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So promis'd hee, and Uriel to his chargeReturnd on that bright beam, whose point now raisd 590Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall'nBeneath th' Azores; whither the prime Orb,Incredible how swift, had thither rowl'dDiurnal, or this less volubil EarthBy shorter flight to th' East, had left him thereArraying with reflected Purple and GoldThe Clouds that on his Western Throne attend:Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight grayHad in her sober Liverie all things clad;Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird, 600They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir NestsWere slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale;She all night long her amorous descant sung;Silence was pleas'd: now glow'd the FirmamentWith living Saphirs: Hesperus that ledThe starrie Host, rode brightest, till the MoonRising in clouded Majestie, at lengthApparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,And o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw.When Adam thus to Eve: Fair Consort, th' hour 610Of night, and all things now retir'd to restMind us of like repose, since God hath setLabour and rest, as day and night to menSuccessive, and the timely dew of sleepNow falling with soft slumbrous weight inclinesOur eye-lids; other Creatures all day longRove idle unimploid, and less need rest;Man hath his daily work of body or mindAppointed, which declares his Dignitie,And the regard of Heav'n on all his waies; 620While other Animals unactive range,And of thir doings God takes no account.Tomorrow ere fresh Morning streak the EastWith first approach of light, we must be ris'n,And at our pleasant labour, to reformYon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,Our walks at noon, with branches overgrown,That mock our scant manuring, and requireMore hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth:Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms, 630That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth,Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease;Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.To whom thus Eve with perfet beauty adornd.My Author and Disposer, what thou bidstUnargu'd I obey; so God ordains,God is thy Law, thou mine: to know no moreIs womans happiest knowledge and her praise.With thee conversing I forget all time,All seasons and thir change, all please alike. 640Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the SunWhen first on this delightful Land he spreadsHis orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour,Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earthAfter soft showers; and sweet the coming onOf grateful Eevning milde, then silent NightWith this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon,And these the Gemms of Heav'n, her starrie train:But neither breath of Morn when she ascends 650With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising SunOn this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure,Glistring with dew, nor fragrance after showers,Nor grateful Evening mild, nor silent NightWith this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon,Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet.But wherfore all night long shine these, for whomThis glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?To whom our general Ancestor repli'd.Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht Eve, 660Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth,By morrow Eevning, and from Land to LandIn order, though to Nations yet unborn,Ministring light prepar'd, they set and rise;Least total darkness should by Night regaineHer old possession, and extinguish lifeIn Nature and all things, which these soft firesNot only enlighten, but with kindly heateOf various influence foment and warme,Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 670Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that growOn Earth, made hereby apter to receivePerfection from the Suns more potent Ray.These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none,That heav'n would want spectators, God want praise;Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the EarthUnseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:All these with ceasless praise his works beholdBoth day and night: how often from the steep 680Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heardCelestial voices to the midnight air,Sole, or responsive each to others noteSinging thir great Creator: oft in bandsWhile they keep watch, or nightly rounding walkWith Heav'nly touch of instrumental soundsIn full harmonic number joind, thir songsDivide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'dOn to thir blissful Bower; it was a place 690Chos'n by the sovran Planter, when he fram'dAll things to mans delightful use; the roofeOf thickest covert was inwoven shadeLaurel and Mirtle, and what higher grewOf firm and fragrant leaf; on either sideAcanthus, and each odorous bushie shrubFenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,Iris all hues, Roses, and GessaminRear'd high thir flourisht heads between, and wroughtMosaic; underfoot the Violet, 700Crocus, and Hyacinth with rich inlayBroiderd the ground, more colour'd then with stoneOf costliest Emblem: other Creature hereBeast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst enter none;Such was thir awe of man. In shadier BowerMore sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,Pan or Silvanus never slept, nor Nymph,Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recessWith Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling HerbsEspoused Eve deckt first her Nuptial Bed, 710And heav'nly Quires the Hymenaean sung,What day the genial Angel to our SireBrought her in naked beauty more adorn'd,More lovely then Pandora, whom the GodsEndowd with all thir gifts, and O too likeIn sad event, when to the unwiser SonOf Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'dMankind with her faire looks, to be aveng'dOn him who had stole Joves authentic fire.Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv'd, both stood, 720Both turnd, and under op'n Skie ador'dThe God that made both Skie, Air, Earth & Heav'nWhich they beheld, the Moons resplendent GlobeAnd starrie Pole: Thou also mad'st the Night,Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,Which we in our appointed work imploydHave finisht happie in our mutual helpAnd mutual love, the Crown of all our blissOrdain'd by thee, and this delicious placeFor us too large, where thy abundance wants 730Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.But thou hast promis'd from us two a RaceTo fill the Earth, who shall with us extollThy goodness infinite, both when we wake,And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.This said unanimous, and other RitesObserving none, but adoration pureWhich God likes best, into thir inmost bowerHanded they went; and eas'd the putting offThese troublesom disguises which wee wear, 740Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weeneAdam from his fair Spouse, nor Eve the RitesMysterious of connubial Love refus'd:Whatever Hypocrites austerely talkOf puritie and place and innocence,Defaming as impure what God declaresPure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstainBut our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source 750Of human ofspring, sole proprietie,In Paradise of all things common else.By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from menAmong the bestial herds to raunge, by theeFounded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure,Relations dear, and all the CharitiesOf Father, Son, and Brother first were known.Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets, 760Whose Bed is undefil'd and chast pronounc't,Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd.Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lightsHis constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smileOf Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,Casual fruition, nor in Court AmoursMixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,Or Serenate, which the starv'd Lover singsTo his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 770These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept,And on thir naked limbs the flourie roofShowrd Roses, which the Morn repair'd. Sleep on,Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seekNo happier state, and know to know no more.Now had night measur'd with her shaddowie ConeHalf way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,And from thir Ivorie Port the CherubimForth issuing at th' accustomd hour stood armdTo thir night watches in warlike Parade, 780When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the SouthWith strictest watch; these other wheel the North,Our circuit meets full West. As flame they partHalf wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear.From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calldThat neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.Ithuriel and Zephon, with wingd speedSearch through this Garden, leav unsearcht no nook,But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge, 790Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.This Eevning from the Sun's decline arriv'dWho tells of som infernal Spirit seenHitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'dThe barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.So saying, on he led his radiant Files,
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Daz'ling the Moon; these to the Bower directIn search of whom they sought: him there they foundSquat like a Toad, close at the eare of Eve; 800Assaying by his Devilish art to reachThe Organs of her Fancie, and with them forgeIllusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,Or if, inspiring venom, he might taintTh' animal Spirits that from pure blood ariseLike gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raiseAt least distemperd, discontented thoughts,Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate desiresBlown up with high conceits ingendring pride.Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear 810Touch'd lightly; for no falshood can endureTouch of Celestial temper, but returnsOf force to its own likeness: up he startsDiscoverd and surpriz'd. As when a sparkLights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laidFit for the Tun som Magazin to storeAgainst a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graineWith sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the Aire:So started up in his own shape the Fiend.Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd 820So sudden to behold the grieslie King;Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to HellCom'st thou, escap'd thy prison, and transform'd,Why satst thou like an enemie in waiteHere watching at the head of these that sleep?Know ye not then said Satan, filld with scorn,Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mateFor you, there sitting where ye durst not soare;Not to know mee argues your selves unknown, 830The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,Why ask ye, and superfluous beginYour message, like to end as much in vain?To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn.Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,Or undiminisht brightness, to be knownAs when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure;That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,Departed from thee, and thou resembl'st nowThy sin and place of doom obscure and foule. 840But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give accountTo him who sent us, whose charge is to keepThis place inviolable, and these from harm.So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebukeSevere in youthful beautie, added graceInvincible: abasht the Devil stood,And felt how awful goodness is, and sawVertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pin'dHis loss; but chiefly to find here observdHis lustre visibly impar'd; yet seemd 850Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,Will save us trial what the least can doeSingle against thee wicked, and thence weak.The Fiend repli'd not, overcome with rage;But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flieHe held it vain; awe from above had quelld 860His heart, not else dismai'd. Now drew they nighThe western point, where those half-rounding guardsJust met, & closing stood in squadron joindAwaiting next command. To whom thir ChiefGabriel from the Front thus calld aloud.O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feetHasting this way, and now by glimps discerneIthuriel and Zephon through the shade,And with them comes a third of Regal port,But faded splendor wan; who by his gate 870And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,Not likely to part hence without contest;Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.He scarce had ended, when those two approachdAnd brief related whom they brought, wher found,How busied, in what form and posture coucht.To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake.Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'dTo thy transgressions, and disturbd the chargeOf others, who approve not to transgress 880By thy example, but have power and rightTo question thy bold entrance on this place;Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep, and thoseWhose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow.Gabriel, thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise,And such I held thee; but this question asktPuts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain?Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,Though thither doomd? Thou wouldst thy self, no doubt, 890And boldly venture to whatever placeFarthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to changeTorment with ease, & soonest recompenceDole with delight, which in this place I sought;To thee no reason; who knowst only good,But evil hast not tri'd: and wilt objectHis will who bound us? let him surer barrHis Iron Gates, if he intends our stayIn that dark durance: thus much what was askt.The rest is true, they found me where they say; 900But that implies not violence or harme.Thus hee in scorn. The warlike Angel mov'd,Disdainfully half smiling thus repli'd.O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise,Since Satan fell, whom follie overthrew,And now returns him from his prison scap't,Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wiseOr not, who ask what boldness brought him hitherUnlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd;So wise he judges it to fly from pain 910However, and to scape his punishment.So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flightSeavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,Which taught thee yet no better, that no painCan equal anger infinite provok't.But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with theeCame not all Hell broke loose? is pain to themLess pain, less to be fled, or thou then theyLess hardie to endure? courageous Chief, 920The first in flight from pain, had'st thou alleg'dTo thy deserted host this cause of flight,Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stoodThy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aideThe blasting volied Thunder made all speedAnd seconded thy else not dreaded Spear.But still thy words at random, as before, 930Argue thy inexperience what behoovesFrom hard assaies and ill successes pastA faithful Leader, not to hazard allThrough wayes of danger by himself untri'd.I therefore, I alone first undertookTo wing the desolate Abyss, and spieThis new created World, whereof in HellFame is not silent, here in hope to findBetter abode, and my afflicted PowersTo settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire; 940Though for possession put to try once moreWhat thou and thy gay Legions dare against;Whose easier business were to serve thir LordHigh up in Heav'n, with songs to hymne his Throne,And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd.To say and strait unsay, pretending firstWise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,Argues no Leader, but a lyar trac't,Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, 950O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd!Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd,Your military obedience, to dissolveAllegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream?And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seemPatron of liberty, who more then thouOnce fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilly ador'dHeav'ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope 960To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houreWithin these hallowd limits thou appeer,Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind,And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorneThe facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.So threatn'd hee, but Satan to no threatsGave heed, but waxing more in rage repli'd.Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines, 970Proud limitarie Cherube, but ere thenFarr heavier load thy self expect to feelFrom my prevailing arme, though Heavens KingRide on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers,Us'd to the yoak, draw'st his triumphant wheelsIn progress through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd.While thus he spake, th' Angelic Squadron brightTurnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornesThir Phalanx, and began to hemm him roundWith ported Spears, as thick as when a field 980Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bendsHer bearded Grove of ears, which way the windSwayes them; the careful Plowman doubting standsLeast on the threshing floore his hopeful sheavesProve chaff. On th' other side Satan allarm'dCollecting all his might dilated stood,Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd:His stature reacht the Skie, and on his CrestSat horror Plum'd; nor wanted in his graspeWhat seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds 990Might have ensu'd, nor onely ParadiseIn this commotion, but the Starrie CopeOf Heav'n perhaps, or all the ElementsAt least had gon to rack, disturbd and torneWith violence of this conflict, had not soonTh' Eternal to prevent such horrid frayHung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales, yet seenBetwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe,Wherein all things created first he weighd,The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire 1000In counterpoise, now ponders all events,Battels and Realms: in these he put two weightsThe sequel each of parting and of fight;The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend.Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine,Neither our own but giv'n; what follie thenTo boast what Arms can doe, since thine no moreThen Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubld nowTo trample thee as mire: for proof look up, 1010And read thy Lot in yon celestial SignWhere thou art weigh'd, & shown how light, how weak,If thou resist. The Fiend lookt up and knewHis mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fledMurmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.
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Notes:Argument: promises to find him out] promises to find him 1674627 walks] walk 1674.928 The] Thy 1674.The End Of The Fourth Book.
THE ARGUMENT.
