Lines Matching full:and

16 a specific location, and then it took months to convince people 
18 the copying and get it to us.  Then another month to convert to 
21 will see below.  The original was, of course, in CAPS only, and 
22 so were all the other etexts of the 60's and early 70's.  Don't 
23 let anyone fool you into thinking any etext with both upper and 
25 etexts were also in upper case and were translated or rewritten 
29 In the course of our searches for Professor Raben and his etext 
32 little information here and there, but even after we received a 
34 determining that it was in fact Public Domain and finding Raben 
35 to verify this and get his permission.  Interested enough, in a 
37 subscribed to the Project Gutenberg listserver and we happened, 
40 etext was then properly identified, copyright analyzed, and the 
43 To give you an estimation of the difference in the original and 
46 or Mutilate) and probably took in excess of 100,000 of them.  A 
48 accepted standard for so many computer margins), and the entire 
50 in length, including line enumeration, symbols for caps and the 
71 Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit 
73 Brought death into the World, and all our woe, 
75 Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 
79 In the beginning how the heavens and earth 
81 Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed 
87 And chiefly thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer 
88 Before all temples th' upright heart and pure, 
90 Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, 
92 And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark 
93 Illumine, what is low raise and support; 
96 And justify the ways of God to men. 
101 From their Creator, and transgress his will 
105 Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived 
111 If he opposed, and with ambitious aim 
112 Against the throne and monarchy of God, 
113 Raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud, 
116 With hideous ruin and combustion, down 
118 In adamantine chains and penal fire, 
120   Nine times the space that measures day and night 
125 Both of lost happiness and lasting pain 
127 That witnessed huge affliction and dismay, 
128 Mixed with obdurate pride and steadfast hate. 
130 The dismal situation waste and wild. 
136 And rest can never dwell, hope never comes 
138 Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 
142 In utter darkness, and their portion set, 
143 As far removed from God and light of Heaven 
147 With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 
148 He soon discerns; and, weltering by his side, 
149 One next himself in power, and next in crime, 
150 Long after known in Palestine, and named 
152 And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words 
158 United thoughts and counsels, equal hope 
159 And hazard in the glorious enterprise 
163 He with his thunder; and till then who knew 
168 And high disdain from sense of injured merit, 
170 And to the fierce contentions brought along 
172 That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, 
175 And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? 
177 And study of revenge, immortal hate, 
178 And courage never to submit or yield: 
179 And what is else not to be overcome? 
181 Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace 
182 With suppliant knee, and deify his power 
185 That were an ignominy and shame beneath 
187 And this empyreal sybstance, cannot fail; 
193 Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 
197 And him thus answered soon his bold compeer:-- 
200 Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 
202 And put to proof his high supremacy, 
204 Too well I see and rue the dire event 
205 That, with sad overthrow and foul defeat, 
206 Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host 
208 As far as Gods and heavenly Essences 
209 Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains 
210 Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 
211 Though all our glory extinct, and happy state 
216 Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, 
217 Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 
235 And out of good still to find means of evil; 
237 Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 
240 His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 
244 Of Heaven received us falling; and the thunder, 
245 Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, 
246 Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now 
247 To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. 
250 Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 
253 Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend 
256 And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, 
263 With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 
265 Prone on the flood, extended long and large, 
278 Invests the sea, and wished morn delays. 
282 And high permission of all-ruling Heaven 
286 Evil to others, and enraged might see 
288 Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shewn 
290 Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance poured. 
293 Driven backward slope their pointing spires, and,rolled 
300 And such appeared in hue as when the force 
304 And fuelled entrails, thence conceiving fire, 
306 And leave a singed bottom all involved 
307 With stench and smoke. Such resting found the sole 
310 As gods, and by their own recovered strength, 
316 Who now is sovereign can dispose and bid 
321 Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell, 
324 The mind is its own place, and in itself 
327 And what I should be, all but less than he 
331 Here we may reigh secure; and, in my choice, 
335 Th' associates and co-partners of our loss, 
337 And call them not to share with us their part 
341   So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub 
345 Of hope in fears and dangers--heard so oft 
346 In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge 
349 New courage and revive, though now they lie 
350 Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 
351 As we erewhile, astounded and amazed; 
355 Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 
367 On Heaven's azure; and the torrid clime 
370 Of that inflamed sea he stood, and called 
377 Busiris and his Memphian chivalry, 
381 And broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown, 
382 Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, 
394 Cherub and Seraph rolling in the flood 
395 With scattered arms and ensigns, till anon 
397 Th' advantage, and, descending, tread us down 
401   They heard, and were abashed, and up they sprung 
404 Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. 
413 Like Night, and darkened all the land of Nile; 
416 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires; 
420 On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain: 
424 Came like a deluge on the South, and spread 
426 Forthwith, form every squadron and each band, 
427 The heads and leaders thither haste where stood 
428 Their great Commander--godlike Shapes, and Forms 
430 And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones, 
432 Be no memorial, blotted out and rased 
437 By falsities and lies the greatest part 
439 God their Creator, and th' invisible 
442 With gay religions full of pomp and gold, 
443 And devils to adore for deities: 
445 And various idols through the heathen world. 
455 Among the nations round, and durst abide 
459 Abominations; and with cursed things 
460 His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned, 
461 And with their darkness durst affront his light. 
463 Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; 
464 Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 
467 Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain, 
468 In Argob and in Basan, to the stream 
473 On that opprobrious hill, and made his grove 
475 And black Gehenna called, the type of Hell. 
477 From Aroar to Nebo and the wild 
479 And Horonaim, Seon's real, beyond 
481 And Eleale to th' Asphaltic Pool: 
492 Of Baalim and Ashtaroth--those male, 
495 And uncompounded is their essence pure, 
501 And works of love or enmity fulfil. 
503 Their Living Strength, and unfrequented left 
511 Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs; 
529 Maimed his brute image, head and hands lopt off, 
531 Where he fell flat and shamed his worshippers: 
533 And downward fish; yet had his temple high 
535 Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 
536 And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. 
539 Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. 
541 A leper once he lost, and gained a king-- 
543 God's altar to disparage and displace 
545 His odious offerings, and adore the gods 
548 Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train-- 
549 With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused 
550 Fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek 
554 The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king 
555 Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 
559 Both her first-born and all her bleating gods. 
564 In temples and at altars, when the priest 
566 With lust and violence the house of God? 
567 In courts and palaces he also reigns, 
568 And in luxurious cities, where the noise 
570 And injury and outrage; and, when night 
572 Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 
573 Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night 
576   These were the prime in order and in might: 
579 Gods, yet confessed later than Heaven and Earth, 
581 With his enormous brood, and birthright seized 
583 His own and Rhea's son, like measure found; 
585 And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 
588 Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds 
591 And o'er the Celtic roamed the utmost Isles. 
592   All these and more came flocking; but with looks 
593 Downcast and damp; yet such wherein appeared 
600 Their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears. 
602 Of trumpets loud and clarions, be upreared 
608 With gems and golden lustre rich emblazed, 
609 Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while 
612 A shout that tore Hell's concave, and beyond 
613 Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. 
617 A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms 
618 Appeared, and serried shields in thick array 
621 Of flutes and soft recorders--such as raised 
623 Arming to battle, and instead of rage 
624 Deliberate valour breathed, firm, and unmoved 
626 Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage 
627 With solemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase 
628 Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain 
632 Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil. And now 
634 Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise 
635 Of warriors old, with ordered spear and shield, 
638 Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse 
640 Their visages and stature as of gods; 
641 Their number last he sums. And now his heart 
642 Distends with pride, and, hardening in his strength, 
648 That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side 
649 Mixed with auxiliar gods; and what resounds 
651 Begirt with British and Armoric knights; 
652 And all who since, baptized or infidel, 
660 In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 
663 Less than Archangel ruined, and th' excess 
668 On half the nations, and with fear of change 
671 Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care 
673 Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride 
675 Signs of remorse and passion, to behold 
680 Of Heaven, and from eteranl splendours flung 
687 From wing to wing, and half enclose him round 
689 Thrice he assayed, and thrice, in spite of scorn, 
693 Matchless, but with th' Almighth!--and that strife 
695 As this place testifies, and this dire change, 
704 Self-raised, and repossess their native seat? 
710 Consent or custom, and his regal state 
712 Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. 
713 Henceforth his might we know, and know our own, 
722 Intended to create, and therein plant 
733   He spake; and, to confirm his words, outflew 
737 Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms 
741 Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire 
746 Of pioneers, with spade and pickaxe armed, 
750 From Heaven; for even in Heaven his looks and thoughts 
755 Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 
756 Ransacked the centre, and with impious hands 
760 And digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire 
762 Deserve the precious bane. And here let those 
763 Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell 
764 Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings, 
766 And strength, and art, are easily outdone 
767 By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour 
769 And hands innumerable, scarce perform. 
774 Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion-dross. 
776 A various mould, and from the boiling cells 
782 Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet-- 
784 Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 
792 In wealth and luxury. Th' ascending pile 
793 Stood fixed her stately height, and straight the doors, 
796 And level pavement: from the arched roof, 
798 Of starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed 
799 With naptha and asphaltus, yielded light 
801 Admiring entered; and the work some praise, 
802 And some the architect. His hand was known 
805 And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King 
806 Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, 
809 In ancient Greece; and in Ausonian land 
810 Men called him Mulciber; and how he fell 
814 A summer's day, and with the setting sun 
824 And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim 
827 Of Satan and his peers. Their summons called 
828 From every band and squared regiment 
830 With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 
832 And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall 
834 Wont ride in armed, and at the Soldan's chair 
837 Thick swarmed, both on the ground and in the air, 
841 In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers 
842 Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank, 
844 New rubbed with balm, expatiate, and confer 
846 Swarmed and were straitened; till, the signal given, 
855 Sits arbitress, and nearer to the Earth 
856 Wheels her pale course: they, on their mirth and dance 
858 At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. 
860 Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large, 
863 And in their own dimensions like themselves, 
864 The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim 
865 In close recess and secret conclave sat, 
867 Frequent and full. After short silence then, 
868 And summons read, the great consult began. 
876 Outshone the wealth or Ormus and of Ind, 
878 Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, 
880 To that bad eminence; and, from despair 
883 Vain war with Heaven; and, by success untaught, 
885   "Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heaven!-- 
887 Immortal vigour, though oppressed and fallen, 
890 More glorious and more dread than from no fall, 
891 And trust themselves to fear no second fate!-- 
892 Me though just right, and the fixed laws of Heaven, 
903 Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share 
910 To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, 
914 Could have assured us; and by what best way, 
917   He ceased; and next him Moloch, sceptred king, 
918 Stood up--the strongest and the fiercest Spirit 
921 Equal in strength, and rather than be less 
924 He recked not, and these words thereafter spake:-- 
929 Millions that stand in arms, and longing wait 
931 Heaven's fugitives, and for their dwelling-place 
935 Armed with Hell-flames and fury, all at once 
940 Infernal thunder, and, for lightning, see 
941 Black fire and horror shot with equal rage 
942 Among his Angels, and his throne itself 
943 Mixed with Tartarean sulphur and strange fire, 
945 The way seems difficult, and steep to scale 
950 Up to our native seat; descent and fall 
953 Insulting, and pursued us through the Deep, 
954 With what compulsion and laborious flight 
965 Inexorably, and the torturing hour, 
967 We should be quite abolished, and expire. 
970 Will either quite consume us, and reduce 
974 And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 
975 On this side nothing; and by proof we feel 
977 And with perpetual inroads to alarm, 
980   He ended frowning, and his look denounced 
981 Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous 
983 Belial, in act more graceful and humane. 
985 For dignity composed, and high exploit. 
986 But all was false and hollow; though his tongue 
987 Dropped manna, and could make the worse appear 
988 The better reason, to perplex and dash 
991 Timorous and slothful. Yet he pleased the ear, 
992 And with persuasive accent thus began:-- 
996 Did not dissuade me most, and seem to cast 
999 In what he counsels and in what excels 
1001 And utter dissolution, as the scope 
1007 Scout far and wide into the realm of Night, 
1009 By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise 
1013 Sit unpolluted, and th' ethereal mould, 
1015 Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire, 
1019 And that must end us; that must be our cure-- 
1023 To perish rather, swallowed up and lost 
1025 Devoid of sense and motion? And who knows, 
1031 To give his enemies their wish, and end 
1035 Reserved, and destined to eternal woe; 
1039 What when we fled amain, pursued and struck 
1040 With Heaven's afflicting thunder, and besought 
1046 And plunge us in the flames; or from above 
1049 Her stores were opened, and this firmament 
1055 Each on his rock transfixed, the sport and prey 
1065 All these our motions vain sees and derides, 
1067 Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. 
1070 Chains and these torments? Better these than worse, 
1072 Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, 
1077 Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 
1079 And venturous, if that fail them, shrink, and fear 
1083 Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear, 
1085 His anger, and perhaps, thus far removed, 
1091 Or, changed at length, and to the place conformed 
1092 In temper and in nature, will receive 
1093 Familiar the fierce heat; and, void of pain, 
1101 Counselled ignoble ease and peaceful sloth, 
1102 Not peace; and after him thus Mammon spake:-- 
1107 To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife. 
1112 And publish grace to all, on promise made 
1114 Stand in his presence humble, and receive 
1116 With warbled hyms, and to his Godhead sing 
1118 Our envied sovereign, and his altar breathes 
1119 Ambrosial odours and ambrosial flowers, 
1127 Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 
1129 Free and to none accountable, preferring 
1134 We can create, and in what place soe'er 
1135 Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain 
1136 Through labour and endurance. This deep world 
1138 Thick clouds and dark doth Heaven's all-ruling Sire 
1140 And with the majesty of darkness round 
1142 Mustering their rage, and Heaven resembles Hell! 
1145 Wants not her hidden lustre, gems and gold; 
1147 Magnificence; and what can Heaven show more? 
1153 To peaceful counsels, and the settled state 
1156 Of what we are and where, dismissing quite 
1165 As Mammon ended, and his sentence pleased, 
1168 Of thunder and the sword of Michael 
1169 Wrought still within them; and no less desire 
1171 By policy and long process of time, 
1175 Aspect he rose, and in his rising seemed 
1177 Deliberation sat, and public care; 
1178 And princely counsel in his face yet shone, 
1182 Drew audience and attention still as night 
1184   "Thrones and Imperial Powers, Offspring of Heaven, 
1186 Must we renounce, and, changing style, be called 
1188 Inclines--here to continue, and build up here 
1190 And know not that the King of Heaven hath doomed 
1198 In height or depth, still first and last will reign 
1199 Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part 
1201 His empire, and with iron sceptre rule 
1203 What sit we then projecting peace and war? 
1204 War hath determined us and foiled with loss 
1208 And stripes and arbitrary punishment 
1209 Inflicted? and what peace can we return, 
1210 But, to our power, hostility and hate, 
1211 Untamed reluctance, and revenge, though slow, 
1213 May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 
1220 (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven 
1224 In power and excellence, but favoured more 
1226 Pronounced among the Gods, and by an oath 
1230 Or substance, how endued, and what their power 
1231 And where their weakness: how attempted best, 
1233 And Heaven's high Arbitrator sit secure 
1240 All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, 
1243 May prove their foe, and with repenting hand 
1245 Common revenge, and interrupt his joy 
1246 In our confusion, and our joy upraise 
1249 Their frail original, and faded bliss-- 
1254 By Satan, and in part proposed: for whence, 
1257 Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell 
1258 To mingle and involve, done all to spite 
1261 Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy 
1265 Synod of Gods, and, like to what ye are, 
1270 And opportune excursion, we may chance 
1273 Secure, and at the brightening orient beam 
1280 And through the palpable obscure find out 
1286 Through the strict senteries and stations thick 
1288 All circumspection: and we now no less 
1290 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies." 
1291   This said, he sat; and expectation held 
1295 Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each 
1297 Astonished. None among the choice and prime 
1305 With reason hath deep silence and demur 
1307 And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light. 
1310 Ninefold; and gates of burning adamant, 
1314 Wide-gaping, and with utter loss of being 
1318 Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape? 
1320 And this imperial sovereignty, adorned 
1322 And judged of public moment in the shape 
1325 These royalties, and not refuse to reign, 
1328 To him who reigns, and so much to him due 
1333 The present misery, and render Hell 
1341 The Monarch, and prevented all reply; 
1345 And, so refused, might in opinion stand 
1349 Forbidding; and at once with him they rose. 
1352 With awful reverence prone, and as a God 
1368 The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds 
1369 Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings. 
