PARADISE REGAIN'D. M BOOK II EAN while the new-baptiz'd, who yet At Jordan with the Baptift, and had feen call'd Jefus Meffiah Son of God declar'd, And on that high Authority had believ'd, And with him talk'd, and with him lodg'd, I'mean With others, though in Holy Writ not nam'd, There Therefore as those young Prophets then with care The City of Palms, non, and Salem old, Then on the bank of Jordan, by a Creek, 25 Where Winds with Reeds and Ofters whisp'ring play, Their unexpected lofs and plaints out-breath'd. Alas, from that high hope to what relapse 30 Unlook'd for are we fall'n! our Eyes beheld Expected of our Fathers; we have heard His words, his wifdom full of grace and truth; Now, now, for fure, deliverance is at hand, 35 For whither is he gone, what accident Hath rapt him from us? will he now retire 40 After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? God of Ifrael, Send thy Meffiah forth, the time is come; But 50 But let us wait; thus far he hath perform❜d, Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 55 Mock us with his bleft fight, then snatch him hence: Soon we shall fee our hope, or joy return. 60 Thus they out of their plaints new hope resume O what avails me now that honour high [pure, 64 70 In fuch a feafon born when fcarce a Shed Could be obtain'd to shelter him or me From the bleak air; a Stable was our warmth, A Manger his, yet foon enforc'd to fly 75 Thence into Egypt, till the murd’rous King Were dead, who fought his life, and miffing fill'd' Hath Hath been our dwelling many years, his life 80 Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's voice: 85 That to the fall and rifing he should be Spoken against, that through my very Soul دو A fword fhall 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? fome great.intent 95 Conceals him: when twelve years he fcarce had seen, He could not lofe himself; but went about Thus Mary pond'ring oft, and oft to mind 105 110 Into himself defcended, and at once All his great work to come before him fet; His end of being on Earth, and Miffion high, Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone 115 120 Princes, Heav'n's ancient Sons, Æthereal Thrones, Demonian Spirits now, from th' Element Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd Pow'rs of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath, So may we hold our place and thefe mild feats 125 Is rifen to invade us, whom no lefs Threatens than our expulfion down to Hell; 1, as I undertook, and with the vote Confenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 Have found him, view'd him, tafted him, but find Far other labour to be undergon Than when I dealt with Adam first of Men, Though Adam by his Wife's allurement fell; If he be Man by Mother's fide at least, 135 With more than human gifts from Heav'n adorn'd, Perfections abfolute, Graces divine, And amplitude of mind to greatest Deeds. Therefore I am return'd, teft confidence Of my fuccefs with Eve in Paradife 140 De |