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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="/comments.php?id=421430" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>Paradise Lost: Book X</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0"><a href="/comments.php?id=421430" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none">Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood<br>Praying, for from the Mercie-seat above<br>Prevenient Grace descending had remov'd<br>The stonie from thir hearts, and made new flesh<br>Regenerat grow instead, that sighs now breath'd<br>Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer<br>Inspir'd, and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight<br>Then loudest Oratorie: yet thir port<br>Not of mean suiters, nor important less<br>Seem'd thir Petition, then when th' ancient Pair<br>In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,<br>Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore<br>The Race of Mankind drownd, before the Shrine<br>Of Themis stood devout. To Heav'n thir prayers<br>Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious windes<br>Blow'n vagabond or frustrate: in they passd<br>Dimentionless through Heav'nly dores; then clad<br>With incense, where the Golden Altar fum'd,<br>By thir great Intercessor, came in sight<br>Before the Fathers Throne: Them the glad Son<br>Presenting, thus to intercede began.<br>See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung<br>From thy implanted Grace in Man, these Sighs<br>And Prayers, which in this Golden Censer, mixt<br>With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring,<br>Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed<br>Sow'n with contrition in his heart, then those<br>Which his own hand manuring all the Trees<br>Of Paradise could have produc't, ere fall'n<br>From innocence. Now therefore bend thine eare<br>To supplication, heare his sighs though mute;<br>Unskilful with what words to pray, let mee<br>Interpret for him, mee his Advocate<br>And propitiation, all his works on mee<br>Good or not good ingraft, my Merit those<br>Shall perfet, and for these my Death shall pay.<br>Accept me, and in mee from these receave<br>The smell of peace toward Mankinde, let him live<br>Before thee reconcil'd, at least his days<br>Numberd, though sad, till Death, his doom (which I<br>To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse)<br>To better life shall yeeld him, where with mee<br>All my redeemd may dwell in joy and bliss,<br>Made one with me as I with thee am one.<br>To whom the Father, without Cloud, serene.<br>All thy request for Man, accepted Son,<br>Obtain, all thy request was my Decree:<br>But longer in that Paradise to dwell,<br>The Law I gave to Nature him forbids:<br>Those pure immortal Elements that know<br>No gross, no unharmoneous mixture foule,<br>Eject him tainted now, and purge him off<br>As a distemper, gross to aire as gross,<br>And mortal food, as may dispose him best<br>For dissolution wrought by Sin, that first<br>Distemperd all things, and of incorrupt<br>Corrupted. I at first with two fair gifts<br>Created him endowd, with Happiness<br>And Immortalitie: that fondly lost,<br>This other serv'd but to eternize woe;<br>Till I provided Death; so Death becomes<br>His final remedie, and after Life<br>Tri'd in sharp tribulation, and refin'd<br>By Faith and faithful works, to second Life,<br>Wak't in the renovation of the just,<br>Resignes him up with Heav'n and Earth renewd.<br>But let us call to Synod all the Blest<br>Through Heav'ns wide bounds; from them I will not hide<br>My judgments, how with Mankind I proceed,<br>As how with peccant Angels late they saw;<br>And in thir state, though firm, stood more confirmd.<br>He ended, and the Son gave signal high<br>To the bright Minister that watchd, hee blew<br>His Trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps<br>When God descended, and perhaps once more<br>To sound at general Doom. Th' Angelic blast<br>Filld all the Regions: from thir blissful Bowrs<br>Of Amarantin Shade, Fountain or Spring,<br>By the waters of Life, where ere they sate<br>In fellowships of joy: the Sons of Light<br>Hasted, resorting to the Summons high,<br>And took thir Seats; till from his Throne supream<br>Th' Almighty thus pronounced his sovran Will.<br>O Sons, like one of us Man is become<br>To know both Good and Evil, since his taste<br>Of that defended Fruit; but let him boast<br>His knowledge of Good lost, and Evil got,<br>Happier, had it suffic'd him to have known<br>Good by it self, and Evil not at all.<br>He sorrows now, repents, and prayes contrite,<br>My motions in him, longer then they move,<br>His heart I know, how variable and vain<br>Self-left. Least therefore his now bolder hand<br>Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,<br>And live for ever, dream at least to live<br>Forever, to remove him I decree,<br>And send him from the Garden forth to Till<br>The Ground whence he was taken, fitter soile.<br>Michael, this my behest have thou in charge,<br>Take to thee from among the Cherubim<br>Thy choice of flaming Warriours, least the Fiend<br>Or in behalf of Man, or to invade<br>Vacant possession som new trouble raise:<br>Hast thee, and from the Paradise of God<br>Without remorse drive out the sinful Pair,<br>From hallowd ground th' unholie, and denounce<br>To them and to thir Progenie from thence<br>Perpetual banishment. Yet least they faint<br>At the sad Sentence rigorously urg'd,<br>For I behold them soft'nd and with tears<br>Bewailing thir excess, all terror hide.<br>If patiently thy bidding they obey,<br>Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveale<br>To Adam what shall come in future dayes,<br>As I shall thee enlighten, intermix<br>My Cov'nant in the Womans seed renewd;<br>So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace:<br>And on the East side of the Garden place,<br>Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbes,<br>Cherubic watch, and of a Sword the flame<br>Wide waving, all approach farr off to fright,<br>And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:<br>Least Paradise a receptacle prove<br>To Spirits foule, and all my Trees thir prey,<br>With whose stol'n Fruit Man once more to delude.<br>He ceas'd; and th' Archangelic Power prepar'd<br>For swift descent, with him the Cohort bright<br>Of watchful Cherubim; four faces each<br>Had, like a double Janus, all thir shape<br>Spangl'd with eyes more numerous then those<br>Of Argus, and more wakeful then to drouze,<br>Charm'd with Arcadian Pipe, the Pastoral Reed<br>Of Hermes, or his opiate Rod. Meanwhile<br>To resalute the World with sacred Light<br>Leucothia wak'd, and with fresh dews imbalmd<br>The Earth, when Adam and first Matron Eve<br>Had ended now thir Orisons, and found,<br>Strength added from above, new hope to spring<br>Out of despaire, joy, but with fear yet linkt;<br>Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewd.<br>Eve, easily may Faith admit, that all<br>The good which we enjoy, from Heav'n descends<br>But that from us ought should ascend to Heav'n<br>So prevalent as to concerne the mind<br>Of God high blest, or to incline his will,<br>Hard to belief may seem; yet this will Prayer,<br>Or one short sigh of humane breath, up-borne<br>Ev'n to the Seat of God. For since I saught<br>By Prayer th' offended Deitie to appease,<br>Kneel'd and before him humbl'd all my heart,<br>Methought I saw him placable and mild,<br>Bending his eare; perswasion in me grew<br>That I was heard with favour; peace returnd<br>Home to my brest, and to my memorie<br>His promise, that thy Seed shall bruise our Foe;<br>Which then not minded in dismay, yet now<br>Assures me that the bitterness of death<br>Is past, and we shall live. Whence Haile to thee,<br>Eve rightly call'd, Mother of all Mankind,<br>Mother of all things living, since by thee<br>Man is to live, and all things live for Man.<br>To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek.