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White, Black and Grey, with all thir trumperie.Here Pilgrims roam, that stray'd so farr to seekIn Golgotha him dead, who lives in Heav'n;And they who to be sure of ParadiseDying put on the weeds of Dominic,Or in Franciscan think to pass disguis'd; 480They pass the Planets seven, and pass the fixt,And that Crystalline Sphear whose ballance weighsThe Trepidation talkt, and that first mov'd;And now Saint Peter at Heav'ns Wicket seemsTo wait them with his Keys, and now at footOf Heav'ns ascent they lift thir Feet, when loeA violent cross wind from either CoastBlows them transverse ten thousand Leagues awryInto the devious Air; then might ye seeCowles, Hoods and Habits with thir wearers tost 490And flutterd into Raggs, then Reliques, Beads,Indulgences, Dispenses, Pardons, Bulls,The sport of Winds: all these upwhirld aloftFly o're the backside of the World farr offInto a Limbo large and broad, since calldThe Paradise of Fools, to few unknownLong after, now unpeopl'd, and untrod;All this dark Globe the Fiend found as he pass'd,And long he wanderd, till at last a gleameOf dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste 500His travell'd steps; farr distant hee descriesAscending by degrees magnificentUp to the wall of Heaven a Structure high,At top whereof, but farr more rich appeerdThe work as of a Kingly Palace GateWith Frontispice of Diamond and GoldImbellisht, thick with sparkling orient GemmesThe Portal shon, inimitable on EarthBy Model, or by shading Pencil drawn.The Stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 510Angels ascending and descending, bandsOf Guardians bright, when he from Esau fledTo Padan-aram in the field of Luz,Dreaming by night under the open Skie,And waking cri'd, This is the Gate of Heav'n.Each Stair mysteriously was meant, nor stoodThere alwaies, but drawn up to Heav'n somtimesViewless, and underneath a bright Sea flow'dOf Jasper, or of liquid Pearle, whereonWho after came from Earth, sayling arriv'd, 520Wafted by Angels, or flew o're the LakeRapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds.The Stairs were then let down, whether to dareThe Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravateHis sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss.Direct against which op'nd from beneath,Just o're the blissful seat of Paradise,A passage down to th' Earth, a passage wide,Wider by farr then that of after-timesOver Mount Sion, and, though that were large, 530Over the Promis'd Land to God so dear,By which, to visit oft those happy Tribes,On high behests his Angels to and froPass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regardFrom Paneas the fount of Jordans floodTo Beersaba, where the Holy LandBorders on Aegypt and the Arabian shoare;So wide the op'ning seemd, where bounds were setTo darkness, such as bound the Ocean wave.Satan from hence now on the lower stair 540That scal'd by steps of Gold to Heav'n GateLooks down with wonder at the sudden viewOf all this World at once. As when a ScoutThrough dark and desart wayes with peril goneAll night; at last by break of chearful dawneObtains the brow of some high-climbing Hill,Which to his eye discovers unawareThe goodly prospect of some forein landFirst-seen, or some renownd MetropolisWith glistering Spires and Pinnacles adornd, 550Which now the Rising Sun guilds with his beams.Such wonder seis'd, though after Heaven seen,The Spirit maligne, but much more envy seis'dAt sight of all this World beheld so faire.Round he surveys, and well might, where he stoodSo high above the circling CanopieOf Nights extended shade; from Eastern PointOf Libra to the fleecie Starr that bearsAndromeda farr off Atlantick SeasBeyond th' Horizon; then from Pole to Pole 560He views in bredth, and without longer pauseDown right into the Worlds first Region throwsHis flight precipitant, and windes with easeThrough the pure marble Air his oblique wayAmongst innumerable Starrs, that shonStars distant, but nigh hand seemd other Worlds,Or other Worlds they seemd, or happy Iles,Like those Hesperian Gardens fam'd of old,Fortunate Fields, and Groves and flourie Vales,Thrice happy Iles, but who dwelt happy there 570He stayd not to enquire: above them allThe golden Sun in splendor likest HeavenAllur'd his eye: Thither his course he bendsThrough the calm Firmament; but up or downeBy center, or eccentric, hard to tell,Or Longitude, where the great LuminarieAlooff the vulgar Constellations thick,That from his Lordly eye keep distance due,Dispenses Light from farr; they as they moveThir Starry dance in numbers that compute 580Days, months, and years, towards his all-chearing LampTurn swift their various motions, or are turndBy his Magnetic beam, that gently warmsThe Univers, and to each inward partWith gentle penetration, though unseen,Shoots invisible vertue even to the deep:So wondrously was set his Station bright.There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhapsAstronomer in the Sun's lucent OrbeThrough his glaz'd Optic Tube yet never saw. 590The place he found beyond expression bright,Compar'd with aught on Earth, Medal or Stone;Not all parts like, but all alike informdWith radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire;If mettal, part seemd Gold, part Silver cleer;If stone, Carbuncle most or Chrysolite,Rubie or Topaz, to the Twelve that shonIn Aarons Brest-plate, and a stone besidesImagind rather oft then elsewhere seen,That stone, or like to that which here below 600Philosophers in vain so long have