s: ADAMS abode, those loftie shades his Bowre.


s: Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.


s: Thus said, he turnd, and SATAN bowing low,


s: As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,


s: Where honour due and reverence none neglects,


s: Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath,


s: Down from th' Ecliptic, sped with hop'd success,


s: Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele,


s: Nor staid, till on NIPHATES top he lights.


s: O For that warning voice, which he who saw


s: Th' APOCALYPS, heard cry in Heaven aloud,


s: Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,


s: Came furious down to be reveng'd on men,


s: While time was, our first Parents had bin warnd


s: The coming of thir secret foe, and scap'd


s: Haply so scap'd his mortal snare; for now


s: SATAN, now first inflam'd with rage, came down,


s: The Tempter ere th' Accuser of man-kind,


s: Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell:


s: Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold,


s: Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,


s: Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth


s: Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest,


s: And like a devillish Engine back recoiles


s: His troubl'd thoughts, and from the bottom stirr


s: The Hell within him, for within him Hell


s: He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell


s: One step no more then from himself can fly


s: By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair


s: Of what he was, what is, and what must be


s: Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.


s: Sometimes towards EDEN which now in his view


s: Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,


s: Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing Sun,


s: Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre:


s: Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.


s: O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd,


s: Look'st from thy sole Dominion like the God


s: Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs


s: Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call,


s: But with no friendly voice, and add thy name


s: O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams


s: That bring to my remembrance from what state


s: I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare;


s: Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down


s: Warring in Heav'n against Heav'ns matchless King:


s: In that bright eminence, and with his good


s: Upbraided none; nor was his service hard.


s: What could be less then to afford him praise,


s: The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks,


s: How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me,


s: And wrought but malice; lifted up so high


s: I sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher


s: Would set me highest, and in a moment quit


s: So burthensome, still paying, still to ow;


s: Forgetful what from him I still receivd,


s: By owing owes not, but still pays, at once


s: Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?


s: Then happie; no unbounded hope had rais'd


s: As great might have aspir'd, and me though mean


s: Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great


s: Fell not, but stand unshak'n, from within


s: Or from without, to all temptations arm'd.


s: Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?


s: Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,


s: But Heav'ns free Love dealt equally to all?


s: Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,


s: Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will


s: Chose freely what it now so justly rues.


s: Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;


s: Still threatning to devour me opens wide,


s: To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n.


s: O then at last relent: is there no place


s: Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left?


s: None left but by submission; and that word


s: DISDAIN forbids me, and my dread of shame


s: Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd


s: Th' Omnipotent.  Ay me, they little know


s: While they adore me on the Throne of Hell,


s: But say I could repent and could obtaine


s: By Act of Grace my former state; how soon


s: Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay


s: What feign'd submission swore: ease would recant


s: Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc'd so deep:


s: Which would but lead me to a worse relapse


s: And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare


s: Short intermission bought with double smart.


s: This knows my punisher; therefore as farr


s: From granting hee, as I from begging peace:


s: Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight,


s: Mankind created, and for him this World.


s: So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear,


s: By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;


s: As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.


s: Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face


s: Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envie and despair,


s: Which marrd his borrow'd visage, and betraid


s: For heav'nly mindes from such distempers foule


s: Are ever cleer.  Whereof hee soon aware,


s: Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calme,


s: That practisd falshood under saintly shew,


s: Deep malice to conceale, couch't with revenge:


s: URIEL once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him down


s: The way he went, and on th' ASSYRIAN mount


s: Saw him disfigur'd, more then could befall


s: Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce


s: Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green,


s: Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides


s: With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde,


s: Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm,


s: Of stateliest view.  Yet higher then thir tops


s: The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung:


s: Which to our general Sire gave prospect large


s: Into his neather Empire neighbouring round.


s: And higher then that Wall a circling row


s: Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,


s: Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue


s: On which the Sun more glad impress'd his beams


s: Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,


s: When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd


s: That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire


s: Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires


s: All sadness but despair: now gentle gales


s: Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole


s: Those balmie spoiles.  As when to them who saile


s: Beyond the CAPE OF HOPE, and now are past


s: MOZAMBIC, off at Sea North-East windes blow


s: Well pleas'd they slack thir course, and many a League


s: Cheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles.


s: So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend


s: Who came thir bane, though with them better pleas'd


s: That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse


s: Of TOBITS Son, and with a vengeance sent


s: Now to th' ascent of that steep savage Hill


s: SATAN had journied on, pensive and slow;


s: But further way found none, so thick entwin'd,


s: Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext


s: All path of Man or Beast that past that way:


s: One Gate there onely was, and that look'd East


s: On th' other side: which when th' arch-fellon saw


s: Due entrance he disdaind, and in contempt,


s: At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound


s: Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer within


s: Lights on his feet.  As when a prowling Wolfe,


s: Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,


s: Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve


s: Leaps o're the fence with ease into the Fould:


s: Of some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores,


s: Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault,


s: In at the window climbes, or o're the tiles;


s: So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:


s: So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe.


s: Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,


s: The middle Tree and highest there that grew,


s: To them who liv'd; nor on the vertue thought


s: Of that life-giving Plant, but only us'd


s: For prospect, what well us'd had bin the pledge


s: The good before him, but perverts best things


s: Beneath him with new wonder now he views


s: In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,


s: A Heaven on Earth, for blissful Paradise


s: Of God the Garden was, by him in the East


s: Of great SELEUCIA, built by GRECIAN Kings,


s: Dwelt in TELASSAR: in this pleasant soile


s: His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind;


s: Out of the fertil ground he caus'd to grow


s: All Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;


s: And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,


s: Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,


s: Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill.


s: Southward through EDEN went a River large,


s: Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggie hill


s: Pass'd underneath ingulft, for God had thrown


s: That Mountain as his Garden mould high rais'd


s: Upon the rapid current, which through veins


s: Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,


s: Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill


s: Down the steep glade, and met the neather Flood,


s: Which from his darksom passage now appeers,


s: Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme


s: And Country whereof here needs no account,


s: But rather to tell how, if Art could tell,


s: How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks,


s: Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold,


s: Ran Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed


s: Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art


s: In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon


s: Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,


s: Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote


s: The open field, and where the unpierc't shade


s: Imbround the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place,


s: Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,


s: Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde


s: If true, here onely, and of delicious taste:


s: Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks


s: Grasing the tender herb, were interpos'd,


s: Of som irriguous Valley spread her store,


s: Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:


s: Another side, umbrageous Grots and Caves


s: Of coole recess, o're which the mantling Vine


s: Layes forth her purple Grape, and gently creeps


s: Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall


s: Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,


s: That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd,


s: Her chrystall mirror holds, unite thir streams.


s: The Birds thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires,


s: Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune


s: The trembling leaves, while Universal PAN


s: Knit with the GRACES and the HOURS in dance


s: Led on th' Eternal Spring.  Not that faire field


s: Of ENNA, where PROSERPIN gathring flours


s: Was gatherd, which cost CERES all that pain


s: To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove


s: CASTALIAN Spring might with this Paradise


s: Girt with the River TRITON, where old CHAM,


s: Whom Gentiles AMMON call and LIBYAN JOVE,


s: Young BACCHUS from his Stepdame RHEA'S eye;


s: Nor where ABASSIN Kings thir issue Guard,


s: Mount AMARA, though this by som suppos'd


s: By NILUS head, enclos'd with shining Rock,


s: A whole dayes journey high, but wide remote


s: From this ASSYRIAN Garden, where the Fiend


s: Of living Creatures new to sight and strange:


s: And worthie seemd, for in thir looks Divine


s: Truth, Wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure,


s: Severe, but in true filial freedom plac't;


s: Whence true autoritie in men; though both


s: For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,


s: His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar'd


s: Round from his parted forelock manly hung


s: Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:


s: Shee as a vail down to the slender waste


s: Dissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav'd


s: As the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli'd


s: Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,


s: And by her yeilded, by him best receivd,


s: Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride,


s: Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald,


s: Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame


s: Sin-bred, how have ye troubl'd all mankind


s: With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure,


s: And banisht from mans life his happiest life,


s: So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight


s: Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill:


s: So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair


s: ADAM the goodliest man of men since borne


s: His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters EVE.


