s: Whose failing, while her Faith to me remaines,


s: I should conceal, and not expose to blame


s: Least on my head both sin and punishment,


s: Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou


s: This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help,


s: And gav'st me as thy perfet gift, so good,


s: That from her hand I could suspect no ill,


s: Shee gave me of the Tree, and I did eate.


s: To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd.


s: Was shee thy God, that her thou didst obey


s: Before his voice, or was shee made thy guide,


s: Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood, and the Place


s: Wherein God set thee above her made of thee,


s: And for thee, whose perfection farr excell'd


s: Were such as under Government well seem'd,


s: Unseemly to beare rule, which was thy part


s: And person, had'st thou known thy self aright.


s: Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done?


s: To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd,


s: Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge


s: Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli'd.


s: Which when the Lord God heard, without delay


s: To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd


s: Serpent though brute, unable to transferre


s: The Guilt on him who made him instrument


s: Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew)


s: Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last


s: Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best:


s: And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall.


s: Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst


s: Above all Cattel, each Beast of the Field;


s: Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe,


s: And dust shalt eat all the days of thy Life.


s: Enmitie, and between thine and her Seed;


s: Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.


s: Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n,


s: Prince of the Aire; then rising from his Grave


s: Spoild Principalities and Powers, triumpht


s: The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt,


s: Whom he shall tread at last under our feet;


s: Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise,


s: And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd.


s: By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring


s: In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will


s: Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule.


s: On Adam last thus judgement he pronounc'd.


s: Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife,


s: I charg'd thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof,


s: Curs'd is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow


s: Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life;


s: Thornes also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth


s: Unbid, and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field,


s: In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eate Bread,


s: Till thou return unto the ground, for thou


s: Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth,


s: For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne.


s: So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent,


s: And th' instant stroke of Death denounc't that day


s: Remov'd farr off; then pittying how they stood


s: Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin


s: Thenceforth the forme of servant to assume,


s: As when he wash'd his servants feet, so now


s: Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain,


s: Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid;


s: And thought not much to cloath his Enemies:


s: Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins


s: Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more


s: Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness,


s: All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man


s: Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth,


s: Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death,


s: In counterview within the Gates, that now


s: Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame


s: Farr into Chaos, since the Fiend pass'd through,


s: Sin opening, who thus now to Death began.


s: O Son, why sit we here each other viewing


s: Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives


s: In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides


s: But that success attends him; if mishap,


s: Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n


s: By his Avenger, since no place like this


s: Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.


s: Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,


s: Wings growing, and Dominion giv'n me large


s: Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on,


s: For Death from Sin no power can separate.


s: But least the difficultie of passing back


s: Stay his returne perhaps over this Gulfe


s: Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine


s: Over this Maine from Hell to that new World


s: Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse,


s: Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead.


s: Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn


s: By this new felt attraction and instinct.


s: Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon.


s: Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre


s: The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw


s: The savour of Death from all things there that live:


s: Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest


s: So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell


s: Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock


s: Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,


s: Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd


s: For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.


s: So sented the grim Feature, and upturn'd


s: Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste


s: Flew divers, & with Power (thir Power was great)


s: Tost up and down, together crowded drove


s: From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell.


s: Mountains of Ice, that stop th' imagin'd way


s: Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry,


s: As with a Trident smote, and fix't as firm


s: As Delos floating once; the rest his look


s: And with Asphaltic slime; broad as the Gate,


s: Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach


s: They fasten'd, and the Mole immense wraught on


s: Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge


s: Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall


s: Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad,


s: Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell.


s: So, if great things to small may be compar'd,


s: Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joyn'd,


s: And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves.


s: Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art


s: Over the vext Abyss, following the track


s: Of Satan, to the selfsame place where hee


s: First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe


s: Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant


s: And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made


s: And of this World, and on the left hand Hell


s: With long reach interpos'd; three sev'ral wayes


s: In sight, to each of these three places led.


s: And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd,


s: Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing


s: His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose:


s: Disguis'd he came, but those his Children dear


s: Thir Parent soon discern'd, though in disguise.


s: Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape


s: To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act


s: Upon her Husband, saw thir shame that sought


s: Vain covertures; but when he saw descend


s: Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun


s: The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth


s: Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd


s: By Night, and listning where the hapless Paire


s: Sate in thir sad discourse, and various plaint,


s: Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood


s: Not instant, but of future time. With joy


s: And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd,


s: And at the brink of Chaos, neer the foot


s: Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear.


s: Great joy was at thir meeting, and at sight


s: Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas'd.


s: Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire


s: Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke.


s: Thy Trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own,


s: Thou art thir Author and prime Architect:


s: Still moves with thine, joyn'd in connexion sweet,


s: That thou on Earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks


s: Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt


s: That I must after thee with this thy Son;


s: Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds,


s: Detain from following thy illustrious track.


s: Thou hast atchiev'd our libertie, confin'd


s: Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow'rd


s: With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss.


s: Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won


s: What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain'd


s: With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng'd


s: Our foile in Heav'n; here thou shalt Monarch reign,


s: There didst not; there let him still Victor sway,


s: As Battel hath adjudg'd, from this new World


s: And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide


s: Of all things, parted by th' Empyreal bounds,


s: His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World,


s: Or trie thee now more dang'rous to his Throne.


s: Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad.


s: Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both,


s: High proof ye now have giv'n to be the Race


s: Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore


s: Mine with this glorious Work, & made one Realm


s: Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent


s: Of easie thorough-fare. Therefore while I


s: Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease


s: To my associate Powers, them to acquaint


s: With these successes, and with them rejoyce,


s: You two this way, among those numerous Orbs


s: All yours, right down to Paradise descend;


s: There dwell & Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth


s: Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar'd,


s: Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill.


s: Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might


s: Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now


s: My hold of this new Kingdom all depends,


s: Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit.


s: If your joynt power prevaile, th' affaires of Hell


s: No detriment need feare, goe and be strong.


s: So saying he dismiss'd them, they with speed


s: Thir course through thickest Constellations held


s: Spreading thir bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan,


s: Then sufferd. Th' other way Satan went down


s: And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild,


s: That scorn'd his indignation: through the Gate,


s: Appointed to sit there, had left thir charge,


s: Flown to the upper World; the rest were all


s: Farr to the inland retir'd, about the walls


s: There kept thir Watch the Legions, while the Grand


s: In Council sate, sollicitous what chance


s: Might intercept thir Emperour sent, so hee


s: Departing gave command, and they observ'd.


s: Retires, or Bactrian Sophi from the hornes


s: Of Turkish Crescent, leaves all waste beyond


s: Heav'n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell


s: Many a dark League, reduc't in careful Watch


s: Round thir Metropolis, and now expecting


s: Each hour their great adventurer from the search


s: Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt,


s: Of lowest order, past; and from the dore


s: Ascended his high Throne, which under state


s: Of richest texture spred, at th' upper end


s: Was plac't in regal lustre. Down a while


s: He sate, and round about him saw unseen:


s: At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head


s: And shape Starr bright appeer'd, or brighter, clad


s: With what permissive glory since his fall


s: Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz'd


s: At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng


s: Bent thir aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld,


s: Thir mighty Chief returnd: loud was th' acclaime:


s: Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting Peers,


s: Rais'd from thir dark Divan, and with like joy


s: Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand


s: Silence, and with these words attention won.


s: For in possession such, not onely of right,


s: Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth


s: As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven


s: With peril great atchiev'd. Long were to tell


s: What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine


s: Voyag'd the unreal, vast, unbounded deep


s: By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd


s: Toild out my uncouth passage, forc't to ride


s: Th' untractable Abysse, plung'd in the womb


s: That jealous of thir secrets fiercely oppos'd


s: My journey strange, with clamorous uproare


s: Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found


s: The new created World, which fame in Heav'n


s: Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc'd


s: From his Creator, and the more to increase


s: Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv'n up


s: To rule, as over all he should have rul'd.


s: True is, mee also he hath judg'd, or rather


s: Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape


s: Man I deceav'd: that which to mee belongs,


s: Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel;


s: His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head:


s: A World who would not purchase with a bruise,


s: Or much more grievous pain? Ye have th' account


s: Of my performance: What remaines, ye Gods,


s: So having said, a while he stood, expecting


s: To fill his eare, when contrary he hears


s: Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long


s: Had leasure, wondring at himself now more;


s: His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare,


s: His Armes clung to his Ribs, his Leggs entwining


s: Each other, till supplanted down he fell


s: Reluctant, but in vaine, a greater power


s: Now rul'd him, punisht in the shape he sin'd,


s: According to his doom: he would have spoke,


s: But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue


s: To forked tongue, for now were all transform'd


s: Of hissing through the Hall, thick swarming now


s: With complicated monsters, head and taile,


s: Cerastes hornd, Hydrus, and Ellops drear,


s: And Dipsas (Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil


s: Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle


s: Ophiusa) but still greatest hee the midst,


s: Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun


s: Huge Python, and his Power no less he seem'd


s: Above the rest still to retain; they all


s: Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field,


s: Where all yet left of that revolted Rout


s: Heav'n-fall'n, in station stood or just array,


s: In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief;


s: They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd


s: And horrid sympathie; for what they saw,


s: They felt themselvs now changing; down thir arms,


s: Down fell both Spear and Shield, down they as fast,


s: And the dire hiss renew'd, and the dire form


s: Catcht by Contagion, like in punishment,


s: As in thir crime. Thus was th' applause they meant,


s: Turnd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame


s: Cast on themselves from thir own mouths. There stood


s: A Grove hard by, sprung up with this thir change,


s: Thir penance, laden with fair Fruit, like that


s: Us'd by the Tempter: on that prospect strange


s: Now ris'n, to work them furder woe or shame;


s: Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger fierce,


s: Though to delude them sent, could not abstain,


s: But on they rould in heaps, and up the Trees


s: Climbing, sat thicker then the snakie locks


s: That curld Megaera: greedily they pluck'd


s: The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew


s: Neer that bituminous Lake where Sodom flam'd;


s: This more delusive, not the touch, but taste


s: Thir appetite with gust, instead of Fruit


s: Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste


s: With spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd,


s: Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft,


s: With hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws


s: With foot and cinders fill'd; so oft they fell


s: Whom they triumph'd once lapst. Thus were they plagu'd


s: And worn with Famin, long and ceasless hiss,


s: Till thir lost shape, permitted, they resum'd,


s: This annual humbling certain number'd days,


s: To dash thir pride, and joy for Man seduc't.


