So on this windy sea of land, the fiend 440 | By which, to visit oft those happy tribes,
Walk'd up and down alone, bent on his prey; On high behests his angels to and fro
Alone, for other creature in this place,

Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard, Living or lifeless, to be found was none;

From Paneas, the fount of Jordan's flood, 535 None yet; but store hereafter from the earth To Beersaba, where the Holy Land Up hither like aerial vapours flew,

445 Borders on Égypt and th' Arabian shore; [set Of all things transitory' and vain, when sin

So wide the opening seem'd, where bounds. were With vanity had fill'd the works of men:

To darkness, such as bound the ocean wave. Both all things vain, and all who in vain things Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, 540 Built their fond hopes of glory' or lasting fame, That scal'd by steps of gold to heaven gate, Or happiness in this or th other life:

450 Looks down with wonder at the sudden view All who have their reward on earth, the fruits Of all this world at once. As when a scout, Of painful superstition, and blind zeal,

Through dark and desert ways with peril gone Nought seeking but the praise of men, here find All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn, 545 Fit retribution, empty as their deeds:

Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill, Ali th' unaccomplish'd works of nature's hand, 455 Which to his eye discovers unaware Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd,

The goodly prospect of some foreign land Dissolv'd'on earth, fleet hither, and in vain,

First seen, or some renown'd metropolis, Till final dissolution, wander here:

With glist'ring spires and pinnacles adorn'd, 550 Not in the neighb'ring moon, as some have dream'd; Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams : Those argent fields more likely habitants, 460 Such wonder seiz'd, though after heaven seen, Translated saints or middle spirits hold,

The spirit malign; but much more envy seiz'd Betwixt th' angelical and human kind.

At sight of all this world beheld so fair. Hither, of ill-join'd sons and daughters born, Round he surveys (and well might where he stood First from the ancient world those giants came,

So high above the circling canopy

556 With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd: Of night's extended shade) from eastern point The builders next of Babel on the plain 466 Of Libra, to the fleecy star, that bears Of Sennaar, and still with vain design

Andromeda far off Atlantic seas, New Babels, had they wherewithal,

would build : Beyond th' horizon: then from pole to pole 560 Others came single; he who, to be deem'd

He views in breadth; and without longer pause A god, leap'd fondly into Ætna flames, 170 Down right into the world's first region throws Empedocles; and he who, to enjoy

His flight precipitant, and winds with ease, Plato's Elysium, leap'd into the sea,

Through the pure marble air his oblique way, Cleombrotus; and many more too long,

Amongst innumerable stars, that shone, 565 Embryos, and idiote, eremites, and friars,

Stars distant, but nigh hand seem'd other worlds; White, black, and grey, with all their trumpery, Or other worlds they seem'd, or happy isles, Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek 476 Like those Hesperian gardens fam'd of old, In Golgotha him dead, who lives in heaven; Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales, And they who, to be sure of Paradise,

Thrice happy isles ! But who dwelt happy there Dying put on the weeds of Dominic,

He stay'd not to inquire. Above them all 571 Or in Franciscan think to pass disguis'd; 480 The golden sun, in splendour likest heaven, They pass the planets seven, and pass the fix'd, Allur'd his eye; thither his course he bends And that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs Through the calm firmament, (but, up or down, The trepidation talk'd, and that first-mov'd: By centre or eccentric, hard to tell

575 And now Saint Peter at heaven's wicket seems Or longitude) where the great luminary, To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 485 Aloof the vulgar constellations thick, Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet, when lo! That from his lordly eye keep distance due, A violent cross wind from either coast

Dispenses light from far; they as they move Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry Their starry dance in numbers that compute 580 Into the devious air; then might ye see

Days, months, and years, tow'rds his all-cheering Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tost And flatter'd into rags; then reliques, beads, 491 Turn swift their various motions, or are turn'd Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls,

By his magnetic beam, that gently warms The sport of winds: all these, up-whirl'd aloft, The universe, and to each inward part, Fly o'er the backside of the world far off,

With gentle penetration, though unseen, 585 Into a Limbo large and broad, since call'd 495 Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep; The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown

So wondrously was set his station bright. Long after: now unpeopled, and untrod.

