This having learnt, thou hast attained the sum
Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars
Thou knew?st by name, all th? ethereal powers,
All secrets of the deep, all Nature?s works,
Or works of God in heav?n, air, earth, or sea,
And all the riches of this world enjoy?dst,
And all the rule, one empire; only add
Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith,
Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love,
By name to come called charity, the soul
Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loth
To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess
A paradise within thee, happier far.
(This is an extract from Book 10 of Paradise Lost, the epic poem of John Milton, who lived from 1608 to 1674 and, who, like the legendary Greek poet, Homer, was blind. Much of this poem was composed while he was imprisoned by Oliver Cromwell for being of the Puritan faith. His daughter was his scribe. In the above lines the Archangel declares that Adam has finally learnt from his experiences in the original Paradise.)