hell, but to follow Satan their fire 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 fuccefs, returning to hell their mutual gratulation: Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full affembly relates with boafting his fuccefs againft man inftead of applaufe, is entertain d with a general hifs by all his audience, transform'd, with himself alfo, fuddenly into ferpents, according to his doom giv'n in Paradife then, deluded with a shew of the forbidden tree Springing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew duft and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death; God foretells the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but for the prefent commands His Angels to make feveral alterations in the heavens, and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fall'n condition, heavily bewails rejects the condolement of Eve; The perfifts, and at length appeafes him: then, to evade the curfe likely to fall on their offspring, propofes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but con

ceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promife made them, that her feed should be reveng'd on the ferpent; and exhorts her with him to feek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and fuppli

cation.

M

EAN-while the hainous and despiteful aðt
Of Satan, done in Paradife, and how
He, in the ferpent, had perverted Eve,
Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit,
Was known in heav'n: for, what can 'scape the eye
Of God all-feeing, or deceive His heart
Omniscient? Who, in all things wise, and just,
Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind

Of man;

with ftrength entire, and free-will, arm'd';
Complete to have discover'd, and repuls'd
Whatever wiles of foe, or feeming friend.
For, still they knew, (and ought t' have still re-
memberd).

The high injunction, not to taste that fruit,
Whoever tempted : which they not obeying,
'Incur'd (what could they lefs?) the penalty ;
And, manifold in fin, deferv'd to fall.

Up into heav'n, from Paradife, in hafte
Th' angelic guards afcended, mute, and sad,
For man; for, of his ftate by this they knew:
Much wond'ring how the subtle fiend had ftol'n
Entrance unfeen. Soon as th' unwelcome news

From eart arriv'd at heaven-gate, difpleas'd
All were who heard: dim sadness did not spare
That time cœleftial vifages; yet, mix'd

With pity, violated not their bliss.

About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes

Th' ethereal people ran, to hear, and know,
How all befel : they tow'rds the Throne Supreme,
Accountable, made hafte, to make appear,
With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance;
And easily approw'd: when the Most High
Eternal Father, from His fecret cloud
Amidft, in thunder utter'd thus His voice.

Affembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd
From un-fuccefsful charge! be not difmay'd,
Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth,
Which your fincereft care could not prevent ;
Foretold fo lately what would come to pass,
When first this tempter crofs'd the gulf from hell.
I told ye then he should prevail, and speed
On his bad errand; man should be feduc'd,
And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
Against his Maker: no decree of Mine
Concurring to neceffitate his fall;

:

Or touch with lighteft moment of impulfe
His free-will, to her own inclining left
In even scale. But, fall'n he is and now
What refts, but that the mortal fentence pafs
On his tranfgreffion,..... death denounc'd that day?
Which he prefumes already vain, and void
Because not yet inflicted, (as he feard)

By fome immediate ftroke: but, food shall find,
Forbearance no acquittance, e'er day end.
Justice shall not return, as bounty, scorn'd..
But, whom fend I to judge them? whom, but Thee
Vicegerent Son? To Thee I have transfer'd
All judgment, whether in heav'n, or earth, or hell
Eafy it might be feen that I intend

Mercy collegue with juftice, fendig Thee,
Man's friend, his Mediator, his defign'd.
Both Ranfom, and Redeemer, voluntary;
And deftin'd man Himself, to judge man fall'n.
So fpake the Father, and unfolding bright.
Tow'rd the right hand His glory, on the Son:
Blaz'd forth un-clouded Deity: He full.
Refplendent all His Father manifest
Exprefs'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild:
Father eternal! Thine is to decree ;

Mine, bot in heav'n, and earth, to do Thy will
Supreme; that Thou in Me, Thy Son belov'd,
May'st ever reft vell pleas'd. I go to judge.
On earth these Thy tranfgreffors; but Thou know'ft,
Whoever judg'd, the worst on Me muft light,
When time shall be; for, fo I undertook
Before Thee and, not repenting, this obtain
Of right, that I may mitigate their doom,
On Me deriv'd. Yet, I shall temper fo
Juftice with mercy, as may illuftrate most
Them fully fatisfy'd, and Thee appease.
Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none
Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd,

Thofe Two: the Third beft abfent is condemn'd Convict by flight, and rebel to all law: Conviction to the ferpent none belongs.

Thus faying, from His radiant feat He rofe

Of high collateral glory : Him Thrones, and Pow'rs, Princedoms, and Dominations miniftrant,

Accompagny'd to heaven-gate; from whence

Eden, and all the coaft, in profpe& lay.

Down he defcended ftrait: (the speed of Gods
Time counts not,tho' with swifteft minutes wing'd.)
Now was the fun in western cadence low

From noon; and gentle airs due at their hour,
To fan the earth now wak'd, and usher in
The ev❜ning cool; when He, from wrath more cool
Came, the mild judge, and interceffor both,
To fentence man. The Voice of God they heard,
Now walking in the garden, by foft winds
Brought to their ears, while day declin'd:they heard,
And from his prefence hid themselves, among
The thickest trees, both man and wife ; 'till God
Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud.

Where art thou, Adam! wont with joy to meet
My coming, feen far-off? I miss thee here,
Not pleas'd; thus entertain'd with folitude,
Where obvious duty e'er-while appear'd un-fought:
Or, come I lefs confpicuous? Or, what change
Abfents thee? Or, what chance detains?.... Come
· forth!

He came ; and with him Eve, more loth, tho' first To offend; difcountenanc'd both, and discompos'd!