Among them he arriv'd in his right hand Grasping ten thousand Thunders which he sent Before him such as in thir Soules infix'd Plagues they astonisht all resistance lost All courage down thir idle weapons drop'd O're Shields and Helmes and helmed heads he rode Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate That wish'd the Mountains now might be again Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire Nor less on either side tempestuous fell His arrows from the fourfold-visag'd Foure Distinct with eyes and from the living Wheels Distinct alike with multitude of eyes One Spirit in them rul'd and every eye Glar'd lightning and shot forth pernicious fire Among th' accurst that witherd all thir strength And of thir wonted vigour left them draind Exhausted spiritless afflicted fall'n Yet half his strength he put not forth but check'd His Thunder in mid Volie for he meant Not to destroy but root them out of Heav'n The overthrown he rais'd and as a Heard Of Goats or 〈◊〉 flock together throngd Drove them before him Thunder-struck pursu'd With terrors and with suries to the bounds And Chrystall wall of Heav'n which op'ning wide Rowld inward and a spacious Gap disclos'd Into the wastful Deep the monstrous sight Strook them with horror backward but far worse Urg'd them behind headlong themselvs they threw Dòwn from the verge of Heav'n Eternal wrauth Burnt after them to the bottomless pit Hell heard th' unsufferable noise Hell saw Heav'n ruining from Heav'n and would have fled Affrighted but strict Fate had cast too deep Her dark foundations and too fast had bound Nine dayes they fell confounded 〈◊〉 roard And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall Through his wilde Anarchie so huge a rout Incumberd him with ruin Hell at last Yawning receavd them whole and on them clos'd Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire Unquenchable the house of woe and paine Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoie'd and soon repaird Her mural breach returning whence it rowld Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes Messiah his triumphal Chaâ—…iot turnd To meet him all his Saints who silent stood Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts With Jubilie advanc'd and as they went Shaded with branching Palme each order bright Sung Triumph and him sung Victorious King Son Heire and Lord to him Dominion giv'n Worthiest to Reign he celebrated rode Triumphant through mid Heav'n into the Courts And Temple of his mightie Father Thron'd On high who into Glorie him receav'd Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss Thus measuring things in Heav'n by things on Earth At thy request and that thou maist beware By what is past to thee I have reveal'd What might have else to human Race bin hid The discord which befel and Warr in Heav'n Among th' Angelic Powers and the deep fall Of those too high aspiring who rebelld With Satan hee who envies now thy state Who now is plotting how he may seduce Thee also from obedience that with him Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake His punishment Eternal miserie Which would be all his solace and revenge As a despite don against the most High Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe But list'n not to his Temptations warne Thy weaker let it profit thee to have heard By terrible Example the reward Of disobedience firm they might have stood Yet fell remember and fear to transgress The End of the Sixth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK VII DEscend from Heav'n Urania by that name If rightly thou art call'd whose Voice divine Following above th' Olâ—…mpian Hill I soare Above the flight of Pegasean wing The meaning not the Name I call for thou Nor of the Muses nine nor on the top Of old Olympus dwell'st but Heav'nlie borne Before the Hills appeerd or Fountain flow'd Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse Wisdom thy Sister and with her didst play In presence of th' Almightie Father pleas'd With thy Celestiul Song Up led by thee Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd An 〈◊〉 Guest and drawn Empyreal Aire Thy tempring with like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element Least from this flying Steed unrein'd as once Bellerophon though from a lower Clime Dismounted on th' Aleian Field I fall Erroneous there to wander and forlorne Half yet remaines unsung but narrower bound Within the visible Diurnal Spheare Standing on Earth not rapt above the Pole More safe I Sing with mortal voice unchang'd To hoarce or mute though fall'n on evil dayes On evil dayes though fall'n and evil tongues In darkness and with dangers compast rouud And solitude yet not alone while thou Visit'st my slumbers Nightly or when Morn Purples the East still govern thou my Song Urania and fit audience find though few But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance Of Bacchus and his Revellers the Race Of that wilde Rout that