Morning approach't, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream: he likes it not, yet comforts her: They come forth to thir day labours: Their Morning Hymn at the Door of their Bower. God to render Man inexcusable sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand; who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise; his appearance describ'd, his coming discern'd by Adam afar off sitting at the door of his Bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choycest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at Table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates at Adams request who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning with his first revolt in Heaven and the occasion thereof; how he drew his Legions after him to the parts of the North, and there incited them to rebel with him, perswading all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in Argument diswades and opposes him, then forsakes him.
Now Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern ClimeAdvancing, sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle,When Adam wak't, so customd, for his sleepWas Aerie light, from pure digestion bred,And temperat vapors bland, which th' only soundOf leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan,Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill Matin SongOf Birds on every bough; so much the moreHis wonder was to find unwak'nd EveWith Tresses discompos'd, and glowing Cheek, 10As through unquiet rest: he on his sideLeaning half-rais'd, with looks of cordial LoveHung over her enamour'd, and beheldBeautie, which whether waking or asleep,
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Shot forth peculiar Graces; then with voiceMilde, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,Her hand soft touching, whisperd thus. AwakeMy fairest, my espous'd, my latest found,Heav'ns last best gift, my ever new delight,Awake, the morning shines, and the fresh field 20Calls us, we lose the prime, to mark how springOur tended Plants, how blows the Citron Grove,What drops the Myrrhe, & what the balmie Reed,How Nature paints her colours, how the BeeSits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet.Such whispering wak'd her, but with startl'd eyeOn Adam, whom imbracing, thus she spake.O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,My Glorie, my Perfection, glad I seeThy face, and Morn return'd, for I this Night, 30Such night till this I never pass'd, have dream'd,If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee,Works of day pass't, or morrows next designe,But of offence and trouble, which my mindKnew never till this irksom night; methoughtClose at mine ear one call'd me forth to walkWith gentle voice, I thought it thine; it said,Why sleepst thou Eve? now is the pleasant time,The cool, the silent, save where silence yieldsTo the night-warbling Bird, that now awake 40Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song; now reignesFull Orb'd the Moon, and with more pleasing lightShadowie sets off the face of things; in vain,If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes,Whom to behold but thee, Natures desire,In whose sight all things joy, with ravishmentAttracted by thy beauty still to gaze.I rose as at thy call, but found thee not;To find thee I directed then my walk;And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways 50That brought me on a sudden to the TreeOf interdicted Knowledge: fair it seem'd,Much fairer to my Fancie then by day:And as I wondring lookt, beside it stoodOne shap'd and wing'd like one of those from Heav'nBy us oft seen; his dewie locks distill'dAmbrosia; on that Tree he also gaz'd;And O fair Plant, said he, with fruit surcharg'd,Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet,Nor God, nor Man; is Knowledge so despis'd? 60Or envie, or what reserve forbids to taste?Forbid who will, none shall from me withholdLonger thy offerd good, why else set here?This said he paus'd not, but with ventrous ArmeHe pluckt, he tasted; mee damp horror chil'dAt such bold words voucht with a deed so bold:But he thus overjoy'd, O Fruit Divine,Sweet of thy self, but much more sweet thus cropt,Forbidd'n here, it seems, as onely fitFor Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men: 70And why not Gods of Men, since good, the moreCommunicated, more abundant growes,The Author not impair'd, but honourd more?Here, happie Creature, fair Angelic Eve,Partake thou also; happie though thou art,Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be:Taste this, and be henceforth among the GodsThy self a Goddess, not to Earth confind,But somtimes in the Air, as wee, somtimesAscend to Heav'n, by merit thine, and see 80What life the Gods live there, and such live thou.So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,Even to my mouth of that same fruit held partWhich he had pluckt; the pleasant savourie smellSo quick'nd appetite, that I, methought,Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the CloudsWith him I flew, and underneath beheldThe Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wideAnd various: wondring at my flight and changeTo this high exaltation; suddenly 90My Guide was gon, and I, me thought, sunk down,And fell asleep; but O how glad I wak'dTo find this but a dream! Thus Eve her NightRelated, and thus Adam answerd sad.Best Image of my self and dearer half,The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleepAffects me equally; nor can I likeThis uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear;Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,Created pure. But know that in the Soule 100Are many lesser Faculties that serveReason as chief; among these Fansie nextHer office holds; of all external things,Which the five watchful Senses represent,She forms Imaginations, Aerie shapes,Which Reason joyning or disjoyning, framesAll what we affirm or what deny, and callOur knowledge or opinion; then retiresInto her private Cell when Nature rests.Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes 110To imitate her; but misjoyning shapes,Wilde work produces oft, and most in dreams,Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.Som such resemblances methinks I findOf our last Eevnings talk, in this thy dream,But with addition strange; yet be not sad.Evil into the mind of God or ManMay come and go, so unapprov'd, and leaveNo spot or blame behind: Which gives me hopeThat what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream, 120Waking thou never wilt consent to do.Be not disheart'nd then, nor cloud those looksThat wont to be more chearful and sereneThen when fair Morning first smiles on the World,And let us to our fresh imployments riseAmong the Groves, the Fountains, and the FloursThat open now thir choicest bosom'd smellsReservd from night, and kept for thee in store.So cheard he his fair Spouse, and she was cheard,But silently a gentle tear let fall 130From either eye, and wip'd them with her haire;Two other precious drops that ready stood,Each in thir chrystal sluce, hee ere they fellKiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorseAnd pious awe, that feard to have offended.So all was cleard, and to the Field they haste.But first from under shadie arborous roof,Soon as they forth were come to open sightOf day-spring, and the Sun, who scarce up risenWith wheels yet hov'ring o're the Ocean brim, 140Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray,Discovering in wide Lantskip all the EastOf Paradise and Edens happie Plains,Lowly they bow'd adoring, and beganThir Orisons, each Morning duly paidIn various style, for neither various styleNor holy rapture wanted they to praiseThir Maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sungUnmeditated, such prompt eloquenceFlowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse, 150More tuneable then needed Lute or HarpTo add more sweetness, and they thus began.These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,Almightie, thine this universal Frame,Thus wondrous fair; thy self how wondrous then!Unspeakable, who sitst above these HeavensTo us invisible or dimly seenIn these thy lowest works, yet these declareThy goodness beyond thought, and Power Divine:Speak yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light, 160Angels, for yee behold him, and with songsAnd choral symphonies, Day without Night,Circle his Throne rejoycing, yee in Heav'n,On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extollHim first, him last, him midst, and without end.Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night,If better thou belong not to the dawn,Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling MornWith thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy SpheareWhile day arises, that sweet hour of Prime. 170Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule,Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praiseIn thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st,And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst.Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'stWith the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies,And yee five other wandring Fires that moveIn mystic Dance not without Song, resoundHis praise, who out of Darkness call'd up Light.Aire, and ye Elements the eldest birth 180Of Natures Womb, that in quaternion runPerpetual Circle, multiform; and mixAnd nourish all things, let your ceasless changeVarie to our great Maker still new praise.Ye Mists and Exhalations that now riseFrom Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey,Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold,In honour to the Worlds great Author rise,Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie,Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers, 190Rising or falling still advance his praise.His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow,Breath soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave.Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow,Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.Joyn voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds,That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend,Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk 200The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven,To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shadeMade vocal by my Song, and taught his praise.Hail universal Lord, be bounteous stillTo give us onely good; and if the nightHave gathered aught of evil or conceald,Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.So pray'd they innocent, and to thir thoughtsFirm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm. 210On to thir mornings rural work they hasteAmong sweet dewes and flours; where any rowOf Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farrThir pamperd boughes, and needed hands to checkFruitless imbraces: or they led the VineTo wed her Elm; she spous'd about him twinesHer mariageable arms, and with her bringsHer dowr th' adopted Clusters, to adornHis barren leaves. Them thus imploid beheldWith pittie Heav'ns high