and spare His Armes clung to his Ribs his Leggs entwining Each other till supplanted down he fell A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone Reluctant but in vaine a greater power Now rul'd him punisht in the shape he sin'd According to his doom he would have spoke But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue To forked tongue for now were all transform'd Alike to Serpents all as accessories To his bold Riot dreadful was the din Of hissing through the Hall thick swarming now With complicated monsters head and taile Scorpion and Asp and Amphisbaenâ—… dire Cerastes hornd Hydrus and Ellops drear And Dipsas Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil Bedropt with blood of Gorgon or the Isle Ophiusa but still greatest hee the midst Now Dragon grown larger then whom the Sun Ingenderd in the Pythian Vale on slime Huge Python and his Power no less he seem'd Above the rest still to retain they all Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field Where all yet left of that revolted Rout Heav'n-fall'n in station stood or just array Sublime with expectation when to see In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief They saw but other sight instead a crowd Of ugly Serpents horror on them fell And horrid sympathie for what they saw They felt themselvs now changing down thir arms Down fell both Spear and Shield down they as fast And the dire hiss renew'd and the dire form Catcht by Contagion like in punishment As in thir crime Thus was th' applause they meant Turnd to exploding hiss triumph to shame Cast on themselves from thir own mouths There stood A Grove hard by sprung up with this thir change His will who reigns above to aggravate Thir penance laden with fair Fruit like that VVhich grew in Paradise the bait of Eve Us'd by the Tempter on that prospect strange Thir earnest eyes they fix'd imagining For one forbidden Tree a multitude Now ris'n to work them furder woe or shame Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger 〈◊〉 Though to delude them sent could not abstain But on they rould in heaps and up the Trees Climbing sat thicker then the snakie locks That curld Megaera greedily they pluck'd The Frutage fair to sight like that which grew Neer that bituminous Lake where Sodom flam'd This more delusive not the touch but taste Deceav'd they fondly thinking to allay Thir appetite with gust instead of Fruit Chewd bitter Ashes which th' offended taste VVith spattering noise rejected oft they assayd Hunger and thirst constraining drugd as oft VVith hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws VVith soot and cinders fill'd so oft they fell Into the same illusion not as Man Whom they triumph'd once lapst Thus were they plagu'd And worn with Famin long and ceasless hiss Till thir lost shape permitted they resum'd Yearly enjoynd some say to undergo This annual humbling certain number'd days To dash thir pride and joy for Man seduc't However some tradition they dispers'd Among the Heathen of thir purchase got And Fabl'd how the Serpent whom they calld Ophion with Eurynome the wide Encroaching Eve perhaps had first the rule Of high Olympus thence by Saturn driv'n And Ops ere yet Dictaean Jove was born Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair Too soon arriv'd Sin there in power before Once actual now in body and to dwell Habitual habitant behind her Death Close following pace for pace not mounted yet On his pale Horse to whom Sin thus began Second of Satan sprung all conquering Death What thinkst thou of our Empire now though earnd With travail difficult not better farr Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch Unnam'd undreaded and thy self half starv'd Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon To mee who with eternal Famin pine Alike is Hell or Paradise or Heaven There best where most with ravin I may meet Which here though plenteous all too little seems To stuff this Maw this vast unhide-bound Corps To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd Thou therefore on these Herbs and Fruits Flours Feed first on each Beast next and Fish and Fowle No homely morsels and whatever thing The 〈◊〉 of Time mowes down devour unspar'd Till I in Man residing through the Race His thoughts his looks words actions all infect And 〈◊〉 him thy last and sweetest prey This said they both betook them several wayes Both to destroy 〈◊〉 unimmortal make All kinds and for destruction to mature Sooner or later which th' Almightie seeing From his transcendent Seat the Saints among To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance To waste and havoc yonder VVorld which I So fair and good created and had still Kept in that state had not the folly of Man Let in these wastful Furies who impute Folly to mee so doth the Prince of Hell And his Adherents that with so much ease I suffer them to enter and possess A place so heav'nly and conniving seem To gratifie my scornful Enemies That laugh as if transported with some fit Of Passion I to them had quitted all At random yeilded up to their misrule And know not that I call'd and drew them thither My Hell-hounds to lick up the draff and filth Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed On what was pure till cramm'd and gorg'd nigh burst With suckt and glutted offal at one sling Of thy victorious Arm well-pleasing Son Both Sin and Death and yawning Grave at last Through Chaos hurld obstruct the mouth of Hell For ever and seal up his ravenous Jawes Then Heav'n and Earth renewd shall be made pure To sanctitie that shall receive no staine Till then the Curse pronounc't on both precedes Hee ended and the heav'nly Audience loud Sung Halleluia as the sound of Seas Through multitude that sung Just are thy ways Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works Who can extenuate thee Next to the Son Destin'd restorer of Mankind by whom New Heav'n and Earth shall to the Ages rise Or down from Heav'n descend Such was thir song While the Creator calling forth by name His mightie Angels gave them several charge As sorted best with present things The Sun Had first his precept so to move so shine As might affect the Earth with cold and heat Scarce tollerable and from the North to call Decrepit Winter from the South to bring Solstitial summers heat To the blanc Moone Her office they prescrib'd to th' other five Thir planetarie motions and aspects In Sextile Square and Trine and Opposite Of noxious efficacie and when to joyne In Synod unbenigne and taught the fixt Thir influence malignant when to showre Which of them rising with the Sun or falling Should prove tempestuous To the Winds they set Thir corners when with bluster to confound Sea Aire and Shoar the Thunder when to rowle With terror through the dark Aereal Hall Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more From the Suns Axle
up in his own shape the Fiend Back stept those two fair Angels hâ—…lf amaz'd So sudden to behold the grieslie King Yet thus unmovd with fear accost him soon Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou escap'd thy prison and transform'd Why satst thou like an enemie in waite Here watching at the head of these that sleep Know ye not then said Satan filld with scorn Know ye not me ye knew me once no mate For you there sitting where ye durst not soare Not to know mee argue your selves unknown The lowest of your throng or if ye know Why ask ye and superfluous begin Your message like to end as much in vain To whom thus Zephon answering scorn with scorn Think not revolted Spirit thy shâ—…pe the same Or undiminisht brightness to be known As when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure That Glorie then when thou no more wast good Departed from thee and thou resembl'st now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule But come for thou besure shalt give account To him who sent us whose charge is to keep This place inviolable and these from harm So spake the Cherube and his grave rebuke Severe in youthful beautie added grace Invincible abasht the Devil stood And felt how awful goodness is and saw Vertue in her shape how lovly saw and pin'd His loss but chiefly to find here observd His lustre visibly impar'd yet seemd Undaunted If I must contend said he Best with the best the Sender not the sent Or all at once more glorie will be wonn Or less be lost Thy fear said Zephon bold Will save us trial what the least can doe Single against thee wicked and thence weak The Fiend repli'd not overcome with rage But like a proud Steed reind went hautie on Chaumping his iron curb to strive or flie He