Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate displeas'd All were who heard dim sadness did not spare That time Celestial visages yet mixt With pitie violated not thir bliss About the new-arriv'd in multitudes Th' ethereal People ran to hear and know How all befell they towards the Throne Supream Accountable made haste to make appear With righteous plea thir utmost vigilance And easily approv'd when the most High Eternal Father from his secret Cloud Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice Assembl'd Angels and ye Powers return'd From unsuccessful charge be not dismaid Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth Which your sincerest care could not prevent Foretold so lately what would come to pass When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell I told ye then he should prevail and speed On his bad Errand Man should be seduc't And flatter'd out of all believing lies Against his Maker no Decree of mine Concurring to necessitate his Fall Or touch with lightest moment of impulse His free Will to her own inclining left In eevn scale But fall'n he is and now What rests but that the mortal Sentence pass On his transgression Death denounc't that day Which he presumes already vain and void Because not yet inflicted as he fear'd By some immediate stroak but soon shall find Forbearance no acquittance ere day end Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd But whom send I to judge them whom but thee Vicegerent Son to thee I have transferr'd All Judgement whether in Heav'n or Earth or Hell Easie it might be seen that I intend Mercie collegue with Justice sending thee Mans Friend his Mediator his design'd Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n So spake the Father and unfoulding bright Toward the right hand his Glorie on the Son Blaz'd forth unclouded Deitie he full Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd and thus divinely answer'd milde Father Eternal thine is to decree Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will Supream that thou in mee thy Son belov'd Mayst ever rest well pleas'd I go to judge On Earth these thy transgressors but thou knowst Whoever judg'd the worst on mee must light When time shall be for so I undertook Before thee and not repenting this obtaine Of right that I may mitigate thir doom On me deriv'd yet I shall temper so Justice with Mercie as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied and thee appease Attendance none shall need nor Train where none Are to behold the Judgment but the judg'd Those two the third best absent is condemn'd Convict by flight and Rebel to all Law Conviction to the Serpent none belongs Thus saying from his radiant Seat he rose Of high collateral glorie him Thrones and Powers Princedoms and Dominations ministrant Accompanied to Heaven Gate from whence Eden and all the Coast in prospect lay Down he descended strait the speed of Gods Time counts not though with swiftest minutes wing'd Now was the Sun in Western cadence low From Noon and gentle Aires due at thir hour To fan the Earth now wak'd and usher in The Eevning coole when he from wrauth more coole Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both To sentence Man the voice of God they heard Now walking in the Garden by soft windes Brought to thir Ears while day declin'd they heard And from his presence hid themselves among The thickest Trees both Man and Wife till God Approaching thus to Adam call'd aloud Where art thou Adam wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off I miss thee here Not pleas'd thus entertaind with solitude Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught Or come I less conspicuous or what change Absents thee or what chance detains Come forth He came and with him Eve more loth though first To offend discount'nanc't both and discompos'd Love was not in thir looks either to God Or to each other but apparent guilt And shame and perturbation and despaire Anger and obstinacie and hate and guile Whence Adam faultring long thus answer'd brief I heard thee in the Garden and of thy voice Affraid being naked hid my self To whom The gracious Judge without revile repli'd My voice thou oft hast heard and hast not fear'd But still rejoyc't how is it now become So dreadful to thee that thou art naked who Hath told thee hast thou eaten of the Tree Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat To whom thus Adam sore beset repli'd O Heav'n in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge either to undergoe My self the total Crime or to accuse My other self the partner of my life Whose failing while her Faith to me remaines I should conceal and not expose to blame By my complaint but strict necessitie Subdues me and calamitous constraint Least on my head both sin and punishment However insupportable be all Devolv'd though should I hold my peace yet thou Wouldst easily detect what I conccale This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help And gav'st me as thy perfet gift so good So fit so acceptable so Divine That from her hand I could suspect no ill And what she did whatever in it self Her doing seem'd to justifie the deed Shee gave me of the Tree and I did eate To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd Was shee thy God that her thou didst obey Before his voice or was shee made thy guide Superior or but equal that to her Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood and the Place Wherein God set thee above her made of thee And for thee whose perfection farr excell'd Hers in all real dignitie Adornd Shee was indeed and lovely to attract Thy Love not thy Subjection and her Gifts Were such as under Government well seem'd Unseemly to beare rule which was thy part And person had'st thou known thy self aright So having said he thus to Eve in few Say Woman what is this which thou hast done To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd Confessing soon yet not before her Judge Bold or loquacious thus abasht repli'd The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate Which when the Lord God heard without delay To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd Serpent though brute unable to transferre The Guilt on him who made him instrument Of mischief and polluted from the end Of his Creation justly then accurst As vitiated in Nature more to know Concern'd not Man since he no further knew Nor alter'd his offence yet God at last To Satan first in sin his doom apply'd Though in mysterious terms judg'd as then best And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall Because thou hast done this thou art accurst Above all Cattle each Beast of the Field Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe And dust shalt eat all the dayes of thy Life Between Thee and the Woman I will put Enmitie and between thine and her Seed Her Seed shall bruse thy head thou bruise his heel So spake this Oracle then verifi'd When Jesus son of Mary second Eve Saw Satan fall
all unawares Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops Ten thousand fadom deep and to this hour Down had been falling had not by ill chance The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him As many miles aloft that furie stay'd Quencht in a Boggie Syrtis neither Sea Nor good dry Land nigh founderd on he fares Treading the crude consistence half on foot Half flying behoves him now both Oare and Saile As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale Pursues the Arimaspian who by stelth Had from his wakeful custody purloind The guarded Gold So eagerly the fiend Ore bog or steep through strait rough dense or rare With head hands wings or feet pursues his way And swims or sinks or wades or creeps or flyes At length a universal hubbub wilde Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare With loudest vehemence thither he plyes Undaunted to meet there what ever power Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss Might in that noise reside of whom to ask Which way the nearest coast of darkness lyes Bordering on light when strait behold the Throne Of Chaos and his dark Pavilion spread Wide on the wasteful Deep with him Enthron'd Sat Sable-vested Night eldest of things The Consort of his Reign and by them stood Orcus and Ades and the dreaded name Of Demogorgon Rumor next and Chance And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild And Discord with a thousand various mouths T' whom Satan turning boldly thus Ye Powers And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss Chaos and ancient Night I come no Spy With purpose to explore or to disturb The secrets of your Realm but by constraint Wandring this darksome Desart as my way Lies through your spacious Empire up to light Alone and without guide half lost I seek What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds Confine with Heav'n or if som other place From your Dominion won th' Ethereal King Possesses lately thither to arrive I travel this profound direct my course Directed no mean recompence it brings To your behoof if I that Region lost All usurpation thence expell'd reduce To her original darkness and your sway Which is my present journey and once more Erect the Standard there of ancient Night Yours be th' advantage all mine the revenge Thus Satan and him thus the Anarch old With faultring speech and visage incompos'd Answer'd I know thee stranger who thou art That mighty leading Angel who of late Made head against Heav'ns King though overthrown I saw and heard for such a numerous Host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep VVith ruin upon ruin rout on rout Confusion worse confounded and Heav'n Gates Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands Pursuing I upon my Frontieres here Keep residence if all I can will serve That little which is left so to defend Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles VVeakning the Scepter of old Night first Hell Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath Now lately Heaven and Earth another VVorld Hung ore my Realm link'd in a golden Chain To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell If that way be your walk you have not farr So much the neerer danger go and speed Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain He ceas'd and Satan staid not to reply But glad that now his Sea should find a shore VVith fresh alacritie and force renew'd Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire Into the wilde expanse and through the shock Of fighting Elements on all sides round Environ'd wins his way harder beset And more endanger'd then when Argo pass'd Through Bosporus betwixt the justling Rocks Or when Vlysses on the Larbord shunnd Charybdis and by th' other whirlpool steard So he with difficulty and labour hard Mov'd on with difficulty and labour hee But hee once past soon after when man fell Strange alteration Sin and Death amain Following his track such was the will of Heav'n Pav'd alter him a broad and beat'n way Over the dark Abyss whose boiling Gulf Tamely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe Of this frail VVorld by which the Spirits perverse VVith easie intercourse pass to and fro To tempt or punish mortals except whom God and good Angels guard by special grace But now at last the sacred influence Of light appears and from the walls of Heav'n Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night A glimmering dawn here Nature first begins Her fardest verge and Chaos to retire As from her outmost works a brok'd foe VVith tumult less and with less hostile din That Satan with less toil and now with ease VVafts on the calmer wave by dubious light And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds Gladly the Port though Shrouds and Tackle torn Or in the emptier waste resembling Air VVeighs his spread wings at leasure to behold Farr off th' Empyreal Heav'n extended wide In circuit undetermind square or round VVith Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn'd Of living Saphire once his native Seat And fast by hanging in a golden Chain This pendant world in bigness as a Starr Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge Accurst and in a cursed hour he hies The End of the Second Book Paradise Lost BOOK III. THE ARGUMENT God sitting on his Throne sees Satan flying towards this world then newly created shews him to the Son who sat at his right hand foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind clears his own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation having created Man free and able enough to have withstood his Tempter yet declares his purpose of grace towards him in regard he fell not of his own malice as did Satan but by him seduc't The Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man but God again declares that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of divine Justice Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to God-head and therefore with all his Progeny devoted to death must dye unless some one can be found sufficient to answer for his offence and undergo his Punishment The Son of God freely offers himself a Ransome for Man the Father accepts hint ordains his incarnation pronounces his exaltation above all Names in Heaven and Earth commands all the Angels to adore him they obey and hymning to thir Harps in full Quire celebrate the Father and the Son Mean while Satan alights upon the bare Convex of this Worlds outermost Orb where wandring he first finds a place since call'd The Lymbo of Vanity what persons and things fly up thither thence comes to the Gate of Heaven describ'd ascending by staires and the waters above the Firmament that flow about it His passage thence to the Orb of the Sun he finds there Uriel the Regient of that Orb but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner
