summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
path: root/macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
Diffstat (limited to 'macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex')
-rw-r--r--macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex10673
1 files changed, 10673 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex b/macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e3f23bc2ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/macros/latex/contrib/technica/examples/paradise.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,10673 @@
+\documentclass[11pt]{book}
+\usepackage[pagestyles,outermarks]{titlesec}[2005/01/22 v2.6]
+\usepackage{titletoc}[2005/01/22 v1.5]
+\usepackage[repeat]{poetry}
+\usepackage{example}
+
+\TextHeight {7.25in}
+
+\newcommand {\FrontMatter} {%
+
+ \titlecontents {chapter}[0pt]
+ {\addvspace{3ex}\centering\itshape}
+ {\thecontentslabel}
+ {\thecontentslabel}
+ {\\* \textup{\thecontentspage}}
+
+ \titleformat {\chapter}[block]
+ {\centering}
+ {}
+ {0pt}
+ {\MakeUppercase}
+
+ \titlespacing {\chapter}
+ {0pt}{0pt}{1\leading}
+
+ \addtocontents{toc}{\protect\thispagestyle{empty}}
+ \tableofcontents
+ \newpage
+}
+
+
+\newcounter {first}
+\newcounter {last}
+
+\newpagestyle{maintext}{
+ \sethead [\thepage]
+ [\textit{PARADISE LOST}]
+ [\firsttitlemarks \textsc{\romannumeral\chaptertitle}\space
+ \setcounter {first}{\sectiontitle}
+ \bottitlemarks \setcounter {last}{\sectiontitle}
+ \NumberRange {\value{first}}{\value{last}}{last}
+ \RelSize{-2}\thefirst \textendash \thelast
+ ]
+ {\firsttitlemarks \textsc{\romannumeral\chaptertitle}\space
+ \setcounter {first}{\sectiontitle}
+ \bottitlemarks \setcounter {last}{\sectiontitle}
+ \NumberRange {\value{first}}{\value{last}}{last}
+ \RelSize{-2}\thefirst \textendash \thelast
+ }
+ {\textit{PARADISE LOST}}
+ {\thepage}
+
+ \Capita {chapter}{section}
+}
+%
+%
+\Locus \textus {+ 5.5em}
+
+\Locus \numerus {\rightmargin}
+\Facies {\RelSize{-2}#1}
+\Caput {\section \headline}
+
+\Novus \numerus \Nbook
+\Facies \Nbook {\ROMANnumeral {#1}}
+\Caput {\chapter
+ \headline
+ \contents{BOOK \ROMANnumeral{\theNbook}}
+ }
+
+\Novus \titulus \Book
+\Facies {\newpage \thispagestyle{empty}%
+ \RelSize{+1}%
+ \itshape \LetterSpace[{21}{20}]{BOOK}\kern 1em\relax
+ \Nbook*{=+1}\numerus{1}}
+\SpatiumInfra {.5\leading plus .25\leading minus .25\leading}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\ExampleTitle {John Milton}{Paradise Lost}{}
+
+\FrontMatter
+
+\pagestyle{maintext}
+\thispagestyle{empty}
+
+\Versus
+\Nbook{0}
+\numerus{1}
+\Book
+\quad Of Man's First Disobedience, and the Fruit
+Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
+Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
+With loss of \textit{Eden}, till one greater Man
+Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
+Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top
+Of \textit{Oreb}, or of \textit{Sinai}, didst inspire
+That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
+In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
+Rose out of \textit{Chaos}: Or if \textit{Sion} Hill
+Delight thee more, and \textit{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' \textit{Aonian} Mount, while it pursues
+Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
+And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
+Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure,
+Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first
+Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
+Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
+And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
+Illumine, what is low raise and support;
+That to the highth of this great Argument
+I may assert th' Eternal Providence,
+And justifie the wayes of God to men.
+\quad Say first, for Heav'n hides 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 Heav'n 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?
+Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
+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. Him the Almighty Power
+Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie
+With hideous ruine and combustion down
+To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
+In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
+Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.
+Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
+To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
+Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
+Confounded though immortal: But his doom
+Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought
+Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
+Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
+That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
+Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
+At once as far as Angels kenn he views
+The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
+A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
+As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
+No light, but rather darkness visible
+Serv'd only to discover sights of woe,
+Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
+And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
+That comes to all; but torture without end
+Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
+With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:
+Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd
+For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd
+In utter darkness, and their portion set
+As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
+As from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.
+O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
+There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'd
+With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
+He soon discerns, and weltring by his side
+One next himself in power, and next in crime,
+Long after known in \textit{Palestine}, and nam'd
+\textit{Beelzebub}. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
+And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
+Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
+\quad If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd
+From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
+Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
+Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
+United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
+And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,
+Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd
+In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
+From what highth fal'n, 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 disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
+That with the mightiest 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 though the field be lost?
+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 or might
+Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
+With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
+Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
+Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
+That were an ignominy and shame 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 with 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.
+\quad So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain,
+Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:
+And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
+\quad 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 state
+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 so suffice his vengeful ire,
+Or do him mightier service as his thralls
+By right of Warr, 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.
+\quad 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 to pervert 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 inmost counsels from their destind aim.
+But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
+His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
+Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail
+Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
+The fiery Surge, 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 shafts, 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 flames
+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 afflicted 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.
+\quad 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,
+\textit{Titanian}, or \textit{Earth}-\textit{Born}, that warr'd on \textit{Jove},
+\textit{Briarios} or \textit{Typhon}, whom the Den
+By ancient \textit{Tarsus} held, or that Sea-beast
+\textit{Leviathan}, which God of all his works
+Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
+Him haply slumbring on the \textit{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, and 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 \textit{Pelorus}, or the shatter'd side
+Of thundring \textit{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 \textit{Stygian} flood
+As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
+Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
+\quad 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?
+\quad So \textit{Satan} spake, and him \textit{Beelzebub}
+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.
+\quad 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 \textit{Tuscan} Artist views
+At Ev'ning from the top of \textit{Fesole},
+Or in \textit{Valdarno}, to descry new Lands,
+Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
+His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
+Hewn on \textit{Norwegian} hills, to be the Mast
+Of some great Ammiral, 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 \textit{Vallombrosa}, where th' \textit{Etrurian} shades
+High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge
+Afloat, when with fierce Winds \textit{Orion} arm'd
+Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
+\textit{Busiris} and his \textit{Memphian} Chivalrie,
+\textit{Vv}hile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
+The Sojourners of \textit{Goshen}, who beheld
+From the safe shore their floating Carkases
+And broken Chariot Wheels, 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.
+\quad 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 Rod
+Of \textit{Amrams} Son in \textit{Egypts} evill day
+Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud
+Of \textit{Locusts}, warping on the Eastern Wind,
+That ore the Realm of impious \textit{Pharoah} hung
+Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of \textit{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
+Their 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
+\textit{Rhene} or the \textit{Danaw}, when her barbarous Sons
+Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
+Beneath \textit{Gibraltar} to the \textit{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 their Rebellion, from the Books of Life.
+Nor had they yet among the Sons of \textit{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 their 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
+\textit{Jehovah} thundring out of \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{Ammonite}
+Worshipt in \textit{Rabba} and her watry Plain,
+In \textit{Argob} and in \textit{Basan}, to the stream
+Of utmost \textit{Arnon}. Nor content with such
+Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
+Of \textit{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 \textit{Hinnom}, \textit{Tophet} thence
+And black \textit{Gehenna} call'd, the Type of Hell.
+Next \textit{Chemos}, th' obscene dread of \textit{Moabs} Sons,
+From \textit{Aroer} to \textit{Nebo}, and the wild
+Of Southmost \textit{Abarim}; in \textit{Hesebon}
+And \textit{Heronaim}, \textit{Seons} Realm, beyond
+The flowry Dale of \textit{Sibma} clad with Vines,
+And \textit{Eleale} to th' \textit{Asphaltick} Pool.
+\textit{Peor} his other Name, when he entic'd
+\textit{Israel} in \textit{Sittim} on their march from \textit{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 \textit{Moloch} homicide, lust hard by hate;
+Till good \textit{Josiah} drove them thence to Hell.
+With these came they, who from the bordring flood
+Of old \textit{Euphrates} to the Brook that parts
+\textit{Egypt} from \textit{Syrian} ground, had general Names
+Of \textit{Baalim} and \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{Astoreth}, whom the \textit{Phoenicians} call'd
+\textit{Astarte}, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;
+To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon
+\textit{Sidonian} Virgins paid their Vows and Songs,
+In \textit{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. \textit{Thammuz} came next behind,
+Whose annual wound in \textit{Lebanon} allur'd
+The \textit{Syrian} Damsels to lament his fate
+In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,
+While smooth \textit{Adonis} from his native Rock
+Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood
+Of \textit{Thammuz} yearly wounded: the Love-tale
+Infected \textit{Sions} daughters with like heat,
+Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
+\textit{Ezekiel} saw, when by the Vision led
+His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries
+Of alienated \textit{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:
+\textit{Dagon} his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man
+And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
+Rear'd in \textit{Azotus}, dreaded through the Coast
+Of \textit{Palestine}, in \textit{Gath} and \textit{Ascalon},
+And \textit{Accaron} and \textit{Gaza}'s frontier bounds.
+Him follow'd \textit{Rimmon}, whose delightful Seat
+Was fair \textit{Damascus}, on the fertil Banks
+Of \textit{Abbana} and \textit{Pharphar}, lucid streams.
+He also against the house of God was bold:
+A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King,
+\textit{Ahaz} his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew
+Gods Altar to disparage and displace
+For one of \textit{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,
+\textit{Osiris}, \textit{Isis}, \textit{Orus} and their Train
+With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd
+Fanatic \textit{Egypt} and her Priests, to seek
+Their wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms
+Rather then human. Nor did \textit{Israel} scape
+Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd
+The Calf in \textit{Oreb}: and the Rebel King
+Doubl'd that sin in \textit{Bethel} and in \textit{Dan},
+Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox,
+\textit{Jehovah}, who in one Night when he pass'd
+From \textit{Egypt} marching, equal'd with one stroke
+Both her first born and all her bleating Gods.
+\textit{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 \textit{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 their loftiest Towrs,
+And injury and outrage: And when Night
+Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons
+Of \textit{Belial}, flown with insolence and wine.
+Witness the Streets of \textit{Sodom}, and that night
+In \textit{Gibeah}, when hospitable Dores
+Yielded their 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' \textit{Ionian} Gods, of \textit{Javans} Issue held
+Gods, yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth
+Their boasted Parents; \textit{Titan} Heav'ns first born
+With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd
+By younger \textit{Saturn}, he from mightier \textit{Jove}
+His own and \textit{Rhea}'s Son like measure found;
+So \textit{Jove} usurping reign'd: these first in \textit{Creet}
+And \textit{Ida} known, thence on the Snowy top
+Of cold \textit{Olympus} rul'd the middle Air
+Their highest Heav'n; or on the \textit{Delphian} Cliff,
+Or in \textit{Dodona}, and through all the bounds
+Of \textit{Doric} Land; or who with \textit{Saturn} old
+Fled over \textit{Adria} to th' \textit{Hesperian} Fields,
+And ore the \textit{Celtic} roam'd the utmost Isles.
+All these and more came flocking; but with looks
+Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd
+Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found their chief
+Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost
+In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast
+Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride
+Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore
+Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd
+Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears.
+Then strait commands that at the warlike sound
+Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard
+His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd
+\textit{Azazel} as his right, a Cherube tall:
+Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld
+Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't
+Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind
+With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd,
+Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while
+Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds:
+At which the universal Host upsent
+A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond
+Frighted the Reign of \textit{Chaos} and old Night.
+All in a moment through the gloom were seen
+Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air
+With Orient Colours waving: with them rose
+A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms
+Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array
+Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move
+In perfect \textit{Phalanx} to the Dorian mood
+Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd
+To highth of noblest temper Hero's old
+Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage
+Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd
+With dread of death to flight or foul retreat,
+Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage
+With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase
+Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
+From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they
+Breathing united force with fixed thought
+Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd
+Their painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now
+Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front
+Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
+Of Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield,
+Awaiting what command their mighty Chief
+Had to impose: He through the armed Files
+Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse
+The whole Battalion views, their order due,
+Their visages and stature as of Gods,
+Their number last he summs. And now his heart
+Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength
+Glories: For never since created man,
+Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these
+Could merit more then that small infantry
+Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood
+Of \textit{Phlegra} with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd
+That fought at \textit{Theb}'s and \textit{Ilium}, on each side
+Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds
+In Fable or \textit{Romance} of \textit{Uthers} Son
+Begirt with \textit{British} and \textit{Armoric} Knights;
+And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel
+Jousted in \textit{Aspramont} or \textit{Montalban},
+\textit{Damasco}, or \textit{Marocco}, or \textit{Trebisond},
+Or whom \textit{Biserta} sent from \textit{Afric} shore
+When \textit{Charlemain} with all his Peerage fell
+By \textit{Fontarabbia}. Thus far these beyond
+Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd
+Their dread Commander: he above the rest
+In shape and gesture proudly eminent
+Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost
+All her Original brightness, nor appear'd
+Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excess
+Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n
+Looks through the Horizontal misty Air
+Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon
+In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds
+On half the Nations, and with fear of change
+Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon
+Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face
+Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care
+Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes
+Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride
+Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast
+Signs of remorse and passion to behold
+The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
+(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd
+For ever now to have their lot in pain,
+Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't
+Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung
+For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood,
+Their Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire
+Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines,
+With singed top their stately growth though bare
+Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd
+To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend
+From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round
+With all his Peers: attention held them mute.
+Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,
+Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last
+Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
+\quad O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
+Matchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strife
+Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire,
+As this place testifies, and this dire change
+Hateful to utter: but what power of mind
+Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth
+Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,
+How such united force of Gods, how such
+As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
+For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,
+That all these puissant Legions, whose exile
+Hath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascend
+Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.
+For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,
+If counsels different, or danger shun'd
+By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns
+Monarch in Heav'n, till then as one secure
+Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
+Consent or custome, and his Regal State
+Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,
+Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
+Henceforth his might we know, and know our own
+So as not either to provoke, or dread
+New warr, provok't; our better part remains
+To work in close design, by fraud or guile
+What force effected not: that he no less
+At length from us may find, who overcomes
+By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
+Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
+There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long
+Intended to create, and therein plant
+A generation, whom his choice regard
+Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
+Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps
+Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:
+For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
+Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse
+Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
+Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,
+For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr
+Open or understood must be resolv'd.
+\quad He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew
+Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs
+Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
+Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd
+Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's
+Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,
+Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.
+\quad There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top
+Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire
+Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign
+That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,
+The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed
+A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands
+Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd
+Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
+Or cast a Rampart. \textit{Mammon} led them on,
+\textit{Mammon}, the least erected Spirit that fell
+From heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks and thoughts
+Were always downward bent, admiring more
+The riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,
+Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'd
+In vision beatific: by him first
+Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
+Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands
+Rifl'd the bowels of their mother Earth
+For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew
+Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound
+And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire
+That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best
+Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those
+Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell
+Of \textit{Babel}, and the works of \textit{Memphian} Kings,
+Learn how their greatest Monuments of Fame,
+And Strength and Art are easily outdone
+By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
+What in an age they with incessant toyle
+And hands innumerable scarce perform
+Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd,
+That underneath had veins of liquid fire
+Sluc'd from the Lake, a second multitude
+With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,
+Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:
+A theird as soon had form'd within the ground
+A various mould, and from the boyling cells
+By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,
+As in an Organ from one blast of wind
+To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.
+Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge
+Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
+Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
+Built like a Temple, where \textit{Pilasters} round
+Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid
+With Golden Architrave; nor did there want
+Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,
+The Roof was fretted Gold. Not \textit{Babilon},
+Nor great \textit{Alcairo} such magnificence
+Equal'd in all their glories, to inshrine
+\textit{Belus} or \textit{Serapis} their Gods, or seat
+Their Kings, when \textit{Aegypt} with \textit{Assyria} strove
+In wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pile
+Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores
+Op'ning their brazen foulds discover wide
+Within, her ample spaces, o're the smooth
+And level pavement: from the arched roof
+Pendant by suttle Magic many a row
+Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed
+With Naphtha and \textit{Asphaltus} yeilded light
+As from a sky. The hasty multitude
+Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise
+And some the Architect: his hand was known
+In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,
+Where Scepter'd Angels held their residence,
+And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King
+Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
+Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
+Nor was his name unheard or unador'd
+In ancient Greece; and in \textit{Ausonian} land
+Men call'd him \textit{Mulciber}; and how he fell
+From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry \textit{Jove}
+Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn
+To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
+A Summers day; and with the setting Sun
+Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
+On \textit{Lemnos} th' \textit{Aegaean} Ile: thus they relate,
+Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
+Fell long before; nor aught avail'd him now
+To have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scape
+By all his Engins, but was headlong sent
+With his industrious crew to build in hell.
+Mean while the winged Haralds by command
+Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony
+And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
+A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
+At \textit{Pandaemonium}, the high Capital
+Of Satan and his Peers: their summons call'd
+From every and Band squared Regiment
+By place or choice the worthiest; they anon
+With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
+Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates
+And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
+(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
+Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair
+Defi'd the best of Panim chivalry
+To mortal combat or carreer with Lance)
+Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,
+Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As Bees
+In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,
+Poure forth their populous youth about the Hive
+In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
+Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,
+The suburb of their Straw-built Cittadel,
+New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and confer
+Their State affairs. So thick the aerie crowd
+Swarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,
+Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd
+In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons
+Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
+Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race
+Beyond the \textit{Indian} Mount, or Faerie Elves,
+Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side
+Or Fountain fome belated Peasant sees,
+Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon
+Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth
+Wheels her pale course, they on their mirth and dance
+Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear;
+At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
+Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
+Reduc'd their shapes immense, and were at large,
+Though without number still amidst the Hall
+Of that infernal Court. But far within
+And in their own dimensions like themselves
+The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
+In close recess and secret conclave sat
+A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's,
+Frequent and full. After short silence then
+And summons read, the great consult began.
+
+\Book
+High on a Throne of Royal State, which far
+Outshon the wealth of \textit{Ormus} and of \textit{Ind},
+Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand
+Showrs on her Kings \textit{Barbaric} Pearl and Gold,
+Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd
+To that bad eminence; and from despair
+Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
+Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
+Vain Warr with Heav'n, and by success untaught
+His proud imaginations thus displaid.
+\quad Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n,
+For since no deep within her gulf can hold
+Immortal vigor, though opprest and fall'n,
+I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent
+Celestial vertues rising, will appear
+More glorious and more dread then from no fall,
+And trust themselves to fear no second fate:
+Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav'n
+Did first create your Leader, next, free choice,
+With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight,
+Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss
+Thus farr at least recover'd, hath much more
+Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne
+Yeilded with full consent. The happier state
+In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw
+Envy from each inferior; but who here
+Will envy whom the highest place exposes
+Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime
+Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share
+Of endless pain? where there is then no good
+For which to strive, no strife can grow up there
+From Faction; for none sure will claim in hell
+Precedence, none, whose portion is so small
+Of present pain, that with ambitious mind
+Will covet more. With this advantage then
+To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,
+More then can be in Heav'n, we now return
+To claim our just inheritance of old,
+Surer to prosper then prosperity
+Could have assur'd us; and by what best way,
+Whether of open Warr or covert guile,
+We now debate; who can advise, may speak.
+\quad He ceas'd, and next him \textit{Moloc}, Scepter'd King
+Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit
+That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair:
+His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd
+Equal in strength, and rather then be less
+Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost
+Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse
+He reckd not, and these words thereafter spake.
+\quad 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 contriving, shall the rest,
+Millions that stand in Arms, and longing wait
+The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here
+Heav'ns fugitives, and for their dwelling place
+Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame,
+The Prison of his Tyranny who Reigns
+By our delay? no, let us rather choose
+Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at once
+O're Heav'ns high Towrs to force resistless way,
+Turning our Tortures into horrid Arms
+Against the Torturer; when to meet the noise
+Of his Almighty Engin he shall hear
+Infernal Thunder, and for Lightning see
+Black fire and horror shot with equal rage
+Among his Angels; and his Throne it self
+Mixt with \textit{Tartarean} Sulphur, and strange fire,
+His own invented Torments. But perhaps
+The way seems difficult and steep to scale
+With upright wing against a higher foe.
+Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench
+Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still,
+That in our proper motion we ascend
+Up to our native seat: descent and fall
+To us is adverse. Who but felt of late
+When the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n Rear
+Insulting, and pursu'd us through the Deep,
+With what compulsion and laborious flight
+We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easie 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.
+\quad He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd
+Desperate revenge, and Battel dangerous
+To less then Gods. On th' other side up rose
+\textit{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.
+\quad 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 Revenge? the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'd
+With Armed watch, that render all access
+Impregnable; oft on the bordering Deep
+Encamp their Legions, or with obscure wing
+Scout 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 rise
+With blackest Insurrection, to confound
+Heav'ns purest Light, yet our great Enemie
+All incorruptible would on his Throne
+Sit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal 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 exasperate
+Th' Almighty Victor to spend all his rage,
+And that must end us, that must be our cure,
+To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose,
+Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
+Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,
+To perish rather, swallowd up and lost
+In the wide womb of uncreated night,
+Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows,
+Let this be good, whether our angry Foe
+Can give it, or will ever? how he can
+Is doubtful; that he never will is sure.
+Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,
+Belike through impotence, or unaware,
+To give his Enemies their wish, and end
+Them in his anger, whom his anger saves
+To punish endless? wherefore cease we then?
+Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed,
+Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe;
+Whatever doing, what can we suffer more,
+What can we suffer worse? is this then worst,
+Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms?
+What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strook
+With Heav'ns afflicting Thunder, and besought
+The Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'd
+A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay
+Chain'd on the burning Lake? that sure was worse.
+What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires
+Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rage
+And plunge us in the Flames? or from above
+Should intermitted vengeance Arme again
+His red right hand to plague us? what if all
+Her stores were op'n'd, and this Firmament
+Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire,
+Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fall
+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 and these Torments? 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 vent'rous, 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 their Conquerour: This is now
+Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear,
+Our Supream Foe in time may much remit
+His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov'd
+Not mind us not offending, satisfi'd
+With what is punish't; whence these raging fires
+Will slack'n, if his breath stir not their flames.
+Our purer essence then will overcome
+Their noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel,
+Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformd
+In temper and in nature, will receive
+Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain;
+This horror will grow milde, this darkness light,
+Besides what hope the never-ending flight
+Of future days may bring, what chance, what change
+Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers
+For happy though but ill, for ill not worst,
+If we procure not to our selves more woe.
+\quad Thus \textit{Belial} with words cloath'd in reasons garb
+Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,
+Not peace: and after him thus \textit{Mammon} spake.
+\quad Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n
+We warr, if warr be best, or to regain
+Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then
+May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild
+To fickle Chance, and \textit{Chaos} judge the strife:
+The former vain to hope argues as vain
+The latter: for what place can be for us
+Within Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supream
+We overpower? Suppose he should relent
+And publish Grace to all, on promise made
+Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we
+Stand in his presence humble, and receive
+Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his Throne
+With warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead sing
+Forc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sits
+Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes
+Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,
+Our servile offerings. This must be our task
+In Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom
+Eternity so spent in worship paid
+To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue
+By force impossible, by leave obtain'd
+Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state
+Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek
+Our own good from our selves, and from our own
+Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,
+Free, and to none accountable, preferring
+Hard liberty before the easie yoke
+Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear
+Then most conspicuous, when great things of small,
+Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
+We can create, and in what place so e're
+Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
+Through labour and endurance. This deep world
+Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst
+Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling Sire
+Choose to reside, his Glory unobscur'd,
+And with the Majesty of darkness round
+Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar
+Must'ring their rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell?
+As he our Darkness, cannot we his Light
+Imitate when we please? This Desart soile
+Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;
+Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
+Magnificence; and what can Heav'n shew more?
+Our torments also may in length of time
+Become our Elements, these piercing Fires
+As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd
+Into their temper; which must needs remove
+The sensible of pain. All things invite
+To peaceful Counsels, and the settl'd State
+Of order, how in safety best we may
+Compose our present evils, with regard
+Of what we are and where, dismissing quite
+All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.
+\quad He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld
+Th' Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retain
+The sound of blustring winds, which all night long
+Had rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull
+Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance
+Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay
+After the Tempest: Such applause was heard
+As \textit{Mammon} ended, and his Sentence pleas'd,
+Advising peace: for such another Field
+They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear
+Of Thunder and the Sword of \textit{Michael}
+Wrought still within them; and no less desire
+To found this nether Empire, which might rise
+By pollicy, and long process of time,
+In emulation opposite to Heav'n.
+Which when \textit{Beelzebub} perceiv'd, then whom,
+\textit{Satan} except, none higher sat, with grave
+Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
+A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven
+Deliberation sat and publick care;
+And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,
+Majestick though in ruin: sage he stood
+With \textit{Atlantean} shoulders fit to bear
+The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look
+Drew audience and attention still as Night
+Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.
+\quad Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav'n,
+Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles now
+Must we renounce, and changing stile be call'd
+Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote
+Inclines, here to continue, and build up here
+A growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream,
+And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd
+This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat
+Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt
+From Heav'ns high jurisdiction, in new League
+Banded against his Throne, but to remaine
+In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd,
+Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd
+His captive multitude: For he, be sure,
+In highth or depth, still first and last will Reign
+Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part
+By our revolt, but over Hell extend
+His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule
+Us here, as with his Golden those in Heav'n.
+What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?
+Warr hath determin'd us, and foild with loss
+Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none
+Voutsaf't or sought; for what peace will be giv'n
+To us enslav'd, but custody severe,
+And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
+Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
+But to our power hostility and hate,
+Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow,
+Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least
+May reap his conquest, and may least rejoyce
+In doing what we most in suffering feel?
+Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
+With dangerous expedition to invade
+Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,
+Or ambush from the Deep. What if we find
+Some easier enterprize? There is a place
+(If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n
+Err not) another World, the happy seat
+Of som new Race call'd \textit{Man}, about this time
+To be created like to us, though less
+In power and excellence, but favour'd more
+Of him who rules above; so was his will
+Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath,
+That shook Heav'ns whol circumference, confirm'd.
+Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
+What creatures there inhabit, of what mould,
+Or substance, how endu'd, and what their Power,
+And where their weakness, how attempted best,
+By force or suttlety: Though Heav'n be shut,
+And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secure
+In his own strength, this place may lye expos'd
+The utmost border of his Kingdom, left
+To their defence who hold it: here perhaps
+Som advantagious act may be achiev'd
+By sudden onset, either with Hell fire
+To waste his whole Creation, or possess
+All as our own, and drive as we were driven,
+The punie habitants, or if not drive,
+Seduce them to our Party, that their God
+May prove their foe, and with repenting hand
+Abolish his own works. This would surpass
+Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
+In our Confusion, and our Joy upraise
+In his disturbance; when his darling Sons
+Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse
+Their frail Originals, and faded bliss,
+Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth
+Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
+Hatching vain Empires. Thus \textit{Beelzebub}
+Pleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis'd
+By \textit{Satan}, 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 their spite still serves
+His glory to augment. The bold design
+Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy
+Sparkl'd in all their eyes; with full assent
+They vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.
+\quad 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 neighbouring 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 Orient beam
+Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air,
+To heal the scarr 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 Ile; 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.
+\quad 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; and 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
+\textit{Satan}, whom now transcendent glory rais'd
+Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
+Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
+\quad O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones,
+With reason hath deep silence and demurr
+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 loss 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 tollerable; 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;
+Their 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 their vertue; least bad men should boast
+Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites,
+Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal.
+Thus they their doubtful consultations dark
+Ended rejoycing in their 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 their notes renew, and bleating herds
+Attest their 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 proclaiming 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.
+\quad The \textit{Stygian} Councel thus dissolv'd; and forth
+In order came the grand infernal Peers,
+Midst came their 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 their Session ended they bid cry
+With Trumpets regal sound the great result:
+Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim
+Put to their mouths the sounding Alchymie
+By Haralds voice explain'd: the hollow Abyss
+Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell
+With deafning shout, return'd them loud acclaim.
+Thence more at ease their 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 find
+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 \textit{Pythian} fields;
+Part curb their 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
+Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch their spears
+Till thickest Legions close; with feats of Arms
+From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns.
+Others with vast \textit{Typhoean} rage more fell
+Rend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air
+In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar.
+As when \textit{Alcides} from \textit{Oealia} Crown'd
+With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore
+Through pain up by the roots \textit{Thessalian} Pines,
+And \textit{Lichas} from the top of \textit{Oeta} threw
+Into th' \textit{Euboic} Sea. Others more milde,
+Retreated in a silent valley, sing
+With notes Angelical to many a Harp
+Their own Heroic deeds and hapless fall
+By doom of Battel; and complain that Fate
+Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance.
+Their song was partial, but the harmony
+(What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?)
+Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
+The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet
+(For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)
+Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd,
+In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high
+Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate,
+Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute,
+And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.
+Of good and evil much they argu'd then,
+Of happiness and final misery,
+Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame,
+Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie:
+Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charm
+Pain for a while or anguish, and excite
+Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured brest
+With stubborn patience as with triple steel.
+Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands,
+On bold adventure to discover wide
+That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps
+Might yeild them easier habitation, bend
+Four ways their flying March, along the Banks
+Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge
+Into the burning Lake their baleful streams;
+Abhorred \textit{Styx} the flood of deadly hate,
+Sad \textit{Acheron} of sorrow, black and deep;
+\textit{Cocytus}, nam'd of lamentation loud
+Heard on the ruful stream; fierce \textit{Phlegeton}
+Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
+Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,
+\textit{Lethe} the River of Oblivion roules
+Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,
+Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
+Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
+Beyond this flood a frozen Continent
+Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms
+Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land
+Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems
+Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,
+A gulf profound as that \textit{Serbonian} Bog
+Betwixt \textit{Damiata} and mount \textit{Casius} old,
+Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air
+Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire.
+Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail'd,
+At certain revolutions all the damn'd
+Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change
+Of fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce,
+From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice
+Their soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine
+Immovable, infixt, and frozen round,
+Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire.
+They ferry over this \textit{Lethean} Sound
+Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment,
+And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach
+The tempting stream, with one small drop to loose
+In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,
+All in one moment, and so neer the brink;
+But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt
+\textit{Medusa} with \textit{Gorgonian} terror guards
+The Ford, and of it self the water flies
+All taste of living wight, as once it fled
+The lip of \textit{Tantalus}. Thus roving on
+In confus'd march forlorn, th' adventrous Bands
+With shuddring horror pale, and eyes agast
+View'd first their lamentable lot, and found
+No rest: through many a dark and drearie Vaile
+They pass'd, and many a Region dolorous,
+O're many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe,
+Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,
+A Universe of death, which God by curse
+Created evil, for evil only good,
+Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds,
+Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things,
+Abominable, inutterable, and worse
+Then Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd,
+\textit{Gorgons} and \textit{Hydra}'s, and \textit{Chimera}'s dire.
+\quad Mean while the Adversary of God and Man,
+\textit{Satan} with thoughts inflam'd of highest design,
+Puts on swift wings, and toward the Gates of Hell
+Explores his solitary flight; som times
+He scours the right hand coast, som times the left,
+Now shaves with level wing the Deep, then soares
+Up to the fiery concave touring high.
+As when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri'd
+Hangs in the Clouds, by \textit{Aequinoctial} Winds
+Close sailing from \textit{Bengala}, or the Iles
+Of \textit{Ternate} and \textit{Tidore}, whence Merchants bring
+Their spicie Drugs: they on the trading Flood
+Through the wide \textit{Ethiopian} to the Cape
+Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole. So seem'd
+Farr off the flying Fiend: at last appeer
+Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof,
+And thrice threefold the Gates; three folds were Brass
+Three Iron, three of Adamantine Rock,
+Impenitrable, impal'd with circling fire,
+Yet unconsum'd. Before the Gates there sat
+On either side a formidable shape;
+The one seem'd Woman to the waste, and fair,
+But ended foul in many a scaly fould
+Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm'd
+With mortal sting: about her middle round
+A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark'd
+With wide \textit{Cerberean} mouths full loud, and rung
+A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep,
+If aught disturb'd their noyse, into her woomb,
+And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd
+Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these
+Vex'd \textit{Scylla} bathing in the Sea that parts
+\textit{Calabria} from the hoarce \textit{Trinacrian} shore:
+Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd
+In secret, riding through the Air she comes
+Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance
+With \textit{Lapland} Witches, while the labouring Moon
+Eclipses at their charms. The other shape,
+If shape it might be call'd that shape had none
+Distinguishable in member, joynt, or limb,
+Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd,
+For each seem'd either; black it stood as Night,
+Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell,
+And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem'd his head
+The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on.
+\textit{Satan} was now at hand, and from his seat
+The Monster moving onward came as fast,
+With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode.
+Th' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd,
+Admir'd, not fear'd; God and his Son except,
+Created thing naught vallu'd he nor shun'd;
+And with disdainful look thus first began.
+\quad Whence and what art thou, execrable shape,
+That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance
+Thy miscreated Front athwart my way
+To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass,
+That be assur'd, without leave askt of thee:
+Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof,
+Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heav'n.
+\quad To whom the Goblin full of wrauth reply'd,
+Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou hee,
+Who first broke peace in Heav'n and Faith, till then
+Unbrok'n, and in proud rebellious Arms
+Drew after him the theird part of Heav'ns Sons
+Conjur'd against the highest, for which both Thou
+And they outcast from God, are here condemn'd
+To waste Eternal daies in woe and pain?
+And reck'n'st thou thy self with Spirits of Heav'n,
+Hell-doomd, and breath'st defiance here and scorn,
+Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more,
+Thy King and Lord? Back to thy punishment,
+False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings,
+Least with a whip of Scorpions I pursue
+Thy lingring, or with one stroke of this Dart
+Strange horror seise thee, and pangs unfelt before.
+\quad So spake the grieslie terrour, and in shape,
+So speaking and so threatning, grew ten fold
+More dreadful and deform: on th' other side
+Incenc't with indignation \textit{Satan} stood
+Unterrifi'd, and like a Comet burn'd,
+That fires the length of \textit{Ophiucus} huge
+In th' Artick Sky, and from his horrid hair
+Shakes Pestilence and Warr. Each at the Head
+Level'd his deadly aime; their fatall hands
+No second stroke intend, and such a frown
+Each cast at th' other, as when two black Clouds
+With Heav'ns Artillery fraught, come rattling on
+Over the \textit{Caspian}, then stand front to front
+Hov'ring a space, till Winds the signal blow
+To joyn their dark Encounter in mid air:
+So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell
+Grew darker at their frown, so matcht they stood;
+For never but once more was either like
+To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
+Had been achiev'd, whereof all Hell had rung,
+Had not the Snakie Sorceress that sat
+Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
+Ris'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between.
+\quad O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd,
+Against thy only Son? What fury O Son,
+Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
+Against thy Fathers head? and know'st for whom;
+For him who sits above and laughs the while
+At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute
+What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids,
+His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
+\quad She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest
+Forbore, then these to her \textit{Satan} return'd:
+\quad So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange
+Thou interposest, that my sudden hand
+Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds
+What it intends; till first I know of thee,
+What thing thou art, thus double-form'd, and why
+In this infernal Vaile first met thou call'st
+Me Father, and that Fantasm call'st my Son?
+I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
+Sight more detestable then him and thee.
+\quad T' whom thus the Portress of Hell Gate reply'd;
+Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem
+Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair
+In Heav'n, when at th' Assembly, and in sight
+Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd
+In bold conspiracy against Heav'ns King,
+All on a sudden miserable pain
+Surpris'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzie swumm
+In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast
+Threw forth, till on the left side op'ning wide,
+Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright,
+Then shining heav'nly fair, a Goddess arm'd
+Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seis'd
+All th' Host of Heav'n; back they recoild affraid
+At first, and call'd me \textit{Sin}, and for a Sign
+Portentous held me; but familiar grown,
+I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won
+The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft
+Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing
+Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st
+With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd
+A growing burden. Mean while Warr arose,
+And fields were fought in Heav'n; wherein remaind
+(For what could else) to our Almighty Foe
+Cleer Victory, to our part loss and rout
+Through all the Empyrean: down they fell
+Driv'n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down
+Into this Deep, and in the general fall
+I also; at which time this powerful Key
+Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep
+These Gates for ever shut, which none can pass
+Without my op'ning. Pensive here I sat
+Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb
+Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown
+Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
+At last this odious offspring whom thou seest
+Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
+Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain
+Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew
+Transform'd: but he my inbred enemie
+Forth issu'd, brandishing his fatal Dart
+Made to destroy: I fled, and cry'd out \textit{Death};
+Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and sigh'd
+From all her Caves, and back resounded \textit{Death}.
+I fled, but he pursu'd (though more, it seems,
+Inflam'd with lust then rage) and swifter far,
+Me overtook his mother all dismaid,
+And in embraces forcible and foule
+Ingendring with me, of that rape begot
+These yelling Monsters that with ceasless cry
+Surround me, as thou sawst, hourly conceiv'd
+And hourly born, with sorrow infinite
+To me, for when they list into the womb
+That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw
+My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth
+Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round,
+That rest or intermission none I find.
+Before mine eyes in opposition sits
+Grim \textit{Death} my Son and foe, who sets them on,
+And me his Parent would full soon devour
+For want of other prey, but that he knows
+His end with mine involvd; and knows that I
+Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
+When ever that shall be; so Fate pronounc'd.
+But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun
+His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope
+To be invulnerable in those bright Arms,
+Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint,
+Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
+\quad She finish'd, and the suttle Fiend his lore
+Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.
+Dear Daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy Sire,
+And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge
+Of dalliance had with thee in Heav'n, and joys
+Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change
+Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know
+I come no enemie, but to set free
+From out this dark and dismal house of pain,
+Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly Host
+Of Spirits that in our just pretenses arm'd
+Fell with us from on high: from them I go
+This uncouth errand sole, and one for all
+My self expose, with lonely steps to tread
+Th' unfounded deep, and through the void immense
+To search with wandring quest a place foretold
+Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now
+Created vast and round, a place of bliss
+In the Pourlieues of Heav'n, and therein plac't
+A race of upstart Creatures, to supply
+Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd,
+Least Heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude
+Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught
+Then this more secret now design'd, I haste
+To know, and this once known, shall soon return,
+And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death
+Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen
+Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalm'd
+With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill'd
+Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey.
+He ceas'd, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death
+Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear
+His famine should be fill'd, and blest his mawe
+Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoyc'd
+His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.
+\quad The key of this infernal Pit by due,
+And by command of Heav'ns all-powerful King
+I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
+These Adamantine Gates; against all force
+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 \textit{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.
+\quad 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 \textit{Stygian} powers
+Could once have mov'd; then 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 sudden op'n flie
+With impetuous recoile and jarring sound
+Th' infernal dores, and on their hinges great
+Harsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shook
+Of \textit{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 their 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 \textit{Chaos}, Ancestors of Nature, hold
+Eternal \textit{Anarchie}, amidst the noise
+Of endless warrs and by confusion stand.
+For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four Champions fierce
+Strive here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring
+Their embryon Atoms; they around the flag
+Of each his faction, in their several Clanns,
+Light-arm'd or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slow,
+Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the Sands
+Of \textit{Barca} or \textit{Cyrene}'s torrid soil,
+Levied to side with warring Winds, and poise
+Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere,
+Hee rules a moment; \textit{Chaos} Umpire sits,
+And by decision more imbroiles the fray
+By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter
+\textit{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 their pregnant causes mixt
+Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight,
+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 eare less peal'd
+With noises loud and ruinous (to compare
+Great things with small) then when \textit{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
+Uplifted 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 \textit{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 \textit{Arimaspian}, who by stelth
+Had from his wakeful custody purloind
+The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
+Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,
+With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
+And swims or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes:
+At length a universal hubbub wilde
+Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd
+Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare
+With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes,
+Undaunted to meet there what ever power
+Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss
+Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
+Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes
+Bordering on light; when strait behold the Throne
+Of \textit{Chaos}, and his dark Pavilion spread
+Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron'd
+Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things,
+The consort of his Reign; and by them stood
+\textit{Orcus} and \textit{Ades}, and the dreaded name
+Of \textit{Demogorgon}; Rumor next and Chance,
+And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild,
+And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
+\quad T' whom \textit{Satan} turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers
+And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss,
+\textit{Chaos} and \textit{Ancient} \textit{Night}, I come no 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 som other place
+From your Dominion won, th' Ethereal King
+Possesses lately, thither to arrive
+I travel this profound, direct my course;
+Directed, no mean recompence it brings
+To your behoof, if I that Region lost,
+All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce
+To her original darkness and your sway
+(Which is my present journey) and once more
+Erect the Standerd there of \textit{Ancient} \textit{Night};
+Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.
+\quad Thus \textit{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 here
+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.
+\quad He ceas'd; and \textit{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 more endanger'd, then when \textit{Argo} pass'd
+Through \textit{Bosporus} betwixt the justling Rocks:
+Or when \textit{Ulysses} on the Larbord shunnd
+\textit{Charybdis}, and by th' other whirlpool steard.
+So he with difficulty and labour hard
+Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour hee;
+But hee once past, soon after when man fell,
+Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain
+Following his track, such was the will of Heav'n,
+Pav'd after him a broad and beat'n way
+Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling Gulf
+Tamely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length
+From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe
+Of this frail World; by which the Spirits perverse
+With easie intercourse pass to and fro
+To tempt or punish mortals, except whom
+God and good Angels guard by special grace.
+But now at last the sacred influence
+Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav'n
+Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night
+A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins
+Her fardest verge, and \textit{Chaos} to retire
+As from her outmost works a brok'n foe
+With tumult less and with less hostile din,
+That \textit{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 behold
+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.
+
+\Book
+
+\quad \textit{Ha}il 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 effluence of bright essence increate.
+Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,
+Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun,
+Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice
+Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest
+The rising world of waters dark and deep,
+Won from the void and formless infinite.
+Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing,
+Escap't the \textit{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' \textit{Orphean} Lyre
+I sung of \textit{Chaos} and \textit{Eternal} \textit{Night},
+Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down
+The dark descent, and up to reascend,
+Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe,
+And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou
+Revisit'st not these eyes, that rowle in vain
+To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;
+So thick a drop serene hath quencht their 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 \textit{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 \textit{Thamyris} and blind \textit{Maeonides},
+And \textit{Tiresias} and \textit{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 sight.
+\quad Now had the Almighty Father from above,
+From the pure Empyrean where he sits
+High Thron'd above all highth, bent down his eye,
+His own works and their works at once to view:
+About him all the Sanctities of Heaven
+Stood thick as Starrs, and from his sight receiv'd
+Beatitude past utterance; on his right
+The radiant image of his Glory sat,
+His onely Son; On Earth he first beheld
+Our two first Parents, yet the onely two
+Of mankind, in the happie Garden plac't,
+Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love,
+Uninterrupted joy, unrivald love
+In blissful solitude; he then survey'd
+Hell and the Gulf between, and \textit{Satan} there
+Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night
+In the dun Air sublime, and ready now
+To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet
+On the bare outside of this World, that seem'd
+Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament,
+Uncertain which, in Ocean or in Air.
+Him God beholding from his prospect high,
+Wherein past, present, future he beholds,
+Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake.
+\quad Onely begotten Son, seest thou what rage
+Transports our adversarie, whom no bounds
+Prescrib'd, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains
+Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyss
+Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems
+On 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 and them who faild;
+Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
+Not free, what proof could they have givn sincere
+Of true allegiance, constant Faith or Love,
+Where onely what they needs must do, appeard,
+Not what they would? what praise could they receive?
+What pleasure I from such obedience paid,
+When Will and Reason (Reason also is choice)
+Useless and vain, of freedom both despoild,
+Made passive both, had servd necessitie,
+Not mee. They therefore as to right belongd,
+So were created, nor can justly accuse
+Their maker, or their making, or their Fate;
+As if Predestination over-rul'd
+Their will, dispos'd by absolute Decree
+Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed
+Their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew,
+Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,
+Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown.
+So without least impulse or shadow of Fate,
+Or aught by me immutablie foreseen,
+They trespass, Authors to themselves in all
+Both what they judge and what they choose; for so
+I formd them free, and free they must remain,
+Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change
+Their nature, and revoke the high Decree
+Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd
+Their freedom, they themselves ordain'd their fall.
+The first sort by their 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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd
+Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace;
+For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll
+Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound
+Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne
+Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest.
+For should Man finally be lost, should Man
+Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest Son
+Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd
+With his own folly? that be from thee farr,
+That farr be from thee, Father, who art 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.
+\quad 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
+Their sinful state, and to appease betimes
+Th' incensed Deitie, while offerd grace
+Invites; for I will cleer their 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 \textit{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?
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 Vanquisher, spoild of his vanted spoile;
+Death his deaths wound shall then receive, and stoop
+Inglorious, of his mortall sting disarm'd.
+I through the ample Air in Triumph high
+Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell, and show
+The powers of darkness bound. Thou at the sight
+Pleas'd, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile,
+While by thee rais'd I ruin all my Foes,
+Death last, and with his Carcass glut the Grave:
+Then with the multitude of my redeemd
+Shall enter Heaven long absent, and returne,
+Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud
+Of anger shall remain, but peace assur'd,
+And reconcilement; wrauth shall be no more
+Thenceforth, but in thy presence Joy entire.
+\quad His words here ended, but his meek aspect
+Silent yet spake, and breath'd immortal love
+To mortal men, above which only shon
+Filial obedience: as a sacrifice
+Glad to be offer'd, he attends the will
+Of his great Father. Admiration seis'd
+All Heav'n, what this might mean, and whither tend
+Wondring; but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd:
+\quad O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace
+Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou
+My sole complacence! well thou know'st how dear,
+To me are all my works, nor Man the least
+Though last created, that for him I spare
+Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,
+By loosing thee a while, the whole Race lost.
+Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeeme,
+Their Nature also to thy Nature joyne;
+And be thy self Man among men on Earth,
+Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed,
+By wondrous birth: Be thou in \textit{Adams} room
+The Head of all mankind, though \textit{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
+Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds,
+And live in thee transplanted, and from thee
+Receive new life. So Man, as is most just,
+Shall satisfie for Man, be judg'd and die,
+And dying rise, and rising with him raise
+His Brethren, ransomd with his own dear life.
+So Heav'nly love shal outdoo Hellish hate,
+Giving to death, and dying to redeeme,
+So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate
+So easily destroy'd, and still destroyes
+In those who, when they may, accept not grace.
+Nor shalt thou by descending to assume
+Mans Nature, less'n or degrade thine owne.
+Because thou hast, though Thron'd in highest bliss
+Equal to God, and equally enjoying
+God-like fruition, quitted all to save
+A World from utter loss, and hast been found
+By Merit more then Birthright Son of God,
+Found worthiest to be so by being Good,
+Farr more then Great or High; because in thee
+Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds,
+Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt
+With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne;
+Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt 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 their 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 their 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.
+\quad 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, and to the ground
+With solemn adoration down they cast
+Their 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 \textit{Elisian} Flours her Amber stream;
+With these that never fade the Spirits Elect
+Bind their 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 their 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
+Their sacred Song, and waken raptures high;
+No voice exempt, no voice but well could joine
+Melodious part, such concord is in Heav'n.
+\quad 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 their 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 flaming Chariot wheels, that shook
+Heav'ns everlasting Frame, while o're the necks
+Thou drov'st of warring Angels disarraid.
+Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime
+Thee only extold, 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 enclin'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 sat
+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.
+\quad Thus they in Heav'n, above the starry Sphear,
+Their happie hours in joy and hymning spent.
+Mean while upon the firm opacous Globe
+Of this round World, whose first convex divides
+The luminous inferior Orbs, enclos'd
+From \textit{Chaos} and th' inroad of Darkness old,
+\textit{Satan} alighted walks: a Globe farr off
+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 \textit{Chaos} blustring round, inclement skie;
+Save on that side 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 \textit{Imaus} bred,
+Whose snowie ridge the roving \textit{Tartar} bounds,
+Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey
+To gorge the flesh of Lambs or yeanling Kids
+On Hills where Flocks are fed, flies toward the Springs
+Of \textit{Ganges} or \textit{Hydaspes}, \textit{Indian} streams;
+But in his way lights on the barren plaines
+Of \textit{Sericana}, where \textit{Chineses} drive
+With Sails and Wind their 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 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 things
+Built their fond hopes of Glorie or lasting fame,
+Or happiness in this or th' other life;
+All who have their reward on Earth, the fruits
+Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal,
+Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find
+Fit retribution, emptie as their 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 \textit{Babel} on the Plain
+Of \textit{Sennaar}, and still with vain designe
+New \textit{Babels}, had they wherewithall, would build:
+Others came single; hee who to be deemd
+A God, leap'd fondly into \textit{Aetna} flames,
+\textit{Empedocles}, and hee who to enjoy
+\textit{Plato}'s \textit{Elysium}, leap'd into the Sea,
+\textit{Cleombrotus}, and many more too long,
+Embryo's and Idiots, Eremits and Friers
+White, Black and Grey, with all their trumperie.
+Here Pilgrims roam, that stray'd so farr to seek
+In \textit{Golgotha} him dead, who lives in Heav'n;
+And they who to be sure of Paradise
+Dying put on the weeds of \textit{Dominic},
+Or in \textit{Franciscan} 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 \textit{Peter} at Heav'ns Wicket seems
+To wait them with his Keys, and now at foot
+Of Heav'ns ascent they lift their 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 their 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 \textit{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 \textit{Jacob} saw
+Angels ascending and descending, bands
+Of Guardians bright, when he from \textit{Esau} fled
+To \textit{Padan}-\textit{Aram} in the field of \textit{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 \textit{Sion}, and, though that were large,
+Over the \textit{Promis}'D \textit{Land} to God so dear,
+By which, to visit oft those happy Tribes,
+On high behests his Angels to and fro
+Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard
+From \textit{Paneas} the fount of \textit{Jordans} flood
+To \textit{Beersaba}, where the \textit{Holy} \textit{Land}
+Borders on \textit{Aegypt} and the \textit{Arabian} shoare;
+So wide the op'ning seemd, where bounds were set
+To darkness, such as bound the Ocean wave.
+\textit{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 \textit{Libra} to the fleecie Starr that bears
+\textit{Andromeda} farr off \textit{Atlantick} Seas
+Beyond th' \textit{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 \textit{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
+Their 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
+Astronomer 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 \textit{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 their powerful Art they binde
+Volatil \textit{Hermes}, and call up unbound
+In various shapes old \textit{Proteus} from the Sea,
+Draind through a Limbec to his Native forme.
+What wonder then if fields and regions here
+Breathe forth \textit{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' \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{Satan} thus accostes;
+\quad \textit{Uriel}, for thou of those seav'n Spirits that stand
+In sight of God's 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
+To deepest Hell, and to repair that loss
+Created this new happie Race of Men
+To serve him better: wise are all his wayes.
+\quad 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
+\textit{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
+Their number, or the wisdom infinite
+That brought them forth, but hid their 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 their 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 orbicular, 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 \textit{Paradise},
+\textit{Adams} abode, those loftie shades his Bowre.
+Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.
+\quad Thus said, he turnd, and \textit{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 \textit{Niphates} top he lights.
+
+
+\Book
+
+O For that warning voice, which he who saw
+Th' \textit{Apocalyps}, heard cry in Heaven aloud,
+Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,
+Came furious down to be reveng'd on men,
+\textit{Wo} \textit{To} \textit{The} \textit{Inhabitants} \textit{On} \textit{Earth}! that now,
+While time was, our first Parents had bin warnd
+The coming of their secret foe, and scap'd
+Haply so scap'd his mortal snare; for now
+\textit{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 from Hell
+One step no more then from himself can fly
+By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair
+That slumberd, wakes the bitter memorie
+Of what he was, what is, and what must be
+Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.
+Sometimes towards \textit{Eden} which now in his view
+Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,
+Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing Sun,
+Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre:
+Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.
+\quad O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd,
+Look'st from thy sole Dominion like the God
+Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs
+Hide their diminisht heads; to thee I call,
+But with no friendly voice, and add thy name
+O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams
+That bring to my remembrance from what state
+I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare;
+Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down
+Warring in Heav'n against Heav'ns matchless King:
+Ah wherefore! he deservd no such return
+From me, whom he created what I was
+In that bright eminence, and with his good
+Upbraided none; nor was his service hard.
+What could be less then to afford him praise,
+The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks,
+How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me,
+And wrought but malice; lifted up so high
+I sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher
+Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
+The debt immense of endless gratitude,
+So burthensome, still paying, still to ow;
+Forgetful what from him I still receivd,
+And understood not that a grateful mind
+By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
+Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?
+O had his powerful Destiny ordaind
+Me some inferiour Angel, I had stood
+Then happie; no unbounded hope had rais'd
+Ambition. Yet why not? som other Power
+As great might have aspir'd, and me though mean
+Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great
+Fell not, but stand unshak'n, from within
+Or from without, to all temptations arm'd.
+Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?
+Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,
+But Heav'ns free Love dealt equally to all?
+Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,
+To me alike, it deals eternal woe.
+Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will
+Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
+Me miserable! which way shall I flie
+Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?
+Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;
+And in the lowest deep a lower deep
+Still threatning to devour me opens wide,
+To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n.
+O then at last relent: is there no place
+Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left?
+None left but by submission; and that word
+\textit{Disdain} forbids me, and my dread of shame
+Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd
+With other promises and other vaunts
+Then to submit, boasting I could subdue
+Th' Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know
+How dearly I abide that boast so vaine,
+Under what torments inwardly I groane;
+While they adore me on the Throne of Hell,
+With Diadem and Scepter high advanc'd
+The lower still I fall, onely Supream
+In miserie; such joy Ambition findes.
+But say I could repent and could obtaine
+By Act of Grace my former state; how soon
+Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay
+What feign'd submission swore: ease would recant
+Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
+For never can true reconcilement grow
+Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc'd so deep:
+Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
+And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare
+Short intermission bought with double smart.
+This knows my punisher; therefore as farr
+From granting hee, as I from begging peace:
+All hope excluded thus, behold in stead
+Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight,
+Mankind created, and for him this World.
+So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear,
+Farwel Remorse: all Good to me is lost;
+Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least
+Divided Empire with Heav'ns King I hold
+By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;
+As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.
+\quad Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face
+Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envie and despair,
+Which marrd his borrow'd visage, and betraid
+Him counterfet, if any eye beheld.
+For heav'nly mindes from such distempers foule
+Are ever cleer. Whereof hee soon aware,
+Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calme,
+Artificer of fraud; and was the first
+That practisd falshood under saintly shew,
+Deep malice to conceale, couch't with revenge:
+Yet not anough had practisd to deceive
+\textit{Uriel} once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him down
+The way he went, and on th' \textit{Assyrian} mount
+Saw him disfigur'd, more then could befall
+Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce
+He markd and mad demeanour, then alone,
+As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen.
+So on he fares, and to the border comes
+Of \textit{Eden}, where delicious Paradise,
+Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green,
+As with a rural mound the champain head
+Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides
+With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde,
+Access deni'd; and over head up grew
+Insuperable highth of loftiest shade,
+Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm,
+A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend
+Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre
+Of stateliest view. Yet higher then their tops
+The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung:
+Which to our general Sire gave prospect large
+Into his neather Empire neighbouring round.
+And higher then that Wall a circling row
+Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,
+Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue
+Appeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt:
+On which the Sun more glad impress'd his beams
+Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,
+When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd
+That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire
+Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires
+Vernal delight and joy, able to drive
+All sadness but despair: now gentle gales
+Fanning their odoriferous wings dispense
+Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole
+Those balmie spoiles. As when to them who saile
+Beyond the \textit{Cape} \textit{Of} \textit{Hope}, and now are past
+\textit{Mozambic}, off at Sea North-East windes blow
+\textit{Sabean} Odours from the spicie shoare
+Of \textit{Arabie} the blest, with such delay
+Well pleas'd they slack their course, and many a League
+Cheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles.
+So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend
+Who came their bane, though with them better pleas'd
+Then \textit{Asmodeus} with the fishie fume,
+That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse
+Of \textit{Tobits} Son, and with a vengeance sent
+From \textit{Media} post to \textit{Aegypt}, there fast bound.
+\quad Now to th' ascent of that steep savage Hill
+\textit{Satan} had journied on, pensive and slow;
+But further way found none, so thick entwin'd,
+As one continu'd brake, the undergrowth
+Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext
+All path of Man or Beast that past that way:
+One Gate there onely was, and that look'd East
+On th' other side: which when th' arch-fellon saw
+Due entrance he disdaind, and in contempt,
+At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound
+Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer within
+Lights on his feet. As when a prowling Wolfe,
+Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,
+Watching where Shepherds pen their Flocks at eeve
+In hurdl'd Cotes amid the field secure,
+Leaps o're the fence with ease into the Fould:
+Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash
+Of some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores,
+Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault,
+In at the window climbes, or o're the tiles;
+So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:
+So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe.
+Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,
+The middle Tree and highest there that grew,
+Sat like a Cormorant; yet not true Life
+Thereby regaind, but sat devising Death
+To them who liv'd; nor on the vertue thought
+Of that life-giving Plant, but only us'd
+For prospect, what well us'd had bin the pledge
+Of immortalitie. So little knows
+Any, but God alone, to value right
+The good before him, but perverts best things
+To worst abuse, or to their meanest use.
+Beneath him with new wonder now he views
+To all delight of human sense expos'd
+In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,
+A Heaven on Earth, for blissful Paradise
+Of God the Garden was, by him in the East
+Of \textit{Eden} planted; \textit{Eden} stretchd her Line
+From \textit{Auran} Eastward to the Royal Towrs
+Of great \textit{Seleucia}, built by \textit{Grecian} Kings,
+Or where the Sons of \textit{Eden} long before
+Dwelt in \textit{Telassar}: in this pleasant soile
+His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind;
+Out of the fertil ground he caus'd to grow
+All Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;
+And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,
+High eminent, blooming Ambrosial Fruit
+Of vegetable Gold; and next to Life
+Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,
+Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill.
+Southward through \textit{Eden} went a River large,
+Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggie hill
+Pass'd underneath ingulft, for God had thrown
+That Mountain as his Garden mould high rais'd
+Upon the rapid current, which through veins
+Of porous Earth with kindly theirst up drawn,
+Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill
+Waterd the Garden; thence united fell
+Down the steep glade, and met the neather Flood,
+Which from his darksom passage now appeers,
+And now divided into four main Streams,
+Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme
+And Country whereof here needs no account,
+But rather to tell how, if Art could tell,
+How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks,
+Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold,
+With mazie error under pendant shades
+Ran Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed
+Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art
+In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon
+Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,
+Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote
+The open field, and where the unpierc't shade
+Imbround the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place,
+A happy rural seat of various view;
+Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,
+Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde
+Hung amiable, \textit{Hesperian} Fables true,
+If true, here onely, and of delicious taste:
+Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks
+Grasing the tender herb, were interpos'd,
+Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lap
+Of som irriguous Valley spread her store,
+Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:
+Another side, umbrageous Grots and Caves
+Of coole recess, o're which the mantling Vine
+Layes forth her purple Grape, and gently creeps
+Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall
+Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,
+That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd,
+Her chrystall mirror holds, unite their streams.
+The Birds their quire apply; aires, vernal aires,
+Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune
+The trembling leaves, while Universal \textit{Pan}
+Knit with the \textit{Graces} and the \textit{Hours} in dance
+Led on th' Eternal Spring. Not that faire field
+Of \textit{Enna}, where \textit{Proserpin} gathring flours
+Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie \textit{Dis}
+Was gatherd, which cost \textit{Ceres} all that pain
+To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove
+Of \textit{Daphne} by \textit{Orontes}, and th' inspir'd
+\textit{Castalian} Spring might with this Paradise
+Of \textit{Eden} strive; nor that \textit{Nyseian} Ile
+Girt with the River \textit{Triton}, where old \textit{Cham},
+Whom Gentiles \textit{Ammon} call and \textit{Libyan} \textit{Jove},
+Hid \textit{Amalthea} and her Florid Son
+Young \textit{Bacchus} from his Stepdame \textit{Rhea}'s eye;
+Nor where \textit{Abassin} Kings their issue Guard,
+Mount \textit{Amara}, though this by som suppos'd
+True Paradise under the \textit{Ethiop} Line
+By \textit{Nilus} head, enclos'd with shining Rock,
+A whole dayes journey high, but wide remote
+From this \textit{Assyrian} Garden, where the Fiend
+Saw undelighted all delight, all kind
+Of living Creatures new to sight and strange:
+Two of far nobler shape erect and tall,
+Godlike erect, with native Honour clad
+In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all,
+And worthie seemd, for in their looks Divine
+The image of their glorious Maker shon,
+Truth, Wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure,
+Severe, but in true filial freedom plac't;
+Whence true autoritie in men; though both
+Not equal, as their sex not equal seemd;
+For contemplation hee and valour formd,
+For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,
+Hee for God only, shee for God in him:
+His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar'd
+Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin Locks
+Round from his parted forelock manly hung
+Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
+Shee as a vail down to the slender waste
+Her unadorned golden tresses wore
+Dissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav'd
+As the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli'd
+Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,
+And by her yeilded, by him best receivd,
+Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride,
+And sweet reluctant amorous delay.
+Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald,
+Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame
+Of natures works, honor dishonorable,
+Sin-bred, how have ye troubl'd all mankind
+With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure,
+And banisht from mans life his happiest life,
+Simplicitie and spotless innocence.
+So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight
+Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill:
+So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair
+That ever since in loves imbraces met,
+\textit{Adam} the goodliest man of men since borne
+His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters \textit{Eve}.
+Under a tuft of shade that on a green
+Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side
+They sat them down, and after no more toil
+Of their sweet Gardning labour then suffic'd
+To recommend coole \textit{Zephyr}, and made ease
+More easie, wholsom theirst and appetite
+More grateful, to their Supper Fruits they fell,
+Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes
+Yeilded them, side-long as they sat recline
+On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours:
+The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde
+Still as they theirsted scoop the brimming stream;
+Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles
+Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems
+Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,
+Alone as they. About them frisking playd
+All Beasts of th' Earth, since wilde, and of all chase
+In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den;
+Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw
+Dandl'd the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards
+Gambold before them, th' unwieldy Elephant
+To make them mirth us'd all his might, and wreathd
+His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly
+Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine
+His breaded train, and of his fatal guile
+Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass
+Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,
+Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun
+Declin'd was hasting now with prone carreer
+To th' Ocean Iles, and in th' ascending Scale
+Of Heav'n the Starrs that usher Evening rose:
+When \textit{Satan} still in gaze, as first he stood,
+Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.
+\quad O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,
+Into our room of bliss thus high advanc't
+Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,
+Not Spirits, yet to heav'nly Spirits bright
+Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
+With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
+In them Divine resemblance, and such grace
+The hand that formd them on their shape hath pourd.
+Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh
+Your change approaches, when all these delights
+Will vanish and deliver ye to woe,
+More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;
+Happie, but for so happie ill secur'd
+Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav'n
+Ill fenc't for Heav'n to keep out such a foe
+As now is enterd; yet no purpos'd foe
+To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne
+Though I unpittied: League with you I seek,
+And mutual amitie so streight, so close,
+That I with you must dwell, or you with me
+Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please
+Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such
+Accept your Makers work; he gave it me,
+Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfould,
+To entertain you two, her widest Gates,
+And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,
+Not like these narrow limits, to receive
+Your numerous ofspring; if no better place,
+Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge
+On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.
+And should I at your harmless innocence
+Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,
+Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg'd,
+By conquering this new World, compels me now
+To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.
+\quad So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,
+The Tyrants plea, excus'd his devilish deeds.
+Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree
+Down he alights among the sportful Herd
+Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,
+Now other, as their shape servd best his end
+Neerer to view his prey, and unespi'd
+To mark what of their state he more might learn
+By word or action markt: about them round
+A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,
+Then as a Tiger, who by chance hath spi'd
+In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,
+Strait couches close, then rising changes oft
+His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground
+Whence rushing he might surest seise them both
+Grip't in each paw: when \textit{Adam} first of men
+To first of women \textit{Eve} thus moving speech,
+Turnd him all eare to heare new utterance flow.
+\quad Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,
+Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power
+That made us, and for us this ample World
+Be infinitly good, and of his good
+As liberal and free as infinite,
+That rais'd us from the dust and plac't us here
+In all this happiness, who at his hand
+Have nothing merited, nor can performe
+Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires
+From us no other service then to keep
+This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees
+In Paradise that beare delicious fruit
+So various, not to taste that onely Tree
+Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,
+So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is,
+Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst
+God hath pronounc't it death to taste that Tree,
+The only sign of our obedience left
+Among so many signes of power and rule
+Conferrd upon us, and Dominion giv'n
+Over all other Creatures that possesse
+Earth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hard
+One easie prohibition, who enjoy
+Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
+Unlimited of manifold delights:
+But let us ever praise him, and extoll
+His bountie, following our delightful task
+To prune these growing Plants, and tend these Flours,
+Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.
+\quad To whom thus Eve repli'd. O thou for whom
+And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,
+And without whom am to no end, my Guide
+And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.
+For wee to him indeed all praises owe,
+And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy
+So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee
+Preeminent by so much odds, while thou
+Like consort to thy self canst no where find.
+That day I oft remember, when from sleep
+I first awak't, and found my self repos'd
+Under a shade on flours, much wondring where
+And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.
+Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound
+Of waters issu'd from a Cave and spread
+Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmov'd
+Pure as th' expanse of Heav'n; I thither went
+With unexperienc't thought, and laid me downe
+On the green bank, to look into the cleer
+Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.
+As I bent down to look, just opposite,
+A Shape within the watry gleam appeerd
+Bending to look on me, I started back,
+It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,
+Pleas'd it returnd as soon with answering looks
+Of sympathie and love, there I had fixt
+Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire,
+Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,
+What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,
+With thee it came and goes: but follow me,
+And I will bring thee where no shadow staies
+Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, hee
+Whose image thou art, him thou shall enjoy
+Inseparablie thine, to him shalt beare
+Multitudes like thy self, and thence be call'd
+Mother of human Race: what could I doe,
+But follow strait, invisibly thus led?
+Till I espi'd thee, fair indeed and tall,
+Under a Platan, yet methought less faire,
+Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,
+Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd,
+Thou following cryd'st aloud, Return fair \textit{Eve},
+Whom fli'st thou? whom thou fli'st, of him thou art,
+His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent
+Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart
+Substantial Life, to have thee by my side
+Henceforth an individual solace dear;
+Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim
+My other half: with that thy gentle hand
+Seisd mine, I yeilded, and from that time see
+How beauty is excelld by manly grace
+And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
+\quad So spake our general Mother, and with eyes
+Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd,
+And meek surrender, half imbracing leand
+On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
+Naked met his under the flowing Gold
+Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight
+Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
+Smil'd with superior Love, as \textit{Jupiter}
+On \textit{Juno} smiles, when he impregns the Clouds
+That shed \textit{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.
+\quad Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
+Imparadis't in one anothers arms
+The happier \textit{Eden}, shall enjoy their fill
+Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
+Where neither joy nor love, but fierce 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 their 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 their Lord
+Envie them that? can it be sin to know,
+Can it be death? and do they onely stand
+By Ignorance, is that their happie state,
+The proof of their obedience and their faith?
+O fair foundation laid whereon to build
+Their ruine! Hence I will excite their 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 side,
+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.
+\quad 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 \textit{Gabriel} sat
+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 \textit{Uriel}, gliding through the Eeven
+On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr
+In \textit{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.
+\quad \textit{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 \textit{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.
+\quad To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd:
+\textit{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.
+\quad So promis'd hee, and \textit{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' \textit{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 their grassie Couch, these to their 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: \textit{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.
+\quad When \textit{Adam} thus to \textit{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 their doings God takes no account.
+Tomorrow 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 their 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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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 their 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?
+\quad To whom our general Ancestor repli'd.
+Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht \textit{Eve},
+Those have their 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
+Their 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 their 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, their songs
+Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.
+\quad Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd
+On to their 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
+\textit{Acanthus}, and each odorous bushie shrub
+Fenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,
+\textit{Iris} all hues, Roses, and Gessamin
+Rear'd high their flourisht heads between, and wrought
+Mosaic; underfoot the Violet,
+Crocus, and Hyacinth with rich inlay
+Broiderd the ground, more colour'd then with stone
+Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here
+Beast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst enter none;
+Such was their awe of man. In shadier Bower
+More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,
+\textit{Pan} or \textit{Silvanus} never slept, nor Nymph,
+Nor \textit{Faunus} haunted. Here in close recess
+With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs
+Espoused \textit{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 \textit{Pandora}, whom the Gods
+Endowd with all their gifts, and O too like
+In sad event, when to the unwiser Son
+Of \textit{Japhet} brought by \textit{Hermes}, she ensnar'd
+Mankind with her faire looks, to be aveng'd
+On him who had stole \textit{Joves} authentic fire.
+\quad Thus at their shadie Lodge arriv'd, both stood,
+Both turnd, and under op'n Skie ador'd
+The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth and Heav'n
+Which they beheld, the Moons resplendent Globe
+And starrie Pole: Thou also mad'st the Night,
+Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,
+Which we in our appointed work imployd
+Have finisht happie in our mutual help
+And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss
+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.
+\quad This said unanimous, and other Rites
+Observing none, but adoration pure
+Which God likes best, into their inmost bower
+Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off
+These troublesom disguises which wee wear,
+Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene
+\textit{Adam} from his fair Spouse, nor \textit{Eve} the Rites
+Mysterious of connubial Love refus'd:
+Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk
+Of puritie and place and innocence,
+Defaming as impure what God declares
+Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.
+Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain
+But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?
+Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source
+Of human 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 unbefitting 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 their 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.
+\quad Now had night measur'd with her shaddowie Cone
+Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,
+And from their Ivorie Port the Cherubim
+Forth issuing at th' accustomd hour stood armd
+To their night watches in warlike Parade,
+When \textit{Gabriel} to his next in power thus spake.
+\quad \textit{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.
+\quad \textit{Ithuriel} and \textit{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 harme.
+This Eevning from the Sun's decline arriv'd
+Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen
+Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd
+The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:
+Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.
+\quad 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 \textit{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 \textit{Ithuriel} with his Spear
+Touch'd lightly; for no falshood can endure
+Touch of Celestial temper, but returns
+Of force 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 up in his own shape the Fiend.
+Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd
+So sudden to behold the grieslie King;
+Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.
+\quad 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?
+\quad Know ye not then said \textit{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 argues 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 \textit{Zephon}, answering scorn with scorn.
+Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape 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, be sure, shalt give account
+To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
+This place inviolable, and these from harm.
+\quad 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 \textit{Zephon} bold,
+Will save us trial what the least can doe
+Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
+\quad 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, and closing stood in squadron joind
+Awaiting next command. To whom their Chief
+\textit{Gabriel} from the Front thus calld aloud.
+\quad O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
+Hasting this way, and now by glimps discerne
+\textit{Ithuriel} and \textit{Zephon} through the shade,
+And with them comes a theird 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 contest;
+Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
+\quad He scarce had ended, when those two approachd
+And brief related whom they brought, wher found,
+How busied, in what form and posture coucht.
+\quad To whom with stern regard thus \textit{Gabriel} spake.
+Why hast thou, \textit{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?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Satan} with contemptuous brow.
+\textit{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 mightst hope to change
+Torment with ease, and 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.
+\quad 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 \textit{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 fly from pain
+However, and to scape 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.
+\quad To which the Fiend 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 their Lord
+High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymne his Throne,
+And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.
+\quad 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,
+\textit{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.
+\quad So threatn'd hee, but \textit{Satan} to no threats
+Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli'd.
+\quad 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.
+\quad While thus he spake, th' Angelic Squadron bright
+Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes
+Their Phalanx, and began to hemm him round
+With ported Spears, as thick as when a field
+Of \textit{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 \textit{Satan} allarm'd
+Collecting all his might dilated stood,
+Like \textit{Teneriff} or \textit{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 \textit{Astrea} and the \textit{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 \textit{Gabriel} spying, thus bespake the Fiend.
+\quad \textit{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, and 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.
+
+
+\Book
+
+Now Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime
+Advancing, sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle,
+When \textit{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, \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{Zephyrus} on \textit{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, and what the balmie Reed,
+How Nature paints her colours, how the Bee
+Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet.
+\quad Such whispering wak'd her, but with startl'd eye
+On \textit{Adam}, whom imbracing, thus she spake.
+\quad 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 \textit{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 and 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 \textit{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 live there, 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 \textit{Eve} her Night
+Related, and thus \textit{Adam} answerd sad.
+\quad 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 rests.
+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 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 their choicest bosom'd smells
+Reservd from night, and kept for thee in store.
+\quad 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 their chrystal sluce, hee ere they fell
+Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse
+And pious awe, that feard to have offended.
+\quad 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 \textit{Edens} happie Plains,
+Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began
+Their Orisons, each Morning duly paid
+In various style, for neither various style
+Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise
+Their Maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sung
+Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence
+Flowd from their lips, in Prose or numerous Verse,
+More tuneable then needed Lute or Harp
+To add more sweetness, and they thus began.
+\quad 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 yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light,
+Angels, for yee behold him, and with songs
+And choral symphonies, Day without Night,
+Circle his Throne rejoycing, yee in Heav'n,
+On Earth joyn all 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, and when thou fallst.
+Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'st
+With the fixt Starrs, fixt in their 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 theirstie 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 Gate ascend,
+Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;
+Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk
+The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;
+Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven,
+To 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.
+\quad So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts
+Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm.
+On to their mornings rural work they haste
+Among sweet dewes and flours; where any row
+Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr
+Their 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
+\textit{Raphael}, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd
+To travel with \textit{Tobias}, and secur'd
+His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid.
+\quad \textit{Raphael}, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on Earth
+\textit{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 \textit{Adam}, in what Bowre or shade
+Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd,
+To respit his day-labour with repast,
+Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,
+As may advise him of his happie state,
+Happiness in his power left free to will,
+Left to his own free Will, his Will though free,
+Yet mutable; whence warne him to beware
+He swerve not too secure: tell him withall
+His danger, and from whom, what enemie
+Late falln himself from Heav'n, is plotting now
+The fall of others from like state 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.
+\quad 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' angelic 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 \textit{Galileo}, less assur'd, observes
+Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon:
+Or Pilot from amidst the \textit{Cyclades}
+\textit{Delos} or \textit{Samos} first appeering kenns
+A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight
+He speeds, and through the vast Ethereal Skie
+Sailes between worlds and 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 \textit{Phoenix}, gaz'd by all, as that sole Bird
+When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun's
+Bright Temple, to \textit{Aegyptian} \textit{Theb}'s he flies.
+At once on th' Eastern cliff of Paradise
+He lights, and to his proper shape returns
+A Seraph wingd; six wings he wore, to shade
+His lineaments Divine; the pair that clad
+Each shoulder broad, came mantling o're his brest
+With regal Ornament; the middle pair
+Girt like a Starrie Zone his waste, and round
+Skirted his loines and thighes with downie Gold
+And colours dipt in Heav'n; the theird his feet
+Shaddowd from either heele with featherd maile
+Skie-tinctur'd grain. Like \textit{Maia}'s son he stood,
+And shook his Plumes, that Heav'nly fragrance filld
+The circuit wide. Strait knew him all the bands
+Of Angels under watch; and to his state,
+And to his message high in honour rise;
+For on som message high they guessd him bound.
+Their glittering Tents he passd, and now is come
+Into the blissful field, through Groves of Myrrhe,
+And flouring Odours, Cassia, Nard, and Balme;
+A Wilderness of sweets; for Nature here
+Wantond as in her prime, and plaid at will
+Her Virgin Fancies, pouring forth more sweet,
+Wilde above rule or art; enormous bliss.
+Him through the spicie Forrest onward com
+\textit{Adam} discernd, as in the dore he sat
+Of his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun
+Shot down direct his fervid Raies, to warme
+Earths inmost womb, more warmth then \textit{Adam} need;
+And \textit{Eve} within, due at her hour prepar'd
+For dinner savourie fruits, of taste to please
+True appetite, and not disrelish theirst
+Of nectarous draughts between, from milkie stream,
+Berrie or Grape: to whom thus \textit{Adam} call'd.