s: And Fabl'd how the Serpent, whom they calld


s: Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule


s: Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driv'n


s: And Ops, ere yet Dictaean Jove was born.


s: Too soon arriv'd, Sin there in power before,


s: Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet


s: On his pale Horse: to whom Sin thus began.


s: Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death,


s: What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd


s: Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch,


s: Unnam'd, undreaded, and thy self half starv'd?


s: Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon.


s: There best, where most with ravin I may meet;


s: Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems


s: To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps.


s: To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd.


s: Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, & Flours


s: Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,


s: The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspar'd,


s: Till I in Man residing through the Race,


s: His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect,


s: And season him thy last and sweetest prey.


s: This said, they both betook them several wayes,


s: All kinds, and for destruction to mature


s: Sooner or later; which th' Almightie seeing,


s: From his transcendent Seat the Saints among,


s: To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice.


s: See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance


s: To waste and havoc yonder World, which I


s: Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man


s: Folly to mee, so doth the Prince of Hell


s: And his Adherents, that with so much ease


s: That laugh, as if transported with some fit


s: And know not that I call'd and drew them thither


s: My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth


s: Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed


s: On what was pure, till cramm'd and gorg'd, nigh burst


s: With suckt and glutted offal, at one fling


s: Of thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son,


s: Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave at last


s: Through Chaos hurld, obstruct the mouth of Hell


s: For ever, and seal up his ravenous Jawes.


s: Then Heav'n and Earth renewd shall be made pure


s: To sanctitie that shall receive no staine:


s: Till then the Curse pronounc't on both precedes.


s: Hee ended, and the heav'nly Audience loud


s: Through multitude that sung: Just are thy ways,


s: Who can extenuate thee? Next, to the Son,


s: New Heav'n and Earth shall to the Ages rise,


s: Or down from Heav'n descend. Such was thir song,


s: His mightie Angels gave them several charge,


s: As sorted best with present things. The Sun


s: Had first his precept so to move, so shine,


s: As might affect the Earth with cold and heat


s: Scarce tollerable, and from the North to call


s: Decrepit Winter, from the South to bring


s: Solstitial summers heat. To the blanc Moone


s: Her office they prescrib'd, to th' other five


s: Thir influence malignant when to showre,


s: Which of them rising with the Sun, or falling,


s: Should prove tempestuous: To the Winds they set


s: Thir corners, when with bluster to confound


s: Sea, Aire, and Shoar, the Thunder when to rowle


s: With terror through the dark Aereal Hall.


s: Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse


s: The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more


s: From the Suns Axle; they with labour push'd


s: Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode


s: Like distant breadth to Taurus with the Seav'n


s: Up to the Tropic Crab; thence down amaine


s: As deep as Capricorne, to bring in change


s: Of Seasons to each Clime; else had the Spring


s: Perpetual smil'd on Earth with vernant Flours,


s: Equal in Days and Nights, except to those


s: To recompence his distance, in thir sight


s: Had rounded still th' Horizon, and not known


s: Or East or West, which had forbid the Snow


s: The Sun, as from Thyestean Banquet, turn'd


s: His course intended; else how had the World


s: Inhabited, though sinless, more then now,


s: Avoided pinching cold and scorching heate?


s: These changes in the Heav'ns, though slow, produc'd


s: Like change on Sea and Land, sideral blast,


s: Corrupt and Pestilent: Now from the North


s: Bursting thir brazen Dungeon, armd with ice


s: And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw,


s: And Thrascias rend the Woods and Seas upturn;


s: With adverse blast up-turns them from the South


s: Notus and Afer black with thundrous Clouds


s: From Serraliona; thwart of these as fierce


s: Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent Windes


s: Eurus and Zephir with thir lateral noise,


s: Outrage from liveless things; but Discord first


s: Death introduc'd through fierce antipathie:


s: Beast now with Beast gan war, & Fowle with Fowle,


s: And Fish with Fish; to graze the Herb all leaving,


s: Devourd each other; nor stood much in awe


s: Of Man, but fled him, or with count'nance grim


s: Glar'd on him passing: these were from without


s: Alreadie in part, though hid in gloomiest shade,


s: To sorrow abandond, but worse felt within,


s: Thus to disburd'n sought with sad complaint.


s: Of this new glorious World, and mee so late


s: Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face


s: Of God, whom to behold was then my highth


s: Of happiness: yet well, if here would end


s: The miserie, I deserv'd it, and would beare


s: My own deservings; but this will not serve;


s: All that I eate or drink, or shall beget,


s: Now death to heare! for what can I encrease


s: The evil on him brought by me, will curse


s: For this we may thank Adam; but his thanks


s: Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee


s: Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound,


s: Heavie, though in thir place. O fleeting joyes


s: Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes!


s: From darkness to promote me, or here place


s: Concurd not to my being, it were but right


s: Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold


s: The good I sought not. To the loss of that,


s: Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added


s: Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late,


s: I thus contest; then should have been refusd


s: Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd:


s: Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good,


s: Then cavil the conditions? and though God


s: Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son


s: Prove disobedient, and reprov'd, retort,


s: Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not:


s: Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee


s: That proud excuse? yet him not thy election,


s: God made thee of choice his own, and of his own


s: To serve him, thy reward was of his grace,


s: Thy punishment then justly is at his Will.


s: Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair,


s: That dust I am, and shall to dust returne:


s: Why am I mockt with death, and length'nd out


s: To deathless pain? how gladly would I meet


s: As in my Mothers lap? there I should rest


s: And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more


s: Would Thunder in my ears, no fear of worse


s: To mee and to my ofspring would torment me


s: Pursues me still, least all I cannot die,


s: Least that pure breath of Life, the Spirit of Man


s: Which God inspir'd, cannot together perish


s: With this corporeal Clod; then in the Grave,


s: Or in some other dismal place, who knows


s: But I shall die a living Death? O thought


s: Horrid, if true! yet why? it was but breath


s: Of Life that sinn'd; what dies but what had life


s: And sin? the Bodie properly hath neither.


s: All of me then shall die: let this appease


s: The doubt, since humane reach no further knows.


s: Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so,


s: Wrath without end on Man whom Death must end?


s: Can he make deathless Death? that were to make


s: Strange contradiction, which to God himself


s: Of weakness, not of Power. Will he, draw out,


s: His Sentence beyond dust and Natures Law,


s: By which all Causes else according still


s: Not to th' extent of thir own Spheare. But say


s: That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos'd,


s: From this day onward, which I feel begun


s: Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution


s: Posteritie stands curst: Fair Patrimonie


s: That I must leave ye, Sons; O were I able


s: To waste it all my self, and leave ye none!


s: Me now your Curse! Ah, why should all mankind


s: For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemn'd,


s: If guiltless? But from mee what can proceed,


s: But all corrupt, both Mind and Will deprav'd,


s: And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still


s: But to my own conviction: first and last


s: On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring


s: Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;


s: So might the wrauth, Fond wish! couldst thou support


s: That burden heavier then the Earth to bear,


s: Then all the world much heavier, though divided


s: With that bad Woman? Thus what thou desir'st,


s: And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope


s: To Satan onely like both crime and doom.


s: And horrors hast thou driv'n me; out of which


s: I find no way, from deep to deeper plung'd!


s: Through the still Night, now now, as ere man fell,


s: Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air


s: Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom,


s: Which to his evil Conscience represented


s: All things with double terror: On the ground


s: Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft


s: Curs'd his Creation, Death as oft accus'd


s: The day of his offence. Why comes not Death,


s: Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke


s: To end me? Shall Truth fail to keep her word,


s: But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine


s: Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.


s: With other echo farr I taught your Shades


s: Whom thus afflicted when sad Eve beheld,


s: Desolate where she sate, approaching nigh,


s: Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd:


s: But her with stern regard he thus repell'd.


s: Out of my sight, thou Serpent, that name best


s: Befits thee with him leagu'd, thy self as false


s: And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape,


s: Like his, and colour Serpentine may shew


s: Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee


s: Henceforth; least that too heav'nly form, pretended


s: To hellish falshood, snare them. But for thee


s: I had persisted happie, had not thy pride


s: And wandring vanitie, when lest was safe,


s: Though by the Devil himself, him overweening


s: To over-reach, but with the Serpent meeting


s: Fool'd and beguil'd, by him thou, I by thee,


s: To trust thee from my side, imagin'd wise,


s: Constant, mature, proof against all assaults,


s: Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears,


s: More to the part sinister from me drawn,


s: Creator wise, that peopl'd highest Heav'n


s: This noveltie on Earth, this fair defect


s: Of Nature, and not fill the World at once


s: Mankind? this mischief had not then befall'n,


s: Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares,


s: And straight conjunction with this Sex: for either


s: He never shall find out fit Mate, but such


s: As some misfortune brings him, or mistake,


s: Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain


s: Through her perverseness, but shall see her gaind


s: By a farr worse, or if she love, withheld


s: By Parents, or his happiest choice too late


s: Shall meet, alreadie linkt and Wedlock-bound


s: To a fell Adversarie, his hate or shame:


s: To humane life, and houshold peace confound.


s: He added not, and from her turn'd, but Eve


s: Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas'd not flowing,


s: Fell humble, and imbracing them, besaught


s: His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint.


