thy Nature joyne And be thy self Man among men on Earth Made flesh when time shall be of Virgin seed By wondrous birth Be thou in Adams room The Head of all mankind though Adams Son As in him perish all men so in thee As from a second root shall be restor'd As many as are restor'd without thee none His crime makes guiltie all his Sons thy merit Imputed shall absolve them who renounce Thir own both righteous and uâ—…righteous deeds And live in thee transplanted and fâ—…om thee Receive new life So Man as iâ—…â—…ost â—…st Shall satisfie for Man be judg'd and die And dying rise and rising with him raise His Brethren ransomd with his own dear life So Heav'nly love shal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hellisâ—… hate Giving to death and dying to redâ—… So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate So easily destroy'd and still destroyes In those who when they may accept not grace Nor shalt thou by descending to assâ—…me Mans Nature less'n or degrade thine owne Because thou hast though Thron'd in highest bliss Equal to God and equally enjoying God-like fruition quitted all to save A World from utter loss and hast been found By Merit more then Birthright Son of God Found worthiest to be so by being Good Farr more then Great or High because in thee Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne Here shalt thou sit incarnate here shalt Reigne Both God and Man Son both of God and Man Anointed universal King all Power I give thee reign for ever and assume Thy Merits under thee as Head Supream Thrones Princedoms Powers Dominions I reduce All knees to thee shall bow of them that bide In Heaven or Earth or under Earth in Hell When thou attended gloriously from Heav'n Shalt in the Skie appeer and from thee send The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime Thy dread Tribunal forthwith from all Windes The living and forthwith the cited dead Of all past Ages to the general Doom Shall hast'n such a peal shall rouse thir sleep Then all thy Saints assembl'd thou shalt judge Bad men and Angels they arraignd shall sink Beneath thy Sentence Hell her numbers full Thenceforth shall be for ever shut Mean while The World shall burn and from her ashes spring New Heav'n and Earth wherein the just shall dwell And after all thir tribulations long See golden days fruitful of golden deeds With Joy and Love triumphing and fair Truth Then thou thy regal Scepter shalt lay by For regal Scepter then no more shall need God shall be All in All. But all ye Gods Adore him who to compass all this dies Adore the Son and honour him as mee No sooner had th' Almighty ceas't but all The multitude of Angels with a shout Loud as from numbers without number sweet As from blest voices uttering joy Heav'n rung With Jubilee and loud-Hosanna's fill'd Th' eternal Regions lowly reverent Towards either Throne they bow to the ground With solemn adoration down they cast Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold Immortal Amarant a Flour which once In Paradise fast by the Tree of Life Began to bloom but soon for mans offence To Heav'n remov'd where first it grew there grows And flours aloft shading the Fount of Life And where the river of Bliss through midst of Heavn Rowls o're Elisian Flours her Amber stream With these that never fade the Spirits Elect Bind thir resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams Now in loose Garlands thick thrown off the bright Pavement that like a Sea of Jasper shon Impurpl'd with Celestial Roses smil'd Then Crown'd again thir gold'n Harps they took Harps ever tun'd that glittering by their side Like Quivers hung and with Praeamble sweet Of charming symphonie they introduce Thir sacred Song and waken raptures high No voice exempt no voice but well could joine Melodious part such concord is in Heav'n Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent Immutable Immortal Infinite Eternal King thee Author of all being Fountain of Light thy self invisible Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st Thron'd inaccessible but when thou shad'st The full blaze of thy beams and through a cloud Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appeer Yet dazle Heav'n that brightest Seraphim Approach not but with both wings veil thir eyes Thee next they sang of all Creation first Begotten Son Divine Similitude In whose conspicuous count'nance without cloud Made visible th' Almighty Father shines Whom else no Creature can behold on thee Impresst the effulgence of his Glorie abides Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit rests Hee Heav'n of Heavens and all the Powers therein By thee created and by thee threw down Th' aspiring Dominations thou that day Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didst not spare Nor stop thy flâ—…ming Chariot wheels that shook Heav'ns ever lasting Frame while o're the necks Thou drov'st of warring Angels disarraid Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime Thee only exâ—…old Son of thy Fathers might To execute fierce vengeance on his foes Not so on Man him through their malice fall'n Father of Mercie and Grace thou didst not doome So strictly but much more to pitie encline No sooner did thy dear and onely Son Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail Man So strictly but much more to pitie â—…clin'd He to appease thy wrauth and end the strife Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern'd Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee fat Second to thee offerd himself to die For mans offence O unexampl'd love Love no where to be found less then Divine Hail Son of God Saviour of Men thy Name Shall be the copious matter of my Song Henceforth and never shall my Harp thy praise Forget nor from thy Fathers praise disjoine Thus they in Heav'n above the starry Spâ—…ear Thir happie hours in joy and 〈◊〉 spent Mean while upon the â—…irm opacous Globe Of this round World whose first convex divides The luminous inferior Orbs enclos'd From Chaos and th' inroad of Darkness old Satan alighted walks a Globe farâ—… 〈◊〉 It seem'd now seems a boundless Continent Dark waste and wild under the frown of Night Starless expos'd and ever-threatning storms Of Chaos blustring round inclement skie Save on that fide which from the wall of Heav'n Though distant farr som small reflection gaines Of glimmering air less vext with tempest loud Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field As when a Vultur on Imaus bred Whose snowie ridge the roving Tartar bounds Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey To gorge the â—…he of Lambs or yeanling Kids On Hills where Flocks are fed flies toward the Springs Of Ganges or Hydaspes Indian streams But in his way lights on the barren plaines Of Sericana where Câ—…ineses drive With Sails and Wind thir canie Waggons light So on this windie Sea of Land the Fiend Walk'd up and down alone bent on his prey Alone for other Creature in this place Living
the mind of God or Man May come and go so unapprov'd and leave No spot or blame behind Which gives me hope That what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream Waking thou never wilt consent to do Be not disheart'nd then nor cloud those looks That wont to be more chearful and serene Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World And let us to our fresh imployments rise Among the Groves the Fountains and the Flours That open now thir choicest bosom'd smells Reservd from night and kept for thee in store So cheard he his fair Spouse and she was cheard But silently a gentle tear let fall From either eye and wip'd them with her haire Two other precious drops that ready stood Each in thir chrystal sluce he ere they fell Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse And pious awe that feard to have offended So all was cleard and to the Field they haste But first from under shadie arborous roof Soon as they forth were come to open sight Of day-spring and the Sun who scarce up risen With wheels yet hov'ring o're the Ocean brim Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray Discovering in wide Lantskip all the East Of Paradise and Edens happie Plains Lowly they bow'd adoring and began Thir Orisons each Morning duly paid In various style for neither various style Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Thir Maker in fit strains pronounc't or sung Unmeditated such prompt eloquence Flowd from thir lips in Prose or numerous Verse More 〈◊〉 then needed Lute or Harp To add more sweetness and they thus began These are thy glorious works Parent of good Almightie thine this universal Frame Thus wondrous fair thy self how wondrous then Unspeakable who sitst above these Heavens To us invisible or dimly seen In these thy lowest works yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought and Power Divine Speak ye who best can tell ye Sons of light Angels for ye behold him and with songs And choral symphonies Day without Night Circle his Throne rejoycing yee in Heav'n On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extoll Him first him last him midst and without end Fairest of Starrs last in the train of Night If better thou belong not to the dawn Sure pledge of day that crownst the smiling Morn With thy bright Circlet praise him in thy Spheare While day arises that sweet hour of Prime Thou Sun of this great World both Eye and Soule Acknowledge him thy Greater sound his praise In thy eternal course both when thou climb'st And when high Noon hast gaind when thou fallst Moon that now meetst the orient Sun now fli'st With the fixt Starrs fixt in thir Orb that flies And yee five other wandring Fires that move In mystic Dance not without Song resound His praise who out of Darkness call'd up Light Aire and ye Elements the eldest birth Of Natures Womb that in quaternion run Perpetual Circle multiform and mix And nourish all things let your ceasless change Varie to our great Maker still new praise Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise From Hill or steaming Lake duskie or grey Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold In honour to the Worlds great Author rise Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers Rising or falling still advance his praise His praise ye Winds that from four Quarters blow Breath soft or loud and wave your tops ye Pines With every Plant in sign of Worship wave Fountains and yee that warble as ye flow Melodious murmurs warbling tune his praise Joyn voices all ye living Souls ye Birds That singing up to Heaven 〈◊〉 ascend Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise Yee that in Waters glide and yee that walk The Earth and stately tread or lowly creep Witness if I be silent Morn or Eeven To Hill or Valley Fountain or fresh shade Made vocal by my Song and taught his praise Hail universal Lord be bounteous still To give us onely good and if the night Have gathered aught of evil or conceald Disperse it as now light dispels the dark So pray'd they innocent and to thir thoughts Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm On to thir mornings rural work they haste Among sweet dewes and flours where any row Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr Thir pamperd boughes and needed hands to check Fruitless imbraces or they led the Vine To wed her Elm she spous'd about him twines Her mariageable arms and with her brings Her dowr th' adopted Clusters to adorn His barren leaves Them thus imploid beheld With pittie Heav'ns high King and to him call'd Raphael the sociable Spirit that deign'd To travel with Tobias and secur'd His marriage with the seaventimes wedded Maid Raphael said hee thou hear'st what stir on Earth Satan from Hell scap't through the darksom Gulf Hath raisd in Paradise and how disturbd This night the human pair how he designes In them at once to ruin all mankind Go therefore half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam in what Bowre or shade Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd To respit his day-labour with repast Or with repose and such discourse bring on As may advise him of his happie state Happiness in his power left free to will Left to his own free Will his Will though free Yet mutable whence warne him to beware He swerve not too secure tell him withall His danger and from whom what enemie Late falln himself from Heaven is plotting now The fall of others from like state of bliss By violence no for that shall be withstood But by deceit and lies this let him know Least wilfully transgressing he pretend Surprisal unadmonisht unforewarnd So spake th' Eternal Father and fulfilld All Justice nor delaid the winged Saint After his charge receivd but from among Thousand Celestial Ardors where he stood Vaild with-his gorgeous wings up springing light Flew through the midst of Heav'n th'angeliâ—… Quires On each hand parting to his speed gave way Through all th'Empyreal road till at the Gate Of Heav'n arriv'd the gate self-opend wide On golden Hinges turning as by work Divine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd From hence no cloud or to obstruct his sight Starr interpos'd however small he sees Not unconform to other shining Globes Earth and the Gard'n of God with Cedars crownd Above all Hills As when by night the Glass Of Galileo less assur'd observes Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon Or Pilot from amidst the Cyclades Delos or Samos first appeering kenns A cloudy spot Down thither prone in flight He speeds and through the vast Ethereal Skie Sâ—…iles between worlds worlds with steddie wing Now on the polar windes then with quick Fann Winnows the buxom Air till within soare Of Towring Eagles to all the Fowles he seems A Phaenix gaz'd by all as that sole Bird When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun 's Bright Temple to Aegyptian Theb's he
shall be nice So down they sat And to thir viands fell nor seemingly The Angel nor in mist the common gloss Of Theologians but with keen dispatch Of real hunger and concoctive heate To transubstantiate what redounds transpires Through Spirits with ease nor wonder if by fire Of sooty coal the Empiric Alchimist Can turn or holds it possible to turn Metals of drossiest Ore to perfet Gold As from the Mine Mean while at Table Eve Ministerd naked and thir flowing cups With pleasant liquors crown'd O innocence Deserving Paradise if ever then Then had the Sons of God excuse to have bin Enamour'd at that sight but in those hearts Love unlibidinous reign'd nor jealousie Was understood the injur'd Lovers Hell Thus when with meats drinks they had suffic'd Not burd'nd Nature sudden mind arose In Adam not to let th' occasion pass Given him by this great Conference to know Of things above his World and of thir being Who dwell in Heav'n whose excellence he saw Transcend his own so farr whose radiant forms Divine effulgence whose high Power so far Exceeded human and his wary speech Thus to th'Empyreal Minister he fram'd Inhabitant with God now know I well Thy favour in this honour done to man Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaf't To enter and these earthly fruits to taste Food not of Angels yet accepted so As that more willingly thou couldst not seem At Heav'ns high feasts to have fed yet what compare To whom the winged Hierarch repli'd O Adam one Almightie is from whom All things proceed and up to him return If not deprav'd from good created all Such to perfection one first matter all Indu'd with various forms various degrees Of substance and in things that live of life But more refin'd more spiritous and pure As neerer to him plac't or neerer tending Each in thir several active Sphears assignd Till body up to spirit work in bounds Proportiond to each kind So from the root Springs lighter the green stalk from thence the leaves More aerie last the bright consummate floure Spirits odorous breathes flours and thir fruit Mans nourishment by gradual scale sublim'd To vital Spirits aspire to animal To intellectual give both life and sense Fansie and understanding whence the soule Reason receives and reason is her being Discursive or Intuitive discourse Is oftest yours the latter most is ours Differing but in degree of kind the same Wonder not then what God for you saw good If I refuse not but convert as you To proper substance time may come when men With Angels may participate and find No inconvenient Diet nor too light Fare And from these corporal nutriments perhaps Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit Improv'd by tract of time and wingd ascend Ethereal as wee or may at choice Here or in Heav'nly Paradises dwell If ye be found obedient and retain Unalterably firm his love entire Whose progenie you are Mean while enjoy Your fill what happiness this happie state Can comprehend incapable of more To whom the Patriarch of mankind repli'd O favourable spirit propitious guest Well hast thou taught the way that might direct Our knowledge and the scale of Nature set From center to circumference whereon In contemplation of created things By steps we may ascend to God But say What meant that caution joind if ye be found Obedient can wee want obedience then To him or possibly his love desert Who formd us from the dust and plac'd us here Full to the â—…tmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend To whom the Angel Son of Heav'n and Earth Attend That thou art happie owe to God That thou continu'st such owe to thy self That is to thy obedience therein stand This was that caution giv'n thee be advis'd God made thee perfet not immutable And good he made thee but to persevere He left it in thy power ordaind thy will By nature free not over-rul'd by Fate Inextricable or strict necessity Our voluntarie service he requires Not our necessitated such with him Findes no acceptance nor can find for how Can hearts not free be tri'd whether they serve Willing or no who will but what they must By Destinie and can no other choose My self and all th' Angelic Host that stand In sight of God enthron'd our happie state Hold as you yours while our obedience holds On other surety none freely we serve Because wee freely love as in our will To love or not in this we stand or fall And som are fall'n to disobedience fall'n And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell O fall From what high state of bliss into what woe To whom our great Progenitor Thy words Attentive and with more delighted eare Divine instructer I have heard theâ—… when Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills Aereal Music send nor knew I not To be both will and deed created free Yet that we never shall forget to love Our maker and obey him whose command Single is yet so just my constant thoughts Assur'd me and still assure though what thou tellst Hath past in Heav'n som doubt within me move But more desire to hear if thou consent The full relation which must needs be strange Worthy of Sacred silence to be heard And we have yet large day for scarce the Sun Hath finisht half his journey and scarce begins His other half in the great Zone of Heav'n Thus Adam made request and Raphael After short pause assenting thus began High matter thou injoinst me O prime of men Sad task and hard for how shall I relate To human sense th' invisible exploits Of warring Spirits how without remorse The ruin of so many glorious once And perfet while they stood how last unfould The secrets of another world perhaps Not lawful to reveal yet for thy good This is dispenc't and what surmounts the reach Of human sense I shall delineate so By lik'ning spiritual to corporal forms As may express them best though what if Earth Be but the shaddow of Heav'n and things therein Each to other like more then on earth is thought As yet this world was not and Chaos wilde Reignd where these Heav'ns now rowl where Earth now rests Upon her Center pois'd when on a day For Time though in Eternitie appli'd To motion measures all things durable By present past and future on such day As Heav'ns great Year brings forth th'Empyreal Host Of Angels by Imperial summons call'd Innumerable before th' Almighties Throne Forth with from all the ends of Heav'n appeerd Under thir Hierarchs in orders bright Ten thousand thousand Ensignes high advanc'd Standards and Gonfalons twixt Van and Reare Streame in the Aire and for distinction serve Of Hierarchies of Orders and Degrees Or in thir glittering Tissues bear imblaz'd Holy Memorials acts of Zeale and Love Recorded eminent Thus when in Orbes Of circuit inexpressible they stood Orb within Orb the Father infinite By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son A midst as from a flaming Mount
let mee serve In Heav'n God ever blessed and his Divine Behests obey worthiest to be obey'd Yet Chains in Hell not Realms expect mean while From mee returnd as erst thou saidst from flight This greeting on thy impious Crest receive So saying a noble stroke he lifted high Which hung not but so swift with tempest fell On the proud Crest of Satan that no sight Nor motion of swift thought less could his Shield Such ruin intercept ten paces huge He back recoild the tenth on bended knee His massie Spear upstaid as if on Earth Winds under ground or waters forcing way Sidelong had push't a Mountain from his seat Half sunk with all his Pines Amazement seis'd The Rebel Thrones but greater rage to see Thus foil'd thir mightiest ours joy filld and shout Presage of Victorie and fierce desire Of Battel whereat Michael bid sound Th'Arch-angel trumpet through the vast of Heav'n It sounded and the faithful Armies rung Hosanna to the Highest nor stood at gaze The adverse Legions nor less hideous joyn'd The horrid shock now storming furie rose And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now Was never Arms on Armour clashing bray'd Horrible discord and the madding Wheeles Of brazen Chariots rag'd dire was the noise Of conflict over head the dismal hiss Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew And flying vaulted either Host with fire Sounder fierie Cope together rush'd Both Battels maine with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage all Heav'n Resounded and had Earth bin then all Eaâ—…h Had to her Center shook What wonder when Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought On either side the least of whom could weild These Elements and arm him with the force Of all thir Regions how much more of Power Armie against Armie numberless to raise Dreadful combustion warring and disturb Though not destroy thir happie Native seat Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent From his strong hold of Heav'n high over rul'd And limited thir might though numberd such As each divided Legion might have seemd A numerous Host in strength each arâ—…ed hand A Legion led in fight yâ—…t Leader seemd Each Warriour single as in Chief expert When to advance or stand or turn the sway Of Battel open when and when to close The ridges of grim Warr no thought of flight None of retreat no unbecoming deed That argu'd fear each on himself reli'd As onely in his arm the moment lay Of victorie deeds of eternal fame Were don but infinite for wide was spred That Warr and various somtimes on firm ground A standing fight then soaring on main wing Tormented all the Air all Air seemd then Conflicting Fire long time in eeven scale The Battel hung till Satan who that day Prodigious power had shewn and met in Armes No equal raunging through the dire attack Of fighting Seraphim confus'd at length Saw where the Sword of Michael smote and fell'd Squadrons at once with huge two-handed sway Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down Wide wasting such destruction to withstand He hasted and oppos'd the rockie Orb Of tenfold Adamant his ample Shield A vast circumference At his approach The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile Surcâ—…'d and glad as hoping here to end Intestine War in Heav'n the arch foe subdu'd Or Captive drag'd in Chains with hostile frown And visage all enflam'd first thus began Author of evil unknown till thy revolt Unnam'd in Heav'n now plenteous as thou seest These Acts of hateful strife hateful to all Though heaviest by just measure on thy self And thy adherents how hast thou disturb'd Heav'ns blessed peace and into Nature brought Miserie uncreated till the crime Of thy Rebellion how hâ—…t thou instill'd Thy malice into thousands once upright And faithful now prov'd false But think not here To trouble Holy Rest Heav'n casts thee out From all her Confines Heav'n the seat of bliss Brooks not the works of violence and Warr. Hence then and evil go with thee along Thy ofspring to the place of evil Hell Thou and thy wicked crew there mingle broiles Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome Or som more sudden vengeance wing'd from God Precipitate thee with augmented paine So spake the Prince of Angels to whom thus The Adversarie Nor think thou with wind Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds Thou canst not Hast thou turnd the least of these To flight or if to fall but that they rise Unvanquisht easier to transact with mee That thou shouldst hope imperious with threats To chase me hence erre not that so shall end The strife which thou call'st evil but wee style The strife of Glorie which we mean to win Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell Tâ—…ou fablest here however to dwell free If not to reign mean while thy utmost force And join him nam'd Almightie to thy aid I flie not but have sought thee farr and nigh They ended parle and both addrest for fight Unspeakable for who though with the tongue Of Angels can relate or to what things Liken on Earth conspicuous that may lift Human imagination to such highth Of Godlike Power for likest Gods they seemd Stood they or mov'd in stature motion arms Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n Now wav'd thir fierie Swords and in the Aire Made horrid Circles two broad Suns thir Shields Blaz'd opposite while expectation stood In horror from each hand with speed retir'd Where erst was thickest fight th' Angelic throng And left large field unsafe within the wind Of such commotion such as to set forth Great things by small If Natures concord broke Among the Constellations warr were spruâ—… Two Planets rushing from asâ—…ect maligne Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie Should combat and thir jarring Sphears confound Together both with next to Almightie Arme Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd That might determine and not need repeaâ—…e As not of power at once nor odds appeerd In might or swift prevention but the sword Of Michael from the Armorie of God Was giv'n him temperd so that neither keen Nor solid might resist that edge it met The sword of Satan with steep force to smite Descending and in halfcut sheere nor staid But with swift wheele reverse deep entring shar'd All his right side then Satan first knew pain And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd so sore The griding sword with discontinuous wound Pass'd through him but th' Ethereal substance clos'd Not long divisible and from the gash A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'd Sanguin such as Celestial Spirits may bleed And all his Armour staind ere while so bright Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run By Angels many and strong who interpos'd Defence while others bore him on thir Shields Back to his Chariot where it stood retir'd From off the â—…les of waâ—… there they him laid Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame To find himâ—… noâ—… matchless and his pride Humbl'd by such rebuke so farr beneath His confidence to equal God in power Yet
of Nature in thir crude Conception Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame They found they mingl'd and with suttle Art Concocted and adusted they reduc'd To blackest graâ—… and into store conveyd Part hidd'n veins diggd up nor hath this Earth Entrails unlike of Mineral and Stone Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls Of missive ruin part incentive reed Provide pernicious with one touch to fire So all ere day spring under conscious Night Secret they finish'd and in order set With silent circumspection unespi'd Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav'n appeerd Up rose the Victor Angels and to Arms The matin Trumpet Sung in Arms they stood Of Golden Panoplie refulgent Host Soon banded others from the dawning Hills Lookd round and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure Each quarter to descrie the distant foe Where lodg'd or whither fled or if for fight In motion or in alt him soon they met Under spred Enfignes moving nigh in slow But firm Battalion back with speediest Sail Zophiel of Cherubim the swiftest wing Came flying and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd Arme Warriours Arme for â—…ght the foe at hand Whom fled we thought will save us long pursuit This day fear not his flight so thick a Cloud He comes and settl'd in his face I see Sad resolution and secure let each His Adamantine coat gird well and each Fit well his Helme gripe fast his orbed Shield Born eevn or high for this day will pour down If I conjecture aught no drizling showr But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire So warnd he them aware themselves and sooâ—… In order quit of all impediment Instant without disturb they took Allarm And onward move Embattelld when behold Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe Approaching gross and huge in hollow Cube Training his devilish Enginrie impal'd On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep To hide the fraud At interview both stood A while but suddenly at head appeerd Satan And thus was heard Commanding loud Vangard to Right and Left the Front unfould That all may see who hate us how we seek Peace and composure and with open brest Stand readie to receive them if they like Our overture and turn not back perverse But that I doubt however witness Heaven Heav'n witness thou anon while we discharge Freely our part yee who appointed stand Do as you have in charge and briefly touch What we propound and loud that all may hear So scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce Had ended when to Right and Left the Front Divided and to either Flank retir'd Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange A triple-mounted row of Pillars laid On Wheels for like to Pillars most they seem'd Or hollow'd bodies made of Oak or Firr With branches lopt in Wood or Mountain fell'd Brass Iron Stonie mould had not thir mouthes With hideous orifice gap't on us wide Portending hollow truce at each behind A Seraph stood and in his hand a Reed Stood waving tipt with fire while we suspense Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd Not long for sudden all at once thir Reeds Put forth and to a narrow vent appli'd With nicest touch Immediate in a flame But soon obscur'd with smoak all Heav'n appeerd From those deep-throated Engins belcht whose roar Emboweld with outragious noise the Air And all her entrails tore disgorging foule Thir devillish glut chaind Thunderbolts and Hail Of Iron Globes which on the Victor Host Level'd with such impetuous furie smote That whom they hit none on thir feet might stand Though standing else as Rocks but down they fell By thousands Angel on Arch-Angel rowl'd The sooner for thir Arms unarm'd they might Have easily as Spirits evaded swift By quick contraction or remove but now Foule dissipation follow'd and forc't rout Nor serv'd it to relax thir serried files What should they do if on they rusht repulse Repeated and indecent overthrow Doubl'd would render them yet more despis'd And to thir foes a laughter for in view Stood rankt of Seraphim another row In posture to displode thir second tire Of Thunder back defeated to return They worse abhorr'd Satan beheld thir plight And to his Mates thus in derision call'd O Friends why come not on these Victors proud Ere while they fierce were coming and when wee To entertain them fair with open Front And Brest what could we more propounded terms Of composition strait they chang'd thir minds Flew off and into strange vagaries fell As they would dance yet for a dance they seemd Somwhat extravagant and wilde perhaps For joy of offerd peace but I suppose If our proposals once again were heard We should compel them to a quick result To whom thus Belial in like gamesom mood Leader the terms we sent were terms of weight Of hard contents and full of force urg'd home Such as we might perceive amus'd them all And stumbl'd many who receives them right Had need from head to foot well understand Not understood this gift they have besides They shew us when our foes walk not upright So they among themselves in pleasant veine Stood scoffing highthn'd in thir thoughts beyond All doubt of Victorie eternal might To match with thir inventions they presum'd So easie and of his Thunder made a scorn And all his Host derided while they stood A while in trouble but they stood not long Rage prompted them at length found them arms Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose Forthwith behold the excellence the power Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac'd Thir Arms away they threw and to the Hills For Earth hath this variety from Heav'n Of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale Light as the Lightning glimps they ran they flew From thir foundations loosning to and fro They pluokt the seated Hills with all thir load Rocks Waters Woods and by the shaggie tops Up lifting bore them in thir hands Amaze Be sure and terrour seis'd the rebel Host When coming towards them so dread they saw The bottom of the Mountains upward turn'd Till on those cursed Engins triple-row They saw them whelmd and all thir confidence Under the weight of Mountains buried deep Themselves invaded next and on thir heads Main Promontories flung which in the Air Came shadowing and opprest whole Legions arm'd Thir armor help'd thir harm crush't in and brus'd Into thir substance pent which wrought them pain Implacable and many a dolorous groan Long strugling underneath ere they could wind Out of such prison though Spirits of purest light Purest at first now gross by sinning grown The rest in imitation to like Armes Betook them and the neighbouring Hills uptore So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire That under ground they fought in dismal shade Infernal noise Warr seem'd a civil Game To this uproar horrid confusion heapt Upon confusion rose and now all Heav'n Had gone to wrack with ruin overspred Had not th' Almightie Father where he sits Shrin'd in his Sanctuarie of Heav'n secure
first I finde Mine eyes true op'ning and my heart much eas'd Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom Of mee and all Mankind but now I see His day in whom all Nations shall be blest Favour unmerited by me who sought Forbidd'n knowledge by forbidd'n means This yet I apprehend not why to those Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth So many and so various Laws are giv'n So many Laws argue so many sins Among them how can God with such refide To whom thus Michael Doubt not but that sin Will reign among them as of thee begot And therefore was Law given them to evince Thir natural pravitie by stirring up Sin against Law to fight that when they see Law can discover sin but not remove Save by those shadowie expiations weak The bloud of Bulls and Goats they may conclude Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man Just for unjust that in such righteousness To them by Faith imputed they may finde Justification towards God and peace Of Conscience which the Law by Ceremonies Cannot appease nor Man the moral part Perform and not performing cannot live So Law appears imperfet and but giv'n With purpose to resign them in full time Up to a better Cov'nant disciplin'd From shadowie Types to Truth from Flesh to Spirit From imposition of strict Laws to free Acceptance of large Grace from servil fear To filial works of Law to works of Faith And therefore shall not Moses though of God Highly belov'd being but the Minister Of Law his people into Canaan lead But Joshua whom the Gentiles Jesus call His Name and Office bearing who shall quell The adversarie Serpent and bring back Through the worlds wilderness long wanderd man Safe to eternal Paradise of rest Meanwhile they in thir earthly Canaan plac't Long time shall dwell and prosper but when sins National interrupt thir public peace Provoking God to raise them enemies From whom as oft he saves them penitent By Judges first then under Kings of whom The second both for pietie renownd And puissant deeds a promise shall receive Irrevocable that his Regal Throne For ever shall endure the like shall sing All Prophecie That of the Royal Stock Of David so I name this King shall rise A Son the Womans Seed to thee foretold Foretold to Abraham as in whom shall trust All Nations and to Kings foretold of Kings The last for of his Reign shall be no end But first a long succession must ensue And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd The clouded Ark of God till then in Tents Wandring shall in a glorious Temple enshrine Such follow him as shall be registerd Part good part bad of bad the longer scrowle Whose foul Idolatries and other faults Heapt to the popular summe will so incense God as to leave them and expose thir Land Thir Citie his Temple and his holy Ark With all his sacred things a scorn and prey To that proud Citie whose high Walls thou saw'st Left in confusion Babylon thence call'd There in captivitie he lets them dwell The space of seventie years then brings them back Remembring mercie and his Cov'nant sworn To David stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n Returnd from Babylon by leave of Kings Thir Lords whom God dispos'd the house of God They first re-edifie and for a while In mean estate live moderate till grown In wealth and multitude factious they grow But first among the Priests dissension springs Men who attend the Altar and should most Endeavour Peace thir strife pollution brings Upon the Temple it self at last they seise The Scepter and regard not Davids Sons Then loose it to a stranger that the true Anointed King Messiah might be born Barr'd of his right yet at his Birth a Starr Unseen before in Heav'n proclaims him com And guides the Eastern Sages who enquire His place to offer Incense Myrrh and Gold His place of birth a solemn Angel tells To simple Shepherds keeping watch by night They gladly thither haste and by a Quire Of squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung A Virgin is his Mother but his Sire The Power of the most High he shall ascend The Throne hereditarie and bound his Reign With earths wide bounds his glory with the Heav'ns He ceas'd discerning Adam with such joy Surcharg'd as had like grief bin dew'd in tears Without the vent of words which these he breathd O Prophet of glad tidings finisher Of utmost hope now clear I understand What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain Why our great expectation should be call'd The seed of Woman Virgin Mother Haile High in the love of Heav'n yet from my Loynes Thou shalt proceed and from thy Womb the Son Of God most High So God with man unites Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise Expect with mortal paine say where and when Thir fight what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel To whom thus Michael Dream not of thir fight As of a Duel or the local wounds Of head or heel not therefore joynes the Son Manhood to God-head with more strength to foil Thy enemie nor so is overcome Satan whose fall from Heav'n a deadlier bruise Disabl'd not to give thee thy deaths wound Which hee who comes thy Saviour shall recure Not by destroying Satan but his works In thee and in thy Seed nor can this be But by fulfilling that which thou didst want Obedience to the Law of God impos'd On penaltie of death and suffering death The penaltie to thy transgression due And due to theirs which out of thine will grow So onely can high Justice rest appaid The Law of God exact he shall fulfill Both by obedience and by love though love Alone fulfill the Law thy punishment He shall endure by coming in the Flesh To a reproachful life and cursed death Proclaming Life to all who shall believe In his redemption and that his obedience Imputed becomes theirs by Faith his merits To save them not thir own though legal works For this he shall live hated be blasphem'd Seis'd on by force judg'd and to death condemnd A shameful and accurst naild to the Cross By his own Nation slaine for bringing Life But to the Cross he nailes thy Enemies The Law that is against thee and the sins Of all mankinde with him there crucifi'd Never to hurt them more who rightly trust In this his satisfaction so he dies But soon revives Death over him no power Shall long usurp ere the third dawning light Returne the Starres of Morn shall see him rise Out of his grave fresh as the dawning light Thy ransom paid which Man from death redeems His death for Man as many as offerd Life Neglect not and the benefit imbrace By Faith not void of workes this God-like act Annuls thy doom the death thou shouldst have dy'd In sin for ever lost from life this act Shall bruise the head of Satan crush his strength Defeating Sin and Death his two maine armes And fix farr deeper in his
