BOOK II. THE ARGUMENT. The disciples of Jesus, uneasy at his long absence, reason amongst themselves concerning it. Mary also gives vent to her maternal anxiety; in the expression of which she recapitulates many circumstances respecting the birth and early life of her Son. Satan again meets his infernal council, reports the bad success of his first temptation of our blessed Lord, and calls upon them for council and assistance. Belial proposes the tempting of Jesus with women. Satan rebukes Belial for his dissoluteness, charging on him all the profligacy of that kind ascribed by the poets to the heathen gods, and rejects his proposal as in no respect likely to succeed. Satan then suggests other modes of temptation, particularly proposing to avail himself of the circumstance of our Lord's hungering; and, taking a band of chosen spirits with him, returns to resume his enterprise. Jesus hungers in the desert. Night comes on; the manner in which our Saviour passes the night is described. Morning advances. Satan again appears to Jesus, and, after expressing wonder that he should be so entirely neglected in the wilderness, where others had been miraculously fed, tempts him with a sumptuous banquet of the most luxurious kind. This he rejects, and the banquet vanishes. Satan, finding our Lord not to be assailed on the ground of appetite, tempts him again by offering him riches, as the means of acquiring power: this Jesus also rejects, producing many instances of great actions performed by persons under virtuous poverty, and specifying the danger of riches, and the cares and pains inseparable from power and greatness. MEAN while the new-baptized, who yet remain'd At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen Him whom they heard so late expressly call'd Jesus Messiah, Son of God declared, And on that high authority had believed, 5 And with him talk'd, and with him lodged, I mean With others, though in Holy Writ not named, 10 And as the days increased, increased their doubt: Moses was in the mount, and missing long; 15 And the great Thisbite, who on fiery wheels Rode up to Heav'n, yet once again to come. Therefore, as those young prophets then with care 20 The city of Palms, Ænom, and Salem old, On this side the broad lake Genezaret, Or in Peræa; but return'd in vain. Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 25 Where winds with reeds and osiers whisp'ring play, Their unexpected loss and plaints outbreath'd. 335 For whither is he gone, what accident Hath wrapt him from us? will he now retire 40 After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? God of Israel, Send thy Messiah forth the time is come; Behold the kings of th' earth how they oppress Thy glory, free thy people from their yoke. 45 30 But let us wait; thus far he hath perform'd, 50 Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 55 Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence Soon shall we see our Hope, our Joy, return. Thus they out of their plaints new hopes resume, To find whom at the first they found unsought: 60 Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad: 65 To have conceived of God, or that salute, In such a season born when scarce a shed From the bleak air; a stable was our warmth, A manger his: yet soon enforced to fly 75 Thence into Egypt, till the murd❜rous king Were dead, who sought his life, and missing fill'd With infant blood the streets of Bethlehem; From Egypt home return'd in Nazareth Hath been our dwelling many years, his life 80 Private, unactive, calm, contemplative, Full grown to man, acknowledged, as I hear, 85 I look'd for some great change; to honour? no, That to the fall and rising he should be Of many in Israel, and to a sign Spoken against, that through my very soul 90 A sword shall pierce: this is my favour'd lot, Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest; I will not argue that, nor will repine: But where delays he now? some great intent 95 Conceals him: when twelve years he scarce had seen, I lost him, but so found, as well I saw He could not lose himself; but went about The while her Son, tracing the desert wild, 100 105 110 His end of being on earth, and mission high: For Satan with sly preface to return 115 Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone Up to the middle region of thick air, Where all his potentates in council sat; There without sign of boast, or sign of joy, Solicitous and blank, he thus began: 120 Princes, Heav'n's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones, Demonian Spirits now, from th' element Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd Powers of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath, 125 who no less Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell; I, as I undertook, and with the vote Consenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 Have found him, view'd him, tasted him, but find Far other labour to be undergone Than when I dealt with Adam, first of men, And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds; Therefore I am return'd, lest confidence 140 145 Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd. So spake th' old Serpent doubting, and from all With clamour was assured their utmost aid 150 At his command; when from amidst them rose 155 |