s: Forsake me not thus, Adam, witness Heav'n


s: What love sincere, and reverence in my heart


s: I beare thee, and unweeting have offended,


s: I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not,


s: Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid,


s: My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee,


s: Whither shall I betake me, where subsist?


s: While yet we live, scarse one short hour perhaps,


s: Between us two let there be peace, both joyning,


s: Against a Foe by doom express assign'd us,


s: More miserable; both have sin'd, but thou


s: Against God onely, I against God and thee,


s: And to the place of judgement will return,


s: There with my cries importune Heaven, that all


s: The sentence from thy head remov'd may light


s: On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe,


s: She ended weeping, and her lowlie plight,


s: Immoveable till peace obtain'd from fault


s: Acknowledg'd and deplor'd, in Adam wraught


s: Towards her, his life so late and sole delight,


s: Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking,


s: His counsel whom she had displeas'd, his aide;


s: And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon.


s: So now of what thou knowst not, who desir'st


s: Beare thine own first, ill able to sustaine


s: His full wrauth whose thou feelst as yet lest part,


s: And my displeasure bearst so ill. If Prayers


s: Could alter high Decrees, I to that place


s: Would speed before thee, and be louder heard,


s: But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame


s: Each other, blam'd enough elsewhere, but strive


s: Since this days Death denounc't, if ought I see,


s: Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac't evill,


s: And to our Seed (O hapless Seed!) deriv'd.


s: To whom thus Eve, recovering heart, repli'd.


s: How little weight my words with thee can finde,


s: Found so erroneous, thence by just event


s: Restor'd by thee, vile as I am, to place


s: Thy Love, the sole contentment of my heart,


s: Living or dying from thee I will not hide


s: What thoughts in my unquiet brest are ris'n,


s: Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable,


s: Which must be born to certain woe, devourd


s: Our own begotten, and of our Loines to bring


s: That after wretched Life must be at last


s: Food for so foule a Monster, in thy power


s: So Death shall be deceav'd his glut, and with us two


s: But if thou judge it hard and difficult,


s: From Loves due Rites, Nuptial embraces sweet,


s: And with desire to languish without hope,


s: With like desire, which would be miserie


s: And torment less then none of what we dread,


s: Then both our selves and Seed at once to free


s: From what we fear for both, let us make short,


s: Let us seek Death, or hee not found, supply


s: With our own hands his Office on our selves;


s: Why stand we longer shivering under feares,


s: That shew no end but Death, and have the power,


s: Of many wayes to die the shortest choosing,


s: Destruction with destruction to destroy.


s: Broke off the rest; so much of Death her thoughts


s: Had entertaind, as di'd her Cheeks with pale.


s: But Adam with such counsel nothing sway'd,


s: To better hopes his more attentive minde


s: Labouring had rais'd, and thus to Eve repli'd.


s: Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems


s: And excellent then what thy minde contemnes;


s: But self-destruction therefore saught, refutes


s: That excellence thought in thee, and implies,


s: Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret


s: For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd.


s: The penaltie pronounc't, doubt not but God


s: Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire then so


s: To be forestall'd; much more I fear least Death


s: So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine


s: To make death in us live: Then let us seek


s: I have in view, calling to minde with heed


s: Part of our Sentence, that thy Seed shall bruise


s: The Serpents head; piteous amends, unless


s: Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand Foe


s: Satan, who in the Serpent hath contriv'd


s: Against us this deceit: to crush his head


s: Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost


s: By death brought on our selves, or childless days


s: Shall scape his punishment ordain'd, and wee


s: Instead shall double ours upon our heads.


s: Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,


s: That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely


s: Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,


s: Reluctance against God and his just yoke


s: Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild


s: And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd


s: Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected


s: Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee


s: Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,


s: And bringing forth, soon recompenc't with joy,


s: Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope


s: Glanc'd on the ground, with labour I must earne


s: My bread; what harm? Idleness had bin worse;


s: My labour will sustain me; and least Cold


s: Or Heat should injure us, his timely care


s: Cloath'd us unworthie, pitying while he judg'd;


s: How much more, if we pray him, will his ear


s: Be open, and his heart to pitie incline,


s: And teach us further by what means to shun


s: Th' inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,


s: Which now the Skie with various Face begins


s: To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds


s: Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks


s: Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek


s: Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish


s: Our Limbs benumm'd, ere this diurnal Starr


s: Leave cold the Night, how we his gather'd beams


s: The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds


s: Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock


s: Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down


s: Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine,


s: Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,


s: To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,


s: Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace


s: To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd


s: In dust, our final rest and native home.


s: What better can we do, then to the place


s: Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall


s: Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears


s: Watering the ground, and with our sighs the Air


s: Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign


s: Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.


s: From his displeasure; in whose look serene,


s: When angry most he seem'd and most severe,


s: What else but favor, grace, and mercie shon?


s: Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place


s: Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell


s: Humbly thir faults, and pardon beg'd, with tears


s: Watering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air


s: Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood


s: The stonie from thir hearts, and made new flesh


s: Regenerat grow instead, that sighs now breath'd


s: Inspir'd, and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight


s: Seem'd thir Petition, then when th' ancient Pair


s: In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,


s: The Race of Mankind drownd, before the Shrine


s: Of Themis stood devout. To Heav'n thir prayers


s: Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious windes


s: Blow'n vagabond or frustrate: in they passd


s: Dimentionless through Heav'nly dores; then clad


s: With incense, where the Golden Altar fum'd,


s: By thir great Intercessor, came in sight


s: Before the Fathers Throne: Them the glad Son


s: See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung


s: From thy implanted Grace in Man, these Sighs


s: And Prayers, which in this Golden Censer, mixt


s: With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring,


s: Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed


s: Sow'n with contrition in his heart, then those


s: Which his own hand manuring all the Trees


s: Of Paradise could have produc't, ere fall'n


s: From innocence. Now therefore bend thine eare


s: To supplication, heare his sighs though mute;


s: Unskilful with what words to pray, let mee


s: Good or not good ingraft, my Merit those


s: Shall perfet, and for these my Death shall pay.


s: Accept me, and in mee from these receave


s: The smell of peace toward Mankinde, let him live


s: Before thee reconcil'd, at least his days


s: Numberd, though sad, till Death, his doom (which I


s: To better life shall yeeld him, where with mee


s: All my redeemd may dwell in joy and bliss,


s: To whom the Father, without Cloud, serene.


s: No gross, no unharmoneous mixture foule,


s: Eject him tainted now, and purge him off


s: And mortal food, as may dispose him best


s: For dissolution wrought by Sin, that first


s: Corrupted. I at first with two fair gifts


s: By Faith and faithful works, to second Life,


s: Resignes him up with Heav'n and Earth renewd.


s: Through Heav'ns wide bounds; from them I will not hide


s: My judgments, how with Mankind I proceed,


s: As how with peccant Angels late they saw;


s: And in thir state, though firm, stood more confirmd.


s: To the bright Minister that watchd, hee blew


s: His Trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps


s: When God descended, and perhaps once more


s: To sound at general Doom. Th' Angelic blast


s: Filld all the Regions: from thir blissful Bowrs


s: By the waters of Life, where ere they sate


s: In fellowships of joy: the Sons of Light


s: And took thir Seats; till from his Throne supream


s: Th' Almighty thus pronounced his sovran Will.


s: To know both Good and Evil, since his taste


s: Of that defended Fruit; but let him boast


s: His knowledge of Good lost, and Evil got,


s: Happier, had it suffic'd him to have known


s: He sorrows now, repents, and prayes contrite,


s: My motions in him, longer then they move,


s: Self-left. Least therefore his now bolder hand


s: Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,


s: And live for ever, dream at least to live


s: And send him from the Garden forth to Till


s: The Ground whence he was taken, fitter soile.


s: Michael, this my behest have thou in charge,


s: Thy choice of flaming Warriours, least the Fiend


s: Vacant possession som new trouble raise:


s: Without remorse drive out the sinful Pair,


s: From hallowd ground th' unholie, and denounce


s: To them and to thir Progenie from thence


s: Perpetual banishment. Yet least they faint


s: For I behold them soft'nd and with tears


s: To Adam what shall come in future dayes,


s: So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace:


s: And on the East side of the Garden place,


s: Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbes,


s: Cherubic watch, and of a Sword the flame


s: Wide waving, all approach farr off to fright,


s: And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:


s: To Spirits foule, and all my Trees thir prey,


s: With whose stol'n Fruit Man once more to delude.


s: He ceas'd; and th' Archangelic Power prepar'd


s: For swift descent, with him the Cohort bright


s: Had, like a double Janus, all thir shape


s: Spangl'd with eyes more numerous then those


s: Of Argus, and more wakeful then to drouze,


s: Charm'd with Arcadian Pipe, the Pastoral Reed


s: Leucothea wak'd, and with fresh dews imbalmd


s: The Earth, when Adam and first Matron Eve


s: Strength added from above, new hope to spring


s: Out of despaire, joy, but with fear yet linkt;


s: Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewd.


s: The good which we enjoy, from Heav'n descends


s: But that from us ought should ascend to Heav'n


s: Of God high blest, or to incline his will,


s: Hard to belief may seem; yet this will Prayer,


s: Or one short sigh of humane breath, up-borne


s: Ev'n to the Seat of God. For since I saught


s: By Prayer th' offended Deitie to appease,


s: Kneel'd and before him humbl'd all my heart,


s: That I was heard with favour; peace returnd


s: His promise, that thy Seed shall bruise our Foe;


s: Which then not minded in dismay, yet now


s: Is past, and we shall live. Whence Haile to thee,


s: Eve rightly call'd, Mother of all Mankind,


s: Mother of all things living, since by thee


s: Man is to live, and all things live for Man.


s: To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek.