Angel and pretending a zealous desire to behold the new Creation and Man whom God had plac't here inquires of him the place of his habitation and is directed alights first on Mount Niphates HAil holy Light of spring of Heav'n first-born Or of th' Eternal Coeternal beam May I express thee unblam'd since God is light And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from Eternitie dwelt then in thee Bright effluence of bright essence increate Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream Whose Fountain who shall tell before the Sun Before the Heavens thou wert and at the voice Of God as with a Mantle didst invest The rising world of waters dark and deep Won from the void and formless infinite Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing Escap't the Stygian Pool though long detain'd In that obscure so journ while in my flight Through utter and through middle darkness borne With other notes then to th' Orphean Lyre I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down The dark descent and up to reascend Though hard and rare thee I revisit safe And feel thy sovran vital Lamp but thou Revisit'st not these eyes that rowle in vain To find thy piercing ray and find no dawn So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs Or dim suffusion veild Yet not the more Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt Cleer Spring or shadie Grove or Sunnie Hill Smit with the love of sacred Song but chief Thee Sion and the flowrie Brooks beneath That wash thy hallowd feet and warbling flow Nightly I visit nor somtimes forget Those other two equal'd with me in Fate So were I equal'd with them in renown Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonides And Tiresias and Phineus Prophets old Then feed on thoughts that voluntarie move Harmonious numbers as the wakeful Bird Sings darkling and in shadiest Covert hid Tunes her nocturnal Note Thus with the Year Seasons return but not to me returns Day or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn Or sight of vernal bloom or Summers Rose Or flocks or heards or human face divine But cloud in stead and ever-during dark Surrounds me from the chearful wayes of men Cut off and for the Book of knowledg fair Presented with a Universal blanc Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out So much the rather thou Celestial light Shine inward and the mind through all her powers Irradiate there plane eyes all mist from thence Purge and disperse that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight Now had the Almighty Father from above From the pure Empyrean where he sits High Thron'd above all highth bent down his eye His own works and their works at once to view About him all the Sanctities of Heaven Stood thick as Starrs and from his sight receiv'd Beatitude past utterance on his right The radiant image of his Glory sat His onely Son On Earth he first beheld Our two first Parents yet the onely two Of mankind in the happie Garden plac't Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love Uninterrupted joy unrivald love In blissful solitude he then survey'd Hell and the Gulf between and Satan there Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night In the dun Air sublime and ready now To stoop with wearied wings and willing feet On the bare outside of this World that seem'd Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament Uncertain which in Ocean or in Air. Him God beholding from his prospect high Wherein past present future he beholds Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake Onely begotten Son seest thou what rage Transports our adversarie whom no bounds Prescrib'd no barrs of Hell nor all the chains Heapt on him there nor yet the main Abyss Wide interrupt can hold so bent he seems On desparate reveng that shall redound Upon his own rebellious head And now Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way Not farr off Heav'n in the Precincts of light Directly towards the new created World And Man there plac't with purpose to assay If him by force he can destroy or worse By some false guile pervert and shall pervert For man will hark'n to his glozing lyes And easily transgress the sole Command Sole pledge of his obedience So will fall Hee and his faithless Progenie whose fault Whose but his own ingrate he had of mee All he could have I made him just and right Sufficient to have stood though free to fall Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers And Spirits both them who stood and them who faild Freely they stood who stood and fell who fell Not free what proof could they have givn sincere Of true allegiance constant Faith or Love Where onely what they needs must do appeard Not what they would what praise could they receive What pleasure I from such obedience paid When Will and Reason Reason also is choice Useless and vain of freedom both despoild Made passive both had servd necessitie Not mee They therefore as to right belongd So were created nor can justly accuse Thir maker or thir making or thir Fate As if predestination over-rul'd Thir will dispos'd by absolute Decree Or high foreknowledge they themselves decreed Thir own revolt not I if I foreknew Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown So without least impulse or shadow of Fate Or aught by me immutablie foreseen They trespass Authors to themselves in all Both what they judge and what they choose for so I formd them free and free they must remain Till they enthrall themselves I else must change Thir nature and revoke the high Decree Unchangeable Eternal which ordain'd Thir freedom they themselves ordain'd thir fall The first sort by thir own suggestion fell Self-tempted self-deprav'd Man falls deceiv'd By the other first Man therefore shall find grace The other none in Mercy and Justice both Through Heav'n and Earth so shall my glorie excel But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine Thus while God spake ambrosial fragrance fill'd All Heav'n and in the blessed Spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Most glorious in him all his Father shon Substantially express'd and in his face Divine compassion visibly appeerd Love without end and without measure Grace Which uttering thus he to his Father spake O Father gracious was that word which clos'd Thy sovran sentence that Man should find grace For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll Thy praises with th' innumerable sound Of Hymns and sacred Songs wherewith thy Throne Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest For should Man finally be lost should Man Thy creature late so lov'd thy youngest Son Fall circumvented thus by fraud though joynd With his own folly that be from thee farr That farr be from thee Father who art Judg Of all things made and judgest onely right Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain His end
and frustrate thine shall he fulfill His malice and thy goodness bring to naught Or proud return though to his heavier doom Yet with revenge accomplish't and to Hell Draw after him the whole Race of mankind By him corrupted or wilt thou thy self Abolish thy Creation and unmake For him what for thy glorie thou hast made So should thy goodness and thy greatness both Be questiond and blaspheam'd without defence To whom the great Creatour thus reply'd O Son in whom my Soul hath chief delight Son of my bosom Son who art alone My word my wisdom and effectual might All haft thou spok'n as my thoughts are all As my Eternal purpose hath decreed Man shall not quite be lost but sav'd who will Yet not of will in him but grace in me Freely voutsaft once more I will renew His lapsed powers though forfeit and enthrall'd By sin to foul exorbitant desires Upheld by me yet once more he shall stand On even ground against his mortal foe By me upheld that he may know how frail Hâ—s fall'n condition is and to me ow All his deliv'rance and to none but me Some I have chosen of peculiar grace Elect above the rest so is my will The rest shall hear me call and oft be warnd Thir sinful date and to appease betimes Th' incensed Deitie while offerd grace Invites for I will cleer thir senses dark What may suffice and soft'n stonie hearts To pray repent and bring obedience due To Prayer repentance and obedience due Though but endevord with sincere intent Mine ear shall not be slow mine eye not shut And I will place within them as a guide My Umpire Conscience whom if they will hear Light after light well us'd they shall attain And to the end persisting safe arrive This my long sufferance and my day of grace They who neglect and scorn shall never taste But hard be hard'nd blind be blinded more That they may stumble on and deeper fall And none but such from mercy I exclude But yet all is not don Man disobeying Disloyal breaks his fealtie and sinns Against the high Supremacie of Heav'n Affecting God-head and so loosing all To expiate his Treason hath naught left But to destruction sacred and devote He with his whole posteritie must dye Dye hee or Justice must unless for him Som other able and as willing pay The rigid satisfaction death for death Say Heav'nly powers where shall we find such love Which of ye will be mortal to redeem Mans mortal crime and just th' unjust to save Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare He ask'd but all the Heav'nly Quire stood mute And silence was in Heav'n on mans behalf Patron or Intercessor none appeerd Much less that durst upon his own head draw The deadly forfeiture and ransom set And now without redemption all mankind Must have bin lost adjudg'd to Death and Hell By doom severe had not the Son of God In whom the fulness dwels of love divine His dearest mediation thus renewd Father thy word is past man shall find grace And shall grace not find means that finds her way The speediest of thy winged messengers To visit all thy creatures and to all Comes unprevented unimplor'd unsought Happie for man so coming he her aide Can never seek once dead in sins and lost Attonement for himself or offering meet Indebted and undon hath none to bring Behold mee then mee for him life for life I offer on mee let thine anger fall Account mee man I for his sake will leave Thy bosom and this glorie next to thee Freely put off and for him lastly dye Well pleas'd on me let Death wreck all his rage Under his gloomie power I shall not long Lie vanquisht thou hast givn me to