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《Paradise Lost Ⅳ》


 THE ARGUMENT

    Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprize which he uook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despare; but at length firms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, w<code>藏书网</code>hose outrosped scituation is discribed, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a orant oree of life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. The Garden describd; Satans first sight of Adam and Eve; his wo thir excellent form and happy state,<footer></footer> but with resolution to work thir fall; overhears thir discourse, thehers that the Tree of knowledge was forbiddeo eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his Temptation, by sedug them tress: then leaves them a while, to know furthe<abbr>九九藏书</abbr>r of thir state by some other means. Mean while Uriel desding on a Sun-beam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the Gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escapd the Deep, and past at Noon by his Sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious ges<big>99lib.</big>tures in the Mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere m. Night ing on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to thir rest: thir Bower describd; thir Evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his Bands of Night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints tw Ao Adams Bower, least <cite>九九藏书</cite>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 questiond, he sfully answers, prepares resistance, but hinderd by a Sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise.

 1

    O For that warning voice, which he who saw

    Th Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud,

    Thehe Dragon, put to sed rout,

    Came furious down to be revengd on men,

    Wo to the inhabitants oh! that now, [ 5 ]

    While time was, our first-Parents had bin warnd

    The ing of thir secret foe, and scapd

    Haply so scapd his mortal snare; for now

    Satan, now first inflamd with <u>藏书网</u>rage, came down,

    The Tempter ere th Accuser of man-kind, [ 10 ]

    To wre i frail man his loss

    Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell:

    Yet not rejoyg in his speed, though bold,

    Far off and fearless, no<big>.</big>r with cause to boast,

    Begins his dire attempt, whiigh the birth [ 15 ]

    Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest,

    And like a devillish Engine back recoiles

    Upon himself; horror and doubt distract

    His troubld thoughts, and from the bottom stirr

    The Hell within him, for within him Hell [ 20 ]

    He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell

    Oep no more then from himself  fly

    By ge of plaow sce wakes despair

    That slumberd, wakes the bitter memorie

    Of what he was, what is, and what must be [ 25 ]

    Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.

    Sometimes towards Eden whiow in his view

    Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,

    Sometimes towards Heavn and the full-blazing Sun,

    Whiow sat high in his Meridian Towre: [ 30 ]

    Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.

    O thou that with surpassing Glory d,

    Lookst from thy sole Dominion like the God

    Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs

    Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call, [ 35 ]

    But with no friendly voice, and add thy name

    O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams

    That bring to my remembrance from what state

    I fell, how glorious o<q>..</q>nce above thy Spheare;

    Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down [ 40 ]

    Warring in Heavn against Heavns matchless King:

    Ah wherefore! he deservd no such return

    From me, whom he created what I was

    In that bright eminence, and with his good

    Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. [ 45 ]

    What could be less then to afford him praise,

    The easiest repence, and pay him thanks,

    How due! yet all his good provd ill in me,

    And wrought but malice; lifted up so high

    I sdeind subje, and thought oep higher [ 50 ]

    Would <bdo>藏书网</bdo>set me highest, and in a moment quit

    The debt immense of endless gratitude,

    So burtheill paying, still to ow;

    Fetful what from him I still receivd,

    And uood not that a grateful mind [ 55 ]

    By owing owes not, but still pays, at once

    Ied and dischargd; what burden then?

 2

    O had his powerful Destiny ordaind

    Me some inferiel, I had stood

    Then happie; no unbounded hope had raisd [ 60 ]

    Ambitio why not? som other Power

    As great might have aspird, ahough mean

    Drawn to his p<tt>..t>art; but other Powers as great

    Fell not, but stand unshakn, from within

    Or from without, to all temptations armd. [ 65 ]

    Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?

    Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,

    But Heavns free Love dealt equally to all?

    Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,

    To me alike, it deals eternal woe. [ 70 ]

    Nay cursd be thou; since against his thy will

    Chose freely what it now so justly rues.

    Me miserable! which way shall I flie

    Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?

    Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell; [ 75 ]

    And in the lowest deep a lower deep

    Still threatning to devour me opens wide,

    To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heavn.

    O then at last relent: is there no place

    Left for Repentanone for Pardo? [ 80 ]

    No but by submission; and that word

    Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame

    Among the Spirits beh, whom I seducd

    With other promises and other vaunts

    Then to submit, boasting I could subdue [ 85 ]

    Th Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know

    How dearly I abide that boast so vaine,

    Under what torments inwardly I groane:

    While they adore me ohron..e of Hell,

    With Diadem and Sceptre high advancd [ 90 ]

    The lower still I fall, onely Supream

    In miserie; subition findes.

    But say I could repent and could obtaine

    By Act of Grace my former state; how soon

    Would higth recall high thoughts, how soon unsay [ 95 ]

    What feignd submission swore: ease would ret

    Vows made in pain, as violent and void.

    For never  true recilement grow

    Where wounds of deadly hate have peircd so deep:

    Which would but lead me to a worse relapse [ 100 ]

    And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare

    Short intermission bought with double smart.

