend thy bounds.” And thus the host Saw the Heav’n created, and thus the earth.
“Word” spake the Filial God head. Immediate more swift then time or motion That without process of speech be told His good spoke to worlds and ages infinite.
“Let here be firmament pure transparent And water underneath divided” and Now the earth was formed by Drops of dust conglobing.
“And Let fowle be multiplied Now let dry land appear, Down Put verdant grass .”
Soft wave rowling after wave, He made Ebbing, nor withstood them rock or hill And on the washie ooze deep channels wore.
Earth opened her fertile womb
At a birth innumerous living creatures, Rose reptil, Cattel, flock bleeting, Tyger, stag, tawnie lion, insect and Hugest of living creatures Leviathan.
And on the seventh Day
Now God made man in His image, Dust of the ground the breath of Life in nostrils breath’d and In the mage of God express, and then Female, Adam’s consort to fill the Earth, and God said “be fruitful.”
Eve Sees Adam for the First Time
Adam Tells Raphael How Eve Was Gifted to Him
God said, “What next I bring shall please thee!” Of sleep then there was, which instantly fell upon me. Dazl’d and spent, did I sink down and sought repair.
Closed mine eyes and yet of Fancie, my internal sight, Revealed Shape Glorious Who stooping took Even my rib. The rib He formed and fashioned lovely, A new creature whom mine eyes adored and from that Time infus’d sweetness into my heart and love was wrought.
“Extracted of Man, ‘Woman’ is her name D ivinely brought. She will acknowledge thee her head,” my Fancie thought.
“ Ever to deplore her loss and other pleasures all abjure , Virtuous in nuptial Sanctitie and marriage rites endure, Evermore fairest this of all God’s gifts, of this be sure.”
BOOK 8
Raphael Concludes his Visit
“That thou art happy owe to God His great commands obey. E’en take heed lest passions sway.
“Weal or woe in thee is placed And all temptation to transgress repel.” Raphael so saying rose to return above.
“Now be strong, live happy and love. In thy persevering I shall rejoice. Now perfect within, no outward aid require” “Gentle to me,” said Adam “ and affable hath been!”
BOOK 9
SATAN RETURNS TO EDEN AT MIDNIGHT
Satan, in mediated fraud, conjuring spite And malice, fearless returned at midnight. There with inspection deep he considered All and every creature which of all most Nigh opportune might serve his wiles as host.
Erewhile finds he the serpent by his Narrow search, suttlest Beast of all. Thus he resolved it fit vessel to Enter and his dark suggestion hide. Resolved he thus for in the wiley Snake none would suspicious mark.
and doth the sly Enemie of mankind glide forward, foulds on his reare.
Prone on the ground slides he toward Eve, addresses he his way near.
Neck of verdant gold and carbuncle eyes Thus pleasing was his shape.
Beguilng, he bowed his crest and begot mark his play and with umb expression turned now Unto him the thoughts of Eve and with al air his tongue organic Licked the ground whereon she stood. “what may this mean toungue of man it seems And human sense expressed?” Now the serpent praised that Tree of e mind of Eve.
Turned he thereby again to praise that tree of Death, Enaml’d sleek neck fawning with bated breath, “Mistress I Thy celestial beauty do adore. Powerful perswaders are that alluring fruit, for of Those apples I spared not eating my fill. Strange degree of reason then to worship thee with love.
Eve fixed upon the fruit, she gazed. His argument Veritable truth to her seeming, she listened thus
Enchanted by the serpents words, but soon lamented.
The guiltie serpent intent now wholly On her taste naught else regarded.
She Plucked, she eat!
In that evil Hour
Nature felt the wound.
She hasted unto Adam. Speechless was he and pale. Yet He scrupled not to eat, eating his fill, resolution to die. Enduring prospect of Sin, Fondly o’ercome by Eve.
BOOK 10
Meanwhile, the hainous and despiteful Act of Satan was known in Heaven. God said, “Now shall forebearance find no quittance.”
So spake the Son: “I myself will go to judge on Earth these transgressors for thir sins Derive on me their doom, for in this I alone Undertake to temper justice with mercie shown. Convict by flight the third no mercie in my sight.”
Eden bound He flies on steed of light, Descending straight and true upon his flight.
