By faith and faithful works, to second life,
Wak'd in the renovation of the just,

65

Resigns him up with heav'n and earth re

new'd.

But let Us call to synod all the Blest,

Thro' Heav'n's wide bounds: from them I

will not hide

My judgments, how with mankind I pro

ceed;

As how with peccant Angels late they saw, 70 And in their state, tho' firm, stood more

confirm'd.

He ended, and the Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watch'd: he blew His trumpet, heard in Orep since perhaps

When God defcended; and perhaps once

Of amarantin shade, fountain or spring,
By the waters of life, where'er they fat
In fellowships of joy, the fons of light

80

Hafted, reforting to the summons high,
And took their seats: till from his throne fu-

preme

Th' Almighty thus pronounc'd his fov'reing,

1

O Sons! like one of Us man is become,
To know both good and evil, since his taste 85
Of that defended fruit: but let him boaft
His knowledge of good loft, and evil got:
Happier! had it suffic'd him, to have known.
Good by itself; and evil not at all.

He forrows now, repents and prays con

95

My motions in him: longer than they move,
His heart I know how variable and vain
Self-left. Lest therefore his now bolder hand
Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,
And live for ever, dream at least to live
For ever, to remove him I decree,
And fend him from the garden forth, to till
The ground, whence he was taken; fitter foil.
Michael, this my behest have thou in charge!
Take to thee from among the Cherubim 100
Thy choice of flaming warriors; left the Fiend,
Or in behalf of man, or to invade
Vacant poffeffion, some new trouble raife,
Haste thee! and from the Paradife of God

Without remorse drive out the finful pair; 105
From hallow'd ground th' unholy; and de-

nounce

To them and to their progeny from thence
Perpetual banishment. Yet left they faint,
At the sad fentence rigorously urg'd,

For I behold them soften'd, and with tears 110

:

Bewailing their excess, all terror hide.
If patiently thy bidding they obey,

Dismiss them not difconfolate; reveal

To Adam, what shall come in future days,

As I shall thee inlighten: intermix

115

My convenant in the woman's feed renew'd:
So fend them forth, tho' forrowing, yet in

peace.

:

And on the east-side of the garden place,
Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs,
Cherubic watch; and of a sword the flame 120

Wide-waming, all approach far off to fright,
And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:
Lest Paradife a receptacle prove

To fpirits foul, and all my trees their prey;
With whose, stol'n fruit man once more to

delude.

125

He ceas'd; and th' archangelic Pow'r pre

par'd

For fwift descent: with him the cohort bright
Of wathful Cherubim: four faces each

Had, like a double Janus; all their shape
Spangled with eyes, more numerous than

Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drouse,
Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the past'ral

Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Mean while
To refalute the world with sacred light

r

Leucothea wak'd; and with fresh dews in

balm'd

135

The earth; when Adam, and first matron

Eve,

Had ended now their orisons; and found
Strength added from above; new hope to

spring

Out of despair; joy, but with fear yet link'd:
Which thus to Eve his welcome words

!

renew'd.

Eve, easily may faith admit, that all

140

The good, which we enjoy, from Heav'n de

fcends:

But that from us ought should ascend to

1

Heav'n

So prevalent, as to concern the mind

Of God high - blest, or to incline his will, 145
Hard to belief may seem: yet this will pray'r
Or one short figh of human breath, up-born
Ev'n to the seat of God. For since I fought
By pray'r th' offended Deity t' appease,
Kneel'd, and before him humbl'd all my

Methought I saw him placable and mild,
Bending his ear: perfuafion in me grew,
That I was heard with favor; peace return'd
Home to my breast; and to my memory
His promife, that thy feed shall bruise our

foe:

155

A

1

1

Which, then not minded in difmay, yet now Allures me, that the bitterness of Death

Is past, and we shall live.

thee!

Whence hail to

Eve rightly call'd, mother of all mankind, Mother of all things living, since by thee 160 Man is to live; and all things live for man!

To whom thus Eve, with sad demeanour

meek:

Ill worthy I fuch title should belong

To me tranfgreffor, who, for thee ordain'd
A help, became thy snare: to me reproach 165
Rather belongs, distrust, and all dispraise.
But infinite in pardon was my Judge,
That I, who first brought death on all, am

grac'd

170

The fource of life: next favourable thou,
Who higly thus t' intitle me vouchsaf'st:
Far other name deserving! But the field
To labor calls us now with sweat impos'd,
Though after fleepless night: forsee! the morn,
All unconcern'd with our unrest, begins
Her rofy progress smiling; let us forth;
I never from thy side henceforth to stray,
Where'er our days work lies; though now
enjoin'd

175

Laborious, till day droop; wkile here we dwell,

What can be toilsom in these pleasant walks?