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PARADISE LOST. 
 
 ^ iF®]iiao 
 
 IN TWELVE BOOKS 
 
 BY JOHN MILTON. 
 
 A NEW EDITION. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 PUBLISHED BY PHILLIPS & SAMPSON. 
 
 122 WASHINGTON STREET. 
 
 1845. 
 
(£>0 
 
 K^S 
 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 The first Book proposes, first in brief, the whole subject, Man's dis- 
 obedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he was 
 placed: Then touches the prime cause of bis Fall, tlie Serpent, 
 or rather Satan in the Serpent; who. revolting from God, and 
 drawing to his side many iegions of Angels, was, by the com 
 mand of God, driven out of Heaven, with all his crew, into the 
 great deep. Which action passed over, the Poem hastens into 
 the midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now falling 
 into Hell, described hero, not in the centre (for Heaven anil 
 Earth may be supposed as yet not made, c^eriainly not yet accurs- 
 ed.) but in a place of utter darkness fitlicst called Chaos: Here 
 Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck 
 and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, 
 calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by him; They 
 confer of their miserable fall; Satan awakens all his legions, 
 who lay till then in the same manner confounded. They rise; 
 their numbers; array of battle; their chief leaders named, ac- 
 cording to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the coun- 
 tries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts 
 them Avith hope yet of regaining Heavf^n, but tells them lastly 
 of a new world and new kind of creature to be created, according 
 to an ancient prophecy or report in Heaven ; for, that Angels 
 v.ern long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many 
 ancient Fatliers. To find out tlie truth of this prophecy, and 
 rfhat to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. "What 
 liis associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, tlie palace of 
 Satan, rises, suddenly built out of the deep : The infernal peers 
 there sit in council. 
 
 Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit 
 
 Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 
 
 Brought death into tlie world, and all our wee, 
 
 With loss of Eden, till one greater Man 
 
 Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 5 
 
 Sing, hcaven'.y Muse, that on the secret top 
 
 Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire 
 
 T'liat shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, 
 
 In the beginning how the Heavens and Earth 
 
 Rose out of Chaos : Or if Sihon hill 10 
 
 Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd 
 
 Fast by the oracle of God ; I thence 
 
 Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, 
 
 That wiUi no middle flight intends to soar 
 
4 PARADISE LOST. b. i. 
 
 Above the Aoniaii mount, while it pursues 15 
 
 Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. 
 And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer 
 Before all temples the upright heart and pure, 
 Instruct me, for Thou know'st , Thou from the first 
 Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread 20 
 Dovelil^e sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, 
 And madest it pregnant : What in me is dark, 
 ] Illumine ; what is low, raise and support; 
 That to the height of this great argument 
 I may assert Eternal Providence, 25 
 
 And justify the ways of God to men. 
 
 Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, 
 Nor the deep tract of Hell ; say first, what cause 
 Moved our grand Parents, in tlmt happy state, 
 Favour'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off 30 
 
 From their Creator, and transgress his will 
 For one restraint, lords of the world besides .' 
 Who first seduced them to that foul revolt .'' 
 The infernal Serpent ; he it was, whose guile, 
 Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived 35 
 
 The mother of mankind, what time his pride 
 Had cast him out from Heaven, witli 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, 40 
 
 If he opposed ; and, with ambitious aim 
 Against the throne and monarchy of God, 
 Raised impious war in Heaven, and battle proud, 
 With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power 
 Hurl'd headlong flaming from tlie ethereal sky, 45 
 With hideous ruin and combustion, down 
 To bottomless perdition ; there to dwell 
 In adamantine chains and penal fire, 
 Who dvLV^t defy the Omnipotent to arms. 
 J^ine t'jTies the space that measures day and night 50 
 To m( rtal men, he with his horrid crew 
 Lay vanquiah'd, rolling in tlie fiery gulf, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 5 
 
 Confounded, though immortal : But his doom 
 
 Reserved him to more wrath ; for now the thought 
 
 Both of lost happiness, and lasting pain, 55 
 
 Torments him : round he throws his baleful eyes, 
 
 That witnessd huge afrliction and dismay 
 
 Mix'd with obdurate pride and steadfast hate 
 
 At once, as far as Angels ken, he views 
 
 The dismal situation waste and wild : 60 
 
 A dungeon horrible on all sides round 
 
 As one great furnace flamed ; yet from those flames 
 
 No light ; but rather darkness visible 
 
 Served only to discover sights of woe, 
 
 Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 
 
 And rest can never dwell ; hope never comes 
 
 That comes to all ; but torture without end 
 
 Still urges, and a iiery deluge, fed 
 
 With ever burning sulphur unconsumcd 
 
 Such place Eternal Justice had prepared 70 
 
 For those rebellious ; here their prison ordain'd 
 
 In utter darkness, and their portion set 
 
 As far removed from God and light of Heaven 
 
 As from the centre thrice to the utmost pole. 
 
 O. how unlike the place from whence they fell • 75 
 
 There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd 
 
 With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 
 
 He soon discerns ; and weltering by his side 
 
 One next himself in power, and next in crime, 
 
 Long after known in Palestine, and named 80 
 
 Betjlzebub. To whom the Archenemy, 
 
 And thence in Heaven call'd Satan, with bold words 
 
 Breaking the horrid silence, thus began. 
 
 If thou be he ; but O, how fallen ! how changed 
 From him, who, in the happy realms of liglit, 85 
 
 Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine 
 Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, 
 United thoughts and counsels, equal hope 
 And hazard in the glorious enterprise, 
 Jom'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 
 1^ 
 
■G PARADISE LOST b. i 
 
 In equal riain J Into what pit thou seest, 
 
 •From what height fallen ; so much the stronger proved 
 
 He with his thunder • and till then who knew 
 
 The force of those dire arms ? Yet not for those, 
 
 Nor v/hat the potent victor in his rage 95 
 
 Can else inflict, do I repent or change, 
 
 Though changed in outward lustre, that fix'd mind, 
 
 And high disdain from sense of injured merit, 
 
 That with the Mightiest raised me to contend. 
 
 And to the fierce contention brought along 100 
 
 innumerable force of Spirits arm'd. 
 
 That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, 
 
 His utmost power with adverse power opposed 
 
 In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, 
 
 And shook his throne. What though the field be lost ? 
 
 All is not lost ; the unconquerable will, 106 
 
 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 110 
 
 Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace 
 
 With suppliant knee, and deify his power-, 
 
 Who from the terror of this arm so late 
 
 Doubted his empire ; that v/ere low indeed. 
 
 That were an ignominy, and shame beneath 115 
 
 This downfal : 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 advanced. 
 
 We may with more successful hope resolve 120 
 
 To wage, by force or guile, eternal war 
 
 Irreconcilable to our grand Foe, 
 
 Who now triumphs, and, in the excess of joy 
 
 Sole reigning, holds the tyranny of Heaven. 
 
 So spake the apostate Angel, though in pain, 125 
 Vaunting alcud, but rack'd with deep despair : 
 And him thus answer 'd soon his bold compeer. 
 
 O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powe'-Sj 
 
PARADISE LOST 7 
 
 That led the embattled Seraphim to war 
 Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds 130 
 
 Fearless endanger'd Heaven's 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, 135 
 
 Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host 
 In horrible destruction laid thus low. 
 As far as Gods and heavenly essences 
 Can perish : for the mind and spirit remains 
 Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 140 
 
 Though all our glory extinct, and happy state 
 Here swallow'd up in endless misery. 
 But what if he our Conqueror (whom I now 
 Offeree believe Almighty, since no less 
 Than such could have o'erpower'd such force as ours; 
 Have left us this our spirit and strength entire 146 
 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 war, whate'er his business be, 150 
 
 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 undiminish'd, or eternal being, 
 To undergo eternal punishment ? 155 
 
 Whereto with speedy words the Archfiend replied. 
 
 Fallen cherub ! to be weak is miserable. 
 Doing or suffering : but of this be sure. 
 To do aught good never will be our taskj 
 But ever to do ill our sole delight, 160 
 
 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 E*ill to find means of evil ; 163 
 
 Which ofttimes mav succeed so as perhaps 
 
8 PARADISE LOST. b i 
 
 Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 
 
 His inmost counsels from their destined aim. 
 
 But see ! the angry victor hath recall'd 
 
 His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 17Q 
 
 Back to the gates of Heaven : the sulphurous hail, 
 
 Sliot after us in storm, o'erblown, hath laid 
 
 The fiery surge, that from the precipice 
 
 Of Heaven received us falling ; and the thunder, 
 
 Wing'd v/ith red lightning and impetuous rage, 175 
 
 Perhaps hath spent Jiis shafts, and ceases now 
 
 To bellow through the vast and boundless deep 
 
 Let us not slip tlie occasion, whether scorn, 
 
 Or satiate fury, yield it from our Foe. 
 
 Seest tliou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 180 
 
 The seat of desolation, void of light, 
 
 Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 
 
 Casts pale and dreadful ? Thitlicr let us tend 
 
 From off the tossing of these fiery waves ; 
 
 There rest, if any rest can harbour there ; 185 
 
 And, reassembling our affiicted 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 ; 190 
 
 ff not, what resolution from despair. 
 
 Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate 
 With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 
 That sparkling blazed ; his other parts besides 
 Prone on the iiood, extended long and large, I9'i 
 
 Lay floating many a rood ; in bulk as huge 
 As whom the fables name of monstrous size, 
 Titanian, or Earth-born, that v/ar'd on Jove 
 Briareos or Typbon, whom the den 
 By ancient Tarsus held ; or that seabeast 201 
 
 Leviathan, which Crod of all his works 
 Created hugest thai swmi the ocean stream : 
 Him, haply, slumbering on the Norway foam 
 The pilot of some small night-founder'd skifF 
 
PARADISE LOST. 9 
 
 Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 205 
 
 With fixed anchor in his scaly rind. 
 Moors by his side under the lee, while night 
 Invests the sea, and wished morn delays : 
 So stretch'd out huge in length the Archfiend lay, 
 Chain'd on tlie burning lake : nor ever thence 210 
 Had risen, or heaved his h^ad ; but that the will 
 And high permission of all-ruling Heaven 
 Left him at large to Jiis own dark designs ; 
 That with reiterated crimes he might 
 Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 215 
 
 Evil to others ; and, enraged, might see 
 How all his malice served but to bring forth 
 Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shown 
 On Man by him seduced ; but on himself 
 Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance, pour'd. 220 
 Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool 
 His mighty stature : on each hand the flames, 
 Driven backward, slope their pointing spires, and roll'd 
 In billows, leave i' the midst a horrid vale. 
 Then with expanded wings he steers his flight 225 
 Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, 
 That felt unusual w^eight ; till on dry land 
 He lights, if it were land that ever burn'd 
 With solid, as tne lake with liquid fire : 
 And such appear'd in hue, as when the forco 230 
 
 Of subterranean wind transports a hill 
 Torn from Pelorus, or the shatter 'd side 
 Of thundering ^tna, whose combustible 
 And fuel'd entrails thence conceiving fire, 
 Sublimed with minerai fury, aid the winds, 235 
 
 And leave a singed bottom all involved 
 With stench and smoke : such resting found the sol© 
 Of unbless'd feet. Him follow'd liis next mate : 
 Both glorying to have scaped the Stygian flood 
 As Gods, and by their own recovcr'd strength, 240 
 Not by the suflerance of supernal Power. 
 Is tins tlie region, this tlie soil, the clime, 
 
10 PARADISE LOST. b. i 
 
 Said then tlie losst Archangel, this the seat 
 
 That we must change for Heaven ; this mournful gloom 
 
 For that celestial light ? Be it so ! since he, 245 
 
 Who now is Sov'reign, can dispose and bid 
 
 What shall be right : furthest from him is best, 
 
 Whom reason hath equal'd, force hath made supreme 
 
 Above liis equals. Farewell, happy fields, 
 
 Where joy for ever dwells ! Hail horrors ! hail, 250 
 
 Infernal world ! And thou, profoundest Hell, 
 
 Receive thy new possessor ! one who brings 
 
 A mind not to be oiiangcd by place or time : 
 
 The mind is its own place, and in itself 
 
 Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. 255 
 
 What matter where, if I be still the same. 
 
 And what I should be ; all but less than he 
 
 Whom thunder hath made greater ^ Here at least 
 
 We shall be free ; the Almighty hath not built 
 
 Here for his envy ; will not drive us hence : 2C0 
 
 Here we may reign secure, and, in my choice, 
 
 To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell : 
 
 Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven ! 
 
 But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, 
 
 The associates and copartners of our loss 265 
 
 Lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool. 
 
 And call them not to share with us their part 
 
 In this unhappy mansion ; or once more 
 
 With rallied arms to try Avhat may be yet 
 
 Regain'd in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell .'' 270 
 
 So Satan spake ; and him BeSlzebub 
 Thus answer 'd. Leader of those armies bright. 
 Which but the Omnipotent none could have foil'd ! 
 If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge 
 Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft 27& 
 
 In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge 
 Of battle when it raged, in all assaults 
 Their surest signal, they v/ill soon resume 
 New courage and revive ; tliough now they lie 
 Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 280 
 
PARADISE LOST. 11 
 
 As we ercwliile, astounded and amazed : 
 No wonder, fallen such a pernicious height. 
 
 He scarce had ceased, when the superior Fiend 
 Was moving toward tlie shore : his ponderous shield, 
 Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 285 
 
 Behind him cast ; the broad circumference 
 Hung on his shoulders hke the moon, whose orb 
 Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views 
 At Evening from the top of i'esole, 
 Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands, .290 
 
 Rivers, or mountains, in her spotty globe. 
 His spear, to cental which the tallest pine 
 Hewn on Norwe.frian hills, to be the mast 
 Of some groat ammiral, wore but a v/and, 
 He walk'd witb, to .support uneasy steps 2!^5 
 
 Over the burning uiarle, not like those steps 
 On Heaven's azure ; and the torrid clime 
 Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire : 
 Nathless he so endured, till on the beach 
 Of that inflamed sea he stood, and call'd 300 
 
 His legions. Angel forms, who lay entranced 
 ThicJi as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks, 
 In Vallambrcsa, Vi^here the Etrurian shades, 
 High overarched, imbower ; or scattered sedge 
 AH oat, when v/itli fierce winds Orion arm'd 305 
 
 Hsth vex'd the Red Seacoast, whose waves o'erthrew 
 Busiris and his Ptlemphian chiva,lry, 
 While with perfidious hatred thcj pursued 
 The sojourners of Goshen, v%'ho beheld 
 From the safe shore their floiiting carcasses 310 
 
 And broken chariot wheels: so thick bestrewn, 
 Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood. 
 Under amazement of their hideous change. 
 He call'd so lovid. that all the hollow deep 
 Of Hell resounded ! Princes, Potentates, 335 
 
 Warriors, the flower of Heaven! once yours, now lost, 
 If such astonishment as this can seizo 
 Eternal Spirits ; or have ye chosen this place 
 
la PARADISE LOST. m. i 
 
 After the toil of battle to repose 
 
 Your wearied virtue, for the ease you find 320 
 
 To slumber here, as in the vales of Heaven ? 
 
 Or in this abject posture have ye sworn 
 
 To adore the Conqueror ! who now beholds 
 
 Cherub and Seraph rolling in the flood, 
 
 With scatter'd arms and ensigns ; till anon 325 
 
 His swift pursuers from Heaven gates discern 
 
 iThe advantage, and descending, tread us down 
 
 Thus drooping, or with linked thunderbolts 
 
 Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf. 
 
 Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen ! 330 
 
 They heard, and were abash'd, and up tiiey 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 perceive the evil plight 335 
 
 [n which they were, nor the fierce pains not feel ; 
 f et to their General's voice they soon obey'd , 
 Innumerable. As when the potent rod 
 Of Amraiii's son, in Egypt's evil day, 
 Waved round the coast, up call'd a pitch}'- cloud '340 
 Of locusts, warping on tlie eastern wind, 
 That o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung 
 Like night, and darken'd all the land of Nile 
 So numberless were those bad Angels seen 
 Hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, 345 
 
 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires ; 
 Till, as a signal given, the uplifted spear 
 Of their great Sultan, waving to direct 
 Their course, in even balance down they light 
 On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain ; 350 
 
 A multitude, like which the populous North 
 Pour'd never from her frozen loins, to pass 
 Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons 
 Came like a deluge on the South, and spread 
 Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. 353 
 
 Forthwith from every squadron, and each band; 
 
PARADISE LOST. 13 
 
 The heads and leaders thither haste where stood 
 Their great Commander ; Godlike shapes, and forms 
 Excelling human ; princely Dignities j 
 And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones ; 360 
 Though of their names in heavenly records now 
 Be no memorial ; blotted out and rased 
 By their rebellion from the bock of life. 
 Nor had they yet among the sons of Eve 364 
 
 Got them new names ; till, wandering o'er the earth, 
 Tlirough God's high sufferance for the trial of man, 
 By falsities and lies the greatest part 
 Of mankind they corrupted to forsake 
 God their creator, and the invisible 
 Glory of him that made them to transform 370 
 
 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. 375 
 Say, Pduse, their names then known ; who first, who last, 
 Roused from the slumber, on that fisry couch. 
 At their great Emperor's call, as next in worth 
 Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, 
 While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof. 380 
 
 The chief were those, who from the pit of Hel! 
 Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix 
 Their seats long after next the seat of God, 
 Their altars by his altar ; Gods adored 
 Among the nations round : and durst abide 385 
 
 Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned 
 Between the cherubim ; yea, often placed 
 Within his sanctuary itself their shrines, 
 Abominations ; and with cursed things 
 His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned, 390 
 
 And with their darkness durst affront his light. 
 First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood 
 Of himian sacrifice, and parents' tears ; 
 Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 
 2 
 
14 PARADISE LOST. b. i. 
 
 Their children's cries unheard, that pass'd though fire, 
 
 To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite 396 
 
 Worship'd in Rabba and her watery plain, 
 
 In Argob and in Basan, to the stream 
 
 Of utmost Arnon ; Nor content with such 
 
 Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400 
 
 Of Solomon he led by fraud to build 
 
 His temple right against the temple of God 
 
 On that opprobrious hill : and made his grove 
 
 The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence 
 
 And black Gehenna call'd, the type of Hell. 405 
 
 Next, Chemos, the obscene dread of Moab's sons, 
 
 From Aroer to Nebo, and the wild 
 
 Of southmost Abarim ; in Hesebon 
 
 And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond 
 
 The flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines ; 410 
 
 And Eleale to the Asphaltic pool. 
 
 Peor Jiis o^her name, when he enticed 
 
 Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile, 
 
 To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. 
 
 Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged 415 
 
 Even to that hill of scandal, by the grove 
 
 Of Moloch homicide j lust hard by hate ; 
 
 Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell, 
 
 With these came they, who, from the bordering flood 
 
 Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts 420 
 
 Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names 
 
 Of Baalim and Ashtaroth ; those male. 
 
 These feminine ; For Spirits, when they please, 
 
 Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft 
 
 And uncompounded is their essence pure > 425 
 
 Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, 
 
 Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, 
 
 Like cumbrous flesh ; but, in what shape they choose, 
 
 Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, 
 
 Can execute their aery purposes, 430 
 
 And works of love or enmity fulfil. 
 
 For those the race of Israel oft forsook 
 
PARADISE LOST. 15 
 
 Their Living Strength, and unfrequented left 
 
 His righteous altar, bowing lowly down 
 
 To bestial Gods ; for which their heads as low 435 
 
 Bow'd down in battle, sunk before the spear 
 
 Of despicable foes. With these in troop 
 
 Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd 
 
 Astarte, queen of Heaven, with crescent horns 
 
 To whose bright image nightly by the moon 440 
 
 Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs ; 
 
 In Sion also not unsung, where stood 
 
 Her temple on the offensive mountain, built 
 
 By that uxorious king, whose heart, though large, 
 
 Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell 445 
 
 To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, 
 
 Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured 
 
 The Syrian damsels to lament his fate 
 
 In amorous ditties all a summer's day ; 
 
 While smooth Adonis from his native rock 450 
 
 Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood 
 
 Of Thammuz yearly wounded : the love tale 
 
 Infected Sion's daughters with like heat ; 
 
 Whose wanton passions in the sacred porch 
 
 Ezekiel saw, when, by the \nsion led, 455 
 
 His eye survey'd the dark idolatries 
 
 Of alienated Judah. Next came one 
 
 Who mourn'd in earnest, when the captive ark 
 
 Maim'd his brute image, head and hands lopp'd off 
 
 In his own temple, on the grunsel edge, 460 
 
 Where he fell flat, and shamed his worsliippers : 
 
 Dagon his name, sea monster, upward man 
 
 And downward fish : yet had his temple high 
 
 Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the coast 
 
 Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 465 
 
 And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. 
 
 Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat 
 
 Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks 
 
 Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. 
 
 He also against the house of God was bold • 470 
 
16 PARADISE LOST b i. 
 
 A leper once he lost, and gain'd a king ; 
 
 Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew 
 
 God's altar to disparage, and displace, 
 
 For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn 
 
 His odious offerings, and adore the Gods 475 
 
 Whcm he had vanquish'd. After these appear'd 
 
 A crew, who, under names of old renown, 
 
 Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train. 
 
 With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused 
 
 Fanatic Egypt, and her priests to seek 480 
 
 Their wandering Gods disguised in brutish forms 
 
 Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape 
 
 The infection, when their borrow'd gold composed 
 
 The calf in Oreb ; and the rebel king 
 
 Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 485 
 
 Likening his Maker to the grazed ox ; 
 
 Jehovah, wlio in one night, when he pass'd 
 
 From Egypt marching, equal'd with one stroke 
 
 Both her first-born and all her bleating Gods. 
 
 Belial camo last, than whom a Spirit more lewd 490 
 
 Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love 
 
 Vice for itself: to him no temple stood 
 
 Or altar smoked : yet who more oft than he 
 
 In temples and at altars, when the priest 
 
 Turns atheist, as did Eli's sons, who fill'd 495 
 
 With lust and violence the house of God ? 
 
 In courts and palaces he also reigns, 
 
 And in luxurious cities, where the noise 
 
 Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, 
 
 And injury and outrage : And when night 500 
 
 Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons 
 
 Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 
 
 Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night 
 
 In Gibeah, when the hospitable door 
 
 Exposed a matron, to avoid worse rape. 50f 
 
 These were the prime in order, and in might ; 
 
 The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, 
 
 The Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue ; held 
 
PARADISE LOST 17 
 
 Gods, yet confess'd later than Heaven and Earth, 
 
 Their boasted parents : Titan, Heaven's first-born, 510 
 
 With his enormous brood, and birthright seized 
 
 By younger Saturn ; he from mightier Jove, 
 
 H's own and Rhea's son, hke measure found ; 
 
 So Jove usurping reign'd • these first in Crete 
 
 And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 515 
 
 Of cold Olympus ruled the middle air, 
 
 Their highest Heaven ; or on the Delphian cliff, 
 
 Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds 
 
 Of Doric land ; or who with Saturn old 
 
 Fled ovej: Adria to the Hesperian fields, 520 
 
 And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost isles. 
 
 All these and more came flocking ; but with looks 
 Downcast and damp ; yet such wherein appear'd 
 Obscure some glimpse of joy, to have found their Chief 
 Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 
 In loss itself: which on his countenance cast 
 Lilte doubtful hue : but he, his wonted pride 
 Soon recollecting, with high v/ords, that bore 
 Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised 
 Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. 530 
 Then straight commands, that at the warlike sound 
 Of trumpets loud and clarions be uprear'd 
 His mighty standard i that proud honour claim'd 
 Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall ; 
 Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurl'd 535 
 The imperial ensign ; which, full high advanced, 
 Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind, 
 With gems and golden lustre rich emblazed. 
 Seraphic arms and trophies ; all the while 
 Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: 540 
 
 At which the universal host up sent 
 A shout, that tore Hell's concave, and beyond 
 Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. 
 All in a moment through the gloom were seen 
 Ten thousand banners rise into the air 545 
 
 With orient colours waving ■ with them rose 
 2 * 
 
18 PARADISE LOST. b. i. 
 
 A forest huge of spears ; and thronging helms 
 
 Appear d, and serried shields in thick array 
 
 Of depth immeasurable : Anon they move 
 
 In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 550 
 
 Of flutes and soft recorders ; such as raised 
 
 To height of noblest temper heroes old 
 
 Arming to battle ; and instead of rage 
 
 Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved 
 
 With dread of death to flight or foul retreat ; 555 
 
 Nor wanting power to mitigate and suage 
 
 With solemn touches troiibled 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, 5G0 
 
 Moved on in silence to soft pipes, that charm'd 
 
 Tlieir painful steps o'er the burnt soil : and now 
 
 Advanced in view they stand ; a horrid front 
 
 Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise 
 
 Of warriors old with order'd spear and shield ; 505 
 
 Awaiting what command their mighty Chief 
 
 Had to impose : He through the armed files 
 
 Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse 
 
 The whole battalion views ; their order due ; 
 
 Their visages and stature as of Gods ; 570 
 
 Their number last he sums. And now his heart 
 
 Distends with pride, and hardening in his strength 
 
 Glories : for never, since created man. 
 
 Mot such imbodied force, as named with these 
 
 Could merit more than that small infantry 575 
 
 Warr'd on by cranes ; though all the giant brood 
 
 Of Phlegra with the heroic race were join'd 
 
 That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side 
 
 Mix'd with auxiliar Gods ; and what resounds 
 
 In fable or romance of Uther's son 5b0 
 
 Begirt with British and Armoric knights ; 
 
 And all who since, baptized or infidel, 
 
 Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban, 
 
 Damasco, or Marocco, or Trcbisond, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 19 
 
 Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore, 585 
 
 When Charlemain with all his peerage fell 
 By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond 
 Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed 
 Their dread Commander ; he, above the rest 
 In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 590 
 
 Stood like a tower : his form had yet not lost 
 All her original brightness ; nor appear'd 
 Less than Archangel ruin'd, and the excess 
 Of glory obscured : as when the sun, new risen 
 Looks through the horizontal misty air 595 
 
 Shorn of his beams ; or from behind the moon, 
 Fn dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds 
 On half the nations, and with fear of change 
 Perplexes monarchs. Darken'd so, yet shone 
 Above them all the Archangel : but his face 600 
 
 Deep scars of thunder had intrench "d ; and care 
 Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows 
 Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride 
 Waiting revenge : cruel his eye, but cast 
 Signs of remorse and passion, to behold G05 
 
 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 amerced 
 Of Heaven, and from eternal splendours fltmg 610 
 For his revolt ; yet faithful how they stood, 
 Their glory wither'd : as v/hen Heaven's fire 
 Hath scathed the forest oaks, or mountain pine ; 
 With singed top their stately growth, though bare, 
 Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepared 615 
 To speak } whereat their doubled ranks they bend 
 From wing to wing, and half enclose him round 
 With all his peers : Attention held them mute. 
 Thrice he essay "d, and thrice, in spite of scorn, 
 Tears, such as Angels weep, burst forth : at last 620 
 Words, interwove with sighs, found out their way. 
 O Myriads of immortal Spirits ! O Powers 
 
20 PARADISE LOST. b. i. 
 
 Matchless, but with the Almiglity! and that, strife 
 
 Was not inglorious, though the event was dire, 
 
 As this placo testiiies, and this dire change 625 
 
 Hateful to utter : but what pov/er 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 r' 630 
 
 For who can yet believe, though after loss, 
 
 That ail these puissant legions, whose exile 
 
 Math emptied Heaven, shall fail to reascend 
 
 yclf-raii5ed, and repossess their native seat ? 
 
 For me, be v/itness all the host of Heaven, 635 
 
 If counsels different, or dangers shunn'd 
 
 By me have lost our hopes. But he, who reigns 
 
 Monarch in Heaven, till then as one secure 
 
 Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute. 
 
 Consent or custom ; and h'is regal state 640 
 
 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 war, provoked : our better part remains 645 
 
 To work in close design, by fraud or guile, 
 
 What force effected not : that he no less 
 
 At length from us may find, v,'ho overcomes 
 
 By force, hath overcome but half his foe. 
 
 Space may produce nev/ worlds ; whereof so rife 650 
 
 There went a fame in Heaven that he ero 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 pry, shall be perhaps 655 
 
 Our first eruption ; thither or elsewhere : 
 
 For this infernal pit shall never hold 
 
 Celestiai. Spirits in bondage, nor the abyss 
 
 Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts 
 
 Fall counsel must mature • Peace is despair'd ; 660 
 
PARADISE LOST. 21 
 
 For who can think submission ? War then, War 
 Open or understood must be resolved. 
 
 He spake : and, to confirm his words, out flew 
 Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs 
 Of mighty Cherubim ; the sudden blaze 665 
 
 Far round illumined hell : Highly they raged 
 Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms 
 Clash'd on their sounding sliields the din of war, 
 Hurling defiance toward the vault of heaven. 
 
 There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top 670 
 
 Belch'd fire and rolling smoke ; the rest entire \ 
 
 Shone with a glossy scurf; tmdoubted sign 
 That in his womb was hid metallic ore. 
 The work of sulphur. Thither, wing'd with speed, 
 A numerous brigade hasten'd : as when bands 675 
 Of pioneers, with spade and pickaxe arm'd, 
 Forerun the royal camp, to trench a field, 
 Or cast a rampart. Mammon led them on , 
 Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell [thoughts 
 From Heaven ; for e'en in Heaven his looks and 
 Were always dovvmward bent, admiring more 681 
 
 The riches of Heaven's pavement, trodden gold, 
 Than ought divine or holy else enjoy'd 
 In vision beatific : by him first 
 
 Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 685 
 
 Ransack'd the centre, and with impious hands 
 Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth 
 For treasures, better hid. Soon had his crew 
 Dpen'd into the hill a spacious wound, 
 \nd digg'd out ribs of gold. Let none admire 690 
 That riches grow in Hell ; that soil may best 
 Deserve the precious bane. And here let those, 
 Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell 
 Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings. 
 Learn how their greatest monuments of fame, 695 
 And strength, and art, are easily outdone 
 By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour. 
 What in an age they with incessant toil 
 
22 PARADISE LOST. b i. 
 
 And hands innumerable scarce perform. 
 
 Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, 700 
 
 That underneath had veins of liquid fire 
 
 Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude 
 
 With wondrous art founded the massy ore, 
 
 Severing each kind, and scumm'd the bullion dross . 
 
 A third as soon ]iad form'd within the ground 705 
 
 A various mould, and from the boiling cells 
 
 By strange conveyance filfd each hollow nook ; 
 
 As in an organ, from one blast of wind, 
 
 To many a row of pipes the soundboard breathes. 
 
 Anon, out of the earth, a fabric huge 710 
 
 Rose like an exhalation, with the sound 
 
 Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet, 
 
 Built like a temple, where pilasters round 
 
 Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 
 
 With golden architrave ; nor did there want 715 
 
 Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven; 
 
 The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon, 
 
 Nor great AJcairo, such magnificence 
 
 Equal'd in all their glories, to enshrine 
 
 Bclu? or Ecrapis, their Gods ; or seat 720 
 
 Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove 
 
 In wealth and luxury. The ascending pile 
 
 Stood fix'd her stately height ; and straight the doors, 
 
 Opening their brazen folds, discover, wide 
 
 Within, her ample spaces, o'er the smooth 725 
 
 And level pavement : from the arched roof 
 
 Pendant by subtle magic, many a row 
 
 Of starry lamps and blazen cressets, fed 
 
 With Naphtha and Asphaltus, yielded light 
 
 As from a sky. The hasty multitude 730 
 
 Admiring enter'd ; and the v^^ork some praise. 
 
 And some the architect : his hand was known 
 
 In Heaven by many a tower'd structure high. 
 
 Where sceptred Angels held their residence. 
 
 And sat as princes : whom the supreme King 735 
 
 Exalted to such power, and gave to rule. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 23 
 
 Each in his hierarchy, the orders bright. 
 Nor was his name unheard, or unadored, 
 In ancient Greece ; and in Ausonian land 
 Men call'd him Mulciber ; and how he fell 740 
 
 From Heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jovo 
 Sheer o'er the crystal battlements : from morn 
 To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, 
 A summer's day ; and with the setting sun 
 Dropp'd from the zenith like a falling star, 745 
 
 On Leranos the ^gean isle : thus they relate, 
 Erring ; for he with liis rebellious rout 
 Fell long before ; nor aught avail'd him now 
 To have built in Heaven high towers ; nor did he scape 
 By all his engines, but was headlong sent 750 
 
 With his industrious crew to build in Hell. 
 
 Meanwhile the winged heralds, by command 
 Of sovereign power, with awful ceremony 
 And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim 
 A solemn council, forchv/ith to be held 755 
 
 At Pandemonium ; the high capital 
 Of Satan and liis peers : their summons call'd 
 From every band and 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 7G1 
 
 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 Soldan's chair 
 Defied the best of Panim chivalry 7G5 
 
 To mortal combat, or career with lance,) 
 Thick swarm'd both on the ground and in the air 
 Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees 
 In spring tim.e, when the sun with Taurus rides. 
 Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 770 
 In clusters ; they among fresh dews and flowers 
 Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank, 
 The suburb of their strawbuilt citadel. 
 New rubb'd with balm, expatiate and confer 
 
24 PARADiSE LOST. b. i. 
 
 Their state affairs. So thick the aery crowd 775 
 
 Swarm'd and were straiten'd 5 till, the signal given 
 
 Behold a wonder ! They but now who seem'd 
 
 In bigness to surpass Earth's giant sons, 
 
 Now less than sinallest dwarfs, in narrow room 
 
 Throng numberless, like that Pygmean race 780 
 
 Beyond the Indian mount : or fairy elves, 
 
 Whose midnight revels, by a forest side 
 
 Or fountain, some belated peasant sees 
 
 Or dreams he sees, while overhead the moon 
 
 Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth 785 
 
 Wheels her pale coua-se ; they, on their mirth and danco 
 
 Intent, with jocund music charm his ear ; 
 
 At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. 
 
 Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms 
 
 Reduced their shapes immense, and were at largo^ 790 
 
 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 ; 795 
 
 A thousand Demi-gods on golden seats, 
 
 Frequent and full. After short silence then, 
 
 And summons read, the great consult began 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle b« 
 to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven ; Some advise it, others 
 dissuade: A third proposal is preferred, mentioned beibreby Sa- 
 tan, to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven 
 concerning another world, and anotiier kind of creature equal or 
 not much inferior #b themselves, about this time to be created* 
 Their doubt, who shall be sent on this difficult search; Satan 
 their chief underta' es alone tlie voyage, is honoured and applaud- 
 ed. The council tJius ended, tlie rest betake them several ways, 
 and to several employments, as their inclin;i.tions lead them, to 
 entertain the time til! Satan return. He passes on his journey to 
 Hell gates: finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them: 
 by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great 
 gulf l)etween Hell and Heaven ; with what di-fliculty he passes 
 through, directed by Chaos, the Power of tliat place, to the sight 
 of this new world which he sought. 
 
 High on a throne of royal state, which far 
 
 Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, 
 
 Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand 
 
 Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, 
 
 Satan exalted sat, by merit raised 5 
 
 To that bad eminence : and, from despair 
 
 Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires 
 
 Beyond thus high : insatiate to pursue 
 
 Vam war with Heaven ; and, by success, untaught, 
 
 His proud imaginations thus display'd. 10 
 
 Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heaven ! 
 For since no deep within her gulf can hold 
 Immortal vigour, though onpress'd and fallen, 
 I give not Heaven for lost. From this descent 
 Celestial virtues rising will appear 15 
 
 More glorious and more dread than from no fall. 
 And trust themselves to fear no second fete. 
 Me though just right and the fix'd laws of Heaven 
 Did first create your Leader ; next, free choice, 
 With what besides, in counsel or in fight, 20 
 
 Hath been achieved of merit ; yet thia loss, 
 
 ci 
 
26 PARADISE LOST. b. ri 
 
 Thus far at least recover'd, hath much more 
 
 Estabhsh'd in a safe unenvied throne, 
 
 Yielded with full consent. The happier state 
 
 In heaven, which follows dignity, might draw 25 
 
 Envy from each inferior ; but who here 
 
 Will envy whom the highest place exposes 
 
 Foremost to stand against the Thunderer's aim, 
 
 Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share 
 
 Of endless pain ? Where there is then no good 30 
 
 For which to strive, no strife can grdw up there 
 
 From faction ; for none sure will clakn in Hell 
 
 Precedence ; none, whose portion is so small 
 
 Of present pain, that with ambitious mind 
 
 Will covet more. With this advantage then 35 
 
 To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, 
 
 More than can be in Heaven, we now return 
 
 To claim our just inheritance of old, 
 
 Surer to prosper than prosperity 
 
 Could have assured us ; and, by what best way, 40 
 
 Whether of open war, or covert guile. 
 
 We now debate : Who can advise may speak. 
 
 He ceased : and next to him Moloch, sceptred king, 
 Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit 
 That fought in Heaven, now fiercer by despair : 45 
 His trust was with the Eternal to be deem'd 
 Equal in strength ; and rather than be less 
 Cared not to be at all ; with that care lost 
 Went all his fear : of God, or Hell, or worse, 
 He reck'd not ; and these words thereafter spake. 50 
 
 My sentence is for open war : 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 55 
 
 The signal to ascend, sit lingering here 
 Heaven's fugitives, and for their dwelling place 
 Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame, 
 The prison of his tyranny who reigns 
 
PARADISE LOST. 27 
 
 By our delay ? No ! let us rather choose 60 
 
 Arm'd with Hell flames and fury, all at once, 
 
 O'er Heaven's high towers to force resistless way, 
 
 Turning our tortures into horrid arms 
 
 Against the Torturer ; when to meet the noise 
 
 Of his Almighty engine he shall hear 65 
 
 Infernal thunder ; and, for lightning, see 
 
 Black fire and horror shot with equal rage 
 
 Among his Angels ; and his throne itself 
 
 Mix'd with Tartarean sulphur and strange fire, 
 
 His own invented torments. But perhaps 70 
 
 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 benumb not still. 
 
 That in our proper motion we ascend 76 
 
 Up to our native seat : Descent and fall 
 
 To us IS adverse. Who but felt of late, 
 
 When the fierce Foe huno; on our broken rear 
 
 Insulting, and pursued us through the deep, 
 
 With what compulsion and laborious flight 80 
 
 We sunk thus low ? The ascent is easy then ; ^ 
 
 The event is fear'd ; should we again provoke 
 
 Our stronger, some worse way his ^vrath may find 
 
 To our destruction ; if there be in Hell 
 
 Fear to be worse destroy'd : What can be worse 85 
 
 That to dwell here, driven 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 90 
 
 Inexorably, and the torturing hour 
 
 Calls us to penance ! JNIore destroy'd than thus, 
 
 We should be quite abolish'd, and expire. 
 
 What fear we then ? what doubt we to incense 
 
 His utmost ire ? which, to the height enraged, 95 
 
 Will either quite consume us, and reduce 
 
 To nothing this essential ; happier far 
 
28 PARADISE LOST. b. ii. 
 
 Than miserable to have eternal being • 
 
 Or if our substance be indeed divine, 
 
 And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 100 
 
 On this side nothing ; and by proof we feel 
 
 Our power sufficient to disturb his heaven, 
 
 And with perpetual inroads to alarm, 
 
 Though inaccessible, his fatal throne • 
 
 Which, if not victory, is yet revenge. 105 
 
 He ended frowning, and his look denounced 
 Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous 
 To less than Gods. On the otlier side uprose 
 Belial, in act more graceful and humane : 
 A fairer person lost not Heaven ; he seem'd 110 
 
 For dignity composed, and high exploit : 
 But all was false and hollow ; though his tongue 
 Dropp'd manna, and could make the worse appear 
 The better reason, to perplex and dash 
 Maturest counsels : for his thoughts were low 115 
 To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds 
 Timorous and slothful : yet he pleased the car, 
 And with };. i^uasive accent thus began. 
 * I should ha much for open war, O Peers, 
 As not behind in hate ; if vv^hat was urged 120 
 
 Main reason to persuade immediate war 
 Did not dissuade 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, 125 
 
 Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair 
 And utter dissiolution, as the scope 
 Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. 
 First, wliat revenge ? The towers of Heaven are fiU'd 
 With armed watch, that render all access 130 
 
 Impregnable : oft on the bordering deep 
 Encamp their legions ; or, with obscure wing 
 Scout far and wide into the realm of night, 
 Scorning surprise. Or could we break our way 
 By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise 135 
 
PARADISE LOST. 29 
 
 With blackest insurrection, to confound 
 Heaven's purest light ; yet our great Enemy, 
 All incorruptible, would on his tlirone 
 Sit unpolluted ; and the ethereal mould, 
 Incapable of stain, would soon expel 140 
 
 Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire, 
 Victorious. Thus repulsed, our final hope 
 Is flat despair : We must exasperate 
 The Almighty Victor to spend all his rage, 
 And that must end us ; that must be our cure, 145 
 To be no more. Sad cure ! for who would lose, 
 Though full of pain, this intellectual being. 
 Those thoughts that wander through eternity 
 To perish rather, swallow'd up and lost 
 In the wido womb of uncreated night, ISC 
 
 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, 155 
 
 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 war : we are decreed, 160 
 
 Reserved, and destined 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, pursued, and struck 165 
 With Heaven's 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 kindled those grim fires, 170 
 Awaked, should blow them into sevenfold rage, 
 And plunge us in the flames ' or, from above, 
 Should intermitted vengeance arm again 
 3* 
 
30 PARADISE LOST. b. ir 
 
 His red right hand to plague us ? What if all 
 
 Her stores were open'd, and this firmament 175 
 
 Of Hell should spout her cataracts of firo, 
 
 Impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall 
 
 One day upon our heads ; while we perhaps 
 
 Designing or exhorting glorious war, 
 
 Caught in a fiery tempest, shall be huri'd 180 
 
 Each on his rock transfix'd, the sport and prey 
 
 Of wracking whirlwinds ; or for ever sunk 
 
 Under yon boiling ocean, wrapp'd in chains ; 
 
 There to converse with everlasting groans, 
 
 Unrespited, unpitied, unreprieved, 185 
 
 Ages of hopeless end ? This would be worse. 
 
 War therefore, open or conceal'd, alike 
 
 My voice dissuades ; for what can force or giule 
 
 With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye 
 
 Views all things at one view ? He from Heaven's height 
 
 All these our motions vain sees and derides ; 191 
 
 Not more almighty to resist our might 
 
 Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. 
 
 Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav3n 
 
 Thus trampled, thus expell'd to suffer here i95 
 
 Chains and these torments ? better these than worse, 
 
 By my advice ; since fate inevitable 
 
 Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, 
 
 The Victor's will To suffer, as to do, 
 
 Our strength is equal, nor the law unjust 200 
 
 That so ordains : This was at first resolved, 
 
 If we were wise, against so great a Foe 
 
 Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 
 
 1 laugh, when those who at the spear are bold 
 
 And venturous, if that fail them, shrink and fear 205 
 
 What yet they know must follow, to endure 
 
 Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain. 
 
 The sentence of their Conqueror : This is now 
 
 Our doom ; which if we can sustain and bear, 
 
 Our Supreme Foe in time may much remit 2m 
 
 His anger ; and perhaps, thus far removed 
 
PARADISE LOST. 31 
 
 Not mind us not offending, satisfied 
 
 With what is punish'd ; whence these raging fires 
 
 Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. 
 
 Our purer essence then will overcome 215 
 
 Their noxious vapour ; or, inured, not feel ; 
 
 Or changed at length, and to the place conform'd 
 
 In temper and in nature, will receive 
 
 Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain ; 
 
 This horror will grow mild, this darkness light ; 220 
 
 Besides what hope the never ending flight 
 
 Of future days may bring, what chance, what change 
 
 Worth waiting ; since our present lot appears 
 
 For happy though but ill, for ill not worst. 
 
 If we procure not to ourselves more woe. 225 
 
 Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb, 
 Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, 
 Not peace : And after him thus Mammon spake 
 
 Either to disenthrone the King of Heaven 
 We war, if war be best, or to regain 230 
 
 Our own right lost : Him to unthrone we then 
 May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yield 
 To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife : 
 The former, vain to hope, argues as vain 
 The latter : For what place can be for us 235 
 
 Within Heaven's bound, unless Heaven's Lord supreme 
 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 240 
 
 Strict laws imposed, to celebrate his throne 
 With warbled hymns and to his Godhead sing 
 Forced Hallelujahs : while he lordly sits 
 Our envied Sov'reign, and his altar breathes 
 Ambrosial odours and ambrosial flowers, 245 
 
 Our servile offerings ? This must be our task 
 Cn Heaven, this our deli^rht ; how wearisome 
 Eternity so spent, in worship paid 
 To whom we h^-te ! Let us not then presume 
 
32 PARADISE LOST. b. u 
 
 By force impossible, by leave obtain'd 250 
 
 Unaccbptable, though in Heaven, our state 
 
 Oi spkiidid vassalage ; but rather seek 
 
 Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 
 
 Live to ourselves, though in this vast recess, 
 
 Free, and to none accountable, preferring 255 
 
 Haia liberty before the easy 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 5 and in what place soe'er 2G0 
 
 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 Heaven's all-ruling Sire 
 
 Choose to reside, his glory unobscured, 2G5 
 
 And with the majesty of darkness round 
 
 Covers his throne ; from whence deep thunders roar 
 
 Mustering their rage, and Heaven resembles Hell '' 
 
 As he our darkness, cannot we his light 
 
 Imitate when we please ? This desert soil 270 
 
 Wants not her hidden lustre, gems and gold ; 
 
 Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise 
 
 Magnificence ; and what can Heaven show more ? 
 
 Our torments also may in length of time 
 
 Become our elements ; these piercing fires 275 
 
 As soft as now severe, our temper changed 
 
 Into their temper ; which must needs remove 
 
 The sensible of pain. All things invite 
 
 To peaceful counsels, and the settled state 
 
 Of order, how in safety best we may 280 
 
 Compose our present evils, with regard 
 
 Of what we are, and where ; dismissing quite 
 
 All thoughts of war : Ye have what I advise. 
 
 He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd 
 The assembly as when hollow rocks retain 285 
 
 The sound of blustering winds, which all night long 
 Had roused the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull 
 
PARADISE LOST. 33 
 
 Seafaring men o'erwatch'd, whose bark by chanco, 
 
 Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay 
 
 After the tempest : Such applause was heard 290 
 
 As Mammon ended, and his sentence pleased, 
 
 Advising peace : for such another field 
 
 They dreaded worse than Hell : so much the fear 
 
 Of thunder and the sword of Michaol 
 
 Wrought still within them ; and no less desire 295 
 
 To found this nether empire, which might rise 
 
 By policy, and long process of time, 
 
 In emulation opposite to Heaven. 
 
 Which when Beelzebub perceived, than w^hom 
 
 Satan except none higher sat, with gvave 300 
 
 Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 
 
 A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven 
 
 Deliberation sat, and public care ; 
 
 And princely counsel in his face yet shone, 
 
 Majestic though in ruin : sage he stood 305 
 
 With Atlantean shoulders fit to bare 
 
 The weight of mightiest monarchies ; his look 
 
 Drew audience and attention still as night 
 
 Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake. 
 
 Thrones and Imperial Powers, OiTspring of Heaven, 
 Ethereal Virtues ! or these titles now 311 
 
 Must we renounce, and, changing style, 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, 315 
 And know not that the King of Heaven hath doora'd 
 This place our dungeon ; not our safe retreat 
 Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt 
 From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new league 
 Banded against his throne, but to remain 320 
 
 In strictest bondage, though thus far removed 
 Under the inevitable curb, reserved 
 His captive multitude : For he, be sure 
 In height or depth, still first and last will reign 
 Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part 325 
 
34 PARADISE LOST. b. ii. 
 
 By our revolt ; but over Hell extend 
 
 His empire, and with iron sceptre rule 
 
 Us here, as w^ith his golden those in Heaven. 
 
 What sit we then projecting peace and war ? 
 
 War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 330 
 
 Irreparable ; terms of peace yet none 
 
 Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given 
 
 lo us enslaved, but custody severe, 
 
 And stripes, and arbitrary punishment 
 
 Inflicted ? and what peace can we return, 335 
 
 But to our power hostility and hate. 
 
 Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow 
 
 Yet ever plotting how the conqueror least 
 
 May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 
 
 In doing what w^e most in suffering feel ? 340 
 
 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need 
 
 With dangerous expedition to invade 
 
 Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault nor siege, 
 
 Or ambush from the deep. What if we find 
 
 Some easier enterprise .? There is a place 345 
 
 (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven 
 
 Err not,) another world, the happy seat 
 
 Of some new race call'd Man, about tliis time 
 
 To be created like to us, though less 
 
 In power and excellence, but favour'd more 350 
 
 Of Him who rules above ; so was his will 
 
 Pronounced among the Gods, and by an oath. 
 
 That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd. 
 
 Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn 
 
 What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 35.5 
 
 Or substance, how endued, and what their power, 
 
 And where their weakness, how attempted best, 
 
 By force or subtlety. Though Heaven be shut, 
 
 And Heaven's high Arbitrator sit secure 
 
 In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360 
 
 The utmost border of his kingdom, left 
 
 To their defence wlio hold it : Here perhaps 
 
 Some advantageous act may be acliieved 
 
PARADISE LOST. 35 
 
 By sudden onset ; either with Hell fire 
 To waste his whole creation, or possess 305 
 
 All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, 
 The puny 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 370 
 
 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 original, and faded bliss, 375 
 
 Faded so soon. Advise, if this be worth 
 Attempting, or to sit in darkness here 
 Hatching vain empires. Thus Beelzebub 
 Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devised 
 By Satan, and in part proposed : For whence, 380 
 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 Creator ? But their spite still serves 385 
 His glory to augment. The bold design 
 Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy 
 Sparkled in all their eyes ; with full assent 
 They vote : whereat his speech he thus renews . 
 
 Well have ye judged, well ended long debate, 390 
 Synod of Gods ! and, like to what ye are, 
 Great things resolved, which, from the lowest deep. 
 Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate. 
 Nearer our ancient seat ; perhaps in view [arms 
 
 Of those bright confines, whence, with neighbouring 
 And opportune excursion, we may chance 396 
 
 Reenter Heaven ; or else in some mild zone 
 Dwell, not unvisited of Heaven's fair light, 
 Secure ; and at the brightening orient beam 
 Purge off this gloom : the soft delicious air, 400 
 
 To heal the scar of these corrosive fires, 
 
30 PARADISE LOST. b. ii. 
 
 Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send 
 In search of this new world ? whom shall we find 
 Sufficient ? who shall tempt with wandering feet 
 The dark unbottora'd infinite abyss, 405 
 
 And through the palpable obscure find out 
 Jhs uncouth way, or spreo.d his aery flight 
 Upborne with indefatigable wings 
 Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 
 The happy isle ? What strength, what art can then 
 Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411 
 
 Through the strict senteries and stations thick 
 nf Angels watching round ? Here he had need 
 All circumspection ; and we now no less 
 Choice in our suffrage ; for on whom we send, 415 
 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies. 
 
 This said he sat ; and expectation held 
 His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd 
 To second, or oppose, or undertake 
 The perilous attempt : but all sat mute, 420 
 
 Pondering the danger with deep thought ; and each 
 In other's countenance read his own dismay, 
 Astonish'd : None among the choice and prime 
 Of those heaven-warring champions could be found 
 So hardy as to proffer or accept, 425 
 
 Alone, the dreadful voyage ; till at last 
 Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised 
 Above his fellows, with monarchal pride, 
 Conscious of Jiighest worth, unmoved thus spake . 
 
 O Progeny of Heaven, empyreal Thrones 1 430 
 
 With reason hath deep silence and demur 
 Seized us, though undismay'd : Long is the ways 
 And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light j 
 Our prison strong ; this huge convex of fire, 
 Outrageous to devour, immures us round 435 
 
 Ninefold ; and gates of burning adamant, 
 Barr'd o^'^er us, prohibit all egress. 
 These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound 
 Of unessential Nijrht receives him next 
 
PARADISE LOST. 37 
 
 Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 440 
 
 Threatens liim, plunged in that abortive gulf. 
 If thence ne scape into wliatever world, 
 Or unknown region, what remains him less 
 Than unknown dangers and as hard escape ? 
 But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, 445 
 
 And this imperial sov'reignty, adorn'd 
 With splendour, arm'd with power, if aught proposed 
 And judged of public moment, in the shape 
 Of difficulty or danger could deter 
 Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 450 
 These royalties, and not refuse to reign, 
 Refusing to accept as great a share 
 Of hazard as of hont)ur, due alike 
 To him who reigns, and so much to him due 
 Of hazard more, as he above the rest 455 
 
 High honour'd sits ? Go, therefore, mighty Powers, 
 Terror of Heaven, though fallen ! intend at home, 
 While here shall be our home, what best may ease 
 The present misery, and render Hell 
 More tolerable ; if there be cure or charm 4G0 
 
 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 enterprise 4G5 
 
 None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose 
 The Monarch, and prevented all reply ; 
 Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised, 
 Others among the chief might offer now 
 (Certain to be refused) what erst they fear'd ; 470 
 And, so refused, might in opinion stand 
 His rivals ; winning cheap the high repute 
 Which he through hazard huge must earn. But thoy 
 Dreaded not more the adventure than his voice 
 Forbidding ; and at once with him thej'^ rose : 475 
 
 Their rising all at once was as the sound 
 Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend 
 4 
 
38 PARADISE LOST. b. n. 
 
 With awful reverence prone ; and as a God 
 
 Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven : 
 
 Nor fail'd they to express how much they praised 480 
 
 That for ths general safety he despised 
 
 His own : For neither do the Spirits damn'd 
 
 Lose all their virtue ; lest bad men should boast 
 
 Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites. 
 
 Or close ambition, varuish'd o'er with zeal. 485 
 
 Thus they their doubtful consultations dark 
 
 Ended, rejoicing in their matchless Chief: 
 
 As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds 
 
 Ascending, while the north wind sleeps, o'erspread* 
 
 Heaven's cheerful face, tlie lowering element 490 
 
 Scowls o'er the darken'd landscape snow or shower; 
 
 If chance the radiant sun with farewell sweet 
 
 Extend his evening beam, the fields revive, 
 
 The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds 
 
 Attest their joy. that hill and valley ring. 495 
 
 O shame to men ! Devil with Devil damn'd 
 
 Firm concord holds ; men only disagree 
 
 Of creatures rational, though under hope 
 
 Of heavenly grace : and, God proclaiming peace, 
 
 Yet live in hatred, enmity,, and strife 500 
 
 Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, 
 
 Wasting the earth, each other to destroy : 
 
 As if (which m.ight induce us to accord) 
 
 .Man had not hellish foes enow besides, 
 
 That, day and night, for his destruction wait. 505 
 
 The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth 
 In order came the grand infernal Peers : 
 Midst came their might}^ Paramount, and seem'd 
 Alone the Antagonist of Heaven, nor less 
 Than HeU'o dread Emperor, with pomp supreme 510 
 And Godlike imitated state : him round 
 A globe of fiery Seraphim enclosed 
 With bright emblazonry and horrent arms. 
 Then of their session ended they bid cry 
 With trumpets' regal sound the great result : 615 
 
PARADISE LOST. 89 
 
 Toward tJie four winds four speedy Cherubim 
 
 Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy, 
 
 By herald's voice explain'd ; the hollow abyss 
 
 Heard far and wide, and all the host of Hell 
 
 With deafening shout return'd them loud acclaim. 520 
 
 Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat raised 
 
 By false presumptuovis hope, the ranged Powers 
 
 Disband ; and, wandering, each his several way 
 
 Pursues, as inclination or sad choice 
 
 Leads him perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 525 
 
 Trtice 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 the Olympian games or Pythian fields ; 530 
 
 Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal 
 
 With rapid wheels, or fronted brigades form. 
 
 As when, to warn proud cities, war appears 
 
 Waged in the troubled sky, and armies rush 
 
 To battle in the clouds, before each van 535 
 
 Prick forth the aery knights, and couch their spears 
 
 Till thickest legions close ; with feats of arms 
 
 From either end of Heaven the welkin burns. 
 