1373 Of heavenly grace, and, God proclaiming peace, 
1374 Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife 
1375 Among themselves, and levy cruel wars 
1379 That day and night for his destruction wait! 
1380   The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth 
1382 Midst came their mighty Paramount, and seemed 
1385 And god-like imitated state: him round 
1387 With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. 
1393 Heard far adn wide, and all the host of Hell 
1395 Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat raised 
1397 Disband; and, wandering, each his several way 
1400 Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain 
1408 Waged in the troubled sky, and armies rush 
1410 Prick forth the airy knights, and couch their spears, 
1414 Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air 
1417 With conquest, felt th' envenomed robe, and tore 
1419 And Lichas from the top of Oeta threw 
1423 Their own heroic deeds, and hapless fall 
1424 By doom of battle, and complain that Fate 
1428 Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment 
1432 In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high 
1433 Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate-- 
1435 And found no end, in wandering mazes lost. 
1436 Of good and evil much they argued then, 
1437 Of happiness and final misery, 
1438 Passion and apathy, and glory and shame: 
1439 Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy!-- 
1441 Pain for a while or anguish, and excite 
1444 Another part, in squadrons and gross bands, 
1452 Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; 
1456 Far off from these, a slow and silent stream, 
1459 Forthwith his former state and being forgets-- 
1460 Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. 
1462 Lies dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms 
1463 Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land 
1464 Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 
1465 Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice, 
1467 Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, 
1469 Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of fire. 
1472 Are brought; and feel by turns the bitter change 
1475 Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine 
1476 Immovable, infixed, and frozen round 
1479 Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment, 
1480 And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 
1482 In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe, 
1483 All in one moment, and so near the brink; 
1484 But Fate withstands, and, to oppose th' attempt, 
1486 The ford, and of itself the water flies 
1490 With shuddering horror pale, and eyes aghast, 
1491 Viewed first their lamentable lot, and found 
1492 No rest. Through many a dark and dreary vale 
1493 They passed, and many a region dolorous, 
1495 Rocks, caves, lakes, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death-- 
1498 Where all life dies, death lives, and Nature breeds, 
1500 Obominable, inutterable, and worse 
1502 Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeras dire. 
1503   Meanwhile the Adversary of God and Man, 
1505 Puts on swift wings, and toward the gates of Hell 
1513 Of Ternate and Tidore, whence merchants bring 
1519 And thrice threefold the gates; three folds were brass, 
1524 The one seemed woman to the waist, and fair, 
1526 Voluminous and vast--a serpent armed 
1529 With wide Cerberean mouths full loud, and rung 
1532 And kennel there; yet there still barked and howled 
1546 And shook a dreadful dart: what seemed his head 
1548 Satan was now at hand, and from his seat 
1552 Admired, not feared (God and his Son except, 
1554 And with disdainful look thus first began:-- 
1555   "Whence and what art thou, execrable Shape, 
1556 That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance 
1560 Retire; or taste thy folly, and learn by proof, 
1564 Who first broke peace in Heaven and faith, till then 
1565 Unbroken, and in proud rebellious arms 
1568 And they, outcast from God, are here condemned 
1569 To waste eternal days in woe and pain? 
1570 And reckon'st thou thyself with Spirits of Heaven 
1571 Hell-doomed, and breath'st defiance here and scorn, 
1572 Where I reign king, and, to enrage thee more, 
1573 Thy king and lord? Back to thy punishment, 
1574 False fugitive; and to thy speed add wings, 
1577 Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before." 
1578   So spake the grisly Terror, and in shape, 
1579 So speaking and so threatening, grew tenfold, 
1580 More dreadful and deform. On th' other side, 
1582 Unterrified, and like a comet burned, 
1584 In th' arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 
1585 Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head 
1587 No second stroke intend; and such a frown 
1596 To meet so great a foe. And now great deeds 
1599 Fast by Hell-gate and kept the fatal key, 
1600 Risen, and with hideous outcry rushed between. 
1604 Against thy father's head? And know'st for whom? 
1605 For him who sits above, and laughs the while 
1609   She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest 
1611   "So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange 
1615 What thing thou art, thus double-formed, and why, 
1617 Me father, and that phantasm call'st my son. 
1619 Sight more detestable than him and thee." 
1621 "Hast thou forgot me, then; and do I seem 
1623 In Heaven, when at th' assembly, and in sight 
1627 Surprised thee, dim thine eyes and dizzy swum 
1628 In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast 
1630 Likest to thee in shape and countenance bright, 
1634 At first, and called me Sin, and for a sign 
1636 I pleased, and with attractive graces won 
1639 Becam'st enamoured; and such joy thou took'st 
1642 And fields were fought in Heaven: wherein remained 
1644 Clear victory; to our part loss and rout 
1647 Into this Deep; and in the general fall 
1653 Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown, 
1654 Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes. 
1657 Tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain 
1661 Made to destroy. I fled, and cried out Death! 
1662 Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sighed 
1663 From all her caves, and back resounded Death! 
1665 Inflamed with lust than rage), and, swifter far, 
1667 And, in embraces forcible and foul 
1671 And hourly born, with sorrow infinite 
1673 That bred them they return, and howl, and gnaw 
1678 Grim Death, my son and foe, who set them on, 
1679 And me, his parent, would full soon devour 
1681 His end with mine involved, and knows that I 
1682 Should prove a bitter morsel, and his bane, 
1689   She finished; and the subtle Fiend his lore 
1690 Soon learned, now milder, and thus answered smooth:-- 
1692 And my fair son here show'st me, the dear pledge 
1693 Of dalliance had with thee in Heaven, and joys 
1697 From out this dark and dismal house of pain 
1698 Both him and thee, and all the heavenly host 
1701 This uncouth errand sole, and one for all 
1703 Th' unfounded Deep, and through the void immense 
1705 Should be--and, by concurring signs, ere now 
1706 Created vast and round--a place of bliss 
1707 In the purlieus of Heaven; and therein placed 
1713 To know; and, this once known, shall soon return, 
1714 And bring ye to the place where thou and Death 
1715 Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen 
1717 With odours. There ye shall be fed and filled 
1719   He ceased; for both seemed highly pleased, and Death 
1721 His famine should be filled, and blessed his maw 
1723 His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire:-- 
1725 And by command of Heaven's all-powerful King, 
1731 Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down 
1734 Inhabitant of Heaven and heavenly born-- 
1735 Here in perpetual agony and pain, 
1736 With terrors and with clamours compassed round 
1741 To that new world of light and bliss, among 
1744 Thy daughter and thy darling, without end." 
1747 And, towards the gate rolling her bestial train, 
1751 Th' intricate wards, and every bolt and bar 
1754 With impetuous recoil and jarring sound, 
1755 Th' infernal doors, and on their hinges grate 
1761 With horse and chariots ranked in loose array; 
1762 So wide they stood, and like a furnace-mouth 
1763 Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame. 
1767 Without dimension; where length, breadth, and height, 
1768 And time, and place, are lost; where eldest Night 
1769 And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold 
1771 Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. 
1772 For Hot, Cold, Moist, and Dry, four champions fierce, 
1773 Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring 
1779 Levied to side with warring winds, and poise 
1782 And by decision more embroils the fray 
1785 The womb of Nature, and perhaps her grave, 
1788 Confusedly, and which thus must ever fight, 
1792 Stood on the brink of Hell and looked a while, 
1795 With noises loud and ruinous (to compare 
1799 Of Heaven were falling, and these elements 
1802 He spread for flight, and, in the surging smoke 
1808 Ten thousand fathom deep, and to this hour 
1811 Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him 
1816 Half flying; behoves him now both oar and sail. 
1824 And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies. 
1826 Of stunning sounds, and voices all confused, 
1834 Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 
1837 The consort of his reign; and by them stood 
1838 Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name 
1839 Of Demogorgon; Rumour next, and Chance, 
1840 And Tumult, and Confusion, all embroiled, 
1841 And Discord with a thousand various mouths. 
1843 And Spirtis of this nethermost Abyss, 
1844 Chaos and ancient Night, I come no spy 
1849 Alone and without guide, half lost, I seek, 
1858 To her original darkness and your sway 
1859 (Which is my present journey), and once more 
1862   Thus Satan; and him thus the Anarch old, 
1863 With faltering speech and visage incomposed, 
1867 I saw and heard; for such a numerous host 
1870 Confusion worse confounded; and Heaven-gates 
1877 Your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath; 
1878 Now lately Heaven and Earth, another world 
1882 So much the nearer danger. Go, and speed; 
1883 Havoc, and spoil, and ruin, are my gain." 
1884   He ceased; and Satan stayed not to reply, 
1886 With fresh alacrity and force renewed 
1888 Into the wild expanse, and through the shock 
1891 And more endangered than when Argo passed 
1894 Charybdis, and by th' other whirlpool steered. 
1895 So he with difficulty and labour hard 
1896 Moved on, with difficulty and labour he; 
1898 Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain, 
1900 Paved after him a broad and beaten way 
1905 With easy intercourse pass to and fro 
1907 God and good Angels guard by special grace. 
1909 Of light appears, and from the walls of Heaven 
1912 Her farthest verge, and Chaos to retire, 
1914 With tumult less and with less hostile din; 
1915 That Satan with less toil, and now with ease, 
1917 And, like a weather-beaten vessel, holds 
1918 Gladly the port, though shrouds and tackle torn; 
1923 With opal towers and battlements adorned 
1925 And, fast by, hanging in a golden chain, 
1929 Accursed, and in a cursed hour, he hies. 
1939 And never but in unapproached light 
1944 Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice 
1946 The rising world of waters dark and deep, 
1947 Won from the void and formless infinite. 
1951 Through utter and through middle darkness borne, 
1953 I sung of Chaos and eternal Night; 
1955 The dark descent, and up to re-ascend, 
1956 Though hard and rare:  Thee I revisit safe, 
1957 And feel thy sovran vital lamp; but thou 
1959 To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn; 
1965 Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 
1966 That wash thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow, 
1970 Blind Thamyris, and blind Maeonides, 
1971 And Tiresias, and Phineus, prophets old: 
1974 Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid 
1980 But cloud instead, and ever-during dark 
1982 Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair 
1984 Of nature's works to me expung'd and ras'd, 
1985 And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 
1987 Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 
1989 Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell 
1994 His own works and their works at once to view: 
1996 Stood thick as stars, and from his sight receiv'd 
2002 Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, 
2005 Hell and the gulf between, and Satan there  
2007 In the dun air sublime, and ready now 
2008 To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet, 
2021 Upon his own rebellious head.  And now, 
2025 And man there plac'd, with purpose to assay 
2027 By some false guile pervert; and shall pervert; 
2029 And easily transgress the sole command, 
2031 He and his faithless progeny:  Whose fault? 
2033 All he could have; I made him just and right, 
2036 And Spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd; 
2037 Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. 
2043 When will and reason (reason also is choice) 
2044 Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd, 
2058 Both what they judge, and what they choose; for so 
2059 I form'd them free: and free they must remain, 
2061 Their nature, and revoke the high decree 
2067 The other none:  In mercy and justice both, 
2068 Through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel; 
2069 But Mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine. 
2071 All Heaven, and in the blessed Spirits elect 
2075 Substantially express'd; and in his face 
2077 Love without end, and without measure grace, 
2082 For which both Heaven and earth shall high extol 
2084 Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne 
2091 Of all things made, and judgest only right. 
2093 His end, and frustrate thine?  shall he fulfill 
2094 His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought, 
2096 Yet with revenge accomplish'd, and to Hell 
2099 Abolish thy creation, and unmake 
2101 So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 
2102 Be question'd and blasphem'd without defence. 
2106 My word, my wisdom, and effectual might,  
2112 His lapsed powers, though forfeit; and enthrall'd 
2117 His fallen condition is, and to me owe 
2118 All his deliverance, and to none but me. 
2121 The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd 
2122 Their sinful state, and to appease betimes 
2125 What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 
2126 To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 
2127 To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, 
2130 And I will place within them as a guide, 
2133 And to the end, persisting, safe arrive. 
2134 This my long sufferance, and my day of grace, 
2135 They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; 
2137 That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; 
2138 And none but such from mercy I exclude. 
2140 Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins 
2142 Affecting God-head, and, so losing all, 
2144 But to destruction sacred and devote, 
2147 Some other able, and as willing, pay 
2151 Man's mortal crime, and just the unjust to save? 
2153 And silence was in Heaven: $ on Man's behalf 
2157 The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 
2158 And now without redemption all mankind 
2159 Must have been lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell 
2164 And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, 
2166 To visit all thy creatures, and to all 
2169 Can never seek, once dead in sins, and lost; 
2171 Indebted and undone, hath none to bring; 
2175  Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee 
2176  Freely put off, and for him lastly die 
2181  Though now to Death I yield, and am his due, 
2186  But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 
2188  Death his death's wound shall then receive, and stoop 
2191  Shall lead Hell captive maugre Hell, and show 
2193  Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile, 
2195  Death last, and with his carcase glut the grave; 
2197  Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, 
2200  And reconcilement: wrath shall be no more 
2203  Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love 
2208  All Heaven, what this might mean, and whither tend, 
2210  O thou in Heaven and Earth the only peace 
2215  Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 
2221  And be thyself Man among men on Earth, 
2230 Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, 
2231 And live in thee transplanted, and from thee 
2233 Shall satisfy for Man, be judged and die, 
2234 And dying rise, and rising with him raise 
2237 Giving to death, and dying to redeem, 
2239 So easily destroyed, and still destroys 
2244 Equal to God, and equally enjoying 
2246 A world from utter loss, and hast been found 
2254 Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man, 
2256 I give thee; reign for ever, and assume 
2262 Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send 
2265 The living, and forthwith the cited dead 
2269 Bad Men and Angels; they, arraigned, shall sink 
2272 The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring 
2273 New Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell, 
2274 And, after all their tribulations long, 
2276 With joy and peace triumphing, and fair truth. 
2281 Adore the Son, and honour him as me. 
2286 With jubilee, and loud Hosannas filled 
2288 Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground 
2290 Their crowns inwove with amarant and gold; 
2295 And flowers aloft shading the fount of life, 
2296 And where the river of bliss through midst of Heaven 
2305 Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet 
2307 Their sacred song, and waken raptures high; 
2316 The full blaze of thy beams, and, through a cloud 
2328 He Heaven of Heavens and all the Powers therein 
2329 By thee created; and by thee threw down 
2339 Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom 
2341 No sooner did thy dear and only Son 
2344 He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife 
2345 Of mercy and justice in thy face discerned, 
2352 Henceforth, and never shall my heart thy praise 
2355 Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. 
2359 From Chaos, and the inroad of Darkness old, 
2362 Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night 
2363 Starless exposed, and ever-threatening storms 
2377 With sails and wind their cany waggons light: 
2379 Walked up and down alone, bent on his prey; 
2384 Of all things transitory and vain, when sin 
2386 Both all things vain, and all who in vain things 
2390 Of painful superstition and blind zeal, 
2395 Dissolved on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 
2400 Betwixt the angelical and human kind. 
2401 Hither of ill-joined sons and daughters born 
2405 Of Sennaar, and still with vain design, 
2409 Empedocles; and he, who, to enjoy 
2411 Cleombrotus; and many more too long, 
2412 Embryos, and idiots, eremites, and friars 
2413 White, black, and gray, with all their trumpery. 
2416 And they, who to be sure of Paradise, 
2419 They pass the planets seven, and pass the fixed, 
2420 And that crystalling sphere whose balance weighs 
2421 The trepidation talked, and that first moved; 
2422 And now Saint Peter at Heaven's wicket seems 
2423 To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 
2428 Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tost 
2429 And fluttered into rags; then reliques, beads, 
2433 Into a Limbo large and broad, since called 
2435 Long after; now unpeopled, and untrod. 
2437 And long he wandered, till at last a gleam 
2444 With frontispiece of diamond and gold 
2449 Angels ascending and descending, bands 
2453 And waking cried,  This is the gate of Heaven. 
2456 Viewless; and underneath a bright sea flowed 
2468 Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 
2471 On high behests his angels to and fro 
2472 Passed frequent, and his eye with choice regard 
2475 Borders on Egypt and the Arabian shore; 
2488 With glistering spires and pinnacles adorned, 
2493 Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood 
2499 He views in breadth, and without longer pause 
2501 His flight precipitant, and winds with ease 
2507 Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales, 
2519 Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp 
2522 The universe, and to each inward part 
2536 In Aaron's breast-plate, and a stone besides 
2541 Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound 
2544 What wonder then if fields and regions here 
2545 Breathe forth Elixir pure, and rivers run 
2550 Of colour glorious, and effect so rare? 
2552 Undazzled; far and wide his eye commands; 
2557 Shadow from body opaque can fall; and the air, 
2571 His journey's end and our beginning woe. 
2574 And now a stripling Cherub he appears, 
2576 Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb 
2581 His habit fit for speed succinct, and held 
2585 Admonished by his ear, and straight was known 
2588 Stand ready at command, and are his eyes 
2590 Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, 
2591 O'er sea and land: him Satan thus accosts. 
2597 And here art likeliest by supreme decree 
2598 Like honour to obtain, and as his eye 
2600 Unspeakable desire to see, and know 
2602 His chief delight and favour, him for whom 
2609 That I may find him, and with secret gaze 
2612 Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces poured; 
2613 That both in him and all things, as is meet, 
2616 To deepest Hell, and, to repair that loss, 
2623 By his permissive will, through Heaven and Earth: 
2624 And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps 
2625 At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity 
2628 Uriel, though regent of the sun, and held 
2641 Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 
2648 Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 
2651 Light shone, and order from disorder sprung: 
2654 And this ethereal quintessence of Heaven 
2656 That rolled orbicular, and turned to stars 
2657 Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move; 
2666 Timely interposes, and her monthly round 
2669 Hence fills and empties to enlighten the Earth, 
2670 And in her pale dominion checks the night. 
2674 Thus said, he turned; and Satan, bowing low, 
2676 Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 
2677 Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath, 
2693 The coming of their secret foe, and 'scaped, 
2698 Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell: 
2700 Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, 
2703 And like a devilish engine back recoils 
2704 Upon himself; horrour and doubt distract 
2705 His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir 
2707 He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell 
2711 Of what he was, what is, and what must be 
2715 Sometimes towards Heaven, and the full-blazing sun, 
2722 But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, 
2726 Till pride and worse ambition threw me down 
2730 In that bright eminence, and with his good 
2733 The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks, 
2735 And wrought but malice; lifted up so high 
2736 I sdeined subjection, and thought one step higher 
2737 Would set me highest, and in a moment quit 
2741 And understood not that a grateful mind 
2743 Indebted and discharged; what burden then 
2748 As great might have aspired, and me, though mean, 
2752 Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand? 