held it vain awe from above had quelld His heart not else dismai'd Now drew they nigh The western point where those half-rounding guards Just met closing stood in squadron joind Awaiting next command To whom thir Chief Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud O friends I hear the tread of nimble fêet Hasting this way and now by glimps discerne Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade And with them comes a third of Regal port But faded splendor wan who by his gate And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell Not likely to part hence without câ—…test Stand firm for in his look defiance lours He scarce had ended when those two approachd And brief related whom they brought wher found How busied in what form and posture coucht To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake Why hast thou Satan broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions and disturbd the charge Of others who approve not to transgress By thy example but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow Gabriel thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise And such I held thee but this question askt Puts me in doubt Lives ther who loves his pain Who would not finding way break loose from Hell Though thither doomd Thou wouldst thy self no doubt And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain where thou migâ—…tsti hope to change Torment with ease soonest recompence Dole with delight which in this place I sought To thee no reason who knowst only good But evil hast not tri'd and wilt object His will who bound us let him surer barr His Iron Gates if he intends our stay In that dark durance thus much what was askt The rest is true they found me where they say But that implies not violence or harme Thus hee in scorn The warlike Angel mov'd Disdainfully half smiling thus repli'd O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise Since Satan fell whom follie overthrew And now returns him from his prison scap't Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd So wise he judges it to sly from pain However and to sĉape his punishment So judge thou still presumptuous till the wrauth Which thou incurr'st by flying meet thy flight Seavenfold and scourge that wisdom back to Hell Which taught thee yet no better that no pain Can equal anger infinite provok't But wherefore thou alone wherefore with thee Came not all Hell broke loose is pain to them Less pain less to be fled or thou then they Less hardie to endure courageous Chief The first in flight from pain had'st thou alleg'd To thy deserted host this cause of flight Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive To which the â—…iend thus answerd frowning stern Not that I less endure or shrink from pain Insulting Angel well thou knowst I stood Thy fiercest when in Battel to thy aide The blasting volied Thunder made all speed And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear But still thy words at random as before Argue thy inexperience what behooves From hard assaies and ill successes past A faithful Leader not to hazard all Through wayes of danger by himself untri'd I therefore I alone first undertook To wing the desolate Abyss and spie This new created World whereof in Hell Fame is not silent here in hope to find Better abode and my afflicted Powers To settle here on Earth or in mid Aire Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay Legions dare against Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord High up in Heav'n with songs to hymne his Throne And practis'd distances to cringe not fight To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd To say and strait unsay pretending first Wise to flie pain professing next the Spie Argues no Leader but a lyar trac't Satan and couldst thou faithful add O name O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd Faithful to whom to thy rebellious crew Armie of Fiends fit body to fit head Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd Your military obedience to dissolve Allegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream And thou sly hypocrite who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty who more then thou Once fawn'd and cring'd and servilly ador'd Heav'ns awful Monarch wherefore but in hope To dispossess him and thy self to reigne But mark what I arreede thee now avant Flie thither whence thou fledst if from this houre Within these hallowd limits thou appeer Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind And Seale thee so as henceforth not to scorne The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd So threatn'd hee but Satan to no threats Gave heed but waxing more in rage repli'd Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines Proud limitarie Cherube but ere then Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel From my prevailing arme though Heavens King Ride on thy wings and thou with thy Compeers Us'd to the yoak draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress
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 he 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 〈◊〉 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 sitst 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 ye who best can tell ye Sons of light Angels for ye behold him and with songs And choral symphonies Day without Night Circle his Throne rejoycing yee in Heav'n On Earth joyn all yee 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 climb'st And when high Noon hast gaind 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 Breath 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 〈◊〉 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 Hill 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 Heaven is plotting now The fall of others from like state of bliss By violence no for that shall be withstood But by deceit and lies this let him know Least wilfully transgressing he pretend Surprisal unadmonisht unforewarnd So spake th' Eternal Father and fulfilld All Justice nor delaid the winged Saint After his charge receivd but from among Thousand Celestial Ardors where he stood Vaild with-his gorgeous wings up springing light Flew through the midst of Heav'n th'angeliâ—… Quires On each hand parting to his speed gave way Through all th'Empyreal road till at the Gate Of Heav'n arriv'd the gate self-opend wide On golden Hinges turning as by work Divine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd From hence no cloud or to obstruct his sight Starr interpos'd however small he sees Not unconform to other shining Globes Earth and the Gard'n of God with Cedars crownd Above all Hills As when by night the Glass Of Galileo less assur'd observes Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon Or Pilot from amidst the Cyclades Delos or Samos first appeering kenns A cloudy spot Down thither prone in flight He speeds and through the vast Ethereal Skie Sâ—…iles between worlds worlds with steddie wing Now on the polar windes then with quick Fann Winnows the buxom Air till within soare Of Towring Eagles to all the Fowles he seems A Phaenix gaz'd by all as that sole Bird When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun 's Bright Temple to Aegyptian Theb's he
Paradise lost A POEM Written in TEN BOOKS By JOHN MILTON Licensed and Entred according to Order LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Peter Parker under Creed Church neer Aldgate And by Robert Boulter at the Turks Head in Bishopsgate-street And Matthias Walker under St. Dunstons Church in Fleet-street 1667. PARADISE LOST BOOK I. OF Mans First Disobedience and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree whose mortal tast Brought Death into the World and all our woe With loss of Eden till one greater Man Restore us and regain the blissful Seat Sing Heav'nly Muse that on the secret top Of Oreb or of Sinai didst inspire That Shepherd who first taught the chosen Seed In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth Rose out of Chaos Or if Sion Hill Delight thee more and Siloa's Brook that flow'd Fast by the Oracle of God I thence Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian Mount while it pursues Things 〈◊〉 yet in Prosâ—… 〈◊〉 Rhime And chiefly Thou O Spirit that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upâ—…ght â—…eart and pure Instruct me for Thou know'st Thou from the first Wast present and with mighty wings outspread Dove like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Abyss And mad'st it pregnant What in me is dark Illumine what is low 〈◊〉 and support