God’s voice now heard Adam and Eve “Obvious duty to meet me, what change absents thee?”
Discountenanced both they came, with Shame in their looks, perturbation and despair.
Judge Gracious without revile further said “Unless thou hast eaten of the Tree of Dread Death, thou should’st now be here to see. ” “Good Lord, my perfect mate hath done this to me”
Ev’n Adam replied abashed where thus he stood: “Me this woman whom thou gav’st, for my good, Eve, know that taking from her sweet hand I could Not expect som ill, and yet she gave me of That Dread Tree of Death and I did eat, for she I love.”
God send the Archangel Michael to Send Adam and Eve from the Garden
Michael, the Archangel, soon drew nigh, by God’s leave, As a man now clad in purple vest. To Adam and Eve:
“Now open thine eyes and I will reveal for thee to See the effects original sin hathe wrought by virtue of that tree.”
“Forth I am come to remove both by Heav’ns high behest And send thee from the Garden forth to leave thy nest, To till the ground wher’st first taken by God’s Command, Even from where you both so cared with tender hand.
“And here prepare thee for another Scene so sorry. Now I show all Earth’s kingdom and thir brief glory. Down to the end of time, wayward mankind’s story.
Many town and rural work before them saw they then, And cities with lofty gates and towrs afar, great men too. Now concours in arms. Fierce faces threatn’ng war, Single or in Array in battle raged, under Satan’s star.
“Faith forgot and truth, one man except dutiful and brave. Unrighteousness shall God punish and admonish. The one just man named Noah will build an ark to save, and Under Ark to shelter good things pure and right. Grave Rain will fall in deluge day and night, and shall withall Ensue to inundate the highest hills beneath the squall”
The revelations of Michael
Michael caught our lingering parents then And to the Eastern Gate led them direct, wiping tears, Now hand in hand to make their solitary way throughout the years.
BOOK 12
“The law of God exact, He shall fulfill the Covenant, His Son by sacrifice shall endure thy punishment, Endure by becoming flesh.” said Michael.
“Seized upon with force by his own nation, on cross laid, Overseen by all, the Son, will be there crucifi'd. Now all punishment for man’s transgression paid.
“Redemption proclaims He, life to all who believe, Even disciples to teach all nations shall He leave. Death over him no power shall usurp or cleave. Ere the third dawning light He will return, Even to refute the wages that sin doth earn. And Man’s redeemer from death will be redeemed and Shall bruise the head of Satan.”
The Visionary Foal, The Eye of God
THE LINDALL GOLD SCROLL
This is the 46 inch version on archival paper, limited to 50 copies, signed and numbered in gold ink. Eleven of which have been sold. Shipped rolled. Copies are now in some of the world's foremost collections. $2000 wahcenter@earthlink.net
THE LINDALL GOLD SCROLL
Did you ever expect to see Milton's paradise lost with a surprise ending? Here is it! You see, Milton had been criticized over the centuries as having created Satan a much too sympathetic character. I believe that Milton knew, as some Jesuit scholars have argued, that Satan had a role to play, a role devised by God. Satan had to rebel against good and caus e the fall of man in order to actualize his infinite mercy. Mercy not actualized is not infinite. Satan fell because he loved God and wanted that love in return, above God's only son.
So the scroll is conceptually laid out. The sub-thesis is interesting. Milton conceives of the poem Paradise Lost as a flame from his head, like Athena from the head of Zeus, or Sin from the head of Satan. Note my flying "visionary" foal with a mysterious rider. He will gallop through the scroll revealing Milton's vision.
So the visionary horse leaps across the Bodleian Library representing man's accumulation of knowledge. Notice the "solemn council" in Pandemonium. Figures from the major Western religions are represented as well as two famous world leaders. Here on Earth our leaders all proclaim to be doing good for their people...by persecuting and murdering their enemies mostly. That's the nature of humanism, as I argued recently on The Milton lists. No matter how we try to do good for humanity, it is twisted by the will of Satan through our spiritual and temporal leaders. Notice Nemo's submarine Nautilus at the bottom. He symbolizes that predicament: he opposes an evil regime by sinking ships with sailors who are just doing their duty. He does evil thinking he is doing good.