s: Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side


s: They sat them down, and after no more toil


s: Of thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic'd


s: To recommend coole ZEPHYR, and made ease


s: More grateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell,


s: Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes


s: Yeilded them, side-long as they sat recline


s: On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours:


s: The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde


s: Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream;


s: Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles


s: Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems


s: Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,


s: Alone as they.  About them frisking playd


s: All Beasts of th' Earth, since wilde, and of all chase


s: Dandl'd the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards


s: Gambold before them, th' unwieldy Elephant


s: To make them mirth us'd all his might, & wreathd


s: His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly


s: His breaded train, and of his fatal guile


s: Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass


s: Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,


s: Declin'd was hasting now with prone carreer


s: To th' Ocean Iles, and in th' ascending Scale


s: Of Heav'n the Starrs that usher Evening rose:


s: When SATAN still in gaze, as first he stood,


s: Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.


s: O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,


s: Into our room of bliss thus high advanc't


s: Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,


s: Not Spirits, yet to heav'nly Spirits bright


s: Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue


s: With wonder, and could love, so lively shines


s: In them Divine resemblance, and such grace


s: The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd.


s: Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh


s: Your change approaches, when all these delights


s: More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;


s: Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav'n


s: Ill fenc't for Heav'n to keep out such a foe


s: To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne


s: Though I unpittied: League with you I seek,


s: And mutual amitie so streight, so close,


s: That I with you must dwell, or you with me


s: Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please


s: Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such


s: Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfould,


s: And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,


s: Not like these narrow limits, to receive


s: Your numerous ofspring; if no better place,


s: Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge


s: On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.


s: Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg'd,


s: By conquering this new World, compels me now


s: To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.


s: So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,


s: The Tyrants plea, excus'd his devilish deeds.


s: Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree


s: Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,


s: Now other, as thir shape servd best his end


s: To mark what of thir state he more might learn


s: By word or action markt: about them round


s: A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,


s: Then as a Tiger, who by chance hath spi'd


s: In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,


s: Strait couches close, then rising changes oft


s: His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground


s: Whence rushing he might surest seise them both


s: Grip't in each paw: when ADAM first of men


s: To first of women EVE thus moving speech,


s: Turnd him all eare to heare new utterance flow.


s: Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,


s: Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power


s: That made us, and for us this ample World


s: That rais'd us from the dust and plac't us here


s: Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires


s: This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees


s: So various, not to taste that onely Tree


s: Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,


s: So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is,


s: Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst


s: God hath pronounc't it death to taste that Tree,


s: Earth, Aire, and Sea.  Then let us not think hard


s: Free leave so large to all things else, and choice


s: His bountie, following our delightful task


s: To prune these growing Plants, & tend these Flours,


s: Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.


s: To whom thus Eve repli'd.  O thou for whom


s: And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,


s: And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.


s: Like consort to thy self canst no where find.


s: That day I oft remember, when from sleep


s: I first awak't, and found my self repos'd


s: Under a shade on flours, much wondring where


s: And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.


s: Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound


s: Pure as th' expanse of Heav'n; I thither went


s: With unexperienc't thought, and laid me downe


s: On the green bank, to look into the cleer


s: Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.


s: It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,


s: Pleas'd it returnd as soon with answering looks


s: Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire,


s: Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,


s: What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,


s: With thee it came and goes: but follow me,


s: And I will bring thee where no shadow staies


s: Whose image thou art, him thou shall enjoy


s: Multitudes like thy self, and thence be call'd


s: Till I espi'd thee, fair indeed and tall,


s: Under a Platan, yet methought less faire,


s: Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd,


s: Thou following cryd'st aloud, Return fair EVE,


s: Whom fli'st thou? whom thou fli'st, of him thou art,


s: His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent


s: Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart


s: Substantial Life, to have thee by my side


s: Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim


s: My other half: with that thy gentle hand


s: Seisd mine, I yeilded, and from that time see


s: So spake our general Mother, and with eyes


s: And meek surrender, half imbracing leand


s: On our first Father, half her swelling Breast


s: Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms


s: On JUNO smiles, when he impregns the Clouds


s: That shed MAY Flowers; and press'd her Matron lip


s: For envie, yet with jealous leer maligne


s: Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plaind.


s: Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two


s: Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,


s: Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,


s: Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines;


s: Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd


s: From thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:


s: One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call'd,


s: Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidd'n?


s: Suspicious, reasonless.  Why should thir Lord


s: Can it be death? and do they onely stand


s: By Ignorance, is that thir happie state,


s: The proof of thir obedience and thir faith?


s: Thir ruine!  Hence I will excite thir minds


s: To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt


s: They taste and die: what likelier can ensue?


s: But first with narrow search I must walk round


s: This Garden, and no corner leave unspi'd;


s: A chance but chance may lead where I may meet


s: Some wandring Spirit of Heav'n, by Fountain side,


s: Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw


s: What further would be learnt.  Live while ye may,


s: Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed.


s: So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd,


s: Through wood, through waste, o're hil, o're dale his roam.


s: Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heav'n


s: With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun


s: Conspicuous farr, winding with one ascent


s: Accessible from Earth, one entrance high;


s: The rest was craggie cliff, that overhung


s: Betwixt these rockie Pillars GABRIEL sat


s: Chief of th' Angelic Guards, awaiting night;


s: Th' unarmed Youth of Heav'n, but nigh at hand


s: Hung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold.


s: Thither came URIEL, gliding through the Eeven


s: On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr


s: In AUTUMN thwarts the night, when vapors fir'd


s: From what point of his Compass to beware


s: Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste.


s: GABRIEL, to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv'n


s: Charge and strict watch that to this happie place


s: This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare


s: A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know


s: More of th' Almighties works, and chiefly Man


s: Bent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate;


s: But in the Mount that lies from EDEN North,


s: Where he first lighted, soon discernd his looks


s: Alien from Heav'n, with passions foul obscur'd:


s: Mine eye pursu'd him still, but under shade


s: Lost sight of him; one of the banisht crew


s: I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep, to raise


s: New troubles; him thy care must be to find.


s: To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd:


s: Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst,


s: See farr and wide: in at this Gate none pass


s: The vigilance here plac't, but such as come


s: Well known from Heav'n; and since Meridian hour


s: No Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort,


s: So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds


s: On purpose, hard thou knowst it to exclude


s: Spiritual substance with corporeal barr.


s: But if within the circuit of these walks


s: Thou telst, by morrow dawning I shall know.


s: So promis'd hee, and URIEL to his charge


s: Returnd on that bright beam, whose point now raisd


s: Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall'n


s: Beneath th' AZORES; whither the prime Orb,


s: Incredible how swift, had thither rowl'd


s: By shorter flight to th' East, had left him there


s: The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend:


s: Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight gray


s: Had in her sober Liverie all things clad;


s: Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird,


s: They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir Nests


s: Were slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale;


s: She all night long her amorous descant sung;


s: Silence was pleas'd: now glow'd the Firmament


s: The starrie Host, rode brightest, till the Moon


s: Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,


s: And o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw.


s: When ADAM thus to EVE: Fair Consort, th' hour


s: Of night, and all things now retir'd to rest


s: Mind us of like repose, since God hath set


s: Labour and rest, as day and night to men


s: Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines


s: Our eye-lids; other Creatures all day long


s: Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest;


s: And the regard of Heav'n on all his waies;


s: And of thir doings God takes no account.


s: Tomorrow ere fresh Morning streak the East


s: With first approach of light, we must be ris'n,


s: Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,


s: Our walks at noon, with branches overgrown,


s: That mock our scant manuring, and require


s: More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth:


s: Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms,


s: That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth,


s: Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease;


s: Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.


s: To whom thus EVE with perfet beauty adornd.


s: God is thy Law, thou mine: to know no more


s: Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise.


s: All seasons and thir change, all please alike.


s: Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,


s: With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun


s: When first on this delightful Land he spreads


s: His orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour,


s: Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earth


s: After soft showers; and sweet the coming on


s: Of grateful Eevning milde, then silent Night


s: With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon,


s: And these the Gemms of Heav'n, her starrie train:


s: But neither breath of Morn when she ascends


s: With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising Sun


s: On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure,


s: Glistring with dew, nor fragrance after showers,


s: Nor grateful Evening mild, nor silent Night


s: With this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon,


s: Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet.


s: But wherfore all night long shine these, for whom


s: This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?


s: Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht EVE,


s: Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth,


s: By morrow Eevning, and from Land to Land


s: Ministring light prepar'd, they set and rise;


s: Least total darkness should by Night regaine


s: In Nature and all things, which these soft fires


s: Not only enlighten, but with kindly heate


s: Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow


s: Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray.


s: These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,


s: Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none,


s: That heav'n would want spectators, God want praise;


s: Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth


s: Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:


s: All these with ceasless praise his works behold


s: Both day and night: how often from the steep


s: Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard


s: Singing thir great Creator: oft in bands


s: While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk


s: With Heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds


s: In full harmonic number joind, thir songs


s: Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.