 3

    This knows my puherefore as farr

    From granting hee, as I from begging peace:

    All hope excluded thus, behold in stead [ 105 ]

    Of us out-cast, exild, his new delight,

    Mankind created, and for him this World.

    So farewel Hope, and with Hope farewel Fear,

    Farewel Remorse: all Good to me is lost;

    Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least [ 110 ]

    Divide<s></s>d Empire with Heavns King I hold

    By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;

    As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.

    Thus while he spake, each passion dimmd his face

    Thrice gd with pale, ire, envie and despair, [ 115 ]

    Which marrd his borrowd visage, araid

    Him terfet, if any eye beheld.

    For heavnly mindes from such distempers foule

    Are ever cleer. Whereof hee soon aware,

    Each perturbation smoothd with outward calme, [ 120 ]

    Artificer of fraud; and was the first

    That p<cite>?99ｌｉb.</cite>ractisd falshood under saintly shew,

    Deep malice to ceale, coucht with revenge:

    Yet not anough had practisd to deceive

    Uriel once warnd; whose eye pursud him down [ 125 ]

    The way he went, and on th Assyrian mount

    Saw him disfigurd, more then could befall

    Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce

    He markd and mad demeanour, then alone,

    As he supposd all unobservd, unseen. [ 130 ]<big>?</big>

    So on he fares, and to the border es

    Of Eden, where delicious Paradise,

    Now nearer, s with her enclreen,

    As with a rural mo<tt>９９ｌｉb.t>und the champain head

    Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides [ 135 ]

    With thicket rown, grottesque and wilde,

    Access denid; and over head up grew

    Insuperable highth of loftiest shade,

    Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and brang Palm

    A Silvan Se, and as the ranks asd [ 140 ]

    Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre

    Of stateliest view. Yet higher then thir tops

    The verdurous wall of paradise up sprung:

    Which teneral Sire gave prospect large

    Into his her Empire neighb round. [ 145 ]

 4

    And high<bdo></bdo>er then that Wall a cirg row

    Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,

    Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue

    Appeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt:

    On which the Sun mlad impressd his beams [ 150 ]

    Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,

    When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd

    That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire

    Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires

    Vernal delight and joy, able to drive [ 155 ]

    All sadness but despair: now gentle gales

    Fanning thir odoriferous wings dispense

    Native perfumes, and whisper whehey stole

    Those balmie spoiles. As when to them who saile

    Beyond the Cape of Hope, and noast [ 160 ]

    Mozambic, off at Sea North-East windes bl<tt></tt>ow

    Sabean Odours from the spicie shoare

    Of Arabie the blest, with such delay

    Well pleasd they slack thir course, and m<big>.99lｉb.</big>any a League

    Cheard with the grateful smell old O smiles. [ 165 ]

    So eaind those odorous sweets the Fiend

    Who came thir bahough with them better pleasd

    Then Asmodeus with the fishie fume,

    That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse

    Of Tob>藏书网</a>its Son, and with a vengeance sent [ 170 ]

    From Media post to ?gypt, there fast bound.

    Now to th ast of that steep savage Hill

    Satan had journied on, pensive and slow;

    But further way found none, so thitwind,

    As one tinud brake, the undergrowth [ 175 ]

    Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext

    All path of Man or Beast that past that way:

    Oe there only was, and that lookd East

    On th other side: which when th arch-fellon saw

    Due entrance he disdaind, and in pt, [ 180 ]

    At one slight bound high over leapd all bound

    Of Hill hest Wall, and sheer within

    Lights on his feet. As when a prowling Wolfe,<var>藏书网</var>

    Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,

    Watg where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve [ 185 ]

    In hurdld Cotes amid the field secure,

    Leaps ore the feh ease into the Fould:

    Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash

    Of some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores,

    Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault, [ 190 ]

    In at the window climbs, or ore the tiles;

    So b this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:

    So sio his Church lewd Hirelings climbe.

 5

    Thence up he flew, and oree of Life,

    The middle Tree and highest there that grew, [ 195 ]

    Sat like a orant; yet not true Life

    Thereby regaind, but sat devisih

    To them who livd; nor on the vertue thought

    Of that life-giving Plant, but only usd

    For prospect, what well usd had bin the pledge [ 200 ]

    Of immortality. So little knows

    Any, but God aloo value right

    The good before him, but perverts best things

    To worst abuse, or to thir mea use.

    Beh him with new wonder now he views [ 205 ]

    To all delight of human sense exposd

    In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,

    A Heaven oh, for blissful Paradise

    Of God the Garden was, by him in the East

    Of Eden planted; Eden stretchd her Line [ 210 ]

    From Auraward to the Royal Towrs

    Of Great Seleucia, built by Gre Kings,

    Or where the Sons of Eden long before

    Dwelt in Telassar: in this pleasant soile

    His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind; [ 215 ]

    Out of the fertil ground he causd to grow

    All Trees of  kind fht, smell, taste;

    And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,

    High emi, blooming Ambrosial Fruit

    Of vegetable G?old; ao Life [ 220 ]

    Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,

    Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill.

