THE ARGUMENT. MAN'S transgression known, the guardian angels forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved, God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by man there committed, resolves to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of man to make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad high-way or bridge over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first made; then preparing for Earth, they meet him proud of his success, returning to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against man: instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death; God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things: but for the present coinmands his angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam more and more perceiving his fallen condition heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve: she persists, and at length appeases him: then to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he ap proves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Of man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. For still they knew, and ought to have still remem ber'd The high injunction not to taste that fruit, With pity, violated not their bliss. About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes 'Th' etherial people ran, to hear and know Assembled angels, and ye pow'rs return'd Or touch with lightest moment of impulse By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee And destin'd man himself to judge man fall'n. So spake the Father, and unfolding bright Mine both in heav'n and earth, to do thy will Attendance none shall need, nor train, where nɔne Are to behold the judgment, but the jug'd, Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, Thus saying from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory: him thrones and powers, Princedoms, and dominations ministrant Accompanied to heav'n gate, from whence Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. Down he descended straight; the speed of gods l'ime counts not, tho' with swiftest minutes wing'd. Now was the sun in western cadence low from noon, and gentle airs due at their hour To fan the earth now wak'd, and usher in The evening cool, when he from wrath more cool Came the mild judge and intercessor botn To sentence man: the voice of God they heard Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears, while day delin'd; they heard, And from his presence hid themselves among The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God |