 Others, with vast Typhocan rage more fell. 
 
 Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air 540 
 
 In whirlwind ; Hell scarce holds the Avild uproar. 
 
 As when Alcides, from OEchalia crown'd 
 
 With conquest, felt the envenom'd robe, and tore 
 
 Through pain up by the roots Thessalian pines ; 
 
 And Liclias from the top of CEta threw 545 
 
 Into the Euboic sea. Others more mild, 
 
 Retreated in a silent valley, sing 
 
 With notes angelical to many a harp 
 
 Their own heroic deeds and hapless fall 
 
 By doom of battle ; and complain that fate 550 
 
 Free virtue should enthral to force or chance. 
 
 Their song was partial ; but the harmony 
 
 (What could it less when spirits immortal sing ?) 
 
40 PARADISE LOST. b. il 
 
 Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment 
 
 The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet 
 
 (For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense,) 556 
 
 Others apart sat on a hill retired, 
 
 In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high 
 
 Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate ; 
 
 Fix'd fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute ; 560 
 
 And found no end, in wandering mazes lost. 
 
 Of good and evil much they argued then. 
 
 Of happiness and final miser}?', 
 
 Passion and apathy, and glory and shame j 
 
 Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy ! 565 
 
 Yet, with a pleasing sorcerj'^, could charm 
 
 Pain for a while or anguish, and exite 
 
 Fallacious hope, or arm the obdured breast 
 
 With stubborn patience, as with triple steel. 
 
 Another part, in squadrons and gross bands, 570 
 
 On bold adventure to discover wide 
 
 That dismal world, if any clime perhaps 
 
 Might yield them easier habitation, bend 
 
 Four ways their flying march, along the banks 
 
 Of four infernal rivers that disgorge 575 
 
 Into the burning lake their baleful streams ; 
 
 Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate; 
 
 Sad Acheron, of sorrow, black and deep ; 
 
 Cocytus, named of lamentation loud 
 
 Heard on the rueful stream ; fierce Phlegethon, 580 
 
 Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. 
 
 Far oft from these, a slow and silent stream, 
 
 I^ethe, the river of oblivion, rolls 
 
 Her Avatery labyrinth, whereof who drinks 
 
 Forthwith his former state and being forgets, 585 
 
 Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. 
 
 Beyond this flood a frozen continent 
 
 Lies dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms 
 
 Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land 
 
 Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 590 
 
 Of ancient pile ; or else deep snow and ice, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 41 
 
 A o-ulf profound, as that Serbonian hog 
 Betwixt Damiata and mount Casius old, 
 Where aiinies whole have siink : The parching air 
 Burns frore, and cold performs the effect of fire. 595 
 Thither by harpy-footed furies haled. 
 At certain revolutions, all the damn'd 
 Are brought ; and feel by turns the bitter change 
 Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce, 
 From beds of raging fire, to starve in ice 600 
 
 Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine 
 Immovable, infix'd, and frozen round, 
 Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire. 
 They ferry over this Lethean sound 
 Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment, 605 
 
 And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 
 The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose 
 In sweet forget fulness all pain and woe, 
 AIl in one moment, and so near the brink , 
 But fate withstands, and to oppose the attempt CIO 
 Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards 
 The ford, and of itself the water flies 
 All taste of living wight, as once it fled 
 The lip of Tantalus. Thus roving on 
 In confused march forlorn, the adventurous bands, 615 
 With shuddering horror pale, and eyes aghast, 
 Vievi/^'d first their lamentable lot, and found 
 No rest : through many a dark and dreary vale 
 They pass'd, and many a region dolorous, 
 O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp, 62(1 
 
 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, 625 
 Abominable, inutterable, and worse 
 Than fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceived, 
 Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeras dire. 
 Meanwhile the adversary of God and Man 
 
42 PARADISE LUST. b. ii 
 
 Satan, with IhouglitvS inflamed of highest design, 630 
 
 Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of Hell 
 
 Explores his solitary flight : sometimes 
 
 He scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left ; 
 
 Now shaves with level wing the deep, then soars 
 
 Up to the fiery concave towering high. C35 
 
 As when far off" at sea a fleet descried 
 
 Hangs on the clouds, by equinoctial winds 
 
 Close sailing from Bengala, or the isles 
 
 Of Tcrnate and Tidore, whence merchants bring 
 
 Their spicy drugs ; they, on the trading flood, C40 
 
 Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape, 
 
 Ply stemming nightly toward the pole : so seem'd 
 
 Far off the flying Fiend. At last appear 
 
 Hell bounds, high reaching to the horrid roof, 
 
 And thrice threefold the gates- three folds were brass, 
 
 Three iron, three of adamantine rock GIG 
 
 Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire, 
 
 Yet unconsumed. Before the gates there sat, 
 
 On either side a formidable shape : 
 
 The one seem'd woman to the Avaist, and fair j C50 
 
 But ended foul in many a scaly fold 
 
 Voluminous and vast ; a serpent arm'd 
 
 With mortal sting : About her middle round 
 
 A cry of Hellhounds never censing bark'd 
 
 With wide Cerberian mouths full loud, and rung 655 
 
 A hideous peal ; yet, when they list, would creep, 
 
 If aught disturb'd their noise, into her womb, 
 
 And kennel there ; yet there still bark'd and howl'd, 
 
 Within, unseen. Far less abhorr'd than these 
 
 Vex'd Scylla, bathing in the sea that parts GGO 
 
 Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore ; 
 
 Nor uglier follow the night hag, when, call'd 
 
 In secret, riding through the air she comes, 
 
 Lured with the smell of infant blood, to dance 
 
 With Lapland witches, while the labouring moon 605 
 
 Eclipses ?t their charms. The other shape, 
 
 If shape it might be call'd that shapo had none 
 
PARADISE LOST 43 
 
 Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb ; 
 Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd. 
 For each seem'd either ; black it stood as Night, 670 
 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, 
 Satan was now at hand, and from his seat 
 The monster moving onward came as fast C75 
 
 With horrid strides ; Hell trembled as he strode. 
 The undaunted Fiend what this might be admired ; 
 Admired, not fear'd ; God and his Son except, 
 Created thing nought valued he, nor shunn'd ; 
 And with disdainful look thus first began : (i80 
 
 Whence and what art thou, execrable shape ! 
 That darest, though grim and terrible, advance 
 Thy miscreated front athwart my way. 
 To yonder gates ? through them I mean to pass, 
 That be assured, without leave ask'd of thee : 685 
 
 Retire or taste thy folly ; and learn by proof, 
 Hell-born ! not to contend with Spirits of heaven. 
 
 To whom the Goblin full of wrath replied : 
 Art thou that Traitor-Angel, art thou Pie 
 Who first broke peace in Heaven, and faith, till then 
 Unbroken ; and in proud rebellious arms 691 
 
 Drew after him the third part of Heaven's sons 
 Conjured against the Highest ; for which both thou 
 And they, outcast from God, are here condemn'd 
 To waste eternal days in woe and pain ? 695 
 
 And reckon'st thou thyself with Spirits of Heaven, 
 Hell-doom'd ! and breathest defiance here and scorn, 
 Where I reign ki.ig ; and, to enrage thee more, 
 Thy king and lord ? Back to thy punishment, 
 False fugitive ! and to thy speed add wings ; 700 
 
 Lest with a whip of scorpions I pursue 
 Thy lingering ; or with one stroke of this dart 
 Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before. 
 
 So spake the grisly Terror, and in shape. 
 So speaking and so threatening, grew tenfold 706 
 
44 PARADISE LOST b. ii. 
 
 More dreadful and deform. On tlie other side, 
 
 Incensed with indignation, Satan stood 
 
 Unterrified ; and like a comet burn'd,- 
 
 That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge 
 
 In the arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 710 
 
 Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head 
 
 Level'd his deadly aim ; their fatal hands 
 
 No second stroke intend ; and such a frown 
 
 Each cast at th' otiier, as when two black clouds, 
 
 With Heaven's artillery fraught, come rattling on 715 
 
 Over the Caspian ; then stand front to front. 
 
 Hovering a space, till winds the signal blow 
 
 To join their dark encounter in mid air : 
 
 So frown'd the mighty combatants that Hell 
 
 Grew darker at their frown : so match'd they stood ; 
 
 For never but once more was either like 721 
 
 To meet so great a foe : And now great deeds 
 
 Had been achieved, whereof all Hell had rung. 
 
 Had not the snaky Sorceress that sat 
 
 Fast by Hell-gate, and kept the fatal key, 725 
 
 Risen, and with hideous outcry rush'd between. 
 
 O Father ! what intends thy liand, she cried, 
 Against thy only Son .'' What fury, O Son ! 
 Possesses thee to bend that mortal dart 
 Against thy father's liead .'' and know'st for whom , 
 For him who sits above, and laughs the while 731 
 
 At thee ordain'd his drudge ; to execute 
 Whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids ? 
 His wrath, which one day will destroy ye both ! 
 
 Sae spake, and at her words the hellish Pest 735 
 Forbore ; then these to her Satan return'd : 
 
 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 740 
 
 W^hat thing thou art, thus double-form'd ; and why, 
 In this infernal vale first met, thou call'st 
 Mc Father, and that phantasm call'et my Son •• 
 
PARADISE LOST. 45 
 
 I know thee not, nor ever saw till now 
 
 Sight more detestable than him and thee. 745 
 
 To whom thus the Portress of Hell-gate replied 
 Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem 
 Now in thine eye so foul ? once deem'd so fair 
 In Heaven, when at the assembly, and in sight 
 Of all the Seraphim with thee combined 750 
 
 In bold conspiracy against Heaven's King, 
 All on a sudden miserable pain 
 Surprised thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzy swam 
 In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast 
 Threw forth ; till, on the left side opening wide, 755 
 Likest to thee in shape and countenance bright 
 Then shining heavenly fair, a goddess arm'd, 
 Out of thy head I sprang ; Amazement seized 
 All the host of Heaven ; back they recoil'd afraid 
 At first, and call'd me Sin, and for a sign 7C0 
 
 Portentous held me ; but, familiar grown, 
 I pleased, and with attractive graces won 
 The most averse, thee cliiclly, who full oft 
 Thyself in me thy perfect image viewing 
 Becamest enamoured ; and such joy thou took'st 765 
 With me in secret that my womb conceived 
 A growing burden. Meanwhile war arose, 
 And fields were fought in Heaven ; Wherein remain'd 
 (For what could else ?) to our Almighty Foe 
 Clear victory ; to our part loss and rout, 770 
 
 Through all the empyrean ; down they fell 
 Driven 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 given, with charge to keep 77«# 
 These gates for ever shut, which none can pass 
 Without my opening. 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. 780 
 
 At last this odious offspring whom thou seest, 
 
4G PARADISE LOST. b ii. 
 
 Thine own begotten, breaking violent way 
 
 Tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain 
 
 Distorted, all iny nether shape thus grew 
 
 Transform 'd : But he my inbred enemy 785 
 
 Forth issued, brandishing his fatal dart 
 
 Made to destroy ! I fled, and cried out Death ! 
 
 Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sigh'd 
 
 From all her caves, and back resounded Death ! 
 
 I fled } but he pursued (though more, it seems, 790 
 
 Inflamed with lust than rage,) and, swifter far, 
 
 Me overtook, his mother, all dismay'd ; 
 
 And, in embraces forcible and foul 
 
 Ingendering with me, of that rape begot 
 
 These yelling monsters that with ceaseless cry 795 
 
 Surround me, as thou saw'st : hourly conceived 
 
 And hourly born, with sorrow infinite 
 
 To me ; for, when they list, into the womb 
 
 That bred them they return, and howl and gnaw 
 
 My bowels, their repast ; then bursting forth 800 
 
 Afresh wit's conscious terrors vex me round, 
 
 That rest or intermission none I find. 
 
 Before mine eyes in opposition sits 
 
 Grim Death, my son and foe ; who sets them on. 
 
 And me his parent would full soon devour 805 
 
 For want of other prey, but that he knows 
 
 His end with mine involved ; and knows that I 
 
 Should prove a bitter morsel, and his bane, 
 
 Whenever that shall be ; so Fate pronounced. 
 
 But thou, O Father ! I forewarn thee, shun 810 
 
 His deadly arrow ; neither vainly hope 
 
 To be invulnerable in those bright arms. 
 
 Though temper 'd heavenly ; for that mortal dint, 
 
 Save he who reigns above, none can resist. 
 
 She finish'd ; and the subtle Fiend his lore 815 
 
 Soon learn'd, now milder, and thus answer'd smooth 
 Dear Daughter ! since thou claim'st me for thy sire 
 And my fair son here show'st me, (the dear pledge 
 Of dalliance had with thee in Heaven, and joys 
 
PARADISE LOST 47 
 
 Then sv/eet, now sad to mention, through dire change 
 Befallen us, unforeseen, unthought of) know, 821 
 I come no enemy, but to set free 
 From out this dark and dismal house of pain 
 Both him and thee, and ail the heavenly host 
 Of Spirits, that, in our just pretences arm'd, 825 
 
 Fell with us from on high : From them I go 
 This uncouth errand sole ; and one for all 
 Myself expose, with lonely steps to tread 
 The unfounded deep, and through the void immense 
 To search with wandering quest a place foretold 830 
 Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now 
 Created vast and round, a place of bliss 
 In the purlieas of Heaven, and therein placed 
 A race of upstart creatures, to supply 
 Perhaps our vacant room ; though more removed, 835 
 Lest Heaven, surcharged v/ith potent multitude, 
 Might hap to move new broils. Be this or aught 
 Than 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 840 
 Shall dwell at ease, and up and do\\m unseen 
 Wing silently the buxom air, embalm'd 
 With odours ; there ye shall be fed and fiU'd 
 Immeasurably, all things sliall be your prey. 
 
 He ceased, for bothseem'd highly pleased ; and Death 
 Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear 846 
 
 His famine should be fill'd ; and bless'd his maw 
 Destined to that good hour : No less rejoiced 
 His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire • 
 
 The key of this infernal pit by due, 850 
 
 And by command of Heaven's 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'ermatch d by living might 855 
 
 But what owe I to his commands above 
 Who hates me, and hath hither tlirust me down 
 
48 PARADISE LOST. b. ii 
 
 Into this gloom of Tartarus profound, 
 
 To sit in hateful office here confined, 
 
 Inhabitant of Heaven, and heavenly born, 8G0 
 
 Here in perpetual agony and pain. 
 
 With terrors and with clamours compass'd round 
 
 Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed? 
 
 Thou art my father, thou my author, thou 
 
 My being gavest me ; whom should I obey 865 
 
 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. 870 
 
 Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, 
 
 Sad instrument of all our woe, she took ; 
 
 And, toward the gate roiling her bestial train, 
 
 Forthwith the huge portcullis high updrew, 
 
 Which but herself, not all the Stygian Power's 875 
 
 Could once have moved ; then in the keyhole turns 
 
 The intricate wards, and every bolt and bar 
 
 Of massy iron or solid rock v/ith ease 
 
 Unfastens : On a sudden open fly 
 
 With impetuous recoil and jaring sound 880 
 
 The infernal doors, and on their hinges grate 
 
 Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook 
 
 Of Erebus. She open'd, but to shut 
 
 Excell'd her power ; the gates wide open stood, 
 
 That with extended wings a banner'd host, 885 
 
 Under spread ensigns, marching, might pass through 
 
 With horse and chariots rank'd in loose array • 
 
 So wide they stood, and like a furnace mouth 
 
 Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame. 
 
 Before their eyes in sudden view appear 890 
 
 The secrets of the hoary deep ; a dark 
 
 Illimitable ocean, without bound. 
 
 Without dimension ; where length, breadth, andheight, 
 
 And time, and place are lost ; where eldest Night 
 
 And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold 895 
 
PARADISE LOST 4& 
 
 Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise 
 Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. 
 For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, 
 Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring 
 Their embryon atoms ; they around the flag 90& 
 
 Of each his faction, in their several clans, 
 Light arm'd or heavy, sliarp, smooth, swift, or slow, 
 Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the sands 
 Of Barca or Gyrene's torrid soil, 
 
 Levied to side with warring winds, and poise 905 
 
 Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere. 
 He rules a moment : Chaos umpire sits. 
 And by decision more embroils the fray. 
 By which he reigns : Next him, high arbiter, 
 Chance governs all. Into this wild abyss, 910 
 
 The womb of Nature and perhaps her grave, 
 Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, 
 But all these in their pregnant causes mix'd 
 Confusedly, and which thus must ever fight, ^ 
 
 Unless the Almighty Maker them ordain 915- 
 
 His dark materials to create more worlds ; 
 Into this wild ab3^ss the wary Fiend 
 Stood on the brinlc of Hell, and look'd awhile, 
 Pondering his voyage ; for no narrow frith 
 He had to cross. Nor was his ear less peal'd 920 
 
 With noises loud and ruinous (to compare 
 Great things with small) than when Bellona storms, 
 With all her battering engines bent to rase 
 Some capital city ; or less than if this frame 
 Of Heaven were falling, and these elements 925 
 
 In mutiny had from her axle torn 
 The steadfast earth. At last his sail-broad vans 
 He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoke 
 Uplifted spurns the ground ; thence many a league, 
 As in a cloudy chair, ascending rides 930 
 
 Audacious ; but, that seat soon failing, meets 
 A vast vacuity : all unawares 
 Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb down he drop8 
 
50 PARADISE LOST. b. ii. 
 
 Ten thousand fathom deep } and to this hour 
 
 Down had been falling, had not by ill chance 935 
 
 The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud, 
 
 Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him 
 
 As many miles aloft : that fury staid, 
 
 Quench'd in a boggy Syrtis, neither sea. 
 
 Nor good dry land : nigh founder'd on he fares, 940 
 
 Treading the crude consistence, half on foot. 
 
 Half flying ; behoves him now both oar and sail 
 
 As when a gryphon, through the wilderness 
 
 With winged course, o'er hill or moory dale 
 
 Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth 945 
 
 Had from his wakeful custody purloin'd 
 
 The guarded gold : So eagerly the Fiend 
 
 O'er 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 flies. 950 
 
 At length a universal hubbub wild 
 
 Of stunning sounds and voices all confused, 
 
 Borne through the hollow dark, assaults his ear 
 
 With loudest vehemence : thither he plies. 
 
 Undaunted to meet there whatever Power 955 
 
 Or Spirit of the nethermost abyss 
 
 Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask 
 
 Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies 
 
 Bordering on light ; when straight behold the throne 
 
 Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 960 
 
 Wide on the wasteful deep ; with him enthroned 
 
 Sat sable-vested Night, eldest of things. 
 
 The consort of his reign ; and by them stood 
 
 Orcus and Hades, and the dreaded name 
 
 Of Demogorgon ; Rumour next and Chance, 965 
 
 And Tumult and Confusion all embroil'd. 
 
 And Discord with a thousand various mouths. 
 
 To v/hom Satan turning boldly, thus : Ye Powers 
 And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, 
 Chaos and ancient Night ! 1 come no spy, 970 
 
 With purpose to explore or to disturb 
 
PARADISE LOST. 51 
 
 The secrets of your realm : but, by constraint 
 Wandering this darksome desert, as my way 
 Lies through your spacious empire up to light, 
 Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek 975 
 
 What readiest path leads wnere your gloomy bounds 
 Confine with Heaven ; or if some other place, 
 From your dominion won, the ethereal King 
 Possesses lately, thither to arrive 
 1 travel this profound ; direct my course ; 980 
 
 Directed, no mean recompense 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 985 
 Erect the standard there of ancient Night ; 
 Yours be the advantage all, mine the revenge ! 
 Thus Satan ; and him thus the Anarch old, 
 With faltering speech and visage incomposed, 
 Answer'd: I know thee, stranger, who thou art, 990 
 That mighty leading Angel, v/ho of late 
 Made head against Heaven's 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, 995 
 
 Confusion worse confounded ; and Heaven gates 
 Pour'd out by millions her victorious bands 
 Pursuing. I upon my frontiers here 
 Keep residence ; if all I can will serve 
 That little which is left so to defend, 1000 
 
 Encroach'd on still through your intestine broils 
 Weakening the sceptre of old Night: first Hell, 
 Your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath ; 
 Now lately Heaven, and Earth, another world, 
 Hung o'er my realm, link'd in a golden chain 1005 
 To that side Heaven from whence your legions fell 
 If that way be your walk, you have not far ; 
 So much the nearer danger ; go, and speed J 
 Havoc, and spoil, and ruin are my gain. 
 
52 ^ PARADISE LOST. b. ii. 
 
 He ceased ; and Satan staid not to reply ; 1010 
 
 But, glad that now his sea should find a shore, 
 With fresh alacrity, and force renew'd, 
 Springs upwaKd, like a pyramid of fire, 
 Into the wide expanse ; and, through the shock 
 Of fighting elements, on all sides round 1015 
 
 Environ'd, wins his way ; harder beset 
 And more endanger'd than when Argo pass'd 
 Through Bosporus, betwixt the justling rocks : 
 Or when Ulysses on the larboard shunn'd 
 Charybdis, and by the other whirlpool steer'd. 1020 
 So he with difficulty and labour hard 
 Moved on : with difficulty and labour he : 
 But, he once pass'd, soon after, when man feH, 
 Strange alteration ! Sin and Death amain 
 Following his track, such was the will of Heaven, 
 Paved after him a broad and beaten way 1026 
 
 Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf 
 Tamely endured a bridge of wondrous length, 
 From Hell continued, reaching the utmost orb 
 Of this frail world ; by which the Spirits perverse 
 With easy intercourse pass to and fio 1031 
 
 To tempt or punish mortals, except whom 
 Crod and good Angels guard by special grace. 
 But now at last the sacred influence 
 Of light appears, and Irom the walls of Heaven 1035 
 Shoots far into the bosom of dim night 
 A glimmering dawn ; Here Nature first begins 
 Her furthest verge, and Chaos to retire 
 As from her outmost works a broken foe 
 With tumult less, and with less hostile din ; 1040 
 
 That Satan with less toil, and now with ease, 
 Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light ; 
 And, like a weather-beaten vessel, holds 
 •Gladly the port, though shrouds and tackle torn ; 
 Or in the emptier waste, resembling air, 1045 
 
 Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold 
 ^ar ofFtlie empyreal Heaven, extended wid© 
 
PARADISE LOST. V 53 
 
 In circuit, undetermined square or round, 
 With opal towers and battlements adorn'd 
 Of living sapphire, once his native seat; 1050 
 
 And fast by, hanging; in a golden chain, 
 This pendent world, in bigness as a star 
 Of smallest magnitude close by the moon. 
 Thither, full fraught with mischievous revenge, 
 Accursed, and in a cursed hour, he hies. 1055 
 
 5 * 
 
PARADISE T;0ST 
 BOOK III. 
 
 Eod, Bitting on his throne, sees Satan flying towards this world, 
 then newly created; shows him to the Son, who sat at hrs right 
 hand ; foretols the success of Satan in perverting mankind ; clears 
 his own justice and wisdom from all imputation, having creat- 
 ed Man free, and able enough to have withstood his tempter; 
 yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell 
 not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. Tho 
 Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation 
 of his gracious purpose towards Man: But God again declares, 
 that grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfac- 
 tion of divine justice : Man hath oflended the majesty of God by as- 
 piring to Godhead, and, therefore, with a:ll his progeny, devoted 
 to death, must die, unless some one can bo found sufficient to 
 answer for his oftence, and undergo his punisluuent. The Son 
 of God freely offers himself a ransom for Man: The Father ac- 
 cepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation 
 above all names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the An- 
 gels to adore him ; Tlioy obey, and hymning to their harps in full 
 choir, celebrate the Father and the Son. Meanwhile Satan 
 alights upon the bare convex of this world's outermost orb ; 
 where wandering he first finds a place, since called tho Limbo of 
 Vanity: What persons and things fiy tip thither; Thence comes 
 to the gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the wa- 
 ters above the firmament that flow about it: His passage thence 
 to the orb of the sun ; he finds there Uriel, the regent of that orb> 
 but first changes himself into tJie shape of a meaner Angel; and, 
 pretending a zealous desire to behold the new creation, and Man 
 •I'hom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habi> 
 tation, and is directed : Alights first on mount Niphates. 
 
 Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heaven first-born, 
 
 Or of the Eternal coeternal beam, 
 
 May I express thee unblamed ? since God is ligUl, 
 
 And never but in unapproachcd light 
 
 Dwelt from eternity ; dwelt then in thee, b 
 
 Bright effluence of bright essence increate ! 
 
 Or hear'st thou rather, pxive 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 10 
 
 The rising world of waters dark and deep 
 
 Won from tho void and forojiess infimto. 
 
PARADISE LOST 55 
 
 Thee 1 revisit now with bolder wing, 
 Escaped the Stygian pool, though long detain'd 
 In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight lb 
 
 Through utter and through middle darkness borne, 
 With other notes than to the Orphean lyre, 
 I sung of Chaos and eternal Night ; 
 Taught by the heavenly Mut^e to venture down 
 The dark descent, and up to reascend, 20 
 
 Though hard and rare : thee I revisit safe, 
 And feel thy sovereign vital lamp ; but thou 
 Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain 
 To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn ; 
 So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, 23 
 Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more 
 Cease 1 to wander where the Muses haunt 
 Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny liill, 
 Smit with the love of sacred song ; but chief 
 Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 3f> 
 
 That wash'd thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow. 
 Nightly I visit : nor sometimes forget 
 Those other two equal'd with me m fate, 
 So were I equal'd with them in renown ! 
 Bhnd Thamyris, and blind Mseonides ; 35 
 
 And Tiresias, and Phineus, prophets old : 
 Then feed on thoughts, tliat volunta;ry move 
 Harmonious numbers ; as the wakeful bird 
 Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid 
 Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year 40' 
 Seasons return : but not to me returns 
 Day, or tlie sweet approach of even or morn. 
 Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 
 Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine ; 
 But cloud instead, and everduring dark 45 
 
 Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men 
 Cut off, and for the book of luiowledge fair 
 Presented with a xmiversal blank 
 Of natures works, to me expunged and rased, 
 And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 50 
 
56 PARADISE LOST. b. hi. 
 
 So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 
 
 Shine inward, and the niind 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. 55 
 
 Now had the Almighty Father from above, 
 From the pure empyrean where he sits 
 High throned above all height, bent down liis eye 
 His own works and their works at once to view : 
 About him all the Sanctities of Heaven 60 
 
 Stood thick as stars, and from his sight received 
 Beatitude past utterance : on his right 
 The radiant image of his glory sat, 
 His only Son ; on earth he first beheld 
 Our two first parents, yet the only two 65 
 
 Of mankind in the happy garden placed. 
 Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, 
 Uninterrupted joy, unrival'd love. 
 In blissful solitude ; he then survey'd 
 Plell and the gulf between, and Satan there 70 
 
 Coasting the wall of Heaven 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 soemd 
 Firm land imbosom'd, without firmament, 75 
 
 Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. 
 Him God beholding from his prospect high, 
 Wherein past, present, future he beholds, 
 Thus to his only Son foreseeing spake : 
 
 Only begotten Son, seest thou what rage 80 
 
 Transports our Adversary ? v/hom no boxmds 
 Prescribed, no bars of Hell, nor all the chains 
 Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main abyss, 
 Wide interrupt, can hold ; so bent he seems 
 On desperate revenge, that shall redound 85 
 
 Upon his own rebellious head. And now, 
 Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way 
 Not far off Heaven, in the precincts of light, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 57 
 
 Directly towards the new created world, 
 
 And man there placed, with purpose to essay 90 
 
 If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, 
 
 By some false guile pervert ; and shall pervert j 
 
 For man will hearken to liis glossing lies. 
 
 And easily transgress the sole command, 
 
 Sole pledge of his obedience : So will fall 95 
 
 He and his faithless progeny : Whose fault ? 
 
 Whose but liis own ? Ingrate, he had of me 
 
 All he could have ; I made him just and right, 
 
 Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. 
 
 Such I created all the ethereal Powers 100 
 
 And Spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd; 
 
 Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. 
 
 Not free, what proof could they have given sincere 
 
 Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love, 
 
 Where only what they needs must do appear'd, 10i> 
 
 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 despoiled. 
 
 Made passive both, had served necessity, 110 
 
 Not me ? They therefore, as to right belong'd, 
 
 So were created, nor can justly accuse 
 
 Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, 
 
 As if predestination overruled 
 
 Their will disposed by absolute decree 115 
 
 Or high forelcnowledge ; they themselves decreed 
 
 Their own revolt, not I ; if I foreknew. 
 
 Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, 
 
 Which had no less proved certain unforeknown. 
 
 So without least impulse or shadow of fate, 120 
 
 Or aught by me immutably foreseen. 
 
 They trespass, authors to themselves in all 
 
 "Both what they judge and what they choose ; for so 
 
 I form'd them free ; and free they must remain, 
 
 Till they enthral themselves ; I else must change 125 
 
 Their nature, and revoke the high decree 
 
58 PARADISE LOST. b. in 
 
 Unchangeable, eternal, which ordain'd 
 Their freedom ; they themselves ordain'd their fall. 
 The first sort by their own suggestion fell, 
 Self-tempted, self-depraved : Man falls, deceived 130 
 By the other first : Man therefore shall find grace, 
 The other none : In mercy and justice both, 
 Through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel ; 
 But mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine. 
 
 Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fiirdl35 
 All Heaven, and in the blessed Spirits elect 
 Sense of new joy ineffable diffused. 
 Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 
 Most glorious ; in liim all his father shone 
 Substantially express'd ; and in his face 140 
 
 Divine compassion visibly appear'd. 
 Love without end, and without measure grace ; 
 Which, uttering, thus he to his Father spake : 
 
 O Father, graciou.s was that word which closed 144 
 Thy sov'reign sentence, that man should find grace ; 
 For which both Heaven and Earth shall high extol 
 Thy praises, with the innumerable sound 
 Of hynms and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne 
 Encompass'd shall resound thee ever bless'd. 
 For should Man finally be lost ? should Man, 150 
 
 Thy creature late so loved, thy youngest son, 
 Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd 
 With his own folly ? That be from thee far, • 
 That far be from thee. Father, who art judge 
 Of all things made, and judgest only right. 155 
 
 Or shall the Adversary thus obtain 
 His end, and frustrate thine ? shall he fulfil 
 His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought ; 
 Or proud return, though to his heavier doom, 
 Yet with revenge accomphsh'd, and to Hell 160 
 
 Draw after him the whole race of mankind. 
 By him corrupted ? or wilt thou thyself 
 Abolish thy creation, and unmake 
 For him, what for thy glory thou hast made 
 
PARADISE LOST. 59 
 
 So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 165 
 Be question'd and blasphemed without defence. 
 
 To whom the great Creator thus rephed : 
 O Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight, 
 Son of my bosom, Sen who art alone 
 My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 170 
 
 All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all 
 As ray eternal purpose hath decreed ; 
 Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will ; 
 Yet not of will in him, but grace in me 
 Freely vouchsafed ; once more I will renew 175 
 
 His lapsed powers, though forfeit, and enthrall'd 
 By sin to foul exorbitant desires ; 
 Upheld b}'^ me, yet once more he shall stand 
 On even ground against his mortal foe ; 
 By me upheld, that he may know how frail 180 
 
 His fallen condition is, and to me owe 
 All his deUverance, 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 warn'd 185 
 Their sinful state, and to appease betimes 
 The incensed Deity, while ofFer'd grace 
 Invites ; for I will clear their senses dark, 
 What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 
 To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 100 
 
 To prayer, repentance, and obedience due. 
 Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, 
 Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 
 And I will place within them as a guide, 
 My umpire Conscience ; whom if they will hear, 195 
 Light after light, well used, they sliall 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 harden'd, blind be blinded more, 200 
 
 That they may stumble on, and deeper fall ; 
 And none but such from mercy I exclude. 
 
CO PARADISL LOST b. iil 
 
 But yet all is not done ; Man disobeying, 
 
 Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins 
 
 Against the high supremacy of Heaven, 205 
 
 Affecting Godhead ; and, so losing all, , 
 
 To expiate his treason hath nought left. 
 
 But to destruction sacred and devote, 
 
 He with his whole posterity must die ; 
 
 Die he or justice must : unless for him 210 
 
 Some other able, and as willing, pay 
 
 The rigid satisfliction, death for death. 
 
 Say, heavenly Powers, where shall we find such love? 
 
 Which of ye will be mortal, to redeem 
 
 Man's mortal crime, and just the unjust to save ? 215 
 
 Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear ? 
 
 He ask'd, but all the heavenly choir stood mute. 
 And silence was in Heaven : On Man's behalf 
 Patron or intercessor none appear'd. 
 Much less that durst upon his own head draw 220 
 The deadly forfeiture and ransom set. 
 And now without redemption all mankind 
 Must have been lost, adjudged to Death and Hell 
 By doom severe, liad not the Son of God, 
 In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, 225 
 
 His dearest mediation thus renew'd : 
 
 Father, thy word is pass'd, 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 230 
 
 Comes unprevented, unimplored, unsought ? 
 Happy for Man, so coming : he her aid 
 Can never seek, once dead in sins, and lost j 
 Atonement for himself, or offering meet, 
 Indebted and undone, hath none to bring ; 235 
 
 Behold me then : me for him, life for life 
 I offer ; on me let thine anger fall ; 
 Account me Man. I for his sake will leave 
 Thy bosom, and this glory next to theo 
 Freely put off, and for him lastly die 240 
 
PARADISE LOST CJ 
 
 Well pleased ; on me let Death wreak all nis rage j 
 Under his gloomy power I shall not long 
 Lie vanquished ; thou hast given me to possess 
 Life in myself for ever ; by thee I live, 
 Though noAv to Death I yield, and am his due 245 
 All that of me can die ; yet, that debt paid, 
 Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave 
 His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul 
 For ever with corruption there to dwell ; 
 But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 250 
 
 My vanquisher, spoil'd of his vaunted spoil ; 
 Death his death's wound then shall receive, and stoop 
 Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarm'd. 
 1 through the ample air in triumph high 
 Shall lead Hell captive, maugre Hell, and show 255 
 The Powers of darkness bound. Thou, at the sight 
 Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile j 
 While, by thee raised, I ruin all my foes. 
 Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave : 
 Then, with the multitude of my redeem'd, 260 
 
 Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, 
 Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud 
 Of anger shall remain, but peace assured 
 And reconcilement ; wrath shall be no more 
 Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire. 2^ 
 
 His words here ended, but his meek aspect 
 Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love 
 To mortal men, above which only shone 
 Filial obedience : As a sacrifice 
 
 Glad to be oifer'd, he attends the will 270 
 
 Of his ^reat Father. Admiration seized 
 All Heaven, what this might mean, and whither tend, 
 Wondering ; but soon the Almighty thus replied ; 
 
 O thou in Heaven and Earth the only peace 
 Found out for mankind under wrath ! O thou 275 
 
 My sole complacence ! well thou know'st how dear 
 To mo are fill my works, nor Man the least. 
 Though last created ; that for him I spare 
 6 
 
62 PARADISE LOST. b. hi 
 
 Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 
 
 By loosing thee a while, the whole race lost. 280 
 
 Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, 
 
 Their nature also to thy nature join ; 
 
 And be thyself Man among men on earth. 
 
 Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed, 
 
 By wondrous birth : Be thou in Adam's room 285 
 
 The head of all mankind, thoug-h Adam's son \ 
 
 As in him perish all men, so in thee, 
 
 As from a second root, shall be restored 
 
 As many as are restored, without thee none. 
 
 His crime makes guilty all his sons ; thy merit, 29G 
 
 Imputed, shall absolve them who renounce 
 
 Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds. 
 
 And live in tliee transplanted, and frcm thee 
 
 Receive new life. So Man, as is most just, 
 
 Shall satisfy for Man, be judged and die, 295 
 
 And dying rise, and rising with him raise 
 
 His brethren, ransom'd with his own dear life. 
 
 So heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate, 
 
 Giving to death, and dying to redeem ; 
 
 So dearly to redeem what hellish hate 300 
 
 So easily destroy'd, and still destroys 
 
 In those v/ho, when they may, accept not grace. 
 
 Nor shpJt thou, by descending to assume 
 
 Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own. 
 
 Because thou hast, though throned in highest bliss 305 
 
 Equal to God, and equally enjoying 
 
 Godlike fruition, quitted all, to save 
 
 A v/orld from utter loss, and hast been found 
 
 By merit more than birthright Son of God, 
 
 Found worthiest to be so by being good, 310 
 
 Far more than great or high ; because in thee 
 
 Love hath abounded more than glory abeunds ; 
 
 Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt 
 
 With thee thy manhood also to this throne : 
 
 Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign 315 
 
 Both God and Man, Son both of God antl Man, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 63 
 
 Anointed universal king ; all power 
 I give thee ; reign for ever, and assume 
 Thy merits ; under thee, as head supreme, 
 Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions I reduce : 
 All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide 321 
 
 In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell 
 When thou, attended gloriously from Heaven, 
 Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send 
 The summoning Archangels to proclaim 325 
 
 Thy dread tribunal ; forthwith from all winds, 
 The living, and forthwith the cited dead 
 Of all past ages, to the general doom 
 Shall hasten ; such a peal shall rouse their sleep. 
 Then, all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge 330 
 Bad Men and Angels ; they, arraign'd, shall sink 
 Beneath thy sentence ; Hell, her numbers full, 
 Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Meanwliile 
 The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring 
 New Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell. 
 And, after all their tribulations long, 336 
 
 See golden days fruitful of golden deeds, 
 With joy and love triumphing, and fair truth. 
 Then thou thy regal sceptre shalt lay by, 
 For regal sceptre then no more shall need, 340 
 
 God shall be all in all. But, all ye Gods, 
 Adore him, who to compass a.11 this dies ; 
 Adore the Son, and honour him as me. 
 
 No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but all 
 The multitude of Angels, v/ith a shout 345 
 
 Loud as from numbers without number, sweet 
 As from bless'd voices, uttering joy, Heaven rung 
 With jubilee, and loud Hosannas fill'd 
 The eternal regions : Lowly revetent 
 Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground 
 With solemn adoration down they cast 351 
 
 Their crowns inwove with amarant and gold ; 
 Immortal amarant, a flower which once 
 In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 
 
64 PARADISE LOST. b. hi 
 
 Began to bloom ; but soon for man's offence 355 
 
 To Heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows; 
 
 And flowers aloft shading the fount of life, 
 
 And where the river of bliss through midst of Heaven 
 
 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 
 
 With these that never fade the Spirits elect 360 
 
 Bind their resplendent locks inwreathed with beams ; 
 
 Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright 
 
 Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 
 
 Impurpled with celestial roses smiled. 
 
 Then, crown' d again, their golden harps they took, 365 
 
 Harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side 
 
 Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet 
 
 Of charming symphony they introduce 
 
 Their sacred song, and waken raptures high ; 
 
 No voice exempt, no voice but well could join 370 
 
 Melodious part, such concord is in Heaven. 
 
 Thee, Father, first they sung Omnipotent, 
 Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, 
 Eternal King ; the Author of all being, 
 Fountain of light, thyself invisible 375 
 
 Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st 
 Throned 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 appear j 380 
 Yet dazzle Heaven, 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 countenance, without cloud 3&> 
 Made visible, the Almighty Father shines, 
 Whom else no creature can behold ; on thee 
 Impress'd the effulgence of his glory abides, 
 Transfused on thee his ample Spirit rests. 
 He Heaven of Heavens and all the Powers therem 
 By thee created ; and by thee threw down 301 
 
 The aspiring Dominations • Thou that day 
 
PARADISE LOST. 65 
 
 Thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare, 
 
 Nor stop thy flaming chariot wheels, that shook 
 
 Heaven's everlasting frame, while o'er the necks 305 
 
 Thou drovest of warring Angels disarray'd. 
 
 Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaim 
 
 Thee only extoU'd, Son of thy Father's might, 
 
 To execute fierce vengeance on his foes, 
 
 Not so on Man : Him tiirough their malice fallen, 400 
 
 Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom 
 
 So strictly, but much more to pity incline • 
 
 No sooner did thy dear and only Son 
 
 Perceive thee purposed not to doom frail Man 
 
 So strictly, but much more to pity inclined, 405 
 
 He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife 
 
 Of mercy and justice in thy face discern'd, 
 
 Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat 
 
 Second to thee, offer 'd himself to die 
 
 For Man's offence. O unexampled love, 410 
 
 Love no where to be found less than Divine ! 
 
 Hail, Son of God, Saviour of Men ! Thy name 
 
 Shall be the copious matter of my song 
 
 Henceforth, and never shall my heart thy praise 
 
 Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin. 415 
 
 Thus they in Heaven, above the starry sphere, 
 Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. 
 Meanwhile upon the firm opacous globe 
 or this round world, whose first convex divides 
 The luminous inferior orbs, enclosed 420 
 
 From Chaos and the inroad of Darkness old, 
 Satan alighted walks : a globe far off 
 It secm'd, now seems a boundless continent 
 Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night 
 Starless exposed, and ever threatening storms 425 
 Of Chaos blustering round, inclement sky ; 
 Save on that side which from the wall of Heaven. 
 Though distant far, some small reflection gains 
 Of glimmering air less vex'd with tempest loud : 
 Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field. 430 
 
66 PARADISE LOST. b. hi 
 
 As when a vulture on Imaus bred, 
 
 Whose snowy ridge the roving 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 Ganges or Hydaspes, Indian streams ; 436 
 
 J3ut in his way lights on the barren plains 
 
 Of Sericana, where Chineses drive 
 
 With sails and wind their cany waggons light . 
 
 So, on this windy sea of land, the Fiend 440 
 
 Walk'd up and down alone, bent on his pr«y ; 
 
 Alone, for other creature in this place, 
 
 Living or lifeless, to be found was Jione j 
 
 None yet, but store hereafter from the earth 
 
 Up hither like aerial vapours flew 445 
 
 Of all things transitory and vain, when sin 
 
 With vanity had flll'd the works of men : 
 
 Both all things vain, and all who on vain things 
 
 Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame. 
 
 Or happiness in this or the other life ; 450 
 
 All who have their reward on earth, the fruits 
 
 Of painful superstition and blind zeal, 
 
 Nought seeking but the praise of men, here find 
 
 Fit retribution, empty as their deeds ; 
 
 All the unaccomplish'd works of Nature's hand, 455 
 
 Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd, 
 
 Dissolved on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 
 
 Till final dissolution, wander here ; 
 
 Not in the neighbouring moon as some have dream'd 
 
 Those argent fields more likely habitants, 460 
 
 Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold 
 
 Betwixt the angelical and human kind. 
 
 Hither of ill join'd sons and daughters born 
 
 First from the ancient world those giants came 
 
 With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd : 465 
 
 The builders next of Babel on the plain 
 
 Of Sennaar, and still with vain design, 
 
 New Babels, had tliey wherewithal, would build 
 
PARADISE LOST. 67 
 
 Others came single ; he who, to be deem'd 
 A God, leap'd fondly into iEtna flames, 4T0 
 
 Empedocles ; and he who, to enjoy 
 Plato's Elysium, leap'd into the sea, 
 Cleombrotus ; and many more too long. 
 Embryos, and idiots, eremites, and friars 
 Wliite, black, and gray, with all their trumpery 475 
 Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek 
 In Golgotha him dead who lives in Heaven ; 
 And they who, to be sure of Paradise, 
 Dying, put on the weeds of Dominic, 
 Or in Franciscan thinlc to pass disguised ; 480 
 
 They pass the planets seven, and pass the fix'd, 
 And that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs 
 The trepidation talk'd, and that first moved ; 
 And now Saint Peter at Heaven's wicket seems 
 To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 485 
 
 Of Heaven's ascent they lift their feet, when lo 
 A violent cross-wind from either coast 
 Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry 
 Into the devious air : Then might ye see 
 Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, toss'd 
 And flutter'd into rags ; then reUques, beads, 491 
 
 Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, balls. 
 The sport of wmds : All these, up-whirl'd aloft, 
 Fly o'er the backside of the world far off 
 Into a Limbo large and broad, since call'd 495 
 
 The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown 
 Long after, now unpeopled and untrod. 
 All this dark globe the Fiend found as he pass'd, 
 And long he wander'd, till at last a gleam 
 Of dawning light turn'd thitherward in haste 500 
 
 His travel'd steps : far distant he descries 
 Ascending by degrees magnificent 
 Up to the wall of Heaven a structure high ; 
 At top whereof, but far more rich, appear'd 
 The work as of a kingly palace-gate, 505 
 
 With frontispiece of diamond and gold 
 
^. TAilADiSE LOST. B. Ill 
 
 Embelliali'd ; thick with sparkling orient gems 
 
 The portal shone, inimitable on earth 
 
 By model, or by shading pencil drawn. 
 
 The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 510 
 
 Angels ascending and descending, bands 
 
 Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled 
 
 To Padan-Aram, in the field of Lut: 
 
 Dreaming by night under the open sky, 
 
 And waking cried, Tlcis is the gate of Heaven. 515 
 
 Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood 
 
 There alwavs, but drawn up to Heaven sometimes 
 
 Viewless ; and underneath a bright sea flow'd 
 
 Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon 
 
 Who after came from earth, sailing arrived 520 
 
 Wafted by Angels, or flew o'er the lake 
 
 Wrapp'd in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. 
 
 The stairs were then let down, whether to dare 
 
 The Fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate 
 
 His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss : 525 
 
 Direct against which open'd from beneath, 
 
 Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise, 
 
 A passage down to the Earth, a passage wide, 
 
 Wider by far than that of aftertimes 
 
 Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 530 
 
 Over the Promised Land to God so dear ; 
 
 By y.'hich to visit oft those happy tribes. 
 
 On high behests his Angels to and fro 
 
 Pass'd freqvient, and liis eye with choice regard 
 
 From Pancas, the fount of Jordan's flood, 535 
 
 To Eecrsaba where the Holy Land 
 
 Borders on Egypt and the Arabian shore ; 
 
 So wide the opening seem'd, where bounds were set 
 
 To da/kness, such as bound the ocean wave 
 
 Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, 540 
 
 That scaled by steps of gold to Heaven-gate, 
 
 Looks down with wonder at the sudden view 
 
 Of all tills world at once. As when a scout. 
 
 Through dark nnd desert waj^s with peril gone 
 
PARADISE LOST. 69 
 
 All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn 546 
 
 Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill, 
 
 Which to his eye discovers unaware 
 
 The goodly prospect of some foreign land 
 
 First seen, or some renown'd metropolis 
 
 With glistering spires and pinnacles adorn'd, 550 
 
 Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams 
 
 Such wonder seized, though after Heaven seen, 
 
 The Spirit malign, but much more envy seized, 
 
 At sight of all this world beheld so fair. 
 
 Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood 
 
 So high above the circling canopy 550 
 
 Of night's extended shade,) from eastern point 
 
 Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears 
 
 Andromeda far off Atlantic seas 
 
 Beyond the horizon ; then from pole to polo 560 
 
 He views in breadth, and without longer pause 
 
 Down right into the world's first region throws 
 
 His flight precipitant, and winds with ease 
 
 Through the pure marble air his oblique way 
 
 Amongst innumerable stars, that shone 5G5 
 
 Stars distant, but nigh hand seem'd other worlds ; 
 
 Or other worlds they seemd, or happy isles, 
 
 Like those Hesperian gardens famed of old. 
 
 Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales, 
 
 Thrice happy isles ; but who dwelt happy there 570 
 
 He staid not to inquire : Above them sjl 
 
 The golden sun, in splendour likest Heaven, 
 
 Allured his eye ; thither his course he bends 
 
 Through the calm firman\ent (but up or down, 
 
 By centre, or eccentric, hard to tell, 575 
 
 Or longitude,) where the great luminary 
 
 Aloof the vulgar constellations thick. 
 
 That from his lordly eye keep distance due, 
 
 Dispenses light from far } tney, as they move 
 
 Their starry dance in numbers that compute 580 
 
 Days, months, and years, towards his all cheering lamp 
 
 Turn swift their various motions, or are turn'd 
 
70 PARADISE LOST. b. th 
 
 By his magnetic beam, that gently warms 
 
 Tlie universe, and to each inward part 
 
 With gentle penetration, though unseen, 585 
 
 Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep ; 
 
 So wondrously was set his station bright. 
 
 Their lands tlie Fiend, a spot like which perhaps 
 
 Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb 
 
 Through his glazed optic tube yet never saw. 590 
 
 The place he found beyond expression bright, 
 
 Compared with aught on earth, metal or stone j 
 
 Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd 
 
 With radient light, as glowing iron with fire ; 
 
 If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear ; 595 
 
 If stone, carbuncle most or crysolite, 
 
 Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone 
 
 In Aaron's breastplate, and a stone besides 
 
 Imagined rather oft, than elsewhere seen, 
 
 That stone, or like to that which here below 600 
 
 Philosophers in vain so long have sought, 
 
 In vain, though by their powerful art they bind 
 
 Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound 
 
 In various shapes old Proteus from the sea, 
 
 Drain'd through a limbeck to his native form. 605 
 
 What wonder then if fields and regions here 
 
 Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run 
 
 Portable gold, v>^hen with one virtuous touch 
 
 The archchemic sun, so far from us remote, 
 
 Produces, with terrestrial humour mix'd, 610 
 
 Plere in the dark so many precious things 
 
 Of colour glorious and effect so rare ? 
 
 Here matter new to gaze the Devil met 
 
 Undazzled ; far and wide his eye commands , 
 
 For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 615 
 
 But all sunshin(!, as when his beams at noon 
 
 Culminate from the equator, as they now 
 
 Shot upward still direct, whence no way round 
 
 Shadow from body opaque can fall ; and the air, 
 
 No where so clear, sharpea'd his visual ray 620 
 
PARADISE LOST. 71 
 
 To objects distant far, whereby he soon 
 Saw within ken a glorious Angel stand, 
 The same whom John saw also in the sun : 
 His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid; 
 Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar 625 
 
 Circled his head, nor less his locks behind 
 Illustrious on his shoulders fledge with wings 
 Lay waving round ; on some great charge employ 
 He seem'd, or fix'd in cogitation deep. 
 Glad was tlie Spirit impure, as now in hope C30 
 
 To find who might direct his wandering flight 
 To Paradise, the happy seat of Man, 
 His journey's end and our beginning woe. 
 But first he casts to change his proper shap3, 
 Which else might work him danger or delay : 635 
 
 And now a stripling Cherub he appears, 
 Not of the prime, yet such as in his face 
 Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb 
 Suitable grace diffused, so well he feign'd : 
 Under a coronet his flowing hair 640 
 
 In curls on either cheek play'd ; wings he wore 
 Of many a colour'd plume, sprinkled 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, 645 
 Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, 
 Admonish'd by his ear, and straight was known 
 The Archangel Uriel, one of the seven 
 Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, 
 Stand ready at command, and are his eyes 650 
 
 That run through all the Heavens, or down to the Earth 
 Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, 
 O'er sea and land : him Satan thus accosts : 
 
 Uriel, for thou of those seven Spirits that stand 
 In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, 655 
 The first art wont his great authentic will, 
 Interpreter through highest Heaven to bring. 
 Where all his sons thy embassy attend ; 
 
*m PARADISE LOST. b. lu. 
 
 And here art likeliest by supreme decree 
 
 Like honour to obtain, and as his eye 660 
 
 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 ordain'd, 665 
 
 Hath brought me from the choirs of Cherubim 
 
 Alone thus wandering. Brightest Seraph, teU 
 
 In which of all these shining orbs hath Man 
 
 His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none. 
 
 But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell ; 670 
 
 That I may find him, and with secret gaze 
 
 Or open admiration liim behold, 
 
 On whom the great Creator hath bestowed 
 
 Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces potir'd ; 
 
 That both in him and all things, as is meet, 67b 
 
 The universal Maker we may praise ; 
 
 Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes 
 
 To deepest Hell, and, to repair that loss, 
 
 Created this new happy race of Men 
 
 To serve him better : Wise are all his ways. 680 
 
 So spake the false dissembler unperceived ; 
 For neither Man nor Angtls can discern 
 Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks 
 Invisible, except to God alone, 
 Ey his permissive will, through Heaven and Earth 
 And oft, though Wisdom wake. Suspicion sleeps 6SG 
 At Wisdom's gate, and to Simplicity 
 Resigns her charge, while Goodness thinks no ill 
 Where no ill seems ; which now for once beguiled 
 Uriel, tliough regent of the sun, and held 690 
 
 Tlie sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heaven ; 
 Who to the fraudulent impostor foul. 
 In his upriglitness, ansv/er thus return'd : 
 
 Fair Angel, thy desire, which tends to know ^ 
 
 The works of God, tliereby to glorify 695 
 
 The great "Workmastcr, leads to no excess 
 
PARADISE LOST. 73 
 
 That reaches blame, but rather merits praise 
 
 The more it seems excess, that led thee hither 
 
 From tiiy empyreal mansion thus alone. 
 
 To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps, 700 
 
 Contented with report, hear only in Heaven : 
 
 For wonderful indeed are all his works. 
 
 Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 
 
 Had in remembrance always with delight ; 
 
 But wliat creative mind can comprehend 705 
 
 Tlieir number, or the wisdom infinite 
 
 That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep 
 
 I saw when at his word the formless mass. 
 
 This world's material mould, came to a heap : 
 
 Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 710 
 
 Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined ; 
 
 Till at his second bidding darkness fled. 
 
 Light shone, and order from disorder sprung : 
 
 Swift to their several quarters hasted then 
 
 The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire ; 715 
 
 And this etherial quintessence of Heaven 
 
 Flew upward, spirited with various forms, 
 
 That roll'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars 
 
 Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move. 
 
 Each had his place appointed, each his course ; 720 
 
 The rest in circuit walls 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 the other hemisphere, 725 
 
 Night would invade ; but there the neighbouring moon 
 
 (So call that opposite fair star) her aid 
 
 Timely interposes, and her monthly roimd 
 
 Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heaven, 
 
 With borrow'd light her countenance triform 730 
 
 Hence fills and empties to enhghten the Earth, 
 
 Mm\ 'n he>r pale dominion checks the night. 
 
 Thiit spot, to which I point, is Paradise, 
 
74 PARADISE LOST. b. ni 
 
 Adam's abode ; those lofty shades, his bower. 
 
 Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires. 735 
 
 Thus said, he turn'd ; and Satan, bowing low, 
 As to Superior Spirits is wont in Heaven, 
 Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 
 Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath, 
 Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success, 740 
 Throws his steep flight in many a;:j aery wheel ; 
 Nor staid, till on Niphates' top he lights. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 Satan, now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where ho must 
 now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alono 
 against God and Man, falls into many doul»ts with himself, and 
 many passions, fear, envy, and despair ; but at length confirms 
 himself in evil ; journeys on to Paradise, whose outward pros- 
 pect and situation are described ; overleaps the bounds ; sits in 
 the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the gar- 
 den, to look about him. The garden described; Satan's first 
 sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and 
 happy state, but with resolutiop. to work their fall ; overhears their 
 discourse: thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was for- 
 bidden them to eat of, under penalty of death ; and thereon in- 
 tends to found his temptation by seducing thom to transgress: 
 Then leaves them awhile to know further of their state by some 
 other means. Meanwhile Uriel descending an a sunbeam warns 
 Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil 
 Spirit had escaped the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere in 
 the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by 
 his furious gestures on the mount. Gabriel promises to find him 
 ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of 
 going to their rest : Their bower described ; their evening wor- 
 ship. Gabriel, drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk 
 the round of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adam's 
 bower, lest the evil Spirit should be there doing some harm to 
 Adam or Eve sleeping: there they find him at the ear of Eve, 
 tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to 
 Gajjriel : by whom questioned, he scornfully answers ; prepares 
 resistance ; but, hindered by a sign from Heaven, flies out of Pa- 
 radise 
 
 O FOR that warning voice, which he who saw 
 The Apocalypse, heard cry in Heaven aloud, 
 Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, 
 Came furious down to be revenged on men, 
 Woe to the inhabitants on earth ! that now, 5 
 
 While time was, our first parents had been warn'd 
 The coming of their secret foe, and scaped — 
 Haply so scaped his mortal snare : For now 
 Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down, 
 ■ftie tempter ere the accuser of mankind, 10 
 
 To wreak on innocent frail Man his loss 
 Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell 
 
76 PARADISE LOST. b. iv. 
 
 Yet, not rejoicing in ]iis speed, though bold 
 
 Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, 
 
 Begins his dire attempt ; which nigh the birth 15 
 
 Now rolling boils in his tumultuous breast, 
 
 And like a devilisli engine back recoils 
 
 Upon himself ; horror and doubt distract 
 
 His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir 
 
 The Hell within him ; for within him Hell 20 
 
 He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell 
 
 One step, no more than from himself, can fly 
 
 Ey change of place . Now conscience wakes despair 
 
 That slumber'd ; wakes the bitter memory 
 
 Of what he was, what is, and what must be 25 
 
 Worse ; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue. 
 
 Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view 
 
 Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixed sad ; 
 
 Sometimes towards Heaven, and the full-blazing sun, 
 
 Which now sat high in his meridian tower : 30 
 
 Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began : 
 
 O thou, that, witli surpassing glory crown'd, 
 Look'st from thy sole dominion like the God 
 Of this new world ; at whose sight all the stars 
 Hide their diminish'd heads : to thee I call, 35 
 
 But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, 
 
 Sun ! to tell thee how I hate thy beams, 
 That bring to my remembrance from what state 
 
 1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere ; 
 
 Till pride and worse ambition threw me down 40 
 
 Warring in Heaven against Heaven's matchless King* 
 
 Ah, wherefore ! he deserved no such return 
 
 From me, whom he created what I Vi^^as 
 
 [n that bright eminence, and with his good 
 
 Upbraided none ; nor was his service hard. 45 
 
 What could be less than to afford him praise, 
 
 The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, ^ 
 
 How due ! yet all his good proved ill in me, ^ 
 
 And wrought but malice • lifted up so high 
 
 I 'sdain'd subjection, and thought one step higher 50 
 
PARADISE LOST. 77 
 
 Would set me highest, and in a moment quit 
 
 The debt immense of endless gratitude, 
 
 So burdensome still paying, still to owe : 
 
 Forgetful what from him I still received, 
 
 And understood not that a grateful mind 55 
 
 By owing owes not, but still pays, at once 
 
 Indebted and discharged ; what burden then '' 
 
 O, had his powerful destiny ordain'd 
 
 Me some inferior Angel, I had stood 
 
 Then happy ; no unbounded hope had raised 60 
 
 Ambition ! Yet why not ? some other Power 
 
 As great might have aspired, and me, though m«an, 
 
 Drawn to his part ; but other Powers as great 
 
 Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within 
 
 Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 65 
 
 Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand ? 
 
 Thou hadst : whom hast liiou then or what to accuse, 
 
 But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all ? 
 
 Be then his love accursed, smce love or hate, 
 
 To me alike, it deals eternal woe. 70 
 
 Nay, cursed be thou ; since against his thy will 
 
 Chose freely what it now so justly rues. 
 
 Me miserable ! which way shall I fly 
 
 Infinite wrath and infinite despair ? 
 
 Which way I fly is Hell ; myself am Hell ; 75 
 
 And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep 
 
 Still threatning to devour me opens wide, 
 
 To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven. 
 
 O, then, at last relent : Is there no place 
 
 Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? 80 
 
 None left but by submission ; and that word 
 
 Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame 
 
 Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduced 
 
 "With other premises and other vaunts 
 
 Than to submit, boasting I could subdue 85 
 
 The Omnipotent. Ah me ! they little know 
 
 How dearly I abide that boast so vain, 
 
 Under what torments inwardly I groan, 
 
78 PARADISE LOST. b. iv. 
 
 While they adore me on the throne of Hell. 
 
 With diadem and sceptre high advanced, 90 
 
 Tiie loAver still I fall, only supreme 
 
 In misery : Such joy ambition finds. 
 
 But say I could repent, and cculd obtain, 
 
 By act of grace, my former state ; how soon 
 
 W^ould height recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 95 
 
 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 pierced so deep : 
 
 Which vvould but lead me to a worse relapse 100 
 
 And heavier fall ; so should I purchase dear 
 
 Sliort interlnission bought v/ith double smart. 
 
 This knows my Punisher ; therefore as far 
 
 From granting he, as I from begging, peace ; 
 
 All hope excluded thus, behold, in stead 105 
 
 Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight, 
 
 Mankind created, and for him this world. 
 
 So farewell, hope ; and with hope farewell, fear; 
 
 Farewell, remorse! all good to me is lost; 
 
 Evil, be thou my good ; by thee at least 110 
 
 Divided empire with Heaven's King I hold, 
 
 By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign ; 
 
 As Man, ere long, and this new world shall know. 
 
 Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face 
 Thrice changed with pale, ire, envy, and despair ; 115 
 Which marr'd his borrow'd visage, and betray'd 
 Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld. 
 For heavenly minds from such distempers foul 
 Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware, 
 Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, 120 
 Artificer of fraud ; and was the first 
 That practised falsehood under saintly show, 
 Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge ; 
 Yet not enough had practised to deceive 
 Uriel once warn'd ; whose eye pursued him down 125 
 The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount 
 
PARADISE LOST. 79 
 
 Saw him disfigured, more than could befal 
 
 Spirit of happy sort : His gestures fierce 
 
 He mark'd and mad demeanour, then alone, 
 
 As he supposed, all xmobserved, unseen. 130 
 
 So on he fares, and to the border comes 
 
 Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, 
 
 Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green, 
 
 As with a rural mound, the champaign head 
 
 Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides 135 
 
 With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, 
 
 Access denied ; and overhead up grew 
 
 Insuperable height of loftiest shade, 
 
 Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, 
 
 A silvan scene ; and, as the ranks ascend 140 
 
 Shade above shade, a woody theatre 
 
 Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops 
 
 The verduous wall of Paradise up sprung : 
 
 Which to our general sire gave prospect large 
 
 Into his nether empire neighbouring round. 145 
 
 And higher than that wall a circling row 
 
 Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit, 
 
 Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue 
 
 Appear'd, with gay enamel'd colours mix'd ; 
 
 On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams 150 
 
 Than on fair evening cloud or humid bow, 
 
 When God hath shower'd the earth ; so lovely seem'd 
 
 That landscape : and of pure now purer air 
 
 Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 
 
 Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 155 
 
 All sadness but despair : Now gentle gales. 
 
 Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense 
 
 Na,tive perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 
 
 Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sa,il 
 
 Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are pass'd ^60 
 
 Mozambic, ofi'at sea north-east winds blow 
 
 Sabean odours from the spicy shore 
 
 Of Araby the bless'd ; with such delay 
 
 Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league 
 
80 PARADISE LOST. b. iv 
 
 Clieer'd with the greatful smell old Ocean smiles : 165 
 So entertain'd those odorous sweets the Fiend, 
 Who came their bane ; though with them better pleased 
 Than Asmodcus with the fishy fume 
 That drove him, though enamour'd, from the spouse 
 Of Tobit's son, and v/ith a vengeance sent 173 
 
 From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound. 
 Now to the ascent of that steep savage liill 
 Satan had journey'd on, pensive and slow ; 
 But further way found none, so thick entwined, 
 As one continued brake, the undergrowth 175 
 
 Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd 
 All path of man or beast that pass'd that way. 
 One gate there only was, and that look'd east 
 On the other side : which when the archfelon saw, 
 Due entrance he disdain'd : and, in contempt, 180 
 
 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 wolf, 
 Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, 
 Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve 185 
 In hurdled cotes amid the field secure, 
 Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold : 
 Or as a thief, bent to unheard the cash 
 Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, 
 Cross-barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 190 
 
 In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles : 
 So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold ; 
 So since into his church lewd hirelings climb. 
 Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, 
 The middle tree and highest there that grew, 195 
 
 Sat like a cormorant ; yet not true life 
 Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death 
 To them who lived ; nor on the virtue thought 
 Of that lifegiving plant, but only used 
 For prospect, what well used had been the pledge 200 
 Of immortality. So little knows 
 Any, but God alone, to value right 
 
PARADISE LOST. 81 
 
 The good before him, but perverts best things 
 To worst abuse or to their meanest use. 
 Beneath him with new wonder now he views, 205 
 
 To all delight of human sense exposed, 
 In narrow room, Nature's whole wealth, yea more, 
 A Heaven on Earth : For blissful Paradise 
 Of God the garden was, by liim in the east 
 Of Eden planted ; Eden stretch'd her line 210 
 
 From Auran eastward to the royal towers 
 Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings, 
 Or where the sons of Eden long before 
 Dwelt in Telassar : In this pleasant soil 
 His far more pleasant garden God ordain'dj 215 
 
 Out of the fertile ground he caused 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, 220 
 
 Our death, the tree of knowledge, grew fast by, 
 Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill. 
 Southward through Eden went a river large, 
 Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy Iiill 
 Pass'd underneath ingulf 'd ; for God had thrown 225 
 That mountain as his garden mound high raised 
 Upon the rapid current, which, through veins 
 Of porous earth v/ith kindly thirst updrawn, 
 R,ose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 
 VVater'd the garden ; thence united fell 230 
 
 Do^vn the steep glade, and met the nether flood. 
 Which from his darksome passage now appears, 
 And now, divided into four main streams. 
 Runs diverse, w^andering many a famous realm 
 And country, whereof here needs no account ; 235 
 But rather to tell how, if Art could tell, 
 How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks, 
 Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 
 Witih mazy error under pendent shades 
 Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 240 
 
82 PARADISE LOST. b. iv. 
 
 Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art 
 
 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 
 
 Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain, 
 
 Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 
 
 The open field, and where the unpierced shade 245 
 
 Imbrown'd the noontide bowers : Thus was this place 
 
 A happy rural seat of various view ; 
 
 Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm. 
 
 Others whose fruit, burnish 'd with golden rind, 
 
 Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, 250 
 
 If true, here only, and of delicious taste : 
 
 Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 
 
 Grazing the tender herb, were interposed, 
 
 Or palmy hillock ; or the flowery lap 
 
 Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 255 
 
 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose : 
 
 Another side, umbrageous grots and caves 
 
 Of cool recess, o'er wliich the mantling vine 
 
 Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps 
 
 Luxuriant ; meanwhile murmuring waters fall 260 
 
 Down the slope hills, dispersed, or in a lalte, 
 
 That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd 
 
 Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. 
 
 The birds their choir apply; airs, vernal airs, 
 
 Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 265 
 
 The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, 
 
 Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 
 
 Led on the eternal Spring. Not that fair field 
 
 Of Enna, where Proserpine gathering flowers. 
 
 Herself a fairy flower, by gloomy Dis 270 
 
 Was gather'd, which cost Ceres all that pain 
 
 To seek her through the world ; nor that sweet grove 
 
 Of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspired 
 
 Castalian spring might with this Paradise 
 
 Of Eden strive ; nor that Nyseian isle 275 
 
 Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham, 
 
 Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, , 
 
 Hid Amalthea, and her florid son 
 
PARADISE LOST. 83 
 
 Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye ; 
 
 Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard, 280 
 
 Mount Amara, though tliis oy some supposed 
 
 True Paradise under the Ethiop line 
 
 By Nihxs' head, enclosed with shining rock, 
 
 A whole day's journey high, but wide remote 
 
 From this Assyrian garden ; where the Fiend 285 
 
 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 hononr clad 
 
 In naked majesty, seem'd lords of all : 290 
 
 And worthy seem'd ; for in their looks divine 
 
 The image of their glorious Maker <*hone, 
 
 Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure 
 
 (Severe, but in true filial freedom placed,) 
 
 Whence true authority in men ; though both 295 
 
 Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd > 
 
 For contemplation he and valour form'd ; 
 
 For softness she and sweet attractive grace ; 
 
 He for God only , she for God in him : 
 
 His fair large front and eye sublime declared 300 
 
 Absolute rule ; and hyacinthine locks 
 
 Round from his parted forelock manly hung 
 
 Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad : 
 
 She, as a veil, down to tlio slender waist 
 
 Her unadorned golden tresses wore 305 
 
 Dishevel'd, but in wanton ringlets waved 
 
 As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied 
 
 Subjection, but required with gentle sway, 
 
 And by her yielded, by him besu received ; 
 
 Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, 31Q 
 
 And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. 
 
 Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd j 
 
 Then was not guilty shame, dishonest shame 
 
 Of nature's works, honour dishonourable, 
 
 Sin-bred : how have ye troubled all mankind 315 
 
 With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure. 
 
64 PARADISE LOST. , ». iv. 
 
 And banish'd from man's life his happiest life, 
 
 Simplicity and spotless innocence ! 
 
 So pass'd they naked on, nor sliunn'd the sight 
 
 Of God or Angel ; for they thought no ill : 320 
 
 So hand in hand they pass'd, the lovliest pair, 
 
 That ever since in love's embraces met ; 
 
 Adam the goodliest man of men since born 
 
 His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. 
 
 Under a tuft of shade that on a green 325 
 
 Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain side 
 
 They sat them down ; and, after no more toil 
 
 Of their sweet gardening labour than sufficed 
 
 To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease 
 
 More easy, Avholesome thirst and appetite 330 
 
 More grateful, to their supper fruits they fell j 
 
 Nectarine fruits which tne com.pliant boughs 
 
 Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline 
 
 On the soft downy bank damask'd with flowers : 
 
 The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind, 335 
 
 Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream; 
 
 Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles 
 
 "Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems 
 
 Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, 
 
 A]one as they. About them frisking play'd 340 
 
 x^ll beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase 
 
 In wood or wilderness, forest or den ; 
 
 Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw. 
 
 Dandled the kid ; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, 
 
 Gambol'd before them ; the unv/ieldy elephant. 345 
 
 To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreath'd 
 
 His lithe proboscis ; close the serpent sly, 
 
 Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine 
 
 His braided train, and of his fatal guile 
 
 Gave proof unlieeded ; others on the grass 350 
 
 Couch'd, and now fill'd with pasture gazing sat. 
 
 Or bedward ruminating ; for the sun. 
 
 Declined, was hasting now with prone career 
 
 To the ocean isles, and in the ascending scale 
 
PARADISE LOST. 85 
 
 Of Heaven the stars that usher evenmg rose : 355 
 When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood, 
 Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad : 
 O Hell ! w' liat do mine eyes with grief behold ! 
 Into our room of bliss thus high advanced 
 Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, 360 
 Not Spirits, yet to heavenly 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 form'd them on their shape hath pour'd. 
 Ah ! gentle pair, ye little think how nigh 3G6 
 
 Your change approaches, when all these delights 
 Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe ; 
 More woe, the more you tas.,e is now of joy ; 
 Happy, but for so happy ill secured 370 
 
 Long to continue, and this high seat your Heaven 
 111 fenced for Heaven to keep out such a foe 
 As now is enter "d ; yet no purposed foe 
 To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn. 
 Though I unpitied : League with you I seek, 375 
 
 And mutual amity, so straight, 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 Maker's work; he gave it me, 380 
 
 Which I as freely give : Hell shall unfold. 
 To entertain you two, her widest gates, 
 And send forth all her kings ; there will be room, 
 Not like these narrow limits, to conceive 
 Your numerous offspring ; if no better place, 385 
 
 Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge 
 On you who wrong me not for him who wrong 'd. 
 And should I at your harmless innocence 
 Melt, as I do, yet public reason just,. 
 Honour and empire with revenge enlarged, 390 
 
 By conquering this new world, compel me now 
 To do what else, though damn'd, I should abhor 
 8 
 
ee PARADISE LOST. b. nr 
 
 So spake the Fiend, and with necessity, 
 The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds. 
 Then from his lofty stand on that high tree 393 
 
 Down he alights among the sportful herd 
 Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, 
 Now other, as their shape served best his end 
 Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied. 
 To mark what of their state he more might learn, 400 
 By word or action mark'd : About them round 
 A lion now he stalks with fiery glare ; 
 Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied 
 In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. 
 Straight couches close, then, rising, changes oft 405 
 His couchant watch, as one chose his ground. 
 Whence rushing, he might surest seize them both, 
 Griped in each paw : when Adam, first of men, 
 To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech, 
 Turn'd him, all ear to hear new utterance flow : 410 
 
 Sole partner and sole part of all these joj'^si, 
 Dearer thyself than all ; needs must the Power 
 That made us, and for us this ample world, 
 Be infinitely good, and of his good 
 As liberal and free as infinite ; 415 
 
 That raised us from the dust, and placed us here 
 In all this happiness, who at his hand 
 Have nothing merited, nor can perform 
 Aught whereof he hath need ; he who recpiires 
 From us no other service than to keep 420 
 
 This one, this easy charge, of all the trees 
 In Paradise that bear delicious fruit 
 So various, not to taste that only tree 
 Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life • 
 So near grows death to life, whate'er death is, 425 
 Some dieadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'st 
 God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree, 
 The only sign of our obedience left, 
 Among so many signs of power and rule 
 Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given 430 
 
PARADISE LOST. 87 
 
 Over all other creatures that possess 
 Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard 
 One easy prohibition, who enjoy 
 Free leave so large to all things else, and choice 
 Unlimited of manifold delights: 435 
 
 But let us ever praise him, and extol 
 His bounty, following our delightful task, 
 To prune these growing plants and tend these flowers, 
 Which were it toilsome, yet v/ith thee were sweet. 
 
 To whom thus Eve replied : O thou for whom 440 
 And from whom I was form'd, flesh of thy flesh, 
 And without whom am to no end, my guide 
 And head ! what thou hast said is just and right 
 For we to him indeed all praises owe 
 And daily thanks ; I chiefly, who enjoy 445 
 
 So for the happier lot, enjoying thee ♦ 
 Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou 
 Like consort to thyself canst no where find. 
 That day I oft remember, when from sleep 
 I first awaked, and found myself reposed 450 
 
 Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where 
 And what I was, whence thither brought and how. 
 Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound 
 Of waters issued from a cave, and spread 
 Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved 455 
 
 Pure as the expanse of Heaven ; I thither went 
 With unexperienced thought, and laid me down 
 On the green bank, to look into the clear 
 Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. 
 As I bent down to look, just opposite 460 
 
 A shape within the watery gleam appear'd. 
 Bending to look on me . I started back ; 
 It started back : but pleased I soon return'd ; 
 Pleased it return'd as soon with answering looks 
 Of sjanpathy and love : There I had fix'd 465 
 
 Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, 
 Had not a voice thus warn'd me ; "What thou seest, 
 V/hat there thou secst, fair Creature, is thyself j 
 
88 PARADISE LOST. b. iv, 
 
 With thee it came and goes : but follow me, 
 
 And I will bring thee where no shadow stays 470 
 
 Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he 
 
 Whose image thou art ; him thou shalt enjoy 
 
 Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear 
 
 Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd 
 
 Mother of human race." What could I do, 47f 
 
 But follow straight, invisibly thus led ? 
 
 Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall, , 
 
 Under a platane ; yet methought less fair 
 
 Less winning soft, less amiably mild, 
 
 Than that smooth watery image : back I turn'd ; 480 
 
 Thou following criedst aloud, " Return, fair Eve ; 
 
 Whom fliest thou ? whom thou fiiest, of him thou art, 
 
 His flesh, his bone ; to give thee being I lent 
 
 Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, 
 
 Substantial life, to have thee by my side 485 
 
 Henceforth an individual solace dear ; 
 
 Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim 
 
 My other half:" With that thy gentle hand 
 
 Seized mine : I yielded ; and from that time see 
 
 How beauty is excell'd by manly grace, 490 
 
 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. 
 
 So spake our general mother, and with eyes 
 Of conjugal attraction unreproved. 
 And meek surrender, half embracing lean'd 
 On our first father ; half her swelling breast 495 
 
 Naked met his, under the flowing gold 
 Of her loose tresses hid : he in delight, 
 Both of her beauty and submissive charms. 
 Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter 
 On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds 500 
 That shed May flowers ; and press'd her matron lip 
 With kisses pure : Aside the Devil turn'd 
 For envy ; yet with jealous leer malign 
 Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plain'd : 
 
 Sight hateful, sight tormenting ! thus these two, 
 Imparadised in one another's arms, 506 
 
PARADISE LOST. 89 
 
 The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill 
 
 Of bhss on bliss : while I to Hell am thrust, 
 
 Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, 
 
 Among our other torments not the least, 510 
 
 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 forbidden ' 515 
 
 Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord 
 
 Envy them that ? Can it be sin to know .'' 
 
 Can it be death .-' And do they only stand 
 
 By ignorance ? Is that their happy state, 
 
 The proof of their obedience and their faith f 520 
 
 O fair foundation laid whereon to build 
 
 Their ruin ! hence I will excite their minds 
 
 With more desire to know, and to reject 
 
 Envious commands, invented with design 
 
 To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt 525 
 
 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 le^ve unspied ; 
 
 A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530 
 
 Some wandering Spirit of Heaven by fountain side, 
 
 Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw 
 
 What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may, 
 
 Yet happy pair ; enjoy, till I return, 
 
 Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed ! 535 
 
 So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, 
 But with sly circumspection, and began [roam. 
 
 Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his 
 Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven 
 With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 54ft 
 
 Slowly descended, and with right aspect 
 Against the eastern gate of Paradise 
 Levelled his evening ra^s : It was a rock 
 Of alabaster, piled up the clouds, 
 
90 PARADISE LOST. b. iv 
 
 Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent 545 
 
 Accessible from earth, one entrance high ; 
 
 The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung 
 
 Still as it rose, impossible to climb. 
 
 Betwixt tliese rocky pillars Gabriel sat, 
 
 Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night ; 550 
 
 About him exercised heroic games 
 
 The unarmed youth of Heaven, but nigh at hand 
 
 Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears, 
 
 Hung high with diamond flaming and with gold. 
 
 Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even 555 
 
 On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star 
 
 In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired 
 
 [mpress the air, and shows the mariner 
 
 From what point of his compass to beware 
 
 Impetuous winds : He thus began in haste : 560 
 
 Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given 
 Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place 
 No evil thing approach or enter in. 
 This day at height of noon came to ray sphere 
 A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 565 
 
 More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man. 
 God's latest image : I described his way 
 Bent all on speed, and mark'd his aery gait ; 
 But on the mount that lies from Eden north, 
 Where he first lighted soon disccrn'd his looks 570 
 Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured : 
 Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade 
 Lost sight of him : One of the banish'd crew, 
 [ fear, hath ventured from the deep, to raise 
 New troubles ; him thy care must be to find. 575 
 
 To whom the winged warrior thus return'd : 
 Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, 
 Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sitt'st 
 See far and wide : In at this gate none pass 
 The vigilance here placed, but such as come 580 
 
 Well known from Heaven ; and since meridian hour 
 No creature thence : If Spirit of other sort, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 91 
 
 So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthly bounds 
 On purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude 
 Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. 585 
 
 But if within the circuit of these walks, 
 In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom 
 Thou tell'st, by morrov^r dawning I shall know. 
 
 So promised he : and Uriel to his charge 
 Return 'd on that bright beam, whose point now raised 
 Bore him slope downward to the sun now fallen 591 
 Beneath the Azores ; whether the prime orb, 
 Incredible how swift, had thither roll'd 
 Diurnal ; or this less voluble earth. 
 By shorter fliglit to the east, had left him there, 595 
 Arraying v/ith reflected purple and gold 
 The clouds that on his western tlirone attend. 
 Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray 
 Had in her sober livery all things clad ; 
 Silence accompanied ; for beast and bird, 600 
 
 They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, 
 Were slunk, all but the wakeful niglitingale j 
 She all night long her amorous descant sung ; 
 Silence was pleased : Now glow^'d the firmament 
 With living sapphires : Hesperus, that led 605 
 
 The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon, 
 Rising in clouded majesty, at length 
 Apparent queen unveil'd her peerless light, 
 And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw. 
 
 When Adam thus to Eve : Fair Consort, the hour 
 Of night, and all things now retired to rest, 611 
 
 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 falhng with soft slumbrous weight, inclines 615 
 Our eyelids : Other creatures all day long 
 Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest ; 
 Man hath his daily work of body or mind 
 Appointed, which declares his dignity, 
 And the regard of Henven on all his ways • C20 
 
92 PARADISE LOST. b. iv 
 
 While other animals inactive range, 
 
 And of their doings God takes no account. 
 
 To-morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east 
 
 With first approach of light, we must be risen, 
 
 And at our pleasant labour, to reform 6% 
 
 Yon flowery arbours, yonder alleys green. 
 
 Our walk at noon with branches overgrown, 
 
 That mock our scant manuring, and require 
 
 More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth 
 
 Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, C30 
 
 That lie bestrown, unsightly and unsmooth, 
 
 Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease ; 
 
 Meanwhile, as Nature wills, night bids us rest. 
 
 1^0 whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorn'd 
 My Author and Disposer what thou bidd'st 635 
 
 Unargued I obey : so God ordains : 
 God is thy law, thou mine : To know no more 
 Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise. 
 With thee conversing, I forget all time ; 
 All seasons, and their change, all please alike. G40 
 
 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 flower, 
 Glistering with dew ; fragrant the fertile earth 645 
 After soft showers ; and sweet the coming on 
 Of grateful Evening mild ; then silent Night, 
 With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon. 
 And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train: 
 But neither breath of Morn, when she ascends 650 
 With charm of earliest birds : nor rising sun 
 On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flower, 
 Glistering with dew ; nor fragrance after showers ; 
 Nor grateful evening mild ; nor silent Night, 
 With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon, 655 
 Or glittering starlight, without thee, is sweet. 
 But wherefore all night long shine these .'' for whom 
 This glorious sight when sleep hath shut all eyes ? 
 
PARADISE LOST. 9S 
 
 To whom our general ancestor replied : 
 Daughter of God and Man, accomplish'd Eve, 660 
 These have their course to finish round the earth, 
 By morrow evening, and from land to land 
 In order, though to nations yet unborn, 
 Ministering light prepared, they set and rise , 
 Lest total Darkness should by night regain 665 
 
 Her old possession, and extinguish life 
 In Nature and all things ; which these soft fires 
 Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat 
 Df various influence foment and warm, 
 Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 670 
 
 Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow 
 On earth, made hereby apter to receive 
 Perfection from the sun's more potent ray. 
 These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 674 
 Shine not in vain ; nor think, though men were none, 
 That Heaven would want spectators, God want praise 
 Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth 
 Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep ; 
 A.11 these with ceaseless praise his werks behold 
 Both day and night : How often from stoep 680 
 
 Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard 
 Celestial voices to the midnight air, 
 Sole, or responsive each to other's note, 
 Singing their great Creator ? oft in bands 
 While they keep watch, or nightly rounding \ralk, 685 
 With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds 
 ?n full harmonic number join'd, their songs 
 Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven. 
 
 Thus talking, hand in hand alone they pass'd 
 On to their blissful bower : it was a place 690 
 
 Chosen by the sov'reign Planter, when he framed 
 All things to Man's delightful use : the roof 
 Of thickest covert was inwoven shade 
 Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew 
 Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 695 
 
94 PARADISE LOST. b. iv 
 
 Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub, 
 
 Fenced up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flower, 
 
 Iris all hues, roses, and jessamme, 
 
 Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought 
 
 Mosaic ; underfoot the violet, 700 
 
 Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay 
 
 Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone 
 
 Of costliest emblem : Other creature here. 
 
 Bird, beast, insect, or worm, durst enter none, 
 
 Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower 705 
 
 More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'o, 
 
 Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph 
 
 Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess, 
 
 With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs, 
 
 Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed : 710 
 
 And heavenly choirs the hymencean sung, 
 
 What day the genial Angel to our sire 
 
 Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd, 
 
 More lovely, than Pandora, whom the Gods 
 
 Endow'd with all their gifts, and O ! too like 715 
 
 In sad event, when to the unv/iser son 
 
 Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnared 
 
 Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged 
 
 On him who had stolen Jove's authentic fire. 
 
 Thus, at their shady lodge arrived, both stood, 720 
 Both turn'd, and under open sky adored 
 The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, 
 Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, 
 And starry pole : Thou also madest the night, 
 Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day 725 
 
 Which we, in our appointed work employ 'd, 
 Have finish'd, happy 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 731? 
 
 Partakers, and uncropp'd falls to the groimd. 
 But thou hast promised from us two a race 
 
PARADISE LOST. 95 
 
 To fill the earth, who shall with us extol 
 
 Thy goodness infinite, both when we v.-ake 
 
 And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. 73a 
 
 This said unanimous, and other rites 
 Observing none, but adoration pure 
 Which God likes best, into their inmost bower 
 Handed they went ; and, eased the putting off 
 These troublesome disguises which we wear, 740 
 
 Straiglit side by side were laid , nor turn'd, I ween, 
 Adam fiom his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites 
 Mysterious of connubial love refused : 
 "Whatever hypocrites austerely talk 
 Of purity, and place, and innocence, 7'45 
 
 Defaming as impure what God declares 
 Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. 
 Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain 
 But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man .-* 
 Hnil, wedded Love ! mysterious law, true source 750 
 Of human offspring, sole propriety 
 In Paradise of all things common else. 
 By thee adulterous Lust was drivMi from men 
 Among the bestial herds to range ; by thee, 
 Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 755 
 
 PteUtions dear, and all the charities 
 Of father, son, and brother, first were known. 
 Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, 
 Or think thee unbefitting holiest place. 
 Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 760 
 
 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, 
 Present or past, as saints and patriarchs used. 
 Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights 
 His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings. 
 Reigns Jiere and revels ; not in the bought smile 765 
 Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, 
 Casual fraition ; nor in court amours, 
 Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight bail, 
 Or serenate, vv^hicli the starved lover sings 
 To his proud fair, best quitted with disaaiii 770 
 
96 PARADISE LOST. b. iv. 
 
 These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept. 
 And on their naked limbs the flowery roof 
 Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, 
 Bless'd pair I and O ' yet happiest, if ye seek 
 No happier state, and know to know no more. 775 
 
 Now had night measured with her shadowy cope 
 Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, 
 And from their ivory port the Cherubim, 
 Forth issuing at the accustora'd hour, stood arm'd 
 To their night watches in warlike parade ; 780 
 
 When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake : 
 
 Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south 
 With strictest vv^atch ; these other wheel the north ; 
 Our circuit meets full west. As flame they part, 
 Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 785 
 From these two strong and subtle Spirits he call'd 
 That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge. 
 
 Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing"d speed 
 Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook ; 
 But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 790 
 Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. 
 This evening from the sun's decline arrived, 
 Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen 
 Hitherward bent (who could have thought .'') escaped 
 The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt ; 795 
 
 Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring. 
 
 So saying, on he led his radiant files, 
 Dazzling the moon ; these to the bower direct 
 In search of whom they sought : Him there they found 
 Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 800 
 
 Assaying by his devilish art to reach 
 The organs of her fancy, and with them forge 
 Illusions, as he list, phantasms and dreams ; 
 Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint 
 The animal spirits that from pure blood arise 805 
 
 Like gentle breaths, from rivers pure, thence raise 
 At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, 
 Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 97 
 
 Blown up with high conceits ingendering pride. 
 
 Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810 
 
 Touch'd hghtly ; for no falsehood can endure 
 
 Touch of celestio,! temper, but returns 
 
 Of force to its own likeness : Up he starts 
 
 Discover'd and surprised. As w^hen a spark 
 
 L:ghts on a heap of nitrous powder, laid 815 
 
 fit for the tun some magazine to store 
 
 Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain, 
 
 With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air ; 
 
 So started up in his o-\vn shape the Fiend. 
 
 Back stepp'd those two fair Angels, half amazed 820 
 
 So sudden to behold the grisly king ; 
 
 Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon : 
 
 Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged to Hell 
 Comest thou, escaped thy prison ^ and, transform'd, 
 Why sat'st thoU like an enemy in wait, 825 
 
 Here watching at the head of these that sleep .' 
 
 Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with scorn, 
 Know ye not me ? ye knew me once no mate 
 For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar : 
 Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, 830 
 
 The lowest of your throng ; or, if ye know, 
 Why ask ye, and superfluous begin 
 Your message, like to end as much in vain ^ 
 
 To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn- 
 Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, 835 
 Or undiminish'd brightness to be known. 
 As when thou stood'st in Heaven upright and pure ', 
 That glory then, when thou no more wast good, 
 Departed from thee ; and thou resemblest now 
 Thy sin and place of doom, obscure and foul. 840 
 
 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. 
 
 So spake the Cherub : and his grave rebuke, 
 Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 845 
 
 Invincible : Aba,<:h'd the Devil stood, 
 9 
 
98 PARADISE LOST. b. iv 
 
 And felt how awful goodness is. and saw 
 
 Virtue in her shape how lovely ; saw, and pined 
 
 His loss ; but chiefly to find here observed 
 
 His lustre visibly impair'd ; yet seem'd 850 
 
 Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, 
 
 Best with the best, the sender, not the sent, 
 
 Or all at once ) more glory will be won. 
 
 Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold, 
 
 Will save us trial what the least can do 855 
 
 Single against thee wicked, and thence weak. 
 
 The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage ; 
 But, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, 
 Champing his iron curb : To strive or fly 
 He held it vain ; awe from above had quell'd 860 
 
 His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh 
 The western point, where those half-rounding guards 
 Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, 
 Av/aiting next command. To whom their Chief, 
 Gabriel, from the front thus call'd aloud : 865 
 
 O friends ! I hear the tread of nimble feet 
 Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern 
 Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade ; 
 And with them comes a third of regal port, 
 But faded splendour wan ; who by his gait 870 
 
 And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell, 
 Not likely to part hence without contest ; 
 Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours. 
 
 He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, 
 And brief related whom they brought, where found, 875 
 How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. 
 
 To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake 
 Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribe 
 To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge 
 Of others, who approve not to transgress 880 
 
 By thy example, but have power and right 
 To question thy bold entrance on this place , 
 Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those 
 Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss ' 
 
PARADISE LOST. 99 
 
 To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow : 885 
 Gabriel ! thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise, 
 And such I held thee ; but this question ask'd 
 Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? 
 Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, 
 Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, 
 And boldly venture to what ever place 891 
 
 Furthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change 
 Torment with ease, and soonest recompense 
 Dole with delight, which in this place I sought ; 
 To thee no reason, who know'st only good, 895 
 
 But evil hast n ">t tried : and wilt object 
 His will who bounds us ? Let him surer bar 
 His iron gates, if he intends our stay 
 In that dark durance : thus much what was ask'd. 
 The rest is true, they found me where they say ; 900 
 But that implies not violence or harm. 
 
 Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel moved, 
 Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied : 
 O loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise 
 Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, 905 
 
 And now returns him from his prison scaped, 
 Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise 
 Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither 
 Unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed ; 
 So wise he judges it to fly from pain 910 
 
 However, and to scape his punishment ! 
 So judge thou still presumptuous ! till the wrath, 
 Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight 
 Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, 
 Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain 915 
 Can equal anger infinite provoked. 
 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 than thoy 
 Less hardy to endure ? Courageous Chief! 920 
 
 The first in flight from pain ! hadst thou alleged 
 
IGO PARADISE LOST. b. i\ 
 
 To thy deserted host this cause of flight, 
 Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive. 
 
 To which the Fiend thus answer'd, frowning stern ♦. 
 Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 985 
 
 Insulting Angel ! well thou know'st I stood 
 Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid 
 The blasting vollied thunder made all speed, 
 And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. 
 But still thy words at random, as before, 930 
 
 Argue thy inexperience what behoves 
 From hard assays and ill successes pass'd 
 A faithful leader, not to hazard all 
 Through ways of danger by himself untried : 
 I, therefore, I alone first undertook 935 
 
 To wing the desolate abyss, and spy 
 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 air ; 940 
 
 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 Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne, 
 And practised distances to cringe, not fight. 645 
 
 To whom the warrior Angel soon replied : 
 To say and straight unsay, pretending first 
 Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, 
 Argues no leader Hit a liar traced, 
 Satan, and coulast thou ' faithful' add ? O name, 950 
 O sacred name of faithfulness profaned! 
 Faithful to whom ? to thy rebellious crew ? 
 Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. 
 Was this your discipline and faith engaged, 
 Your military obedience, to dissolve 955 
 
 Mlegiance to the acknowledged Power supreme ." 
 And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem 
 Patron of liberty, who more than thou 
 
PARADISE LOST 101 
 
 Once fawn'd, and cringed, and servilely adored 
 Heaven's awful Monarch ? wherefore, but in hope 960 
 To dispossess him, and thyself to reign ? 
 But mark what I aread thee now, Avaunt ! 
 Fly thither whence thou fledst ! If from this hour 
 Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, 
 Back to the' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, 9G5 
 
 And seal thee so as henceforth not to scorn 
 The facile gates of Hell too slightly barr'd. 
 
 So threatened he ; but Satan to no threats 
 Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied 
 
 Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, 970 
 Proud limitary Cherub ! but ere then 
 Far heavier load thyself expect to feel 
 From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's King 
 Ride on thy wings, and thou v/ith thy compeers, 
 Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels 975 
 In progress through the road of Heaven star-paved. 
 
 While thus he spake, the angelic squadron bright 
 Turn'd fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns 
 Their phalanx, and began to hem him round 
 With ported spears, as thick as when a field 980 
 
 Of Ceros ripe for harvest v/aving bends 
 Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind 
 Sways them ; the careful ploughman doubting stands, 
 Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeless sheaves 
 Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarm'd, 985 
 Collecting all his might, dilated stood, 
 Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved : 
 His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest 
 Sat Horror plumed ; nor wanted in his grasp 
 What seem'd both spear and shield: now dreadful deeds 
 Might have ensued, nor only Paradise 901 
 
 In this commotion, but the starry cope 
 Of Heaven perhaps, or all the elements 
 At least had gone to v/reck, disturb'd and torn 
 With violence in this conflict, had not soon 995 
 
 The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fra}', 
 9 ^ 
 
t02 PARADISE LOST. 
 
 Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet 
 Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign, 
 Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, 
 The pendulous round earth Avith balanced air 1000 
 In counterpoise, now ponders all events, 
 Battles and realms : in these he put two weights, 
 The sequel each of parting and of fight : 
 The latter quick up flew and kick'd the beam ; 
 Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend : 1005 
 Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine; 
 Neitiier our own, but givei: : what folly then 
 To boast what arms can do ? since thine no more 
 Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now 
 To trample thee as mire : for proof look up, 1010 
 
 And read thy lot in yon celestial sign ; [weak, 
 
 Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, hov 
 If thou resist. The Fiend look'd up, and knew 
 His mounted scale aloft : no more ; but fled 
 Murmuring, and with him lied the shades of night. 1015 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream 
 he likes it not, yet comforts her : They come forth to their day 
 labours ; Their morrting hymn at the door of their bower. God, 
 to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his 
 obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand, who he 
 is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to 
 know. Raphael comes down to Paradise ; his appearance describ- 
 ed; his coming discerned by Adam afar off sitting at the door 
 of his bower ; he goes out to meet bim, brings him to his lodge, 
 entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together 
 by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, 
 minds Adam cf his state and of his enemy ; relates, at Adam's re- 
 quest, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning 
 from his first revol"^ in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he 
 drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there in- 
 cited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel, a Se- 
 raph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes 
 tiim. 
 
 Now Morn, her rosy steps in the' eastern clime 
 
 Advancing-, sow'd the earth with orient pearl, 
 
 When Adam waked, so custom'd ; for his sleep 
 
 Was aery light, from pure digestion bred, 
 
 And temperate vapours bland, which the' only sound 5 
 
 Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, 
 
 Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song 
 
 Of birds on every bough ; so much the more 
 
 His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve 
 
 vVith tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek, 10 
 
 As through unquiet rest : he, on his side 
 
 Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love 
 
 Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld 
 
 Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, 
 
 Shot forth peculiar graces ; then with voice 15 
 
 Mild as when Zeph3n:us on Flora breathes, 
 
 Her hand soft toucliing, whisper'd thus : Awake, 
 
 My fairest, mj espoused, my latest found, 
 
 Heaven's last best gift, my ever new delight ' 
 
104 PARADISE LOST. b. ^ 
 
 Awake : the morning shines, and the fresh field 20 
 Calls us ; we lose the prime, to mark how sp.ing 
 Our tender plants, how blows the citron grove, 
 What drops the m^'rrh, and what the balmy reed, 
 How nature paints her colours, how the bee 
 Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet. 25 
 
 Such whispering v/aked her, but with startled eye 
 On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake : 
 
 O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, 
 My glor}'', my perfection ' glad I see 
 Thy face, and m-orn return'd ; for I this night 30 
 
 (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 past, or morrow's next design, 
 But of oftence and trouble, which my mind 
 Knew never till this irkscine night : methought, 35 
 Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk 
 With gentle voice ; I thought it thine-, it said, 
 « "Why slecp'st thou. Eve .'' now is the pleasant time, 
 The cool, the silent, save where silenoe yields 
 To the night-warbling bird, that now awake 40 
 
 Tunes sweetest his love -labour 'd song , now reigns 
 Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleasing light 
 Shadowy sets oiF the face of things ; hi vain. 
 If none regard ; Heaven wakes with all his eyes, 
 Whom to behold but thee. Nature'?, desire ? 45 
 
 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 50 
 That brought me on a sudden to the tree 
 Of interdicted knowledge : fair it seem'd, 
 Much fairer to my fancy than by day : 
 And, as I wondering look'd, beside it stood 
 One shaped and wing'd like one of those from Heaven 
 By us oft seen ; his dewy locks distill'd 56 
 
 Ambrosia ; on that tree he also gazed ; 
 
PARADISE LOST. 105 
 
 And, " O fair plant," said he, " with fruit surcharged, 
 
 Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet, 
 
 Nor God, nor Man? Is knowledge so despised? CO 
 
 0» envy, or what reserve forbids to taste ? 
 
 Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold 
 
 Longer thy offer'd good ; why else set here ?" 
 
 This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm 
 
 He pluck'd, he tasted : me damp horror chill'd 65 
 
 At such bold \7ords vouch'd with a deed so bold « 
 
 But he thus, overjoy'd : " O fruit divine, 
 
 Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropp'd, 
 
 Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit 
 
 For Gods, yet able to make Gods of men 70 
 
 And why not Gods of Men ; since good, the more 
 
 Communicated, more abundant grows, 
 
 The author not impair'd, but honour'd more r 
 
 Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve ! 
 
 Partake thou also : happy though thou art, 75 
 
 Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be : 
 
 Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods 
 
 Thyself a Goddess, not to earth confined. 
 
 But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes 
 
 A-Scend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see 80 
 
 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 pluck'd ; the pleasant savoury smell 
 
 So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, 85 
 
 Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds 
 
 With him I flew, and underneath beheld 
 
 The earth outstretch'd immense, a prospect wide 
 
 And various : wondering at my flight and change 
 
 To this high exaltation ; suddenly 90 
 
 My guide was gone, and I, methought sunk down 
 
 And fell asleep ; but O, how glad I waked 
 
 To find this but a dream ! Thus Eve her night 
 
 Related, and thus Adam answer'd sad : 
 
 Best image of myself, and dearer half, 95 
 
106 PARADISE LOST. b. v. 
 
 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 soul 100 
 
 Are many lesser faculties, that serve 
 
 Reason as chief; among these Fancy next 
 
 Her office holds ; of all external things, 
 
 Which the five watchful senses represent, 
 
 She forms imaginations, aery shapes, 105 
 
 Which Reason, joining or disjoining, 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 Fancy wakes 110 
 
 To imitate her ; but, misjoining shapes, 
 
 Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams ; 
 
 111 matching words and deeds long past or late. 
 
 Some such resemblances, methinks, I find 
 
 Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, 115 
 
 But with addition strange ; yet be not sad. 
 
 Evil into the mind of God or Man 
 
 May come and go, so unapproved, and leave 
 
 No spot or blame behind : whioh gives me hope 
 
 That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream 120 
 
 Waking thou never wilt consent to do, 
 
 Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks. 
 
 That wont to be more cheerful and serene 
 
 Than when fair morning first smiles on the world ; 
 
 And let us to our fresh employments rise 125 
 
 Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers 
 
 That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, 
 
 Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store. 
 
 So cheer'd ho his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd ; 
 But silently a gentle tear let fall 1 30 
 
 From either eye, and wiped them with her hair; 
 Tv/o other precious drops that ready stood. 
 Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell 
 
PARADISE LOST. 107 
 
 Kiss'a, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse 
 And pibus awe, that fear'd to have offended. 135 
 
 So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. 
 But first, from under shady arborous roof 
 Soon as they forth w^ere come to open sight 
 Of dayspring, and the sun, who, scarce uprisen, 
 With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean-brim, 140 
 Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, 
 Discovering in wide landscape all the east 
 Of Paradise and Eden's happy plains ; 
 Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began 
 Their orisons, each morning duly paid 145 
 
 In various style ; for neither various style 
 Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise 
 Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung 
 Unmeditated : such prompt eloquence 
 Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse, 150 
 More tunable than needed luto or harp. 
 To add more sweetness ; and they thus began : 
 
 These are thy glorious works. Parent of good, 
 Almighty ! Thine this universal frame. 
 Thus wondrous fair ; thyself how wondrous then ! 155 
 Unspeakable, who sitfst above these heavens 
 To us invisible, or dimly seen 
 In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
 Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine 
 Speak, ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, 160 
 
 Angels ; for ye behold him, and with songs 
 And choral symphonies, day without night. 
 Circle his throne rejoicing ; ye in Heaven. 
 On Earth join, all ye creatures, to extol 
 Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 165 
 Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. 
 If better thou belong not to the dawn, 
 Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn 
 With thy bright oirclet, praise him in thy sphere, 
 While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. 170 
 
 Thou Sun of this great world both eye and soul, 
 
108 PARADISE LOST. b. v. 
 
 Acknowledge Iiim thy greater ; sound his praise 
 
 In thy eternal course, both when thou climb 'st, 
 
 And when high noon has gain'd, and when thou fall'st. 
 
 Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fliest, VtS 
 
 With the fix'd Stars, fix'd in their orb that flies ; 
 
 And, ye five other wandering Fires, that move 
 
 In mystic dance not without song, resound 
 
 His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light. 
 
 Air, and, ye Elements, the eldest birth 180 
 
 Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run 
 
 Perpetual circle, multiform ; and mix 
 
 And nourish all things ; let your ceaseless change 
 
 Vary to our great Maker still new praise. 
 
 Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise 185 
 
 From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray, 
 
 Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, 
 
 tn honour to tho world's great Author rise ; 
 
 Whether to deck with clouds the imcolour'd sky, 
 
 Or whet the thirsty earth w^ith falling showers, 190 
 
 Rismg or falling still advance his praise. 
 
 His praise, ye Winds, that from four quarters blow. 
 
 Breathe soft or loud ; and, wave your tops, ye Pines, 
 
 With every plant, in sign of worship wave. 
 
 Fountains; and ye that warble, as ye flow, 195 
 
 Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. 
 
 Join voices, all ye living Souls : Ye Birds, 
 
 That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend, 
 
 Bear on y^ur wings and in your notes his praise. 
 
 Ye ^lat in waters glide, and ye that walk 200 
 
 The earth, and stately tread or lowly creep : 
 
 Witness if I be silent, morn or even. 
 
 To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade, 
 
 Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. 
 
 Hail, universal Lord I be bounteous still 205 
 
 To give us only good ; and if the night 
 
 Have gather'd aught of evil, or conceal'd, 
 
 Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark ! 
 
 So pray'd they innocent, and to th«ir thoughts 
 
PARADISE LOST. 109 
 
 Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm. 210 
 
 On to their morning's rural work they haste, 
 Among sweet dews and flowers ; where any row 
 Of fruit trees over-woody rcach'd too far 
 Their pamper 'd boughs, and needed hands to check 
 Fruitless embraces : or they led the vine 215 
 
 To wed her elm ; she, spoused, about him twines 
 Jler marriageable arms, and with her brings 
 Her dower, llie adopted cKisters, to adorn 
 His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld 
 With pity Heaven's high King, a-nd to him call'd 220 
 Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deign"d 
 To travel with Tobias, and secured 
 His marriage with the seven-times v/edded maid. 
 
 Raphael, said he, thou iiear'st v.'hat stir on Earth 
 Satan, from Hell scaped through the darksome gulf, 
 Hath raised in Paradise ; and how disturb'd 22G 
 
 This night the human pair ; how he designs 
 [n them at once to ruin all mankind. 
 Go, therefore, half this day as friend with friend 
 Converse with Adam, in v/hat bower or shade 21^0 
 
 Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retired, 
 To respite his day-labour vrith repast, 
 Or with repose ; and such discourse bring on, 
 As may advise him of his happy state, 
 Happiness in his power left free to v.'ill, 235 
 
 Eeft to his own free will, his will though free, 
 Yet mutable ; whence warn him to beware 
 He swerve not, too secure : Tell him withal 
 His danger, and from whom ; what enemy, 
 Late fallen himself from Heaven, is plotting now 240 
 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 knov/, 
 Lest, wdfully transgressing, he pretend 
 Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd. 2^5 
 
 So spake the Eternal P'athcr, and fulfill'd 
 A.11 justice : Nor dolav'd the winged Saint 
 10 ' 
 
110 PARADISE LOST. n. v 
 
 After his charge received ; but from among 
 
 Thousand celestial Ardours, where he stood 
 
 Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, upspringing light, 250 
 
 Flew through the midst of Heaven , the angelic choirs, 
 
 On each hand parting, to his speed gave way 
 
 Through all the empyreal road ; till, at the gate 
 
 Of Heaven arrived, the gate self-open'd wide 
 
 On golden hinges tur-ning, as by work 255 
 
 Divine the sov'reign Architect had framed. 
 
 From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, 
 
 Star interposed, however small, he sees. 
 
 Not unconform'd to other sliining globes. 
 
 Earth, and the garden of God, with cedars crown'd 
 
 Above all hills. As when by night the glass 261 
 
 Of Galileo, less assured, observes 
 
 Imagined lands and regions in the moon • 
 
 Or pilot, from amidst the Cycladcs 
 
 Delos or Samos first appearing, kens 265 
 
 A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight 
 
 He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky 
 
 Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing 
 
 Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan 
 
 Winnows the buxom air ; till, within soar 270 
 
 Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems 
 
 A phenix, gazed by all as- that sole bird. 
 
 When, to enshrine his reliques in the Sun's 
 
 Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies. 
 
 At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise 275 
 
 He lights, and to his proper shape returns, 
 
 A seraph wing'd : Six wings he wore to shade 
 
 His lineaments divine ; the pair that clad 
 
 Each shoulder broad, came manfUng o'er his breast 
 
 With regal ornament ! the middle pair 28") 
 
 Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round 
 
 Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold 
 
 And colours dipp'd in Heaven ; the third his feet 
 
 Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail. 
 
 Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia's son he stood, 285 
 
PARADISE LOST. lU 
 
 And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance fill'd 
 The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands 
 Of Angels under watch ; and to his state 
 And to his message high, in honour rise ; 
 For on some message high they guess'd him bound. 
 Their glittering tents he pass'd, and now is come 291 
 Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, 
 And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm ; 
 A wilderness of sweets : for Nature here 
 Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 295 
 
 Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 
 Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss. 
 Him through the spicy forest onward come 
 Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat 
 Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun 300 
 Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm 
 Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs • 
 And Eve within, due at her hour, prepared 
 For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to pleaso 
 True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 305 
 
 Of neetarous draughts between, from milky stream, 
 Berry or grape : To whom thus Adam call'd : 
 
 Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold 
 Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape 
 Comes this way moving ; seems another morn 310 
 Risen on midnoon ; some great behest from Heaven 
 To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe 
 This day to be our guest. But go with speed, 
 And, what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour 
 Abundance, fit to honour and receive 315 
 
 Our heavenly stranger : Well may we afford 
 Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow 
 From large bestow'd, where nature multiplies 
 Her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows 
 More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare. 320 
 
 To whom thus Eve : Adam, earth's hallow'd mould. 
 Of God inspired ! small store will serve, where store, 
 All seasons, riue for xise han<rs on the stalk; 
 
112 . PARADISE LOST. b. v 
 
 Save what by frugal storiii-g firmness gains 
 
 To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes . 325 
 
 But I will haste, and from each bouarli and brake, 
 
 Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choico 
 
 To entertain our Angel guest, as he 
 
 Beholding shall confess, that here on Earth 
 
 God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven. 330 
 
 So saying, with despatchful looks in haste 
 She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent ; 
 What choice to choose for delicacy best, 
 What order, so contrived as not to mix 
 Tastes not well join'd, inelegant, but bring 335 
 
 Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change ; 
 Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk 
 Whatever Earth, all bearing mother, yields 
 In India East or West, or middle shore 
 In Pontus or the Punic coast, or v/liere 340 
 
 Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kinds, in coat 
 Rough, or smooth rind, or bearded husk, or shell, 
 Slie gathers tribute large, and on the board 
 Heaps with unsparing hand ; for drinli the grape 
 She crushes, inoffensive must, and mcaths 345 
 
 From many a berry, and from sweet kernels press'd 
 She tempers dulcet creams ; nor these to hold 
 Wants her fit vessels pure ; then strows the ground 
 With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed. 
 
 Rleanwhile our primitive great sire, to meet 350 
 His Godlike guest, v/alks forth, without more train 
 Accompanied than with his own complete 
 Perfections ; in himself was all his state, 
 More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits 
 On princes, when their rich retinue long 355 
 
 Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold, 
 Da.zzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. 
 Nearer his presence Adam, though not awed, 
 Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, 
 As to a superior nature bowing low, 360 
 
 Thus said : Native of Jleaven, for other place 
 
PARADISE LOST. 113 
 
 None can than Heaven such glorious shape contain 
 Since, by descending from the thrones above, 
 Those happy places thou hast deign'd a while 
 To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us 365 
 Two only, who yet by sov'reign gift possess 
 This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower 
 To rest ; and what the garden choicest bears 
 To sit and taste, till this meridian heat 
 Be over, and the sun more cool decline. 370 
 
 Whom thus the angelic Virtue answer 'd mild : 
 Adam, I therefore came ; nor art thou such 
 Created, or such place hast here to dwell, 
 As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heaven, 
 To visit thee ; lead on then where thy bower 375 
 
 O'ershades ; for these midhours, till evening rise, 
 I have at will. So to the silvan lodge 
 They came, that like Pomona's arbour smiled, 
 With flowerets deck'd, and fragrant smells ; but Eve, 
 Undeck'd save with herself, more lovely fair 380 
 
 Than Woodnymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd 
 Of three that in mount Ida naked strove. 
 Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven ; no veil 
 6he needed, virtue-proof', no thought infirm 
 Alter'd her cheek. On whom the Angel Hail 385 
 Bestow'd, the holy salutation used 
 Long after to bless'd Mary, second Eve. 
 
 Hail, Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb 
 Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons 
 Than with these various fruits the trees of God 390 
 
 Have heap'd this table ! Raised of grassy turf 
 
 Their table was, and mossy seats had round, 
 And on her ample square from side to side 
 All autumn piled, though spring and autumn here 
 Danced hand in hand. A while discourse they hold ; 395 
 No fear lest dinner cool ; when thus began 
 Our author : Heavenly stranger, please to taste 
 These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom 
 All perfect good, unmeasured out, descends, 
 10^ 
 
114 PARADISE LOST. i. v. 
 
 To us for food and for delight hath caused 405 
 
 The earth to yield ; unsavoury food perhaps 
 To spiritual nature ; only this I know, 
 That one celestial Father gives to all. 
 