s: To me transgressour, who for thee ordaind


s: A help, became thy snare; to mee reproach


s: Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise:


s: That I who first brought Death on all, am grac't


s: The sourse of life; next favourable thou,


s: Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf't,


s: Farr other name deserving. But the Field


s: To labour calls us now with sweat impos'd,


s: Though after sleepless Night; for see the Morn,


s: Her rosie progress smiling; let us forth,


s: I never from thy side henceforth to stray,


s: Wherere our days work lies, though now enjoind


s: Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,


s: What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?


s: Here let us live, though in fall'n state, content.


s: So spake, so wish'd much-humbl'd Eve, but Fate


s: Subscrib'd not; Nature first gave Signs, imprest


s: On Bird, Beast, Aire, Aire suddenly eclips'd


s: After short blush of Morn; nigh in her sight


s: The Bird of Jove, stoopt from his aerie tour,


s: Two Birds of gayest plume before him drove:


s: Down from a Hill the Beast that reigns in Woods,


s: First Hunter then, pursu'd a gentle brace,


s: Direct to th' Eastern Gate was bent thir flight.


s: Adam observ'd, and with his Eye the chase


s: Pursuing, not unmov'd to Eve thus spake.


s: O Eve, some furder change awaits us nigh,


s: Which Heav'n by these mute signs in Nature shews


s: From penaltie, because from death releast


s: Some days; how long, and what till then our life,


s: Who knows, or more then this, that we are dust,


s: Why else this double object in our sight


s: Of flight pursu'd in th' Air and ore the ground


s: One way the self-same hour? why in the East


s: Darkness ere Dayes mid-course, and Morning light


s: More orient in yon Western Cloud that draws


s: O're the blew Firmament a radiant white,


s: And slow descends, with somthing heav'nly fraught.


s: He err'd not, for by this the heav'nly Bands


s: And carnal fear that day dimm'd Adams eye.


s: Not that more glorious, when the Angels met


s: The field Pavilion'd with his Guardians bright;


s: Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd


s: Against the Syrian King, who to surprize


s: In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise


s: To finde where Adam shelterd, took his way,


s: While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake.


s: Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps


s: From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill


s: One of the heav'nly Host, and by his Gate


s: None of the meanest, some great Potentate


s: But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,


s: With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.


s: He ended; and th' Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,


s: In time of Truce; Iris had dipt the wooff;


s: His starrie Helme unbuckl'd shew'd him prime


s: In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side


s: As in a glistering Zodiac hung the Sword,


s: Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.


s: Adam bowd low, hee Kingly from his State


s: Inclin'd not, but his coming thus declar'd.


s: Adam, Heav'ns high behest no Preface needs:


s: Sufficient that thy Prayers are heard, and Death,


s: Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,


s: Giv'n thee of Grace, wherein thou may'st repent,


s: And one bad act with many deeds well done


s: Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeas'd


s: Redeem thee quite from Deaths rapacious claimes;


s: And send thee from the Garden forth to till


s: The ground whence thou wast tak'n, fitter Soile.


s: Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,


s: That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen


s: Discover'd soon the place of her retire.


s: O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!


s: Must I thus leave thee Paradise? thus leave


s: Thee Native Soile, these happie Walks and Shades,


s: Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,


s: Quiet though sad, the respit of that day


s: That must be mortal to us both. O flours,


s: At Eev'n, which I bred up with tender hand


s: From the first op'ning bud, and gave ye Names,


s: Who now shall reare ye to the Sun, or ranke


s: Your Tribes, and water from th' ambrosial Fount?


s: Thee lastly nuptial Bowre, by mee adornd


s: With what to sight or smell was sweet; from thee


s: How shall I part, and whither wander down


s: And wilde, how shall we breath in other Aire


s: Less pure, accustomd to immortal Fruits?


s: What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,


s: Thus over fond, on that which is not thine;


s: Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;


s: Where he abides, think there thy native soile.


s: Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,


s: To Michael thus his humble words addressd.


s: Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or nam'd


s: Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem


s: Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould


s: Thy message, which might else in telling wound,


s: Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,


s: Departure from this happy place, our sweet


s: Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer


s: Incessant I could hope to change the will


s: Of him who all things can, I would not cease


s: No more availes then breath against the winde,


s: Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:


s: Therefore to his great bidding I submit.


s: This most afflicts me, that departing hence,


s: As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd


s: His blessed count'nance; here I could frequent,


s: With worship, place by place where he voutsaf'd


s: On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree


s: Stood visible, among these Pines his voice


s: I heard, here with him at this Fountain talk'd:


s: Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone


s: Offer sweet smelling Gumms & Fruits and Flours:


s: In yonder nether World where shall I seek


s: His bright appearances, or footstep trace?


s: For though I fled him angrie, yet recall'd


s: To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now


s: Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts


s: To whom thus Michael with regard benigne.


s: Adam, thou know'st Heav'n his, and all the Earth


s: Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills


s: Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,


s: Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:


s: All th' Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,


s: His presence to these narrow bounds confin'd


s: Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred


s: From all the ends of th' Earth, to celebrate


s: And reverence thee thir great Progenitor.


s: But this praeeminence thou hast lost, brought down


s: To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:


s: Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine


s: Present, and of his presence many a signe


s: Still following thee, still compassing thee round


s: With goodness and paternal Love, his Face


s: Express, and of his steps the track Divine.


s: Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd,


s: Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent


s: To shew thee what shall come in future dayes


s: To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad


s: Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending


s: With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn


s: True patience, and to temper joy with fear


s: Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead


s: Safest thy life, and best prepar'd endure


s: Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend


s: This Hill; let Eve (for I have drencht her eyes)


s: Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak'st,


s: As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.


s: Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path


s: Thou lead'st me, and to the hand of Heav'n submit,


s: By suffering, and earne rest from labour won,


s: Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay.


s: Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round,


s: Whereon for different cause the Tempter set


s: To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and thir Glory.


s: His Eye might there command wherever stood


s: Of mightiest Empire, from the destind Walls


s: Turchestan-born; nor could his eye not ken


s: Or thence from Niger Flood to Atlas Mount


s: On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway


s: The World: in Spirit perhaps he also saw


s: Michael from Adams eyes the Filme remov'd


s: Which that false Fruit that promis'd clearer sight


s: Had bred; then purg'd with Euphrasie and Rue


s: The visual Nerve, for he had much to see;


s: And from the Well of Life three drops instill'd.


s: So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc'd,


s: Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight,


s: That Adam now enforc't to close his eyes,


s: Sunk down and all his Spirits became intranst:


s: Soon rais'd, and his attention thus recall'd.


s: Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold


s: Th' effects which thy original crime hath wrought


s: In some to spring from thee, who never touch'd


s: Th' excepted Tree, nor with the Snake conspir'd,


s: Nor sinn'd thy sin, yet from that sin derive


s: Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.


s: Part arable and tilth, whereon were Sheaves


s: New reapt, the other part sheep-walks and foulds;


s: Ith' midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood


s: A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought


s: First Fruits, the green Eare, and the yellow Sheaf,


s: Uncull'd, as came to hand; a Shepherd next


s: More meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock


s: Choicest and best; then sacrificing, laid


s: The Inwards and thir Fat, with Incense strew'd,


s: On the cleft Wood, and all due Rites perform'd.


s: His Offring soon propitious Fire from Heav'n


s: Consum'd with nimble glance, and grateful steame;


s: The others not, for his was not sincere;


s: Whereat hee inlie rag'd, and as they talk'd,


s: That beat out life; he fell, and deadly pale


s: Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effus'd.


s: Much at that sight was Adam in his heart


s: Dismai'd, and thus in haste to th' Angel cri'd.


s: O Teacher, some great mischief hath befall'n


s: To that meek man, who well had sacrific'd;


s: T' whom Michael thus, hee also mov'd, repli'd.


s: These two are Brethren, Adam, and to come


s: Out of thy loyns; th' unjust the just hath slain,


s: For envie that his Brothers Offering found


s: From Heav'n acceptance; but the bloodie Fact


s: Will be aveng'd, and th' others Faith approv'd


s: Loose no reward, though here thou see him die,


s: Rowling in dust and gore. To which our Sire.


s: Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!


s: But have I now seen Death? Is this the way


s: To whom thus Michael. Death thou hast seen


s: In his first shape on man; but many shapes


s: Of Death, and many are the wayes that lead


s: To his grim Cave, all dismal; yet to sense


s: More terrible at th' entrance then within.


s: Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die,


s: By Fire, Flood, Famin, by Intemperance more


s: In Meats and Drinks, which on the Earth shal bring


s: Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew


s: Before thee shall appear; that thou mayst know


s: Before his eyes appeard, sad, noysom, dark,


s: A Lazar-house it seemd, wherein were laid


s: Of gastly Spasm, or racking torture, qualmes


s: Of heart-sick Agonie, all feavorous kinds,


s: Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,


s: Dropsies, and Asthma's, and Joint-racking Rheums.


s: Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair


s: Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;


s: Shook, but delaid to strike, though oft invok't


s: With vows, as thir chief good, and final hope.


s: Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long


s: Drie-ey'd behold? Adam could not, but wept,


s: Though not of Woman born; compassion quell'd


s: His best of Man, and gave him up to tears


s: A space, till firmer thoughts restraind excess,


s: And scarce recovering words his plaint renew'd.


s: Degraded, to what wretched state reserv'd?


s: Better end heer unborn. Why is life giv'n


s: What we receive, would either not accept


s: Life offer'd, or soon beg to lay it down,


s: Glad to be so dismist in peace. Can thus


s: So goodly and erect, though faultie since,


s: Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,


s: Thir Makers Image, answerd Michael, then


s: Forsook them, when themselves they villifi'd


s: His Image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice,


s: Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but thir own,


s: Or if his likeness, by themselves defac't


s: While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules


s: To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they


s: Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.


s: To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?