tore the Thracian Bard In Rhodope where Woods and Rocks had Eares To rapture till the savage clamor dround Both Harp and Voice nor could the Muse defend Her Son So fail not thou who thee implores For thou art Heav'n lie shee an empty dreame Say Goddess what ensu'd when Raphael The affable Arch-angel had forewarn'd Adam by dire example to beware Apostafie by what befell in Heaven To those Apostates least the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his Race Charg'd not to touch the interdicted Tree If they transgress and slight that sole command So easily obeyd amid the choice Of all tasts else to please thir appetite Though wandring He with his consorted Eve The storie heard attentive and was fill'd With admiration and deep Muse to heare Of things so high and strange things to thirthought So unimaginable as hate in Heav'n And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss With such confusion but the evil soon Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung impossible to mix With Blessedness Whence Adam soon repeal'd The doubts that in his heart arose and now Led on yet sinless with desire to know What neerer might concern him how this World Of Heav'n and Earth conspicuous first began When and whereof created for what cause What within Eden or without was done Before his memorie as one whose drouth Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current streame Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites Proceeded thus to ask his Heav'nly Guest Great things and full of wonder in our eares Farr differing from this World thou hast reveal'd Divine Interpreter by favour sent Down from the Empyrean to forewarne Us timely of what might else have bin our loss Unknown which human knowledg could not reach For which to the infinitly Good we owe Immortal thanks and his admonishment Receave with solemne purpose to observe Immutably his sovran will the end Of what we are But sinâ—…e thou hast voutsaf't Gently for our instruction to impart Things above Earthly thought which yet concernd Our knowing as to highest wisdom seemd Deign to descend now lower and râ—…late What may no less perhaps availe us known How
whoseop Brightness had made invisible thus spake Hear all ye Angels Progenie of Light Thrones Dominations Princedoms Vertues Powers Hear my Decree which unrevok't shall stand This day I have begot whom I declare My onely Son and on this holy Hill Him have anointed whom ye now behold At my right hand your Head I him appoint And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n and shall conâ—…ess him Lord Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abide United as one individual Soule For ever happie him who disobeyes Mee disobeyes breaks union and that day Cast out from God and blessed vision falls Into utter darkness deep ingulft his place Ordaind without redemption without end So spaketh ' Omnipotent and with his words All seemd well pleas'd all seem'd but were not all That day as other solem dayes they spent In song and dance about the sacred Hill Mystical dance which yonder starrie Spheare Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles Resembles nearest mazes intricate Eccentric intervolv'd yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem And in thir motions harmonie Divine So smooths her charming tones that Gods own ear Listens delighted Eevning approachd For we have also our Eevning and our Morn We ours for change delectable not need Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn Desirous all in Circles as they stood Tables are set and on a sudden pil'd With Angels Food and rubied Nectar flows In Pearl in Diamond and massie Gold Fruit of delicious Vines the growth of Heav'n They eat they drink and with refection sweet Are fill'd before th' all bounteous King who showrd With copious hand rejoycing in thir joy Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'd From that high mount of God whence light shade Spring both the face of brightest Heav'n had changd To grateful Twilight for Night comes not there In darker veile and roseat Dews dispos'd All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest Wide over all the Plain and wider farr Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred Such are the Courts of God Th' Angelic throng Dispersâ—… in Bands and Files thir Camp extend By living Streams among the Trees of Life Pavilions numberless and sudden reard Celestial Tabernacles where they slept Fannd with coole Winds save those who in thir course Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long but not so wak'd Satan so call him now his former name Is heard no more Heav'n he of the first If not the first Arch-Angel great in Power In favour and praeeminence yet fraught With envie against the Son of God that day Honourd by his great Father and proclaimd Messiah King anointed could not beare Through pride that sight and thought himself impaird Deep malice thence conceiving