Perfection from the fun's more potent ray. Thefe then, though unbeheld in deep of night, Shine not in vain; nor think, though men were [praife: That Heav'n would want fpectators, God want Millions of fpiritual creatures walk the earth Unfeen, both when we wake, and when we fleep: All these with ceafelefs praife his works behold Both day and night: how often from the fteep Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air, Sole, or refponfive each to others note, Singing their great Creator? oft in bands While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk, With heav'nly touch of inftrumental founds In full harmonic number join'd, their fongs Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven. Thus talking hand in hand alene they pafs'd On to their blifsful bow'r; it was a place Chos'n by the fovran Planter, when he fram'd All things to Man's delightful use; the roof Of thickest covert was inwoven fhade Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf on either fide Acanthus, and each odorous buihy fhrub Fenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower, Iris all hues, rofes, and jeffamin,
Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and Mofaic; underfoot the violet, [wrought
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with Of coftlieft emblem: other creature here, [ftone Beast, bird, infect, or worm, durft enter none; Such was their awe of Man. In fhadier bower More facred and fequefter'd, though but feign'd, Pan or Sylvanus never flept, nor Nymph, Nor Faunus haunted. Here in clofe recefs With flowers, garlands, and sweet-finelling herbs Efpoufed Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed, And heav'nly quires the hymenaan fung, What day the genial Angel to our fire Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd, More lovely than Pandora, whom the Gods Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like In fad event, when to th' unwifer fon Of Japhet brought by Hermes, the infnar'd Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd On him who had ftole Jove's authentic fire.
Thus at their fhady lodge arriv'd, both stood, Eoth turn'd, and under open fky ador'd The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven,
Which they beheld, the moon's refplendent globe, And ftarry pole: Thou alfo mad'it the night, Maker omnipotent, and thou the day, Which we in our appointed work employ'd Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our blifs Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place, For us too large, where thy abundance wants Partakers, and uncropt fulls to the ground. But thou hast promis'd from us two a race To fill the earth, who fhall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, As when we feek, as now, thy gift of deep..
This faid unanimous, and other rites Obferving none, but adoration pure, Which God likes beft, into their inmoft bower Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off Thefe troublesome difguifes which we wear, Strait fide by fide were laid; nor turn'd I ween Adam from his fair fpoufe, nor Eve the rites Myfterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites aufterely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as inpure what God declares Pure, and commands to fome, leaves free to all. Our maker bids increafe; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man? Hail wedded love, myfterious law, true fource Of human offspring, fole propriety In paradife of all things common else. By thee adult'rous luit was driv'n from men Among the beftial herds to range; by thee, Founded in reafon, loyal, just and pure Relations dear, and all the charities
Of father, fon, and brother, first were known. Far be it, that I fhould write thee fin or blame Or think thee unbefitting holieft place, Perpetual fountain of domeftic fweets, Whofe bed is undefil'd and chafte pronounc'd, Prefent, or paft, as faints and patriarchs us'd. Here love his golden fhafts employs, here lights His conftant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigus here and revels; not in the bought imile Of harlots, lovelefs, joylefs, unindear'd, Cafual fruition; nor in court amours, Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or ferenate, which the starved lover fings To his proud fair, beft quitted with difdain. These lull'd by nightingales embracing flept, And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof Show'rd rofes which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, Bleft pair; and O yet happiest, if ye feek No happier ftate, and know to know no more. Now had night meafur'd with her fhadowy cone Half way up hill this vaft fublunar vault, And for their ivory port the Cherubime Forth iffuing at th' accuftom'd hour stood armi'd To their night watches in warlike parade, When Gabriel to his next in pow'r thus fpake:
Uzziel, half these draw off, and coaft the fouth With strictest watch; thefe other wheel the north; Our circuit meets full weft. As flame they part, Half wheeling to the fhield, half to the spear. From thefe, two ftrong and fubtile Sp'rits he call'd charge: That near him flood, and gave them thus in Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed
Search through this garden, leave unfearch'd no nook;
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, Now laid perhaps aileep, fecure of harm. This evening from the fun's decline arriv'd, Who tells of fome infernal Spirit feen Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) efcap'd The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt; Such where ye find, feize faft, and hither bring. So faying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon; thefe to the bow'r direc
In fearch of whom they fought him there they | The western point, where thofe half-rounding
Squat like a toad, clofe at the ear of Eve, Aflaying by his devilish art to reach
The organs of her fancy', and with them forge Wabens as he lift, phantafms and dreams, Or if, infpiring venom, he might taint Th'animal fpirits that from pure blood arife Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise At least diftemper'd, difcontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate defires, Blown up with high conceits ingend'ring pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel, with his fpear, Touch'd lightly; for no falfehood can endure Touch of celeftial temper, but returns Of force to its own likencfs; up he starts, Difcover'd and furpris'd. As when a fpark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun fome magazine to store, Against a rumour'd war, the fmutty grain, With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air: So ftarted up, in his own fhape, the Fiend. Back ftept those two fair Angels, half amaz'd, So fudden to behold the grifly king; Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accoft him foon. Which of those rebel Sp'rits adjudg'd to Hell Com'ft thou, efcap'd thy prifon? and transform'd, Why fatit thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep?