2760 Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? 
2762 And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep 
2767 None left but by submission; and that word 
2768 Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame 
2770 With other promises and other vaunts 
2776 With diadem and scepter high advanced, 
2779 But say I could repent, and could obtain, 
2783 Vows made in pain, as violent and void. 
2787 And heavier fall:  so should I purchase dear 
2792 Mankind created, and for him this world. 
2793 So farewell, hope; and with hope farewell, fear; 
2797 By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign; 
2798 As Man ere long, and this new world, shall know. 
2800 Thrice changed with pale, ire, envy, and despair; 
2801 Which marred his borrowed visage, and betrayed 
2806 Artificer of fraud; and was the first 
2811  The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount 
2814  He marked and mad demeanour, then alone, 
2816  So on he fares, and to the border comes 
2821 Access denied; and overhead upgrew 
2823  Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, 
2824  A sylvan scene, and, as the ranks ascend, 
2832 And higher than that wall a circling row 
2834 Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue, 
2839 That landskip:  And of pure now purer air 
2840 Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 
2841 Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 
2844 Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 
2846 Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past 
2850 Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league 
2856 Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent 
2859 Satan had journeyed on, pensive and slow; 
2862 Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed 
2864 One gate there only was, and that looked east 
2866 Due entrance he disdained; and, in contempt, 
2868 Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within 
2876 Cross-barred and bolted fast, fear no assault, 
2880 Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, 
2881 The middle tree and highest there that grew, 
2904 And all amid them stood the tree of life, 
2906 Of vegetable gold; and next to life, 
2915 Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 
2917 Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, 
2919 And now, divided into four main streams, 
2921 And country, whereof here needs no account; 
2924 Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 
2926 Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 
2928 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 
2929 Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain, 
2931 The open field, and where the unpierced shade 
2934 Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm, 
2937 If true, here only, and of delicious taste: 
2938 Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 
2942 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose: 
2943 Another side, umbrageous grots and caves 
2945 Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps 
2951 Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 
2953 Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 
2959 Of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspired 
2963 Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, 
2964 Hid Amalthea, and her florid son 
2973 Of living creatures, new to sight, and strange 
2974 Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall, 
2977 And worthy seemed; for in their looks divine 
2979 Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, 
2983 For contemplation he and valour formed; 
2984 For softness she and sweet attractive grace; 
2986 His fair large front and eye sublime declared 
2987 Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks 
2995 And by her yielded, by him best received, 
2997 And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. 
3003 And banished from man's life his happiest life, 
3004 Simplicity and spotless innocence! 
3013 They sat them down; and, after no more toil 
3015 To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease 
3016 More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite 
3021 The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind, 
3027 All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase 
3029 Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw 
3032 To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreathed 
3035 His braided train, and of his fatal guile 
3037 Couched, and now filled with pasture gazing sat, 
3040 To the ocean isles, and in the ascending scale 
3049 With wonder, and could love, so lively shines 
3050 In them divine resemblance, and such grace 
3054 Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe; 
3057 Long to continue, and this high seat your Heaven 
3062 And mutual amity, so strait, so close, 
3069 And send forth all her kings; there will be room, 
3074 And should I at your harmless innocence 
3076 Honour and empire with revenge enlarged, 
3079 So spake the Fiend, and with necessity, 
3085 Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied, 
3097 Sole partner, and sole part, of all these joys, 
3099 That made us, and for us this ample world, 
3100 Be infinitely good, and of his good 
3101 As liberal and free as infinite; 
3102 That raised us from the dust, and placed us here 
3115 Among so many signs of power and rule 
3116 Conferred upon us, and dominion given 
3118 Earth, air, and sea.  Then let us not think hard 
3120 Free leave so large to all things else, and choice 
3122 But let us ever praise him, and extol 
3124 To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers, 
3127 And from whom I was formed, flesh of thy flesh, 
3128 And without whom am to no end, my guide 
3129 And head! what thou hast said is just and right. 
3131 And daily thanks; I chiefly, who enjoy 
3136 I first awaked, and found myself reposed 
3138 And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. 
3140 Of waters issued from a cave, and spread 
3143 With unexperienced thought, and laid me down 
3151 Of sympathy and love:  There I had fixed 
3152 Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, 
3155 'With thee it came and goes: but follow me, 
3156 'And I will bring thee where no shadow stays 
3157 'Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he 
3160 'Multitudes like thyself, and thence be called 
3163 Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall, 
3173 'Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim 
3175 Seised mine:  I yielded;and from that time see 
3177 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. 
3178 So spake our general mother, and with eyes 
3180 And meek surrender, half-embracing leaned 
3184 Both of her beauty, and submissive charms, 
3187 That shed Mayflowers; and pressed her matron lip 
3190 Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plained. 
3204 Can it be death?  And do they only stand 
3206 The proof of their obedience and their faith? 
3209 With more desire to know, and to reject 
3213 They taste and die:  What likelier can ensue 
3215 This garden, and no corner leave unspied; 
3223 But with sly circumspection, and began 
3226 With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 
3227 Slowly descended, and with right aspect 
3239 Celestial armoury, shields, helms, and spears, 
3240 Hung high with diamond flaming, and with gold. 
3244 Impress the air, and shows the mariner 
3248 Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place 
3252 More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man, 
3254 Bent all on speed, and marked his aery gait; 
3265 See far and wide:  In at this gate none pass 
3267 Well known from Heaven; and since meridian hour 
3275 So promised he; and Uriel to his charge 
3282 Arraying with reflected purple and gold 
3284 Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray 
3286 Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, 
3295 And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw. 
3297 Of night, and all things now retired to rest, 
3299 Labour and rest, as day and night, to men 
3300 Successive; and the timely dew of sleep, 
3303 Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest; 
3306 And the regard of Heaven on all his ways; 
3308 And of their doings God takes no account. 
3311 And at our pleasant labour, to reform 
3314 That mock our scant manuring, and require 
3316 Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, 
3317 That lie bestrown, unsightly and unsmooth, 
3321 My Author and Disposer, what thou bidst 
3324 Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise. 
3326 All seasons, and their change, all please alike. 
3330 His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, 
3332 After soft showers; and sweet the coming on 
3334 With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon, 
3335 And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train: 
3346 Daughter of God and Man, accomplished Eve, 
3348 By morrow evening, and from land to land 
3350 Ministring light prepared, they set and rise; 
3352 Her old possession, and extinguish life 
3353 In Nature and all things; which these soft fires 
3355 Of various influence foment and warm, 
3364 Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep: 
3366 Both day and night:  How often from the steep 
3374 Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven. 
3380 Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew 
3381 Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 
3382 Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub, 
3384 Iris all hues, roses, and jessamin, 
3385 Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought 
3387 Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay 
3392 More sacred and sequestered, though but feigned, 
3395 With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs, 
3397 And heavenly quires the hymenaean sung, 
3401 Endowed with all their gifts, and O! too like 
3407 Both turned, and under open sky adored 
3408 The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, 
3410 And starry pole:  Thou also madest the night, 
3411 Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day, 
3414 And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss 
3415 Ordained by thee; and this delicious place 
3417 Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. 
3421 And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. 
3422 This said unanimous, and other rites 
3425 Handed they went; and, eased the putting off 
3431 Of purity, and place, and innocence, 
3433 Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. 
3435 But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man? 
3441 Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 
3442 Relations dear, and all the charities 
3443 Of father, son, and brother, first were known. 
3447 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, 
3448 Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used. 
3450 His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, 
3451 Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile 
3458 And on their naked limbs the flowery roof 
3460 Blest pair; and O!yet happiest, if ye seek 
3461 No happier state, and know to know no more. 
3464 And from their ivory port the Cherubim, 
3468 Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south 
3472 From these, two strong and subtle Spirits he called 
3473 That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge. 
3474 Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed 
3482 Such, where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring. 
3488 The organs of her fancy, and with them forge 
3489 Illusions, as he list, phantasms and dreams; 
3500 Discovered and surprised.  As when a spark 
3510 Comest thou, escaped thy prison? and, transformed, 
3518 Why ask ye, and superfluous begin 
3523 As when thou stoodest in Heaven upright and pure; 
3525 Departed from thee; and thou resemblest now 
3526 Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. 
3529 This place inviolable, and these from harm. 
3530 So spake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, 
3533 And felt how awful goodness is, and saw 
3534 Virtue in her shape how lovely; saw, and pined 
3542 Single against thee wicked, and thence weak. 
3549 Just met, and closing stood in squadron joined, 
3553 Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern 
3554 Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade; 
3555 And with them comes a third of regal port, 
3557 And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell, 
3561 And brief related whom they brought, where found, 
3562 How busied, in what form and posture couched. 
3565 To thy transgressions, and disturbed the charge 
3567 By thy example, but have power and right 
3569 Employed, it seems, to violate sleep, and those 
3573 And such I held thee; but this question asked 
3577 And boldly venture to whatever place 
3579 Torment with ease, and soonest recompense 
3582 But evil hast not tried: and wilt object 
3592 And now returns him from his prison 'scaped, 
3597 However, and to 'scape his punishment! 
3600 Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, 
3614 And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. 
3617 From hard assays and ill successes past 
3621 To wing the desolate abyss, and spy 
3624 Better abode, and my afflicted Powers 
3627 What thou and thy gay legions dare against; 
3630 And practised distances to cringe, not fight, 
3632 To say and straight unsay, pretending first 
3635 Satan, and couldst thou faithful add?  O name, 
3639 Was this your discipline and faith engaged, 
3642 And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem 
3644 Once fawned, and cringed, and servily adored 
3646 To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? 
3651 And seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn 
3659 Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, 
3664 Their phalanx, and began to hem him round 
3673 His stature reached the sky, and on his crest 
3675 What seemed both spear and shield:  Now dreadful deeds 
3679 At least had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn 
3683 Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign, 
3687 Battles and realms:  In these he put two weights, 
3688 The sequel each of parting and of fight: 
3689 The latter quick up flew, and kicked the beam, 
3691 Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowest mine; 
3696 And read thy lot in yon celestial sign; 
3697 Where thou art weighed, and shown how light, how weak, 
3698 If thou resist.  The Fiend looked up, and knew 
3700 Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night. 
3711 And temperate vapours bland, which the only sound 
3712 Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, 
3713 Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song 
3716 With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek, 
3719 Hung over her enamoured, and beheld 
3726 Awake:  The morning shines, and the fresh field 
3729 What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, 
3736 Thy face, and morn returned; for I this night 
3740 But of offence and trouble, which my mind 
3748 'Full-orbed the moon, and with more pleasing light 
3756 And on, methought, alone I passed through ways 
3760 And, as I wondering looked, beside it stood 
3761 One shaped and winged like one of those from Heaven 
3764 And 'O fair plant,' said he, 'with fruit surcharged, 
3765 'Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet, 
3777 'And why not Gods of Men; since good, the more 
3783 'Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods 
3786 'Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see 
3787 'What life the Gods live there, and such live thou!' 
3788 So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held, 
3793 With him I flew, and underneath beheld 
3795 And various:  Wondering at my flight and change 
3797 My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down, 
3798 And fell asleep; but O, how glad I waked 
3800 Related, and thus Adam answered sad. 
3801 Best image of myself, and dearer half, 
3813 All what we affirm or what deny, and call 
3818 Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams; 
3819 Ill matching words and deeds long past or late. 
3824 May come and go, so unreproved, and leave 
3829 That wont to be more cheerful and serene, 
3831 And let us to our fresh employments rise 
3832 Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers 
3834 Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store. 
3835 So cheered he his fair spouse, and she was cheered; 
3837 From either eye, and wiped them with her hair; 
3841 And pious awe, that feared to have offended. 
3842 So all was cleared, and to the field they haste. 
3845 Of day-spring, and the sun, who, scarce up-risen, 
3849 Of Paradise and Eden's happy plains, 
3850 Lowly they bowed adoring, and began 
3858 To add more sweetness; and they thus began. 
3865 Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine. 
3867 Angels; for ye behold him, and with songs 
3868 And choral symphonies, day without night, 
3871 Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 
3877 Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and soul, 
3880 And when high noon hast gained, and when thou fallest. 
3883 And ye five other wandering Fires, that move 
3886 Air, and ye Elements, the eldest birth 
3888 Perpetual circle, multiform; and mix 
3889 And nourish all things; let your ceaseless change 
3891 Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise 
3899 Breathe soft or loud; and, wave your tops, ye Pines, 
3901 Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, 
3905 Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise. 
3906 Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk 
3907 The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; 
3910 Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. 
3912 To give us only good; and if the night 
3915 So prayed they innocent, and to their thoughts 
3916 Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm. 
3918 Among sweet dews and flowers; where any row 
3920 Their pampered boughs, and needed hands to check 
3923 Her marriageable arms, and with him brings 
3926 With pity Heaven's high King, and to him called 
3928 To travel with Tobias, and secured 
3932 Hath raised in Paradise; and how disturbed 
3939 Or with repose; and such discourse bring on, 
3945 His danger, and from whom; what enemy, 
3949 But by deceit and lies:  This let him know, 
3952 So spake the Eternal Father, and fulfilled 
3966 Earth, and the garden of God, with cedars crowned 
3969 Imagined lands and regions in the moon: 
3973 He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky 
3974 Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing 
3982 He lights, and to his proper shape returns 
3987 Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round 
3988 Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold 
3989 And colours dipt in Heaven; the third his feet 
3992 And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance filled 
3994 Of Angels under watch; and to his state, 
3995 And to his message high, in honour rise; 
3997 Their glittering tents he passed, and now is come 
3999 And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm; 
4001 Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will 
4009 And Eve within, due at her hour prepared 
4011 True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 
4014 Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold 
4018 To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe 
4020 And, what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour 
4021 Abundance, fit to honour and receive 
4023 Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow 
4025 Her fertile growth, and by disburthening grows 
4031 To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes: 
4032 But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, 
4033 Each plant and juciest gourd, will pluck such choice 
4043 Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk 
4049 She gathers, tribute large, and on the board 
4051 She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths 
4052 From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed 
4055 With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed. 
4062 Of horses led, and grooms besmeared with gold, 
4063 Dazzles the croud, and sets them all agape. 
4065 Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, 
4071 To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us 
4074 To rest; and what the garden choicest bears 
4075 To sit and taste, till this meridian heat 
4076 Be over, and the sun more cool decline. 
4085 With flowerets decked, and fragrant smells; but Eve, 
4098 Their table was, and mossy seats had round, 
4099 And on her ample square from side to side 
4100 All autumn piled, though spring and autumn here 
4106 To us for food and for delight hath caused 
4113 No ingrateful food:  And food alike those pure 
4115 As doth your rational; and both contain 
4119 And corporeal to incorporeal turn. 
4121 To be sustained and fed:  Of elements 
4123 Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires 
4124 Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon; 
4131 In humid exhalations, and at even 
4133 Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines 
4135 We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground 
4138 As may compare with Heaven; and to taste 
4140 And to their viands fell; nor seemingly 
4143 Of real hunger, and concoctive heat 
4150 Ministered naked, and their flowing cups 
4157 Thus when with meats and drinks they had sufficed, 
4161 Of things above his world, and of their being 
4165 Exceeded human; and his wary speech 
4170 To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, 
4176 All things proceed, and up to him return, 
4180 Of substance, and, in things that live, of life; 
4181 But more refined, more spiritous, and pure, 
4188 Spirits odorous breathes: flowers and their fruit, 
4191 To intellectual; give both life and sense, 
4192 Fancy and understanding; whence the soul 
4193 Reason receives, and reason is her being, 
4200 With Angels may participate, and find 
4202 And from these corporal nutriments perhaps 
4204 Improved by tract of time, and, winged, ascend 
4207 If ye be found obedient, and retain 
4215 Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set 
4222 Who formed us from the dust and placed us here 
4225 To whom the Angel.  Son of Heaven and Earth, 
4231 And good he made thee, but to persevere 
4240 By destiny, and can no other choose? 
4241 Myself, and all the angelick host, that stand 
4247 And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen, 
4248 And so from Heaven to deepest Hell; O fall 
4251 Attentive, and with more delighted ear, 
4255 To be both will and deed created free; 
4257 Our Maker, and obey him whose command 
4259 Assured me, and still assure:  Though what thou tellest 
4264 And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun 
4265 Hath finished half his journey, and scarce begins 
4267 Thus Adam made request; and Raphael, 
4270 Sad task and hard:  For how shall I relate 
4274 And perfect while they stood? how last unfold 
4277 This is dispensed; and what surmounts the reach 
4281 Be but a shadow of Heaven, and things therein 
4283 As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild 
4288 By present, past, and future,) on such day 
4295 Standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and rear 
4296 Stream in the air, and for distinction serve 
4297 Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees; 
4299 Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love 
4310 My only Son, and on this holy hill 
4313 And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow 
4314 All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord: 
4318 Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day, 
4319 Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls 
4322 So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words 
4325 In song and dance about the sacred hill; 
4327 Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels 
4331 And in their motions harmony divine 
4334 (For we have also our evening and our morn, 
4338 Tables are set, and on a sudden piled 
4339 With Angels food, and rubied nectar flows 
4340 In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, 
4342 On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crowned, 
4343 They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet 
4344 Quaff immortality and joy, secure 
4349 From that high mount of God, whence light and shade 
4352 In darker veil,) and roseat dews disposed 
4354 Wide over all the plain, and wider far 
4357 Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend 
4359 Pavilions numberless, and sudden reared, 
4367 In favour and pre-eminence, yet fraught 
4369 Honoured by his great Father, and proclaimed 
4371 Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired. 
