W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
“Now had the great Proclaimer”
John Milton (1608–1674)From Paradise Regained, I. 18–32.
N
More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried
Repentance, and Heaven’s kingdom nigh at hand
To all baptized. To his great baptism flocked
With awe the regions round, and with them came
From Nazareth, the son of Joseph deemed
To the flood Jordan—came as then obscure,
Unmarked, unknown; but him the Baptist soon
Descried, divinely warned, and witness bore
As to his worthier, and would have resign’d
To him his heavenly office. Nor was long
His witness unconfirmed: on him baptized
Heaven opened, and in likeness of a dove
The Spirit descended, while the Father’s voice
From Heaven pronounced Him his beloved Son.