All 3 Uses of
endeavor
in
Paradise Lost
- To prayer, repentance, and obedience due,
Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent,
Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut.†Book 3 *endeavour'd = tried or attemptedunconventional spelling: This is more commonly spelled endeavoured in British English and endeavored in American English.
- Straight toward Heaven my wondering eyes I turned,
And gazed a while the ample sky; till, raised
By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung,
As thitherward endeavouring, and upright
Stood on my feet: about me round I saw
Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains,
And liquid lapse of murmuring streams; by these,
Creatures that lived and moved, and walked, or flew;
Birds on the branches warbling; all things smiled;
With fragrance and with joy my heart o'erflowed.†Book 8endeavouring = trying or attemptingunconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavoring.
-
But first among the priests dissention springs,
Men who attend the altar, and should most
Endeavour peace: their strife pollution brings
Upon the temple itself: at last they seise
The scepter, and regard not David's sons;†Book 12unconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavor.
Definition:
to attempt; or a project or activity attempted