Columbus found the American, so girt With feather'd cincture; naked else, and wild Among the trees on isles and woody shores. 1115 Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part Cover'd, but not at rest or ease of mind, They sat them down to weep; nor only tears Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate, Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd: 1120 1125 1130 Would thou hadst hearken'd to my words, and staid With me, as I besought thee, when that strange Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, 1135 I know not whence possess'd thee; we had then [Eve: To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus What words have pass'd thy lips, Adam, severe ! Imputest thou that to my default, or will Of wandering as thou call'st it, which who knows 1145 1150 As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. 1155 1160 To whom, then first incensed, Adam replied: Is this the love, is this the recompense Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve! express'd Who might have lived, and joy'd immortal bliss, 1165 And am I now upbraided, as the cause Of thy transgressing? Not enough severe, It seems, in thy restraint; What could I more? I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold 1170 That lay in wait; beyond this had been force; And force upon free will hath here no place. But confidence then bore thee on; secure Either to meet no danger, or to find 1175 Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps 1 also err'd, in overmuch admiring What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought The error now, which is become my crime, 1180 And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befal Him, who, to worth in women overtrusting, Lets her will rule: restraint she will not brook, And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue, She first his weak indulgence will accuse. 1185 The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning; PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. Man's transgression known, the guardian Ange.s forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigi.ance, and are approved; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of Man: To make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according to the tract that Satan first made; then, preparing for Earth, they meet him, proud of his success, return ing to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pande monium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death: God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but, for the present, commands his Angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails, rejects the condclement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made then, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent; and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heaven; for what can scape the eye 5 Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind Of Man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. 10 15 For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd, All were who heard; dim Sadness did not spare With pity, violated not their bliss. 25 About the new-arrived, in multitudes The ethereal people ran, to hear and know How all befel: They towards the throne supreme, 30 Assembled Angels, and ye Powers return'd From unsuccessful charge, be not dismay'd, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Which your sincerest care could not prevent; Foretold so lately what would come to pass, When first this Tempter cross'd the gulf from Hell. I told ye then he should prevail, and speed On his bad errand; Man should be seduced, Against his Maker; no decree of mine 35 40 Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 45 His free will, to her own inclining left By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find 50 But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, 55 Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All judgment, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. Easy it may be seen that I intend Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, 60 Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary, And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen. 65 Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild: Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will 20 70 75 Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 |