sought,In vain, though by thir powerful Art they bindeVolatil Hermes, and call up unboundIn various shapes old Proteus from the Sea,Draind through a Limbec to his Native forme.What wonder then if fields and regions hereBreathe forth Elixir pure, and Rivers runPotable Gold, when with one vertuous touchTh' Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remoteProduces with Terrestrial Humor mixt 610Here in the dark so many precious thingsOf colour glorious and effect so rare?Here matter new to gaze the Devil metUndazl'd, farr and wide his eye commands,For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at NoonCulminate from th' Aequator, as they nowShot upward still direct, whence no way roundShadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire,No where so cleer, sharp'nd his visual ray 620To objects distant farr, whereby he soonSaw within kenn a glorious Angel stand,The same whom John saw also in the Sun:His back was turnd, but not his brightness hid;Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiarCircl'd his Head, nor less his Locks behindIllustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wingsLay waving round; on som great charge imploy'dHee seemd, or fixt in cogitation deep.Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope 630To find who might direct his wandring flightTo Paradise the happie seat of Man,His journies end and our beginning woe.But first he casts to change his proper shape,Which else might work him danger or delay:And now a stripling Cherube he appeers,Not of the prime, yet such as in his faceYouth smil'd Celestial, and to every LimbSutable grace diffus'd, so well he feignd;Under a Coronet his flowing haire 640In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he woreOf many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold,His habit fit for speed succinct, and heldBefore his decent steps a Silver wand.He drew not nigh unheard, the Angel bright,Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turnd,Admonisht by his eare, and strait was knownTh' Arch-Angel Uriel, one of the seav'nWho in Gods presence, neerest to his ThroneStand ready at command, and are his Eyes 650That run through all the Heav'ns, or down to th' EarthBear his swift errands over moist and dry,O're Sea and Land: him Satan thus accostes;Uriel, for thou of those seav'n Spirits that standIn sight of God's high Throne, gloriously bright,The first art wont his great authentic willInterpreter through highest Heav'n to bring,Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend;And here art likeliest by supream decreeLike honour to obtain, and as his Eye 660To visit oft this new Creation round;Unspeakable desire to see, and knowAll these his wondrous works, but chiefly Man,His chief delight and favour, him for whomAll these his works so wondrous he ordaind,Hath brought me from the Quires of CherubimAlone thus wandring. Brightest Seraph tellIn which of all these shining Orbes hath ManHis fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none,But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell; 670That I may find him, and with secret gaze,Or open admiration him beholdOn whom the great Creator hath bestowdWorlds, and on whom hath all these graces powrd;That both in him and all things, as is meet,The Universal Maker we may praise;Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell FoesTo deepest Hell, and to repair that lossCreated this new happie Race of MenTo serve him better: wise are all his wayes. 680So spake the false dissembler unperceivd;For neither Man nor Angel can discernHypocrisie, the only evil that walksInvisible, except to God alone,By his permissive will, through Heav'n and Earth:And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleepsAt wisdoms Gate, and to simplicitieResigns her charge, while goodness thinks no illWhere no ill seems: Which now for once beguil'dUriel, though Regent of the Sun, and held 690The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav'n;Who to the fraudulent Impostor fouleIn his uprightness answer thus returnd.Faire Angel, thy desire which tends to knowThe works of God, thereby to glorifieThe great Work-Maister, leads to no excessThat reaches blame, but rather merits praiseThe more it seems excess, that led thee hitherFrom thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone,To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps 700Contented with report heare onely in heav'n:For wonderful indeed are all his works,Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be allHad in remembrance alwayes with delight;But what created mind can comprehendThir number, or the wisdom infiniteThat brought them forth, but hid thir causes deep.I saw when at his Word the formless Mass,This worlds material mould, came to a heap:Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar 710Stood rul'd, stood vast infinitude confin'd;Till at his second bidding darkness fled,Light shon, and order from disorder sprung:Swift to thir several Quarters hasted thenThe cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire,And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'nFlew upward, spirited with various forms,That rowld orbicular, and turnd to StarrsNumberless, as thou seest, and how they move;Each had his place appointed, each his course, 720The rest in circuit walles this Universe.Look downward on that Globe whose hither sideWith light from hence, though but reflected, shines;That place is Earth the seat of Man, that lightHis day, which else as th' other HemisphereNight would invade, but there the neighbouring Moon(So call that opposite fair Starr) her aideTimely interposes, and her monthly roundStill ending, still renewing, through mid Heav'n;With borrowd light her countenance triform 730Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth,And in her pale dominion checks the night.That spot to which I point is Paradise,Adams abode, those loftie shades his Bowre.Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.Thus said, he turnd, and Satan bowing low,As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,Where honour due and reverence none neglects,Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath,Down from th' Ecliptic, sped with hop'd success, 740Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele,Nor staid, till on Niphates top he lights.