    Southward through Ede a River large,

    Nor gd his course, but through the shaggie hill

    Passd underh ingulft, fod had thrown [ 225 ]

    That Mountain as his Garden mould high raisd

    Upon the rapid current, which through veins

    Of porous<bdo></bdo> Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,

    Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill

    Waterd the Garden; thenited fell [ 230 ]

    Doweep glade, ahe her Flood,

    Which from his darksom passage noeers,

    And now divided into four main Streams,

    Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme

    And try whereof here needs no at, [ 235 ]

    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 shades

    Raar, visiting each plant, and fed [ 240 ]

    Flours worthy of Paradise whiot

    In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon

    Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,

    Both where the m Sun first warmly smote

    The<bdi>藏书网</bdi> open field, and where the u shade [ 245 ]

    Imbround the noontide Bowrs: Th<tt></tt>us was this place,

    A happy rural seat of various view;

    Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,

    Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde

    Hung amiable, Hesperian Fables true, [ 250 ]

    If true, here only, and of delicious taste:

    Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks

    Grasing the tender herb, were interposd,

    Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lap

    Of suous Valley spred her store, [ 255 ]

    Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:

    Another side, umbrageous Grots and Caves

    Of coole recess, ore which the mantling vine

    Layes forth her purple Grape, aly creeps

    Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall [ 260 ]

    Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,

    That to the fringed Bank witbbr></abbr>h Myrtle d,

    Her chrystal mirror holds, uhir streams.

 6

    The Birds thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires,

    Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune [ 265 ]

    The trembling leaves, while Universal Pan

    Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance

    Led on th Eternal Spring. Not that faire field

    Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flours

    Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie Dis [ 270 ]

    Was gatherd, which cost Ceres all that pain

    To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove

    Of Daphne by Orontes, and th inspird

    Ca<dfn>.９9ｌiｂ.</dfn>stalian Spring, might with this Paradise

    Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian Ile [ 275 ]

    Girt with the River Triton, where old Cham,

    Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Lybian Jove,

    Hid Amalthea and her Florid Son

    Young Bacchus from his Stepdame Rheas eye;

    Nor where Abassin Kings thir issue Guard, [ 280 ]

    Mount Amara, though this by som supposd

    True Paradise uhe Ethiop Line

    By Nilus head, enclosd with shining Rock,

    A whole days journy high, but wide remote

    From this Assyrian Garden, where the Fiend [ 285 ]

    Saw undelighted all delight, all kind

    Of living Creatures o sight and strange:

    Two of far nobler shape ered tall,

    Godlike erect, with native Honour clad

    In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all, [ 290 ]

    And worthie seemd, for in thir looks Divine

    The image of thir glorious Maker shon,

    Truth, wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure,

    Severe but in true filial freedom plact;

    Wherue autority ihough both [ 295 ]

    Not<big></big> equal, as thir sex not equal seemd;

    For plation hee and valoubbr></abbr>r formd,

    For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,

    Hee fod only, shee fod in him:

    His fair large Front and Eye sublime declard [ 300 ]

    Absolute rule; and Hyathin Locks

    Round from his parted forelock manly hung

    Clustring, but not beh his shoulders broad:

    Shee as a vail down to the slender waste

    Her unadorned golden tresses wore [ 305 ]

    Disheveld, but in wantlets wavd

    As the Vine curles her tendrils, which implid

    Subje, but requird with gentle sway,

    And by her yielded, by him best receivd,

    Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, [ 310 ]

    And <bdo>.9９ｌｉb.</bdo>sweet relut amorous delay.

 7

    Nor those mysterious parts were then ceald,

    Then was not guiltie shame, disho shame

    Of natures works, honor dishonorable,

    Sin-bred, how have ye troubld all mankind [ 315 ]

    With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure,

    And banisht from mans life his happiest life,

    Simplicitie and spotless innoce.

    So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight

    Of Gel, for they thought no ill: [ 320 ]

    So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair

    That ever sin loves imbraces met,

    Adam the goodliest man of men since borne

    His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters Eve.

    Under a tuft of shade that on a green [ 325 ]

    Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side

    They sat them down, and after no more toil

    Of thir sweet Gardning labour then sufficd

    To reend coole Zephyr, and made ease

    More easie, wholsom thirst and appetite [ 330 ]

    Mrateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell,

    arine Fruits which the pliant boughes

    Yielded them, side-long as they sat ree

    On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours:

    The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde [ 335 ]

    Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream;

    Nentle purpose, nor endearing smiles

    Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems

    Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,

    Alone as they. About them frisking playd [ 340 ]

    All Beasts of th Earth, since wilde, and of all chase

    In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den;

    Sp the Lion rampd, and in his paw

    Dandld the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards

    Gambold before them, th unwieldy Elephant [ 345 ]

    To make them mirth usd all his might, and wreathd

    His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly

    Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine

    His breaded train, and of his fatal guile

    Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass [ 350 ]

    Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,

    Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun

    Ded was hasting now with prone carreer

    To th O Iles, and in th asding Scale

    Of Heavarrs that usher Evening rose: [ 355 ]

    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 advanct

    Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, [ 360 ]

    Not Spir<cite>藏书网</cite>its, yet to heavnly Spirits bright

    Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue

    With wonder, and could love, so lively shines

    In them Divine resemblance, and such grace

    The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd. [ 365 ]

    Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh

    Your ge approaches, when all these delights

    Will vanish and deliver ye to woe,

    More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;

    Happie, but for so happie ill securd [ 370 ]

    Long to tinue, and this high seat your Heavn

    Ill fenct for Heavn to keep out such a foe

    As now is enterd; yet no purposd foe

    To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne

    Though I unpittied: League with you I seek, [ 375 ]

    And mutual amitie sht, so close,

    That I with you must dwell, or you with me

    Heh; my dwelling haply may not please

    Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such

    Accept your Ma<cite>.９９lｉb.</cite>kers work; he gave it me, [ 380 ]

    Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfold,

    To eain you two, her widest Gates,

    And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,

    Not like these narrow limits, to receive

    Your numerous ; if er place, [ 385 ]

    Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge

    On you wh me not for him whd.

 8

    And should I at your harmless innoce

    Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,

    Honour and Empire with revenge enlargd, [ 390 ]

    By quering this new World, pels me now

    To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.

    So spake the Fiend, and with ie,

    The Tyrants plea, excusd his devilish deeds.

    Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree [ 395 ]

    Down he alights among the sportful Herd

    Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,

    Now other, as thir shape servd best his end

    o view his prey, and unespid

    To mark what of thir state he more might learn [ 400 ]

    By word or aarkt: about them round

    A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,

    Then as a Tyger, who by ce hath spid

    In some Purlieu two gentle Faw play,

    Strait couches close, then rising ges oft [ 405 ]

    His cout watch, as one who chose his ground

    Whence rushing he might<big>.</big> surest seize them both

    Gript in each paw: wh<u></u>en Adam first of men

    To first of womehus moving speech,

    Turnd him all eare to hear terance flow. [ 410 ]

    Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,

    Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power

    That made us, and for us this ample World

    Be i<q></q>nfinitly good, and of his good

    As liberal and free as infinite, [ 415 ]

    That raisd us from the dust and plact us here

    In all this happiness, who at his hand

    Have nothied, nor  performe

    Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires

    From us no other service then to keep [ 420 ]

    This ohis easie charge, of all the Trees

    In Paradise that bear delicious fruit

    So various, not to taste that oree

    Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,

    So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is, [ 425 ]

    Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst

    God hath pronounct it death to taste that Tree,

    The only sign of our obedience left

    Among so many signes of power and rule

    ferrd upon us, and Dominion givn [ 430 ]

    Over all other Creatures that possess

    Earth, Aire, ahe us not think hard

    One easie prohibition, who enjoy

    Free leave se to all things else, and choice

    Unlimited of manifold delights: [ 435 ]

    But let us ever praise him, aoll

    His bountie, following our delightful task

    To pruhese growing Plants, ahese Flours,

    Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.

 9

    To whom thus Eve replid. O thou for whom [ 440 ]

    And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,

    And without whom am to no end, my Guide

    And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.

    For wee to him indeed all praises owe,

    And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy [ 445 ]

    So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee

    Pr?emi by so much odds, while thou

    Like sort to thy self st no where find.

    That day I oft remember, when from sleep

    I first awakt, and found my self reposd [ 450 ]

    Under a shade of flours, much w where

    And what I was, whehither brought, and how.

    Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound

    Of waters issud from a Cave and spread

    Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmovd [ 455 ]

    Pure as th expanse of Heavn; I thither went

    With unexperienct thought, and laid me></a> downe

    On the green bank, to look into the cleer

    Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.

    As I bent down to look, just opposite, [ 460 ]

    A Shape withiry gleam appeard

    Bending to look on me, I started back,

    It started back, but pleasd I soournd,

    Pleasd it returnd as soon with answering looks

    Of sympathie and love; there I had fixt [ 465 ]

    Mine eyes till noind 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 [ 470 ]

    Thy ing, and thy soft imbraces, hee

    Whose image thou art, him thou shalt enjoy

    bbr>.</abbr>Inseparablie thio him shalt beare

    Multitudes like thy self, and thence be calld

    Mother of human Race: what could I doe, [ 475 ]

    But follow strait, invisibly thus led?

    Till I espid thee, fair indeed and tall,

    Under a Plata methought less faire,

    Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,

    Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd, [ 480 ]

    Thou following crydst aloud, Return faire Eve,

    Whom flist thou? whom thou flist, of him thou art,

    His flesh, his boo give thee being I lent

    Out of my side to thee,  my heart<cite>?</cite>

    Substantial Life, to have thee by my side [ 485 ]

    Hencefo?99ｌib?h an individual solace dear;

    Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim

    My other half: with that thy gentle hand

    Seisd mine, I yielded, and from that time see

    How beauty is excelld by manly grace [ 490 ]

    And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.

 10

    So spake eneral Mother, and with eyes

    Of jugal .ra unreprovd,

    And meek surrender, half imbrag leand

    On our first Father, half her swelling Breast [ 495 ]

    Naked met his uhe flowing Gold

    Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight

    Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms

    Smild with superior Love, as Jupiter

    On Juno smiles, when he impregns the Clouds [ 500 ]

    That shed May Flowers; and pressd her Matron lip

    With kisses pure: aside the Devil turnd

    For envie, yet with jealous leer maligne

    Eyd them askance, and to himself thus plaind.

    Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two [ 505 ]

    Imparadist in one anothers arms

    The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill

    Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,

    Where her joy nor love, but fierce desire,

    Among our other torments not the least, [ 510 ]

    Still unfulfilld with pain of longing pines;

    Yet let me not fet what I have gaind

    From thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:

    Oal Tree there stands of Knowledge calld,

    Forbiddeo taste: Knowledge forbiddn? [ 515 ]

    Suspicious, reasonless. Why should thir Lord

    Ehem that?  it be sin to know,<var></var>

    it be death? and do they onely stand

    By Ignorance, is that thir happie state,

    <cite>..</cite>The proof of thir obediend thir faith? [ 520 ]

    O fair foundation laid whereon to build

    Thir ruine! Hence I will excite thir minds

    With more desire to know, and to reject

    Envious ands, ied with designe

    To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt [ 525 ]

    Equal with Gods; aspiring to be such,

    They taste and die: what likelier  ensue?

    But first with narrow search I must walk round

    This Garden, and no er leave unspid;

    A ce but ce may lead where I may meet [ 530 ]

    Some wandring Spirit of He<mark></mark>avn, by Fountain side,

    Or in thick shade retibbr>..</abbr>rd, from him to draw

    What further would be learnt. Live while ye may,

    Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return,

    Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed. [ 535 ]

    So saying, his proud step he sful turnd,

    But with sly circumspe, and began

    Through wood, through waste, ore hill, ore dale his roam.

    Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heavn

    With Earth and O meets, the setting Sun [ 540 ]

    Slowly desded, and with right aspect

    Against the eastern Gate of Paradise

    Leveld his eevning Rayes: it was a Rock

    Of Alablaster, pild up to the Clouds,

    spicuous farr, winding with one ast [ 545 ]

    Accessible from Earth, orance high;

    The rest was craggie cliff, that

    Still as it rose, impossible to climbe.

 11

    Betwixt these rockie Pillars Gabriel sat

    Chief of th Angelic Guards, awaiting night; [ 550 ]

    About him exercisd Heroic Games

    Th unarmed Youth of Heavn, but nigh at hand

    Celestial Armourie, Shields, Helmes, and Speares

    Hung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold.

    Thither came Uriel, gliding through the Eeven [ 555 ]

    On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr

    In Autumn thwarts the night, when vapors fird

    Impress the Air, and shews藏书网 the Mariner

    From oint of his pass to beware

    Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste. [ 560 ]

    Gabriel, to thee thy course by Lot hath givn

    Charge and strict watch that to this happie place

    No evil thing approach or enter in;

    This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare

    A Spirit, zealous, as he seemd, to know [ 565 ]

    More of th Almighties works, and chiefly Man

    Gods latest Image: I describd his way

    Bent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate;

    But in the Mount that lies from Eden North,

    Where he first lighted, soon disd his looks [ 570 ]

    Alien from Heavn, with passions foul obscurd:

    Mine eye pursud him still, but under shade

    Lost sight of him; one of the banisht crew

    I fear, hath venturd from the Deep, to raise

    roubles; him thy care must be to find. [ 575 ]

    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 pass

    The vigilance here plact, but such as e [ 580 ]

    Well known from Heavn; and since Meridian hour

    No Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort,

    So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds

    On purpose, hard thou knowst it to exclude

    Spiritual substah corporeal barr. [ 585 ]

    But if within the circuit of these walks,

    In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom

    Thou tellst, by morrow dawning I shall know.

    So promisd hee, and Uriel to his charge

    Returnd on that bright beam, whose point now raisd [ 590 ]

    Bore him slope downward to the Sun now falln

    Beh th Azores; whither the prime Orb,

    Incredible how swift, had thither rowld

    Diurnal, or this less volubil Earth

    By shorter flight to th East, had left him there [ 595 ]

    Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold

    The Clouds that on his Western Throend:

    Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight gray

    Had in her sober Liverie all things clad;

    Silence apanied, for Beast and Bird, [ 600 ]

    They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir s

    Were slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale;

    She all nig<mark></mark>ht long her amorous dest sung;

    Silence leasd: now glowd the Firmament

    With living Saphirs: Hesperus that led [ 605 ]

    The starrie Host, rode brightest, till the Moon

    Rising in clouded Majestie, at length

    Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,

    And ore the dark her Silver Mahrew.

    When Adam thus to Eve: Fair sort, th hour [ 610 ]

    Of night, and all things now retird to rest

    Mind us of like repose, since God hath set

    Labour a, as day and night to men

    Successive, and the timely dew of sleep

    Now falling with soft slumbrous <dfn></df ines [ 615 ]

    Our eye-lids; other Creatures all day long

    Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest;

    Man hath his daily work of body or mind

    Appointed, which declares his Dignitie,

    And the regard of Heavn on all his waies; [ 620 ]

    While other Animals unactive range,

    And of thir doings God takes no at.