There lands the fiend, a spot like which perhaps All this dark globe the fiend found as he pass'd, Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb, And long he wander'd, till at last a gleam

Through his glaz'd optic tube, yet never saw. 590 Of dawning light turn'd thither-ward in haste 500 The place he found beyond expression bright, His traveli'd steps: far distant he descries,

Compard with ought on earth, metal, or stone. Ascending by degrees magnificent

Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd Up to the wall of heaven, a structure high,

With radiant light, as glowing iron with fire; At top whereof, but far more rich, appear'd

If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear; 595 The work as of a kingly palace gate,

505 If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite, With frontispiece of diamond, and gold

Ruby or topaz, or the twelve that shone Embellish'd; thick with sparkling orient gems In Aaron's breast-plate, and a stone besides The portal shone, inimitable on earth,

Imagin'd rather oft than elsewhere seen, By model, or by shading pencil drawn.

That stone, or like to that which here below 600 The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 510 Philosophers in vain so long have sought, Angels ascending and descending, bands

In vain, though by their powerful art they bind Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound To Padan-aram, in the field of Luz,

In various shapes old Proteus from the sea, Dreaming by night under the open sky,

Drain'd through a limbec to his native form. 605 And waking cried, “This is the gate of heaven.' 515 What wonder then if fields and regions here Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run There always, but drawn up to heaven sometimes Potable gold, when with one virtuous touch Viewless; and underneath a bright sea flow'd Th'arch-chemic sun, so far from us remote, Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon

Produces, with terrestrial humour mix'd, 610 Who after came from earth, sailing arriv'd, 520 Here in the dark so many precious things Wafted by angels, or flew o'er the lake

Of colour glorious, and effect so rare ? Wrapp'd in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds.

Here matter new to gaze the Devil met The stairs were then let down, whether to dare Undazzled; far and wide his eye commands; The fiend by easy' ascent, or aggravate

For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 615 His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss: 525 But all sunshine, as when his beams at noon Direct against which open'd from beneath,

Culminate from th' equator, as they now Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise,

Shot upward still direct, whence no way round A passage down to th' earth, a passage wide, Shadow from body' opaque can fall; and th' air, Wider by far than that of after-times

No where so clear, sharpen'd his visual ray 620 Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 530 To objects distant far, whereby he soon Over the Promis'd Land to God so dear,

Saw within ken a glorious angel stand,

lamp

The same whom John saw also in the sun: | Hypocrisy, the only' evil that walks
His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid: Invisible, except to God alone,

684 Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar

625 By his permissive will, through heaven and earth: Circled his head, nor less his locks behind

And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps Illustrious on his shoulders, fledge with wings, At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity Lay waving round; on some great charge employ'd Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill He seem'd, or fix'd in cogitation deep.

Where no ill seems; which now for once beguild Glad was the spirit impure, as now in hope 630 Uriel, though regent of the sun, and held 690 To find who might direct his wand'ring flight The sharpest sighted spirit of all in heaven; To Paradise, the happy seat of man,

Who to the fraudulent imposter foul, His journey's end, and our beginning wo.

In his uprightness answer thus return'd: But first he casts to change his proper shape, Which else might work him danger or delay : 635 “ Fair angel! thy desire which tends to know And now a stripling cherub he appears,

The works of God, thereby to glorify

695 Not of the prime, yet such as in his face

The great Work-Master, leads to no excess Youth smild celestial, and to every limb

That reaches blame, but rather merits praise Suitable grace diffus'd, so well he feign'd: The more it seems excess, that led thee hither Under a coronet his flowing hair

640 From thy empyreal mansion thus alone, In curls on either cheek play'd; wings he wore To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps, 700 Of many a colour'd plume, sprinkled with gold: Contented with report, hear only' in heaven: His habit fit for speed succinct, and held

For wonderful indeed are all his works, Before his decent steps a silver wand.

Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all He drew not nigh unheard ; the angel bright, 645 Had in remembrance always with delight: Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, But what created mind can comprehend 705 Admonish'd by his ear; and strait was known Their number, or the wisdom infinite Th’archangel Uriel, one of the seven

That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep? Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, I saw when at his word the formless mass, Stand ready at command, and are his eyes 650 This world's material mould, came to a heap: That run through all the heavens, or down to th Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 710 Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, (earth Stood rul'd, stood.vast infinitude confin'd; O'er sea and land: him Satan thus accosts: Till at his second bidding darkness fled,

Light shone, and order from disorder sprung. “Uriel! for thou of those seven spirits that stand Swift to their several quarters hasted then In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire, 715 The first art wont his great authentic will