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The End Of The Third Book.
THE ARGUMENT.
Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprize which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despare; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and scituation is described, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a Cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. The Garden describ'd; Satans first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at thir excellent form and happy state but with resolution to work thir fall; overhears thir discourse, thence gathers that the Tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while to know further of thir state by some other means. Mean while Uriel descending on a Sunbeam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the Gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escap'd the Deep, and past at Noon by his Sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the Mount. Gabriel promises to find him out ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to thir rest: thir Bower describ'd; thir Evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his Bands of Night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adams Bower, least the evill spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom question'd he scornfully answers, prepares resistance, but hinder'd by a Sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise.
O For that warning voice, which he who sawTh' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud,Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,Came furious down to be reveng'd on men,Wo To The Inhabitants On Earth! that now,While time was, our first Parents had bin warndThe coming of thir secret foe, and scap'dHaply so scap'd his mortal snare; for nowSatan, now first inflam'd with rage, came down,The Tempter ere th' Accuser of man-kind, 10To wreck on innocent frail man his lossOf that first Battel, and his flight to Hell:Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold,Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birthNow rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest,And like a devillish Engine back recoilesUpon himself; horror and doubt distractHis troubl'd thoughts, and from the bottom stirrThe Hell within him, for within him Hell 20He brings, and round about him, nor from HellOne step no more then from himself can flyBy change of place: Now conscience wakes despairThat slumberd, wakes the bitter memorieOf what he was, what is, and what must beWorse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.Sometimes towards Eden which now in his viewLay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing Sun,Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre: 30Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd,Look'st from thy sole Dominion like the GodOf this new World; at whose sight all the StarrsHide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call,But with no friendly voice, and add thy nameO Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beamsThat bring to my remembrance from what stateI fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare;Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down 40Warring in Heav'n against Heav'ns matchless King:Ah wherefore! he deservd no such returnFrom me, whom he created what I wasIn that bright eminence, and with his goodUpbraided none; nor was his service hard.What could be less then to afford him praise,The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks,How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me,And wrought but malice; lifted up so highI sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher 50Would set me highest, and in a moment quitThe debt immense of endless gratitude,So burthensome, still paying, still to ow;Forgetful what from him I still receivd,And understood not that a grateful mindBy owing owes not, but still pays, at onceIndebted and dischargd; what burden then?O had his powerful Destiny ordaindMe some inferiour Angel, I had stoodThen happie; no unbounded hope had rais'd 60Ambition. Yet why not? som other PowerAs great might have aspir'd, and me though meanDrawn to his part; but other Powers as greatFell not, but stand unshak'n, from withinOr from without, to all temptations arm'd.Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,But Heav'ns free Love dealt equally to all?Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,To me alike, it deals eternal woe. 70Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy willChose freely what it now so justly rues.Me miserable! which way shall I flieInfinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?