That to the highth of this great Argument I may assert th' Eternal Providence And justifie the wayes of God to men Say first for Heav'n 〈◊〉 nothing from thy view Nor the deep Tract of Hell say first what cause Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State Favour'd of 〈◊〉 so highly to fall off From their Creator and transgress his Will For one restraint Lords of the World besides Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt Stird up with Envy and Revenge deceiv'd The Mother of Mankinde what time his Pride Had cast him out from Heav'n with all his Host Of Rebel Angels by whose aid aspiring To set himself in Glory above his Peers He trusted to have equal'd the most High If he oppos'd and with ambitious aim Against the Throne and Monarchy of God Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud With vain attempt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Power Hurld headlong 〈◊〉 â—…om th' 〈◊〉 Skie With 〈◊〉 ruine and combustion down One next himself in power and next in crime Long after known in Palestine and nam'd Eëëlzebub To whom th' Arch-Enemy And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan with bold words Breaking the horrid silence thus began If thoâ—… beest he But O how fall'n how chang'd From him who in the happy Reâ—…lms of Light Cloth'd with 〈◊〉 brightnes didst outshine Myriads though bright If he whom mutual league United thoughts and counsels equal hope And hazard in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joynd wâ—…th me once now misery hath joynd In equal ruin into what Pit thou seest From what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so much the stronger provd He with his Thunder and till then who knew The force of those dire Arms yet not for those Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage Can else inflict do I repent or change Though chang'd in outward lustre that fixt mind And high 〈◊〉 from sence of injur'd merit That with the 〈◊〉 rais'd me to contend And to the fierce contention brought along Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd That durst dislike his reign and me preferring His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n And shook his throne What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 field belost All is not lost the unconquerable Will And study of revenge immortal hate And courage never to submit or yield And what is else not to be overcome That Glory never shall his wrath 〈◊〉 might Extort from me To bow and fue for grace With suppliant knee and deifie his power Who from the terrour of this Arm so lâ—…te Doubted his Empire that were low indeed That were an ignominy and â—…hame beneath This downfall since by Fate the strength of Gods And this Empyreal substance cannot fail Since through experience of this great event In Arms not worse in foresight much advanc't We may â—…ith more successful hope resolve To wage by force or guile eternal Warr Irreconcileable to our grand Foe Who now triumphs and in th' excess of joy Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n So spake th' Apostate Angel though in pain Vaunting aloud but rackt with deep despare And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer O Prince O Chief of many Throned Powers That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr Under thy conduct and in dreadful deeds Fearless endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King And put to proof his high Supremacy Whether upheld by strength or Chance or Fate Too well I see and rue the dire event That with sad overthrow and foul defeat Hath lost us Heav'n and all this mighty Host In horrible destruction laid thus low As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences Can Perish for the mind and spirit remains Invincible and vigour soon returns Though all our Glory extinct and happy 〈◊〉 Here swallow'd up in endless misery But what if he our Conquerour whom I now Of force believe Almighty since no less Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours Have left us this our spirit and strength intire Strongly to suffer and support our pains That we may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his vengeful ire Or do hâ—… 〈◊〉 service as 〈◊〉 thralls By right of Waâ—… what e're his business be Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep What can it then avail though yet we feel Strength undiminisht or eternal being To undergo eternal punishment Whereto with speedy words th'Arch-fiend reply'd Fall'n Cherube to be weak is miserable Doing or Suffering but of this be sure To do ought good never will be our task But ever to do ill our sole delight As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good Our labour must be â—…o peâ—…vert that end And out of good still to find means of evil Which oft times may succeed so as perhaps Shall grieve him if I fail not and disturb His iâ—…st counsels from their destind pursuit But see the 〈◊〉 Victor hath recall'd His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit Back to the Gaâ—… of Heav'n The Sulphurous Hail Shot after us in storm oreblown â—…h laid The fiery Suâ—… that from the Precipice Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling and the Thunder Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage Perhaps hath spent his shasts and ceases now To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep Let us not slip th' occasion whether scorn Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe Seest thou yon dreary Plain forlorn and wilde The seat of desolation voyd of light Save what the glimmering of these livid flâ—…s Casts pale and dreadful Thither let us tend From off the tossing of these fiery waves There rest if any rest can harbour there And reassembling our
surrounding Fires Till as a signal giv'n th' uplifted Spear Of their great Sultan waving to direct Thir course in even ballance down they light On the firm brimstone and fill all the Plain A multitude like which the populous North Pour'd never from her frozen loyns to pass Rhene or the Danaw when her barbarous Sons Came like a Deluge on the South and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood Their great Commander Godlike shapes and forms Excelling human Princely Dignities And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now Be no memorial blotted out and ras'd By thir Rebellion from the Books of Life Nor had they yet among the Sons of Eve Got them new Names till wandring ore the Earth Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man By falsities and lyes the greatest part Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake God their Creator and th' invisible Glory of him that made them to transform Oft to the Image of a Brute adorn'd With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold And Devils to adore for Deities Then were they known to men by various Names And various Idols through the Heathen World Say Muse their Names then known who first who last Rous'd from the slumber on that fiery Couch At thir great Emperors call as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell Roaming to seek their prey on earth durst fix Their Seats long after next the Seat of God Their Altars by his Altar Gods ador'd Among the Nations round and durst abide Jehovah thundring out of Sion thron'd Between the Cherubim yea often plac'd Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines Abominations and with cursed things His holy Rites and solemn Feasts profan'd And with their darkness durst affront his light First Moloch horrid King besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice and parents tears Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud Their childrens cries unheard that past through fire To his grim Idol Him the Ammonite Worshipt in Rabba and her watry Plain In Argob and in Basan to the stream Of utmost Arnon Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood the wisest heart Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His Temple right against the Temple of God On that opprobrious Hill and made his Grove The pleasant Vally of Hinnom Tophet thence And black Gehenna call'd the Type of Hell Next Chemos th' obscene dread of Moabs Sons From Aroer to Nebo and the wild Of Southmost Abarim in Hesebon And Heronaim Seons Realm beyond The flowry Dale of Sibma clad with Vines And Eleale to th' Asphaltick Pool Peor his other Name when he entic'd Israel in Sittim on their march from Nile To do him wanton rites which cost them woe Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd Even to that Hill of scandal by the Grove Of Moloch