And this ethereal quintessence of heaven Interpreter through highest heaven to bring, Flew upward, spirited with various forms, Where all his sons thy embassy attend;

That roli'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars And here art likeliest by supreme decree

Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move, Like honour to obtain, and as his eye

660 Each had his place appointed, each his course; 720 To visit oft this new creation round;

The rest in circuit walls this universe. Unspeakable desire to see, and know

Look downward on that globe, whose hither side All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, With light from hence, tho' but reflected, shines : His chief delight and favour; him, for whom That place is Earth, the seat of man; that light All these his works so wondrous he ordain'd, 665 His day, which else, as th' other hemisphere, 725 Hath brought me from the choirs of cherubím Night would invade; but there the neighb'ring Alone thus wand'ring. Brightest seraph! tell (So call that opposite fair star) her aid (moon In which of all these shining orbs hath man

Timely' interposes, and her monthly round His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none,

Still ending, still renewing, through mid. heaven, But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell; 670 With borrow'd light her countenance triform 730 That I may find him, and with secret gaze, Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' earth, Or open admiration, him behold

And in her pale dominion checks the night. On whom the great Creator hath bestow'd

That spot to which I point is Paradise, Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces pour'd; Adam's abode, those lofty shades his bower : 734 That both in him and all things, as is meet, 675 Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires." The universal Maker we may praise; Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes

Thus said, he turn'd; and Satan bowing low, To deepest hell; and, to repair that loss,

As to superior spirits is wont in heaven, Created this new happy race of men

Where honour due and reverence none neglects, To serve him better: wise are all his ways." 680 Took leave, and tow'rd the coast of earth bencath,

Down from th' ecliptic, sped with hop'd success, 740 So spake the false dissembler unperceiv'd; Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel, For neither man nor angel can discern

Nor staid, till on Niphates' top he lights.

656

END OF BOOK THIRD.

B3

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK IV.

THE ARGUMENT,

Satan, non in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must non attempt the bold enterprise

which he underlook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in eril,

journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and situation is described, "overleäps the bounds, sits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden, to look about him. The garden described ; Satan's first sight of Adam and Eve: his wonder at their ercellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work their fail; over. hears their discourse, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death : and thereon intends to found his temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while, to know further of their state by some other means. Meanwhile Uriel, descending on a sunbeam, warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escaped the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere, in the shape of a good angel, down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to their rest : their bower described; their evening worship. Gabriel, draw ing forth his bands of night-waich to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong angels to Adam's bower, lest the evil spirit should there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping ; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling to Gabriel : by whom questioned, he scornfully answers, prepares 'resistance, but, hindered by a sign from heaven, flies out of Paradise.

O FOR that warning voice, which he who saw From me, whom he created what I was
Th' Apocalypse heard cry in heaven aloud,

In that bright eminence, and with his good
Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. 45
Came furious down to be reveng'd on men,

What could be less than to afford him praise, Wo to th' inhabitants on earth!' that now, 5 The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, While time was, our first parents had been warn'd How due ! yet all his good prov'd ill in me, The coming of their secret foe, and scap'd,

And wrought but malice; lifted up so high 49 Haply so scap'd his mortal snare: for now

I 'sdain'd subjection, and thought one step higher Satan, now first inflam'd with rage, came down,

Would set me highest, and in a moment quit of

10 The debt immense of endless gratitude, To wreak on innocent frail man his loss

So burdensome still paying, still to owe; Of that first battle, and his flight to hell.

Forgetful what from him I still receiv'd, Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold,

And understood not that a grateful mind 55 Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,

By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Begins his dire attempt; which nigh the birth 15 Indebted and discharg'd: what burden then ? Now rolling, boils in his tumultuous breast,

O had his powerful destiny ordain'd And like a devilish engine back recoils

Me some inferior angel, I had stood Upon himself: horror and doubt distract

Then happy ; no unbounded hope had rais'd 60 His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir Ambition. Yet why not? some other power The hell within him ; for within him hell 20 As great might have aspir'd, and me, tho' mean, He brings, and round about him, nor from hell Drawn to his part; but other powers as great One step, no more than from himself, can fly

Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within By change of place: now conscience wakes despair Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 65 That slumber'd; wakes the bitter memory

Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand ? Of what he was, what is, and what must be 25 Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what t'ac. Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue. But heaven's free love dealt equally to all ? [cuse, Sometimes tow'rds Eden, which now in his view Be then his love accurs'd, since love or hate, Lay pleasant, his griev'd look he fixes sad';

To me alike, it deals eternal wo.

