THE

ELEVENTH BOOK

OF

PARADISE LOST.

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.

250

"Sole E
Compare
Well hast

How we
God hath:
Unprais'd

In woman

And good
Yet not so
Labour, a
Refreshin
(Food of t

Of looks
To brute
Love, not t

For not to
He made 1.
These pati
Will keep i
As we need

Assist us:

Thee satia

For solitud

And short r

But other

Befall thee.

What hath
Envying o
Despairing
By sly ass
Watches.
His wish a
Hopeless t

To other s

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK XI.

THUS they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood
Praying; for from the mercy-seat above
Prevenient grace descending had remov'd
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh
Regenerate grow instead; that sighs now breath'd
Unutterable; which the Spirit of prayer

Inspir'd, and wing'd for Heaven with speedier flight
Than loudest oratory: yet their port

Not of mean suitors; nor important less
Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair
In fables old, (less ancient yet than these,)
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore
The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine
Of Themis stood devout. To Heaven their prayers
Flew up, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds
Blown vagabond or frustrate in they pass'd
Dimensionless through heavenly doors; then clad
With incense, where the golden altar fum'd,
By their great Intercessor, came in sight
Before the Father's throne: them the glad Son
Presenting, thus to intercede began: