Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall; And, as that Theban monster that proposed Her riddle, and him who solved it not devoured, Ruin, and desperation, and dismay, Who durst so proudly tempt the Son of God. Satan fell; and straight a fiery globe Who on their plumy vans received Him soft As on a floating couch, through the blithe air; Ambrosial fruits fetched from the Tree of Life, For, though that seat of earthly bliss be failed, A fairer Paradise is founded now For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou, A Saviour, art come down to reinstall; Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, Of tempter and temptation without fear. But thou, Infernal Serpent! shalt not long Or lightning, thou shalt fall from Heaven, trod down Then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved. I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent like the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend. Under his feet. For proof, ere this thou feel'st Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, Sung Victor, and, from heavenly feast refreshed, Brought on his way with joy. He, unobserved, Home to his mother's house private returned. |