70 Sometimes tow'rds heaven, and the full blazing sun, Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will Which now sat high in his meridian tower: 30 Chose freely, what it now so justly rues. Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began :

Me miserable! which way shall I fly

Infinite wrath, and infinite despair ? “O thou! that, with surpassing glory crown'd, Which way I fly is hell; myself am hell;

73 Look'st from thy sole dominion like the god

And in the lowest deep a lower deep,
Of this new world; at whose sight all the stars Still threat'ning to devour me, opens wide,
Hide their diminish'd heads; to thee I call, 35 To which the hell I suffer seems a heaven:
But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, O then at last relent: is there no place
O Sun! to tell thee how I hate thy beams,

Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? 80 That bring to my remembrance

from what state None left but by submission; and that word I fell; how glorious once above thy sphere;

Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame Till pride and worse ambition threw me down, 40 Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd Warring in heaven against heaven's matchless With other promises and other vaunts Ah, wherefore ! he deserv'd no such return (King: | Than to submit, boasting I could subdue 85

say

Th' Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know

But further way found none, so thick intwind, How dearly I abide that boast so vain,

As one continued brake, the undergrowth 175
Under what torments inwardly I groan,

Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd
While they adore me on the throne of hell.

All path of man or beast that pass'd that way.
With diadem and sceptre high advanc'd, 90 One gate there only was, and that look'd east
The lower still I fall, only supreme

On the other side ; which when th' arch-felon saw, In misery ; such joy ambitior. finds.

Due entrance he clisdain'd, and in contempt 180 But say I could repent and could obtain

At one slight hound high overleap'd all bound Bs aet of grace my former state; how soon

of hill, or highest wall, and sheer within Would height recal high thoughts, how soon un- Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf,

95 Whom hunger drives to seek new hauni for prey, What feignid submission swore! ease would recant Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at ere, Vows made in pain, as violent and void.

In hurdled cotes amid the field secure,

186 For never can true reconcilement grow,

Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold:
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep; Or as a thief, bent to unhoard the cash
Which would but lead ine to a worse relapse 100 Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors,
And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear

Cross-barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 190
hort intermission bought with double smart. In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles :
This knows my punisher; therefore as far

So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold;
From granting he, as I from begging peace : So since into his church lewd hirelings climb,
All hope excluded thus, behold, instead 105 Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life,
Of us, outcast, exild, his new delight,

(The middle tree, and highest there that grew) 195 Mankind created, and for him this world.

Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life
So farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear, Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death
Farewell remorse: all gooil to me is lost;

To them who liv'd: nor on the virtue thought
Evil be thou my good, by thee at least 110

Of that life-giving.plant, but only us'd
Divided empire with heaven's King 1 hold,

For prospect, what well us'd had been the pledge
By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign; Of inimortality. So little knows

201 As man ere long, and this new world shall know.” Any, but God alone, to value right

The good before him, but perverts best things Thus while he spake each passion dimm'd his To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. face,

114

Beneath him, with new wonder, now he views,
Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envy, and despair; To all delight of human sense expos'd 206
Which marr d his borrow'd visage, and betray'd In narrow room, Nature's whole wealth, sea more,
Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld:

A heaven on earth! For blissful Paradise
For heavenly minds from such distempers foul Of God the garden was, by him in th' east
Are erer clear. Whereof he soon aware,

Of Eden planted; Eden stretch'd her line 210
Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, 120 From Auran eastward to the royal towers
Artificer of fraud! And was the first

Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings,
That practis'd falsehood, under saintly show Or where the sons of Eden long before
Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge. Dwelt in Telassar. In this pleasant soil
Yet rot enough had practis'd, to deceive 124 His far more pleasant garden God ordaind. 215
Uriel once warn'd; whose eye pursued him down Out of the fertile ground he caus'd to grow
The way he went, and on th' Assyrian mount All trees of noblest kind, for sight, smell, taste;
Saw him disfigur'd, more than could befall

And all amid them stood the tree of life,
Spirit of happy sort: his gestures tierce

High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit
He mark'd, and mad demeanour, then alone, of vegetable gold: and next to life,

220
As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. 130 Our death, the tree of knowledge, grew fast by;
fo, un he fares; and to the border comes

Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill! of Eden, where delicious Paradise,