 To whom the Angel : Therefore what he gives 
 (Whose praise be ever sung) to Man in part 410 
 
 Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found 
 No ingrateful food : and food alike those pure 
 Intelllgential substances require, 
 As doth your rational ; and both contain 
 Within them every lower faculty 415 
 
 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 sustained and fed : of elements 420 
 
 The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea. 
 Earth and the sea feed air, the air tliose fires 
 Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon ; 
 Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurged 
 Vapours not yet into her substance turn'd. 42a 
 
 Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale 
 From her moist continent to higher orbs. 
 The sun, that light imparts to all, receives 
 From all his alimental recompense 
 In humid exhalations, and at even 430 
 
 Sups with the ocean. Though in Heaven the trees 
 Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines 
 Yield nectar ; though from off the boughs each morn 
 We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground 
 Cover'd with pcaily grain : yet God hath here A?.'i 
 V^aried his bounty so with new deligh ts. 
 As may compare with Heaven ; and to taste 
 Think not I sliall be nice. So down they sat, 
 And to their viands fell ; nor seemingly 
 The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss 440 
 
 Of Theologians ; but with keen despatch 
 Of real hunger, and concoctive heat 
 
PARADISE LOST. 115 
 
 To transubstantiate : v/hat redounds transpires 
 Through Spirits with ease : nor wonder ; if by fire 
 Of sooty coal the etnpiric alchemist 445 
 
 Can turn, or holds it possible to turn, 
 Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold, 
 As from the mine. INIeanwhile at table Eve 
 Minister'd naked, and^heir flowing cups 
 With pleasant liquors crown'd : O innocence 450 
 
 Deserving Paradise 1 If ever, then, 
 Then had the sons of God excuse to have been 
 Ennmour'd at that sight ; but in those hearts 
 Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy 
 Was understood, the injured lover's hell. 455 
 
 Thus Avhen with meats and drinks they Imd sufficed, 
 Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose 
 In Adam, not to let the occasion pass 
 Given him by this great conference to know 
 Of things above his world, and of their being 460 
 
 Who dwell in Heaven, whoso excellence he saw 
 Transcend his own so far ; whose radiant forms, 
 Divine effulgence, whose high power, so far 
 Exceeded human ; and his wary speech 
 Thus to the empyreal minister he framed : 465 
 
 Inhabitant with God, now know I well 
 Thy favour, in this honour done to Man : 
 Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed 
 To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, 
 Food not of Angels, yet accepted so, 470 
 
 As that more willingly thou couldst not seem 
 At Heaven's high feasts to have fed; yet what compare? 
 
 To whom the winged Hierarch rephed: 
 O Adam, One Almighty is, from whom 
 All things proceed; and up to him return, 475 
 
 If not depraved from good, created all 
 Such to perfection, one first matter all, 
 Endued with various forms, various degrees 
 Of substance, and, in things that live, of life ; 
 But more refined, more epiritnuF, and pure, 480 
 
J 16 PARADISE LOST. b. v. 
 
 As nearer to him placed, or nearer tending 
 
 Each in their several active spheres assign'd, 
 
 Till body up to spirit work, in bounds 
 
 Proportion'd to each kind. So from the root 
 
 Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the kavea 
 
 More aery, kist the bright consummate flower 486 
 
 •Spirit odorous breathes : flowerg*and their fruit, 
 
 Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed, 
 
 To vital spirits aspire, to animal. 
 
 To intellectual ; give both life and sense, 490 
 
 Fancy and understanding ; whence the soul 
 
 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. 495 
 
 Wonder not then, what God for you saw good 
 
 If I refuse not, but convert, as you. 
 
 To proper substance. Time may come, when Meii 
 
 With Angels may participate, and find 
 
 No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare ; 500 
 
 And from these corporal nutriments perhaps 
 
 Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, 
 
 Improved by tract of time, and, wing'd, ascend 
 
 Ethereal, as we ; or may, at choice, 
 
 Here or in heavenly Paradises dwell ; 505 
 
 [f ye be found obedient, and retain 
 
 Unalterably firm his love entire. 
 
 Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy 
 
 Your fill what happiness this happy state 
 
 Can comprehend, incapable of more. 510 
 
 To whom the patriarch of mankind replied ; 
 O favourable Spirit, propitious guest, 
 Well hast thou taught the way that might direct 
 Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set 
 From centre to circumference ; whereon, 515 
 
 In contemplation of created things, 
 By steps we may ascend to God. But say, 
 What meant that caution join'd, If ye he found 
 
PARADISE LOST. 117 
 
 Ohedir.nt ? Can we want, obedience then 
 To liim, or possibly his love desert, 'S20 
 
 Who form'd us from the dust and placed us here, 
 Full to the utmost measure of what bliss 
 Human desires can seek or apprehend ? 
 To whom the Angel: Son of Heaven and Earth, 
 Attend ! That thou art happy, owe to God ; 525 
 
 That thou coiitinuest such, owe to thyself, 
 That is, to thy obedience ; therein stand. 
 This was that caution given thee ; be advised. 
 God made thee perfect, not immutable ; 
 And good he made thee, but to persevere 530 
 
 He left it in thy power ; ordain'd thy will 
 By nature free, not overruled by fate 
 Inextricable, or strict necessity : 
 Our voluntary service he requires, 
 Not our necessitated ; such with him 535 
 
 Finds no acceptance, nor can find ; for how 
 Can hearts, not free, be tried whether they serve 
 Willing or no, who will b;t what they must 
 By destiny, and can no (;l':er choose ? 
 Myself, and a.11 the angelic host, that stand .''»40 
 
 In sight of God enthroned, our happy state 
 Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds ; 
 On other surety none : freely we serve, 
 Because we freely love, as in our will 
 To love or not , in this we stand or fall : 545 
 
 And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen, 
 And so from Heaven to deepest Hell ; O fall 
 From v/hat high state of bliss, into what woe ! 
 To whom our great progenitor : Thy words 
 Attentive, and with more delighted ear, 550 
 
 Divine instructor, I have heard, than when 
 Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills 
 Aerial music send : nor knew I not 
 To be both will and deed created free ; 
 Yet that we never shall forget to love 550 
 
 Our Maker, and obey him whose command 
 
118 PARADISE LOST. e. v 
 
 Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts 
 
 Assured me, and still assure : though what thou tell'st 
 
 Hath pass'd in Heaven some doubt within me move, 
 
 But more desire to hear, if thou consent, 560 
 
 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 finish'd half his journey, and scarce begins 
 
 His other half in the great zone of Heaven. 565 
 
 Thus Adam made request : and Raphael, 
 After short pause assenting, thus began : 
 
 High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men 
 Sad task and hard : for how shall I relate 
 To human sense the invisible exploits 570 
 
 Of warring Spirits .'' how, without remorse. 
 The ruin of so many glorious once 
 And perfect while they stood ? how last unfold 
 The secrets of another world, perhaps 
 Not lawful to reveal ? yet for thy good 575 
 
 This is dispensed ; and what surmounts the reach 
 Of human t^ciise, I shall delineate so, 
 By likening spiritual to corporeal forms, 
 As may express them best ; though what if Earth 
 Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein 580 
 Each to other like, more than on earth is thought .'' 
 
 As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild 
 Reign'd where these Heavens now roll, where Earth 
 Upon her centre poised ; when on a day [now rests 
 (For time, though in eternity, applied 585 
 
 To motion, measures all things durable 
 By present, past, and future,) on such day 
 As Heaven's great year brings forth, the empyrial host 
 Of Angels, by imperial summons call'd. 
 Innumerable before the Almighty's throne 590 
 
 Forthwith, from all the ends of Heaven, appear'd 
 "Under their Hierarchs in orders bright : 
 Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced. 
 Standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and rear 
 
PARADISE LOST. 119 
 
 Stream in the air, and for distinction serve 595 
 
 Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees ; 
 Or in their ghttering tissues bear imblazed 
 Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love 
 Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs 
 Of circuit inexpressible they stood, 600 
 
 Orb within orb, the Father Infinite, 
 By w.hom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, 
 Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top 
 Brightness had made invisible, thus spake : 
 
 Hear, all ye. Angels, progeny of light, G05 
 
 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers ; 
 Hear ray decree, which unrevoked shall stand. 
 This day I have begot whom I declare 
 My only Son, and on this holy hill 
 Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 610 
 
 At my right hand ; your head I him appoint ; 
 And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow 
 All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord ; 
 Under his great vicegerent reign abide 
 United, as one individual soul, 615 
 
 For ever happy : him who disobeys, 
 Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day, 
 Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls 
 Into utter darkness, deep ingulfd, his place 
 Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 620 
 
 So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words 
 All seem'd well pleased ; all seem'd, but were not all. 
 That day, as other solemn days, they spent 
 In song and dance about the sacred hill ; 
 Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere 625 
 
 Of planets, and of fix'd, in all her wheels 
 Resembles nearest, mazes intricate. 
 Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular 
 Then most, when most irregular they seem ; 
 And in their motions harmony divine 630 
 
 So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear 
 Listens delighted. Evening now appraach'd 
 
120 PARADISE LOST. b. v 
 
 (For we have also our evening and our morn, 
 
 We ours for change delectable, not need ;) 
 
 Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 635 
 
 Desirous : all in circles as they stood, 
 
 Tables are set, and on a sudden piled 
 
 With Angels' food, and rubied nectar flows 
 
 In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold. 
 
 Fruit of delicioiTS vines, the growth of Heaven. 640 
 
 On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crown'd, 
 
 They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet 
 
 Quaff immortality and joy, secure 
 
 Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds 
 
 Excess, before the all bounteous King, w^ho shovrer'd 
 
 With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. 64G 
 
 Nov/ when ambrosial night, with clouds exhaled 
 
 From that high mount of God whence light and shade 
 
 Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had changed 
 
 To grateful twilight (for night comes not there 650 
 
 In darker veil,) and roseate dews disposed 
 
 All bat the unsleeping eyes of God to rest ; 
 
 Wide over all the plain, and v/idcr flir 
 
 Than all this globous eartli in plain outspread 
 
 (Such are the courts of God.) the angelic throng, 655 
 
 Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend 
 
 By living streams among the trees of life, 
 
 Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd, 
 
 Celestial ta.bernacle3, where they slept 
 
 Fann'd with cool v/inds ; save those, who in their course, 
 
 Pilelodious hymns about the sov'reign throne 661 
 
 Alternate all night long : but not so vv'^aked 
 
 Satan ; so call him now, his former name 
 
 Is heard no more in Heaven ; he of the first. 
 
 If not the first Archangel, great in power, 665 
 
 In favour, and preeminence, yet fraught 
 
 With envy against the Son of God, that day 
 
 Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd 
 
 Messiah King anointed, could not bear 
 
 Through pride that sight, and thought himself impair'd. 
 
PARADiSE LOST. 121 
 
 Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, G71 
 
 Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour 
 Friendhest to sleep and silence, he resolved 
 With all his legions to dislodge, and leave 
 Unworship'd, unobey'd, the throne supreme, G75 
 
 Contemptuous ; and his next subordinate 
 Awakening, thus to him in secret spake : 
 
 Sleep'st thou, companion dear r What sleep can close 
 Thy eyelids ? and remember 'st what decree 
 Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips 680 
 
 Of Heaven's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts 
 Wast wont, I mine to ihee was wont to impart : 
 IJ'ith waking \vg were one ; hov.' then can now 
 Thv sleep dissent .' new laws thou seest imposed ; 
 New laws from him who reigns new minds may raise 
 In us v.'ho serve, new counsels to debate GSG 
 
 ^ v'hat 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 690 
 Her shadowy cloud v/ithdraws, 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, 695 
 
 The great Messiah, and his new commands, 
 Who speedily through all the hierarchies 
 Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws 
 
 So spake the false Archangel, and infused 
 Bad influence into the unwary breast 700 
 
 Of his associate : he 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 disencumber'd Heaven, 705 
 The great hierarchal standard was to move ; 
 Tells the suggested cause, and cast between 
 11 
 
122 PARADISE LOST. b. v 
 
 Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 
 
 Or taint integrity . but all obey'd 
 
 The wonted signal, and superior voice 7J0 
 
 Of their great Potentate ; for great indeed 
 
 His name, and high was his degree in Heaven ; 
 
 His countenance, as the morning star that guides 
 
 The starry flock, allured them, and with lies 
 
 Drew after him the third part of Heaven's host. 7J5 
 
 Meanwhile the Eternal eye, whose sight discerns 
 
 Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount, 
 
 And from within the golden lamps that burn 
 
 Nightly before him, saw without their light 
 
 Rebellion rising ; saw in whom, hov/ spread 720 
 
 Among the sons of morn, what multitudes 
 
 Were banded to oppose his high decree ; 
 
 And, smiling, to his only Son thus said : 
 
 Son, thou in whom my glory I behold 
 In full resplendence. Heir of all my might, 725 
 
 Nearly it now concerns us to be sure 
 Of our Omnipotence, and with what arms 
 We mean to hold what anciently we claim 
 Of deity or empire : such a foe 
 
 Is rising, who intends to erect his throne 730 
 
 Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north ; 
 Nor so content, hath in his thought to try, 
 In battle, what our power is, or our right. 
 Let us advise, and to this hazard drav/ 
 With speed what force is left, and all employ 735 
 
 In our defence ; lest unawares we lose 
 This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill. 
 
 To v/hom the Son with calm aspect and clear, 
 Lightning divine, ineffable, serene, 
 Made answer : Mighty Father, thou thy foes 740 
 
 Justly hast in derision, and, secure, 
 Laugh'st at their vain designs and tumults vaia ; 
 Matter to me of glory, whom their hate 
 Illustrates, when they see all regal power 
 
PARADISE LOST. 123 
 
 Given me to quell their pride, and in event 745 
 
 Know whether I be dexterous to subdue 
 Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven. 
 
 So Spake the Son ; but Satan, with his Powers 
 Far was advanced on winged speed ; a host 
 Innumerable as the stars of night, 750 
 
 Or stars of morning, dewdrops, which the sun 
 Impearls on every leaf and every flower. 
 Regions they pass'd, the mighty regencies 
 Of Seraphim, and Potentates, and Thrones 
 In their triple degrees ; regions to which 755 
 
 All thy dominion, Adam, is no more 
 Than what this garden is to all tlie earth 
 And all the sea, from one entire globose 
 Stretch'd into longitude ; which having pass'd, 
 At length into the limits of the north 760 
 
 They came ; and Satan to his royal seat 
 High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount 
 Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers 
 From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold ; 
 The palace of great Lucifer (so call 765 
 
 That structure in the dialect of men 
 Interpreted,) which, not long after, ha 
 Affecting all equality with God, 
 In imitation of that mount whereon 
 Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven, 770 
 
 The Mountain of the Congregation call'd ; 
 For thither he assembled all his train, 
 Pretending so commanded to consult 
 About the great reception of their King, 
 Thither to come, and with calumnious art 775 
 
 Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears : 
 
 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, 
 If these magnific titles yet remain 
 Not merely titular, since by decree 
 Another now hath to himself engross'd 780 
 
 All power, and us eclipsed, under the name 
 Of King anointed, for whom all this haste 
 
124 PARADISE LOST. b. v 
 
 Of mianigiit-march, and hurried meeting here, 
 
 This only to consult how we may best, 
 
 With what may be devised of honours new, 785 
 
 Receive him coming to receive from us 
 
 Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile '. 
 
 Too much to one ! but double how endured, 
 
 To one, and to his image now proclaim'd ? 
 
 But what if better counsels might erect 790 
 
 Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke? 
 
 Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend 
 
 The supple knee ? Ye will not, if I trust 
 
 To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves 
 
 Natives and sons of Heaven possess'd before 795 
 
 By none ; and if not equal all, yet free, 
 
 Equally free ; for orders and degrees 
 
 Jar not with liberty, but well consist. 
 
 Who can in reason then, or right, assume 
 
 Monarchy over such as live by right 800 
 
 His equals, if in power and splendour less, 
 
 In freedom equal ? or can introduce 
 
 Law and edict on us, who without law 
 
 Err not ? much less for this to be our Lord, 
 
 And look for adoration, to the abuse 805 
 
 Of those imperial titles, which assert 
 
 Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve. 
 
 Thus far bis bold discourse without control 
 Had audience ; when among the Seraphim 
 Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored 810 
 The Deity, and divine commanos ooey d, 
 Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe 
 The current of his fury thus opposed. 
 
 O argument blaspheznous, false, and proud ! 
 Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven 815 
 
 Expected, least of all from thee, Ingrate, 
 In place thyself so high above thy peers. 
 Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn 
 The just decree of God pronounced and sworn, 
 TJiat to Ids only Soii, by right endued 820 
 
PARADISE LOST. 125 
 
 With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven 
 Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due 
 Confess him rightful King ? unjust, thou say'st, 
 Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free, 
 And equal over equals to let reign, 825 
 
 One over all witli unsucceeded power. 
 Shalt thou give law to God ? shalt thou dispute 
 Wjth him the points of liberty, who made 
 Thee what thou art, and form'd the Powers of Heaven 
 Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being .'' 
 Yet, by experience taught, we know how good, 831 
 And of our good and of our dignity 
 How provident he is ; how far from thought 
 To make us less, bent rather to exalt 
 Our happy state, under one head more near 835 
 
 United. But to grant it thee unjust, 
 That equal over equals monarch reign : 
 Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count, 
 Or all angelic nature join'd in one. 
 Equal to him begotten Son ? hy whom, 840 
 
 As by his Word, the Mighty Father made 
 All things, e'en thee; and all the Spirits of Heaven 
 B> him created in their bright degrees, 
 Crown'd tliem with glory, and to their glory named 
 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, 
 Essential powers ; nor by his reign obscured, 846 
 
 But more illustrious made ; since he the head 
 One of our number thus reduced becomes ; 
 His laws our laws ; all honour to him done 
 Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 850 
 And tempt not these ; but hasten to appease 
 The incensed Father, and the incensed Son, 
 While pardon may be found in time besought. 
 
 So spake the fervent Angel: but his zeal 
 Noji3 seconded, as out of season judged, 855 
 
 Or singular and rash : Whereat rejoiced 
 The Apostate, and, more haughty, thus replied: 
 That we were form'd then, say'st thou ? and the work 
 
12(3 PARADISE LOST. b. v. 
 
 Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd 
 
 From Father to his Son ? strange point and new ! 860 
 
 Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd : who 
 
 When this creation was ? remember'st thou [saw 
 
 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 raised 865 
 
 By our own quickening power, when fatal course 
 
 Had circled his full orb, the birth mature 
 
 Of this our native Heaven, ethereal sons. 
 
 Our puissance is our own ; our own right hand 
 
 Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 870 
 
 Who is our equal : Then thou shalt behold 
 
 Whether by supplication we intend 
 
 Address, and to begird the almighty throno 
 
 Beseeching or besieging. This report. 
 
 These tidings carry to the anointed King j 875 
 
 And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. 
 
 He said : and, as the sound of waters deep. 
 Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause 
 Through the infinite host ; nor less for that 
 The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone 880 
 
 Eucornpass"d round with foes, thus answcr'd bold: 
 
 O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed, 
 Forsaken of all good ! I see thj fall 
 Determined, and thy hapless crew involved 
 In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 885 
 
 Both of thy crime and punishment : henceforth 
 No more be troubled how to quit the yoke 
 Of God's Messiah ; those indulgent laws 
 Will not be now vouchsafed ; other decrees 
 Against thee are gone forth without recal ; 890 
 
 That golden sceptre which thou didst reject, 
 Is now an iron rod to bruise and break 
 Thy disobedience. Weil thou didst advise ; 
 Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly 
 These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 895 
 
 Tmpondent, raginp- into sudden flame, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 127 
 
 Distinguish not : For soon expect to feel 
 His thundei on thy head, devouring fire. 
 Then who created thee lamenting learn, 
 When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 900 
 
 So spake -the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found 
 Among the faithless, faithful only lie ; 
 Among innumerable falje, unmoved, 
 Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified. 
 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 905 
 
 Nor number nor example with him wrought 
 To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind. 
 Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, 
 Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain 'd 
 Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught ; 91 C 
 
 And, v^rith retorted scorn, his back he turn'd 
 On those proud towers to swift destruction doom'd. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 BOOK VI 
 
 Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent 
 forth to battle against Satan and his Angels. Tiie first fight 
 described: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a 
 council ; invents devilish engines, which, in tlie second day's 
 tight, put Micliael and his Angels to some disorder ; but they at 
 length, pulling up mountains, overwhelmed both the force and 
 machines of Satan; Yet, the tumult not so ending, God, on the 
 third (lay, sends MESSIAH liis son, for whom he had reserved 
 the glory of that victory: lie, in the power of his Father, 
 coming to the place, and causing ail his legions to stand still on 
 either side, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst 
 of his enemies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall 
 of Heaven: wliich opening, they leap down with horror and 
 confusion into the place of punislmient prepared for them in the 
 deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father 
 
 All ni^lit the dreadless Angel, unpursued, [Morn, 
 Through Heaven's wide champaign held his way ; till 
 Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand 
 Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave 
 Within the mount of God, fast by his throne, 5 
 
 Where light and darkness in perpetual round 
 Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through 
 Grateful vicissitude, like day and night ; [Heaven, 
 Light issues forth, and at the other door 
 Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 10 
 
 To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might well 
 Seem twilight here : And now went forth the Morn 
 Such as in highest Heaven array'd in gold 
 Empyreal ; from before her vanish'd Night, 
 Shot through v>'ith orient beams ; when all the plain 15 
 Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, 
 Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, 
 Rcflectmg blaze on blaze, first met his view : 
 War he perceived, war m procinct ; and found 
 Alrea,dy known what he for news had thought 20 
 
PARADISE LOST 129 
 
 To Iiave reported : Gladly then he mix'd 
 
 Among- those friendly Powers, who hhn received 
 
 With joy and acclamations loud, that one, 
 
 That of so many myriads fallen, yet one 
 
 Keturn'd not lost. On to the sacred hill 25 
 
 They led him high applauded, and present 
 
 Before the seat supreme ; from whence a voice, 
 
 From midst a golden cloud, thus raild was heard : 
 
 Servant of God, well done ; well hast thou fought 
 The better fight, who single hast maintain'd 30 
 
 Against revolted multitudes the cause 
 Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms ; 
 And for the testimony of truth hast borne 
 Universal reproach, far worse to bear 
 Than violence ; for this was all thy care 35 
 
 To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds 
 Judged thee perverse : The easier conquest now 
 Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, 
 Back on thy foes more glorious to return 
 Than scorn 'd thou didst depart ; and to subdue 40 
 
 By force who reason for their law refuse, 
 Hight reason for their law, and for their King 
 Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. 
 Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, 
 And thou, in military prowess next, 45 
 
 Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons 
 Invincible ; lead forth my armed Saints, 
 By thousands and by millions, ranged for fight, 
 Equal in number to that Godless crew 
 Rebellious : Them with fire and hostile arms 50 
 
 Fearless assault ; and, to the brow of Heaven 
 Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss, 
 Into their place of punishment, the gulf 
 Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide 
 His fier}' Chaos to receive their fall. 55 
 
 So spake the Sov'reign Voice, and clouds began 
 To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll 
 In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign 
 
130 PARADISE LOST. b. vi. 
 
 Of wrath awaked ; nor with less dread the loud 
 
 Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow : CO 
 
 At which command the Powers militant, 
 
 That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate jom'd 
 
 Of union irresistible, moved on 
 
 In silence their bright legions, to the sound 
 
 Of instrumental harmony, that breathed 65 
 
 Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds, 
 
 Under their Godlike leaders, in the cause 
 
 Of God and his Messiah. On they move 
 
 Indissolubly firm ; nor obvious hill, 
 
 Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70 
 
 Their perfect 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 summon'd over Eden to receive 75 
 
 Their names of thee ; so over many a tract 
 
 Of Heaven they march'd, and many a province wide, 
 
 Tenfold the length of this terrene At last, 
 
 Far in the horizon to the north appear'd 
 
 From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd 80 
 
 In battailous aspect, and nearer view, 
 
 Bristled with upright beams innumerable 
 
 Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields 
 
 Various, with boastful argument portray'd, 
 
 The banded Powers of Satan hasting on 85 
 
 "With furious expedition ; for they ween'd 
 
 That selfsame day, by fight or b}'- surprise. 
 
 To win the mount of God, and on his throne 
 
 To set the Envier of his state, the proud 
 
 Aspirer ; but their thoughts proved fond and vain 90 
 
 In the mid Vv'ay : Though strange to us it seem'd 
 
 At first that Angel should with Angel war, 
 
 And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 
 
 So oft in festivals of joy and love 
 
 Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, 95 
 
 Hymning tha Eternal Father : but the shout 
 
PARADISE LOST. 131 
 
 Of battle now began, and rushing sound 
 Of onset ended soon each milder thought. 
 High in the midst, exalted as a god, 
 The Apostate in hi-s sun-bright chariot sat, lOO 
 
 Idol of majesty divine, enclosed 
 V/ith 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 105 
 
 Presented stood in terrible array 
 Of hideous length : Before the cloudy van, 
 On the rougli cd<iG of battle ere it join'd, 
 Satan, with vast and haughty strides advanced, 
 Came towering, arm'd in adamant and gold ; 110 
 
 Abdiei that sight endured not, v/here he stood 
 Among the miglitiest, bent oa highest deeds, 
 Aiid tims his own undaunted heart explores : 
 
 O Heaven ! that such resemblance of the Highest 
 Should yet remain, where faith and realty 115 
 
 Remain not : Wherefore should not strength and might 
 There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove 
 Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable ? 
 His puissance, trusting in the Almighty's aid, 
 I mean to try, v/bose reason I have tried 120 
 
 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 foul 
 When reason hath to deal with force, yet so 125 
 
 Most reason is that reason overcome. 
 
 So pondering, and from his armed peers 
 Forth stepping opposite, half way he met 
 His daring foe, at this prevention more 
 Incensed, and thus securely hira defied : 130 
 
 Proud, art thou met .' thy hope was to have reach 'd 
 The height of tliy aspiring unopposed, 
 The throne of God unguarded, and his side 
 Abandon'd, at the terror of tiiy power 
 
132 PARADISE LOST. b. vi 
 
 Or potent tongue : Fool ! not to think how vain 135 
 
 Against the Omnipotent to rise in arms ; 
 
 Who out of smallest things could, without end, 
 
 Have raised incessant armies to defeat 
 
 Thy folly ; or with solitary hand 
 
 Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow, 140 
 
 Unaided, could have fiuish'd thee, and whelm'd 
 
 Thy legions under darkness : but thou seest 
 
 All are not of thy train ; there be, who faith 
 
 Prefer, and piety to God, though then 
 
 To thee not visible, when I alone 145 
 
 Seein'd in thy world erroneous to dissent 
 
 From all : My sect thou seest ; now learn too late 
 
 How few sometimes may know, when thousands err. 
 
 Whom the grand foe, with scornful eye askance. 
 Thus answer'd : 111 for thee, but in wish'd hour 150 
 Of my revenge, first sought for, thou return'st 
 From flight, seditious Angel ! to receive 
 Thy merited reward, the first assay 
 Of this right hand provoked, since first that tongue, 
 Inspired with contradiction, durst oppose 155 
 
 A third 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 comest 
 Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 160 
 
 From me some plume, that thy success may show 
 Destruction to the rest ; This pause between 
 (Unanswer'd lest thou boast,) to let thee know 
 At first I thought that Liberty and Heaven 
 To heavenly souls had been all one ; but now 165 
 
 I see that most through sloth had rather serve, 
 Ministering Spirits, train'd up in feast and song ! 
 Such hast thou arm'd, the minstrelsy of Heaven, 
 Servility with freedom to contend. 
 As both their deeds compared this day shall prove. 17t 
 
 To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern replied : 
 Apostate ! still thou errst, nor end wilt find 
 
I'ARADISi" J.OST 133 
 
 Of erring, from tlie path of truth remote . 
 Unjustly thou dcpravest it witli the name 
 Of servitude, to serve whom God ordains 175 
 
 Or Nature : God and Nature bid the same, 
 When he who rules is worthiest, and excels 
 Them whom he governs. This is servitude, 
 To serve the unwise, or hira who hath rebell'd 
 Against his worthier, as thine now serve the-e, 180 
 Thyself not free, but to thyself enthrall'd , 
 Yet lewdly darest our ministering upbraid. 
 Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom ; let me serve 
 In Heaven God ever bless'd, and his divine 
 Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd ; 185 
 
 Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect ; Meanwhile 
 From me, return'd, as erst thou saidst, from flight, 
 This greeting on thy impious crest receive. . 
 
 So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high. 
 Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 190 
 On the proud crest of Satan, that no sight. 
 Nor motion of swift thought, less could his shield, 
 Such ruin intercept : Ten paces huge 
 He back recoil'd ; the tenth .on bended knee 
 His massy spear upstaid : as if on earth 195 
 
 Winds under ground, or waters forcing way, 
 Sidelong had pujh'd a mountain from his seat, 
 Half sunk with all his pines. Amazement seized 
 The rebel Thrones, but greater rags, to see 
 Thus foil'd their mightiest ; ours joy fill'd, and shout, 
 Presage of victory, and fierce desire 201 
 
 Of battle : Whereat Michacil bid sound 
 The Archangel trumpet ; through the vast of Heaven 
 It sounded, and the faithful armies rung 
 Hosanna to the Highest : Nor stood at gaze 205 
 
 The adverse legions, nor less hideous join'd 
 The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose. 
 And clamour such as heard in Heaven till now 
 Was never ; arms on armour clashing bray'd 
 Horrible discord, and the madding wheels 210 
 
 12 
 
134 PARADISE LOST. b. 
 
 Of brazen chariots raged ; dire was the noise 
 
 Of conflict ; overhead the dismal hiss 
 
 Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew, 
 
 And flying vaulted either host with fire. 
 
 So under fiery cope together rush'd 
 
 Both battles main, with ruinous assault 
 
 And inextinguishable rage. All Heaven 
 
 Resounded ; and had Earth been then, all Earth 
 
 Had to her centre shook. What wonder .'' when 
 
 Millions of fierce encountering Angels fought 
 
 On either side, the least of whom could wield 
 
 These elements, and arm him with the force 
 
 Of all tlieir regions : Plow much more of Power 
 
 Army against army numberless to raise 
 
 Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, 
 
 Though not destroy, their happy native seat ; 
 
 Had not the Eternal King Omnipotent, 
 
 From his strong hold of Heaven, high overruled 
 
 And limited their might ; though number'd such 
 
 As each divided legion might have seem'd 
 
 A numerous host ; in strength each armed hand 
 
 A legion ? led in fight, yet leader seem'd 
 
 Each warrior single as in chief, expert 
 
 When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway 
 
 Of battle, open when, and when to close I 
 
 The ridges of grim war : No thought of flight, 
 
 None of retreat, no unbecoming deed 
 
 That argued fear ; each on himself relied, 
 
 As only in his arm the moment lay 
 
 Of victory : Deeds of eternal fame 
 
 V/ere done, but infinite ; for wide was spread 
 
 That war, and various ; sometimes on firm ground 
 
 A standing fight, then, soaring on main wing, 
 
 Tormented all the air ; all air seem'd then 
 
 Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale 1 
 
 The battle hung ; till Satan, who that day 
 
 Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms 
 
 No equal, ranging through the dire attack 
 
PARADISE LOST. 135 
 
 Of fighting Seraphim confused, at length 
 Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and fell'd 250 
 Squadrons at once ; with huge two-handed sway 
 Brandish 'd aloft, the horrid edge came down 
 Wide wasting ; such destruction to withstand 
 He hasted, and opposed the rocky orb 
 Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, 255 
 
 A vast circumference. At his approach 
 The great Archangel from his warlike toil 
 Surceased, and glad as hoping here to end 
 Intestine war in Heaven, the archfoe subdued 
 Or captive dragg'd in chains, Vv-^ith hostile frown 260 
 And visage all iuflamed first thus began : 
 
 Author of evil unlmown till thy revol^. 
 Unnamed in Heaven, now plenteous ?'=' chon seest 
 These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, 
 Though heaviest by just measure on thyself, 26.5 
 
 And thy adherents : How hast thou disturb'd 
 Heaven's blessed peace, and into nature brought 
 Misery, uncreated till the crime 
 Of thy rebellion ! how hisl thou instill'd 
 Thy malice into thcusands, once upright 270 
 
 And faithful, now proved false ! But think not here 
 To trouble holy rest ; Heaven casts thee out 
 From all her confines. Heaven, the seat of bliss, 
 Brooks not the works of violence and war. 
 Hence then, and evil go with thee along, 275 
 
 Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell ; 
 Thou and thy wicked crew ! there mingle broils, 
 Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom. 
 Or some more sudden vengeance, wing'd from God, 
 Precipitate thee with augmented pain. 280 
 
 So spake the Prince of Angels ; to whom thus 
 The Adversary. Nor think thou with wind 
 Of aery threats to awe whom yet with deeds 
 Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these 
 To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise 285 
 
 Unvanpuisli'd, easier to transact with me 
 
J 36 PARADISE LOST b. vf. 
 
 That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats 
 
 To cliase me hence ? err not, that so shall end 
 
 The strife which thou call'st evil, but we style 
 
 The strife of glory ; which we mean to win, 290 
 
 Or turn this Heaven itself into the Hell 
 
 Thou fablest ; here however to dwell free, 
 
 If not to reign : Meanwhile thy utmost force, 
 
 And join him named Almighty to thy aid, 
 
 T fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh. 295 
 
 They ended parle, and both address'd 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 height 300 
 
 Of Godlike power ? for likest Gods' they seem'd ; 
 Stood they or moved, in stature, motion, arms, 
 Fit to decide the empire of gri.at Heaven. 
 Now waved their fiery swords, and in the air 
 Made horrid circles ; two broad suns their shields 305 
 Blazed opposite, while Expectation stood 
 In horror: I'rom each hand with speed retired, 
 Where erst v.as thickest fight, the angelic throng, 
 And left large field, unsafe within the wind 
 Of such commotion ; such as, to set forth 310 
 
 Great things by small, if, nature's concord broke, 
 Among the constellations war were sprung-, 
 Two planets, rushing from aspect malign 
 Of fiercest opposition, in mid sky 
 Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. 
 Togetlier both with next to almighty arm 316 
 
 Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd 
 That might determine, and not need repeat, 
 As not of power at once ; nor odds appear'd 
 In might or swift prevention : But the sword 320 
 
 Of Michael from the armory of God . 
 Was given him temper'd so that neither keen 
 Nor solid might resist that edge : it met 
 The sword of Satan, with steep force to smite 
 
PARADISE LOST. U7 
 
 Descendin«r, and in half cut sheer ; nor staid, 325 
 
 But with swift wheel reverse, deep entering, shared 
 
 All his right side : Then Satan first knew pain, 
 
 And writhed him to and fro convolved ; so sore 
 
 The griding sword with discoaitinuous wound 
 
 Pass'd through him : But the ethereal substance closed, 
 
 Not long divisible ; and from the gash ' 331 
 
 A stream of nectarous< humour issuing flow'd 
 
 Sanguine, such as celestial Spirits may bleed, 
 
 And all his armour stained, erewhile so bright. 
 
 Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run 335 
 
 By Angels many and strong, who interposed 
 
 Defence, while others bore him on their shields 
 
 Back to his chariot, where it stood retired 
 
 From off the files of war : There they him laid 
 
 Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame, 340 
 
 To find himself not matchless, and his pride 
 
 Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath 
 
 His confidence to equal God in power. 
 
 Yet soon he heaFd ; for Spirits that live throughout 
 
 Vital in every part, not as frail man 345 
 
 In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins. 
 
 Cannot but by annihilating die ; 
 
 Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound 
 
 Receive, no more than can the fluid air : 
 
 All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, 350 
 
 All intellect, all sense ; and, as they please, 
 
 They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size 
 
 Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare. 
 
 Meanwhile in other parts hke deeds deserved 
 Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought, 355 
 And with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array 
 Of Moloch, furious king ; who him defied, 
 And at his chariot- wheels to drag him bound 
 Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heaven 
 Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous ; but anon 360 
 
 Down cloven to the v/aist, with shatter'd arms 
 .\nd uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing 
 12* 
 
133 PARADISE LOST. b. hi 
 
 Uriel, and Raphael, his vaunting foe, 
 Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd, 
 Vanqaish'd Adramalech, and Asmadai, 365 
 
 Two potent Tlu'ones, that to be less than Gods 
 Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight, 
 Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail. 
 Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy 
 The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow 370 
 
 Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence 
 Of Ramiel scorch'd and blasted, overthrew. 
 I might relate of thousands, and their names 
 Eternize here on earth ; but those elect 
 Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven, 3',T5 
 Seek not the praise of men : The other sort, 
 in might though wondrous and in acts of war, 
 Nor of renov/n less eager, yet by doom 
 Cancel'd from Heaven and sacred memory, 
 Nameless in dark oblivion let thom dwell. 380 
 
 For strength from truth divided, and from just, 
 Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise 
 And ignominy ; yet to glory aspires 
 Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame • 
 Therefore eternal silence be their doom. 385 
 
 And now, their mightiest quell'd, the battle swerved, 
 With many an inroad gored; deformed rout 
 Enter'd, and foul disorder ; all the ground 
 With shiver'd armour strown, and on a heap 
 Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd, 390 
 
 And fiery-foaming steeds ; what stood recoil'd 
 O'er wearied, through the faint Satanic host 
 Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surprised, 
 Then first with fear surprised, and sense of pain, 
 Fled ignominious, to such evil brought 395 
 
 By sin of disobedience ; till that hour 
 Not liable to fear or ^ight or pain. 
 Far otherwise the inviolable Saints 
 In cubit phalanx firm, advanced entire, 
 Invulnerable, impenetrably arm"d ; 400 
 
PARADISE LOST. 139 
 
 Such high advantages their innocence 
 Gave them above their foes ; not to have sinn'd, 
 Not to have disobey'd ; in fight they stood 
 Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd 
 By wound, though from their place by violence moved. 
 
 Now night her course began, o-nd, over Heaven 406 
 Inducing darkness, grateful truce imposed, 
 And silence on the odious din of war : 
 Under her cloudy covert both retired, 
 Victor and vanquish'd : On the foughten field 410 
 
 Michael and his Angels prevalent 
 Encamping, placed in guard their watches round, 
 Cherubic waving fires: On the other part, 
 Satan with his rebellious disappear 'd. 
 Far in the dark dislodged; and, void of rest, 415 
 
 His potentates to council call'd by night ; 
 And in the midst thus undismay'd began : 
 
 O now in danger tried, now known in arms 
 Not to be overpower'd. Companions dear, 
 Found worthy not of liberty alone, 420 
 
 Too mean pretence ! but what we more affect, 
 Honour, dominion, glory, and renown ; 
 Who have sustain 'd one day in doubtful fight, 
 (And if one day, why not eternal days ?) 
 What Heaven's Lord had powerfulest to send 425 
 
 Against us from about his throne, and judged 
 Sufficient to subdue us to his will, 
 But proves not so : tlren fallible, it seems, 
 Of future we may deem him, though till now 
 Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, 430 
 Some disadvantage we endured and pain, 
 Till now not known, but, known, as soon contemn 'd; 
 Since now we find this our empyreal form 
 Incapable of mortal injury, 
 
 Imperishable, and, though pierced with wound; 435 
 Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. 
 Of evil then so small as easy think 
 Tlio remedv ; nerhaps more valid arms 
 
140 PARADISE LCJST. b. vi, 
 
 Weapons more violent, when next we meet, 
 
 May serve to better us, and worse our foes, 440 
 
 Or equal what between us made the odds, 
 
 In nature none : If other hidden cause 
 
 Left them superior, while we can preserve 
 
 Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound, 
 
 Due search and consultation will disclose. . 445 
 
 He sat ; and in the assembly next upstood 
 Nisroch, of Principalities the prime ; 
 As one he stood escaped from cruel fight, 
 Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn, 
 And cloudy in aspect thus answering spake : 450 
 
 Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free 
 Enjoyment of our right as Gods : yet hard 
 l^'or Gods, and too unequal work we iind,- 
 Against unequal arms to fight in pain. 
 Against unpain'd, impassive ; from which evil 455 
 Ruin must needs ensue ; for what avails 
 V^alour or strength, though matchless, quell'd 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, 460 
 
 But live content, which is the calmest life • 
 But pain is perfect misery, the worst 
 Of evils, and, excessive, overturns 
 All patience. He, who therefore can invent 
 With what more forcible we may offend 465 
 
 Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm 
 Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves 
 No less than for deliverance what we owe. 
 
 Whereto with look composed Satan replied : 
 Not uninvented that, which thou aright 470 
 
 Believest so main to our -success, I bring. 
 Which of us who beholds the bright surface 
 Of this ether eons mould whereon we stand, 
 Tliis continent of spacious Heaven, adorn'd 
 With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems, and gold ; 
 Whose e^'e so superficially surveys 476 
 
PARADISE LOST. 141 
 
 These things, as not to mind from whence they grow 
 
 Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, 
 
 Of spirituous and fiery spume, till touch'd 
 
 With Heaven's ray, and temper'd, they shoot forth 480 
 
 So beauteous, opening to the ambient light ? 
 
 These in their dark nativity the deep 
 
 Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame ; 
 
 Which, into hollow engines, long and round, 
 
 Thick ramm'd, at the other bore with touch of fire 485 
 
 Dilated and infuriate,- shall send fortli 
 
 From far, with thundering noise, among our foes 
 
 Such implements of mischief as shall dash 
 
 To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands 
 
 Adverse, that they shall fear v/e have disarm'd 490 
 
 The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. 
 
 Nor long shall be our labour ; yet ere dawn, 
 
 Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive ; 
 
 Abandon fear ; to strength and counsel join'd 
 
 Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. 495 
 
 He ended, and his words their drooping cheer 
 Enlighten'd, and their languish'd hope revived. 
 The invention all admired, and each, how he 
 To be the inventor miss'd ; so easy it seem'd [thought 
 Once found, which yet unfound most would have 
 Impossible : Yet haply of thy race 501 
 
 In future days, if malice should abound, 
 Some one intent on mischief, or inspired 
 With devilish machination, might devise 
 Like instrument to plague the sons of men 505 
 
 For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. 
 Forthwith from council to the work they flew , 
 None arguing stood ; innumerable hands 
 Were ready ; in a moment up they turn'd 
 Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath 510 
 
 The originals of nature in their crude 
 Conception ; sulphurous and nitrous foam 
 They found, they mingled, and, with subtle art, 
 Concocted and adjusted, they reduced 
 
142 PARADISE LOST. b. vi. 
 
 To blackest grain, and into store convey'd : 515 
 
 Part hidden veins digged up (nor hath this earth 
 
 Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone, 
 
 Whereof to found their engines and their balls 
 
 Of missive rum ; part incentive reed 
 
 Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire, 520 
 
 So all ere dayspring, under conscious night, 
 
 Secret they finish'd, and in order set. 
 
 With silent circumspection, unespied. 
 
 Now when fair morn orient in Heaven appear'd, 
 Up rose the victor-Angels, and to arms 525 
 
 The matin trumpet sung : in arms they stood 
 Of golden panoply, refulgent host. 
 Soon banded ; otliers from the dawning hills 
 Look round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour, 
 Each quarter to descry the distant foe, 530 
 
 Where lodged, or whither fled, or if for fight, 
 in motion or in halt : Him soon they met 
 Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow 
 But firm battalion : back with speediest sail 
 Zophiel, or Cherubim the swiftest wing, 535 
 
 Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried • 
 
 Arm, Warriors, arm 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 settled in his face I see 640 
 
 Sad resolution, and secure : Let each 
 His adamantine coat gird well, and each 
 Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield, 
 Borne even or high ; for this day will pour down, 
 if I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, 545 
 
 But rattling siorms of arrows barb'd with fire. 
 
 So warn'd he them, aware themselves, and soon 
 Jn order, quit of all impediment ; 
 Instant without disturb they took alarm. 
 And onward moved embattled : When behold ! 550 
 Not distant far with heavy pace the foe 
 Approaching gross and hucve, in hollow cube 
 
PARADISE LOST. ]43 
 
 Training his devilish enginery, impaled 
 
 On every side with shadowing squadrons deep, 
 
 To hide the fraud. At interview both stood 555 
 
 Awhile ; but suddenly at head appear'd 
 
 Satan, and thus was heard commo,nding loud : 
 
 Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold ; 
 That all may see who hate us, how we seek 
 Peace and composure, and with open breast 5G0 
 
 Stand ready to receive them, if they lUie 
 Oar overture, and turn not back perverse ; 
 But that I doubt ; however witness, tieaven ! 
 Heaven, witness thou anon ! while we discharga 
 Freely our part : ye, who appointed stand, 5G5 
 
 Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch 
 What we propound, and loud that all may hear ! 
 
 So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce 
 Had ended ; when to right and left the front 
 Divided, and to either flank retired : 570 
 
 Which to our eyes discovered, 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 fir. 
 With branches lopp'd, in wood or mountain fell'd,) 575 
 Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths 
 With hideous orifice gaped on us wide. 
 Portending hollow truce : At eacli behind 
 A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed 
 Stood waving tipp'd with fire : wliile we, suspense, 580 
 Collected stood within our thoughts amused, 
 Not long : for sudden all at once their reeds 
 Put forth, and to a narrow vent applied 
 With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame, 584 
 
 But soon obscured with smoke, all Heaven appear'd, 
 T'rom those deep-throated engines bclch'd, whose roar 
 Embov/eVd with outrageous noise the air, 
 And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul 
 Their devilish glut, chain'd thunderbolts and hail 
 Of iron globes ; which, on the victor host 590 
 
144 PARADISE LOST. b. vi 
 
 Levcrd, witli such impetuous fury smote, 
 
 That, whom they hit, none on their feet might stand, 
 
 Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell 
 
 By thousands, Angel on Archangel roll'd ; 
 
 TJie sooner for their arms ; unarm'd, they might 595 
 
 Have easil}', as Spirits, evaded swift 
 
 By quick contraction or remove ; but now 
 
 Foul dissipation follow 'd, and forced rout j 
 
 Nor served it to relax their serried files. 
 
 What should they do '' if on they rush'd, repulse GOO 
 
 Repeated, and indecent overthrow 
 
 Doubled, would render them yet more despised, 
 
 And to their foes a laughter ; for in view 
 
 Stood rank'd of Seraphim another row, 
 
 In posture to d'splode their second tire 605 
 
 Of thunder : Back defeated to return 
 
 They worse abhorr'd. Satan beheld their phght, 
 
 And to his r/>ates thus in derision call'd : 
 
 O Friends ! why come not on these victors proud .'' 
 Ere while they fierce were coming ; and when we 610 
 To entertain them ivh with open front 
 And breast, (what could we more .'') propounded terms 
 Of composition, straiglit they changed their minds. 
 Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, 
 As they would dance ; yet for a dance they seem'd 615 
 Somewhat extravagant and wild ; perhaps 
 For joy of ofter'd peace : But I suppose 
 If our proposals once again were heard. 
 We should compel them to a quick result. 
 
 To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood : 620 
 Leader ! the terms we sent were terms of weight, 
 Of hard contents, and full of force urged home , 
 Such as we might perceive amused them all, 
 And stumbled many : Who receives them right 
 Had need from head to foot well understand ; 625 
 
 Not understood, this gift they have besides, 
 They show us when our foes walk not upright. 
 
 So they among themselves in pleasant vein 
 
PARADISE LOST 145 
 
 Stood scoffing:, Iieighten'd in their thoughts bej'ond 
 All doubt of victory : Eternal Might 630 
 
 To match with their inventions they presumed 
 So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, 
 And all his host derided, while they stood 
 Awhile in trouble : But they stood not long ; 
 Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms 
 Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. 636 
 
 Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power, 
 Which God hath in his mighty Angels placed I) 
 Their arms away they threw, and to the hills 
 (For Earth hath this variety from Heaven 640 
 
 Of pleasure situate in hill and dale,) 
 Light as the lightnin g glimpse they ran, they flew ; 
 From their foundations loosening to and fro. 
 They pluck'd the seated hills, with all their load, 
 Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops 645 
 Uplifting bore them in their hands : Amaze, 
 Be sure, and terror seized the rebel host, 
 When coming towards them so dread they saw 
 The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd ; 
 Till on those cursed engines' triple-row 650 
 
 They saw them whelm'd, 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 654 
 
 Came shadowing, and oppress'd whole legions arm'd ; 
 Their armour helped their harm, crushed in and bruised 
 Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain 
 Implacable, and many a dolorous groan; 
 Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind 
 Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light, 660 
 Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. 
 The rest, in imitation, to like arms 
 Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore : 
 So hills amid the air encounter'd hills, 
 Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire } 665 
 
 Til at under ground thoy fought in dismal shade ; 
 13 
 
146 PARADISE LOST. b. vi 
 
 Infernal noise ! war seem'd a civil game 
 
 To this uproar ; horrid confusion heap'd 
 
 Upon confusion rose : and now all Heaven 
 
 Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread ; 67( 
 
 Had not the Almighty Father, where he aits 
 
 Shrined in his sanctuary of Heaven secure, 
 
 Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen 
 
 This tumult, and permitted all, advised : 
 
 That his great purpose he might so fulfil, 675 
 
 To honour his anointed Son avenged 
 
 Upon his enemies, and to declare 
 
 All power on him transferr'd : whence to his Son, 
 
 The Assessor of his throne, he thus began : 
 
 Effulgence of my glory. Son beloved, 680 
 
 Son, in whose face invisible is beheld 
 Visibly what by Deity I am ; 
 And in whose hand wliat by decree I doj 
 Second Omnipotence ! two days are pass'd, 
 Two days, as we compute the days of Heaven, 085 
 Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame 
 These disobedient : sore hath been their fight. 
 As likeliest Avas, when two such foes met arm'd , 
 For to themselves I left them ; and thou know'st, 
 Equal in their creation they were form'd, 690 
 
 Save what sin hath impair'd ; 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 : 
 War wearied hath perform'd what war can do, 695 
 And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins, 
 With mountains, as with weapons, arm'd ; which makes 
 Wild work in Heaven, and dangerous to the main. 
 Two days are therefore pass'd, the third is thine j 
 For thee I have ordain'd it ; and thus far 700 
 
 Have suff'er'd, that the glory may be thine 
 Of ending this great war, since none but Thou 
 Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace 
 fnimcnse I have transfused that all may know 
 
PARADJSE LOST. 147 
 
 In Heaven and Hell thy power above compare ; 705 
 And, this perverse commotion govern'd 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 Father's might ; 710 
 Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels 
 That shake Heaven's basis, bring forth all my war, 
 My bow and thunder, my almighty arms 
 Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh ; 
 Pursue these sons of darkness, drive them out 715 
 
 From all Heaven's bounds into the utter deep : 
 There let them learn, as likes them, to despise 
 God, and Messiah his anointed Kijig. 
 
 He said, and on his Son with rays direct 
 Shone full ; he all his Father full express'd 720 
 
 Ineffably into his face received ; 
 And thus the Filial Godhead answering spake : 
 
 O Father, O Supreme of heavenly Thrones, 
 First, Highest, Holiest, Best ; thou always seek'st 
 To glorify thy Son, I always thee, 725 
 
 As is most just : this I my glory account, 
 My exaltation, and my whole delight, 
 That thou, in me well pleased, declarest thy will 
 Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. 
 Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume, 730 
 
 And gladlier shall resign, when in the end 
 Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee 
 For ever ; and in me all whom thou lovest : 
 But whom thou hatest I hate, and can put on 
 Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, 735 
 
 Image of thee in all things , and shall soon, 
 Arm'd with thy might, rid Heaven of these rebell'd , 
 To their prepared ill mansion driven down, 
 To chains of darkness, and the undying worm ; 
 That from thy just obedience could revolt, 740 
 
 Whom to obey is happiness entire. 
 Then shall tliy Saints unmix'd, and from the impure 
 
148 PARADISE LOST. e. vi 
 
 Tar separate, circlraiT thy holy mount. 
 
 Unfeigned Hallelujahs to thee sing, 
 
 Hymns of high praise, and I among them Chief. 745 
 
 So said, he, o'er his sceptre bowing, rose 
 From the right hand of Glory where he sat ; 
 And the third sacred morn began to shine, [sound, 
 Dawning through Heaven. Forth rush'd with whirlwind 
 The chariot of Paternal Deity, 750 
 
 Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, 
 Itself instinct with Spirit, but convoy'd 
 By four Clierubic shapes ; four faces each 
 Had wondrous : as with stars, their bodies all 
 And wings were set with eyes ; with eyes the wheels 
 Of beryl, and careering fires between; 756 
 
 Over their heads a crystal firmament, 
 Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure 
 Amber, and colours of the showery arch. 
 He, in celestial panoply all arm'd 760 
 
 Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought, 
 Ascended ; at his right hand Victory 
 Sat eagle-winged ; beside him hung his bow 
 And quiver v/ith three-bolted thunder stored ; 
 And from about him fierce effusion roll'd 765 
 
 Of smoke and bickering flame and sparkles dire : 
 Attended v/ith ten thousand Saints, 
 He onward came ; far off" his coming shone ; 
 And twenty thousand (I their number heard) 
 Chariots of God, half on each hand, were seen ; 770 
 He on tlie wings of Cherub rode sublime 
 On the crystdlline sky, in sapphire throned, 
 Illustrious far and wide ; but by his own 
 First seen ; tliem unexpected joy surprised, 
 When the great ensign of Messiah blazed 775 
 
 Aloft by Angels borne, his sign in Heaven ; 
 Under whose conduct Michael soon reduced 
 His army, ciroumfused on either wing, 
 Under their Head embodied all in one. 
 Before him Power Divine his way prepared ; 780 
 
PARADISE LOST 149 
 
 At his command the uprooted hills retired 
 
 Each to his place ; they heard his voice, and went 
 
 Obsequious ; Heaven his wonted face renew'd, 
 
 And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled. 
 
 This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured, 785 
 
 And to rebellious fight rallied their Powers, 
 
 Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. 
 
 In heavenly Spirits could such perverseness dwell ? 
 
 But to convince the proud what signs avail, 
 
 Or wonders move the obdurate to relent ? 790 
 
 They, harden'd more by what might most reclaim, 
 
 Grieving to see his glory, at the sight 
 
 Took envy ; and, aspiring to his height, 
 
 Stood reembattled fierce, by force or fraud 
 
 Weening to prosper, and at length prevail 795 
 
 Against God and Messiah, or to fall 
 
 ji_i universal ruin last ; and now 
 
 To final battle drew, disdaining flight, 
 
 Or faint retreat ; when the great Son of God 
 
 To all his host on either hand thus spake : 800 
 
 Stand still in bright array, ye Saints ; here stand. 
 Ye Angels arm'd ; this day from battle rest : 
 Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God 
 Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause ; 
 And as ye have received, so have ye done, 805 
 
 Invincibly : but of this cursed crew 
 The pmiishment to other hand belongs ; 
 Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints : 
 Number to this day's work is not ordain'd, 
 Nor multitude ; stand only, and behold 810 
 
 God's indignation on these godless pour'd 
 By me ; not you, but me they have despised, 
 STet envied ; against me is all their rage, 
 Because the Father, to whom in Heaven supreme 
 Kingdom and power and glory appertains, 815 
 
 Hath honoured me, according to his will. 
 Therefore to me their doom he hath assigned; 
 That they may have their wish, to try with me 
 13* 
 
im PARADISE LOST. b. vi. 
 
 In battle which the stronger proves ; they all, 
 
 Or I alone against thexr ; since\by strength 820 
 
 They measure all, of other excellence 
 
 Not emulous, nor care who them excels ; 
 
 Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe. 
 
 So spake the Son, and into terror changed 
 liis countenance too severe to be beheld, 825 
 
 A.nd full of wrath bent on his enemies. 
 At once the Four spread out their starry wings 
 With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs 
 Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the soimd 
 Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host. 830 
 
 He on his impious foes right onward drove, 
 Gloomy as night ; under his burning wheels 
 The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, 
 All but the throne itself of God. Full soon 
 Among them he ari'ived ; in his right hand 835 
 
 Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent 
 Before him, such as in their souls infix'd 
 Plagues : they, astonish'd, all resistance lost, 
 All courage ; down their idle weapons dropp'd : 
 O'er shields and helms and helmed heads he rode 840 
 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-visaged Four 845 
 
 Distinct with eyes, and from the living wlieels 
 Distinct alike with multitude of eyes ; ' 
 
 One Spirit in them ruled ; and every eye 
 Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire 
 Among the accursed, that vvather'd all their strength, 
 And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, 851 
 
 Exhausted, spiritless, afilicted, fallen. 
 Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd 
 His thunder in mid volley ; for he meant 
 Not to destroy, but root them out of Pleaven : 855 
 T'le overthrown he raised ; and, as a herd 
 
PARADISE LOST. 151 
 
 Of goats or timorous flock together tlirong'd, 
 Drove them before him thunderstruck, pursued 
 With terrors, and with furies, to the bounds 
 And crystal wall of Heaven : which, opening wide, 860 
 Roll'd inward, and a spacious gap disclosed 
 Into the wasteful deep : the monstrous sight 
 Struck them with horror backward, but far worse 
 Urged them behind- headlong themselves they threw 
 Down from the verge of Heaven ; eternal wrath 865 
 Burn'd after them to the bottomless pit. 
 