possess Life in my self for ever by thee I live Though now to Death I yield and am his due All that of me can die yet that debt paid Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsom grave His prey nor suffer my unspotted Soule For ever with corruption there to dwell But I shall rise Victorious and subdue My vanquisher spoild of his vanted spoile Death his deaths wound shall then receive and stoop Inglorious of his mortall sting disarm'd I through the ample Air in Triumph high Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell and show The powers of darkness bound Thou at the sight Pleas'd out of Heaven shalt look down and smile While by thee rais'd I ruin all my Foes Death last and with his Carcass glut the Grave Then with the multitude of my redeemd Shall enter Heaven long absent and returne Father to see thy face wherein no cloud Of anger shall remain but peace assur'd And reconcilement wrauth shall be no more Thenceforth but in thy presence Joy entire His words here ended but his meek aspect Silent yet spake and breath'd immortal love To mortal men above which only shon Filial obedience as a sacrifice Glad to be offer'd he attends the will Of his great Father Admiration seis'd All Heav'n what this might mean and whither tend Wondring but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace Found out for mankind under wrauth O thou My sole complacence well thou know'st how dear To me are all my works nor Man the least Though last created that for him I spare Thee from my bosom and right hand to save By loosing thee a while the whole Race lost Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeem Thir Nature also to thy Nature joyn And be thy self Man among men on Earth Made flesh when time shall be of Virgin seed By wondrous birth Be thou in Adams room The Head of all mankind though Adams Son As in him perish all men so in thee As from a second root shall be restor'd As many as are restor'd without thee none His crime makes guiltie all his Sons thy merit Imputed shall absolve them who renounce Thir own both righteous and unrighteous deeds And live in thee transplanted and from thee Receive new life So Man as is most just Shall satisfie for Man be judg'd and die And dying rise and rising with him raise His Brethren ransomd with his own dear life So Heav'nly love shall outdoo Hellish hate Giving to death and dying to redeeme So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate So easily destroy'd and still destroyes In those who when they may accept not grace Nor shalt thou by descending to assume Mans Nature less'n or degrade thine owne Because thou hast though Thron'd in highest bliss Equal to God and equally enjoying God-like fruition quitted all to save A World from utter loss and hast been found By Merit more then Birthright Son of God Found worthiest to be so by being Good Farr more then Great or High because in thee Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne Here shalt thou sit incarnate here shalt Reign Both God and Man Son both of God and
with dew nor fragrance after showers Nor grateful Eevning mild nor silent Night With this her solemn Bird nor walk by Moon Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet But wherfore all night long shine these for whom This glorious sight when sleep hath shut all eyes To whom our general Ancestor repli'd Daughter of God and Man accomplisht Eve Thole have thir course to finish round the Earth By morrow Eevning and from Land to Land In order though to Nations yet unborn Ministring light prepar'd they set and rise Least total darkness should by Night regaine Her old possession and extinguish life In Nature and all things which these soft fires Not only enlighten but with kindly heate Of various influence foment and warme Temper or nourish or in part shed down Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow On Earth made hereby apter to receive Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray. These then though unbeheld in deep of night Shine not in vain nor think though men were none That heav'n would want spectators God want praise Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth Unseen both when we wake and when we sleep All these with ceasless praise his works behold Both day and night how often from the steep Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air Sole or responsive each to others note Singing thir great Creator oft in bands While they keep watch or nightly rounding walk With Heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds In full harmonic number joind thir songs Divide the night and lift our thoughts to Heaven Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd On to thir blissful Bower it was a place Chos'n by the sovran Planter when he fram'd All things to mans delightful use the roofe Of thickest covert was inwoven shade Laurel and Mirtle and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf on either side Acanthus and each odorous bushie shrub Fenc'd up the verdant wall each beauteous flour Iris all hues Roses and Gessamin Rear'd high thir flourisht heads between and wrought Mosaic underfoot the Violet Crocus and Hyacinth with rich inlay Broiderd the ground more colour'd then with stone Of costliest Emblem other Creature here Beast Bird Insect or Worm durst enter none Such was thir awe of Man In shadie Bower More sacred and sequesterd though but feignd Pan or Silvanus never slept nor Nymph Nor Faunus haunted Here in close recess With Flowers Garlands and sweet-smelling Herbs Espoused Eve deckt first her nuptial Bed And heav'nly Quires the Hymenaean sung What day the genial Angel to our Sire Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd More lovely then Pandora whom the Gods Endowd with all thir gifts and O too like In sad event when to the unwiser Son Of Japhet brought by Hermes she ensnar'd Mankind with her faire looks to be avengeâ—d On him who had stole Joves authentic fire Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv'd both stood Both turnd and under op'n Skie ador'd The God that made both Skie Air Earth and Heav'n Which they beheld the Moons resplendent Globe And starrie Pole Thou also mad'st the Night Maker Omnipotent and thou the Day Which we in our appointed work imployd Have finisht happie in our mutual help And mutual love the Crown of all our bliss Ordaind by thee and this delicious place For us too large where thy abundance wants Partakers and uncropt falls to the ground But thou hast promis'd from us two a Race To fill the Earth who shall with us extoll Thy goodness infinite both when we wake And when we seek as now thy gift of sleep This said unanimous and other Rites Observing none but adoration pure Which God likes best into thir inmost bowre Handed they went and eas'd the purting off These troublesom disguises which wee wear Strait side by side were laid nor turnd I weene Adam from his fair Spouse nor Eve the Rites Mysterious of connubial Love refus'd Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk Of puritie and place and innocence Defaming as impure what God declares Pure and commands to som leaves free to all Our Maker bids increase who bids abstain But our destroyer foe to God and Man Haile wedded Love mysterious Law true source Of human ofsspring sole proprietie In Paradise of all things common else By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men Among the bestial herds to raunge by thee Founded in Reason Loyal Just and Pure Relations dear and all the Charities Of Father Son and Brother first were known Farr be it that I should write thee sin or blame Or think thee unbefitting holiest place Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc't Present or past as Saints and Patriarchs us'd Here Love his golden shafts imploies here lights His constant Lamp and waves his purple wings Reigns here and revels not in the bought smile Of Harlots loveless joyless unindeard Casual fruition nor in Court Amours Mixt Dance or wanton Mask or Midnight Bal Or Serenate which the starv'd Lover sings To his proud fair best quitted with disdain These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof Showrd Roses which the Morn repair'd Sleep on Blest pair and O yet happiest if ye seek No happier state and know to know no more Now had night measur'd with her shaddowie Cone Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim Forth issuing at th' accustomd hour stood armd To thir night watches in warlike Parade When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake Vzziel half these draw off and coast the South With strictest watch these other wheel he North Our circuit meets full West As flame they part Half wheeling to the Shield half to the Spear From these two strong and suttle Spirits he calld That neer him stood and gave them thus in charge Ithuriel and Zephon with wingd speed Search through this Garden leave unsearcht no nook But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme This Eevning from the Sun 's decline arriv'd Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen Hitherward bent who could have thought escap'd The barrs of Hell on errand bad no doubt Such where ye find seise fast and hither bring So saying on he led his radiant Files Daz'ling the Moon these to the Bower direct In search of whom they sought him there they found Squat like a Toad close at the eare of Eve Assaying by his Devilish art to reach The Organs of her Fancie and with them forge Illusions as he list Phantasms and Dreams Or if inspiring venom he might taint Th' animal Spirits that from pure blood arise Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure thence raise At least distemperd discontented thoughts Vaine hopes vaine aimes inordinate desires Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear Touch'd lightly for no falshood can endure Touch of Celestial temper but returns Of force to its
by Angels born his Sign in Heav'n Under whose conduct Michael soon reduc'd His Armie circumfus'd on either Wing Under thir Head imbodied all in one Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd At his command the uprooted Hills retir'd Each to his place they heard his voice and went Obsequious Heav'n his wonted face renewd And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil'd This saw his hapless Foes but stood obdur'd And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers Insensate hope conceiving from despair In heav'nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell But to convince the proud what Signs availe Or Wonders move th' obdurate to relent They hard'nd more by what might most reclame Grieving to see his Glorie at the sight Took envie and aspiring to his highth Stood reimbattell'd fierce by force or fraud Weening to prosper and at length prevaile Against God and Messiah or to fall In universal ruin last and now To final Battel drew disdaining flight Or faint retreat when the great Son of God To all his Host on either hand thus spake Stand still in bright array ye Saints here stand Ye Angels arm'd this day from Battel rest Faithful hath been your warfare and of God Accepted fearless in his righteous Cause And as ye have receivd so have ye don Invincibly but of this cursed crew The punishment to other hand belongs Vengeance is his or whose he sole appoints Number to this dayes work is not ordain'd Nor multitude stand onely and behold Gods indignation on these Godless pourd By mee not you but mee they have despis'd Yet envied against mee is all thir rage Because the Father t' whom in Heav'n supream Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains Hath honourd me according to his will Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig'n'd That they may have thir wish to trie with mee In Battel which the stronger proves they all Or I alone against them since by strength They measure all of other excellence Not emulous nor care who them excells Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe So spake the Son and into terrour chang'd His count'nance too severe to be beheld And full of wrauth bent on his Enemies At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings With dreadful shade contiguous and the Orbes Of his fierce Chariot rowld as with the sound Of torrent Floods or of a numerous Host Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove Gloomie as Night under his burning Wheeles The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout All but the Throne it self of God Full soon 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 wisht 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 lest 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 timerous flock together throngd Drove them before him Thunder-struck pursu'd With terrors and with furies to the bounds And Chrystal 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 themselves they threw Down 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 Chaos 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 rejoic'd and soon repaird Her mural breach returning whence it rowld Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes Messiah his triumphal Chariot 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 Heir 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 THE ARGUMENT Raphael at the request of Adam relates how and wherefore this world was first created that God after the expelling of Satan and his Angels out of Heaven declar'd his pleasure to create another World and other Creatures to dwell therein sends his Son with Glory and attendance of Angels to perform the work of Creation in six dayes the Angels celebrate with Hymns the performance thereof and his reascention into Heaven DEscend from Heav'n Vrania by that name If rightly thou art call'd whose Voice divine Following above th' Olympian 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 Celestial Song Up led by thee Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd An Earthlie Guest and drawn Empyreal Aire Thy tempring with like
wonder but delight and as is due With glorie attributed to the high Creator something yet of doubt remaines Which onely thy solution can resolve When I behold this goodly Frame this World Of Heav'n and Earth consisting and compute Thir magnitudes this Earth a spot a graine An Atom with the Firmament compar'd And all her numberd Starrs that seem to rowle Spaces incomprehensible for such Thir distance argues and thir swift return Diurnal meerly to officiate light Round this opacous Earth this punctual spot One day and night in all thir vast survey Useless besides reasoning I oft admire How Nature wise and frugal could commit Such disproportions with superfluous hand So many nobler Bodies to create Greater so manifold to this one use For aught appeers and on thir Orbs impose Such restless revolution day by day Repeated while the sedentarie Earth That better might with farr less compass move Serv'd by more noble then her self attaines Her end without least motion and receaves As Tribute such a sumless journey brought Of incorporeal speed her warmth and light Speed to describe whose swiftness Number failes So spake our Sire and by his count'nance seemd Entring on studious thoughts abstruse which Eve Perceaving where she sat retir'd in sight With lowliness Majestic from her seat And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay Rose and with forth among her Fruits and Flours To visit how they prosper'd bud and bloom Her Nurserie they at her coming sprung And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew Yet went she not as not with such discourse Delighted or not capable her eare Of what was high such pleasure she reserv'd Adam relating she sole Auditress Her Husband the Relater she preferr'd Before the Angel and of him to ask Chose rather hee she knew would intermit Grateful digressions and solve high dispute With conjugal Caresses from his Lip Not Words alone pleas'd her O when meet now Such pairs in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went Not unatrended for on her as Queen A pomp of winning Graces waited still And from about her shot Darts of desire Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight And Raphael now to Adam's doubt propos'd Benevolent and facil thus repli'd To ask or search I blame thee not for Heav'n Is as the Book of God before thee set Wherein to read his wondrous Works and learne His Seasons Hours or Dayes or Months or Yeares This to attain whether Heav'n move or Earth Imports not if thou reck'n right the rest From Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal and not divulge His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought Rather admire or if they list to try Conjecture he his Fabric of the Heav'ns Hath left to thir disputes perhaps to move His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide Hereafter when they come to model Heav'n And calculate the Starrs how they will weild The mightie frame how build unbuild contrive To save appeerances how gird the Sphear With Centric and Eccentric scribl'd o're Cycle and Epicycle Orb in Orb Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess Who art to lead thy ofspring and supposest That bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright nor Heav'n such journies run Earth sitting still when she alone receaves The benefit consider first that Great Or Bright inferrs not Excellence the Earth Though in comparison of Heav'n so small Nor glistering may of solid good containe More plenty then the Sun that barren shines Whose vertue on it self workes no effect But in the fruitful Earth there first receavd His beams unactive else thir vigour find Yet not to Earth are those bright Luminaries Officious but to thee Earths habitant And for the Heav'ns wide Circuit let it speak The Makers high magnificence who built So spacious and his Line stretcht out so farr That Man may know he dwells not in his own An Edifice too large for him to fill Lodg'd in a small partition and the rest Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known The swiftness of those Circles attribute Though numberless to his Omnipotence That to corporeal substances could adde Speed almost Spiritual mee thou thinkst not slow Who since the Morning hour set out from Heav'n Where God resides and eremid-day arriv'd In Eden distance inexpressible By Numbers that have name But this I urge Admitting Motion in the Heav'ns to shew Invalid that which thee to doubt it mov'd Not that I so affirm though so it seem To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth God to remove his wayes from human sense Plac'd Heav'n from Earth so farr that earthly sight If it presume might erre in things too high And no advantage gaine What if the Sun Be Center to the World and other Starrs By his attractive vertue and thir own Incited dance about him various rounds Thir wandring course now high now low then hid Progressive retrograde or standing still In six thou seest and what if sev'nth to these The Planet Earth so stedfast though she seem Insensibly three different Motions move Which else to several Sphears thou must ascribe Mov'd contrarie with thwart obliquities Or save the Sun his labour and that swift Nocturnal and Diurnal rhomb suppos'd Invisible else above all Starrs the Wheele Of Day and Night which needs not thy beleefe If Earth industrious of her self fetch Day Travelling East and with her part averse From the Suns beam meet Night her other part Still luminous by his ray What if that light Sent from her through the wide transpicuous aire To the terrestrial Moon be as a Starr Enlightning her by Day as she by Night This Earth reciprocal if Land be there Feilds and Inhabitants Her spots thou seest As Clouds and Clouds may rain and Rain produce Fruits in her soft'nd Soile for some to eate Allotted there another Suns perhaps With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie Communicating Male and Femal Light Which two great Sexes animate the World Stor'd in each Orb perhaps with some that live For such vast room in Nature unpossest By living Soule desert and desolate Onely to shine yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimps of Light conveyd so farr Down to this habitable which returnes Light back to them is obvious to dispute But whether thus these things or whether not Whether the Sun predominant in Heav'n Rise on the Earth or Earth rise on the Sun Hee from the East his flaming rode begin Or Shee from West her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft Axle while she paces Eev'n And beares thee soft with the smooth Air along Sollicit not thy thoughts with matters hid Leave them to God above him serve and feare Of other Creatures as him pleases best Wherever plac't let him dispose joy thou In what he gives to thee this Paradise And thy faire Eve Heav'n is for thee too high To know what passes there be lowlie wise Think onely what concernes thee
Shalt loose expell'd from hence into a World Of woe and sorrow Sternly he pronounc'd The rigid interdiction which resounds Yet dreadful in mine eare though in my choice Not to incur but soon his cleer aspect Return'd and gracious purpose thus renew'd Not onely these fair bounds but all the Earth To thee and to thy Race I give as Lords Possess it and all things that therein live Or live in Sea or Aire Beast Fish and Fowle In signe whereof each Bird and Beast behold After thir kindes I bring them to receave From thee thir Names and pay thee fealtie With low subjection understand the same Of Fish within thir watry residence Not hither summond since they cannot change Thir Element to draw the thinner Aire As thus he spake each Bird and Beast behold Approaching two and two These cowring low With blandishment each Bird stoop'd on his wing I nam'd them as they pass'd and understood Thir Nature with such knowledg God endu'd My sudden apprehension but in these I found not what me thought I wanted still And to the Heav'nly vision thus presum'd O by what Name for thou above all these Above mankinde or aught then mankinde higher Surpassest farr my naming how may I Adore thee Author of this Universe And all this good to man for whose well being So amply and with hands so liberal Thou hast provided all things but with mee I see not who partakes In solitude What happiness who can enjoy alone Or all enjoying what contentment find Thus I presumptuous and the vision bright As with a smile more bright'nd thus repli'd What call'st thou solitude is not the Earth With various living creatures and the Aire Replenisht and all these at thy command To come and play before thee know'st thou not Thir language and thir wayes they also know And reason not contemptibly with these Find pastime and beare rule thy Realm is large So spake the Universal Lord and seem'd So ordering I with leave of speech implor'd And humble deprecation thus repli'd Let not my words offend thee Heav'nly Power My Maker be propitious while I speak Hast thou not made me here thy substitute And these inferiour farr beneath me set Among unequals what societie Can sort what harmonie or true delight Which must be mutual in proportion due Giv'n and receiv'd but in disparitie The one intense the other still remiss Cannot well suite with either but soon prove Tedious alike Of fellowship I speak Such as I seek fit to participate All rational delight wherein the brute Cannot be human consort they rejoyce Each with thir kinde Lion with Lioness So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin'd Much less can Bird with Beast or Fish with Fowle So well converse nor with the Ox the Ape Wors then can Man with Beast and least of all Whereto th' Almighty answer'd not displeas'd A nice and suttle happiness I see Thou to thy self proposest in the choice Of thy Associates Adam and wilt taste No pleasure though in pleasure solitarie What thinkst thou then of mee and this my State Seem I to thee sufficiently possest Of happiness or not who am alone From all Eternitie for none I know Second to me or like equal much less How have I then with whom to hold converse Save with the Creatures which I made and those To me inferiour infinite descents Beneath what other Creatures are to thee He ceas'd I lowly answer'd To attaine The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes All human thoughts come short Supream of things Thou in thy selt art perfet and in thee Is no deficience found not so is Man But in degree the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help Or solace his defects No need that thou Shouldst propagat already infinite And through all numbers absolute though One But Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection and beget Like of his like his Image multipli'd In unitie defective which requires Collateral love and deerest amitie Thou in thy secresie although alone Best with thy self accompanied seek'st not Social communication yet so pleas'd Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt Of Union or Communion deifi'd I by conversing cannot these erect From prone nor in thir wayes complacence find Thus I embold'nd spake and freedom us'd Permissive and acceptance found which gain'd This answer from the gratious voice Divine Thus farr to try thee Adam I was pleas'd And finde thee knowing not of Beasts alone Which thou hast rightly nam'd but of thy self Expressing well the spirit within thee free My Image not imparted to the Brute Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike And be so minded still I ere thou spak'st Knew it not good for Man to be alone And no such companie as then thou saw'st Intended thee for trial onely brought To see how thou could'st judge of fit and meet What next I bring shall please thee be assur'd Thy likeness thy fit help thy other self Thy wish exactly to thy hearts desire Hee ended or I heard no more for now My earthly by his Heav'nly overpowerd Which it had long stood under streind to the highth In that celestial Colloquie sublime As with an object that excels the sense Dazl'd and spent sunk down and sought repair Of sleep which instantly fell on me call'd By Nature as in aide and clos'd mine eyes Mine eyes he clos'd but op'n left the Cell Of Fancie my internal sight by which Abstract as in a transe methought I saw Though sleeping where I lay and saw the shape Still glorious before whom awake I stood Who stooping op'nd my left side and took From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warme And Life-blood streaming fresh wide was the wound But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands Under his forming hands a Creature grew Manlike but different Sex so lovly faire That what seemd fair in all the World seemd now Mean or in her summd up in her containd And in her looks which from that time infus'd Sweetness into my heart unfelt before And into all things from her Aire inspir'd The spirit of love and amorous delight Shee disappeerd and left me dark I wak'd To find her or for ever to deplore Her loss and other pleasures all abjure When out of hope behold her not farr off Such as I saw her in my dream adornd With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow To make her amiable On she came Led by her Heav'nly Maker though unseen And guided by his voice nor uninformd Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites Grace was in all her steps Heav'n in her Eye In every gesture dignitie and love I overjoyd could not forbear aloud This turn hath made amends thou hast fulfill'd Thy words Creator bounteous and benigne Giver of all things faire but fairest this Of all thy gifts nor enviest I now see Bone of my Bone Flesh of my Flesh my Self Before
the pleasant savourie smell So quick'nd appetite that I methought Could not but taste Forthwith up to the Clouds With him I flew and underneath beheld The Earth outstretcht immense a prospect wide And various wondring at my flight and change To this high exaltation suddenly My Guide was gon and I me thought sunk down And fell asleep but O how glad I wak'd To find this but a dream Thus Eve her Night Related and thus Adam answerd sad Best Image of my self and dearer half The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep Affects me equally nor ran I like This uncouth dream of evil sprung I fear Yet evil whence in thee can harbour none Created pure But know that in the Soule Are many lesser Faculties that serve Reason as chief among these Fansie next Her office holds of all external things Which the five watchful Senses represent She forms Imaginations Aerie shapes Which Reason joyning or disjoyning frames All what we affirm or what deny and call Our knowledge or opinion then retires Into her private Cell when Nature rests Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes To imitare her but misjoyning shapes Wilde work produces oft and most in dreams Ill matching words and deeds long past or late Som such resemblances methinks I find Of our last Eevnings talk in this thy dream But with addition strange yet be not sad Evil into the mind of God or Man May come and go so unapprov'd and leave No spot or blame behind Which gives me hope That what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream Waking thou never wilt consent to do Be not disheart'nd then nor cloud those looks That wont to be more chearful and serene Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World And let us to our fresh imployments rise Among the Groves the Fountains and the Flours That open now thir choicest bosom'd smells Reservd from night and kept for thee in store So cheard he his fair Spouse and she was cheard But silently a gentle tear let fall From either eye and wip'd them with her haire Two other precious drops that ready stood Each in thir Chrystal sluce hee ere they fell Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse And pious awe that feard to have offended So all was cleard and to the Field they haste But first from under shadie arborous roof Soon as they forth were come to open sight Of day-spring and the Sun who scarce up risen With wheels yet hov'ring o're the Ocean brim Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray Discovering in wide Lantskip all the East Of Paradise and Edens happie Plains Lowly they bow'd adoring and began Thir Orisons each Morning duly paid In various style for neither various style Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Thir Maker in fit strains pronounc't or sung Unmeditated such prompt eloquence Flowd from thir lips in Prose or numerous Verse More tuneable then needed Lute or Harp To add more sweetness and they thus began These are thy glorious works Parent of good Almightie thine this universal Frame Thus wondrous fair thy self how wondrous then Unspeakable who first above these Heavens To us invisible or dimly seen In these thy lowest works yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought and Power Divine Speak yee who best can tell ye Sons of light Angels for yee behold him and with songs And choral symphonies Day without Night Circle his Throne rejoycing yee in Heav'n On Earth joyn all ye Creatures to extoll Him first him last him midst and without end Fairest of Starrs last in the train of Night If better thou belong not to the dawn Sure pledge of day that crownst the smiling Morn With thy bright Circlet praise him in thy Spheare While day arises that sweet hour of Prime Thou Sun of this great World both Eye and Soule Acknowledge him thy Greater sound his praise In thy eternal course both when thou climbâ—st And when high Noon hast gaind and when thou fallst Moon that now meetst the orient Sun now fli'st With the fixt Starrs fixt in thir Orb that flies And yee five other wandring Fires that move In mystic Dance not without Song resound His praise who out of Darkness call'd up Light Aire and ye Elements the eldest birth Of Natures Womb that in quaternion run Perpetual Circle multiform and mix And nourish all things let your ceasless change Varie to our great Maker still new praise Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise From Hill or steaming Lake duskie or grey Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold In honour to the Worlds great Author rise Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers Rising or falling still advance his praise His praise ye Winds that from four Quarters blow Breathe soft or loud and wave your tops ye Pines With every Plant in sign of Worship wave Fountains and yee that warble as ye flow Melodious murmurs warbling tune his praise Joyn voices all ye living Souls ye Birds That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise Yee that in Waters glide and yee that walk The Earth and stately tread or lowly creep Witness if I be silent Morn or Eeven To Hell or Valley Fountain or fresh shade Made vocal by my Song and taught his praise Hail universal Lord be bounteous still To give us onely good and if the night Have gathered aught of evil or conceald Disperse it as now light dispels the dark So pray'd they innocent and to thir thoughts Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm On to thir mornings rural work they haste Among sweet dewes and flours where any row Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr Thir pamperd boughes and needed hands to check Fruitless imbraces or they led the Vine To wed her Elm she spous'd about him twines Her mariageable arms and with her brings Her dowr th' adopted Clusters to adorn His barren leaves Them thus imploid beheld With pittie Heav'ns high King and to him call'd Raphael the sociable Spirit that deign'd To travel with Tobias and secur'd His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid Raphael said hee thou hear'st what stir on Earth Satan from Hell scap't through the darksom Gulf Hath raisd in Paradise and how disturbd This night the human pair how he designes In them at once to ruin all mankind Go therefore half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam in what Bowre or shade Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd To respit his day-labour with repast Or with repose and such discourse bring on As may advise him of his happie state Happiness in his power left free to will Left to his own free Will his Will though free Yet mutable whence warne him to beware He swerve not too secure tell him withall His danger and from whom what enemie Late falln himself from Heav'n is plotting now The fall of others from like state or bliss By
to thee Not noxious but obedient at thy call Now Heav'n in all her Glorie shon and rowld Her motions as the great first-Movers hand First wheeld thir course Earth in her rich attire Consummate lovly smil'd Aire Water Earth By Fowl Fish Beast was flown was swum was walkt Frequent and of the Sixt day yet remain'd There wanted yet the Master work the end Of all yet don a Creature who not prone And Brute as other Creatures but endu'd With Sanctitie of Reason might erect His Stature and upright with Front serene Govern the rest self-knowing and from thence Magnanimous to correspond with Heav'n But grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends thither with heart and voice and eyes Directed in Devotion to adore And worship God Supream who made him chief Of all his works therefore the Omnipotent Eternal Father For where is not hee Present thus to his Son audibly spake Let us make now Man in our image Man In our similitude and let them rule Over the Fish and Fowle of Sea and Aire Beast of the Field and over all the Earth And every creeping thing that creeps the ground This said he formd thee Adam thee O Man Dust of the ground and in thy nostrils breath'd The breath of Life in his own Image hee Created thee in the Image of God Express and thou becam'st a living Soul Male he created thee but thy consort Female for Race then bless'd Mankinde and said Be fruitful multiplie and fill the Earth Subdue it and throughout Dominion hold Over Fish of the Sea and Fowle of the Aire And every living thing that moves on the Earth Wherever thus created for no place Is yet distinct by name thence as thou know'st He brought thee into this delicious Grove This Garden planted with the Trees of God Delectable both to behold and taste And freely all thir pleasant fruit for food Gave thee all sorts are here that all th' Earth yields Varietie without end but of the Tree Which tasted works knowledge of Good and Evil Thou mai'st not in the day thou eat'st