Know ye not then, faid Satan, fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me? ye knew me once, no mate For you, there fitting where ye durft not foar : Not to know me argues yourfclves unknown, The lowest of your throng; or if ye know, Why afk ye, and fuperfluous begin Your meffage, like to end as much in vain?
To whom thus Zephon, anfw'ring fcorn with fcorn.
Think not, revolted Sp'rit, thy shape the fame, Or undiminish'd brightness to be known, As when thou stood'st in heav'n, upright and pure; That glory then, when thou no more waft good, Departed from thee'; and thou refemblest now Thy En and place of doom, obfcure and foul. But come; for thou, be sure, fhall give account To him who fent us, whofe charge is to keep This place inviolable, and thefe from harm.
So fpake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible: abah'd the Devil ftood, And felt how awful goodness is, and faw Virtue' in her shape how lovely; faw and pin'd His lofs; but chiefly to find here obferv'd His luftre visibly impair'd; yet feem'd Undaunted. If I must contend, faid he, Beft with the beft, the fender, not the fent, Or all at once, more glory will be won, Or leis be loft. Thy fear, faid Zephon bold, Will fave us trial what the leaft can do Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
The Fiend reply'd not, overcome with rage; But like a proud fteed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to ftrive or fiy He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd His heart, not elfe difmay'd. Now drew they nigh
Juft met, and clofing ftood in fquadron join'd, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief Gabriël from the front thus call'd aloud:
O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hafting this way, and now, by glimpse, difcern Ithuriel and Zephon through the fhade, And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded fplendor wan; who, by his gate And fierce demeanour, feens the prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without conteft; Stand firm; for in his look defiance lours.
He fearce had ended, when thofe two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found
How bufied, in what form and posture couch'd. To whom, with ftern regard, thus Gabriel spake: [fcrib'd Why haft thou, Satan, broke the bounds pre- To thy tranfgreflions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgrefs 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 thofe Whofe dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?
To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow: Gabriel, thou hadít in Heav'n th' eftecm 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 And boldly venture to whatever place [doubt, Fartheft from pain, where thou might'ft hope to
Torment with eafe, and fooneft recompenfe Dole with delight, which in this place I fought; To thee no reason, who know'ft 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 flay
In that dark durance: thus much what was afk'd. The reft is true; they found me where they say; But that implies not violence or harm.
Thus he in fcorn. The warlike Angel mov'd, Difdainfully, half fmiling, thus reply'd. O lofs of one in Heav'n, to judge of wife, Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, And now returns him, from his prifon 'fcap'd, Gravely in doubt, whether to hold them wife Or not who ask what boldnefs brought him hither,
Unlicenc'd, from his bounds in Hell prefcrib'd; So wife he judges it to fly from pain, However, and to 'fcape his punishment.
So judge thou ftill, prefumptuous, till the wrath, Which thou incurr'ft by flying, meet thy flight Sev'nfold, and fcourge that wisdom back to Hell, Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain Can equal anger infinite provok'd.
But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee Came not all Hell broke loofe? is pain to them Lefs pain, lefs to be fled? or thou than they Lefs hardy to endure? courageous Chief, The first in flight from pain, hadft thou alleg'
To thy deferted hoft this caufe of flight, Thou furely hadit not come fole fugitive. [ftern. To which the Fiend thus anfwer'd, frowning Not that I lefs endure, or fhrink from pain, Infulting Angel; well thou know'ft, I ftood Thy fierceft, when in battle to thy aid The blafting vollied thunder made all speed, And feconded thy elfe not dreaded fpear. But ftill thy words at random, as before, Argue thy inexperience what behoves From hard affays and ill fucceffes pat A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untry'd ; I therefore, I alone firft undertook To wing the defolate abyfs, and py This new created world, whereof in Hell Fame is not filent, here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted Powers To fettle here on earth, or in mid air; Tho' for poffeffion put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare againft; Whofe eafier bufinefs were to ferve their Lord High up in Heav'n, with fongs to hymn
And practic'd diftances to cringe, not fight. To whom the warrior angel foon reply'd. To fay, and strait unfay, pretending first Wife to fly pain, profefling next the spy, Argues no leader, but a liar trac'd, Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, O facred name of faithfulness profan'd! Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. Was this your difcipline and faith engag'd, Your military obedience, to diffolve Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Power Supreme? And thou, fly hypocrite, who how wouldft seem Patron of liberty, who more than thou Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and fervily ador'd Heav'ns awful monarch? wherefore but in hope To difpoffefs him, and thyfelf to reign? But mark what I arreed thee now. Avant; Ely thither whence thou ficdft: if from this hour) Within thefe hallow'd limits thou appear, Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, And feal thee fo, as henceforth not to fcern The facile gates of Hell too lightly barr'd. So threaten'd he; but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage, reply'd. Then, when I am thy captive, talk of chains,
Proud limitary Cherub; but e'er then Far heaver load thyfelf expect to feel From my prevailing arm, tho' Heaven's King Ride on thy wings, and thou, with thy compeers, Us'd to the yoke, draw'ft his triumphant wheels In progrefs through the road of Heav'n ftar- pav'd.
