Or heat should injure us, his timely care Leave cold the night, how we his gathered beams Or, by collision of two bodies, grind The air attrite to fire; as late the clouds 1057 1065 Justling, or pushed with winds, rude in their shock, 1074 Tine the slant lightning; whose thwart flame, driven down, Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine; And sends a comfortable heat from far, Which might supply the sun: Such fire to use, To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, Beseeching him; so as we need not fear 1082 To pass commodiously this life sustained Humbly our faults, and pardon beg; with tears Of sorrow unfeigned, and humiliation meek. 1083 1093 1104 THE ARGUMENT. THE Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him; the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood. |