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1Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit
2Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
3Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
4With loss of _Eden_, till one greater Man
5Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
6Sing Heav’nly Muse, that on the secret top
7Of _Oreb_, or of _Sinai_, didst inspire
8That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
9In the Beginning how the Heav’ns and Earth
10Rose out of _Chaos_: Or if _Sion_ Hill
11Delight thee more, and _Siloa’s_ Brook that flow’d
12Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
13Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,
14That with no middle flight intends to soar
15Above th’ _Aonian_ Mount, while it pursues
16Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
17And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
18Before all Temples th’ upright heart and pure,
19Instruct me, for Thou know’st; Thou from the first
20Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
21Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
22And mad’st it pregnant: What in me is dark
23Illumine, what is low raise and support;
24That to the highth of this great Argument
25I may assert th’ Eternal Providence,
26And justifie the wayes of God to men.
27
28Say first, for Heav’n hides nothing from thy view
29Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
30Mov’d our Grand Parents in that happy State,
31Favour’d of Heav’n so highly, to fall off
32From their Creator, and transgress his Will
33For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?
34Who first seduc’d them to that fowl revolt?
35Th’ infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
36Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv’d
37The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride
38Had cast him out from Heav’n, with all his Host
39Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring
40To set himself in Glory above his Peers,
41He trusted to have equal’d the most High,
42If he oppos’d; and with ambitious aim
43Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
44Rais’d impious War in Heav’n and Battel proud
45With vain attempt.  Him the Almighty Power
46Hurld headlong flaming from th’ Ethereal Skie
47With hideous ruine and combustion down
48To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
49In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
50Who durst defie th’ Omnipotent to Arms.
51Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
52To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
53Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
54Confounded though immortal: But his doom
55Reserv’d him to more wrath; for now the thought
56Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
57Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
58That witness’d huge affliction and dismay
59Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
60At once as far as Angels kenn he views
61The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
62A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
63As one great Furnace flam’d, yet from those flames
64No light, but rather darkness visible
65Serv’d only to discover sights of woe,
66Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
67And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
68That comes to all; but torture without end
69Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
70With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum’d:
71Such place Eternal Justice had prepar’d
72For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain’d
73In utter darkness, and their portion set
74As far remov’d from God and light of Heav’n
75As from the Center thrice to th’ utmost Pole.
76O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
77There the companions of his fall, o’rewhelm’d
78With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
79He soon discerns, and weltring by his side
80One next himself in power, and next in crime,
81Long after known in _Palestine_, and nam’d
82_Beelzebub_.  To whom th’ Arch-Enemy,
83And thence in Heav’n call’d Satan, with bold words
84Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
85
86If thou beest he; But O how fall’n! how chang’d
87From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
88Cloth’d with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
89Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
90United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
91And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,
92Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd
93In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
94From what highth fal’n, so much the stronger provd
95He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
96The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those
97Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
98Can else inflict do I repent or change,
99Though chang’d in outward lustre; that fixt mind
100And high disdain, from sence of injur’d merit,
101That with the mightiest rais’d me to contend,
102And to the fierce contention brought along
103Innumerable force of Spirits arm’d
104That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
105His utmost power with adverse power oppos’d
106In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav’n,
107And shook his throne.  What though the field be lost?
108All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,
109And study of revenge, immortal hate,
110And courage never to submit or yield:
111And what is else not to be overcome?
112That Glory never shall his wrath or might
113Extort from me.  To bow and sue for grace
114With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
115Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
116Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
117That were an ignominy and shame beneath
118This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods
119And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
120Since through experience of this great event
121In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc’t,
122We may with more successful hope resolve
123To wage by force or guile eternal Warr
124Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,
125Who now triumphs, and in th’ excess of joy
126Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav’n.
127
128So spake th’ Apostate Angel, though in pain,
129Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:
130And him thus answer’d soon his bold Compeer.
131
132O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,
133That led th’ imbattelld Seraphim to Warr
134Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
135Fearless, endanger’d Heav’ns perpetual King;
136And put to proof his high Supremacy,
137Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,
138Too well I see and rue the dire event,
139That with sad overthrow and foul defeat
140Hath lost us Heav’n, and all this mighty Host
141In horrible destruction laid thus low,
142As far as Gods and Heav’nly Essences
143Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains
144Invincible, and vigour soon returns,
145Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state
146Here swallow’d up in endless misery.
147But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
148Of force believe Almighty, since no less
149Then such could hav orepow’rd such force as ours)
150Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
151Strongly to suffer and support our pains,
152That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
153Or do him mightier service as his thralls
154By right of Warr, what e’re his business be
155Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
156Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;
157What can it then avail though yet we feel
158Strength undiminisht, or eternal being
159To undergo eternal punishment?
160Whereto with speedy words th’ Arch-fiend reply’d.
161
162Fall’n Cherube, to be weak is miserable
163Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
164To do ought good never will be our task,
165But ever to do ill our sole delight,
166As being the contrary to his high will
167Whom we resist.  If then his Providence
168Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,
169Our labour must be to pervert that end,
170And out of good still to find means of evil;
171Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps
172Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
173His inmost counsels from their destind aim.
174But see the angry Victor hath recall’d
175His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
176Back to the Gates of Heav’n: The Sulphurous Hail
177Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
178The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
179Of Heav’n receiv’d us falling, and the Thunder,
180Wing’d with red Lightning and impetuous rage,
181Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
182To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
183Let us not slip th’ occasion, whether scorn,
184Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
185Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,
186The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
187Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
188Casts pale and dreadful?  Thither let us tend
189From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
190There rest, if any rest can harbour there,
191And reassembling our afflicted Powers,
192Consult how we may henceforth most offend
193Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,
194How overcome this dire Calamity,
195What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,
196If not what resolution from despare.
197
198Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
199With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
200That sparkling blaz’d, his other Parts besides
201Prone on the Flood, extended long and large
202Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
203As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,
204_Titanian_, or _Earth-born_, that warr’d on _Jove_,
205_Briarios_ or _Typhon_, whom the Den
206By ancient _Tarsus_ held, or that Sea-beast
207_Leviathan_, which God of all his works
208Created hugest that swim th’ Ocean stream:
209Him haply slumbring on the _Norway_ foam
210The Pilot of some small night-founder’d Skiff,
211Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell,
212With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind
213Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night
214Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:
215So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay
216Chain’d on the burning Lake, nor ever thence
217Had ris’n or heav’d his head, but that the will
218And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
219Left him at large to his own dark designs,
220That with reiterated crimes he might
221Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
222Evil to others, and enrag’d might see
223How all his malice serv’d but to bring forth
224Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn
225On Man by him seduc’t, but on himself
226Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour’d.
227Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
228His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames
229Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld
230In billows, leave i’th’ midst a horrid Vale.
231Then with expanded wings he stears his flight
232Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
233That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land
234He lights, if it were Land that ever burn’d
235With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;
236And such appear’d in hue, as when the force
237Of subterranean wind transports a Hill
238Torn from _Pelorus_, or the shatter’d side
239Of thundring _Aetna_, whose combustible
240And fewel’d entrals thence conceiving Fire,
241Sublim’d with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,
242And leave a singed bottom all involv’d
243With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole
244Of unblest feet.  Him followed his next Mate,
245Both glorying to have scap’t the _Stygian_ flood
246As Gods, and by their own recover’d strength,
247Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
248
249Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
250Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat
251That we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom
252For that celestial light?  Be it so, since hee
253Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
254What shall be right: fardest from him is best
255Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
256Above his equals.  Farewel happy Fields
257Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
258Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
259Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
260A mind not to be chang’d by Place or Time.
261The mind is its own place, and in it self
262Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
263What matter where, if I be still the same,
264And what I should be, all but less then hee
265Whom Thunder hath made greater?  Here at least
266We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
267Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
268Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
269To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
270Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav’n.
271But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
272Th’ associates and copartners of our loss
273Lye thus astonisht on th’ oblivious Pool,
274And call them not to share with us their part
275In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
276With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
277Regaind in Heav’n, or what more lost in Hell?
278
279So _Satan_ spake, and him _Beelzebub_
280Thus answer’d.  Leader of those Armies bright,
281Which but th’ Omnipotent none could have foyld,
282If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
283Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
284In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
285Of battel when it rag’d, in all assaults
286Their surest signal, they will soon resume
287New courage and revive, though now they lye
288Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
289As we erewhile, astounded and amaz’d,
290No wonder, fall’n such a pernicious highth.
291
292He scarce had ceas’t when the superiour Fiend
293Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield
294Ethereal temper, massy, large and round,
295Behind him cast; the broad circumference
296Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb
297Through Optic Glass the _Tuscan_ Artist views
298At Ev’ning from the top of _Fesole_,
299Or in _Valdarno_, to descry new Lands,
300Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
301His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
302Hewn on _Norwegian_ hills, to be the Mast
303Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,
304He walkt with to support uneasie steps
305Over the burning Marle, not like those steps
306On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
307Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;
308Nathless he so endur’d, till on the Beach
309Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call’d
310His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans’t
311Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks
312In _Vallombrosa_, where th’ _Etrurian_ shades
313High overarch’t imbowr; or scatterd sedge
314Afloat, when with fierce Winds _Orion_ arm’d
315Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
316_Busiris_ and his _Memphian_ Chivalrie,
317VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu’d
318The Sojourners of _Goshen_, who beheld
319From the safe shore their floating Carkases
320And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown
321Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
322Under amazement of their hideous change.
323He call’d so loud, that all the hollow Deep
324Of Hell resounded.  Princes, Potentates,
325Warriers, the Flowr of Heav’n, once yours, now lost,
326If such astonishment as this can sieze
327Eternal spirits; or have ye chos’n this place
328After the toyl of Battel to repose
329Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
330To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav’n?
331Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
332To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
333Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
334With scatter’d Arms and Ensigns, till anon
335His swift pursuers from Heav’n Gates discern
336Th’ advantage, and descending tread us down
337Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
338Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
339Awake, arise, or be for ever fall’n.
340
341They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
342Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch
343On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
344Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
345Nor did they not perceave the evil plight
346In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
347Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd
348Innumerable.  As when the potent Rod
349Of _Amrams_ Son in _Egypts_ evill day
350Wav’d round the Coast, up call’d a pitchy cloud
351Of _Locusts_, warping on the Eastern Wind,
352That ore the Realm of impious _Pharoah_ hung
353Like Night, and darken’d all the Land of _Nile_:
354So numberless were those bad Angels seen
355Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
356’Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires;
357Till, as a signal giv’n, th’ uplifted Spear
358Of their great Sultan waving to direct
359Thir course, in even ballance down they light
360On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
361A multitude, like which the populous North
362Pour’d never from her frozen loyns, to pass
363_Rhene_ or the _Danaw_, when her barbarous Sons
364Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
365Beneath _Gibraltar_ to the _Lybian_ sands.
366Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band
367The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood
368Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms
369Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
370And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
371Though of their Names in heav’nly Records now
372Be no memorial, blotted out and ras’d
373By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life.
374Nor had they yet among the Sons of _Eve_
375Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,
376Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,
377By falsities and lyes the greatest part
378Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake
379God their Creator, and th’ invisible
380Glory of him, that made them, to transform
381Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn’d
382With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,
383And Devils to adore for Deities:
384Then were they known to men by various Names,
385And various Idols through the Heathen World.
386Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,
387Rous’d from the slumber, on that fiery Couch,
388At thir great Emperors call, as next in worth
389Came singly where he stood on the bare strand,
390While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof?
391The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell
392Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix
393Their Seats long after next the Seat of God,
394Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador’d
395Among the Nations round, and durst abide
396_Jehovah_ thundring out of _Sion_, thron’d
397Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac’d
398Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines,
399Abominations; and with cursed things
400His holy Rites, and solemn Feasts profan’d,
401And with their darkness durst affront his light.
402First _Moloch_, horrid King besmear’d with blood
403Of human sacrifice, and parents tears,
404Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud
405Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire
406To his grim Idol.  Him the _Ammonite_
407Worshipt in _Rabba_ and her watry Plain,
408In _Argob_ and in _Basan_, to the stream
409Of utmost _Arnon_.  Nor content with such
410Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
411Of _Solomon_ he led by fraud to build
412His Temple right against the Temple of God
413On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove
414The pleasant Vally of _Hinnom_, _Tophet_ thence
415And black _Gehenna_ call’d, the Type of Hell.
416Next _Chemos_, th’ obscene dread of _Moabs_ Sons,
417From _Aroer_ to _Nebo_, and the wild
418Of Southmost _Abarim_; in _Hesebon_
419And _Heronaim_, _Seons_ Realm, beyond
420The flowry Dale of _Sibma_ clad with Vines,
421And _Eleale_ to th’ _Asphaltick_ Pool.
422_Peor_ his other Name, when he entic’d
423_Israel_ in _Sittim_ on their march from _Nile_
424To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
425Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg’d
426Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove
427Of _Moloch_ homicide, lust hard by hate;
428Till good _Josiah_ drove them thence to Hell.
429With these came they, who from the bordring flood
430Of old _Euphrates_ to the Brook that parts
431_Egypt_ from _Syrian_ ground, had general Names
432Of _Baalim_ and _Ashtaroth_, those male,
433These Feminine.  For Spirits when they please
434Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft
435And uncompounded is their Essence pure,
436Not ti’d or manacl’d with joynt or limb,
437Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
438Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose
439Dilated or condens’t, bright or obscure,
440Can execute their aerie purposes,
441And works of love or enmity fulfill.
442For those the Race of _Israel_ oft forsook
443Their living strength, and unfrequented left
444His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down
445To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low
446Bow’d down in Battel, sunk before the Spear
447Of despicable foes.  With these in troop
448Came _Astoreth_, whom the _Phoenicians_ call’d
449_Astarte_, Queen of Heav’n, with crescent Horns;
450To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon
451_Sidonian_ Virgins paid their Vows and Songs,
452In _Sion_ also not unsung, where stood
453Her Temple on th’ offensive Mountain, built
454By that uxorious King, whose heart though large,
455Beguil’d by fair Idolatresses, fell
456To Idols foul. _Thammuz_ came next behind,
457Whose annual wound in _Lebanon_ allur’d
458The _Syrian_ Damsels to lament his fate
459In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,
460While smooth _Adonis_ from his native Rock
461Ran purple to the Sea, suppos’d with blood
462Of _Thammuz_ yearly wounded: the Love-tale
463Infected _Sions_ daughters with like heat,
464Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
465_Ezekiel_ saw, when by the Vision led
466His eye survay’d the dark Idolatries
467Of alienated _Judah_.  Next came one
468Who mourn’d in earnest, when the Captive Ark
469Maim’d his brute Image, head and hands lopt off
470In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge,
471Where he fell flat, and sham’d his Worshipers:
472_Dagon_ his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man
473And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
474Rear’d in _Azotus_, dreaded through the Coast
475Of _Palestine_, in _Gath_ and _Ascalon_,
476And _Accaron_ and _Gaza’s_ frontier bounds.
477Him follow’d _Rimmon_, whose delightful Seat
478Was fair _Damscus_, on the fertil Banks
479Of _Abbana_ and _Pharphar_, lucid streams.
480He also against the house of God was bold:
481A Leper once he lost and gain’d a King,
482_Ahaz_ his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew
483Gods Altar to disparage and displace
484For one of _Syrian_ mode, whereon to burn
485His odious offrings, and adore the Gods
486Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear’d
487A crew who under Names of old Renown,
488_Osiris_, _Isis_, _Orus_ and their Train
489With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus’d
490Fanatic _Egypt_ and her Priests, to seek
491Thir wandring Gods disguis’d in brutish forms
492Rather then human.  Nor did _Israel_ scape
493Th’ infection when their borrow’d Gold compos’d
494The Calf in _Oreb_: and the Rebel King
495Doubl’d that sin in _Bethel_ and in _Dan_,
496Lik’ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox,
497_Jehovah_, who in one Night when he pass’d
498From _Egypt_ marching, equal’d with one stroke
499Both her first born and all her bleating Gods.
500_Belial_ came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd
501Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love
502Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood
503Or Altar smoak’d; yet who more oft then hee
504In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest
505Turns Atheist, as did _Ely’s_ Sons, who fill’d
506With lust and violence the house of God.
507In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns
508And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse
509Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs,
510And injury and outrage: And when Night
511Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons
512Of _Belial_, flown with insolence and wine.
513Witness the Streets of _Sodom_, and that night
514In _Gibeah_, when hospitable Dores
515Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape.
516These were the prime in order and in might;
517The rest were long to tell, though far renown’d,
518Th’ _Ionian_ Gods, of _Javans_ Issue held
519Gods, yet confest later then Heav’n and Earth
520Thir boasted Parents; _Titian_ Heav’ns first born
521With his enormous brood, and birthright seis’d
522By younger _Saturn_, he from mightier _Jove_
523His own and _Rhea’s_ Son like measure found;
524So _Jove_ usurping reign’d: these first in _Creet_
525And _Ida_ known, thence on the Snowy top
526Of cold _Olympus_ rul’d the middle Air
527Thir highest Heav’n; or on the _Delphian_ Cliff,
528Or in _Dodona_, and through all the bounds
529Of _Doric_ Land; or who with _Saturn_ old
530Fled over _Adria_ to th’ _Hesperian_ Fields,
531And ore the _Celtic_ roam’d the utmost Isles.
532All these and more came flocking; but with looks
533Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear’d
534Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief
535Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost
536In loss it self; which on his count’nance cast
537Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride
538Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore
539Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais’d
540Their fainted courage, and dispel’d their fears.
541Then strait commands that at the warlike sound
542Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard
543His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim’d
544_Azazel_ as his right, a Cherube tall:
545Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld
546Th’ Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc’t
547Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind
548With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz’d,
549Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while
550Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds:
551At which the universal Host upsent
552A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond
553Frighted the Reign of _Chaos_ and old Night.
554All in a moment through the gloom were seen
555Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air
556With Orient Colours waving: with them rose
557A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms
558Appear’d, and serried Shields in thick array
559Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move
560In perfect _Phalanx_ to the Dorian mood
561Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais’d
562To highth of noblest temper Hero’s old
563Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage
564Deliberate valour breath’d, firm and unmov’d
565With dread of death to flight or foul retreat,
566Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage
567With solemn touches, troubl’d thoughts, and chase
568Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
569From mortal or immortal minds.  Thus they
570Breathing united force with fixed thought
571Mov’d on in silence to soft Pipes that charm’d
572Thir painful steps o’re the burnt soyle; and now
573Advanc’t in view they stand, a horrid Front
574Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
575Of Warriers old with order’d Spear and Shield,
576Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief
577Had to impose: He through the armed Files
578Darts his experienc’t eye, and soon traverse
579The whole Battalion views, thir order due,
580Thir visages and stature as of Gods,
581Thir number last he summs.  And now his heart
582Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength
583Glories: For never since created man,
584Met such imbodied force, as nam’d with these
585Could merit more then that small infantry
586Warr’d on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood
587Of _Phlegra_ with th’ Heroic Race were joyn’d
588That fought at _Theb’s_ and _Ilium_, on each side
589Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds
590In Fable or _Romance_ of _Uthers_ Son
591Begirt with _British_ and _Armoric_ Knights;
592And all who since, Baptiz’d or Infidel
593Jousted in _Aspramont_ or _Montalban_,
594_Damasco_, or _Marocco_, or _Trebisond_,
595Or whom _Biserta_ sent from _Afric_ shore
596When _Charlemain_ with all his Peerage fell
597By _Fontarabbia_.  Thus far these beyond
598Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ’d
599Thir dread Commander: he above the rest
600In shape and gesture proudly eminent
601Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost
602All her Original brightness, nor appear’d
603Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th’ excess
604Of Glory obscur’d: As when the Sun new ris’n
605Looks through the Horizontal misty Air
606Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon
607In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds
608On half the Nations, and with fear of change
609Perplexes Monarchs.  Dark’n’d so, yet shon
610Above them all th’ Arch Angel: but his face
611Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care
612Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes
613Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride
614Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast
615Signs of remorse and passion to behold
616The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
617(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn’d
618For ever now to have their lot in pain,
619Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc’t
620Of Heav’n, and from Eternal Splendors flung
621For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood,
622Thir Glory witherd.  As when Heavens Fire
623Hath scath’d the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines,
624With singed top their stately growth though bare
625Stands on the blasted Heath.  He now prepar’d
626To speak; whereat their doubl’d Ranks they bend
627From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round
628With all his Peers: attention held them mute.
629Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,
630Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last
631Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
632
633O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
634Matchless, but with th’ Almighty, and that strife
635Was not inglorious, though th’ event was dire,
636As this place testifies, and this dire change
637Hateful to utter: but what power of mind
638Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth
639Of knowledge past or present, could have fear’d,
640How such united force of Gods, how such
641As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
642For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,
643That all these puissant Legions, whose exile
644Hath emptied Heav’n, shall faile to re-ascend
645Self-rais’d, and repossess their native seat.
646For me, be witness all the Host of Heav’n,
647If counsels different, or danger shun’d
648By me, have lost our hopes.  But he who reigns
649Monarch in Heav’n, till then as one secure
650Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
651Consent or custome, and his Regal State
652Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal’d,
653Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
654Henceforth his might we know, and know our own
655So as not either to provoke, or dread
656New warr, provok’t; our better part remains
657To work in close design, by fraud or guile
658What force effected not: that he no less
659At length from us may find, who overcomes
660By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
661Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
662There went a fame in Heav’n that he ere long
663Intended to create, and therein plant
664A generation, whom his choice regard
665Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
666Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps
667Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:
668For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
669Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th’ Abysse
670Long under darkness cover.  But these thoughts
671Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,
672For who can think Submission?  Warr then, Warr
673Open or understood must be resolv’d.
674
675He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew
676Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs
677Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
678Far round illumin’d hell: highly they rag’d
679Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm’s
680Clash’d on their sounding shields the din of war,
681Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav’n.
682
683There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top
684Belch’d fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire
685Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign
686That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,
687The work of Sulphur.  Thither wing’d with speed
688A numerous Brigad hasten’d.  As when bands
689Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm’d
690Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
691Or cast a Rampart.  _Mammon_ led them on,
692_Mammon_, the least erected Spirit that fell
693From heav’n, for ev’n in heav’n his looks & thoughts
694Were always downward bent, admiring more
695The riches of Heav’ns pavement, trod’n Gold,
696Then aught divine or holy else enjoy’d
697In vision beatific: by him first
698Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
699Ransack’d the Center, and with impious hands
700Rifl’d the bowels of thir mother Earth
701For Treasures better hid.  Soon had his crew
702Op’nd into the Hill a spacious wound
703And dig’d out ribs of Gold.  Let none admire
704That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best
705Deserve the pretious bane.  And here let those
706Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell
707Of _Babel_, and the works of _Memphian_ Kings,
708Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,
709And Strength and Art are easily outdone
710By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
711What in an age they with incessant toyle
712And hands innumerable scarce perform
713Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar’d,
714That underneath had veins of liquid fire
715Sluc’d from the Lake, a second multitude
716With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,
717Severing each kinde, and scum’d the Bullion dross:
718A third as soon had form’d within the ground
719A various mould, and from the boyling cells
720By strange conveyance fill’d each hollow nook,
721As in an Organ from one blast of wind
722To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.
723Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge
724Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
725Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
726Built like a Temple, where _Pilasters_ round
727Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid
728With Golden Architrave; nor did there want
729Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav’n,
730The Roof was fretted Gold.  Not _Babilon_,
731Nor great _Alcairo_ such magnificence
732Equal’d in all thir glories, to inshrine
733_Belus_ or _Serapis_ thir Gods, or seat
734Thir Kings, when _Aegypt_ with _Assyria_ strove
735In wealth and luxurie.  Th’ ascending pile
736Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores
737Op’ning thir brazen foulds discover wide
738Within, her ample spaces, o’re the smooth
739And level pavement: from the arched roof
740Pendant by suttle Magic many a row
741Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed
742With Naphtha and _Asphaltus_ yeilded light
743As from a sky.  The hasty multitude
744Admiring enter’d, and the work some praise
745And some the Architect: his hand was known
746In Heav’n by many a Towred structure high,
747Where Scepter’d Angels held thir residence,
748And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King
749Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
750Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
751Nor was his name unheard or unador’d
752In ancient Greece; and in _Ausonian_ land
753Men call’d him _Mulciber_; and how he fell
754From Heav’n, they fabl’d, thrown by angry _Jove_
755Sheer o’re the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn
756To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
757A Summers day; and with the setting Sun
758Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
759On _Lemnos_ th’ _Aegaean_ Ile: thus they relate,
760Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
761Fell long before; nor aught avail’d him now
762To have built in Heav’n high Towrs; nor did he scape
763By all his Engins, but was headlong sent
764With his industrious crew to build in hell.
765Mean while the winged Haralds by command
766Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony
767And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
768A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
769At _Pandaemonium_, the high Capital
770Of Satan and his Peers: thir summons call’d
771From every and Band squared Regiment
772By place or choice the worthiest; they anon
773With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
774Attended: all access was throng’d, the Gates
775And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
776(Though like a cover’d field, where Champions bold
777Wont ride in arm’d, and at the Soldans chair
778Defi’d the best of Panim chivalry
779To mortal combat or carreer with Lance)
780Thick swarm’d, both on the ground and in the air,
781Brusht with the hiss of russling wings.  As Bees
782In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,
783Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive
784In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
785Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,
786The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,
787New rub’d with Baume, expatiate and confer
788Thir State affairs.  So thick the aerie crowd
789Swarm’d and were straitn’d; till the Signal giv’n,
790Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd
791In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons
792Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
793Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race
794Beyond the _Indian_ Mount, or Faerie Elves,
795Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side
796Or Fountain fome belated Peasant sees,
797Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon
798Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth
799Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance
800Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear;
801At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
802Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
803Reduc’d thir shapes immense, and were at large,
804Though without number still amidst the Hall
805Of that infernal Court.  But far within
806And in thir own dimensions like themselves
807The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
808In close recess and secret conclave sat
809A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat’s,
810Frequent and full.  After short silence then
811And summons read, the great consult began.
812
813      THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK.
814
815  PARADISE LOST
816
817
818
819
820
821  BOOK II.
822
823High on a Throne of Royal State, which far
824Outshon the wealth of _Ormus_ and of _Ind_,
825Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand
826Showrs on her Kings _Barbaric_ Pearl & Gold,
827Satan exalted sat, by merit rais’d
828To that bad eminence; and from despair
829Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
830Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
831Vain Warr with Heav’n, and by success untaught
832His proud imaginations thus displaid.
833
834Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav’n,
835For since no deep within her gulf can hold
836Immortal vigor, though opprest and fall’n,
837I give not Heav’n for lost.  From this descent
838Celestial vertues rising, will appear
839More glorious and more dread then from no fall,
840And trust themselves to fear no second fate:
841Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav’n
842Did first create your Leader, next, free choice,
843With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight,
844Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss
845Thus farr at least recover’d, hath much more
846Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne
847Yeilded with full consent.  The happier state
848In Heav’n, which follows dignity, might draw
849Envy from each inferior; but who here
850Will envy whom the highest place exposes
851Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime
852Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share
853Of endless pain? where there is then no good
854For which to strive, no strife can grow up there
855From Faction; for none sure will claim in hell
856Precedence, none, whose portion is so small
857Of present pain, that with ambitious mind
858Will covet more.  With this advantage then
859To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,
860More then can be in Heav’n, we now return
861To claim our just inheritance of old,
862Surer to prosper then prosperity
863Could have assur’d us; and by what best way,
864Whether of open Warr or covert guile,
865We now debate; who can advise, may speak.
866
867He ceas’d, and next him _Moloc_, Scepter’d King
868Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit
869That fought in Heav’n; now fiercer by despair:
870His trust was with th’ Eternal to be deem’d
871Equal in strength, and rather then be less
872Car’d not to be at all; with that care lost
873Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse
874He reckd not, and these words thereafter spake.
875
876My sentence is for open Warr: Of Wiles,
877More unexpert, I boast not: them let those
878Contrive who need, or when they need, not now.
879For while they sit contriving, shall the rest,
880Millions that stand in Arms, and longing wait
881The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here
882Heav’ns fugitives, and for thir dwelling place
883Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame,
884The Prison of his Tyranny who Reigns
885By our delay? no, let us rather choose
886Arm’d with Hell flames and fury all at once
887O’re Heav’ns high Towrs to force resistless way,
888Turning our Tortures into horrid Arms
889Against the Torturer; when to meet the noise
890Of his Almighty Engin he shall hear
891Infernal Thunder, and for Lightning see
892Black fire and horror shot with equal rage
893Among his Angels; and his Throne it self
894Mixt with _Tartarean_ Sulphur, and strange fire,
895His own invented Torments.  But perhaps
896The way seems difficult and steep to scale
897With upright wing against a higher foe.
898Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench
899Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still,
900That in our proper motion we ascend
901Up to our native seat: descent and fall
902To us is adverse.  Who but felt of late
903When the fierce Foe hung on our brok’n Rear
904Insulting, and pursu’d us through the Deep,
905With what compulsion and laborious flight
906We sunk thus low?  Th’ ascent is easie then;
907Th’ event is fear’d; should we again provoke
908Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find
909To our destruction: if there be in Hell
910Fear to be worse destroy’d: what can be worse
911Then to dwell here, driv’n out from bliss, condemn’d
912In this abhorred deep to utter woe;
913Where pain of unextinguishable fire
914Must exercise us without hope of end
915The Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge
916Inexorably, and the torturing houre
917Calls us to Penance?  More destroy’d then thus
918We should be quite abolisht and expire.
919What fear we then? what doubt we to incense
920His utmost ire? which to the highth enrag’d,
921Will either quite consume us, and reduce
922To nothing this essential, happier farr
923Then miserable to have eternal being:
924Or if our substance be indeed Divine,
925And cannot cease to be, we are at worst
926On this side nothing; and by proof we feel
927Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav’n,
928And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme,
929Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne:
930Which if not Victory is yet Revenge.
931
932He ended frowning, and his look denounc’d
933Desperate revenge, and Battel dangerous
934To less then Gods.  On th’ other side up rose
935_Belial_, in act more graceful and humane;
936A fairer person lost not Heav’n; he seemd
937For dignity compos’d and high exploit:
938But all was false and hollow; though his Tongue
939Dropt Manna, and could make the worse appear
940The better reason, to perplex and dash
941Maturest Counsels: for his thoughts were low;
942To vice industrious, but to Nobler deeds
943Timorous and slothful: yet he pleas’d the eare,
944And with perswasive accent thus began.
945
946I should be much for open Warr, O Peers,
947As not behind in hate; if what was urg’d
948Main reason to perswade immediate Warr,
949Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast
950Ominous conjecture on the whole success:
951When he who most excels in fact of Arms,
952In what he counsels and in what excels
953Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair
954And utter dissolution, as the scope
955Of all his aim, after some dire revenge.
956First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav’n are fill’d
957With Armed watch, that render all access
958Impregnable; oft on the bordering Deep
959Encamp thir Legions, or with obscure wing
960Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night,
961Scorning surprize.  Or could we break our way
962By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise
963With blackest Insurrection, to confound
964Heav’ns purest Light, yet our great Enemie
965All incorruptible would on his Throne
966Sit unpolluted, and th’ Ethereal mould
967Incapable of stain would soon expel
968Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire
969Victorious.  Thus repuls’d, our final hope
970Is flat despair: we must exasperate
971Th’ Almighty Victor to spend all his rage,
972And that must end us, that must be our cure,
973To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose,
974Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
975Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,
976To perish rather, swallowd up and lost
977In the wide womb of uncreated night,
978Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows,
979Let this be good, whether our angry Foe
980Can give it, or will ever? how he can
981Is doubtful; that he never will is sure.
982Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,
983Belike through impotence, or unaware,
984To give his Enemies thir wish, and end
985Them in his anger, whom his anger saves
986To punish endless? wherefore cease we then?
987Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed,
988Reserv’d and destin’d to Eternal woe;
989Whatever doing, what can we suffer more,
990What can we suffer worse? is this then worst,
991Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms?
992What when we fled amain, pursu’d and strook
993With Heav’ns afflicting Thunder, and besought
994The Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem’d
995A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay
996Chain’d on the burning Lake? that sure was worse.
997What if the breath that kindl’d those grim fires
998Awak’d should blow them into sevenfold rage
999And plunge us in the Flames? or from above
1000Should intermitted vengeance Arme again
1001His red right hand to plague us? what if all
1002Her stores were op’n’d, and this Firmament
1003Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire,
1004Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fall
1005One day upon our heads; while we perhaps
1006Designing or exhorting glorious Warr,
1007Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl’d
1008Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and prey
1009Of racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunk
1010Under yon boyling Ocean, wrapt in Chains;
1011There to converse with everlasting groans,
1012Unrespited, unpitied, unrepreevd,
1013Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse.
1014Warr therefore, open or conceal’d, alike
1015My voice disswades; for what can force or guile
1016With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye
1017Views all things at one view? he from heav’ns highth
1018All these our motions vain, sees and derides;
1019Not more Almighty to resist our might
1020Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.
1021Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav’n
1022Thus trampl’d, thus expell’d to suffer here
1023Chains & these Torments? better these then worse
1024By my advice; since fate inevitable
1025Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree,
1026The Victors will.  To suffer, as to doe,
1027Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust
1028That so ordains: this was at first resolv’d,
1029If we were wise, against so great a foe
1030Contending, and so doubtful what might fall.
1031I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold
1032And vent’rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear
1033What yet they know must follow, to endure
1034Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain,
1035The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is now
1036Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear,
1037Our Supream Foe in time may much remit
1038His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov’d
1039Not mind us not offending, satisfi’d
1040With what is punish’t; whence these raging fires
1041Will slack’n, if his breath stir not thir flames.
1042Our purer essence then will overcome
1043Thir noxious vapour, or enur’d not feel,
1044Or chang’d at length, and to the place conformd
1045In temper and in nature, will receive
1046Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain;
1047This horror will grow milde, this darkness light,
1048Besides what hope the never-ending flight
1049Of future days may bring, what chance, what change
1050Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers
1051For happy though but ill, for ill not worst,
1052If we procure not to our selves more woe.
1053
1054Thus _Belial_ with words cloath’d in reasons garb
1055Counsel’d ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,
1056Not peace: and after him thus _Mammon_ spake.
1057
1058Either to disinthrone the King of Heav’n
1059We warr, if warr be best, or to regain
1060Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then
1061May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild
1062To fickle Chance, and _Chaos_ judge the strife:
1063The former vain to hope argues as vain
1064The latter: for what place can be for us
1065Within Heav’ns bound, unless Heav’ns Lord supream
1066We overpower?  Suppose he should relent
1067And publish Grace to all, on promise made
1068Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we
1069Stand in his presence humble, and receive
1070Strict Laws impos’d, to celebrate his Throne
1071With warbl’d Hymns, and to his Godhead sing
1072Forc’t Halleluiah’s; while he Lordly sits
1073Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes
1074Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,
1075Our servile offerings.  This must be our task
1076In Heav’n, this our delight; how wearisom
1077Eternity so spent in worship paid
1078To whom we hate.  Let us not then pursue
1079By force impossible, by leave obtain’d
1080Unacceptable, though in Heav’n, our state
1081Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek
1082Our own good from our selves, and from our own
1083Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,
1084Free, and to none accountable, preferring
1085Hard liberty before the easie yoke
1086Of servile Pomp.  Our greatness will appear
1087Then most conspicuous, when great things of small,
1088Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
1089We can create, and in what place so e’re
1090Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
1091Through labour and endurance.  This deep world
1092Of darkness do we dread?  How oft amidst
1093Thick clouds and dark doth Heav’ns all-ruling Sire
1094Choose to reside, his Glory unobscur’d,
1095And with the Majesty of darkness round
1096Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar
1097Must’ring thir rage, and Heav’n resembles Hell?
1098As he our Darkness, cannot we his Light
1099Imitate when we please?  This Desart soile
1100Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;
1101Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
1102Magnificence; and what can Heav’n shew more?
1103Our torments also may in length of time
1104Become our Elements, these piercing Fires
1105As soft as now severe, our temper chang’d
1106Into their temper; which must needs remove
1107The sensible of pain.  All things invite
1108To peaceful Counsels, and the settl’d State
1109Of order, how in safety best we may
1110Compose our present evils, with regard
1111Of what we are and where, dismissing quite
1112All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.
1113
1114He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld
1115Th’ Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retain
1116The sound of blustring winds, which all night long
1117Had rous’d the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull
1118Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance
1119Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay
1120After the Tempest: Such applause was heard
1121As _Mammon_ ended, and his Sentence pleas’d,
1122Advising peace: for such another Field
1123They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear
1124Of Thunder and the Sword of _Michael_
1125Wrought still within them; and no less desire
1126To found this nether Empire, which might rise
1127By pollicy, and long process of time,
1128In emulation opposite to Heav’n.
1129Which when _Beelzebub_ perceiv’d, then whom,
1130_Satan_ except, none higher sat, with grave
1131Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem’d
1132A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven
1133Deliberation sat and publick care;
1134And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,
1135Majestick though in ruin: sage he stood
1136With _Atlantean_ shoulders fit to bear
1137The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look
1138Drew audience and attention still as Night
1139Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.
1140
1141Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav’n,
1142Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles now
1143Must we renounce, and changing stile be call’d
1144Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote
1145Inclines, here to continue, and build up here
1146A growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream,
1147And know not that the King of Heav’n hath doom’d
1148This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat
1149Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt
1150From Heav’ns high jurisdiction, in new League
1151Banded against his Throne, but to remaine
1152In strictest bondage, though thus far remov’d,
1153Under th’ inevitable curb, reserv’d
1154His captive multitude: For he, be sure,
1155In highth or depth, still first and last will Reign
1156Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part
1157By our revolt, but over Hell extend
1158His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule
1159Us here, as with his Golden those in Heav’n.
1160What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?
1161Warr hath determin’d us, and foild with loss
1162Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none
1163Voutsaf’t or sought; for what peace will be giv’n
1164To us enslav’d, but custody severe,
1165And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
1166Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
1167But to our power hostility and hate,
1168Untam’d reluctance, and revenge though slow,
1169Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least
1170May reap his conquest, and may least rejoyce
1171In doing what we most in suffering feel?
1172Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
1173With dangerous expedition to invade
1174Heav’n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,
1175Or ambush from the Deep.  What if we find
1176Some easier enterprize?  There is a place
1177(If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav’n
1178Err not) another World, the happy seat
1179Of som new Race call’d _Man_, about this time
1180To be created like to us, though less
1181In power and excellence, but favour’d more
1182Of him who rules above; so was his will
1183Pronounc’d among the Gods, and by an Oath,
1184That shook Heav’ns whol circumference, confirm’d.
1185Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
1186What creatures there inhabit, of what mould,
1187Or substance, how endu’d, and what thir Power,
1188And where thir weakness, how attempted best,
1189By force or suttlety: Though Heav’n be shut,
1190And Heav’ns high Arbitrator sit secure
1191In his own strength, this place may lye expos’d
1192The utmost border of his Kingdom, left
1193To their defence who hold it: here perhaps
1194Som advantagious act may be achiev’d
1195By sudden onset, either with Hell fire
1196To waste his whole Creation, or possess
1197All as our own, and drive as we were driven,
1198The punie habitants, or if not drive,
1199Seduce them to our Party, that thir God
1200May prove thir foe, and with repenting hand
1201Abolish his own works.  This would surpass
1202Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
1203In our Confusion, and our Joy upraise
1204In his disturbance; when his darling Sons
1205Hurl’d headlong to partake with us, shall curse
1206Thir frail Originals, and faded bliss,
1207Faded so soon.  Advise if this be worth
1208Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
1209Hatching vain Empires.  Thus _Beelzebub_
1210Pleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis’d
1211By _Satan_, and in part propos’d: for whence,
1212But from the Author of all ill could Spring
1213So deep a malice, to confound the race
1214Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
1215To mingle and involve, done all to spite
1216The great Creatour?  But thir spite still serves
1217His glory to augment.  The bold design
1218Pleas’d highly those infernal States, and joy
1219Sparkl’d in all thir eyes; with full assent
1220They vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.
1221
1222Well have ye judg’d, well ended long debate,
1223Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,
1224Great things resolv’d; which from the lowest deep
1225Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,
1226Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view
1227Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms
1228And opportune excursion we may chance
1229Re-enter Heav’n; or else in some milde Zone
1230Dwell not unvisited of Heav’ns fair Light
1231Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam
1232Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air,
1233To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires
1234Shall breath her balme.  But first whom shall we send
1235In search of this new world, whom shall we find
1236Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet
1237The dark unbottom’d infinite Abyss
1238And through the palpable obscure find out
1239His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight
1240Upborn with indefatigable wings
1241Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
1242The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then
1243Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
1244Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick
1245Of Angels watching round?  Here he had need
1246All circumspection, and we now no less
1247Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send,
1248The weight of all and our last hope relies.
1249
1250This said, he sat; and expectation held
1251His look suspence, awaiting who appeer’d
1252To second, or oppose, or undertake
1253The perilous attempt: but all sat mute,
1254Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; & each
1255In others count’nance red his own dismay
1256Astonisht: none among the choice and prime
1257Of those Heav’n-warring Champions could be found
1258So hardie as to proffer or accept
1259Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
1260_Satan_, whom now transcendent glory rais’d
1261Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
1262Conscious of highest worth, unmov’d thus spake.
1263
1264O Progeny of Heav’n, Empyreal Thrones,
1265With reason hath deep silence and demurr
1266Seis’d us, though undismaid: long is the way
1267And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light;
1268Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,
1269Outrageous to devour, immures us round
1270Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant
1271Barr’d over us prohibit all egress.
1272These past, if any pass, the void profound
1273Of unessential Night receives him next
1274Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
1275Threatens him, plung’d in that abortive gulf.
1276If thence he scape into what ever world,
1277Or unknown Region, what remains him less
1278Then unknown dangers and as hard escape.
1279But I should ill become this Throne, O Peers,
1280And this Imperial Sov’ranty, adorn’d
1281With splendor, arm’d with power, if aught propos’d
1282And judg’d of public moment, in the shape
1283Of difficulty or danger could deterre
1284Me from attempting.  Wherefore do I assume
1285These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign,
1286Refusing to accept as great a share
1287Of hazard as of honour, due alike
1288To him who Reigns, and so much to him due
1289Of hazard more, as he above the rest
1290High honourd sits?  Go therfore mighty powers,
1291Terror of Heav’n, though fall’n; intend at home,
1292While here shall be our home, what best may ease
1293The present misery, and render Hell
1294More tollerable; if there be cure or charm
1295To respite or deceive, or slack the pain
1296Of this ill Mansion: intermit no watch
1297Against a wakeful Foe, while I abroad
1298Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek
1299Deliverance for us all: this enterprize
1300None shall partake with me.  Thus saying rose
1301The Monarch, and prevented all reply,
1302Prudent, least from his resolution rais’d
1303Others among the chief might offer now
1304(Certain to be refus’d) what erst they feard;
1305And so refus’d might in opinion stand
1306His rivals, winning cheap the high repute
1307Which he through hazard huge must earn.  But they
1308Dreaded not more th’ adventure then his voice
1309Forbidding; and at once with him they rose;
1310Thir rising all at once was as the sound
1311Of Thunder heard remote.  Towards him they bend
1312With awful reverence prone; and as a God
1313Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav’n:
1314Nor fail’d they to express how much they prais’d,
1315That for the general safety he despis’d
1316His own: for neither do the Spirits damn’d
1317Loose all thir vertue; least bad men should boast
1318Thir specious deeds on earth, which glory excites,
1319Or close ambition varnisht o’re with zeal.
1320Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark
1321Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief:
1322As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
1323Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, o’respread
1324Heav’ns chearful face, the lowring Element
1325Scowls ore the dark’nd lantskip Snow, or showre;
1326If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet
1327Extend his ev’ning beam, the fields revive,
1328The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds
1329Attest thir joy, that hill and valley rings.
1330O shame to men!  Devil with Devil damn’d
1331Firm concord holds, men onely disagree
1332Of Creatures rational, though under hope
1333Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,
1334Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and strife
1335Among themselves, and levie cruel warres,
1336Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy:
1337As if (which might induce us to accord)
1338Man had not hellish foes anow besides,
1339That day and night for his destruction waite.
1340
1341The _Stygian_ Councel thus dissolv’d; and forth
1342In order came the grand infernal Peers,
1343Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemd
1344Alone th’ Antagonist of Heav’n, nor less
1345Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream,
1346And God-like imitated State; him round
1347A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos’d
1348With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.
1349Then of thir Session ended they bid cry
1350With Trumpets regal sound the great result:
1351Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim
1352Put to thir mouths the sounding Alchymie
1353By Haralds voice explain’d: the hollow Abyss
1354Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell
1355With deafning shout, return’d them loud acclaim.
1356Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais’d
1357By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers
1358Disband, and wandring, each his several way
1359Pursues, as inclination or sad choice
1360Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find
1361Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain
1362The irksome hours, till his great Chief return.
1363Part on the Plain, or in the Air sublime
1364Upon the wing, or in swift race contend,
1365As at th’ Olympian Games or _Pythian_ fields;
1366Part curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the Goal
1367With rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form.
1368As when to warn proud Cities warr appears
1369Wag’d in the troubl’d Skie, and Armies rush
1370To Battel in the Clouds, before each Van
1371Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spears
1372Till thickest Legions close; with feats of Arms
1373From either end of Heav’n the welkin burns.
1374Others with vast _Typhoean_ rage more fell
1375Rend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air
1376In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar.
1377As when _Alcides_ from _Oealia_ Crown’d
1378With conquest, felt th’ envenom’d robe, and tore
1379Through pain up by the roots _Thessalian_ Pines,
1380And _Lichas_ from the top of _Oeta_ threw
1381Into th’ _Euboic_ Sea.  Others more milde,
1382Retreated in a silent valley, sing
1383With notes Angelical to many a Harp
1384Thir own Heroic deeds and hapless fall
1385By doom of Battel; and complain that Fate
1386Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance.
1387Thir song was partial, but the harmony
1388(What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?)
1389Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
1390The thronging audience.  In discourse more sweet
1391(For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)
1392Others apart sat on a Hill retir’d,
1393In thoughts more elevate, and reason’d high
1394Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate,
1395Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute,
1396And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.
1397Of good and evil much they argu’d then,
1398Of happiness and final misery,
1399Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame,
1400Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie:
1401Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charm
1402Pain for a while or anguish, and excite
1403Fallacious hope, or arm th’ obdured brest
1404With stubborn patience as with triple steel.
1405Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands,
1406On bold adventure to discover wide
1407That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps
1408Might yeild them easier habitation, bend
1409Four ways thir flying March, along the Banks
1410Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge
1411Into the burning Lake thir baleful streams;
1412Abhorred _Styx_ the flood of deadly hate,
1413Sad _Acheron_ of sorrow, black and deep;
1414_Cocytus_, nam’d of lamentation loud
1415Heard on the ruful stream; fierce _Phlegeton_
1416Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
1417Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,
1418_Lethe_ the River of Oblivion roules
1419Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,
1420Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
1421Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
1422Beyond this flood a frozen Continent
1423Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms
1424Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land
1425Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems
1426Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,
1427A gulf profound as that _Serbonian_ Bog
1428Betwixt _Damiata_ and mount _Casius_ old,
1429Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air
1430Burns frore, and cold performs th’ effect of Fire.
1431Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail’d,
1432At certain revolutions all the damn’d
1433Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change
1434Of fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce,
1435From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice
1436Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine
1437Immovable, infixt, and frozen round,
1438Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire.
1439They ferry over this _Lethean_ Sound
1440Both to and fro, thir sorrow to augment,
1441And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach
1442The tempting stream, with one small drop to loose
1443In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,
1444All in one moment, and so neer the brink;
1445But fate withstands, and to oppose th’ attempt
1446_Medusa_ with _Gorgonian_ terror guards
1447The Ford, and of it self the water flies
1448All taste of living wight, as once it fled
1449The lip of _Tantalus_.  Thus roving on
1450In confus’d march forlorn, th’ adventrous Bands
1451With shuddring horror pale, and eyes agast
1452View’d first thir lamentable lot, and found
1453No rest: through many a dark and drearie Vaile
1454They pass’d, and many a Region dolorous,
1455O’re many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe,
1456Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,
1457A Universe of death, which God by curse
1458Created evil, for evil only good,
1459Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds,
1460Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things,
1461Abominable, inutterable, and worse
1462Then Fables yet have feign’d, or fear conceiv’d,
1463_Gorgons_ and _Hydra’s_, and _Chimera’s_ dire.
1464
1465Mean while the Adversary of God and Man,
1466_Satan_ with thoughts inflam’d of highest design,
1467Puts on swift wings, and toward the Gates of Hell
1468Explores his solitary flight; som times
1469He scours the right hand coast, som times the left,
1470Now shaves with level wing the Deep, then soares
1471Up to the fiery concave touring high.
1472As when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri’d
1473Hangs in the Clouds, by _Aequinoctial_ Winds
1474Close sailing from _Bengala_, or the Iles
1475Of _Ternate_ and _Tidore_, whence Merchants bring
1476Thir spicie Drugs: they on the trading Flood
1477Through the wide _Ethiopian_ to the Cape
1478Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole.  So seem’d
1479Farr off the flying Fiend: at last appeer
1480Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof,
1481And thrice threefold the Gates; three folds were Brass
1482Three Iron, three of Adamantine Rock,
1483Impenitrable, impal’d with circling fire,
1484Yet unconsum’d.  Before the Gates there sat
1485On either side a formidable shape;
1486The one seem’d Woman to the waste, and fair,
1487But ended foul in many a scaly fould
1488Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm’d
1489With mortal sting: about her middle round
1490A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark’d
1491With wide _Cerberean_ mouths full loud, and rung
1492A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep,
1493If aught disturb’d thir noyse, into her woomb,
1494And kennel there, yet there still bark’d and howl’d
1495Within unseen.  Farr less abhorrd then these
1496Vex’d _Scylla_ bathing in the Sea that parts
1497_Calabria_ from the hoarce _Trinacrian_ shore:
1498Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call’d
1499In secret, riding through the Air she comes
1500Lur’d with the smell of infant blood, to dance
1501With _Lapland_ Witches, while the labouring Moon
1502Eclipses at thir charms.  The other shape,
1503If shape it might be call’d that shape had none
1504Distinguishable in member, joynt, or limb,
1505Or substance might be call’d that shadow seem’d,
1506For each seem’d either; black it stood as Night,
1507Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell,
1508And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem’d his head
1509The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on.
1510_Satan_ was now at hand, and from his seat
1511The Monster moving onward came as fast,
1512With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode.
1513Th’ undaunted Fiend what this might be admir’d,
1514Admir’d, not fear’d; God and his Son except,
1515Created thing naught vallu’d he nor shun’d;
1516And with disdainful look thus first began.
1517
1518Whence and what art thou, execrable shape,
1519That dar’st, though grim and terrible, advance
1520Thy miscreated Front athwart my way
1521To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass,
1522That be assur’d, without leave askt of thee:
1523Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof,
1524Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heav’n.
1525
1526To whom the Goblin full of wrauth reply’d,
1527Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou hee,
1528Who first broke peace in Heav’n and Faith, till then
1529Unbrok’n, and in proud rebellious Arms
1530Drew after him the third part of Heav’ns Sons
1531Conjur’d against the highest, for which both Thou
1532And they outcast from God, are here condemn’d
1533To waste Eternal daies in woe and pain?
1534And reck’n’st thou thy self with Spirits of Heav’n,
1535Hell-doomd, and breath’st defiance here and scorn,
1536Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more,
1537Thy King and Lord?  Back to thy punishment,
1538False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings,
1539Least with a whip of Scorpions I pursue
1540Thy lingring, or with one stroke of this Dart
1541Strange horror seise thee, and pangs unfelt before.
1542
1543So spake the grieslie terrour, and in shape,
1544So speaking and so threatning, grew ten fold
1545More dreadful and deform: on th’ other side
1546Incenc’t with indignation _Satan_ stood
1547Unterrifi’d, and like a Comet burn’d,
1548That fires the length of _Ophiucus_ huge
1549In th’ Artick Sky, and from his horrid hair
1550Shakes Pestilence and Warr.  Each at the Head
1551Level’d his deadly aime; thir fatall hands
1552No second stroke intend, and such a frown
1553Each cast at th’ other, as when two black Clouds
1554With Heav’ns Artillery fraught, come rattling on
1555Over the _Caspian_, then stand front to front
1556Hov’ring a space, till Winds the signal blow
1557To joyn thir dark Encounter in mid air:
1558So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell
1559Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood;
1560For never but once more was either like
1561To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
1562Had been achiev’d, whereof all Hell had rung,
1563Had not the Snakie Sorceress that sat
1564Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
1565Ris’n, and with hideous outcry rush’d between.