s: Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd


s: On to thir blissful Bower; it was a place


s: Chos'n by the sovran Planter, when he fram'd


s: All things to mans delightful use; the roofe


s: Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side


s: Fenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,


s: Rear'd high thir flourisht heads between, and wrought


s: Broiderd the ground, more colour'd then with stone


s: Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here


s: Beast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst enter none;


s: Such was thir awe of man.  In shadier Bower


s: More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,


s: Nor FAUNUS haunted.  Here in close recess


s: With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs


s: Espoused EVE deckt first her Nuptial Bed,


s: Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd,


s: Endowd with all thir gifts, and O too like


s: Mankind with her faire looks, to be aveng'd


s: On him who had stole JOVES authentic fire.


s: Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv'd, both stood,


s: The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth & Heav'n


s: Which they beheld, the Moons resplendent Globe


s: And starrie Pole: Thou also mad'st the Night,


s: And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss


s: Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place


s: For us too large, where thy abundance wants


s: Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.


s: But thou hast promis'd from us two a Race


s: To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll


s: Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,


s: And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.


s: Which God likes best, into thir inmost bower


s: Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off


s: These troublesom disguises which wee wear,


s: Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene


s: ADAM from his fair Spouse, nor EVE the Rites


s: Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.


s: Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain


s: Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source


s: By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men


s: Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee


s: Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.


s: Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,


s: Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,


s: Whose Bed is undefil'd and chast pronounc't,


s: Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd.


s: Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights


s: His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,


s: Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile


s: Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,


s: Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,


s: Or Serenate, which the starv'd Lover sings


s: To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.


s: These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept,


s: And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof


s: Showrd Roses, which the Morn repair'd.  Sleep on,


s: Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek


s: No happier state, and know to know no more.


s: Now had night measur'd with her shaddowie Cone


s: Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,


s: Forth issuing at th' accustomd hour stood armd


s: To thir night watches in warlike Parade,


s: When GABRIEL to his next in power thus spake.


s: UZZIEL, half these draw off, and coast the South


s: With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,


s: Our circuit meets full West.  As flame they part


s: Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear.


s: From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld


s: That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.


s: Search through this Garden, leav unsearcht no nook,


s: But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge,


s: Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.


s: This Eevning from the Sun's decline arriv'd


s: Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd


s: The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:


s: Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.


s: Daz'ling the Moon; these to the Bower direct


s: In search of whom they sought: him there they found


s: Squat like a Toad, close at the eare of EVE;


s: The Organs of her Fancie, and with them forge


s: Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,


s: Th' animal Spirits that from pure blood arise


s: Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise


s: At least distemperd, discontented thoughts,


s: Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate desires


s: Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.


s: Touch'd lightly; for no falshood can endure


s: Of force to its own likeness: up he starts


s: Discoverd and surpriz'd.  As when a spark


s: Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid


s: Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graine


s: With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the Aire:


s: So started up in his own shape the Fiend.


s: Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd


s: Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.


s: Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to Hell


s: Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison, and transform'd,


s: Here watching at the head of these that sleep?


s: Know ye not then said SATAN, filld with scorn,


s: For you, there sitting where ye durst not soare;


s: Not to know mee argues your selves unknown,


s: The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,


s: Your message, like to end as much in vain?


s: To whom thus ZEPHON, answering scorn with scorn.


s: Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,


s: As when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure;


s: That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,


s: Departed from thee, and thou resembl'st now


s: Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule.


s: But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account


s: To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep


s: This place inviolable, and these from harm.


s: So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke


s: Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pin'd


s: His loss; but chiefly to find here observd


s: Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,


s: Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,


s: Or less be lost.  Thy fear, said ZEPHON bold,


s: Will save us trial what the least can doe


s: Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.


s: The Fiend repli'd not, overcome with rage;


s: But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,


s: Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie


s: He held it vain; awe from above had quelld


s: His heart, not else dismai'd.  Now drew they nigh


s: The western point, where those half-rounding guards


s: Just met, & closing stood in squadron joind


s: Awaiting next command.  To whom thir Chief


s: GABRIEL from the Front thus calld aloud.


s: O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet


s: Hasting this way, and now by glimps discerne


s: And with them comes a third of Regal port,


s: And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,


s: Not likely to part hence without contest;


s: Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.


s: He scarce had ended, when those two approachd


s: And brief related whom they brought, wher found,


s: How busied, in what form and posture coucht.


s: To whom with stern regard thus GABRIEL spake.


s: Why hast thou, SATAN, broke the bounds prescrib'd


s: To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge


s: Of others, who approve not to transgress


s: By thy example, but have power and right


s: To question thy bold entrance on this place;


s: Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep, and those


s: Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?


s: To whom thus SATAN with contemptuous brow.


s: GABRIEL, thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise,


s: And such I held thee; but this question askt


s: Puts me in doubt.  Lives ther who loves his pain?


s: Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,


s: Though thither doomd?  Thou wouldst thy self, no doubt,


s: Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change


s: Dole with delight, which in this place I sought;


s: To thee no reason; who knowst only good,


s: But evil hast not tri'd: and wilt object


s: His will who bound us? let him surer barr


s: In that dark durance: thus much what was askt.


s: The rest is true, they found me where they say;


s: Thus hee in scorn.  The warlike Angel mov'd,


s: O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise,


s: Since SATAN fell, whom follie overthrew,


s: And now returns him from his prison scap't,


s: Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise


s: Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither


s: Unlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd;


s: So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,


s: Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight


s: Seavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,


s: Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain


s: But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee


s: Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them


s: Less pain, less to be fled, or thou then they


s: Less hardie to endure? courageous Chief,


s: The first in flight from pain, had'st thou alleg'd


s: To thy deserted host this cause of flight,


s: Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.


s: To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.


s: Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,


s: Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood


s: Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aide


s: The blasting volied Thunder made all speed


s: And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear.


s: But still thy words at random, as before,


s: From hard assaies and ill successes past


s: Through wayes of danger by himself untri'd.


s: Fame is not silent, here in hope to find


s: To settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire;


s: Though for possession put to try once more


s: What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;


s: Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord


s: High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymne his Throne,


s: And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.


s: To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd.


s: To say and strait unsay, pretending first


s: Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,


s: SATAN, and couldst thou faithful add?  O name,


s: Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?


s: Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd,


s: Allegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream?


s: And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem


s: Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilly ador'd


s: Heav'ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope


s: To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?


s: But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;


s: Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre


s: Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,


s: Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind,


s: And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorne


s: The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.


s: So threatn'd hee, but SATAN to no threats


s: Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli'd.


s: Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines,


s: Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel


s: From my prevailing arme, though Heavens King


s: Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers,


s: Us'd to the yoak, draw'st his triumphant wheels


s: In progress through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd.


s: While thus he spake, th' Angelic Squadron bright


s: Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes


s: Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round


s: With ported Spears, as thick as when a field


s: Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind


s: Swayes them; the careful Plowman doubting stands


s: Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves


s: Prove chaff.  On th' other side SATAN allarm'd


s: His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest


s: Sat horror Plum'd; nor wanted in his graspe


s: What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds


s: At least had gon to rack, disturbd and torne


s: With violence of this conflict, had not soon


s: Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales, yet seen


s: Wherein all things created first he weighd,


s: The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire


s: In counterpoise, now ponders all events,


s: Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights


s: The sequel each of parting and of fight;


s: The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;


s: Which GABRIEL spying, thus bespake the Fiend.


s: SATAN, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine,


s: Neither our own but giv'n; what follie then


s: To boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more


s: Then Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubld now


s: To trample thee as mire: for proof look up,


s: Where thou art weigh'd, & shown how light, how weak,


s: If thou resist.  The Fiend lookt up and knew


s: His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled


s: Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.


s: Now Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime


s: Advancing, sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle,


s: When ADAM wak't, so customd, for his sleep


s: Was Aerie light, from pure digestion bred,


s: And temperat vapors bland, which th' only sound


s: Of leaves and fuming rills, AURORA's fan,


s: Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill Matin Song


s: Of Birds on every bough; so much the more


s: With Tresses discompos'd, and glowing Cheek,


s: Leaning half-rais'd, with looks of cordial Love


s: Beautie, which whether waking or asleep,


s: Shot forth peculiar Graces; then with voice


s: Milde, as when ZEPHYRUS on FLORA breathes,


s: Her hand soft touching, whisperd thus.  Awake


s: My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found,


s: Heav'ns last best gift, my ever new delight,


s: Awake, the morning shines, and the fresh field


s: Calls us, we lose the prime, to mark how spring


s: Our tended Plants, how blows the Citron Grove,


s: What drops the Myrrhe, & what the balmie Reed,


s: How Nature paints her colours, how the Bee


s: Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet.


