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Such grace fhall one juft man find in his fight, 890
That he relents, not to blot out mankind;
And makes a covenant never to destroy
The earth again by flood, nor let the fea

Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world,
With man therein or beast; but when he brings 895
Over the earth a cloud, will therein set
His triple-color'd bow, whereon to look,
And call to mind his covenant: day and night,
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost
Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new,
Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

899

The end of the Eleventh Book.

Ddd

THE

TWELFTH BOOK

OF

PARADISE LOST.

THE

ARGUMENT.

The Angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what fhall fucceed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that Seed of the Woman fhall be, which was promifed Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, refurrection, and afcenfion; the State of the church till his fecond coming. Adam greatly fatisfied and recomforted by these relations and promifes defcends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had Alept, but with gentle dreams compos'd to quietness of mind and fubmiffion. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradife, the fiery fword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking their stations to guard the place.

A

BOOK XII.

S one who in his journey bates at noon,

Though bent on speed; so here the Arch-Angel Betwixt the world destroy'd and world reftor'd, (paus'd, If Adam ought perhaps might interpose; Then with transition sweet new speech resumes.

Thus thou haft seen one world begin and end;

And man as from a second stock proceed.
Much thou haft yet to fee, but I perceive
Thy mortal fight to fail; objects divine
Must needs impair and weary human sense:
Henceforth what is to come I will relate;
Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
This fecond fource of men, while yet but few,
And while the dread of judgment past remains
Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,
With fome regard to what is just and right
Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace,
Lab'ring the foil, and reaping plenteous crop,
Corn wine and oil; and from the herd or flock,
Oft facrificing bullock, lamb, or kid,
With large wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred feast,

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