1566
1567O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry’d,
1568Against thy only Son?  What fury O Son,
1569Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
1570Against thy Fathers head? and know’st for whom;
1571For him who sits above and laughs the while
1572At thee ordain’d his drudge, to execute
1573What e’re his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids,
1574His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
1575
1576She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest
1577Forbore, then these to her _Satan_ return’d:
1578
1579So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange
1580Thou interposest, that my sudden hand
1581Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds
1582What it intends; till first I know of thee,
1583What thing thou art, thus double-form’d, and why
1584In this infernal Vaile first met thou call’st
1585Me Father, and that Fantasm call’st my Son?
1586I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
1587Sight more detestable then him and thee.
1588
1589T’ whom thus the Portress of Hell Gate reply’d;
1590Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem
1591Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair
1592In Heav’n, when at th’ Assembly, and in sight
1593Of all the Seraphim with thee combin’d
1594In bold conspiracy against Heav’ns King,
1595All on a sudden miserable pain
1596Surpris’d thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzie swumm
1597In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast
1598Threw forth, till on the left side op’ning wide,
1599Likest to thee in shape and count’nance bright,
1600Then shining heav’nly fair, a Goddess arm’d
1601Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seis’d
1602All th’ Host of Heav’n; back they recoild affraid
1603At first, and call’d me _Sin_, and for a Sign
1604Portentous held me; but familiar grown,
1605I pleas’d, and with attractive graces won
1606The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft
1607Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing
1608Becam’st enamour’d, and such joy thou took’st
1609With me in secret, that my womb conceiv’d
1610A growing burden.  Mean while Warr arose,
1611And fields were fought in Heav’n; wherein remaind
1612(For what could else) to our Almighty Foe
1613Cleer Victory, to our part loss and rout
1614Through all the Empyrean: down they fell
1615Driv’n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down
1616Into this Deep, and in the general fall
1617I also; at which time this powerful Key
1618Into my hand was giv’n, with charge to keep
1619These Gates for ever shut, which none can pass
1620Without my op’ning.  Pensive here I sat
1621Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb
1622Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown
1623Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
1624At last this odious offspring whom thou seest
1625Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
1626Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain
1627Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew
1628Transform’d: but he my inbred enemie
1629Forth issu’d, brandishing his fatal Dart
1630Made to destroy: I fled, and cry’d out _Death_;
1631Hell trembl’d at the hideous Name, and sigh’d
1632From all her Caves, and back resounded _Death_.
1633I fled, but he pursu’d (though more, it seems,
1634Inflam’d with lust then rage) and swifter far,
1635Me overtook his mother all dismaid,
1636And in embraces forcible and foule
1637Ingendring with me, of that rape begot
1638These yelling Monsters that with ceasless cry
1639Surround me, as thou sawst, hourly conceiv’d
1640And hourly born, with sorrow infinite
1641To me, for when they list into the womb
1642That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw
1643My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth
1644Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round,
1645That rest or intermission none I find.
1646Before mine eyes in opposition sits
1647Grim _Death_ my Son and foe, who sets them on,
1648And me his Parent would full soon devour
1649For want of other prey, but that he knows
1650His end with mine involvd; and knows that I
1651Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
1652When ever that shall be; so Fate pronounc’d.
1653But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun
1654His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope
1655To be invulnerable in those bright Arms,
1656Though temper’d heav’nly, for that mortal dint,
1657Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
1658
1659She finish’d, and the suttle Fiend his lore
1660Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.
1661Dear Daughter, since thou claim’st me for thy Sire,
1662And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge
1663Of dalliance had with thee in Heav’n, and joys
1664Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change
1665Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know
1666I come no enemie, but to set free
1667From out this dark and dismal house of pain,
1668Both him and thee, and all the heav’nly Host
1669Of Spirits that in our just pretenses arm’d
1670Fell with us from on high: from them I go
1671This uncouth errand sole, and one for all
1672My self expose, with lonely steps to tread
1673Th’ unfounded deep, & through the void immense
1674To search with wandring quest a place foretold
1675Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now
1676Created vast and round, a place of bliss
1677In the Pourlieues of Heav’n, and therein plac’t
1678A race of upstart Creatures, to supply
1679Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov’d,
1680Least Heav’n surcharg’d with potent multitude
1681Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught
1682Then this more secret now design’d, I haste
1683To know, and this once known, shall soon return,
1684And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death
1685Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen
1686Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalm’d
1687With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill’d
1688Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey.
1689He ceas’d, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death
1690Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear
1691His famine should be fill’d, and blest his mawe
1692Destin’d to that good hour: no less rejoyc’d
1693His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.
1694
1695The key of this infernal Pit by due,
1696And by command of Heav’ns all-powerful King
1697I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
1698These Adamantine Gates; against all force
1699Death ready stands to interpose his dart,
1700Fearless to be o’rematcht by living might.
1701But what ow I to his commands above
1702Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down
1703Into this gloom of _Tartarus_ profound,
1704To sit in hateful Office here confin’d,
1705Inhabitant of Heav’n, and heav’nlie-born,
1706Here in perpetual agonie and pain,
1707With terrors and with clamors compasst round
1708Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed:
1709Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou
1710My being gav’st me; whom should I obey
1711But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me soon
1712To that new world of light and bliss, among
1713The Gods who live at ease, where I shall Reign
1714At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems
1715Thy daughter and thy darling, without end.
1716
1717Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key,
1718Sad instrument of all our woe, she took;
1719And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train,
1720Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew,
1721Which but her self not all the _Stygian_ powers
1722Could once have mov’d; then in the key-hole turns
1723Th’ intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar
1724Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease
1725Unfast’ns: on a sudden op’n flie
1726With impetuous recoile and jarring sound
1727Th’ infernal dores, and on thir hinges great
1728Harsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shook
1729Of _Erebus_.  She op’nd, but to shut
1730Excel’d her power; the Gates wide op’n stood,
1731That with extended wings a Bannerd Host
1732Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through
1733With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array;
1734So wide they stood, and like a Furnace mouth
1735Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame.
1736Before thir eyes in sudden view appear
1737The secrets of the hoarie deep, a dark
1738Illimitable Ocean without bound,
1739Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth,
1740And time and place are lost; where eldest Night
1741And _Chaos_, Ancestors of Nature, hold
1742Eternal _Anarchie_, amidst the noise
1743Of endless warrs and by confusion stand.
1744For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four Champions fierce
1745Strive here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring
1746Thir embryon Atoms; they around the flag
1747Of each his faction, in thir several Clanns,
1748Light-arm’d or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slow,
1749Swarm populous, unnumber’d as the Sands
1750Of _Barca_ or _Cyrene’s_ torrid soil,
1751Levied to side with warring Winds, and poise
1752Thir lighter wings.  To whom these most adhere,
1753Hee rules a moment; _Chaos_ Umpire sits,
1754And by decision more imbroiles the fray
1755By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter
1756_Chance_ governs all.  Into this wilde Abyss,
1757The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave,
1758Of neither Sea, nor Shore, nor Air, nor Fire,
1759But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt
1760Confus’dly, and which thus must ever fight,
1761Unless th’ Almighty Maker them ordain
1762His dark materials to create more Worlds,
1763Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend
1764Stood on the brink of Hell and look’d a while,
1765Pondering his Voyage; for no narrow frith
1766He had to cross.  Nor was his eare less peal’d
1767With noises loud and ruinous (to compare
1768Great things with small) then when _Bellona_ storms,
1769With all her battering Engines bent to rase
1770Som Capital City, or less then if this frame
1771Of Heav’n were falling, and these Elements
1772In mutinie had from her Axle torn
1773The stedfast Earth.  At last his Sail-broad Vannes
1774He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoak
1775Uplifted spurns the ground, thence many a League
1776As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides
1777Audacious, but that seat soon failing, meets
1778A vast vacuitie: all unawares
1779Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops
1780Ten thousand fadom deep, and to this hour
1781Down had been falling, had not by ill chance
1782The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud
1783Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him
1784As many miles aloft: that furie stay’d,
1785Quencht in a Boggie _Syrtris_, neither Sea,
1786Nor good dry Land: nigh founderd on he fares,
1787Treading the crude consistence, half on foot,
1788Half flying; behoves him now both Oare and Saile.
1789As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness
1790With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale,
1791Pursues the _Arimaspian_, who by stelth
1792Had from his wakeful custody purloind
1793The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
1794Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,
1795With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
1796And swims or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes:
1797At length a universal hubbub wilde
1798Of stunning sounds and voices all confus’d
1799Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare
1800With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes,
1801Undaunted to meet there what ever power
1802Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss
1803Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
1804Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes
1805Bordering on light; when strait behold the Throne
1806Of _Chaos_, and his dark Pavilion spread
1807Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron’d
1808Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things,
1809The consort of his Reign; and by them stood
1810_Orcus_ and _Ades_, and the dreaded name
1811Of _Demogorgon_; Rumor next and Chance,
1812And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild,
1813And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
1814
1815T’ whom _Satan_ turning boldly, thus.  Ye Powers
1816And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss,
1817_Chaos_ and _Ancient Night_, I come no Spie,
1818With purpose to explore or to disturb
1819The secrets of your Realm, but by constraint
1820Wandring this darksome desart, as my way
1821Lies through your spacious Empire up to light,
1822Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek
1823What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds
1824Confine with Heav’n; or if som other place
1825From your Dominion won, th’ Ethereal King
1826Possesses lately, thither to arrive
1827I travel this profound, direct my course;
1828Directed, no mean recompence it brings
1829To your behoof, if I that Region lost,
1830All usurpation thence expell’d, reduce
1831To her original darkness and your sway
1832(Which is my present journey) and once more
1833Erect the Standerd there of _Ancient Night_;
1834Yours be th’ advantage all, mine the revenge.
1835
1836Thus _Satan_; and him thus the Anarch old
1837With faultring speech and visage incompos’d
1838Answer’d.  I know thee, stranger, who thou art,
1839That mighty leading Angel, who of late
1840Made head against Heav’ns King, though overthrown.
1841I saw and heard, for such a numerous host
1842Fled not in silence through the frighted deep
1843With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,
1844Confusion worse confounded; and Heav’n Gates
1845Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands
1846Pursuing.  I upon my Frontieres here
1847Keep residence; if all I can will serve,
1848That little which is left so to defend
1849Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles
1850Weakning the Scepter of old Night: first Hell
1851Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath;
1852Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World
1853Hung ore my Realm, link’d in a golden Chain
1854To that side Heav’n from whence your Legions fell:
1855If that way be your walk, you have not farr;
1856So much the neerer danger; goe and speed;
1857Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.
1858
1859He ceas’d; and _Satan_ staid not to reply,
1860But glad that now his Sea should find a shore,
1861With fresh alacritie and force renew’d
1862Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire
1863Into the wilde expanse, and through the shock
1864Of fighting Elements, on all sides round
1865Environ’d wins his way; harder beset
1866And more endanger’d, then when _Argo_ pass’d
1867Through _Bosporus_ betwixt the justling Rocks:
1868Or when _Ulysses_ on the Larbord shunnd
1869_Charybdis_, and by th’ other whirlpool steard.
1870So he with difficulty and labour hard
1871Mov’d on, with difficulty and labour hee;
1872But hee once past, soon after when man fell,
1873Strange alteration!  Sin and Death amain
1874Following his track, such was the will of Heav’n,
1875Pav’d after him a broad and beat’n way
1876Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling Gulf
1877Tamely endur’d a Bridge of wondrous length
1878From Hell continu’d reaching th’ utmost Orbe
1879Of this frail World; by which the Spirits perverse
1880With easie intercourse pass to and fro
1881To tempt or punish mortals, except whom
1882God and good Angels guard by special grace.
1883But now at last the sacred influence
1884Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav’n
1885Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night
1886A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins
1887Her fardest verge, and _Chaos_ to retire
1888As from her outmost works a brok’n foe
1889With tumult less and with less hostile din,
1890That _Satan_ with less toil, and now with ease
1891Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light
1892And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds
1893Gladly the Port, though Shrouds and Tackle torn;
1894Or in the emptier waste, resembling Air,
1895Weighs his spread wings, at leasure to behold
1896Farr off th’ Empyreal Heav’n, extended wide
1897In circuit, undetermind square or round,
1898With Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn’d
1899Of living Saphire, once his native Seat;
1900And fast by hanging in a golden Chain
1901This pendant world, in bigness as a Starr
1902Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon.
1903Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge,
1904Accurst, and in a cursed hour he hies.
1905
1906      THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK.
1907
1908  PARADISE LOST
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914  BOOK III.
1915
1916Hail holy light, ofspring of Heav’n first-born,
1917Or of th’ Eternal Coeternal beam
1918May I express thee unblam’d? since God is light,
1919And never but in unapproached light
1920Dwelt from Eternitie, dwelt then in thee,
1921Bright effluence of bright essence increate.
1922Or hear’st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,
1923Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun,
1924Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice
1925Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest
1926The rising world of waters dark and deep,
1927Won from the void and formless infinite.
1928Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing,
1929Escap’t the _Stygian_ Pool, though long detain’d
1930In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight
1931Through utter and through middle darkness borne
1932With other notes then to th’ _Orphean_ Lyre
1933I sung of _Chaos_ and _Eternal Night_,
1934Taught by the heav’nly Muse to venture down
1935The dark descent, and up to reascend,
1936Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe,
1937And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou
1938Revisit’st not these eyes, that rowle in vain
1939To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;
1940So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs,
1941Or dim suffusion veild.  Yet not the more
1942Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt
1943Cleer Spring, or shadie Grove, or Sunnie Hill,
1944Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief
1945Thee _Sion_ and the flowrie Brooks beneath
1946That wash thy hallowd feet, and warbling flow,
1947Nightly I visit: nor somtimes forget
1948Those other two equal’d with me in Fate,
1949So were I equal’d with them in renown,
1950Blind _Thamyris_ and blind _Maeonides_,
1951And _Tiresias_ and _Phineus_ Prophets old.
1952Then feed on thoughts, that voluntarie move
1953Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful Bird
1954Sings darkling, and in shadiest Covert hid
1955Tunes her nocturnal Note.  Thus with the Year
1956Seasons return, but not to me returns
1957Day, or the sweet approach of Ev’n or Morn,
1958Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summers Rose,
1959Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine;
1960But cloud in stead, and ever-during dark
1961Surrounds me, from the chearful waies of men
1962Cut off, and for the book of knowledg fair
1963Presented with a Universal blanc
1964Of Natures works to mee expung’d and ras’d,
1965And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out.
1966So much the rather thou Celestial light
1967Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers
1968Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence
1969Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell
1970Of things invisible to mortal sight.
1971
1972Now had the Almighty Father from above,
1973From the pure Empyrean where he sits
1974High Thron’d above all highth, bent down his eye,
1975His own works and their works at once to view:
1976About him all the Sanctities of Heaven
1977Stood thick as Starrs, and from his sight receiv’d
1978Beatitude past utterance; on his right
1979The radiant image of his Glory sat,
1980His onely Son; On Earth he first beheld
1981Our two first Parents, yet the onely two
1982Of mankind, in the happie Garden plac’t,
1983Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love,
1984Uninterrupted joy, unrivald love
1985In blissful solitude; he then survey’d
1986Hell and the Gulf between, and _Satan_ there
1987Coasting the wall of Heav’n on this side Night
1988In the dun Air sublime, and ready now
1989To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet
1990On the bare outside of this World, that seem’d
1991Firm land imbosom’d without Firmament,
1992Uncertain which, in Ocean or in Air.
1993Him God beholding from his prospect high,
1994Wherein past, present, future he beholds,
1995Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake.
1996
1997Onely begotten Son, seest thou what rage
1998Transports our adversarie, whom no bounds
1999Prescrib’d, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains
2000Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyss
2001Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems
2002On desperat revenge, that shall redound
2003Upon his own rebellious head.  And now
2004Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way
2005Not farr off Heav’n, in the Precincts of light,
2006Directly towards the new created World,
2007And Man there plac’t, with purpose to assay
2008If him by force he can destroy, or worse,
2009By som false guile pervert; and shall pervert;
2010For man will heark’n to his glozing lyes,
2011And easily transgress the sole Command,
2012Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall
2013Hee and his faithless Progenie: whose fault?
2014Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of mee
2015All he could have; I made him just and right,
2016Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.
2017Such I created all th’ Ethereal Powers
2018And Spirits, both them who stood & them who faild;
2019Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
2020Not free, what proof could they have givn sincere
2021Of true allegiance, constant Faith or Love,
2022Where onely what they needs must do, appeard,
2023Not what they would? what praise could they receive?
2024What pleasure I from such obedience paid,
2025When Will and Reason (Reason also is choice)
2026Useless and vain, of freedom both despoild,
2027Made passive both, had servd necessitie,
2028Not mee.  They therefore as to right belongd,
2029So were created, nor can justly accuse
2030Thir maker, or thir making, or thir Fate;
2031As if Predestination over-rul’d
2032Thir will, dispos’d by absolute Decree
2033Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed
2034Thir own revolt, not I: if I foreknew,
2035Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,
2036Which had no less prov’d certain unforeknown.
2037So without least impulse or shadow of Fate,
2038Or aught by me immutablie foreseen,
2039They trespass, Authors to themselves in all
2040Both what they judge and what they choose; for so
2041I formd them free, and free they must remain,
2042Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change
2043Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree
2044Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain’d
2045Thir freedom, they themselves ordain’d thir fall.
2046The first sort by thir own suggestion fell,
2047Self-tempted, self-deprav’d: Man falls deceiv’d
2048By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace,
2049The other none: in Mercy and Justice both,
2050Through Heav’n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel,
2051But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
2052
2053Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill’d
2054All Heav’n, and in the blessed Spirits elect
2055Sense of new joy ineffable diffus’d:
2056Beyond compare the Son of God was seen
2057Most glorious, in him all his Father shon
2058Substantially express’d, and in his face
2059Divine compassion visibly appeerd,
2060Love without end, and without measure Grace,
2061Which uttering thus he to his Father spake.
2062
2063O Father, gracious was that word which clos’d
2064Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace;
2065For which both Heav’n and Earth shall high extoll
2066Thy praises, with th’ innumerable sound
2067Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne
2068Encompass’d shall resound thee ever blest.
2069For should Man finally be lost, should Man
2070Thy creature late so lov’d, thy youngest Son
2071Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd
2072With his own folly? that be from thee farr,
2073That farr be from thee, Father, who art Judge
2074Of all things made, and judgest onely right.
2075Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain
2076His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfill
2077His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught,
2078Or proud return though to his heavier doom,
2079Yet with revenge accomplish’t and to Hell
2080Draw after him the whole Race of mankind,
2081By him corrupted? or wilt thou thy self
2082Abolish thy Creation, and unmake,
2083For him, what for thy glorie thou hast made?
2084So should thy goodness and thy greatness both
2085Be questiond and blaspheam’d without defence.
2086
2087To whom the great Creatour thus reply’d.
2088O Son, in whom my Soul hath chief delight,
2089Son of my bosom, Son who art alone
2090My word, my wisdom, and effectual might,
2091All hast thou spok’n as my thoughts are, all
2092As my Eternal purpose hath decreed:
2093Man shall not quite be lost, but sav’d who will,
2094Yet not of will in him, but grace in me
2095Freely voutsaft; once more I will renew
2096His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall’d
2097By sin to foul exorbitant desires;
2098Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand
2099On even ground against his mortal foe,
2100By me upheld, that he may know how frail
2101His fall’n condition is, and to me ow
2102All his deliv’rance, and to none but me.
2103Some I have chosen of peculiar grace
2104Elect above the rest; so is my will:
2105The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warnd
2106Thir sinful state, and to appease betimes
2107Th’ incensed Deitie, while offerd grace
2108Invites; for I will cleer thir senses dark,
2109What may suffice, and soft’n stonie hearts
2110To pray, repent, and bring obedience due.
2111To prayer, repentance, and obedience due,
2112Though but endevord with sincere intent,
2113Mine eare shall not be slow, mine eye not shut.
2114And I will place within them as a guide
2115My Umpire _Conscience_, whom if they will hear,
2116Light after light well us’d they shall attain,
2117And to the end persisting, safe arrive.
2118This my long sufferance and my day of grace
2119They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste;
2120But hard be hard’nd, blind be blinded more,
2121That they may stumble on, and deeper fall;
2122And none but such from mercy I exclude.
2123But yet all is not don; Man disobeying,
2124Disloyal breaks his fealtie, and sinns
2125Against the high Supremacie of Heav’n,
2126Affecting God-head, and so loosing all,
2127To expiate his Treason hath naught left,
2128But to destruction sacred and devote,
2129He with his whole posteritie must die,
2130Die hee or Justice must; unless for him
2131Som other able, and as willing, pay
2132The rigid satisfaction, death for death.
2133Say Heav’nly Powers, where shall we find such love,
2134Which of ye will be mortal to redeem
2135Mans mortal crime, and just th’ unjust to save,
2136Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare?
2137
2138He ask’d, but all the Heav’nly Quire stood mute,
2139And silence was in Heav’n: on mans behalf
2140Patron or Intercessor none appeerd,
2141Much less that durst upon his own head draw
2142The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set.
2143And now without redemption all mankind
2144Must have bin lost, adjudg’d to Death and Hell
2145By doom severe, had not the Son of God,
2146In whom the fulness dwels of love divine,
2147His dearest mediation thus renewd.
2148
2149Father, thy word is past, man shall find grace;
2150And shall grace not find means, that finds her way,
2151The speediest of thy winged messengers,
2152To visit all thy creatures, and to all
2153Comes unprevented, unimplor’d, unsought,
2154Happie for man, so coming; he her aide
2155Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost;
2156Attonement for himself or offering meet,
2157Indebted and undon, hath none to bring:
2158Behold mee then, mee for him, life for life
2159I offer, on mee let thine anger fall;
2160Account mee man; I for his sake will leave
2161Thy bosom, and this glorie next to thee
2162Freely put off, and for him lastly die
2163Well pleas’d, on me let Death wreck all his rage;
2164Under his gloomie power I shall not long
2165Lie vanquisht; thou hast givn me to possess
2166Life in my self for ever, by thee I live,
2167Though now to Death I yeild, and am his due
2168All that of me can die, yet that debt paid,
2169Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsom grave
2170His prey, nor suffer my unspotted Soule
2171For ever with corruption there to dwell;
2172But I shall rise Victorious, and subdue
2173My Vanquisher, spoild of his vanted spoile;
2174Death his deaths wound shall then receive, & stoop
2175Inglorious, of his mortall sting disarm’d.
2176I through the ample Air in Triumph high
2177Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell, and show
2178The powers of darkness bound.  Thou at the sight
2179Pleas’d, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile,
2180While by thee rais’d I ruin all my Foes,
2181Death last, and with his Carcass glut the Grave:
2182Then with the multitude of my redeemd
2183Shall enter Heaven long absent, and returne,
2184Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud
2185Of anger shall remain, but peace assur’d,
2186And reconcilement; wrauth shall be no more
2187Thenceforth, but in thy presence Joy entire.
2188
2189His words here ended, but his meek aspect
2190Silent yet spake, and breath’d immortal love
2191To mortal men, above which only shon
2192Filial obedience: as a sacrifice
2193Glad to be offer’d, he attends the will
2194Of his great Father.  Admiration seis’d
2195All Heav’n, what this might mean, & whither tend
2196Wondring; but soon th’ Almighty thus reply’d:
2197
2198O thou in Heav’n and Earth the only peace
2199Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou
2200My sole complacence! well thou know’st how dear,
2201To me are all my works, nor Man the least
2202Though last created, that for him I spare
2203Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,
2204By loosing thee a while, the whole Race lost.
2205Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeeme,
2206Thir Nature also to thy Nature joyne;
2207And be thy self Man among men on Earth,
2208Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed,
2209By wondrous birth: Be thou in _Adams_ room
2210The Head of all mankind, though _Adams_ Son.
2211As in him perish all men, so in thee
2212As from a second root shall be restor’d,
2213As many as are restor’d, without thee none.
2214His crime makes guiltie all his Sons, thy merit
2215Imputed shall absolve them who renounce
2216Thir own both righteous and unrighteous deeds,
2217And live in thee transplanted, and from thee
2218Receive new life.  So Man, as is most just,
2219Shall satisfie for Man, be judg’d and die,
2220And dying rise, and rising with him raise
2221His Brethren, ransomd with his own dear life.
2222So Heav’nly love shal outdoo Hellish hate,
2223Giving to death, and dying to redeeme,
2224So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate
2225So easily destroy’d, and still destroyes
2226In those who, when they may, accept not grace.
2227Nor shalt thou by descending to assume
2228Mans Nature, less’n or degrade thine owne.
2229Because thou hast, though Thron’d in highest bliss
2230Equal to God, and equally enjoying
2231God-like fruition, quitted all to save
2232A World from utter loss, and hast been found
2233By Merit more then Birthright Son of God,
2234Found worthiest to be so by being Good,
2235Farr more then Great or High; because in thee
2236Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds,
2237Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt
2238With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne;
2239Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reigne
2240Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
2241Anointed universal King; all Power
2242I give thee, reign for ever, and assume
2243Thy Merits; under thee as Head Supream
2244Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions I reduce:
2245All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide
2246In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell;
2247When thou attended gloriously from Heav’n
2248Shalt in the Skie appeer, and from thee send
2249The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime
2250Thy dread Tribunal: forthwith from all Windes
2251The living, and forthwith the cited dead
2252Of all past Ages to the general Doom
2253Shall hast’n, such a peal shall rouse thir sleep.
2254Then all thy Saints assembl’d, thou shalt judge
2255Bad men and Angels, they arraignd shall sink
2256Beneath thy Sentence; Hell, her numbers full,
2257Thenceforth shall be for ever shut.  Mean while
2258The World shall burn, and from her ashes spring
2259New Heav’n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell
2260And after all thir tribulations long
2261See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds,
2262With Joy and Love triumphing, and fair Truth.
2263Then thou thy regal Scepter shalt lay by,
2264For regal Scepter then no more shall need,
2265God shall be All in All.  But all ye Gods,
2266Adore him, who to compass all this dies,
2267Adore the Son, and honour him as mee.
2268
2269No sooner had th’ Almighty ceas’t, but all
2270The multitude of Angels with a shout
2271Loud as from numbers without number, sweet
2272As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav’n rung
2273With Jubilee, and loud Hosanna’s fill’d
2274Th’ eternal Regions: lowly reverent
2275Towards either Throne they bow, & to the ground
2276With solemn adoration down they cast
2277Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold,
2278Immortal Amarant, a Flour which once
2279In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life
2280Began to bloom, but soon for mans offence
2281To Heav’n remov’d where first it grew, there grows,
2282And flours aloft shading the Fount of Life,
2283And where the river of Bliss through midst of Heavn
2284Rowls o’re _Elisian_ Flours her Amber stream;
2285With these that never fade the Spirits Elect
2286Bind thir resplendent locks inwreath’d with beams,
2287Now in loose Garlands thick thrown off, the bright
2288Pavement that like a Sea of Jasper shon
2289Impurpl’d with Celestial Roses smil’d.
2290Then Crown’d again thir gold’n Harps they took,
2291Harps ever tun’d, that glittering by their side
2292Like Quivers hung, and with Praeamble sweet
2293Of charming symphonie they introduce
2294Thir sacred Song, and waken raptures high;
2295No voice exempt, no voice but well could joine
2296Melodious part, such concord is in Heav’n.
2297
2298Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent,
2299Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
2300Eternal King; thee Author of all being,
2301Fountain of Light, thy self invisible
2302Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit’st
2303Thron’d inaccessible, but when thou shad’st
2304The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud
2305Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine,
2306Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appeer,
2307Yet dazle Heav’n, that brightest Seraphim
2308Approach not, but with both wings veil thir eyes.
2309Thee next they sang of all Creation first,
2310Begotten Son, Divine Similitude,
2311In whose conspicuous count’nance, without cloud
2312Made visible, th’ Almighty Father shines,
2313Whom else no Creature can behold; on thee
2314Impresst the effulgence of his Glorie abides,
2315Transfus’d on thee his ample Spirit rests.
2316Hee Heav’n of Heavens and all the Powers therein
2317By thee created, and by thee threw down
2318Th’ aspiring Dominations: thou that day
2319Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didst not spare,
2320Nor stop thy flaming Chariot wheels, that shook
2321Heav’ns everlasting Frame, while o’re the necks
2322Thou drov’st of warring Angels disarraid.
2323Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime
2324Thee only extold, Son of thy Fathers might,
2325To execute fierce vengeance on his foes,
2326Not so on Man; him through their malice fall’n,
2327Father of Mercie and Grace, thou didst not doome
2328So strictly, but much more to pitie encline:
2329No sooner did thy dear and onely Son
2330Perceive thee purpos’d not to doom frail Man
2331So strictly, but much more to pitie enclin’d,
2332He to appease thy wrauth, and end the strife
2333Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern’d,
2334Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee sat
2335Second to thee, offerd himself to die
2336For mans offence.  O unexampl’d love,
2337Love no where to be found less then Divine!
2338Hail Son of God, Saviour of Men, thy Name
2339Shall be the copious matter of my Song
2340Henceforth, and never shall my Harp thy praise
2341Forget, nor from thy Fathers praise disjoine.
2342
2343Thus they in Heav’n, above the starry Sphear,
2344Thir happie hours in joy and hymning spent.
2345Mean while upon the firm opacous Globe
2346Of this round World, whose first convex divides
2347The luminous inferior Orbs, enclos’d
2348From _Chaos_ and th’ inroad of Darkness old,
2349_Satan_ alighted walks: a Globe farr off
2350It seem’d, now seems a boundless Continent
2351Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night
2352Starless expos’d, and ever-threatning storms
2353Of _Chaos_ blustring round, inclement skie;
2354Save on that side which from the wall of Heav’n
2355Though distant farr som small reflection gaines
2356Of glimmering air less vext with tempest loud:
2357Here walk’d the Fiend at large in spacious field.
2358As when a Vultur on _Imaus_ bred,
2359Whose snowie ridge the roving _Tartar_ bounds,
2360Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey
2361To gorge the flesh of Lambs or yeanling Kids
2362On Hills where Flocks are fed, flies toward the Springs
2363Of _Ganges_ or _Hydaspes, Indian_ streams;
2364But in his way lights on the barren plaines
2365Of _Sericana_, where _Chineses_ drive
2366With Sails and Wind thir canie Waggons light:
2367So on this windie Sea of Land, the Fiend
2368Walk’d up and down alone bent on his prey,
2369Alone, for other Creature in this place
2370Living or liveless to be found was none,
2371None yet, but store hereafter from the earth
2372Up hither like Aereal vapours flew
2373Of all things transitorie and vain, when Sin
2374With vanity had filld the works of men:
2375Both all things vain, and all who in vain things
2376Built thir fond hopes of Glorie or lasting fame,
2377Or happiness in this or th’ other life;
2378All who have thir reward on Earth, the fruits
2379Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal,
2380Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find
2381Fit retribution, emptie as thir deeds;
2382All th’ unaccomplisht works of Natures hand,
2383Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixt,
2384Dissolvd on earth, fleet hither, and in vain,
2385Till final dissolution, wander here,
2386Not in the neighbouring Moon, as some have dreamd;
2387Those argent Fields more likely habitants,
2388Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold
2389Betwixt th’ Angelical and Human kinde:
2390Hither of ill-joynd Sons and Daughters born
2391First from the ancient World those Giants came
2392With many a vain exploit, though then renownd:
2393The builders next of _Babel_ on the Plain
2394Of _Sennaar_, and still with vain designe
2395New _Babels_, had they wherewithall, would build:
2396Others came single; hee who to be deemd
2397A God, leap’d fondly into _Aetna_ flames,
2398_Empedocles_, and hee who to enjoy
2399_Plato’s Elysium_, leap’d into the Sea,
2400_Cleombrotus_, and many more too long,
2401Embryo’s and Idiots, Eremits and Friers
2402White, Black and Grey, with all thir trumperie.
2403Here Pilgrims roam, that stray’d so farr to seek
2404In _Golgotha_ him dead, who lives in Heav’n;
2405And they who to be sure of Paradise
2406Dying put on the weeds of _Dominic_,
2407Or in _Franciscan_ think to pass disguis’d;
2408They pass the Planets seven, and pass the fixt,
2409And that Crystalline Sphear whose ballance weighs
2410The Trepidation talkt, and that first mov’d;
2411And now Saint _Peter_ at Heav’ns Wicket seems
2412To wait them with his Keys, and now at foot
2413Of Heav’ns ascent they lift thir Feet, when loe
2414A violent cross wind from either Coast
2415Blows them transverse ten thousand Leagues awry
2416Into the devious Air; then might ye see
2417Cowles, Hoods and Habits with thir wearers tost
2418And flutterd into Raggs, then Reliques, Beads,
2419Indulgences, Dispenses, Pardons, Bulls,
2420The sport of Winds: all these upwhirld aloft
2421Fly o’re the backside of the World farr off
2422Into a _Limbo_ large and broad, since calld
2423The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown
2424Long after, now unpeopl’d, and untrod;
2425All this dark Globe the Fiend found as he pass’d,
2426And long he wanderd, till at last a gleame
2427Of dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste
2428His travell’d steps; farr distant hee descries
2429Ascending by degrees magnificent
2430Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high,
2431At top whereof, but farr more rich appeerd
2432The work as of a Kingly Palace Gate
2433With Frontispice of Diamond and Gold
2434Imbellisht, thick with sparkling orient Gemmes
2435The Portal shon, inimitable on Earth
2436By Model, or by shading Pencil drawn.
2437The Stairs were such as whereon _Jacob_ saw
2438Angels ascending and descending, bands
2439Of Guardians bright, when he from _Esau_ fled
2440To _Padan-Aram_ in the field of _Luz_,
2441Dreaming by night under the open Skie,
2442And waking cri’d, This is the Gate of Heav’n.
2443Each Stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood
2444There alwaies, but drawn up to Heav’n somtimes
2445Viewless, and underneath a bright Sea flow’d
2446Of Jasper, or of liquid Pearle, whereon
2447Who after came from Earth, sayling arriv’d,
2448Wafted by Angels, or flew o’re the Lake
2449Rapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds.
2450The Stairs were then let down, whether to dare
2451The Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate
2452His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss.
2453Direct against which op’nd from beneath,
2454Just o’re the blissful seat of Paradise,
2455A passage down to th’ Earth, a passage wide,
2456Wider by farr then that of after-times
2457Over Mount _Sion_, and, though that were large,
2458Over the _Promis’d Land_ to God so dear,
2459By which, to visit oft those happy Tribes,
2460On high behests his Angels to and fro
2461Pass’d frequent, and his eye with choice regard
2462From _Paneas_ the fount of _Jordans_ flood
2463To _Beersaba_, where the _Holy Land_
2464Borders on _Aegypt_ and the _Arabian_ shoare;
2465So wide the op’ning seemd, where bounds were set
2466To darkness, such as bound the Ocean wave.
2467_Satan_ from hence now on the lower stair
2468That scal’d by steps of Gold to Heav’n Gate
2469Looks down with wonder at the sudden view
2470Of all this World at once.  As when a Scout
2471Through dark and desart wayes with peril gone
2472All night; at last by break of chearful dawne
2473Obtains the brow of some high-climbing Hill,
2474Which to his eye discovers unaware
2475The goodly prospect of some forein land
2476First-seen, or some renownd Metropolis
2477With glistering Spires and Pinnacles adornd,
2478Which now the Rising Sun guilds with his beams.
2479Such wonder seis’d, though after Heaven seen,
2480The Spirit maligne, but much more envy seis’d
2481At sight of all this World beheld so faire.
2482Round he surveys, and well might, where he stood
2483So high above the circling Canopie
2484Of Nights extended shade; from Eastern Point
2485Of _Libra_ to the fleecie Starr that bears
2486_Andromeda_ farr off _Atlantick_ Seas
2487Beyond th’ _Horizon_; then from Pole to Pole
2488He views in bredth, and without longer pause
2489Down right into the Worlds first Region throws
2490His flight precipitant, and windes with ease
2491Through the pure marble Air his oblique way
2492Amongst innumerable Starrs, that shon
2493Stars distant, but nigh hand seemd other Worlds,
2494Or other Worlds they seemd, or happy Iles,
2495Like those _Hesperian_ Gardens fam’d of old,
2496Fortunate Fields, and Groves and flourie Vales,
2497Thrice happy Iles, but who dwelt happy there
2498He stayd not to enquire: above them all
2499The golden Sun in splendor likest Heaven
2500Allur’d his eye: Thither his course he bends
2501Through the calm Firmament; but up or downe
2502By center, or eccentric, hard to tell,
2503Or Longitude, where the great Luminarie
2504Alooff the vulgar Constellations thick,
2505That from his Lordly eye keep distance due,
2506Dispenses Light from farr; they as they move
2507Thir Starry dance in numbers that compute
2508Days, months, and years, towards his all-chearing Lamp
2509Turn swift their various motions, or are turnd
2510By his Magnetic beam, that gently warms
2511The Univers, and to each inward part
2512With gentle penetration, though unseen,
2513Shoots invisible vertue even to the deep:
2514So wondrously was set his Station bright.
2515There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps
2516Astronomer in the Sun’s lucent Orbe
2517Through his glaz’d Optic Tube yet never saw.
2518The place he found beyond expression bright,
2519Compar’d with aught on Earth, Medal or Stone;
2520Not all parts like, but all alike informd
2521With radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire;
2522If mettal, part seemd Gold, part Silver cleer;
2523If stone, Carbuncle most or Chrysolite,
2524Rubie or Topaz, to the Twelve that shon
2525In _Aarons_ Brest-plate, and a stone besides
2526Imagind rather oft then elsewhere seen,
2527That stone, or like to that which here below
2528Philosophers in vain so long have sought,
2529In vain, though by thir powerful Art they binde
2530Volatil _Hermes_, and call up unbound
2531In various shapes old _Proteus_ from the Sea,
2532Draind through a Limbec to his Native forme.
2533What wonder then if fields and regions here
2534Breathe forth _Elixir_ pure, and Rivers run
2535Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch
2536Th’ Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote
2537Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt
2538Here in the dark so many precious things
2539Of colour glorious and effect so rare?
2540Here matter new to gaze the Devil met
2541Undazl’d, farr and wide his eye commands,
2542For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,
2543But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon
2544Culminate from th’ _Aequator_, as they now
2545Shot upward still direct, whence no way round
2546Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire,
2547No where so cleer, sharp’nd his visual ray
2548To objects distant farr, whereby he soon
2549Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand,
2550The same whom _John_ saw also in the Sun:
2551His back was turnd, but not his brightness hid;
2552Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiar
2553Circl’d his Head, nor less his Locks behind
2554Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings
2555Lay waving round; on som great charge imploy’d
2556Hee seemd, or fixt in cogitation deep.
2557Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope
2558To find who might direct his wandring flight
2559To Paradise the happie seat of Man,
2560His journies end and our beginning woe.
2561But first he casts to change his proper shape,
2562Which else might work him danger or delay:
2563And now a stripling Cherube he appeers,
2564Not of the prime, yet such as in his face
2565Youth smil’d Celestial, and to every Limb
2566Sutable grace diffus’d, so well he feignd;
2567Under a Coronet his flowing haire
2568In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore
2569Of many a colourd plume sprinkl’d with Gold,
2570His habit fit for speed succinct, and held
2571Before his decent steps a Silver wand.
2572He drew not nigh unheard, the Angel bright,
2573Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turnd,
2574Admonisht by his eare, and strait was known
2575Th’ Arch-Angel _Uriel_, one of the seav’n
2576Who in Gods presence, neerest to his Throne
2577Stand ready at command, and are his Eyes
2578That run through all the Heav’ns, or down to th’ Earth
2579Bear his swift errands over moist and dry,
2580O’re Sea and Land: him _Satan_ thus accostes;
2581
2582_Uriel_, for thou of those seav’n Spirits that stand
2583In sight of God’s high Throne, gloriously bright,
2584The first art wont his great authentic will
2585Interpreter through highest Heav’n to bring,
2586Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend;
2587And here art likeliest by supream decree
2588Like honour to obtain, and as his Eye
2589To visit oft this new Creation round;
2590Unspeakable desire to see, and know
2591All these his wondrous works, but chiefly Man,
2592His chief delight and favour, him for whom
2593All these his works so wondrous he ordaind,
2594Hath brought me from the Quires of Cherubim
2595Alone thus wandring.  Brightest Seraph tell
2596In which of all these shining Orbes hath Man
2597His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none,
2598But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell;
2599That I may find him, and with secret gaze,
2600Or open admiration him behold
2601On whom the great Creator hath bestowd
2602Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces powrd;
2603That both in him and all things, as is meet,
2604The Universal Maker we may praise;
2605Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell Foes
2606To deepest Hell, and to repair that loss
2607Created this new happie Race of Men
2608To serve him better: wise are all his wayes.
2609
2610So spake the false dissembler unperceivd;
2611For neither Man nor Angel can discern
2612Hypocrisie, the only evil that walks
2613Invisible, except to God alone,
2614By his permissive will, through Heav’n and Earth:
2615And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps
2616At wisdoms Gate, and to simplicitie
2617Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill
2618Where no ill seems: Which now for once beguil’d
2619_Uriel_, though Regent of the Sun, and held
2620The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav’n;
2621Who to the fraudulent Impostor foule
2622In his uprightness answer thus returnd.
2623Faire Angel, thy desire which tends to know
2624The works of God, thereby to glorifie
2625The great Work-Maister, leads to no excess
2626That reaches blame, but rather merits praise
2627The more it seems excess, that led thee hither
2628From thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone,
2629To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps
2630Contented with report heare onely in heav’n:
2631For wonderful indeed are all his works,
2632Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all
2633Had in remembrance alwayes with delight;
2634But what created mind can comprehend
2635Thir number, or the wisdom infinite
2636That brought them forth, but hid thir causes deep.
2637I saw when at his Word the formless Mass,
2638This worlds material mould, came to a heap:
2639Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar
2640Stood rul’d, stood vast infinitude confin’d;
2641Till at his second bidding darkness fled,
2642Light shon, and order from disorder sprung:
2643Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then
2644The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire,
2645And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav’n
2646Flew upward, spirited with various forms,
2647That rowld orbicular, and turnd to Starrs
2648Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move;
2649Each had his place appointed, each his course,
2650The rest in circuit walles this Universe.
2651Look downward on that Globe whose hither side
2652With light from hence, though but reflected, shines;
2653That place is Earth the seat of Man, that light
2654His day, which else as th’ other Hemisphere
2655Night would invade, but there the neighbouring Moon
2656(So call that opposite fair Starr) her aide
2657Timely interposes, and her monthly round
2658Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heav’n;
2659With borrowd light her countenance triform
2660Hence fills and empties to enlighten th’ Earth,
2661And in her pale dominion checks the night.
2662That spot to which I point is _Paradise_,
2663_Adams_ abode, those loftie shades his Bowre.
2664Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.
2665
2666Thus said, he turnd, and _Satan_ bowing low,
2667As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,
2668Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
2669Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath,
2670Down from th’ Ecliptic, sped with hop’d success,
2671Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele,
2672Nor staid, till on _Niphates_ top he lights.
2673
2674       THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK.
2675
2676  PARADISE LOST
2677
2678
2679
2680
2681
2682  BOOK IV.
2683
2684O For that warning voice, which he who saw
2685Th’ _Apocalyps_, heard cry in Heaven aloud,
2686Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,
2687Came furious down to be reveng’d on men,
2688_Wo to the Inhabitants on Earth!_ that now,
2689While time was, our first Parents had bin warnd
2690The coming of thir secret foe, and scap’d
2691Haply so scap’d his mortal snare; for now
2692_Satan_, now first inflam’d with rage, came down,
2693The Tempter ere th’ Accuser of man-kind,
2694To wreck on innocent frail man his loss
2695Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell:
2696Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold,
2697Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,
2698Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth
2699Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest,
2700And like a devillish Engine back recoiles
2701Upon himself; horror and doubt distract
2702His troubl’d thoughts, and from the bottom stirr
2703The Hell within him, for within him Hell
2704He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell
2705One step no more then from himself can fly
2706By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair
2707That slumberd, wakes the bitter memorie
2708Of what he was, what is, and what must be
2709Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.
2710Sometimes towards _Eden_ which now in his view
2711Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,
2712Sometimes towards Heav’n and the full-blazing Sun,
2713Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre:
2714Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.
2715
2716O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd,
2717Look’st from thy sole Dominion like the God
2718Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs
2719Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call,
2720But with no friendly voice, and add thy name
2721O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams
2722That bring to my remembrance from what state
2723I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare;
2724Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down
2725Warring in Heav’n against Heav’ns matchless King:
2726Ah wherefore! he deservd no such return
2727From me, whom he created what I was
2728In that bright eminence, and with his good
2729Upbraided none; nor was his service hard.
2730What could be less then to afford him praise,
2731The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks,
2732How due! yet all his good prov’d ill in me,
2733And wrought but malice; lifted up so high
2734I sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher
2735Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
2736The debt immense of endless gratitude,
2737So burthensome, still paying, still to ow;
2738Forgetful what from him I still receivd,
2739And understood not that a grateful mind
2740By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
2741Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?
2742O had his powerful Destiny ordaind
2743Me some inferiour Angel, I had stood
2744Then happie; no unbounded hope had rais’d
2745Ambition.  Yet why not? som other Power
2746As great might have aspir’d, and me though mean
2747Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great
2748Fell not, but stand unshak’n, from within
2749Or from without, to all temptations arm’d.
2750Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?
2751Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,
2752But Heav’ns free Love dealt equally to all?
2753Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,
2754To me alike, it deals eternal woe.
2755Nay curs’d be thou; since against his thy will
2756Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
2757Me miserable! which way shall I flie
2758Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?
2759Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;
2760And in the lowest deep a lower deep
2761Still threatning to devour me opens wide,
2762To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav’n.
2763O then at last relent: is there no place
2764Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left?
2765None left but by submission; and that word
2766_Disdain_ forbids me, and my dread of shame
2767Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc’d
2768With other promises and other vaunts
2769Then to submit, boasting I could subdue
2770Th’ Omnipotent.  Ay me, they little know
2771How dearly I abide that boast so vaine,
2772Under what torments inwardly I groane;
2773While they adore me on the Throne of Hell,
2774With Diadem and Scepter high advanc’d
2775The lower still I fall, onely Supream
2776In miserie; such joy Ambition findes.
2777But say I could repent and could obtaine
2778By Act of Grace my former state; how soon
2779Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay
2780What feign’d submission swore: ease would recant
2781Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
2782For never can true reconcilement grow
2783Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc’d so deep:
2784Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
2785And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare
2786Short intermission bought with double smart.
2787This knows my punisher; therefore as farr
2788From granting hee, as I from begging peace:
2789All hope excluded thus, behold in stead
2790Of us out-cast, exil’d, his new delight,
2791Mankind created, and for him this World.
2792So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear,
2793Farwel Remorse: all Good to me is lost;
2794Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least
2795Divided Empire with Heav’ns King I hold
2796By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;
2797As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.
2798
2799Thus while he spake, each passion dimm’d his face
2800Thrice chang’d with pale, ire, envie and despair,
2801Which marrd his borrow’d visage, and betraid
2802Him counterfet, if any eye beheld.
2803For heav’nly mindes from such distempers foule
2804Are ever cleer.  Whereof hee soon aware,
2805Each perturbation smooth’d with outward calme,
2806Artificer of fraud; and was the first
2807That practisd falshood under saintly shew,
2808Deep malice to conceale, couch’t with revenge:
2809Yet not anough had practisd to deceive
2810_Uriel_ once warnd; whose eye pursu’d him down
2811The way he went, and on th’ _Assyrian_ mount
2812Saw him disfigur’d, more then could befall
2813Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce
2814He markd and mad demeanour, then alone,
2815As he suppos’d, all unobserv’d, unseen.
2816So on he fares, and to the border comes
2817Of _Eden_, where delicious Paradise,
2818Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green,
2819As with a rural mound the champain head
2820Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides
2821With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde,
2822Access deni’d; and over head up grew
2823Insuperable highth of loftiest shade,
2824Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm,
2825A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend
2826Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre
2827Of stateliest view.  Yet higher then thir tops
2828The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung:
2829Which to our general Sire gave prospect large
2830Into his neather Empire neighbouring round.
2831And higher then that Wall a circling row
2832Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,
2833Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue
2834Appeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt:
2835On which the Sun more glad impress’d his beams
2836Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,
2837When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd
2838That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire
2839Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires
2840Vernal delight and joy, able to drive
2841All sadness but despair: now gentle gales
2842Fanning thir odoriferous wings dispense
2843Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole
2844Those balmie spoiles.  As when to them who saile
2845Beyond the _Cape of Hope_, and now are past
2846_Mozambic_, off at Sea North-East windes blow
2847_Sabean_ Odours from the spicie shoare
2848Of _Arabie_ the blest, with such delay
2849Well pleas’d they slack thir course, and many a League
2850Cheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles.
2851So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend
2852Who came thir bane, though with them better pleas’d
2853Then _Asmodeus_ with the fishie fume,
2854That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse
2855Of _Tobits_ Son, and with a vengeance sent
2856From _Media_ post to _Aegypt_, there fast bound.
2857
2858Now to th’ ascent of that steep savage Hill
2859_Satan_ had journied on, pensive and slow;
2860But further way found none, so thick entwin’d,
2861As one continu’d brake, the undergrowth
2862Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext
2863All path of Man or Beast that past that way:
2864One Gate there onely was, and that look’d East
2865On th’ other side: which when th’ arch-fellon saw
2866Due entrance he disdaind, and in contempt,
2867At one slight bound high overleap’d all bound
2868Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer within
2869Lights on his feet.  As when a prowling Wolfe,
2870Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,
2871Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve
2872In hurdl’d Cotes amid the field secure,
2873Leaps o’re the fence with ease into the Fould:
2874Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash
2875Of some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores,
2876Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault,
2877In at the window climbes, or o’re the tiles;
2878So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:
2879So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe.
2880Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,
2881The middle Tree and highest there that grew,
2882Sat like a Cormorant; yet not true Life
2883Thereby regaind, but sat devising Death
2884To them who liv’d; nor on the vertue thought
2885Of that life-giving Plant, but only us’d
2886For prospect, what well us’d had bin the pledge
2887Of immortalitie.  So little knows
2888Any, but God alone, to value right
2889The good before him, but perverts best things
2890To worst abuse, or to thir meanest use.
2891Beneath him with new wonder now he views
2892To all delight of human sense expos’d
2893In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,
2894A Heaven on Earth, for blissful Paradise
2895Of God the Garden was, by him in the East
2896Of _Eden_ planted; _Eden_ stretchd her Line
2897From _Auran_ Eastward to the Royal Towrs
2898Of great _Seleucia_, built by _Grecian_ Kings,
2899Or where the Sons of _Eden_ long before
2900Dwelt in _Telassar:_ in this pleasant soile
2901His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind;
2902Out of the fertil ground he caus’d to grow
2903All Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;
2904And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,
2905High eminent, blooming Ambrosial Fruit
2906Of vegetable Gold; and next to Life
2907Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,
2908Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill.
2909Southward through _Eden_ went a River large,
2910Nor chang’d his course, but through the shaggie hill
2911Pass’d underneath ingulft, for God had thrown
2912That Mountain as his Garden mould high rais’d
2913Upon the rapid current, which through veins
2914Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,
2915Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill
2916Waterd the Garden; thence united fell
2917Down the steep glade, and met the neather Flood,
2918Which from his darksom passage now appeers,
2919And now divided into four main Streams,
2920Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme
2921And Country whereof here needs no account,
2922But rather to tell how, if Art could tell,
2923How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks,
2924Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold,
2925With mazie error under pendant shades
2926Ran Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed
2927Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art
2928In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon
2929Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,
2930Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote
2931The open field, and where the unpierc’t shade
2932Imbround the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place,
2933A happy rural seat of various view;
2934Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,
2935Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde
2936Hung amiable, _Hesperian_ Fables true,
2937If true, here onely, and of delicious taste:
2938Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks
2939Grasing the tender herb, were interpos’d,
2940Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lap
2941Of som irriguous Valley spread her store,
2942Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:
2943Another side, umbrageous Grots and Caves
2944Of coole recess, o’re which the mantling Vine
2945Layes forth her purple Grape, and gently creeps
2946Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall
2947Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,
2948That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd,
2949Her chrystall mirror holds, unite thir streams.