thou di'st Death is the penaltie impos'd beware And govern well thy appetite least sin Surprise thee and her black attendant Death Here finish'd hee and all that he had made View'd and behold all was entirely good So Ev'n and Morn accomplish'd the Sixt day Yet not till the Creator from his work Desisting though unwearied up returnd Up to the Heav'n of Heav'ns his high abode Thence to behold this new created World Th' addition of his Empire how it shew'd In prospect from his Throne how good how faire Answering his great Idea Up he rode Followd with acclamation and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand Harpes that tun'd Angelic harmonies the Earth the Aire Resounded thou remember'st for thou heardst The Heav'ns and all the Constellations rung The Planets in thir station list'-ning stood While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant Open ye everlasting Gates they sung Open ye Heav'ns your living dores let in The great Creator from his work returnd Magnificent his Six days work a World Open and henceforth oft for God will deigne To visit oft the dwellings of just Men Delighted and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged Messengers On errands of supernal Grace So sung The glorious Train ascending He through Heav'n That open'd wide her blazing Portals led To Gods Eternal house direct the way A broad and ample rode whose dust is Gold And pavement Starrs as Starrs to thee appeer Seen in the Galaxie that Milkie way Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest Pouderd with Starrs And now on Earth the Seventh Eev'ning arose in Eden for the Sun Was set and twilight from the East came on Forerunning Night when at the holy mount Of Heav'ns high-seated top th' Impereal Throne Of Godhead fixt for ever firm and sure The Filial Power arriv'd and sate him down With his great Father for be also went Invisible yet staid such priviledge Hath Omnipresence and the work ordain'd Author and end of all things and from work Now resting bless'd and hallowd the Seav'nth day As resting on that day from all his work But not in silence holy kept the Harp Had work and rested not the solemn Pipe And Dulcimer all Organs of sweet stop All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire Temper'd soft Tunings intermixt with Voice Choral or Unison of incense Clouds Fuming from Golden Censers hid the Mount Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung Great are thy works Jehovah infinite Thy power what thought can measure thee or tongue Relate thee greater now in thy return Then from the Giant Angels thee that day Thy Thunders magnifi'd but to create Is greater then created to destroy Who can impair thee mighty King or bound Thy Empire easily the proud attempt Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine Thou hast repeld while impiously they thought Thee to diminish and from thee withdraw The number of thy worshippers Who seekes To lessen thee against his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might his evil Thou usest and from thence creat'st more good Witness this new-made World another Heav'n From Heaven Gate not farr founded in view On the cleer Hyaline the Glassie Sea Of amplitude almost immense with Starr's Numerous and every Starr perhaps a World Of destind habitation but thou know'st Thir seasons among these the seat of men Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus'd Thir pleasant dwelling place Thrice happie men And sons of men whom God hath thus advanc't Created in his Image there to dwell And worship him and in reward to rule Over his Works on Earth in Sea or Air And multiply a Race of Worshippers Holy and just thrice happie if they know Thir happiness and persevere upright So sung they and the Empyrean rung With Halleluiahs Thus was Sabbath kept And thy request think now fulfill'd that ask'd How first this World and face of things began And what before thy memorie was don From the beginning that posteritie Informd by thee might know if else thou seekst Aught not surpassing human measure say The End of the Seventh Book Paradise Lost BOOK VIII THE ARGUMENT Adam inquires concerning celestial Motions is doubtfully answer'd and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledg Adam assents and still desirous to detain Raphael relates to him what he remember'd since his own Creation his placing in Paradise his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society his first meeting and Nuptials with Eve his discourse with the Angel thereupon who after admonitions repeated departs THE Angel ended and in Adams Eare So Charming left his voice that he a while Thought him still speaking still stood fixt to hear Then as new wak't thus gratefully repli'd What thanks sufficient or what recompence Equal have I to render thee Divine Hystorian who thus largely hast allayd The thirst I had of knowledge and voutsaf't This friendly condescention to relate Things else by me unsearchable now heard With
and thy being Dream not of other Worlds what Creatures there Live in what state condition or degree Contented that thus farr hath been reveal'd Not of Earth onely but of highest Heav'n To whom thus Adam cleerd of doubt repli'd How fully hast thou satisfi'd mee pure Intelligence of Heav'n Angel serene And freed from intricacies taught to live The easiest way nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of Life from which God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares And not molest us unless we our selves Seek them with wandring thoughts and notions vain But apt the Mind or Fancie is to roave Uncheckt and of her roaving is no end Till warn'd or by experience taught she learne That not to know at large of things remote From use obscure and suttle but to know That which before us lies in daily life Is the prime Wisdom what is more is fume Or emptiness or fond impertinence And renders us in things that most concerne Unpractis'd unprepar'd and still to seek Therefore from this high pitch let us descend A lower flight and speak of things at hand Useful whence haply mention may arise Of somthing not unseasonable to ask By sufferance and thy wonted favour deign'd Thee I have heard relating what was don Ere my remembrance now hear mee relate My Storie which perhaps thou hast not heard And Day is yet not spent till then thou seest How suttly to detaine thee I devise Inviting thee to hear while I relate Fond were it not in hope of thy reply For while I sit with thee I seem in Heav'n And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasantest to thirst And hunger both from labour at the houre Of sweet repast they satiate and soon fill Though pleasant but thy words with Grace Divine Imbu'd bring to thir sweetness no satietie To whom thus Raphael answer'd heav'nly meek Nor are thy lips ungraceful Sire of men Nor tongue ineloquent for God on thee Abandantly his gifts hath also pour'd Inward and outward both his image faire Speaking or mute all comliness and grace Attends thee and each word each motion formes Nor less think wee in Heav'n of thee on Earth Then of our fellow servant and inquire Gladly into the wayes of God with Man For God we see hath honour'd thee and set On Man his Equal Love say therefore on For I that Day was absent as befell bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell Squar'd in full Legion such command we had To see that none thence issu'd forth a spie Or enemie while God was in his work Least hee incenst at such eruption bold Destruction with Creation might have mixt Not that they durst without his leave attempt But us he sends upon his high behests For state as Sovran King and to enure Our prompt obedience Fast we found fast shut The dismal Gates and barricado'd strong But long ere our approaching heard within Noise other then the sound of Dance or Song Torment and loud lament and surious rage Glad we return'd up to the coasts of Light Ere Sabbath Eev'ning so we had in charge But thy relation now for I attend Pleas'd with thy words no less then thou with mine So spake the Godlike Power and thus our Sire For Man to tell how human Life began Is hard for who himself beginning knew Desire with thee still longer to converse Induc'd me As new wak't from soundest sleep Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid In Balmie Sweat which with his Beames the Sun Soon dri'd and on the reaking moisture fed Strait toward Heav'n my wondring Eyes I turnd And gaz'd a while the ample Skie till rais'd By quick instinctive motion up I sprung As thitherward endevoring and upright Stood on my feet about me round I saw Hill Dale and shadie Woods and sunnie Plaines And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams by these Creatures that livd and movd and walk'd or flew Birds on the branches warbling all things smil'd With fragrance and with joy my heart oreflow'd My self I then perus'd and Limb by Limb Survey'd and sometimes went and sometimes ran With supple joints and lively vigour led But who I was or where or from what cause Knew not to speak I tri'd and forthwith spake My Tongue obey'd and readily could name What e're I saw Thou Sun said I faire Light And thou enlight'nd Earth so fresh and gay Ye Hills and Dales ye Rivers Woods and Plaines And ye that live and move fair Creatures tell Tell if ye saw how came I thus how here Not of my self by some great Maker then In goodness and in power praeeminent Tell me how may I know him how adore From whom I have that thus I move and live And feel that I am happier then I know While thus I call'd and stray'd I knew not whither From where I first drew Aire and first beheld This happie Light when answer none return'd On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours Pensive I sate me down there gentle sleep First found me and with soft oppression seis'd My droused sense untroubl'd though I thought I then was passing to my former state Insensible and forthwith to dissolve When suddenly stood at my Head a dream Whose inward apparition gently mov'd My fancy to believe I yet had being And livd One came methought of shape Divine And said thy Mansion wants thee Adam rise First Man of Men innumerable ordain'd First Father call'd by thee I come thy Guide To the Garden of bliss thy seat prepar'd So saying by the hand he took me rais'd And over Fields and Waters as in Aire Smooth sliding without step last led me up A woodie Mountain whose high top was plaine A Circuit wide enclos'd with goodliest Trees Planted with Walks and Bowers that what I saw Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemd Each Tree Load'n with fairest Fruit that hung to the Eye Tempting stirr'd in me sudden appetite To pluck and eate whereat I wak'd and found Before mine Eyes all real as the dream Had lively shadowd Here had new begun My wandring had not hee who was my Guide Up hither from among the Trees appeer'd Presence Divine Rejoycing but with aw In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss he rear'd me and Whom thou soughtst I am Said mildely Author of all this thou seest Above or round about thee or beneath This Paradise I give thee count it thine To Till and keep and of the Fruit to eate Of every Tree that in the Garden growes Eate freely with glad heart fear here no dearth But of the Tree whose operation brings Knowledg of good and ill which I have set The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life Remember what I warne thee shun to taste And shun the bitter consequence for know The day thou eat'st thereof my sole command Transgrest inevitably thou shalt dye From that day mortal and this happie State