disdain Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre Friendliest to sleep and silence he resolv'd With all his Legions to dislodge and leave Unworshipt unobey'd the Throne supream Contemptuous and his next subordinate Awak'ning thus to him in secret spake Sleepst thou Companion dear what sleep can close Thy eye-lids and remembrest what Decree Of yesterday so late hath past the lips Of Heav'ns Almightie Thou to me thy thoughts Wast wont I mine to thee was wont to impart Both waking we were one how then can now Thy sleep dissent new Laws thou seest impos'd New Laws from him who reigns new minds may raise In us who serve new Counsels to debate What doubtful may ensue more in this place To utter is not safe Assemble thou Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief Tell them that by command ere yet dim Night Her shadowie Cloud withdraws I am to haste And all who under me thir Banners wave Homeward with flying march where we possess The Quarters of the North there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our King The great Messiah and his new commands Who speedily through all the Hierarchies Intends to pass triumphant and give Laws So spake the false Arch-Angel and infus'd Bad influence into th' unwarie brest Of his Associate hee together calls Or several one by one the Regent Powers Under him Regent tells as he was taught That the most High commanding now ere Night Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n The great Hierarchal Standard was to move Tells the suggested cause and casts between Ambiguous words and jealousies to sound Or taint integritie but all obey'd The wonted signal and superior voice Of thir great Potentate for great indeed His name and high was his degree in Heav'n His count'nance as the Morning Starr that guides The starrie flock allur'd them and with lyes Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host Mean while th' Eternal eye whose sight discernes Abstrusest thoughts from forth his holy Mount And from within the golden Lamps that burne Nightly before him saw without thir light Rebellion rising saw in whom how spred Among the sons of Morn what multitudes Were banded to oppose his high Decree And smiling to his onely Son thus said Son thou in whom my glory I behold In full resplendence Heir of all my might Neerly it now concernes us to be sure Of our Omnipotence and with what Arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of Deitie or Empire such a foe Is rising who intends to erect his Throne Equal to ours throughout the spacious North Nor so content hath in his thought to trie In battel what our Power is or our right Let us advise and to this hazard draw With speed what force is left and all imploy In our defence lest unawares we lose This our high place our Sanctuarie our Hill To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer Light'ning Divine ineffable serene Made answer Mightie Father thou thy foes Justly hast in derision and secure Laugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain Matter to mee of Glory whom thir hate Illustrates when they see all Regal Power Giv'n me to quell thir pride and in event Know whether I be dextrous to subdue Thy Rebels or be found the worst in Heav'n So spake the Son but Satan with his Powers Farr was advanc't on winged speed an Host Innumerable as the Starrs of Night Or Starrs of Morning Dew-drops which the Sun Impearls on every leaf and every flouer Regions they pass'd the mightie Regencies Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones In thir triple Degrees Regions to which All thy Dominion Adam is no more Then what this Garden is to all the Earth And all the Sea from one entire globose Stretcht into Longitude which having pass'd At lengâ—…h into the limits of the North They came and Satan to his Royal seat High on a Hill far blazing as a Mount Rais'd on a Mount with Pyramids and Towrs From Diamond Quarries hew'n Rocks of Gold The Palace of great Lucifer so call That Structure in the Dialect of men Interpreted which not long after hee Affecting all equality with God In imitation of that Mount whereon Messiah was declar'd in sight
reported gladly then he mixt Among thosef riendly Powers who him receav'd With joy and acclamations loud that one That of so many Myriads fall'n yet one Returnd not lost On to the sacred hill They led him high applauded and present Before the seat supream from whence a voice From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard Servant of God well done well hast thou fought The better fight who single hast maintaind Against revolted multitudes the Cause Of Truth in word mightier then they in Armes And for the testimonie of Truth hast born Universal reproach far worse to beare Then violence for this was all thy care To stand approv'd in sight of God though Worlds Judg'd thee perverse the easier conquest now Remains thee aided by this host of friends Back on thy foes more glorious to return Then