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Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;And in the lowest deep a lower deepStill threatning to devour me opens wide,To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n.O then at last relent: is there no placeLeft for Repentance, none for Pardon left? 80None left but by submission; and that wordDisdain forbids me, and my dread of shameAmong the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'dWith other promises and other vauntsThen to submit, boasting I could subdueTh' Omnipotent. Ay me, they little knowHow dearly I abide that boast so vaine,Under what torments inwardly I groane;While they adore me on the Throne of Hell,With Diadem and Scepter high advanc'd 90The lower still I fall, onely SupreamIn miserie; such joy Ambition findes.But say I could repent and could obtaineBy Act of Grace my former state; how soonWould highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsayWhat feign'd submission swore: ease would recantVows made in pain, as violent and void.For never can true reconcilement growWhere wounds of deadly hate have peirc'd so deep:Which would but lead me to a worse relapse 100And heavier fall: so should I purchase deareShort intermission bought with double smart.This knows my punisher; therefore as farrFrom granting hee, as I from begging peace:All hope excluded thus, behold in steadOf us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight,Mankind created, and for him this World.So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear,Farwel Remorse: all Good to me is lost;Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least 110Divided Empire with Heav'ns King I holdBy thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his faceThrice chang'd with pale, ire, envie and despair,Which marrd his borrow'd visage, and betraidHim counterfet, if any eye beheld.For heav'nly mindes from such distempers fouleAre ever cleer. Whereof hee soon aware,Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calme, 120Artificer of fraud; and was the firstThat practisd falshood under saintly shew,Deep malice to conceale, couch't with revenge:Yet not anough had practisd to deceiveUriel once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him downThe way he went, and on th' Assyrian mountSaw him disfigur'd, more then could befallSpirit of happie sort: his gestures fierceHe markd and mad demeanour, then alone,As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. 130So on he fares, and to the border comesOf Eden, where delicious Paradise,Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green,As with a rural mound the champain headOf a steep wilderness, whose hairie sidesWith thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde,Access deni'd; and over head up grewInsuperable highth of loftiest shade,Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm,A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend 140Shade above shade, a woodie TheatreOf stateliest view. Yet higher then thir topsThe verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung:Which to our general Sire gave prospect largeInto his neather Empire neighbouring round.And higher then that Wall a circling rowOf goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hueAppeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt:On which the Sun more glad impress'd his beams 150Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemdThat Lantskip: And of pure now purer aireMeets his approach, and to the heart inspiresVernal delight and joy, able to driveAll sadness but despair: now gentle galesFanning thir odoriferous wings dispenseNative perfumes, and whisper whence they stoleThose balmie spoiles. As when to them who saileBeyond the Cape Of Hope, and now are past 160Mozambic, off at Sea North-East windes blowSabean Odours from the spicie shoareOf Arabie the blest, with such delayWell pleas'd they slack thir course, and many a LeagueCheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles.So entertaind those odorous sweets the FiendWho came thir bane, though with them better pleas'dThen Asmodeus with the fishie fume,That drove him, though enamourd, from the SpouseOf Tobits Son, and with a vengeance sent 170From Media post to Aegypt, there fast bound.Now to th' ascent of that steep savage HillSatan had journied on, pensive and slow;
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But further way found none, so thick entwin'd,As one continu'd brake, the undergrowthOf shrubs and tangling bushes had perplextAll path of Man or Beast that past that way:One Gate there onely was, and that look'd EastOn th' other side: which when th' arch-fellon sawDue entrance he disdaind, and in contempt, 180At one slight bound high overleap'd all boundOf Hill or highest Wall, and sheer withinLights on his feet. As when a prowling Wolfe,Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeveIn hurdl'd Cotes amid the field secure,Leaps o're the fence with ease into the Fould:Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cashOf some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores,Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 190In at the window climbes, or o're the tiles;So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe.Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,The middle Tree and highest there that grew,Sat like a Cormorant; yet not true LifeThereby regaind, but sat devising DeathTo them who liv'd; nor on the vertue thoughtOf that life-giving Plant, but only us'dFor prospect, what well us'd had bin the pledge 200Of immortalitie. So little knowsAny, but God alone, to value rightThe good before him, but perverts best thingsTo worst abuse, or to thir meanest use.Beneath him with new wonder now he viewsTo all delight of human sense expos'dIn narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,A Heaven on Earth, for blissful ParadiseOf God the Garden was, by him in the EastOf Eden planted; Eden stretchd her Line 210From Auran Eastward to the Royal TowrsOf great Seleucia, built by Grecian Kings,Or where the Sons of Eden long beforeDwelt in Telassar: in this pleasant soileHis farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind;Out of the fertil ground he caus'd to growAll Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,High eminent, blooming Ambrosial FruitOf vegetable Gold; and next to Life 220Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill.Southward through Eden went a River large,Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggie hillPass'd underneath ingulft, for God had thrownThat Mountain as his Garden mould high rais'dUpon the rapid current, which through veinsOf porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rillWaterd the Garden; thence united fell 230Down the steep glade, and met the neather Flood,Which from his darksom passage now appeers,And now divided into four main Streams,Runs divers, wandring many a famous RealmeAnd Country whereof here needs no account,But rather to tell how, if Art could tell,How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks,Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold,With mazie error under pendant shadesRan Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 240Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice ArtIn Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boonPowrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,Both where the morning Sun first warmly smoteThe open field, and where the unpierc't shadeImbround the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place,A happy rural seat of various view;
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Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden RindeHung amiable, Hesperian Fables true, 250If true, here onely, and of delicious taste:Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and FlocksGrasing the tender herb, were interpos'd,Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lapOf som irriguous Valley spread her store,Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:Another side, umbrageous Grots and CavesOf coole recess, o're which the mantling VineLayes forth her purple Grape, and gently creepsLuxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall 260Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd,Her chrystall mirror holds, unite thir streams.The Birds thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires,Breathing the smell of field and grove, attuneThe trembling leaves, while Universal PanKnit with the Graces and the Hours in danceLed on th' Eternal Spring. Not that faire fieldOf Enna, where Proserpin gathring floursHer self a fairer Floure by gloomie Dis 270Was gatherd, which cost Ceres all that painTo seek her through the world; nor that sweet GroveOf Daphne by Orontes, and th' inspir'dCastalian Spring might with this ParadiseOf Eden strive; nor that Nyseian IleGirt with the River Triton, where old Cham,Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove,Hid Amalthea and her Florid SonYoung Bacchus from his Stepdame Rhea's eye;Nor where Abassin Kings thir issue Guard, 280Mount Amara, though this by som suppos'dTrue Paradise under the Ethiop LineBy Nilus head, enclos'd with shining Rock,A whole dayes journey high, but wide remoteFrom this Assyrian Garden, where the FiendSaw undelighted all delight, all kindOf living Creatures new to sight and strange:Two of far nobler shape erect and tall,Godlike erect, with native Honour cladIn naked Majestie seemd Lords of all, 290And worthie seemd, for in thir looks DivineThe image of thir glorious Maker shon,Truth, Wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure,Severe, but in true filial freedom plac't;Whence true autoritie in men; though bothNot equal, as thir sex not equal seemd;For contemplation hee and valour formd,For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,Hee for God only, shee for God in him:His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar'd 300Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin LocksRound from his parted forelock manly hungClustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:Shee as a vail down to the slender wasteHer unadorned golden tresses woreDissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav'dAs the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli'dSubjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,And by her yeilded, by him best receivd,Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride, 310And sweet reluctant amorous delay.Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald,Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shameOf natures works, honor dishonorable,Sin-bred, how have ye troubl'd all mankindWith shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure,And banisht from mans life his happiest life,Simplicitie and spotless innocence.So passd they naked on, nor shund the sightOf God or Angel, for they thought no ill: 320So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pairThat ever since in loves imbraces met,Adam the goodliest man of men since borneHis Sons, the fairest of her Daughters Eve.Under a tuft of shade that on a greenStood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain sideThey sat them down, and after no more toilOf thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic'dTo recommend coole Zephyr, and made easeMore easie, wholsom thirst and appetite 330More grateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell,Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughesYeilded them, side-long as they sat reclineOn the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours:The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rindeStill as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream;