4372 Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, 
4374 Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolved 
4375 With all his legions to dislodge, and leave 
4377 Contemptuous; and his next subordinate 
4380 Thy eye-lids? and rememberest what decree 
4393 And all who under me their banners wave, 
4397 The great Messiah, and his new commands, 
4399 Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws. 
4400 So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infused 
4408 Tells the suggested cause, and casts between 
4409 Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 
4411 The wonted signal, and superiour voice 
4413 His name, and high was his degree in Heaven; 
4415 The starry flock, allured them, and with lies 
4419 And from within the golden lamps that burn 
4424 And, smiling, to his only Son thus said. 
4428 Of our Omnipotence, and with what arms 
4435 Let us advise, and to this hazard draw 
4436 With speed what force is left, and all employ 
4439 To whom the Son with calm aspect and clear, 
4442 Justly hast in derision, and, secure, 
4443 Laughest at their vain designs and tumults vain, 
4446 Given me to quell their pride, and in event 
4453 Impearls on every leaf and every flower. 
4455 Of Seraphim, and Potentates, and Thrones, 
4459 And all the sea, from one entire globose 
4462 They came; and Satan to his royal seat 
4464 Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers 
4465 From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold; 
4476 Thither to come, and with calumnious art 
4482 All power, and us eclipsed under the name 
4484 Of midnight-march, and hurried meeting here, 
4490 To one, and to his image now proclaimed? 
4492 Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke? 
4493 Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend 
4496 Natives and sons of Heaven possessed before 
4497 By none; and if not equal all, yet free, 
4498 Equally free; for orders and degrees 
4502 His equals, if in power and splendour less, 
4504 Law and edict on us, who without law 
4506 And look for adoration, to the abuse 
4512 The Deity, and divine commands obeyed, 
4513 Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe 
4515 O argument blasphemous, false, and proud! 
4520 The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn, 
4523 Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due 
4526 And equal over equals to let reign, 
4530 Thee what thou art, and formed the Powers of Heaven 
4531 Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being? 
4533 And of our good and of our dignity 
4539 Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count, 
4543 All things, even thee; and all the Spirits of Heaven 
4545 Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named 
4552 And tempt not these; but hasten to appease 
4553 The incensed Father, and the incensed Son, 
4557 Or singular and rash:  Whereat rejoiced 
4558 The Apostate, and, more haughty, thus replied. 
4559 That we were formed then sayest thou? and the work 
4561 From Father to his Son? strange point and new! 
4574 Address, and to begirt the almighty throne 
4577 And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. 
4578 He said; and, as the sound of waters deep, 
4585 Determined, and thy hapless crew involved 
4587 Both of thy crime and punishment:  Henceforth 
4593 Is now an iron rod to bruise and break 
4612 And, with retorted scorn, his back he turned 
4625 Where light and darkness in perpetual round 
4626 Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heaven 
4627 Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; 
4628 Light issues forth, and at the other door 
4631 Seem twilight here:  And now went forth the Morn 
4636 Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, 
4638 War he perceived, war in procinct; and found 
4642 With joy and acclamations loud, that one, 
4645 They led him high applauded, and present 
4652 And for the testimony of truth hast borne 
4659 Than scorned thou didst depart; and to subdue 
4661 Right reason for their law, and for their King 
4664 And thou, in military prowess next, 
4667 By thousands and by millions, ranged for fight, 
4669 Rebellious:  Them with fire and hostile arms 
4670 Fearless assault; and, to the brow of Heaven 
4671 Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss, 
4675 So spake the Sovran Voice, and clouds began 
4676 To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll 
4687 Of God and his Messiah.  On they move 
4691 Their march was, and the passive air upbore 
4696 Of Heaven they marched, and many a province wide, 
4700 In battailous aspect, and nearer view 
4702 Of rigid spears, and helmets thronged, and shields 
4707 To win the mount of God, and on his throne 
4709 Aspirer; but their thoughts proved fond and vain 
4712 And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 
4713 So oft in festivals of joy and love 
4716 Of battle now began, and rushing sound 
4721 With flaming Cherubim, and golden shields; 
4723 "twixt host and host but narrow space was left, 
4724 A dreadful interval, and front to front 
4728 Satan, with vast and haughty strides advanced, 
4729 Came towering, armed in adamant and gold; 
4732 And thus his own undaunted heart explores. 
4734 Should yet remain, where faith and realty 
4735 Remain not:  Wherefore should not strength and might 
4740 Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just, 
4743 Victor; though brutish that contest and foul, 
4746 So pondering, and from his armed peers 
4749 Incensed, and thus securely him defied. 
4752 The throne of God unguarded, and his side 
4760 Unaided, could have finished thee, and whelmed 
4763 Prefer, and piety to God, though then 
4783 At first I thought that Liberty and Heaven 
4786 Ministring Spirits, trained up in feast and song! 
4795 Or Nature:  God and Nature bid the same, 
4796 When he who rules is worthiest, and excels 
4803 In Heaven God ever blest, and his divine 
4819 Thus foiled their mightiest; ours joy filled, and shout, 
4820 Presage of victory, and fierce desire 
4823 It sounded, and the faithful armies rung 
4827 And clamour such as heard in Heaven till now 
4829 Horrible discord, and the madding wheels 
4833 And flying vaulted either host with fire. 
4836 And inextinguishable rage.  All Heaven 
4837 Resounded; and had Earth been then, all Earth 
4841 These elements, and arm him with the force 
4844 Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, 
4848 And limited their might; though numbered such 
4854 Of battle, open when, and when to close 
4861 That war and various; sometimes on firm ground 
4866 Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms 
4869 Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and felled 
4873 He hasted, and opposed the rocky orb 
4877 Surceased, and glad, as hoping here to end 
4880 And visage all inflamed first thus began. 
4885 And thy  adherents:  How hast thou disturbed 
4886 Heaven's blessed peace, and into nature brought 
4890 And faithful, now proved false!  But think not here 
4893 Brooks not the works of violence and war. 
4894 Hence then, and evil go with thee along, 
4896 Thou and thy wicked crew! there mingle broils, 
4906 That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats 
4913 And join him named Almighty to thy aid, 
4914 I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh. 
4915 They ended parle, and both addressed for fight 
4923 Now waved their fiery swords, and in the air 
4928 And left large field, unsafe within the wind 
4934 Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. 
4937 That might determine, and not need repeat, 
4944 Descending, and in half cut sheer; nor staid, 
4947 And writhed him to and fro convolved; so sore 
4950 Not long divisible; and from the gash 
4953 And all his armour stained, ere while so bright. 
4955 By Angels many and strong, who interposed 
4959 Gnashing for anguish, and despite, and shame, 
4960 To find himself not matchless, and his pride 
4970 All intellect, all sense; and, as they please, 
4971 They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size 
4975 And with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array 
4977 And at his chariot-wheels to drag him bound 
4981 And uncouth pain fled bellowing.  On each wing 
4982 Uriel, and Raphael, his vaunting foe, 
4983 Though huge, and in a rock of diamond armed, 
4984 Vanquished Adramelech, and Asmadai, 
4987 Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail. 
4990 Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence 
4991 Of Ramiel scorched and blasted, overthrew. 
4992 I might relate of thousands, and their names 
4996 In might though wonderous and in acts of war, 
4998 Cancelled from Heaven and sacred memory, 
5000 For strength from truth divided, and from just, 
5002 And ignominy; yet to glory aspires 
5003 Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame: 
5005 And now, their mightiest quelled, the battle swerved, 
5007 Entered, and foul disorder; all the ground 
5008 With shivered armour strown, and on a heap 
5009 Chariot and charioteer lay overturned, 
5010 And fiery-foaming steeds; what stood, recoiled 
5013 Then first with fear surprised, and sense of pain, 
5025 Now Night her course began, and, over Heaven 
5027 And silence on the odious din of war: 
5029 Victor and vanquished:  On the foughten field 
5030 Michael and his Angels prevalent 
5034 Far in the dark dislodged; and, void of rest, 
5036 And in the midst thus undismayed began. 
5041 Honour, dominion, glory, and renown; 
5043 (And if one day, why not eternal days?) 
5045 Against us from about his throne, and judged 
5050 Some disadvantage we endured and pain, 
5054 Imperishable, and, though pierced with wound, 
5055 Soon closing, and by native vigour healed. 
5059 May serve to better us, and worse our foes, 
5063 Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound, 
5064 Due search and consultation will disclose. 
5065 He sat; and in the assembly next upstood 
5069 And cloudy in aspect thus answering spake. 
5072 For Gods, and too unequal work we find, 
5077 Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands 
5079 Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, 
5082 Of evils, and, excessive, overturns 
5094 With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems, and gold; 
5097 Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, 
5098 Of spiritous and fiery spume, till touched 
5099 With Heaven's ray, and tempered, they shoot forth 
5103 Which, into hollow engines, long and round, 
5105 Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth 
5108 To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands 
5113 Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joined 
5115 He ended, and his words their drooping cheer 
5116 Enlightened, and their languished hope revived. 
5117 The invention all admired, and each, how he 
5125 For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. 
5129 Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath 
5131 Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam 
5132 They found, they mingled, and, with subtle art, 
5133 Concocted and adusted they reduced 
5134 To blackest grain, and into store conveyed: 
5136 Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone, 
5137 Whereof to found their engines and their balls 
5141 Secret they finished, and in order set, 
5144 Up rose the victor-Angels, and to arms 
5148 Look round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour, 
5155 Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried. 
5159 He comes, and settled in his face I see 
5160 Sad resolution, and secure:  Let each 
5161 His adamantine coat gird well, and each 
5166 So warned he them, aware themselves, and soon 
5169 And onward moved embattled:  When behold! 
5171 Approaching gross and huge, in hollow cube 
5176 Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud. 
5177 Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold; 
5179 Peace and composure, and with open breast 
5181 Our overture; and turn not back perverse: 
5185 Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch 
5186 What we propound, and loud that all may hear! 
5188 Had ended; when to right and left the front 
5189 Divided, and to either flank retired: 
5190 Which to our eyes discovered, new and strange, 
5198 A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed 
5202 Put forth, and to a narrow vent applied 
5207 And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul 
5208 Their devilish glut, chained thunderbolts and hail 
5217 Foul dissipation followed, and forced rout; 
5220 Repeated, and indecent overthrow 
5222 And to their foes a laughter; for in view 
5227 And to his mates thus in derision called. 
5229 Ere while they fierce were coming; and when we, 
5231 And breast, (what could we more?) propounded terms 
5233 Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, 
5235 Somewhat extravagant and wild; perhaps 
5241 Of hard contents, and full of force urged home; 
5243 And stumbled many:  Who receives them right, 
5251 So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, 
5252 And all his host derided, while they stood 
5254 Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms 
5258 Their arms away they threw, and to the hills 
5260 Of pleasure situate in hill and dale,) 
5262 From their foundations loosening to and fro, 
5264 Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops 
5266 Be sure, and terrour, seized the rebel host, 
5270 They saw them whelmed, and all their confidence 
5272 Themselves invaded next, and on their heads 
5274 Came shadowing, and oppressed whole legions armed; 
5275 Their armour helped their harm, crushed in and bruised 
5277 Implacable, and many a dolorous groan; 
5282 Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore: 
5284 Hurled to and fro with jaculation dire; 
5288 Upon confusion rose:  And now all Heaven 
5293 This tumult, and permitted all, advised: 
5296 Upon his enemies, and to declare 
5302 And in whose hand what by decree I do, 
5305 Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame 
5308 For to themselves I left them; and thou knowest, 
5313 Endless, and no solution will be found: 
5315 And to disordered rage let loose the reins 
5317 Wild work in Heaven, and dangerous to the main. 
5319 For thee I have ordained it; and thus far 
5322 Can end it.  Into thee such virtue and grace 
5324 In Heaven and Hell thy power above compare; 
5325 And, this perverse commotion governed thus, 
5327 Of all things; to be Heir, and to be King 
5332 My bow and thunder, my almighty arms 
5333 Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh; 
5337 God, and Messiah his anointed King. 
5338 He said, and on his Son with rays direct 
5341 And thus the Filial Godhead answering spake. 
5346 My exaltation, and my whole delight, 
5349 Scepter and power, thy giving, I assume, 
5350 And gladlier shall resign, when in the end 
5351 Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee 
5352 For ever; and in me all whom thou lovest: 
5353 But whom thou hatest, I hate, and can put on 
5355 Image of thee in all things; and shall soon, 
5358 To chains of darkness, and the undying worm; 
5361 Then shall thy Saints unmixed, and from the impure 
5364 Hymns of high praise, and I among them Chief. 
5367 And the third sacred morn began to shine, 
5374 And wings were set with eyes; with eyes the wheels 
5375 Of beryl, and careering fires between; 
5378 Amber, and colours of the showery arch. 
5383 And quiver with three-bolted thunder stored; 
5384 And from about him fierce effusion rolled 
5385 Of smoke, and bickering flame, and sparkles dire: 
5388 And twenty thousand (I their number heard) 
5392 Illustrious far and wide; but by his own 
5401 Each to his place; they heard his voice, and went 
5403 And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled. 
5405 And to rebellious fight rallied their Powers, 
5412 Took envy; and, aspiring to his highth, 
5414 Weening to prosper, and at length prevail 
5415 Against God and Messiah, or to fall 
5416 In universal ruin last; and now 
5422 Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God 
5424 And as ye have received, so have ye done, 
5429 Nor multitude; stand only, and behold 
5434 Kingdom, and power, and glory appertains, 
5443 So spake the Son, and into terrour changed 
5445 And full of wrath bent on his enemies. 
5447 With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs 
5459 O'er shields, and helms, and helmed heads he rode 
5460 Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate, 
5465 Distinct with eyes, and from the living wheels 
5467 One Spirit in them ruled; and every eye 
5468 Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire 
5470 And of their wonted vigour left them drained, 
5475 The overthrown he raised, and as a herd 
5478 With terrours, and with furies, to the bounds 
5479 And crystal wall of Heaven; which, opening wide, 
5480 Rolled inward, and a spacious gap disclosed 
5487 Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled 
5489 Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound. 
5491 And felt tenfold confusion in their fall 
5494 Yawning received them whole, and on them closed; 
5496 Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. 
5497 Disburdened Heaven rejoiced, and soon repaired 
5503 With jubilee advanced; and, as they went, 
5505 Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, 
5506 Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion given, 
5509 And temple of his Mighty Father throned 
5513 At thy request, and that thou mayest beware 
5516 The discord which befel, and war in Heaven 
5517 Among the angelick Powers, and the deep fall 
5524 Which would be all his solace and revenge, 
5531 Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress. 
5547 Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play 
5551 An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air, 
5557 Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn. 