s: There is, said Michael, if thou well observe


s: The rule of not too much, by temperance taught


s: In what thou eatst and drinkst, seeking from thence


s: Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,


s: So maist thou live, till like ripe Fruit thou drop


s: Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature:


s: This is old age; but then thou must outlive


s: Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change


s: Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgoe,


s: To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth


s: Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reigne


s: To waigh thy spirits down, and last consume


s: The Balme of Life. To whom our Ancestor.


s: Henceforth I flie not Death, nor would prolong


s: Life much, bent rather how I may be quit


s: Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge,


s: Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst


s: Live well, how long or short permit to Heav'n:


s: He lookd and saw a spacious Plaine, whereon


s: Were Tents of various hue; by some were herds


s: Of Cattel grazing: others, whence the sound


s: Of Instruments that made melodious chime


s: Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who moovd


s: Thir stops and chords was seen: his volant touch


s: Instinct through all proportions low and high


s: Fled and pursu'd transverse the resonant fugue.


s: In other part stood one who at the Forge


s: Labouring, two massie clods of Iron and Brass


s: Had melted (whether found where casual fire


s: Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale,


s: Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot


s: To som Caves mouth, or whether washt by stream


s: From underground) the liquid Ore he dreind


s: Into fit moulds prepar'd; from which he formd


s: First his own Tooles; then, what might else be wrought


s: Fulfil or grav'n in mettle. After these,


s: From the high neighbouring Hills, which was thir Seat,


s: Down to the Plain descended: by thir guise


s: Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent


s: To worship God aright, and know his works


s: Not hid, nor those things lost which might preserve


s: Freedom and Peace to men: they on the Plain


s: Long had not walkt, when from the Tents behold


s: In Gems and wanton dress; to the Harp they sung


s: Soft amorous Ditties, and in dance came on:


s: The Men though grave, ey'd them, and let thir eyes


s: Rove without rein, till in the amorous Net


s: Fast caught, they lik'd, and each his liking chose;


s: And now of love they treat till th' Eevning Star


s: Loves Harbinger appeerd; then all in heat


s: They light the Nuptial Torch, and bid invoke


s: Hymen, then first to marriage Rites invok't;


s: With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.


s: Of love & youth not lost, Songs, Garlands, Flours,


s: And charming Symphonies attach'd the heart


s: Of Adam, soon enclin'd to admit delight,


s: The bent of Nature; which he thus express'd.


s: True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,


s: Much better seems this Vision, and more hope


s: Of peaceful dayes portends, then those two past;


s: Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse,


s: Here Nature seems fulfilld in all her ends.


s: To whom thus Michael. Judg not what is best


s: By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,


s: Those Tents thou sawst so pleasant, were the Tents


s: Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his Race


s: Who slew his Brother; studious they appere


s: Of Arts that polish Life, Inventers rare,


s: Unmindful of thir Maker, though his Spirit


s: Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg'd none.


s: Yet they a beauteous ofspring shall beget;


s: For that fair femal Troop thou sawst, that seemd


s: Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,


s: Womans domestic honour and chief praise;


s: Of lustful apperence, to sing, to dance,


s: To dress, and troule the Tongue, and roule the Eye.


s: To these that sober Race of Men, whose lives


s: Shall yeild up all thir vertue, all thir fame


s: Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles


s: Of these fair Atheists, and now swim in joy,


s: (Erelong to swim at larg) and laugh; for which


s: The world erelong a world of tears must weepe.


s: O pittie and shame, that they who to live well


s: Enterd so faire, should turn aside to tread


s: Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint!


s: From Mans effeminate slackness it begins,


s: Said th' Angel, who should better hold his place


s: By wisdome, and superiour gifts receavd.


s: Before him, Towns, and rural works between,


s: Cities of Men with lofty Gates and Towrs,


s: Concours in Arms, fierce Faces threatning Warr,


s: Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise;


s: Part wield thir Arms, part courb the foaming Steed,


s: Both Horse and Foot, nor idely mustring stood;


s: One way a Band select from forage drives


s: A herd of Beeves, faire Oxen and faire Kine


s: From a fat Meddow ground; or fleecy Flock,


s: Ewes and thir bleating Lambs over the Plaine,


s: Thir Bootie; scarce with Life the Shepherds flye,


s: But call in aide, which tacks a bloody Fray;


s: With cruel Tournament the Squadrons joine;


s: Where Cattel pastur'd late, now scatterd lies


s: With Carcasses and Arms th' ensanguind Field


s: Lay Siege, encampt; by Batterie, Scale, and Mine,


s: With Dart and Jav'lin, Stones and sulfurous Fire;


s: On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.


s: In other part the scepter'd Haralds call


s: Grey-headed men and grave, with Warriours mixt,


s: Assemble, and Harangues are heard, but soon


s: In wise deport, spake much of Right and Wrong,


s: And Judgement from above: him old and young


s: Exploded, and had seiz'd with violent hands,


s: Had not a Cloud descending snatch'd him thence


s: Through all the Plain, and refuge none was found.


s: Lamenting turnd full sad; O what are these,


s: Deaths Ministers, not Men, who thus deal Death


s: Ten thousand fould the sin of him who slew


s: Make they but of thir Brethren, men of men?


s: But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav'n


s: Rescu'd, had in his Righteousness bin lost?


s: To whom thus Michael; These are the product


s: Of those ill-mated Marriages thou saw'st;


s: Where good with bad were matcht, who of themselves


s: Produce prodigious Births of bodie or mind.


s: Such were these Giants, men of high renown;


s: For in those dayes Might onely shall be admir'd,


s: Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite


s: Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch


s: Of triumph, to be styl'd great Conquerours,


s: Destroyers rightlier call'd and Plagues of men.


s: Thus Fame shall be achiev'd, renown on Earth,


s: And what most merits fame in silence hid.


s: But hee the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst


s: The onely righteous in a World perverse,


s: And utter odious Truth, that God would come


s: To judge them with his Saints: Him the most High


s: Rapt in a balmie Cloud with winged Steeds


s: Did, as thou sawst, receave, to walk with God


s: High in Salvation and the Climes of bliss,


s: Exempt from Death; to shew thee what reward


s: Awaits the good, the rest what punishment;


s: Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.


s: He look'd, & saw the face of things quite chang'd;


s: The brazen Throat of Warr had ceast to roar,


s: All now was turn'd to jollitie and game,


s: Allurd them; thence from Cups to civil Broiles.


s: At length a Reverend Sire among them came,


s: And of thir doings great dislike declar'd,


s: And testifi'd against thir wayes; hee oft


s: Frequented thir Assemblies, whereso met,


s: Triumphs or Festivals, and to them preachd


s: But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas'd


s: Contending, and remov'd his Tents farr off;


s: Then from the Mountain hewing Timber tall,


s: Measur'd by Cubit, length, & breadth, and highth,


s: Smeard round with Pitch, and in the side a dore


s: Contriv'd, and of provisions laid in large


s: For Man and Beast: when loe a wonder strange!


s: Of everie Beast, and Bird, and Insect small


s: Came seavens, and pairs, and enterd in, as taught


s: Thir order; last the Sire, and his three Sons


s: With thir four Wives, and God made fast the dore.


s: Meanwhile the Southwind rose, & with black wings


s: Wide hovering, all the Clouds together drove


s: From under Heav'n; the Hills to their supplie


s: Sent up amain; and now the thick'nd Skie


s: Like a dark Ceeling stood; down rush'd the Rain


s: No more was seen; the floating Vessel swum


s: Rode tilting o're the Waves, all dwellings else


s: Flood overwhelmd, and them with all thir pomp


s: Deep under water rould; Sea cover'd Sea,


s: Where luxurie late reign'd, Sea-monsters whelp'd


s: And stabl'd; of Mankind, so numerous late,


s: All left, in one small bottom swum imbark't.


s: How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold


s: The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad,


s: Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drown'd,


s: And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard


s: By th' Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,


s: Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns


s: His Childern, all in view destroyd at once;


s: And scarce to th' Angel utterdst thus thy plaint.


s: Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst


s: At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth


s: With thought that they must be. Let no man seek


s: Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall


s: Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,


s: Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,


s: Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,


s: Man is not whom to warne: those few escap't


s: When violence was ceas't, and Warr on Earth,


s: All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd


s: With length of happy days the race of man;


s: Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.


s: How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide,


s: And whether here the Race of man will end.


s: To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst


s: In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they


s: And great exploits, but of true vertu void;


s: Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste


s: Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,


s: Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,


s: Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride


s: Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.


s: Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose


s: And feare of God, from whom thir pietie feign'd


s: In sharp contest of Battel found no aide


s: Against invaders; therefore coold in zeale


s: Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure,


s: Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir Lords


s: Shall leave them to enjoy; for th' Earth shall bear


s: More then anough, that temperance may be tri'd:


s: So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd,


s: Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;


s: Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,


s: Shall them admonish, and before them set


s: The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,


s: And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come


s: Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,


s: To save himself and houshold from amidst


s: No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast


s: Select for life shall in the Ark be lodg'd,


s: And shelterd round, but all the Cataracts


s: Of Heav'n set open on the Earth shall powre


s: Raine day and night, all fountaines of the Deep


s: Broke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurp


s: Above the highest Hills: then shall this Mount


s: Out of his place, pushd by the horned floud,


s: With all his verdure spoil'd, and Trees adrift


s: Down the great River to the op'ning Gulf,


s: And there take root an Iland salt and bare,


s: The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang.


s: To teach thee that God attributes to place


s: No sanctitie, if none be thither brought


s: By Men who there frequent, or therein dwell.


s: And now what further shall ensue, behold.


s: He lookd, and saw the Ark hull on the floud,


s: Which now abated, for the Clouds were fled,


s: Drivn by a keen North-winde, that blowing drie


s: Wrinkl'd the face of Deluge, as decai'd;


s: And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass


s: Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh Wave largely drew,


s: As after thirst, which made thir flowing shrink


s: From standing lake to tripping ebbe, that stole


s: With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt


s: His Sluces, as the Heav'n his windows shut.