homicide lust hard by hate Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell With these came they who from the bordring slood Of old Euphrates to the Brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground had general Names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth those male These Feminine For Spirits when they please Can either Sex assume or both so soft And uncompounded is their Essence pure Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones Like cumbrous flesh but in what shape they choose Dilated or condens't bright or obscure Can execute their aerie purposes And works of love or enmity fulfill For those the Race of Israel oft forsook Their living strength and unfrequented left His righteous Altar bowing lowly down To bestial Gods for which their heads as low Bow'd down in Battel sunk before the Spear Of despicable foes With these in troop Came Astoreth whom the Phoenicians call'd Astarte Queen of Heav'n with crescent Horns To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon Sidonian Virgins paid their Vows and Songs In Sion also not unsung where stood Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain built By that uxorious King whose heart though large Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses fell To Idols foul Thammuz came next behind Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'd The Syrian Damsels to lament his fate In amorous dittyes all a Summers day While smooth Adonis from his native Rock Ran purple to the Sea suppos'd with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded the Love-tale Infected Sions daughters with like heat Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch Ezekiel saw when by the Vision led His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries Of alienated Judah Next came one Who mourn'd in earnest when the Captive Ark Maim'd his brute Image head and hands lopt off In his own Temple on the grunsel edge Where he fell flat and sham'd his Worshipers Dagon his Name Sea Monster upward Man And downward Fish yet had his Temple high Rear'd in Azotus dreaded through the Coast Of Palestine in Gath and Ascalon And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds Him follow'd Rimmon whose delightful Seat Was fair Damascus on the fertil Banks Of Abbana and Pharphar lucid streams He also against the house of God was bold A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King Ahaz his sottish Conquerour whom he drew Gods Altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode whereon to burn His odious offrings and adore the Gods Whom he had vanquisht After these appear'd A crew who under Names of old Renown Osiris Isis Orus and their Train With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Fanatic Egypt and her Priests to seek Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms Rather then human Nor did Israel scape Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd The Calf in Orcb and the Rebel King Doubl'd that sin in Bethel and in Dan Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox Jehovah who in one Night when he pass'd From Egypt marching equal'd with one stroke Both her first born and all her bleating Gods Belial came last then whom a Spirit more lewd Fell not from Heaven or more gross to love Vice for it self To him no Temple stood Or Altar smoak'd yet who more oft then hee In Temples and at Altars when the Priest Turns Atheist as did Ely's Sons who fill'd With lust and violence the house of God In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities where the noyse Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs And injury and outrage And when Night Darkens the Streets then wander forth the Sons Of Belial flown with insolence and wine Witness the Streets of Sodom and that night In Gibeah when hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape These were the prime in order and in might The rest were long to tell though far renown'd Th' Ionian Gods of Javans Issue held Gods yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth Thir boasted Parents Titan Heav'ns first born With his
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 sovâ—… 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 lovâ—…d thy youngest Son Fall circumâ—…ented thus by fraud though joynd With his own folly that be from thee farr That â—…rr be froâ—… thee Father who art Judge 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 hast 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 His 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 state 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 eare 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 die Die 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 die 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 yeild 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 Vanquiâ—…r spoild of his vanted spoile Death his deaths wound shall then receive 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 whither tend Wondring but sooâ—… th' 〈◊〉 thus reply'd O thou in Heav'n and Eaâ—…h 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 Mâ—… 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 redeeme Thir Nature also to
thy Nature joyne 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 uâ—…righteous deeds And live in thee transplanted and fâ—…om thee Receive new life So Man as iâ—…â—…ost â—…st 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 shal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hellisâ—… hate Giving to death and dying to redâ—… 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 assâ—…me 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 Reigne Both God and Man Son both of God and Man Anointed universal King all Power I give thee reign for ever and assume Thy Merits under thee as Head Supream Thrones Princedoms Powers Dominions I reduce All knees to thee shall bow of them that bide In Heaven or Earth or under Earth in Hell When thou attended gloriously from Heav'n Shalt in the Skie appeer and from thee send The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime Thy dread Tribunal forthwith from all Windes The living and forthwith the cited dead Of all past Ages to the general Doom Shall hast'n such a peal shall rouse thir sleep Then all thy Saints assembl'd thou shalt judge Bad men and Angels they arraignd shall sink Beneath thy Sentence Hell her numbers full Thenceforth shall be for ever shut Mean while The World shall burn and from her ashes spring New Heav'n and Earth wherein the just shall dwell And after all thir tribulations long See golden days fruitful of golden deeds With Joy and Love triumphing and fair Truth Then thou thy regal Scepter shalt lay by For regal Scepter then no more shall need God shall be All in All. But all ye Gods Adore him who to compass all this dies Adore the Son and honour him as mee No sooner had th' Almighty ceas't but all The multitude of Angels with a shout Loud as from numbers without number sweet As from blest voices uttering joy Heav'n rung With Jubilee and loud-Hosanna's fill'd Th' eternal Regions lowly reverent Towards either Throne they bow to the ground With solemn adoration down they cast Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold Immortal Amarant a Flour which once In Paradise fast by the Tree of Life Began to bloom but soon for mans offence To Heav'n remov'd where first it grew there grows And flours aloft shading the Fount of Life And where the river of Bliss through midst of Heavn Rowls o're Elisian Flours her Amber stream With these that never fade the Spirits Elect Bind thir resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams Now in loose Garlands thick thrown off the bright Pavement that like a Sea of Jasper shon Impurpl'd with Celestial Roses smil'd Then Crown'd again thir gold'n Harps they took Harps ever tun'd that glittering by their side Like Quivers hung and with Praeamble sweet Of charming symphonie they introduce Thir sacred Song and waken raptures high No voice exempt no voice but well could joine Melodious part such concord is in Heav'n Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent Immutable Immortal Infinite Eternal King thee Author of all being Fountain of Light thy self invisible Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st Thron'd inaccessible but when thou shad'st The full blaze of thy beams and through a cloud Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appeer Yet dazle Heav'n that brightest Seraphim Approach not but with both wings veil thir eyes Thee next they sang of all Creation