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Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smilesWanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseemsFair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,Alone as they. About them frisking playd 340All Beasts of th' Earth, since wilde, and of all chaseIn Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den;Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his pawDandl'd the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, PardsGambold before them, th' unwieldy ElephantTo make them mirth us'd all his might, and wreathdHis Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent slyInsinuating, wove with Gordian twineHis breaded train, and of his fatal guileGave proof unheeded; others on the grass 350Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,Or Bedward ruminating: for the SunDeclin'd was hasting now with prone carreerTo th' Ocean Iles, and in th' ascending ScaleOf Heav'n the Starrs that usher Evening rose:When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood,Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,Into our room of bliss thus high advanc'tCreatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, 360Not Spirits, yet to heav'nly Spirits brightLittle inferior; whom my thoughts pursueWith wonder, and could love, so lively shinesIn them Divine resemblance, and such graceThe hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd.Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nighYour change approaches, when all these delightsWill vanish and deliver ye to woe,More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;Happie, but for so happie ill secur'd 370Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav'nIll fenc't for Heav'n to keep out such a foeAs now is enterd; yet no purpos'd foeTo you whom I could pittie thus forlorneThough I unpittied: League with you I seek,And mutual amitie so streight, so close,That I with you must dwell, or you with meHenceforth; my dwelling haply may not pleaseLike this fair Paradise, your sense, yet suchAccept your Makers work; he gave it me, 380Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfould,To entertain you two, her widest Gates,And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,Not like these narrow limits, to receiveYour numerous ofspring; if no better place,Thank him who puts me loath to this revengeOn you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.And should I at your harmless innocenceMelt, as I doe, yet public reason just,Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg'd, 390By conquering this new World, compels me nowTo do what else though damnd I should abhorre.So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,The Tyrants plea, excus'd his devilish deeds.Then from his loftie stand on that high TreeDown he alights among the sportful HerdOf those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,Now other, as thir shape servd best his endNeerer to view his prey, and unespi'dTo mark what of thir state he more might learn 400By word or action markt: about them roundA Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,Then as a Tiger, who by chance hath spi'dIn some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,Strait couches close, then rising changes oftHis couchant watch, as one who chose his groundWhence rushing he might surest seise them bothGrip't in each paw: when Adam first of menTo first of women Eve thus moving speech,Turnd him all eare to heare new utterance flow. 410Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,Dearer thy self then all; needs must the PowerThat made us, and for us this ample WorldBe infinitly good, and of his goodAs liberal and free as infinite,That rais'd us from the dust and plac't us hereIn all this happiness, who at his handHave nothing merited, nor can performeAught whereof hee hath need, hee who requiresFrom us no other service then to keep 420This one, this easie charge, of all the TreesIn Paradise that beare delicious fruitSo various, not to taste that onely TreeOf knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is,Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowstGod hath pronounc't it death to taste that Tree,The only sign of our obedience leftAmong so many signes of power and ruleConferrd upon us, and Dominion giv'n 430Over all other Creatures that possesseEarth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hardOne easie prohibition, who enjoyFree leave so large to all things else, and choiceUnlimited of manifold delights:But let us ever praise him, and extollHis bountie, following our delightful taskTo prune these growing Plants, & tend these Flours,Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.To whom thus Eve repli'd. O thou for whom 440And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,And without whom am to no end, my GuideAnd Head, what thou hast said is just and right.For wee to him indeed all praises owe,And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoySo farr the happier Lot, enjoying theePreeminent by so much odds, while thouLike consort to thy self canst no where find.That day I oft remember, when from sleepI first awak't, and found my self repos'd 450Under a shade on flours, much wondring whereAnd what I was, whence thither brought, and how.Not distant far from thence a murmuring soundOf waters issu'd from a Cave and spreadInto a liquid Plain, then stood unmov'dPure as th' expanse of Heav'n; I thither wentWith unexperienc't thought, and laid me downeOn the green bank, to look into the cleerSmooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.As I bent down to look, just opposite, 460A Shape within the watry gleam appeerdBending to look on me, I started back,It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,Pleas'd it returnd as soon with answering looksOf sympathie and love, there I had fixtMine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire,Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,With thee it came and goes: but follow me,And I will bring thee where no shadow staies 470Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, heeWhose image thou art, him thou shall enjoyInseparablie thine, to him shalt beareMultitudes like thy self, and thence be call'dMother of human Race: what could I doe,But follow strait, invisibly thus led?Till I espi'd thee, fair indeed and tall,Under a Platan, yet methought less faire,Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd, 480Thou following cryd'st aloud, Return fair Eve,Whom fli'st thou? whom thou fli'st, of him thou art,His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lentOut of my side to thee, neerest my heartSubstantial Life, to have thee by my sideHenceforth an individual solace dear;Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claimMy other half: with that thy gentle handSeisd mine, I yeilded, and from that time seeHow beauty is excelld by manly grace 490And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.So spake our general Mother, and with eyesOf conjugal attraction unreprov'd,And meek surrender, half imbracing leandOn our first Father, half her swelling BreastNaked met his under the flowing GoldOf her loose tresses hid: he in delightBoth of her Beauty and submissive CharmsSmil'd with superior Love, as JupiterOn Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds 500That shed May Flowers; and press'd her Matron lipWith kisses pure: aside the Devil turndFor envie, yet with jealous leer maligneEy'd them askance, and to himself thus plaind.Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these twoImparadis't in one anothers armsThe happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fillOf bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,Among our other torments not the least, 510Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines;Yet let me not forget what I have gain'dFrom thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call'd,Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidd'n?Suspicious, reasonless. Why should thir LordEnvie them that? can it be sin to know,Can it be death? and do they onely standBy Ignorance, is that thir happie state,The proof of thir obedience and thir faith? 520O fair foundation laid whereon to buildThir ruine! Hence I will excite thir mindsWith more desire to know, and to rejectEnvious commands, invented with designeTo keep them low whom knowledge might exaltEqual with Gods; aspiring to be such,They taste and die: what likelier can ensue?But first with narrow search I must walk roundThis Garden, and no corner leave unspi'd;A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530Some wandring Spirit of Heav'n, by Fountain side,Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to drawWhat further would be learnt. Live while ye may,Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return,Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed.So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd,But with sly circumspection, and beganThrough wood, through waste, o're hil, o're dale his roam.Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heav'nWith Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun 540Slowly descended, and with right aspectAgainst the eastern Gate of ParadiseLeveld his eevning Rayes: it was a RockOf Alablaster, pil'd up to the Clouds,Conspicuous farr, winding with one ascentAccessible from Earth, one entrance high;The rest was craggie cliff, that overhungStill as it rose, impossible to climbe.Betwixt these rockie Pillars Gabriel satChief of th' Angelic Guards, awaiting night; 550About him exercis'd Heroic GamesTh' unarmed Youth of Heav'n, but nigh at handCelestial Armourie, Shields, Helmes, and SpearesHung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold.Thither came Uriel, gliding through the EevenOn a Sun beam, swift as a shooting StarrIn Autumn thwarts the night, when vapors fir'dImpress the Air, and shews the MarinerFrom what point of his Compass to bewareImpetuous winds: he thus began in haste. 560Gabriel, to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv'nCharge and strict watch that to this happie placeNo evil thing approach or enter in;This day at highth of Noon came to my SpheareA Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to knowMore of th' Almighties works, and chiefly ManGods latest Image: I describ'd his wayBent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate;But in the Mount that lies from Eden North,Where he first lighted, soon discernd his looks 570Alien from Heav'n, with passions foul obscur'd:Mine eye pursu'd him still, but under shadeLost sight of him; one of the banisht crewI fear, hath ventur'd from the deep, to raiseNew troubles; him thy care must be to find.To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd:Uriel, no wonder if thy perfet sight,Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst,See farr and wide: in at this Gate none passThe vigilance here plac't, but such as come 580Well known from Heav'n; and since Meridian hourNo Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort,So minded, have oreleapt these earthie boundsOn purpose, hard thou knowst it to excludeSpiritual substance with corporeal barr.But if within the circuit of these walksIn whatsoever shape he lurk, of whomThou telst, by morrow dawning I shall know.