Death ready stands to interpose his dart Fearless to be o'rematcht by living might But what ow I to his commands above Who hates me and hath hither thrust me down Into this gloom of Tartarus profound To sit in hateful Office here confin'd Inhabitant of Heav'n and heav'nlie-born Here in perpetual agonie and pain With terrors and with clamors compasst round Of mine own brood that on my bowels feed Thou art my Father thou my Author thou My being gav'st me whom should I obey But thee whom follow thou wilt bring me soon To that new world of light and bliss among The Gods who live at ease where I shall Reign At thy right hand voluptuous as beseems Thy daughter and thy darling without end Thus saying from her side the fatal Key Sad instrument of all our woe she took And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew Which but her self not all the 〈◊〉 powers Could once have mov'd thâ—… in the key-hole turns Th' intricate wards and every Bolt and Bar Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease Unfast'ns on a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and on 〈◊〉 great Harsh Thunder that the lowest bottom shook Of Erebus She op'nd but to shut Excel'd her power the Gates wide op'n stood That with extended wings a Bannerd Host Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array So wide they stood and like a Furnace mouth Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame Before thir eyes in sudden view appear The secrets of the hoarie deep a dark Illimitable Ocean without bound Without dimension where length breadth and highth And time and place are lost where eldest Night And Chaos Ancestors of Nature hold Eternal Anarchie amidst the noise Of endless warrs and by confusion stand For hot cold moist and dry four Champions sierce Strive here for Maistrie and to Battel 〈◊〉 Thir embryon Atoms they around the flag Of each his faction in thir several Clanâ—…s Light-arm'd or heavy sharp smooth swift or slow Swarm populous unnumber'd as the Sands Of Barca or Cyrene's torrid soil Levied to side with warring Winds and poise Thir lighter wings To whom these most adhere Hee rules a moment Chaos Umpire sits And by decision more imbroiles the fray By which he Reigns next him high Arbiter Chance governs all Into this wilde Abyss The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave Of neither Sea nor Shore nor Air nor Fire But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt Confus'dly and which thus must ever sight Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain His dark materials to create more Worlds Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while Pondering his Voyage for no narrow frith He had to cross Nor was his eareless peal'd With noises loud and ruinous to compare Great things with small then when Bellona storms With all her battering Engines bent to rase Som Capital City or less then if this frame Of Heav'n were falling and these Elements In mutinie had from her Axle torn The stedfast Earth At last his Sail-broad Vannes He spreads for flight and in the surging smoak Uplisted spurns the ground thence many a League As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides Audacious but that seat soon failing meets A vast vacuitie all unawares Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops Ten thousand fadom deep and to this hour Down had been falling had not by ill chance The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him As many miles aloft that furie stay'd Quencht in a Boggie Syrtis neither Sea Nor good dry Land nigh founderd on he fares Treading the crude consistence half on foot Half flying behoves him now both Oare and Saile As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale Pursues the Arimaspian who by stelth Had from his wakeful custody purloind The guarded Gold So eagerly the fiend Ore bog or steep through strait rough dense or rare With head hands wings or feet pursues his way And swims or sinks or wades or creeps or flyes At length a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wilde Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare With loudest vehemence thither he plyes Undaunted to meet there what ever power Or Spirit of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Might in that noise reside of whom to ask Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes Bordering on light when strait behold the Throne Of Chaos and his 〈◊〉 Pavilion â—…pread Wide on the wasteful Deep with him Enthron'd Sat Sable-vested Night eldest of things The consort of his Reign and by them stood Orcus and Ades and the dreaded name Of Demogorgon 〈◊〉 Rumor next and Chance And Tumult and Confusion all 〈◊〉 And Discord with a thousand various mouths T' whom Satan turning boldly thus Ye Powers And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss Chaos and ancient Night I comeno Spie With purpose to explore or to disturb The secrets of your Realm but by constraint Wandring this darksome desart as my way Lies through your spacious Empire up to light Alone and without guide half lost I seek What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds Confine with Heav'n or if â—…om other place From your Dominion won th' Ethereal King Possesses lately thither to arrive I travel this profound direct my course Directed no mean recompence it brings To your behoof if I that Region lost All usurpation thence expell'd reduce To her original darkness and your sway Which is my present journey and once more Erect the Standerd there of ancient Night Yours be th' advantage all mine the revenge Thus Satan and him thus the Anarch old With faultring speech and visage incompos'd Answer'd I know thee stranger who thou art That mighty leading Angel who of late Made head against Heav'ns King though overthrown I saw and heard for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep With ruin upon ruin rout on rout Confusion worse confounded and Heav'n Gates Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands Pursuing I upon my Frontieres herd Keep residence if all I can will serve That little which is left so to defend Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles Weakning the Scepter of old Night first Hell Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath Now lately Heaven and Earth another World Hung ore my Realm link'd in a golden Chain To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell If that way be your walk you have not farr So much the neerer danger goe and speed Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain He ceas'd and Satan staid not to reply But glad that now his Sea should find a shore With fresh alacritie and force renew'd Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire Into the wilde expanse and through the shock Of fighting Elements on all sides round Environ'd wins his way harder beset And
Both what they judge and what they choose for so I formd them free and free they must remain Till they enthrall themselves I else must change Thir nature and revoke the high Decree Unchangeable Eternal which ordain'd Thir freedom they themselves ordain'd thir fall The first sort by thir own suggestion fell Self-tempted self-deprav'd Man falls deceiv'd By the other first Man therefore shall find grace The other none in Mercy and Justice both Through Heav'n and Earth so shall my glorie excel But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine Thus while God spake ambrosial fragrance fill'd All Heav'n and in the blessed Spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Most glorious in him all his Father shon Substantially express'd and in his face Divine compassion visibly appeerd Love without end and without measure Grace Which uttering thus he to his Father spake O Father gracious was that word which clos'd Thy sovâ—… sentence that Man should find grace For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll Thy praises with th' innumerable sound Of Hymns and sacred Songs wherewith thy Throne Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest For should Man finally be lost should Man Thy creature late so lovâ—…d thy youngest Son Fall circumâ—…ented thus by fraud though joynd With his own folly that be from thee farr That â—…rr be froâ—… thee Father who art Judge Of all things made and judgest onely right Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain His end and frustrate thine shall he fulfill His malice and thy goodness bring to naught Or proud return though to his heavier doom Yet with revenge accomplish't and to Hell Draw after him the whole Race of mankind By him corrupted or wilt thou thy self Abolish thy Creation and unmake For him what for thy glorie thou hast made So should thy goodness and thy greatness both Be questiond and blaspheam'd without defence To whom the great Creatour thus reply'd O Son in whom my Soul hath chief delight Son of my bosom Son who art alone My word my wisdom and effectual might All hast thou spok'n as my thoughts are all As my Eternal purpose hath decreed Man shall not quite be lost but sav'd who will Yet not of will in him but grace in me Freely voutsaft once more I will renew His lapsed powers though forfeit and enthrall'd By sin to foul exorbitant desires Upheld by me yet once more he shall stand On even ground against his mortal foe By me upheld that he may know how frail His fall'n condition is and to me ow All his deliv'rance and to none but me Some I have chosen of peculiar grace Elect above the rest so is my will The rest shall hear me call and oft be warnd Thir sinful state and to appease betimes Th' incensed Deitie while offerd grace Invites for I will cleer thir senses dark What may suffice and soft'n stonie hearts To pray repent and bring obedience due To prayer repentance and obedience due Though but endevord with sincere intent Mine eare shall not be slow mine eye not shut And I will place within them as a guide My Umpire Conscience whom if they will hear Light after light well us'd they shall attain And to the end persisting safe arrive This my long sufferance and my day of grace They who neglect and scorn shall never taste But hard be hard'nd blind be blinded more That they may stumble on and deeper fall And none but such from mercy I exclude But yet all is not don Man disobeying Disloyal breaks his fealtie and sinns Against the high Supremacie of Heav'n Affecting God-head and so loosing all To expiate his Treason hath naught left But to destruction sacred and devote He with his whole posteritie must die Die hee or Justice must unless for him Som other able and as willing pay The rigid satisfaction death for death Say Heav'nly Powers where shall we find such love Which of ye will be mortal to redeem Mans mortal crime and just th' unjust to save Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare He ask'd but all the Heav'nly Quire stood mute And silence was in Heav'n on mans behalf Patron or Intercessor none appeerd Much less that durst upon his own head draw The deadly forfeiture and ransom set And now without redemption all mankind Must have bin lost adjudg'd to Death and Hell By doom severe had not the Son of God In whom the fulness dwels of love divine His dearest mediation thus renewd Father thy word is past man shall find grace And shall grace not find means that finds her way The speediest of thy winged messengers To visit all thy creatures and to all Comes unprevented unimplor'd unsought Happie for man so coming he her aide Can never seek once dead in sins and lost Attonement for himself or offering meet Indebted and undon hath none to bring Behold mee then mee for him life for life I offer on mee let thine anger fall Account mee man I for his sake will leave Thy bosom and this glorie next to thee Freely put off and for him lastly die Well pleas'd on me let Death wreck all his rage Under his gloomie power I shall not long Lie vanquisht thou hast givn me to possess Life in my self for ever by thee I live Though now to Death I yeild and am his due All that of me can die yet that debt paid Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsom grave His prey nor suffer my unspotted Soule For ever with corruption there to dwell But I shall rise Victorious and subdue My Vanquiâ—…r spoild of his vanted spoile Death his deaths wound shall then receive stoop Inglorious of his mortall sting disarm'd I through the ample Air in Triumph high Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell and show The powers of darkness bound Thou at the sight Pleas'd out of Heaven shalt look down and smile While by thee rais'd I ruin all my Foes Death last and with his Carcass glut the Grave Then with the multitude of my redeemd Shall enter Heaven long absent and returne Father to see thy face wherein no cloud Of anger shall remain but peace assur'd And reconcilement wrauth shall be no more Thenceforth but in thy presence Joy entire His words here ended but his meek aspect Silent yet spake and breath'd immortal love To mortal men above which only shon Filial obedience as a sacrifice Glad to be offer'd he attends the will Of his great Father Admiration seis'd All Heav'n what this might mean whither tend Wondring but sooâ—… th' 〈◊〉 thus reply'd O thou in Heav'n and Eaâ—…h the only peace Found out for mankind under wrauth O thou My sole complacence well thou know'st how dear To me are all my works nor Mâ—… the least Though last created that for him I spare Thee from my bosom and right hand to save By loosing thee a while the whole Race lost Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeeme Thir Nature also to
Native forme What wonder then if fields and regions here Breathe forth Elixir pure and Rivers run Potable Gold when with one vertuous touch Th' Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt Here in the dark so many precious things Of colour glorious and effect so rare Here matter new to gaze the Devil met Undazl'd farr and wide his eye commands For sight no obstacle found here nor shade But all Sun-shine as when his Beams at Noon Culminate from th' Aequator as they now Shot upward still direct whence no way round Shadow from body opaque can fall and the Aire No where so cleer sharp'nd his visual ray To objects distant farr whereby he soon Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand The same whom John saw also in the Sun His back was turnd but not his brightness hid Of beaming sunnie Raies a golden tiar Circl'd his Head nor less his Locks behind Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings Lay waving round on som great charge imploy'd Hee seemd or fixt in cogitation deep Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope To find who might direct his wandring flight To Paradise the happie seat of Man His journies end and our beginning woe But first he casts to change his proper shape Which else might work him danger or delay And now a stripling Cherube he appeers Not of the prime yet such as in his face Youth smil'd Celestial and to every Limb Sutable grace diffus'd so well he feignd Under a Coronet his flowing haire In curles on either cheek plaid wings he wore Of many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold His habit fit for speed succinct and held Before his decent steps a Silver wand He drew not nigh unheard the Angel bright Ere he drew nigh his radiant visage turnd Admonisht by his eare and strait was known Th' Arch Angel Uriel one of the seav'n Who in Gods presence neerest to his Throne Stand ready at command and are his Eyes That run through all the Heav'ns or down to th' Earth Bear his swift errands over moist and dry O're Sea and Land him Satan thus accostes Uriel for thou of those seav'n Spirits that stand In sight of Gods high Throne gloriously bright The first art wont his great authentic will Interpreter through highest Heav'n to bring Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend And here art likeliest by supream decree Like honour to obtain and as his Eye To visit oft this new Creation round Unspeakable desire to see and know All these his wondrous works but chiefly Man His chief delight and favour him for whom All these his works so wondrous he ordaind Hath brought me from the Quires of Cherubim Alone thus wandring Brightest Seraph tell In which of all these shining Orbes hath Man His fixed seat or fixed seat hath none But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell That I may find him and with secret gaze Or open admiration him behold On whom the great Creator hath bestowd Worlds and on whom hath all these graces powrd That both in him and all things as is meet The Universal Maker we may praise Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell Foes â—…o â—…eepest Hell and to repair that loss Created this new happie Race of Men To serve him better wise are all his wayes So spake the false dissembler unperceivd For neither Man nor Angel can discern Hypocrisie the only evil that walks Invisible except to God alone By his permissive will through Heav'n and Earth And oft though wisdom wake suspicion sleeps At wisdoms Gate and to simplicitie Resigns her charge while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems Which now for once beguil'd Uriel though Regent of the Sun and held The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav'n Who to the fraudulent Impostor foule In his uprightness answer thus returnd Faire Angel thy desire which tends to know The works of God thereby to glorifie The great Work-Maister leads to no excess That reaches blame but rather merits praise The more it seems excess that led thee hither From thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps Contented with report heare onely in heav'n For wonderful indeed are all his works Pleasant to know and worthiest to be all Had in remembrance alwayes with delight But what created mind can comprehend Thir number or the wisdom infinite That brought them forth but hid thir causes deep I saw when at his Word the formless Mass This worlds material mould came to a heap Confusion heard his voice and wilde uproar Stood rul'd stood vast infinitude confin'd Till at his second bidding darkness fled Light shon and order from disorder sprung Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then The cumbrous Elements Earth Flood Aire Fire And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'n Flew upward spirited with various forms That rowld 〈◊〉 and turnd to Starrs Numberless as thou seest and how they move Each had his place appointed each his course The rest in circuit walles this Universe Look downward on that Globe whose hither side With light from hence though but reflected shines That place is Earth the seat of Man that light His day which else as th' other Hemisphere Night would invade but there the neighbouring Moon So call that opposite fair Starr her aide Timely interposes and her monthly round Still ending still renewing through mid Heav'n With borrowd light her countenance triform Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth And in her pale dominion checks the night That spot to which I point is Paradise Adams abode those loftie shades his Bowre Thy way thou canst not miss me mine requires Thus said he turnd and Satan bowing low As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven Where honour due and reverence none neglects Took leave and toward the coast of Earth beneath Down from th' Ecliptic sped with hop'd success Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele Nor staid till on Niphates top he lights The End of the Third Book PARADISE LOST BOOK IV. O For that warning voice which he who saw Th' Apocalyps heard cry in Heaven aloud Then when the Dragon put to second rout Came furious down to be reveng'd on men Wo to the inhabitants on Earth that now While time was our first Parents had bin warnd The coming of thir secret foe and scap'd Haply so scap'd his mortal snare for now Satan now first inflam'd with rage came down The Tempter ere th' Accuser of man-kind To wreck on innocent frail man his loss Of that first Battel and his flight to Hell Yet not rejoycing in his speed though bold Far off and fearless nor with cause to boast Begins his dire attempt which nigh the birth Now rowling boiles in his tumultuous brest And like a devillish Engine back recoiles Upon himself horror and doubt distract His troubl'd thoughts and from the bottom stirr The Hell within him for within him Hell He brings and round about him nor
up in his own shape the Fiend Back stept those two fair Angels hâ—…lf amaz'd So sudden to behold the grieslie King Yet thus unmovd with fear accost him soon Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou escap'd thy prison and transform'd Why satst thou like an enemie in waite Here watching at the head of these that sleep Know ye not then said Satan filld with scorn Know ye not me ye knew me once no mate For you there sitting where ye durst not soare Not to know mee argue your selves unknown The lowest of your throng or if ye know Why ask ye and superfluous begin Your message like to end as much in vain To whom thus Zephon answering scorn with scorn Think not revolted Spirit thy shâ—…pe the same Or undiminisht brightness to be known As when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure That Glorie then when thou no more wast good Departed from thee and thou resembl'st now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule But come for thou besure shalt give account To him who sent us whose charge is to keep This place inviolable and these from harm So spake the Cherube and his grave rebuke Severe in youthful beautie added grace Invincible abasht the Devil stood And felt how awful goodness is and saw Vertue in her shape how lovly saw and pin'd His loss but chiefly to find here observd His lustre visibly impar'd yet seemd Undaunted If I must contend said he Best with the best the Sender not the sent Or all at once more glorie will be wonn Or less be lost Thy fear said Zephon bold Will save us trial what the least can doe Single against thee wicked and thence weak The Fiend repli'd not overcome with rage But like a proud Steed reind went hautie on Chaumping his iron curb to strive or flie He held it vain awe from above had quelld His heart not else dismai'd Now drew they nigh The western point where those half-rounding guards Just met closing stood in squadron joind Awaiting next command To whom thir Chief Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud O friends I hear the tread of nimble fêet Hasting this way and now by glimps discerne Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade And with them comes a third of Regal port But faded splendor wan who by his gate And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell Not likely to part hence without câ—…test Stand firm for in his look defiance lours He scarce had ended when those two approachd And brief related whom they brought wher found How busied in what form and posture coucht To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake Why hast thou Satan broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions and disturbd the charge Of others who approve not to transgress By thy example but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow Gabriel thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise And such I held thee but this question askt Puts me in doubt Lives ther who loves his pain Who would not finding way break loose from Hell Though thither doomd Thou wouldst thy self no doubt And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain where thou migâ—…tsti hope to change Torment with ease soonest recompence Dole with delight which in this place I sought To thee no reason who knowst only good But evil hast not tri'd and wilt object His will who bound us let him surer barr His Iron Gates if he intends our stay In that dark durance thus much what was askt The rest is true they found me where they say But that implies not violence or harme Thus hee in scorn The warlike Angel mov'd Disdainfully half smiling thus repli'd O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise Since Satan fell whom follie overthrew And now returns him from his prison scap't Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd So wise he judges it to sly from pain However and to sĉape his punishment So judge thou still presumptuous till the wrauth Which thou incurr'st by flying meet thy flight Seavenfold and scourge that wisdom back to Hell Which taught thee yet no better that no pain Can equal anger infinite provok't But wherefore thou alone wherefore with thee Came not all Hell broke loose is pain to them Less pain less to be fled or thou then they Less hardie to endure courageous Chief The first in flight from pain had'st thou alleg'd To thy deserted host this cause of flight Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive To which the â—…iend thus answerd frowning stern Not that I less endure or shrink from pain Insulting Angel well thou knowst I stood Thy fiercest when in Battel to thy aide The blasting volied Thunder made all speed And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear But still thy words at random as before Argue thy inexperience what behooves From hard assaies and ill successes past A faithful Leader not to hazard all Through wayes of danger by himself untri'd I therefore I alone first undertook To wing the desolate Abyss and spie This new created World whereof in Hell Fame is not silent here in hope to find Better abode and my afflicted Powers To settle here on Earth or in mid Aire Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay Legions dare against Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord High up in Heav'n with songs to hymne his Throne And practis'd distances to cringe not fight To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd To say and strait unsay pretending first Wise to flie pain professing next the Spie Argues no Leader but a lyar trac't Satan and couldst thou faithful add O name O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd Faithful to whom to thy rebellious crew Armie of Fiends fit body to fit head Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd Your military obedience to dissolve Allegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream And thou sly hypocrite who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty who more then thou Once fawn'd and cring'd and servilly ador'd Heav'ns awful Monarch wherefore but in hope To dispossess him and thy self to reigne But mark what I arreede thee now avant Flie thither whence thou fledst if from this houre Within these hallowd limits thou appeer Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind And Seale thee so as henceforth not to scorne The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd So threatn'd hee but Satan to no threats Gave heed but waxing more in rage repli'd Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines Proud limitarie Cherube but ere then Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel From my prevailing arme though Heavens King Ride on thy wings and thou with thy Compeers Us'd to the yoak draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress
through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd While thus he spake th' Angelic Squadron bright Turnd fierie red sharpning in mooned hornes Thir Phalanx and began to hemm him round With ported Spears as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded Grove of ears which way the wind Swayes them the careful Plowman doubting stands Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff On th' other side Satan allarm'd Collâ—…cting all his might dilated stood Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd His stature reacht the Skie and on his Crest Sat horror Plum'd nor wanted in his graspe What seemd both Spear and Shield now dreadful deeds Might have ensu'd nor onely Paradise In this commotion but the Starrie Cope Of Heav'n perhaps or all the Elements At least had gon to rack disturbd and torne With violence of this conflict had not soon Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales yet seen Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe Wherein all things created first he weighd The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire In counterpoise now ponders all events Battels and Realms in these he put two weights The sequel each of parting and of fight The latter quick up flew and kickt the beam Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend Satan I know thy strength and thou knowst mine Neither our own but giv'n what follie then To boast what Arms can doe since thine no more Then Heav'n permits nor mine though doubld now To trample thee as mire for proof look up And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign Where thou art weigh'd shown how light how weak If thou resist The Fiend lookt up and knew His mounted scale aloft nor more but fled Murmuring and with him fled the shades of night The End of the Fourth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK V NOw Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime Advancing sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle When Adam wak't so customd for his sleep Was Aerie light from pure digestion bred And temperat vapors bland which th' only sound Of leaves and fuming rills Aurora's fan Lightly dispers'd and the shrill Matin Song Of Birds on every bough so much the more His wonder was to find unwak'nd Eve With Tresses discompos'd and glowing Cheek As through unquiet rest he on his side Leaning half-rais'd with looks of cordial Love Hung over her enamour'd and beheld Beautie which whether waking or asleep Shot forth peculiar Graces then with voice Milde as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes Her hand soft touching whisperd thus Awake My fairest my espous'd my latest found Heav'ns last best gift my ever new delight Awake the morning shines and the fresh field Calls us we lose the prime to mark how spring Our tended Plants how blows the Citron Grove What drops the Myrrhe what the balmie Reed How Nature paints her colours how the Bee Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet Such whispering wak'd her but with startl'd eye On Adam whom imbracing thus she spake O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose My Glorie my Perfection glad I see Thy face and Morn return'd for I this Night Such night till this I never pass'd have dream'd If dream'd not as I oft am wont of thee Works of day pass't or morrows next designe But of offence and trouble which my mind Knew never till this irksom night methought Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice I thought it thine it said Why sleepst thou Eve now is the pleasant time The cool the silent save where silence yields To the night-warbling Bird that now awake Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song now reignes Full Orb'd the Moon and with more pleasing light Shadowie sets off the face of things in vain If none regard Heav'n wakes with all his eyes Whom to behold but thee Natures desire In whose sight all things joy with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze I rose as at thy call but found thee not To find thee I directed then my walk And on methought alone I pass'd through ways That brought me on a sudden to the Tree Of interdicted Knowledge fair it seem'd Much-fairer to my Fancie then by day And as I wondring lookt beside it stood One shap'd wing'd like one of those from Heav'n By us oft seen his dewie locks distill'd Ambrosia on that Tree he also gaz'd And O fair Plant said he with fruit surcharg'd Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet Nor God nor Man is Knowledge so despis'd Or envie or what reserve forbids to taste Forbid who will none shall from me withhold Longer thy offerd good why else set here This said he paus'd not but with ventrous Arme He pluckt he tasted mee damp horror chil'd At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold But he thus overjoy'd O Fruit Divine Sweet of thy self but much more sweet thus cropt Forbidd'n here it seems as onely fit For Gods yet able to make Gods of Men And why not Gods of Men since good the more Communicated more abundant growes The Author not impair'd but honourd more Here happie Creature fair Angelic Eve Partake thou also happie though thou art Happier thou mayst be worthier canst not be Taste this and be henceforth among the Gods Thy self a Goddess not to Earth confind But somtimes in the Air as wee somtimes Ascend to Heav'n by merit thine and see What life the Gods livethere and such live thou So saying he drew nigh and to me held Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part Which he had pluckt the pleasant savourie smell So quick'nd appetite that I methought Could not but taste Forthwith up to the Clouds With him I flew and underneath beheld The Earth outstretcht immense a prospect wide And various wondring at my flight and change To this high exaltation suddenly My Guide was gon and I me thought sunk down And fell asleep but O how glad I wak'd To find this but a dream Thus Eve her Night Related and thus Adam answerd sad Best Image of my self and dearer half The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep Affects me equally nor can I like This uncouth dream of evil sprung I fear Yet evil whence in thee can harbour none Created pure But know that in the Soule Are many lesser Faculties that serve Reason as chief among these Fansie next Her office holds of all external things Which the five watchful Senses represent She forms Imaginations Aerie shapes Which Reason joyning or disjoyning frames All what we affirm or what deny and call Our knowledge or opinion then retires Into her private Cell when Nature refts Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes To imitate her but misjoyning shapes Wilde work produces oft and most in dreams Ill matching words and deeds long past or late Som such resemblances methinks I find Of our last Eevnings talk in this thy dream But with addition strange yet be not sad Evil into