<br>Ill worthie I such title should belong<br>To me transgressour, who for thee ordaind<br>A help, became thy snare; to mee reproach<br>Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise:<br>But infinite in pardon was my Judge,<br>That I who first brought Death on all, am grac't<br>The sourse of life; next favourable thou,<br>Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf't,<br>Farr other name deserving. But the Field<br>To labour calls us now with sweat impos'd,<br>Though after sleepless Night; for see the Morn,<br>All unconcern'd with our unrest, begins<br>Her rosie progress smiling; let us forth,<br>I never from thy side henceforth to stray,<br>Wherere our days work lies, though now enjoind<br>Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,<br>What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?<br>Here let us live, though in fall'n state, content.<br>So spake, so wish'd much-humbl'd Eve, but Fate<br>Subscrib'd not; Nature first gave Signs, imprest<br>On Bird, Beast, Aire, Aire suddenly eclips'd<br>After short blush of Morn; nigh in her sight<br>The Bird of Jove, stoopt from his aerie tour,<br>Two Birds of gayest plume before him drove:<br>Down from a Hill the Beast that reigns in Woods,<br>First Hunter then, pursu'd a gentle brace,<br>Goodliest of all the Forrest, Hart and Hinde;<br>Direct to th' Eastern Gate was bent thir flight.<br>Adam observ'd, and with his Eye the chase<br>Pursuing, not unmov'd to Eve thus spake.<br>O Eve, some furder change awaits us nigh,<br>Which Heav'n by these mute signs in Nature shews<br>Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn<br>Us haply too secure of our discharge<br>From penaltie, because from death releast<br>Some days; how long, and what till then our life,<br>Who knows, or more then this, that we are dust,<br>And thither must return and be no more.<br>VVhy else this double object in our sight<br>Of flight pursu'd in th' Air and ore the ground<br>One way the self-same hour? why in the East<br>Darkness ere Dayes mid-course, and Morning light<br>More orient in yon VVestern Cloud that draws<br>O're the blew Firmament a radiant white,<br>And slow descends, with somthing heav'nly fraught.<br>He err'd not, for by this the heav'nly Bands<br>Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now<br>In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt,<br>A glorious Apparition, had not doubt<br>And carnal fear that day dimm'd Adams eye.<br>Not that more glorious, when the Angels met<br>Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw<br>The field Pavilion'd with his Guardians bright;<br>Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd<br>In Dothan, cover'd with a Camp of Fire,<br>Against the Syrian King, who to surprize<br>One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,<br>Warr unproclam'd. The Princely Hierarch<br>In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise<br>Possession of the Garden; hee alone,<br>To finde where Adam shelterd, took his way,<br>Not unperceav'd of Adam, who to Eve,<br>While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake.<br>Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps<br>Of us will soon determin, or impose<br>New Laws to be observ'd; for I descrie<br>From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill<br>One of the heav'nly Host, and by his Gate<br>None of the meanest, some great Potentate<br>Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie<br>Invests him coming; yet not terrible,<br>That I should fear, nor sociably mild,<br>As Raphael, that I should much confide,<br>But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,<br>With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.<br>He ended; and th' Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,<br>Not in his shape Celestial, but as Man<br>Clad to meet Man; over his lucid Armes<br>A militarie Vest of purple flowd<br>Livelier then Meliboean or the graine<br>Of Sarra, worn by Kings and Hero's old<br>In time of Truce; Iris had dipt the wooff;<br>His starrie Helme unbuckl'd shew'd him prime<br>In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side<br>As in a glistering Zodiac hung the Sword,<br>Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.<br>Adam bowd low, hee Kingly from his State <br>Inclin'd not, but his coming thus declar'd.<br>Adam, Heav'ns high behest no Preface needs:<br>Sufficient that thy Prayers are heard, and Death,<br>Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,<br>Defeated of his seisure many dayes<br>Giv'n thee of Grace, wherein thou may'st repent,<br>And one bad act with many deeds well done<br>Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeas'd<br>Redeem thee quite from Deaths rapacious claimes;<br>But longer in this Paradise to dwell<br>Permits not; to remove thee I am come,<br>And send thee from the Garden forth to till<br>The ground whence thou wast tak'n, fitter Soile.<br>He added not, for Adam at the newes<br>Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,<br>That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen<br>Yet all had heard, with audible lament<br>Discover'd soon the place of her retire.<br>O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!<br>Must I thus leave thee Paradise? thus leave<br>Thee Native Soile, these happie Walks and Shades,<br>Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,<br>Quiet though sad, the respit of that day<br>That must be mortal to us both. O flours,<br>That never will in other Climate grow,<br>My early visitation, and my last<br>At Eev'n, which I bred up with tender hand<br>From the first op'ning bud, and gave ye Names,<br>Who now shall reare ye to the Sun, or ranke<br>Your Tribes, and water from th' ambrosial Fount?<br>Thee lastly nuptial Bowre, by mee adornd<br>With what to sight or smell was sweet; from thee<br>How shall I part, and whither wander down<br>Into a lower World, to this obscure<br>And wilde, how shall we breath in other Aire<br>Less pure, accustomd to immortal Fruits?<br>Whom thus the Angel interrupted milde.<br>Lament not Eve, but patiently resigne<br>What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,<br>Thus over fond, on that which is not thine;<br>Thy going is not lonely, with thee goes<br>Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;<br>Where he abides, think there thy native soile.<br>Adam by this from the cold sudden damp<br>Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,<br>To Michael thus his humble words addressd.<br>Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or nam'd<br>Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem<br>Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould<br>Thy message, which might else in telling wound,<br>And in performing end us; what besides<br>Of sorrow and dejection and despair<br>Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,<br>Departure from this happy place, our sweet<br>Recess, and onely consolation left<br>Familiar to our eyes, all places else<br>Inhospitable appeer and desolate,<br>Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer<br>Incessant I could hope to change the will<br>Of him who all things can, I would not cease<br>To wearie him with my assiduous cries:<br>But prayer against his absolute Decree<br>No more availes then breath against the winde,<br>Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:<br>Therefore to his great bidding I submit.<br>This most afflicts me, that departing hence,<br>As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd<br>His blessed count'nance; here I could frequent,<br>With worship, place by place where he voutsaf'd<br>Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;<br>On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree<br>Stood visible, among these Pines his voice<br>I heard, here with him at this Fountain talk'd:<br>So many grateful Altars I would reare<br>Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone<br>Of lustre from the brook, in memorie,<br>Or monument to Ages, and thereon<br>Offer sweet smelling Gumms & Fruits and Flours:<br>In yonder nether World where shall I seek<br>His bright appearances, or footstep trace?<br>For though I fled him angrie, yet recall'd<br>To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now<br>Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts<br>Of glory, and farr off his steps adore.<br>To whom thus Michael with regard benigne.<br>Adam, thou know'st Heav'n his, and all the Earth<br>Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills<br>Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,<br>Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:<br>All th' Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,<br>No despicable gift; surmise not then<br>His presence to these narrow bounds confin'd<br>Of Paradise or Eden: this had been<br>Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred<br>All generations, and had hither come<br>From all the ends of th' Earth, to celebrate<br>And reverence thee thir great Progenitor.