 Hell heard the unsufTerable noise, Hell saw 
 Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled 
 Affrighted ; but strict Fate had cast too deep 
 Her dark fomidations, and too fast had bound. 870 
 
 Nine days they fell : confounded Chaos roar'd, 
 And felt tenfold confusion in their fall 
 Through his wild anarchy, so huge a rout 
 Encumber'd him with ruin : Hell at last 
 Yanniing received them whole, and on them closed ; 
 Hell, their fit habitation, fraught with fire 876 
 
 Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. 
 Disburden 'd Heaven rejoiced, and soon repair d 
 Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. 
 ^le victor, from the expulsion of his foes, 880 
 
 Messiah his triumphal chariot turn'd : 
 To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood 
 Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts. 
 With jubilee advanced ; and, as they went, 
 Shaded with branching palm, each Order bright 885 
 Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, 
 Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion given, 
 Worthiest to reign : He, celebrated, rode 
 Triumphant through mid Heaven, into the courts 
 And temple of his Mighty Father throned 890 
 
 On high ; who into glory him received, 
 Where now he sits at the right hand of blirs. [Earth, 
 
 Thus, measuring things in Heaven by things on 
 At thy request, and that thou mayst bcv/aro 
 
152 PARADISE LOST. b. vi. 
 
 By what is pass'd, to thee I have reveal'd 895 
 
 What might have else to human race been hid ; 
 
 The discord which befel, and war in Heaven 
 
 Among the angelic Powers, and the deep fall 
 
 Of those too high aspiring, who rebell'd 
 
 With Satan ; he who envies now thy state, 900 
 
 Who now is plotting how he may seduce 
 
 Thee also from obedience, that, with him 
 
 Bereaved of happiness, thou mayst partake 
 
 His punishment, eternal misery ; 
 
 Which would be all his solace and revenge, 905 
 
 As a despite done against the Host High, 
 
 Thee once to gain companion of his woe. 
 
 But listen not to his temptations, warn 
 
 Thy weaker : let it profit thee to have heard, 
 
 By terrible example, the reward 910 
 
 Of disobedience ; firm they might have stood, 
 
 TiTet fell; remember, and fear to transgress. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 Rapliael, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherofote thig 
 world was first created ; that God, after the expelling of Satan 
 ■and his Angels out of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create 
 another world, and other creatures to dwell therein; sends his 
 Son with glory, and attendance of Angels, to perform the work 
 of Creation in six dajs : the Angels celebrate with hymns the 
 performance thereof, and his reascension into Heaven 
 
 Descend from Heaven, Urania, by that name 
 
 If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine 
 
 Following, above the Olympian hill I soar, 
 
 Above the flight of Pegasean wing ! 
 
 The meaning, not the name, I call : for thou 5 
 
 Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top 
 
 Of old Olympus dwell'st ; but heavenly born, 
 
 Before the hills appear'd or fountain flow'd, 
 
 Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse, 
 
 Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play 10 
 
 In presence of the Almighty Father, pleased 
 
 With thy celestial song. Up led by thee 
 
 Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed. 
 
 An earthly guest, and drav/n empyreal air, 
 
 Thy tempering : with like safety guided down 15 
 
 Return me to my native element : 
 
 Lest from this flying steed unrein'd (as once 
 
 Bellerophon, though from a lower clime,) 
 
 Dismounted, on the Aleian field I fall, 
 
 Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn. 20 
 
 Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound 
 
 Within the visible diurnal sphere ; 
 
 Standing on earth, not wrapp'd above tlie pole, 
 
154 PARADISE LOST. 
 
 More safe I sing with mortal voice, unchanged 
 
 To hoarse or mute, though fallen on evil days, 25 
 
 On evil days though fallen, and evil tongues; 
 
 In darkness, and with dangers compass'd round, 
 
 And solitude ; yet not alone, while thou 
 
 Visit'st my slumbers nightly, or when morn 
 
 Purples the east : still govern thou my song, 30 
 
 Urania, and fit audience find, though few. 
 
 But drive far off the barbarous dissonance 
 
 Of Bacchus and his revellers, the race 
 
 Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard 
 
 In Rhodope, where woods and rocks had ears 35 
 
 To rapture, till the savage clamour drown'd 
 
 Both harp and voice , nor could the Muse defend 
 
 Her son. So fail not thou, who thee implores • 
 
 For thou art heavenly, she an empty dream. 
 
 Say, Goddess, what ensued when Raphael, 40 
 
 The affable Archangel, had forewarn'd 
 Adam, by dire example, to beware 
 Apostacy, by what befel in Heaven 
 To those apostates : lest the like befal 
 In Paradise to Adam or his race, 45 
 
 Charged not to touch the interdicted tree, 
 If they transgress, and slight that sole command. 
 So easily obey'd amid the choice 
 Of all tastes else to please their appetite, 
 Though wandering. He, with his consorted Eve, 50 
 The story heard attentive, and was fiU'd 
 With admiration and deep muse, to hear 
 Of things so high and strange ; things, to their thought 
 So unimaginable, as hate in Heaven, 
 And war so near the peace of God in bliss, 55 
 
 With such confusion : but the evil, soon 
 Driven back, redounded as a flood on those 
 From whom it sprang ; impossible to mix 
 With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeal'd 
 The doubts that in his heart arose : and now 60 
 
 Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know 
 
PARARISE LOST. 155 
 
 What nearer might concern him, how this world 
 Of Heaven and Earth conspicuous first began j 
 When, and whereof created ; for what cause ; 
 What within Eden, or without, was done 65 
 
 Before his memory ; as one whose drouth 
 Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current stream, 
 Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, 
 Proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest. 
 
 Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70 
 
 Far differing from this world, thou hast reveal'd. 
 Divine interpreter ! by favour sent 
 Down from the empyrean, to forewarn 
 Us timely of what might else have been our loss, 
 Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach : 
 For which to the infinitely Good we owe 76 
 
 Immortal thanks, and his admonishment 
 Receive, with solemn purpose to observe 
 [mmutably his sov'reign will, the end 
 Ofwhatweare. But since thou hast vouchsafed 80 
 Gently, for our instruction, to impart 
 Things above earthly thought, which yet concern'd 
 Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seem'd, 
 Deign to descend now lower, and relate 
 What may no less perhaps avail us known, 85 
 
 How first began this Heaven which v.^e behold 
 Distant so high, with moving fires adorn'd 
 Innumerable ; and this which yields or fills 
 All space, the ambient are wide interfused 
 Embracing round this florid Earth ; what cause 90 
 Moved the Creator, in his holy rest 
 Through all eternity, so late to build 
 In Chaos ; and, the work begun, how soon 
 Absolved •, if unforbid thou mayst unfold 
 What we, not to explore the secrets ask 95 
 
 Of his eternal empire, but the more 
 To magnify his works, the more we know. 
 And the great light of day yet wants to run 
 
156 PARADISE LOST. b. vii 
 
 Much of his race though steep ; suspense in Heaven, 
 
 Held by thy voice, thy potent Voice, he hears, 100 
 
 And longer will delay to hear thee tell 
 
 His generation, and the rising birth 
 
 Of Nature from the unapparent Deep • 
 
 Or if the star of evening and the moon 
 
 Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring 105 
 
 Silence ; and Sleep, listening to thee, will watch ; 
 
 Or we can bid his absence, till thy song 
 
 End, and dismiss thee ere the morning shine. 
 
 Thus Adam his illustrious guest besought : 
 And thus the Godlike Angel ansv.'er'd mild : 110 
 
 This also thy request, with caution ask'd, 
 Obtain ; though to recount almighty 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 115 
 To glorify the Maker, and infer 
 Thee also happier, shall not be withheld 
 Thy hearmg ; such commission from above 
 I have received, to answer thy desire 
 Of knowledge within bounds ; beyond, abstain 120 
 To ask ; nor let thine own inventions hope 
 Things not reveal'd, which the invisible King, 
 Only Omniscient, hath suppress'd in night ; 
 To none communicable in Earth or Heaven : 
 Enough is left besides to search and know. 125 
 
 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 surfeit, and soon turns 
 Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind. 130 
 
 Know then, that, after Lucifer from Heaven 
 (So call him, brighter once amidst the host 
 Of Angels than tliat star the stars among,) 
 Fell with his flaming legions through the deep 
 Into his placs : a-iid the great Son return'd 135 
 
PARADISE LOST. 157 
 
 Victorious with his Saints, the Omnipotent 
 Eternal Father from his throne beheld 
 Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake : 
 
 At least our envious Foe hath fail'd, who thought 
 All like himself rebellious, by whose aid 140 
 
 This inaccessible liigh strength, the seat 
 Of Deity supreme, us dispossess'd, 
 He trusted to have seized, and into fraud 
 Drew many, whom their place knows here no more : 
 Yet far the greater part have kept, I see, 145 
 
 Their station ; Heaven, yet populous, retains 
 Number sunicient to possess her realms 
 Though wide, and this high temple to frequent 
 With ministeries due and solemn rites j 
 JBut, lest his heart exalt him in the harm J 50 
 
 Already done,, to have dispeopled Heaven, 
 My dauiage fondly deem'd, I can repair 
 That detriment, if such it be to lose 
 Self-lost ; a,nd in a moment will create 
 Another world, out of one man a race 155 
 
 Of men innumerable, there to dwell. 
 Not here : till, by degrees of merit raised, 
 They open to themselves at length the way 
 Up hither, under long obedience tried ; 
 And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth 
 One kingdom, joy and union without end. 161 
 
 Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye Powers of Heaven ; 
 And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee 
 This I perform ; speak thou, and be it done ! 
 My overshadowing Spirit and Might with thee 165 
 I s^end along ; ride forth, and bid the Deep 
 Within appointed bounds be Heaven and Earth , 
 Boundless the Deep, because I Am who fill 
 Infinitude, nor vacuous the space. 
 
 Though T, uncircumscribed myself, retire, 170 
 
 And put not forth my goodness, which is free 
 To act or net. Necessity and Chance 
 Approach not me, and what I will is Fate. 
 14 
 
158 PARADISE LOST. b. vii. 
 
 So spake the Almighty, and to what he spake 
 His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect. 175 
 
 Immediate are the acts of God, more swifl 
 Than time or motion, but to human ears 
 Cannot without process of speech be told, 
 So told as earthly notion can receive. 
 Great triumph and rejoicing was in Heaven, 180 
 
 When such was heard declared the Almighty's will ; 
 Glory they sung to the Most High, good will 
 To future men, and in their dwellings peace j 
 Glory to Him, whose just avenging ire 
 Had driven out the ungodly from his sight 185 
 
 And the habitations of tlie just ; to Him 
 Glory and praise, whose wisdom had ordain'd 
 Good cut of evil to create ; instead 
 Of Spirits malign, a better rac6 to bring 
 Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 190 
 
 His good to worlds and ages infinite 
 
 So sang the Hierarchies : meanv/hile the Son 
 On his great expedition now appear'd, 
 Girt with Omnipotence, with radiance crown 'd 
 Of Majesty Divine ; sapience and love 195 
 
 Immense, and all his Father in him shone. 
 About his chariot numberless were pour'd 
 Cherub, and Seraph, Potentates, and Thrones, 
 And Virtues, winged Spirits, and chariots wing'd 
 From the armory of God ; where stand of old 200 
 Myriads, between two brazen mountains lodged 
 Against a solemn day, harness'd at hand, 
 Celestial equipage ; and now came .forth 
 Spontaneous, for within them Spirit lived, 
 Attendant on their Lord : Heaven open'd wide 205 
 Her ever during gates, harmonious sound, 
 On golden hinges moving, to let forth 
 The King of Glory, in his powerful Word 
 And Spirit coming to create new worlds. 
 On heavenly ground they stood ; and from the shore 
 They view'd the vast immeasurable abycs 211 
 
PARADISE LOST. 159 
 
 Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, v/ild, 
 
 Up from the bottom turn'd by furious winds 
 
 And surging waves, as mountains, to assault 214 
 
 Heaven's height, and with the centre mix the pole. 
 
 Silence, ye troubled Waves, and, thou Deep, peace, 
 Said then the Omnific Word ; your discord end ! 
 Nor staid ; but, on the wings of Cherubim 
 Uplifted, in paternal glory rode 
 
 Far into Chaos, and the world unborn ; 220 
 
 For Chaos heard his voice : Him all his train 
 Follow'd in bright procession, to behold 
 Creation, and the wonders of his might. 
 Then staid the fervid wheels, and in his hand 
 He took the golden compasses, prepared 225 
 
 In God's eternal store, to circum.scribe 
 This universe, and all created things : 
 One foot he centred, and the other turn'd 
 Round through the vast profundity obscure ; 
 And said. Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 230 
 This be thy just circumference, O World ! 
 Thus God the Heaven created, thus the Earth, 
 Matter unform'd and void : darkness profoxmd 
 Cover'd the abyss: but on the watery calm 
 His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspread, 235 
 And vital virtue infused, and vital warmth 
 Throughout the fluid mass ; but downward purged 
 The black tartareous cold infernal dregs. 
 Adverse to life : then founded, then conglobed 
 Like things to like ; the rest to several place 240 
 
 Disparted, and between spun out the air ; 
 And Earth self-balanced on her centre hung. 
 
 Let there be Light, said God : and forthwith Light 
 Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure. 
 Sprung from the deep ; and from her native east 245 
 To journey through the aery gloom began. 
 Sphered in a radiant cloud, for yet the sun 
 Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle 
 Sojourn'd the while. God saw the li>?ht was good , 
 
160 PARADISE LOST. b. vit. 
 
 And light from darkness by the hemisphere 250 
 
 Divided : light the Day, and darkness Night, 
 
 He named. Thus was the first day even and morn • 
 
 Nor pass'd uncelebrated, nor unsung 
 
 By the celestial choirs, when orient light 
 
 Exhaling first from darkness they beheld ; 255 
 
 Birthday of Heaven and Earth ; with joy and shout 
 
 The hollow universal orb they fill'd, 
 
 And touch'd their golden harps, and hymning praised 
 
 God and his works ; Creator him they sung, 
 
 Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 260 
 
 Again, God said, Let there 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, diffused 265 
 
 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 he the world 
 Built on circumfluous waters calm, in wide 270 
 
 Crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule 
 Of Chaos far removed ; lest fierce extremes 
 Contigvious might distemper the whole frame : 
 And Heaven he named the Firmament : so even 
 And morning chorus sung the second day. 275 
 
 The Earth was form'd, but, in the womb as vet 
 Of waters, embryon immature involved, 
 Appear'd not : over all the face of Earth 
 Main ocean flow'd, not idle ; but, with warm 
 Prolific humour softening all her globe, 280 
 
 Fermented the great mother to conceive, 
 Satiate with genial moisture ; when God said, 
 Be gather'd now, ye waters under Heaven, 
 into one place, and let dry land appear. 
 Immediately the mountains huge appear 285 
 
 Emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave 
 Into the clouds ; their tops ascend the sky ; 
 
PARADISE LOST. 161 
 
 So high as heaved the tumid hills, so low 
 Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, 
 Capacious bed of waters : thither they 290 
 
 Hasted with glad precipitance, uproll'd, 
 As drops on dust conglobing from the dry . 
 Part rise in crystal wall, or ridge direct^, 
 For haste ; such flight the great command impress'd 
 On the swift floods : as armies at the call 295 
 
 Of trumpet (for of armies thou hast heard) 
 Troop to their standard ; so the watery throng, 
 Wave rolling after v/ave, where way they found, 
 If steep, with torrent rapture, if through plain, 
 Soft-ebbing ; nor withstood them rock or hill ; 300 
 But they, or under ground, or circuit wide 
 With serpent error wandering, found their way, 
 And on the washy ooze deep channels wore ; 
 Easy, ere God had bid the ground be dry, 
 All but withiii those banks, where rivers now 305 
 
 Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. 
 The dry land Earth, and the great receptacle 
 Of congregated waters he call'd Seas : 
 And saw that it was good ; and sa,id. Let the Earth 
 Put forth the verdant grass, herb yielding seed, 310 
 And fruit-tree yielding fruit after her kind. 
 Whose seed is in herself 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 315 
 Her universal face v/ith pleasant green ; 
 Then herbs of every leaf, that sudden flower'd 
 Opening their various colours, and made gay 
 Her bosom, smelling sweet : and, these scarce blown, 
 Forth flourjsh'd thick the clustering vine, forth crept 
 The sweUing gourd, up stood the corny reed 321 
 
 Embattled in her field, and the humble shrub, 
 And bush vvith frizzled hair implicit : last 
 Rose, as in dance, the stately trees, and spread 
 Their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemm'd 325 
 14* 
 
162 PARADISE LOST. b.vii 
 
 Their blossoms : with high woods the hills were crown'd; 
 With tufts the valleys, and each fountain side.; 
 With borders long the rivers : the Earth nov/ 
 Seem'd like to Heaven, a seat where Gods might dwell, 
 Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 330 
 
 Her sacred shades : though God had yet not rain'd 
 Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground 
 None wa.s ; but from the Earth a dewy mist 
 Went up, and water'd all the ground, and each 
 Plant of the field ; which, ere it was in the Earth, 335 
 Crod made, and every herb, before it grew 
 On the green stem : God saw that it was good : 
 So even and morn recorded the third day. 
 
 Again the Almighty spake, Let there be lights 
 High in the expanse of Heaven, to divide 340 
 
 The day from night ; and let them be for signs, 
 For seasons, and for days, and circling years ; 
 And let them be for lights, as I ordain 
 Their office in the firmament of Heavon, 
 To give light on the Earth ; and it was so. 345 
 
 And God made two great lights, great for their use 
 To Man, the greater to have rule by day, 
 The less by night, altern ; and made the stars, 
 And set them in the firmauient of Heaven 
 To illuminate the Earth, and rule the day 350 
 
 In their vicissitude, and rule the night. 
 And light from darkness to divide. God saw. 
 Surveying his great work, that it was good : 
 P'or of celestial bodies first the sun 
 A mighty sphere he framed, unlightsome first, 355 
 Though of ethereal mould : then form'd the moon 
 Globose, and every magnitude of stars. 
 And sow'd with stars the Heaven, thick as a field : 
 Of light by far the greater part he took, 
 Transplanted frow her cloudy shrine, and placed 360. 
 In the sun's orb, made porous to receive 
 And drink the liquid light ; rirm to retain 
 Her gather 'd beams, great palace now of light. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 162 
 
 Hither, as to their fountain, other stars 
 
 Repairing, in their golden urns draw light, 365 
 
 And hence the morning planet gilds her horns ; 
 
 By tincture or reflection they augment 
 
 Their small peculiar, though from human sight 
 
 So far remote, with diminution seen. 
 
 First in his east the glorious lamp was seen, 370 
 
 Regent of da}-, and all the horizon round 
 
 Invested with bright rays, jocund to run 
 
 His longitude through HeaA^en's high road ; the gray 
 
 Dawn and the Pleiades before him danced, 
 
 Shedding sweet influence : less bright the moon, 375 
 
 But opposite in level'd west v/as set. 
 
 His mirror, with full face borrowing her light 
 
 From him ; for other light she needed none 
 
 In that aspect, and still that distance keeps 
 
 Till night ; then in the east her turn she shines, 380 
 
 Revolved on Heaven's great axle, and her reign 
 
 With thousand lesser lights dividual holds, 
 
 With thousand thousand stars, that then appear'd 
 
 Spangling the hemisphere : then first adorn'd 
 
 With their bright luminaries that set and rose, 385 
 
 Glad evening and glad morn crown'd the fourth day. 
 
 And God said. Let the waters generate 
 Reptile with spawn abundant, living soul : 
 And let fowl fly above the Earth, v/ith wings 
 Display'd on the open firmamunt of Heaven. ^0 
 
 And God created the great whales, and each 
 Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously 
 The waters generated by their kinds ; 
 And every bird of wing after his kind ; 
 And saw that it was good, and bless'd them, saymg, 
 Be fruitful, multiply, and in the seas 396 
 
 And lakes and rimning streams the waters fill ; 
 And let the fowl be multiplied on the Earth. 
 Forthwith the sounds and seas, each creek and bay, 
 With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 400 
 
 Offish that with their fins and shining scales 
 
164 PARADISE LOST. b. vti 
 
 Glide under the green wave, in sculls that ofl 
 
 Bank the mid sea; part single, or v/ith mate, 
 
 Graze the seaweed their pasture, and through groves 
 
 Of coral stray ; or, sporting with quick glance, 405 
 
 Show to the sun their waved coats dropp'd with gold ; 
 
 Or, in their pearly shells at ease, attend 
 
 Moist nutriment ; or under rocks their food 
 
 In jointed armour watch : on smooth the seal 
 
 And bended dolphins play : part huge of bulk 410 
 
 Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait. 
 
 Tempest the ocean : there leviathan, 
 
 Hugest of living creatures, on the deep 
 
 Stretch'd like a promontory sleeps or swims, 
 
 And seems a moving land ; and at his gills 415 
 
 Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea. 
 
 Meanwhile the tepid caves and fens and shores 
 
 Their brood as numerous hatch, from the ogg that soon 
 
 Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclosed 419 
 
 Their callow young ; but feather'd soon and fledge 
 
 They summ'd their pens ; and, soaring the air sublime, 
 
 With clang despised the ground, under a cloud 
 
 In prospect ; there the eagle and the stork 
 
 On cliffs and cedar tops their eyries build : 
 
 Part loosely wing the region, part more wise 425 
 
 In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way, 
 
 Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 
 
 Their aery caravan, high over seas 
 
 Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing 
 
 Easing their flight ; so steers the prudent crane 430 
 
 Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; the air 
 
 Floats as they pass, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes : 
 
 From branch to branch the smaller birds with song 
 
 Solaced the woods, and spread their painted wings 
 
 Till even ; nor then the solemn nightingale 43S 
 
 Ceased warbling, but all night tuned her soft lays : 
 
 Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed 
 
 Their downy breast ; the swan with arched neck, 
 
 Between her white wu^i>-s mantUni? proudly, rows 
 
PARADISE LOST. 165 
 
 Her state with oary feet ; yet oft they quit 440 
 
 The dank, and, rising on stiff pennons, tower 
 The mid aerial cky : others on ground 
 Walk'd firm : the crested cock whose clarion sounds 
 The silent hours, and the other whose gay train 
 Adorns him, colour'd with the florid hue 445 
 
 Of rainbows and starry eyes. The waters thug 
 With fish replenish'd, and the air with fowl, 
 Evening and morn solemnized the fifth day. 
 
 The sixth, and of creation last, arose 
 With evening harps and matin ; when God said, 450 
 Let the Earth bring forth soul living in her kind. 
 Cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the Earth, 
 Each in their kind. The Earth obey'd, and straight 
 Opening her fertile womb teem'd at a birth 
 Innuinerous living creatures, perfect forms, 455 
 
 Limb'd and full grown : out of the ground uprose, 
 As from his lair, the wild beast vdiere he wous 
 Tn forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den ; 
 Among the trees in pairs they rose, they walk'd 
 The cattle in the fields and meadows green : 460 
 
 Those rare and solitary, these in fiocks 
 Pasturing at once, and in broad herds upsprung. 
 The grassy clods now calved ; now half appear'd 
 The tawny lion, pawing to get free 
 His hinder parts, then springs as broke from bonds, 465 
 And rampant shakes his brinded mane ; the ounce. 
 The libbard, and the tiger, as the mole 
 Rising, the crumbled earth above them threw 
 In hillocks : the swift stag from under ground 
 Bore up his branching head : scarce from his mould 470 
 Behemoth bigsest born of earth upheaved 
 His vastness : fleeced the flocks and bleating rose. 
 As plants : ambiguous between sea and land 
 The river-horse, and scaly crocodile. 
 At once came forth whatever creeps the ground, 475 
 Insect or worm : those waved their limber fans 
 For wings, and smallest lineaments exact 
 
166 PARADISE LOST. b. vii 
 
 In all the liveries deck'd of summer's pride 
 
 With spots of gold and purple, azure and green : 
 
 These, as a line, their long dimension drew, 480 
 
 Streaking the ground with sinuous trace ; not all 
 
 Minims of nature ; some of serpent kind, 
 
 Wondrous in length and corpulence, involved 
 
 Their snaky folds, and added wings. First crept 
 
 The parsimonious emmet, provident 485 
 
 Of future ; in small room large hea,rt enclosed ; 
 
 Pattern of just equality perhaps 
 
 Hereafter, joined in her popular tribes 
 
 Of commonalty : swarming next appear'd 
 
 The female bee, that feeds her husband drone 490 
 
 Deliciously, and builds her waxen cells 
 
 With honey stored : the rest are numberless, 
 
 And thou their natures know'st, and gavest them nameB^ 
 
 heedless to thee repeated ; nor unknov/n 
 
 The serpent, subtlest beast of all the field, 495 
 
 Of huge extent sometimes, with brazen eyes 
 
 And hairy mane terrific, though to thee 
 
 Not noxious, but obedient at thy call. 
 
 Now Heaven in all her glory shone, and roU'd 
 Her motions, as the great first Mover's hand 500 
 
 First wheel'd their course : Earth in her rich attire 
 Consummate lovely smiled ; air, water, earth. 
 By fowl, fish, beast, was flown, was swum, was walk'd, 
 Frequent ; and of the sixtk day yet remain'd : 
 There wanted yet the master-work, the end 505 
 
 Of all yet done ; a creature, who, not prone 
 And brute as other creatures, but endued 
 With sanctity of reason, might erect 
 His stature, and upright with front serene 
 Govern the rest, self-knowing ; and from thence 510 
 Magnanimous to correspond with Heaven, 
 But grateful to acknowledge whence his good 
 Descends, thither with heart, and voice, and eyes 
 Directed in devotion, to adore 
 And worship God Supreme^ who made him chief 515 
 
PARADISE LOST. 167 
 
 Of all his works : therefore the Omnipotent 
 Eternal Father (for where is not he 
 Present ?) thus to his Son audibly spake : 
 
 Let us make now Man in our imag^e, Man 
 In our similitude, and let them rule 520 
 
 Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, 
 Beast of the field, and over all the E ^rth. 
 And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. 
 This said, ho form'd thee. Adam, thee, O Man, 
 Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed 525 
 The breath of life ; in his own image he 
 Created thee, in the image of God 
 Express ; and thou becamest a living soul. 
 Male he created thee ; but thy consort 
 Female, for race; then bless'd mankind, and said, 530 
 V>Q fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth ; 
 Sr.'odue it, and throughout dominion hold 
 Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air. 
 And every livmg thing that moves on the Earth. 
 Wherever thus created, for no place 535 
 
 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 pleasaiU fruit for food 540 
 
 Gave thee ; all sorts are here that all the Earth yields 
 Variety v\'ithout end ; but of the tree. 
 Which, tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, 
 Thou niayst not : in the day thou eat'st, thou diest : 
 Death is the penalty imposed ; beware, 545 
 
 And govern well thy appetite ; lest Sin 
 Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death. 
 
 Here finish'd he, and all that he had made 
 View'd, and behold all was entirely good; 
 So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day ; 550 
 Yet not till the Creator from his work 
 Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd, 
 Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode ; 
 
168 PARADISE LOST. vn. 
 
 Thence to behold this new created world, 
 
 The addition of his empire, how it shovv'd 555 
 
 In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair, 
 
 Answering his great idea. Up he rode 
 
 Follow'd with acclamation, and the sound 
 
 Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tuned 
 
 Angeiic harmonies : the earth, the air 560 
 
 Resounded (thou remember'st, for thou heard'st,) 
 
 The heavens and all the constellations rung 
 
 The planets in their station listening stood, 
 
 While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. 
 
 Open, ye everlasting gates ! they sung, 565 
 
 Open, ye Heavens ! your living doors ; let in 
 
 The great Creator from his work return'd 
 
 Magnificent, his six days' work, a World ; 
 
 Open, and henceforth oft ; for God will deign 
 
 To visit oft the dwellings of just men, 570 
 
 Delighted ; and with frequent intercourse 
 
 Thither will send his winged messengers 
 
 On errands of supernal grace. So sung 
 
 The glorious train ascending : He through Heaven, 
 
 That open'd wide her blazing portals, led 575 
 
 To G od'.^ eternal house direct the way ; 
 
 A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold 
 
 And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear, 
 
 Seen in the galaxy, that milky way. 
 
 Which nightly, as a circling zone, thou seest 580 
 
 Powder'd with stars. And now on Earth the seventh 
 
 Evening arose in Eden, for the sun 
 
 Was set, and twilight from the east came on. 
 
 Forerunning night ; when at the holy mount 
 
 Of Heaven's high-seated top, the imperial throne 585 
 
 Of Godhead, fix'd for ever firm and sure, 
 
 The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down 
 
 With his great Father ; for he also went 
 
 Invisible, yet staid (such privilege 
 
 Hath Omnipresence,) and the work crdain'd, 590 
 
 Author and End of all thino-s ; and, from work 
 
PARADISE LOST. 169 
 
 Now testing, blessed and hallow'd the seventh 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, 596 
 
 And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, 
 All sounds on fret b}' string or golden wire. 
 Temper 'd soft tu:iings, intermix 'd with voice 
 Choral or unison ; of incense clouds, 
 Fuming from golden censers, hid the mount. 600 
 
 Creation and the six days' acts they sung : 
 Great are thy works, Jehovah ! infinite 
 Thy power ! what thought can measure thee, or tongue 
 Relate thee ! Greater now in thy return 
 Than from the giant Angels : Thee that day C05 
 
 Thy thmiders magnified ; but to create 
 Is greater than created to destroy. 
 Who can impair thee. Mighty King, or bound 
 Thy empire ! Easily the proud attempt 
 Of Spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, 610 
 
 Thou hast repelled ; while impiously they thought 
 Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw 
 The number of thy worshippers. Who seeks 
 To lessen thee, again.st his purpose serves 
 To manifest the more thy might : his evil CI 5 
 
 Thou usest, and from thence Greatest more good. 
 Witness this new-made world, another Heaven 
 From Heaven gate not far, founded in view 
 On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea: 
 Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 620 
 
 Numerous, and every star perhaps a world 
 Of destined habitation : but thou know'st 
 Their seasons : among these the seat of Men, 
 Earth, with her nether ocean circumfused. 
 Their pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happy Men, 625 
 And sons of Men, whom God hath thus advanced I 
 Created in his image, there to dwell 
 And worship him ; and in reward to rule 
 Over his works, on earth, m sea, or air, 
 15 
 
170 PARADISE LOST. b. vir 
 
 And multiply a race of worshippers G3& 
 
 Holy and just : thrice happy, if they know 
 Their happiness, and persevere upright ! 
 So sung they, and the empyrean rung 
 With hallelujahs : thus was sabbath kept. 
 And thy request think now fulfill'd, that ask'd 631 
 How first this world and face of things began, 
 And what before thy memory was done 
 From the beginning ; that posterity, 
 Inform'd by thee, might know : if else thou seek'st 
 Aught, not surpassing human measure, say. G-^O 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
 <iltfam inquires concerning celestial motions ; is doubtfully answer- 
 ed, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of know- 
 ledge : Adam assents : and, still dnsirous to detain Raphael, re- 
 lates to him what he remembered since his own creation ; his 
 placing in Paradise; his talk with God concerning solitude and 
 fit society; his first meeting and nuptials with Eve; his dis- 
 course with the Angel thereupon: who, after admonitions re- 
 peated, departs 
 
 "he Angel ended, and in Adam's ear 
 ■( charming left his voice, that he awhile 
 \ bought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear ; 
 'i hen, as new waked, thus gratefully replied; 
 
 What thanks sufficient, or Avhat recompense 5 
 
 Equal, have I to render thee, divine 
 Historian, who thus largely hast allay'd 
 The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsafed 
 This friendly condescension to relate 
 Things, else by me unsearchable ; now heard 10 
 
 With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, 
 With glory Attributed to the high 
 Crentor ! Something yet of doubt remains, 
 Which only thy solution can resolve. 
 Wh<rn I behold this goodly frame, this world, 15 
 
 Of Heaven and earth consisting ; and compute 
 Their magnitudes ; this Earth, a spot, a grain, 
 An n torn, with the firmament compared 
 And all her numbered stars, that seem to roll 
 Spa< Es incomprehensible (for such 20 
 
 The; • distance argues, and their swift return 
 Diui lal.) merely to officiate light 
 Rou d this opacous Earth, this punctual spot, 
 
172 PARADISE LOST. b. vm. 
 
 One day and night ; in all her vast survey- 
 Useless besides ; reasoning I oft admire 25 
 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 appears, and on their orbs impose 30 
 Such restless revolution day by day 
 Repeated ; while the sedentary Earth, 
 That better might with far less compass move, 
 Served by more noble than herself, attains 
 Her end without least motion, and receives, 35 
 As tribute, such a sumless journey brought 
 Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light ; 
 Speed, to describe whose swiftness nuniber fails. 
 
 So spake our sire, and by his countenance seem'd 
 Entering on studious thoiights abstruse ; which Eve 
 Perceiving, where she sat retired in sight, 41 
 
 With lowliness niajestic from her seat, 
 And grace that v:cn who saw to wish her stay, 
 Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers, 
 To visit hov/ they prospered, bud and bloom, 45 
 
 Her nursery ; they at her coming sprung. 
 And, touch 'd by her fair tendance, gladlier grew. 
 Yet went she not, as not with such discourse 
 Delighted, or not capable her ear 
 Of what was high : such pleasure she reserved, 50 
 Adam relating, she sole auditress ; 
 Her husband the relater she preferr'd 
 Before the Angel, and of him to ask 
 Chose rather ; he, she knew, would intermix 
 Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 55 
 
 With conjugal caresses : from his lip 
 Not words alone pleased her. O ! when meet now 
 Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd ? 
 With goddess-like demeanour forth she went. 
 Not unattended ; for on her, as Queen, 6(J 
 
 A pomp of winning Graces waited still, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 173 
 
 A.nd from about her shot darts of desire 
 
 Into ill eyes, to wish her still in sight. 
 
 And Raphael now, to Adam's doubt proposed, 
 
 Benevolent and facile thus replied : 65 
 
 T'j ask or search, I blame thee not ; for Heaven 
 Is ai' the book of God before thee set, 
 Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn 
 His reasons, hours, or days, or months, or years : 
 Thiu to attain, whether Heaven move or Earth. 70 
 Imports not, if thou reckon right ; the rest 
 Fro.n 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 75 
 
 Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens 
 Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move 
 His laughter at their quaint opinions wide 
 Hereafter ; when they come to model Heaven 
 And calculate the stars, how they will wield 80 
 
 The mighty frame ; how build, unbuild, contrive 
 To save appearances ; how gird the sphere 
 With centric and eccentric scribbled o'er. 
 Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb : 
 
 Already by thy reasoning this I guess, 85 
 
 Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest 
 That bodies bright and greater should not serve 
 The less not bright, nor Heaven such journeys run 
 Earth sitting still, when she alone receives 
 The benefit : Consider first, that great 90 
 
 Or bright infers not excellence : the Earth, 
 Though, in comparison of Heaven, so small. 
 Nor glistering, may of solid good contain 
 More plenty tlmn the sun that barren shines ; 
 Whose virtue on itself works no effect, 95 
 
 But in the fruitful Earth ; there first received, 
 His beams, unactive else, their vigour find. 
 Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries 
 Officious J but to thee, Earth's habitant. 
 15* 
 
174 PARADISE LOST. b. vm. 
 
 And for Llic ilcaven's wide circuit, let it speak 100 
 
 The Maimer's high magnificence, who built 
 
 So spacious, and liis line stretch'd out so far ; 
 
 That Man may know he dwells not in his own ; 
 
 An edifice too large for him to fill, 
 
 Lodged in a small partition ; and the rest 105 
 
 Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known. 
 
 The swiftness of those circles cittribute, 
 
 Though numberless to his Omnipotence, 
 
 That to corporeal substances could add 
 
 Speed almost spiritual : Me thou think'st not slow, 
 
 Who since the morning-hour set out from Heaven 111 
 
 "Where God resides, and ere mid-day arrived 
 
 In Eden } distance inexpressible 
 
 By numbers that have name. But this I urge, 
 
 Admitting motion in the Heavens, to shov/ 115 
 
 Invalid that which thee to doubt it moved ; 
 
 Not that I so affirm, though so it seem 
 
 To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth. 
 
 God, to remove his vrays from human sense, 
 
 Placed Heaven from Earth so far, that earthly sight 
 
 If it presume, might err in things too high, 121 
 
 And no advantage gain. What if the sun 
 
 Be centre to the world ; and other stars, 
 
 By his attractive virtue and their own 
 
 Incited, dance about him various rounds.^ 125 
 
 Their wandering course now high, nov/ low, tlien hid, 
 
 Progressive, retrograde, or standing still, 
 
 In six thou secst ; and what if seventh to these 
 
 The planet earth, so steadfast though she seem, 
 
 Insensibly three diflerent motions move .'' 130 
 
 Which else to several spheres thou ranst ascribe, 
 
 Moved contrary with thwart obliquities ; 
 
 Or save the sun his labour, and that swift 
 
 Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb supposed, 
 
 Invisible else above all stars, the wheel 135 
 
 Of da}'- and night ; which needs not thy beliefj 
 
 If earth, industrious of herself, fetch day 
 
PARADISE LOST. 175 
 
 Travelling east, and with her part adverse 
 
 From the sun's beam meet night, her other part 
 
 Still luminous by his ray. What if that light 140 
 
 Sent from her through the wide transpicuous air, 
 
 To the terrestrial moon be as a star, 
 
 Enlightening her by day, as she by night 
 
 This earth ? reciprocal, if land be there, 
 
 Fields, and inhabitants : Her spots thou seest 145 
 
 As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce 
 
 Fruits in her soften'd soil for some to eat 
 
 Allotted there ; and other suns perhaps, 
 
 With their attendant moons, thou wilt descry, 
 
 Communicating male and female light ; 150 
 
 Which two great sexes animate the world. 
 
 Stored in each orb perhaps with some that live. 
 
 For such vast room in Nature unpossess'd 
 
 By living soul, desert and desolate. 
 
 Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute 155 
 
 Each orb a glimpse of light, convey'd so far 
 
 Down to this habitable, which returns 
 
 Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. 
 
 But whether thus these things, or whether not ; 
 
 Whether the sun, predominant in Heaven, 160 
 
 Rise on the earth ; or earth rise on the sun ; 
 
 He from the east his flaming road begin ; 
 
 Or she from west her silent course advance, 
 
 With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps 
 
 On her soft axle, while she paces even, 165 
 
 And bears thee soft witla the smooth air along ; 
 
 Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid ; 
 
 Leave them to God above ; him serve, and fear ! 
 
 Of other creatuges, as him pleases best. 
 
 Wherever placed, let him dispose ; joy thou 170 
 
 In what he gives to thee, this Paradise 
 
 And thy fair Eve ; Heaven is for thee too high 
 
 To know what passes there ; be lowly wise : 
 
 Think only what concerns thee, and thy being j 
 
 Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there 175 
 
176 PARADISE LOST. b. viii 
 
 Live, in what state, condition, or degree ; 
 Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd 
 Not of Earth only, but of highest Heaven. 
 
 To whom thus Adam, clear'd of doubt, replied : 
 How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure 180 
 
 Intelligence of Heaven, 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 far off all anxious cares, 185 
 
 And not molest us ; unless we ourselves 
 Seek them with wandering thoughts and notions vain. 
 But apt the mind or fancy is to rove 
 Uncheck'd, and of her roving is no end ; 
 Till warn'd, or by experience taught, she learn, 100 
 That, not to know at large of things remote 
 From use, obscure and subtle ; 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 : 195 
 
 And renders us, in things that most concern, 
 Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek. 
 Therefore from this high pitch let us desoend 
 A lower flight, and speak of things at hand 
 Useful ; whence, haply, mention may arise 200 
 
 Of something not unseasonable to ask. 
 By sufferance, and thy wonted favour, deign'd. 
 Thee I have heard relating what was done 
 Ere my remembrance : now, hear me relate 
 My story, which perhaps thou hast not heard ; 205 
 And day is not yet spent ; till then thou seest 
 How subtly to detain 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 Heaven , 210 
 And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear 
 Than fruits ot palm tree pleasantest to thirst 
 And hunger bothj from labour, at the hour 
 
TARADISE LOST. 177 
 
 Of sweet reiyast; they satiate, and soon fill, 
 Though pleasant ; but thy words, with grace divine 
 Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety. 216 
 
 To whom thus Raphael answer 'd heavenly meek : 
 Nor are thy lips ungraceful. Sire of men, 
 Nor tongue ineloquent ; for God on thee 
 Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd 220 
 
 Inward and outward both, his image fair : 
 Speaking, or mute, all comeliness and grace 
 Attend thee ; and each word, each motion, form j 
 Nor less think we in Heaven of thee on Earth 
 Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 225 
 
 Gladly into the ways 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 befel, 
 Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 230 
 
 Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell •, 
 Squared in full legion (such command we he^d,) 
 To see that none thence issued forth a spy, 
 Or enemy, wTiile God was in his work ; 
 Lest he, incensed at such eruption bold, 235 
 
 Destruction with creation might have mix'd. 
 Not that they durst without his leave attempt ; 
 But us he sends upon his high behests 
 For state, as Sov'reign King ; and to inure 
 Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut 240 
 The dismal gates, and barricadoed strong ; 
 But long ere our approaching heard within 
 Noise, other than the sound of dance or song, 
 Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage 
 Glad we return 'd up to the coasts of light 245 
 
 Ere sabbath-evening : so we had in charge. 
 But thy relation now ; for I attend, 
 Pleased wuth thy words no less than thou with mine. 
 
 So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire ; 
 For Man to tell how human life began 25Q 
 
 Is hard : for who hnnself beginning knew ? 
 
178 PARADISE LOST. b. vij» 
 
 Desire with thee still longer to converse 
 
 Induced me. As new waked from soundest sleep, 
 
 Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid, 
 
 In balmy sweat ; which with his beams the sun 255 
 
 Soon dried, and on the reeking moisture fed. 
 
 Straight toward Heaven my wondering eyes I turn'd, 
 
 And gazed awhile the ample sky; till, raised 
 
 By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung. 
 
 As thitherward endeavouring, and upright 260 
 
 Stood on my feet : about me round I saw 
 
 Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, 
 
 And liquid lapse of murmuring streams ; by these 
 
 Creatures that lived and moved, and walk'd, or flew ; 
 
 Birds on the branches warbling ; all things smiled ; 
 
 With fragrance and with joy my heart o'erflow'd. 266 
 
 Myself I then perused, 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, 270 
 
 Knew not ; to speak I tried, and forthwith spake ; 
 
 My tongue obey'd, and readily could name 
 
 Wbate'er I saw. Thou Sun, said I, fair light, 
 
 And thou enlighten'd Earth, so fresh and gay. 
 
 Ye Hills, and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plains, 
 
 And ye that live and move, fair Creatures, teJl, 276 
 
 Tell, if ye saw, how I came thus, how here ? — 
 
 Not of myself; by some great Maker then, 
 
 [n goodness and in power preeminent : 
 
 Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, 280 
 
 From whom I have that thus I move and live, 
 
 And feel that I am happier than I know. 
 
 While thus I call'd, and strayed I knew not whither, 
 
 Fron:\ where I first drew air, and first beheld 
 
 This happy light ; when, answer none return'd, 285 
 
 On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers. 
 
 Pensive I sat me down : there gentle sleep 
 
 First found me, and with soft oppression seized 
 
 My drowsied sense, untroubled, though I thought 
 
PARADISE LOST. 179 
 
 [ then was passing to ray former state 290 
 
 Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve • 
 
 When suddenly stood at my head a dream, 
 
 Whose inward apparition gently moved 
 
 My fancy to believe I yet had being, 
 
 And lived One came, methought, of shape divine. 
 
 And said. Thy mansion wants thee, Adam : rise, 296 
 
 First Man, of men innumerable ordain'd 
 
 First Father ! call'd by thee, I come thy guide 
 
 To the garden of bliss, thy seat prepared. 
 
 Ho saying, by the hand he took me raised, 300 
 
 And over fields and waters, as in air 
 
 Smooth sliding without step, last led me up 
 
 A woody mountain ; whose high top Avas plain^ 
 
 A circuit wide, enclosed, with goodliest trees 
 
 Planted, with walks and bowers ; that what I saw 305 
 
 Of Earth before scarce pleasant seem'd. Each tree, 
 
 Loaden with fairest fruit that hung to the eye 
 
 Tempting, stirr'd in me sudden appetite 
 
 To pluck and eat ; whereat I waked, and found 
 
 Before mine eyes all real, as the dream 310 
 
 Had lively shadow'd : Here had new begun 
 
 My wandering, had not he, who was my guide 
 
 Up liither, from among the trees appear'd, 
 
 Presence Divine. Rejoicing, but with awe, 
 
 In adoration at his feet I foil 315 
 
 Submiss : He rear'd me, and Whom thou sought'st I am, 
 
 Said mildly, 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 eat : 320 
 
 Of every tree that in the garden grows 
 
 Eat freely with glad heart ; fear here no dearth 
 
 But of the tree whose operation brings 
 
 Knowledge of good and ill, which I have set 
 
 The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 325 
 
 Amid the garden by the tree of life. 
 
 Remember what I warn thee, shun to taste. 
 
180 PARADISE LOST. u. viii 
 
 And shun the bitter consequence : for know 
 
 The day thou eat'st tliereof, my sole command 
 
 Transgress'd, inevitably thou shalt die, 330 
 
 From that day mortal ; and this happy state 
 
 Shalt lose, expell'd from hence into a world 
 
 Of woe and sorrow. Sternly ho pronounce 
 
 The rigid interdiction, which resounds 
 
 Vet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choic6 335 
 
 Not to incur ; but soon his clear aspect 
 
 Return'd, and gracious purpose thus renew'd 
 
 Not only 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, 340 
 
 Or live in sea, or air ; beast, fish, and fowl. 
 
 In sijDfn whereof, each bird and beast behold 
 
 After their kinds ; I bring them to receive 
 
 From thee their names, and pay thee fealty 
 
 With low subjection : understand the same 345 
 
 Of fish within their watery residence, 
 
 Not hither summon'd, since they cannot change 
 
 Their element, to draw the thinner air. 
 
 And thus he spake, each bird and beast behold 
 
 Approaching two and two ; these cowering low 350 
 
 Witli blandishment ; each bird stoop 'd on his wing. 
 
 T named them as they pass'd, and understood 
 
 Their nature, with such knowledge God endued 
 
 My sudden apprehension : But in these 
 
 I found not what methought I wanted still ; 355 
 
 And to the heavenly Vision thus presumed : 
 
 O, by what name, for thou above all these, 
 Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher, 
 Surpassest far my naming ; how may I 
 Adore thee, Author of this universe, 360 
 
 And all this good to man ? for whose well being 
 So amply, and with hands so liberal. 
 Thou hast provided all things : But with me 
 I see not who partakes. In solitude 
 Wliat happiness, who can enjoy alone, 365 
 
PARADISE LOST. 181 
 
 Or, all enjoying, what contentment find ? 
 Thus I presumptuous ; and the Vision bright, 
 As with a smile more brightcn'd, thus replied: 
 
 What callst thou solitude ? Is not the Earth 
 With various living creatures, and the air 370 
 
 Replenish'd, and all these at thy command 
 To come and pla}' before thee ? Know'st thou not 
 Their language and their ways ? They also know, 
 And reason not contemptibly ; With these 
 Find ^tastime, and bear rule : thy realm is large. 375 
 So spake the Universal Lord, and seem'd 
 So ordering : I, with leave of speech implored, 
 And humble deprecation, thus replied : 
 
 Let not my words offend thee, Heavenly Power , 
 My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 380 
 
 Hast thou not made me here thy substitute. 
 And these inferior far beneath me set .'' 
 Among unequals what society 
 Can sort, what harmony, or true delight ? 
 Which must be mutual, in proportion due 385 
 
 Giveir and received ; but, in disparity 
 The one intense, the other still remiss, 
 Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove 
 Tedious alike : of fellowship I speak, 
 Such as I seek, fit to participate 390 
 
 All rational delight : wherein the brute 
 Cannot be human consort : They rejoice 
 Each with their kind, lion with lioness ; 
 So fitly them in pairs thou liast combined : 
 Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl 305 
 So well converse, nor with the ox the ape ; 
 Worse then can man with beast, and least of all. 
 
 Whereto tlie Almighty answer 'd, not displeased 
 A nice and subtle happiness, I see, 
 Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice 400 
 
 Of thy associates, Adam ! and wilt taste 
 No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. 
 What think 'st thou then of me, and this my state ? 
 16 
 
182 PARADISE LOST. b. viii 
 
 Seem I to thee sufficiently pcssess'd 
 
 Of happiness, or not ? who am alone 405 
 
 From all eternity ; for none I know 
 
 Second to me or like, equal much less. 
 
 How have I then with whom to hold converse, 
 
 Save with the creatures which I made, and those 
 
 To me inferior, infinite descents 410 
 
 Beneath what other creatures are to thee ? 
 
 He ceased ; I lowly answcr'd : To attain 
 The height and depth of thy eternal ways 
 All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things ! 
 Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee 415 
 
 Is no deficiencc 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 propagate, already Infinite; 420 
 
 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 multiplied, 
 In umty defective ; which requires 425 
 
 Collateral love, and dearest amity. 
 Thou in thy secrecy although alone, 
 Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not 
 Social communication ; yet, so pleased, 
 Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt 430 
 Of union or comnmnion, deified : 
 I, by conversing, cannot these erect 
 From prone ; nor in their v/ays com-placence find 
 Thus I embolden'd spake, and freedom used 
 Permissive, and acceptance found ; which gain'd 435 
 This answer from the gracious Voice Divine : 
 
 Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased ; 
 And find thee knowing, not of beasts alone. 
 Which thou hast rightly named, but of thyself; 
 Expressing well the spirit within thee free, 440 
 
 Wy image, not imparted to the brute ; 
 
PARADISE LOST. 183 
 
 Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee 
 
 Good reason was thou freely shouldil dislike ; 
 
 And be so minded still : I, ere thou spakest, 
 
 Knew it not good for Man to be alone : 445 
 
 And no such company as then thou saw'st 
 
 Intended thee ; for trial only brought, 
 
 To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet ; 
 
 What next I bring shall please tliee, be assured, 
 
 Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450 
 
 Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire. 
 
 He ended, or I heard no more ; for now 
 My earthly by his heavenly overpower'd, 
 Which it had long stood under, strain'd to the height 
 In that celestial colloquy sublime, 455 
 
 As with an object that excels the sense 
 Dazzled and spent, sunk down; and- sought repair 
 Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd 
 By Nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. 
 Mine eyes he closed, but open left the cell 460 
 
 Of fancy, ray internal sight; by which, 
 Abstract as in a trance, methought I saw. 
 Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 
 Still glorious before v/hom awake I stood : 
 Who stooping open'd my left side, and took 465 
 
 From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm. 
 And life-blood streaming fresh ; wide was the wound, 
 But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd : 
 The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hands ; 
 Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470 
 
 Manlike, but different sex ; so lovely fair, 
 That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now 
 Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd 
 And in her looks; which from that time infused 
 Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 475 
 
 And into all tilings from her air inspired 
 The spirit of love and amorous delight. 
 She disappear'd, and left me dark ; I waked 
 To find her, or for ever to deplore 
 
184 PARADISE LOST. b. tih. 
 
 Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: 480 
 
 When out of hope, behold her, not far off, 
 
 Such as I saw her in my dream, adorn'd 
 
 With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow 
 
 To make her amiable : On she came, 
 
 Led by her heavenly Maker, though unseen, 485 
 
 And guided by his voice; nor uninform'd 
 
 Of nuptial sanctity and marriage rites : 
 
 Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye, 
 
 In every gesture dignity and love. 
 
 1, overjoy'd, could not forbear aloud : 490 
 
 This turn hath made amends ; thou hast fulfill'd 
 Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, 
 Giver of all things fair ! but fairest this 
 Of all thy gifts ! nor enviest. I now see 
 Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself 495 
 
 Before me : Woman is her name ; of Man 
 Extracted ; for this cause he shall forego 
 Father and mother, and to his wife adhere j 
 And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul. 
 
 She heard me thus : and though divinely brought. 
 Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, 501 
 
 Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, 
 That would be woo'd, and not unsought to be won, 
 Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired, 
 The more desirable ; or, to say all, &05 
 
 Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, 
 Wrought in her so, that seeing me she turn'd : 
 I follow'd her ; she what was honour knew. 
 And with obsequious majesty approved 
 My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 510 
 
 I led her blushing like the morn : All Heaven 
 And happy constellations on that hour 
 Shed their selectest influence ; the Earth 
 Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill ; 
 Joyous the birds ; fresh gales and gentle airs 515 
 
 Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings 
 Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 185 
 
 Disporting, till the amorous bird of night 
 
 Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star 
 
 On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp. 520 
 
 Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought 
 My story to the sum of earthly bliss. 
 Which I enjoy ; and must confess to find 
 In all things else delight indeed, but such 
 As, used or not, works in the mind no change, 525 
 Nor vehement desire ; these delicacies 
 I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, 
 Walks, and the melody of birds : but here 
 Far otherwise, transported I behold, 
 Transported touch ; here passion first I felt, 530 
 
 Commotion strange ! in all enjoyments else 
 Superior and unmoved ; here only weak 
 Against the charm of Beautys powerful glance 
 Or Nature fail'd in me, and left some part 
 Not proof enough such object to sustain ; 535 
 
 Or, from my side subducting, took perhaps 
 More than enough ; at least on her bestow'd 
 Too much of ornament, in outward show 
 Elaborate, of inward less exact. 
 
 For well I understand in the prime end 540 
 
 Of Nature her the inferior, in the mind 
 And inward faculties, which most excel ; 
 In outward also her resembling less 
 His image who made both, and less expressing 
 The character of that dominion given 545 
 
 O'er other creatures : Yet when I approach 
 Her loveliness, so absolute she seems 
 And in herself complete, so well to know 
 Her own, that what she wills to do or say 
 Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best : 550 
 
 A.11 higher knowledge in her presence falls 
 Degraded ; Wisdom in discourse with her 
 Loses discountenanced, and like folly shows 
 Authority and Reason on lier wait, 
 
186 PARADISE LOST. b. tiii. 
 
 As one intended first, not after made 555 
 
 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 placed. 
 
 To whom the Angel with contracted brow : 560 
 
 Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part ; 
 Do thou but thino ; and be not difBdent 
 Of Wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou 
 Dismiss not her, when most thou need'st her nigh, 
 By attributing overmuch to things 5G5 
 
 Less exellent, as thou thyself perceivest. 
 For, what adrairest thou, what transports thee so ? 
 An outside ? fair, no doubt, and wortliy well 
 Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love ; 
 Not thy subjection ; Weigh with her thyself; 570 
 
 Then value : Ofttimes nothing profits more 
 Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right 
 Well managed ; of that skill the more thou know'st, 
 The more she will acknowledge thee her head, 
 And to realities yield all her shows : 575 
 
 Made so adorn for thy delight the more. 
 So awful, that with honour thou mayst 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 580 
 
 Beyond all other ; think the same vouchsafed 
 To cattle and each beast ; which would not be 
 To them made common and divulged, if aught 
 Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue 
 The soul of man, or passion in liim move. 585 
 
 What higher in her society thou find'st 
 Attractive, human, rational, love still ; 
 In loving thou dost well, in passion not, 
 W^herein true love consists not : Love refines 
 The thoughts, and heart enlarges ; hath his seal 500 
 In reason and is judicious ; is the scale 
 
PARADISE LOST 187 
 
 By which to heavenly love thou mayst ascend. 
 Not sunk in carnal pleasure ; for which cause, 
 Among the beasts no mate for thee was found. 
 