While thus he fpake, th' angelic fquadron bright Turn'd fiery red, fharp'ning in meon'd horns Their phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported fpears, as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harveft waving bends Her bearded grove of cars, which way the wind- Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands, Left on the threshing floor his hopeful fheaves Prove chaff. On t'other fide, Satan alarmı'd, Collecting all his might, dilated flood,
Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd:
His ftature reach'd the iky, and on his crest Sat horrer plum'd; nor wanted in his grafp What feem'd both fpear and fhield: now dread- ful deeds
Might have fu'd, nor only Paradife In this commiction, but the tarry cope Of Heav'n perhaps, or all the elements At least had gone to wreck, disturb'd and torn With violence of this conflict, had not foon Th' Eternal, to prevent fuch horrid fray, Hung forth in Heav'n his golden fcales, yet feen Betwixt Aftrea and the Scorpion fign, Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, The pendulous round earth, with balanc'd air In counterpoise, now ponders all events, Battles and realms: in thefe he put two weights, The fequel each of parting and of fight; The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam; Which Gabriel fpying, thus befpake the Fiend.
Satan, I know thy ftrength, and thou know'f
Neither our own, but giv'n; what folly then To boaft what armis can do? fince thine no more Than Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubled
To trample thee as mire: for proof, look up, And read thy lot in yon celeftial fign, [weak, Where thou art weigh'd, and fhewn how light, how If thou refift. The Fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted fecale aloft; nor more; but fled Murm'ring, and with him fed the fhades of night.
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 estate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever elfe may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradife; his appearance described; 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 state and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be fo, beginning from his first 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 opposes him; then forlakes him,
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, Lightly difpers'd, and the fhrill matin fong Of birds on every bough; fo much the more His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve, With treffes difcompos'd, and glowing check, As though unquiet rest; he on his fide Learing, "half-rais'd, with locks of cordial love Haag over her enamour'd, and beheld Beauty, which, whether waking or afleep, Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand foft touching, whifper'd thus: Awake, My faireft, my efpous'd, my latest found, Heav'n's laft beft gift, my ever new delight, Awake; the morning fhines, and the fresh field Calls us; we lofe the prime, to mark how fpring Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove. What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, How Nature paints her colours, how the bee bits on the bloom, extracting liquid fweet.
Such whifp'ring wak'd her, but with ftartled eye On Adam, whom embracing, thus fhe fpake.
O fole, in whom my thoughts find all repofe, My glory, my perfection, glad I fee Thy face, and morn return'd; for I this night (Such night till this I never pafs'd) have dream'd, If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day paft, or morrow's next defign, But of offence and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irkfome night: Methought Clofe at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice, I thought it thine; it faid, Why fleep'ft thou; Eve? now is the pleafant time, The cool, the filent, fave where filence yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake Tunes fweeteft his love-labour'd fong; now reigns Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleafing light Shadowy fets off the face of things; in vain, If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes, Whom to behold but thee, Nature's defire? In whofe fight all things joy, with ravifament Attracted by thy beauty ftill to gaze. I rofe as at thy call, but found thee not; To find thee I directed then my walk; And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways That brought me on a fudden to the tree Of interdicted knowledge: fair it seem'd, Much fairer to my fancy than by day : And as I wond'ring look'd, befide it stood One fhap'd and wing'd like one of thofe from Hea
By us oft feen; his dewy locks diftill'd Ambrofia; on that tree he also gaz'd; And, O fair plant! faid he, with fruit furcharg'd, Deigns none to cafe thy load, and tafte thy fweet, Nor God, nor Man? is knowledge fo defpis'd? Or envy', or what referve forbids to taste? Forbid who will, none fhall from me withhold Longer thy offer'd good; why eife set here? Thus faid, he paus'd not, but, with vent'rous arm, He pluck'd, he tafted; me damp horror chill'd At fuch bold words, vouch'd with a deed fo bold : But he thus, overjoy'd; O fruit divine! Sweet of thyfelf, but much more sweet thus cropt, Forbidden here, it feems, as only fit
For Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men: And why not Gods of Men, fince good, the more Communicated, more abundant grows, The Author not impair'd, but honour'd more? Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve, Partake thou alfo, happy tho' thou art, Happier thou may'ft be, worthier canft not be: Faste this, and be henceforth among the Gods, Thyfelf a Goddess, not to earth confin'd, But fometimes in the air, as we fometimes Afcend to Heav'n, by merit thine, and fee What life the Gods live there, and fuch live thou. So faying, he drew nigh, and to me held, Ev'n to my mouth of that fame fruit held part, Which he had pluck'd; the pleasant favoury fmell So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, Could not but tafte. Forthwith up to the clouds With him I flew, and underneath beheld
The earth outstretch'd immenfe, a profpect wide And various : wond'ring at my flight and change To this high exaltation; fuddenly
My guide was gone, and I, methought, funk down, And fell asleep; but O how glad I wak'd, To find this but a dream! Thus Eve her night Related, and thus Adam anfwer'd fad.