like Lightning down from Heav'n Prince of the Aire then rising from his Grave Spoild Principalities and Powers triumpht In open shew and with ascention bright Captivity led captive through the Aire The Realm it self of Satan long usurpt Whom he shall tread at last under our feet Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie By thy Conception Children thou shalt bring In sorrow forth and to thy Husbands will Thine shall submit hee over thee shall rule On Adam last thus judgement he pronounc'd Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife And eaten of the Tree concerning which I charg'd thee saying Thou shalt not eate thereof Curs'd is the ground for thy sake thou in sorrow Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life Thorns also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth Unbid and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eat Bread Till thou return unto the ground for thou Out of the ground wast taken know thy Birth For dust thou art and shalt to dust returne So judg'd he Man both Judge and Saviour sent And thâ— instant stroke of Death denounc't that day Remov'd farr off then pittying how they stood Before him naked to the aire that now Must suffer change disdain'd not to begin Thenceforth the form of servant to assume As when he wash'd his servants feet so now As Father of his Familie he clad Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts or slain Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid And thought not much to cloath his Enemies Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins Of Beasts but inward nakedness much more Opprobrious with his Robe of righteousness Araying cover'd from his Fathers sight To him with swift ascent he up returnd Into his blissful bosom reassum'd In glory as of old to him appeas'd All though all-knowing what had past with Man Recounted mixing intercession sweet Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death In counterview within the Gates that now Stood open wide belching outrageous flame Farr into Chaos since the Fiend pass'd through Sin opening who thus now to Death began O Son why sit we here each other viewing Idlely while Satan our great Author thrives In other Worlds and happier Seat provides For us his ofspring deare It cannot be But that success attends him if mishap Ere this he had return'd with fury driv'n By his Avengers since no place like this Can fit his punishment or their revenge Methinks I feel new strength within me rise Wings growing and Dominion giv'n me large Beyond this Deep whatever drawes me on Or sympathie or som connatural force Powerful at greatest distance to unite With secret amiry things of like kinde By secretest conveyance Thou my Shade Inseparable must with mee along For Death from Sin no power can separate But least the difficultie of passing back Stay his return perhaps over this Gulfe Impassable Impervious let us try Adventrous work yet to thy power and mine Not unagreeable to found a path Over this Maine from Hell to that new World Where Satan now prevailes a Monument Of merit high to all th' infernal Host Easing thir passage hence for intercourse Or transmigration as thir lot shall lead Nor can I miss the way so strongly drawn By this new felt attraction and instinct Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon Goe whither Fate and inclination strong Leads thee I shall not lag behinde nor erre The way thou leading suth a sent I draw Of carnage prey innumerable and taste The savour of Death from all things there that live Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest Be wanting but afford thee equal aid So saying with delight he snuff'd the smell Of mortal change on Earth As when a flock Of ravenous Fowl though many a League remote Against the day of Battel to a Field Where Armies lie encampt come flying lur'd With sent of living Carcasses design'd For death the following day in bloodie fight So sented the grim Feature and upturn'd His Nostril wide into the murkie Air Sagacious of his Quarry from so farr Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste Wide Anarchie of Chaos damp and dark Flew divers and with Power thir Power was great Hovering upon the Waters what they met Solid or slimie as in raging Sea Tost up and down together crowded drove From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse Upon the Cronian Sea together drive Mountains of Ice that stop th' imagin'd way Beyond Petsora Eastward to the rich Cathaian Coast The aggregated Soyle Death with his Mace petrific cold and dry As with a Trident smote and fix't as firm As Delos floating once the rest his look bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move And with Asphaltic slime broad as the Gate Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach They fasten'd and the Mole immense wraught on Over the foaming deep high Archt a Bridge Of length prodigious joying to the Wall Immovable of this now fenceless world Forfeit to Death from hence a passage broad Smooth easie inoffensive down to Hell So if great thing to small may be compar'd Xerxes the Libertie of Greece to yoke From Susa his Momronian Palace high Came to the Sea and over Hellespont Bridging his way Europe with Asia joyn'd And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art Pontifical a ridge of pendent Rock Over the vext Abyss following the track Of Satan to the self same place where hee First lighted from his Wing and landed safe From out of Chaos to the out side bare Of this round World with Pinns of Adamant And Chains they made all fast too fast they made And durable and now in little space The confines met of Empyrean Heav'n And of this World and on the left hand Hell With long reach interpos'd three sev'ral wayes In sight to each of these three places led And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd To Paradise first tending when behold Satan in likeness of an Angel bright Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing His Zenith while the Sun in Aries rose Disguis'd he came but those his Children dear Thir Parent soon discern'd though in disguise Hee after Eve seduc't unminded slunk Into the Wood fast by and changing shape To observe the sequel saw his guileful act By Eve though all unweeting seconded Upon her Husband saw thir shame that sought Vain covertures but when he saw descend The Son of God to judge them terrifi'd Hee fled not hoping to escape but shun The present fearing guiltie what his wrauth Might suddenly inflict that past return'd By Night and listening where the hapless Paire Sate in thir sad discourse and various plaint Thence gatherd his own doom which understood Not instant but of future
unbegot Childless thou art Childless remaine So Death shall be deceav'd his glut and with us two Be forc'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw But if thou judge it hard and difficult Conversing looking loving to abstain From Loves due Rites Nuptial imbraces sweet And with desire to languish without hope Before the present object languishing With like desire which would be meserie And torment less then none of what we dread Then both our selves and Seed at once to free From what we fear for both let us make short Let us seek Death or he not found supply With our own hands his Office on our selves Why stand we longer shivering under feares That shew no end but Death and have the power Of many ways to die the shortest choosing Destruction with destruction to destroy She ended heer or vehement despaire Broke off the rest so much of Death her thoughts Had entertaind as di'd her Checks with pale But Adam with such counsel nothing sway'd To better hopes his more attentive minde Labouring had rais'd and thus to Eve repli'd Eve thy contempt of life and pleasure seems To argue in thee somthing more sublime And excellent then what thy minde contemnes But self-destruction therefore saught refutes That excellence thought in thee and implies Not thy contempt but anguish and regret For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd Or if thou covet death as utmost end Of miserie so thinking to evade The penaltie pronounc't doubt not but God Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire then so To be forestall'd much more I fear least Death So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine We are by doom to pay rather such acts Of contumacie will provoke the highest To make death in us live Then let us seek Some safer resolution which methinks I have in view calling to minde with heed Part of our Sentence that thy Seed shall bruise The Serpents head piteous amends unless Be meant whom I conjecture our grand Foe Satan who in the Serpent hath contriv'd Against us this deceit to crush his head Would be revenge indeed which will be lost By death brought on our selves or childless days Resolv'd as thou proposest so our Foe Shall scape his punishment ordain'd and wee Instead shall double ours upon our heads No more be mention'd then of violence Against our selves and wilful barrenness That cuts us off from hope and savours onely Rancor and pride impatience and despite Reluctance against God and his just yoke Laid on our Necks Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd Without wrauth or reviling wee expected Immediate dissolution which we thought Was meant by Death that day when lo to thee Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold And bringing forth soon recompenc't with joy Fruit of thy Womb On mee the Curse aslope Glanc'd on the ground with labour I must earne My bread what harm Idleness had bin worse My labour will sustain me and least Cold Or Heat should injure us his timely care Hath unbesaught provided and his hands Cloath'd us unworthie pitying while he judg'd How much more if we pray him will his ear Be open and his heart to pitie incline And teach us further by what means to shun Th' inclement Seasons Rain Ice Hail and Snow Which now the Skie with various Face begins To shew us in this Mountain while the Winds Blow moist and keen shattering the graceful locks Of these fair spreading Trees which bids us seek Som better shroud som better warmth to cherish Our Limbs benumm'd ere this diurnal Starr Leave cold the Night how we his gather'd beams Reflected may with matter sere foment Or by collision of two bodies grinde The Air attrite to Fire as late the Clouds Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock Tine the slant Lightning whose thwart flame driv'n down Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine And sends a comfortable heat from farr Which might supplie the Sun such Fire to use And what may else be remedie or cure To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought Hee will instruct us praying and of Grace Beseeching him so as we need not fear To pass commodiously this life sustain'd By him with many comforts till we end In dust our final rest and native home What better can we do then to the place Repairing where he judg'd us prostrate fall Before him reverent and there confess Humbly our faults and pardon beg with tears Watering the ground and with our sighs the Air Frequenting sent from hearts contrite in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek Undoubtedly he will relent and turn From his displeasure in whose look serene When angry most he seem'd and most severe What else but favor grace and mercie shon So spake our Father penitent nor Eve Felt less remorse they forthwith to the place Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell Before him reverent and both confess'd Humbly thir faults and pardon beg'd with tears Watering the ground and with thir sighs the Air Frequenting sent from hearts contrite in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek The End of the Tenth Book Paradise Lost BOOK XI THE ARGUMENT The Son of God presents to his Father the Prayers of our first Parents now repenting and intercedes for them God accepts them but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise sends Michael with a Band of Cherubim to dispossess them but first to reveal to Adam future things Michaels coming down Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs he discerns Michaels approach goes out to meet him the Angel denounces thir departure Eve's Lamentation Adam pleads but submits The Angel leads him up to a high Hill sets before him in vision what shall happ'n till the Flood THus they in lowliest plight repentant stood Praying for from the Mercie-seat above Prevenient Grace descending had remov'd The stonie from thir hearts made new flesh Regenerate grow instead that signs now breath'd Unutterable which the Spirit of prayer Inspir'd and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight Then loudest Oratorie yet thir port Not of mean suitors nor important less Seem'd thir Petition then when th' ancient Pair In Fables old less ancient yet then these Deucalion and chaste Pyrtha to restore The Race of Mankind drownd before the Shrine Of Themis stood devout To Heav'n thir prayers Flew up nor missd the way by envious windes Blow'n vagabond or frustrate in they passd Dimentionless through Heav'nly dores then clad With incense where the Golden Altar fum'd By thir great Intercessor came in sight Before the Fathers Throne Them the glad Son Presenting thus to intercede began See Father what first fruits on Earth are sprung From thy implanted Grace in Man these Sighs And Prayers which in this Golden Censer mixt With Incense I thy Priest before thee bring Fruits of more pleasing favour from thy seed Sow'n with contrition in his heart then those Which his own hand manuring all the Trees Of Paradise could have produc't ere fall'n From