s: Such whispering wak'd her, but with startl'd eye


s: On ADAM, whom imbracing, thus she spake.


s: O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,


s: Thy face, and Morn return'd, for I this Night,


s: Such night till this I never pass'd, have dream'd,


s: If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee,


s: Works of day pass't, or morrows next designe,


s: But of offence and trouble, which my mind


s: Knew never till this irksom night; methought


s: Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk


s: With gentle voice, I thought it thine; it said,


s: Why sleepst thou EVE? now is the pleasant time,


s: The cool, the silent, save where silence yields


s: To the night-warbling Bird, that now awake


s: Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song; now reignes


s: Full Orb'd the Moon, and with more pleasing light


s: Shadowie sets off the face of things; in vain,


s: If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes,


s: Whom to behold but thee, Natures desire,


s: In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment


s: I rose as at thy call, but found thee not;


s: And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways


s: Of interdicted Knowledge: fair it seem'd,


s: And as I wondring lookt, beside it stood


s: One shap'd & wing'd like one of those from Heav'n


s: By us oft seen; his dewie locks distill'd


s: And O fair Plant, said he, with fruit surcharg'd,


s: Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet,


s: Nor God, nor Man; is Knowledge so despis'd?


s: Or envie, or what reserve forbids to taste?


s: Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold


s: Longer thy offerd good, why else set here?


s: This said he paus'd not, but with ventrous Arme


s: He pluckt, he tasted; mee damp horror chil'd


s: At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold:


s: Sweet of thy self, but much more sweet thus cropt,


s: And why not Gods of Men, since good, the more


s: The Author not impair'd, but honourd more?


s: Here, happie Creature, fair Angelic EVE,


s: Partake thou also; happie though thou art,


s: Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be:


s: Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods


s: Thy self a Goddess, not to Earth confind,


s: But somtimes in the Air, as wee, somtimes


s: Ascend to Heav'n, by merit thine, and see


s: What life the Gods live there, and such live thou.


s: So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,


s: Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part


s: Which he had pluckt; the pleasant savourie smell


s: So quick'nd appetite, that I, methought,


s: Could not but taste.  Forthwith up to the Clouds


s: The Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wide


s: And various: wondring at my flight and change


s: My Guide was gon, and I, me thought, sunk down,


s: To find this but a dream!  Thus EVE her Night


s: The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep


s: This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear;


s: Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,


s: Created pure.  But know that in the Soule


s: Reason as chief; among these Fansie next


s: Her office holds; of all external things,


s: Which the five watchful Senses represent,


s: Which Reason joyning or disjoyning, frames


s: All what we affirm or what deny, and call


s: Into her private Cell when Nature rests.


s: Wilde work produces oft, and most in dreams,


s: Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.


s: Of our last Eevnings talk, in this thy dream,


s: But with addition strange; yet be not sad.


s: May come and go, so unapprov'd, and leave


s: No spot or blame behind: Which gives me hope


s: That what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream,


s: Be not disheart'nd then, nor cloud those looks


s: That wont to be more chearful and serene


s: Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World,


s: And let us to our fresh imployments rise


s: That open now thir choicest bosom'd smells


s: Reservd from night, and kept for thee in store.


s: So cheard he his fair Spouse, and she was cheard,


s: From either eye, and wip'd them with her haire;


s: Two other precious drops that ready stood,


s: Each in thir chrystal sluce, hee ere they fell


s: Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse


s: And pious awe, that feard to have offended.


s: So all was cleard, and to the Field they haste.


s: But first from under shadie arborous roof,


s: Soon as they forth were come to open sight


s: Of day-spring, and the Sun, who scarce up risen


s: With wheels yet hov'ring o're the Ocean brim,


s: Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray,


s: Discovering in wide Lantskip all the East


s: In various style, for neither various style


s: Thir Maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sung


s: Flowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse,


s: To add more sweetness, and they thus began.


s: These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,


s: Thus wondrous fair; thy self how wondrous then!


s: Unspeakable, who sitst above these Heavens


s: In these thy lowest works, yet these declare


s: Thy goodness beyond thought, and Power Divine:


s: Speak yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light,


s: Angels, for yee behold him, and with songs


s: And choral symphonies, Day without Night,


s: Circle his Throne rejoycing, yee in Heav'n,


s: On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extoll


s: Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.


s: Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night,


s: Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling Morn


s: With thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy Spheare


s: While day arises, that sweet hour of Prime.


s: Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule,


s: Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praise


s: In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st,


s: And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst.


s: Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'st


s: With the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies,


s: And yee five other wandring Fires that move


s: In mystic Dance not without Song, resound


s: His praise, who out of Darkness call'd up Light.


s: And nourish all things, let your ceasless change


s: Varie to our great Maker still new praise.


s: From Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey,


s: Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold,


s: In honour to the Worlds great Author rise,


s: Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie,


s: Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers,


s: Rising or falling still advance his praise.


s: His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow,


s: Breath soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,


s: With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave.


s: Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow,


s: Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.


s: Joyn voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds,


s: Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;


s: Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk


s: The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;


s: To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shade


s: Made vocal by my Song, and taught his praise.


s: Have gathered aught of evil or conceald,


s: Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.


s: So pray'd they innocent, and to thir thoughts


s: Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm.


s: On to thir mornings rural work they haste


s: Among sweet dewes and flours; where any row


s: Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr


s: Thir pamperd boughes, and needed hands to check


s: Fruitless imbraces: or they led the Vine


s: To wed her Elm; she spous'd about him twines


s: Her mariageable arms, and with her brings


s: His barren leaves.  Them thus imploid beheld


s: With pittie Heav'ns high King, and to him call'd


s: RAPHAEL, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd


s: His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid.


s: RAPHAEL, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on Earth


s: SATAN from Hell scap't through the darksom Gulf


s: Hath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbd


s: This night the human pair, how he designes


s: Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend


s: Converse with ADAM, in what Bowre or shade


s: Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd,


s: Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,


s: Happiness in his power left free to will,


s: Left to his own free Will, his Will though free,


s: He swerve not too secure: tell him withall


s: Late falln himself from Heav'n, is plotting now


s: The fall of others from like state of bliss;


s: By violence, no, for that shall be withstood,


s: But by deceit and lies; this let him know,


s: So spake th' Eternal Father, and fulfilld


s: All Justice: nor delaid the winged Saint


s: After his charge receivd, but from among


s: Thousand Celestial Ardors, where he stood


s: Vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light


s: Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic Quires


s: On each hand parting, to his speed gave way


s: Through all th' Empyreal road; till at the Gate


s: Of Heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-opend wide


s: Divine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd.


s: From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,


s: Starr interpos'd, however small he sees,


s: Earth and the Gard'n of God, with Cedars crownd


s: Above all Hills.  As when by night the Glass


s: A cloudy spot.  Down thither prone in flight


s: He speeds, and through the vast Ethereal Skie


s: Sailes between worlds & worlds, with steddie wing


s: Now on the polar windes, then with quick Fann


s: Winnows the buxom Air; till within soare


s: Of Towring Eagles, to all the Fowles he seems


s: A PHOENIX, gaz'd by all, as that sole Bird


s: When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun's


s: At once on th' Eastern cliff of Paradise


s: He lights, and to his proper shape returns


s: A Seraph wingd; six wings he wore, to shade


s: His lineaments Divine; the pair that clad


s: Each shoulder broad, came mantling o're his brest


s: Girt like a Starrie Zone his waste, and round


s: Skirted his loines and thighes with downie Gold


s: And colours dipt in Heav'n; the third his feet


s: Shaddowd from either heele with featherd maile


s: Skie-tinctur'd grain.  Like MAIA'S son he stood,


s: And shook his Plumes, that Heav'nly fragrance filld


s: The circuit wide.  Strait knew him all the bands


s: Of Angels under watch; and to his state,


s: For on som message high they guessd him bound.


s: Thir glittering Tents he passd, and now is come


s: Into the blissful field, through Groves of Myrrhe,


s: And flouring Odours, Cassia, Nard, and Balme;


s: Wantond as in her prime, and plaid at will


s: Her Virgin Fancies, pouring forth more sweet,


s: Wilde above rule or art; enormous bliss.


