Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began Printed for J. Parsons, u, Paternoster Row. Dec. 11794. Book V. line 144. Heath sculp Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, If better thou belong not to the dawn, 166 Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. 170 Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and soul, Acknowledge him thy greater; sound his praise In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, And when high noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st. 174 Moon, that now meets the orient Sun, now fly'st, 180 185 And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change 191 Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines, 200 With every plant; in sign of worship wave. 205 So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts Firm peace rècover'd soon and wonted calm. 210 On to their morning's rural work they haste, Among sweet dews and flow'rs; where any row Of fruit-trees over-woody reach'd too far Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check Fruitless embraces; or they led the vine 215 To wed her elm: she spous'd about him twines Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dow'r th' adopted clusters, to adorn His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld With pity Heav'n's high King, and to him call'd Raphael, the sociable Sp'rit, that deign'd 221 To travel with Tobias, and secur'd : Happiness in his pow'r left free to will, 235 Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware He swerve not too secure. Tell him withal His danger, and from whom; what enemy, Late fall'n himself from Heav'n, is plotting now The fall of others from like state of bliss. 241 By vi'lence? No, for that shall be withstood; 245 So spake th' Eternal Father, and fulfill'd All justice: nor delay'd the winged Saint After his charge receiv'd; but from among Thousand celestial Ardors, where he stood 250 Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic choirs, U2 251 |