Page images
PDF
EPUB

The ARGUMENT of Book VIII.

ADAM inquires concerning celeftial motionss is doubtfully anfwer'd, and exhorted to fearch rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam affents; and, ftill defirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remember'd fince his own creation, his placing in Paradife, his talk with God concerning folitude and fit fociety; his first meeting and nuptials with Ewe; his dif courfe with the angel thereupon: who, after admonitions repeated, departs.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

B.vi

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK VIII.

HE angel ended, and in Adam's ear

T

So charming left his voice, that he a while
Thought him ftill fpeaking, ftill ftood fix'd to

hear;

Then as new wak'd thus gratefully reply'd :
What thanks fufficient, or what recompenfe
Equal, have I to render thee, divine
Hiftorian who thus largely haft allay'd
The thirft I had of knowledge, and vouchfaf'd
This friendly condefcenfion to relate

Things elfe by me unfearchable, now heard
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
With glory attributed to the high
Creator. Something yet of doubt remains,
Which only thy solution can refolve.

When I behold this goodly frame, this world,
Of heav'n and earth confifting, and compute
Their magnitudes, this earth a fpot, a grain,
An atom, with the firmament compar'd,
And all her number'd stars, that feem to roll
Spaces incomprehenfible, (for fuch
Their distance argues, and their swift return
Diurnal), merely to officiate light

[ocr errors]

Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot,
One day and night, in all their vast survey
Useless befides; reasoning I oft admire,
How nature, wife and frugal, could commit
VOL. II.

5

ΙΟ

15

20

25

Such difproportions, with fuperfluous hand
So many nobler bodies to create,
Greater fo manifold, to this one use,

For ought appears, and on their orbs impofel
Such reftlefs revolution day by day
Repeated, while the fedentary earth,

That better might with far lefs compass move,
Serv'd by more noble than herself, attains
Her end without leaft motion, and receives,
As tribute, fuch a fumlefs journey brought
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;
Speed, to describe whose swiftnefs number fails.
So fpake our fire, and by his count'nance feem'd
Ent'ring on ftudious thoughts abftrufe; which Eve
Perceiving, where the fat retir'd in fight,
With lowliness majeftick from her feat,

30

35

And grace that won who faw to wish her stay,
Rofe, and went forth among her fruits and flowers,
To vifit how they profper'd, bud and bloom,
Her nursery; they at her coming sprung,

45

And touch'd by her fair tendance gladlier grew.
Yet went fhe not, as not with fuch difcourfe

Delighted, or not capable her ear

Of what was high: fuch pleasure the reserv'd,

50

Adam relating, she sole auditrefs;

Her husband the relator fhe preferr'd

Before the angel, and of him to ask.

Chofe rather; he, fhe knew, would intermix.

Grateful digreffions, and folve high difpute.

55

With conjugal careffes; from his lip

Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now
Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd?
With goddefs-like demeanour forth fhe went;
Not unattended; for on her, as queen,
A pomp of winning graces waited ftill,
And from about her shot darts of defire

60

« PreviousContinue »