s: Him through the spicie Forrest onward com


s: Of his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun


s: Shot down direct his fervid Raies, to warme


s: Earths inmost womb, more warmth then ADAM need;


s: And EVE within, due at her hour prepar'd


s: For dinner savourie fruits, of taste to please


s: Of nectarous draughts between, from milkie stream,


s: Berrie or Grape: to whom thus ADAM call'd.


s: Haste hither EVE, and worth thy sight behold


s: Eastward among those Trees, what glorious shape


s: Comes this way moving; seems another Morn


s: Ris'n on mid-noon; som great behest from Heav'n


s: To us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafe


s: This day to be our Guest.  But goe with speed,


s: And what thy stores contain, bring forth and poure


s: Our Heav'nly stranger; well we may afford


s: Our givers thir own gifts, and large bestow


s: From large bestowd, where Nature multiplies


s: Her fertil growth, and by disburd'ning grows


s: More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.


s: To whom thus EVE. ADAM, earths hallowd mould,


s: Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store,


s: All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;


s: Save what by frugal storing firmness gains


s: To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes:


s: But I will haste and from each bough and break,


s: Each Plant & juciest Gourd will pluck such choice


s: Beholding shall confess that here on Earth


s: God hath dispenst his bounties as in Heav'n.


s: So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste


s: She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent


s: What choice to chuse for delicacie best,


s: Tastes, not well joynd, inelegant, but bring


s: Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change,


s: Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk


s: Whatever Earth all-bearing Mother yeilds


s: ALCINOUS reign'd, fruit of all kindes, in coate,


s: Rough, or smooth rin'd, or bearded husk, or shell


s: She gathers, Tribute large, and on the board


s: Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the Grape


s: She crushes, inoffensive moust, and meathes


s: From many a berrie, and from sweet kernels prest


s: She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold


s: Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground


s: With Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum'd.


s: Mean while our Primitive great Sire, to meet


s: His god-like Guest, walks forth, without more train


s: Perfections, in himself was all his state,


s: More solemn then the tedious pomp that waits


s: Of Horses led, and Grooms besmeard with Gold


s: Dazles the croud, and sets them all agape.


s: Neerer his presence ADAM though not awd,


s: Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,


s: Thus said.  Native of Heav'n, for other place


s: None can then Heav'n such glorious shape contain;


s: Since by descending from the Thrones above,


s: Those happie places thou hast deignd a while


s: To want, and honour these, voutsafe with us


s: Two onely, who yet by sov'ran gift possess


s: This spacious ground, in yonder shadie Bowre


s: To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears


s: To sit and taste, till this meridian heat


s: Be over, and the Sun more coole decline.


s: Whom thus the Angelic Vertue answerd milde.


s: ADAM, I therefore came, nor art thou such


s: Created, or such place hast here to dwell,


s: As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav'n


s: To visit thee; lead on then where thy Bowre


s: Oreshades; for these mid-hours, till Eevning rise


s: They came, that like POMONA'S Arbour smil'd


s: With flourets deck't and fragrant smells; but EVE


s: Undeckt, save with her self more lovely fair


s: Then Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd


s: Of three that in Mount IDA naked strove,


s: Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no vaile


s: Shee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirme


s: Alterd her cheek.  On whom the Angel HAILE


s: Haile Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful Womb


s: Shall fill the World more numerous with thy Sons


s: Then with these various fruits the Trees of God


s: Have heap'd this Table.  Rais'd of grassie terf


s: Thir Table was, and mossie seats had round,


s: And on her ample Square from side to side


s: All AUTUMN pil'd, though SPRING and AUTUMN here


s: Danc'd hand in hand.  A while discourse they hold;


s: No fear lest Dinner coole; when thus began


s: Our Authour.  Heav'nly stranger, please to taste


s: These bounties which our Nourisher, from whom


s: All perfet good unmeasur'd out, descends,


s: To us for food and for delight hath caus'd


s: The Earth to yeild; unsavourie food perhaps


s: To whom the Angel.  Therefore what he gives


s: (Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part


s: Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found


s: No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure


s: Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,


s: The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,


s: Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those Fires


s: Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd


s: Vapours not yet into her substance turnd.


s: From her moist Continent to higher Orbes.


s: The Sun that light imparts to all, receives


s: Sups with the Ocean: though in Heav'n the Trees


s: Of life ambrosial frutage bear, and vines


s: Yeild Nectar, though from off the boughs each Morn


s: We brush mellifluous Dewes, and find the ground


s: Cover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here


s: As may compare with Heaven; and to taste


s: Think not I shall be nice.  So down they sat,


s: The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss


s: To transubstantiate; what redounds, transpires


s: Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fire


s: As from the Mine.  Mean while at Table EVE


s: With pleasant liquors crown'd: O innocence


s: Then had the Sons of God excuse to have bin


s: Enamour'd at that sight; but in those hearts


s: Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousie


s: Was understood, the injur'd Lovers Hell.


s: Thus when with meats & drinks they had suffic'd,


s: Given him by this great Conference to know


s: Of things above his World, and of thir being


s: Who dwell in Heav'n, whose excellence he saw


s: Transcend his own so farr, whose radiant forms


s: Divine effulgence, whose high Power so far


s: Thus to th' Empyreal Minister he fram'd.


s: Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaf't


s: To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,


s: As that more willingly thou couldst not seem


s: At Heav'ns high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?


s: All things proceed, and up to him return,


s: Such to perfection, one first matter all,


s: Indu'd with various forms, various degrees


s: Of substance, and in things that live, of life;


s: But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure,


s: As neerer to him plac't or neerer tending


s: Each in thir several active Sphears assignd,


s: Proportiond to each kind.  So from the root


s: Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves


s: More aerie, last the bright consummate floure


s: Spirits odorous breathes: flours and thir fruit


s: Mans nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'd


s: To intellectual, give both life and sense,


s: Fansie and understanding, whence the soule


s: Reason receives, and reason is her being,


s: Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,


s: Differing but in degree, of kind the same.


s: Wonder not then, what God for you saw good


s: To proper substance; time may come when men


s: No inconvenient Diet, nor too light Fare:


s: And from these corporal nutriments perhaps


s: Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit


s: Improv'd by tract of time, and wingd ascend


s: Whose progenie you are.  Mean while enjoy


s: Your fill what happiness this happie state


s: To whom the Patriarch of mankind repli'd.


s: Well hast thou taught the way that might direct


s: Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set


s: By steps we may ascend to God.  But say,


s: What meant that caution joind, IF YE BE FOUND


s: Who formd us from the dust, and plac'd us here


s: Full to the utmost measure of what bliss


s: To whom the Angel.  Son of Heav'n and Earth,


s: Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God;


s: That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self,


s: That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.


s: This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd.


s: He left it in thy power, ordaind thy will


s: Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for how


s: Can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serve


s: Willing or no, who will but what they must


s: My self and all th' Angelic Host that stand


s: In sight of God enthron'd, our happie state


s: Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;


s: To love or not; in this we stand or fall:


s: And som are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n,


s: And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall


s: From what high state of bliss into what woe!


s: To whom our great Progenitor.  Thy words


s: Divine instructer, I have heard, then when


s: Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills


s: Single, is yet so just, my constant thoughts


s: Assur'd me and still assure: though what thou tellst


s: Hath past in Heav'n, som doubt within me move,


s: But more desire to hear, if thou consent,


s: The full relation, which must needs be strange,


s: And we have yet large day, for scarce the Sun


s: Hath finisht half his journey, and scarce begins


s: His other half in the great Zone of Heav'n.


s: After short pause assenting, thus began.


s: High matter thou injoinst me, O prime of men,


s: Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate


s: And perfet while they stood; how last unfould


s: This is dispenc't, and what surmounts the reach


s: By lik'ning spiritual to corporal forms,


s: As may express them best, though what if Earth


s: Be but the shaddow of Heav'n, and things therein


s: Each to other like, more then on earth is thought?


s: As yet this world was not, and CHAOS wilde


s: Reignd where these Heav'ns now rowl, where Earth now rests


s: By present, past, and future) on such day


s: As Heav'ns great Year brings forth, th' Empyreal Host


s: Innumerable before th' Almighties Throne


s: Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appeerd


s: Ten thousand thousand Ensignes high advanc'd,


s: Standards, and Gonfalons twixt Van and Reare


s: Streame in the Aire, and for distinction serve


s: Or in thir glittering Tissues bear imblaz'd


s: Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.


s: Hear my Decree, which unrevok't shall stand.


s: At my right hand; your Head I him appoint;


s: And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow


s: All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord:


s: Mee disobeyes, breaks union, and that day


s: Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls


s: Into utter darkness, deep ingulft, his place


s: Ordaind without redemption, without end.


