It's April 27, 1667 in London, England. Inside the building that holds his printing press,

Samuel Simmons leans over his desk, frowning slightly as he checks the figures in the ledger.

Behind him, one of his apprentices quietly tends to the machinery, ensuring that the complex parts continue to operate smoothly.

This is one of the larger printing presses in London. Samuel's parents built the business up over decades,

but since his father died, the 27-year-old Samuel has run the company jointly with his mother,

and as she gets older, Samuel is taking on more and more responsibilities.

The office door swings open, and a woman guides an older, pale-faced blind man into the room.

Samuel recognizes them as the writer John Milton and his daughter. The Simmons family

have a long relationship with Milton. Samuel's father first published one of Milton's essays more than

two decades ago, but recently Milton has fallen on harder times. Tucking his cane beneath his arm,

Milton holds out his hand, and his daughter passes him a neatly

neatly wrapped packet of papers. Gripping it tightly, Milton places it on top of Samuel's

ledger. It's a work Samuel and Milton have discussed before, an epic poem called Paradise Lost.

Since losing his eyesight, Milton can no longer write himself, but having to dictate his work to his daughter

doesn't seem to have held him back. This weighty manuscript must be hundreds of pages long.

Milton then says that after their conversation the previous week, he has made the finishing

touches to the poem, and it's now time for the two men to agree on a printing contract.

Samuel closes his ledger and takes Milton's manuscript in his hands.

He was impressed with the last draft he read, but he is still conflicted.

The political situation in England is volatile,

and publishing Milton's work now could be more trouble than it's worth.

Samuel looks up at the sound of Milton tapping his cane

...