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Gliding meteorous, as evening mist

Risen from a river o'er the marish glides,
And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel
Homeward returning. High in front advanced,
The brandish'd sword of God before them blazed,
Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat
And vapour, as the Libyan air adust,
Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat
In either hand the hastening Angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate
Led them direct, and down the cliffs first
To the subjected plain.; then disappeared.

They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld

Of Paradise, so late their happy seat,
Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate
With dreadful faces throng'd, and fiery arms:

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Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wiped them soon,
The world was all before them, where to choose 64€
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide:
They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow.
Through Eden took their solitary way

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