s: The Ark no more now flotes, but seems on ground


s: Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt.


s: And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer;


s: With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive


s: Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde.


s: Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies,


s: Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light;


s: An Olive leafe he brings, pacific signe:


s: Anon drie ground appeers, and from his Arke


s: The ancient Sire descends with all his Train;


s: Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,


s: Grateful to Heav'n, over his head beholds


s: Conspicuous with three lifted colours gay,


s: Betok'ning peace from God, and Cov'nant new.


s: Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth.


s: O thou that future things canst represent


s: As present, Heav'nly instructer, I revive


s: At this last sight, assur'd that Man shall live


s: With all the Creatures, and thir seed preserve.


s: Farr less I now lament for one whole World


s: For one Man found so perfet and so just,


s: That God voutsafes to raise another World


s: But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,


s: Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde


s: The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud,


s: Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth?


s: To whom th' Archangel. Dextrously thou aim'st;


s: Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd,


s: Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he saw


s: The whole Earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh


s: Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoov'd,


s: Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight,


s: That he relents, not to blot out mankind,


s: The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea


s: Surpass his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World


s: With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings


s: Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set


s: His triple-colour'd Bow, whereon to look


s: And call to mind his Cov'nant: Day and Night,


s: Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost


s: Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new,


s: Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.


s: And Moon struck madness, pining Atrophie,


s: Though bent on speed, so heer the Archangel' paus'd


s: Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restor'd,


s: Then with transition sweet new Speech resumes]


s: Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end;


s: Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceave


s: Thy mortal sight to faile; objects divine


s: Must needs impaire and wearie human sense:


s: Henceforth what is to com I will relate,


s: Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.


s: This second sours of Men, while yet but few,


s: And while the dread of judgement past remains


s: Fresh in thir mindes, fearing the Deitie,


s: With some regard to what is just and right


s: Shall lead thir lives, and multiplie apace,


s: Labouring the soile, and reaping plenteous crop,


s: Corn wine and oyle; and from the herd or flock,


s: With large Wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred Feast


s: Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd, and dwell


s: Long time in peace by Families and Tribes


s: Under paternal rule; till one shall rise


s: Of proud ambitious heart, who not content


s: Concord and law of Nature from the Earth;


s: Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game)


s: With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse


s: A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd


s: Before the Lord, as in despite of Heav'n,


s: Or from Heav'n claming second Sovrantie;


s: And from Rebellion shall derive his name,


s: Hee with a crew, whom like Ambition joyns


s: Marching from Eden towards the West, shall finde


s: The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge


s: Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell;


s: Of Brick, and of that stuff they cast to build


s: A Citie & Towre, whose top may reach to Heav'n;


s: And get themselves a name, least far disperst


s: Unseen, and through thir habitations walks


s: To mark thir doings, them beholding soon,


s: Comes down to see thir Citie, ere the Tower


s: Obstruct Heav'n Towrs, and in derision sets


s: Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase


s: Quite out thir Native Language, and instead


s: To sow a jangling noise of words unknown:


s: Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,


s: As mockt they storm; great laughter was in Heav'n


s: And looking down, to see the hubbub strange


s: And hear the din; thus was the building left


s: Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd.


s: Above his Brethren, to himself affirming


s: Stayes not on Man; to God his Tower intends


s: Siege and defiance: Wretched man! what food


s: Himself and his rash Armie, where thin Aire


s: Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross,


s: And famish him of Breath, if not of Bread?


s: To whom thus Michael. Justly thou abhorr'st


s: Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue


s: Is lost, which alwayes with right Reason dwells


s: Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being:


s: And upstart Passions catch the Government


s: Man till then free. Therefore since hee permits


s: Within himself unworthie Powers to reign


s: Subjects him from without to violent Lords;


s: Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low


s: From vertue, which is reason, that no wrong,


s: But Justice, and some fatal curse annext


s: Thir inward lost: Witness th' irreverent Son


s: Of him who built the Ark, who for the shame


s: Don to his Father, heard this heavie curse,


s: Servant Of Servants, on his vitious Race.


s: Thus will this latter, as the former World,


s: Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last


s: His holy Eyes; resolving from thenceforth


s: To leave them to thir own polluted wayes;


s: From all the rest, of whom to be invok'd,


s: A Nation from one faithful man to spring:


s: Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,


s: (Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown,


s: While yet the Patriark liv'd, who scap'd the Flood,


s: To-worship thir own work in Wood and Stone


s: For Gods! yet him God the most High voutsafes


s: To call by Vision from his Fathers house,


s: Which he will shew him, and from him will raise


s: All Nations shall be blest; hee straight obeys,


s: Not knowing to what Land, yet firm believes:


s: I see him, but thou canst not, with what Faith


s: He leaves his Gods, his Friends, and native Soile


s: Of Herds and Flocks, and numerous servitude;


s: Not wandring poor, but trusting all his wealth


s: With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown.


s: Pitcht about Sechem, and the neighbouring Plaine


s: (Things by thir names I call, though yet unnam'd)


s: From Hermon East to the great Western Sea,


s: Mount Hermon, yonder Sea, each place behold


s: In prospect, as I point them; on the shoare


s: Mount Carmel; here the double-founted stream


s: Jordan, true limit Eastward; but his Sons


s: Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of Hills.


s: This ponder, that all Nations of the Earth


s: Shall in his Seed be blessed; by that Seed


s: Is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise


s: Plainlier shall be reveald. This Patriarch blest,


s: Whom Faithful Abraham due time shall call,


s: A Son, and of his Son a Grand-childe leaves,


s: Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown;


s: The Grandchilde with twelve Sons increast, departs


s: See where it flows, disgorging at seaven mouthes


s: In time of dearth, a Son whose worthy deeds


s: Raise him to be the second in that Realme


s: Of Pharao: there he dies, and leaves his Race


s: To stop thir overgrowth, as inmate guests


s: Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves


s: Inhospitably, and kills thir infant Males:


s: Till by two brethren (those two brethren call


s: Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claime


s: His people from enthralment, they return


s: With glory and spoile back to thir promis'd Land.


s: But first the lawless Tyrant, who denies


s: Must be compelld by Signes and Judgements dire;


s: To blood unshed the Rivers must be turnd,


s: Frogs, Lice and Flies must all his Palace fill


s: With loath'd intrusion, and fill all the land;


s: Botches and blaines must all his flesh imboss,


s: And all his people; Thunder mixt with Haile,


s: And wheel on th' Earth, devouring where it rouls;


s: What it devours not, Herb, or Fruit, or Graine,


s: A darksom Cloud of Locusts swarming down


s: Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green:


s: Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,


s: Palpable darkness, and blot out three dayes;


s: Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born


s: This River-dragon tam'd at length submits


s: Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as Ice


s: More hard'nd after thaw, till in his rage


s: Swallows him with his Host, but them lets pass


s: As on drie land between two christal walls,


s: Divided, till his rescu'd gain thir shoar:


s: Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend,


s: Though present in his Angel, who shall goe


s: Before them in a Cloud, and Pillar of Fire,


s: To guide them in thir journey, and remove


s: Behinde them, while th' obdurat King pursues:


s: All night he will pursue, but his approach


s: Darkness defends between till morning Watch;


s: Then through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud


s: God looking forth will trouble all his Host


s: And craze thir Chariot wheels: when by command


s: On thir imbattelld ranks the Waves return,


s: Safe towards Canaan from the shoar advance


s: Through the wilde Desert, not the readiest way,


s: Inglorious life with servitude; for life


s: Untraind in Armes, where rashness leads not on.


s: In the wide Wilderness, there they shall found


s: Thir government, and thir great Senate choose


s: Through the twelve Tribes, to rule by Laws ordaind:


s: God from the Mount of Sinai, whose gray top


s: Shall tremble, he descending, will himself


s: In Thunder Lightning and loud Trumpets sound


s: Ordaine them Lawes; part such as appertaine


s: And shadowes, of that destind Seed to bruise


s: The Serpent, by what meanes he shall achieve


s: Mankinds deliverance. But the voice of God


s: To mortal eare is dreadful; they beseech


s: That Moses might report to them his will,


s: And terror cease; he grants them thir desire,


s: One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,


s: And all the Prophets in thir Age the times


s: Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus Laws and Rites


s: Establisht, such delight hath God in Men


s: Seaven Lamps as in a Zodiac representing


s: The Heav'nly fires; over the Tent a Cloud


s: Shall rest by Day, a fierie gleame by Night,


s: Save when they journie, and at length they come,


s: Promisd to Abraham and his Seed: the rest


s: Were long to tell, how many Battels fought,


s: How many Kings destroyd, and Kingdoms won,


s: Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav'n stand still


s: A day entire, and Nights due course adjourne,


s: Mans voice commanding, Sun in Gibeon stand,


s: From Abraham, Son of Isaac, and from him


s: His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win.


s: Here Adam interpos'd. O sent from Heav'n,


s: Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things


s: Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne


s: Just Abraham and his Seed: now first I finde


s: Mine eyes true op'ning, and my heart much eas'd,


s: Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom


s: His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,


s: Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth


s: Among them; how can God with such reside?


s: To whom thus Michael. Doubt not but that sin


s: Will reign among them, as of thee begot;


s: And therefore was Law given them to evince


s: Sin against Law to fight; that when they see


s: The bloud of Bulls and Goats, they may conclude


s: Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man,


s: Just for unjust, that in such righteousness


s: To them by Faith imputed, they may finde


s: Of Conscience, which the Law by Ceremonies


s: Perform, and not performing cannot live.


s: With purpose to resign them in full time


s: From shadowie Types to Truth, from Flesh to Spirit,


s: Acceptance of large Grace, from servil fear


s: To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.