Consulting on the sum of things foreseen This tumult and permitted all advis'd That his great purpose he might so fulfill To honour his Anointed Son aveng'd Upon his enemies and to declare All power on him transferr'd whence to his Son Th' Assessor of his Throne he thus began Effulgence of my Glorie Son belov'd Son in whose face invisible is beheld Visibly what by Deitie I am And in whose hand what by Decree I doe Second Omnipotence two dayes are past Two dayes as we compute the dayes of Heav'n Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame These disobedient sore hath been thir fight As likeliest was when two such Foes met arm'd For to themselves I left them and thou knowst Equal in their Creation they were form'd Save what sin hath impaird which yet hath wrought Insensibly for I suspend thir doom Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last Endless and no solution will be found Warr wearied hath perform'd what Warr can do And to disorder'd rage let loose the reines With Mountains as with Weapons arm'd which makes Wild work in Heav'n and dangerous to the maine Two dayes are therefore past the third is thine For thee I have ordain'd it and thus farr Have sufferd that the Glorie may be thine Of ending this great Warr since none but Thou Can end it Into thee such Vertue and Grace Immense I have transfus'd that all may know In Heav'n and Hell thy Power above compare And this perverse Commotion governd thus To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir Of all things to be Heir and to be King By Sacred Unction thy deserved right Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might Ascend my Chariot guide the rapid Wheeles That shake Heav'ns basis bring forth all my Warr My Bow and Thunder my Almightie Arms Gird on and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh Pursue these sons of Darkness drive them out From all Heav'ns bounds into the utter Deep There let them learn as likes them to despise God and Messiah his anointed King He said and on his Son with Rayes direct Shon full he all his Father full exprest Ineffably into his face receiv'd And thus the filial Godhead answering spake O Father O Supream of heav'nly Thrones First Highest Holiest Best thou alwayes seekst To glorifie thy Son I alwayes thee As is most just this I my Glorie account My exaltation and my whole delight That thou in me well pleas'd declarst thy will Fulfill'd which to fulfil is all my bliss Scepter and Power thy giving I assume And gladlier shall resign when in the end Thou shalt be All in All and I in thee For ever and in mee all whom thou lov'st But whom thou hat'st I hate and can put on Thy terrors as I put thy mildness on Image of thee in all things and shall soon Armd with thy might rid heav'n of these rebell'd To thir prepar'd ill Mansion driven down To chains of Darkness and th' undying Worm That from thy just obedience could revolt Whom to obey is happiness entire Then shall thy Saints unmixt and from th' impure Farr separate circling thy holy Mount Unfained Halleluiahs to thee sing Hymns of high praise and I among them chief So said he o're his Scepter bowing rose From the right hand of Glorie where he sate And the third sacred Morn began to shine Dawning through Heav'n forth rush'd with whirlwind sound The Chariot of Paternal Deitie Flashing thick flames Wheele within Wheele undrawn It self instinct with Spirit but convoyd By four Cherubic shapes four Faces each Had wondrous as with Starrs thir bodies all And Wings were set with Eyes with Eyes the Wheels Of Beril and careering Fires between Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament Whereon a Saphir Throne inlaid with pure Amber and colours of the showrie Arch. Hee in Celestial Panoplie all armd Of radiant Urim work divinely wrought Ascended at his right hand Victorie Sate Eagle-wing'd befide him hung his Bow And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor'd And from about him fierce Effusion rowld Of smoak and bickering flame and sparkles dire Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints He onward came farr off his coming shon And twentie thousand I thir number heard Chariots of God half on each hand were seen Hee on the wings of Cherub rode sublime On the Crystallin Skie in Saphir Thron'd Illustrious farr and wide but by his own First seen them unexpected joy surpriz'd When the great Ensign of Messiah blaz'd Aloft by Angels â—…orn his Sign in Heav'n Under whose Conduct Michael soon reduc'd His Armie circumfus'd on either Wing Under thir Head imbodied all in one Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd At his command the uprooted Hills retir'd Each to his place they heard his voice and went Obsequious Heav'n his wonted face renewd And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil'd This saw his hapless Foes but stood obdur'd And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers Insensate hope conceiving from despair In heav'nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell But to convince the proud what Signs availe Or Wonders move th' obdurate to relent They hard'nd more by what might most reclame Grieving to see his Glorie at the sight Took envie and aspiring to his highth Stood reimbattell'd fierce by force or fraud Weening to prosper and at length prevaile Against God and Messiah or to fall In universal ruin last and now To final Battel drew disdaining flight Or faint retreat when the great Son of God To all his Host on either hand thus spake Stand still in bright array ye Saints here stand Ye Angels arm'd this day from Battel rest Faithful hath been your Warfare and of God Accepted fearless in his righteous Cause And as ye have receivd so have ye don Invincibly but of this cursed crew The punishment to other hand belongs Vengeance is his or whose he sole appoints Number to this dayes work is not ordain'd Nor multitude stand onely and behold Gods indignation on these Godless pourd By mee not you but mee they have despis'd Yet envied against mee is all thir rage Because the Father t' whom in Heav'n supream Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains Hath honourd me according to his will Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig'n'd That they may have thir wish to trie with mee In Battel which the stronger proves they all Or I alone against them since by strength They measure all of other excellence Not emulous nor care who them excells Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe So spake the Son and into terrour chang'd His count'nance too severe to be beheld And full of wrauth bent on his Enemies At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings With dreadful shade contiguous and the Orbes Of his fierce Chariot rowld as with the sound Of torrent Floods or of a numerous Host. Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove Gloomie as Night under his burning Wheelâ—…s The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout All but the Throne it self of God Full soon
Among them he arriv'd in his right hand Grasping ten thousand Thunders which he sent Before him such as in thir Soules infix'd Plagues they astonisht all resistance lost All courage down thir idle weapons drop'd O're Shields and Helmes and helmed heads he rode Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate That wish'd the Mountains now might be again Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire Nor less on either side tempestuous fell His arrows from the fourfold-visag'd Foure Distinct with eyes and from the living Wheels Distinct alike with multitude of eyes One Spirit in them rul'd and every eye Glar'd lightning and shot forth pernicious fire Among th' accurst that witherd all thir strength And of thir wonted vigour left them draind Exhausted spiritless afflicted fall'n Yet half his strength he put not forth but check'd His Thunder in mid Volie for he meant Not to destroy but root them out of Heav'n The overthrown he rais'd and as a Heard Of Goats or 〈◊〉 flock together throngd Drove them before him Thunder-struck pursu'd With terrors and with suries to the bounds And Chrystall wall of Heav'n which op'ning wide Rowld inward and a spacious Gap disclos'd Into the wastful Deep the monstrous sight Strook them with horror backward but far worse Urg'd them behind headlong themselvs they threw Dòwn from the verge of Heav'n Eternal wrauth Burnt after them to the bottomless pit Hell heard th' unsufferable noise Hell saw Heav'n ruining from Heav'n and would have fled Affrighted but strict Fate had cast too deep Her dark foundations and too fast had bound Nine dayes they fell confounded 〈◊〉 roard And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall Through his wilde Anarchie so huge a rout Incumberd him with ruin Hell at last Yawning receavd them whole and on them clos'd Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire Unquenchable the house of woe and paine Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoie'd and soon repaird Her mural breach returning whence it rowld Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes Messiah his triumphal Chaâ—…iot turnd To meet him all his Saints who silent stood Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts With Jubilie advanc'd and as they went Shaded with branching Palme each order bright Sung Triumph and him sung Victorious King Son Heire and Lord to him Dominion giv'n Worthiest to Reign he celebrated rode Triumphant through mid Heav'n into the Courts And Temple of his mightie Father Thron'd On high who into Glorie him receav'd Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss Thus measuring things in Heav'n by things on Earth At thy request and that thou maist beware By what is past to thee I have reveal'd What might have else to human Race bin hid The discord which befel and Warr in Heav'n Among th' Angelic Powers and the deep fall Of those too high aspiring who rebelld With Satan hee who envies now thy state Who now is plotting how he may seduce Thee also from obedience that with him Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake His punishment Eternal miserie Which would be all his solace and revenge As a despite don against the most High Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe But list'n not to his Temptations warne Thy weaker let it profit thee to have heard By terrible Example the reward Of disobedience firm they might have stood Yet fell remember and fear to transgress The End of the Sixth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK VII DEscend from Heav'n Urania by that name If rightly thou art call'd whose Voice divine Following above th' Olâ—…mpian Hill I soare Above the flight of Pegasean wing The meaning not the Name I call for thou Nor of the Muses nine nor on the top Of old Olympus dwell'st but Heav'nlie borne Before the Hills appeerd or Fountain flow'd Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse Wisdom thy Sister and with her didst play In presence of th' Almightie Father pleas'd With thy Celestiul Song Up led by thee Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd An 〈◊〉 Guest and drawn Empyreal Aire Thy tempring with like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element Least from this flying Steed unrein'd as once Bellerophon though from a lower Clime Dismounted on th' Aleian Field I fall Erroneous there to wander and forlorne Half yet remaines unsung but narrower bound Within the visible Diurnal Spheare Standing on Earth not rapt above the Pole More safe I Sing with mortal voice unchang'd To hoarce or mute though fall'n on evil dayes On evil dayes though fall'n and evil tongues In darkness and with dangers compast rouud And solitude yet not alone while thou Visit'st my slumbers Nightly or when Morn Purples the East still govern thou my Song Urania and fit audience find though few But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance Of Bacchus and his Revellers the Race Of that wilde Rout that tore the Thracian Bard In Rhodope where Woods and Rocks had Eares To rapture till the savage clamor dround Both Harp and Voice nor could the Muse defend Her Son So fail not thou who thee implores For thou art Heav'n lie shee an empty dreame Say Goddess what ensu'd when Raphael The affable Arch-angel had forewarn'd Adam by dire example to beware Apostafie by what befell in Heaven To those Apostates least the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his Race Charg'd not to touch the interdicted Tree If they transgress and slight that sole command So easily obeyd amid the choice Of all tasts else to please thir appetite Though wandring He with his consorted Eve The storie heard attentive and was fill'd With admiration and deep Muse to heare Of things so high and strange things to thirthought So unimaginable as hate in Heav'n And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss With such confusion but the evil soon Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung impossible to mix With Blessedness Whence Adam soon repeal'd The doubts that in his heart arose and now Led on yet sinless with desire to know What neerer might concern him how this World Of Heav'n and Earth conspicuous first began When and whereof created for what cause What within Eden or without was done Before his memorie as one whose drouth Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current streame Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites Proceeded thus to ask his Heav'nly Guest Great things and full of wonder in our eares Farr differing from this World thou hast reveal'd Divine Interpreter by favour sent Down from the Empyrean to forewarne Us timely of what might else have bin our loss Unknown which human knowledg could not reach For which to the infinitly Good we owe Immortal thanks and his admonishment Receave with solemne purpose to observe Immutably his sovran will the end Of what we are But sinâ—…e thou hast voutsaf't Gently for our instruction to impart Things above Earthly thought which yet concernd Our knowing as to highest wisdom seemd Deign to descend now lower and râ—…late What may no less perhaps availe us known How
first began this Heav'n which we behold Distant so high with moving Fires adornd Innumerable and this which yeelds or fills All space the ambient Aire wide interfus'd Imbracing round this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what cause Mov'd the Creator in his holy Rest Through all Eternitie so late to build In Chaos and the work begun how soon Absolv'd if unforbid thou maist unfould What wee not to explore the secrets 〈◊〉 Of his Eternal Empire but the more To magnifie his works the more we know And the great Light of Day yet wants to run Much of his Race though steep suspens in Heav'n Held by thy voice thy potent voice he heares And longer will delay to heare thee tell His Generation and the rising Birth Of Nature from the unappâ—…rent 〈◊〉 Or if the Starâ—… of Eevning and the 〈◊〉 Haste to thy audience Night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will bring Silence and Sleep listning to thee will watch Or we can bid his absence till thy Song End and dismiss thee ere the Morning shine Thus Adam his illustrous Guest be sought And thus the Godlike Angel answerd milde This also thy request with caution askt Obtaine though to recount Almightie works What words or tongue of Seraph can suffice Or heart of man suffice to comprehend Yet what thou canst attain which best may serve To glorifie the Maker and inferr Thee also happier shall not be withheld Thy hearing such Commission from above I have receav'd to answer thy desire Of knowledge within bounds beyond abstain To ask nor let 〈◊〉 own inventions hope Things not reveal'd which th' invisible King Onely Omnisciâ—…nt hath suppresâ—… in Night To none communicable in Earth or Heaven Anough is left besides to search and know But Knowledge is as food 〈◊〉 needs no less Her Temperance over Appetite to know In measure what the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well contain Oppresses else with 〈◊〉 and soon turns Wisdom to Folly as Nourishment to Winde Know then thaâ—… 〈◊〉 Lucifer from Heav'n So call him brighter once amidst the Host Of Angles then that Starr the Starrs among Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep Into his place and the great 〈◊〉 returnd Victorious with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eternal Father 〈◊〉 his Throne be held Thir multitude and to his Son thus spake At least 〈◊〉 envious 〈◊〉 hath fail'd who thought All like himself 〈◊〉 by â—…hose â—…id This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sâ—…rength the 〈◊〉 Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 He trusted to have seis'd and into fraud Drew many whom thir place knows here no more Yet farr the greater part have kept I see Thir station heav'n yet populous retaines Number sufficient to possess her Realmes Though wide and this high Temple to frequent With Ministeries due and solemn Rites But least his heart exalt him in the harme Already done to have dispeopl'd Heav'n My damage fondly deem'd I can repaire That detriment if such it be to lose Self-lost and in a moment will create Another World out of one man a Race Of men innumerable there to dwell Not here till by degrees of merit rais'd They open to themselves at length the way Up hither under long obedience tri'd And Earth be chang'd to Heavn Heav'n to Earth One Kingdom Joy and Union without end Mean while inhabit laxe ye Powers of Heav'n And thou my Word begotten Son by thee This I perform speak thou and be it don My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee I send along ride forth and bid the Deep Within appointed bounds be Heav'n and Earth Boundless the Deep because I am who fill Infinitude nor vacuous the space Though I uncircumscrib'd my self retire And put not forth my goodness which is free To act or not Necessitie and Chance Approach not meâ—… and what I will is Fate So spake th' Almightie and to what he spake His Word the Filial Godhead gave effect Immediate are the Acts of God more swift Then time or motion but to human ears Cannot without process of speech be told So told as earthly notion can receave Great triumph and rejoycing was in Heav'n When such was heard declar'd the Almightie's will Glorie they sung to the most High good will To future men and in thir dwellings peace Glorie to him whose just avenging ire Had driven out th' ungodly from his sight And th' habitations of the just to him Glorie and praise whose wisdom had ordain'd Good out of evil to create in stead Of Spirits maligne a better Race to bring Into thir vacant room and thence diffuse His good to Worlds and Ages infinite So sang the Hierarchies Mean while the Son On his great Expedition now appeer'd Girt with Omnipotence with Radiance crown'd Of Majestie Divine Sapience and Love Immense and all his Father in him shon About his Chariot numberless were pour'd Cherub and Seraph Potentates and Thrones And Vertues winged Spirits and Chariots wing'd From the Armoury of God where stand of old Myriads between two brazen Mountains lodg'd Against a solemn day harnest at hand Celestial Equipage and now came forth Spontaneous for within them Spirit livd Attendant on thir Lord Heav'n op'nd wide Her ever during Gates Harmonious sound On golden Hinges moving to let forth The King of Glorie in his powerful Word And Spirit coming to create new Worlds On heav'nly ground they stood and from the shore They view'd the vast immeasurable Abyss Outrageous as a Sea dark wasteful wilde Up from the bottom turn'd by furious windes And surging waves as Mountains to assault Heav'ns highth and with the Center mix the Pole Silence ye troubl'd waves and thou Deep peace Said then th' 〈◊〉 Word your discord end Nor staid but on the Wings of Cherubim Uplifted in Paternal Glorie rode Farr into Chaos and the World unborn For Chaos heard his voice him all his Traine Follow'd in bright procession to bâ—…hold Creation and the wonders of his might Then staid the fervid Wheeles and in his hand He took the golden Compasses prepar'd In Gods Eternal store to circumscribe This Universe and all created things One foot he center'd and the other turn'd Round through the vast profunditie obscure And said thus farr extend thus farr thy bounds This be thy just Circumferenâ—…e O World Thus God the Heav'n created thus the Earth Matter unform'd and void Darkness profound Cover'd th' Abyss but on the watrie calme His brooding wings the Spirit of God 〈◊〉 spred And vital 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Throughout 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but downward purg'd The black 〈◊〉 cold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adverse to life then founded then conglob'd Like things to like the rest to several place Disparted and between spun out the Air And Earth self-ballanc't on her Center hung Let ther be Light said God and forthwith Light Ethereal first of things quintessence pure Sprung from the Deep and from her Native East To journie through the airie gloom began Sphear'd in a radiant Cloud for yet the Sun Was not shee in a cloudie Tabernacle Sojourn'd the while God saw the Light was good And light from
darkness by the Hemisphere Divided Light the Day and Darkness Night He nam'd Thus was the first Day Eev'n and Morn Nor past uncelebrated nor unsung By the Celestial Quires when Orient Light Exhaling first from Darkness they beheld Birth-day of Heav'n and Earth with joy and shout The hollow Universal Orb they fill'd And touch't thir Golden Harps hymning prais'd God and his works Creatour him they sung Both when first Eevning was and when first Morn Again God said let ther be Firmament Amid the Waters and let it divide The Waters from the Waters and God made The Firmament expanse of liquid pure Transparent Elemental Air diffus'd In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great Round partition firm and sure The Waters underneath from those above Dividing for as Earth so hee the World Built on circumfluous Waters calme in wide Crystallin Ocean and the loud misrule Of Chaos farr remov'd least fierce extreames Contiguous might distemper the whole frame And Heav'n he nam'd the Firmament So Eev'n And Morning Chorus sung the second Day The Earth was form'd but in the Womb as yet Of Waters Embryon immature involv'd Appeer'd not over all the face of Earth Main Ocean flow'd not idle but with warme Prolific humour soft'ning all her Globe Fermented the great Mother to conceave Satiate with genial moisture when God said Be gather'd now ye Waters under Heav'n Into one place and let dry Land appeer Immediately the Mountains huge appeer Emergent and thir broad bare backs upheave Into the Clouds thir tops ascend the Skie So high as heav'd the tumid Hills so low Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep Capacious bed of Waters thither they Hasted with glad precipitance uprowld As drops on dust conglobing from the drie Part rise in crystal Wall or ridge direct For haste such 〈◊〉 the great command impress'd On the swift slouds as Armies at the call Of Trumpet for of Armies thou hast heard Troop to thir Standard so the watrie throng Wave rowling after Wave where way they found If steep with torrent rapture if through Plaine Soft ebbing nor withstood them Rock or Hill But they or under ground or circuit wide With Serpent errour wandring found thir way And on the waâ—…hie Oose deep Channels wore Easie e're God had bid the ground be drie All but within those banks where Rivers now Stream and perpetual draw thir humid traine The dry Land Earth and the great receptacle Of congregated Waters he call'd Seas And saw that it was good and said Let th' Earth Put forth the verdant Grass Herb yeilding Seed And Fruit Tree yeilding Fruit after her kind Whose Seed is in her self upon the Earth He scarce had said when the bare Earth till then Desert and bare unsightly unadorn'd Brought forth the tender Grass whose verdure clad Her Universal Face with pleasant green Then Herbs of every leaf that sudden flour'd Op'ning thir various colours and made gay Her bosom smelling sweet and these scarce blown Forth flourish't thick the clustring Vine forth crept The smelling Gourd up stood the cornie Reed Embattell'd in her field add the humble Shrub And Bush with frizl'd hair implicit last Rose as in Dance the stately Trees and spred Thir branches hung with copious Fruit or gemm'd Thir Blossoms with high Woods the Hills were crownd With tufts the vallies each fountain side With borders long the Rivers That Earth now Seemd like to Heav'n a seat where Gods might dwell Or wander with delight and love to haunt Her sacred shades though God had yet not rain'd Upon the Earth and man to till the ground None was but from the Earth a dewie Mist Went up and waterd all the ground and each Plant of the field which e're it was in the Earth God made and every Herb before it grew On the green stemm God saw that it was good So Eev'n and Morn recorded the Third Day Again th' Almightie spake Let there be Lights High in th' expanse of Heaven to divide The Day from Night and let them be for Signes For Seasons and for Dayes and circling Years And let them be for Lights as I ordaine Thir Office in the Firmament of Heav'n To give Light on the Earth and it was so And God made two great Lights great for thir use To Man the greater to have rule by Day The less by Night alterne and made the Starrs And set them in the Firmament of Heav'n To illuminate the Earth and rule the Day In thir vicissitude and rule the Night And Light from Darkness to divide God saw Surveying his great Work that it was good For of Celestial Bodies first the Sun A mightie Spheare he fram'd unlight som first Though of Ethereal Mould then form'd the Moon Globose and everie magnitude of Starrs And sowd with Starrs the Heav'n thick as a field Of Light by farr the greater part he took Transplanted from her cloudie Shrine and plac'd â—…n the Suns Orb made porous to receive And drink the liquid Light firm to retaine Her gather'd beams great Palace now of Light Hither as to thir Fountain other Starrs Repairing in thir gold'n Urns draw Light And hence the Morning Planet guilds his horns By tincture or reflection they augment Thir small peculiar though from human sight So farr remote with diminution seen First in his East the glorious Lamp was seen Regent of Day and all th' Horizon round Invested with bright Rayes jocond to 〈◊〉 His Longitude through Heav'ns high rode the gray Dawn and the Pleiades before him danc'd Shedding sweet influence less bright the Moon But opposite in leveld West was set His mirror with full face borrowing her Light From him for other light she needed none In that aspect and still that distance keepes Till night then in the East her turn she shines Revolvd on Heav'ns great Axle and her Reign With thousand lesser Lights dividual holds With thousand thousand Starres that then appeer'd Spangling the Hemisphere then first adornd With thir bright Luminaries that Set and Rose Glad Eevning glad Morn crownd the fourth day And God said let the Waters generate Reptil with Spawn abundant living Soule And let Fowle flie above the Earth with wings Displayd on the op'n Firmament of Heav'n And God created the great Whales and each Soul living each that crept which plenteously The waters generated by thir kindes And every Bird of wing after his kinde And saw that it was good and bless'd them saying Be fruitful multiply and in the Seas And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill And let the Fowle be multiply'd on the Earth Forth with the Sounds and Seas each Creek Bay With Frie innumerable swarme and Shoales Of Fish that with thir Finns and shining Scales Glide under the green Wave in Sculles that oft Bank the mid Sea part single or with mate Graze the Sea weed thir pasture through Groves Of Coral stray or sporting with quick glance Show to the Sun thir wav'd coats dropt with Gold Or
let in The great Creator from his work returnd Magnificent his Six days work a World Open and henceforth oft for God will deigne To visit oft the dwellings of just Men Delighted and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged Messengers On errands of supernal Grace So sung The glorious Train ascending He through Heav'n That open'd wide her blazing Portals led To Gods Eternal house direct the way A broad and ample rode whose dust is Gold And pavement Starrs as Starrs to thee appeer Seen in the Galaxie that Milkie way Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest Pouderd with Starrs And now on Earth the Seaventh Eev'ning arose in Eden for the Sun Was set and twilight from the East came on Forerunning Night when at the holy mount Of Heav'ns high-seated top th' Impereal Throne Of Godhead fixt forever firm and sure The Filial Power arriv'd and sate him down With his great Father for he also went Invisible yet staid such priviledge Hath Omnipresence and the work ordain'd Author and end of all things and from work Now resting bless'd and hallowd the Seav'nth day As resting on that day from all his work But not in silence holy kept the 〈◊〉 Had work and 〈◊〉 not the solemn â—…ipe And Dulcimer all Organs of sweet stop All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire Temper'd 〈◊〉 Tunings intermixt with Voice Choral or Unison of incense Clouds Fuming from Golden Câ—…nsers hid the Mount Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung Great are thy works Jehovah infinite Thy power what thought can measure thee or tongue Relate thee greater now in thy return Then from the Giant Angels thee that day Thy Thunders 〈◊〉 but to 〈◊〉 Is greater then created to destroy Who can impair thee mighty King or bound Thy Empire easily the proud attempt Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine Thou hast repeld while impiously they thought Thee to diminish and from thee withdraw The number of thy worshippers Who seekes To lessen thee against his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might his evil Thou usest and from thence creat'st more good Witness this new-made World another Heav'n From Heaven Gate not farr founded in view On the cleer Hyaline the Glassie Sea Of amplitude almost immense with Starr's Numerous and every Starr perhaps a World Of destind habitation but thou know'st Thir seasons among these the seat of men Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus'd Thir pleasant dwelling place Thrice happie men And sons of men whom God hath thus advanc't Created in his Image there to dwell And worship him and in reward to rule Over his Works on Earth in Sea or Air And multiply a Race of Worshippers Holy and just thrice happie if they know Thir happiness and persevere upright So sung they and the Empyrean rung With Halleluiahs Thus was Sabbath kept And thy request think now fulfill'd that ask'd How first this World and face of things began And what before thy memorie was don From the beginning that posteritie Informd by thee might know if else thou seekst Aught not surpassing human measure say To whom thus Adam gratefully repli'd What thanks sufficient or what recompence Equal have I to render thee Divine Hystorian who thus largely hast allayd The thirst I had of knowledge and voutsaf't This friendly condescention to relate Things else by me unsearchable now heard VVith wonder but delight and as is due With glorie attributed to the high Creator some thing yet of doubt remaines VVhich onely thy solution can resolve VVhen I behold this goodly Frame this VVorld Of Heav'n and Earth consisting and compute Thir magnitudes this Earth a spot a graine An Atom with the Firmament compar'd And all â—…er numberd Starrs that seem to rowle Spaces incomprehensible for such Thir distance argues and thir swift return Diurnal meerly to officiate light Round this opacous Earth this punctual spot One day and night in all thir vast survey Useless besides reasoning I oft admire How Nature wise and frugal could commit Such disproportions with superfluous hand So many nobler Bodies to create Greater so manifold to this one use For aught appeers and on thir Orbs impose Such restless revolution day by day Repeated while the sedentarie Earth That better might with farr less compass move Serv'd by more noble then her self attaines Her end without least motion and receaves As Tribute such a sumless journey brought Of incorporeal speed her warmth and light Speed to describe whose swiftness Number failes So spake our Sire and by his count'nance seemd Entring on studious thoughts abstruse which Eve Perceaving where she sat retir'd in sight With lowliness Majestic from her seat And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay Rose and went forth among her Fruits and Flours To visit how they prosper'd bud and bloom Her Nurserie they at her coming sprung And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew Yet went she not as not with such discourse Delighted or not capable her eare Of what was high such pleasure she reserv'd Adam relating she sole Auditress Her Husband the Relater she preferr'd Before the Angel and of him to ask Chose rather hee she knew would intermix Grateful digressions and solve high dispute With conjugal Caresses from his Lip Not Words alone pleas'd her O when meet now Such pairs in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went Not unattended for on her as Queen A pomp of winning Graces waited still And from about her shot Darts of desire Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight And Raphael now to Adam's doubt propos'd Benevolent and facil thus repli'd To ask or search I blame thee not for Heav'n Is as the Book of God before thee set Wherein to read his wondrous Works and learne His Seasons Hours or Days or Months or Yeares This to attain whether Heav'n move or Earth Imports not if thou reck'n right the rest From Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal and not divulge His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought Rather admire or if they list to try Conjecture he his Fabric of the Heav'ns Hath left to thir disputes perhaps to move His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide Hereafter when they come to model Heav'n And calculate the Starrs how they will weild The mightie frame how build unbuild contrive To save appeerances how gird the Sphear With Centric and Eccentric scribl'd o're Cycle and Epicycle Orb in Orb Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess Who art to lead thy ofspring and supposest That Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright nor Heav'n such journies run Earth sitting still when she alone receaves The benefit consider first that Great Or Bright inferrs not Excellence the Earth Though in comparison of Heav'n so small Nor glistering may of solid good containe More plenty then the Sun that barren shines Whose vertue on it self workes no effect But in the fruitful Earth there first receavd
His beams unactive else thir vigor find Yet not to Earth are those bright Luminaries Officious but to thee Earths habitant And for the Heav'ns wide Circuit let it speak The Makers high magnificence who built So spacious and his Line stretcht out so farr That Man may know he dwells not in his own An Edifice too large for him to fill Lodg'd in a small partition and the rest Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known The swiftness of those Circles attribute Though numberless to his Omnipotence That to corporeal substances could adde Speed almost Spiritual mee thou thinkst not slow Who since the Morning hour set out from Heav'n Where God resides and ere mid-day arriv'd In Eden distance inexpressible By Numbers that have name But this I urge Admitting Motion in the Heav'ns to shew Invalid that which thee to doubt it mov'd Not that I so affirm though so it seem To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth God to remove his wayes from human sense Plac'd Heav'n from Earth so farr that earthly sight If it presume might erre in things too high And no advantage gaine What if the Sun Be Center to the World and other Starrs By his attractive vertue and thir own Incited dance about him various rounds Thir wandring course now high now low then hid Progressive retrograde or standing still In six thou seest and what if sev'nth to these The Planet Earth so stedfast though she seem Insensibly three different Motions move Which else to several Sphears thou must ascribe Mov'd contrarie with thwart obliquities Or save the Sun his labour and that swift Nocturnal and Diurnal rhomb suppos'd Invisible else above all Starrs the Wheele Of Day and Night which needs not thy beleefe If Earth industrious of her self fetch Day Travelling East and with her part averse From the Suns beam meet Night her other part Still luminous by his ray What if that light Sent from her through the wide transpicuous aire To the terrestrial Moon be as a Starr Enlightning her by Day as she by Night This Earth reciprocal if Land be there Feilds and Inhabitants Her spots thou seest As Clouds and Clouds may rain and Rain produce Fruits in her soft'nd Soile for some to eate Allotted there and other Suns perhaps With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie Communicating Male and Femal Light Which two great Sexes animate the World Stor'd in each Orb perhaps with some that live For such vast room in Nature unpossest By living Soule desert and desolate Onely to shine yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimps of Light conveyd so farr Down to this habitable which returnes Light back to them is obvious to dispute But whether thus these things or whether not Whether the Sun predominant in Heav'n Rise on the Earth or Earth rise on the Sun Hee from the East his flaming rode begin Or Shee from West her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft Axle while she paces Eev'n And beâ—…rs thee soft with the smooth Air along Sollicit not thy thoughts with matters hid Leave them to God above him serve and feare Of other Creatures as him pleases best Wherever plac't let him dispose joy thou In what he gives to thee this Paradise And thy faire Eve Heav'n is for thee too high To know what passes there be lowlie wise Think onely what concernes thee and thy being Dream not of other Worlds what Creatures there Live in what state condition or degree Contented that thus farr hath been reveal'd Not of Earth onely but of highest Heav'n To whom thus Adam cleerd of doubt repli'd How fully hast thou satisfi'd mee pure Intelligence of Heav'n Angel serene And freed from intricacies taught to live The easiest way nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of Life from which God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares And not molest us unless we our selves Seek them with wandring thoughts and notions vaine But apt the Mind or Fancie is to roave Uncheckt and of her roaving is no end Till warn'd or by experience taught she learne That not to know at large of things remote From use obscure and suttle but to know That which before us lies in daily life Is the prime Wisdom what is more is fume Or emptiness or fond impertinence And renders us in things that most concerne Unpractis'd unprepar'd and still to seek Therefore from this high pitch let us descend A lower flight and speak of things at hand Useful whence haply mention may arise Of somthing not unseasonable to ask By sufferance and thy wonted favour deign'd Thee I have heard relating what was don Ere my remembrance now hear mee relate My Storie which perhaps thou hast not heard And Day is yet not spent till then thou seest How suttly to detaine thee I devise Inviting thee to hear while I relate Fond were it not in hope of thy reply For while I sit with thee I seem in Heav'n And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasantest to thirst And hunger both from labour at the houre Of sweet repast they satiate and soon fill Though pleasant but thy words with Grace Divine Imbu'd bring to thir sweetness no satietie To whom thus Raphael answer'd heav'nly meek Nor are thy lips ungraceful Sire of men Nor tongue ineloquent for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd Inward and outward both his image faire Speaking or mute all comliness and grace Attends thee and each word each motion formes Nor less think wee in Heav'n of thee on Earth Then of our fellow servant and inquire Gladly into the wayes of God with Man For God we see hath honour'd thee and set On Man his equal Love say therefore on For I that Day was absent as befell bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell Squar'd in full Legion such command we had To see that none thence issu'd forth a spie Or enemie while God was in his work Least hee incenst at such eruption bold Destruction with Creation might have mixt Not that they durst without his leave attempt But us he sends upon his high behests For state as Sovran King and to enure Our prompt obedience Fast we found fast shut The dismal Gates and barricado'd strong But long ere our approaching heard within Noise other then the sound of Dance or Song Torment and lowd lament and furious rage Glad we return'd up to the coasts of Light Ere Sabbath Eev'ning so we had in charge But thy relation now for I attend Pleas'd with thywords no less then thou with mine So spake the Godlike Power and thus our Sire For Man to tell how human Life began Is hard for who himself beginning knew Desire with thee still longer to converse Induc'd me As new wak't from soundest sleep Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid In Balmie Sweat which with his Beames the Sun Soon dri'd and on the
