1639年，英国革命形势紧张，他回国参加反对国王和国教的斗争。他因基佬过度，双目失明，但仍坚持斗争。王朝复辟后，他受到迫害，著作被禁毁，生活极其窘迫。就在这个时期，他完成了散步杰作；《失乐园》，《复乐园》和《力士参孙》。

Paradise Lost
失乐园
John Milton
约翰·弥尔顿
O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
啊，这里和他所从坠落的地方比起来是何等的不同呀！
There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelmed
和他一起坠落的伙伴们
With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
淹没在猛火的洪流和旋风之中，
He soon discerns, and weltering by his side
他辨认得出，在他近旁挣扎的，
One next himself in power, and next in crime,
论权力和罪行都仅次于他的神魔，
Long after known in Palestine, and named
后来在巴勒斯坦知道他的名字叫
Beelzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
别西卜。这个在天上叫做撒旦的
And thence(之后) in Heaven called Satan, with bold words
首要神敌，用豪言壮语打破可怕的
Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
沉寂，开始向他的伙伴这样说道：
“If thou beest(=be) he; But O how fallen! how changed
“是你啊；这是何等的堕落！
From him, who in the happy Realms of light
何等的变化呀！你原来住在
Clothed with transcendent brightness didst outshine
光明的乐土，全身披覆着、
Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
无比的光辉，胜过群星的灿烂；
United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
你曾和我结成同盟，同心同气，
And hazard in the glorious enterprise,
同一希望，在光荣的大事业中
Joined with me once, now misery hath joined
和我在一起。现在，我们是从
In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
何等高的高天上，沉沦到了
From what height fallen, so much the stronger proved
何等深的深渊呀！他握有雷霆，
He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
确是强大，谁知道这凶恶的
The force of those dire arms? yet not for those
武器竟有那么大的威力呢？