s: So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his words


s: All seemd well pleas'd, all seem'd, but were not all.


s: That day, as other solem dayes, they spent


s: In song and dance about the sacred Hill,


s: Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare


s: Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles


s: Then most, when most irregular they seem:


s: So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear


s: (For we have also our Eevning and our Morn,


s: We ours for change delectable, not need)


s: Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn


s: With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows:


s: Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heav'n.


s: They eat, they drink, and with refection sweet


s: Are fill'd, before th' all bounteous King, who showrd


s: With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy.


s: Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'd


s: From that high mount of God, whence light & shade


s: Spring both, the face of brightest Heav'n had changd


s: To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there


s: In darker veile) and roseat Dews dispos'd


s: All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,


s: Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred,


s: (Such are the Courts of God) Th' Angelic throng


s: Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend


s: By living Streams among the Trees of Life,


s: Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course


s: Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd


s: Is heard no more Heav'n; he of the first,


s: If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power,


s: With envie against the Son of God, that day


s: Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd


s: Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaird.


s: Deep malice thence conceiving & disdain,


s: Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre


s: Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd


s: With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave


s: Sleepst thou Companion dear, what sleep can close


s: Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what Decree


s: Of yesterday, so late hath past the lips


s: Of Heav'ns Almightie.  Thou to me thy thoughts


s: Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart;


s: Both waking we were one; how then can now


s: Thy sleep dissent? new Laws thou seest impos'd;


s: New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise


s: In us who serve, new Counsels, to debate


s: What doubtful may ensue, more in this place


s: Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief;


s: Tell them that by command, ere yet dim Night


s: Her shadowie Cloud withdraws, I am to haste,


s: Homeward with flying march where we possess


s: The Quarters of the North, there to prepare


s: The great MESSIAH, and his new commands,


s: Who speedily through all the Hierarchies


s: Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws.


s: So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus'd


s: Or several one by one, the Regent Powers,


s: Under him Regent, tells, as he was taught,


s: That the most High commanding, now ere Night,


s: Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n,


s: The great Hierarchal Standard was to move;


s: Tells the suggested cause, and casts between


s: Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound


s: Of thir great Potentate; for great indeed


s: His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n;


s: His count'nance, as the Morning Starr that guides


s: The starrie flock, allur'd them, and with lyes


s: Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host:


s: Mean while th' Eternal eye, whose sight discernes


s: Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy Mount


s: And from within the golden Lamps that burne


s: Nightly before him, saw without thir light


s: Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spred


s: In full resplendence, Heir of all my might,


s: Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne


s: Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;


s: Nor so content, hath in his thought to trie


s: In battel, what our Power is, or our right.


s: With speed what force is left, and all imploy


s: This our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.


s: To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer


s: Made answer.  Mightie Father, thou thy foes


s: Laugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain,


s: Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power


s: Giv'n me to quell thir pride, and in event


s: Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n.


s: So spake the Son, but SATAN with his Powers


s: Farr was advanc't on winged speed, an Host


s: Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the Sun


s: Impearls on every leaf and every flouer.


s: Regions they pass'd, the mightie Regencies


s: In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which


s: Then what this Garden is to all the Earth,


s: And all the Sea, from one entire globose


s: Stretcht into Longitude; which having pass'd


s: Rais'd on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs


s: From Diamond Quarries hew'n, & Rocks of Gold,


s: MESSIAH was declar'd in sight of Heav'n,


s: The Mountain of the Congregation call'd;


s: Thither to come, and with calumnious Art


s: Of counterfeted truth thus held thir ears.


s: All Power, and us eclipst under the name


s: Of King anointed, for whom all this haste


s: Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,


s: Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,


s: Too much to one, but double how endur'd,


s: Our minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke?


s: Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bend


s: The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust


s: To know ye right, or if ye know your selves


s: Natives and Sons of Heav'n possest before


s: By none, and if not equal all, yet free,


s: Jarr not with liberty, but well consist.


s: His equals, if in power and splendor less,


s: Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord,


s: Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve?


s: Thus farr his bold discourse without controule


s: ABDIEL, then whom none with more zeale ador'd


s: Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severe


s: O argument blasphemous, false and proud!


s: Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav'n


s: Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate


s: In place thy self so high above thy Peeres.


s: Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne


s: The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn,


s: With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav'n


s: Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due


s: Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist


s: Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free,


s: Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute


s: With him the points of libertie, who made


s: Thee what thou art, & formd the Pow'rs of Heav'n


s: Such as he pleasd, and circumscrib'd thir being?


s: Yet by experience taught we know how good,


s: How provident he is, how farr from thought


s: Our happie state under one Head more neer


s: Thy self though great & glorious dost thou count,


s: All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'n


s: Crownd them with Glory, & to thir Glory nam'd


s: Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur'd,


s: But more illustrious made, since he the Head


s: His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done


s: Returns our own.  Cease then this impious rage,


s: And tempt not these; but hast'n to appease


s: Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,


s: While Pardon may be found in time besought.


s: So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale


s: Th' Apostat, and more haughty thus repli'd.


s: That we were formd then saist thou? & the work


s: From Father to his Son? strange point and new!


s: Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw


s: Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?


s: We know no time when we were not as now;


s: Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd


s: By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course


s: Had circl'd his full Orbe, the birth mature


s: Of this our native Heav'n, Ethereal Sons.


s: Our puissance is our own, our own right hand


s: Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try


s: Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold


s: Address, and to begirt th' Almighty Throne


s: These tidings carrie to th' anointed King;


s: He said, and as the sound of waters deep


s: Hoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause


s: Through the infinite Host, nor less for that


s: The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone


s: Encompass'd round with foes, thus answerd bold.


s: Determind, and thy hapless crew involv'd


s: In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred


s: Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth


s: No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke


s: Will not be now voutsaf't, other Decrees


s: Against thee are gon forth without recall;


s: That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject


s: Thy disobedience.  Well thou didst advise,


s: These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth


s: Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel


s: His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire.


s: When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.


s: So spake the Seraph ABDIEL faithful found,


s: His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale;


s: Nor number, nor example with him wrought


s: To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind


s: Though single.  From amidst them forth he passd,


s: Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind


s: And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd


s: On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd.


s: Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,


s: Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand


s: Unbarr'd the gates of Light.  There is a Cave


s: Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,


s: Where light and darkness in perpetual round


s: Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n


s: Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;


s: Light issues forth, and at the other dore


s: Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre


s: To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might well


s: Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn


s: Such as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in Gold


s: Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night,


s: Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain


s: Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,


s: Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds


s: Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:


s: Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and found


s: Already known what he for news had thought


s: Among those friendly Powers who him receav'd


s: With joy and acclamations loud, that one


s: They led him high applauded, and present


s: Before the seat supream; from whence a voice


s: From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.


s: Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought


s: The better fight, who single hast maintaind


s: Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes;


s: And for the testimonie of Truth hast born


s: Then violence: for this was all thy care


s: To stand approv'd in sight of God, though Worlds


s: Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now


s: Remains thee, aided by this host of friends,


s: Back on thy foes more glorious to return


s: Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue


s: By force, who reason for thir Law refuse,


s: Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King


s: GABRIEL, lead forth to Battel these my Sons


s: By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight;


s: Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms


s: Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'n


s: Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss,


s: So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began


s: To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl


s: In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe


s: Of wrauth awak't: nor with less dread the loud


s: That stood for Heav'n, in mighty Quadrate joyn'd


s: In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound


s: Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause


s: Nor streit'ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides


s: Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground


s: Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore


s: Thir nimble tread; as when the total kind


s: Thir names of thee; so over many a tract


s: Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a Province wide


s: Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last


s: Farr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'd


s: From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht


s: Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throng'd, and Shields


s: Various, with boastful Argument portraid,


s: That self same day by fight, or by surprize


s: To set the envier of his State, the proud


s: Aspirer, but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain


s: In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd


s: At first, that Angel should with Angel warr,


s: And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet


s: Hymning th' Eternal Father: but the shout


s: Of onset ended soon each milder thought.


s: Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate


s: With Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields;


s: Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now


s: 'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left,


s: Of hideous length: before the cloudie Van,


s: On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn'd,


s: SATAN with vast and haughtie strides advanc't,


s: ABDIEL that sight endur'd not, where he stood


s: Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,


s: And thus his own undaunted heart explores.


s: O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the Highest


s: Should yet remain, where faith and realtie


s: Remain not; wherfore should not strength & might


s: There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove


s: Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?