5563 On evil days though fallen, and evil tongues; 
5564 In darkness, and with dangers compassed round, 
5565 And solitude; yet not alone, while thou 
5568 Urania, and fit audience find, though few. 
5570 Of Bacchus and his revellers, the race 
5572 In Rhodope, where woods and rocks had ears 
5574 Both harp and voice; nor could the Muse defend 
5584 If they transgress, and slight that sole command, 
5588 The story heard attentive, and was filled 
5589 With admiration and deep muse, to hear 
5590 Of things so high and strange; things, to their thought 
5592 And war so near the peace of God in bliss, 
5597 The doubts that in his heart arose: and now 
5600 Of Heaven and Earth conspicuous first began; 
5601 When, and whereof created; for what cause; 
5607 Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 
5614 Immortal thanks, and his admonishment 
5621 Deign to descend now lower, and relate 
5625 Innumerable; and this which yields or fills 
5630 In Chaos; and the work begun, how soon 
5635 And the great light of day yet wants to run 
5638 And longer will delay to hear thee tell 
5639 His generation, and the rising birth 
5641 Or if the star of evening and the moon 
5643 Silence; and Sleep, listening to thee, will watch; 
5645 End, and dismiss thee ere the morning shine. 
5647 And thus the Godlike Angel answered mild. 
5653 To glorify the Maker, and infer 
5662 Enough is left besides to search and know. 
5663 But knowledge is as food, and needs no less 
5666 Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 
5672 Into his place, and the great Son returned 
5675 Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake. 
5680 He trusted to have seised, and into fraud 
5685 Though wide, and this high temple to frequent 
5686 With ministeries due, and solemn rites: 
5691 Self-lost; and in a moment will create 
5697 And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth, 
5698 One kingdom, joy and union without end. 
5700 And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee 
5701 This I perform; speak thou, and be it done! 
5702 My overshadowing Spirit and Might with thee 
5703 I send along; ride forth, and bid the Deep 
5704 Within appointed bounds be Heaven and Earth; 
5708 And put not forth my goodness, which is free 
5709 To act or not, Necessity and Chance 
5710 Approach not me, and what I will is Fate. 
5711 So spake the Almighty, and to what he spake 
5717 Great triumph and rejoicing was in Heaven, 
5720 To future men, and in their dwellings peace; 
5723 And the habitations of the just; to Him 
5724 Glory and praise, whose wisdom had ordained 
5727 Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 
5728 His good to worlds and ages infinite. 
5732 Of Majesty Divine; sapience and love 
5733 Immense, and all his Father in him shone. 
5735 Cherub, and Seraph, Potentates, and Thrones, 
5736 And Virtues, winged Spirits, and chariots winged 
5740 Celestial equipage; and now came forth 
5746 And Spirit, coming to create new worlds. 
5747 On heavenly ground they stood; and from the shore 
5751 And surging waves, as mountains, to assault 
5752 Heaven's highth, and with the center mix the pole. 
5753 Silence, ye troubled Waves, and thou Deep, peace, 
5757 Far into Chaos, and the world unborn; 
5760 Creation, and the wonders of his might. 
5761 Then staid the fervid wheels, and in his hand 
5764 This universe, and all created things: 
5765 One foot he centered, and the other turned 
5767 And said, Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 
5770 Matter unformed and void:  Darkness profound 
5773 And vital virtue infused, and vital warmth 
5778 Disparted, and between spun out the air; 
5779 And Earth self-balanced on her center hung. 
5780 Let there be light, said God; and forthwith Light 
5782 Sprung from the deep; and from her native east 
5787 And light from darkness by the hemisphere 
5788 Divided: light the Day, and darkness Night, 
5789 He named.  Thus was the first day even and morn: 
5793 Birth-day of Heaven and Earth; with joy and shout 
5795 And touched their golden harps, and hymning praised 
5796 God and his works; Creator him they sung, 
5797 Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 
5799 Amid the waters, and let it divide 
5800 The waters from the waters; and God made 
5804 Of this great round; partition firm and sure, 
5808 Crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule 
5811 And Heaven he named the Firmament:  So even 
5812 And morning chorus sung the second day. 
5821 Into one place, and let dry land appear. 
5823 Emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave 
5826 Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, 
5840 And on the washy oose deep channels wore; 
5843 Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. 
5844 The dry land, Earth; and the great receptacle 
5846 And saw that it was good; and said, Let the Earth 
5848 And fruit-tree yielding fruit after her kind, 
5851 Desart and bare, unsightly, unadorned, 
5855 Opening their various colours, and made gay 
5856 Her bosom, smelling sweet: and, these scarce blown, 
5859 Embattled in her field, and the humble shrub, 
5860 And bush with frizzled hair implicit:  Last 
5861 Rose, as in dance, the stately trees, and spread 
5864 With tufts the valleys, and each fountain side; 
5867 Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 
5869 Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground 
5871 Went up, and watered all the ground, and each 
5873 God made, and every herb, before it grew 
5875 So even and morn recorded the third day. 
5878 The day from night; and let them be for signs, 
5879 For seasons, and for days, and circling years; 
5880 And let them be for lights, as I ordain 
5882 To give light on the Earth; and it was so. 
5883 And God made two great lights, great for their use 
5885 The less by night, altern; and made the stars, 
5886 And set them in the firmament of Heaven 
5887 To illuminate the Earth, and rule the day 
5888 In their vicissitude, and rule the night, 
5889 And light from darkness to divide.  God saw, 
5894 Globose, and every magnitude of stars, 
5895 And sowed with stars the Heaven, thick as a field: 
5897 Transplanted from her cloudy shrine, and placed 
5899 And drink the liquid light; firm to retain 
5903 And hence the morning-planet gilds her horns; 
5908 Regent of day, and all the horizon round 
5911 Dawn, and the Pleiades, before him danced, 
5916 In that aspect, and still that distance keeps 
5918 Revolved on Heaven's great axle, and her reign 
5922 With their bright luminaries that set and rose, 
5923 Glad evening and glad morn crowned the fourth day. 
5924 And God said, Let the waters generate 
5926 And let fowl fly above the Earth, with wings 
5928 And God created the great whales, and each 
5931 And every bird of wing after his kind; 
5932 And saw that it was good, and blessed them, saying. 
5933 Be fruitful, multiply, and in the seas, 
5934 And lakes, and running streams, the waters fill; 
5935 And let the fowl be multiplied, on the Earth. 
5936 Forthwith the sounds and seas, each creek and bay, 
5937 With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 
5938 Of fish that with their fins, and shining scales, 
5941 Graze the sea-weed their pasture, and through groves 
5947 And bended dolphins play: part huge of bulk 
5952 And seems a moving land; and at his gills 
5953 Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea. 
5954 Mean while the tepid caves, and fens, and shores, 
5957 Their callow young; but feathered soon and fledge 
5958 They summed their pens; and, soaring the air sublime, 
5960 In prospect; there the eagle and the stork 
5961 On cliffs and cedar tops their eyries build: 
5964 Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 
5966 Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing 
5971 Solaced the woods, and spread their painted wings 
5974 Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed 
5978 The dank, and, rising on stiff pennons, tower 
5981 The silent hours, and the other whose gay train 
5983 Of rainbows and starry eyes.  The waters thus 
5984 With fish replenished, and the air with fowl, 
5985 Evening and morn solemnized the fifth day. 
5986 The sixth, and of creation last, arose 
5987 With evening harps and matin; when God said, 
5989 Cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the Earth, 
5990 Each in their kind.  The Earth obeyed, and straight 
5993 Limbed and full grown:  Out of the ground up rose, 
5997 The cattle in the fields and meadows green: 
5998 Those rare and solitary, these in flocks 
5999 Pasturing at once, and in broad herds upsprung. 
6003 And rampant shakes his brinded mane; the ounce, 
6004 The libbard, and the tiger, as the mole 
6009 His vastness:  Fleeced the flocks and bleating rose, 
6010 As plants:  Ambiguous between sea and land 
6011 The river-horse, and scaly crocodile. 
6014 For wings, and smallest lineaments exact 
6016 With spots of gold and purple, azure and green: 
6020 Wonderous in length and corpulence, involved 
6021 Their snaky folds, and added wings.  First crept 
6028 Deliciously, and builds her waxen cells 
6030 And thou their natures knowest, and gavest them names, 
6034 And hairy mane terrifick, though to thee 
6036 Now Heaven in all her glory shone, and rolled 
6041 Frequent; and of the sixth day yet remained: 
6044 And brute as other creatures, but endued 
6046 His stature, and upright with front serene 
6047 Govern the rest, self-knowing; and from thence 
6050 Descends, thither with heart, and voice, and eyes 
6052 And worship God Supreme, who made him chief 
6057 In our similitude, and let them rule 
6058 Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, 
6059 Beast of the field, and over all the Earth, 
6060 And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. 
6062 Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed 
6065 Express; and thou becamest a living soul. 
6067 Female, for race; then blessed mankind, and said, 
6068 Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth; 
6069 Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold 
6070 Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air, 
6071 And every living thing that moves on the Earth. 
6076 Delectable both to behold and taste; 
6077 And freely all their pleasant fruit for food 
6080 Which, tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, 
6083 And govern well thy appetite; lest Sin 
6084 Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death. 
6085 Here finished he, and all that he had made 
6086 Viewed, and behold all was entirely good; 
6087 So even and morn accomplished the sixth day: 
6095 Followed with acclamation, and the sound 
6099 The heavens and all the constellations rung, 
6106 Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign 
6108 Delighted; and with frequent intercourse 
6114 A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold 
6115 And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear, 
6118 Powdered with stars.  And now on Earth the seventh 
6120 Was set, and twilight from the east came on, 
6123 Of Godhead, fixed for ever firm and sure, 
6124 The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down 
6127 Hath Omnipresence) and the work ordained, 
6128 Author and End of all things; and, from work 
6129 Now resting, blessed and hallowed the seventh day, 
6132 Had work and rested not; the solemn pipe, 
6133 And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, 
6138 Creation and the six days acts they sung: 
6147 Of Spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, 
6149 Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw 
6153 Thou usest, and from thence createst more good. 
6158 Numerous, and every star perhaps a world 
6163 And sons of Men, whom God hath thus advanced! 
6165 And worship him; and in reward to rule 
6167 And multiply a race of worshippers 
6168 Holy and just:  Thrice happy, if they know 
6169 Their happiness, and persevere upright! 
6170 So sung they, and the empyrean rung 
6172 And thy request think now fulfilled, that asked 
6173 How first this world and face of things began, 
6174 And what before thy memory was done 
6184 The Angel ended, and in Adam's ear 
6191 The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsafed 
6194 With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, 
6199 Of Heaven and Earth consisting; and compute 
6202 And all her numbered stars, that seem to roll 
6204 Their distance argues, and their swift return 
6207 One day and night; in all her vast survey 
6209 How Nature wise and frugal could commit 
6213 For aught appears, and on their orbs impose 
6218 Her end without least motion, and receives, 
6220 Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light; 
6222 So spake our sire, and by his countenance seemed 
6226 And grace that won who saw to wish her stay, 
6227 Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers, 
6228 To visit how they prospered, bud and bloom, 
6230 And, touched by her fair tendance, gladlier grew. 
6236 Before the Angel, and of him to ask 
6238 Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 
6241 Such pairs, in love and mutual honour joined? 
6245 And from about her shot darts of desire 
6247 And Raphael now, to Adam's doubt proposed, 
6248 Benevolent and facile thus replied. 
6251 Wherein to read his wonderous works, and learn 
6256 Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge 
6263 And calculate the stars, how they will wield 
6266 With centrick and eccentrick scribbled o'er, 
6267 Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb: 
6269 Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest 
6270 That bodies bright and greater should not serve 
6283 And for the Heaven's wide circuit, let it speak 
6285 So spacious, and his line stretched out so far; 
6288 Lodged in a small partition; and the rest 
6295 Where God resides, and ere mid-day arrived 
6305 And no advantage gain.  What if the sun 
6306 Be center to the world; and other stars, 
6307 By his attractive virtue and their own 
6311 In six thou seest; and what if seventh to these 
6316 Or save the sun his labour, and that swift 
6317 Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb supposed, 
6319 Of day and night; which needs not thy belief, 
6321 Travelling east, and with her part averse 
6328 Fields and inhabitants:  Her spots thou seest 
6329 As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce 
6331 Allotted there; and other suns perhaps, 
6333 Communicating male and female light; 
6337 By living soul, desart and desolate, 
6349 And bears thee soft with the smooth hair along; 
6351 Leave them to God above; him serve, and fear! 
6355 And thy fair Eve; Heaven is for thee too high 
6357 Think only what concerns thee, and thy being; 
6365 And, freed from intricacies, taught to live 
6369 And not molest us; unless we ourselves 
6370 Seek them with wandering thoughts, and notions vain. 
6372 Unchecked, and of her roving is no end; 
6375 From use, obscure and subtle; but, to know 
6379 And renders us, in things that most concern, 
6380 Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek. 
6382 A lower flight, and speak of things at hand 
6385 By sufferance, and thy wonted favour, deigned. 
6389 And day is not yet spent; till then thou seest 
6394 And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear 
6396 And hunger both, from labour, at the hour 
6397 Of sweet repast; they satiate, and soon fill, 
6404 Inward and outward both, his image fair: 
6405 Speaking, or mute, all comeliness and grace 
6406 Attends thee; and each word, each motion, forms; 
6408 Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 
6410 For God, we see, hath honoured thee, and set 
6413 Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 
6422 For state, as Sovran King; and to inure 
6424 The dismal gates, and barricadoed strong; 
6427 Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. 
6432 So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire. 
6439 Soon dried, and on the reeking moisture fed. 
6441 And gazed a while the ample sky; till, raised 
6443 As thitherward endeavouring, and upright 
6445 Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, 
6446 And liquid lapse of murmuring streams; by these, 
6447 Creatures that lived and moved, and walked, or flew; 
6449 With fragrance and with joy my heart o'erflowed. 
6450 Myself I then perused, and limb by limb 
6451 Surveyed, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran 
6454 Knew not; to speak I tried, and forthwith spake; 
6455 My tongue obeyed, and readily could name 
6457 And thou enlightened Earth, so fresh and gay, 
6458 Ye Hills, and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plains, 
6459 And ye that live and move, fair Creatures, tell, 
6462 In goodness and in power pre-eminent: 
6464 From whom I have that thus I move and live, 
6465 And feel that I am happier than I know.-- 
6466 While thus I called, and strayed I knew not whither, 
6467 From where I first drew air, and first beheld 
6471 First found me, and with soft oppression seised 
6474 Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve: 
6478 And lived:  One came, methought, of shape divine, 
6479 And said, 'Thy mansion wants thee, Adam; rise, 
6484 And over fields and waters, as in air 
6488 Planted, with walks, and bowers; that what I saw 
6492 To pluck and eat; whereat I waked, and found 
6499 Submiss:  He reared me, and 'Whom thou soughtest I am,' 
6503 'To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat: 
6507 'Knowledge of good and ill, which I have set 
6508 'The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 
6511 'And shun the bitter consequence: for know, 
6514 'From that day mortal; and this happy state 
6516 'Of woe and sorrow.'  Sternly he pronounced 
6520 Returned, and gracious purpose thus renewed. 
6522 'To thee and to thy race I give; as lords 
6523 'Possess it, and all things that therein live, 
6524 'Or live in sea, or air; beast, fish, and fowl. 
