Her bearded

grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them; the careful plowman doubting stands, Lest on the threshing floor his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff. On th' other side Satan alarm'd, Collecting all his might, dilated stood,

Like Teneriff or Atlas unremoved:

His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest
Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp

What seem❜d both spear and shield. Now dreadful
deeds

Might have ensu'd, nor only paradise

In this commotion, but the starry cope
Of heav'n perhaps, or all the elements

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At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn
With violence of this conflict, had not soon
Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray
Hung forth in heav'n his golden scales, yet seen
Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign,
Wherein all things created first he weigh'd,
The pendulous round earth with balanc'd air
In counterpoise; now ponders all events,
Battels, and realms: in these he put two weights,
The sequel each of parting and of fight;
The latter quick up flew and kick'd the beam:
Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the fiend.
Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st

mine:

Neither our own but giv'n; what folly then

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To boast what arms can do, since thine no more
Than heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubled now
To trample thee as mire? for proof look up,
And read thy lot in yon celestial sign,

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Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how

weak,

If thou resist. The fiend look'd up, and knew
His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled

Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.

BOOK V.

THE ARGUMENT.

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 inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, 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 paradise; his appearance described, his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state, and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him; persuading all but only Abdiel a seraph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.

OW morn, her rosy steps in th' eastern clime Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl,

When Adam wak'd, so custom'd, for his sleep

Was aery light, from pure digestion bred,

And temperate vapours bland, which th' only sound