Gregson Davis, Richard Brodhead and Sarah Beckwith read from Paradise Lost Tuesday during the university's celebration of John Milton Photo credit: Jon Gardiner

Durham, NC - Duke's Blue Devil identity took on new meaning the afternoon of Dec. 9 as President Richard Brodhead assumed the role of Satan at a reading of John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost."

Brodhead was joined by English professor Sarah Beckwith as Beelzebub and Gregson Davis, dean of humanities and professor of classical studies, as the narrator. The event, held in the Rare Book Room of Perkins Library, marked the 400^th anniversary of Milton's birth.

"This event is a testament to the enduring power and brilliance of Milton's writing," said Ian Baucom, professor and chair of the English department. Baucom said the event is part of a year-long celebration of poetry sponsored by the department.

Duke is an appropriate place for such an event, Baucom said, because of the many Milton scholars, such as Reynolds Price, on the faculty.

Price, James B. Duke Professor of English, spoke at the event and said he has been passionate about Milton since first reading his poetry as an undergraduate at Duke in the mid-1950s.

Price remarked on Milton's "outright love of beautiful language" and "the urgency of his need to generate memorable versions of English language."

"No epic poem in any European language approaches ‘Paradise Lost' in narrative fascination and linguistic brilliance that evokes the fall of mankind," he said.

The poem, first published in the late 17^th century, is based on the Biblical story of the Fall of Man, the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Brodhead, Beckwith and Davis stood at microphones in front of a room full of students, faculty and staff to read their parts. The audience chuckled as Brodhead ad-libbed during the reading.

Here at least
We shall be free;
"You see the brighter side of Hell?," Brodhead joked in an aside.

Th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in hell;
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.

A reception, complete with a birthday cake in honor of Milton, was held following the reading.