+\quad Haste hither \textit{Eve}, and worth thy sight behold
+Eastward among those Trees, what glorious shape
+Comes this way moving; seems another Morn
+Ris'n on mid-noon; som great behest from Heav'n
+To us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafe
+This day to be our Guest. But goe with speed,
+And what thy stores contain, bring forth and poure
+Abundance, fit to honour and receive
+Our Heav'nly stranger; well we may afford
+Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow
+From large bestowd, where Nature multiplies
+Her fertil growth, and by disburd'ning grows
+More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Eve}. \textit{Adam}, earths hallowd mould,
+Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store,
+All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;
+Save what by frugal storing firmness gains
+To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes:
+But I will haste and from each bough and break,
+Each Plant and juciest Gourd will pluck such choice
+To entertain our Angel guest, as hee
+Beholding shall confess that here on Earth
+God hath dispenst his bounties as in Heav'n.
+\quad So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste
+She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent
+What choice to chuse for delicacie best,
+What order, so contriv'd as not to mix
+Tastes, not well joynd, inelegant, but bring
+Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change,
+Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk
+Whatever Earth all-bearing Mother yeilds
+In \textit{India} East or West, or middle shoare
+In \textit{Pontus} or the \textit{Punic} Coast, or where
+\textit{Alcinous} reign'd, fruit of all kindes, in coate,
+Rough, or smooth rin'd, or bearded husk, or shell
+She gathers, Tribute large, and on the board
+Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the Grape
+She crushes, inoffensive moust, and meathes
+From many a berrie, and from sweet kernels prest
+She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold
+Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground
+With Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum'd.
+Mean while our Primitive great Sire, to meet
+His god-like Guest, walks forth, without more train
+Accompani'd then with his own compleat
+Perfections, in himself was all his state,
+More solemn then the tedious pomp that waits
+On Princes, when their rich Retinue long
+Of Horses led, and Grooms besmeard with Gold
+Dazles the croud, and sets them all agape.
+Neerer his presence \textit{Adam} though not awd,
+Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,
+As to a superior Nature, bowing low,
+\quad Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other place
+None can then Heav'n such glorious shape contain;
+Since by descending from the Thrones above,
+Those happie places thou hast deignd a while
+To want, and honour these, voutsafe with us
+Two onely, who yet by sov'ran gift possess
+This spacious ground, in yonder shadie Bowre
+To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears
+To sit and taste, till this meridian heat
+Be over, and the Sun more coole decline.
+\quad Whom thus the Angelic Vertue answerd milde.
+\textit{Adam}, I therefore came, nor art thou such
+Created, or such place hast here to dwell,
+As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav'n
+To visit thee; lead on then where thy Bowre
+Oreshades; for these mid-hours, till Eevning rise
+I have at will. So to the Silvan Lodge
+They came, that like \textit{Pomona}'s Arbour smil'd
+With flourets deck't and fragrant smells; but \textit{Eve}
+Undeckt, save with her self more lovely fair
+Then Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd
+Of three that in Mount \textit{Ida} naked strove,
+Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no vaile
+Shee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirme
+Alterd her cheek. On whom the Angel \textit{Haile}
+Bestowd, the holy salutation us'd
+Long after to blest \textit{Marie}, second \textit{Eve}.
+\quad Haile Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful Womb
+Shall fill the World more numerous with thy Sons
+Then with these various fruits the Trees of God
+Have heap'd this Table. Rais'd of grassie terf
+Their Table was, and mossie seats had round,
+And on her ample Square from side to side
+All \textit{Autumn} pil'd, though \textit{Spring} and \textit{Autumn} here
+Danc'd hand in hand. A while discourse they hold;
+No fear lest Dinner coole; when thus began
+Our Authour. Heav'nly stranger, please to taste
+These bounties which our Nourisher, from whom
+All perfet good unmeasur'd out, descends,
+To us for food and for delight hath caus'd
+The Earth to yeild; unsavourie food perhaps
+To spiritual Natures; only this I know,
+That one Celestial Father gives to all.
+\quad To whom the Angel. Therefore what he gives
+(Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part
+Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found
+No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure
+Intelligential substances require
+As doth your Rational; and both contain
+Within them every lower facultie
+Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,
+Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,
+And corporeal to incorporeal turn.
+For know, whatever was created, needs
+To be sustaind and fed; of Elements
+The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,
+Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those Fires
+Ethereal, and as lowest first the Moon;
+Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd
+Vapours not yet into her substance turnd.
+Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhale
+From her moist Continent to higher Orbes.
+The Sun that light imparts to all, receives
+From all his alimental recompence
+In humid exhalations, and at Even
+Sups with the Ocean: though in Heav'n the Trees
+Of life ambrosial frutage bear, and vines
+Yeild Nectar, though from off the boughs each Morn
+We brush mellifluous Dewes, and find the ground
+Cover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here
+Varied his bounty so with new delights,
+As may compare with Heaven; and to taste
+Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat,
+And to their 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 \textit{Eve}
+Ministerd naked, and their 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.
+\quad Thus when with meats and drinks they had suffic'd,
+Not burd'nd Nature, sudden mind arose
+In \textit{Adam}, not to let th' occasion pass
+Given him by this great Conference to know
+Of things above his World, and of their 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.
+\quad 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?
+\quad To whom the winged Hierarch repli'd.
+O \textit{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 their 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 their 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.
+\quad 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, \textit{If} \textit{Ye} \textit{Be} \textit{Found}
+\textit{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 utmost measure of what bliss
+Human desires can seek or apprehend?
+\quad 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!
+\quad To whom our great Progenitor. Thy words
+Attentive, and with more delighted eare
+Divine instructer, I have heard, then 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.
+\quad Thus \textit{Adam} made request, and \textit{Raphael}
+After short pause assenting, thus began.
+\quad 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?
+\quad As yet this world was not, and \textit{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
+Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appeerd
+Under their 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 their 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,
+Amidst as from a flaming Mount, whoseop
+Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.
+\quad 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 confess 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.
+\quad So spake th' 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 their 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 their joy.
+Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'd
+From that high mount of God, whence light and 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
+Disperst in Bands and Files their 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 their course
+Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne
+Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd
+\textit{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
+\textit{Messiah} King anointed, could not beare
+Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaird.
+Deep malice thence conceiving and 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.
+\quad 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 their 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 \textit{Messiah}, and his new commands,
+Who speedily through all the Hierarchies
+Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws.
+\quad 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 their 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 theird 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 their 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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 their vain designes and tumults vain,
+Matter to mee of Glory, whom their hate
+Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power
+Giv'n me to quell their pride, and in event
+Know whether I be dextrous to subdue
+Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n.
+\quad So spake the Son, but \textit{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 their triple Degrees, Regions to which
+All thy Dominion, \textit{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 length into the limits of the North
+They came, and \textit{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, and Rocks of Gold,
+The Palace of great \textit{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
+\textit{Messiah} was declar'd in sight of Heav'n,
+The Mountain of the Congregation call'd;
+For thither he assembl'd all his Train,
+Pretending so commanded to consult
+About the great reception of their King,
+Thither to come, and with calumnious Art
+Of counterfeted truth thus held their ears.
+\quad Thrones, Dominations, Princedomes, Vertues, Powers,
+If these magnific Titles yet remain
+Not meerly titular, since by Decree
+Another now hath to himself ingross't
+All Power, and us eclipst under the name
+Of King anointed, for whom all this haste
+Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,
+This onely to consult how we may best
+With what may be devis'd of honours new
+Receive him coming to receive from us
+Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,
+Too much to one, but double how endur'd,
+To one and to his image now proclaim'd?
+But what if better counsels might erect
+Our minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke?
+Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bend
+The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust
+To know ye right, or if ye know your selves
+Natives and Sons of Heav'n possest before
+By none, and if not equal all, yet free,
+Equally free; for Orders and Degrees
+Jarr not with liberty, but well consist.
+Who can in reason then or right assume
+Monarchie over such as live by right
+His equals, if in power and splendor less,
+In freedome equal? or can introduce
+Law and Edict on us, who without law
+Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord,
+And look for adoration to th' abuse
+Of those Imperial Titles which assert
+Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve?
+\quad Thus farr his bold discourse without controule
+Had audience, when among the Seraphim
+\textit{Abdiel}, then whom none with more zeale ador'd
+The Deitie, and divine commands obei'd,
+Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severe
+The current of his fury thus oppos'd.
+\quad O argument blasphemous, false and proud!
+Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav'n
+Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate
+In place thy self so high above thy Peeres.
+Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne
+The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn,
+That to his only Son by right endu'd
+With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav'n
+Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due
+Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist
+Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free,
+And equal over equals to let Reigne,
+One over all with unsucceeded power.
+Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute
+With him the points of libertie, who made
+Thee what thou art, and formd the Pow'rs of Heav'n
+Such as he pleasd, and circumscrib'd their being?
+Yet by experience taught we know how good,
+And of our good, and of our dignitie
+How provident he is, how farr from thought
+To make us less, bent rather to exalt
+Our happie state under one Head more neer
+United. But to grant it thee unjust,
+That equal over equals Monarch Reigne:
+Thy self though great and glorious dost thou count,
+Or all Angelic Nature joind in one,
+Equal to him begotten Son, by whom
+As by his Word the mighty Father made
+All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'n
+By him created in their bright degrees,
+Crownd them with Glory, and to their Glory nam'd
+Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers
+Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur'd,
+But more illustrious made, since he the Head
+One of our number thus reduc't becomes,
+His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done
+Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage,
+And tempt not these; but hast'n to appease
+Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,
+While Pardon may be found in time besought.
+\quad So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale
+None seconded, as out of season judg'd,
+Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd
+Th' Apostat, and more haughty thus repli'd.
+That we were formd then saist thou? and the work
+Of secondarie hands, by task transferd
+From Father to his Son? strange point and new!
+Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw
+When this creation was? rememberst thou
+Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
+We know no time when we were not as now;
+Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd
+By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course
+Had circl'd his full Orbe, the birth mature
+Of this our native Heav'n, Ethereal Sons.
+Our puissance is our own, our own right hand
+Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try
+Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
+Whether by supplication we intend
+Address, and to begirt th' Almighty Throne
+Beseeching or besieging. This report,
+These tidings carrie to th' anointed King;
+And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
+\quad He said, and as the sound of waters deep
+Hoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause
+Through the infinite Host, nor less for that
+The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone
+Encompass'd round with foes, thus answerd bold.
+\quad O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,
+Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fall
+Determind, and thy hapless crew involv'd
+In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred
+Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
+No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke
+Of Gods \textit{Messiah}; those indulgent Laws
+Will not be now voutsaf't, other Decrees
+Against thee are gon forth without recall;
+That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject
+Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake
+Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise,
+Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly
+These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth
+Impendent, raging into sudden flame
+Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel
+His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
+Then who created thee lamenting learne,
+When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
+\quad So spake the Seraph \textit{Abdiel} faithful found,
+Among the faithless, faithful only hee;
+Among innumerable false, unmov'd,
+Unshak'n, unseduc'd, unterrifi'd
+His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale;
+Nor number, nor example with him wrought
+To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
+Though single. From amidst them forth he passd,
+Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind
+Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught;
+And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd
+On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd.
+
+
+\Book
+
+All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd
+Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
+Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
+Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a Cave
+Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
+Where light and darkness in perpetual round
+Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n
+Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
+Light issues forth, and at the other dore
+Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
+To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might well
+Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn
+Such as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in Gold
+Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night,
+Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain
+Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,
+Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds
+Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
+Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and found
+Already known what he for news had thought
+To have reported: gladly then he mixt
+Among those friendly 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.
+\quad 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 their Law refuse,
+Right reason for their Law, and for their King
+\textit{Messiah}, who by right of merit Reigns.
+Goe \textit{Michael} of Celestial Armies Prince,
+And thou in Military prowess next
+\textit{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 their place of punishment, the Gulf
+Of \textit{Tartarus}, which ready opens wide
+His fiery \textit{Chaos} to receave their fall.
+\quad 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 their bright Legions, to the sound
+Of instrumental Harmonie that breath'd
+Heroic Ardor to advent'rous deeds
+Under their God-like Leaders, in the Cause
+Of God and his \textit{Messiah}. On they move
+Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill,
+Nor streit'ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides
+Their perfet ranks; for high above the ground
+Their march was, and the passive Air upbore
+Their nimble tread; as when the total kind
+Of Birds in orderly array on wing
+Came summond over \textit{Eden} to receive
+Their 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 \textit{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 their 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,
+\textit{Satan} with vast and haughtie strides advanc't,
+Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold;
+\textit{Abdiel} that sight endur'd not, where he stood
+Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,
+And thus his own undaunted heart explores.
+\quad O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the Highest
+Should yet remain, where faith and realtie
+Remain not; wherfore should not strength and 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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 then
+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.
+\quad 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 theird part of the Gods, in Synod met
+Their 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 their deeds compar'd this day shall prove.
+\quad To whom in brief thus \textit{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 \textit{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, 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.
+\quad So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,
+Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell
+On the proud Crest of \textit{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 their mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout,
+Presage of Victorie and fierce desire
+Of Battel: whereat \textit{Michael} bid sound
+Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'n
+It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung
+\textit{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 Earth
+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 their Regions: how much more of Power
+Armie against Armie numberless to raise
+Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,
+Though not destroy, their happie Native seat;
+Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent
+From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd
+And limited their might; though numberd such
+As each divided Legion might have seemd
+A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand
+A Legion; led in fight, yet 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 \textit{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 \textit{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
+Surceas'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.
+\quad 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 hast 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.
+\quad 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, and 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
+Thou fablest, here however to dwell free,
+If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,
+And join him nam'd \textit{Almightie} to thy aid,
+I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.
+\quad 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 their fierie Swords, and in the Aire
+Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns their 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 sprung,
+Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne
+Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie,
+Should combat, and their jarring Sphears confound.
+Together both with next to Almightie Arme,
+Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd
+That might determine, and not need repeate,
+As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd
+In might or swift prevention; but the sword
+Of \textit{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 \textit{Satan} with steep force to smite
+Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,
+But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar'd
+All his right side; then \textit{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 their Shields
+Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir'd
+From off the files of warr; there they him laid
+Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame
+To find himself not matchless, and his pride
+Humbl'd by such rebuke, so farr beneath
+His confidence to equal God in power.
+Yet soon he heal'd; for Spirits that live throughout
+Vital in every part, not as frail man
+In Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines,
+Cannot but by annihilating die;
+Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound
+Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire:
+All Heart they live, 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.
+\quad Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd
+Memorial, where the might of \textit{Gabriel} fought,
+And with fierce Ensignes pierc'd the deep array
+Of \textit{Moloc} furious King, who him defi'd,
+And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound
+Threatn'd, nor from the Holie One of Heav'n
+Refrein'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon
+Down clov'n to the waste, with shatterd Armes
+And uncouth paine fled bellowing. On each wing
+\textit{Uriel} and \textit{Raphael} his vaunting foe,
+Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd,
+Vanquish'd \textit{Adramelec}, and \textit{Asmadai},
+Two potent Thrones, that to be less then Gods
+Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learnd in their flight,
+Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile.
+Nor stood unmindful \textit{Abdiel} to annoy
+The Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow
+\textit{Ariel} and \textit{Arioc}, and the violence
+Of \textit{Ramiel} scorcht and blasted overthrew.
+I might relate of thousands, and their names
+Eternize here on Earth; but those elect
+Angels contented with their 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 their doome.
+\quad And now their 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 their innocence
+Gave them above their foes, not to have sinnd,
+Not to have disobei'd; in fight they stood
+Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd
+By wound, though from their place by violence mov'd.
+\quad 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
+\textit{Michael} and his Angels prevalent
+Encamping, plac'd in Guard their Watches round,
+Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part
+\textit{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.
+\quad 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; perhaps 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.
+\quad He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood
+\textit{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, overturnes
+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 deserves
+No less then for deliverance what we owe.
+\quad Whereto with look compos'd \textit{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 Ethereous mould whereon we stand,
+This continent of spacious Heav'n, adornd
+With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms and 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 temperd they shoot forth
+So beauteous, op'ning to the ambient light.
+These in their dark Nativitie the Deep
+Shall yeild us, pregnant with infernal flame,
+Which into hallow Engins long and round
+Thick-rammd, at th' other bore with touch of fire
+Dilated and infuriate shall send forth
+From far with thundring noise among our foes
+Such implements of mischief as shall dash
+To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands
+Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd
+The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
+Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,
+Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive;
+Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind
+Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird.
+He ended, and his words their drooping chere
+Enlightn'd, and their languisht hope reviv'd.
+Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how hee
+To be th' inventer miss'd, so easie it seemd
+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, innumerable hands
+Were ready, in a moment up they turnd
+Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath
+Th' originals of Nature in their crude
+Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame
+They found, they mingl'd, and with suttle Art,
+Concocted and adusted they reduc'd
+To blackest grain, and into store conveyd:
+Part hidd'n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth
+Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone,
+Whereof to found their Engins and their 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 Ensignes moving nigh, in slow
+But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail
+\textit{Zephiel}, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,
+Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd.
+\quad Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, 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 soon
+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
+\textit{Satan}: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 their 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 their 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
+Their 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 their feet might stand,
+Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell
+By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl'd;
+The sooner for their 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 their 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 their foes a laughter; for in view
+Stood rankt of Seraphim another row
+In posture to displode their second tire
+Of Thunder: back defeated to return
+They worse abhorr'd. \textit{Satan} beheld their plight,
+And to his Mates thus in derision call'd.
+\quad 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 their 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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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.
+\quad So they among themselves in pleasant veine
+Stood scoffing, highthn'd in their thoughts beyond
+All doubt of Victorie, eternal might
+To match with their 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, and 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)
+Their 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 their foundations loosning to and fro
+They pluckt the seated Hills with all their load,
+Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops
+Up lifting bore them in their 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 their confidence
+Under the weight of Mountains buried deep,
+Themselves invaded next, and on their heads
+Main Promontories flung, which in the Air
+Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm'd,
+Their armor help'd their harm, crush't in and brus'd
+Into their 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,
+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.
+\quad 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 \textit{Michael} and his Powers went forth to tame
+These disobedient; sore hath been their 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 their 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 theird 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 \textit{Messiah} his anointed King.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 their 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 \textit{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 theird 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 their bodies all
+And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels
+Of Beril, and careering Fires between;
+Over their 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 \textit{Urim}, work divinely wrought,
+Ascended, at his right hand Victorie
+Sate Eagle-wing'd, beside 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 their 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 \textit{Messiah} blaz'd
+Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n:
+Under whose Conduct \textit{Michael} soon reduc'd
+His Armie, circumfus'd on either Wing,
+Under their 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 their 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 \textit{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.
+\quad 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 their 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 their doom he hath assig'n'd;
+That they may have their 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.
+\quad 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 their Starrie wings
+With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbes
+Of his fierce Chariot rowld, as with the sound
+Of torrent Floods, or of a numerous Host.
+Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove,
+Gloomie as Night; under his burning Wheeles
+The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout,
+All but the Throne it self of God. Full soon
+Among them he arriv'd; in his right hand
+Grasping ten thousand Thunders, which he sent
+Before him, such as in their Soules infix'd
+Plagues; they astonisht all resistance lost,
+All courage; down their 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 their strength,
+And of their 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 timerous flock together throngd
+Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu'd
+With terrors and with furies 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
+Down from the verge of Heav'n, Eternal wrauth
+Burnt after them to the bottomless pit.
+\quad 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 \textit{Chaos} roard,
+And felt tenfold confusion in their 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 their fit habitation fraught with fire
+Unquenchable, the house of woe and paine.
+Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoic'd, and soon repaird
+Her mural breach, returning whence it rowld.
+Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes
+\textit{Messiah} his triumphal Chariot turnd:
+To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood
+Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts,
+With Jubilie advanc'd; and as they went,
+Shaded with branching Palme, each order bright,
+Sung Triumph, and him sung Victorious King,
+Son, 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.
+\quad 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 \textit{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.
+
+
+\Book
+
+Descend from Heav'n \textit{Urania}, by that name
+If rightly thou art call'd, whose Voice divine
+Following, above th' \textit{Olympian} Hill I soare,
+Above the flight of \textit{Pegasean} wing.
+The meaning, not the Name I call: for thou
+Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top
+Of old \textit{Olympus} dwell'st, but Heav'nlie borne,
+Before the Hills appeerd, or Fountain flow'd,
+Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse,
+Wisdom thy Sister, and with her didst play
+In presence of th' Almightie Father, pleas'd
+With thy Celestial Song. Up led by thee
+Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd,
+An Earthlie Guest, and drawn Empyreal Aire,
+Thy tempring; with like safetie guided down
+Return me to my Native Element:
+Least from this flying Steed unrein'd, (as once
+\textit{Bellerophon}, though from a lower Clime)
+Dismounted, on th' \textit{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,
+\textit{Urania}, and fit audience find, though few.
+But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance
+Of \textit{Bacchus} and his Revellers, the Race
+Of that wilde Rout that tore the \textit{Thracian} Bard
+In \textit{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'nlie, shee an empty dreame.
+\quad Say Goddess, what ensu'd when \textit{Raphael},
+The affable Arch-angel, had forewarn'd
+\textit{Adam} by dire example to beware
+Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven
+To those Apostates, least the like befall
+In Paradise to \textit{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 their appetite,
+Though wandring. He with his consorted \textit{Eve}
+The storie heard attentive, and was fill'd
+With admiration, and deep Muse to heare
+Of things so high and strange, things to their thought
+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 \textit{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 \textit{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 theirst excites,
+Proceeded thus to ask his Heav'nly Guest.
+\quad 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 since 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 relate
+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 florid Earth, what cause
+Mov'd the Creator in his holy Rest
+Through all Eternitie so late to build
+In \textit{Chaos}, and the work begun, how soon
+Absolv'd, if unforbid thou maist unfould
+What wee, not to explore the secrets aske
+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 unapparent Deep:
+Or if the Starr of Eevning and the Moon
+Haste to thy audience, Night with her 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.
+\quad Thus \textit{Adam} his illustrous Guest besought:
+\quad 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 thine own inventions hope
+Things not reveal'd, which th' invisible King,
+Onely Omniscient, hath supprest in Night,
+To none communicable in Earth or Heaven:
+Anough is left besides to search and know.
+But Knowledge is as food, and needs no less
+Her Temperance over Appetite, to know
+In measure what the mind may well contain,
+Oppresses else with Surfet, and soon turns
+Wisdom to Folly, as Nourishment to Winde.
+\quad Know then, that after \textit{Lucifer} from Heav'n
+(So call him, brighter once amidst the Host
+Of Angels, then that Starr the Starrs among)
+Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep
+Into his place, and the great Son returnd
+Victorious with his Saints, th' Omnipotent
+Eternal Father from his Throne beheld
+Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake.
+\quad At least our envious Foe hath fail'd, who thought
+All like himself rebellious, by whose aid
+This inaccessible high strength, the seat
+Of Deitie supream, us dispossest,
+He trusted to have seis'd, and into fraud
+Drew many, whom their place knows here no more;
+Yet farr the greater part have kept, I see,
+Their 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, and 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 mee, and what I will is Fate.
+\quad 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 their 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 their 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 their 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.
+\quad Silence, ye troubl'd waves, and thou Deep, peace,
+Said then th' Omnific Word, your discord end:
+\quad Nor staid, but on the Wings of Cherubim
+Uplifted, in Paternal Glorie rode
+Farr into \textit{Chaos}, and the World unborn;
+For \textit{Chaos} heard his voice: him all his Traine
+Follow'd in bright procession to behold
+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 Circumference, 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 outspred,
+And vital vertue infus'd, and vital warmth
+Throughout the fluid Mass, but downward purg'd
+The black tartareous cold infernal dregs
+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.
+\quad 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 their Golden Harps, and hymning prais'd
+God and his works, Creatour him they sung,
+Both when first Eevning was, and when first Morn.
+\quad 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 \textit{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 \textit{Chorus} sung the second Day.
+\quad 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 their broad bare backs upheave
+Into the Clouds, their 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 flight the great command impress'd
+On the swift flouds: as Armies at the call
+Of Trumpet (for of Armies thou hast heard)
+Troop to their 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 their way,
+And on the washie 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 their 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 their 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
+Their branches hung with copious Fruit; or gemm'd
+Their Blossoms: with high Woods the Hills were crownd,
+With tufts the vallies and 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 Theird Day.
+\quad 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
+Their 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 their 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 their 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, unlightsom 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
+In 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 their Fountain other Starrs
+Repairing, in their gold'n Urns draw Light,
+And hence the Morning Planet guilds his horns;
+By tincture or reflection they augment
+Their 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 run
+His Longitude through Heav'ns high rode: the gray
+Dawn, and the \textit{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 their bright Luminaries that Set and Rose,
+Glad Eevning and glad Morn crownd the fourth day.
+\quad 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 their 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.
+Forthwith the Sounds and Seas, each Creek and Bay
+With Frie innumerable swarme, and Shoales
+Of Fish that with their 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 their pasture, and through Groves
+Of Coral stray, or sporting with quick glance
+Show to the Sun their wav'd coats dropt with Gold,
+Or in their Pearlie shells at ease, attend
+Moist nutriment, or under Rocks their food
+In jointed Armour watch: on smooth the Seale,
+And bended Dolphins play: part huge of bulk
+Wallowing unweildie, enormous in their Gate
+Tempest the Ocean: there Leviathan
+Hugest of living Creatures, on the Deep
+Stretcht 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
+Their Brood as numerous hatch, from the Egg that soon
+Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclos'd
+Their callow young, but featherd soon and fledge
+They summ'd their 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 their Eyries build:
+Part loosly wing the Region, part more wise
+In common, rang'd in figure wedge their way,
+Intelligent of seasons, and set forth
+Their Aierie Caravan high over Sea's
+Flying, and over Lands with mutual wing
+Easing their flight; so stears 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 their 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
+Their 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 crested 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 Fift day.