first Begotten Son Divine Similitude In whose conspicuous count'nance without cloud Made visible th' Almighty Father shines Whom else no Creature can behold on thee Impresst the effulgence of his Glorie abides Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit rests Hee Heav'n of Heavens and all the Powers therein By thee created and by thee threw down Th' aspiring Dominations thou that day Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didst not spare Nor stop thy flâ—…ming Chariot wheels that shook Heav'ns ever lasting Frame while o're the necks Thou drov'st of warring Angels disarraid Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime Thee only exâ—…old Son of thy Fathers might To execute fierce vengeance on his foes Not so on Man him through their malice fall'n Father of Mercie and Grace thou didst not doome So strictly but much more to pitie encline No sooner did thy dear and onely Son Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail Man So strictly but much more to pitie â—…clin'd He to appease thy wrauth and end the strife Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern'd Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee fat Second to thee offerd himself to die For mans offence O unexampl'd love Love no where to be found less then Divine Hail Son of God Saviour of Men thy Name Shall be the copious matter of my Song Henceforth and never shall my Harp thy praise Forget nor from thy Fathers praise disjoine Thus they in Heav'n above the starry Spâ—…ear Thir happie hours in joy and 〈◊〉 spent Mean while upon the â—…irm opacous Globe Of this round World whose first convex divides The luminous inferior Orbs enclos'd From Chaos and th' inroad of Darkness old Satan alighted walks a Globe farâ—… 〈◊〉 It seem'd now seems a boundless Continent Dark waste and wild under the frown of Night Starless expos'd and ever-threatning storms Of Chaos blustring round inclement skie Save on that fide which from the wall of Heav'n Though distant farr som small reflection gaines Of glimmering air less vext with tempest loud Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field As when a Vultur on Imaus bred Whose snowie ridge the roving Tartar bounds Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey To gorge the â—…he of Lambs or yeanling Kids On Hills where Flocks are fed flies toward the Springs Of Ganges or Hydaspes Indian streams But in his way lights on the barren plaines Of Sericana where Câ—…ineses drive With Sails and Wind thir canie Waggons light So on this windie Sea of Land the Fiend Walk'd up and down alone bent on his prey Alone for other Creature in this place Living
Native forme What wonder then if fields and regions here Breathe forth Elixir pure and Rivers run Potable Gold when with one vertuous touch Th' Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt Here in the dark so many precious things Of colour glorious and effect so rare Here matter new to gaze the Devil met Undazl'd farr and wide his eye commands For sight no obstacle found here nor shade But all Sun-shine as when his Beams at Noon Culminate from th' Aequator as they now Shot upward still direct whence no way round Shadow from body opaque can fall and the Aire No where so cleer sharp'nd his visual ray To objects distant farr whereby he soon Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand The same whom John saw also in the Sun His back was turnd but not his brightness hid Of beaming sunnie Raies a golden tiar Circl'd his Head nor less his Locks behind Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings Lay waving round on som great charge imploy'd Hee seemd or fixt in cogitation deep Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope To find who might direct his wandring flight To Paradise the happie seat of Man His journies end and our beginning woe But first he casts to change his proper shape Which else might work him danger or delay And now a stripling Cherube he appeers Not of the prime yet such as in his face Youth smil'd Celestial and to every Limb Sutable grace diffus'd so well he feignd Under a Coronet his flowing haire In curles on either cheek plaid wings he wore Of many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold His habit fit for speed succinct and held Before his decent steps a Silver wand He drew not nigh unheard the Angel bright Ere he drew nigh his radiant visage turnd Admonisht by his eare and strait was known Th' Arch Angel Uriel one of the seav'n Who in Gods presence neerest to his Throne Stand ready at command and are his Eyes That run through all the Heav'ns or down to th' Earth Bear his swift errands over moist and dry O're Sea and Land him Satan thus accostes Uriel for thou of those seav'n Spirits that stand In sight of Gods high Throne gloriously bright The first art wont his great authentic will Interpreter through highest Heav'n to bring Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend And here art likeliest by supream decree Like honour to obtain and as his Eye To visit oft this new Creation round Unspeakable desire to see and know All these his wondrous works but chiefly Man His chief delight and favour him for whom All these his works so wondrous he ordaind Hath brought me from the Quires of Cherubim Alone thus wandring Brightest Seraph tell In which of all these shining Orbes hath Man His fixed seat or fixed seat hath none But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell That I may find him and with secret gaze Or open admiration him behold On whom the great Creator hath bestowd Worlds and on whom hath all these graces powrd That both in him and all things as is meet The Universal Maker we may praise Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell Foes â—…o â—…eepest Hell and to repair that loss Created this new happie Race of Men To serve him better wise are all his wayes So spake the false dissembler unperceivd For neither Man nor Angel can discern Hypocrisie the only evil that walks Invisible except to God alone By his permissive will through Heav'n and Earth And oft though wisdom wake suspicion sleeps At wisdoms Gate and to simplicitie Resigns her charge while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems Which now for once beguil'd Uriel though Regent of the Sun and held The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav'n Who to the fraudulent Impostor foule In his uprightness answer thus returnd Faire Angel thy desire which tends to know The works of God thereby to glorifie The great Work-Maister leads to no excess That reaches blame but rather merits praise The more it seems excess that led thee hither From thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps Contented with report heare onely in heav'n For wonderful indeed are all his works Pleasant to know and worthiest to be all Had in remembrance alwayes with delight But what created mind can comprehend Thir number or the wisdom infinite That brought them forth but hid thir causes deep I saw when at his Word the formless Mass This worlds material mould came to a heap Confusion heard his voice and wilde uproar Stood rul'd stood vast infinitude confin'd Till at his second bidding darkness fled Light shon and order from disorder sprung Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then The cumbrous Elements Earth Flood Aire Fire And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'n Flew upward spirited with various forms That rowld 〈◊〉 and turnd to Starrs Numberless as thou seest and how they move Each had his place appointed each his course The rest in circuit walles this Universe Look downward on that Globe whose hither side With light from hence though but reflected shines That place is Earth the seat of Man that light His day which else as th' other Hemisphere Night would invade but there the neighbouring Moon So call that opposite fair Starr her aide Timely interposes and her monthly round Still ending still renewing through mid Heav'n With borrowd light her countenance triform Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth And in her pale dominion checks the night That spot to which I point is Paradise Adams abode those loftie shades his Bowre Thy way thou canst not miss me mine requires Thus said he turnd and Satan bowing low As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven Where honour due and reverence none neglects Took leave and toward the coast of Earth beneath Down from th' Ecliptic sped with hop'd success Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele Nor staid till on Niphates top he lights The End of the Third Book PARADISE LOST BOOK IV. O For that warning voice which he who saw Th' Apocalyps heard cry in Heaven aloud Then when the Dragon put to second rout Came furious down to be reveng'd on men Wo to the inhabitants on Earth that now While time was our first Parents had bin warnd The coming of thir secret foe and scap'd Haply so scap'd his mortal snare for now Satan now first inflam'd with rage came down The Tempter ere th' Accuser of man-kind To wreck on innocent frail man his loss Of that first Battel and his flight to Hell Yet not rejoycing in his speed though bold Far off and fearless nor with cause to boast Begins his dire attempt which nigh the birth Now rowling boiles in his tumultuous brest And like a devillish Engine back recoiles Upon himself horror and doubt distract His troubl'd thoughts and from the bottom stirr The Hell within him for within him Hell He brings and round about him nor