2950The Birds thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires,
2951Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune
2952The trembling leaves, while Universal _Pan_
2953Knit with the _Graces_ and the _Hours_ in dance
2954Led on th’ Eternal Spring.  Not that faire field
2955Of _Enna_, where _Proserpin_ gathring flours
2956Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie _Dis_
2957Was gatherd, which cost _Ceres_ all that pain
2958To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove
2959Of _Daphne_ by _Orontes_, and th’ inspir’d
2960_Castalian_ Spring might with this Paradise
2961Of _Eden_ strive; nor that _Nyseian_ Ile
2962Girt with the River _Triton_, where old _Cham_,
2963Whom Gentiles _Ammon_ call and _Libyan Jove_,
2964Hid _Amalthea_ and her Florid Son
2965Young _Bacchus_ from his Stepdame _Rhea’s_ eye;
2966Nor where _Abassin_ Kings thir issue Guard,
2967Mount _Amara_, though this by som suppos’d
2968True Paradise under the _Ethiop_ Line
2969By _Nilus_ head, enclos’d with shining Rock,
2970A whole dayes journey high, but wide remote
2971From this _Assyrian_ Garden, where the Fiend
2972Saw undelighted all delight, all kind
2973Of living Creatures new to sight and strange:
2974Two of far nobler shape erect and tall,
2975Godlike erect, with native Honour clad
2976In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all,
2977And worthie seemd, for in thir looks Divine
2978The image of thir glorious Maker shon,
2979Truth, Wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure,
2980Severe, but in true filial freedom plac’t;
2981Whence true autoritie in men; though both
2982Not equal, as thir sex not equal seemd;
2983For contemplation hee and valour formd,
2984For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,
2985Hee for God only, shee for God in him:
2986His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar’d
2987Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin Locks
2988Round from his parted forelock manly hung
2989Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
2990Shee as a vail down to the slender waste
2991Her unadorned golden tresses wore
2992Dissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav’d
2993As the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli’d
2994Subjection, but requir’d with gentle sway,
2995And by her yeilded, by him best receivd,
2996Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride,
2997And sweet reluctant amorous delay.
2998Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald,
2999Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame
3000Of natures works, honor dishonorable,
3001Sin-bred, how have ye troubl’d all mankind
3002With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure,
3003And banisht from mans life his happiest life,
3004Simplicitie and spotless innocence.
3005So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight
3006Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill:
3007So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair
3008That ever since in loves imbraces met,
3009_Adam_ the goodliest man of men since borne
3010His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters _Eve_.
3011Under a tuft of shade that on a green
3012Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side
3013They sat them down, and after no more toil
3014Of thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic’d
3015To recommend coole _Zephyr_, and made ease
3016More easie, wholsom thirst and appetite
3017More grateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell,
3018Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes
3019Yeilded them, side-long as they sat recline
3020On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours:
3021The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde
3022Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream;
3023Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles
3024Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems
3025Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,
3026Alone as they.  About them frisking playd
3027All Beasts of th’ Earth, since wilde, and of all chase
3028In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den;
3029Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw
3030Dandl’d the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards
3031Gambold before them, th’ unwieldy Elephant
3032To make them mirth us’d all his might, & wreathd
3033His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly
3034Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine
3035His breaded train, and of his fatal guile
3036Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass
3037Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,
3038Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun
3039Declin’d was hasting now with prone carreer
3040To th’ Ocean Iles, and in th’ ascending Scale
3041Of Heav’n the Starrs that usher Evening rose:
3042When _Satan_ still in gaze, as first he stood,
3043Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.
3044
3045O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,
3046Into our room of bliss thus high advanc’t
3047Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,
3048Not Spirits, yet to heav’nly Spirits bright
3049Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
3050With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
3051In them Divine resemblance, and such grace
3052The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd.
3053Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh
3054Your change approaches, when all these delights
3055Will vanish and deliver ye to woe,
3056More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;
3057Happie, but for so happie ill secur’d
3058Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav’n
3059Ill fenc’t for Heav’n to keep out such a foe
3060As now is enterd; yet no purpos’d foe
3061To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne
3062Though I unpittied: League with you I seek,
3063And mutual amitie so streight, so close,
3064That I with you must dwell, or you with me
3065Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please
3066Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such
3067Accept your Makers work; he gave it me,
3068Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfould,
3069To entertain you two, her widest Gates,
3070And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,
3071Not like these narrow limits, to receive
3072Your numerous ofspring; if no better place,
3073Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge
3074On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.
3075And should I at your harmless innocence
3076Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,
3077Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg’d,
3078By conquering this new World, compels me now
3079To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.
3080
3081So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,
3082The Tyrants plea, excus’d his devilish deeds.
3083Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree
3084Down he alights among the sportful Herd
3085Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,
3086Now other, as thir shape servd best his end
3087Neerer to view his prey, and unespi’d
3088To mark what of thir state he more might learn
3089By word or action markt: about them round
3090A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,
3091Then as a Tiger, who by chance hath spi’d
3092In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,
3093Strait couches close, then rising changes oft
3094His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground
3095Whence rushing he might surest seise them both
3096Grip’t in each paw: when _Adam_ first of men
3097To first of women _Eve_ thus moving speech,
3098Turnd him all eare to heare new utterance flow.
3099
3100Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,
3101Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power
3102That made us, and for us this ample World
3103Be infinitly good, and of his good
3104As liberal and free as infinite,
3105That rais’d us from the dust and plac’t us here
3106In all this happiness, who at his hand
3107Have nothing merited, nor can performe
3108Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires
3109From us no other service then to keep
3110This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees
3111In Paradise that beare delicious fruit
3112So various, not to taste that onely Tree
3113Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,
3114So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is,
3115Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst
3116God hath pronounc’t it death to taste that Tree,
3117The only sign of our obedience left
3118Among so many signes of power and rule
3119Conferrd upon us, and Dominion giv’n
3120Over all other Creatures that possesse
3121Earth, Aire, and Sea.  Then let us not think hard
3122One easie prohibition, who enjoy
3123Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
3124Unlimited of manifold delights:
3125But let us ever praise him, and extoll
3126His bountie, following our delightful task
3127To prune these growing Plants, & tend these Flours,
3128Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.
3129
3130To whom thus Eve repli’d.  O thou for whom
3131And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,
3132And without whom am to no end, my Guide
3133And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.
3134For wee to him indeed all praises owe,
3135And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy
3136So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee
3137Preeminent by so much odds, while thou
3138Like consort to thy self canst no where find.
3139That day I oft remember, when from sleep
3140I first awak’t, and found my self repos’d
3141Under a shade on flours, much wondring where
3142And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.
3143Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound
3144Of waters issu’d from a Cave and spread
3145Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmov’d
3146Pure as th’ expanse of Heav’n; I thither went
3147With unexperienc’t thought, and laid me downe
3148On the green bank, to look into the cleer
3149Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.
3150As I bent down to look, just opposite,
3151A Shape within the watry gleam appeerd
3152Bending to look on me, I started back,
3153It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,
3154Pleas’d it returnd as soon with answering looks
3155Of sympathie and love, there I had fixt
3156Mine eyes till now, and pin’d with vain desire,
3157Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,
3158What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,
3159With thee it came and goes: but follow me,
3160And I will bring thee where no shadow staies
3161Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, hee
3162Whose image thou art, him thou shall enjoy
3163Inseparablie thine, to him shalt beare
3164Multitudes like thy self, and thence be call’d
3165Mother of human Race: what could I doe,
3166But follow strait, invisibly thus led?
3167Till I espi’d thee, fair indeed and tall,
3168Under a Platan, yet methought less faire,
3169Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,
3170Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd,
3171Thou following cryd’st aloud, Return fair _Eve_,
3172Whom fli’st thou? whom thou fli’st, of him thou art,
3173His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent
3174Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart
3175Substantial Life, to have thee by my side
3176Henceforth an individual solace dear;
3177Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim
3178My other half: with that thy gentle hand
3179Seisd mine, I yeilded, and from that time see
3180How beauty is excelld by manly grace
3181And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
3182
3183So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
3184Of conjugal attraction unreprov’d,
3185And meek surrender, half imbracing leand
3186On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
3187Naked met his under the flowing Gold
3188Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight
3189Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
3190Smil’d with superior Love, as _Jupiter_
3191On _Juno_ smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
3192That shed _May_ Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
3193With kisses pure: aside the Devil turnd
3194For envie, yet with jealous leer maligne
3195Ey’d them askance, and to himself thus plaind.
3196
3197Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
3198Imparadis’t in one anothers arms
3199The happier _Eden_, shall enjoy thir fill
3200Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
3201Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
3202Among our other torments not the least,
3203Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines;
3204Yet let me not forget what I have gain’d
3205From thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:
3206One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call’d,
3207Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidd’n?
3208Suspicious, reasonless.  Why should thir Lord
3209Envie them that? can it be sin to know,
3210Can it be death? and do they onely stand
3211By Ignorance, is that thir happie state,
3212The proof of thir obedience and thir faith?
3213O fair foundation laid whereon to build
3214Thir ruine!  Hence I will excite thir minds
3215With more desire to know, and to reject
3216Envious commands, invented with designe
3217To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt
3218Equal with Gods; aspiring to be such,
3219They taste and die: what likelier can ensue?
3220But first with narrow search I must walk round
3221This Garden, and no corner leave unspi’d;
3222A chance but chance may lead where I may meet
3223Some wandring Spirit of Heav’n, by Fountain side,
3224Or in thick shade retir’d, from him to draw
3225What further would be learnt.  Live while ye may,
3226Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return,
3227Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed.
3228
3229So saying, his proud step he scornful turn’d,
3230But with sly circumspection, and began
3231Through wood, through waste, o’re hil, o’re dale his roam.
3232Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heav’n
3233With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun
3234Slowly descended, and with right aspect
3235Against the eastern Gate of Paradise
3236Leveld his eevning Rayes: it was a Rock
3237Of Alablaster, pil’d up to the Clouds,
3238Conspicuous farr, winding with one ascent
3239Accessible from Earth, one entrance high;
3240The rest was craggie cliff, that overhung
3241Still as it rose, impossible to climbe.
3242Betwixt these rockie Pillars _Gabriel_ sat
3243Chief of th’ Angelic Guards, awaiting night;
3244About him exercis’d Heroic Games
3245Th’ unarmed Youth of Heav’n, but nigh at hand
3246Celestial Armourie, Shields, Helmes, and Speares
3247Hung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold.
3248Thither came _Uriel_, gliding through the Eeven
3249On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr
3250In _Autumn_ thwarts the night, when vapors fir’d
3251Impress the Air, and shews the Mariner
3252From what point of his Compass to beware
3253Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste.
3254
3255_Gabriel_, to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv’n
3256Charge and strict watch that to this happie place
3257No evil thing approach or enter in;
3258This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare
3259A Spirit, zealous, as he seem’d, to know
3260More of th’ Almighties works, and chiefly Man
3261Gods latest Image: I describ’d his way
3262Bent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate;
3263But in the Mount that lies from _Eden_ North,
3264Where he first lighted, soon discernd his looks
3265Alien from Heav’n, with passions foul obscur’d:
3266Mine eye pursu’d him still, but under shade
3267Lost sight of him; one of the banisht crew
3268I fear, hath ventur’d from the deep, to raise
3269New troubles; him thy care must be to find.
3270
3271To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd:
3272_Uriel_, no wonder if thy perfet sight,
3273Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst,
3274See farr and wide: in at this Gate none pass
3275The vigilance here plac’t, but such as come
3276Well known from Heav’n; and since Meridian hour
3277No Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort,
3278So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds
3279On purpose, hard thou knowst it to exclude
3280Spiritual substance with corporeal barr.
3281But if within the circuit of these walks
3282In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom
3283Thou telst, by morrow dawning I shall know.
3284
3285So promis’d hee, and _Uriel_ to his charge
3286Returnd on that bright beam, whose point now raisd
3287Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall’n
3288Beneath th’ _Azores_; whither the prime Orb,
3289Incredible how swift, had thither rowl’d
3290Diurnal, or this less volubil Earth
3291By shorter flight to th’ East, had left him there
3292Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold
3293The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend:
3294Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight gray
3295Had in her sober Liverie all things clad;
3296Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird,
3297They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir Nests
3298Were slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale;
3299She all night long her amorous descant sung;
3300Silence was pleas’d: now glow’d the Firmament
3301With living Saphirs: _Hesperus_ that led
3302The starrie Host, rode brightest, till the Moon
3303Rising in clouded Majestie, at length
3304Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,
3305And o’re the dark her Silver Mantle threw.
3306
3307When _Adam_ thus to _Eve_: Fair Consort, th’ hour
3308Of night, and all things now retir’d to rest
3309Mind us of like repose, since God hath set
3310Labour and rest, as day and night to men
3311Successive, and the timely dew of sleep
3312Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines
3313Our eye-lids; other Creatures all day long
3314Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest;
3315Man hath his daily work of body or mind
3316Appointed, which declares his Dignitie,
3317And the regard of Heav’n on all his waies;
3318While other Animals unactive range,
3319And of thir doings God takes no account.
3320Tomorrow ere fresh Morning streak the East
3321With first approach of light, we must be ris’n,
3322And at our pleasant labour, to reform
3323Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,
3324Our walks at noon, with branches overgrown,
3325That mock our scant manuring, and require
3326More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth:
3327Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms,
3328That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth,
3329Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease;
3330Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.
3331
3332To whom thus _Eve_ with perfet beauty adornd.
3333My Author and Disposer, what thou bidst
3334Unargu’d I obey; so God ordains,
3335God is thy Law, thou mine: to know no more
3336Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise.
3337With thee conversing I forget all time,
3338All seasons and thir change, all please alike.
3339Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,
3340With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun
3341When first on this delightful Land he spreads
3342His orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour,
3343Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earth
3344After soft showers; and sweet the coming on
3345Of grateful Eevning milde, then silent Night
3346With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon,
3347And these the Gemms of Heav’n, her starrie train:
3348But neither breath of Morn when she ascends
3349With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising Sun
3350On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure,
3351Glistring with dew, nor fragrance after showers,
3352Nor grateful Evening mild, nor silent Night
3353With this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon,
3354Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet.
3355But wherfore all night long shine these, for whom
3356This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?
3357
3358To whom our general Ancestor repli’d.
3359Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht _Eve_,
3360Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth,
3361By morrow Eevning, and from Land to Land
3362In order, though to Nations yet unborn,
3363Ministring light prepar’d, they set and rise;
3364Least total darkness should by Night regaine
3365Her old possession, and extinguish life
3366In Nature and all things, which these soft fires
3367Not only enlighten, but with kindly heate
3368Of various influence foment and warme,
3369Temper or nourish, or in part shed down
3370Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow
3371On Earth, made hereby apter to receive
3372Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray.
3373These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,
3374Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none,
3375That heav’n would want spectators, God want praise;
3376Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth
3377Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:
3378All these with ceasless praise his works behold
3379Both day and night: how often from the steep
3380Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard
3381Celestial voices to the midnight air,
3382Sole, or responsive each to others note
3383Singing thir great Creator: oft in bands
3384While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk
3385With Heav’nly touch of instrumental sounds
3386In full harmonic number joind, thir songs
3387Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.
3388
3389Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass’d
3390On to thir blissful Bower; it was a place
3391Chos’n by the sovran Planter, when he fram’d
3392All things to mans delightful use; the roofe
3393Of thickest covert was inwoven shade
3394Laurel and Mirtle, and what higher grew
3395Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side
3396_Acanthus_, and each odorous bushie shrub
3397Fenc’d up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,
3398_Iris_ all hues, Roses, and Gessamin
3399Rear’d high thir flourisht heads between, and wrought
3400Mosaic; underfoot the Violet,
3401Crocus, and Hyacinth with rich inlay
3402Broiderd the ground, more colour’d then with stone
3403Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here
3404Beast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst enter none;
3405Such was thir awe of man.  In shadier Bower
3406More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,
3407_Pan_ or _Silvanus_ never slept, nor Nymph,
3408Nor _Faunus_ haunted.  Here in close recess
3409With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs
3410Espoused _Eve_ deckt first her Nuptial Bed,
3411And heav’nly Quires the Hymenaean sung,
3412What day the genial Angel to our Sire
3413Brought her in naked beauty more adorn’d,
3414More lovely then _Pandora_, whom the Gods
3415Endowd with all thir gifts, and O too like
3416In sad event, when to the unwiser Son
3417Of _Japhet_ brought by _Hermes_, she ensnar’d
3418Mankind with her faire looks, to be aveng’d
3419On him who had stole _Joves_ authentic fire.
3420
3421Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv’d, both stood,
3422Both turnd, and under op’n Skie ador’d
3423The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth & Heav’n
3424Which they beheld, the Moons resplendent Globe
3425And starrie Pole: Thou also mad’st the Night,
3426Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,
3427Which we in our appointed work imployd
3428Have finisht happie in our mutual help
3429And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss
3430Ordain’d by thee, and this delicious place
3431For us too large, where thy abundance wants
3432Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.
3433But thou hast promis’d from us two a Race
3434To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll
3435Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
3436And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.
3437
3438This said unanimous, and other Rites
3439Observing none, but adoration pure
3440Which God likes best, into thir inmost bower
3441Handed they went; and eas’d the putting off
3442These troublesom disguises which wee wear,
3443Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene
3444_Adam_ from his fair Spouse, nor _Eve_ the Rites
3445Mysterious of connubial Love refus’d:
3446Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk
3447Of puritie and place and innocence,
3448Defaming as impure what God declares
3449Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.
3450Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain
3451But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?
3452Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source
3453Of human ofspring, sole proprietie,
3454In Paradise of all things common else.
3455By thee adulterous lust was driv’n from men
3456Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee
3457Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure,
3458Relations dear, and all the Charities
3459Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.
3460Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
3461Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
3462Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets,
3463Whose Bed is undefil’d and chast pronounc’t,
3464Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us’d.
3465Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights
3466His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,
3467Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile
3468Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,
3469Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours
3470Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,
3471Or Serenate, which the starv’d Lover sings
3472To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
3473These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept,
3474And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof
3475Showrd Roses, which the Morn repair’d.  Sleep on,
3476Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek
3477No happier state, and know to know no more.
3478
3479Now had night measur’d with her shaddowie Cone
3480Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,
3481And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim
3482Forth issuing at th’ accustomd hour stood armd
3483To thir night watches in warlike Parade,
3484When _Gabriel_ to his next in power thus spake.
3485
3486_Uzziel_, half these draw off, and coast the South
3487With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,
3488Our circuit meets full West.  As flame they part
3489Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear.
3490From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld
3491That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
3492
3493_Ithuriel_ and _Zephon_, with wingd speed
3494Search through this Garden, leav unsearcht no nook,
3495But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge,
3496Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.
3497This Eevning from the Sun’s decline arriv’d
3498Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen
3499Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap’d
3500The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:
3501Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.
3502
3503So saying, on he led his radiant Files,
3504Daz’ling the Moon; these to the Bower direct
3505In search of whom they sought: him there they found
3506Squat like a Toad, close at the eare of _Eve_;
3507Assaying by his Devilish art to reach
3508The Organs of her Fancie, and with them forge
3509Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,
3510Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint
3511Th’ animal Spirits that from pure blood arise
3512Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise
3513At least distemperd, discontented thoughts,
3514Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate desires
3515Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.
3516Him thus intent _Ithuriel_ with his Spear
3517Touch’d lightly; for no falshood can endure
3518Touch of Celestial temper, but returns
3519Of force to its own likeness: up he starts
3520Discoverd and surpriz’d.  As when a spark
3521Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid
3522Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store
3523Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graine
3524With sudden blaze diffus’d, inflames the Aire:
3525So started up in his own shape the Fiend.
3526Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz’d
3527So sudden to behold the grieslie King;
3528Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.
3529
3530Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg’d to Hell
3531Com’st thou, escap’d thy prison, and transform’d,
3532Why satst thou like an enemie in waite
3533Here watching at the head of these that sleep?
3534
3535Know ye not then said _Satan_, filld with scorn,
3536Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate
3537For you, there sitting where ye durst not soare;
3538Not to know mee argues your selves unknown,
3539The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,
3540Why ask ye, and superfluous begin
3541Your message, like to end as much in vain?
3542To whom thus _Zephon_, answering scorn with scorn.
3543Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,
3544Or undiminisht brightness, to be known
3545As when thou stoodst in Heav’n upright and pure;
3546That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,
3547Departed from thee, and thou resembl’st now
3548Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule.
3549But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account
3550To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
3551This place inviolable, and these from harm.
3552
3553So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke
3554Severe in youthful beautie, added grace
3555Invincible: abasht the Devil stood,
3556And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
3557Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pin’d
3558His loss; but chiefly to find here observd
3559His lustre visibly impar’d; yet seemd
3560Undaunted.  If I must contend, said he,
3561Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,
3562Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,
3563Or less be lost.  Thy fear, said _Zephon_ bold,
3564Will save us trial what the least can doe
3565Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
3566
3567The Fiend repli’d not, overcome with rage;
3568But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,
3569Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie
3570He held it vain; awe from above had quelld
3571His heart, not else dismai’d.  Now drew they nigh
3572The western point, where those half-rounding guards
3573Just met, & closing stood in squadron joind
3574Awaiting next command.  To whom thir Chief
3575_Gabriel_ from the Front thus calld aloud.
3576
3577O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
3578Hasting this way, and now by glimps discerne
3579_Ithuriel_ and _Zephon_ through the shade,
3580And with them comes a third of Regal port,
3581But faded splendor wan; who by his gate
3582And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,
3583Not likely to part hence without contest;
3584Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
3585
3586He scarce had ended, when those two approachd
3587And brief related whom they brought, wher found,
3588How busied, in what form and posture coucht.
3589
3590To whom with stern regard thus _Gabriel_ spake.
3591Why hast thou, _Satan_, broke the bounds prescrib’d
3592To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge
3593Of others, who approve not to transgress
3594By thy example, but have power and right
3595To question thy bold entrance on this place;
3596Imploi’d it seems to violate sleep, and those
3597Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?
3598
3599To whom thus _Satan_ with contemptuous brow.
3600_Gabriel_, thou hadst in Heav’n th’ esteem of wise,
3601And such I held thee; but this question askt
3602Puts me in doubt.  Lives ther who loves his pain?
3603Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,
3604Though thither doomd?  Thou wouldst thy self, no doubt,
3605And boldly venture to whatever place
3606Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change
3607Torment with ease, & soonest recompence
3608Dole with delight, which in this place I sought;
3609To thee no reason; who knowst only good,
3610But evil hast not tri’d: and wilt object
3611His will who bound us? let him surer barr
3612His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay
3613In that dark durance: thus much what was askt.
3614The rest is true, they found me where they say;
3615But that implies not violence or harme.
3616
3617Thus hee in scorn.  The warlike Angel mov’d,
3618Disdainfully half smiling thus repli’d.
3619O loss of one in Heav’n to judge of wise,
3620Since _Satan_ fell, whom follie overthrew,
3621And now returns him from his prison scap’t,
3622Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise
3623Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither
3624Unlicenc’t from his bounds in Hell prescrib’d;
3625So wise he judges it to fly from pain
3626However, and to scape his punishment.
3627So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,
3628Which thou incurr’st by flying, meet thy flight
3629Seavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,
3630Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain
3631Can equal anger infinite provok’t.
3632But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee
3633Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them
3634Less pain, less to be fled, or thou then they
3635Less hardie to endure? courageous Chief,
3636The first in flight from pain, had’st thou alleg’d
3637To thy deserted host this cause of flight,
3638Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.
3639
3640To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.
3641Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,
3642Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood
3643Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aide
3644The blasting volied Thunder made all speed
3645And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear.
3646But still thy words at random, as before,
3647Argue thy inexperience what behooves
3648From hard assaies and ill successes past
3649A faithful Leader, not to hazard all
3650Through wayes of danger by himself untri’d.
3651I therefore, I alone first undertook
3652To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie
3653This new created World, whereof in Hell
3654Fame is not silent, here in hope to find
3655Better abode, and my afflicted Powers
3656To settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire;
3657Though for possession put to try once more
3658What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;
3659Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord
3660High up in Heav’n, with songs to hymne his Throne,
3661And practis’d distances to cringe, not fight.
3662
3663To whom the warriour Angel soon repli’d.
3664To say and strait unsay, pretending first
3665Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,
3666Argues no Leader, but a lyar trac’t,
3667_Satan_, and couldst thou faithful add?  O name,
3668O sacred name of faithfulness profan’d!
3669Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?
3670Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;
3671Was this your discipline and faith ingag’d,
3672Your military obedience, to dissolve
3673Allegeance to th’ acknowledg’d Power supream?
3674And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem
3675Patron of liberty, who more then thou
3676Once fawn’d, and cring’d, and servilly ador’d
3677Heav’ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope
3678To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?
3679But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;
3680Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre
3681Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,
3682Back to th’ infernal pit I drag thee chaind,
3683And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorne
3684The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.
3685
3686So threatn’d hee, but _Satan_ to no threats
3687Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli’d.
3688
3689Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines,
3690Proud limitarie Cherube, but ere then
3691Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel
3692From my prevailing arme, though Heavens King
3693Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers,
3694Us’d to the yoak, draw’st his triumphant wheels
3695In progress through the rode of Heav’n Star-pav’d.
3696
3697While thus he spake, th’ Angelic Squadron bright
3698Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes
3699Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round
3700With ported Spears, as thick as when a field
3701Of _Ceres_ ripe for harvest waving bends
3702Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind
3703Swayes them; the careful Plowman doubting stands
3704Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves
3705Prove chaff.  On th’ other side _Satan_ allarm’d
3706Collecting all his might dilated stood,
3707Like _Teneriff_ or _Atlas_ unremov’d:
3708His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest
3709Sat horror Plum’d; nor wanted in his graspe
3710What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds
3711Might have ensu’d, nor onely Paradise
3712In this commotion, but the Starrie Cope
3713Of Heav’n perhaps, or all the Elements
3714At least had gon to rack, disturbd and torne
3715With violence of this conflict, had not soon
3716Th’ Eternal to prevent such horrid fray
3717Hung forth in Heav’n his golden Scales, yet seen
3718Betwixt _Astrea_ and the _Scorpion_ signe,
3719Wherein all things created first he weighd,
3720The pendulous round Earth with ballanc’t Aire
3721In counterpoise, now ponders all events,
3722Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights
3723The sequel each of parting and of fight;
3724The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;
3725Which _Gabriel_ spying, thus bespake the Fiend.
3726
3727_Satan_, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine,
3728Neither our own but giv’n; what follie then
3729To boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more
3730Then Heav’n permits, nor mine, though doubld now
3731To trample thee as mire: for proof look up,
3732And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign
3733Where thou art weigh’d, & shown how light, how weak,
3734If thou resist.  The Fiend lookt up and knew
3735His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled
3736Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.
3737
3738       THE END OF THE FOURTH BOOK.
3739
3740  PARADISE LOST
3741
3742
3743
3744
3745
3746  BOOK V.
3747
3748Now Morn her rosie steps in th’ Eastern Clime
3749Advancing, sow’d the Earth with Orient Pearle,
3750When _Adam_ wak’t, so customd, for his sleep
3751Was Aerie light, from pure digestion bred,
3752And temperat vapors bland, which th’ only sound
3753Of leaves and fuming rills, _Aurora’s_ fan,
3754Lightly dispers’d, and the shrill Matin Song
3755Of Birds on every bough; so much the more
3756His wonder was to find unwak’nd _Eve_
3757With Tresses discompos’d, and glowing Cheek,
3758As through unquiet rest: he on his side
3759Leaning half-rais’d, with looks of cordial Love
3760Hung over her enamour’d, and beheld
3761Beautie, which whether waking or asleep,
3762Shot forth peculiar Graces; then with voice
3763Milde, as when _Zephyrus_ on _Flora_ breathes,
3764Her hand soft touching, whisperd thus.  Awake
3765My fairest, my espous’d, my latest found,
3766Heav’ns last best gift, my ever new delight,
3767Awake, the morning shines, and the fresh field
3768Calls us, we lose the prime, to mark how spring
3769Our tended Plants, how blows the Citron Grove,
3770What drops the Myrrhe, & what the balmie Reed,
3771How Nature paints her colours, how the Bee
3772Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet.
3773
3774Such whispering wak’d her, but with startl’d eye
3775On _Adam_, whom imbracing, thus she spake.
3776
3777O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,
3778My Glorie, my Perfection, glad I see
3779Thy face, and Morn return’d, for I this Night,
3780Such night till this I never pass’d, have dream’d,
3781If dream’d, not as I oft am wont, of thee,
3782Works of day pass’t, or morrows next designe,
3783But of offence and trouble, which my mind
3784Knew never till this irksom night; methought
3785Close at mine ear one call’d me forth to walk
3786With gentle voice, I thought it thine; it said,
3787Why sleepst thou _Eve_? now is the pleasant time,
3788The cool, the silent, save where silence yields
3789To the night-warbling Bird, that now awake
3790Tunes sweetest his love-labor’d song; now reignes
3791Full Orb’d the Moon, and with more pleasing light
3792Shadowie sets off the face of things; in vain,
3793If none regard; Heav’n wakes with all his eyes,
3794Whom to behold but thee, Natures desire,
3795In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment
3796Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.
3797I rose as at thy call, but found thee not;
3798To find thee I directed then my walk;
3799And on, methought, alone I pass’d through ways
3800That brought me on a sudden to the Tree
3801Of interdicted Knowledge: fair it seem’d,
3802Much fairer to my Fancie then by day:
3803And as I wondring lookt, beside it stood
3804One shap’d & wing’d like one of those from Heav’n
3805By us oft seen; his dewie locks distill’d
3806Ambrosia; on that Tree he also gaz’d;
3807And O fair Plant, said he, with fruit surcharg’d,
3808Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet,
3809Nor God, nor Man; is Knowledge so despis’d?
3810Or envie, or what reserve forbids to taste?
3811Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold
3812Longer thy offerd good, why else set here?
3813This said he paus’d not, but with ventrous Arme
3814He pluckt, he tasted; mee damp horror chil’d
3815At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold:
3816But he thus overjoy’d, O Fruit Divine,
3817Sweet of thy self, but much more sweet thus cropt,
3818Forbidd’n here, it seems, as onely fit
3819For Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men:
3820And why not Gods of Men, since good, the more
3821Communicated, more abundant growes,
3822The Author not impair’d, but honourd more?
3823Here, happie Creature, fair Angelic _Eve_,
3824Partake thou also; happie though thou art,
3825Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be:
3826Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods
3827Thy self a Goddess, not to Earth confind,
3828But somtimes in the Air, as wee, somtimes
3829Ascend to Heav’n, by merit thine, and see
3830What life the Gods live there, and such live thou.
3831So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,
3832Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part
3833Which he had pluckt; the pleasant savourie smell
3834So quick’nd appetite, that I, methought,
3835Could not but taste.  Forthwith up to the Clouds
3836With him I flew, and underneath beheld
3837The Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wide
3838And various: wondring at my flight and change
3839To this high exaltation; suddenly
3840My Guide was gon, and I, me thought, sunk down,
3841And fell asleep; but O how glad I wak’d
3842To find this but a dream!  Thus _Eve_ her Night
3843Related, and thus _Adam_ answerd sad.
3844
3845Best Image of my self and dearer half,
3846The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep
3847Affects me equally; nor can I like
3848This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear;
3849Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,
3850Created pure.  But know that in the Soule
3851Are many lesser Faculties that serve
3852Reason as chief; among these Fansie next
3853Her office holds; of all external things,
3854Which the five watchful Senses represent,
3855She forms Imaginations, Aerie shapes,
3856Which Reason joyning or disjoyning, frames
3857All what we affirm or what deny, and call
3858Our knowledge or opinion; then retires
3859Into her private Cell when Nature rests.
3860Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes
3861To imitate her; but misjoyning shapes,
3862Wilde work produces oft, and most in dreams,
3863Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.
3864Som such resemblances methinks I find
3865Of our last Eevnings talk, in this thy dream,
3866But with addition strange; yet be not sad.
3867Evil into the mind of God or Man
3868May come and go, so unapprov’d, and leave
3869No spot or blame behind: Which gives me hope
3870That what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream,
3871Waking thou never wilt consent to do.
3872Be not disheart’nd then, nor cloud those looks
3873That wont to be more chearful and serene
3874Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World,
3875And let us to our fresh imployments rise
3876Among the Groves, the Fountains, and the Flours
3877That open now thir choicest bosom’d smells
3878Reservd from night, and kept for thee in store.
3879
3880So cheard he his fair Spouse, and she was cheard,
3881But silently a gentle tear let fall
3882From either eye, and wip’d them with her haire;
3883Two other precious drops that ready stood,
3884Each in thir chrystal sluce, hee ere they fell
3885Kiss’d as the gracious signs of sweet remorse
3886And pious awe, that feard to have offended.
3887
3888So all was cleard, and to the Field they haste.
3889But first from under shadie arborous roof,
3890Soon as they forth were come to open sight
3891Of day-spring, and the Sun, who scarce up risen
3892With wheels yet hov’ring o’re the Ocean brim,
3893Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray,
3894Discovering in wide Lantskip all the East
3895Of Paradise and _Edens_ happie Plains,
3896Lowly they bow’d adoring, and began
3897Thir Orisons, each Morning duly paid
3898In various style, for neither various style
3899Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise
3900Thir Maker, in fit strains pronounc’t or sung
3901Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence
3902Flowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse,
3903More tuneable then needed Lute or Harp
3904To add more sweetness, and they thus began.
3905
3906These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
3907Almightie, thine this universal Frame,
3908Thus wondrous fair; thy self how wondrous then!
3909Unspeakable, who sitst above these Heavens
3910To us invisible or dimly seen
3911In these thy lowest works, yet these declare
3912Thy goodness beyond thought, and Power Divine:
3913Speak yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light,
3914Angels, for yee behold him, and with songs
3915And choral symphonies, Day without Night,
3916Circle his Throne rejoycing, yee in Heav’n,
3917On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extoll
3918Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.
3919Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night,
3920If better thou belong not to the dawn,
3921Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling Morn
3922With thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy Spheare
3923While day arises, that sweet hour of Prime.
3924Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule,
3925Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praise
3926In thy eternal course, both when thou climb’st,
3927And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst.
3928Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli’st
3929With the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies,
3930And yee five other wandring Fires that move
3931In mystic Dance not without Song, resound
3932His praise, who out of Darkness call’d up Light.
3933Aire, and ye Elements the eldest birth
3934Of Natures Womb, that in quaternion run
3935Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix
3936And nourish all things, let your ceasless change
3937Varie to our great Maker still new praise.
3938Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise
3939From Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey,
3940Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold,
3941In honour to the Worlds great Author rise,
3942Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie,
3943Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers,
3944Rising or falling still advance his praise.
3945His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow,
3946Breath soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,
3947With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave.
3948Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow,
3949Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.
3950Joyn voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds,
3951That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend,
3952Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;
3953Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk
3954The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;
3955Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven,
3956To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shade
3957Made vocal by my Song, and taught his praise.
3958Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still
3959To give us onely good; and if the night
3960Have gathered aught of evil or conceald,
3961Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.
3962
3963So pray’d they innocent, and to thir thoughts
3964Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm.
3965On to thir mornings rural work they haste
3966Among sweet dewes and flours; where any row
3967Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr
3968Thir pamperd boughes, and needed hands to check
3969Fruitless imbraces: or they led the Vine
3970To wed her Elm; she spous’d about him twines
3971Her mariageable arms, and with her brings
3972Her dowr th’ adopted Clusters, to adorn
3973His barren leaves.  Them thus imploid beheld
3974With pittie Heav’ns high King, and to him call’d
3975_Raphael_, the sociable Spirit, that deign’d
3976To travel with _Tobias_, and secur’d
3977His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid.
3978
3979_Raphael_, said hee, thou hear’st what stir on Earth
3980_Satan_ from Hell scap’t through the darksom Gulf
3981Hath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbd
3982This night the human pair, how he designes
3983In them at once to ruin all mankind.
3984Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend
3985Converse with _Adam_, in what Bowre or shade
3986Thou find’st him from the heat of Noon retir’d,
3987To respit his day-labour with repast,
3988Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,
3989As may advise him of his happie state,
3990Happiness in his power left free to will,
3991Left to his own free Will, his Will though free,
3992Yet mutable; whence warne him to beware
3993He swerve not too secure: tell him withall
3994His danger, and from whom, what enemie
3995Late falln himself from Heav’n, is plotting now
3996The fall of others from like state of bliss;
3997By violence, no, for that shall be withstood,
3998But by deceit and lies; this let him know,
3999Least wilfully transgressing he pretend
4000Surprisal, unadmonisht, unforewarnd.
4001
4002So spake th’ Eternal Father, and fulfilld
4003All Justice: nor delaid the winged Saint
4004After his charge receivd, but from among
4005Thousand Celestial Ardors, where he stood
4006Vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light
4007Flew through the midst of Heav’n; th’ angelic Quires
4008On each hand parting, to his speed gave way
4009Through all th’ Empyreal road; till at the Gate
4010Of Heav’n arriv’d, the gate self-opend wide
4011On golden Hinges turning, as by work
4012Divine the sov’ran Architect had fram’d.
4013From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,
4014Starr interpos’d, however small he sees,
4015Not unconform to other shining Globes,
4016Earth and the Gard’n of God, with Cedars crownd
4017Above all Hills.  As when by night the Glass
4018Of _Galileo_, less assur’d, observes
4019Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon:
4020Or Pilot from amidst the _Cyclades_
4021_Delos_ or _Samos_ first appeering kenns
4022A cloudy spot.  Down thither prone in flight
4023He speeds, and through the vast Ethereal Skie
4024Sailes between worlds & worlds, with steddie wing
4025Now on the polar windes, then with quick Fann
4026Winnows the buxom Air; till within soare
4027Of Towring Eagles, to all the Fowles he seems
4028A _Phoenix_, gaz’d by all, as that sole Bird
4029When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun’s
4030Bright Temple, to _Aegyptian Theb’s_ he flies.
4031At once on th’ Eastern cliff of Paradise
4032He lights, and to his proper shape returns
4033A Seraph wingd; six wings he wore, to shade
4034His lineaments Divine; the pair that clad
4035Each shoulder broad, came mantling o’re his brest
4036With regal Ornament; the middle pair
4037Girt like a Starrie Zone his waste, and round
4038Skirted his loines and thighes with downie Gold
4039And colours dipt in Heav’n; the third his feet
4040Shaddowd from either heele with featherd maile
4041Skie-tinctur’d grain.  Like _Maia’s_ son he stood,
4042And shook his Plumes, that Heav’nly fragrance filld
4043The circuit wide.  Strait knew him all the bands
4044Of Angels under watch; and to his state,
4045And to his message high in honour rise;
4046For on som message high they guessd him bound.
4047Thir glittering Tents he passd, and now is come
4048Into the blissful field, through Groves of Myrrhe,
4049And flouring Odours, Cassia, Nard, and Balme;
4050A Wilderness of sweets; for Nature here
4051Wantond as in her prime, and plaid at will
4052Her Virgin Fancies, pouring forth more sweet,
4053Wilde above rule or art; enormous bliss.
4054Him through the spicie Forrest onward com
4055_Adam_ discernd, as in the dore he sat
4056Of his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun
4057Shot down direct his fervid Raies, to warme
4058Earths inmost womb, more warmth then _Adam_ need;
4059And _Eve_ within, due at her hour prepar’d
4060For dinner savourie fruits, of taste to please
4061True appetite, and not disrelish thirst
4062Of nectarous draughts between, from milkie stream,
4063Berrie or Grape: to whom thus _Adam_ call’d.
4064
4065Haste hither _Eve_, and worth thy sight behold
4066Eastward among those Trees, what glorious shape
4067Comes this way moving; seems another Morn
4068Ris’n on mid-noon; som great behest from Heav’n
4069To us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafe
4070This day to be our Guest.  But goe with speed,
4071And what thy stores contain, bring forth and poure
4072Abundance, fit to honour and receive
4073Our Heav’nly stranger; well we may afford
4074Our givers thir own gifts, and large bestow
4075From large bestowd, where Nature multiplies
4076Her fertil growth, and by disburd’ning grows
4077More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.
4078
4079To whom thus _Eve_. _Adam_, earths hallowd mould,
4080Of God inspir’d, small store will serve, where store,
4081All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;
4082Save what by frugal storing firmness gains
4083To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes:
4084But I will haste and from each bough and break,
4085Each Plant & juciest Gourd will pluck such choice
4086To entertain our Angel guest, as hee
4087Beholding shall confess that here on Earth
4088God hath dispenst his bounties as in Heav’n.
4089
4090So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste
4091She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent
4092What choice to chuse for delicacie best,
4093What order, so contriv’d as not to mix
4094Tastes, not well joynd, inelegant, but bring
4095Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change,
4096Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk
4097Whatever Earth all-bearing Mother yeilds
4098In _India_ East or West, or middle shoare
4099In _Pontus_ or the _Punic_ Coast, or where
4100_Alcinous_ reign’d, fruit of all kindes, in coate,
4101Rough, or smooth rin’d, or bearded husk, or shell
4102She gathers, Tribute large, and on the board
4103Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the Grape
4104She crushes, inoffensive moust, and meathes
4105From many a berrie, and from sweet kernels prest
4106She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold
4107Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground
4108With Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum’d.
4109Mean while our Primitive great Sire, to meet
4110His god-like Guest, walks forth, without more train
4111Accompani’d then with his own compleat
4112Perfections, in himself was all his state,
4113More solemn then the tedious pomp that waits
4114On Princes, when thir rich Retinue long
4115Of Horses led, and Grooms besmeard with Gold
4116Dazles the croud, and sets them all agape.
4117Neerer his presence _Adam_ though not awd,
4118Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,
4119As to a superior Nature, bowing low,
4120
4121Thus said.  Native of Heav’n, for other place
4122None can then Heav’n such glorious shape contain;
4123Since by descending from the Thrones above,
4124Those happie places thou hast deignd a while
4125To want, and honour these, voutsafe with us
4126Two onely, who yet by sov’ran gift possess
4127This spacious ground, in yonder shadie Bowre
4128To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears
4129To sit and taste, till this meridian heat
4130Be over, and the Sun more coole decline.
4131
4132Whom thus the Angelic Vertue answerd milde.
4133_Adam_, I therefore came, nor art thou such
4134Created, or such place hast here to dwell,
4135As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav’n
4136To visit thee; lead on then where thy Bowre
4137Oreshades; for these mid-hours, till Eevning rise
4138I have at will.  So to the Silvan Lodge
4139They came, that like _Pomona’s_ Arbour smil’d
4140With flourets deck’t and fragrant smells; but _Eve_
4141Undeckt, save with her self more lovely fair
4142Then Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign’d
4143Of three that in Mount _Ida_ naked strove,
4144Stood to entertain her guest from Heav’n; no vaile
4145Shee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirme
4146Alterd her cheek.  On whom the Angel _Haile_
4147Bestowd, the holy salutation us’d
4148Long after to blest _Marie_, second _Eve_.
4149
4150Haile Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful Womb
4151Shall fill the World more numerous with thy Sons
4152Then with these various fruits the Trees of God
4153Have heap’d this Table.  Rais’d of grassie terf
4154Thir Table was, and mossie seats had round,
4155And on her ample Square from side to side
4156All _Autumn_ pil’d, though _Spring_ and _Autumn_ here
4157Danc’d hand in hand.  A while discourse they hold;
4158No fear lest Dinner coole; when thus began
4159Our Authour.  Heav’nly stranger, please to taste
4160These bounties which our Nourisher, from whom
4161All perfet good unmeasur’d out, descends,
4162To us for food and for delight hath caus’d
4163The Earth to yeild; unsavourie food perhaps
4164To spiritual Natures; only this I know,
4165That one Celestial Father gives to all.
4166
4167To whom the Angel.  Therefore what he gives
4168(Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part
4169Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found
4170No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure
4171Intelligential substances require
4172As doth your Rational; and both contain
4173Within them every lower facultie
4174Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,
4175Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,
4176And corporeal to incorporeal turn.
4177For know, whatever was created, needs
4178To be sustaind and fed; of Elements
4179The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,
4180Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those Fires
4181Ethereal, and as lowest first the Moon;
4182Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg’d
4183Vapours not yet into her substance turnd.
4184Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhale
4185From her moist Continent to higher Orbes.
4186The Sun that light imparts to all, receives
4187From all his alimental recompence
4188In humid exhalations, and at Even
4189Sups with the Ocean: though in Heav’n the Trees
4190Of life ambrosial frutage bear, and vines
4191Yeild Nectar, though from off the boughs each Morn
4192We brush mellifluous Dewes, and find the ground
4193Cover’d with pearly grain: yet God hath here
4194Varied his bounty so with new delights,
4195As may compare with Heaven; and to taste
4196Think not I shall be nice.  So down they sat,
4197And to thir viands fell, nor seemingly
4198The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss
4199Of Theologians, but with keen dispatch
4200Of real hunger, and concoctive heate
4201To transubstantiate; what redounds, transpires
4202Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fire
4203Of sooty coal the Empiric Alchimist
4204Can turn, or holds it possible to turn
4205Metals of drossiest Ore to perfet Gold
4206As from the Mine.  Mean while at Table _Eve_
4207Ministerd naked, and thir flowing cups
4208With pleasant liquors crown’d: O innocence
4209Deserving Paradise! if ever, then,
4210Then had the Sons of God excuse to have bin
4211Enamour’d at that sight; but in those hearts
4212Love unlibidinous reign’d, nor jealousie
4213Was understood, the injur’d Lovers Hell.
4214
4215Thus when with meats & drinks they had suffic’d,
4216Not burd’nd Nature, sudden mind arose
4217In _Adam_, not to let th’ occasion pass
4218Given him by this great Conference to know
4219Of things above his World, and of thir being
4220Who dwell in Heav’n, whose excellence he saw
4221Transcend his own so farr, whose radiant forms
4222Divine effulgence, whose high Power so far
4223Exceeded human, and his wary speech
4224Thus to th’ Empyreal Minister he fram’d.
4225
4226Inhabitant with God, now know I well
4227Thy favour, in this honour done to man,
4228Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaf’t
4229To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,
4230Food not of Angels, yet accepted so,
4231As that more willingly thou couldst not seem
4232At Heav’ns high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?
4233
4234 To whom the winged Hierarch repli’d.
4235O _Adam_, one Almightie is, from whom
4236All things proceed, and up to him return,
4237If not deprav’d from good, created all
4238Such to perfection, one first matter all,
4239Indu’d with various forms, various degrees
4240Of substance, and in things that live, of life;
4241But more refin’d, more spiritous, and pure,
4242As neerer to him plac’t or neerer tending
4243Each in thir several active Sphears assignd,
4244Till body up to spirit work, in bounds
4245Proportiond to each kind.  So from the root
4246Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves
4247More aerie, last the bright consummate floure
4248Spirits odorous breathes: flours and thir fruit
4249Mans nourishment, by gradual scale sublim’d
4250To vital Spirits aspire, to animal,
4251To intellectual, give both life and sense,
4252Fansie and understanding, whence the soule
4253Reason receives, and reason is her being,
4254Discursive, or Intuitive; discourse
4255Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,
4256Differing but in degree, of kind the same.
4257Wonder not then, what God for you saw good
4258If I refuse not, but convert, as you,
4259To proper substance; time may come when men
4260With Angels may participate, and find
4261No inconvenient Diet, nor too light Fare:
4262And from these corporal nutriments perhaps
4263Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit
4264Improv’d by tract of time, and wingd ascend
4265Ethereal, as wee, or may at choice
4266Here or in Heav’nly Paradises dwell;
4267If ye be found obedient, and retain
4268Unalterably firm his love entire
4269Whose progenie you are.  Mean while enjoy
4270Your fill what happiness this happie state
4271Can comprehend, incapable of more.
4272
4273To whom the Patriarch of mankind repli’d.
4274O favourable spirit, propitious guest,
4275Well hast thou taught the way that might direct
4276Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set
4277From center to circumference, whereon
4278In contemplation of created things
4279By steps we may ascend to God.  But say,
4280What meant that caution joind, _If ye be found
4281obedient?_ can wee want obedience then
4282To him, or possibly his love desert
4283Who formd us from the dust, and plac’d us here
4284Full to the utmost measure of what bliss
4285Human desires can seek or apprehend?
4286
4287To whom the Angel.  Son of Heav’n and Earth,
4288Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God;
4289That thou continu’st such, owe to thy self,
4290That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.
4291This was that caution giv’n thee; be advis’d.
4292God made thee perfet, not immutable;
4293And good he made thee, but to persevere
4294He left it in thy power, ordaind thy will
4295By nature free, not over-rul’d by Fate
4296Inextricable, or strict necessity;
4297Our voluntarie service he requires,
4298Not our necessitated, such with him
4299Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for how
4300Can hearts, not free, be tri’d whether they serve
4301Willing or no, who will but what they must
4302By Destinie, and can no other choose?
4303My self and all th’ Angelic Host that stand
4304In sight of God enthron’d, our happie state
4305Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
4306On other surety none; freely we serve.
4307Because wee freely love, as in our will
4308To love or not; in this we stand or fall:
4309And som are fall’n, to disobedience fall’n,
4310And so from Heav’n to deepest Hell; O fall
4311From what high state of bliss into what woe!
4312
4313To whom our great Progenitor.  Thy words
4314Attentive, and with more delighted eare
4315Divine instructer, I have heard, then when
4316Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills
4317Aereal Music send: nor knew I not
4318To be both will and deed created free;
4319Yet that we never shall forget to love
4320Our maker, and obey him whose command
4321Single, is yet so just, my constant thoughts
4322Assur’d me and still assure: though what thou tellst
4323Hath past in Heav’n, som doubt within me move,
4324But more desire to hear, if thou consent,
4325The full relation, which must needs be strange,
4326Worthy of Sacred silence to be heard;
4327And we have yet large day, for scarce the Sun
4328Hath finisht half his journey, and scarce begins
4329His other half in the great Zone of Heav’n.
4330
4331Thus _Adam_ made request, and _Raphael_
4332After short pause assenting, thus began.
4333
4334High matter thou injoinst me, O prime of men,
4335Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate
4336To human sense th’ invisible exploits
4337Of warring Spirits; how without remorse
4338The ruin of so many glorious once
4339And perfet while they stood; how last unfould
4340The secrets of another world, perhaps
4341Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good
4342This is dispenc’t, and what surmounts the reach
4343Of human sense, I shall delineate so,
4344By lik’ning spiritual to corporal forms,
4345As may express them best, though what if Earth
4346Be but the shaddow of Heav’n, and things therein
4347Each to other like, more then on earth is thought?
4348
4349As yet this world was not, and _Chaos_ wilde
4350Reignd where these Heav’ns now rowl, where Earth now rests
4351Upon her Center pois’d, when on a day
4352(For Time, though in Eternitie, appli’d
4353To motion, measures all things durable
4354By present, past, and future) on such day
4355As Heav’ns great Year brings forth, th’ Empyreal Host
4356Of Angels by Imperial summons call’d,
4357Innumerable before th’ Almighties Throne
4358Forthwith from all the ends of Heav’n appeerd
4359Under thir Hierarchs in orders bright
4360Ten thousand thousand Ensignes high advanc’d,
4361Standards, and Gonfalons twixt Van and Reare
4362Streame in the Aire, and for distinction serve
4363Of Hierarchies, of Orders, and Degrees;
4364Or in thir glittering Tissues bear imblaz’d
4365Holy Memorials, acts of Zeale and Love
4366Recorded eminent.  Thus when in Orbes
4367Of circuit inexpressible they stood,
4368Orb within Orb, the Father infinite,
4369By whom in bliss imbosom’d sat the Son,
4370Amidst as from a flaming Mount, whoseop
4371Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.