 To whom thus, half abash'd, Adam replied ; 595 
 
 Neither her outside form'd so fair, nor aught 
 In procreation common to all kinds 
 (Though higher of the genial bed by far, 
 And with mysterious reverence I deem,) 
 So much delights me, as those graceful acts, 600 
 
 Those thousand decencies, that daily flow 
 From all her words and actions, raix'd with love 
 And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd 
 Union of mind, or in us both one soul ; 
 Harmony to behold in wedded pair G05 
 
 More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear. 
 Yet these subject not ; I to thee disclose 
 "What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd, 
 Who meet with various objects, from the sense 
 Variously representing ; yet still free, lilO 
 
 ApproA'^e the best, and follow what I approve. 
 To love thou blamcst m.e not ; for Love, thou sav'Bt, 
 Leads up to Heaven, is both the way and guide : 
 Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask : 
 Love not the heavenly Spirits, and how their love 015 
 Express they ? by looks only ? or do they mix 
 Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch ? 
 
 To whom the Angel, with a smile that glow'd 
 Celestial rosy red, Love's proper hue, 
 Answer'd : Let it suffice thee tliat thou know'st C\iO 
 Us happy, and without love no happiness 
 Whatever pure thou in the body cnjoy'st 
 (And pure thou wert created,) we enjoy 
 In eminence ; and obstacle find none 
 Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars ; C2o 
 
 Easier than 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 snul. 
 
188 PARADISE LOST. b. viii. 
 
 But 1 can now no more ; the parting sun 630 
 
 Beyond the Earth's green Cape and verdant Isles 
 
 Hesperian sets, my signal to depart. 
 
 Be strong, live happy, and love ! But, first of all, 
 
 Him, whom to love is to obey, and keep 
 
 His great command : take heed lest passion sway 635 
 
 Thy judgment to do aught, which else free will 
 
 Would not admit: thine, and of all thy sons, 
 
 The weal or woe in thee is placed : beware ! 
 
 I in thy persevering shall rejoice, 
 
 And all the bl iss'd : Stand fast; to stand or fall 640 
 
 Free in thine own arbitrement it lies. 
 
 Perfect within, no outv/ard aid require ; 
 
 And all temptation to transgress repel. 
 
 So saying, he arose ; whom Adam thus 
 Follow'd with benediction. Since to part, 645 
 
 Go, heavenly guest, ethereal Messenger, 
 Sent from whose sov'reign goodness I adore ! 
 Gentle to me and affable hath been 
 Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever 
 With grateful memory : Thou to mankind 650 
 
 Be good and friendly still, and oft return ! 
 
 So parted they ; the Angel up to Heaven 
 From the thick shade, and Adam to liis bower 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 Saian, liaving compassed the Earth, with meditated guile returno, 
 as a mist, by night into Paradise; enters into the Serpent sleep- 
 ing. Adarn and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, 
 whicii Eve proposes to divide in several places., each labouring 
 apart: Adam consents not; alleging the danger, lest that enemy, 
 of whom they were forowarneil, should attempt her found alone ; 
 Eve, loath to be thought not circumspect or tirni enough, urges 
 her going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength ; 
 Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone ; his subtle ap- 
 proach, first gazing, then speaking ; with much flattery extolling 
 Eve above all other creatures. Eve, wondering to hear the Ser- 
 pent speak, asks how ho attained to human speech and such un- 
 derstanding not till now ; tlie Serpent answers, that by tastinff 
 of a certain trp». in the garden he attained both to speech and 
 reason, till then void of both: Eve requires him to bring her to 
 that tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge forbidden: The 
 Serpent, now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments, in- 
 duces her at length to eat ; she, jdeased with the taste, deliberates 
 awhile whether to imj)ari; thereof to Adam or not; at last brings 
 him of the fruit; relates what persuaded her to eat thereof; 
 Adam, at first amazed, but |> rcciving her lost, resolves, through 
 vehemence of love, to perish with her: and, extenuating the tres- 
 pass, eats also of the fruit; Tlie effects thereof in them both; 
 they seek to cover tlieir nakedness; then fall to variance and 
 accusation of one another. 
 
 No more of talk where God or Angel guest 
 
 With Man, as with his friend, familiar used, 
 
 To sit indulgent, and with him partake 
 
 Rural repast ; permitting him the while 
 
 S'^enial discourse unblamed. I now must change 5 
 
 Those notes to tragic ; foul distrust, and breach 
 
 Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt, 
 
 And disobedience : on the part of Heaven, 
 
 Now alienated, distance and distaste, 
 
 Anger and just rebuke, and judgment given, 10 
 
 That brought into this world a world of woe, 
 
 Sin and her shadov/ Death, and misery. 
 
 Death's harbinger : sad task ! yet argument 
 
 Not less but more heroic than the wiath 
 
 Of stern Achilles on his foe ])ursued 15 
 
190 PARADISE LOST. b. ix 
 
 Thrice fugitive about Troy wall ; or rage 
 
 Of Turnus for Lavinia disespoused ; 
 
 Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's, that so long 
 
 Perplex'd the Greek, and Cytherea's son : 
 
 If answerable style I can obtain 20 
 
 Of my celestial patroness, who deigns 
 
 Her nightly visitation unimplored, 
 
 And dictates to me slumbering ; or inspires 
 
 Easy my unpremeditated verse : 
 
 Since first this subject for heroic song 25 
 
 Pleased me long choosing, and beginning late ; 
 
 Not sedulous by nature to indite 
 
 Wars, hitherto the only argument 
 
 Heroic deem'd ; chief mastery to dissect 
 
 With long and tedious havoc fabled kn'ghts 30 
 
 In battles feign'd ; the better fortitude 
 
 Of patience and heroic martyrdom 
 
 Unsung ; or to describe races and games, 
 
 Or tilting fartiiture, imblazon'd shields, 
 
 Impresses (-niiint, caparisons and steeds, 35 
 
 Bases and i ,it;el trappings, gorgeous knights 
 
 At joust and tournament ; then marshal'd feast 
 
 Served up in hall with sewers and seneshals ; 
 
 The skill of artifice or ofiice mean, 
 
 Not that which justly gives heroic name 40 
 
 To person or to poem. Me, of these 
 
 Nor skill'd nor studious, higher argument 
 
 Kemains ; sufficient of itself to raise 
 
 That name, ujoless an age too late, or cold 
 
 Climate, or years, damp my intended wing 45 
 
 Depress'd ; and much they may, if all be mine, 
 
 Not hers, who brings it nightly to my ear. 
 
 Tlie sun was sunk, and after him the star 
 Of Hesperus, whose office is to bring 
 Twilight upon the earth, short arbiter 50 
 
 'Twixt day and night, and now from end to end 
 Night's hemisphere had veil'd the horizon romid • 
 "When Satan, who late fled before the threats 
 
PARADISE LOST. 191 
 
 Of Gabriel out of Eden, now improved 
 In meditated fraud and malice, bent 55 
 
 On Man's 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 Uriel, regent- of the sun, descried GO 
 
 His entrance, and forewarn'd the Cherubim 
 That kept their watch ; thence full of anguish driven, 
 The space of seven continued nights he rode 
 With darkness ; thrice the equinoctial line 
 He circled ; four times cross"d the car of night. 65 
 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 wrought the change, 
 Where Tigris, at the foot of Paradise, 71 
 
 Into a gulf shot under ground, till part 
 Ptose up a fountain by the tree of life : 
 In with the river sunk, and with it rose 
 Satan, involved in rising mist ; then sought 75 
 
 Where to lie hid ; sea he had search'd, and land, 
 From Eden over Pontus and the pool 
 Mseotis, up beyond the river Ob ; 
 Downward as far antarctic ; and in length, 
 West from Orontes to the ocean barr'd 80 
 
 At Daricn ; thence to the land where flows 
 Ganges and Indus : Thus the orb he roam'd 
 With narrow search ; and with inspection deep 
 Considered every creature, which of all 
 Most opportune might serve his wiles ; and found 85 
 The Serpent subtlest beast of all the field. 
 Him after long debate, irresolute 
 Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose 
 Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom 
 To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 90 
 
 From sharpest sight • for, in the wily snake 
 
192 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 Whatever sleights, none would suspicious mark, 
 As from his wit and native subtlety 
 Proceeding ; which, in other beasts observed, 
 Doubt might beget of diabolic power 95 
 
 Active within, beyond the sense of brute. 
 Thus he resolved, but first from inward grief 
 His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd : 
 
 O Earth, how like to Heaven, if not preferr'd 
 More justly, seat worthier of Gods, as built 100 
 
 With second thoughts, reforming what was old ! 
 For what God, after better, worse would build .'' 
 Terrestrial Heaven, danced round by other Heavens 
 That shine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, 
 Light above light, for thee alone, as seems, 105 
 
 In thee concentring all their precious beams 
 Of sacred influence ! As God in Heaven 
 Is centre, yet extends to all ; so thou, 
 Centring, receivest from all those orbs : in thee 
 Not in themselves, all tlieir known virtue appears 110 
 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 walk'd thee round, 
 If I could joy in aught, sv/eet interchange 115 
 
 Of hill, and valley, rivers, woods, and plains. 
 Now land, now sea, and shores with forest crown d, 
 Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these 
 Find plrxe or refuge ; and the more I see 
 Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 120 
 
 Torment within me, as from the hateful siege 
 Of contraries : all good to me becomes 
 Bane, and in Heaven much worse would be my state. 
 But neither here seek I, no nor in Heaven 
 To dwell, unless by mastering Heaven's Supreme ; 125 
 Nor hope to be myself less miserable 
 By what I seek, but others to make such 
 As I, though thereby worse to me redound: 
 For only in destroying I find ease 
 
PARADISE LOST. 193 
 
 To my relentless thoughts ; and, him destroy'd, 130 
 Or won to what may work his utter loss, 
 For whom all this was made, all this will soon 
 Follow, as to him link'd in weal or woe ; 
 In woe then ; that destruction wide may range : 
 To me shall be the glory sole among 135 
 
 The infernal Powers, in one day to have marr'd 
 What he, Almighty styloid, six nights and days 
 Continued making ; and who knows how long 
 Before had been contriving ? though perhaps 
 Not longer since than I, in one night, freed J 40 
 
 From servitude inglorious well nigh half 
 The angelic name, and thinner left the throng 
 Of his adorers : He, to be avenged, 
 And to repair his numbers thus impair'd, 
 Whether such virtue spent of old now fail'd 145 
 
 ?tIore Angels to crsAate, if they at least 
 Are his created, or, to spite us more, 
 Determined to advance into our room 
 A creature form'd of earth, and him endow, 
 Exalted from so base original, 150 
 
 With heavenly spoils, our spoils • What he decreed, 
 He effected ; Man he made, and for him built 
 Magnificent this world, and earth his seat, 
 Him lord pronounced ; and, O indignity ! 
 Subjected to his service angel-wings, 155 
 
 And flaming ministers to watch and tend 
 Their earthly charge : Of these the vigilance 
 I dread; and, to elude, thus wrapp'd in mist 
 Ol' midnight vapour glide obscure, and pry 
 ^^ every bush and brake, where hap may find 160 
 
 ^T/tO serpent sleeping ; in whose mazy folds 
 o hide me, and the dark intent I bring. 
 O foul descent ! that I, w'.o erst contended 
 "With Gods to sit the highest, am now constrain'd 
 Into a beast ; and, mix'd witli bestial slime, 165 
 
 This essence to incarnate and imbrute. 
 That to the height of Deity aspired ' 
 17 
 
194 PARADISE LOST. b. ix 
 
 But what will not ambition and revenge 
 
 Descend to ? Who aspires must down as low 
 
 As high he soar'd ; obnoxious, first or last, 170 
 
 To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet, 
 
 Bitter ere long, back on itself recoils : 
 
 Let it ; I reck not, so it light well aim'd, 
 
 Since higher I fall short, on him who next 
 
 Provokes my enyy, this new favourite 175 
 
 Of Heaven, this man of clay, son of despite, 
 
 Whom, us the more to spite, his Maker raised 
 
 From dust : Spite then with spite is best repaid. 
 
 So saying, through each thicket danlt or dry, 
 Like a black mist low-creeping, he held on 180 
 
 His midnight search, where soonest he might find 
 The serpent ; him fast sleeping soon he found 
 In labyrinth of many a round self-roll'd. 
 His head the midst, well stored with subtile wiles. 
 Not yet in horrid shade or dismal den, 185 
 
 Nor nocent yet ; but, on the grassy herb, 
 Fearless unfear'd he slept : in at his mouth 
 The Devil enter'd ; and his brutal sense, 
 In heart or head, possessing, soon inspired 
 With act intelligential ; but his sleep 190 
 
 Disturb'd not, waiting close the approach of morn 
 Now, when as sacred light began to dawn 
 In Eden on the humid floAvers, that breathed 
 Their morning incense, when all things that breathe, 
 From the Earth's great altar send up silent praise 195 
 To the Creator, and his nostrils fill 
 With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, 
 And join'd their vocal worship to the choir 
 Of creatures wanting voice ; that done, partake 
 The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs : 200 
 Then commune, how that d&y they best may ply 
 Their growing work . for much their work outgrew 
 The hands' despatch of two gardening so wide, 
 And Eve first to her husband thus began : 
 
 Adam, well may we labour «jtill to dress 205 
 
PARADISE LOST. 195 
 
 This garden, still to tend plant, herb, and flower, 
 
 Our pleasant task enjoin'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, 210 
 
 One night or two with wanton growth derides, 
 
 Tending to wild. Thou therefore now advise, 
 
 Or bear what to my mind first thoughts present : 
 
 Let us divide our labours ; thou, where choice 
 
 Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 215 
 
 The woodbine round this arbour, or direct 
 
 The clasping ivy where to climb ; while I, 
 
 In yonder spring of roses intermix'd 
 
 With myrtle, find what to redress till noon : 
 
 For, while so near each other thus all day 220 
 
 Our task we choose, what wonder if, so near, 
 
 Looks intervene and smiles, or object new 
 
 Casual discourse draw on ; which intermits 
 
 Our day's work, brought to little, though begun 
 
 Early, and the hour of supper comes unearn'd.'' 225 
 
 To whom mild answer Adam thus return'd : 
 Sole Eve, associate sole, to me beyond 
 Compare above all living creatures dear ! 
 Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts employ'd, 
 How we might best fulfil the work which here 230 
 God hath assign'd us ; nor of me shalt pass 
 Unpraised : for nothing lovelier can be found 
 In woman, than to study household good, 
 And good works in her husband to promote. 
 Tiet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed 235 
 
 Labour, as to debar 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 denied, and are of love the food , 240 
 
 Love, not the lowest end of human life. 
 For not to irksome toil, but to delight, 
 He made us, and delight to reason join'd. 
 
196 PARADISE LOST. b, is. 
 
 These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands 
 
 Will keep from wilderness with case, as wide 245 
 
 As we need walk, till younger liands ere long 
 
 Assist us : but, if much converse perhaps 
 
 Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield : 
 
 For solitude sometimes is best society, 
 
 And short retirement urges sweet return. 250 
 
 But other doubt possesses me, lest harm 
 
 Befal thee sever'd from me ; for thou know'st 
 
 What hath been warn'd us, what malicious foe 
 
 Envying our happiness, and of his own 
 
 Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame 255 
 
 By sly assault ; and somewhere nigh at hand 
 
 Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find 
 
 His wish and best advantage, us asunder ; 
 
 Hopeless to circumvent us join'd, where each 
 
 To other speedy aid might lend at need : 260 
 
 Whether his first design be to withdraw 
 
 Our fealty from God, or to disturb 
 
 Conjugal love, than which perhaps no bliss 
 
 Enjoy'd by us excites his crxvy more ; 
 
 Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side 265 
 
 That gave thee being, still shades thee, and protects 
 
 The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, 
 
 Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, 
 
 Who guards her, or with her the worst endures. 
 
 To whom the virgin majesty of Eve, 270 
 
 As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, 
 With sweet austere composure thus replied : 
 
 Offspring of Heaven and Earth, and all Earth's Lord' 
 That such an enemy we have, who seeks 
 Our ruin, both by thee inform'd I learn, 275 
 
 And from the parting Angel overheard, 
 As in a shady nook I stood behind. 
 Just then relurn'd at shut of evening flowers. 
 But. that thou shouldst my firmness therefore -doubt 
 To God or thee, because we have a foe 2^ 
 
 May tempt it, I expected not to hear. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 197 
 
 His violence thou fear'st not, being such 
 
 As v/e, not capable of death or pain, 
 
 Can either not receive, or can repel. 
 
 His fraud is then thy fear ; which plain infers 285 
 
 Thy equal fear, that my firm faith and love 
 
 Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced ; 
 
 Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy breast, 
 
 Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear .'' 
 
 To whom with healing words Adam replied 290 
 Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve ! 
 For such thou art ; from sin and biame entire : 
 Not diffident of thee do I dissuade 
 Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid 
 The attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295 
 
 For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses 
 The tempted with dishonour foul ; supposed 
 Not incorruptible of faith, not proof 
 Against temptation : thou thyself with scorn 
 And anger wouldst resent the ofFer'd wrong, 300 
 
 Though iueffectual found : misdeem not then, 
 If such affront I labour to avert 
 From thee alone, which on us both at once 
 The enemy, though bold, will hardly dare ? 
 Or daring, first on me the assault shall light. 305 
 
 Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn ; 
 Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce 
 Angels ; nor think superfluous others' aid. 
 I, from the influence of thy looks, receive 
 Access in every virtue ; in thy sight 310 
 
 More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were 
 Of outward strength ; while shame, thou looking on, 
 Shame to be overcome or overreach'd, 
 Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite. 
 Why shculdst not thou like sense within thee feel 31o 
 Wl'.en I am present, and thy trial choose 
 With me, best witness of thy virtue tried ? 
 
 So spake domestic Adam in his care 
 And matrimonial love ; but Eve, who thought 
 17* 
 
198 PARADISE LOST. b. is 
 
 Less dttributed to lier faith sincere, 320 
 
 Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'-d • 
 
 If this be our condition, thus to dwell 
 In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe, 
 Subtle or violent, we not endued 
 Single with like defence, wherever met ; 325 
 
 How are we happy, still in f«ar of harm? 
 But harm precedes not sin : only our foe, 
 Tempting, affronts us with his foul esteem 
 Of our integrity : his foul esteem 
 
 Sticks no -dishonour on our front, but turns 330 
 
 Foul on himself; then wherefore shunn'd or fear'd 
 By us ? who rather double ]\onour gain 
 From his surmise proved false ; find p^ace within, 
 Favour from Heaven, our witness, from the event. 
 And what is faith, love, virtue, unassay'd 335 
 
 Alone, without exterior help sustain'd ? 
 Let us not then suspect our happy state 
 Left so imperfect by the Maker wise. 
 As not secure to single or combined. 
 Frail is our happiness, if this be so, 340 
 
 And Eden were no Eden, thus exposed. 
 
 To whom thus Adam fervently replied : 
 O Woniau, best arc all things as the will 
 Of God ordain'd them : His creating hand 
 Nothing imperfect or deficient left 345 
 
 Of all that he created, much less Man, 
 Or aught that might his happy state secure, 
 Secure from outward foixe ; within himself 
 The danger lies, yet lies within his power : 
 Against his will he can receive no harm. 350 
 
 But God left free the will ; for what obeys 
 Reason, is free : and Reason he made right, 
 But bid her v/ell beware, and still erect ; 
 Lest, by some fair-appearing good surprised, 
 She dictate false ; and misinform the will 355 
 
 To do what God expressly hath forbid. 
 Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjomp, 
 
PARADISE LOST. VJ9 
 
 That I should mind thee oft ; and mind thou me, 
 
 Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve; 
 
 Since Reason not impossibly may meet 360 
 
 Some specious object by the foe suborn'd, 
 
 And fall into deception unaware, 
 
 Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. 
 
 Seek not temptation then, w^hicli to avoid 
 
 Were better, and most likely if from me 365 
 
 Thou sever not : trial will come unsought. 
 
 Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve 
 
 First thy obedience ; the other who can know. 
 
 Not seeing thee attempted, who attest ? 
 
 But, if thou think, trial unsought may find 370 
 
 Us both securer than thus warn'd thou seem'st, 
 
 Go ; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more ; 
 
 Go in thy native innocence, rely 
 
 On what thou hast of virtue ; summon all ! 
 
 For God towards thee hath done his part : do thine. 
 
 So spake the patriarch of mankind ; but Eve 375 
 Persisted ; yet submiss, though last, replied : 
 
 With thy permission then, and thus forewarn'd 
 Chiefly by w^hat thy own last reasoning words 
 Touch'd only ; that our trial, when least sought, 
 May find us both perhaps far less prepared, 380 
 
 The willinger I go, nor much expect 
 A foe so proud will first the w^caker seek ; 
 So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse. 
 
 Thus saying, from her husband's hand her hand 
 Soft she withdrew ; and, like a Woodnymph light, 385 
 Oread or Dryad, or of Delia's train. 
 Betook her to the groves ; but Delia's self 
 In gait surpass'd, and goddesshke deport. 
 Though not as she with bow and quiver arm'd, 
 But with such gardening tools as Art yet rude, 390 
 Guiltless of fire, had form'd, or Angels brought. 
 To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorn d, 
 Likest she seem'd, Pomona when she fied 
 Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime, 
 
200 PARADISE LOST b. is. 
 
 Yet virgin of Prcjserpina from Jove. 395 
 
 Her long with ardent look his eye pursued 
 
 Delighted, but desiring more her stay. 
 
 Oft he to her his charge of quick return 
 
 Repeated ; she t,o him as oft engaged 
 
 To be ret urn 'd by noon amid the bower, 400 
 
 And all things in best order to invite 
 
 Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose. 
 
 O much deceived, much failiiig, hapless Eve, 
 
 Of thy presumed return ! event perverse ! 
 
 Thou never from that hour in Paradise 405 
 
 Found'st either sweet repast or sound repose ; 
 
 Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers and shades, 
 
 Waited with hellish rancour imminent 
 
 To intercept thy way, or send thee back 
 
 Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss ! 410 
 
 For now, and since first break of dawn, the Fiend, 
 
 Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come j 
 
 And on his quest, where likeliest he might find 
 
 The only two of mankind, but in them 
 
 The whole included race, his purposed prey. 415 
 
 In bower and field he sought, where any tuft 
 
 Of grove or garden plot more pleasant lay, 
 
 Their tendance, or plantation for delight j 
 
 By fountain or by shady rivulet 
 
 He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find 
 
 Eve separate ; he wish'd, but not with hope 421 
 
 Of what so seldom chanced ; v/hen to his wish, 
 
 Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies, 
 
 Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood. 
 
 Half spied, so thick the roses blushing round 42? 
 
 About her glow'd, oft stooping to support 
 
 Each flower of slender stalk, whose head, though gajf 
 
 Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold. 
 
 Hung drooping unsustain'd ; them she upstays 
 
 Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while 430 
 
 Herself, though faireat unsupported flower, 
 
 From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 201 
 
 ISGnrer he drew, and many a walk traversed 
 
 Of staiclicst covert, cedar, pine, or palm ; 
 
 Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen, 435 
 
 Among thick-woven crborets, and flowers 
 
 Erabroider'd on each bank, the hand of Eve : 
 
 Spot more delicious than those gardens feign'd 
 
 Or of revived Adonis, or renown'd 
 
 Alcinous, host of old Laertes' son ; 440 
 
 Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king 
 
 Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse. 
 
 Much he the place admired, the person more. 
 
 As one who long in populous city ]>ent, 
 
 Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, 445 
 
 Forth issuing on a summer's morn, to breaths 
 
 Among the pleasant villages and farms 
 
 Adjoin'd, from each thing met conceives delight; 
 
 The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine, 
 
 Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound j 450 
 
 If chance, with nymphlike step, fair virgin pass. 
 
 What pleasing seem'd, for her now pleases more ; 
 
 She most, and in her look suras all delight : 
 
 Such pleasure took the Serpent to behold 
 
 This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve, 455 
 
 Thus early, thus alone : her heavenly form 
 
 Angelic, but more soft and feminine, 
 
 Her graceful innocence, her every air 
 
 Of gesture, or least action, overawed 
 
 His malice, and with rapine sweet bereaved 460 
 
 His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought : 
 
 That space the Evil One abstracted stood 
 
 From his own evil, and for the time remain 'd 
 
 Stupidly good; of enmity disarm'd. 
 
 Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge : 465 
 
 But the hot Hell that always in him burns, 
 
 Though in mid Heaven, soon ended his delight, 
 
 And tortures him now more, the more he sees 
 
 Of pleasure, not for him ordain'd • then soon 
 
202 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 470 
 Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites. 
 
 Thoughts, whither have ye led me ! with what sweet 
 Compulsion thus transported, to forget 
 What hither brought us I hate, not love ; nor hope 
 Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste 475 
 
 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, 480 
 
 Her husband, for T view far round, not nigh, 
 Whose higher intellectual more I shun. 
 And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb 
 Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould ; 
 Foe not informidable ! exempt from wound, 485 
 
 1 not ; so much hatli Hell debased, and pam 
 Enfeebled me, to what I was in Heaven. 
 She fair, divinely fair, fit love for Gods I 
 Not terrible, though terror be in love 
 And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate, 490 
 
 Hate stronger, under show of love well feign'd ; 
 The way which to her ruin now I tend. 
 
 So spake the enemy of mankind, enclosed 
 In serpent, inmate bad ! and toward Eve 
 Address'd his way : not with indented wave, 495 
 
 Prone on the ground, as since ; but on his rear, 
 Circular base of rising folds, that tower'd 
 Fold above fold, a surging maze ! his head 
 Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; 
 With burnish 'd neck of verdant gold, erect 500 
 
 Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass 
 Floated redundant : pleasing was his shape 
 And lovely ; never since of serpent-kind 
 Lovelier, not those that in Illyria changed, 
 Hermione and Cadmus, or the god 505 
 
 In Epidaurus ; nor to which transform'd 
 
PARADISE LOST. 20:J 
 
 Aramonian Jove, or Capitoline, was seen ; 
 
 He with Olympias ; this with her who bore 
 
 Scipio, the lieight of Rome. Witli tract oblique 
 
 At first, as one who sought accessj but fear'd 510 
 
 To interrupt, sidelong he works his way, 
 
 As when a ship, by skilful steersmen wrought 
 
 Nigh rivers mouth or foreland, w^here the wind 
 
 Vetrs oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail : 
 
 So varied he, and of his tortuous train 515 
 
 Curl'd many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, 
 
 To lure her eye ; she, busied, heard the sound 
 
 Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as used 
 
 To such disport before her through the field. 
 
 From every beast ; more duteous at her call 520 
 
 Than at Circean call the herd disguised. 
 
 lie, bolder now, uncall'd before her stood, 
 
 Rut as in gaze admiring : oft he bow'd 
 
 His turret crest, and sleek enamel neck. 
 
 Fawning ; and lick'd the ground whereon she trod. 525 
 
 His gentle dumb expression turn'd at length 
 
 The eye of Eve to mark his play : he, glad 
 
 Of her attention gain'd, wath serpent-tongue 
 
 Organic, or impulse of vocal air. 
 
 His fraudulent temptation thus began : 530 
 
 Wonder not, sov'reign Mistress, if perhaps 
 Thou canst, who art sole wonder ! much less arm 
 Thy looks, the Heaven of mildness, with disdain, 
 Displeased that I approach thee thus, and gaze 
 Insatiate ; I thus single ; nor have fear'd 535 
 
 Thy awful brow, more av/ful thus retired. 
 Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair. 
 Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine 
 By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore 
 With ravishment beheld ! there best beheld, 540 
 
 Where universally admired ; but here 
 In this enclosure wild, these beasts among, 
 lie.holders rude, and shallow to discern 
 Half what in thee is fair, one man except, 
 
204 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 Who sees thee ? (and what is one ?) who should be seen 
 A Goddess among Gods, adored and served 546 
 
 By Angels numberless, thy dail}' train. 
 
 So glozed the Tempter, and his proem tuned : 
 Into the heart of Eve his words made way, 
 Though at the voice much marveUng ; at length 550 
 Not unamazed, she thus in answer spake : 
 
 What may this mean ? language of man pronctmcad 
 By tongue of brute, and human senso express'd ? 
 The first, at least, of these I tliought denied 
 To beasts ; whom God, on their creation-day, 555 
 Created mute to all articulate sound : 
 The latter I demur ; for in their looks 
 Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. 
 Thee, Serpent, subtlest beast of all the field 
 I knev/, but not with human voice endued ; 560 
 
 Redouble then this miracle, and say, 
 How earnest 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. 565 
 
 To whom the guileful Tempter thus replied : 
 Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve ! 
 Easy to me it is to tell thee all [obey'd : 
 
 What thou command'st ; sjid right thou shouldst bo 
 I was at first as other beasts that graze 570 
 
 The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, 
 As was ]ny food ; nor aught but food discern'd 
 Or sex, and apprehended nothing high : 
 Till, on a day roving the field, I chanced 
 A goodly tree far distant to behold 575 
 
 Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mix'd, 
 Ruddy and gold : I nearer drew to gaze ; 
 When from the boughs a savoury odour blown, 
 Grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense 
 Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats 580 
 
 Of ewe or goat dropping with milk at even; 
 Unsuck'd of lamb or kid, that tei7d their piay. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 205 
 
 To satisfy the sharp desire I had 
 Of tasting those fair apples, I resolved 
 Not to defer ; hunger and thirst at once, 585 
 
 Powerful persuaders, quickened at the scent 
 Of that alluring fruit, urged me so keen. 
 About the mossy trunk I wound me soon ; 
 For, high from ground the branches would require 
 Thy utmost reach or Adam's : round the tree o90 
 
 All other beasts that saw, with like desire 
 Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. 
 Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung 
 Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 
 I spared not ; for, such pleasure till that hour, 595 
 At feed or fountain, never had I found. 
 Sated at length, ere long I might perceive 
 Strange alteration in me, to degree 
 Of reason in my inward powers ; and speech 
 Wanted not long ; though to this shape retain'd. 600 
 Thenceforth to speculations high or deep 
 I turn'd my thoughts, and with capacious mind 
 Consider'd all things visible in Heaven, 
 Or Earth, or Middle ; all things fair and good : 
 But all that fair and good in thy divine COS 
 
 Semblance, and in thy beauty's heavenly ray, 
 United I beheld ; no fair to thine 
 Equivalent or second ! which compell'd 
 Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come 
 And gaze, and worship thee of right declared 610 
 
 Sov'reis_ni of creatures, universal Dame ! 
 
 So talk'd the spirited sly Snake ; and Eve, 
 Yet more amazed, unwary thus replied : 
 Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt 
 The virtue of that fruit, in thee first proved : 615 
 
 But say, where grows the tree ? from nence how rar.-* 
 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 untouch'd, 020 
 
 18 
 
206 PARADISE LOST. e.n 
 
 Still hanging incorruptible, till men 
 
 Grow up to their provision, and more hands 
 
 Help to disburden Nature of her birth. 
 
 To whom the wily Adder, blithe and glad : 
 Empress, the way is ready, and not long ; 625 
 
 Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat, 
 Fast by a fountain, one small thicket pass'd 
 Of blowing myrrh and balm : if thou accept 
 My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon. 
 
 Lead then, said Eve. He, leading, swiftly rcl'd 630 
 In tangles, and made intricate seem straight. 
 To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy 
 Brightens his crest ; as when a wandering fire, 
 Compact of unctuous vapour, which the night 
 Condenses, and the cold environs round. 635 
 
 ^ Kindled through agitation to a flame, 
 
 Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends, 
 Hovering and blazing with delusive light, 
 Misleads the amazed night-wanderer from his way 
 To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool ; 640 
 There swallow'd up and lost, from succour far. 
 So glister'd the dire Snake, and into fraud 
 Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree 
 Of prohibition, root of all our woe ; 644 
 
 Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake : 
 
 Serpent, we might have spared our coming hither, 
 Fruitless to me, though fruit be here to excess, 
 The credit of whose virtue Kest with thee ; 
 Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects. 
 But of this tree we may not taste nor touch ; 650 
 
 G od so commanded, and left that command 
 Sole daughter of his voice ; the rest, we live 
 Law to ourselves ; our reason is our law. 
 
 To v:hom the Tempter guilefully replied : 
 Indeed ! hath God then said that of the fruit 655 
 
 Of all these garden-trees ye shall not eat, 
 Yet Lords declared of all in earth or air ? 
 
 To whom thus Eve, yet sinless • Of the fruit 
 
PARADISE LOST. 207 
 
 Of each tree in the garden we may eat ; 
 But of the fruit of this fair tree amidst 660 
 
 The garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat 
 Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [bold 
 
 She scarce had said, though brief, when now more 
 The Tempter, but with show of zeal and love 
 To Man, and indignation at liis wrong, 665 
 
 New part puts on ; and, as to passion moved, 
 Fluctuates disturb'd, yet comely and in act 
 Raised, as of some great matter to begin. 
 As when of old some orator renown'd, 
 In Athens or free Rome, where eloquence 670 
 
 Flourish'd, since mute ! to some great cause address'd, 
 Stood in himself collected ; while each part, 
 Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue : 
 Sometimes in height began, as no delay 
 Of preface brooking, through his zeal of right : 675 
 So standing, moving, or to height up grown, 
 The Tempter, all impassion'd, thus began : 
 
 O sacred, wise, and wi.-;<iom-giving Plant, 
 Mother of science ! now 1 feel thy power 
 Within me clear ; not only to discern 680 
 
 Things in their causes, but to trace the ways 
 Of highest agents, deem'd however wise. 
 Queen of this universe ! do not believe 
 Those rigid threats of death : ye shall not die : 
 How should you .'' by the fruit .'' it gives you life €85 
 To knowledge; by the threatener ? look on me. 
 Me, who have touch'd and tasted ; yet both live, 
 And life more perfect have attained than Fate 
 Meant me, by venturing higher than my lot. 
 Shall that be shut to Man, v/hich to the Beast 690 
 Is open .'' or will God incense his ire 
 For such a petty trespass ? and not praise 
 Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain 
 Of death denounced, whatever thing death be, 
 Detcrr'd not from achieving what might lead 095 
 
 To happier life, knowledge of good and evil 
 
208 PARADISE LOST. b. ix 
 
 Of good how just ? of evil, if what is evil 
 Be real, why not known, since easier shunn'd ? 
 God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just ; 
 Not just ; not God ; not fear'd then, nor obey'd: 700 
 Your fear itself of death removes the fear. 
 Why then was this forbid ? Why, but to awe ? 
 Why, but to keep ye low and ignorant 
 His worshippers r He knows that in the day 
 Ye eat thereof, your eyes that seem so clear, 705 
 
 Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then 
 Open'd and clear'd, and ye shall be as Gods, 
 Knowing both good and evil, as they know. 
 That ye shall be as Gods, since I as Man, 
 Internal Man, is but proportion meet ; 710 
 
 I, of brute, human ; ye, of human, Gods. 
 So ye shall die perhaps, by putting off 
 Human, to put on Gods ; death to be wished, 
 Though threatcn'd, which no worse than this can bring. 
 And what are Gods, that Man may not become 715 
 As they, participating Godlike food ? 
 The Gods aio first, and that advantage use 
 On our bellei', that all from them proceeds • 
 I question it ; for this fair earth I see, 
 Warm'd by the sun, producing every kind : 720 
 
 Them, nothing : if they all things, who enclosed 
 Knowledge of good and evil in this tree. 
 That whoso eats thereof forthwith attains 
 Wisdom without their leave ? and wherein lies 
 The offence, that Man should thus attain to know ? 
 What can your knowledge hurt him, or this tree 726 
 Impart against his will, if all be his ? 
 Or is it envy ? and can envy dwell 
 In heavenly breasts ? — These, these, and many more 
 Causes import your need of this fair fruit. 730 
 
 Goddess humane, reach then, and fi-eely taste ! 
 He ended ; and his words, replete with guile, 
 Into her heart too easy entrance won ; 
 Fix'd on the fruit she gazed, which to behold 
 
PARADISE LOST 209 
 
 Might tempt alone ; and in her ears the sound 735 
 Yet rung of his persuasive words, inipregn'd 
 With reason to her seeming, and with truth : 
 Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, and waked 
 An eager appetite, raised by the smell 
 So savoury of that fruit, wliich with desire, 740 
 
 Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, 
 Solicited her longing eye ; yet first 
 Pausing awhile, thus to herself she mused* 
 
 Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits, 
 Though kept from man, and worthy to be admired ; 
 Whose taste, too long forborne, at first essay 746 
 
 Gave elocution to the mute, and taught 
 The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise 
 Thy praise he also, who forbids thy use. 
 Conceals not from us, naming thee the tree 750 
 
 Of knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil; 
 Forbids us then to taste ! but his forbidding 
 Commends thee more, while it infers the good 
 By thee communicated, and our want ; 
 For good unknown sure is not had : or, had 755 
 
 /Vnd yet unknown, is as not had at all. 
 Jn plain then, what forbids he but to know, 
 Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise ? 
 Such prohibitions bind not. But if death 
 Bind us with after-bands, what profits then 760 
 
 Our inward freedom ; In the day we eat 
 Of this fair fruit, our doom is, we shall die ! 
 How dies the Serpent ^ he hath eaten, lives, 
 And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, 
 [rrational till then. For us alone 765 
 
 Was death invented .'* or to us denied 
 This intellectual food, for beasts reserved 1 
 For beasts it seems : yet that one beast which first 
 Hath tasted envies not, but brings with joy 
 The good befallen him, author unsuspect, 770 
 
 Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile. 
 What fear 1 then r rather, what knoAv to fear 
 
210 PARADISE LOST. b. w. 
 
 Under this ignorance of good and evil, 
 
 Of God or death, of law or penalty ? 
 
 Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, 775 
 
 Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste, 
 
 Of virtue to make wise : What hinders then 
 
 To reach, and feed at once both body and mind ? 
 
 So saying, her rash hand in evil hour 
 Forth reaching to the fruit, slie pluck'd, she eat ! 780 
 Earth felt the wound ; and Nature from her seat, 
 Sighmg through all her works, gave signs of woe, 
 That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk 
 The guilty Serpent ; and well might ; for Eve, 
 Intent now wliolly on her taste, nought else 785 
 
 Regarded ; such delight till then, as s^em'd, 
 In fruit she never tasted, v/hether true 
 Or fancied so, through expectation high 
 Of knowledge ; nor was Godhead from her thought. 
 Greedily she ingorged without restraint, 790 
 
 And knew not eating death; Satiate at length, 
 And heighten'd as with wine, jocund and boon. 
 Thus to herself she pleasingly began : 
 
 O sov'reign, virtuous, precious of all trees 
 In Paradise ! of operation bless'd 795 
 
 To sapience, hitherto obscured, infamed. 
 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 fertile burden ease 800 
 
 Of thy full branches ofTer'd free to all ; 
 Tillj dieted by thee, 1 grow mature 
 In knowledge, as the Gods, who all things know : 
 Though others envy what they cannot give : 
 For, had the gift been theirs, it had not here 805 
 
 Thus grown. Experience next, to thee I owe, 
 Best guide ; not following thee, I had remain'd 
 In ignorance ; thou open'st wisdom's: way, 
 And oivest access, though secret she retire. 
 And I perhaps am secret : Heaven is high, 810 
 
PARADISE LOST. 211 
 
 High, and remote to see from thence distinct 
 Each thing on Earth ; and other care perhaps 
 May have diverted from continual watch 
 Our great Forbidder, safe with all his spies 
 About him. But to Adam in what sort 815 
 
 Shall I appear ? shall I to him make known 
 As yet my change, and give him to partake 
 Full happiness with me, or rather not, 
 But keep the odds of knowledge in my power 
 Without copartner ? so to add what wants 820 
 
 In female sex, the more to draw his love, 
 And render me more equal ; and perhaps, 
 A thing not undesirable, sometime 
 Superior : for inferior, v/ho is free ? 
 This may be well : But what if God have seen, 825 
 And death ensue ? Then I shall be no more ! 
 And Adam, wedded to another Eve, 
 Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct ; 
 A death to think ! Confirm'd then I resolve, 
 Adam shall share with me in bliss or Avoe : 830 
 
 So dear I love him, that with hira all deaths 
 1 could endure, without him live no life. 
 
 So saying, from the tree her step she turn'd ; 
 But first low reverence done, as to the Power 
 That dwelt within, whoso presence had infused 835 
 Into the plant sciential sap, derived 
 From nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while. 
 Waiting desirous her return, had wove 
 Of clioicest flowers a garland, to adorn 
 Her tresses, and her rural labours crown ; 840 
 
 As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. 
 Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new- 
 Solace in her return, so long delay 'd : 
 Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, 
 Misgave him ; he the faltering measure felt ; 845 
 
 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 
 
m2 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 Scarce from the tree returning ; in her hand 
 
 A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smiled, 850 
 
 New gather'd, and ambrosial smell diffused. 
 
 To him she hasted ; in her face excuse 
 
 Came prologue and apology, too prompt ; 
 
 Which, with bland words at will, she thus address'd : 
 
 Hast thou not wonder'd, Adam, at my stay ? 855 
 Thee I have miss'd, and thought it long, deprived 
 Tliy presence ; agony of love till now 
 Not felt, nor shall be twice ; for never more 
 Mean I to tr}^, what rash untried I sought. 
 The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange 860 
 Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear : 
 This tree is not, as we are told, a tree 
 Of danger tasted, or to evil unknown 
 Opening the way, but of divine effect 
 To open eyes, and make them Gods who taste .; 805 
 And hath been tasted such : The serpent wise, 
 Or not restrain'd as we, or not obeying, 
 Hath eaten of the fruit ; and is become, 
 Not dead, as we are threaten'd, but thenceforth 
 Endued with human voice and human sense, 870 
 
 Reasoning to admiration ; and with me 
 Persuasively hath so prevail'd that I 
 Have also tasted, and have also found 
 The effects to correspond ; opener mine eyes. 
 Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart, 275 
 
 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, unshared with thee, and odious soon. 
 Thou therefore also taste, that equal lot ^0 
 
 May join us, equal joy, as equal love ; 
 Lest, thou not tasting, different degree 
 Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce 
 Deity for thee, when Fate will not permit. 
 
 Thus Eve, with countenance blithe her story told ;* 
 But m her choek distemper jlurhing ^rlow'd. 886 
 
PARADISE LOST. 213 
 
 On the other side Adam, soon as he heard 
 The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed, 
 Astonied stood and blank, while horror cliill 
 Ran through his veins, and all his joints relax'd ; 890 
 From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve 
 Down dropp'd, and all the faded roses shed; 
 Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length 
 First to himself he inward silence broke : 
 
 O fairest of Creation, last and best 895 
 
 Of all God"s works, Creature in whom cxcell'd 
 Whatever can to sight or thought be form'd, 
 Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet ! 
 How art thou lost ! now on a sudden lost. 
 Defaced, deflower'd, and now to death devote ! 900 
 Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress 
 The strict forbiddance, how to violate 
 The sacred fruit forbidden ! Some cursed fraud 
 Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown, 
 And me with thee hath ruin'd ; for v/ith thee 905 
 
 Certain my resolution is to die : 
 How can I live without thee ! how forego 
 Thy sweet converse, and love so dearly join'd, 
 To live again in these wild woods forlorn ! 
 Should God create another E\e, and 1 910 
 
 Another rib afford, yet loss of thee 
 Would never from my heart : no, no ! I feel 
 The link of Nature draAV me : flesh of flesh, 
 Bor.e of my bone thou art, and from thy state 
 Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe. 915 
 
 So having said, as one from sad dismay 
 Recomforted, and after thoughts disturb'd 
 Submitting to what seem'd remediless, 
 Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turn'd : 
 
 Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve, 920 
 And peril great provoked, who thus hast dared, 
 Had it been only coveting to eye 
 That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence, 
 Much more to taste it under ban to touch. 
 
214 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 But past who can recal, or done undo ? 925 
 
 Not God omnipotent, nor Fate ; yet so 
 Perhaps thou shalt not die, perhaps the fact 
 Is not so heinous now, foretasted fruit, 
 Profaned first by the serpent, by him first 
 Made common, and unhallow'd, ere our taste ; 930 
 Nor yet on him found deadly ; yet he Uves ; 
 Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to Hve, as Man, 
 Jligher degree of hfe ; inducement strong 
 To us, as likely tasting to attain 
 
 Proportional ascent ; which cannot be 935 
 
 But to be Gods, or Angels demi-Gods. 
 Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, 
 Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy 
 Us his prime creatures, dignified so high, 
 Set over all his works ; v;hich in our fall, 940 
 
 For us created, needs with us must fail. 
 Dependent made ; so God shall uncreate, 
 Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose ; 
 Not well conceived of God, who, though his power 
 Creation could repeat, yet would be loath 945 
 
 Us to abolish, lest the Adversary 
 Triumph, and say : '' Fickle their state whom God 
 Most favours ; who can please him long ? Me first 
 He ruin'd, now Mankind ; whom will he next ?" 
 Matter of scorn, not to be given the Foe. 950 
 
 However I with thee have fix'd my lot, 
 Certain to undergo like doom : If death 
 Consort with thee, death is to me as life , 
 So forcibly within my heart I feel 
 The bond of Nature draw me to my own ; 955 
 
 My own in thee, for what thou art is mine } 
 Our state cannot be sever'd ; we are one, 
 One flesh ; to lose thee were to lose myself. 
 So Adam ; and thus Eve to him replied : 
 O glorious trial of exceeding love, 960 
 
 Illustrious evidence, example high ' 
 Engaging me to emulato ; but, short 
 
PARADISE LOST. 215 
 
 Of thy perfection, how shall 1 attain, 
 Adam, from whose dear side I boast me sprung, 
 And gladly of our union hear thee speak, 965 
 
 One heart, one soul in both ; whereof good proof 
 This day affords, declaring thee resolved, 
 Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, 
 Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear, 
 To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, 070 
 
 If any be, of tasting this fair fruit ; 
 Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds, 
 Direct, or by occasion) hath presented 
 This happy trial of thy love, which else 
 So eminently never had been known ? 975 
 
 Were it I thought death menaced would ensue 
 This my attempt, I would sustain alone 
 The worst, and not persuaded thee, rather die 
 Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact 
 Pernicious to thy peace : chiefly assured 980 
 
 Remarkably so late of thy so true, 
 So faithful, love unequal'd : but 1 feel 
 Far otherwise the event ; not death, but life 
 Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys. 
 Taste so divine that what of sweet before 985 
 
 Hath touch'd my sense fiat seems to this, and harsh. 
 On my experience, Adam, freely taste, 
 And fear of death deliver to the winds. 
 
 So saying, she embraced him, and for joy 
 Tenderly wept ; much won, that he his love 990 
 
 Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur 
 Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. 
 In recompense (for such compliance bad 
 Such recompense best merits) from the bough 
 She gave him of that fair enticing fruit 995 
 
 With liberal haiid : he scrupled not to eat, 
 Against his better knowledge ; not deceived. 
 But fondly overcome with female charm. 
 Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 
 [n pangs ; and Nature gave a second groan ; lOOO 
 
21G PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 Sky lour'd ; and, muttering thunder, some sad drops 
 
 Wept at completing of the mortal sm 
 
 Original : while Adam took no thought, 
 
 Eating his fill ; nor Eve to iterate 
 
 Her former trespass fear'd, the more to sooth 1005 
 
 Him with her loved society ; that now, 
 
 As with new wine intoxicated both, 
 
 They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel 
 
 Divinity within them breeding wings, 
 
 Wherewith to scorn the earth : But that false fruit 
 
 Far other operation first display'd, 1011 
 
 Carnal desire inflaming; he on Eve 
 
 Began to cast lascivious eyes ; she him 
 
 As wantonly repaid ; in iust they burn : 
 
 Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move : 1015 
 
 Eve, novv'^ 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 
 Yield thee, so well this da}?^ thou hast purvey'd. 1020 
 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 iiad been forbidden ten. 1025 
 
 But come, so well refreshed, now let us play, 
 As meet is, after such delicious fare ; 
 For never did thy beauty, since the day 
 I sav; thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd 
 With all perfections, so inflame my sense 1030 
 
 With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now 
 Than ever ; bounty of this virtuous tree ! 
 
 So said he, and forbore not glance or toy 
 Of amorous intent ; well understood 
 Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. 1035 
 
 Her hand he seized ; and to a shady bank 
 Thick overhead with verdant roof imbower'd, 
 He led her notliing loath : flowers were the couch. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 21 
 
 Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 
 
 And hyacinth ; Earth's freshest softest lap. 1040 
 
 There they their fill of love and love's disport 
 
 Took largely, of their mutual guilt the seal, 
 
 The solace of their sin ; till dewy sleep 
 
 Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play. 
 
 Soon as the force of that fallacious fruit, 1045 
 
 That with exhilarating vapour bland 
 
 About their spirits had pla-y'd, and inmost powers 
 
 Made err, was now exhaled ; and grosser sleep, 
 
 Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams 
 
 Incumber'd, now had left them : up they rose 1050 
 
 As from unrest ; and, each the other viewing, 
 
 Soon found their eyes how open'd, and their minds 
 
 How darken'd ; innocence, that as a veil 
 
 Had shadow 'd them from knowing ill, was gone : 
 
 Just confidence, and native righteousness, 1055 
 
 And honour, from about them, naked left 
 
 To guilty Shame ; he cover'd, but his robe 
 
 Uncover'd more So rose the Danite strong, 
 
 Herculean Samson, from the harlot lap 
 
 Of Philistean Dalilah, and M^aked 1060 
 
 Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare 
 
 Of all their virtue : Silent, and in face 
 
 Confounded, long they sat, as stricken mute : 
 
 Till Adam, though not less than Eve abash 'd, 
 
 At length gaA'e utterance to these words constrain'd : 
 
 O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear 1066 
 
 To that false worm, of whomsoever taught 
 To counterfeit Man's voice ; true in our fall. 
 False in our promised rising ; since our eyes 
 Open'd we find indeed, and find we know 1070 
 
 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 purity. 
 Our wonted ornaments now soil'd and stain'd, 1075 
 And in our faces evident the signs 
 19 
 
218 PARADISE LOST. b. ix. 
 
 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, erst with joy 1080 
 
 And rapture so oft beheld ? Those heavenly shapes 
 Will dazzle now this earthly with their blaze 
 rnsufferably bright. O ! might I here 
 In. solitude live savage ; in some glade 
 Obscured, where highest woods, impenetrable 1085 
 To star or sunlight, spread their umbrage broad 
 And brown as evening : Cover me, ye Pines ! 
 Yb Cedars, with innumerable boughs 
 Hide me, where I may never see them more ! — 
 But let us now, as in bad plight, devise 1090 
 
 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, v/hose broad smooth leaves together sew'd, 
 And girded on our loins, may cover round 1095 
 
 Those middle parts ; that this new comer, Shame, 
 There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. 
 So counsel'd he, and both together went 
 Into the thickest wood ; there soon they chose 
 The fig tree ; not that kind for fruit renown 'd, 1100 
 But such as at this day, to Indians known, 
 In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms 
 Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 
 The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 
 About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade 1105 
 
 High overarched, and echoing walks between . 
 There oft the Indian herdsmen, shunning heat, 
 Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds 
 At loopholes cut through thickest shade : Those leaves 
 They gather'd, broad as Amazonian targe ; 1110 
 
 And, with what skill they had, together sew'd. 
 To gird their w^ist ; vain covering, if to hide 
 Their guilt and dreaded sh ime ! O, how unlike 
 To that first naked glory ! Such of late 
 
PARADISE LOST. 219 
 
 Columbus found the American, so girt 1115 
 
 With feather'd cincture ; naked else, and wild 
 Among the trees on isles and woody shores. 
 Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part 
 Cover'd, but not at rest or ease of mind, 
 They sat them down to weep ; nor only tears 1120 
 Rain'd 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, calm region once 
 And full of peace, now toss'd and turbulent : 1125 
 
 For Understanding ruled not, and the Will 
 Heard not her lore ; both in subjection now 
 To sensual appetite, who from beneath 
 Usurping over sov'reign Reason claim'd 
 Superior sway : From thus distemper'd breast, 1130 
 Adam, estranged in look and alter'd style. 
 Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd : 
 
 Would thou hadst hearken'd to my words, and staid 
 With me, as I besought thee, when that strange 
 Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, 1135 
 
 I know not whence possessed thee ; we had then 
 Remained still happy ; not as now^, despoiFd 
 Of all our good ; shamed, naked, miserable ! 
 Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve 
 The faith they owe ; when earnestly they seek 1140 
 Such proof, conclude, they then begin to fail. [Eve : 
 
 To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus 
 What words have pass'd thy lips, Adam, severe ! 
 Imputest thou that to my default, or will 
 Of wandering as thou call'st it, which who knows 1145 
 But might as ill have happened thou being by, 
 Or to thyself perhaps ? Hadst thou been there, 
 Or here the attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd 
 Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake ; 
 No ground of enmity between us known, 1150 
 
 Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm- 
 Was I to have never parted from thy side ? 
 
i.'2l) PARADISE LOST. b 
 
 As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. 
 Being as I ani, why didst not thou, the head, 
 Command me absolutely not to go, ] 
 
 Going into such danger, as thou saidst ? 
 Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay ; 
 Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. 
 Hidst thou been firm and fix'd in thy dissent, 
 Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with me. j 
 
 To Vv'hom, then first incensed, Adam replied : 
 Is this the love, is this the recompense 
 Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve I express'd 
 Immutable, when thou v/ert lost, not I ; 
 Who might have lived, and joy'd immortal bliss, J 
 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 enemy 
 That lay in wait ; beyond this had been force ; 
 And force upon free will hath here no place. 
 But confidence then bore thee on ; secure 
 Either to meet no danger, or to find ' 
 
 Matter of glorious trial ; and perhaps 
 1 also err'd, in overmuch admiring 
 What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought 
 No evil durst attempt thee ; but I rue 
 The error now, which is become my crime, ] 
 
 And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befal 
 Him, who, to worth in women overtrusting, 
 Lets her will rule : restraint she will not brook, 
 And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue. 
 She first his weak indulgence will accuse. ] 
 
 Thus they in mutual accusation spent 
 The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning; 
 And of their vain contest appear'd no end. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK X. 
 
 ttan's transgression known, the guardian Ar.ge.s forsake Paradise, 
 and return up to Heaven to approve their vigi.ance, and are ap- 
 proved ; God declarinij that the entrance of Satan could not be 
 oy them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors , 
 who descends and gives sentence accordingly ; then in pity clothes 
 them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at 
 the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of 
 Satan in this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, 
 resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their 
 eire up to the place of Man : To make the way easier from Hell 
 to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge 
 over Chaos, according to tho tract that Satan first made ; then, 
 preparing for Earth, they meet him. proud of his success, return 
 ing to Hell; their mutual gratuiation. Satan arrives at Panda 
 monium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success 
 against Man ; instead of applause is entertained with a general 
 hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly 
 into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise ; then, de- 
 luded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before 
 them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and 
 bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death : God ibretels 
 the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all 
 things; but, for the present, commands his Angels to make seve- 
 ral alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam, more and 
 more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails, rejects the 
 condolement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: 
 then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their oftspring, proposes 
 to Adam violent ways, which he approves not ; but, conceiving 
 better hope, puts her in mind of the (ate promise made thein, 
 that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent: and exhorts 
 her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance 
 and supplication. 
 
 Meanwhile the heinous and despiteful act 
 Of Satan, done in Paradise ; and how 
 He, in the Serpent, had perverted Eve, 
 Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, 
 Was known in Heaven ; for what can scape the eye 5 
 Of God all-seeing, or deceive h:s heart 
 Omniscient .' who, in all things wise and just 
 19 * 
 
222 PARADISE LOST. b. x 
 
 Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind 
 
 Of Man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, 
 
 Complete to have discover'd and repulsed 10 
 
 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 penalty ; 15 
 
 And, manifold in sin, de;;crved to fall. 
 
 Up into Keaven from Paradise in haste 
 
 The Angelic guards ascended, mute and sad, 
 
 For Man ; for of his state by this they knew, 
 
 Much wondering how the subtle Fiend had stolen 20 
 
 Entrance unseen. Soon as the unwelcome news 
 
 From Earth arrived at Heaven-gate, displeased 
 
 All were who heard ; dim Sadness did not spare 
 
 That time celestial visages, yet, mix'd 
 
 With pity, violated not their bliss. 25 
 
 About the nev.'-arrived, in multitudes 
 
 The ethereal people ran. to hear and know 
 
 How all befel : They towards the throne supreme, 
 
 Accountable, made haste, to make appear, 
 
 With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, 30 
 
 And easily approved : when the Most High 
 
 Eternal Father, from his secret cloud. 
 
