Page images
PDF
EPUB

570

Receiving from his mother Earth new strength,
Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple joyn'd,
Throttl'd at length in the Air, expir'd and fell;
So after many a foil the Tempter proud,
Renewing fresh affaults, amidst his pride
Fell whence he stood to fee his Victor fall.
And as that Theban Monster that propos'd
Her riddle, and him, who folv'd it not, devour'd;
That once found out and folv'd, for grief and spight
Caft her felf headlong from th' Ifmenian steep,
So ftrook with dread and anguifh fell the Fiend,
And to his crew, that fat confulting, brought
Joylefs triumphals of his hop't fuccefs,
Ruin, and defperation, and difmay,

Who durft so proudly tempt the Son of God.
So Satan fell and strait a fiery Globe
Of Angels on full fail of wing flew nigh,
Who on their plumy Vans receiv'd him soft
From his uneafie station, and upbore

As on a floating couch through the blithe Air,
Then in a flowry valley set him down
On a green bank, and set before him fpred
A table of Celestial Food, Divine,
Ambrofial, Fruits fetcht from the tree of life,
And from the fount of life Ambrofial drink,
That foon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd
What hunger, if aught hunger had impair'd,
Or thirst, and as he fed, Angelic Quires
Sung Heavenly Anthems of his victory
Over temptation, and the Tempter proud.
True Image of the Father whether thron'd
In the bofom of blifs, and light of light

581

590

600

Conceiving, or remote from Heaven, enshrin'd
In fleshly Tabernacle, and human form,
Wandring the Wilderness, whatever place,
Habit, or state, or motion, still expreffing
The Son of God, with Godlike force indu'd
Against th' Attempter of thy Fathers Throne,
And Thief of Paradise; him long of old
Thou didst rebel, and down from Heav'n caft
With all his Army, now thou haft aveng'd
Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing
Temptation, haft regain'd loft Paradise,
And frustrated the conquest fraudulent :
He never more henceforth will dare fet foot
In Paradife to tempt; his fnares are broke :
For though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd,
A fairer Paradife is founded now

610

619

For Adam and his chofen Sons, whom thou
A Saviour art come down to re-install.
Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be
Of Tempter and Temptation without fear.
But thou, Infernal Serpent, fhalt not long
Rule in the Clouds; like an Autumnal Star
Or Lightning thou fhalt fall from Heav'n trod down
Under his feet: for proof, e're this thou feel'st
Thy wound, yet not thy last and deadliest wound
By this repulfe receiv'd, and hold'st in Hell
No triumph; in all her gates Abaddon rues
Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with awe
To dread the Son of God: he all unarm'd
Shall chafe thee with the terror of his voice
From thy Demoniac holds, poffeffion foul,
Thee and thy Legions, yelling they shall flye,

630

And beg to hide them in a herd of Swine,
Left he command them down into the deep
Bound, and to torment fent before thir time.
Hail Son of the most High, heir of both worlds,
Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work
Now enter, and begin to fave mankind.

Thus they the Son of God our Saviour meek Sung Victor, and from Heavenly Feast refresht Brought on his way with joy; hee unobferv'd Home to his Mothers house private return'd.

The End.

[graphic][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »