Behold now this vast city [London]; a city of refuge, the mansion-house of liberty, encompassed and surrounded with His protection.
Interpretation
Milton reflects on London as a place of freedom and protection.
In this quote, John Milton portrays London as a sanctuary and a symbol of liberty, suggesting that the city provides safety and shelter to its inhabitants. He evokes a sense of reverence for the city, emphasizing its significance as a bastion of freedom that is enveloped in divine protection, highlighting the emotional and spiritual connection between the people and their city.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a speech about urban development and the importance of cities as centers of freedom.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
I am never less alone than when alone.
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Fire and water may as well agree in the same vessel, as grace and sin in the same heart.
Still desiring, we live without hope.
Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.
The thing to do is to concentrate on the seer and not on the seen, not on the objects, but on the Light which reveals them.
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