Beft image of myself, and dearer half, The trouble of thy thoughts this night in fleep Affects me equally; nor can I like
This uncouth dream, of evil fprung I fear; Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none, Created pure. But know that in the foul Are many leffer faculties, that ferve Reafon as chief: among these fancy next Her office holds; of all external things Which the five watchful fenfes reprefent, She forms imaginations, airy fhapes, Which reafon joining or disjoining, frames All what we' affirm or what deny, and call Our knowledge or opinion; then retires Into her private cell when Nature refts. Oft in her abfence mimic fancy wakes To imitate her; but misjoining shapes, Wild works produces oft, and moît in dreams, Ill matching words and deeds long past or late. Some fuch refemblances, methinks, I find Of our laft evening's talk, in this thy dream, But with addition strange; yet be not fad. Evil into the mind of God or Man May come and go, fo unapprov'd, and leave Nofpot or blame behind: Which gives me That what in fleep thou didst abhor to dream,
Waking thou never wilt confent to do. Be not difhearten'd then, nor cloud thofe looks, That wont to be more cheerful and ferene, Than when fair morning firft fmiles on the world; And let us to our fresh employmeuts rife Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers That open now their choiceft bofom'd fmells, Referv'd from night, an kept for thee in store.
So cheer'd he his fair fpoufe, and fhe was cheer'd, But filently a gentle tear let fall From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair; Two other precious drops that ready stood, Each in their crystal fluce, he, e'er they fell, Kifs'd, as the gracious figns of fweet remorte And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended. So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. But first, f.om under fhady arb'rous roof, Soon as they forth were come to open fight Of day-fpring, and the fun, who fearce up rifen, With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean brim, Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, Discovering in wide landskip all the caft Of Paradife, and Eden's happy plains, Lowly they bow'd, adoring, and began Their orifons, cach morning duly paid In various ftile; for neither various stile Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Their Maker, in fit ftrains pronounc'd or fung Unmeditated, fuch prompt eloquence Flow'd from their lips, in profe or numerous verfe, More tuneable than needed lute or harp To add more fweetnefs; and they thus began.
Thefe are thy glorious works, Parent of Geod, Almighty; thine this univerfal frame, Thus wond'rous fair; thyfelf how wond'rous then! Unfpeakable, who fitst above these heavens To us invifible, or dimly feen
In thefe thy loweft works; yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and pow'r divine. Speak ye who best can tell, ye fons of light, Angels; for ye behold him, and with fongs And choral fymphonies, day without night, Circle his throne, rejoicing; ye in Heaven, On earth join all ye creatures to extol Him first, him laft, him inidst, and without end. Faireft of ftars, laft in the train of night, If better thou belong not to the dawn, [morn Sure pledge of day, that crown'ft the fmiling With thy bright circlet, praife him in thy fphere, While day arifes, that fweet hour of prime. Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and foul, Acknowledge him thy greater found his praise In thy eternal courfe, both when thou climb'it, And when high noon haft gain'd, and when thou fall'ft.
Moon, that now meet'ft the orient fun, now fly'ft, With the fix'd ftars, fix'd in their orb that flics, And ye five other wand'ring fires that move In myftic dance, not without fong, refound His praife, who out of darkness call'd up light. Air, and ye Elements, the eldest birth
Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run Perpetual circle, multiform, and mix
And nourish all things; let your ceafelefs change Vary to our great Maker itill new praife,
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