+\quad The Sixt, and of Creation last arose
+With Eevning Harps and Mattin, 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 grown: 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: scarse from his mould
+\textit{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 their 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 their 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
+Their 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,
+And thou their 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 hand
+First wheeld their 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.
+\quad Let us make now Man in our image, Man
+In our similitude, and let them rule
+Over the Fish and Fowle of Sea and Aire,
+Beast of the Field, and over all the Earth,
+And every creeping thing that creeps the ground.
+This said, he formd thee, \textit{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 their 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 appetite, least sin
+Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death.
+Here finish'd hee, and all that he had made
+View'd, and behold all was entirely good;
+So Ev'n and Morn accomplish'd the Sixt day:
+Yet not till the Creator from his work
+Desisting, though unwearied, up returnd
+Up to the Heav'n of Heav'ns his high abode,
+Thence to behold this new created World
+Th' addition of his Empire, how it shew'd
+In prospect from his Throne, how good, how faire,
+Answering his great Idea. Up he rode
+Followd with acclamation and the sound
+Symphonious of ten thousand Harpes that tun'd
+Angelic harmonies: the Earth, the Aire
+Resounded, (thou remember'st, for thou heardst)
+The Heav'ns and all the Constellations rung,
+The Planets in their stations list'ning stood,
+While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant.
+Open, ye everlasting Gates, they sung,
+Open, ye Heav'ns, your living dores; let in
+The great Creator from his work returnd
+Magnificent, his Six days work, a World;
+Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deigne
+To visit oft the dwellings of just Men
+Delighted, and with frequent intercourse
+Thither will send his winged Messengers
+On errands of supernal Grace. So sung
+The glorious Train ascending: He through Heav'n,
+That open'd wide her blazing Portals, led
+To Gods Eternal house direct the way,
+A broad and ample rode, whose dust is Gold
+And pavement Starrs, as Starrs to thee appeer,
+Seen in the Galaxie, that Milkie way
+Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest
+Pouderd with Starrs. And now on Earth the Seaventh
+Eev'ning arose in \textit{Eden}, for the Sun
+Was set, and twilight from the East came on,
+Forerunning Night; when at the holy mount
+Of Heav'ns high-seated top, th' Impereal Throne
+Of Godhead, fixt for ever firm and sure,
+The Filial Power arriv'd, and sate him down
+With his great Father (for 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 Harp
+Had work and rested not, the solemn Pipe,
+And Dulcimer, all Organs of sweet stop,
+All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire
+Temper'd soft Tunings, intermixt with Voice
+Choral or Unison: of incense Clouds
+Fuming from Golden Censers hid the Mount.
+Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung,
+Great are thy works, \textit{Jehovah}, infinite
+Thy power; what thought can measure thee or tongue
+Relate thee; greater now in thy return
+Then from the Giant Angels; thee that day
+Thy Thunders magnifi'd; but to create
+Is greater then created to destroy.
+Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound
+Thy Empire? easily the proud attempt
+Of Spirits apostat and their 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 \textit{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
+Their seasons: among these the seat of men,
+Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus'd,
+Their 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
+Their happiness, and persevere upright.
+\quad So sung they, and the Empyrean rung,
+With \textit{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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Adam} gratefully repli'd.
+What thanks sufficient, or what recompence
+Equal have I to render thee, Divine
+Hystorian, who thus largely hast allayd
+The theirst I had of knowledge, and voutsaf't
+This friendly condescention to relate
+Things else by me unsearchable, now heard
+\textit{Vv}ith wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
+With glorie attributed to the high
+Creator; some thing yet of doubt remaines,
+\textit{Vv}hich onely thy solution can resolve.
+\textit{Vv}hen I behold this goodly Frame, this \textit{Vv}orld
+Of Heav'n and Earth consisting, and compute,
+Their magnitudes, this Earth a spot, a graine,
+An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd
+And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle
+Spaces incomprehensible (for such
+Their distance argues and their swift return
+Diurnal) meerly to officiate light
+Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
+One day and night; in all their 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 their 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.
+\quad So spake our Sire, and by his count'nance seemd
+Entring on studious thoughts abstruse, which \textit{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,
+\textit{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 \textit{Raphael} now to \textit{Adam}'s doubt propos'd
+Benevolent and facil thus repli'd.
+\quad 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 their disputes, perhaps to move
+His laughter at their 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, their 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 \textit{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 their own
+Incited, dance about him various rounds?
+Their 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 their 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 bears 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 \textit{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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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 theirst
+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 their sweetness no satietie.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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 thy words no less then thou with mine.
+\quad So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire.
+For Man to tell how human Life began
+Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?
+Desire with thee still longer to converse
+Induc'd me. As new wak't from soundest sleep
+Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid
+In Balmie Sweat, which with his Beames the Sun
+Soon dri'd, and on the reaking moisture fed.
+Strait toward Heav'n my wondring Eyes I turnd,
+And gaz'd a while the ample Skie, till rais'd
+By quick instinctive motion up I sprung,
+As thitherward endevoring, and upright
+Stood on my feet; about me round I saw
+Hill, Dale, and shadie Woods, and sunnie Plaines,
+And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams; by these,
+Creatures that livd, and movd, and walk'd, or flew,
+Birds on the branches warbling; all things smil'd,
+With fragrance and with joy my heart oreflow'd.
+My self I then perus'd, and Limb by Limb
+Survey'd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran
+With supple joints, 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 then was passing to my former state
+Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve:
+When suddenly stood at my Head a dream,
+Whose inward apparition gently mov'd
+My Fancy to believe I yet had being,
+And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine,
+And said, thy Mansion wants thee, \textit{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, and Whom thou soughtst I am,
+Said mildely, Author of all this thou seest
+Above, or round about thee or beneath.
+This Paradise I give thee, count it thine
+To Till and keep, and of the Fruit to eate:
+Of every Tree that in the Garden growes
+Eate freely with glad heart; fear here no dearth:
+But of the Tree whose operation brings
+Knowledg of good and ill, which I have set
+The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith,
+Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life,
+Remember what I warne thee, shun to taste,
+And shun the bitter consequence: for know,
+The day thou eat'st thereof, my sole command
+Transgrest, inevitably thou shalt dye;
+From that day mortal, and this happie State
+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 each Bird and Beast behold
+After their kindes; I bring them to receave
+From thee their Names, and pay thee fealtie
+With low subjection; understand the same
+Of Fish within their watry residence,
+Not hither summond, since they cannot change
+Their 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
+Their 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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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
+Their language and their 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.
+\quad Let not my words offend thee, Heav'nly Power,
+My Maker, be propitious while I speak.
+Hast thou not made me here thy substitute,
+And these inferiour farr beneath me set?
+Among unequals what societie
+Can sort, what harmonie or true delight?
+Which must be mutual, in proportion due
+Giv'n and receiv'd; but in disparitie
+The one intense, the other still remiss
+Cannot well suite with either, but soon prove
+Tedious alike: Of fellowship I speak
+Such as I seek, fit to participate
+All rational delight, wherein the brute
+Cannot be human consort; they rejoyce
+Each with their 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.
+\quad Whereto th' Almighty answer'd, not displeas'd.
+A nice and suttle happiness I see
+Thou to thy self proposest, in the choice
+Of thy Associates, \textit{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?
+\quad 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 is Man,
+But in degree, the cause of his desire
+By conversation with his like to help,
+Or solace his defects. No need that thou
+Shouldst propagat, already infinite;
+And through all numbers absolute, though One;
+But Man by number is to manifest
+His single imperfection, and beget
+Like of his like, his Image multipli'd,
+In unitie defective, which requires
+Collateral love, and deerest amitie.
+Thou in thy secresie although alone,
+Best with thy self accompanied, seek'st not
+Social communication, yet so pleas'd,
+Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt
+Of Union or Communion, deifi'd;
+I by conversing cannot these erect
+From prone, nor in their 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.
+\quad Thus farr to try thee, \textit{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.
+\quad Hee ended, or I heard no more, for now
+My earthly by his Heav'nly overpowerd,
+Which it had long stood under, streind to the highth
+In that celestial Colloquie sublime,
+As with an object that excels the sense,
+Dazl'd and spent, sunk down, and sought repair
+Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd
+By Nature as in aide, and clos'd mine eyes.
+Mine eyes he clos'd, but op'n left the Cell
+Of Fancie my internal sight, by which
+Abstract as in a transe methought I saw,
+Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape
+Still glorious before whom awake I stood;
+Who stooping op'nd my left side, and took
+From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warme,
+And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,
+But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd:
+The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands;
+Under his forming hands a Creature grew,
+Manlike, but different sex, so lovly faire,
+That what seemd fair in all the World, seemd now
+Mean, or in her summd up, in her containd
+And in her looks, which from that time infus'd
+Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before,
+And into all things from her Aire inspir'd
+The spirit of love and amorous delight.
+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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 her self, 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 their 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 their 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, and 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 their seat
+Build in her loveliest, and create an awe
+About her, as a guard Angelic plac't.
+To whom the Angel with contracted brow.
+\quad 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, think the same voutsaf't
+To Cattel and each Beast; which would not be
+To them made common and divulg'd, if aught
+Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue
+The Soule of Man, or passion in him move.
+What higher in her societie thou findst
+Attractive, human, rational, love still;
+In loving thou dost well, in passion not,
+Wherein true Love consists not; love refines
+The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat
+In Reason, and is judicious, is the scale
+By which to heav'nly Love thou maist ascend,
+Not sunk in carnal pleasure, for which cause
+Among the Beasts no Mate for thee was found.
+\quad To whom thus half abash't \textit{Adam} repli'd.
+Neither her out-side formd so fair, nor aught
+In procreation common to all kindes
+(Though higher of the genial Bed by far,
+And with mysterious reverence I deem)
+So much delights me, as those graceful acts,
+Those thousand decencies that daily flow
+From all her words and actions, mixt with Love
+And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd
+Union of Mind, or in us both one Soule;
+Harmonie to behold in wedded pair
+More grateful then harmonious sound to the eare.
+Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose
+What inward thence I feel, not therefore foild,
+Who meet with various objects, from the sense
+Variously representing; yet still free
+Approve the best, and follow what I approve.
+To love thou blam'st me not, for love thou saist
+Leads up to Heav'n, is both the way and guide;
+Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask;
+Love not the heav'nly Spirits, and how their Love
+Express they, by looks onely, or do they mix
+Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?
+\quad To whom the Angel with a smile that glow'd
+Celestial rosie red, Loves proper hue,
+Answer'd. Let it suffice thee that thou know'st
+Us happie, and without Love no happiness.
+Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy'st
+(And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
+In eminence, and obstacle find none
+Of membrane, joynt, or limb, exclusive barrs:
+Easier then Air with Air, if Spirits embrace,
+Total they mix, Union of Pure with Pure
+Desiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need
+As Flesh to mix with Flesh, or Soul with Soul.
+But I can now no more; the parting Sun
+Beyond the Earths green Cape and verdant Isles
+\textit{Hesperean} sets, my Signal to depart.
+Be strong, live happie, and love, but first of all
+Him whom to love is to obey, and keep
+His great command; take heed least Passion sway
+Thy Judgement to do aught, which else free Will
+Would not admit; thine and of all thy Sons
+The weal or woe in thee is plac't; beware.
+I in thy persevering shall rejoyce,
+And all the Blest: stand fast; to stand or fall
+Free in thine own Arbitrement it lies.
+Perfet within, no outward aid require;
+And all temptation to transgress repel.
+\quad So saying, he arose; whom \textit{Adam} thus
+Follow'd with benediction. Since to part,
+Go heavenly Guest, Ethereal Messenger,
+Sent from whose sovran goodness I adore.
+Gentle to me and affable hath been
+Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever
+With grateful Memorie: thou to mankind
+Be good and friendly still, and oft return.
+\quad So parted they, the Angel up to Heav'n
+From the thick shade, and \textit{Adam} to his Bowre.
+
+
+\Book
+
+No more of talk where God or Angel Guest
+With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us'd
+To sit indulgent, and with him partake
+Rural repast, permitting him the while
+Venial discourse unblam'd: I now must change
+Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach
+Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt
+And disobedience: On the part of Heav'n
+Now alienated, distance and distaste,
+Anger and just rebuke, and judgement giv'n,
+That brought into this World a world of woe,
+Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie
+Deaths Harbinger: Sad task, yet argument
+Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth
+Of stern \textit{Achilles} on his Foe pursu'd
+Thrice Fugitive about \textit{Troy} Wall; or rage
+Of \textit{Turnus} for \textit{Lavinia} disespous'd,
+Or \textit{Neptun}'s ire or \textit{Juno}'s, that so long
+Perplex'd the \textit{Greek} and \textit{Cytherea}'s Son;
+If answerable style I can obtaine
+Of my Celestial Patroness, who deignes
+Her nightly visitation unimplor'd,
+And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires
+Easie my unpremeditated Verse:
+Since first this subject for Heroic Song
+Pleas'd me long choosing, and beginning late;
+Not sedulous by Nature to indite
+Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument
+Heroic deem'd, chief maistrie to dissect
+With long and tedious havoc fabl'd Knights
+In Battels feign'd; the better fortitude
+Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom
+Unsung; or to describe Races and Games,
+Or tilting Furniture, emblazon'd Shields,
+Impreses quaint, Caparisons and Steeds;
+Bases and tinsel Trappings, gorgious Knights
+At Joust and Torneament; then marshal'd Feast
+Serv'd up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals;
+The skill of Artifice or Office mean,
+Not that which justly gives Heroic name
+To Person or to Poem. Mee of these
+Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument
+Remaines, sufficient of it self to raise
+That name, unless an age too late, or cold
+Climat, or Years damp my intended wing
+Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine,
+Not Hers who brings it nightly to my Ear.
+\quad The Sun was sunk, and after him the Starr
+Of \textit{Hesperus}, whose Office is to bring
+Twilight upon the Earth, short Arbiter
+Twixt Day and Night, and now from end to end
+Nights Hemisphere had veild the Horizon round:
+When \textit{Satan} who late fled before the threats
+Of \textit{Gabriel} out of \textit{Eden}, now improv'd
+In meditated fraud and malice, bent
+On mans destruction, maugre what might hap
+Of heavier on himself, fearless return'd.
+By Night he fled, and at Midnight return'd
+From compassing the Earth, cautious of day,
+Since \textit{Uriel} Regent of the Sun descri'd
+His entrance, and forewarnd the Cherubim
+That kept their watch; thence full of anguish driv'n,
+The space of seven continu'd Nights he rode
+With darkness, thrice the Equinoctial Line
+He circl'd, four times cross'd the Carr of Night
+From Pole to Pole, traversing each Colure;
+On the eighth return'd, and on the Coast averse
+From entrance or Cherubic Watch, by stealth
+Found unsuspected way. There was a place,
+Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught the change,
+Where \textit{Tigris} at the foot of Paradise
+Into a Gulf shot under ground, till part
+Rose up a Fountain by the Tree of Life;
+In with the River sunk, and with it rose
+Satan involv'd in rising Mist, then sought
+Where to lie hid; Sea he had searcht and Land
+From \textit{Eden} over \textit{Pontus}, and the Poole
+\textit{Maeotis}, up beyond the River \textit{Ob};
+Downward as farr Antartic; and in length
+West from \textit{Orantes} to the Ocean barr'd
+At \textit{Darien}, thence to the Land where flowes
+\textit{Ganges} and \textit{Indus}: thus the Orb he roam'd
+With narrow search; and with inspection deep
+Consider'd every Creature, which of all
+Most opportune might serve his Wiles, and found
+The Serpent suttlest Beast of all the Field.
+Him after long debate, irresolute
+Of thoughts revolv'd, his final sentence chose
+Fit Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom
+To enter, and his dark suggestions hide
+From sharpest sight: for in the wilie Snake,
+Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark,
+As from his wit and native 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:
+\quad O Earth, how like to Heav'n, if not preferrd
+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, danc't round by other Heav'ns
+That shine, yet bear their bright officious Lamps,
+Light above Light, for thee alone, as seems,
+In thee concentring all their 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 their 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, and 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 worse 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 \textit{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
+Their earthlie 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.
+\quad 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-rowl'd,
+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 \textit{Eden} on the humid Flours, that breathd
+Their 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 their 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
+Their growing work: for much their work outgrew
+The hands dispatch of two Gardning so wide.
+And \textit{Eve} first to her Husband thus began.
+\quad \textit{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 no 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.
+\quad To whom mild answer \textit{Adam} thus return'd.
+Sole \textit{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
+Refreshment, 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.
+For not to irksom toile, but to delight
+He made us, and delight to Reason joyn'd.
+These paths and Bowers doubt not but our joynt
+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 possesses me, least harm
+Befall thee sever'd from me; for thou knowst
+What hath bin warn'd us, what malicious Foe
+Envying our happiness, and of his own
+Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame
+By sly assault; and somwhere nigh at hand
+Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find
+His wish and best advantage, us asunder,
+Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each
+To other speedie aide might lend at need;
+Whether his first design be to withdraw
+Our fealtie from God, or to disturb
+Conjugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss
+Enjoy'd by us excites his envie more;
+Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side
+That gave thee being, stil shades thee and protects.
+The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
+Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies,
+Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
+\quad To whom the Virgin Majestie of \textit{Eve},
+As one who loves, and some unkindness meets,
+With sweet austeer composure thus reply'd.
+\quad Ofspring of Heav'n and Earth, and all Earths Lord,
+That such an enemie we have, who seeks
+Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne,
+And from the parting Angel over-heard
+As in a shadie nook I stood behind,
+Just then returnd at shut of Evening Flours.
+But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt
+To God or thee, because we have a foe
+May tempt it, I expected not to hear.
+His violence thou fearst not, being such,
+As wee, not capable of death or paine,
+Can either not receave, or can repell.
+His fraud is then thy fear, which plain inferrs
+Thy equal fear that my firm Faith and Love
+Can by his fraud be shak'n or seduc't;
+Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy Brest,
+\textit{Adam}, misthought of her to thee so dear?
+\quad To whom with healing words \textit{Adam} reply'd.
+Daughter of God and Man, immortal \textit{Eve},
+For such thou art, from sin and blame entire:
+Not diffident of thee do I dissuade
+Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid
+Th' attempt it self, intended by our Foe.
+For hee who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses
+The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos'd
+Not incorruptible of Faith, not prooff
+Against temptation: thou thy self with scorne
+And anger wouldst resent the offer'd wrong,
+Though ineffectual found: misdeem not then,
+If such affront I labour to avert
+From thee alone, which on us both at once
+The Enemie, though bold, will hardly dare,
+Or daring, first on mee th' assault shall light.
+Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn;
+Suttle he needs must be, who could seduce
+Angels, nor think superfluous others aid.
+I from the influence of thy looks receave
+Access in every Vertue, in thy sight
+More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were
+Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on,
+Shame to be overcome or over-reacht
+Would utmost vigor raise, and rais'd unite.
+Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel
+When I am present, and thy trial choose
+With me, best witness of thy Vertue tri'd.
+\quad So spake domestick \textit{Adam} in his care
+And Matrimonial Love, but \textit{Eve}, who thought
+Less attributed to her Faith sincere,
+Thus her reply with accent sweet renewd.
+\quad If this be our condition, thus to dwell
+In narrow circuit strait'nd by a Foe,
+Suttle or violent, we not endu'd
+Single with like defence, wherever met,
+How are we happie, still in fear of harm?
+But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe
+Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem
+Of our integritie: his foul esteeme
+Sticks no dishonor on our Front, but turns
+Foul on himself; then wherfore shund or feard
+By us? who rather double honour gaine
+From his surmise prov'd false, finde peace within,
+Favour from Heav'n, our witness from th' event.
+And what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid
+Alone, without exterior help sustaind?
+Let us not then suspect our happie State
+Left so imperfet by the Maker wise,
+As not secure to single or combin'd.
+Fraile is our happiness, if this be so,
+And \textit{Eden} were no \textit{Eden} thus expos'd.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Adam} fervently repli'd.
+O Woman, best are all things as the will
+Of God ordaind them, his creating hand
+Nothing imperfet or deficient left
+Of all that he Created, much less Man,
+Or ought that might his happie State secure,
+Secure from outward force; within himself
+The danger lies, yet lies within his power:
+Against his will he can receave no harme.
+But God left free the Will, for what obeyes
+Reason, is free, and Reason he made right,
+But bid her well beware, and still erect,
+Least by some faire appeering good surpris'd
+She dictate false, and missinforme the Will
+To do what God expresly hath forbid.
+Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes,
+That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.
+Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve,
+Since Reason not impossibly may meet
+Some specious object by the Foe subornd,
+And fall into deception unaware,
+Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warnd.
+Seek not temptation then, which to avoide
+Were better, and most likelie if from mee
+Thou sever not; Trial will come unsought.
+Wouldst thou approve thy constancie, approve
+First thy obedience; th' other who can know,
+Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?
+But if thou think, trial unsought may finde
+Us both securer then thus warnd thou seemst,
+Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more;
+Go in thy native innocence, relie
+On what thou hast of vertue, summon all,
+For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine.
+\quad So spake the Patriarch of Mankinde, but \textit{Eve}
+Persisted, yet submiss, though last, repli'd.
+\quad With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd
+Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words
+Touchd onely, that our trial, when least sought,
+May finde us both perhaps farr less prepar'd,
+The willinger I goe, nor much expect
+A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek;
+So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse.
+Thus saying, from her Husbands hand her hand
+Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light
+\textit{Oread} or \textit{Dryad}, or of \textit{Delia}'s Traine,
+Betook her to the Groves, but \textit{Delia}'s self
+In gate surpass'd and Goddess-like deport,
+Though not as shee with Bow and Quiver armd,
+But with such Gardning Tools as Are yet rude,
+Guiltless of fire had formd, or Angels brought,
+To \textit{Pales}, or \textit{Pomona}, thus adornd,
+Likest she seemd, \textit{Pomona} when she fled
+\textit{Vertumnus}, or to \textit{Ceres} in her Prime,
+Yet Virgin of \textit{Proserpina} from \textit{Jove}.
+Her long with ardent look his \textit{Eye} pursu'd
+Delighted, but desiring more her stay.
+Oft he to her his charge of quick returne,
+Repeated, shee to him as oft engag'd
+To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre,
+And all things in best order to invite
+Noontide repast, or Afternoons repose.
+O much deceav'd, much failing, hapless \textit{Eve},
+Of thy presum'd return! event perverse!
+Thou never from that houre in Paradise
+Foundst either sweet repast, or found repose;
+Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades
+Waited with hellish rancor imminent
+To intercept thy way, or send thee back
+Despoild of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss.
+For now, and since first break of dawne the Fiend,
+Meer Serpent in appearance, forth was come,
+And on his Quest, where likeliest he might 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,
+Their tendance or Plantation for delight,
+By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet
+He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find
+\textit{Eve} separate, he wish'd, but not with hope
+Of what so seldom chanc'd, when to his wish,
+Beyond his hope, \textit{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 storn so nigh.
+Neererhe 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 \textit{Eve}:
+Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign'd
+Or of reviv'd \textit{Adonis}, or renownd
+\textit{Alcinous}, host of old \textit{Laertes} Son,
+Or that, not Mystic, where the Sapient King
+Held dalliance with his faire \textit{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 \textit{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.
+\quad Thoughts, whither have he 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.
+\quad So spake the Enemie of Mankind, enclos'd
+In Serpent, Inmate bad, and toward \textit{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 \textit{Illyria} chang'd
+\textit{Hermione} and \textit{Cadmus}, or the God
+In \textit{Epidaurus}; nor to which transformd
+\textit{Ammonian} \textit{Jove}, or \textit{Capitoline} was seen,
+Hee with \textit{Olympias}, this with her who bore
+\textit{Scipio} the highth of \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{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 \textit{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.
+\quad 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
+Insatiate, I thus single; nor have feard
+Thy awful brow, more awful thus retir'd.
+Fairest resemblance of thy Maker faire,
+Thee all living things 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.
+\quad So gloz'd the Tempter, and his Proem tun'd;
+Into the Heart of \textit{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 their Creation-Day
+Created mute to all articulat sound;
+The latter I demurre, for in their looks
+Much reason, and in their 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.
+\quad To whom the guileful Tempter thus reply'd.
+Empress of this fair World, resplendent \textit{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 behold
+Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt,
+Ruddie and Gold: I nearer drew to gaze;
+When from the boughes a savorie odour blow'n,
+Grateful to appetite, more pleas'd my sense
+Then smell of sweetest Fenel, or the Teats
+Of Ewe or Goat dropping with Milk at Eevn,
+Unsuckt of Lamb or Kid, that tend their play.
+To satisfie the sharp desire I had
+Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolv'd
+Not to deferr; hunger and theirst at once,
+Powerful perswaders, quick'nd at the scent
+Of that alluring fruit, urg'd me so keene.
+About the Mossie Trunk I wound me soon,
+For high from ground the branches would require
+Thy utmost reach or \textit{Adams}: Round the Tree
+All other Beasts that saw, with like desire
+Longing and envying stood, but could not reach.
+Amid the Tree now got, where plentie hung
+Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill
+I spar'd not, for such pleasure till that hour
+At Feed or Fountain never had I found.
+Sated at length, ere long I might perceave
+Strange alteration in me, to degree
+Of Reason in my inward Powers, and Speech
+Wanted not long, though to this shape retaind.
+Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep
+I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind
+Considerd all things visible in Heav'n,
+Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good;
+But all that fair and good in thy Divine
+Semblance, and in thy Beauties heav'nly Ray
+United I beheld; no Fair to thine
+Equivalent or second, which compel'd
+Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to come
+And gaze, and worship thee of right declar'd
+Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame.