s: And therefore shall not Moses, though of God


s: But Joshua whom the Gentiles Jesus call,


s: His Name and Office bearing, who shall quell


s: Through the worlds wilderness long wanderd man


s: Meanwhile they in thir earthly Canaan plac't


s: Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins


s: By Judges first, then under Kings; of whom


s: And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive


s: For ever shall endure; the like shall sing


s: Of David (so I name this King) shall rise


s: A Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,


s: Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust


s: All Nations, and to Kings foretold, of Kings


s: The last, for of his Reign shall be no end.


s: And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd,


s: The clouded Ark of God till then in Tents


s: Wandring, shall in a glorious Temple enshrine.


s: Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scrowle,


s: Heapt to the popular summe, will so incense


s: God, as to leave them, and expose thir Land,


s: Thir Citie, his Temple, and his holy Ark


s: With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey


s: To that proud Citie, whose high Walls thou saw'st


s: Left in confusion, Babylon thence call'd.


s: The space of seventie years, then brings them back,


s: Remembring mercie, and his Cov'nant sworn


s: To David, stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n.


s: Thir Lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God


s: In mean estate live moderate, till grown


s: In wealth and multitude, factious they grow;


s: But first among the Priests dissension springs,


s: Men who attend the Altar, and should most


s: Endeavour Peace: thir strife pollution brings


s: Upon the Temple it self: at last they seise


s: The Scepter, and regard not Davids Sons,


s: Then loose it to a stranger, that the true


s: Barr'd of his right; yet at his Birth a Starr


s: Unseen before in Heav'n proclaims him com,


s: And guides the Eastern Sages, who enquire


s: His place, to offer Incense, Myrrh, and Gold;


s: To simple Shepherds, keeping watch by night;


s: They gladly thither haste, and by a Quire


s: Of squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung.


s: The Power of the most High; he shall ascend


s: The Throne hereditarie, and bound his Reign


s: With earths wide bounds, his glory with the Heav'ns.


s: He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy


s: Surcharg'd, as had like grief bin dew'd in tears,


s: Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.


s: What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain,


s: Why our great expectation should be call'd


s: The seed of Woman: Virgin Mother, Haile,


s: High in the love of Heav'n, yet from my Loynes


s: Thou shalt proceed, and from thy Womb the Son


s: Of God most High; So God with man unites.


s: Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise


s: Expect with mortal paine: say where and when


s: Thir fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel.


s: To whom thus Michael. Dream not of thir fight,


s: Of head or heel: not therefore joynes the Son


s: Manhood to God-head, with more strength to foil


s: Satan, whose fall from Heav'n, a deadlier bruise,


s: Disabl'd not to give thee thy deaths wound:


s: Which hee, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure,


s: In thee and in thy Seed: nor can this be,


s: But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,


s: On penaltie of death, and suffering death,


s: And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:


s: Both by obedience and by love, though love


s: Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe


s: In his redemption, and that his obedience


s: Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits


s: To save them, not thir own, though legal works.


s: For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd,


s: Seis'd on by force, judg'd, and to death condemnd


s: A shameful and accurst, naild to the Cross


s: By his own Nation, slaine for bringing Life;


s: The Law that is against thee, and the sins


s: Of all mankinde, with him there crucifi'd,


s: Never to hurt them more who rightly trust


s: But soon revives, Death over him no power


s: Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light


s: Returne, the Starres of Morn shall see him rise


s: Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,


s: Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,


s: His death for Man, as many as offerd Life


s: By Faith not void of works: this God-like act


s: Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have dy'd,


s: In sin for ever lost from life; this act


s: Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength


s: Defeating Sin and Death, his two maine armes,


s: And fix farr deeper in his head thir stings


s: Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,


s: Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,


s: Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer


s: Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge


s: To teach all nations what of him they learn'd


s: And his Salvation, them who shall beleeve


s: Baptizing in the profluent streame, the signe


s: Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life


s: Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befall,


s: For death, like that which the redeemer dy'd.


s: All Nations they shall teach; for from that day


s: Not onely to the Sons of Abrahams Loines


s: Salvation shall be Preacht, but to the Sons


s: Of Abrahams Faith wherever through the world;


s: So in his seed all Nations shall be blest.


s: Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend


s: With victory, triumphing through the aire


s: Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise


s: The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in Chaines


s: Through all his realme, & there confounded leave;


s: His Seat at Gods right hand, exalted high


s: Above all names in Heav'n; and thence shall come,


s: When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,


s: With glory and power to judge both quick & dead,


s: To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward


s: His faithful, and receave them into bliss,


s: Whether in Heav'n or Earth, for then the Earth


s: Shall all be Paradise, far happier place


s: Then this of Eden, and far happier daies.


s: So spake th' Archangel Michael, then paus'd,


s: As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire


s: Replete with joy and wonder thus repli'd.


s: That all this good of evil shall produce,


s: Then that which by creation first brought forth


s: Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,


s: Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring,


s: To God more glory, more good will to Men


s: From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound.


s: His faithful, left among th' unfaithful herd,


s: The enemies of truth; who then shall guide


s: His people, who defend? will they not deale


s: Wors with his followers then with him they dealt?


s: Be sure they will, said th' Angel; but from Heav'n


s: The promise of the Father, who shall dwell


s: His Spirit within them, and the Law of Faith


s: Working through love, upon thir hearts shall write,


s: To guide them in all truth, and also arme


s: Satans assaults, and quench his fierie darts


s: What Man can do against them, not affraid,


s: Though to the death, against such cruelties


s: Thir proudest persecuters: for the Spirit


s: Powrd first on his Apostles, whom he sends


s: Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue


s: To speak all Tongues, and do all Miracles,


s: As did thir Lord before them. Thus they win


s: With joy the tidings brought from Heav'n: at length


s: Thir Ministry perform'd, and race well run,


s: Thir doctrine and thir story written left,


s: They die; but in thir room, as they forewarne,


s: Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous Wolves,


s: With superstitions and traditions taint,


s: Left onely in those written Records pure,


s: Though not but by the Spirit understood.


s: Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,


s: Places and titles, and with these to joine


s: Secular power, though feigning still to act


s: By spiritual, to themselves appropriating


s: The Spirit of God, promisd alike and giv'n


s: To all Beleevers; and from that pretense,


s: Spiritual Lawes by carnal power shall force


s: On every conscience; Laws which none shall finde


s: Left them inrould, or what the Spirit within


s: Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then


s: But force the Spirit of Grace it self, and binde


s: His living Temples, built by Faith to stand,


s: Thir own Faith not anothers: for on Earth


s: Who against Faith and Conscience can be heard


s: Of Spirit and Truth; the rest, farr greater part,


s: Will deem in outward Rites and specious formes


s: Bestuck with slandrous darts, and works of Faith


s: Rarely be found: so shall the World goe on,


s: Under her own waight groaning, till the day


s: The Womans seed, obscurely then foretold,


s: Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,


s: Last in the Clouds from Heav'n to be reveald


s: Satan with his perverted World, then raise


s: From the conflagrant mass, purg'd and refin'd,


s: New Heav'ns, new Earth, Ages of endless date


s: Founded in righteousness and peace and love,


s: To bring forth fruits Joy and eternal Bliss.


s: How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,


s: Measur'd this transient World, the Race of time,


s: Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss,


s: Greatly instructed I shall hence depart,


s: Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill


s: Of knowledge, what this vessel can containe;


s: Henceforth I learne, that to obey is best,


s: And love with feare the onely God, to walk


s: Accomplishing great things, by things deemd weak


s: Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise


s: By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake


s: And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;


s: To whom thus also th' Angel last repli'd:


s: This having learnt, thou hast attaind the summe


s: Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs


s: Thou knewst by name, and all th' ethereal Powers,


s: All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,


s: Or works of God in Heav'n, Air, Earth, or Sea,


s: And all the riches of this World enjoydst,


s: Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,


s: By name to come call'd Charitie, the soul


s: Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath


s: To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess


s: Let us descend now therefore from this top


s: Exacts our parting hence; and see the Guards,


s: Thir motion, at whose Front a flaming Sword,


s: In signal of remove, waves fiercely round;


s: Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm'd


s: Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd


s: Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard,


s: Chiefly what may concern her Faith to know,


s: The great deliverance by her Seed to come


s: That ye may live, which will be many dayes,


s: With cause for evils past, yet much more cheer'd


s: He ended, and they both descend the Hill;


s: Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak't;


s: And thus with words not sad she him receav'd.


s: Whence thou returnst, & whither wentst, I know;


s: For God is also in sleep, and Dreams advise,


s: Which he hath sent propitious, some great good


s: Presaging, since with sorrow and hearts distress


s: Is to stay here; without thee here to stay,


s: Art all things under Heav'n, all places thou,


s: Who for my wilful crime art banisht hence.


s: I carry hence; though all by mee is lost,


s: By mee the Promis'd Seed shall all restore.


s: Well pleas'd, but answer'd not; for now too nigh


s: Th' Archangel stood, and from the other Hill


s: To thir fixt Station, all in bright array


s: Ris'n from a River o're the marish glides,


s: And gathers ground fast at the Labourers heel


s: Homeward returning. High in Front advanc't,


s: The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz'd


s: Fierce as a Comet; which with torrid heat,


s: Began to parch that temperate Clime; whereat


s: In either hand the hastning Angel caught


s: Our lingring Parents, and to th' Eastern Gate


s: Let them direct, and down the Cliff as fast


s: To the subjected Plaine; then disappeer'd.


s: They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld


s: Wav'd over by that flaming Brand, the Gate


s: With dreadful Faces throng'd and fierie Armes:


s: Som natural tears they drop'd, but wip'd them soon;


s: The World was all before them, where to choose


s: Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:


s: They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow,


s: Argument:  The Angel.... seed] Thence from the Flood relates,


s: and by degrees explains who that seed 1667.


s: This poor little flutter of rhymes would not have been let down


s: the wind:  the project would have been abandoned but for the too


s: The "Loyal Lyrics" on Charles and James and the White Rose must


s: not be understood as implying a rebellious desire for the


s: subversion of the present illustrious dynasty.