King, and to him call'd 220Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deign'dTo travel with Tobias, and secur'dHis marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid.Raphael, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on EarthSatan from Hell scap't through the darksom GulfHath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbdThis night the human pair, how he designesIn them at once to ruin all mankind.Go therefore, half this day as friend with friendConverse with Adam, in what Bowre or shade 230Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd,To respit his day-labour with repast,Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,As may advise him of his happie state,Happiness in his power left free to will,Left to his own free Will, his Will though free,Yet mutable; whence warne him to bewareHe swerve not too secure: tell him withallHis danger, and from whom, what enemieLate falln himself from Heav'n, is plotting now 240The fall of others from like state of bliss;By violence, no, for that shall be withstood,But by deceit and lies; this let him know,Least wilfully transgressing he pretendSurprisal, unadmonisht, unforewarnd.So spake th' Eternal Father, and fulfilldAll Justice: nor delaid the winged SaintAfter his charge receivd, but from amongThousand Celestial Ardors, where he stoodVaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light 250Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic QuiresOn each hand parting, to his speed gave wayThrough all th' Empyreal road; till at the GateOf Heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-opend wideOn golden Hinges turning, as by workDivine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd.From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,Starr interpos'd, however small he sees,Not unconform to other shining Globes,Earth and the Gard'n of God, with Cedars crownd 260Above all Hills. As when by night the GlassOf Galileo, less assur'd, observesImagind Lands and Regions in the Moon:Or Pilot from amidst the CycladesDelos or Samos first appeering kennsA cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flightHe speeds, and through the vast Ethereal SkieSailes between worlds & worlds, with steddie wingNow on the polar windes, then with quick FannWinnows the buxom Air; till within soare 270Of Towring Eagles, to all the Fowles he seemsA Phoenix, gaz'd by all, as that sole BirdWhen to enshrine his reliques in the Sun'sBright Temple, to Aegyptian Theb's he flies.At once on th' Eastern cliff of ParadiseHe lights, and to his proper shape returnsA Seraph wingd; six wings he wore, to shadeHis lineaments Divine; the pair that cladEach shoulder broad, came mantling o're his brestWith regal Ornament; the middle pair 280Girt like a Starrie Zone his waste, and roundSkirted his loines and thighes with downie GoldAnd colours dipt in Heav'n; the third his feetShaddowd from either heele with featherd maileSkie-tinctur'd grain. Like Maia's son he stood,And shook his Plumes, that Heav'nly fragrance filldThe circuit wide. Strait knew him all the bandsOf Angels under watch; and to his state,And to his message high in honour rise;For on som message high they guessd him bound. 290Thir glittering Tents he passd, and now is comeInto the blissful field, through Groves of Myrrhe,And flouring Odours, Cassia, Nard, and Balme;A Wilderness of sweets; for Nature hereWantond as in her prime, and plaid at willHer Virgin Fancies, pouring forth more sweet,Wilde above rule or art; enormous bliss.Him through the spicie Forrest onward comAdam discernd, as in the dore he satOf his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun 300Shot down direct his fervid Raies, to warmeEarths inmost womb, more warmth then Adam needs;And Eve within, due at her hour prepar'dFor dinner savourie fruits, of taste to pleaseTrue appetite, and not disrelish thirstOf nectarous draughts between, from milkie stream,Berrie or Grape: to whom thus Adam call'd.Haste hither Eve, and worth thy sight beholdEastward among those Trees, what glorious shape
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Comes this way moving; seems another Morn 310Ris'n on mid-noon; som great behest from Heav'nTo us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafeThis day to be our Guest. But goe with speed,And what thy stores contain, bring forth and poureAbundance, fit to honour and receiveOur Heav'nly stranger; well we may affordOur givers thir own gifts, and large bestowFrom large bestowd, where Nature multipliesHer fertil growth, and by disburd'ning growsMore fruitful, which instructs us not to spare. 320To whom thus Eve. Adam, earths hallowd mould,Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store,All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;Save what by frugal storing firmness gainsTo nourish, and superfluous moist consumes:But I will haste and from each bough and break,Each Plant & juciest Gourd will pluck such choiceTo entertain our Angel guest, as heeBeholding shall confess that here on EarthGod hath dispenst his bounties as in Heav'n. 330So saying, with dispatchful looks in hasteShe turns, on hospitable thoughts intentWhat choice to chuse for delicacie best,What order, so contriv'd as not to mixTastes, not well joynd, inelegant, but bringTaste after taste upheld with kindliest change,Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalkWhatever Earth all-bearing Mother yeildsIn India East or West, or middle shoareIn Pontus or the Punic Coast, or where 340Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kindes, in