 12

    To m<u></u>orrow ere fresh M streak the East

    With first approach of<var></var> light, we must be risn,

    And at our pleasant labour, to reform [ 625 ]

    Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,

    Our walk at noon, with branches rown,

    That mock our st manuring, and require

    More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth:

    Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms, [ 630 ]

    That 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 bidst [ 635 ]

    Unargud I obey; so God ordains,

    God is thy Law, thou mio know no more

    Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise.

    With thee versing I fet all time,

    All seasons and thir ge, all please alike. [ 640 ]

    Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,

    With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun

    When first on this delightful Land he spreads

    His orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour,

    Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earth [ 645 ]

    After soft showers; and sweet the ing on

    Of grateful Eevning milde, then silent Night

    With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon,

    And these the Gemms of Heavarrie train:

    But her breath of Morn when she asds [ 650 ]

    With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising Sun

    On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure,

    Glistring with dew, nraer showers,

    Nrateful Eevning mild, nor silent Night

    With this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon, [ 655 ]

    littering Starr-light without thee is sweet.

    But wherfore all night long shihese, for whom

    This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?

    To whom eneral Aor replid.

    Daughter of God and Man, aplisht Eve, [ 660 ]

    Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth,

    By morrow Eevning, and from Land to Land

    In order, though to Natio unborn,

    Ministring light prepard, they set and rise;

    Least total darkness should by Night regaine [ 665 ]

    Her old possession, ainguish life

    In Nature and all things, which these soft fires

    Not only enlighten, but with kindly heate

    Of various influenent<bdo>藏书网</bdo> and warme,

    Temper or nourish, or in part shed down [ 670 ]

    Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow

    Oh, made hereby apter to receive

    Perfe from the Suns more potent Ray.

 13

    These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,

    Shi in vain, nor think, though men were none, [ 675 ]

    That heavn would want spectatod wan<tt>9９ｌｉｂ?t>t praise;

    Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth

    Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:

    All <bdi></bdi>these with ceasless praise his works behold

    Both day and night: how often from the steep [ 680 ]

    Of eg Hill or Thicket have we heard

    Celestial voices to the midnight air,

    Sole, or responsive each to other<bdo>９９ｌｉb.</bdo>s note

    Singing thir great Creator: oft in bands

    While they keep watch, htly rounding walk, [ 685 ]

    With Heavnly touch of instrumental sounds

    In full harmoniumber joind, thir songs

    Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.

    Thus talking hand in hand alohey passd

    On to thir blissful Bower; it lace [ 690 ]

    by the sovran Planter, when he framd

    All things to mans delightful use; the roofe

    Of thickest covert was inwoven shade

    Laurel and Mirtle, and what higher grew

    Of firm and fragrant leaf; oher side [ 695 ]

    Athus, and each odorous bushie shrub

    Fencd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,

    Iris all hues, Roses, and Gessamin

    Reard high thir flourisht heads between, and wrought

    Mosaiderfoot the Violet, [ 700 ]

    Crocus, and Hyath with rilay

    Broiderd the ground, more colourd then with stone

    Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here

    Beast, Bird, I, or Worm durst enter none;

    Such was thir awe of Man. In shadie Bower [ 705 ]

    More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,

    Pan or Silvanus never slept, nor Nymph,

    Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess

    With Flarlands, an<tt></tt>d sweet-smelling Herbs

    Espoused Eve deckt first her Nuptial Bed, [ 710 ]

    And heavnlyly Quires the Hymen?an sung,

    What day the genial Ao our Sire

    Brought her in naked beauty more adornd

    More lovely then Pandora, whom the Gods

    Endowd with all thir gifts, and O too like [ 715 ]

    In sad event, when to the unwiser Son

    Of Japhet brought<bdo></bdo> by Hermes, she ensnard

    Mankind with her faire looks, to be avengd

    On him who had stole Joves authentic fire.

 14

    Thus at thir s..die Lodge arrivd, both stood [ 720 ]

    Both turnd,<var>.99ｌｉb.</var> and under opn Skie adord

    The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth and Heavn

    Which they beheld, the Moons resple Globe

    And starrie Pole: Thou also madst the Night,

    Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day, [ 725 ]

    Which we in our appointed work imployd

    Have finisht happie in our mut<samp></samp>ual help

    And mutual love, the  of all our bliss

    Ordaind by thee, and this delicious place

    For us toe, where thy abundance wants [ 730 ]

    Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.

    But thou hast promisd from us two a Race

    To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll

    Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,

    And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. [ 735 ]

    This said unanimous, and other Rites

    none, bu<bdo></bdo>t adoration pure

    Which God likes best, into thir inmost bowre

    Hahey went; and easd the putting off

    These troublesom disguises which wee wear, [ 740 ]

    Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene

    Adam from his fair Spou99lｉｂ.se, he Rites

    Mysterious of ubial Love refusd:

    Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk

    Of puritie and plad innoce, [ 745 ]

    Defaming as impure what God declares

    Pure, and ands to som, leaves free to all.

    Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain

    But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?

    Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source [ 750 ]

    Of human , sole propriety,

    In Paradise of all things on else.