6525 'In sign whereof, each bird and beast behold 
6527 'From thee their names, and pay thee fealty 
6532 As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold 
6533 Approaching two and two; these cowering low 
6535 I named them, as they passed, and understood 
6539 And to the heavenly Vision thus presumed. 
6544 And all this good to man? for whose well being 
6545 So amply, and with hands so liberal, 
6550 Thus I presumptuous; and the Vision bright, 
6553 With various living creatures, and the air 
6554 Replenished, and all these at thy command 
6555 To come and play before thee?  Knowest thou not 
6556 Their language and their ways?  They also know, 
6557 And reason not contemptibly:  With these 
6558 Find pastime, and bear rule; thy realm is large. 
6559 So spake the Universal Lord, and seemed 
6561 And humble deprecation, thus replied. 
6565 And these inferiour far beneath me set? 
6569 Given and received; but, in disparity 
6580 Worse then can man with beast, and least of all. 
6582 A nice and subtle happiness, I see, 
6584 Of thy associates, Adam! and wilt taste 
6586 What thinkest thou then of me, and this my state? 
6592 Save with the creatures which I made, and those 
6596 The highth and depth of thy eternal ways 
6598 Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee 
6604 And through all numbers absolute, though One: 
6606 His single imperfection, and beget 
6609 Collateral love, and dearest amity. 
6617 Thus I emboldened spake, and freedom used 
6618 Permissive, and acceptance found; which gained 
6621 And find thee knowing, not of beasts alone, 
6627 And be so minded still:  I, ere thou spakest, 
6629 And no such company as then thou sawest 
6631 To see how thou couldest judge of fit and meet: 
6640 Dazzled and spent, sunk down; and sought repair 
6642 By Nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. 
6646 Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 
6648 Who stooping opened my left side, and took 
6650 And life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, 
6651 But suddenly with flesh filled up and healed: 
6652 The rib he formed and fashioned with his hands; 
6657 And in her looks; which from that time infused 
6659 And into all things from her air inspired 
6660 The spirit of love and amorous delight. 
6661 She disappeared, and left me dark; I waked 
6663 Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: 
6669 And guided by his voice; nor uninformed 
6670 Of nuptial sanctity, and marriage rites: 
6672 In every gesture dignity and love. 
6675 Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, 
6681 Father and mother, and to his wife adhere; 
6682 And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul. 
6683 She heard me thus; and though divinely brought, 
6684 Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, 
6685 Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, 
6686 That would be wooed, and not unsought be won, 
6692 And with obsequious majesty approved 
6695 And happy constellations, on that hour 
6697 Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; 
6698 Joyous the birds; fresh gales and gentle airs 
6699 Whispered it to the woods, and from their wings 
6702 Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening-star 
6704 Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought 
6706 Which I enjoy; and must confess to find 
6710 I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, 
6711 Walks, and the melody of birds: but here 
6715 Superiour and unmoved; here only weak 
6717 Or Nature failed in me, and left some part 
6725 And inward faculties, which most excel; 
6727 His image who made both, and less expressing 
6731 And in herself complete, so well to know 
6736 Loses discountenanced, and like Folly shows; 
6737 Authority and Reason on her wait, 
6739 Occasionally; and, to consummate all, 
6740 Greatness of mind and Nobleness their seat 
6741 Build in her loveliest, and create an awe 
6745 Do thou but thine; and be not diffident 
6751 An outside? fair, no doubt, and worthy well 
6752 Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love; 
6755 Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right 
6758 And to realities yield all her shows: 
6765 To cattle and each beast; which would not be 
6766 To them made common and divulged, if aught 
6773 The thoughts, and heart enlarges; hath his seat 
6774 In reason, and is judicious; is the scale 
6782 And with mysterious reverence I deem,) 
6785 From all her words and actions mixed with love 
6786 And sweet compliance, which declare unfeigned 
6794 Approve the best, and follow what I approve. 
6796 Leads up to Heaven, is both the way and guide; 
6798 Love not the heavenly Spirits, and how their love 
6804 Us happy, and without love no happiness. 
6806 (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy 
6807 In eminence; and obstacle find none 
6814 Beyond the Earth's green Cape and verdant Isles 
6816 Be strong, live happy, and love!  But, first of all, 
6817 Him, whom to love is to obey, and keep 
6820 Would not admit: thine, and of all thy sons, 
6823 And all the Blest:  Stand fast;to stand or fall 
6826 And all temptation to transgress repel. 
6831 Gentle to me and affable hath been 
6832 Thy condescension, and shall be honoured ever 
6834 Be good and friendly still, and oft return! 
6836 From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower. 
6845 To sit indulgent, and with him partake 
6848 Those notes to tragick; foul distrust, and breach 
6850 And disobedience: on the part of Heaven 
6851 Now alienated, distance and distaste, 
6852 Anger and just rebuke, and judgement given, 
6854 Sin and her shadow Death, and Misery 
6861 Perplexed the Greek, and Cytherea's son:                         
6867 And dictates to me slumbering; or inspires 
6870 Pleas'd me long choosing, and beginning late; 
6874 With long and tedious havock fabled knights 
6876 Of patience and heroick martyrdom 
6877 Unsung; or to describe races and games, 
6879 Impresses quaint, caparisons and steeds, 
6880 Bases and tinsel trappings, gorgeous knights 
6881 At joust and tournament; then marshall'd feast 
6882 Serv'd up in hall with sewers and seneshals; 
6890 Depress'd; and much they may, if all be mine, 
6892 The sun was sunk, and after him the star 
6895 "twixt day and night, and now from end to end 
6899 In meditated fraud and malice, bent 
6904 His entrance, and foreworned the Cherubim 
6910 On the eighth returned; and, on the coast averse 
6917 In with the river sunk, and with it rose 
6919 Where to lie hid; sea he had searched, and land, 
6920 From Eden over Pontus and the pool 
6922 Downward as far antarctick; and in length, 
6925 Ganges and Indus: Thus the orb he roamed 
6926 With narrow search; and with inspection deep 
6928 Most opportune might serve his wiles; and found 
6933 To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 
6936 As from his wit and native subtlety 
6954 Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth 
6959 Of hill, and valley, rivers, woods, and plains, 
6960 Now land, now sea and shores with forest crowned, 
6961 Rocks, dens, and caves!  But I in none of these 
6962 Find place or refuge; and the more I see 
6966 Bane, and in Heaven much worse would be my state. 
6973 To my relentless thoughts; and, him destroyed, 
6980 What he, Almighty styled, six nights and days 
6981 Continued making; and who knows how long 
6985 The angelick name, and thinner left the throng 
6987 And to repair his numbers thus impaired, 
6992 A creature formed of earth, and him endow, 
6995 He effected; Man he made, and for him built 
6996 Magnificent this world, and earth his seat, 
6997 Him lord pronounced; and, O indignity! 
6999 And flaming ministers to watch and tend 
7001 I dread; and, to elude, thus wrapt in mist 
7002 Of midnight vapour glide obscure, and pry 
7003 In every bush and brake, where hap may find 
7005 To hide me, and the dark intent I bring. 
7008 Into a beast; and, mixed with bestial slime, 
7009 This essence to incarnate and imbrute, 
7011 But what will not ambition and revenge 
7031 The Devil entered; and his brutal sense, 
7039 To the Creator, and his nostrils fill 
7041 And joined their vocal worship to the quire 
7043 The season prime for sweetest scents and airs: 
7047 And Eve first to her husband thus began. 
7049 This garden, still to tend plant, herb, and flower, 
7065 Looks intervene and smiles, or object new 
7068 Early, and the hour of supper comes unearned? 
7077 And good works in her husband to promote. 
7082 Of looks and smiles; for smiles from reason flow, 
7083 To brute denied, and are of love the food; 
7086 He made us, and delight to reason joined. 
7087 These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands 
7093 And short retirement urges sweet return. 
7097 Envying our happiness, and of his own 
7098 Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame 
7099 By sly assault; and somewhere nigh at hand 
7101 His wish and best advantage, us asunder; 
7109 That gave thee being, still shades thee, and protects. 
7111 Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, 
7114 As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, 
7116 Offspring of Heaven and Earth, and all Earth's Lord! 
7119 And from the parting Angel over-heard, 
7129 Thy equal fear, that my firm faith and love 
7134 Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve! 
7135 For such thou art; from sin and blame entire: 
7143 And anger wouldst resent the offered wrong, 
7149 Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn; 
7157 Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite. 
7159 When I am present, and thy trial choose 
7162 And matrimonial love; but Eve, who thought 
7178 And what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed 
7184 And Eden were no Eden, thus exposed. 
7195 Reason, is free; and Reason he made right, 
7196 But bid her well be ware, and still erect; 
7198 She dictate false; and mis-inform the will 
7201 That I should mind thee oft; and mind thou me. 
7205 And fall into deception unaware, 
7208 Were better, and most likely if from me 
7221 With thy permission then, and thus forewarned 
7229 Soft she withdrew; and, like a Wood-Nymph light, 
7232 In gait surpassed, and Goddess-like deport, 
7233 Though not as she with bow and quiver armed, 
7245 And all things in best order to invite 
7251 Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers and shades, 
7255 For now, and since first break of dawn, the Fiend, 
7257 And on his quest, where likeliest he might find 
7260 In bower and field he sought, where any tuft 
7276 From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh. 
7277 Nearer he drew, and many a walk traversed 
7279 Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen, 
7280 Among thick-woven arborets, and flowers 
7289 Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, 
7291 Among the pleasant villages and farms 
7297 She most, and in her look sums all delight: 
7301 Angelick, but more soft, and feminine, 
7304 His malice, and with rapine sweet bereaved 
7307 From his own evil, and for the time remained 
7312 And tortures him now more, the more he sees 
7314 Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 
7327 And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb 
7330 I not; so much hath Hell debased, and pain 
7334 And beauty, not approached by stronger hate, 
7338 In serpent, inmate bad! and toward Eve 
7343 Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes; 
7347 And lovely; never since of serpent-kind 
7349 Hermione and Cadmus, or the god 
7358 Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail: 
7359 So varied he, and of his tortuous train 
7368 His turret crest, and sleek enamelled neck, 
7369 Fawning; and licked the ground whereon she trod. 
7378 Displeased that I approach thee thus, and gaze 
7383 By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore 
7387 Beholders rude, and shallow to discern 
7389 Who sees thee? and what is one? who should be seen 
7390 A Goddess among Gods, adored and served 
7392 So glozed the Tempter, and his proem tuned: 
7397 By tongue of brute, and human sense expressed? 
7402 Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. 
7405 Redouble then this miracle, and say, 
7406 How camest thou speakable of mute, and how 
7413 What thou commandest; and right thou shouldst be obeyed: 
7415 The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, 
7417 Or sex, and apprehended nothing high: 
7421 Ruddy and gold: I nearer drew to gaze; 
7429 Not to defer; hunger and thirst at once, 
7436 Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. 
7438 Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 
7443 Of reason in my inward powers; and speech 
7446 I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind 
7448 Or Earth, or Middle; all things fair and good: 
7449 But all that fair and good in thy divine 
7450 Semblance, and in thy beauty's heavenly ray, 
7454 And gaze, and worship thee of right declared 
7456 So talked the spirited sly Snake; and Eve, 
7462 In Paradise, and various, yet unknown 
7466 Grow up to their provision, and more hands 
7468 To whom the wily Adder, blithe and glad. 
7469 Empress, the way is ready, and not long; 
7472 Of blowing myrrh and balm: if thou accept 
7475 In tangles, and made intricate seem straight, 
7476 To mischief swift.  Hope elevates, and joy 
7479 Condenses, and the cold environs round, 
7482 Hovering and blazing with delusive light, 
7484 To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool; 
7485 There swallowed up and lost, from succour far. 
7486 So glistered the dire Snake, and into fraud 
7495 God so commanded, and left that command 
7508 The Tempter, but with show of zeal and love 
7509 To Man, and indignation at his wrong, 
7510 New part puts on; and, as to passion moved, 
7511 Fluctuates disturbed, yet comely and in act 
7522 O sacred, wise, and wisdom-giving Plant, 
7531 Me, who have touched and tasted; yet both live, 
7532 And life more perfect have attained than Fate 
7536 For such a petty trespass? and not praise 
7540 To happier life, knowledge of good and evil; 
7543 God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; 
7547 Why, but to keep ye low and ignorant, 
7551 Opened and cleared, and ye shall be as Gods, 
7552 Knowing both good and evil, as they know. 
7559 And what are Gods, that Man may not become 
7561 The Gods are first, and that advantage use 
7566 Knowledge of good and evil in this tree, 
7568 Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies 
7572 Or is it envy? and can envy dwell 
7573 In heavenly breasts?  These, these, and many more 
7575 Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste! 
7576 He ended; and his words, replete with guile, 
7579 Might tempt alone; and in her ears the sound 
7581 With reason, to her seeming, and with truth: 
7582 Mean while the hour of noon drew on, and waked 
7589 Though kept from man, and worthy to be admired; 
7591 Gave elocution to the mute, and taught 
7595 Of knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil; 
7598 By thee communicated, and our want: 
7600 And yet unknown, is as not had at all. 
7607 How dies the Serpent? he hath eaten and lives, 
7608 And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, 
7617 Under this ignorance of good and evil, 
7622 To reach, and feed at once both body and mind? 
7625 Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat, 
7628 The guilty Serpent; and well might;for Eve, 
7635 And knew not eating death:  Satiate at length, 
7636 And hightened as with wine, jocund and boon, 
7641 And thy fair fruit let hang, as to no end 
7643 Not without song, each morning, and due praise, 
7644 Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease 
7653 And givest access, though secret she retire. 
7654 And I perhaps am secret: Heaven is high, 
7655 High, and remote to see from thence distinct 
7656 Each thing on Earth; and other care perhaps 
7661 As yet my change, and give him to partake 
7666 And render me more equal; and perhaps, 
7670 And death ensue? then I shall be no more! 
7671 And Adam, wedded to another Eve, 
7684 Her tresses, and her rural labours crown; 
7686 Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new 
7690 And forth to meet her went, the way she took 
7695 New gathered, and ambrosial smell diffused. 
7697 Came prologue, and apology too prompt; 
7700 Thee I have missed, and thought it long, deprived 
7705 Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear: 
7709 To open eyes, and make them Gods who taste; 
7710 And hath been tasted such:  The serpent wise, 
7712 Hath eaten of the fruit; and is become, 
7714 Endued with human voice and human sense, 
7715 Reasoning to admiration; and with me 
7717 Have also tasted, and have also found 
7720 And growing up to Godhead; which for thee 
7723 Tedious, unshared with thee, and odious soon. 
7727 Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce 
7733 Astonied stood and blank, while horrour chill 
7734 Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed; 
7736 Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed: 
7737 Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length 
7739 O fairest of Creation, last and best 
7744 Defaced, deflowered, and now to death devote! 
7749 And me with thee hath ruined; for with thee 
7752 Thy sweet converse, and love so dearly joined, 
7754 Should God create another Eve, and I 
7758 Bone of my bone thou art, and from thy state 
7761 Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbed 
7765 And peril great provoked, who thus hast dared, 
7774 Made common, and unhallowed, ere our taste; 
7776 Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live, as Man, 
7787 Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose; 
7791 Triumph, and say; "Fickle their state whom God 
7803 So Adam; and thus Eve to him replied. 
7809 And gladly of our union hear thee speak, 
7822 The worst, and not persuade thee, rather die 
7830 Hath touched my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh. 
7832 And fear of death deliver to the winds. 
7833 So saying, she embraced him, and for joy 
7844 In pangs; and Nature gave a second groan; 
7845 Sky loured; and, muttering thunder, some sad drops 
7852 They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel 
7861 And elegant, of sapience no small part; 
7863 And palate call judicious; I the praise 
7873 I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorned 
7877 So said he, and forbore not glance or toy 
7880 Her hand he seised; and to a shady bank, 
7883 Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 
7884 And hyacinth;  Earth's freshest softest lap. 
7885 There they their fill of love and love's disport 
7891 About their spirits had played, and inmost powers 
7892 Made err, was now exhaled; and grosser sleep, 
7895 As from unrest; and, each the other viewing, 
7896 Soon found their eyes how opened, and their minds 
7899 Just confidence, and native righteousness, 
7900 And honour, from about them, naked left 
7904 Of Philistean Dalilah, and waked 
7905 Shorn of his strength.  They destitute and bare 
7906 Of all their virtue:  Silent, and in face 
7914 Opened we find indeed, and find we know 
7915 Both good and evil; good lost, and evil got; 
7919 Our wonted ornaments now soiled and stained, 
7920 And in our faces evident the signs 
7925 And rapture so oft beheld?  Those heavenly shapes 
7931 And brown as evening:  Cover me, ye Pines! 
7937 To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen; 
7939 And girded on our loins, may cover round 
7941 There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. 
7942 So counselled he, and both together went 
7947 Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 
7948 The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 
7950 High over-arched, and echoing walks between: 
7952 Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds 
7955 And, with what skill they had, together sewed, 
7957 Their guilt and dreaded shame!  O, how unlike 
7960 With feathered cincture; naked else, and wild 
7961 Among the trees on isles and woody shores. 
7962 Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part 
7967 Mistrust, suspicion, discord; and shook sore 
7969 And full of peace, now tost and turbulent: 
7970 For Understanding ruled not, and the Will 
7975 Adam, estranged in look and altered style, 
7977 Would thou hadst hearkened to my words, and staid 
8002 Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. 
8003 Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy dissent, 
8009 Who might have lived, and joyed immortal bliss, 
8011 And am I now upbraided as the cause 
8015 The danger, and the lurking enemy 
8017 And force upon free will hath here no place. 
8020 Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps 
8025 And thou the accuser.  Thus it shall befall 
8028 And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue, 
8032 And of their vain contest appeared no end. 
8039 Mean while the heinous and despiteful act 
8040 Of Satan, done in Paradise; and how 
8045 Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just, 
8047 Of Man, with strength entire and free will armed, 
8048 Complete to have discovered and repulsed 
8050 For still they knew, and ought to have still remembered, 
8054 And, manifold in sin, deserved to fall. 
8056 The angelick guards ascended, mute, and sad, 
8065 The ethereal people ran, to hear and know 
8069 And easily approved; when the Most High 
8072 Assembled Angels, and ye Powers returned 
8078 I told ye then he should prevail, and speed 
8080 And flattered out of all, believing lies 
8085 In even scale.  But fallen he is; and now 
8088 Which he presumes already vain and void, 
8099 Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary, 
8100 And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen. 
8101 So spake the Father; and, unfolding bright 
8105 Expressed, and thus divinely answered mild. 
8107 Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will 
8113 Before thee; and, not repenting, this obtain 
8117 Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. 