4372
4373Hear all ye Angels, Progenie of Light,
4374Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,
4375Hear my Decree, which unrevok’t shall stand.
4376This day I have begot whom I declare
4377My onely Son, and on this holy Hill
4378Him have anointed, whom ye now behold
4379At my right hand; your Head I him appoint;
4380And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow
4381All knees in Heav’n, and shall confess him Lord:
4382Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abide
4383United as one individual Soule
4384For ever happie: him who disobeyes
4385Mee disobeyes, breaks union, and that day
4386Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls
4387Into utter darkness, deep ingulft, his place
4388Ordaind without redemption, without end.
4389
4390So spake th’ Omnipotent, and with his words
4391All seemd well pleas’d, all seem’d, but were not all.
4392That day, as other solem dayes, they spent
4393In song and dance about the sacred Hill,
4394Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare
4395Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles
4396Resembles nearest, mazes intricate,
4397Eccentric, intervolv’d, yet regular
4398Then most, when most irregular they seem:
4399And in thir motions harmonie Divine
4400So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear
4401Listens delighted.  Eevning approachd
4402(For we have also our Eevning and our Morn,
4403We ours for change delectable, not need)
4404Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn
4405Desirous, all in Circles as they stood,
4406Tables are set, and on a sudden pil’d
4407With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows:
4408In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold,
4409Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heav’n.
4410They eat, they drink, and with refection sweet
4411Are fill’d, before th’ all bounteous King, who showrd
4412With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy.
4413Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal’d
4414From that high mount of God, whence light & shade
4415Spring both, the face of brightest Heav’n had changd
4416To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there
4417In darker veile) and roseat Dews dispos’d
4418All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,
4419Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr
4420Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred,
4421(Such are the Courts of God) Th’ Angelic throng
4422Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend
4423By living Streams among the Trees of Life,
4424Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard,
4425Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept
4426Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course
4427Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne
4428Alternate all night long: but not so wak’d
4429_Satan_, so call him now, his former name
4430Is heard no more Heav’n; he of the first,
4431If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power,
4432In favour and praeeminence, yet fraught
4433With envie against the Son of God, that day
4434Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd
4435_Messiah_ King anointed, could not beare
4436Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaird.
4437Deep malice thence conceiving & disdain,
4438Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre
4439Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv’d
4440With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave
4441Unworshipt, unobey’d the Throne supream
4442Contemptuous, and his next subordinate
4443Awak’ning, thus to him in secret spake.
4444
4445Sleepst thou Companion dear, what sleep can close
4446Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what Decree
4447Of yesterday, so late hath past the lips
4448Of Heav’ns Almightie.  Thou to me thy thoughts
4449Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart;
4450Both waking we were one; how then can now
4451Thy sleep dissent? new Laws thou seest impos’d;
4452New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise
4453In us who serve, new Counsels, to debate
4454What doubtful may ensue, more in this place
4455To utter is not safe.  Assemble thou
4456Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief;
4457Tell them that by command, ere yet dim Night
4458Her shadowie Cloud withdraws, I am to haste,
4459And all who under me thir Banners wave,
4460Homeward with flying march where we possess
4461The Quarters of the North, there to prepare
4462Fit entertainment to receive our King
4463The great _Messiah_, and his new commands,
4464Who speedily through all the Hierarchies
4465Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws.
4466
4467So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus’d
4468Bad influence into th’ unwarie brest
4469Of his Associate; hee together calls,
4470Or several one by one, the Regent Powers,
4471Under him Regent, tells, as he was taught,
4472That the most High commanding, now ere Night,
4473Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav’n,
4474The great Hierarchal Standard was to move;
4475Tells the suggested cause, and casts between
4476Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound
4477Or taint integritie; but all obey’d
4478The wonted signal, and superior voice
4479Of thir great Potentate; for great indeed
4480His name, and high was his degree in Heav’n;
4481His count’nance, as the Morning Starr that guides
4482The starrie flock, allur’d them, and with lyes
4483Drew after him the third part of Heav’ns Host:
4484Mean while th’ Eternal eye, whose sight discernes
4485Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy Mount
4486And from within the golden Lamps that burne
4487Nightly before him, saw without thir light
4488Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spred
4489Among the sons of Morn, what multitudes
4490Were banded to oppose his high Decree;
4491And smiling to his onely Son thus said.
4492
4493Son, thou in whom my glory I behold
4494In full resplendence, Heir of all my might,
4495Neerly it now concernes us to be sure
4496Of our Omnipotence, and with what Arms
4497We mean to hold what anciently we claim
4498Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe
4499Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne
4500Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;
4501Nor so content, hath in his thought to trie
4502In battel, what our Power is, or our right.
4503Let us advise, and to this hazard draw
4504With speed what force is left, and all imploy
4505In our defence, lest unawares we lose
4506This our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.
4507
4508To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer
4509Light’ning Divine, ineffable, serene,
4510Made answer.  Mightie Father, thou thy foes
4511Justly hast in derision, and secure
4512Laugh’st at thir vain designes and tumults vain,
4513Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hate
4514Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power
4515Giv’n me to quell thir pride, and in event
4516Know whether I be dextrous to subdue
4517Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav’n.
4518
4519So spake the Son, but _Satan_ with his Powers
4520Farr was advanc’t on winged speed, an Host
4521Innumerable as the Starrs of Night,
4522Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the Sun
4523Impearls on every leaf and every flouer.
4524Regions they pass’d, the mightie Regencies
4525Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones
4526In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which
4527All thy Dominion, _Adam_, is no more
4528Then what this Garden is to all the Earth,
4529And all the Sea, from one entire globose
4530Stretcht into Longitude; which having pass’d
4531At length into the limits of the North
4532They came, and _Satan_ to his Royal seat
4533High on a Hill, far blazing, as a Mount
4534Rais’d on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs
4535From Diamond Quarries hew’n, & Rocks of Gold,
4536The Palace of great _Lucifer_, (so call
4537That Structure in the Dialect of men
4538Interpreted) which not long after, hee
4539Affecting all equality with God,
4540In imitation of that Mount whereon
4541_Messiah_ was declar’d in sight of Heav’n,
4542The Mountain of the Congregation call’d;
4543For thither he assembl’d all his Train,
4544Pretending so commanded to consult
4545About the great reception of thir King,
4546Thither to come, and with calumnious Art
4547Of counterfeted truth thus held thir ears.
4548
4549Thrones, Dominations, Princedomes, Vertues, Powers,
4550If these magnific Titles yet remain
4551Not meerly titular, since by Decree
4552Another now hath to himself ingross’t
4553All Power, and us eclipst under the name
4554Of King anointed, for whom all this haste
4555Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,
4556This onely to consult how we may best
4557With what may be devis’d of honours new
4558Receive him coming to receive from us
4559Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,
4560Too much to one, but double how endur’d,
4561To one and to his image now proclaim’d?
4562But what if better counsels might erect
4563Our minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke?
4564Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bend
4565The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust
4566To know ye right, or if ye know your selves
4567Natives and Sons of Heav’n possest before
4568By none, and if not equal all, yet free,
4569Equally free; for Orders and Degrees
4570Jarr not with liberty, but well consist.
4571Who can in reason then or right assume
4572Monarchie over such as live by right
4573His equals, if in power and splendor less,
4574In freedome equal? or can introduce
4575Law and Edict on us, who without law
4576Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord,
4577And look for adoration to th’ abuse
4578Of those Imperial Titles which assert
4579Our being ordain’d to govern, not to serve?
4580
4581Thus farr his bold discourse without controule
4582Had audience, when among the Seraphim
4583_Abdiel_, then whom none with more zeale ador’d
4584The Deitie, and divine commands obei’d,
4585Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severe
4586The current of his fury thus oppos’d.
4587
4588O argument blasphemous, false and proud!
4589Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav’n
4590Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate
4591In place thy self so high above thy Peeres.
4592Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne
4593The just Decree of God, pronounc’t and sworn,
4594That to his only Son by right endu’d
4595With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav’n
4596Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due
4597Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist
4598Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free,
4599And equal over equals to let Reigne,
4600One over all with unsucceeded power.
4601Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute
4602With him the points of libertie, who made
4603Thee what thou art, & formd the Pow’rs of Heav’n
4604Such as he pleasd, and circumscrib’d thir being?
4605Yet by experience taught we know how good,
4606And of our good, and of our dignitie
4607How provident he is, how farr from thought
4608To make us less, bent rather to exalt
4609Our happie state under one Head more neer
4610United.  But to grant it thee unjust,
4611That equal over equals Monarch Reigne:
4612Thy self though great & glorious dost thou count,
4613Or all Angelic Nature joind in one,
4614Equal to him begotten Son, by whom
4615As by his Word the mighty Father made
4616All things, ev’n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav’n
4617By him created in thir bright degrees,
4618Crownd them with Glory, & to thir Glory nam’d
4619Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers
4620Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur’d,
4621But more illustrious made, since he the Head
4622One of our number thus reduc’t becomes,
4623His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done
4624Returns our own.  Cease then this impious rage,
4625And tempt not these; but hast’n to appease
4626Th’ incensed Father, and th’ incensed Son,
4627While Pardon may be found in time besought.
4628
4629So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale
4630None seconded, as out of season judg’d,
4631Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic’d
4632Th’ Apostat, and more haughty thus repli’d.
4633That we were formd then saist thou? & the work
4634Of secondarie hands, by task transferd
4635From Father to his Son? strange point and new!
4636Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw
4637When this creation was? rememberst thou
4638Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
4639We know no time when we were not as now;
4640Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais’d
4641By our own quick’ning power, when fatal course
4642Had circl’d his full Orbe, the birth mature
4643Of this our native Heav’n, Ethereal Sons.
4644Our puissance is our own, our own right hand
4645Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try
4646Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
4647Whether by supplication we intend
4648Address, and to begirt th’ Almighty Throne
4649Beseeching or besieging.  This report,
4650These tidings carrie to th’ anointed King;
4651And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
4652
4653He said, and as the sound of waters deep
4654Hoarce murmur echo’d to his words applause
4655Through the infinite Host, nor less for that
4656The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone
4657Encompass’d round with foes, thus answerd bold.
4658
4659O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,
4660Forsak’n of all good; I see thy fall
4661Determind, and thy hapless crew involv’d
4662In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred
4663Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
4664No more be troubl’d how to quit the yoke
4665Of Gods _Messiah_; those indulgent Laws
4666Will not be now voutsaf’t, other Decrees
4667Against thee are gon forth without recall;
4668That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject
4669Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake
4670Thy disobedience.  Well thou didst advise,
4671Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly
4672These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth
4673Impendent, raging into sudden flame
4674Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel
4675His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
4676Then who created thee lamenting learne,
4677When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
4678
4679So spake the Seraph _Abdiel_ faithful found,
4680Among the faithless, faithful only hee;
4681Among innumerable false, unmov’d,
4682Unshak’n, unseduc’d, unterrifi’d
4683His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale;
4684Nor number, nor example with him wrought
4685To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
4686Though single.  From amidst them forth he passd,
4687Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind
4688Superior, nor of violence fear’d aught;
4689And with retorted scorn his back he turn’d
4690On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom’d.
4691
4692       THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.
4693
4694  PARADISE LOST
4695
4696
4697
4698
4699
4700  BOOK VI.
4701
4702All night the dreadless Angel unpursu’d
4703Through Heav’ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
4704Wak’t by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
4705Unbarr’d the gates of Light.  There is a Cave
4706Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
4707Where light and darkness in perpetual round
4708Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav’n
4709Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
4710Light issues forth, and at the other dore
4711Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
4712To veile the Heav’n, though darkness there might well
4713Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn
4714Such as in highest Heav’n, arrayd in Gold
4715Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night,
4716Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain
4717Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,
4718Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds
4719Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
4720Warr he perceav’d, warr in procinct, and found
4721Already known what he for news had thought
4722To have reported: gladly then he mixt
4723Among those friendly Powers who him receav’d
4724With joy and acclamations loud, that one
4725That of so many Myriads fall’n, yet one
4726Returnd not lost: On to the sacred hill
4727They led him high applauded, and present
4728Before the seat supream; from whence a voice
4729From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.
4730
4731Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought
4732The better fight, who single hast maintaind
4733Against revolted multitudes the Cause
4734Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes;
4735And for the testimonie of Truth hast born
4736Universal reproach, far worse to beare
4737Then violence: for this was all thy care
4738To stand approv’d in sight of God, though Worlds
4739Judg’d thee perverse: the easier conquest now
4740Remains thee, aided by this host of friends,
4741Back on thy foes more glorious to return
4742Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue
4743By force, who reason for thir Law refuse,
4744Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King
4745_Messiah_, who by right of merit Reigns.
4746Goe _Michael_ of Celestial Armies Prince,
4747And thou in Military prowess next
4748_Gabriel_, lead forth to Battel these my Sons
4749Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints
4750By Thousands and by Millions rang’d for fight;
4751Equal in number to that Godless crew
4752Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms
4753Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav’n
4754Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss,
4755Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf
4756Of _Tartarus_, which ready opens wide
4757His fiery _Chaos_ to receave thir fall.
4758
4759So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began
4760To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl
4761In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe
4762Of wrauth awak’t: nor with less dread the loud
4763Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow:
4764At which command the Powers Militant,
4765That stood for Heav’n, in mighty Quadrate joyn’d
4766Of Union irresistible, mov’d on
4767In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound
4768Of instrumental Harmonie that breath’d
4769Heroic Ardor to advent’rous deeds
4770Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause
4771Of God and his _Messiah_.  On they move
4772Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill,
4773Nor streit’ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides
4774Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground
4775Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore
4776Thir nimble tread; as when the total kind
4777Of Birds in orderly array on wing
4778Came summond over _Eden_ to receive
4779Thir names of thee; so over many a tract
4780Of Heav’n they march’d, and many a Province wide
4781Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last
4782Farr in th’ Horizon to the North appeer’d
4783From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht
4784In battailous aspect, and neerer view
4785Bristl’d with upright beams innumerable
4786Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throng’d, and Shields
4787Various, with boastful Argument portraid,
4788The banded Powers of _Satan_ hasting on
4789With furious expedition; for they weend
4790That self same day by fight, or by surprize
4791To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne
4792To set the envier of his State, the proud
4793Aspirer, but thir thoughts prov’d fond and vain
4794In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd
4795At first, that Angel should with Angel warr,
4796And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet
4797So oft in Festivals of joy and love
4798Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire
4799Hymning th’ Eternal Father: but the shout
4800Of Battel now began, and rushing sound
4801Of onset ended soon each milder thought.
4802High in the midst exalted as a God
4803Th’ Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate
4804Idol of Majestie Divine, enclos’d
4805With Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields;
4806Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now
4807’Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left,
4808A dreadful interval, and Front to Front
4809Presented stood in terrible array
4810Of hideous length: before the cloudie Van,
4811On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn’d,
4812_Satan_ with vast and haughtie strides advanc’t,
4813Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold;
4814_Abdiel_ that sight endur’d not, where he stood
4815Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,
4816And thus his own undaunted heart explores.
4817
4818O Heav’n! that such resemblance of the Highest
4819Should yet remain, where faith and realtie
4820Remain not; wherfore should not strength & might
4821There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove
4822Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?
4823His puissance, trusting in th’ Almightie’s aide,
4824I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri’d
4825Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,
4826That he who in debate of Truth hath won,
4827Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike
4828Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,
4829When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so
4830Most reason is that Reason overcome.
4831
4832So pondering, and from his armed Peers
4833Forth stepping opposite, half way he met
4834His daring foe, at this prevention more
4835Incens’t, and thus securely him defi’d.
4836
4837Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht
4838The highth of thy aspiring unoppos’d,
4839The Throne of God unguarded, and his side
4840Abandond at the terror of thy Power
4841Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain
4842Against th’ Omnipotent to rise in Arms;
4843Who out of smallest things could without end
4844Have rais’d incessant Armies to defeat
4845Thy folly; or with solitarie hand
4846Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow
4847Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd
4848Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest
4849All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith
4850Prefer, and Pietie to God, though then
4851To thee not visible, when I alone
4852Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent
4853From all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too late
4854How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.
4855
4856  Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance
4857Thus answerd.  Ill for thee, but in wisht houre
4858Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst
4859From flight, seditious Angel, to receave
4860Thy merited reward, the first assay
4861Of this right hand provok’t, since first that tongue
4862Inspir’d with contradiction durst oppose
4863A third part of the Gods, in Synod met
4864Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel
4865Vigour Divine within them, can allow
4866Omnipotence to none.  But well thou comst
4867Before thy fellows, ambitious to win
4868From me som Plume, that thy success may show
4869Destruction to the rest: this pause between
4870(Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know;
4871At first I thought that Libertie and Heav’n
4872To heav’nly Soules had bin all one; but now
4873I see that most through sloth had rather serve,
4874Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song;
4875Such hast thou arm’d, the Minstrelsie of Heav’n,
4876Servilitie with freedom to contend,
4877As both thir deeds compar’d this day shall prove.
4878
4879To whom in brief thus _Abdiel_ stern repli’d.
4880Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find
4881Of erring, from the path of truth remote:
4882Unjustly thou deprav’st it with the name
4883Of _Servitude_ to serve whom God ordains,
4884Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,
4885When he who rules is worthiest, and excells
4886Them whom he governs.  This is servitude,
4887To serve th’ unwise, or him who hath rebelld
4888Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,
4889Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall’d;
4890Yet leudly dar’st our ministring upbraid.
4891Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve
4892In Heav’n God ever blessed, and his Divine
4893Behests obey, worthiest to be obey’d,
4894Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while
4895From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,
4896This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.
4897
4898So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,
4899Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell
4900On the proud Crest of _Satan_, that no sight,
4901Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield
4902Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge
4903He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee
4904His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth
4905Winds under ground or waters forcing way
4906Sidelong, had push’t a Mountain from his seat
4907Half sunk with all his Pines.  Amazement seis’d
4908The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see
4909Thus foil’d thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout,
4910Presage of Victorie and fierce desire
4911Of Battel: whereat _Michael_ bid sound
4912Th’ Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav’n
4913It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung
4914_Hosanna_ to the Highest: nor stood at gaze
4915The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn’d
4916The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
4917And clamour such as heard in Heav’n till now
4918Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray’d
4919Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles
4920Of brazen Chariots rag’d; dire was the noise
4921Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss
4922Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,
4923And flying vaulted either Host with fire.
4924Sounder fierie Cope together rush’d
4925Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault
4926And inextinguishable rage; all Heav’n
4927Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth
4928Had to her Center shook.  What wonder? when
4929Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought
4930On either side, the least of whom could weild
4931These Elements, and arm him with the force
4932Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power
4933Armie against Armie numberless to raise
4934Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,
4935Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;
4936Had not th’ Eternal King Omnipotent
4937From his strong hold of Heav’n high over-rul’d
4938And limited thir might; though numberd such
4939As each divided Legion might have seemd
4940A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand
4941A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd
4942Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert
4943When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
4944Of Battel, open when, and when to close
4945The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,
4946None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
4947That argu’d fear; each on himself reli’d,
4948As onely in his arm the moment lay
4949Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame
4950Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred
4951That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground
4952A standing fight, then soaring on main wing
4953Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then
4954Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale
4955The Battel hung; till _Satan_, who that day
4956Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes
4957No equal, raunging through the dire attack
4958Of fighting Seraphim confus’d, at length
4959Saw where the Sword of _Michael_ smote, and fell’d
4960Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway
4961Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down
4962Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand
4963He hasted, and oppos’d the rockie Orb
4964Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield
4965A vast circumference: At his approach
4966The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile
4967Surceas’d, and glad as hoping here to end
4968Intestine War in Heav’n, the arch foe subdu’d
4969Or Captive drag’d in Chains, with hostile frown
4970And visage all enflam’d first thus began.
4971
4972Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,
4973Unnam’d in Heav’n, now plenteous, as thou seest
4974These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,
4975Though heaviest by just measure on thy self
4976And thy adherents: how hast thou disturb’d
4977Heav’ns blessed peace, and into Nature brought
4978Miserie, uncreated till the crime
4979Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill’d
4980Thy malice into thousands, once upright
4981And faithful, now prov’d false.  But think not here
4982To trouble Holy Rest; Heav’n casts thee out
4983From all her Confines.  Heav’n the seat of bliss
4984Brooks not the works of violence and Warr.
4985Hence then, and evil go with thee along
4986Thy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell,
4987Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles,
4988Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome,
4989Or som more sudden vengeance wing’d from God
4990Precipitate thee with augmented paine.
4991
4992So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
4993The Adversarie.  Nor think thou with wind
4994Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds
4995Thou canst not.  Hast thou turnd the least of these
4996To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise
4997Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee
4998That thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threats
4999To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end
5000The strife which thou call’st evil, but wee style
5001The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win,
5002Or turn this Heav’n it self into the Hell
5003Thou fablest, here however to dwell free,
5004If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,
5005And join him nam’d _Almightie_ to thy aid,
5006I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.
5007
5008They ended parle, and both addrest for fight
5009Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue
5010Of Angels, can relate, or to what things
5011Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift
5012Human imagination to such highth
5013Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,
5014Stood they or mov’d, in stature, motion, arms
5015Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav’n.
5016Now wav’d thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire
5017Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields
5018Blaz’d opposite, while expectation stood
5019In horror; from each hand with speed retir’d
5020Where erst was thickest fight, th’ Angelic throng,
5021And left large field, unsafe within the wind
5022Of such commotion, such as to set forth
5023Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,
5024Among the Constellations warr were sprung,
5025Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne
5026Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie,
5027Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound.
5028Together both with next to Almightie Arme,
5029Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim’d
5030That might determine, and not need repeate,
5031As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd
5032In might or swift prevention; but the sword
5033Of _Michael_ from the Armorie of God
5034Was giv’n him temperd so, that neither keen
5035Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
5036The sword of _Satan_ with steep force to smite
5037Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,
5038But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar’d
5039All his right side; then _Satan_ first knew pain,
5040And writh’d him to and fro convolv’d; so sore
5041The griding sword with discontinuous wound
5042Pass’d through him, but th’ Ethereal substance clos’d
5043Not long divisible, and from the gash
5044A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow’d
5045Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,
5046And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.
5047Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run
5048By Angels many and strong, who interpos’d
5049Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields
5050Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir’d
5051From off the files of warr; there they him laid
5052Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame
5053To find himself not matchless, and his pride
5054Humbl’d by such rebuke, so farr beneath
5055His confidence to equal God in power.
5056Yet soon he heal’d; for Spirits that live throughout
5057Vital in every part, not as frail man
5058In Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines,
5059Cannot but by annihilating die;
5060Nor in thir liquid texture mortal wound
5061Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire:
5062All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare,
5063All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please,
5064They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size
5065Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.
5066
5067Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd
5068Memorial, where the might of _Gabriel_ fought,
5069And with fierce Ensignes pierc’d the deep array
5070Of _Moloc_ furious King, who him defi’d,
5071And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound
5072Threatn’d, nor from the Holie One of Heav’n
5073Refrein’d his tongue blasphemous; but anon
5074Down clov’n to the waste, with shatterd Armes
5075And uncouth paine fled bellowing.  On each wing
5076_Uriel_ and _Raphael_ his vaunting foe,
5077Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd,
5078Vanquish’d _Adramelec_, and _Asmadai_,
5079Two potent Thrones, that to be less then Gods
5080Disdain’d, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight,
5081Mangl’d with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile.
5082Nor stood unmindful _Abdiel_ to annoy
5083The Atheist crew, but with redoubl’d blow
5084_Ariel_ and _Arioc_, and the violence
5085Of _Ramiel_ scorcht and blasted overthrew.
5086I might relate of thousands, and thir names
5087Eternize here on Earth; but those elect
5088Angels contented with thir fame in Heav’n
5089Seek not the praise of men: the other sort
5090In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr,
5091Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doome
5092Canceld from Heav’n and sacred memorie,
5093Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
5094For strength from Truth divided and from Just,
5095Illaudable, naught merits but dispraise
5096And ignominie, yet to glorie aspires
5097Vain glorious, and through infamie seeks fame:
5098Therfore Eternal silence be thir doome.
5099
5100And now thir mightiest quelld, the battel swerv’d,
5101With many an inrode gor’d; deformed rout
5102Enter’d, and foul disorder; all the ground
5103With shiverd armour strow’n, and on a heap
5104Chariot and Charioter lay overturnd
5105And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyld
5106Orewearied, through the faint Satanic Host
5107Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris’d,
5108Then first with fear surpris’d and sense of paine
5109Fled ignominious, to such evil brought
5110By sinne of disobedience, till that hour
5111Not liable to fear or flight or paine.
5112Far otherwise th’ inviolable Saints
5113In Cubic Phalanx firm advanc’t entire,
5114Invulnerable, impenitrably arm’d:
5115Such high advantages thir innocence
5116Gave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd,
5117Not to have disobei’d; in fight they stood
5118Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain’d
5119By wound, though from thir place by violence mov’d.
5120
5121Now Night her course began, and over Heav’n
5122Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos’d,
5123And silence on the odious dinn of Warr:
5124Under her Cloudie covert both retir’d,
5125Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field
5126_Michael_ and his Angels prevalent
5127Encamping, plac’d in Guard thir Watches round,
5128Cherubic waving fires: on th’ other part
5129_Satan_ with his rebellious disappeerd,
5130Far in the dark dislodg’d, and void of rest,
5131His Potentates to Councel call’d by night;
5132And in the midst thus undismai’d began.
5133
5134O now in danger tri’d, now known in Armes
5135Not to be overpowerd, Companions deare,
5136Found worthy not of Libertie alone,
5137Too mean pretense, but what we more affect,
5138Honour, Dominion, Glorie, and renowne,
5139Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight,
5140(And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?)
5141What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send
5142Against us from about his Throne, and judg’d
5143Sufficient to subdue us to his will,
5144But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,
5145Of future we may deem him, though till now
5146Omniscient thought.  True is, less firmly arm’d,
5147Some disadvantage we endur’d and paine,
5148Till now not known, but known as soon contemnd,
5149Since now we find this our Empyreal forme
5150Incapable of mortal injurie
5151Imperishable, and though peirc’d with wound,
5152Soon closing, and by native vigour heal’d.
5153Of evil then so small as easie think
5154The remedie; perhaps more valid Armes,
5155Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
5156May serve to better us, and worse our foes,
5157Or equal what between us made the odds,
5158In Nature none: if other hidden cause
5159Left them Superiour, while we can preserve
5160Unhurt our mindes, and understanding sound,
5161Due search and consultation will disclose.
5162
5163He sat; and in th’ assembly next upstood
5164_Nisroc_, of Principalities the prime;
5165As one he stood escap’t from cruel fight,
5166Sore toild, his riv’n Armes to havoc hewn,
5167And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake.
5168Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free
5169Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard
5170For Gods, and too unequal work we find
5171Against unequal armes to fight in paine,
5172Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil
5173Ruin must needs ensue; for what availes
5174Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain
5175Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands
5176Of Mightiest.  Sense of pleasure we may well
5177Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,
5178But live content, which is the calmest life:
5179But pain is perfet miserie, the worst
5180Of evils, and excessive, overturnes
5181All patience.  He who therefore can invent
5182With what more forcible we may offend
5183Our yet unwounded Enemies, or arme
5184Our selves with like defence, to mee deserves
5185No less then for deliverance what we owe.
5186
5187Whereto with look compos’d _Satan_ repli’d.
5188Not uninvented that, which thou aright
5189Beleivst so main to our success, I bring;
5190Which of us who beholds the bright surface
5191Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand,
5192This continent of spacious Heav’n, adornd
5193With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold,
5194Whose Eye so superficially surveyes
5195These things, as not to mind from whence they grow
5196Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,
5197Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht
5198With Heav’ns ray, and temperd they shoot forth
5199So beauteous, op’ning to the ambient light.
5200These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep
5201Shall yeild us, pregnant with infernal flame,
5202Which into hallow Engins long and round
5203Thick-rammd, at th’ other bore with touch of fire
5204Dilated and infuriate shall send forth
5205From far with thundring noise among our foes
5206Such implements of mischief as shall dash
5207To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands
5208Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd
5209The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
5210Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,
5211Effect shall end our wish.  Mean while revive;
5212Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind
5213Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird.
5214He ended, and his words thir drooping chere
5215Enlightn’d, and thir languisht hope reviv’d.
5216Th’ invention all admir’d, and each, how hee
5217To be th’ inventer miss’d, so easie it seemd
5218Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
5219Impossible: yet haply of thy Race
5220In future dayes, if Malice should abound,
5221Some one intent on mischief, or inspir’d
5222With dev’lish machination might devise
5223Like instrument to plague the Sons of men
5224For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.
5225Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew,
5226None arguing stood, innumerable hands
5227Were ready, in a moment up they turnd
5228Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath
5229Th’ originals of Nature in thir crude
5230Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame
5231They found, they mingl’d, and with suttle Art,
5232Concocted and adusted they reduc’d
5233To blackest grain, and into store conveyd:
5234Part hidd’n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth
5235Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone,
5236Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls
5237Of missive ruin; part incentive reed
5238Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire.
5239So all ere day spring, under conscious Night
5240Secret they finish’d, and in order set,
5241With silent circumspection unespi’d.
5242Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav’n appeerd
5243Up rose the Victor Angels, and to Arms
5244The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood
5245Of Golden Panoplie, refulgent Host,
5246Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills
5247Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure,
5248Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe,
5249Where lodg’d, or whither fled, or if for fight,
5250In motion or in alt: him soon they met
5251Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow
5252But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail
5253_Zephiel_, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,
5254Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri’d.
5255
5256Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand,
5257Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit
5258This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud
5259He comes, and settl’d in his face I see
5260Sad resolution and secure: let each
5261His Adamantine coat gird well, and each
5262Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield,
5263Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down,
5264If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr,
5265But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire.
5266So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon
5267In order, quit of all impediment;
5268Instant without disturb they took Allarm,
5269And onward move Embattelld; when behold
5270Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe
5271Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube
5272Training his devilish Enginrie, impal’d
5273On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep,
5274To hide the fraud.  At interview both stood
5275A while, but suddenly at head appeerd
5276_Satan_: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
5277
5278Vangard, to Right and Left the Front unfould;
5279That all may see who hate us, how we seek
5280Peace and composure, and with open brest
5281Stand readie to receive them, if they like
5282Our overture, and turn not back perverse;
5283But that I doubt, however witness Heaven,
5284Heav’n witness thou anon, while we discharge
5285Freely our part: yee who appointed stand
5286Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch
5287What we propound, and loud that all may hear.
5288
5289So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce
5290Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front
5291Divided, and to either Flank retir’d.
5292Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange,
5293A triple-mounted row of Pillars laid
5294On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seem’d
5295Or hollow’d bodies made of Oak or Firr
5296With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell’d)
5297Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes
5298With hideous orifice gap’t on us wide,
5299Portending hollow truce; at each behind
5300A Seraph stood, and in his hand a Reed
5301Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense,
5302Collected stood within our thoughts amus’d,
5303Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds
5304Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli’d
5305With nicest touch.  Immediate in a flame,
5306But soon obscur’d with smoak, all Heav’n appeerd,
5307From those deep-throated Engins belcht, whose roar
5308Emboweld with outragious noise the Air,
5309And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule
5310Thir devillish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail
5311Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host
5312Level’d, with such impetuous furie smote,
5313That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand,
5314Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell
5315By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl’d;
5316The sooner for thir Arms, unarm’d they might
5317Have easily as Spirits evaded swift
5318By quick contraction or remove; but now
5319Foule dissipation follow’d and forc’t rout;
5320Nor serv’d it to relax thir serried files.
5321What should they do? if on they rusht, repulse
5322Repeated, and indecent overthrow
5323Doubl’d, would render them yet more despis’d,
5324And to thir foes a laughter; for in view
5325Stood rankt of Seraphim another row
5326In posture to displode thir second tire
5327Of Thunder: back defeated to return
5328They worse abhorr’d.  _Satan_ beheld thir plight,
5329And to his Mates thus in derision call’d.
5330
5331O Friends, why come not on these Victors proud?
5332Ere while they fierce were coming, and when wee,
5333To entertain them fair with open Front
5334And Brest, (what could we more?) propounded terms
5335Of composition, strait they chang’d thir minds,
5336Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,
5337As they would dance, yet for a dance they seemd
5338Somwhat extravagant and wilde, perhaps
5339For joy of offerd peace: but I suppose
5340If our proposals once again were heard
5341We should compel them to a quick result.
5342
5343To whom thus _Belial_ in like gamesom mood.
5344Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight,
5345Of hard contents, and full of force urg’d home,
5346Such as we might perceive amus’d them all,
5347And stumbl’d many, who receives them right,
5348Had need from head to foot well understand;
5349Not understood, this gift they have besides,
5350They shew us when our foes walk not upright.
5351
5352So they among themselves in pleasant veine
5353Stood scoffing, highthn’d in thir thoughts beyond
5354All doubt of Victorie, eternal might
5355To match with thir inventions they presum’d
5356So easie, and of his Thunder made a scorn,
5357And all his Host derided, while they stood
5358A while in trouble; but they stood not long,
5359Rage prompted them at length, & found them arms
5360Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose.
5361Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power
5362Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac’d)
5363Thir Arms away they threw, and to the Hills
5364(For Earth hath this variety from Heav’n
5365Of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale)
5366Light as the Lightning glimps they ran, they flew,
5367From thir foundations loosning to and fro
5368They pluckt the seated Hills with all thir load,
5369Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops
5370Up lifting bore them in thir hands: Amaze,
5371Be sure, and terrour seis’d the rebel Host,
5372When coming towards them so dread they saw
5373The bottom of the Mountains upward turn’d,
5374Till on those cursed Engins triple-row
5375They saw them whelmd, and all thir confidence
5376Under the weight of Mountains buried deep,
5377Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads
5378Main Promontories flung, which in the Air
5379Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm’d,
5380Thir armor help’d thir harm, crush’t in and brus’d
5381Into thir substance pent, which wrought them pain
5382Implacable, and many a dolorous groan,
5383Long strugling underneath, ere they could wind
5384Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light,
5385Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown.
5386The rest in imitation to like Armes
5387Betook them, and the neighbouring Hills uptore;
5388So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills
5389Hurl’d to and fro with jaculation dire,
5390That under ground they fought in dismal shade;
5391Infernal noise; Warr seem’d a civil Game
5392To this uproar; horrid confusion heapt
5393Upon confusion rose: and now all Heav’n
5394Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspred,
5395Had not th’ Almightie Father where he sits
5396Shrin’d in his Sanctuarie of Heav’n secure,
5397Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen
5398This tumult, and permitted all, advis’d:
5399That his great purpose he might so fulfill,
5400To honour his Anointed Son aveng’d
5401Upon his enemies, and to declare
5402All power on him transferr’d: whence to his Son
5403Th’ Assessor of his Throne he thus began.
5404
5405Effulgence of my Glorie, Son belov’d,
5406Son in whose face invisible is beheld
5407Visibly, what by Deitie I am,
5408And in whose hand what by Decree I doe,
5409Second Omnipotence, two dayes are past,
5410Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav’n,
5411Since _Michael_ and his Powers went forth to tame
5412These disobedient; sore hath been thir fight,
5413As likeliest was, when two such Foes met arm’d;
5414For to themselves I left them, and thou knowst,
5415Equal in their Creation they were form’d,
5416Save what sin hath impaird, which yet hath wrought
5417Insensibly, for I suspend thir doom;
5418Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last
5419Endless, and no solution will be found:
5420Warr wearied hath perform’d what Warr can do,
5421And to disorder’d rage let loose the reines,
5422With Mountains as with Weapons arm’d, which makes
5423Wild work in Heav’n, and dangerous to the maine.
5424Two dayes are therefore past, the third is thine;
5425For thee I have ordain’d it, and thus farr
5426Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine
5427Of ending this great Warr, since none but Thou
5428Can end it.  Into thee such Vertue and Grace
5429Immense I have transfus’d, that all may know
5430In Heav’n and Hell thy Power above compare,
5431And this perverse Commotion governd thus,
5432To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir
5433Of all things, to be Heir and to be King
5434By Sacred Unction, thy deserved right.
5435Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might,
5436Ascend my Chariot, guide the rapid Wheeles
5437That shake Heav’ns basis, bring forth all my Warr,
5438My Bow and Thunder, my Almightie Arms
5439Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh;
5440Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out
5441From all Heav’ns bounds into the utter Deep:
5442There let them learn, as likes them, to despise
5443God and _Messiah_ his anointed King.
5444
5445He said, and on his Son with Rayes direct
5446Shon full, he all his Father full exprest
5447Ineffably into his face receiv’d,
5448And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.
5449
5450O Father, O Supream of heav’nly Thrones,
5451First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou alwayes seekst
5452To glorifie thy Son, I alwayes thee,
5453As is most just; this I my Glorie account,
5454My exaltation, and my whole delight,
5455That thou in me well pleas’d, declarst thy will
5456Fulfill’d, which to fulfil is all my bliss.
5457Scepter and Power, thy giving, I assume,
5458And gladlier shall resign, when in the end
5459Thou shalt be All in All, and I in thee
5460For ever, and in mee all whom thou lov’st:
5461But whom thou hat’st, I hate, and can put on
5462Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on,
5463Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,
5464Armd with thy might, rid heav’n of these rebell’d,
5465To thir prepar’d ill Mansion driven down
5466To chains of Darkness, and th’ undying Worm,
5467That from thy just obedience could revolt,
5468Whom to obey is happiness entire.
5469Then shall thy Saints unmixt, and from th’ impure
5470Farr separate, circling thy holy Mount
5471Unfained _Halleluiahs_ to thee sing,
5472Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.
5473So said, he o’re his Scepter bowing, rose
5474From the right hand of Glorie where he sate,
5475And the third sacred Morn began to shine
5476Dawning through Heav’n: forth rush’d with whirlwind sound
5477The Chariot of Paternal Deitie,
5478Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele undrawn,
5479It self instinct with Spirit, but convoyd
5480By four Cherubic shapes, four Faces each
5481Had wondrous, as with Starrs thir bodies all
5482And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels
5483Of Beril, and careering Fires between;
5484Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament,
5485Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure
5486Amber, and colours of the showrie Arch.
5487Hee in Celestial Panoplie all armd
5488Of radiant _Urim_, work divinely wrought,
5489Ascended, at his right hand Victorie
5490Sate Eagle-wing’d, beside him hung his Bow
5491And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor’d,
5492And from about him fierce Effusion rowld
5493Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire;
5494Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints,
5495He onward came, farr off his coming shon,
5496And twentie thousand (I thir number heard)
5497Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen:
5498Hee on the wings of Cherub rode sublime
5499On the Crystallin Skie, in Saphir Thron’d.
5500Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own
5501First seen, them unexpected joy surpriz’d,
5502When the great Ensign of _Messiah_ blaz’d
5503Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav’n:
5504Under whose Conduct _Michael_ soon reduc’d
5505His Armie, circumfus’d on either Wing,
5506Under thir Head imbodied all in one.
5507Before him Power Divine his way prepar’d;
5508At his command the uprooted Hills retir’d
5509Each to his place, they heard his voice and went
5510Obsequious, Heav’n his wonted face renewd,
5511And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil’d.
5512This saw his hapless Foes, but stood obdur’d,
5513And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers
5514Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.
5515In heav’nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell?
5516But to convince the proud what Signs availe,
5517Or Wonders move th’ obdurate to relent?
5518They hard’nd more by what might most reclame,
5519Grieving to see his Glorie, at the sight
5520Took envie, and aspiring to his highth,
5521Stood reimbattell’d fierce, by force or fraud
5522Weening to prosper, and at length prevaile
5523Against God and _Messiah_, or to fall
5524In universal ruin last, and now
5525To final Battel drew, disdaining flight,
5526Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God
5527To all his Host on either hand thus spake.
5528
5529Stand still in bright array ye Saints, here stand
5530Ye Angels arm’d, this day from Battel rest;
5531Faithful hath been your Warfare, and of God
5532Accepted, fearless in his righteous Cause,
5533And as ye have receivd, so have ye don
5534Invincibly; but of this cursed crew
5535The punishment to other hand belongs,
5536Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints;
5537Number to this dayes work is not ordain’d
5538Nor multitude, stand onely and behold
5539Gods indignation on these Godless pourd
5540By mee; not you but mee they have despis’d,
5541Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage,
5542Because the Father, t’ whom in Heav’n supream
5543Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains,
5544Hath honourd me according to his will.
5545Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig’n’d;
5546That they may have thir wish, to trie with mee
5547In Battel which the stronger proves, they all,
5548Or I alone against them, since by strength
5549They measure all, of other excellence
5550Not emulous, nor care who them excells;
5551Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe.
5552
5553So spake the Son, and into terrour chang’d
5554His count’nance too severe to be beheld
5555And full of wrauth bent on his Enemies.
5556At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings
5557With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbes
5558Of his fierce Chariot rowld, as with the sound
5559Of torrent Floods, or of a numerous Host.
5560Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove,
5561Gloomie as Night; under his burning Wheeles
5562The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout,
5563All but the Throne it self of God.  Full soon
5564Among them he arriv’d; in his right hand
5565Grasping ten thousand Thunders, which he sent
5566Before him, such as in thir Soules infix’d
5567Plagues; they astonisht all resistance lost,
5568All courage; down thir idle weapons drop’d;
5569O’re Shields and Helmes, and helmed heads he rode
5570Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate,
5571That wish’d the Mountains now might be again
5572Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire.
5573Nor less on either side tempestuous fell
5574His arrows, from the fourfold-visag’d Foure,
5575Distinct with eyes, and from the living Wheels,
5576Distinct alike with multitude of eyes,
5577One Spirit in them rul’d, and every eye
5578Glar’d lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire
5579Among th’ accurst, that witherd all thir strength,
5580And of thir wonted vigour left them draind,
5581Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall’n.
5582Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check’d
5583His Thunder in mid Volie, for he meant
5584Not to destroy, but root them out of Heav’n:
5585The overthrown he rais’d, and as a Heard
5586Of Goats or timerous flock together throngd
5587Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu’d
5588With terrors and with furies to the bounds
5589And Chrystall wall of Heav’n, which op’ning wide,
5590Rowld inward, and a spacious Gap disclos’d
5591Into the wastful Deep; the monstrous sight
5592Strook them with horror backward, but far worse
5593Urg’d them behind; headlong themselvs they threw
5594Down from the verge of Heav’n, Eternal wrauth
5595Burnt after them to the bottomless pit.
5596
5597Hell heard th’ unsufferable noise, Hell saw
5598Heav’n ruining from Heav’n and would have fled
5599Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep
5600Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound.
5601Nine dayes they fell; confounded _Chaos_ roard,
5602And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall
5603Through his wilde Anarchie, so huge a rout
5604Incumberd him with ruin: Hell at last
5605Yawning receavd them whole, and on them clos’d,
5606Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire
5607Unquenchable, the house of woe and paine.
5608Disburd’nd Heav’n rejoic’d, and soon repaird
5609Her mural breach, returning whence it rowld.
5610Sole Victor from th’ expulsion of his Foes
5611_Messiah_ his triumphal Chariot turnd:
5612To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood
5613Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts,
5614With Jubilie advanc’d; and as they went,
5615Shaded with branching Palme, each order bright,
5616Sung Triumph, and him sung Victorious King,
5617Son, Heire, and Lord, to him Dominion giv’n,
5618Worthiest to Reign: he celebrated rode
5619Triumphant through mid Heav’n, into the Courts
5620And Temple of his mightie Father Thron’d
5621On high; who into Glorie him receav’d,
5622Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss.
5623
5624Thus measuring things in Heav’n by things on Earth
5625At thy request, and that thou maist beware
5626By what is past, to thee I have reveal’d
5627What might have else to human Race bin hid;
5628The discord which befel, and Warr in Heav’n
5629Among th’ Angelic Powers, and the deep fall
5630Of those too high aspiring, who rebelld
5631With _Satan_, hee who envies now thy state,
5632Who now is plotting how he may seduce
5633Thee also from obedience, that with him
5634Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake
5635His punishment, Eternal miserie;
5636Which would be all his solace and revenge,
5637As a despite don against the most High,
5638Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe.
5639But list’n not to his Temptations, warne
5640Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard
5641By terrible Example the reward
5642Of disobedience; firm they might have stood,
5643Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.
5644
5645       THE END OF THE SIXTH BOOK.
5646
5647  PARADISE LOST.
5648
5649
5650
5651
5652
5653  BOOK VII.
5654
5655Descend from Heav’n _Urania_, by that name
5656If rightly thou art call’d, whose Voice divine
5657Following, above th’ _Olympian_ Hill I soare,
5658Above the flight of _Pegasean_ wing.
5659The meaning, not the Name I call: for thou
5660Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top
5661Of old _Olympus_ dwell’st, but Heav’nlie borne,
5662Before the Hills appeerd, or Fountain flow’d,
5663Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse,
5664Wisdom thy Sister, and with her didst play
5665In presence of th’ Almightie Father, pleas’d
5666With thy Celestial Song.  Up led by thee
5667Into the Heav’n of Heav’ns I have presum’d,
5668An Earthlie Guest, and drawn Empyreal Aire,
5669Thy tempring; with like safetie guided down
5670Return me to my Native Element:
5671Least from this flying Steed unrein’d, (as once
5672_Bellerophon_, though from a lower Clime)
5673Dismounted, on th’ _Aleian_ Field I fall
5674Erroneous, there to wander and forlorne.
5675Half yet remaines unsung, but narrower bound
5676Within the visible Diurnal Spheare;
5677Standing on Earth, not rapt above the Pole,
5678More safe I Sing with mortal voice, unchang’d
5679To hoarce or mute, though fall’n on evil dayes,
5680On evil dayes though fall’n, and evil tongues;
5681In darkness, and with dangers compast rouud,
5682And solitude; yet not alone, while thou
5683Visit’st my slumbers Nightly, or when Morn
5684Purples the East: still govern thou my Song,
5685_Urania_, and fit audience find, though few.
5686But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance
5687Of _Bacchus_ and his Revellers, the Race
5688Of that wilde Rout that tore the _Thracian_ Bard
5689In _Rhodope_, where Woods and Rocks had Eares
5690To rapture, till the savage clamor dround
5691Both Harp and Voice; nor could the Muse defend
5692Her Son.  So fail not thou, who thee implores:
5693For thou art Heav’nlie, shee an empty dreame.
5694
5695Say Goddess, what ensu’d when _Raphael_,
5696The affable Arch-angel, had forewarn’d
5697_Adam_ by dire example to beware
5698Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven
5699To those Apostates, least the like befall
5700In Paradise to _Adam_ or his Race,
5701Charg’d not to touch the interdicted Tree,
5702If they transgress, and slight that sole command,
5703So easily obeyd amid the choice
5704Of all tasts else to please thir appetite,
5705Though wandring.  He with his consorted _Eve_
5706The storie heard attentive, and was fill’d
5707With admiration, and deep Muse to heare
5708Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought
5709So unimaginable as hate in Heav’n,
5710And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss
5711With such confusion: but the evil soon
5712Driv’n back redounded as a flood on those
5713From whom it sprung, impossible to mix
5714With Blessedness.  Whence _Adam_ soon repeal’d
5715The doubts that in his heart arose: and now
5716Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know
5717What neerer might concern him, how this World
5718Of Heav’n and Earth conspicuous first began,
5719When, and whereof created, for what cause,
5720What within _Eden_ or without was done
5721Before his memorie, as one whose drouth
5722Yet scarce allay’d still eyes the current streame,
5723Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites,
5724Proceeded thus to ask his Heav’nly Guest.
5725
5726Great things, and full of wonder in our eares,
5727Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveal’d
5728Divine Interpreter, by favour sent
5729Down from the Empyrean to forewarne
5730Us timely of what might else have bin our loss,
5731Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach:
5732For which to the infinitly Good we owe
5733Immortal thanks, and his admonishment
5734Receave with solemne purpose to observe
5735Immutably his sovran will, the end
5736Of what we are.  But since thou hast voutsaf’t
5737Gently for our instruction to impart
5738Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd
5739Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemd,
5740Deign to descend now lower, and relate
5741What may no less perhaps availe us known,
5742How first began this Heav’n which we behold
5743Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd
5744Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills
5745All space, the ambient Aire wide interfus’d
5746Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause
5747Mov’d the Creator in his holy Rest
5748Through all Eternitie so late to build
5749In _Chaos_, and the work begun, how soon
5750Absolv’d, if unforbid thou maist unfould
5751What wee, not to explore the secrets aske
5752Of his Eternal Empire, but the more
5753To magnifie his works, the more we know.
5754And the great Light of Day yet wants to run
5755Much of his Race though steep, suspens in Heav’n
5756Held by thy voice, thy potent voice he heares,
5757And longer will delay to heare thee tell
5758His Generation, and the rising Birth
5759Of Nature from the unapparent Deep:
5760Or if the Starr of Eevning and the Moon
5761Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring
5762Silence, and Sleep listning to thee will watch,
5763Or we can bid his absence, till thy Song
5764End, and dismiss thee ere the Morning shine.
5765
5766Thus _Adam_ his illustrous Guest besought:
5767
5768And thus the Godlike Angel answerd milde.
5769This also thy request with caution askt
5770Obtaine: though to recount Almightie works
5771What words or tongue of Seraph can suffice,
5772Or heart of man suffice to comprehend?
5773Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve
5774To glorifie the Maker, and inferr
5775Thee also happier, shall not be withheld
5776Thy hearing, such Commission from above
5777I have receav’d, to answer thy desire
5778Of knowledge within bounds; beyond abstain
5779To ask, nor let thine own inventions hope
5780Things not reveal’d, which th’ invisible King,
5781Onely Omniscient, hath supprest in Night,
5782To none communicable in Earth or Heaven:
5783Anough is left besides to search and know.
5784But Knowledge is as food, and needs no less
5785Her Temperance over Appetite, to know
5786In measure what the mind may well contain,
5787Oppresses else with Surfet, and soon turns
5788Wisdom to Folly, as Nourishment to Winde.
5789
5790Know then, that after _Lucifer_ from Heav’n
5791(So call him, brighter once amidst the Host
5792Of Angels, then that Starr the Starrs among)
5793Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep
5794Into his place, and the great Son returnd
5795Victorious with his Saints, th’ Omnipotent
5796Eternal Father from his Throne beheld
5797Thir multitude, and to his Son thus spake.
5798
5799At least our envious Foe hath fail’d, who thought
5800All like himself rebellious, by whose aid
5801This inaccessible high strength, the seat
5802Of Deitie supream, us dispossest,
5803He trusted to have seis’d, and into fraud
5804Drew many, whom thir place knows here no more;
5805Yet farr the greater part have kept, I see,
5806Thir station, Heav’n yet populous retaines
5807Number sufficient to possess her Realmes
5808Though wide, and this high Temple to frequent
5809With Ministeries due and solemn Rites:
5810But least his heart exalt him in the harme
5811Already done, to have dispeopl’d Heav’n,
5812My damage fondly deem’d, I can repaire
5813That detriment, if such it be to lose
5814Self-lost, and in a moment will create
5815Another World, out of one man a Race
5816Of men innumerable, there to dwell,
5817Not here, till by degrees of merit rais’d
5818They open to themselves at length the way
5819Up hither, under long obedience tri’d,
5820And Earth be chang’d to Heavn, & Heav’n to Earth,
5821One Kingdom, Joy and Union without end.
5822Mean while inhabit laxe, ye Powers of Heav’n,
5823And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee
5824This I perform, speak thou, and be it don:
5825My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee
5826I send along, ride forth, and bid the Deep
5827Within appointed bounds be Heav’n and Earth,
5828Boundless the Deep, because I am who fill
5829Infinitude, nor vacuous the space.
5830Though I uncircumscrib’d my self retire,
5831And put not forth my goodness, which is free
5832To act or not, Necessitie and Chance
5833Approach not mee, and what I will is Fate.
5834
5835So spake th’ Almightie, and to what he spake
5836His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect.
5837Immediate are the Acts of God, more swift
5838Then time or motion, but to human ears
5839Cannot without process of speech be told,
5840So told as earthly notion can receave.
