Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon. Here watching at the head of these that sleep? Your meffage, like to end as much in vain ? 820 825 830 835 840 To whom thus Zephon, anfwering fcorn with fcorn. Think not, revolted fp'rit, thy shape the fame Or undiminish'd brightness to be known, As when thou ftood'st in heav'n upright and pure; That glory then, when thou no more waft good, Departed from thee; and thou resembl'st now Thy fin and place of doom obfcure and foul. But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who fent us, whofe charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm. So fpake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible: abash'd the devil stood, And felt how awful goodnefs is, and faw Virtue in her fhape how lovely; faw, and pin'd His lofs: but chiefly to find here observ'd His luftre vifibly impair'd; yet feem'd Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, Peft with the best, the fender not the fent, 11 at once more glory will be won, be loft. Thy fear, faid Zephon bold, 845 850 ve us trial what the leaft can do 855 gainst the wicked, and thence weak. end reply'd not, overcome with rage; 860 But like a proud fteed rein'd, went haughty on, O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet 865 870 880 He fcarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How bufied, in what form and posture couch'd. 876 To whom with ftern regard thus Gabriel fpake. Why haft thou, Satan, broke the bounds prefcrib'd To thy tranfgreffions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to tranfgrefs By thy example, but have pow'r and right To queftion thy bold entrance on this place; Employ'd, it feems, to violate fleep, and those Whofe dwellings God hath planted here in blifs? To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow, 885 Gabriel, thou hadst in heav'n th' esteem of wife, And fuch I held thee; but this question afk'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, Tho' thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyfelf, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place Fartheft from pain, where thou might'll hope to change Torment with ease, and foonest recompenfe Dole with delight, which in this place I fought; To thee no reafon, who know't only good, But evil haft not try'd, and wilt object His will who bound us: let him furer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay 891 895 Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded groves of ears, which way the wind Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd: 985 His ftature reach'd the sky, and on his creft Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp What feem'd both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds Might have enfu’'d; not only Paradise 991 In this commotion, but the starry cope Of heav'n perhaps, or all the elements, At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn 995 1000 The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam; 1010 Where thou art weigh'd, and fhewn how light, how weak, If thou refift. The fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: no more; but fled Murm'ring, and with him fled the fhades of night. 1015 END OF THE FOURTH BOOK. PARADISE LOST. воок THE ARGUMENT. V. Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: they come forth to their day-labours: their morning hymn at the door of their bower: God, to render man inexcufable, fends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free eftate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradife, his appearance defcribed, his coming difcerned by Adam afar off, fitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choiceft fruits of Paradife got together by Eve; their difcourfe at table: Raphael performs his message; minds Adam of his fiate and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be fo, beginning from his firft revolt in heaven, and the occafion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, perfuading all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in argument diffuades and oppofes him, then forfakes him. NOW OW Morn, her rofy steps in th' eastern clime Advancing, fow'd th' earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak'd; fo custom'd; for his fleep Was airy light from pure digeftion bred, And temp'rate vapours bland, which th' only found 6 10 Leaning half rais'd, with looks of cordial love Such whisp'ring wak'd her, but with startled eye 15 20 25 30 O fole in whom my thoughts find all repose, I rofe as at thy call, but found thee not; 40 45 And on, methought, alone I pafs'd through ways 50 |