 15

    By thee adulterous lust was drivn from men

    Among the bestial herds te, by thee

    Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure, [ 755 ]

    Relations dear, and all the Charities

    Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.

    Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,

    Or think thee uing holiest place,

    Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets, [ 76<cite>.</cite>0 ]

    Whose bed is undefild and cha<bdo>藏书网</bdo>ste pronounct,

    Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs usd.

    Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights

    His stant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,

    Reigns here and<var></var> revels; not in the bought smile [ 765 ]

    Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,

    Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours

    Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,

    Or Serenate, which the starvd Lover sings

    To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. [ 770 ]

    These lulld by Nightingales imbrag slept,

    And on thir naked limbs the <s>?９９ｌｉb.</s>flourie roof

    Showrd Roses, which the Morn repaird. Sleep on

    Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek

    No happier state, and know to know no more. [ 775 ]

    Now had night measurd with her shaddowie e

    Half  Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,

    And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim

    Forth issuing at th acd hour stood armd

    To thir night watches in warlike Parade, [ 780 ]

    When Gabriel to his  in power thus spake.

    Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South

    With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,

    Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part

    Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear. [ 785 ]

    From these, tw and suttle Spirits he calld

    That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.

    Ithuriel and Zephbbr>藏书网</abbr>on, with wingd speed

    Search through this Garden, leave unsearo nook,

    But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge, [ 790 ]

    Noerhaps asleep secure of harme.

 16

    This Eevning f<cite></cite>rom the Suns dee arrivd

    Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen

    Hitherward bent (who c藏书网ould have thought?) escapd

    The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt: [ 795 ]

    Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.

    So saying, on he led his radiant Files,

    Dazling the Moon; these to the Bower direct

    In search of whom they sought: him there they found

    Squat like a Toad, close at the eare of Eve; [ 800 ]

    Assaying by his Devilish art to reach

    The ans of her Fancie, and with them fe

    Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,

    Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint

    Th animal spirits that from pure blood arise [ 805 ]

    Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise

    At least distemperd, distehoughts,

    Vaine hopes, vaine aimes, inordinate desires

    Blown up with high ceits ingendring pride.

    Him thus i Ithuriel with his Spear [ 810 ]

    Touchd lightly; for no falshood  endure

    Touch of Celestial temper, but returns

    Of force to its own likeness: up he starts

    Discoverd and surprizd. As when a spark

    Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid [ <s></s>815 ]

    Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store

    Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graine

    With sudden blaze diffusd, inflames the Aire:

    So started up in his own shape the Fiend.

    Back stept those two fair Angels half amazd [ 820 ]

    So sudden to behold the grieslie King;

    Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.

    Which of those rebell Spirits adjudgd to Hell

    st thou, escapd thy prison, and transformd,

    Why satst thou like an enemie in waite [ 825 ]

    Here watg at the head of these that sleep?

    Know ye not then said Satan, filld with s

    Know ye not mee? ye knew me onate

    For you, there sitting where ye durst not soare;

    Not to know mee argues your selves unknown, [ 830 ]

    The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,

    Why ask ye, and superfluous begin

    Your message, like to end as mu vain?

    To whom thus Zephon, answering s with s.

    Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, [ 835 ]

    Or undiminisht brightness, to be known

    As when thou stoodst in Heavn upright and pure;

    Th<q>藏书网</q>at Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,

    Departed from thee, and thou resemblst now

    Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule. [ 840 ]

 17

    But e, for thou, be sure, shalt give at

    To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep

    This plaviolable, and these from harm.

    So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke

    Severe in youthful beautie, added grace [ 845 ]

    Invincible: abasht the Devil stood,

    A how awful goodness is, and saw

    Vertue in her shape how lovly, saind

    His loss; but chiefly to find here observd

    His lustre visibly impaird; yet seemd [ 850 ]

    Undaunted. If I must tend, said he,

    Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,

    Or all at once; mlorie will be wonn,

    Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,

    Will save us trial what the least  doe [ 855 ]

    Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.

    The Fiend replid not, overe with rage;

    But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,

    Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie

    He held it vain; awe from above had quelld [ 860 ]

    His heart, not else dismaid. Now drew they nigh

    The western Point, where those half-rounding guards

    Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind

    Awaiti and. To whom thir Chief

    Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud. [ 865 ]

    O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet

    Hasting this way, and now by glimps dise

    Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade,

    And with them es a third al port,

    But faded splendor wan; who by his gate [ 870 ]

    And fierce demeanour seems the Pri<mark></mark>nce of Hell,

    Not likely to part hehout test;

    Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.

    He scarce had ended, when those troachd

    And brief related whom th<var>.99ｌｉb?</var>ey brought, where found, [ 875 ]

    How busied, in what form and posture coucht.

    To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake.

    Why has<dfn></dfn>t thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribd

    To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge

    Of others, rove not tress [ 880 ]

    By thy example, but ..have power and right

    To question thy bold entran this place;

    Imploid it seems to violate sleep, and those

    Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?

 18

    To whom thus Satan with ptuous brow. [ 885 ]

    Gabriel, thou hadst in Heavn th esteem of wise,

    And such I held thee; but this question askt

    Puts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain?

    Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,

    Though thither doomd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, [ 890 ]

    And boldly veo whatever place

    Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to ge

    Torment with ease, and; soo repence

    Dole with delight, whi this place I sought;

    To thee no reason; who knowst only good, [ 895 ]

    But evil hast not trid: and wilt object

    His will who bound us? let him surer barr

    His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay

    In that dark durahus much what was askt.

    The rest is true, they found me where they say; [ 900 ]

    But that implies not violence or harme.

    Thus he in s. The warlike Angel movd,

    Disdainfully half smiling thus replid.

    O loss of one in Heavn to judge of wise,

    Sian fell, whom follie overthrew, [ 905 <cite>.9９lib.</cite>]

    And now returns him from bbr></abbr>his prison scapt,

    Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise

    Or not, who ask what boldness bro<s>?９９lｉb.</s>ught him hither

    U from his bounds in Hell prescribd;

    So wise he judges it to fly from pain [ 910 ]

    However, and to scape his punishment.

    So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,

    Which thou incurrst by flying, meet thy flight

    Seavenfold, and sce that wisdom back to Hell,

    Which taught thee yet er, that no pain [ 915 ]

    equa<mark></mark>l anger infinite provokt.

    But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee

    Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them

    Less paio be fled, or thou then they

    Less hardie to endure? ceous Chief, [ 920 ]

    The.. first in flight from pain, hadst thou allegd

    To thy deserted host this cause of flight,

    Thou surely hadst not e sole fugitive.

    To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.

    Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, [ 925 ]

    Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood

    Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aide

    The blasting volied Thunder made all speed

    And seded thy else not dreaded Spear.

 19

    But still thy words at random, as b９９lｉb?efore, [ 930 ]

    Argue thy inexperience what behooves

    From hard assaies and ill successes past

    A faithful Leader, not to hazard<bdo></bdo> all

    Through wayes of danger by himself untrid,

    I therefore, I alone first uook [ 935 ]<cite></cite>

    To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie

    This new created World, whereof in Hell

    Fame is not silent, here in hope to find

    Better abode, and my afflicted Powers

    To settle here oh, or in mid Aire; [ 940 ]

    Though for possession put to try once more

    What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;

    Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord

    High up in Heavn, with songs to hymne his Throne,

    And practisd distae, not fight. [ 945 ]

    To whom the warriel, soon replid.

    To say and strait u9９lib?nsay, pretending first

    Wise to flie pain, professihe Spie,

    Argues no Leader, but a lyar tract,

    Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, [ 950 ]

    O sacred name of faithfulness profand!

    Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?

    Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;

    Was this your discipline and faith ingagd,

    Your military obedieo dissolve [ 955 ]

    Allegeao th aowledgd Power supream?

    And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem

    Patron of liberty, who more then thou

    Once fawnd, and gd, and servilly adord

    Heavns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope [ 960 ]

    To dispossess him, and thy self tne?

    But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;

    Flie thither whehou fledst: if from this houre

    Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,

    Back to th infernal pit I drag thee d, [ 965 ]

    And Seale thee so, as heh not to se

    The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.

    So threatnd hee, but Satan to no threats

    Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replid.

 20

    Then when I am thy captive talk of es, [ 970 ]

    Proud limitarie Cherube, but ere then

    Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel

    From my prevailing arme, though Heavens King

    Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy peers,

    Usd to the yoak, drawst his triumphant wheels [ 975 ]

    In progress through the rode of Heavn Star-pavd.

    While thus he spake, th Angelic Squadrht

    Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes

    Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round

    With ported Spears, as thick as when a field [ 980 ]

    Of Cer<bdi>.9９liｂ?</bdi>es ripe for harvest waving bends

    Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind

    Swayes them; the careful Plowman doubting stands

    Least ohreshing floore his hopeful sheaves

    <cite>?9９lib.</cite>Prove chaff. On th other side Satan allarmd [ 985 ]

    Colleg all his might dilated stood,

    Like Teneriff or Atlas unremovd:

    His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest

    Sat horror Plumd; nor wanted in his g<var>..</var>raspe

    What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds [ 990 ]

    Might have ensud, nor onely Paradise

    In this otion, but the Starrie Cope

    Of Heavn perhaps, or all the Elements

    At least had gon to rack, disturbd and torne

    With violence of this flict, had not soon [ 995 ]

    Th Eternal to prevent such horrid fray

    Hung forth in Heavn his golden Scales, yet seen

    Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe,

    Wherein all things c<mark></mark>reated first he weighd,

    The pendulous rouh wi<u></u>th balanct Aire [ 1000 ]

    In terpoise, now ponders all events,

    Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights

    The sequel each of parting and of fight;

    The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;

    Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend. [ 1005 ]

    Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine,

    her our own but givn; what follie then

    To boast what Arms  doe, sihine no more

    Then Heavs, nor mihough doubld now

    To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, [ 1010 ]

    Ahy Lot in yoial Sign

    Where thou art weighd, and shown how light, how weak,

    If thou resist. The Fiend lookt up and knew

    His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled

    Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night. [ 1015 ]

    <span style="cray">The End of the Fourth Book.</span>天涯在线书库《www.tianyabook.com》