all bound Of Hill or highest Wall and sheer within Lights on his feet As when a prowling Wolfe Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve In hurdl'd Cotes amid the field secure Leaps o're the fence with ease into the Fould Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash Of some rich Burgher whose substantial dores Cross-barrd and bolted fast fear no assault In at the window climbes or o're the tiles So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods 〈◊〉 So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe Thence up he flew and on the Tree of Life The middle Tree and highest there that grew Sat like a Cormorant yet not true Life Thereby regaind but sat devising Death To them who liv'd nor on the vertue thought Of that life-giving Plant but only us'd For prospect what well us'd had bin the pledge Of immortalitie So little knows Any but God alone to value right The good before him but perverts best things To worst abuse or to thir meanest use Beneath him with new wonder now he views To all delight of human sense expos'd In narrow room Natures whole wealth yea more A Heaven on Earth for blissful Paradise Of God the Garden was by him in the East Of Eden planted Eden stretchd her Line From Auran Eastward to the Royal Towrs Of great Seleucia built by Grecian Kings Or where the Sons of Eden long before Dwelt in Telassar in this pleasant soile His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind Out of the fertil ground he caus'd to grow All Trees of noblest kind for sight smell taste And all amid them stood the Tree of Life High eminent blooming Ambrosial Fruit Of vegetable Gold and next to Life Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill Southward through Eden went a River large Nor chang'd his course but through the shaggie hill Pass'd underneath ingulft for God had thrown That Mountain as his Garden mould high rais'd Upon the rapid current which through veins Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn Rose a fresh Fountain and with many a rill Waterd the Garden thence united fell Down the steep glade and met the neather Flood Which from his darksom passage now appeers And now divided into four main Streams Runs divers wandring many a famous Realme And Country whereof here needs no account But rather to tell how if Art could tell How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold With mazie error under pendant shades Ran Nectar visiting each plant and fed Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art In Beds and curious Knots but Nature boon Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote The open field and where the unpierc't shade Imbround the noontide Bowrs Thus was this place Balme A happy rural seat of various view Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde Hung amiable Hesperian Fables true If true here onely and of delicious taste Bet wixt them Lawns or level Downs and Flocks Grasing the tender herb were interpos'd Or palmie hilloc or the flourie lap Of som irriguous Valley spread her store Flours of all hue and without Thorn the Rose Another side umbrageous Gâ—…ots and Caves Of coole recess o're which the mantling Vine Layes forth her purple Grape and gently creeps Luxuriant mean while murmuring waters fall Down the slope hills disperst or in a Lake That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd Her chrystall mirror holds unite thir streams The Birds thir quire apply aires vernal aires Breathing the smell of field and grove attune The trembling leaves while Universal Pan Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance Led on th' Eternal Spring Not that faire field Of Enna where Proserpin gathring flours Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie Dis Was gatherd which cost Ceres all that pain To seek her through the world nor that sweet Grove Of Daphne by Orontes and th' inspir'd Castalian Spring might with this Paradise Of Eden strive nor that Nyseian I le Girt with the River Triton where old Cham Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove Hid Amalthea and her Florid Son Young Bacchus from his Stepdame Rhea's eye Nor where Abassin Kings thir issue Guard Mount Amara though this by som suppos'd True Paradise under the Ethiop Line By Nilus head enclos'd with shining Rock A whole dayes journey high but wide remote From this Assyrian Garden where the Fiend Saw undelighted all delight all kind Of living Creatures new to sight and strange Two of far nobler shape erect and tall Godlike erect with native Honour clad In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all And worthie seemd for in thir looks Divine The image of thir glorious Maker shon Truth Wisdome Sanctitude severe and pure Severe but in true filial freedom plac't Whence true autoritie in men though both Not equal as thir sex not equal seemd For contemplation hee and valour formd For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace Hee for God only shee for God in him His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar'd Absolute rule and Hyacinthin Locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung Clustring but not beneath his shoulders broad Shee as a vail down to the slender waste Her unadorned golden tresses wore Dissheveld but in wanton ringlets wav'd As the Vine curles her tendrils which impli'd Subjection but requir'd with gentle sway And by her yeilded by him best receivd Yeilded with coy submission modest pride And sweet reluctant amorous delay Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald Then was not guiltie shame dishonest shame Of natures works honor dishonorable Sin-bred how have ye troubl'd all mankind With shews instead meer shews of seeming pure And banisht from mans life his happiest life Simplicitie and spotless innocence So passd they naked on nor shund the sight Of God or Angel for they thought no ill So hand in hand they passd the lovliest pâ—…ir That ever since in loves imbraces met Adam the goodliest man of men since borne His Sons the fairest of her Daughters Eve Under a tuft of shade that on a green Stood whispering soft by a fresh Fountain side They sat them down and after no more toil Of thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic'd To recommend coole Zephyr and made ease More easie wholsom thirst and appetite More grateful to thir Supper Fruits they fell Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes Yeilded them side-long as they sat recline On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours The savourie pulp they chew and in the rinde Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream Nor gentle purpose nor endearing smiles Wanted nor youthful dalliance as beseems Fair couple linkt in happie nuptial League Alone as they About them frisking playd All Beasts of th' Earth since wilde and of all chase In Wood or Wilderness Forrest or