 Amidst in thunder utter'd thus his voice : 
 
 Assembled Angels, and ye Powers return'd 
 Frojn unsuccessful charge, be not dismay 'd, 35 
 
 Nor troubled 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 40 
 
 On his bad errand ; Man should be seduced, 
 And flatter'd out of all, believing lies 
 Against his Maker ; no decree of mine 
 Concurrmg to necessitate his fall. 
 Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 45 
 
PARADISE LOST. 223 
 
 His free will, to her own inclining left 
 In even scale. But fallen he is ; and now 
 What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass 
 On his transgression, death denounced that day •* 
 Which he presumes already vain and void, 50 
 
 Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, 
 By some immediate stroke ; but soon shall find 
 Forbearance no acquittance, ere day end. 
 Justice shall not return as bounty scorn'd. 
 But whom send I to judgo them ? whom but thee, 55 
 Vicegerent Son ? To thee I have transferr'd 
 All judgment, vv^hether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. 
 Easy it may be seen that I intend 
 Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, 
 Man's friend, his Mediator, his design'd 60 
 
 Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary. 
 And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen. 
 
 So spake the Father } and, unfolding bright 
 Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son 
 Blazed forth unclouded Deity : He full 65 
 
 Resplendent all his Father manifest 
 Expressed, and thus divinely answer'd mild : 
 
 Father Eternal, thine is to decree ; 
 Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will 
 Supreme ; that thou in me, thy Son beloved, 70 
 
 Mayst ever rest well pleased. I go to judge 
 On earth these thy transgressors ; but thou know'st, 
 Whoever judged, the worst on me must light, 
 When time shall be ; for so T undertook 
 Before thee ; and, not repenting, this obtain 75 
 
 Of right, that I may mitigate their doom 
 On me derived ; yet I shall temper so 
 Justice with mercy as may illustrate most 
 Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. 
 Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 
 Are to behold the judgment, but the judged, 
 Those two ; the third best absent is condemn d, 
 
224 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : 
 Conviction to the serpent none belongs. 
 
 Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose 85 
 
 Of high collateral glory ; flim Thrones, and Powers, 
 Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant, 
 Accompanied to Heaven-gate ; from whence 
 Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. 
 Down he descended straight ; the speed of Gods 90 
 Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. 
 Now was the sun in western cadence low 
 From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, 
 To fan the earth now waked, and usher in 
 The evening cool ; when he, from wrath more cool, 95 
 Game the mild judge, and Intercessor both, 
 To sentence Man : The voice of God they heard 
 Now walking in the garden, by soft winds 
 Brought to their ears, while day declined ; they heard, 
 And from his presence hid themselves among 100 
 
 The thickest trees, both man and wife ; till God, 
 Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud : 
 
 Where art thou, Adam wont with joy to meet 
 My coming seen far off? 1 miss thee here, 
 Not pleased, thus entertain'd with solitude, 105 
 
 Where obvious duty ere while appear 'd unsought : 
 Or come I less conspicuous, or what change 
 Absents thee, or what chance detains ? — Come forth ! 
 
 He came ; and with him Eve, more loath, though first 
 To offend ; discountenanced both, and discomposed ; 
 Love was not in their looks, either to God, 111 
 
 Or to each other ; but apparent guilt, 
 And shame, and perturbation, and despair. 
 Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. 
 Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: 
 
 1 heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 116 
 Afraid, being naked, hid myself To whom 
 The gracious Judge without revile replied : 
 
 My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 225 
 
 But still rejoiced ; how is it now become 120 
 
 So dreadful to thee ! That thou art naked, who 
 Hath told tliee ? Hast thou eaten of the tree 
 Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat ? 
 To whom thus Adam sore beset replied : 
 
 Heaven ! in evil strait this day I stand 125 
 Before my Judge ; either to undergo 
 
 Myself the total crime, or to accuse 
 My other self, the partner of my life ; 
 Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, 
 
 1 should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 
 By my complaint : but strict necessity 
 
 Subdues me, and calamitous constraint ; 
 
 Lest on my head both sin and punishment 
 
 HoAvever insupportable, be all 
 
 Devolved ; though should I hold my peace, yet thou 
 
 Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. — 136 
 
 This Woman; whom thou madest to be my help, 
 
 And gavcst me as thy perfect gift, so good. 
 
 So fit, so acceptable, so divine, 
 
 That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 
 
 And what she did, Avhatever in itself, 
 
 Her doing seera'd to justify the deed ; 
 
 Slie gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 
 
 To whom the Sov'reign Presence thus replied * 
 Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145 
 
 Before his voice ? or was she made thy guide, 
 Superior, or but equal, that to her 
 Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place 
 Wherein God set thee above her made of thee. 
 And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 150 
 
 Hers in all real dignity ? Adorn'd 
 She was indeed, and lovely, to attract 
 Thy love, not thy subjection ; and her gifts 
 Were such, as undnr government well seem'd ; 
 Unseemly to bear rule ; Avhich was thy part ^ 
 
 And person, hadst thou known thyself aright / 
 
226 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 So having said, he thus to Eve in few : 
 &ay, Woman, what is this which thou hast done ? 
 
 To whom sad Eve, with shame nigh overwhelm'd, 
 Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 160 
 
 Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd replied : 
 The Serpent me beguiled, and I did eat. 
 
 Which when the Lord God heard, without delay 
 To judgment he proceeded on the accused 
 Serpent, though brute ; unable to transfer l6o 
 
 The guilt on him who made him instrument 
 Of mischief, and polluted from the end 
 Of his creation ; justly then accursed, 
 As vitiated in nature : More to know 
 Concern'd not man (since he no further knew,) 170 
 Nor alter 'd his offence ; yet God at last 
 To Satan first in sin his doom applied, 
 Though in mysterious terms, judged as then best : 
 And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall : 
 
 Because thou hast done this thou art accursed 175 
 Above all citlle, each beast of the field ; 
 Upon thy bi;iiy grovelling thou shalt go, 
 And dust shalt eat all the days of thy life. 
 Between thee and the woman I will put 
 Enmity, and between thine and her seed ; 180 
 
 Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel. 
 
 So spake this oracle, then verified 
 When Jesus, Son of Mary, second Eve, 
 Saw Satan fall like lightning down from Heaven, 
 Prince of the air, then, rising from his grave, 185 
 
 Spoil'd Principalities and Powers, triumph'd 
 In open show } and, with ascension bright, 
 Captivity led captive through the air. 
 The realm itself of Satan, long usurp'd ; 
 Whom he shall tread at last under our feet ; 19** 
 
 Even he, who now foretold his fatal bruise ; 
 
 nd to the woman thus his sentence turn d ' 
 ""hy sorrow I will greatly multiply 
 
PARADISE LOST. 227 
 
 By thy conception ; children thou shalt bring 
 In sorrow forth ; and to thy husband's will 195 
 
 Thine shall submit ; he over thee shall rule. 
 
 On Adam last thus judgment he pronounced : 
 Because thou hast hearken'd to the voice of thy wife, 
 And eaten of the tree, concerning which 
 I charged thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat thereof: 200 
 Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; thou in sorrow 
 Shalt eat thereof, all the days of thy life ; 
 Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth 
 Unbid ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field ; 
 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 205 
 
 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 return. 
 
 So judged he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent ; 
 And the instant stroke of death, denounced that day. 
 Removed far off; then, pitying how they stood 213 
 Before him naked to the air, that now 
 Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin 
 Thenceforth the form of servant to assume ; 
 As when he wash'd his servants* feet \ so now 215 
 As father of his family, he clad 
 Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, 
 Or as the snake with youthful coat repaid ; 
 And thought not much to clothe his enemies : 
 Nor he their outward only vrith the skins 220 
 
 Of beasts, but inward nakedness much more 
 Opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness 
 Arraying, cover'd from his Father's sight. 
 To him w-th swift ascent he up return'd. 
 Into his blissful bosom rcassumed 225 
 
 In glory, as of old ; to him appeased 
 All, though all-knowing, what had pass'd with Man 
 Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. 
 
 Meanwhile, ere thus was sinn'd and judged on Earth, 
 Within the gates of Holl sat Sin and Death, 230 
 
 In counterview within the gates, that now 
 
228 PARADISE LOST. b. k 
 
 Stood open wido, belching outrageous flame 
 Far into Chaos, since the Fiend pass'd through, 
 Sin opening ; wlio thus now to Death began : 
 
 O Son, why sit we here each other vie\\'ing 235 
 Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives 
 In other worlds, and happier seat provides 
 For us, his offspring dear ? It cannot be 
 But that success attends him ; if mishap, 
 Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven 240 
 
 By his avengers ; since no place like this 
 Can fit his pmiishment, or their revenge. 
 Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, 
 Wings growing, and dominion given me large 
 Beyond this deep ; whatever draws me on, 245 
 
 Or sym.pathy, or some connatural force, 
 Powerful at greatest distance to unite. 
 With secret amity things of like kind, 
 By SGcretest conveyance. Thou, my shade 
 Inseijarable, must with me along : 250 
 
 For Death from Sin no power can separate. 
 But, lest the difficulty of passing- back 
 Stay his return perhaps over this gulf 
 Impassable, impervious ; let us try 
 Adventurous work, yet to thy poAver and mine 255 
 Not unagreeable, to found a path 
 Over this main from Hell to that new world, 
 Where Satan nov*? prevails : a monument 
 Of merit high to all the infernal host, 
 Easing their passage hence, for intercourse, 260 
 
 Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. 
 Nor can I miss the way, so strongly dr^wn 
 By this nev/-felt attraction and instinct. 
 
 Whom thus the meagre shadow answer'd soon : 
 Go, whitner Fate and inclination strong 2G5 
 
 Leads thee ; I shall not lag behind, nor err 
 The way, thou leading ; such a scent I draw 
 Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 
 The savour of death from all things there that live 
 
PARADISE LOST. 229 
 
 Nor shall 1 to the work thou enterprisest 270 
 
 Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid. 
 
 So saying, with delight he snufTd the smell 
 Of mortal change on earth. As when a flock 
 Of ravenous fowl, though many a league remote. 
 Against the day of battle, to a field, 275 
 
 Where armies lie encamp'd, come flying, lured 
 With scent of living carcasses design'd 
 For death, the following day, in bloody fight : 
 So scented the grim Feature, and upturn'd 
 His nostril wide into the murky air; 28(} 
 
 Sagacious of his quarry from so far. 
 Them both from out Hell gates, into the waste 
 Wide anarchy of Chaos, damp and dark, 
 Flew diverse ; and with power (their power was great) 
 Hq .ering upon the waters, what they met 285 
 
 Solid or slimy, as in raging sea 
 Toss'd up ond dovvm, together crowded drove, 
 From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell : 
 As when two polar winds, blovv'ing adverse 
 Upon the Cronian sea, together drive 290 
 
 Mountains of ice, that stop the imagined way 
 Beyond Petsora eastward, to the rich 
 Cathaian coast. The aggregated soil 
 Death with his mace petrifie, cold and dry, 
 As with a trident, smote ; and fix'd as firm 295 
 
 As Del OS, floating once ; the rest his look 
 Bound with Gorgonian rigour not to move j 
 And with Asphaltic slime, broad as the gate, 
 Deep to tlie roots of Hell the gather'd beach 
 They fasten'd, and the mole immense wrought on 300 
 Over the foaming deep high-areh'd, a bridge 
 Of length pi odigious, joining to the wall 
 Immovable of this now fenceless world, 
 Forfeit to Death ; from hence a passage broad, 
 Smooth, easy, inoffensive, down to Hell. 305 
 
 So, if great things to pmall may bo compared, 
 Xerxes, the liberty of Greece to yoke, 
 20 
 
230 PARADISE LOST b. x 
 
 From Susa, his Menmonian palace high, 
 
 Came to the sea ; and, over Hellespont 
 
 Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd, 310 
 
 And scourged with many a stroke the indignant waves 
 
 Now had they brought the work by wondrous art 
 
 Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock, 
 
 Over the vex'd abyss, following the track 
 
 Of Satan to the selfsame place where he 315 
 
 First lighted from his wing, and landed safe 
 
 From out of Chaos to the outside bare 
 
 Of this round world : wuth pins of adamant 
 
 And chains they made all fast, too fast they made 
 
 And durable ! and now in little S})ace 320 
 
 The confines met of empyrean Heaven, 
 
 And of this World ; and, on the left hand, Hell. 
 
 With long reach interposed ; three several wa,j3 
 
 In sight, to each of these three places led. 
 
 And now their way to Earth they had descried, 325 
 
 To Paradise first tending ; when, behold ! 
 
 Satan, in likeness of an Angel bright. 
 
 Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering 
 
 His zenith, while the sun in Aries rose : 
 
 Disguised he came ; but those his children dear 330 
 
 Their parent soon discern'd, though in disguise. 
 
 He after Eve seduced, unminded slunk 
 
 Into the wood fast by ; and, changing shape, 
 
 To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act 
 
 By Eve, though all unweeting, seconded 335 
 
 Upon her husband ; saw their shame that sought 
 
 Vain covertures ; but when he saw descend 
 
 The Son of God to judge them, terrified 
 
 He fled ; not hoping to escape, but shun 
 
 The present ; fearing, guilty, what his wrath 340 
 
 Might suddenly inflict ; that pass'd, return'd 
 
 By night, and listening where the hapless pair 
 
 Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint, 
 
 Thence gather'd his own doom ; which understood 
 
 Not instant, but of future time, with joy 345 
 
PARADISE LOST. 231 
 
 And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd ', 
 And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot 
 Of this new wondrous pontifice, unhoped 
 Met, who to meet him came, his offspring dear. 
 Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight 350 
 
 Of that stupendous bridge his joy increased. 
 Long he admiring stood, till Sin, his fair 
 Enchanting daughter, thus the silence broke : 
 
 O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds. 
 Thy trophies ! which thou view'st as not thine own ; 
 Thou art their author, and prime architect : 356 
 
 For I no sooner in my heart divined, 
 My heart, which by a secret harmony 
 Still moves v/itli thine, join'd in connexion sweet, 
 That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks 
 Now also evidence, but straight 1 felt, 3G0 
 
 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 our bounds, 365 
 
 Nor this unvoyageable gulf obscure 
 Detain from following thy illustrious track. 
 Thou hast achieved our liberty, confined 
 Within Hell-gates till nov/ ; thou us impower'd 
 To fortify thus far, and overlay, 370 
 
 With this portentous bridge, the dark abyss, 
 Thine now is all this world ; thy virtue hath won 
 What thy hands builded not ; thy wisdom gain'd 
 With odds what war hath lost, and fully avenged 
 Our foil in Heaven ; here thou shalt monarch reign, 
 There didst not ; there let him still victor sway, 376 
 As battle hath adjudged ; from this new world 
 Retiring, by his own doom alienated ; 
 And henceforth monarchy with thee divide 
 Of all things, parted by the empyreal boimds, 380 
 
 His quadrature, from thy orbicular world ; 
 Or try thee now more dangerous to his throne 
 
232 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 "Whom thus the Prince of darkness answer'd glad: 
 Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both j 
 High proof ye now have given to be the race 385 
 
 Of Satan (for I glory in the name, 
 Antagonist of Heaven's Almighty King,) 
 Amply have merited of me, of all 
 The infernal empire, that so near Heaven's door 
 Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 390 
 
 Mine, with this glorious work ; and made one realm; 
 Hell and this world, one realm, one continent 
 Of easy thoroughfare. Therefore, while I 
 Descend through darkness, on yonr road with ease, 
 To my associate Powers, them to acquaint 395 
 
 With these successes, and with them rejoice ; 
 You too this way, among these numerous orbs, 
 All 3^ours, right down to Paradise descend ; 
 There dwell, and reign in bliss ; thence on thSj^carth 
 Dominion exercise and in the air, 400 
 
 Chiefly on Man, solo lord of all declared ; 
 Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 
 My substitutes I send ye, and create 
 "Plenipotcnt on earth, of matchless might 
 issuing from me ; on your joint vigour now 405 
 
 My hold of this new kingdom all depends, 
 Through Sin to Death exposed by my exploit. 
 If your joint power prevail, the affairs of Hell 
 No detriment need fear ; go, and be strong ! 
 
 So saying he dismiss'd them ; they with speed 410 
 Their course through thickest constellations held, 
 Spreading their bane ; the blasted stars look'd wan, 
 And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse 
 Then suffer'd. The other way Satan went down 
 The causey to Hell gate : On either side 415 
 
 Disparted Chaos overbuilt exclaim'd, 
 And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, 
 That scorn'd his indignation : through the gate. 
 Wide open and -unguarded, Satan pass'd, 
 And all about found desolate ; for those, 420 
 
PARADISE LOST. 233 
 
 Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, 
 Flown to the upper world ; the rest were all 
 Far to the inland retired, about the walls 
 Of Pandemonium ; city and proud seat 
 O^ Lucifer, so by allusion call'd 425 
 
 Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd ; 
 There kept their watch the legions, while the Grand 
 In council sat, solicitous what chance 
 Might intercept their emperor sent ; so he 
 Departing gave command, and they observed. 430 
 
 As when the Tartar from his Russian foe. 
 By Astracan, over the snowy plains, 
 Retires ; or Bactrian Sophi, from the horns 
 Of Turkish crescent, leaves all waste beyond 
 The realm of Aladule, in his retreat 435 
 
 To Tauris or Casbeen : So these, the late 
 Heaven-banish'd host, left desert utmost Hell 
 Many a dark league, reduced in careful watch 
 Round their metropolis ; and now expecting 
 Each hour their great adventurer, from the search 440 
 Of foreign worlds : He through the midst unmark'd 
 In show plebeian Angel militant 
 Of lowest order pass'd ; and from the door 
 Of that Plutonian hall, invisible 
 
 Ascended his high throne ; which, under state 445 
 Of richest texture spread, at the upper end 
 Was placed in regal lustre. Down awhile 
 He sat, and round about him saw unseen ; 
 At last, as from a cloud, his fulgent head 
 And shape star -bright appear'd, or brighter ; clad 450 
 With what permissive glory since his fall 
 Was left him, or false glitter : All amazed 
 At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng 
 Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, 
 Their mighty Chief returned : loud was the acclaim : 
 Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting peers, 450 
 Raised from their dark Divan, and with like joy 
 
S34 PARADISE LOST. s. x. 
 
 Congiatulant approach'd him ; who with hand 
 Silence, and with these words attention, won. 
 
 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers; 
 For in possession such, not only of right, 461 
 
 I call ye, and declare ye now ; return'd 
 Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth 
 Triumphant out of this infsrnal pit 
 Abominable, accursed, the house of woe, 465 
 
 And dungeon of our tyrant : Now possess, 
 As Lords, a spacious world, to our native Heaven 
 Little inferior, by my adventure hard 
 "With peril great achieved. Long were to tell 
 What I have done, what suffer 'd ; with what paiii 470 
 Voyaged the' unreal, vast, unbounded deep 
 Of horrible confusion ; over which 
 By Sin and Death a broad way now is paved, 
 To expedite your glorious march ; but I 
 Toil'd out my uncouth passage, forced to ride 475 
 
 The untractable abyss, plunged in the womb 
 Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wild ; 
 That, jealous of their secrets, fiercely opposed 
 My journey strange, Vv'ith clamorous uproar 
 Protesting Fate supreme ; thence how I found 480 
 The new created v/orld, which fame in'Heaven 
 Long had foretold, a fabric wonderful 
 Of absolute perfection ! therein Man 
 Placed in a Paradise, by our exile 
 Made happy ; Him by fraud I have seduced 485 
 
 From his Creator ; and, the more to increase 
 Your wonder, with an apple ; he, thereat 
 Offended, worth your laughter ! hath given up 
 3oth his beloved Man, and all his world. 
 To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 490 
 
 Without our ha'/iard, labour, or alarm, 
 To range in, and to dwell, and over Man 
 To rule, as over all he should have ruled. 
 True is, me also he hath judged, or rather 
 
PARADISE LOST. 235 
 
 Me not, but. the brute serpent in whose shape 495 
 
 Man 1 deceived : that which to me belongs, 
 
 Is enmity which he will put between 
 
 Me and mankind ; I am to bruise liis heel ; 
 
 His seed (when is not set) shall bruise my head : 
 
 A world who would not purchase with a bruise, 500 
 
 Or much more grievous pain ? — Ye have the account 
 
 Of my performance ; What remains, ye Gods, 
 
 But up, and enter now into full bliss ? 
 
 So having said, awhile he stood, expecting 
 Their universal shout and high applause 505 
 
 To fill his ear ; when, contrary, he hears 
 On all sides, from innumerable tongues, 
 A dismal universal hiss, the sound 
 On public scorn ; he wonder 'd, but not long 
 Had leisure, wondering at himself now more ,• 510 
 
 Plis visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare ; 
 His arms clung to his ribs ; his legs entwining 
 Each other, till supplanted down he fell 
 A monstrous serpent on his belly prone, 
 Reluctant, but in vain ; a greater power 515 
 
 Now ruled him, punish'd in the shape he sinn'd, 
 According to his doom : he would have spoke, 
 But hiss for hiss return'd with forked tongue 
 To forked tongue ; for nov/ were all transform'd 
 Alike, to serpents all, as accessories 520 
 
 To his bold riot : Dreadful was the din 
 Of hissing through the hall, thick swarming now 
 With complicated monsters head and tail, 
 Scorpion, and Asp, and Amphisbaf3na dire. 
 Cerastes horn'd, Hydrus, and Elops drear, 525 
 
 And Dipsas (not so thick swarm'd once the soil 
 Bedropp'd with blood of Gorgon, or the isle 
 Ophiusa ;) but still greatest he the midst. 
 Now Dragon grown, larger than whom the sun 
 Engender 'd in the Pythian vale or slime, 530 
 
 Huge Python, and his power no less he seem'd 
 A^bove the reet still to retam . they all 
 
236 PARADISE LOST. b.x 
 
 Him foUow'd, issuing forth to the open field, 
 
 "Where all yet left of that revolted rout, 
 
 Heaven-fallen, in station stood or just arraj' 535 
 
 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 sympathy ; for, what they saw, 540 
 
 They felt themselves, 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 
 
 Catch'd by contagion ; like in punishment. 
 
 As in their crime. Thus was the applause they meant 
 
 Turn'd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame 546 
 
 Cast on themselves from their own mouths. There stood 
 
 A grove hard by, sprung up with this their change, 
 
 His will v/ho reigns above, to aggravate 
 
 Their penance, laden with fair fruit, like that 550 
 
 Which grew in Paradise, the bait of Eve 
 
 Used by the Tempter ; on that prospect strange 
 
 Their earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining 
 
 For one forbidden tree a muUitude 
 
 Now risen, to work them further woe or shame ; 555 
 
 Yet, parch'd with scalding thirst and hunger fierce, 
 
 Though to delude them sent, could not abstain'; 
 
 But on they roll'd in heaps, and, up the trees 
 
 Climbing, sat thicker than the snaky locks 
 
 I'hat curl'd Megasra ; greedily they pluck'd 560 
 
 The fruitage fair to sighc, like that which grew 
 
 Near that bituminous lake where Sodom flamed ; 
 
 This, more delusive, not the touch, but taste 
 
 Deceived ; they, fondly thinking to allay 
 
 Their appetite with gust, instead of fruit 565 
 
 Chew'd bitter ashes, which the offended taste 
 
 With spattering noise rejected ; oft they essay'd, 
 
 Himger and thirst constraining ; drugg'd as ofl, 
 
 With hatefulest disreli-oh writhed their jaws, 
 
 ^Vit}» so.jt and cmders filld , so oft (hey fell 570 
 
PARADISE LOST. 237 
 
 Into the same illusion, not as Man [plagued 
 
 Whom they triumph'd once lapsed. Thus were thej 
 
 And worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss, 
 
 Till their lost shape, permitted, they resumed ; 
 
 Yearly enjoin'd, some say, to undergo 575 
 
 This annual humbling certain number'd days, 
 
 To dash their pride and joy, for Man seduced. 
 
 However, some tradition they dispersed 
 
 Among the Heathen of their purchase got, 
 
 And fabled how the Serpent, who)n they eall'd 580 
 
 Ophion, with Eurynome, the wide 
 
 Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule 
 
 Of high Olympus; thence by Saturn driven 
 
 And Orps, ere yet Dictcean Jove was born. 
 
 Meanwhile in Paradise the hellish pair 585 
 
 Too soon arrived ; Sin, there in power before, 
 
 Once actual ; now in body, and to dwell 
 
 Habitual habitant ; behind her Death, 
 
 Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet 
 
 On his pale horse ; to whom Sin thus began : 590 
 
 Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death! 
 What thinkst thou of our empire now, though earn'd 
 With travel difficult, not better far 
 Than still at Hell's dark threshold to have set watch, 
 Unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half starved .'' 595 
 
 Whom thus the Sin-born monster answer 'd soon: 
 To me, who with eternal famine pine, 
 Ahke is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven ; 
 There best, where most with ravine I may meet ; 
 Which there, though plenteous, all too little seems 600 
 To stuff this maw, this vast unhide-bound corpse. 
 
 To whom the incestuous mother thus replied : 
 Thou therefore on these herbs, and fruits, and flowers 
 Feed first ; on each beast next, and fish, and fowl ; 
 No homely morsels ! and, whatever thing 605 
 
 The scythe of Time mows down, devour unspared : 
 Till 1, in Man residing, through the race. 
 His thoughts, his looks, words, actions, all infect ; 
 
238 PARADISE LOST. b. x 
 
 And season him thy last and sweetest prey. 
 
 This said, they both betook them several ways, 610 
 
 Both to destroy, or unimmortal make 
 
 All kinds, and for destruction to mature 
 
 Sooner or later ; which the Almighty seeing, 
 
 From his transcendent seat the Saints among, 
 
 To those bright Orders utter'd thus his voice : 615 
 
 See, with what heat these dogs of Hell advance 
 To waste and havoc yonder world, which I 
 So fair and good created ; and had still 
 Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man 
 Let in these wasteful furies, who impute 620 
 
 Folly to me ; so doth the Prince of Hell 
 And his adherents, that with so much ease 
 I suffer them to enter and possess 
 A place so heavenly ; and, conniving, seem 
 To gratify my scornful enemies, 625 
 
 That laugh, as if, transported with some fit 
 Of passion, I to them had quitted all, 
 At random yielded 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 630 
 
 Which Man's polluting sin with taint hath shed 
 On what was pure ; till, cramm'd and gorged, nigh 
 With suck'd and glutted offal, at one sling [burst, 
 
 Of thy victorious arm, well pleasing Son, 
 Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave, at last, 635 
 Through Chaos hurl'd, obstruct the mouth of Hell 
 For ever, and seal up his ravenous jaws. 
 Then Heaven and Earth renew'd shall be made pure 
 To sanctity, that shall receive no stain : 
 Till then, the curse pronounced on both precedes. 640 
 
 He ended, and the heavenly audience loud 
 Sung Hallelujah, 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 645 
 
 Destined restorer of mankind, by whom 
 
PARADISE LOST. 239 
 
 New Heaven and Earth shall to the ages rise, 
 
 Or down from Heaven descend. — Such was their son^ j 
 
 While the Creator, calling forth by name 
 
 His mighty Angels, gave them several charge, 650 
 
 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 tolerable ; and from the north to call 
 
 Decrepit winter ; from the south to bring 655 
 
 Solstitial summer's heat. To the blanc moon 
 
 Her office they prescribed ; to the other five 
 
 Their planetary motions, and aspects, 
 
 Jn sextile, square, and trine, and opposite, 
 
 or noxious efficacy, and when to join G60 
 
 In synod unbenign ; and taught the fix'd 
 
 Their influence malignant when to shower, 
 
 Whicii of them rising with the sun, or falling, 
 
 Should prove tempestuous : To the winds they set 
 
 Their corners, when with bluster to confound 665 
 
 Sea, nir, and shore ; the thunder when to roll 
 
 With terror through the dark aerial hall. 
 
 Some say, he bid his Angels turn askance 
 
 The pole': of earth, twice ten degrees and more, 
 
 From the sun's axle ; they with labour push'd 670 
 
 Oblique the centric globe : Some say, the sun 
 
 Was bid turn reins from the' equinoctial road 
 
 Like distant breadth to Taurus with the seven 
 
 Atlantic Sisters, and the Spartan Twins, 
 
 Up to the Tropic Crab ; thence down amain 675 
 
 By Leo, and the Virgm, and the Scales, 
 
 As deep as Capricorn ; to bring in change 
 
 Of seasons to each clime ; else had the spring 
 
 Perpetual smiled on earth with verdant flowers 
 
 Equal in days and nights, except to those 680 
 
 Beyond the polar circles ; to them day 
 
 Had unbenighted shone, while the low sun, 
 
 To recompense his distance, in their sight 
 
 Had rounded still the horizon, and not knowu 
 
240 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 Or east or west ; which had forbid the snow 685 
 
 From cold Estotiland, and south as far 
 
 Beneath Magellan. At that tasted frait 
 
 The sun, as from Thyestean banquet, turn'd 
 
 His course intended ; else how had the world 
 
 Inhabited, though sinless, more than now 690 
 
 Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat ? 
 
 These changes in the Heavens, though slow, produced 
 
 Like change on sea and land ; sideral blast, 
 
 Vapour, and mist, and exhalation hot, 
 
 Corrupt and pestilent ; Nov/ from the north 695 
 
 Of Norumbega, and the Sameod shore, 
 
 Bursting their brazen dungeon, arm'd with ice, 
 
 And snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw, 
 
 Boreas, and Csecias, and Argestes loud. 
 
 And Thrascias, rend the Avoods, and seas upturn ; 700 
 
 With adverse blast upturns them from the south 
 
 Notus, and Afer black wiih thunderous clouds 
 
 From Serraliona ; thwart of these, as fieicft, 
 
 Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent winds, 
 
 Eurus and Zephyr, %vith their lateral noise, WS 
 
 Sirocco and Libecchio. Thus began 
 
 Outrage from lifeless things ; but Discord first, 
 
 Daughter of Sin, among tlie irrational 
 
 Death introduced, through fierce antipathy : 
 
 Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl, 710 
 
 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 countenance grim, 
 
 Glared on him passing. These were from without 
 
 The growing miseries, which Adam saw 715 
 
 Already in part, though hid in gloomiest shade. 
 
 To sorrow abandon'd, but worse felt within ; 
 
 And, in a troubled sea of passion toss'd, 
 
 Thus to disburden sought v/ith sad complaint : 
 
 O miserable of happy ! Is this the end 720 
 
 Of this new glorious w^orld, and me so late 
 The glory of that glory, who now become 
 
PARADISE LOST. 241 
 
 Accursed of blessed ? hide me from the face 
 Of God, whom to behold was then my height 
 Of happiness ! — Yet well, if here would end 725 
 
 The misery ; 1 deserved it, and would bear 
 My own deservings ; but this will not serve : 
 All that I eat or drink, or shall beget, 
 Is propagated curse. O voice, once heard 
 Delightfully, Increase and multiply : 730 
 
 New death to hear ! for what can I increase, 
 Or multiply, 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, 735 
 
 For this we may thank Adam ! but his thanks 
 Shall be the execration : so, besides 
 Mine own that bide upon nie, all from me 
 Shall with a jfierce reflux on me rebound ; 
 On me, as on their natural centre, light 740 
 
 Heavy, though in their place. O fleeting joys 
 Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes ! 
 Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay 
 To mould me Man .'' did I solicit thee 
 From darkness to promote me, or here place 745 
 
 In this delicious garden ? As my will 
 Concurr'd not to my being, it were but right 
 And equal to reduce me to my dust : 
 Desirous to resign and render back 
 All I received ; unable to perform 750 
 
 Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold 
 The good I sought not. To the loss of that, 
 Suflicient penalty, why hast thou added 
 The sense of endless woes .? Inexplicable 
 Thy justice seems ; yet, to say truth, too late 755 
 I thus contest ; then should have been refused 
 Those terms, whatever, when they were proposed : 
 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 769 
 
 21 
 
242 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 Prove disobedient ; and, reproved, retort, 
 
 Whe.refore 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, 765 
 
 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 return : 7?t) 
 
 O welcome hour whenever ! Why delays 
 
 His hand to execute what his decree 
 
 Fix'd on this day ? Why do I overlive .'' 
 
 Why am I mock'd with death, and lengthen'd out 
 
 To deathless pain ? How gladly would I meet 775 
 
 Mortality my sentence, and be earth 
 
 Insensible ! How glad would lay me'^down 
 
 As in my mother's lap ! There I should rest, 
 
 And sleep secure ; his dreadful voice no moro 
 
 Would thunder in my ears ; no fear of worse 780 
 
 To me and to my offspring would torment me 
 
 With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt 
 
 Pursues me still, Jest all I cannot die ; 
 
 Lest that pure breath of life, the spirit of Man 
 
 Which God inspired, cannot together perish 785 
 
 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 790 
 
 And sin ? The body properly had neither. 
 
 All of me then shall die : let this appease 
 
 The doubt, since human reach no further knows. 
 
 For though the Lord of all be infinite, 
 
 Is his wrath also ? Be it, Man is not so, 795 
 
 But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise 
 
 Wrath without end on Man, whom daath must end? 
 
 Can he make deathless death ? That were to make 
 
PARADISE LOST. 243 
 
 Strange contradiction, which to God himself 
 Impossible is held ; as argument 800 
 
 Of weakness, not of power. Will he draw out 
 For anger's sake, finite to infinite, 
 In punish'd Man, to satisfy his rigour, 
 Satisfied never .? That were to extend 
 His sentence beyond dust and Nature's law ; 805 
 
 By which all causes else, according still 
 To the reception of their matter, act ; 
 Not to the extent of their own sphere. But say 
 That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, 
 Bereaving sense, but endless misery 810 
 
 From this day onward ; which I feel begun 
 Both in me, and without me ; and so last 
 To perpetuity ; — Ah me ! that fear 
 Comes thundering back with dreadful revolution 
 On my defenceless head ; both Death and I 815 
 
 Are found eternal, and incorporate both j 
 Nor I on my part single ; in me all 
 Posterity stands cursed ; fair patrimony 
 That I must leave ye, Sons ! O, were I able 
 To waste it all myself, and leave ye none ! 820 
 
 So disinherited, how would you bless 
 Me, now your curse ' Ah, why should all mankind, 
 For one man's fault, thus guiltless be conderan'd, 
 If guiltless ? But from me what can proceed, 
 But all corrupt ; both mind and will depraved 825 
 
 Not to do only, but to will the same 
 With me ? How can they then acq-iitted stand 
 In sight of God ? Him, after all disputes, 
 Forced I absolve : all my evasions vain, 
 And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still 
 But to my own conviction : first and last 831 
 
 On me, me only, as the source and spring 
 Of all corruption, all the blame lights due j 
 So might the wrath ! Fond wish ! couldst thou support 
 That burden, heavier than the earth to bear ; 835 
 
 Than all the world much heavier, though divided 
 
244 PARADISE LOST. b. x 
 
 With that bad Woman ? Thus, what thou desirest, 
 
 And what thou fear'st, ahke destroys all hope 
 
 Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable 
 
 Beyond all past example and future ; 840 
 
 To Satan only like both crime and doom. 
 
 Conscience ! into what abyss of fears 
 
 And horrors hast thou driven me : out of which 
 
 1 find no way, from deep to deeper plunged ! 
 
 Thus Adam to himself lamented loud, 845 
 
 Through the still night ; not now, as ere Man fell, 
 Wholesome, and cool, and mild, but with black air 
 Accompanied ; with damps, and dreadful gloom j 
 Which to his evil conscience represented 
 All things with double terror : on the ground 850 
 
 Outstretch'd he lay, on the cold ground ; and oft 
 Cursed his creation ; Death as oft accused 
 Of tardy execution, since denounced 
 The day of his oiFence. Why comes not Death, 
 Said he, with one thrice-acceptable stroke 855 
 
 To end me ? Shall Truth fail to keep her word. 
 Justice Divine not hasten to be just? 
 But Death comes not at call ; Justice Divine 
 Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries. 
 
 woods, O fountains, hillocks, dales, and bowers ' 860 
 With other echo late I taught your shades 
 
 To answer, and resound far other song, — 
 
 Whom thus afflicted when sad Eve beheld, 
 
 Desolate where she sat, approaching nigh, 
 
 Soft words to his fierce passion she essay'd : 865 
 
 But her w' )h stern regard he thus repell'd : 
 
 Out of my sight, thou Serpent ! That name best 
 Befits thee with him leagued, thyself as false 
 And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape, 
 Like his, and colour serpentine, may show 870 
 
 Thy inward fraud ; to warn all creatures from thee 
 Henceforth; lest that too heavenly form, pretended, 
 To hellish falsehood snare them I But for thee 
 
 1 had persisted happy ; had not thy pride 
 
PARADISE LOST. 245 
 
 And wandering vanity, when least was safe, 875 
 
 Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd 
 
 Not to be trusted ; longing to be seen, 
 
 Though by the Devil himself; him overweening 
 
 To overreach ; but, with the serpent meeting, 
 
 Fool'd and beguiled ; by him thou, I by thee, 380 
 
 To trust thee from my side ; imagined wise. 
 
 Constant, mature, proof against all assaults ; 
 
 And understood not all was but a show, 
 
 Rather than solid virtue ; all but a rib 
 
 Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears, 885 
 
 More to the part sinister, from me drawn j 
 
 Well if thrown out, as supernumerary 
 
 To my just number found. O ! why did God, 
 
 Creator wise, that peopled highest Heaven 
 
 With Spirits masculine, create at last 890 
 
 This novelty 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 befallen, 895 
 
 And more that shall befal ; innumerable 
 
 Disturbances on earth through female snares, 
 
 And strait conj unction with this sex : for either 
 
 He never shall find out fit mate, but such 
 
 As some misfortune brings him, or mistake ; 900 
 
 Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain 
 
 Through her perverseness, but shall see her gain'd 
 
 By a far worse ; or, if she love, withheld 
 
 By parents ; or his happiest choice too late 
 
 Shall meet, already link'd and wedlock bound 905 
 
 To a fell adversary, his hate or shame : 
 
 W^hich infinite calamity shall cause 
 
 To human life, and household peace confound. 
 
 He added not, and from her turn'd : but Eve, 
 Not so repulsed, with tears that ceased not flowing. 
 And tresses all disorder'd, at his feet 911 
 
 21* 
 
246 PARADISE LOST. b. x 
 
 Fell humble j and, embracing them, besought 
 His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint : 
 
 Forsake me not thus, Adam ! witness, Heaven, 
 What love sincere and reverence in my heart 915 
 I bear thee, and unweeting have offended, 
 Unhappily deceived ! 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, 920 
 
 My only strength and stay : forlorn of thee, 
 Whither shall I betake me, where subsist ? 
 While yet we live, scarce one short hour perhaps, 
 Between us two let there be peace ; both joining, 
 As join'd in injuries, one enmity 925 
 
 Against a foe by doom express assign'd us, 
 That cruel Serpent : on me exercise not 
 Thy hatred for this misery befallen ; 
 On me already lost, mo than thyself 
 More miserable ! Both have sinn'd ; but thou 930 
 
 Against God only ; I against God and thee ; 
 And to the place of judgment will return, 
 There with my cries importune Heaven, that all 
 The sentence, from thy head removed, may light 
 On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe ; 935 
 
 Me, me only, just object of his ire ! 
 
 She ended weeping ; and her lowly plight, 
 Immovable, till peace obtain'd from fault 
 Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought 
 Commiseration : soon his heart relented 940 
 
 lowards her, his life so late, and sole delight. 
 Now at his feet submissive in distress ; 
 Creature so fair his reconcilement seeking, 
 His counsel, whom she had displeased, his aid : 
 As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost, 94& 
 
 And thus with peaceful words upraised her soon : 
 
 Unwary, and too desirous, as before. 
 So now of what thou know'st not, who desirest 
 
PARADISE LOST. 247 
 
 The punishment all on thyself; alas ! 
 Bear thine own first, ill able to sustain 950 
 
 His full wrath, whose thou feel'st as yet least part, 
 And my displeasure bear'st 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 ; 055 
 
 Thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven, 
 To me committed; and by me exposed. 
 But rise ; — let us no more contend, nor blame 
 Each other, blamed enough elsewhere ; but strive 
 In offices of love, how we may lighten 960 
 
 Each other's burden, in our share of woe ; 
 Since this day's death denounced, if aught I see, 
 Will prove no sudden, but a slow-paced evil ; 
 A long day's dying, to augment our pain ; 
 And to our seed (O hapless seed !) derived. 9G5 
 
 To v/hom thus Eve, recovering heart, replied : 
 Adam, by sad experiment I know 
 How little weight my words with thee can find, 
 Found so erroneous ; thence by just event 
 Found so unfortunate : nevertheless, 970 
 
 Restored by thee, vile as I am, to place 
 Of new acceptance, hopeful to regain 
 Thy love, the sole contentment of my heart 
 Jjiving or dying, from thee I will not hide 
 What thoughts in my unquiet breast are risen, 975 
 Tending to some 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, devour'd 980 
 By Death at last ; and miserable it is 
 To be to others cause of misery. 
 Our own begotten, and of our loins to bring 
 Into this cursed world a woful race. 
 That after wretched life must be at last 985 
 
 Food for so foul a monster j in thy power 
 
248 PARADISE LOST. b.i, 
 
 It lies, yet ere conception to prevent 
 
 The race unbless'd, to being yet unbegot. 
 
 Childless thou art, childless remain : so Death 
 
 Shall be deceived his glut, and with us two 990 
 
 Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw. 
 
 But if thou judge it hard and difficult, 
 
 Conversing, looking; loving, to abstain 
 
 From love's due rights, nuptial embraces sweet ', 
 
 And with desire to languish without hope, 995 
 
 Before the present object languishing 
 
 With like desire ; which would be misery 
 
 And torment less than none of what we dread ; 
 
 Then, both ourselves and seed at once to free 
 
 From what we fear for both, let us make short, 1000 
 
 Let us seek Death ; — or, he not found, supply 
 
 With our own hands his office on ourselves : 
 
 Why stand we longer shivering under fears, 
 
 That show no end but death, and have the power, 
 
 Of many ways to die the shortest choosing, 1005 
 
 Destruction with destruction to destroy ? — 
 
 She ended here, or vehement despair 
 Broke off the rest ; so much of death her thoughts 
 Had entertain'd, as dyed her cheeks with pale. 
 But Adam, with such counsel nothing sway'd, 1010 
 To better hopes his more attentive mind 
 Labouring had raised ; and thus to Eve replied • 
 
 Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems 
 To argue in thee something more sublime 
 And excellent, than wliat thy mind contemns; 1015 
 But self-destruction therefore sought refutes 
 That excellent thought in thee ; and implies, 
 Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret 
 For loss of life and pleasure overloved. 
 Or if thou covet death, as utmost end 1020 
 
 Of misery, so thinking to evade 
 The penalty pronounced ; doubt not but God 
 Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire than so 
 To be forestall'd •• much more I fear lest death, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 249 
 
 So snatch'd, will not exempt us from the pain 1025 
 We are by doom to pay; rather, such acts 
 Of contumacy v;ill provoke the Highest 
 To make death in us live : then let us seek 
 Some safer resolution, which melhinks 
 I have in view, calling to mind with heed 1030 
 
 Part of our sentence, that thy seed shall bruise 
 The Serpent's head ; piteous amends ! unless 
 Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand foe, 
 Satan ; who, in the serpent, hath contrived 
 Against us this deceit : to crash his head 1035 
 
 Would be revenge indeed ! which will be lost 
 By death brought on ourselves, or childless days 
 Resolved, as thou proposest ; so our foe 
 ghall scape his punishment ordain'd, and we 
 Instead shall double ours upon our heads. 1040 
 
 No more be mention'd then of violence 
 Against ourselves ; and wilful barrenness, 
 That cuts us off from hope ; and savours only 
 Rancour and pride, impatience and despite, 
 Reluctance against God and his just yoke 1045 
 
 Laid on our necks. Remember with what mild 
 And gracious temper he both heard, and judged, 
 Without wrath or reviling ; we expected 
 Immediate dissolution, which we thought 
 Was meant by death that day : when lo ! to thee 1050 
 Pains only in childbearing were foretold, 
 And bringing forth ; soon recompensed with joy, 
 Fruit of thy womb : on me the curse aslope 
 Glanced on the ground ; with labour I must earn 
 My bread ; what harm .'' Idleness had been worse. 1055 
 My labour will sustain me ; and, lest cold 
 Or heat should injure us, his timely care 
 Hath, unbesought, provided ; and his hands 
 Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he judged j 
 How much morei, if we pray him, will his ear 1000 
 Be open, and his heart to pity incline. 
 And teach us further by what means to shun 
 
250 PARADISE LOST. b. x. 
 
 The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow ! 
 
 Which now the sky, with various face, begins 
 
 To show us in this mountain ; while the winds 1065 
 
 Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks 
 
 Of these fair spreading trees ; which bids us seek 
 
 Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish 
 
 Our limbs benumb'd, ere this diurnal star 
 
 Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 1070 
 
 Reflected may with matter sere foment ; 
 
 Or, by collision of two bodies, grind 
 
 The air attrite to fire ; as late the clouds 
 
 Justling, or push'd with winds, rude in their shock, 
 
 Tine the slant lightning ', whose thwart flame, driven 
 
 down, 
 Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine ; 1076 
 
 And sends a comfortable heat from far. 
 Which might supply the sun : such fire to use, 
 And what may else be remedy or cure 
 To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 1080 
 He 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. 1085 
 
 What better can we do than, to the place 
 Repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall 
 Before him reverent ; and there confess 
 Humbly our faults, and pardon beg j with tears 
 Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 1090 
 Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
 Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek ? 
 Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn 
 From his displeasure ; in whose look serene. 
 When angry most he seem'd and most severe, 1095 
 What else but favour, grace, and mercy, shone ? 
 
 So spake our father penitent ; nor Eve 
 Felt less remorse : they, forthwith to the place 
 Repairing where he judged them, prostrate fell 
 
PARADISE LOST. 251 
 
 Before him reverent ; and both confessed 1100 
 
 Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd : with tears 
 Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air 
 Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
 Of sorrow imfeign'd and humiliation meek 
 
PARADISE LOST 
 
 BOOK XI. 
 
 The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our firpt pa- 
 rents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, 
 but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise ; sends 
 Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first 
 to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down. 
 Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs ; he discerns Michael's 
 apjEoach; goes out to meet him; the Angel denounces their de- 
 parture. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits : The 
 Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what 
 shall happen till the Flood. 
 
 Thus they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood 
 
 Praying ; for from the mercy-seat above 
 
 Prevenient grace descending had removed 
 
 The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh 
 
 Regenerate grow instead ; that sighs now breathed 5 
 
 Unutterable ; which the Spirit of prayer 
 
 Inspired, and wing'd for Heaven with speedier flight 
 
 Than loudest oratory : yet their port 
 
 Not of mean suitors ; nor important less 
 
 Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair 10 
 
 in fables old, less ancient yet than these, 
 
 Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore 
 
 The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine 
 
 Of Themis stood devout. To Heaven their prayers 
 
 Flew u^, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds 15 
 
 Blown vagabond or frustrate : in they pass'd 
 
 Dimensionless through heavenly doors ; then clad 
 
 With incense, where the golden altar fumed 
 
 By their great Intercessor, came in sight 
 
 Before the Father's throne : them the glad Son 20 
 
 rtescnting, thus to intercede began : 
 
PARADISE LOST. 253 
 
 See, Father, what first-fruits on earth are sprung 
 From thy implanted grace in Man ; these sighs 
 And prayers, which in this golden censer, mix'd 
 With incense, I thy priest before thee bring : 25 
 
 Fruits of more pleasing savour, from thy seed 
 a.own with contrition in his heart, than those 
 Which, his own hand manuring, all the trees 
 Of Paradise could have produced, ere fkllen 
 From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear 30 
 To supplication ; hear his sighs, though mute ; 
 Unskilful with what words to pray, let me 
 Interpret for him ; me, his advocate 
 And propitiation ; all his works on me, 
 Good or not good, ingraft ; my merit those 35 
 
 Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay. 
 Accept me ; and, in me, from these receive 
 The smell of peace toward mankind : let him live 
 Before thee reconciled, at least his days 
 Number "d, though sad ; till death, his doom (which I 
 To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse,) 41 
 
 To better life shall yield him : w^here with me 
 All my redeem"d may dwell in joy and bliss ; 
 Made one with me, as I with thee am one. 
 
 To whom the Father, without cloud, serene ; 45 
 All tliy 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 50 
 
 No gross, no unharmonious mixture foul, 
 Eject him, tainted now ; and purge him off, 
 As a distemper, gross, to air as gross, 
 And mortal food ; as may dispose him best 
 Tor dissolution wrought by sin, that first 55 
 
 Distemper'd all things, and of incorrupt 
 Corrupted. I, at first, with too fair gifts 
 Created him endow'd ; with happiness 
 22 
 
254 PARADISE LOST. b.xi^ 
 
 And immortality : tliat fondly lost, 
 
 This other served but to eternize woe ; 60 
 
 Till I provided death : so death becomes 
 
 His final remedy ; and, after life. 
 
 Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined 
 
 By faith and faithful works, to second life, 
 
 Waked in the renovation of the just, 65 
 
 R,esigns him up with Heaven and Earth renew d. 
 
 But let us call to synod all the Bless'd [hide 
 
 Through Heaven's wide bounds : from them I Avill not 
 
 My judgments ; how with mankind I proceed, 
 
 As how with peccant Angels late they saw, 70 
 
 And in their state, though firm, stood more confirm'd. 
 
 He ended, and the Son gave signal high 
 To the bright minister that watch'd ; he blew 
 His trumpet, heard in Orcb since perhaps 
 When God descended, and perhaps once more 75 
 
 To sound at general doom. The angelic blast 
 Fill'd all the regions : from their blissful bowers 
 Of amarantine shade, fountain or spring, 
 By the waters of life, where'er tliey sat 
 In fellowships of joy, the sons of light 80 
 
 Hasted, resorting to the summons high ; 
 And took their seats : till from his throne supreme 
 The Almighty thus pronounced his sov'reign will : 
 
 O Sons, like one of us Man is becomo 
 To know both good and evil, since his taste 85 
 
 Of that defended fruit ; but let him boast 
 His knowledge ot good lost, and evil got ; 
 Happier, had it sufficed him to have known 
 Good by itself, and evil not at all. 
 
 He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite, 90 
 
 My motions in him ; longer than they move, 
 His heart I know, how variable and vain, 
 Self-left. Lest therefore his now bolder hand 
 Reach also of the tree of life, and eat, 
 And live for ever, dream at least to live 95 
 
 I 
 
• AHADISE LOST 255 
 
 For ever, to remove him I decree, 
 
 And send him from tlie garden forth to till 
 
 The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil. 
 
 Michael, this my behest have thou in charge , 
 Take to thee from among the Cherubim 100 
 
 Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend, 
 Or in behalf of Man, or to invade 
 Vacant possession, some new trouble raise : 
 Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God 
 Without remorse drive out the sinful pair ; 105 
 
 From hallow'd ground the unholy ; and denounce 
 To them, and to their progeny, from thence 
 Perpetual banishment. Yet, lest they faint 
 At the sad sentence rigorously urged 
 (For I behold them soften'd, and with tears 110 
 
 Bewailing their excess,) all terror hide. 
 If patiently thy bidding they obey, 
 Dismiss them not disconsolate ; reveal 
 To Adam what shall come in future days, 
 As I shall thee enlighten ; intermix 115 
 
 My covenant in the Woman's seed renew'd ; 
 So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace 
 And on the east side of the garden place. 
 Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs, 
 Cherubic watch ; and of a sword the flame 120 
 
 Wide-waving ; all approach far off" to fright, 
 And guard all pp^sage to the tree of life : 
 Lest Paradise a receptacle prove 
 To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey : 
 With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude. 125 
 
 He ceased ; and the archangelic Power prepared 
 For swift descent ; with him the cohort bright 
 Of watchful Cherubim : four faces each 
 Had, like a double Janus ; all their shape 
 Spangled with eyes more numerous than those 130 
 Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse, 
 Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral reed 
 Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanwhile, 
 
25C PARADISE LOST. b. a. 
 
 To resalute the world with sacred light, 
 
 Leucothea waked ; and with fresh dews ombalm'd 135 
 
 The earth ; when Adam and first matron Eve 
 
 Had ended now tJieir orisons, and found 
 
 Strength added from above ; new hope to spring 
 
 Out of despair ; joy, but with fear yet link'd ; 
 
 Which thus to Eve his welcome words renew'd : 140 
 
 Eve, easily may faith admit, that all 
 The good which we enjoy from Heaven descends j 
 But, that from us aught should ascend to Heaven 
 So prevalent as to concern the mind 
 Of God high-bless'd, or to incline his will, 145 
 
 Hard to belief may seem ; yet this will prayer 
 Or one short sight of human breath, upborne 
 Even to the seat of God. For since I sought 
 By prayer the offended Deity to appease ; 
 Kneel'd, and before him humbled all my heart ; 150 
 Methought I saw him placable and mild, 
 Bending his ear ; persuasion in me grew 
 That I was heard with favour; peace return'd 
 Home to my breast, and to my memory 
 His promise, that thy seed shall bruise our foe ; 155 
 Which, then not minded in dismay, yet now 
 Assures me that the bitterness of death 
 Is pass'd, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee, 
 Eve rightly call'd, mother of all mankind. 
 Mother of all things living, since by *hee 160 
 
 Man iw to live ; and all things live for Man. 
 
 To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek : 
 111 worthy I such title should belong 
 To me transgressor ; who, for thee ordain'd 
 A help, became thy snare ; to me reproach 165 
 
 Rather belongs, distrust, and all dispraise j 
 But infinite in pardon was my Judge, 
 That I, who first brought death on all, am graced . 
 The source of life ; next favourable thou, 
 Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsafest, 17^ 
 
 Far other name deserving. But the field 
 
PARADISE LOST. 257 
 
 To labour calls us, now with sweat imposed, 
 Though after sleepless night ; for see ! the morn, 
 All uncoDcern'd with our unrest, begins 
 Her rosy progress smiling : let us fcn-th ; 175 
 
 I never from thy side henceforth to stray, 
 Where'er our day's work lies, though now enjoin'd 
 Laborious, till day droop ; while here we dwell, 
 Wliat can be toilsome in these pleasant walks ? 
 Here let us live, though in. fallen state, content. 180 
 
 So spake, so wish'd much humbled Eve ; but Fate 
 Subscribed not : Nature first gave signs, impress'd 
 On bird, beast, air ; air suddenly eclipsed, 
 After short blush of morn ; nigh in her sight 
 The bird of Jove,-stoop'd from his aery tour, 185 
 
 Two birds of gayest plume before him drove ; 
 Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods, 
 First hunter then, pursued a gentle brace, 
 Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind ; 
 Direct to the eastern gate v/as bent their flight. 190 
 Adam observed, and with his eye the chase 
 Pursuing, not unmoved, to Eve thus spake : 
 
 O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh. 
 Which Heaven, by these mute signs in Nature, shows 
 Forerunners of his purpose ; or to warn 195 
 
 Us, haply too secure of our discharge 
 From penalty, because from death released 
 Some days : how long, and what till then our life, 
 Who knows ? or more than this, that we are dust, 
 And thither must return, and be no more ? 200 
 
 Why else this double object in our sight 
 Of flight pursued in the air, and o'er the ground, 
 One way the selfsame hour ? why in the east 
 Darkness ere day's mid-course, and morning-light 
 More orient in yon western cloud, that draws 205 
 
 O'er the blue firmament a radiant white, 
 And slow descends with something heavenly fraught ? 
 