Now the mysterious figure riding the Visionary Foal is revealed. It is none other than Satan, who in the end is forgiven by God in his infinite Mercy. The foal that Satan has been riding, the Visionary Foal, is actually the Vision of God himself. Everything that exists in Heaven, Hell and Earth are ultimately perceptions in the mind of God. God's mind creates all through the permutations of potentiality and actuality (Aristotle) in the mind of God. The Mind of God is all reality and all knowledge. Satan, who erred because he wanted Gods' love for himself above The Son, served God’s purpose in causing the fall of man so God could make actual and demonstrate his Infinite Mercy... by forgiving Man and Satan too. Satan, now having become Lucifer again, rests happily with the Visionary Foal, having been forgiven. Knowledge is vindicated as seen wherein the apex of the Universal Library of the Mind of God, with Dr. Robert Wickenheiser as the Head Librarian, becomes the stairway to and from Heaven bearing the Second Coming of Christ. Notice the eye of the Visionary Foal leads up to the eye representing God's universal all seeing Wisdom.
Copies are now in some of the world's foremost collections including:
1) Huntington Library in California, Gift Purchased by Distinguished Professor Joseph Wittreich, noted Milton scholar and collector. The Huntington’s highlights include one of the world’s most extensive collections of William Blake material. Most notably Blake's original illustrations for Milton’s Paradise Lost.
2) The University of Pennsylvania Rare Book Collection, Gift Purchased by Distinguished Professor Joseph Wittreich, noted Milton scholar and collector. The U of Penn holds over 560 exemplars of books printed in Europe from movable type before 1501. Sixty -six of these titles are the only recorded copies in North America.
3) The University of Kentucky, Gift Purchased by Distinguished Professor Joseph Wittreich, noted Milton scholar and collector. The U of Kentucky collections include many famous artists.
4) The Alexander Turnbull Milton Library of the National Trust of Zealand
5) The collection of Robert J. Wickenheiser, one of the world’s formost collectors of Milton books and original illustrations for Milton’s works.
6) The Thomas Cooper Ra re Book Library at the University of South Carolina
7) Professor John John Geraghty, another notable collector of Milton books.
8) The Yuko Nii Foundation
"Thanks...I think you are rather overemphasizing the 24k gold leaf, because the real "gold" lies in the perceptions incorporated in the artist's concepts. This is the best since Blake and Doré." Nancy Charlton, Milton Lists
"Thanks, Nancy, for your detailed and helpful interpretation of this impressive work." Dr. Salwa Khoddam, Oklahoma City University
"Terrance: Would that Milton had been as rich in writing about his great epic as you have been about everything you have written about your scroll and the inspiration for it. I don't mean to sell Milton short by any means because, like all great artists, somewhere in his writing can be found his own profound reasons for what he has done and why he did it. In this you stand side by side with the great bard in wanting your paintings to be appreciated and understood." Dr. Robert J. Wickenheiser, Milton Collector & 19th President of St. Bonaventure University
“Thank you Terrance. I…am grateful for all you are doing. It is an amazing project. You are creating a great legacy…” Professor John Geraghty[33]
“ …this is stunningly beautiful! There is so much to look at both traditional and intriguingly mysterious. It really makes me think of Blake's "Marriage of Heaven and Hell", as well as some of the Serb ian iconography I've been looking at recently in the monasteries of Fruska Gora . I visited the ancient monastery and chapel of Hopovo, and the brilliant colors of the figures crowding into the inner sanctum recall your powerful sunsets and energetic (yet static) figures.”
Professor Karen Karbiener, Department of English, New York University
Terrance Lindall (is an American artist and the co-director and chief administrator of the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Lindall's illustrations have been published in Heavy Metal, Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella, among others. Lindall's illustrations of John Milton's Paradise Lost have been featured in textbooks and modern printings of Milton's work as well as Lindall's rendition of Paradise Lost in prose. "To get a sense of Lindall’s broader artistic background, you might take a look at his large cover illustration of the comic book “Creepy” (now considered a classic – both the comic book and Lindall’s “creepy” cover illustration of “Visions Of Hell (6/79).” It took Lindall only a few years to illustrate his synopsis of Paradise Lost (published in 1983) and in doing so, to provide readers [with]
https://tabletopia.com/games/paradiselost Terrance Lindall also created the first on-line board game for Milton’s Paradise Lost.