through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd While thus he spake th' Angelic Squadron bright Turnd fierie red sharpning in mooned hornes Thir Phalanx and began to hemm him round With ported Spears as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded Grove of ears which way the wind Swayes them the careful Plowman doubting stands Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff On th' other side Satan allarm'd Collâ—…cting all his might dilated stood Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd His stature reacht the Skie and on his Crest Sat horror Plum'd nor wanted in his graspe What seemd both Spear and Shield now dreadful deeds Might have ensu'd nor onely Paradise In this commotion but the Starrie Cope Of Heav'n perhaps or all the Elements At least had gon to rack disturbd and torne With violence of this conflict had not soon Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales yet seen Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe Wherein all things created first he weighd The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire In counterpoise now ponders all events Battels and Realms in these he put two weights The sequel each of parting and of fight The latter quick up flew and kickt the beam Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend Satan I know thy strength and thou knowst mine Neither our own but giv'n what follie then To boast what Arms can doe since thine no more Then Heav'n permits nor mine though doubld now To trample thee as mire for proof look up And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign Where thou art weigh'd shown how light how weak If thou resist The Fiend lookt up and knew His mounted scale aloft nor more but fled Murmuring and with him fled the shades of night The End of the Fourth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK V NOw Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime Advancing sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle When Adam wak't so customd for his sleep Was Aerie light from pure digestion bred And temperat vapors bland which th' only sound Of leaves and fuming rills Aurora's fan Lightly dispers'd and the shrill Matin Song Of Birds on every bough so much the more His wonder was to find unwak'nd Eve With Tresses discompos'd and glowing Cheek As through unquiet rest he on his side Leaning half-rais'd with looks of cordial Love Hung over her enamour'd and beheld Beautie which whether waking or asleep Shot forth peculiar Graces then with voice Milde as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes Her hand soft touching whisperd thus Awake My fairest my espous'd my latest found Heav'ns last best gift my ever new delight Awake the morning shines and the fresh field Calls us we lose the prime to mark how spring Our tended Plants how blows the Citron Grove What drops the Myrrhe what the balmie Reed How Nature paints her colours how the Bee Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet Such whispering wak'd her but with startl'd eye On Adam whom imbracing thus she spake O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose My Glorie my Perfection glad I see Thy face and Morn return'd for I this Night Such night till this I never pass'd have dream'd If dream'd not as I oft am wont of thee Works of day pass't or morrows next designe But of offence and trouble which my mind Knew never till this irksom night methought Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice I thought it thine it said Why sleepst thou Eve now is the pleasant time The cool the silent save where silence yields To the night-warbling Bird that now awake Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song now reignes Full Orb'd the Moon and with more pleasing light Shadowie sets off the face of things in vain If none regard Heav'n wakes with all his eyes Whom to behold but thee Natures desire In whose sight all things joy with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze I rose as at thy call but found thee not To find thee I directed then my walk And on methought alone I pass'd through ways That brought me on a sudden to the Tree Of interdicted Knowledge fair it seem'd Much-fairer to my Fancie then by day And as I wondring lookt beside it stood One shap'd wing'd like one of those from Heav'n By us oft seen his dewie locks distill'd Ambrosia on that Tree he also gaz'd And O fair Plant said he with fruit surcharg'd Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet Nor God nor Man is Knowledge so despis'd Or envie or what reserve forbids to taste Forbid who will none shall from me withhold Longer thy offerd good why else set here This said he paus'd not but with ventrous Arme He pluckt he tasted mee damp horror chil'd At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold But he thus overjoy'd O Fruit Divine Sweet of thy self but much more sweet thus cropt Forbidd'n here it seems as onely fit For Gods yet able to make Gods of Men And why not Gods of Men since good the more Communicated more abundant growes The Author not impair'd but honourd more Here happie Creature fair Angelic Eve Partake thou also happie though thou art Happier thou mayst be worthier canst not be Taste this and be henceforth among the Gods Thy self a Goddess not to Earth confind But somtimes in the Air as wee somtimes Ascend to Heav'n by merit thine and see What life the Gods livethere and such live thou So saying he drew nigh and to me held Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part Which he had pluckt 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 can 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 refts Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes To imitate 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
in thir Pearlie shells at ease attend Moist nutriment or under Rocks thir food In jointed Armour watch on smooth the Seale And bended Dolphins play part huge of bulk Wallowing unweildie enormous in thir Gate Tempest the Ocean there Leviathan Hugest of living Creatures on the Deep Strâ—…tcht like a Promontorie sleeps or swimmes And seems a moving Land and at his Gilles Draws in and at his Trunck spouts out a Sea Mean while the tepid Caves and Fens and shoares Thir Brood as numerous hatch from the Egg that soon Buâ—…sting with kindly rupture forth disclos'd Thir callow young but featherd soon and fledge They summ'd thir Penns and soaring th' air sublime With clang despis'd the ground under a cloud In prospect there the Eagle and the Stork On Cliffs and Cedar tops thir Eyries build Part loosly wing the Region part more wise In common rang'd in figure wedge thir way Intelligent of seasons and set forth Thir Aierie Caravan high over Sea's Flying and over Lands with mutual wing Easing thir flight so â—…tears the prudent Crane Her annual Voiage born on Windes the Aire Floats as they pass fann'd with unnumber'd plumes From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song Solac'd the Woods and spred thir painted wings Till Ev'n nor then the solemn Nightingal Ceas'd warbling but all night tun'd her soft layes Others on Silver Lakes and Rivers Bath'd Thir downie Brest the Swan with Arched neck Between her white wings mantling proudly Rowes Her state with Oarie feet yet oft they quit The Dank and rising on stiff Pennons towre The mid Aereal Skie Others on ground Walk'd firm the erested Cock whose clarion sounds The silent hours and th' other whose gay Traine Adorns him colour'd with the Florid hue Of Rainbows and Starrie Eyes The Waters thus With Fish replenisht and the Aire with Fowle Ev'ning and Morn solemniz'd the Fiâ—…t day The Sixt and of Creation last arose With Eevning Harps and 〈◊〉 when God said Let th' Earth bring forth Fowle living in her kinde Cattel and Creeping things and Beast of the Earth Each in their kinde The Earth obey'd and strait Op'ning her fertil Woomb teem'd at a Birth Innumerous living Creatures perfet formes Limb'd and full 〈◊〉 out of the ground up rose As from his Laire the wilde Beast where he wonns In Forrest wilde in Thicket Brake or Den Among the Trees in Pairs they rose they walk'd The Cattel in the Fields and Meddowes green Those rare and solitarie these in flocks Pasturing at once and in broad Herds upsprung The grassie Clods now Calv'd now half appeer'd The Tawnie Lion pawing to get free His hinder parts then springs as broke from Bonds And Rampant shakes his Brinded main the Ounce The Libbard and the Tyger as the Moale Rising the crumbl'd Earth above them threw In Hillocks the swift Stag from under ground Bore up his branching head scarfe from his mould Behemoth biggest born of Earth upheav'd His vastness Fleec't the Flocks and bleating rose As Plants ambiguous between Sea and Land The River Horse and scalie Crocodile At once came forth whatever creeps the ground Insect or Worme those wav'd thir limber fans For wings and smallest Lineaments exact In all the Liveries dect of Summers pride With spots of Gold and Purple azure and green These as a line thir long dimension drew Streaking the ground with sinuous trace not all Minims of Nature some of Serpent kinde Wondrous in length and corpulence involv'd Thir Snakie foulds and added wings First crept The Parsimonious Emmet provident Of future in small room large heart enclos'd Pattern of just equalitie perhaps Hereafter join'd in her popular Tribes Of Commonaltie swarming next appeer'd The Femal Bee that feeds her Husband Drone Deliciously and builds her waxen Cells With Honey stor'd the rest are numberless Aâ—…d thou thir Natures know'st and gav'st them Names Needlest to thee repeaed nor unknown The Serpent suttl'st Beast of all the field Of huge extent somtimes with brazen Eyes And hairie Main terrific though 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 haâ—…d 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 〈◊〉 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 Femal 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 yeelds 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 appetiâ—…e 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 stations list'ning stood While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant Open ye everlasting Gates they sung Open ye Heav'ns your living dores