5841Great triumph and rejoycing was in Heav’n
5842When such was heard declar’d the Almightie’s will;
5843Glorie they sung to the most High, good will
5844To future men, and in thir dwellings peace:
5845Glorie to him whose just avenging ire
5846Had driven out th’ ungodly from his sight
5847And th’ habitations of the just; to him
5848Glorie and praise, whose wisdom had ordain’d
5849Good out of evil to create, in stead
5850Of Spirits maligne a better Race to bring
5851Into thir vacant room, and thence diffuse
5852His good to Worlds and Ages infinite.
5853So sang the Hierarchies: Mean while the Son
5854On his great Expedition now appeer’d,
5855Girt with Omnipotence, with Radiance crown’d
5856Of Majestie Divine, Sapience and Love
5857Immense, and all his Father in him shon.
5858About his Chariot numberless were pour’d
5859Cherub and Seraph, Potentates and Thrones,
5860And Vertues, winged Spirits, and Chariots wing’d,
5861From the Armoury of God, where stand of old
5862Myriads between two brazen Mountains lodg’d
5863Against a solemn day, harnest at hand,
5864Celestial Equipage; and now came forth
5865Spontaneous, for within them Spirit livd,
5866Attendant on thir Lord: Heav’n op’nd wide
5867Her ever during Gates, Harmonious sound
5868On golden Hinges moving, to let forth
5869The King of Glorie in his powerful Word
5870And Spirit coming to create new Worlds.
5871On heav’nly ground they stood, and from the shore
5872They view’d the vast immeasurable Abyss
5873Outrageous as a Sea, dark, wasteful, wilde,
5874Up from the bottom turn’d by furious windes
5875And surging waves, as Mountains to assault
5876Heav’ns highth, and with the Center mix the Pole.
5877
5878Silence, ye troubl’d waves, and thou Deep, peace,
5879Said then th’ Omnific Word, your discord end:
5880
5881Nor staid, but on the Wings of Cherubim
5882Uplifted, in Paternal Glorie rode
5883Farr into _Chaos_, and the World unborn;
5884For _Chaos_ heard his voice: him all his Traine
5885Follow’d in bright procession to behold
5886Creation, and the wonders of his might.
5887Then staid the fervid Wheeles, and in his hand
5888He took the golden Compasses, prepar’d
5889In Gods Eternal store, to circumscribe
5890This Universe, and all created things:
5891One foot he center’d, and the other turn’d
5892Round through the vast profunditie obscure,
5893And said, thus farr extend, thus farr thy bounds,
5894This be thy just Circumference, O World.
5895Thus God the Heav’n created, thus the Earth,
5896Matter unform’d and void: Darkness profound
5897Cover’d th’ Abyss: but on the watrie calme
5898His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspred,
5899And vital vertue infus’d, and vital warmth
5900Throughout the fluid Mass, but downward purg’d
5901The black tartareous cold infernal dregs
5902Adverse to life: then founded, then conglob’d
5903Like things to like, the rest to several place
5904Disparted, and between spun out the Air,
5905And Earth self-ballanc’t on her Center hung.
5906
5907Let ther be Light, said God, and forthwith Light
5908Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure
5909Sprung from the Deep, and from her Native East
5910To journie through the airie gloom began,
5911Sphear’d in a radiant Cloud, for yet the Sun
5912Was not; shee in a cloudie Tabernacle
5913Sojourn’d the while.  God saw the Light was good;
5914And light from darkness by the Hemisphere
5915Divided: Light the Day, and Darkness Night
5916He nam’d.  Thus was the first Day Eev’n and Morn:
5917Nor past uncelebrated, nor unsung
5918By the Celestial Quires, when Orient Light
5919Exhaling first from Darkness they beheld;
5920Birth-day of Heav’n and Earth; with joy and shout
5921The hollow Universal Orb they fill’d,
5922And touch’t thir Golden Harps, & hymning prais’d
5923God and his works, Creatour him they sung,
5924Both when first Eevning was, and when first Morn.
5925
5926Again, God said, let ther be Firmament
5927Amid the Waters, and let it divide
5928The Waters from the Waters: and God made
5929The Firmament, expanse of liquid, pure,
5930Transparent, Elemental Air, diffus’d
5931In circuit to the uttermost convex
5932Of this great Round: partition firm and sure,
5933The Waters underneath from those above
5934Dividing: for as Earth, so hee the World
5935Built on circumfluous Waters calme, in wide
5936Crystallin Ocean, and the loud misrule
5937Of _Chaos_ farr remov’d, least fierce extreames
5938Contiguous might distemper the whole frame:
5939And Heav’n he nam’d the Firmament: So Eev’n
5940And Morning _Chorus_ sung the second Day.
5941
5942The Earth was form’d, but in the Womb as yet
5943Of Waters, Embryon immature involv’d,
5944Appeer’d not: over all the face of Earth
5945Main Ocean flow’d, not idle, but with warme
5946Prolific humour soft’ning all her Globe,
5947Fermented the great Mother to conceave,
5948Satiate with genial moisture, when God said
5949Be gather’d now ye Waters under Heav’n
5950Into one place, and let dry Land appeer.
5951Immediately the Mountains huge appeer
5952Emergent, and thir broad bare backs upheave
5953Into the Clouds, thir tops ascend the Skie:
5954So high as heav’d the tumid Hills, so low
5955Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep,
5956Capacious bed of Waters: thither they
5957Hasted with glad precipitance, uprowld
5958As drops on dust conglobing from the drie;
5959Part rise in crystal Wall, or ridge direct,
5960For haste; such flight the great command impress’d
5961On the swift flouds: as Armies at the call
5962Of Trumpet (for of Armies thou hast heard)
5963Troop to thir Standard, so the watrie throng,
5964Wave rowling after Wave, where way they found,
5965If steep, with torrent rapture, if through Plaine,
5966Soft-ebbing; nor withstood them Rock or Hill,
5967But they, or under ground, or circuit wide
5968With Serpent errour wandring, found thir way,
5969And on the washie Oose deep Channels wore;
5970Easie, e’re God had bid the ground be drie,
5971All but within those banks, where Rivers now
5972Stream, and perpetual draw thir humid traine.
5973The dry Land, Earth, and the great receptacle
5974Of congregated Waters he call’d Seas:
5975And saw that it was good, and said, Let th’ Earth
5976Put forth the verdant Grass, Herb yeilding Seed,
5977And Fruit Tree yeilding Fruit after her kind;
5978Whose Seed is in her self upon the Earth.
5979He scarce had said, when the bare Earth, till then
5980Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorn’d,
5981Brought forth the tender Grass, whose verdure clad
5982Her Universal Face with pleasant green,
5983Then Herbs of every leaf, that sudden flour’d
5984Op’ning thir various colours, and made gay
5985Her bosom smelling sweet: and these scarce blown,
5986Forth flourish’t thick the clustring Vine, forth crept
5987The smelling Gourd, up stood the cornie Reed
5988Embattell’d in her field: add the humble Shrub,
5989And Bush with frizl’d hair implicit: last
5990Rose as in Dance the stately Trees, and spred
5991Thir branches hung with copious Fruit; or gemm’d
5992Thir Blossoms: with high Woods the Hills were crownd,
5993With tufts the vallies & each fountain side,
5994With borders long the Rivers.  That Earth now
5995Seemd like to Heav’n, a seat where Gods might dwell,
5996Or wander with delight, and love to haunt
5997Her sacred shades: though God had yet not rain’d
5998Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground
5999None was, but from the Earth a dewie Mist
6000Went up and waterd all the ground, and each
6001Plant of the field, which e’re it was in the Earth
6002God made, and every Herb, before it grew
6003On the green stemm; God saw that it was good:
6004So Eev’n and Morn recorded the Third Day.
6005
6006Again th’ Almightie spake: Let there be Lights
6007High in th’ expanse of Heaven to divide
6008The Day from Night; and let them be for Signes,
6009For Seasons, and for Dayes, and circling Years,
6010And let them be for Lights as I ordaine
6011Thir Office in the Firmament of Heav’n
6012To give Light on the Earth; and it was so.
6013And God made two great Lights, great for thir use
6014To Man, the greater to have rule by Day,
6015The less by Night alterne: and made the Starrs,
6016And set them in the Firmament of Heav’n
6017To illuminate the Earth, and rule the Day
6018In thir vicissitude, and rule the Night,
6019And Light from Darkness to divide.  God saw,
6020Surveying his great Work, that it was good:
6021For of Celestial Bodies first the Sun
6022A mightie Spheare he fram’d, unlightsom first,
6023Though of Ethereal Mould: then form’d the Moon
6024Globose, and everie magnitude of Starrs,
6025And sowd with Starrs the Heav’n thick as a field:
6026Of Light by farr the greater part he took,
6027Transplanted from her cloudie Shrine, and plac’d
6028In the Suns Orb, made porous to receive
6029And drink the liquid Light, firm to retaine
6030Her gather’d beams, great Palace now of Light.
6031Hither as to thir Fountain other Starrs
6032Repairing, in thir gold’n Urns draw Light,
6033And hence the Morning Planet guilds his horns;
6034By tincture or reflection they augment
6035Thir small peculiar, though from human sight
6036So farr remote, with diminution seen.
6037First in his East the glorious Lamp was seen,
6038Regent of Day, and all th’ Horizon round
6039Invested with bright Rayes, jocond to run
6040His Longitude through Heav’ns high rode: the gray
6041Dawn, and the _Pleiades_ before him danc’d
6042Shedding sweet influence: less bright the Moon,
6043But opposite in leveld West was set
6044His mirror, with full face borrowing her Light
6045From him, for other light she needed none
6046In that aspect, and still that distance keepes
6047Till night, then in the East her turn she shines,
6048Revolvd on Heav’ns great Axle, and her Reign
6049With thousand lesser Lights dividual holds,
6050With thousand thousand Starres, that then appeer’d
6051Spangling the Hemisphere: then first adornd
6052With thir bright Luminaries that Set and Rose,
6053Glad Eevning & glad Morn crownd the fourth day.
6054
6055And God said, let the Waters generate
6056Reptil with Spawn abundant, living Soule:
6057And let Fowle flie above the Earth, with wings
6058Displayd on the op’n Firmament of Heav’n.
6059And God created the great Whales, and each
6060Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously
6061The waters generated by thir kindes,
6062And every Bird of wing after his kinde;
6063And saw that it was good, and bless’d them, saying,
6064Be fruitful, multiply, and in the Seas
6065And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill;
6066And let the Fowle be multiply’d on the Earth.
6067Forthwith the Sounds and Seas, each Creek & Bay
6068With Frie innumerable swarme, and Shoales
6069Of Fish that with thir Finns and shining Scales
6070Glide under the green Wave, in Sculles that oft
6071Bank the mid Sea: part single or with mate
6072Graze the Sea weed thir pasture, & through Groves
6073Of Coral stray, or sporting with quick glance
6074Show to the Sun thir wav’d coats dropt with Gold,
6075Or in thir Pearlie shells at ease, attend
6076Moist nutriment, or under Rocks thir food
6077In jointed Armour watch: on smooth the Seale,
6078And bended Dolphins play: part huge of bulk
6079Wallowing unweildie, enormous in thir Gate
6080Tempest the Ocean: there Leviathan
6081Hugest of living Creatures, on the Deep
6082Stretcht like a Promontorie sleeps or swimmes,
6083And seems a moving Land, and at his Gilles
6084Draws in, and at his Trunck spouts out a Sea.
6085Mean while the tepid Caves, and Fens and shoares
6086Thir Brood as numerous hatch, from the Egg that soon
6087Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclos’d
6088Thir callow young, but featherd soon and fledge
6089They summ’d thir Penns, and soaring th’ air sublime
6090With clang despis’d the ground, under a cloud
6091In prospect; there the Eagle and the Stork
6092On Cliffs and Cedar tops thir Eyries build:
6093Part loosly wing the Region, part more wise
6094In common, rang’d in figure wedge thir way,
6095Intelligent of seasons, and set forth
6096Thir Aierie Caravan high over Sea’s
6097Flying, and over Lands with mutual wing
6098Easing thir flight; so stears the prudent Crane
6099Her annual Voiage, born on Windes; the Aire
6100Floats, as they pass, fann’d with unnumber’d plumes:
6101From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song
6102Solac’d the Woods, and spred thir painted wings
6103Till Ev’n, nor then the solemn Nightingal
6104Ceas’d warbling, but all night tun’d her soft layes:
6105Others on Silver Lakes and Rivers Bath’d
6106Thir downie Brest; the Swan with Arched neck
6107Between her white wings mantling proudly, Rowes
6108Her state with Oarie feet: yet oft they quit
6109The Dank, and rising on stiff Pennons, towre
6110The mid Aereal Skie: Others on ground
6111Walk’d firm; the crested Cock whose clarion sounds
6112The silent hours, and th’ other whose gay Traine
6113Adorns him, colour’d with the Florid hue
6114Of Rainbows and Starrie Eyes.  The Waters thus
6115With Fish replenisht, and the Aire with Fowle,
6116Ev’ning and Morn solemniz’d the Fift day.
6117
6118The Sixt, and of Creation last arose
6119With Eevning Harps and Mattin, when God said,
6120Let th’ Earth bring forth Fowle living in her kinde,
6121Cattel and Creeping things, and Beast of the Earth,
6122Each in their kinde.  The Earth obey’d, and strait
6123Op’ning her fertil Woomb teem’d at a Birth
6124Innumerous living Creatures, perfet formes,
6125Limb’d and full grown: out of the ground up-rose
6126As from his Laire the wilde Beast where he wonns
6127In Forrest wilde, in Thicket, Brake, or Den;
6128Among the Trees in Pairs they rose, they walk’d:
6129The Cattel in the Fields and Meddowes green:
6130Those rare and solitarie, these in flocks
6131Pasturing at once, and in broad Herds upsprung:
6132The grassie Clods now Calv’d, now half appeer’d
6133The Tawnie Lion, pawing to get free
6134His hinder parts, then springs as broke from Bonds,
6135And Rampant shakes his Brinded main; the Ounce,
6136The Libbard, and the Tyger, as the Moale
6137Rising, the crumbl’d Earth above them threw
6138In Hillocks; the swift Stag from under ground
6139Bore up his branching head: scarse from his mould
6140_Behemoth_ biggest born of Earth upheav’d
6141His vastness: Fleec’t the Flocks and bleating rose,
6142As Plants: ambiguous between Sea and Land
6143The River Horse and scalie Crocodile.
6144At once came forth whatever creeps the ground,
6145Insect or Worme; those wav’d thir limber fans
6146For wings, and smallest Lineaments exact
6147In all the Liveries dect of Summers pride
6148With spots of Gold and Purple, azure and green:
6149These as a line thir long dimension drew,
6150Streaking the ground with sinuous trace; not all
6151Minims of Nature; some of Serpent kinde
6152Wondrous in length and corpulence involv’d
6153Thir Snakie foulds, and added wings.  First crept
6154The Parsimonious Emmet, provident
6155Of future, in small room large heart enclos’d,
6156Pattern of just equalitie perhaps
6157Hereafter, join’d in her popular Tribes
6158Of Commonaltie: swarming next appeer’d
6159The Femal Bee that feeds her Husband Drone
6160Deliciously, and builds her waxen Cells
6161With Honey stor’d: the rest are numberless,
6162And thou thir Natures know’st, and gav’st them Names,
6163Needlest to thee repeaed; nor unknown
6164The Serpent suttl’st Beast of all the field,
6165Of huge extent somtimes, with brazen Eyes
6166And hairie Main terrific, though to thee
6167Not noxious, but obedient at thy call.
6168Now Heav’n in all her Glorie shon, and rowld
6169Her motions, as the great first-Movers hand
6170First wheeld thir course; Earth in her rich attire
6171Consummate lovly smil’d; Aire, Water, Earth,
6172By Fowl, Fish, Beast, was flown, was swum, was walkt
6173Frequent; and of the Sixt day yet remain’d;
6174There wanted yet the Master work, the end
6175Of all yet don; a Creature who not prone
6176And Brute as other Creatures, but endu’d
6177With Sanctitie of Reason, might erect
6178His Stature, and upright with Front serene
6179Govern the rest, self-knowing, and from thence
6180Magnanimous to correspond with Heav’n,
6181But grateful to acknowledge whence his good
6182Descends, thither with heart and voice and eyes
6183Directed in Devotion, to adore
6184And worship God Supream, who made him chief
6185Of all his works: therefore the Omnipotent
6186Eternal Father (For where is not hee
6187Present) thus to his Son audibly spake.
6188
6189Let us make now Man in our image, Man
6190In our similitude, and let them rule
6191Over the Fish and Fowle of Sea and Aire,
6192Beast of the Field, and over all the Earth,
6193And every creeping thing that creeps the ground.
6194This said, he formd thee, _Adam_, thee O Man
6195Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breath’d
6196The breath of Life; in his own Image hee
6197Created thee, in the Image of God
6198Express, and thou becam’st a living Soul.
6199Male he created thee, but thy consort
6200Femal for Race; then bless’d Mankinde, and said,
6201Be fruitful, multiplie, and fill the Earth,
6202Subdue it, and throughout Dominion hold
6203Over Fish of the Sea, and Fowle of the Aire,
6204And every living thing that moves on the Earth.
6205Wherever thus created, for no place
6206Is yet distinct by name, thence, as thou know’st
6207He brought thee into this delicious Grove,
6208This Garden, planted with the Trees of God,
6209Delectable both to behold and taste;
6210And freely all thir pleasant fruit for food
6211Gave thee, all sorts are here that all th’ Earth yeelds,
6212Varietie without end; but of the Tree
6213Which tasted works knowledge of Good and Evil,
6214Thou mai’st not; in the day thou eat’st, thou di’st;
6215Death is the penaltie impos’d, beware,
6216And govern well thy appetite, least sin
6217Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death.
6218Here finish’d hee, and all that he had made
6219View’d, and behold all was entirely good;
6220So Ev’n and Morn accomplish’d the Sixt day:
6221Yet not till the Creator from his work
6222Desisting, though unwearied, up returnd
6223Up to the Heav’n of Heav’ns his high abode,
6224Thence to behold this new created World
6225Th’ addition of his Empire, how it shew’d
6226In prospect from his Throne, how good, how faire,
6227Answering his great Idea.  Up he rode
6228Followd with acclamation and the sound
6229Symphonious of ten thousand Harpes that tun’d
6230Angelic harmonies: the Earth, the Aire
6231Resounded, (thou remember’st, for thou heardst)
6232The Heav’ns and all the Constellations rung,
6233The Planets in thir stations list’ning stood,
6234While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant.
6235Open, ye everlasting Gates, they sung,
6236Open, ye Heav’ns, your living dores; let in
6237The great Creator from his work returnd
6238Magnificent, his Six days work, a World;
6239Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deigne
6240To visit oft the dwellings of just Men
6241Delighted, and with frequent intercourse
6242Thither will send his winged Messengers
6243On errands of supernal Grace.  So sung
6244The glorious Train ascending: He through Heav’n,
6245That open’d wide her blazing Portals, led
6246To Gods Eternal house direct the way,
6247A broad and ample rode, whose dust is Gold
6248And pavement Starrs, as Starrs to thee appeer,
6249Seen in the Galaxie, that Milkie way
6250Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest
6251Pouderd with Starrs.  And now on Earth the Seaventh
6252Eev’ning arose in _Eden_, for the Sun
6253Was set, and twilight from the East came on,
6254Forerunning Night; when at the holy mount
6255Of Heav’ns high-seated top, th’ Impereal Throne
6256Of Godhead, fixt for ever firm and sure,
6257The Filial Power arriv’d, and sate him down
6258With his great Father (for he also went
6259Invisible, yet staid (such priviledge
6260Hath Omnipresence) and the work ordain’d,
6261Author and end of all things, and from work
6262Now resting, bless’d and hallowd the Seav’nth day,
6263As resting on that day from all his work,
6264But not in silence holy kept; the Harp
6265Had work and rested not, the solemn Pipe,
6266And Dulcimer, all Organs of sweet stop,
6267All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire
6268Temper’d soft Tunings, intermixt with Voice
6269Choral or Unison: of incense Clouds
6270Fuming from Golden Censers hid the Mount.
6271Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung,
6272Great are thy works, _Jehovah_, infinite
6273Thy power; what thought can measure thee or tongue
6274Relate thee; greater now in thy return
6275Then from the Giant Angels; thee that day
6276Thy Thunders magnifi’d; but to create
6277Is greater then created to destroy.
6278Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound
6279Thy Empire? easily the proud attempt
6280Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine
6281Thou hast repeld, while impiously they thought
6282Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw
6283The number of thy worshippers.  Who seekes
6284To lessen thee, against his purpose serves
6285To manifest the more thy might: his evil
6286Thou usest, and from thence creat’st more good.
6287Witness this new-made World, another Heav’n
6288From Heaven Gate not farr, founded in view
6289On the cleer _Hyaline_, the Glassie Sea;
6290Of amplitude almost immense, with Starr’s
6291Numerous, and every Starr perhaps a World
6292Of destind habitation; but thou know’st
6293Thir seasons: among these the seat of men,
6294Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus’d,
6295Thir pleasant dwelling place.  Thrice happie men,
6296And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanc’t,
6297Created in his Image, there to dwell
6298And worship him, and in reward to rule
6299Over his Works, on Earth, in Sea, or Air,
6300And multiply a Race of Worshippers
6301Holy and just: thrice happie if they know
6302Thir happiness, and persevere upright.
6303
6304So sung they, and the Empyrean rung,
6305With _Halleluiahs_: Thus was Sabbath kept.
6306And thy request think now fulfill’d, that ask’d
6307How first this World and face of things began,
6308And what before thy memorie was don
6309From the beginning, that posteritie
6310Informd by thee might know; if else thou seekst
6311Aught, not surpassing human measure, say.
6312
6313To whom thus _Adam_ gratefully repli’d.
6314What thanks sufficient, or what recompence
6315Equal have I to render thee, Divine
6316Hystorian, who thus largely hast allayd
6317The thirst I had of knowledge, and voutsaf’t
6318This friendly condescention to relate
6319Things else by me unsearchable, now heard
6320VVith wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
6321With glorie attributed to the high
6322Creator; some thing yet of doubt remaines,
6323VVhich onely thy solution can resolve.
6324VVhen I behold this goodly Frame, this VVorld
6325Of Heav’n and Earth consisting, and compute,
6326Thir magnitudes, this Earth a spot, a graine,
6327An Atom, with the Firmament compar’d
6328And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle
6329Spaces incomprehensible (for such
6330Thir distance argues and thir swift return
6331Diurnal) meerly to officiate light
6332Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
6333One day and night; in all thir vast survey
6334Useless besides, reasoning I oft admire,
6335How Nature wise and frugal could commit
6336Such disproportions, with superfluous hand
6337So many nobler Bodies to create,
6338Greater so manifold to this one use,
6339For aught appeers, and on thir Orbs impose
6340Such restless revolution day by day
6341Repeated, while the sedentarie Earth,
6342That better might with farr less compass move,
6343Serv’d by more noble then her self, attaines
6344Her end without least motion, and receaves,
6345As Tribute such a sumless journey brought
6346Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;
6347Speed, to describe whose swiftness Number failes.
6348
6349So spake our Sire, and by his count’nance seemd
6350Entring on studious thoughts abstruse, which _Eve_
6351Perceaving where she sat retir’d in sight,
6352With lowliness Majestic from her seat,
6353And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
6354Rose, and went forth among her Fruits and Flours,
6355To visit how they prosper’d, bud and bloom,
6356Her Nurserie; they at her coming sprung
6357And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew.
6358Yet went she not, as not with such discourse
6359Delighted, or not capable her eare
6360Of what was high: such pleasure she reserv’d,
6361_Adam_ relating, she sole Auditress;
6362Her Husband the Relater she preferr’d
6363Before the Angel, and of him to ask
6364Chose rather; hee, she knew would intermix
6365Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute
6366With conjugal Caresses, from his Lip
6367Not Words alone pleas’d her.  O when meet now
6368Such pairs, in Love and mutual Honour joyn’d?
6369With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went;
6370Not unattended, for on her as Queen
6371A pomp of winning Graces waited still,
6372And from about her shot Darts of desire
6373Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight.
6374And _Raphael_ now to _Adam_’s doubt propos’d
6375Benevolent and facil thus repli’d.
6376
6377To ask or search I blame thee not, for Heav’n
6378Is as the Book of God before thee set,
6379Wherein to read his wondrous Works, and learne
6380His Seasons, Hours, or Days, or Months, or Yeares:
6381This to attain, whether Heav’n move or Earth,
6382Imports not, if thou reck’n right, the rest
6383From Man or Angel the great Architect
6384Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge
6385His secrets to be scann’d by them who ought
6386Rather admire; or if they list to try
6387Conjecture, he his Fabric of the Heav’ns
6388Hath left to thir disputes, perhaps to move
6389His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide
6390Hereafter, when they come to model Heav’n
6391And calculate the Starrs, how they will weild
6392The mightie frame, how build, unbuild, contrive
6393To save appeerances, how gird the Sphear
6394With Centric and Eccentric scribl’d o’re,
6395Cycle and Epicycle, Orb in Orb:
6396Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess,
6397Who art to lead thy ofspring, and supposest
6398That Bodies bright and greater should not serve
6399The less not bright, nor Heav’n such journies run,
6400Earth sitting still, when she alone receaves
6401The benefit: consider first, that Great
6402Or Bright inferrs not Excellence: the Earth
6403Though, in comparison of Heav’n, so small,
6404Nor glistering, may of solid good containe
6405More plenty then the Sun that barren shines,
6406Whose vertue on it self workes no effect,
6407But in the fruitful Earth; there first receavd
6408His beams, unactive else, thir vigor find.
6409Yet not to Earth are those bright Luminaries
6410Officious, but to thee Earths habitant.
6411And for the Heav’ns wide Circuit, let it speak
6412The Makers high magnificence, who built
6413So spacious, and his Line stretcht out so farr;
6414That Man may know he dwells not in his own;
6415An Edifice too large for him to fill,
6416Lodg’d in a small partition, and the rest
6417Ordain’d for uses to his Lord best known.
6418The swiftness of those Circles attribute,
6419Though numberless, to his Omnipotence,
6420That to corporeal substances could adde
6421Speed almost Spiritual; mee thou thinkst not slow,
6422Who since the Morning hour set out from Heav’n
6423Where God resides, and ere mid-day arriv’d
6424In _Eden_, distance inexpressible
6425By Numbers that have name.  But this I urge,
6426Admitting Motion in the Heav’ns, to shew
6427Invalid that which thee to doubt it mov’d;
6428Not that I so affirm, though so it seem
6429To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth.
6430God to remove his wayes from human sense,
6431Plac’d Heav’n from Earth so farr, that earthly sight,
6432If it presume, might erre in things too high,
6433And no advantage gaine.  What if the Sun
6434Be Center to the World, and other Starrs
6435By his attractive vertue and thir own
6436Incited, dance about him various rounds?
6437Thir wandring course now high, now low, then hid,
6438Progressive, retrograde, or standing still,
6439In six thou seest, and what if sev’nth to these
6440The Planet Earth, so stedfast though she seem,
6441Insensibly three different Motions move?
6442Which else to several Sphears thou must ascribe,
6443Mov’d contrarie with thwart obliquities,
6444Or save the Sun his labour, and that swift
6445Nocturnal and Diurnal rhomb suppos’d,
6446Invisible else above all Starrs, the Wheele
6447Of Day and Night; which needs not thy beleefe,
6448If Earth industrious of her self fetch Day
6449Travelling East, and with her part averse
6450From the Suns beam meet Night, her other part
6451Still luminous by his ray.  What if that light
6452Sent from her through the wide transpicuous aire,
6453To the terrestrial Moon be as a Starr
6454Enlightning her by Day, as she by Night
6455This Earth? reciprocal, if Land be there,
6456Feilds and Inhabitants: Her spots thou seest
6457As Clouds, and Clouds may rain, and Rain produce
6458Fruits in her soft’nd Soile, for some to eate
6459Allotted there; and other Suns perhaps
6460With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie
6461Communicating Male and Femal Light,
6462Which two great Sexes animate the World,
6463Stor’d in each Orb perhaps with some that live.
6464For such vast room in Nature unpossest
6465By living Soule, desert and desolate,
6466Onely to shine, yet scarce to contribute
6467Each Orb a glimps of Light, conveyd so farr
6468Down to this habitable, which returnes
6469Light back to them, is obvious to dispute.
6470But whether thus these things, or whether not,
6471Whether the Sun predominant in Heav’n
6472Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun,
6473Hee from the East his flaming rode begin,
6474Or Shee from West her silent course advance
6475With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps
6476On her soft Axle, while she paces Eev’n,
6477And bears thee soft with the smooth Air along,
6478Sollicit not thy thoughts with matters hid,
6479Leave them to God above, him serve and feare;
6480Of other Creatures, as him pleases best,
6481Wherever plac’t, let him dispose: joy thou
6482In what he gives to thee, this Paradise
6483And thy faire _Eve_; Heav’n is for thee too high
6484To know what passes there; be lowlie wise:
6485Think onely what concernes thee and thy being;
6486Dream not of other Worlds, what Creatures there
6487Live, in what state, condition or degree,
6488Contented that thus farr hath been reveal’d
6489Not of Earth onely but of highest Heav’n.
6490
6491To whom thus _Adam_ cleerd of doubt, repli’d.
6492How fully hast thou satisfi’d mee, pure
6493Intelligence of Heav’n, Angel serene,
6494And freed from intricacies, taught to live,
6495The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts
6496To interrupt the sweet of Life, from which
6497God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares,
6498And not molest us, unless we our selves
6499Seek them with wandring thoughts, and notions vaine.
6500But apt the Mind or Fancie is to roave
6501Uncheckt, and of her roaving is no end;
6502Till warn’d, or by experience taught, she learne,
6503That not to know at large of things remote
6504From use, obscure and suttle, but to know
6505That which before us lies in daily life,
6506Is the prime Wisdom, what is more, is fume,
6507Or emptiness, or fond impertinence,
6508And renders us in things that most concerne
6509Unpractis’d, unprepar’d, and still to seek.
6510Therefore from this high pitch let us descend
6511A lower flight, and speak of things at hand
6512Useful, whence haply mention may arise
6513Of somthing not unseasonable to ask
6514By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deign’d.
6515Thee I have heard relating what was don
6516Ere my remembrance: now hear mee relate
6517My Storie, which perhaps thou hast not heard;
6518And Day is yet not spent; till then thou seest
6519How suttly to detaine thee I devise,
6520Inviting thee to hear while I relate,
6521Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply:
6522For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heav’n,
6523And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare
6524Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasantest to thirst
6525And hunger both, from labour, at the houre
6526Of sweet repast; they satiate, and soon fill,
6527Though pleasant, but thy words with Grace Divine
6528Imbu’d, bring to thir sweetness no satietie.
6529
6530To whom thus _Raphael_ answer’d heav’nly meek.
6531Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of men,
6532Nor tongue ineloquent; for God on thee
6533Abundantly his gifts hath also pour’d,
6534Inward and outward both, his image faire:
6535Speaking or mute all comliness and grace
6536Attends thee, and each word, each motion formes.
6537Nor less think wee in Heav’n of thee on Earth
6538Then of our fellow servant, and inquire
6539Gladly into the wayes of God with Man:
6540For God we see hath honour’d thee, and set
6541On Man his equal Love: say therefore on;
6542For I that Day was absent, as befell,
6543Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure,
6544Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell;
6545Squar’d in full Legion (such command we had)
6546To see that none thence issu’d forth a spie,
6547Or enemie, while God was in his work,
6548Least hee incenst at such eruption bold,
6549Destruction with Creation might have mixt.
6550Not that they durst without his leave attempt,
6551But us he sends upon his high behests
6552For state, as Sovran King, and to enure
6553Our prompt obedience.  Fast we found, fast shut
6554The dismal Gates, and barricado’d strong;
6555But long ere our approaching heard within
6556Noise, other then the sound of Dance or Song,
6557Torment, and lowd lament, and furious rage.
6558Glad we return’d up to the coasts of Light
6559Ere Sabbath Eev’ning: so we had in charge.
6560But thy relation now; for I attend,
6561Pleas’d with thy words no less then thou with mine.
6562
6563So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire.
6564For Man to tell how human Life began
6565Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?
6566Desire with thee still longer to converse
6567Induc’d me.  As new wak’t from soundest sleep
6568Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid
6569In Balmie Sweat, which with his Beames the Sun
6570Soon dri’d, and on the reaking moisture fed.
6571Strait toward Heav’n my wondring Eyes I turnd,
6572And gaz’d a while the ample Skie, till rais’d
6573By quick instinctive motion up I sprung,
6574As thitherward endevoring, and upright
6575Stood on my feet; about me round I saw
6576Hill, Dale, and shadie Woods, and sunnie Plaines,
6577And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams; by these,
6578Creatures that livd, and movd, and walk’d, or flew,
6579Birds on the branches warbling; all things smil’d,
6580With fragrance and with joy my heart oreflow’d.
6581My self I then perus’d, and Limb by Limb
6582Survey’d, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran
6583With supple joints, as lively vigour led:
6584But who I was, or where, or from what cause,
6585Knew not; to speak I tri’d, and forthwith spake,
6586My Tongue obey’d and readily could name
6587What e’re I saw.  Thou Sun, said I, faire Light,
6588And thou enlight’nd Earth, so fresh and gay,
6589Ye Hills and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plaines,
6590And ye that live and move, fair Creatures, tell,
6591Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here?
6592Not of my self; by some great Maker then,
6593In goodness and in power praeeminent;
6594Tell me, how may I know him, how adore,
6595From whom I have that thus I move and live,
6596And feel that I am happier then I know.
6597While thus I call’d, and stray’d I knew not whither,
6598From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld
6599This happie Light, when answer none return’d,
6600On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours
6601Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep
6602First found me, and with soft oppression seis’d
6603My droused sense, untroubl’d, though I thought
6604I then was passing to my former state
6605Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve:
6606When suddenly stood at my Head a dream,
6607Whose inward apparition gently mov’d
6608My Fancy to believe I yet had being,
6609And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine,
6610And said, thy Mansion wants thee, _Adam_, rise,
6611First Man, of Men innumerable ordain’d
6612First Father, call’d by thee I come thy Guide
6613To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepar’d.
6614So saying, by the hand he took me rais’d,
6615And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire
6616Smooth sliding without step, last led me up
6617A woodie Mountain; whose high top was plaine,
6618A Circuit wide, enclos’d, with goodliest Trees
6619Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw
6620Of Earth before scarse pleasant seemd.  Each Tree
6621Load’n with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye
6622Tempting, stirr’d in me sudden appetite
6623To pluck and eate; whereat I wak’d, and found
6624Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream
6625Had lively shadowd: Here had new begun
6626My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide
6627Up hither, from among the Trees appeer’d,
6628Presence Divine.  Rejoycing, but with aw
6629In adoration at his feet I fell
6630Submiss: he rear’d me, & Whom thou soughtst I am,
6631Said mildely, Author of all this thou seest
6632Above, or round about thee or beneath.
6633This Paradise I give thee, count it thine
6634To Till and keep, and of the Fruit to eate:
6635Of every Tree that in the Garden growes
6636Eate freely with glad heart; fear here no dearth:
6637But of the Tree whose operation brings
6638Knowledg of good and ill, which I have set
6639The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith,
6640Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life,
6641Remember what I warne thee, shun to taste,
6642And shun the bitter consequence: for know,
6643The day thou eat’st thereof, my sole command
6644Transgrest, inevitably thou shalt dye;
6645From that day mortal, and this happie State
6646Shalt loose, expell’d from hence into a World
6647Of woe and sorrow.  Sternly he pronounc’d
6648The rigid interdiction, which resounds
6649Yet dreadful in mine eare, though in my choice
6650Not to incur; but soon his cleer aspect
6651Return’d and gratious purpose thus renew’d.
6652Not onely these fair bounds, but all the Earth
6653To thee and to thy Race I give; as Lords
6654Possess it, and all things that therein live,
6655Or live in Sea, or Aire, Beast, Fish, and Fowle.
6656In signe whereof each Bird and Beast behold
6657After thir kindes; I bring them to receave
6658From thee thir Names, and pay thee fealtie
6659With low subjection; understand the same
6660Of Fish within thir watry residence,
6661Not hither summond, since they cannot change
6662Thir Element to draw the thinner Aire.
6663As thus he spake, each Bird and Beast behold
6664Approaching two and two, These cowring low
6665With blandishment, each Bird stoop’d on his wing.
6666I nam’d them, as they pass’d, and understood
6667Thir Nature, with such knowledg God endu’d
6668My sudden apprehension: but in these
6669I found not what me thought I wanted still;
6670And to the Heav’nly vision thus presum’d.
6671
6672O by what Name, for thou above all these,
6673Above mankinde, or aught then mankinde higher,
6674Surpassest farr my naming, how may I
6675Adore thee, Author of this Universe,
6676And all this good to man, for whose well being
6677So amply, and with hands so liberal
6678Thou hast provided all things: but with mee
6679I see not who partakes.  In solitude
6680What happiness, who can enjoy alone,
6681Or all enjoying, what contentment find?
6682Thus I presumptuous; and the vision bright,
6683As with a smile more bright’nd, thus repli’d.
6684
6685What call’st thou solitude, is not the Earth
6686With various living creatures, and the Aire
6687Replenisht, and all these at thy command
6688To come and play before thee, know’st thou not
6689Thir language and thir wayes, they also know,
6690And reason not contemptibly; with these
6691Find pastime, and beare rule; thy Realm is large.
6692So spake the Universal Lord, and seem’d
6693So ordering.  I with leave of speech implor’d,
6694And humble deprecation thus repli’d.
6695
6696Let not my words offend thee, Heav’nly Power,
6697My Maker, be propitious while I speak.
6698Hast thou not made me here thy substitute,
6699And these inferiour farr beneath me set?
6700Among unequals what societie
6701Can sort, what harmonie or true delight?
6702Which must be mutual, in proportion due
6703Giv’n and receiv’d; but in disparitie
6704The one intense, the other still remiss
6705Cannot well suite with either, but soon prove
6706Tedious alike: Of fellowship I speak
6707Such as I seek, fit to participate
6708All rational delight, wherein the brute
6709Cannot be human consort; they rejoyce
6710Each with thir kinde, Lion with Lioness;
6711So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin’d;
6712Much less can Bird with Beast, or Fish with Fowle
6713So well converse, nor with the Ox the Ape;
6714Wors then can Man with Beast, and least of all.
6715
6716Whereto th’ Almighty answer’d, not displeas’d.
6717A nice and suttle happiness I see
6718Thou to thy self proposest, in the choice
6719Of thy Associates, _Adam_, and wilt taste
6720No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie.
6721What thinkst thou then of mee, and this my State,
6722Seem I to thee sufficiently possest
6723Of happiness, or not? who am alone
6724From all Eternitie, for none I know
6725Second to mee or like, equal much less.
6726How have I then with whom to hold converse
6727Save with the Creatures which I made, and those
6728To me inferiour, infinite descents
6729Beneath what other Creatures are to thee?
6730
6731He ceas’d, I lowly answer’d.  To attaine
6732The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes
6733All human thoughts come short, Supream of things;
6734Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee
6735Is no deficience found; not so is Man,
6736But in degree, the cause of his desire
6737By conversation with his like to help,
6738Or solace his defects.  No need that thou
6739Shouldst propagat, already infinite;
6740And through all numbers absolute, though One;
6741But Man by number is to manifest
6742His single imperfection, and beget
6743Like of his like, his Image multipli’d,
6744In unitie defective, which requires
6745Collateral love, and deerest amitie.
6746Thou in thy secresie although alone,
6747Best with thy self accompanied, seek’st not
6748Social communication, yet so pleas’d,
6749Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt
6750Of Union or Communion, deifi’d;
6751I by conversing cannot these erect
6752From prone, nor in thir wayes complacence find.
6753Thus I embold’nd spake, and freedom us’d
6754Permissive, and acceptance found, which gain’d
6755This answer from the gratious voice Divine.
6756
6757Thus farr to try thee, _Adam_, I was pleas’d,
6758And finde thee knowing not of Beasts alone,
6759Which thou hast rightly nam’d, but of thy self,
6760Expressing well the spirit within thee free,
6761My Image, not imparted to the Brute,
6762Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee
6763Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike,
6764And be so minded still; I, ere thou spak’st,
6765Knew it not good for Man to be alone,
6766And no such companie as then thou saw’st
6767Intended thee, for trial onely brought,
6768To see how thou could’st judge of fit and meet:
6769What next I bring shall please thee, be assur’d,
6770Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self,
6771Thy wish, exactly to thy hearts desire.
6772
6773Hee ended, or I heard no more, for now
6774My earthly by his Heav’nly overpowerd,
6775Which it had long stood under, streind to the highth
6776In that celestial Colloquie sublime,
6777As with an object that excels the sense,
6778Dazl’d and spent, sunk down, and sought repair
6779Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call’d
6780By Nature as in aide, and clos’d mine eyes.
6781Mine eyes he clos’d, but op’n left the Cell
6782Of Fancie my internal sight, by which
6783Abstract as in a transe methought I saw,
6784Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape
6785Still glorious before whom awake I stood;
6786Who stooping op’nd my left side, and took
6787From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warme,
6788And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,
6789But suddenly with flesh fill’d up & heal’d:
6790The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands;
6791Under his forming hands a Creature grew,
6792Manlike, but different sex, so lovly faire,
6793That what seemd fair in all the World, seemd now
6794Mean, or in her summd up, in her containd
6795And in her looks, which from that time infus’d
6796Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before,
6797And into all things from her Aire inspir’d
6798The spirit of love and amorous delight.
6799She disappeerd, and left me dark, I wak’d
6800To find her, or for ever to deplore
6801Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure:
6802When out of hope, behold her, not farr off,
6803Such as I saw her in my dream, adornd
6804With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow
6805To make her amiable: On she came,
6806Led by her Heav’nly Maker, though unseen,
6807And guided by his voice, nor uninformd
6808Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites:
6809Grace was in all her steps, Heav’n in her Eye,
6810In every gesture dignitie and love.
6811I overjoyd could not forbear aloud.
6812
6813This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill’d
6814Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne,
6815Giver of all things faire, but fairest this
6816Of all thy gifts, nor enviest.  I now see
6817Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self
6818Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man
6819Extracted; for this cause he shall forgoe
6820Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere;
6821And they shall be one Flesh, one Heart, one Soule.
6822
6823She heard me thus, and though divinely brought,
6824Yet Innocence and Virgin Modestie,
6825Her vertue and the conscience of her worth,
6826That would be woo’d, and not unsought be won,
6827Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir’d,
6828The more desirable, or to say all,
6829Nature her self, though pure of sinful thought,
6830Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turn’d;
6831I follow’d her, she what was Honour knew,
6832And with obsequious Majestie approv’d
6833My pleaded reason.  To the Nuptial Bowre
6834I led her blushing like the Morn: all Heav’n,
6835And happie Constellations on that houre
6836Shed thir selectest influence; the Earth
6837Gave sign of gratulation, and each Hill;
6838Joyous the Birds; fresh Gales and gentle Aires
6839Whisper’d it to the Woods, and from thir wings
6840Flung Rose, flung Odours from the spicie Shrub,
6841Disporting, till the amorous Bird of Night
6842Sung Spousal, and bid haste the Eevning Starr
6843On his Hill top, to light the bridal Lamp.
6844Thus I have told thee all my State, and brought
6845My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss
6846Which I enjoy, and must confess to find
6847In all things else delight indeed, but such
6848As us’d or not, works in the mind no change,
6849Nor vehement desire, these delicacies
6850I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits, & Flours,
6851Walks, and the melodie of Birds; but here
6852Farr otherwise, transported I behold,
6853Transported touch; here passion first I felt,
6854Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else
6855Superiour and unmov’d, here onely weake
6856Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance.
6857Or Nature faild in mee, and left some part
6858Not proof enough such Object to sustain,
6859Or from my side subducting, took perhaps
6860More then enough; at least on her bestow’d
6861Too much of Ornament, in outward shew
6862Elaborate, of inward less exact.
6863For well I understand in the prime end
6864Of Nature her th’ inferiour, in the mind
6865And inward Faculties, which most excell,
6866In outward also her resembling less
6867His Image who made both, and less expressing
6868The character of that Dominion giv’n
6869O’re other Creatures; yet when I approach
6870Her loveliness, so absolute she seems
6871And in her self compleat, so well to know
6872Her own, that what she wills to do or say,
6873Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best;
6874All higher knowledge in her presence falls
6875Degraded, Wisdom in discourse with her
6876Looses discount’nanc’t, and like folly shewes;
6877Authoritie and Reason on her waite,
6878As one intended first, not after made
6879Occasionally; and to consummate all,
6880Greatness of mind and nobleness thir seat
6881Build in her loveliest, and create an awe
6882About her, as a guard Angelic plac’t.
6883To whom the Angel with contracted brow.
6884
6885Accuse not Nature, she hath don her part;
6886Do thou but thine, and be not diffident
6887Of Wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou
6888Dismiss not her, when most thou needst her nigh,
6889By attributing overmuch to things
6890Less excellent, as thou thy self perceav’st.
6891For what admir’st thou, what transports thee so,
6892An outside? fair no doubt, and worthy well
6893Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love,
6894Not thy subjection: weigh with her thy self;
6895Then value: Oft times nothing profits more
6896Then self-esteem, grounded on just and right
6897Well manag’d; of that skill the more thou know’st,
6898The more she will acknowledge thee her Head,
6899And to realities yeild all her shows;
6900Made so adorn for thy delight the more,
6901So awful, that with honour thou maist love
6902Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise.
6903But if the sense of touch whereby mankind
6904Is propagated seem such dear delight
6905Beyond all other, think the same voutsaf’t
6906To Cattel and each Beast; which would not be
6907To them made common & divulg’d, if aught
6908Therein enjoy’d were worthy to subdue
6909The Soule of Man, or passion in him move.
6910What higher in her societie thou findst
6911Attractive, human, rational, love still;
6912In loving thou dost well, in passion not,
6913Wherein true Love consists not; love refines
6914The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat
6915In Reason, and is judicious, is the scale
6916By which to heav’nly Love thou maist ascend,
6917Not sunk in carnal pleasure, for which cause
6918Among the Beasts no Mate for thee was found.
6919
6920To whom thus half abash’t _Adam_ repli’d.
6921Neither her out-side formd so fair, nor aught
6922In procreation common to all kindes
6923(Though higher of the genial Bed by far,
6924And with mysterious reverence I deem)
6925So much delights me, as those graceful acts,
6926Those thousand decencies that daily flow
6927From all her words and actions, mixt with Love
6928And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign’d
6929Union of Mind, or in us both one Soule;
6930Harmonie to behold in wedded pair
6931More grateful then harmonious sound to the eare.
6932Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose
6933What inward thence I feel, not therefore foild,
6934Who meet with various objects, from the sense
6935Variously representing; yet still free
6936Approve the best, and follow what I approve.
6937To love thou blam’st me not, for love thou saist
6938Leads up to Heav’n, is both the way and guide;
6939Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask;
6940Love not the heav’nly Spirits, and how thir Love
6941Express they, by looks onely, or do they mix
6942Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?
6943
6944To whom the Angel with a smile that glow’d
6945Celestial rosie red, Loves proper hue,
6946Answer’d.  Let it suffice thee that thou know’st
6947Us happie, and without Love no happiness.
6948Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy’st
6949(And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
6950In eminence, and obstacle find none
6951Of membrane, joynt, or limb, exclusive barrs:
6952Easier then Air with Air, if Spirits embrace,
6953Total they mix, Union of Pure with Pure
6954Desiring; nor restrain’d conveyance need
6955As Flesh to mix with Flesh, or Soul with Soul.
6956But I can now no more; the parting Sun
6957Beyond the Earths green Cape and verdant Isles
6958_Hesperean_ sets, my Signal to depart.
6959Be strong, live happie, and love, but first of all
6960Him whom to love is to obey, and keep
6961His great command; take heed least Passion sway
6962Thy Judgement to do aught, which else free Will
6963Would not admit; thine and of all thy Sons
6964The weal or woe in thee is plac’t; beware.
6965I in thy persevering shall rejoyce,
6966And all the Blest: stand fast; to stand or fall
6967Free in thine own Arbitrement it lies.
6968Perfet within, no outward aid require;
6969And all temptation to transgress repel.
6970
6971So saying, he arose; whom _Adam_ thus
6972Follow’d with benediction.  Since to part,
6973Go heavenly Guest, Ethereal Messenger,
6974Sent from whose sovran goodness I adore.
6975Gentle to me and affable hath been
6976Thy condescension, and shall be honour’d ever
6977With grateful Memorie: thou to mankind
6978Be good and friendly still, and oft return.
6979
6980So parted they, the Angel up to Heav’n
6981From the thick shade, and _Adam_ to his Bowre.
6982
6983       THE END OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.
6984
6985  PARADISE LOST
6986
6987
6988
6989
6990
6991  BOOK VIII.
6992
6993No more of talk where God or Angel Guest
6994With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us’d
6995To sit indulgent, and with him partake
6996Rural repast, permitting him the while
6997Venial discourse unblam’d: I now must change
6998Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach
6999Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt
7000And disobedience: On the part of Heav’n
7001Now alienated, distance and distaste,
7002Anger and just rebuke, and judgement giv’n,
7003That brought into this World a world of woe,
7004Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie
7005Deaths Harbinger: Sad task, yet argument
7006Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth
7007Of stern _Achilles_ on his Foe pursu’d
7008Thrice Fugitive about _Troy_ Wall; or rage
7009Of _Turnus_ for _Lavinia_ disespous’d,
7010Or _Neptun’s_ ire or _Juno’s_, that so long
7011Perplex’d the _Greek_ and _Cytherea’s_ Son;
7012If answerable style I can obtaine
7013Of my Celestial Patroness, who deignes
7014Her nightly visitation unimplor’d,
7015And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires
7016Easie my unpremeditated Verse:
7017Since first this subject for Heroic Song
7018Pleas’d me long choosing, and beginning late;
7019Not sedulous by Nature to indite
7020Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument
7021Heroic deem’d, chief maistrie to dissect
7022With long and tedious havoc fabl’d Knights
7023In Battels feign’d; the better fortitude
7024Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom
7025Unsung; or to describe Races and Games,
7026Or tilting Furniture, emblazon’d Shields,
7027Impreses quaint, Caparisons and Steeds;
7028Bases and tinsel Trappings, gorgious Knights
7029At Joust and Torneament; then marshal’d Feast
7030Serv’d up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals;
7031The skill of Artifice or Office mean,
7032Not that which justly gives Heroic name
7033To Person or to Poem.  Mee of these
7034Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument
7035Remaines, sufficient of it self to raise
7036That name, unless an age too late, or cold
7037Climat, or Years damp my intended wing
7038Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine,
7039Not Hers who brings it nightly to my Ear.
7040
7041The Sun was sunk, and after him the Starr
7042Of _Hesperus_, whose Office is to bring
7043Twilight upon the Earth, short Arbiter
7044Twixt Day and Night, and now from end to end
7045Nights Hemisphere had veild the Horizon round:
7046When _Satan_ who late fled before the threats
7047Of _Gabriel_ out of _Eden_, now improv’d
7048In meditated fraud and malice, bent
7049On mans destruction, maugre what might hap
7050Of heavier on himself, fearless return’d.
7051By Night he fled, and at Midnight return’d
7052From compassing the Earth, cautious of day,
7053Since _Uriel_ Regent of the Sun descri’d
7054His entrance, and forewarnd the Cherubim
7055That kept thir watch; thence full of anguish driv’n,
7056The space of seven continu’d Nights he rode
7057With darkness, thrice the Equinoctial Line
7058He circl’d, four times cross’d the Carr of Night
7059From Pole to Pole, traversing each Colure;
7060On the eighth return’d, and on the Coast averse
7061From entrance or Cherubic Watch, by stealth
7062Found unsuspected way.  There was a place,
7063Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught the change,
7064Where _Tigris_ at the foot of Paradise
7065Into a Gulf shot under ground, till part
7066Rose up a Fountain by the Tree of Life;
7067In with the River sunk, and with it rose
7068Satan involv’d in rising Mist, then sought
7069Where to lie hid; Sea he had searcht and Land
7070From _Eden_ over _Pontus_, and the Poole
7071_Maeotis_, up beyond the River _Ob_;
7072Downward as farr Antartic; and in length
7073West from _Orantes_ to the Ocean barr’d
7074At _Darien_, thence to the Land where flowes
7075_Ganges_ and _Indus:_ thus the Orb he roam’d
7076With narrow search; and with inspection deep
7077Consider’d every Creature, which of all
7078Most opportune might serve his Wiles, and found
7079The Serpent suttlest Beast of all the Field.
