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 What seem❜d both spear and shield. Now dreadful Might have ensu'd, nor only paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope 990 At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn mine: Neither our own but giv'n; what folly then 1000 To boast what arms can do, since thine no more 1010 Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how weak, If thou resist. The fiend look'd up, and knew 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 |