as the Heav'n his windows shut The Ark no more now flotes but seems on ground Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies And after him the surer messenger A Dove sent forth once and agen to spie Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light The second time returning in his Bill An Olive leafe he brings pacific signe Anon drie ground appeers and from his Arke The ancient Sire descends with all his Train Then with uplifted hands and eyes devout Grateful to Heav'n over his head beholds A dewie Cloud and in the Cloud a Bow Conspicuous with three listed colours gay Betok'ning peace from God and Cov'nant new Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad Greatly rejoyc'd and thus his joy broke forth O thou that future things canst represent As present Heav'nly instructer I revive At this last sight assur'd that Man shall live With all the Creatures and thir seed preserve Farr less I now lament for one whole World Of wicked Sons destroyd then I rejoyce For one Man found so perfet and so just That God voutsafes to raise another World From him and all his anger to forget But say what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn Distended as the Brow of God appeas'd Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth To whom th' Archangel Dextrously thou aim'st So willingly doth God remit his Ire Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd Griev'd at his heart when looking down he saw The whole Earth â—…ill'd with violence and all flesh Corrupting each thirway yet those remoov'd Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight That he relents not to blot out mankind And makes a Covenant never to destroy The Earth again by flood nor let the Sea Surpass his bounds nor Rain to drown the World With Man therein or Beast but when he brings Over the Earth a Cloud will therein set His triple-colour'd Bow whereon to look And call to mind his Cov'nant Day and Night Seed time and Harvest Heat and hoary Frost Shall hold thir course till fire purge all things new Both Heav'n and Earth wherein the just shall dwell Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end And Man as from a second stock proceed Much thou hast yet to see but I perceave Thy mortal sight to faile objects divine Must needs impaire and wearie human sense Henceforth what is to com I will relate Thou therefore give due audience and attend This second sours of Men while yet but few And while the dread of judgement past remains Fresh in thir mindes fearing the Deitie With some regard to what is just and right Shall lead thir lives and multiplie apace Labouring the soile and reaping plenteous crop Corn wine and oyle and from the herd or flock Oft sacrificing Bullock Lamb or Kid With large Winé-offerings pour'd and sacred Feast Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd and dwell Long time in peace by Families and Tribes Under paternal rule till one shall rise Of proud ambitious heart who not content With fair equalitie fraternal state Will arrogate Dominion undeserv'd Over his brethren and quite dispossess Concord and law of Nature from the Earth Hunting and Men not Beasts shall be his game With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse Subjection to his Empire tyrannous A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd Before the Lord as in despite of Heav'n Or from Heav'n claming second Sovrantie And from Rebellion shall derive his name Though of Rebellion others he accuse Hee with a crew whom like Ambition joyns With him or under him to tyrannize Marching from Eden towards the West shall finde The Plain wherein a black bituminous gurge Boiles out from under ground the mouth of Hell Of Brick and of that stuff they cast to build A Citie Towre whose top may reach to Heav'n And get themselves a name least far disperst In foraign Lands thir memorie be lost Regardless whether good or evil fame But God who oft descends to visit men Unseen and through thir habitations walks To mark thir doings them beholding soon Comes down to see thir Citie ere the Tower Obstruct Heav'n Towrs and in derision sets Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase Quite out thir Native Language and instead To sow a jangling noise of words unknown Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the Builders each to other calls Not understood till hoarse and all in rage As mockt they storm great laughter was in Heav'n And looking down to see the hubbub strange And hear the din thus was the building left Ridiculous and the work Confusion nam'd Whereto thus Adam fatherly displeas'd O execrable Son so to aspire Above his Brethren to himself assuming Authoritie usurpt from God not giv'n He gave us onely over Beast Fish Fowl Dominion absolute that right we hold By his donation but Man over men He made not Lord such title to himself Reserving human left from human free But this Usurper his encroachment proud Stayes not on Man to God his Tower intends Siege and defiance Wretched man what food Will he convey up thither to sustain Himself and his rash Armie where thin Aire Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross And famish him of Breath if not of Bread To whom thus Michael Justly thou abhorr'st That Son who on the quiet state of men Such trouble brought affecting to subdue Rational Libertie yet know withall Since thy original lapse true Libertie Is lost which alwayes with right Reason dwells Twinn'd and from her hath no dividual being Reason in man obscur'd or not obeyd Immediately inordinate desires And upstart Passions caâ—…ch the Government From Reason and to fervitude reduce Man till then free Therefore since hee permits Within himself unworthie Powers to reign Over free Reason God in Judgement just Subjects him from without to violent Lords Who oft as undeservedly enthrall His outward freedom Tyrannie must be Though to the Tyrant thereby no excuse Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low From vertue which is reason that no wrong But Justice and some fatal curse annext Deprives them of thir outward libertie Thir inward lost Witness th' irreverent Son Of him who built the Ark who for the shame Don to his Father heard this heavie curse Servant of Servants on his vitious Race Thus will this latter as the former World Still tend from bad to worse till God at last Wearied with their iniquities withdraw His presence from among them and avert His holy Eyes resolving from thenceforth To leave them to thir own polluted wayes And one peculiar Nation to select From all the rest of whom to be invok'd A Nation from one faithful man to spring Him on this side Euphrates yet residing Bred
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 streame 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 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 dissolution shall be ripe With glory and power to judge both quick 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 But 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 Will 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 feare the onely God to walk As in his presence ever to observe His providence and on him sole depend Merciful 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 wisdom 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 Air 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 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 VVearied 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 VVho 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 VVell pleas'd but answer'd not for now too nigh Th' Archangel stood and from the other Hill To thir fixt 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 â—…ate 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