F Mans First Difobedience, and the Of that Forbidden Tree, whofe Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, With lofs of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, Sing Heav'nly Mufe, that on the secret top That Shepherd, who first taught the chofen Seed, Delight thee more, and Siloa's Brook that flow'd 21 Inftruct me, for Thou know'ft; Thou from the first And justifie the wayes of God to men. 30 Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State, Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress his Will For one restraint, Lords of the World befides? Who first feduc'd them to that fowl revolt? Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride Had caft him out from Heav'n, with all his Host Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring To set himself in Glory above his Peers, He trusted to have equal'd the most High, If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim Against the Throne and Monarchy of God Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie With hideous ruine and combustion down To bottomlefs perdition, there to dwell In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire, Who durft defie th' Omnipotent to Arms. Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night 40 49 To mortal men, he with his horrid crew A Dungeon horrible, on all fides round 60 As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames Serv'd only to discover fights of woe, 70 For those rebellious, here their Prifon ordain'd 80 And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words |