s: These names of Prince, and rose, and King;


s: over the water that divides us from the voices and faces of our


s: Of the ballads, The Young Ruthven and The Queen of Spain were


s: written in competition with the street minstrels of the close of


s: the sixteenth century.  The legend on which The Young Ruthven is


s: based is well known; The Queen of Spain is the story of the


s: villain are purposely altered, so as to avoid injuring


s: susceptibilities and arousing unavailing regrets.


s: You should have shared the pint of Pope,


s: And taught, well pleased, the shining shell


s: And changed the stars of St. John's fate


s: You should have walked the courtly ground


s: Bring back these years in verse or prose,


s: The Maiden called for her great destrier,


s: But he lashed like a fiend when the Maid drew near:


s: "Lead him forth to the Cross!" she cried, and he stood


s: Like a steed of bronze by the Holy Rood!


s: With a good steel sperthe that swung by her side,


s: And girt with the sword of the Heavenly Bride,


s: That is sained with crosses five for a sign,


s: With the flowers of France on the field of fame


s: And, blent with the blossoms, the Holy Name!


s: And the Maiden's blazon was shown on a shield,


s: That banner was wrought by this hand, ye see,


s: Her banner was borne by a page of grace,


s: And behind it the ranks of her men were dressed -


s: Their souls were clean and their hearts were light:


s: There was never an oath, there was never a laugh,


s: And La Hire swore soft by his leading staff!


s: Had we died in that hour we had won the skies,


s: And the Maiden had marched us through Paradise!


s: A moment she turned to the people there,


s: Who had come to gaze on the Maiden fair;


s: A moment she glanced at the ring she wore,


s: Then, "For France and the King, good people pray!"


s: She spoke, and she cried to us, "ON AND AWAY!"


s: And the shouts broke forth, and the flowers rained down,


s: (A new-born star shone, which is figured on an early Medal of


s: (Being a Song writ for a lady born on June 10th, the birthday of


s: his Most Sacred Majesty King James III. and VIII.)


s: And the dreams of the day and the night,


s: There's an ending o' the dance, and fair Morag's safe in France,


s: And the wuddy has her ain, and we twa are left alane,


s: So ye'll tak the high road, and I'll tak the laigh road,


s: But me and my true love will never meet again,


s: By the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.


s: Where the glen lies a' in wrack, wi' the houses toom and black,


s: While there's heather on the hill shall my vengeance ne'er be


s: While a bush hides the glint o' a gun, lad;


s: Wi' the men o' Sergeant Mor shall I work to pay the score,


s: Till I wither on the wuddy in the sun, lad!


s: And strike one stroke at the foreign foes


s: For the Royal Rose that's like the snaw,


s: Dark, dark was the day when we looked on Culloden


s: And chill was the mist drop that clung to the tree,


s: The oats of the harvest hung heavy and sodden,


s: No light on the land and no wind on the sea.


s: There was wind, there was rain, there was fire on their faces,


s: When the clans broke the bayonets and died on the guns,


s: And 'tis Honour that watches the desolate places


s: Where they sleep through the change of the snows and the suns.


s: Unfed and unmarshalled, outworn and outnumbered,


s: All hopeless and fearless, as fiercely they fought,


s: As when Falkirk with heaps of the fallen was cumbered,


s: As when Gledsmuir was red with the havoc they wrought.


s: Ah, woe worth you, Sleat, and the faith that you vowed,


s: Ah, woe worth you, Lovat, Traquair, and Mackay;


s: And woe on the false fairy flag of Macleod,


s: And the fat squires who drank, but who dared not to die!


s: Where the graves of Clan Chattan are clustered together,


s: Where Macgillavray died by the Well of the Dead,


s: We stooped to the moorland and plucked the pale heather


s: That blooms where the hope of the Stuart was sped.


s: And a whisper awoke on the wilderness, sighing,


s: Like the voice of the heroes who battled in vain,


s: "Not for Tearlach alone the red claymore was plying,


s: But to bring back the old life that comes not again."


s: From shame, from doubt, from fear, from sin,


s: (After seeing her bowl with her usual success.)


s: And Small that would, like Orpheus, play


s: Till wild bulls followed his minstrelsy? {2}


s: The stumps with balls that broke astray?


s: Think ye that we could match them, pray,


s: Their pumps--our boots that pad the mud,


s: The lords of verse, the slaves of prose,


s: There are thoughts that the mind cannot fathom,


s: For, alas! though you offer to coach us,


s: Yes, a Vice with her lips full of laughter,


s: But a passion that's pale and played out,


s: What is sauce for the goose, for the gander


s: And though Life's not all beer and all skittles,


s: And, mon Dieu! he's a fool who belittles


s: There are cakes, there is ale--ay, and ginger


s: And a villain, with cloak and with whinger,


s: To hold that "love" can rhyme to "prove"


s: Though Keats rhymed "ear" to "Cytherea,"


s: And to "Magrath" rhymes--Muse despond! -


s: Why wilt thou woo, ah, strange Eurydice,


s: A languid laurell'd Orpheus in the shades,


s: And life is like the blossom on the tree,


s: The low light wanes and waxes, flowers and fades,


s: And sleep is sweet, and dreams suffice for me;


s: "Go back, and seek the sunlight," as of old,


s: Here am I half content, and scarce a-cold,


s: But one light fits the living, one the dead;


s: Good-bye, be glad, forget! thou canst not hold


s: In thy kind arms, alas! this powerless head.


s: E'en though, like the old gent in PUNCH,


s: "Not hungry, but, thank goodness! greedy."


s: There's nothing like the food of fiction.


s: Of Scott's or Ainsworth's "venison pasty,"


s: There's nothing like the food of fiction!


s: That graced the board of Gabriel Varden,


s: In Bracebridge Hall the Christmas roast,


s: Like Sairey Gamp's--the dear old sinner?


s: Like that for Short's and Codlin's dinner?


s: Prince, you are young--but you will find


s: After life's years of fret and friction,


s: (Matrimony--Advertiser would like to hear from well-educated


s: The wind down stream is blowing straight,


s: The sham Deromes have lost their charms,


s: That write in prose, or worse, on books.


s: Good night, to all your clan good night!


s: And 'tis he, with his lights on the fen,


s: Though neighbours "practise" loud and shrill,


s: The darkening years, the cares that kill,


s: (The ruined Gold Cities of Rhodesia.  The Ophir of Scripture.)


s: They passed, their country knoweth none,


s: Their work they did, their work is done,


s: Smote them; they passed, with none to tell


s: Strait gates, and graves, and ruined well,


s: known the perhaps Pythagorean fable of the bean-juice, but


s: certainly never thought of applying it to an amorous


s: correspondence!  The remaining verses are the contribution of his


s: But look on the face of the moon by night,


s: If they pen their thought on the paper white,


s: Had you only told me the spell, my dear,


s: And we dared not trust to the written word,


s: "Oh, every thought that your heart has thought,


s: The birds of the air to my heart have brought,


s: We spoke of a rest in a fairy knowe of the North, but he,


s: Weary and well content in his grave on the Vaea crest.


s: Tusitala, the lover of children, the teller of tales,


s: Giver of counsel and dreams, a wonder, a world's delight,


s: Looks o'er the labours of men in the plain and the hill; and the


s: Pass and repass on the sea that he loved, in the day and the


s: Winds of the West and the East in the rainy season blow


s: Heavy with perfume, and all his fragrant woods are wet,


s: Winds of the East and West as they wander to and fro,


s: Bear him the love of the land he loved, and the long regret.


s: Once we were kindest, he said, when leagues of the limitless sea


s: Flowed between us, but now that no wash of the wandering tides


s: Sunders us each from each, yet nearer we seem to be,


s: Whom only the unbridged stream of the river of Death divides.


s: Thou hast dear gifts, if thou wouldst give;


s: What if we call it fifty years!  'Tis steep!


s: To climb so high a gradient?  Prate of Guides?


s: Are we not roped?  The Danger?  Nay, the Turf,


s: No less nor more than mountain peaks, my friend,


s: Nay, there you have me:  old Francesco once


s: Our wild Visconti, with one lip askance,


s: And beard tongue-twisted in the nostril's nook)


s: Parlous enough,--these times--what?  "So are ours"?


s: Or any times, i'fegs, to him who thinks, -


s: Well 'twas in Spring "the frolic myrtle trees


s: There gendered the grave olive stocks,"--you cry


s: Believe me that indeed 'twas thus, and he,


s: Francesco, you are with me?  Well, there's gloom


s: No less than gladness in your fifty years,


s: "And so," said he, "to supper as we may."


s: "Voltairean?"  So you take it; but 'tis late,


s: And dinner seven, sharp, at Primrose Hill.


s: Yes, in the stream and stress of things,


s: Me, that have sung and shrieked, and foamed in praise of Freedom,


s: Parochial pomps, and waste, the wail of Jubileedom


s: Nay, by the foam that fleeting oars have feathered,


s: Nay, by the winds that barques Athenian weathered -


s: I bid you each be mute, Bards tamed and tethered,


s: For you the laurel smirched, for you the gold, too,


s: For me the Spirit of Song, unbought, unsold to


s: For you the gleam of gain, the fluttering cheque


s: For me, to soar above the ruins and wreck


s: When aflush with the dew of the dawn, and the


s: They shall hail me with hymning and harping,


s: The Singer who sung not but spurned them,


s: They shall fail and shall fade in derision,


s: "Tell me, O Muse of the Shifty, the Man who wandered afar,"


s: So have I chanted of late, and of Troy burg wasted of war -


s: Now of the sorrows of Menfolk that fifty years have been,


s: Now of the Grace of the Commune I sing, and the days of a Queen!


s: Surely I curse rich Menfolk, "the Wights of the Whirlwind" may