7080Him after long debate, irresolute
7081Of thoughts revolv’d, his final sentence chose
7082Fit Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom
7083To enter, and his dark suggestions hide
7084From sharpest sight: for in the wilie Snake,
7085Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark,
7086As from his wit and native suttletie
7087Proceeding, which in other Beasts observ’d
7088Doubt might beget of Diabolic pow’r
7089Active within beyond the sense of brute.
7090Thus he resolv’d, but first from inward griefe
7091His bursting passion into plaints thus pour’d:
7092
7093O Earth, how like to Heav’n, if not preferrd
7094More justly, Seat worthier of Gods, as built
7095With second thoughts, reforming what was old!
7096For what God after better worse would build?
7097Terrestrial Heav’n, danc’t round by other Heav’ns
7098That shine, yet bear thir bright officious Lamps,
7099Light above Light, for thee alone, as seems,
7100In thee concentring all thir precious beams
7101Of sacred influence: As God in Heav’n
7102Is Center, yet extends to all, so thou
7103Centring receav’st from all those Orbs; in thee,
7104Not in themselves, all thir known vertue appeers
7105Productive in Herb, Plant, and nobler birth
7106Of Creatures animate with gradual life
7107Of Growth, Sense, Reason, all summ’d up in Man.
7108With what delight could I have walkt thee round
7109If I could joy in aught, sweet interchange
7110Of Hill and Vallie, Rivers, Woods and Plaines,
7111Now Land, now Sea, & Shores with Forrest crownd,
7112Rocks, Dens, and Caves; but I in none of these
7113Find place or refuge; and the more I see
7114Pleasures about me, so much more I feel
7115Torment within me, as from the hateful siege
7116Of contraries; all good to me becomes
7117Bane, and in Heav’n much worse would be my state.
7118But neither here seek I, no nor in Heav’n
7119To dwell, unless by maistring Heav’ns Supreame;
7120Nor hope to be my self less miserable
7121By what I seek, but others to make such
7122As I though thereby worse to me redound:
7123For onely in destroying I finde ease
7124To my relentless thoughts; and him destroyd,
7125Or won to what may work his utter loss,
7126For whom all this was made, all this will soon
7127Follow, as to him linkt in weal or woe,
7128In wo then; that destruction wide may range:
7129To mee shall be the glorie sole among
7130The infernal Powers, in one day to have marr’d
7131What he _Almightie_ styl’d, six Nights and Days
7132Continu’d making, and who knows how long
7133Before had bin contriving, though perhaps
7134Not longer then since I in one Night freed
7135From servitude inglorious welnigh half
7136Th’ Angelic Name, and thinner left the throng
7137Of his adorers: hee to be aveng’d,
7138And to repaire his numbers thus impair’d,
7139Whether such vertue spent of old now faild
7140More Angels to Create, if they at least
7141Are his Created or to spite us more,
7142Determin’d to advance into our room
7143A Creature form’d of Earth, and him endow,
7144Exalted from so base original,
7145With Heav’nly spoils, our spoils: What he decreed
7146He effected; Man he made, and for him built
7147Magnificent this World, and Earth his seat,
7148Him Lord pronounc’d, and, O indignitie!
7149Subjected to his service Angel wings,
7150And flaming Ministers to watch and tend
7151Thir earthlie Charge: Of these the vigilance
7152I dread, and to elude, thus wrapt in mist
7153Of midnight vapor glide obscure, and prie
7154In every Bush and Brake, where hap may finde
7155The Serpent sleeping, in whose mazie foulds
7156To hide me, and the dark intent I bring.
7157O foul descent! that I who erst contended
7158With Gods to sit the highest, am now constraind
7159Into a Beast, and mixt with bestial slime,
7160This essence to incarnate and imbrute,
7161That to the hight of Deitie aspir’d;
7162But what will not Ambition and Revenge
7163Descend to? who aspires must down as low
7164As high he soard, obnoxious first or last
7165To basest things.  Revenge, at first though sweet,
7166Bitter ere long back on it self recoiles;
7167Let it; I reck not, so it light well aim’d,
7168Since higher I fall short, on him who next
7169Provokes my envie, this new Favorite
7170Of Heav’n, this Man of Clay, Son of despite,
7171Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais’d
7172From dust: spite then with spite is best repaid.
7173
7174So saying, through each Thicket Danck or Drie,
7175Like a black mist low creeping, he held on
7176His midnight search, where soonest he might finde
7177The Serpent: him fast sleeping soon he found
7178In Labyrinth of many a round self-rowl’d,
7179His head the midst, well stor’d with suttle wiles:
7180Not yet in horrid Shade or dismal Den,
7181Not nocent yet, but on the grassie Herbe
7182Fearless unfeard he slept: in at his Mouth
7183The Devil enterd, and his brutal sense,
7184In heart or head, possessing soon inspir’d
7185With act intelligential; but his sleep
7186Disturbd not, waiting close th’ approach of Morn.
7187Now whenas sacred Light began to dawne
7188In _Eden_ on the humid Flours, that breathd
7189Thir morning Incense, when all things that breath,
7190From th’ Earths great Altar send up silent praise
7191To the Creator, and his Nostrils fill
7192With gratefull Smell, forth came the human pair
7193And joynd thir vocal Worship to the Quire
7194Of Creatures wanting voice, that done, partake
7195The season, prime for sweetest Sents and Aires:
7196Then commune how that day they best may ply
7197Thir growing work: for much thir work outgrew
7198The hands dispatch of two Gardning so wide.
7199And _Eve_ first to her Husband thus began.
7200
7201_Adam_, well may we labour still to dress
7202This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour.
7203Our pleasant task enjoyn’d, but till more hands
7204Aid us, the work under our labour grows,
7205Luxurious by restraint; what we by day
7206Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind,
7207One night or two with wanton growth derides
7208Tending to wilde.  Thou therefore now advise
7209Or hear what to my mind first thoughts present,
7210Let us divide our labours, thou where choice
7211Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind
7212The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct
7213The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I
7214In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt
7215With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon:
7216For while so near each other thus all day
7217Our task we choose, what wonder if no near
7218Looks intervene and smiles, or object new
7219Casual discourse draw on, which intermits
7220Our dayes work brought to little, though begun
7221Early, and th’ hour of Supper comes unearn’d.
7222
7223To whom mild answer _Adam_ thus return’d.
7224Sole _Eve_, Associate sole, to me beyond
7225Compare above all living Creatures deare,
7226Well hast thou motion’d, wel thy thoughts imployd
7227How we might best fulfill the work which here
7228God hath assign’d us, nor of me shalt pass
7229Unprais’d: for nothing lovelier can be found
7230In woman, then to studie houshold good,
7231And good workes in her Husband to promote.
7232Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos’d
7233Labour, as to debarr us when we need
7234Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,
7235Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse
7236Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow,
7237To brute deni’d, and are of Love the food,
7238Love not the lowest end of human life.
7239For not to irksom toile, but to delight
7240He made us, and delight to Reason joyn’d.
7241These paths and Bowers doubt not but our joynt
7242Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide
7243As we need walk, till younger hands ere long
7244Assist us: But if much converse perhaps
7245Thee satiate, to short absence I could yeild.
7246For solitude somtimes is best societie,
7247And short retirement urges sweet returne.
7248But other doubt possesses me, least harm
7249Befall thee sever’d from me; for thou knowst
7250What hath bin warn’d us, what malicious Foe
7251Envying our happiness, and of his own
7252Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame
7253By sly assault; and somwhere nigh at hand
7254Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find
7255His wish and best advantage, us asunder,
7256Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each
7257To other speedie aide might lend at need;
7258Whether his first design be to withdraw
7259Our fealtie from God, or to disturb
7260Conjugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss
7261Enjoy’d by us excites his envie more;
7262Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side
7263That gave thee being, stil shades thee and protects.
7264The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
7265Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies,
7266Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
7267
7268To whom the Virgin Majestie of _Eve_,
7269As one who loves, and some unkindness meets,
7270With sweet austeer composure thus reply’d.
7271
7272Ofspring of Heav’n and Earth, and all Earths Lord,
7273That such an enemie we have, who seeks
7274Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne,
7275And from the parting Angel over-heard
7276As in a shadie nook I stood behind,
7277Just then returnd at shut of Evening Flours.
7278But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt
7279To God or thee, because we have a foe
7280May tempt it, I expected not to hear.
7281His violence thou fearst not, being such,
7282As wee, not capable of death or paine,
7283Can either not receave, or can repell.
7284His fraud is then thy fear, which plain inferrs
7285Thy equal fear that my firm Faith and Love
7286Can by his fraud be shak’n or seduc’t;
7287Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy Brest,
7288_Adam_, misthought of her to thee so dear?
7289
7290To whom with healing words _Adam_ reply’d.
7291Daughter of God and Man, immortal _Eve_,
7292For such thou art, from sin and blame entire:
7293Not diffident of thee do I dissuade
7294Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid
7295Th’ attempt it self, intended by our Foe.
7296For hee who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses
7297The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos’d
7298Not incorruptible of Faith, not prooff
7299Against temptation: thou thy self with scorne
7300And anger wouldst resent the offer’d wrong,
7301Though ineffectual found: misdeem not then,
7302If such affront I labour to avert
7303From thee alone, which on us both at once
7304The Enemie, though bold, will hardly dare,
7305Or daring, first on mee th’ assault shall light.
7306Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn;
7307Suttle he needs must be, who could seduce
7308Angels, nor think superfluous others aid.
7309I from the influence of thy looks receave
7310Access in every Vertue, in thy sight
7311More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were
7312Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on,
7313Shame to be overcome or over-reacht
7314Would utmost vigor raise, and rais’d unite.
7315Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel
7316When I am present, and thy trial choose
7317With me, best witness of thy Vertue tri’d.
7318
7319So spake domestick _Adam_ in his care
7320And Matrimonial Love, but _Eve_, who thought
7321Less attributed to her Faith sincere,
7322Thus her reply with accent sweet renewd.
7323
7324If this be our condition, thus to dwell
7325In narrow circuit strait’nd by a Foe,
7326Suttle or violent, we not endu’d
7327Single with like defence, wherever met,
7328How are we happie, still in fear of harm?
7329But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe
7330Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem
7331Of our integritie: his foul esteeme
7332Sticks no dishonor on our Front, but turns
7333Foul on himself; then wherfore shund or feard
7334By us? who rather double honour gaine
7335From his surmise prov’d false, finde peace within,
7336Favour from Heav’n, our witness from th’ event.
7337And what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid
7338Alone, without exterior help sustaind?
7339Let us not then suspect our happie State
7340Left so imperfet by the Maker wise,
7341As not secure to single or combin’d.
7342Fraile is our happiness, if this be so,
7343And _Eden_ were no _Eden_ thus expos’d.
7344
7345To whom thus _Adam_ fervently repli’d.
7346O Woman, best are all things as the will
7347Of God ordaind them, his creating hand
7348Nothing imperfet or deficient left
7349Of all that he Created, much less Man,
7350Or ought that might his happie State secure,
7351Secure from outward force; within himself
7352The danger lies, yet lies within his power:
7353Against his will he can receave no harme.
7354But God left free the Will, for what obeyes
7355Reason, is free, and Reason he made right,
7356But bid her well beware, and still erect,
7357Least by some faire appeering good surpris’d
7358She dictate false, and missinforme the Will
7359To do what God expresly hath forbid.
7360Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes,
7361That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.
7362Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve,
7363Since Reason not impossibly may meet
7364Some specious object by the Foe subornd,
7365And fall into deception unaware,
7366Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warnd.
7367Seek not temptation then, which to avoide
7368Were better, and most likelie if from mee
7369Thou sever not; Trial will come unsought.
7370Wouldst thou approve thy constancie, approve
7371First thy obedience; th’ other who can know,
7372Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?
7373But if thou think, trial unsought may finde
7374Us both securer then thus warnd thou seemst,
7375Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more;
7376Go in thy native innocence, relie
7377On what thou hast of vertue, summon all,
7378For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine.
7379
7380So spake the Patriarch of Mankinde, but _Eve_
7381Persisted, yet submiss, though last, repli’d.
7382
7383With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd
7384Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words
7385Touchd onely, that our trial, when least sought,
7386May finde us both perhaps farr less prepar’d,
7387The willinger I goe, nor much expect
7388A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek;
7389So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse.
7390Thus saying, from her Husbands hand her hand
7391Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light
7392_Oread_ or _Dryad_, or of _Delia’s_ Traine,
7393Betook her to the Groves, but _Delia’s_ self
7394In gate surpass’d and Goddess-like deport,
7395Though not as shee with Bow and Quiver armd,
7396But with such Gardning Tools as Are yet rude,
7397Guiltless of fire had formd, or Angels brought,
7398To _Pales_, or _Pomona_, thus adornd,
7399Likest she seemd, _Pomona_ when she fled
7400_Vertumnus_, or to _Ceres_ in her Prime,
7401Yet Virgin of _Proserpina_ from _Jove_.
7402Her long with ardent look his _Eye_ pursu’d
7403Delighted, but desiring more her stay.
7404Oft he to her his charge of quick returne,
7405Repeated, shee to him as oft engag’d
7406To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre,
7407And all things in best order to invite
7408Noontide repast, or Afternoons repose.
7409O much deceav’d, much failing, hapless _Eve_,
7410Of thy presum’d return! event perverse!
7411Thou never from that houre in Paradise
7412Foundst either sweet repast, or found repose;
7413Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades
7414Waited with hellish rancor imminent
7415To intercept thy way, or send thee back
7416Despoild of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss.
7417For now, and since first break of dawne the Fiend,
7418Meer Serpent in appearance, forth was come,
7419And on his Quest, where likeliest he might finde
7420The onely two of Mankinde, but in them
7421The whole included Race, his purposd prey.
7422In Bowre and Field he sought, where any tuft
7423Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay,
7424Thir tendance or Plantation for delight,
7425By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet
7426He sought them both, but wish’d his hap might find
7427_Eve_ separate, he wish’d, but not with hope
7428Of what so seldom chanc’d, when to his wish,
7429Beyond his hope, _Eve_ separate he spies,
7430Veild in a Cloud of Fragrance, where she stood,
7431Half spi’d, so thick the Roses bushing round
7432About her glowd, oft stooping to support
7433Each Flour of slender stalk, whose head though gay
7434Carnation, Purple, Azure, or spect with Gold,
7435Hung drooping unsustaind, them she upstaies
7436Gently with Mirtle band, mindless the while,
7437Her self, though fairest unsupported Flour,
7438From her best prop so farr, and storn so nigh.
7439Neererhe drew, and many a walk travers’d
7440Of stateliest Covert, Cedar, Pine, or Palme,
7441Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen
7442Among thick-wov’n Arborets and Flours
7443Imborderd on each Bank, the hand of _Eve_:
7444Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign’d
7445Or of reviv’d _Adonis_, or renownd
7446_Alcinous_, host of old _Laertes_ Son,
7447Or that, not Mystic, where the Sapient King
7448Held dalliance with his faire _Egyptian_ Spouse.
7449Much hee the Place admir’d, the Person more.
7450As one who long in populous City pent,
7451Where Houses thick and Sewers annoy the Aire,
7452Forth issuing on a Summers Morn, to breathe
7453Among the pleasant Villages and Farmes
7454Adjoynd, from each thing met conceaves delight,
7455The smell of Grain, or tedded Grass, or Kine,
7456Or Dairie, each rural sight, each rural sound;
7457If chance with Nymphlike step fair Virgin pass,
7458What pleasing seemd, for her now pleases more,
7459She most, and in her look summs all Delight.
7460Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold
7461This Flourie Plat, the sweet recess of _Eve_
7462Thus earlie, thus alone; her Heav’nly forme
7463Angelic, but more soft, and Feminine,
7464Her graceful Innocence, her every Aire
7465Of gesture or lest action overawd
7466His Malice, and with rapine sweet bereav’d
7467His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought:
7468That space the Evil one abstracted stood
7469From his own evil, and for the time remaind
7470Stupidly good, of enmitie disarm’d,
7471Of guile, of hate, of envie, of revenge;
7472But the hot Hell that alwayes in him burnes,
7473Though in mid Heav’n, soon ended his delight,
7474And tortures him now more, the more he sees
7475Of pleasure not for him ordain’d: then soon
7476Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts
7477Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites.
7478
7479Thoughts, whither have he led me, with what sweet
7480Compulsion thus transported to forget
7481What hither brought us, hate, not love, nor hope
7482Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste
7483Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy,
7484Save what is in destroying, other joy
7485To me is lost.  Then let me not let pass
7486Occasion which now smiles, behold alone
7487The Woman, opportune to all attempts,
7488Her Husband, for I view far round, not nigh,
7489Whose higher intellectual more I shun,
7490And strength, of courage hautie, and of limb
7491Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould,
7492Foe not informidable, exempt from wound,
7493I not; so much hath Hell debas’d, and paine
7494Infeebl’d me, to what I was in Heav’n.
7495Shee fair, divinely fair, fit Love for Gods,
7496Not terrible, though terrour be in Love
7497And beautie, not approacht by stronger hate,
7498Hate stronger, under shew of Love well feign’d,
7499The way which to her ruin now I tend.
7500
7501So spake the Enemie of Mankind, enclos’d
7502In Serpent, Inmate bad, and toward _Eve_
7503Address’d his way, not with indented wave,
7504Prone on the ground, as since, but on his reare,
7505Circular base of rising foulds, that tour’d
7506Fould above fould a surging Maze, his Head
7507Crested aloft, and Carbuncle his Eyes;
7508With burnisht Neck of verdant Gold, erect
7509Amidst his circling Spires, that on the grass
7510Floted redundant: pleasing was his shape,
7511And lovely, never since of Serpent kind
7512Lovelier, not those that in _Illyria_ chang’d
7513_Hermione_ and _Cadmus_, or the God
7514In _Epidaurus_; nor to which transformd
7515_Ammonian Jove_, or _Capitoline_ was seen,
7516Hee with _Olympias_, this with her who bore
7517_Scipio_ the highth of _Rome_.  With tract oblique
7518At first, as one who sought access, but feard
7519To interrupt, side-long he works his way.
7520As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought
7521Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind
7522Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile;
7523So varied hee, and of his tortuous Traine
7524Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of _Eve_,
7525To lure her Eye; shee busied heard the sound
7526Of rusling Leaves, but minded not, as us’d
7527To such disport before her through the Field,
7528From every Beast, more duteous at her call,
7529Then at _Circean_ call the Herd disguis’d.
7530Hee boulder now, uncall’d before her stood;
7531But as in gaze admiring: Oft he bowd
7532His turret Crest, and sleek enamel’d Neck,
7533Fawning, and lick’d the ground whereon she trod.
7534His gentle dumb expression turnd at length
7535The Eye of _Eve_ to mark his play; he glad
7536Of her attention gaind, with Serpent Tongue
7537Organic, or impulse of vocal Air,
7538His fraudulent temptation thus began.
7539
7540Wonder not, sovran Mistress, if perhaps
7541Thou canst, who art sole Wonder, much less arm
7542Thy looks, the Heav’n of mildness, with disdain,
7543Displeas’d that I approach thee thus, and gaze
7544Insatiate, I thus single; nor have feard
7545Thy awful brow, more awful thus retir’d.
7546Fairest resemblance of thy Maker faire,
7547Thee all living things gaze on, all things thine
7548By gift, and thy Celestial Beautie adore
7549With ravishment beheld, there best beheld
7550Where universally admir’d; but here
7551In this enclosure wild, these Beasts among,
7552Beholders rude, and shallow to discerne
7553Half what in thee is fair, one man except,
7554Who sees thee? (and what is one?) who shouldst be seen
7555A Goddess among Gods, ador’d and serv’d
7556By Angels numberless, thy daily Train.
7557
7558So gloz’d the Tempter, and his Proem tun’d;
7559Into the Heart of _Eve_ his words made way,
7560Though at the voice much marveling; at length
7561Not unamaz’d she thus in answer spake.
7562What may this mean?  Language of Man pronounc’t
7563By Tongue of Brute, and human sense exprest?
7564The first at lest of these I thought deni’d
7565To Beasts, whom God on their Creation-Day
7566Created mute to all articulat sound;
7567The latter I demurre, for in thir looks
7568Much reason, and in thir actions oft appeers.
7569Thee, Serpent, suttlest beast of all the field
7570I knew, but not with human voice endu’d;
7571Redouble then this miracle, and say,
7572How cam’st thou speakable of mute, and how
7573To me so friendly grown above the rest
7574Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight?
7575Say, for such wonder claims attention due.
7576
7577To whom the guileful Tempter thus reply’d.
7578Empress of this fair World, resplendent _Eve_,
7579Easie to mee it is to tell thee all
7580What thou commandst, and right thou shouldst be obeyd:
7581I was at first as other Beasts that graze
7582The trodden Herb, of abject thoughts and low,
7583As was my food, nor aught but food discern’d
7584Or Sex, and apprehended nothing high:
7585Till on a day roaving the field, I chanc’d
7586A goodly Tree farr distant to behold
7587Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt,
7588Ruddie and Gold: I nearer drew to gaze;
7589When from the boughes a savorie odour blow’n,
7590Grateful to appetite, more pleas’d my sense
7591Then smell of sweetest Fenel, or the Teats
7592Of Ewe or Goat dropping with Milk at Eevn,
7593Unsuckt of Lamb or Kid, that tend thir play.
7594To satisfie the sharp desire I had
7595Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolv’d
7596Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once,
7597Powerful perswaders, quick’nd at the scent
7598Of that alluring fruit, urg’d me so keene.
7599About the Mossie Trunk I wound me soon,
7600For high from ground the branches would require
7601Thy utmost reach or _Adams_: Round the Tree
7602All other Beasts that saw, with like desire
7603Longing and envying stood, but could not reach.
7604Amid the Tree now got, where plentie hung
7605Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill
7606I spar’d not, for such pleasure till that hour
7607At Feed or Fountain never had I found.
7608Sated at length, ere long I might perceave
7609Strange alteration in me, to degree
7610Of Reason in my inward Powers, and Speech
7611Wanted not long, though to this shape retaind.
7612Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep
7613I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind
7614Considerd all things visible in Heav’n,
7615Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good;
7616But all that fair and good in thy Divine
7617Semblance, and in thy Beauties heav’nly Ray
7618United I beheld; no Fair to thine
7619Equivalent or second, which compel’d
7620Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to come
7621And gaze, and worship thee of right declar’d
7622Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame.
7623
7624So talk’d the spirited sly Snake; and _Eve_
7625Yet more amaz’d unwarie thus reply’d.
7626
7627Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt
7628The vertue of that Fruit, in thee first prov’d:
7629But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?
7630For many are the Trees of God that grow
7631In Paradise, and various, yet unknown
7632To us, in such abundance lies our choice,
7633As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht,
7634Still hanging incorruptible, till men
7635Grow up to thir provision, and more hands
7636Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.
7637
7638To whom the wilie Adder, blithe and glad.
7639Empress, the way is readie, and not long,
7640Beyond a row of Myrtles, on a Flat,
7641Fast by a Fountain, one small Thicket past
7642Of blowing Myrrh and Balme; if thou accept
7643My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon.
7644
7645Lead then, said _Eve_.  Hee leading swiftly rowld
7646In tangles, and make intricate seem strait,
7647To mischief swift.  Hope elevates, and joy
7648Bright’ns his Crest, as when a wandring Fire
7649Compact of unctuous vapor, which the Night
7650Condenses, and the cold invirons round,
7651Kindl’d through agitation to a Flame,
7652Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends,
7653Hovering and blazing with delusive Light,
7654Misleads th’ amaz’d Night-wanderer from his way
7655To Boggs and Mires, & oft through Pond or Poole,
7656There swallow’d up and lost, from succour farr.
7657So glister’d the dire Snake and into fraud
7658Led _Eve_ our credulous Mother, to the Tree
7659Of prohibition, root of all our woe;
7660Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake.
7661
7662Serpent, we might have spar’d our coming hither,
7663Fruitless to me, though Fruit be here to excess,
7664The credit of whose vertue rest with thee,
7665Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects.
7666But of this Tree we may not taste nor touch;
7667God so commanded, and left that Command
7668Sole Daughter of his voice; the rest, we live
7669Law to our selves, our Reason is our Law.
7670
7671To whom the Tempter guilefully repli’d.
7672Indeed? hath God then said that of the Fruit
7673Of all these Garden Trees ye shall not eate,
7674Yet Lords declar’d of all in Earth or Aire?
7675
7676To whom thus _Eve_ yet sinless.  Of the Fruit
7677Of each Tree in the Garden we may eate,
7678But of the Fruit of this fair Tree amidst
7679The Garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eate
7680Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, least ye die.
7681
7682She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold
7683The Tempter, but with shew of Zeale and Love
7684To Man, and indignation at his wrong,
7685New part puts on, and as to passion mov’d,
7686Fluctuats disturbd, yet comely, and in act
7687Rais’d, as of som great matter to begin.
7688As when of old som Orator renound
7689In _Athens_ or free _Rome_, where Eloquence
7690Flourishd, since mute, to som great cause addrest,
7691Stood in himself collected, while each part,
7692Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue,
7693Somtimes in highth began, as no delay
7694Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right.
7695So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown
7696The Tempter all impassiond thus began.
7697
7698O Sacred, Wise, and Wisdom-giving Plant,
7699Mother of Science, Now I feel thy Power
7700Within me cleere, not onely to discerne
7701Things in thir Causes, but to trace the wayes
7702Of highest Agents, deemd however wise.
7703Queen of this Universe, doe not believe
7704Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die:
7705How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life
7706To Knowledge?  By the Threatner, look on mee,
7707Mee who have touch’d and tasted, yet both live,
7708And life more perfet have attaind then Fate
7709Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot.
7710Shall that be shut to Man, which to the Beast
7711Is open? or will God incense his ire
7712For such a pretty Trespass, and not praise
7713Rather your dauntless vertue, whom the pain
7714Of Death denounc’t, whatever thing Death be,
7715Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade
7716To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil;
7717Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil
7718Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd?
7719God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just;
7720Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeid:
7721Your feare it self of Death removes the feare.
7722Why then was this forbid?  Why but to awe,
7723Why but to keep ye low and ignorant,
7724His worshippers; he knows that in the day
7725Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere,
7726Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then
7727Op’nd and cleerd, and ye shall be as Gods,
7728Knowing both Good and Evil as they know.
7729That ye should be as Gods, since I as Man,
7730Internal Man, is but proportion meet,
7731I of brute human, yee of human Gods.
7732So ye shalt die perhaps, by putting off
7733Human, to put on Gods, death to be wisht,
7734Though threat’nd, which no worse then this can bring
7735And what are Gods that Man may not become
7736As they, participating God-like food?
7737The Gods are first, and that advantage use
7738On our belief, that all from them proceeds,
7739I question it, for this fair Earth I see,
7740Warm’d by the Sun, producing every kind,
7741Them nothing: If they all things, who enclos’d
7742Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree,
7743That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains
7744Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies
7745Th’ offence, that Man should thus attain to know?
7746What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree
7747Impart against his will if all be his?
7748Or is it envie, and can envie dwell
7749In heav’nly brests? these, these and many more
7750Causes import your need of this fair Fruit.
7751Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.
7752
7753He ended, and his words replete with guile
7754Into her heart too easie entrance won:
7755Fixt on the Fruit she gaz’d, which to behold
7756Might tempt alone, and in her ears the sound
7757Yet rung of his perswasive words, impregn’d
7758With Reason, to her seeming, and with Truth;
7759Meanwhile the hour of Noon drew on, and wak’d
7760An eager appetite, rais’d by the smell
7761So savorie of that Fruit, which with desire,
7762Inclinable now grown to touch or taste,
7763Sollicited her longing eye; yet first
7764Pausing a while, thus to her self she mus’d.
7765
7766Great are thy Vertues, doubtless, best of Fruits,
7767Though kept from Man, & worthy to be admir’d,
7768Whose taste, too long forborn, at first assay
7769Gave elocution to the mute, and taught
7770The Tongue not made for Speech to speak thy praise:
7771Thy praise hee also who forbids thy use,
7772Conceales not from us, naming thee the Tree
7773Of Knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil;
7774Forbids us then to taste, but his forbidding
7775Commends thee more, while it inferrs the good
7776By thee communicated, and our want:
7777For good unknown, sure is not had, or had
7778And yet unknown, is as not had at all.
7779In plain then, what forbids he but to know,
7780Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise?
7781Such prohibitions binde not.  But if Death
7782Bind us with after-bands, what profits then
7783Our inward freedom?  In the day we eate
7784Of this fair Fruit, our doom is, we shall die.
7785How dies the Serpent? hee hath eat’n and lives,
7786And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discernes,
7787Irrational till then.  For us alone
7788Was death invented? or to us deni’d
7789This intellectual food, for beasts reserv’d?
7790For Beasts it seems: yet that one Beast which first
7791Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy
7792The good befall’n him, Author unsuspect,
7793Friendly to man, farr from deceit or guile.
7794What fear I then, rather what know to feare
7795Under this ignorance of Good and Evil,
7796Of God or Death, of Law or Penaltie?
7797Here grows the Cure of all, this Fruit Divine,
7798Fair to the Eye, inviting to the Taste,
7799Of vertue to make wise: what hinders then
7800To reach, and feed at once both Bodie and Mind?
7801
7802So saying, her rash hand in evil hour
7803Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck’d, she eat:
7804Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat
7805Sighing through all her Works gave signs of woe,
7806That all was lost.  Back to the Thicket slunk
7807The guiltie Serpent, and well might, for _Eve_
7808Intent now wholly on her taste, naught else
7809Regarded, such delight till then, as seemd,
7810In Fruit she never tasted, whether true
7811Or fansied so, through expectation high
7812Of knowledg, nor was God-head from her thought.
7813Greedily she ingorg’d without restraint,
7814And knew not eating Death: Satiate at length,
7815And hight’nd as with Wine, jocond and boon,
7816Thus to her self she pleasingly began.
7817
7818O Sovran, vertuous, precious of all Trees
7819In Paradise, of operation blest
7820To Sapience, hitherto obscur’d, infam’d,
7821And thy fair Fruit let hang, as to no end
7822Created; but henceforth my early care,
7823Not without Song, each Morning, and due praise
7824Shall tend thee, and the fertil burden ease
7825Of thy full branches offer’d free to all;
7826Till dieted by thee I grow mature
7827In knowledge, as the Gods who all things know;
7828Though others envie what they cannot give;
7829For had the gift bin theirs, it had not here
7830Thus grown.  Experience, next to thee I owe,
7831Best guide; not following thee, I had remaind
7832In ignorance, thou op’nst Wisdoms way,
7833And giv’st access, though secret she retire.
7834And I perhaps am secret; Heav’n is high,
7835High and remote to see from thence distinct
7836Each thing on Earth; and other care perhaps
7837May have diverted from continual watch
7838Our great Forbidder, safe with all his Spies
7839About him.  But to _Adam_ in what sort
7840Shall I appeer? shall I to him make known
7841As yet my change, and give him to partake
7842Full happiness with mee, or rather not,
7843But keep the odds of Knowledge in my power
7844Without Copartner? so to add what wants
7845In Femal Sex, the more to draw his Love,
7846And render me more equal, and perhaps
7847A thing not undesireable, somtime
7848Superior; for inferior who is free?
7849This may be well: but what if God have seen,
7850And Death ensue? then I shall be no more,
7851And _Adam_ wedded to another _Eve_,
7852Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct;
7853A death to think.  Confirm’d then I resolve,
7854_Adam_ shall share with me in bliss or woe:
7855So dear I love him, that with him all deaths
7856I could endure; without him live no life.
7857
7858So saying, from the Tree her step she turnd,
7859But first low Reverence don, as to the power
7860That dwelt within, whose presence had infus’d
7861Into the plant sciential sap, deriv’d
7862From Nectar, drink of Gods.  _Adam_ the while
7863Waiting desirous her return, had wove
7864Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne
7865Her Tresses, and her rural labours crown
7866As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen.
7867Great joy he promis’d to his thoughts, and new
7868Solace in her return, so long delay’d;
7869Yet oft his heart, divine of somthing ill,
7870Misgave him; hee the faultring measure felt;
7871And forth to meet her went, the way she took
7872That Morn when first they parted; by the Tree
7873Of Knowledge he must pass, there he her met,
7874Scarse from the Tree returning; in her hand
7875A bough of fairest fruit that downie smil’d,
7876New gatherd, and ambrosial smell diffus’d.
7877To him she hasted, in her face excuse
7878Came Prologue, and Apologie to prompt,
7879Which with bland words at will she thus addrest.
7880
7881Hast thou not wonderd, _Adam_, at my stay?
7882Thee I have misst, and thought it long, depriv’d
7883Thy presence, agonie of love till now
7884Not felt, nor shall be twice, for never more
7885Mean I to trie, what rash untri’d I sought,
7886The paine of absence from thy sight.  But strange
7887Hath bin the cause, and wonderful to heare:
7888This Tree is not as we are told, a Tree
7889Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown
7890Op’ning the way, but of Divine effect
7891To open Eyes, and make them Gods who taste;
7892And hath bin tasted such; the Serpent wise,
7893Or not restraind as wee, or not obeying,
7894Hath eat’n of the fruit, and is become,
7895Not dead, as we are threatn’d, but thenceforth
7896Endu’d with human voice and human sense,
7897Reasoning to admiration, and with mee
7898Perswasively hath so prevaild, that I
7899Have also tasted, and have also found
7900Th’ effects to correspond, opener mine Eyes,
7901Dimm erst, dilated Spirits, ampler Heart,
7902And growing up to Godhead; which for thee
7903Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise.
7904For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss,
7905Tedious, unshar’d with thee, and odious soon.
7906Thou therefore also taste, that equal Lot
7907May joyne us, equal Joy, as equal Love;
7908Least thou not tasting, different degree
7909Disjoyne us, and I then too late renounce
7910Deitie for thee, when Fate will not permit.
7911
7912Thus _Eve_ with Countnance blithe her storie told;
7913But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd.
7914On th’ other side, _Adam_, soon as he heard
7915The fatal Trespass don by _Eve_, amaz’d,
7916Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill
7917Ran through his veins, and all his joynts relax’d;
7918From his slack hand the Garland wreath’d for _Eve_
7919Down drop’d, and all the faded Roses shed:
7920Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
7921First to himself he inward silence broke.
7922
7923O fairest of Creation, last and best
7924Of all Gods Works, Creature in whom excell’d
7925Whatever can to fight or thought be found,
7926Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!
7927How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost,
7928Defac’t, deflourd, and now to Death devote?
7929Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress
7930The strict forbiddance, how to violate
7931The sacred Fruit forbidd’n! som cursed fraud
7932Of Enemie hath beguil’d thee, yet unknown,
7933And mee with thee hath ruind, for with thee
7934Certain my resolution is to Die;
7935How can I live without thee, how forgoe
7936Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly joyn’d,
7937To live again in these wilde Woods forlorn?
7938Should God create another _Eve_, and I
7939Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee
7940Would never from my heart; no no, I feel
7941The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh,
7942Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State
7943Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.
7944
7945So having said, as one from sad dismay
7946Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbd
7947Submitting to what seemd remediless,
7948Thus in calme mood his Words to _Eve_ he turnd.
7949
7950Bold deed thou hast presum’d, adventrous _Eve_,
7951And peril great provok’t, who thus hast dar’d
7952Had it bin onely coveting to Eye
7953That sacred Fruit, sacred to abstinence,
7954Much more to taste it under banne to touch.
7955But past who can recall, or don undoe?
7956Not God omnipotent, for Fate, yet so
7957Perhaps thou shalt not Die, perhaps the Fact
7958Is not so hainous now, foretasted Fruit,
7959Profan’d first by the Serpent, by him first
7960Made common and unhallowd: ere one tastes;
7961Nor yet on him found deadly; he yet lives,
7962Lives, as thou saidst, and gaines to live as Man
7963Higher degree of Life, inducement strong
7964To us, as likely tasting to attaine
7965Proportional ascent, which cannot be
7966But to be Gods, or Angels Demi-gods.
7967Nor can I think that God, Creator wise,
7968Though threatning, will in earnest so destroy
7969Us his prime Creatures, dignifi’d so high,
7970Set over all his Works, which in our Fall,
7971For us created, needs with us must faile,
7972Dependent made; so God shall uncreate,
7973Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour loose,
7974Not well conceav’d of God, who though his Power
7975Creation could repeate, yet would be loath
7976Us to abolish, least the Adversary
7977Triumph and say; Fickle their State whom God
7978Most Favors, who can please him long?  Mee first
7979He ruind, now Mankind; whom will he next?
7980Matter of scorne, not to be given the Foe.
7981However I with thee have fixt my Lot,
7982Certain to undergoe like doom, if Death
7983Consort with thee, Death is to mee as Life;
7984So forcible within my heart I feel
7985The Bond of Nature draw me to my owne,
7986My own in thee, for what thou art is mine;
7987Our State cannot be severd, we are one,
7988One Flesh; to loose thee were to loose my self.
7989
7990So _Adam_, and thus _Eve_ to him repli’d.
7991O glorious trial of exceeding Love,
7992Illustrious evidence, example high!
7993Ingaging me to emulate, but short
7994Of thy perfection, how shall I attaine,
7995_Adam_, from whose deare side I boast me sprung,
7996And gladly of our Union heare thee speak,
7997One Heart, one Soul in both; whereof good prooff
7998This day affords, declaring thee resolvd,
7999Rather then Death or aught then Death more dread
8000Shall separate us, linkt in Love so deare,
8001To undergoe with mee one Guilt, one Crime,
8002If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit,
8003Whose vertue, for of good still good proceeds,
8004Direct, or by occasion hath presented
8005This happie trial of thy Love, which else
8006So eminently never had bin known.
8007Were it I thought Death menac’t would ensue
8008This my attempt, I would sustain alone
8009The worst, and not perswade thee, rather die
8010Deserted, then oblige thee with a fact
8011Pernicious to thy Peace, chiefly assur’d
8012Remarkably so late of thy so true,
8013So faithful Love unequald; but I feel
8014Farr otherwise th’ event, not Death, but Life
8015Augmented, op’nd Eyes, new Hopes, new Joyes,
8016Taste so Divine, that what of sweet before
8017Hath toucht my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh.
8018On my experience, _Adam_, freely taste,
8019And fear of Death deliver to the Windes.
8020
8021So saying, she embrac’d him, and for joy
8022Tenderly wept, much won that he his Love
8023Had so enobl’d, as of choice to incurr
8024Divine displeasure for her sake, or Death.
8025In recompence (for such compliance bad
8026Such recompence best merits) from the bough
8027She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit
8028With liberal hand: he scrupl’d not to eat
8029Against his better knowledge, not deceav’d,
8030But fondly overcome with Femal charm.
8031Earth trembl’d from her entrails, as again
8032In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan,
8033Skie lowr’d, and muttering Thunder, som sad drops
8034Wept at compleating of the mortal Sin
8035Original; while _Adam_ took no thought,
8036Eating his fill, nor _Eve_ to iterate
8037Her former trespass fear’d, the more to soothe
8038Him with her lov’d societie, that now
8039As with new Wine intoxicated both
8040They swim in mirth, and fansie that they feel
8041Divinitie within them breeding wings
8042Wherewith to scorn the Earth: but that false Fruit
8043Farr other operation first displaid,
8044Carnal desire enflaming, hee on _Eve_
8045Began to cast lascivious Eyes, she him
8046As wantonly repaid; in Lust they burne:
8047Till _Adam_ thus ’gan _Eve_ to dalliance move.
8048
8049_Eve_, now I see thou art exact of taste,
8050And elegant, of Sapience no small part,
8051Since to each meaning savour we apply,
8052And Palate call judicious; I the praise
8053Yeild thee, so well this day thou hast purvey’d.
8054Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain’d
8055From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now
8056True relish, tasting; if such pleasure be
8057In things to us forbidden, it might be wish’d,
8058For this one Tree had bin forbidden ten.
8059But come, so well refresh’t, now let us play,
8060As meet is, after such delicious Fare;
8061For never did thy Beautie since the day
8062I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn’d
8063With all perfections, so enflame my sense
8064With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now
8065Then ever, bountie of this vertuous Tree.
8066
8067So said he, and forbore not glance or toy
8068Of amorous intent, well understood
8069Of _Eve_, whose Eye darted contagious Fire.
8070Her hand he seis’d, and to a shadie bank,
8071Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr’d
8072He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch,
8073Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,
8074And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap.
8075There they thir fill of Love and Loves disport
8076Took largely, of thir mutual guilt the Seale,
8077The solace of thir sin, till dewie sleep
8078Oppress’d them, wearied with thir amorous play.
8079Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit,
8080That with exhilerating vapour bland
8081About thir spirits had plaid, and inmost powers
8082Made erre, was now exhal’d, and grosser sleep
8083Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams
8084Encumberd, now had left them, up they rose
8085As from unrest, and each the other viewing,
8086Soon found thir Eyes how op’nd, and thir minds
8087How dark’nd; innocence, that as a veile
8088Had shadow’d them from knowing ill, was gon,
8089Just confidence, and native righteousness,
8090And honour from about them, naked left
8091To guiltie shame hee cover’d, but his Robe
8092Uncover’d more.  So rose the _Danite_ strong
8093_Herculean Samson_ from the Harlot-lap
8094Of _Philistean Dalilah_, and wak’d
8095Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare
8096Of all thir vertue: silent, and in face
8097Confounded long they sate, as struck’n mute,
8098Till _Adam_, though not less then _Eve_ abasht,
8099At length gave utterance to these words constraind.
8100
8101O _Eve_, in evil hour thou didst give care
8102To that false Worm, of whomsoever taught
8103To counterfet Mans voice, true in our Fall,
8104False in our promis’d Rising; since our Eyes
8105Op’nd we find indeed, and find we know
8106Both Good and Evil, Good lost and Evil got,
8107Bad Fruit of Knowledge, if this be to know,
8108Which leaves us naked thus, of Honour void,
8109Of Innocence, of Faith, of Puritie,
8110Our wonted Ornaments now soild and staind,
8111And in our Faces evident the signes
8112Of foul concupiscence; whence evil store;
8113Even shame, the last of evils; of the first
8114Be sure then.  How shall I behold the face
8115Henceforth of God or Angel, earst with joy
8116And rapture so oft beheld? those heav’nly shapes
8117Will dazle now this earthly, with thir blaze
8118Insufferably bright.  O might I here
8119In solitude live savage, in some glad
8120Obscur’d, where highest Woods impenetrable
8121To Starr or Sun-light, spread thir umbrage broad,
8122And brown as Evening: Cover me ye Pines,
8123Ye Cedars, with innumerable boughs
8124Hide me, where I may never see them more.
8125But let us now, as in bad plight, devise
8126What best may for the present serve to hide
8127The Parts of each from other, that seem most
8128To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen,
8129Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd,
8130And girded on our loyns, may cover round
8131Those middle parts, that this new commer, Shame,
8132There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.
8133
8134So counsel’d hee, and both together went
8135Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose
8136The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renown’d,
8137But such as at this day to _Indians_ known
8138In _Malabar_ or _Decan_ spreds her Armes
8139Braunching so broad and long, that in the ground
8140The bended Twigs take root, and Daughters grow
8141About the Mother Tree, a Pillard shade
8142High overarch’t, and echoing Walks between;
8143There oft the _Indian_ Herdsman shunning heate
8144Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds
8145At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves
8146They gatherd, broad as _Amazonian_ Targe,
8147And with what skill they had, together sowd,
8148To gird thir waste, vain Covering if to hide
8149Thir guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike
8150To that first naked Glorie.  Such of late
8151_Columbus_ found th’ _American_ to girt
8152With featherd Cincture, naked else and wilde
8153Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores.
8154Thus fenc’t, and as they thought, thir shame in part
8155Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind,
8156They sate them down to weep, nor onely Teares
8157Raind at thir Eyes, but high Winds worse within
8158Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,
8159Mistrust, Suspicion, Discord, and shook sore
8160Thir inward State of Mind, calme Region once
8161And full of Peace, now tost and turbulent:
8162For Understanding rul’d not, and the Will
8163Heard not her lore, both in subjection now
8164To sensual Appetite, who from beneathe
8165Usurping over sovran Reason claimd
8166Superior sway: From thus distemperd brest,
8167_Adam_, estrang’d in look and alterd stile,
8168Speech intermitted thus to _Eve_ renewd.
8169
8170Would thou hadst heark’nd to my words, & stai’d
8171With me, as I besought thee, when that strange
8172Desire of wandring this unhappie Morn,
8173I know not whence possessd thee; we had then
8174Remaind still happie, not as now, despoild
8175Of all our good, sham’d, naked, miserable.
8176Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve
8177The Faith they owe; when earnestly they seek
8178Such proof, conclude, they then begin to faile.
8179
8180To whom soon mov’d with touch of blame thus _Eve_.
8181What words have past thy Lips, _Adam_ severe,
8182Imput’st thou that to my default, or will
8183Of wandering, as thou call’st it, which who knows
8184But might as ill have happ’nd thou being by,
8185Or to thy self perhaps: hadst thou bin there,
8186Or bere th’ attempt, thou couldst not have discernd
8187Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake;
8188No ground of enmitie between us known,
8189Why hee should mean me ill, or seek to harme.
8190Was I to have never parted from thy side?
8191As good have grown there still a liveless Rib.
8192Being as I am, why didst not thou the Head
8193Command me absolutely not to go,
8194Going into such danger as thou saidst?
8195Too facil then thou didst not much gainsay,
8196Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss.
8197Hadst thou bin firm and fixt in thy dissent,
8198Neither had I transgress’d, nor thou with mee.
8199
8200To whom then first incenst _Adam_ repli’d.
8201Is this the Love, is the recompence
8202Of mine to thee, ingrateful _Eve_, exprest
8203Immutable when thou wert lost, not I,
8204Who might have liv’d and joyd immortal bliss,
8205Yet willingly chose rather Death with thee:
8206And am I now upbraided, as the cause
8207Of thy transgressing? not enough severe,
8208It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more?
8209I warn’d thee, I admonish’d thee, foretold
8210The danger, and the lurking Enemie
8211That lay in wait; beyond this had bin force,
8212And force upon free Will hath here no place.
8213But confidence then bore thee on, secure
8214Either to meet no danger, or to finde
8215Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps
8216I also err’d in overmuch admiring
8217What seemd in thee so perfet, that I thought
8218No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue
8219That errour now, which is become my crime,
8220And thou th’ accuser.  Thus it shall befall
8221Him who to worth in Women overtrusting
8222Lets her Will rule; restraint she will not brook,
8223And left to her self, if evil thence ensue,
8224Shee first his weak indulgence will accuse.
8225
8226Thus they in mutual accusation spent
8227The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning
8228And of thir vain contest appeer’d no end.
8229
8230       THE END OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.
8231
8232  PARADISE LOST
8233
8234
8235
8236
8237
8238  BOOK IX.
8239
8240Meanwhile the hainous and despightfull act
8241Of _Satan_ done in Paradise, and how
8242Hee in the Serpent had perverted _Eve_,
8243Her Husband shee, to taste the fatall fruit,
8244Was known in Heav’n; for what can scape the Eye
8245Of God All-seeing, or deceave his Heart
8246Omniscient, who in all things wise and just,
8247Hinder’d not _Satan_ to attempt the minde
8248Of Man, with strength entire, and free Will arm’d,
8249Complete to have discover’d and repulst
8250Whatever wiles of Foe or seeming Friend.
8251For still they knew, and ought to have still remember’d
8252The high Injunction not to taste that Fruit,
8253Whoever tempted; which they not obeying,
8254Incurr’d, what could they less, the penaltie,
8255And manifold in sin, deserv’d to fall.
8256Up into Heav’n from Paradise in hast
8257Th’ Angelic Guards ascended, mute and sad
8258For Man, for of his state by this they knew,
8259Much wondring how the suttle Fiend had stoln
8260Entrance unseen.  Soon as th’ unwelcome news
8261From Earth arriv’d at Heaven Gate, displeas’d
8262All were who heard, dim sadness did not spare
8263That time Celestial visages, yet mixt
8264With pitie, violated not thir bliss.
8265About the new-arriv’d, in multitudes
8266Th’ ethereal People ran, to hear and know
8267How all befell: they towards the Throne Supream
8268Accountable made haste to make appear
8269With righteous plea, thir utmost vigilance,
8270And easily approv’d; when the most High
8271Eternal Father from his secret Cloud,
8272Amidst in Thunder utter’d thus his voice.
8273
8274Assembl’d Angels, and ye Powers return’d
8275From unsuccessful charge, be not dismaid,
8276Nor troubl’d at these tidings from the Earth,
8277Which your sincerest care could not prevent,
8278Foretold so lately what would come to pass,
8279When first this Tempter cross’d the Gulf from Hell.
8280I told ye then he should prevail and speed
8281On his bad Errand, Man should be seduc’t
8282And flatter’d out of all, believing lies
8283Against his Maker; no Decree of mine
8284Concurring to necessitate his Fall,
8285Or touch with lightest moment of impulse
8286His free Will, to her own inclining left
8287In eevn scale.  But fall’n he is, and now
8288What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass
8289On his transgression, Death denounc’t that day,
8290Which he presumes already vain and void,
8291Because not yet inflicted, as he fear’d,
8292By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find
8293Forbearance no acquittance ere day end.
8294Justice shall not return as bountie scorn’d.
8295But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee
8296Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferr’d
8297All Judgement, whether in Heav’n, or Earth; or Hell.
8298Easie it may be seen that I intend
8299Mercie collegue with Justice, sending thee
8300Mans Friend, his Mediator, his design’d
8301Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie,
8302And destin’d Man himself to judge Man fall’n.
8303
8304So spake the Father, and unfoulding bright
8305Toward the right hand his Glorie, on the Son
8306Blaz’d forth unclouded Deitie; he full
8307Resplendent all his Father manifest
8308Express’d, and thus divinely answer’d milde.
8309
8310Father Eternal, thine is to decree,
8311Mine both in Heav’n and Earth to do thy will
8312Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belov’d
8313Mayst ever rest well pleas’d.  I go to judge
8314On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst,
8315Whoever judg’d, the worst on mee must light,
8316When time shall be, for so I undertook
8317Before thee; and not repenting, this obtaine
8318Of right, that I may mitigate thir doom
8319On me deriv’d, yet I shall temper so
8320Justice with Mercie, as may illustrate most
8321Them fully satisfied, and thee appease.
8322Attendance none shall need, nor Train, where none
8323Are to behold the Judgement, but the judg’d,
8324Those two; the third best absent is condemn’d,
8325Convict by flight, and Rebel to all Law
8326Conviction to the Serpent none belongs.
8327
8328Thus saying, from his radiant Seat he rose
8329Of high collateral glorie: him Thrones and Powers,
8330Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant
8331Accompanied to Heaven Gate, from whence
8332_Eden_ and all the Coast in prospect lay.
8333Down he descended strait; the speed of Gods
8334Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing’d.
8335Now was the Sun in Western cadence low
8336From Noon, and gentle Aires due at thir hour
8337To fan the Earth now wak’d, and usher in
8338The Eevning coole when he from wrauth more coole
8339Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both
8340To sentence Man: the voice of God they heard
8341Now walking in the Garden, by soft windes
8342Brought to thir Ears, while day declin’d, they heard
8343And from his presence hid themselves among
8344The thickest Trees, both Man and Wife, till God
8345Approaching, thus to _Adam_ call’d aloud.