<br>But this præeminence thou hast lost, brought down<br>To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:<br>Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine<br>God is as here, and will be found alike<br>Present, and of his presence many a signe<br>Still following thee, still compassing thee round<br>With goodness and paternal Love, his Face<br>Express, and of his steps the track Divine.<br>Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd,<br>Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent<br>To shew thee what shall come in future dayes<br>To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad<br>Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending<br>With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn<br>True patience, and to temper joy with fear<br>And pious sorrow, equally enur'd<br>By moderation either state to beare,<br>Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead<br>Safest thy life, and best prepar'd endure<br>Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend<br>This Hill; let Eve (for I have drencht her eyes)<br>Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak'st,<br>As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.<br>To whom thus Adam gratefully repli'd.<br>Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path<br>Thou lead'st me, and to the hand of Heav'n submit,<br>However chast'ning, to the evil turne<br>My obvious breast, arming to overcom<br>By suffering, and earne rest from labour won,<br>If so I may attain. So both ascend<br>In the Visions of God: It was a Hill<br>Of Paradise the highest, from whose top<br>The Hemisphere of Earth in cleerest Ken<br>Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay.<br>Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round,<br>Whereon for different cause the Tempter set<br>Our second Adam in the Wilderness,<br>To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and thir Glory.<br>His Eye might there command wherever stood<br>City of old or modern Fame, the Seat<br>Of mightiest Empire, from the destind Walls<br>Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can<br>And Samarchand by Oxus, Temirs Throne,<br>To Paquin of Sinæan Kings, and thence<br>To Agra and Lahor of great Mogul<br>Down to the golden Chersonese, or where<br>The Persian in Ecbatan sate, or since<br>In Hispahan, or where the Russian Ksar<br>In Mosco, or the Sultan in Bizance,<br>Turchestan-born; nor could his eye not ken<br>Th' Empire of Negus to his utmost Port<br>Ercoco and the less Maritine Kings<br>Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,<br>And Sofala thought Ophir, to the Realme<br>Of Congo, and Angola fardest South;<br>Or thence from Niger Flood to Atlas Mount<br>The Kingdoms of Almansor, Fez, and Sus,<br>Marocco and Algiers, and Tremisen;<br>On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway<br>The VVorld: in Spirit perhaps he also saw<br>Rich Mexico the seat of Motezume,<br>And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat<br>Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoil'd<br>Guiana, whose great Citie Geryons Sons<br>Call El Dorado: but to nobler sights<br>Michael from Adams eyes the Filme remov'd<br>VVhich that false Fruit that promis'd clearer sight<br>Had bred; then purg'd with Euphrasie and Rue<br>The visual Nerve, for he had much to see;<br>And from the VVell of Life three drops instill'd.<br>So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc'd,<br>Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight,<br>That Adam now enforc't to close his eyes,<br>Sunk down and all his Spirits became intranst:<br>But him the gentle Angel by the hand<br>Soon rais'd, and his attention thus recall'd.<br>Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold<br>Th' effects which thy original crime hath wrought<br>In some to spring from thee, who never touch'd<br>Th' excepted Tree, nor with the Snake conspir'd,<br>Nor sinn'd thy sin, yet from that sin derive<br>Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.<br>His eyes he op'nd, and beheld a field,<br>Part arable and tilth, whereon were Sheaves<br>New reapt, the other part sheep-walks and foulds;<br>Ith' midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood<br>Rustic, of grassie sord; thither anon<br>A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought<br>First Fruits, the green Eare, and the yellow Sheaf,<br>Uncull'd, as came to hand; a Shepherd next<br>More meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock<br>Choicest and best; then sacrificing, laid<br>The Inwards and thir Fat, with Incense strew'd,<br>On the cleft Wood, and all due Rites perform'd.<br>His Offring soon propitious Fire from Heav'n<br>Consum'd with nimble glance, and grateful steame;<br>The others not, for his was not sincere;<br>Whereat hee inlie rag'd, and as they talk'd,<br>Smote him into the Midriff with a stone<br>That beat out life; he fell, and deadly pale<br>Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effus'd.<br>Much at that sight was Adam in his heart<br>Dismai'd, and thus in haste to th' Angel cri'd.<br>O Teacher, some great mischief hath befall'n<br>To that meek man, who well had sacrific'd;<br>Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid?<br>T' whom Michael thus, hee also mov'd, repli'd.<br>These two are Brethren, Adam, and to come<br>Out of thy loyns; th' unjust the just hath slain,<br>For envie that his Brothers Offering found<br>From Heav'n acceptance; but the bloodie Fact<br>Will be aveng'd, and th' others Faith approv'd<br>Loose no reward, though here thou see him die,<br>Rowling in dust and gore. To which our Sire.<br>Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!<br>But have I now seen Death? Is this the way<br>I must return to native dust? O sight<br>Of terrour, foul and ugly to behold,<br>Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!<br>To whom thus Michael. Death thou hast seen<br>In his first shape on man; but many shapes<br>Of Death, and many are the wayes that lead<br>To his grim Cave, all dismal; yet to sense<br>More terrible at th' entrance then within.<br>Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die,<br>By Fire, Flood, Famin, by Intemperance more<br>In Meats and Drinks, which on the Earth shal bring<br>Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew<br>Before thee shall appear; that thou mayst know<br>What miserie th' inabstinence of Eve<br>Shall bring on men. Immediately a place<br>Before his eyes appeard, sad, noysom, dark,<br>A Lazar-house it seemd, wherein were laid<br>Numbers of all diseas'd, all maladies<br>Of gastly Spasm, or racking torture, qualmes<br>Of heart-sick Agonie, all feavorous kinds,<br>Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,<br>Intestin Stone and Ulcer, Colic pangs,<br>Dropsies, and Asthma's, and Joint-racking Rheums.<br>Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair<br>Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;<br>And over them triumphant Death his Dart<br>Shook, but delaid to strike, though oft invok't<br>With vows, as thir chief good, and final hope.<br>Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long<br>Drie-ey'd behold? Adam could not, but wept,<br>Though not of Woman born; compassion quell'd<br>His best of Man, and gave him up to tears<br>A space, till firmer thoughts restraind excess,<br>And scarce recovering words his plaint renew'd.<br>O miserable Mankind, to what fall<br>Degraded, to what wretched state reserv'd?<br>Better end heer unborn. Why is life giv'n<br>To be thus wrested from us? rather why<br>Obtruded on us thus? who if we knew<br>What we receive, would either not accept<br>Life offer'd, or soon beg to lay it down,<br>Glad to be so dismist in peace. Can thus<br>Th' Image of God in man created once<br>So goodly and erect, though faultie since,<br>To such unsightly sufferings be debas't<br>Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,<br>Retaining still Divine similitude<br>In part, from such deformities be free,<br>And for his Makers Image sake exempt?<br>Thir Makers Image, answerd Michael, then<br>Forsook them, when themselves they villifi'd<br>To serve ungovern'd appetite, and took<br>His Image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice,<br>Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve.<br>Therefore so abject is thir punishment,<br>Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but thir own,<br>Or if his likeness, by themselves defac't<br>While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules<br>To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they<br>Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.<br>I yeild it just, said Adam, and submit.<br>But is there yet no other way, besides<br>These painful passages, how we may come<br>To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?<br>There is, said Michael, if thou well observe<br>The rule of not too much, by temperance taught<br>In what thou eatst and drinkst, seeking from thence<br>Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,<br>Till many years over thy head return:<br>So maist thou live, till like ripe Fruit thou drop<br>Into thy Mothers lap, or be with ease<br>Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature:<br>This is old age; but then thou must outlive<br>Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change<br>To witherd weak & gray; thy Senses then<br>Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgoe,<br>To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth<br>Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reigne<br>A melancholly damp of cold and dry<br>To waigh thy spirits down, and last consume<br>The Balme of Life. To whom our Ancestor.<br>Henceforth I flie not Death, nor would prolong<br>Life much, bent rather how I may be quit<br>Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge,<br>Which I must keep till my appointed day<br>Of rendring up. Michael to him repli'd.<br>Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst<br>Live well, how long or short permit to Heav'n:<br>And now prepare thee for another sight.<br>He lookd and saw a spacious Plaine, whereon<br>Were Tents of various hue; by some were herds<br>Of Cattel grazing: others, whence the sound<br>Of Instruments that made melodious chime<br>Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who moovd<br>Thir stops and chords was seen: his volant touch<br>Instinct through all proportions low and high<br>Fled and pursu'd transverse the resonant fugue.<br>In other part stood one who at the Forge<br>Labouring, two massie clods of Iron and Brass<br>Had melted (whether found where casual fire<br>Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale,<br>Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot<br>To som Caves mouth, or whether washt by stream<br>From underground) the liquid Ore he dreind<br>Into fit moulds prepar'd; from which he formd<br>First his own Tooles; then, what might else be wrought<br>Fulfil or grav'n in mettle. After these,<br>But on the hether side a different sort<br>From the high neighbouring Hills, which was thir Seat,<br>Down to the Plain descended: by thir guise<br>Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent<br>To worship God aright, and know his works<br>Not hid, nor those things lost which might preserve<br>Freedom and Peace to men: they on the Plain<br>Long had not walkt, when from the Tents behold<br>A Beavie of fair Women, richly gay<br>In Gems and wanton dress; to the Harp they sung<br>Soft amorous Ditties, and in dance came on:<br>The Men though grave, ey'd them, and let thir eyes<br>Rove without rein, till in the amorous Net<br>Fast caught, they lik'd, and each his liking chose;<br>And now of love they treat till th' Eevning Star<br>Loves Harbinger appeerd; then all in heat<br>They light the Nuptial Torch, and bid invoke<br>Hymen, then first to marriage Rites invok't;<br>With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.<br>Such happy interview and fair event<br>Of love & youth not lost, Songs, Garlands, Flours,<br>And charming Symphonies attach'd the heart<br>Of Adam, soon enclin'd to admit delight,<br>The bent of Nature; which he thus express'd.<br>True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,<br>Much better seems this Vision, and more hope<br>Of peaceful dayes portends, then those two past;<br>Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse,<br>Here Nature seems fulfilld in all her ends.<br>To whom thus Michael. Judg not what is best<br>By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,<br>Created, as thou art, to nobler end<br>Holie and pure, conformitie divine.<br>Those Tents thou sawst so pleasant, were the Tents<br>Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his Race<br>Who slew his Brother; studious they appere<br>Of Arts that polish Life, Inventers rare,<br>Unmindful of thir Maker, though his Spirit<br>Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg'd none.<br>Yet they a beauteous ofspring shall beget;<br>For that fair femal Troop thou sawst, that seemd<br>Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,<br>Yet empty of all good wherein consists<br>Womans domestic honour and chief praise;<br>Bred onely and completed to the taste<br>Of lustful apperence, to sing, to dance,<br>To dress, and troule the Tongue, and roule the Eye.<br>To these that sober Race of Men, whose lives<br>Religious titl'd them the Sons of God,<br>Shall yeild up all thir vertue, all thir fame<br>Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles<br>Of these fair Atheists, and now swim in joy,<br>(Erelong to swim at larg) and laugh; for which<br>The world erelong a world of tears must weepe.<br>To whom thus Adam of short joy bereft.<br>O pittie and shame, that they who to live well<br>Enterd so faire, should turn aside to tread<br>Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint!<br>But still I see the tenor of Mans woe<br>Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.<br>From Mans effeminate slackness it begins,<br>Said th' Angel, who should better hold his place<br>By wisdome, and superiour gifts receavd.<br>But now prepare thee for another Scene.<br>He lookd and saw wide Territorie spred<br>Before him, Towns, and rural works between,<br>Cities of Men with lofty Gates and Towrs,<br>Concours in Arms, fierce Faces threatning Warr,<br>Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise;<br>Part wield thir Arms, part courb the foaming Steed,<br>Single or in Array of Battel rang'd<br>Both Horse and Foot, nor idely mustring stood;<br>One way a Band select from forage drives<br>A herd of Beeves, faire Oxen and faire Kine<br>From a fat Meddow ground; or fleecy Flock,<br>Ewes and thir bleating Lambs over the Plaine,<br>Thir Bootie; scarce with Life the Shepherds flye,<br>But call in aide, which tacks a bloody Fray;<br>With cruel Tournament the Squadrons joine;<br>Where Cattel pastur'd late, now scatterd lies<br>With Carcasses and Arms th' ensanguind Field<br>Deserted: Others to a Citie strong<br>Lay Siege, encampt; by Batterie, Scale, and Mine,<br>Assaulting; others from the Wall defend<br>With Dart and Jav'lin, Stones and sulfurous Fire;<br>On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.<br>In other part the scepter'd Haralds call<br>To Council in the Citie Gates: anon<br>Grey-headed men and grave, with Warriours mixt,<br>Assemble, and Harangues are heard, but soon<br>In factious opposition, till at last<br>Of middle Age one rising, eminent<br>In wise deport, spake much of Right and Wrong,<br>Of Justice, of Religion, Truth and Peace,<br>And Judgement from above: him old and young<br>Exploded, and had seiz'd with violent hands,<br>Had not a Cloud descending snatch'd him thence<br>Unseen amid the throng: so violence<br>Proceeded, and Oppression, and Sword-Law<br>Through all the Plain, and refuge none was found.<br>Adam was all in tears, and to his guide<br>Lamenting turnd full sad; O what are these,<br>Deaths Ministers, not Men, who thus deal Death<br>Inhumanly to men, and multiply<br>Ten thousand fould the sin of him who slew<br>His Brother; for of whom such massacher<br>Make they but of thir Brethren, men of men?<br>But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav'n<br>Rescu'd, had in his Righteousness bin lost?<br>To whom thus Michael: These are the product<br>Of those ill-mated Marriages thou saw'st;<br>Where good with bad were matcht, who of themselves<br>Abhor to joyn; and by imprudence mixt,<br>Produce prodigious Births of bodie or mind.