 He err'd not ; for by this the heavenly bands 
 Down from a sky of jasper lighted now 
 2v>* 
 
258 PARADISE LOST. b. xi. 
 
 In Paradise, and on a hill made halt ; 210 
 
 A glorious apparition, had not doubt 
 
 And carnal fear that day dimm'd Adam's eye. 
 
 Not that more glorious, v/hen the Angels met 
 
 Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw 
 
 The field pavilion'd with his guardians bright : 215 
 
 Nor that, which on the flaming mount appear'd 
 
 In Dothan, cover'd with a camp of fire. 
 
 Against the Syrian king, who to surprise 
 
 One man, assassin-like, had levied war, 
 
 War unproclaim'd. The princely Ilierarch 220 
 
 In their bright stand there left his Powers, to seize 
 
 Possession of the garden ; he alone, 
 
 To find where Adam shelter'd, took his way. 
 
 Not unperceived of Adam : who to Eve, 
 
 While the great visitant approach'd, thus spake : 225 
 
 Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps 
 Of us will soon determine, or impose 
 New laws to be observed ; for I descry, 
 From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill, 
 One of the heavenly liost ! and, by his gait, 230 
 
 None of the meanest 5 some great Potentate 
 Or of the Thrones above ; such majesty 
 Invests him coming ! yet not terrible, 
 That I should fear ; nor sociably mild. 
 As Raphael, that I should much confide ; 235 
 
 But solemn and sublime ; whom not to offend, 
 With reverence I must meet, and thou retire. 
 
 He ended : and the Archangel soon drew nigh, 
 Not in his shape celestial, but as man 
 Clad to meet man ; over his lucid arms 240 
 
 A military vest of purple flow'd. 
 Livelier than Melibcean, or the grain 
 Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old 
 In time of truce ; Iris had dipp'd the woof; 
 His starry helm unbuckled show'd him prime 245 
 
 111 manhood where youth ended ; by his side, 
 As in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 259 
 
 Satan's dire dread ; and in his hand the spear. 
 Adam bow'd low ; he, kingly, from his state 
 Inclined not, but his coming thus declared : 250 
 
 Adam ! Heaven's high behest no preface needs • 
 SufScient that thy prayers are heard ; and Death, 
 Then due by sentence v/hen thou didst transgress, 
 Defeated of his seizure many days 
 Given thee of grace ; wherein thou mayst repent, 255 
 And one bad act with many deeds well done 
 Mayst cover : well may then thy Lord, appeased, 
 Redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim ; 
 But longer in this Paradise to dwell 
 Permits not : to remove thee I am come, 260 
 
 And send thee from the garden forth to till 
 The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil. 
 
 He added not ; for Adam at the news 
 Heart-struck with chilling gripe of sorrow stood. 
 That all his senses bound ; Eve, who unseen 265 
 
 Yet all had heard, with audible lament 
 Discover'd soon the place of her retire. 
 
 O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death ! 
 Must I thus leave thee, Paradise ? thus leave 
 Thee, native soil ! these happy walks and shades, 270 
 Fit haunt of Gods ? where I had hope to spend, 
 Quiet though sad, the respite of that day 
 That must be mortal to us both. O flowers, 
 That never will in other climate grow, 
 My early visitation, and my last 275 
 
 At even, which I bred up with tender hand 
 From the first opening bud, and gave ye names ! 
 Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank 
 Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount ? 
 Thee lastly, nuptial bower ! by me adorn'd 280 
 
 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 wild ? how shall \ve breathe in other air 
 Less pure, accustom'd to ijrouortal fruits ? 285 
 
260 PARADISE LOST. b. xi. 
 
 Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild : 
 Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign 
 What justly thou hast lost, nor set thy heart, 
 Thus overfond, on that which is not thine : 
 Thy going is not lonely ; with thee goes 290 
 
 Thy husband ; him to follow thou art bound ; 
 Where he abides, think there thy native soil. 
 
 Adam, by this from the cold sudden damp 
 Recovering, and his scatter'd spirits return'd. 
 To Michael thus his humble words address'd : 295 
 
 Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or named 
 Of them the highest ; for such of shape may seem 
 Prince above princes : gently hast thou told 
 Thy message, which might else in telling wound, 
 And in performing end us ; what besides 300 
 
 Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, 
 Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. 
 Departure from this happy place, our sweet 
 Recess, and only consolation left 
 
 Familial to our eyes ! all places else 305 
 
 Inhospitable appear, 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 weary him with my assiduous cries : 310 
 
 But prayer against his absolute decree 
 No more avails than breath against the wind. 
 Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth : 
 Therefore to his great bidding I submit. 
 This most afflicts me, that, departing hence, 315 
 
 As from his face I shall be hid, deprived 
 His blessed countenance : here I could frequent 
 With worship place by place where he vouchsafed 
 Presence Divine ; and to my sons relate, 
 On this mount he appear'd ; under this tree 320 
 
 Stood visible ; among these pines his voice 
 I heard ; here with him at this fountain talk'd • 
 So many grateful altars I would rear 
 
PARADISE LOST. 26) 
 
 Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone 
 
 Of lustre from the brook, in memory, 325 
 
 Or monument to ages , and thereon 
 
 Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers : 
 
 In yonder nether world where shall I seek 
 
 His bright appearances, or footstep trace ? 
 
 For though I fled him angry, yet, recall'd 330 
 
 To life prolong 'd and promised race, I now 
 
 Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts 
 
 Of glory ; and far off" his steps adore. 
 
 To whom thus Michael with regard benign : 
 Adam, thou know'st Heaven his, and all the Earth; 
 Not this rock only ; his Omnipresence fills 336 
 
 Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives, 
 Fomented by his virtual power and warm'd : 
 All the earth he gave thee to possess and rule, 
 No despicable gift ; surmise not then 3-10 
 
 His presence to these narrow bounds confined 
 Of Paradise, or Eden , this had been 
 Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread 
 All generations; and had hither come 
 From all the ends of the earth, to celebrate 345 
 
 And reverence thee, their great progenitor. 
 But this preeminence thou hast lost, brought down 
 To dwell on even ground now with thy sons ; 
 Yet doubt not but in valley and on plain 
 God is, as here , and will be found alike 35C 
 
 Present ; and of his presence many a sign 
 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 believe, and be confirm'd 355 
 Ere thou from hence depart ; know, 1 am sent 
 To show thee what shall come in future days 
 To thee and to thy offspring ; good with bad 
 Expect to hear ; supernal grace contending 
 With sinfulness of men ; thereby to learn 360 
 
 True patience, and to temper joy with fear 
 
262 PARADISE LOST b. xi 
 
 And pious sorrow ; equally inured 
 
 By moderation either state to bear, 
 
 Prosperous or adverse : so shalt thou lead 
 
 Safest thy life, and best prepared endure 365 
 
 Thy mortal passage when it comes. — Ascend 
 
 This hill ; let Eve (for I have drench'd her eyes) 
 
 Here sleep below ; while thou to foresight wakest ; 
 
 As once thou slept'st, while she to life was form'd. 
 
 To w^hom thus Adam gratefully replied : 370 
 
 Ascend ; I follow thee, safe Guide, the path 
 Thou lead'st me ; and to the hand of Heaven submit, 
 However chastening ; to the evil turn 
 My obvious breast ; arming to overcome 
 By suffering, and earn rest from labour won, 375 
 
 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 clearest ken, 
 Stretch'd out to the amplest reach of prospect lay. 380 
 Not higher that hill, nor wider looking round, 
 Whereon, for different cause, the Tempter set 
 Our second Adam, in the wilderness ; 
 To show him all Earth's kingdoms and their glory. 
 His eye might there command wherever stood 385 
 City of old or modern fame, the seat 
 Of mightiest empire, from the destined wall 
 Of Gambalu, seat of Cathaian Can, 
 And Samarchand b}' Oxus, Temir's throne, 
 To Paquin of Sinsean kings ; and thence 390 
 
 To Agra and Labor of great Mogul, 
 Down to the golden Chersonese ; or where 
 The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since 
 In Hispahan ; or where the Russian Ksar 
 In Mosco; oi the Sultan in Bizance, 395 
 
 Turchestan-born ; nor could his eye not ken 
 The empire of Negus to his utmost port 
 Ercoco, and the less maritime kings 
 Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind, 
 
PARADISE LOST. 263 
 
 And Sofala. thought Ophir, to the realm 400 
 
 Of Congo, and Angola furthest south ; 
 Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount 
 The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus, 
 Morocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen : 
 On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway 405 
 The world : in spirit perhaps he also saw 
 Rich Mexico, the seat of Montezume, 
 And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat 
 Of Atabalipa ; and yet unspoil'd 
 
 Guiana, whose great city Geryon's sons 410 
 
 Call El Dorado. But to nobler sights 
 Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed, 
 Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight 
 Had bred ; then purged with euphrasy and rue 
 The visual nerve, for he had much to see ; 415 
 
 And from the well of life three drops instill'd. 
 So deep the power of these ingredients pierced, 
 Even to the inmost seat of mental sight. 
 That Adam, now enforced to close his eyes. 
 Sunk down, and all his spirits became entranced ; 420 
 But him the gentle Angel by the hand 
 Soon rallied, and his attention thus reoall'd : 
 
 Adam, now ope thine eyes ; and first behold 
 The effects which thy original crime hath wrought 
 In some to spring from thee ; who never touched 425 
 The excepted tree ; nor with the snake conspired ; 
 Nor sinned thy sin ; yet from that sin derive 
 Corruption, to bring forth more violent deeds. 
 
 His eyes he opened, and beheld a field. 
 Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves 430 
 
 New reap'd ; the other part sheep-walks and folds ; 
 r the midst an altar as the landmark stood, 
 Rustic, of grassy sord : thither anon 
 A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought 
 First fruits, the green ear, and the yeDow sheaf, 435 
 Uncull'd, as came to hand : a shepherd next 
 
264 PARADISE LOST. b. si. 
 
 More meek, came with the firsthngs of his flock, 
 
 Choicest and best : then, sacrificing, laid 
 
 The inwards and their fat, with incense strow'd, 
 
 On the cleft wood, and a.ll due rites performed. 440 
 
 His offering soon propitious fire from Heaven 
 
 Consumed with nimble glance and grateful steam ; 
 
 The other's not, for his was not sincere ; 
 
 Whereat he inly raged, and, as they talk'd, 
 
 Smote him into the midriff with a stone 445 
 
 That beat out life ; he fell ; and, deadly pale, 
 
 Groan'd out his soul with gushing blood effused. 
 
 Much at that sight was Adam in his heart 
 
 Dismay'd, and thus in haste to the Angel cried : 
 
 O Teacher ! some great mischief hath befallen 450 
 To that meek man, who well had sacrificed ; 
 Is piety thus and pure devotion paid ? 
 
 To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied : 
 These two are brethren, Adam, and to come 
 Out of thy loins ; the unjust the just hath slain, 455 
 For envy that his brother's offering found 
 From Heaven acceptance ; but the bloody fact 
 Will be avenged ; and the other's faith, approved, 
 Lose no reward ; though here thou see him die, 
 Rolling in dust and gore. To which our sire : 4C0 
 
 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 terror, foul and ugly to behold. 
 Horrid to think, how horrible to feel ! 465 
 
 To whom thus Michael : Death thou hast seen 
 In his first shape on man ; but many shapes 
 Of Death, and many are the ways that lead 
 To his grim cave, all dismal : yet to sense 
 More terrible at the entrance, than within, 470 
 
 Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die ; 
 By fire, flood, famine, by intemperance more 
 In meals and drinks, which on the earth shall bring 
 
PARADISE LOST. 265 
 
 Diajases dire, of which a monstrous crew 
 Before thee shall appear ; that thou may'st know 475 
 What misery the inabstinence of Eve 
 Shall bring on Men, Immediately a place 
 Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark ; 
 A lazar-house it seem'd ; wherein were laid 
 Numbers of all diseased ; all maladies 480 
 
 Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms 
 Of heartsick agony, all feverous kinds, 
 Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs, 
 Intestine stone and ulcer, coUc-pangs, 
 Demoniac frenzy, moping melaiicholy, 485 
 
 And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy. 
 Marasmus, and wide-v/asting pestilence, 
 Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums. 
 Dire was the tos^iing, deep the groans ; Despair 
 Tended the sick busiest from couch to couch ; 490 
 And over them triumpiiant Death his dart 
 Shook, but delay'd to strike, though oft invoked 
 With vows, as their chief good and fiial hope. 
 Sight so deform what heart of rock could long 
 Dry eyed behold ^ Adam could not, but wept, 495 
 
 Though not of woman born ; compassion quell'd 
 best of man, and gave him up to tears 
 oacc, till firmer thoughts restrain'd excess ; 
 1, scarce recovermg words, his plaint renew'd : 
 > miserable mankind, to what fall 500 
 
 graded, to what wretched state reserved ! 
 ;tter end here unborn. Why is life given 
 o be thus wrested from us ? rather, why 
 ibtruded on us thus ? who, if we knew 
 ^Vhat we receive, would either not accept 505 
 
 Life ofFer'd, or soon bog to lay it down ; 
 Glad to be so dismiss'd in peace. Can thus 
 The image of God in Man, created once 
 So goodly and erect, though faulty since, 
 1') such unsightly suiTc rings be debased 510 
 
 Under inhuman paiiis ? Why should not Man, 
 
 J 
 
266 • PARADISE LOST. b. xi. 
 
 Retaining still divine similitude 
 
 In part, from snch deformities be free, 
 
 And, for his Maker's image sake, exempt ? 
 
 Their Maker's image, answer'd Michael, then 515 
 Forsook them, wlien themselves they vilified 
 To serve ungovern'd Appetite ; and took 
 His image whom they served, a brutish vice, 
 Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. 
 Therefore so abject is their punishment, 520 
 
 Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own j 
 Or if his likeness, by themselves defaced ; 
 While they pervert pure Nature's healthful rules 
 To loathsome sickness ; worthily since they 
 God's image did not reverence in themselves. 525 
 
 I yield it just, said Adaip, and submit. 
 But is there yet no other way, besides 
 These painful passages, how we may come 
 To death, and mix with our conno,tural dust .'' 
 
 There is, said MichaCl, if thou well observe 530 
 The rule of S<'ot too inuch ; by temperance taught, 
 In what thou eat'st and drink'st ; seeking from thence 
 Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, 
 Till many years over thy head return : 
 So mayst thou live ; till, like ripe fruit, thou drop 535 
 Into thy mother's lap ; or be with ease 
 Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd ; for death mature : 
 This is Old Age ; but then thou must outlive [change 
 Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty ; which will 
 To wither'd, weak, and gray ; thy senses then, 540 
 Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, 
 To what thou hast ; and, for the air of youth, 
 Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign 
 A melancholy damp of cold and dry 
 To weigh tliy spirits down, and last consume 545 
 
 The balm of life. To whom our ancestor : 
 
 Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong 
 Life much ; bent rather, how I may be quit, 
 Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous cliarge ; • 
 
PARADISE LOST. 267 
 
 Which I must keep till my appointed day 550 
 
 Of rendering up, and patiently attend 
 My dissolution. Michael replied : 
 
 Nor love thy life, nor hate ; but what thou liyest 
 Live well ; how long, or short, permit to Heaven : 
 And now prepare thee for another sight. 555 
 
 He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 
 Were tents of various hue ; by some were herds 
 Of cattle grazing ; others, whence the sound 
 Of instruments, that made melodious chime. 
 Was heard, of harp and organ ; and, who moved 560 
 Their stops and chords, was seen ; his volant touch, 
 Instinct through all proportions, low and high, 
 Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. 
 In other part stood one who, at the forge 
 Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass 565 
 
 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 some cave's mouth ; or whether wash'd by stream 
 From miderground ;) the liquid ore he drain'd 570 
 
 Into fit moulds prepared ; from which he form'd 
 First his own tools ; then, vrhat might else be wrought 
 Fusil or graven in metal. After these, 
 But on the hither side, a different sort [seat 
 
 From the high neighbouring hills, which was their 
 Down to the plain descended ; by their guise 576 
 
 Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent 
 To worship God aright, and know his works 
 Not hid ; nor those things last, which might preserve 
 Freedom and peace to Men ; they on the plain 5S0 
 Long had not walk'd, when from the tents, behold ! 
 A bevy 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, eyed them ; and let their eyes 
 Rove without rein ; till, in the amorous net 586 
 
 Fast caught, they liked ; and each his liking chose ; 
 
268 PARADISE LOST. b. 5i> 
 
 And now of love they treat, till the evenhig star, 
 
 Love's harbinger, appear'd ; then, all in heat 
 
 They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke 590 
 
 Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked . 
 
 With feast and music all the tents resound. 
 
 Such happy interview, and fair event 
 
 Of love and youth not lost, sungs, garlands, flowers, 
 
 And charming sympnonies, attach'd the heart 595 
 
 Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight. 
 
 The bent of nature ; which he thus express'd : 
 
 True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel bless'd j 
 Much better seems this vision, and more hope 
 Of peaceful days portends, than those two pass'd ; 600 
 Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse ; 
 Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends. 
 
 To whom thus Michael : J\idge not what is best 
 By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet ; 
 Created, as thou art, to nobler end 605 
 
 Holy and pure, conformity divine. 
 Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant were the tentfl 
 Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race 
 Who slew his brother ; studious they appear 
 Of arts that polish life, inventors rare; 610 
 
 Unmindful of their Maimer, though his Spirit 
 Taught them ; but they his gifts acknowledged none. 
 Yet they a beauteous ofispring sliall beget ; 
 For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd 
 Of Goddesses so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615 
 
 Yet empty of all good wherein consists 
 Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; 
 Bred only and completed to the taste 
 'Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, 
 To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye : 620 
 To thiese tliat sober race of men, whose lives 
 Religious tilled them the sons of God, 
 "Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame 
 Ignobly, to Ihe trains and to the smiles 
 Of tliesc (air atJicists ; and now swiixi in joy, 625 
 
PARADISE LOST. 2G9 
 
 Erelong to swim at large ; and laugh for which 
 The world erelong a world of tears must weep. 
 
 To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft : 
 O pity and shame, that they, who to live well 
 Enter d so fair, should turn aside to tread 630 
 
 Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint ! 
 But still I see the tenor of Man's woe 
 Holds on the same, from Woman to begin 
 
 From Man's effeminate slackness it begins, 
 Said the Angel, who should better hold his place 635 
 By wisdom, and superior gifts received. 
 But now prepare thee for another scene. 
 
 He look'd, and saw wide territory spread 
 Before him, towns, and rural works between , 
 Cities of Men with lofty gates and towers, 640 
 
 Concourse in arms, fierce faces tlireatening war, 
 Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise ; 
 Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, 
 Single or in array of battle ranged 
 Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood \ 645 
 One waj' a band select from forage drives 
 A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, 
 From a fat meadow ground ; or fleecy flock. 
 Ewes and their bleating lambs over the plain, 
 Their booty ; scarce with life the shepherds fly, 650 
 But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray ; 
 With cruel tournament the squadrons join ; 
 Where cattle pastured late, now scatter'd lies 
 With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field, 
 Deserted : Others to a city strong 655 
 
 Lay siege, encamp'd ; by battery, scale, and mine, 
 Assaulting : others from the wall defend 
 With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire \ 
 On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds- 
 3n other part the sceptred heralds call 660 
 
 To council, in tlie city -gates ; anon 
 Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd 
 Assemble, and harangues are hetird : but soon, 
 23" 
 
mQ PARADISE LOST. b. x«. 
 
 In factious opposition ; till at last, 
 
 Of middle age one rising, eminent 665 
 
 In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, 
 
 Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace, 
 
 And judgment from above : him old and young 
 
 Exploded, and had seized with violent hands, 
 
 Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thonce €>7Q 
 
 "Unseen amid the throng ; so violence 
 
 Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, 
 
 Through all the plain, and refuge none was found 
 
 Adam v/as all in tears, and to his guide 
 
 Lamenting turn'd full sad : O ! what are these, 675 
 
 Death's ministers, not men ? who thus deal death 
 
 Inhum.anl^^ to men, and multiply 
 
 Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slev/ 
 
 His brother ; for of whom such massacre 
 
 Make they, but of their brethren ; men of men ? 680 
 
 But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven 
 
 Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost ? 
 
 To whom thus Michael : These are the product 
 Of those ill mated marriages thou saw'st ; [selves 
 
 Where good with bad were match'd, who of thera- 
 Abhor to join ; and, by imprudence mix'd, 686 
 
 Produce prodigious births of body or mind. 
 Such were these giants, men of high renown ; 
 For in those days might only shall be admired. 
 And valour and heroic virtue call'd ; 690 
 
 To overcome in battle, and subdue 
 Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 
 Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch 
 Of human glory ; and for glory done 
 Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, 695 
 
 Patrons of mankind, Gods, and sons of Gods 9 
 Destroyers rightlier call'd, and plagues of men. 
 Tlius fame shall be achieved, renown on Earth > 
 And what most merits fame, in silence hid. 
 But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou b^ljeldst 
 The only ri|»hteo\is in a vrorld perverfie, yOl 
 
PARADISE LOST. 271 
 
 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 
 
 Wrapp'd in a balmy cloud with winged steeds 706 
 
 Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God 
 
 High in salvation and the climes of bliss. 
 
 Exempt from death ; to show thee what reward 
 
 Awaits the good ; the rest what punishment ; 710 
 
 Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold. 
 
 He look'd, and saw the face of things quite changed ; 
 
 The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar ; 
 
 All now was turn'd to jollity and game, 
 
 To luxury and riot, feast and dance ; 71& 
 
 Marrying or prostituting, as befel, 
 
 Rape or adultery, where passing fair 
 
 Allured them ; thence from cups to civil broils. 
 
 At length a reverend sire among them came, 
 
 And of their doings great di.slike declared, 7Q0 
 
 And testified against their ways ; he oft 
 
 Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, 
 
 Triumphs or festivals ; and to them preach'd 
 
 Conversion and repentance, as to souls 
 
 In prison, under judgments imminent : 725- 
 
 But all in vain : which when he saw, he ceased 
 
 Contending, and removed his tents far off j 
 
 Then, from the mountain hev/ing timber tall, 
 
 Began to build a vessel of huge bulk ; 
 
 Measured b}"- cubit, length, and breadth, and height , 
 
 Smear 'd round Avith pitch : and in the side a door 731' 
 
 Contrived ; and of provisions laid in large. 
 
 For man and beast : when lo, a wonder strange ! 
 
 Of every beast, and bird, and insect small 
 
 Came sevens, and pairs : and entcr'd in as taught 735 
 
 Their order : last the sire and his three sons. 
 
 With their four wives ; and God made fast the door. 
 
 Meanwhile the south-wind rose, and, with black wings 
 
 Wide-hovering, all the clouds together drovg 
 
272 PARADISE LOST. b. xi. 
 
 From under Heaven ; the hills to their supply 740 
 
 Vapour, and exhalation dusk and i^ftoist, 
 
 Sent up amain ; and now the tliicken'd sky 
 
 Like a dark ceiling stood ; down rush'd the rain 
 
 Impetuous ; and continued, till the earth 
 
 No more was se~'n ; the floating vessel swum 745 
 
 Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow 
 
 Rode tilting o'er the waves ; all dwellings else 
 
 Flood overwhelra'd, and them, with all their pomp 
 
 Deep under water roll'd ; sea cover'd sea, 
 
 Sea without shore ; and in their palaces, 750 
 
 Where luxury late reign'd, sea-monsters whelp'd 
 
 And stabled ; of mankind, so numerous late, 
 
 All left in one small bottom swum embark'd. 
 
 How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold 
 
 The end of all thy offs])ring, end so sad, 755 
 
 Depopulation ! Thee another flood, 
 
 Of tears and sorrov/ a flood, thee also drown'd, 
 
 And sunk thee as thy sons ; till, gently rear'd 
 
 By the Angel, on thy feet thou stood'st at last, 
 
 Though comfortless ; as when a father mourns 760 
 
 His children, all in viev/ destroy 'd at once ; 
 
 And scarce to the Angel utter'dst thus thy plaint • 
 
 O visions ill foreseen ! Better had I 
 Lived ignorant of future ! so had borne 
 My part of evil only, each day's lot 765 
 
 Enough to bear ; those now, that were dispensed 
 The burden of many ages, on me light 
 At once, by my foreknov/ledge 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 befal 771 
 
 Him or his children ; evil he may be sure. 
 Which neither his foreknowing can prevent ; 
 And he tne future evil sliali no less 
 In apprehension than in substance feel, 775 
 
 Grievous to bear : but that care now is pass'd, 
 Man is not whom to warn ; those few escaped 
 
PARADISE LOST. 273 
 
 Famine and anguish will at last consume, 
 Wandering that watery desert : I had hope, 
 "When violence was ceased, and war on earth, 780 
 All would have then gone well ; peace would have 
 
 crown'd 
 With length of happy days the race of man } 
 But I was far deceived ; for now I. see 
 Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste. 
 How comes it thus .'' unfold, celestial Guide, 785 
 
 And whether here the race of Man will end. 
 
 To whom thus Michael : Those, whom last thou 
 
 saw'st 
 in triumph and luxurious wealth, are they 
 First seen in acts of prowess eminent 
 And great exploits, but of true virtue void } 790 
 
 Who, having spilt much blood, and done much waste, 
 Subduing nations, and achieved thereby 
 Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey ; 
 Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, 
 Surfeit, and lust ; till wantonness and pride 795 
 
 Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. 
 The conquer'd also, and enslaved by war. 
 Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose 
 And fear of God ; from whom their piety feign'd 
 In sharp contest of battle found no aid 800 
 
 Against invaders ; therefore, cool'd in zeal, 
 Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure, 
 Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords 
 Shall leave them to enjoy ; for the earth shall bear 
 More than enough, that temperance may be tried : 805 
 So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved ; 
 Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot ; 
 One man except, the only son of light 
 In a dark age, against example good. 
 Against allurement, custom, and a work 810 
 
 Offended : fearless of reproach and scorn 
 Or violence, he of their wicked ways 
 Shall them admonish ; and before them set 
 
274 PARADISE LOST. b. xi 
 
 The paths of righteousness, how much more safe 
 
 And full of peace ; denouncing wrath to come 815 
 
 On their impenitence ; and shall return 
 
 Of them derided, but of God observed 
 
 The one just man alive ; by his command 
 
 Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheldst, 
 
 To save himself and household from amidst 82C 
 
 A world devote to universal wrack. 
 
 No sooner he, v/ith them of man and beast 
 
 Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged, 
 
 And shelterd round, but all the cataracts 
 
 Of Heaven set open on the Earth shall pour 825 
 
 Rain, day and night ; all fountains 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 moved 830 
 
 Out of his place, push'd by the horned flood, 
 
 With ail his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift, 
 
 Down the great river to the opening gulf. 
 
 And there take root an island salt and bare. 
 
 The haunt of seals, and ores, and seamews' clang : 835 
 
 To teach thee that God Attributes to place 
 
 No sanctity, if none be thither brought 
 
 By men who there frequent or therein dwell. 
 
 And now, what further should ensue, behold. 
 
 He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, 840 
 Which now abated ; for the clouds were fled, 
 Driven by a keen north Avind, that, blowing dry, 
 Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd ; 
 And the clear sun on his wide watery glass 
 Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, 845 
 As after thirst ; which made their flowing shrink 
 From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole 
 With soft fo jt towards the deep ; who now had stopp'd 
 His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut. 
 The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground, 850 
 Fast on the top <^f some high mountain fix'd. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 275 
 
 And now the tops of hil^s, as rocks, appear ; 
 With clamour thence the rapid currents drive, 
 Towards the retreating sea, their furious tide 
 Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, 855 
 
 And after him, the surer messenger, 
 A dov0" sent forth once and again to spy- 
 Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light : 
 The second time returning, in his bill 
 An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign : 8G0 
 
 Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark 
 The ancient sire descends, with all his train : 
 Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, 
 Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds 
 A dewy cloud, and in tlie cloud a bow 865 
 
 Conspicuous witli three listed colours gay, 
 I>etokening peace from God, and covenant new. 
 Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad, 
 Greatly rejoiced ; and thus his joy broke forth : 
 
 O thou, who future things canst represent 870 
 
 ■ As present, heavenlj^ Instrncter 1 I revive 
 At this last sight ; assured that Man shall live, 
 "With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. 
 Far less I now lament for one wJiolc world 
 Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice 875 
 
 For one man found so perfect nnd so just 
 That God vouchsafes to raise another world 
 From him, and all his anger to forget. 
 But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in Heavon 
 Distended, as the brow of God appeased ? 880 
 
 Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind 
 The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud. 
 Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth -' 
 
 To whom the Archangel : Dexterously thou aira'st ; 
 So willingly doth God remit his ire, 885 
 
 Though late repenti.ng him of Man depraved ; 
 Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw 
 The whole earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh 
 Corrupting each their way ; vet, those removed. 
 
276 PARADISE LOST. b. xi. 
 
 Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, 890 
 That he relents, not to blot out mankind j 
 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 895 
 Over the eaiiti a cloud, will therein set 
 His triple-colour'd bow, whereon to look, 
 And call to mind his covenant : day and night, 
 Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, 899 
 
 Shall hold their course ; till fire purge all things new, 
 Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 
 
 BOOK XII. 
 
 The Argel Michael continues, from the Flood, to relate wnat shall 
 succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes hy degrees to 
 explain who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was pro- 
 mised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his incarnation, death, resur- 
 rection, and ascension ; llie state of the church till his second 
 coming. Adam, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these rela- 
 tions and promises, descends tiie hill with IMichael ; wakens Eve, 
 who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed 
 to quietness of mind and submission. Michael in either hand 
 leads them out of Pavadiie, the tiery sword waving behind thorn, 
 and the Cherubim taking their stations to guard the place. 
 
 As one who in his journey bates at noon, 
 
 Though bent on speed ; so here the Archangel paused 
 
 Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restored, 
 
 If Adam aught perhaps might interpose ; 
 
 Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes : 5 
 
 Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end ; 
 And Man, as from a second stock, proceed. 
 Much thou hast yet to see ; but 1 perceive 
 Thy mortal sight to fail ; objects divine 
 Must needs impair and weary human sense : 10 
 
 Henceforth what is to come I will relate ; 
 Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. 
 
 This second source of Men, while yet but few, 
 And while the dread of judgment past remains 
 Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity, 15 
 
 With some regard to what is just and right 
 Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace ; 
 Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, 
 Corn, wine, and oil ; artd, from the herd or flock, 
 Oft sacrificing bullock; lamb, or kid, 20 
 
 24 
 
278 PARADISE LOST. b. xii 
 
 With large wine-ofFerings pour'd, and sacred feast, 
 
 Shall spend their days in joy unblanied ; and dwell 
 
 Long time in peace, by families and tribes 
 
 Under paternal rule : till one shall rise 
 
 Of proud ambitious heart ; who, not content 25 
 
 With fair equality, fraternal state, 
 
 Will arrogate dominion undeserved 
 
 Over his brethren, a.nd quite dispossess 
 
 Concord and law of nature from the earth ; 
 
 Hunting (and men not beasts shall be his game) 30 
 
 With war and hostile snare such as refuse 
 
 Subjection to his empire tyrannous . 
 
 A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled 
 
 Before the Lord : as in despite of Heaven, 
 
 Or from Heaven claiming second sovereignty ; 35 
 
 And from rebellion shall derive his name, 
 
 Though of rebellion others he accuse. 
 
 He with a crew, whom like ambition joins 
 
 With him or under him to tyrannize, 
 
 Marciiing from Eden towards the west, shall find 40 
 
 The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge 
 
 Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell : 
 
 Of brick, and of that stuff, they cast to build 
 
 A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven ; 
 
 And get themselves a name ; lest, far dispersed 45 
 
 Li foreign lands, their memory be lost ; 
 
 Regardless whether good or evil fame. 
 
 But God, wlio oft descends to visit men 
 
 Unseen, and through their habitations walks 
 
 To mark their doings, them beholding soon, 50 
 
 Comes down to see their city, ere the tower 
 
 Obstruct Heaven-towers ; 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: 55 
 
 Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud, 
 
 Among the builders ; each to other calls 
 
 Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 279 
 
 As iiiock'd they storm : great laughter was in Heaven, 
 And looking down, to see the hubbub strange, CO 
 
 And hear the din : thus was the building left 
 Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named. 
 
 Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeased : 
 O execrable son ! so to aspire 
 
 Above his brethren ; to himself assuming G5 
 
 Authority usurp'd, from God not given • 
 He gave us only 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 70 
 
 Reserving, human left from human free. 
 But this usurper his encroachment proud 
 Stays not on Man ; to God his tower intends 
 Siege and defiance : wretched man ! what food 
 Will he convey up thither, to sustain 75 
 
 Himself and his rash army ; where thin air 
 Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross, 
 And famish him of breath, if not of bread .' 
 
 To whom thus Michael : Justly thou abhorr'st 
 That son, who on the quiet state of men 80 
 
 Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue 
 Rational liberty ; yet know withal, 
 Since thy original lapse, true liberty 
 Is lost, whicli always with right reason dwells 
 Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being - 85 
 
 Reason in man obscured or not obey'd, 
 [mmediately inordinate desires 
 And upstart passions catch the government 
 From reason ; and to servitude reduce 
 Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits 00 
 Within himself unworthy powers to reign 
 Over free reason, God, in judgment just, 
 Subjects him from without to violent lords , 
 Who oft as undeservedly enthral 
 His outward freedom : tyranny must be ; 95 
 
 Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse. 
 
280 PARADISE LOST. b. xii 
 
 Yet sometimes nations will decline so Igw 
 
 From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, 
 
 But justice and some fatal curse annex'd, 
 
 Deprives them of their outward liberty ; 100 
 
 Their inward lost : witness the irreverent son 
 
 Of him who built the ark ; who, for the shame 
 
 Done to his father, heard this heavy curse, 
 
 Servant of servants, on his vicious race. 
 
 Thus will this latter, as the former world, 105 
 
 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 ways ; 110 
 
 And one peculiar nation to select 
 
 From all the rest, of whom to bo- invoked, 
 
 A nation from one faithful man to spring : 
 
 Him on this side Euphrates yet residing, 
 
 Bred up in idol-worship : O, that men 115 
 
 (Canst thou believe ?) should be so stupid grown. 
 
 While yet O.o patriarch lived who scaped the flood, 
 
 As to forsar.e the living God, and fall 
 
 To worship their own work in wood and stone 
 
 For Gods ! Yet him God the Most High vouchsafes 
 
 To call by vision, from his father's house, 121 
 
 His kindred, and false Gods, into a land 
 
 Which he will show him ; and from him will raise 
 
 A mighty nation ; and upon him shower 
 
 His benediction so that in his seed 125 
 
 All nations shall be bless'd : he 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 soil, 
 
 Ur of Chaldea, passing now the ford 130 
 
 To Haran ; after him a cumbrous train 
 
 Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude ; 
 
 Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth 
 
 With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 281 
 
 Canaan lie now attains ; I see his tents 135 
 
 Pitch'd about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain 
 Of Moreh ; there by promise he receives 
 Gift to his progeny of all that land, 
 From Hamath northward to the Desert south 
 (Things by their names 1 call, thou yet unnamed ;) 
 From Hermon east to the great western Sea ; 141 
 
 Mount Hermon, yonder sea ; each place behold 
 In prospect, as I point them ; on the shore 
 Mount Carmel ; here, the double-founted stream, 
 Jordan, true limit eastward ; but his sons 145 
 
 Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. 
 This ponder, that all nations of the earth 
 Shall in his seed be blessed : by that seed 
 Is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise 
 The Serpent's head ; whereof to thee anon 150 
 
 Plainlier shall be reveald. This patriarch bles«^'d, 
 Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, 
 A son, and of his son a grandchild, leaves ■, 
 Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown : 
 The grandchild, with twelve sons increased, departs 
 From Canaan, to a land hereafter call'd 156 
 
 Egypt, divided by the river Nile ; 
 See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths 
 Into the sea : to sojourn in that land 
 He comes, invited by a younger son 160 
 
 In time of dearth ; a son, whose worthy deeds 
 Raise him to be the second in that realm 
 Of Pharaoh : there he dies, and leaves his race 
 Growing into a nation, and now grown 
 Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks 165 
 
 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 fthese two brethren call'd 
 Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claim 170 
 
 His people from enthralment, they return, 
 With glory and spoil, back to their promised land. 
 24 * 
 
28S PARADISE LOST. b. xii 
 
 But first, the lawless tyrant, who denies 
 
 To know their God, or message to regard. 
 
 Must be compell'd by signs and judgments dire ; 175 
 
 To blood ushed the rivers must be turn'd ; 
 
 Frogs, lice, and flies must all his palace fill 
 
 With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land ; 
 
 His cattle must of rot and murrain die ; 
 
 Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, 190 
 
 And all his people ; thunder mix'd with hail, 
 
 Hail mix'd with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky, 
 
 And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls ; 
 
 What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain, 
 
 A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down 185 
 
 Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green ; 
 
 Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, 
 
 Palpable darkness, and blot out three days ; 
 
 Last, with one midnight stroke, all the first-born 
 
 Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds 190 
 
 The river-dragon tamed at length submits 
 
 To let his sojourners depart, and oft 
 
 Humbles his stubborn heart ; but still, as ice 
 
 More harden'd after thaw ; till, in his rage 
 
 Pursuing whom he late dismiss'd, the sea 195 
 
 Swallows him with his host ; but them lets pass, 
 
 As on dry land, between two crystal walls ; 
 
 Awed by the rod of Moses so to stand 
 
 Divided, till his rescued gain their shore : 
 
 Such wondrous power God to his saint will lend, 200 
 
 Though present in his Angel ; who shall go 
 
 Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire ; 
 
 By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire ; 
 
 To guide them in their journey, and remove 
 
 Behind them, while the obdurate king pursues 205 
 
 All night he will pursue ; but his approach 
 
 Darkness defends between till morning watch ; 
 
 Then through the fieiy pillar, and tiie cloud, 
 
 God looking forth will trouble all his host, 209 
 
 And craze their chariot-v/heels : when by command 
 
PARADISE LOST. 288 
 
 Moses once more his potent rod extends 
 
 Over the sea ; the sea his rod obeys ; 
 
 On their embattled ranks the waves return 
 
 And overwhehn their vi^ar : the race elect 
 
 Safe towards Canaan from the shore advance 215 
 
 Through the wild Desert, not the readiest way ; 
 
 Lest, entering on the Canaanite alarm'd, 
 
 War terrify them inexpert, aiKl fear 
 
 Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather 
 
 Inglorious life with servitude ; for life 220 
 
 To noble and ignoble is more sweet 
 
 Untrain'd in arms, 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 225 
 
 Through the twelve tribes, to rule by laws ordain'd : 
 
 God from the mount of Sinai, whose gray top 
 
 Shall tremble, he descending, will himself 
 
 In thunder, lightning, and loud trumpets' sound, 
 
 Ordain them laws ; part, sach as appertain 230 
 
 To civil justice ; part, religious rites 
 
 Of sacrifice ; informing them , by types 
 
 And shadows, of that destined Seed to bruise 
 
 The Serpent, by what means he shall achieve 
 
 Mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God 235 
 
 To mortal ear is dreadful : they beseech 
 
 That Moses might report to them his will, 
 
 And terror cease ; he grants what they besought, 
 
 Instructed that to God is no access 
 
 Without Mediator, whose high office now 240 
 
 Moses in figure bears ; to introduce 
 
 One greater, of whose day he shall foretel, 
 
 And all the Prophets in their age the times 
 
 Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus, laws and rites 
 
 Establish'd, such delight hath God in men 245 
 
 Obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes 
 
 Among them to set up his tabernacle ; 
 
 The Holy One with mortal men to dwell . 
 
2S4 PARADISE LOST. b. xii. 
 
 By his prescript a sanctuary is framed 
 
 Of cedar, overlaid with gold ; therein 250 
 
 An ark, and in the ark his testimony, 
 
 The records of his covenant ; over these 
 
 A mercy-seat of gold, betvireen the wings 
 
 Of two bright Cherubim ; before him burn 
 
 Seven lamps as in a zodiac representing 255 
 
 The heavenly fires ; over the tent a cloud 
 
 Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night ; 
 
 Save when they journe}'^, and at length they come, 
 
 Conducted by his Angel, to the land 
 
 Promised to Abraham and his seed : — the rest 2G0 
 
 Were long to tell ; how many battles fought ; 
 
 How many kuigs destroy'd ; and kingdoms won ; 
 
 Or how the sun shall in mid Heaven stand still 
 
 A day entire, and night's due course adjourn, 
 
 Man's voice commanding, Sun, in Gibeon stand, 2G5 
 
 And thou, moon, in the vale of Aialon, 
 
 Till Israel overcome ! so call the third 
 
 From Abraham, son of Isaac ; and from him 
 
 His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win. 
 
 Here Adam interposed : O send from Heaven, 270 
 Enlightener of my darkness, gracious things 
 Thou hast reveal'd ; those chiefly which concern 
 Just Abraham and his seed ; now first I find 
 Mine eyes true-opening, and my heart much eased ; 
 Erewhile perplex'd with thoughts, what would become 
 Of me and all mankind : but now I see 276 
 
 His day, in whom all nations shall be bless'd } 
 Favour unmerited by me, who sought 
 Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. 
 This yet 1 apprehend not, why to those 280 
 
 Among whom God will deign to dwell on earth 
 So many and so various laws are given ; 
 So many laws argue so many sins 
 Among them ; how can God with such reside ^ 
 
 To whom thus Michael : Doubt not but that sin 285 
 Will reign among them, as of thee begoi , 
 
PARADISE LOST. 285 
 
 And therefore was law given them, to evince 
 
 Their natural pravity, by stirring up 
 
 Sin against law to fight : that when they see 
 
 Law can discover sin, but not remove, 290 
 
 Save by those shadowy expiations weak, 
 
 The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude 
 
 Some blood more precious must be paid for Man , 
 
 Just for unjust ; that in such righteousness 
 
 To them by faith imputed, they may find 295 
 
 Justification towards God, and peace 
 
 Of conscience ; which the law by ceremonies 
 
 Cannot appease ; nor Man the mortal part 
 
 Perform ; and, not performing, cannot live. 
 
 So law appears imperfect ; and but given 300 
 
 With purpose to resign them, in full time, 
 
 Up to a better covenant ; disciplined 
 
 From shadowy types to truth } from flesh to spirit ; 
 
 From imposition of strict laws to free 
 
 Acceptance of large grace ; from servile fear 305 
 
 To filial ; works of law to works of faith. 
 
 And therefore shall not Moses, though of God 
 
 Highly beloved, being but the minister 
 
 Of law, his people into Canaan lead ; 
 
 But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call, 310 
 
 His name and ofiice bearing, who shall quell 
 
 The Adversary Serpent, and bring back 
 
 Through the world's wilderness long-v»^ander'd Man 
 
 Safe to eternal Paradise of rest. 
 
 Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan placed, 315 
 
 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 iJ20 
 
 The second, both for piety renown'd 
 
 And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive 
 
 Irrevocable, that his regal throne 
 
 For ever shall endure ; the like shall sing 
 
286 PARADISE LOST e xii 
 
 All Prophecy, that of the royal stock 325 
 
 Of David (so I name this king), shall rise 
 A Son, tlie Woman's seed to thee foretold, 
 Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust 
 All nations ; and to kings foretold of kings 
 The last ; for of his reign shall be no end. 330 
 
 But first, a long succession must ensue ; 
 And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, 
 The clouded ark of God, till then in tents 
 Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. 
 Such follow him, as shall be register'd 335 
 
 Part good, part bad ; of bad the longer scroll ; 
 Whose foul idolatries, and other faults 
 Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense 
 God, as to leave them, and expose their land, 
 Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, 340 
 
 With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey- 
 To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st 
 Left in confusion ; Babylon thence call'd. 
 There in captivity he lets them dwell 
 The space of seventy years ; then brings thera back, 
 Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn 346 
 
 To David, stablish'd as the days of Heaven. 
 Return'd from Babylon by leave of kings 
 Their lords, whom God disposed, the house of God 
 They first reedify ; and for awhile 350 
 
 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 brmgs 355 
 Upon the temple itself: at last they seize 
 The sceptre, and regard not David's sons; 
 Then lose it to a stranger, tliat the true 
 Anointed King Messiah might be born 
 Barr'd of his right ; yet at his birth a star, 360 
 
 Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come j 
 And guides the eastern sages, who inquire 
 
PARADISE LOST. 287 
 
 His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold : 
 
 His place of birth a solemn Angel tells 
 
 To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night ; 365 
 
 They gladly thither haste, and by a choir 
 
 Of squadron'd Angels hear his carol sung. 
 
 A virgin is his mother, but his sire 
 
 The powei of the Most High : He shall ascend 
 
 The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 370 
 
 With Earth's wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens 
 
 He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy 
 Surcharged, as had like grief been dew'd in tears, 
 Without the vent of wocds ; Avhich these he breathed . 
 
 O prophet of glad tidings, finisher 375 
 
 Of utmost hope ! now clear I understand 
 What oft my steadiest thoughts have search'd m vain ; 
 Why our great Expectation should be call'd 
 The seed of Woman : Virgin Mother, hail, 
 High in the love of Heaven ; yet from my loins 380 
 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 pain : say where and when 384 
 Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel. 
 
 To whom thus Michael : Dream not of their fight, 
 As of a duel, or the local wounds 
 Of head or heel : not therefore joins the Son 
 Manhood to Godhead, with more strength to foil 
 Thy enemy; nor so is overcome 390 
 
 Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise, 
 Disabled, not to give thee thy death's wound : 
 Which he, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure 
 Not by destroying Satan, but his works 
 in thee and in thy seed : nor can this be, 395 
 
 'But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, ' 
 
 ' Obedience to the law of God, iinposed 
 On penalty of death, and suffering death ; 
 The penalty to thy transgression due, 
 And due to theirs which out of thine will grow ; dOO 
 
288 PARADISE LOST. b. xii 
 
 So only can high Justice rest appaid. 
 
 The law of God exact he shall fulfil 
 
 Both by obedience and by love, though love 
 
 Alone fulfil the law ; thy punishment 
 
 He shall endure, by coming in the flesh 405 
 
 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. 410 
 
 For this he shall live hated, be blasphemed. 
 
 Seized on by force, judged, and to death conderan'd 
 
 A shameful and accursed, nail'd to the cross 
 
 By his own nation ; slain for bringing life - 
 
 But to the cross he nails thy enemies, 415 
 
 The law that is against tliee, and the sins 
 
 Of all mankind, v/ith him there crucified. 
 
 Never to hurt them more who rightly trust 
 
 In this his satisfaction ; so he dies, 
 
 But soon revives : Death over him no power 420 
 
 Shall long usurp ; ere the third dawning light 
 
 Return, the stars 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 offer'd life 425 
 
 Neglect not, and the benefit embrace 
 
 By faith not void of works : this godlike act 
 
 Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have died, 
 
 In sin for ever lost from life ; this act 
 
 Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, 430 
 
 Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms ; 
 
 And fix far deeper in his head their stings 
 
 Than temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel, 
 
 Or theirs whom he redeems ; a death, like sleep, 
 
 A gentle wafting to immortal life. 435 
 
 Nor after resurrection shall he stay 
 
 Longer on earth than certain times to appear 
 
 To his disciples, men who in his life 
 
JPARADISE LOST. 289 
 
 Still follow'd him ; to them sha\] leave in charge 
 To teach all nations \vli-it of him they learn'd 44G 
 And his salvation ; them who shall believe 
 Baptizing in the profiuent stream, the sign 
 Of washing them from guilt of sin to life 
 Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befal, 
 For death, like that which the Redeemer died 445 
 All nations they shall teach ; for, from that day 
 Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins 
 Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons 
 Of Abraliam's faith wherever through the world; 
 So in his seed all nations shall be bless'd. 450 
 
 Then to the Heaven of Heavens he shall ascend 
 With victory, triumphing through the air 
 Over his foes and thine ; there shall surprise 
 The Serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains 
 Through all his realm, and there confounded leave ; 
 Then enter into glory, and resume 45(i 
 
 His seat at God's right hand, exalted high 
 Above all names in Heaven ; and thence shall come, 
 When this world's dissolution shall be ripe. 
 With glory and power to judge both quick and dead ; 
 To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward 461 
 
 His faithful, and receive them into bliss, 
 Whether in Heaven or Earth ; for then the Earth 
 Shall all be Paradise, far happier place 
 Than this of Eden, and far happier days. 46S5 
 
 So spake the Archangel Michael ; then paused, 
 As at the world's great period ; and our sire, 
 Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied : 
 
 O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense ! 
 That all this good of evil shall produce, 476 
 
 And evil turn to good ; more wonderful 
 /Than that which by creation first brought forth 
 / Light out of darkness ! Full of doubt I stand, 
 Whether I should repent me now of sin 
 B^ me done and occasion'd ; or rejoice 475 
 
 Much more, that much more good thereof shall springs 
 '25 
 
'^90 1>ARADISE LOST. b. xu. 
 
 To God more glory, more good-will to Men 
 
 From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. 
 
 But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven 
 
 Must reascend, what will betide the few 480 
 
 His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd, 
 
 The enemies of truth ? Who then shall guide 
 
 His people, who defend ? Will they not deal 
 
 Worse with his followers than with him they dealt ? 
 
 Be sure they will, said the Angel ; but from Heaven 
 He to his own a Comforter will send, 486 
 
 The promise of the Father, who shall dv/ell 
 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 arm 490 
 
 With spiritual armour, able to resist 
 Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts; 
 What man can do against them, not afraid, 
 Though to the death ; against such cruelties 
 Witli inward consolations recompensed, 495 
 
 And oft supported so as shall amaze 
 Their proudest persecutors : for the Spirit, 
 PouT'd first oii his Apostles, whom he sends 
 To evangelize the nations, then on all 
 Baptized, shall them with wondrous gifts endue 500 
 To speak all tongues, and do all miracles. 
 As did thsir Lord bsfore them. Thus they win 
 Great numbers of each nation to receive 
 With joy ths tidings brought from Heaven : at length. 
 Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, 505 
 
 Their doctrine and their story written left, 
 They die ; but in their room, as tliey forewarn, 
 Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves, 
 Who all the saured mysteries cf HeaveK 
 To their own vile advantages shall turn 510 
 
 Of lucre and ambition ; aad the truth 
 With superstitions and traditions taint. 
 Left only in those written records pure, 
 Though not but by the Spirit understood. 
 
PARADISE LOST. 291 
 
 Then they shall seek to avail themselves of names, 
 Places, and titles, and with these to join 516 
 
 Secular power ; though feigning still to act 
 By spiritual, to themselves appropriating 
 The Spirit of God, promised alilte and given 
 To all believers ; and, from that pretence, 520 
 
 Spiritual laws by carnal power shall force 
 On every conscience ; laws which none shall find 
 Left them inrcU'd, or what the Spirit within 
 Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then 
 But force the Spirit of Grace itself, and bind 525 
 
 His consort Liberty ? What, but unbuild 
 His living temples, built by faith to stand. 
 Their own faith, not another's ? For, on earth, 
 Who against faith and conscience can be heard 
 Infallible ? yet many will presume : 530 
 
 Whence heavy persecution shall arise 
 On all, who in the worship persevere 
 Of spirit and truth ; the rest, far greater part, 
 Will deem in outward rites and specious forms 
 Religion satisfied ; truth shall retire 535 
 
 Bestuck with slanderous darts, and works of faith 
 Rarely be found : so shall the world go on, 
 To good malignant, to bad men benign ; 
 Under her own weight groaning ; till the day 
 Appear of respiration to the just, 540 
 
 And vengeance to the wicked, at return 
 Of him so lately promised to thy aid, 
 The Woman's Seed ; obscurely then foretold. 
 Now ampler known thy Saviour and thy Lord ; 
 Last, in the clouds, from Heaven to be roveal'd 545 
 In glory of the Father, to dissolve 
 Satan with his perverted world ; then raise 
 From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined. 
 New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, 
 Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love ; 550 
 To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. 
 He ended ; and thus Adam last replied 
 
292 r aRADISE lost. b. XII 
 
 How soon hath thy prediction, Seer bless'd, 
 
 Measured this transient world, the race of time, 
 
 Till time stand fix'd ! Beyond is all abyss, 555 
 
 Eternity, 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 contain ; 
 
 Beyond which was my folly to aspire. 560 
 
 Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, 
 
 And love with fear the only God ; to walk 
 
 As in his presence ; ever to observe 
 
 His providence ; and on liim sole depend, 
 
 Merciful over all his works, with good 565 
 
 Still overcoming evil, and by small 
 
 Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak 
 
 Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise 
 
 By simply meek : that suffering for truth's sake 
 
 Is fortitude to highest victory, 570 
 
 And, xo the faithful, death the gate of life ; 
 
 Taught this by his example, whom I now 
 
 Acknowledge my Redeemer ever bless'd. 
 
 To whom thus also the Angel last replied . 
 This having Icarn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum 575 
 Of wisdom ; hope no higher, though all the stars 
 Thou knew'st by name, and aU the ethereal powers, 
 All secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, 
 Or works of God in Heaven, air, earth, or sea, 
 And all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, 580 
 
 And all the rule, one empire : only add 
 Deeds to thy knowledge answerable ; add faith, 
 Add virtue, patience, temperance ; add love, 
 By name to come call'd charity, the soul 
 Of all the rest : then wilt thou not be loath 585 
 
 To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess 
 A Paradise within thee, happier far. — 
 Let us descend now therefore from this top 
 Of speculation ; for the hour precise 
 Exacts our parting hence ; and see ! the guards, 590 
 
PARADISE LOST 293 
 
 By me encarap'd 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 dreajns have calra'd 595 
 
 Portending good, and all her spirits composed 
 To meek submission : thou, at season fit, 
 Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard ; 
 Chiefly what may concern her faith to knovv, 
 Tho great deUverance by her seed to come 600 
 
 (For by the Woman's seed) on ail mankind • 
 That ye may live, wliich will be many days, 
 Both in one faith unanimous, ihough sad, 
 With cause, for evils past , yet much more cheer'd 
 With meditation on the happy end. 605 
 
 He ended, and they both descend the hill j 
 Descended, Adam to the bower, v/here Eve 
 Lay sleeping, ran before ; but found her waked ; 
 And tlius with words not sad she him received : 
 
 Whence thou return'st, and whither went'st, I know; 
 For God is also in sleep ; and dreams advise, 611 
 
 Which he hath sent propitious, some great good 
 Presaging, since with sorro;/ and heart's distress 
 Wearied I fell asleep : but now lead on ; 
 In me is no delay } with thee to go, 615 
 
 Is to stay here ; without thee hers to stay 
 Is to go hence unwilling ; thou to ma 
 Art all things under Heaven, all places thou, 
 Wlio for ray wilful crime art banish'd hence. 
 This further consolation yet secure 620 
 
 I carry hence ; though all by me is lost, 
 Such favour I unworthy am vouchsafed. 
 By me the Promised Seed shall all restore. 
 
 So spake our mother Eve ; and Adam heard 
 Well pleased, but answer'd not : for now too nig 626 
 The Archangel stood ; and, from the other hill 
 To their fix'd station, all iu bright array 
 The Cherubim descended on the ground 
 25* 
 
294 PARADISE LOST. b. xk 
 
 Gliding mettjorous, aa evening mist 
 
 Risen from a river o'er the marish glides, 630 
 
 And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel 
 
 Homeward returning. High in front advanced, 
 
 The brandish'd sword of God before them blazed, 
 
 Fierce as a comet ; which with torrid heat 
 
 And vapour, as the Libyan air adust, 635 
 
 Began to parch that temperate clime ; whereat 
 
 In either hand the hastening Angel caught 
 
 Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate 
 
 Led them direct, aind down the cliffs first 
 
 To the subjected plain ; then disappeared. G40 
 
 They, looking bick, all the eastern side beheld 
 Of Paradise, so latfe their happy seat, 
 Waved over by thajt Naming brand j the gate 
 With dreadful face^ throng'd, and fiery arms : 
 Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wiped thorn Boon ; 
 The world was all before them, where to choose 646 
 Their place of rest, and Providence their guide : 
 They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, 
 Through Eden took their sohtary way 
 
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