s: His puissance, trusting in th' Almightie's aide,


s: I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri'd


s: Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,


s: That he who in debate of Truth hath won,


s: Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike


s: Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,


s: When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so


s: Forth stepping opposite, half way he met


s: Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht


s: The Throne of God unguarded, and his side


s: Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain


s: Who out of smallest things could without end


s: Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd


s: Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest


s: All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith


s: From all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too late


s: How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.


s: Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance


s: Thus answerd.  Ill for thee, but in wisht houre


s: Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst


s: From flight, seditious Angel, to receave


s: Of this right hand provok't, since first that tongue


s: Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose


s: Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel


s: Omnipotence to none.  But well thou comst


s: From me som Plume, that thy success may show


s: Destruction to the rest: this pause between


s: (Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know;


s: At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n


s: To heav'nly Soules had bin all one; but now


s: I see that most through sloth had rather serve,


s: Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song;


s: Such hast thou arm'd, the Minstrelsie of Heav'n,


s: As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove.


s: To whom in brief thus ABDIEL stern repli'd.


s: Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find


s: Of erring, from the path of truth remote:


s: Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name


s: When he who rules is worthiest, and excells


s: Them whom he governs.  This is servitude,


s: To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebelld


s: Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,


s: Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd;


s: Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid.


s: Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve


s: In Heav'n God ever blessed, and his Divine


s: Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while


s: From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,


s: This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.


s: So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,


s: Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell


s: On the proud Crest of SATAN, that no sight,


s: Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield


s: He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee


s: His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth


s: Winds under ground or waters forcing way


s: Sidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seat


s: Half sunk with all his Pines.  Amazement seis'd


s: The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see


s: Thus foil'd thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout,


s: Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'n


s: It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung


s: HOSANNA to the Highest: nor stood at gaze


s: The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn'd


s: The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,


s: And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now


s: Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray'd


s: Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles


s: Of brazen Chariots rag'd; dire was the noise


s: And flying vaulted either Host with fire.


s: Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault


s: Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth


s: Had to her Center shook.  What wonder? when


s: Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought


s: On either side, the least of whom could weild


s: These Elements, and arm him with the force


s: Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power


s: Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,


s: Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;


s: From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd


s: And limited thir might; though numberd such


s: A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand


s: A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd


s: Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert


s: When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway


s: The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,


s: That argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd,


s: Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred


s: That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground


s: A standing fight, then soaring on main wing


s: Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then


s: Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale


s: The Battel hung; till SATAN, who that day


s: Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes


s: No equal, raunging through the dire attack


s: Of fighting Seraphim confus'd, at length


s: Saw where the Sword of MICHAEL smote, and fell'd


s: Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway


s: Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down


s: Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand


s: The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile


s: Surceas'd, and glad as hoping here to end


s: Intestine War in Heav'n, the arch foe subdu'd


s: Or Captive drag'd in Chains, with hostile frown


s: And visage all enflam'd first thus began.


s: Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,


s: Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou seest


s: These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,


s: Though heaviest by just measure on thy self


s: And thy adherents: how hast thou disturb'd


s: Heav'ns blessed peace, and into Nature brought


s: Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill'd


s: And faithful, now prov'd false.  But think not here


s: To trouble Holy Rest; Heav'n casts thee out


s: From all her Confines.  Heav'n the seat of bliss


s: Brooks not the works of violence and Warr.


s: Thy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell,


s: Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles,


s: Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome,


s: Or som more sudden vengeance wing'd from God


s: So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus


s: The Adversarie.  Nor think thou with wind


s: Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds


s: Thou canst not.  Hast thou turnd the least of these


s: To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise


s: Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee


s: That thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threats


s: To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end


s: The strife which thou call'st evil, but wee style


s: The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win,


s: Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell


s: Thou fablest, here however to dwell free,


s: If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,


s: And join him nam'd ALMIGHTIE to thy aid,


s: I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.


s: They ended parle, and both addrest for fight


s: Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue


s: Of Angels, can relate, or to what things


s: Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift


s: Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,


s: Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, arms


s: Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n.


s: Now wav'd thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire


s: Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields


s: Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood


s: In horror; from each hand with speed retir'd


s: Where erst was thickest fight, th' Angelic throng,


s: And left large field, unsafe within the wind


s: Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,


s: Among the Constellations warr were sprung,


s: Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound.


s: Together both with next to Almightie Arme,


s: That might determine, and not need repeate,


s: As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd


s: In might or swift prevention; but the sword


s: Was giv'n him temperd so, that neither keen


s: Nor solid might resist that edge: it met


s: The sword of SATAN with steep force to smite


s: Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,


s: But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar'd


s: All his right side; then SATAN first knew pain,


s: And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so sore


s: The griding sword with discontinuous wound


s: Pass'd through him, but th' Ethereal substance clos'd


s: A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'd


s: Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,


s: And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.


s: Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run


s: By Angels many and strong, who interpos'd


s: Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields


s: Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir'd


s: From off the files of warr; there they him laid


s: Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame


s: To find himself not matchless, and his pride


s: Yet soon he heal'd; for Spirits that live throughout


s: Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire:


s: All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare,


s: All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please,


s: They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size


s: Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.


s: Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd


s: Memorial, where the might of GABRIEL fought,


s: And with fierce Ensignes pierc'd the deep array


s: And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound


s: Threatn'd, nor from the Holie One of Heav'n


s: Refrein'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon


s: Down clov'n to the waste, with shatterd Armes


s: And uncouth paine fled bellowing.  On each wing


s: Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd,


s: Two potent Thrones, that to be less then Gods


s: Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight,


s: Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile.


s: The Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow


s: Of RAMIEL scorcht and blasted overthrew.


s: I might relate of thousands, and thir names


s: Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n


s: Seek not the praise of men: the other sort


s: In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr,


s: Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.


s: For strength from Truth divided and from Just,


s: Vain glorious, and through infamie seeks fame:


s: And now thir mightiest quelld, the battel swerv'd,


s: With many an inrode gor'd; deformed rout


s: Enter'd, and foul disorder; all the ground


s: With shiverd armour strow'n, and on a heap


s: And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyld


s: Orewearied, through the faint Satanic Host


s: Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris'd,


s: Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of paine


s: By sinne of disobedience, till that hour


s: Gave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd,


s: Not to have disobei'd; in fight they stood


s: By wound, though from thir place by violence mov'd.


s: Now Night her course began, and over Heav'n


s: Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd,


s: Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field


s: Encamping, plac'd in Guard thir Watches round,


s: Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part


s: Far in the dark dislodg'd, and void of rest,


s: His Potentates to Councel call'd by night;


s: O now in danger tri'd, now known in Armes


s: Too mean pretense, but what we more affect,


s: Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight,


s: (And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?)


s: What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send


s: Against us from about his Throne, and judg'd


s: But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,


s: Of future we may deem him, though till now


s: Omniscient thought.  True is, less firmly arm'd,


s: Till now not known, but known as soon contemnd,


s: Since now we find this our Empyreal forme


s: Imperishable, and though peirc'd with wound,


s: Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd.


s: Weapons more violent, when next we meet,


s: May serve to better us, and worse our foes,


s: Left them Superiour, while we can preserve


s: Unhurt our mindes, and understanding sound,


s: Due search and consultation will disclose.


s: He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood


s: As one he stood escap't from cruel fight,


s: Sore toild, his riv'n Armes to havoc hewn,


s: And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake.


s: Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free


s: Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard


s: Against unequal armes to fight in paine,


s: Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil


s: Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain


s: Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands


s: Of Mightiest.  Sense of pleasure we may well


s: Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,


s: But live content, which is the calmest life:


s: All patience.  He who therefore can invent


s: Our selves with like defence, to mee deserves


s: No less then for deliverance what we owe.


s: Whereto with look compos'd SATAN repli'd.


s: Beleivst so main to our success, I bring;


s: Which of us who beholds the bright surface


s: Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand,


s: This continent of spacious Heav'n, adornd


s: These things, as not to mind from whence they grow


s: Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,


s: Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht


s: With Heav'ns ray, and temperd they shoot forth


s: So beauteous, op'ning to the ambient light.


s: Shall yeild us, pregnant with infernal flame,


s: Thick-rammd, at th' other bore with touch of fire


s: From far with thundring noise among our foes


s: Such implements of mischief as shall dash


s: Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd


s: Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,


s: Effect shall end our wish.  Mean while revive;


s: Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind


s: Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird.


s: He ended, and his words thir drooping chere


s: Enlightn'd, and thir languisht hope reviv'd.


s: Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how hee


s: To be th' inventer miss'd, so easie it seemd


s: Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought


s: In future dayes, if Malice should abound,


s: Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd


s: Like instrument to plague the Sons of men


s: For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.