<br>Such were these Giants, men of high renown;<br>For in those dayes Might onely shall be admir'd,<br>And Valour and Heroic Vertu call'd;<br>To overcome in Battel, and subdue<br>Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite<br>Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch<br>Of human Glorie, and for Glorie done<br>Of triumph, to be styl'd great Conquerours,<br>Patrons of Mankind, Gods, and Sons of Gods,<br>Destroyers rightlier call'd and Plagues of men.<br>Thus Fame shall be achiev'd, renown on Earth,<br>And what most merits fame in silence hid.<br>But hee the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst<br>The onely righteous in a World perverse,<br>And therefore hated, therefore so beset<br>With Foes for daring single to be just,<br>And utter odious Truth, that God would come<br>To judge them with his Saints: Him the most High<br>Rapt in a balmie Cloud with winged Steeds<br>Did, as thou sawst, receave, to walk with God<br>High in Salvation and the Climes of bliss,<br>Exempt from Death; to shew thee what reward<br>Awaits the good, the rest what punishment;<br>Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.<br>He look'd, & saw the face of things quite chang'd;<br>The brazen Throat of Warr had ceast to roar,<br>All now was turn'd to jollitie and game,<br>To luxurie and riot, feast and dance,<br>Marrying or prostituting, as befell,<br>Rape or Adulterie, where passing faire<br>Allurd them; thence from Cups to civil Broiles.<br>At length a Reverend Sire among them came,<br>And of thir doings great dislike declar'd,<br>And testifi'd against thir wayes; hee oft<br>Frequented thir Assemblies, whereso met,<br>Triumphs or Festivals, and to them preachd<br>Conversion and Repentance, as to Souls<br>In prison under Judgements imminent:<br>But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas'd<br>Contending, and remov'd his Tents farr off;<br>Then from the Mountain hewing Timber tall,<br>Began to build a Vessel of huge bulk,<br>Measur'd by Cubit, length, & breadth, and highth,<br>Smeard round with Pitch, and in the side a dore<br>Contriv'd, and of provisions laid in large<br>For Man and Beast: when loe a wonder strange!<br>Of everie Beast, and Bird, and Insect small<br>Came seavens, and pairs, and enterd in, as taught<br>Thir order; last the Sire, and his three Sons<br>With thir four Wives, and God made fast the dore.<br>Meanwhile the Southwind rose, & with black wings<br>Wide hovering, all the Clouds together drove<br>From under Heav'n; the Hills to their supplie<br>Vapour, and Exhalation dusk and moist,<br>Sent up amain; and now the thick'nd Skie<br>Like a dark Ceeling stood; down rush'd the Rain<br>Impetuous, and continu'd till the Earth<br>No more was seen; the floating Vessel swum<br>Uplifted; and secure with beaked prow<br>Rode tilting o're the Waves, all dwellings else<br>Flood overwhelmd, and them with all thir pomp<br>Deep under water rould; Sea cover'd Sea,<br>Sea without shoar; and in thir Palaces<br>Where luxurie late reign'd, Sea-monsters whelp'd<br>And stabl'd; of Mankind, so numerous late,<br>All left, in one small bottom swum imbark't.<br>How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold<br>The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad,<br>Depopulation; thee another Floud,<br>Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drown'd,<br>And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard<br>By th' Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,<br>Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns<br>His Childern, all in view destroyd at once;<br>And scarce to th' Angel utterdst thus thy plaint.<br>O Visions ill foreseen! better had I<br>Liv'd ignorant of future, so had borne<br>My part of evil onely, each dayes lot<br>Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst<br>The burd'n of many Ages, on me light<br>At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth<br>Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,<br>With thought that they must be. Let no man seek<br>Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall<br>Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,<br>Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,<br>And hee the future evil shall no less<br>In apprehension then in substance feel<br>Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,<br>Man is not whom to warne: those few escap't<br>Famin and anguish will at last consume<br>Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope<br>When violence was ceas't, and Warr on Earth,<br>All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd<br>With length of happy days the race of man;<br>But I was farr deceav'd; for now I see<br>Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.<br>How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide,<br>And whether here the Race of man will end.<br>To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst<br>In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they<br>First seen in acts of prowess eminent<br>And great exploits, but of true vertu void;<br>Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste<br>Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby<br>Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,<br>Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,<br>Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride<br>Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.<br>The conquerd also, and enslav'd by Warr<br>Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose<br>And feare of God, from whom thir pietie feign'd<br>In sharp contest of Battel found no aide<br>Against invaders; therefore coold in zeale<br>Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure,<br>Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir Lords<br>Shall leave them to enjoy; for th' Earth shall bear<br>More then anough, that temperance may be tri'd:<br>So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd,<br>Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;<br>One Man except, the onely Son of light<br>In a dark Age, against example good,<br>Against allurement, custom, and a World<br>Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,<br>Or violence, hee of thir wicked wayes<br>Shall them admonish, and before them set<br>The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,<br>And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come<br>On thir impenitence; and shall returne<br>Of them derided, but of God observd<br>The one just Man alive; by his command<br>Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,<br>To save himself and houshold from amidst<br>A World devote to universal rack.<br>No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast<br>Select for life shall in the Ark be lodg'd,<br>And shelterd round, but all the Cataracts<br>Of Heav'n set open on the Earth shall powre<br>Raine day and night, all fountaines of the Deep<br>Broke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurp<br>Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise<br>Above the highest Hills: then shall this Mount<br>Of Paradise by might of Waves be moovd<br>Out of his place, pushd by the horned floud,<br>With all his verdure spoil'd, and Trees adrift<br>Down the great River to the op'ning Gulf,<br>And there take root an Iland salt and bare,<br>The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang.<br>To teach thee that God attributes to place<br>No sanctitie, if none be thither brought<br>By Men who there frequent, or therein dwell.<br>And now what further shall ensue, behold.<br>He lookd, and saw the Ark hull on the floud,<br>Which now abated, for the Clouds were fled,<br>Drivn by a keen North-winde, that blowing drie<br>Wrinkl'd the face of Deluge, as decai'd;<br>And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass<br>Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh Wave largely drew,<br>As after thirst, which made thir flowing shrink<br>From standing lake to tripping ebbe, that stole<br>With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt<br>His Sluces, as the Heav'n his windows shut.<br>The Ark no more now flotes, but seems on ground<br>Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt.<br>And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer;<br>With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive<br>Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde.<br>Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies,<br>And after him, the surer messenger,<br>A Dove sent forth once and agen to spie<br>Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light;<br>The second time returning, in his Bill<br>An Olive leafe he brings, pacific signe:<br>Anon drie ground appeers, and from his Arke<br>The ancient Sire descends with all his Train;<br>Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,<br>Grateful to Heav'n, over his head beholds<br>A dewie Cloud, and in the Cloud a Bow<br>Conspicuous with three lifted colours gay,<br>Betok'ning peace from God, and Cov'nant new.<br>Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad<br>Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth.<br>O thou that future things canst represent<br>As present, Heav'nly instructer, I revive<br>At this last sight, assur'd that Man shall live<br>With all the Creatures, and thir seed preserve.<br>Farr less I now lament for one whole World<br>Of wicked Sons destroyd, then I rejoyce<br>For one Man found so perfet and so just,<br>That God voutsafes to raise another World<br>From him, and all his anger to forget.<br>But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,<br>Distended as the Brow of God appeas'd,<br>Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde<br>The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud,<br>Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth?<br>To whom th' Archangel. Dextrously thou aim'st;<br>So willingly doth God remit his Ire,<br>Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd,<br>Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he saw<br>The whole Earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh<br>Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoov'd,<br>Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight,<br>That he relents, not to blot out mankind,<br>And makes a Covenant never to destroy<br>The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea<br>Surpass his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World<br>With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings<br>Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set<br>His triple-colour'd Bow, whereon to look<br>And call to mind his Cov'nant: Day and Night,<br>Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost<br>Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new,<br>Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.<br>Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end;<br>And Man as from a second stock proceed.<br>Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceave<br>Thy mortal sight to faile; objects divine<br>Must needs impaire and wearie human sense:<br>Henceforth what is to com I will relate,<br>Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.<br>This second sours of Men, while yet but few,<br>And while the dread of judgement past remains<br>Fresh in thir mindes, fearing the Deitie,<br>With some regard to what is just and right<br>Shall lead thir lives, and multiplie apace,<br>Labouring the soile, and reaping plenteous crop,<br>Corn wine and oyle; and from the herd or flock,<br>Oft sacrificing Bullock, Lamb, or Kid,<br>With large Wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred Feast<br>Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd, and dwell<br>Long time in peace by Families and Tribes<br>Under paternal rule; till one shall rise<br>Of proud ambitious heart, who not content<br>With fair equalitie, fraternal state,<br>Will arrogate Dominion undeserv'd<br>Over his brethren, and quite dispossess<br>Concord and law of Nature from the Earth;<br>Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game)<br>With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse<br>Subjection to his Empire tyrannous:<br>A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd<br>Before the Lord, as in despite of Heav'n,<br>Or from Heav'n claming second Sovrantie;<br>And from Rebellion shall derive his name,<br>Though of Rebellion others he accuse.<br>Hee with a crew, whom like Ambition joyns<br>With him or under him to tyrannize,<br>Marching from Eden towards the West, shall finde<br>The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge<br>Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell;<br>Of Brick, and of that stuff they cast to build<br>A Citie & Towre, whose top may reach to Heav'n;<br>And get themselves a name, least far disperst<br>In foraign Lands thir memorie be lost,<br>Regardless whether good or evil fame.<br>But God who oft descends to visit men<br>Unseen, and through thir habitations walks<br>To mark thir doings, them beholding soon,<br>Comes down to see thir Citie, ere the Tower<br>Obstruct Heav'n Towrs, and in derision sets<br>Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase<br>Quite out thir Native Language, and instead<br>To sow a jangling noise of words unknown:<br>Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud<br>Among the Builders; each to other calls<br>Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,<br>As mockt they storm; great laughter was in Heav'n<br>And looking down, to see the hubbub strange<br>And hear the din; thus was the building left<br>Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd.<br>Whereto thus Adam fatherly displeas'd.<br>O execrable Son so to aspire<br>Above his Brethren, to himself affirming<br>Authoritie usurpt, from God not giv'n:<br>He gave us onely over Beast, Fish, Fowl<br>Dominion absolute; that right we hold<br>By his donation; but Man over men<br>He made not Lord; such title to himself<br>Reserving, human left from human free.<br>But this Usurper his encroachment proud<br>Stayes not on Man; to God his Tower intends<br>Siege and defiance: Wretched man! what food<br>Will he convey up thither to sustain<br>Himself and his rash Armie, where thin Aire<br>Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross,<br>And famish him of Breath, if not of Bread?<br>To whom thus Michael. Justly thou abhorr'st<br>That Son, who on the quiet state of men<br>Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue<br>Rational Libertie; yet know withall,<br>Since thy original lapse, true Libertie<br>Is lost, which alwayes with right Reason dwells<br>Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being:<br>Reason in man obscur'd, or not obeyd,<br>Immediately inordinate desires<br>And upstart Passions catch the Government<br>From Reason, and to servitude reduce<br>Man till then free. Therefore since hee permits<br>Within himself unworthie Powers to reign<br>Over free Reason, God in Judgement just<br>Subjects him from without to violent Lords;<br>Who oft as undeservedly enthrall<br>His outward freedom: Tyrannie must be,<br>Though to the Tyrant thereby no excuse.<br>Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low<br>From vertue, which is reason, that no wrong,<br>But Justice, and some fatal curse annext<br>Deprives them of thir outward libertie,<br>Thir inward lost: Witness th' irreverent Son<br>Of him who built the Ark, who for the shame<br>Don to his Father, heard this heavie curse,<br>Servant of servants, on his vitious Race.<br>Thus will this latter, as the former World,<br>Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last<br>Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw<br>His presence from among them, and avert<br>His holy Eyes; resolving from thenceforth<br>To leave them to thir own polluted wayes;<br>And one peculiar Nation to select<br>From all the rest, of whom to be invok'd,<br>A Nation from one faithful man to spring:<br>Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,<br>Bred up in Idol-worship; O that men<br>(Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown,<br>While yet the Patriark liv'd, who scap'd the Flood,<br>As to forsake the living God, and fall<br>To-worship thir own work in Wood and Stone<br>For Gods! yet him God the most High voutsafes<br>To call by Vision from his Fathers house,<br>His kindred and false Gods, into a Land<br>Which he will shew him, and from him will raise<br>A mightie Nation, and upon him showre<br>His benediction so, that in his Seed<br>All Nations shall be blest; hee straight obeys,<br>Not knowing to what Land, yet firm believes:<br>I see him, but thou canst not, with what Faith<br>He leaves his Gods, his Friends, and native Soile<br>Ur of Chaldæa, passing now the Ford<br>To Haran, after him a cumbrous Train<br>Of Herds and Flocks, and numerous servitude;<br>Not wandring poor, but trusting all his wealth<br>With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown.<br>Canaan he now attains, I see his Tents<br>Pitcht about Sechem, and the neighbouring Plaine<br>Of Moreb; there by promise he receaves<br>Gift to his Progenie of all that Land;<br>From Hamath Northward to the Desert South<br>(Things by thir names I call, though yet unnam'd)<br>From Hermon East to the great Western Sea,<br>Mount Hermon, yonder Sea, each place behold<br>In prospect, as I point them; on the shoare<br>Mount Carmel; here the double-founted stream<br>Jordan, true limit Eastward; but his Sons<br>Shall dwell to Senir; that long ridge of Hills.<br>This ponder, that all Nations of the Earth<br>Shall in his Seed be blessed; by that Seed<br>Is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise<br>The Serpents head; whereof to thee anon<br>Plainlier shall be reveald. This Patriarch blest,<br>Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call,<br>A Son, and of his Son a Grand-childe leaves,<br>Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown;<br>The Grandchilde with twelve Sons increast, departs<br>From Canaan, to a Land hereafter call'd<br>Egypt, divided by the River Nile;<br>See where it flows, disgorging at seaven mouthes<br>Into the Sea: to sojourn in that Land<br>He comes invited by a yonger Son<br>In time of dearth, a Son whose worthy deeds<br>Raise him to be the second in that Realme<br>Of Pharao: there he dies, and leaves his Race<br>Growing into a Nation, and now grown<br>Suspected to a sequent King, who seeks<br>To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests<br>Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves<br>Inhospitably, and kills thir infant Males:<br>Till by two brethren (those two brethren call<br>Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claime<br>His people from enthralment, they return<br>With glory and spoile back to thir promis'd Land.<br>But first the lawless Tyrant, who denies<br>To know thir God, or message to regard,<br>Must be compelld by Signes and Judgements dire;<br>To blood unshed the Rivers must be turnd,<br>Frogs, Lice and Flies must all his Palace fill<br>With loath'd intrusion, and fill all the land;<br>His Cattel must of Rot and Murren die,<br>Botches and blaines must all his flesh imboss,<br>And all his people; Thunder mixt with Haile,<br>Haile mixt with fire must rend th' Egyptian Skie<br>And wheel on th' Earth, devouring where it rouls;<br>What it devours not, Herb, or Fruit, or Graine,<br>A darksom Cloud of Locusts swarming down<br>Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green:<br>Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,<br>Palpable darkness, and blot out three dayes;<br>Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born<br>Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds<br>This River-dragon tam'd at length submits<br>To let his sojourners depart, and oft<br>Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as Ice<br>More hard'nd after thaw, till in his rage<br>Pursuing whom he late dismissd, the Sea<br>Swallows him with his Host, but them lets pass<br>As on drie land between two christal walls,<br>Aw'd by the rod of Moses so to stand<br>Divided, till his rescu'd gain thir shoar:<br>Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend,<br>Though present in his Angel, who shall goe<br>Before them in a Cloud, and Pillar of Fire,<br>By day a Cloud, by night a pillar of Fire,<br>To guide them in thir journey, and remove<br>Behinde them, while th' obdurat King pursues:<br>All night he will pursue, but his approach<br>Darkness defends between till morning Watch;<br>Then through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud<br>God looking forth will trouble all his Host<br>And craze thir Chariot wheels: when by command<br>Moses once more his potent Rod extends<br>Over the Sea; the Sea his Rod obeys;<br>On thir imbattelld ranks the Waves return,<br>And overwhelm thir Warr: the Race elect<br>Safe towards Canaan from the shoar advance<br>Through the wilde Desert, not the readiest way,<br>Least entring on the Canaanite allarmd<br>Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare<br>Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather<br>Inglorious life with servitude; for life<br>To noble and ignoble is more sweet<br>Untraind in Armes, where rashness leads not on.<br>This also shall they gain by thir delay<br>In the wide Wilderness, there they shall found<br>Thir government, and thir great Senate choose<br>Through the twelve Tribes, to rule by Laws ordaind:<br>God from the Mount of Sinai, whose gray top<br>Shall tremble, he descending, will himself<br>In Thunder Lightning and loud Trumpets sound<br>Ordaine them Lawes; part such as appertaine<br>To civil Justice, part religious Rites<br>Of sacrifice, informing them, by types<br>And shadowes, of that destind Seed to bruise<br>The Serpent, by what meanes he shall achieve<br>Mankinds deliverance. But the voice of God<br>To mortal eare is dreadful; they beseech<br>That Moses might report to them his will,<br>And terror cease; he grants them thir desire,<br>Instructed that to God is no access<br>Without Mediator, whose high Office now<br>Moses in figure beares, to introduce<br>One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,<br>And all the Prophets in thir Age the times<br>Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus Laws and Rites<br>Establisht, such delight hath God in Men<br>Obedient to his will, that he voutsafes<br>Among them to set up his Tabernacle,<br>The holy One with mortal Men to dwell:<br>By his prescript a Sanctuary is fram'd<br>Of Cedar, overlaid with Gold, therein<br>An Ark, and in the Ark his Testimony,<br>The Records of his Cov'nant, over these<br>A Mercie-seat of Gold between the wings<br>Of two bright Cherubim, before him burn<br>Seaven Lamps as in a Zodiac representing<br>The Heav'nly fires; over the Tent a Cloud<br>Shall rest by Day, a fierie gleame by Night,<br>Save when they journie, and at length they come,<br>Conducted by his Angel to the Land<br>Promisd to Abraham and his Seed: the rest<br>Were long to tell, how many Battels fought,<br>How many Kings destroyd, and Kingdoms won,<br>Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav'n stand still<br>A day entire, and Nights due course adjourne,<br>Mans voice commanding, Sun in Gibeon stand,<br>And thou Moon in the vale of Aialon<br>Till Israel overcome; so call the third<br>From Abraham, Son of Isaac, and from him<br>His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win.<br>Here Adam interpos'd. O sent from Heav'n,<br>Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things<br>Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne<br>Just Abraham and his Seed: now first I finde<br>Mine eyes true op'ning, and my heart much eas'd,<br>Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom<br>Of mee and all Mankind; but now I see<br>His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,<br>Favour unmerited by me, who sought<br>Forbidd'n knowledge by forbidd'n means.<br>This yet I apprehend not, why to those<br>Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth<br>So many and so various Laws are giv'n;<br>So many Laws argue so many sins<br>Among them; how can God with such reside?<br>To whom thus Michael. Doubt not but that sin<br>Will reign among them, as of thee begot;<br>And therefore was Law given them to evince<br>Thir natural pravitie, by stirring up<br>Sin against Law to fight; that when they see<br>Law can discover sin, but not remove,<br>Save by those shadowie expiations weak,<br>The bloud of Bulls and Goats, they may conclude<br>Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man,<br>Just for unjust, that in such righteousness<br>To them by Faith imputed, they may finde<br>Justification towards God, and peace<br>Of Conscience, which the Law by Ceremonies<br>Cannot appease, nor Man the moral part<br>Perform, and not performing cannot live.<br>So Law appears imperfet, and but giv'n<br>With purpose to resign them in full time<br>Up to a better Cov'nant, disciplin'd<br>From shadowie Types to Truth, from Flesh to Spirit,<br>From imposition of strict Laws, to free<br>Acceptance of large Grace, from servil fear<br>To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.