coate,Rough, or smooth rin'd, or bearded husk, or shellShe gathers, Tribute large, and on the boardHeaps with unsparing hand; for drink the GrapeShe crushes, inoffensive moust, and meathesFrom many a berrie, and from sweet kernels prestShe tempers dulcet creams, nor these to holdWants her fit vessels pure, then strews the groundWith Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum'd.Mean while our Primitive great Sire, to meet 350His god-like Guest, walks forth, without more trainAccompani'd then with his own compleatPerfections, in himself was all his state,More solemn then the tedious pomp that waitsOn Princes, when thir rich Retinue longOf Horses led, and Grooms besmeard with GoldDazles the croud, and sets them all agape.Neerer his presence Adam though not awd,Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,As to a superior Nature, bowing low, 360Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other placeNone can then Heav'n such glorious shape contain;Since by descending from the Thrones above,Those happie places thou hast deignd a whileTo want, and honour these, voutsafe with usTwo onely, who yet by sov'ran gift possessThis spacious ground, in yonder shadie BowreTo rest, and what the Garden choicest bearsTo sit and taste, till this meridian heatBe over, and the Sun more coole decline. 370Whom thus the Angelic Vertue answerd milde.Adam, I therefore came, nor art thou suchCreated, or such place hast here to dwell,As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav'nTo visit thee; lead on then where thy BowreOreshades; for these mid-hours, till Eevning riseI have at will. So to the Silvan LodgeThey came, that like Pomona's Arbour smil'dWith flourets deck't and fragrant smells; but EveUndeckt, save with her self more lovely fair 380Then Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'dOf three that in Mount Ida naked strove,Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no vaileShee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirmeAlterd her cheek. On whom the Angel HaileBestowd, the holy salutation us'dLong after to blest Marie, second Eve.Haile Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful WombShall fill the World more numerous with thy SonsThen with these various fruits the Trees of God 390Have heap'd this Table. Rais'd of grassie terfThir Table was, and mossie seats had round,And on her ample Square from side to sideAll Autumn pil'd, though Spring and Autumn hereDanc'd hand in hand. A while discourse they hold;No fear lest Dinner coole; when thus beganOur Authour. Heav'nly stranger, please to tasteThese bounties which our Nourisher, from whomAll perfet good unmeasur'd out, descends,To us for food and for delight hath caus'd 400The Earth to yeild; unsavourie food perhapsTo spiritual Natures; only this I know,That one Celestial Father gives to all.To whom the Angel. Therefore what he gives(Whose praise be ever sung) to man in partSpiritual, may of purest Spirits be foundNo ingrateful food: and food alike those pureIntelligential substances requireAs doth your Rational; and both containWithin them every lower facultie 410Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,And corporeal to incorporeal turn.For know, whatever was created, needsTo be sustaind and fed; of ElementsThe grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those FiresEthereal, and as lowest first the Moon;Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'dVapours not yet into her substance turnd. 420Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhaleFrom her moist Continent to higher Orbes.The Sun that light imparts to all, receivesFrom all his alimental recompenceIn humid exhalations, and at EvenSups with the Ocean: though in Heav'n the TreesOf life ambrosial frutage bear, and vinesYeild Nectar, though from off the boughs each MornWe brush mellifluous Dewes, and find the groundCover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here 430Varied his bounty so with new delights,As may compare with Heaven; and to tasteThink not I shall be nice. So down they sat,And to thir viands fell, nor seeminglyThe Angel, nor in mist, the common glossOf Theologians, but with keen dispatchOf real hunger, and concoctive heateTo transubstantiate; what redounds, transpiresThrough Spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fireOf sooty coal the Empiric Alchimist 440Can turn, or holds it possible to turnMetals of drossiest Ore to perfet GoldAs from the Mine. Mean while at Table EveMinisterd naked, and thir flowing cupsWith pleasant liquors crown'd: O innocenceDeserving Paradise! if ever, then,Then had the Sons of God excuse to have binEnamour'd at that sight; but in those heartsLove unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousieWas understood, the injur'd Lovers Hell. 450Thus when with meats & drinks they had suffic'd,Not burd'nd Nature, sudden mind aroseIn Adam, not to let th' occasion passGiven him by this great Conference to knowOf things above his World, and of thir beingWho dwell in Heav'n, whose excellence he sawTranscend his own so farr, whose radiant formsDivine effulgence, whose high Power so farExceeded human, and his wary speechThus to th' Empyreal Minister he fram'd. 460Inhabitant with God, now know I wellThy favour, in this honour done to man,Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaf'tTo enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,Food not of Angels, yet accepted so,As that more willingly thou couldst not seemAt Heav'ns high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?To whom the winged Hierarch repli'd.