Southward through Eden went a river large,
Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green, Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggy hill
As with a rural mound, the champaign head Pass'd underneath ingulf'd; for God had thrown 225
Of a steep wilderness; whose hairy sides 135 That mountain as his garden mould, high rais'd
With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, Upon the rapid current, which through veins
Access denied : and overhead up-grew

Of porous earth, with kindly thirst up drawn,
Insuperable height of loftiest shade,

Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill
Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, Water'd the garden ; thence united fell 230
A sylvan scene! And, as the ranks ascend, 140 Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood,
Shade above shade, a woody theatre

Which from his dark some passage now appears:
Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops And now divided into four main streams,
The verdurous wall of Paradise up-sprung:

Runs diverse, wand'ring many a famous realm
Which to our general sire gave prospect large And country, whereof he needs no account: 235
Into his nether empire, neighb'ring round. 145 But rather to tell how, (if art could tel!
And higher than that wall a circling row

How) from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks
Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit,

Rolling on orient pearls, and sands of gold,
Blossoms, and fruits at once of golden hue,

With mazy error under pendent shades
Appear'l, with gay enamel'd colours mix'd : Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 240
On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams, Flowers worthy' of Paradise, which not nice art
Than in fair evening cloud, or humid bow, 151 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon
When God hath shower'd the earth; so lovely seem'd Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain,
That landscape! And of pare now purer air Both where the morning sun first warmly smote
Meets his approach; and to the heart inspires The open field, and where the unpierc'd shade 245
Vernal delight and joy, able to drive

155 Imbrown'd the noon-tide bowers. Thus was this All sadness but despair: now gentle gales,

A happy rural seat of various views: (place, Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense

Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole

balm ;
Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail Others whose fruit, burnish'd with golden rind,
Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past 160 Hung amiable: Hesperian fables true, 250
Mozambic, off'at sea north-east winds blow

If true, here only', and of delicious taste.
Sabean odours, from the spicy shore

Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks
Of Araby the bless'd, with such delay (league Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd:
Well pleas'd they slack their course, and many a Or palmy hillock, or the flowery lap
Cheer'd wich the grateful smell old Ocean smiles: Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 255
So entertain'd those odorous sweets the fiend, 166 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose.
Who came their bane; though with them better Another side, umbrageous grots, and caves
Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume (pleas'd of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine
That drove him, though enamoura, from the spouse Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps
Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent

170 Luxuriant: meanwhile murm'ring waters fall 200 From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound. Down the slope hills, dispers'd, or in a lake,

That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd Now to th' ascent of that steep savage hill Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. Satan had journied on, pensive and slow;

The birds their choir apply: airs, vernal airs,

Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 265 , When Satan, still in gaze as first he stood,
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan,

Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad:
Knit with the

Graces, and the hours, in dance, Led on th' eternal spring. Not that fair field

“O hell! what do mine eyes with grief behold ? Of Enna, where Proserpine gathering flowers, Into our room of bliss thus high advanc'd Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis

270 Creatures of other mould; earth-born perhaps, 360 Was zather'd; which cost Ceres all that pain Not spirits; yet to heavenly spirits bright

To seek her thro' the world; nor that sweet grove Little inferior ; whom my thoughts pursue
Of Daphne by Orontes, and th' inspir'd

With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
Castalian spring, might with this Paradise

In them divine resemblance, and such grace Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian isle

275 The hand that form'd them on their shape hath Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham,

pour'd.

365
Whom Gentiles Ammon call, and Libyan Jove, Ah, gentle pair! ye little think how nigh
Hid Amalthea, and her florid son,

Your change approaches; when all these delights
Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye; Will vanish, and deliver ye to wo;
Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard, 280 More wo, the more your taste is now of joy:
Mount Amara, though this by some suppos'd Happy! but for so happy ill secur'd

370 True Paradise, under the Ethiop line

Long to continue; and this high seat your heaven, By Nilus' head, enclos'd with shining rock,

Ill-fenc'd for heaven, to keep out such a foe A whole day's journey high, but wide remote As now is enter'd : yet no purpos'd foe From this Assyrian garden, where the fiend 285 To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn, Saw undelighted all delight, all kind

Though I unpitied. League with you I seek, 375 of living creatures new to sight and strange. And mutual amity, so strait, so close,

That I with you must dwell, or you with me Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall,

Henceforth : my dwelling haply may not please, Godlike erect, with native honour clad,

Like this fair Paradise, your sense ; yet such In naked majesty seem'd lords of all,

290 Accept your Maker's work; He gave it me, 580 And worthy seem'd; for in their looks divine Which I as freely give: hell shall unfold, The image of their glorious Maker shone,

To entertain you two, her widest gates, Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, And send forth all her kings: there will be room, (Severe, but in true filial freedom placa)

(Not like these narrow limits,) to receive Whence true authority in men; though both 295 Your numerous offspring : if no better place, 385 Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd ;

Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge For contemplation he and valour form'd,

On you, who wrong'd me not, for him who wrong'd. For softness she and sweet attractive grace,

And should I at your harmless innocence
He for God only, she for God in him.