<br>And therefore shall not Moses, though of God<br>Highly belov'd, being but the Minister<br>Of Law, his people into Canaan lead;<br>But Joshua whom the Gentiles Jesus call,<br>His Name and Office bearing, who shall quell<br>The adversarie Serpent, and bring back<br>Through the worlds wilderness long wanderd man<br>Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.<br>Meanwhile they in thir earthly Canaan plac't<br>Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins<br>National interrupt thir public peace,<br>Provoking God to raise them enemies:<br>From whom as oft he saves them penitent<br>By Judges first, then under Kings; of whom<br>The second, both for pietie renownd<br>And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive<br>Irrevocable, that his Regal Throne<br>For ever shall endure; the like shall sing<br>All Prophecie, [t]hat of the Royal Stock<br>Of David (so I name this King) shall rise<br>A Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,<br>Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust<br>All Nations, and to Kings foretold, of Kings<br>The last, for of his Reign shall be no end.<br>But first a long succession must ensue,<br>And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd,<br>The clouded Ark of God till then in Tents<br>Wandring, shall in a glorious Temple enshrine.<br>Such follow him, as shall be registerd<br>Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scrowle,<br>Whose foul Idolatries, and other faults<br>Heapt to the popular summe, will so incense<br>God, as to leave them, and expose thir Land,<br>Thir Citie, his Temple, and his holy Ark<br>With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey<br>To that proud Citie, whose high Walls thou saw'st<br>Left in confusion, Babylon thence call'd.<br>There in captivitie he lets them dwell<br>The space of seventie years, then brings them back,<br>Remembring mercie, and his Cov'nant sworn<br>To David, stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n.<br>Returnd from Babylon by leave of Kings<br>Thir Lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God<br>They first re-edifie, and for a while<br>In mean estate live moderate, till grown<br>In wealth and multitude, factious they grow;<br>But first among the Priests dissension springs,<br>Men who attend the Altar, and should most<br>Endeavour Peace: thir strife pollution brings<br>Upon the Temple it self: at last they seise<br>The Scepter, and regard not Davids Sons,<br>Then loose it to a stranger, that the true<br>Anointed King Messiah might be born<br>Barr'd of his right; yet at his Birth a Starr<br>Unseen before in Heav'n proclaims him com,<br>And guides the Eastern Sages, who enquire<br>His place, to offer Incense, Myrrh, and Gold;<br>His place of birth a solemn Angel tells<br>To simple Shepherds, keeping watch by night;<br>They gladly thither haste, and by a Quire<br>Of squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung.<br>A Virgin is his Mother, but his Sire<br>The Power of the most High; he shall ascend<br>The Throne hereditarie, and bound his Reign<br>With earths wide bounds, his glory with the Heav'ns.<br>He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy<br>Surcharg'd, as had like grief bin dew'd in tears,<br>Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.<br>O Prophet of glad tidings, finisher<br>Of utmost hope! now clear I understand<br>What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain,<br>Why our great expectation should be call'd<br>The seed of Woman: Virgin Mother, Haile,<br>High in the love of Heav'n, yet from my Loynes<br>Thou shalt proceed, and from thy Womb the Son<br>Of God most High; So God with man unites.<br>Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise<br>Expect with mortal paine: say where and when<br>Thir fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel.<br>To whom thus Michael. Dream not of thir fight,<br>As of a Duel, or the local wounds<br>Of head or heel: not therefore joynes the Son<br>Manhood to God-head, with more strength to foil<br>Thy enemie; nor so is overcome<br>Satan, whose fall from Heav'n, a deadlier bruise,<br>Disabl'd not to give thee thy deaths wound:<br>Which hee, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure,<br>Not by destroying Satan, but his works<br>In thee and in thy Seed: nor can this be,<br>But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,<br>Obedience to the Law of God, impos'd<br>On penaltie of death, and suffering death,<br>The penaltie to thy transgression due,<br>And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:<br>So onely can high Justice rest appaid.<br>The Law of God exact he shall fulfill<br>Both by obedience and by love, though love<br>Alone fulfill the Law; thy punishment<br>He shall endure by coming in the Flesh<br>To a reproachful life and cursed death,<br>Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe<br>In his redemption, and that his obedience<br>Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits<br>To save them, not thir own, though legal works.<br>For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd,<br>Seis'd on by force, judg'd, and to death condemnd<br>A shameful and accurst, naild to the Cross<br>By his own Nation, slaine for bringing Life;<br>But to the Cross he nailes thy Enemies,<br>The Law that is against thee, and the sins<br>Of all mankinde, with him there crucifi'd,<br>Never to hurt them more who rightly trust<br>In this his satisfaction; so he dies,<br>But soon revives, Death over him no power<br>Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light<br>Returne, the Starres of Morn shall see him rise<br>Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,<br>Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,<br>His death for Man, as many as offerd Life<br>Neglect not, and the benefit imbrace<br>By Faith not void of works: this God-like act<br>Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have dy'd,<br>In sin for ever lost from life; this act<br>Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength<br>Defeating Sin and Death, his two maine armes,<br>And fix farr deeper in his head thir stings<br>Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,<br>Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,<br>A gentle wafting to immortal Life.<br>Nor after resurrection shall he stay<br>Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer<br>To his Disciples, Men who in his Life<br>Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge<br>To teach all nations what of him they learn'd<br>And his Salvation, them who shall beleeve<br>Baptizing in the profluent streame, the signe<br>Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life<br>Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befall,<br>For death, like that which the redeemer dy'd.<br>All Nations they shall teach; for from that day<br>Not onely to the Sons of Abrahams Loines<br>Salvation shall be Preacht, but to the Sons<br>Of Abrahams Faith wherever through the world;<br>So in his seed all Nations shall be blest.<br>Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend<br>With victory, triumphing through the aire<br>Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise<br>The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in Chaines<br>Through all his realme, & there confounded leave;<br>Then enter into glory, and resume<br>His Seat at Gods right hand, exalted high<br>Above all names in Heav'n; and thence shall come,<br>When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,<br>With glory and power to judge both quick & dead,<br>To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward<br>His faithful, and receave them into bliss,<br>Whether in Heav'n or Earth, for then the Earth<br>Shall all be Paradise, far happier place<br>Then this of Eden, and far happier daies.<br>So spake th' Archangel Michael, then paus'd,<br>As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire<br>Replete with joy and wonder thus repli'd.<br>O goodness infinite, goodness immense!<br>That all this good of evil shall produce,<br>And evil turn to good; more wonderful<br>Then that which by creation first brought forth<br>Light out of da</a></div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br/></a><a href="https://poems.citatepedia.com/">poem</a> by <strong><a rel="author" href="https://authors.citatepedia.com/by.php?a=John+Milton">John Milton</a></strong></div>

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