Inftead fhall double ours upon our heads.
No more be mention'd then of violence
Against ourselves, and wilful barrenness,
That cuts us off from hope, and favors only
Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,
Reluctance against God and his just yoke
Laid on our necks. Remember with what mild
And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd
Without wrath or reviling; we expected
Immediate diffolution, which we thought
Was meant by death that day, when lo, to thee 1050
Pains only in child-bearing were foretold,
And bringing forth, foon recompens'd with joy,
Fruit of thy womb: on me the curse aslope
Glanc'd on the ground; with labor I must earn
My bread; what harm? Idleness had been worse; 1055
My labor will sustain me; and left cold
Or heat should injure us, his timely care
Hath unbefought provided, and his hands
Cloth'd us unworthy, pitying while he judg'd;
How much more, if we pray him, will his ear
Be open, and his heart to pity' incline,
And teach us further by what means to fhun
Th' inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and fnow?
Which now the sky with various face begins
To fhow us in this mountain, while the winds
Blow moift and keen, fhattering the graceful locks
Of those fair spreading trees; which bids us seek
Some better shroud, fome better warmth to cherish
Our limbs benumm'd, ere this diurnal star
Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 1070
Reflected, may with matter fere foment
Or by collifion of two bodies grind
The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds
Juffling or push'd with winds rude in their shock
Tine the flant lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down
Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine,
And fends a comfortable heat from far,
Which might fupply the fun: fuch fire to use,
And what may elfe be remedy or cure
To evils which our own mifdeeds have wrought, 1080
He will inftruct us praying, and of grace
Befeeching him, fo as we need not fear
To pafs commodiously this life, fuftain'd
By him with many comforts, till we end
In duft, our final reft and native home.
What better can we do, than to the place
Repairing where he judg'd us, proftrate fall
Before him reverent, and there confefs
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with our fighs the air 1090
Frequenting, fent from hearts contrite, in fign
Of forrow' unfeign'd, and humiliation meek?
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
When angry
What elfe but favor, grace, and mercy shone?
moft he feem'd and moft fevere,
So fpake our father penitent, nor Eve Felt lefs remorfe: they forthwith to the place Repairing where he judg'd them, proftrate fell Before him reverent, and both confefs'd Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears Watering the ground, and with their fighs the air Frequenting, fent from hearts contrite, in fign Of forrow' unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.
THE END OF THE TENTH BOOK.
The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to difpoffefs them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous figns; he difcerns Michael's approach, goes out to meet him; the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but fubmits: The Angel leads him up to a high hill, fets before him in vision what shall happen till the flood.
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