nor so is overcome Satan whose fall from Heav'n a deadlier bruise Disabl'd not to give thee thy deaths wound Which hee who comes thy Saviour shall recure Not by destroying Satan but his works In thee and in thy Seed nor can this be But by fulfilling that which thou didst want Obedience to the Law of God impos'd On penaltie of death and suffering death The penaltie to thy transgression due And due to theirs which out of thine will grow So onely can high Justice rest appaid The Law of God exact he shall fulfill Both by obedience and by love though love Alone fulfill the Law thy punishment He shall endure by coming in the Flesh To a reproachful life and cursed death Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe In his redemption and that his obedience Imputed becomes theirs by Faith his merits To save them not thir own though legal works For this he shall live hated be blasphem'd Seis'd on by force judg'd and to death condemnd A shameful and accurst naild to the Cross By his own Nation slaine for bringing Life Bur to the Cross he nailes thy Enemies The Law that is against thee and the sins Of all mankinde with him there crucifi'd Never to hurt them more who rightly trust In this his satisfaction so he dies But soon revives Death over him no power Shall long usurp ere the third dawning light Returne the Starres of Morn shall see him rise Out of his grave fresh as the dawning light Thy ransom paid which Man from death redeems His death for Man as many as offerd Life Neglect not and the benefit imbrace By Faith not void of workes this God-like act Annuls thy doom the death thou shouldst have dy'd In sin for ever lost from life this act Shall bruise the head of Satan crush his strength Defeating Sin and Death his two maine armes And fix farr deeper in his head thir stings Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel Or theirs whom he redeems a death like sleep A gentle wafting to immortal Life Nor after resurrection shall he stay Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer To his Disciples Men who in his Life Still follow'd him to them shall leave in charge To teach all nations what of him they learn'd And his Salvation them who shall beleeve Baptizing in the profluent stream the signe Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life Pure and in mind prepar'd if so befall For death like that which the redeemer dy'd All Nations they shall teach for from that day Not onely to the Sons of Abrahams Loines Salvation shall be Preacht but to the Sons Of Abrahams Faith wherever through the world So in his seed all Nations shall be blest Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend With victory triumphing through the aire Over his foes and thine there shall surprise The Serpent Prince of aire and drag in Chaines Through all his Realme and there confounded leave Then enter into glory and resume His Seat at Gods right hand exalted high Above all names in Heav'n and thence shall come When this worlds disolution shall be ripe With glory and power to judge both quick and dead To judge th' unfaithful dead but to reward His faithful and receave them into bliss Whether in Heav'n or Earth for then the Earth Shall all be Paradise far happier place Then this of Eden and far happier daies So spake th' Archangel Michael then paus'd As at the Worlds great period and our Sire Replete with joy and wonder thus repli'd O goodness infinite goodness immense That all this good of evil shall produce And evil turn to good more wonderful Then that which by creation first brought forth Light out of darkness full of doubt I stand Whether I should repent me now of sin By mee done and occasiond or rejoyce Much more that much more good thereof shall spring To God more glory more good will to Men From God and over wrauth grace shall abound Buâ— say if our deliverer up to Heav'n Must reascend what will betide the few His faithful left among th' unfaithful herd The enemies of truth who then shall guide His people who defend will they not deale Wors with his followers then with him they dealt Be sure they will said th' Angel but from Heav'n Hee to his own a Comforter will send The promise of the Father who shall dwell His Spirit within them and the Law of Faith Working through love upon thir hearts shall write To guide them in all truth and also arme With spiritual Armour able to resist Satans assaults and quench his fierie darts What man can do against them not affraid Though to the death against such cruelties With inward consolations recompenc't And oft supported so as shall amaze Thir proudest persecuters for the Spirit Powrd first on his Apostles whom he sends To evangelize the Nations then on all Baptiz'd shall them with wondrous gifts endue To speak all Tongues and do all Miracles As did thir Lord before them Thus they win Great numbers of each Nation to receave With joy the tidings brought from Heav'n at length Thir Ministry perform'd and race well run Thir doctrine and thir story written left They die but in thir room as they forewarne Wolves shall succeed for teachers grievous Wolves Who all the sacred mysteries of Heav'n To thir own vile advantages shall turne Of lucre and ambition and the truth With superstitions and traditions taint Left onely in those written Records pure Though not but by the Spirit understood Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names Places and titles and with these to joine Secular power though feigning still to act By spiritual to themselves appropriating The Spirit of God promisd alike and giv'n To all Beleevers and from that pretense Spiritual Lawes by carnal power shall force On every conscience Laws which none shall finde Left them inrould or what the Spirit within Shall on the heart engrave What will they then But force the Spirit of Grace it self and binde His consort Libertie what but unbuild His living Temples built by Faith to stand Thir own Faith not anothers for on Earth Who against Faith and Conscience can be heard Infallible yet many will presume Whence heavie persecution shall arise On all who in the worship persevere Of Spirit and Truth the rest farr greater part Well deem in outward Rites and specious formes Religion satisfi'd Truth shall retire Bestuck with slandrous darts and works of Faith Rarely be found so shall the World goe on To good malignant to bad men benigne Under her own waight groaning till the day Appeer of respiration to the just And vengeance to the wicked at return Of him so lately promiss'd to thy aid The Womans seed obscurely then foretold Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord Last in the Clouds from Heav'n to be reveald In glory of the Father to dissolve Satan with his perverted World then raise From the conflagrant mass purg'd
and refin'd New Heav'ns new Earth Ages of endless date Founded in righteousness and peace and love To bring forth fruits Joy and eternal Bliss He ended and thus Adam last reply'd How soon hath thy prediction Seer blest Measur'd this transient World the Race of time Till time stand fixt beyond is all abyss Eternitie whose end no eye can reach Greatly instructed I shall hence depart Greatly in peace of thought and have my fill Of knowledge what this Vessel can containe Beyond which was my folly to aspire Henceforth I learne that to obey is best And love with fear the onely God to walk As in his presence ever to observe His providence and on him sole depend Mercifull over all his works with good Still overcoming evil and by small Accomplishing great things by things deemd weak Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek that suffering for Truths sake Is fortitude to highest victorie And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life Taught this by his example whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest To whom thus also th' Angel last repli'd This having learnt thou hast attaind the summe Of wisdome hope no higher though all the Starrs Thou knewst by name and all th' ethereal Powers All secrets of the deep all Natures works Or works of God in Heav'n Aire Earth or Sea And all the riches of this World enjoydst And all the rule one Empire onely add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable add Faith Add vertue Patience Temperance add Love By name to come call'd Charitie the soul Of all the rest then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise but shalt possess A paradise within thee happier farr Let us descend now therefore from this top Of Speculation for the hour precise Exacts our parting hence and see the Guards By mee encampt on yonder Hill expect Thir motion at whose Front a flaming Sword In signal of remove waves fiercely round We may no longer stay go waken Eve Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm'd Portending good and all her spirits compos'd To meek submission thou at season fit Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard Chiefly what may concern her Faith to know The great deliverance by her Seed to come For by the Womans Seed on all Mankind That ye may live which will be many dayes Both in one Faith unanimous though sad With cause for evils past yet much more cheer'd With meditation on the happie end He ended and they both descend the Hill Descended Adam to the Bowre where Eve Lay sleeping ran before but found her wak't And thus with words not sad she him receav'd Whence thou returnst and whither wentst I know For God is also in sleep and Dreams advise Which he hath sent propitious some great good Presaging since with sorrow and hearts distress Wearied I fell asleep but now lead on In mee is no delay with thee to goe Is to stay here without thee here to stay Is to go hence unwilling thou to mee Art all things under Heav'n all places thou Who for my wilful crime art banisht hence This further consolation yet secure I carry hence though all by mee is lost Such favour I unworthie am voutsaft By mee the Promis'd Seed shall all restore So spake our Mother Eve and Adam heard Well pleas'd but answer'd not for now too nigh Th' Archangel stood and from the other Hill To thir sixt Station all in bright array The Cherubim descended on the ground Gliding meteorous as Ev'ning Mist Ris'n from a River o're the marish glides And gathers ground fast at the Labourers heel Homeward returning High in Front advanc't The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz'd Fierce as a Comet which with torrid heat And vapour as the Libyan Air adust Began to parch that temperate Clime whereat In either hand the hastning Angel caught Our lingring Parents and to th' Eastern Gate Led them direct and down the Cliff as fast To the subjected Plaine then disappeer'd They looking back all th' Eastern side beheld Of Paradise so late thir happie seat Wav'd over by that flaming Brand the Gate With dreadful Faces throng'd and fierie Armes Som natural tears they drop'd but wip'd them soon The World was all before them where to choose Thir place of rest and Providence thir guide They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow Through Eden took thir solitarie way THE END