+\quad So talk'd the spirited sly Snake; and \textit{Eve}
+Yet more amaz'd unwarie thus reply'd.
+\quad Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt
+The vertue of that Fruit, in thee first prov'd:
+But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?
+For many are the Trees of God that grow
+In Paradise, and various, yet unknown
+To us, in such abundance lies our choice,
+As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht,
+Still hanging incorruptible, till men
+Grow up to their provision, and more hands
+Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.
+\quad To whom the wilie Adder, blithe and glad.
+Empress, the way is readie, and not long,
+Beyond a row of Myrtles, on a Flat,
+Fast by a Fountain, one small Thicket past
+Of blowing Myrrh and Balme; if thou accept
+My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon.
+\quad Lead then, said \textit{Eve}. Hee leading swiftly rowld
+In tangles, and make intricate seem strait,
+To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy
+Bright'ns his Crest, as when a wandring Fire
+Compact of unctuous vapor, which the Night
+Condenses, and the cold invirons round,
+Kindl'd through agitation to a Flame,
+Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends,
+Hovering and blazing with delusive Light,
+Misleads th' amaz'd Night-wanderer from his way
+To Boggs and Mires, and oft through Pond or Poole,
+There swallow'd up and lost, from succour farr.
+So glister'd the dire Snake and into fraud
+Led \textit{Eve} our credulous Mother, to the Tree
+Of prohibition, root of all our woe;
+Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake.
+\quad Serpent, we might have spar'd our coming hither,
+Fruitless to me, though Fruit be here to excess,
+The credit of whose vertue rest with thee,
+Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects.
+But of this Tree we may not taste nor touch;
+God so commanded, and left that Command
+Sole Daughter of his voice; the rest, we live
+Law to our selves, our Reason is our Law.
+\quad To whom the Tempter guilefully repli'd.
+Indeed? hath God then said that of the Fruit
+Of all these Garden Trees ye shall not eate,
+Yet Lords declar'd of all in Earth or Aire?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Eve} yet sinless. Of the Fruit
+Of each Tree in the Garden we may eate,
+But of the Fruit of this fair Tree amidst
+The Garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eate
+Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, least ye die.
+\quad She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold
+The Tempter, but with shew of Zeale and Love
+To Man, and indignation at his wrong,
+New part puts on, and as to passion mov'd,
+Fluctuats disturbd, yet comely, and in act
+Rais'd, as of som great matter to begin.
+As when of old som Orator renound
+In \textit{Athens} or free \textit{Rome}, where Eloquence
+Flourishd, since mute, to som great cause addrest,
+Stood in himself collected, while each part,
+Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue,
+Somtimes in highth began, as no delay
+Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right.
+So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown
+The Tempter all impassiond thus began.
+\quad O Sacred, Wise, and Wisdom-giving Plant,
+Mother of Science, Now I feel thy Power
+Within me cleere, not onely to discerne
+Things in their Causes, but to trace the wayes
+Of highest Agents, deemd however wise.
+Queen of this Universe, doe not believe
+Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die:
+How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life
+To Knowledge? By the Threatner, look on mee,
+Mee who have touch'd and tasted, yet both live,
+And life more perfet have attaind then Fate
+Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot.
+Shall that be shut to Man, which to the Beast
+Is open? or will God incense his ire
+For such a pretty Trespass, and not praise
+Rather your dauntless vertue, whom the pain
+Of Death denounc't, whatever thing Death be,
+Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade
+To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil;
+Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil
+Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd?
+God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just;
+Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeid:
+Your feare it self of Death removes the feare.
+Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe,
+Why but to keep ye low and ignorant,
+His worshippers; he knows that in the day
+Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere,
+Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then
+Op'nd and cleerd, and ye shall be as Gods,
+Knowing both Good and Evil as they know.
+That ye should be as Gods, since I as Man,
+Internal Man, is but proportion meet,
+I of brute human, yee of human Gods.
+So ye shalt die perhaps, by putting off
+Human, to put on Gods, death to be wisht,
+Though threat'nd, which no worse then this can bring
+And what are Gods that Man may not become
+As they, participating God-like food?
+The Gods are first, and that advantage use
+On our belief, that all from them proceeds,
+I question it, for this fair Earth I see,
+Warm'd by the Sun, producing every kind,
+Them nothing: If they all things, who enclos'd
+Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree,
+That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains
+Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies
+Th' offence, that Man should thus attain to know?
+What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree
+Impart against his will if all be his?
+Or is it envie, and can envie dwell
+In heav'nly brests? these, these and many more
+Causes import your need of this fair Fruit.
+Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.
+\quad He ended, and his words replete with guile
+Into her 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.
+\quad Great are thy Vertues, doubtless, best of Fruits,
+Though kept from Man, and 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, while it inferrs 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?
+\quad So saying, her rash hand in evil hour
+Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck'd, she eat:
+Earth felt the wound, and Nature 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 \textit{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.
+\quad 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 \textit{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 \textit{Adam} wedded to another \textit{Eve},
+Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct;
+A death to think. Confirm'd then I resolve,
+\textit{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.
+\quad 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. \textit{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 their 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.
+\quad Hast thou not wonderd, \textit{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 therefore 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.
+\quad Thus \textit{Eve} with Countnance blithe her storie told;
+But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd.
+On th' other side, \textit{Adam}, soon as he heard
+The fatal Trespass don by \textit{Eve}, amaz'd,
+Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill
+Ran through his veins, and all his joynts relax'd;
+From his slack hand the Garland wreath'd for \textit{Eve}
+Down drop'd, and all the faded Roses shed:
+Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
+First to himself he inward silence broke.
+\quad O fairest of Creation, last and best
+Of all Gods Works, Creature in whom excell'd
+Whatever can to fight or thought be found,
+Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!
+How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost,
+Defac't, deflourd, and now to Death devote?
+Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress
+The strict forbiddance, how to violate
+The sacred Fruit forbidd'n! som cursed fraud
+Of Enemie hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown,
+And mee with thee hath ruind, for with thee
+Certain my resolution is to Die;
+How can I live without thee, how forgoe
+Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly joyn'd,
+To live again in these wilde Woods forlorn?
+Should God create another \textit{Eve}, and I
+Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee
+Would never from my heart; no no, I feel
+The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh,
+Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State
+Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.
+\quad So having said, as one from sad dismay
+Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbd
+Submitting to what seemd remediless,
+Thus in calme mood his Words to \textit{Eve} he turnd.
+\quad Bold deed thou hast presum'd, adventrous \textit{Eve},
+And peril great provok't, who thus hast dar'd
+Had it bin onely coveting to Eye
+That sacred Fruit, sacred to abstinence,
+Much more to taste it under banne to touch.
+But past who can recall, or don undoe?
+Not God omnipotent, for Fate, yet so
+Perhaps thou shalt not Die, perhaps the Fact
+Is not so hainous now, foretasted Fruit,
+Profan'd first by the Serpent, by him first
+Made common and unhallowd: ere one tastes;
+Nor yet on him found deadly; he yet lives,
+Lives, as thou saidst, and gaines to live as Man
+Higher degree of Life, inducement strong
+To us, as likely tasting to attaine
+Proportional ascent, which cannot be
+But to be Gods, or Angels Demi-gods.
+Nor can I think that God, Creator wise,
+Though threatning, will in earnest so destroy
+Us his prime Creatures, dignifi'd so high,
+Set over all his Works, which in our Fall,
+For us created, needs with us must faile,
+Dependent made; so God shall uncreate,
+Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour loose,
+Not well conceav'd of God, who though his Power
+Creation could repeate, yet would be loath
+Us to abolish, least the Adversary
+Triumph and say; Fickle their State whom God
+Most Favors, who can please him long? Mee first
+He ruind, now Mankind; whom will he next?
+Matter of scorne, not to be given the Foe.
+However I with thee have fixt my Lot,
+Certain to undergoe like doom, if Death
+Consort with thee, Death is to mee as Life;
+So forcible within my heart I feel
+The Bond of Nature draw me to my owne,
+My own in thee, for what thou art is mine;
+Our State cannot be severd, we are one,
+One Flesh; to loose thee were to loose my self.
+\quad So \textit{Adam}, and thus \textit{Eve} to him repli'd.
+O glorious trial of exceeding Love,
+Illustrious evidence, example high!
+Ingaging me to emulate, but short
+Of thy perfection, how shall I attaine,
+\textit{Adam}, from whose deare side I boast me sprung,
+And gladly of our Union heare thee speak,
+One Heart, one Soul in both; whereof good prooff
+This day affords, declaring thee resolvd,
+Rather then Death or aught then Death more dread
+Shall separate us, linkt in Love so deare,
+To undergoe with mee one Guilt, one Crime,
+If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit,
+Whose vertue, for of good still good proceeds,
+Direct, or by occasion hath presented
+This happie trial of thy Love, which else
+So eminently never had bin known.
+Were it I thought Death menac't would ensue
+This my attempt, I would sustain alone
+The worst, and not perswade thee, rather die
+Deserted, then oblige thee with a fact
+Pernicious to thy Peace, chiefly assur'd
+Remarkably so late of thy so true,
+So faithful Love unequald; but I feel
+Farr otherwise th' event, not Death, but Life
+Augmented, op'nd Eyes, new Hopes, new Joyes,
+Taste so Divine, that what of sweet before
+Hath toucht my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh.
+On my experience, \textit{Adam}, freely taste,
+And fear of Death deliver to the Windes.
+\quad So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy
+Tenderly wept, much won that he his Love
+Had so enobl'd, as of choice to incurr
+Divine displeasure for her sake, or Death.
+In recompence (for such compliance bad
+Such recompence best merits) from the bough
+She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit
+With liberal hand: he scrupl'd not to eat
+Against his better knowledge, not deceav'd,
+But fondly overcome with Femal charm.
+Earth trembl'd from her entrails, as again
+In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan,
+Skie lowr'd, and muttering Thunder, som sad drops
+Wept at compleating of the mortal Sin
+Original; while \textit{Adam} took no thought,
+Eating his fill, nor \textit{Eve} to iterate
+Her former trespass fear'd, the more to soothe
+Him with her lov'd societie, that now
+As with new Wine intoxicated both
+They swim in mirth, and fansie that they feel
+Divinitie within them breeding wings
+Wherewith to scorn the Earth: but that false Fruit
+Farr other operation first displaid,
+Carnal desire enflaming, hee on \textit{Eve}
+Began to cast lascivious Eyes, she him
+As wantonly repaid; in Lust they burne:
+Till \textit{Adam} thus 'gan \textit{Eve} to dalliance move.
+\quad \textit{Eve}, now I see thou art exact of taste,
+And elegant, of Sapience no small part,
+Since to each meaning savour we apply,
+And Palate call judicious; I the praise
+Yeild thee, so well this day thou hast purvey'd.
+Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd
+From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now
+True relish, tasting; if such pleasure be
+In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd,
+For this one Tree had bin forbidden ten.
+But come, so well refresh't, now let us play,
+As meet is, after such delicious Fare;
+For never did thy Beautie since the day
+I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd
+With all perfections, so enflame my sense
+With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now
+Then ever, bountie of this vertuous Tree.
+\quad So said he, and forbore not glance or toy
+Of amorous intent, well understood
+Of \textit{Eve}, whose Eye darted contagious Fire.
+Her hand he seis'd, and to a shadie bank,
+Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr'd
+He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch,
+Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,
+And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap.
+There they their fill of Love and Loves disport
+Took largely, of their mutual guilt the Seale,
+The solace of their sin, till dewie sleep
+Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play.
+Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit,
+That with exhilerating vapour bland
+About their spirits had plaid, and inmost powers
+Made erre, was now exhal'd, and grosser sleep
+Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams
+Encumberd, now had left them, up they rose
+As from unrest, and each the other viewing,
+Soon found their Eyes how op'nd, and their minds
+How dark'nd; innocence, that as a veile
+Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gon,
+Just confidence, and native righteousness,
+And honour from about them, naked left
+To guiltie shame hee cover'd, but his Robe
+Uncover'd more. So rose the \textit{Danite} strong
+\textit{Herculean} \textit{Samson} from the Harlot-lap
+Of \textit{Philistean} \textit{Dalilah}, and wak'd
+Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare
+Of all their vertue: silent, and in face
+Confounded long they sate, as struck'n mute,
+Till \textit{Adam}, though not less then \textit{Eve} abasht,
+At length gave utterance to these words constraind.
+\quad O \textit{Eve}, in evil hour thou didst give care
+To that false Worm, 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 behold the face
+Henceforth of God or Angel, earst with joy
+And rapture so oft beheld? those heav'nly shapes
+Will dazle now this earthly, with their blaze
+Insufferably bright. O might I here
+In solitude live savage, in some glad
+Obscur'd, where highest Woods impenetrable
+To Starr or Sun-light, spread their umbrage broad,
+And brown as Evening: Cover 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.
+\quad So counsel'd hee, and both together went
+Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose
+The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renown'd,
+But such as at this day to \textit{Indians} known
+In \textit{Malabar} or \textit{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 \textit{Indian} Herdsman shunning heate
+Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds
+At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves
+They gatherd, broad as \textit{Amazonian} Targe,
+And with what skill they had, together sowd,
+To gird their waste, vain Covering if to hide
+Their guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike
+To that first naked Glorie. Such of late
+\textit{Columbus} found th' \textit{American} to girt
+With featherd Cincture, naked else and wilde
+Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores.
+Thus fenc't, and as they thought, their shame in part
+Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind,
+They sate them down to weep, nor onely Teares
+Raind at their Eyes, but high Winds worse within
+Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,
+Mistrust, Suspicion, Discord, and shook sore
+Their 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,
+\textit{Adam}, estrang'd in look and alterd stile,
+Speech intermitted thus to \textit{Eve} renewd.
+\quad Would thou hadst heark'nd to my words, and 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.
+\quad To whom soon mov'd with touch of blame thus \textit{Eve}.
+What words have past thy Lips, \textit{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 bere 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 me 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.
+\quad To whom then first incenst \textit{Adam} repli'd.
+Is this the Love, is the recompence
+Of mine to thee, ingrateful \textit{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.
+\quad Thus they in mutual accusation spent
+The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning
+And of their vain contest appeer'd no end.
+
+
+\Book
+
+\quad Meanwhile the hainous and despightfull act
+Of \textit{Satan} done in Paradise, and how
+Hee in the Serpent had perverted \textit{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 \textit{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 their 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, their utmost vigilance,
+And easily approv'd; when the most High
+Eternal Father from his secret Cloud,
+Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice.
+\quad Assembl'd Angels, and ye Powers return'd
+From unsuccessful charge, be not dismaid,
+Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth,
+Which your sincerest care could not prevent,
+Foretold so lately what would come to pass,
+When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell.
+I told ye then he should prevail and speed
+On his bad Errand, Man should be seduc't
+And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
+Against his Maker; no Decree of mine
+Concurring to necessitate his Fall,
+Or touch with lightest moment of impulse
+His free Will, to her own inclining left
+In eevn scale. But fall'n he is, and now
+What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass
+On his transgression, Death denounc't that day,
+Which he presumes already vain and void,
+Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd,
+By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find
+Forbearance no acquittance ere day end.
+Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd.
+But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee
+Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferr'd
+All Judgement, whether in Heav'n, or Earth; or Hell.
+Easie it 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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad Father Eternal, thine is to decree,
+Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will
+Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belov'd
+Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge
+On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst,
+Whoever judg'd, the worst on mee must light,
+When time shall be, for so I undertook
+Before thee; and not repenting, this obtaine
+Of right, that I may mitigate their 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 theird best absent is condemn'd,
+Convict by flight, and Rebel to all Law
+Conviction to the Serpent none belongs.
+\quad Thus saying, from his radiant Seat he rose
+Of high collateral glorie: him Thrones and Powers,
+Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant
+Accompanied to Heaven Gate, from whence
+\textit{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 their 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 their Ears, while day declin'd, they heard
+And from his presence hid themselves among
+The thickest Trees, both Man and Wife, till God
+Approaching, thus to \textit{Adam} call'd aloud.
+\quad Where art thou \textit{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 \textit{Eve}, more loth, though first
+To offend, discount'nanc't both, and discompos'd;
+Love was not in their 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 \textit{Adam} faultring long, thus answer'd brief.
+\quad 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.
+\quad My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd,
+But still rejoyc't, how is it now become
+So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who
+Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree
+Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad So having said, he thus to \textit{Eve} in few:
+Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done?
+\quad To whom sad \textit{Eve} with shame nigh overwhelm'd,
+Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge
+Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli'd.
+\quad The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate.
+\quad Which when the Lord God heard, without delay
+To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd
+Serpent though brute, unable to transferre
+The Guilt on him who made him instrument
+Of mischief, and polluted from the end
+Of his Creation; justly then accurst,
+As vitiated in Nature: more to know
+Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew)
+Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last
+To Satan first in sin his doom apply'd,
+Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best:
+And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall.
+\quad Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst
+Above all Cattel, each Beast of the Field;
+Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt 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.
+\quad So spake this Oracle, then verifi'd
+When \textit{Jesus} son of \textit{Mary} second \textit{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 led captive through the Aire,
+The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt,
+Whom he shall tread at last under our feet;
+Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise,
+And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd.
+\quad Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie
+By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring
+In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will
+Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule.
+\quad On \textit{Adam} last thus judgement he pronounc'd.
+Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife,
+And eaten of the Tree concerning which
+I charg'd thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof,
+Curs'd is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow
+Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life;
+Thornes also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth
+Unbid, and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field,
+In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eate Bread,
+Till thou return unto the ground, for thou
+Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth,
+For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne.
+\quad So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent,
+And th' instant stroke of Death denounc't that day
+Remov'd farr off; then pittying how they stood
+Before him naked to the aire, that now
+Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin
+Thenceforth the forme of servant to assume,
+As when he wash'd his servants feet, so now
+As Father of his Familie he clad
+Their nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain,
+Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid;
+And thought not much to cloath his Enemies:
+Nor hee their outward onely with the Skins
+Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more
+Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness,
+Araying cover'd from his Fathers sight.
+To him with swift ascent he up returnd,
+Into his blissful bosom reassum'd
+In glory as of old, to him appeas'd
+All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man
+Recounted, mixing intercession sweet.
+Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth,
+Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death,
+In counterview within the Gates, that now
+Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame
+Farr into \textit{Chaos}, since the Fiend pass'd through,
+Sin opening, who thus now to Death began.
+\quad O Son, why sit we here each other viewing
+Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives
+In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides
+For us his ofspring deare? It cannot be
+But that success attends him; if mishap,
+Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n
+By his Avenger, since no place like this
+Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.
+Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,
+Wings growing, and Dominion giv'n me large
+Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on,
+Or sympathie, or som connatural force
+Powerful at greatest distance to unite
+With secret amity things of like kinde
+By secretest conveyance. Thou my Shade
+Inseparable must with mee along:
+For Death from Sin no power can separate.
+But least the difficultie of passing back
+Stay his returne perhaps over this Gulfe
+Impassable, impervious, let us try
+Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine
+Not unagreeable, to found a path
+Over this Maine from Hell to that new World
+Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument
+Of merit high to all th' infernal Host,
+Easing their passage hence, for intercourse,
+Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead.
+Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn
+By this new felt attraction and instinct.
+\quad Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon.
+Goe whither Fate and inclination strong
+Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre
+The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw
+Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste
+The savour of Death from all things there that live:
+Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest
+Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid.
+\quad So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell
+Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock
+Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,
+Against the day of Battel, to a Field,
+Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd
+With sent of living Carcasses design'd
+For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.
+So sented the grim Feature, and upturn'd
+His Nostril wide into the murkie Air,
+Sagacious of his Quarrey from so farr.
+Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste
+Wide Anarchie of \textit{Chaos} damp and dark
+Flew divers, and with Power (their Power was great)
+Hovering upon the Waters; what they met
+Solid or slimie, as in raging Sea
+Tost up and down, together crowded drove
+From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell.
+As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse
+Upon the \textit{Cronian} Sea, together drive
+Mountains of Ice, that stop th' imagin'd way
+Beyond \textit{Petsora} Eastward, to the rich
+\textit{Cathaian} Coast. The aggregated Soyle
+Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry,
+As with a Trident smote, and fix't as firm
+As \textit{Delos} floating once; the rest his look
+Bound with \textit{Gorgonian} rigor not to move,
+And with \textit{Asphaltic} slime; broad as the Gate,
+Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach
+They fasten'd, and the Mole immense wraught on
+Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge
+Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall
+Immoveable of this now fenceless world
+Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad,
+Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell.
+So, if great things to small may be compar'd,
+\textit{Xerxes}, the Libertie of \textit{Greece} to yoke,
+From \textit{Susa} his \textit{Memnonian} Palace high
+Came to the Sea, and over \textit{Hellespont}
+Bridging his way, \textit{Europe} with \textit{Asia} joyn'd,
+And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves.
+Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art
+Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock
+Over the vext Abyss, following the track
+Of \textit{Satan}, to the selfsame place where hee
+First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe
+From out of \textit{Chaos} to the outside bare
+Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant
+And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made
+And durable; and now in little space
+The Confines met of Empyrean Heav'n
+And of this World, and on the left hand Hell
+With long reach interpos'd; three sev'ral wayes
+In sight, to each of these three places led.
+And now their way to Earth they had descri'd,
+To Paradise first tending, when behold
+\textit{Satan} in likeness of an Angel bright
+Betwixt the \textit{Centaure} and the \textit{Scorpion} stearing
+His \textit{Zenith}, while the Sun in \textit{Aries} rose:
+Disguis'd he came, but those his Children dear
+Their Parent soon discern'd, though in disguise.
+Hee, after \textit{Eve} seduc't, unminded slunk
+Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape
+To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act
+By \textit{Eve}, though all unweeting, seconded
+Upon her Husband, saw their shame that sought
+Vain covertures; but when he saw descend
+The Son of God to judge them, terrifi'd
+Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun
+The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth
+Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd
+By Night, and listning where the hapless Paire
+Sate in their sad discourse, and various plaint,
+Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood
+Not instant, but of future time. With joy
+And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd,
+And at the brink of \textit{Chaos}, neer the foot
+Of this new wondrous Pontifice, unhop't
+Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear.
+Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight
+Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas'd.
+Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire
+Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke.
+\quad O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds,
+Thy Trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own,
+Thou art their Author and prime Architect:
+For I no sooner in my Heart divin'd,
+My Heart, which by a secret harmonie
+Still moves with thine, joyn'd in connexion sweet,
+That thou on Earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks
+Now also evidence, but straight I felt
+Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt
+That I must after thee with this thy Son;
+Such fatal consequence unites us three:
+Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds,
+Nor this unvoyageable Gulf obscure
+Detain from following thy illustrious track.
+Thou hast atchiev'd our libertie, confin'd
+Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow'rd
+To fortifie thus farr, and overlay
+With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss.
+Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won
+What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain'd
+With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng'd
+Our foile in Heav'n; here thou shalt Monarch reign,
+There didst not; there let him still Victor sway,
+As Battel hath adjudg'd, from this new World
+Retiring, by his own doom alienated,
+And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide
+Of all things, parted by th' Empyreal bounds,
+His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World,
+Or trie thee now more dang'rous to his Throne.
+\quad Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad.
+Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both,
+High proof ye now have giv'n to be the Race
+Of \textit{Satan} (for I glorie in the name,
+Antagonist of Heav'ns Almightie King)
+Amply have merited of me, of all
+Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore
+Triumphal with triumphal act have met,
+Mine with this glorious Work, and made one Realm
+Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent
+Of easie thorough-fare. Therefore while I
+Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease
+To my associate Powers, them to acquaint
+With these successes, and with them rejoyce,
+You two this way, among those numerous Orbs
+All yours, right down to Paradise descend;
+There dwell and Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth
+Dominion exercise and in the Aire,
+Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar'd,
+Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill.
+My Substitutes I send ye, and Create
+Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might
+Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now
+My hold of this new Kingdom all depends,
+Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit.
+If your joynt power prevaile, th' affaires of Hell
+No detriment need feare, goe and be strong.
+\quad So saying he dismiss'd them, they with speed
+Their course through thickest Constellations held
+Spreading their bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan,
+And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclips
+Then sufferd. Th' other way \textit{Satan} went down
+The Causey to Hell Gate; on either side
+Disparted \textit{Chaos} over built exclaimd,
+And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild,
+That scorn'd his indignation: through the Gate,
+Wide open and unguarded, \textit{Satan} pass'd,
+And all about found desolate; for those
+Appointed to sit there, had left their charge,
+Flown to the upper World; the rest were all
+Farr to the inland retir'd, about the walls
+Of \textit{Pandemonium}, Citie and proud seate
+Of \textit{Lucifer}, so by allusion calld,
+Of that bright Starr to \textit{Satan} paragond.
+There kept their Watch the Legions, while the Grand
+In Council sate, sollicitous what chance
+Might intercept their Emperour sent, so hee
+Departing gave command, and they observ'd.
+As when the \textit{Tartar} from his \textit{Russian} Foe
+By \textit{Astracan} over the Snowie Plaines
+Retires, or \textit{Bactrian} Sophi from the hornes
+Of \textit{Turkish} Crescent, leaves all waste beyond
+The Realme of \textit{Aladule}, in his retreate
+To \textit{Tauris} or \textit{Casbeen}. So these the late
+Heav'n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell
+Many a dark League, reduc't in careful Watch
+Round their Metropolis, and now expecting
+Each hour their great adventurer from the search
+Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt,
+In shew plebeian Angel militant
+Of lowest order, past; and from the dore
+Of that \textit{Plutonian} Hall, invisible
+Ascended his high Throne, which under state
+Of richest texture spred, at th' upper end
+Was plac't in regal lustre. Down a while
+He sate, and round about him saw unseen:
+At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head
+And shape Starr bright appeer'd, or brighter, clad
+With what permissive glory since his fall
+Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz'd
+At that so sudden blaze the \textit{Stygian} throng
+Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld,
+Their mighty Chief returnd: loud was th' acclaime:
+Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting Peers,
+Rais'd from their dark \textit{Divan}, and with like joy
+Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand
+Silence, and with these words attention won.