8121 Convict by flight, and rebel to all law: 
8124 Of high collateral glory: Him Thrones, and Powers, 
8125 Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant, 
8127 Eden, and all the coast, in prospect lay. 
8131 From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, 
8132 To fan the earth now waked, and usher in 
8134 Came the mild Judge, and Intercessour both, 
8138 And from his presence hid themselves among 
8139 The thickest trees, both man and wife; till God, 
8147 He came; and with him Eve, more loth, though first 
8148 To offend; discountenanced both, and discomposed; 
8151 And shame, and perturbation, and despair, 
8152 Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. 
8154 I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 
8157 My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not feared, 
8168 I should conceal, and not expose to blame 
8170 Subdues me, and calamitous constraint; 
8171 Lest on my head both sin and punishment, 
8176 And gavest me as thy perfect gift, so good, 
8179 And what she did, whatever in itself, 
8181 She gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 
8186 Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place 
8188 And for thee, whose perfection far excelled 
8190 She was indeed, and lovely, to attract 
8191 Thy love, not thy subjection; and her gifts 
8194 And person, hadst thou known thyself aright. 
8200 The Serpent me beguiled, and I did eat. 
8205 Of mischief, and polluted from the end 
8212 And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall. 
8216 And dust shalt eat all the days of thy life. 
8217 Between thee and the woman I will put 
8218 Enmity, and between thine and her seed; 
8224 Spoiled Principalities and Powers, triumphed 
8225 In open show; and, with ascension bright, 
8230 And to the Woman thus his sentence turned. 
8233 In sorrow forth; and to thy husband's will 
8237 And eaten of the tree, concerning which 
8241 Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth 
8242 Unbid; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 
8246 For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return. 
8247 So judged he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent; 
8248 And the instant stroke of death, denounced that day, 
8257 And thought not much to clothe his enemies; 
8267 Mean while, ere thus was sinned and judged on Earth, 
8268 Within the gates of Hell sat Sin and Death, 
8275 In other worlds, and happier seat provides 
8282 Wings growing, and dominion given me large 
8293 Adventurous work, yet to thy power and mine 
8301 By this new-felt attraction and instinct. 
8303 Go, whither Fate, and inclination strong, 
8306 Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 
8317 So scented the grim Feature, and upturned 
8321 Wide anarchy of Chaos, damp and dark, 
8322 Flew diverse; and with power (their power was great) 
8325 Tost up and down, together crouded drove, 
8332 Death with his mace petrifick, cold and dry, 
8333 As with a trident, smote; and fixed as firm 
8336 And with Asphaltick slime, broad as the gate, 
8338 They fastened, and the mole immense wrought on 
8347 Came to the sea: and, over Hellespont 
8349 And scourged with many a stroke the indignant waves. 
8354 First lighted from his wing, and landed safe 
8357 And chains they made all fast, too fast they made 
8358 And durable!  And now in little space 
8360 And of this World; and, on the left hand, Hell 
8363 And now their way to Earth they had descried, 
8366 Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering 
8371 Into the wood fast by; and, changing shape, 
8380 By night, and listening where the hapless pair 
8381 Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint, 
8384 And tidings fraught, to Hell he now returned; 
8385 And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot 
8388 Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight 
8394 Thou art their author, and prime architect: 
8408 To fortify thus far, and overlay, 
8412 With odds what war hath lost, and fully avenged 
8417 And henceforth monarchy with thee divide 
8422 Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both; 
8429 Mine, with this glorious work; and made one realm, 
8430 Hell and this world, one realm, one continent 
8434 With these successes, and with them rejoice; 
8437 There dwell, and reign in bliss; thence on the earth 
8438 Dominion exercise and in the air, 
8440 Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 
8441 My substitutes I send ye, and create 
8447 No detriment need fear; go, and be strong! 
8451 And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse 
8455 And with rebounding surge the bars assailed, 
8457 Wide open and unguarded, Satan passed, 
8458 And all about found desolate; for those, 
8462 Of Pandemonium; city and proud seat 
8468 Departing gave command, and they observed. 
8477 Round their metropolis; and now expecting 
8481 Of lowest order, passed; and from the door 
8486 He sat, and round about him saw unseen: 
8488 And shape star-bright appeared, or brighter; clad 
8492 Bent their aspect, and whom they wished beheld, 
8495 Raised from their dark Divan, and with like joy 
8497 Silence, and with these words attention, won. 
8500 I call ye, and declare ye now; returned 
8504 And dungeon of our tyrant:  Now possess, 
8511 By Sin and Death a broad way now is paved, 
8515 Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wild; 
8524 From his Creator; and, the more to encrease 
8527 Both his beloved Man, and all his world, 
8528 To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 
8530 To range in, and to dwell, and over Man 
8536 Me and mankind; I am to bruise his heel; 
8541 But up, and enter now into full bliss? 
8543 Their universal shout, and high applause, 
8549 His visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare; 
8561 With complicated monsters head and tail, 
8562 Scorpion, and Asp, and Amphisbaena dire, 
8563 Cerastes horned, Hydrus, and Elops drear, 
8564 And Dipsas; (not so thick swarmed once the soil 
8569 Huge Python, and his power no less he seemed 
8578 And horrid sympathy; for, what they saw, 
8580 Down fell both spear and shield; down they as fast; 
8581 And the dire hiss renewed, and the dire form 
8594 Yet, parched with scalding thirst and hunger fierce, 
8596 But on they rolled in heaps, and, up the trees 
8606 Hunger and thirst constraining; drugged as oft, 
8608 With soot and cinders filled; so oft they fell 
8611 And worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss, 
8615 To dash their pride, and joy, for Man seduced. 
8618 And fabled how the Serpent, whom they called 
8622 And Ops, ere yet Dictaean Jove was born. 
8625 Once actual; now in body, and to dwell 
8633 Unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half starved? 
8641 Thou therefore on these herbs, and fruits, and flowers, 
8642 Feed first; on each beast next, and fish, and fowl; 
8643 No homely morsels! and, whatever thing 
8647 And season him thy last and sweetest prey. 
8650 All kinds, and for destruction to mature 
8655 To waste and havock yonder world, which I 
8656 So fair and good created; and had still 
8660 And his adherents, that with so much ease 
8661 I suffer them to enter and possess 
8662 A place so heavenly; and, conniving, seem 
8667 And know not that I called, and drew them thither, 
8668 My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth 
8670 On what was pure; til, crammed and gorged, nigh burst 
8671 With sucked and glutted offal, at one sling 
8673 Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave, at last, 
8675 For ever, and seal up his ravenous jaws. 
8676 Then Heaven and Earth renewed shall be made pure 
8679 He ended, and the heavenly audience loud 
8685 New Heaven and Earth shall to the ages rise, 
8691 As might affect the earth with cold and heat 
8692 Scarce tolerable; and from the north to call 
8696 Their planetary motions, and aspects, 
8697 In sextile, square, and trine, and opposite, 
8698 Of noxious efficacy, and when to join 
8699 In synod unbenign; and taught the fixed 
8704 Sea, air, and shore; the thunder when to roll 
8707 The poles of earth, twice ten degrees and more, 
8712 Atlantick Sisters, and the Spartan Twins, 
8714 By Leo, and the Virgin, and the Scales, 
8718 Equal in days and nights, except to those 
8722 Had rounded still the horizon, and not known 
8724 From cold Estotiland, and south as far 
8729 Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat? 
8731 Like change on sea and land; sideral blast, 
8732 Vapour, and mist, and exhalation hot, 
8733 Corrupt and pestilent:  Now from the north 
8734 Of Norumbega, and the Samoed shore, 
8736 And snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw, 
8737 Boreas, and Caecias, and Argestes loud, 
8738 And Thrascias, rend the woods, and seas upturn; 
8740 Notus, and Afer black with thunderous clouds 
8742 Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent winds, 
8743 Eurus and Zephyr, with their lateral noise, 
8744 Sirocco and Libecchio.  Thus began 
8748 Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl, 
8749 And fish with fish; to graze the herb all leaving, 
8756 And, in a troubled sea of passion tost, 
8759 Of this new glorious world, and me so late 
8764 The misery; I deserved it, and would bear 
8768 Delightfully, Encrease and multiply; 
8786 And equal to reduce me to my dust; 
8787 Desirous to resign and render back 
8793 Why am I mocked with death, and lengthened out 
8795 Mortality my sentence, and be earth 
8798 And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more 
8800 To me, and to my offspring, would torment me 
8810 And sin?  The body properly had neither, 
8824 His sentence beyond dust and Nature's law; 
8831 Both in me, and without me; and so last 
8834 On my defenceless head; both Death and I 
8835 Am found eternal, and incorporate both; 
8839 To waste it all myself, and leave ye none! 
8844 But all corrupt; both mind and will depraved 
8849 And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still 
8850 But to my own conviction: first and last 
8851 On me, me only, as the source and spring 
8857 And what thou fearest, alike destroys all hope 
8858 Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable 
8859 Beyond all past example and future; 
8860 To Satan only like both crime and doom. 
8862 And horrours hast thou driven me; out of which 
8866 Wholesome, and cool, and mild, but with black air 
8867 Accompanied; with damps, and dreadful gloom; 
8870 Outstretched he lay, on the cold ground; and oft 
8879 O woods, O fountains, hillocks, dales, and bowers! 
8881 To answer, and resound far other song.-- 
8888 And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape, 
8889 Like his, and colour serpentine, may show 
8894 And wandering vanity, when least was safe, 
8895 Rejected my forewarning, and disdained 
8899 Fooled and beguiled; by him thou, I by thee 
8902 And understood not all was but a show, 
8911 Of nature, and not fill the world at once 
8915 And more that shall befall; innumerable 
8917 And strait conjunction with this sex: for either 
8924 Shall meet, already linked and wedlock-bound 
8927 To human life, and houshold peace confound. 
8928 He added not, and from her turned; but Eve, 
8930 And tresses all disordered, at his feet 
8931 Fell humble; and, embracing them, besought 
8932 His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint. 
8934 What love sincere, and reverence in my heart 
8935 I bear thee, and unweeting have offended, 
8937 I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not, 
8940 My only strength and stay:  Forlorn of thee, 
8950 Against God only; I against God and thee; 
8951 And to the place of judgement will return, 
8956 She ended weeping; and her lowly plight, 
8958 Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought 
8960 Towards her, his life so late, and sole delight, 
8965 And thus with peaceful words upraised her soon. 
8966 Unwary, and too desirous, as before, 
8971 And my displeasure bearest so ill.  If prayers 
8973 Would speed before thee, and be louder heard, 
8975 Thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven, 
8976 To me committed, and by me exposed. 
8984 And to our seed (O hapless seed!) derived. 
8996 Or end; though sharp and sad, yet tolerable, 
8997 As in our evils, and of easier choice. 
9000 By Death at last; and miserable it is 
9002 Our own begotten, and of our loins to bring 
9009 Shall be deceived his glut, and with us two 
9011 But if thou judge it hard and difficult, 
9014 And with desire to languish without hope, 
9017 And torment less than none of what we dread; 
9018 Then, both ourselves and seed at once to free 
9023 That show no end but death, and have the power, 
9031 Labouring had raised; and thus to Eve replied. 
9032 Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems 
9034 And excellent, than what thy mind contemns; 
9036 That excellence thought in thee; and implies, 
9037 Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret 
9038 For loss of life and pleasure overloved. 
9058 Shal 'scape his punishment ordained, and we 
9061 Against ourselves; and wilful barrenness, 
9062 That cuts us off from hope; and savours only 
9063 Rancour and pride, impatience and despite, 
9064 Reluctance against God and his just yoke 
9066 And gracious temper he both heard, and judged, 
9071 And bringing forth; soon recompensed with joy, 
9075 My labour will sustain me; and, lest cold 
9077 Hath, unbesought, provided; and his hands 
9080 Be open, and his heart to pity incline, 
9081 And teach us further by what means to shun 
9082 The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow! 
9085 Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks 
9096 And sends a comfortable heat from far, 
9098 And what may else be remedy or cure 
9100 He will instruct us praying, and of grace 
9104 In dust, our final rest and native home. 
9107 Before him reverent; and there confess 
9108 Humbly our faults, and pardon beg; with tears 
9109 Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 
9111 Of sorrow unfeigned, and humiliation meek 
9118 Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn 
9120 When angry most he seemed and most severe, 
9121 What else but favour, grace, and mercy, shone? 
9125 Before him reverent; and both confessed 
9126 Humbly their faults, and pardon begged; with tears 
9127 Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air 
9129 Of sorrow unfeigned, and humiliation meek. 
9133 The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh 
9136 Inspired, and winged for Heaven with speedier flight 
9141 Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore 
9153 And prayers, which in this golden censer mixed 
9163 And propitiation; all his works on me, 
9165 Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay. 
9166 Accept me; and, in me, from these receive 
9172 All my redeemed may dwell in joy and bliss; 
9181 Eject him, tainted now; and purge him off, 
9183 And mortal food; as may dispose him best 
9185 Distempered all things, and of incorrupt 
9188 And immortality: that fondly lost, 
9191 His final remedy; and, after life, 
9192 Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined 
9193 By faith and faithful works, to second life, 
9195 Resigns him up with Heaven and Earth renewed. 
9200 And in their state, though firm, stood more confirmed. 
9201 He ended, and the Son gave signal high 
9204 When God descended, and perhaps once more 
9211 And took their seats; till from his throne supreme 
9214 To know both good and evil, since his taste 
9216 His knowledge of good lost, and evil got; 
9218 Good by itself, and evil not at all. 
9219 He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite, 
9221 His heart I know, how variable and vain, 
9223 Reach also of the tree of life, and eat, 
9224 And live for ever, dream at least to live 
9226 And send him from the garden forth to till 
9233 Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God 
9235 From hallowed ground the unholy; and denounce 
9236 To them, and to their progeny, from thence 
9239 (For I behold them softened, and with tears 
9247 And on the east side of the garden place, 
9249 Cherubick watch; and of a sword the flame 
9251 And guard all passage to the tree of life: 
9253 To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey; 
9255 He ceased; and the arch-angelick Power prepared 
9260 Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drouse, 
9264 Leucothea waked; and with fresh dews imbalmed 
9265 The earth; when Adam and first matron Eve 
9266 Had ended now their orisons, and found 
9279 Kneeled, and before him humbled all my heart; 
9280 Methought I saw him placable and mild, 
9283 Home to my breast, and to my memory 
9287 Is past, and we shall live.  Whence hail to thee, 
9290 Man is to live; and all things live for Man. 
9295 Rather belongs, distrust, and all dispraise: 
9318 Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind; 
9320 Adam observed, and with his eye the chase 
9327 Some days: how long, and what till then our life, 
9329 And thither must return, and be no more? 
9331 Of flight pursued in the air, and o'er the ground, 
9333 Darkness ere day's mid-course, and morning-light 
9336 And slow descends with something heavenly fraught? 
9339 In Paradise, and on a hill made halt; 
9341 And carnal fear that day dimmed Adam's eye. 
9359 One of the heavenly host; and, by his gait, 
9365 But solemn and sublime; whom not to offend, 
9366 With reverence I must meet, and thou retire. 
9367 He ended: and the Arch-Angel soon drew nigh, 
9372 Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old 
9377 Satan's dire dread; and in his hand the spear. 
9381 Sufficient that thy prayers are heard; and Death, 
9385 And one bad act with many deeds well done 
9390 And send thee from the garden forth to till 
9399 Thee, native soil! these happy walks and shades, 
9404 My early visitation, and my last 
9406 From the first opening bud, and gave ye names! 
9408 Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount? 