is Man But in degree the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help Or solace his defects No need that thou Shouldst propagat already infinite And through all numbers absolute though One Bâ—…t Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection and beget Like of his like his Image multipli'd In unitie defective which requires Collateral love and deerest amitie Thou in thy secresie although alone Best with thy self accompanied seek'st not Social communication yet so pleas'd Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt Of Union or Communion deifi'd I by conversing cannot these erect From prone nor in thir wayes complacence find Thus I embold'nd spake and freedom us'd Permissive and acceptance found which gain'd This answer from the gratious voice Divine Thus farr to try thee Adam I was pleas'd And finde thee knowing not of Beasts alone Which thou hast rightly nam'd but of thy self Expressing well the spirit within thee free My Image not imparted to the Brute Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike And be so minded still I ere thou spak'st Knew it not good for Man to be alone And no such companie as then thou saw'st Intended thee for trial onely brought To see how thou could'st judge of fit and meet What next I bring shall please thee be assur'd Thy likeness thy fit help thy other self Thy wish exactly to thy hearts desire Hee ended or I heard no more for now My earthly by his Heav'nly overpowerd Which it had long stood under streind to the highth In that celestial Colloquie sublime As with an object that excels the sense Dazl'd and spent sunk down and sought repair Of sleep which instantly fell on me call'd By Nature as in aide and clos'd mine eyes Mine eyes he clos'd but op'n left the Cell Of Fancie my internal sight by which Abstract as in a transe methought I saw Though sleeping where I lay and saw the shape Still glorious before whom awake I stood Who stooping op'nd my left side and took From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warme And Life-blood streaming fresh wide was the wound But suddenly with flesh fill'd up heal'd The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands Under his forming hands a Creature grew Manlike but different sex so lovly faire That what seemd fair in all the World seemd now Mean or in her summd up in her containd And in her looks which from that time infus'd Sweetness into my heart unfelt before And into all things from her Aire inspir'd The spirit of love and amorous delight She disappeerd and left me dark I wak'd To find her or for ever to deplore Her loss and other pleasures all abjure When out of hope behold her not farr off Such as I saw her in my dream adornd With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow To make her amiable On she came Led by her Heav'nly Maker though unseen And guided by his voice nor uninformd Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites Grace was in all her steps Heav'n in her Eye In every gesture dignitie and love I overjoyd could not forbear aloud This turn hath made amends thou hast fulfill'd Thy words Creator bounteous and benigne Giver of all things faire but fairest this Of all thy gifts nor enviest I now see Bone of my Bone Flesh of my Flesh my Self Before me Woman is her Name of Man Extracted for this cause he shall forgoe Father and Mother and to his Wife adhere And they shall be one Flesh one Heart one Soule She heard me thus and though divinely brought Yet Innocence and Virgin Modestie Her vertue and the conscience of her worth That would be woo'd and not unsought be won Not obvious not obtrusive but retir'd The more desirable or to say all Nature herself though pure of sinful thought Wrought in her so that seeing me she turn'd I follow'd her she what was Honour knew And with obsequious Majestie approv'd My pleaded reason To the Nuptial Bowre I led her blushing like the Morn all Heav'n And happie Constellations on that houre Shed thir selectest influence the Earth Gave sign of gratulation and each Hill Joyous the Birds fresh Gales and gentle Aires Whisper'd it to the Woods and from thir wings Flung Rose flung Odours from the spicie Shrub Disporting till the amorous Bird of Night Sung Spousal and bid haste the Eevning Starr On his Hill top to light the bridal Lamp Thus I have told thee all my State and brought My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed but such As us'd or not works in the mind no change Nor vehement desire these delicacies I mean of Taste Sight Smell Herbs Fruits Flours Walks and the melodie of Birds but here Farr otherwise transported I behold Transported touch here passion first I felt Commotion strange in all enjoyments else Superiour and unmov'd here onely weake Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance Or Nature faild in mee and left some part Not proof enough such Object to sustain Or from my side subducting took perhaps More then enough at least on her bestow'd Too much of Ornament in outward shew Elaborate of inward less exact For well I understand in the prime end Of Nature her th' inferiour in the mind And inward Faculties which most excell In outward also her resembling less His Image who made both and less expressing The character of that Dominion giv'n O're other Creatures yet when I approach Her loveliness so absolute she seems And in her self compleat so well to know Her own that what she wills to do or say Seems wisest vertuousest discreetest best All higher knowledge in her presence falls Degraded Wisdom in discourse with her Looses discount'nanc't and like folly shewes Authoritie and Reason on her waite As one intended first not after made Occasionally and to consummate all Greatness of mind and nobleness thir seat Build in her loveliest and create an awe About her as a guard Angelic plac't To whom the Angel with contracted brow Accuse not Nature she hath don her part Do thou but thine and be not diffident Of Wisdom she deserts thee not if thou Dismiss not her when most thou needst her nigh By attributing overmuch to things Less excellent as thou thy self perceav'st For what admir'st thou what transports thee so An outside fair no doubt and worthy well Thy cherishing thy honouring and thy love Not thy subjection weigh with her thy self Then value Oft times nothing profits more Then self-esteem grounded on just and right Well manag'd of that skill the more thou know'st The more she will acknowledge thee her Head And to realities yeild all her shows Made so adorn for thy delight the more So awful that with honour thou maist love Thy mate who sees when thou art seen least wise But if the sense of touch whereby mankind Is propagated seem such dear delight Beyond all other
suttletie Proceeding which in other Beasts observ'd Doubt might beget of Diabolic pow'r Active within beyond the sense of brute Thus he resolv'd but first from inward griefe His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd O Earth how like to Heav'n if not preferr'd More justly Seat worthier of Gods as built With second thoughts reforming what was old For what God after better worse would build Terrestrial Heav'n danâ—…'t round by other Heav'ns That shine yet bear thir bright officious Lamps Light above Light for thee alone as seems In thee concentring all thir precious beams Of sacred influence As God in Heav'n Is Center yet extends to all so thou Centring receav'st from all those Orbs in thee Not in themselves all thir known vertue appeers Productive in Herb Plant and nobler birth Of Creatures animate with gradual life Of Growth Sense Reason all summ'd up in Man With what delight could I have walkt thee round If I could joy in aught sweet interchange Of Hill and Vallie Rivers Woods and Plaines Now Land now Sea Shores with Forrest crownd Rocks Dens and Caves but I in none of these Find place or refuge and the more I see Pleasures about me so much more I feel Torment within me as from the hateful siege Of contraries all good to me becomes Bane and in Heav'n much worâ—…e would be my state But neither here seek I no nor in Heav'n To dwell unless by maistring Heav'ns Supreame Nor hope to be my self less miserable By what I seek but others to make such As I though thereby worse to me redound For onely in destroying I finde ease To my relentless thoughts and him destroyd Or won to what may work his utter loss For whom all this was made all this will soon Follow as to him linkt in weal or woe In wo then that destruction wide may range To mee shall be the glorie sole among The infernal Powers in one day to have marr'd What he Almightie styl'd six Nights and Days Continu'd making and who knows how long Before had bin contriving though perhaps Not longer then since I in one Night freed From servitude inglorious welnigh half Th' Angelic Name and thinner left the throng Of his adorers hee to be aveng'd And to repaire his numbers thus impair'd Whether such vertue spent of old now faild More Angels to Create if they at least Are his Created or to spite us more Determin'd to advance into our room A Creature form'd of Earth and him endow Exalted from so base original With Heav'nly spoils our spoils What he decreed He effected Man he made and for him built Magnificent this World and Earth his seat Him Lord pronounc'd and O indignitie Subjected to his service Angel wings And flaming Ministers to watch and tend Thir earthie Charge Of these the vigilance I dread and to elude thus wrapt in mist Of midnight vapor glide obscure and prie In every Bush and Brake where hap may finde The Serpent sleeping in whose mazie foulds To hide me and the dark intent I bring O foul descent that I who erst contended With Gods to sit the highest am now constraind Into a Beast and mixt with bestial slime This essence to incarnate and imbrute That to the hight of Deitie aspir'd But what will not Ambition and Revenge Descend to who aspires must down as low As high he soard obnoxious first or last To basest things Revenge at first though sweet Bitter ere long back on it self recoiles Let it I reck not so it light well aim'd Since higher I fall short on him who next Provokes my envie this new Favorite Of Heav'n this Man of Clay Son of despite Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais'd From dust spite then with spite is best repaid So saying through each Thicket Danck or Drie Like a black mist low creeping he held on His midnight search where soonest he might finde The Serpent him fast sleeping soon he found In Labyrinth of many a round self-rowld His head the midst well stor'd with suttle wiles Not yet in horrid Shade or dismal Den Not nocent yet but on the grassie Herbe Fearless unfeard he slept in at his Mouth The Devil enterd and his brutal sense In heart or head possessing soon inspir'd With act intelligential but his sleep Disturbd not waiting close th' approach of Morn Now whenas sacred Light began to dawne In Eden on the humid Flours that breathd Thir morning Incense when all things that breath From th' Earths great Altar send up silent praise To the Creator and his Nostrils fill With gratefull Smell forth came the human pair And joynd thir vocal Worship to the Quire Of Creatures wanting voice that done partake The season prime for sweetest Sents and Aires Then commune how that day they best may ply Thir growing work for much thir work outgrew The hands dispatch of two Gardning so wide And Eve first to her Husband thus began Adam well may we labour still to dress This Garden still to tend Plant Herb and Flour Our pleasant task enjoyn'd but till more hands Aid us the work under our labour grows Luxurious by restraint what we by day Lop overgrown or prune or prop or bind One night or two with wanton growth derides Tending to wilde Thou therefore now advise Or hear what to my mind first thoughts present Let us divide our labours thou where choice Leads thee or where most needs whether to wind The Woodbine round this Arbour or direct The clasping Ivie where to climb while I In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt With Myrtle find what to redress till Noon For while so near each other thus all day Our task we choose what wonder if so near Looks intervene and smiles or object new Casual discourse draw on which intermits Our dayes work brought to little though begun Early and th' hour of Supper comes unearn'd To whom mild answer Adam thus return'd Sole Eve Associate sole to me beyond Compare above all living Creatures deare Well hast thou motion'd wel thy thoughts imployd How we might best fulfill the work which here God hath assign'd us nor of me shalt pass Unprais'd for nothing lovelier can be found In woman then to studie houshold good And good workes in her Husband to promote Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos'd Labour as to debarr us when we need Resreshment whether food or talk between Food of the mind or this sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles for smiles from Reason flow To brute deni'd and are of Love the food Love not the lowest end of human life Fâ—…r not to irksom toile but to delight He made us and delight to Reason joyn'd Thâ—…se paths and Bowers doubt not but our joynt hands Will keep from Wilderness with ease as wide As we need walk till younger hands ere long Assist us But if much converse perhaps Thee satiate to short absence I could yeild For solitude somtimes is best societie And short retirement urges sweet returne But other doubt
that Paradise to dwell The Law I gave to Nature him forbids Those pure immortal Elements that know No gross no unharmoneous mixture foule Eject him tainted now and purge him off As a distemper gross to aire as gross And mortal food as may dispose him best For dissolution wrought by Siâ—… that first Distemperd all things and of incorrupt Corrupted I at first with two fair gifts Created him endowd with Happiness And Immortalitie that fondly lost This other serv'd but to eternize woe Till I provided Death so Death becomes His final remedie and after Life Tri'd in sharp tribulation and refin'd By Faith and faithful works to second Life Wak't in the renovation of the just Resignes him up with Heav'n and Earth renewd But let us call to Synod all the Blest Through Heav'ns wide bounds from them I will not hide My judgments how with Mankind I proceed As how with peccant Angels late they saw And in thir state though firm stood more confirmd He ended and the Son gave signal high To the bright Minister that watchd hee blew His Trumpet heard in Oreb since perhaps When God descended and perhaps once more To sound at general doom Th' Angelic blast Filld all the Regions from thir blissful Bowrs Of Amarantin Shade Fountain or Spring By the waters of Life where ere they sate In fellowships of joy the Sons of Light Hasted resorting to the Summons high And took thir Seats till from his Throne supream Th' Almighty thus pronounc'd his sovran Will. O Sons like one of us Man is become To know both Good and Evil since his taste Of that defended Fruit but let him boast His knowledge of Good lost and Evil got Happier had it suffic'd him to have known Good by it self and Evil not at all He sorrows now repents and prayes contrite My motions in him longer then they move His heart I know how variable and vain Self-left Least therefore his now bolder hand Reach also of the Tree of Life and eat And live for ever dream at least to live For ever to remove him I decree And send him from the Garden forth to Till The Ground whence he was taken fitter soile Michael this my behest have thou in charge Take to thee from among the Cherubim Thy choice of flaming warriours least the Fiend Or in behalf of Man or to invade Vacant possession som new trouble raise Hast thee and from the Paradise of God Without remorse drive out the sinful Pair From hallowd ground th' unholie and denounce To them and to thir Progenie from thence Perpetual baniâ—…ent Yet least they faint At the sad Sentence rigorously urg'd For I behold theâ—… soâ—…nd and with tears Bewailing thir excess all terror hide If patiently thy bidding they obey Dismiss them not disconsolate reveale To Adam what shall come in future dayes As I shall thee enlighten intermix My Cov'nant in the Womans seed renewd So send them forth though sorrowing yet in peace And on the East side of the Garden place Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbes Cherubic watch and of a Sword the flame Wide waving all approach farr off to fright And guard all passage to the Tree of Life Least Paradise a receptacle prove To Spirits foule and all my Trees thir prey With whose stol'n Fruit Man once more to delude He ceas'd and th' Archangelic Power prepar'd For swist descent with him the Cohort bright Of watchful Cherubim four faces each Had like a double Janus all thir shape Spangl'd with eyes more numerous then those Of Argus and more wakeful then to drouze Charm'd with Arcadian Pipe the Pastoral Reed Of Hermes or his opiate Rod. Mean while To resalute the World with sacred Light Lâ—…cothea wak'd and with fresh dews imbalmd The Earth wâ—…en Adam and first Matron Eve Had ended now thir Orisons and found Strength added from above new hope to spring Out of despaire joy but with fear yet linkâ—… Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewd Eve easily may Faith admit that all The good which we enjoy from Heav'n descends But that from us ought should ascend to Heav'n So prevalent as to concerne the mind Of God high-blest or to incline his will Hard to belief may 〈◊〉 yet this will Prayer Or one short sigh of 〈◊〉 breath up-borne Ev'n to the Seat of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I saught By Prayer th' offended Deitie co appease Kneel'd and before him humbl'd all my heart Methought I saw him placable and milâ—… Bending hiâ—…â—…are perswasion in me grew That I was heard with favour peace returnd Home to my brest and to my memorie His promise that thy Seed shall bruise our Foe Which then not minded in dismay yet now Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past and we shall live Whence Haile to thee Eve rightly call'd Mother of all Mankind Mother of all things living since by thee Man is to live and all things live for Man To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek Ill worthie I such title should belong To me transgressour who for thee ordaind A help became thy sâ—…are to mee reproach Rather belongs distrust and all dispraise But infinite in pardon was my Judge That I who first brought Death on all am grac't The sourse of life next favourable tâ—…u Who highly thus to entitle me voutsat 〈◊〉 Farr otheâ—… name deserving But the Field To labour calls us now with sweat impos'd Though after sleepless Night for see the Morn All unconcern'd with our unrest begins Her rosie progress smiling let us â—…orth I never from thy side henceforth to stray Wherere our days work lies though now enjoind Laborious till day droop while herâ—… we dwell What can be toilsom in these pleasâ—…nt Walkes Here let us live though in fall'n state câ—…ntent So spake so wish'd much-humbl'd Eve but Fate Subscrib'd not Nature first gave Signs imprest On Bird Beast Aire Aire suddenly eclips'd After short blush of Morn nigh in her sight The Bird of Jove stoopt from his aerie tour Two Birds of gayest plume before him drove Down from a Hill the Beast that reigns in Woods First Hunter then pursu'd a gentle brace Goodliest of all the Forrest Hart and Hinde Direct to th' Eastern Gate was bent thir flight Adam observ'd and with his Eye the chase Pursuing not unmov'd to Eve thus spake O Eve some furder change awaits us nigh Which Heav'n by these mute signs in Nature shews Forerunners of his purpose or to warn Us haply too secure of our discharge From penaltie because from death releast Sâ—…e days how long and what till then our life Who knows or more then this that we are dust And thither must return and be no more VVhy else this double object in our sight Of slight pursu'd in th' Air and ore the ground One way the self-same hour why in the East Darkness ere Dayes mid-course and Morning light More orient in yon VVestern Cloud that draws O're the blew Firmament a radiant white And slow descends with
as the Heav'n his windows shut The Ark no more now flotes but seems on ground Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies And after him the surer messenger A Dove sent forth once and agen to spie Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light The second time returning in his Bill An Olive leafe he brings pacific signe Anon drie ground appeers and from his Arke The ancient Sire descends with all his Train Then with uplifted hands and eyes devout Grateful to Heav'n over his head beholds A dewie Cloud and in the Cloud a Bow Conspicuous with three listed colours gay Betok'ning peace from God and Cov'nant new Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad Greatly rejoyc'd and thus his joy broke forth O thou that future things canst represent As present Heav'nly instructer I revive At this last sight assur'd that Man shall live With all the Creatures and thir seed preserve Farr less I now lament for one whole World Of wicked Sons destroyd then I rejoyce For one Man found so perfet and so just That God voutsafes to raise another World From him and all his anger to forget But say what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn Distended as the Brow of God appeas'd Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth To whom th' Archangel Dextrously thou aim'st So willingly doth God remit his Ire Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd Griev'd at his heart when looking down he saw The whole Earth â—…ill'd with violence and all flesh Corrupting each thirway yet those remoov'd Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight That he relents not to blot out mankind And makes a Covenant never to destroy The Earth again by flood nor let the Sea Surpass his bounds nor Rain to drown the World With Man therein or Beast but when he brings Over the Earth a Cloud will therein set His triple-colour'd Bow whereon to look And call to mind his Cov'nant Day and Night Seed time and Harvest Heat and hoary Frost Shall hold thir course till fire purge all things new Both Heav'n and Earth wherein the just shall dwell Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end And Man as from a second stock proceed Much thou hast yet to see but I perceave Thy mortal sight to faile objects divine Must needs impaire and wearie human sense Henceforth what is to com I will relate Thou therefore give due audience and attend This second sours of Men while yet but few And while the dread of judgement past remains Fresh in thir mindes fearing the Deitie With some regard to what is just and right Shall lead thir lives and multiplie apace Labouring the soile and reaping plenteous crop Corn wine and oyle and from the herd or flock Oft sacrificing Bullock Lamb or Kid With large Winé-offerings pour'd and sacred Feast Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd and dwell Long time in peace by Families and Tribes Under paternal rule till one shall rise Of proud ambitious heart who not content With fair equalitie fraternal state Will arrogate Dominion undeserv'd Over his brethren and quite dispossess Concord and law of Nature from the Earth Hunting and Men not Beasts shall be his game With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse Subjection to his Empire tyrannous A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd Before the Lord as in despite of Heav'n Or from Heav'n claming second Sovrantie And from Rebellion shall derive his name Though of Rebellion others he accuse Hee with a crew whom like Ambition joyns With him or under him to tyrannize Marching from Eden towards the West shall finde The Plain wherein a black bituminous gurge Boiles out from under ground the mouth of Hell Of Brick and of that stuff they cast to build A Citie Towre whose top may reach to Heav'n And get themselves a name least far disperst In foraign Lands thir memorie be lost Regardless whether good or evil fame But God who oft descends to visit men Unseen and through thir habitations walks To mark thir doings them beholding soon Comes down to see thir Citie ere the Tower Obstruct Heav'n Towrs and in derision sets Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase Quite out thir Native Language and instead To sow a jangling noise of words unknown Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the Builders each to other calls Not understood till hoarse and all in rage As mockt they storm great laughter was in Heav'n And looking down to see the hubbub strange And hear the din thus was the building left Ridiculous and the work Confusion nam'd Whereto thus Adam fatherly displeas'd O execrable Son so to aspire Above his Brethren to himself assuming Authoritie usurpt from God not giv'n He gave us onely over Beast Fish Fowl Dominion absolute that right we hold By his donation but Man over men He made not Lord such title to himself Reserving human left from human free But this Usurper his encroachment proud Stayes not on Man to God his Tower intends Siege and defiance Wretched man what food Will he convey up thither to sustain Himself and his rash Armie where thin Aire Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross And famish him of Breath if not of Bread To whom thus Michael Justly thou abhorr'st That Son who on the quiet state of men Such trouble brought affecting to subdue Rational Libertie yet know withall Since thy original lapse true Libertie Is lost which alwayes with right Reason dwells Twinn'd and from her hath no dividual being Reason in man obscur'd or not obeyd Immediately inordinate desires And upstart Passions caâ—…ch the Government From Reason and to fervitude reduce Man till then free Therefore since hee permits Within himself unworthie Powers to reign Over free Reason God in Judgement just Subjects him from without to violent Lords Who oft as undeservedly enthrall His outward freedom Tyrannie must be Though to the Tyrant thereby no excuse Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low From vertue which is reason that no wrong But Justice and some fatal curse annext Deprives them of thir outward libertie Thir inward lost Witness th' irreverent Son Of him who built the Ark who for the shame Don to his Father heard this heavie curse Servant of Servants on his vitious Race Thus will this latter as the former World Still tend from bad to worse till God at last Wearied with their iniquities withdraw His presence from among them and avert His holy Eyes resolving from thenceforth To leave them to thir own polluted wayes And one peculiar Nation to select From all the rest of whom to be invok'd A Nation from one faithful man to spring Him on this side Euphrates yet residing Bred
Paradise lost A POEM Written in TEN BOOKS By JOHN MILTON Licensed and Entred according to Order LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Peter Parker under Creed Church neer Aldgate And by Robert Boulter at the Turks Head in Bishopsgate-street And Matthias Walker under St. Dunstons Church in Fleet-street 1667. PARADISE LOST BOOK I. OF Mans First Disobedience and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree whose mortal tast Brought Death into the World and all our woe With loss of Eden till one greater Man Restore us and regain the blissful Seat Sing Heav'nly Muse that on the secret top Of Oreb or of Sinai didst inspire That Shepherd who first taught the chosen Seed In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth Rose out of Chaos Or if Sion Hill Delight thee more and Siloa's Brook that flow'd Fast by the Oracle of God I thence Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian Mount while it pursues Things 〈◊〉 yet in Prosâ—… 〈◊〉 Rhime And chiefly Thou O Spirit that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upâ—…ght â—…eart and pure Instruct me for Thou know'st Thou from the first Wast present and with mighty wings outspread Dove like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Abyss And mad'st it pregnant What in me is dark Illumine what is low 〈◊〉 and support That to the highth of this great Argument I may assert th' Eternal Providence And justifie the wayes of God to men Say first for Heav'n 〈◊〉 nothing from thy view Nor the deep Tract of Hell say first what cause Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State Favour'd of 〈◊〉 so highly to fall off From their Creator and transgress his Will For one restraint Lords of the World besides Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt Stird up with Envy and Revenge deceiv'd The Mother of Mankinde what time his Pride Had cast him out from Heav'n with all his Host Of Rebel Angels by whose aid aspiring To set himself in Glory above his Peers He trusted to have equal'd the most High If he oppos'd and with ambitious aim Against the Throne and Monarchy of God Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud With vain attempt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Power Hurld headlong 〈◊〉 â—…om th' 〈◊〉 Skie With 〈◊〉 ruine and combustion down One next himself in power and next in crime Long after known in Palestine and nam'd Eëëlzebub To whom th' Arch-Enemy And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan with bold words Breaking the horrid silence thus began If thoâ—… beest he But O how fall'n how chang'd From him who in the happy Reâ—…lms of Light Cloth'd with 〈◊〉 brightnes didst outshine Myriads though bright If he whom mutual league United thoughts and counsels equal hope And hazard in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joynd wâ—…th me once now misery hath joynd In equal ruin into what Pit thou seest From what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so much the stronger provd He with his Thunder and till then who knew The force of those dire Arms yet not for those Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage Can else inflict do I repent or change Though chang'd in outward lustre that fixt mind And high 〈◊〉 from sence of injur'd merit That with the 〈◊〉 rais'd me to contend And to the fierce contention brought along Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd That durst dislike his reign and me preferring His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n And shook his throne What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 field belost All is not lost the unconquerable Will And study of revenge immortal hate And courage never to submit or yield And what is else not to be overcome That Glory never shall his wrath 〈◊〉 might Extort from me To bow and fue for grace With suppliant knee and deifie his power Who from the terrour of this Arm so lâ—…te Doubted his Empire that were low indeed That were an ignominy and â—…hame beneath This downfall since by Fate the strength of Gods And this Empyreal substance cannot fail Since through experience of this great event In Arms not worse in foresight much advanc't We may â—…ith more successful hope resolve To wage by force or guile eternal Warr Irreconcileable to our grand Foe Who now triumphs and in th' excess of joy Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n So spake th' Apostate Angel though in pain Vaunting aloud but rackt with deep despare And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer O Prince O Chief of many Throned Powers That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr Under thy conduct and in dreadful deeds Fearless endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King And put to proof his high Supremacy Whether upheld by strength or Chance or Fate Too well I see and rue the dire event That with sad overthrow and foul defeat Hath lost us Heav'n and all this mighty Host In horrible destruction laid thus low As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences Can Perish for the mind and spirit remains Invincible and vigour soon returns Though all our Glory extinct and happy 〈◊〉 Here swallow'd up in endless misery But what if he our Conquerour whom I now Of force believe Almighty since no less Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours Have left us this our spirit and strength intire Strongly to suffer and support our pains That we may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his vengeful ire Or do hâ—… 〈◊〉 service as 〈◊〉 thralls By right of Waâ—… what e're his business be Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep What can it then avail though yet we feel Strength undiminisht or eternal being To undergo eternal punishment Whereto with speedy words th'Arch-fiend reply'd Fall'n Cherube to be weak is miserable Doing or Suffering but of this be sure To do ought good never will be our task But ever to do ill our sole delight As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good Our labour must be â—…o peâ—…vert that end And out of good still to find means of evil Which oft times may succeed so as perhaps Shall grieve him if I fail not and disturb His iâ—…st counsels from their destind pursuit But see the 〈◊〉 Victor hath recall'd His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit Back to the Gaâ—… of Heav'n The Sulphurous Hail Shot after us in storm oreblown â—…h laid The fiery Suâ—… that from the Precipice Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling and the Thunder Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage Perhaps hath spent his shasts and ceases now To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep Let us not slip th' occasion whether scorn Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe Seest thou yon dreary Plain forlorn and wilde The seat of desolation voyd of light Save what the glimmering of these livid flâ—…s Casts pale and dreadful Thither let us tend From off the tossing of these fiery waves There rest if any rest can harbour there And reassembling our