+\quad Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,
+For in possession such, not onely of right,
+I call ye and declare ye now, returnd
+Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth
+Triumphant out of this infernal Pit
+Abominable, accurst, the house of woe,
+And Dungeon of our Tyrant: Now possess,
+As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven
+Little inferiour, by my adventure hard
+With peril great atchiev'd. Long were to tell
+What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine
+Voyag'd the unreal, vast, unbounded deep
+Of horrible confusion, over which
+By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd
+To expedite your glorious march; but I
+Toild out my uncouth passage, forc't to ride
+Th' untractable Abysse, plung'd in the womb
+Of unoriginal \textit{Night} and \textit{Chaos} wilde,
+That jealous of their secrets fiercely oppos'd
+My journey strange, with clamorous uproare
+Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found
+The new created World, which fame in Heav'n
+Long had foretold, a Fabrick wonderful
+Of absolute perfection, therein Man
+Plac't in a Paradise, by our exile
+Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc'd
+From his Creator, and the more to increase
+Your wonder, with an Apple; he thereat
+Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv'n up
+Both his beloved Man and all his World,
+To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us,
+Without our hazard, labour or allarme,
+To range in, and to dwell, and over Man
+To rule, as over all he should have rul'd.
+True is, mee also he hath judg'd, or rather
+Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape
+Man I deceav'd: that which to mee belongs,
+Is enmity, which he will put between
+Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel;
+His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head:
+A World who would not purchase with a bruise,
+Or much more grievous pain? Ye have th' account
+Of my performance: What remaines, ye Gods,
+But up and enter now into full bliss.
+\quad So having said, a while he stood, expecting
+Their universal shout and high applause
+To fill his eare, when contrary he hears
+On all sides, from innumerable tongues
+A dismal universal hiss, the sound
+Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long
+Had leasure, wondring at himself now more;
+His Visage drawn he felt to sharp 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 \textit{Amphisbaena} dire,
+\textit{Cerastes} hornd, \textit{Hydrus}, and \textit{Ellops} drear,
+And \textit{Dipsas} (Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil
+Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle
+\textit{Ophiusa}) but still greatest hee the midst,
+Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun
+Ingenderd in the \textit{Pythian} Vale on slime,
+Huge \textit{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 their 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 their 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 their crime. Thus was th' applause they meant,
+Turnd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame
+Cast on themselves from their own mouths. There stood
+A Grove hard by, sprung up with this their change,
+His will who reigns above, to aggravate
+Their penance, laden with fair Fruit, like that
+\textit{Vv}hich grew in Paradise, the bait of \textit{Eve}
+Us'd by the Tempter: on that prospect strange
+Their 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 fierce,
+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 \textit{Megaera}: greedily they pluck'd
+The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew
+Neer that bituminous Lake where \textit{Sodom} flam'd;
+This more delusive, not the touch, but taste
+Deceav'd; they fondly thinking to allay
+Their appetite with gust, instead of Fruit
+Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste
+\textit{Vv}ith spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd,
+Hunger and theirst constraining, drugd as oft,
+\textit{Vv}ith hatefullest disrelish writh'd their jaws
+\textit{Vv}ith foot 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 their lost shape, permitted, they resum'd,
+Yearly enjoynd, some say, to undergo
+This annual humbling certain number'd days,
+To dash their pride, and joy for Man seduc't.
+However some tradition they dispers'd
+Among the Heathen of their purchase got,
+And Fabl'd how the Serpent, whom they calld
+\textit{Ophion} with \textit{Eurynome}, the wide-
+Encroaching \textit{Eve} perhaps, had first the rule
+Of high \textit{Olympus}, thence by \textit{Saturn} driv'n
+And \textit{Ops}, ere yet \textit{Dictaean} \textit{Jove} was born.
+Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair
+Too soon arriv'd, \textit{Sin} there in power before,
+Once actual, now in body, and to dwell
+Habitual habitant; behind her \textit{Death}
+Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet
+On his pale Horse: to whom \textit{Sin} thus began.
+\quad Second of \textit{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?
+\quad 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.
+\quad To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd.
+Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flours
+Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,
+No homely morsels, and whatever thing
+The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspar'd,
+Till I in Man residing through the Race,
+His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect,
+And season him thy last and sweetest prey.
+\quad This said, they both betook them several wayes,
+Both to destroy, or 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.
+\quad See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance
+To waste and havoc yonder \textit{Vv}orld, 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 fling
+Of thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son,
+Both \textit{Sin}, and \textit{Death}, and yawning \textit{Grave} at last
+Through \textit{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.
+\quad Hee ended, and the heav'nly Audience loud
+Sung \textit{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 their 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
+Their planetarie motions and aspects
+In \textit{Sextile}, \textit{Square}, and \textit{Trine}, and \textit{Opposite},
+Of noxious efficacie, and when to joyne
+In Synod unbenigne, and taught the fixt
+Their influence malignant when to showre,
+Which of them rising with the Sun, or falling,
+Should prove tempestuous: To the Winds they set
+Their 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; they with labour push'd
+Oblique the Centric Globe: Som say the Sun
+Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode
+Like distant breadth to \textit{Taurus} with the Seav'n
+\textit{Atlantick} Sisters, and the \textit{Spartan} Twins
+Up to the \textit{Tropic} Crab; thence down amaine
+By \textit{Leo} and the \textit{Virgin} and the \textit{Scales},
+As deep as \textit{Capricorne}, to bring in change
+Of Seasons to each Clime; else had the Spring
+Perpetual smil'd on Earth with vernant Flours,
+Equal in Days and Nights, except to those
+Beyond the Polar Circles; to them Day
+Had unbenighted shon, while the low Sun
+To recompence his distance, in their sight
+Had rounded still th' \textit{Horizon}, and not known
+Or East or West, which had forbid the Snow
+From cold \textit{Estotiland}, and South as farr
+Beneath \textit{Magellan}. At that tasted Fruit
+The Sun, as from \textit{Thyestean} Banquet, turn'd
+His course intended; else how had the World
+Inhabited, though sinless, more then now,
+Avoided pinching cold and scorching heate?
+These changes in the Heav'ns, though slow, produc'd
+Like change on Sea and Land, sideral blast,
+Vapour, and Mist, and Exhalation hot,
+Corrupt and Pestilent: Now from the North
+Of \textit{Norumbega}, and the \textit{Samoed} shoar
+Bursting their brazen Dungeon, armd with ice
+And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw,
+\textit{Boreas} and \textit{Caecias} and \textit{Argestes} loud
+And \textit{Thrascias} rend the Woods and Seas upturn;
+With adverse blast up-turns them from the South
+\textit{Notus} and \textit{Afer} black with thundrous Clouds
+From \textit{Serraliona}; thwart of these as fierce
+Forth rush the \textit{Levant} and the \textit{Ponent} \textit{Vv}indes
+\textit{Eurus} and \textit{Zephir} with their lateral noise,
+\textit{Sirocco}, and \textit{Libecchio}. Thus began
+Outrage from liveless things; but Discord first
+Daughter of Sin, among th' irrational,
+Death introduc'd through fierce antipathie:
+Beast now with Beast gan war, and Fowle with Fowle,
+And Fish with Fish; to graze the Herb all leaving,
+Devourd each other; nor stood much in awe
+Of Man, but fled him, or with count'nance grim
+Glar'd on him passing: these were from without
+The growing miseries, which \textit{Adam} saw
+Alreadie in part, though hid in gloomiest shade,
+To sorrow abandond, but worse felt within,
+And in a troubl'd Sea of passion tost,
+Thus to disburd'n sought with sad complaint.
+\quad O miserable of happie! is this the end
+Of this new glorious World, and mee so late
+The Glory of that Glory, who now becom
+Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face
+Of God, whom to behold was then my highth
+Of happiness: yet well, if here would end
+The miserie, I deserv'd it, and would beare
+My own deservings; but this will not serve;
+All that I eate or drink, or shall beget,
+Is propagated curse. O voice once heard
+Delightfully, \textit{Encrease} \textit{And} \textit{Multiply},
+Now death to heare! for what can I encrease
+Or multiplie, but curses on my head?
+Who of all Ages to succeed, but feeling
+The evil on him brought by me, will curse
+My Head, Ill fare our Ancestor impure,
+For this we may thank \textit{Adam}; but his thanks
+Shall be the execration; so besides
+Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee
+Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound,
+On mee as on their natural center light
+Heavie, though in their place. O fleeting joyes
+Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes!
+Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay
+To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee
+From darkness to promote me, or here place
+In this delicious Garden? as my Will
+Concurd not to my being, it were but right
+And equal to reduce me to my dust,
+Desirous to resigne, and render back
+All I receav'd, unable to performe
+Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold
+The good I sought not. To the loss of that,
+Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added
+The sense of endless woes? inexplicable
+Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late,
+I thus contest; then should have been refusd
+Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd:
+Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good,
+Then cavil the conditions? and though God
+Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son
+Prove disobedient, and reprov'd, retort,
+Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not:
+Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee
+That proud excuse? yet him not thy election,
+But Natural necessity begot.
+God made thee of choice his own, and of his own
+To serve him, thy reward was of his grace,
+Thy punishment then justly is at his Will.
+Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair,
+That dust I am, and shall to dust returne:
+O welcom hour whenever! why delayes
+His hand to execute what his Decree
+Fixd on this day? why do I overlive,
+Why am I mockt with death, and length'nd out
+To deathless pain? how gladly would I meet
+Mortalitie my sentence, and be Earth
+Insensible, how glad would lay me down
+As in my Mothers lap? there I should rest
+And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more
+Would Thunder in my ears, no fear of worse
+To mee and to my ofspring would torment me
+With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt
+Pursues me still, least all I cannot die,
+Least that pure breath of Life, the Spirit of Man
+Which God inspir'd, cannot together perish
+With this corporeal Clod; then in the Grave,
+Or in some other dismal place, who knows
+But I shall die a living Death? O thought
+Horrid, if true! yet why? it was but breath
+Of Life that sinn'd; what dies but what had life
+And sin? the Bodie properly hath neither.
+All of me then shall die: let this appease
+The doubt, since humane reach no further knows.
+For though the Lord of all be infinite,
+Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so,
+But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise
+Wrath without end on Man whom Death must end?
+Can he make deathless Death? that were to make
+Strange contradiction, which to God himself
+Impossible is held, as Argument
+Of weakness, not of Power. Will he, draw out,
+For angers sake, finite to infinite
+In punisht man, to satisfie his rigour
+Satisfi'd never; that were to extend
+His Sentence beyond dust and Natures Law,
+By which all Causes else according still
+To the reception of their matter act,
+Not to th' extent of their own Spheare. But say
+That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos'd,
+Bereaving sense, but endless miserie
+From this day onward, which I feel begun
+Both in me, and without me, and so last
+To perpetuitie; Ay me, that fear
+Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution
+On my defensless head; both Death and I
+Am found Eternal, and incorporate both,
+Nor I on my part single, in mee all
+Posteritie stands curst: Fair Patrimonie
+That I must leave ye, Sons; O were I able
+To waste it all my self, and leave ye none!
+So disinherited how would ye bless
+Me now your Curse! Ah, why should all mankind
+For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemn'd,
+If guiltless? But from mee what can proceed,
+But all corrupt, both Mind and Will deprav'd,
+Not to do onely, but to will the same
+With me? how can they acquitted stand
+In sight of God? Him after all Disputes
+Forc't I absolve: all my evasions vain
+And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still
+But to my own conviction: first and last
+On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring
+Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;
+So might the wrauth, Fond wish! couldst thou support
+That burden heavier then the Earth to bear,
+Then all the world much heavier, though divided
+With that bad Woman? Thus what thou desir'st,
+And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope
+Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable
+Beyond all past example and future,
+To \textit{Satan} onely like both crime and doom.
+O Conscience, into what Abyss of fears
+And horrors hast thou driv'n me; out of which
+I find no way, from deep to deeper plung'd!
+\quad Thus \textit{Adam} to himself lamented loud
+Through the still Night, now now, as ere man fell,
+Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air
+Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom,
+Which to his evil Conscience represented
+All things with double terror: On the ground
+Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft
+Curs'd his Creation, Death as oft accus'd
+Of tardie execution, since denounc't
+The day of his offence. Why comes not Death,
+Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke
+To end me? Shall Truth fail to keep her word,
+Justice Divine not hast'n to be just?
+But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine
+Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.
+O Woods, O Fountains, Hillocks, Dales and Bowrs,
+\textit{Vv}ith other echo farr I taught your Shades
+To answer, and resound farr other Song.
+\textit{Vv}hom thus afflicted when sad \textit{Eve} beheld,
+Desolate where she sate, approaching nigh,
+Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd:
+But her with stern regard he thus repell'd.
+\quad Out of my sight, thou Serpent, that name best
+Befits thee with him leagu'd, thy self as false
+And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape,
+Like his, and colour Serpentine may shew
+Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee
+Henceforth; least that too heav'nly form, pretended
+To hellish falshood, snare them. But for thee
+I had persisted happie, had not thy pride
+And wandring vanitie, when lest was safe,
+Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd
+Not to be trusted, longing to be seen
+Though by the Devil himself, him overweening
+To over-reach, but with the Serpent meeting
+Fool'd and beguil'd, by him thou, I by thee,
+To trust thee from my side, imagin'd wise,
+Constant, mature, proof against all assaults,
+And understood not all was but a shew
+Rather then solid vertu, all but a Rib
+Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears,
+More to the part sinister from me drawn,
+Well if thrown out, as supernumerarie
+To my just number found. O why did God,
+Creator wise, that peopl'd highest Heav'n
+With Spirits Masculine, create at last
+This noveltie on Earth, this fair defect
+Of Nature, and not fill the World at once
+With Men as Angels without Feminine,
+Or find some other way to generate
+Mankind? this mischief had not then befall'n,
+And more that shall befall, innumerable
+Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares,
+And straight conjunction with this Sex: for either
+He never shall find out fit Mate, but such
+As some misfortune brings him, or mistake,
+Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain
+Through her perverseness, but shall see her gaind
+By a farr worse, or if she love, withheld
+By Parents, or his happiest choice too late
+Shall meet, alreadie linkt and Wedlock-bound
+To a fell Adversarie, his hate or shame:
+Which infinite calamitie shall cause
+To humane life, and houshold peace confound.
+\quad He added not, and from her turn'd, but \textit{Eve}
+Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas'd not flowing,
+And tresses all disorderd, at his feet
+Fell humble, and imbracing them, besaught
+His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint.
+\quad Forsake me not thus, \textit{Adam}, witness Heav'n
+What love sincere, and reverence in my heart
+I beare thee, and unweeting have offended,
+Unhappilie deceav'd; thy suppliant
+I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not,
+Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid,
+Thy counsel in this uttermost distress,
+My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee,
+Whither shall I betake me, where subsist?
+While yet we live, scarse one short hour perhaps,
+Between us two let there be peace, both joyning,
+As joyn'd in injuries, one enmitie
+Against a Foe by doom express assign'd us,
+That cruel Serpent: On me exercise not
+Thy hatred for this miserie befall'n,
+On me already lost, mee then thy self
+More miserable; both have sin'd, but thou
+Against God onely, I against God and thee,
+And to the place of judgement will return,
+There with my cries importune Heaven, that all
+The sentence from thy head remov'd may light
+On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe,
+Mee mee onely just object of his ire.
+\quad She ended weeping, and her lowlie plight,
+Immoveable till peace obtain'd from fault
+Acknowledg'd and deplor'd, in \textit{Adam} wraught
+Commiseration; soon his heart relented
+Towards her, his life so late and sole delight,
+Now at his feet submissive in distress,
+Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking,
+His counsel whom she had displeas'd, his aide;
+As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost,
+And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon.
+\quad Unwarie, and too desirous, as before,
+So now of what thou knowst not, who desir'st
+The punishment all on thy self; alas,
+Beare thine own first, ill able to sustaine
+His full wrauth whose thou feelst as yet lest part,
+And my displeasure bearst so ill. If Prayers
+Could alter high Decrees, I to that place
+Would speed before thee, and be louder heard,
+That on my head all might be visited,
+Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv'n,
+To me committed and by me expos'd.
+But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame
+Each other, blam'd enough elsewhere, but strive
+In offices of Love, how we may light'n
+Each others burden in our share of woe;
+Since this days Death denounc't, if ought I see,
+Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac't evill,
+A long days dying to augment our paine,
+And to our Seed (O hapless Seed!) deriv'd.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Eve}, recovering heart, repli'd.
+\textit{Adam}, by sad experiment I know
+How little weight my words with thee can finde,
+Found so erroneous, thence by just event
+Found so unfortunate; nevertheless,
+Restor'd by thee, vile as I am, to place
+Of new acceptance, hopeful to regaine
+Thy Love, the sole contentment of my heart,
+Living or dying from thee I will not hide
+What thoughts in my unquiet brest are ris'n,
+Tending to som relief of our extremes,
+Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable,
+As in our evils, and of easier choice.
+If care of our descent perplex us most,
+Which must be born to certain woe, devourd
+By Death at last, and miserable it is
+To be to others cause of misery,
+Our own begotten, and of our Loines to bring
+Into this cursed World a woful Race,
+That after wretched Life must be at last
+Food for so foule a Monster, in thy power
+It lies, yet ere Conception to prevent
+The Race unblest, to being yet unbegot.
+Childless thou art, Childless remaine:
+So Death shall be deceav'd his glut, and with us two
+Be forc'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw.
+But if thou judge it hard and difficult,
+Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain
+From Loves due Rites, Nuptial 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 selves and Seed at once to free
+From what we fear for both, let us make short,
+Let us seek Death, or hee not found, supply
+With our own hands his Office on our selves;
+Why stand we longer shivering under feares,
+That shew no end but Death, and have the power,
+Of many wayes to die the shortest choosing,
+Destruction with destruction to destroy.
+\quad 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 \textit{Adam} with such counsel nothing sway'd,
+To better hopes his more attentive minde
+Labouring had rais'd, and thus to \textit{Eve} repli'd.
+\quad \textit{Eve}, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems
+To argue in thee somthing more sublime
+And excellent then what thy minde contemnes;
+But self-destruction therefore saught, refutes
+That excellence thought in thee, and implies,
+Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret
+For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd.
+Or if thou covet death, as utmost end
+Of miserie, so thinking to evade
+The penaltie pronounc't, doubt not but God
+Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire then so
+To be forestall'd; much more I fear least Death
+So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine
+We are by doom to pay; rather such acts
+Of contumacie will provoke the highest
+To make death in us live: Then let us seek
+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
+\textit{Satan}, who in the Serpent hath contriv'd
+Against us this deceit: to crush his head
+Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost
+By death brought on our selves, or childless days
+Resolv'd, as thou proposest; so our Foe
+Shall scape his punishment ordain'd, and wee
+Instead shall double ours upon our heads.
+No more be mention'd then of violence
+Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,
+That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely
+Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,
+Reluctance against God and his just yoke
+Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild
+And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd
+Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected
+Immediate dissolution, which we thought
+Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee
+Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,
+And bringing forth, soon recompenc't with joy,
+Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope
+Glanc'd on the ground, with labour I must earne
+My bread; what harm? Idleness had bin worse;
+My labour will sustain me; and least Cold
+Or Heat should injure us, his timely care
+Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands
+Cloath'd us unworthie, pitying while he judg'd;
+How much more, if we pray him, will his ear
+Be open, and his heart to pitie incline,
+And teach us further by what means to shun
+Th' inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,
+Which now the Skie with various Face begins
+To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds
+Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
+Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek
+Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish
+Our Limbs benumm'd, ere this diurnal Starr
+Leave cold the Night, how we his gather'd beams
+Reflected, may with matter sere foment,
+Or by collision of two bodies grinde
+The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds
+Justling or pusht with Winds rude in their shock
+Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down
+Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine,
+And sends a comfortable heat from farr,
+Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,
+And what may else be remedie or cure
+To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,
+Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace
+Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
+To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd
+By him with many comforts, till we end
+In dust, our final rest and native home.
+What better can we do, then to the place
+Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall
+Before him reverent, and there confess
+Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
+\textit{Vv}atering the ground, and with our sighs the Air
+Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
+Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.
+Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
+From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
+\textit{Vv}hen angry most he seem'd and most severe,
+\textit{Vv}hat else but favor, grace, and mercie shon?
+\quad So spake our Father penitent, nor \textit{Eve}
+Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
+Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell
+Before him reverent, and both confess'd
+Humbly their faults, and pardon beg'd, with tears
+\textit{Vv}atering the ground, and with their sighs the Air
+Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
+Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.
+
+
+\Book
+
+Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood
+Praying, for from the Mercie-seat above
+Prevenient Grace descending had remov'd
+The stonie from their 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 their port
+Not of mean suiters, nor important less
+Seem'd their Petition, then when th' ancient Pair
+In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,
+\textit{Deucalion} and chaste \textit{Pyrrha} to restore
+The Race of Mankind drownd, before the Shrine
+Of \textit{Themis} stood devout. To Heav'n their prayers
+Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious windes
+Blow'n vagabond or frustrate: in they passd
+Dimentionless through Heav'nly dores; then clad
+With incense, where the Golden Altar fum'd,
+By their great Intercessor, came in sight
+Before the Fathers Throne: Them the glad Son
+Presenting, thus to intercede began.
+\quad See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung
+From thy implanted Grace in Man, these Sighs
+And Prayers, which in this Golden Censer, mixt
+With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring,
+Fruits of more pleasing 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 therefore 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 propitiation, 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 mitigate 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.
+\quad To whom the Father, without Cloud, serene.
+All thy request for Man, accepted Son,
+Obtain, all thy request was my Decree:
+But longer in 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 Sin, 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 their state, though firm, stood more confirmd.
+\quad He ended, and the Son gave signal high
+To the bright Minister that watchd, hee blew
+His Trumpet, heard in \textit{Oreb} since perhaps
+When God descended, and perhaps once more
+To sound at general Doom. Th' Angelic blast
+Filld all the Regions: from their blissful Bowrs
+Of \textit{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 their Seats; till from his Throne supream
+Th' Almighty thus pronounced his sovran Will.
+\quad 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
+Forever, to remove him I decree,
+And send him from the Garden forth to Till
+The Ground whence he was taken, fitter soile.
+\quad \textit{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 their Progenie from thence
+Perpetual banishment. Yet least they faint
+At the sad Sentence rigorously urg'd,
+For I behold them soft'nd and with tears
+Bewailing their excess, all terror hide.
+If patiently thy bidding they obey,
+Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveale
+To \textit{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 \textit{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 their prey,
+With whose stol'n Fruit Man once more to delude.
+\quad He ceas'd; and th' Archangelic Power prepar'd
+For swift descent, with him the Cohort bright
+Of watchful Cherubim; four faces each
+Had, like a double \textit{Janus}, all their shape
+Spangl'd with eyes more numerous then those
+Of \textit{Argus}, and more wakeful then to drouze,
+Charm'd with \textit{Arcadian} Pipe, the Pastoral Reed
+Of \textit{Hermes}, or his opiate Rod. Meanwhile
+To resalute the World with sacred Light
+\textit{Leucothea} wak'd, and with fresh dews imbalmd
+The Earth, when \textit{Adam} and first Matron \textit{Eve}
+Had ended now their Orisons, and found,
+Strength added from above, new hope to spring
+Out of despaire, joy, but with fear yet linkt;
+Which thus to \textit{Eve} his welcome words renewd.
+\quad \textit{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 seem; yet this will Prayer,
+Or one short sigh of humane breath, up-borne
+Ev'n to the Seat of God. For since I saught
+By Prayer th' offended Deitie to appease,
+Kneel'd and before him humbl'd all my heart,
+Methought I saw him placable and mild,
+Bending his eare; 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,
+\textit{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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Eve} with sad demeanour meek.
+Ill worthie I such title should belong
+To me transgressour, who for thee ordaind
+A help, became thy snare; 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 thou,
+Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf't,
+Farr other 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 forth,
+I never from thy side henceforth to stray,
+Wherere our days work lies, though now enjoind
+Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,
+What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?
+Here let us live, though in fall'n state, content.
+\quad So spake, so wish'd much-humbl'd \textit{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 \textit{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 their flight.
+\textit{Adam} observ'd, and with his Eye the chase
+Pursuing, not unmov'd to \textit{Eve} thus spake.
+\quad O \textit{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
+Some 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.
+\textit{Vv}hy else this double object in our sight
+Of flight 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 \textit{Vv}estern Cloud that draws
+O're the blew Firmament a radiant white,
+And slow descends, with somthing heav'nly fraught.
+\quad He err'd not, for by this the heav'nly Bands
+Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now
+In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt,
+A glorious Apparition, had not doubt
+And carnal fear that day dimm'd \textit{Adams} eye.
+Not that more glorious, when the Angels met
+\textit{Jacob} in \textit{Mahanaim}, where he saw
+The field Pavilion'd with his Guardians bright;
+Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd
+In \textit{Dothan}, cover'd with a Camp of Fire,
+Against the \textit{Syrian} King, who to surprize
+One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,
+Warr unproclam'd. The Princely Hierarch
+In their bright stand, there left his Powers to seise
+Possession of the Garden; hee alone,
+To finde where \textit{Adam} shelterd, took his way,
+Not unperceav'd of \textit{Adam}, who to \textit{Eve},
+While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake.