s: Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew,


s: Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath


s: They found, they mingl'd, and with suttle Art,


s: To blackest grain, and into store conveyd:


s: Part hidd'n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth


s: Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls


s: Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire.


s: So all ere day spring, under conscious Night


s: Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav'n appeerd


s: The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood


s: Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills


s: Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure,


s: Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe,


s: Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight,


s: Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow


s: But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail


s: Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd.


s: Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand,


s: Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit


s: This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud


s: Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield,


s: Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down,


s: If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr,


s: But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire.


s: So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon


s: Instant without disturb they took Allarm,


s: Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe


s: Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube


s: On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep,


s: To hide the fraud.  At interview both stood


s: SATAN: And thus was heard Commanding loud.


s: Vangard, to Right and Left the Front unfould;


s: That all may see who hate us, how we seek


s: Peace and composure, and with open brest


s: Stand readie to receive them, if they like


s: Our overture, and turn not back perverse;


s: But that I doubt, however witness Heaven,


s: Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge


s: Freely our part: yee who appointed stand


s: Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch


s: What we propound, and loud that all may hear.


s: So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce


s: Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front


s: Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange,


s: On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seem'd


s: With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell'd)


s: Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes


s: Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense,


s: Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd,


s: Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds


s: With nicest touch.  Immediate in a flame,


s: But soon obscur'd with smoak, all Heav'n appeerd,


s: From those deep-throated Engins belcht, whose roar


s: And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule


s: Thir devillish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail


s: Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host


s: Level'd, with such impetuous furie smote,


s: That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand,


s: Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell


s: By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl'd;


s: The sooner for thir Arms, unarm'd they might


s: Foule dissipation follow'd and forc't rout;


s: Nor serv'd it to relax thir serried files.


s: What should they do? if on they rusht, repulse


s: Doubl'd, would render them yet more despis'd,


s: And to thir foes a laughter; for in view


s: They worse abhorr'd.  SATAN beheld thir plight,


s: And to his Mates thus in derision call'd.


s: O Friends, why come not on these Victors proud?


s: Ere while they fierce were coming, and when wee,


s: And Brest, (what could we more?) propounded terms


s: Of composition, strait they chang'd thir minds,


s: Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,


s: As they would dance, yet for a dance they seemd


s: We should compel them to a quick result.


s: To whom thus BELIAL in like gamesom mood.


s: Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight,


s: Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home,


s: Such as we might perceive amus'd them all,


s: And stumbl'd many, who receives them right,


s: Had need from head to foot well understand;


s: Not understood, this gift they have besides,


s: They shew us when our foes walk not upright.


s: So they among themselves in pleasant veine


s: Stood scoffing, highthn'd in thir thoughts beyond


s: To match with thir inventions they presum'd


s: So easie, and of his Thunder made a scorn,


s: And all his Host derided, while they stood


s: A while in trouble; but they stood not long,


s: Rage prompted them at length, & found them arms


s: Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose.


s: Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power


s: Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac'd)


s: Thir Arms away they threw, and to the Hills


s: (For Earth hath this variety from Heav'n


s: Light as the Lightning glimps they ran, they flew,


s: From thir foundations loosning to and fro


s: They pluckt the seated Hills with all thir load,


s: Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops


s: Up lifting bore them in thir hands: Amaze,


s: Be sure, and terrour seis'd the rebel Host,


s: When coming towards them so dread they saw


s: The bottom of the Mountains upward turn'd,


s: They saw them whelmd, and all thir confidence


s: Under the weight of Mountains buried deep,


s: Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads


s: Main Promontories flung, which in the Air


s: Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm'd,


s: Thir armor help'd thir harm, crush't in and brus'd


s: Into thir substance pent, which wrought them pain


s: Long strugling underneath, ere they could wind


s: Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light,


s: Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown.


s: Betook them, and the neighbouring Hills uptore;


s: That under ground they fought in dismal shade;


s: Infernal noise; Warr seem'd a civil Game


s: Had not th' Almightie Father where he sits


s: Shrin'd in his Sanctuarie of Heav'n secure,


s: Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen


s: This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd:


s: That his great purpose he might so fulfill,


s: All power on him transferr'd: whence to his Son


s: Th' Assessor of his Throne he thus began.


s: Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav'n,


s: Since MICHAEL and his Powers went forth to tame


s: These disobedient; sore hath been thir fight,


s: As likeliest was, when two such Foes met arm'd;


s: For to themselves I left them, and thou knowst,


s: Equal in their Creation they were form'd,


s: Save what sin hath impaird, which yet hath wrought


s: Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last


s: Warr wearied hath perform'd what Warr can do,


s: And to disorder'd rage let loose the reines,


s: With Mountains as with Weapons arm'd, which makes


s: Wild work in Heav'n, and dangerous to the maine.


s: Two dayes are therefore past, the third is thine;


s: For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus farr


s: Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine


s: Of ending this great Warr, since none but Thou


s: Can end it.  Into thee such Vertue and Grace


s: Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know


s: In Heav'n and Hell thy Power above compare,


s: And this perverse Commotion governd thus,


s: Of all things, to be Heir and to be King


s: Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might,


s: Ascend my Chariot, guide the rapid Wheeles


s: That shake Heav'ns basis, bring forth all my Warr,


s: Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh;


s: Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out


s: From all Heav'ns bounds into the utter Deep:


s: There let them learn, as likes them, to despise


s: He said, and on his Son with Rayes direct


s: Shon full, he all his Father full exprest


s: And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.


s: O Father, O Supream of heav'nly Thrones,


s: First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou alwayes seekst


s: As is most just; this I my Glorie account,


s: That thou in me well pleas'd, declarst thy will


s: Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss.


s: Scepter and Power, thy giving, I assume,


s: And gladlier shall resign, when in the end


s: For ever, and in mee all whom thou lov'st:


s: But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on


s: Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,


s: Armd with thy might, rid heav'n of these rebell'd,


s: To thir prepar'd ill Mansion driven down


s: To chains of Darkness, and th' undying Worm,


s: That from thy just obedience could revolt,


s: Then shall thy Saints unmixt, and from th' impure


s: Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.


s: So said, he o're his Scepter bowing, rose


s: From the right hand of Glorie where he sate,


s: And the third sacred Morn began to shine


s: Dawning through Heav'n: forth rush'd with whirlwind sound


s: Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele undrawn,


s: It self instinct with Spirit, but convoyd


s: By four Cherubic shapes, four Faces each


s: Had wondrous, as with Starrs thir bodies all


s: And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels


s: Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure


s: Sate Eagle-wing'd, beside him hung his Bow


s: And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor'd,


s: And from about him fierce Effusion rowld


s: Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire;


s: Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints,


s: He onward came, farr off his coming shon,


s: And twentie thousand (I thir number heard)


s: Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen:


s: On the Crystallin Skie, in Saphir Thron'd.


s: Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own


s: First seen, them unexpected joy surpriz'd,


s: Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n:


s: Under whose Conduct MICHAEL soon reduc'd


s: Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd;


s: At his command the uprooted Hills retir'd


s: Each to his place, they heard his voice and went


s: Obsequious, Heav'n his wonted face renewd,


s: And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil'd.


s: This saw his hapless Foes, but stood obdur'd,


s: And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers


s: Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.


s: In heav'nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell?


s: But to convince the proud what Signs availe,


s: They hard'nd more by what might most reclame,


s: Grieving to see his Glorie, at the sight


s: Stood reimbattell'd fierce, by force or fraud


s: Weening to prosper, and at length prevaile


s: To final Battel drew, disdaining flight,


s: Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God


s: To all his Host on either hand thus spake.


s: Stand still in bright array ye Saints, here stand


s: Ye Angels arm'd, this day from Battel rest;


s: Faithful hath been your Warfare, and of God


s: Accepted, fearless in his righteous Cause,


s: Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints;


s: Number to this dayes work is not ordain'd


s: By mee; not you but mee they have despis'd,


s: Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage,


s: Because the Father, t' whom in Heav'n supream


s: Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains,


s: Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig'n'd;


s: That they may have thir wish, to trie with mee


s: In Battel which the stronger proves, they all,


s: Or I alone against them, since by strength


s: Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe.


s: So spake the Son, and into terrour chang'd


s: At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings


s: With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbes


s: Of his fierce Chariot rowld, as with the sound


s: Of torrent Floods, or of a numerous Host.


s: Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove,


s: Gloomie as Night; under his burning Wheeles


s: All but the Throne it self of God.  Full soon