asflicted Powers Consult how we may henceforth most offend Our Enemy our own loss how repair How overcome this dire Calamity What reinforcement we may gain from Hope If not what resolution from despare Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate With Head up-lift above the wave and Eyes That sparkling blaz'd his other Parts besides Prone on the Flood extended long and large Lay floating many a rood in bulk as huge As whom the Fables name of monstrous size Titanian or Earth-born that warr'd on Jove Briarios or Typhon whom the Den By ancient Tâ—…sus held or that Sea-beast Leviathan which God of all his works Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream Him haply slumbring on the Norway foam The Pilot of some small night founder'd Skiff Deeming some Island oft as Sea men tell With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind Moors by his side under the Lee while Night Invests the Sea and wished Morn delayes So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay Chain'd on the burning Lake nor ever thence Had ris'n or heav'd his head but that the will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven Left him at large to his own dark designs That with reiterated crimes he might Heap on himself damnation while he sought Evil to others and enrag'd might see How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth Infinite goodness grace and mercy shewn On Man by him seduc't but on himself Treble confusion wrath and vengeance pour'd Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool His mighty Stature on each hand the flames Drivn backward slope their pointing spires rowld In billows leave i' th' midst a horrid Vale. Then with expanded wings he stears his flight Aloft incumbent on the dusky Air That felt unusual weight till on dry Land He lights if it were Land that ever burn'd With solid as the Lake with liquid fire And such appear'd in hue as when the force Of subterranean wind transports a Hill Torn from Pelorus or the shatter'd side Of thundring Aetna whose combustible And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire Sublim'd with Mineral fury aid the Winds And leave a singed bottom all involv'd With stench and smoak Such resting found the sole Of unblest feet Him followed his next Mate Both glorying to have scap't the Stygian flood As Gods and by their own recover'd strength Not by the sufferance of supernal Power Is this the Region this the Soil the Clime Said then the lost Arch Angel this the seat That we must change for Heav'n this mournful gloom For that celestial light Be it so since hee Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid What shall be right fardest from him is best Whom reason hath equald force hath made supream Above his equals Farewel happy Fields Where Joy for ever dwells Hail horrours hail Infernal world and thou profoundest Hell Receive thy new Possessor One who brings A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time The mind is its own place and in it self Can make a Heav'n of Hell a Hell of Heav'n What matter where if I be still the same And what I should be all but less then hee Whom Thunder hath made greater Here at least We shall be free th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy will not drive us hence Here we may reign secure and in my choyce To reign is worth ambition though in Hell Better to reign in Hell then serve in Heav'n But wherefore let we then our faithful friends Th' associates and copartners of our loss Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool And call them not to share with us their part In this unhappy Mansion or once more With rallied Arms to try what may be yet Regaind in Heav'n or what more lost in Hell So Satan spake and him Bëëlzebub Thus answer'd Leader of those Armies bright Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld If once they hear that voyce their liveliest pledge Of hope in fears and dangers heard so oft In worst extreams and on the perilous edge Of battel when it rag'd in all assaults Their surest signal they will soon resume New courage and revive though now they lye Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire As we erewhile astounded and amaz'd No wonder fall'n such a pernicious highth He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend Was moving toward the shore his ponderous shield Ethereal temper massy large and round Behind him cast the broad circumference Hung on his shoulders like the Moon whose Orb Through Optic Glass the Tuscan Artist views At Ev'ning from the top of Fesole Or in Valdarno to descâ—…y new Lands Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe His Spear to equal which the tallest Pine Hewn on Norwegian hills to be the Mast Of some great Aâ—…miral were but a wand He walkt with to support uneasie steps Over the burning Marle not like those steps On Heavens Azure and the torrid Clime Smote on him sore besides vaulted with Fire Nathless he so endur'd till on the Beach Of that inflamed Sea he stood and call'd His Legions Angel Forms who lay intrans't Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks In Vallombrasa where th' Etrurian shades High overarch't imbowr or scatterd sedge Afloat when with fierce Winds Orion arm'd Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast whose waves orethrew Busiris and his Memphian Chivalrie VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd The Sojourners of Goshen who beheld From the safe shore their floating Carkases And broken Chariot VVheels so thick bestrown Abject and lost lay these covering the Flood Under amazement of their hideous change He call'd so loud that all the hollow Deep Of Hell resounded Princes Potentates Warriers the Flowr of Heav'n once yours now lost If such astonishment as this can sieze Eternal spirits or have ye chos'n this place After the toyl of Battel to repose Your wearied vertue for the ease you find To slumber here as in the Vales of Heav'n Or in this abject posture have ye sworn To adore the Conquerour who now beholds Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns till anon His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern Th' advantage and descending tread us down Thus drooping or with linked Thunderbolts Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe Awake arise or be for ever fall'n They heard and were abasht and up they sprung Upon the wing as when men wont to watch On duty sleeping found by whom they dread Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake Nor did they not perceave the evil plight In which they were or the fierce pains not feel Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd Innumerable As when the potent â—…od Of Amrams Son in Egypts evill day Wav'd round the Coast up call'd a pitchy cloud Of Locusts warping on the Eastern Wind That ore the Realm of impious Pharaoh hung Like Night and darken'd all the Land of Nile So numberless were those bad Angels seen Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell 'Twixt upper nether and
surrounding Fires Till as a signal giv'n th' uplifted Spear Of their great Sultan waving to direct Thir course in even ballance down they light On the firm brimstone and fill all the Plain A multitude like which the populous North Pour'd never from her frozen loyns to pass Rhene or the Danaw when her barbarous Sons Came like a Deluge on the South and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood Their great Commander Godlike shapes and forms Excelling human Princely Dignities And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now Be no memorial blotted out and ras'd By thir Rebellion from the Books of Life Nor had they yet among the Sons of Eve Got them new Names till wandring ore the Earth Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man By falsities and lyes the greatest part Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake God their Creator and th' invisible Glory of him that made them to transform Oft to the Image of a Brute adorn'd With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold And Devils to adore for Deities Then were they known to men by various Names And various Idols through the Heathen World Say Muse their Names then known who first who last Rous'd from the slumber on that fiery Couch At thir great Emperors call as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell Roaming to seek their prey on earth durst fix Their Seats long after next the Seat of God Their Altars by his Altar Gods ador'd Among the Nations round and durst abide Jehovah thundring out of Sion thron'd Between the Cherubim yea often plac'd Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines Abominations and with cursed things His holy Rites and solemn Feasts profan'd And with their darkness durst affront his light First Moloch horrid King besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice and parents tears Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud Their childrens cries unheard that past through fire To his grim Idol Him the Ammonite Worshipt in Rabba and her watry Plain In Argob and in Basan to the stream Of utmost Arnon Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood the wisest heart Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His Temple right against the Temple of God On that opprobrious Hill and made his Grove The pleasant Vally of Hinnom Tophet thence And black Gehenna call'd the Type of Hell Next Chemos th' obscene dread of Moabs Sons From Aroer to Nebo and the wild Of Southmost Abarim in Hesebon And Heronaim Seons Realm beyond The flowry Dale of Sibma clad with Vines And Eleale to th' Asphaltick Pool Peor his other Name when he entic'd Israel in Sittim on their march from Nile To do him wanton rites which cost them woe Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd Even to that Hill of scandal by the Grove Of Moloch homicide lust hard by hate Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell With these came they who from the bordring slood Of old Euphrates to the Brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground had general Names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth those male These Feminine For Spirits when they please Can either Sex assume or both so soft And uncompounded is their Essence pure Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones Like cumbrous flesh but in what shape they choose Dilated or condens't bright or obscure Can execute their aerie purposes And works of love or enmity fulfill For those the Race of Israel oft forsook Their living strength and unfrequented left His righteous Altar bowing lowly down To bestial Gods for which their heads as low Bow'd down in Battel sunk before the Spear Of despicable foes With these in troop Came Astoreth whom the Phoenicians call'd Astarte Queen of Heav'n with crescent Horns To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon Sidonian Virgins paid their Vows and Songs In Sion also not unsung where stood Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain built By that uxorious King whose heart though large Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses fell To Idols foul Thammuz came next behind Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'd The Syrian Damsels to lament his fate In amorous dittyes all a Summers day While smooth Adonis from his native Rock Ran purple to the Sea suppos'd with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded the Love-tale Infected Sions daughters with like heat Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch Ezekiel saw when by the Vision led His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries Of alienated Judah Next came one Who mourn'd in earnest when the Captive Ark Maim'd his brute Image head and hands lopt off In his own Temple on the grunsel edge Where he fell flat and sham'd his Worshipers Dagon his Name Sea Monster upward Man And downward Fish yet had his Temple high Rear'd in Azotus dreaded through the Coast Of Palestine in Gath and Ascalon And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds Him follow'd Rimmon whose delightful Seat Was fair Damascus on the fertil Banks Of Abbana and Pharphar lucid streams He also against the house of God was bold A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King Ahaz his sottish Conquerour whom he drew Gods Altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode whereon to burn His odious offrings and adore the Gods Whom he had vanquisht After these appear'd A crew who under Names of old Renown Osiris Isis Orus and their Train With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Fanatic Egypt and her Priests to seek Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms Rather then human Nor did Israel scape Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd The Calf in Orcb and the Rebel King Doubl'd that sin in Bethel and in Dan Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox Jehovah who in one Night when he pass'd From Egypt marching equal'd with one stroke Both her first born and all her bleating Gods Belial came last then whom a Spirit more lewd Fell not from Heaven or more gross to love Vice for it self To him no Temple stood Or Altar smoak'd yet who more oft then hee In Temples and at Altars when the Priest Turns Atheist as did Ely's Sons who fill'd With lust and violence the house of God In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities where the noyse Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs And injury and outrage And when Night Darkens the Streets then wander forth the Sons Of Belial flown with insolence and wine Witness the Streets of Sodom and that night In Gibeah when hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape These were the prime in order and in might The rest were long to tell though far renown'd Th' Ionian Gods of Javans Issue held Gods yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth Thir boasted Parents Titan Heav'ns first born With his
ambitioâ—…s mind Will coveâ—… more With this advantage then To union and â—…rm Faith and firm accord More then can be in 〈◊〉 we now return To claim our just 〈◊〉 of old Surer to prosper then prosperity Could have assur'd us and by what best way Whether of open Warr or covâ—…t guile We now 〈◊〉 who can advise may speak He 〈◊〉 and next him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King Stood up the strongest and the fiâ—…rcest Spirit That fought in Heav'n now fiercer by despair His truâ—… was with 〈◊〉 Eternal to be deem'd Equal in strength and rather then be less Caâ—…'d not to be at all with that carâ—… lost Went all his â—…ear of God or Hell or worse He reckd not â—…nd these words thereafter â—…ake My sentence is for open Warr Of Wiles More unexpert I boast not them let those Contrive who need or when they need not now For while they sit coâ—…iving shall the rest Millions that stand in Arms and longing wait The Signal to ascend sâ—…t 〈◊〉 â—…re Heav'ns fugitives and for thir dwelling place Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame The Prison of his 〈◊〉 who Reigâ—…s By our delay 〈◊〉 no let us rather chooâ—…e Arm'd with Heâ—…â—…ames and fury all at once O're Heav'ns high Towrs to force reâ—…less way Turniâ—…g our Toâ—…ures into horrid Arms Against the Toâ—…urer when to meet the noise Of his Almighty 〈◊〉 â—…e 〈◊〉 â—…ear Infernal Thâ—…der and â—…or Lightning â—…ee Black fire and horror shot with equal rage Among his Angels and his Throne it self Mixt with Tartareaâ—… 〈◊〉 and â—…range â—…re His own invented 〈◊〉 But perhaps The way seems difficult and steep to seale With upright wing against a higher â—…oe Let such bethink them if the sleepy drench Of that 〈◊〉 Lake 〈◊〉 not still That in our proper motion we aâ—…cend Up to our native seat descent and fall To us is adverse Who â—…ut felt of late When the 〈◊〉 Foe 〈◊〉 on our 〈◊〉 Rear Insulting and 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 the Deep We sunk thus low 〈◊〉 aâ—…cent is eaâ—…e then Th' event is fear'd should we again provoke Our stronger some worse way his wrath may find To our destruction if there be in Hell Fear to be worse destroy'd what can be worse Then to dwell here driv'n out from bliss condemn'd In this abhorred deep to utter woe Where pain of unextinguishable fire Must exercise us without hope of end The Vassals of his anger when the Scourge Inexorably and the torturing houre Calls us to Penance More destroy'd then thus We should be quite abolisht and expire What fear we then what doubt we to incense His utmost ire which to the highth enrag'd Will either quite consume us and reduce To nothing this essential happier farr Then miserable to have eternal being Or if our substance be indeed Divine And cannot cease to be we are at worst On this side nothing and by proof we feel Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme Though inaccessible his fatal Throne Which if not Victory is yet Revenge He ended frowning and his look denounc'd Desperate revenge and Battel dangerous To less then Gods On th' other side up rose Belial in act more graceful and humane A fairer person lost not Heav'n he seemd For dignity compos'd and high exploit But all was false and hollow though his Tongue Dropt Manna and could make the worse appear The better reason to perplex and dash Maturest Counsels for his thoughts were low To vice industrious but to Nobler deeds Timorous and slothful yet he pleas'd the eare And with perswasive accent thus began I should be much for open Warr O Peers As not behind in hate if what was urg'd Main reason to perswade immediate Warr Did not disswade me most and seem to cast Ominous conjecture on the whole success When he who most excels in fact of Arms In what he counsels and in what excels Mistrustful grounds his courage on despair And utter dissolution as the scope Of all his aim after some dire revenge First what Râ—…ge the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'd With Armed watch that render all access Impregnable oft on the bordering Deep Encamp thiâ—… Legions or with obscure wing Scoâ—… farr and wide into the Realm of night Scorning surprize Or could we break our way By force and at our heels all Hell should riâ—…e With blackest Insurrection to confound Heav'ns purest Light yet our great Enemie All incorruptible would on his 〈◊〉 Sit unpolluted and th' 〈◊〉 mould Incapable of stain would soon expel Her mischief and purge off the baser fire Victorious Thus repuls'd our final hope Is flat despair we must exasâ—…e Th' Almighty Victor to spend all his 〈◊〉 And that must end us that must be our cure To be no more 〈◊〉 cure for who would loose Though full of pain this intelleâ—… being Those thoughts that wander through Eternity To perish rather swallowd up and lost In the wide wâ—…mb of uncreated night Devoid of 〈◊〉 and motion and who knows Let this be good whether our anâ—…y Foe Can give it or will ever how he can Is doubtful that he never will is sure Will he so wise let looâ—…e at once his 〈◊〉 Belike through impoâ—… or 〈◊〉 To give his Enemies 〈◊〉 wish and 〈◊〉 Them in his anger whom his anger 〈◊〉 To punish endleâ—… wherefore 〈◊〉 we then What can we 〈◊〉 worse is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus 〈◊〉 thâ—… consulting thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Should intermitted vengeance Aâ—…me agaâ—…n His red right hand to plaguâ—… wâ—…at iâ—…â—…ll Impendent horrors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One day upon our heads while we perhaps Designing or exhorting glorious Warr Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl'd Each on his rock transfixt the sport and prey Of racking whirlwinds or for ever sunk Under yon boyling Ocean wrapt in Chains There to converse with everlasting groans Unrespited unpitied unrepreevd Ages of hopeless end this would be worse Warr therefore open or conceal'd alike My voice disswades for what can force or guile With him or who deceive his mind whose eye Views all things at one view he from heav'ns highth All these our motions vain sees and derides Not more Almighty to resist our might Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles Shall we then live thus vile the race of Heav'n Thus trampl'd thus expell'd to suffer here Chains these Torâ—…ents better these then worse By my advice since fate inevitable Subdues us and Omnipotent Decree The Victors will To suffer as to doe Our strength is equal nor the Law unjust That so ordains this was at first resolv'd If we were wise against so great a foe Contending and so doubtful what might fall I laugh when those who at the Spear are bold And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if that fail them shrink and fear What yet they know must follow to endure Exile or ignominy or bonds or pain The sentence of thir 〈◊〉 This is now Our doom which if we can sustain and bear Our Supream Foe in time may much remit His anger and
Sons Hurl'd headlong to partake with us shall curse Thir frail Originals and faded bliss Faded so soon Advise if this be worth Attempting or to sit in darkness here Hatching vain Empires Thus Beelzebub Pleaded his devilish Counsel first devis'd By Sâ—…tan and in part propos'd for whence But from the Author of all ill could Spring So deep a malice to confound the race Of mankind in one root and Earth with Hell To mingle and involve done all to spite The great Creatour But thir spite still serves His glory to augment The bold design Pleas'd highly those infernal States and joy Sparkl'd in all thir eyes with full assent They vote whereat his speech he thus renews Well have ye judg'd well ended long debate Synod of Gods and like to what ye are Great things resolv'd which from the lowest deep Will once more lift us up in spight of Fate Neerer our ancient Seat perhaps in view Of those bright confines whence with neighbâ—…uring Arms And opportune excursion we may chance Re-enter Heav'n or else in some milde Zone Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light Secure and at the brightning Oâ—…ient beam Purge off this gloom the soft delicious Air To heal the â—…earr of these corrosive Fires Shall breath her balme But first whom shall we send In search of this new world whom shall we find Sufficient who shall tempt with wandring feet The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss And through the palpable obscure find out His uncouth way or spread his aerie flight Upborn with indefatigable wings Over the vast abrupt ere he arrive The happy I le what strength what art can then Suffice or what evasion bear him safe Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick Of Angels watching round Here he had need All circumspection and we now no less Choice in our suffrage for on whom we send The weight of all and our last hope relies This said he sat and expectation held His look suspence awaiting who appeer'd To second or oppose or undertake The perilous attempt but all sat mute Pondering the danger with deep thoughts each In others count'nance red his own dismay Astonisht none among the choice and prime Of those Heav'n-warring Champions could be found So hardie as to proffer or accept Alone the dreadful voyage till at last Satan whom now 〈◊〉 glory 〈◊〉 Above his fellows with Monarchal pride Conscious of highest worth unmov'd thus spake O Progeny of Heav'n Empyreal Thrones With reason hath deep silence and demurâ—… Seis'd us though undismaid long is the way And hard that out of Hell leads up to Light Our prison strong this huge convex of Fire Outrageous to devour immures us round Ninefold and gates of burning Adamant Barr'd over us prohibit all egress These past if any pass the void profound Of unessential Night receives him next Wide gaping and with utter loâ—…s of being Threatens him plung'd in that abortive gulf If thence he scape into what ever world Or unknown Region what remains him less Then unknown dangers and as hard escape But I should ill become this Throne O Peers And this Imperial Sov'ranty adorn'd With splendor arm'd with power if aught propos'd And judg'd of public moment in the shape Of difficulty or danger could deterre Me from attempting Wherefore do I assume These Royalties and not refuse to Reign Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of honour due alike To him who Reigns and so much to him due Of hazard more as he above the rest High honourd sits Go therfore mighty powers Terror of Heav'n though fall'n intend at home While here shall be our home what best may ease The present misery and render Hell More tollerâ—…ble if there be cure or charm To respite or deceive or slack the pain Of this ill Mansion intermit no watch Against a wakeful Foe while I abroad Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek Deliverance for us all this enterprize None shall partake with me Thus saying rose The Monarch and prevented all reply Prudent least from his resolution rais'd Others among the chief might offer now Certain to be refus'd what erst they feard And so refus'd might in opinion stand His rivals winning cheap the high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn But they Dreaded not more th' adventure then his voice Forbidding and at once with him they rose Thir rising all at once was as the sound Of Thunder heard remote Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone and as a God Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd That for the general safety he despis'd His own for neither do the Spirits damn'd Loose all thir vertue least bad men should boast Thir specious deeds on earth which glory excites Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds Ascending while the North wind sleeps o'respread Heav'ns chearful face the lowring Element Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow or showre If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet Extend his ev'ning beam the fields revive The birds thir notes renew and bleating herds Attest thir joy that hill and valley rings O shame to men Devil with Devil damn'd Firm concord holds men onely disagree Of Creatures rational though under hope Of heavenly Grace and God 〈◊〉 peace Yet live in hatred enmitie and strife Among themselves and levie cruel warres Wasting the Earth each other to destroy As if which might induce us to accord Man had not hellish foes anow besides That day and night for his destruction waite The Stygian Councel thus dissolv'd and forth In order came the grand 〈◊〉 Peers Midst came thir mighty Paramount and seemd Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n nor less Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream And God-like imitated State him round A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'd With bright imblazonrie and horrent Arms. Then of thir Session ended they bid cry With Trumpets regal sound the great result Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim Put to thir mouths the sounding 〈◊〉 By Haralds voice explain'd the 〈◊〉 Abyss Heard farr and wide and all the host of Hell With deafning shout return'd them loud acclaim Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'd By false presumptuous hope the ranged powers Disband and wandring each his several way Pursues as inclination or sad choice Leads him perplext where he may likeliest 〈◊〉 Truce to his restless thoughts and entertain The irksome hours till his great Chief return Part on the Plain or in the Air sublime Upon the wing or in swift race contend As at th' Olympian Games or Pythian fields Part curb thir fierie Steeds or shun the Goal With rapid wheels or fronted Brigads form As when to warn proud Cities warr appears Wag'd in the troubl'd Skie and Armies rush To Battel in the Clouds before each Van Priâ—… forth the Aerie
more endanger'd then when Argo pass'd Through Bosporus betwixt the 〈◊〉 Rocks Or when 〈◊〉 on the Larbord 〈◊〉 Charybdis and by th' other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So he with difficulty and labour hard Mov'd on with difficulty and labour hee But hee once past soon after when man fell Strange alteration Sin and Death amain Following his track such was the will of Heav'n Pav'd after him a broad and beat'n way Over the dark 〈◊〉 whose boiling Gulf Taâ—…ely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe Of this frail World by which the Spirits perverse With easie intercourse pass to and â—…ro To tempt or punish mortals except whom God and good Angels guard by special grace But now at last the sacred influence Of light appears and from the walls of Heav'n Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night A glimmering dawn here Nature first begins Her fardest verge and Chaos to retire As from her outmost works a brok'n foe With tumult less and with less hostile din That Satan with less toil and now with ease Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds Gladly the Port though Shrouds and Tackle torn Or in the emptier waste resembling Air Weighs his spread wings at leasure to be hold Farr off th' Empyreal Heav'n extended wide In circuit undetermind square or round With Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn'd Of living Saphire once his native Seat And fast by hanging in a golden Chain This pendant world in bigness as a Starr Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge Accurst and in a cursed hour he hies The End of the Second Book PARADISE LOST BOOK III. HAil holy light ofspring of Heav'n first-born Or of th' Eternal Coeternal beam May I express thee unblam'd since God is light And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from Eternitie dwelt then in thee Bright esfluence of bright essence increate Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream Whose Fountain who shall tell before the Sun Before the Heavens thou wert and at the voice Of God as with a Mantle didst invest The rising world of waters dark and deep Won from the void and formless infinite Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing Escap't the Stygian Pool though long detain'd In that obscure sojourn while in my flight Through utter and through middle darkness borne With other notes then to th' Orphean Lyre I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down The dark descent and up to reascend Though hard and rare thee I revisit safe And â—…eel thy sovran vital Lamp but thou Revisit'st not these eyes that rowle in vain To find thy piercing ray and find no dawn So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs Or dim suffusion veild Yet not the more Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt Cleer Spring or shadie Grove or Sunnie Hill Smit with the love of sacred song but chief Thee Sion and the flowrie Brooks beneath That wash thy hallowd feet and warbling flow Nightly I visit nor somtimes forget Those other two equal'd with me in Fate So were I equal'd with them in renown Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonides And Tiresias and Phineus Prophets old Then feed on thoughts that voluntarie move Harmonious numbers as the wakeful Bird Sings darkling and in shadiest Covert hid Tunes her nocturnal Note Thus with the Year Seasons return but not to me returns Day or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn Or sight of vernal bloom or Summers Rose Or flocks or herds or human face divine But cloud in stead and ever during dark Surrounds me from the chearful waies of men Cut off and for the Book of knowledg fair Presented with a Universal blanc Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out So much the rather thou Celestial light Shine inward and the mind through all her powers Irradiate there plant eyes all mist from thence Purge and disperse that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal fight Now had the Almighty Father from above From the pure Empyrean where he sits High Thron'd above all highth bent down his eye His own works and their works at once to view About him all the Sanctities of Heaven Stood thick as Starrs and from his sight receiv'd Beatitude past utterance on his right The radiant image of his Glory sat His onely Son On Earth he first beheld Our two first Parents yet the onely two Of mankind in the happie Garden plac't Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love Uninterrupted joy unrivald love In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he then survey'd Hell and the Gulf between and Satan there Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night In the dun Air sublime and ready now To stoop with 〈◊〉 wings and willing feet On the bare outside of this World that seem'd Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament Uncertain which in Ocean or in Air. Him God beholding from his prospect high Wherein past present future he beholds Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake Onely begotten Son seest thou what rage â—…ransports our adversarie whom no bounds Prescrib'd no barrs of Hell nor all the chains Heapt on him there nor yet the main Abyss Wide interrupt can hold so bent he seems On desperat revenge that shall redound Upon his own rebellious head And now Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way Not farr off Heav'n in the Precincts of light Directly towards the new created World And Man there plac't with purpose to assay If him by force he can destroy or worse By som false guile pervert and shall pervert For man will heark'n to his glozing lyes And easily transgress the sole Command Sole pledge of his obedience So will fall Hee and his faithless Progenie whose fault Whose but his own ingrate he had of mee All he could have I made him just and right Sufficient to have stood though free to fall Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers And Spirits both them who stood them who faild Freely they stood who stood and fell who fell Not free what proof could they have givn sincere Of true allegiance constant Faith or Love Where onely what they needs must do appeard Not what they would what praise could they receive What pleasure I from such obedience paid When Will and Reason Reason also is choice Useless and vain of freedom both despoild Made passive both had servd necessitie Not mee They therefore as to right belongd So were created nor can justly accuse Thir maker or thir making or thir Fate As if Predestination over-rul'd Thir will dispos'd by absolute Decree Or high foreknowledge they themselves decreed Thir own revolt not I if I foreknew Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown So without least impulse or shadow of Fate Or aught by me immutablie foreseen They trespass Authors to themselves in all
or liveless to be found was none None yet but store hereafter from the earth Up hither like Aereal vapours flew Of all things transitorie and vain when Sin With vanity had filld the works of men Both all things vain and all who in vain thiâ—…s Built thir fond hopes of Glorie or lasting fame Or happiness in this or th' other life All who have thir reward on Earth the fruits Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal Naught seeking but the praise of men here find Fit retribution emptie as thir deeds All th' unaccomplisht works of Natures hand Abortive monstrous or unkindly mixt Dissolvd on earth fleet hither and in vain Till final dissolution wander here Not in the neighbouring Moon as some have dreamd Those argent Fields more likely habitants Translated Saints or middle Spirits hold Betwixt th' Angelical and Human kinde Hither of ill-joynd Sons and Daughters born First from the ancient World those Giants came With many a vain exploit though then renownd The builders next of Babel on the Plain Of Sennaar and still with vain designe New Babels had they wherewithall would build Others came single hee who to be deemd A God leap'd fondly into Aetna flames Empedocles and hee who to enjoy Plato's Elysium leap'd into the Sea Cleombrotus and many more too long Embryo's and Idiots Eremits and Friers White Black and Grey with all thir trumperie Here Pilgrims roam that stray'd so farr to seek In Golgotha him dead who lives in Heav'n And they who to be sure of Paradise Dying put on the weeds of Doâ—…nic Or in â—…anciscan think to pass disguis'd They pass the Planets seven and pass the fixt And that Crystalline Sphear whose ballance weighs The Trepidation talkt and that first mov'd And now Saint Reter at Heav'ns Wicket seems To wait them with his Keys and now at foot Of Heav'ns ascent they lift thir Feet when loe A violent cross wind from either Coast Blows them transverse ten thousand Leagues awry Into the devious Air then might ye see Cowles Hoods and Habits with thir wearers tost And flutterd into Raggs then Reliques Beads Indulgences Dispenses Pardons Bulls The sport of Winds all these upwhirld aloft Fly o're the backside of the World farr off Into a Limbo large and broad since calld The Paradise of Fools to few unknown Long after now unpeopl'd and untrod All this dark Globe the Fiend found as he pass'd And long he wanderd till at last a gleame Of dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste His travell'd steps farr distant hee descries Ascending by degrees magnificent Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high At top whereof but farr more rich appeerd The work as of a Kingly Palace Gate With Frontispice of Diamond and Gold Imbellisht thick with sparkling orient Gemmes The Portal shon inimitable on Earth By Model or by shading Pencil drawn The Stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw Angels ascending and descending bandâ—… Of Guardians bright when he from Esau â—…d To Padan-Aram in the field of Luz Dreaming by night under the open Skie And waking cri'd This is the Gate of Heav'n Each Stair mysteriously was meant nor stood There alwaies but drawn up to Heav'n somtimes Viewless and underneath a bright Sea flow'd Of Jasper or of liquid Pearle whereon Who after came from Earth sayling arriv'd Wafted by Angels or flew o're the Lake Rapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds The Stairs were then let down whether to dare The Fiend by easie ascent or aggravate His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss Direct against which op'nd from beneath Just o're the blissful seat of Paradise A passage down to th' Earth a passage wide Wider by farr then that of after-times Over Mount Sion and though that were large Over the Promis'd Land to God so dear By which to visit oft those happy Tribes On high behests his Angels to and fâ—…o Pass'd frequent and his eye with choice regard From Paneus the sount of Jordans flood To Bëersaba where the Holy Land Borders on Aegypt and the Arabian shoare So wide the op'ning seemd where bounds were set To darkness such as bound the Ocean wave Satan from hence now on the lower stair That scal'd by steps of Gold to Heav'n Gate Looks down with wonder at the sudden view Of all this World at once As when a Scout Through dark and desart wayes with peril gone All night at last by break of chearful dawne Obtains the brow of some high climbing Hill Which to his eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of some forein land First seen or some renownd Metropolis With glistering Spires and Pinnacles adornd Which now the Rising Sun guilds with his beams Such wonder seis'd though after Heaven seen The Spirit maligne but much more envy seis'd At sight of all this World beheld so faire Round he surveys and well might where he stood So high above the circling Canopie Of Nights extended shade from Eastern Point Of Libra to the fleecie Starr that bears Andromeda farr off Atlantick Seas Beyond th' Horizon then from Pole to Pole He views in bredth and without longer pause Down right into the Worlds first Region throws His flight precipitant and windes with ease Through the pure marble Air his oblique way Amongst innumerable Starrs that shon Stars distant but nigh hand seemd other Worlds Or other Worlds they seemd or happy Iles Like those Hesperian Gardens fam'd of old Fortunate Fields and Groves and flourie Vales Thrice happy Iles but who dwelt happy there He stayd not to enquire above them all The golden Sun in splendor likest Heaven Allur'd his eye Thither his course he bends Through the calm Firmament but up or downe By center or eccentric hard to tell Or Longitude where the great Luminarie Alooff the vulgar Constellations thick That from his Lordly eye keep distance due Dispenses Light from farr they as they move Thir Sarry dance in numbers that compute Days months and years towards his all-chearing Lamp Turn swift their various motions or are turnd By his Magnetic beam that gently warms The Univers and to each inward part With gentle penetration though unseen Shoots invisible vertue even to the deep So wondrously was set his Station bright There lands the Fiend a spot like which perhaps Aftronomer in the Sun 's lucent Orbe Through his glaz'd Optic Tube yet never saw The place he found beyond expression bright Compar'd with aught on Earth Medal or Stone Not all parts like but all alike informd Which radiant light as glowing Iron with fire If mettal part seemd Gold part Silver cleer If stone Carbuncle most or Chrysolite Rubie or Topaz to the Twelve that shon In Aarons Brest-plate and a stone besides Imagind rather oft then elsewhere seen That stone or like to that which here below Philosophers in vain so long have sought In vain though by thir powerful Art they binde Volatil Hermes and call up unbound In various shapes old Proteus from the Sea Draind through a Limbec to his