9411 How shall I part, and whither wander down 
9413 And wild? how shall we breathe in other air 
9423 Recovering, and his scattered spirits returned, 
9429 And in performing end us; what besides 
9430 Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, 
9433 Recess, and only consolation left 
9435 Inhospitable appear, and desolate; 
9436 Nor knowing us, nor known:  And, if by prayer 
9448 Presence Divine; and to my sons relate, 
9453 Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone 
9455 Or monument to ages; and theron 
9456 Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers: 
9460 To life prolonged and promised race, I now 
9462 Of glory; and far off his steps adore. 
9464 Adam, thou knowest Heaven his, and all the Earth; 
9466 Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives, 
9467 Fomented by his virtual power and warmed: 
9468 All the earth he gave thee to possess and rule, 
9473 All generations; and had hither come 
9475 And reverence thee, their great progenitor. 
9478 Yet doubt not but in valley, and in plain, 
9479 God is, as here; and will be found alike 
9480 Present; and of his presence many a sign 
9482 With goodness and paternal love, his face 
9483 Express, and of his steps the track divine. 
9484 Which that thou mayest believe, and be confirmed 
9487 To thee, and to thy offspring: good with bad 
9490 True patience, and to temper joy with fear 
9491 And pious sorrow; equally inured 
9494 Safest thy life, and best prepared endure 
9501 Thou leadest me; and to the hand of Heaven submit, 
9504 By suffering, and earn rest from labour won, 
9513 To show him all Earth's kingdoms, and their glory. 
9518 And Samarchand by Oxus, Temir's throne, 
9519 To Paquin of Sinaean kings; and thence 
9520 To Agra and Lahor of great Mogul, 
9527 Ercoco, and the less maritim kings 
9528 Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind, 
9529 And Sofala, thought Ophir, to the realm 
9530 Of Congo, and Angola farthest south; 
9532 The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus, 
9533 Morocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen; 
9534 On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway 
9537 And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat 
9538 Of Atabalipa; and yet unspoiled 
9543 Had bred; then purged with euphrasy and rue 
9545 And from the well of life three drops instilled. 
9549 Sunk down, and all his spirits became entranced; 
9551 Soon raised, and his attention thus recalled. 
9552 Adam, now ope thine eyes; and first behold 
9558 His eyes he opened, and beheld a field, 
9559 Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves 
9560 New reaped; the other part sheep-walks and folds; 
9564 First fruits, the green ear, and the yellow sheaf, 
9567 Choicest and best; then, sacrificing, laid 
9568 The inwards and their fat, with incense strowed, 
9569 On the cleft wood, and all due rights performed: 
9571 Consumed with nimble glance, and grateful steam; 
9573 Whereat he inly raged, and, as they talked, 
9575 That beat out life; he fell;and, deadly pale, 
9578 Dismayed, and thus in haste to the Angel cried. 
9581 Is piety thus and pure devotion paid? 
9583 These two are brethren, Adam, and to come 
9587 Will be avenged; and the other's faith, approved, 
9589 Rolling in dust and gore.  To which our sire. 
9590 Alas! both for the deed, and for the cause! 
9593 Of terrour, foul and ugly to behold, 
9597 Of Death, and many are the ways that lead 
9602 In meats and drinks, which on the earth shall bring 
9613 Intestine stone and ulcer, colick-pangs, 
9615 And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy, 
9616 Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence, 
9617 Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums. 
9620 And over them triumphant Death his dart 
9622 With vows, as their chief good, and final hope. 
9626 His best of man, and gave him up to tears 
9628 And, scarce recovering words, his plaint renewed. 
9638 So goodly and erect, though faulty since, 
9643 And, for his Maker's image sake, exempt? 
9646 To serve ungoverned Appetite; and took 
9655 I yield it just, said Adam, and submit. 
9658 To death, and mix with our connatural dust? 
9661 In what thou eatest and drinkest; seeking from thence 
9669 To withered, weak, and gray; thy senses then, 
9671 To what thou hast; and, for the air of youth, 
9672 Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign 
9673 A melancholy damp of cold and dry 
9674 To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume 
9678 Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous charge; 
9680 Of rendering up, and patiently attend 
9684 And now prepare thee for another sight. 
9685 He looked, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 
9689 Was heard, of harp and organ; and, who moved 
9690 Their stops and chords, was seen; his volant touch, 
9691 Instinct through all proportions, low and high, 
9692 Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. 
9694 Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass 
9706 Just men they seemed, and all their study bent 
9707 To worship God aright, and know his works 
9709 Freedom and peace to Men; they on the plain 
9712 In gems and wanton dress; to the harp they sung 
9713 Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on: 
9714 The men, though grave, eyed them; and let their eyes 
9716 Fast caught, they liked; and each his liking chose; 
9717 And now of love they treat, till the evening-star, 
9719 They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke 
9721 With feast and musick all the tents resound. 
9722 Such happy interview, and fair event 
9723 Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers, 
9724 And charming symphonies, attached the heart 
9728 Much better seems this vision, and more hope 
9730 Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; 
9735 Holy and pure, conformity divine. 
9746 Woman's domestick honour and chief praise; 
9747 Bred only and completed to the taste 
9749 To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye: 
9753 Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles 
9754 Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy, 
9755 Erelong to swim at large; and laugh, for which 
9758 O pity and shame, that they, who to live well 
9765 By wisdom, and superiour gifts received. 
9767 He looked, and saw wide territory spread 
9768 Before him, towns, and rural works between; 
9769 Cities of men with lofty gates and towers, 
9771 Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise; 
9774 Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood; 
9776 A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, 
9778 Ewes and their bleating lambs over the plain, 
9783 With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field, 
9785 Lay siege, encamped; by battery, scale, and mine, 
9787 With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire; 
9788 On each hand slaughter, and gigantick deeds. 
9791 Gray-headed men and grave, with warriours mixed, 
9792 Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon, 
9795 In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, 
9796 Of justice, or religion, truth, and peace, 
9797 And judgement from above: him old and young 
9798 Exploded, and had seized with violent hands, 
9801 Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, 
9802 Through all the plain, and refuge none was found. 
9803 Adam was all in tears, and to his guide 
9806 Inhumanly to men, and multiply 
9815 Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mixed, 
9819 And valour and heroick virtue called; 
9820 To overcome in battle, and subdue 
9821 Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 
9823 Of human glory; and for glory done 
9825 Patrons of mankind, Gods, and sons of Gods; 
9826 Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men. 
9828 And what most merits fame, in silence hid. 
9831 And therefore hated, therefore so beset 
9833 And utter odious truth, that God would come 
9837 High in salvation and the climes of bliss, 
9840 Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold. 
9841 He looked, and saw the face of things quite changed; 
9843 All now was turned to jollity and game, 
9844 To luxury and riot, feast and dance; 
9849 And of their doings great dislike declared, 
9850 And testified against their ways; he oft 
9852 Triumphs or festivals; and to them preached 
9853 Conversion and repentance, as to souls 
9856 Contending, and removed his tents far off; 
9859 Measured by cubit, length, and breadth, and highth; 
9860 Smeared round with pitch; and in the side a door 
9861 Contrived; and of provisions laid in large, 
9862 For man and beast: when lo, a wonder strange! 
9863 Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, 
9864 Came sevens, and pairs; and entered in as taught 
9865 Their order: last the sire and his three sons, 
9866 With their four wives; and God made fast the door. 
9867 Mean while the south-wind rose, and, with black wings 
9870 Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist, 
9871 Sent up amain; and now the thickened sky 
9873 Impetuous; and continued, till the earth 
9875 Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow 
9877 Flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp 
9879 Sea without shore; and in their palaces, 
9881 And stabled; of mankind, so numerous late, 
9886 Of tears and sorrow a flood, thee also drowned, 
9887 And sunk thee as thy sons; till, gently reared 
9891 And scarce to the Angel utter'dst thus thy plaint. 
9903 And he the future evil shall no less 
9907 Famine and anguish will at last consume, 
9909 When violence was ceased, and war on earth, 
9915 And whether here the race of Man will end. 
9917 In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they 
9919 And great exploits, but of true virtue void; 
9920 Who, having spilt much blood, and done much wast 
9921 Subduing nations, and achieved thereby 
9922 Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey; 
9923 Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, 
9924 Surfeit, and lust; till wantonness and pride 
9926 The conquered also, and enslaved by war, 
9928 And fear of God; from whom their piety feigned 
9936 Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot; 
9939 Against allurement, custom, and a world 
9940 Offended: fearless of reproach and scorn, 
9949 Of Pharaoh:  There he dies, and leaves his race 
9950 Growing into a nation, and now grown 
9954 Shall them admonish; and before them set 
9956 And full of peace; denouncing wrath to come 
9957 On their impenitence; and shall return 
9961 To save himself, and houshold, from amidst 
9963 No sooner he, with them of man and beast 
9965 And sheltered round; but all the cataracts 
9967 Rain, day and night; all fountains of the deep, 
9973 With all his verdure spoiled, and trees adrift, 
9975 And there take root an island salt and bare, 
9976 The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews' clang: 
9980 And now, what further shall ensue, behold. 
9981 He looked, and saw the ark hull on the flood, 
9985 And the clear sun on his wide watery glass 
9986 Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, 
9993 And now the tops of hills, as rocks, appear; 
9997 And after him, the surer messenger, 
9998 A dove sent forth once and again to spy 
10002 Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark 
10004 Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, 
10006 A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow 
10008 Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. 
10010 Greatly rejoiced; and thus his joy broke forth. 
10014 With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. 
10017 For one man found so perfect, and so just, 
10019 From him, and all his anger to forget. 
10024 Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth? 
10029 The whole earth filled with violence, and all flesh 
10033 And makes a covenant never to destroy 
10039 And call to mind his covenant: Day and night, 
10040 Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, 
10042 Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell. 
10051 Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored, 
10054 Thus thou hast seen one world begin, and end; 
10055 And Man, as from a second stock, proceed. 
10058 Must needs impair and weary human sense: 
10060 Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. 
10062 And while the dread of judgement past remains 
10064 With some regard to what is just and right 
10065 Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace; 
10066 Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, 
10067 Corn, wine, and oil; and, from the herd or flock, 
10069 With large wine-offerings poured, and sacred feast, 
10070 Shall spend their days in joy unblamed; and dwell 
10071 Long time in peace, by families and tribes, 
10076 Over his brethren, and quite dispossess 
10077 Concord and law of nature from the earth; 
10078 Hunting (and men not beasts shall be his game) 
10079 With war, and hostile snare, such as refuse 
10084 And from rebellion shall derive his name, 
10091 Of brick, and of that stuff, they cast to build 
10092 A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven; 
10093 And get themselves a name; lest, far dispersed 
10097 Unseen, and through their habitations walks 
10100 Obstruct Heaven-towers, and in derision sets 
10102 Quite out their native language; and, instead, 
10106 Not understood; till hoarse, and all in rage, 
10108 And looking down, to see the hubbub strange, 
10109 And hear the din:  Thus was the building left 
10110 Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named. 
10122 Siege and defiance:  Wretched man!what food 
10124 Himself and his rash army; where thin air 
10126 And famish him of breath, if not of bread? 
10133 Twinned, and from her hath no dividual being: 
10136 And upstart passions, catch the government 
10137 From reason; and to servitude reduce 
10147 But justice, and some fatal curse annexed, 
10156 His presence from among them, and avert 
10159 And one peculiar nation to select 
10166 As to forsake the living God, and fall 
10167 To worship their own work in wood and stone 
10170 His kindred, and false Gods, into a land 
10171 Which he will show him; and from him will raise 
10172 A mighty nation; and upon him shower 
10177 He leaves his Gods, his friends, and native soil, 
10180 Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude; 
10184 Pitched about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain 
10201 A son, and of his son a grand-child, leaves; 
10202 Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown: 
10211 Of Pharaoh. There he dies, and leaves his race 
10212 Growing into a nation, and now grown 
10216 Inhospitably, and kills their infant males: 
10218 Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claim 
10220 With glory and spoil, back to their promised land. 
10223 Must be compelled by signs and judgements dire; 
10225 Frogs, lice, and flies, must all his palace fill 
10226 With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land; 
10227 His cattle must of rot and murren die; 
10228 Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, 
10229 And all his people; thunder mixed with hail, 
10231 And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls; 
10234 Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green; 
10236 Palpable darkness, and blot out three days; 
10240 To let his sojourners depart, and oft 
10250 Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire; 
10252 To guide them in their journey, and remove 
10256 Then through the fiery pillar, and the cloud, 
10258 And craze their chariot-wheels: when by command 
10262 And overwhelm their war:  The race elect 
10266 War terrify them inexpert, and fear 
10269 To noble and ignoble is more sweet 
10273 Their government, and their great senate choose 
10277 In thunder, lightning, and loud trumpets' sound, 
10281 And shadows, of that destined Seed to bruise 
10286 And terrour cease; he grants what they besought, 
10291 And all the Prophets in their age the times 
10292 Of great Messiah shall sing.  Thus, laws and rites 
10299 An ark, and in the ark his testimony, 
10306 Save when they journey, and at length they come, 
10308 Promised to Abraham and his seed:--The rest 
10310 How many kings destroyed; and kingdoms won; 
10312 A day entire, and night's due course adjourn, 
10314 'And thou moon in the vale of Aialon, 
10316 From Abraham, son of Isaac; and from him 
10321 Just Abraham and his seed: now first I find 
10322 Mine eyes true-opening, and my heart much eased; 
10324 Of me and all mankind:  But now I see 
10330 So many and so various laws are given; 
10335 And therefore was law given them, to evince 
10340 The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude 
10344 Justification towards God, and peace 
10347 Perform; and, not performing, cannot live. 
10348 So law appears imperfect; and but given 
10355 And therefore shall not Moses, though of God 
10359 His name and office bearing, who shall quell 
10360 The adversary-Serpent, and bring back 
10364 Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins 
10370 And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive 
10377 All nations; and to kings foretold, of kings 
10380 And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, 
10385 Whose foul idolatries, and other faults 
10387 God, as to leave them, and expose their land, 
10388 Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, 
10389 With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey 
10394 Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn 
10398 They first re-edify; and for a while 
10400 In wealth and multitude, factious they grow; 
10402 Men who attend the altar, and should most 
10405 The scepter, and regard not David's sons; 
10410 And guides the eastern sages, who inquire 
10411 His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold: 
10414 They gladly thither haste, and by a quire 
10418 The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 
10429 Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son 
10432 Expect with mortal pain:  Say where and when 
10443 In thee, and in thy seed:  Nor can this be, 
10446 On penalty of death, and suffering death; 
10448 And due to theirs which out of thine will grow: 
10451 Both by obedience and by love, though love 
10454 To a reproachful life, and cursed death; 
10456 In his redemption; and that his obedience, 
10460 Seised on by force, judged, and to death condemned 
10461 A shameful and accursed, nailed to the cross 
10464 The law that is against thee, and the sins 
10474 Neglect not, and the benefit embrace 
10479 Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms; 
10480 And fix far deeper in his head their stings 
10489 And his salvation; them who shall believe 
10492 Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befall, 
10501 Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise 
10502 The Serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains 
10503 Through all his realm, and there confounded leave; 
10504 Then enter into glory, and resume 
10506 Above all names in Heaven; and thence shall come, 
10508 With glory and power to judge both quick and dead; 
10510 His faithful, and receive them into bliss, 
10513 Than this of Eden, and far happier days. 
10515 As at the world's great period; and our sire, 
10516 Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied. 
10519 And evil turn to good; more wonderful 
10523 By me done, and occasioned; or rejoice 
10526 From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. 
10536 His Spirit within them; and the law of faith, 
10538 To guide them in all truth; and also arm 
10540 Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts; 
10544 And oft supported so as shall amaze 
10549 To speak all tongues, and do all miracles, 
10553 Their ministry performed, and race well run, 
10554 Their doctrine and their story written left, 
10559 Of lucre and ambition; and the truth 
10560 With superstitions and traditions taint, 
10564 Places, and titles, and with these to join 
10567 The Spirit of God, promised alike and given 
10568 To all believers; and, from that pretence, 
10573 But force the Spirit of Grace itself, and bind 
10577 Who against faith and conscience can be heard 
10581 Of spirit and truth; the rest, far greater part, 
10582 Will deem in outward rites and specious forms 
10584 Bestuck with slanderous darts, and works of faith 
10589 And vengeance to the wicked, at return 
10592 Now ampler known thy Saviour and thy Lord; 
10596 From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined, 
10598 Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love; 
10599 To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. 
10600 He ended; and thus Adam last replied. 
10606 Greatly in peace of thought; and have my fill 
10610 And love with fear the only God; to walk 
10612 His providence; and on him sole depend, 
10614 Still overcoming evil, and by small 
10616 Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise 
10619 And, to the faithful, death the gate of life; 
10625 Thou knewest by name, and all the ethereal powers, 
10628 And all the riches of this world enjoyedst, 
10629 And all the rule, one empire; only add 
10638 Exacts our parting hence; and see!the guards, 
10644 Portending good, and all her spirits composed 
10654 He ended, and they both descend the hill; 
10657 And thus with words not sad she him received. 
10658 Whence thou returnest, and whither wentest, I know; 
10659 For God is also in sleep; and dreams advise, 
10661 Presaging, since with sorrow and heart's distress 
10672 So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard 
10674 The Arch-Angel stood; and, from the other hill 
10679 And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel 
10683 And vapour as the Libyan air adust, 
10686 Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate 
10687 Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast 
10692 With dreadful faces thronged, and fiery arms: 
10695 Their place of rest, and Providence their guide: 
10696 They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,