+\quad \textit{Eve}, now expect great tidings, which perhaps
+Of us will soon determin, or impose
+New Laws to be observ'd; for I descrie
+From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill
+One of the heav'nly Host, and by his Gate
+None of the meanest, some great Potentate
+Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie
+Invests him coming; yet not terrible,
+That I should fear, nor sociably mild,
+As \textit{Raphael}, that I should much confide,
+But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,
+With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.
+He ended; and th' Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,
+Not in his shape Celestial, but as Man
+Clad to meet Man; over his lucid Armes
+A militarie Vest of purple flowd
+Livelier then \textit{Meliboean}, or the graine
+Of \textit{Sarra}, worn by Kings and Hero's old
+In time of Truce; \textit{Iris} had dipt the wooff;
+His starrie Helme unbuckl'd shew'd him prime
+In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side
+As in a glistering \textit{Zodiac} hung the Sword,
+Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.
+\textit{Adam} bowd low, hee Kingly from his State
+Inclin'd not, but his coming thus declar'd.
+\quad \textit{Adam}, Heav'ns high behest no Preface needs:
+Sufficient that thy Prayers are heard, and Death,
+Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,
+Defeated of his seisure many dayes
+Giv'n thee of Grace, wherein thou may'st repent,
+And one bad act with many deeds well done
+Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeas'd
+Redeem thee quite from Deaths rapacious claimes;
+But longer in this Paradise to dwell
+Permits not; to remove thee I am come,
+And send thee from the Garden forth to till
+The ground whence thou wast tak'n, fitter Soile.
+\quad He added not, for \textit{Adam} at the newes
+Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,
+That all his senses bound; \textit{Eve}, who unseen
+Yet all had heard, with audible lament
+Discover'd soon the place of her retire.
+\quad O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!
+Must I thus leave thee Paradise? thus leave
+Thee Native Soile, these happie Walks and Shades,
+Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,
+Quiet though sad, the respit of that day
+That must be mortal to us both. O flours,
+That never will in other Climate grow,
+My early visitation, and my last
+At Eev'n, which I bred up with tender hand
+From the first op'ning bud, and gave ye Names,
+Who now shall reare ye to the Sun, or ranke
+Your Tribes, and water from th' ambrosial Fount?
+Thee lastly nuptial Bowre, by mee adornd
+With what to sight or smell was sweet; from thee
+How shall I part, and whither wander down
+Into a lower World, to this obscure
+And wilde, how shall we breath in other Aire
+Less pure, accustomd to immortal Fruits?
+\quad Whom thus the Angel interrupted milde.
+Lament not \textit{Eve}, but patiently resigne
+What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,
+Thus over fond, on that which is not thine;
+Thy going is not lonely, with thee goes
+Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;
+Where he abides, think there thy native soile.
+\quad \textit{Adam} by this from the cold sudden damp
+Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,
+To \textit{Michael} thus his humble words addressd.
+\quad Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or nam'd
+Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem
+Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould
+Thy message, which might else in telling wound,
+And in performing end us; what besides
+Of sorrow and dejection and despair
+Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,
+Departure from this happy place, our sweet
+Recess, and onely consolation left
+Familiar to our eyes, all places else
+Inhospitable appeer and desolate,
+Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer
+Incessant I could hope to change the will
+Of him who all things can, I would not cease
+To wearie him with my assiduous cries:
+But prayer against his absolute Decree
+No more availes then breath against the winde,
+Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:
+Therefore to his great bidding I submit.
+This most afflicts me, that departing hence,
+As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd
+His blessed count'nance; here I could frequent,
+With worship, place by place where he voutsaf'd
+Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;
+On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree
+Stood visible, among these Pines his voice
+I heard, here with him at this Fountain talk'd:
+So many grateful Altars I would reare
+Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone
+Of lustre from the brook, in memorie,
+Or monument to Ages, and thereon
+Offer sweet smelling Gumms and Fruits and Flours:
+In yonder nether World where shall I seek
+His bright appearances, or footstep trace?
+For though I fled him angrie, yet recall'd
+To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now
+Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts
+Of glory, and farr off his steps adore.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Michael} with regard benigne.
+\textit{Adam}, thou know'st Heav'n his, and all the Earth
+Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills
+Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,
+Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:
+All th' Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,
+No despicable gift; surmise not then
+His presence to these narrow bounds confin'd
+Of Paradise or \textit{Eden}: this had been
+Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred
+All generations, and had hither come
+From all the ends of th' Earth, to celebrate
+And reverence thee their great Progenitor.
+But this praeeminence thou hast lost, brought down
+To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:
+Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine
+God is as here, and will be found alike
+Present, and of his presence many a signe
+Still following thee, still compassing thee round
+With goodness and paternal Love, his Face
+Express, and of his steps the track Divine.
+Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd,
+Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent
+To shew thee what shall come in future dayes
+To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad
+Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending
+With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn
+True patience, and to temper joy with fear
+And pious sorrow, equally enur'd
+By moderation either state to beare,
+Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead
+Safest thy life, and best prepar'd endure
+Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend
+This Hill; let \textit{Eve} (for I have drencht her eyes)
+Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak'st,
+As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Adam} gratefully repli'd.
+Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path
+Thou lead'st me, and to the hand of Heav'n submit,
+However chast'ning, to the evil turne
+My obvious breast, arming to overcom
+By suffering, and earne rest from labour won,
+If so I may attain. So both ascend
+In the Visions of God: It was a Hill
+Of 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 \textit{Adam} in the Wilderness,
+To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and their Glory.
+His Eye might there command wherever stood
+City of old or modern Fame, the Seat
+Of mightiest Empire, from the destind Walls
+Of \textit{Cambalu}, seat of \textit{Cathaian} \textit{Can}
+And \textit{Samarchand} by \textit{Oxus}, \textit{Temirs} Throne,
+To \textit{Paquin} of \textit{Sinaean} Kings, and thence
+To \textit{Agra} and \textit{Lahor} of great \textit{Mogul}
+Down to the golden \textit{Chersonese}, or where
+The \textit{Persian} in \textit{Ecbatan} sate, or since
+In \textit{Hispahan}, or where the \textit{Russian} \textit{Ksar}
+In \textit{Mosco}, or the Sultan in \textit{Bizance},
+\textit{Turchestan}-born; nor could his eye not ken
+Th' Empire of \textit{Negus} to his utmost Port
+\textit{Ercoco} and the less Maritine Kings
+\textit{Mombaza}, and \textit{Quiloa}, and \textit{Melind},
+And \textit{Sofala} thought \textit{Ophir}, to the Realme
+Of \textit{Congo}, and \textit{Angola} fardest South;
+Or thence from \textit{Niger} Flood to \textit{Atlas} Mount
+The Kingdoms of \textit{Almansor}, \textit{Fez}, and \textit{Sus},
+\textit{Marocco} and \textit{Algiers}, and \textit{Tremisen};
+On \textit{Europe} thence, and where \textit{Rome} was to sway
+The \textit{Vv}orld: in Spirit perhaps he also saw
+Rich \textit{Mexico} the seat of \textit{Motezume},
+And \textit{Cusco} in \textit{Peru}, the richer seat
+Of \textit{Atabalipa}, and yet unspoil'd
+\textit{Guiana}, whose great Citie \textit{Geryons} Sons
+Call \textit{El} \textit{Dorado}: but to nobler sights
+\textit{Michael} from \textit{Adams} eyes the Filme remov'd
+\textit{Vv}hich 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 \textit{Vv}ell of Life three drops instill'd.
+So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc'd,
+Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight,
+That \textit{Adam} now enforc't 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.
+\quad \textit{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.
+\quad 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;
+Ith' 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 meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock
+Choicest and best; then sacrificing, laid
+The Inwards and their 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 \textit{Adam} in his heart
+Dismai'd, and thus in haste to th' Angel cri'd.
+\quad O Teacher, some great mischief hath befall'n
+To that meek man, who well had sacrific'd;
+Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid?
+\quad T' whom \textit{Michael} thus, hee also mov'd, repli'd.
+These two are Brethren, \textit{Adam}, and to come
+Out of thy loyns; th' unjust the just hath slain,
+For envie that his Brothers Offering found
+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.
+\quad 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!
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Michael}. Death thou hast seen
+In his first shape on man; but many shapes
+Of Death, and many are the wayes that lead
+To his grim Cave, all dismal; yet to sense
+More terrible at th' entrance then within.
+Some, 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 \textit{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-sick Agonie, all feavorous kinds,
+Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,
+Intestin Stone and Ulcer, Colic pangs,
+Dropsies, and Asthma's, and Joint-racking Rheums.
+Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair
+Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;
+And over them triumphant Death his Dart
+Shook, but delaid to strike, though oft invok't
+With vows, as their chief good, and final hope.
+Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long
+Drie-ey'd behold? \textit{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.
+\quad 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 either 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
+Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,
+Retaining still Divine similitude
+In part, from such deformities be free,
+And for his Makers Image sake exempt?
+\quad Their Makers Image, answerd \textit{Michael}, then
+Forsook them, when themselves they villifi'd
+To serve ungovern'd appetite, and took
+His Image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice,
+Inductive mainly to the sin of \textit{Eve}.
+Therefore so abject is their punishment,
+Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but their own,
+Or if his likeness, by themselves defac't
+While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules
+To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they
+Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.
+\quad I yeild it just, said \textit{Adam}, and submit.
+But is there yet no other way, besides
+These painful passages, how we may come
+To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?
+\quad There is, said \textit{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 and gray; thy Senses then
+Obtuse, 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.
+\quad 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. \textit{Michael} to him repli'd.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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
+Their stops and chords was seen: 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
+Fulfil or grav'n in mettle. After these,
+But on the hether side a different sort
+From the high neighbouring Hills, which was their Seat,
+Down to the Plain descended: by their guise
+Just men they seemd, and all their study bent
+To worship God aright, and know his works
+Not hid, 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 their 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 Tents resound.
+Such happy interview and fair event
+Of love and youth not lost, Songs, Garlands, Flours,
+And charming Symphonies attach'd the heart
+Of \textit{Adam}, soon enclin'd to admit delight,
+The bent of Nature; which he thus express'd.
+\quad 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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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 their 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 apperence, 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 their vertue, all their fame
+Ignobly, to the trains 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.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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.
+\quad 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.
+\quad 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 their 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 their bleating Lambs over the Plaine,
+Their 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.
+\textit{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 their Brethren, men of men?
+But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav'n
+Rescu'd, had in his Righteousness bin lost?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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.
+\quad He look'd, and saw the face 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 their doings great dislike declar'd,
+And testifi'd against their wayes; hee oft
+Frequented their 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, and 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
+Their order; last the Sire, and his three Sons
+With their four Wives, and God made fast the dore.
+Meanwhile the Southwind rose, and 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 their pomp
+Deep under water rould; Sea cover'd Sea,
+Sea without shoar; and in their 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, \textit{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.
+\quad 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 their 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 \textit{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 their 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 their freedom lost all vertu loose
+And feare of God, from whom their 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 their 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 their 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 their 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.
+\quad 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 theirst, which made their flowing shrink
+From standing lake to tripping ebbe, that stole
+With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt
+His Sluces, 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 their 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 lifted colours gay,
+Betok'ning peace from God, and Cov'nant new.
+Whereat the heart of \textit{Adam} erst so sad
+Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth.
+\quad 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 their 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?
+\quad 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 fill'd with violence, and all flesh
+Corrupting each their way; 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 their 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 their mindes, fearing the Deitie,
+With some regard to what is just and right
+Shall lead their 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 Wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred Feast
+Shal spend their 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 \textit{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 and Towre, whose top may reach to Heav'n;
+And get themselves a name, least far disperst
+In foraign Lands their memorie be lost,
+Regardless whether good or evil fame.
+But God who oft descends to visit men
+Unseen, and through their habitations walks
+To mark their doings, them beholding soon,
+Comes down to see their Citie, ere the Tower
+Obstruct Heav'n Towrs, and in derision sets
+Upon their Tongues a various Spirit to rase
+Quite out their 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.
+\quad Whereto thus \textit{Adam} fatherly displeas'd.
+O execrable Son so to aspire
+Above his Brethren, to himself affirming
+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?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{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 catch the Government
+From Reason, and to servitude 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 their outward libertie,
+Their inward lost: Witness th' irreverent Son
+Of him who built the Ark, who for the shame
+Don to his Father, heard this heavie curse,
+\textit{Servant} \textit{Of} \textit{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 their 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 \textit{Euphrates} yet residing,
+Bred 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 their own work in Wood and Stone
+For Gods! yet him God the most High voutsafes
+To call by Vision from his Fathers house,
+His kindred 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
+\textit{Ur} of \textit{Chaldaea}, passing now the Ford
+To \textit{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.
+\textit{Canaan} he now attains, I see his Tents
+Pitcht about \textit{Sechem}, and the neighbouring Plaine
+Of \textit{Moreb}; there by promise he receaves
+Gift to his Progenie of all that Land;
+From \textit{Hamath} Northward to the Desert South
+(Things by their names I call, though yet unnam'd)
+From \textit{Hermon} East to the great Western Sea,
+Mount \textit{Hermon}, yonder Sea, each place behold
+In prospect, as I point them; on the shoare
+Mount \textit{Carmel}; here the double-founted stream
+\textit{Jordan}, true limit Eastward; but his Sons
+Shall dwell to \textit{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 \textit{Faithful} \textit{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 \textit{Canaan}, to a Land hereafter call'd
+\textit{Egypt}, divided by the River \textit{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 \textit{Pharao}: there he dies, and leaves his Race
+Growing into a Nation, and now grown
+Suspected to a sequent King, who seeks
+To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests
+Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves
+Inhospitably, and kills their infant Males:
+Till by two brethren (those two brethren call
+\textit{Moses} and \textit{Aaron}) sent from God to claime
+His people from enthralment, they return
+With glory and spoile back to their promis'd Land.
+But first the lawless Tyrant, who denies
+To know their 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 fill
+With loath'd intrusion, 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' \textit{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 \textit{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 lets pass
+As on drie land between two christal walls,
+Aw'd by the rod of \textit{Moses} so to stand
+Divided, till his rescu'd gain their 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,
+To guide them in their 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 their Chariot wheels: when by command
+\textit{Moses} once more his potent Rod extends
+Over the Sea; the Sea his Rod obeys;
+On their imbattelld ranks the Waves return,
+And overwhelm their Warr: the Race elect
+Safe towards \textit{Canaan} from the shoar advance
+Through the wilde Desert, not the readiest way,
+Least entring on the \textit{Canaanite} allarmd
+Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare
+Return them back to \textit{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 their delay
+In the wide Wilderness, there they shall found
+Their government, and their great Senate choose
+Through the twelve Tribes, to rule by Laws ordaind:
+God from the Mount of \textit{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 \textit{Moses} might report to them his will,
+And terror cease; he grants them their desire,
+Instructed that to God is no access
+Without Mediator, whose high Office now
+\textit{Moses} in figure beares, to introduce
+One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,
+And all the Prophets in their Age the times
+Of great \textit{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 fierie gleame by Night,
+Save when they journie, and at length they come,
+Conducted by his Angel to the Land
+Promisd to \textit{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 \textit{Gibeon} stand,
+And thou Moon in the vale of \textit{Aialon},
+Till \textit{Israel} overcome; so call the theird
+From \textit{Abraham}, Son of \textit{Isaac}, and from him
+His whole descent, who thus shall \textit{Canaan} win.
+\quad Here \textit{Adam} interpos'd. O sent from Heav'n,
+Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things
+Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne
+Just \textit{Abraham} and his Seed: now 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 reside?
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Michael}. Doubt not but that sin
+Will reign among them, as of thee begot;
+And therefore was Law given them to evince
+Their 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 \textit{Moses}, though of God
+Highly belov'd, being but the Minister
+Of Law, his people into \textit{Canaan} lead;
+But \textit{Joshua} whom the Gentiles \textit{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 their earthly \textit{Canaan} plac't
+Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins
+National interrupt their 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 \textit{David} (so I name this King) shall rise
+A Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,
+Foretold to \textit{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 their Land,
+Their 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, \textit{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 \textit{David}, stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n.
+Returnd from \textit{Babylon} by leave of Kings
+Their 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: their strife pollution brings
+Upon the Temple it self: at last they seise
+The Scepter, and regard not \textit{Davids} Sons,
+Then loose it to a stranger, that the true
+Anointed King \textit{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.
+\quad He ceas'd, discerning \textit{Adam} with such joy
+Surcharg'd, as had like grief bin dew'd in tears,
+Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.
+\quad 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
+Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel.
+\quad To whom thus \textit{Michael}. Dream not of their 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
+\textit{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 \textit{Satan}, but his works
+In thee and in thy Seed: nor can this be,
+But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,
+Obedience to the Law of God, impos'd
+On penaltie of death, and suffering death,
+The penaltie to thy transgression due,
+And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:
+So onely can high Justice rest appaid.
+The Law of God exact he shall fulfill
+Both by obedience and by love, though love
+Alone fulfill the Law; thy punishment
+He shall endure by coming in the Flesh
+To a reproachful life and cursed death,
+Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
+In his redemption, and that his obedience
+Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits
+To save them, not their 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 theird 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 works: 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 \textit{Satan}, crush his strength
+Defeating Sin and Death, his two maine armes,
+And fix farr deeper in his head their stings
+Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,
+Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,
+A gentle wafting to immortal Life.
+Nor after resurrection shall he stay
+Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer
+To his Disciples, Men who in his Life
+Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge
+To teach all nations what of him they learn'd
+And his Salvation, them who shall beleeve
+Baptizing in the profluent streame, the signe
+Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life
+Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befall,
+For death, like that which the redeemer dy'd.
+All Nations they shall teach; for from that day
+Not onely to the Sons of \textit{Abrahams} Loines
+Salvation shall be Preacht, but to the Sons
+Of \textit{Abrahams} Faith wherever through the world;
+So in his seed all Nations shall be blest.
+Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend
+With victory, triumphing through the aire
+Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise
+The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in Chaines
+Through all his realme, and there confounded leave;
+Then enter into glory, and resume
+His Seat at Gods right hand, exalted high
+Above all names in Heav'n; and thence shall come,
+When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,
+With glory and power to judge both quick and dead,
+To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward
+His faithful, and receave them into bliss,
+Whether in Heav'n or Earth, for then the Earth
+Shall all be Paradise, far happier place
+Then this of \textit{Eden}, and far happier daies.
+\quad So spake th' Archangel \textit{Michael}, then paus'd,
+As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire
+Replete with joy and wonder thus repli'd.
+\quad O goodness infinite, goodness immense!
+That all this good of evil shall produce,
+And evil turn to good; more wonderful
+Then that which by creation first brought forth
+Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,
+Whether I should repent me now of sin
+By mee done and occasiond, or rejoyce
+Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring,
+To God more glory, more good will to Men
+From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound.
+But say, if our deliverer up to Heav'n
+Must reascend, what will betide the few
+His faithful, left among th' unfaithful herd,
+The enemies of truth; who then shall guide
+His people, who defend? will they not deale
+Wors with his followers then with him they dealt?
+\quad Be sure they will, said th' Angel; but from Heav'n
+Hee to his own a Comforter will send,
+The promise of the Father, who shall dwell
+His Spirit within them, and the Law of Faith
+Working through love, upon their hearts shall write,
+To guide them in all truth, and also arme
+With spiritual Armour, able to resist
+\textit{Satans} assaults, and quench his fierie darts
+What Man can do against them, not affraid,
+Though to the death, against such cruelties
+With inward consolations recompenc't,
+And oft supported so as shall amaze
+Their proudest persecuters: for the Spirit
+Powrd first on his Apostles, whom he sends
+To evangelize the Nations, then on all
+Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue
+To speak all Tongues, and do all Miracles,
+As did their Lord before them. Thus they win
+Great numbers of each Nation to receave
+With joy the tidings brought from Heav'n: at length
+Their Ministry perform'd, and race well run,
+Their doctrine and their story written left,
+They die; but in their room, as they forewarne,
+Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous Wolves,
+Who all the sacred mysteries of Heav'n
+To their own vile advantages shall turne
+Of lucre and ambition, and the truth
+With superstitions and traditions taint,
+Left onely in those written Records pure,
+Though not but by the Spirit understood.
+Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,
+Places and titles, and with these to joine
+Secular power, though feigning still to act
+By spiritual, to themselves appropriating
+The Spirit of God, promisd alike and giv'n
+To all Beleevers; and from that pretense,
+Spiritual Lawes by carnal power shall force
+On every conscience; Laws which none shall finde
+Left them inrould, or what the Spirit within
+Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then
+But force the Spirit of Grace it self, and binde
+His consort Libertie; what, but unbuild
+His living Temples, built by Faith to stand,
+Their own Faith not anothers: for on Earth
+Who against Faith and Conscience can be heard
+Infallible? yet many will presume:
+Whence heavie persecution shall arise
+On all who in the worship persevere
+Of Spirit and Truth; the rest, farr greater part,
+Will deem in outward Rites and specious formes
+Religion satisfi'd; Truth shall retire
+Bestuck with slandrous darts, and works of Faith
+Rarely be found: so shall the World goe on,
+To good malignant, to bad men benigne,
+Under her own waight groaning, till the day
+Appeer of respiration to the just,
+And vengeance to the wicked, at return
+Of him so lately promis'd to thy aid,
+The Womans seed, obscurely then foretold,
+Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,
+Last in the Clouds from Heav'n to be reveald
+In glory of the Father, to dissolve
+\textit{Satan} with his perverted World, then raise
+From the conflagrant mass, purg'd and refin'd,
+New Heav'ns, new Earth, Ages of endless date
+Founded in righteousness and peace and love,
+To bring forth fruits Joy and eternal Bliss.
+\quad He ended; and thus \textit{Adam} last reply'd.
+How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,
+Measur'd this transient World, the Race of time,
+Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss,
+Eternitie, whose end no eye can reach.
+Greatly instructed I shall hence depart,
+Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill
+Of knowledge, what this vessel can containe;
+Beyond which was my folly to aspire.
+Henceforth I learne, that to obey is best,
+And love with feare the onely God, to walk
+As in his presence, ever to observe
+His providence, and on him sole depend,
+Merciful over all his works, with good
+Still overcoming evil, and by small
+Accomplishing great things, by things deemd weak
+Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
+By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake
+Is fortitude to highest victorie,
+And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;
+Taught this by his example whom I now
+Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.
+\quad To whom thus also th' Angel last repli'd:
+This having learnt, thou hast attaind the summe
+Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs
+Thou knewst by name, and all th' ethereal Powers,
+All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,
+Or works of God in Heav'n, Air, Earth, or Sea,
+And all the riches of this World enjoydst,
+And all the rule, one Empire; onely add
+Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,
+Add Vertue, Patience, Temperance, add Love,
+By name to come call'd Charitie, the soul
+Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath
+To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess
+A Paradise within thee, happier farr.
+Let us descend now therefore from this top
+Of Speculation; for the hour precise
+Exacts our parting hence; and see the Guards,
+By mee encampt on yonder Hill, expect
+Their motion, at whose Front a flaming Sword,
+In signal of remove, waves fiercely round;
+We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve;
+Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm'd
+Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd
+To meek submission: thou at season fit
+Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard,
+Chiefly what may concern her Faith to know,
+The great deliverance by her Seed to come
+(For by the Womans Seed) on all Mankind.
+That ye may live, which will be many dayes,
+Both in one Faith unanimous though sad,
+With cause for evils past, yet much more cheer'd
+With meditation on the happie end.
+\quad He ended, and they both descend the Hill;
+Descended, \textit{Adam} to the Bowre where \textit{Eve}
+Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak't;
+And thus with words not sad she him receav'd.
+\quad Whence thou returnst, and whither wentst, I know;
+For God is also in sleep, and Dreams advise,
+Which he hath sent propitious, some great good
+Presaging, since with sorrow and hearts distress
+\textit{Vv}earied I fell asleep: but now lead on;
+In mee is no delay; with thee to goe,
+Is to stay here; without thee here to stay,
+Is to go hence unwilling; thou to mee
+Art all things under Heav'n, all places thou,
+\textit{Vv}ho for my wilful crime art banisht hence.
+This further consolation yet secure
+I carry hence; though all by mee is lost,
+Such favour I unworthie am voutsaft,
+By mee the Promis'd Seed shall all restore.
+\quad So spake our Mother \textit{Eve}, and \textit{Adam} heard
+\textit{Vv}ell pleas'd, but answer'd not; for now too nigh
+Th' Archangel stood, and from the other Hill
+To their fixt Station, all in bright array
+The Cherubim descended; on the ground
+Gliding meteorous, as Ev'ning Mist
+Ris'n from a River o're the marish glides,
+And gathers ground fast at the Labourers heel
+Homeward returning. High in Front advanc't,
+The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz'd
+Fierce as a Comet; which with torrid heat,
+And vapour as the \textit{Libyan} Air adust,
+Began to parch that temperate Clime; whereat
+In either hand the hastning Angel caught
+Our lingring Parents, and to th' Eastern Gate
+Let them direct, and down the Cliff as fast
+To the subjected Plaine; then disappeer'd.
+They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld
+Of Paradise, so late their happie seat,
+Wav'd over by that flaming Brand, the Gate
+With dreadful Faces throng'd and fierie Armes:
+Som natural tears they drop'd, but wip'd them soon;
+The World was all before them, where to choose
+Their place of rest, and Providence their guide:
+They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow,
+Through \textit{Eden} took their solitarie way.
+\endVersus
+\end{document}