And manifold in fin, deserv'd to fall.

Up into Heav'n from Paradise in haste Th' Angelic Guards afcended, mute and fad For man; for of his state by this they knew: Much wond'ring, how the fubtle fiend had

stol'n

20

Entrance unseen. Soon аз th' unwelcome

news

From earth arriv'd at Heaven'gate, displeas'd All were, who heard: dim fadness did not spare

That time celestial visages; yet mix'd
With pity, violated not their blifs.

25

About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes

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Th' ethereal people ran, to hear and know

How all befel: they towards the Throne fu

preme

Accountable made hafte to make appear
With righteous plea their utmost vigilance; zo
And easily approv'd: when the Most High

Eternal Father, from his secret cloud

Amidft, in thunder utter'd thus his voice.

Assembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd From unfuccefsful charge! be not dismay'd, 35 Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the earth, Which your fincerest care could not prevent, Foretold so lately, what would come to pafs, When first this tempter cross'd the gulf from

Hell.

I told you then he should prevail, and speed 40

On his bad errand; Man should be seduc'd,
And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
Against his Maker: no decree of mine
Concurring to neceffitate his fall,

Or touch with lightest moment of impulfe: 45
His free will, to her own inclining left.
In even scale. But fall'n he is, and now

What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass
On his tranfgreffion, death denounc'd that

Which he prefumes already vain and void, 50 Because not inflicted, as he fear'd,

By fome immediate stroke: aut foon fhall find Forbearance no acquittance e're day end. Justice fhall not return, as bounty, scorn'd. But whom fend I to judge them? whom, but thee

55

Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All jugdment, whether in Heav'n, or Earth,

Easy it may be seen, that I intend
Mercy collegue with justice sending thee,
Man's friend, his mediator, his design'd 60
Both ranfom and redeemer voluntary;

And destin'd man himself, to judge man fall'n.
So fpake the Father, and unfolding bright
Tow'rd the right hand his Glory, on the Son
Blaz'd forth unclouded Deity: He full

Resplendent all his Father manifest

A 2

65

Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild.,
Father Eternal! Thine is to decree;
Mine both in Heav'n and Earth, to do thy will
Supreme; that thou in me thy Son belov'd 70
Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge
On earth these thy tranfgreffors; but thou
know'lt,

Whoever judg'd, the worst on me must light,
When time shall be; for so I undertook
Before thee; and not repenting, this obtain 75
Of right, that I may mitigate their doom
On me deriv'd: yet I shall temper so
Justice with Mercy, as may illustrate most
Them fully fatisfy'd, and thee appease,
Attendance none shall need, nor train, where

Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Those two: the third best absent is condemn'd; Convict by flight, and rebel to all law; Conviction to the ferpent none belongs.

Thus saying, from his radiant feat he

rofe

85

Of high collateral glory: Him Thrones, and

Pow'rs,

4

Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant, Accompanied to Heaven-gate: from whence Eden, and all the coast in profpect lay... Down he defcended straight: the speed of

Time counds not, tho' with swiftest minutesst

wing'd,

Now was the Sun in western cadence low From noon; and gentle airs, due at their

hour,

To fan the earth now wak'd, and usher in

The ev'ning cool; when he, from wrath more

1

cool,

95

Came, the mild Judge, and Intercessor both, To fentence man: the voice of God they heard, Now walking in the garden, by foft winds Brought to their ears while day declin'd: they

heard,

And from his presence hid themselves,

1,1

among

100

The thickest trees, both man and wife: till

God

Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud.

Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to

meet

My coming feen far off? I miss thee here,
Not pleas'd; thus entertain'd with folitude, 105
Where obvious duty e're-while appear'd un-

fought:

Or come I less confpicious? Or what change Absents thee? Or what change detains? Come

forth :

He came, and with him Eve, more loth, tho' first

To offend; discountenanc'd both, and difcom

pos'd:

110

Love was not in their looks, either to God Or to each other; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile: Whence Adam, fault'ring long, thus answer'd brief: 115

I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice

Afraid, being naked, hid myself. - To whom The gracious Judge without revile reply'd.,

My voice thou oft haft heard, and haft not fear'd,

120

But still rejoic'd: how is it now become
So dreadful to thee? That thou art naked,

who

Had told thee? Hast thou eaten of the tree, Whereof I gave thee charge, thou should not

eat?

125

To whom thus Adam fore beset reply'd, O Heav'n! in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge, either to undergo Myfelf the total crime, or to accuse My other felf, the partner of my life: Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 By my complaint. But strict necessity Subdues me, and calamitous constraint! Lest on my head both fin and punishment,

1.

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