scornd thou didst depart and to subdue By force who reason for thir Law refuse Right reason for thir Law and for thir King Messiah who by right of merit Reigns Goe Michael of Celestial Armies Prince And thou in Military prowess next Gabriel lead forth to Battel these my Sons Invincible lead forth my armed Saints By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight Equal in number to that Godless crew Rebellious them with Fire and hostile Arms Fearless assault and to the brow of Heav'n Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss Into thir place of punishment the Gulf Of Tartarus which ready opens wide His fiery Chaos to receave thir fall So spake the Sovran voice and Clouds began To darken all the Hill and smoak to rowl In duskie wreathes reluctant flames the signe Of wrauth awak't nor with less dread the loud Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow At which command the Powers Militant That stood for Heav'n in mighty Quadrate joyn'd Of Union irresistible mov'd on In silence thir bright Legions to the sound Of instrumental Harmonie that breath'd Heroic Ardor to advent'rous deeds Under thir God-like Leaders in the Cause Of God and his Messiah On they move Indissolubly firm nor obvious Hill Nor streit'ning Vale nor Wood nor Stream divides Thir perfet ranks for high above the ground Thir march was and the passive Air upbore Thir nimble tread as when the total kind Of Birds in orderly array on wing Came summond over Eden to receive Thir names of thee so over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd and many a Province wide Tenfold the length of this terrene at last Farr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'd From skirt to skirt a fierie Region stretcht In battailous aspect and neerer view Bristl'd with upright beams innumerable Of rigid Spears and Helmets throng'd and Shields Various with boastful Argument portraid The banded Powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition for they weend That self same day by fight or by surprize To win the Mount of God and on his Throne To set the envier of his State the proud Aspirer but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain In the mid way though strange to us it seemd At first that Angel should with Angel warr And in fierce hosting meet who wont to meet So oft in Festivals of joy and love Unanimous as sons of one great Sire Hymning th' Eternal Father but the shout Of Battel now began and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought High in the midst exalted as a God Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate Idol of Majestie Divine enclos'd With Flaming Cherubim and golden Shields Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne for now 'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left A dreadful interval and Front to Front Presented stood in terrible array Of hideous length before the cloudie Van On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn'd Satan with vast and haughtie strides advanc't Came towring armd in Adamant and Gold Abdiel that sight endur'd not where he stood Among the mightiest bent on highest deeds And thus his own undaunted heart explores O Heav'n that such resemblance of the Highest Should yet remain where faith and realtie Remain not wherfore should not strength might There fail where Vertue fails or weakest prove Where boldest though to sight unconquerable His puissance trusting in th' Almightie's aide I mean to try whose Reason I have tri'd Unsound and false nor is it aught but just That he who in debate of Truth hath won Should win in Arms in both disputes alike Victor though brutish that contest and foule When Reason hath to deal with force yet so Most reason is that Reason overcome So pondering and from his armed Peers Forth stepping opposite half way he met His daring foe at this prevention more Incens't and thus securely him defi'd Proud art thou met thy hope was to have reacht The highth of thy aspiring unoppos'd The Throne of God unguarded and his side Abandond at the terror of thy Power Or potent tongue fool not to think how vain Against th' Omnipotent to rise in Arms Who out of smallest things could without end Have rais'd incessant Armies to defeat Thy folly or with solitarie hand Reaching beyond all limit at one blow Unaided could have finisht thee and whelmd Thy Legions under darkness but thou seest All are not of thy Train there be who Faith Prefer and Pietie to God though theâ—… To thee not visible when I alone Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent From all my Sect thou seest now learn too late How few somtimes may know when thousands err Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance Thus answerd Ill for thee but in wisht houre Of my revenge first sought for thou returnst From flight seditious Angel to receave Thy merited reward the first assay Of this right hand provok't since first that tongue Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose A third part of the Gods in Synod met Thir Deities to assert who while they feel Vigour Divine within them can allow Omnipotence to none But well thou comst Before thy fellows ambitious to win From me som Plume that thy success may show Destruction to the rest this pause between Unanswerd least thou boast to let thee know At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n To heav'nly Soules had bin all one but now I see that most through sloth had rather serve Ministring Spirits traind up in Feast and Song Such hast thou arm'd the Minstrelsie of Heav'n Servilitie with freedom to contend As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd Apostat still thou errst nor end wilt find Of erring from the path of truth remote Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name Of Servitude to serve whom God ordains Or Nature God and Nature bid the same When he who rules is worthiest and excells Them whom he governs This is servitude To serve th' unwise or him who hath rebelld Against his worthier as thine now serve thee Thy self not free but to thy self enthrall'd Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom
first began this Heav'n which we behold Distant so high with moving Fires adornd Innumerable and this which yeelds or fills All space the ambient Aire wide interfus'd Imbracing round this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what cause Mov'd the Creator in his holy Rest Through all Eternitie so late to build In Chaos and the work begun how soon Absolv'd if unforbid thou maist unfould What wee not to explore the secrets 〈◊〉 Of his Eternal Empire but the more To magnifie his works the more we know And the great Light of Day yet wants to run Much of his Race though steep suspens in Heav'n Held by thy voice thy potent voice he heares And longer will delay to heare thee tell His Generation and the rising Birth Of Nature from the unappâ—…rent 〈◊〉 Or if the Starâ—… of Eevning and the 〈◊〉 Haste to thy audience Night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will bring Silence and Sleep listning to thee will watch Or we can bid his absence till thy Song End and dismiss thee ere the Morning shine Thus Adam his illustrous Guest be sought And thus the Godlike Angel answerd milde This also thy request with caution askt Obtaine though to recount Almightie works What words or tongue of Seraph can suffice Or heart of man suffice to comprehend Yet what thou canst attain which best may serve To glorifie the Maker and inferr Thee also happier shall not be withheld Thy hearing such Commission from above I have receav'd to answer thy desire Of knowledge within bounds beyond abstain To ask nor let 〈◊〉 own inventions hope Things not reveal'd which th' invisible King Onely Omnisciâ—…nt hath suppresâ—… in Night To none communicable in Earth or Heaven Anough is left besides to search and know But Knowledge is as food 〈◊〉 needs no less Her Temperance over Appetite to know In measure what the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well contain Oppresses else with 〈◊〉 and soon turns Wisdom to Folly as Nourishment to Winde Know then thaâ—… 〈◊〉 Lucifer from Heav'n So call him brighter once amidst the Host Of Angles then that Starr the Starrs among Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep Into his place and the great 〈◊〉 returnd Victorious with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eternal Father 〈◊〉 his Throne be held Thir multitude and to his Son thus spake At least 〈◊〉 envious 〈◊〉 hath fail'd who thought All like himself 〈◊〉 by â—…hose â—…id This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sâ—…rength the 〈◊〉 Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 He trusted to have seis'd and into fraud Drew many whom thir place knows here no more Yet farr the greater part have kept I see Thir station heav'n yet populous retaines Number sufficient to possess her Realmes Though wide and this high Temple to frequent With Ministeries due and solemn Rites But least his heart exalt him in the harme Already done to have dispeopl'd Heav'n My damage fondly deem'd I can repaire That detriment if such it be to lose Self-lost and in a moment will create Another World out of one man a Race Of men innumerable there to dwell Not here till by degrees of merit rais'd They open to themselves at length the way Up hither under long obedience tri'd And Earth be chang'd to Heavn Heav'n to Earth One Kingdom Joy and Union without end Mean while inhabit laxe ye Powers of Heav'n And thou my Word begotten Son by thee This I perform speak thou and be it don My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee I send along ride forth and bid the Deep Within appointed bounds be Heav'n and Earth Boundless the Deep because I am who fill Infinitude nor vacuous the space Though I uncircumscrib'd my self retire And put not forth my goodness which is free To act or not Necessitie and Chance Approach not meâ—… and