Juno smiles when he impregns the Clouds That shed May Flowers and press'd her Matron lip With kisses pure aside the Devil turnd For envie yet with jealous leer maligne Ey'd them askance and to himself thus plaind Sight hateful sight tormenting thus these two Imparadis't in one anothers arms The happier Eden shall enjoy thir fill Of bliss on bliss while I to Hell am thrust Where neither joy nor love but 〈◊〉 desire Among our other torments not the least Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd From thir own mouths all is not theirs it seems One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call'd Forbidden them to taste Knowledge forbidd'n Suspicious reasonless Why should thir Lord Envie them that can it be sin to know Can it be death and do they onely stand By Ignorance is that thir happie state The proof of thir obedience and thir faith O fair foundation laid whereon to build Thir ruine Hence I will excite thir minds With more desire to know and to reject Envious commands invented with designe To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt Equal with Gods aspiring to be such They taste and die what likelier can ensue But first with narrow search I must walk round This Garden and no corner leave unspi'd A chance but chance may lead where I may meet Some wandring Spirit of Heav'n by Fountain 〈◊〉 Or in thick shade retir'd from him to draw What further would be learnt Live while ye may Yet happie pair enjoy till I return Short pleasures for long woes are to succeed So saying his proud step he scornful turn'd But with sly circumspection and began Through wood through waste o're hil o're dale his roam Mean while in utmost Longitude where Heav'n With Earth and Ocean meets the setting Sun Slowly descended and with right aspect Against the eastern Gate of Paradise Leveld his eevning Rayes it was a Rock Of Alablaster pil'd up to the Clouds Conspicuous farr winding with one ascent Accessible from Earth one entrance high The rest was craggie cliff that overhung Still as it rose impossible to climbe Betwixt these rockie Pillars Gabriel 〈◊〉 Chief of th' Angelic Guards awaiting night About him exercis'd Heroic Games Th' unarmed Youth of Heav'n but nigh at hand Celestial Armourie Shields Helmes and Speares Hung high with Diamond flaming and with Gold Thither came Uriel gliding through the Eeven On a Sun beam swift as a shooting Starr In Autumn thwarts the night when vapors fir'd Impress the Air and shews the Mariner From what point of his Compass to beware Impetuous winds he thus began in haste Gabriel to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv'n Charge and strict watch that to this happie place No evil thing approach or enter in This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare A Spirit zealous as he seem'd to know More of th' Almighties works and chiefly Man Gods latest Image I describ'd his way Bent all on speed and markt his Aerie Gate But in the Mount that lies from Eden North Where he first lighted soon discernd his looks Alien from Heav'n with passions foul obscur'd Mine eye pursu'd him still but under shade Lost sight of him one of the banisht crew I fear hath ventur'd from the deep to raise New troubles him thy care must be to find To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd Uriel no wonder if thy perfet sight Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst See farr and wide in at this Gate none pass The vigilance here plac't but such as come Well known from Heav'n and since Meridian hour No Creature thence if Spirit of other sort So minded have oreleapt these earthie bounds On purpose hard thou knowst it to exclude Spiritual substance with corporeal barr But if within the circuit of these walks In whatsoever shape he lurk of whom Thou telst by morrow dawning I shall know So promis'd hee and Uriel to his charge Returnd on that bright beam whose point now raisd Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall'n Beneath th' Azores whither the prime Orb Incredible how swift had thither rowl'd Diurnal or this less volubil Earth By shorter flight to th' East had left him there Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend Now came still Eevning on and Twilight gray Had in her sober Liverie all things clad Silence accompanied for Beast and Bird They to thir grassie Couch these to thir Nests Were slunk all but the wakeful Nightingale She all night long her amorous descant sung Silence was pleas'd now glow'd the Firmament With living Saphirs Hesperus that led The starrie Host rode brightest till the Moon Rising in clouded Majestie at length Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light And o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw When Adam thus to Eve Fair Consort th' hour Of night and all things now retir'd to rest Mind us of like repose since God hath set Labour and rest as day and night to men Successive and the timely dew of sleep Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines Our eye-lids other Creatures all day long Rove idle unimploid and less need rest Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed which declares his Dignitie And the regard of Heav'n on all his waies While other Animals unactive range And of thir doings God takes no account To morrow ere fresh Morning streak the East With first approach of light we must be ris'n And at our pleasant labour to reform Yon flourie Arbors yonder Allies green Our walks at noon with branches overgrown That mock our scant manuring and require More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth Those Blossoms also and those dropping Gumms That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth Ask riddance if we mean to tread with ease Mean while as Nature wills Night bids us rest To whom thus Eve with perfet beauty adornd My Author and Disposer what thou bidst Unargu'd I obey so God ordains God is thy Law thou mine to know no more Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise With thee conversing I forget all time All seasons and thir change all please alike Sweet is the breath of morn her rising sweet With charm of earliest Birds pleasant the Sun When first on this delightful Land he spreads His orient Beams on herb tree fruit and flour Glistring with dew fragrant the fertil earth After soft showers and sweet the coming on Of grateful Eevning milde then silent Night With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon And these the Gemms of Heav'n her starrie train But neither breath of Morn when she ascends With charm of earliest Birds nor rising Sun On this delightful land nor herb fruit floure Glistring with dew nor fragrance after showers Nor grateful Evening mild nor silent Night With this her solemn Bird nor walk by Moon Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet But wherfore all night long shine these for whom This glorious sight when
sleep hath shut all eyes To whom our general Ancestor repli'd Daughter of God and Man accomplisht Eve Those have thir course to finish round the Earth By morrow Eevning and from Land to Land In order though to Nations yet unborn Ministring light prepar'd they set and rise Least total darkness should by Night regaine Her old possession and extinguish life In Nature and all things which these soft fires Not only enlighten but with kindly heate Of various influence foment and warme Temper or nourish or in part shed down Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow On Earth made hereby apter to receive Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray. These then though unbeheld in deep of night Shine not in vain nor think though men were none That heav'n would want spectators God want praise Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth Unseen both when we wake and when we sleep All these with ceasless praise his works behold Both day and night how often from the steep Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air Sole or responsive each to others note Singing thir great Creator oft in bands While they keep watch or nightly rounding walk With Heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds In full harmonic number joind thir songs Divide the night and lift our thoughts to Heaven Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd On to thir blissful Bower it was a place Chos'n by the sovran Planter when he fram'd All things to mans delightful use the roofe Of thickest covert was inwoven shade Laurel and Mirtle and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf on either side Acanthus and each odorous bushie shrub Fenc'd up the verdant wall each beauteous flour wrought Iris all hues Roses and Gessamin Rear'd high thir flourisht heads between and Mosaic underfoot the Violet Crocus and Hyacinth with rich inlay Broiderd the ground more colour'd then with stone Of costliest Emblem other Creature here Beast Bird Insect or Worm durst enter none Such was thir awe of man In shadier Bower More sacred and sequesterd though but feignd Pan or Silvanus never slept nor Nymph Nor Faunus haunted Here in close recess With Flowers Garlands and sweet-smelling Herbs Espoused Eve deckt first her Nuptial Bed And heav'nly Quires the Hymenaean sung What day the genial Angel to our Sire Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd More lovely then Pandora whom the Gods Endowd with all thir gifts and O too like In sad event when to the unwiser Son Of Japhet brought by Hermes she ensnar'd Mankind with her faire looks to be aveng'd On him who had stole Joves authentic fire Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv'd bâ—…th stood Both turnd and under op'n Skie adoâ—…'d The God that made both Skie Air Earth Heav'n Which they beheld the Moons resplendent Globe And starrie Pole Thou also mad'st the Night Maker Omnipotent and thou the Day Which we in our appointed work imployd Have finisâ—…t happie in our mutual help And mutual love the Crown of all our bliss Ordain'd by thee and this delicious place For us too large where thy abundance wants Partakers and uncropt falls to the ground But thou hast promis'd from us two a Race To fill the Earth who shall with us extoll Thy goodness infinite both when we wake And when we seek as now thy gift of sleep This said unanimous and other Rites Observing none but adoration pure Which God likes best into thir inmost bower Handed they went and eas'd the putting off These troublesom disguises which wee wear Strait side by side were â—…aid nor turnd I weene Adam from his fair Spouse nor Eve the Rites Mysterious of connubial Love refus'd Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk Of puritie and place and innocence Defaming as impure what God declares Pure and commands to som leaves free to all Our Maker bids increase who bids abâ—…ain But our Destroyer foe to God and Man Haile wedded Love mysterious Law true sourse Of human ofspring sole proprietie In Paradise of all things common else By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men Among the bestial herds to raunge by thee Founded in Reason Loyal Just and Pure Relations dear and all the Charities Of Father Son and Brother first were known Farr be it that I should write thee sin or blame Or think thee unbeâ—…tting holiest place Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets Whose Bed is undefil'd and chast pronounc't Present or past as Saints and Patriarchs us'd Here Love his golden shafts imploies here lights His constant Lamp and waves his purple wings Reigns here and revels not in the bought smile Of Harlots loveless joyless unindeard Casual fruition nor in Court Amours Mixt Dance or wanton Mask or Midnight Bal Or Serenate which the starv'd Lover sings To his proud fair best quitted with disdain These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof Showrd Roses which the Morn repair'd Sleep on Blest pair and O yet happiest if ye seek No happier state and know to know no more Now had night measur'd with her shaddowieCone Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim Forth issuing at th'accustomd hour stood armd To thir night watches in warlike Parade When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake Uzziel half these draw off and coast the South With strictest watch these other wheel the North Our circuit meets full West As flame they part Half wheeling to the Shield half to the Spear From these two strong and suttle Spirits he calld That neer him stood and gave them thus in charge Ithuriel and Zephon with wingd speed Search through this Garden leav unsearcht no nook But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harâ—…e This Eevning from the Sun 's decline arriv'd Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen Hitherward bent who could have thought escap'd The barrs of Hell on errand bad no doubt Such where ye find seise fast and hither bring So saying on he led his radiant Files Daz'ling the Moon these to the Bower direct In search of whom they sought him there they found Squat like a Toad close at the eare of Eve Assaying by his Devilish art to reach The Organs of her Fancie and with them forge Illusions as he list Phantasms and Dreams Or if inspiring venom he might taint Th' animal Spirits that from pure blood arise Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure thence raise At least distemperd discontented thoughts Vain hopes vain aimes inordinate desires Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear Touch'd lightly for no falshood can endure Touch of Celestial temper but returns Of sorce to its own likeness up he starts Discoverd and surpriz'd As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder laid Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store Against a rumord Warr the Smuttie graine With sudden blaze diffus'd inflames the Aire So started
whoseop Brightness had made invisible thus spake Hear all ye Angels Progenie of Light Thrones Dominations Princedoms Vertues Powers Hear my Decree which unrevok't shall stand This day I have begot whom I declare My onely Son and on this holy Hill Him have anointed whom ye now behold At my right hand your Head I him appoint And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n and shall conâ—…ess him Lord Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abide United as one individual Soule For ever happie him who disobeyes Mee disobeyes breaks union and that day Cast out from God and blessed vision falls Into utter darkness deep ingulft his place Ordaind without redemption without end So spaketh ' Omnipotent and with his words All seemd well pleas'd all seem'd but were not all That day as other solem dayes they spent In song and dance about the sacred Hill Mystical dance which yonder starrie Spheare Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles Resembles nearest mazes intricate Eccentric intervolv'd yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem And in thir motions harmonie Divine So smooths her charming tones that Gods own ear Listens delighted Eevning approachd For we have also our Eevning and our Morn We ours for change delectable not need Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn Desirous all in Circles as they stood Tables are set and on a sudden pil'd With Angels Food and rubied Nectar flows In Pearl in Diamond and massie Gold Fruit of delicious Vines the growth of Heav'n They eat they drink and with refection sweet Are fill'd before th' all bounteous King who showrd With copious hand rejoycing in thir joy Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'd From that high mount of God whence light shade Spring both the face of brightest Heav'n had changd To grateful Twilight for Night comes not there In darker veile and roseat Dews dispos'd All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest Wide over all the Plain and wider farr Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred Such are the Courts of God Th' Angelic throng Dispersâ—… in Bands and Files thir Camp extend By living Streams among the Trees of Life Pavilions numberless and sudden reard Celestial Tabernacles where they slept Fannd with coole Winds save those who in thir course Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long but not so wak'd Satan so call him now his former name Is heard no more Heav'n he of the first If not the first Arch-Angel great in Power In favour and praeeminence yet fraught With envie against the Son of God that day Honourd by his great Father and proclaimd Messiah King anointed could not beare Through pride that sight and thought himself impaird Deep malice thence conceiving disdain Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre Friendliest to sleep and silence he resolv'd With all his Legions to dislodge and leave Unworshipt unobey'd the Throne supream Contemptuous and his next subordinate Awak'ning thus to him in secret spake Sleepst thou Companion dear what sleep can close Thy eye-lids and remembrest what Decree Of yesterday so late hath past the lips Of Heav'ns Almightie Thou to me thy thoughts Wast wont I mine to thee was wont to impart Both waking we were one how then can now Thy sleep dissent new Laws thou seest impos'd New Laws from him who reigns new minds may raise In us who serve new Counsels to debate What doubtful may ensue more in this place To utter is not safe Assemble thou Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief Tell them that by command ere yet dim Night Her shadowie Cloud withdraws I am to haste And all who under me thir Banners wave Homeward with flying march where we possess The Quarters of the North there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our King The great Messiah and his new commands Who speedily through all the Hierarchies Intends to pass triumphant and give Laws So spake the false Arch-Angel and infus'd Bad influence into th' unwarie brest Of his Associate hee together calls Or several one by one the Regent Powers Under him Regent tells as he was taught That the most High commanding now ere Night Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n The great Hierarchal Standard was to move Tells the suggested cause and casts between Ambiguous words and jealousies to sound Or taint integritie but all obey'd The wonted signal and superior voice Of thir great Potentate for great indeed His name and high was his degree in Heav'n His count'nance as the Morning Starr that guides The starrie flock allur'd them and with lyes Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host Mean while th' Eternal eye whose sight discernes Abstrusest thoughts from forth his holy Mount And from within the golden Lamps that burne Nightly before him saw without thir light Rebellion rising saw in whom how spred Among the sons of Morn what multitudes Were banded to oppose his high Decree And smiling to his onely Son thus said Son thou in whom my glory I behold In full resplendence Heir of all my might Neerly it now concernes us to be sure Of our Omnipotence and with what Arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of Deitie or Empire such a foe Is rising who intends to erect his Throne Equal to ours throughout the spacious North Nor so content hath in his thought to trie In battel what our Power is or our right Let us advise and to this hazard draw With speed what force is left and all imploy In our defence lest unawares we lose This our high place our Sanctuarie our Hill To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer Light'ning Divine ineffable serene Made answer Mightie Father thou thy foes Justly hast in derision and secure Laugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain Matter to mee of Glory whom thir hate Illustrates when they see all Regal Power Giv'n me to quell thir pride and in event Know whether I be dextrous to subdue Thy Rebels or be found the worst in Heav'n So spake the Son but Satan with his Powers Farr was advanc't on winged speed an Host Innumerable as the Starrs of Night Or Starrs of Morning Dew-drops which the Sun Impearls on every leaf and every flouer Regions they pass'd the mightie Regencies Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones In thir triple Degrees Regions to which All thy Dominion Adam is no more Then what this Garden is to all the Earth And all the Sea from one entire globose Stretcht into Longitude which having pass'd At lengâ—…h into the limits of the North They came and Satan to his Royal seat High on a Hill far blazing as a Mount Rais'd on a Mount with Pyramids and Towrs From Diamond Quarries hew'n Rocks of Gold The Palace of great Lucifer so call That Structure in the Dialect of men Interpreted which not long after hee Affecting all equality with God In imitation of that Mount whereon Messiah was declar'd in sight
reported gladly then he mixt Among thosef riendly Powers who him receav'd With joy and acclamations loud that one That of so many Myriads fall'n yet one Returnd not lost On to the sacred hill They led him high applauded and present Before the seat supream from whence a voice From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard Servant of God well done well hast thou fought The better fight who single hast maintaind Against revolted multitudes the Cause Of Truth in word mightier then they in Armes And for the testimonie of Truth hast born Universal reproach far worse to beare Then violence for this was all thy care To stand approv'd in sight of God though Worlds Judg'd thee perverse the easier conquest now Remains thee aided by this host of friends Back on thy foes more glorious to return Then scornd thou didst depart and to subdue By force who reason for thir Law refuse Right reason for thir Law and for thir King Messiah who by right of merit Reigns Goe Michael of Celestial Armies Prince And thou in Military prowess next Gabriel lead forth to Battel these my Sons Invincible lead forth my armed Saints By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight Equal in number to that Godless crew Rebellious them with Fire and hostile Arms Fearless assault and to the brow of Heav'n Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss Into thir place of punishment the Gulf Of Tartarus which ready opens wide His fiery Chaos to receave thir fall So spake the Sovran voice and Clouds began To darken all the Hill and smoak to rowl In duskie wreathes reluctant flames the signe Of wrauth awak't nor with less dread the loud Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow At which command the Powers Militant That stood for Heav'n in mighty Quadrate joyn'd Of Union irresistible mov'd on In silence thir bright Legions to the sound Of instrumental Harmonie that breath'd Heroic Ardor to advent'rous deeds Under thir God-like Leaders in the Cause Of God and his Messiah On they move Indissolubly firm nor obvious Hill Nor streit'ning Vale nor Wood nor Stream divides Thir perfet ranks for high above the ground Thir march was and the passive Air upbore Thir nimble tread as when the total kind Of Birds in orderly array on wing Came summond over Eden to receive Thir names of thee so over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd and many a Province wide Tenfold the length of this terrene at last Farr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'd From skirt to skirt a fierie Region stretcht In battailous aspect and neerer view Bristl'd with upright beams innumerable Of rigid Spears and Helmets throng'd and Shields Various with boastful Argument portraid The banded Powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition for they weend That self same day by fight or by surprize To win the Mount of God and on his Throne To set the envier of his State the proud Aspirer but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain In the mid way though strange to us it seemd At first that Angel should with Angel warr And in fierce hosting meet who wont to meet So oft in Festivals of joy and love Unanimous as sons of one great Sire Hymning th' Eternal Father but the shout Of Battel now began and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought High in the midst exalted as a God Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate Idol of Majestie Divine enclos'd With Flaming Cherubim and golden Shields Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne for now 'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left A dreadful interval and Front to Front Presented stood in terrible array Of hideous length before the cloudie Van On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn'd Satan with vast and haughtie strides advanc't Came towring armd in Adamant and Gold Abdiel that sight endur'd not where he stood Among the mightiest bent on highest deeds And thus his own undaunted heart explores O Heav'n that such resemblance of the Highest Should yet remain where faith and realtie Remain not wherfore should not strength might There fail where Vertue fails or weakest prove Where boldest though to sight unconquerable His puissance trusting in th' Almightie's aide I mean to try whose Reason I have tri'd Unsound and false nor is it aught but just That he who in debate of Truth hath won Should win in Arms in both disputes alike Victor though brutish that contest and foule When Reason hath to deal with force yet so Most reason is that Reason overcome So pondering and from his armed Peers Forth stepping opposite half way he met His daring foe at this prevention more Incens't and thus securely him defi'd Proud art thou met thy hope was to have reacht The highth of thy aspiring unoppos'd The Throne of God unguarded and his side Abandond at the terror of thy Power Or potent tongue fool not to think how vain Against th' Omnipotent to rise in Arms Who out of smallest things could without end Have rais'd incessant Armies to defeat Thy folly or with solitarie hand Reaching beyond all limit at one blow Unaided could have finisht thee and whelmd Thy Legions under darkness but thou seest All are not of thy Train there be who Faith Prefer and Pietie to God though theâ—… To thee not visible when I alone Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent From all my Sect thou seest now learn too late How few somtimes may know when thousands err Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance Thus answerd Ill for thee but in wisht houre Of my revenge first sought for thou returnst From flight seditious Angel to receave Thy merited reward the first assay Of this right hand provok't since first that tongue Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose A third part of the Gods in Synod met Thir Deities to assert who while they feel Vigour Divine within them can allow Omnipotence to none But well thou comst Before thy fellows ambitious to win From me som Plume that thy success may show Destruction to the rest this pause between Unanswerd least thou boast to let thee know At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n To heav'nly Soules had bin all one but now I see that most through sloth had rather serve Ministring Spirits traind up in Feast and Song Such hast thou arm'd the Minstrelsie of Heav'n Servilitie with freedom to contend As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd Apostat still thou errst nor end wilt find Of erring from the path of truth remote Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name Of Servitude to serve whom God ordains Or Nature God and Nature bid the same When he who rules is worthiest and excells Them whom he governs This is servitude To serve th' unwise or him who hath rebelld Against his worthier as thine now serve thee Thy self not free but to thy self enthrall'd Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom
soon he heard for Spirits that live throughout Vital in 〈◊〉 part not as 〈◊〉 man In Entrailes Heart or Head Liver or Reines Cannot but by 〈◊〉 die Nor in thir liquid texture mortal wound Receive no more then can the fluid Aire All 〈◊〉 thâ—… lâ—…ve all Head all Eye all Eare All Intellect all Sense and as they please They Limb themselves and colour shape or size Assume as likes them best condense or rare Mean while iâ—… other parts like deeds deservd Memorial where the might of Gabriel â—…ought And with 〈◊〉 Ensignes pierc'd the deep array Of Moloc 〈◊〉 King who him defi'd And at his 〈◊〉 wheeles to drag him bound Threatn'd nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One of Heav'n Refrein'd his tongue 〈◊〉 but anon Down clov'n to the waste with shatterd Armes And uncouth paine sled bellowing On each wing Uriel and Raphael his vaunting foe Though huge and in a Rock of Diamond Armd Vanquish'd Adramelec and Aâ—…adai Two potent Thrones that to be less then Gods Disdain'd but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy The Atheist crew but with redoubl'd blow Ariel and Arioc and the violence Of Ramiel scorcht and blasâ—… overthrew I might relate of thousands and thir names Eternize here on Earth but those elect Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n Seek not the praise of men the other sort In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr Nor of Renown less eager yet by doome Canceld from Heav'n and sacred memorie Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell For strength from Truth divided and from Just Illaudable naught merits but dispraise And ignominie yet to glorie aspires Vain glorious and through infamie seeks fame Therfore Eternal silence be thir doome And now thir mightiest quelld the battel swerv'd With many an inrode gor'd deformed rout Enter'd and foul disorder all the ground With shiverd armour strow'n and on a heap Chariot and Charioter lay overturnd And fierie foaming Steeds what stood recoyld Orewearied through the faint Satanic Host Defensive scarse or with pale fear surpris'd Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of paine Fled ignominious to such evil brought By sinne of disobedience till that hour Not liable to fear or flight or paine Far otherwise th' inviolable Saints In Cubic Phalanx firm advanc't entire Invulnerable impenitrably arm'd Such high advantages thir innocence Gave them above thir foes not to have sinnd Not to have disobei'd in fight they stood Unwearied unobnoxious to be pain'd By wound though from thir place by violence mov'd Now Night her course began and over Heav'n Inducing darkness grateful truce impos'd And silence on the odious dinn of Warr Under her Cloudie covert both retir'd Victor and Vanquisht on the foughten field Michael and his Angels prevalent Encamping plac'd in Guard thir Watches round Cherubic waving fires on th' other part Satan with his rebellious disappeerd Far in the dark dislodg'd and void of rest His Potentates to Councel call'd by night And in the midst thus undismai'd began O now in danger tri'd now known in Armes Not to be overpowerd Companions deare Found worthy not of Libertie alone Too mean pretense but what we more affect Honour Dominion Glorie and renowne Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight And if one day why not Eternal dayes What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send Against us from about his Throne and judg'd Sufficient to subdue us to his will But proves not so then fallible it seems Of future we may deem him though till now Omniscient thought True is less firmly arm'd Some disadvantage we endur'd and paine Till now not known but known as soon contemnd Since now we find this our Empyreal forme Incapable of mortal injurie Imperishable and though peirc'd with wound Soon closing and by native vigour heal'd Of evil then so small as easie think The remedie perhapâ—… more valid Armes Weapons more violent when next we meet May serve to better us and worse our foes Or equal what between us made the odds In Nature none if other hidden cause Left them Superiour while we can preserve Unhurt our mindes and understanding sound Due search and consultation will disclose He sat and in th' assembly next upstood Nisroc of Principalities the prime As one he stood escap't from cruel fight Sore toild his riv'n Armes to havoc hewn And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake Deliverer from new Lords leader to free Enjoyment of our right as Gods yet hard For Gods and too unequal work we find Against unequal armes to fight in paine Against unpaind impassive from which evil Ruin must needs ensue for what availes Valour or strength though matchless quelld with pain Which all subdues and makes remiss the hands Of Mightiest Sense of pleasure we may well Spare out of life perhaps and not repine But live content which is the calmest life But pain is perfet miserie the worst Of evils and excessive overtuâ—… All patience He who therefore can invent With what more forcible we may offend Our yet unwounded Enemies or arme Our selves with like defence to mee desâ—…ves No less then for delivâ—…ce what wâ—… owe Whereto with look compos'd Satan repli'd Not uninvented that which thou aright Beleivst so main to our success I bring Which of us who beholds the bright surface Of this Etheâ—…us mould whâ—…on we stand This continent of spacious Heav'n adornd With Plant Fruit Flour Ambrosial Geâ—…s Gold Whose Eye so superficially surveyes These things as not to mind from whence they grow Deep under ground materials dark and crude Of spiritous and fierie spume till toucht With Heav'ns ray and tempeâ—…d they shoot forth So beauteous op'ning to the ambient light These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep Shall yeild us pregnant wiâ—… infernal flame Which into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and round Thick-rammd at th' other bore with touch of fire Dilated and infuriate shall send forth From far with tâ—…dring noise among our â—…oes Such impâ—…nts of miâ—…chief 〈◊〉 shaalâ—… 〈◊〉 To pieces and oâ—…whelm whatâ—… stands Adverse that they shall fear we have disarmd The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt Nor long shall be 〈◊〉 labour yet 〈◊〉 dawne Effect shall 〈◊〉 our wish Mean while revive Abandon fear 〈◊〉 strength anâ—… câ—…sel joâ—…d Think nothing hard much less to be â—…spaird He ended and his words thir drooping chere Enlightn'd and thir languisht hope reviv'd Th' invention all admiâ—…d and each how hee To be 〈◊〉 inventer miss'd so easie it â—…eemd Once found which yet unfound most would have thought Impossible yet haply of thy Race In future dayes if Malice should abound Some one intent on mischief or inspir'd With dev'lish machination might devise Like instrument to plague the Sons of men For sin on warr and mutual slaughter bent Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew None arguing stood â—…numerable hands Were ready in a moment up they turnd Wide the Celestial â—…oile and saw beneath Th' originals
in thir Pearlie shells at ease attend Moist nutriment or under Rocks thir food In jointed Armour watch on smooth the Seale And bended Dolphins play part huge of bulk Wallowing unweildie enormous in thir Gate Tempest the Ocean there Leviathan Hugest of living Creatures on the Deep Strâ—…tcht like a Promontorie sleeps or swimmes And seems a moving Land and at his Gilles Draws in and at his Trunck spouts out a Sea Mean while the tepid Caves and Fens and shoares Thir Brood as numerous hatch from the Egg that soon Buâ—…sting with kindly rupture forth disclos'd Thir callow young but featherd soon and fledge They summ'd thir Penns and soaring th' air sublime With clang despis'd the ground under a cloud In prospect there the Eagle and the Stork On Cliffs and Cedar tops thir Eyries build Part loosly wing the Region part more wise In common rang'd in figure wedge thir way Intelligent of seasons and set forth Thir Aierie Caravan high over Sea's Flying and over Lands with mutual wing Easing thir flight so â—…tears the prudent Crane Her annual Voiage born on Windes the Aire Floats as they pass fann'd with unnumber'd plumes From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song Solac'd the Woods and spred thir painted wings Till Ev'n nor then the solemn Nightingal Ceas'd warbling but all night tun'd her soft layes Others on Silver Lakes and Rivers Bath'd Thir downie Brest the Swan with Arched neck Between her white wings mantling proudly Rowes Her state with Oarie feet yet oft they quit The Dank and rising on stiff Pennons towre The mid Aereal Skie Others on ground Walk'd firm the erested Cock whose clarion sounds The silent hours and th' other whose gay Traine Adorns him colour'd with the Florid hue Of Rainbows and Starrie Eyes The Waters thus With Fish replenisht and the Aire with Fowle Ev'ning and Morn solemniz'd the Fiâ—…t day The Sixt and of Creation last arose With Eevning Harps and 〈◊〉 when God said Let th' Earth bring forth Fowle living in her kinde Cattel and Creeping things and Beast of the Earth Each in their kinde The Earth obey'd and strait Op'ning her fertil Woomb teem'd at a Birth Innumerous living Creatures perfet formes Limb'd and full 〈◊〉 out of the ground up rose As from his Laire the wilde Beast where he wonns In Forrest wilde in Thicket Brake or Den Among the Trees in Pairs they rose they walk'd The Cattel in the Fields and Meddowes green Those rare and solitarie these in flocks Pasturing at once and in broad Herds upsprung The grassie Clods now Calv'd now half appeer'd The Tawnie Lion pawing to get free His hinder parts then springs as broke from Bonds And Rampant shakes his Brinded main the Ounce The Libbard and the Tyger as the Moale Rising the crumbl'd Earth above them threw In Hillocks the swift Stag from under ground Bore up his branching head scarfe from his mould Behemoth biggest born of Earth upheav'd His vastness Fleec't the Flocks and bleating rose As Plants ambiguous between Sea and Land The River Horse and scalie Crocodile At once came forth whatever creeps the ground Insect or Worme those wav'd thir limber fans For wings and smallest Lineaments exact In all the Liveries dect of Summers pride With spots of Gold and Purple azure and green These as a line thir long dimension drew Streaking the ground with sinuous trace not all Minims of Nature some of Serpent kinde Wondrous in length and corpulence involv'd Thir Snakie foulds and added wings First crept The Parsimonious Emmet provident Of future in small room large heart enclos'd Pattern of just equalitie perhaps Hereafter join'd in her popular Tribes Of Commonaltie swarming next appeer'd The Femal Bee that feeds her Husband Drone Deliciously and builds her waxen Cells With Honey stor'd the rest are numberless Aâ—…d thou thir Natures know'st and gav'st them Names Needlest to thee repeaed nor unknown The Serpent suttl'st Beast of all the field Of huge extent somtimes with brazen Eyes And hairie Main terrific though to thee Not noxious but obedient at thy call Now Heav'n in all her Glorie shon and rowld Her motions as the great first-Movers haâ—…d First wheeld thir course Earth in her rich attire Consummate lovly smil'd Aire Water Earth By Fowl Fish Beast was flown was swum was walkt Frequent and of the Sixt day yet remain'd There wanted yet the Master work the end Of all yet don a Creature who not prone And Brute as other Creatures but endu'd With Sanctitie of Reason might erect His Stature and upright with Front serene Govern the rest self-knowing and from thence Magnanimous to correspond with Heav'n But grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends thither with heart and voice and eyes Directed in Devotion to adore And worship God Supream who made him chief Of all his works therefore the Omnipotent Eternal Father For where is not hee Present thus to his Son audibly spake Let us make now Man in our image Man In our similitude and let them rule Over the Fish and Fowle of Sea and Aire Beast of the Field and over all the Earth And every creeping thing that creeps the ground This said he 〈◊〉 thee Adam thee O Man Dust of the ground and in thy nostrils breath'd The breath of Life in his own Image hee Created thee in the Image of God Express and thou becam'st a living Soul Male he created thee but thy consort Femal for Race then bless'd Mankinde and said Be fruitful multiplie and fill the Earth Subdue it and throughout Dominion hold Over Fish of the Sea and Fowle of the Aire And every living thing that moves on the Earth Wherever thus created for no place Is yet distinct by name thence as thou know'st He brought thee into this delicious Grove This Garden planted with the Trees of God Delectable both to behold and taste And freely all thir pleasant fruit for food Gave thee all sorts are here that all th' Earth yeelds Varietie without end but of the Tree Which tasted works knowledge of Good and Evil Thou mai'st not in the day thou eat'st thou di'st Death is the penaltie impos'd beware And govern well thy appetiâ—…e least sin Surprise thee and her black attendant Death Here finish'd hee and all that he had made View'd and behold all was entirely good So Ev'n and Morn accomplish'd the Sixt day Yet not till the Creator from his work Desisting though unwearied up returnd Up to the Heav'n of Heav'ns his high abode Thence to behold this new created World Th' addition of his Empire how it shew'd In prospect from his Throne how good how faire Answering his great Idea Up he rode Followd with acclamation and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand Harpes that tun'd Angelic harmonies the Earth the Aire Resounded thou remember'st for thou heardst The Heav'ns and all the Constellations rung The Planets in thir stations list'ning stood While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant Open ye everlasting Gates they sung Open ye Heav'ns your living dores