Melt, (as I do,) yet public reason just,
His fair large front and eye sublime declar'd 300 Honour and empire with revenge enlarg'd, 390
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks

By conqu'ring this new world, compels me now
Round from his parted forelock manly hung To do, what else (though damn'd) I should abhor."
Clust'ring, but not beneath his shoulders broad :
She, as a veil, down to the slender waist

So spake the fiend, and with necessity,
Her unadorned golden tresses wore

305 (The tyrant's plea,) excus'd his devilish deeds. Dishevell’d, but in wanton ringlets wav'd

Then from his lofty stand on that high tree, 395 As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied Down he alights among the sportful herd Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,

Of those four-footed kinds; himself now one, And by her yielded, by him best receiv'd,

Now other, as their shape serv'd best his end
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,

310
Nearer to view his prey, and unespied

399 And sweet reluctant amorous delay.

To mark what of their state he more might learn
Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd; By word or action mark'd : about them round
Then was not guilty shame, dishonest shame A lion now he stalks with fiery glare ;
Of Nature's works, honour dishonourable :

Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied,
Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind 315 In some purlieu, two gentle fawns at play,
With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure, Strait couches close, then rising changes oft 405
And banish'd from man's life his happiest life, His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground,
Simplicity and spotless innocence !

Whence rushing he might surest seize them both,
So pass'd they naked on, nor shunn'd the sight Grip'd in each paw: when Adam, first of men,
Of God or angel, for they thought no ill: 320 To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech,
So hand in hand they pass'd, the loveliest pair Turn'd him, all ear, to hear new utterance flow: 410
That ever since in love's embraces met ;
Adam, the goodliest man of men since born

“Sole partner, and sole part of all these joys! His sons; the fairest of her daughters, Eve.

Dearer thyself than all: needs must the power Under a tuft of shade, that on a green

325 That made us, and for us this ample world, Stood whisp'ring soft, by a fresh fountain side, Be infinitely good, and of his good They sat them down: and, after no more toil As liberal, and free as infinite;

415
Of their sweet gard'ning labour than suffic'd That rais'd us from the dust, and plac'd us here
To recommend cool Zephyr, and make ease

In all this happiness, who at his hand
More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite 330 Have nothing meritéd, nor can perform
More grateful, to their supper fruits they fell, Ought whereof he hath need : he who requires
Nectarine fruits which the compliant boughs

From us no other service than to keep

420 Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline

This one, this easy charge, Of all the trees
On the soft downy bank damask'd with flowers: In Paradise that bear delicious fruit
The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind 335 So various, not to taste that only tree
Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream; Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life:
Nor gentle purpose nor endearing smiles

So near grows death to life! whate'er death is; 425
Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems Some dreadful thing no doubt: for well thou
Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league,

know'st
Alone as they. About them frisking play'd 340 God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree,
All beasts of th' earth, since wild, and of all chase, The only sign of our obedience left,
In wood or wilderness, forest or den;

Among so many signs of power and rule,
Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw

Confer'd upon us; and dominion given 430
Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, 345 Over all other creatures that possess
Gambol'd before them; the unwieldy elephant, Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard
To make them mirth, us'd all his might, and One easy prohibition, who enjoy
His lithe proboscis ; close the serpent sly wreath'd Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine

Unlimited of manifold delights:

435 His braided train, and of his fatal guile

But let us ever praise him,

and extol
Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass 350 His bounty, following our delightful task,
Couch'd, and, now fili'd with pasture, gazing sat, To prune these growing plants, and tend these
Or bedward ruminating; for the sun

flowers;
Declirrd was hasting now with prone career Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet."
To th' ocean isles, and in th' ascending scale
Of heaven the stars that usher evening rose :

To whom thus Eve replied:“O thou for whom,

E

355