what I will is Fate So spake th' Almightie and to what he spake His Word the Filial Godhead gave effect Immediate are the Acts of God more swift Then time or motion but to human ears Cannot without process of speech be told So told as earthly notion can receave Great triumph and rejoycing was in Heav'n When such was heard declar'd the Almightie's will Glorie they sung to the most High good will To future men and in thir dwellings peace Glorie to him whose just avenging ire Had driven out th' ungodly from his sight And th' habitations of the just to him Glorie and praise whose wisdom had ordain'd Good out of evil to create in stead Of Spirits maligne a better Race to bring Into thir vacant room and thence diffuse His good to Worlds and Ages infinite So sang the Hierarchies Mean while the Son On his great Expedition now appeer'd Girt with Omnipotence with Radiance crown'd Of Majestie Divine Sapience and Love Immense and all his Father in him shon About his Chariot numberless were pour'd Cherub and Seraph Potentates and Thrones And Vertues winged Spirits and Chariots wing'd From the Armoury of God where stand of old Myriads between two brazen Mountains lodg'd Against a solemn day harnest at hand Celestial Equipage and now came forth Spontaneous for within them Spirit livd Attendant on thir Lord Heav'n op'nd wide Her ever during Gates Harmonious sound On golden Hinges moving to let forth The King of Glorie in his powerful Word And Spirit coming to create new Worlds On heav'nly ground they stood and from the shore They view'd the vast immeasurable Abyss Outrageous as a Sea dark wasteful wilde Up from the bottom turn'd by furious windes And surging waves as Mountains to assault Heav'ns highth and with the Center mix the Pole Silence ye troubl'd waves and thou Deep peace Said then th' 〈◊〉 Word your discord end Nor staid but on the Wings of Cherubim Uplifted in Paternal Glorie rode Farr into Chaos and the World unborn For Chaos heard his voice him all his Traine Follow'd in bright procession to bâ—…hold Creation and the wonders of his might Then staid the fervid Wheeles and in his hand He took the golden Compasses prepar'd In Gods Eternal store to circumscribe This Universe and all created things One foot he center'd and the other turn'd Round through the vast profunditie obscure And said thus farr extend thus farr thy bounds This be thy just Circumferenâ—…e O World Thus God the Heav'n created thus the Earth Matter unform'd and void Darkness profound Cover'd th' Abyss but on the watrie calme His brooding wings the Spirit of God 〈◊〉 spred And vital 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Throughout 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but downward purg'd The black 〈◊〉 cold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adverse to life then founded then conglob'd Like things to like the rest to several place Disparted and between spun out the Air And Earth self-ballanc't on her Center hung Let ther be Light said God and forthwith Light Ethereal first of things quintessence pure Sprung from the Deep and from her Native East To journie through the airie gloom began Sphear'd in a radiant Cloud for yet the Sun Was not shee in a cloudie Tabernacle Sojourn'd the while God saw the Light was good And light from
behold Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt Ruddie and Gold I nearer drew to gaze When from the boughes a savorie odour blow'n Grateful to appetite more pleas'd my sense Then smell of sweetest Fenel or the Teats Of Ewe or Goat dropping with Milk at Eevn Unsuckt of Lamb or Kid that tend thir play To satisfie the sharp desire I had Of tasting those fair Apples I resolv'd Not to deferr hunger and thirst at once Powerful perswaders quick'nd at the scent Of that alluring fruit urg'd me so keene About the Moâ—…ie Trunk I wound me â—…oon For high from ground the branches would require Thy utmost reach or Adams Round the Tree All other Beasts that saw with like desire Longing and envying stood but could not reach Amid the Tree now got where plentie hung Tempting so nigh to pluck and eat my fill I spar'd not for such pleasure till that hour At Feed or Fountain never had I found Sated at length ere long I might perceave Strange alteration in me to degree Of Reason in my inward Powers and Speech Wanted not long though to this shape retaind Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep I turnd my thoughts and with capacious mind Considerd all things visible in Heav'n Or Earth or Middle all things fair and good But all that fair and good in thy Divine Semblance and in thy Beauties heav'nly Ray United I beheld no Fair to thine Equivalent or second which compel'd Mee thus though importune perhaps to come And gaze and worship thee of right declar'd Sovran of Creatures universal Dame So talk'd the spirited sly Snake and Eve Yet more amaz'd unwarie thus reply'd Serpent thy overpraising leaves in doubt The vertue of that Fruit in thee first