reaking moisture fed Strait toward Heav'n my wondring Eyes I turnd And gaz'd a while the ample Skie till rais'd By quick instinctive motion up I sprung As thitherward endevoring and upright Stood on my feet about me round I saw Hill Dale and shadie Woods and sunnie Plaines And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams by these Creatures that livd and movd and walk'd or flew Birds on the branches warbling all things smil'd With fragrance and with joy my heart oreflow'd My self I then perus'd and Limb by Limb Survey'd and sometimes went and sometimes ran With supple joints as lively vigour led But who I was or where or from what cause Knew not to speak I tri'd and forthwith spake My Tongue obey'd and readily could name What e're I saw Thou Sun said I faire Light And thou enlight'nd Earth so fresh and gay Ye Hills and Dales ye Rivers Woods and Plaines And ye that live and move fair Creatures tell Tell if ye saw how came I thus how here Not of my self by some great Maker then In goodness and in power praeeminent Tell me how may I know him how adore From whom I have that thus I move and live And feel that I am happier then I know While thus I call'd and stray'd I knew not whither From where I first drew Aire and first beheld This happie Light when answer none return'd On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours Pensive I sate me down there gentle sleep First found me and with soft oppression seis'd My droused sense untroubl'd though I thought I theâ—… was passing to my former state Insensible and forthwith to dissolve When suddenly stood at my Head a dream Whose inward apparition gently mov'd My Fancy to believe I yet had being And livd One came methought of shape Divine And said thy Mansion wants thee Adam rise First Man of Men innumerable ordain'd First Father call'd by thee I come thy Guide To the Garden of bliss thy seat prepar'd So saying by the hand he took me rais'd And over Fields and Waters as in Aire Smooth sliding without step last led me up A woodie Mountain whose high top was plaine A Circuit wide enclos'd with goodliest Trees Planted with Walks and Bowers that what I saw Of Earth before scarse pleasant seemd Each Tree Load'n with fairest Fruit that hung to the Eye Tempting stirr'd in me sudden appetite To pluck and eate whereat I wak'd and found Before mine Eyes all real as the dream Had lively shadowd Here had new begun My wandring had not hee who was my Guide Up hither from among the Trees appeer'd Presence Divine Rejoycing but with aw In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss he rear'd me Whom thou soughtst I am Said mildely Author of all this thou seest Above or round about thee or beneath This Paradise I give thee count it thine To Till and keep and of the Fruit to eate Of every Trâ—…e that in the Garden growes Eate freely with glad heart fear here no dearth But of the Tree whose operation brings Knowledg of good and ill which I have set The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life Remember what I waâ—…ne thee shun to taste And shun the bitter consequence for know The day thou eat'st thereof my sole command Transgrest inevitably thou shalt dye From that day-mortal and this happie State Shalt loose expell'd from hence into a World Of woe and sorrow Sternly he pronounc'd The rigid interdiction which resounds Yet dreadful in mine eare though in my choice Not to incur but soon his cleer aspect Return'd and gratious purpose thus renew'd Not onely these fair bounds but all the Earth To thee and to thy Race I give as Lords Possess it and all things that therein live Or live in Sea or Aire Beast Fish and Fowle In signe whereof cach Bird and Beast behold After thir kindes I bring them to receave From thee thir Names and pay thee fealtie With low subjection understand the same Of Fish within thir watry residence Not hither summond since they cannot change Thir Element to draw the thinner Aire As thus he spake each Bird and Beast behold Approaching two and two These cowring low With blandishment each Bird stoop'd on his wing I nam'd them as they pass'd and understood Thir Nature with such knowledg God endu'd My sudden apprehension but in these I found not what me thought I wanted still And to the Heav'nly vision thus presum'd O by what Name for thou above all these Above mankinde or aught then mankinde higher Surpassest farr my naming how may I Adore thee Author of this Universe And all this good to man for whose well being So amply and with hands so liberal Thou hast provided all things but with mee I see not who partakes In solitude What happiness who can enjoy alone Or all enjoying what contentment find Thus I presumptuous and the vision bright As with a smile more bright'nd thus repli'd What call'st thou solitude is not the Earth With various living creatures and the Aire Replenisht and all these at thy command To come and play before thee know'st thou not Thir language and thir wayes they also know And reason not contemptibly with these Find pastime and beare rule thy Realm is large So spake the Universal Lord and seem'd So ordering I with leave of speech implor'd And humble deprecation thus repli'd Let not my words offend thee Heav'nly Power My Maker be propitious while I speak Hast thou not made me here thy substitute And these inferiour farr beneath me set Among unequals what societie Can sort what harmonie or true delight Which must be mutual in proportion due Giv'n and receiv'd but in disparitie The one intense the other still â—…emiss Cannot well suite with either but soon prove Tedious alike Of fellowship I speak Such as I seek fit to participate All rational delight wherein the brute Cannot be human consort they rejoyce Each with thir kinde Lion with Lioness So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin'd Much less can Bird with Beast or Fish with Fowle So well converse nor with the Ox the Ape Wors then can Man with Beast and least of all Whereto 〈◊〉 Almighty answer'd not displeas'd A nice and suttle happiness I see Thou to thy self proposest in the choice Of thy Associates Adam and wilt taste No pleasure though in pleasure solitarie What thinkst thou then of mee and this my State Seem I to thee sufficiently possest Of happiness or not who am alone From all Eternitie for none I know Second to mee or like equal much less How have I then with whom to hold converse Save with the Creatures which I made and those To me inferiour infinite descents Beneath what other Creatures are to thee He ceas'd I lowly answer'd To attaine The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes All human thoughts come short Supream of things Thou in thy self art perfet and in thee Is no deficience found not so
finde The onely two of Mankinde but in them The whole included Race his purposd prey In Bowre and Field he sought where any tuft Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay Thir tendance or Plantation for delight By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet He sought them both but wish'd his hap might find Eve separate he wish'd but not with hope Of what so seldom chanc'd when to his wish Beyond his hope Eve separate he spies Veild in a Cloud of Fragrance where she stood Half spi'd so thick the Roses bushing round About her glowd oft stooping to support Each Flour of slender stalk whose head though gay Carnation Purple Azure or spect with Gold Hung drooping unsustaind them she upstaies Gently with Mirtle band mindless the while Her self though fairest unsupported Flour From her best prop so farr and storm so nigh Neerer he drew and many a walk travers'd Of stateliest Covert Cedar Pine or Palme Then voluble and bold now hid now seen Among thick-wov'n Arborets and Flours Imborderd on each Bank the hand of Eve Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign'd Or of reviv'd Adonis or renownd Alcinous host of old Laertes Son Or that not Mystic where the Sapient King Held dalliance with his faire Egyptian Spouse Much hee the Place admir'd the Person more As one who long in populous City pent Where Houses thick and Sewers annoy the Aire Forth issuing on a Summers Morn to breathe Among the pleasant Villages and Farmes Adjoynd from each thing met conceaves delight The smell of Grain or tedded Grass or Kine Or Dairie each rural sight each rural sound If chance with Nymphlike step fair Virgin pass What pleasing seemd for her now pleases more She most and in her look summs all Delight Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold This Flourie Plat the sweet recess of Eve Thus earlie thus alone her Heav'nly forme Angelic but more soft and Feminine Her graceful Innocence her every Aire Of gesture or lest action overawd His Malice and with rapine sweet bereav'd His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought That space the Evil one abstracted stood From his own evil and for the time remaind Stupidly good of enmitie disarm'd Of guile of hate of envie of revenge But the hot Hell that alwayes in him burnes Though in mid Heav'n soon ended his delight And tortures him now more the more he sees Of pleasure not for him ordain'd then soon Fierce hate he recollects and all his thoughts Of mischief gratulating thus excites Thoughts whither have ye led me with what sweet Compulsion thus transported to forget What hither brought us hate not love nor hope Of Paradise for Hell hope here to taste Of pleasure but all pleasure to destroy Save what is in destroying other joy To me is lost Then let me not let pass Occasion which now smiles behold alone The Woman opportune to all attempts Her Husband for I view far round not nigh Whose higher intellectual more I shun And strength of courage hautie and of limb Heroic built though of terrestrial mould Foe not informidable exempt from wound I not so much hath Hell debas'd and paine Infeebl'd me to what I was in Heav'n Shee fair divinely fair fit Love for Gods Not terrible though terrour be in Love And beautie not approacht by stronger hate Hate stronger under shew of Love well feign'd The way which to her ruin now I tend So spake the Enemie of Mankind enclos'd In Serpent Inmate bad and toward Eve Address'd his way not with indented wave Prone on the ground as since but on his reare Circular base of rising foulds that tour'd Fould above fould a surging Maze his Head Crested aloft and Carbuncle his Eyes With burnisht Neck of verdant Gold erect Amidst his circling Spires that on the grass Floted redundant pleasing was his shape And lovely never since of Serpent kind Lovelier not those that in Illyria chang'd Hermione and Cadmus or the God In Epidaurus nor to which transformd Ammonian Jove or Capitoline was seen Hee with Olympias this with her who bore Scipio the highth of Rome With tract oblique At first as one who sought access but feard To interrupt side-long he works his way As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland where the Wind Veres oft as oft so steers and shifts her Saile So varied hee and of his tortuous Traine Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve To lure her Eye shee busied heard the sound Of rusling Leaves but minded not as us'd To such disport before her through the Field From every Beast more duteous at her call Then at Circean call the Herd disguis'd Hee boulder now uncall'd before her stood But as in gaze admiring Oft he bowd His turret Crest and sleek enamel'd Neck Fawning and lick'd the ground whereon she trod His gentle dumb expression turnd at length The Eye of Eve to mark his play he glad Of her attention gaind with Serpent Tongue Organic or impulse of vocal Air His fraudulent temptation thus began Wonder not sovran Mistress if perhaps Thou canst who art sole Wonder much less arm Thy looks the Heav'n of mildness with disdain Displeas'd that I approach thee thus and gaze Inâ—…atiate I thus single nor have feard Thy awful brow more awful thus retir'd Fairest resemblance of thy Maker faire Thee all things living gaze on all things thine By gift and thy Celestial Beautie adore With ravishment beheld there best beheld Where universally admir'd but here In this enclosure wild these Beasts among Beholders rude and shallow to discerne Half what in thee is fair one man except Who sees thee and what is one who shouldst be seen A Goddess among Gods ador'd and serv'd By Angels numberless thy daily Train So gloz'd the Tempter and his Proem tun'd Into the Heart of Eve his words made way Though at the voice much marveling at length Not unamaz'd she thus in answer spake What may this mean Language of Man pronounc't By Tongue of Brute and human sense exprest The first at lest of these I thought deni'd To Beasts whom God on thir Creation-Day Created mute to all articulat sound The latter I demurre for in thir looks Much reason and in thir actions oft appeers Thee Serpent suttlest beast of all the field I knew but not with human voice endu'd Redouble then this miracle and say How cam'st thou speakable of mute and how To me so friendly grown above the rest Of brutal kind that daily are in sight Say for such wonder claims attention due To whom the guileful Tempter thus reply'd Empress of this fair World resplendent Eve Easie to mee it is to tell thee all What thou commandst and right thou shouldst be obeyd I was at first as other Beasts that graze The trodden Herb of abject thoughts and low As was my food nor aught but food discern'd Or Sex and apprehended nothing high Till on a day roaving the field I chanc'd A goodly Tree farr distant to
heart too easie entrance won Fixt on the Fruit she gaz'd which to behold Might tempt alone and in her ears the sound Yet rung of his perswasive words impregn'd With Reason to her seeming and with Truth Meanwhile the hour of Noon drew on and wak'd An eager appetite rais'd by the smell So savorie of that Fruit which with desire Inclinable now grown to touch or taste Sollicited her longing eye yet first Pausing a while thus to her self she mus'd Great are thy Vertues doubtless best of Fruits Though kept from Man worthy to be admir'd Whose taste too long forborn at first assay Gave elocution to the mute and taught The Tongue not made for Speech to speak thy praise Thy praise hee also who forbids thy use Conceales not from us naming thee the Tree Of Knowledge knowledge both of good and evil Forbids us then to taste but his forbidding Commends thee more wâ—…ile it infâ—…s the good By thee communicated and our want For good unknown sure is not had or had And yet unknown is as not had at all In plain then what forbids he but to know Forbids us good forbids us to be wise Such prohibitions binde not But if Death Bind us with after-bands what profits then Our inward freedom In the day we eate Of this fair Fruit our doom is we shall die How dies the Serpent hee hath eat'n and lives And knows and speaks and reasons and discernes Irrational till then For us alone Was death invented or to us deni'd This intellectual food for beasts reserv'd For Beasts it seems yet that one Beast which first Hath tasted envies not but brings with joy The good befall'n him Author unsuspect Friendly to man farr from deceit or guile What fear I then rather what know to feare Under this ignorance of Good and Evil Of God or Death of Law or Penaltie Here grows the Cure of all this Fruit Divine Fair to the Eye inviting to the Taste Of vertue to make wise what hinders then To reach and feed at once both Bodie and Mind So saying her rash hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the Fruit she pluck'd she eat Earth felt the wound and Nâ—…ure from her seat Sighing through all her Works gave signs of woe That all was lost Back to the Thicket slunk The guiltie Serpent and well might for Eve Intent now wholly on her taste naught else Regarded such delight till then as seemd In Fruit she never tasted whether true Or fansied so through expectation high Of knowledg nor was God-head from her thought Greedily she ingorg'd without restraint And knew not eating Death Satiate at length And hight'nd as with Wine jocond and boon Thus to her self she pleasingly began O Sovran vertuous precious of all Trees In Paradise of operation blest To Sapience hitherto obscur'd infam'd And thy fair Fruit let hang as to no end Created but henceforth my early care Not without Song each Morning and due praise Shall tend thee and the fertil burden ease Of thy full branches offer'd free to all Till dieted by thee I grow mature In knowledge as the Gods who all things know Though others envie what they cannot give For had the gift bin theirs it had not here Thus grown Experience next to thee I owe Best guide not following thee I had remaind In ignorance thou op'nst Wisdoms way And giv'st access though secret she retire And I perhaps am secret Heav'n is high High and remote to see from thence distinct Each thing on Earth and other care perhaps May have diverted from continual watch Our great Forbidder safe with all his Spies About him But to Adam in what sort Shall I appeer shall I to him make known As yet my change and give him to partake Full happiness with mee or rather not But keep the odds of Knowledge in my power Without Copartner so to add what wants In Femal Sex the more to draw his Love And render me more equal and perhaps A thing not undesireable somtime Superior for inferior who is free This may be well but what if God have seen And Death ensue then I shall be no more And Adam wedded to another Eve Shall live with her enjoying I extinct A death to think Confirm'd then I resolve Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe So dear I love him that with him all deaths I could endure without him live no life So saying from the Tree her step she turnd But first low Reverence don as to the power That dwelt within whose presence had infus'd Into the plant sciential sap deriv'd From Nectar drink of Gods Adam the while Waiting desirous her return had wove Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne Her Tresses and her rural labours crown As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen Great joy he promis'd to his thoughts and new Solace in her return so long delay'd Yet oft his heart divine of somthing ill Misgave him hee the faultring measure felt And forth to meet her went the way she took That Morn when first they parted by the Tree Of Knowledge he must pass there he her met Scarse from the Tree returning in her hand A bough of fairest fruit that downie smil'd New gatherd and ambrosial smell diffus'd To him she hasted in her face excuse Came Prologue and Apologie to prompt Which with bland words at will she thus addrest Hast thou not wonderd Adam at my stay Thee I have misst and thought it long depriv'd Thy presence agonie of love till now Not felt nor shall be twice for never more Mean I to trie what rash untri'd I sought The paine of absence from thy sight But strange Hath bin the cause and wonderful to heare This Tree is not as we are told a Tree Of danger tasted nor to evil unknown Op'ning the way but of Divine effect To open Eyes and make them Gods who taste And hath bin tasted such the Serpent wise Or not restraind as wee or not obeying Hath eat'n of the fruit and is become Not dead as we are threatn'd but thenceforth Endu'd with human voice and human sense Reasoning to admiration and with mee Perswasively hath so prevaild that I Have also tasted and have also found Th' effects to correspond opener mine Eyes Dimm erst dilated Spirits ampler Heart And growing up to Godhead which for thee Chiefly I sought without thee can despise For bliss as thou hast part to me is bliss Tedious unshar'd with thee and odious soon Thou therfore also taste that equal Lot May joyne us equal Joy as equal Love Least thou not tasting different degree Disjoyne us and I then too late renounce Deitie for thee when Fate will not permit Thus Eve with Countnance blithe her storie told But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd On th' other side Adam soon as he heard The fatal Trespass don by Eve amaz'd Astonied stood and Blank while horror chill Ran through his vâ—…ins and all his joynts relax'd From his slack hand the Garland wreath'd for
and naâ—…ve righteousness And honour from about them naked left To guiltie shame hee cover'd but his Robe Uncover'd more So rose the Daniâ—…e strong Herculean Samson from the Harlot-lap Of Philistean Dalilâ—… and wak'd Shorn of his strength They destitute and bare Of all thir vertue silent and in face Confounded long they sate as struck'n mute Till Adam though not less then Eve abasht At length gave utterance to these words constraind O Eve in evil â—…our thou didst give eare To that 〈◊〉 Wâ—…rm of whomsoever taught To counterfet Mans voice true in our Fall False in our promis'd Rising since our Eyes Op'nd we find indeed and find we know Both Good and Evil Good lost and Evil got Bad Fruit of Knowledge if this be to know Which leaves us naked thus of Honour void Of Innocence of Faith of Puritie Our wonted Ornaments now soild and staind And in our Faces evident the signes Of foul concupiscence whence evil store Even shame the last of evils of the first Be sure then How shall I be hold the face Hencefâ—…th of God or Angel earst with joy And rapture so oft beheld those heav'nly shapes Will dazle now this earthly with thir blaze Insufferably bright O might I here In solitude live savage in some glade Obscur'd where highest Woods impenetrable To Starr or Sun-light spread thir umbrage broad And brown as Evening Coâ—…er me ye Pines Ye Cedars with innumerable boughs Hide me where I may never see them more But let us now as in bad plight devise What best may for the present serve to hide The Parts of each from other that seem most To shame obnoxious and unseemliest seen Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd And girded on our loyns may cover round Those middle parts that this new commer Shame There sit not and reproach us as unclean So counsel'd hee and both together went Into the thickest Wood there soon they chose The Figtree not that kind for Frâ—…it renown'd But such as at this day to Indians known In Malabar or Decan spreds her Armes Braunching so broad and long that in the ground The bended Twigs take root and Daughters grow About the Mother Tree a Pillard shade High overarch't and echoing Walks between There oft the Indian Herdsman shunning heate Shelters in coole and tends his pasturing Herds At Loopholes cut through thickest shade Those Leaves They gatherd broad as Amazonian Targe And with what skill they had together sowd To gird thir waste vain Covering if to hide Thir guilt and dreaded shame O how unlike To that first naked Glorie Such of late Columbus found th' American so girt With featherd Cincture naked else and wilde Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores Thus fenc't and as they thought thir shame in part Coverd but not at rest or ease of Mind They sate them down to weep nor onely Teares Raind at thir Eyes but high Winds worse within Began to rise high Passions Anger Hate Mistrust Suspicion Discord and shook sore Thir inward State of Mind calme Region once And full of Peace now tost and turbulent For Understanding rul'd not and the Will Heard not her lore both in subjection now To sensual Appetite who from beneathe Usurping over sovran Reason claimd Superior sway From thus distemperd brest Adam estrang'd in look and alterd stile Speech intermitted thus to Eve renewd Would thou hadst heark'nd to my words stai'd With me as I besought thee when that strange Desire of wandring this unhappie Morn I know not whence possessd thee we had then Remaind still happie not as now despoild Of all our good sham'd naked miserable Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve The Faith they owe when earnestly they seek Such proof conclude they then begin to faile To whom soon mov'd with touch of blame thus Eve What words have past thy Lips Adam severe Imput'st thou that to my default or will Of wandering as thou call'st it which who knows But might as ill have happ'nd thou being by Or to thy self perhaps hadst thou bin there Or here th' attempt thou couldst not have discernd Fraud in the Serpent speaking as he spake No ground of enmitie between us known Why hee should mean me ill or seek to harme Was I to have never parted from thy side As good have grown there still a liveless Rib. Being as I am why didst not thou the Head Command â—…e absolutely not to go Going into such danger as thou saidst Too facil then thou didst not much gainsay Nay didst permit approve and fair dismiss Hadst thou bin firm and fixt in thy dissent Neither had I transgress'd nor thou with mee To whom then first incenst Adam repli'd Is this the Love is this the recompence Of mine to thee ingrateful Eve exprest Immutable when thou wert lost not I Who might have liv'd and joyd immortal bliss Yet willingly chose rather Death with thee And am I now upbraided as the cause Of thy transgressing not enough severe It seems in thy restraint what could I more I warn'd thee I admonish'd thee foretold The danger and the lurking Enemie That lay in wait beyond this had bin force And force upon free Will hath here no place But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger or to finde Matter of glorious trial and perhaps I also err'd in overmuch admiring What seemd in thee so perfet that I thought No evil durst attempt thee but I rue That errour now which is become my crime And thou th' accuser Thus it shall befall Him who to worth in Women overtrusting Lets her Will rule restraint she will not brook And left to her self if evil thence ensue Shee first his weak indulgence will accuse Thus they in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours but neither self-condemning And of thir vain contest appeer'd no end The end of the Eighth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK IX MEanwhile the hainous and despightfull act Of Satan done in Paradise and how Hee in the Serpent had perverted Eve Her Husband shee to taste the fatall fruit Was known in Heav'n for what can scape the Eye Of God All-seeing or deceave his Heart Omniscient who in all things wise and just Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the minde Of Man with strength entire and free Will arm'd Complete to have discover'd and repulst Whatever wiles of Foe or seeming Friend For still they knew and ought to have still remember'd The high Injunction not to taste that Fruit Whoever tempted which they not obeying Incurr'd what could they less the penaltie And manifold in sin deserv'd to fall Up into Heav'n from Paradise in hast Th' Angelic Guards ascended mute and sad For Man for of his state by this they knew Much wondring how the suttle Fiend had stoln Entrance unseen Soon as th' unwelcome news From Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate displeas'd All were who heard dim sadness did not spare That time Celestial visages yet mixt With pitie violated not thir bliss About
the new-arriv'd in multitudes Th' ethereal People ran to hear and know How all befell they towards the Throne Supream Accountable made haste to make appear With righteous plea thir utmost vigilance And easily approv'd when the most High Eternal Father from his secret Cloud Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice Assembl'd Angels and ye Powers return'd From unsuccessful charge be not dismaid Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth Which your sincerest care could not prevent Foretold so lately what would come to pass When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell I told ye then he should prevail and speed On his bad Errand Man should be seduc't And â—…latter'd out of all believing lies Against his Maker no Decree of mine Concurring to necessitate his Fall Or touch with lightest moment of impulse His free Will to her own inclining left In eevn scale But fall'n he is and now What rests but that the mortal Sentence pass On his transgression Death denounc't that day Which he presumes already vain and void Because not yet inflicted as he fear'd By some immediate stroak but soon shall find Forbearance no acquittance ere day end Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd But whom send I to judge them whom but thee Vicegerent Son to thee I have transferr'd All Judgement whether in Heav'n or Earth or Hell Easie it may be seen that I intend Mercie collegue with Justice sending thee Mans Friend his Mediator his design'd Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n So spake the Father and unfoulding bright Toward the right hand his Glorie on the Son Blaz'd forth unclouded Deitie he full Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd and thus divinely answer'd milde Father Eternal thine is to decreâ—… Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will Supream that thou in mee thy Son belov'd Mayst ever rest well pleas'd I go to jâ—…dge On Earth these thy transgressors but thou knowst Whoever judg'd the worst on mee must light When time shall be for so I undertook Before thee and not repenting this obtaine Of right that I may mitigate thir doom On me deriv'd yet I shall temper so Justice with Mercie as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied and thee appease Attendance none shall need nor Train where none Are to behold the Judgement but the judg'd Those two the third best absent is condemn'd Convict by flight and Rebel to all Law Conviction to the Serpent none belongs Thus saying from his radiant Seat he rose Of high collateral gloriâ—… him Thrones and Powers Princedoms and Dominations ministrant Accompanied to Heaven Gate from whence Eden and all the Coast in prospect lay Down he descended strait the speed of Gods Time counts not though with swiftest minutes wing'd Now was the Sun in Western cadence low From Noon and gentle Aires due at thir hour To fan the Earth now wak'd and usher in The Eevning coole when he from wrauth more coole Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both To sentence Man the voice of God they heard Now walking in the Garden by soft windes Brought to thir 〈◊〉 while day declin'd they heard And from his presence hid themselves among The thickest Trees both Man and Wife till God Approaching thus to Adam call'd aloud Where art thou Adam wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off I miss thee here Not pleas'd thus entertaind with solitude Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught Or come I less conspicuous or what change Absents thee or what chance detains Come forth He came and with him Eve more loth though first To offend discount'nanc't both and discompos'd Love was not in thir looks either to God Or to each other but apparent guilt And shame and perturbation and despaire Anger and obstinacie and hate and guile Whence Adam faultring long thus answer'd brief I heard thee in the Garden and of thy voice Affraid being naked hid my self To whom The gracious Judge without revile repli'd My voice thou oft hast heard and hast not fear'd But still rejoyc't how is it now become So dreadful to thee that thou art naked who Hath told thee hast thou 〈◊〉 of the Tree Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat To whom thus Adam sore beset repli'd O Heav'n in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge either to undergoe My self the total Crime or to accuse My other self the partner of my life Whose failing while her Faith to me remaines I should conceal and not expose to blame By my complaint but strict necessitie Subdues me and calamitous constraint Least on my head both sin and punishment However insupportable be all Devolv'd though should I hold my peace yet thou Wouldst easily detect what I conceale This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help And gav'st me as thy perfet gift so good So fit so acceptable so Divine That from her hand I could suspect no ill And what she did whatever in it self Her doing seem'd to justifie the deed Shee gave me of the Tree and I did eate To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd Was shee thy God that her thou didst obey Before his voice or was shee made thy guide Superior or but equal that to her Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood and the Place Wherein God set thee above her made of thee And for thee whose perfection farr excell'd Hers in all real dignitie Adornd She was indeed and lovely to attract Thy Love not thy Subjection and her Gifts Were such as under Government well seem'd Unseemly to beare rule which was thy part And person had'st thou known thy self aright So having said he thus to Eve in few Say Woman what is this which thou hast done To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd Confessing soon yet not before her Judge Bold or loquacious thus 〈◊〉 repli'd The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate Which when the Lord God heard without delay To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd Serpent though brute unable to transferre The Guilt on him who made him instrument Of mischief and polluted from the end Of his Creation justly then accurst As vitiated in Nature more to know Concern'd not Man since he no further knew Nor alter'd his offence yet God at last To Satan â—…irst in sin his doom apply'd Though in mysterious terms judg'd as then best And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall Because thou hast done this thou art accurst Above all Cattel each Beast of the Field Upon thy Belly groveling thou shâ—…lt goe And dust shalt eat all the days of thy Life Between Thee and the Woman I will put Enmitie and between thine and her Seed Her Seed shall bruise thy head thou bruise his heel So spake this ' Oracle then verifi'd When Jesus son of Mary second Eve Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n Prince of the Aire then rising from his Grave Spoild Principalities and Powers triumpht In open shew and with ascention bright Captivity
and spare His Armes clung to his Ribs his Leggs entwining Each other till supplanted down he fell A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone Reluctant but in vaine a greater power Now rul'd him punisht in the shape he sin'd According to his doom he would have spoke But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue To forked tongue for now were all transform'd Alike to Serpents all as accessories To his bold Riot dreadful was the din Of hissing through the Hall thick swarming now With complicated monsters head and taile Scorpion and Asp and Amphisbaenâ—… dire Cerastes hornd Hydrus and Ellops drear And Dipsas Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil Bedropt with blood of Gorgon or the Isle Ophiusa but still greatest hee the midst Now Dragon grown larger then whom the Sun Ingenderd in the Pythian Vale on slime Huge Python and his Power no less he seem'd Above the rest still to retain they all Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field Where all yet left of that revolted Rout Heav'n-fall'n in station stood or just array Sublime with expectation when to see In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief They saw but other sight instead a crowd Of ugly Serpents horror on them fell And horrid sympathie for what they saw They felt themselvs now changing down thir arms Down fell both Spear and Shield down they as fast And the dire hiss renew'd and the dire form Catcht by Contagion like in punishment As in thir crime Thus was th' applause they meant Turnd to exploding hiss triumph to shame Cast on themselves from thir own mouths There stood A Grove hard by sprung up with this thir change His will who reigns above to aggravate Thir penance laden with fair Fruit like that VVhich grew in Paradise the bait of Eve Us'd by the Tempter on that prospect strange Thir earnest eyes they fix'd imagining For one forbidden Tree a multitude Now ris'n to work them furder woe or shame Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger 〈◊〉 Though to delude them sent could not abstain But on they rould in heaps and up the Trees Climbing sat thicker then the snakie locks That curld Megaera greedily they pluck'd The Frutage fair to sight like that which grew Neer that bituminous Lake where Sodom flam'd This more delusive not the touch but taste Deceav'd they fondly thinking to allay Thir appetite with gust instead of Fruit Chewd bitter Ashes which th' offended taste VVith spattering noise rejected oft they assayd Hunger and thirst constraining drugd as oft VVith hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws VVith soot and cinders fill'd so oft they fell Into the same illusion not as Man Whom they triumph'd once lapst Thus were they plagu'd And worn with Famin long and ceasless hiss Till thir lost shape permitted they resum'd Yearly enjoynd some say to undergo This annual humbling certain number'd days To dash thir pride and joy for Man seduc't However some tradition they dispers'd Among the Heathen of thir purchase got And Fabl'd how the Serpent whom they calld Ophion with Eurynome the wide Encroaching Eve perhaps had first the rule Of high Olympus thence by Saturn driv'n And Ops ere yet Dictaean Jove was born Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair Too soon arriv'd Sin there in power before Once actual now in body and to dwell Habitual habitant behind her Death Close following pace for pace not mounted yet On his pale Horse to whom Sin thus began Second of Satan sprung all conquering Death What thinkst thou of our Empire now though earnd With travail difficult not better farr Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch Unnam'd undreaded and thy self half starv'd Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon To mee who with eternal Famin pine Alike is Hell or Paradise or Heaven There best where most with ravin I may meet Which here though plenteous all too little seems To stuff this Maw this vast unhide-bound Corps To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd Thou therefore on these Herbs and Fruits Flours Feed first on each Beast next and Fish and Fowle No homely morsels and whatever thing The 〈◊〉 of Time mowes down devour unspar'd Till I in Man residing through the Race His thoughts his looks words actions all infect And 〈◊〉 him thy last and sweetest prey This said they both betook them several wayes Both to destroy 〈◊〉 unimmortal make All kinds and for destruction to mature Sooner or later which th' Almightie seeing From his transcendent Seat the Saints among To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance To waste and havoc yonder VVorld which I So fair and good created and had still Kept in that state had not the folly of Man Let in these wastful Furies who impute Folly to mee so doth the Prince of Hell And his Adherents that with so much ease I suffer them to enter and possess A place so heav'nly and conniving seem To gratifie my scornful Enemies That laugh as if transported with some fit Of Passion I to them had quitted all At random yeilded up to their misrule And know not that I call'd and drew them thither My Hell-hounds to lick up the draff and filth Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed On what was pure till cramm'd and gorg'd nigh burst With suckt and glutted offal at one sling Of thy victorious Arm well-pleasing Son Both Sin and Death and yawning Grave at last Through Chaos hurld obstruct the mouth of Hell For ever and seal up his ravenous Jawes Then Heav'n and Earth renewd shall be made pure To sanctitie that shall receive no staine Till then the Curse pronounc't on both precedes Hee ended and the heav'nly Audience loud Sung Halleluia as the sound of Seas Through multitude that sung Just are thy ways Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works Who can extenuate thee Next to the Son Destin'd restorer of Mankind by whom New Heav'n and Earth shall to the Ages rise Or down from Heav'n descend Such was thir song While the Creator calling forth by name His mightie Angels gave them several charge As sorted best with present things The Sun Had first his precept so to move so shine As might affect the Earth with cold and heat Scarce tollerable and from the North to call Decrepit Winter from the South to bring Solstitial summers heat To the blanc Moone Her office they prescrib'd to th' other five Thir planetarie motions and aspects In Sextile Square and Trine and Opposite Of noxious efficacie and when to joyne In Synod unbenigne and taught the fixt Thir influence malignant when to showre Which of them rising with the Sun or falling Should prove tempestuous To the Winds they set Thir corners when with bluster to confound Sea Aire and Shoar the Thunder when to rowle With terror through the dark Aereal Hall Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more From the Suns Axle
to abstain From Loves due Rites Nuptial embraces sweet And with desire to languish without hope Before the present object languishing With like desire which would be miserie And torment less then none of what we dread Then both our 〈◊〉 and Seed at once to free From what we fear for both let us make short Let us â—…eek Death or hee not found supply With our own hands his Office on our selves Why stand we longer shivering under â—…eares That shew no end but Death and have the power Of many wayes to die the 〈◊〉 choosing Destruction with destruction to destroy She ended heer or vehement despaire Broke off the rest so much of Death her thoughts Had entertaind as di'd her Cheeks with pale But Adam with such counsel nothing sway'd To better hopes his more attentive minde Labouring had rais'd and thus to Eve repli'd Eve thy contempt of life and pleasure seems To argue in thee somthing more sublime And excellent then what thy minde contemnes But self-destruction therefore saught refutes That excellence thought in thee and implies Not thy contempt but anguish and regret For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd Or if thou â—…ovet death as utmost end Of miserie so thinking to evade The penaltie pronounc't doubt not but God Hath wiselier arm'd his vengefulire then so To be forestall'd much more I fear least Death So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine We are by doom to pay rather such acts Of contumacie will provoke the highest To make death in us live Then let us seek Som safer resolution which methinks I have in view calling to minde with heed Part of our Sentence that thy Seed shall bruise The Serpents head piteous amends unless Be meant whom I conjecture our grand Foe Sâ—…tan who in the Serpent hath contriv'd Against us this deceit to 〈◊〉 his head Would be râ—…venge indeed which will be lost By death brought on our selves or childless days Resolv'd as thou proposest so our Foe Shall scape his punishment ordain'd and wee Instead shall double ours upon our heads No more be mention'd then of violence Against our selves and wilful barrenness That cuts us off from hope and savours onely Rancor and pride impatience and despite Reluctance against God and his just yoke Laid on our Necks Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd Without wrauth or reviling wee expected Immediate dissolution which we thought Was meant by Death that day when lo to thee Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold And bringing forth soon recompenc't with joy Fruit of thy Womb On mee the Curse 〈◊〉 Glanc'd on the ground with labour I must earne My bread what harm Idleness had bin worse My labour will sustain me and least Cold Or Heat should injure us his timely care Hath unbesaught provided and his hands Cloath'd us unworthie pitying while he judg'd How much more if we pray him will his ear Be open and his heart to pitie incline And teach us fuâ—…ther by what means to shun Th'inclement Seasons Rain Ice Hail and Snow Which now the Skie with various Face begins To shew us in this Mountain while the Winds Blow moist and keen shâ—…ttering the graceful locks Of these fair spreading Trees which bids us seek Som better shroud som better warmth to cherish Our Limbs benumm'd ere this diurnal Starr Leave cold the Night how we his gather'd beams Reflected may with matter sere foment Or by collision of two bodies grinde The Air attrite to Fire as late the Clouds Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock Tine the slant Lightning whose thwart flame driv'n down Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine And sends a comfortable heat from farr Which might supply the Sun such Fire to use And what may else be remedie or cure To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought Hee will instruct us praying and of Grace Beseeching him so as we need not fear To pass commodiously this life sustain'd By him with many comforts till we end In dust our final rest and native home What better can we do then to the place Repairing where he judg'd us prostrate fall Before him reverent and there confess Humbly our faults and pardon beg with tears VVatering the ground and with our sighs the Air Frequenting seâ—…t from hearts contrite in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek Undoubtedly he will relent and turn From his displeasure in whose look serene VVhen angry most he seem'd and most severe VVhat else but favor grace and mercie shon So spake our Father penitent nor Eve Felt less remorse they forthwith to the placâ—… Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell Before him reverent and both confess'd Humbly thir faults and pardon beg'd with tears VVatering the ground and with thir sighs the Air Frequenting sent from hearts contrite in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek The End of the Ninth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK X. THus they in lowliest plight repentant stood Praying for from the Mercie-seat above 〈◊〉 Grace deseending had remov'd The stonie from thir hearts and made new flesh Regenerat grow instead that sighs now breath'd Unutterable which the Spirit of prayer Inspir'd and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight Then loudest Oratorie yet thir port Not of mean suiters nor important less Seem'd thir Petition then when th' ancient Pair 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 less ancient yet then these Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore The Race of Mankind drownd before the Shrine Of Themis stood devout To Heav'n thir prayers Flew up nor missd the way by envious windes Blow'n vagabond or frustrate in they passd Dimentionless through Heav'nly dores then clad With ineense where the Golden Altar fum'd By thir great Intercessor came in sight Before the Fathers Throne Them the glad Son Presenting thus to intercede began See Father what first fruits on Earth are sprung From thy-implanted Grace in Mâ—…n these Sighs And Prayers which in this Golden Censer mixt With Incense I thy Pâ—…iest before thee bring Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed Sow'n with contrition in his heart then those Which his own hand manuring all the Trees Of Paradise could have produc't ere fall n From innocence Now â—…herefore bend thine eare To supplication heare his sighs though mute Unskilful with what words to pray let mee Interpret for him mee his Advocate And propiriation all his works on mee Good or not good ingraft my Merit those Shall perfet and for these my Death shall pay Accept me and in mee from these receave The smell of peace toward Mankinde let him live Before thee reconcil'd at least his days Numberd though sad till Death his doom which I To miâ—…igate thus plead not to reverse To better life shall yeeld him where with mee All my redeemd may dwell in joy and bliss Made one with me as I with thee am one To whom the Father without Cloud serene All thy request for Man accepted Son Obtain all thy request was my Decree But longer in
thou to foresight wak'st As once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 while Shee to life was formd To wâ—…m 〈◊〉 Adam gratefully repli'd 〈◊〉 I follow â—…hee safe Guide the path 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to the hand of Heav'n submit â—…wever châ—…'ning to the evil turne My obvious breast arming to overcom 〈◊〉 suffering and earne rest from labour won If so I 〈◊〉 attain So both ascend In the Visions of God It was a Hill Oâ—… Paradise the highest from whose top The Hemisphere of Earth in cleerest Ken Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round Whereon for different cause the Tempter set Our second Adam in the Wilderness To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and thir Glory His Eye might there command wherever stood City of old or modern Fame the Seat Of mightiest Empire from the destind Walls Of Cambalu seat of Cathaian Can And Samarchand by Oxus Temirs Throne To Paqâ—…in of Sinaean Kings and thence To Agra and Lahor of great Mogul Down to the golden Chersonese or where The Persian in Ecbatan sate or since In Hispahan or where the Russian Ksar In Mosco or the Sultan in Bizance Turchestan-born nor could his eye not ken Th' Empire of Negus to his utmost Port Ercoco and the less Maritine Kings Mombaza and Quiloa and Melind And Sofala thought Ophir to the Realme Of Congo and Angola fardest South Or thence from Niger Flood to Atlas Mount The Kingdoms of Almansor Fez and Sus Marocco and Algiers and Tremisen On Europe thence and where Rome was to sway The VVorld in Spirit perhaps he also saw Rich Mexico the seat of Motezume And Cusco in Peru the richer seat Of Atabalipa and yet unspoil'd Guiana whose great Citie Geryons Sons Call El Dorado but to nobler sights Michael from Adams eyes the Filme remov'd VVhich that false Fruit that promis'd clearer sight Had bred then purg'd with Euphrasie and Rue The visual Nerve for he had much to see And from the VVell of Life three drops instill'd So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc'd Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight That Adam now enforâ—… to close his eyes Sunk down and all his Spirits became intranst But him the gentle Angel by the hand Soon rais'd and his attention thus recall'd Adam now ope thine eyes and first behold Th' effects which thy original crime hath wrought In some to spring from thee who never touch'd Th' excepted Tree nor with the Snake conspir'd Nor sinn'd thy sin yet from that sin derive Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds His eyes he op'nd and beheld a field Part arable and tilth whereon were Sheaves New reapt the other part sheep walks and foulds i th' midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood Rustic of grassie sord thither anon A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought First Fruits the green Eare and the yellow Sheaf Uncull'd as came to hand a Shepherd next More 〈◊〉 came with the Firstlings of his Flock Choicest and best then sacrificing laid The Inwards and thir Fat with Incense strew'd On the cleft Wood and all due Rites perform'd His Offring soon propitious Fire from Heav'n Consum'd with nimble glance and grateful steame The others not for his was not sincere Whereat hee inlie rag'd and as they talk'd Smote him into the Midriff with a stone That beat out life he fell and deadly pale Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effus'd Much at that sight was Adam in his heart Dismai'd and thus in haste to th' Angel cri'd O Teacher some great mischief hath befall'n To that meek man who well had sacrific'd Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid T' whom Michael thus hee also mov'd repli'd These two are Brethren Adam and to come Out of thy loyns th' unjust the just hath slain For envie that his Brothers Offering â—…ound From Heav'n acceptance but the bloodie Fact Will be aveng'd and th' others Faith approv'd Loose no reward though here thou see him die Rowling in dust and gore To which our Sire Alas both for the deed and for the cause But have I now seen Death Is this the way I must return to native dust O sight Of terrour foul and ugly to behold Horrid to think how horrible to feel To whom thus Mâ—…l Death thou hast seen In his â—…irst shape on man â—…ut many shapes Of Death and many are the wayes that lead To his grim Cave all dismal yet to sense Mâ—…re terrible at th' entrance then within Soâ—…e as thou saw'st by violent stroke shall die By Fire Flood Famin by Intemperance more In Meats and Drinks which on the Earth shal bring Diseases dire of which a monstrous crew Before thee shall appear that thou mayst know What miserie th' inabstinence of Eve Shall bring on men Immediately a place Before his eyes appeard sad noysom dark A Lazar-house it seemd wherein were laid Numbers of all diseas'd all maladies Of gastly Spasm or racking torture qualmes Of heart-fick Agonie all feavorous kinds Convulsions Epilepsies 〈◊〉 Catarrhs Intestin Stone and Ulcer Colic pangs Dropsies and 〈◊〉 and Joint-racking Rheums Dire was the tossing deep the groans despair Tended the sick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Couch to Couch And over them triumphant Death his Dart Shook but delaid to strike though oft invok't With vows as thir chief good and final hope Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long Drie-ey'd behold Adam could not but wept Though not of Woman born compassion quell'd His best of Man and gave him up to tears A space till firmer thoughts restraind excess And scarce recovering words his plaint renew'd O miserable Mankind to what fall Degraded to what wretched state reserv'd Better end heer unborn Why is life giv'n To be thus wrested from us rather why Obtruded on us thus who if we knew What we receive would eiâ—…her not accept Life offer'd or soon beg to lay it down Glad to be so dismist in peace Can thus Th' Image of God in man created once So goodly and erect though faultie since To such unsightly sufferings be debas't 〈◊〉 inhuman pains Why should not Man Râ—…taining still Divine similitude In part from such deformities be free And for his Makers Image sake exempt Thir Makers Image answerd Michael then Forsook them when themselves they villifi'd To serve ungovern'd appetite and took His Image whom they serv'd a 〈◊〉 vice Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve Therefore so abject is thir punishment Disfiguring not Gods likeness but thir own Or if his likeness by themselves 〈◊〉 While they pervert 〈◊〉 Natures healthful rules To loathsom sickness worthily since they Gods Image did not reverence in themselves I yeild it just said Adam and submit But is there yet no other way 〈◊〉 These painful passages how we may come To Death and mix with our 〈◊〉 dust There is said Michael if thou well observe The rule of not too much by temperance taught In what thou eatst and drinkst seeking from thence Due nourishment not gluttonous delight Till many years over
thy head return So maist thou live till like ripe Fruit thou drop Into thy Mothers lap or be with ease Gatherd not harshly pluckt for death mature This is old age but then thou must outlive Thy youth thy strength thy beauty which will change To witherd weak gray thy Senses then Oâ—…se all taste of pleasure must forgoe To what thou hast and for the Aire of youth Hopeful and cheerful in thy blood will reigne A melancholly damp of cold and dry To waigh thy spirits down and last consume The Balme of Life To whom our Ancestor Henceforth I flie not Death nor would prolong Life much bent rather how I may be quit Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge Which I must keep till my appointed day Of rendring up Michael to him repli'd Nor love thy Life nor hate but what thou livst Live well how long or short permit to Heav'n And now prepare thee for another sight He lookd and saw a spacious Plaine whereon Were Tents of various hue by some were herds Of Cattel grazing others whence the sound Of Instruments that made melodious chime Was heard of Harp and Organ and who moovd Thir stops and chords was feen his volant touch Instinct through all proportions low and high Fled and pursu'd transverse the resonant fugue In other part stood one who at the Forge Labouring two massie clods of Iron and Brass Had melted whether found where casual fire Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale Down to the veins of Earth thence gliding hot To som Caves mouth or whether washt by stream From underground the liquid Ore he dreind Into fit moulds prepar'd from which he formd First his own Tooles then what might else be wrought Fusil or grav'n in mettle After these But on the hether side a different sort From the high neighbouring Hills which was thir Seat Down to the Plain descended by thir guise Just men they seemd and all thir study bent To worship God aright and know his works Not â—…id nor those things lost which might preserve Freedom and Peace to men they on the Plain Long had not walkt when from the Tents behold A Beavie of fair Women richly gay In Gems and wanton dress to the Harp they sung Soft amorous Ditties and in dance came on The Men though grave ey'd them and let thir eyes Rove without rein till in the amorous Net Fast caught they lik'd and each his liking chose And now of love they treat till th' Eevning Star Loves Harbinger appeerd then all in heat They light the Nuptial Torch and bid invoke Hymen then first to marriage Rites invok't With Feast and Musick all the Tenâ—…si resound Such happy interview and fair event Of love youth not lost Songs Garlands Flours And charming Symphonies attach'd the heart Of Adam soon enclin'd to admit delight The bent of Nature which he thus express'd True opener of mine eyes prime Angel blest Much better seems this Vision and more hope Of peaceful dayes portends then those two past Those were of hate and death or pain much worse Here Nature seems fulfilld in all her ends To whom thus Michael Judg not what is best By pleasure though to Nature seeming meet Created as thou art to nobler end Holie and pure conformitie divine Those Tents thou sawst so pleasant were the Tents Of wickedness wherein shall dwell his Race Who slew his Brother studious they appere Of Arts that polish Life Inventers rare Unmindful of thir Maker though his Spirit Taught them but they his gifts acknowledg'd none Yet they a beauteous ofspring shall beget For that fair femal Troop thou sawst that seemd Of Goddesses so blithe so smooth so gay Yet empty of all good wherein consists Womans domestic honour and chief praise Bred onely and completed to the taste Of lustful appetence to sing to dance To dress and troule the Tongue and roule the Eye To these that sober Race of Men whose lives Religious titl'd them the Sons of God Shall yeild up all thir vertue all thir fame Ignobly to the traines and to the smiles Of these fair Atheists and now swim in joy Erelong to swim at larg and laugh for which The world erelong a world of tears must weepe To whom thus Adam of short joy bereft O pittie and shame that they who to live well Enterd so faire should turn aside to tread Paths indirect or in the mid way faint But still I see the tenor of Mans woe Holds on the same from Woman to begin From Mans effeminate slackness it begins Said th' Angel who should better hold his place By wisdome and superiour gifts receavd But now prepare thee for another Scene He lookd and saw wide Territorie spred Before him Towns and rural works between Cities of Men with lofty Gates and Towrs Concours in Arms fierce Faces threatning Warr Giants of mightie Bone and bould emprise Part wield thir Arms part courb the foaming Steed Single or in Array of Battel rang'd Both Horse and Foot nor idely mustring stood One way a Band select from forage drives A herd of Beeves faire Oxen and faire Kine From a fat Meddow ground or fleecy Flock Ewes and thir bleating Lambs over the Plaine Thir Bootie scarce with Life the Shepherds flye But call in aide which tacks a bloody Fray With cruel Tournament the Squadrons joine Where Cattel pastur'd late now scatterd lies With Carcasses and Arms th' ensanguind Field Deserted Others to a Citie strong Lay Siege encampt by Batterie Scale and Mine Assaulting others from the Wall defend With Dart and Jav'lin Stones and sulfurous Fire On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds In other part the scepter'd Haralds call To Council in the Citie Gates anon Grey-headed men and grave with Warriours mixt Assemble and Harangues are heard but soon In factious opposition till at last Of middle Age one rising eminent In wise deport spake much of Right and Wrong Of Justice of Religion Truth and Peace And Judgement from above him old and young Exploded and had seiz'd with violent hands Had not a Cloud descending snatch'd him thence Unseen amid the throng so violence Proceeded and Oppression and Sword-Law Through all the Plain and refuge none was found Adam was all in tears and to his guide Lamenting turnd full sad O what are these Deaths Ministers not Men who thus deal Death Inhumanly to men and multiply Ten thousand fould the sin of him who slew His Brother for of whom such massacher Make they but of thir Brethren men of men But who was that Just Man whom had not Heav'n Rescu'd had in his Righteousness bin lost To whom thus Michael These are the product Of those ill-mated Marriages thou saw'st Where good with bad were matcht who of themselves Abhor to joyn and by imprudence mixt Produce prodigious Births of bodie or mind Such were these Giants men of high renown For in those dayes Might onely shall be admir'd And Valour and Heroic Vertu call'd To overcome in Battel and
subdue Nations and bring home spoils with infinite Man-slaughter shall be held the highest pitch Of human Glorie and for Glorie done Of triumph to be styl'd great Conquerours Patrons of Mankind Gods and Sons of Gods Destroyers rightlier call'd and Plagues of men Thus Fame shall be achiev'd renown on Earth And what most merits fame in silence hid But hee the seventh from thee whom thou beheldst The onely righteous in a World perverse And therefore hated therefore so beset With Foes for daring single to be just And utter odious Truth that God would come To judge them with his Saints Him the most High Rapt in a balmie Cloud with winged Steeds Did as thou sawst receave to walk with God High in Salvation and the Climes of bliss Exempt from Death to shew thee what reward Awaits the good the rest what punishment Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold He look'd saw the sace of things quite chang'd The brazen Throat of Warr had ceast to roar All now was turn'd to jollitie and game To luxurie and riot feast and dance Marrying or prostituting as befell Rape or Adulterie where passing faire Allurd them thence from Cups to civil Broiles At length a Reverend Sire among them came And of thir doings great dislike declar'd And testifi'd against thir wayes hee oft Frequented thir Assemblies whereso met Triumphs or Festivals and to them preachd Conversion and Repentance as to Souls In prison under Judgements imminent But all in vain which when he saw he ceas'd Contending and remov'd his Tents farr off Then from the Mountain hewing Timber tall Began to build a Vessel of huge bulk Measur'd by Cubit length breadth and highth Smeard round with Pitch and in the side a dore Contriv'd and of provisions laid in large For Man and Beast when loe a wonder strange Of everie Beast and Bird and Insect small Came seavens and pairs and enterd in as taught Thir order last the Sire and his three Sons With thir four Wives and God made fast the dore Meanwhile the Southwind rose with black wings Wide hovering all the Clouds together drove From under Heav'n the Hills to their supplie Vapour and Exhalation dusk and moist Sent up amain and now the thick'nd Skie Like a dark Ceeling stood down rush'd the Rain Impetuous and continu'd till the Earth No more was seen the floating Vessel swum Uplifted and secure with beaked prow Rode tilting o're the Waves all dwellings else Flood overwhelmd and them with all thir pomp Deep under water rould Sea cover'd Sea Sea without shoar and in thir Palaces Where luxurie late reign'd Sea-monsters whelp'd And stabl'd of Mankind so numerous late All left in one small bottom swum imbark't How didst thou grieve then Adam to behold The end of all thy Ofspring end so sad Depopulation thee another Floud Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drown'd And sunk thee as thy Sons till gently reard By th' Angel on thy feet thou stoodst at last Though comfortless as when a Father mourns His Childern all in view destroyd at once And scarce to th' Angel utterdst thus thy plaint O Visions ill foreseen better had I Liv'd ignorant of future so had borne My part of evil onely each dayes lot Anough to bear those now that were dispenst The burd'n of many Ages on me light At once by my foreknowledge gaining Birth Abortive to torment me ere thir being With thought that they must be Let no man seek Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall Him or his Childern evil he may be sure Which neither his foreknowing can prevent And hee the future evil shall no less In apprehension then in substance feel Grievous to bear but that care now is past Man is not whom to warne those few escap't Famin and anguish will at last consume Wandring that watrie Desert I had hope When violence was ceas't and Warr on Earth All would have then gon well peace would have crownd With length of happy days the race of man But I was farr deceav'd for now I see Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste How comes it thus unfould Celestial Guide And whether here the Race of man will end To whom thus Michael Those whom last thou sawst In triumph and luxurious wealth are they First seen in acts of prowess eminent And great exploits but of true vertu void Who having spilt much blood and don much waste Subduing Nations and achievd thereby Fame in the World high titles and rich prey Shall change thir course to pleasure ease and sloth Surfet and lust till wantonness and pride Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace The conquerd also and enslav'd by Warr Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose And feare of God from whom thir pietie feign'd In sharp contest of Battel found no aide Against invaders therefore coold in zeale Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure Worldlie or dissolute on what thir Lords Shall leave them to enjoy for th' Earth shall bear More then anough that temperance may be tri'd So all shall turn degenerate all deprav'd Justice and Temperance Truth and Faith forgot One Man except the onely Son of light In a dark Age against example good Against allurement custom and a World Offended fearless of reproach and scorn Or violence hee of thir wicked wayes Shall them admonish and before them set The paths of righteousness how much more safe And full of peace denouncing wrauth to come On thir impenitence and shall returne Of them derided but of God observd The one just Man alive by his command Shall build a wondrous Ark as thou beheldst To save himself and houshold from amidst A World devote to universal rack No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast Select for life shall in the Ark be lodg'd And shelterd round but all the Cataracts Of Heav'n set open on the Earth shall powre Raine day and night all fountaines of the Deep Broke up shall heave the Ocean to usurp Beyond all bounds till inundation rise Above the highest Hills then shall this Mount Of Paradise by might of Waves be moovd Out of his place pushd by the horned floud With all his verdure spoil'd and Trees adrift Down the great River to the op'ning Gulf And there take root an Iland salt and bare The haunt of Seales and Orcs and Sea-mews clang To teach thee that God attributes to place No sanctitie if none be thither brought By Men who there frequent or therein dwell And now what further shall ensue behold He lookd and saw the Ark hull on the floud Which now abated for the Clouds were fled Drivn by a keen North-winde that blowing drie Wrinkl'd the face of Deluge as decai'd And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass Gaz'd hot and of the fresh Wave largely drew As after thirst which made thir flowing shrink From standing lake to tripping ebbe that stole With soft foot towards the deep who now had stopt â—…is is Sluces
up in Idol-worship O that men Canst thou believe should be so stupid grown While yet the Patriark liv'd who scap'd the Flood As to forsake the living God and fall To worship thir own work in Wood and Stone For Gods yet him God the most High voutsafes To call by Vision from his Fathers house His kindâ—…ed and false Gods into a Land Which he will shew him and from him will raise A mightie Nation and upon him showre His benediction so that in his Seed All Nations shall be blest hee straight obeys Not knowing to what Land yet firm believes I see him but thou canst not with what Faith He leaves his Gods his Friends and native Soile Ur of Chaldaea passing now the Ford To Haran after him a cumbrous Train Of Herds and Flocks and numerous servitude Not wandring poor but trusting all his wealth With God who call'd him in a land unknown Canaan he now attains I see his Tents Pitcht about Sechem and the neighbouring Plaine Of Moreh there by promise he receaves Gift to his Progenie of all that Land From Hamath Northward to the Desert South Things by thir names I call though yet unnam'd From Hermon East to the great Western Sea Mount Hermon yonder Sea each place behold In prospect as I point them on the shoare Mount Carmel here the double-founted stream Jordan true limit Eastward but his Sons Shall dwell to Senir that long ridge of Hills This ponder that all Nations of the Earth Shall in his Seed be blessed by that Seed Is meant thy great deliverer who shall bruise The Serpents head whereof to thee anon Plainlier shall be reveald This Patriarch blest Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call A Son and of his Son a Grand-childe leaves Like him in faith in wisdom and renown The Grandchilde with twelve Sons increast departs From Canaan to a Land hereafter call'd Egypt divided by the River Nile See where it flows disgorging at seaven mouthes Into the Sea to sojourn in that Land He comes invited by a yonger Son In time of dearth a Son whose worthy deeds Raise him to be the second in that Realme Of Pharao there he dies and leaves his Race Growing into a Nation and now grown Suspected to a sequent King who seeks To stop thir overgrowth as inmate guests Too numerous whence of guests he makes them slaves Inhospitably and kills thir infant Males Till by two brethren those two brethren call Moses and Aaron sent from God to claime His people from enthralment they return With glory and spoile back to thir promis'd Land But first the lawless Tyrant who denies To know thir God or message to regard Must be compelld by Signes and Judgements dire To blood unshed the Rivers must be turnd Frogs Lice and Flies must all his Palace â—…ill With loath'd intruâ—…on and fill all the land His Cattel must of Rot and Murren die Botches and blaines must all his flesh imboss And all his people Thunder mixt with Haile Haile mixt with fire must rend th' Egyptian Skie And wheel on th' Earth devouring where it rouls What it devours not Herb or Fruit or Graine A darksom Cloud of Locusts swarming down Must eat and on the ground leave nothing green Darkness must overshadow all his bounds Palpable darkness and blot out three dayes Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born Of Egypt must lie dead Thus with ten wounds This River-dragon tam'd at length submits To let his sojourners depart and oft Humbles his stubborn heart but still as Ice More hard'nd after thaw till in his rage Pursuing whom he late dismissd the Sea Swallows him with his Host but them le ts pass As on drie land between two christal walls Aw'd by the rod of Moses so to stand Divided till his rescu'd gain thir shoar Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend Though present in his Angel who shall goe Before them in a Cloud and Pillar of Fire By day a Cloud by night a pillar of Fire To guide them in thir journey and remove Behinde them while th' obdurat King pursues All night he will pursue but his approach Darkness defends between till morning Watch Then through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud God looking forth will trouble all his Host And craze thir Chariot wheels when by command Moses once more his potent Rod extends Over the Sea the Sea his Rod obeys On thir imbattelld ranks the Waves return And overwhelm thir Warr the Race elect Safe towards Canaan from the shoar advance Through the wilde Desert not the readiest way Least entring on the Canaanite allarmd Warr terrifie them inexpert and feare Return them back to Egypt choosing rather Inglorious life with servitude for life To noble and ignoble is more sweet Untraind in Armes where rashness leads not on This also shall they gain by thir delay In the wide Wilderness there they shall found Thir government and thir great Senate choose Through the twelve Tribes to rule by Laws ordaind God from the Mount of Sinai whose gray top Shall tremble he descending will himself In Thunder Lightning and loud Trumpets sound Ordaine them Lawes part such as appertaine To civil Justice part religious Rites Of sacrifice informing them by types And shadowes of that destind Seed to bruise The Serpent by what meanes he shall achieve Mankinds deliverance But the voice of God To mortal eare is dreadful they beseech That Moses might report to them his will And terror cease he grants them thir desire Instructed that to God is no access Without Mediator whose high Office now Moses in figure beares to introduce One greater of whose day he shall foretell And all the Prophets in thir Age the times Of great Messiah shall sing Thus Laws and Rites Establisht such delight hath God in Men Obedient to his will that he voutsafes Among them to set up his Tabernacle The holy One with mortal Men to dwell By his prescript a Sanctuary is fram'd Of Cedar overlaid with Gold therein An Ark and in the Ark his Testimony The Records of his Cov'nant over these A Mercie-seat of Gold between the wings Of two bright Cherubim before him burn Seaven Lamps as in a Zodiac representing The Heav'nly fires over the Tent a Cloud Shall rest by Day a 〈◊〉 gleame by Night Save when they journie and at length they come Conducted by his Angel to the Land Promisd to Abraham and his Seed the rest Were long to tell how many Battels fought How many Kings destroyd and Kingdoms won Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav'n stand still A day entire and Nights due course adjourne Mans voice commanding Sun in Gibeon stand And thou Moon in the vale of Aialon Till Israel overcome so call the third From Abraham Son of Isaac and from him His whole descent who thus shall Canaan win Here Adam interpos'd O sent from Heav'n Enlightner of my darkness gracious things Thou hast reveald those chiefly which concerne Just Abraham and his Seed now