8346
8347Where art thou _Adam_, wont with joy to meet
8348My coming seen far off?  I miss thee here,
8349Not pleas’d, thus entertaind with solitude,
8350Where obvious dutie erewhile appear’d unsaught:
8351Or come I less conspicuous, or what change
8352Absents thee, or what chance detains?  Come forth.
8353He came, and with him _Eve_, more loth, though first
8354To offend, discount’nanc’t both, and discompos’d;
8355Love was not in thir looks, either to God
8356Or to each other, but apparent guilt,
8357And shame, and perturbation, and despaire,
8358Anger, and obstinacie, and hate, and guile.
8359Whence _Adam_ faultring long, thus answer’d brief.
8360
8361I heard thee in the Garden, and of thy voice
8362Affraid, being naked, hid my self.  To whom
8363The gracious Judge without revile repli’d.
8364
8365My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear’d,
8366But still rejoyc’t, how is it now become
8367So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who
8368Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree
8369Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?
8370
8371To whom thus _Adam_ sore beset repli’d.
8372O Heav’n! in evil strait this day I stand
8373Before my Judge, either to undergoe
8374My self the total Crime, or to accuse
8375My other self, the partner of my life;
8376Whose failing, while her Faith to me remaines,
8377I should conceal, and not expose to blame
8378By my complaint; but strict necessitie
8379Subdues me, and calamitous constraint,
8380Least on my head both sin and punishment,
8381However insupportable, be all
8382Devolv’d; though should I hold my peace, yet thou
8383Wouldst easily detect what I conceale.
8384This Woman whom thou mad’st to be my help,
8385And gav’st me as thy perfet gift, so good,
8386So fit, so acceptable, so Divine,
8387That from her hand I could suspect no ill,
8388And what she did, whatever in it self,
8389Her doing seem’d to justifie the deed;
8390Shee gave me of the Tree, and I did eate.
8391
8392To whom the sovran Presence thus repli’d.
8393Was shee thy God, that her thou didst obey
8394Before his voice, or was shee made thy guide,
8395Superior, or but equal, that to her
8396Thou did’st resigne thy Manhood, and the Place
8397Wherein God set thee above her made of thee,
8398And for thee, whose perfection farr excell’d
8399Hers in all real dignitie: Adornd
8400She was indeed, and lovely to attract
8401Thy Love, not thy Subjection, and her Gifts
8402Were such as under Government well seem’d,
8403Unseemly to beare rule, which was thy part
8404And person, had’st thou known thy self aright.
8405
8406So having said, he thus to _Eve_ in few:
8407Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done?
8408
8409To whom sad _Eve_ with shame nigh overwhelm’d,
8410Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge
8411Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli’d.
8412
8413The Serpent me beguil’d and I did eate.
8414
8415Which when the Lord God heard, without delay
8416To Judgement he proceeded on th’ accus’d
8417Serpent though brute, unable to transferre
8418The Guilt on him who made him instrument
8419Of mischief, and polluted from the end
8420Of his Creation; justly then accurst,
8421As vitiated in Nature: more to know
8422Concern’d not Man (since he no further knew)
8423Nor alter’d his offence; yet God at last
8424To Satan first in sin his doom apply’d,
8425Though in mysterious terms, judg’d as then best:
8426And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall.
8427
8428Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst
8429Above all Cattel, each Beast of the Field;
8430Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe,
8431And dust shalt eat all the days of thy Life.
8432Between Thee and the Woman I will put
8433Enmitie, and between thine and her Seed;
8434Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.
8435
8436So spake this Oracle, then verifi’d
8437When _Jesus_ son of _Mary_ second _Eve_,
8438Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav’n,
8439Prince of the Aire; then rising from his Grave
8440Spoild Principalities and Powers, triumpht
8441In open shew, and with ascention bright
8442Captivity led captive through the Aire,
8443The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt,
8444Whom he shall tread at last under our feet;
8445Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise,
8446And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn’d.
8447
8448Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie
8449By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring
8450In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will
8451Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule.
8452
8453On _Adam_ last thus judgement he pronounc’d.
8454Because thou hast heark’nd to the voice of thy Wife,
8455And eaten of the Tree concerning which
8456I charg’d thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof,
8457Curs’d is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow
8458Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life;
8459Thornes also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth
8460Unbid, and thou shalt eate th’ Herb of th’ Field,
8461In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eate Bread,
8462Till thou return unto the ground, for thou
8463Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth,
8464For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne.
8465
8466 So judg’d he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent,
8467And th’ instant stroke of Death denounc’t that day
8468Remov’d farr off; then pittying how they stood
8469Before him naked to the aire, that now
8470Must suffer change, disdain’d not to begin
8471Thenceforth the forme of servant to assume,
8472As when he wash’d his servants feet, so now
8473As Father of his Familie he clad
8474Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain,
8475Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid;
8476And thought not much to cloath his Enemies:
8477Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins
8478Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more
8479Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness,
8480Araying cover’d from his Fathers sight.
8481To him with swift ascent he up returnd,
8482Into his blissful bosom reassum’d
8483In glory as of old, to him appeas’d
8484All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man
8485Recounted, mixing intercession sweet.
8486Meanwhile ere thus was sin’d and judg’d on Earth,
8487Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death,
8488In counterview within the Gates, that now
8489Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame
8490Farr into _Chaos_, since the Fiend pass’d through,
8491Sin opening, who thus now to Death began.
8492
8493O Son, why sit we here each other viewing
8494Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives
8495In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides
8496For us his ofspring deare?  It cannot be
8497But that success attends him; if mishap,
8498Ere this he had return’d, with fury driv’n
8499By his Avenger, since no place like this
8500Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.
8501Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,
8502Wings growing, and Dominion giv’n me large
8503Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on,
8504Or sympathie, or som connatural force
8505Powerful at greatest distance to unite
8506With secret amity things of like kinde
8507By secretest conveyance.  Thou my Shade
8508Inseparable must with mee along:
8509For Death from Sin no power can separate.
8510But least the difficultie of passing back
8511Stay his returne perhaps over this Gulfe
8512Impassable, impervious, let us try
8513Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine
8514Not unagreeable, to found a path
8515Over this Maine from Hell to that new World
8516Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument
8517Of merit high to all th’ infernal Host,
8518Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse,
8519Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead.
8520Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn
8521By this new felt attraction and instinct.
8522
8523Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon.
8524Goe whither Fate and inclination strong
8525Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre
8526The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw
8527Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste
8528The savour of Death from all things there that live:
8529Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest
8530Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid.
8531
8532So saying, with delight he snuff’d the smell
8533Of mortal change on Earth.  As when a flock
8534Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,
8535Against the day of Battel, to a Field,
8536Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur’d
8537With sent of living Carcasses design’d
8538For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.
8539So sented the grim Feature, and upturn’d
8540His Nostril wide into the murkie Air,
8541Sagacious of his Quarrey from so farr.
8542Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste
8543Wide Anarchie of _Chaos_ damp and dark
8544Flew divers, & with Power (thir Power was great)
8545Hovering upon the Waters; what they met
8546Solid or slimie, as in raging Sea
8547Tost up and down, together crowded drove
8548From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell.
8549As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse
8550Upon the _Cronian_ Sea, together drive
8551Mountains of Ice, that stop th’ imagin’d way
8552Beyond _Petsora_ Eastward, to the rich
8553_Cathaian_ Coast.  The aggregated Soyle
8554Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry,
8555As with a Trident smote, and fix’t as firm
8556As _Delos_ floating once; the rest his look
8557Bound with _Gorgonian_ rigor not to move,
8558And with _Asphaltic_ slime; broad as the Gate,
8559Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather’d beach
8560They fasten’d, and the Mole immense wraught on
8561Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge
8562Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall
8563Immoveable of this now fenceless world
8564Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad,
8565Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell.
8566So, if great things to small may be compar’d,
8567_Xerxes_, the Libertie of _Greece_ to yoke,
8568From _Susa_ his _Memnonian_ Palace high
8569Came to the Sea, and over _Hellespont_
8570Bridging his way, _Europe_ with _Asia_ joyn’d,
8571And scourg’d with many a stroak th’ indignant waves.
8572Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art
8573Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock
8574Over the vext Abyss, following the track
8575Of _Satan_, to the selfsame place where hee
8576First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe
8577From out of _Chaos_ to the outside bare
8578Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant
8579And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made
8580And durable; and now in little space
8581The Confines met of Empyrean Heav’n
8582And of this World, and on the left hand Hell
8583With long reach interpos’d; three sev’ral wayes
8584In sight, to each of these three places led.
8585And now thir way to Earth they had descri’d,
8586To Paradise first tending, when behold
8587_Satan_ in likeness of an Angel bright
8588Betwixt the _Centaure_ and the _Scorpion_ stearing
8589His _Zenith_, while the Sun in _Aries_ rose:
8590Disguis’d he came, but those his Children dear
8591Thir Parent soon discern’d, though in disguise.
8592Hee, after _Eve_ seduc’t, unminded slunk
8593Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape
8594To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act
8595By _Eve_, though all unweeting, seconded
8596Upon her Husband, saw thir shame that sought
8597Vain covertures; but when he saw descend
8598The Son of God to judge them, terrifi’d
8599Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun
8600The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth
8601Might suddenly inflict; that past, return’d
8602By Night, and listning where the hapless Paire
8603Sate in thir sad discourse, and various plaint,
8604Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood
8605Not instant, but of future time.  With joy
8606And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return’d,
8607And at the brink of _Chaos_, neer the foot
8608Of this new wondrous Pontifice, unhop’t
8609Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear.
8610Great joy was at thir meeting, and at sight
8611Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas’d.
8612Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire
8613Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke.
8614
8615O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds,
8616Thy Trophies, which thou view’st as not thine own,
8617Thou art thir Author and prime Architect:
8618For I no sooner in my Heart divin’d,
8619My Heart, which by a secret harmonie
8620Still moves with thine, joyn’d in connexion sweet,
8621That thou on Earth hadst prosper’d, which thy looks
8622Now also evidence, but straight I felt
8623Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt
8624That I must after thee with this thy Son;
8625Such fatal consequence unites us three:
8626Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds,
8627Nor this unvoyageable Gulf obscure
8628Detain from following thy illustrious track.
8629Thou hast atchiev’d our libertie, confin’d
8630Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow’rd
8631To fortifie thus farr, and overlay
8632With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss.
8633Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won
8634What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain’d
8635With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng’d
8636Our foile in Heav’n; here thou shalt Monarch reign,
8637There didst not; there let him still Victor sway,
8638As Battel hath adjudg’d, from this new World
8639Retiring, by his own doom alienated,
8640And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide
8641Of all things, parted by th’ Empyreal bounds,
8642His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World,
8643Or trie thee now more dang’rous to his Throne.
8644
8645Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad.
8646Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both,
8647High proof ye now have giv’n to be the Race
8648Of _Satan_ (for I glorie in the name,
8649Antagonist of Heav’ns Almightie King)
8650Amply have merited of me, of all
8651Th’ Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav’ns dore
8652Triumphal with triumphal act have met,
8653Mine with this glorious Work, & made one Realm
8654Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent
8655Of easie thorough-fare.  Therefore while I
8656Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease
8657To my associate Powers, them to acquaint
8658With these successes, and with them rejoyce,
8659You two this way, among those numerous Orbs
8660All yours, right down to Paradise descend;
8661There dwell & Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth
8662Dominion exercise and in the Aire,
8663Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar’d,
8664Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill.
8665My Substitutes I send ye, and Create
8666Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might
8667Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now
8668My hold of this new Kingdom all depends,
8669Through Sin to Death expos’d by my exploit.
8670If your joynt power prevaile, th’ affaires of Hell
8671No detriment need feare, goe and be strong.
8672
8673So saying he dismiss’d them, they with speed
8674Thir course through thickest Constellations held
8675Spreading thir bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan,
8676And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclips
8677Then sufferd.  Th’ other way _Satan_ went down
8678The Causey to Hell Gate; on either side
8679Disparted _Chaos_ over built exclaimd,
8680And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild,
8681That scorn’d his indignation: through the Gate,
8682Wide open and unguarded, _Satan_ pass’d,
8683And all about found desolate; for those
8684Appointed to sit there, had left thir charge,
8685Flown to the upper World; the rest were all
8686Farr to the inland retir’d, about the walls
8687Of _Pandemonium_, Citie and proud seate
8688Of _Lucifer_, so by allusion calld,
8689Of that bright Starr to _Satan_ paragond.
8690There kept thir Watch the Legions, while the Grand
8691In Council sate, sollicitous what chance
8692Might intercept thir Emperour sent, so hee
8693Departing gave command, and they observ’d.
8694As when the _Tartar_ from his _Russian_ Foe
8695By _Astracan_ over the Snowie Plaines
8696Retires, or _Bactrian_ Sophi from the hornes
8697Of _Turkish_ Crescent, leaves all waste beyond
8698The Realme of _Aladule_, in his retreate
8699To _Tauris_ or _Casbeen_.  So these the late
8700Heav’n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell
8701Many a dark League, reduc’t in careful Watch
8702Round thir Metropolis, and now expecting
8703Each hour their great adventurer from the search
8704Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt,
8705In shew plebeian Angel militant
8706Of lowest order, past; and from the dore
8707Of that _Plutonian_ Hall, invisible
8708Ascended his high Throne, which under state
8709Of richest texture spred, at th’ upper end
8710Was plac’t in regal lustre.  Down a while
8711He sate, and round about him saw unseen:
8712At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head
8713And shape Starr bright appeer’d, or brighter, clad
8714With what permissive glory since his fall
8715Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz’d
8716At that so sudden blaze the _Stygian_ throng
8717Bent thir aspect, and whom they wish’d beheld,
8718Thir mighty Chief returnd: loud was th’ acclaime:
8719Forth rush’d in haste the great consulting Peers,
8720Rais’d from thir dark _Divan_, and with like joy
8721Congratulant approach’d him, who with hand
8722Silence, and with these words attention won.
8723
8724Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,
8725For in possession such, not onely of right,
8726I call ye and declare ye now, returnd
8727Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth
8728Triumphant out of this infernal Pit
8729Abominable, accurst, the house of woe,
8730And Dungeon of our Tyrant: Now possess,
8731As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven
8732Little inferiour, by my adventure hard
8733With peril great atchiev’d.  Long were to tell
8734What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine
8735Voyag’d the unreal, vast, unbounded deep
8736Of horrible confusion, over which
8737By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav’d
8738To expedite your glorious march; but I
8739Toild out my uncouth passage, forc’t to ride
8740Th’ untractable Abysse, plung’d in the womb
8741Of unoriginal _Night_ and _Chaos_ wilde,
8742That jealous of thir secrets fiercely oppos’d
8743My journey strange, with clamorous uproare
8744Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found
8745The new created World, which fame in Heav’n
8746Long had foretold, a Fabrick wonderful
8747Of absolute perfection, therein Man
8748Plac’t in a Paradise, by our exile
8749Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc’d
8750From his Creator, and the more to increase
8751Your wonder, with an Apple; he thereat
8752Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv’n up
8753Both his beloved Man and all his World,
8754To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us,
8755Without our hazard, labour or allarme,
8756To range in, and to dwell, and over Man
8757To rule, as over all he should have rul’d.
8758True is, mee also he hath judg’d, or rather
8759Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape
8760Man I deceav’d: that which to mee belongs,
8761Is enmity, which he will put between
8762Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel;
8763His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head:
8764A World who would not purchase with a bruise,
8765Or much more grievous pain?  Ye have th’ account
8766Of my performance: What remaines, ye Gods,
8767But up and enter now into full bliss.
8768
8769So having said, a while he stood, expecting
8770Thir universal shout and high applause
8771To fill his eare, when contrary he hears
8772On all sides, from innumerable tongues
8773A dismal universal hiss, the sound
8774Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long
8775Had leasure, wondring at himself now more;
8776His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare,
8777His Armes clung to his Ribs, his Leggs entwining
8778Each other, till supplanted down he fell
8779A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone,
8780Reluctant, but in vaine, a greater power
8781Now rul’d him, punisht in the shape he sin’d,
8782According to his doom: he would have spoke,
8783But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue
8784To forked tongue, for now were all transform’d
8785Alike, to Serpents all as accessories
8786To his bold Riot: dreadful was the din
8787Of hissing through the Hall, thick swarming now
8788With complicated monsters, head and taile,
8789Scorpion and Asp, and _Amphisbaena_ dire,
8790_Cerastes_ hornd, _Hydrus_, and _Ellops_ drear,
8791And _Dipsas_ (Not so thick swarm’d once the Soil
8792Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle
8793_Ophiusa_) but still greatest hee the midst,
8794Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun
8795Ingenderd in the _Pythian_ Vale on slime,
8796Huge _Python_, and his Power no less he seem’d
8797Above the rest still to retain; they all
8798Him follow’d issuing forth to th’ open Field,
8799Where all yet left of that revolted Rout
8800Heav’n-fall’n, in station stood or just array,
8801Sublime with expectation when to see
8802In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief;
8803They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd
8804Of ugly Serpents; horror on them fell,
8805And horrid sympathie; for what they saw,
8806They felt themselvs now changing; down thir arms,
8807Down fell both Spear and Shield, down they as fast,
8808And the dire hiss renew’d, and the dire form
8809Catcht by Contagion, like in punishment,
8810As in thir crime.  Thus was th’ applause they meant,
8811Turnd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame
8812Cast on themselves from thir own mouths.  There stood
8813A Grove hard by, sprung up with this thir change,
8814His will who reigns above, to aggravate
8815Thir penance, laden with fair Fruit, like that
8816VVhich grew in Paradise, the bait of _Eve_
8817Us’d by the Tempter: on that prospect strange
8818Thir earnest eyes they fix’d, imagining
8819For one forbidden Tree a multitude
8820Now ris’n, to work them furder woe or shame;
8821Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger fierce,
8822Though to delude them sent, could not abstain,
8823But on they rould in heaps, and up the Trees
8824Climbing, sat thicker then the snakie locks
8825That curld _Megaera_: greedily they pluck’d
8826The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew
8827Neer that bituminous Lake where _Sodom_ flam’d;
8828This more delusive, not the touch, but taste
8829Deceav’d; they fondly thinking to allay
8830Thir appetite with gust, instead of Fruit
8831Chewd bitter Ashes, which th’ offended taste
8832VVith spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd,
8833Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft,
8834VVith hatefullest disrelish writh’d thir jaws
8835VVith foot and cinders fill’d; so oft they fell
8836Into the same illusion, not as Man
8837Whom they triumph’d once lapst.  Thus were they plagu’d
8838And worn with Famin, long and ceasless hiss,
8839Till thir lost shape, permitted, they resum’d,
8840Yearly enjoynd, some say, to undergo
8841This annual humbling certain number’d days,
8842To dash thir pride, and joy for Man seduc’t.
8843However some tradition they dispers’d
8844Among the Heathen of thir purchase got,
8845And Fabl’d how the Serpent, whom they calld
8846_Ophion_ with _Eurynome_, the wide-
8847Encroaching _Eve_ perhaps, had first the rule
8848Of high _Olympus_, thence by _Saturn_ driv’n
8849And _Ops_, ere yet _Dictaean_ _Jove_ was born.
8850Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair
8851Too soon arriv’d, _Sin_ there in power before,
8852Once actual, now in body, and to dwell
8853Habitual habitant; behind her _Death_
8854Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet
8855On his pale Horse: to whom _Sin_ thus began.
8856
8857Second of _Satan_ sprung, all conquering Death,
8858What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd
8859With travail difficult, not better farr
8860Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch,
8861Unnam’d, undreaded, and thy self half starv’d?
8862
8863Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon.
8864To mee, who with eternal Famin pine,
8865Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven,
8866There best, where most with ravin I may meet;
8867Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems
8868To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps.
8869
8870To whom th’ incestuous Mother thus repli’d.
8871Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, & Flours
8872Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,
8873No homely morsels, and whatever thing
8874The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspar’d,
8875Till I in Man residing through the Race,
8876His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect,
8877And season him thy last and sweetest prey.
8878
8879This said, they both betook them several wayes,
8880Both to destroy, or unimmortal make
8881All kinds, and for destruction to mature
8882Sooner or later; which th’ Almightie seeing,
8883From his transcendent Seat the Saints among,
8884To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice.
8885
8886See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance
8887To waste and havoc yonder VVorld, which I
8888So fair and good created, and had still
8889Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man
8890Let in these wastful Furies, who impute
8891Folly to mee, so doth the Prince of Hell
8892And his Adherents, that with so much ease
8893I suffer them to enter and possess
8894A place so heav’nly, and conniving seem
8895To gratifie my scornful Enemies,
8896That laugh, as if transported with some fit
8897Of Passion, I to them had quitted all,
8898At random yeilded up to their misrule;
8899And know not that I call’d and drew them thither
8900My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth
8901Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed
8902On what was pure, till cramm’d and gorg’d, nigh burst
8903With suckt and glutted offal, at one fling
8904Of thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son,
8905Both _Sin_, and _Death_, and yawning _Grave_ at last
8906Through _Chaos_ hurld, obstruct the mouth of Hell
8907For ever, and seal up his ravenous Jawes.
8908Then Heav’n and Earth renewd shall be made pure
8909To sanctitie that shall receive no staine:
8910Till then the Curse pronounc’t on both precedes.
8911
8912Hee ended, and the heav’nly Audience loud
8913Sung _Halleluia_, as the sound of Seas,
8914Through multitude that sung: Just are thy ways,
8915Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works;
8916Who can extenuate thee?  Next, to the Son,
8917Destin’d restorer of Mankind, by whom
8918New Heav’n and Earth shall to the Ages rise,
8919Or down from Heav’n descend.  Such was thir song,
8920While the Creator calling forth by name
8921His mightie Angels gave them several charge,
8922As sorted best with present things.  The Sun
8923Had first his precept so to move, so shine,
8924As might affect the Earth with cold and heat
8925Scarce tollerable, and from the North to call
8926Decrepit Winter, from the South to bring
8927Solstitial summers heat.  To the blanc Moone
8928Her office they prescrib’d, to th’ other five
8929Thir planetarie motions and aspects
8930In _Sextile_, _Square_, and _Trine_, and _Opposite_,
8931Of noxious efficacie, and when to joyne
8932In Synod unbenigne, and taught the fixt
8933Thir influence malignant when to showre,
8934Which of them rising with the Sun, or falling,
8935Should prove tempestuous: To the Winds they set
8936Thir corners, when with bluster to confound
8937Sea, Aire, and Shoar, the Thunder when to rowle
8938With terror through the dark Aereal Hall.
8939Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse
8940The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more
8941From the Suns Axle; they with labour push’d
8942Oblique the Centric Globe: Som say the Sun
8943Was bid turn Reines from th’ Equinoctial Rode
8944Like distant breadth to _Taurus_ with the Seav’n
8945_Atlantick_ Sisters, and the _Spartan_ Twins
8946Up to the _Tropic_ Crab; thence down amaine
8947By _Leo_ and the _Virgin_ and the _Scales_,
8948As deep as _Capricorne_, to bring in change
8949Of Seasons to each Clime; else had the Spring
8950Perpetual smil’d on Earth with vernant Flours,
8951Equal in Days and Nights, except to those
8952Beyond the Polar Circles; to them Day
8953Had unbenighted shon, while the low Sun
8954To recompence his distance, in thir sight
8955Had rounded still th’ _Horizon_, and not known
8956Or East or West, which had forbid the Snow
8957From cold _Estotiland_, and South as farr
8958Beneath _Magellan_.  At that tasted Fruit
8959The Sun, as from _Thyestean_ Banquet, turn’d
8960His course intended; else how had the World
8961Inhabited, though sinless, more then now,
8962Avoided pinching cold and scorching heate?
8963These changes in the Heav’ns, though slow, produc’d
8964Like change on Sea and Land, sideral blast,
8965Vapour, and Mist, and Exhalation hot,
8966Corrupt and Pestilent: Now from the North
8967Of _Norumbega_, and the _Samoed_ shoar
8968Bursting thir brazen Dungeon, armd with ice
8969And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw,
8970_Boreas_ and _Caecias_ and _Argestes_ loud
8971And _Thrascias_ rend the Woods and Seas upturn;
8972With adverse blast up-turns them from the South
8973_Notus_ and _Afer_ black with thundrous Clouds
8974From _Serraliona_; thwart of these as fierce
8975Forth rush the _Levant_ and the _Ponent_ VVindes
8976_Eurus_ and _Zephir_ with thir lateral noise,
8977_Sirocco_, and _Libecchio_. Thus began
8978Outrage from liveless things; but Discord first
8979Daughter of Sin, among th’ irrational,
8980Death introduc’d through fierce antipathie:
8981Beast now with Beast gan war, & Fowle with Fowle,
8982And Fish with Fish; to graze the Herb all leaving,
8983Devourd each other; nor stood much in awe
8984Of Man, but fled him, or with count’nance grim
8985Glar’d on him passing: these were from without
8986The growing miseries, which _Adam_ saw
8987Alreadie in part, though hid in gloomiest shade,
8988To sorrow abandond, but worse felt within,
8989And in a troubl’d Sea of passion tost,
8990Thus to disburd’n sought with sad complaint.
8991
8992O miserable of happie! is this the end
8993Of this new glorious World, and mee so late
8994The Glory of that Glory, who now becom
8995Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face
8996Of God, whom to behold was then my highth
8997Of happiness: yet well, if here would end
8998The miserie, I deserv’d it, and would beare
8999My own deservings; but this will not serve;
9000All that I eate or drink, or shall beget,
9001Is propagated curse.  O voice once heard
9002Delightfully, _Encrease and Multiply_,
9003Now death to heare! for what can I encrease
9004Or multiplie, but curses on my head?
9005Who of all Ages to succeed, but feeling
9006The evil on him brought by me, will curse
9007My Head, Ill fare our Ancestor impure,
9008For this we may thank _Adam_; but his thanks
9009Shall be the execration; so besides
9010Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee
9011Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound,
9012On mee as on thir natural center light
9013Heavie, though in thir place.  O fleeting joyes
9014Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes!
9015Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay
9016To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee
9017From darkness to promote me, or here place
9018In this delicious Garden? as my Will
9019Concurd not to my being, it were but right
9020And equal to reduce me to my dust,
9021Desirous to resigne, and render back
9022All I receav’d, unable to performe
9023Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold
9024The good I sought not.  To the loss of that,
9025Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added
9026The sense of endless woes? inexplicable
9027Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late,
9028I thus contest; then should have been refusd
9029Those terms whatever, when they were propos’d:
9030Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good,
9031Then cavil the conditions? and though God
9032Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son
9033Prove disobedient, and reprov’d, retort,
9034Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not:
9035Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee
9036That proud excuse? yet him not thy election,
9037But Natural necessity begot.
9038God made thee of choice his own, and of his own
9039To serve him, thy reward was of his grace,
9040Thy punishment then justly is at his Will.
9041Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair,
9042That dust I am, and shall to dust returne:
9043O welcom hour whenever! why delayes
9044His hand to execute what his Decree
9045Fixd on this day? why do I overlive,
9046Why am I mockt with death, and length’nd out
9047To deathless pain? how gladly would I meet
9048Mortalitie my sentence, and be Earth
9049Insensible, how glad would lay me down
9050As in my Mothers lap? there I should rest
9051And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more
9052Would Thunder in my ears, no fear of worse
9053To mee and to my ofspring would torment me
9054With cruel expectation.  Yet one doubt
9055Pursues me still, least all I cannot die,
9056Least that pure breath of Life, the Spirit of Man
9057Which God inspir’d, cannot together perish
9058With this corporeal Clod; then in the Grave,
9059Or in some other dismal place, who knows
9060But I shall die a living Death?  O thought
9061Horrid, if true! yet why? it was but breath
9062Of Life that sinn’d; what dies but what had life
9063And sin? the Bodie properly hath neither.
9064All of me then shall die: let this appease
9065The doubt, since humane reach no further knows.
9066For though the Lord of all be infinite,
9067Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so,
9068But mortal doom’d.  How can he exercise
9069Wrath without end on Man whom Death must end?
9070Can he make deathless Death? that were to make
9071Strange contradiction, which to God himself
9072Impossible is held, as Argument
9073Of weakness, not of Power.  Will he, draw out,
9074For angers sake, finite to infinite
9075In punisht man, to satisfie his rigour
9076Satisfi’d never; that were to extend
9077His Sentence beyond dust and Natures Law,
9078By which all Causes else according still
9079To the reception of thir matter act,
9080Not to th’ extent of thir own Spheare.  But say
9081That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos’d,
9082Bereaving sense, but endless miserie
9083From this day onward, which I feel begun
9084Both in me, and without me, and so last
9085To perpetuitie; Ay me, that fear
9086Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution
9087On my defensless head; both Death and I
9088Am found Eternal, and incorporate both,
9089Nor I on my part single, in mee all
9090Posteritie stands curst: Fair Patrimonie
9091That I must leave ye, Sons; O were I able
9092To waste it all my self, and leave ye none!
9093So disinherited how would ye bless
9094Me now your Curse!  Ah, why should all mankind
9095For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemn’d,
9096If guiltless?  But from mee what can proceed,
9097But all corrupt, both Mind and Will deprav’d,
9098Not to do onely, but to will the same
9099With me? how can they acquitted stand
9100In sight of God?  Him after all Disputes
9101Forc’t I absolve: all my evasions vain
9102And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still
9103But to my own conviction: first and last
9104On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring
9105Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;
9106So might the wrauth, Fond wish! couldst thou support
9107That burden heavier then the Earth to bear,
9108Then all the world much heavier, though divided
9109With that bad Woman?  Thus what thou desir’st,
9110And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope
9111Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable
9112Beyond all past example and future,
9113To _Satan_ onely like both crime and doom.
9114O Conscience, into what Abyss of fears
9115And horrors hast thou driv’n me; out of which
9116I find no way, from deep to deeper plung’d!
9117
9118Thus _Adam_ to himself lamented loud
9119Through the still Night, now now, as ere man fell,
9120Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air
9121Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom,
9122Which to his evil Conscience represented
9123All things with double terror: On the ground
9124Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft
9125Curs’d his Creation, Death as oft accus’d
9126Of tardie execution, since denounc’t
9127The day of his offence.  Why comes not Death,
9128Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke
9129To end me?  Shall Truth fail to keep her word,
9130Justice Divine not hast’n to be just?
9131But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine
9132Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.
9133O Woods, O Fountains, Hillocks, Dales and Bowrs,
9134VVith other echo farr I taught your Shades
9135To answer, and resound farr other Song.
9136VVhom thus afflicted when sad _Eve_ beheld,
9137Desolate where she sate, approaching nigh,
9138Soft words to his fierce passion she assay’d:
9139But her with stern regard he thus repell’d.
9140
9141Out of my sight, thou Serpent, that name best
9142Befits thee with him leagu’d, thy self as false
9143And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape,
9144Like his, and colour Serpentine may shew
9145Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee
9146Henceforth; least that too heav’nly form, pretended
9147To hellish falshood, snare them.  But for thee
9148I had persisted happie, had not thy pride
9149And wandring vanitie, when lest was safe,
9150Rejected my forewarning, and disdain’d
9151Not to be trusted, longing to be seen
9152Though by the Devil himself, him overweening
9153To over-reach, but with the Serpent meeting
9154Fool’d and beguil’d, by him thou, I by thee,
9155To trust thee from my side, imagin’d wise,
9156Constant, mature, proof against all assaults,
9157And understood not all was but a shew
9158Rather then solid vertu, all but a Rib
9159Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears,
9160More to the part sinister from me drawn,
9161Well if thrown out, as supernumerarie
9162To my just number found.  O why did God,
9163Creator wise, that peopl’d highest Heav’n
9164With Spirits Masculine, create at last
9165This noveltie on Earth, this fair defect
9166Of Nature, and not fill the World at once
9167With Men as Angels without Feminine,
9168Or find some other way to generate
9169Mankind? this mischief had not then befall’n,
9170And more that shall befall, innumerable
9171Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares,
9172And straight conjunction with this Sex: for either
9173He never shall find out fit Mate, but such
9174As some misfortune brings him, or mistake,
9175Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain
9176Through her perverseness, but shall see her gaind
9177By a farr worse, or if she love, withheld
9178By Parents, or his happiest choice too late
9179Shall meet, alreadie linkt and Wedlock-bound
9180To a fell Adversarie, his hate or shame:
9181Which infinite calamitie shall cause
9182To humane life, and houshold peace confound.
9183
9184He added not, and from her turn’d, but _Eve_
9185Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas’d not flowing,
9186And tresses all disorderd, at his feet
9187Fell humble, and imbracing them, besaught
9188His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint.
9189
9190Forsake me not thus, _Adam_, witness Heav’n
9191What love sincere, and reverence in my heart
9192I beare thee, and unweeting have offended,
9193Unhappilie deceav’d; thy suppliant
9194I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not,
9195Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid,
9196Thy counsel in this uttermost distress,
9197My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee,
9198Whither shall I betake me, where subsist?
9199While yet we live, scarse one short hour perhaps,
9200Between us two let there be peace, both joyning,
9201As joyn’d in injuries, one enmitie
9202Against a Foe by doom express assign’d us,
9203That cruel Serpent: On me exercise not
9204Thy hatred for this miserie befall’n,
9205On me already lost, mee then thy self
9206More miserable; both have sin’d, but thou
9207Against God onely, I against God and thee,
9208And to the place of judgement will return,
9209There with my cries importune Heaven, that all
9210The sentence from thy head remov’d may light
9211On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe,
9212Mee mee onely just object of his ire.
9213
9214She ended weeping, and her lowlie plight,
9215Immoveable till peace obtain’d from fault
9216Acknowledg’d and deplor’d, in _Adam_ wraught
9217Commiseration; soon his heart relented
9218Towards her, his life so late and sole delight,
9219Now at his feet submissive in distress,
9220Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking,
9221His counsel whom she had displeas’d, his aide;
9222As one disarm’d, his anger all he lost,
9223And thus with peaceful words uprais’d her soon.
9224
9225Unwarie, and too desirous, as before,
9226So now of what thou knowst not, who desir’st
9227The punishment all on thy self; alas,
9228Beare thine own first, ill able to sustaine
9229His full wrauth whose thou feelst as yet lest part,
9230And my displeasure bearst so ill.  If Prayers
9231Could alter high Decrees, I to that place
9232Would speed before thee, and be louder heard,
9233That on my head all might be visited,
9234Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv’n,
9235To me committed and by me expos’d.
9236But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame
9237Each other, blam’d enough elsewhere, but strive
9238In offices of Love, how we may light’n
9239Each others burden in our share of woe;
9240Since this days Death denounc’t, if ought I see,
9241Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac’t evill,
9242A long days dying to augment our paine,
9243And to our Seed (O hapless Seed!) deriv’d.
9244
9245To whom thus _Eve_, recovering heart, repli’d.
9246_Adam_, by sad experiment I know
9247How little weight my words with thee can finde,
9248Found so erroneous, thence by just event
9249Found so unfortunate; nevertheless,
9250Restor’d by thee, vile as I am, to place
9251Of new acceptance, hopeful to regaine
9252Thy Love, the sole contentment of my heart,
9253Living or dying from thee I will not hide
9254What thoughts in my unquiet brest are ris’n,
9255Tending to som relief of our extremes,
9256Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable,
9257As in our evils, and of easier choice.
9258If care of our descent perplex us most,
9259Which must be born to certain woe, devourd
9260By Death at last, and miserable it is
9261To be to others cause of misery,
9262Our own begotten, and of our Loines to bring
9263Into this cursed World a woful Race,
9264That after wretched Life must be at last
9265Food for so foule a Monster, in thy power
9266It lies, yet ere Conception to prevent
9267The Race unblest, to being yet unbegot.
9268Childless thou art, Childless remaine:
9269So Death shall be deceav’d his glut, and with us two
9270Be forc’d to satisfie his Rav’nous Maw.
9271But if thou judge it hard and difficult,
9272Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain
9273From Loves due Rites, Nuptial embraces sweet,
9274And with desire to languish without hope,
9275Before the present object languishing
9276With like desire, which would be miserie
9277And torment less then none of what we dread,
9278Then both our selves and Seed at once to free
9279From what we fear for both, let us make short,
9280Let us seek Death, or hee not found, supply
9281With our own hands his Office on our selves;
9282Why stand we longer shivering under feares,
9283That shew no end but Death, and have the power,
9284Of many wayes to die the shortest choosing,
9285Destruction with destruction to destroy.
9286
9287She ended heer, or vehement despaire
9288Broke off the rest; so much of Death her thoughts
9289Had entertaind, as di’d her Cheeks with pale.
9290But _Adam_ with such counsel nothing sway’d,
9291To better hopes his more attentive minde
9292Labouring had rais’d, and thus to _Eve_ repli’d.
9293
9294_Eve_, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems
9295To argue in thee somthing more sublime
9296And excellent then what thy minde contemnes;
9297But self-destruction therefore saught, refutes
9298That excellence thought in thee, and implies,
9299Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret
9300For loss of life and pleasure overlov’d.
9301Or if thou covet death, as utmost end
9302Of miserie, so thinking to evade
9303The penaltie pronounc’t, doubt not but God
9304Hath wiselier arm’d his vengeful ire then so
9305To be forestall’d; much more I fear least Death
9306So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine
9307We are by doom to pay; rather such acts
9308Of contumacie will provoke the highest
9309To make death in us live: Then let us seek
9310Som safer resolution, which methinks
9311I have in view, calling to minde with heed
9312Part of our Sentence, that thy Seed shall bruise
9313The Serpents head; piteous amends, unless
9314Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand Foe
9315_Satan_, who in the Serpent hath contriv’d
9316Against us this deceit: to crush his head
9317Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost
9318By death brought on our selves, or childless days
9319Resolv’d, as thou proposest; so our Foe
9320Shall scape his punishment ordain’d, and wee
9321Instead shall double ours upon our heads.
9322No more be mention’d then of violence
9323Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,
9324That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely
9325Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,
9326Reluctance against God and his just yoke
9327Laid on our Necks.  Remember with what mild
9328And gracious temper he both heard and judg’d
9329Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected
9330Immediate dissolution, which we thought
9331Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee
9332Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,
9333And bringing forth, soon recompenc’t with joy,
9334Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope
9335Glanc’d on the ground, with labour I must earne
9336My bread; what harm?  Idleness had bin worse;
9337My labour will sustain me; and least Cold
9338Or Heat should injure us, his timely care
9339Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands
9340Cloath’d us unworthie, pitying while he judg’d;
9341How much more, if we pray him, will his ear
9342Be open, and his heart to pitie incline,
9343And teach us further by what means to shun
9344Th’ inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,
9345Which now the Skie with various Face begins
9346To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds
9347Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
9348Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek
9349Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish
9350Our Limbs benumm’d, ere this diurnal Starr
9351Leave cold the Night, how we his gather’d beams
9352Reflected, may with matter sere foment,
9353Or by collision of two bodies grinde
9354The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds
9355Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock
9356Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame driv’n down
9357Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine,
9358And sends a comfortable heat from farr,
9359Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,
9360And what may else be remedie or cure
9361To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,
9362Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace
9363Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
9364To pass commodiously this life, sustain’d
9365By him with many comforts, till we end
9366In dust, our final rest and native home.
9367What better can we do, then to the place
9368Repairing where he judg’d us, prostrate fall
9369Before him reverent, and there confess
9370Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
9371VVatering the ground, and with our sighs the Air
9372Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
9373Of sorrow unfeign’d, and humiliation meek.
9374Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
9375From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
9376VVhen angry most he seem’d and most severe,
9377VVhat else but favor, grace, and mercie shon?
9378
9379So spake our Father penitent, nor _Eve_
9380Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
9381Repairing where he judg’d them prostrate fell
9382Before him reverent, and both confess’d
9383Humbly thir faults, and pardon beg’d, with tears
9384VVatering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air
9385Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
9386Of sorrow unfeign’d, and humiliation meek.
9387
9388       THE END OF THE NINTH BOOK.
9389
9390  PARADISE LOST.
9391
9392
9393
9394
9395
9396  BOOK X.
9397
9398Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood
9399Praying, for from the Mercie-seat above
9400Prevenient Grace descending had remov’d
9401The stonie from thir hearts, and made new flesh
9402Regenerat grow instead, that sighs now breath’d
9403Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer
9404Inspir’d, and wing’d for Heav’n with speedier flight
9405Then loudest Oratorie: yet thir port
9406Not of mean suiters, nor important less
9407Seem’d thir Petition, then when th’ ancient Pair
9408In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,
9409_Deucalion_ and chaste _Pyrrha_ to restore
9410The Race of Mankind drownd, before the Shrine
9411Of _Themis_ stood devout.  To Heav’n thir prayers
9412Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious windes
9413Blow’n vagabond or frustrate: in they passd
9414Dimentionless through Heav’nly dores; then clad
9415With incense, where the Golden Altar fum’d,
9416By thir great Intercessor, came in sight
9417Before the Fathers Throne: Them the glad Son
9418Presenting, thus to intercede began.
9419
9420See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung
9421From thy implanted Grace in Man, these Sighs
9422And Prayers, which in this Golden Censer, mixt
9423With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring,
9424Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed
9425Sow’n with contrition in his heart, then those
9426Which his own hand manuring all the Trees
9427Of Paradise could have produc’t, ere fall’n
9428From innocence.  Now therefore bend thine eare
9429To supplication, heare his sighs though mute;
9430Unskilful with what words to pray, let mee
9431Interpret for him, mee his Advocate
9432And propitiation, all his works on mee
9433Good or not good ingraft, my Merit those
9434Shall perfet, and for these my Death shall pay.
9435Accept me, and in mee from these receave
9436The smell of peace toward Mankinde, let him live
9437Before thee reconcil’d, at least his days
9438Numberd, though sad, till Death, his doom (which I
9439To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse)
9440To better life shall yeeld him, where with mee
9441All my redeemd may dwell in joy and bliss,
9442Made one with me as I with thee am one.
9443
9444To whom the Father, without Cloud, serene.
9445All thy request for Man, accepted Son,
9446Obtain, all thy request was my Decree:
9447But longer in that Paradise to dwell,
9448The Law I gave to Nature him forbids:
9449Those pure immortal Elements that know
9450No gross, no unharmoneous mixture foule,
9451Eject him tainted now, and purge him off
9452As a distemper, gross to aire as gross,
9453And mortal food, as may dispose him best
9454For dissolution wrought by Sin, that first
9455Distemperd all things, and of incorrupt
9456Corrupted.  I at first with two fair gifts
9457Created him endowd, with Happiness
9458And Immortalitie: that fondly lost,
9459This other serv’d but to eternize woe;
9460Till I provided Death; so Death becomes
9461His final remedie, and after Life
9462Tri’d in sharp tribulation, and refin’d
9463By Faith and faithful works, to second Life,
9464Wak’t in the renovation of the just,
9465Resignes him up with Heav’n and Earth renewd.
9466But let us call to Synod all the Blest
9467Through Heav’ns wide bounds; from them I will not hide
9468My judgments, how with Mankind I proceed,
9469As how with peccant Angels late they saw;
9470And in thir state, though firm, stood more confirmd.
9471
9472He ended, and the Son gave signal high
9473To the bright Minister that watchd, hee blew
9474His Trumpet, heard in _Oreb_ since perhaps
9475When God descended, and perhaps once more
9476To sound at general Doom.  Th’ Angelic blast
9477Filld all the Regions: from thir blissful Bowrs
9478Of _Amarantin_ Shade, Fountain or Spring,
9479By the waters of Life, where ere they sate
9480In fellowships of joy: the Sons of Light
9481Hasted, resorting to the Summons high,
9482And took thir Seats; till from his Throne supream
9483Th’ Almighty thus pronounced his sovran Will.
9484
9485O Sons, like one of us Man is become
9486To know both Good and Evil, since his taste
9487Of that defended Fruit; but let him boast
9488His knowledge of Good lost, and Evil got,
9489Happier, had it suffic’d him to have known
9490Good by it self, and Evil not at all.
9491He sorrows now, repents, and prayes contrite,
9492My motions in him, longer then they move,
9493His heart I know, how variable and vain
9494Self-left.  Least therefore his now bolder hand
9495Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,
9496And live for ever, dream at least to live
9497Forever, to remove him I decree,
9498And send him from the Garden forth to Till
9499The Ground whence he was taken, fitter soile.
9500
9501_Michael_, this my behest have thou in charge,
9502Take to thee from among the Cherubim
9503Thy choice of flaming Warriours, least the Fiend
9504Or in behalf of Man, or to invade
9505Vacant possession som new trouble raise:
9506Hast thee, and from the Paradise of God
9507Without remorse drive out the sinful Pair,
9508From hallowd ground th’ unholie, and denounce
9509To them and to thir Progenie from thence
9510Perpetual banishment.  Yet least they faint
9511At the sad Sentence rigorously urg’d,
9512For I behold them soft’nd and with tears
9513Bewailing thir excess, all terror hide.
9514If patiently thy bidding they obey,
9515Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveale
9516To _Adam_ what shall come in future dayes,
9517As I shall thee enlighten, intermix
9518My Cov’nant in the Womans seed renewd;
9519So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace:
9520And on the East side of the Garden place,
9521Where entrance up from _Eden_ easiest climbes,
9522Cherubic watch, and of a Sword the flame
9523Wide waving, all approach farr off to fright,
9524And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:
9525Least Paradise a receptacle prove
9526To Spirits foule, and all my Trees thir prey,
9527With whose stol’n Fruit Man once more to delude.
9528
9529He ceas’d; and th’ Archangelic Power prepar’d
9530For swift descent, with him the Cohort bright
9531Of watchful Cherubim; four faces each
9532Had, like a double _Janus_, all thir shape
9533Spangl’d with eyes more numerous then those
9534Of _Argus_, and more wakeful then to drouze,
9535Charm’d with _Arcadian_ Pipe, the Pastoral Reed
9536Of _Hermes_, or his opiate Rod.  Meanwhile
9537To resalute the World with sacred Light
9538_Leucothea_ wak’d, and with fresh dews imbalmd
9539The Earth, when _Adam_ and first Matron _Eve_
9540Had ended now thir Orisons, and found,
9541Strength added from above, new hope to spring
9542Out of despaire, joy, but with fear yet linkt;
9543Which thus to _Eve_ his welcome words renewd.
9544
9545_Eve_, easily may Faith admit, that all
9546The good which we enjoy, from Heav’n descends
9547But that from us ought should ascend to Heav’n
9548So prevalent as to concerne the mind
9549Of God high blest, or to incline his will,
9550Hard to belief may seem; yet this will Prayer,
9551Or one short sigh of humane breath, up-borne
9552Ev’n to the Seat of God.  For since I saught
9553By Prayer th’ offended Deitie to appease,
9554Kneel’d and before him humbl’d all my heart,
9555Methought I saw him placable and mild,
9556Bending his eare; perswasion in me grew
9557That I was heard with favour; peace returnd
9558Home to my brest, and to my memorie
9559His promise, that thy Seed shall bruise our Foe;
9560Which then not minded in dismay, yet now
9561Assures me that the bitterness of death
9562Is past, and we shall live.  Whence Haile to thee,
9563_Eve_ rightly call’d, Mother of all Mankind,
9564Mother of all things living, since by thee
9565Man is to live, and all things live for Man.
9566
9567To whom thus _Eve_ with sad demeanour meek.
9568Ill worthie I such title should belong
9569To me transgressour, who for thee ordaind
9570A help, became thy snare; to mee reproach
9571Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise:
9572But infinite in pardon was my Judge,
9573That I who first brought Death on all, am grac’t
9574The sourse of life; next favourable thou,
9575Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf’t,
9576Farr other name deserving.  But the Field
9577To labour calls us now with sweat impos’d,
9578Though after sleepless Night; for see the Morn,
9579All unconcern’d with our unrest, begins
9580Her rosie progress smiling; let us forth,
9581I never from thy side henceforth to stray,
9582Wherere our days work lies, though now enjoind
9583Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,
9584What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?
9585Here let us live, though in fall’n state, content.
9586
9587So spake, so wish’d much-humbl’d _Eve_, but Fate
9588Subscrib’d not; Nature first gave Signs, imprest
9589On Bird, Beast, Aire, Aire suddenly eclips’d
9590After short blush of Morn; nigh in her sight
9591The Bird of _Jove_, stoopt from his aerie tour,
9592Two Birds of gayest plume before him drove:
9593Down from a Hill the Beast that reigns in Woods,
9594First Hunter then, pursu’d a gentle brace,
9595Goodliest of all the Forrest, Hart and Hinde;
9596Direct to th’ Eastern Gate was bent thir flight.
9597_Adam_ observ’d, and with his Eye the chase
9598Pursuing, not unmov’d to _Eve_ thus spake.
9599
9600O _Eve_, some furder change awaits us nigh,
9601Which Heav’n by these mute signs in Nature shews
9602Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn
9603Us haply too secure of our discharge
9604From penaltie, because from death releast
9605Some days; how long, and what till then our life,
9606Who knows, or more then this, that we are dust,
9607And thither must return and be no more.
9608VVhy else this double object in our sight
9609Of flight pursu’d in th’ Air and ore the ground
9610One way the self-same hour? why in the East
9611Darkness ere Dayes mid-course, and Morning light
9612More orient in yon VVestern Cloud that draws
9613O’re the blew Firmament a radiant white,
9614And slow descends, with somthing heav’nly fraught.
9615
9616He err’d not, for by this the heav’nly Bands
9617Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now
9618In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt,
9619A glorious Apparition, had not doubt
9620And carnal fear that day dimm’d _Adams_ eye.
9621Not that more glorious, when the Angels met
9622_Jacob_ in _Mahanaim_, where he saw
9623The field Pavilion’d with his Guardians bright;
9624Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd
9625In _Dothan_, cover’d with a Camp of Fire,
9626Against the _Syrian_ King, who to surprize
9627One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,
9628Warr unproclam’d.  The Princely Hierarch
9629In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise
9630Possession of the Garden; hee alone,
9631To finde where _Adam_ shelterd, took his way,
9632Not unperceav’d of _Adam_, who to _Eve_,
9633While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake.
9634
9635_Eve_, now expect great tidings, which perhaps
9636Of us will soon determin, or impose
9637New Laws to be observ’d; for I descrie
9638From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill
9639One of the heav’nly Host, and by his Gate
9640None of the meanest, some great Potentate
9641Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie
9642Invests him coming; yet not terrible,
9643That I should fear, nor sociably mild,
9644As _Raphael_, that I should much confide,
9645But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,
9646With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.
9647He ended; and th’ Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,
9648Not in his shape Celestial, but as Man
9649Clad to meet Man; over his lucid Armes
9650A militarie Vest of purple flowd
9651Livelier then _Meliboean_, or the graine
9652Of _Sarra_, worn by Kings and Hero’s old
9653In time of Truce; _Iris_ had dipt the wooff;
9654His starrie Helme unbuckl’d shew’d him prime
9655In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side
9656As in a glistering _Zodiac_ hung the Sword,
9657Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.
9658_Adam_ bowd low, hee Kingly from his State
9659Inclin’d not, but his coming thus declar’d.
9660
9661_Adam_, Heav’ns high behest no Preface needs:
9662Sufficient that thy Prayers are heard, and Death,
9663Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,
9664Defeated of his seisure many dayes
9665Giv’n thee of Grace, wherein thou may’st repent,
9666And one bad act with many deeds well done
9667Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeas’d
9668Redeem thee quite from Deaths rapacious claimes;
9669But longer in this Paradise to dwell
9670Permits not; to remove thee I am come,
9671And send thee from the Garden forth to till
9672The ground whence thou wast tak’n, fitter Soile.
9673
9674He added not, for _Adam_ at the newes
9675Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,
9676That all his senses bound; _Eve_, who unseen
9677Yet all had heard, with audible lament
9678Discover’d soon the place of her retire.
9679
9680O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!
9681Must I thus leave thee Paradise? thus leave
9682Thee Native Soile, these happie Walks and Shades,
9683Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,
9684Quiet though sad, the respit of that day
9685That must be mortal to us both.  O flours,
9686That never will in other Climate grow,
9687My early visitation, and my last
9688At Eev’n, which I bred up with tender hand
9689From the first op’ning bud, and gave ye Names,
9690Who now shall reare ye to the Sun, or ranke
9691Your Tribes, and water from th’ ambrosial Fount?