prov'd But say where grows the Tree from hence how far For many are the Trees of God that grow In Paradise and various yet unknown To us in such abundance lies our choice As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht Still hanging incorruptible till men Grow up to thir provision and more hands Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth To whom the wilie Adder blithe and glad Empress the way is readie and not long Beyond a row of Myrtles on a Flat Fast by a Fountain one small Thicket past Of blowiâ—…g Myrrh and Balme if thou accept My conduct I can bring thee thither soon Lead then said Eve Hee leading swiftly rowld In tangles and make intricate seem strait To mischief swift Hope elevates and joy Bright'ns his Crest as when a wandring Fire Compact of unctuous vapor which the Night Condenses and the cold invirons round Kindl'd through agitation to a Flame Which oft they say some evil Spirit attends Hovering and blazing with delusive Light Misleads th' amaz'd Night-wanderer from his way To Boggs and Mires oft through Pond or Poole There swallow'd up and lost from succour farr So glister'd the dire Snake and into fraud Led Eve our credulous Mother to the Tree Of prohibiâ—…ion root of all our woe Which when she saw thus to her guide she spake Serpent we might have spar'd our coming hither Fruitless to me though Fruit be here to excess The credit of whose vertue rest with thee Wondrous indeed if cause of such effects But of this Tree we may not taste nor touch God so commanded and left that Command Sole Daughter of his voice the rest we live Law to our selves our Reason is our Law To whom the Tempter guilefully repli'd Indeed hath God then said that of the Fruit Of all these Garden Trees ye shall not eate Yet Lords declar'd of all in Earth or Aire To whom thus Eve yet sinless Of the Fruit Of each Tree in the Garden we may eate But of the Fruit of this fair Tree amidst The Garden God hath said Ye shall not eate Thereof nor shall ye touch it least ye die She scarse had said though brief when now more bold The Tempter but with shew of Zeale and Love To Man and indignation at his wrong New part puts on and as to passion mov'd Fluctuats disturbd yet comely and in act Rais'd as of som great matter to begin As when of old som Orator renound In Athens or free Rome where Eloquence Flourishd since mute to som great cause 〈◊〉 Stood in himself collected while each part Motion each act won audience ere the tongue Somtimes in highth began as no delay Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right So standing moving or to highth upgrown The Tempter all impassiond thus began O Sacred Wise and Wisdom-giving Plant Mother of Science Now I feel thy Power Within me cleere not onely to discerne Things in thir Causes but to trace the wayes Of highest Agents deemd however wise Queen of this Universe doe not believe Those rigid threats of Death ye shall not Die How should ye by the Fruit it gives you Life To Knowledge By the Threatner look on mee Mee who have touch'd and tasted yet both live And life more perfet have attaind then Fate Meant mee by ventring higher then my Lot Shall that be shut to Man which to the Beast Is open or will God incense his ire For such a petty Trespass and not praise Rather your dauntless vertue whom the pain Of Death denounc't whatever thing Death be Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade To happier life knowledge of Good and Evil Of good how just of evil if what is evil Be real why not known since easier shunnd God therefore cannot hurt ye and be just Not just not God not feard then nor obeid Your feare it self of Death removes the feare Why then was this forbid Why but to awe Why but to keep ye low and ignorant His worshippers he knows that in the day Ye Eate thereof your Eyes that seem so cleere Yet are but dim shall perfetly be then Op'nd and cleerd and ye shall be as Gods Knowing both Good and Evil as they know That ye should be as Gods since I as Man Internal Man is but proportion meet I of brute human yee of human Gods So ye shall die perhaps by putting off Human to put on Gods death to be wisht Though threat'nd which no worse then this can bring And what are Gods that Man may not become As they participating God-like food The Gods are first and that advantage use On our belief that all from them proceeds I question it for this fair Earth I see Warm'd by the Sun producing every kind Them nothing If they all things who enclos'd Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree That whoso eats thereof forthwith attains Wisdom without their leave and wherein lies Th' offence that Man should thus attain to know What can your knowledge hurt him or this Tree Impart against his will if all be his Or is it envie and can envie dwell In heav'nly brests these these and many more Causes import your need of this fair Fruit. Goddess humane reach then and freely taste He ended and his words replete with guile Into her