"And from these corporal nutriments, perhaps, "Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, 66 66 Improved by tract of time, and, winged, ascend Ethereal, as we; or may, at choice, "Here, or in Heavenly Paradises dwell, "Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile, enjoy To whom the patriarch of mankind replied: "O favourable spirit, propitious guest! "Well hast thou taught the way that might direct "By steps we may ascend to God. But say, "To him, or possibly his love desert, "Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here 66 Full, to the utmost measure, of what bliss "Human desires can seek or apprehend?" To whom the angel: "Son of Heaven and Earth! "Attend. That thou art happy, owe to God; "That thou continuest such, owe to thyself, "That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. "This was that caution given thee; be advised. "God made thee perfect, not immutable; "And good he made thee, but to persevere "He left it in thy power; ordained thy will "By nature free, not overruled by fate 500 510 520 530 "Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how "Can hearts, not free, be tried whether they serve "Willing or no, who will but what they must "By destiny, and can no other choose? 66 Myself, and all the angelic host, that stand |