9692Thee lastly nuptial Bowre, by mee adornd
9693With what to sight or smell was sweet; from thee
9694How shall I part, and whither wander down
9695Into a lower World, to this obscure
9696And wilde, how shall we breath in other Aire
9697Less pure, accustomd to immortal Fruits?
9698
9699Whom thus the Angel interrupted milde.
9700Lament not _Eve_, but patiently resigne
9701What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,
9702Thus over fond, on that which is not thine;
9703Thy going is not lonely, with thee goes
9704Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;
9705Where he abides, think there thy native soile.
9706
9707_Adam_ by this from the cold sudden damp
9708Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,
9709To _Michael_ thus his humble words addressd.
9710
9711Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or nam’d
9712Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem
9713Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould
9714Thy message, which might else in telling wound,
9715And in performing end us; what besides
9716Of sorrow and dejection and despair
9717Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,
9718Departure from this happy place, our sweet
9719Recess, and onely consolation left
9720Familiar to our eyes, all places else
9721Inhospitable appeer and desolate,
9722Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer
9723Incessant I could hope to change the will
9724Of him who all things can, I would not cease
9725To wearie him with my assiduous cries:
9726But prayer against his absolute Decree
9727No more availes then breath against the winde,
9728Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:
9729Therefore to his great bidding I submit.
9730This most afflicts me, that departing hence,
9731As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd
9732His blessed count’nance; here I could frequent,
9733With worship, place by place where he voutsaf’d
9734Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;
9735On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree
9736Stood visible, among these Pines his voice
9737I heard, here with him at this Fountain talk’d:
9738So many grateful Altars I would reare
9739Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone
9740Of lustre from the brook, in memorie,
9741Or monument to Ages, and thereon
9742Offer sweet smelling Gumms & Fruits and Flours:
9743In yonder nether World where shall I seek
9744His bright appearances, or footstep trace?
9745For though I fled him angrie, yet recall’d
9746To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now
9747Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts
9748Of glory, and farr off his steps adore.
9749
9750To whom thus _Michael_ with regard benigne.
9751_Adam_, thou know’st Heav’n his, and all the Earth
9752Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills
9753Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,
9754Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:
9755All th’ Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,
9756No despicable gift; surmise not then
9757His presence to these narrow bounds confin’d
9758Of Paradise or _Eden_: this had been
9759Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred
9760All generations, and had hither come
9761From all the ends of th’ Earth, to celebrate
9762And reverence thee thir great Progenitor.
9763But this praeeminence thou hast lost, brought down
9764To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:
9765Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine
9766God is as here, and will be found alike
9767Present, and of his presence many a signe
9768Still following thee, still compassing thee round
9769With goodness and paternal Love, his Face
9770Express, and of his steps the track Divine.
9771Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd,
9772Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent
9773To shew thee what shall come in future dayes
9774To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad
9775Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending
9776With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn
9777True patience, and to temper joy with fear
9778And pious sorrow, equally enur’d
9779By moderation either state to beare,
9780Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead
9781Safest thy life, and best prepar’d endure
9782Thy mortal passage when it comes.  Ascend
9783This Hill; let _Eve_ (for I have drencht her eyes)
9784Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak’st,
9785As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.
9786
9787To whom thus _Adam_ gratefully repli’d.
9788Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path
9789Thou lead’st me, and to the hand of Heav’n submit,
9790However chast’ning, to the evil turne
9791My obvious breast, arming to overcom
9792By suffering, and earne rest from labour won,
9793If so I may attain.  So both ascend
9794In the Visions of God:  It was a Hill
9795Of Paradise the highest, from whose top
9796The Hemisphere of Earth in cleerest Ken
9797Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay.
9798Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round,
9799Whereon for different cause the Tempter set
9800Our second _Adam_ in the Wilderness,
9801To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and thir Glory.
9802His Eye might there command wherever stood
9803City of old or modern Fame, the Seat
9804Of mightiest Empire, from the destind Walls
9805Of _Cambalu_, seat of _Cathaian Can_
9806And _Samarchand_ by _Oxus_, _Temirs_ Throne,
9807To _Paquin_ of _Sinaean_ Kings, and thence
9808To _Agra_ and _Lahor_ of great _Mogul_
9809Down to the golden _Chersones_, or where
9810The _Persian_ in _Ecbatan_ sate, or since
9811In _Hispahan_, or where the _Russian Ksar_
9812In _Mosco_, or the Sultan in _Bizance_,
9813_Turchestan_-born; nor could his eye not ken
9814Th’ Empire of _Negus_ to his utmost Port
9815_Ercoco_ and the less Maritine Kings
9816_Mombaza_, and _Quiloa_, and _Melind_,
9817And _Sofala_ thought _Ophir_, to the Realme
9818Of _Congo_, and _Angola_ fardest South;
9819Or thence from _Niger_ Flood to _Atlas_ Mount
9820The Kingdoms of _Almansor_, _Fez_, and _Sus_,
9821_Marocco_ and _Algiers_, and _Tremisen_;
9822On _Europe_ thence, and where _Rome_ was to sway
9823The VVorld: in Spirit perhaps he also saw
9824Rich _Mexico_ the seat of _Motezume_,
9825And _Cusco_ in _Peru_, the richer seat
9826Of _Atabalipa_, and yet unspoil’d
9827_Guiana_, whose great Citie _Geryons_ Sons
9828Call _El Dorado:_ but to nobler sights
9829_Michael_ from _Adams_ eyes the Filme remov’d
9830VVhich that false Fruit that promis’d clearer sight
9831Had bred; then purg’d with Euphrasie and Rue
9832The visual Nerve, for he had much to see;
9833And from the VVell of Life three drops instill’d.
9834So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc’d,
9835Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight,
9836That _Adam_ now enforc’t to close his eyes,
9837Sunk down and all his Spirits became intranst:
9838But him the gentle Angel by the hand
9839Soon rais’d, and his attention thus recall’d.
9840
9841_Adam_, now ope thine eyes, and first behold
9842Th’ effects which thy original crime hath wrought
9843In some to spring from thee, who never touch’d
9844Th’ excepted Tree, nor with the Snake conspir’d,
9845Nor sinn’d thy sin, yet from that sin derive
9846Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.
9847
9848His eyes he op’nd, and beheld a field,
9849Part arable and tilth, whereon were Sheaves
9850New reapt, the other part sheep-walks and foulds;
9851Ith’ midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood
9852Rustic, of grassie sord; thither anon
9853A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought
9854First Fruits, the green Eare, and the yellow Sheaf,
9855Uncull’d, as came to hand; a Shepherd next
9856More meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock
9857Choicest and best; then sacrificing, laid
9858The Inwards and thir Fat, with Incense strew’d,
9859On the cleft Wood, and all due Rites perform’d.
9860His Offring soon propitious Fire from Heav’n
9861Consum’d with nimble glance, and grateful steame;
9862The others not, for his was not sincere;
9863Whereat hee inlie rag’d, and as they talk’d,
9864Smote him into the Midriff with a stone
9865That beat out life; he fell, and deadly pale
9866Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effus’d.
9867Much at that sight was _Adam_ in his heart
9868Dismai’d, and thus in haste to th’ Angel cri’d.
9869
9870O Teacher, some great mischief hath befall’n
9871To that meek man, who well had sacrific’d;
9872Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid?
9873
9874T’ whom _Michael_ thus, hee also mov’d, repli’d.
9875These two are Brethren, _Adam_, and to come
9876Out of thy loyns; th’ unjust the just hath slain,
9877For envie that his Brothers Offering found
9878From Heav’n acceptance; but the bloodie Fact
9879Will be aveng’d, and th’ others Faith approv’d
9880Loose no reward, though here thou see him die,
9881Rowling in dust and gore.  To which our Sire.
9882
9883Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!
9884But have I now seen Death?  Is this the way
9885I must return to native dust?  O sight
9886Of terrour, foul and ugly to behold,
9887Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!
9888
9889To whom thus _Michael_.  Death thou hast seen
9890In his first shape on man; but many shapes
9891Of Death, and many are the wayes that lead
9892To his grim Cave, all dismal; yet to sense
9893More terrible at th’ entrance then within.
9894Some, as thou saw’st, by violent stroke shall die,
9895By Fire, Flood, Famin, by Intemperance more
9896In Meats and Drinks, which on the Earth shal bring
9897Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew
9898Before thee shall appear; that thou mayst know
9899What miserie th’ inabstinence of _Eve_
9900Shall bring on men.  Immediately a place
9901Before his eyes appeard, sad, noysom, dark,
9902A Lazar-house it seemd, wherein were laid
9903Numbers of all diseas’d, all maladies
9904Of gastly Spasm, or racking torture, qualmes
9905Of heart-sick Agonie, all feavorous kinds,
9906Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,
9907Intestin Stone and Ulcer, Colic pangs,
9908Dropsies, and Asthma’s, and Joint-racking Rheums.
9909Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair
9910Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;
9911And over them triumphant Death his Dart
9912Shook, but delaid to strike, though oft invok’t
9913With vows, as thir chief good, and final hope.
9914Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long
9915Drie-ey’d behold?  _Adam_ could not, but wept,
9916Though not of Woman born; compassion quell’d
9917His best of Man, and gave him up to tears
9918A space, till firmer thoughts restraind excess,
9919And scarce recovering words his plaint renew’d.
9920
9921O miserable Mankind, to what fall
9922Degraded, to what wretched state reserv’d?
9923Better end heer unborn.  Why is life giv’n
9924To be thus wrested from us? rather why
9925Obtruded on us thus? who if we knew
9926What we receive, would either not accept
9927Life offer’d, or soon beg to lay it down,
9928Glad to be so dismist in peace.  Can thus
9929Th’ Image of God in man created once
9930So goodly and erect, though faultie since,
9931To such unsightly sufferings be debas’t
9932Under inhuman pains?  Why should not Man,
9933Retaining still Divine similitude
9934In part, from such deformities be free,
9935And for his Makers Image sake exempt?
9936
9937Thir Makers Image, answerd _Michael_, then
9938Forsook them, when themselves they villifi’d
9939To serve ungovern’d appetite, and took
9940His Image whom they serv’d, a brutish vice,
9941Inductive mainly to the sin of _Eve_.
9942Therefore so abject is thir punishment,
9943Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but thir own,
9944Or if his likeness, by themselves defac’t
9945While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules
9946To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they
9947Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.
9948
9949I yeild it just, said _Adam_, and submit.
9950But is there yet no other way, besides
9951These painful passages, how we may come
9952To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?
9953
9954There is, said _Michael_, if thou well observe
9955The rule of not too much, by temperance taught
9956In what thou eatst and drinkst, seeking from thence
9957Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,
9958Till many years over thy head return:
9959So maist thou live, till like ripe Fruit thou drop
9960Into thy Mothers lap, or be with ease
9961Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature:
9962This is old age; but then thou must outlive
9963Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change
9964To witherd weak & gray; thy Senses then
9965Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgoe,
9966To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth
9967Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reigne
9968A melancholly damp of cold and dry
9969To waigh thy spirits down, and last consume
9970The Balme of Life.  To whom our Ancestor.
9971
9972Henceforth I flie not Death, nor would prolong
9973Life much, bent rather how I may be quit
9974Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge,
9975Which I must keep till my appointed day
9976Of rendring up.  _Michael_ to him repli’d.
9977
9978Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst
9979Live well, how long or short permit to Heav’n:
9980And now prepare thee for another sight.
9981
9982He lookd and saw a spacious Plaine, whereon
9983Were Tents of various hue; by some were herds
9984Of Cattel grazing: others, whence the sound
9985Of Instruments that made melodious chime
9986Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who moovd
9987Thir stops and chords was seen: his volant touch
9988Instinct through all proportions low and high
9989Fled and pursu’d transverse the resonant fugue.
9990In other part stood one who at the Forge
9991Labouring, two massie clods of Iron and Brass
9992Had melted (whether found where casual fire
9993Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale,
9994Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot
9995To som Caves mouth, or whether washt by stream
9996From underground) the liquid Ore he dreind
9997Into fit moulds prepar’d; from which he formd
9998First his own Tooles; then, what might else be wrought
9999Fulfil or grav’n in mettle.  After these,
10000But on the hether side a different sort
10001From the high neighbouring Hills, which was thir Seat,
10002Down to the Plain descended: by thir guise
10003Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent
10004To worship God aright, and know his works
10005Not hid, nor those things lost which might preserve
10006Freedom and Peace to men: they on the Plain
10007Long had not walkt, when from the Tents behold
10008A Beavie of fair Women, richly gay
10009In Gems and wanton dress; to the Harp they sung
10010Soft amorous Ditties, and in dance came on:
10011The Men though grave, ey’d them, and let thir eyes
10012Rove without rein, till in the amorous Net
10013Fast caught, they lik’d, and each his liking chose;
10014And now of love they treat till th’ Eevning Star
10015Loves Harbinger appeerd; then all in heat
10016They light the Nuptial Torch, and bid invoke
10017Hymen, then first to marriage Rites invok’t;
10018With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.
10019Such happy interview and fair event
10020Of love & youth not lost, Songs, Garlands, Flours,
10021And charming Symphonies attach’d the heart
10022Of _Adam_, soon enclin’d to admit delight,
10023The bent of Nature; which he thus express’d.
10024
10025True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,
10026Much better seems this Vision, and more hope
10027Of peaceful dayes portends, then those two past;
10028Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse,
10029Here Nature seems fulfilld in all her ends.
10030
10031To whom thus _Michael_.  Judg not what is best
10032By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,
10033Created, as thou art, to nobler end
10034Holie and pure, conformitie divine.
10035Those Tents thou sawst so pleasant, were the Tents
10036Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his Race
10037Who slew his Brother; studious they appere
10038Of Arts that polish Life, Inventers rare,
10039Unmindful of thir Maker, though his Spirit
10040Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg’d none.
10041Yet they a beauteous ofspring shall beget;
10042For that fair femal Troop thou sawst, that seemd
10043Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,
10044Yet empty of all good wherein consists
10045Womans domestic honour and chief praise;
10046Bred onely and completed to the taste
10047Of lustful apperence, to sing, to dance,
10048To dress, and troule the Tongue, and roule the Eye.
10049To these that sober Race of Men, whose lives
10050Religious titl’d them the Sons of God,
10051Shall yeild up all thir vertue, all thir fame
10052Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles
10053Of these fair Atheists, and now swim in joy,
10054(Erelong to swim at larg) and laugh; for which
10055The world erelong a world of tears must weepe.
10056
10057To whom thus _Adam_ of short joy bereft.
10058O pittie and shame, that they who to live well
10059Enterd so faire, should turn aside to tread
10060Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint!
10061But still I see the tenor of Mans woe
10062Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.
10063
10064From Mans effeminate slackness it begins,
10065Said th’ Angel, who should better hold his place
10066By wisdome, and superiour gifts receavd.
10067But now prepare thee for another Scene.
10068
10069He lookd and saw wide Territorie spred
10070Before him, Towns, and rural works between,
10071Cities of Men with lofty Gates and Towrs,
10072Concours in Arms, fierce Faces threatning Warr,
10073Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise;
10074Part wield thir Arms, part courb the foaming Steed,
10075Single or in Array of Battel rang’d
10076Both Horse and Foot, nor idely mustring stood;
10077One way a Band select from forage drives
10078A herd of Beeves, faire Oxen and faire Kine
10079From a fat Meddow ground; or fleecy Flock,
10080Ewes and thir bleating Lambs over the Plaine,
10081Thir Bootie; scarce with Life the Shepherds flye,
10082But call in aide, which tacks a bloody Fray;
10083With cruel Tournament the Squadrons joine;
10084Where Cattel pastur’d late, now scatterd lies
10085With Carcasses and Arms th’ ensanguind Field
10086Deserted: Others to a Citie strong
10087Lay Siege, encampt; by Batterie, Scale, and Mine,
10088Assaulting; others from the Wall defend
10089With Dart and Jav’lin, Stones and sulfurous Fire;
10090On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.
10091In other part the scepter’d Haralds call
10092To Council in the Citie Gates: anon
10093Grey-headed men and grave, with Warriours mixt,
10094Assemble, and Harangues are heard, but soon
10095In factious opposition, till at last
10096Of middle Age one rising, eminent
10097In wise deport, spake much of Right and Wrong,
10098Of Justice, of Religion, Truth and Peace,
10099And Judgement from above: him old and young
10100Exploded, and had seiz’d with violent hands,
10101Had not a Cloud descending snatch’d him thence
10102Unseen amid the throng: so violence
10103Proceeded, and Oppression, and Sword-Law
10104Through all the Plain, and refuge none was found.
10105_Adam_ was all in tears, and to his guide
10106Lamenting turnd full sad; O what are these,
10107Deaths Ministers, not Men, who thus deal Death
10108Inhumanly to men, and multiply
10109Ten thousand fould the sin of him who slew
10110His Brother; for of whom such massacher
10111Make they but of thir Brethren, men of men?
10112But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav’n
10113Rescu’d, had in his Righteousness bin lost?
10114
10115To whom thus _Michael_; These are the product
10116Of those ill-mated Marriages thou saw’st;
10117Where good with bad were matcht, who of themselves
10118Abhor to joyn; and by imprudence mixt,
10119Produce prodigious Births of bodie or mind.
10120Such were these Giants, men of high renown;
10121For in those dayes Might onely shall be admir’d,
10122And Valour and Heroic Vertu call’d;
10123To overcome in Battel, and subdue
10124Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite
10125Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch
10126Of human Glorie, and for Glorie done
10127Of triumph, to be styl’d great Conquerours,
10128Patrons of Mankind, Gods, and Sons of Gods,
10129Destroyers rightlier call’d and Plagues of men.
10130Thus Fame shall be achiev’d, renown on Earth,
10131And what most merits fame in silence hid.
10132But hee the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst
10133The onely righteous in a World perverse,
10134And therefore hated, therefore so beset
10135With Foes for daring single to be just,
10136And utter odious Truth, that God would come
10137To judge them with his Saints: Him the most High
10138Rapt in a balmie Cloud with winged Steeds
10139Did, as thou sawst, receave, to walk with God
10140High in Salvation and the Climes of bliss,
10141Exempt from Death; to shew thee what reward
10142Awaits the good, the rest what punishment;
10143Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.
10144
10145He look’d, & saw the face of things quite chang’d;
10146The brazen Throat of Warr had ceast to roar,
10147All now was turn’d to jollitie and game,
10148To luxurie and riot, feast and dance,
10149Marrying or prostituting, as befell,
10150Rape or Adulterie, where passing faire
10151Allurd them; thence from Cups to civil Broiles.
10152At length a Reverend Sire among them came,
10153And of thir doings great dislike declar’d,
10154And testifi’d against thir wayes; hee oft
10155Frequented thir Assemblies, whereso met,
10156Triumphs or Festivals, and to them preachd
10157Conversion and Repentance, as to Souls
10158In prison under Judgements imminent:
10159But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas’d
10160Contending, and remov’d his Tents farr off;
10161Then from the Mountain hewing Timber tall,
10162Began to build a Vessel of huge bulk,
10163Measur’d by Cubit, length, & breadth, and highth,
10164Smeard round with Pitch, and in the side a dore
10165Contriv’d, and of provisions laid in large
10166For Man and Beast: when loe a wonder strange!
10167Of everie Beast, and Bird, and Insect small
10168Came seavens, and pairs, and enterd in, as taught
10169Thir order; last the Sire, and his three Sons
10170With thir four Wives, and God made fast the dore.
10171Meanwhile the Southwind rose, & with black wings
10172Wide hovering, all the Clouds together drove
10173From under Heav’n; the Hills to their supplie
10174Vapour, and Exhalation dusk and moist,
10175Sent up amain; and now the thick’nd Skie
10176Like a dark Ceeling stood; down rush’d the Rain
10177Impetuous, and continu’d till the Earth
10178No more was seen; the floating Vessel swum
10179Uplifted; and secure with beaked prow
10180Rode tilting o’re the Waves, all dwellings else
10181Flood overwhelmd, and them with all thir pomp
10182Deep under water rould; Sea cover’d Sea,
10183Sea without shoar; and in thir Palaces
10184Where luxurie late reign’d, Sea-monsters whelp’d
10185And stabl’d; of Mankind, so numerous late,
10186All left, in one small bottom swum imbark’t.
10187How didst thou grieve then, _Adam_, to behold
10188The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad,
10189Depopulation; thee another Floud,
10190Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drown’d,
10191And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard
10192By th’ Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,
10193Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns
10194His Childern, all in view destroyd at once;
10195And scarce to th’ Angel utterdst thus thy plaint.
10196
10197O Visions ill foreseen! better had I
10198Liv’d ignorant of future, so had borne
10199My part of evil onely, each dayes lot
10200Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst
10201The burd’n of many Ages, on me light
10202At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth
10203Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,
10204With thought that they must be.  Let no man seek
10205Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall
10206Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,
10207Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,
10208And hee the future evil shall no less
10209In apprehension then in substance feel
10210Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,
10211Man is not whom to warne: those few escap’t
10212Famin and anguish will at last consume
10213Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope
10214When violence was ceas’t, and Warr on Earth,
10215All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd
10216With length of happy days the race of man;
10217But I was farr deceav’d; for now I see
10218Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.
10219How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide,
10220And whether here the Race of man will end.
10221To whom thus _Michael_.  Those whom last thou sawst
10222In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they
10223First seen in acts of prowess eminent
10224And great exploits, but of true vertu void;
10225Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste
10226Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby
10227Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,
10228Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,
10229Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride
10230Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.
10231The conquerd also, and enslav’d by Warr
10232Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose
10233And feare of God, from whom thir pietie feign’d
10234In sharp contest of Battel found no aide
10235Against invaders; therefore coold in zeale
10236Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure,
10237Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir Lords
10238Shall leave them to enjoy; for th’ Earth shall bear
10239More then anough, that temperance may be tri’d:
10240So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav’d,
10241Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;
10242One Man except, the onely Son of light
10243In a dark Age, against example good,
10244Against allurement, custom, and a World
10245Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,
10246Or violence, hee of thir wicked wayes
10247Shall them admonish, and before them set
10248The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,
10249And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come
10250On thir impenitence; and shall returne
10251Of them derided, but of God observd
10252The one just Man alive; by his command
10253Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,
10254To save himself and houshold from amidst
10255A World devote to universal rack.
10256No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast
10257Select for life shall in the Ark be lodg’d,
10258And shelterd round, but all the Cataracts
10259Of Heav’n set open on the Earth shall powre
10260Raine day and night, all fountaines of the Deep
10261Broke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurp
10262Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise
10263Above the highest Hills: then shall this Mount
10264Of Paradise by might of Waves be moovd
10265Out of his place, pushd by the horned floud,
10266With all his verdure spoil’d, and Trees adrift
10267Down the great River to the op’ning Gulf,
10268And there take root an Iland salt and bare,
10269The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang.
10270To teach thee that God attributes to place
10271No sanctitie, if none be thither brought
10272By Men who there frequent, or therein dwell.
10273And now what further shall ensue, behold.
10274
10275He lookd, and saw the Ark hull on the floud,
10276Which now abated, for the Clouds were fled,
10277Drivn by a keen North-winde, that blowing drie
10278Wrinkl’d the face of Deluge, as decai’d;
10279And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass
10280Gaz’d hot, and of the fresh Wave largely drew,
10281As after thirst, which made thir flowing shrink
10282From standing lake to tripping ebbe, that stole
10283With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt
10284His Sluces, as the Heav’n his windows shut.
10285The Ark no more now flotes, but seems on ground
10286Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt.
10287And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer;
10288With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive
10289Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde.
10290Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies,
10291And after him, the surer messenger,
10292A Dove sent forth once and agen to spie
10293Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light;
10294The second time returning, in his Bill
10295An Olive leafe he brings, pacific signe:
10296Anon drie ground appeers, and from his Arke
10297The ancient Sire descends with all his Train;
10298Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,
10299Grateful to Heav’n, over his head beholds
10300A dewie Cloud, and in the Cloud a Bow
10301Conspicuous with three lifted colours gay,
10302Betok’ning peace from God, and Cov’nant new.
10303Whereat the heart of _Adam_ erst so sad
10304Greatly rejoyc’d, and thus his joy broke forth.
10305
10306O thou that future things canst represent
10307As present, Heav’nly instructer, I revive
10308At this last sight, assur’d that Man shall live
10309With all the Creatures, and thir seed preserve.
10310Farr less I now lament for one whole World
10311Of wicked Sons destroyd, then I rejoyce
10312For one Man found so perfet and so just,
10313That God voutsafes to raise another World
10314From him, and all his anger to forget.
10315But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,
10316Distended as the Brow of God appeas’d,
10317Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde
10318The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud,
10319Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth?
10320
10321To whom th’ Archangel.  Dextrously thou aim’st;
10322So willingly doth God remit his Ire,
10323Though late repenting him of Man deprav’d,
10324Griev’d at his heart, when looking down he saw
10325The whole Earth fill’d with violence, and all flesh
10326Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoov’d,
10327Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight,
10328That he relents, not to blot out mankind,
10329And makes a Covenant never to destroy
10330The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea
10331Surpass his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World
10332With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings
10333Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set
10334His triple-colour’d Bow, whereon to look
10335And call to mind his Cov’nant: Day and Night,
10336Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost
10337Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new,
10338Both Heav’n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.
10339Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end;
10340And Man as from a second stock proceed.
10341Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceave
10342Thy mortal sight to faile; objects divine
10343Must needs impaire and wearie human sense:
10344Henceforth what is to com I will relate,
10345Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
10346This second sours of Men, while yet but few,
10347And while the dread of judgement past remains
10348Fresh in thir mindes, fearing the Deitie,
10349With some regard to what is just and right
10350Shall lead thir lives, and multiplie apace,
10351Labouring the soile, and reaping plenteous crop,
10352Corn wine and oyle; and from the herd or flock,
10353Oft sacrificing Bullock, Lamb, or Kid,
10354With large Wine-offerings pour’d, and sacred Feast
10355Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam’d, and dwell
10356Long time in peace by Families and Tribes
10357Under paternal rule; till one shall rise
10358Of proud ambitious heart, who not content
10359With fair equalitie, fraternal state,
10360Will arrogate Dominion undeserv’d
10361Over his brethren, and quite dispossess
10362Concord and law of Nature from the Earth;
10363Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game)
10364With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse
10365Subjection to his Empire tyrannous:
10366A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl’d
10367Before the Lord, as in despite of Heav’n,
10368Or from Heav’n claming second Sovrantie;
10369And from Rebellion shall derive his name,
10370Though of Rebellion others he accuse.
10371Hee with a crew, whom like Ambition joyns
10372With him or under him to tyrannize,
10373Marching from _Eden_ towards the West, shall finde
10374The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge
10375Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell;
10376Of Brick, and of that stuff they cast to build
10377A Citie & Towre, whose top may reach to Heav’n;
10378And get themselves a name, least far disperst
10379In foraign Lands thir memorie be lost,
10380Regardless whether good or evil fame.
10381But God who oft descends to visit men
10382Unseen, and through thir habitations walks
10383To mark thir doings, them beholding soon,
10384Comes down to see thir Citie, ere the Tower
10385Obstruct Heav’n Towrs, and in derision sets
10386Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase
10387Quite out thir Native Language, and instead
10388To sow a jangling noise of words unknown:
10389Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud
10390Among the Builders; each to other calls
10391Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,
10392As mockt they storm; great laughter was in Heav’n
10393And looking down, to see the hubbub strange
10394And hear the din; thus was the building left
10395Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam’d.
10396
10397Whereto thus _Adam_ fatherly displeas’d.
10398O execrable Son so to aspire
10399Above his Brethren, to himself affirming
10400Authoritie usurpt, from God not giv’n:
10401He gave us onely over Beast, Fish, Fowl
10402Dominion absolute; that right we hold
10403By his donation; but Man over men
10404He made not Lord; such title to himself
10405Reserving, human left from human free.
10406But this Usurper his encroachment proud
10407Stayes not on Man; to God his Tower intends
10408Siege and defiance: Wretched man! what food
10409Will he convey up thither to sustain
10410Himself and his rash Armie, where thin Aire
10411Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross,
10412And famish him of Breath, if not of Bread?
10413
10414To whom thus _Michael_.  Justly thou abhorr’st
10415That Son, who on the quiet state of men
10416Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue
10417Rational Libertie; yet know withall,
10418Since thy original lapse, true Libertie
10419Is lost, which alwayes with right Reason dwells
10420Twinn’d, and from her hath no dividual being:
10421Reason in man obscur’d, or not obeyd,
10422Immediately inordinate desires
10423And upstart Passions catch the Government
10424From Reason, and to servitude reduce
10425Man till then free.  Therefore since hee permits
10426Within himself unworthie Powers to reign
10427Over free Reason, God in Judgement just
10428Subjects him from without to violent Lords;
10429Who oft as undeservedly enthrall
10430His outward freedom: Tyrannie must be,
10431Though to the Tyrant thereby no excuse.
10432Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low
10433From vertue, which is reason, that no wrong,
10434But Justice, and some fatal curse annext
10435Deprives them of thir outward libertie,
10436Thir inward lost: Witness th’ irreverent Son
10437Of him who built the Ark, who for the shame
10438Don to his Father, heard this heavie curse,
10439_Servant of Servants_, on his vitious Race.
10440Thus will this latter, as the former World,
10441Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last
10442Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw
10443His presence from among them, and avert
10444His holy Eyes; resolving from thenceforth
10445To leave them to thir own polluted wayes;
10446And one peculiar Nation to select
10447From all the rest, of whom to be invok’d,
10448A Nation from one faithful man to spring:
10449Him on this side _Euphrates_ yet residing,
10450Bred up in Idol-worship; O that men
10451(Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown,
10452While yet the Patriark liv’d, who scap’d the Flood,
10453As to forsake the living God, and fall
10454To-worship thir own work in Wood and Stone
10455For Gods! yet him God the most High voutsafes
10456To call by Vision from his Fathers house,
10457His kindred and false Gods, into a Land
10458Which he will shew him, and from him will raise
10459A mightie Nation, and upon him showre
10460His benediction so, that in his Seed
10461All Nations shall be blest; hee straight obeys,
10462Not knowing to what Land, yet firm believes:
10463I see him, but thou canst not, with what Faith
10464He leaves his Gods, his Friends, and native Soile
10465_Ur_ of _Chaldaea_, passing now the Ford
10466To _Haran_, after him a cumbrous Train
10467Of Herds and Flocks, and numerous servitude;
10468Not wandring poor, but trusting all his wealth
10469With God, who call’d him, in a land unknown.
10470_Canaan_ he now attains, I see his Tents
10471Pitcht about _Sechem_, and the neighbouring Plaine
10472Of _Moreb_ there by promise he receaves
10473Gift to his Progenie of all that Land;
10474From _Hamath_ Northward to the Desert South
10475(Things by thir names I call, though yet unnam’d)
10476From _Hermon_ East to the great Western Sea,
10477Mount _Hermon_, yonder Sea, each place behold
10478In prospect, as I point them; on the shoare
10479Mount _Carmel_; here the double-founted stream
10480_Jordan_, true limit Eastward; but his Sons
10481Shall dwell to _Senir_, that long ridge of Hills.
10482This ponder, that all Nations of the Earth
10483Shall in his Seed be blessed; by that Seed
10484Is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise
10485The Serpents head; whereof to thee anon
10486Plainlier shall be reveald.  This Patriarch blest,
10487Whom _Faithful Abraham_ due time shall call,
10488A Son, and of his Son a Grand-childe leaves,
10489Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown;
10490The Grandchilde with twelve Sons increast, departs
10491From _Canaan_, to a Land hereafter call’d
10492_Egypt_, divided by the River _Nile_;
10493See where it flows, disgorging at seaven mouthes
10494Into the Sea: to sojourn in that Land
10495He comes invited by a yonger Son
10496In time of dearth, a Son whose worthy deeds
10497Raise him to be the second in that Realme
10498Of _Pharao_: there he dies, and leaves his Race
10499Growing into a Nation, and now grown
10500Suspected to a sequent King, who seeks
10501To stop thir overgrowth, as inmate guests
10502Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves
10503Inhospitably, and kills thir infant Males:
10504Till by two brethren (those two brethren call
10505_Moses_ and _Aaron_) sent from God to claime
10506His people from enthralment, they return
10507With glory and spoile back to thir promis’d Land.
10508But first the lawless Tyrant, who denies
10509To know thir God, or message to regard,
10510Must be compelld by Signes and Judgements dire;
10511To blood unshed the Rivers must be turnd,
10512Frogs, Lice and Flies must all his Palace fill
10513With loath’d intrusion, and fill all the land;
10514His Cattel must of Rot and Murren die,
10515Botches and blaines must all his flesh imboss,
10516And all his people; Thunder mixt with Haile,
10517Haile mixt with fire must rend th’ _Egyptian_ Skie
10518And wheel on th’ Earth, devouring where it rouls;
10519What it devours not, Herb, or Fruit, or Graine,
10520A darksom Cloud of Locusts swarming down
10521Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green:
10522Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,
10523Palpable darkness, and blot out three dayes;
10524Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born
10525Of _Egypt_ must lie dead.  Thus with ten wounds
10526This River-dragon tam’d at length submits
10527To let his sojourners depart, and oft
10528Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as Ice
10529More hard’nd after thaw, till in his rage
10530Pursuing whom he late dismissd, the Sea
10531Swallows him with his Host, but them lets pass
10532As on drie land between two christal walls,
10533Aw’d by the rod of _Moses_ so to stand
10534Divided, till his rescu’d gain thir shoar:
10535Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend,
10536Though present in his Angel, who shall goe
10537Before them in a Cloud, and Pillar of Fire,
10538To guide them in thir journey, and remove
10539Behinde them, while th’ obdurat King pursues:
10540All night he will pursue, but his approach
10541Darkness defends between till morning Watch;
10542Then through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud
10543God looking forth will trouble all his Host
10544And craze thir Chariot wheels: when by command
10545_Moses_ once more his potent Rod extends
10546Over the Sea; the Sea his Rod obeys;
10547On thir imbattelld ranks the Waves return,
10548And overwhelm thir Warr: the Race elect
10549Safe towards _Canaan_ from the shoar advance
10550Through the wilde Desert, not the readiest way,
10551Least entring on the _Canaanite_ allarmd
10552Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare
10553Return them back to _Egypt_, choosing rather
10554Inglorious life with servitude; for life
10555To noble and ignoble is more sweet
10556Untraind in Armes, where rashness leads not on.
10557This also shall they gain by thir delay
10558In the wide Wilderness, there they shall found
10559Thir government, and thir great Senate choose
10560Through the twelve Tribes, to rule by Laws ordaind:
10561God from the Mount of _Sinai_, whose gray top
10562Shall tremble, he descending, will himself
10563In Thunder Lightning and loud Trumpets sound
10564Ordaine them Lawes; part such as appertaine
10565To civil Justice, part religious Rites
10566Of sacrifice, informing them, by types
10567And shadowes, of that destind Seed to bruise
10568The Serpent, by what meanes he shall achieve
10569Mankinds deliverance.  But the voice of God
10570To mortal eare is dreadful; they beseech
10571That _Moses_ might report to them his will,
10572And terror cease; he grants them thir desire,
10573Instructed that to God is no access
10574Without Mediator, whose high Office now
10575_Moses_ in figure beares, to introduce
10576One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,
10577And all the Prophets in thir Age the times
10578Of great _Messiah_ shall sing.  Thus Laws and Rites
10579Establisht, such delight hath God in Men
10580Obedient to his will, that he voutsafes
10581Among them to set up his Tabernacle,
10582The holy One with mortal Men to dwell:
10583By his prescript a Sanctuary is fram’d
10584Of Cedar, overlaid with Gold, therein
10585An Ark, and in the Ark his Testimony,
10586The Records of his Cov’nant, over these
10587A Mercie-seat of Gold between the wings
10588Of two bright Cherubim, before him burn
10589Seaven Lamps as in a Zodiac representing
10590The Heav’nly fires; over the Tent a Cloud
10591Shall rest by Day, a fierie gleame by Night,
10592Save when they journie, and at length they come,
10593Conducted by his Angel to the Land
10594Promisd to _Abraham_ and his Seed: the rest
10595Were long to tell, how many Battels fought,
10596How many Kings destroyd, and Kingdoms won,
10597Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav’n stand still
10598A day entire, and Nights due course adjourne,
10599Mans voice commanding, Sun in _Gibeon_ stand,
10600And thou Moon in the vale of _Aialon_,
10601Till _Israel_ overcome; so call the third
10602From _Abraham_, Son of _Isaac_, and from him
10603His whole descent, who thus shall _Canaan_ win.
10604
10605Here _Adam_ interpos’d.  O sent from Heav’n,
10606Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things
10607Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne
10608Just _Abraham_ and his Seed: now first I finde
10609Mine eyes true op’ning, and my heart much eas’d,
10610Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom
10611Of mee and all Mankind; but now I see
10612His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,
10613Favour unmerited by me, who sought
10614Forbidd’n knowledge by forbidd’n means.
10615This yet I apprehend not, why to those
10616Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth
10617So many and so various Laws are giv’n;
10618So many Laws argue so many sins
10619Among them; how can God with such reside?
10620
10621To whom thus _Michael_.  Doubt not but that sin
10622Will reign among them, as of thee begot;
10623And therefore was Law given them to evince
10624Thir natural pravitie, by stirring up
10625Sin against Law to fight; that when they see
10626Law can discover sin, but not remove,
10627Save by those shadowie expiations weak,
10628The bloud of Bulls and Goats, they may conclude
10629Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man,
10630Just for unjust, that in such righteousness
10631To them by Faith imputed, they may finde
10632Justification towards God, and peace
10633Of Conscience, which the Law by Ceremonies
10634Cannot appease, nor Man the moral part
10635Perform, and not performing cannot live.
10636So Law appears imperfet, and but giv’n
10637With purpose to resign them in full time
10638Up to a better Cov’nant, disciplin’d
10639From shadowie Types to Truth, from Flesh to Spirit,
10640From imposition of strict Laws, to free
10641Acceptance of large Grace, from servil fear
10642To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.
10643And therefore shall not _Moses_, though of God
10644Highly belov’d, being but the Minister
10645Of Law, his people into _Canaan_ lead;
10646But _Joshua_ whom the Gentiles _Jesus_ call,
10647His Name and Office bearing, who shall quell
10648The adversarie Serpent, and bring back
10649Through the worlds wilderness long wanderd man
10650Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.
10651Meanwhile they in thir earthly _Canaan_ plac’t
10652Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins
10653National interrupt thir public peace,
10654Provoking God to raise them enemies:
10655From whom as oft he saves them penitent
10656By Judges first, then under Kings; of whom
10657The second, both for pietie renownd
10658And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive
10659Irrevocable, that his Regal Throne
10660For ever shall endure; the like shall sing
10661All Prophecie, That of the Royal Stock
10662Of _David_ (so I name this King) shall rise
10663A Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,
10664Foretold to _Abraham_, as in whom shall trust
10665All Nations, and to Kings foretold, of Kings
10666The last, for of his Reign shall be no end.
10667But first a long succession must ensue,
10668And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam’d,
10669The clouded Ark of God till then in Tents
10670Wandring, shall in a glorious Temple enshrine.
10671Such follow him, as shall be registerd
10672Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scrowle,
10673Whose foul Idolatries, and other faults
10674Heapt to the popular summe, will so incense
10675God, as to leave them, and expose thir Land,
10676Thir Citie, his Temple, and his holy Ark
10677With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey
10678To that proud Citie, whose high Walls thou saw’st
10679Left in confusion, _Babylon_ thence call’d.
10680There in captivitie he lets them dwell
10681The space of seventie years, then brings them back,
10682Remembring mercie, and his Cov’nant sworn
10683To _David_, stablisht as the dayes of Heav’n.
10684Returnd from _Babylon_ by leave of Kings
10685Thir Lords, whom God dispos’d, the house of God
10686They first re-edifie, and for a while
10687In mean estate live moderate, till grown
10688In wealth and multitude, factious they grow;
10689But first among the Priests dissension springs,
10690Men who attend the Altar, and should most
10691Endeavour Peace: thir strife pollution brings
10692Upon the Temple it self: at last they seise
10693The Scepter, and regard not _Davids_ Sons,
10694Then loose it to a stranger, that the true
10695Anointed King _Messiah_ might be born
10696Barr’d of his right; yet at his Birth a Starr
10697Unseen before in Heav’n proclaims him com,
10698And guides the Eastern Sages, who enquire
10699His place, to offer Incense, Myrrh, and Gold;
10700His place of birth a solemn Angel tells
10701To simple Shepherds, keeping watch by night;
10702They gladly thither haste, and by a Quire
10703Of squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung.
10704A Virgin is his Mother, but his Sire
10705The Power of the most High; he shall ascend
10706The Throne hereditarie, and bound his Reign
10707With earths wide bounds, his glory with the Heav’ns.
10708
10709He ceas’d, discerning _Adam_ with such joy
10710Surcharg’d, as had like grief bin dew’d in tears,
10711Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.
10712
10713O Prophet of glad tidings, finisher
10714Of utmost hope! now clear I understand
10715What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain,
10716Why our great expectation should be call’d
10717The seed of Woman: Virgin Mother, Haile,
10718High in the love of Heav’n, yet from my Loynes
10719Thou shalt proceed, and from thy Womb the Son
10720Of God most High; So God with man unites.
10721Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise
10722Expect with mortal paine: say where and when
10723Thir fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel.
10724
10725To whom thus _Michael_.  Dream not of thir fight,
10726As of a Duel, or the local wounds
10727Of head or heel: not therefore joynes the Son
10728Manhood to God-head, with more strength to foil
10729Thy enemie; nor so is overcome
10730_Satan_, whose fall from Heav’n, a deadlier bruise,
10731Disabl’d not to give thee thy deaths wound:
10732Which hee, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure,
10733Not by destroying _Satan_, but his works
10734In thee and in thy Seed: nor can this be,
10735But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,
10736Obedience to the Law of God, impos’d
10737On penaltie of death, and suffering death,
10738The penaltie to thy transgression due,
10739And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:
10740So onely can high Justice rest appaid.
10741The Law of God exact he shall fulfill
10742Both by obedience and by love, though love
10743Alone fulfill the Law; thy punishment
10744He shall endure by coming in the Flesh
10745To a reproachful life and cursed death,
10746Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
10747In his redemption, and that his obedience
10748Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits
10749To save them, not thir own, though legal works.
10750For this he shall live hated, be blasphem’d,
10751Seis’d on by force, judg’d, and to death condemnd
10752A shameful and accurst, naild to the Cross
10753By his own Nation, slaine for bringing Life;
10754But to the Cross he nailes thy Enemies,
10755The Law that is against thee, and the sins
10756Of all mankinde, with him there crucifi’d,
10757Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
10758In this his satisfaction; so he dies,
10759But soon revives, Death over him no power
10760Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light
10761Returne, the Starres of Morn shall see him rise
10762Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,
10763Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,
10764His death for Man, as many as offerd Life
10765Neglect not, and the benefit imbrace
10766By Faith not void of works: this God-like act
10767Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have dy’d,
10768In sin for ever lost from life; this act
10769Shall bruise the head of _Satan_, crush his strength
10770Defeating Sin and Death, his two maine armes,
10771And fix farr deeper in his head thir stings
10772Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,
10773Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,
10774A gentle wafting to immortal Life.
10775Nor after resurrection shall he stay
10776Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer
10777To his Disciples, Men who in his Life
10778Still follow’d him; to them shall leave in charge
10779To teach all nations what of him they learn’d
10780And his Salvation, them who shall beleeve
10781Baptizing in the profluent streame, the signe
10782Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life
10783Pure, and in mind prepar’d, if so befall,
10784For death, like that which the redeemer dy’d.
10785All Nations they shall teach; for from that day
10786Not onely to the Sons of _Abrahams_ Loines
10787Salvation shall be Preacht, but to the Sons
10788Of _Abrahams_ Faith wherever through the world;
10789So in his seed all Nations shall be blest.
10790Then to the Heav’n of Heav’ns he shall ascend
10791With victory, triumphing through the aire
10792Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise
10793The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in Chaines
10794Through all his realme, & there confounded leave;
10795Then enter into glory, and resume
10796His Seat at Gods right hand, exalted high
10797Above all names in Heav’n; and thence shall come,
10798When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,
10799With glory and power to judge both quick & dead,
10800To judge th’ unfaithful dead, but to reward
10801His faithful, and receave them into bliss,
10802Whether in Heav’n or Earth, for then the Earth
10803Shall all be Paradise, far happier place
10804Then this of _Eden_, and far happier daies.
10805
10806So spake th’ Archangel _Michael_, then paus’d,
10807As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire
10808Replete with joy and wonder thus repli’d.
10809
10810O goodness infinite, goodness immense!
10811That all this good of evil shall produce,
10812And evil turn to good; more wonderful
10813Then that which by creation first brought forth
10814Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,
10815Whether I should repent me now of sin
10816By mee done and occasiond, or rejoyce
10817Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring,
10818To God more glory, more good will to Men
10819From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound.
10820But say, if our deliverer up to Heav’n
10821Must reascend, what will betide the few
10822His faithful, left among th’ unfaithful herd,
10823The enemies of truth; who then shall guide
10824His people, who defend? will they not deale
10825Wors with his followers then with him they dealt?
10826
10827Be sure they will, said th’ Angel; but from Heav’n
10828Hee to his own a Comforter will send,
10829The promise of the Father, who shall dwell
10830His Spirit within them, and the Law of Faith
10831Working through love, upon thir hearts shall write,
10832To guide them in all truth, and also arme
10833With spiritual Armour, able to resist
10834_Satans_ assaults, and quench his fierie darts
10835What Man can do against them, not affraid,
10836Though to the death, against such cruelties
10837With inward consolations recompenc’t,
10838And oft supported so as shall amaze
10839Thir proudest persecuters: for the Spirit
10840Powrd first on his Apostles, whom he sends
10841To evangelize the Nations, then on all
10842Baptiz’d, shall them with wondrous gifts endue
10843To speak all Tongues, and do all Miracles,
10844As did thir Lord before them.  Thus they win
10845Great numbers of each Nation to receave
10846With joy the tidings brought from Heav’n: at length
10847Thir Ministry perform’d, and race well run,
10848Thir doctrine and thir story written left,
10849They die; but in thir room, as they forewarne,
10850Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous Wolves,
10851Who all the sacred mysteries of Heav’n
10852To thir own vile advantages shall turne
10853Of lucre and ambition, and the truth
10854With superstitions and traditions taint,
10855Left onely in those written Records pure,
10856Though not but by the Spirit understood.
10857Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,
10858Places and titles, and with these to joine
10859Secular power, though feigning still to act
10860By spiritual, to themselves appropriating
10861The Spirit of God, promisd alike and giv’n
10862To all Beleevers; and from that pretense,
10863Spiritual Lawes by carnal power shall force
10864On every conscience; Laws which none shall finde
10865Left them inrould, or what the Spirit within
10866Shall on the heart engrave.  What will they then
10867But force the Spirit of Grace it self, and binde
10868His consort Libertie; what, but unbuild
10869His living Temples, built by Faith to stand,
10870Thir own Faith not anothers: for on Earth
10871Who against Faith and Conscience can be heard
10872Infallible? yet many will presume:
10873Whence heavie persecution shall arise
10874On all who in the worship persevere
10875Of Spirit and Truth; the rest, farr greater part,
10876Will deem in outward Rites and specious formes
10877Religion satisfi’d; Truth shall retire
10878Bestuck with slandrous darts, and works of Faith
10879Rarely be found: so shall the World goe on,
10880To good malignant, to bad men benigne,
10881Under her own waight groaning, till the day
10882Appeer of respiration to the just,
10883And vengeance to the wicked, at return
10884Of him so lately promis’d to thy aid,
10885The Womans seed, obscurely then foretold,
10886Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,
10887Last in the Clouds from Heav’n to be reveald
10888In glory of the Father, to dissolve
10889_Satan_ with his perverted World, then raise
10890From the conflagrant mass, purg’d and refin’d,
10891New Heav’ns, new Earth, Ages of endless date
10892Founded in righteousness and peace and love,
10893To bring forth fruits Joy and eternal Bliss.
10894
10895He ended; and thus _Adam_ last reply’d.
10896How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,
10897Measur’d this transient World, the Race of time,
10898Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss,
10899Eternitie, whose end no eye can reach.
10900Greatly instructed I shall hence depart,
10901Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill
10902Of knowledge, what this vessel can containe;
10903Beyond which was my folly to aspire.
10904Henceforth I learne, that to obey is best,
10905And love with feare the onely God, to walk
10906As in his presence, ever to observe
10907His providence, and on him sole depend,
10908Merciful over all his works, with good
10909Still overcoming evil, and by small
10910Accomplishing great things, by things deemd weak
10911Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
10912By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake
10913Is fortitude to highest victorie,
10914And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;
10915Taught this by his example whom I now
10916Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.
10917
10918To whom thus also th’ Angel last repli’d:
10919This having learnt, thou hast attaind the summe
10920Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs
10921Thou knewst by name, and all th’ ethereal Powers,
10922All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,
10923Or works of God in Heav’n, Air, Earth, or Sea,
10924And all the riches of this World enjoydst,
10925And all the rule, one Empire; onely add
10926Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,
10927Add Vertue, Patience, Temperance, add Love,
10928By name to come call’d Charitie, the soul
10929Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath
10930To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess
10931A Paradise within thee, happier farr.
10932Let us descend now therefore from this top
10933Of Speculation; for the hour precise
10934Exacts our parting hence; and see the Guards,
10935By mee encampt on yonder Hill, expect
10936Thir motion, at whose Front a flaming Sword,
10937In signal of remove, waves fiercely round;
10938We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve;
10939Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm’d
10940Portending good, and all her spirits compos’d
10941To meek submission: thou at season fit
10942Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard,
10943Chiefly what may concern her Faith to know,
10944The great deliverance by her Seed to come
10945(For by the Womans Seed) on all Mankind.
10946That ye may live, which will be many dayes,
10947Both in one Faith unanimous though sad,
10948With cause for evils past, yet much more cheer’d
10949With meditation on the happie end.
10950
10951He ended, and they both descend the Hill;
10952Descended, _Adam_ to the Bowre where _Eve_
10953Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak’t;
10954And thus with words not sad she him receav’d.
10955
10956Whence thou returnst, & whither wentst, I know;
10957For God is also in sleep, and Dreams advise,
10958Which he hath sent propitious, some great good
10959Presaging, since with sorrow and hearts distress
10960VVearied I fell asleep: but now lead on;
10961In mee is no delay; with thee to goe,
10962Is to stay here; without thee here to stay,
10963Is to go hence unwilling; thou to mee
10964Art all things under Heav’n, all places thou,
10965VVho for my wilful crime art banisht hence.
10966This further consolation yet secure
10967I carry hence; though all by mee is lost,
10968Such favour I unworthie am voutsaft,
10969By mee the Promis’d Seed shall all restore.
10970
10971So spake our Mother _Eve_, and _Adam_ heard
10972VVell pleas’d, but answer’d not; for now too nigh
10973Th’ Archangel stood, and from the other Hill
10974To thir fixt Station, all in bright array
10975The Cherubim descended; on the ground
10976Gliding meteorous, as Ev’ning Mist
10977Ris’n from a River o’re the marish glides,
10978And gathers ground fast at the Labourers heel
10979Homeward returning.  High in Front advanc’t,
10980The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz’d
10981Fierce as a Comet; which with torrid heat,
10982And vapour as the _Libyan_ Air adust,
10983Began to parch that temperate Clime; whereat
10984In either hand the hastning Angel caught
10985Our lingring Parents, and to th’ Eastern Gate
10986Let them direct, and down the Cliff as fast
10987To the subjected Plaine; then disappeer’d.
10988They looking back, all th’ Eastern side beheld
10989Of Paradise, so late thir happie seat,
10990Wav’d over by that flaming Brand, the Gate
10991With dreadful Faces throng’d and fierie Armes:
10992Som natural tears they drop’d, but wip’d them soon;
10993The World was all before them, where to choose
10994Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:
10995They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow,
10996Through _Eden_ took thir solitarie way.
10997
10998  THE END.